Splish, Splash!

Here is the THIRD card I made last week in an afternoon of stamping (read more here)!

I really like this one...and I love that it could work for so many occasions! :)

Again...I used Just Add Cake designer paper and the lovely Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch! :)  Can you tell I like those two products?  Yup, totally do - check out Monday's and Tuesday's posts! :)

This time, I used a stamp set from the Summer Mini called Touch of Kindness. Only SEVEN days left to get this set!  It's cute, no?

The cardbase is Crumb Cake, separated by the Just Add Cake designer paper with a white border (Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch)! 

I stamped the image on Whisper White cardstock with black Stazon ink, then colored in with my Watercolor Wonder Crayons and blender pen. Mounted it on Soft Suede cardstock, and popped it up on dimensionals (of course - wink). :)  The Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon sets it off nicely, don't you think? :)

Well, what DO you think? It's awfully quiet around here, lol! :)

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

Friend to Friend

Soooo excited that I FINALLY had the chance to create! In fact...I made 3 (count 'em), THREE cards in one afternoon!  WOOO HOOOO!  However, in order entice you back, I'm not going to share all three today. ;-)

Here's the first one I made - consider it a warm-up, if you will. I really wanted to make a card for a friend of mine whom I haven't chatted with in awhile, and wanted use this stamp because I know she likes it. :)

I'm kinda disappointed in how it turned out. I mean, I like it...but liked it better before I looked at the picture of it, lol. Sound familiar? Like a card you've made, but the picture of it doesn't really do it justice?? Well, hopefully she likes it anyways, because this one was definitely a labor of love, with MUCH time spent, lol! :)


The image is from the stamp set On The Grow from the Summer Mini Catalog - available only until the end of August - that's only 9 more days, people!

Want to see more made with the set On The Grow? Go here, and here (scroll down to the flowers on the 2nd one).

Don't forget August's promo - buy 3, get 1 FREE designer paper!  I used a new dp called "Just Add Cake".


Details (All Items Stampin' Up):  On The Grow scooter stamped with black Stazon ink onto watercolor paper, then colored in with markers and aquapainter. The card base is crumb cake, and the designer paper is "Just Add Cake." The sweet lil' scalloped border you see is the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch. I stamped the sentiment "friend to friend" from the stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes, and made a double bow out of linen thread, to match the crumb cake cardstock.

Well, what do you think (dare I ask)? :)

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

Come Sail Away

I have a card to share with you today - yay! :)

It's a very CAS (Clean & Simple) birthday card for a guy friend of the family, and I used a few "new" things, I'm happy to say. :)

I used the new In Color Island Indigo, and a new stamp from the Summer Mini catalog, Sail Away.  It's one that I've actually been meaning to use for awhile, but like I've said before...I just haven't had much time to stamp this Summer! So I was thrilled to finally put it to use. Remember the Summer Mini is done at the end of August!

Sorry 'bout the picture quality...I forgot to take it at home, so I had to make do with where I was and take it with my phone. :)

It's kinda funny...I tend to go monochromatic when making guy cards. I wonder why that is...

Details: Card base is Not Quite Navy, Sailboat image and sentiment are stamped in Not Quite Navy ink onto Naturals White cardstock, then  layered onto Island Indigo cardstock. The sentiment is punched out with the Word Window punch, and layered on the Modern Label punch.

Well, what do you think?

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

Loads of Birthday Fun!

HAPPY AUGUST!  The Summer is flying by, and I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted (1 post in a month???!!)!  Wow. I haven't had many chances to create, that's for sure! Mojo? Pretty much on hold. At times, I thought maybe indefinitely. :-(  Didn't even get to check in on my favorite blogs much in the last month! :-(

Well...I'm happy to say...I'm back! :)

I had a great reason to create...my dad's birthday (which is actually tomorrow), and I'm pleased okay with how things turned out. :)  Considering it's one of my first cards made in a long time (made 1-2 others, maybe CASED? - wink), I'm happy. A few things bug me, but other than that, pretty happy. :) This was completely my own, and it felt SO GOOD to get back in the saddle again. :)

Enough rambling...on to the project! :)

I used Old, Current, and New Stampin' Up products for this card - yay! :)
An old favorite of mine (still current), is the stamp set Loads of Love.

Old - "Hawaii Papaya" Designer paper, Kiwi Kiss cardstock
Current - Chocolate Chip cardstock, Watercolor paper, Stazon ink, Watercolor crayons, Aquapainter, Dimensionals, Circle punch
New - Baker's Twine! Made it's debut in the Summer mini catalog, then continued it's journey in the new Idea Book & Catalog - you can view either one by clicking on the SU Catalog tab above! :)


WHEW!
Well, what do you think?

That's all for today...thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

LAST DAY (and a peek)!

A friendly reminder...THIS IS THE LAST DAY YOU CAN ORDER RETIRING PRODUCTS FROM STAMPIN' UP's 2010-2011 catalog!!! :)

Yes, I'm yelling. ;-)  Hurry, RUN!! (click on SU logo in RH sidebar)

Here's a recent project I made using a set that's going to retire (Paradise):

It's a gift certificate holder...for a local nursery (plants). :)  I used the Lots of Tags die for the Big Shot for the label background...the wide oval punch for the label.

And what ARE those colors I'm using??? Anyone care to take a guess? Yup. One of them is already retired. ;-)  If you guessed Mellow Moss & Always Artichoke...you're correct. It's still one of my fave combos. ;-)





And now for the promised sneak peek project...
Actually no. I've just decided I'm going to show you TWO more projects today. As a thank you for sticking around even while I had to take a bloggy-vacation. Imagine that - THREE projects in one day! :)

I had some thank you cards to make...

So, here are two different cards using TWO sets from the current mini catalog (Summer Mini).....AND some new colors from the upcoming catalog! (Releases on 7/1/11) :)

This 4.25" square card features the On The Grow stamp set (Summer Mini) stamped with Black Stazon ink onto Watercolor cardstock, and colored in with the new colors Wisteria Wonder & Lucky Limeade. :)

The next card (which I love the CAS-ness of, btw) uses Swirls & Curls Verses. The Swirls & Curls is actually a Hostess stamp set you can earn from the mini catalog...don't worry...you still have until August 31 to get it and On The Grow - include them with your first purchase from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! :)

I inked up the stamp with the new color Lucky Limeade, took the ink off the flower with my blender pen, then colored the flower with my new Calypso Coral marker. Clear as mud? ;-)

 

Well, what do you think?  I'm glad to be back to share with you! :)

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

Wasabi Florets

Hi all!
I finally have something to share with you...but don't get too excited - when you haven't stamped in awhile, it's hard to get back in the groove! lol

{{I'm hoping to do a TON of stamping today & get my groove back!}}

In the meantime...I'll share a recent creation using a NEW set called "Fabulous Florets" from the new Summer Mini! WOOO HOOO!  Seriously. It's been so long...I feel like rejoicing when I can actually take time to stamp! lol :)














I started with a whisper white cardbase (4x3.5)? Sorry...it's already been sent out & I can't remember, lol. Stamped it repeatedly with the larger outline flower from Fabulous Florets in Wild Wasabi Ink.

Hence the title "Wasabi Florets" - original, I know. ;-)

I stamped out the thank you from "Thank You Kindly" in matching Wasabi ink, then punched it out with our wide oval punch. What's the layer behind it?  I cut the design using Wild Wasabi cardstock, "Lots of Tags" sizzlit and the Big Shot!

Ahhh...just the simpleness of it makes me smile. I like the crisp freshness of the green and white. Yes, it takes a little time stamping all the flowers out, but really...not too bad.

Thank you SOOOO much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

So Pretty Pizzazz Peek!

Well, I'm finally back. It was a lovely Spring Break and I'm kinda sad it's over. It was a perfect mix of lazy downtime and fun sprinkled throughout - no wonder I'm sad! lol  Yes, it's officially been over since Monday, but I've been busy around here with a certain someone's 7th birthday coming up. ;-)

I dunno about you, but for me...the longer I've been away from stamping, the harder it is to get back into it.  Am I the only one who has this problem?

So last night, with kids in bed and hubby late at work, I sat down, determined to make something. Got back in the stamping saddle again, so to speak. ;-)

I surfed for awhile...putting it off a little longer...then found something that sparked my interest. A color challenge! I knew I wanted to use something "new," and I set about putting my thinking cap on...feels pretty good to stamp again, but boy do I feel rusty, and my work shows it! lol

Here's the color challenge (hence the title of this post - plus peak meaning Sneak Peek)!
So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizzazz

And here's what I made. YES, there's Saffron on there - in the center of the flowers! :)

The stamp set I used is called "On The Grow" and it'll soon be available to you...in the Summer Mini! (May 1). I'll probably add a little tiny tag or two hanging from the ribbon with sentiment once I figure out what it's for. ;-)

Base - Very Vanilla / 2nd Layer - Pear Pizzazz / 3rd Layer - Very Vanilla (embossed with Big Shot & polka dot embossing folder) / 4th Layer - Pear Pizzazz / 5th Layer - Watercolor paper. Stamped with image in Stazon Black ink & colored in with my markers and aquapainter. / Ribbon - Pear Pizzazz

Yes, pretty simple and basic...but it's calming, and I'm glad to have stamped! lol :)

Well, what do YOU think?

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

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

Take A Moment

There's the saying "Life Is Like A Bowl of Cherries"...which I'm going to take as meaning take time to enjoy life here and there, instead of just living through it. :)

Here's the card I spoke of in yesterday's post...the other image from "It's The Thought" that I think is adorable. :)
















Quick and simple today. :)

Colored with my ink lids & aquapainter again...new colors Marina Mist and Cherry Cobbler. I really like these two colors together...hmmm...the wheels are turnin'...I'm feeling inspired!  Ready to create!

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: It's The Thought
Ink: Black Stazon, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Whisper White

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

Being Crabby

Is there anyone out there, who's NEVER crabby?  Sorry to be a pessimist, but I kinda doubt it. ;-b

I'll admit it, there are times I realize after the fact, that I was maybe a titch crabby (wink) towards my dear, unassuming hubby.  And then I feel bad.

Here's a little something for those moments:















Ha ha ha...LOVE it! :)

I fell in love with this stamp set (It's The Thought - Summer Mini) primarily because of the crab. The other stamp that I love from this set will be featured tomorrow. So you'll just have to come back & see what it is! :)

It's a very clean and simple (CAS) 3x3 card...doesn't need to say much more than that, does it?  lol   Made this to sell at the Gardener's Market this Summer.  Colored with my ink pad lid and aquapainter.

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: It's The Thought
Ink: Black Stazon, Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Whisper White
Accessories: Aquapainter

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

More Scoops, Please!

Hee hee...I'm baa-ack!
See, told you I had lots to share now that I'm back! :)

When I made yesterday's card, I said I'd have to make another using those same elements...but without the spinner action. :)  Oh, I've had so much fun creating (this and more) in the last little while...so excited! :)

I'll show you not one, but TWO different (but the same) cards!

FIRST, a remake of yesterday's card...without the spinner. ;-)

















And now, flipped! :)

I used one of my fave sets from the current Summer Mini catalog, "Sweet Scoops"...and the Designer Paper from the same catalog, "Island Oasis"!  Love it! :)

Well, what do you think?  Which is YOUR fave?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Sweet Scoops
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Island Oasis
Ink: Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Rose Red
Accessories: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Paper snips, Dimensionals

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

You've Got to Move It, Move It!

It's been a long time, hasn't it?  I'm so sorry about that. :(

Between a camping trip, preparing for said trip, and all the work that comes AFTER said trip...there's not a lot of free time. :)  I completely lost my mojo, on top of that. Not to worry...after taking some time yesterday to enjoy creating again...I've got lots of ideas! :)  Also, I did do a little stamping here and there as needed in that time (birthdays, etc), so I'll share with you those things as well. :)

OK!  On with the show! :)

Yesterday, I was perusing SCS and came across a challenge that inspired me.  It was called "Let's Move It!"  Find ways to make your design move.  Wellllll...I didn't have to think long. Knew exactly what I wanted to do, & which stamp I wanted to use.  I got a little stuck on layout for a bit, but then found a great one here on clean & simple blog: FTL99.  A little messing with color, but then I was set!  :)

It's a spinner card, meaning an item moves and spins!
Are you ready to see it? I'm sure you are.  I've kept you waiting, like 2 weeks. ;-)

I know, that weird track thing is a little distracting, isn't it?  Sigh...it totally distracts me.  I'm going to make a super-cute card without the track.  But I was on a mission, and I was GOING to make it work, lol! :)  You've never been like that, have you? ;-)

I'm sure you want to see it in action.  Well, I've got a couple of shots to show you, and you'll have to imagine the rest. ;-)

Hee hee hee...it was fun, even if the track is distracting.  My girls love it. :)

Well, what do you think?

I'm curious to know if there are people out there still reading this blog!  This is my first Summer of blogging...I'm finding out it's definitely not as easy as during the school-year! :)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)

Stamps: Sweet Scoops (Summer Mini)

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Island Oasis (Summer Mini)

Ink: Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Rose Red

Accessories: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Paper snips, Dimensionals

Other: Penny

Technique: Spinner card

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

Crystal

Poppy Pear Thanks

With the new Stampin' Up catalog release comes new STUFF! :) New colors, new accessories, new stamps...NEW!!  Wooo Hoo! :)

I've got a quick card to show you, using two of our new "In Colors."  There's always at least one color I *love*, as well as at least one color that I...ahem...don't. ;-)  Some grow on me after awhile.

Today, I'm using one of each on the same card - crazy, I know. ;-)
My absolute FAVE: Pear Pizzaz
My not so FAVE: Poppy Parade

Are you ready for this? Ok.

Well, what do you think?

I like it!  The poppy is still a bit bright for my taste, but I like how it turned out, just the same. :)

I used the stamp set "Watercolor Trio" from the Summer Mini - still available! :)  Inked it with my markers, stamped, then stamped twice again without reinking.  This technique has several different names, but I'll just tell you to remember generation stamping.

To finish it off, I stamped the sentiment, punched it out, then popped it up on dimensionals (of course - wink).

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Poppy Parade
Cardstock: Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White
Accessories: SU markers, Large oval punch, Dimensionals

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

MIA...and Gift

Yes, I DID fall of the face of the blogging planet for awhile there. ;-)

What am I up to??
Hmm...well, I was making a ton of stuff for the Gardener's Market.  Then, I needed to recover, lol!  Throw in a kiddo that doesn't have school anymore (wink), Father's Day celebrations, Birthdays, and this week...celebrated my 10th Wedding Anniversary! :)

Want to see a little gifty something I recently made?
You do?  Happy to oblige...















It's a little Post-it Gift with matching pen! :)  See the super-cool DSP I used?  It's called "Island Oasis" and it's in the Summer Mini catalog!  Love it! :)

Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Paper: Island Oasis DSP
Accessories: 5/8" white satin ribbon, sanding block
Other: RSVP pen, Coaster, Binder clip

Well, what do you think?

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

Watercolor Birthday TWIN!

Hee hee...I was having so much fun with the card you saw in yesterday's post, that I decided to make a twin for it! :)














Yup, everything's the same except for the colors. Same stamp set, same technique, same (kinda) placement, and yup...this one has dimensionals, too! ;-)

A few stems are darker than I like, but hey...I'm still in LOVE. :)  You can bet I'm making some of these to sell on my Etsy site, and at local craft fairs/markets!  Keep your eyes peeled! ;-)

Well, what do you think?  Yesterday's or today's?  Or do you just love them BOTH?! lol

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant
Cardstock: Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Accessories: Lg oval punch, SU markers (Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum), Dimensionals

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

A Watercolor Birthday

Here's a card I made awhile back...using the same stamp set I showed in yesterday's post.  A TOTALLY different look, with the same set! :)  Did I mention it's one of my faves? ;-)

A birthday card for a dear friend of mine, using Watercolor Trio:













LOVE it.  Love the colors, love the CAS layout, love the flowers - LOVE IT! ;-)

Some of the leaves are stamped, then stamped again for more variance in shading, and the flowers you see were colored with my markers.  The sentiment is punched out with our large oval punch, and of course, it and the rose red layer are popped on dimensionals. ;-)

Really not a whole lot to say about this card, other than I love it! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red
Cardstock: Old Olive, Rose Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Large Oval punch, SU markers (Old Olive, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Summer Sun), Dimensionals

Thanks so much 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

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