A Fabulous New Fold: Venetian Blind!

I first noticed this awesome new type of fold on Julie Semone's DCBD card two weeks ago. I was immediately enthralled and decided I would certainly try it out! Thankfully Julie linked directions to Nancy Legate's blog which has a typed tutorial available! Thanks Julie and Nancy!

My parents' 40th wedding anniversary was this weekend so we went up north to celebrate and this is the card I made for them. The directions show this card on a typical card front so you can have a stamped message inside as well as behind the blind, however I only made mine a card front because I wanted the focus to be the message behind the blind.

The nice thing about this technique is that even if your stamping isn't all-star material (like here) the look of the folds makes it look much better I think. If it hadn't been for the folds I would've pitched this piece and started over.To open you pull the cords straight out to the sides (this is in Nancy's step 12 but I missed it and nearly tore my card apart). Here's the inside.

If you are like me you can mostly figure out a card just by looking at it- without formal instructions of any kind. However, that wasn't the case with this card. The folding I could've figured out, although having measurements done for me was wonderful. But threading the cording through the holes was complicated and would have been near impossible for me without following the step-by-step tutorial. I did make a few changes to Nancy's directions that worked better for me, which I would recommend, but don't hold your breath waiting for me to make up my own tutorial... just takes too long and I'd rather be stampin'! If you don't intend to make this card SKIP THE ENTIRE NEXT PARAGRAPH.

{In case you do try this out yourself here are the changes I would make: I believe the picture in step 4 is a bit different from the actual directions. You may have noticed mine has an extra hole at the bottom (doesn't show real well- you may have to click to enlarge) that I didn't thread through. I have 10 holes on each side but I didn't use the bottom one because the directions say there should be a 1/4" flap at the end that doesn't need punched. Actually the flap shown in the tutorial that has no hole is 3/4" I believe... SO, you could follow the directions as they are and your card will look like Julie's I linked above with the 1/4" flap on top of the cording, or you could read the direcitons for step 4 to say "Fold the scored area like an accordion, starting at the top with a valley fold. There will be a 3/4" flap at the end that you should not punch..." if you do this it will lay like mine but without the extra hole that I have that is not needed. Also, step 5- I believe the measurements should read 1/4" from the side and 1/2" from the bottom. Otherwise there is not enough room for the sticky tape as shown in the pictures. My sticky strip had to go above the bottom piece of thread as opposed to below where it is supposed to be. It worked OK, but I did end up adding some mono glue to hold it further. Clear as mud? }

Thanks for stopping by! I've got some surprises in store for you beginning next Tuesday (Sept. 1) which I'll be working on this week. I'll try to squeeze something else in in the mean time for you to enjoy. Have a great week!

~Kristin

Almost SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Greenhouse Garden, Kanji (retired), In My Thoughts (retired), Stem Silhouettes (retired), Organic Grace (retired)

Colors: River Rock (retired), Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, Ballet Blue, Soft Suede, Black

Accessories: Crop-a-Dile, Linen Thread, Modern Label punch, Filigree Brads, Non-SU Watercolor paper (crummy Walmart stuff that I don't recommend- ink smears!)

Hanging Lattice Ornament

Was working on something else today when I noticed the remains of the Lattice die once I'd cut it out. I also played around with cutting the lattice apart and putting it together in various ways when it dawned on me that two red pieces overlapped resemble a Christmas ornament or poinsetta. The center is a large green rhinestone brad, and it is hanging from silver elastic cord.

The ornament hangs freely in the cutout which shows the kraft cardstock layered inside the card. I struggled a bit wondering if this was going to turn out in a way that I liked but it did. Finished with some wide chocolate stitched ribbon, a strip of scalloped kraft cardstock and some dotting using the chocolate chip marker, then a very simple sentiment. TFL!

So glad you decided to stop by today! If you've done something with the Lattice Die I'd love to see it, please post a link so I can come visit you!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Real Red, Kraft, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Die, Ice Rhinestone Brad, wide chocolate chip stitched grosgrain, silver elastic cord, scallop edge punch, Word Window punch, Modern Labe punch

Day Two of Try Outs!

Well, here is my second try out card. It is quite different from the ideas I had swirling but that's the fun of seeing where you end up right?!! This time we were given a sample card and told to basically use it for inspiration. To get the image of the tree I "inked" my stamp with bleach (be sure to rinse your stamp with water if you do this!) then stamped. It took a few tries until I got it right. The color that comes from bleach on Soft Suede is a near perfect match to More Mustard so that is how I came up with the card base color.

The strip of DSP is from Autumn Traditions. Stapled on some ribbon to keep it simple and distressed the edges a bit. That's it.

Hope you like it. Here is the inside. I stamped the tree again, then using my In Color markers I colored this sentiment from Holidays & Wishes (retired) to make a gradation effect that is all the rage right now I guess. If you try this be sure to do the lightest color (Crushed Curry here) first, then gradually go darker so as to not ruin your makers. I just did the Curry in the center then the top is Dusty Durango and the bottom is Soft Suede. Man I love having In Color markers!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Branch Out, Stem Silhouettes (retired), Holidays & Wishes (retired)

Colors: Soft Suede, More Mustard

Accessories: Soft Suede dotted grosgrain, stapler, Autumn Traditions DSP, bleach, white ink, distressing tool, keytag punch, In Color markers

Design Team Try Outs!

Ooh, I feel like I'm trying out for the cheerleading squad or something but actually it is the Splitcoast Stampers Clean & Simple Fall Design Team I'm applying for. My good pal Lisa Henke is on it for the summer term which ends in September. This term they came up with three challenges we could use to show our stuff.

This is one of them, to make a CAS monochromatic card with shades of brown and just a touch of red. FUN! I really enjoyed it, and am happy with how it came out. CAS is so funny because sometimes it can be so easy and other times it is quite difficult to pull off just the right look.

Even though this uses brads and a button for embellishments plus two different punches, it still qualifies as CAS in my book because of the lack of layers and uncomplicated style. We'll see if anyone else agrees!

Stop by tomorrow for another of my DT tryout cards!
Thanks for visiting!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Wonderful Favorites

Colors: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Real Red

Accessories: Close to Cocoa prints DSP, Playground designer button, real red brads, large and small star punches

Thinking of you...

It figures. I thought I was so on the ball doing a challenge the actual day it is posted only to realize that today is THURSDAY and the sketch challenge on SCS is posted on Wednesday! Oh well- it was fun and got me stamping. In fact, I made THREE cards today- that's right. My kiddos are back to school and my hubby had a teacher work day today so I had the house to myself and spent it doing what I love best!

I've been wanting to put this gorgeous DSP Cottage Wall to use and finally got a chance to do so with this sketch. I love stripes and having coordinating patterns to go with them is almost intoxicating- LOL!

I've linked two pictures of this card because neither show it quite how I wanted. The butterfly is stamped with Rich Razzleberry and embossed in clear powder for that extra sheen. Are you wondering how the powder stuck since we don't have craft ink in our In Colors? Easy! TIP: Ink the stamp with versamark then immediately ink it with the Classic Ink of your choice, then stamp and emboss like normal. Works like a charm!

TFL! More to come!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: For All You Do, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Cottage Wall DSP, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Pale Plum, Whisper White

Accessories: Clear EP, Versamark, Modern Label punch, jumbo white brad, scallop edge punch, Razzleberry dotted grosgrain, corner rounder

Sketch Challenge for the Divas

Guess what... its time for another Diva challenge- this week it is a sketch challenge again. This sketch is wide open to so many possibilities! I had multiple ideas but with me one thing always leads to another and I end up someplace I had no intentions of going. LOL!

Anyway, I started out digging for a piece of glossy white cardstock and found a large piece I'd done some technique on a long time ago- I don't even remember just how it was done, but might have included reinkers and alcohol and cotton balls, but I could be wrong. I stamped the Medallion background on this piece in chocolate craft ink then embossed it in clear powder. Then I used the large square punch to punch out various sections.

The rest is pretty self-explanatory I think. I embossed the sentiment also, which is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. The Medallion is also stamped once on the background in Versamark.

Hope you like it, and please go visit our Diva blog so you can see other great examples of this sketch and also play along!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Medallion background, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red

Accessories: Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Square Fire Rhinestone brads, Clear EP, Square punch

ETA: I think I found it... the technique I'm fairly certain I used to make the glossy paper have those gorgeous swirls of color was the Ink, Spray, Smash technique (I actually found it by searching on the word "smash" because I vaguely remember doing that!) If I remember correctly you end up with two or more pieces of paper, but only one of mine was that pretty, the other was kind of ho-hum. Anyway, hope that helps!

A Triple Post Today!

Thanks for your patience with me this summer- I know I've been sporadic and posting more excuses than creations! School starts on Wednesday so I will be back in some sort of consistent routine again, albeit still busy.

Today I've got three for you, including one I actually made last week but didn't have time to post, a sympathy card I unfortunately needed and also a fun card entirely designed and stamped by my 7 year old daughter.

This first card I made for two on-line challenges but the funny thing is I cannot find one of them for the life of me. It was a color challenge to use Basic Gray, Blush Blossom, Pumpkin Pie and Really Rust. If you know of it, let me know so I can link it here and give credit. The sketch is from the Clean & Simple blog's FTL54. I tried my hand at some doodling which reminded me why I never do it- I stink at it! LOL!

This next card is the sympathy card that I needed for a friend. I love using that Medallion background stamp and really wanted it to be subtle but still a focal point if that makes sense, so I decided to use it as the background but to accent the center of it on the sentiment. The wide organdy ribbon is a retired SU product that I reach for often on these types of cards. However, the bow that I started with seemed too cheery and pretty for the occasion so I decided to try a different type of knot which feels a bit more subdued I guess. What do you think? The brad in the center of the medallion is not an SU product but I couldn't say what it is- I've had them for years and years. In true Beate style I decided to show you the inside as well.

Finally, here is the card my daughter made for her cousin's birthday party we are going to today. She chose the colors right off the top of her head, grabbed the Medallion background and went to work. I cut out the butterfly for her, but that's it. I think it's pretty good and I plan to CASE her color combo soon. FYI- it is Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry and Taken with Teal. The rhinestone things are fairly new so I happen to still have the packaging- they are Crystal Stickers by Mark Richards. She wasn't thrilled with how the Medallion didn't stamp all the way the first time but I convinced her it looks cool that way.

I won't list individual supplies lists because it would be too confusing so if you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer. Most everything except the things I mentioned above are by Stampin' Up!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin

PS- Hey, I just figured out where my color combo came from on the top card. It is from the Color Throwdown #54!

Hey YOU! Yes, I'm talking to YOU!

Have you played along with the Diva's Coffee Break Designs weekly challenge yet?? Well if not, finish reading this post then head on over there and check it out!! I DARE YOU!

This week we've got a color challenge and it really had me thinking. This is not a selection of colors I would pick for myself typically- the shades are all of similar values (can't remember those terms I learned in college) and not much contrast. However, I rose to the challenge and came up with this card that I am pretty happy with.

The stamp set I used is called Out of the Box and it is a Level 1 hostess set in the new SU catalog. I also used the Polka Dots background stamp on the Orchid Opulance layer. The flowers are each cut out and layered on various numbers of stampin dimensionals. That's my TIP for the day: stack Stampin' Dimensionals to get different heights on your raised objects!

This layout comes from a sketch from the Mojo Monday blog. Always a great source for a sketch to start with when you are struggling.

Thanks for stopping by to visit. I've finally got the majority of my painting done in my daughter's room but I don't want to post any before and after pictures until I get the Decor Elements put up- I mean, that's what you're interested in anyway, right?!! I'll get them ordered today and have them soon I hope. School starts a week from today also, so hopefully I'll be posting and stamping much more regularly then... we'll see!

Now go visit the Diva's blog and see all the other Diva's designs as well, then be sure to play along!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Out of the Box, Polka Dot background

Colors: So Saffron, Orchid Opulence, Regal Rose, Garden Green

Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge, Designer Label punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sunshine, smiles & stamps??

Well, not exactly. It's been cooler and overcast, my kiddos are visiting grandma & grandpa this week and the only stamps I've seen are postage stamps on bills. Well, not exactly true... I do have 2 scrapbook pages laying here all laid out but not glued down. I'll have to show you those in a few days.

But the good news is I'm taking full advantage of having the house to myself this week (hubby is busy with football practice now). I've replaced all the pulls and knobs on all cabinets in the kitchen and both bathrooms (woo hoo, finally!!). It was well past due! Bought and put together 2 new pretty and comfy chairs for the front porch (again, way over due!). Put 24 cobs worth of corn in the freezer for winter thanks to my FIL's garden (green beans are next on the agenda). And my FIL called this evening to say he's picked 6 dozen more for me if I want them. PHEW! I've been keeping a close eye on our 7 puppies that were born on Sunday too. Oh, and I have a new kitchen ceiling light to put up when I get a chance!!

Finally, I spent 2 days cleaning out and packing up my daughter's room because she is ready for a makeover. This will be her 8th birthday present. Her room has been the same for 10 years since it was the nursery when my son was born. Don't worry- it wasn't a baby theme, more like bugs in soft yellow, green and blue (lady bugs, dragon flies, butterflies and bumblebees). I actually felt kind of emotional pulling the adorable wallpaper down- can't believe it's been that long and that she's grown up enough to request a change.


I did take some "before" and "during" pictures that I'll share, and I can't wait for the "after" photos to show you. She has chosen Stampin' Up!'s Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette (or even lighter) and Chocolate Chip as her colors. These are based on the butterfly Decor Elements that we plan to use. Her carpet is a close match to Sage Shadow so we'll see how this all turns out- I'm a bit nervous! Will post pics soon...

Well, that's all for now. I guess if you read all this you'll know why I may be MIA for the next few days. We'll head up to MI to pick up the kids this weekend so back to somewhat normal next week (unless I don't have her stinkin' room done yet!).

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

PS-Ooh, I almost forgot to mention that my son's All-Star baseball team won the Championship in a 9U tournament last weekend. It was fun, and we are so proud of him!

It's a Sketch Challenge for the Diva's!

Good Wednesday morning! I've got a sketch challenge for you this morning brought to you by Diva's Coffee Break Designs.

Here is my take on the sketch... gotta tell ya, I struggled with this one a bit. The three equal pieces at the top had me twisting and turning, flipping and flopping before I finally settled on leaving them right where they're supposed to be. Although, I did make them slightly askew so they overlap, and torn at the bottom edge.

My favorite parts are the square panel at the bottom and the sentiment. Both are from the new set called For All You Do. The square flower piece is embossed with Close to Cocoa craft ink and clear embossing powder. then colored in with a Certainly Celery marker and Cameo Coral ink with an aqua painter.

The sentiment piece is stamped "Thank You" in Cameo Coral then the dots over it are Certainly Celery.

So do you like this color combination? It is from Splitcoast's Color Combo challenge this week to use Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery and Whisper White together.

If you'd like to join the Diva's and play along with our challenge we'd love to have ya! Go visit our blog then be sure to link your creation!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: For All You Do

Colors: Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Accessories: Certainly Celery wide twill ribbon, Vintage Brads, Clear EP, Modern Label punch, small oval punch

Before and After

I mentioned yesterday that I've recently remade a card that just wasn't sitting right with me... well, here is the "before" (notice the lighting difference from the two photographs too- interesting).

This first one I did with a sketch in mind and stuck with it even though it went againt my creative instinct. I didn't like the lack of balance in the design (and yes I know I left off a key element from the sketch but I just couldn't work it in I felt). So, here is my remake: Much better visually for me. Of course adding ribbon is always a good idea when a card needs something! I also moved the sentiment where I really wanted it in the first place. Much better design... now I'm happy.

TFL!
~Kristin

Fun & Fabulous Color Combo!

If you know me at all you know I adore fabulous color combinations and experimenting to come up with them! Well, the new In Colors Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede are turning out to be great for this experimenting!

First up, this card using the awesome new Sizzix Bigz die called Lattice. Ooh, this is the first time I've played with it and man did ideas start swirling! Wish I had time to do them all at once.

For this card I used the largest of SU's circle punches, the 1 3/4" which fits nicely under the lattice with an edge showing. I just chose some fun colors I'd be eyeing together and put it together so quickly. These colors are: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Soft Sky (old In Color) and Kraft. Just added some vintage brads, used the new Modern Label punch and a phrase from my new favorite sentiment set Teeny Tiny Wishes. Popped it up on some dimensionals and it was done- so quick! Imagine this very same layout in YOUR favorite colors!!
This card uses this week's Splitcoast sketch... and some fun new things. The DSP is from the new pack called Autumn Traditions. Also used a new set called Paradise with some fabulous tropical leaves great on their own or for combining with so many other sets. THe background is textured with SU's Texturz Plates and the Big Shot. Again used the Modern Label die with my Teeny Tiny Wishes sentiment and added a corduroy button in Kraft with a tiny sliver of Rich Razzleberry paper tied on.

So glad you decided to stop by today!

Up tomorrow: A remake on a recent card. Have you ever finished a card and just kept coming back to it thinking something just wasn't right? Well I do that all the time, and often I opt to just tear 'em apart and move things around (rather than starting over- that's no fun). I'll show you what I mean tomorrow.

Have a great day!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Paradise

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Soft Sky, Kraft, Very Vanilla and Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Texturz Plates, Lattice Bigz Die, Kraft Corduroy button, Vintage Brads, 1 3/4" circle punch, Modern Label punch

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!

Yes, I get that excited over a card every now and then! This card just might be my favorite card that I've ever made to date... I can't wait to send it to someone, but then again I think I'd like to hold onto it. This textured cardstock which is VERY near SU's new Soft Suede was a gift from my friend Lisa. She sent me a sampler of a variety of these papers that have an awesome lighter colored core so when you sand a raise portion the other color comes through (yes, I'm finally getting around to trying it out Lisa- thank you!!). Guess what color this core most closely matched?! Soft Sky! Remember Soft Sky, an In Color from '07-'08?? Add a hint of Taken With Teal and some Bermuda Bay dotted grosgrain and ....yum!

The raised part is that new Textured Impressions Embossing folder I mentioned yesterday. I just embossed then sanded over it with one of my SU sanding blocks- and voila! Ooh, guess what- these dew drop thingys were from Lisa too. I just adore those things and can't wait for SU to start offering them in our luscious colors!

The sentiment panel is made with the large and wide and scalloped oval punches. The wide is punched through the outer layer of the card so the sentiment can be adhered inside and seen through the window. I enjoyed using the awesome In Color markers to ink up this image from Oval All!

So, I will apologize that this isn't SUO to my followers that appreciate my 100% SUO posts... BUT, this can give you an idea of why SU colors and stamps are so awesome and versatile.

Well, thanks for stopping by! Hope you like it as much as I do... or if not, at least tolerate my excitement. ;)

~Kristin

Supplies are SUO except where otherwise mentioned

Stamps: Oval All

Paper: Soft Sky, Taken With Teal, Non-SU textured cardstock (sorry, I have no idea of brand)

Accessories: Textured Impressions Elegant Bouquet, Bermuda Bay dotted grosgrain ribbon, Wide Oval, Large Oval, Scallop Oval punches, corner rounder, scallop edge punch, distressing tool, non-SU dew drops

New Big Shot goodies!!

Ooh I can't wait to show you this new Textured Impressions Embossing folder called Elegant Bouquet!! Thank goodness this week's Diva challenge is to use the Big Shot because I couldn't wait to use this any longer!

The Apricot layer has been embossed using the Big Shot and this new folder. The Melon Mambo butterfly was done with the Big Shot also!

So what do you think of my sentiment? I used the new Modern Label punch as well as two of the large silver filigree brads. I am thrilled to have thought of this because I have a bunch of those bigger ones left and hadn't put them to good use.

The sketch for this came from the Mojo Monday sketch for this week... I'm in a huge hurry or else I'd link it here. You can find them on my sidebar!

I'll update this with supplies and links after noon... I've got someplace to be this morning!
Thanks for stopping by and ignoring all my typos I'm sure I've made in my haste!

~Kristin

ETA supplies list...

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: For All You Do, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Always Artichoke, Apricot Appeal, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Filigree brads, Modern Label punch, Beautiful Butterflies die, Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions

Hello!

Guess what- I took a little bit of time yesterday (while our Australian guests were visiting- hi Joseph, June and Hyde!) to play along with the Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge and of course my NEW stamps!

I was in a hurry and distracted by lots of activity so to make an easy card I grabbed a recent color scheme (CC227) from Splitcoast's awesome color challenge every Tuesday. I love this color scheme... it is Lavendar Lace, Barely Banana, Black, White and it was supposed to be Going Gray which is lighter, but I goofed and used Basic Gray. Oops!

Anyway, The background is the new Medallion stamp stamped in Barely Banana craft ink- isn't it great on the gray?!! The flowers from the new set Greenhouse Garden are a lovely 2-step stamp with these awesome bursts for centers that look so real I just couldn't resist them. They are done in the Lavendar Lace and Banana with black and gray centers. The sentiment is actually from a third new set called For All You Do.

Can you see the tiny touches of Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the larger flowers? I haven't done that in a long time, but felt this card really needed it.

So thanks for stopping by again! Have a great day!

~Kristin

SUO (Stampin' Up! only) Supplies

Stamps: Medallion, For All You Do, Greenhouse Garden

Colors: Lavendar Lace, Barely Banana, White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds

It's Another Diva Wednesday!

...but sadly I probably won't be able to play along. I've been out of town on a camping trip since Sunday and am not coming home until today! If I get a chance I may try to play along this evening, but in the mean time here is your sketch challenge:

Please go visit the Diva blog for more inspiration and to find links to all the other Diva's creations! Then play along and post your creation to the Diva blog via Mr. Linky!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

Scrap Stash

I did some organizing yesterday and found several packets of precut cards and ribbon leftover from workshops and classes. It is fun to try and piece them together for new designs and see where you end up- sort of a new kind of challenge: Use Your Scrap Stash. The thin ribbon is so old I don't even remember what kit it came in, but it is SU!

I hadn't used this set Branch Out in a while so decided it was time! Thanks for looking, see ya tomorrow!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Branch Out, Curvy Verses

Colors: Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Melon Mambom Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Key tag punch, Button Bouquet, Pink Gingham ribbon, Curvy Label punch, Rose Red marker, Eyelet border punch

{Another Diva Challenge}

Oh boy am I in trouble... I am a whole day late for the Diva challenge. Yesterday was just one of those days... I got my card done but couldn't get it uploaded. I am in the market for a new external hard drive (seriously considering a 1TB- that's Terabyte if you're like me and didn't know what is bigger than a GB. A TB = 1000GB!!) because my computer is 100% FULL! Yes, FULL! And I have 100s of pics on my camera that I can't upload without deleting something that is already there.

Anyway, that's my excuse for this week.

So our challenge this week was to this color combination:

I usually struggle with this many colors so I decided to kind of take an easy route by using one image and stamping it in all the colors... although now I'm seeing that I didn't use any black- crud!

The image I used is from the new Circle Circus, and the sentiment is from the new Teeny Tiny Wishes. I also used the Polka Dot background which I just now realized is retired. My bad! I put garage sale sticker dots on all my retired sets so I can remember what is current, but somehow I missed that stamp when I did my dots recently.

Hope you like it and decide to play along with the Diva's! Your card just might get featured on the Diva blog! Also stay tuned for the announcement of the three new Diva's to join our team!!!


Thanks for hanging with me this summer, even if I am posting sporadically!

~Kristin

SUO SUPPLIES
Stamps: Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Polka Dot Background

Colors: Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Horizontal slot punch, Old Olive wide grosgrain, linen thread, My Way punch, Button Bouquet, SAMJ

Razzleberry Trio

The other day I was playing around and happened to see these colors: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede and Sahara Sand near each other and thought how nice they look together. I decided to use them for the next card I did which just happened to be this week's Mojo Monday challenge 94. I had fun with this sketch and finally feel like I've stamped something I am really happy with... three somethings actually. Once I got done with this one I had lots of scraps left over from figuring out just which layers I liked best for my medallion. So, I used all those scraps to make 2 more cards. OK, I added a few things also- they aren't entirely made up of scraps, but I didn't waste anything that's for sure!

For each of these I used the Boho Backgrouns set which I felt was perfect for these colors- don't they just say "Boho" to you?! For this one I added a Pale Plum card base- I think Pale Plum is a great compliment to Rich Razzleberry- plus, that's what white ink on Razzleberry paper comes out looking like (notice the medallion?).

Most of the pieces on this card were leftover from the layered medallion on that first card. I did stamp a few extras though. For the sentiment I used Think Happy Thoughts (a perfect set for cards with circles like this!) complete with the Soho Designer Hardware for the center.

Anyway, instead of dragging these out over three days I thought I'd post them all at once since you've all been so patient with me while being absent so much this summer. So what do you think? Can you think of another color combination that these would work great in? It's fun to crank out three cards at a time focusing on mostly all the same colors and stamps. Go see what you can come up with!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Boho Backgrounds, All Holidays, Think Happy Thoughts

Colors: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Pale Plum

Accessories: circle punches (lots of them!), scallop circle punch, scallop edge punch, Soho Designer Hardware, Razzleberry dotted grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals

Have You Seen??

In case you haven't seen it, I am posting here the new Definitely Decorative brochure, which is just totally amazing in my opinion!!!

For some reason everytime this brochure comes out I want to do an extreme makeover on one of the rooms in my house! Unfortunately, I am more of a dreamer than a doer. LOL!

Anyway, CLICK HERE to browse this stunning catalog then let me know what your favorite item is! (Hint: I might even send one of you a card!)

Have a great day!

~Kristin

A couple of RAKs and Blog Awards

Since I'm still catching up on blogging, surfing, emails and paying bills on-line I haven't actually stamped yet... so thought I'd share these two very sweet cards I got from a few very sweet gals I know.

First up, this from Lisa Henke. I just happened to be the first to answer a question correctly on her blog so she sent this card as my reward! Isn't it striking?!! Lisa is so creative in finding funky and fabulous new color combos! not to mention her awesome layout design. If you want to see some good scrapbook pages be sure to check Lisa's blog!




Color combos and a CAS style happen to be some of my favorite things about Becky too! Look at this adorable birthday card she sent me back in April! (all the little dents at the top are from me having this hung up above my desk for so long!) I love how Becky made this little snail glossy and dimensional.

Thank you to PattyB for nominating me for this blog award recently:

How sweet of you to think of me!

And a special thanks also to Elizabeth for sending me this blog award way back in May!! I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to respond!!

Blog awards are always a treat to recieve and they are appreciated. Someday I may even pass them along!

~Kristin

Thanks so much!

Gosh I haven't played along with any challenges in what seems like forever! Today I was able to crank one out, although it took me forever to get started and then to finish it. This is for the sketch challenge on the Clean & Simple Stampin' blog.


I combined In Colors from 2007, 2008 & 2009 for this with True Thyme, Baha Breeze and Soft Suede. I don't know why I just can't stamp anymore without pulling out those old In Colors! So glad I've hung onto them.

Hope you like it!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Autumn Days, Sincere Salutations, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Colors: Soft Suede, True Thyme, Sahara Sand, Baha Breeze, Whisper White

Accessories: Key tag punch, spiral punch, True Thyme stitched ribbon, Antique Brass Hodgpodge

Whale Wishes: a disappearing post!

Here is the post that disappeared this week while I was away from home. I loosely cased a sample in the new catty (don't have mine here to tell you the page number right now). I say loosely cased because the colors and stamps are all totally different- the part that inspired me was the general layout of the main image in the center with little accents trailing off the corners of the card.

My whale was stamped on Tea Party DSP and raised on SU dimensionals. He was also stamped on the white layer in Rich Razzleberry. Circle Circus was used for the rest of the detail- in Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum and Almost Amethyst (yes I was experimenting with color again). I added a few of the 5/16" jumbo brads in white and popped up a few more details and done.

As I mentioned the first time I tried to post this, I had several moments while making this card that I doubted how it would turn out... but I stuck with it and am happy I did. It isn't a work of art, but I think it is worthy of sending anyway.

Off to do some raspberry pickin' and some yardwork before it gets too hot... then I'll be back in to play!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Pun Fun, Circle Circus

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum and Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Black Staz-On

Accessories: 5/16" jumbo white brads, Tea Party DSP, SU Dimensionals

Take a coffee break!

Sorry for the delay (geez, I feel like I'm always saying that!)- I had this scheduled to post at midnight but obviously that didn't happen. I'm finally home only to find that none of my scheduled posts worked, and one disappeared completely. Lovely...
Guess what?! It's time for another Coffee Break Design Challenge! This week we were given this interesting sketch to work with. I really wanted to show the three panels as a color gradation in pink (Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo)- and combine these with Cocoa and Chocolate (yummy!). I saw a similar color combo in the new Stampin' Up! catalog that I just loved (p. 71).

I hope you like it to and decide to play along! Please visit our Diva blog for more inspiration for this sketch!

Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Forest Friends, Think Happy Thoughts

Colors: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Circle punches, Chocolate felt flower, jumbo vanilla brad, Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch

NOTE TO BLOGGER: Could you get your act together on these scheduled posts?? Geez!! I mean it's summer- when are scheduled posts more utilized than summer for crying out loud?!! OK, vent over.

Whale Wishes- Another catty inspired design!

Well, this is a loose CASE at best, but I sure liked the card on the bottom of page 107! (Same page my DD copied yesterday.) Obviously mine is a different color scheme and uses totally different stamps, so the only thing I really copied is the design concept. First stamped the whale from Pun Fun (what a fun set!) on the white and also on a pattern of Almost Amethyst from Tea Party DSP, then I randomly stamped images from Circle Circus on a diagnal patern across the card.

I was experimenting with color combos, as usual, so this ended up with Almost Amethyst, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and the new Rich Razzleberry. Added in a few jumbo white brads and good to go. At some point while making this card I had the sinking feeling that it just wasn't going to work out... but I stuck with it and am reasonably pleased with the results- not a work of art, but worthy of sending I think.

The moral of the story is, when you're lacking inspiration go straight to the Stampin' Up! idea book and catalog- especially this newest edition- it is just full of stunning examples that are easy to use for inspiration (or exact copies if you're so inclined!).

Hope you are having a great day! I'll be home soon,
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Pun Fun, Circle Circus

Colors: Almost Amethyst, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Whisper White

Accessories: Jumbo White brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

She did it!

My daughter made this card the other day while stamping with me... we were both getting inspiration from the fabulous samples in the new catalog! She is so happy with it, and I can say I agree, that she asked me if I would post it to my blog.

Everything she used is by Stampin' Up! (like mother like daughter) except the wire and the scissors. The scissors she used on the ends of the Kiwi piece were to mimic the new Modern Label punch that we don't have YET. She strung the beads herself and only needed a little help twisting the antennae.

So what do you think of her color combination? I just love it and you might be surprised to know that it is combining THREE different years of In Colors! Cool Caribbean (07), Kiwi Kiss (08) and the new Bermuda Bay (09)!! Aren't they lovely together?! Just another reason to hang on to those old colors and scraps of paper for future use.

Here's a closeup view of the details.

Thanks for stopping by! Still out of town, but I've got another post I'll try to schedule for tomorrow and then don't forget Diva Day on Wednesday.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Cool Caribbean, Bermuda Bay, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories: green beads, Beautiful Butterflies die, Big Shot, wire

Hello deer baby

Yippee, finally got some time to stamp yesterday after getting back from camping. Leaving again today for a few days so I'm going to try and schedule a few posts... we'll see if it works this time (come on Blogger!!).

I found a card in the New Idea Book & Catalog (which YOU can now order from as of July 1st- woohoo!!!) on page 141 that I just loved- a unique layout and beautiful color scheme. I copied the layout and the monochromotic idea just in different colors. The deer is from Forest Friends and the sentiment is from the new fantastically versatile Teeny Tiny Wishes!! This set is a must have, let me tell ya!

Don't you just love how the rhinestone brad looks with the new In Color Bermuda Bay?!! The softer shade of aqua is an older In Color Soft Sky- I just love experimenting and mixing up all the fabulous In Colors from the past with the new ones just for fun!!

Well, that's what I've got for now but stay tuned for more... coming up: a card my daughter designed herself (and it's cute!) and another new catty inspired card.

If you don't have your hands on the new catty yet I'd be glad to get one to you- only $5 plus shipping.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you're having a fabulous summer!

~Kristin

PS- Don't miss it!! This month SU is offering a new "Deal of the Week" each week starting now! To find out how to get a favorite product for 30% off click HERE! If you'd like to order through me please email me (I will be checking while I'm gone) so I can place it for you.

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Forest Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Soft Sky (retired In Color)

Accessories: Round Tab punch, Bermuda Bay dotted grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, corner rounder, white taffeta ribbon, distressing tool, Square ice rhinestone brad.