Strength and Hope and a fun design, too;)

Hello!!

Warm weather seems to be setting in for good, and with it comes butterflies and lots of flowers! Here is a card I created after playing around a bit,for my May swap with some of my SU! friends:) I wanted to use some of the new stamp sets from our Summer Mini Catalog.

The 1st card is the actual one I am sending for my swap(hopefully you gals get it before my post;).

It uses our Strength and Hope set.  This set is not only gorgeous, but SU! is donating $2 from the purchase of this set (or the digital download version of it)to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Pretty and Awesome=Pretty Awesome;))

I used very vanilla card stock as my card base(4-1/4x5-1/2). The butterfly is on a piece of very vanilla embossed with our new 'Flower Garden' Embossing Folder,layered on peach parfait and baja blue.  The butterfly itself was stamped on glossy card stock in black staz-on ink.  I then mixed together a few drops champagne mist shimmer paint with a few drops of more mustard re-inkers. I used a piece of crumpled up plastic wrap and pounced it on the butterfly and allowed to dry.

  It is gorgeous! The photo does not pick up the sparkle,but trust me-Pretty Awesome;) !!  I sponged some peach parfait around edges and to the center,and pop dotted to my layered cs.

The 2nd card, uses the same set in addition to the new 'Flower Fest'.  This sets images match some of our punches so, OF Course I just HAD to have it :)!  

The base of card #2 is in soft suede.  Several of the flower images were stamped on whisper white cs.  I then watercolored with our blender pens and the following colors:so saffron,peach parfait,wild wasabi,and pacific point. I layered it on a piece of so saffron cs.  The flower was stamped on a piece of peach parfait cs in tangerine tango,punched out with our 2-3/8" scallop circle,and highlighted using white ink and a blender pen.  A pearl was added to the center. The leaves are stamped on pear pizzazz cs with always artichoke ink.

Now on to the fun design;))

This is an inter-locking design. I measured the half way mark of the 4-1/4 side of my card base, I mark it with a pencil or tiny score mark.  From there, I use my mat pack and measure towards the center of my card, approximately 2". I make a hole with my paper piercer  through the entire card(both top and bottom layers).  Using my cutter, I make a slit on the TOP piece of the card from the bottom corner to the center circle that was pierced.  On the BOTTOM (or inside) piece of my card i make a slit measuring from the top corner to the center circle.

This can be done either way,as long as your top and bottom slits are opposite and meet in the middle(hope that makes sense?)

You then inter-lock the two slits:

I decorated both inside pieces with the flourish from 'Strength and Hope'.  The 1st is in peach parfait and the 2nd is in early espresso ink.  The fronts were run through my big shot with the 'vintage wallpaper' embossing folder after I made the slits, I didn't want the grooves from the embossed front to make the slits off a little.  Well, I hope you enjoy this technique and that you will give it a try too!!

There are a couple little extras I ended up adding.  On the 1st I used our Four Frames Stamp set(sorry, this won't be available until our new catalog in July!!)and the decorative label punch. On the 2nd a strip of peach parfait punched(dotted ribbon scallop punch) ribbon was added underneath my flower layers.  I hope I got it all, if not-OOPS!

Until Next Thought,

Kris

'Always Elegant' Cake

Hey Stampers!  I am trying to get a card posted at least once per week.  So for this weeks card we have a three tier cake.  This could be a wedding or an anniversary cake, even a birthday cake!-just add candles;)

The card base is 4-1/4 x5-1/2 on whisper white card stock.  I have seen many cakes done this way and have had it in my mind to make one with my touches added to it=)  I cut three strips of whisper white cs each one a little larger than the last( I didn't actually use any measurements,just went with it)  I rounded the corners of the tops only.  I used blushing bride as my frosting. I stamped the design from Always Elegant SS and using the stamp-a-ma-jig for precise placement added the 'frosting'(also from Always elegant ss). I sponged a little around the edges.  For the cake stand, I used a strip of blushing bride cs.  I punched out the Eyelet Border Punch once in the middle of my cs.  I then slid it over to the place where I though would look thin enough to be a table leg.  I then did the same to the other side.  

I made three flowers out of  blushing bride also.  To do this, I punch 6 small flowers from the Itty Bitty Bits punch Pack(LOVE these!!)  Using my mat pack pad(you can use a mouse pad if you don't have one of these-but I suggest you get one!!) and my paper piercer, I push gently toward the centers of my flowers and roll at the same time.  This causes the flowers to roll up and gives them some depth. I sponged some rose red around the edges,and with a little mono adhesive sprinkled some Dazzling Diamonds glitter on my flowers.  I use a dab of tombo mono adhesive to place 2 of the flowers together.  I punch a couple of the leaves in Garden Green cs from our Bird Punch.  I layer these both on the top of my cake.  

I played around a little and added a strip of embossed whisper white to the base of the card and ran a piece of sticky strip along the top.  I sprinkled this with dazzling diamonds.

I stamped the saying 'Best Wishes' from our Sincere Salutations SS in basic black ink.  I made a little boo-boo by smudging my best wishes(OOPS!) so I added another leaf flowing over to the cake.  See there is always away to salvage a mistake;)

Well, I hope you enjoy your cake! I'd prefer a brownie myself;)

 

Until Next Thought,

Kris

Just "B"

Just b...

Just b... can stand for so many things!

I think it is the story of my life right now:

Just boys,

Just baseball,

Just because,

Just blah,blah,blah,

Just BLOG!,

Just begin (already!),(oh wait they may be your thought;))!!

Just BUSY!

So,anyway, I have been absolutely so busy that I haven't had anytime to play with my stamps and paper for weeks!

It is just un"B"elievable!

So on to my just butterfly card! I took out my paper and couldn't think what I wanted to play with first,so I went searching for a challenge.  I decided on SUO's butterfly challenge!  I don't know I guess I am not feeling very colorful today because I chose a neutral pattern. My card base is basic black cs.  I layered a piece of sahara sand on top.  This I stamped with basic black ink and some circles from the "circle circus" stamp set, in a random pattern. I also realized after I chose this challenge and had a thought in my head that I had lent my sister both my butterfly punch and my stamp set "flight of the butterfly"!!  LOL.It is always the way things go,just because;).So, on to plan "b" I moved onto the "punch potpourri"stamp set.  I stamped the butterfly and flower images on sahara sand cs in basic black ink.  To the flowers I added some darker lines with my sahara marker, and then punched out. My butterfly had to be hand cut out(the nerve!!)  I used a strip of sahara sand cs sponged with black for my saying "just b...".  This is from the set "notably ornate".  I used my marker to color in just the part I wanted,then center stamped it on my strip of sahara,and added three little dots with my marker. 
 

I adhered my flowers to the left of the strip.

I knew my butterfly needed something to make him standout.  I chose to make a rolled body for him. I used a piece of dsp from the neutrals paper stack, in sahara sand.  I trimmed a 12"strip, making 1 end larger and then coming to a point at the end.  I used my paper piercer and tightly rolled the paper around it, starting at the larger end. I used a dab (at both the beginning and the end) of mono glue to hold the roll tight.  This adhesive is awesome!!  I used a piece of twine folded over and threaded it through the rolled body.  I tied a small knot at the end to keep it secured.  Then the other end acts as an antenna.  I thought this turned out really cool-what do you think??

I added him to the right side of my strip and attached it to my card front.  Well my friends, I am sorry to have kept you on hold for a little bit, but I hope my card was worth the wait!

Until Next Thought,

Kris

Happy BOTday!

Hello blog friends!

This is a card I created for a recent masculine swap.  I always have such a difficult time coming up with male cards- Why is that?  I should be ok with it, ya know? I have a house full of testosterone, so this stuff should come easy to me but...?

My husband is a HUGE critic, maybe this is why I have such a stampers block when it comes to masculine cards-I fear his comments! LOL

Anyway! on to my card...

The card base is (my usual 5-1/2x 4-1/4) soft suede.  Cherry cobbler,so saffron, and baja breeze are its accompaniments...wow such a fancy word,and I guess I spelled it right(no little squiggly red line appeared!).  I stamped my robot image from our stamp set called Best Bots Forever(shown below) on whisper white CS with staz-on black ink. 

Best Bots Forever Stamp Set 

It is a 2 step stamp so you can build him anyway you like-so fun!!

I watercolored him with our blender pens and the ink from my baja ink pad.  I added a little shadow with our basic gray ink and a bit of cobbler on the meter in his belly with the thin end of our awesome markers! 

I punched cogs from our cog punch on both saffron and baja.  I added the small saffron one directly over the robots body.  I layered a baja and a large saffron cog,my robot image(with a baja mat)  on a piece of cobbler cs.  I then ran the entire piece through my SU! Big Shot with our square lattice embossing folder.  This effect is called inlaid embossing.  I stamped a piece of cobbler with cobbler ink with our A to Z stamp set(not too visible in pic-oops) then punched out with our decorative label punch. I cut this and added the bigger portion under my large cobbler piece.  I added an edge of our baja glass glitter with tombo adhesive and adhered that piece under my lil wheelie robot.

Lastly, I stamped my ruler from our Sew Suite set (available in our occasions mini cat until April 30th!)in black ink on saffron cs.   I cut this image out and sponged it with suede ink.  I then cut my ruler in half.  I added a silver eyelet to hinge the two pieces together.  I wanted it to look like the wooden rulers that hinge and expand.  I don't know why but I always loved to play with my daddys ;)!!  He could probably have built a robot with these tools?

 

And I almost forgot the finishing touch of course is the cute little saying "Happy Botday!" stamped in cobbler on my daddys ruler!  I adhered my ruler on top  and the cobbler image to my card and he's all done!!

Hope you enjoy!

Until Next Thought,

Kris

Mosaic Hydrangea

 

Hello! I see spring in our future!!

Here is a card I made with the Hostess set Because I Care.  This set is such a pretty one! 

It uses both "double embossing" and "Mosaic or emboss resist".  It just so happens that the challenge over at PPA this week asks to see some embossing,so this will be my entry for PPA86,AND I hope that I will show you something FUN to do with your scraps of RUBBER!

Double Embossing is done by first running your piece of CS through an impressions folder-in this case I used our Stampin' Up! Elegant Lines Folder with a piece of pear pizzazz.  Then run it through a second time with our Tulips Embossing Folder.  The folder that you emboss with secondly will show up more raised that your first impression.  Pretty cool,huh?

 Now onto the Mosaic piece!

I do this by first stamping and watercoloring my image-I used the hydrangea from the hostess set 'Because I Care'.  I then make my own mosaic by using my scrap rubber!! You know the extra rubber that comes around your die stamps? Yep-that's what I use.  

To do this, I use our rubber scissors and cut abstract shapes. I used the clear mount for this,but you could just as well make this on a wood block with the rubber from our wood stamps. The rubber was placed in a pattern on my clear block,like this:

                                               

Pretty fun!

Stamp over your watercolored image with the above mosaic stamp in versa mark ink and then emboss with clear embossing powder. Then using a sponge, sponge your ink(I used sahara hand) in a circular pattern.  Your ink will only fall between the 'cracks'.

 

For the rest of the card: I stamped the dot to dot stamp set in white ink on rose red.  I adhered my above embossed pieces on my card front.  I used a small black strip(stamped in white ink with the long flowered piece from 'Because I care' set also-but I don't think we see it to well in the pic!)

I tuck this under a flower I made with our sizzlets floral fusion die,using whisper white CS,sponged with the rose red.  A pear pizzazz glimmer brad adds the finishing touch in the center of my flower.

Hope you enjoyed and learned a fun technique as well!!

Until Next Thought,

Kris

 

My Energizer Bunny

The Energizer Bunny

 

 

 

The Energizer bEnny

I honestly believe that my son has more energy than they could possibly put in a battery;)

but when he crashes,boy does he go out!

The above pic is a tuckered out Easter bunny...

the latter pic is my tuckered out Easter BEnny.

He just kept going and going until he crashed.  This is a picture taken by me as I lay on the floor to get a pic of him asleep BEHIND our recliner!

Now, he has fallen asleep many places before(in the middle of a basketball game-buzzers and all,across some wooden chairs at our friends house-with a football play-off game on the tv and many irate Eagles fans;) etc...),so this does not surprise me!

But I still find humor in this and wanted to share with you.

So,on to my card, to go one step further with my carrot- eating- bunny of 2 weeks ago(sorry meant to add a project before now!), I came up with a sleeping bunny just wishing he was eating carrots!

He is made basically the same as previous post.  Changes: his back 'thumpers' are made from 1/2 of a butterfly punch, his carrots are eaten by the small scallop flower from the itty bitty shapes punch set, and lastly he has a little pompom for a tail(compliments of my friend Carol;))

I LoVe both my sleepy-heads!!!

Hope you enjoy!

Until Next Thought,

Kris

Easter Bunny On Break!!

It's not even Easter yet and my Easter Bunny already feels the need to sit on his back side!!

Well, I came up with this little bunny after my friend Karen asked me to come up with a bunny for her to use our Sweet Teat Cups with.  And yes, he is minus the sweet treat cup because I couldn't find them-No wonder- if only you could see my craft area now;))  And yes, you can substitute a sweet treat cup in loo of our cellophane bags.

Anyway this little guy is pretty basic, you just need a bunny wagon-ful of punches;)

For my bunny:

in whisper white card stock, punch out the following:

(2) 2-3/8"scallop circle punches, 1 with 1-3/4"circle cut from middle.* hint* I punch the circle first and then center the scallop circle (BODY)

( 2) xl scallop oval (EARS)

(2) lg oval (1-3/4"x7/8") (FEET)

(2)  oval (1-3/8" x 5/8") (ARMS)

(2) 3/4" circles (CHEEKS)

(1) 1-3/4" scallop circle (HEAD)

(1) Bottom half of jewelry tag punch (TEETH)

(2) cupcake tops (clouds)

in blushing bride:

(2) 1-3/4"x7/8" oval (EARS)

(2) itty bitty circles (FOOT PADS)

2 sets(6 total) of dots from the cupcake punch (TOES)

in crumb cake:

(1) cupcake bottom

(1) scallop oval *note* I again punch a 3/4"circle and then the lg scallop oval to make the baskets handle

in wild wasabi:

(1) 5-1/2" long strip cut with the scallop edge punch *note* to make the look of grass punch the scallop edge one time as you normally would,then punch again lining up your center 'humps' with the point of the punch and punch down the entire length again(GRASS)

(several) itty bitty 'x' shapes (CARROT TOPS)

in poppy parade:

(1) itty bitty flower (BASKET)

in peach parfait:

(several) jewelry punch tag 'carrots'

 to create these inset tag punch on a strip of paper at an angle as shown here:

Assemble the bunny. Add your treat cup- or in my case clear cello bag between the 2 xl scallop circles.  Add in your treats or carrots inside the belly.

Add your bunny and all your finishing touches to the carrot-breaking bunny=)

Hope you enjoy!!

Until Next Thought,

Kris