3-in1

Here I go again! 3 challenges in one!

WSC #51, CC114 & TLC #174

This layout is for Beate John's Weekend Sketch Challenge #51 . The color challenge CC114 I had, used the colors Gable Geen, Rose Red, Apricot Appeal and Taken with Teal. I had this fabulous designer paper that had all the colors except the Teal, so I added it with the ribbon and the around stamped bird image. I love this stamp, a $1 stamp from Michael's. I used Chocolate Chip on Whisper White paper and did the TLC174 challenge, so I filled it in with Rose Red and the aqua painter and used Taken with Teal around the Bird. I sponged around the edges with Apricot Appeal. Layered it on Rose Red and Chocolate Chip. The main Apricot Appeal background is Cuttlebugged, I layered the designer paper on Chocolate Chip. I used a retired teal velvet ribbon for the stripe on top. Sorry if this explanation is a little disjointed, I'm on the phone with my BF from Copenhagen!

Lily cards

Well, I after a very exciting night of tornados, lighting and thunder storms, and about 3 hours of sleep, my pregancy insomnia kicked in this morning at 5:00 am. Ahh the joys of pregancy! Since I was up I decided to spend some more time in my newly organized stamipn space and complete a few more challenges!

SC #182 & CC #171

I love both of these challenges! First, I have already professed my love of the color challenge with Soft Sky, Basic Black and Kraft, but I am loving this layout! It's cute, simple and makes great cards and scrapbook pages! I made 2 cards that can be used in a 6x6 scrapbook, so I'll be sending these out to the grandparents. The base is a 6x6 kraft square, I then used my Marvy scalloped square punch to make the Basic Black squares. The designer paper is one I have been hoarding for too long, so I decided to use it, the squares are 1 3/8" and the Soft Sky layer behind it is 1 1/2". After I assembled each piece, I used my uniball white gel pen to make the dots in the scallops. The photo is from my DD 2 year photos (she just turned 4) and my dear friend, the best photographer around Tracie Jacobs took these. Lily was looking at the hole in the tree saying it's where Owl from Winnie the Pooh lived. Any way, I layered the photo on Soft Sky and Basic Black. Because my first card front smeared (I used white craft), I ended up used a piece of acetate to put the sentiment on it with winter white EP. I attached it with black brads and tied Soft Sky and hemp twine thru the holes. That's it! I'll post the other card later that I did.

So sad...

My girlfriend's dog was hit by a car on Sunday. She was having a party and had to call all her guests that morning to cancel...eeek, the last thing you want to do in that situation. I made her this card to send her and let her know I'm thinking about her.

SC#181

I used the card sketch from the SCS weekly challenge. My dimensions are a bit off, but the essence is there. I used 'Embrace Life' stamp set, inked with Always Artichoke, then colored it in with Mellow Moss and So Saffron markers and Blender pens. I lost my Cutter Kit in the re-organization of my space, so I had to resort to the old way of distressing, my nails, around the edge of the stamped image. I also used sponge daubers to ink the edges with So Saffron and Always Artichoke inks. The lower panel is So Saffron DP, also distressed and inks. They are layered on Mellow Moss, So Saffron and Always Artichoke on a Mellow Moss card base. I stamped the leaves along the base of the Mellow Moss backgound for some added interest. For embellishments, I used Moss grosgrain ribbon, layered it with help twine and a Very Vanilla button.

Color Challenges!

My other favorite place to get inspired is at Splitcoast Stampers. it's a great resource for anyone interested in stamping! They have daily challenges and here are a few that I got caught up on:

CC#170, WSC #52
This challenge was to use, Regal Rose, Real Red and So Saffron. I had this great paper that I just got that had all those colors, so I thought I'd use it for this challenge. The So Saffron backgound is stamped with So Saffron ink and the 'Canvas' backgound stamp. It's layered on Real Red card stock. Now here's where I stray a bit... the next layer is Regal Rose, Cuttlebugged and put on More Mustard (not part of the challenge...oops). The 3rd layer is the designer paper on, again, More Mustard. The verbage is on Very Vanilla, stamped with Close to Cocoa and again with the 'Canvas' stamp and So Saffron ink for some texture. I finished off the card with twill ribbon, flower and rhinestone from the Target $1 stop, and punched out leaf from Target as well. I also paper pierced for some extra detail. This card is also inspired by Beate John's 'Weekend Sketch Challenge' #52. I'm sending this card of in the am to my DH grandmother, she sent us a generous gift for our 6th year anniversary! Thanks Grandma T!

CC # 171

I LOVE this color combination! This challenge had us using Soft Sky, Basic Black and Kraft. LOVE IT!!!!! I had a miss hap when making this card, apparently I didn't clean my backgound stamp last time I used it, inked it with my Soft Sky and the ink pad turned green!!!! Boy was I mad!. After I regained my composure, I cleaned the stamp, and used Versamarker and clear EP to make the backgound panel on Soft Sky at the bottom (I can't remember the name of the stamp). The top panel I left plain and added the sentiment in Basic Black ink. Both panels are layered on Basic Black then on the Kraft card base. The image is from 'Garden Silhouettes' (I obviously like that set) stamped on Soft Sky with Versamark, then embossed with Winter White EP. I then sponged the bottom of the image for some depth because it looked a bit plain. It is also layered on Basic Black and Kraft. The ribbon is from the SU! Sherbet ribbon originals collection. I finished off the card with 2 Basic Black buttons tied with hemp. I really LOVE this card

Be Inspired!!

Since I have been without a stampin space for so ling, I have spent part of the day making cards from past challenges! I'll post each one based on the challenge and explain them so they are easy to find, so I hope that helps.

The first challenge catagory is the 'Be Inspired Challenge' by Beate Johns. If you are an avid stamper, you know who she is, but if you're not, check out her blog. She is AMAZING and creates beautiful works of art! She is taking the summer off, but has so much information on her site it will keep you busy until she returns!

BIC #16

Check out the inspiration sample by clicking here. I LOVED the color of the walls in the inspiration photo! I'll be painting a room in my house that color soon. The card base is 4.25" x 4.25" on Whisper White. I Cuttlebugged the front of the card so simulate the pattern of the wall on the right without adding more color. The square blocks are stamped with 'Embrace Life' on Soft Sky with SS ink, I think colored in the flowers using my uniball white gel pen. Each SS square is layered on Cool Caribean (yes I still have TONS of that paper - jealous???:) I put rhinestone brads in the colors of the flowers on the shelves to add the colors as well as layering the squares on Apricot Appeal and Regal Rose. A little loop of Celery grosgrain ribbon and I was done! It's not my favorite card, but I like it.

BIC #17

I liked this challenge (click here) because I have a black and white room in my house with green accents (or maybe it's the other way around). I did have a hard time with the matching of the blacks on the designer paper with the SU! basic Black, so I ended up using my black shimmer paper instead. It has a ton of shimmer and shine, perfect for a loyal girly girl friend. The image is from 'Garden Silhouettes' and I used white EP with versmark. The rest is just cut and paste! I found this sentiment in my scrap embellishment box so I'm not sure where it's from.

BIC # 18

This inspiration photo looks good enough to eat!!! I tried to recreate the wonderful icing details on the white panel, using 'Garden Silhouettes' again, colored with SU markers, Certainly Celery, Ruby Red, Apricot Appeal, and Bashful Blue. I layered it on Bashful Blue and Apricot Appeal card stock and used the Ticket Corner punch on the corners. The sentiment is stamped with Always Artichoke on Whisper White, layered on Ruby Red with the edges cut with a scallop scissor. The background is Groovy Guava, Cuttlebugged and layered on Apricot Appeal and again the corners are punched.

The chaos is over...I think?

So, about 3 weeks ago, I had a desk malfunction in my work space. The drafting desk I had gotten as a gift on my 16th birthday calopsed under the weight of all my stamp sets (it was 20 years old). So I have been spending the last few weeks getting everything re-organized and sell off some stuff to make space for new stuff. I was also at the mercy of my husbands good nature since I'm 6 months prego and can't lift anything heavy so it took much longer than I anticipated.What I have discovered, is that even with a HUGE purging (it was difficult) I still have entirely too much stuff!My space is in my basement, it's a typical basement, however, the previous owners glued drywall to the cinderblocks, so we cannot hang anything walls, or else it will rip the drywall off. This is my attempt to keep organized. This space also holds my MaryKay business empire.

Underneath chaos...

Sorry I haven't posted, my 'creating desk' callapsed under the weight of all my stamp sets. It was the drawing desk I got when I was 16 so I guess since it lasted me 20 years, I'll forgive it. I'll post before and after pictures when I get that mess cleaned up...whenever that is. I am excited though, I have a new neighbor that loves creating and stamping as much as I do, so I'm motivated to get her over here for some creating soon!

I thought I had downloaded the new pictures of Lily, but apparently I didn't. So I'll post some old ones from her 4th birthday at the end of April. This is the townhouse we got her. She has wanted to sleep in there for weeks now... it's hard to let her grow up!

The Whole Enchilada!

So for Monday's SCS Techniques challenge, the Whole Enchilada, we were challenged to make 3x3 cards and a coordinating box to go with it. Since I love making these it was no challenge!

I love using the Take Three stamp set for 3x3 cards, it gives a great simple, but adorable card to add to any package! I used Creamy Caramel paper as the card base and box base. The image is stamped on Whisper White card stock and I used Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip markers to ink the stamp. I then colored in the flowers with Pretty in Pink. I layered the image on Chocolate chip paper and added a brown grosgrain bow with a glue dot.

The box was just as simple, I layered the front flap with Chocolate Chip added an extra layer of Regal Rose under the image and closed the box with a small velcro dot. The ribbon is attached by using the horizontal punch, threading thru the ribbon and adhering the ribbon to itself with aglue dot.

Easy Peasie Lemon Squeezie!

Red Bird Blues

It's so much fun to create! I did today's SCS Color Challenge which was Blue Bayou, Soft Sky and Real Red. Strange combo but looks great together! I also used an oldie but a goodie layout from SCS, SC97.

I only used one SU! stamp, So Swirly on the soft sky main background (oops!). The second panel was made by wetting a piece of Whisper White paper, then using the direct to paper technique, rubbing Soft Sky all over it. Before it dried, I sprayed rubbing alcohol on it. It didn't give the effect I wanted (it's better on H2O paper) so I stamped over it with a stamp set from Autumn Leaves (I don't know what its called) with Soft Sky, then embossed with white over it, then stamped with Blue Bayou over it. Time consuming, but I like it! The bird stamp I got from Michaels in the $1 bin a while back. I used my Aqua painter to fill in the bird with Real Red, finished off the card with red polka-dot ribbon and red snaps. So like I said earlier, the only thing that is SU is the paper and the 1 stamp.

Paper, paper, everywhere!

Hi! My name is Kristin and I'm a paper hoarder.....

I have so much designer paper! I have probably a stack of designer paper that is about 1 foot thick! Crazy I know, I have a problem, I am seeking help. But until then, I have decided that anytime I decide to create I must use up 1 sheet of designer paper. It does give me heart palapations doing this, but I do collect about 2-4 pieces of the same pattern so as to not run out. The main reason I'm doing this is because I want to get some new stuff and have run out of room for it.

Anyway...here are some cards I made with a 8x8 sheet of paper given to me by one of my SCS big sisters a few cycles back. When I saw initally saw it I thought it was quite ugly, but now that I've been working with it, I'm really liking it. It has a strange color combo that really seems to be working. Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Almost Amethyst, Regal Rose (could use Pixie Pink) Soft Sky, and Bashful Blue. I was able to make 6 cards with it and have a bit left over, but I'm tired today so it will wait until nextime.

Love this!!!

This is such a great color combo! It is from SCS's weekly color challenge. This week the colors are Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla and Sage Shadow. I NEVER use Sage Shadow so this was a new one for me and I LOVE IT!! Who'da thunk?


I used Garden Silhouettes and stamped it twice with Versamark and used White embossing powder. I then stamped several more of the same image with Sage Shadow without re-inking between stamping. I also used my Canvas background stamp with Sage Shadow and stamped over the entire paper to give it some texture. I sponged Sage Shadow and Chocolate Chip around the edges and distressed them as well. The Cutter Kit is a life saver for distressing the edges of paper (I highly recomend it if you like distressing) I added the verbage from the Delight in Life stamp set and inked it with the Chocolate Chip marker and Versamarker. The 'life' part is embossed with White EP. I added SU brown grosgrain ribbon and another non-SU ribbon to finish it off. It's layered on Chocolate Chip paper and a Very Vanilla card body.

I'm on a roll!!

Well, I took the time and made another card for the SCS color and card sketch challenge! I miss doing those, so I thought I'd take a crack at it! The color challenge was to use soft sky, blue bayou and certainly celery (some of my fav's) and I thought I'd combine it with the card sketch so I could kill 2 birds....you know.

Blue Bamboo

The entire card is made with SU! products, the card base is kraft, with a layer or blue bayou then a layer of soft sky card stock with 'Rough Texture' with soft sky ink run over it a few times. I distressed the edges using the cutter kit and iked them up again with soft sky. The main image is from 'Embrace Life' stamped in Blue Bayou on Whisper white paper and watercolored with certianly celery for the leaves and soft sky for the back ground. I then stamped over the image with 'Canvas' backgound, distressed the edges and inked soft sky with a sponge around the edges. It is layered on soft sky, blue bayou and kraft. The green panels are certainly celery, run thru the Cuttlebug then sponged over with blue bayou with distressed edges. I used hemp twine instead of ribbon to give it an earthy 'bamboo' feel but jazzed it up with square green rhinestone brads to mimic the mosiac patterned paper.

Whew!!1 I guess that's it!! Enjoy!

I was really busy...

Here are some more I made last night as I was creating. Some are simple, and some are FABULOUS!!!

This one is super simple, just getting the creative vibe going...

Same layout as the other one,but I really like this stamp set. Too bad it's retired!!

This is when the juices started flowin' again. All that designer paper is being put to good use now and I'm finding more layouts at splitcoaststampers.com. I love that site!
This is my FAVORITE paper, but not the best layout. It reminds me of Magic Kingdom's 'It's a Small World' ride, all the graphic images and geometric shapes. It makes me want to sing...... I'll probebly do it again, I was getting pretty tired by this point (it was 3:30 am).
This is a close up of the birds, of course I used glitter (it's me we're talking about here). I also used the mirror technique so I could get 2 birds facing each other. This technique is created by using a rubber brayer. First you ink your image liberally, then roll the brayer on the stamp, and it picks up the image! Then roll the brayer on your paper and voila!!! You have the mirror image of your stamp!

I was inspired!

So since I was up making cards for my customer, I decided to make some for myself as well! I made several of each one so I could have some to share.



I miss the Sage Advice stamp set, I loved all the quotes! I've been trying to go thru some of my old designer papers so I could get some new ones. This one was from a paper pack of 5x7 papers. I really liked the colors and the pattern.
I made this one at my Stamp Camp day in October...that's how old it is. I really liked this stamp set (I forget the name) and should have made more of this card. It's too cute if I do say so myself!
This is another one I made at the October event, I love the color combination, it really worked well together (surprizingly)
This was my first card back in the saddle... a bit plain, as were the next two I made. The front image folds out to reveal the sentiment.

I'm BAAACCKK!

It's been FOREVER since I've taken the time to get stampin', (since my last blog...eeekk!) I had a customer order, so I thought I'd go down and get those creative juices flowin'! She ordered a bunch of my Mini Statements and requested some samples for her mom's birthday. She loves glitter and glamour, so I spiced things up a bit. Let me know what you think!

This first one is based on the colors she requested, pinks and whites
I love this stamp set so I had to use it!
A sentiment will be added above the flower, this is using the SU! Pretties kit.
I LOVE this one, you know me, I love bling!
This is simple and glamourous!

Fun times...

So the National Card Making and Scrapbooking day was a HUGE success! We all had tons of fun getting creative, eating and winning prizes. Sharon Zies was the big winner and she was there the shortest amount of time! She won the decorate your-self 12x12 scrapbook, 12x12 paper container and the stamp set! I totally forgot to take photos of us all working hard on our creations, but trust us, we were working. I will post my 'few'creations tomorrow, everyone else got so much done. Thanks to Tracie, Tracy, Jennifer, Patty and Sharon for attending and making the day enjoyable. Everyone loved the food so here are the recipes you all asked for. Enjoy!

Awesome Salad
Nut mixture
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 TBS melted butter
1/2 tsp salt and pepper each
1/4 cup sugar

Mix ingredients and spread on a cookie sheet. Cook at 300 degrees for 5-10 minutes

Dressing
1/4 cup apple vinegar
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp salt and paper each
1/2 cup fresh parsley, without stems
1/2 cup olive oil

Mix top 6 ingredients in a blender, pour the olive oil in a steady stream as it runs for good emoilsion.

1 lb pasta or 1 bag spring mix lettuce
3/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries
4 oz feta (I use sundried tomato) - this was not added in todays mixture but is a GREAT addition

Mix the dressing, lettuce (pasta), cherries and feta together and toss. Add chopped chicken if desired. Add the nuts last and toss.


Texas Caviar
1 small red and green pepper each, chopped small
1 small white onion, chopped small
1 can white shoepeg corn (Walmart carries it) drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans ROTELL Tomatoes and Green Chillis
1/2 bottle Kraft Zesty Italian dressing

Mix all the ingredients and set in the fridge for 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips

National Card-Making (& Scrapbooking) Day Event

This is the information on my National Card-making (& Scrapbooking) Day Event on October 6th in Hilliard. If you haven't already signed up for this one, ACT NOW - space is limited!!!!!

National Card-Making and Scrapbooking day schedule
I’m so excited you can join us for this fun-filled productive day! This is all the information about what we are going to be doing for 12 whole hours, list of supplies you will need to bring, what I have available for you to use and what’s for sale. Please feel free to ask any questions or give suggestions. The money for the cost of the day will be collected when you arrive, remember the cost is $25 per person. If you are bringing a friend, please RSVP for them, space is limited!

What I will provide

Supplies
I will have non expendable items available for you to use at no cost:
• SU! Stamp sets
• SU! Inks
• SU! Punches and cutting tools
• Cutting board
• Assorted scrap papers
• Cuttlebug (limited dies)
• Quickutz (limited dies)
• Computer to access color combos and scrapbook layouts
• LOTS of samples

These are some items I will have available for sale
• SU! Papers
• SNAIL adhesive refills
• Ribbons
• Alterable items

***Since I am no longer going to be an SU! selling demonstrator, I will be selling off stamp sets, alterables, and general crafting supplies I’ve collected for my business!! Lots of great items at a great discount!

Prizes
Mini prizes will be awarded throughout the day for the challenges. Items include embellishments, alterables, papers and more. For each project completed, you will be entered into the Grand Prize (need not be present of you need to leave early) to be awarded at the end of the night. This quarter’s prize will include a 20 page 12x12 scrapbook (you design – too cool), 12x12 paper holder (I LOVE these and use them all the time), which holds up to 100+ sheets of paper and a 2007 Sellabration SU! Stamp set! It’s a value of $30!

Food
Breakfast: assorted bagels and fruits
Lunch: Honey turkey or roast beef wraps with honey mustard, sprouts and shredded carrots, Awesome Pasta Salad, fruit, chips and pretzels
Dinner: Pepperoni Pizza with chips & pretzels
Snacks: pretzels, chips, Texas Caviar, veggies & dip, candies & cookies
Assorted pop, water and peach iced tea will be provided.
***Please let me know if you have any food needs or restrictions no later than October 3rd.

What you need to bring
Bring anything you need that is not listed above. That includes papers, scissors, glue, photos, embellishments, etc. The more you have on hand, the more you will create!

Activities
I am providing you with this information so that you may plan ahead for the challenges if you choose to participate. The challenges will be presented every 2 hours, plenty of time to create a scrapbook layout and card. I will also post suggested layouts that you may copy or choose your own.

Card Challenges:
Each challenge will be posted every 2 hours. You may choose to do as many or as little as you like. 2 Prizes will be awarded for each challenge, 1 random drawing, 1 voted on by the group. For each project completed to the specifications presented for the item, you will receive a ticket to be entered into the drawing for the grand prize.
1. Stampin’ Around – Create a card using a stamp wheel.
2. Halloween Card – Anything goes as long as it’s for Halloween!
3. Scrap Card – Using only scraps from the scrap bin, any theme.
4. Holiday Card - Create a Holiday card, but you can’t use Christmas red or green!
5. Punch Out! – Use any punch and any theme.
6. Give Thanks – Show your appreciation, or celebrate the holiday, your choice!

Scrapbook Challenges:
1. Hot! Hot! H-O-T!!! - I thought this would be most appropriate with how the weather was this summer!
This theme has a wide range to choose from. You could scrap anything from: How to beat the heat to Who's a Hot little babe? (photo of a child of course).

2. Special Nights - We’ve all had that one night out on the town with friends, significant others, family. Show me the fun! Scrap any special night/even that you’ve attended.

3. "Cheaper by the Dozen" Scrapbook style!!! -
The movie Cheaper by the Dozen is a wonderfully cute family comedy.
And, as the title of this challenge implies, you have to use a 'dozen' PHOTOS on your layout!!

4. Happy Fall Y’all – My favorite season is fall! I love the colors, chucky sweaters, football games, playing in the leaves, kids dressed for Halloween, pumpkin patches, you know what I mean. Show us your favorite part of the fall season!

5. Layout Challenge – This is any theme, you just have to follow the layout provided!

6. Notable Quotable - Hello ladies! Welcome to the library, find a comfy seat, get out a book by your favorite author and get ready for another challenge!!! This is a pretty simply and straight forward challenge. You can make any type of layout you wish, your only rule, the title of your page has to be a quote from a book!


Make & Takes:
If you need a break from coming up with your own ideas, here are some projects I will have available for you to make.
1. One Sheet Wonder – Create beautiful paper using stamps and ink, use it to create 8 cards or use in scrapbook layouts.
2. Candy bag: Create a cute bag of candy using mailing labels and stamps.

Creative Therapy

It seems like FOREVER since I was able to sit down and create without a little one pulliing on my arm. now that Lily is in school 2 days a week, I'm trying to make that a little "me" time and do some creative therapy. Here is the gift I made for my DDSS little. It includes a gift bag, tote and monogramed notecards. The gift bag is made with a large bakery bag, the letter is the Cuttlebug Olivia font and the flower is dyed with Cool Carribean and Not quite navy. She likes things rustic, and not girly-girl. Since I'm girly-girl, I thought I'd combine the 2 styles. It's heading out with her reveal package tomorrow (her birthday is the 18th). I hope she likes it!

Before I left for vacation, I participated and hosted 3 swaps! Here are just some of the swaps I made for them. I love partipating in SU! swaps, you get back some great quality samples!

Lily's first day of school!!!

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Well, we have returned from our fall family vacation in Disney and Lily started her very first day of pre-school today! I made this layout using Smilebox.com. A great place to make some scrapbook pages to share with family far away!