Beach Towel Inspired Birthday!

OK, I'm back with this week's CAS challenge from SCS. I browsed through the Land's End beach towels and totes until I came up on this beach towel. I thought it is fun and colorful and something I'd like to use for inspiration. I picked this, and matching colors, a few days ago but didn't actually make my card until today.... which is when I decided to change from Green Galore to Kiwi Kiss without consulting my inspiration piece. Oops!

Well, you still get the idea I think! I also used the sketch that I posted yesterday hoping to do better on my second try. I'm much happier with this one!

I used papers from a variety of old SU papers: Bella Rose, Berry Bliss and some a print pattern that I think is in Purely Pomegranate... Everything else is current, I swear! (but not for long)

Hope you like it! Why don't you go check out these CAS challenges- they are fun and simple and usually pretty fast.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: On Your Birthday

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Bella Rose, Berry Bliss, Purely Pomegranate Prints

Accessories: Daisies #2 die, Big Shot, 3/4" circle punch, button bouquet, linen thread

Quick & Easy: Miss you!

ETA: New picture... a little better.

What a fabulous sketch from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog but no matter how many photos I take I can't make this look like a "WOW" card! LOL!

The paper strips I used are from Pink Flamingo DSP by SU and the image is an oldie- a 2006 SAB set called Send a Celebration. I stamped it twice and cut out the pieces then layered them on a black circle... maybe if my circle had been turquoise it would work better?!? The "Miss You" is from Take Three stamp set which I inked using the black marker and then placed using the Stamp-a-majig (I know, it's still a bit crooked).

Well, even though it's not a WOW I wanted to share anyway since the sketch IS! What a perfect way to make a quick and easy card with impact that also can use up your scraps!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to play along with this week's CAS sketch on SCS today since my best pal Lisa Henke has been announced as one of the newest Design Team Members!!! Congrats Lisa!!

Later,
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Send a Celebration, Take Three

Ink: Black

Paper: Whisper White, Pink Flamingo

Accessories: 1 3/4" circle punch, SAMJ, black & turquoise markers, white gel pen

Marigold Clematis

I'm late again, I'm sorry! This week I have no excuses I just forgot! I'm sorta glad I did though because I'm so happy with this card. I did break the DCBD rule of only current SU product however, so I will make another one that is "legal"... but I had an idea in my head this morning and just had to get it out on paper. I've been eyeing these colors together for a few days since I noticed my inkpads next to each other in my color caddy. They are old In Colors Marigold Morning, True Thyme and River Rock. Ever since I read a little hint yesterday about the potential for retired In Colors maybe being used again in some way, I've been excited and super glad I still have them ALL!

For this card I used today's sketch challenge on SCS with the three narrow panels. Funny thing is I had no intentions of making them a fence at first- I actually started by tearing one end. One thing led to another and I decided to round the ends by sliding them into my large oval punch (same punch that is behind the butterfly image). Added the slats with some retired River Rock grosgrain and added some sponging for depth.

Next, due to the DCBD Challenge to use the Big Shot today, I tried like the dickens to use those leaves behind the butterfly somehow but they just muddied up the look I was going for... finally I figured out that if I stack three of those leaf cutouts and add some little flowers it looks like a clematis growing up the fence (I LOVE clematis!) - at least I think so. The flowers are punched from Marigold Morning CS with the Boho Blossoms punch (that I've used every day lately- how did I live without that thing?!?) then slightly brayered with some Pumpkin Pie ink and crumpled before adding the brads.

The background stamped on the fence is Pretty Petals in versamark. I think the butterfly piece kind of looks like a Welcome placque hanging on a fence but I really didn't want to stamp Welcome so I added the "For You" sentiment at the bottom corner.

Here is the inside. I used another flower made the same as the front and the other images from this stamp set. I tend to let the inside go until I am ready to send the card, but sometimes they end up getting overlooked so today I just did it while I had the stuff out.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll go check out the other Diva's and their gorgeous creations for this week! Then you can play along with our challenge and link to the Diva site so we can check you out! Have a great day!

~Kristin

SUO

Stamps: Great Friend, Pretty Petals

Cardstock: True Thyme, Marigold Morning, River Rock, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Marigold Morning, Pumpkin Pie, True Thyme

Accessories: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Wide Oval, Vintage Brads, River Rock double stitched grosgrain ribbon, sponge, Boho Blossom Punch

Clean & Simple Challenge- a Makeover!

Last week's CAS Challenge on Splitcoast was to makeover one of your own cards in your gallery. I had no trouble choosing one that wasn't my favorite! I liked the concept of this one but thought it was a little tacky maybe so decided to tone it down by making it more monochromatic and using only 1 style of flower for the curved border. I still think it needs some ribbon maybe, but I was trying to keep it simple not make it less so!

So, I kept the design and changed everything else from the colors to the paper and stamps. This time I used the Parisian Breeze Specialty cardstock (that is nearing extinction!) as well as the daisy flower from the Spring Bouquet punch. I did keep the Curly Label punch, but changed from a glittered sentiment to a simple embossed one.

Hope you like it and find this challenge intriguing enough to play along!

Thanks for visiting!
~Kristin

Fabulous new offers from Stampin' Up!!

Hostess Bonus Promotion: It Pays (More) to Have Fun

From June 1-30, in addition to the already fantastic hostess benefits, get even more hostess awards when you host a qualifying workshop:

• Hold a $250-$399.99 workshop and receive an additional $20 in hostess free dollars!


• Hold a $400 or more workshop and receive an additional $40 in hostess free dollars!*

Earn more rewards while having fun with friends and family this summer! Contact me today to schedule your workshop (my email address is in my profile at the top right).

*Awards are not accumulative; hostesses receive $20 in free merchandise for a single $250-$399.99 workshop, and $40 in free merchandise for a single $400+ workshop.

Remember the old "Retired List"?? Well, now it's called the Last Chance list since the stamps and accessories listed are all now available for the last time EVER! This year the list has two great features: a 50% off section and a 25% off section that you won't want to miss!! You can also see the products from the entire list HERE.

For your convenience I am also going to link the .pdf versions so you can simply see the product name and it's new cost which you can then refer to in your catalog.

Last Chance Decor Elements List

Last Chance Stamp Sets List (alphabetical)

Last Chance Stamp Sets List (numerical)

Last Chance Accessories List (while supplies last)

Thanks for stoppin' by! If you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll find an answer for you!

~Kristin

Bashful Pumpkins!

I was browsing through an issue of CARDS magazine the other day and saw a card with a similar layout to this and immediately thought "ooh, I bet I could do that with my Thoughts and Prayers tree!" This is the first time I've used the Boho Blossoms punch. I punched the flowers then distressed them by crumbling them and rolling them up then seperating the layers so I got two from one and they are very thin and flimsy.

The color scheme is from last week's color challenge on SCS: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue. I also added some Sahara sand and vanilla in for my neutrals.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

PS- did you notice the paper piercing? Can you believe the Crafter's Tool Kit (p. 188) is on the "Last Chance" list?!? I am stunned. If you don't have it, check it out- I use it nearly every day!!

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Define Your Life

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Top Note Die, Big Shot, Paper Piecing Tools, So Saffron brads, Boho Blossoms punch, Eyelet border punch, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon

Roxy Rocks!

Hello there! I'm back with my first effort at a Featured Stamper challenge on Splitcoast in a long time! I used to play this challenge very often, and now I can't remember the last time I did. Well, since I hadn't stamped since Thursday or Friday I took some well-deserved time today and went crazy. This week Rox71 is the Featured Stamped and I chose this card of hers to CASE. I love the layout she used and so kept mine very similar with the row of flowers dividing the top and bottom portions of the card. I also used a similar color scheme and the oval sentiment. I used my Texturz Plates and the Big Shot to emboss both the white and the black panels for some added dimension, but it is a bit hard to see in the photo.

The flowers are from the Flower Blossom Sizzlit which is new to me. I did them in Riding Hood Red and Cameo Coral with a tiny white flower from the Boho Blossoms punch, and finished them off with black brads.

Thanks for stopping by! I've got more in store for you this week so be sure to stop by!
~Kristin

Welcome!

I know I'm an inconsistent blogger lately- I hope that's OK. I assume most everyone who visits is having the same schedule issues I am- busy busy spring!

I really didn't want to miss out on this week's Mojo Monday challenge so worked to get it done yesterday. Here is the sketch- isn't it great?! I decided to make a welcome card for a new (my first!) second level downline that just joined SU this month.

I used soon-to-be-departed In Colors Pacific Point and Pink Pirouette, as well as my new Tea Party DSP. I gently watercolored this image from A Flower for all Seasons with the ink pads and a blender pen (the aqua painter was just too wet for this detail). If you do this be sure to use black Staz-On ink as it is far more water-proof and therefore bleed-resistent than our Basic Black ink.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: A Flower for all Seasons, Warm Words

Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Tea Party DSP

Ink: Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand

Accessories: 1 3/4" circle punch, Eyelet border punch, Pacific Point grosgrain ribbon, square punch (to notch end of sentiment banner), Fire Rhinestone brad, Felt Fusion Too (felt flowers)

Wonderful YOU! {DCBD129}

...for stopping by again after I've been absent since Saturday! Sorry- things got away from me with a crazy hectic weekend. The flower girl stint my daughter had went well- but kept us busy Friday & Saturday. Sunday we spent at cookouts all day and Monday included the parade, friends visiting then a ball game to end the long weekend. What a gorgeous Memorial Day weekend though- the best weather for that holiday in a long time it seems!

Anyway, I'm back today just in time (well, a little late actually) to play along with the Coffee Break Diva's for the sketch challenge this week. The sketch is simple and unique, full of possibilities. For my take on it I broke out my new Parisian Breeze Specialty textured papers from SU! Man are these gorgeous and they ARE included in the "Buy 3 get one FREE" sale that ends on Sunday.

I combined the gorgeous colors (Baha Breeze, Kraft, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip) with some Big Shot dies and some jumbo brads for a soft textured look! The dies I used are the Flower Burst embosslit which embosses while it cuts(!!) and the Sizzlits Little Leaves which are both exclusive to Stampin' Up! I dabbed a tiny bit of Baha Breeze ink on the flowers to enhance the texture with a sponge dauber.

The word Wonderful is embossed with clear powder over chocolate chip ink for more texture and a little shine. Inside I stamped the word "YOU" with the Lovely Letters alphabet and embossed it as well.

Well, thanks for looking! Hopefully I'll be stealing some time every day to stamp, but you know how that goes with the kiddos home from school for the summer... Make sure you go visit the Diva blog and play along with our challenge! We'd love to come visit you and show our appreciation!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Wonderful Favorites

Paper: Baha Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP, Kraft

Accessories: Little Leaves Sizzlit, Flower Burst Embosslit, clear EP, 3/16" jumbo chocolate brads, stampin' dimensionals

Happily Ever After

Today my daughter is a flower girl and I wanted to make a special card for the bride. She babysat for us and I babysat for her when she was little. Her colors are periwinkle with a touch of light pink. I couldn't quite decide which of SU's colors is closest to periwinkle so I went with Almost Amethyst and Vintage Violet.

For the flowers I ran white cardstock through the Big Shot with the Manhattan Flower embossing folder. Then I flipped it over and brayered ink (vintage violet, Almost Amethyst and Pink Pirouette) into the backside so the debossed flower remains white. Then I cut it out and layered it over the Vintage Violet piece which was stamped with French Script in Versamark.

I pierced the edges of the Vintage Violet then added my sentiment in a Hodgepodge Frame, tied on with pink organdy ribbon. Once it was all put together I sprayed the entire thing with pearl-ex mixed in hairspray for an overall shimmer! See those larger dots of pearl-ex that are showing?? After I took the picture I found a way to reduce the visibility of those... just sand those areas with a corner of the sanding block. Just a TIP for you!

Ooh, forgot to say that I also highlighted some of the petals with the Versamarker (thanks for the idea Lisa!) to add more dimension.

Here's a quick picture of the inside. I stamped this phrase from Full of Life because I think it is perfect for a formal frilly wedding. First I stamped directly on the card but thought it just lacked something... so I tried again on white, this time inking Love with the pink marker. Added some layers and punched the bottom edge with the eyelet border punch. Also, I stamped one of the images from Frames with a Flourish under the sentiment for a more decorative touch.

Hope you like it, and have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fancy Flexible Phrases, Designer Label, French Script, Full of Life, Frames with a Flourish

Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Vintage Violet, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Manhattan Flower embossing folder, pearl-ex hairspray, Silver Hodgepodge, Pink organdy ribbon, paper piercing tools, brayer

thank YOU

Today's Clean & Simple challenge is to use Black and White with one Bold Bright. Well, my Bold Bright is Tempting Turquoise and the patterned paper is from Pink Flamingo DSP. My chipboard letters are inked and embossed with basic black. The "thank" is from a stamp in Full Of Life stamp set- inked with a marker and placed using the Stamp-a-Majig. It is supposed to be clean and simple, but let me tell you I had a heck of a time keeping that white cardbase clean! I had black embossing powder, stray adhesive every where and smudges of ink- geesh! I do like this card though- I think I'll use it to write a note to one of my kiddos' teachers for their last day of school tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

PS- Dodgers won again! ;)

In Color Embossing... a TIP!

Yes, it's Diva day again! And look at this gorgeous color combination we had to work with! Shouldn't have been much of a challenge, but I managed to make it one! This is one of those cases where combining challenges doesn't always make for an easier card. I loved this sketch from the Clean & Simple Stamping Blog that I've mentioned in the past and just really wanted to use it... but the great outdoors is calling me today so I just had to use both challenges together.

I think I will try this color combo again to see if I get more of the look I was hoping for. Not that I dislike my card, it's just not where I thought it would go. Anyway, I have a little TIP for you! Have you ever wanted to emboss something in an ink color (like an In Color) that you don't own in the craft formula? Well, let me tell you how you CAN emboss those wonderful colors! First you ink your stamp with VERSAMARK then, before stamping, ink it again with your ink color (Riding Hood Red in my sample). Then stamp and emboss as you normally would! That's it- easy as pie, eh?!

I felt that this butterfly should be embossed since I knew I wanted to color in the leaves (to fulfill my color requirements) but red ink is known to bleed fairly easily. Embossing always resolves that problem. Once it was done I just used my markers to fill in the open areas, buffed with a clean tissue and voila!

Well, that's what I've got for you today. I hope you like it. Please take a moment to go check out the DIVA blog. We'd love to have you play along with our challenge!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Great Friend

Paper: Whisper White, Kraft, Always Artichoke

Ink: Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Versamark

Accessories: Scallop border punch, Clear EP, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke markers, Kraft taffeta ribbon

Let's Celebrate Purple!

I've been thinking for a long time that Stampin' Up! was lacking in DSP with purple in it... I like purple. Well, this special on our Designer Series Papers this month (Buy three get one FREE) got me looking more closely to see what other papers I need... and I found this: Tea Party. I hadn't noticed it before- maybe too pastel for me as a whole, but each sheet individually is just lovely and of course they coordinate perfectly! I just needed to open my mind a bit and I am glad I did! Almost Amethyst has long been one of my favorite of the 48 colors so of course I had to use those patterns first!

This sketch is from yesterday's Mojo Monday challenge which I didn't have time to get around to.

Did you notice the texture on the card base? That is using the Texturz Plates and the Big Shot. I like how this pattern coordinates with the paper somewhat.

Well, thanks for hanging with me even though I've been gone a while. This time of year is tough to stay indoors stamping when the sunshine and yardwork are calling! In case you're wondering, the gymnastics recital went very well- I was such a proud mom and very impressed! I thought my daughter would have serious stage fright and maybe even refuse to perform, but she seemed relaxed and to enjoy herself. And my son's baseball team has finally been able to play their first and second games and won both. He is pitching some this year which makes mom a nervous wreck- but he seems to handle it well. I guess they are both growing up *sigh*.

Have a lovely, sunshine-filled day!

~Kristin

PS- You may have noticed my "Shop Now" logo is missing from my sidebar. That is because I regretfully had to cancel my SU website. No worries, that doesn't mean you can't order through me, it just means that I will do the work for you. To place an order please contact me via email (which I'll put over there now instead). Thanks for your understanding!

SUO Supplies

Stamps: On Your Birthday

Paper: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Textured Certainly Celery, Tea Party DSP

Accessories: Scallop square punch, eyelet border punch, certainly celery grosgrain, square punch, circle cutter, Texturz Plates, Big Shot, Almost Amethyst marker

Cupcake Birthday

This is my first use of this Big Bold Cupcakes die I just got recently. It is fun and full of possibilities. Also used my new Pink Flamingo DSP which is where I came up with the color scheme of Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise and Real Red. Sorry, not so chatty tonight- I'm exhausted from volunteering at school and have another full day tomorrow (Friday). Oh yeah, this is from this week's sketch challenge on SCS too (Wednesday).

Have a great weekend- I'll be MIA I'm afraid- ball games and gymnastics recital plus house guests equals little to no stamping time.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: on Your Birthday

Paper: Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise and Real Red, Pink Flamingo DSP

Accessories: ticket corner punch, brad, Big Bold Cupcake die, Big Shot, Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, whisper white

Funky Father's Day...

Just messing around trying to work out a quick CAS Father's Day card. I started with the stamp since it's the only current one I have that says Father's Day. I stamped it in Perfect Plum on Going Gray (finally got some!). I then pulled out some scraps of basic gray, kiwi kiss (already textured), Pale Plum and Perfect Plum to play with. I had all kinds of layouts in mind- all very clean and simple but I couldn't decide- I thought they all looked cool.

After fussing and trying to pick my favorite I just decided to toss the pieces down and wherever they landed I'd go with (if I didn't like it I planned to cheat and do it again- so it was a safe bet). Anyway, this is where they fell the very first time and I like it. Kind of retro, funky and I think the back side of the embossed dots (kiwi piece) looks kind of industrial (use your imagination for crying out loud!). I crimped the pale plum piece to go with that industrial look. I really wanted to use a corduroy button since I love them, have them in 3 colors, but never seem to get them fit on the card... and I hadn't used my arrows punch in awhile so added one of those onto the button for fun. My dad will like it- he always does!

Here's a TIP: When you have already chosen your color scheme but feel you need maybe one more- go with a shade darker or lighter than what you've already got (like Going Gray and Basic Gray, or Pale Plum and Perfect Plum). It adds your extra umph you needed for good design yet doesn't overwhelm your color palette!

Hope you like it too! Don't be a procrastinator- go make a Father's Day card today (then put it in a safe place so you don't lose it, but not so safe that you can't find it later, then be sure to mail it by about June 17th!)

Have a great day!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: All Holidays (have you noticed how much I use this set??)

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, Perfect Plum Pale Plum, Going Gray

Accessories: Basic Gray corduroy button, My Way punch, Crimper, distressing tool, dotted embossing folder (this one is not SU's but we have one too)

Another Diva Day and some Big Shot Magic!!

I'm so excited to show you my card today! It came together fairly easily using the DCBD sketch, a color challenge, and some trash! That's right-I got to do something EXTRA fun with my Big Shot using trash! See that clear butterfly? No I didn't BUY that... I MADE it! It was tough to photograph because of the shadow it cast, but the clear stiff plastic I used was actually packaging for a new cheese slicer!! I took before and during photos because I just knew I could do something with that stuff!

Here is the new cheese slicer on its clear packaging! What a bonus, although kind of wasteful if it doesn't get reused somehow... and I'm not one to be wasteful!

And here is a picture of it just after I ran it through my Big Shot with the Beautiful Butterflies Die. Look how much I have left!! I can do so much more...

The color scheme I used is Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun and Whisper White. This was the color challenge over on SCS yesterday... well, almost. It suggested Only Orange, but come on, I just got these Pumpkin and Summer corduroy buttons yesterday and HAD to use them. Besides Pumpkin is just more deserving than Only Orange! ;)

Anyway, hope you like it! I know just who I'm going to send it to.

Thanks for stopping by and please go check out the Coffee Break blog to check out the other Diva's work, then play along and post your work so we can all come visit YOU! Have a beautiful sunny day!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White

Accessories: Eyelet border punch, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Kiwi Grosgrain, Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun corduroy butons, corner rounder, trash!

Rock on Dude!

Here's my second try using the Rock 'n Roll technique for Monday's CAS challenge... this time it is much more CAS I think (although I couldn't resist adding that background stamp at the last minute) but my R 'n R isn't as visible. That's because I inked the leaves in Pacific Point, stamped off, then Rock 'n Rolled in Pacific Point. This worked OK but since some of my image is hidden by the frame it isn't as obvious.

I wanted to use this frame from Frames with a Flourish and make this look like a picture or art hanging up. I'm not sure if that worked or not... maybe should've stamped my frame in brown to look more like wood instead of the Basic Gray on Baha Breeze cardstock. Hmmm, there's an idea.

Anyway, here you go. Sorry I was absent over the weekend... we planned a surprise visit to my parents in Michigan to celebrate Mother's Day and my dad's birthday. Happy belated Mother's Day to all of you! Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Nice having you and stop back tomorrow for a Father's Day card!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Frames with a Flourish, Pretty Petals background

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Pacific Point, Baha Breeze

Accessories: Word Window punch, square punches, Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon

Forest Friends Birthday

Today's MOJO 86 sketch has 3 panels, 2 smaller than the larger center one and I immediately thought of Forest Friends in current Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog. I really wanted to put the tree in the center, but have it somewhat muted so I could stamp my sentiment right over it. In this case I used Close to Cocoa ink (stamped off once) and the "rock 'n roll" technique to touch the edges of the tree with Riding Hood Red ink. The R 'n R technique is today's CAS challenge on Splitcoast. I'm not sure this layout is exactly CAS so I may not upload it, but I have done another that is pretty CAS so I might post that one next.

Hope you like it! Hope my SIL likes it- it's a belated birthday card for her that better get in the mail today or I'll be in trouble. LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Forest Friends, On Your Birthday

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Bella Rose DSP*

Accessories: Large and Small tag punches, paper piercing tools, retired chocolate felt ribbon

Non SUO Supply: Fiskars Sunflower deco scissor

*Don't forget- SU Designer Series Papers are buy 3 get one FREE during the month of May! Don't miss out!

With Sympathy

I made this card using this sketch from the Clean & Simple Stamping Blog. I wanted to do something bold and dramatic so chose to use the red/black combo on a kraft background. I didn't start out intending to do a sympathy card, but unfortunately found out while I was making it that a good friend's mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly yesterday. Do you ever worry about sending a handmade sympathy card? I know not everyone has an appreciation for handmade art and I would hate for anyone to actually be offended for receiving one. I am sure this friend won't feel that way, but this question has gone through my mind before... what do you think?

Anyway, I guess my go-to set is Inspired by Nature lately so it came to mind right away for this sketch. The flowers are stamped on the kraft cardstock with Black Staz-On then restamped on the vanilla after reinking with markers Real Red, Mellow Moss and Basic Black. The grass is stamped on the kraft cardstock in versamark so it is very subtle.

I wanted to try a trick I saw somewhere recently to make a scalloped oval without a fancy tool of any kind. Since I don't have a fancy cutter to make that I gave it a whirl here. I cut a thin strip of black cardstock- probably 1"- then punched it with my scallop border punch, then ran it through the crimper. I did end up trimming the final piece to about 1/2 an inch or less. Next, I added adhesive all around the outer edge of the oval piece and slowly bent and stuck, bent and stuck until it wrapped around the entire thing. This strip of black paper was 11" long and just fit! It isn't perfect and there are some creases and tucks, but I like the end result.

Well, that's about all I can tell you I suppose. Thanks for stopping by! Hug your loved ones today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Warmest Regards (retired)

Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Real Red, Mellow Moss

Accessories: crimper, scallop border punch, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon

Trimming the Tree

I subscribe to a blog called Got Sketch and get a weekly scrapbook sketch via email. I love saving these and referring to them when I need a boost in my scrapbooking (which is always!). This sketch was a favorite because it uses multiple photos which is how I scrapbook.

I used the Holiday Treasures DSP from SU and a variety of stamp sets all retired! In fact the little holly leaves are from a set from 2002- possibly one that I selected with my starter kit, though I'm not positive. It is called Seasons Sketches. The tree on the square is from an old 2005 Hostess set called Say it Simply which I had never even mounted before now! The title box is done with one of my all-time favorite alphas: Whimsical Uppers. The smaller letters are from Rough Edges alpha.

I liked doing my journaling on these strips and cutting them in pieces. For some reason it was less stressful to write my thoughts and a bit easier to write in a more unique way for me... more like bullet points than complete thoughts.

Anyway, I highly recommend subscribing to this blog and using their sketches! They even provide awesome samples for every sketch. Thanks for visiting!

~Kristin

Stampin' Up! Supplies

Paper: Holiday Treasures DSP, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand

Stamps: Whimsical Alpha, Rough Edges Alpha, Say it Simply, Seasons Sketches

Ink: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, scallop circle punch, gold brads, square punch, Old Olive marker

Art from the Heart

Thought I'd post a few more birthday cards I received last month. It's always a treat to get happy mail, and even more special if the card is a handmade piece of art from the heart! The first one is from Nancy, a friend and loyal customer of mine and the second one is from my sister. I was so tickled to get them and to see them using their Stampin' Up! supplies that I just had to post them. I hope they don't mind!

I'm hoping to finish a scrapbook page to share with you later today and I might even go try a new challenge. If you're looking for a good stampin' challenge check out this sketch challenge, or this color challenge, or this Ways to Use it challenge or if you're an SU demonstrator you can try out yesterday's demo challenge. These challenges are all brought to you by Splitcoaststampers.com!

Well, we've got a 2hour fog delay this morning so I'd better go tend to the kiddos while they are still home. I'll be back later hopefully!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

Triple Test

Today is Diva day, once again, and forgive me for being a bit tardy. I think my mojo took a leave of absence yesterday... couple that with a busy and stressful day and I wasn't exactly pleased with my design for today. However, I worked extra hard first thing this morning and managed to almost salvage this one a moment before it hit the trash can.

Our Diva challenge #126 is to use the Big Shot in our design (yes, this is a recurring theme!). I paired that challenge with the Mojo Monday sketch that I've been participating in pretty regularly, as well as the weekly Color Combo challenge on Splitcoast. And yes, I know what you may be thinking, you're right- combining three challenges can make anyone's mojo run for the hills! That is so true- especially when you are really struggling with one of them and for me it was the colors (Cameo Coral, Garden Green and Ballet Blue).

Anyway, here it is.

Thanks for stopping by! I'll be working on getting that mojo back today... we'll see! Please go check out the other Diva's today and give them a shout out!

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral

Paper: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Ballet Blue, Garden Green, Cameo Coral

Accessories: Spiral punch, Little Leaves Sizzlet, sponge dauber, Texturz Plates, Big Shot, distressing tool

Don't Look Dad!

My dad's birthday is Wednesday so I made this card for him. I used today's Clean & Simple sketch challenge on SCS. My dad is one of my biggest card fans- he thinks I must be THE best card-maker out there- LOL! I tell him he has NO idea of the talent out there, but I always appreciate his comments anyway!!

I did use a variety of stamps including: the Love/Laugh circle is from a retired hostess set from the last catalog called Make It Count. The #1 is from Sporting and "Father" is from Wonderful Favorites. Happy Birthday is from All Holidays... how's that for variety?! I also squeezed on a kraft corduroy brad with some linen thread and a jumbo brad from the Soho designer hardware.

TFL! Hope he likes it!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: All Holidays, Wonderful Favorites, Make It Count, Sporting

Paper: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Manchester DSP

Ink: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Kraft Corduroy button, Soho Designer hardward, 1" circle punch, scoring tool, linen thread, Spiral Punch

WICKED Thoughts

Hey, it's not as bad as it sounds! I just found a different kind of challenge on Splitcoast that I had been hearing tidbits about but didn't know where to find. Well, I've found it- the WICKED challenges for SU demonstrators. I'm afraid if you aren't a demo you won't be able to click on the link, but you can still see my card I did using the sketch challenge for May. If you are a demo I highly recommend checking out the WICKED challenges which stands for: Wonderfully Inspiring Challenges Keep Educating Demos!

So what do you think of my color combo? It is Almost Amethyst, Kiwi Kiss and Pumpkin Pie! Somehow these colors just found their way onto my desk- well, the Kiwi and the Amethyst did, then I figured I needed an extra umph so went with Pumpkin as the accent. I just love them together and can't wait to use this combo again!

The stamps are from a set called Sending Happy Thoughts which is part of a Simply Sent kit from SU. These kits are awesome! They are perfect for the new stamper with little to no supplies because they include precut cardstock, adhesive, ribbon and brads plus envelopes; but they are also a fun gift idea for just about anyone including the expert stamper!

So glad you stopped by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sending Happy Thoughts Simply Sent Kit

Paper: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Almost Amethyst, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie grosgrain, corner rounder, paper snips, Stampin' Dimensionals

Best Wishes- Embossed Vellum & a color challenge

Yippee! Dawn McVey posted another Raspberry Suite color challenge (her 4th week)! I've been nearly stalking her blog waiting for this- she is a master at using color and being a color enthusiast I am always excited about trying out her combinations! This time it is brown, soft aqua and white AKA Chocolate Chip, Baha Breeze and Whisper White.

As soon as I saw the inspiration bedding I pictured the Floral background in Chocolate Chip over a Baha Breeze card base. I'm sort of wishing I had embossed it now so the chocolate would be even darker and would shine a little too... next time...

While playing on Thursday I used the Manhattan Flower Embossing folder on vellum and really like how it turned out. I love that the Floral pattern can be seen through the vellum, adding another dimension almost. The sentiment is embossed on vellum and a rhinestone brad was added for extra elegance and sparkle!

Want to know a TIP I learned about adding vellum to carstock without the adhesive showing?!? This is the second time I've tried it and I gotta say, it's much better than anything else I've tried. Although, it is showing a bit on the sentiment, but I think that is because I did it twice (first time on Baha and it didn't show up as well) and because it is on very dark cardstock. In most cases though, I think it works well. So here it is. TIP: Squeeze a small amount of Tombo Multi Glue (white with green lid) onto your finger tip and spread onto vellum in a very thin layer. It dries extremely fast this way so you have to work quickly. In this case I mostly glued down the edges.

I hope you like! I'm not sure about the white box bow at the top corner. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how/what to fix with it, but I'm just not sure, short of removing it altogether. What do you think? I have a Baha satin ribbon just like it but wider which I forgot about until my card was together. I think I'd probably like that better because it wouldn't stand out as much. But would the box box still be too much? Maybe a knot would be better and would symbolize "tying the knot" so to speak...

Anyway, I hope you try out Dawn's color challenge sometime- she is super talented!

Glad to have you here!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Oval All, Floral Background

Paper: White Vellum Cardstock, Baha Breeze, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate chip

Accessories: Clear EP, Scallop oval punch, Wide Oval Punch, Big Shot, Manhattan Flower embossing folder, rhinestone brad, white taffeta ribbon

Just in time...

... for the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week! Thanks to my downline Debbie ,who stopped by today and let me play with her Matchbox Die, I decided to do something special for my kiddos' teachers. They each get a small box with some Russell Stover chocolates in them, plus these matching cards. The sketch for the cards is from this week's sketch challenge on SCS!

Hope they like them and realize how appreciated they have been this year!

The Matchbox die is really a nice one! No adhesive is needed at all thanks to the clever design- to me that is a serious bonus! They were so easy to put together. I wrapped each box with vellum cardstock then punched an opening which is covered from behind with clear acetate so the chocolates show through.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: A Flower for all Seasons, Heartfelt Thanks, Short & Sweet

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss, Baha Breeze, Vellum CS

Accessories: Pacific Point & Pink Pirouette grosgrain, Word WIndow punch, Big Shot, Matchbox Die, Scallop Circles Die, Texturz Plate, Scallop Square punch, Curly Label punch, Blender pen