A little bit of this & A little bit of that...

This picture is from last year at a great place to eat in the DFW area. I never could find the right paper or embellishments to scrap the photo.  So, a year later I found that by adding in different elements from Pink Paislee, Echo Park, Crate, CTMH, Calico Studio (misting sprays), cricut cuts, some *old* rub-ons, and old fashioned fussy cutting of flowers I could achieve the look I wanted.  The sketch is

Enjoy!

Kristin

"Rosie" Easter

So I'm not sure if this layout (i.e. my daughter's Easter dress from last year) is why I *love* Rosie Posie so very much or not, but when I finally pulled out the pics and started the layout I couldn't have been happier to have this stamp set!  I also was very happy with my decision to buy Button Boutique (after what, 14 months??) because it was one of Leigh's layouts with the Handmade stamp in Raspberry Fizz that I have remembered forever (!!) knowing it would go on one of E's layouts. (I couldn't find the original layout)

Lots of Hibiscus Burst (PLEASE release that ink soon... I'm dying here... my ink pad is soooo dry), Raspberry Fizz, and little touches of green.

(as a side note I downloaded My Pix from iTunes store to add a watermark to my pictures before uploading them to myself and I like it SO much better than the other free watermarking program I had! I use my iPhone as my only camera now so this is a much better solution!)

Enjoy!

Kristin

Valentine Goodness overload

These are the cards I made for my kids for Valentine's Day.  I used the cricut and Pebbles and PTI pattern paper for the card & envie. Stamps are PTI.  The mailboxes are Target $1 and I used CTMH and Pebbles pattern paper, cricut for the guitar, stamps are PTI (the guitar was stamped with Grunge Me using Kraft ink).

Enjoy!

Kristin

Clean and Simple Day 8

The day 8 lesson was about mirror stamping.  I learned one important lesson- detail stamps are better than solid stamps because I can't mirror stamp a solid stamp! :)

Enjoy!

Kristin

Clean and Simple Day 4

This post is for the Clean and Simple class... day 4 (I skipped day 3... too busy now and it's better for me to skip and feel like I am keeping up!).  One stamp (in this case the background text) stamped in unique (or three different ways).  I chose to stamp it and emboss it and then mask out a shape of a stamped flower (PTI Dark Chocolate).  I have a threaded button on it as well.  The other flower is larger but the same image.  Then, just a strip of patterned paper (old My Mind's Eye) with pen stitching and sentiment is PTI B&B Wishes.

Enjoy!

Kristin

3 1/2 years in the making...

This layout is 3 1/2 years in the making...

Great American Scrapbook Convention here in Arlington, TX ... papers & sketch from a class from 2008!!!!

Pictures from a photo shoot from 2009!!!

But, it turned out great and I love it!

Holidays are getting closer!

Are you ready??

Enjoy!

Kristin

Princess 5th birthday

Lots of cricut, CTMH, and PTI makes the perfect birthday LO, the perfect birthday "event" for the perfect birthday princess.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Amber Ink Project 5

  

I can't believe that I only have two projects left to show you.  First up is a set of Christmas tags.  On another forum I frequent has been a lot of talk about traditional vs. non-traditional use of color at Christmas time.  I am typically a VERY traditional Christmas-color kinda gal.  However, when I saw this Christmas iPaper in the Amber Ink Shop I immediately knew I was going to make Christmas tags.  I used some Bazzill shimmer cardstock for the pinked edge circle, and stamped the snowflake and to/from in a coordinating pink.

I pulled out a cute "Mom" and "Dad" stamp, some twine, and some pretty ribbon tied in bows to finish them off.

What kind of things to you have planned for the holidays?  Check out the Amber Ink Shop for all the goodies there and see what you can find. Check out the Amber Ink Blog for lots of inspiration!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Amber Ink Project 4

Back again with another fun card for my 4th Amber Ink project.  This time it is a "card combo" because I wanted to carry the theme (and this awesome iPaper) over to an envelope.  I used a coordinating die on the card, envie, and iPaper to tie everything together (as well as a cute little flower embellie).

Did a bit of sewing on the iPaper this time (and again, you would NEVER know this wasn't paper I hadn't bought online or at a retail store... LOVE it!), and then added on a clear acrylic tag to coordinate with the pattern on the paper and the sentiment on the tiny tag.  Lots of ribbon and a big flower embellishment help to tie everything together.

Head on over to the Amber Ink Shop today and check out what they have in store for you! (lol, couldn't resist!)... there are also some great projects featured on the Amber Ink Blog by my fellow torchbearers.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Caring cards

These are a couple of cards I sent to a friend and her son awhile ago.  On the top card I wanted to use an idea floating around in my head based off of one of my fave cards from Lauren Meader from probably 2 or 3 years ago.  She had stamped the image in black multiple times and then overlaid a popped up piece of cardstock where the image was colored in copics.  It wasn't the "complete" image and blended perfectly with the black/white of the card.  I've done that a few times.  So, with Smokey Shadow cardstock and CTMH Daisy White ink I went to work.  It created the perfect greyish background.  A bit of color with the pink (bad memory and I can't tell if that is Hib Burst or Rasp Fizz from the photo) and then I stamped the image again on an SU dsp that has a greyish/pinkish background for some subtlety.

The little boy card was fun.  My kids and I had a blast creating a card that was just for him.  Lots of ideas were flowing around the craft table that day (in fact, if memory serves, he could have received an entire zoo of cards if my children would have their way!).  I don't own the double ended banner dies... but seeing this reminds me I want them.  sigh... lots of measuring and cutting :)

Enjoy!

Kristin

Make It Monday: Masking with Dies

Here is my card for this week's MIM!! Since Maile Belles introduced BB: Chevron Stripes I was inspired and pulled out BB: Christmas with the dotted version. Using the negative of the Take Three die I sponged around the edges with a light yellow and then stamped the stripe repeatedly in a pretty blue (those two inks were CTMH).

Now I know we are *just* getting into Spring but I'm a TX girl so barefoot or flip flop weather can never come soon enough!! I love summer! I pulled out the ones from Day at the Beach and Inks were Hibiscus Burst and Scarlet Jewel with a bit of stickles. Sentiment is from same set.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Challenge Cards: MIM and PTI PD

I have 2 cards today! Wow! The first card completes the challenge for PTI Make it Monday: Impression. I, sadly, do not yet own any PTI Impression Plates. I longingly look at them (especially Woodgrain, Book Print, and Linen/Canvas- hint, hint dh!! lol) but never end up getting any. So, I ended up using a cuttlebug folder (argyle) on the top portion of the card. I saw Erin Lincoln's idea on her PTI release post for putting a mat within the impression. Doesn't work in a cuttlebug folder people! Take my word for it! I don't think it's permanently ruined, but won't be doing that again soon!

Anyway, I then stamped from MS1 Collection in the "frame" area with Spring Rain ink on vintage cream cardstock and the celebrate sentiment from same set in CTMH Indian Corn Blue ink. Using same ink I stamped the other sentiment at the bottom. Tied the last of my sweet blue gingham ribbon between SR cardstock and VC cardstock. Bella baubles at the bottom and done!

The two cards together create a boy and girl *set* that completes the latest PTI Paper Dolls challenge by Leish. The girl card is also VC cardstock with score line around the edges. Masked off with MS1 stamp set for the *ribbon edges* (never sure what to call those) in SU ink that matches the PTI Sweet Blush cardstock cut in MS1. I did the same kind of technique using SS: Flower die and it worked great- impressed perfectly. Then, stamped the coordinating image. SU sentiment at the bottom and done!

The PTI MIM challenge is open until next Monday the 21st (but very early in the morning... then a new challenge is issued) and our PTI Paper Dolls challenge is open for quite a long time. A new challenge will be open tomorrow and a few others are already *out* and still open. Come play along!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Butterflies and flowers

I was just playing around one day and this is what I came up with- not too shabby (yes, I do hear Adam Sandler in my head... if you don't get the reference just keep on going, lol). This is a little bit PTI (dies and felt), a little bit SU (dsp and cardstock), and a little bit CTMH (stamp). I figure when or if I decide the card will be given to someone I'll put a sentiment on it.

Right now, it appears plain and *blah* to me.

All you PTI fans who have listened to Erin's latest Radio Podcast... I'm asking for *real* constructive feedback...

What should I do to this card to make it better?? One thing, many things, trash it and start all over? :-)

Give me your suggestions and let's see what I can come up with this week on my days off for Spring break!

Enjoy!
Kristin

Cherry Bday Wishes

Cherry wishes to a blogging friend. This is s great example of how a scrap layout can be used for a card sketch.

Using Cherry-O paper from CTMH and all other PTI materials, I made a fun bday card for a sweet blogging friend.

Enjoy!
Kristin

PTI February Blog Hop: Scallops

Today is Papertrey Ink's February Blog Hop!! Welcome to the world of SCALLOPS ;-)... should be a fun hop!

My entry today is a compliation of lots of fun goodies. I used scallops cut from a cricut cartridge layered over each other and a scallop circle under the butterfly. What's fun is I have been using ideas and inspiration from Nichole and Dawn and Mish: lots of layering, cutting out dies ahead of time in different colors to have on hand when I am ready to craft, and using an inspiration jar. My "inspiration jar" holds my die cuts. All I knew when I started was the base color of my card would be Sweet Blush from PTI and I would use layered scallops along the bottom.

Enjoy!
Kristin

All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted:
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Pure Poppy
Ink: Pure Poppy, Chai, CTMH Chocolate (last 2 for distressing)
Stamp: Everyday Button Bits
Die: Signature Series: Butterfly, MS4
Pattern Paper: Distressed Dots (PP & FL), Flowers & Frills from TPC, One of a Kind from OA
Other Cuts: Cricut-Scallop Circle (Lacy Labels 2"), Scallop Borders (Plantin 3/4"), Heart (Doodlecharms 1/2"), Flower (Paisley 1 1/4")
Doily: Hobby Lobby
Baker's Twine: Pure Poppy

Beach Bum

I always make matching layouts for my son and daughter when it is some type of family event: Christmas, Easter, and vacations. This beach trip was no different except I used a different sketch. You can see/read about my daughter's layout here. Paper and many embellies are StoryTellers. The rest is PTI.

Enjoy!

Kristin

PTI Tag Card #2

Here's my 2nd submission for the Anniversary happenings over at PTI (scroll down for my 1st tag card). This tag was created by Heather Nichols. I loved that the colors matched CTMH Boom-di-ada paper and that I was able to use my favorite sketch!! I added some embossed lines to the cardstock strip on the bottom. The PTI Scarlet Jewel scallop circle is *way* too dark from the photography (sorry!) but it matches the paper beautifully!

Enjoy!

Kristin

PTI Tag Card #1

This is my first submission for the 2nd day of festivities over at PTI. I created this card with the tag from Beth Silaika. I used CTMH Boom-di-Ada paper, and then PTI Matstack 3 Die and Stamp Collection. I love that I decided to emboss the banner and sentiment at the bottom. Since this can be used for either an anniversary card or a wedding card, it adds the *richness* to the card that those types of celebrations deserve.

Happy Anniversary PTI!!

Enjoy!
Kristin

Take Three distressed

I am really loving this paper and distressed look. In fact, even with all the pink my very "manly man" dh said even a guy could receive this card!! What?? Have you been married to me too long :-)?

Enjoy!

Kristin

The Paper Studio pp
CTMH Chocolate ink
All other supplies PTI:
Baker's Twine
Rustic Cream cs
Sweet Blush cs
Take Three: Winter
Healing Touch
Sweet Blush button (distressed)

My Top 10 Cards of 2010

Here are the details. Enjoy! (SECOND post for today... please SCROLL down to see the other!)

These are my favorite of 2010 (in no particular order... bc that is WAY TOO HARD, :)!)