Super Sketch Sunday #13

Nothing like waiting til the last minute to get today's Sketch #13 finished! I stamped quite a bit yesterday, but for some reason, layouts were not coming easily to me, I don't know why. It must have been 10pm before this sketch "came to me"!

I planned on using this sketch as a graduation card. I'm always on the lookout for grad card designs that don't necessarily "look" like your typical graduation card. This one could be used for either a high school graduation, or a college graduation.

The one thing I learned recently about graduation cards is that people don't actually WANT the year of graduation on the card. You see, I sell my cards, and I recently brought a bunch of grad cards with me to my SIL in VA. I had over 30 cards to give my SIL to sell to her friends. I had the chance to meet some of them,and that seemed to be the common thought amongst the ladies. No "year" on the card, because if they buy a bunch of grad cards this year, but don't use them all, they can use them for next year! Novel concept, I thought! So, I am going to refrain from putting the "year" on my grad cards, so my customers can get more bang for the buck!

Here is the sketch for today. It's a relatively easy sketch, but one that you can use over and over again. It does require the use of a rather large sentiment, but I would think you could use a large image instead and where the flowers are, use a ribbon. So many ways you can adapt it!

I'm happy with how the card turned out, in the end. But it had it's moments where I was thinking, "oh my God, this is not working....where the heck is this going to end up?" But my perseverance paid off, I'm happy to say! I was actually really worried that the card looked to "halloween-ee", which is always an issue when you pair black and orange together. That's why I added the pink polka dot paper to the center of the punched flower, to tone down the halloween-like color palette! I think it worked, don't you?

It was fun to use my sewing machine again. It's sitting right here in my studio, so there's no excuse not to use it for my cards! I purposely sewed the edges all curvy like that, which is something I learned from Julia at Belle Papier, via the sewing tutorial she wrote a few months ago. I went around the edges twice for a great look.

Do you want to see some of the fabulous cards that have been making using my sketches?

Here's one from Charmaine at Oodabug Ally. Charmaine has been religiously doing my sketches from nearly the beginning. She really is an amazing talent. I love all of the stuff she does. If you haven't checked out her blog, do so today. You won't be disappointed! Isn't this polka dot card amazing? This was her card based on last weeks sketch!!

The next card is made by Nancy at Nancy's Creative Mess. Everyone know's Nancy! She did a great job with her card from Sketch #12. Don't you love all those flowers? Flowers both on the paper and from punches (I think the flowers might actually from a Cuttlebug die...), gotta love it! Great colors!!!! Thanks for playing Nancy!

The last card I'll show you today is by Paula at Paula Ponders. She made her's using Sketch #12 as well. I love the Cuttlebug embossing. I haven't purchased this particular folder yet, but I might now that I've seen it on Paula's card. I love the Brocade Blue with the Sage Shadow. That's one color I don't work with often. The Cuttlebug flowers are a great touch! I have these, so I'll have to take those out today and make some!!! Thanks for sharing Paula!

Well, that's about it. I hope you have fun with this week's sketch. Be sure and drop me a note if you are able to use the sketch! I'm off to read the Sunday newspaper, one of my favorite activities of the day!

Amy