SAF 2017 Take 10 Challenge

It's that time of year once again!  I work hard to set aside a little time to craft once a year and because I am married to the greatest man, it is actually possible!  I won't be able to participate the entire time because of a son in XC and some church commitments, but I will be here for most of the weekend!

 You can find the details here.

For the first time PTI is celebrating this event as a weekend event!  They celebrated 10 years in February so their theme is "anniversary" and they extended the event for this year.  I personally love this as my husband and I celebrated 20 years of marriage in June!

The first challenge details are here, my inspiration photo is this one:

and my card is here using the Black & White paper & PTI cardstock (white & Hawaiian Shores):

What is a little bit "awesome" here is the circle.  That is from a VERY old free printout from a PTI anniversary freebie or SAF freebie from many years ago!  I found it when I was getting my things together for this weekend.  I had no idea if I would use it and here it is! Perfect!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Wish Big

I made this card for a very special girl who has a birthday this month.  Loving the Pebbles paper!! I case'd a card I had pinned (but apparently deleted the pin?), but luckily I had the actual card copied into my Evernote file.

So, I was able to find the original cardmaker's actual blogpost!

Go here and scroll to the "party" card

Enjoy!

Kristin

In the Meadow birthday

I put this card together almost a month ago over my Christmas vacation. It was for my FIL's birthday. I haven't done a sponging technique like this in a long time so it was fun to get all inky!  He is definitely a country "man" (hard to call him a boy anymore, lol) so I am sure he enjoyed it.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Birthday Girls!

Today is MY Birthday :-)... and I love celebrating it!! I think there may (at some point) come a day where I might not want to celebrate it quite so enjoyably (but I'm getting ever close to 40 and that time hasn't happened yet!). I celebrate all week long in what was dubbed the Birthday Extravaganza by some work friends years ago.

In my Ladies, Ink Blogging group there is another woman who also celebrates her birthday today and we have had a fun time talking about all the things she could do to have some of MY Birthday Extravaganza week for herself!! (I had to share, of course!!)

One of the things I wanted to do for her was send her one of my favorite cards ever... I made this last February and have hung to it ever since. I just LOVE it. But, for Michelle- the only other person I've ever met (who ALSO loves this stamping stuff like I do) who shares my birthday- it was worth it to send it to her!!

Please visit Michelle and leave her some birthday love (me too!!)

Enjoy!

Kristin

Jake is 5 layout

Fancy title huh?? I completed Jake's 5th birthday layout recently and finally got the pics uploaded. I used a Story Tellers kit from the free ones I got last year. I added my own cs to mat the photos, and distressing inks around the edges.

I tried to really showcase the photos to tell the story of that day.

Sometimes, less IS more! :-)

Enjoy!

Kristin

Happy Birthday #2

There was another boy turning 4 and I wanted to make him a "truck/car" card. I used Design Studio software with my cricut and New Arrival cart for the truck. I cut it out on blue cs, then got some DCWV glitter pp and cut just the "upper" part of the truck. Finally, I got one of those old #4 stickers (remember stickers??) out and outlined it in grey/black pen. done!

Enjoy!


Kristin

Happy Birthday!

This was another Verve sketch from a couple of weeks ago that I used for a 1 year old boy's birthday. The lion and pp are CTMH. I cut out a star, inked it, and popped it up. There was supposed to be a scalloped edge, but it's a boy card... no scallops!

Enjoy!

Kristin

SC 205

An old friend had a birthday and this was the card I made her from the SCS 205 sketch. I used the D'Vine swirls folder and then cut apart the three rectangles. I highly recommend cutting and THEN embossing, but live and learn!

I stamped the MFT image in CTMH Holiday Red, then White Daisy ink for the icing- I heat embossed it and stamped the sprinkles in red and used stickles on them.

I layered everything on some old CM cs I found and tied a cute AC Ribbon on, and done!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Birthday Boys & Girl

Saturday afternoon we had 2, count 'em 2, birthday parties to attend. Normally, I am a 1 birthday party a weekend kind a gal, but I am such good friends with both moms, and the kids always enjoy them, so we went...

The first party was for the brother of the sister's party from last week. Turned 5, same age as Jake. Second party was for a brother and sister, turning 3 and 5: Princess & Knight...

Here are the cards I did... all cricut and CDS (castle from Capedia again), PDDU cartridge (love it!). Some coloring, stickles, and stamping and voila! Great cards!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Another Birthday girl

This morning we attended a birthday party for some new friends! They have a boy the same age as Jake and a girl the same age as Emma.

We really have bonded quickly in the short time we have known them, so I wanted to make a cute and special card for the birthday girl.

I used Capedia's castle on my cricut and design studio- it's Paper Dolls and Jasmine carts.

Then, I stamped with CTMH Hydrangea and used purple stickles on the inside. I colored the castle with embossing pens.

The boys had fun on the John Deere tractor- they drove all over the place and had a blast. It is so nice to have a boy for Jake to play with that is close by AND so sweet too.

I think the girls will play more as they get older (they are both only 2). However, they each follow their older brothers around wanting to do whatever "he" is doing!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Birthday layout

Well, my "baby" is now 2... I just put the finishing touches on it this afternoon (don't ask what I did with the kids!) hehe.

I like it, but am not super thrilled with it. I took the sketch from CTMH Cherish book (a must have for any scrapbooker!), then changed it up to fit the photos I had.

I used the white ric-rac ribbon (American Crafts) to help make something seem cohesive (besides the paper). I've had the paper for about 18 months (bought from HL or J's... called Emily's).

I stamped the elmo stamp I bought for the invites behind her picture and on the name.

I used a CTMH white chipboard flower and sponged Hollyhock and Cranberry ink on it. Jasmine and CDS for her "name". A random white #2, matted on the green cs I was using, with Eucalyptus stickles (think, light green) as dots to finish things out.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Happy Birthday Emma!

Today is the 2nd birthday of my baby. My last child. We decided we’d only have 2 kids, and are very happy with that decision, but knowing I no longer have a baby is a little sad. I now have a toddler and preschooler. The advantages are obvious and include being able to converse with both kids about their behavior, being in pain/sick, and of course, we see the light at the end of the tunnel on this “diaper situation.” The disadvantages are much more subtle, but I am still aware of them. The baby smell, the “tinyness” of that little person curled up in the crook of your neck (without legs dangling down below your waist!), and the end of all the *firsts*- smiling, laughing, words, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking.

Our pastor has 3 grown young men. He once spoke about how he and his wife chose to enjoy each stage and not try to anticipate the next one or grieve the last one. Smart man. When I think of not having that baby anymore, I am sad. But when I see the joy my kids get in running around with each other outside before dinner, or hear them laughing and playing in one of their rooms on a Saturday morning, I am so at peace. Right now they like each other quite a lot and yet I know those days of “dislike” are just around the corner- and I am NOT ready for it!

So, again, today is her 2nd birthday. She is a precious girl. She is so much like me, I feel kind of bad for her (lol). But, at least she will grow up knowing what she wants out of life and hopefully, will think to ask her mom how best to achieve that without stepping on too many toes!

I made this cute little card, using a little girl image I saw on the ‘net while surfing one day. I colored her with watercolor pencils and a blender and a CTMH Hollyhock marker. I used PTI chocolate cs and chocolate remix pp (that I colored a bit on some of the butterflies). I also used PTI chocolate ribbon, random flower, and a cute brad I got at the Queen and co. vendor at GASC in June. Last, I used a bit of stickles on the girls’ wings.

Enjoy!
Kristin

A friend's birthday

So, at some point in the next several weeks, I know someone having a birthday (there, that should be secret enough, right??). I wanted to make her (okay, the card is peach, has polka dot ribbon, and says "what's up cupcake"- it's NOT to a guy!!) a card she could really enjoy.

Again, a sketch I got from somewhere, but don't know who- sorry!

I used PTI Berry Sorbet cs and ribbon, and CM Gazebo pp for the outside panel (and inside too!). I ran the cs through my cuttlebug with the D'Vine Swirls embossing folder. The stamp set is What's up Cupcake from MFT stamps.

I stamped the base, cupcake, icing, and sprinkles in different colors- black, CTMH Hollyhock, and CTMH chocolate. I also used my blender pen to even out the coloring.

On the inside I used the same pp as a liner, and then stamped 3 candles in CTMH chocolate.

After this pic was taken, I decided to add stickles to the sprinkles, and cover the icing with glossy accents.



Enjoy!

Kristin

Patient Birthdays

Well, Lisa and I have always wanted to send personal birthday cards to our patients. Now, we can! We don't have *that* many patients, but they ALL seem to have their birthdays in the next 3 months!! I used the very first sketch I ever copied into my "little book of sketches"... so unfortunately, I have no idea whose it was- that was before I had my own blog and knew to copy down the info to give credit. (So, if it's yours, or you know whose it is, leave a comment, and I'll edit the post!). I used more of the same blue cs I got (so cheaply at HL awhile back), and DCWV glitter matstack. Then, my scallop punch helped give the image panel a bit of class. I used CTMH Dutch blue ink, and a happy birthday set of stamps bought in August at J's (I got it with some bday money myself!).

Enjoy!

Kristin

Happy 7th birthday!

Towards the end of September every year (since 2001) is a pretty special day. The "first" child of our best friends celebrates her birthday. She was the first baby I ever held who was only an hour or so old, the first heartbeat I ever heard (in real life) when she was still in the womb. And the first child I ever loved like so dearly (before my own children were born, of course). She is now 7 years old and I can't believe it! She is turning into a beautiful young girl. She deserved a very special card, and her mom said she loves flowers and butterflies... so this is what I created.




On the inside, I cut 2 butterflies, glued the bodies together, and lifted the wings of the top butterfly so it would look like it was flying.

I used DCWV blossoms and butterflies, glitter matstack, summer cs pack, and flowers I've had for awhile.

enjoy!

Kristin

Emma's birthday invites

So, my daughter is almost 2 (I REALLY don't know how that happened!!) and we're going to throw a small party for her next month. Unlike Jake, she's not that interested in TV, or toys- except for the one Jake has at any given moment. But, she DOES like Elmo. So, I decided to do an Elmo party... my problem- nothing Elmo!

Also, I don't want to spend a lot of money, so I used some random cs I've had for a year or so, the Celebrations cartridge from my cricut, and a borrowed stamp from a friend. I had gotten some birthday stamps a few months ago, so I knew I could use those too (getting very resourceful in my current financial state!).

This is what I came up with...

I let the cricut actually cut out the cards with the #2 in it! Then, it cut out all the scalloped square/rectangle image. I stamped them and added stickles to the star and glossy accents to the bows. On the inside I stamped the "For, Date, Time, etc" AND stamped the info (her name, the actual date, etc).

But, I found a great stamp on sale when I was at HL... got it for $3!! Now, I can sell it (anyone need an elmo stamp??)... So, I stamped Elmo on red paper in black ink, colored the eyes and mouth and cut them out and glued to the inside of the card. Heeeeeeerrrrrreeeee's Elmo:

Enjoy!

Kristin

celebrate birthday continues...

Well, you've seen lots of birthday cards lately, but tomorrow you'll get a scrapbook page!

Today, though, is ANOTHER bday card (although b/c it only says "Celebrate" you can pretend it isn't a bday card if that makes you feel better, lol!)

I am pretty sure I know who the recipient of this card will be, but no telling yet (in case I change my mind!).

This was made with a .cut file from Capadia Designs- it is a standard card size with the scallops and punched holes (nice, huh). I actually used it twice- once for the blue cs that is the card base and again on the DCWV b&b printed paper that is glued to the top.

The paper is itself is so glittery and pretty, I couldn't figure out what to do next. I had seen on several blogs the idea of stamping onto vellum and then coloring it with copic markers. So, that's what I did. It turned out great! To make the butterfly look like it was flying I stamped it on a pink cs that matches the paper and only glued the body down. I took my *new* Glossy Accents onto a couple of spots on the wings for shine. Finally, I stamped the sentiment from my *new* stamp set and ink pad and went over it with the G.A. too. I matted it and was done.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Many Happy Wishes for the Birthday boy!

boy is a "bit" of a strong word, but he's definitely a kid at heart! (Funny story... the other day he and a college guy were sitting and waiting to start some important training. They both had "clicker" pens and decided to race to see who could click their pen the most in the shortest amount of time!... pretty sure they were doing that for my benefit, but you can NEVER tell!)

So, I decided to do a more grown up card and am pretty pleased with the result

Now, you might be asking yourself... birthday? Really? Hmmm....

First, I will explain the technique, then the birthday part.

1) I saw the other day on this blog (a MUST if you have a CRICUT, want a CRICUT, love your CRICUT), a very cool technique that she found called cuttlebug inking. I HAD to try this. Watch the video on Linda's blog and it'll make sense. I used chocolate CTMH ink on that paper (it was MM cs -wheat, I think) with the script cuttlebug folder. Then, I took another cs and distressed the edges, sponged them with black and chocolate inks and then crumpled it up. Pressed out flat and rubbed/sponged more ink over it. On an ivory textured cs I stamped the image in black. Pulled out my blender pen and colored it with black and brown inks.

2) On the inside is stamped "happy birthday"... but what I've written is something to the effect that we may not be "two of a kind" but there is no one else I'd rather be with than Terry.

Enjoy!

Kristin

p.s. this here proves that stamp images can be REALLY versatile, depending on how you use them!

Terry's 1st birthday card...

So, yesterday was MY birthday and tomorrow is Terry's! Back when we were dating he always said he wanted to get married on the 4th (the day in between) so he'd never forget any important dates. I looked at him and said, "what makes you think I'd LET you forget??!" He shoulda known then....





Anyway, I made 2 cards for him- 1 from the kids and 1 from me (mainly b/c I finished the first one and decided it was a little too childish to come from me).





Here's the one from the kids:

I am positive I worked from a sketch but I can't find it in my book! I used some MM cs and pp for the layers, random brown ribbon, 3 brads, and the stamp set I bought somewhere at sometime in some store (I used it for my mom's day cards this year, if that helps!).

As you can see, it really isn't my best work, so I am glad to hand it over to the kids and let them give it to him.

Enjoy!

Kristin

you say it's your birthday, da nah nah nah nah nah

it's MY birthday TOO yea, da nah nah nah nah nah...





That's right, today I am OLD (er) than yesterday! Really weird to be "this" old, b/c when you are 10, 16 years seem old. When you are 16, 21 years seems old but 25 or 28 seems REALLY old. Then, you are in your twenties and ANY number over 30 is almost too old to think about. And I am in my middle 30's, wow. Where did the time go??



But here's what is great (and funny) about life. My 30's have been far better than my 20's (and my teen years couldn't even hold a candle to my 20's). So, for that I am blessed! God has been very good and faithful to me.



So, I got some goodies from my friends and family, here is the first card I made with the some of the fun stuff I bought with a Joann's gift card (thanks Erica!)...

I got a "birthday" clear acrylic stamp set. It had the cupcake image (I masked it so I could stamp it in multiples) and the multi-candle image (again, used it twice, just masking the cupcakes). And, it had the sentiment as well. There was actually several sentiments and several images including the pink ink (stamp pad) that shows up well in the sentiment and middle cupcake and candles, and a clear acrylic block too. ALL that for $7!! What a steal! I also bought a "mini" acrylic block for a $1, and got some Ranger Inks Glossy Accents for $7. Only had to spend about a dollar of my own $$ (and that was mostly the tax... so I did GREAT).

The glossy accents stuff is kinda like CTMH Liquid Glass that I've wanted for a very long time (but I always wanted other stuff more) and this was essentially free for me, so I finally got it! The sketch came from Steph's stampin stuff which is actually from Taylor's cupcake challenge
I "flipped" the image (sort of) b/c my pink paper got a little messed up, and when I tried to tie my bow to hide it I tied it 'upside down' (if that makes sense)... so I just flipped everything over. I think it looks good though. The colored cs is all DCWV summer stack and the pp is DCWV butterflies and blossoms. The brown cs and ribbon is PTI.

My favorite part, though, is what I did to the candles and cupcake tops. I colored the flames with my copic marker and then added stickles for bling. I colored the sprinkles with my pink copic and then added the glossy accents. It dries to a clear, hard, raised (embossed) feeling. So, in real life this is one AWESOME card. Eventually, I'll give it away, but for now- it's my bday card to myself :-).

Enjoy!

Kristin