Warmth & Texture and a Color Challenge

 So who's ready for another color challenge??  I don't know about you but I'm ready for those 75-80 degree days to stick around permanently so I had to come up with something WARM!  The Mojo Monday challenge was a perfect way for me to incorporate each of the three colors in the background.  Had some fun with texture and mixing a few different stamp sets. 

 I had fun experimenting with these colors and will be back again tomorrow with another one.  I hope you'll play along this time.  I've left the linky open a bit longer this time (a whole month).  Once it closes I'll pick a favorite or two to post here and share some love! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Up in the Air, Fresh Vintage, Silhouette Sentiments

Colors:  Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, stamp punch, mini silver brad, tiny tag punch, dotted Crushed Curry Ribbon, Scallop trim border punch, markers

Elegant Christmas

This week's PPA challenge is to find inspiration in the given photo for a card of your own.  To me the photo (which, once again Blogger will not allowe me to include) is elegant and refined and I noticed the lovely color combo of plum, gold and vanilla and white.  I tried to mimic both the feel and the colors in this Christmas card.  Also, the Just Add Ink challenge theme this week is Christmas.

The shimmery white cardstock layer was embossed with the Elegant Lines embossing folder then punched through with the ornament punch.  The Rich Razzleberry layer was also punched with the ornament punch.  I added a snowflake and gold glimmer brad on the inside to show through the ornament "window".  My final details were added with some white organza ribbon, narrow Rich Razzleberry ribbon, gold cord and some gold embossing powder.  The gold embossing powder was easy to apply just in specific areas by using the fine tip of the Versamarker!

My photo isn't the best, although I tried believe me, but the shimmer is really pretty in real life. 

Thanks for visiting today!  Hope you are staying warm wherever you are!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: All Holidays (embossed in gold inside)

Colors:  Rich Razzleberry, Shimmery White, gold

Accessories:  Big Shot, ornament punch, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Merry Details Sizzlit, white organza ribbon, gold cord, Rich Razzleberry narrow ribbon, versamarker, gold embossing powder

Thanksgiving Trees

Wow!  It has been a LONG time since I pulled out Lovely as a Tree stamp set.  I know it's a classic, but I just don't reach for it very much any more.  Well, for some reason this sketch just called for a quick rotation and a reach for those trees! 

I started out with a Very Vanilla oval and embossed the trees with Early Espresso (by inking with Versamark first then the Espresso) and clear powder.  I was going for a fall look by dabbing some fallish colors into the trees, but the background looked so bare so I just kept layering and layering color until I was about to go overboard.  LOL! 

Today is another Diva Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge.  We'd love to have you play along with us and check out all the designers' creations! 

Thanks for stopping by and a hello to all my new followers from Stampin' Connection!  Great to have you!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps:  Lovely As a Tree, Holidays and Wishes

Colors: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Clear EP, Big Shot, Lattice Embossing folder, Modern Label punch

Tea & Crumpets Birthday

Good morning folks!  Long time no see... I won't even bore you with my sob story of being busy- that's a poor excuse for not enjoying my craft more frequently.  However, I DO have this card to show you and even a 2-page scrapbook layout I managed to complete this weekend which I'll share tomorrow. 

Today's card is possible thanks to the lovely Stampin' Royalty Sketch shown below (click on the picture for a link to their blog post) as well as the Just Add Ink #41 challenge to do an "Out of the Box" card with a birthday theme.  Well, this isn't exactly out of the box, but all the fussy cutting and layering is for me kind of. 

Ooh, I just remembered another challenge that really got me started was Friday's Free For All challenge (F4A36) on Splitcoast to use stamped paper pieced images.  For me that meant stamping these Fifth Avenue Floral flowers onto the retired Tea & Crumpets DSP that I recently purchased from SU's Clearance Rack.  

I textured the card base, which is Mellow Moss by the way (have you missed that color??), with the Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder and the Big Shot. 

The stems of leaves were super easy with the Two-Step Bird Punch.  Popped on a few pearls and some white taffeta ribbon, embossed the sentiment and layered it on a pierced mat then called it quits. 

Thanks for hanging out with me this morning!  I truly enjoy reading all your comments, so thank you. 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral, Well Scripted

Colors:  Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Extras: Tea & Crumpets DSP, Basic Jewel Pearls, White taffeta ribbon, Big Shot, Lattice Embossing folder, paper piercing tool, distressing tool

Birthday Sketch

Good morning!  Are you ready for another wonderful sketch from Diva Coffee Break Designs?  I had some time to play a few days ago and enjoyed whipping this clean & simple card out.  I exchanged one of the layers on the sketch for a "layer" of dry embossing with my Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder.  What do you think? 

The row of candles on the Concord Crush layer is from the single candle in the Party Hearty stamp set.  This color scheme was selected at random by flipping through my new SU Color Coach- love that thing!  Did you noticed the scallop rectangle that my sentiment is on??  That is the new Clearlit Scallop Rectangle die that is used with the Big Shot.  I totally thought it was bigger than that when I looked at it in the catalog but it is the perfect size for a nice sentiment piece I think! 

I topped it off with a flower from the Boho Blossoms punch (cut in between each petal) and a Concord Crush glimmer brad.  Hope you like it- I had fun making this one!  Go check out the other Diva's creations then play along, why don't you!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Party Hearty, Well Scripted

Colors: Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Concord Crush ribbon, Scallop Rectangle Clearlit, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, In Colors Glimmer Brads, Boho Blossoms Punch

Non-Challenge Challenge!

I don't know about you, but it occurred to me the other day that I almost NEVER sit down to make a card without first scouring the internet for the perfect challenge that I feel up to!  Then I end up spending sometimes hours looking for the perfect challenge to fit my current stamp mood. 

In fact, that itself- designing without a given challenge- was a challenge.  I have been so stressed and overwhelmed lately with LIFE that I really needed to stamp (it might have had something to do with the 5-girl slumber party going on in the next room too).  So I pulled out my fabulous new SU Color Coach and was determined to close my eyes and pick a card... well, I closed my eyes and picked a few cards before I found one that really called to me. Then I got to work. 

A few times, like a recovering addict, I reached for my mouse to bring life to my computer screen, then I reprimanded myself and dug deep to actually design ON MY OWN!  If you are like me and haven't done this for awhile I highly recommend it!

So this is what a non-challenge challenge card looks like.  The color combo is Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Melon Mambo.  When I first sit down to make a card I always start with my basket of well-organized scraps.  Once my colors were chosen I found a full card base (prescored) in Elegant Eggplant but it had 2 small ovals punched from one corner.  Instead of putting it back I just tore off that corner and didn't look back.  That's how this came to be. 

The Old Olive layer is embossed with the Finial Press Embossing Folder.  I used the stamp set For All You Do just because.  I also used narrow grosgrain, the scalloped square punch and a build-a-brad.  Added a touch of Dazzling Diamonds to the center of the flowers then quit. 

So after you're done reading this shut off your computer and go stamp something- anything!  I CHALLENGE you!  ;)

Thanks for stopping in! 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: For All You Do

Colors: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Big Shot, Dazzling Diamonds, Finial Press EF, Elegant Eggplant grosgrain, Scalloped Squre punch, Build-a-Brad

CAS Overboard!

This was supposed to be a clean & simple layout... can you tell I went a bit overboard?!?  The CAS challenge for this week is to do a faux letterpress technique by brayering ink onto a embossing folder before running cardstock through the Big Shot.  OK, started out fine.  Then decided to try to use the MOJO Monday sketch (159) which should have been easy enough, but then I made this flower carnation and it spiraled out of control from there.  This card actually was fairly simple (other than the time it took to make the carnation and having to use the SAMJ not once, but twice).  But not nearly enough white space to call it clean so I flunked that challenge! 

However, I did follow the MOJO sketch fairly well I think, and I also used a gorgeous color combination suggested by the Embellish Magazine challenge.  This challenge also calls for some background stamping which you may or may not agree I accomplished.  Let me explain- the carnation flower started as a large scrap of Daffodil Delight cardstock.  I stamped the French Filigree background in Basic Gray and the By Definition background in Whisper White on one side, and in Basic Gray on the other side.  So, that's my background stamping... then I punched out 8 flowers with my Boho Blossoms punch and called it a paper carnation.  So you tell me, did I fail that one too?? 

Anyway, since I was already over the top for the CAS challenge I decided to go for it and added the pearls details.  And don't forget the narrow taffeta ribbon.  Deep Breath!

Well, I'm really pleased with how it turned out even though it is a bit over-the-top for my normal style.  But who cares? 

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to stop in again tomorrow as I've got another Diva sketch challenge for you and some more Daffodil Delight.  It is much more clean & simple and I can't wait to show you!

~Kristin

PS- Gotta run, I'll add links later today.  Sorry!  *Links now added*

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe

Colors: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight

Accessories:  Big Shot, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Basic Jewel pearls, Daffodil Delight narrow taffeta, brayer, circle punch, scallop circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, eyelet border punch, Newsprint DSP

Diva Day, are you going to play??

 Good morning my loyal readers, how are you today?  I'm tickled to be stamping and that it's no longer 90 degrees here in my stampin' studio!  Ooh, speaking of Stampin' Studio (which you might know is really just one long wall in our master bedroom)- I might have a studio of my own in the next year or so!  Woohoo, I'll post details some other time.  You'll be so excited for me I'm sure!

Anyway, today is a Diva Wednesday and we've got a wonderful sketch for you which I've paired with a color combo challenge from Splitcoast that was much tougher for me than I expected.  I am late posting this today because it was one of those cards that just wouldn't come together- I tried and tried, cut and recut, scrapped idea after idea.  Well actually that's not true, I stuck with my original idea and just kept trying until it worked (which wasn't until this morning at 11am!)  Maybe I should've scrapped my idea last night and I would have come up with something much sooner.  Ah well, hindsight is always 20/20!

So it turned out fairly clean & simple considering how long it took me.  The tree was inked with markers, black and Wild Wasabi which takes a bit of time but I was anticipating a really neat look, especially since I've not used black for the tree before.  It was my layer colors that gave me fits but once I textured the Cajun Craze I liked it much better.  Somehow that texture helps it blend into the background which is what I wanted. 

Do you remember these felt flowers?  Well, it is one of those products that I love but completely forgot about until the box (with two full sets of flowers) fell off my shelf last night (while struggling with this card) and dumped everywhere!  Voila- using them!  I added a corduroy button in Baja Breeze to one and a black brad to the other. 

TIP:  Wondering how I made the layered sentiment?  Don't forget about the Big Shot die Movers & Shapers.  The Punch Windows set (page 209) comes with dies that layer perfectly with the punches: Scallop Oval, Modern Label (that I used here), large heart and the large star.  The idea behind this die is to be able to punch those shapes anywhere on your card, even where a standard punch wouldn't reach... but you can also use it like this and just cut out a layer for behind your punch.  Works like a charm!  I just lay a scrap of paper over the die and run it through the Big Shot. 

Anyway, I did up the inside a bit too so I'll leave you with that.  It looks a little plain to me, but keep in mind that the black striped ribbon actually ties in a bow on the inside of the card so that adds a little something too. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I love having you visit!  Please go check out the other Divas and play along with the Diva challenge!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing folder, Felt Flowers, Corduory button, Movers & Shapers die, Modern Label punch, black brad, Black striped ribbon (phew!)

It's the Thought Collection

 Since I've been posting so sporadically lately I thought I'd go ahead and post all four of these at once.  I made them the same day as my last post, all with similar elements that I cut out at once then mixed and matched until I had a whole set.  These were fun and easy to do! 

 Each of the stamped images are from the stamp set It's the Thought, which was in the Summer Mini catalog.  Had you noticed that there are now a Level One and Level Two hostess set in the front of every Mini Catalog?  Yep, that's right!  So when you are finalizing your order of $150 or more, or your workshop, make sure to check them out before making your final decision!

 Sometimes little images can be hard to use.  So I punched them out with the new Decorative Label punch and added some interest to the card base with a variety of strips of paper that have been dry embossed with the Big Shot or punched with one of our border punches. 

I added a bit of ribbon, linen thread or an Antique Brad for a unique touch on each.  Too keep the set similar and easy to make I used the same colors on all 5 cards:  Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, Cajun Craze (which is quickly becoming a surprising favorite for me!), and Peach Parfait.  The rows of embossing on the bottom two cards are not a Stampin' Up! product, however our Big Shot easily accommodates most all brands of embossing folders!  I also made sure to stamp the Woodgrain background in Crumb Cake ink on every design to further tie them together.  Wouldn't this make a cute gift set to give to a favorite great-Aunt or long distance cousin?! 

Thanks for stopping by!  We've got a baseball game this afternoon and our very first midget league football game tomorrow- wish me luck.  :)

Hugs,
~Kristin

SUM Supplies

Stamps:  It's the Though, Woodgrain background stamp

Colors: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Decorative Label punch, linen thread, Antique brad, Double Stitched Wasabi ribbon, SU embossing folders: Square Lattice, Vintage Wallpaper, other embossing folders:  Cuttlebug:  With Love

Enjoy the Journey

Good morning!  I'm back...  sorry I haven't been around in a while.  I've been preoccupied with a few things.  I did some major landscape renovation (well, actually just trimming but it was a HUGE job and I did it by myself!), sick kid yesterday and sick dog today.  Besides all that I'm smack in the middle of a good read and I can honestly say that I love reading almost more than stamping.  Hard to believe, I know. 

Anyway, today it's time for another fabulous color challenge from the Diva's Coffee Break Designs blog.  Now I gotta admit, normally having four colors to work with is tricky for me.  I don't usually enjoy it as much as only three.  But with Crumb Cake being one of the colors I just adored this combo.  You'll see what I mean over the next few days...  I made not one or two, but FIVE cards with this combo!  I guess my stamping hiatus took a toll and I was ready to create.

Anyway, I had this week's MOJO sketch in mind when I did this.  I took some liberty with it, but I must give credit for the inspiration.  I hope you like it and can't wait to show you the rest.  I might have just posted them all tonight, but none of them have been photo'd yet. 

Thanks for stopping by, and please take a minute to CLICK HERE to view the Diva blog and all the other goodies made with these colors.

Thanks for visiting!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  It's the Thought

Colors: Crumb Cake, Cajen Craze, Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait

Accessories: linen thread, Decorative label punch, jumbo eyelet, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, scallop border punch, Wild Wasabi ribbon (retired), markers

River Rock Blues

Good morning!  Welcome to another Diva Coffee Break Design Wednesday.  Today we've got a fabulous color challenge for you!  These colors are so beautiful together you really can't go wrong.  If you are scrunching up your eyes looking for my Rose Red, well check out that Glimmer Brad in the center of the ornament.  Yep, that's Rose Red alright! 

I used a variety of different products on this card and I'm so happy with it!  The Northern Flurry embossing folder (available TODAY!) is making another appearance here as well as the ornament from the new stamp set Tags Til Christmas which works great with our ornament punch.  Other accessories include the Jewel Basic Pearls, Glimmer Brad and White Organza ribbon! 

I hope you'll consider playing along with this awesome Diva challenge!  Be sure to check out the Diva blog for more inspiration before you get started, then stop back there and link your creation so we can see your hard work!

Have a great day!  Be sure to stop back tomorrow... I have a rare 3D gift idea- three of them as a matter of fact.  I can't wait to show you!

~Kristin

Quirky, Cutesy & Clean

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

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

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

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

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Love Bandit, Well Scripted

Colors: Peach Parfait, Crumb Cake, Soft Sky (yes an oldie!)

Accessories: New large circle punch (Holiday Mini Catalog), Scallop Circle die #2, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, scallop border, kraft taffeta ribbon

Glimmer Berries

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

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

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

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

~Kristin

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

SUO Supplies

Stamps: All Holidays

Paper: Cherry Cobler, Vellum cardstock, Whisper White, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Glimmer Brads, Scallop Trim border punch, aquapainter

Sanded Northern Flurry

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

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

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

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Tags Til Christmas, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Concord Crush, Pear Pizazz, Whisper White (Poppy Parade for the snowman's scarf)

Accessories: Big Shot, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions embossing folder, Concord Crush ribbon, Chunky Essentials glitter, Modern Label punch, 1 3/4" circle punch

Holiday Mini Catalog Sneak Preview

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

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

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

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

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

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Short & Sweet

Colors: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobler, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Northern Flurries Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Jewel Basic Pearls, Extra-Large Decorative Label punch, Small oval punch

Happy for Mojo Challenges!

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Kristin

SUM (SU Mostly) Supplies

Stamps: Tags 'til Christmas, Fancy Flexible Phrases, Punch Potpourri hostess set

Colors: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobler (ribbon)

Accessories: Newsprint DSP, Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Musical embossing folder (by Cuttlebug), Cherry Cobler seam binding ribbon, Extra Large Decorative label punch, Boho Blossom punch, Not Quite Navy brad, Paper piercing tools

Just Believe & Some Layered Ribbon

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

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

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

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

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions embossing folder, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Striped Riding Hood Red grosgrain, Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, 1 3/8" circle punch

Elegant Lines

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

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


Hope you like it!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe, Fancy Flexible Phrases

Colors: Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

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

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

Admire Nature

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

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

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

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

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Nature Silhouettes, Woodgrain background

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

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

Bashful Wasabi Roses

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

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

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

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

Have a great day.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Because I Care, Floral background

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

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