Got Sketch 113 (Again)...Birthday Birdie!

Because I was still so pressed for time, I used the same sketch as the cards in my previous post, but, used my new Doodle Pantry Birthday Birdie digi stamp for our neice's 4th Birthday card.  Seriously, how cute is this bird!!  I had planned to use the Twitterpated paper from Imaginisce that I've been hoarding for years when I colored this little bird orange.  But, the patterns are kind of big and just not ideal for a card.  So, I switched to Basic Grey's Lime Rickey...I seriously LOVE this paper which is not like me at all...I don't typically love bright colors!!

Paper:  Basic Grey Lime Rickey

Stamps: Doodle Pantry Birthday Birdie with Hat and Card Chatter-Birthday

Cardstock:  Citrus Leaf (retired), Sunny Yellow, and White Daisy

Ink:  Citrus Leaf and Tsukineko Memento ink in Tuxedo Black

Other:  Martha Stewart border punch, Cuttlebug and Nestabilities, Crop-a-dile corner punches, Copic Markers, and Recollections adhesive gems 

Got Sketch 113...Happy Bird!

I'm finally finished with the worst of my reports!  Well, technically anyway, I still have lots to do.  But, I won't be spending all weekend in the office, so, that's something I guess!!  I need to catch up on what I've been up to now though!

In the meantime, I've been fighting with my blog design.  Is anyone else having issues?  I'm not sure if it's me, but, I'm trying to keep it simple until I figure it out!

I've been desperately trying to keep up with birthdays this month, it is just one after another!!  These cards were done for my MIL and her friend Barbara.  I sent them both the new Kraft Color Ready Borders from CTMH as part of their birthday gifts and wanted to demonstrate how great they were.  I still love them, but, won't be adding any more color to them unless its black or a shade of brown!!  I tried everything, but, the colors just don't come out right.  But, how CUTE is this little Happy Bird digi stamp from Doodle Pantry!!!!  And the best part is he's FREE!!!  I loved him so much, I bought a birthday image of him as well and have a few more I plan to get in the near future, he reminds me of my little bird and you just can't help but smile when you see him!

I've been super short on time so I used the Got Sketch? 113 sketch for inspiration for both cards and used scraps from my "Family Ties" layout that were still on my desk....I'm still trying to "think spring" despite the daily forecast of snow! ;O)

Paper:  My Mind's Eye Pretty Please

Cardstock:  Juniper, Tulip, and Colonial White

Stamps: Doodle Pantry Happy Bird and Card Chatter-Birthday 

Ink:  Sunset, Juniper, and Tulip 

Other:  CTMH brads in Juniper and Tulip, EKSuccess Corner Rounder (Scalloped border inside card), CTMH Kraft Color Ready Borders, Crop-A-Dile Corner punch, Copics, and Cuttlebug/Nestabilities.

Sketchy Thursdays...Family Ties

I follow a Russian blog that I really love, but, can't understand a thing that's said!  Anyway, I have had the beautiful layouts shown in this post stuck in my head for a year now where each layout includes a picture within a picture.  I loved the idea and was reminded of it when I saw this sketch at Sketchy Thursdays.  I found this picture of Owen with his grandparents at the glacier in Valdez and attempted to make the 3 of them pop by making the background a little more monochrome.  I actually printed two pictures with the intent of using foam tape to make the photo really stand out, but, changed my mind at the last minute and just glued it down.  The difference in the photos is a little more obvious in person, but, I still liked it.  I'm going to have to try this again and get out of the box a little more!!

I had so much fun with this one, it was SO nice to take a break from work...of course, it just set me back that much further!  

I didn't think I'd ever use this paper from My Mind's Eye because there was so much pink, but, I think it worked well and the colors make me happy regardless!!  I absolutely love these flowers too...they were on an example layout in the latest CTMH catalog and I thought they looked like "manly" flowers...;O).

Anyway, if you'd like to play along with this sketch, you have a couple more days!!  Make sure you use spring colors for the extra challenge!  I am dying for spring!!  I think we got about 6 more inches of snow this morning...it makes the already 40 minute commute that much LONGER let me tell you!!  

Paper:  My Mind's Eye Pretty Please
Cardstock:  Juniper and Colonial White
Stamps: Bohemian Alpha
Ink:  Sunset, Juniper, and Tulip 
Other:  Fiskar Circle Punches (flower petals), CTMH brads in Colonial White, Juniper, and Tulip, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Zig Pen, and of course, lots of Photoshop!

Just Monkeying Around...

It's been FOREVER since I got real time to play and even longer since I had time to post!!  Work has totally got me down and I've even spent every waking free minute at home on it!  I think I can see the light though.  I'm hoping to be done with the bulk of my work by Monday or Tuesday.  We'll see cross your fingers and say a little prayer for me!

Anyway, I started this layout weeks ago and finally wrapped it up last week some time.  Sorry for the off-color pictures.  The sun is just now out in full force and I don't have time to re-photograph these.  Hopefully, you get the idea!

The sketch for this one is in Close To My Heart's new Magic book.  Every time one of their new sketch books come out, I think, I don't need it and I tell myself I prefer pulling sketches off the web.  But, there's always a few layouts I can't resist!  This one is called Backstage.

I bought this Reminisce Monkey Business paper years ago and at the time, a friend that was with me, asked what in the world I'd use it on.  I remember telling her that I wasn't sure, but with this kid, I knew I needed it!  Who knew I'd have such a literal use for it! ;O)

Paper:  Reminisce Monkey Business

Cardstock: Cocoa and Buttercup

Ink: Cocoa and Grey Wool

Stamps:  Field Trip, The Works, and Sans Alpha and Journaling Jots

Other:  Reminisce Monkey Business Stickers, American Crafts glitter brads, CTMH Dimensional Elements On Target and Ribbon Accents (retired), CTMH Color Ready Kraft Boarders, Fiskars Circle Punch, Hemp from my stash, and Zig Pen