A little Rock n Roll and a Color Challenge

And a challenge it was!! Todays PPA Color Challenge is Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray. All wonderful colors in their own right, but combined, hmmmm what to do? Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight reminded me of some of the most vibrant fall colors this year. So I grabbed my Lovely as a Tree set to kreate a subtle scene

* Standard cardbase of Textured Gray cardstock

* Inked up my trees in Basic Gray and stamped onto Whisper White. With my Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight Markers I accented each tree with a few leaves. Kinda reminds me of a black and white photo with colored accents.

* A little too stark? A few flecks from my Color Spritzer helped to soften the look

* Ready to rock n roll? I took the leaf image inked in Daffodil Delight and lightly rolled the stamp around in Poppy Parade, kreating a two tone leaf image. TIP: Make sure to always use your light color first then into a dark color, so you don't ruin your ink pads!!

* Using my Paper Snips for precise cutting, I snipped out my leaves.

* With the same rock n roll technique I added my sentiment from Sincere Salutations

* A scrunchie Gray Taffeta Ribbon, see my scrunchie technique HERE, and Antique Brad finish it off.

PHEW, this one wasn't easy! But thats a challenge right?!
How'd I do? Not my personal fave, but I think I can live with it ;) and maybe it will inspire you in some way?!
Thanks so much for stopping by for a little dose of me! Any questions, I am always just a click away!

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders.

Happy Kreating

Thanksgiving/Fall Holiday Hop

Welcome to our second Holiday Hop. This group of talented Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators are ready to show off their paper crafting skills for Thanksgiving/Fall. We will showcase all that Stampin’ Up! has to offer – from rubber stamps, designer paper, embellishments, and much more. TIP: Save the date on your calendar for our next hop. You won’t want to miss out!
* Christmas/Winter – December 1, 2009

Hop How-To
You can follow the full Holiday Hop from start to finish by clicking the “next blog” or “previous blog” graphic at the end of this post. Or click on any of the sites listed below.
We’re thrilled to have you visit and excited to hear what you think of our hop. Feel free to leave as many comments as you’d like along the way. Happy Hopping


So when it is time to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, does everyone stand around a few seconds to ask the host 'where should I sit?' I'm sure this must sound familiar! My solution, place cards. Fun, cute placecards :)

* Pop out 10 Wide Ovals in Dusty Durango. Using a Sponge Dauber, accent the edges with Soft Suede ink
* Fold Ovals in half and adhere 2 sets of 5 together
* Using a medium sized library clip, found at any office supply, adhere one set of Ovals onto the front of the clip using Glue Dots. Take the second set of 5 and adhere to the back of the clip - you now have a pumpkinish clip
* Using the Big Shot, Swirls Scribbles sizzlit die, and Handsome Hunter paper, I kreated my 'vines' for my pumpkin. If you don't have this as an option, stamp leaves and snip them out; or use the large oval punch, snip in half and crease in half to kreate a leaf. Or just using a piece of scrap kreate a little stem.


* Next kreate a tag to slip into the clip 'prongs'
* My tag was kreated using the Two Tags Die and running a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock through my Big Shot. I popped out 2.
* Each tag was distressed heavily along the edges with a Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede ink and lightly across the entire front
* Using the Wandering Words set and my In Color Markers, I colored directly onto my image for a variety of colors. Re-moistened the stamp with a huff of breath and stamped onto my tag. Cleaned my stamp and colored a few additional leaves for some extra foliage.
* On the second tag, after it had been distressed, I added my name using the Lovely Letters set in Soft Suede in. Colored only the leaves on my Wandering Words stamp and randomly stamped them around the name.
* Adhered both tags together back to back and there you have it, a cute little place card and holder.

Last years place cards were a cute little Tom Turkey, can you believe I didn't take a photo of them. But you can see Tom on the matching Napkin Rings I had done. Not that conversation is ever lacking Thanksgiving day, but a handmade item, what a conversation piece. Have fun kreating something festive for your table!

Well thanks so much for hopping by. If you've enjoyed the stop, won't you please take a moment to leave me a comment. Love to know your thoughts :) If you'd like to order any of the products featured in my projects, Order Online @ www.kimberlyjoy.stampinup.net or email me. Any questions, I'm just a click away!

OK, lets keep hopping!!! If you are on track, please continue to Stampin' Fabulousity to see what fabulous things Kalsheila has done! For your convenience, click on the arrows to find the previous or next blog spot. If misdirected along the way, you will find the list of participants below and a link to their blog. Happy Hopping!







1. Kris (Kween Bee Kreations)
2. Carla (Carla's Scraps)
3. Linda (Stampin' Seasons)
4. Mary (Stampin' Pretty)
5. Trish (Soul Stamper)
6. Jill (Stamping Heart)
7. Liz (DIY Paper Creations)
8. Kim (Stamp, Scrap, Get Kreative)
9. Kalshelia (Stampin' Fabulousity)
10. Regina (The Stampin' Bean)
11. Margaret (Margaret Moody)
12. Debbie (Stampin' Sunshine)
13. Ann (The Stampin' Schach)
14. Gina (Cards by Gina)
15. Lourdes (Cozy Crafty Corner)

Gratitude and Thanks

Time to Play at PPA. Todays PPA challenge is a theme: Gratitude and Thanks. 'Tis the season of thankfulness and I thank God every day for all my many blessings.

I started this card with a new set I rec'd at Fall Fest, Wandering Words, from the Holiday Mini. The words that are wondering through the breeze all function to describe gratitude, so this was the perfect set to start my card.

Using SU Markers, Choc Chip, Creamy Caramel, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry, I colored directly onto my stamp. A huff of breath to remoisten the ink and then stamped onto Very Vanilla

Ran my image through the Big Shot with the Top Note Die (with my image toward the top of the die). Then ran Crushed Curry through with the Top Note too.

Took my Crushed Curry Top Note and ran it through the Big Shot again with my 'swirly/breezy' Background Texturz Plate.

Distressed my entire top note using Soft Suede ink and my dauber in light circular motions to add some color. Edges were given a darker distressed look.

Added the Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon (where are the dots you ask? Reversible ribbon, such versatility!!) to hide my seam and matted onto a Soft Suede standard card base.

Using my Large Oval Punch with Dusty Durango, I kreated my pumpkin with 5 ovals. The Boho Blossom Punch and some Old Olive scrap kreated my leaves. And with a snippet of scrap and my Paper Snips(scissors), I kreated my stem.

Since my Snips were out, I inked up the leaf from the Autumn Days set in the same ink color as paper and stamped out a few Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and Rich Razzleberry leaves. Snipped them out and placed them around my card with glue dots. I'm still not sure this was the best idea? Too busy?? Anywho...

I'm thankful that you dropped by to see my kreation :) for it would be no fun without YOU :)

Don't Miss
~You can NOW order Stampin' Up!s My Digital Studio
~Stampin' Up! has launched a new section of the online store called the CLEARANCE RACK. The purpose of the Clearance Rack is to clear out the inventory of surplus items that have been retired. Many of these retired items will be offered at a substantially reduced price (think b-day gifts, upcoming holidays...). To see available items, visit my online store, click on Shop Now to view online catalog. Items are only available while supplies last. Check back regularly for new items being added!
~Hostess Promotion - through Nov 30th, host a $250 workshop and choose any item* from the Holiday Mini for $10 (*excludes My Digital Studio and hostess sets)

Shop ALL product orders online with me.

Autumn Days

From the PPA9 'inspiration photo challenge' emerged this Fall 'Thinking of You 'card.
I'll get right to it...
* The short vase was kreated from the honey pot in the 'Just Buzzin By' set. I used my Black SU Marker to isolate just the part of the pot I wanted, and stamped onto Watercolor paper, viola' my first vase.
* The second vase was kreated after popping out Large Oval Punch, snipping off the top to kreate a base and than tracing it onto my Watercolor paper. A bit more labor intensive, but I had nothing else that appeared vasish. Well worth the effort!
* Using my Aquapainter and Always Artichoke ink, I colored in both vases.


* From the Autumn Days set, I inked up the various branches with SU Markers and stamped them multiply times in their respective vases (re-coloring each time). Hint: I masked off each vase with scrap paper to avoid my stems appearing on the outside of the vase. Now that would not work :)
* Added some colorful foliage around each vase and snipped out one Ruby Red leaf for some dimension.
* Matted the focal image with Really Rust and sponged the edges with Soft Suede. I kept the rest of the Always Artichoke standard card base relatively simple. Just a strip of this gorgeous new 1-1/4" Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain ribbon and a Choc Chip corduroy button for an accent. And a little more Soft Suede sponging around the card base. Hint: Sponging adds great depth with little effort!
* 'Thinking of You' from Sincere Salutations was inked with VersaMark. Tip: VersaMark kreates a great tone on tone look.

Hope you are inspired to go kreate! Any questions, I am only a click away :)

Shop ALL product orders online with me.


Supplies:
Stamps: Autumn Days (115452), Just Buzzin By(113228), Sincere Salutations (115068)
Paper: Watercolor (105019), Always Artichoke, Really Rust
Ink: VersaMark (102283) SU Markers: Always Artichoke, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel, Choc Chip, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black
Accessories: 1-1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon (115616), Choc Chip Corduroy Button(114339), Linen Thread (104199)

The Holidays are a coming, the Mini Catalog is HERE

Today is the release of the much anticipated Holiday Mini Catalog. I think you are going to love all the fun treats you find inside. There will be a downloadable version on my right sidebar (as soon as it is released, be sure to check back). If you'd like a copy mailed to you, let me know.
One of the hot/must have 'treats' I think you will find is the Sweet Centers Stamp set with the coordinating Sweet Treat Cups. I had my mind wrapped around this kreation the minute I saw the Halloween Eek. My spider came to life with a body of Sweet Treats, legs punched from the Photo Corner Punch, a hand 'spun' web and of course some Iridescent Ice, some googlie eyes and a sweet little smile. My grandfather always used to say EVERYTHING has a heart, so as I think of all the shreeks and eeks I've let out over seeing a spider, I remember my PopPops words. And you know they probably ARE smiling thinking how silly are these people, frightened of lil ol me. LOL So leave me a comment and let me know what ya think of my spider, with a heart :)

You will also see a brand new SU exclusive... My Digital Studio Software. Customer ordering for this item will begin Oct 1.

Another sweet deal, from today through November, host a workshop totaling $250 or more and choose any one item* from the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10! (*offer excludes hostess sets and My Digital Studio)

If you live in the Bergen County NJ area and are interested in hosting a party in your home, contact me, I'd love to stamp and party with you. Or placing a qualifying order yourself or with a few friends and earn hostess benefits (it won't be hard to do in this catty :) Happy Shopping, Happy Stamping :)

I'm off to finish preparations for my own Holiday Mini Bash this evening. FUN :) Make sure to have a Wish List... I'll leave ya to prepare to peruse a good book :)

Shop ALL product orders online with me.

Harvest MOJO

Yesterday was the final sketch of the week celebrating Mojos 100th sketch. This is MOJOMARY sketch (fun one Mary, thanks) and also doubles for the OCC In Color Challenge. Hmmmm? I'm not sure about my kreation, hoping it may grown on me more, but I'll share anyway :)
*Started with a Soft Suede standard card base and layered with Dusty Durango, with two opposing corners clipped with my Corner Rounder Punch.
*Very Vanilla was decorated with random leaves, from the Autumn Harvest set, in Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Rich Razzleberry.
*Then I cut apart into 1-1/4" squares giving each square the same Corner treatment
*Soft Suede Ribbon breaks up the pattern a bit. Are you wondering where that Soft Suede Ribbon is in the catty? This is the reverse side of the Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon - so versatile right?!
*The focal image was stamped with other images from the Autumn Harvest set, in Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede and Choc Chip. Using my Markers in these colors, I was able to color on my stamp to give it the look I wanted. A little huff of breath to remoisten and stamp.
*I used a masking technique, using post it notes, to give my picture depth with images in front of others. CLICK HERE to see a masking tutorial on another card I did
*Finally I went back with my Aquapainter and a minimally wet bristle to color in the images. If you are not using Watercolor Paper(105019), be very careful not to over saturate or pill your paper. TIP: Kreate a little pool of ink in the lid of your SU ink pad, simply by squeezing the pad together in the center, when you open, the lid will have your palette to dab your coloring tool into. I got an unintentional striated look on my pumpkin, but I think it looks kinda cool and a bit more realistic.
*Then I adorned 3 Soft Suede faux brads to the bottom left. Hint: Punched out with a handheld hole punch (non SU, mom was a school teacher :) ), then used some Crystal Effects on them to give them a bit of a glossy look.

Hope you like it more than I do :) Maybe it will grow on me :) Happy Monday


Shop ALL product orders online with me.



Supplies:
Stamps: Autumn Harvest(110372)
Paper: Very Vanilla(101650), Soft Suede(115318), Dusty Durango(115321)
Ink: Soft Suede(115657), Crushed Curry(115659), Dusty Durango(115654), Rich Razzleberry(115658), Always Artichoke Marker(105113), BashFul Blue, In Color Markers(116329)
Accessories: Corner Rounder(109047), Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon(115612), Aquapainter(103954)

Happy Halloween

This fun little pumpkin was taken right from the SU Demonstrator site - great reason to become a demonstrator! Beside a discount and other special priviledges, great project ideas, too. If you are interested, feel free to contact me, love to have you aboard :) Now for our pumpkin...Take 2 sheets of the 'orange' of your choice and decorate. I used Tangerine Tango cardstock and inked up my Jumbo So Swirly wheel in Pumpkin Pie and wheeled across my paper. Cut 1"x11" strips (I used a total of 14 - more strips will kreate less space b/w each strip). Punch hole through bottom and top of strips, using Crop-a-Dile to punch through all layers would be easiest. Knot a piece of Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain (approx 6") and thread through holes; knot top of ribbon and then spread your strips apart to kreate this adorable pumpkin. Embellish as you wish! I used glue dots to adhere an Old Olive bow to the top and added two leaves stamped in Old Olive on Old Olive and used paper snips to cut them out and then place them next to the ribbon. Would be cute little center pieces in different sizes for Thanksgiving too or make them a bit smaller and add some name tags for place settings! So Fun!

Happy Halloween everyone!! Enjoy your day :)