Sketches in Thyme

I don't use sketches very often for my cards but I tried one a couple of weeks ago and it turned out lovely so I thought I would try another.  The sketches at Sketches in Thyme always seem quite lovely so I started in on this week's challenge.

It wasn't until I went to confirm what time the challenge is due that I noticed the card I had just completed was NOT for this week's challenge but instead used last week's sketch.  Oh well, I love the way it turned out.  So, here are both of my cards.

The first card (the one that follows last week's sketch) uses more of that stunning Graphic 45 paper, Fashonista.

I used one of the ATC sized images for the central feature.  I made an off center mat in black with three lovely vintage flower brads from Creative Charms.  I then stamped the sentiment using Versamark and black embossing powder.  I don't have a circle punch large enough for the stamp so I used my Expression to cut it out.  Believe it or not I was able to cut the circle without using Design Studio.  I used the center point feature by pointing the blade in the middle of the stamped image.

Here is a close-up of the image.  I think it is amazingly close to centered.  It looks pretty good when you aren't seeing it enlarged at this level.  I used a Tim Holtz stamp for the writing on the bottom of the card base.  Instead of using a ribbon, I decided to use a strip of black paper.  The card base and the sentiment circle were inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink. 

This is a close-up of the main image with the Creative Charms vintage brads.

But that isn't all I have for now.  Here is the card for this week's challenge.

I used Anna Griffin's Flora Collection.  I bought this on clearance at Hobby Lobby a couple of months ago.  I don't know if it is still in stores or not.  When I went searching for a link, I found out it was released in 2009.  I love this stack, and I'm not normally a huge fan of Anna Griffin but the colors in the stack are very rich and wonderful.  I love the browns and she also has some papers with brown and a deep red.  It is incredible.  All of the paper is double-sided so I used the front for the rosette and the flower inset.  I used the back for the top half of the card.

Once again, I pulled out my Creative Charms embellishments and used some chocolate brown velvet ric-rac and a velvet poppy.  I switched out the pearl brad in the center of the flower and replaced it with the vintage amber brad.  If you click on each of the items, you can go directly to the page where Creative Charms sells each item.

In this picture you can see I have added a piece of the cardstock from the bottom of the front of the paper to the dark brown card base.

I hope you enjoyed both of my cards for today.  I'll be back with one more, a monochromatic card.

Graphic 45 Communique Collection - Part 1

I'm so excited about today's card(s).  I swear this first one created itself.  I love Graphic 45.  The colors are so vibrant and fun.  The designs are sophisticated and easy to use.  I just eat them up.  I saw some of the new Graphic 45 line coming out at CHA this week and it didn't disappoint.

Here are two cards.

The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby.  It is a lovely black with a slight ruffle.  The black cardstock is recollections line from Michaels'. The red cardstock came from my LSS and they don't label ANYTHING.  I have a TON of embellishments from Creative Charms.  I absolutely love them, in fact I love them so much that I hate to use them.  If you haven't had a chance to see their store, you can go here.  Luckily, I love the Graphic 45 so much, I hate to use it so all of this worked well together.  I swapped out the pearl center on the velvet flowers for one of the small vintage brads.  The sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts.  I'm in love with this line.  It has fun phrases and great images.  The edges are inked with Color Box Terra Cotta ink.

Here is a similar card.

I loved the idea of an old-fashion phone.  In fact, I found three or four carts with a phone but I thought this one would look the best.  It is from Summer in Paris.  I bought this cart last summer and I think this is the first time I've ever used it.  It really is sad because it has lovely images.  I'm thinking I might use some other cuts with this paper line.

I used another velvet flower from Creative Charms.  I also added some of the black gradient gems.  I decided the card needed a little more so I used glossy accents on the bottom of the phone.  I'm not certain how well I like it.  Maybe it'll work when it is completely dry.  It looks a little messy right now.

Finally, I have a sneak peek for you.  I'm not done playing with this line from Graphic 45.  Here is a part of tomorrow's card.

Dress forms seem to be all the rage these days.  I thought I would add one but I'm going to need to decorate it a bit.  What do you think I should do?  Check back tomorrow for my ideas.

Birthday Card using Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante

I made this card for a friend of mine.  She celebrated a birthday recently.  She is always so fashionable and chooses all the perfect looks -- from her clothes to her house to her designs.  She is a graphic designer so I'm always a bit nervous sending her anything I've made.

The idea for this card came from OkieLadyBug,  She did a series of cards using images from Graphic 45.  Hers are much nicer than mine but it made me think about how to use the gorgeous paper they have.  I looked at it in my LSS but didn't buy any because I couldn't think of a way to use it and it isn't cheap paper.  Here are some of Okie's cards. 

While I'm on the topic, the ribbon on this card is also Okie Lady Bug's fault.  I think it is too big in this place but... what is a girl to do?  A couple of weeks ago Okie posted that she bought a ton of ribbon from Ribbons and Bows Oh My.  So, foolish person that I am, I looked at what they had.  It is very inexpensive (at the time they were doing free shipping but I think that is over).  I bought an assortment of browns and oranges.  This is some of what I bought.  This picture doesn't really show how nicely the ribbon picks up the color above the woman's arm.  Believe me, it works.

I think next time, I will use the ribbon like a belly band on the middle layer or maybe I'll only use the brads. 

Well, what do you think?  Do you think Okie is going to pretend she never did those inspiration cards?