Recycled Album Clock

Here is one of the two 3D items I submitted for the Artisan Award contest for Stampin' Up!.  I've had this idea in my head for a long time so it finally came to fruition recently.  I had SO MUCH FUN putting this together!  The best part is the album and clock parts were both recycled.  The album came from a friend who said she didn't want it.  I laughed so hard when she gave it to me because written on the album cover was "this is horrible", "terrible", "lousy album" etc.  Obviously I knew why she was willing to give it up.  LOL! 

The flowers are a Decor Element called Wildflower which has since retired.  However, I loved this so much when it was done that I ordered another one so I can duplicate this for myself!  Can't wait to hang it in my stampin' studio aka kids' playhouse.  :)

I used the Beautiful Wings embosslit for the butterflies flying around on the ends of the clock hands.  If you ever decide to try this you should know that a single layer of cardstock is the only weight the hands could actually carry around the clock.  Any heavier or more layers bogged the hands down so they could not make the upswing.  The papers I used are the new Floral District.  Finally, did you notice the glimmer brads in Rich Razzleberry?  They popped right through thanks to the Crop-o-Dile!

Well, thank you for all the kind comments and emails about the disappointment of being a non-winner.  They have helped tremendously and I've now got my sights set for trying again next year.  Stop back tomorrow and I'll show you one of my scrapbook pages.   

~Kristin

Non-Artisan Award Winner...

Yes, I'm a little bummed to have not gotten a call yesterday about the Stampin' Up! Artisan Award contest for demonstrators to be on SU's Design Team for the coming year.  However, the upside is I can show you all my projects now.  Unfortunately I won't get any of them back.  Here is a picture of the group of them.  Over the next few days I'll show them to you individually so you can see the details.  Which would you like to see next? 

This card was one of my favorites.  It is so me- very earthy and natural, just my style.  I also love that shade of blue (I think it was Marina Mist) paired with River Rock and Always Artichoke.  This now-retired stamp set will go down as an all time favorite of mine, Inspired by Nature.  I used the Adorning Accents Edgelit to make the "frame" for the flowers, then punched a 3/4" circle in it to showcase the Antique Brad with the jewelry tag sentiment. 

I didn't get a picture of the inside but I mimicked the River Rock piece and left it blank for writing a note. 

I think this was the best sample of my style because it is somewhat clean & simple, with a few unexpected details.  I hope you like it better than the SU judges did.  LOL! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Inspired By Nature, Pennant Parade ("Love")

Colors:  Marina Mist, River Rock, Always Artichoke

Accessories:  Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelit, 3/4" circle punch, Antique Brad, Jewelry tag

Dotted Birthday

More new stuff!  Isn't this bicycle stamp cute?!  It is part of the new Ronald McDonald House stamp set called Moving Forward.  Every year Stampin' Up! designs a stamp set which they donate $3 of the proceeds of every sale to the Ronald McDonald House and this is it.  I stamped it in Basic Gray then added the little flowers which I colored with Old Olive and Marina Mist markers.  And I didn't even need the Stamp-a-Majig, just eye-balled it! 

The sentiment is from the new Itty Bitty Banners cut out with the Bitty Banners framelits set.  Once again found a use for the new Polka Dot Parade DSP too. 

Here is the inside shot.  Wanted to keep with the circles theme inspired by the bicycle wheels so I added a few punched circlesm, a bit of ribbon and the birthday sentiment from the retired Happiest Birthday Wishes set.  My niece is turning two this weekend so this one is for her.

 I'm just tickled with how this one turned out.  Let me know what you think!

Here is the sketch challenge I used for this card.  For the Paper Players 100th challenge celebration you get to choose any of their previous 100 challenges so I chose PP53.  I love this sketch- it is perfect to showcase a fun variety of DSP and still keep it clean & simple, just my style!  Click on the picture for a link to the challenge.  Thanks for stopping by again!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Moving Forward, Itty Bitty Banners, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Colors:  Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight

Accessories:  2 1/2" circle punch, corner rounder, Mini Silver Brads, Bitty Banners Framelets, narrow Daffodil Delight ribbon

Chevron Congrats

Finally!!  Managed to get a picture uploaded to fussy blogger.  Getting completely annoyed with these upload issues BLOGGER, you hear me?!!  Grrrr.  Anyway, after about 10 tries here is a recent graduation card I've designed.  New stuff on here includes the new Blue Ribbon stamp set, Midnight Muse stitched satin ribbon and the fun new Chevron embossing folder.  That Daffodil Delight paper is also new:  Polka Dot Parade DSP.  Maybe today I'll get a chance to play with more of my new goodies. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Blue Ribbon

Colors:  Midnight Muse, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, small star punch, mini silver brads, Midnight Muse stitched satin ribbon, large scallop circle punch

Wedding Wishes

Good first day of Summer!  I don't know about you but here in Ohio I am appreciating my AC today!!  And dreading sitting at yet another ball game tonight in the 90+ degrees! 

Anyway, I had some time to play with new things recently and wanted to share it with you.  Made this wedding card using the fabulous new Apothecary Accents Framelits and Bitty Banners Framelits.  Also new here is my favorite new background stamp, Pleasant Poppies.  Isn't it pretty?!  I stamped it with white ink on Perfect Plum cardstock complete with the new Perfect Plum ribbon. 

Finally, added the Beautiful Wings butterfly accent with a few rhinestones, the background stamping with my retired French Script, some sponging wtih white ink, shadows made with the Versamarker and a bit of highlight painting with some shimmer paint. 

Here is a glance at the inside.  The frame is obviously the negative of the cut out piece from the front.  Again added some rhintestones and a butterfly to finish it off. 

So what do you think?  I've got another to show you tomorrow so stop back!  Thanks for visiting. 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Pleasant Poppies, Itty Bitty Banners, Full of Life, French Script

Colors:  Perfect Plum, Pale Plum (retired), Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Apothecary Accents & Bitty Banners Framelits, Beautiful Wings embosslit, rhinestones, shimmer paint, Versamarker, Perfect Plum ribbon

Sunset & Cattails

Needed a birthday card for my Brother-in-law so decided on the grass from Inspired by Nature stamp set.  I don't think I've ever made them into cattails before even though I've always wanted to.  This might also be one of the only brayered sunset cards I'ved made using the masking technique for a moon.  Hope you like it!  I've got lots of new stuff to play with now if I ever find the time between ball games... so surely you'll see something new here soon! 

Thanks for visiting! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Happiest of Birthdays (both retired- BOO!)

Colors:  Concord Crush, More Mustard, Raspberry Ripple (that's it!)

Accessories:  Linen Thread, 1" circle punch, horizontal slot punch, distressing tool

Betsy's Birthday

Playing around with Betsy's Blossoms again.  Thought I'd try it out with the Colour Q challenge this time.  Thanks for stopping by.

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Create a Cupcake

Colors:  Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Real Red

Accessories:  Sizzlit Lots of Tags, Modern Label punch



Forever Friend

You know the kind.  That friend you've had forever that you can go months without seeing but nothing changes, you're comfortable together, you start right where you left off without missing a beat.  That's a Forever Friend.  This card is a CASE of the one on page 133 of the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog.  Have you seen it yet?  It is beautiful and full of MUST HAVES and I've linked it over on the right so you can see it online if you don't have it in person.  The list of words on the sample from Fabulous Phrases are perfectly lined up so I'm guessing the Stamp-a-Majig was used.  Obviously I eyeballed mine, but I'm OK with that.  I'm guessing my friend will be too! 

Speaking of the Stamp-a-Majig, if you have one and have no clue how to use it or have no idea what I'm talking about, see page 37!  A VERY good, simple explanation of how to use it!  Come to think of it, there are lots of little tips and handy tricks in this new catalog which will make it a great resource to have.  If you would like a catalog let me know and I can get you hooked up! 

Here's a quick shot at the inside.  I tried to match my embossing to the scalloped edge and it didn't quite reach... but it worked out because I had the perfect place to add a little flower to tie it to the front.  Hope you are feeling inspired!  Let me know which idea you are going to CASE in the new catalog. 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases

Colors:  So Saffron, Melon Mambo, Gumball Green, Whisper White

Accessories:  Itty Bitty Punch pack, Stitched Satin Ribbon in Gumball Green, Dotted Scallop ribbon border punch, mini silver brads, Edgelits Adorning Accents and matching embossing folder

New In Colors!

Hello again!  So glad you decided to stop by.  Here's another one I put together based on page 71 in the new catalog.  See if you can find it.  I used Simply Soft until I can get my hands on that new background stamp!  Can't wait- will be on my first order for sure!  Also used all new In Colors:  Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse.  Yum!  A few other new things:  Comfort Cafe DSP and the neat Apothecary Accents Framelits for the Big Shot.  Hope you like it! 

Don't forget:  TODAY is the first day to order out of the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog starting at noon MT! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps:  Simply Soft, I forget the sentiment set (will look it up)

Colors:  Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Mini Silver brads, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Pinking Hearts border punch, Crimper

The Sky is the Limit

Good morning!  Back with a quick post today before I'm off and running.  The last few days I've been stealing a moment here and there to choose favorite samples from the new Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalog to CASE (copy and share everything).  I can begin ordering out of this fabulous new favorite catalog of mine TOMORROW, June 1, but in the mean time I'm just recreating some of my favorites samples with stuff I already have. 

This time I copied the first card on page 79.  Used a similar color scheme but different stamps and papers, and slightly different accessories.  I also separated my panels instead of having them all on one piece. 

Anyone else want to play along?  If so, choose a favorite sample from the current or new catty and see what you can do with it.  Tomorrow I'll share another one from page 71. 

Have fun!
~Kristin

Baby Shower Gifts... Part 4

Finally, what I've been waiting to share with you.  My favorite of the Baby Shower Gifts.  Saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it was adorable.  It was so much fun to use cherished things from my stash, some old and some new!  So many possibilities with this one.  This little canvas is a 6"x6" and came in a four pack so I can do THREE more before I need new supplies.  Isn't that awesome?!  The ideas have been swirling ever since I bought them. 

Here's a view of the edge so you can see how it is wrapped in Old Olive striped ribbon.  Love that finishing touch even though the sides were nice.  Many of these buttons and brads were from my SU stash and some were from my "random buttons that fell off" stash.  I did buy a few too, but not many.

I was finally able to upload my picture of the whole set.  If you'd like to see them individually please see the previous 3 posts. 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you've enjoyed these as much as I did making them! 

~Kristin

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