Picky like that

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

True Friend

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

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

Catty CASE Birthday

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

 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!)

The NEED to stamp!

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

Blushing Pizzazz

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

Get Whale Soon!

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

Winter Thank You Notes

I needed some thank you notes for after Christmas so my leftover Felt Flurries snowflakes came in handy.  These were so simple to do, using only Baja Breeze and Whisper White.  Dotting the top layer with the Big Shot and embossing folder then adding two layered snowflakes with either a rhinestone brad or a glimmer brad.  Easy!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!  Hope you like them. 

~Kristin

*smile*

*Apologies if you got a sneak peek of tomorrow's post this morning.  I messed up the scheduled date.  It will return tomorrow!*

Hello and happy Monday!!  If you are in Ohio you are probably enjoying lovely 60 degree weather which is a welcome relief after the bitter cold of the weekend.  I should know because we sat through two football games and nearly froze!  The good news, besides that it is sunny and warm today, is that our high school team won the first round playoff game and my son's midget league football is OVER.  Not that I didn't enjoy watching, I truly did, but 6 hours of practice a week was really overwhelming our family schedule.  It was a great season and they ended up the champions of the league with only one loss.  Great job Sharks!

The card I'm sharing with you today puts to use the PPA67 Color Challenge to use Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade and Basic Gray.  LOVE these colors together... but just not for Christmas.  Trust me.  I tried and it didn't work.  I've also used the sketch from the Stampin' 411 blog (SSC176) which I've tried to upload but am getting resistance from blogger for some reason. 

Now for details about this card...  the Poppy flower was made by using the bird's wing from the Two-Step Bird punch- 7 of them to be exact.  The Daffodil Delight center as well as part of the card base were both embossed with the Dotted embossing folder and the Big Shot.  Details were added with Filigree brads, Daffodil Delight narrow ribbon and the Modern Label punch.  The "smile" is from Fabulous Phrases, stamped in white. 

Hope you like it!  I had fun working out the details!  Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to stop back again on Wednesday for a fun Diva challenge!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, For All You Do (for the flower stem)

Colors:  Basic Gray, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight

Accessories:  Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Filigree brads, narrow Daffodil Delight ribbon, Modern label punch

Boo!

No doubt this is not the first you've seen the owl punch used for a super simple and adorable ghost!  But, it's the first you've seen it here.   For the eyes, I punched out two 1/8" holes then put a scrap of black cardstock underneath.

I enjoyed using the Stamping 411 sketch for this card today.  It came together pretty quickly.  The colors (all In Colors) were all together in my In Colors bag of scraps and I immediately thought of Halloween.  I don't send many Halloween cards, but if I have one close by this week I'll be sure to send it! 

I used the Lattice Bigz die in Concord Crush on the dotted Peach Parfait card base.  The "BOO!" was cut with the Billboard alpha Sizzlit die and the Big Shot. 

Hope you like it.  I'll be back again tomorrow with an entirely different card with this same sketch! 

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: none

Colors: Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Lattice Bigz die, Two-Step Owl punch, scallop border punch, Concord Crush twill ribbon

Peek-a-Boo!

Good morning!  I've got a card for ya today, believe it or not.  This sweet stamp set, Build-a-Roo just arrived on Friday and I had to get it inky right away!  I've always thought it is cute and fairly versatile.  This sketch is from the Pals Paper Arts (PPA61) challenge and the color combo is for the Color Throwdown (CTD111). 

For my circle element for the sketch I used a black jumbo grommet.  I have TIP for using those babies:  don't try to put the prongs through the paper, just bend them flat with an old eyelet hammer and attach it with glue dots.  It doesn't wrinkle up the paper and is much easier to attach. 

I colored the kangaroo with my blender pens and some River Rock ink then some touches of Soft Suede for some shading.  Yes, I know, my coloring skills aren't up to par with the masters! 

If you have a Stamp-a-Majig this is a great set to use it for to get the accessories in the kangaroo's pouch!  This set comes with not only the baby roo, but also flowers and hearts plus a few things to put in her hand and 3 different sentiments.

Have a great Sunday!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Build-a-Roo

Colors: River Rock, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Basic Black, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Pacific Point striped grosgrain, Big Shot, Dotted Embossing folder, black Jumbo Grommet, Scallop border punch, blender pens

{CAS49} Cut it out!

This week for the Clean & Simple challenge we have for you a simple direction: Cut it out! And I just happen to have not one but two cards for you today. This first one was so fast to put together. In case you're wondering, the squirrel's tail is the part that is cut out. In fact, I cut it out with my hobby blade and raised just the tip of it with a Stampin' Dimensional so it stands off the page. Have you ever watched a squirrel fluff their tail with an attitude? It is hilarious! Well this squirrel doesn't have an attitude, just a sweet bouquet of flowers ready to thank the recipient.

I added a row of Circle Circus images behind him-what a versatile set that is! Did you notice the fun chocolate striped brad? Those are new to SU, now available in the Occasions mini catalog and are called Sending Love Chocolate Chip Epoxy brads. There are two designs and you get 8 of each in the container. The second design has a small white flower on a chocolate background. Love 'em!!

Here's a closeup of the cut out portion so you can see the dimension. What do you think of this color combo? Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie... It just came to me while sitting here and was so fun to work with! Hope you like this one as much as I do. It couldn't be much more simple.

Here's my second card for today. I wish I could've photo'd this during natural daylight because the funky color combo just doesn't show well, no matter how much adjusting I do. This combo is a cardbase of Elegant Eggplant, cupcake in Pale Plum and Perfect Plum, and yes that's a panel of Dusty Durango. I have not really appreciated this color at all, but I just love it with these purples. And yes, there is some much loved Pumpkin Pie on there too. Guess who gave me this color combo?! My 8 year old daughter. She brought me 3 pony tail holders today in these colors and told me how much she liked them together. I wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't pointed them out, but I immediately told her I'd be making a card with them after sledding today. She was tickled!

ETA: Here's a better photo taken during daylight hours with no editing. Big difference eh?! And the first photo was seriously adjusted! This picture shows the colors much better.

I used the very fun Big Bold Cupcake Sizzlits 4-pack to make the cupcake and candles. The small heart punch and the Perfect Polka Dot Textured Impressions folder are both in the Occasions mini catalog, as well as this awesome stamp set called Well-Scripted. I just love this flowing script- can be formal or casual- so versatile!

You probably can't tell but the scallop edge below the Eggplant ribbon is actually Pumpkin Pie- I love the contrast of the Pumpkin with the Durango and Eggplant.

We'd love to have you join us this week with our CAS49 challenge! Thanks for stopping by today!

~Kristin

I {Heart} You!

Ever since the Clean & Simple challenge on Monday to make a Valentine's card I've been wanting/meaning to make another one. Not sure why it took me this long, but I've finally put to paper the idea I've had in my head that whole time. Of course it's not the exact idea but it's close.

Calling this Clean & Simple might be a stretch though... it is clean enough I think with a lack of layers, but simple might be debatable considering I embossed the heart, made a Build-a-Brad, used the Big Shot on the card base, not to mention chipboard, ribbon and a fancy Scallop Trim punch. But CAS is up to us, so this is gonna count this time!

I had this all laid out and ready to glue down when I decided I really wanted to use one of my new Real Red Sending Love Epoxy Brads (now available in the Occasions Mini catalog). But the Real Red just wasn't working with my Melon Mambo so I suddenly had a thought that I can make my own! I pulled out my Build-a-Brad kit, stamped the pink heart (from the trio of hearts stamp in Love You Much) then punched it out with my 1/2" circle punch. Voila- my own almost epoxy heart brad in Melon Mambo! Just what I wanted.

The big heart is from that same stamp set, Love You Much. The chipboard letters I liked in their original kraft color since that is the color of the card base, but I wanted to spruce them up a bit so I stamped the "i" with an old set called Beyond the Basics, and the "u" with my Polka Dot background- stamped twice. I also colored in a few of the details on the big heart with my handy-dandy Melon Mambo marker.

The Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder (p. 35) and black satin ribbon (p. 27) are now available in the new Occasions Mini Catalog also!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day!

Oh, I almost forgot! I have GREAT NEWS! I will be offering my FIRST EVER BLOG CANDY next week. Be sure to check back frequently for a chance to win! I can't wait to show you what it's all about!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Love You Much, Beyond the Basics, Polka Dot background

Colors: Kraft, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder, chipboard, Black Satin ribbon, Build-a-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, clear embossing powder, Scallop Trim Edge punch

Last Diva Challenge of 2009!

That's right, this is the last challenge of 2009 for the Diva Coffee Break Design Team! I hope you enjoy this beautiful color challenge- I sure did. I used my new extra-large punch the Two-Step Bird for this. I wanted to push the envelope for me with the branches by punching them in chocolate and olive then piecing them together- not once but three times. I know there are many stampers that wouldn't think twice about this, but I usually wouldn't go to the trouble.

This one was fun! I did use some old Print Patterns in Close to Cocoa- long ago retired. Isn't the font on this new stamp set, Well Scripted, so pretty? I just love it!

My two little flowers were made with three layers of one of the flowers from the Boho Blossoms punch. I kind of wish I'd done a third, but ran out of patience and time.

Anyway, gotta get to bed. Thanks for visiting today!
~Kristin

PS- Forgot to mention that this sketch is from the CAS blog challenge FTL72!

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Well Scripted

Colors: Old Olive, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White

Accessories: Extra large Two-Step bird punch, Boho Blossom punch, Big Shot, Polka Dots embossing folder