Baby Shower Gifts.... Part 3

If you go to the trouble of making unique, coordinating gifts then it is a MUST that the packaging and card match too!  Using several repeating elements tie them all together regardless of what they are.  Here is the gift bag I gussied up to go with the gifts.  I tried to keep it simple and elegant.   

Here is the card I made.  It turned out so nice compared to my first idea!  Let's just say it got scrapped before I even got very far.  Don't you just love these colors together?!  Thought the embossed dots would soften it all up and add a tiny bit of whimsy.  Hope you like it!  Up tomorrow is my most favorite part of all!  And hopefully I can add my picture of the entire group (fingers crossed).  Thanks for visiting,

~Kristin

PS- In case you missed them, here are the other parts to this gift so far. 

Baby Shower Gifts.... Part 2

If you saw my teaser yesterday you are ready for the second installment of "Baby Shower Gifts" so here it is.  I thought it would be fun to make a door hanging "Do Not Disturb" sign.  This could be used on the baby's bedroom door, or even on the front door so as to warn visitors to avoid using the doorbell. Of course it has to have a decorated flip side too!  Even if it isn't used it will be a cute matching decor item just for fun!

In case you missed it, here is the first item in this series.  The details can be found HERE.

Same supplies used as yesterday plus the Labels Collection Framelit.  And I think it is kind of appropriate that the free font I downloaded from the internet is called Reisling.  Just what a new mama needs, eh?! 

Hope you'll stop back tomorrow for Part 3 in my Baby Shower Gifts series.  Hint:  Everything must match!

~Kristin

Baby Shower Gifts.... Part 1

Did I mention before that I was working on something really exciting??  Well, I went to a baby shower today of a very special family friend and decided to put my best effort into creating something unique. Since my photo of all the gifts, card and packaging won't upload for some crazy reason I am only showing you the first part today.  That means I can drag this out for a few days and you'll have to come back to see the rest.  Of course, I'll save my favorite part for last.  (How's that for a teaser?)

I managed to find out ahead of time that baby Noah is whom we are anticipating and his room will be decorated in Chocolate, Olive and Turquoise.  Isn't that a fun color combo?  I hope she'll send pictures when the room is all complete! 

I love the name Noah so had to do something with his name.  This is a banner made with chipboard squares the size of restaurant coasters, just cut from spare chipboard included in random Stampin' Up! products.  I used a retired pack of SU papers called Au Chocolate.  I'm so glad I had a lot left over because they gave me the perfect base to work with!  Here are closeups of each letter:   

I used all Stampin' Up! products with the exception of the pawprint brad on the "O".  I also used the Cricut to cut the letters out.  I will include a list of products I used at the end.  Well, be sure to stop back for Baby Shower Gifts... Part 2.  Here's a hint at what's to come:  Do Not Disturb!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies: 

Stamps:  Have a Ball (retired)

Papers:  Au Chocolate DSP, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Variety of ribbons and buttons (some retired), small star punch, Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot

Congrats, Grad!

As a high school teacher and coach my husband is easily invited to dozens of graduation parties every year.  So every year about this time I'm frantically making graduation cards.  This year I actually remembered to take some photos to share.  True to my nature I struggle making multiples of the same design, but I did.  Then came up with a few variations on the design to keep it interesting...and because gluing on all those photo corners became tedious.  And YES, if you're wondering, this is the ONLY graduation stamp set I own!  Love it though, so why not?

Here is an inside shot.  The sentiment, while the same as one of SU's sets that I don't have, is from a Verve set that I won.  Love that phrase and I think it is perfect for a graduation card. 

In case you didn't notice, the large star is punched in the inside making a window to see through.  I just glued on a strip of the First Edition DSP (LOVE that stuff!) to hold the small star in place.  Just for fun!

Here are two more versions using nearly all the same materials.  The card base on these is either Sahara Sand or Crumb Cake (ran out of Sahara Sand!).  Other colors are black and either Real Red or Riding Hood red depending on which card you're looking at.  The ones with the glitter paper circle use Real Red.

So glad you decided to stop by!  Have a super busy weekend planned so may not be back until next week, we'll see.  In the mean time, go drool over the new Stampin' Up! Catalog.  I just got my boxes yesterday and am in LOVE!  My wish list is quite a bit longer than usual.

 

Ooh, almost forgot... used the sketch from Clean & Simple for these last two designs! It was perfect!

 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Go, Graduation; Varsity Numbers

Colors:  Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Real Red, White

Accessories:  Glitter paper, star punches, circles punches, Photo corner punch, circle brads, dotted scalloped ribbon in black

Fun New Stuff!

Here's a fun one to share.  Used some new goodies from the upcoming Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog.  The stamp set is called Betsy's Blossoms.  I also added a strip of DSP from the new pack called Floral District, as well as the Specialty DSP called First Edition that will be carried over to the new catalog I believe.  This is neat stuff- not sure why I hadn't tried it before.  An entire pack of light weight paper, all printed like pages from a book.  Can't wait to play with it some more!  This is also my first use of the new Bitty Banners Framelits that will be in the new catalog and available June 1. 

Here's a peek at the inside.  I have a special person to send this one too- someone who did me a HUGE favor! 

And the sketch that I used from Pal's Paper Arts. 

Thanks for stopping to see me today! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Petite Pairs

Colors:  Lucky Limeade, So Saffron, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  First Edition DSP, Floral District DSP, Dotted Rich Razzleberry ribbon, Dotted Scallop ribbon border punch, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, Basic Pearls

All You Do

Finally finished up my Artisan entries for the Stampin' Up! design team tryouts so I'm ready for some good old-fashioned stamping.  Used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches with some new goods that will premier in the new Stampin' Up! catalog on June 1st!  This new blue color I used for the card base is a new In Color called Midnight Muse.  It is rich and very pretty.  The designer series paper is also new and called Comfort Cafe.  It has some beautiful jewel tones as well. 

Here's a quick shot of the inside.  Pulled out an old retired set for this called All Holidays.  Below is the sketch.  You should try it! 

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you are having a beautiful day today, like we are here in Ohio! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Simply Soft, For All You Do

Colors:  Midnight Muse, Baja Breeze

Accessories:  Comfort Cafe DSP, Antique Brad, Cherry Cobbler dotted scallop ribbon, Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, Framelits Labels Collection

Two More Layouts and an apology

I feel like I owe you an apology.  I expect people to visit my blog, enjoy it, comment and be enticed to come back for more... then I give nothing more.  So, I'm sorry.  I'd love to blog and stamp as often as I think about it, but it just doesn't happen.  But alas, I'm finally DONE with my *ahem* contest entries and ready to ship them off so hopefully I'll be back to something appealing to look at that I can actually show you.  Of course, the weeds are now taller than I am (you are not the only one I've neglected) so that needs to be addressed as well. 

In the mean time, here are two more layouts I completed at my recent scrapbook weekend.  If you are looking for examples of how to get LOTS of pictures on a page look no further!  I'm a pro at this by now.  :) 

This top layout was done with the specialty designer series paper, The Write Stuff.  I really love those colors:  Soft Suede, So Saffron, Real Red (I think), and some Old Olive.  Used the stamp set Circle Circus too. 

This page uses a little Pink Flamingo DSP.  I did both of these titles with the Cricut and various cartridges.  Over the weekend we seriously had probably 100 or more cartridges to choose from!! 

So, thanks for bearing with me and visiting one more time.  Let me know you've stopped by and maybe I'll be motivated to come back with a bang.  LOL! 

Have a great day!

~Kristin

Sweet!

One of my favorite layouts I finished last weekend!  I am in denial that my beloved Medallion stamp is retiring.  One of the only mistakes I think SU made in the huge list of retiring stamps and stuff!  Doesn't really matter because I don't get rid of anything and will continue to use it. 

So glad I was able to fit all these pictures on one layout but still have the drama of only 2 pics on one side (even though my daughter wasn't looking).  What a fun time in our lives when they were this age!   

Here's another one... our very first camping trip with the kids.  A one-night tenter!  We've since upgraded to a pop-up camper which is quite a bit more luxurious.  What fond memories though. 

All SU stuff, but the title & tree and frame for journaling were all done on the Cricut.  Love that thing!  Now that I'm looking at this one I wish I would've switch the two embellishments on the right side for a more balanced look.  Might still do that!

Thanks for stopping by today.  This Mother's Day weekend take a moment to hug your mom and tell her how much she means to you, if you still have the chance.  Will be missing mine more than ever.

~Kristin

Wild Things

Surprise!  I'm back.  Sorry I've not been posting lately.  I've been keeping myself busy (obsessing) working on some "secret" projects and had a long scrapbook weekend last weekend so had plenty to keep me busy.  Thought I'd pop on and share a few of the 12 pages I completed. 

This first one was quick and easy, but fun to use the Inspired by Nature stamp set to add some grass to the bottom... and the Mixed Bunch stamp set for the flowers.  My title was made with the Cricut.  Everything SU besides the font.  Colors:  Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Summer Sun.

 

Here's another one.  A rare single page layout of my son's first day of preschool.  I copied this layout from some random old magazine- loved it!  Intended to keep it totally simple then as I was all done I got not 1, not 2 but THREE random ink smudges on the "white" areas so had to dream up a few extras to cover them.  Still like it though. 

All Stampin' Up! papers used here, but the alphabet ribbon and charm and stamps (gasp) are not SU.  Both sets, alphabet from MFT and quote from Verve, were sets I've won in various contests lately! 

That's all for today.  I have so much to do today preparing for my family coming for the weekend.  I'll stop back with more scrapbook pages soon.  Thanks for stopping by today!
~Kristin

More Pocket Silhouettes

Here are a few more quick, clean and simple cards done with Pocket Silhouettes.  These are all single layer. 

Thanks for stopping by today! 
~Kristin

Goodbye I {Heart} Hearts

Saying goodbye on May 31st to I {Heart} Hearts as well as Short & Sweet, which is a go to sentiment set for me.  I loved playing with this sketch from Clean & Simple- so many possibilities!  Had to utilizing my new Adorning Accents Edgelits for the side panels on the sketch just for a unique flair.  Love combining new stuff with older stuff!  Also added a clear heart button and some white baker's twine.  So what do you think? 

For the inside I had to use a few scraps of the Newsprint DSP that almost went in the trash.  Love recycling!  Also, this well-loved sentiment set Curvy Verses will saying goodbye as well.  *Sniff sniff*

Thanks for visiting today, so glad to have you!  Hope you've found some inspiration here. 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  I {heart} Hearts, Short & Sweet, Curvy Verses

Colors:  Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Peach Parfait

Accessories:  clear button, white baker's twine, Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits

Goodbye Nature Silhouettes

 Trying a few new challenges today...  I used the MFT sketch for this card as well as this week's Free 4 All challenge on Splitcoast to mix & match patterns of paper.  Mixing patterns is tricky for me- I tend more towards fewer patterns for a simpler look.  So I didn't stretch as far as I had intended with these patterns, both from the same pack of DSP Botanical Gazzette.  You may wonder where the second pattern even is.  Well, the tree is stamped on it, a very subtle handwritten print.  So subtle in fact that I stamped on the paper upside down and didn't realize it until I wasn't going back to fix it. 

Did you notice the slight blue tint to the stamped tree image?  I actually used White Staz-On ink and this is how it turned out.  Kind of nice with the other blue tones. 

Like my new border punch?  I just used the Postage stamp punch and lined it up to do the edge, punching about three times.  I wanted to keep it masculine and thought that would do the trick better than scallops!  Here's the sketch I borrowed, thanks to my pal Lisa Henke who is on the MFT design team. 

Well, that's all for today.  Hoping to scrapbook all weekend so maybe I'll have a few layouts to share next week.  Stop back tomorrow for another featured retiring stamp set. 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Nature Silhouettes

Colors:  Naturals ivory, Chocolate Chip, Not Quite Navy

Accessories:  Mini library clip, postage stamp punch, distressing tool, Botanical Gazzette DSP

Goodbye Pocket Silhouettes

Good evening!  Is everyone ready for a fantastic weekend??  I'm starting out right.  After several days of no stamping I enjoyed a few hours of pure stamping bliss... and since my hubby and kiddos will be turkey hunting all weekend I plan to continue stamping all weekend! Made 6 cards total.  First up is this one using this week's Mojo Monday sketch as well as the Color Throwdown challenge colors!!

Since Stampin' Up! unveiled their retirement list this week I decided to showcase some of my favorites sets that will only be available through the end of May.  I'd hate to have someone miss out on owning these! 

The retiring stamps I used here are Pocket Silhouettes and the French Filigree background stamp (embossed with Vanilla embossing powder).  Had to combine some of my current favorites with these oldies as well:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, bitty punches, the new Labels Collection Framelits and of course Rhinestones! 



Speaking of retiring stamps, don't forget to check out the list and make sure you grab what you've been eyeing! 

Thanks for stopping by!  I'll be back tomorrow with more from the retiring list. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes, French Filigree

Colors:  Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Bitty punch pack, Dotted scallop ribbon border punch, rhinestones, Vanilla EP, Boho Blossoms punch, Labels collection Framelit, Big Shot, distressing tool, sponge

Celebrating Easter

I don't know about you, but Easter has sure snuck up on me this year!  I suppose it could be because my mom is no longer here to make plans and remind me.  *sigh*  But instead of  mopping the kitchen floor today, which desperately needs it, I decided to stamp and blog.  I had stamped a tree just like this a few years ago for a class and had a few leftover which I thought I'd use... but ended up restamping it so the paper was the right size. 

I loved the MOJO sketch for this week and tried to figure out how to incorporate this image with that sketch and here is what I came up with.  True to form, I took some artistic liberties.  But my punched circle scallop is supposed to suffice for the large circle. 

Here's a quick shot at the inside.  Simple and sweet, I think.  Are you wondering what on earth I'm photographing my card on?? 

Well, here is a project I did recently which I hadn't thought to share with you until now.  It is a display piece I made to showcase my cards at our local consignment boutique.  Isn't it neat?!  Just took an old frame that went through college with me and spray painted it, distressed it some and added chickenwire.  It is BIG and holds LOTS of cards.  I bought Stampin' Up's mini clothespins to hold the cards on. Big clothes pins worked but bent the cards and bit and took up too much space.

It is kind of fun and handy to photograph on!  I'm going to hate to give it up, but I can always make another one or two.  ;) 

Thanks for stopping by today and giving me the perfect excuse to not mop!

~Kristin

ETA:  Sorry for so many photos.  Trying to upload the best one but none of them look near as good once uploaded as they do in my photo editing software.  This is a new problem.  Yikes! 

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Branch out, Well Scripted, Wonderful Words

Colors:  Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Blushing Bride

Accessories:  Big Shot, Dotted embossing folder, large scallop circle punch, Crop-a-Dile, jumbo eyelet, dotted scallop ribbon border punch, Beautiful Wings embosslit, pearl

Clean & Simple Friend

As promised, here is another quick one using my current color challenge you can find here.  I also put to use the current Clean & Simple sketch challenge.  Aren't those scallops fun?  I have another idea for this sketch which I'll try one of these days.  I hope it works out!  You'll be the first to know if it does!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Happy April Fool's Day!  No tricks from me.  :)  I love April!!!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors:  Daffodil Delight, Riding Hood Red, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Daisies die, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Enchantment brad