Money Shot

You know when you've captured a moment with THE perfect photo... well, I know I'm biased, but aren't these the most precious pictures. This is my just turned 4 year old little girl. Unfortunately I had the hardest time taking a good photo of this page to post, it looks so much better in person. But anyway, I took my Markers,which I love love love and colored the flower and a portion of the stem of my black and white photos. Such a GREAT effect. I had done the same thing on a 6x6 page of my other daughter, which you can see here. These pictures of both my girls were taken the same day, my little one had to follow the lead of her big sister :) Eventually I will make this a 2 page spread. Back to the page...I started with a 12x12 sheet of So Saffron and then matted my photos on So Saffron and Mellow Moss. I used Le Jardin DSP across the bottom and used Mellow Moss Grosgrain Ribbon to hide my 'seam'. I inked the word Priceless, from the Priceless set, in Garden Green and sprinkled it with Clear Embossing Powder and heated it up to make it pop alittle more. Didn't want anything to overpower my photos. TIP: Craft ink or VersaMark is what you will need to emboss, not Classic ink. I then created those daisy like flowers with my Scallop punch and Oval punch for the leaves (one of the many great things I learned at my Spring Fling convention). Placed a cute little So Saffron button in the middle and this too is 'priceless'! I will add my journaling to the bottom left - I just haven't decided how yet :) Any suggestions? Love the way it came out. Hope you like it too!!

Simply Pretty

Summer colds are awful. My oldest started with a random fever and then 4 days later a horrible cough. Mommy and little sister got the brunt of it all. Today has been our worst by far - luckily my wonderful hubby came home early from work to care for us. So anyhow, this will be a very quick post.

I inked my large background Pretty Petals in White Craft and stamped it onto Basic Black. I sprinkled White Embossing Powder all over and heated it up. I love to emboss, such a little task with such a big effect. I trimmed down the Basic Black to allow a small edge of the Whisper White base to frame it out (hard to see in the photo). This card bares no sentiment, so that I can use it for what ever occasion deems appropriate - wedding, b-day, thank you... I used my Ticket Punch on each corner of Basic Black and Whisper White and added dimesionals behind my layers to pop up what will be the sentiment. To finish it off I looped a small piece of Black and White Gingham to the corner of my 'sentiment'. I'm delighted with how it turned out and you gotta love it when it comes together under 15 minutes. Forgive me if I don't post for a few days as I try to get better. Hopefully it won't be long!!!
OH, a very Happy Birthday to my nieces Lexie and Bailey who are hopefully enjoying their day in Disney. See you soon girls, say hi to Mickey for me and hugs to all!!!

For now, go kreate
Kim

I've been tagged

Well, Mary from Stampin Pretty has tagged me to pass along some tidbits of information about 'lil 'ol me. I wish my life were more interesting for you...

The rules of the game: Each player answers questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

Here are my responses to her TAG #1 questions:

Ten Years Ago: I was not married, but still dating my present hubby, no children, and working as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

Five things in today’s ‘to do’ list (in addition to stamping :):
1. Play with my kids!!!
2. Laundry
3. Take care of my parents home - flowers, pool, fish pond(they are in Disney for 2 wks with my bro, sister-in-law and my 3nieces and nephew) Looks like I got the bum deal huh!?
4. Take a nap - I have a horrible 'summer cold' thanks to my little ones
5. Make dinner

Snacks I enjoy: Pretzels, cashews (one of my favorites too Mary!), ice cream of course!

Things I would do if I was a millionaire:
Donate tons to churches and charities and build a dreamhouse. Hire a maid to clean so I'd have more time to stamp :) hehe!

Places I have lived: New Jersey Only (not including college in PA)



TAG #2

Weird facts about me . . . only 7?

1. I am the youngest of 4, with 3 older brothers and the only girl in 3 generations.

2. I always wanted to have boys when I had children,(see above), probably because
that was all I was accustom too. Now I have been blessed with 2 beautiful girls. (And still praying that one day we'll be blessed with a boy too)

3. I have 2 middle names JOY PATRICIA: Joy- b/c I was the 1st girl in 3 generations, Patricia - after my mom

4. I don't like ice in my beverages - unless its a scorcher.

5. My husband says my hair is never messy, even when I wake up in the morning

6. I haven't been shopping in the mall in ages (I think the last time was to bring my daughter to see Santa and even then we didn't shop) I like the small strip malls or online convenience :)

7. I never want to go on a cruise. FISH BAIT!


You're IT...These are the 5 blogs to which I have tagged. Check them out for great inspiration
Stamp,Scrap, Stamp Some More
Tracy's Corner
Stampalicious
Paper Vernissage
Can you say addicted to stamps?

Manly turned Baby

I am not very good at kreating the 'ol masculine card (as I know many of you are in my same shoes)... So, while I was testing out my Seeing Spots (actually for the post below- you can see more manly there), I asked my hubby if he thought this background was masculine... 'if it were for a baby boy, maybe' - the Bashful Blue base was too 'babyish' for his manliness *wink*. Well ok than, I'll run with that.
I kept my Bashful Blue base and my spots inked in Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss and Bashful Blue. I then took my little hippo from Pun Fun and stamped him on Watercolor Paper with VersaMark. I then sprinkled some Black Embossing Powder and heated it up, to define him. I used my Aquapainter to color him in with Brocade Blue and Garden Green. TIP: With your stamp pad closed, squeeze the pad in the center and when you open it up you will have alittle pool of ink on the inside cover to dab your Aquapainter in.
I mounted him on Mellow Moss and then on Chocolate Chip and finished it off with a simple strand of Mellow Moss Grosgrain behind my layers. Simple card and I loved the way it turned out. And believe it or not, the very next day I was in need of a little boy card. Good thing I sometimes listen to the hubby :) *double wink* Just kidding, he can be great when I need affirmation. I hated to part with it, but it was a fairly simple card to make, so I quick made a double to keep with my stash :) Thanks for lookin'! Hope you like him! Good luck with your manly card :)

For now, go kreate
Kim

Its That Time of the Year

Graduations, summer get togethers, birthdays... PAAAAARTY! So with a party usually means a gift. The quick and easy thing now a days is a gift card. And what better place to put one than in a little handmade card. So you may not be the most kreative in the gift department *wink wink*, but your card sure is kreative :)

So here is the feminine version using One of a Kind stamp set. The stamps were inked using my Markers in Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip. TIP: I used my Markers to get color variations on one stamp. I then randomly stamped my images on the front half of an envelope (SU Medium Rectangular Envelopes in Whisper White.) When you unfold and open up the envelope I again used my Markers and stamped an image and sentiment on the flap where your gift card will be inserted. I ran Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon through the envelope in order to tie the card shut. I adhered the envelope to a layer of Chocolate Chip and then on to Pretty in Pink. And you have an adorable gift! Don't you think!?

And this is the more masculine version.

Stamp Sets used: Be Happy, Seeing Spots. Inks used were Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, and Mellow Moss. Accessories: Tag Punch

Hope you like them! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

For now, go kreate... and then go PAAAAARTY :)
Kim

Fresh Cuts

I'm back, with a quick post. I challenged myself to use gray, something I've never used. I stamped my Fresh Cuts background in Basic Gray (softer look than black) and then colored in some of the images with Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal, and Old Olive Markers. Have I mentioned how much I love my markers!!I then mounted my image on Basic Black and layered that on top of Basic Gray. I stamped out my sentiment with VersaMark and heat embossed it with Black Embossing Powder and used a silver oval from my Hodgepodge Hardware, available in the Occasions Mini. I attached my hardware with a piece of Apricot Appeal ribbon. TIP: I don't have Apricot Appeal ribbon, but I do have my wonderful SU Markers and white grosgrain ribbon. So, presto chango... I used my Apricot Appeal Marker and colored in white grosgrain and got the Appeal I wanted :) Hehe At each Ticket Punched corner, I added a silver brad for a little more pizazz. How did I do on my self challenge? Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

For now, go kreate
Kim

PS Make sure to check out the post below regarding our new product line - Decor Elements

Decor Elements Brochure

I had promised you the brochure for the new product line Decor Elements, but due to Stampin' Up! policy, I have had to remove the brochure from my blog as these items are not yet available for purchase. But here is some enticing info on this new line...These new products are being made by SU in house, so this is only phase 1 for this new product. It will be an expanding line. Décor Elements product line is an extension of SU's Definitely Decorative home décor line. Décor Elements is vinyl artwork for walls, mirrors, windows, or other hard, smooth surfaces.
Stampin' Up! has long advocated decorating your home using Definitely Decorative stamp sets. Décor Elements takes that same idea and uses a different medium to accomplish the same mission-making your home a beautiful representation of your style! Whether you want to spice up the walls of your home or frame a piece for display, Décor Elements is easy to apply, easy to love, and easy to remove. Another differentiator is that the Décor Elements images and techniques available also coordinate with SU existing products. You have Two-Step Stampin', so why not two-step and three-step wall art that will really catch attention? Apply a frame, then choose a letter to go inside it. I'm sure the possibilities will be endless with this new product line. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.
This product line will be available to you on July 1, 2008. If you are interested in more information regarding this brochure, please contact me as I am able to send you a PDF file. Sorry for the confusion. I will re-post the brochure online July 1st.

Check back later and I'll have a new card posted for you. Until then....

Go kreate :)
Kim

Ready for this? New product line announced

Hey Everybody, are you ready to hear the latest news from Stampin' Up!... they have started a new product line called Decor Elements. This is a line of self-adhesive vinyl wall decorations, an exclusive product of SU that accentuates the creativity of Stampin' Up! It is a great solution to decorating or re-decorating our home decor from walls to picture frames to tiles to windows - I'm sure the possibilities will be numerous! They are quick, easy and affordable to use. There will be 100 images ranging from art, phrases, and alphabets and available in 2 different colors: Chocolate and White and I believe there may be 1 image in Kraft (neutral color). This product line will be its own spotlight and therefore will have its own brochure and will not be in the Fall/Winter catalog. This introductory brochure will be available tomorrow, so make sure to check back.

Stampin' Up! is branching out trying new and different things- very committed in expanding new products and products lines. "All things creative", it doesn't have to be just about paper crafting. Can't wait to see what's in store for us in our new Fall/Winter 2008 Catalog (coming out August 11th) and future catalogs.

How exciting and what great fun!! Can't wait to try it out! As I get more information on this new product line I will be sure to share it with you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will gladly assist you.

Stay tune tomorrow for brochure information

For now, go kreate
Kim

Looked good in my mind....

Not quite what I had in mind, but I've learned that even though I might not like something, it may inspire someone else's kreativity. So instead of burying the card in the unwanted pile, I will take the opportunity to maybe inspire you with the circle layout.
I started with punching out 1 3/8" Circles onto my Bashful Blue polka dot designer paper from the current Hostess lev 1 benefits.
TIP: I used the negative image from my chipboard circles as my template, but increased the circle to 1 3/8 to better accommodate my choice of stamp set. Check out this tutorial here. (Isn't it a cute card!) I used the template to trace my circles onto Whisper White. I then used my Pun Fun set and used my Markers on a few 'friends', huffed and stamped them onto my template. This is where a Stamp-a-mi-jig would have come in VERY handy. But, believe it or not, I eyeballed it and success on the first shot!! I used my Corner Rounder to my 4 corners of designer paper and layered it atop my friends using dimensionals. Again used the Corner Rounder to the next Cameo Coral layer. The base of the whole card is Apricot Appeal. The sentiments are from the Take Note Rub-ons set. The final touch is a small Apricot Appeal knot through the circle of my sweet hippo. TIP: I don't own Apricot Appeal Grosgrain, BUT voila'... transformation... Apricot Appeal marker + white grosgrain ribbon = instant appeal! Hehehe in this case Apricot Appeal. While it's not my favorite card, and I know we've all been here before... maybe when I'm finished it'll look better...oh well - I can only hope that it gets your kreative juices flowin'.


Reminder: Make sure you check out yesterdays post for the Retirement List and date info. The list is also posted to the right under SU Retirement List and will remain there until August 10th, the last day to order any retiring sets.

For now, go kreate
Kim

So Long, Farewell... SU's Retired Stamp List is Here

The much anticipated retirement list is here!! This will be your last chance to order any retiring sets before August 10th. Place your orders soon to assure this last chance opportunity before these sets are gone for good! Click the links below for the alphabetical list or numerical list.

Retired List - Alphabetical
Retired List - Numerical

Just a reminder:

June 30th the last day to order from the Occasions Mini

July 21st the SU Retired Accessories List will be announced

August 10th the last day to order these retired sets from the
SU Spring/Summer 2008 Catalog

August 11th Stampin' Up! Fall-Winter Catalog Released - WooHoo!!!!!
Retired Stamps will No longer be available

Make sure to check it all out, don't delay, place your orders soon!!!!!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Thank You Teachers

I can't believe the school year is over! My daughter's pre-school teachers were great, she was only there 2 times a week for 2 1/2 hours, but she loved every minute and couldn't wait to go every day. I'd say that deserves a big thank you! So here are 3 different cards that I made with that teacher-ish look. What is it about the apple? :)

My first card was inspired by this card from Kris at Kween Bee's Kreations. I changed mine only slightly because why mess with something that I already love!!








The next card is the same layout just a few less features. Definitely under 15 minutes to make.











The final card is a peek-a-boo card I've wanted to make for some time and I finally got around to it. My good friend Tanya reminded me of it when I saw her card. Check it out here.
I kept with the apple theme for my teachers and came up with this peek-a-boo kreation. The inside is just the apple popped up with dimensionals and punched out with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch and an Always Artichoke scallop frame around it.


Ingredients:
Stamp sets: Tart N' Tangy, Fresh Cuts, Best Blossoms (retired)
All cards used Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper (found in the Occasions Mini - only available until June 30th). Other cardstock: Real Red, Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie. Ink: Real Red, Always Artichoke. Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, White Grosgrain, White Signo Gel Pen

Any questions, please feel free to contact me!

For now, go kreate
Kim

End of School

Today is the last day of pre-school for my daughter, so we decided on a few handmade gifts for her teachers. This one is very simple and so very cute - and very FUNCTIONAL! This is a 4x6 acrylic picture frame. I took the apple from the Tart 'N Tangy set, from the Occasion Mini, and inked it up with my markers in Old Olive and Real Red, huffed the stamp to re-moisten, and randomly stamped it on Whisper White. Don't forget the sets in the Occasion Mini are only available to June 30th - so don't miss out, place your orders soon! Took my sentiment from Simply Said set and stamped it in Basic Black. I cut my Whisper White with apples and mounted it on Old Olive and Real Red. Very teacher-ish background to place in the frame. Finish the frame off with a little ribbon, in this case Black Gingham. Placed a post-it notepad and VOILA' instant gift. Use your favorite set and kreate your perfect gift! Hope they like it and you too of course! Let me know what you think. I'll be back with one other gift and the cards as well, so stay tune!

For now, go kreate
Kim

B Happy

I love this card! And it was so fun to make. I took Summer Sun ink and a brayer and inked up a piece of bubble wrap. Then I took a piece of Glossy White Cardstock and placed my bubble wrap ink down and pressed it onto my glossy paper. Check out the 'honeycomb' effect. Couldn't leave a honeycomb without some bees :) I used my little bee from the Just B set, inked it in Black StazOn and gave my bees a home on top of their 'honeycomb'. Used the letter 'B' from the set, inked in VersaMark and stamped it on Basic Black cardstock. Then I applied Clear Embossing Powder and heated up the 'B' and popped it up with dimensionals. Added the sentiment 'happy' again with Black StazOn ink for my 'B happy' card. Placed it on top of Basic Black and Summer Sun cardstock and finished it off with Black Gingham ribbon and its a B-eauty :) Hope you like it!!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Faux Flowers

My oldest daughter turns 4 today. It's so sad how quickly time goes - it seems like yesterday when I was cradling her in my arms looking at how amazing all her tiniest features were and thinking how blessed my hubby and I were. Now that I'm welling up...
Yesterday we had her butterfly party, so much fun and today we'll recoup and enjoy her! So this will be a quick post. If you have any questions please contact me (via the link to the right)
I made this little bouquet for her. She loves chocolate... definitely my girl... so the bottom of the vase is filled with Hershey Kisses. I used RubOns to pretty up the vase(these particular ones are retired, but any will work on glass TIP: for decoration ONLY, washing will take the rub-ons off.)The OnBoard Chipboard Blossoms are placed on pixie sticks (she doesn't need to know these are edible - pure sugar!) I covered the 'naked' Chipboard with either pattern paper or cardstock and I punched out Certainly Celery ovals with my Oval Punch, cut them slightly to resemble leaves. So cute!!
For now, go kreate
Kim

Gift Box

To tie in with our Father's Day card, the ladies at my workshop also made this cute little box - maybe I should say charming little box? Does that make it sound more masculine :) My sister in law had a great idea for those golfers in your lives... make their day with a box full of golf balls! I know her husband (my bro) will no doubt love that! Maybe add a little handmade coupon for a golf day out and no doubt you will be wife of the year :)
We made the box using an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of Brocade Blue and of course a template. The box is held together on each side with a silver brad - mine was a little special because I used the brad from the Hodge Podge Hardware in the Occasions Mini that has a little star in the center of a circle (unfortunately I didn't have enough for my whole group). Check out the Mini on page 7 for this great collection of accessories.
We inked up the stars from Background Basics in Brocade Blue and stamped them on the front of our box. Took a strip of Real Red to place toward the bottom. We inked up a dauber with Not Quite Navy and dabbed it onto our On Board Chipboard star. We stamped out Happy Dad's Day from the Dads Day set in Chocolate chip ink and then popped it out with the Designer Label Punch. Literally popped it up with dimensionals and you have a very cute, I'm sorry, charming little box. Don't you think!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Father's Day

It's just around the corner. My hubby loves to save his pennies, so I now love to find the great sales, who doesn't really. But he still says, 'you'd save me more money if you didn't go shopping at all :)' Probably sounds familiar to a lot of you. Anywho, save money and make him a special handmade card -
This card was done at my recent workshop. We made a pocket card using Bashful Blue for the base, Chocolate chip for the horizontal strip across and So Saffron layered on top of that. We took the So Saffron piece and stamped it with the background striped stamp from the Dads Day set in So Saffron Ink. A little tricky b/c of the vertical stripes, mine came out a little crooked, but it gives it a little character :) Then we stamped out Happy Dads Day in Chocolate Chip and punched it out with the Designer Label Punch.
To make the pocket part, I used my Corner Rounder on all four corners then folded my Bashful Blue in half. Then took about 1" and folded that down. Behind that flap, I adhered the back and front side of the card with a dimensional on each side. You've now kreated your pocket. Then I took a piece of Very Vanilla and rounded the corners with the Corner Punch again to be the insert in our pocket card. I punched a small 1/8" Circle at the top to thread a piece of Bashful Blue ribbon in. Took a Silver Brad and pierced it through the ribbon to keep it together and kreate the 'pull'. In Bashful Blue I inked up my sentiment to finish off the card. One of the ladies in my group had a great idea - she was going to place a small picture of her husband and daughter on the insert for him to pull up. Great thinkin' Hope you like it!
For now, go kreate
Kim

A Sweet Treat

Love to say thanks with more than words, so the ladies at my last workshop received a sweet treat for coming and having a fun night with me. As I told you, I love the Tart 'N Tangy set in the Occasions Mini... don't forget, you have until the end of June to purchase from the Mini. So, this is what they got.

Super cute right! I used my Real Red and Old Olive markers to kreate my strawberries (don't they look so fresh and scrumptious!!) I inked them up, huffed and stamped them on Whisper White. I layered that on top of a 3 1/4 x 4 piece of Real Red cardstock. Placed my goodies in a Cello bag and stapled my Real Red (folded in half) over the top of the bag. The flat side of the staple was the back and then I adhered the strawberry filled Whisper White to cover up the open pronged staple. Circle 1-3/8 punched some Old Olive and Real Red cardstock and layered one with one more huffed strawberry punched with 1-1/4 circle punch. Scallop punched the coordinating color and layered it all with dimensionals. Now I wish I could take full credit for the idea, but I did see it on someone's blog, way back when the Mini first came out. And she used orange and lemon candies as well. If anyone knows to whom I should give proper credit, please let me know. Hope you like it!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Just found out, the designer of these bags was Wanda from My Creative Corner

Sneak Peak

Starting today, during the month of June you have the opportunity to purchase a brand new set that will be out in the new Fall-Winter catalog (to be released in August). You can purchase the new Fresh Cuts Stamp Set for $21.95 and get the coordinating die cut cards (15- 4x4 note cards and envelopes) for $5 or if paying separately, the die cut cards will be $8.95. Go for the bundle :) Did I mention the new Fresh Cuts stamp set is also die-cut!! WooHoo, no need to cut out your stamps - pop it out and place on your wood block and you are ready to go!!! And if you host a party in June, you get this bundle for FREE. How 'bout that for an even sweeter deal! For more details, click here

Here is my example using the new stamp set with coordinating die cut card. Colors used: Real Red and More Mustard cardstock and Always Artichoke Ink
Also, check out our new bundle in our eScape promotion. The entire month of June is breaking free from the 'e'! Stampin' Up! has designated June 25, 2008 as eScape day--a day to put away your cell phones and laptops and focus on reconnecting with your "wireless network." The idea is to reconnect with loved ones through a handmade card. It's a great Bundle with products at 25 percent off, including a few of the essentials to create your own cards! Check it out! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Click on the link to the right.

For now, go kreate
Kim