3D066 A Thank you for camping

My in-laws allowed us to borrow their cabin for a weekend and I just wanted to let them know we had a wonderful time! While we were there, I took a ton of shots of the kids, so I thought a neat thank you gift would be sharing those pictures. This photo wallet was the perfect way to say thanks and to show off the kids. I am adding some of my favorite photos from that day.

For John Michael...A Circus Train

I whipped up (literally - as evidence of the difficulties of watercoloring all the little parts in a hurry!) this card just minutes before we left for Dale's little cousin's 4th Birthday party.

It fits in a #10 business envelope. I used Circus Train, Sprinkles and It's Your Birthday. The colors are Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White. I also used the Word Window punch and a brad. Oh, and I used watercolor crayons and ink pad lids for color. Whew...that's one looooong train!

Joyful Daffodils

I managed to finish one more this morning before my family woke up. I used Always in My Thoughts and All Year Cheer for stamp sets. Colors are Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss and Barely Banana, which I think make a fabulous fall color combo! I also used a piece of Hodgepodge Hardware with brads and The Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon, which feels luxurious!

IC143 Priceless Joy

Still working on a ton of cards for Via de Cristo...this and the next one would be number 14 & 15 of 92. This one is the inspiration challenge from splitcoast. This was the inspiration for the card.
I used Priceless, All Year Cheer and Flight of the Butterfly. I chose to go with the Taken with Teal and white and the butterfly I stamped Cool Caribbean over the craft white ti give it a little more of the bluish hue. I used 2 primas and a half pearl from the Pretties kit. I also used the Cutter Kit to distress the edges of the white layer.

One more before I CRASH!!!

Another new set...Pocket Silhouettes (did I say I love this set? It's so beautiful!), Flores Suaves (for the script) and Twill background. I chose Certainly Celery and Taken with Teal and a little Basic Black to make it pop! I used a prima and a half pearl from the SU Pretties kit. Let's see, what am I missing...Gingham ribbon, corner punch, ticket corner punch and the crafter's tool kit for the piercing. Good night!

Fresh Rubbah...

I was just itching to play with all my new stamp sets, but this one spoke first! The is from the new set out of the Spanish supplement called "Flores Suaves". I used Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango and a little black. The ribbon is the new color to match the new in colors. I also used the new large oval punch. The other stamp sets are Bella Toile background and Happiness Always sentiment. Enjoy!!!

LSC183 Little Somethings

This challenge was to used something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Old: All Year Cheer's "JOY", New:Flight of the Butterfly stamp set, Borrowed:I used my daughter's water brush because mine is missing on my desk! Blue: Bashful Blue. I also used a 1" circle punch, the Designer tag punch, the rectangle puncg, bashful blue brads, white gel pen, zig .01 black pen and Black gingham ribbon.

One More then I am off to work!

This was for fun this morning, but I think I have a use in mind... Colors are Kraft, Black and Brocade Blue with a piece of Dp from the previous hostess pickin's. I used a scallop punch for Marvy, the corner punch and the word window punch. The sentiment is hand written. I also used the black brads from the vintage set.

WT181 For Grandma

My grandma moved to St. Paul over the weekend, and I thought it might be nice if she had a card to let her know I am thinking about her right now! This challenge was to use colored pencils. I decided to try the light colors on kraft again and see how they came out in colored pencils. The stamp sets are Sassy Stems, Sprinkles and Sincere Salutations (a lot of alliteration there!). Colors are Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery and So Saffron, with the kraft. I used the scallop punch, brads from the vintage set and celery ribbon. Oh, and the white gel pen to add the dots on the scallop.

SC191 Priceless

one quick one before work...from the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast. This is made with Priceless, In Wild Wasabi, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip. I used a flower and brad from the pretties kit.

Bud Basics...

I had a frustrating day today school shopping with the kids, so when I got home I decided I need to make one more card and see if I could shake this funk. I started out with the Kiwi Kiss and Kraft paper laying on my desk and added the rest of the colors as I went. I love when inspiration hits like that! The other colors are Chocolate Chip and Tangerine Tango. I used the end of the key tag punch for the sentiment and I used the corner rounder to add the scallop to the circle. The edges are sponged and I added a strip of Twill and brads as well. Then the scalloped image is popped up on dimensionals. Oh, and the stamp sets are Bud Basics, Sprinkles and Everyday Flexible Phrases.

CC181 Again...Inspired

I was inspired by this card and the technique on the flowers and I decided to try and see if I could duplicate it (or try!) with something that I had on hand. I used watercolor crayons and the signo gel pen on the tips and then used the aqua painter to spread the color. I am happy with the results! This is a gorgeous stamp from Bloomin' Beautiful. I also used Everyday Flexible Phrases, the Twill background stamp and Itty Bitty Backgrounds. The color scheme is still the Rose Red, Basic Black and Kraft. I also used brads, the tab punch and black grosgrain ribbon.

More Chester Park Photos

A few more of my favorites!

New blog header and Chester Park Photos

Our family took an afternoon and went to the Chester Park in Duluth to shoot some photos. The light was perfect, the day was beautiful and this kids were cooperative, so we came out with some great shots. Here are some of my favorites.

CC181 Krafty Black Roses with Bloomin' Beautiful

This card was trouble, a lot of it. I made all the elements individually and when I went to put them together like my mind saw them, they didn't fit on the card front. After much prying and new adhesive, I got this. I am pretty happy with it still, not sure where I will add a sentiment yet. Colors: Rose Red, Basic Black and Kraft (LOVE the combo!) Stamp sets: Floral bg and Bloomin' Beautiful. Accessories: Corner punch, Ticket Punch, Rose Red Brads. Inks: Rose Red, Always Artichoke and Sahara Sand markers, which I them embossed with Crystal Clear EP, then I used River Rock, Rose Red and Always Artichoke Ink in the lids to watercolor. The top layer is popped up with dimensionals.

TLC183 Faux Dry Embossing

Another challenge and another Via de Cristo card. 4 down, 88 more to go! This one is done with a technique called Faux Dry Embossing. All you need is white craft ink and a stamp-a-ma-jig. I chose the Priceless set, AGAIN! I need my new stuff, which should be here on Thursday if UPS doesn't reschedule again...arg! Here I chose Regal rose and Kiwi Kiss for the colors, as well as the hostess DP from the last catalog. I used the word window punch to add my little sentiment as well. I also added a little touch of white grosgrain ribbon. You can check out today's challenge HERE.


The other card is one from the Friday challenge that I didn't have a chance to upload. I used the Peaceful Garden set, which I still adore after all these years. It just seems to make some of the most elegant cards! I used Kiwi Kiss and Elegant Eggplant for the colors and the White Naturals paper for the focal image. I added a touch of gold with the brads and the cording. Stampin' Up is bringing back the cording in the Winter Mini and I am so thankful, I LOVE the stuff!

WT180 Paper Tearing

I go in spurts with paper tearing, sometimes I love it and sometimes I forget about it. This was the challenge this morning, so I whipped one up before work! Papers and inks are Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and chocolate chip. I used the crafter's tool kit to pierce, a sponge and a prima with a brad. The punches are the scallop punch, 1/2" cirlce punch and Word Window. I used Moose You and Sprinkles! The card opens at the scallop and when closed, tucks behind the cluster of hearts.

SC190 Welcome Butterfly

I am doing a Via de Cristo weekend in October and I would like hand made cards for all the team and weekenders. I have 3 done and only 89 to go! This is one, made using the sketch challenge from Splitcoast. I just had a few minutes before work and this literally took less than 15! I used the hostess benefits paper from the last catalog as well as Sweet Shapes and Warm Words. Colors are Chocolate Chip, Garden Green and Bashful Blue. Scallop Punch, 1 3/8 Circle punch, Word Window punch and 1/4" circle punch. And a Bashful Blue Brad!

Acetate Box

One more challenge for today...the TLC182, Acetate Box. This one I am going to make more of for the church bazaar. I will buy the chocolate candies right before the bazaar so that they are fresh, so for now, it's empty! I printed the poem in a matching brown (I think I may try to make them just a tad smaller so that you can see that there is something behind it!). The papers are real red and Chocolate Chip. Inks are Basic Brown and Whisper White Craft. Stamp sets are Moose You and Snow Flurries. I am really happy with how this came out! Oh, and I used the scalloped circle punch with another circle punch to make the tag and chocolate chip grosgrain and red gingham.

For Annissa and Chad

One of my former Sunday School kids (gosh I am getting old, I had her in the 2nd grade!) got married and though we couldn't make the wedding in sunny Florida, she and her new family celebrated here with a BBQ at her parents home. This is the card I made for them. Paper and Ink Colors are Basic Black, Regal Rose and Whisper White. I used Stazon Jet Black and pink Sharpies on the acetate. Accessories are rhinestones, Prima flowers, glue dots, sheer dotted ribbon and the ticket corner punch. Stamp sets are God is Love and Sprinkles. I attached a panel on the inside back to be able to write a message on.

CC180 For a Friend

The inspiration hit this morning for a card for a friend. Now I better get it right in the mail so hopefully she'll see it in person before she sees it here! These colors are the color challenge on Splitcoast this morning. Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, and Blush Blossom. I have to tell you, Blush Blossom is one of my very LEAST favorite of our 48 colors! I used the Like It A Latte and Sprinkles Stamp sets. Punches are the Key Tag Punch (one of my favorites!!!), Slit Punch, Scalloped edge punch and Ticket Corner Punch. I used an assortment of gingham and grosgrain ribbons. I used dimensionals to add some depth to the focal image and to accommodate the ribbons behind the tag.

LSC181 Think Snowman!

I was checking out Splitcoast this morning and I was struck with an idea after checking out the Limited Supply Challenge. So here he is, in his fabulous new In Colors...FROSTY! I used punches for the body and sponged Baja Breeze to give his a chilly depth. Tangerine Tango for the carrot, Kiwi Kiss for the scarf, and embellished with a Signo gel pen, Riding Hood Red for the earmuffs. I used priceless for the swirling winds in the background. I am loving these new in colors!

08*08*08

My father-in-law's birthday is today and Dale wanted to do something with the date, being that it was unique. This was what I made from his vision. I used new colors, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss. Then added a bit of silver again. I guess I am stuck on silver right now! I used Headline Alpha and Sprinkles Stamp sets.

Priceless Breezy Red Riding Hood

This one is my favorite I think from the new color ones. This one uses Riding Hood Red and Baja Breeze. I love how the silver makes it just jump off the page. I have to get better at photographing these! The background is the Twill background stamp. The sentiment is from Warm Words. I used retires silver cording (why they retired this stuff I don't know but I will cry the day I run out!) And the silver is from the Hodgepodge Hardware set from the last mini catalog.

And Another...

I am LOVING this new combo! I used Pirouette Pink, Cameo Coral and Kiwi Kiss. The set I used is Happiness Always (again, a new hostess set from the new catalog!) I also used the new scallop punch, I am loving it! And I used the "Grace" from Graceful Words. Then I added a double Prima flower with a brad.

More New In Color Cards...

I had to break open each color and work to find a combo that would pop. The first is a card made with one of the new hostess sets coming in the new catalog. It's called Happiness Always. I used Kiwi Kiss and Tangerine Tango. I guess I used those on the last card didn't I? I also used the new scalloped edge punch that coming in the catalog. And a little bit of organdy ribbon for fun, which I added using the help of the rectangle hand punch.

NEW IN COLORS!!!

They've arrived and I couldn't wait to put stamps to the beautiful new colors! I chose Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point and Kiwi Kiss paper, along with the Naturals-White. The porcupine stamp was new, so I cleaned it a few extra times on the Stampin' Scrub before I used it so the ink would lay evenly. I used the Cutter Kit to rough up the edge of the Tangerine Tango layer and added a bit of Always Artichoke ribbon to divide up the focal image. Then I punched 3 circles (1/2") and added the orange brads I had in my brad organizer.

Another CC178 Polka Dots & Paisley

This may be the only other one I get to complete today, we are going to take daddy on a picnic during his lunch break...

This one is made with Groovy Guava and Wild Wasabi paper (the In Colors) and also whisper white and basic black.

I inked the first stamp of the flower very carefully so I could get both colors on the stamp. Then I used Black Stazon for the outline overlay. I used the crafter's tool kit to pierce the border on the focal image. I stamped the background in groovy guava and then used my Signo gel pen to add a little dot to make the background "POP"! I hand lettered the "You Make Me" part of the sentiment with a .01 Zig Millennium. I also hand bordered the focal images with the same pen. I added Wild Wasabi double stitched ribbon and black gingham ribbon. The stamp set is Polka Dots & Paisley from Stampin' Up.

My Favorite Place for Desktop Calendars

The Shabby Princess is one of my very favorite Digi Designers. Each month, she or one of her Crew makes a FABULOUS computer desktop calendar to just plop your photos in. I love changing them every month and I am always so excited to see what comes next! Here's my August one, with photos from the kids at Moore Creek Battlefield in NC.

CC178: Farewell In Colors

In just a few days, the Stampin' Up In Colors for 2007-2008 will no longer be available. You know what that means though? Somewhere on a UPS vehicle traveling in my direction is the full order of the NEW in colors, due to arrive hopefully today! I can't wait to dive in and play! My goal is to have some new cards with new colors up here this week yet.

In a nod to the retirement of these fab colors, the SCS color challenge today was In Colors and only In Colors! I made a card for my hubby. Somedays I just feel like a card, just for the heck of it!

I used the Boatloads of Love Stamp set, as well as Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Baisc Black and Naturals-white for the cardstock. The inks are Soft Sky (also sponged on the edges), River Rock, Wild Wasabi and Stazon Black. I used the Soft Sky double stitched ribbon, the Key Tag Punch and the Slit Punch. Ooooh, and I also added a brad on the folded corner from the silver Hodge Podge Hardware kit.