Sketch 2009 #17; Layer It Up

This sketch is derived from the card I made for Jo's "Krafty" challenge on this week's Daring Cardmakers. Although the card was made in a more "organic" fashion (posh word for "I stuck bits on as I went along".... ), after it was done I thought it would make quite a good plan for other cards.
So a bit topsy turvy - the sketch coming from the card rather than the other way round - I hope it'll still give some inspiration for making your own cards though.
Here's the card that inspired the sketch


As ever, I'd love to see whay you make using the sketch - I'll add your link to my links list if you come back and let me know.
Please just let people know where you found the sketch.

Sketch 2009 #16; Four Square - revisited!

I've finally got a card to share for Sketch #16.
Actually, I made one before, but I can't show that one yet.

I'll pop back and update as soon as I can





This one is a Christmas card, in case you didn't realise....
There's more info about the things I used to make it on my regular blog

Sketch 2009 #16; Four Square

I can't quite believe how much time has gone by since I last posted a sketch!
Well, I can only say that I'll try to do better...lol

Here's something new to play with, anyway.
I've not made a card yet for this one, but I'll try to get something done soon.

Meanwhile, I'd love to see what you come up with.

As ever, you're welcome to use this sketch for any of your projects, all I ask is that if you use any of the sketches you find here that you give credit and post a link to where you found them.
If you come back and leave a message, I'll pop along and see what you've made and add a link to your blog on here.

Sketch 2009 #15; Crisp & Simple

Life has been a bit hectic lately - at least that's my excuse for leaving it so long before adding a new sketch - but here is sketch 15 and I think it's one of those that can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it.I hope you'll enjoy using this one and will come back and let me know where I can see it. If you use any of the sketches, please give credit for where you found it, otherwise they are free to use for whatever projects you like, there are no deadlines around here (just as well, eh?)

I made my card using the circle on the design as an aperture which I cut with a Nestabilities die. The little "Stork with Bundle" is made from shrink plastic. There's more info about the card on my regular blog.

Looking forward to seeing what you make
Have fun

Sketch 2009 #14; Image Conscious

I was asked to make a leaving card for someone who's leaving a seaside village she loves. The main request was that a photograph of the bay was included on the card.

I made a preliminary sketch (something I don't usually do) with the idea of a mini scrapbook LO in mind.
Here's the card I eventually came up with. Too late now as its on its way to the customer, but I think I should have added the place name to the card too.

Papers are WRMK Promenade collection, I love these but for some reason haven't used them much lately. Perfect for a photo of a prom though, eh?

I'd love to see anything you make using this sketch (and any of the others for that matter). They are all free to use, all I ask is that you mention where you found them - and that you come back and let me know where I can see what you've made, of course.

Happy Crafting

Sketch 2009 #13; Three's Company

I just can't get away from those little squares!
I hope you like this one with it's trios of small squares and long rectangles
This isn't the sketch I meant to post this week, but the card for that one is only half-made.
Not quite sure why this one leap-frogged and took its place, but these things happen lpl

I've used the lovely Pompeii collection from Dream Street Papers to make this one. The card itself is a tall thin mini DL size.
I've made another card using this sketch too (shock horror) but I'll put that on my regular blog tomorrow.

These sketches are all offered free for anyone to use - but please remember to give the credit if you use them - and don't forget to pop back and let me know so I can come and see what you've made

Happy Crafting

Sketch 2009 #12; Give it a Swirl!

A new month and a new(ish) sketch.
This one's a sort of "reverse" sketch - I made a card for a Bubbly Funk Kit project last month and now I've used it to make this sketch - is that cheating? lol
I liked the idea of using just simple strips of paper on two edges to make the main background, and swirls always seem perfect for pulling elements together, so I'm hoping that you'll come up with more ways to bring your own style and flair to this layout idea.
Please let me know if you use the sketch and I'll add your work to my links list.

This is my original card, looking forward to seeing yours now!
Happy crafting

Sketch 2009 #11; Simple Eliptical!

I thought I keep this one fairly simple and let the sentiment be
the main feature for Sketch 11.
The flowers are there only as an idea - feel free to substitute
them for any motif of your choosing
I've not had time to make a card for this one yet, but as soon as I do I'll be back to pop it into this message. Looking forward to seeing what my crafting friends do with this one.

As always, please mention this blog if you use the sketch - it would be lovely to see a great long list of links over there in the sidebar to cards using the sketches - the cards always inspire me and I hope they inspire others too.

Sketch 2009 #10; Take 5

A nice easy start to May on the Sketch File. I think this one is quite versatile, the background is really straightforward and simple, then you can add your 5 embellishments and make them quick and easy, or much more intricate - it really depends on your mood- or maybe how quickly you need the card!

I made this one to send to one of our nephews. I wanted to make a Robo template for the footballs, thinking it would be really useful so worth getting right. Iwon't go into how much of a struggle I had (or rather the Technical Expert, aka Hubby had) with this, and all because I thought it would be a good idea to add perfertions to mark all the lines....
Being 15 said Nephew won't care a jot, will he? lol

Looking forward to seeing what my fellow crafters come up with for this sketch - please come and leave a message so I can see what you make, and please let people know where you found the sketch.

Sketch 2009 #9; A Little Bit of Lace?

I want to say a big thank you to those who joined in and made a card for the last sketch, I had great fun visiting your blogs to see what sort of card you'd made, and all the cards looked wonderfful.
I used a random number picker to find a winner and the number 7 was chosen - which corresponds on the list to....drum roll please......

Jo Austin

Jo, if you contact me with your postal info I'll send your prize. If you haven't seen the prize that'll be on its way to you soon, you can check out Thursday's post on my other blog. I hope you like what I've made for you.

So, I guess its time for a new sketch, and I hope you'll like what I've made this time.

.........and I've even made a card myself. Crikey!


Please give it a try, and spread the word about where you found it, and of course come back and let me know where I can see your creations.

Thanks for looking

Candy News

The closing date for this piece of blog candy will be 6pm (UK time) next Friday 17th April, and then I'll draw up the list and do the draw for a winner.

Just a few little sneak peeks of the prize I'm making for the winner:


If you'd to get your hands on this prize you'll have to do more than just leave a message -to be in with a chance of winning this prize you need to make a card following the sketch below, then leave a message to tell me where I can see it. Only then will your name go into my Virtual Fedora.
Here's the sletch - you've still got plenty of time to have a go and everyone who does is in with an equal chance of winning the prize. I might even get round to making a card myself and then I can put my own name in that hat too lol
Good luck

Sketch 2009 #8: Circles, Wiggly Bits & Candy!

I've been a bit slow to add a new sketch, but I hope this one
will prove nice and easy to work with.

I've got an idea for my card, but just haven't got round to amking it yet.
Nothing new there then. I'll add it here as soon as....

If you do make something using this sketch, please let me know so I can come and see - and add you to the links list too.

We're crawling towards 1000 visitors to the Sketch File which is fab - I think there'll have to be a little Blog Candy prize on offer during the time this sketch is at the top of the blog.

Make a card using this sketch, let me know where I can see it and I'll put your name in the "virtual hat" - not sure what the prize will be yet, mind, but I'll come up with something!

As usual, I'd be grateful if you tell people where you found the sketch if you use it.

Please join in, I always look forward to seeing what my fellow crafters make using the sketches.

Sketch 2009 #7; Torn Trios

A torn edge threesome and a trio of circles for this sketch. I hope you have a ripping good time with this one.
The usual stuff applies about leaving a message, the links list, giving credit etc
My card is finally done: Papers are Fancy Pants Key Lime Pie

ps. Jackie and Gez have been busy making cards using older sketches as well as the more recent ones (thanks, you two!) - so do scroll down the links list to find them - they've made some great cards, it would be a shame to miss seeing them. :)

Sketch 2009 #6; Swirls & Waves

Something a bit less complicated this time.


I thought a change from scallops was in order so this time there are wavy lines to play with. And a swirl. And a flower - or any other focus item you fancy (I think a monogram would work well for a male version). Anyway, as always, if you use the sketch, please do come back and let me know and I'll add a link in the sidebar to your blog.

Here's one of the cards I've made using this sketch
Looking forward to seeing what mt fellow crafters make

Have fun

Sketch 2009 #5; Layer It Up!

Lots of Layers on this latest sketch - I nearly called it "7 Veils" lol
As always, I'd love to see anything you make using this sketch so please come back and leave a message if you use it in your crafting. I'll add your link to the blog roll on the right if you do.
Please remember to let people know where you found the sketch.

Here's the card I've made using Sketch #5

Have fun

One for Sketch #4

Thanks to those who've already made a card using this sketch - all the cards are fab - if you've not laready checked them out, there are direct links to the blogs of those concerned in the list on the right, along with links for all the other sketches too. There's no time limit on using these sketches, so just add a message whenever you use one and I'll add your link to the relevant list.

There'll be a new sketch along soon - it's all ready to load - probably at the weekend, but first, guess what? I've finally managed to make a card myself!

Here's a little reminder of the sketch in case it's too much bother to scroll down. lol

Sketch 2009 #4; Lines and Layers

A little bit late with a first sketch for February, but never mind, eh?

I hope you like this one and will find it helps get those creative juices flowing. I'm hoping it'll kick-start my mojo as I think the jet-lag has put a stop to any of that creative stuff happening around here atm!
From that remark you'll gather there's no card yet from me, but hopefully there will be one soon - with Hubby's birthday coming up at the end of the week I do need to find that mojo soon.....
I'd love to see any cards you make using this sketch, so please let me know if you use it in your crafting - if you leave a message telling me where I can see your cards for each sketch I'll add your bloglink to the list on the right to make it easy for everyone to visit your blogs and see your fabby work
Please do give credit to the Sketch File and point people in this direction with a link - thank you!

Sketch 2009 #3; Keeping it Simple

Here's a really simple sketch to play with - remember just because I've put a flower on the sketch doesn't mean it has to be a flower on your card. Whilst this is a super-simple sketch it it's basic form I reckon you could easily add in some background papers and ribbons and really ring the changes.

If you use this in your crafting, as always I'd love to see what you make, so please leave a link.
Here's my very simple card. I love this striped paper - reminds me of beach huts and sunny days. I've made a multi layered flower with paper and organdie Primas. Maya Road rub-ons on the hanging tag and the thready stuff is lovely and shiny - but that doesn't show up on the pic.

Sketch 2009 #2; "The one for Jo's Dare"!

As promised, here's the sketch to go with Jo's "Get Someone Else to Make it" dare on this week's Daring Cardmakers Challenge Blog

I was very lucky because the lovely and talented Lisa Saunders agreed to take on the challenge for me. I sent written instructions for the making of this card, but I also made a regular LO sketch just in case words weren't enough. Of course, Lisa managed just fine and you can see her card HERE

This is the original card I made so that I could make sure I'd got the instructions down correctly, and make the sketch.

I've made the next version for a friend's birthday and I'm hoping that it has a more masculine look.







I'm hoping that this sketch will give some inspiration and that you'll pop back and let me know if you use any of the sketches. I've added a links list to the sidebar, so if you do use one of these sketches at any time leave a message letting me know where I can see your card or LO and I'll add your blog to the relevant list.
Please don't forget to let people know where you found the sketches when you use them.

Thank you

Sketch 2009 #1: Simple Squares

I've been neglecting the sketch blog rather badly, haven't I?
I'll try much harder now that the Christmas season is all over to keep the sketches coming.

This is a really simple idea I've been using to make some Thank You cards, but I think it would work especially well for those "Man" cards we often find soooo difficult. Hopefully, this one is soooo easy that it'll help get that Mojo on the move again
I'd love to see any cards you make using this sketch, so please let me know if you use it in your crafting. Please also give credit and point people in this direction with a link - thank you!

Here's a card from me