Monday, August 30, 2010

One Scoop or Two??

 Good day ladies and gentlemen (dad)!  I've got a quick two-scooper for ya!  LOL!  Over the weekend I found this wonderful stamper and spent most of my Sunday browsing her blog.  I copied many of her cards and projects to my "Cards to CASE" folder and actually copied one today already!  Well, I shouldn't say copied because I borrowed her layout and changed everything else.  Not that I didn't love everything else- I totally did, I just don't have all the products and... that's just how I CASE usually. 

Anyway, today's Clean & Simple challenge on SCS is to be inspired by the word "Delicious" and I immediately thought of my Sweet Scoops stamp set.  My first card is above.  I realized after I had it all uploaded that it is kind of an oxymoron because my sentiment says "One of a Kind" but none of my cones are identical.  Duh!  Cute anyway, but all those colors of ice cream were kind of bothering me anyway.  Not nearly clean enough for a CAS challenge so.....
I tried again.  This time all my cones are identical but one of them has a few little extras!  I changed the scallop at the bottom from the pinking hearts punch on my first try.  Both have "sprinkles" of chunky glitter, but this one has a cherry on top as well. 

The sentiment piece that I punched with the Designer Label punch is from an ancient set from 2006 called Designer Label.  I told you I never get rid of anything.  I though the style was perfect for this card.

Well don't leave without checking out my inspiration!  Her name is Jo Dumbleton and her blog is Stampin 'N StuffHERE is just ONE of her amazing cards that I loved enough to save to my favorites file and CASE for this post.  Thanks Jo!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Sweet Scoops, Designer Label
Colors: Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Whisper White
Accessories: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, chuky glitter essentials, Designer Label punch, scallop border punch, pinking hearts border punch

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Quirky, Cutesy & Clean



Thought I'd try a new challenge today... this one is called Embellish Magazine and the challenge is a combination color challenge with the requirement that it be quirky, cutesy and clean.  QUIRKY.  Don't ya just love that word?!

Well, here's what that means to me.  I think the colors are quirky all on their own- I rarely enjoy putting shades or orange with any shade of light blue.  Usually I just think YUCK... but this one really grew on me.  This stamp set, Love Bandit, is definitely what I'd call cutesy and quirky. 

This card isn't as clean as they come (as far as simple goes) but it's lacking layers and many embellishments but has some quick cute details. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend if I don't see ya (have family coming to town tonight so I may not be back until Sunday or Monday). 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Love Bandit, Well Scripted
Colors: Peach Parfait, Crumb Cake, Soft Sky (yes an oldie!)
Accessories: New large circle punch (Holiday Mini Catalog), Scallop Circle die #2, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, scallop border, kraft taffeta ribbon

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Best is Yet to Be!

 My parents celebrated an anniversary this week and yes, I'm late sending a card.  Of course when I realized I was late I couldn't just pull something from my stash.  Oh no, I had to make something fresh and new.  Today's Diva Coffee Break Designs' challenge is a sketch this week so that's what I used here. 
Here's a picture of the inside.  I'm slowly starting to join the masses in prettifying the insides.  I usually do some stamping but this time I added some coordinating DSP from the front.  Hope you like it. 

Gotta run, getting together for some volleyball tonight again, finally!  Go join the Divas, why don't you!
~Kristin

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Glimmer Berries

Have you ever used an embossing folder on vellum?  It is such a cool look but I rarely remember to do it.  Well this time I remembered and tried it out with the Elegant Lines folder.   Did you notice those awesome sparkly brads??  They are called Glimmer Brads and are also from the new Holiday Mini catalog.  I couldn't help myself and ordered them in every color combination (4 sets)!  These are actually in the set of Brights and are referred to as Real Red but I think they look great with the Cherry Cobler paper.  That's the nice thing about some accessories, they can nicely transition between shades.

For this card I was attempting to use last week's Color Challenge on Splitcoast.  The challenge was to use Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobler and Pretty In Pink.  If you're thinking I forgot about the pink, I really didn't.  If you look closely I painted some onto the vellum with an aquapainter.  It added some shading.  Not sure that it was needed except to qualify for the challenge.  I do like how it is a subtle detail though. 

If you have already started your list for the Holiday Mini (Sept. 1) you may just want to add these Glimmer Brads!  They will be available in Brights, Subtles, In Colors and Basics which are neutrals: black, gray, champagne, silver and gold!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to come back tomorrow to join me for another Diva Sketch challenge! 

~Kristin

Edit:  Forgot to mention that I used a sketch from the Clean & Simple blog sketch challenge 104

SUO Supplies
Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Cherry Cobler, Vellum cardstock, Whisper White, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Glimmer Brads, Scallop Trim border punch, aquapainter

Monday, August 23, 2010

Pickin' Punkins

 You haven't seen a scrapbook layout out of me in quite some time.  Must be the cooler mornings, or kids being off to school, but I'm itching to scrapbook lately.  I love how this turned out.  For the left side here I used Valerie's Got Sketch 101.  If you aren't familiar with Valerie Salmon you have got to check out that link.  I subscribe to her via email and save every single sketch in a special folder in my email.  Then, when I am scrapping I flip through them and often find just what inspired me! 
 Did you notice my Greenhouse Gala DSP??  I just HAD to use it, the colors were so perfect for my pictures!  I borrowed a sketch for this side also, and boy was it harder than it looked.  I messed once or twice and was so stressed about wasting this beautiful paper, but don't worry, I didn't throw away my mess ups... I'll just save them for another day.  The sketch is from THIS amazing scrapbook page by Tanja at StampaMemory.com.  I've got this fantastic resource for using SU products on scrapbook pages in my list of blogs down there on the left, but I need to correct the link.  Use this one I just listed for now. 
Here is the spread as it looks together.  Everything I used on these pages is from Stampin' Up! with the exception of the pumpkin die, which I've had since the red Sizzix machine day and works wonderfully in my Big Shot, and the little swirl clip on the round picture at the right.  Not sure the brand of that but it was a gift from my friend Nicky!  The pumpkin ric rac ribbon and the green ribbon are both from retired Ribbon Originals that were on the Clearance Rack at some point: Pigtails and Jersey respectively.  The green viny swirl by the pumpkin die is actually from SU's Scribble Swirls sizzlit.

Thanks so much for stopping by and a special thanks to Nancy for selecting my Aviary card in her iPicks yesterday!  What an honor!  Be sure to check out her blog for all kinds of great finds from her exhaustive blog search!

Thanks for visiting me today,
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Paper: Chocolate Chip, PUmpkin Pie, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories: Big Shot, Billboard alphabet strip, Pigtails & Jersey Ribbon Originals (retired), Scribble Swirls sizzlit, 1" circle punch, new Decorative Label punch.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sanded Northern Flurry

Last but not least... here's my third card made with the fun new Northern Flurry embossing folder.  This time I embossed it onto a piece of this Concord Crush patterns paper (a Level 1 Hostess set) then gently went over it with my sanding block.  This technique reveals the white core of the paper to highlight the raised pattern.  I added some chunky glitter to the snowflakes and also to the main stamped piece for snow.  This round snowman tag is from the new stamp set Tags Til Christmas and actually has a "To: and From:" sentiment on it which I just covered up with the glitter and my own Modern Label punch with a stamp from Teeny Tiny Wishes. 

I have one more Christmas card I'll add either later today or tomorrow using the Elegant Lines embossing folder and new Glimmer Brads from the Holiday Mini Catalog that is available on September first.  After that I'll try to just sprinkle them in here and there.  No one wants to be sick of Christmas cards already in August! 

Thanks for stopping in!  I'd love to hear from you!  Let me know what you prefer- this XL photo or the Large from previous posts.
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Tags Til Christmas, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Colors: Concord Crush, Pear Pizazz, Whisper White (Poppy Parade for the snowman's scarf)
Accessories: Big Shot, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions embossing folder, Concord Crush ribbon, Chunky Essentials glitter, Modern Label punch, 1 3/4" circle punch

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Northern Flurry Dasher

I'll try to make it short today and not mention the Holiday Mini Catalog more than once!  ;)  Here's the second card made with the new Northern Flurries Textured Impressions folder on Whisper White.  I used the reverse or "debossed" side and then brayered some Night of Navy ink over over the whole piece.  After I stamped Dasher in Navy I sponged some white at the bottom of the Top Note for a snowy effect, then added a few touches with the white gel pcn.  The sentiment piece is one of the labels on the Matchbox Bigz Die and the stamp is from Snow Swirled. 

That's it!  Have a great day and I'll see ya tomorrow!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Dasher, Snow Swirled
Colors: Night of Navy, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Northern Flurry Embossing folder, brayer, white gel pen, Matchbox die (label), Top Note die

Friday, August 20, 2010

Holiday Mini Catalog Sneak Preview

Hello!  Are you ready for Christmas cards yet??  I know I know, I'm not sure I'm ready yet, but at least I didn't make you look at them in July!  Anyway, today I played with my new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Northern Flurries, which will be in the new Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalog.  Isn't it cool?!  I know, I say that about EVERY embossing folder... but seriously, I had so much fun playing with it that I will be showing you a few more over the next two days.   

So what do you think of this color combo, Basic Gray and Cherry Cobler??  The edges of my top layer of Basic Gray are sponged with a hint of Basic Gray ink for some added dimension.  I added a jewel basic pearl to the center of each embossed snowflake- they look so cool in person.  I love that there are 4 different sizes of those babies!

My sentiment label is actually a Short & Sweet sentiment punched out with the small oval, layered on top of a new stamp in the Holiday Mini from the set called Tags Til Christmas.  I covered up the "Dec 25" that is part of the stamp.  Finished off with some Cherry Cobler seam binding ribbon also from the Holiday Mini

Wondering what this Holiday Mini is all about?  Well, it comes out September 1st and lasts until January 3, 2011!  Want to see it?  Stop back here shortly after Sept. 1st and I'll get it linked to my sidebar. 

Did you notice my new sidebar gadget counting how many Christmas cards I've made so far?  I thought it might be fun to see how many I get made in the next few months.  When will you start?  Well, stop back tomorrow- I can't wait to show you the other two I've made. 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Short & Sweet
Colors: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobler, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Northern Flurries Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Jewel Basic Pearls, Extra-Large Decorative Label punch, Small oval punch

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Bundle of Baby Boy!

 Some friends of ours had a baby boy recently and I've been meaning to make a special card to send them.  Monday's Clean and Simple challenge on SCS seemed the perfect sketch to use for a baby card.  I wanted a sweet image but I don't have any stamp sets that are specific to babies- I guess they just don't appeal to me.  Besides it's always a challenge to make a themed card out of non-specific stamps!  Anyway, my color combo is one I just came up with playing around with my new Color Coach:  Marina Mist, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip. 

My Marina Mist strip has been embossed with the Dotted embossing folder (and Big Shot of course) and enhanced with a strip of Pinking Hearts border in So Saffron.  I love that the recipient may or may not notice the extra relevant details like the tiny hearts in this border! 

Just the other day, out of necessity due to having WAY more accessories than my Stack & Store Caddy (p. 193) can store, I decided to combine all my retired (but still way loved) designer buttons into one jar and all my gorgeous corduroy buttons into another jar.  I'll have to take pictures because they look so cute.  Anyway, that made me really want to dig out some buttons for this card.  I'll tell you a funny story at the end about what I found while combining buttons! 
Anyway, here's a quick picture of the inside.  I stamped the tree again- in Versamark for a subtle look- which I think symbolizes family and new life.  Then punched the sentiment out with my BRAND new Decorative Label punch from the Holiday Mini which will be out Septemeber 1st!  And added some of SU's awesome new jewel basic pearls to it. 

So onto my funny story- actually it's kind of amazing I think!  While sorting through my buttons and trying to decide what to do I picked up a very old bag of non-SU brads that look like paw prints.  They were in a tiny ziplock baggie and I hadn't used them in over a year probably.  While trying to decide if I wanted to combine any non-SU stuff (I didn't!) with my SU stuff I happened to notice a sparkle out of the corner of my eye.  So I dumped the bag of brads and found............... a DIAMOND EARING!  My sister lost it several YEARS ago at my house while scrapbooking one weekend!  I took a picture and emailed it to her and sure enough it is a match!  Can you believe it??  How often does something that tiny show up and in such a random place!  If it weren't for all the scrumptious new accessories I'd just gotten from the new Mini catalog I wouldn't have needed to reorganize and might have never found it. 

Well gotta run, I'm late for a hair appointment.  I'll stop back to post a supplies list for this card later today.  Thanks for stopping in!
~Kristin

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Yummy Diva Color challenge & some fast and fun note cards!

Good morning ladies and gents!  Today is my kiddos' first day back to school.  I can't believe the summer is over!  More time to stamp now... I hope! 

Today's Diva challenge is a fun one- plenty of bright happy colors to work with here!  We've got Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry.  
I don't know what came over me this week, but I used 100% scraps from my desk and went crazy making this set of 4 matching notecards that will be super handy to grab on the go.  I like adding tiny little notes like this to my customers' orders sometimes but never seem to have one when I want it.  Mostly they would always say a simple thank you, but I wanted to do a variety for today's post.  Each of these was made with punches except the candles which were from the Big Bold Cupcake die (I think that's what it's called- doesn't sound right just now).  Anyway, the sentiments are all from a favorite set called Short & Sweet

Now make sure you take some time to go visit the Diva blog for fabulous examples- we have so many new Divas now that there are tons of yummy samples just waiting for you- and boy are they good!! 

Thanks for visiting me today!  I'd love to hear from ya.
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Short & Sweet
Accessories: Bitty punches, small oval punch, small heart punch, Word Window punch (to cover a boo boo!), BIg Bold Cupcake Sizzlit, Big Shot, Daffodil Delight narrow taffeta ribbon.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Happy for Mojo Challenges!

I made this card using yesterday's Mojo Monday sketch challenge and the colors are from the Stampin' Royalty color challenge (Cherry Cobler, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Not Quite Navy).  My Holiday Mini Preorder arrived while I was gone last week so I've been anxious to play with all the new goodies! 

Today I included the new Cherry Cobler seam binding that I had to have as it's the only thing close to ribbon SU has in that fabulous color.  The stamped frame is from the new stamp set Tags 'til Christmas- I just omitted the Dec. 25 when I inked it with my Not Quite Navy marker then punched it out with the AWESOME new Extra Large Decorative Label punch.  You are gonna WANT this punch!

The layered flowers are new to me also.  They are from a level one Hostess set in the Idea Book & Catalog called Punch Potpourri.  I just stamped them in two colors, punched them out and layered them with an old Not Quite Navy brad from my retired stash.  I love that each of these stamps fits a punch that I already have!!

I've been wanting to use the musical score paper from the Newsprint DSP and decided to combine it with a musical score embossing folder that I've had for quite a while and hadn't used yet (this is not an SU item but it does work fabulously in our Big Shot!)  And yes, I am somewhat musically inclined and I know my embossed score is upside down... that's the only way I could make it work with this sketch. 

I also used the Dotted embossing folder on the Old Olive layer and finished off the card by piering a scalloped border along the top.  The sentiment is from an old favorite, Fancy Flexible Phrases.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to come back tomorrow for another exciting Diva Color Challenge!  I've got a quick and easy set of cute note cards that will be great to have handy for last minute notes and gifts.

~Kristin

SUM (SU Mostly) Supplies
Stamps: Tags 'til Christmas, Fancy Flexible Phrases, Punch Potpourri hostess set
Colors: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobler (ribbon)
Accessories: Newsprint DSP, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Musical embossing folder (by Cuttlebug), Cherry Cobler seam binding ribbon, Extra Large Decorative label punch, Boho Blossom punch, Not Quite Navy brad, Paper piercing tools

Monday, August 16, 2010

Live, Laugh, Love


I'm BACK!  Not feeling great (sinus infection I think) but I'm stamping at least... and posting, even better!  Had a fabulous week at my parents' place in Michigan- the highlight of the trip was teaching both my kiddos how to water ski.  At 8 & 10 they picked it up right away and loved it, going the length of the lake by day 3!! 

Today I played along with a sketch challenge on the Clean & Simple blog.  I think this is my first use of this pattern in the Greenhouse Gala DSP.  I just love it!  This is also my first use of the awesome new owl punch.  Seriously!  I have so much great new stuff that I just didn't know what to use first so it took me awhile.  Anyway, I paired up the owl and DSP with a little Marina Mist taffeta ribbon.  I like how I can interchange Baja Breeze and Marina Mist and they look great together.

That's all for now- gotta go blow my nose, AGAIN! 
See ya tomorrow,
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: On Your Birthday
Paper: Greenhouse Gala DSP, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Two-Step Owl Punch, Marina Mist Taffeta ribbon, scallop border punch, paper piercing tools

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

DUDE!!

 
Guess What!  It's Wednesday, a Diva Challenge day again!  This week we've got an awesome sketch challenge for you.  I decided to break out my Extreme Surfboard and Extreme Elements sets for this card.  I also joined a color challenge on Color Throwdown last week.  The colors were Tangerine Tango, Old Olive and Daffodil Deilght.  

My surfer dude is embossed in black on white cardstock then sponged over with the challenge colors and a dauber.  My background Top Note is my version of homemade designer paper (a challenge I recall seeing somewhere) and the tangerine strip is crimped then attached with jumbo silver brads.  Hope you like it!  

I'm away from home again, visiting my parents and sister with her two little girls and my Aunt for the week.  It is our last hurrah before school starts a week from today.  I've got one kiddo ready to get back to school and one who is not!  I'm ready for a consistent (stamping) routine, but not ready for homework and early mornings.  

Anyway, see you with something new next week for sure if not earlier.  Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

PS- Don't forget to go check out the Diva challenge!  

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Extreme Elements, Extreme Surfboard
Colors: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Accessories: Crimper, jumbo silver brads, Top Note die, Big Shot, black embossing powder, SU alphabet die

Friday, August 6, 2010

Stack of Birds

I'm a bit late (again) but I did play along with the Diva Coffee Break Designs color challenge this week.  I just haven't had time to post it until now (and I really should be outside finishing up my painting but I'm exhausted right now). 

The color combo this week is Cherry Cobler, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist and Early Espresso.  I believe I could enjoy Cherry Cobler with just about any combination.  I played around for awhile to come up with this card.  I thought it might be cute to stack the birds as if they are working together to reach a friend in the cage.  I actually wanted a "miss you" sentiment but couldn't find one even though I know I have one... I just didn't feel like looking very long I guess. 

Anyway, in case you are wondering, you are not imagining it, there is a row of punched circles in Early Espresso to the left of the main panel.  I layered them all then decided it was a little busy and the only way to tone it down was to make the circles tone on tone with the background.  It worked so well I had trouble getting them to show in the photo!

Hope you like it.  Go play along if you haven't already.  The Divas would love to have you!

Have a great day.  Hopefully I'll be back one more time before I leave for a week.  Then I'll be back for school and a routine again- ahhhh. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Aviary, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Colors: Cherry Cobler, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist and Early Espresso
Accessories: Punches: Modern Label, Word Window, Eyelet border, 1" circle

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Just Believe & Some Layered Ribbon

Ooh lala, I knew I'd like this color combo as soon as I read about it!  This week's Color Challenge on Splitcoast is to use Blushing Bride (In Color), Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso. 

My first attempt got pitched though, but the second one worked out better.  I attempted another use of my Smooch Spray, the Vanilla, just on the butterfly and like the added shimmer.  My ribbon is layered with the retired striped Riding Hood Red and some new Early Espresso Taffeta on top.  I actually taped them together in spots to make it easier to tie and realized that kept them together pretty well. 

Added a bit of extra dimension with the paper piercing around the circle and the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder on the left.  What do you think?  I'm pretty happy with it... even though I did completely forget about today's Diva challenge (and this card does NOT qualify).  I'm off to play along with my Diva pals now.  Why don't you come play too?! 

Hope you're having a great day!  Thanks for stopping by.
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Just Believe, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Colors: Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions embossing folder, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Striped Riding Hood Red grosgrain, Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, 1 3/8" circle punch

Monday, August 2, 2010

Masculine Soiree


Masculine Soiree almost sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it?!  Well, it's not.  This masculine-ish card is done up with nothing but Elegant Soiree DSP- a new favorite of mine.  The inspiration for this card came from THIS CARD by al_silver2 who was this week's Featured Stamper over on Splitcoast.  I used her very same layout but changed up the papers and colors. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I've been painting all day yesterday and today with my daughter- shelves, a bedside stand and a few other "items" for her bedroom.  She's been patiently waiting since Christmastime!  Anyway, we're off to find some new drawer pulls to spice up the table.  Have a great evening!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps:  Watercolor Trio (sentiment)
Paper: Elegant Soiree DSP, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Baja Breeze
Accessories: Elegant Label punch, 3/4" circle punch