Happy Fourth of July!

I'm spending my Fourth of July weekend just hanging out stamping, visiting family and will head to a baseball game and fireworks show tomorrow night. I decided not to head to DC this year. I'm grateful for the freedoms I have in America. I'm thankful for all the liberties I have and for those who have fought so hard for me and other Americans.

To celebrate, I drew a sketch, made a card, and whipped up a video. Hope you enjoy! Happy Fourth of July!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful Fourth of July and hope you take a little time to reflect on the freedoms you appreciate as an American.

For all my friends outside of the US, I'm grateful for the ability to communicate with you via this blog, my stamping communities and in person. Thanks to you too!

Here's the video:

PS: The stamps used in the creation of the card and video are from Woodware, USA. Woodware is now available (and has distribution rights) in the US. Yipee!!!! The stamps are so cute and wonderful to color and the quality of the acrylic/polymer is awesome!!! I used the following sets for this card:

Mary and Friends

By the Sea

Ready, Set, Sketch...Stamp Shack Monochromatic Color Challenge

This week's challenge over at the Stamp Shack was a Monochromatic Color Challenge hosted by Jennfer aka inkinupstamps. I decided to use the color RED and forced myself NOT to make a Christmas Card! I drew a quick card sketch and got to work. I love my Flip so much (it sits right above my workspace) that I had to video tape it too.

So here's the final product...I kept true to the monochromatic color scheme this time. WOO HOO!!! Thanks Jennifer for a FUN and CHALLENGING challenge.

If you would like to give the sketch a try, please do. I'd love to see what you make with it so make sure you come back here and add a link to your creation in my comment section.

The video is live now...


Bye for now...I've got some painting to do in my new Craft Space. Oh, did I mention I'm relocating my craft space to my downstairs area? I've torn up the carpet, will be applying laminate flooring and will be adding cabinetry. I'm doing this because I need to reclaim my spare bedroom. Goodness, I never have any guests over because there is no place for them to sleep!!!

K:)

Ready, Set, Sketch! Man's Best Friend

You know me and making sketches. Today, I decided to make a card sketch and immediately make a card from it. I usually make sketches on the computer, but today, I was up in my craft room and decided to just do a freehand sketch on typing paper (right there at my workspace)...

After making the sketch, I initially planned on making a card for the Stamp Shack challenge for this week (monochromatic colors). I pulled all kinds of BROWNS out and selected some dog stamps from Studio G and Great Impressions. I selected my patterned paper from the Dream Street Papers company initially for the BROWNS...But...I flipped the paper over and fell in love with the stripes and pattern on the other side! OH NO...It wouldn't fit the monochromatic challenge. It had some blue! I decided to use it anyway and thought "I have a whole week to make a monochromatic card!"

That's where the video came in...I have been thinking of a "style" of video to create. Something unique and interesting and fun. I love to watch other videos and tutorials on youtube but wanted to make something other than a card or marker tutorial. Then I had an AH HA moment. I think I'm going to combine my love of making sketches and card making into my style of video! I'm going to call my videos...READY, SET, SKETCH. I'll sit right down, make a sketch then immediately make a card from it. I'll challenge viewers and my blogging friends to make a card from the sketch too.

So....To make this long story longer, I made my first "READY, SET, SKETCH" video today. Since it's my first video of this type, I thought I'd add a PRIZE challenge! So, please watch my video and then try your hand at my sketch. Make a card from the sketch and post a comment on this blog entry. Provide a link to your card and I'll select one winner to receive a SPECTACULAR card makers PRIZE. You have until August 31 to post your challenge entry.

Are you in?

Here's the card:

Check out my video first and remember to use that sketch!

SNOW DAY!!!

Woo Hoo! It's snowing and it's a snow day today. After a little time shoveling snow and trying to coax Peanut outside to go potty (SHE HATES SNOW), I decided to post some of the cards I've made in the last few weeks. They've been sitting around waiting for their photo shots so I thought I'd better get them done today and get them loaded up.

I'm also working on more sketches and used three of them to make the following cards. If you like the sketches, feel free to use them and post a link to your card in the comments. I'd love to see what you create with them.

I also received a stamping kit from OBP that was a limited release of these adorable penguins...I'm using all the supplies included in the kit as well as the adorable stamps to make this small scrapbook...As the album develops (I have the base book and a few pages done and ready for photos) I'll post more pictures.

HELLOOOOOO there neighbor...

SOL's and SCHOOL are almost over! WAHOOOOOO!!! What is an SOL? Well, it's a state test for students. I'm a teacher and my 3rd graders have been taking SOL's for the past few weeks. They finished their science test today and WOW...I'm tired. You know, it's tiring watching a bunch of 3rd graders take a test all day long! I need a nap..HA!

Anyway, as promised, I'm posting a few cards

Think out of the box... Stamp it, cut it up, flip it, turn it, and squint real hard and POOOF...You'll see something...I saw a clown. What can you see...Give it a try!

I love this layout so I had to use it again for this paper pieced card. Pulled the colors from the patterned paper (I can't remember the mfg). I cuttlebugged the background with my swiss dots embossing folder, doodle the paper up and voila! There you have it!The Odd Bird Planet grows the most delicious organic carrots. Wouldn't you know it...someone on the planet has a hankerin' for some good 'ole carrot stew, or maybe carrot pie, or how about carrot juice, or maybe carrot mash, or carrot kabobs and of course carrots a la mode and....

AND...a bonus...My June 1 sketch.

This sketch was inspired by a bottle of Sunkist Orange Float...DANGER...They are addictive. If you like creamsicles, you'll love a Sunkist Orange Float. I was floating on a boat in the middle of the Potomac and sippin on this yummy drink when I thought...HEY, this would make a cool card!

SO here it is:

Happy stampin!

Kerry

Notice the Sketch Pad on the Right...

I decided to keep a sketchpad to compile all my sketches. As I post one or two or three to a blog entry, I hope to make sure to add it to my sketch pad...It'll just grow and grow and grow!

So far, I loaded May's sketches. I'm working on June Sketches (inspired by advertising and packaging layouts). I hope you enjoy.

Kerry

Newest Sketches...

Some of you know that I love to do sketches and for quite a while, I was making at least one sketch a day. Well, I got distracted or sidetracked or something or other happened and it stopped for a while. I'm back in the swing of things and have been a sketchin' fool...I'm posting a few today from the sketches I made this week.

I'll be posting more soon, just have to print and scan them into my computer.

If you happen to create something from a sketch I've designed, please share your creation by adding a link in my comments section. Thanks and Enjoy!

Kerry

I'm a sketchin' fool!

Boy, when my sketching mojo comes out...You had better watch out! In the past few days, I've made a bunch of exclusive sketches for my stamping store Angela's Happy Stamper in Reston, VA http://www.ahappystamper.com/. I'll be teaching a class there July 5 called LAZY LAYOUTS and I've promised them that I would make exclusive sketches for the store and for the class....soooo...On top of the ones for the store, I kept on going and made over 30 new sketches for my blog! I decided to start dating them different dates so that I can build a book of 365 sketches...and give it a catchy book title.

So, I'm having a contest. Use my Sketch 28 and make a card. Post a link to your card on my site in the comments section. Post your entries by JULY 5. I will select one person that participates to win a GREAT PRIZE. Good luck!

PS...Watch for more of those sketches to show up soon...

Kerry

April '07 Sketches

February '07 Sketches!

I'll add more throughout the month! Please check back!

January '07 Sketches!

Here is the beginning of my Sketchbook. I started working on formal sketch designs in Jan. 07 and really love to create them. I hope to add at least one to five per week or possibly have one sketch a day for a year. Right now, I'll just catch up on posting my January sketches.

Here are the January 07 sketches: