A Lovely Mother's Day

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

Build a Blossom

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

Shimmer Stencil with a hint of color

Oh boy are these decor stencils neat! You can find this one, Folk Flowers, on page 18 of the new Occasions Mini Catalog. This is the first time I've ever used one and I decided to dab some of our Platinum Shimmer Paint with a sponge dauber to see how it looks. So what do you think? It is so dramatic on black I could've just quit but I wanted to play around and experiment a little so I added some chalk to add a hint of color. Funny thing is, this paint dries so much more quickly than I anticipated that by the time I decided to add the chalk it was mostly dry. Good thing I was going for a subtle look. In real life the shimmer paint is very... well, shimmery and the various colors of chalk show up at different angles, so it has a neat effect that I can't show real well on camera.

If you haven't tried these Shimmer Paints yet SU has announced they will be available as a write-in to the catalog after the Holiday Mini is no longer available. Speaking of the Holiday Mini, today is the last day to order from it so don't miss out if you've been on the fence on something!

Have a great day!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Platinum

Accessories: Folk Flower Decor Stencil, Platinum Shimmer Paint, Modern Label punch, sponge dauber, Stampin' Pastels (chalks)