It's a STRE-------TCH!

Yesterday's Limited Supplies Challenge on Splitcoast was interesting, to say the least! Basically you could use whatever you wanted, but it had to be outside of your norm, a stretch for you creatively... you get the idea! Well, it was fun. I struggled at first because I'm not sure what my "typical" style is- I love color, lots of different colors, and I adore all embellishments equally (mostly) so I went to my SCS gallery to try and figure out what direction I should go. The thing that came to mind is that I, as you know, primarily stamp in SUO (Stampin' Up! Only). I love it, I sell it, I use it! So my personal stretch is to use non-SU.

So, that's where I went. I can honestly say there is almost NOTHING on here that is from SU. The 2 exceptions are the retired wide organdy ribbon and the use of the Wide Oval Punch. That's it! Oh wait, I also used Tango Tangerine cardstock- my least favorite of the In Colors.

I had to dig deep for everything else. The stamps I used were in the gift at the SCS dinner at Convention last year- I have no idea who makes them, but they are my ONLY clear stamp and I've never used them. The page pebble is from a set I bought years ago that included Rub-ons (that were all stuck to their paper backing and ruined) by EK Success. The only rubon that wasn't ruined is the Get Well Soon one that I put right on top of the pebble.

The scallop vanilla note card is by The Paper Company (found these on clearance at the grocery store, believe it or not). The satiny rope is by Wrights and was found at Walmart. Last but not least, I used the Dotted embossing folder by Cuttlebug in my Big Shot. How's that for stepping away from SUO?!! A real stretch for me!

Well, I couldn't resist going with my second idea as well. Although I love it, I haven't used my Pacific Point all that much, and just yesterday while I was organizing I realized that I don't use my microbeads all that much (or any beads for that matter).

I don't know how the idea popped into my head, but I am SO glad that it did! The flower from my new set Fifth Avenue Floral was stamped in Vanilla, then I applied heat & stick powder, heated briefly then added my green microbeads!! WOWZERS- I really had no idea if it would work! I am disappointed in my photo because the green in the beads really pops in real life- they almost look like a million little lights. So sorry I can't get it to picture better.

The sentiment here is from the Botanical Blooms set which is one of the FREE Sale-a-Bration choices! And if you hadn't already noticed, the tiny flowers in this set are the same fabulous style as Fifth Avenue Floral and make a great duo!

Anyway, I'd love to have you try this out- adding beads via heat & stick powder- then SHOW ME! I must tell you though, that the beads aren't stuck like cement- too much handling will shake the loose ones free. Keep that in mind when designing your card!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm at a wedding today so not sure if I'll have something new to show you tomorrow or not... we'll see!
~Kristin

Happy Valentine's Day!

Stampin' Up! Supplies

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Botanical Blooms

Paper: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss

Ink: Very Vanilla, Pacific Point

Accessories: Top Note Die, Big Shot, green Microbeads, kiwi kiss satin ribbon, Styled Silver Hodgepodge