It's a GOOD MORNING!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUO Supplies

Card 1:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Colors: Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Night of Navy

Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Basic Pearl Jewels

Card 2:

Stamps: Paradise

Colors: Marina Mist, Old Olive, Sahara Sand

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

The Little Things

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fine Flourish, In My Thoughts

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

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

Summer Butterflies today!

Hey all! I'm stopping by lickety split to post something for you before I have to run to yet another ball game! Made this this morning with the Mojo Monday sketch in mind, and the Summer theme for the CAS challenge... although, this isn't what I'd call CAS. Oh well, I had summer on the brain anyway. I hope you enjoy this color combo- it includes the luscsious new Cherry Cobler!!! along with Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron and Old Olive.

Thanks for stopping by! Stop back tomorrow for a Diva challenge!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Good Friend

Colors: Cherry Cobler, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron and Old Olive

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain, scallop border punch, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Button Bouquet