Thursday, January 6, 2011

2010 In Review

I've done a Year in Review post the last two years I believe, so thought I'd better stick with tradition this year!  I don't feel like I stamped quite as much this year due to getting busier and busier as my kids get older.  But I bet once I start looking back on all I've done I'll realize I did quite a bit.  Enjo!

So, here we go, a few of my favorites from 2010: 
January


February

March 

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

That's a wrap- thanks for joining me for this walk through 2010!
Here's to more great things to come.
~Kristin

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Another Diva Day!

 Happy Wednesday to you my surfing friends!  Today is a Diva Wednesday and we are bringing you a sketch challenge.  Since we celebrated my son's birthday recently I decided to make mine a birthday card for him.  The colors are from last week's color challenge on SCS to use Old Olive, Daffodil Delight and Night of Navy.  I also added in some Crumb Cake for my neutral. 
Here's a quick shot of the inside.  Had to get some stars in there to coordinate with the front.  They are from Extreme Elements stamp set. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you'll check out the Diva Blog and consider playing along! 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: On Your Birthday, Extreme Elements
Colors: Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Textured Impressions folder, large & small star punch, wide Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Decorative Label punch (inside)

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Ready for Spring?!

I know it's a bit early for spring thinking, but I can't help myself.  I can't just make wintery cards all winter!  I made this one a few weeks back actually, I think for a MOJO challenge or something like that, but never had the time or capability to upload it. 

I've always liked this stamp set but don't use it as often as I should.  It is A Flower for all Seasons.
Thanks for stopping by!  Stop back again tomorrow for a Diva challenge. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: A Flower for all Seasons, It's Your Birthday
Colors: Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder, Itty Bitty Buttons, Daffodil Delight narrow ribbon, rectangle clearlit, markers

Monday, January 3, 2011

Black Magic

Good morning!  I promised a few Christmas thank you note ideas and here they are.  I used the Black Magic technique I learned from Splitcoast Stampers.  Even though it is some work, it does turn out quite pretty. 

For this technique you stamp an image with white craft ink then let it dry (or dry it with a heat tool).  Then you color over the various areas with colored pencils and in my case I also used the old Metallic Pencils from SU- they have an amazing shine.  Finally, top it off with white gel pen details. 

So will you try it?  Here's a link to the tutorial for a few more specific details.  Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps:  Serene Snowflakes, Short & Sweet
Accessories: Modern Label punch, white gel pen, Metallic pencils, colored pencils, Scalloped Trim border punch, Big Shot

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Final Merry Christmas

Found another one.  This might be my last Christmas card I post for this season... but I do have a few Christmas thank yous coming soon.  And Wednesday I'll be back with a new Diva Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge! Can't wait- I've been away far too long. 

If this is your last day before getting back to your normal routine, enjoy!! 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Serene Snoflakes, All Holidays
Colors: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss (ribbon), Cherry Cobler, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss ribbon, Decorative Label punch, white ink, DSP

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year 2011!!!!



Hello and welcome back to my humble stamping blog. I'm happily adjusting to my new laptop (that arrived just yesterday) and anxiously awaiting fun filled posts in this new year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed your New Year's Eve. I bet many of you are ready to get back into your regular routine by now. Without further rambling I'm going to post several of the last Christmas cards I whipped out just in time, which I was unable to share with you before.

Thanks for stopping by,

~Kristin








Thursday, December 30, 2010

Almost there!

I'm sure you've not been holding your breath, but I'm getting closer to being back to blogging!  I ordered my new laptop on the 27th which was supposed to be delivered today.  It arrived approximately 16 minutes after I left the house for my son's birthday party... so instead of a fun new toy I got a slip from Fedex saying it won't arrive until Monday.  *sob*  (that's me sobbing, no cussing) 

Anyway, tonight I'll be stamping instead of ... well, you know.  But at least I'll have lots of projects to show you when I get back in 2011! 

Have a wonderful and safe New Years!!  My son turns 11 tomorrow so we'll be celebrating with a big family party.    See you next year!  Thanks for not giving up on me!
~Kristin

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Bad News!

I'm sorry to say that I have some bad news... my computer crashed and is done for.  I am barely getting by working on this ancient mac laptop of my hubby's that seems to be on its last leg as well. My search for a new PC has begun, but in the mean time I have no way of uploading pictures here or anywhere.  I'm so bummed because I have lots to share and miss blogging! 

I hope you all have a wonderful and WARM holiday season and I assure you I'll be back as soon as I can! 

Stampin' Hugs,
~Kristin

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Poinsettia Cardinal Christmas

Good morning!  I'm back with a lovely sketch from Mojo Monday today.  I just loved this sketch and actually did two cards with it.  I haven't photo'd the second one yet, so that will have to wait.  Here is the first one I did.  I'd gotten my A Flower for All Seasons stamp set out recently because I realized it's been awhile since I've used it.  My color combo, which I really like, is Cherry Cobler, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip (which I thought was Early Espresso until it was too late). 
I used the rectangle clearlit with the Big Shot to cut out my potted flowers.  The background is embossed with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  My sentiment is an old hostess set called Holiday Best. 

I hope you like it!  Thanks for stopping by again today!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Holiday Best, A Flower for All Seasons
Colors: Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobler, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty Embossing folder, Rectangle clearlit, Cherry Cobler seam binding ribbon, Basic Pearls, markers

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Long time no see!


Gosh, I've been a slacker blogger!  Sorry 'bout that.  The holidays have thrown my schedule for a loop... plus I've been reading a bit.  Can't help myself on these frigid Ohio days! 

Well, today I've got a new Diva challenge for you and I've got things planned to show you for the next 3 days too!!  This is a color challenge today, of course, to use Elegant Eggplant, River Rock and Melon Mambo.  It took some effort but since I'm a little short on Christmas cards I turned it into one.

I'm not sure if you can see the texture, it is quite subtle, but it was done with the Texturz Plates 1 set in checkers.  I thought it was ideal for a winter card because it reminds me of a warm thick sweater.  My little penguin friend is from the Punch Pals stamp set.  She also fits the Just Add Ink Challenge to "Just Add Critters"- what a fun challenge!  My snowflake is a felt flurry with an antique brad in the center. 

Thanks for visiting today!  I hope you'll go join the Divas for this challenge. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Holidays & Wishes, Punch Pals
Colors: River Rock, Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo
Accessories:  Big Shot, Texturz Plates 1, Felt Flurries snowflake, Antique brad, scallop square punch, markers, distressing tool

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Home for Christmas!



Good morning ladies & gents!  Sorry I'm a bit late posting this- I've been fighting a virus (my computer has I mean, not me!).  Today is another great Diva Day and we've got a sketch for you. 

I took the sketch very literally and made it quite simple.  I also used the color challenge from Splitcoast yesterday:  Real Red, Old Olive & River Rock.  I haven't used River Rock in a while and I like it.  This time I made my three panels look like a door by using the Woodgrain background and sponging the edges for some depth. 

My wreath was fun to do.  I've seen somehing similar before, using the two-step Bird punch branch to make it.  I started with a circle frame made by first punching a 1 1/4" circle in some scrap Old Olive, then punching around it (on the scrap still, the circle is laying on your table by now) with the 1 3/4" circle punch.  Then I covered the whole thing with tape runner and started layering the leaves on.  Finally I added the three red rhinestone brads and the ribbon. 

What do you think of the antique brad doorknob??  Wouldn't you just love to have doorknobs like that in your house?!  I would!  Anyway, the sentiment on the outside is from the Home For Christmas stamp set.  On the inside I just stamped Season's Greetings. 

Thanks for visiting today and be sure to go check out the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog for more fabulous
cards with this sketch. 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:
Stamps:  Woodgrain background, Home for Christmas
Colors:  River Rock, Old Olive, Real Red, Early Espresso (ink)
Accessories:  Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, Red Rhinestone brad, Antique Brad, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, sponge

Monday, November 29, 2010

Frosty Treat Cup

My daughter and I spent an evening recently making a bundle of cards like this for teacher gifts.  We found the idea on-line and were inspired to use leftover treat cups we had here.  The ultimate goal is to print the Snowman Soup poem for the inside and include a packet of Hot Cocoa Mix and a little candy cane stirrer on the inside.  I gotta tell ya, it took a LONG time just to get the front done on four of these.  First we put together the snowman body, complete with his hat with sparkly band, face, black brads for buttons and his gingham scarf. 

Then adding the treat cup and making sure the holes lined up through three layers. We did that by first punching the 1 3/4" circle in the top layer (Baja Breeze) then lining it up on the Real Red layer and tracing it with a pencil.  Once that one is punched we then line up the inside layer and once again trace the circle.  I know that is clear as mud.  Without a tutorial it really takes some thought! 

Once I get the inside done I'll take some more pics and maybe attempt a tutorial... don't hold your breath though.  This is a busy holiday season coming up! 

Thanks for visiting!
~Kristin

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Quick & Easy Santa

No Santa isn't easy, this card is easy!  Three silver glimmer brads on a Cherry Cobler layer, on a white layer on a Basic Gray card base with a black satin ribbon and some hodgepodge for a buckle.  Fun, easy!  Happy Thanksgiving!  Have a safe holiday weekend!
~Kristin

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Using Punch Potpourri

Good Wednesday!  Sorry I've left you hanging ever since last Thursday with nothing to look at except that bragging post... how embarassing!  Life has just gotten in the way- in a good way though, nothing stressful really.  Although my husband's football team lost in the third round of the playoffs last weekend so that was a bummer.  But, it was a great game and really came down to the end.  The bright side is football season is now over.  Phew! 

I'm enjoying this first day of Thanksgiving vacation and have something to be thankful for.  I left my weekly volleyball night early last night (which I NEVER do) because I started feeling really sick.  By the time I made it home I thought for sure it was going to be the flu, but within an hour or so I felt much better and woke up this morning feeling fine.  I don't know about you, but I think avoiding the flu is definitely seomthing to be thankful for!! 

So, on to this card which is the main reason you are here!  The Divas have a color challenge again this week for you.  It is Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink and Early Espresso.  Not a challenge at all in my book- pinks and browns always look lovely together.  I used the Punch Potpourri set for this card and combined it with the French Filigree and Elegant Lines embossing folder.  Can you see the French Filigree background?  It is embossed in clear powder on the white paper for a subtle elegant effect.  I wish my clear powder wasn't dirty though- it has flecks of darker powders in it I'm afraid.

I colored the flowers on the main heart image using my aquapainter and Watercolor Crayons- almost forgot I had those it's been so long.  Did you notice the frilly heart layer?  That is the embosslit called Scalloped Heart of Hearts.  Fits perfectly behind our large heart punch- love that! 

Other details include some tiny pearls, a bit of the scallop trim border and some Early Espresso narrow ribbon- that stuff is so dainty! 

In the end I decided to leave a sentiment off and just add it in the inside.  This could be a wedding card or valentine, love or even a miss you kind of card.  Hope you like it and you decide to play along with the Divas

Ooh, I almost forgot to mention that I used the wonderful sketch from Create with Connie & Mary... and yikes, I only have 12 minutes left to upload!  Gotta run!

Thanks for stopping by, I've got more planned for the next two days. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Punch Potpourri, French Filigree background
Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso
Accessories: Early Espresso ribbon, Heart of Hearts embosslit, Big Shot, Basic Pearls, Elegant Lines embossing folder, clear embossing powder, scallop trim border punch, large heart punch, watercolor crayons, aquapainter

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Kudos!!

ku-dos: statements of praise or approval

Oh boy, I'm so excited to have received such accolades recently!  I was a "PPA Pick" on the classy and stylish Paper Pal Arts blog with THIS CARD and again with THIS CARD!  I am always drawn to blogs that feature challenges especially when their gorgeous samples feature Stampin' Up! products!

And to compound my pleasure I also was named a Stampin' Royalty Goddess Pick at the Stampin' Royalty blog with THIS CARD for their sketch challenge.

Thanks ladies for the honors- I will display my badges with pride!

~Kristin

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Butterfly Trio

Good Wednesday morning!  The Divas have a wonderful sketch challenge for you today... but I am still having trouble loading any images after my first... I'm sure it's a blogger problem because I never used to struggle with this.  Anyone else having this issue??

Anyway, you'll have to trust me on this and go check out the sketch on the Diva blog!  I've rotated it (as usual) but this card could easily go either way, especially since I decided to leave off a sentiment.  This actually came to me pretty quickly and came together even more quickly.  The card base and butterflies are all stamped with the Stitched background which I'd forgotten is retired.  The Designer papers I used are from the Newsprint collection.  And the color combo came from my handy dandy new Color Coach- LOVE that thing! 

Anyway, I hope you'll play along.  This sketch provides endless possibilities!  Make sure you go link your creation to the Diva blog so we can stop by and leave some comment love! 

Have a great day!
~Kristin

Stamps: Stitched
Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz, Tempting Turquoise, Black, Vanilla
Accessories:  Newsprint DSP, silver brads, butterfly punch, distressing tool

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Confucius Says...

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."  Yep, I like that.  Hope you like this card.  Used yesterday's CAS sketch and today's color challenge (Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Perfect Plum) on Splitcoast! 

Gotta run, hope you're having a great day!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Asian Artistry
Colors: Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Perfect Plum
Accessories:  Big Shot, embossing folder, Beautiful Wings Bigz Die, Basic Pearls, Striped Baja ribbon

Monday, November 15, 2010

Elegant Christmas


This week's PPA challenge is to find inspiration in the given photo for a card of your own.  To me the photo (which, once again Blogger will not allowe me to include) is elegant and refined and I noticed the lovely color combo of plum, gold and vanilla and white.  I tried to mimic both the feel and the colors in this Christmas card.  Also, the Just Add Ink challenge theme this week is Christmas.

The shimmery white cardstock layer was embossed with the Elegant Lines embossing folder then punched through with the ornament punch.  The Rich Razzleberry layer was also punched with the ornament punch.  I added a snowflake and gold glimmer brad on the inside to show through the ornament "window".  My final details were added with some white organza ribbon, narrow Rich Razzleberry ribbon, gold cord and some gold embossing powder.  The gold embossing powder was easy to apply just in specific areas by using the fine tip of the Versamarker!

My photo isn't the best, although I tried believe me, but the shimmer is really pretty in real life. 

Thanks for visiting today!  Hope you are staying warm wherever you are!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: All Holidays (embossed in gold inside)
Colors:  Rich Razzleberry, Shimmery White, gold
Accessories:  Big Shot, ornament punch, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Merry Details Sizzlit, white organza ribbon, gold cord, Rich Razzleberry narrow ribbon, versamarker, gold embossing powder

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Simple Christmas

Boy this sure did not turn out as I had it planned in my mind.  Not sure what happened but it evolved into something totally different.  The only design element I stuck with was the color scheme of Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede and Vanilla.  I've used the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the background and the ornament is from Tags Til Christmas punched with the ornament punch.  Tied on some Chantilly ribbon and added a few basic pearls too.  The sentiment is from Many Merry Messages. 

I'm gonna have to trim the bottom of this card off.  This card was in my stash of precut and scored cards and it has a yellowish tinge at the bottom.  It is really bugging me! 

Hope you have a wonderful day! 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Tags Til Christmas, Many Merry Messages
Colors:  Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Big Shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Ornament punch, Basic Pearls, Chantilly ribbon

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Party Pieces Birthday Layout

Yes, I'm scrapping 2003 right now.  Have I mentioned that I noticed not too long ago that I skipped about a one year period in my family album??  Well, of course I had to go back and fill it in.  This is a layout from my daughter's 2nd birthday.  I used up most of the rest of my Party Pieces Simply Scrappin' Kit.
Everything except the brads and the ribbon came from this kit.  Oh, well, I also made my own title piece on the first page.  The ribbon came from the Pigtails Ribbon Originals that I picked up on the Clearance Rack at some point.
The journaling box also came with the kit but it said "Guests" at the top so I just covered that up with my own stamped label and listed fun details about my daughter at that age. 

Do I have any scrapbookers stopping by?  I've noticed I get far fewer comments on scrapbook pages so I'm assuming the interest just isn't for the pages.  Just wondering- I will continue to post them anyway, for my sake or for any "lurking" scrapbookers.  :) 

Thanks for visiting!
~Kristin

Friday, November 12, 2010

Fright Night- a Scrapbook Page


Good morning!  I'm back today with a few scrapbook pages I finished this week.  They are of two different subjects but are in chronological order so I've made them coordinate so they can be side by side.  I used the Simply Scrappin' Kit called Summer Home.  I adore these colors and patterns. 

I hope you like them.  Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Newsprint Alphabet
Accessories:  Summer Home Simply Scrappin' Kit, Chocolate Chip Felt Ribbon

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

B is for Birthday

Good Wednesday morning!  Today the Diva's have a fabulous color challenge for you!  Don't be afraid- get out your Concord Crush, Old Olive and Tangerine Tango and see what you can do.  By itself Tangerine Tango is not one of my favorite colors- however, when paired with these two beauties in a small amount it can be a real standout! 

Initially when I made this the popped center of the B was in Tangerine.  However, it actually detracted from the bold focal nature of the star.  So I stamped the package in olive and just glued it on top.  Simple fix!  In case you are wondering, the Old Olive piece that is the mat behind the main image has been through the crimper for some texture and dimension.  When was the last time you pulled out your crimper??  That's what I thought- ages! 

The sketch I've used for my inspiration is this week's challenge on Just Add Ink!  Loved this sketch and see many possibilities with it!

When I had this mostly together I realized it just needed something.  I'm a fan of Clean & Simple but there still needs to be balance and interest.  So, out comes the white gel pens for a few dotted touches around the top 3/4s of the card.  Finally, I added a fun Concord Crush glimmer brad to the layered stars for a bit of bling! 

Such fun!  I just love stamping!  Thanks for visiting me today!
~Kristin

PS- Having trouble loading more than one image for some reason.  I'll try again later to see if I can get the 2 challenge photos to show up. 

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Party Hearty
Colors: Concord Crush, Old Olive, Tangering Tango, Whisper White
Accessories:  Crimper, In Colors Glimmer brads, Concord Crush twill ribbon, white gel pen, large & small star punches, Stampin' Dimensionals

Monday, November 8, 2010

*smile*

*Apologies if you got a sneak peek of tomorrow's post this morning.  I messed up the scheduled date.  It will return tomorrow!*
Hello and happy Monday!!  If you are in Ohio you are probably enjoying lovely 60 degree weather which is a welcome relief after the bitter cold of the weekend.  I should know because we sat through two football games and nearly froze!  The good news, besides that it is sunny and warm today, is that our high school team won the first round playoff game and my son's midget league football is OVER.  Not that I didn't enjoy watching, I truly did, but 6 hours of practice a week was really overwhelming our family schedule.  It was a great season and they ended up the champions of the league with only one loss.  Great job Sharks!

The card I'm sharing with you today puts to use the PPA67 Color Challenge to use Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade and Basic Gray.  LOVE these colors together... but just not for Christmas.  Trust me.  I tried and it didn't work.  I've also used the sketch from the Stampin' 411 blog (SSC176) which I've tried to upload but am getting resistance from blogger for some reason. 

Now for details about this card...  the Poppy flower was made by using the bird's wing from the Two-Step Bird punch- 7 of them to be exact.  The Daffodil Delight center as well as part of the card base were both embossed with the Dotted embossing folder and the Big Shot.  Details were added with Filigree brads, Daffodil Delight narrow ribbon and the Modern Label punch.  The "smile" is from Fabulous Phrases, stamped in white. 

Hope you like it!  I had fun working out the details!  Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to stop back again on Wednesday for a fun Diva challenge!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, For All You Do (for the flower stem)
Colors:  Basic Gray, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, Filigree brads, narrow Daffodil Delight ribbon, Modern label punch

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Rolling Acorns

Quick post today... using the sketch FTL114 from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog and this week's color combo challenge from SCS CC2945 (Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Peach Parfait) I came up with this card.  It's not quite as simple as the beautiful sample by Heather on the Clean & Simple blog... I just couldn't be satisfied for some reason.  But it is still pretty simple I think.  I used the acorn from my old set Autumn Fest (since I still had it out from the scrapbook page a few days ago) and decided to make it roll in the autumn wind. 

One is cut out by hand and popped up for some dimension and interest.  Cajun Craze card base is embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder (you're seeing a lot of that from me lately, eh?!). 

Gotta run to an honor roll assembly that starts in 20 minutes.  Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Autumn Fest, Fabulous Phrases
Colors: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Pinking Hearts border punch, linen thread

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Thanksgiving Trees


Wow!  It has been a LONG time since I pulled out Lovely as a Tree stamp set.  I know it's a classic, but I just don't reach for it very much any more.  Well, for some reason this sketch just called for a quick rotation and a reach for those trees! 

I started out with a Very Vanilla oval and embossed the trees with Early Espresso (by inking with Versamark first then the Espresso) and clear powder.  I was going for a fall look by dabbing some fallish colors into the trees, but the background looked so bare so I just kept layering and layering color until I was about to go overboard.  LOL! 

Today is another Diva Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge.  We'd love to have you play along with us and check out all the designers' creations! 

Thanks for stopping by and a hello to all my new followers from Stampin' Connection!  Great to have you!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies:
Stamps:  Lovely As a Tree, Holidays and Wishes
Colors: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Clear EP, Big Shot, Lattice Embossing folder, Modern Label punch

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Kiddos: A Scrapbook Layout

I'm excited to share these with you today!  It's been a while since I've scrapped but the weather is turning cooler and this is what I do during hibernate mode.  This is one of the FEW single photo pages I've ever done but I love it.  It is also one of the few times I've heavily edited a scanned non-digital photo for a page. 

 This photo was one of my favorites of the bunch (shown on the next page) but I wanted it cropped.  I lost some clarity when I cropped it but fixed that by changing it to a Sepia tone.  Have you played with your camera and printer options like this before? 

Can you believe I'm still scrapping some non-digital photos??  I started using a digital camera in 2004 (not exclusively though) and recently found a huge 1 year gap in my chronological albums.  Not sure why I skipped most of 2003 but I am determined to go back and fill in!

This layout was inspired by my most recent Stampin' Success magazine that Stampin' Up! publishes for all it's demonstrators.  It is full of beautiful examples of cards and scrapbook pages.
Here is the facing page.  I just had to get all these pictures on here, especially now that my kids are 7 years older than this!  I suppose I would be less sentimental if I'd scrapped this back then.  But it worked. 

Inspired by a magazine page from the Nov. 2009 Creating Keepsakes- I cropped each picture to a small rectangle and just haphazardly spread them across the Newsprint DSP.  Added a few stamped leaves (Autumn Fest) to coordinate the pages and some twill tape with an Antique Brad.  The other designer paper on both pages as well as the journaling boxes are all from the retired specialty paper called The Write Stuff which I got from the Clearance Rack recently. 
So here's the spread together.  I'm pretty happy with it.  The journaling, if you're interested, reads:  "One guess who sent you home with the glazed donuts today.  Yep!  I'm sure it was grandma Wandy's idea!  And look at those ornery kiddos with their pumpkin and their Roscoe (our dog)...  Too Cute!  Love mom"

Thanks for visiting today!  Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a fabulous Diva challenge! 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps: Autumn Fest, Collage Alphabet (both retired), Confetti (tiny leaves in background on first page), office type date stamp
Colors: So Saffron, Ruby Red, Soft Suede
Accessories: Newsprint DSP, The Write Stuff Specialy Paper, Twill Tape, Chipboard K, Antique brads

Monday, November 1, 2010

Tea & Crumpets Birthday

Good morning folks!  Long time no see... I won't even bore you with my sob story of being busy- that's a poor excuse for not enjoying my craft more frequently.  However, I DO have this card to show you and even a 2-page scrapbook layout I managed to complete this weekend which I'll share tomorrow. 

Today's card is possible thanks to the lovely Stampin' Royalty Sketch shown below (click on the picture for a link to their blog post) as well as the Just Add Ink #41 challenge to do an "Out of the Box" card with a birthday theme.  Well, this isn't exactly out of the box, but all the fussy cutting and layering is for me kind of. 

Ooh, I just remembered another challenge that really got me started was Friday's Free For All challenge (F4A36) on Splitcoast to use stamped paper pieced images.  For me that meant stamping these Fifth Avenue Floral flowers onto the retired Tea & Crumpets DSP that I recently purchased from SU's Clearance Rack.  
I textured the card base, which is Mellow Moss by the way (have you missed that color??), with the Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder and the Big Shot. 

The stems of leaves were super easy with the Two-Step Bird Punch.  Popped on a few pearls and some white taffeta ribbon, embossed the sentiment and layered it on a pierced mat then called it quits. 

Thanks for hanging out with me this morning!  I truly enjoy reading all your comments, so thank you. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral, Well Scripted
Colors:  Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Extras: Tea & Crumpets DSP, Basic Jewel Pearls, White taffeta ribbon, Big Shot, Lattice Embossing folder, paper piercing tool, distressing tool