Using a Sketch

 The talented Jules has kindly given us a new layout sketch HERE and if you look at the top of her blog page you will see that she has a selection of them for us to turn to for inspiration.  I know that not everyone is comfortable following a sketch to make a card but I find that when the Mojo goes walkabout (as it does for most people from time to time) using one seems to kickstart ideas into flowing again. I was lying awake in the middle of the night for a considerable time last night and I was turning over ideas in my head for using this current sketch from Jules and this is what I came up with this morning. The various layers have either been embossed or stencilled, a couple of small snippets of patterned paper were cut into scalloped squares and instead of using a circle I've made use of a die cut shape which was in my box of miscellaneous shapes cut at some time and then not used for one reason or another.  The honeycomb and bee were cut from small scraps of card and the sentiment was stamped and cut out with scissors.  You might notice that in place of the three gems indicated by Jules I've used a couple of pieces of the 'waste' from the honeycomb. Don't forget to turn to this library of sketches the next time you are stuck for an idea.  

Bottom Layer - embossing folder from Crafter's Companion (Embossalicious)
Next Layer - cream card stencilled using a free small hexagon stencil (freebie with magazine)
Square - embossed using the same small hexagon stencil 
Cream Shape - die from Creative Expressions
Bee - die from Sizzix
Honeycomb - using a die which came free with a magazine
Sentiment tag - Stampin' Up Tiny Tags stamp set

Cameo

I knew I had a set of cameo dies with ornate frames and also knew that one of them had two heads on it so decided to make maybe an Anniversary or Congratulations card. What is it they say about 'best laid plans' - when I came to assemble the components I realised that there were two female heads on the cameo so I changed the sentiment.at the last minute.  Started by die cutting the cameo in cream and the ornate frame from some card to tone with the large background piece.  A cream square was cut and embossed before trimming the panel and adhering them together.  Sentiment was stamped onto a piece of cream card which was then laid over a fancy shaped label.  This label is actually the same colour card as the large square but it actually appears darker in the picture.  Finally added two swirly corners at the bottom.

Cameo - die set from Tonic which includes three ornate frames and three cameos
Embossed Panel - Creative Expressions diamond hearts embossing folder
Corners - dies from Lea'bilities
Fancy Label - from a Sue Wilson die set

Peacock

 I came across the various die cut elements of this peacock when looking for something else in one of my oddments containers where I tend to pop any left over die cut bits and pieces when I have a bit of a clear up of my working space.  Actually I pulled out a couple of the tail feathers and decided to search through the bits to see if I had enough for a whole bird and fortunately they were all there so I put a peacock together. There were a few 'spares' leaving me with a dilemma - do I keep them and go through my snippets boxes to find matching card for cutting the pieces to make another bird or do I just 'lose' them into the bin. You don't have to be mad to craft but I'm sure it helps and I do so hate throwing away even the smallest of pieces!!

Having assembles said peacock I then spent some time looking for more card and paper to make up a complete card.  Cut and embossed an oval along with a branch and a larger oval for a second layer.  Some scraps of card to make a banner for the stamped sentiment and that's a few more oddments assembled into a card. 

Peacock - die set from Sizzix
Ovals - Tonic dies
Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug
Designer Paper - from my stash of 'printed from CD' can't remember which though!
Sentiment - freebie stamp onto Creative Expressions stitched banner