These cards are from a few weeks ago when I was focused on combining the use of card sketches with my scrap stash.  For these three cards, I used Freshly Made Sketch #197 and a few elements from my embellishment stash. For this first card, I worked with a complementary color palette of blues and yellow oranges.  I started by running the yellow-orange card stock through an older Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folder called Stripes and adhered it to a white card base. Then I began laying my elements, starting with a banner of textured dark blue that I cut using the Homenty Bee Stamp Banner builder dies.  Layer three is a square cut using some older patterned paper and the Art Impressions Stitched Squares dies.   I added the sentiment using a stitched oval cut with Simon Says Stamps stitched oval dies and stamped “miss you” with a stamp set from My Favorite Things.  To complete the card I added a butterfly cut from a dark shade of yellow-orange cardstock u...

I've been watching Kelly's video for somewhere around six years. Kelly is the reason I ended up in the Copic marker cult.  Yes, I said cult, all in jest of course.  I've watched her color amazing scene card after scene card.  Eventually, I drank the cool-aid and bought the markers, but I digress.  We're here to talk about the cards and the inspiration. Last week Kelly shared the video 3 Cards with 1 Stamp Set and I was inspired to play with my various coffee stamp sets.  I also pulled Copic markers in some similar fall shades.  While I used multiple stamp sets, if you check out Kelly's video you'll see the inspiration shine through.   For the first card, I opted for a horizontal layout.  I started with kraft cardstock and the Tim Holtz Quilted 3D embossing folder.  Once embossed, I lightly ink blended Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the entire panel, then took the Ground Espresso pad and swiped it over the top.  If you use a ligh...

Monday, I created eight cards by using some bits out of my basket of cast-offs.  I must confess this idea was inspired by watching one of the many Tim Holtz Demo Videos on YouTube.  In the Sizzix Shaping Kit Demo video , he talked about how we should go in the studio and make bits and elements and then make cards from the parts later.  Tim shared how when he used to sit down and just focus on making one card at a time his cards were, well as he put it lazy.  He also talked about how when he was focused on single card production he often wasn't using all his things in his studio to their full potential.  By trying this method of creation, I ended my day with eight cards.  All from things that I cut for other cards, but never used for various reasons. I even found a stitched tag that was never finished. The nitty-gritty of how I went about making parts and then cards all starts with my basket of cast-offs.  I keep a small white plastic basket tucked unde...

Can I just say I love this Tim Holtz bird die? This die was a free with purchase at Simon Says Stamp a while back, and I’m honestly not sure there was any other way to get him. I’m so glad I opted to snag this little guy. The first time using this die I opted for traditional Blue Jays and Cardinals for my color palette. I paired them with my chicken wire embossing folder and some fun speech bubbles for greetings.  I cut card panels with the wonky stitched rectangles die from Simon Says. Then I inked the embossing folder with Pumice Stone Distress Oxide ink before running each of the panels through the die cutting machine. This gave me a more realistic wire effect.  Using some speech bubble dies I had in my stash I created some fun little messages to go with these cute birds. I pulled greetings from several stamp sets, giving each bird a different message. I popped all the speech bubbles up on foam tape. These birds were a lot of fun to use and I'll be working with them again i...

Techniques Used: Jennifer McGuire's Ink + Embossing Folders Technique Video Retired Products Used: We R Memory Keepers Lifestyle Crafts Goosebumpz Embossing Folders - Butterfly Memory Box Righteous Rings Die Links to Products Used: Kokuyo Tape Glue Dot Liner Long tape, Refill cartridge 5 Pack, AZ | SSS Kokuyo Tape Glue Dot Liner Long-Blue AZ | SSS Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad CRUSHED OLIVE SB | SSS Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad PEELED PAINT SB | SSS Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads DUSTY CONCORD SB | SSS EK Tools Powder Tool SB | AZ | SSS Ranger Ink - Inkssentials - Reusable Non Stick Craft Sheet - 15 inch by 18 inch SB | AZ | SSS Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Mini Ink Blending Tool - Round SB | AZ |  SSS Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Mini Ink Blending Tool Replacement Foams - Round SB | AZ | SSS