Birthday Wishes, SC213

Better late than never! I had it all planned out to work on a bunch of fun sketches this week and then... life happens! But I got a chance to play with this sketch from SCS. I thought it was going to be so easy and then I had a real hard time with the horizontal piece (the Pretty in Pink with the Rose Red Double Stitched). Then I couldn't decide between a large pink flower or white or just the new ADORABLE Fleurettes. As much as I love pink, I thought I needed a bit of contrast with the white. Lots of back and forth with this card and I'm hoping it'll grow on me - LOL
Happy Stamping!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Priceless
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink: VersaMark, Rose Red Craft
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Pretties Kit, Fleurettes, Scallop Edge Punch, Piercer, Sponge, Rose Red Double Stitched Grosgrain

Enjoy the Super Bowl!!
Reminders:
Today is the last day to order the Love You Much Bundle at 20% off the retail value!

Beginning Sunday Feb 1st
Sale-a-bration
* Free product/s from the Sale-A-Bration catty for every $50 you spend.
* A FREE Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog with any ON-LINE order - if you already have one, pass it on to a friend - they'll love the new hobby :)
* Join Now to be a demonstrator, and receive a FREE stamp set of your choice (up to $47.95 value) - not to mention ALL the other perks of being a demo.

Any questions, feel free to contact me

For now, go kreate :)
Kim

Inspiring Catty

Need some inspiration - look no further than the NEW Idea Book and Catalog. If you haven't purchased ($9.95) one yet, its a wonderful source of creativity! Contact me if you would like to get one. If you look to page 108 you will see where I got my inspiration for my nephews b-day card and matching envie. I did change the colors and sentiment, and my card is a 4 1/4x5 1/2 vs a square proportion they show in the catty. I just loved it and thought it would be a perfect masculine card. They can be so hard sometimes, right?! Take the time to leaf through the book and really take notice of all the samples, they may inspire you too, and remember you can download the Supply List of Samples on my right sidebar.

Supplies:
Paper: Brocade Blue, Choc Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Stamps: Define Your Life, Seeing Spots
Ink: Old Olive, Choc Chip Craft Ink
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Choc Chip Grosgrain, Silver Brads

Reminder: Starting Feb 1, Sale-a-bration begins
* Free product/s from the Sale-A-Bration catty for every $50 you spend.
* A FREE Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog with any ON-LINE order - if you already have one, pass it on to a friend - they'll love the new hobby :)
* Join Now to be a demonstrator, and receive a FREE stamp set of your choice (up to $47.95 value) - not to mention ALL the other perks of being a demo.

Lovey Dovey Brag Book

This is the Brag Book we made at my class on Monday night. This little photo book will hold 30 photos (only 15 envies) and is a great gift option. SU's Clear Envelopes (item # 102619) are the perfect acid free, archival safe, sleeve for a 4x6 photo. You can view my other photo book HERE.
The book is kreated using two pieces of 7-1/4x5 Pretty in Pink which will perfectly hold the clear photo envies inside. The book is secured with 2 Pewter Eyelets at the edge and accessorized with a pretty Rose Red Double Stitched Ribbon. All you need to do is decorate your cover! We had such a fun night with this little project. Hope you like it. If you'd like more detail, please feel free to contact me. And if you live in the Bergen County NJ area and are interested in attending any of my classes, email me for more info. Love to stamp with ya :)



Supplies:
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Raspberry Tart DSP
Stamps: A Little Somthin' (Hostess Lev 2)
Ink: Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Birds and Blooms Die, Scallop Punch, Paper Piercer, Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Rose Red Double Stitched Grosgrain, Clear Envies, Scallop Edge Punch, Large Pewter Eyelets, Crop-a-dile

For now, go kreate
Kim

Scallop Bag

Sorry I missed yas this weekend! My hubby and 4 yr old went to visit family while I stayed home tending to my little one who was sick :( Not much time to stamp and I had to prepare for my class tonight. But, giddy me, I am Guest Stamper at Stampin' Pretty. Mary has been a huge source of inspiration for me (and I'm sure many of you too), so it is an honor that she wanted to showcase my Scallop Bag. Lucky Me! Thanks Mary!
It's this cute!! This is the NEW Scallop Bag Bigz Die from the New Spring/Summer Catalog. Crank your die through the Big Shot you'll get the perfect cut out and scored paper to then assemble into this cute little box. I ran Not Quite Navy through the Big Shot for my box and then another small piece of Baja Breeze to kreate a layer under my scallop flap. Assembled with Sticky Tape and viola', instant bag. Super quick and then all that is left is to decorate it. Since I was using the Big Shot, I got out my Birds and Blooms sizzlit dies and ran the Blooms through with Old Olive, Baja Breeze and Whisper White. Sponged some edges with Not Quite Navy Craft ink and then heat embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder to make the flower sparkle a bit. Blotted my VersaMark pad over my leaves and then sprinkled Iridescent Ice EP to give them the same sparkle. Finished the center off with a yellow Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad. Stamped my sentiment from Fresh Cut on Baja Breeze and used the Word Window Punch to shape my sentiment. White Organza Ribbon adds the finishing touch and closure to the scalloped flaps.
The finished box is approx 3-3/4 high x 2-1/4 wide x 2-3/4 deep. Cute huh?!! Love it! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think? Love it when you do

For now, go kreate
Kim

Garden Beauties

I return with the project I promised using the retired From the Garden stamp. You can view the card if you scroll down to the next post. I hope this stamp will return one day to our SU catalog - its such a pretty image! I kreated these tile coasters and trivet set to give to my sister-in-law for Christmas. She had a 'winter' themed coaster set and I thought this would do nicely for just about any other time of the year. I inked up my stamp in Black Stazon and firmly pressed the image onto my tiles and also my trivet. I used various Pastels to color in my images. I wasn't sure how they would 'take' to tile, but I feel in love with the soft look and it worked beautifully. I sprayed the final projects with 3 coats of Krylon Matte Finish sealant spray. They make a great little gift. Hope you like them! If you have an questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
If you'd like to view some other tiles I've done, click HERE. Have a good one!

For now, go kreate
Kim

From the Garden

Hope you've had the chance to view all the new catalogs (all downloadable from my right sidebar). Aren't they great?! I love the new Decor Elements Tree, Thoughts and Prayer image that is on the front cover. I think this will be a must have! And all the fun new embellishments in the new Spring/Summer Catalog... corduroy buttons, ribbon originals, fleurettes (crocheted flowers), new Big Shot dies, gorgeous new DSP... oh my! What are your favorites? If you would like a hard copy of the new catty ($9.95) and don't currently have a demonstrator to consult with, feel free to contact me and I will gladly assist you.
Now to today's card, I don't have a surplus of Sympathy cards on hand (not something I want to anticipate in advance), so when the time comes that I need one I usually have to scramble for a quick card and an idea. For some reason these are always hard for me??!! I used a retired hostess stamp called From the Garden. I think its a beautiful image, but after 'coloring' it in with SU Pastels (chalks)- I was stuck! Inked in Basic Black and stamped onto Whisper White, I decided to stamp the image twice, I chalked one full image and just the flower of another. Snipped out the flower and placed it on dimesionals over the full image. Added a slight bluish hue to the Whisper White so it wasn't so stark and also sponged the edges with Baja Breeze. Layered the image on Mellow Moss and Baja Breeze. Three corners were rounded out with my Corner Rounder Punch. Inked up my sentiment from Sincere Salutations in VersaMark and then heat embossed with Black Embossing Powder. Tied a White Organza ribbon (its back! pg 179) into a bow and added a small Baja Breeze button from Button Bouquet in the center. I guess it turned out ok - hard to use such a huge image in a way. Let me know what you think, and I'd LOVE to know your must haves in the new catalog!

For now, go kreate
Kim

PS If you like this image, stay tune for a project I did with this beautiful flower image too!

Exciting Day

Today's the day, the release of the SU Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog. You are going to LOVE it!!!! You will be able to download the new catalog on my blog (the right side bar) after it goes live which will be sometime after noon, MT. You may need to be patient as there will be alot of 'traffic' to the main site. My suggestion, until you have a hard copy in your hot little hands, is to download the catalog and save the file to your computer. And of course if you don't have a demonstrator and are wondering where you can get a hard copy ($9.95) contact me and I will gladly ship one to you and be available for any of your Stampin' Up! needs.
Some other bits of info... there will be a 'downloadable' supply list (right side bar) which will include info and mini photos for the samples in the catalog. Remember this has always been in the back of your catalogs, well, now you can print it out and not have to flip back and forth AND that means more room in the catalog for more goodies :)
AND...
You can start the fun by viewing the brand new Decor Elements III brochure NOW (right side bar again :) Fantastic colors and images have been added. Check it out!!!!

Ok, so I was playing a bit with my Big Shot die cut machine and the Pillow Box die - so FUN :) - and decided on a few Valentine treats. I popped out the Pillow Box pattern (already scored and perforated for the perfect template) using Holiday Treasure DSP. The one to the left I punched out a small heart so you could see the conversation hearts inside (wrapped in our small Cello Bags). I wrapped a Pretty in Pink Grosgrain ribbon and then added a Filigree Brad and pink Button Bouquet tied together with a piece of Red Hemp. But ooops, do you see my goof? Live and learn, I should have placed my heart and ribbon on the other side, so that you aren't viewing the open edges of the flaps. Make sense? Look at the second example that I did correctly (or at least its presentation looks better!) Again, playing with my Big Shot, Birds & Blooms Sizzlits (ooooo wait til you see all the new stuff for the BIG SHOT - YIPEE) I used Choc Chip for my bird and added an extra layer to the wings with Close to Cocoa. Tied a Choc Chip Grosgrain ribbon around the Pillow Box and finally stamped Happy Valentines from Holidays and Wishes set in Riding Hood Red onto Pretty in Pink. Cute little treat boxes, don't ya think?

Oh, did I mention....ready... stamp sets are ALL DIE CUT (well, almost all- the exception of background stamps and mini alphabet sets)! Yes you read that right!! What a time saver!!!! Now make sure to check back later to view the catalog. He he - so excited for you to see it! Get your wish lists ready..................

For now, go kreate
Kim

Sassy

She's retired, but Sassy Suzie is still sassy! I had kreated the first card a while back for my sister in law (never posted it b/c it was retired, but it could still inspire someone out there) and decided to revisit it for a long time friends upcoming b-day.

I liked the bold polka dots from Bella Rose DSP, perfectly sassy, so I thought I'd give my Pretty in Pink and Bella Rose a whirl through my Big Shot with the Scallop Circle Die. Tip: To kreate a Scallop Circle card base, fold card stock to 5.5 x 4.25 card and place the 5.5 scored side on top of the die. Leave four scallops showing above the cardstock. This will be your "hinge."

Both Suzie's are stamped in Basic Black on Watercolor Paper and 'colored' using various inks and my Aquapainter. A Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, weaved through a flower-like piece of Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, hides the 'seam' between my papers. My sentiments on the front of the cards (although different) are inked in Ruby Red Craft ink and heat embossed in Clear Embossing Powder. Inside sentiment of card 1 reads ... 'or is it just the candles on your cake' - the circle card sentiment reads... 'your friendship is the most uplifting thing in my life without underwire' ~ SASSY!!!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Love Ewe

Sorry to not have a post for yesterday, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a catalog sized package waiting at my front step on Monday night. WAHOOOOOO, no time to stamp or post, had to look through it over and over and over again. Let me tell ya, its FABULOUS! And I thought the last catalog was great. Amazing, SU just keeps getting more fabulous! If you don't have a current demonstrator and would like to receive a catalog from me, I'd be happy to mail you the Spring/Summer 2009 Catalog ($9.95 and I will ship it to you FREE). Contact me with your name, address and phone.


After completing the last challenge, see post below, I wanted to keep with the blues and a vibrant splash of red, in attempt to make a non frilly Valentine for my hubby. Turned out cutesy, but not frilly! Taken with Teal is run through my Big Shot with the Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug) embossing folder (Hint: hold onto your hats if you like THAT embossed look - some fun new textures in the new catty SHHHHHHH). I ran another piece through to kreate my squares. 1-1/4" Circles were punched out of Whisper White and sponged with Real Red. My Big Shot got some more use as I ran my Go Go Boots Alphabet Die set through with some Real Red for my letters. My heart is punched out with a non-SU punch and given some shine with Chrystal Effects. I layered my squares onto Bashful Blue and Whisper White and gave the edges a frayed look using my fingernail.
Punched out a Real Red Scallop punch and kreated a frame (using the 1-3/8" circle punch) to peek to the inside of the card. My little ewe, holding another shiny heart, is from the Pun Fun set. Inked in Basic Black, used a Blender Pen and Blush Blossom on the face and liquid applique gave this lamby a plush look. Adhered the 1-3/8" Circle punched ewe on a dimensional to the inside of the card, but through the scallop circle frame. Opened up, is the rest of the sentiment using Go Go Boots die cut letters and of course my little ewe. Love Ewe, see, cutesy! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think - love it when you do.

For now, go kreate
Kim

A Color and Sketch Challenge

I said I would be back today :) I needed to take a break from re-organizing AND I have to wait until hubby finishes making another shelf for my table to put some things away - Sunday football, I gotta wait - so I decided to complete two challenges.
One from OCC Challenges, to use 2 shades of blue and a neutral, and the other is to be credited to a sketch from Cupcake Sketch Challenge TECC49 from Taylored Expressions.
Night Quite Navy, Baja Breeze and coordinating Urban Garden DSP kreated my blues and Pocket Silouettes images kreated the circles in this sketch. The images were stamped out in Not Quite Navy Craft ink on Whisper White and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder (difficult to see this detail in the photo) and then punched out with the 1-1/4" Circle punch. A 1-3/8" Circle Punch is used to punch out a Not Quite Navy circle to layer behind my images. And finally a Baja Breeze Scallop Circle punch is used for the final layer and then adhered with a dimensional. My White Signo Gel pen adds a bit more detail to each scallop. The White Grosgrain Ribbon divides my card into squares like the sketch and a Baja Breeze button from Button Bouquet adds some interest in the center. A Little Birthday Cheer sentiment is inked in Not Quite Navy on Whisper White and again heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, and its given a bit of depth with some Not Quite Navy sponging to the edges. Hope you like it ~ Now if you didn't check out all the Tidbits of info regarding the new catty, make sure to check the post below. If you'd like me to reserve a copy of the Catalog ($9.95) making its debut in 8 days, please let me know.

For now, go kreate
Kim

Tidbits of whats to come...

I'm sorry for not posting anything new... I've been busy cleaning out my stamping and scrapbooking area - make room for some new stuff - out with the old, in with the NEW :) I'm so excited for the New Catalog which will make its debut on January 19th! WaHoo! Leadership Conference is going on right now in Orlando, FL and here are some things that 'us demos' know about the new catty - its so exciting!! Now don't quote me on all the fine details :)... and if you want to be surprised, stop reading NOW!!

Our New Tagline - Inspire, Create, Share (I guess when I chose my blog title, I had the same idea - the sharing part is with you :)
~ new DSP ! A couple great manly color combos, too! 14 new packs!
~ textured cardstock
~ 5 new Simply Scrappin' Kits
~ Card Element kits.. preprinted cards with a stamp, ribbon and a stampin' spot! plus other kits
~ Single sentiment stamps - under $10
~ Rub-ons with 4 colors in one kit
~ Rub-ons with multiples of the same image so you can make swap cards!
~ Flower brads in Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron
~ Jumbo Brads.. 5/16" and 5/8" in Choc. Chip, White, Vanilla and Silver
~ Clear Rhinestone brads (like the ones in the Pretties Kit) sold in a pack by themselves
~ Courduroy Buttons!!
~ Button Bouquet button asst in "Latte" colors
~ FABULOUS new ribbons!
~ new border punch that looks like lace
~ new circle cutter
~ Lots of exclusive Big Shot dies!
~ More sizzlets and embosslits!!
~ TEXTURZ PLATES for the Big Shot (to dry emboss card fronts!) 12 exclusive SU! designs and 12 Sizzix designs
~ new stamp sets
~ Digital Scrapbooking coming soon!!!!!
~ and of course much more!

I can hardly wait to get my hands on a new catalog. How bout you?
After I finish up organizing today, I hope to get in alittle stamping. Check back later!

For now, go kreate
Kim

B Mine

Just B is one of those sets that is currently on the dormant list. Click on the list at my right sidebar and you can see the set in its entirety. If you love it, better get it before its gone!! Remember you only have until January 18th to stock up on all the Retiring Items - check to the right sidebar under Current Promotions!
This card came together haphazardly - I was playing with the Birds & Blooms die and my Big Shot... used my bird die with Bravo Burgandy and then again with Pink Pirouette and layered the wings. I happened to have a red heart that had been punched out and not used from my previous post, and the way I had placed my bird on my work table looked as if it were in its beak. Cute! So I punched out a Rose Red heart (non-SU) and stamped the word love (retired set, Sealed with a Kiss) in Whisper White and embossed it in Whisper White. Used some Mellow Moss and a branch punch from Martha Stewart (shhhh) and added that in my little birds beak. So now I had this cute little bird and heart, but no card!
Bravo Burgandy with a D'vine Swirled Cameo Coral kreated my card front. Used the Scallop Edge punch to decorate the edge of both layers. Inked my B, from Just B set in VersaMark and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and then snipped it out. Inked up 'Mine' in Bravo Burgandy and stamped it on Pink Pirouette, in which the edges were sponged with Bravo Burgandy. Then went over the sentiment with my VersaMarker and quickly sprinkled Clear Embossing Powder over top to give it the same embossed look as my B. TIP: In order to emboss, for the powder to stick to your image, you must use either Craft ink or VersaMark ink (the VersaMarker pen works as well, you just must be quick as it dries faster than when using the ink pad). Layered it on Bravo Burgandy and gave the edges a bit of 'flare'. Added a retired Burgandy ribbon to the edge and I think it turned out ok. What do you think?
OK, now some of you noticed something new in my last post and yes, you were correct - a watermark! The sweet and awesomely talented Jennifer Meyer from Jennifer's Sweet Designs created it for me. She knows how thrilled I am to now have a watermark and I am so lucky that she created it for me. WaHoo!!! Happy Me! Thanks so much Jennifer!!!!!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Loads of Love

I started off my Mojo by completing a Monday Mojo sketch. Make sure to go and check out the Mojo Makers creations for some great inspiration. I love Julee Tilman sketches, so it was high time I gave one a try.
I started with some Real Red as my base and then some Bella Rose DSP. Inked my truck in Basic Black on Whisper White and then again on a piece of Real Red polka dot paper (from a retired hostess paper pack). Stamped my Pretty in Pink hearts (colored in with Pretty in Pink and Real Red markers) into the trunk and stamped my driver. Then paper pieced my truck to 'soup' it up :) Added some sparklin' rims with some pink Circle Fire Rhinestones. The 'xoxo' border strip of DSP comes from the Hostess Lev 3 Holiday Happenings bundle. The sentiment is inked in Real Red and punched out with the 1" Circle Punch. Layered on 1 1/4" Real Red Circle and a Pink Pirouette Wide Oval sponged with Real Red. Punched out a few $1 bin hearts in Real Red to complete the strip. The final touch to draw it all together was a punched Pink Pirouette Round Tab sponged with Real Red and stamped with an 'XO' from a retired set Sealed with a Kiss.
I like this little souped up truck :) Hope you do too!
Did you notice anything different today???? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

For now, go kreate

Kim

Cleaning House

SU is having an Inventory Blowout Sale now through January 18th - Get retired, retiring, and current products up to 50% OFF regular price - click here to view the items and here for pricing info.

The Retired Accessories List has also just been announced. Click Retiring Accessory List to reveal. Remember these items are at regular price and only while supplies last, so HURRY now and stock up on your favorites before they are gone!

Card Portfolio Tutorial

Today I'm going to show you a very easy gift idea!! I had done these back in October to send to my virtual Pal Kris and her mom and upon receiving it, she loved it (Phew, so glad!!) Click HERE if you'd like to see it.
So we decided to kreate a step by step tutorial for you all. You will be amazed at how simple this is and it's a great little gift. Ready, here we go...



Using SU's Medium Envelopes (5-3/4x 4-3/8) Cut the sticky adhesive part of flap off of envelope 1. Cut the flap off envelope 2.

Apply adhesive to the back of flap of envelope 1.
Insert the flap of envelope 1 inside envelope 2.
TIP: Be sure to have both envelopes facing the same direction.

Fold in half. Wrap and adhere ribbon (I used Rose Red 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain) around the outside of the
portfolio to tie it together. You now have a portfolio to house the SU Note Cards (sized 3 ½” X 5”) in one side and envelopes (sized 3 5/8” X 5 1/8”) in the other.

Decorate the outside of your portfolio.
Stamps: Priceless set(Pretty in Pink flourishes in the top corners); Happy Heart Day set, currently on dormant list
Used my Top Note Die on Regal Rose and sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa Ink. Stamped my mouse on Close to Cocoa in Close to Cocoa ink and snipped her out. Stamped her again on Pink Pirouette in Close to Cocoa ink and snipped out her shirt. Used some heart chipboard from On Board Simon Upper and covered them with Regal Rose Craft and Rose Red Craft ink and then heat embossed with Iridescent Ice EP. The largest heart was asking for a bit more bling, so I used the Crop-a-dile to pop in a Filigree Brad and centered it with Pink Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad. Tried to kreate the same look as the little mouse stamp just in larger version :) Lastly, stamped the sentiment in Close to Cocoa on Pink Pirouette, punched it out with the Wide Oval Punch and sponged the edges in Close to Cocoa. :)

Stamp customized note cards and envelopes to slip inside. I left my notecards simple, without embellishments or dimension so that I can fit about 4 notecards and 4 envelopes in each side. Notecard stamped with the 2 step Something New to Love set. Pretty in Pink love heart stamped first, then the outlined heart stamped in Rose Red Craft ink and embossed with Clear EP. Sentiment also inked in Rose Red Craft ink and embossed in Clear EP. Finished it off sponging the edges with Pretty in Pink. The envelope has some simple Rose Red hearts from the Happy Heart Day set.

Hope you enjoyed this fun and simple tutorial. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Make sure to hop on over to Kris's blog at Kween Bee's Kreations to see her portfolio sample (I haven't seen hers yet, but I can't wait! It's sure to be amazing!)

Now go ahead, its all laid out for you, go kreate
Kim

ETA: Kris and I must have been on the same wavelength when we decorated our folders, huh? Love it Kris!

Best Wishes...

...for a very healthy and HAPPY New Year to you all!!
Happy 2009!


Recipe:
Stamps: Cute & Curly
Paper: Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Basic Black
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black Marker
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, non-SU ribbon
Tools: Big Shot, D'vine Swirl Embossing Folder (non-SU), Top Note Die, Curly Label Punch, Slot Punch, Corner Rounder Punch