Sunshine, Smiles & Stamps= Lovin' Life

On the topic of Valentines

2012-01-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hello hello hello! Right back at ya with yet another Valentine. Funny, I don't send many... I probably have a stash of Valentine's I've made over the years and never sent. I should send them- there are a few people I love. Or I could just sign them and slip them under a few pillows. Hmmm, like that idea.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I used a sketch today. Yep. Isn't it fun? I'm all about asymetrical so it spoke to me. You should see all the sketches I DON'T use. Seriously, there are tons out there. I only bring you the best. :) This one is from Splitcoast Stampers- they have a sketch every Wednesday.

Kept this one pretty simple. A little stampin', little embossin', little punching. Ooh, did you notice my cupid's arrow?? Can you guess how I did it? I'm the last one on the bandwagon, but I finally have SU's large snowflake punch. If you have it punch one and play around- I'm confident you can figure out this arrow. And YES, I did have to cut some things and glue some things. It didn't come out exactly like that. The seam is hidden behind the sentiment piece.

More embossed dots, did you notice?? I have gotten my money's worth out of that embossing folder. Actually, I didn't even pay for it. Jackie Pedro sent it to me a LONG time ago!

As promised, here's the inside all done up. Fast and easy. Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Love you Much, Short & Sweet

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Pink Pirhouette, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dots embossing folder, Large snowflake punch, large heart punch, markers, scalloped trim border punch, Modern label punch, Pearls, Narrow Rich Razzleberry ribbon

Picky like that

2012-01-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

OK, alright, you guessed it. I'm addicted to sketch challenges! Frankly, I like them better than color challenges. You see, I am picky about colors and combinations of colors and sometimes my mood even determines what colors I want to use.

(don't ask me what my favorite color is like my daughter does often. I CAN'T possibly answer that. Like I tell her, I like all colors, just not together, not for everything and not on certain days)

I kind of get the attitude like "don't tell me what colors to use"... but I'm fine being given a sketch. In fact, I prefer it. That probably says something about my brain and ability or lack thereof, to design. That might also explain why I've resorted to giving YOU a color challenge. I'm bossy like that.

So today I've used a sketch from Pals Paper Arts. Love it- gives me JUST enough to work with. Gets those creative juices flowing.

Today I've also used some contraband. Shhh. The only reason I'm pointing it out is because otherwise I imagine I'll get someone asking where in the SU catalog are those embossing folders I used. No where. Well, not entirely true. I used my trusty polka dots, so of course you can find them. And the newer one (the oval frame) called Designer Frames. Those are in there too. The others, not so much. They are in a set of 5 skinny strip folders called With Love by Provocraft. That's all I'm saying 'bout that.

And before you ask, here is the inside. Crummy picture, even with all the editing in the world and beautiful sunlight. Crappy camera (user). That center piece is actually Pool Party which is why it looks so off white.

So after all the fuss, what do you think of my color combo? I had it written down as a future challenge to use here... but got antsy and couldn't resist it. (Same with yesterday's card!) It is Concord Crush, Pool Party and Basic Gray. With white of course.

Well, I already mentioned almost everything I used in this card but I know some of you aren't reading a word of this (can't blame you) and will just cut to the list of supplies if you even want to know. So here it is, and thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Best Yet

Colors: Concord crush, Basic Gray, Pool Party, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, contraband previously mentioned, Polka Dot embossing folder, Designer Frames embossing folder, Concord Crush Stitched Poly ribbon, Basic Pearls

A Punchy Window

2012-01-20T10:54:00.000-05:00

OK, so I'm a few days late. I have a good excuse... I didn't get around to it. :) Anyway, this week I'm using the MOJO sketch challenge and if I remember to link it there as soon as I'm done with this post then I might actually make it in time. (their linky closes on 1/22 so get busy!)

I've seen this idea to use the Heart to Heart punch in this manner. Like a window you can see through. It fits nicely in the big 2 1/2" circle punch which I stamped with the hearts from the Confetti stamp set. Finished it off with a Printed Designer brad in Calypso Coral, some Vanilla Seem binding ribbon, touches of dazzling diamonds glitter and a paper pierced border. Oh, can't forget the embossed dots either. Sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, my go to set!

Since I told you to call me out on it I'll just state for the record that I DID do the inside as well, but it is just a few punched hearts bundled in the corner with a touch of the ribbon. And it didn't photograph well. So you'll have to trust me.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

Don't forget, you still have time to play along with my first challenge ever!!!

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Confetti, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dots embossing folder, Printed Designer Brad, Vanilla Seem Binding, 2.5" circle punch, paper piercing tools, Heart to Heart punch, dazzling diamonds

Owl You Do

2012-01-17T09:54:00.000-05:00

Good morning! How about some cute little owls to start your day?! Today I'm playing along with the sketch challenge at Create with Connie & Mary as well as the color challenge at Color Throwdown. My original plan was to use 6 different owl stamps, which I did manage to find in my collection. But I wasn't sure I'd like the end result so I stuck to just this one from Aviary with the idea that I'd also use my owl punch to make a larger one to be offset. Well, I couldn't figure out how to get it on the front side so he ended up on the inside. Voila!

I've been having fun doing up the insides of my cards lately. Sure makes it easier when I grab one to send, or when I need to increase my stash to sell at the local consignment shop. I've even started stamping the envelope to match then slipping them in a clear envelope for safe keeping. Just stick on my address label and a clear label to show what is stamped on the inside and it's ready for sale.

Anyone else trying to design the inside as well? I used to dread it because I was always ready to move on to the next card, but it is SO much more enjoyable to send and receive a card with the inside all cute-ified! This is one of my New Year's resolutions. Feel free to call me out on it if I don't keep it up!

Thanks for visiting me today! Stop back tomorrow for my first Valentine of the year!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamp: Aviary, Petite Pairs, Picture This (inside sentiment), Punch Bunch (inside owl)

Colors: River Rock, Soft Suede, Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge, small oval punch, corner rounder, scallop border punch, owl punch, Daffodil Delight pompom trim, basic pearl, punch pack (small flower on owl inside)

How 'bout a color challenge??

2012-01-16T17:41:00.002-05:00

Good evening my fellow stampers! Exciting news- I've been playing around and decided to throw a color challenge your way. I found some time to play this weekend and started a list of some color combos I'd like to use soon. Then one thing led to another and I figured out how to make a Color Challenge...uh, logo-thingy and even signed up for a free Inlinkz account. Yes FREE so we won't have thumbnails, but who knows, if everyone plays along then we can progress to the paid stage, right?

Anyway, the challenge is to use Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant and Marina Mist together somehow. I did on my card above which also features last week's Mojo Monday sketch. I missed the deadline for the submissions, but still love the sketch!

I used my fierce Extreme Surfer dude with Extreme Elements for accents.

Ooh, almost forgot to show you the inside.

Well, can't wait to see who plays along and what you come up with! I'd love to feature one of you on a future post. The collection closes on January 30th so you've got two weeks. On your mark, get set, GO! (But come back!)

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Extreme Surfer, Extreme Elements, Party Hearty

Colors: Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant, Marina Mist, Whisper White

Accessories: Large star punch, Elegant Eggplant narrow grosgrain, Marina Mist ribbon, Top Note die & Big Shot

___________________________________

Miss you!

2012-01-11T15:20:00.002-05:00

Hello again! Well, here is another card and another attempt at creative photo editing with my new software. I'm still learning obviously, it seems a little overprocessed to me, but I think this is an improvement over yesterday.

Anyway, had fun playing with this sketch from the Clean & Simple blog. Not sure why, but as soon as I saw it I thought I wanted to use this map paper from the Newsprint collection of Designer Series Paper. The hot air balloon from Up, Up & Away set came to mind next. Colors are Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, black and vanilla.

Did you happen to notice the embossed clouds on the Lucky Limeade card base?? Here's a hint at how I did those. It's been awhile since I've tried making my own texture plate so took me a few tries, but in a nutshell here's how you do it: punch or cut out shapes from scrap cardboard (this was a thin piece that I was able to punch). Next, glue the cutouts to a scrap piece of cardstock. I use a piece that is exactly 5.5"x4.25 so I can line it up with my card front. Finally, stack it like this: Multipurpose platform first (no tabs), then a cutting pad (clear plate), your template with clouds or whatever, cardstock, silicone rubber, then impressions pad.

You may need to experiment with the "sandwich" a bit to find out what works for you... but please BE CAREFUL, Big Shots are NOT indestructible! I'd start with a lean sandwich first then make it thicker until it works for you.

Gotta run. Thanks for stopping by again!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Up, Up & Away

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Build-a-Cupcake punch, scallop circle punch, small oval punch, Everyday Enchantment organdy ribbon in Lucky Limeade (a Sale-a-Bration freebie starting Jan. 24!), and Newsprint DSP

Striving for Clarity

2012-01-11T12:13:00.001-05:00

Ooh, looks like I sparked a friendly little debate on my last post. Thanks for your input- all of it! For clarification, it is correct to believe that I was not trying to alter my card in anyway, I'm actually quite pleased with it as-is. However, I was trying to increase your viewing pleasure by producing the best possible photograph of my card. With that said, I do quite agree that my frame or "vignette" as one commenter called it needed to be scaled back a bit. Wish I knew how because then I think I'd have a happy medium that we might all be able to live with.

I will continue to play with it and strive for that perfect balance, maybe even with my next post, we'll see. I do have a card done that I'd like to share, and maybe today is the perfect day to play with my new software since the gloomy rain outside will hinder any chance at a perfect unedited photo.

In the mean time, thanks again for your constructive criticism and happy stamping!
~Kristin

Playing around

2012-01-09T19:39:00.003-05:00

Playing around with a new photo editing software I just downloaded called Photoscape... same card as earlier today. What do you think? Even managed to get a watermark on there. I love the look of the gradiant frame, but is this too much? Input??

Wherever You Go

2012-01-09T11:15:00.002-05:00

Have you heard that the new Occasions Mini catalog is now available?! That's right, and if I was truly a gung-ho business minded demonstrator (I'm a gung-ho stamper, does that count?) I would be showing you a card today made with all new goodies from this mini... however since I don't have them quite yet, instead I'm showing you a card that was entirely inspired by the first sample in the new Mini (p. 4). The sample was just gorgeous and I couldn't stop looking at it so I finally sat down to use that to my advantage. Besides, I'm just glad to be stamping! {Ooh, I just remembered, the Wisteria Wonder twine IS from this mini!!}

My version uses an old retired set called Asian Artistry. The colors I kept the same, which are Wisteria Wonder (a current In Color) and Soft Suede with Very Vanilla. I also used many of the same elements like the Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon and twine, plus the scallop border punch, Lattice embossing folder and even a mini library clip. I almost added a pearl or two on there then decided to leave well-enough alone.

So go check out the Mini Catalog, let me know if something grabs your attention that you can't live without, and don't miss that gorgeous sample. Then let me know what you think (about my card, the sample, your favorite product, whatever!)

Thanks for visiting!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Asian Artistry

Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice embossing folder, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, Wisteria Wonder twine, Antique Brass mini library clip, scalloped border punch

The Sky's the Limit

2012-01-07T15:51:00.000-05:00

Up, Up & Away has been sorely neglected since I got it so I've put it to use here. I decided to try out the sketch on Splitcoast as well as the Pals Paper Arts color challenge to use Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla. And a touch of Daffodil Delight for my take on it.

I made my clouds with the Build-a-Cupcake punch, then ran them through the Big Shot with the dotted embossing folder. The sun is just a 1 3/8" circle punched out with thin strips of paper glued to the back- easy peasy!

Here's the sketch! I can see lots of other possibilities with it as well!

Ooh, almost forgot: this is for the SUO Challenge to "Get Punchy" with SU punches! I think I did just that!

Thanks for stopping by today,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Up, Up & Away

Colors: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Cheers for a new year!

2012-01-06T22:58:00.001-05:00

Hello again and happy 2012! I'm ready for a fresh new year and some new stamping projects. So here goes: a card and a challenge. Hope you like! I've used a new set that is a preview of a Sale-a-Bration set called Fresh Vintage. Don't you just love those mini silver brads?! The sentiment is a tried and true set called Well Scripted. The sketch challenge is from Mojo Monday's sketch blog. Always love their sketches!

Here's a quick shot of the inside!

Thanks for stopping by again! I've got another card I made today that I'll save for tomorrow.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Well Scripted, Fresh Vintage

Colors: Basic Gray, Pear Pizzazz, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Scallop Circl punch, Mini Silver Brads, Dotted scallop border ribbon punch, scallop border punch, Triple Layer punch

Christmas Spirit

2011-12-21T23:12:00.000-05:00

Hello again! I know it's been awhile, and it may be awhile before I'm back with the holidays quickly approaching! However, I needed a break from the hustle and bustle the other day so sat down to make a quick card while my hubby made dinner. I grabbed this sketch from Mojo and went to town with it. Am quite pleased with the end result. What do you think of this color combo, Pool Party with Basic Gray and Going Gray. My tree is embossed with white embossing powder for a nice raised and shiny finish. I wish I had time to make many more of these.

Here is the inside. Like it? Well, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. See you in 2012!

~Kristin

Joyful Christmas Wishes

2011-12-07T12:19:00.001-05:00

Running out of time to make Christmas cards so this just might be the last ones I post. I hope you like them! This first one is made with the sketch from Splitcoast Stampers. The main liberty I took with it was to tilt my main image a bit, just for interest. I've used the tiny jewelry tag for the first time and the "joy" is from a 2005 stamp set called Small Script. I think I've mentioned that I don't get rid of stamp sets!

Also showcased on this card is the newer red Glimmer Paper. This is the first I've cut into it and I love it. Also love that the Glimmer Brad matches so well. On the inside I have stamped my biggest "Merry Christmas" in versamark, covered with Heat 'n Stick powder then coated in fine red glitter! Looks awesome!

Here's another one... this time I used the Mojo sketch below. I haven't played along with Mojo for awhile, but this one was nice and simple and worked great for my Gifts of Christmas set.

Lots of accessories on this one: Snowflake Sizzlit, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint on the dove, Petal-a-Plenty emossing folder, new Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon and a new Wisteria Wonder dotted brad! Lots of fun stuff!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope your holiday planning is going well. I don't even have a tree yet or any decorations yet. We'll get there! Having our football season go 15 weeks has really put me behind.

~Kristin

A few Christmas cards

2011-12-02T09:54:00.001-05:00

Why do I do this? I finally sat down to make some cards a few weeks back but didn't write down the sketch challenge I was using. Oh well, it's been so long ago now it doesn't matter, but I'd at least like to show you the sketch. Maybe with these two versions you'll get the idea! I had many more in my mind but those didn't happen- not enough time in a day. These both put to use the old Felt Flurries that SU offered a few years ago. I had some of the bigger ones left and thought I'd use them up (still have some left!) This first card is Ol Olive, Soft Suede and the snowflake is Riding Hood Red.

This one is Sahara Sand, Vanilla, Old Olive (ribbon) and the Riding Hood Red snowflake. And YES, my sentiment is crooked. That's what happens when you are suddenly rushed to finish a card. Didn't take the time to use my Stamp-a-Majig like I usually do.

So I hope you are having better luck with your holiday shopping and decorating than I am. I am totally behind and frustrated about now! Our high school football season just ended this past weekend (our beloved Cats lost a very hard fought game in the State Finals 42-48) so that has put everything on the backburner until now. Yikes!

Anyway, I am already thinking ahead to January and planning a Birthday Card class for possibly January 27th. Pencil it in on your calendar if you are interested (you locals lurkers) then watch for more details after the new year.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

Old Friend

2011-12-02T09:35:00.001-05:00

Have a few quick Christmas cards for you before I head on out of here. Anyone remember this cute old set? I don't own it and don't remember what it is called, but I sold one to a friend a few years back and she didn't mind me stamping a few images to play around with... just now getting around to doing that!

Here's another with the same set. Using a sketch I found, but not sure where right now. Gotta run. Have a State Championship football game to attend! GO CATS!

~Kristin

A Matter of Moments

2011-11-27T20:23:00.001-05:00

I hope you've had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend filled with family, friends and food! We have had a nice time with family, a big WIN for our high school football team who will now be playing for the state title, and even winterized our camper... so now I'm ready for bed. But first I'll share this layout I did last week. I'm happy to say I've gotten 18 pages done this month. That might be all I get done with Christmas coming up, but more to come in January I'm sure!

I used Sahara Sand, black and Crushed Curry. Kept this one fairly embellishment free with the exception of some ribbon and a few stamped images from an old stamp set called Shore Thing. Here's the fun sketch I used from Let's Scrap:

I'll have some Christmas cards for you soon. Have gotten 4 done recently but no time to photo yet. Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

3...2...1...JUMP!

2011-11-21T11:42:00.001-05:00

Just what you wanted to see, right? Another scrapbook layout! Well, too bad... (:P) I'm slow as molasses and took more than a few hours to finally get rolling on this one, but once I got started it was moderately fast. Choosing the perfect layout is always the toughest thing for me, but Let's Scrap helped make it easy again with their amazing selection of great sketches!

I was happy to use a Simply Scrappin' Kit by SU to pull this together. It is called Creative Lisence and is a few years old but a great one none-the-less. I also used a few other components like the Headline Numbers stamp set, the Scribbles Swirls Sizzlit and Big Shot, and out of desperation for some bright orange letters, some ancient STICKERS! I know! But I still have a ton in the stash and sometimes they are just the easiest thing to grab. The orange isn't perfectly Pumpkin Pie like the other orange in the layout but I'm OK with that.

I hope you like my interpretation of this sketch! It was so fun to work with. I wasn't sure how on earth I'd manage a title page like that with all the scrolly background etc... but it all worked out with some paper piercing anda combination of stamps and stuff. Would you like to see another great sketch in action?? Go visit Lisa Henke HERE for her amazing layout!

Thanks for stopping by today! Oh wait, I almost forgot to mention, THIS LAYOUT was selected by Let's Scrap as their IOTW (Inspiration of the Week I think)- isn't that amazing?! I can't believe it. Might be the first honor ever for a scrapbook page by yours truly! I've proudly displayed my new badge of honor on my sidebar. Anyway, see ya soon!

~Kristin

100%

2011-11-19T10:48:00.001-05:00

Another scrpabook layout for you today. I joined up with my pal Lisa Henke for a virtual scrapbook night and between making chocolate cookies with my daughter, this is the only spread I got done. I am LOVING the sketches from Let's Scrap- they are unique and involve multiple photos which is more realistic for scrappers like me than one picture spreads. Check them out!

I did my title with my brand new printer- was my first experiment with printing with it and I'm happy with how it turned out, although I wish I would've thought to adjust the color close to Soft Suede instead of black.

Some of the SUO supplies I used on this one include: Autumn Traditions DSP, circle punches, Early Espresso twine, jumbo eyelets and a few vintage brads. Oh, the spiral punch and dotted scallop ribbon border punch too.

Thanks for stopping by again today! ~Kristin

Aviary Christmas

2011-11-18T17:27:00.001-05:00

OK, OK, here's a card finally! My desk is all cleaned off and neat so I had to make a card today before getting back to my scrapbook table for the evening. I decided to try my hand at the Pals Paper Arts sketch and used the Paper Players color challenge while I was at it. Thought I could probably use a few more Christmas cards and love finding non-Christmas sets to use and experiment with.

The embossing is done with the new Pewter embossing powder from the Holiday Mini. Until I see it side by side with Silver I'm not sure I see a difference. Poo! Like my holly leaves? Made them myself! Started with the large oval punch then punched chunks out with a 1" circle punch. Then flipped them over and, while on the squishy mat from the Crafter's Tool Kit, drew lines with a pencil, making sure to go over them a few times for the embossed look. Actually turned out better than I expected! My sentiment tag is 4 pack sizzlit set called Lots of Tags.

Here's a quick peek at the inside. I had this vanilla piece that was a bit too short so added a few layers of dotted scallop trim and some more Ridinghood Red taffeta ribbon to finish it off.

Thanks for stopping by today! And thanks to Paper Players and Pals Paper Arts for the great challenges!
~Kristin

Nature Lovers

2011-11-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Now you know why I haven't posted any cards lately... more where this came from too. This is entirely SUO. Used the Heart to Heart punch, Rich Razzleberry ribbon (narrow and wide), scallop border punch and corner rounder plus Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper.

See you soon with more pages and who knows, maybe I'll do a card one of these days. ;)

~Kristin

Bath Time

2011-11-16T17:34:00.001-05:00

Hope you weren't looking for a card today... I'm on a roll with my albums while my table is all set up in the family room! I am happy with how this layout turned out. I've been relying heavily on magazines to come up with layout ideas- even if I morph several ideas into one... and even if my magazines are from 2007!

For this layout I used the pawprint sizzlit "Pawsitively" which cuts and embosses at the same time while going through the Big Shot. I used the old alphabet called Mod Alphabet. Patterned paper is from the DSP pack, Thoroughly Modern. Also added some chocolate felt ribbon, silver brads and an epoxy brad, all SU. Only non SU product is the hard to see rub on that says Precious Moments, which coincidentally happens to be the only thing I regret about the page- it didn't rub on nicely and just doesn't work for me that well.

Here's the whole spread together. You can click on it to see a larger version.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

Scrapbook Smorgasbord

2011-11-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Instead of dragging these out into four different posts, or not showing them at all I'm just loading up these four layouts all into one post. Hope you don't mind! I've been kind of stuck doing some layouts with no-so-great pictures lately, but now that my mom is gone I feel stronger than ever that I want the stories in my albums even with so so pictures. Besides, what great practice for your creative skills... imagine the potential of pages with GOOD pictures! LOL. Most everything is SUO on these pages, with small exceptions here and there (like dotted ribbon on this first layout). I won't post many details but you are welcome to ask if there is something you want to know.

So glad you visited today. I've got a few more layouts finished or nearly finished that I will share in the next few days. Have a great day!
~Kristin

Live Right- a scrapbook layout

2011-11-11T21:41:00.001-05:00

So here is one of my favorite layouts I've done lately. Love the colors and the use of the newsprint and the layout designs. I scoured magazines to find layouts that I would tweak and use for this page. If you're a long time SU fan you won't believe the colors I used here: Bermuda Bay (no surprise), Taken with Teal and Mint Melody. Does anyone else still have some of that color laying around? I am such a hoarder. LOL!

Here's a closeup of my title. It was the result of a creative brainstorm. I stamped this sentiment from Inspired by Nature on the page, then cut out these letters with my Big Shot, temporarily glued them to scrap paper and stamped on top of them with the same stamp. Then I just lined them up on top of the words on the page so the words kind of pop through the title. A layered look that would be so much better with larger letters and font. Turned out cool anyway.

So glad you decided to stop by. I'll get back to cards one of these days, but for now I'm on a scrapbook roll!

~Kristin

Sweetheart & a Boy with dirt

2011-11-11T20:58:00.001-05:00

Hello and Happy Veteren's Day on this 11.11.11!! I'm home alone tonight- kiddos out partying with friends- so I'm enjoying some quiet scrapbook time again. I'm still working on some old pictures from 2004. Trying to fill in a one-year gap that I found in my chronological scrapbook. I adored this dress and hat on my then 2 year old. I love these pictures, but I wish I had my nice Canon camera back then! My journaling tag is hidden behind the main picture on the top.

Here's a closeup of the chipboard title which is inked (letters) and covered with paper (heart).

Since my Sweetheart page was not a double page spread I wanted to do a facing page to balance it out and it just worked out that next in order was this group of pictures of my son. He was such a livewire as a little kid- FULL of energy! I always wanted to use the title that I saw somewhere "Boy: Noise with dirt on it!" so I did here. He's not dirty in these pics, but anyone with a son knows this title applies anyway! :)

And finally, here is a card my daughter did all by herself last week! She used a sketch from somewhere on the internet... I'll see if I can find it.

Thanks for stopping by! I've got more pages to show you in the near future!

~Kristin

Bedtime Stories

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

A few scrapbook pages for you. Running short on time... back with some details soon.

A Variety of Thank Yous

2011-10-27T08:38:00.000-04:00

Good morning! I'm super busy preparing for my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack this Saturday, but decided to take a few minutes to post these thank you notes I made for my daughter to send for her birthday thank yous. She needs a few more but this is all I had time for recently. The Clean & Simple sketch FTL 163 came in handy. I intended to just whip out 6 or so cards all in the same design, but you know me, I just couldn't do it. Desgining is most of the fun so they all ended up different.

The Floral Fusion sizzlit is new to me so I first made a ton of these flowers with an old 6x6 pack of designer print patterns in Almost Amethyst. The others shades of purple include current In Colors: Concord Crush and Wisteria Wonder.

... with the new dotted designer brad and ruffled ribbon in Wisteria Wonder, oh and the Striped Embossing folder too!

...with the new mini silver brad, and Framed Tulips embossing folder.

... with the new-to-me sizzlit set: Lots of Tags, sentiment from Build-a-Roo.

...also new-to-me, the Designer Frames embossing folders, retired Floral background and some Dazzling Details glitter glue on the tiny white flowers inside.

Here's the sketch! You should try it too! Which one do you like the best?

Thanks for stopping by today! Trick-o-Treat tonight for our household- I guess at 10 & 11 I might have a few more years of this. Trying not to say "ugh". :) Actually, I don't mind it if the weather is perfect and there is no last minute running around scraping up costume parts... but there is zero hope of that. LOL!

~Kristin

Vintage Sympathy and a Layout

2011-10-24T08:55:00.003-04:00

How about a slightly vintage sympathy card today? I put this together last week for a sketch challenge then never got around to uploading it. I love the new Spice Cake DSP- so many nice colors and designs that look lovely together (even though I only used one here). Was trying to keep this as Clean & Simple as possible- I think for another CAS challenge somewhere.

Here is a quick shot of the inside using the new set Four Frames for the sentiment panel. And I've finally gotten around to sharing a few of the scrapbook pages I did over a month ago. This one seems sort of vintage to me so thought I'd include it in this post. More to come!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies (card):

Stamps: Nature Walk, French Script background, Petite Pairs, Four Square

Colors: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Naturals Ivory (cardstock)

Accessories: Scallop Square punch, Chantilly Lace ribbon, Dotted scallop ribbon border punch

Dazzling Christmas

2011-10-17T09:40:00.000-04:00

OK, here it is. The second Christmas card CASE I promised yesterday. Copied from THIS (scroll down to the second card in this post) card by the great Carrie Gaskin. Once again I had to change up some things since I don't have the stamp set she used. Did you notice the sparkly details on the tree? I added that with SU's new Dazzling Details glitter glue with a super fine tip for adding bling in intricate detail.

For extra texture the River Rock strip is crimped and of course the amazing quilted Cherry Cobbler ribbon is textured itself!

TIP: Want to know how to make a notch in ribbon like that? Just fold it in half and cut at an angle away from the fold. And make sure your scissors aren't sticky like mine were- you'll get a much nicer cut! For the notch on the end of a strip of paper just use a small square punch, turn it upside so you can see what you're doing, and punch! Simple as that (with some practice).

Super simple- hope you like it!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Petite Pairs, Pennante Parade

Colors: Cherry Cobbler, River Rock, Always Artichoke, Whipser White

Accessories: Pennant Punch, Rhinestone, Quilted Cherry Cobbler ribbon, crimper

Modern Merry

2011-10-16T12:45:00.002-04:00

I've been working on more clean & simple Christmas card ideas for our upcoming Stamp-a-Stack. This one is a CASE of this one by Carrie Gaskin of Artistic Avenger, one of my very favorite stampers! Her work is amazing- take some time to browse her blog for lots of inspiration! If I had all the elements she used mine would be even more similar.

Stop back tomorrow for yet another CASE of the wonderful Carrie Gaskin. I won't ruin the surprise for our nearly 40 participants just which of these two cards they will be making on October 29th!

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fine Flourish, Short & Sweet, Pennant Parade

Colors: Whisper White, Concord Crush, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Soft Suede

Accessories: Pennant Punch, Decorative Label punch, Basic Rhinestone, white gel pen, mini silver brad, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon

Pennant Christmas

2011-10-07T08:15:00.000-04:00

How about another Christmas card today? Have you seen this new quilted satin ribbon?? Oh my! It is so luxurious in person! And it photos nicely too, I'd say. Had to use my new Pennant Parade stamp set with matching punch to make this Christmas tree, and the new mini silver brads, aren't they cute?! I've used a few on the inside as well, below. I would love for this to be a card at our upcoming Stamp-a-Stack, but it is from a new Simply Scrappin' Kit called Christmas Lane and there are only 3 piece so I'm just not willing to give them up.

Finally, I am really glad I bought Petite Pairs stamp set! It has 9 sets of sentiments that work together for the front and the inside of a card, like the Christmas set shown here. I love that they are petite- such a simple and sophisticated look I think.

Oops, forgot to add a title and the fact that the sketch for this card is from this week's sketch challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com.

Well, that's all for today. Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Petite Pairs, Pennant Parade

Colors: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Pennant Punch, Mini silver brads, Quilted satin ribbon in Cherry Cobbler, Designer Label punch

Quick & Complete Recovery Wishes

2011-10-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello again! I'm back today with another Clean & Simple card, but this time with a Get Well Soon sentiment. The sketch I borrowed is from the Clean & Simple blog (FTL160). What a great sketch! I haven't used this tree from Thoughts & Prayers in quite a while and decided it was time. My layout is quite simple and clean I think, although I did use the Big Shot on three different occasions- the sentiment layer, the texture at the top, and the butterfly! Can't live without that Big Shot! I added one more tiny detail with that Dotted Scallop ribbon border punch (wish there was a simpler name for that since I use it so often!).

Here's the inside. I put a layer of the same patterned paper at the bottom with a Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch strip... so my sentiment is popped up at the top. That leaves a little room to write a message!

Hope you like it,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers

Colors: Soft Suede, Pool Party, Naturals Ivory (paper)

Accessories: Big Shot, Movers & Shapers die, Modern Label punch, Beatiful Wings embosslit, Dotted Scallop Ribbon boder punch, Lattice embossing folder

Here for you...no matter what!

2011-10-05T17:55:00.000-04:00

I've finally gotten some new goodies to play with and found time to dedicate to stamping. Ooh, I love trying out new Stampin' Up! products! I also loved this sketch, from Monday's CAS challenge on Splitcoast, combined with the color challenge from the Just Add Ink (JAI87) color challenge.

This set, Up Up and Away, is full of a variety of different hot air balloons and phrases too. It is FUN! My main two are stamped on glossy white cardstock with Calypso Coral ink. The rest are all stamped with Crumb Cake ink on the Crumb Cake card base so they stay in the background. Also tried out the new "Stripes" embossing folder as well as the stamp sets Four Frames and Petite Pairs. Ooh, and did you see that new polka dot brad in Pool Party??

And here's a shot of the inside too! I just had to finish it off. Thank you for visiting me. I'll be back tomorrow with something new!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Up, Up and Away; Petite Pairs, Four Frames

Colors: Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Whisper White

Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, In Color Printed Designer brad, Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, Word Window punch

Ice Cream Birthday

2011-09-28T09:42:00.003-04:00

Ugh! Not a very good photo- it is so hard to get a good picture of a light colored sentiment! Well, you get the idea anyway... I did this a few days ago for a sketch but I cannot find it anywhere. If it looks familiar please let me know where I found it so I can add the proper link!

I was looking forward to using my punches (Pennant & Build-a-cupcake) to make an ice cream cone- so fast and easy! The background is called "Stitched" and is embossed in white powder. My white ink by itself just didn't show up enough. Hope you like it! Thanks for coming by today.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Stitched background, Create a Cupcake

Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Accessories: Pennant Punch, Build-a-cupcake punch, scallop border punch, Modern Label punch, glimmer brads, square rhinestone brads, Chocolate chip epoxy brads, Big Shot, dotted embossing folde, white embossing powder

Beautiful Things

2011-09-26T19:02:00.000-04:00

Quick post today... trying to get this in for the deadline today at the new sketch blog Freshly Made! Isn't this sketch fabulous?? I can think of lots of possibilities but really wanted to use this new set with some beautiful fall colors for another blog I found, SUO Challenges, to use fall colors! So thrilled that I found time today to search for a few new challenge sites- love them both!

Thanks for visiting today!
~~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Faith in Nature, French Script

Colors: More Mustard, Concord Crush, Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory

Accessories: Big Shot, circle punch, Concord Crush ribbon, linen thread, Scallop dotted border punch, Square Lattice embossing folder

Pennant Tree

2011-09-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry about the shadow... had trouble getting a good photo this morning. Either too much shade or too much sun- couldn't find 'just right'. How's this for a Clean & Simple Christmas card? I enjoyed borrowing the sketch from Card Patterns for this one!

This one, or something similar might be in the running for the Christmas SAS I've been posting about lately. (see THIS post for details) I have a little surprise on the inside that you can see if you come to the SAS! How's that for a little incentive?! LOL

Gotta run, hope you like it!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: All Holidays

Colors: Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade

Accessories: Pennant Punch, 2.5" circle punch, scalloped dotted ribbon punch, white gel pen, Crop-a-Dile (for red ornaments on tree)

Lovely as a Noel Tree

2011-09-22T08:59:00.000-04:00

Good morning! I've been busily working on Christmas designs for our upcoming Stamp-a-Stack (see THIS post for details). Here is one I came up with which was inspired by the Stampin' Royalty sketch found HERE. I'm trying to keep this simple so had to leave a few details off but the design was definitely driven by that sketch.

I wish the picture could do this one justice- I think it is so pretty in person with the tiny little rhinestone at the top of the tree and the texture of the Woodgrain background on the Early Espresso card base. In my mind this card kind of tells a story- which might be why I like it so much. Our family has some neat memories, thanks to my mom, of going to the tree farm and selecting the perfect tree to take home for Christmas. We'd have so many laughs and stories to tell by the time we got home- including little pranks the FSILs (favorite-son-in-laws) liked to play!

So here is another picture in my attempt to get the best shot- neither is what I was hoping for but you get the idea. If you'd like to see it in person (and maybe make one just like it) then be sure to sign up for our Christmas Stamp-a-Stack coming up on October 29th.

Stop back tomorrow for another potential SAS card... and maybe a scrapbook page or two (I've gotten 12 done recently I could share).

Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree, Many Merry Messages, Woodgrain background

Colors: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green

Accessories: rhinestone, Very Vanilla ink, Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon, linen thread, Modern Label punch

Stacked Snowman

2011-09-16T17:26:00.000-04:00

What do you think of this stacked snowman? Isn't he just a fun idea! Copied him from Connie Babbert's card HERE. You'll notice his arms are missing... but do you think it matters? I don't have that large snowflake punch and was trying to decide if I need to order it or leave him like this. If it seems early to you to be making Christmas cards, well think again... because the ladies and I are working out the details for our annual Christmas card Stamp-a-Stack in October!! I can't wait and you just might see this card design again. If you have never been to a Stamp-a-Stack or have never even stamped before THAT'S OK!! Scroll to the bottom of this post and I'll give you the details.

This is the sketch I used for my snowman card. Can't you see all kinds of possibilities with this? Well, even if you can't the Clean & Simple blog has another sketch up already! I'm just behind.

That's all I'm going to say about that... supplies will be listed at the end of this post.

That was the view from my front porch this morning. Isn't that amazing?! I just want to stare at it- causes one to reflect on life a little bit doesn't it?! I'll take the 39 degree morning if it means having a gorgeous sunrise like this.

So, you've read this far and you just might be interested in the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack details. Look no further:

When: Saturday October 29th, 9:30am- 4pm

Where: at the Mary Lou Johnson Library in Kenton, Ohio

What: $35 to make 12 cards, includes $5 coupon, lunch and snacks

Let me know if you are interested! We have plenty of room and would LOVE to share our love of stamping with you! You are welcome to message me on my Facebook page HERE if you want, or just leave a comment on this post. If you leave me your email address I can forward you the Registration form or find it on my sidebar here on my blog and you can print it out and mail in.

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Serene Snowflakes

Colors: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Whipser White, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black

Accessories: circle punches, Big Shot, dotted embossing folder, dotted scallop ribbon punch, scallop trim border punch

Smile

2011-09-01T14:10:00.000-04:00

Ooh la la, I'm loving my stampin' time again! Today I decided to play along with the sketch challenge on Splitcoast as well as the color challenge on Stampin' 411 to use Chocolate Chip, More Mustard and Pool Party!

So when is the last time you used a Stampin' Around wheel?? I know, it's been forever for me. The edges were wheeled with Baroque Border in Chocolate Chip. Next I stamped the large flower image on Chocolate Chip cardstock with Versamark (clear ink) then dabbed the image with More Mustard chalk... OK OK, I must have been feeling nostalgic to use chalk again too!

I hope you like it. I've got to run! Be back tomorrow, hopefully!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe, Fabulous Phrases, French Script, Baroque Border wheel

Colors: Chocolate chip, More Mustard, Pool Party, Whisper White

Accessories: Antique Brad, distressing tool, wide chocolate chip grosgrain, linen thread, sponge

Too Kind!

2011-08-31T16:41:00.002-04:00

This week's Clean & Simple challenge on Splitcoast is to use kraft (Crumb Cake) and bright colors. This may not look very clean but it is only one full layer, and it was pretty simple thanks to fun and easy tools like the Big Shot and punches! Here's another view:

I have used the Movers & Shapers die before a number of times, but rarely the way it's intended- to cut a window somewhere you wouldn't otherwise be able to. Well today I did! And it was almost an afterthought. First I embossed the Crumb Cake card base with the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder. Then I ran it through the Big Shot again, this time with the Movers & Shapers die that matches the Curly Label punch which I did the white piece with.

Did you notice the stamp also matches the punch and the die?! Love that about Stampin' Up! products! The stamp set that I made the frame with is called Vintage Labels and is retired. The sentiment is from another retired set called Whimsical Words (both of these were Sale-a-Bration sets that I earned for FREE during SU's big annual promotion!).

Anyway, the punches I used for the flowers are the NEW Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet punch and one of the bitty punches from the Itty Bitty three pack. Wondering about the butterfly? It was super easy with the Beautiful Wings embosslit and Big Shot! I added some pearls for a finishing touch then stopped while I was ahead. So what do you think? Does it qualify for the CAS challenge? If it doesn't that's OK too.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks to Lisa Henke for virtual stamping with me today... maybe I'll have more for you tomorrow or Friday!
Have a great day!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Vintage Labels, Whimsical Words

Colors: Crumb cake, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Poppy Parade

Accessories: Big Shot, Movers & Shapers die, Elegant Bouquet textured impressions embossing folder, Itty Bitty punch, pearls, Beautiful Wings embosslit, curly label punch

Clean & Simple

2011-08-27T16:09:00.000-04:00

I'm back today with a fabulous clean & simple challenge from the Clean & Simple blog plus the Color Q color challenge they've teamed up with. Fortunately for me I love them BOTH! So I mixed and matched some old stuff with ...well, most of what I used is old and retired other than the sentiment from Fabulous Phrases. My buttons are a variety, from a Summer Sun corduroy to a clear button backed with some Thoroughly Modern DSP. Hope you like it!

Here's a peek at the inside.

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases

Colors: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories: Dotted scalloped ribbon border punch, corduroy buttons, clear button, linen thread

True Friend

2011-08-25T22:38:00.001-04:00

I found a few spare minutes to play today now that my kids are back in school- woo hoo! Of course I'm a bit rusty so had to start out with not one but two different challenges to get going. Don't complain, you're lucky I didn't do more. LOL!

The sketch I used is from this week's sketch challenge on Splitcoast: SC347. Love it! I also decided to "Soften the edges" per Pals Paper Art's PPA108. I rounded one corner of the card then decided that wasn't quite enough and since the other edges were all glued down I distressed the rest of the edges instead.

Here's the inside as well. Hope you like it. I'm thrilled with the results! Even used my new Simply Scrappin' Kit from the Summer Mini Catalog called Playful Polka Dots (page 15) and the new twisted Baker's Twine in Cherry Cobbler. Finally I added a few rhinestones for a finishing touch.

Let me know what you think! Thanks for stopping by.

Ooh, almost forgot... Tiffany Bauer honored me by featuring THIS card of mine as one of her weekly picks on Aug. 14th. Sorry it's taken so long to acknowledge it Tiffany, and thank you for the honor!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Punch Bunch (SAB)

Colors: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit, rhinestones, Cherry Cobbler baker's twine, corner rounder, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, distressing tool

Get Whale Soon

2011-08-11T16:13:00.002-04:00

Been wanting to play with my new pennant punch and needed a "Get Well" card. So here you go...

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! Oh wait, I almost forgot the great news... I've been selected as one of Pals Paper Arts Atist Pick Winners for PPA105 with THIS card. So glad I'm back to stamping!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Pun Fun

Colors: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Old Olive grosgrain, aquapainter, Pennant Punch, Silver brads, scallop circles die

Flower Garden sympathy

2011-08-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

Just had to try out my new Flower Garden embossing folder today! There have been some complaints about the embossing being on the right side instead of the left side where it is pictured in the catalog, but I must say that doesn't bother me a bit. I think it is beautiful.

Here I embossed it first then rubbed over it very gently with a sponge and some Champagne Mist shimmer paint. I intentionally let the swipe marks show and I like it that way. Kind of an artistic look I'm hoping for.

On the inside I used the butterfly stamp from Watercolor Trio as well as a sentiment from Thoughts & Prayers.

Thanks for stopping by! That's all I've got for now but hope to be back to stamping again soon.
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Watercolor Trio, Thought & Prayers

Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Champagne Mist shimmer paint, Big Shot, Flower Garden embossing folder, Decorative Label Punch

Fun with punches!

2011-08-06T06:00:00.001-04:00

Had a blast today playing with my new Blossom Bouquet triple layer punch! I had pictured this card in my head and can't believe it came out even remotely as nice as I had hoped. You just never know if an idea will come to fruition or not. Thanks to a variety of SU's punches, it wasn't hard at all. In addition to that new Blossom Bouquet punch I also used: Spring Flower Bouquet punch (retired) and the Itty Bitty punches. I layered these plus a few pearls and the narrow Daffodil Delight ribbon on top of a partial Top Note and called it complete!

The color scheme here is from this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge (I'm beyond exstatic to be back to stamping and enjoying fabulous challenges) to use Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade. I also used many "itty bitty flowers" which is just what is on tap for the Splitcoast Ways to Use it challenge for Friday.

I hope you'll enjoy the inside as well. I'm on a roll completing both outside and insides!

Thanks for stopping by again! Be sure to visit again tomorrow for yet another card this time featuring a certain new embossing folder. ;)

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: In My Thoughts (retired)

Colors: Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo and Whisper White

Accessories: punches- Blossom Bouquet triple layer, Spring Flowers, Itty Bitty punch pack; Basic pearls, Top Note die, Big Shot, Narrow Daffodil Delight ribbon

Heartfelt gratitude from me

2011-08-05T21:12:00.000-04:00

Before I type a word about this card, my first since May I believe, I'd like to first extend my heartfelt gratitude to you, my on-line friends, who have left the most endearing messages regarding the loss of my mom. I can honestly tell you I've read them many times and each time they brought me comfort. I'm so very touched, so THANK YOU!

Thanks to some of the beautiful handmade cards I received from people like Angie Tieman and Lisa Henke, I am finally inspired to stamp again. I spent most of my day at my "creative station" enjoying some of my new SU goodies that I've had for some time but never opened. For this card I used the sentiment from my new stamp set Faith in Nature as well as the retired Sale-a-Bration set called Bliss. My color combo is Soft Suede, Concord Crush with the new In Color Wisteria Wonder and a touch of Calypso Coral on the butterfly.

Extra details include Basic Pearls, the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz and some Dazzling Diamonds.

For the inside I used the stamp set Vintage Labels and the sentiment is from Silhouette Sentiments (retired hostess set). My layout came from the Clean & Simple blog sketch #152. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed stamping again!

Be sure to stop back tomorrow and the next day as I've got MORE to show you! Thanks for visiting today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Faith in Nature, Bliss (retired), Silhouette Sentiments (retired), Vintage Labels (retired)

Colors: Soft Suede, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Basic Pearls, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Curly Label punch

A Tribute

2011-07-19T13:19:00.000-04:00

It's been thirteen days now since my mom unexpectedly passed away in her sleep on July 6. I knew I counted on her, relied on her advice and wisdom, appreciated the selfless, generous things she did for me... I called her all the time for the most mundane things- like paint color and ant problems and especially parenting, but she didn't mind and had such a knack for common sense (that not everyone has I must say!)... but I didn't realize I banked on her always being here. The morning my dad called at 6am it was the last thing I expected to hear- I didn't even seem to be a joke, just NOT POSSIBLE.

I'm here at their house in Michigan now, helping my dad in any way I can (which is helping me too) and it still doesn't seem real. But, my faith is stronger than I realized and I am comforted by all the things my mom loved: family & friends, sunshine, gentle breezes, ripples on the water, birds at her feeders and the gorgeous blooms in her flower beds.

Please, for me, take a moment to figure out who your rock(s) is/are in your family and hug them tight, express your love and appreciate evey moment. I'm so very fortunate to have had the mom that I did and to be left with so many memories and no regrets, no words unspoken, no gesture unappreciated.

Rest in peace mom.
~Kristin

Don't Faint!!

2011-06-24T14:45:00.000-04:00

I know it's been quite a while, an eternity for me, but I am back with two different cards. I thank those of you that noticed I have been missing and took the time to ask about me. I'm OK! My long absence can be explained mostly by a sudden disappearance of all desire to stamp! Can you believe it? I never usually lack the desire to stamp. In any case, it might have been related to being quite busy with all things related to the end-of-the-school-year and also a very busy ball season.

I really have been trying to get back to it, and finally managed to squeeze out these two cards one day. I would've continued stamping if life hadn't intervened again. I used the sketch from the Clean & Simple blog (FTL145) as well as the CAS challenge on Splitcoast to do a tall & thin card.

I used papers from the old Hostess pack of 6x6 In Color patterns. The center rectangle is made with vellum so the patterns peek through.

Next is an anniversary card. Can you believe I used vellum again?! The only two cards I've made in months and I used vellum for both! The flourish on the front is actually embossed in white on the underneath layer. I wish I would have made this a wedding card because I need one for tomorrow! If you recognize the sketch for this one let me know because I wrote it down at home and am away right now.

Here is the inside- another surprise that I took the time to do the inside. And I like it!

Well, I hope you didn't faint seeing that I've stopped for a quick post. I am hoping to stamp more this summer but no guarantees of how often and when.

Thanks so much for sticking with me! Hope you are having a great summer!
~Kristin

Oops, a little late on the Diva challenge!

2011-05-16T08:43:00.001-04:00

Oops, I can't believe how distracted I've become lately. Barely any stamping time, and I didn't notice that I'd forgotten to post my Diva card last Wednesday. Ah well, I guess we all experience different phases in our lives and changes therein. Who knows what tomorrow brings, right?!

Anyway, here it is.

We had a lovely sketch to work with last week- and considering I have barely stamped a thing lately I'm surprised at how much I like what I came up with. I pulled out some old felt flowers, the Finial Press embossing folder and my favorite reliable stamp set, Aviary.

Here's a shot of the inside since I did that as well. Hope you like it. I'll try to be back soon. Might not be so hard with the rainy forecast I'm seeing... although we've also got baseball games forecast for nearly every day. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by! Be sure to go visit the Diva blog to see the sketch and other fine examples.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Aviary, Picture This (retired)

Colors: Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Accessories: Big Shot, Felt Flowers, Finial Press embossing folder, Scallop Trim border punch (inside)

Weeding, Reading and Baseball but little stamping

2011-05-10T12:54:00.000-04:00

Hello and happy Tuesday! I sure love spring and being outside, but sadly all that weeding and reading and the baseball games have kept me from much stamping. But, I'm back today with a little birthday card I made for my father last week. I enjoyed using the sketch challenge from Stampin' 411 as well as the color challenge on Splitcoast last week. Boy, I'm sure behind posting it though!

Surprise, I even photo'd the inside to show you. It is quite clean & simple and didn't take long to make either. I love the newsprint for a background- not something I've done much but will do again for sure!

This is the birthday RAK I received from Lisette aka scrapinnut620. Isn't it beautiful?! I love how she used my favorite background stamp, Medallion! And those dimensional butterflies are still sitting here on my desk making me smile (the whole card is I mean, I didn't rip them off)!

Finally, I promised a few before and after pictures of my big bathroom project from a few weeks ago... if I can get them to upload this time I'll be sharing them... And if you guessed purple for my new color you are exactly right! If I were to name a Stampin' Up! color I suppose I would call it Lovely Lilac. Hope you like it.

BEFORE AFTER

Anyway, you get the idea. Thanks for stopping by! I'm going to try to have a Diva card for you tomorrow... but it is looking awfully sunny outside right now. ;)

~Kristin

A Lovely Mother's Day

2011-05-04T09:18:00.001-04:00

Warning: this post is full of pictures! Not only do I have the weekly Diva challenge for you but also some RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) I've received recently that made my day! Enjoy!

Here is my Diva card using the color combo Soft Suede, So Saffron and Regal Rose. I've also employed the fabulous sketch by Card Patterns.

Here's a peek at the inside as well. I enjoyed working with the Medallion background stamp again- it's been awhile. Also, the Big Shot came in handy with the Framed Tulips embossing folder as well as the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and the Beautiful Wings embosslit for the butterlflies inside and out.

This is a birthday card I found in my mailbox from my good pal and frequent virtual stampin' buddy, Lisa Henke! Isn't it beautiful?! It did have a rhinestone in the center of that bottom flower when I opened it but lost it from the mailbox to here.

Here's another from Lisa who thought of me and cheered me up when I needed it most. Perfect timing and friendship to make a gal perk up!

And to make me feel even more special, this card and the next both arrived from perfect strangers who just send RAKs out of the kindness of their hearts! This is from Joan aka Smileyj on Splitcoast... thank you Joan! Oops, looks like the other one didn't load. I'll work on that and see if I can't show you tomorrow.

Here is the DCBD color challenge for this week if you are inclined to play along. We'd love to have you join us! Heck, we might even choose your card to feature on our weekly "Featured Artist" post.

Ooh, almost forgot. My before and after bathroom redo pictures... well, I've got them taken just need to upload. Any last minute gueses as to what color it is? I'll work on that post for tomorrow... my power is supposed to be out this morning so I feel like I'm working on borrowed time as it is or else I'd just add them right now.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

With Sympathy

2011-04-27T15:48:00.000-04:00

Hello stampers! I'm back today with a creation for the Diva Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge. I was in the mood for something sort of pretty and elegant and needed a sympathy card so this is what I came up with. Obviously I've turned the squares on their sides so I've got a little different look than the sketch.

I hope you like my color combo! It is Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler. Doesn't that Cherry Cobbler seem binding look pretty? It has such a nice sheen in real life!

Well, gotta run (again). Baseball practice and weeds are calling my name, not to mention dinner and laundry. I did finally get my bathroom all complete and will take some after pictures to share with you tomorrow (hopefully). I am so pleased with how it turned out- despite all the work and effort it took (about 5 days).

Please stop by to see what the other Divas have done for today's challenge!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Watercolor Trio, Fine Flourish

Colors: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler seem binding, pearls, Lattice die, Big Shot, small oval punch

WOW! 11 day hiatus!

2011-04-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wow, I can't believe it has really been 11 days since I posted last! Actually 12 by the time this goes live. Well, I've had some issues... first one being I spilled tea on my new laptop last Monday! OMG, I almost threw up. But it turns out, after letting it sit and dry out for 5 days it is up and running. The only residual problem is that my 3 key doesn't stay put (because I pried it off in my panic) and the keys where I spilled sound a little different now. I guess I can't complain. Better than buying a new laptop!

Anyway, I've also been painting my kids' bathroom. It has been bright yellow- not kidding, like Daffodil Delight- for probably 8-10 years! Any guesses as to what color it is now? I'll post some before and after pictures when it is all complete. I'm so excited- I think it is going to be fabulous!

So, due to those and other events I haven't stamped since the last card I posted. I'm not really even feeling withdraw yet... I suppose my creative outlet has been the bathroom. But, I do owe you two Diva Coffee Break design challenges so I decided to combine last week's sketch with today's color challenge. I hope you like it... you know I struggle with bright colors. Be sure to stop by and check out the other Divas' creations and then play along with us!

Thanks for stopping by!
Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: For All You Do

Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Newsprint DSP, Rhinestone, narrow Rich Razzleberry ribbon

Vintage Wishes

2011-04-08T09:24:00.000-04:00

This is a little out of the ordinary for my typical style, wouldn't you say?! Not exactly clean & simple, that's for sure. It took quite a bit longer than normal too, but I'm still pleased with it. I decided to try out the sketch challenge on Splitcoast this week. I love sketches that have enough details to get me started but leave lots of room for interpretation.

The stamp set I used is called Nature Walk and will be available a bit longer in the Occasions mini catalog, until April 30.

To add dimension and texture true to a vintage style, I used a number of things like the old Linen background stamp, pearls, rows of scallops, heat embossing on the bird cage, dry embossing with the Big Shot and the Square Lattice embossing folder, bitty punch flowers and a fussy cut butterfly with one wing raised on dimensionals. Other details include the chantilly lace ribbon, distressed and some sponged edges a well as a bit of French Script stamped in Very Vanilla ink on the card base.

And guess what, I remembered to photo the inside also! I layered a few simple scallops and a faint birdcage enhanced with a single flower to coordinate with the front of the card.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a fantastic weekend! I'm planning to enjoy some beautiful weather!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Nature Walk, Linen background, Oval All

Colors: Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Clear embossing powder, scallop oval punch, large oval punch, bitty flower punch, basic pearls, distressing tool, chantilly lace ribbon, narrow Rich Razzleberry ribbon, scallop border punch

Vase o' flowers

2011-04-06T13:13:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon! Sorry I'm a bit late posting my challenge. Have gotten distracted by a number of things today, including a sick kid at home for the third straight day.

Today the Divas have a color challenge for you and I've got to admit- I am not a fan of this combo. Those bold bright colors are just not my favorites and when combined together I just cringe. With that said, I do like how this card turned out... but it was WORK!

I toned down the brightness by adding my trusty neutrals Early Espresso and Very Vanilla. Then distracted the eye with some accessories like the antique brad, some linen thread and the vellum vase. Which, by the way, was made with the small oval punch trimmed at top and bottom, then watercoloring with the aqua painter and some Pacific Point ink. Really looks like water, I might add. Also added a tiny detail with the spiral punch.

I hope you find these colors a bit less challenging than I did. Please be sure to link your creaction to the Diva blog so we can all come take a look!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Greenhouse Garden, French Script

Colors: Early Espresso, Pacific Point, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

Accessories: linen thread, spiral punch, vellum cardstock, antique brad, pop dots

Unique You!

2011-04-05T06:00:00.002-04:00

OK, I'm back with not one but TWO cards for the Clean & Simple blog sketch challenge. I hadn't used this Tart & Tangy stamp set in a while so decided to try it out for the sketch. I popped up one of the slices, made it orange and added some Dazzling Diamonds. Pierced a frame around the edge and popped on a sentiment from Define Your Life.

Next up is a graduation card! Tis the season almost so why not get started early. My hubby is a high school teacher so we always need plenty of graduation cards each year! I love how this one turned out- hope you do too!

Thanks for stopping by today! Be back tomorrow for another Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge!!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Define Your Life

Colors: Marigold Morning, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, 1.25" circle punch, Modern Label punch & matching die, Big Shot

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Go, Graduate

Colors: Sahara Sand, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Riding Hood Red striped ribbon, square punch, scalloped square punch

Spring-like!

2011-04-04T17:41:00.000-04:00

I've got a two-fer for you today! My daughter stayed home sick today and while the Tylenol was working she felt up to making a card (she's back on the couch now). I made the top one and she made the bottom card. Mine is using that sketch I posted a few days ago from Card Patterns that I've wanted to use. Took me long enough but I finally got to it. I tried to give you a little peak at the inside as well since I rarely do up the inside, let alone remember to show you.

My daughter, 9, is very proud of this card and I'm proud of her! It was her idea to do an Easter card and she chose the colors and design. I gave her a few pointers here and there and tied the ribbon for her, but she did the rest! She is excited because I told her we could enter this in Shelli's April Showers contest. The sketch she used is from the Clean and Simple blog- which I happened to be using myself at the time (will post my creations with that sketch tomorrow). She was concerned about flipping the sketch but I assured her that was just fine. The part she got the most excitement from is when I showed her how to use this Tulip Frame border embossing folder!!

Speaking of April showers, we are definitely getting them today! Hope you are staying dry! Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Punch Bunch

Colors: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Big Shot, Large scallop die, Dotted embossing folder, scallop circle punch, Melon Mambo pom pom trim, scallop trim border punch

Stamps: An Egg-celent Easter

Colors: Pale Plum, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Perfect Plum

Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, square punch, scallop square punch, white organdy ribbon, Daffodil Delight narrow ribbon, embossing folders: Square Lattice, dotted, Petals-a-Plenty, oval punch

Concord Note

2011-04-01T13:00:00.001-04:00

If you read my last post you already know that Lisa Henke and I did some virtual stamping again yesterday afternoon. We enjoy doing this as often as possible as it makes us (me anyway) feel a bit more creative and spontaneous. I don't sit for a long time looking for the perfect challenge or perfect starting point- Lisa usually provides one for me. Then I do the same and we both do both challenges. FUN! The only thing that could be more fun would be to stamp together IRL- but that just doesn't happen often being nearly 3 hours apart.

For my flower on this card I found an OLD flower die called Large Daisies that I've had since the original red Sizzix days! I have no idea if it is available any longer and it was never sold by SU as far as I know. The paper is the 6x6 In Color paper pack that is a level one hostess set.

Anyway, my challenge for us was to incorporate at least 2 items from the following list:

Color combo: Neutrals plus one color*
Something old something new: use a stamp set you haven't used in AGES and something relatively new together
brads *
wheel*
No DSP
Big Shot*
CAS*

I've starred the items I did on my card. We'd both love it if you'd decide to play along! Please leave a comment here or on Lisa's post so we can come ooh and ahhh over your work.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sweet Little Sentiments (re4tired)

Colors: Whisper White, Concord Crush, Basic Gray

Accessories: Music Note wheel, Filigree Brad, Big Shot, Large Daisies flower die, Concord Crush print patterns

Sugar & Spice

2011-04-01T08:38:00.000-04:00

Yippee! Today Lisa Henke and I had another chance to virtual stamp together. What a great time! I highly recommend finding an on-line pal that you can virtual stamp with. We are physically nearly 3 hours apart but we challenge each other and enjoy knowing we're stamping at the same time. Then we reveal our creations to each other and enjoy seeing how different they are! If you ever need an on-line pal to virtual stamp with feel free to drop me an email with a date and time and I'd LOVE to be your vitual stamp buddy as long as I'm available!

This time we decided to do this week's sketch challenge on Splitcoast shown below. We were also supposed to add flowers for today's Ways to Use it challenge and complete it in 30 minutes or less. Well, I got the sketch part but failed miserably on the rest! I thought the flower part would be easy until I ended up doing a baby card. The 30 minutes or less I might have gotten but I searched high and low for my dotted emobossing folder and never found it.

Either way, here is what I came up with. Considering how many times I tore it apart and started over I'm fairly pleased with it.

The main image is a new stamp to me from the Sale-a-Bration set Punch Bunch. I hadn't used it yet so just wanted to get it inky. My long sentiment at the bottom is an old favorite of mine called Word on Word. I just love how this stamp is designed to have the larger words in the background a bit faded while the smaller script is more bold. How creative those SU designers are!!!

Since this is obviously for a baby girl I had to add some pearls and pink dotted ribbon with a pretty scallop border. Now I just need someone to give it to. I hope you like it and that you'll stop back tomorrow to see how else we challenged each other.

If you'd like to play along we'd LOVE to have you join us for our 3rd challenge that neither of us has started yet... it is: use the sketch from Card Patterns and make your card in under 30 minutes. If you'd like an extra credit option try this (Lisa doesn't even know about this): use something metallic. Can't wait to see who joins us! When you're done stop back here and link your card in a comment and I'll come check it out! Be sure to go visit Lisa to see what she did too!

Hope you had a great Thursday! TGIF!!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Word on Word, Punch Bunch

Colors: White, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, More Mustard

Accessories: Tag punches, Melon Mambo dotted ribbon, Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, pearls, Scallop trim border punch

Because...

2011-03-30T05:00:00.001-04:00

Good morning!! Let's get right down to business today. The Diva Coffee Break Design challenge for you is this sketch. As you've probably come to expect form me I went pretty clean & simply with very few layers and embellishments. The embellies that I did use pack a punch though, don't they?! I bet you'll notice the strip of white flowers as my scallop edge right away. That is from the Flowers Sizzlit Strip (on the Clearance Rack still I believe). I've had it for a few months now and had forgotten all about it. It actually cuts a 12" border so it is ideal for scrapbook pages as well.

Like this color combo? It is straight from the Color Coach: Early Espresso, Dafodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler. I love it! The embossed heart is called the Scalloped Heart of Hearts and is an embosslit so it works with the Big Shot to emboss and cut at the same time! My little owl on here is from the stamp set Love Bandit. I also have a little raccoon on the inside but forgot to photograph it- sorry!

My sentiment is from Define Your Life stamp set which I cut into strips so as to qualify for Monday's CAS challenge on Splitcoast. And what do you think of my homemade brad? I used the Build-a-Brads and a heart stamp from the new Create a Cupcake set.

I hope you'll join the Divas for this great sketch challenge. I'd love to see what you come up with!! Glad you decided to visit me today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Love Bandit, Define Your LIfe, Create a Cupcake

Colors: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Accessories: Scalloped Heart of Heart embosslit, Flowers Sizzlit Strip, Big Shot, Build-a-Brad

Something Scrappy

2011-03-29T08:36:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to work on a few layouts on Sunday so I thought I'd share them today. Apologies for the crummy photos- the lighting just wasn't working for me yesterday. First layout is a spread from my son's fourth birthday. I used the Big Shot with the Cupcake Sizzlit set for the large cupcake, and the scallop circle as well. My sparkly 4 is a "sticky cut" with some glitter that completely matches Rich Razzleberry! The confetti stamped on the background is a stamp set called Itty Bitty Backgrounds. Not sure why I didn't think to use the current set called Confetti!!

Here is the entire layout together. The background paper on the right side is from one of my favorite packs of DSP called Urban Oasis. Colors are Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Dusty Durango with touches of white.

Here's one featuring my kiddos at 4 and 2 eating ice cream in the car- what was I thinking?? For colors I used Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi and Bermuda Bay. How's that for a combo? I especially think they are striking on the black background.

Here is the entire layout together. A few things on these pages are not SU like the stickers (Nature's Garden by Colorbok circa 2003), photo corners (?) and the clear flower (?) with polka dot center brad (Queen & Co.). Everything is from Stampin' Up!

And finally a Christmas layout. I actually like how this layout worked since I managed to get 13 pictures on! Pictures at Christmas time are never great since it is such a hectic holiday, but still memories to preserve. The patterned paper is an old SU pattern (I forget the name) but the ribbon on the left and the sticker title on the right are not SU products.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope these inspire you to get back to your scrapbooking if you've taken a break. I'll be back tomorrow with a fun Diva challenge and I've used something that you've NEVER seen from me before! Can't wait to show you. Have a great day!

~Kristin

Sweet Summer Wedding

2011-03-23T09:00:00.001-04:00

Good morning! I hope you're ready for another Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge today! Here are the colors we challenge you to use together: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Perfect Plum.

Would you like an awesome sketch to pair with our color challenge?? How about this one from Stampin' 411?! I loved it and it really helped get me going on this card when I didn't have much time to crank it out.

So glad you stopped by today! I hope you'll visit the Diva blog and consider playing along with our challenge. We'd love to see what you come up with!

Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

Happiness Always

2011-03-22T08:27:00.000-04:00

Happy Tuesday ladies and gentlemen! Do you like bird cages as much as I do? I think they are so graphic and visual- I just love the variation and appeal! They make me think of a classy boutique. Anyway, I wanted to try my hand at the Clean & Simple sketch below (FTL132) but just had to think of something unique other than what first came to mind (flowers). It didn't take me long to decide on bird cages! The hard part was figuring out a way to make them fit.

I knew I wanted something sophisticated and whimsical at the same time so I paired them with the Nouveau Chic DSP (retired). The best part is this gave me an excuse to use my new Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon from the Occasions Mini Catalog. It is the only ribbon in this color so if you LOVE Baja Breeze, and I know you do, you MUST have this ribbon!

I did sneak something on here that isn't from Stampin' Up! and that is the tiny glass dew drops. I've always been enamored by those dew drops and love how the color just seems to go perfectly with Baja.

I hope you've enjoyed today's card I made just for you! Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies (unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Aviary, Whimsical Words

Colors: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, Sage Shadow, So Saffron

Accessories: Curly Label punch, Nouveau Chic DSP, Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon, scallop trim border punch, distressing tool, corner rounder, non-SU dew drops

Catty CASE Birthday

2011-03-21T08:43:00.001-04:00

Good morning! Sorry I ditched ya yesterday- I thought I'd scheduled this to post then realized I had never even started it. So here is the third and final card I completed while virtual stamping with Lisa last week. This was my challenge to us both: to use the birthday card on page 131 of the SU catalog for the sketch and the color scheme from the inside back cover of the catalog which is Soft Suede, Wild Wasabi and Baja Breeze with a touch of Peach Parfait (I know it doesn't look like it!).

Did you notice the crimper again?? I used it twice on Friday! Just another way to rationalize why I never get rid of anything, ever! In nearly seven years as a demonstrator I've only sold off ONE retired stamp set. I guess I do send lots of stamps home with my mom and sister, and there is the storage tub in my garage that is completely full.... but I dig something out of it once in a while so I just can't let them go.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by today! And thanks to Nancy Riley at iSTAMP and Kim Score at Paper Punch Addiction for featuring my Birthday Penguin card from yesterday! The extra traffic to my blog was amazing!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: So Many Scallops (an OLDIE!!)

Colors: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait

Accessories: Scallop circle punch, dotted Soft Suede ribbon, crimper, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Bitty Punch

Birthday Penguin

2011-03-19T03:00:00.002-04:00

Here's challenge number two between Lisa and I. The picture below was to be our inspiration and we were also to use dry embossing and circle elements on our cards. It is fun to see how different ours turned out- hers is elegant and just plain gorgeous. Mine is obviously playful and cutesy.

I hate to admit just how long this card took. Piecing together that penguin from the owl punch (thanks to an idea I have saved by Teneale Williams!) and the balloons which have a layer of acetate over them for some realistic shine added a bit of time. Especially when I kept messing up and having to redo certain parts. My sketch is from page 88 in the SU catalog- I just love it and will definitely keep it in mind for the future!

The happy birthday sentiment is from the new set Bring On the Cake in the current mini catalog. I decided at the last minute to emboss it in white. It got a little messy but I wasn't about to startover at that point! Heck, messy embossing is a little like confetti on a birthday card, right?! At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Well, thanks for stopping by. I'll list everything I used in my supplies list in case you're wondering. Feel free to ask questions if you like, and feel free to join us in this challenge if you'd like! We'd love to come see what you've done!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Bring on the Cake, Party Hearty (hat)

Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Certainly Celery, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Owl punch, Glimmer Brad, Dotted scallop ribbon border punch, Word Window, 1" circle and medium oval punch (from Holiday Mini), small star punch (for part of balloons), Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Texturz Plates, white embossing powder, linen thread (PHEW!)

Virtual Stamping with my pal Lisa!!

2011-03-18T08:59:00.000-04:00

My stampin' pal Lisa Henke and I had a chance, finally, to get some "virtual stamping" time together yesterday. We try to do this a few times a year and it just worked out yesterday. Lisa and I met through the Great Swaps group a few years ago and just got along so well we decided to room together for SU's convention in 2008. We've been friends ever since! It helps that we both live in Ohio, so we can get together IRL every now and then even.

When we virtual stamp we take turns making up challenges that we both participate in. This card is from Lisa's challenge to use the layout and color scheme of the card on page 89 of the current Stampin' Up! catalog. Click on her name up there to see what she came up with.

Mine is fairly self-explanatory. I used Basic Gray, Going Gray, Real Red, Night of Navy and Marina Mist. I turned the layout on it's side just to change it up a bit. Hope you like it!

She even posted her card for our last challenge on that post to use this picture as inspiration, with the added caveat to use dry embossing and circle elements. It was such a fun challenge and I really like what I came up with. I'll be back to post mine tomorrow. Then Sunday I'll show my challenge to Lisa which was to use the layout from the birthday card on page 131 with the color scheme from the inside back cover of the SU Catalog.

If you are inspired to play along with us we'd love to have you! Just link your creation in the comments. Thanks for stopping in today! I love it when you visit!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Bring on the Cake (Occasions Mini), Extreme Elements

Colors: Basic Gray, Going Gray, Real Red, Night of Navy, Marina Mist

Accessories: Large star punch, Basic Gray corduroy button, White gel pen, tag corner punch, crimper, paper piecing tool

Nature Walk Gratitude

2011-03-17T05:00:00.005-04:00

I was finally able to place an order for a few goodies from the current SU mini catalog. I couldn't resist this pretty set called Nature Walk and the coordinating paper Botanical Gazette! This collage/vintage style is tough for me so this card took me quite a while to get just right. Then, when it was all done I tried to smooch spray it and of course it gooped out all over and ruined my main image so I had to start over on that. The good news is take two is better than take one and I thought to stamp it on this lined paper from Newsprint DSP which I hadn't done originally.

Here is the sketch I borrowed, from a sketch blog I found recently: Unscripted Sketches. Fun!

I need to give an extra special should out today to Chat Wszelaki, Cindy Beach and Patsy Waggoner for nominating me recently for the Stylish Blogger award. If you know these three ladies, and you probably do, you'll know this is definitely an honor! Thank you my friends, you've made my week!

Have a great day everyone and thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments are so appreciated- you always know how to make me smile!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Nature Walk, Fabulous Phrases

Colors: Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede

Accessories: Newsprint DSP, Botanical Gazette DSP, Antique Brad, Linen Thread, Log Cabin Smooch Spray, distressing tool

B&W For You Pansy

2011-03-16T05:00:00.002-04:00

Ahoy Mateys! I'm back today with a fabulous Diva sketch challenge for you. And you simply MUST go to the Diva blog to check out the variety of creations the Divas have made with it! I was short on time and went with the first idea to come to mind: quick punched squares of Newsprint DSP! The pansy was already sitting on my desk from a few days ago. It is made with the butterfly punch! Have you seen this technique?? I just punched two So Saffron butterflies then heavily sponged on some Concord Crush ink. You could call them done then but I went ahead an spritzed them with my Vanilla Smooch Spray, added a So Saffron Glimmer Brad to the center and drew a few lines with my Concord Crush marker and a ruler.

My sentiment is from Just Believe and is punched with my favorite, Modern Label punch. It is lined with scraps bits of Concord Crush cardstock punched with the ribbon punch.

Hope you like it! Gotta run and get some dinner for the family. Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe

Colors: So Saffron, Concord Crush, Very Vanilla, Basic Black

Accessories: Newsprint DSP, Butterfly Punch, Modern Label punch, Glimmer Brad, Smooch Spritz spray, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

Friend

2011-03-15T05:00:00.001-04:00

Hello! Are you interested in seeing another sketch challenge card from me?? I love the Card Patterns blog and their fabulous sketches! It is saved in my favorites for places to go for inspiration!

This is my first use of the hostess set A Slice of Life. I went with a color combo of Peach Parfait, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and some Very Vanilla.

The vase was actually painted with an aqua painter and some Early Espresso ink. Not sure why it has the rosy tint, but it works with the colors. I covered it with a layer of Crystal Effects for a bit of dimension and shine.

Notice the Peach Parfait organdy ribbon? I dyed it myself by holding it onto the Peach Parfait ink pad with a sponge and just pulling it across multiple times. Didn't take long and I have a customized ribbon!

I hope you like it! I'll be back tomorrow with another DCBD challenge for you to try your hand at. Thank you for the comments lately- they have meant a lot and they surely keep me stamping!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: A Slice of Life, Fabulous Phrases, Simply Stripes background (retired ages ago!)

Colors: Peach Parfait, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and some Very Vanilla

Accesories: Crystal Effect, Scalloped Trim border punch, Small oval punch, Chocolate Epoxy brad, White organdy ribbon, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing folder

Featuring Easter

2011-03-14T11:56:00.000-04:00

Good morning stampers! I've got a card for you today. This is for the Featured Stamper Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers. Here is the card of BFinlay that I decided to use as my inspiration. You'll see it was the sketch that I copied. I tried to do a bit of a modern twist by punching my flowers out with a circle punch and keeping the details simple, like paper piercing around the edges of the circle. Added a few rhinestones for detail and bling. This stamp set is one of the currently available Sale-a-Bration sets which you can get for FREE with any $50 order!

Made it an Easter card for the Pals Paper Arts challenge as well. Hope you like it!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sweet Summer, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: So Saffron, Concord Crush, Whisper White, Pale Plum, Always Artichoke

Accessories: 1" circle punch, circle cutter, Basic Rhinestones, Concord Crush ribbon, markers, white gel pcn, paper piecing tools

Elegant Lines and a few challenges!

2011-03-09T03:00:00.000-05:00

Remember yesterday when I said I stamped a few things but just wasn't thrilled with the outcome? Well, here they are. I know, I don't have to share everything, but they aren't horrible... just not thrilling me either. I think I would really like the first one without the So Saffron ribbon- maybe with a Baja Ribbon instead, but since the Diva Color challenge for today included Baja Breeze, So Saffron and Regal Rose. Plus, I am all out of Baja ribbon until my new order arrives in a few days! I colored in the parts of the embossed areas using an Aqua Painter and ink from my inkpad lids.

This was my first take on this challenge and it's just a little too sweet and pastel for my liking I guess. That's why I changed the sentiment from "Because I Care" to a baby card- more fitting I guess.

My sketch for these two cards is from the Clean & Simple blog post HERE. I hope you'll join the Divas today for our color challenge. Be sure to hop on over to the blog to see what everyone came up with you!

Hope you had a little bit of sunshine in your life today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Because I Care, All Holidays

Colors: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder, So Saffron wide grosgrain, Decorative Label punch, scallop border punch

The NEED to stamp!

2011-03-08T10:14:00.001-05:00

Good morning! Boy, has anyone else been in a stampin' slump? I told my husband last night, you know it's bad when I have time to stamp but no motivation or desire! You really know the winter blahs have set in when you're a stamper that doesn't want to stamp! So I sat down last night and stamped a few things, neither of which I was crazy about... but this morning I decided to try again and am finally happy with what I did!

I put the PPA color challenge to work and actually designed my own sketch! Yep, that means I sketched it out on paper before I even started. I wish I knew of a way to design sketches digitally and I'd consider having a sketch challenge right here on my blog occasionally. Maybe some day!

Anyway, for this card I used a mix of old and new (like always!). The stamp sets I used are not new, but only the sentiment in the Hodgepodge Hardware is acually retired (Think Happy Thoughts). The other two are Inspired by Nature and Flight of the Butterfly. The punches and colors are still available, as well as the DSP Elegant Soiree.

Hope you like! And keep your fingers crossed for me that I might be able to hold on to my new found stamping motivation!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Inspired by Nature, THink Happy Thoughts

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

Accessories: Itty Bitty punch pack, Desiner Label punch, butterfly punch, scalloped border punch, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, basic pearls, Vanilla Hodgepodge

Sweet Friend & Diva Day

2011-03-02T09:42:00.000-05:00

Good morning! And a beautiful sunny morning it is here in Ohio! Not sure why my picture is less than stellar since I took it at 7:30 am... I guess the sun was still waking up like I was.

Today I've got a Diva sketch challenge for you. It isn't a tough one- especially if you take a short cut like I did and use really pretty coordinating designer paper like Greenhouse Gala. My third and smallest strip is a textured piece of vellum cardstock too. I like that you can see a bit of the pattern and color beneath it.

I hope you'll join us and play along today! Go check out the other Diva's creations while you're at it!

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe

Colors: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder, narrow Daffodil ribbon, markers

PS- I HATE blogger! Why oh why is it so difficult to put wrap text around a picture? I used to be able to do it with no problem. GRRRRR!

Bliss is...

2011-02-24T03:00:00.039-05:00

...debossing, embossing and creating my own decorative paper with stamps! For such a simple card I sure have a LOT of techniques going on. This new FREE stamp set, Bliss, is ideal for making elegant cards with a beautiful demask background! (maybe that's not what you'd call it) Anyway, I used whisper white ink on that larger detailed stamp in the background- it shows up awesome on Black paper. You could even use any light colored craft ink as well! The main image with the bird on top are stamped with black craft ink then heat embossed with clear powder, then I dabbed a bit of Blushing Bride ink on the bird's belly.

My circle piece, which is Pink Pirouette, was embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and Big Shot, then flipped over and gently sponged with some ink. I've also got a large silver brad, small rhinestone and some black satin ribbon on there to step up the bling! Oh, almost forgot about the paper piecing around the circle- it looks neat if there is light showing through.

Speaking of forgetting, I started out using the Mojo Monday sketch challenge for this but now am realizing I left off the verticle ribbon piece... may have to rework this so it fits and so I like it a bit better. If I redo it I'll be sure to add it to this post! I also missed the deadline to enter this. Oh well, still a fun sketch to use!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Bliss

Colors: Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: white ink, 2 1/2" circle punch, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, distressing tool, rhinestone, clear EP, large silver brad, sponge, black satin ribbon, paper piercing tools

It's a Diva Color Challenge and a new technique!

2011-02-23T03:00:00.013-05:00

Hi and welcome back! I've got a Diva special coming right up! Today we've got for you a color challenge that is delightfully feminine- Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Rose Red. Not a hard combination to use, especially in February when Valentine's Day is still fresh in our minds.

As promised on Monday here is a second version of this embossing technique I learned from Stampin' 411 using punched pieces to make your own embossed pattern. I am in love with this technique! For this one I used hearts, obviously, and the best part is I used repositionable adhesive to glue them to a scrap piece of cardstock so I can move them around and reuse them as often as I'd like. The other best part is you can use those thin white pieces of 12x12 chipboard that come with every pack of designer series paper (DSP)!

The adorable stamp set I used here is called Create a Cupcake which perfectly coordinates with the matching punch to easily cut out the cupcake parts! Like the inside? Had to make it cute as well! The sentiment on the inside is from a new hostess set called Something to Celebrate- a very useful set!

Want to see another card made with the Create a Cupcake stamp set and punch?

There you go! A CASE from our Stampin' Success magazine that SU Demos get each month. Isn't that cute? And so easy since the punch actually cuts out the cherries too! No hand cutting.

Would you like to host a workshop where I teach you and a group of your friends and family how to make cards like these? I'd love to teach you, so just let me know and we'll work something out!

Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure you hop on over to the DCBD blog for more great samples of this color challenge!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies (card 1)

Stamps: Create a Cupcake, Something to Celebrate

Colors: Rose Red, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride

Accessories: Build-a-Cupcake punch, Heart to Heart punch, Decorative Label punch

(Card 2)

Stamps: Create a Cupcake, Woodgrain background

Colors: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Build a Cupcake punch, Dotted scallop ribbon border punch, mini library clip

Build a Blossom

2011-02-22T03:00:00.002-05:00

Have you seen this new set Build a Blossom in the Occasions Mini Catalog yet? And its fun coordinating punch, Blossom Petals? I've had fun playing with these that I borrowed from my friend and downline Jennifer. Versatility is always important for me when I'm deciding which stamps and accessories to buy. So I had to play around before deciding. This first card is pretty straight forward, using the punch and stamps just as designed. I've also borrowed the sketch from Create with Connie & Mary.

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Build a Blossom, Thoughts & Prayers

Colors: Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Blossom Petals punch, Decorative Lable punch, Chantilly lace ribbon, Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder, Dotted Scallop ribbon border punch, Big Shot

Here is another use for this set. I saw the idea of using the petals as wings on Create and Enjoy with THIS card. I just had to try it out and loved it! I also employed the new Framed Tulips embossing folder for good measure. Sentiment, from Something to Celebrate hostess set, is stamped in Night of Navy on vellum cardstock and enhanced with basic Pearls. So what do you think?

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Build a Blossom, Something to Celebrate

Colors: Sahara Sand, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist

Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, Scribbles Swirls Sizzlit, vellum, basic pearls

That buttefly card has me wishing for warmer temps. Here is a photo I took last summer to brighten your day (and mine too).

Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

Stamped My Heart Out!

2011-02-20T22:45:00.001-05:00

It's been way too long- too much time away from stamping... so when I sat down to create for an upcoming workshop (after borrowing TONS of mini catalog stuff from my downline Jen, thanks Jen!) I couldn't stop! I stamped off and on for three days I think. Of course there were several interruptions since my hubby is out of town but I got seven cards done!! Here are the first two I'm showing you.

This first one was done with the new Sale-a-Bration set called Punch Bunch as well as some of the Ice Cream Parlor DSP . I also tried a new technique out that I learned on Stampin' 411 called Embossed Backgrounds. Do you see the embossed arrows? Those were punched with the My Way arrow punch then ran through the Big Shot as shown on the awesome tutorial. I LOVE to dry emboss with the Big Shot and this opens up fabulous new possibilities limited only by your punch and die cut selections! Stay tuned, I'll show you another card using this technique on Wednesday for Diva Day! The sketch for this card is from Pals Paper Arts- PPA81.

Here is another card that is very closely inspired by one in the Stampin' Success magazine that SU Demos get each month. It is full of fantastic articles and samples to keep us inspired! See that tiny delicate scallop at the top and bottom?? I used the Dotted Scalloped Ribbon Border punch that I thought I could live without and now know I can't!

I hope you like these. I'll be sure to be back with more. Tuesday I'll show you the projects my ladies did at the workshop I'm having tomorrow!

Have a great day!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Card 1:

Stamps- Punch Bunch

Colors- Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Old Olive

Accessories- My Way punch, Big Shot, circle punches, owl punch, scallop square punch

Card 2:

Stamps- I {Heart} Hearts

Colors: River Rock, Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist

Accessories: Heart to Heart punch, Basic Pearls, Marina Mist narrow ribbon, large heart punch, Dotted Scalloped Ribbon Border punch

A Vintage Birthday

2011-02-15T18:47:00.001-05:00

Gotta run, will add the details in a bit!

OK, I'm back with details. I cheated a bit and put this up early last night so I could still make it in for the PPA challenge to use a bit of vintage style. But it is also for today's DCBD sketch challenge. I've flipped the sketch on it's side which is normal for me. With all its details and layers, vintage style is not normally one I gravitate to so this took me a while... but I'm pleased with it. I almost called it done before I decided I needed the flowers to stay true to the sketch. Glad I added them- it was too plain without them. The flowers were easy to make, just punched about 3 flowers for each one with the Boho Blossoms punch then crumpled them up and layered them and added the pearl.

I used two different stamp sets to pull this one off: Vintage Labels and Vintage Vogue. I guess having "Vintage" in the title was the only way I was sure they could pass for vintage. LOL!

If you don't recognize the papers they are from a pack of Designer Series paper called Recollections from, oh I don't know, maybe three years ago. Quite old for paper!

Well, thanks for visiting and for your comments- they bring me cheer on these long and dreary winter days. Thank goodness for sunshine and these 50+ degree temps they keep promising are coming! Make sure to go visit the DCBD blog and play along with this week's sketch challenge!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Vintage Labels, Vintage Vogue

Papers: Confetti Cream (card base), Recollections DSP, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cranberry Crisp

Accessories: Chantilly ribbon, Basic Pearls, Boho Blossoms punch, Wide Oval punch, corner rounder

A few more 12x12 layouts

2011-02-10T00:00:00.002-05:00

These two pages are actually two different events, but they will face each other in the album so I made them coordinate. The tree idea with the ornament punch is from the Stampin' Up! Catalog page 35 if you'd like to check it out! Wondering how I embossed the entire length of the 12" piece of Early Espresso paper on the right layout? It is actually two pieces of paper, embossed separately, and the seam is covered with the ribbon. Clever huh?!

This is a layout I have dreaded- mostly because the pictures aren't great and the first time I used these pictures (in another album) I wasn't pleased with the result at all. Well, this one is better. Took me long enough, but I actually am somewhat pleased. Remember the old Wintergreen DSP? That's what I used on here. Title was made with the Cricut.

And finally this layout. I'm now noticing how muted all my colors are. I must have been in a muted kind of mood that weekend. This layout puts the Simply Scrappin' Kit Summer Home to use. Everything is from the kit except the rub-on letters (which are by Making Memories and quite old!) and the brads which are all SU.

Since I'm backtracking to 2003 to do these pages none of these are digital pictures. I promise I'll get back to digital one of these days and hopefully be working with better quality pictures!

Hope you are well! Thanks for visiting today.

~Kristin

Second Post for today- be sure to scroll down to see the Diva Challenge!

2011-02-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

To get back to my lost mojo I have been playing along with a variety of challenges. The PPA color challenge; Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery and Rich Razzleberry worked for this birthday card. Oops, as I typed that I realized I left out the Riding Hood Red. Good thing I missed the deadline for entry! Guess my brain is still only partially functioning. Anyway, I also really liked the looks of this sketch challenge over at Create with Connie & Mary's blog so I used that too!

Up next is the first of four double page layouts I did recently. My sister got a Cricut for Christmas so I got to play with that for my title. Everything else is from Stampin' Up! The layout is one I found in an old Creating Keepsake magazine.

I hope you are having a great day! Live like you mean it!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies for card:

Stamps: Well Scripted

Colors: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Accessories: Top Note die, Big Shot, Scallop circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Glimmer Brad, Scribbles Sizzlit, Rich Razzleberry ribbon in dotted grosgrain & narrow, White embossing powder, Elegant Lines embossing folder

Sweet Celebration

2011-02-09T09:41:00.000-05:00

First of all, thank you for your kind comments and emails regarding my last post. It was a difficult week and your thoughts and kind words were appreciated. Since then we've lost another close (92 year old) friend who's funeral will be tomorrow. A sad time for sure.

On a happy note though, I am taking some time to appreciate and count my blessings. And, I managed to actually stamp yesterday which is very theraputic and helped immensely. This card is for today's DCBD color challenge to use Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette and Real Red together. Not hard considering Valentine's Day is coming right up. However, I made mine a birthday card since I'm a bit behind sending some birthday wishes lately.

I also put to use the Card Patterns sketch 101, but flipped on its side.

I hope you like it and will consider playing along!

Stampin' Hugs,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sweet Scoops

Colors: Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray, Going Gray, Whisper White, Crumb Cake (for the cone), Real Red

Accessories: Silver brads, Sending Love Epoxy Brad, Real Red dotted grosgrain ribbon, crimper, Modern Label punch

Appreciate your loved ones

2011-02-04T09:23:00.000-05:00

It's been over a week since I've posted here and I wanted to stop in to share a quick note about what's kept me away. A dear dear friend of my family, my best friend's little sister, passed away unexpectedly this week. It is a terrible tragedy and has left everyone who knew her reeling. Please take a moment to appreciate your loved ones today. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I hope to have something to share with you next week.
~Stampin' hugs, Kristin

A Note For You

2011-01-26T08:25:00.000-05:00

Good morning ladies & gentlemen! This morning I present to you a Color Challenge from the DCBD Divas. I hope you'll join us in using these three fabulous colors together: Melon Mambo, Old Olive and Peach Parfait. You simply cannot make anything but a happy card for this challenge- it is impossible!

The sketch is from Card Patterns challenge #99. This is a first for me to play along with one of their sketches. Looking forward to more!

For the first time ever I've used my new Framed Tulips embossing folder- see it there at the bottom? It is available right now on page 28 of the new Occasions Mini Catalog for only $7.95. A few other things to note, the musical paper is not a designer series patterned paper, but paper I made by simply rolling my music notes wheel with Going Gray ink on some Whisper White paper. Wondering how I got the notes straight? Well, I whipped out my handy dandy wheel guide (remember that thing sitting in your drawer that you forgot you had?!)

You'll probably also notice the extra bling in the form of a rhinestone chain hanging the bird cage as well as a few extras on the sentiment piece.

Please make sure to go visit the DCBD blog to view the other Diva's lovely examples, as well as to play along with us.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

PS- Yesterday was the first day of Sale-a-Bration- SU's greatest promotion of the year! Let me know if you need any additional information or would like to schedule a workshop or place an order.

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Aviary, Sweet Little Sentiments

Colors: Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Going Gray, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, circle punch, rhinestone basics, Modern Label punch

Interested in some 12x12 scrapbook layouts??

2011-01-24T12:49:00.000-05:00

PJ Pals

I had an opportunity to do some scrappin' this weekend and here is what I got done. These top three layouts are SUO (Stampin' Up! Only) products, although much of it is retired. The last layout is not. These are various layouts from 2003 (yes I'm behind and yes, I'm OK with that). I'll be brief and just list the supplies used on each one. Oops, just noticed the title on this one is done with stickers that are ancient and not SU.

SUO Supplies

Stamps: By Land

Colors: (left to right) Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: I used circle punches for the tires and the stop light and my paper snips to cut out the vehicles

Snow Buddies

LOVE that flocked paper! Too bad I'll have a page protector over it!

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Whimsical Alphbet

Paper: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Christmas Cocoa DSP

Accessories: Epoxy Brads in Pink

Picture Perfect

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Doodle Alphbet

Paper: Crumb Cake, Dashing DSP, Real Red

Accessories: Top Note die for the Big Shot, variety of SU buttons, Photo Corner punch

KHS Football

Besides the black pages and the gray mats for the pictures, nothing on this is SU except the title which was made with the Billboard Sizzlit die and the Big Shot. I've got more journaling to do on this one... not planning to leave that whole bottom right corner plain like that.

Thanks for looking! I hope to get much more done this weekend to share!

~Kristin

Blushing Pizzazz

2011-01-20T13:29:00.000-05:00

Boy, I really pulled out some neglected goodies for this one! This color challenge is from the Color Throwdown to use Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake and Blushing Bride and let me tell ya, Blushing Bride is very underused in my color collection! I love it with this combo though. Also squeeed in there a Stitched Felt Sweet Pea flower (leaf actually) which I'd completely forgotten I had until I found them recently. It is Old Olive, but look how nice it coordinates with the Pear Pizzazz. That's one thing I love about Stampin' Up! Finally, this stamp set, Pick a Petal- wow! Can't remember the last time I used it!

The sketch I used is for yesterday's challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. Lots of possibilities with those panels in the background!

Hope you like it! I had fun playing along today. Having our second snow day in a row but my hubby (bless his heart) has the kiddos out rabbit hunting so mama is enjoying some quiet time. :) I'm hoping to do some scrapbooking the rest of today, tomorrow evening with my friend and neighbor, then again next weekend with my mom, sister and aunt! Fun things to look forward to!

Have a great day!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Pick-a-Petal, Just Believe (sentiment)

Colors: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: Pear Pizzazz narrow ribbon, Basic Pearls, Modern Label punch, Stitched Felt Sweet Pea Flowers, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, distressing tool

Suede & Saffron Birthday Wishes

2011-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

This week's DCBD challenge is a sketch just for you! I enjoyed putting htis Suede and Saffron number together for you. I hope you don't mind that I've added the retired Floral background to the Soft Suede card base. I didn't have that there at first and knew it needed something. I love how the Floral background looks- the perfect feel to coordinate with this stamp set Watercolor Trio.

Better run, I've got loads of ironing to do. Have a great day and I hope you'll join us Divas for our challenge this week!

~Kristin

Get Whale Soon!

2011-01-12T00:00:00.003-05:00

Delicate and sweet- that's what I was going for with this card. I had in mind a classmate of my daughter's who is courageously battling leukemia right now. My heart aches for her and her family and the only thing I know to do is, what else, make a card.

Today's DCBD challenge is to use this soft but fabulous color combination of Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Sahara Sand. I've used blue tones often lately so thought I might be bored with this, but not the case! The Sahara Sand is a perfect backdrop for the blues and the dots.

Mojo Monday's sketch challenge was a good starting point for me. I wanted this card to be just right so I had to start with a good sketch.

Thanks for visiting me today. I hope you decide to check out the other Divas and play along with our color challenge. Also, if you are moved to brighten a little girl's day who could probably use it I'd be glad to pass along her contact information. Just leave me a comment with your email address.

~Kristin

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

2011-01-11T09:02:00.000-05:00

I won't mention any names, but recently someone told me she didn't really think Thank You notes were necessary for gifts and she certainly didn't expect to receive them. Well, first of all, when I was growing up and thank you notes were mandatory and I still do my best to write them and make my kids write them. Second of all, I'm a card maker. SO, needless to say that certain someone is getting the most THANKFUL thank you note I could come up with. LOL! Don't worry, she'll see the humor and will also know she is appreciated.

My large Thank You stamp that I repeated on the background is a very old retired set called Word on Word. I always liked this set because the way the rubber on the stamp is designed it makes the shading on the bigger letters so the smaller ones on top can be easily read, plus it only needs to be inked in one color!

Anyway, the yellow circle was initially going to be on the inside but changed my mind. The sentiment is from the stamp set Full of Life. Added some ric rac ribbon and a glimmer brad to finish it off.

Thanks for stopping by today! And be sure to stop by my new facebook page if you'd like!
~Kristin

Sunshine, Smiles & Stamps= Lovin' Life

On the topic of Valentines

Picky like that

A Punchy Window

Owl You Do

How 'bout a color challenge??

Miss you!

Striving for Clarity

Playing around

Wherever You Go

The Sky's the Limit

Cheers for a new year!

Christmas Spirit

Joyful Christmas Wishes

A few Christmas cards

Old Friend

A Matter of Moments

3...2...1...JUMP!

100%

Aviary Christmas

Nature Lovers

Bath Time

Scrapbook Smorgasbord

Live Right- a scrapbook layout

Sweetheart & a Boy with dirt

Bedtime Stories

A Variety of Thank Yous

Vintage Sympathy and a Layout

Dazzling Christmas

Modern Merry

Pennant Christmas

Quick & Complete Recovery Wishes

Here for you...no matter what!

Ice Cream Birthday

Beautiful Things

Pennant Tree

Lovely as a Noel Tree

Stacked Snowman

*Smile*

Too Kind!

Clean & Simple

True Friend

Get Whale Soon

Flower Garden sympathy

Fun with punches!

Heartfelt gratitude from me

A Tribute

Don't Faint!!

Oops, a little late on the Diva challenge!

Weeding, Reading and Baseball but little stamping

A Lovely Mother's Day

With Sympathy

WOW! 11 day hiatus!

Vintage Wishes

Vase o' flowers

Unique You!

Spring-like!

Concord Note

Sugar & Spice

Because...

Something Scrappy

Sweet Summer Wedding

Happiness Always

Catty CASE Birthday

Birthday Penguin

Virtual Stamping with my pal Lisa!!

Nature Walk Gratitude

B&W For You Pansy

Friend

Featuring Easter

Elegant Lines and a few challenges!

The NEED to stamp!

Sweet Friend & Diva Day

Bliss is...

It's a Diva Color Challenge and a new technique!

Build a Blossom

Stamped My Heart Out!

A Vintage Birthday

A few more 12x12 layouts

Second Post for today- be sure to scroll down to see the Diva Challenge!

Smile