Paper Hugs

Hi there!  Time for another sketch challenge at the Sweet Stop!  Here is this week's sketch: Recently, I watched Jill Foster create wonderful tags using Pan Pastels and Inchies , but as I don't own any pastels or chalks, I have tried using Perfect Pearls with Perfect Pearls Medium.  I love how these have turned out, so today, I tried that technique on my focal circle.  I used a stencil by The Crafters Workshop for most of the swirls and butterfly images, then added a little stamping (little dots and music notes) from the mini background stamps in the Dienamics set called 'By the Numbers'.  It is not possible to see in the photo, but there is a lovely shimmery look to this piece.  I cut it out using Spellbinders Lacy Circles, and adhered it to the brown and cream spot dp from the Amy Tangerine pad:  Ready Set Go.  For embellishment, I stamped and heat embossed the 3 Butterflies from the SnS set New Beginnings with brown ink and clear emboss...

This week's challenge is a Sketch with a Spin - Going Buggy. For my card, I chose a Lil' Bee stamp from Bella Stamps, coloured it with Copics - and cut it out with a square nestie - just stopping at the section where the flowers extend past the square, leaving them to be 'outside the box'!  A neat trick when you don't want to make the whole shape too large just to fit one part of the image!  For the banners, I used dp by My Minds Eye: Miss Caroline and Authentique:  Delightful - their pretty colours give such a great Spring feel to the card.  The script is from my stash.  I think this sketch is fab - I will definitely use it again. Please check out the inspiration from the other Sweet Stop Sugar Babies and then let us see what creations you come up with: Cathy McCauley ,  Korin Sutherland ,  Ceal Pritchett ,  Faye-Wynn Jones ,  Marlena Peduzzi ,  Melissa Shultz , Robin Parker ,  Stephanie Serrano ,  Cynthia Olheiser ...

A few weeks ago, I was inspired by Jill Foster   who shared her creations using Inchie Arts and Pan Pastels.  The problem is I don't have any chalks or pastels, so I thought I would try Perfect Pearls and Perfect Pearls Medium to achieve a similar result.  I am pleased with the results I achieved, but will still try to get hold of some chalks some time down the track.  Jill demonstrated her collage effect - it looks so free and soft, and 'arty' that I just had to give it a try!  I have used small tags, cut with a Paper Smooches die, to make a few cards to take with me for occasions when I might want to say 'Thank you' - it pays to be prepared!  I used PaperCrafters Workshop stencils for most of the background, and then added some stamping - small snippets of text, some graphic images etc.  I also sprayed with Smooch Spritz when the stamping was completed.   Some background paper and a few embellishments completed the cards.  IRL the tags...

Time for another Sweet Stop Sketch -   I chose to rotate the sketch, giving me vertical panels for my sentiment and focal image.  The graphic-style greeting is from SNS Birthday Bash stamp set and because of its uniform rectangular shape, I thought it would suit the vertical panel if I stamped it a few times.  Do check out this set, as it has some really cool sentiments in this bold style, as well as great birthday images.  Little Rhubarb comes from another SNS set called Rhubarb's Birthday Wish .  He is so fun to colour - I added glossy accents to the balloons - you can just make it out! Remember to check out the rest of the team, to see what they have created - you are bound to find plenty of inspiration there! Cathy McCauley ,  Korin Sutherland ,  Ceal Pritchett ,  Faye-Wynn Jones ,  Marlena Peduzzi ,  Melissa Shultz , Robin Parker ,  Stephanie Serrano ,  Cynthia Olheiser ,  Debbie Owens , and  Jamie...

I am honoured to be a new member of the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge team -  I will do my best to live up to the very high standard of the other team members, who have inspired me for some time.  Do check out the SSS blog  whenever you can, participate in the challenges and be inspired by the creative talent you will find there.  Here is the sketch and this is my card.    I have used Sweet n' Sassy Birthday Bash stamp set for the cupcake, cutting out the cake wrapper and frosting with the coordinating die .   I have used dp by Gina K from my stash, and some ice-blue corrugated card which I thought looked like a cake wrapper.  Some heat set puff paint completes the topping.  The sentiment is from another SNS stamp set - Rhubarb's Birthday Wish . Now don't forget to head on over to the rest of the team, to see what they have come up with for this challenge;     Cathy McCauley ,  Korin Sutherland ,  Ceal Pritc...