Card # 2 "in the season"

I had to create another card commemorating the passing of a season.

This time I used my 'bug embossing folder: Swiss dots (apparently a "hot" item) AND the scallop oval .cut file I created. The oval it cut is okay, but not as crisp or clean as I would like... it did go very well with the stamp sentiment (don't you think?).

The scallop edge on the card was done with my scallop ruler (what a good buy that was!) and I used DCWV summer cs and Blossoms & Butterflies pp for the strip behind the sentiment. I should have used a different color for the card base (other than the usual white card), but I didn't realize that till the card was done.

Enjoy!

Kristin

A season for Everything

So, you know the song: Turn, Turn, Turn (or, as it is actually known To Everything there is a Season)? Kinda true about life...

One season of my life is ending and another one is beginning. I am sad to say goodbye and so excited to what lies ahead.

I had to make some cards for those who I was leaving behind (in a sense... you know I'll be there for you at any time!).

I got to ink up some new stamps, play with my copics, pull out my Swiss dots cuttlebug folder for the first time, AND have a reason to use the scallop oval .cut file I created (which, I still need to work on!)!!

Very exciting for me! And, I was able to do some of this while Terry and I relaxed and watched a movie together.

First up? I used a new stamp set Spot on Backgrounds from CTMH on the DCWV summer cs pack with White Daisy ink from CTMH. It looked so awesome I almost wanted to leave it alone. I used some Blossoms & Butterflies paper and then ribbon (that matched!) that I've had for at least a year or more. Using the same cs, I used my square scallop nesties (but my sentiment couldn't fit on the smaller square inner part, so I left that off). The sentiment comes from the other new set, Follow Your Dreams by CTMH.

If you click to get a better image just know the inside says "Kneel"

Enjoy!

Kristin

Princess Card

Finally, back in blog-land! This has been a terribly busy 8-10 days and I think I will finally get some posts done so you can have some "eye candy" to look at over the next few days!





Last Saturday, my friend Lisa's daughter turned 4 years old. I can't believe it! She is 5 1/2 months younger than Jake, but I still remember that first time of walking in to her hospital room and holding Abby the first time. I love that we have such cute pics of them as they have grown up.



Well, I HAD to do a great card for Abby, right?? And after finding the perfect .cut file from Capedia Designs, and the right color of pink I got to work. I used a white gel pen on the flags, and stickles on her name for bling. It turned out better than I could have expected!!

Sorry it seems so washed out, it's just a light color of pink.



The lettering was done by the Jasmine cartridge and CDS software.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Can you tell??

Could you tell that I ran out of scheduled posts?? I am usually able to spend a bit on the weekends working on the next weeks posts of things I have done, but this weekend was busier in some aspects and just needed some plain ol' time with the family yesterday.

Anyway, I have a bunch of pics to upload of a project I made and completed yesterday. On Friday, my friend Angela had a baby girl!! Very exciting and we didn't know what it was going to be until she arrived!

So, yesterday afternoon I got a short nap and then got to work!! Creative juices flowing and I had a blast. I used a .cut file (and I don't know from who!!- bad me) for the image and paper. I used some thin chipboard (just stuff I've been collecting from different things) and paper was CM "Gazebo".

It is a BABY Girl Wordbook!! Take a look:

I actually put more ribbons on the side than in this picture (but didn't take any more photos before taking it to Angela today).

I'll show below some pics I took after each section was done before I assembled.

Enjoy!

Kristin

birthday card

My friend, Melissa, had a birthday on Father's Day. I wrote this post that day, but like having a scheduled post a day (makes it look like I am continually working on this blog!). She is still VERY young (7 years younger than me!), but she is the reason I spend so much $$ on stamping stuff! If you don't know, after Emma was born and I had a great scrap space, I started scrapping again. Fast and furious, but loving every minute of it. Melissa started selling CTMH stuff early summerish last year. I went over to see her stuff, never thinking I'd get into stamping... I mean WHO wants to do that??? HA hA, joke's on me!! I'm now totally into cards, stamping (even entering a contest), and all sorts of stuff.

So, I had to make her a bday card, right?? Except, I sorta forgot it was her bday b/c of our anniversary, vacation, and being sick (I remembered before then!). So, Saturday afternoon, I realized it was the next day and I'd already done 3 cards that day (thanks, honey!), but told him I needed a little more time. Got out a great sketch from Mish Mash, cute paper, my scallop ruler, my new square scallop nesties/embossing stuff and tada! Cute card! (the image didn't show up but is a cute, pink stamped turtle, heat embossed w/ clear powder)

Happy Bday Melissa (again, it IS your bday while typing this!)

Enjoy!

Kristin

My OWN cut file!

Okay,

so, I've taken the plunge and created my own .cut file for the Cricut Design Studio Software. It comes from my desire to have more Spellbinder's Nestibilities (mainly the scallop versions). I bought the square ones, can do a smaller circle one due to okieladybug's .cut file, but NO oval ones.

So, using George I made my own. Here's is the screen image view:

Obviously, the scallop is on the left (oval shape with lots of circles, but the "cut" view would make it look like it was a scallop). The oval to the right is slightly smaller (and could be stamped, colored, sentiment, whatever on another sheet of cs- probably white) and it'll fit perfectly! Yea, me. If you want this .cut file, post a comment below and I'll figure that out next!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Grandmommy's card w/ Copics

Well, most (any?) of you don't know but my grandmother is (was) an artist. Fabulous artist (even had a painting sold on ebay- ended up being found by a relative who confirmed it was hers and bought it... but there were lots of interested bidders). She used to teach me art when I was little (not a good student then, I don't think). She had an art studio in the back of their house and would teach lots of women art. Always went to art shows in Brekenridge and other places I don't remember.

I have several of her paintings in my house, so anytime you visit, make sure you look around!

It just so happens that her 95th birthday is at the end of this month. She, unfortunately, has dementia and must live in nursing home with special care so she doesn't try to wander off. But, she still remembers me and my family.

I, as you know, have really gotten into card making and while I made her a card last year, it was okay but nothing like what I'm doing now. I bought a cute stamp on CLEARANCE at Michael's several weeks ago and it is VERY elaborate. I decided today to take it out, ink it up, and color it with my new copics. I've learned lots of lessons from Mish Mash's blog, but now there is a blog done by someone who works FOR copic!! She's just started it, but I've learned a ton already. However, I'm happy to report that most of these lessons have simply built upon what my grandmommy taught me decades (yes, decades!) ago. Shadow, shading, light... keeping the perspective of where sun is coming from, etc.

I also used a very pretty .cut design on my cricut from Susan for the card. I used Cricut Rainbow paper for the outside/inside and DCWV cs for the paper I stamped on. I also had a random "Beautiful Life" stamp (had flowers that I covered with tape so it wouldn't transfer) for the top. I really hope you enjoy this card, it truly represents how much I love my grandmommy!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Copic Coloring

Howdy!!

Well, I am finally recovering from being sick and thought I'd post a bit about the GASC (scrapbook convention) I went to at the beginning of the month here in Arlington. SO FUN!! For all you ladies on the fence, I highly recommend you go next year and TAKE CLASSES. I took 4... I could have done w/o 1 (kinda useless, not good teaching, etc). There was 2 GREAT classes and 1 other that was very good. There are lots of goodies and freebies in the class cost. Then, there are all the Make n Takes in the exhibit hall... some free, some not. I only did 1 that I paid for and it was $3 and well worth it (I'll post about it soon).

But, one of the things I knew I wanted to get was Spellbinder's Nestabilities. They had a booth there (that's where I paid that $3) and I wanted to see the products up close. I ended up getting the square and square scallops "nesties." This is what "everyone" calls them- ha! I wouldn't have ever heard of them before entering blogland, but then I see something over and over and I have to have it! One thing though that the Spellbinder's booth had was copics. I have seen them several times and researched them, but never in person. Although there is a store over here that sells them. I got to try them out and was WAY impressed. They had a deal where I could buy several and get 2 free. I went for it (and I can say that I didn't buy too many other things after I left this booth and it was the FIRST booth I went too).

So, with one of the stamps I got cheap there (coupon from a class... see, girls!!), I decided to try them out for the first time!

It was pretty fun. I sorta went overboard with using the LARGEST nestie/scallop image, but live and learn. Then, I made my own paper at the bottom with the cherry image and heat embossed in silver. The top paper is DCWV glitter stack and it's a random ribbon from HL (?). I also used Stickles (for the FIRST time there and bought 1 bottle- too fun!!) on the top of the cherry for bling.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Happy Dad's Day!!

Well, Happy Father's Day to all those dad's out there!!

We have 3 dads/grandads in our lives... so here are the cards I did for them (using the same sketch for the 2 grandads- Terry's & my dad... and a different one for Terry's card).

My Dad...

Terry's Dad...

Terry's...

I used the cuttlebug embossing folders (bloom dots and d'vine swirls), CTMH Words to Live by for my dad, random stamps for Terry's dad, and a mom's day/dad's day set for Terry's (and the word "dad" on the other 2). I colored Terry's with copics, Terry's dad's was watercolored. Used brads and eyelets. On Terry's I used Paper Dolls cartridge for the bow and arrow (Terry's loves archery).

Enjoy!

Kristin

Not AS cheap scrapping

So, I am finally at that point of being caught up in scrapping (yipee!). I thought I'd show you guys and gals another example of scrapping an event for the kids where they have the same layout, similar pics chosen, similar (or different) papers, but one for each of them.

This is one of my favorites: Easter 2008. In this example, I like Emma's best (but only b/c I used a gorgeous color of amethyst from CTMH and I love that color!). Of course, I used the Cherish book from CTMH (pg. 49 for those who have it).

Emma's

So, the egg, stripe, and grass paper came from Joann's. The bunny face, eggs, and basket came from Doodletype cricut cartridge. I heat embossed the edge of the basket with silver powder for the bling. I used Daisy White cs from CTMH anywhere you see white... except for the borders of the pics... I printed the pics on a letter size sheet of paper and kept the white border (I thought it looked good). The stamp set was Eastertime from CTMH.

Now, for Jake's...

Okay, so to keep it cheap, I used the same egg, stripe, and grass paper, same die cuts (just different paper) and used stickles on Jake's basket rather than heat embossing. The EXTRA eggs on the right side of the paper are to cover a mistake! I used Garden Green ink here with the same stamp set. I also wrote the journalling and doodled instead of using another sheet of paper and the computer. I also did these about 2 months apart instead of at the same time (not sure which is better for me).

Enjoy!

Kristin

(p.s. ignore my toes at the bottom of Jake's page)

Cheap scrapping

Well, I am a BIG fan of scrapping events for Jake and Emma and making the layouts look similar (just use different papers, change journalling, etc). I'm especially interested in saving money lately too.

Well, I came up with a cute idea for a lo for Jake and Emma's class pictures using the SAME paper (but each getting their own lo). I LOVE using CTMH's School Zone paper pack (I need to make sure they don't discontinue this any time soon).

First, I did Emma's...

I used that neutral shade showing at the bottom 2" as the base (but cut off the top 4"). The I cut the other 2 pp and some red ribbon to tie together. Then, I used Base Camp cartridge for the letters and numbers and Doodletype for the bus (black for base and yellow for top). Finally, I used the CTMH school zone stamp set for the little girl, colored in copics, and matted her. I also double matted the picture which IMHO is the best idea for professional shots!

Next I did Jake's...

I used the remaining 4 inches of neutral, the leftover pp's (but overlapped on the back so that I would have something to glue them to). I used a 1" yellow paper (as opposed to the red ribbon) and just flipped the 2 pps. I used 2 stars from George (leftover from making more stars for Jake's poster), Base Camp for letters and numbers, Doodletype for bus and backpack.

So, I only used ONE sheet of cs (neutral), ONE sheet of letters pp, ONE sheet of striped pp, red ribbon, 1" of yellow cs, and then what I needed for the die-cuts and titles and tada... TWO layouts!

Not bad!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Check it out!!

Morning all! The kids are outside playing with Terry and I was surfing my favorite blogs (okay Angela, I'm ready for you to post again :-)) and went to Pink Stamper and she has got a very cool video showing a very cool gadget. It's called The Flip and if you have $150 laying around doing nothing... this IS something you'll want (okay, I want it, but don't have $150 laying around!!).

I only use my camera to take video anymore b/c our camcorder just hasn't worked well since shortly after Emma's birth. But, it was a pricey buy that I couldn't justify again. This is such a neat little gadget that you can easily download the video into your computer.

Check it out!!

Enjoy!
Kristin

How'd you do that??

And for the final technique in the contest...

Tone on tone stamping... obviously you need the same (or very similar) INK and PAPER. That's really it. I totally made it monochromatic b/c I liked the look as I developed the card, but the only requirement was the "coffee break" sentiment to be in the same ink as the color of the paper.

The b&t paper comes with that great polka dot design, the cuttlbug... if you've not discovered it is WONDERFUL for dry embossing (then sand a white-core paper or use a GREAT white ink to make it pop).

Okay, this was fun for me!! Really hope it was for you too!

Enjoy!
Kristin

New Feature!

Hey everyone, Google rolled out a new blog feature. If you look on the right sidebar you'll see some of my fave blogs with the last time they were updated and a snippet of what they blogged on last. Very cool!

Let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Last but NEVER least...

THE FINAL CARD is here!! Days upon days you have waited, religiously reading each post and anticipating the next one (right??... okay, don't tell me if you haven't, let me believe otherwise!).

..

This is Tone-on-Tone stamping... very monochromatic, but looks cool!

Recipe: CTMH Hollyhock: ink, cs, b&t paper, organdy ribbon; Cuttlebug D'Vine swirls embossing folder, corner rounder, Fiskars "sassy" stamps

Enjoy!
Kristin

How'd you do that??

Okay, 2 step stamping is actually EASIER than most techniques (in my opinion).

First, you need TWO ink colors that coordinate somewhat (doesn't have to be similar color, just not contrasting). One must be lighter than the other (significantly so).

Second, you need to buy CLEAR stamps that are INTENDED for 2-step stamping. If you don't have 2 images to work with, it, well, won't work !

Okay, got your inks and stamps handy??

Take the FULLER (first) image (in my example it is the full solid flower) with the LIGHTER ink. Stamp it.
Then, take the OTHER (second) image (in my example it's the "shoots" coming out from the center) with the DARKER ink. LINE it up. stamp it.

The END! It really is that easy. As I've perused blogs recently, I have even found THREE set stamps that look pretty cool.

okay,
Enjoy!

Kristin

contest card #4

We're down to the FINAL TWO!! I really like both of them, but this one was fun to do...



This is called 2-step Stamping (well, I DO live in TX, right!).

I knew with this being the ONLY set I have that makes 2-step stamping possible, it really needed to be background paper. But, didn't know what to do. Looking through last month's papercrafts mag... I found my inspiration. I am REALLY pleased with how it turned out.

Recipe: Hobby Lobby "Retro Border" flower stamps; CTMH bubblegum ink, bling accent, textured cs; CTMH watermelon ink, organdy ribbon, Fiskars "sassy" stamp

Enjoy!

Kristin

How'd you do that??

Okay then ladies (any men out there??)

This is for the card with embossing/watercoloring.

First, I inked up my flourish stamp with versamark (watermark) and stamped a few times on paper. Then, I poured clear embossing powder over the still wet ink...(I use wax paper in a craft tray). Heat set (yes, a REAL heat gun, no hair dryers here!!). Ta da!! Of course, what you DON'T see is that I actually burned (yes, burned) the paper!! Scorched it right on the edge. That is how I came to have that pretty scalloped edge (I had to cut off 1/4 of the paper!!) Yikes (and no, I wan't going to do it again!).

I used a .cut file (Cricut Design Studio Software) I got from Capedia Designs blog for the pretty scalloped edge. I used the scalloped circle .cut file from okieladybug on the cricut messageboard. I watercolored the yellow inside of the flower, raised up that image with popdots and glued ribbon behind it.

Finally, I used a sponge and light sponged the INSIDE of the card bottom where the scallop is to make it "pop"

Enjoy!
Kristin

Happy Anniversary to me!

Wow! Today, Terry and I celebrate 11 years of marriage. (I'm actually writing this in May, but won't post until 6-7-08)

You know, having spent this many years with someone brings a new perspective to those vows to love, cherish, and honor all those years ago. There have been some truly UNFUN moments, some terribly scary ones, some super exciting ones, and some moments we've simply forgotten. But, I can honestly say I wouldn't have lived these years any other way b/c they were OUR years.

As a christian, I see marriage not as a contractual agreement, but a covenant relationship. When you enter into a contract with someone you are protecting yourself and looking for a guarantee that they will hold up their end of the bargain. But a covenant cannot be broken. It is swapping my life for his, my wants for his, my desires for his. It isn't looking out for me, but always looking out for him. I know many marriages do not survive and I am profoundly sad for them.

So, we've now spent 6 1/2 years of marriage without kids and 4 1/2 years with them... my life with Terry is so different now! Seeing him as a Daddy is probably a greater joy than I ever could have imagined. He loves them so much and they... well, I don't think there is a word strong enough in the English language to describe how much they love and adore him. That's pretty cool!

So, enough of that already!

I made this MANLY card for him and hope you like it (they are the hardest types of cards, right ladies?)...

Enjoy!

Kristin

Recipe: Plain brown cs, plain white cs, Making Memories tweed pp and wheat cs, CTMH chocloate distressing ink, Ranger vintage photo distressing ink, CTMH Sweet Love stamps, CTMH tan hemp, Stampabilities Happy Ann. stamp

Contest Card #3

Do you like them so far?? Even though I am writing this days in advance, looking at the posting date is fun!! I should be having a blast at the Great American Scrapbook Convention here in Arlington. I have classes and hopefully some shopping going- yipee!

Also, my 11th anniversary is tomorrow!! (didn't we just celebrate 10 years a month or so ago??... where does time go now?)... on that note, the How'd you do that?? for this card will show up on Sunday (I have a preplanned post for that day).

Okay, so here's card #3...

Alrighty, so if you're an avid reader of my blog (that's 2, maybe 3 of you, right-haha)... you might recognize the paper, scallop, and stamped image from the Teacher cards I posted at the beginning of the month.

This is Heat Embossing and Watercoloring.

Recipe: Autumn Leaves Flourishes stamp, Cricut Rainbow paper, versamark ink, clear embossing powder, Hero Arts Daisy style stamp, CTMH Amethyst Ink, ribbon, watercolor pencils

Enjoy!

Kristin

How'd you do that??

Well, in my last post, I showed a card for my uncle. I used a technique on the stamped image called "masking."...

First, get a post-it note (or some type of repositionable adhesive on the back of a paper) and stamp your MAIN image on a piece of regular paper. Trim around it very closely.
Second, stamp your MAIN image on the cs you want to use for your project. Put the post-it note stamped image directly on top of it.
Third, stamp your BACKGROUND image on and around your main image.
Fourth, take off the post-it note paper. Your main image remains untouched and looks like you got a completely different stamped image.
Last, color your MAIN image as you wish.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Happy Birthday for a Man! (card #2)

(editing note: i orig did this post a few weeks ago, before I even knew about the contest, but I actually DID this card AGAIN for the contest... see it below)

Well, we all have 'em in our lives, right? I am working on manly birthday cards (inspired by Mish Mash- see sidebar). She's a fantastic designer and inspires a lot of what I do for cards and gifts.

I did this for my Uncle Gary (from my mom). His birthday is today, but I did this card when my friend Lisa came to scrap with me.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Recipe: Making Memories 6x6 cardstock & pp. CTMH stamp, Ribbon from J's

Card for contest:

How'd you do that??

So, yesterday I posted a blog about the 1st card I did for the contest. It turned out to be 1 of my favorites.

Watercoloring...

first, you MUST buy pencils that are especially for watercolors. I got mine (General's Kimberly Watercolor Pencils- I think 12) at Walmart. Not too pricey at all.

There are several ways to do it. First, stamp the image in whatever ink works for the card/lo. It doesn't have to be "good" ink, but needs to be totally dry before you start. Then, I typically color my image completely. The more pressure the more coverage, but a lot of it comes off with the water. I bought some inexpensive detail brushes and have a little thing I put water in. I get a bit of water on my brush (paper towels are a necessity) and start to go in a circular motion on the colored image. The penciled image starts to look more like paint. It gives a better coverage and doesn't look like pencil coloring. I like how it turns an image.

With that last card, after I had scanned it, I actually went back with a black pen (like a thin marker, not a ballpoint, hehe) and drew around the image again. Sometimes, the watercoloring dims the original image (you could always restamp if you use clear stamps).

Enjoy!
Kristin

Oh my...

Well, so you know I have been crafting a lot and it really helps me to de-stress. I also get inspiration from a lot of sources, including some mags. I saw a card stamping contest in a magazine a couple of weeks ago and thought, "hmm, that would be neat to try" but filed it in the back of my brain. Just working too hard to worry about it.





Well, Saturday night I looked at Terry while we were watching TV and said, "I'm thinking I might enter a card contest"... he looked at me in a way that said Really?? Okay, whatever makes you happy.





So, Sunday after church and lunch... kids down for a nap, I started. I had to make 5 cards with different techniques. I stopped for going to the Y Water Park (after naps) and dinner and going to bed. Then, I actually finished up by 9:30!! Best de-stresser!! I was in a good mood and able to go to work with a positive attitude (we won't discuss how long it lasted-haha!).





So, here my FIRST card...


I'll list the "recipe" below and then in tomorrow's post I do a "how'd you do that"? AND my 2nd card.

DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies paper stack, DCWV summer cs paper stack, sticker (sentiment) from Papercrafts mag, flower stamp, black ink, watercolor pencils, pop dots, scallop ruler

Enjoy!
Kristin

Happy Kids part 2!

So, I want to be posting more, but haven't been able to do so. In fact, my life is so crazy right now I ended up missing a friend's baby shower tonight (sorry, Angela!!). Read your email... I have sent you something.

I am going to blog some tonight and have scheduled posts over the next several days (so, don't think I am doing all of this each day-haha).

Anyway, I downloaded my current camera pics and found some Happy Kids photos! Last Thursday evening some old friends, the Raders, came through on their way to a wedding in Austin. Last summer they moved back to OK and then she had baby Eli in September. We have really missed them- they have 3 girls that Jake LOVED to play with and we really got along with BOTH of them. You know how that is, right? One of you gets along with one of them (i.e. the 2 wives, or 2 hubbys), but not all 4 of you enjoys the hanging out time.

So, here are all the kids...

Aren't they HAPPY!! They just picked right up where they left off last July.

MISS you Raders!!

Enjoy!

Kristin