witticisms by Jess Witty

April 08, 2010

A Go-to Stretch!

Morning, friends! Today my fellow Go-to-Gals and I are playing a little game for Go-to Sketches Week... partaking in a little challenge, so to speak. The name of the game is... Stretch the Sketch! Cath is featuring a sketch and some projects from the super fly, super sweet Kim Hughes today over at Moxie Fab World. She's showing some of the endless ways that you can Stretch a Sketch, so to speak, so we're doing the same thing today! Here's the sketch from Kim that all 6 Gals started with: And, can I just say, isn't it so darned cute? Not just the layout, but the sketch itself... how it's hand-drawn. Yeah... Kim Hughes so did that all by herself! With her own two little hands and a sharpie. In fact, Kim drew up all of our sketches for the book! {Good thing, because there's no two ways around it... mine were pitiful. Pit. I. Ful.} We loved the look of them so much that the 6 of us practically held the editors for ransom until they agreed to use them in the book. {Not really... I think they were already on to the brilliance of that idea, but I like to think we had mad ransom skills.} That Kim... she amazes me. Anyhow, so we each took the sketch and did something different with it. I decided to flip it upside down because that is the first option I look at when thinking about turning a sketch.
Now, I realize that this is the second day in a row of me doing a somewhat shabby card.
{Or at least two cards that somewhat lean that way.} I know, I know... I have no idea what's up with me. I must have a fever. All I know is that when I saw the scallops on the sketch, I thought of this vintage lace hanging out in my ribbon drawer. And since my craft space is in a complete upheaval due to our move and some new storage that's in the works, access to my supplies is limited and pretty darned ineffective at the moment, to say the least. So when I thought that the lace would work, and lo and behold it was in a drawer that I could just turn around and open, well, then, that made it a winner in my book! {And that is the truth of how the design process works in the Witty house, people.}
Funny... I feel like this sketch totally works flipped upside down! I love that the sentiment is on the left instead of on the right where I put it 99% of the time. That makes it feel really different for me and just a small change like that makes me totally excited about it! Do you turn your sketches to see if you like them more one way or another? Even if it seems like it might be a stretch (get it? ha!) at first, it's sort of a safe risk to me. You still have the sketch to follow, so even if the layout is totally unusual for you, there's nothing to worry about because you are still following along with with the sketch. Super duper easy. All of the other Go-to-Gals are bringing you something different with this sketch as well! Check it... Betsy Veldman
Teri Anderson And Cath is heading it all up over at Moxie Fab World. Cause she's the Moxie Queen. Cath's giving away 3 copies of Go-to Sketches and every comment on any of today's posts (on any of the blogs above and this one!) will be entered to win. Just be sure to comment by Sunday night at midnight (EST) for your chances to have a copy sent straight to your door, ok? {That would be you, passing up the line at Barnes & Noble. Sweet.} Thanks, again, friends.
I'm so enjoying getting to share all of this Go-to goodness with you guys and hearing your take on it!

54 comments:

farmhouse-story said...

love this! so creative, using the lace and santa!

GabrielaD said...

Great job! Love the shabby chic look, and I always find it perfect for the holiday season.

Mary Ashby (Happy Now) said...

Lovely card! I don't envy you the move with your kiddos, but hopefully good things are in store for you... Best of luck!

Angela said...

I moved a year ago and still can't find some of my supplies. Thanks for giving us a little bit of Christmas in April.

Ashleigh said...

LOL @your "can I get to it" design process! Apparently, it works. This card is gorgeous!

Agata said...

Great shabby job!

Carla S. said...

Beautiful card! I love the vintage lace and Santa image!

Janet L. said...

What a great card! I liked the colors, details and how you changed the sketch!

Stephanie said...

Great job on the card! It is out of your box, but I like what you ended up with.

Tiffani said...

Very pretty. I like the look, and the lace!

Sue D said...

Great card--this sketch looks great no matter how you flip it.

Jillisgram said...

I love shabby! Great job.

Lori B said...

Great card! I'm loving all these different takes on the same sketch!

Margie said...

love the lace and twine combo!

Becky K. said...

Cute card! I like the lace bits especially.

Pamela said...

Love this card, I may have to scraplift it for next years Christmas cards I mail out

Stephanie Johnson said...

this is such a classy looking card, great job!

Ashley Newell said...

This is fabulous Jessica!

Stef Perry said...

This is so fun, to see what you and the other team members are coming up with! I love happenstance/serendipity - just like with your lace! It is stunning and makes the card. Love it!

Unknown said...

That lace is beautiful! I love everything you create :)

jen said...

I love this sketch upside down! And that lace is so great here!

Kara said...

I'm moving soon, and not looking forward to the packing. Ugh!

Laura said...

I'm getting a huge kick out of your parenthetical comments this week -- like using the lace because you could reach it. I guess Witty isn't just your last name. ;-)

[You can "exempt" me from the giveaway, as I've already ordered my copy and am waiting impatiently for its arrival.]

Chris S. said...

Love how you've dressed up this card with a bit of lace. Thanks for giving a different take to the sketch!

Chris S. said...

Love how you've dressed up this card with a bit of lace. Thanks for giving a different take to the sketch!

connie said...

I love your card and that ribbon!

Sharon D said...

That lace is beautiful! And it's funny what you said about the sentiment on the left rather than the right.

Patty O'Malley said...

Beautiful card! I think you have a knack for the shabby/vintage look! Congrats on the cover of Paper Crafts!

bzyPTmom said...

OOh, I love that lace, I think I have lots of lace lying around, better start putting it on my cards!

nancy said...

That lace is stunning and so is the card you created with it. Sometimes it helps when options are limited. You are really impressing me with how to are able to create while in the midst of a move.

Lori said...

Great card! Love the vintage feel and the lace. The upside down sketch is fabulous.

Sharon Harnist said...

Hi, Rock Star -- can't wait to see all your sketches in this issue! Love your shabby Santa card -- my fav!

Anonymous said...

Slurp.
That is how dang good this is.

Karen B. said...

I think you do fabulous vintage inspired cards, along with the rest of your creations.

patricia smith said...

That is great! I love the use of the vintage lace, and the colors. Now when I do a shabby card, it is shabby! lol Not Shabby Chic!
Hugs, Pat Smith

Kelly G said...

love the card! The lace is perfect!

Jenny McGee said...

I love this Christmas card. The Santa is so lovely.

sharon g said...

I love this card. I also love that you had to use what you had. Isn't that what we all really do with our supplies? We don't usually have the exact items that are used in the magazine, so we adapt what we have to the ideas you ladies give us. Sooo, great job.

sharon g said...

Thanks for the upside down idea. I like the old fashioned look, too.

Michelle said...

Great card!

Carol said...

Lovely Christmas card, love your take on the sketch!

Carol B
www.scraphappystudio.blogspot.com

petunia670 said...

The lace on this card is so stunning, Santa would be so proud!

Fern said...

Yummy! I love all the projects shown on all the different Go-to Gals' posts, and they inspire me so much!!! Hey, pick me for the sketchbook! I need it!

DeniseB said...

Sretty with that trim at the bottom. I love it!
DeniseB

Michelle said...

Very pretty....shabby chic & all :) I love the lace trim!

Ravengirl said...

Goooooo Jess! You rock! Love how you turned this sketch!

Angy said...

wow, so nice and shabby, vintagey, love it!

Char Dobson said...

Love your card.

StampinCathy said...

OMGosh! What a beautiful Christmas card.

Shanon said...

Loved the card! It has a great vintage feel to it.

Lillian Child said...

Love your vintage Santa and the lace - oh my! And do be participating in a blog hop during the middle of a move? Kudos to you!

Sally Watkins said...

Oh, my Santa already!?Very handsome card.

LauriB said...

I guess I usually put my sentiment on the right also, but yours looks great on the left. I also like the lace with Santa.

Victoria S. said...

Very creative!