Cool Color Challenge {DCBD162}

Not at all what I had imagined... this card that is. I started out thinking I'd use mostly Chocolate, Olive & Teal with a hint of Regal Rose. I also started out with a different stamp set. Then the doorbell rang and I had new goodies at my disposal. I finally caved on the Sweet Treat Cups and coordinating stamp set on my last order. I just knew my daughter would love to use this for her Valentines.

After I stamped my images I felt so "ho-hum blah" about the card that I almost started over. But persistent as always I kept at it until I was satisfied. That little touch of glitter on the wing helped tremendously (even though the original dots are so cute!).

Anyway, this week's DCBD color challenge is Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Regal Rose and Old Olive (obviously). There are endless possibilities for this combo so I hope you'll play along with us!

Gotta run,

have a great day and thanks for visiting! Go play with the Divas!

~Kristin

PS- This stamp set called Sweetheart is available through SU and is designed to coordinate with the Heart shaped Sweet Treat cups. It is not available in any catalog but you can find more information HERE and in my sidebar----->

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sweetheart, Fine Flourish

Colors: Old Olive, Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Regal Rose

Accessories: Regal Rose wide grosgrain, full heart punch, Cosmo glitter, Scallop Trim edge punch

Cottage Wall Scalloped Squares

Here is another card I did for yesterday's CAS challenge to use Designer Paper on a clean & simple card. That Cottage Wall DSP is just hard to resist- such pretty and fun colors and patterns! It was an easy choice for this card. The square scallop punch made it fast and easy too! I just added a Filigree brad and a Ice Rhinestone brad then stamped my Happy Birthday and popped up that white layer on dimensionals. Can't get much easier than that. I think the hardest thing about this card was decided which square should go where. Silly!

Thanks for stopping by! Tomorrow is another Diva Coffee Break Designs color challenge- be sure to stop back! Thanks, as always, for your sweet and motivating comments.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: All Holidays

Paper: Cottage Wall DSP, Whisper White, Old Olive

Accessories: Rich Razzleberry ink, Filigree brad, Ice Rhinestone brad

{CAS51} Get Well with Designer Paper!

Today's Clean & Simple challenge {CAS51} on SCS is to use Designer Paper! What fun- who doesn't have and love DSP?? This pattern is from a very old collection called Fall Flowers. This was maybe my favorite pattern in that collection. Love the unique color combo of Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, Real Rust and Old Olive!

I wish the colors were more apparent but when photo-ing at 10:30pm that's what you get... and the drab overcast day I've got today isn't going to yield a better one I'm afraid. My hubby even got into helping me get the best photo of this one- he got out his coon light to shine on it for extra light... yeah, well that didn't work either, but we got a laugh out of it!

So the flower here was done with the Flower Blossom Sizzlit and the Big Shot. I punched the center from the patterned paper and added a clear button with a bit of linen thread. Did you notice the subtle little flowing lines in the DSP? I tried to mimic that with my perforator tool (part of the Cutter Kit) on the background Soft Sky card. I'm afraid my photo doesn't capture it well, but I just LOVE the lookin person! (Use your imagination)

Need a good challenge to get you stamping today?? Go join us HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Soft Sky, Fall Flowers DSP, Real Rust

Accessories: Big Shot, Flower Blossom Sizzlit, Clear button, linen thread, Scallop Trim border punch, Perforator Tool (cutter kit)

The Final Five: Simply Adorned

There are actually a lot more, but these are the last five I have taken picture of individually. I hope these have inspired you to try one of these Simply Adorned charms for yourself. The possibilities are endless! Next I'll be working on my 5/8" charm- it is tiny! Can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by today for always for the sweet comments that keep me stampin'!
~Kristin

More Simply Adorned!

Here are a few more of my favorites! (Scroll down if you didn't see yesterday's post!) I've got even more to show you tomorrow. While making these I tried to make sure they were something that I would actually wear in a big variety- I didn't want to just crank them out just to make them. In some cases I considered actual outfits. I think I'll make up some ribbon necklaces in a variety of colors so I can switch it out as well.

Stampin' Hugs!
~Kristin

Simply Adorned Craziness!

OK, so as you can see I went a little crazy today! These are what you might call "inchies"- one inch decorated pieces that all fit in my new Simply Adorned 1" charm! I must admit that when I first got my charms (this one and a smaller square) the smaller one was my favorite... however, I don't have a punch that fits the smaller one so I got started on this one first. WOW! I first went through my binder of stamps to see what might work well in this size- the possibilities are endless!! Especially when you consider Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous designer series papers that are double sided and my endless stash of rub-ons!

I didn't photograph all of them (I think there are 43 in the photo) but I did many of them which I'll share over the next few days. Here are some of my favorites!

Stop back tomorrow and I'll show you more. If you want you can click on any of these to see a close up view. Let me know what you think. Do you have a favorite? If you want to know specific stamps, papers or other products feel free to ask. I didn't want to take the time to list them as they are all different and it would take me forever!

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to show you more!

~Kristin

All Dressed Up: A Scrapbook Page

Ever wonder about the day in the life of a three year old? Well, I've documented at least one such day for my daughter. These girly-girl pictures crack me up because she is also the girl that loves to go squirrel hunting with her dad for her birthday every year! Anyway, for this spread I used another Simply Scrappin' Kit called Crew Kids- Girl. This one is also retired, but as I mentioned yesterday there are 10 awesome kits currently available. See yesterday's post for more info.

Does anyone recognize the ancient stamp set I used on the right of this page? It's called Haute Couture and it is from 2005! I actually gave her this stamp set because I didn't really think I had a use for it. Guess I was wrong. There is a stamp in this set that says "You're just my style!" and now I'm wishing I would've used that somewhere... it's not too late to add it I guess.

Everything i used on this layout came entirely from this SS Kit, with the exception of the stamps of course. The title was done with the Lovely Letters alphabet. I probably should've used my SAMJ to line it up better but just didn't want to spend the time.

Well, hope you don't mind my sharing these with you. Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

Sunshine Garden: Easter Blessings 12x12

It's been a while since I've shown you a scrapbook layout hasn't it?! Well, I'm trying to get back into it albeit a little slowly. I did two 2-page layouts last weekend and am ready to share them... well, the first one anyway. I'll save the other one for tomorrow.

Do you have trouble getting back into scrapbooking after a break like I do? If so I highly recommend getting back into the groove with a Simply Scrappin' Kit by SU!! These amazing kits are full of top quality, perfectly coordinating products which make putting a page together a snap! Although this particular kit, Sunshine Garden, is retired there are TEN current SS Kits in the catalog right now (p. 164-167). The themes include topics like Christmas, birthday, babies, kids, wedding, masculine and love! Included in the kits are 12x12 inch double sided designer papers, textured solid colored cardstock and 5 sheets of adhesive die cuts. Check them out!

For this layout I also used the stamp set An Egg-celent Easter, a clear button, satin Bashful Blue Ribbon and the Scallop Trim border punch. The last two happen to be in the current Occasions Mini Catalog! I also used a blender pen and ink to color my images.

Did you notice the title? I used the Billboard Sizzlit Decorative Strip alphabet with the Big Shot to cut it out of coordinating So Saffron cardstock. Isn't it great when everything matches?!

Well, thanks for stopping by and checking out my pages!

~Kristin

TWO WINNERS!!!

I'm so excited to finally be able to announce the winners of my First Ever BLOG CANDY! Using Random.org number generator...

Announcing the winner of this stunning

Alessi Marta Sansoni Cactus! Tea and Sugar Bags Holder

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:11
Timestamp: 2010-01-21 15:43:26 UTC

Julie said...
Wow what awesome blog candy!!! Love both of those!!! You've been just rocking the CAS challenges girl!

Congratulations Julie!!

And now for the winner of this gorgeous

iittala Origo Orange Snack Bowl

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:37
Timestamp: 2010-01-21 15:47:25 UTC

mcalpinekaren said...
Hi Kristin, what cool blog candy. Love the little notes cards using the sale-a-bration set too. So simple but elegant.Contact me at mcalpinekaren@hotmail.comthanks

Congratulations mcalpinekaren!!

I can't wait to hear what you think of your new items ladies! A big thanks goes out to www.allmodern.com for offering this fantastic BLOG CANDY!!

Thanks for stopping by today! Up next: a few scrapbook layouts I completed recently! Working towards my January scrapbook goal of ten completed pages.

~Kristin

Thanks for Owl you do! {DCBD161}

Did ya miss me? Sorry I disappeared yesterday! Between a 2-hour ice delay in the morning, volunteering at school, gymnastics and volleyball I barely had time to breathe. Here's my Diva card for today. I loved the flexibility with the sketch {DCBD161} and couldn't wait to use yesterday's color challenge from SCS to use Soft Suede, Bashful Blue and Ruby Red. Not a combination I've ever even considering, but I LOVE IT!

For the sketch I had a few ideas in mind which I ended up combining into one. Took some trial and error but I finally got it the way I wanted it. I've combined three stamp sets here: the Woodgrain background, my new Level one hostess set Picture This, and the ever-adorable Forest Friends. Also used a number of accessories including the Full Heart punch, a new Real Red Sending Love Epoxy brad (phew, that's a mouthful!) and the Texturz Plates with the Big Shot to make the dots on the kraft piece.

I hope you like it! Don't forget TODAY is the last day to sign up for my First Ever Blog Candy at this post. I will be randomly selecting my TWO LUCKY WINNERS tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by today, and why don't you squeeze in our Diva Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge today! If you do make sure to use Mr. Linky on the DCBD blog so we can all come visit you!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Woodgrain, Picture This, Forest Friends

Colors: Soft Suede, Kraft, Bashful Blue, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Sending Love Epoxy Brad, Soft Suede dotted grosgrain, Full Heart punch, Tag corner punch, 1" circle punch, Big Shot, Texturz Plates

{CAS50} A Color Challenge and some 3x3 Note Cards

How's that for a long post? Well you may not believe it but I whipped this little collection up fairly quickly (like in 1/2 an hour or so)! I've been scrapbooking and sort of ran out of time on my CAS challenge card. This stamp set I used here, Happy Moments, is one of the FREE choices in the Sale-a-Bration brochure with a $50 order. Isn't it versatile?!

The Clean & Simple challenge for today is a color challenge to use a shade of teal, white and one other color. My "other" color is Basic Brown.

The little box to hold these 3x3 cards is made simply by putting to scallop envelopes together with a few minor adjustments. I've included a tutorial on my blog a while back that you can find HERE.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm not including a list of supplies used because there are so few and I've already listed most of them.

Be sure to go check out my FIRST EVER BLOG CANDY post and leave a comment for your chance to win! You have until this Wednesday to leave your comment. I'll post the winner on Thursday January 21st.

Sorry for the photos- I guess I'll never get it quite right. I need a class and some new software I think. Any suggestions??

~Kristin

Happy Moments!

I've missed the MOJO sketch challenges recently so decided to finally play along this week. I've been having so much fun with SU's new Demo-only website that has a fun Facebook look and feel, that I've neglected my stamping!

These colors came to me in kind of a funny way- I ordered several packs of paper in my last order and when they arrived they looked so nice next to each other I just had to use them together! They are Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum and Whisper White.

You might not believe it but this is my FIRST time using an actual clear-acrylic block with my new unmounted SU stamps! I won't even try to explain how I'd been using them before. I also squeezed on here some other products from the new Occasions Mini Catalog: Chocolate Epoxy brad, Scallop Trim punch and Polka Dot Textured Impressions folder.

Hope you like it. Don't forget to comment on my last post for a chance to win the awesome blog candy! Thanks for stopping by today,
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Happy Moments

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

Accessories: Chocolate Epoxy brad, corner rounder, Scallop Trim punch, Big Shot, Polka Dot Textured Impressions folder, Felt Flowers, aqua painter

FIRST EVER BLOG CANDY!!

Do I have your attention? Well I should hope so! Thanks to a generous offer from All Modern.com, which is one of the CSN network of stores I am offering my first ever BLOG CANDY!! And not to just one but TWO lucky winners!

Check out this gorgeous iittala Origo Orange Snack Bowl that one of you will win. Aren't those colorful stripes so fun?! And what about this stunning Alessi Marta Sansoni Cactus! Tea and Sugar Bags Holder that another one of you will win!! You may know by know that I am a big time tea drinker and would love to display my tea assortment in this little beauty. I hope you like them- I picked them out personally and I would love them myself! Combined these items are worth nearly $75!

In order to qualify all you need to do is leave me a comment on this post and please include some way for me to contact you or else be sure to check back here on Thursday to find out who my two winners are! And while you're at it be sure to check out this great site for dining room funiture!

Feel free to spread the word- anyone is welcome to try their luck! I will choose my winners via Random.org next Thursday January 21st! Don't forget to leave that comment and check back next Thursday to find out who the lucky winners are!

Thank YOU for being one of my readers and for the sweet comments I get to read every day! Because of you my blog has had over 151,00 hits!

Stampin' Hugs,

~Kristin

PS- I must apologize that I forgot to mention that this blog candy is only available to US residents, per restrictions from www.allmodern.com.

Shades of Gray

That's our Diva Coffee Break Design challenge for today: Black, White and Basic Gray or Going Gray. Well guess what- I used both. The funny thing about this color combo is my card looks to me like I just took a black and white photo of a colorful card!

I really enjoyed making THIS card so decided to use the layout again, in a little different way. Instead of using circles I used hearts, and my little "critter" is the sheep from Pun Fun. Of course this isn't a clean & simple challenge so I added some fun black satin ribbon and a Basic Gray corduroy button.

Make sure you go check out the Diva blog and consider playing along with us!!

Hope you like it! TFL!
~Kristin

PS- Don't forget, I've got blog candy coming as soon as I can get my post complete!

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Pun Fun, I {Heart} Hearts

Colors: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White, Going Gray

Accessories: White gel pen, Large Heart punch, Heart with Movers & Shapers die, Big Shot, Black Satin ribbon, Basic Gray corduroy button

A cool color challenge!

Today's CC253 is a fabulous and not too hard color challenge to use Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink. Sounds like something you could eat doesn't it?! As easy as these colors work together, I'm not 100% pleased with this card but had a limited amount of time today and couldn't quite figure out what I wanted to change. I have a few ideas, so maybe I'll work on it tomorrow (or maybe not, since I'll be volunteering at school again tomorrow!).

Mostly this card is self-explanatory I'd say. Did you notice the use of both the Scallop Trim border and corner punches?? Thought I'd point out that I embossed the main image with Chocolate Chip ink and clear embossing powder so I could watercolor the flowers with my aquapainter.

So, a TIP occurred to me while I was making a card the other day so I thought I'd share it with you! Does your Stampin' Scrub get absolutely filthy like mine and just never seem to get those stamps all the way clean?!? Well here's a pointer that will ROCK YOUR WORLD! Seriously, it works so well I can't believe I had never tried it. TIP: Stamp off excess ink onto your grid or scrap paper BEFORE cleaning it on the Stampin Scrub! That's it, super simple, but oh-so-effective. I promise- try it and let me know what you think.

Oops, almost forgot to mention that the sketch for this card came from an SUO challenge blog: Pals Paper Arts.

OK, gotta run! Stop back tomorrow for the new Diva challenge!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: For All You Do

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Scallop oval punch, Rich Razzleberry Dotted grosgrain, Clear EP, Scallop Trim border and corner punches