I Love You This Much!

For today's Diva Coffee Break Designs Color challenge we are to use Poppy Parade, So Saffron and Baja Breeze in combination. 

I chose to use Build-a-Roo by stamping him on some Greenhouse Garden DSP.  I then grunged him up with an aquapainter and some Early Espresso ink like an old loved stuffed animal, and immediately regretted it.  He looked much nicer before but I'd already "fussy-cut" him so I wasn't about to start over. 

The hearts in his pouch are from the Heart to Heart punch and the larger heart is the Small Heart punch.  The background So Saffron paper is dry embossed with the Texturz Plates Kit #4 and the Big Shot.  YES, I finally found my Silicone Rubber pad that had been lost (fell behind my file cabinet). 

I hope you'll stop by the Diva Blog and check out the other designers and their great samples!  Then be sure to play along and let us know.  You might even be chosen as our weekly "Featured Artist"! 

Thanks for stopping by again today.  I'll be gone all day today on a field trip to see the Ohio State Band with my son's 5th grade band class.  He was thinking of wearing his Michigan jersey so it could be... interesting.  Wish me luck!  :) 

~Kristin

PS- I forgot to mention that our Annual Holiday Stamp-a-Stack last Saturday was a GREAT SUCCESS and so much fun!  We had 24 delightful guests and they did 12 fun projects and we were done in record time (2 hours earlier than last year!)

Boo!

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

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: none

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

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

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

Glitter Window Snowflake

Good day ladies and gentlemen!  I've got another card for you today- I know, shocker!  I've got fall baseball behind me now, and only two weeks left of Midget League football then I'll be stamping much more frequently.  Also behind me is a birthday week and this week I'll be prepping for my upcoming Stamp-a-Stack.  Do you ever have a few weeks where each time you check something off your massive list you breathe a little bit easier??  That's where I'm at right now- I can see the end of the tunnel. 

Today's CAS challenge on SCS is a sketch challenge.  I decided to do the Glitter Window technique for the lower snowflake (put packing tape behind the cut out then sprinkle with Dazzling Diamonds!).  I do like how this turned out with the exception of my crooked sentiment *sigh*. 

This card also qualifies for this week's Just Add Ink challenge to use BLUE!  I think I've got that covered.  If you want some great challenges I highly recommend this blog. 

Well, gotta run get some dinner on.  Have a great week!

~Kristin

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

Keeping Busy!

 Hello Hello!  Wondering where I've been??  Well, I don't even have time to type it all right now, but I have a few seconds before running out the door so I'm posting this card I made yesterday (I think it was).  This is for this week's Diva Coffee Break Designs color challenge to use Marina Mist, Crumb Cake and Cajun Craze.  Hope you like it!  More details later...  in the mean time, this new building is one of the reasons I've been so MIA.  It just arrived yesterday (the day after my daughter's birthday) and it was a chore keeping it a surprise!!  Phew!  Someday I'm hoping this will be my stampin' studio. 

Hugs!  Thanks for stopping by,
~Kristin

My Only Sunshine

I loved singing that song to my kids when they were little.  I'd rock them to sleep and sing You are My Sunshine over and over again.  Then one day my aunt taught me the second verse ("The other night dear, while I was sleeping, I dreamt I held you in my arms.  But when I woke up I was mistaken so I hung my head and cried")  When I sang that verse to them they suddenly made me stop singing it and didn't like that song anymore- still don't.  Too sad I guess. 

Anyway, I still like that saying "You are my sunshine" and had to use it on this card.  This is for today's Diva sketch which I really like!  I kept it pretty literal other than the banner style sentiment which I just hand cut.  Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by.  Now why don't you go check out the other Diva's samples then play along with us! 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Aviary, sentiment from Something Sweet

Colors: Daffodil Delight, Craft, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Greenhouse Gala DSP, Antique Brads, Old Olive narrow ribbon, scallop border punch, markers

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

Birthday Treat

Quickie today... The Divas have a fun color challenge I dare you to try!  Here's my take.  I used a neto-me stamp level one hostess set called Birthday Bakery and the Big Bold Cupcake Sizzlit set with the Big Shot.

Have a great day!
~Kristin

Not Exactly Traditional

 Elegant, unique, not exactly traditional:  that's what I lean towards (strive for) when designing Christmas cards.  It is rare to find a straight-up green and red card from me- not sure why.  I suppose because I like thinking outside the box and by the time Christmas rolls around I'm about sick of the red/green combo in my face.  Now that's not to say I don't appreciate cards in those traditional colors- because I do, truly!  Even some of my favorites have been true red and green.

With that said, I've chosen Sahara Sand, Bravo Burgandy and Vanila with a touch of Early Espresso for these two designs.  What do you think of that color combo??  I love it and can see it for so much more than holiday cards! 

These are both quite simple as I'm working on designs for my upcoming Holiday Stamp-a-Stack.  Simple is always best for these events with 40 or so people wanting to do the same 12 cards in a limited time.  But simple doesn't have to mean boring or lacking that something special. 

So what do you think?  Would you be excited about making either of these two cards at a Stamp-a-Stack?  The first one entails sponging and a rectangle mask, with a rhinestone and some lovely narrow Espresso Taffeta topping it off.  The second one, which happens to use the CAS sketch challenge from yesterday on SCS, is a Sahara Sand base with monochromatic snowflakes and a portion of the tree showing from the set Snow Swirled.  The extra details include a few touches with the Bravo Burgandy marker on the tree and a rhinestone topper as well. 

Quick, simply and lovely is the goal.  What do you think?  Feel free to "vote" by leaving a comment- I'll let you know what I decide before the SAS on October 23.  If you are anywhere near Kenton, Ohio and are interested in joining me for this fun event I'd be thrilled to call you my guest!  Cost is $30 and that includes lunch and snacks, 12 holiday projects (all cards except one gift packaging idea) and lots of door prizes and fun!  Leave your email address if you're interested in getting the flyer.

Thanks for stopping by! I'm hoping to get some scrapbooking done today... we'll see what happens!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Colors: Sahara Sand, Bravo Burgandy, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Wide Bravo Burgandy grosgrain ribbon, narrow Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, Basic Jewel Rhinestones, sponge.

Peek-a-Boo!

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

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

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

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

Have a great Sunday!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Build-a-Roo

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

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

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!)

Two in Two!

 Happy Monday all!  I'm back today with two challenges in two different cards.  I was determined to stamp today since it's been a few days so I set out to find a few challenges to try.  First up is the Mojo Monday sketch challenge.  Second, is the Clean & Simple color challenge on SCS to use kraft, red, brown and vanilla.  This rarely happens to me but while brainstorming I had two totally different ideas and decided to do them both!

The first is more clean and simple.  I combined a sentiment from Whimsical Words (a Sale-a-Bration set from earlier this year) and I {(Heart} Hearts!  Did you notice the three clear buttons?  Did you notice the XOX connotation for hugs and kisses (in the buttons)??  Is it cheesy??  I wasn't sure. 

My second card is this Christmas Wishes card made with Gifts of Christmas.  The main image is embossed in Vanilla powder and the dove is painted with Lumiere which is an old pearl white paint that SU used to carry years ago.  My lid has a crack so it was fairly dry, but I just added some water and stirred and it thinned down nicely.

I'm sure you noticed the Glimmer Brads (available now in the Holiday Mini Catalog- pg. 36)- aren't they beautiful?!!  I also embossed the Vanilla piece with the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions embossing folder.  Finally, the handmade poinsettia was done with the 5-petal flower punch and three black brads. 

I hope you've enjoyed these.  Next time you're trying a challenge, why not do it twice and see how different your cards end up?! 

Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Whimsical Words, Stitched Background, Gifts of Christmas

Colors: Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Embossing Folders: Dotted & Petals-a-Pleny; large heart punch, scallop trim border punch, scallop border punch, vanilla EP, Lumiere, Glimmer Brads, 5-petal flower punch, black brads, black narrow taffeta, bitty buttons, linen thread

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

Halloween Window card

This is a window card in more ways than one.  I designed it to look like you're looking out a window, and you are actually seeing the owl on the inside through a punched open window.  I'm playing along with the color challenge on Creat With Connie & Mary (CCMC115) to use Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla.  I took the liberty of adding some Summer Sun which is generously sponged with Tangerine Tango for my moon.  This is also following the sketch for this week's Clean & Simple challenge on Splitcoast. 

 Here's a shot of the inside.   I had fun with my punches for this:  the large circle is the new 2.5" cirlce punch, of course there's the owl punch and the branch from the Two-Step Bird Punch.

I took this shot so you could really see what window I'm talking about.  Gotta run, I've got water boiling to make my third batch of salsa.  I dread making it, but LOVE eating it! 

Thanks for stopping by today!
~Kristin

ETA:  Thanks everyone for your great comments.  To answer a few questions- I made the window kind of by accident.  I was actually just punching 4 squares from a scrap of Crumb Cake paper and noticed the remaining piece looked like a window so I used that instead!  You gotta love those happy accients (gosh, I just reminded myself of Bob Ross and his "happy little trees"- anyone else remember him?  I'd watch him in college and was so sad when he died!) 

And for the other question- I just made regular ol' tomato salsa I guess.  I've never done anything fancy, just tomatoes and peppers and onions.  Yum!  I've found that the store bought salsa is way too salty now that I make it myself!

Fairytale Sketch Challenge

Today I've got a new Diva sketch challenge for you.  I love how simple it looks because that gives you plenty of room to maneuver!  As soon as I saw the circle I knew I wanted to use my Medallion background stamp that hasn't seen ink in a while.  My next thought was purple and black and a touch of silver.  Both the medallion center and the sentiment were stamped on Brushed Silver cardstock with black craft ink.  My cardbase is Perfect Plum and the Medallion is stamped in Versamark.  I had to add a little bling with the Jewel Basic Rhinestones and some satin ribbon too. 

I hope you'll play along with the Divas!  Thanks for stopping by.
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Medallion background, Full of Life

Colors: Perfect Plum, Basic black, Brushed Silver

Accessories: Jewel basic Rhinestones, scallop border punch, black satin ribbon

"Easely" my favorite!

OK OK,dumb play on words!  But I do love this sentiment and this IS my first Easel card... just go with it, would ya?!  I've been wanting to do this type of fold but just had never taken the time to figure it out until now.  It is so easy too.  This card measures 8.5x4.25" and is scored at 4 1/4" and 6 3/8", but you could also do this with a standard half sheet of cardstock.  For a fabulous tutorial by Beate and all the measurement options CLICK HERE. 

I combined a number of different stamp sets on this one.  Started with the grass and sentiment from Inspired by Nature, added fussy cut flowers from Greenhouse Garden and finished with the uh.... pigeon is the only word that keeps coming to mind, no it's a pheasant.  Yeah, the pheasant (stamped off once for a subtle look) from Autumn Days.

Wondering about the color combo?  Certainly Celery, Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Early Espresso.  This sketch is from Stampin' 411's Saturday Sketch Challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by today! 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Autumn Days, Greenhouse Garden

Colors: Certainly Celery, Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Early Espresso, Very vanilla

Accessories:  Chantilly Lace ribbon, Antique brad, scallop edge punch

Stacked Hand-Made Gift Boxes

***This is the second post for today.  Scroll down to make sure you do not miss the DCBD challenge posting.  I meant to schedule this for tomorrow but messed up.  Oops.***

 So what do you think of my hand-made gift boxes??  I found this wonderful tutorial from Tina at My Therapy, My Creations that made them so so easy.  It can be found here:  paper box tutorial.  I used the Scallop Circle and Scallop Circles #2 dies with a piece of cardboard that comes in every pack of Designer Series Paper to make the bottoms and lids for these boxes.  Then covered them with cardstock.  There is one TIP that I'd like to point out if you decide to try these:  FOLLOW the tutorial when she says to glue the cardstock and cardboard together BEFORE running them through your Big Shot.  Trust her!  Trust me! 

 Here is a shot of the largest box open.  I am giving this set to a friend with a little something special in each box (I'll show that on another post).  Each box has a little stamped surprise in the lid and, for the bigger two, in the bottom of the box as well.  That's one reason this project is so fun- tons of areas to jazz up however you want!

Here is another shot of the inside of the lid for the largest box.  Sentiment is from In My Thoughts, leaves are from Great Friend.  I also used the new Chantilly Lace, an antique brad, pearls and the Large Oval punch and scallop oval punch with Oval All for the label on the outside.

 This is the medium box with a sentiment from Full of Life and 3 Jewel Basic Rhinestones.

 Here is the smallest box.  It has pearls all the way around it plus a hand-made carnation flower on top (more on how to make those later!)

On the inside of this lid I used a stamp from Think Happy Thoughts and punched a little flower with the Boho Blossoms punch, attached with a Rose Red brad.  For all three boxes I used retired Raspberry Tart DSP (designer series paper).  The measurements I used are as follows: 

Large box: 2"x12" strip & a 1"x113/4"
Medium box: 1 1/2" x 9 1/4" and 1"x9" (as per the tutorial)
Small box: 1 1/2" x 5" and 1" x 4 3/4" 

For the larger two boxes I just cut circles that looked like they would fit with my circle cutting system.  For the small box my 1 1/4" punch worked perfectly!  These circles are to line the inside so the edges of paper don't show. 

Want to know more about the paper carnation?  Here is a tutorial that is super easy:  paper carnation tutorial thanks to Emma F. at Lady and the Stamp.  These have been around awhile so I might just be the last person to try them.  If you haven't either then check out this tutorial! 

Hope you have a great day.  If you have any questions about this post just post a comment and ask, I'll do my best to answer. 
~Kristin

{PS- Special thanks to Tina and Emma for your inspiration and wonderfully done tutorials!}

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

One Scoop or Two??

 Good day ladies and gentlemen (dad)!  I've got a quick two-scooper for ya!  LOL!  Over the weekend I found this wonderful stamper and spent most of my Sunday browsing her blog.  I copied many of her cards and projects to my "Cards to CASE" folder and actually copied one today already!  Well, I shouldn't say copied because I borrowed her layout and changed everything else.  Not that I didn't love everything else- I totally did, I just don't have all the products and... that's just how I CASE usually. 

Anyway, today's Clean & Simple challenge on SCS is to be inspired by the word "Delicious" and I immediately thought of my Sweet Scoops stamp set.  My first card is above.  I realized after I had it all uploaded that it is kind of an oxymoron because my sentiment says "One of a Kind" but none of my cones are identical.  Duh!  Cute anyway, but all those colors of ice cream were kind of bothering me anyway.  Not nearly clean enough for a CAS challenge so.....

I tried again.  This time all my cones are identical but one of them has a few little extras!  I changed the scallop at the bottom from the pinking hearts punch on my first try.  Both have "sprinkles" of chunky glitter, but this one has a cherry on top as well. 

The sentiment piece that I punched with the Designer Label punch is from an ancient set from 2006 called Designer Label.  I told you I never get rid of anything.  I though the style was perfect for this card.

Well don't leave without checking out my inspiration!  Her name is Jo Dumbleton and her blog is Stampin 'N Stuff.  HERE is just ONE of her amazing cards that I loved enough to save to my favorites file and CASE for this post.  Thanks Jo!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sweet Scoops, Designer Label

Colors: Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Whisper White

Accessories: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, chuky glitter essentials, Designer Label punch, scallop border punch, pinking hearts border punch

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

Best is Yet to Be!

 My parents celebrated an anniversary this week and yes, I'm late sending a card.  Of course when I realized I was late I couldn't just pull something from my stash.  Oh no, I had to make something fresh and new.  Today's Diva Coffee Break Designs' challenge is a sketch this week so that's what I used here. 

Here's a picture of the inside.  I'm slowly starting to join the masses in prettifying the insides.  I usually do some stamping but this time I added some coordinating DSP from the front.  Hope you like it. 

Gotta run, getting together for some volleyball tonight again, finally!  Go join the Divas, why don't you!
~Kristin

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