52CCT - Sketch ....

....  Hello all!  First of all - I'd like to thank everyone who played along with our Christmas in July Blog Hop, I hope you had as much fun as I did.  It was a pleasure to stop by and visit everyone.  Now the hard part is to pick our winners.

It's now time for our first challenge of August at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown and, as always, we have a sketch challenge for you.  Our hostess for the month is, Gill, and she has a super sketch for us to play with.  I liked it so much that I made three cards!  Here's the first:

Stamps: Uniko Studio - Stunning Snowflakes
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Bashful Blue, Blue Brocade, Smokey Slate
Dies: Lil Inkers - Stitched Squares #7; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags STAX #2, #3 and #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Anita's DP - Classic Blue Christmas Paper, Classic Silver Vellum Christmas Paper; Copic Marker; Sequins

I made the faux stitching with the largest of the stitched square dies - it simply cuts the dashes.  I cut a panel of very, very pale blue design paper to go inside the stitched line.  I cut the fishtail flags from some coordinating papers and adhered them directly on top of the design paper.  I stamped the sentiment in black and added sequins of varying sizes.  On the inside I cut a mat layer dark blue paper and on the white panel stamped a blizzard of snowflakes and a Christmas sentiment.

Next I decided on a green theme and used some papers that I got free with a British craft magazine, Cardmaking & Papercraft. 

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks: SU - Early Espresso
Dies: Lil Inkers - Stitched Squares #7; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags STAX #2, #3 and #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; My Mind's Eye DP - Snowed In; Doodlebug Sprinkles - Fall Assortment; Wink of Stella Brush - Clear

I flipped the sketch for this card and have the sentiment at the top and flags to the side.  This was really easy to make as it's just design paper on the front.  I cut the main panel to feature the robin and bird cage, added a touch of sparkle to the snowflakes and then added the flags.  I used enamel dots instead of sequins on this card.  On the inside I used a coordinating piece of design paper for the mat and on the white panel stamped a bold sentiment.

My last card is the set has a contemporary feel and is shades of pink and lilac.  I used another set of papers that I've had for a while.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks: SU - Rose Red
Dies: Lil Inkers - Stitched Squares #7; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags STAX #2, #3 and #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; DCWV DP - Rose Tinted Christmas; Doodlebug Sprinkles - Cupcake, Lilac and Bubblegum Assortments

I cut the purple paper to fit inside the faux stitched square, added the flags and then made a simple Christmas tree from a bit of scrap paper.  I adhered a ribbon of sentiments (from another bit of paper) and finished by adding some enamel dots.  On the inside I cut a mat layer in striped design paper and stamped a bold sentiment in the middle of the white card.

For more inspiration using Gill's sketch, check the blog to see what my team mates have made - it's a wonderful collection of cards in varying styles.  Have fun!!