MFT Sketch Challenge

This week I thought I would join in on the MFT Get Sketchy challenge and create a card based on the sketch posted on the MFT blog.  I enjoy creating cards from card sketches.  It gives you a road map for putting together the card, but the freedom to select all the elements that make up the card (paper, stamps, embellishments, etc.).  Here is the card I created from the sketch.  You can see me putting together this card on my YouTube channel here.

Materials used to make this card include:

My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags STAX 

Fishtail Flags Layers STAX 

My Favorite Things Fancy Flourish die

110lb White card stock by Recollections

New Leaft card stock by Papertrey Ink

Sweet Blush card stock by Papertrey Ink

Spring patterned paper by American Crafts

VersaFine Onyx Black ink.

Thank You Sayings clear stamp set by Hero Arts

Matting Basics A  by Spellbinders 

 Matting Basics B by Spellbinders

Martha Stewart Crafts Butterfly Punch

Tonic Small Butterflies Punch

Recollections white paper flowers

UHU Glue Stick

Fabri-Tac.

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting my blog!

EK Success Punch & Stamp Review

I recently purchased two of the EK Success Punch & Stamp sets from Blitsy.com.  I have always liked the idea of stamping an image and having a coordinating punch that perfectly punches out that image. The EK Success Stamp & Punch sets each come with 7 stamps (rubber foam mounted stamps) and the coordinating punch.  You will see photos of the punch and the stamps at left.  I purchased the Retro Bottle Cap set and Just for You set.  I have to say that I am not a fan of the rubber foam mounted stamps.  Some of the stamps in the set stamp fairly well while others - especially the stamps with fine line type (you can see what I am talking about in the Gee Your Swell stamped image.  The Swell stamps fine, but you can hardly see the "Gee Your" part of the sentiment). For the Gee Your Swell sentiment stamp, I masked off the Gee Your Swell by punching a 1.25 inch circle from an Avery Label Sheet, inked up the stamp, removed the Avery Label mask and stamped.  I then stamped another sentiment from a photopolymer Avery Elle stamp set - much better!  You will see this in a photo at left as well.

I will use these sets, but probably not as often as I might have if all the images stamped well.  I think it would have been better if EK Success used clear photopolymer stamps in these sets instead of the rubber mounted on foam stamps.