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http://twisted-chick.blogspot.com/2008/10/chocolate-covered-snowflakes.html

Tones of Twilight

I'm on a roll this weekend. I am getting some cards completed.

For this sketch I decided to use a color I love, but never seem to use much - Twilight. There is something comforting about this color that just sets right with me.

I used the reverse side of our new papers - this one happens to be called Aspen. The front side is gorgeous, but the reverse as you can see is just as pretty. The snowflakes on the paper match the various snowflakes in the stamp set "Snowflake Kisses", which is what I used for the accent piece.

I kept this card fairly simple. I used a twilight cardstock base and layered the three bars onto white daisy cardstock. I distressed the edges of all the pieces with twilight ink. I didn't have a twilight ribbon, so I used heavenly blue, which seemed to work perfectly.

All in all, I am happy with how it turned out.

All products are CTMH unless noted:
Papers: Aspen level 2 pack with twilight and white daisy cardstock
Stamps: Snowflake Kisses
Inks: Twilight
Accents: Heavenly Blue ribbon

A Week Late . . . . . . .

but I had to finish it anyway. I really liked Beate's WSC58 sketch. I knew just what papers I wanted to use: Magic Moments. Of all the new papers CTMH released, this is my favorite so far! I love how bright it is - so many great colors. When they first released this paper in a constant campaign a few months ago as a scrapbooking kit for each month, I was hooked. I bought several packages then. I was very excited when they brought it out in the new Idea Book.

I used both level one and level 2 paper packets. The base is from the level one - it already had the "blocked" look with the three background designs. I added the stripe paper on the bottom and the hollyhock strip across the middle from the level two pack.

The stamp set is just right for this paper. It is called Thoughtful Seasons. I think it works great with the scrapbooking kit too. There are images and sentiments for all seasons. Since it was fall, the pumpkin and leaves were the obvious choices for this card.

Now, I need to work on the current week's challenge.

All supplies CTMH
Paper: Magic Moments Level 1 & 2 packages, sweet leaf & sunflower textured papers
Stamps: Thoughtful Seasons
Inks: Cocoa, Sunflower, Sweet Leaf, Barn Red
Accents: Sunflower ribbon, garden green safety pin, 3D squares

One Sketch - 2 Sizes

I took this sketch from iheart2stamp and applied to two different sizes.

First, I played around with a 4 X 4 card using the Enchanted paper pack - with a Halloween twist. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

(All products CTMH unless otherwise noted.)

Paper: Enchanted Level 2 Packet

Inks: Smokey Plum & Archieval Black

Stamps: Creepy Cobwebs

Accents: Black Waxy Flax

Scallop Punch (Stampin Up)

I like playing around with 6 X 6 cards, so I applied the same sketch to that size. This time I used Boom-Di-Ada paper - I absolutely love this paper. The card turned out OK - I like the use of the dimensional element for the sentiment, and of course the paper, but I was not as happy with it as I thought I'd be. I like the smaller size of the first card better. I may, in the future try the smaller format with the Boom-di-ada paper.

(All products CTMH)

Paper: Boom-di-ada Level 2 Packet

Ink: Autumn Terracotta

My Stickease: Boom-di-ada

Dimensional Elements: Bookplates

Sassy Strands: Autumn Terracotta

Accents: Hollyhock Eyelets

Beate's WSC55 - Just Boo-tiful!

I just love these little guys! So small but so "Boo-tiful". This is one of CTMH's new stamp sets from their Autumn/Winter 2008 catalog. It's an A-size set - just a little something to give a card a real punch. I used my water pen and CTMH inks to color my ghosts, I think I will use colored pencils or watercolor pencils the next time I use them.

I used Beate's newest sketch - WSC #55. A great sketch that makes a longer card. I haven't made many with this dimension, but I think I really like it. The card measures 8 X 3 1/2.

Materials: (All materials CTMH) black, sunflower and grey flannel inks, "Boo-tiful" stamp set, Enchanted paper pack, White Daisy cardstock, Graden Green ribbon round, ribbon accents dimensional elements

Rock-a-Bye Baby

Today I decided to look at the sketches I had saved on my laptop to try at a later time. I found one from iheart2stamp called rock-a-bye baby sketch - so neat & classic.

I pulled out some of my favorite Christmas-y papers. It is called Everlasting. I am trying to get some card ideas together for a Christmas card workshop. I think this one might be a go - I think that the oval will be the part that I will participants an option for changing up, as it was a My Stickease, and there was only one of that in the package.

All products are CTMH:

Papers: Everlasting

Accents: Cranberry

My TECC30

I have seen Cupcake Challenges on so many blogs that I decided I had to check it out and give it a try. I don't have any cupcakes, but you don't have to have any to try the sketch. If you want to try one yourself, visit Taylored Expressions. I used a technique I picked up from Kathi's Corner, where she used a post-it to create a moon scrubbed some beautiful color in the background. I find this technique very addicting and it gives such a spectacular result. For my background, I started with colonial white cardstock, covered it lightly with buttercup ink, with the post-it in place I added sunflower honey, and taffy inks all over.

For my 6 X 6 card, I used the September SOTM - Treasure Life. This stamp set is sooooooooo awesome. I think it is my all time favorite so far. It is so versitile. You can use it for spring or fall, you can use it with so many colors, there are endless possibilities.

Papers: CTMH - buttercup, chocolate, crystal blue, colonial white

Stamps: CTMH Sept SOTM Treasure Life

Accessories: CTMH Chocolate Designer Ribbon, Chocolate brad

Mini SheetLoad Complete

OK! Here's my mini SheetLoad.

I finally took time out to do the mini SheetLoad. The sketch is super simple. So easy to make one or many. I have been playing around with my new Halloween stamps, so I decided to incorporate them into the mini. Aren't these guys a hoot? I stamped them with archival ink and then used my water marker to add a softer touch when coloring them. This stamp set also has a witch, but since it this sketch only had three sections, I left her out.

All materials are CTMH.

Stamps: Little Spooks

Paper: Enchanted

If you are interested in seeing what others did with the August SheetLoads, check out the Show Us Your SheetLoad contest.

August Show Us Your SheetLoad Attempts

OK, so I thought I'd give it a try. I used the regular monthy SheetLoad - Square3 - to do my cards. I actually gave it two attempts.

For my first attempt I used CTMH Paper Garden Papers & My Stickease, CTMH Petal Ink, CTMH Petal Sassy Strands, Clear Button, and CTMH Butterfly Kiss My Acrylix Stamp set.

My second attemp (and I like this one better) is using CTMH Boom-Di-Ada Papers, Hollyhock Rickrack, 3-D Foam Squares, Autumn Terracotta Photo Clips, Hollyhock & Colonial White My Accents, Colonial White Bigger Brads and both CTMH Cottage Floral and Be True My Acrylix Stamp sets.

I may try a few more sets with some other papers. I really liked this SheetLoad. But first, I am gonna try the mini SheetLoad.

Sketch Challenges from July

Last month I decided to try my hand at some of the sketch challenges from Splitcoaststampers. Boy, some of them are really a challenge. But, I decided to work on those that initially inspired me - ones that didn't strain my brain too much. Here are few of them:

For all of these cards I used CTMH Blue Ribbon Papers & Whimsical Wings Stamps.

I absolutely love these papers, and Whimsical Wings is one of my favorite stamp sets.

Shout Out To SheetLoad

You've gotta visit SheetLoad!

Have you ever wanted to make a bunch of cards in a short amount of time. SheetLoad is the way to go! Each month, they provide a new issue with a great sketch, giving cutting guidelines, examples, etc. These monthly issues are so simple, yet so adaptable. They work for anyone - from the beginner to the expert.

And they don't stop with the regular monthly issue. They even give us a mini that also provides us with a sketch and samples. Could a stamper want more? I think not!

To top all of this off, they provide many opportunities to get free stuff with their contests. Show us Your SheetLoad is an awesome way to try their monthly and mini issues and show them what you have completed. Post your accomplishments to your blog and let them know. It's as simple as that. You never know, you might be the next winner!!!!

Here's my shot at the July SheetLoad:

Go check them out and see what's happening!
Let me know what you think!

Just Getting Started

Hi everyone. Just getting this thing going. I can't wait to start sharing with everyone.

Sara