sketches by tamara #42

check out the sketch & DT's layouts here . 

Robin's Nest highly glittered range of pattern paper is a new brand for me to try out. 

Tamara's sketch was perfect for me to try out a layout with lots of flourishes especially without the mess of putting my own glitter . 

Supplies : Robin's Nest Awing pp , ATB CS , Mambi chipboard flower , Hambly Overlay , Love Elsie Roxie fabric paper, EK Success & MM alpha stickers

My Sketch World card sketch April #2

check out the fabulous DT card samples for this sketch ! Just amazing work from everyone !

Supplies : DCWV All Dressed UP cardstock & ribbon, Carla Craft butterfly punch, Cuttlebug Embossing

Allison's watery challenge

http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com/

Another Rubber Romance image from Jilli which I water colored & added stickles & glitter glue .

Triple the Sketch #4

http://triplethesketch.blogspot.com/

Check out the latest sketch & layout , card & tag samples

My supplies : IOD design pp , Prima Essentials Urban 4 , Foo Fa La Buttons , Creative Imaginations Epoxy Stickers, Core'Dinations cardstock torn to reveal core colour , Distress Inks

Di Hickman's Card Sketch Apr #4

http://www.dihickman.blogspot.com/

The printed buttons on this Love, Elsie paper can fool anyone , isn't it ?

Supplies : Bazzill Scalloped CS, Love, Elsie -Claire Prom Dress , ribbon , Daisy D rub-on tape transfer, K&Co Die Cut Glitter Stickers

As always do check out the sketch & DT card samples galore for inspiration .

Cute card Thursday - Girls just wanna have fun

I received this Rubber Romance image via Jilli ( thanks so much, Jill ! ) & made the card based on a Page Plans sketch. My first stamping card ! lol image coloured in with water colour pencils & some glitter glue for highlight.

Hope it qualifies as a cute card ! lol

cps #61

http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

Playing with more Core-dinations cardstock - as you can see I went to town distressing the edges & sanding the cardstock with sandpaper. Not usually my fave techniques but with these cardstocks it's a pity to not let the core colour come thru !

Sketch This #47

http://janellerichmond.typepad.com/sketchthis

Check out the latest sketch which you can use for layouts & cards !

Lots of inspiration & eye candy !

My first DT layout for Sketch This :

Supplies : Bazzill Bling CS , KI Memories Lace Cardstock , AC Roller Rink Glitter Alpha Chipboard , MM chipboard jigsaw shapes & Shimmer sticker, Amy Butler cardstock Sticker, Kaiser Self adhesive Pearls , MM Noteworthy felt flower sticker, K&Co Love dimensional sticker , DCWV Scallop 8x8 cardstock,

Sheer Organza Ribbon just received from Debbie in Georgia !

& I had fun cuttlebug embossing the Heidi Swapp mini ghost butterflies & flower .

Blog Header Pif by Donna - Crafty Krafts !

www.CraftyKrafts.co.uk

Donna of Crafty Krafts so kindly created & customised my new blog header as a PIF !

I couldn't believe me eyes when I saw this posted on her blog & that I could be a lucky winner !

I just had to have a go ! lol

Besides I have been looking for ways to better customise my blog header for a while now so it couldn't have come at a better time !

Donna also runs a Magnolia stamps weekly challenge blog - Magnolia stamps are so popular her UK based online store is now awaiting the latest shipment to arrive ! They are sold out !

New Finding - Core'dinations - coloured core cardstock

http://www.coredinations.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=sand

Trying out the new Core'dinations black cardstock with a pink core .

I lightly sanded selected words of the Cuttlebug embossed words

to reveal the core colour which is a light sandy pink here .

Flowers are new Prima Obsessions. Also added some Diamond stickles.

Di HIckman's card sketch Apr #3

http://www.dihickman.blogspot.com/

Check out the latest sketch & card samples

Supplies : Sassafrass Lass pps, KI Memories stickers,

The post was scheduled via draft.blogger.com .

Do give it a try - also check out the new gadgets feature under customising page layout while you're at it !

Sketch This Layout DT !

http://janellerichmond.typepad.com/sketchthis/

Janelle has merged her weekly layout & card sketch blog into one place.

So thrilled to be part of an awesome team !

Looking forward to seeing everyone's work !

Here's the layout I submitted based on the DT call sketch

Using a mix of old & new supplies.

Papertakeweekly - All that Glitters !

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com

This weeks challenge 'All that glitters' is simply to use glitter on your projects!

------------------------------

DCWV Butterflies & Blossoms CS - glittered, Prima flowers & Doodlebug sticker, Di Hickman Card sketch

Sisterhood of Scrap - Day 7 Challenge

Deanne's Challenge :

Do you like Follow the Leader? Well, I'm the leader today! Here is a layout I did last night.I would like for you to FOLLOW my page, use it as inspiration and create one of your own. You could follow my color scheme, use a similar title, follow the layout of it to create your own . If you are a card-maker, you can create a card following the layout of my page.

---------------------------------

Taking the cardmaking route & using DCWV Butterflies & blossoms CS , Bazzill Bling , Happy Hammer tag

Sisterhood of Scrap : Day 6 Challenge

Carla's challenge :

My challenge for you today is to use a bird on a layout or card, and include some stitching -- either faux or real.

=====================

My take using Urban Lily Sassy pp, MM trim , Daisy D tape transfer for faux stitching , CI spoxy sticker

Sisterhood of Scrap : Connect Four Challenge

Lisa's challenge :

For my challenge you need to Connect 4 circles somewhere on your layout!! Simple, easy and fun!!

----------------------------------

I have a cluster of circle shapes at the bottom right of the layout .

supplies : Sketches by Tamara #40, Chatterbox Courtyard kit - pps , ribbons , stickers , flowers ; Daisy D tape rub ons , AC chiupboard shapes & alpha . Stickles - Copper

"Sisterhood of Scrap" Blog Party Challenge Day 5

Hey Party Gamers all around the world !


Hope you're having a fun time with the variety of Games challenges so far !



& Congratulations Sisters on your first anniversary & may the next 12 months be even more exciting !



If you missed the daily BINGO game over at the Sisters' blog , you can join in on this one !

My challenge for you today is to to take inspiration from the game of Bingo- use a Bingo card or use numbers on your layout if you don't have one; or some sort of dab paint ( as you would on a Bingo card ) ...Using BINGO cards continue to be a hot trend in scrapbooking this year so if you haven't tried it why not now ?





Here are some links to download Bingo card art :



http://www.dltk-cards.com/bingo/

http://www.apollostemplates.com/templates-bingo/default.asp

http://www.bingocardcreator.com/printable-bingo-cards.htm



My sample below using a Jenni Bowlin bingo card.

You have until April 17th th to complete this challenge and be entered for one of the many wonderful prizes that Sisterhood of Scrap is giving away!!! Make sure to link your layout here in the comments when you're done!

Don't forget that the Fun & Games at Sisterhood of Scrap is going on all week, so head over to their blog for all the details!!

So on with more BINGO fun !

Caardvarks - flight of fancy

Supplies : Cuttlebug embossing , MM trim , Urban Lily pp - Sassy , Di Hickman's Apr Card sketch #2

Triple the Sketch #1

http://triplethesketch.blogspot.com/

Another new sketch blog to check out - with inspirations to use on cards, layouts , altered items or tags !

Still using up new DCWV Butterflies & Blossoms cs, K&Co sticker , Cuttlebug embossing , Doodlebug Looby stickers

sketches by Tamara #39- New MM Jack, DCWV Rickrack cardstock

http://sketchesbytamara.blogspot.com/

I wanted to try out as many new findings from the new CHA Winter 2008 releases as I could.

Supplies : New MM Jack Rick Rack 12x12 , New DCWV RickRack CS , KI Lace CS , DCWV Butterflies & Blossoms , Memories Complete star sticker, Making Memories Mini alphas Pink Ledger, K&Co wild saffron dimensional stickers, AC thickers Roller Rink Glitter, Maya Road transparent ribbon , Sassafras Lass Dearly sticker, MM Felt shape , Fancy Pants Tough & Rough stick pin & felt shape

Art award

Susan has very kindly awarded me the Art Award ! Awww ! You rawk , Susan ! You never fail to lift me up , much more than you know .What a blessing you are ! 

It is given to bloggers who share their art and creativity making their contribution to the blogging world.

Here are the rules:

1. You pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

& I now get to pass it on to 5 amazing artistes  : 

1. Christine  of Creative Journey 

2. Debbie  of  Debbie's Die Cuts

3. Becca  of Amazing Paper Grace 

4. Kazan of Nunu Toolies 

5. Lauren of all the good blog names were taken 

We are only limited by our imaginations - as said on Debbie's blog ! 

Thank you very much everyone for visiting my blog ! 

Di Hickman's Card Sketch April #1

http://www.dihickman.blogspot.com/

You've got to check out the myriad of DT  ideas this week with this latest sketch ! 

definitely a great all occassion sketch   ! 

Supplies : Doodlebug pps , CS ,Chipboard tag,Cuttlebug embossing folder & dies, May arts ribbon 

I got these Doodlebug papers a year ago todate & they still are as fresh to me as when I first saw them ! Trying out some Cuttlebug embossing on vellum as I couldn't bear to cover up much of the joyful colors. And I finally used the small embossing folder & postage stamp cutting die . No good reason why I never used them . I'm still probably using 5% of the capabilities of my Cuttlebug since I bought it  - I haven't moved on  to cutting out more scallops & circles & flower shapes. Simply paralysis with just too much stash on hand! It's just easier to use ready made embellishments than piecing them together myself. Tsk tsk !   

Sisterhood of Scrap - Challenge Monday Mar 31st

http://sisterhoodofscrap.blogspot.com/

Use some sort of hidden element on a layout.

Complete this challenge by Sunday, April 6th, and email it to sisterhood.of.scrap@gmail.com Your name will be placed into a draw at the end of April, to have a chance to win a prize from our monthly sponsor.

Of course, you will also have the chance to become a Sister of the Week!

-------------------------------

Being the cardmaking scrapper that I am , I actually used a 6x6 leftover square card to have hidden journaling & another picture that continues the story ...

journaling reads : Only as much as I dream can I be. Only as deep as you look can you see, Only as far as I seek can I go.

Based on a Layout sketch by Elsie Flannigan & using mainly Love, Elsie products

Papertake Weekly - Making Waves

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/

This weeks challenge is nice and easy! 'Making Waves' - the challenge is to use scallops or zig-zags (or both if your really keen lol!) on your project!

-------------------------------------

Trying out more of the DCWV RickRack cardstock & the new Butterflies & Blossoms patterned cardstock. I punched holes on the edges to soften the look & to add some funk hopely. Stickers are Doodlebug teeny tags Raspberry Sunrise.

Allison's Suggestive Sunday - Dotty

http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com/

This week's Suggestive Sunday is easy (at least I think so!)...dots! Here are a few ideas to get you going...
Use polka dotted stamps or DP.
Add some dots with a gel pen. For some inspiration, visit the queen of the gel pen, Faith.
Pierce...that's a dot, right?
Pull out a dotty embossing folder or template.
Look here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=dotty&x=0&y=0&limit=
-------------------------------

My first go at Allison's challenge - normally I'm at her blog to blurf !

( I think that means to use her blog as a springboard to discover other creative blogs to surf to ! Thanks Allison for the great job as always in making new discoveries ! )

Supplies : DCWV Butterflies & blossoms foiled CS, Doodlebug Design Loopy Lou stickers , Maya Road Transparent Ribbon, Making Memeories Spring Bright mini butterfly brads, AquaGlaze pen , Scrap piece of Cuttlebug embossing

Caardvarks- Purple Snurple Micro Challenge

http://caardvarks.blogspot.com/

For the Caardvarks micro challenge which ends minight Apr 1 .

Supplies : Cuttlebug reverse embossing with eggplant ink, Love , Elsie - Claire Patchwork pp, Colorbok sticky stitches

sketches by Tamara #38- New Cherry Arte Girl Power

http://sketchesbytamara.blogspot.com/

As always lots of sample layouts for ideas !

Supplies : Cherry Arte Girl Power pp, AC thickers Roller Rink Glitter chipboard alphas , Pinecone Flower Press stickers, Daisy D's tape rub ons, MM Anthology Scroll Chipboard, Prima Flowers

Copycatcards wk 13 - Punch & Stamp

http://www.copycatcards.blogspot.com/

Using New DCWV Butterflies & blossoms glittered & foiled CS , DCWV New Ric rac 8x8 cardstock , Fiskars clear stamp , Carla butterfly punch, New MM Vlapk Shapes mini brads Spring Bright

CPS #58 - New DCWV Butterflies & blossom

http://www.cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

I rotated this week's sketch .

Supplies : Bazzill CS , New DCWV Butterflies & Blossoms CS & glittered friends rub on , carla punches , Cuttlebug reverse embossing

Friend tag ends were punched using a circle punch.

New findings - DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies quick cards

Some quick cards made using the latest DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies stack - 72 prints in 4.5"x6.5" ! They are also available in 8x8" & 12x12 " papers . But being the cardmaking scrapper I choose the 4.5x6.5" size as I felt they were sooo busy & bright that I can't even imagine using them on layouts ! 

This range of cardstock come Glittered & Foiled ! Foiled Flourishes & butterflies galore ! I had to buy some AC Velvet stickers - these are called Black Tie - to use with these papers . On this card I added a little Maya road transparent ribbon/tape  using my new found tool- the Kokuyo Dotliner HOLD . I have always had it in my stash but only recently discovered the great use of it ! It looks like a stapler & comes in handy for those times you need just a little to add to an embellishment & its adhesive power is really good even though it comes out in dots ! Of course it works great when needing lengths of adhesive too as on a layout . 

So this season's must haves are : glitter, foil, velvet , embossing . Letter stickers - perennial fave AC any thickers - I have only recently discovered Doodlebug's Loopy Lou sticker

 ( especially sweet in powder pink too ) .  & oh ! Fancy Pants Transparencies & Glitter Cuts - Almost every major brand seems to have a new little boy & girl collection - Daisy D's , SEI , K&Co , BG , Sassafras Lass, but I decided to go with Making Memories' Animal Crackers if only because they have such a comprehensive range of embellishments from small brads

 ( butterflies, bunnies ) to epoxy shapes. & their little girl collection is peachy rather than sweet pink ! Again their range also feature flocking & foiling on their patterned papers . Other not so oldies but still goodies felt & chipboard everything - Fancy Pants even has a felt 12x12" sheet die cut with similar shapes as their big board chipboard .

I have decided that purple is my new pink this year in my stash update but I'll see if I can even stay true to that for long ! 

Cute card Thursday challenge 2 - All Creatures Great & Small

http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com

A new challenge blog for cute cards ! 

All Creatures Great and Small!

This week we would like to see creatures on your cards, they can be animals, birds, fish even dinosaurs or dragons. Absolutely any creature imaginable!

Di Hickman's Card Sketch Mar #4

http://dihickman.blogspot.com

Don't forget to check out all the fab DT samples this week ! 

Supplies: Bazzill CS; Pinecone Press Flower Garden pp & cardstock sticker; May Arts ribbons; Loopey Brads

I didn't use scraps for this card . The new Pinecone Flower Garden pp was a buy for cardmaking for me, together with the matching cardstock stickers . The strips within the patterned paper has so much going on I don't even feel the need to reach out for the Cuttlebug to add on embossing ( my latest must use these days ! I just a click away from buying 12 more folders at one go ! But I'm still sleeping on it ! The Swiss Dots are a must have IMO ! So versatile a pattern & perfect with pastels & white cardstock ! yums ! ) 

Chriss' Love Challenge

http://craftsbychrissy.blogspot.com

Cards, layouts (digital or otherwise) atc's and altered items all welcome as long as you follow the theme Love.

--------------------------------

I wanted to try some white on white on cards just to see . Again limited to 3 embossing folders at the moment .

Can anyone from the US advise where to buy the Cuttlebug Embossing folders online ? besides Ebay ? Many thanks !

& using a small embossing folder that I haven't used before with reverse embossing .

CPS #57

Using the latest CPS sketch 

Supplies : Bazzill CS , Love, Elsie -Claire Prom Dress, Bo Bunny Birthday rub on

Sketches by Tamara #37

http://sketchesbytamara.blogspot.com/

Check out this week's one photo sketch

and all the layout samples.

Remember to upload a link to the comment section where we can see your finished layout using this sketch to get the chance at becoming a Sketches! Guest Designer!

My supplies : AC Roller rink glitter alphas, New Hambly Grandma's wallpaper, Hambly chandelier rub on , Daisy D hournaling spot rub ons, Luxe Design Monogram, 7 Gypsies sticker

Di Hickman's Card Sketch Mar #3

http://www.dihickman.blogspot.com/

Check out the DT card samples for lots of new ,  interesting & creative design ideas to try ! 

Using a card base of 5x5" so that I can use my D'vine Cuttlebug swirls embossing folder without showing up too much of the areas the folder couldn't cover. Just love the orange shade of the Dream Design blossom ! 

Since I'm not a kit subscriber of any sort , whenever I buy new released patterned papers I would make it a point to just pick out some matching Bazzill CS ( 4 different colours ) so that I don't have to rummage for matching cardstock thru my stash . I normally like to cut into my new stash ASAP ( as though to justify buying them in the first place ! ) And often I would make cards first rather than layouts. 

Supplies: New Pinecone Press Sunflower pp, Dreams Designs large blossom , speckled brad

My Sketch World Card DT

My Sketch World is getting bigger this year ! Big DT team for layouts & cards ! & I get to be on the Card DT this stint ! Thanks so much Lucy !

Do look out for new layout & card sketches coming our way . I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone's samples !

Made this card for the DT call using AC Amplified pp, SEI CS , Bazzill blossom , Cuttlebug embossing

Faux Altered Clipboard

Nothing like a project to get one digging thru' the stash ! 

I used leftover AC Spring & Summer pp & Luxe Design B&W patterned paper on the 6x12" base . 

I added a large office clip to create a clipboard effect . 

House of Color hand decorated buttons & rings unearthed from my stash finally !

 As were a star & heart shaped corrugated tags . 

Other embellies : K&CO dimensional sticker, AC foam bugs , Kaiser Pearls , MM Funky Vintageframe & clip , clear tag , Q&Co Frills, Jenni Bowlin Bingo card

More cuttlebug embossing

Experimented with using my only 3 Cuttlebug embossing folders at a go ( I cant believe I only have dots , swirls & happy birthday ! salivating over the new ones - Swiss Dot, Diamonds etc ) - after going thru' several tutorials about inking the cuttlebug folder ( the links I will add later ) & even to use more than one embossing design on the paper , this was my first result.

Not my most satisfactory of cards to show- I mainly used scraps to experiment - just for fun ! highlighted the Happy Birthday with some glitter gel pens as well as some embossing portions on the card.

Check out these tutorials on cuttlebug reverse & layered embossing

http://beestamper.blogspot.com/2008/03/technique-monday.html

http://silkeledlow.blogspot.com/2008/03/its-your-day.html

http://debbiesdiecuts.blogspot.com/

sketches by Tamara #35

You can check out the latest sketch & layout samples here .

My supplies : AC Amplified, Roller Rink Glitter Alphas, K&Co dimensional BOY sticker Luxe Design Journaling spot , Daisy D'stape transfers, Scenic route cardstock sticker, Bijous chipboard arrow

Starting next Saturday, March 22nd, and continuing each and every Saturday, Sketches! {by tamara} will be featuring a Guest Designer.

If you want the chance of becoming a Guest Designer at Sketches!, all you have to do is use the sketches and share your work here . It is that simple.

How will it work? If you are chosen, you will get an email from Tamara asking if you would like to be a Sketches! Guest Designer. If you so choose to accept, you will be able to choose a previous card or layout sketch that we have had up on the Sketches! Blog. Maybe it is one of your favorite Sketches so far. Or maybe one you haven't used before but wanted to. But it has to be a new layout made for your Sketches! Guest Designer Spot. Not something have already seen. You will have 2 weeks to get your layout or card to be emailed . Plus, a photo of you....only if you wish, and a short bio about you that you would like others to know.

This will be YOUR day.

You Make my day - award time

Thank you so much Christine for this award ! So kind of you !

Here are 5 blogs that I have stumbled upon recently in the stamping world that inspires me :

http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/

http://stampingmathilda.blogspot.com/

http://scrapworthy-arts.blogspot.com/

http://prbloom.typepad.com/my_weblog/

http://stampingandscrapingincalifornia.blogspot.com/

Do hop by & take a look at their beautiful creations ! & be inspired !

Sketches R Us

http://sketches-r-us.blogspot.com/

Just discovered Cherie's sketch blog . Do take a look at her lovely layout & card sketches especially when needed to add to your mojo !

A card i made using one of Cherie's sketches using latest PineCone Press pp & sticker, assorted brads , cuttlebug embossing , Junkitz button , AC plastic shape, Q&Co plastic sequin

Di Hickman's Card sketch Mar #2

http://dihickman.blogspot.com/

Do check out the latest card sketch & lovely card samples

here

Copycat cards - Week 10-Get Well

This week's challenge is in honour of our sweet DT member Tracy who is in hospital at the moment.

So...please make a GET WELL CARD - any colours/styles. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

http://copycatcards.blogspot.com/

-------------------------------

Supplies : Prima flowers & Kaiser pearls from Melanie ( Australia ) , One heart one mind rub on, Cuttlebug Embossing

sketches by tamara #35

http://sketchesbytamara.blogspot.com/

Do check out the latest sketch & sample layouts here .

I used a curve rule to draw the curve & the other piece of CS that was cut off I used as a backing for the Bazzill stitchable CS which I was prompted to use looking at the sketch.

I added silver star brads just to what the effect would be .

other supplies : AC roller Rink glitter alphas , SR chipboard

Surprising Sunday : recipes ...

When I get tired of creating with paper & crafts ( yupz especially when the dreaded mojo funk hits big time ! ) I then think of getting a little more creative with cooking.

After years of watching Jamie Oliver on TV , it finally dawned on me that I could find his recipes online ( before going out to rush & buy one of his cookbooks ! )

A relative I met last night over dinner gave me the heads up to check up recipes like

Chicken in Milk

Fantastic roast chicken

Burger

If you have a recipe link to share do leave it in the comment here for us to check it out !