Freshly Made Sketches #572 and a Confession

I saw this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge and immediately knew it called for big blossoms! I have so many floral and nature stamps that pretty much every sketch calls for flowers, truth be told. 

Stamps: Technique Tuesday

Greeting: Gina K

Embossing: Darice

Other: Copics and Stickles

It's hard to see the subtle glitter stickles. I have loved this product for as long as I have been doing paper crafting. The patterned paper is from Michael's (?) and was just laying there waiting to be used as a color palette. 

Confession: I have a love/hate relationship with Copic Markers. I've had mine for probably going on 13 or so years. I jumped on the bandwagon when it first hit the road. I took a class to get certified. I see all the stunning colored images and I just can't seem to be able to get the same results. I'm not patient or disciplined enough to do daily practice. So it isn't my go to way to color. I actually prefer to use solid stamps with colored ink, but I have a gob-ton of stamps that are to be colored in...because, hey, copic markers, right??? Today I wanted a subtle look to lighten my mood a bit. so I just decided to pull out a few markers and make it very light, follow the accent details of the image and just let it go and be happy enough with the outcome. And YES, my markers are 13+ years old and I haven't found one that has dried up yet.

Here's the sketch! 

Throwback Thursday Challenge

 I recently joined a Facebook group called 'Share Handmade Kindness' which is a venture of Jennifer McGuire Ink . The first Thursday of the month they do a Throwback Thursday to a previously shared technique lesson. 

Today the challenge was to use embossing folders with an inking technique. 

I'm not much of a Valentines, hearts and flowers, etc person but wanted to have a few cards on hand just in case I needed something like this, even if not for Valentines Day. 

Embossing folder is Tapestry by Gina K Designs as are the sequins, cardstock and red velvet ink. 

Greeting is from Erin Lee Creative

Thanks for visiting!

Freshly Made Sketches #567

 Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to the first sketch of the year from Freshly Made Sketches. Number 567! 

I had a lot of fun with this one. As part of my craft room overhaul I got rid of a LOT of stamps that ceased to inspire me or felt off trend for right now. I took advantage of Gina K Designs massive end of the year sale and built my stash back a bit with some things that really spoke to my style. 

Last night Gina hosted a stamp and chat where she taught a technique using white colored pencil resist and ink blending. I immediately thought of this Queen Anne's Lace from the Whimsical Wildflowers set. 

It took a bit of time but it turned out as I'd hoped! 

Stamps, ink, cardstock and embossing folder Gina K Designs.

Also entering this in her monthly challenge that is to feature this technique.