Long Fellow HB

I wish I had a stamp that said "Dude" because that's what comes to mind when I see this ultra cool alligator!  Can't you just hear a teenager saying "HB, Dude!"  OK, well maybe not.  I've got a few years before my kiddos hit the teens so I could be way off base here. 

In any case, I hope you like this card as much as I do.  It isn't quite typical and is a little bit funky- which is what I strive for often and only occasionally capture.  I know that a lot of stampers haven't learned to love these Long Fellows yet, possibly because of their long awkward shape but that's precisely why I love them (and 'cause they're adorable!).  I love every card I've made with them so far I think.  They provide a great opportunity to get creative with patterns, colors and embellishments. 

I totally have a hodgpodge of stuff here.  The black/vanilla piece is from the new Newsprint DSP, while the dotted Old Olive is from a, I believe, retired pack called The Write Stuff.  My card base is Marina Mist, which is really starting to grow on me... I almost never think of Ballet Blue any more! 

Did you notice the tiny scrambled letters stamped behind the bite??  That's a new set called Confetti that I basically designed this whole card around.  The "HB" is from an old favorite set, It's Your Birthday. 

I added the pinking hearts edge in Cherry Cobler for a bit of bold color which just happens to suit the Friday Free 4 All challenge on Splitcoast to so something to one edge of your card.  Of course I couldn't stop there and had to fringe up the edge of the alligator piece and of course a "chomp" from the corner is always a fun touch.  I didn't photo the inside but I stamped more of the tiny letters in a row across the middle then stamped a birthday sentiment on top of them. 

Have a great day!  I've got relatives from Virginia coming in today so I'd better go do some  picking up around the house.  Thanks for visiting today!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Long Fellows, Confetti, It's Your Birthday

Colors: Marina Mist, Old Olive, Cherry Cobler, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz (to color the alligator)

Accessories: Newsprint DSP, The Write Stuff DSP, Pinking Hearts Border punch, Scallop Circle punch, small square punch, Marina Mist Narrow taffeta ribbon

Sweet Scoops

I've been wanting to get more use from this set, Sweet Scoops,  lately so I set out to find a good challenge to work with.  Since there is no lack of challenges to choose from on the internet these days I only had trouble narrowing it down.  The others I wrote down in my handy-dandy challenge notebook so I can come back to them quickly without wading through the internet and getting bogged down looking then not taking any time to actually stamp.  (Want a whole list of challenge blogs categorized by day of the week?  Just click the bottom of my sidebar for the blinky that says "Daily Dare".)

I chose to use the color challenge CC281 and sketch challenge SC291 both from Splitcoast!  The color challenge is to use Daffodil Delight, Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz.  No problem- I loved these colors together as soon as I got them out.  They look good in about any combination. 

The striped Concord Crush paper is from the Level One Hostess pack of paper patterns in the In Colors.  I'm getting quite a bit of use from that paper pack- love that it is in the new In Colors!!  My sentiment is from the stamp set called Something Sweet (I love how those sentiments can work with the ice cream cones)! 

Did you notice my little bumble bee??  I always think of those bees buzzing around whenever I think of ice cream cones in the summer.  He is from the recent Sale-a-Bration set called Picture This that I've been using frequently.  I just use my markers to ink him up and color him in, then added him to a build-a-brad!

Thanks for visiting today!  It looks lovely outside so I'm off...
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sweet Scoops, Something Sweet, Picture This

Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight (white for sentiment, Crumb Cake for cone)

Accessories: Stitched Poly Ribbon in Concord Crush, scallop border punch, Build-a-Brad, 1/2" circle punch

A Late Diva Post!

Sorry for the delay!  I know every Wednesday you are used to the Diva challenge post but today I'm late.  I've had it done but I let things distract me and then I was gone all evening.  Anyw

ay, here it is.  We had a sketch challenge this week which you can find on the DCBD blog.  It's very simple and straight-forward. 

For this card I used several new items including the Watercolor Trio stamp set and Fabulous Phrases, the punch from the Bitty set of three punches (the one that looks kind of like an X), new tiny pearl accents, narrow Pear Pizzazz ribbon and the new Level One Hostess pack of Designer Series Paper Patterns in the In Colors.

The flowers, which actually look so neat in person, were quite easy to do.  I layered three of those punches "X's" by gluing them (staggered) down in the center then just crushing and rumpling up the edges.  Worked like a charm!

These Fabulous Phrases are a perfect set to use with the Stamp-a-Majig!  They work every time. 

Had to include my flowers in the picture! I love to bring bouquets in!

I posted this picture just so you can see my lovely bouquet of flowers I picked yesterday from my flower beds.  Enjoy! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

~Kristin

Elegant Lines

Don't you just love using up scraps or parts of cards you start for something and end up not using? It feels so good to be resourceful and efficient! This embossed card was originally for a card I did a few days ago, but I was covering so much of the pretty embossing (plus it was supposed to be a clean & simple card). So I set it aside and decided to use it today.

This label stamp is from the new and popular Just Believe stamp set. Here I've stamped it in Rich Razzleberry and cut it out. My sentiment in Sahara Sand, is from the cherished old Fancy Flexible Phrases. Added a bit of my new narrow ribbon and called it done. Super quick and easy! Final card is 4.25"x4.25".


Hope you like it!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe, Fancy Flexible Phrases

Colors: Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Rich Razzleberry narrow ribbon

ETA: Thanks for your patience while I play around with new blogger designs.  I know it isn't perfect and it may take me some time to get it just so.  Thanks to Susan K for the input on the white background- good to know!!

Admire Nature

Well, I'm no Zindorf with my brayering sunset skills, but it'll do. This stamp set, Nature Silhouettes, is one that I've seriously neglected and have felt guilty about it. Do you ever feel guilty about certain stamp sets?? Sometimes when it occurs to me that I haven't used a set enough to justify having purchased it I'll write it down so that next time I am stamping I reach for it first... and it works usually.

Anyway, I used a Pals Paper Arts sketch for this card. It is funny how this card evolved! I started out with the intentions of using Blushing Bride and Early Espresso, then chose this stamp set (out of guilt) and decided to try my hand at a brayered sunset. Well, Blushing Bride is in there but you just can't see it. My sunset from bottom up is Bravo Burgandy, Cherry Cobler (same as card base- yummy!), More Mustard and Blushing Bride. My silhouettes are in Early Espresso (which I'd love to emboss in!).

My brads are from the new neutrals collection- did you notice them?? Black, Crumb Cake, White and Vanilla. I've always wanted white and vanilla brads. If only they had some Espresso brads it would be a perfectly complete collection!

So glad you stopped in to visit me today! Thanks for the comments you guys leave me- they always make my day and definitely motivate me to keep posting. Have a great day!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Nature Silhouettes, Woodgrain background

Colors: (ink mentioned above) Cherry Cobler, Really Rust, More Mustard, Early Espresso (all cardstock)

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon, neutral brads in Crumb Cake, brayer, sponde, Big Shot, Square Lattice textured impressions folder

Hi!

I think I may have mentioned that I love this stamp set, Aviary! Well, I couldn't resist trying it out again while stamping with my BFF Nicky yesterday. The color combo, Night Quite Navy, Crumb Cake and Baha Breeze is from the Stampin' 411 blog challenge.

For a bit of texture on the bottom I used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. Also, "hi" is from the new Fabulous Phrases stamp set. I am starting to realize just how versatile this set is- it is a great font that can be elegant or casual.

Thanks for stopping by! I've got more to share tomorrow!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Aviary, Fabulous Phrases

Colors: Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, Square Lattice textured impressions folder, small heart punch, jumbo eyelet, vintage brad

Slightly Vintage Birthday

I don't know about you but this new Soiree DSP (designer series paper) really caught my eye in the new SU Catalog! I just think the colors are perfectly paired, whimsical but not cutesy patterns that are totally my style! And how they coordinate with so many products is just awesome in my opinion! See the new Antique Brad?? They are so neat! There are 5 different styles and I must admit that I like them all! Did you notice my bit of Chantilly Lace ribbon on there? I wanted some but knew it would be too much wrapped around the whole card. Actually, not too much but it would've hidden too much of the gorgeous papers.

There's my new favorite stamp set again (Aviary) with the bird cages- I think you might be seeing a lot of these images from me. Also in use here are the French Filigree background stamp (in Versamark) and another new stamp set that I think will be very versatile: Fabulous Phrases.

OK, that's all the chatter. Back to stamping! Have a great day!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Aviary, Fasbulous Phrases

Colors: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede ink, Soiree DSP

Accessories: Antique brads, Chantilly Lace ribbon, scallop trim border punch

ETA: I just realized I didn't mention the sketch challenge I used for this layout... and I totally forgot to link my card to their blog too. Bummer! Anyway, it is the SSC160 sketch on Stampin' 411. I enjoy their challenges because they are SUO- only Stampin' Up! products for the samples.

Just Believe

Just Believe is the name of this stunning new stamp set that seems to be all the rage already! I used this week's Clean & Simple sketch challenge on Splitcoast for this card. I tried to keep it simple- leaving off some of the embellishments I considered. I stamped the grass/flower image with vanilla ink on the Soft Suede piece then stamped the same image on the Sahara Sand card base with Versamark for just a hint of an image.

The bird is from the Extra Large Two-step Bird punch. The color shading was done with Daffodil Delight and Soft Suede and a sponge dauber. The sentiment piece is Rich Razzleberry ink on Sahara Sand then overstamped with the circle image from this set in Versamark.

Thanks for looking!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe

Colors: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Modern Label punch, distressing tool, Two-Step Bird punch

Another Diva Wednesday!!

Are you ready for another color challenge?? Well we've got one for you! This week we are using: Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz and Tempting Turquoise! What fun- I always love a good combination of a good bright, a luscious subtle and a rich bold neutral!

I'm sure you could've guessed that I'd be using new goodies here real soon and you're right. When I got home from vacation on Sunday evening my father-in-law called to say I had a few boxes arrive that he took home with him. So even though I didn't want to see the inside of a vehicle for a very long time we hopped in the car and went to visit him.

One of the first sets that really called out to me in this new Idea Book & Catalog was this Aviary! I always had a pet parakeet while growing up and also have always loved a neat bird cage as a decorative element. They are so... I don't know, visual I guess. Anyway, Stampin' Up! did not disappoint with this new set which includes 4 different cages, 4 birds and a perfect stand to put them on.

For this card I not only used the Diva's color challenge but also found a fun layout from the Clean & Simple blog to use. In case you haven't figured out I'm not one bit shy about combining old and new SU products. My sentiment here is an old hostess set from the last catalog called Picture This. I initially thought I'd use the "Happy Bird Day" stamp with the obvious connection to the bird in the cage... but then I saw this one and decided I hadn't really had the opportunity to use it. So I added some music notes near the cage by only inking that part with my Early Espresso marker then added the whole sentiment to the bottom.

Are you a fan of a little bit of glitter and bling? If so then SU's new rhinestones might be for you! I was so impressed to see FOUR different sizes of rhinestones on the set that I ordered! They should last me a while, even at this rate!

I'm not sure if you can see it but I finally broke down and bought the French Filigree background stamp with my new catty order. I've always had an eye for it, but now with the new Soiree papers and other coordinating items (like the amazing Elegant Lines textured impressions folder!!!) I couldn't resist any longer. You might even see it again tomorrow! ;)

Thanks for visiting me again!! It's so good to be back to blogland! Now why don't you go visit my Diva ladies and see what they've come up with for you!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Aviary, French Filigree, Picture This

Colors: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Scallop border punch, Melon Mambo dotted grosgrain, Modern Label punch

It's a GOOD MORNING!!

Good morning to you! I am back from my six state trip in seven days (PHEW!) and have gotten my laundry started and getting some things back to normal from being gone almost all of July... Had a huge box of new goodies waiting for me when I got back, so NOW I am ready to stamp and share some cards with you!

When I first get my new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog every year I notice all the gorgeous and very unique samples ideas the artists come up with and always think that I will copy some of my favorites, but it seems I never end up doing it. Well this time that's what I did FIRST! It is a great way to really "see" the catalog, a great way to find ideas for stamps that you might already own and an even better way to get yourself out of a stampin' slump!

This first card I made is a replica of a lovely sample on page 138. I tried to use similar colors and the same layout, but my papers and stamps were different than those shown. I still love how it turned out and am so glad I took the time to copy it! The papers I used for my patterned butterflies and the navy stripes down the edges are from an OLD hostess patterns paper pack. My flourish behind the butterflies, from Vintage Vogue, isn't symetrical but it works in a pinch I think.

This one is a close copy of the sample on page 113. You'll notice I did a number of things different but still ended up with the same look. I didn't have that lighter striped ribbon so changed my colors to work with the olive stripes that I do have.

My card base is the new color Marina Mist which I've paired with Old Olive and Sahara Sand. The leaves in the sample appear to be hand cut- but I knew I could get a very similar look without all that tedious work (leave it to me to find a more efficient way!).

Also, I believe in the sample each of the tiny flowers is sewn on with thread... well, can you imagine how long that took? It was tedious enough gluing them all on there so I wasn't about to start sewing them. Anyway, mine all have a dot in the center from the Sahara Sand marker- MUCH faster!!

I added a spritz of Smooch Spray to my card base and left offf the sentiment for now since I like it as is.

So next time you get into a slump, grab your most recent SU Catalog and start browsing for your favorite sample... then get to work copying it as closely or loosely as you prefer and your supplies allow!

Stop back tomorrow for a new Diva Color Challenge and a peek at several more new goodies (can you say rhinestones?!!)! I've got another post ready to go for Thursday as well for your viewing pleasure... a little bit of vintage with some Chantilly Lace, some Soiree papers and maybe a little tweet!

Have a great day and thank you for remembering me even though I've totally neglected my blog baby this month! I'm back to stay- for the most part!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Card 1:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Colors: Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Night of Navy

Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Basic Pearl Jewels

Card 2:

Stamps: Paradise

Colors: Marina Mist, Old Olive, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Log Cabin Smooch Spray, Old Olive striped grosgrain, linen thread, Sahara Sand marker

Hello from Tennessee!

Hi there! I'm sitting in a hotel lobby in Tennessee and thought I'd post a quick update since it's been a while! I've been out of town with my family for a while which is why I haven't posted recently. We'll be home soon and there are a few cards on my desk that I'll post as soon as I get there. Hopefully I'll be able to post much more frequently soon! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are enjoying your summer as well!
~Kristin

Bashful Wasabi Roses

Well it took me all day to get it posted but finally, here is my Diva card for today. I thought I might struggle with these colors... and I did a little, but worked it out in the end. The Bashful Blue threw me for a loop but I squeezed it on there at the last minute. Initially I had the Bashful satin ribbon but it just rubbed me the wrong way so I switched it out for vanilla ribbon and a few Bashful square rhinestone brads- much better!

I can't believe I broke this stamp set out! It was a free gift from Stampin' Up! to current demonstrators who ordered something specific recently... and I've not been a big fan of it for some reason. However, I did enjoy the challenge of coloring it so it looked just right. To add some dimension and possibly cover up a few shading boo boos I ran it through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder. I love that look- almost like a textile or something.

For the sentiment I used the Curly Label punch to coordinate with the Top Note. I'm not sure if you can see it but the Rose Red card base was in my stash of pre-cut and folded cards and it was already stamped with the old Floral background stamp.

Well I hope you like it and decide to play along with our Diva Color challenge! We'd love to have you join us!

Have a great day.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Because I Care, Floral background

Colors: Rose Red, Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, Square rhinestone brads, Curly Label punch, Top Note die, Vanilla Satin Ribbon

It's the Thought- a double take on a Mojo sketch

Good morning! I'm glad you stopped by today. I enjoyed playing along with the Mojo 146 sketch yesterday and have not one but TWO cards to share with you, as well as the inside for each! This is actually the second of the two that I made but while I was making the first one I flipped over the long piece of DSP at the left to add some adhesive and I just loved the way the pattern fell only at the bottom so I HAD to use it just like that! That is what made me decide to do 2 of the same basic card but reverse the patterns of paper.



The flower vase stamp I used is brand new to me- the level one hostess set in the Summer Mini catalog called It's the Thought. It's got 7 adorable images and I couldn't wait to put some ink to it! I added color to the image with my fabulous new In Colors markers, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz as well as a touch of Cherry Cobbler to the centers of the flowers.

The Designer Series Paper (DSP) I used here is also new called Greenhouse Gala. It has so many beautiful patterns in some luscious colors.


Both card bases I used are Sahara Sand and the sentiments (from Define Your Life) are stamped in Sahara Sand as well.


For the insides I used Versamark with Pick-a-Petal, a stamp set I haven't used in ages it seems! For the top card my sentiment fit on NOT the modern label punch, but the matching outline shape to it that comes with the Movers and Shapers set that works with the Big Shot. It took some doing since I had to use the Stamp-a-Majig- but it fits perfectly! That sentiment is from Vintage Vogue. The sentiment on my "Favorite" card is from Wonderful Favorites, another set I have neglected lately. I guess you can tell who I'll be sending this one to!

So glad you decided to stop by! Thanks for the sweet comments- they always make my day!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: It's the Thought, Pick-a-Petal, Define Your Life, Wonderful Favorites, Vintage Vogue

Colors: Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand, Whisper White

Accessories: 1 1/4" square punch, Scallop Trim border punch, distressing tool, black brads, markers

The Little Things

As you have probably noticed since my last post was up for over a week, I have a new niece. I really wanted to go all out on the perfect baby card to send my sister and brother-in-law... but this card took me several days to pull together. I can't believe how my creativity declines when I've taken some time off from stamping! Well I finally got it done and I'm pretty happy with it. The sketch I used is the FTL97 from the Clean & Simple blog that I enjoy checking out periodically.

I finally put my new embossing folder to use and really like it. Now I can't wait to get the other new one in the new catalog! I'm sure you noticed the cork butterflies. That was fun! I had a scrap of cork laying nearby and on a whim grabbed it to see if I could use my Bigz Butterfly die with it- worked great. Then I decided I needed to more smaller butterflies so tried the Beautiful Wings embosslit. I ran it through twice and it cut also (although not quite as well as the die).

Can you see the Fine Flourish stamped in Pretty in Pink craft ink on the Razzleberry layer?? I liked that so much I decided to use it on the inside as well (below). The Pink Pirouette layer and cork butterflies are spritzed with my vanilla Smooch Spray so are sparkly in person.

Here's the inside shot. Fine Flourish with Pretty in Pink craft ink and sentiment punched out with the wide oval punch. You'll probably notice my imperfect white scallops behind the sentiment. I tried using the oval scallop punch (in three pieces) to layer and was only somewhat successful.

Anyway, I it's worth the wait. I enjoyed the AC today and made two more cards as well. I'll be back with those on Thursday. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to get my Diva card done so you are enticed to play along!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fine Flourish, In My Thoughts

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, cork, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Bigz Butterfly Die, Modern Label punch, wide oval punch, scallop oval punch, square rhinestone brad, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, wide pink organdy ribbon