Freshly Made Sketch 403

This was a Freshly Made sketch that I had to create twice before I was satisfied with the result.  Each time, however, I used a new leafy die from Pink Fresh; the second time I cut it from heavily patterned paper, which resulted in a "sketchy" look.  Each of the strips in the design was cut from paper in an old Authentique paper pad, "Everlasting."  The sentiment is from Technique Junkies. 

Watercolor with Birds

I was pretty certain that I didn't own a bird image, stamp or die, but I found this sentiment/image combination from Technique Junkies that would work for  this month's CAS Watercolour challenge. 

CAS Mix-Up with Watercolor Wash

Having been gone for a week visiting our baby granddaughter, I wanted to get back on the card-making track quickly.  The problem: I didn't read deadline dates very well, so the first two cards I made were late.  I posted one anyway because I like it. Onward ... to the  challenge September CAS Mix Up.Thank heavens, these last a month!  I'm loving the watercolor challenges, and I've been watching some great video demonstrations for instruction and inspiration.  

Watercolor wash was especially rewarding with Peerless Watercolors....It's amazing how much color is contained on each sheet in that booklet!The watercolor washes turned out to be quite vibrant.  In addition to the watercolor and stamping, I chose diecuts. 

At this point, I must admit another problem: my first card for this challenge is my favorite with its green, blue and yellow colors, BUT it's not very CAS.   Sooooooo....I made another one, with more white space.  This card features a Technique Junkies image and a Verve die cut. 

The card below was my initial choice, but it has very little white space.  I reminded myself that I must always think "CAS" when starting on one of these challenges.  The sentiment is from Impression Obsession, and the die cut is from Tim Holtz's "splatters" die set for Sizzix. 

A Tuesday Card

About 6 years ago, I began sending a card every Tuesday to my wonderful friend from college years when she was diagnosed with cancer.  Three years ago, I added a young friend to my Tuesday mailing; she was living with her family on an isolated cattle ranch miles of narrow gravel roads from "civilization."  My old friend passed away in July of last year; I continued sending cards to my young friend.  This month, she and her husband moved with their three children, 150 cows and calves, a few horses, and several dogs to a new home in the valley just 35 miles from me.  During the time they were moving, I didn't send a card, but I've resumed the practice.

As I said in the card, the sentiment (from Technique Junkies) seems perfect for their situation. Her husband no longer has a regular paycheck, and she is taking a job as a visiting nurse.  Their children, who were the only students in a tiny one-room school, will be attending a school a few miles from their new home.

Obviously, alcohol inks were used to create the colorful background.  My 8-year-old great-niece organized my two containers of AI colors while I worked on the card.

It's Tuesday Again

This week's Tuesday cards feature a background created with  Distress Inks (Cracked Pistachio and Abandoned Coral), water and a stencil.  The great sentiment is from Technique Junkies Stamps, and the butterflies from Pink Paislee, inked with Cracked Pistachio.  (I noticed the missing "i" on the first card after this post; it has been taken care of!)