Too Kind

Sometimes a heartfelt, handmade card feels like the best way to convey our deepest sympathy at a time of loss.  We lost a dear, dear friend recently who was like a grandma to our whole family.  Making this for the family left behind was quite comforting and healing to me, as I hope receiving it was for them.  

I think this new stamp set, Too Kind, was a beautiful choice.  If you want to get dimensional looking flowers with this two step stamping process, rather than trying two different colors, try stamping in the same color but "stamp off" once for the background layer before stamping on your paper.  After a lot of experimenting I found this worked best for the soft look I was going for.  Let me know what colors you've tried with this technique!

Thanks for stopping by.
~Kristin

Party This Way!

My baby girl turned 12 this weekend so we had to PARTY!  I'm not a big party planner and most always wait until the last possible minute to consider invitations (or anything else for that matter.  Thanks to my hubby for running to the carryout 10 minutes before party time for hotdog buns!!).  Crazy, I know.  So if you want to find super quick and easy birthday invitations this is the place to look.  LOL!  Actually, this one is a little bit more time consuming than some, but she is a great stamper now so we did them assembly-line-style and cranked them out.  At least we did remember to take a photo.

Have you made your own party invitations recently?  Leave me a link here- I'd love more ideas!
~Kristin

Mosaic Poinsettia

Alright, here's the last Christmas card for awhile.  This was the 5th and final card we made at my recent SAS.  I'd seen this idea to use the Mosaic punch to make flower petals and thought it would be nice for a white Poinsettia.  I also gave them the option to make this with red petals and a white center.  They came up with some neat alternatives as well, like lining the white petal with a sliver of red showing!  If you eliminate the glitter embossing for the sentiment and just use red ink, then this one is pretty fast and simple.

Stop back soon for a birthday invitation and a sympathy card.
~Kristin

CASED Myself

 CASED myself on this one!  I loved how my card below turned out a while back, so decided to copy the layout for a Christmas Stamp-a-Stack recently.  I had seen the trick of brayering ink over the gorgeous embossed Natural Composition DSP and decided to try it.  The results are so neat.  I am anxious to try this again with another color soon.  Anyway, for my SAS my favorite customers didn't mind one bit if I combined older retired products with new stuff.  Thank goodness because it does help with my creativity a bit.   Can you pick out the retired goodies?!?

If you'd like to see yet another card with this same layout stay tuned... in the next few days I'll show you.  Promise!  If you decide to try it for yourself I'd love to see it!  Leave me a link so I can stop by and leave a comment.

Glad you stopped in today!
~Kristin

Clean & Simple Christmas

Here's a clean & simple Christmas card you can do with as little as just punches if you'd like.  I added some Coredinations Pool Party cardstock and the Northern Flurries embossing folder plus some Dazzling Diamonds Detail for the sparkly buttons.  I must add that I did not invent this idea- I found it on Pinterest and made it my own.  Hope you'll try it!

Thanks for stopping in today!
~Kristin

Little Bit Atypical Christmas

 Tired of a traditional or worse, typical, Christmas design?  Try this one on for size.  I borrowed Amy O'Neil's design from below and with a few color and stamp changes- voila:  funky Christmas card.  Why don't you see what you can do with this layout and leave me a link?!  I'd love to see.

See you back here tomorrow with another one to get you humming "Jingle Bells" in October!
~Kristin

Hexagon Christmas

It's October!  Is anyone thinking Christmas cards yet??  Well here's one to get you going.  With the Hexagon Punch and the new Winter Frost Designer Series Papers (or any patterned paper for that matter) this one is simple!

Check out that gorgeous new Chevron ribbon in Island Indigo!  Isn't it gorgeous?!  Here is the card that inspired my layout.  It is by the talented Linda Callahan.  I just simplified it for making multiples fairly quickly.  That's the key to a good Christmas card design isn't it?!

Stay tuned for a few more holiday cards coming soon.  Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

Blue Ribbon

A graduation card was requested at a Stampin' Up! workshop I did in May with colors green and gold.  Here I used the stamp sets Blue Ribbon and Fabulous Phrases.  Can you spot the mistake?  It was the first thing I stamped... so I decided to leave it.

Thought I'd share another card with the same layout and stamp sets, but different color scheme.  Simple!

Have you been wondering where I've been?  Here's the answer:  Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan again.  Summers are non-stop for us.  So happy to be home right now.  Maybe I'll even get some time to STAMP!  Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

Modern Congrats

Surprised to see an update from me?  Me too!  Summer keeps us quite busy around here, and this year spring did too.  So on to this card that I made a while back... playing around with some fun new goodies from the new Stampin' Up! catalog.  I'll stop back with the details later.  Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you are enjoying your new SU goodies.

~Kristin

Believe

How about another quick, clean & simple Easter card.  Used the sketch below from the Clean & Simple blog, as well as the color challenge from Fab Friday!  Check them both out while there is still time to play!

Thank you for stopping by today!

~Kristin

SUO Supplies:

Stamps:  Pleasant Poppies, Just Believe

Colors:  listed above with the exception of using Blushing Bride instead of Pink Piouette

Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Modern Label punch, vintage faceted button, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Dazzling Details glitter glue

Best Things in Life Aren't Things

Thanks to my friend Lisa Henke's suggestion, I used this week's Freshly Made Sketch for my card today.  We did some virtual stampin' on Wednesday to give each other inspiration.  This is an unusual color combination for me, but just kind of fell in place.  One of those that I struggled with and wasn't sure I liked it until I was done.  Now I like it!  

I'm glad you visited today!  Would love to hear what you think about this one!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies: 

Stamps:  Feel Goods, Flowering Flourishes (see it back there?)

Colors:  Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Accessories:  Honeycomb Embossing folder, 2 1/2" circle punch, sanding block, Calypso Coral ribbon, Pool Party button, Island Indigo baker's twine, Large Scallop Edgelit

Clean & Simple Easter

I can't believe Easter is coming up so quickly.  This blustery weather in Ohio sure doesn't feel like spring!

Here's a peek at the inside.

Today's card is for the Paper Players sketch challenge.  Can't get much more clean & simple than this can it?!  This week's theme challenge over at SUO Challenges is Easter.  Think this fits the bill?!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colors:  Calypso Coral, Sahara Sand, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Calypso Coral ribbon & button (both FREE right now during Sale-a-Bration), Postage stamp punch, Calypso Coral Baker's twine, Needlepoint Border embossing folder, Tea for Two DSP

Thank You

As I mentioned yesterday, my pal Lisa Henke and I decided to do some virtual stamping together on Monday as we occasionally do.  Basically that means we chat via email and choose challenges to do together then enjoy stampin' with a stampin' buddy (sort of).  It is fun because we live about 3 hours apart and rarely get to see each other. 

So Lisa chose our first challenge which is the Clean and Simple challenge from Splitcoast.  The challenge was actually a color challenge to use Bermuda Bay (or any tuquoise color), Kiwi Kiss (lime green), Ruby Red (any red) and Chocolate Chip (brown).   I did use the Burmuda Bay on the sentiment, but the background blue is actually Pool Party. 

Before the holidays of 2012 I had the privledge (as an SU Demo) to preorder a few things from the now current Spring Catalog which runs through May as well as the Sale-a-Bration catalog which runs from Jan 22- Mar 22 (SOON!).  It was hard to get all those new goodies during such a hectic season but it was worth the wait because I had so much fun playing yesterday! 

You have probably noticed by now the two new embossing folders I put to use.  The top one is appropriately called Cloudy Day (from the new Spring catalog) and the bottom one is Vine Street (FREE during Sale-a-Bration)!  If you are like my your stash of embossing folders is growing because they are ADDICTING!! 

In an effort to keep this as CAS as possible I kept the stamping to a minimum with just a flower and a sentiment.  BUT, the stamps and even the tiny punch are ALL BRAND NEW also!!  The flower is from a Sale-a-Bration (FREE) option called Madison Avenue and that tiny little thank you is from Pretty Petites which coordinates with the new punch Petite Curly Label (both FREE during Sale-a-Bration!).

Gosh, that's enough info I'd say.  But here is a quick shot at the inside detail.  I just stamped the vine image 3 times then punched out two of the stamped flowers and put them on dimensionals so they pop out. 

Thank you for stopping by today!
~Kristin

 

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Madison Avenue, Pretty Petites

Colors:  Kiwi Kiss (retired), Pool Party, Ruby Red (retired), Chocolate Chip, Bermuda Bay (retired), Whisper White

Accessories:  Petite Curly Label punch, Cloudy Day embossing folder, Vine Street embossing folder, Big Shot, 2 1/2" circle punch, Coredinations cardstock (in Pool Party), sanding block

Above & Beyond

Is it too late to say Happy New Year?!?  I hope your 2013 has kicked off nicely and you have hopes for a great year ahead.  I am getting a slow start but ready to dive in with some thank you notes that are always needed just after the holidays! 

This great new Honeycomb embossing folder could sit here no longer without being used!  It is a fabulous new addition to the Stampin' Up! lineup in the new Spring Catalog which is good now through May 31!  Also new is the Bitty Butterfly punch which coordinates with the Elegant Butterfly punch.  Can you tell that I tried to make the butterflies progressively come off the page with the bottom one flat and the top one ready to fly off?  Not sure if I accomplished that but I can at least tell you of my vision.  ;)

To kick off my stamping for the year I decided to try out two challenges, and some virtual stamping with my good friend Lisa Henke!  Every now and then Lisa and I "get together" and choose challenges to work on at the same time, then we get to ooh and ahh over each other's creations.  These are the challenges I chose.  Tomorrow I'll post the card and challenge she chose.  Thanks Lisa!  The color scheme for this card is brought to you by ColourQ while the awesome sketch is from Fab Friday... check them all out (Lisa's blog too!).

                                      

One more thing, Stampin' Up!'s annual Sale-a-Bration begins January 22nd so be sure to contact your demonstrator (hopefully me!) to schedule a Workshop Wow which will be sure to dazzle you and your guests!

Thanks for stopping by, and here's to a fabulous and creative 2013! 
~Kristin

SUO Supplies
Stamps:  One in a Million

Colors:  Basic Gray, Night of Navy, Going Gray (retired), Crumb Cake, Daffodill Deligh,. Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Honeycomb embossing folder, Bitty Butterfly punch, Basic Rhinestone

Blue Ribbon Birthday- a Mojo Sketch & TEXTURE!

Surprise!  Yep, I'm back to stamping.... at least for today.  Saw the weekly Mojo sketch in my email inbox and couldn't resist.  So between laundry loads and other things I managed to squeek this one out. 

Also decided to join the SUO Challenges to use texture.  Duh!  That's not too hard.  Gotta love those embossing folders.  I managed to use THREE on here!  Polka Dots, Stripes and the Chevron.  So fun! 

 

I had planned to join a color challenge somewhere but somehow these colors grabbed my eye from my own scraps and I HAD to go with them.  Basic Gray, Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder and Summer Starfruit! 

 

Besides the texture on here I spiffed things up with some Summer Starfruit stitched satin ribbon and some Filigree brads, and of course several punches! 

 

I also made a new necklace this weekend so if you're interested hop on over to my Beading and Jewelry page (link at top below my blog title).  Here's the sketch if you'd like to play along!

 

 Thanks for stopping by today! 
~Kristin

Step It Up!! {Christmas}

Looking for a super simple, quick and easy Christmas card design?  Then look no further!  I have designed this card to be stepped up three times, adding a tiny bit of detail each time.  Choose the version you are comfortable with or experiment with all four!  

Can you guess what was added? 

Ignore the funky bow... I did get tired of it and fixed it eventually.

 

That's better (the bow I mean).  Did you spot each of the added details?  So what do you think?  Still Clean & Simple, eh?!! 

 

This just might be similar to something at our upcoming Annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack in Kenton, Ohio coming up on October 6th.  Let me know if you are interested- all are welcome! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kristin

 



First Christmas Card of the Year

Hello again!  I'm back with my very first Christmas card of the season.  You may be seeing more of these in the days to come.  Our annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack is just around the corner, October 6th, so I've got some designing to do.  If you are interested in details let me know and I'll be sure to fill you in!  (It is held in Kenton, Ohio)

 

For this one I used this sketch from iSpy Sketches.  Isn't it fun?!  Initially I intended to follow the sketch exactly and put a circle embellishment towards the bottom... but then realized that my large embossed snowflake did sort of the same thing, so I left it off.  Less is more, right?!  

 

Well, I hope you like it!  Come again soon!

~Kristin

 

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Petite Pairs

Colors:  Raspberry Ripple, Regal Rose, Pink Pirhouette, Whisper White

Accessories:  square punch, Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin ribbon, Modern Label punch, Big Shot, Northern Flurry embossing folder, basic rhinestones

 

Fab Birthday

Have you ever designed an entire card thinking you were using one color, only to find out it was another color?   Oftentimes I use my color coach to come up with color ideas...not necessarily for the combo suggestions, but just to spin out my own ideas until I come up with something I like.  I had decided on Calypso Coral, Raspberry Ripple and Pink Pirhouette... but ended up using Peach Parfait instead of Calypso Coral, and only noticed when my ink didn't match the cardstock!  DUH! 

Turns out I think I like it better anyway.  And bonus, the tiny butterfly was already stamped and punched and in the stamp case!  Obviously the ONLY thing I kept the same from yesterday's card was the sketch.  And I'm fine with that.  I couldn't bring myself to just change the sentiment to make it a birthday card when it started as a sympathy card.  Plus, this sketch was so fun, it only makes sense to use it again in a completely different direction!  

 Here's the inside... and yes, I screwed up.  Did the entire piece then realized as I was sticking it down that it was not the correct width.  Oh well.  I'm going with it anyway!  Also hadn't noticed that little edge of flower just hanging... again, Oh Well!  I'm OK with that too.

Here's the sketch again in case you missed it yesterday.  And the link:  Fab Friday. 

Thanks for stopping in to see me today!  I appreciate your visits and your kind comments (not so much all the crappy spam I've been getting.  Yesterday it was "Oh, I really appreciate this kind of post.  Please visit me at Hor$ny Asian Wom@n".  Uh, delete!  And I'm so not typing those words exactly or I know I'll get all kinds of junk!)

~Kristin

Sharing Your Sorrow

Good Monday morning, I hope.   I found a fabulous new sketch challenge blog this weekend called Fab Friday.  This sketch is their FIRST EVER challenge!  So excited I found it right from the beginning.  The simplicity of this sketch really appealed to me- lots of room to add those unique creative touches.  Found out that I needed a sympathy card just before I put the sentiment on so this quickly went from birthday to a sympathy card.  Don't worry, I did a second variation for a birthday which you'll see tomorrow.  

 

 Can you tell that my top picture was taken in morning light and these bottom two in evening light?  I couldn't decide which was better so you get both. 

 Here is the sketch:  Go ahead, have fun with it! 

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kristin

 

SUO Supplies

Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers

Colors:  Lucky Limeade, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Basic Black

Accessories:  Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, Flower Garden embossing folder, Kiwi Kiss corduroy button (remember those?!), Pinking Hearts border punch, Modern Label punch

Color Me Beautiful!

 

Phew!  Well, I'm in a mad rush so this will be short.  Excited to participate in the Brand Spankin' New blog:  Color Me Beautiful and their very first challenge.  I made this yesterday and just noticed that I have less than 30 minutes to upload my card!  Yikes!  I don't want to miss it... so here goes.  

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  I've got something else to share tomorrow too!  Woohoo! 

 

~Kristin

 

SUO Supplies
Stamps:  Pleasant Poppies, Petite Pairs

Colors:  Wisteria Wonder, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Gray, Perfect Plum, Lucky Limeade

Accessories:  Pennant Punch, Beautiful Wings Sizzlit, Punch Pack, Mini silver brads, First Edition DSP, oval punch, scalloped oval punch, basic pearls