{BYSHC} Blog- Challenge #29 in a Mini-slimline

 Hi Friends, 

Sketch #29 for the {BYSHC} Blog inspired me to try the sketch as a mini-slimline card and I love the outcome! 

I picked up some paper and an adorable Sizzix set of toy soldier dies at my local scrapbook shop after-Christmas, and decided to use them for my card.  The striped paper is actually the reverse image of a toner ink foil panel!  It's a 2-fer when I use double sided adhesive sheet on white paper and I am in love with both versions!!  

The toy soldier die is so stinkin' cute that I don't mind all of the pieces in the set!! The black sparkly paper in the photo is a scrap of black glitter paper I found in my stash.  Lots of shine on this card!!  The frame around the soldier is Pinkfresh's Mini Slimline Stitched Scallop Rectangle die.  Using Scoretap on the back of the die keeps the frame thick as you see here, otherwise it can be two narrower frames.  I popped on a foiled sentiment and a few embellishments and this sweetie is ready to go next Christmas!!

I hope you will use Sketch #29 as a springboard of inspiration for your own card.  Can't wait to see what you add to the gallery.  You never know - you might win a prize at the end of the month!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

Elliebelle's Crafty Wednesday January Challenge/  AG

My Time to Craft Christmas! January 20th/ Patterned paper

12 Months of Christmas #96 - Out with the Old & In with the New

Christmas Craft Creations January Theme - Snippets

ABC Christmas (January) - A for Anything Christmas; B for Bear

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #48 - Anything Christmas Goes

{BYSHC} Sketch #29 for January!

 The {BYSHC} Blog Challenge is continuing with Sketch #29 for January.  Once I got the hang of how easy this was to make in doubles, I created a few different sets of cards!  

For this card, I turned the sketch on its side and decided to keep Pinkfresh's Poinsettia Washi Tape set the "star of the show".  I die cut it using a an off-white cardstock and then went to my scrap drawer for the green striped paper.  I paired it with Taylored Expressions' Holly embossing folder to add texture, but keep it simple with color.  I layered the extra Poinsettia washi tape flowers over the wreath,  To finish the card off, I popped on a Pinkfresh foiled Holiday sentiment with some gold thread behind it. 

I hope you keep playing with us this month.  All you have to do is add your card to Sketch #29's Album in the {BYSHC} FB group to be eligible for this month's prize!! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges entered:

12 months of Christmas Challenge #96 - Out with the Old, In with the New

Christmas Craft Creations January - Snippets

ABC Christmas - A for AG Christmas & B for Bear 1/11 to 2/4  (A for AG Christmas)

Merry Little Christmas January - AG

Thanks, Jennifer McGuire! Using Products & Color Inspiration

Jennifer McGuire shared a wonderful video this week with tips about keeping the joy in crafting.  A couple of things she talked about that resonated for me - using supplies you have and actually sending the cards to people.  I tend to be a collector rather than a user of my purchases.  I have a healthy stash of stamping products and papers, so today, I spent some time in my craft room taking on some of her suggestions.  Today's card uses a variety of Papertrey Ink products I have in my stash, including Vase Collection 14 stamp and die from their December release.  

One of the things Jennifer shared was product called Color Cube to help with color choices.  I love the idea of these color card because I often struggle with color choices. Using her inspiration, I figured I could use my patterned papers as a resource for colors.  I went digging and found the floral My Mind's Eye paper you see in the background of the photo.  Knowing I wanted to splatter my card, I looked at my Distress and Distress Oxide inks for matches.  I brought out A Little Sketchy Stencil Collection and Mix & Mat Snowflake Die to use behind the floral arrangement.  I splattered with a variety of accent colors.

I also found an old (very old) piece of SU! patterned paper for the gray paper/main card base, which I used with Papertrey's Tin Stitched Border Die for visual interest.  I finished the card with a bit of ribbon from my stash, some Pinkfresh pearls and a die cut word "you". 

This card will be mailed tomorrow to a former colleague who is experiencing a loss in her life.  I am going to take Jennifer's idea and while my supplies are out, make another one of this same card to have on hand.  I love it and think it could be used for lots of occasions!  Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

 NBUS #46 (January)

Use Your Stuff #474 /Stitching Faux/Real

Crafty Catz #619 / AG with twist of hobby (I love putting together flower arrangements)

Elliebelle's Corner: Crafty Wednesday /January AG

Let's Craft & Create - January 2023 Challenge/Black & White

 

When I read the "Black & White" optional theme for the Let's Craft & Create Blog challenge this month, I immediately thought of a stack of black and white patterned papers I've had in my stash for years! Additionally, I am trying to beef up my stash of "everyday" cards just so I can drop folks a line when the occasion arises. 

I started with a bold "hello" sentiment from Joy Clair Designs' Such A Blessing Digital Stamp set.  The thing I love about digital stamps is my ability to adjust the size of the image.  I sized the word and angled it to fit with the MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-namics die.

CAS cards are not my usual style, so my eye looks to add some visual interest, which I did using an embossing folder for the white portion of the card.  A little buffer over the sentiment before I ran it through my machine helped soften the embossing detail. 

My next step was to put the card together and add two clusters of embellishments to finish it off.  This design is simple and quick to put together.  Different patterned papers would give it a wide variety of looks!  Hope you are inspired to give it a try.  

I used the same "hello" sentiment in this fall card and sunflower card.  I love the font and the versatility of using a digital image.  Plus, the rest of the images in the set are gorgeous as well!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

Colorful Options Challenge January 2023 / black (and white)