CAS(E) this sketch #61/Simply Create Too

This week's sketch at CAS(E) this sketch has a tree on it - look!

Yes, I know, the tree is just a guideline and we can use any shape. But since I love trees and really wanted to use my "new-to-me" Memory Box tree die I made this:

Since it's another Valentine's card I am also sending it over to the Simply Create Too Valentine challenge. If you need inspiration check it out! They have already over 200 entries of all styles!

If you know Darnell you know what NBUS means. For those of you who don't, Darnell coined this acronym and now I see it all over blogland. It stands for "Never Before Used Schtuff". I have plenty of those... So my NBUS today is the tree die!

And now, please help me welcome my new follower, Bev from Happy Dance. She is famous for her "pings" that are followed by beautiful and original entries to challenges followed by a happy dance. Please check out her blog and leave her some love! And this is my quote/advice to welcome her (unfortunately I don't know by whom it is):

Life may not be all we hoped for

but while we're here, 

we can dance.

Hope you all have many reasons to do a happy dance this week, my friends! Thanks for taking the time to visit and to comment!

Susanne

Stamps: Michael's (saying)

Die: Memory Box

Paper: Marco's (silver, matte for the tree)

Other: EK Success (stickers), Scott (washi tape)

CAS(E) this sketch #60

Hello everyone,

Hope your week has started out well and will continue to be a really good one!

I have a card for CAS(E) this sketch #60. Please check out their website for rules and times and the inspiring samples of the Design Team!

No stamps were used. The sentiment is computer generated because none of my stamps worked. Papers are all Recollection. Heart dies are from Sweet and Sassy.

Recently read somewhere that being creative (stamping, painting, writing, making music, etc.) helps against the winter blues! Though you probably already knew that...

So find some time to create something!

Thanks for checking in,

Susanne

ETA: My blog friend Cornelia over at Stempel Spass/fun stamping suggested I enter this card at Simply Create Too where she is on the Design Team and the theme is "Valentine's or use hearts". 

Another card for "keep it simple #31"

Happy weekend everyone!

Today I have another card for the "keep it simple" challenge #31 - text.

Of course I used the Hero Arts newspaper print background again...

The flowers are cut out and colored then put back it the background that I had stamped in the meantime. I like this technique because otherwise those thin stems are so hard to glue down...

If you want to play you still have more than four days to enter!

Enjoy your weekend,
Susanne

Stamps: Hero Arts (newsprint bg, greeting)
Die: Memory Box

The Card Concept - Buildings 3

Hi there,

Today I am playing with a new challenge The Card Concept. They have given us these yummy colors and gorgeous inspiration picture.

Did I ever mention that I love all kinds of buildings?? ;) So, you see, I really had to make a card... The cool thing about this challenge is that you can play no matter what your preferred style is. Hop on over to their blog if you ever wondered what, for example, CAS exactly means as they explain the different styles really well (thank you, guys!).

I used a stamp set that another stamping friend gave me (am I lucky, or what? Thanks again, M). I drew those thin lines with a Stabilo fineliner because I couldn't find a ribbon that worked among the gazillion that I own! Ever happened to you?

I think my card qualifies for the Clean and Simple style...

Even though the newsprint background is not that visible on the photo I think I could send this over to keep it simple where the want to see text. I have never played there but have followed them since they started and I can't believe that they are already at their 31st challenge!

Two more people have joined me on my blog adventure! Thank you so much for following and I hope you will like what you see here! (That goes also for all the others who come for a visit!)

GIBMISS has been blogging for many years and that means there is lots of inspiration to be found if you go for a visit! And check out the cool background of her photos - the sea! Makes you want to pack your suitcases, right?

And my friend Silvia from Switzerland is a new follower (sorry, no blog for you to visit)! Hello, Silvia, and thank you!

Here is your welcoming quote (by Groucho Marx):

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.

I can choose which it shall be.

That's it for today! Have a good one,

Susanne

Stamps: Inkadinkado (Life in the city), Hero Arts (greeting, newsprint background)

Freshly Made Sketches #118

Hello there,

Are you enjoying your weekend? So happy that you stopped by!

Yesterday I learned that a friend lost her dog over the break. So I made her a card. Actually I made two because I didn't know if I should color it in or not. Discovered that I have a serious lack in dog stamps. I have only a very silly one which didn't work for a sympathy card.

Used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #118 and will send them over there.

That's all from me for today. 

Hugs,

Susanne

Stamps: PSX (wolf frame), Stamp Francisco (border on the second card)

Punch: McGill (on the first card)

Simon Says Monday Challenge - BLUE, Buildings 2

It's me AGAIN! Three days in a row posting! And no, I can't believe it either! But don't worry, this will not last!

Just wanted to send a card over to the Simon Says Monday Challenge where they want to see BLUE. I recently made a card for one of my Stamping friends that I haven't shared yet and it's all blue. And it's another example of how much I like houses and buildings. (See my other post here.) Look:

And here is a close up so that you can see the holographic paper behind the stars and the moon (I pierced them/cut it out because they stamped black and that didn't seem right). 

Background is made with - can you guess? Yes, Gelatos! How did you know? 

The stamp is part of a Halloween set that this friend gave me (thanks again, L) but I think it's not just for Halloween. 

The die cuts are all from matte silver cardstock. The star is textured thanks to my beaten cutting plate. I actually like the look!

Thanks for coming over!

Susanne

Stamp: Row of Houses (Martha Stewart Halloween)

Dies: Happy (Simon Says Stamp), Birthday (PTI), Star (WPlus9)

Embossing Folder: Stampin' Up

Other: Tiny Star punch (Fiskars), Gelatos

CASE(E) this sketch #58

Hello again!

I am so glad that the current CAS(E) this sketch challenge runs longer than usual (until the 9th) and gave me a chance to participate.

I turned it around and made this:

Funny, how cards look different on screen! Not so sure about this card... I do like lots of white space... on other people's cards. 

Take care,

Susanne

Stamp: Hero Arts (wavy words), Stampin' Up (leaf from In Full Bloom - retired)

Ink: Memento London Fog

Other: Flowers (from Michaels, not sure if Recollection or other brand), Glitterdots Recollection)

Happy New Year!

Hello crafty friends,

Even though 2014 is already 6 days "old" I would like to wish you a happy and healthy New Year with lots of time to create!

I finally took some time to play in my cleaned up space (I find it harder to create when everything is put away) and made a card with a new-to-me die from Impression Obsession. I am so in love with skylines, buildings, houses, etc. So many companies come out with stamps and dies for it, one cuter than the other - it is a real trend. And I can't resist buying them. Wait - that would mean that I am trendy for once - whoa! Miracles do happen! Anyways, when I saw this one I fell in love with it but then I didn't really know what to do with it until I found this sketch from My Favorite Things...

But I can hear you mutter "Stop blabbering and show us the card already" and here it is:

The orangey background is made with Gelatos (actually Gel Sticks) on gessoed paper and swished them with a baby wipe. 

I am also going to enter it at the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge since I used a new die.

Hope that I will be posting more often now that the holidays are over, kids back in school and husband back at work...

Thank you so much for your visit and taking the time to leave a comment!

Susanne

Die: Impression Obsession

Stamp: DRS Design (stars - unmounted)

Other: Faber Castell Gel Sticks