Celebrate Love- A natural, casual wedding Card

Hello again!  Here is my natural, earthy, casual wedding card for a wedding I have coming up in August.  Think burlap and twine, brown paper and mason jars with candles.  You know, all things hot and trendy on Pinterest right now!  I helped this bride design her invitations and I must say they turned out great!  I might post one, but they are hard to photograph and even harder to appreciate without it in your hand...  I wanted to make her a wedding card with the same style and design so here it is. 

Everything is lightly sponged with Soft Suede ink for a softened look.  The Wild Wasabi piece is distressed (just crumpled then smoothed out) and torn.  And the poppies were colored with an Aqua Painter and some Wild Wasabi ink. 

I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches on this one, and obviously let some things off kilter to make it my own.  If you look closely I'm sure you'll see the resemblence though! 

 And a shot at the inside too.  You may notice by now, I like things a little off kilter, unusual and asymetrical.  Hope you like it anyway!  :)  Thanks for visiting. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Pleasant Poppies, Fabulous Phrases, Full of Life

Colors:  Wild Wasabi, Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory

Accessories:  (NEW!) Woodgrain embossing folder, Antique brad, Linen Thread, Decorative Label punch (inside), sponge, Modern Label Punch

Reason to Smile

Good morning!  I had a chance to sit at my desk yesterday and play with some of my new stuff from the brand new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog so I finally have something to share with you today.  See this stamp set?!  It is available this month for ONLY $5 with a $50 order.  It is valued at over $20!  HERE is a link to this awesome promotion!  If you'd like to place an order with me just shoot me an email and I'll be glad to get you taken care of!

Mojo Monday offered up this fabulous sketch to try out so I did, along with the beautiful color pallette from Color Q to use Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip and Pear Pizzazz (yes, there is a tiny bit of pear on there).  It is funny to me how warm and sunny More Mustard can look paired with the bright yellow of Daffodil Delight!  Finally, the ladies at SU-Only Challenges suggested we make a special thank you this week, so here it is.  How 'bout that, three challenges in one?! 

You would be ashamed of me how long it took to get this card figured out.  I tried nearly every combination of these colors, different patterns, angles, accents etc.  Geez- it's been WAY TOO LONG since I've stamped!  Hopefully now I'm on a roll, we'll see. 





Here are two of the challenges.  Don't they look awesome?!  Thanks for stopping by today.  Stop back tomorrow for a very natural, earthy, casual wedding card. 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps:  Reason to Smile, A Fitting Occasion

Colors:  More Mustard, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, basic rhinestones, Polka Dotted embossing folder, Itty Bitty punch pack, 1" circle punch, Adorning Accents Edgelit, Big Shot, Alpine Ribbon Originals (from several years back)

Last Artisan Entry: Paper Beaded Jewelry

Well, this post wraps up my 10 Artisan Award entries.  This is my final 3D project.  I made a bunch of paper beads with the Cheeful Treat DSP, a hostess option from the previous catalog.  To make the beads you use narrow triangle strips of paper and roll them tightly over a toothpick then glue then end down to hold in place.  I then strung them on fishing line and painted them with Modge Podge.  Once they dried I sprayed them with a matte acrylic sealer. 

Once the beads were done I decided to make my very first set of earrings and matching two-strand bracelet.  I am so proud of how they turned out!  Making jewelry is harder than I thought!  I added SU's Filigree brads for decorative finishes to both, plus a Basic Rhinestone to the bracelet.  

 Since the focus was my jewelry pieces I kept the gift box quite simple- an unused plastic stamp case filled with some crimped paper filler and tied with a satin vanilla ribbon.  The gift card was made with the Mixed Bunch stamp set and matching flower punch. 

I mentioned these were extra special to me yesterday so I'll tell you why.  Not only are these my very first attempt at making jewelry, but I used my mom's huge stash of jewelry making supplies.

As some of you may recall my dear mom passed away very suddenly last July 6th.  She was an avid jewelry maker and most of my favorite necklaces, bracelets and earrings are all her designs!  In her honor I decided to give it a try- something I've always wanted to do. 

My dad sent me all her stuff- including how-to books thank heavens!  And as I was trying to figure out what to do I came across the beginnings of a two-strand bracelet that she had started.  No beads yet, but she'd done the hard part of putting the findings together for one end. 

That was my only jewelry making "lesson" I'd ever gotten from her and the inspiration to attempt a two strand bracelet instead of something more basic.  So now you know why they were so special to me and why I made my little gift card a Mother's Day card. 

So thanks for sticking with me on my Artisan Award journey, even though it didn't end as I'd hoped.  Hopefully the timing will work out for me to try again next year.  Have a safe weekend and hug your loved ones while you can!
~Kristin

PS- Just this past week I've attempted another jewelry design.  When it is complete I will post it here, even though it will be non stamping related entirely.  Maybe I'll start another page on my blog for jewelry!

Artisan Entry: My Last Card

My fifth and final card entry for Stampin' Up!'s Artistan Award.  You know what is funny about this??  I made it for my own color challenge way back when (which is still posted on the top right column) and liked it enough to save it for the contest.  I even used a sketch from somewhere.  I love the colors and dimension of this one, from the stamping on the butterfly to the dry embossing on the scalloped card base. 

I used the Triple Layer Flower Punch for the scallop behind the 1" circle punch.  Sentiment is from Petite Pairs.  

Here is the inside.  I kept it very simple, focusing most of my attention on the front of all my cards.  My downside, perhaps??  Who knows! 

Well, stop back tomorrow and I'll have my final project posted which is my 2nd 3D item with some special significance for me.  The one I'm most sad about not getting back but I hope someone is enjoying at least!  Maybe Shelli Gardner, SU CEO, herself! 

Thanks for visiting and for all the sweet comments you've been leaving!  I'll be nervous to start stamping again- might not live up to your expectations after this.  :)  But one of these days I'll put all my new goodies to use! 

~Kristin

Beautiful You: An Artisan Entry

Boy, not great photos of this page, but here is my 3rd and final scrapbook layout I entered in the Artisan Award contest. Once again I could not bare to put a single photo on the page, but instead chose my 4 favorites to "tell the story". This is my daughter eating a Superman ice cream cone last summer on the beach at a campground in Northern Michigan. It was so hot and the ice cream melted so quickly it left a sticky, colorful mess!  I tried to keep it simple in color and design to showcase the photos more.  Below are pictures of the many little subtle details....



 Since I struggled with titles using all CURRENT Stampin' Up! products I decided to try a banner title using the pennant punch and the stamp set Fabulous Phrases.  I was so pleased with how it turned out.  The fact that beautiful didn't fit and needed to be layered ended up being a bonus I thought.  I used the Penant Parade stamp set to stamp the background on the penants. 

 Here is a closeup shot of the embossed corners.  I was particularly pleased with this detail since it took some work to just emboss the corner of a 12x12 page in the Big Shot which is only, what, 6 inches wide?!  Part of me wishes I'd left the brads off though.  I used the Adorning Accents embossing folder, Pretty in Pink brads and Pretty in Pink striped ribbon.

 The required journaling was, once again, hidden behind the main photo.  I raised the ice cream cone embellishment on a double layer of Stampin' Dimensionals so it would nicely slide over the picture but also anchor the journaling box so it can slide out easily.  Added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds for sprinkles and the drip was made with the triple layer flower punch (the part you throw away!). 

 Here is the journaling box.  I used the Top Note die which is secured with a length of pink satin ribbon so it doesn't fall out and can only slide out so far. 

  Here is the whole thing with the journaling slide out.  Did you notice the spritzing in the background?  That was a LAST minute decision and I had to do a LOT of masking and even removed a few things to add it after everything was glued down!  That's a tough decision to risk the whole page- especially since the Smooch Spritz is so tempermental (meaning you can easily spray large unwanted globs if not extremely careful).  Lisa Henke gave me the boost I needed to go for it- thanks Lisa!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Sorry I've taken awhile to post the rest of my projects.  Squeezing in some camping trips and other fun family stuff before football season keeps us home. 

~Kristin

Artisan Award Entry: An Easel Card with Window

Of my 5 card entries for this year's Artisan Award entry, 3 were standard fold and size cards, one was a round card and this one was a special fold called an Easel Card.  This is a really neat style of fold that I've rarely done.  In fact this may only be the second time.  I usually only send them to someone I can later call and tell them how to stand it up because I would guess most non-card makers would not notice it can stand all on it's own. 

The card base on this one is vellum- designed that way so light comes through the window when it is set up.  This one involved a bit of planning ahead especially the branch stamped on the vellum so that it is seen through the window.  

To complete the scene I made some faux picture frames for the wall using the small oval punch.  To emboss the frame I just layed them on my paper piercing mat and drew an oval frame with a pencil, going over it multiple times to make the impression.  Then sponged the edges for an antiqued look.  The chair rail is made with the crimper and the wallpaper is the Everyday Enchantment DSP that was a Sale-a-Bration freebie.  My bird cage was stamped on vellum then "fussy cut" so that it is also transluscent. 

Here is a picture of the inside.  I had a rug in mind when adding the striped piece that, of course, matches the wallpaper.  :)  Itty Bitty punched flowers with tiny basic pearls complete the details. 

So that's it.  Let me know what you think about my most detailed and involved card for the Artisan Award entries.  There's a good chance I won't be making another of this one.  Thank you for visiting! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Aviary, Something Sweet

Colors:  Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Naturals Ivory, Vellum, Old Olive

Accessories:  3/4" square punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Boho Blossom punch, scallop border punch, small oval punch, scoring blade, crimper, basic pearls



AMAZED BY YOU! an Artisan Award Entry

If you're ready, I've got another scrapbook layout to share today.  This is probably the page I'm most proud of mostly because of the photography courtesy of yours truly.  This is my niece enjoying a play mat that hooks to a hose for sprinkler fun that we got her for her birthday last year.  I was so pleased with these pictures and knew good photos make for a better scrapbook page.  True to my nature I couldn't just pick one- had to get them all on there. 

I had also forgotten, and didn't get a good picture to showcase it, but the main largest picture (which is 5x7) was run through the Big Shot with the largest Apothecary Accents Framelit.  If you look closely can you tell?  I then raised it on Stampin' Dimensionals and placed right back on the original photo.  Wish I'd gotten a better picture of that detail!

My favorite detail about this page are the faux water droplets that are sprinkled throughout the page, from the title and on the pictures.  You may not have noticed them upon first glacne so here are a few closeups.  I made them with Crystal Effects.  Just dabbed them on in the shape of a water droplet and let them dry.  My initial idea was to make them on one of my clear stamp blocks then glue them on, but they got so hard I couldn't get them off without chipping them away, plus they ended up cloudy when I handled them.  This was SO SCARY to do after my page was entirely complete!  But I had extras of everything if I needed to start over. 

 My main image that was mounted on vellum cardstock actually lifted by the black dotted ribbon to show the journaling block as well as a final hidden picture. 

In case you are curious, here is the actual journaling...

Finally, I would like to make a VERY SPECIAL shout out to Louise Streater (AKA Evalou) who so generously and super quickly responded to my plea for help on Splitcoast by cutting and shipping within about an hour it seemed, the very letters used on this page!!!  She even went so far as to send me two full sets just in case I messed up (which I didn't so I can now make myself a copy)!  AND she sent them in the most beautiful card ever... I'll have to post a picture of it soon.  So, THANK YOU LOUISE!  I didn't win but thanks to you I was at least able to do my best and be proud of trying!

Thanks for visiting today!  I hope everyone is staying cool and safe today, especially if you are facing 90+ degrees temps like we are here in Ohio- PHEW! 

~Kristin

Edited to add:  Closeup of main photo showing the detail of the Apothecary Accents Framelit.  You can see more faux water drops here too.

SUO Supplies: 

Stamps:  none (uh, maybe that could've helped me get selected, duh!)

Colors:  Wild Wasabi, Naturals Ivory cardstock, Pool Party, vellum

Accessories:  Apothecary Accents Framelits, Big Shot, Black dottted scallop ribbon, jewelry tag punch, linen thread, scallop border punch, Polka Dotted embossing folder, Jelly Bean Sweet Shop brad

Artisan Award Entry: Hello Baby!

Clean & Simple is an understatement on this one I think.  Here is yet another of my Artisan Award Entries that I made back in April or May.  This is one that I never got sick of.  Love how the punched hearts coordinate with the tiny hearts in the Adorning Accents embossing folder.  My little extra details include the clear heart button with a curled wisp of matching cardstock.  Just cut a sliver then wrap it tightly around a toothpick and pull the toothpick out... all done AFTER you thread it through the button, not before!  Sorry the photo is a little over exposed. That pale ink is hard to photo!

Quick shot of the vey simple inside. 

Thanks for stoppin in to see me and for your lovely comments! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Full of Life

Colors:  Marina mist, Pool Party, Pink Pirhouette, Crumc Cake

Accessories:  Big Shot, Adorning Accents Embossing folder, Lots of Tags sizzlit, Bitty Buttons, Heart to Heart punch, Modern Label punch

Love You Much: Artisan Award Entry

So far you've seen a card, my recycled album clock and a scrapbook page... all entries in SU's Artisan Award contest in which I did not make the finalist round.  Up next is another card.  This was one of the first cards I made so I was sick of it by the time I shipped it off.  In fact, considered redoing it several times.  Now that I've not seen it in person for over a month I am liking it again.   

The fun details that I thought made it unique are the punched flower window with a white lattice piece behind it showing through.  I love the idea of seeing something behind that punched flower... but maybe the lattice is too busy, or the white too stark?  That's the part I reconsidered dozens of times then left.   



Perhaps my favorite detail is the three rows of scallops at the bottom that show from the inside when the card is closed.  Sort of like a 2 for 1!  I left the inside blank so it could be used as a note card for any occasion.  Thanks for stopping by! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

I'll stop back to add supplies.  Must run right now!



Artisan Entry: Explore (a scrapbook page)

Good morning!  Are you here looking for another Artisan Award entry?  Well here you go, one of the three scrapbook pages that were required.  I finished this one last and was the most pleased with it I think.  I'm willing to bet many of the winning entries only had 1 large photo as the focal point as those are the most dramatic pages... but I decided at the outset to stick to "my style" and I generally tell a story on my scrapbook pages that usually can't be told in one photo.  Rather than covering the entire page with photos I chose to offset them on an angle for visual interest and some creative cropping.  I've done this before and love the outcome every time, despite the extra work involved.

This page is from a recent family outing to the Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio.  What a beautiful place!  We enjoyed every single minute of it and I'm so happy to have my layout all designed (need to make myself a duplicate though). 

The patterned paper and journaling tag are both from the Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit (now retired).  I also used the Extreme Elements stamp set to further grundge up the background paper.  For my title I used chipboard letters from Onboard Alphabet Soup, dirtied them up with some Soft Suede ink and- my favorite detail- textured them with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I was excited to experiment with this and find out that chipboard easily embosses with the Big Shot! 

Some of the details include a new Naturals button with a bit of linen thread and twill tape.  One of the hardest things about this page was leaving myself off (one of SU's rules for fairness).  My husband is just as interested in photography as I am and gets really creative sometimes so many of the best photos he took which means I am in them.  On the other hand, I like it even more that I'm NOT on it!

Well, once again, thanks for stopping by and for your comments.  They keep me going! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Extreme Elements

Colors:  Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Accessories:  Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit, Linen Thread, Twill Tape, Bitty Banners Framelits, Natural Button, Alphabet Soup Onboard Chipboard

Recycled Album Clock

Here is one of the two 3D items I submitted for the Artisan Award contest for Stampin' Up!.  I've had this idea in my head for a long time so it finally came to fruition recently.  I had SO MUCH FUN putting this together!  The best part is the album and clock parts were both recycled.  The album came from a friend who said she didn't want it.  I laughed so hard when she gave it to me because written on the album cover was "this is horrible", "terrible", "lousy album" etc.  Obviously I knew why she was willing to give it up.  LOL! 

The flowers are a Decor Element called Wildflower which has since retired.  However, I loved this so much when it was done that I ordered another one so I can duplicate this for myself!  Can't wait to hang it in my stampin' studio aka kids' playhouse.  :)

I used the Beautiful Wings embosslit for the butterflies flying around on the ends of the clock hands.  If you ever decide to try this you should know that a single layer of cardstock is the only weight the hands could actually carry around the clock.  Any heavier or more layers bogged the hands down so they could not make the upswing.  The papers I used are the new Floral District.  Finally, did you notice the glimmer brads in Rich Razzleberry?  They popped right through thanks to the Crop-o-Dile!

Well, thank you for all the kind comments and emails about the disappointment of being a non-winner.  They have helped tremendously and I've now got my sights set for trying again next year.  Stop back tomorrow and I'll show you one of my scrapbook pages.   

~Kristin

Non-Artisan Award Winner...

Yes, I'm a little bummed to have not gotten a call yesterday about the Stampin' Up! Artisan Award contest for demonstrators to be on SU's Design Team for the coming year.  However, the upside is I can show you all my projects now.  Unfortunately I won't get any of them back.  Here is a picture of the group of them.  Over the next few days I'll show them to you individually so you can see the details.  Which would you like to see next? 

This card was one of my favorites.  It is so me- very earthy and natural, just my style.  I also love that shade of blue (I think it was Marina Mist) paired with River Rock and Always Artichoke.  This now-retired stamp set will go down as an all time favorite of mine, Inspired by Nature.  I used the Adorning Accents Edgelit to make the "frame" for the flowers, then punched a 3/4" circle in it to showcase the Antique Brad with the jewelry tag sentiment. 

I didn't get a picture of the inside but I mimicked the River Rock piece and left it blank for writing a note. 

I think this was the best sample of my style because it is somewhat clean & simple, with a few unexpected details.  I hope you like it better than the SU judges did.  LOL! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Inspired By Nature, Pennant Parade ("Love")

Colors:  Marina Mist, River Rock, Always Artichoke

Accessories:  Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelit, 3/4" circle punch, Antique Brad, Jewelry tag

Dotted Birthday

More new stuff!  Isn't this bicycle stamp cute?!  It is part of the new Ronald McDonald House stamp set called Moving Forward.  Every year Stampin' Up! designs a stamp set which they donate $3 of the proceeds of every sale to the Ronald McDonald House and this is it.  I stamped it in Basic Gray then added the little flowers which I colored with Old Olive and Marina Mist markers.  And I didn't even need the Stamp-a-Majig, just eye-balled it! 

The sentiment is from the new Itty Bitty Banners cut out with the Bitty Banners framelits set.  Once again found a use for the new Polka Dot Parade DSP too. 

Here is the inside shot.  Wanted to keep with the circles theme inspired by the bicycle wheels so I added a few punched circlesm, a bit of ribbon and the birthday sentiment from the retired Happiest Birthday Wishes set.  My niece is turning two this weekend so this one is for her.

 I'm just tickled with how this one turned out.  Let me know what you think!

Here is the sketch challenge I used for this card.  For the Paper Players 100th challenge celebration you get to choose any of their previous 100 challenges so I chose PP53.  I love this sketch- it is perfect to showcase a fun variety of DSP and still keep it clean & simple, just my style!  Click on the picture for a link to the challenge.  Thanks for stopping by again!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Moving Forward, Itty Bitty Banners, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Colors:  Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight

Accessories:  2 1/2" circle punch, corner rounder, Mini Silver Brads, Bitty Banners Framelets, narrow Daffodil Delight ribbon

Chevron Congrats

Finally!!  Managed to get a picture uploaded to fussy blogger.  Getting completely annoyed with these upload issues BLOGGER, you hear me?!!  Grrrr.  Anyway, after about 10 tries here is a recent graduation card I've designed.  New stuff on here includes the new Blue Ribbon stamp set, Midnight Muse stitched satin ribbon and the fun new Chevron embossing folder.  That Daffodil Delight paper is also new:  Polka Dot Parade DSP.  Maybe today I'll get a chance to play with more of my new goodies. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Blue Ribbon

Colors:  Midnight Muse, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, small star punch, mini silver brads, Midnight Muse stitched satin ribbon, large scallop circle punch

Wedding Wishes

Good first day of Summer!  I don't know about you but here in Ohio I am appreciating my AC today!!  And dreading sitting at yet another ball game tonight in the 90+ degrees! 

Anyway, I had some time to play with new things recently and wanted to share it with you.  Made this wedding card using the fabulous new Apothecary Accents Framelits and Bitty Banners Framelits.  Also new here is my favorite new background stamp, Pleasant Poppies.  Isn't it pretty?!  I stamped it with white ink on Perfect Plum cardstock complete with the new Perfect Plum ribbon. 

Finally, added the Beautiful Wings butterfly accent with a few rhinestones, the background stamping with my retired French Script, some sponging wtih white ink, shadows made with the Versamarker and a bit of highlight painting with some shimmer paint. 

Here is a glance at the inside.  The frame is obviously the negative of the cut out piece from the front.  Again added some rhintestones and a butterfly to finish it off. 

So what do you think?  I've got another to show you tomorrow so stop back!  Thanks for visiting. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Pleasant Poppies, Itty Bitty Banners, Full of Life, French Script

Colors:  Perfect Plum, Pale Plum (retired), Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Apothecary Accents & Bitty Banners Framelits, Beautiful Wings embosslit, rhinestones, shimmer paint, Versamarker, Perfect Plum ribbon

Sunset & Cattails

Needed a birthday card for my Brother-in-law so decided on the grass from Inspired by Nature stamp set.  I don't think I've ever made them into cattails before even though I've always wanted to.  This might also be one of the only brayered sunset cards I'ved made using the masking technique for a moon.  Hope you like it!  I've got lots of new stuff to play with now if I ever find the time between ball games... so surely you'll see something new here soon! 

Thanks for visiting! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Happiest of Birthdays (both retired- BOO!)

Colors:  Concord Crush, More Mustard, Raspberry Ripple (that's it!)

Accessories:  Linen Thread, 1" circle punch, horizontal slot punch, distressing tool

Betsy's Birthday

Playing around with Betsy's Blossoms again.  Thought I'd try it out with the Colour Q challenge this time.  Thanks for stopping by.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Create a Cupcake

Colors:  Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Real Red

Accessories:  Sizzlit Lots of Tags, Modern Label punch