New and Glittery for Janet

If you look at my other cards, you will notice that this style is pretty much out of my comfort zone - and for good reason - I just do not do it well.  However, one of my resolutions is to try something new once in a while!  Your comments are welcome.
New supplies - Spellbinder Flourish Impressabilities - sponged with lilac ink.  Side note - I looked for suggestions on how to use the Impressabilities - so far, I have not seen any.  Can you help?
Seldom used: Die-namics Swirls die; Petaloo glittery flowers.
Other supplies:  ODB sentiment from Birthday collection; glitter (on swirls); cs.
Sketch:   http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.ca/
Colors:   http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Encouragement:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com/
Sparkle:   http://cardmaniachallenges.blogspot.com/
Inked bg:    http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
No circles:  http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk/
New:   http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/
            http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:  http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.ca/

CAS - an experiment that does not work for me

CAS is definitely not my style - I'll do layers any day!  Thought I would try this - but will do something ese next time!  I used chalk to match the card base, and embossed the LifeStyle Crafts tree.  It does qualify as a card representing the USA - trees all over.  However, I am sure that no matter where you go in the world, there will be trees - maybe just not as many.
Sketch: http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.com/
Regional tradition: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards.html
CAS:  http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/
 Add a tree:  http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.com/

5 Shades of White

spar

I am sure you can't tell on the screen, but there are five shades of white - each layer is different,  The fancy circle is shiny cs (actually, the recycled back of a card I received), and the punched snowflakes are from a scrap of brocade style white cs.  The embossing is a Nellie Snellen folder.  I tried the highlight technique from a video tutorial - see the link to Beccy's site below, and she has links on her blog.  White glitter is sprinkled over all.  The sentiment is computer generated.  THe cs, dies, and glitter have been a part of my supplies for a long time.
Sketch (4 challenges max):  http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.com/
Shades of white:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards.html
Christmas / white:  http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/
Any with glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com/

sympathy with embossed bg

I used a white embossed bg with black and grey,
Sketch:  http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.com/

butterfly with blue

I tried a new technique with these opulent oval dies from spellbinders - I used some thin metallic gold paper under the oval.  The sentiment is also under the cut out - does not really show here.  I am trying to use some of my huge supply of "gift"items, so I have not credit - other than the butterfly which is from Annie's kits (also a gift).
Sketch (1 E, 3 Ch)  http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.com/

A Nap ...

Looks like too much shopping, to me!  This is one of the delightful AI images - my fellow seniors love them!  I used mostly teal, with sequin enhancements.  I even trimmed one of them to decorate her shoes.  BTW, the sequins come from a baggie of several packages that was one of the many items I have that belonged to my mother - so they are truly vintage.
Sketch:  http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.com/
AI image with sequins:  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/

Katie's graduation

This year I have made more graduation cards than the total I have made previously! This is a combo of dp, die cuts,stickers, punches, dry embossing, a bit of stamping, and sponging/ I don't think it show up well, but the silver border is dry embossed with swirls.  (Note - for the "bravo" panel - I partially cut the edge using the largest Labels die - since I do not do well at all using scissors to create a shape!)
Sketch: http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.com/
Die cuts: 
Embossing:

Cheery spring

For this card I used dies and a technique I do not recall using before.  The flowers/stems are part of the Cuttlebug Olivia set I have had for a LONG time  I used pattern paper (from AMuse) cut two pieces to make longer stems.  For the flowers I uaed both pattern and solid cs, wich a sparkly gem center.  The HB is Sizzix, and the circles are Spellbinders Exquisite Circles.
Note:  Does any one use those circles?  I like the look, but have trouble figuring out how to layer them.  I also find them labor intensive - some of the tiny pieces do not punch completely - and a lot of items stick to the die - I use a pin to remove them, but that is lots of poking!
Sketch:  http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-04-11T00:02:00-04:00&max-results=2
Colors - yellows, grass green, light blues:  http://www.inlinkz.com/new/luAddLink.php?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fstampedblessings.com%2Famusing-challenge%2F&id=391770&cookie=870af6d541f7
Spots(bg paper, green leaves, lots of dots on the die cut!):  http://whimsiedoodles.blogspot.ca/2014/03/new-challenge-seeing-spots-and-winners.html
Technique - using piecing (pattern papers) to create flowers):  http://lawnscaping.blogspot.com/
Feminine:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/

So many layers!

Here is another card for the Love Fest challenge at SplitCoastStampers - I am also going to add the cards to my gallery there.  I hope I did this sketch challenge correctly - lots of banner type layers!  This is for an inspiration challenge, and it gave me a chance to use this print - part of a grab bag of DP - lots of pretty papers but they are not always easy to use.  The banners use other prints from the same collection.  The fence is by Memory Box and the leaves from Cheery Lynn.
Sketch (combine with max. of 3):  http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.com/
Spring colors:  http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/ 
Favorite color(s) - I have a lot, but teal is right up at the top:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
Florals:  http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/ 
Texture (leaves, fence):  http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
Pattern Paper:  http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.co.uk/