Clean & Simple Makeover X 2!

This card never really worked for me when I made it, so I decided to try and spruce it up. I changed the DSP to Cottage Wall and used a metal edge vellum tag to stamp on. The sentiment, from Teeny Tiny Wishes, is embossed in silver to coordinate with the tag and to show up a little better. Much better, I think!

I liked this card to begin with but always intended to do it again in different colors. Like above I've used the Cottage Wall DSP again- aren't the colors and patterns in this set lovely?!? The lattice die was cut on Whisper White paper so Icould easily mix and match patterns behind it using the large 1 3/4" circle punch. Again I used Teeny Tiny Wishes set for the sentiment...(are you noticing a pattern with this fabulous new sentiment set?!) I changed up the placement of the sentiment so I could use one of my corduroy buttons in the center. Hope you like!

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for my fun surprise announcement, lots of samples, and be ready to PLAY!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (avail. 9/1/09), Of the Earth (current level 1 hostess set)

Colors: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Die, 1 3/4" circle punch, Basic Gray Corduroy button, Modern Label punch, Silver EP, Metal edge tag (retired)

2-Page Christmas Spread

Phew! These pages are finally done! They've been laying out on my desk for so long that I'm sick of them. I really thought I would do some scrapping that week my kiddos were at Grandma and Grandpa's but sadly I didn't. I guess I should be glad because the ornament stamps I just got this week so they wouldn't have made it on here had I finished it in a timely manner.

This page is of the night we put up our Christmas tree (in 2004- yes I'm that far behind). It is usually a frustrating night for me because I don't enjoy putting up lights on a prickly tree (we always get a real one) and of course the kids want to help with every step which often slows the process down. This particular year my kids were 3 and nearly 5 and my daughter's perfect pout was because mom wouldn't allow her to handle the "glassable" ornaments. She was just sure she could do it but since our tree is on the hard wood floor I usually put the glass ones up myself and it is usually after they are in bed.

The color combo is Real Red with Soft Suede and Very Vanilla, which I like. The patterned Real Red papers are a few years old, but all SU. To hang the ornaments I actually used Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss (backed with Vanilla) satin ribbons, and there is some current Soft Suede dotted grosgrain on there as well. Stamp set is the new Delightful Decorations available beginning this Tuesday September first in the Holiday Mini catalog along with the coordinating PUNCH!! Isn't that awesome?? Made for a super quick scrapbook embellishment.

I also put the Top Note die to work with the Big Shot again... did you notice the frame on the left is a remnant from cutting out a Top Note? I have a ton of those leftover from Valentine's Day last year! Then I used it again for my journal box on the right to help tie the pages together.

Well, that's all I've got for you today! Be sure to drop me a line so I know you've been visiting!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Paper: Cerise DSP (retired), Autumn Traditions DSP, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Riding Hood Red Satin Ribbon, Soft Suede Dotted grosgrain, Ornament punch, Top Note Die, Big Shot

Stamps: Delightful Decorations

Non-SU Supplies: Making Memories Rub-On Alphabet

Silver on Silver!

Well I am finally done with some deadline stuff I was working on so decided to try my hand at the CAS design team sketch again. I liked my first try, but it had a totally different look than I had envisioned. This time I wanted to use my BRAND new stamp set called Serene Snowflakes that will debut in the Holiday Mini catalog beginning on September 1! What better way to show the beautiful elegant shimmer of snowflakes than to emboss silver on silver?!?

Isn't the effect just gorgeous? I haven't done this in quite a while, but I think it is always stunning! I've also paired an old favorite Elegant Eggplant with the brushed silver cardstock for a nice contrast. Boy I've missed using my Eggplant!

Here's the insdie. I loved the look of the 3 little flakes embossed on the corner so did that on the inside. I left plenty of room to add either a handwritten note or a family picture when the time comes.

Every year for Christmas cards I send about 40-50 and no two are ever alike (I just love experimenting and designing too much) but I'm thinking this might be "THE CARD" this year. What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by and for being patient with the non-stamping posts the last few days!

~Kristin

ETA: I'm thinking about using this card at an upcoming Holiday Stamp-a-Stack on Oct. 17! Mark your calendars now if you are local and I'll get more details out as soon as they are available!

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Best Yet (retired)

Colors: Silver, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Silver EP, Silver Elastic Cord, Boho Blossoms punch, Lovely Label punch

Who doesn't love a good puppy picture??

Since I've been working on something special with an Aug. 30th deadline I decided to share something else with you. Here are 9 other reasons I've been so busy lately!

Stop by again, I'll be sure to have something stamp related posted! Have a great day,
~Kristin

ALL DONE!

I've been promising and promising and finally I'm done. The Flitting By Decor Elements arrived this morning and I put them up immediately. Here are the before and after pics (some of them) of my daughter's room (minus the new bedding I haven't found just yet)!

BEFORE

Her room has been this blue, yellow and green combination since it was the nursery for our son. Obviously it's been "girlified" but she was tired of it. One wall was all the soft yellow wallpaper covered with tiny bumble bees- it was so cute and I had a hard time (emotionally) tearing it down. The twin bed was mine as a child and the desk was mine in college- it has an inscription on the back that my grandfather wrote after he painted it off-white for me in 1994 just a year before he died. I painted it the light green in 2007 and left the inscription visible on the back.

AFTER

So here's the after with all the wallpaper stripped, walls painted and butterflies applied! We both adore the butterflies- especially since we planned ahead and they match the paint so well! The only thing left is bedding which will have brown in it as well as shades of pink and I've asked my dad to surprise her with some shelves above her bed for displaying favorite items. The bed is a full and part of a cherry bedroom set I inherited from my grandparents. We use the other pieces in our master but the bed was too small. I'm so glad she's getting use out of it now!

Can you tell the carpet is Sage Shadow? I was concerned about that but it looks really nice with the other colors I think.

The results are in: she LOVES it, especially the butterflies! We even have a secret hidden butterfly that only she and I know is there- she thought that was cool.

OK, I'll quit now. I doubt many of you are interested enough to read all this but this will serve as my scrapbook notes when I get around to doing a page for her.

If you haven't checked out the fabulous new Definitely Decorative catalog be sure to- it's on the right side bar here on my blog. Don't miss it!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin

Another Diva Day!

Time for an awesome color challenge by the Diva Coffee Break Design Team! This week we combined Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Regal Rose and Sage Shadow for a spectacular display! Please view the Diva blog to see all the designers' efforts.

Here is my card. I wish I had my daughter's room entirely done to show today because it is in these same colors (well, almost: we used Pretty in Pink instead of Regal Rose)- her carpet is Sage Shadow and the walls are Rose Red, Pretty in Pink and Pink Pirouette too. The chocolate is going to be in the bedding that I haven't ordered yet. The Decor Element butterflies in those colors should be arriving today and she is hoping I'll have them up when she gets home from school... we'll see!

Anyway, back to the card. I was experimenting with chalk when I did this card- hadn't used them in a LONG time! This is the old chalkboard technique where you stamp an image with white craft ink then dab the chalk over the ink. Can you tell I also stamped grass from Inspired by Nature and sponged the Sage Shadow over it??

The top corners of the white panel were rounded to match the eyelet border at the bottom- using the very same punch!! Did you know you could do this? It never occurred to me to try before this.

The sentiment was inked with markers in all four colors to show a gradation- I like this look, but it is tougher with this smaller font. Finished it off with the 1/2 circle punch on top with ribbon and jumbo brad for a topper, and some piercing for the butterfly trail.

Well, thanks for stopping in today! I hope you decide to play along- you can even let them know Kristin sent ya!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly

Colors: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Sage Shadow, Whisper White

Accessories: chalk, sponge daubers, eyelet border punch, circle punch, jumbo white brad, chocolate felt ribbon (sorry, this is no longer available but is the only wide chocolate ribbon I've got), Paper Piercing Tools

A Fun, Clean & Simple Challenge!

Front
Inside

So here's my contribution for yesterday's CAS challenge on splitcoast. We were to choose something from the Bags and Boots section of Anthropology.com! I chose this bag. The top picture is the front of the card which I did by brayering ink into the Manhattan Flower embossing folder before running kraft cardstock through the Big Shot. The small piece on the inside was a scrap I tried this technique on before deciding I liked it.

To mimic the look of the bag I chose the kraft and Bermuda Bay for the colors and decided to "stitch" around the flowers by paper piercing. I never thought to do this before but really like it.

Hope you like it, and maybe even decide to play along! Stay tuned tomorrow for another great Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge! Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: It's Your Birthday (retired), On Your Birthday

Colors: Kraft, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White

Accessories: Manhattan Flower embossing folder, 3/4" square punch, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware (retired), Bermuda Bay grosgrain, Paper Piercing tools, Big Shot, Vintage Brads

A Fabulous New Fold: Venetian Blind!

I first noticed this awesome new type of fold on Julie Semone's DCBD card two weeks ago. I was immediately enthralled and decided I would certainly try it out! Thankfully Julie linked directions to Nancy Legate's blog which has a typed tutorial available! Thanks Julie and Nancy!

My parents' 40th wedding anniversary was this weekend so we went up north to celebrate and this is the card I made for them. The directions show this card on a typical card front so you can have a stamped message inside as well as behind the blind, however I only made mine a card front because I wanted the focus to be the message behind the blind.

The nice thing about this technique is that even if your stamping isn't all-star material (like here) the look of the folds makes it look much better I think. If it hadn't been for the folds I would've pitched this piece and started over.To open you pull the cords straight out to the sides (this is in Nancy's step 12 but I missed it and nearly tore my card apart). Here's the inside.

If you are like me you can mostly figure out a card just by looking at it- without formal instructions of any kind. However, that wasn't the case with this card. The folding I could've figured out, although having measurements done for me was wonderful. But threading the cording through the holes was complicated and would have been near impossible for me without following the step-by-step tutorial. I did make a few changes to Nancy's directions that worked better for me, which I would recommend, but don't hold your breath waiting for me to make up my own tutorial... just takes too long and I'd rather be stampin'! If you don't intend to make this card SKIP THE ENTIRE NEXT PARAGRAPH.

{In case you do try this out yourself here are the changes I would make: I believe the picture in step 4 is a bit different from the actual directions. You may have noticed mine has an extra hole at the bottom (doesn't show real well- you may have to click to enlarge) that I didn't thread through. I have 10 holes on each side but I didn't use the bottom one because the directions say there should be a 1/4" flap at the end that doesn't need punched. Actually the flap shown in the tutorial that has no hole is 3/4" I believe... SO, you could follow the directions as they are and your card will look like Julie's I linked above with the 1/4" flap on top of the cording, or you could read the direcitons for step 4 to say "Fold the scored area like an accordion, starting at the top with a valley fold. There will be a 3/4" flap at the end that you should not punch..." if you do this it will lay like mine but without the extra hole that I have that is not needed. Also, step 5- I believe the measurements should read 1/4" from the side and 1/2" from the bottom. Otherwise there is not enough room for the sticky tape as shown in the pictures. My sticky strip had to go above the bottom piece of thread as opposed to below where it is supposed to be. It worked OK, but I did end up adding some mono glue to hold it further. Clear as mud? }

Thanks for stopping by! I've got some surprises in store for you beginning next Tuesday (Sept. 1) which I'll be working on this week. I'll try to squeeze something else in in the mean time for you to enjoy. Have a great week!

~Kristin

Almost SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Greenhouse Garden, Kanji (retired), In My Thoughts (retired), Stem Silhouettes (retired), Organic Grace (retired)

Colors: River Rock (retired), Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, Ballet Blue, Soft Suede, Black

Accessories: Crop-a-Dile, Linen Thread, Modern Label punch, Filigree Brads, Non-SU Watercolor paper (crummy Walmart stuff that I don't recommend- ink smears!)

Hanging Lattice Ornament

Was working on something else today when I noticed the remains of the Lattice die once I'd cut it out. I also played around with cutting the lattice apart and putting it together in various ways when it dawned on me that two red pieces overlapped resemble a Christmas ornament or poinsetta. The center is a large green rhinestone brad, and it is hanging from silver elastic cord.

The ornament hangs freely in the cutout which shows the kraft cardstock layered inside the card. I struggled a bit wondering if this was going to turn out in a way that I liked but it did. Finished with some wide chocolate stitched ribbon, a strip of scalloped kraft cardstock and some dotting using the chocolate chip marker, then a very simple sentiment. TFL!

So glad you decided to stop by today! If you've done something with the Lattice Die I'd love to see it, please post a link so I can come visit you!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Real Red, Kraft, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Die, Ice Rhinestone Brad, wide chocolate chip stitched grosgrain, silver elastic cord, scallop edge punch, Word Window punch, Modern Labe punch

Day Two of Try Outs!

Well, here is my second try out card. It is quite different from the ideas I had swirling but that's the fun of seeing where you end up right?!! This time we were given a sample card and told to basically use it for inspiration. To get the image of the tree I "inked" my stamp with bleach (be sure to rinse your stamp with water if you do this!) then stamped. It took a few tries until I got it right. The color that comes from bleach on Soft Suede is a near perfect match to More Mustard so that is how I came up with the card base color.

The strip of DSP is from Autumn Traditions. Stapled on some ribbon to keep it simple and distressed the edges a bit. That's it.

Hope you like it. Here is the inside. I stamped the tree again, then using my In Color markers I colored this sentiment from Holidays & Wishes (retired) to make a gradation effect that is all the rage right now I guess. If you try this be sure to do the lightest color (Crushed Curry here) first, then gradually go darker so as to not ruin your makers. I just did the Curry in the center then the top is Dusty Durango and the bottom is Soft Suede. Man I love having In Color markers!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Branch Out, Stem Silhouettes (retired), Holidays & Wishes (retired)

Colors: Soft Suede, More Mustard

Accessories: Soft Suede dotted grosgrain, stapler, Autumn Traditions DSP, bleach, white ink, distressing tool, keytag punch, In Color markers

Design Team Try Outs!

Ooh, I feel like I'm trying out for the cheerleading squad or something but actually it is the Splitcoast Stampers Clean & Simple Fall Design Team I'm applying for. My good pal Lisa Henke is on it for the summer term which ends in September. This term they came up with three challenges we could use to show our stuff.

This is one of them, to make a CAS monochromatic card with shades of brown and just a touch of red. FUN! I really enjoyed it, and am happy with how it came out. CAS is so funny because sometimes it can be so easy and other times it is quite difficult to pull off just the right look.

Even though this uses brads and a button for embellishments plus two different punches, it still qualifies as CAS in my book because of the lack of layers and uncomplicated style. We'll see if anyone else agrees!

Stop by tomorrow for another of my DT tryout cards!
Thanks for visiting!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Wonderful Favorites

Colors: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Real Red

Accessories: Close to Cocoa prints DSP, Playground designer button, real red brads, large and small star punches

Thinking of you...

It figures. I thought I was so on the ball doing a challenge the actual day it is posted only to realize that today is THURSDAY and the sketch challenge on SCS is posted on Wednesday! Oh well- it was fun and got me stamping. In fact, I made THREE cards today- that's right. My kiddos are back to school and my hubby had a teacher work day today so I had the house to myself and spent it doing what I love best!

I've been wanting to put this gorgeous DSP Cottage Wall to use and finally got a chance to do so with this sketch. I love stripes and having coordinating patterns to go with them is almost intoxicating- LOL!

I've linked two pictures of this card because neither show it quite how I wanted. The butterfly is stamped with Rich Razzleberry and embossed in clear powder for that extra sheen. Are you wondering how the powder stuck since we don't have craft ink in our In Colors? Easy! TIP: Ink the stamp with versamark then immediately ink it with the Classic Ink of your choice, then stamp and emboss like normal. Works like a charm!

TFL! More to come!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: For All You Do, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Cottage Wall DSP, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Pale Plum, Whisper White

Accessories: Clear EP, Versamark, Modern Label punch, jumbo white brad, scallop edge punch, Razzleberry dotted grosgrain, corner rounder

Sketch Challenge for the Divas

Guess what... its time for another Diva challenge- this week it is a sketch challenge again. This sketch is wide open to so many possibilities! I had multiple ideas but with me one thing always leads to another and I end up someplace I had no intentions of going. LOL!

Anyway, I started out digging for a piece of glossy white cardstock and found a large piece I'd done some technique on a long time ago- I don't even remember just how it was done, but might have included reinkers and alcohol and cotton balls, but I could be wrong. I stamped the Medallion background on this piece in chocolate craft ink then embossed it in clear powder. Then I used the large square punch to punch out various sections.

The rest is pretty self-explanatory I think. I embossed the sentiment also, which is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. The Medallion is also stamped once on the background in Versamark.

Hope you like it, and please go visit our Diva blog so you can see other great examples of this sketch and also play along!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Medallion background, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red

Accessories: Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Square Fire Rhinestone brads, Clear EP, Square punch

ETA: I think I found it... the technique I'm fairly certain I used to make the glossy paper have those gorgeous swirls of color was the Ink, Spray, Smash technique (I actually found it by searching on the word "smash" because I vaguely remember doing that!) If I remember correctly you end up with two or more pieces of paper, but only one of mine was that pretty, the other was kind of ho-hum. Anyway, hope that helps!

A Triple Post Today!

Thanks for your patience with me this summer- I know I've been sporadic and posting more excuses than creations! School starts on Wednesday so I will be back in some sort of consistent routine again, albeit still busy.

Today I've got three for you, including one I actually made last week but didn't have time to post, a sympathy card I unfortunately needed and also a fun card entirely designed and stamped by my 7 year old daughter.

This first card I made for two on-line challenges but the funny thing is I cannot find one of them for the life of me. It was a color challenge to use Basic Gray, Blush Blossom, Pumpkin Pie and Really Rust. If you know of it, let me know so I can link it here and give credit. The sketch is from the Clean & Simple blog's FTL54. I tried my hand at some doodling which reminded me why I never do it- I stink at it! LOL!

This next card is the sympathy card that I needed for a friend. I love using that Medallion background stamp and really wanted it to be subtle but still a focal point if that makes sense, so I decided to use it as the background but to accent the center of it on the sentiment. The wide organdy ribbon is a retired SU product that I reach for often on these types of cards. However, the bow that I started with seemed too cheery and pretty for the occasion so I decided to try a different type of knot which feels a bit more subdued I guess. What do you think? The brad in the center of the medallion is not an SU product but I couldn't say what it is- I've had them for years and years. In true Beate style I decided to show you the inside as well.

Finally, here is the card my daughter made for her cousin's birthday party we are going to today. She chose the colors right off the top of her head, grabbed the Medallion background and went to work. I cut out the butterfly for her, but that's it. I think it's pretty good and I plan to CASE her color combo soon. FYI- it is Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry and Taken with Teal. The rhinestone things are fairly new so I happen to still have the packaging- they are Crystal Stickers by Mark Richards. She wasn't thrilled with how the Medallion didn't stamp all the way the first time but I convinced her it looks cool that way.

I won't list individual supplies lists because it would be too confusing so if you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer. Most everything except the things I mentioned above are by Stampin' Up!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin

PS- Hey, I just figured out where my color combo came from on the top card. It is from the Color Throwdown #54!

Hey YOU! Yes, I'm talking to YOU!

Have you played along with the Diva's Coffee Break Designs weekly challenge yet?? Well if not, finish reading this post then head on over there and check it out!! I DARE YOU!

This week we've got a color challenge and it really had me thinking. This is not a selection of colors I would pick for myself typically- the shades are all of similar values (can't remember those terms I learned in college) and not much contrast. However, I rose to the challenge and came up with this card that I am pretty happy with.

The stamp set I used is called Out of the Box and it is a Level 1 hostess set in the new SU catalog. I also used the Polka Dots background stamp on the Orchid Opulance layer. The flowers are each cut out and layered on various numbers of stampin dimensionals. That's my TIP for the day: stack Stampin' Dimensionals to get different heights on your raised objects!

This layout comes from a sketch from the Mojo Monday blog. Always a great source for a sketch to start with when you are struggling.

Thanks for stopping by to visit. I've finally got the majority of my painting done in my daughter's room but I don't want to post any before and after pictures until I get the Decor Elements put up- I mean, that's what you're interested in anyway, right?!! I'll get them ordered today and have them soon I hope. School starts a week from today also, so hopefully I'll be posting and stamping much more regularly then... we'll see!

Now go visit the Diva's blog and see all the other Diva's designs as well, then be sure to play along!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Out of the Box, Polka Dot background

Colors: So Saffron, Orchid Opulence, Regal Rose, Garden Green

Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge, Designer Label punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sunshine, smiles & stamps??

Well, not exactly. It's been cooler and overcast, my kiddos are visiting grandma & grandpa this week and the only stamps I've seen are postage stamps on bills. Well, not exactly true... I do have 2 scrapbook pages laying here all laid out but not glued down. I'll have to show you those in a few days.

But the good news is I'm taking full advantage of having the house to myself this week (hubby is busy with football practice now). I've replaced all the pulls and knobs on all cabinets in the kitchen and both bathrooms (woo hoo, finally!!). It was well past due! Bought and put together 2 new pretty and comfy chairs for the front porch (again, way over due!). Put 24 cobs worth of corn in the freezer for winter thanks to my FIL's garden (green beans are next on the agenda). And my FIL called this evening to say he's picked 6 dozen more for me if I want them. PHEW! I've been keeping a close eye on our 7 puppies that were born on Sunday too. Oh, and I have a new kitchen ceiling light to put up when I get a chance!!

Finally, I spent 2 days cleaning out and packing up my daughter's room because she is ready for a makeover. This will be her 8th birthday present. Her room has been the same for 10 years since it was the nursery when my son was born. Don't worry- it wasn't a baby theme, more like bugs in soft yellow, green and blue (lady bugs, dragon flies, butterflies and bumblebees). I actually felt kind of emotional pulling the adorable wallpaper down- can't believe it's been that long and that she's grown up enough to request a change.


I did take some "before" and "during" pictures that I'll share, and I can't wait for the "after" photos to show you. She has chosen Stampin' Up!'s Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette (or even lighter) and Chocolate Chip as her colors. These are based on the butterfly Decor Elements that we plan to use. Her carpet is a close match to Sage Shadow so we'll see how this all turns out- I'm a bit nervous! Will post pics soon...

Well, that's all for now. I guess if you read all this you'll know why I may be MIA for the next few days. We'll head up to MI to pick up the kids this weekend so back to somewhat normal next week (unless I don't have her stinkin' room done yet!).

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

PS-Ooh, I almost forgot to mention that my son's All-Star baseball team won the Championship in a 9U tournament last weekend. It was fun, and we are so proud of him!

It's a Sketch Challenge for the Diva's!

Good Wednesday morning! I've got a sketch challenge for you this morning brought to you by Diva's Coffee Break Designs.

Here is my take on the sketch... gotta tell ya, I struggled with this one a bit. The three equal pieces at the top had me twisting and turning, flipping and flopping before I finally settled on leaving them right where they're supposed to be. Although, I did make them slightly askew so they overlap, and torn at the bottom edge.

My favorite parts are the square panel at the bottom and the sentiment. Both are from the new set called For All You Do. The square flower piece is embossed with Close to Cocoa craft ink and clear embossing powder. then colored in with a Certainly Celery marker and Cameo Coral ink with an aqua painter.

The sentiment piece is stamped "Thank You" in Cameo Coral then the dots over it are Certainly Celery.

So do you like this color combination? It is from Splitcoast's Color Combo challenge this week to use Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery and Whisper White together.

If you'd like to join the Diva's and play along with our challenge we'd love to have ya! Go visit our blog then be sure to link your creation!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: For All You Do

Colors: Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Accessories: Certainly Celery wide twill ribbon, Vintage Brads, Clear EP, Modern Label punch, small oval punch

Before and After

I mentioned yesterday that I've recently remade a card that just wasn't sitting right with me... well, here is the "before" (notice the lighting difference from the two photographs too- interesting).

This first one I did with a sketch in mind and stuck with it even though it went againt my creative instinct. I didn't like the lack of balance in the design (and yes I know I left off a key element from the sketch but I just couldn't work it in I felt). So, here is my remake: Much better visually for me. Of course adding ribbon is always a good idea when a card needs something! I also moved the sentiment where I really wanted it in the first place. Much better design... now I'm happy.

TFL!
~Kristin