Razzleberry Trio

The other day I was playing around and happened to see these colors: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede and Sahara Sand near each other and thought how nice they look together. I decided to use them for the next card I did which just happened to be this week's Mojo Monday challenge 94. I had fun with this sketch and finally feel like I've stamped something I am really happy with... three somethings actually. Once I got done with this one I had lots of scraps left over from figuring out just which layers I liked best for my medallion. So, I used all those scraps to make 2 more cards. OK, I added a few things also- they aren't entirely made up of scraps, but I didn't waste anything that's for sure!

For each of these I used the Boho Backgrouns set which I felt was perfect for these colors- don't they just say "Boho" to you?! For this one I added a Pale Plum card base- I think Pale Plum is a great compliment to Rich Razzleberry- plus, that's what white ink on Razzleberry paper comes out looking like (notice the medallion?).

Most of the pieces on this card were leftover from the layered medallion on that first card. I did stamp a few extras though. For the sentiment I used Think Happy Thoughts (a perfect set for cards with circles like this!) complete with the Soho Designer Hardware for the center.

Anyway, instead of dragging these out over three days I thought I'd post them all at once since you've all been so patient with me while being absent so much this summer. So what do you think? Can you think of another color combination that these would work great in? It's fun to crank out three cards at a time focusing on mostly all the same colors and stamps. Go see what you can come up with!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Boho Backgrounds, All Holidays, Think Happy Thoughts

Colors: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Pale Plum

Accessories: circle punches (lots of them!), scallop circle punch, scallop edge punch, Soho Designer Hardware, Razzleberry dotted grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals

Have You Seen??

In case you haven't seen it, I am posting here the new Definitely Decorative brochure, which is just totally amazing in my opinion!!!

For some reason everytime this brochure comes out I want to do an extreme makeover on one of the rooms in my house! Unfortunately, I am more of a dreamer than a doer. LOL!

Anyway, CLICK HERE to browse this stunning catalog then let me know what your favorite item is! (Hint: I might even send one of you a card!)

Have a great day!

~Kristin

A couple of RAKs and Blog Awards

Since I'm still catching up on blogging, surfing, emails and paying bills on-line I haven't actually stamped yet... so thought I'd share these two very sweet cards I got from a few very sweet gals I know.

First up, this from Lisa Henke. I just happened to be the first to answer a question correctly on her blog so she sent this card as my reward! Isn't it striking?!! Lisa is so creative in finding funky and fabulous new color combos! not to mention her awesome layout design. If you want to see some good scrapbook pages be sure to check Lisa's blog!




Color combos and a CAS style happen to be some of my favorite things about Becky too! Look at this adorable birthday card she sent me back in April! (all the little dents at the top are from me having this hung up above my desk for so long!) I love how Becky made this little snail glossy and dimensional.

Thank you to PattyB for nominating me for this blog award recently:

How sweet of you to think of me!

And a special thanks also to Elizabeth for sending me this blog award way back in May!! I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to respond!!

Blog awards are always a treat to recieve and they are appreciated. Someday I may even pass them along!

~Kristin

Thanks so much!

Gosh I haven't played along with any challenges in what seems like forever! Today I was able to crank one out, although it took me forever to get started and then to finish it. This is for the sketch challenge on the Clean & Simple Stampin' blog.


I combined In Colors from 2007, 2008 & 2009 for this with True Thyme, Baha Breeze and Soft Suede. I don't know why I just can't stamp anymore without pulling out those old In Colors! So glad I've hung onto them.

Hope you like it!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Autumn Days, Sincere Salutations, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Colors: Soft Suede, True Thyme, Sahara Sand, Baha Breeze, Whisper White

Accessories: Key tag punch, spiral punch, True Thyme stitched ribbon, Antique Brass Hodgpodge

Whale Wishes: a disappearing post!

Here is the post that disappeared this week while I was away from home. I loosely cased a sample in the new catty (don't have mine here to tell you the page number right now). I say loosely cased because the colors and stamps are all totally different- the part that inspired me was the general layout of the main image in the center with little accents trailing off the corners of the card.

My whale was stamped on Tea Party DSP and raised on SU dimensionals. He was also stamped on the white layer in Rich Razzleberry. Circle Circus was used for the rest of the detail- in Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum and Almost Amethyst (yes I was experimenting with color again). I added a few of the 5/16" jumbo brads in white and popped up a few more details and done.

As I mentioned the first time I tried to post this, I had several moments while making this card that I doubted how it would turn out... but I stuck with it and am happy I did. It isn't a work of art, but I think it is worthy of sending anyway.

Off to do some raspberry pickin' and some yardwork before it gets too hot... then I'll be back in to play!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Pun Fun, Circle Circus

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum and Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Black Staz-On

Accessories: 5/16" jumbo white brads, Tea Party DSP, SU Dimensionals

Take a coffee break!

Sorry for the delay (geez, I feel like I'm always saying that!)- I had this scheduled to post at midnight but obviously that didn't happen. I'm finally home only to find that none of my scheduled posts worked, and one disappeared completely. Lovely...
Guess what?! It's time for another Coffee Break Design Challenge! This week we were given this interesting sketch to work with. I really wanted to show the three panels as a color gradation in pink (Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo)- and combine these with Cocoa and Chocolate (yummy!). I saw a similar color combo in the new Stampin' Up! catalog that I just loved (p. 71).

I hope you like it to and decide to play along! Please visit our Diva blog for more inspiration for this sketch!

Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Forest Friends, Think Happy Thoughts

Colors: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Circle punches, Chocolate felt flower, jumbo vanilla brad, Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch

NOTE TO BLOGGER: Could you get your act together on these scheduled posts?? Geez!! I mean it's summer- when are scheduled posts more utilized than summer for crying out loud?!! OK, vent over.

Chesney did it!

My daughter made this card the other day while stamping with me... we were both getting inspiration from the fabulous samples in the new catalog! She is so happy with it, and I can say I agree, that she asked me if I would post it to my blog.

Everything she used is by Stampin' Up! (like mother like daughter) except the wire and the scissors. The scissors she used on the ends of the Kiwi piece were to mimic the new Modern Label punch that we don't have YET. She strung the beads herself and only needed a little help twisting the antennae.

So what do you think of her color combination? I just love it and you might be surprised to know that it is combining THREE different years of In Colors! Cool Caribbean (07), Kiwi Kiss (08) and the new Bermuda Bay (09)!! Aren't they lovely together?! Just another reason to hang on to those old colors and scraps of paper for future use.

Here's a closeup view of the details.

Thanks for stopping by! Still out of town, but I've got another post I'll try to schedule for tomorrow and then don't forget Diva Day on Wednesday.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Cool Caribbean, Bermuda Bay, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories: green beads, Beautiful Butterflies die, Big Shot, wire

Hello deer baby

Yippee, finally got some time to stamp yesterday after getting back from camping. Leaving again today for a few days so I'm going to try and schedule a few posts... we'll see if it works this time (come on Blogger!!).

I found a card in the New Idea Book & Catalog (which YOU can now order from as of July 1st- woohoo!!!) on page 141 that I just loved- a unique layout and beautiful color scheme. I copied the layout and the monochromotic idea just in different colors. The deer is from Forest Friends and the sentiment is from the new fantastically versatile Teeny Tiny Wishes!! This set is a must have, let me tell ya!

Don't you just love how the rhinestone brad looks with the new In Color Bermuda Bay?!! The softer shade of aqua is an older In Color Soft Sky- I just love experimenting and mixing up all the fabulous In Colors from the past with the new ones just for fun!!

Well, that's what I've got for now but stay tuned for more... coming up: a card my daughter designed herself (and it's cute!) and another new catty inspired card.

If you don't have your hands on the new catty yet I'd be glad to get one to you- only $5 plus shipping.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you're having a fabulous summer!

~Kristin

PS- Don't miss it!! This month SU is offering a new "Deal of the Week" each week starting now! To find out how to get a favorite product for 30% off click HERE! If you'd like to order through me please email me (I will be checking while I'm gone) so I can place it for you.

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Forest Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Soft Sky (retired In Color)

Accessories: Round Tab punch, Bermuda Bay dotted grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, corner rounder, white taffeta ribbon, distressing tool, Square ice rhinestone brad.

Happy Retirement!

Do you do "rustic" and "distressed"? I read a fellow stamper's blog recently (whom I adore!) that said she NEVER does distressing or sponging- just not her style. I thought about that for a moment and thought- "Gosh, how can she live without distressing sometimes??" Well, you've probably noticed that I do this a lot- not that I don't love a super clean style, I DO, but sometimes distressing can hide mistakes like ink smudges or uneven cuts, even an old cutting blade that roughs up the edge. It also lends nicely, I think, to masculine cards and more earthy and natural styles (like mine).

Anyway, I just found it interesting that some never do this and I still LOVE their cards! Neat! So what about you? Have you ever distressed or do you rely on these techniques often?

In any case, this card is all about distressing! First I clear embossed the pheasant then used an oval template to sponge a one-layer "frame", with a bit more ink around the bird to make him stand out more. Isn't Soft Suede (our new In Color) just perfect for this?!! It reminds me of those old time sepia photographs!

After I stamped the wheat from this same set- Autumn Days- I punched the horizontal slot (vertically- LOL) to thread the dotted grosgrain though. Distressed the edges, stamped the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with the SAMJ then.... brace yourself, it was hard... I crumpled the whole thing like it was going in the trash! You should've seen the looks on my kids' faces!

Hope you like!
Thanks for stopping!
~Kristin

PS- This was scheduled to post on Tuesday night but it didn't work. Sorry 'bout that!

Razzleberry & Rub-ons

Not much time to stamp lately, but I was able to whip this one out today. Since I had a few minutes I decided to check out the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS today featuring Dawn L. HERE is her card that I decided to CASE. I basically used her layout and design but changed everything else. Everything is coming in the new catalog except the rub-ons (old Eastern Elegance by SU). The rest is all in the new In Color Rich Razzleberry!

Hope you like it! I am finding that my older rub-ons like these don't work as well once I let them sit too long- I really struggled with the tiny flowers and had to add the rhinestone brads to help hide some booboos! Isn't the white just sharp against that Razzleberry?!!

Gotta run, thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

Happy Bird-Day!

Excuses, excuses... that's all I've got for being so late on my Diva's Coffee Break Design challenge today. I had a migraine for most of the day, but my biggest problem and most valid excuse is miserable computer problems. I uploaded my picuture probably a dozen times to my computer from my camera but it just wasn't there. I don't know what it was but I ran defrags, deleted gobs of old programs, and rebooted like 10 times and finally was able to manually upload one at a time! YIKES!

Anyway, I'm finally here (and I know it has been so long since I posted last- sorry!!). We've been doing some major landscaping projects in this crazy heat and are now planning to be out of town for a while so I'll hopefully get some stamping done tomorrow so I can post ahead a few.

So here is the sketch we were to use for today. It is very symetrical for my asymetrical nature but that is the challenging part- and I think I like how mine turned out. I love this color combo of Real Red, Apricot Appeal and the new Soft Suede!

The little birdie from Pun Fun is watercolored with ink from the lids and an aquapainter. The hat and candle are from Party Hearty.

What do you think of the little pumpkin pie felt flower and styled silver hodgepodge brad? I think the pumpkin is nice with the apricot.

Anyway, hope you have time to play along with me and the other Divas! We'd love to have you join us! Check out the DCBD blog for more samples and Mr. Linky.

So glad you stopped by today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Pun Fun, Party Harty

Colors: Soft Suede, Real Red, Apricot Appeal, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Soft Suede dotted grosgrain, Styled Silver Hodgepodge, Felt Flowers, corner rounder

Big on Big Shot

Sparkleplenty100 kindly invited me to join in on the Midnight Madness sketch challenges today and I actually did it. I didn't think I'd be able to pull it off while babysitting for my niece, but she took a nice nap and my DD is being an awesome babysitter! I'm not exactly on target with the sketch as I used an oval instead of a rectangle for the main image, but I think you'll see the resemblance to the sketch. I also enjoyed participating in the color challenge on SCS from yesterday: Baha Breeze, Ruby Red and Whisper White. I hadn't used Baha Breeze in a while, and needed to for a final hurrah! I managed to just squeeze the Ruby Red in there on the sentiment. TFL!

The flowers are all punched out of glossy white cardstock- mostly just because it was laying here, but I like the extra shine it adds. I think I'd like this a touch better without the bracket at the top right, but I felt I should use it in order to follow the sketch provided- especially since there are prizes involved! ;)

Thanks for stopping by. I may be MIA the rest of the week until Sunday or Monday due to babysitting. In case you're wondering, she's 21 months old and I'm well beyond that age with my own so I just know I'm going to be worn out! Thanks for bearing with me and have a great weekend!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Paper: Baha Breeze, Parisian Breeze Specialty, vellum cardstock, whisper white
Ink: Ruby Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Jumbo white brads, boho blossoms punch, Flower Burst embosslit, Little Leaves Sizzlit

Textured Floral

We've got an inspiration challenge for you today over on Diva's Coffee Break Designs!! Check out this beautiful swatch- isn't it just divine? I had so many different ideas for this but not enough time so only did one. I started with the Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die and the Big Shot with the kraft cardstock. Once I got that gorgeous raised image I gently rubbed my Always Artichoke inkpad over the entire piece so only the raised parts would get ink (and a few of the edges too, but that's OK with me).

Once I had the rest of the card put together I decided to add a touch more color to the roses with the aqua painter and some artichoke ink. I spread it so it was very subtle- just adding a bit of shadow really.

The rest is probably fairly straight forward. I did use the sentiment and the small stem of flowers at the left from Fresh Cuts stamp set. And the large flower from Fifth Avenue Floral is stamped in white on the navy piece.

I must admit that the wide organdy ribbon in navy is by SU, but it retired quite some time ago. I sure do miss those lovely organdy ribbons!

Thanks for looking and be sure to check out the Diva blog for links to all the Diva's- then play along!! We'd love to have you!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Fresh Cuts

Colors: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Craft, Vanilla

Accessories: corner rounder, small oval punch, silver brad, Manhattan Floral Textured Impressions Die, Big Shot, Aqua Painter, Wide Navy Organdy ribbon

Simply Masculine

Yippee, I finally got to play along with the Mojo Monday sketch after missing a week or two. Well, today I was trying to clean off my desk some and noticed how nice the new Dusty Durango and Soft Suede look together... who am I kidding, Soft Suede looks good with nearly everything I think! Anyway, I just picked up a piece of Apricot Appeal to go along and here's what I came up with. The wheat and sentiment are both embossed in vanilla EP after being stamped in Versamark. The bottom half of the card is stamped with the retired Canvas background stamp for a bit of a worn, natural look; as well as the sponging and edge distressing. There is also a hint of the Weathered background in versamark on the Apricot layer- can you see it??

Anyway, I think this qualifies as simply masculine, don't you?! I love how rich the colors look toghether- not that I'm ready for fall by any means! Also, in case you haven't already noticed how versatile the new In Color ribbon is, I'm going to point it out. Notice how it isn't dotted on both sides so it can be used for whimsical or more sophisticated or even masculine cards!

Thanks for stopping and be sure to come back tomorrow for our Diva's Coffee Break Designs challenge! We've got a gorgeous inspiration piece to get you started!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Autumn Days, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Canvas background, Weathered background

Colors: Dusty Durango, Apricot Appeal, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Distressing tool, sponge, Vanilla EP, linen thread, library clip, Soft Suede grosgrain

Lemon Friendship

Yesterday's CAS challenge on Splitcoast was a sketch which also used a repeating stamp pattern on the main panel. I hadn't used my Tart & Tangy in a while so thought it would be perfect for the repetitive stamping. I was thinking that this sentiment set called Think Happy Thoughts is retiring but now I don't see it on the list so I was mistaken- woo hoo! This set is perfect when you want a circular sentiment!

I made the Gable Green layer open for the card so the back layer of YoYo Yellow could be scalloped all around. Hope you like it... off to stamp some more while my DD is entertained and I have the house to my self... ooh, but I SHOULD be out pulling weeds!

Thanks for stopping in!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Think Happy Thoughts

Colors: Yoyo Yellow, Gable Green, Basic Black

Accessories: Scallop edge punch, scallop circle punch, circle punches, black grosgrain ribbon

More Circle Circus

As promised, here are the other three. Since I held off getting these three colors of ribbon until my first new catalog order I had to improvise... in the mean time I am experimenting with some color combos with our new In Colors. First up is Dusty Durango and Brocade Blue. Next: Crushed Curry with Soft Suede, then: Melon Mambo with a soon-to-be retiring In Color Pacific Point.

Hope you like! I'm thinking I should be focusing on the In Colors that will be retiring soon because I have a bunch of ribbon left! We'll see- so hard to avoid the yummy new stuff.

Thanks for stopping by today!
~Kristin

Supplies

Stamps: Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Dusty Durango, Brocade Blue, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point.

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop border punch, Curvy label punch, brocade blue wide grosgrain, Pacific Point grosgrain, Soft Suede grosgrain, Cuttlebug Swiss dots embossing folder.

Circle Circus Trio

I made the Rich Razzleberry (left) one first with the stamping in black, and decided I liked the design so I remade the same card in all of the In Colors. Here are the first three since I already have the ribbon to match these. For the other three colors I came up with new color combos I like since I don't have the coordinating ribbons (YET!). You'll see those tomorrow.

These were fast and easy. I used the Big Shot to do the dots at the bottom but I must admit I did not use the Texturz Plate that SU offers. I struggled getting just the row of dots at the bottom of the card without the foam layer squishing out and wasn't happy with the results so I switched to my handy-dandy Fiskars Swiss Dots embossing folder. The NEAT thing about the Big Shot is the flexibility in being able to use so many other brands of dies and folders with it!

Aren't the dots in the ribbon so neat with the embossed dots and the doodled dots at the top, plus this fantastically fun stamp set?!? I can't wait to order the rest of the coordinating ribbons! And what do you think of the sentiments?? Those are all from the same NEW set called Teeny Tiny Wishes and there are 24 sentiments in total- it is such a functional set! Love it!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Circle Circus

Colors: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razleberry

Accessories: Dotted grosgrain ribbon in colors listed above, White Gel Pen, Curly Label punch, Big Shot, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Another Sneak Peek!

Wild about the new Razzleberry Lemonade DSP! Here is a sneak peek of this gorgeous paper (2 of the patterns anyway). I just love the fun summery colors- reminds me of a cool drink or a cold yummy popsickle on a hot day! The stamp set I used here, Wild About You, is on the Last Chance list so don't miss out on it if you have been considering it.

I did this for yesterday's sketch challenge 232 over on SCS. I enjoyed combining the "old" and "new" here. The ink I used is Pumpkin Pie and the new In Color Melon Mambo, plus the white ink which I embossed with white powder.

Thanks for looking! Another set arrived today so I am hoping to get even more play time- especially since it is raining! See ya soon!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Wild About You (retiring!)

Colors: Melon Mambo (new In Color), Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Accessories: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (available July 1!), square scallop punch, white taffeta ribbon, distressing tool, Word Window punch, White embossing powder

I'm back!!

And I've got new goodies to share! What a fabulous surprise today when my favorite UPS guy shows up a WHOLE DAY EARLY! My delivery was scheduled for tomorrow. Man oh man am I thrilled with our new In Colors! I think this Soft Suede is going to be my new favorite for WOW color combos!! This time I've combined it with the new Bermuda Bay for a striking combo. This is my new stamp set and sneak peek into the amazing new catalog (available in just 21 days!!). It is called Autumn Days. I inked up the pheasant with Soft Suede and a touch of Bermuda Bay on his head (this will be much easier once I have the markers!! details below) then cut him out and added a hint of Rich Razzleberry and more Bermuda Bay to his feathers with a sponge dauber. Don't you just love the names of our new colors?

You may have caught a glimpse of my family's lifestyle through my blog, which is very outdoorsy and my personal taste definitely leans towards earthy and natural so I just couldn't pass up this beautiful set with the pheasant and many leafy designs. I'm sure this wheat will be one of my favorites!

So what do you think of the new dotted grosgrain? I thought the dots were a bit much for this more masculine card (which is for my hubby for our anniversary coming on next week) so I turned it over and just let a bit of the dotted side show on the bow. They add some fun whimsy!

For the sentiment I embossed versamark ink with clear powder, intending to sponge a bit of vanilla over it so it pops... but guess what, it popped all on its own. So I left off the vanilla ink.

Did you know that the In Colors this year will be available in MARKERS?!!! Yes, that's right- we've been begging for these! Markers are a fabulous way to ink up just portions of a stamp, add coordinating details like dots and doodles, and also excellent for personalizing the inside with a note and the envelope with your hand-written address! I use my markers all the time and can't wait to order these!

Well, that's all for today. I'm going to leave you with a picture from my garden!

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to visit the DCBD blog to see all the other Diva's and their beautiful creations! Then be sure to play along with our sketch challenge.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Autumn Days, Sanded background, Sweet Little Sentiments (current level 1 hostess set that's soon to be retired)

Colors: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, vanilla

Accessories: Key Tag punch (retiring!), clear EP, Versamark, Jumbo Antique Bronze eyelet, Bermuda Bay dotted grosgrain, sponge dauber, distressing tool

Late for Diva Day!

Sorry I'm late for our weekly Wednesday Diva challenge! My new catalog came today and I just can't stop going through it... and that means all my new goodies came today so guess what?!! My Diva challenge will be done with new stuff! Woo hoo! Loving the new In Colors- can't wait to show you.... be back soon.
~Kristin

PS- I got a new cell phone yesterday too so I've been wanting to play with that... and my phone is ringing off the hook today! Yikes- so many things to do. At least my kiddos have friends over so they are entertained! BRB

My first circle card!

Guess what?! This is the first circle card I've ever done I think! Can you believe it? My downline let me borrow this large scallop die for the Big Shot (thanks Debbie, I promise to get it back to you ASAP) so I just decided to go for it! They aren't hard at all... in fact, I did this for yesterday's Clean & Simple challenge over on SCS. I was out of town until late last night so didn't get a chance to stamp at all over the weekend or yesterday so today's the day!

The CAS challenge was actually a color challenge this time- to use Kraft with any pink or coral color as well as any other one coordinating color. I dug through my bag of kraft scraps and found this circle which is how I decided on the circle card in the first place! The flowers were already punched and on my desk so I just cut the vanilla layer and the Cameo Coral scallop, stamped and was done. There are some tools involved, but I'd still call this CAS, how about you?

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Priceless

Colors: Cameo Coral, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Black ink

Accessories: Scallop Circle die, Flower Blossom die, Big Shot, Boho Blossoms punch, kraft corduroy button, kraft taffeta ribbon

Beach Towel Inspired Birthday!

OK, I'm back with this week's CAS challenge from SCS. I browsed through the Land's End beach towels and totes until I came up on this beach towel. I thought it is fun and colorful and something I'd like to use for inspiration. I picked this, and matching colors, a few days ago but didn't actually make my card until today.... which is when I decided to change from Green Galore to Kiwi Kiss without consulting my inspiration piece. Oops!

Well, you still get the idea I think! I also used the sketch that I posted yesterday hoping to do better on my second try. I'm much happier with this one!

I used papers from a variety of old SU papers: Bella Rose, Berry Bliss and some a print pattern that I think is in Purely Pomegranate... Everything else is current, I swear! (but not for long)

Hope you like it! Why don't you go check out these CAS challenges- they are fun and simple and usually pretty fast.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: On Your Birthday

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Bella Rose, Berry Bliss, Purely Pomegranate Prints

Accessories: Daisies #2 die, Big Shot, 3/4" circle punch, button bouquet, linen thread

Quick & Easy: Miss you!

ETA: New picture... a little better.

What a fabulous sketch from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog but no matter how many photos I take I can't make this look like a "WOW" card! LOL!

The paper strips I used are from Pink Flamingo DSP by SU and the image is an oldie- a 2006 SAB set called Send a Celebration. I stamped it twice and cut out the pieces then layered them on a black circle... maybe if my circle had been turquoise it would work better?!? The "Miss You" is from Take Three stamp set which I inked using the black marker and then placed using the Stamp-a-majig (I know, it's still a bit crooked).

Well, even though it's not a WOW I wanted to share anyway since the sketch IS! What a perfect way to make a quick and easy card with impact that also can use up your scraps!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to play along with this week's CAS sketch on SCS today since my best pal Lisa Henke has been announced as one of the newest Design Team Members!!! Congrats Lisa!!

Later,
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Send a Celebration, Take Three

Ink: Black

Paper: Whisper White, Pink Flamingo

Accessories: 1 3/4" circle punch, SAMJ, black & turquoise markers, white gel pen

Marigold Clematis

I'm late again, I'm sorry! This week I have no excuses I just forgot! I'm sorta glad I did though because I'm so happy with this card. I did break the DCBD rule of only current SU product however, so I will make another one that is "legal"... but I had an idea in my head this morning and just had to get it out on paper. I've been eyeing these colors together for a few days since I noticed my inkpads next to each other in my color caddy. They are old In Colors Marigold Morning, True Thyme and River Rock. Ever since I read a little hint yesterday about the potential for retired In Colors maybe being used again in some way, I've been excited and super glad I still have them ALL!

For this card I used today's sketch challenge on SCS with the three narrow panels. Funny thing is I had no intentions of making them a fence at first- I actually started by tearing one end. One thing led to another and I decided to round the ends by sliding them into my large oval punch (same punch that is behind the butterfly image). Added the slats with some retired River Rock grosgrain and added some sponging for depth.

Next, due to the DCBD Challenge to use the Big Shot today, I tried like the dickens to use those leaves behind the butterfly somehow but they just muddied up the look I was going for... finally I figured out that if I stack three of those leaf cutouts and add some little flowers it looks like a clematis growing up the fence (I LOVE clematis!) - at least I think so. The flowers are punched from Marigold Morning CS with the Boho Blossoms punch (that I've used every day lately- how did I live without that thing?!?) then slightly brayered with some Pumpkin Pie ink and crumpled before adding the brads.

The background stamped on the fence is Pretty Petals in versamark. I think the butterfly piece kind of looks like a Welcome placque hanging on a fence but I really didn't want to stamp Welcome so I added the "For You" sentiment at the bottom corner.

Here is the inside. I used another flower made the same as the front and the other images from this stamp set. I tend to let the inside go until I am ready to send the card, but sometimes they end up getting overlooked so today I just did it while I had the stuff out.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll go check out the other Diva's and their gorgeous creations for this week! Then you can play along with our challenge and link to the Diva site so we can check you out! Have a great day!

~Kristin

SUO

Stamps: Great Friend, Pretty Petals

Cardstock: True Thyme, Marigold Morning, River Rock, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Marigold Morning, Pumpkin Pie, True Thyme

Accessories: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Wide Oval, Vintage Brads, River Rock double stitched grosgrain ribbon, sponge, Boho Blossom Punch

Clean & Simple Challenge- a Makeover!

Last week's CAS Challenge on Splitcoast was to makeover one of your own cards in your gallery. I had no trouble choosing one that wasn't my favorite! I liked the concept of this one but thought it was a little tacky maybe so decided to tone it down by making it more monochromatic and using only 1 style of flower for the curved border. I still think it needs some ribbon maybe, but I was trying to keep it simple not make it less so!

So, I kept the design and changed everything else from the colors to the paper and stamps. This time I used the Parisian Breeze Specialty cardstock (that is nearing extinction!) as well as the daisy flower from the Spring Bouquet punch. I did keep the Curly Label punch, but changed from a glittered sentiment to a simple embossed one.

Hope you like it and find this challenge intriguing enough to play along!

Thanks for visiting!
~Kristin

Fabulous new offers from Stampin' Up!!

Hostess Bonus Promotion: It Pays (More) to Have Fun

From June 1-30, in addition to the already fantastic hostess benefits, get even more hostess awards when you host a qualifying workshop:

• Hold a $250-$399.99 workshop and receive an additional $20 in hostess free dollars!


• Hold a $400 or more workshop and receive an additional $40 in hostess free dollars!*

Earn more rewards while having fun with friends and family this summer! Contact me today to schedule your workshop (my email address is in my profile at the top right).

*Awards are not accumulative; hostesses receive $20 in free merchandise for a single $250-$399.99 workshop, and $40 in free merchandise for a single $400+ workshop.

Remember the old "Retired List"?? Well, now it's called the Last Chance list since the stamps and accessories listed are all now available for the last time EVER! This year the list has two great features: a 50% off section and a 25% off section that you won't want to miss!! You can also see the products from the entire list HERE.

For your convenience I am also going to link the .pdf versions so you can simply see the product name and it's new cost which you can then refer to in your catalog.

Last Chance Decor Elements List

Last Chance Stamp Sets List (alphabetical)

Last Chance Stamp Sets List (numerical)

Last Chance Accessories List (while supplies last)

Thanks for stoppin' by! If you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll find an answer for you!

~Kristin

Bashful Pumpkins!

I was browsing through an issue of CARDS magazine the other day and saw a card with a similar layout to this and immediately thought "ooh, I bet I could do that with my Thoughts and Prayers tree!" This is the first time I've used the Boho Blossoms punch. I punched the flowers then distressed them by crumbling them and rolling them up then seperating the layers so I got two from one and they are very thin and flimsy.

The color scheme is from last week's color challenge on SCS: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue. I also added some Sahara sand and vanilla in for my neutrals.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

PS- did you notice the paper piercing? Can you believe the Crafter's Tool Kit (p. 188) is on the "Last Chance" list?!? I am stunned. If you don't have it, check it out- I use it nearly every day!!

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Define Your Life

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Top Note Die, Big Shot, Paper Piecing Tools, So Saffron brads, Boho Blossoms punch, Eyelet border punch, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon

Roxy Rocks!

Hello there! I'm back with my first effort at a Featured Stamper challenge on Splitcoast in a long time! I used to play this challenge very often, and now I can't remember the last time I did. Well, since I hadn't stamped since Thursday or Friday I took some well-deserved time today and went crazy. This week Rox71 is the Featured Stamped and I chose this card of hers to CASE. I love the layout she used and so kept mine very similar with the row of flowers dividing the top and bottom portions of the card. I also used a similar color scheme and the oval sentiment. I used my Texturz Plates and the Big Shot to emboss both the white and the black panels for some added dimension, but it is a bit hard to see in the photo.

The flowers are from the Flower Blossom Sizzlit which is new to me. I did them in Riding Hood Red and Cameo Coral with a tiny white flower from the Boho Blossoms punch, and finished them off with black brads.

Thanks for stopping by! I've got more in store for you this week so be sure to stop by!
~Kristin

Welcome!

I know I'm an inconsistent blogger lately- I hope that's OK. I assume most everyone who visits is having the same schedule issues I am- busy busy spring!

I really didn't want to miss out on this week's Mojo Monday challenge so worked to get it done yesterday. Here is the sketch- isn't it great?! I decided to make a welcome card for a new (my first!) second level downline that just joined SU this month.

I used soon-to-be-departed In Colors Pacific Point and Pink Pirouette, as well as my new Tea Party DSP. I gently watercolored this image from A Flower for all Seasons with the ink pads and a blender pen (the aqua painter was just too wet for this detail). If you do this be sure to use black Staz-On ink as it is far more water-proof and therefore bleed-resistent than our Basic Black ink.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: A Flower for all Seasons, Warm Words

Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Tea Party DSP

Ink: Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand

Accessories: 1 3/4" circle punch, Eyelet border punch, Pacific Point grosgrain ribbon, square punch (to notch end of sentiment banner), Fire Rhinestone brad, Felt Fusion Too (felt flowers)

Wonderful YOU! {DCBD129}

...for stopping by again after I've been absent since Saturday! Sorry- things got away from me with a crazy hectic weekend. The flower girl stint my daughter had went well- but kept us busy Friday & Saturday. Sunday we spent at cookouts all day and Monday included the parade, friends visiting then a ball game to end the long weekend. What a gorgeous Memorial Day weekend though- the best weather for that holiday in a long time it seems!

Anyway, I'm back today just in time (well, a little late actually) to play along with the Coffee Break Diva's for the sketch challenge this week. The sketch is simple and unique, full of possibilities. For my take on it I broke out my new Parisian Breeze Specialty textured papers from SU! Man are these gorgeous and they ARE included in the "Buy 3 get one FREE" sale that ends on Sunday.

I combined the gorgeous colors (Baha Breeze, Kraft, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip) with some Big Shot dies and some jumbo brads for a soft textured look! The dies I used are the Flower Burst embosslit which embosses while it cuts(!!) and the Sizzlits Little Leaves which are both exclusive to Stampin' Up! I dabbed a tiny bit of Baha Breeze ink on the flowers to enhance the texture with a sponge dauber.

The word Wonderful is embossed with clear powder over chocolate chip ink for more texture and a little shine. Inside I stamped the word "YOU" with the Lovely Letters alphabet and embossed it as well.

Well, thanks for looking! Hopefully I'll be stealing some time every day to stamp, but you know how that goes with the kiddos home from school for the summer... Make sure you go visit the Diva blog and play along with our challenge! We'd love to come visit you and show our appreciation!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Wonderful Favorites

Paper: Baha Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP, Kraft

Accessories: Little Leaves Sizzlit, Flower Burst Embosslit, clear EP, 3/16" jumbo chocolate brads, stampin' dimensionals

Happily Ever After

Today my daughter is a flower girl and I wanted to make a special card for the bride. She babysat for us and I babysat for her when she was little. Her colors are periwinkle with a touch of light pink. I couldn't quite decide which of SU's colors is closest to periwinkle so I went with Almost Amethyst and Vintage Violet.

For the flowers I ran white cardstock through the Big Shot with the Manhattan Flower embossing folder. Then I flipped it over and brayered ink (vintage violet, Almost Amethyst and Pink Pirouette) into the backside so the debossed flower remains white. Then I cut it out and layered it over the Vintage Violet piece which was stamped with French Script in Versamark.

I pierced the edges of the Vintage Violet then added my sentiment in a Hodgepodge Frame, tied on with pink organdy ribbon. Once it was all put together I sprayed the entire thing with pearl-ex mixed in hairspray for an overall shimmer! See those larger dots of pearl-ex that are showing?? After I took the picture I found a way to reduce the visibility of those... just sand those areas with a corner of the sanding block. Just a TIP for you!

Ooh, forgot to say that I also highlighted some of the petals with the Versamarker (thanks for the idea Lisa!) to add more dimension.

Here's a quick picture of the inside. I stamped this phrase from Full of Life because I think it is perfect for a formal frilly wedding. First I stamped directly on the card but thought it just lacked something... so I tried again on white, this time inking Love with the pink marker. Added some layers and punched the bottom edge with the eyelet border punch. Also, I stamped one of the images from Frames with a Flourish under the sentiment for a more decorative touch.

Hope you like it, and have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fancy Flexible Phrases, Designer Label, French Script, Full of Life, Frames with a Flourish

Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Vintage Violet, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Manhattan Flower embossing folder, pearl-ex hairspray, Silver Hodgepodge, Pink organdy ribbon, paper piercing tools, brayer

thank YOU

Today's Clean & Simple challenge is to use Black and White with one Bold Bright. Well, my Bold Bright is Tempting Turquoise and the patterned paper is from Pink Flamingo DSP. My chipboard letters are inked and embossed with basic black. The "thank" is from a stamp in Full Of Life stamp set- inked with a marker and placed using the Stamp-a-Majig. It is supposed to be clean and simple, but let me tell you I had a heck of a time keeping that white cardbase clean! I had black embossing powder, stray adhesive every where and smudges of ink- geesh! I do like this card though- I think I'll use it to write a note to one of my kiddos' teachers for their last day of school tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

PS- Dodgers won again! ;)

In Color Embossing... a TIP!

Yes, it's Diva day again! And look at this gorgeous color combination we had to work with! Shouldn't have been much of a challenge, but I managed to make it one! This is one of those cases where combining challenges doesn't always make for an easier card. I loved this sketch from the Clean & Simple Stamping Blog that I've mentioned in the past and just really wanted to use it... but the great outdoors is calling me today so I just had to use both challenges together.

I think I will try this color combo again to see if I get more of the look I was hoping for. Not that I dislike my card, it's just not where I thought it would go. Anyway, I have a little TIP for you! Have you ever wanted to emboss something in an ink color (like an In Color) that you don't own in the craft formula? Well, let me tell you how you CAN emboss those wonderful colors! First you ink your stamp with VERSAMARK then, before stamping, ink it again with your ink color (Riding Hood Red in my sample). Then stamp and emboss as you normally would! That's it- easy as pie, eh?!

I felt that this butterfly should be embossed since I knew I wanted to color in the leaves (to fulfill my color requirements) but red ink is known to bleed fairly easily. Embossing always resolves that problem. Once it was done I just used my markers to fill in the open areas, buffed with a clean tissue and voila!

Well, that's what I've got for you today. I hope you like it. Please take a moment to go check out the DIVA blog. We'd love to have you play along with our challenge!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Great Friend

Paper: Whisper White, Kraft, Always Artichoke

Ink: Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Versamark

Accessories: Scallop border punch, Clear EP, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke markers, Kraft taffeta ribbon

Let's Celebrate Purple!

I've been thinking for a long time that Stampin' Up! was lacking in DSP with purple in it... I like purple. Well, this special on our Designer Series Papers this month (Buy three get one FREE) got me looking more closely to see what other papers I need... and I found this: Tea Party. I hadn't noticed it before- maybe too pastel for me as a whole, but each sheet individually is just lovely and of course they coordinate perfectly! I just needed to open my mind a bit and I am glad I did! Almost Amethyst has long been one of my favorite of the 48 colors so of course I had to use those patterns first!

This sketch is from yesterday's Mojo Monday challenge which I didn't have time to get around to.

Did you notice the texture on the card base? That is using the Texturz Plates and the Big Shot. I like how this pattern coordinates with the paper somewhat.

Well, thanks for hanging with me even though I've been gone a while. This time of year is tough to stay indoors stamping when the sunshine and yardwork are calling! In case you're wondering, the gymnastics recital went very well- I was such a proud mom and very impressed! I thought my daughter would have serious stage fright and maybe even refuse to perform, but she seemed relaxed and to enjoy herself. And my son's baseball team has finally been able to play their first and second games and won both. He is pitching some this year which makes mom a nervous wreck- but he seems to handle it well. I guess they are both growing up *sigh*.

Have a lovely, sunshine-filled day!

~Kristin

PS- You may have noticed my "Shop Now" logo is missing from my sidebar. That is because I regretfully had to cancel my SU website. No worries, that doesn't mean you can't order through me, it just means that I will do the work for you. To place an order please contact me via email (which I'll put over there now instead). Thanks for your understanding!

SUO Supplies

Stamps: On Your Birthday

Paper: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Textured Certainly Celery, Tea Party DSP

Accessories: Scallop square punch, eyelet border punch, certainly celery grosgrain, square punch, circle cutter, Texturz Plates, Big Shot, Almost Amethyst marker

Cupcake Birthday

This is my first use of this Big Bold Cupcakes die I just got recently. It is fun and full of possibilities. Also used my new Pink Flamingo DSP which is where I came up with the color scheme of Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise and Real Red. Sorry, not so chatty tonight- I'm exhausted from volunteering at school and have another full day tomorrow (Friday). Oh yeah, this is from this week's sketch challenge on SCS too (Wednesday).

Have a great weekend- I'll be MIA I'm afraid- ball games and gymnastics recital plus house guests equals little to no stamping time.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: on Your Birthday

Paper: Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise and Real Red, Pink Flamingo DSP

Accessories: ticket corner punch, brad, Big Bold Cupcake die, Big Shot, Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, whisper white

Funky Father's Day...

Just messing around trying to work out a quick CAS Father's Day card. I started with the stamp since it's the only current one I have that says Father's Day. I stamped it in Perfect Plum on Going Gray (finally got some!). I then pulled out some scraps of basic gray, kiwi kiss (already textured), Pale Plum and Perfect Plum to play with. I had all kinds of layouts in mind- all very clean and simple but I couldn't decide- I thought they all looked cool.

After fussing and trying to pick my favorite I just decided to toss the pieces down and wherever they landed I'd go with (if I didn't like it I planned to cheat and do it again- so it was a safe bet). Anyway, this is where they fell the very first time and I like it. Kind of retro, funky and I think the back side of the embossed dots (kiwi piece) looks kind of industrial (use your imagination for crying out loud!). I crimped the pale plum piece to go with that industrial look. I really wanted to use a corduroy button since I love them, have them in 3 colors, but never seem to get them fit on the card... and I hadn't used my arrows punch in awhile so added one of those onto the button for fun. My dad will like it- he always does!

Here's a TIP: When you have already chosen your color scheme but feel you need maybe one more- go with a shade darker or lighter than what you've already got (like Going Gray and Basic Gray, or Pale Plum and Perfect Plum). It adds your extra umph you needed for good design yet doesn't overwhelm your color palette!

Hope you like it too! Don't be a procrastinator- go make a Father's Day card today (then put it in a safe place so you don't lose it, but not so safe that you can't find it later, then be sure to mail it by about June 17th!)

Have a great day!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: All Holidays (have you noticed how much I use this set??)

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, Perfect Plum Pale Plum, Going Gray

Accessories: Basic Gray corduroy button, My Way punch, Crimper, distressing tool, dotted embossing folder (this one is not SU's but we have one too)

Another Diva Day and some Big Shot Magic!!

I'm so excited to show you my card today! It came together fairly easily using the DCBD sketch, a color challenge, and some trash! That's right-I got to do something EXTRA fun with my Big Shot using trash! See that clear butterfly? No I didn't BUY that... I MADE it! It was tough to photograph because of the shadow it cast, but the clear stiff plastic I used was actually packaging for a new cheese slicer!! I took before and during photos because I just knew I could do something with that stuff!

Here is the new cheese slicer on its clear packaging! What a bonus, although kind of wasteful if it doesn't get reused somehow... and I'm not one to be wasteful!

And here is a picture of it just after I ran it through my Big Shot with the Beautiful Butterflies Die. Look how much I have left!! I can do so much more...

The color scheme I used is Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun and Whisper White. This was the color challenge over on SCS yesterday... well, almost. It suggested Only Orange, but come on, I just got these Pumpkin and Summer corduroy buttons yesterday and HAD to use them. Besides Pumpkin is just more deserving than Only Orange! ;)

Anyway, hope you like it! I know just who I'm going to send it to.

Thanks for stopping by and please go check out the Coffee Break blog to check out the other Diva's work, then play along and post your work so we can all come visit YOU! Have a beautiful sunny day!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White

Accessories: Eyelet border punch, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Kiwi Grosgrain, Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun corduroy butons, corner rounder, trash!

Rock on Dude!

Here's my second try using the Rock 'n Roll technique for Monday's CAS challenge... this time it is much more CAS I think (although I couldn't resist adding that background stamp at the last minute) but my R 'n R isn't as visible. That's because I inked the leaves in Pacific Point, stamped off, then Rock 'n Rolled in Pacific Point. This worked OK but since some of my image is hidden by the frame it isn't as obvious.

I wanted to use this frame from Frames with a Flourish and make this look like a picture or art hanging up. I'm not sure if that worked or not... maybe should've stamped my frame in brown to look more like wood instead of the Basic Gray on Baha Breeze cardstock. Hmmm, there's an idea.

Anyway, here you go. Sorry I was absent over the weekend... we planned a surprise visit to my parents in Michigan to celebrate Mother's Day and my dad's birthday. Happy belated Mother's Day to all of you! Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Nice having you and stop back tomorrow for a Father's Day card!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Frames with a Flourish, Pretty Petals background

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Pacific Point, Baha Breeze

Accessories: Word Window punch, square punches, Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon

Forest Friends Birthday

Today's MOJO 86 sketch has 3 panels, 2 smaller than the larger center one and I immediately thought of Forest Friends in current Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog. I really wanted to put the tree in the center, but have it somewhat muted so I could stamp my sentiment right over it. In this case I used Close to Cocoa ink (stamped off once) and the "rock 'n roll" technique to touch the edges of the tree with Riding Hood Red ink. The R 'n R technique is today's CAS challenge on Splitcoast. I'm not sure this layout is exactly CAS so I may not upload it, but I have done another that is pretty CAS so I might post that one next.

Hope you like it! Hope my SIL likes it- it's a belated birthday card for her that better get in the mail today or I'll be in trouble. LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Forest Friends, On Your Birthday

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Bella Rose DSP*

Accessories: Large and Small tag punches, paper piercing tools, retired chocolate felt ribbon

Non SUO Supply: Fiskars Sunflower deco scissor

*Don't forget- SU Designer Series Papers are buy 3 get one FREE during the month of May! Don't miss out!

With Sympathy

I made this card using this sketch from the Clean & Simple Stamping Blog. I wanted to do something bold and dramatic so chose to use the red/black combo on a kraft background. I didn't start out intending to do a sympathy card, but unfortunately found out while I was making it that a good friend's mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly yesterday. Do you ever worry about sending a handmade sympathy card? I know not everyone has an appreciation for handmade art and I would hate for anyone to actually be offended for receiving one. I am sure this friend won't feel that way, but this question has gone through my mind before... what do you think?

Anyway, I guess my go-to set is Inspired by Nature lately so it came to mind right away for this sketch. The flowers are stamped on the kraft cardstock with Black Staz-On then restamped on the vanilla after reinking with markers Real Red, Mellow Moss and Basic Black. The grass is stamped on the kraft cardstock in versamark so it is very subtle.

I wanted to try a trick I saw somewhere recently to make a scalloped oval without a fancy tool of any kind. Since I don't have a fancy cutter to make that I gave it a whirl here. I cut a thin strip of black cardstock- probably 1"- then punched it with my scallop border punch, then ran it through the crimper. I did end up trimming the final piece to about 1/2 an inch or less. Next, I added adhesive all around the outer edge of the oval piece and slowly bent and stuck, bent and stuck until it wrapped around the entire thing. This strip of black paper was 11" long and just fit! It isn't perfect and there are some creases and tucks, but I like the end result.

Well, that's about all I can tell you I suppose. Thanks for stopping by! Hug your loved ones today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Warmest Regards (retired)

Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Real Red, Mellow Moss

Accessories: crimper, scallop border punch, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon

Trimming the Tree

I subscribe to a blog called Got Sketch and get a weekly scrapbook sketch via email. I love saving these and referring to them when I need a boost in my scrapbooking (which is always!). This sketch was a favorite because it uses multiple photos which is how I scrapbook.

I used the Holiday Treasures DSP from SU and a variety of stamp sets all retired! In fact the little holly leaves are from a set from 2002- possibly one that I selected with my starter kit, though I'm not positive. It is called Seasons Sketches. The tree on the square is from an old 2005 Hostess set called Say it Simply which I had never even mounted before now! The title box is done with one of my all-time favorite alphas: Whimsical Uppers. The smaller letters are from Rough Edges alpha.

I liked doing my journaling on these strips and cutting them in pieces. For some reason it was less stressful to write my thoughts and a bit easier to write in a more unique way for me... more like bullet points than complete thoughts.

Anyway, I highly recommend subscribing to this blog and using their sketches! They even provide awesome samples for every sketch. Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

Stampin' Up! Supplies

Paper: Holiday Treasures DSP, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand

Stamps: Whimsical Alpha, Rough Edges Alpha, Say it Simply, Seasons Sketches

Ink: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, scallop circle punch, gold brads, square punch, Old Olive marker

Art from the Heart

Thought I'd post a few more birthday cards I received last month. It's always a treat to get happy mail, and even more special if the card is a handmade piece of art from the heart! The first one is from Nancy, a friend and loyal customer of mine and the second one is from my sister. I was so tickled to get them and to see them using their Stampin' Up! supplies that I just had to post them. I hope they don't mind!

I'm hoping to finish a scrapbook page to share with you later today and I might even go try a new challenge. If you're looking for a good stampin' challenge check out this sketch challenge, or this color challenge, or this Ways to Use it challenge or if you're an SU demonstrator you can try out yesterday's demo challenge. These challenges are all brought to you by Splitcoaststampers.com!

Well, we've got a 2hour fog delay this morning so I'd better go tend to the kiddos while they are still home. I'll be back later hopefully!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

Triple Test

Today is Diva day, once again, and forgive me for being a bit tardy. I think my mojo took a leave of absence yesterday... couple that with a busy and stressful day and I wasn't exactly pleased with my design for today. However, I worked extra hard first thing this morning and managed to almost salvage this one a moment before it hit the trash can.

Our Diva challenge #126 is to use the Big Shot in our design (yes, this is a recurring theme!). I paired that challenge with the Mojo Monday sketch that I've been participating in pretty regularly, as well as the weekly Color Combo challenge on Splitcoast. And yes, I know what you may be thinking, you're right- combining three challenges can make anyone's mojo run for the hills! That is so true- especially when you are really struggling with one of them and for me it was the colors (Cameo Coral, Garden Green and Ballet Blue).

Anyway, here it is.

Thanks for stopping by! I'll be working on getting that mojo back today... we'll see! Please go check out the other Diva's today and give them a shout out!

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral

Paper: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Ballet Blue, Garden Green, Cameo Coral

Accessories: Spiral punch, Little Leaves Sizzlet, sponge dauber, Texturz Plates, Big Shot, distressing tool

Don't Look Dad!

My dad's birthday is Wednesday so I made this card for him. I used today's Clean & Simple sketch challenge on SCS. My dad is one of my biggest card fans- he thinks I must be THE best card-maker out there- LOL! I tell him he has NO idea of the talent out there, but I always appreciate his comments anyway!!

I did use a variety of stamps including: the Love/Laugh circle is from a retired hostess set from the last catalog called Make It Count. The #1 is from Sporting and "Father" is from Wonderful Favorites. Happy Birthday is from All Holidays... how's that for variety?! I also squeezed on a kraft corduroy brad with some linen thread and a jumbo brad from the Soho designer hardware.

TFL! Hope he likes it!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: All Holidays, Wonderful Favorites, Make It Count, Sporting

Paper: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Manchester DSP

Ink: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Kraft Corduroy button, Soho Designer hardward, 1" circle punch, scoring tool, linen thread, Spiral Punch

WICKED Thoughts

Hey, it's not as bad as it sounds! I just found a different kind of challenge on Splitcoast that I had been hearing tidbits about but didn't know where to find. Well, I've found it- the WICKED challenges for SU demonstrators. I'm afraid if you aren't a demo you won't be able to click on the link, but you can still see my card I did using the sketch challenge for May. If you are a demo I highly recommend checking out the WICKED challenges which stands for: Wonderfully Inspiring Challenges Keep Educating Demos!

So what do you think of my color combo? It is Almost Amethyst, Kiwi Kiss and Pumpkin Pie! Somehow these colors just found their way onto my desk- well, the Kiwi and the Amethyst did, then I figured I needed an extra umph so went with Pumpkin as the accent. I just love them together and can't wait to use this combo again!

The stamps are from a set called Sending Happy Thoughts which is part of a Simply Sent kit from SU. These kits are awesome! They are perfect for the new stamper with little to no supplies because they include precut cardstock, adhesive, ribbon and brads plus envelopes; but they are also a fun gift idea for just about anyone including the expert stamper!

So glad you stopped by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sending Happy Thoughts Simply Sent Kit

Paper: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Almost Amethyst, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie grosgrain, corner rounder, paper snips, Stampin' Dimensionals

Best Wishes- Embossed Vellum & a color challenge

Yippee! Dawn McVey posted another Raspberry Suite color challenge (her 4th week)! I've been nearly stalking her blog waiting for this- she is a master at using color and being a color enthusiast I am always excited about trying out her combinations! This time it is brown, soft aqua and white AKA Chocolate Chip, Baha Breeze and Whisper White.

As soon as I saw the inspiration bedding I pictured the Floral background in Chocolate Chip over a Baha Breeze card base. I'm sort of wishing I had embossed it now so the chocolate would be even darker and would shine a little too... next time...

While playing on Thursday I used the Manhattan Flower Embossing folder on vellum and really like how it turned out. I love that the Floral pattern can be seen through the vellum, adding another dimension almost. The sentiment is embossed on vellum and a rhinestone brad was added for extra elegance and sparkle!

Want to know a TIP I learned about adding vellum to carstock without the adhesive showing?!? This is the second time I've tried it and I gotta say, it's much better than anything else I've tried. Although, it is showing a bit on the sentiment, but I think that is because I did it twice (first time on Baha and it didn't show up as well) and because it is on very dark cardstock. In most cases though, I think it works well. So here it is. TIP: Squeeze a small amount of Tombo Multi Glue (white with green lid) onto your finger tip and spread onto vellum in a very thin layer. It dries extremely fast this way so you have to work quickly. In this case I mostly glued down the edges.

I hope you like! I'm not sure about the white box bow at the top corner. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how/what to fix with it, but I'm just not sure, short of removing it altogether. What do you think? I have a Baha satin ribbon just like it but wider which I forgot about until my card was together. I think I'd probably like that better because it wouldn't stand out as much. But would the box box still be too much? Maybe a knot would be better and would symbolize "tying the knot" so to speak...

Anyway, I hope you try out Dawn's color challenge sometime- she is super talented!

Glad to have you here!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Oval All, Floral Background

Paper: White Vellum Cardstock, Baha Breeze, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate chip

Accessories: Clear EP, Scallop oval punch, Wide Oval Punch, Big Shot, Manhattan Flower embossing folder, rhinestone brad, white taffeta ribbon

Just in time...

... for the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week! Thanks to my downline Debbie ,who stopped by today and let me play with her Matchbox Die, I decided to do something special for my kiddos' teachers. They each get a small box with some Russell Stover chocolates in them, plus these matching cards. The sketch for the cards is from this week's sketch challenge on SCS!

Hope they like them and realize how appreciated they have been this year!

The Matchbox die is really a nice one! No adhesive is needed at all thanks to the clever design- to me that is a serious bonus! They were so easy to put together. I wrapped each box with vellum cardstock then punched an opening which is covered from behind with clear acetate so the chocolates show through.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: A Flower for all Seasons, Heartfelt Thanks, Short & Sweet

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss, Baha Breeze, Vellum CS

Accessories: Pacific Point & Pink Pirouette grosgrain, Word WIndow punch, Big Shot, Matchbox Die, Scallop Circles Die, Texturz Plate, Scallop Square punch, Curly Label punch, Blender pen

If I only knew then what I know now....

You know I love a good challenge!! The other day I was reading Lisa's blog and she happened to show her very first card she ever made and the first card she ever posted on-line (she was participating in another challenge).

Well, it cracked me up to think of the first card I ever posted so I went to check it out... then I got to thinking it would be fun to try and redo that card knowing what I know now! So that's what I did, and that's our (mine & Lisa's) challenge to you!

1. Go find the first card you ever made, first card you ever posted in an on-line gallery or at least the oldest thing you can find.
2. Remake it- do something to bring it up to your current standards... but we want to know what you decided to change. You may change the stamps, colors, layout... whatever you want, but we want to see the resemblance to that orignal.
3. Tell us how you've updated your look!
4. Adding: please put keyword REDO101 so we can find it, and be sure to link your original for us to see too!

You will thoroughly enjoy seeing how far you've come in your stampin' endeavors- I promise!


So, here is my sample to get you inspired! Don't be afraid- share that first card no matter how hideous (I AM!).


I first posted this card in February 2005- I actually did this at one of my very first workshops!
Here is how I've redone it.

In a nutshell here's what I changed:

• Sentiment and background stamps (sentiment is embossed on the new version)


• Moved the brads


• Changed from tearing to distressing for the focal image (straight not tilted too)


• Added the black scalloped edge

Here's the longer version: I actually used nearly the same colors: Creamy Caramel, Basic Black and well... I used Ruby Red in the first one and Riding Hood Red in the redo, and some Very Vanilla. For the main image I used the same stamp from All I Have Seen- a 2005 Sell-a-Bration stamp set. To update my look I changed the horizontal strip of paper from Vanilla to Riding Hood Red- I like the contrast better.

The sentiment I changed from Wonderful Words (which I still have and love) to the Thank you from Fresh Cuts, which is embossed in black. The background is one of the biggest changes I think since that is the part I dislike the most on my original card (and the part I think I was most proud of back in the day!). For my older version I stamped Canvas background in Chocolate Chip I think, then stamped that leaf image randomly over that in Creamy Caramel- UGH! For my new look I simply stamped the grass from Inspired by Nature with Versamark for a very subtle toned-down look.

The brads were changed in location and to black from metallic.

So, wasn't that fun? A blast from the past. Now I want YOU to PLAY along with us! Be sure to check out Lisa's blog soon too, because she'll be posting her redo!

Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies (card 2)

Stamps: All I Have Seen (circa 2005), Fresh Cuts (sentiment), Inspired by Nature (background)

Cardstock: creamy caramel, riding hood red, basic black, very vanilla

Ink: riding hood red, versamark, black craft

Accessories: Black brads, clear EP, distressing tool, scallop edge punch

Smile Awards Round Two!

Hello! And welcome to my Smile Awards Round Two! In case you missed my first round, I decided to start posting links to card favorites that really made me smile. I will compile them until I have a good number to share then post them. I am not doing this at any specific interval because I have committment issues. LOL! So here are the cards that just made me smile recently! And don't worry, if you got awarded you don't need to do anything, you already have!

Happy Earth Day by Vera Schoeters
Darling Dots & Doodles Too by Cindy Beach
These two by Natasha Trupp - love them both!
Hip Hop Hangover by Lisa Henke- love both of these also!
Flower Pot Suckers by Jamie Hurley- these are stinkin' adorable and I'm so gonna CASE them!

Thanks for the smiles ladies... and thanks for visiting today! Be sure to stop back- Lisa and I have a challenge for you all and it's a fun one!
~Kristin

It's Diva Day!

I'm running late so I'll have to post details later... here is my take on the sketch for today's Diva Challenge! Be sure to check out the Diva blog for many more cards using this sketch!

I hope you play along too! Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

OK, I'm back with some details. First off I want to mention that my color scheme came from the Tuesday Color Challenge on Splitcoast. At first I wondered how on earth I could make these colors happy and fun as opposed to Christmasy or too dark (Real Red, Old Olive, Basic Black and either white or vanilla). Well, I quickly realized these colors are fabulous together and red and green do NOT have to be always associated with Christmas!!!

I've kind of had something like this in mind, with the die cut daisies lining both edges of a sentiment panel- glad I finally got to put my vision to the test. I love that part of it, but I think in trying to keep with the sketch I ruined it. Well, ruined might be a strong word, but I was just thrilled with this until I added that circle on top of the last daisy. The image goes well with the die cut daisies though. What do you think? If I had been able to make it smaller I think it would work better for me. Maybe!?

Do you know how it feels to have a card that you think is really good then you go and add that last detail and it goes from great to "oh crud" in a hurry?! It did take me quite a while to get those flowers just the way I wanted so I couldn't redo it yesterday, but I just might... we'll see. Whenever I say that some other idea comes to mind and I move on.

Anyway, be sure to check out all the other Diva's and their wonderful creations! Then don't forget to play along and link to the Diva blog so we can all come visit you! Thanks for stopping by!

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Happy Everything, A Flower for All Seasons

Cardstock: Old Olive, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Real Red

Ink: Old Olive, Real Red, Black Staz-On, markers, Going Gray

Accessories: Big Shot, Daisies die, 1 3/4" circle punch, scallop border punch, black gingham ribbon