OWH Sketches #17, 18, 19, and 20...

Who knew that starting at the beginning of the sketches would be so fun? These cards were made yesterday. I just could not decide how to finish the mom card. I was going to add a flower (and still may before it gets sent), however I did add the squiggles today.

OWH Sketch #106

Those of you who follow me know that coloring digis is not high on my fun list. ( I know all you "Copic lovers" would color her to perfection!) I did recently acquire this digi after visiting the Free Digital Stamps blog. There was something about her I could not resist.

This cutie is from Digi Darlas and can be found here: http://digidarlas.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-1-happiness-is.html. I also dug out my heart corner punch which I never know what to do with, but it seems to work with the bling for this card.

OWH: Glitterfree BLING

I dug in my stash for paper with foil; that is paper with bling! I tried to foil the sentiment with a kit but I ended up not liking it so I stamped a new one. I also popped on a coordinating rhinestone and called it good. This is sketch #16 for
those of you keeping track...on to #17.

SSC: White on White

I have to say this was the hardest card making challenge evah! White have never been a favorite color of mine. I ran across a tracing paper tablet and ended up using that paper for the vertical strip (punched) and the flower, as well as Martha Stewart diecuts. The image is from Pink Gem and can be found here: http://pinkgem-janet.blogspot.com. I purposely left off glitter in case I want to save it the card for a future OWH box.

This card will be linked to the Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog which (if you want to play) can be found here: http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/white-on-white.html.

OWH Sketch #105

Woo Hoo! Got my card made today despite going to work and grocery shopping. We were asked to kick it up a notch...so I tried. The turquoise circle was my starting point. I dug through my scraps, but the only thing I used out of there was the center strip. Oh well, I tried...

OWH Sketches 14, 15, and 3 Spring Cards!

If you are following my sketch adventure, I actually made 2 more sketch cards out of my scraps. I also made 1 spring card today and had 2 already made in my OWH box. On to sketch 105...

OWH Sketches 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13

I am trying to use up every little bit of this delish paper because I know that if I put it in my scrap bin it will get separated. I decided to piece the little pieces into a bigger piece for a couple of the cards as a means to use it up and I love the look!

Card #12 and 13 are samples of this. Since the papers all coordinate it makes things really easy; very similar to making a quilt except that is is waaaay easier and less time consuming. I think I have enough scraps to make one more card. Card #13 I wasn't really into the diagonal sentiment for this card...sometimes I can do it if the card theme is "cute & fun".

OWH Sketches 5, 6, 7, and 8...

Card 5 has a handmade fish hook, but I could not find a paperclip so I used wire. Card 7 I was going to use a stamp but I ran across my stamp that said live, which reminded me that some (including Sandy A) do not understand Live, Laugh, and Love. My quirky sense of humor immediately came up with this sentiment. Card 8 is my least favorite. On to sketch 9...

OWH Sketches #1, 2, 3, and 4...

I always said I would catch up on the sketches eventually, but I really wasn't in any big hurry. Well, there has been a resurgence of interest in the OWH sketches thanks to card maker Kathryn at http://kathrynscards.blogspot.com. I decided I could no longer just sit around and say someday. Unlike Kathryn, I have decided to work in order so I do not get lost. (LOL) I am concentrating on using up this new dp which is perfect for guy cards...and can be used for Father's Day cards if needed. I do need to try the fish hook out of a paperclip for at least one of the fish cards!

Just because...

I finally was able to make a short hop to my LSS and purchased one of the OWH Hero Arts Stamp sets! I happily succumbed to the peer pressure of needing to own one of these wonderful sets! Yippee!!!

I also scored some beautiful fishing and wildlife DP from the Paper Loft because for some odd reason I really love the challenge of making guy oriented cards. Fishing, sports, things with wheels are some of my fav themes. The other thing I really like to do is reuse the packaging from embellishments on cards. The sentiments on both is stamped on some of that recycled flatboard. The first card is my fav because I really like the blue as the base.

OWH MWT Black, White, and a Splash...

A splash of color! I had a vision for this card and it fought me every step of the way. I smudged the ink so I had to recut the butterfly (by hand). Ran out the ribbon because I was going to tie a bow, so I added a second ribbon. You all know what I mean when I say it did not come together "peacefully", but it turned out pretty good despite all the challenges.

On a separate note, I am ready to scream because all the problems I am having leaving comments on other blogs, and sometimes I am having difficulty even to get the page to load. AAARRRGGGHHH! There I am done!

OWH Sketch #104

I noticed that Kris mentioned on Facebook that she needed Any Hero Cards so I decided to make a patriotic gender neutral card that would work for one. My bow looks a little wonky...will need to "fluff"it.

Got to go to Michaels this am after brunch(yummy). I held myself back on the dp and embellishments and still spent alot(for my standards)...of course my DH helped contribute to the cost.

SSC: All That Glitters

Using glitter is hard for me because most of the cards I make I give to OWH and they say No Glitter. However I do need a few thank you cards for some volunteers at work so I thought I would glitter one of them for this challenge and it is so darn cute. I stamped all the flowers and colored them with markers. Also used my trusty pencil eraser for the dots for a little added pop. The sentiment is a digi designed by Paula and can be found here: http://paulaposts.blogspot.com/2012/01/back-in-saddle-free-thank-you-sentiment.html

The Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog can be found here: http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/all-that-glitters.html. A new fun challenge each week!

MFW: The Punches Challenge

I love my punches! Yes I do! I love how it takes only 5 seconds to punch a shape out and you can see where you are punching. Or if you are punching a border, you can do it out of any paper in just a few minutes.

I came up with this idea of a ladybug using the circle punch when I was creating my OWH Sketch #103. I decided that I needed to try a larger ladybug for this challenge and I LOVE it! The dots are stamped using a pencil eraser (thanks Mom you taught me that from your folkart painting days!). The antennas are cording that has been knotted. I also punched the gold paper using my favorite go-to border punch and a little hand stitching. The sentiment was printed on via my computer/printer. I love the "Wish I Was Taller" font. Oh I almost forgot that I also used my corner punch to add some fun as well. Enjoy!!!

OMG...I was so excited about my card that I forgot to link to the Moxie Fab World...here is the link...http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/01/cool-tools-week-punches-challenge.html. Sorry about the repost.

OWH MWT Floral

My card for the the challenge. No stamping. I am super tired from a long day and so I used everything from the same pad except the flower bling. I needed a little creative time...

OWH January 2012 ODBD

This month's ODBD is a recipe challenge: Use THREE patterned papers on your card! Not a very hard challenge for me since I find it harder to not use patterned paper.

I am always impressed with those card makers who can really think outside the box in how they use their stamps...so I decided to try to make a sun out of a string of pennants. The sentiment and the image were together in the pack, so it kinda made sense.

If you want to join in, please go to: http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2012/01/january-odbd-challenge.html.

OWH Sketch #103

I felt like Julie threw out a challenge -although that really wasn't her intention ;)-it simply was my interpretation. She said "Hmm, what will you use for the three embellishments? Stars? Hearts? Leaves?". I say none of the above! I wanted something a little different and so I chose ladybugs that I made myself using a round punch. scissors, pen, ink, pencil eraser, paper, and bling. In the process there was a little doubt on the paper choices, but I had a tag that tied everything together nicely color wise. I am also linking this card up to http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/spots-dots.html because it also coincides with their theme...although I did realize that until after I started the card. It is not a lot, but I did stamp the black dots on the ladybug wings using the pencil eraser, I hope that qualifies.

OWH MWT Any Occasion

I did not get anything crafty for Christmas, only because I did not ask for anything. My DH would have bought me anything I wanted. He never begrudges any time I spend crafting or any of the shopping trips, or supplies; that is a gift that keeps on giving all year long! Things have been a little crazy on all fronts so I am sharing two cards I made recently from scraps to help me catch my breath. I really love that Basic Grey paper that is on the second card!

OWH Sketch #102

My inspiration for this sketch was the embossed paper I received from my Secret Santa...Sandi "Merkins" Freeman. I do not have an embossing machine of any type so the paper was really a treat! Thanks Sandi!!! I did cut my stripes on the diagonal for a little visual movement and matted them to see how that looked...seemed to work so I kept it. A sticker from October Afternoon with black matting. I love this card so much it may not make it into my OWH box unless my conscience gets the best of me. A pretty easy card to make which I needed because I worked today.