A Toucan of My Appreciation!

 

Wow it has been an amazing week at Freshly Made Sketches!  We had over 100 entries and I got to pick the Queen!  We also have many sponsor prizes to hand out.  Check out our FMS page tomorrow for a list of all the winners!

In the meantime Comment #17 by Crafty "T" on my blog was randomly selected as the winner of the blog candy:

Wow Linda - 500 sketches is such a great accomplishment and I am so excited to have been introduced to this blog! I am absolutely inspired by all of the great cards and your hug card is just what the world needs right now! Thank you

Congratulations to  Crafty "T"  ! Please email me at jcallahan1@nycap.rr.com with your address and I will mail your prize right out!

I took a Tropical Vibes class with Jenn Shurkus several weeks back.  I learned a lot about coloring and ink blending but you know I still have a CAS heart.  My card today is a stripped down model using some of the techniques I learned in class.  There is stenciling, ink blending, copic coloring and water splashing involved.

The cards shown here underneath my card are ones we worked on in class......but when I was left on my own you can see what I created....needed that white space....Jenn is a terrific teacher and I know she wouldn't mind one bit!

I used the sketch today from Make the Cards Challenge.

And Global Design Project is having a Thank You Challenge.

Stamp Sets: Toucan Do It (Lawn Fawn)

Ink: Versamark, Memento Black, Distress, Copics

Paper: Whisper White, Tim Holtz Distress

Lawn Fawn Magic Iris Tropical Die

A Colorful Life Kite Stencil

Celebrating A Milestone!.....FMS500

 

I'd love to give each and every one of you a hug for supporting Freshly Made Sketches for ten years!  Wow that is 500 sketches!  I am honored to be the designer of  #500! ( Actually I am also lucky - it was simply my turn!)  Our crafting community is such a source of inspiration and friendship - and has been a wonderful escape during recent difficult times.  I am always amazed at the never ending creativity I see week after week!

I used the new Season's Blessings set to build my summery basket of flowers on my card today

BLOG CANDY!

As part of our celebration this week we have lots of prizes and blog candy to give away!  Make sure you visit team members' blogs for chances to win!  I am giving away a 3D Embossing Folder, a set of floral dies and two stamp sets.  Just leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win - US shipping only please.

I purposely put five elements in the sketch this week - one for each 100 sketches!  Celebrate with us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Season's Blessings

Ink: Pale Papaya, Garden Green, Pool Party, Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron

Paper: Whisper White, Vellum, Copper Foil, Hand Penned DSP, Cinnamon Cider

Timeworn Type Embossing Folder

Hugs Die Cut by Pink Fresh

Fusion: Crayons

Nothing says back to school like a brand new box of crayons!  The inspiration is such fun at Fusion! I combined both the sketch and the photo when I created my card.  Always something magical and inspiring about a new box of crayons!

A colorful challenge at Fusion this week!  Join us!

Stamp Sets: Color My World (Lawn Fawn), Brilliant Day (Honey Bee)

Paper: Bristol Smooth, Distress White, Awesomely Artistic DSP

Ink: Versafine Clair, Zig Markers

Halloween Scene....FMS499

 

We are enjoying the last few weeks of summer here but I had to use this cute Halloween set as soon as I received my order from the new SU! Holiday Catalog this week!  I blended some Distress Oxide inks and spritzed some water to create the backdrop then added my scene.

Our scene here however is still very summery.  We spent the day at a friend's pool this week where Mr. Will E. Bear (as we call him) has learned to maneuver very well in his water wings.  He keeps his GrammiE and his AuntiE busy paddling alongside.  Thank Heaven for pool noodles to keep me afloat!  He is an amazingly happy and fun loving two year old - hope I didn't just jinx it! He was even all smiles as we waited for a brief thunderstorm to pass!

        This is such a great set for creating Halloween scenes!                             

I always enjoy Jen Mitchell's square designs!  Hope you do too! Join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Frightfully Cute

Ink: Versafine Black, Distress Oxides, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Basic Black, Early Espresso, Distress White, Whisper White

Bring On The Treats......FMS498

 

Looks like those mice are already celebrating a birthday with sweet treats!  When in doubt chocolates make the perfect gift......ask me how I know......

The background paper is actually from the Cute Halloween DSP in the new Stampin' Up! holiday catalog.  It just seemed to work with the chocolates and the mice!  You may be seeing it again with ghosts and witches.

Jen Timko has a sweet sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches......hope you join us!

Stamp Set: So Sweet (Colorado Craft Co)

Paper: Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo, Cute Halloween DSP

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Fusion: Kitty Butterfly

 

Such a cute photo at Fusion this week that I just had to make a card with a cat and butterflies. My kitty looks a bit afraid of those fluttery creatures!

I combined the sketch and the picture this week.  Always fun to play at Fusion!  Hope you join us!

Stamp Sets: Pampered Pets (SU), Blissful Butterflies (Pretty Pink Posh), Wart's Up (Avery Elle), Grrr-ific Friend (Lawn Fawn)

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Botanical Butterfly DSP, True Love DSP, Highland Heather

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Summer Relaxing......FMS497

 

This duck is my spirit animal these days.......I aspire to be just like him!  Unfortunately sneaking in a total day of relaxation is not quite as easy as this guy makes it look!  But I am trying......

Hope you are managing some time for yourself these days!

Jacquie had a sweet sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches - hope you join us!

Stamp Set: Pool Pampering (CCC)

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Paper: Whisper White, You're A Peach DSP