Oops, a little late on the Diva challenge!

Oops, I can't believe how distracted I've become lately.  Barely any stamping time, and I didn't notice that I'd forgotten to post my Diva card last Wednesday.  Ah well,  I guess we all experience different phases in our lives and changes therein.  Who knows what tomorrow brings, right?! 

Anyway, here it is. 

We had a lovely sketch to work with last week- and considering I have barely stamped a thing lately I'm surprised at how much I like what I came up with.  I pulled out some old felt flowers, the Finial Press embossing folder and my favorite reliable stamp set, Aviary. 

Here's a shot of the inside since I did that as well.  Hope you like it.  I'll try to be back soon.  Might not be so hard with the rainy forecast I'm seeing... although we've also got baseball games forecast for nearly every day.  Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go visit the Diva blog to see the sketch and other fine examples. 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Aviary, Picture This (retired)

Colors:  Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Accessories:  Big Shot, Felt Flowers, Finial Press embossing folder, Scallop Trim border punch (inside)

Weeding, Reading and Baseball but little stamping

Hello and happy Tuesday!  I sure love spring and being outside, but sadly all that weeding and reading and the baseball games have kept me from much stamping.  But, I'm back today with a little birthday card I made for my father last week.  I enjoyed using the sketch challenge from Stampin' 411 as well as the color challenge on Splitcoast last week.  Boy, I'm sure behind posting it though! 

Surprise, I even photo'd the inside to show you.  It is quite clean & simple and didn't take long to make either.  I love the newsprint for a background- not something I've done much but will do again for sure! 

This is the birthday RAK I received from Lisette aka scrapinnut620.  Isn't it beautiful?!  I love how she used my favorite background stamp, Medallion!   And those dimensional butterflies are still sitting here on my desk making me smile (the whole card is I mean, I didn't rip them off)! 

Finally, I promised a few before and after pictures of my big bathroom project from a few weeks ago...  if I can get them to upload this time I'll be sharing them...  And if you guessed purple for my new color you are exactly right!  If I were to name a Stampin' Up! color I suppose I would call it Lovely Lilac.  Hope you like it.

BEFORE                              AFTER

   

Anyway, you get the idea.  Thanks for stopping by!  I'm going to try to have a Diva card for you tomorrow... but it is looking awfully sunny outside right now.  ;) 

~Kristin

A Lovely Mother's Day

Warning:  this post is full of pictures!  Not only do I have the weekly Diva challenge for you but also some RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) I've received recently that made my day!  Enjoy!

 Here is my Diva card using the color combo Soft Suede, So Saffron and Regal Rose.  I've also employed the fabulous sketch by Card Patterns. 

Here's a peek at the inside as well.  I enjoyed working with the Medallion background stamp again- it's been awhile.  Also, the Big Shot came in handy with the Framed Tulips embossing folder as well as the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and the Beautiful Wings embosslit for the butterlflies inside and out.

This is a birthday card I found in my mailbox from my good pal and frequent virtual stampin' buddy, Lisa Henke!  Isn't it beautiful?!  It did have a rhinestone in the center of that bottom flower when I opened it but lost it from the mailbox to here. 

Here's another from Lisa who thought of me and cheered me up when I needed it most.  Perfect timing and friendship to make a gal perk up! 

And to make me feel even more special, this card and the next both arrived from perfect strangers who just send RAKs out of the kindness of their hearts!  This is from Joan aka Smileyj on Splitcoast...  thank you Joan!  Oops, looks like the other one didn't load.  I'll work on that and see if I can't show you tomorrow. 

Here is the DCBD color challenge for this week if you are inclined to play along.  We'd love to have you join us!  Heck, we might even choose your card to feature on our weekly "Featured Artist" post. 

Ooh, almost forgot.  My before and after bathroom redo pictures...  well, I've got them taken just need to upload.  Any last minute gueses as to what color it is?  I'll work on that post for tomorrow... my power is supposed to be out this morning so I feel like I'm working on borrowed time as it is or else I'd just add them right now.   

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

With Sympathy

Hello stampers!  I'm back today with a creation for the Diva Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge.  I was in the mood for something sort of pretty and elegant and needed a sympathy card so this is what I came up with.  Obviously I've turned the squares on their sides so I've got a little different look than the sketch. 

I hope you like my color combo!  It is Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler.  Doesn't that Cherry Cobbler seem binding look pretty?  It has such a nice sheen in real life! 

Well, gotta run (again).  Baseball practice and weeds are calling my name, not to mention dinner and laundry.  I did finally get my bathroom all complete and will take some after pictures to share with you tomorrow (hopefully).  I am so pleased with how it turned out- despite all the work and effort it took (about 5 days). 

 Please stop by to see what the other Divas have done for today's challenge!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Watercolor Trio, Fine Flourish

Colors:  Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler seem binding, pearls, Lattice die, Big Shot, small oval punch

WOW! 11 day hiatus!

Wow, I can't believe it has really been 11 days since I posted last!  Actually 12 by the time this goes live.  Well, I've had some issues... first one being I spilled tea on my new laptop last Monday!  OMG, I almost threw up.  But it turns out, after letting it sit and dry out for 5 days it is up and running.  The only residual problem is that my 3 key doesn't stay put (because I pried it off in my panic) and the keys where I spilled sound a little different now.  I guess I can't complain.  Better than buying a new laptop!

  Anyway, I've also been painting my kids' bathroom.  It has been bright yellow- not kidding, like Daffodil Delight- for probably 8-10 years!  Any guesses as to what color it is now?  I'll post some before and after pictures when it is all complete.  I'm so excited- I think it is going to be fabulous! 

So, due to those and other events I haven't stamped since the last card I posted.  I'm not really even feeling withdraw yet... I suppose my creative outlet has been the bathroom.  But, I do owe you two Diva Coffee Break design challenges so I decided to combine last week's sketch with today's color challenge.  I hope you like it... you know I struggle with bright colors.  Be sure to stop by and check out the other Divas' creations and then play along with us!

Thanks for stopping by!
Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: For All You Do

Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Newsprint DSP, Rhinestone, narrow Rich Razzleberry ribbon

Vase o' flowers

Good afternoon!  Sorry I'm a bit late posting my challenge.  Have gotten distracted by a number of things today, including a sick kid at home for the third straight day. 

Today the Divas have a color challenge for you and I've got to admit- I am not a fan of this combo.  Those bold bright colors are just not my favorites and when combined together I just cringe.  With that said, I do like how this card turned out... but it was WORK! 

I toned down the brightness by adding my trusty neutrals Early Espresso and Very Vanilla.  Then distracted the eye with some accessories like the antique brad, some linen thread and the vellum vase.  Which, by the way, was made with the small oval punch trimmed at top and bottom, then watercoloring with the aqua painter and some Pacific Point ink.  Really looks like water, I might add.   Also added a tiny detail with the spiral punch.

I hope you find these colors a bit less challenging than I did.  Please be sure to link your creaction to the Diva blog so we can all come take a look! 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Greenhouse Garden, French Script

Colors:  Early Espresso, Pacific Point, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

Accessories: linen thread, spiral punch, vellum cardstock, antique brad, pop dots

Because...

Good morning!!  Let's get right down to business today.  The Diva Coffee Break Design challenge for you is this sketch.  As you've probably come to expect form me I went pretty clean & simply with very few layers and embellishments.  The embellies that I did use pack a punch though, don't they?!  I bet you'll notice the strip of white flowers as my scallop edge right away.  That is from the Flowers Sizzlit Strip (on the Clearance Rack still I believe).  I've had it for a few months now and had forgotten all about it.  It actually cuts a 12" border so it is ideal for scrapbook pages as well. 

Like this color combo?  It is straight from the Color Coach:  Early Espresso, Dafodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler.  I love it!  The embossed heart is called the Scalloped Heart of Hearts and is an embosslit so it works with the Big Shot to emboss and cut at the same time!  My little owl on here is from the stamp set Love Bandit.  I also have a little raccoon on the inside but forgot to photograph it- sorry! 

My sentiment is from Define Your Life stamp set which I cut into strips so as to qualify for Monday's CAS challenge on Splitcoast.  And what do you think of my homemade brad?  I used the Build-a-Brads and a heart stamp from the new Create a Cupcake set.

I hope you'll join the Divas for this great sketch challenge.  I'd love to see what you come up with!!  Glad you decided to visit me today! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Love Bandit, Define Your LIfe, Create a Cupcake

Colors: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Accessories: Scalloped Heart of Heart embosslit, Flowers Sizzlit Strip, Big Shot, Build-a-Brad

Sweet Summer Wedding

Good morning!  I hope you're ready for another Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge today!  Here are the colors we challenge you to use together:  Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Perfect Plum. 

Would you like an awesome sketch to pair with our color challenge??  How about this one from Stampin' 411?!  I loved it and it really helped get me going on this card when I didn't have much time to crank it out. 

So glad you stopped by today!  I hope you'll visit the Diva blog and consider playing along with our challenge.  We'd love to see what you come up with!

Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

B&W For You Pansy

Ahoy Mateys!  I'm back today with a fabulous Diva sketch challenge for you.  And you simply MUST go to the Diva blog to check out the variety of creations the Divas have made with it!  I was short on time and went with the first idea to come to mind:  quick punched squares of Newsprint DSP!  The pansy was already sitting on my desk from a few days ago.  It is made with the butterfly punch!  Have you seen this technique??  I just punched two So Saffron butterflies then heavily sponged on some Concord Crush ink.  You could call them done then but I went ahead an spritzed them with my Vanilla Smooch Spray, added a So Saffron Glimmer Brad to the center and drew a few lines with my Concord Crush marker and a ruler. 

My sentiment is from Just Believe and is punched with my favorite, Modern Label punch.  It is lined with scraps bits of Concord Crush cardstock punched with the ribbon punch. 

Hope you like it!  Gotta run and get some dinner for the family.  Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe

Colors:  So Saffron, Concord Crush, Very Vanilla, Basic Black

Accessories:  Newsprint DSP, Butterfly Punch, Modern Label punch, Glimmer Brad, Smooch Spritz spray, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

Elegant Lines and a few challenges!

Remember yesterday when I said I stamped a few things but just wasn't thrilled with the outcome?  Well, here they are.  I know, I don't have to share everything, but they aren't horrible... just not thrilling me either.  I think I would really like the first one without the So Saffron ribbon- maybe with a Baja Ribbon instead, but since the Diva Color challenge for today included Baja Breeze, So Saffron and Regal Rose.  Plus, I am all out of Baja ribbon until my new order arrives in a few days!  I colored in the parts of the embossed areas using an Aqua Painter and ink from my inkpad lids.

This was my first take on this challenge and it's just a little too sweet and pastel for my liking I guess.  That's why I changed the sentiment from "Because I Care" to a baby card- more fitting I guess.  

My sketch for these two cards is from the Clean & Simple blog post HERE.  I hope you'll join the Divas today for our color challenge.  Be sure to hop on over to the blog to see what everyone came up with you! 

Hope you had a little bit of sunshine in your life today! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Because I Care, All Holidays

Colors: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder, So Saffron wide grosgrain, Decorative Label punch, scallop border punch

Sweet Friend & Diva Day

Good morning!  And a beautiful sunny morning it is here in Ohio!  Not sure why my picture is less than stellar since I took it at 7:30 am... I guess the sun was still waking up like I was. 

Today I've got a Diva sketch challenge for you.  It isn't a tough one- especially if you take a short cut like I did and use really pretty coordinating designer paper like Greenhouse Gala.  My third and smallest strip is a textured piece of vellum cardstock too. I like that you can see a bit of the pattern and color beneath it. 

I hope you'll join us and play along today!  Go check out the other Diva's creations while you're at it! 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Just Believe

Colors: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder, narrow Daffodil ribbon, markers

PS- I HATE blogger!  Why oh why is it so difficult to put wrap text around a picture?  I used to be able to do it with no problem.  GRRRRR!

It's a Diva Color Challenge and a new technique!

Hi and welcome back!  I've got a Diva special coming right up!  Today we've got for you a color challenge that is delightfully feminine- Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Rose Red.  Not a hard combination to use, especially in February when Valentine's Day is still fresh in our minds. 

As promised on Monday here is a second version of this embossing technique I learned from Stampin' 411 using punched pieces to make your own embossed pattern.  I am in love with this technique!  For this one I used hearts, obviously, and the best part is I used repositionable adhesive to glue them to a scrap piece of cardstock so I can move them around and reuse them as often as I'd like.  The other best part is you can use those thin white pieces of 12x12 chipboard that come with every pack of designer series paper (DSP)! 

The adorable stamp set I used here is called Create a Cupcake which perfectly coordinates with the matching punch to easily cut out the cupcake parts!  Like the inside?  Had to make it cute as well!  The sentiment on the inside is from a new hostess set called Something to Celebrate- a very useful set!

Want to see another card made with the Create a Cupcake stamp set and punch? 

There you go!  A CASE from our Stampin' Success magazine that SU Demos get each month.  Isn't that cute?  And so easy since the punch actually cuts out the cherries too!  No hand cutting. 

Would you like to host a workshop where I teach you and a group of your friends and family how to make cards like these?  I'd love to teach you, so just let me know and we'll work something out! 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure you hop on over to the DCBD blog for more great samples of this color challenge!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies (card 1)

Stamps: Create a Cupcake, Something to Celebrate

Colors: Rose Red, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride

Accessories: Build-a-Cupcake punch, Heart to Heart punch, Decorative Label punch

(Card 2)

Stamps: Create a Cupcake, Woodgrain background

Colors: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Build a Cupcake punch, Dotted scallop ribbon border punch, mini library clip

A Vintage Birthday

Gotta run, will add the details in a bit! 

OK, I'm back with details.  I cheated a bit and put this up early last night so I could still make it in for the PPA challenge to use a bit of vintage style.  But it is also for today's DCBD sketch challenge.  I've flipped the sketch on it's side which is normal for me. With all its details and layers, vintage style is not normally one I gravitate to so this took me a while... but I'm pleased with it.  I almost called it done before I decided I needed the flowers to stay true to the sketch.  Glad I added them- it was too plain without them.  The flowers were easy to make, just punched about 3 flowers for each one with the Boho Blossoms punch then crumpled them up and layered them and added the pearl.  

I used two different stamp sets to pull this one off:  Vintage Labels and Vintage Vogue.  I guess having "Vintage" in the title was the only way I was sure they could pass for vintage.  LOL!  

If you don't recognize the papers they are from a pack of Designer Series paper called Recollections from, oh I don't know, maybe three years ago.  Quite old for paper! 

Well, thanks for visiting and for your comments- they bring me cheer on these long and dreary winter days.  Thank goodness for sunshine and these 50+ degree temps they keep promising are coming! Make sure to go visit the DCBD blog and play along with this week's sketch challenge! 

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Vintage Labels, Vintage Vogue

Papers: Confetti Cream (card base), Recollections DSP, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Cranberry Crisp

Accessories: Chantilly ribbon, Basic Pearls, Boho Blossoms punch, Wide Oval punch, corner rounder

Sweet Celebration

First of all, thank you for your kind comments and emails regarding my last post.  It was a difficult week and your thoughts and kind words were appreciated.  Since then we've lost another close (92 year old) friend who's funeral will be tomorrow.  A sad time for sure. 

On a happy note though, I am taking some time to appreciate and count my blessings.  And, I managed to actually stamp yesterday which is very theraputic and helped immensely.  This card is for today's DCBD color challenge to use Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette and Real Red together.  Not hard considering Valentine's Day is coming right up.  However, I made mine a birthday card since I'm a bit behind sending some birthday wishes lately. 

I also put to use the Card Patterns sketch 101, but flipped on its side. 

I hope you like it and will consider playing along!

Stampin' Hugs,

~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Sweet Scoops

Colors: Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray, Going Gray, Whisper White, Crumb Cake (for the cone), Real Red

Accessories: Silver brads, Sending Love Epoxy Brad, Real Red dotted grosgrain ribbon, crimper, Modern Label punch

A Note For You

Good morning ladies & gentlemen!  This morning I present to you a Color Challenge from the DCBD Divas.  I hope you'll join us in using these three fabulous colors together:  Melon Mambo, Old Olive and Peach Parfait.  You simply cannot make anything but a happy card for this challenge- it is impossible! 

The sketch is from Card Patterns challenge #99.  This is a first for me to play along with one of their sketches.  Looking forward to more!

For the first time ever I've used my new Framed Tulips embossing folder- see it there at the bottom?  It is available right now on page 28 of the new Occasions Mini Catalog for only $7.95.  A few other things to note, the musical paper is not a designer series patterned paper, but paper I made by simply rolling my music notes wheel with Going Gray ink on some Whisper White paper.  Wondering how I got the notes straight?  Well, I whipped out my handy dandy wheel guide (remember that thing sitting in your drawer that you forgot you had?!) 

You'll probably also notice the extra bling in the form of a rhinestone chain hanging the bird cage as well as a few extras on the sentiment piece. 

Please make sure to go visit the DCBD blog to view the other Diva's lovely examples, as well as to play along with us. 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! 

~Kristin

PS- Yesterday was the first day of Sale-a-Bration- SU's greatest promotion of the year!  Let me know if you need any additional information or would like to schedule a workshop or place an order. 

SUO Supplies

Stamps: Aviary, Sweet Little Sentiments

Colors: Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Going Gray, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, circle punch, rhinestone basics, Modern Label punch

Suede & Saffron Birthday Wishes

This week's DCBD challenge is a sketch just for you!  I enjoyed putting htis Suede and Saffron number together for you.  I hope you don't mind that I've added the retired Floral background to the Soft Suede card base.  I didn't have that there at first and knew it needed something.  I love how the Floral background looks- the perfect feel to coordinate with this stamp set Watercolor Trio.

Better run, I've got loads of ironing to do.  Have a great day and I hope you'll join us Divas for our challenge this week!

~Kristin

Get Whale Soon!

Delicate and sweet- that's what I was going for with this card.  I had in mind a classmate of my daughter's who is courageously battling leukemia right now.  My heart aches for her and her family and the only thing I know to do is, what else, make a card. 

Today's DCBD challenge is to use this soft but fabulous color combination of Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Sahara Sand.  I've used blue tones often lately so thought I might be bored with this, but not the case!  The Sahara Sand is a perfect backdrop for the blues and the dots. 

Mojo Monday's sketch challenge was a good starting point for me.  I wanted this card to be just right so I had to start with a good sketch. 

Thanks for visiting me today.  I hope you decide to check out the other Divas and play along with our color challenge.  Also, if you are moved to brighten a little girl's day who could probably use it I'd be glad to pass along her contact information.  Just leave me a comment with your email address. 

~Kristin

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)