CAS(E) this Sketch: May Your Days Be Merry

This is my second post today.

It's time for a new sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch!  And you will plenty of time to play along as it is a two-weeker.  The link will stay open until December 5th.  So even in this busy season - Thanksgiving in the U.S. or just general Christmas/holiday preparation - you have time to play!

I'm ashamed to admit that I bought new stuff for this sketch (as if I don't do that regularly!!!)  I have been eyeing the Fill in the Blank series by Avery Elle.  Since the die matches that rectangle panel - I took it as a sure sign that it needed to be part of my collection.  I started with the holiday series, but the non-holiday series is just as fun - and they all work together. 

(There's a great "& Bright" stamp to go underneath but I was trying to stay true to the sketch!)

• Stamps: Avery Elle Holiday Fill in the Blank
• Paper: Stampin' Up Gumball Green and red glitter paper
• Ink: Stampin' Up Gumball Green
• Accessories: Avery Elle Holiday Fill in the Blank Elle-ments, Papertrey Ink Holly Jolly die, Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder, Neat & Tangled clear sequins, misc red gems

Festive Friday with Avery Elle: 'Tis the Season

The challenge this week at Festive Friday is to create a holiday card with a wreath.  I have a gorgeous wreath from Avery Elle, so on my last day as a guest on their blog, I put these two together.


This wreath is so unique and so different from most wreaths - it is fun to work with.  It has an open and airy look so works perfectly with CAS cards, but I'm sure it could be fancied up too!!  I used it a few weeks ago on tags - one in pinks and one in kraft colors - so it can take on a lot of looks.

Thank you so much to Jamie at Avery Elle - I had a very enjoyable month working together.  I actually noticed Avery Elle with its very first release (bought it all!) and have liked everything that I have seen (and bought) since then!!  Stamps and sequins! They are definitely on my list of faves!

• Stamps: Avery Elle Winter Wreath
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Ripe Avocado
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Delicata Golden Glitz
• Accessories: Stampin' Up embossing folder, Spellbinders circle dies, MFT fishtail dies, misc ribbon

Avery Elle: Let It Snow (without snow!!)

As my stamp collection has grown too big to fit into its allocated space, I have gotten pickier about the stamps that I buy.  (Don't get me wrong - I still buy way too many!)  I particularly love Christmas stamps that have other uses and the tree and bird from Avery Elle's Let It Snow is a perfect example!

The sun and sentiment come from the first Avery Elle set that I ever bought - Bright Days.  It came out in their very first release back in 2012 (shhh...I bought the entire release).  It also has big sun rays so you could do a sunburst across the entire card.   The sunshine idea allowed me to show off some of Avery Elle's wonderful sequins.  They have multi-packs of mono-chromatic sequins that are just lovely (shhh...I own all of those too....which is really sad because I remember telling a blog friend that I absolutely did not need big packages of sequins!)
I hope this happy little bird brightened your day!  Be sure to check out my card and others on the Avery Elle blog.

• Stamps: Avery Elle Let It Snow, Bright Days
• Paper: Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Summer Sun, My Favorite Things Primitive White, Pebbles Seen & Noted 6x6 pad
• Ink: Stampin' Up Smoky Slate, Summer Sun, Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Memento Black, Copics
• Accessories: Avery Elle Lemonade Sequins, The Twinery Caribbean Twine

Avery Elle and CAS Colours and Sketch: Peace, Love & Joy

It's my day on the Avery Elle blog and I get to show you a little more with the set Winter Wreath.  I'm feeling a little guilty as I made a card without the wreath!!  It's fairly rare for me that a card just appears in my head.  Usually it takes brute force - try this color, try that paper, try sequins, etc.  But as I was browsing challenges, I saw a sketch from CAS - Colours & Sketches and it made me see snowflakes and I knew there was a beautiful "Peace, Love & Joy" sentiment in Winter Wreath - it seemed like a great match!  (I did use the actual wreath two weeks ago on these cards)


The frame on this is actually from an earlier Avery Elle set called Framed Fonts.  Isn't it nice that it fits the sentiments in Winter Wreath??!
Here's the sketch from CAS - Colours & Sketches.

I'm also submitting this to Simon Says Christmas/Happy Holiday.

• Stamps: Avery Elle Winter Wreath, Framed Fonts
• Paper: Stampin' Up Coastal Cabana, Best Creations Gold glitter
• Ink: Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Versamark
• Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Michael's brand gold pearls, crystal gold embossing powder (a brand no longer made that I have hoarded for years!)

Avery Elle: Warm Wishes

I am thrilled to be posting on the Avery Elle blog today and I get to show off the new set Let It Snow. This set is right up my alley - with a beautiful tree, cute birds, dainty snowflakes and lovely sentiments!!  I posted my first card with it here with a truly clean and simple card - it was one of the few cards that came together for me in less than 10 minutes.  I wanted a very different look for today's card and found a piece of dsp that fit that tree trunk perfectly.  This card was even simpler than the first, even though it may have a less clean look.  I love stamps that make it easy to create quick cards!

Can you believe that I only had to stamp the trees, birds and sentiment?  The paper added the holly and the blue stripes!
I know this picture has a strange, dusty look to it.  I can't tell you how many times I tried to take this picture but just couldn't quite capture it.  After I stamped the tree on the paper, I didn't think it looked Christmas-y enough so I frosted it by covering the entire front with glitter!!  Here's a close-up so that you can see the extreme glitter!

Aren't they a charming pair in their frosty tree?

• Stamps: Avery Elle Let It Snow
• Paper: Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Fancy Pants Merry Little Christmas December Daily
• Ink: Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Memento Black, Copics
• Accessories: Heat & Stick Powder, Martha Stewart Fine Crystal Glitter, May Arts twine

Avery Elle: Winter Wreath Gift Cards

Avery Elle has a new stamp set with a beautiful big wreath called Winter Wreath.  It also has a bow and pine cones and little dots for ornaments and sentiments in the signature Avery Elle script!  But instead of going big - I just stamped a portion of the wreath and made a little 3.25" card for tucking into gifts.


The set also comes with a "to" and a "from" stamp so you can even personalize it!
I did give it a little sparkle by adding glossy accents to the berries and then dusting it with a fine glitter.

I used the cheerful colors from this week's Merry Monday color challenge.

And here's what I love about creating my own cards.  Same basic card...different colors...different embellishments...an entirely different look!!  (I love those teeny little pinecones!!)

Avery Elle Blog Hop: Let it Snow, All is Calm

I was beyond thrilled to win the monthly Avery Elle challenge with this card using my new favorite sentiment set!  The great part of winning a challenge is that you get to be the guest designer for the next month.  Today, I am part of the new release blog hop and I have a gorgeous winter set to show you!

Be sure to read all the way to the end of this post because there is a giveaway from this blog hop!  (If you didn't come from Chunyuan Wu's blog - you should definitely start from the beginning at Avery Elle!)


The set that I get to show you today is called Let It Snow.


The set has the sweetest little sprinkle of snowflakes.  Here's a close-up so you can see the dainty detail.  (The bird is pretty darn cute too - and he even comes with a teeny version so you could line up a whole family of birds!)


Next on the hop is  Nina Yang.
And here's the official words that tell you how you can win!

To celebrate our October/November Release Blog Hop, Avery Elle is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to one random winner.  To enter to win just comment on this post.  There is no purchase necessary and you must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  This giveaway is void where prohibited.  You can also do options 2, 3, 4, 5 or all 6 of the following to increase your chances of winning. You have until midnight Sunday, September 29th to enter.  The winner will be announced on the Avery Elle Blog on Monday, September 30th .  All products are available for purchase in the Avery Elle store right now.

To enter to win you can do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or all 6 of the following to increase your chances:

1. Comment on any of the design team's posts and/or on the Avery Elle Blog
2. Follow us on Twitter and tweet the contest (we are @averyellestamps )
3. Follow us on Facebook (we are www.facebook.com/AveryElle ) and share us with your friends - make sure they tell us you sent them.
4. Follow us on Pinterest
5. Become a blog follower through Feedly or Blog Lovin' (comment on the Avery Elle blog if you already follow us)
6. Join our Flickr group (comment on the Avery Elle blog if you already belong)

Here's everybody on the hop.  Have fun!!

Avery Elle / Jamie

Chunyuan Wu

Kim Singdahlsen

 Nina Yang

Heather Campbell

JJ Bolton

Donna Mikasa

Kasia Curry

Maska Vanacker

I'll be back on Wednesdays throughout October showing you more from this set and also another exciting set called Winter Wreath.

AEI{heart}U with Avery Elle: Oh Happy Day

The challenge at Avery Elle has a long sentiment panel and since I just got their Oh Happy Day set, I knew that I had to play along!


I really like the script on the sentiment - it's light and airy with just enough frills to be fun but not cutesy. There are eight long sentiments in the set along with those little flowers, birds and even an arrow.  

It's finals week for me this week.  I'm not going to say that I won't be making many cards because I think I may need to come up for air every so often and play with colors and patterns and sequins! I have a 10 page paper to write in a Business Ethics class on an idea for corporate ethics reform.  If anybody has any ideas - let me know.  I am really struggling with the fact that many of these white collar criminals don't need the money they are stealing - I think they simply have gigantic egos and believe they are better than the rest of us.  So I'm just not sure how to reform the system because there really aren't any new rules or any type of  punishment that is going to stop a big ego.  These criminals simply do not think they are going to be caught.  (I've also been struggling with the idea of the class the whole term.  Business ethics classes are now required but I figure you either have ethics or you don't - a class isn't going to change that!)  My second paper is in Intermediate Accounting - comparing the financial statements for Pepsi and Coke in 2007.  Which would you have guessed is the biggest?  I would definitely have said Coke - but Pepsi had 10 billion more in sales.  (That includes all of their subsidiaries too).  Are you bored yet?  Me too!!!!
The fun stuff...

• Stamps: Avery Elle Oh Happy Day
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Echo Park Splash 6x6 pad
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Simply Chartreuse, Stampin' Up Strawberry Slush, Blushing Bride, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie
• Accessories: Divine Twine Black Licorice

Avery Elle Monthly Challenge

The challenge this month at Avery Elle is a wonderful misty ocean photo.  It reminds me so much of some of our favorite vacations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  One of the best was for my husband's "big" birthday - we had a gorgeous house right on the beach and had all of his family together.  My sons brought friends so they were 100% occupied and I just got to recline on the beach and relax.  It's the same kind of beach as is in the inspiration photo - it's not bright, colorful and sunny.  It's misty and wonderfully relaxing!  I thought I would prepare ahead for our next anniversary and make a "love you" card that is reminiscent of that beach!

• Stamps: Avery Elle Ikat, Lots of Love
• Paper: Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand
• Ink: Stampin' Up Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand
• Accessories: Timeless Twine Krazy for Kraft, SU star brad

Ikat with Avery Elle

I have to admit that have not been 100% sold on the look of ikat that is popping up on so many cards right now, but there is a set at Avery Elle that is quite nice.  One of the three long stamps is clearly ikat - the other two you could build up into a pattern or just use as a jagged chevron or dots.  I got the set because of the various uses and I knew it would come in handy for a fun card - and it has!!!

This card is playing along with the Avery Elle AEIOU challenge.

• Stamps: Avery Elle Ikat and Hello
• Paper: Papertrey Kraft and Raspberry Fizz
• Ink: Papertrey Kraft, Raspberry Fizz and Summer Sunrise
• Accessories: Trendy Twine Krazy for Kraft, Papertrey Summer Sunrise button

Chevrons for CAS(E) this Sketch!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I showed you the last of my Valentines yesterday so there is nothing sweet or loving here!!

I did venture way, WAY out of my comfort zone and wanted to share this card.  It's for this week's CAS(E) this Sketch.


For most designers there is nothing particularly unique about this - but I don't generally just plop on a variety of shapes - I am a mathematician by trade and things have to be organized and balanced and sensible!!??  But...it IS a challenge - and I challenged myself - and I kinda like it!!

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do!!

• Stamps: Avery Elle To the Point
• Ink: Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist, Basic Gray, Papertrey Soft Stone (I actually have to credit the pumpkin, blue, gray combo to the good ladies at Merry Mondays who recently used it as a fun Christmas challenge.  Obviously this isn't a Christmas card, but I definitely earmarked the color combo has a fun one!)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist
• Accessories: Papertrey Ink Orange Zest button

Little Girls & Teen Boys

I just finished up my last two Valentines and they are such a fun contrast, I thought I would post them together!!

First, for my sweet little niece - lots of pink and a teddy bear!!


I used the sketch from The Sweet Stop.

Then I still had one more to make - for my 13-year old son.  He couldn't care less about the card - it's just an annoying little thing to open before he gets to the chocolate!!  But I do care - so even though it would have been a waste of time to put a lot of time into it, I still wanted something special.  I think the randomly colored chevron adds the special touch!  And the sentiment is perfect - I'm either saying he's kind of cute or I'm yelling at him - there doesn't seem to be anything in between!

I used the colors from Sunday Stamps.

Hopefully you have Valentines plans.  Sadly, I haven't even thought about it.  I know my husband and I don't have a date because we will be busy get kids back and forth to wrestling, basketball games (the band!), etc.  But I do have big boxes of chocolate for all of my men and that's probably all they really want!

Teddy Bear

• Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Love from Rhubarb, Avery Elle Lots of Love
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Hibiscus Burst, Doodlebug sugar & spice
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics, Papertrey Hibiscus Burst
• Accessories: Trendy Twine Tickled Pink

Chevrons

• Stamps: Avery Elle Lots of Love, To the Point
• Paper: Stampin' Up Early Espresso
• Ink: Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Marina Mist, More Mustard

Amazing, Fantastic, Extraordinary, Wonderful

I spent this morning preparing ahead (fingers crossed, knock on wood).  My 16-year old son has had a tough few years.  Of course, you couldn't pay me enough to go back to my teen years so I can totally relate.  Just this year, he enrolled at Lutheran High School for the significantly smaller classroom size and the Christian environment.  It's been a perfect fit!!  He went into mid-terms with straight A's (and a great attitude!)  But one of the things that developed over the last few years is a severe test anxiety - so it's always possible that his nerves got the better of him on his mid-terms.  The results come out at the end of this week and I want to have a card ready to go - so I can immediately hand it to him and he will know that I have faith!

I have had this set out on my desk for awhile because I wanted to play along with Avery Elle's AEI♥U Challenge to create a project summing up my personal style.  I love clean cards - either white or I also love kraft.  I love including something that is unique or different - in this case, the button, and the fun sketch from retrosketches.  (I'm also a big challenge player!)  I don't tend towards patterned papers and if I use it, it's usually just a dash.  I love stamps that can stand alone - in this case, the variety and arrangement of fun fonts makes the sentiment interesting all by itself.

• Stamps: Avery Elle Framed Fonts and Bright Days (the sun rays)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake and Island Indigo, MME Indie Chic Nutmeg "Hanging Out"
• Ink: Stampin' Up Summer Sun and Island Indigo
• Accessories: A Flair for Buttons Etsy Shop, Paper Crimper, Corner Rounder, Stampin' Up Island Indigo twine

CAS(E) this Sketch #7!!

This is my second post today. 

The Alley Way Stamps blog hop is just a post away!!

After a Thanksgiving break, CAS(E) this Sketch! is back with a fun, new sketch!

Be sure to check out what all the rest of the design team has done - I am constantly amazed by how many different ideas come out even with such a simple sketch!

Here's my take on this sketch....

Give it a try!  Have fun!  And be sure to link up so we can all see your ideas!

• Stamps: Avery Elle Framed Fonts, Bright Days
• Paper: Stampin' Up Island Indigo
• Ink: Stampin' Up Real Red, Summer Starfruit
• Accessories: MFT Arrow and Fishtail dies

ColourQ and Birthdays!

A dear friend had a birthday yesterday.  The colors from colourq were absolutely perfect for her!!!

This was such a fun combination of warm and cool colors.  I also added some festive silver.  This was quite a stretch for me as silver didn't go with anything.  But I so liked the surprise of the Bermuda color - I decided to pair it with a silver surprise!!

The layout comes from cardabilities:

• Stamps: Avery Elle Framed Fonts
• Paper: Stampin' Up Cajun Craze, Concord Crush, More Mustard dsp, Silver Glimmer
• Ink: Stampin' Up Concord Crush
• Accessories: Spellbinders labels, Stampin' Up Cajun Craze button and Flower Brad, Pebbles Glitter Candy Dots, gems colored to match Concord, My Favorite Things Fishtails die