Checking In

Yes, I realize it has been quiet around here this week.
It's been busy. Really busy.

I'm hoping to come back later with a project because I *have* to stamp today. I'll go crazy if I don't! lol...well, that and I have two cards that I need to make. ;-)

I received my Sale-A-Bration order yesterday....drool...I can't wait to PLAY! :)

What is Sale-A-Bration?  It's a fun way to get FREE stuff! :)  I've updated my RH sidebar and Catalog Tab to include the SAB mini catalog...

And here's more info (you can click on it to see better):

Okey Dokey....I need to be off...but hope to be back soon! :)

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

Crystal

Passing Time...

Written Monday the 24th, LATE at night. ;-)

Today I tried to take a nap. It didn't happen.  I read my book, tossed and turned and worried about oversleeping/missing picking up my daughter from PreK (though I had set an alarm).  I haven't been sleeping well for about a week or two, thus the need for a nap. ;-)  That and the fact that I knew tonight's sleep would be interrupted/cut short.

I'm sitting here on my couch, trying to patiently wait for the clock to chime the late hour.  The hour in which I can FINALLY order from SU!  Oh, it's been hard to hold back, once I had a look-see at the Occasions Mini catalog...but I made myself wait. Until Sale-A-Bration!

Do you know what Sale-A-Bration is?
It's the time when you earn FREEbies! Who doesn't love free stuff?  For every $50 you spend, you can pick something out of the SAB brochure for FREE!

Did you know you can order thru me online, and have it shipped directly to YOU?  24/7.  Maybe you already know, and are waiting up with me. ;-) Here's the link for ya.

I've been saving some of my b'day/C'mas money for this occasion. :)  Well, truth is, I haven't spent any of it yet but...yes, I AM limiting myself and won't spend it all on stamping. As much as I love my hobby, I am also a frugal person by nature, and save my gift money for when I really want something that I feel is not a necessity - for me, or our home.  In fact, when 2010's B'day/C'mas rolled around, I still had a little bit left from 2009 from being so careful, lol! :)

Sorry.   Rambling.   Remember the title of this post? ;-)

Eek!  My eyes just found the time and my heart skipped a beat. My palms are starting to sweat! lol!  My list is ready, and I'm ready to type in those numbers as fast as I can!

Yes, I'm crazy.  A crazy stamping lady.  Sometimes I think my UPS guy thinks that, lol!

Okay, so I'll be back later to post more info & links to the SAB mini & such (or you can follow the link to my SU website right now & find it there under promotions...

Hoping to have time to create and post on Tuesday. This last weekend and today, I've been working on updating my craftincrystal Etsy shop with new items. :)

ETA: I'm back! WOo hoo! That has got to be a record for me - 18 minutes entering a SAB order from start to finish. Usually I am hmming & hawwing over things, back and forth, back and forth. Maybe it's a good thing to wait this long! :)

Okay..time for bed and much needed sleep.

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

An Award & Randomness

A fellow blogger friend recently awarded me with this and I'm so honored - thanks so much, Holley!


As part of receiving this award you are to share 8 things about yourself and then pass it along to 8 other bloggers!






8 Random Things About Me:

1. I love to read. I have to read before falling asleep at night - it helps me turn my brain off, lol!  Christian Fiction is my choice...preferably with some romance involved.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for romance. :)

2. I'm a sucker for chocolate, too. In a pinch, chocolate chips will do. ;-)

3. Back in my school days (Jr. High thru High?)...if I felt my notes were too messy, I rewrote them. Yup, I did. And I wasn't the only one, hee hee - my best friend was the same way! We were even jealous of each other's handwriting, lol! ;-)

4. I enjoy filling out forms...especially if they're the carbonless multiple copies of the same thing type of form - something about that soft paper and a good pen, lol!

5. I *dislike* weeding. It usually takes prompting from my grandma, who comes over to help. ;-)  On the other hand, clipping my roses is a relaxing thing for me. :)

6. I *love* baking. Oh, that I could have the time and resources (and willpower against the results) to bake all the time!

7. I *love* organizing - I'll help you organize your kitchen cupboards!  (((contented sigh)))  I love the feeling at the end. I love the thoughts of before/after. I used to DRAG mom/dad/hubby/whomever to the project, and show them afterwards! lol  Ironically, though I'm organized, it's really easy for me to accumulate clutter...and when someone (ahem) asks for help with their mess, I get overwhelmed with all the projects awaiting me at my own home, that I tend to put it off (sorry mom, will help you soon!), thinking I should probably tackle my own first, lol! :)

8. I once thought I could manage riding a bike down concrete stairs. Ha ha ha ha ha!  I still chuckle over that one.  Luckily, as a pre-teen/teen (??don't remember exactly), I didn't get hurt too badly, but a little embarrassed towards the man in the speedo I narrowly missed! lol!!!  I wonder if the friend with me at the time still remembers this...

Well, I think that's all for now...and now you know some random things about me!  lol.  Sorry it took me so long, Holley!  I had the hardest time with the 8 Random Things!

Now here are 8 Great Bloggers (what a tough thing...I have so many more I enjoy!)
Ruth (Living Well, Spending Less)
Amanda (Vintage Dutch Girl)
Dianne (For The Love of Stamping)
Patty (Patty Creates)
Ashlee (Muse My World)
Dale (What's Up With Dale)
Kim (Jenkins Journal)
Shari (Southern California Stamper)

Be sure to check out Holley's blog too...but not before commenting here - 'cause you know how much I love to hear from you! :)

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

Beautiful Things

WHEW! It's been quite a day!  I didn't even get to sit down and LOOK for a stamping challenge until about 2:30pm. Good news, I've gotten much accomplished today. :)

Including stamping!! YAY!!

The challenge: (Ways To) Use Gradient!
What does this mean?  Apply multiple colors or shades of ink to the same stamp, by swiping the color onto it.

I've NEVER done this before.

I could do it again....and probably will because it was kinda fun! :)  I really like how it turned out, except for where I messed up a little with the green and blue. But ya know what?  I decided that it will be just fine...I have too many other things to do today without taking the time to redo it.

So, ya in the mood for rainbows and hearts? lol
Well, that's what I'm giving ya. ;-)

You're wondering WHAT stamp set this is from, aren't you?  Well, I'm sorry to say it's not Stampin' Up. I don't remember where I got it or how long ago (it's been years)...I just know it's never seen ink (I know), and I thought it would be fun with this technique. :)

The colors I swiped: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pacific Point

I then punched out a Real Red heart with my SU Heart to Heart punch and popped it up with a dimensional, then added red stickles to make it sparkle. It's been a LONG time since I've used stickles, lol!

Well, what do you think?  I'd love to hear from ya!

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

Birthday Butterfly

I was determined to take part in another challenge, today. What I love about joining these is that they challenge me, make me think outside my boring box, lol. Prime example of that is yesterday's post. Still not completely happy with it, but kinda like it in a "weird, funky, not really me but it's totally different" way. You know, the kind where you say, "do I really want to show people this?"

I followed this sketch from Clean & Simple (FTL123):

Would you like to see what I came up with? Ok. :)













The sentiment is from a retired set called "It's Your Birthday"...one that is often my go-to Birthday set! However, I am sooo excited to get the new birthday set in the mini catalog...next week, I'm putting my order in! :)

I ended up using a combo of old and current products on this card, and I just love it!  Reminds me of a little girl's birthday card (even though it could work for any age).

Old: So Saffron gg ribbon, It's Your Birthday
Current: Circle, Scallop Circle, and Butterfly punches, Punch Potpourri stamp set (Hostess), Pawsitively Prints DSP, Basic Pearl jewels, Poppy Parade ink

Well, what do you think?

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

Bravo Breeze For All!

I know, the corny titles are getting a little old. At least it keeps ya guessing, right? ;-)

Sorry I was MIA yesterday...with my oldest off from school, I decided it was time to go to B'ham (nearest "big" city) for some miscellaneous shopping.  We ended up being gone most all of the day! Back in time for Pre-K for youngest, stop at a friend's, back home to read with 1st grader, pick up Pre-K'er, then back to the grocery store and a couple of other stops...yeah. Gone all day = no stamping.

So, you're wondering what today's post is about, aren'tcha?

I followed a color challenge today...and let me just say, it was completely opposite of this post, where I wasn't sure of the colors, but once I got going, LOVED them! lol  This time, I thought it was a fun & unique combo, but had trouble working with it! lol

I *think* I'm okay with it now, but by the time I finished, it's too late in the (rainy & dreary) day to get a decent pic...so color might be a bit off, even if I tried to fix it.  Sorry bout that. It actually looks decent IRL, in fact, the difference is really bothering me, now! lol  Maybe I'll retake it tomorrow and change it here...we'll see how lazy ambitious I am. ;-)

You ready?
Color Challenge: Bravo Burgundy, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizazz
Stamps - I used two different (but similar sets here) can you guess which ones?


















If you had trouble guessing, here's the info:
Flowers & stems - "For All You Do"
Sentiment - "Great Friend"

How did I get more than one color on the flowers? It's called the "Rock 'n Roll" technique. Ink up your stamp in the lighter shade, then rock and roll the edges in the darker shade. Make sense, or shall I make a video tutorial? :)

I might just add some dazzling diamonds glitter to the centers of the flowers...couldn't decide.

What do YOU think?

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

Is Your Coffee Cozy?

An interesting question, isn't it?

Remember this crazy sewing post?  You know, the one where I decided to make a coffee cozy for my daughter's teacher, finished it at midnight, then decided it wasn't good enough so I kept it for myself?  I even made it to match her favorite color. ((sigh))...It was my first attempt, and I'm not sure if I'll try again or not.

At any rate, I decided now was as good a time as any to show it to you. :)  Be kind, I didn't really know what I was doing...other than following a tutorial for the whole sewing post buttons and making loops with bead n stretch (which I made too tight) so that it expands to fit whatever the size of your cup.

Okay...deep breath...

















I sewed a "sleeve" of sorts, with warm & natural batting in between. The trick was getting a nice finished edge, so I possibly made it more difficult than it needed to be, lol!

Well, what do you think?
No stamping in today's post, can you believe it? --- aack! :)

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

Elegant Celebration

Well, the occasion wasn't necessarily elegant, but it was a celebration of achievement, and I used an elegant design. ;-)  Sometimes, a CAS design just speaks for itself. :)


















Just in case you can't read the tag, it says "Someone like you should be celebrated every day."

I embossed the bashful blue cardstock with Elegant Lines embossing folder, wrapped the Early Espresso ribbon around & tied, and added the tag. Though the sentiment is from the set "It's Your Birthday," I love that this specific one doesn't have to be for a birthday.

Speaking of birthday sets, I am (not-so-patiently) waiting to get the newest one in the mini catalog - I knew I wanted that as soon as I saw it.  Go ahead and take a look-see (RH sidebar mini catalog)...you might want it, too! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: It's Your Birthday
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Elegant Lines EF, Big Shot, Early Espresso satin ribbon, Circle Punch
Technique: Embossing

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

Pretty Cherry Mambo!

Oh, I'm quite excited to show you today's project, and it's a 2-Fer! :)
Which means...you get to see 2 projects from one challenge! :)

I'll admit, when I first saw the Color Challenge at SCS, I was a little hesitant. I didn't really like it. It seemed like it would be "off"....but it wasn't, and I SO love it! :)

And that, my friends, is why you get to see 2 projects today. Cause I was havin' so much fun! I can't even decide which one to share first!!! lol

Oh wait. I forgot to tell you the colors.
Pretty in Pink
Cherry Cobbler
Melon Mambo
White/Vanilla

Card #1 - Pretty Cherry Truck 















This one is used a set I've had for-EVAH, called "Loads of Love"!  It used to be my go-to set for masculine cards, but I haven't used it in way too long. The main image is, of course, popped up on dimensionals. ;-)  I used shimmery white cs on this one, whisper white on the next.

Card #2 - Pretty Cherry Love

This card was made with the set "Love You Much", and I had fun with this one, too, but couldn't decide whether to place the main image like this, or turn the card horizontal and do something different than the norm...I'm so boring that way, lol.  Maybe I'll just make another one and do both! :)  (Main image is, of course, up on dimensionals)

Well, what do you think?  Do you have a favorite?

The Small Print (Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Loads of Love, Love You Much
Ink: Black Stazon
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Shimmery White
Accessories: Watercolor Wonder crayons, Aquapainter, SU markers, Ink pad lids, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Polka Dots EF, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Melon Mambo gg ribbon
Technique: Watercoloring

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

Thinking Tree

Happy Monday to ya!!

I was in the middle of making this "Thinking of You" card, and realized it looked vaguely familiar.  I looked it up out of curiosity, and sure enough, it had a vague resemblance - ha! :)

Since I was halfway through, I decided NOT to do exactly the same thing. I mean, I had already decided to keep it monochromatic, and had used a different vanilla, so at least it differed that way.  I had a piece of cardstock that didn't go all the way around the main image, and thought "that's ok!  I'll keep it that way!"  Since I had already punched the sentiment with the wide oval punch (same as old card), I decided to cut the sides off to make it a little different.

Well, here's today's card:

Sorry about the ribbon...it IS artichoke, the right color, but it shows up funny.

And here's the post I was talking about.  Look a little similar, don't they? lol  Deep down, I must think this is the perfect designer paper for this stamp or something! lol

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Confetti Ivory
Paper: To The Nines DP
Accessories: Wide oval punch, Always Artichoke gg ribbon, Dimensionals

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

Olive Gardens

Okay, I just realized how that title sounds.

As much as I Olive Garden, this post is not in any relation to the restaurant...though now that I'm thinking about it, their breadsticks, Pasta Fagioli, and Chicken Alfredo sound really good right now...sigh...finances being what they are, that's not happening any time soon, lol!

I digress.  Sorry, I'm awful good at that, aren't I? ;-)

Anyways, today's card is interesting.

No challenges to follow, just a stamped image leftover from yesterday's post.  So, I have this image to color, and I start coloring it with bright (not me) colors, and I like it. But then...I can't decide how to finish it into a card!  Do you ever suffer from such problems?  Ugh...I messed around a bit too much with this, and I'm OK with how it turned out. Not elated, but not downtrodden, either. ;-)

Curious yet?
I will rectify that. Remember, you've been warned. ;-)

To me, it obviously needs a sentiment stamped in brown.  Nothing I thought of looked quite right, and I wasn't about to ruin the whole thing (and all my time) by stamping something just to stamp something.

I'm thinking a very small 'happy birthday' or something...either directly on the cardstock, or on a punched piece of vanilla cardstock. We shall see.

The ribbon is behind the vanilla cardstock, wrapped around the back of the chocolate chip layer, and tied together at the punched-out portion. This goes directly against my grain of 'saving' ribbon/$. How?  I never waste ribbon that you can't see, but I decided this time, for the look I wanted, that's what I was going to do (eek).

Okay, so how did I come up with the post name?
Simple: The designer paper is an old one (yay!) called Petal Prints & Paisley or something like that. The color of this specific piece is Old Olive. The flowers, they remind me of a flower garden. Hence, Olive Gardens (not to be confused with the restaurant - partly why I added an 's'). ;-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Fast & Fabulous
Ink: Stazon brown
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Paper: Petal Prints & Paisley
Accessories: Chocolate Chip taffeta, Dimensionals, Ink pad lids, Aquapainter

Off to frost some chocolate cupcakes...and hope that this killer headache goes AWAY!

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

Fabulous Baja Soiree

Am I going to a fabulous dinner party in California?
Nope, it would be more than an evening if I were going to Cali, as it is a couple states away, hee hee. ;-)

I'm pretty excited to show you today's project. For ONE thing, it counts towards TWO challenges!!
1 - The WT (Ways to Use It) challenge was to use twine.
2 - This week's sketch challenge

For ANOTHER, I used some fun things I haven't used much/shown you yet!

A bit of an explanation on the title:
Fabulous - used the stamp set Fast & Fabulous (you can earn it free as a Hostess!)
Baja - one of the main colors I used (Baja Breeze)
Soiree - name of the DP I used (Elegant Soiree)

Okay, I know you're dyin' to see what I came up with.  Personally, I think it looks better IRL...and I love how it could be used for many different occasions. :)

Here's the sketch I followed:

I originally didn't have the kraft layer all around the white base, and then the layers looked more true to sketch, but the kraft matting around the main image stood out too much, so I added the other...I guess I have quite a few layers on here, but at least it follows the sketch! lol

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Fast & Fabulous
Ink: Stazon Brown, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzaz
Paper: Elegant Soiree
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Aquapainter, Chantilly lace, Linen thread, Dimensionals

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

It's Your Birthday!

I had these great plans for today...most of which included making a TON of cards.  Ha! Apparently that only happens in my dreamworld, where life doesn't interrupt. ;-) I *DID* finally get a chance to make one card, at least.

One of my cardmaking goals this year includes using up my stashes (remember, I'm a paper hoarder).  Here's a card that uses up some of that retired paper (Good Morning Sunshine).
A bit brighter than my normal taste...but that's ok, right?

I set out to make a masculine card, but after I finished it, I realized it could work for anyone! :)

Well, what do you think?  Honestly, it's not my fave...but I had forces working against me today, so I'm just glad I was even able to create something! lol

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: It's Your Birthday
Ink: Pacific Point
Paper: Good Morning Sunshine
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Old Olive, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Accessories: Star punches, Dimensionals

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

Occasions Mini LIVE!

Shooooooot, I thought I'd be able to stamp today. :-(
Well, I DID get lots more cleaning and laundry done, and recess duty at my daughter's school...so I DID get something done. ;-)  Good news is that I've got so much done, that I *should* be able to stamp tomorrow!

I DO have something to show you...

It's a new year and and time for a brand new mini catalog - yay - lots of yummy stuff in there!!

I've updated my blog, and there are several ways you can view it:

Click on the pic to your left, or see RH sidebar, or go to my Stampin' Up Catalog tab (at top)...they'll all bring you to the same place. :)

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!



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

So Long, Farewell...

Auf Wiedersehen, Good night...Good bye, Good bye, Good bye....
Yes, I love that movie. ;-)

Today's post has to be a quick one, because I wasted all my "alone time" (both girls at school right now), running to the PO, grocery store, and a couple other places. :-(  I am seriously sad about this, because if I was at home during the 2 hours my daughter was at Pre-K, I could've made a card, took a pic, uploaded, edited, watermarked, blogged about, and copied to SCS and SC! (yup, it can take some time!)

However, now that I only have an hour left, I've decided I'd better do some bookwork (I'd rather stamp, lol).

Here's another thing that makes me sad, and the reason for writing this post:


It's ALL GONE!!! (sniff, sniff)

I found my favorite Holiday creamer this year, and I'm sure wish I had bought more than one bottle...just so I could taste the goodness for that much longer! At least it lasted me the whole "season"....but it'd better be back next year, lol! :)

You know, there are two ways of looking at this post today...and even though I'm obviously sad about a few things, I'm choosing to look at the glass half full. :)

1) Getting stuff done in town sans kiddos, therefore no stamping time today means - I can spend more "real quality" time with the kiddos once they're home, instead of in town running errands with them, or being glued to the computer trying to do all that was listed above. ;-)

2) My fave creamer running out means - it's that much easier to "be good." :)

See now, it's a good thing those things happened, so that my Resolutions meet with success! (see here)

Hope to be back tomorrow with something crafty!
Aacck!  Only 25 minutes left for bookwork now! 
Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal