Memorial Day Thanks

I have been watching video after video, (yesterday AND today) in search of a good one to share with you today. As a result, I've got a runny nose and red puffy eyes. ;-)

Watching all those videos has made me so much more aware of how special this day really is.  I don't know much about all the branches, ranks, etc...in our military.  What I do know is that I am extremely grateful for their past and present service to our country. Wow, what they (and their families) go through daily, and those who sacrificed their lives to provide freedom for our country is amazing. They deserve our utmost gratitude.

There are sooo many good videos I could post, but I finally have it narrowed down to two. Wish I could combine this video's pics with a different song I've heard on other videos, but goodness...I need to move on with my day! lol :)
 
The first video is what they do.
The second, what we can do (beyond praying for them).
Please watch them both.





Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Thank You, Man

In continuing in my Masculine Theme (yesterday's post not included), I've got another CAS card for you.

This time, it's a "Thank You"...but you could sub it for anything! And honestly, it could work for anyone, too. :)

My hubby wanted a thank you card for a guy, and this card totally works for that specific guy!  However, he still hasn't given it to him...must be waiting for some good reason, lol. ;-)

I love the CAS look of this...a bit o' designer paper, a sentiment, a bit of ribbon and voila! :)  Yes, there is ribbon on here.  Sorry, but I sometimes I just can't say "no" to ribbon! lol.  The key is to keep it to a bare minimum. ;-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)

Stamps: Thank You Kindly

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa

Paper: Outlaw DSP (retired)

Ink: Soft Suede

Accessories: Cocoa ribbon, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

It's a Color Challenge, Cupcake!

I completed another challenge at SCS!  WOO HOO!!!
Seriously, you have no idea how happy that makes me. :)  Back in the day (wink), I'd do them quite frequently...maybe 2-4 a week?

But then, I got busy and let that stuff slide...
Now, I'm still busy, but I also see how better my day can be, if I make time to stamp.  I'm totally serious here, people! :)

Anywho...I participated in a color challenge this time around...
Use ONLY the colors listed:
Kraft, Bermuda Bay, and Real Red (neutrals allowed)

A totally CAS layout...

















I personally like it a little better IRL...sometimes it's hard to capture stuff on film...where colors & shapes can get distorted. ;-(

The main image is stamped with Stazon Black ink on Naturals White cardstock, & colored with my SU markers and aquapainter...love that look! :)  I colored the "frosting" part with my SU white uniball gel pen to stand out a little more. :)  Oh, and of course I have dimensionals behind the red layer. ;-)

What I love about this card is that you could keep it simple as is, or dress it up a little! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Cardstock: Kraft, Real Red, Naturals White
Paper: Thoroughly Modern DSP
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: SU markers, Aquapainter, Dimensionals, Signo Uniball White gel pen

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Masculine Ideas

With Father's Day rapidly approaching,

I thought I'd share some masculine creations.

Masculine cards are difficult for many crafters, including myself. 

Why is that?

Maybe it's the lack of masculine stamp sets out there, or

maybe lack of inspiration. I dunno.

One thing that you can do is focus on something that is a part of their life.  If you don't have stamps to match...get creative! Make something with punches...or ribbon! ;-)

Yes, I just said "ribbon" for a guy card. lol

Here are two samples.
First, the serious one:

...and now the "Dilbert" type version. ;-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (Stampin' Up)

Stamps: Linen BG

Cardstock: Naturals Ivory

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Lg. Chocolate satin ribbon (retired)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Summer

I took part in another challenge...this time a CAS Challenge with a theme: Think Summer. I CAN - it's so close! :)

What things remind you of Summer?
When I think Summer, I think...

...warm, glorious God-given sunshine!

...kids with popscicles, running through sprinklers, splashing in swimming pools

...trying to keep the house cool and lawn semi-watered
...homemade iced tea, iced coffee or smoothies
...bringing dinner out to hubby in the fields

...time with family, hopefully some vacations ;-)

...and flowers. Beautiful flowers everywhere! :)

My last two posts would've been perfect for this challenge, but obviously they're already posted, lol. ;-)  Instead, I'm going down the path of nature to bring you a clean & simple layout with flowers. 

Wouldn't a set of these make a great gift? :)

I used the new set "Watercolor Trio" from the Summer Mini catalog - love it! :)

I colored the stamp with my SU markers, stamped off once, then colored again, spritzed with water, stamped, stamped off... honestly I lost count of how many times I did it to achieve the look I was going for, lol!

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up):

Stamps: Watercolor Trio, Kind & Caring Thoughts

Cardstock: Naturals Ivory

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: SU markers, Water mister

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

MORE Sweetness!

I was having so much fun yesterday with my new set "Sweet Scoops," I made another card after I finished the sketch challenge!  This one came together quickly and I quite like it! :)

Pretty fantastic, no?  A totally different card, using mostly the same supplies I used yesterday!  Yes, of COURSE there's glitter on this one, too.  :)

See, no "blah blah blah" today!  Aren't you so proud of me? ;-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Sweet Scoops, Family Phrases
Ink: Apricot Appeal, Creamy Caramel, Tempting Turquoise
Cardstock: Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Paper: Rainbow Sherbet DSP
Accessories: 1/4" gg Ribbon (turquoise, apple), Word Window punch, 2way glue, Dazzling diamonds, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

A Sweet Celebration

OK, I'll admit it.  I was so determined to make a card today, I got 1/2 my housework done, then took a little break to create.  Let the laundry sit for a bit! ;-)

I had two crafting goals today:
1) Use new "Sweet Scoops" stamp set (Summer Mini).
2) Participate in a challenge at SCS.

I'm here to inform you...I DID IT and I'm so excited about it!!! :)  Small victories are big ones here. ;-)

It has been WAY too long since I've done a challenge...and of course I chose today's challenge to return to challenges, lol!  Take a look at this doozy of a sketch! lol










As someone who lately tends towards clean & simple, it was hard for me to add all those layers (each had specific measurements, too)!  PLUS, I'm a little OCD when it comes to straight lines. Skew the image THAT much?  lol

I am sooo glad I did it.  What I appreciate about stamping challenges is that they CHALLENGE me to think outside the box & feel more creative, too! lol

















Bright colors are usually not my thing, but it totally works with this! :)  I used shading on the scoop of sherbet, with a touch of glitter on the edge. LOVE it! :)  I also stamped the apricot layer with the "sprinkles" from the set....and each colored layer is sponged around the edges, too.

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Sweet Scoops
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Apricot Appeal, Green Galore
Cardstock: Green Galore, Gable Green, Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Paper: Rainbow Sherbet DSP
Accessories: White taffeta, 2way glue pen, Dazzling diamonds, Dimensionals
Technique: Rock n Roll

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Scrapbooking...and FREEbies!

Again, a blogging hiatus...so sorry!  Thought life was going to slow down a little this week??!!

Did you know it's National Scrapbooking Month?
To celebrate, Stampin' Up has a great promo going (hint in post title)!  :)

1- Watch the video - GREAT ideas...it even inspires ME to scrapbook! lol
2- Scroll down, click on pic & view promo - contact me to place an order today! :)

Back tomorrow with a sample for you, using a stamp set from the NEW Summer Mini catalog! :)


Click on the pic to view the Promo
(yes, the same one on my sidebar since beginning of the month):


Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Tropical Party

Am I attending a tropical party? No.
Am I traveling somewhere tropical? No.
Do I wish I were? Yes!! ;-)

Life has been crazy around here (with a capital C)!  Oh, how I'm looking forward to next week - a "normal" week!

Mother's Day projects, Mother's Day, Etsy, housewife/mothering stuff, sick kids, soccer games, weeding flowerbeds, computer problems, and more.  Did I mention that I'm holding a garage sale this weekend with family??  Yup. Those of you who have done it, KNOW all the time that involves! lol  ;-)

Finding time to create during all this is difficult, KWIM?  I'm soooo glad to be here to share with you today!  :-D

Here's something I *finally* finished, using new product from the Summer Mini Catalog! :)  Using the new stamp set, "Tropical Party"....

Oh, and NEW Designer Paper, "Island Oasis", and NEW "Square Lattice" Embossing Folder! :)

I also used "Full of Life" for the sentiment, and the set "Paradise" for the leaves behind coconut drink...(both in Idea Book & Catalog), and some fun embellishments too! :)

See the texture on the coconut? That's crystal effects applied, then let dry a bit, then dragging the tip across the surface to make markings.  LOVE it! :)

Thanks so much for hanging in there...hopefully I didn't lose all my readers! lol

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Tropical Party, Paradise, Full of Life
Paper: Island Oasis
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive (markers)
Accessories: Square Lattice EF, Old Olive brads, SU markers, Crystal effects, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!
Crystal

Taking Care of Business

HI there! :)

Yes, I'm still around...been a little busy, though.  Besides the normal "mom" stuff, I've had SU demonstrator stuff, prep for Mother's Day, and as you can see, I also updated the sidebar of my blog (please keep reading...there's a surprise at the end)! :)

From top to bottom on sidebar:

• The NEW Summer Mini catalog!
• SU's May Promotion (National Scrapbooking Month)!
• New Demo/DVD deal is still going!
• The two color chart links!
• Decorative & the Idea Book & Catalogs (not new)

Last of all...but SURELY not least...
I now have an ETSY store!!!!  AAACK!!

That has taken a bunch of my time this week.  On the computer a LOT...back & forth on figuring out info, deciding which cards to post first, decide prices, uploading it all in there (lots of info to type)...oh...and deciding on a NAME! lol...

Go ahead, click craftincrystal and you'll be brought right to my Etsy storefront!! :)  It still needs some sprucin' up, but hey...at least it's finally up & running...ready for business! ;-) lol

Hope to be back soon with some NEW ideas...with product from the new Summer Mini!! :)  Thanks so much for sticking in there with me!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!! :)

Crystal