Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #737

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great start to your week!  How's the weather where you live?  We just got through our 37th winter.  Nothing like snow on the May long weekend (it was the long weekend in Canada).  It has been a cool spring and the majority of the snow in the mountains has yet to melt so we're still in for a big run off and lots of rain.  Welcome to spring on the east side of the Rocky Mountains!

We've got a brand new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  I have the privilege of being this week's hostess.  I kept the sketch simple.  It's been a busy season and I don't have the band width to deal with complicated! 

Our oldest is turning 20 this week.  I find that hard to believe since I'm only 29.  He is an avid golfer and I knew I needed a golf themed card for him.  

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill White Coverstock, Smoky Slate, Basic Black, Real Red, Garden Green (SU), Silver Foil

Stamps: Clubhouse (SU Ret'd)

Ink: Detail Black (Pink Fresh Studios)

Dies: Golf Club Dies (SU Ret'd), Golf King (Crafters Companion)

Other: Subtle Texture Embossing Folder (SU Ret'd)

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll join in our challenge this week!  You have until Monday at 1 PM EST to get your card entered into this week's challenge.  If you need some inspiration please head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog!  There are plenty of fantastic cards posted!  

Have a wonderful day!
Jen
 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #691

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great week so far!  I've spent a lot of time in the mountains since last week and it was so amazing.  The wildflowers are blooming and the views are amazing.  I won't even mention how good it smells!  My favourite time of year!  I always find it amazing that so many beautiful flowers can grow in such a harsh environment! 

We have a brand new sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is one of our newest team members, Michele Ferguson!  Michele makes absolutely stunning cards so you'll want to head over to her blog to check them out!  

I have wildflowers and other spring flowers on the brain and this one reminded me a bit of an Alberta Wild Rose.  I thought it would be perfect for this card!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill White Coverstock

Stamps: Special Moments (SU)

Ink: Detail Black (Pink Fresh Studios), Distress Oxides

Dies: Woodland Tales Floral (Spellbinders), Stitched So Sweetly (SU)

Other: Iridescent Rhinestones (SU), Subtle Texture Embossing Folder

Thanks 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 the amazing cards that you all come up with!

I thought I'd share some photos from our hike on Saturday.  With the G7 Summit taking place our hiking trails are a little limited as they have a big area shut down but we found the perfect location and tackled two peaks - Belmore Browne and Boundary!

If you're wondering where the G7 is being held - basically it's at the bottom of those ski runs!  

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Remember, if you want to enter a card in our challenge this week, you have until Monday at 1 PM.

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #669

Hello!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great start to your week!  We are almost halfway through January!  I actually feel like it's flying by.  Normally I'd say January has 693 days but this year I feel like I'm blinking and it's gone.  I'm sure it doesn't feel that way to everyone and I know a lot of people struggle with January.  I think our weather has been so uncharacteristically mild that it doesn't quite seem like January.  At least that's what I'll tell myself!

We have a brand new sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is our favourite Australian and the lady I'm most excited to take to the top of a mountain, Narelle Farrugia!  Narelle makes beautiful cards.  She's our layering queen so head over to her blog to check them out! 

I wanted to make another Valentine's Day card but I really struggled.  I probably should have just scrapped it and moved on to something else instead but I didn't.  I'm not overly thrilled with the final product but I got it done!  

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill Coverstock White, Silver Foil, Real Red (SU)
Dies: Many Hearts Dies (SU)
Other: Curved Everyday Sentiments (Spellbinders), Silver Foil (Spellbinders), Subtle Texture Embossing Folder.

We headed out on a much warmer hike at Rummel Ridge on Saturday.  We thought we were in for a treat of a hike but turns out we hit a snowstorm on our ascent and our views were pretty non-existent!  Thankfully the skies cleared on our way down and we were able to catch a few beautiful views!  

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

Have an amazing day!
Jen

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #644

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a good start to your week!  The heat wave has arrived and we are sweltering!  I won't complain though because that -40C is right around the corner!!!  We have about another week and a half to go before a break.  I feel badly for those who have to work outside - including my oldest who works on the maintenance crew at our golf course.  He was pretty exhausted today when he got home and it's supposed to be hotter tomorrow so I'll be sending him with even more water!

We've got a great new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  Our hostess this week is my fellow Rocky Mountain dweller Kim Singdahlsen!  Kim's cards are beautiful so head over to her blog to check them out!

I had added some Spellbinders dies to my collection a few weeks back and thought this cute little seagull would work perfectly.  I also needed to add a few more masculine cards to my collection.  I've seen a lot of nautical cards lately so thought I'd jump on that train!  

Supplies:
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Real Red, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla (ALL SU), Hammermill Coverstock White

Stamps: Typewriter Adventure Sentiments (Spellbinders)

Ink: Night of Navy (SU)

Dies: Oh, Buoy! (Spellbinders), Nested Essentials Dies (SU)

Other: Subtle Texture Embossing Folder (SU)

Thanks for stopping by today!  

I hope you'll join in our challenge this week!  If you're needing some inspiration head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and you'll find plenty there!  You have until Monday at 3PM EST to get your card entered into our challenge!  We sure would love to have you!

Trevor and I hiked Old Baldy Ridge on the weekend.  We might have missed a turn and added almost an extra 3 km and 50+m elevation to an already long and steep hike!  The views at the top of the ridge were so worth it!  This hike had a bunch of creek crossings and the creek was running fast and fairly deep.  I wasn't really too excited about it but we made it back to the vehicle with dry feet!

Have an amazing day!
Jen

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #637

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope everyone is having a great week so far!  We're coming off of an extra long weekend.  Unfortunately the weather was horrible.  We even drove through a snow storm on Saturday!  No hiking for us!  We did some off-roading which was fun but a little chilly!  We had to wear our winter coats! Some places got hit with snow on Friday and some mountain peaks received upwards of 30 cm of snow!  The start of summer hiking season has been significantly delayed!  That being said, it's also delaying and helping wildfire season so I guess we'll be thankful!  

We have got a fun new sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is the amazing Karren Johnson!  Karren is super creative and an amazing colourer (I know, it's not a word!) so make sure you head over to her blog and check out her beautiful creations!  

So shockingly (or not), I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with this sketch.  I had just purchased some new dies to make some masculine cards (I feel that these are sometimes hard to find!) and thought I could get a head start on a Father's Day card.  My husband got a smoker for Christmas and he makes some delicious dinners so I thought this card would work perfectly for him.  My dad also is amazing on the BBQ so I might have to create one like this for him as well.  I'm going to actually get to see my dad for Father's day this year (or the day after) so he might get his card and gift in person!  

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill Coverstock White, Basic Black, Real Red, Silver Foil

Patterned Paper: Simple Stories Summer Lovin' Red Gingham

Stamps: Pond Life (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Detail Black (Pinkfresh Studio)

Dies: King of the Grill (Crafter's Companion), Double Stitched Circles, Tasteful Label Dies (SU)
Other: Subtle Texture Embossing Folder (SU)

Just thought I'd include some pics from our off roading adventure!  We still could see the mountains from where we were so it was almost as good as hiking!  Loved getting out and getting some fresh air!  Super fun new hobby to add to our list!  

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join in our challenge!  We love seeing so many different cards!  We definitely have a creative group of card makers that play along each week.

You have until Monday at 1 PM EST to get your card entered into this week's challenge!

Have an amazing day!

Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #618

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you had a great week!  I started work yesterday and am excited to see how this will go!  I'll have to share a bit more next week when I have a few more days under my belt!

The polar vortex is almost upon us.  I can't believe how cold it's going to be.  Not as cold as it has been in previous winters but we've had such mild temperatures up until now.  I'm not looking forward to lows of -36C!!!  That seems soooo cold!  I don't think we'll be doing much hiking or skiing this weekend if it doesn't significantly warm up!  We did get a hike in last weekend and I'll attach some pictures at the bottom of this post.  What a brute.  I totally was ready to give up halfway through.  We managed to make it to the ridge and get to see some mountain sheep!  Always a plus!

Being a Wednesday we've got a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is our favourite French designer Cecile Ribon!  Cecile's cards are always amazing.  You need to head over to her blog and check them out!  

So this one threw me for a loop.  I wasn't too sure what to do with it.  I actually made one card and thought it was okay but after a while decided I wasn't thrilled with it.  Back to the drawing board.  I have found myself in need of sympathy cards so I thought I would add some to my collection.  

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill Coverstock (White), Basic Black

Stamps: Essential Sentiments

Ink: Black (Pink Fresh Studios)

Other: Lovely Layers Spring Greenery (Honey Bee Stamps), Give Thanks Dies (Concord & 9th), Wax Seal (Spellbinders), Black Thread (SU), Basic Rhinestones (SU), Subtle Texture 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!  The Design Team has posted some incredible cards that will definitely give you some inspiration!  We can't wait to see what you make this week!

Three Sisters in Canmore

Lougheed and Wind Tower (on the left) Rimwall and the Orphan (on the right)

We took pictures as fast as we could - it was soooo cold!  

Thanks for stopping by this week!  I hope you have an amazing day!
Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #610

 

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a good start to your week!  It has finally warmed up above freezing here and the snow is sort of melting.  We still have a fair bit.  Our local ski hill opens this weekend.  Expert/intermediate runs only but it will still be open!  Crazy train.  I won't be going until this get a few non-expert runs open!!!  My husband and kids are chomping at the bit to get out!  

We've got a brand new sketch for a brand new month over at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is the amazing Jen Timko!  Jen creates beautiful cards.  I'm always wowed by her creativity!  She also stopped in for a little visit a month ago!  Of course I took her to the mountains and of course I took her on a hike!  She survived.  We didn't see any bears.  All was well!  

I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do with this sketch.  Initially I thought maybe some flowers but I wasn't feeling very flowery.  I guess I did end up going with a flower though didn't I?!  I need a few more Christmas cards so poinsettias it was.  I kept the background simple going with a white background.  I already had this foil sentiment sitting in my basket of left overs so I threw it on and called it a day.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Hammermill White, Real Red, Silver Foil

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Other: Holiday Blooms (Spellbinders), Joyful Christmas Sentiments (Spellbinders), Silver Foil (Spellbinders), Subtle Texture Embossing Folder 

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

I hope you'll head over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and play along with our challenge this week!  We always love seeing what people create using our sketch!  If you need some inspiration head over to the blog and take a peek!  The Design Team have created some gorgeous cards for you! 

Here are a few photos from the little hike Jen and I went on!  It's called Grassi Lakes!  In the background you'll see Mount Lawrence Grassi!  Don't worry - I didn't make her hike up there!  Even I'm not too keen to do that one!  This was the very first hike that our family did when we arrived out west.  It might hold a special place in my heart! 

There is a beautiful waterfall you get to see on this hike!  

Have an amazing day!
Jen

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #604

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great week so far!  It has quickly turned from summer to fall here and I'm pulling out the leggings and cozy sweaters!  The larch trees are starting to turn golden yellow and they're so beautiful!  Our hiking season will soon be coming to an end but we've had such a fantastic season!

We've got a brand new sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Our hostess this week is our incredible talented French designer Cecile Ribon!  Cecile's card always amaze me.  She continues to blow me away!  Head over to her blog to check them out!  

I wasn't too sure what I was going to do with this card.  I tried a few things (like always) and they didn't quite work out (like always) so I went with a Christmas card!  You can never have too many right?  And you also can't go wrong with red and white?!  I had one textured background chosen but it was too much so then I tried plain and didn't like it so I went with this one.  I always have such a hard time deciding things!  I really wanted to use red foil for the sentiment but for some reason I cannot get the red foil to work.  I always end up with foil where I don't want foil.  Has anyone else had this trouble with the red?  I've struggled with some other colours too.  So weird.  

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Hammermill White Coverstock, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Silver Foil 

Ink: Real Red, Cherry Cobbler (both SU)

Other: Subtle Texture Embossing Folder (SU), Christmas Bird and Poinsettia (Spellbinders), Glimmer Hot Foil Machine (Spellbinders), Silver Hot Foil (Spellbinders), Joyful Christmas Sentiments (Spellbinders)

Our most recent hike pictures!  We hiked up to Black Prince Lake which you'll see was all dried up.  We actually hiked up past another lake that had also dried up.  It's so sad.  Our summer was so dry.  I don't know how some of these lakes will recover.  We'd need a LOT of snow and rain next year!  This was a fantastic little hike.  It wasn't as strenuous as our last one.  The weather was fantastic and we brought two friends along on this one!  We also saw 14 Mountain Goats which was the highlight of the hike.  Mountain goats are a little elusive so we were super pumped to catch a glimpse of some!  

My husband being crazy!  

One little gold larch tree

What's left of Black Prince Lake

My and my friend Annie

Trevor and I

One of the many Mountain Goats we saw!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll head on over to the Freshly Made sketches blog and join in our challenge this week!

You'll find some gorgeous cards created by the Design Team already up on the blog that will inspire you!

Have an amazing day!
Jen

 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #568

Hello!
Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great start to the week!  We're back in routine here - kids are back at school and my husband is back at work.  It was such a nice holiday and I loved having a break from the rush and craziness but getting back to routine is always really nice!  At least for me!  

We've got a brand new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  Our hostess this week is the super creative Judy Rozema!  Judy's cards are beautiful and always full of personality!  I love them!  Head over to her blog to check them out! 

I need to make some Valentine's Day cards so I decided I would use this sketch as a starting point!  I had purchased that sweet Lawn Fawn paper last week and couldn't wait to use it!  It's so fun and perfect for winter or for Valentine's Day!  I had grabbed this hot foil plate as well and it's the perfect sentiment for this card!  Of course I needed some sweet little hearts so I added these hearts from the SU Many Hearts Dies!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Basic White, Flirty Flamingo, Hammermill Cover Stock

DSP: Knit Picky Winter 6X6 Petite Paper Pack (Lawn Fawn)

Stamps: Lots of Heart (SU)

Ink: Flirty Flamingo

Other: Love You the Most (Pink Fresh Studio), Rose Gold Hot Foil (Spellbinders), Many Hearts Dies (SU), Subtle Texture Embossing Folder (SU)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I do hope you'll pop over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog and join in our challenge this week!  There are some beautiful cards posted that will help get those creative juices flowing!  We always love to see what you create!

I hope you have an amazing day!

Jen