Hello everyone! It's time for another MoJo Monday Sketch (Okay, I know it's Wednesday -- give me a break, okay!), and I created three great cards for you today from this one sketch. I've said it so many times, but I LOVE working from sketches. It gives me a starting place from which to launch my creativity. When I'm stumped or blocked, I always turn to a sketch for inspiration! This week's sketch, in particular, gives lots of choices for using a variety of patterns and textures.
For this first card, I used two different patterns from the new Kaleidoscope Designer Series Papers and the colors of Regal Rose, Apricot Appeal and Bermuda Bay (not the recommended colors for this DSP collection but I think they work very well together). I embossed the Apricot Appeal layer with the new Stampin' Up! Perfect Details Texturz Plate. I also used the Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die and the Curly Label Punch, along with the Scallop Border Punch. 
The Ribbon is 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain in Bermuda Bay and the Stamp Sets are Greenhouse Garden and Great Friend. Of course, I had to embellish the inside just a bit with some stamping as well! I stamped the inside of the flowers (this is a 2-step stamp set) with Black Stazon Ink.
I am in LOVE with this new Stamp called Dasher. It's one of our new individual stamps and priced at just $8.95 and isn't it beautiful? I envisioned doing just this silver embossing with this stamp the first time I saw it. You can bet this little guy will show up often on my Christmas Cards this year! I used a rather unlikely color combination for a Christmas Card -- Lavendar Lace, Night of Navy, Whisper 
White and Brushed Silver. The sentiment is from Many Merry Messages and stamped in Black Stazon Ink. I tore two layers of Whisper White and overlapped them to make the snow banks, also sponging just a little Going Gray ink on the edges for some more definition and contrast. Then I tucked my stamped layers down into the snow. The back stamped rectangle uses the new Sparkling Jumbo Wheel with Versamark Ink and Silver embossing Powder. The snowflake is punched using the new Jumbo Snowflake Punch on Brushed Silver cardstock. The background layer of Night of Navy is embossed with the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plate and the Big Shot. Does this get you in the mood for Christmas?
Okay, one more for you today! I had fun with this one using the new Cottage Wall Designer Series Papers, the Simple Friendship Stamp Set and the colors of Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive and Whisper White. I had 
fun with this one, putting three tiny half-back pearls (from the Pretties Kit) on the body of the butterfly, attaching them with dots of Crystal Effects (click on any photo for a larger image). I used the Eyelet Border Punch along with the 1 3/8" and Scallop Circle Punches and the 
5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon. Two simple flourishes adorn the inside of the card!
Well, that's going to be it for today. I hope I offered you a bit of inspiration and hope you'll come back soon for more!
Happy Stamping, everyone!
Blessings, Gretchen
all of these cards are just beautiful gretchen. i think the reindeer is my favorite though!
thanx for sharing your talent.
xoxo
Posted by: carol marbach (udi) | July 15, 2009 at 08:53 AM
All of these are lovely, but I especially like the Greenhouse Garden one. I bought that set and haven't used it. I love the color combo!
Posted by: Tammy Howell | July 15, 2009 at 09:04 AM
WOW!!!! All your cards are totally gorgeous! I love the color combinations.
Posted by: Phyllis Strickland | July 15, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Love LOVE Love the Christmas card and the Rich Razzleberry card! Oh my, what is more than WOW!? That is what they are - whatever that word is! TFS all of the details.
Posted by: Cas Rifkin | July 15, 2009 at 09:39 AM
Oooh I love the look of the Seasons Greetings!
Posted by: shila | July 15, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Oh my, I LOVE that Dasher stamp! So elegant and simple. I clicked on your online store but did not see it there for sale?
Posted by: Amy's Stocking Stuffers | July 15, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Your cards are all great, Gretchen. I've been thinking about trying my hand at this sketch. Just haven't gotten around to it yet.
I wanted to let you know that I've nominated you to receive a blog award. You can check it out on my blog if you're interested in playing along. If not, that's OK. Just wanted to let you know that your blog is great and you are an inspiration to many. Have a great day!
Posted by: Brenda | July 15, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Gretchen, these are all great! I have to honest that I just recently noticed the Greenhouse Garden sets and only because of people using it on their blog samples. I guess this one is going to have to go on my list, it's beautiful! Jan
Posted by: Jan Hoyt | July 15, 2009 at 03:34 PM
OMG, Gretchen, these are ALL fantastic! I'm still kicking myself for taking Greenhouse Garden off my first order. Fabulous card! I did however have that cute deer and the snowflake punch on my order, and I LOVE what you've done with it!! And don't you just love the new Cottage Wall DSP? That's on my order, too, which just shipped yesterday - hooray! Great job, as always - I love visiting your blog to see what you are up to!
Posted by: Cheryl Wilcox | July 15, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Beautiful cards. I couldn't possibly choose a favorite. They are all stunning. The first one is very pretty, the Christmas one is so elegant, and the last one is done in my favorite color!
Posted by: lisa808 | July 16, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I have seen your name on SCS so many times Gretchen with the most beautiful cards. You truly have wonderful talent!! I thought it was really neat to see you in the Stampin' Up publication although I hate to hear it wasn't the best of a situation but talk about a great way to turn that around. I love hearing stories like that!! You are definately a great inspiration and I just love all your cards!!
a fan~
Janet
Posted by: Janet | July 19, 2009 at 09:32 AM