Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #689

Hello!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great start to your week!  We had a great hike on the weekend and I think it was the first one that didn't involve me walking through deep snow in a long time!!!  We did see some snow but I didn't have to walk through it!  We also didn't come across any ticks!  We've seen a huge number of them this year and we even managed to bring one home to our cat Sprite.  She seems okay so far and we'll be keeping an eye on her!

We have a brand new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  Our hostess this week is the amazing Cecile Ribon!  Cecile creates the most beautiful cards so you'll want to be heading over to her blog to check them out! 

I wasn't too sure what flower I wanted to use with this sketch but the Honey Bee Stamps Lovely Layer Coneflower jumped out at me and I figured that would work.  I opted for a pink one today - especially since we've just been through blossom season and I miss seeing all those beautiful pink blooms all over!  

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill White Cover Stock, Pink Foil

Dies: Bitty Buzzword Honeycuts, Lovely Layers Coneflower (both Honey Bee Stamps)

Ink: Lovely Lipstick (SU), Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose, Picked Raspberry, Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn (Distress Oxides)

Other: Woodgrain Embossing Folder (SU)

 Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join in our challenge this week!  We always love to see what you create!  If you need some inspiration, head to the blog and you'll find some beautiful cards posted by the Design Team!  

You have until 1 PM EST on Monday to get your card entered into our challenge this week!

Thought I'd share a few photos of our hike from the weekend!  Can't wait to get out again!

Have an amazing week!

Jen

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #682

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great week so far!  We had a mix of snow and rain today which was just a reminder that winter isn't quite finished yet!  Though my husband took the winter tires off of my car today so we shall see what happens!!  I won't hold my breath but the forecast is looking more positive!  

We have a great new sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is our favourite airline captain, Jennifer Timko!  Jen's cards will make you envious (but in the best way) so head over to her blog and give her some love!  

I really loved Jen's sketch this week!  I also really love the DSP from Stampin Up!  I paired it all with the Lovely Layer Daisies from Honey Bee Stamps and we were off to the races!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill White Coverstock, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party (SU)

DSP: Floral Delight

Ink: Scattered Straw, Fossilized Amber, Antique Linen, Gathered Twigs (Distress Oxides)
Dies: Lovely Layers Coneflower (Honey Bee Stamps), Bitty Buzzwords Honeycuts (Honey Bee Stamps)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join in our challenge this week!  If you need any inspiration at all, you'll find it on the blog! You have until Monday at 1 PM EST to get your card entered into this week's challenge! 

Trevor and I tackled our first bigger hike of the season.  There is still avalanche risk in most areas but this area thankfully didn't have any risk.  There was still a bit of snow at the top but it wasn't too bad.  What it did have was ticks.  I have found 3 in our bathroom since we've been home.  I'm not too impressed.  It was a lovely day to get out and get some exercise and fresh air.

Have an amazing day!
Jen

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #645

Hello! Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great week so far!  Summer has hit hard here!  We are having some crazy heat (which I won't complain about) but our wildfire danger has gone from nothing to extreme in just a few days!  My son works in the maintenance department of our local golf club and he's been roasting!  Looks like at least 2 more weeks of extreme heat for us!  I will remember that I prefer extreme heat to -40!!!  

We've got a brand new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches today!  I have the privilege of being this week's hostess!  I always find it challenging to create a sketch.  My brain just doesn't like to work that way.  I actually made this sketch with this card in mind!  I wanted to use these dies so I worked my sketch around it.  That's not cheating is it?

I love flower dies so when Spellbinders released these I knew I had to have them!  I love the Be Bold Blooms and these new Floral Spray dies are no exception!  The more flowers the merrier!  I think these might be a tad bit easier to work with as well!  I needed a couple of thank you cards and these turned out just how I imagined!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill White Coverstock, Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Mango Melody, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, Elegant Eggplant, Granny Apple Green, Gumball Green

Dies: Floral Spray (Spellbinders), Be Bold Blooms (Spellbinders), Bitty Buzzwords Honeycuts (Honey Bee Stamps)

I hope you'll join in our challenge this week so please head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and check out the details and find some inspiration!  You have until Monday at 1 PM EST to get your card entered into this week's challenge!  I cannot wait to see what you create!

Here are a few pictures from our hike on Saturday!  This is the Mount Burke Fire Lookout.  It's no longer used and is in pretty rough shape but it was a beautiful, hot day for a hike!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!

Have an amazing day!
Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge 581

Hello

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a good week so far.  Our boys are off this week for their spring break.  We had originally planned some outdoor activities but the weather is just not cooperating with us.  Life in the mountains means very unpredictable weather especially in the fall and spring.  Oh well.  We'll make the best of it.  I don't mind a quiet week.  

We've got a super fun sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our favourite French designer, Cecile Ribon is on tap this week!  Cecile's cards are always incredible and I'm amazed at her creativity!  She takes card making to the next level!  Head over to her blog to check them out!

I struggled with this card.  I just couldn't get my head in the game.  I wanted to use the Honey Bee Stamps Lovely Layers: Spring Greenery Honey Cuts for this but I feel like I didn't do them justice.  I also stayed clear of the Hot Foil machine -  mainly because I don't have purple foil.  Maybe I should have just taken a trip to the store to find some!!!   Needless to say I'm not overly impressed with the card but I didn't have time to try and make another one and I'm trying to stay away from the Be Bold Blooms!!!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Basic White, Highland Heather, Garden Green, Granny Apple Green,

DSP: Plaid 6X6 (brights) SU

Stamps: Bitty Buzzwords (SU)

Ink: Highland Heather (SU)

Other: Bitty Buzzwords Honey Cuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Lovely Layers: Spring Greenery (Honey Bee Stamps), Stitched So Sweetly Dies (SU),  Rhinestones (SU)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog to find some inspiration and join in our challenge this week!  We can't wait to see what you create!

Have an amazing day!

Jen!

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #574

Hello!  

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you are having a great week!  I am so blessed to be spending a week with my parents in Ontario - though the damp weather is killing me!!  I can’t believe how much I’ve grown accustomed to the dry Alberta air!

We’ve got a brand new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  I am this week’s hostess and hope you’ll like the sketch I’ve come up with and want to play along!  I didn’t have time to make my card before I left for Ontario last week but thankfully my mom has an amazing craft room that I’ve been able to play in!  She even has a brand new die set that I couldn’t wait to try out!  

I kinda veered away from my own sketch….sorry - I’ll blame it on still not feeling well and really wanting to use the Lovely Layers Magnolia Honey Cuts!!  

Supplies:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Powder Pink, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Silver Foil, Vellum

Stamps: Bitty Buzzwords (Honey Bee Stamps)

Ink: Versamark Black, Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Granny Apple Green

Other: Lovely Layers Magnolia Honey Cuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Bitty Buzzword Honey Cuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Dainty Diamonds Embossing Folder (SU), Blending Brushes 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you’ll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join in our challenge!  The Design Team has some beautiful cards posted that will definitely get your creative juices flowing!  I can’t wait to see what you create this week!  

Have an amazing day!

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #557

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a good week!  We're still basking in the sunshine here and I will totally enjoy every minute of it!  The leaves have been beautiful and the views from our latest hike were incredible!  I'll post some photos below!  The mountain is called The Fortress and man it was tough but so amazing once we made it to the top!  My husband and I are also celebrating our 20th anniversary today!  I can't believe it's been 20 years!  Time flies!

We've got a great new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  Our hostess this week is Jacquie Southas!  Jacquie creates amazing cards and the one she's made this week is just incredible!  Head over to her blog to check it out!  

So the mojo definitely isn't flowing this week.  I had several different cards in mind but I tried to "get them down on paper" and that did not work.  I decided I would work with some plaid paper and add some leaves in - voila!  A fall'ish card!  Hoping the mojo decides to make an appearance at some point this week!!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Basic White, Rich Razzleberry, Mango Melody

DSP: Plaid Tidings

Other: Intricate Leaves Dies (SU), Stitched So Sweetly Dies (SU), Bitty Buzzwords Honey Cuts(Honey Bee Stamps)

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 
I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join in our challenge!  We would love to see what you come up with!  The Design Team has some great cards posted to inspire your creativity!

Enjoy the views from The Fortress!

Have an amazing day!

Jen

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #555

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  We're halfway through the week already!  We are having some beautiful (and not very Alberta like) fall weather this week!  It's actually been more like summer!  I will take this warmth and sunshine as long as I can!  Trust me!  It's so lovely!  

We've got a brand new sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our favourite Aussie is hosting this week!  Narelle Farrugia makes the most gorgeous cards!  Fussy cutting, blends and flowers are for sure her specialty so head over to her blog to check them out!  

This is not at all the card I had in mind when I saw this sketch!  I still want to make what I had in mind (and probably should have from the start) but I decided to try something else.  This card took me forever with several changes and I'm still not thrilled with it.  Card making is quite the process isn't it?!  

Supplies:
Cardstock: Basic White, Basic Black, Real Red, Poppy Parade, Basic Grey, Garden Green

Stamps: Bitty Buzzwords (Honey Bee Stamps)

Ink: Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Real Red, Garden Green

Other: Bitty Buzzwords Honey Cuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Lovely Layers Wildflowers (Honey Bee Stamps), Double Stitched Circle Dies (Lil Inkers), Stitched So Sweetly Dies (SU), Sequins (Taylored Expressions)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll join in our challenge this week.  We always love to see what you come up with!  

Head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and check out the cards that the Design Team has posted!  Hopefully they'll inspire you!

I thought I'd share our most recent hike - We hiked up Cirque Peak just past Lake Louise (around Bow Lake).  It started out raining, changed to sun, then a freak snow storm while we hit the summit so we couldn't see anything and then an hour later, beautiful sunshine again!  You win some and you lose some!

Have an amazing day!  

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #549

Hello!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you're having a great week so far!  We're on vacation this week and we were supposed to be spending this week with my family in Ontario but due to the craziness of the airports right now and the very good chance that our flight home would be significantly delayed or cancelled we opted to postpone our trip to another time.  We're having a staycation here instead.  Monday we headed to Canmore for the most amazing golf game.  Yesterday my husband and I hiked up the most incredible ridge  (there are 7 peaks on this ridge and we were able to accomplish 6 of them!) and today we're heading into Banff and we're going to bike back to Canmore!  Can't wait to see this trail! 

 

It's Wednesday (I think) and we've got a fabulous new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is the amazing Jen Timko!  Jen's cards are always so beautiful and she inspires me to be a better card maker!  Head over to her blog to check out her cards!  

I knew what I wanted to do for this card and was super excited to work with my sunflower dies again!  My neighbours have a sunflower garden out front and it's the cheeriest thing!  I just love seeing those little waving yellow heads!  

Supplies:

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Copper Foil

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Garden Green

Other: Lovely Layers Sunflowers Honey Cuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Bitty Buzzwords Honey Cuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Dainty Diamonds Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join in our challenge!  The Design Team has some amazing inspiration on the blog for you!  

We can't wait to see what you create!

Have an amazing day!

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #543

Hello!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're all having a great start to your week!  We started our week off very cold and actually needed to turn our heat on!   This is definitely not something I'm used to!  We haven't used our air conditioning once yet!  When we lived in Southern Ontario, our air would go on mid-late May and stay on basically until October!  I'm being told this is an unusually cold summer and has to do with the late snow melt in the mountains but let's just say I'm not super impressed!  I could use a few nice, warm days!

We've got a great new sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is our favourite French designer Cecile Ribon!  Cecile always designs the most unique and beautiful cards!  Please head over to her blog and check them out! 

This sketch might have stumped me a bit.  I had an idea of what I wanted to do but when I tried it, it just didn't look right.  I opted to try the Orchid Oasis from this year's SU In Colours and that seemed to work better!  This really is a gorgeous colour!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Basic White, Orchid Oasis, Champagne Foil

DSP: In Colour 6X6 DSP Assortment

Other: Bitty Buzzwords Honey Cuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Lovely Layers Greenery Honey Cuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Sequins, Stitched Squares (Lil Inkers), Dimensionals 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I do hope you'll haul out your crafting supplies and join our challenge this week!  At least please stop by the Freshly Made Sketches blog and check out the cards that the Design Team have crafted for your inspiration!  

I hope you have an amazing day!

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #542

Hello!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great week!  Our youngest finally had his last day of school yesterday so now we're all officially on summer break!  I'm so happy!  Though there are lots of golf games in the next few days so I guess I'll be busy chauffeuring people around!!!  It's going to be nice to have a bit more time and to enjoy our summer!

We've got a great new sketch today at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is the super creative Kim Singdahlsen!  Kim's cards are always beautiful so head over to her blog and check them out!  

I needed some thank you cards for Jacob's teachers and wanted to use my sweet little bees again!  They were just too cute!  You might see a lot of bees over the next few weeks!!!  

Supplies:

Cardstock: Basic White, Daffodil Delight. So Saffron, Basic Black, Vellum

Other: Beehive Dies (Sizzix), Bitty Buzzwords Honeycuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Dainty Diamonds Embossing Folder, Sequins, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and check out the fantastic cards that are there to inspire you!  The Design Team did an amazing job!

We hope you'll join in our challenge this week!

Have an amazing day!

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #527

Hello!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great start to your week!  We've got some beautiful springy weather here!  I won't hold my breath though.  I figure winter has a few more dirty tricks up its sleeve still!  I will enjoy the sun and the warmth while I can though!  It's nice to see the snow melt!!!

We've got a great new sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is the fabulous Judy Rozema!  Judy's cards are always so lovely so you need to head to her blog to check them out!  

Judy's sketch threw me a little this week.  I had in my head what I was going to do and then when I tried it, it definitely didn't work.  I had to start from square one.  Or is it rectangle one?!   I really wanted to use my new tulip dies and I wanted to try out my tulips in a Calypso Coral colour!  I'm not sure if there are tulips that are this colour but I'm sure there are!  

I had to flip the sketch horizontally to make it work but I think that you can sort of see the sketch in there! I used my blending brushes to colour some ink on my tulip petals to give them some different depth of colour!  I definitely don't think the picture does the tulips justice!  

Supplies:

Cardstock: Basic White, Calypso Coral, Crisp Canteloupe, Petal Pink, Garden Green, 

DSP: Gingham Gala (Retired)

Stamps: Bitty Buzzwords (Honey Bee Stamps)

Ink: Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Crisp Canteloupe, Petal Pink, Garden Green

Other: Bitty Buzzwords Honey Cuts, Lovely Layers Tulips, Vellum, Dimensionals, Blending Brushes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join us in our challenge this week!  The Design Team has come up with some inspiring cards to spur you on!  

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Jen

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #526

Hello!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great week so far!  We're in a bit of a cold spell but there are warm chinook winds coming in soon and we're supposed to have lovely "warm" weather!  Living close to the mountains sure has brought some interesting weather!  I must say though I do love the dry air.  No more dampness, no more humidity!!  

We have a great new sketch today at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is the fabulous Amy O'Neill!  Amy's cards are always so sweet and so beautiful so please head over to her blog to check them out!  

I had to snap up the Lovely Layers Tulips Honey Cuts from Honey Bee Stamps!  Tulips are my favourite flower so I could not wait to get them!  I'm not uber impressed with this card but I still think the tulips are so beautiful!  I used blending brushes to add in colour to the tulips!  

Supplies:

Cardstock: Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Basic Black, Basic White, Silver

DSP: Pattern Party

Stamps: Bitty Buzzwords

Ink: Versafine, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Garden Green

Other: Lovely Layers Tulips (Honey Bee Stamps), Bitty Buzzwords Honey Cuts, Daffodil Delight Ribbon, Blending Brushes, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join in our challenge!  The Design Team has some amazing cards there to inspire you!

Have an amazing day!

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #521

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great week so far!  I'm so confused with what day it is because my boys had a PA Day (Day off school) on Monday and I keep thinking we're a day behind!  My oldest started a new semester and is super excited to have Military Studies as a course!  He will love it!  My youngest will be sewing a pair of pyjamas at school!  They have some pretty cool course choices here in Alberta!

Anyhow, we have a fabulous new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week.  Our hostess is the witty Linda Callahan!  Linda creates gorgeous cards and keeps us in stitches!  Head over to her blog and check out her beautiful creations!  

So this sketch threw me for a while and in the end I apparently couldn't follow it very well!  Seriously.  My tulip is a little too high.  Unfortunately, it's not moving!  I do love a springy looking tulip and needed a little spot of spring on this cold, snowy winter day!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Basic White, Granny Apple Green, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Strawberry Slush, Vellum

DSP: Sunshine and Rainbows 6X6 pack

Stamps: Bitty Buzzwords (Honey Bee Stamps)

Ink: Versamark, Garden Green, Melon Mambo, Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette

Other: Silver Embossing Powder, Bitty Buzzwords Honey Cuts, Tulips Dies, Brick Wall Embossing Folder, Subtle Shimmer Sequins, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head on over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog!  You'll find a beautiful array of cards to inspire you!  We sure hope you'll join in our challenge this week.

Have an amazing day!

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #520

Hello!

Happy Wednesday!!  I hope you're having a great start to your week!  Can you believe we're in the last week of January already?  I normally find that January DRAGS on but for some reason I feel like I blinked and now it's almost over! Maybe it's because the weather has been fairly fantastic here!  I won't complain!  February, here we come!

We have a fabulous new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is the super creative Jen Mitchell!  Jen creates gorgeous cards so be sure to head over to her blog to check them out!

Jen has a super fun sketch for us this week!  As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted that start to be a sunflower!  I had some sunflowers sitting on my desk and couldn't wait to use them!  

Supplies:

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Early Espresso, Brushed Copper, Basic White, Vellum

DSP: In Good Taste, Brights 6X6 (Retired)

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Garden Green

Other: Subtle Texture Embossing Folder, Lovely Layers Sunflower HoneyCuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Bitty Buzzwords HoneyCuts (Honey Bee Stamps), Double Stitched Circle Dies,  Sequins

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and find some inspiration!  We can't wait to see what you create this week!

Have a fabulous day!

Jen