Birthday Trio!

When I saw yesterday's challenge (WT) was to create something using birthday stamps/supplies - oh boy was I excited!! :)  You remember, I've been really looking forward to that new birthday set from the Occasions Mini catalog (see sidebar)??!!  Well, I have it now and I was able to use it for this challenge - yahoo! :)

I actually started this yesterday, but was having so much fun that 1 card turned into 3 totally different (yet the same) cards!!  Triple yahoo! :)  I definitely have my fave (middle), but what is yours?

The name of the new Birthday set is called Bring On The Cake, and the lovely striped DSP you see is from a retired pack called Flowers For You. I know, there aren't flowers on this piece, but it's a great little grouping of papers that I fell in love with a couple of years ago, when my girls were even younger. :)  I took the theme of the DSP and complimented it with shades of Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White.  I added dimension to the framed sentiments (of course), and glitter on those two as well. On the other, I added a ruffle of retired satin ribbon for interest.

I've added all 3 to my Etsy site, where I have different angles and closeups of fun stuff like the glitter & such...go check it out! :)

Well, what do you think? Which one is your fave?

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

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

Resolutions...

With the year coming to a close, I've been in a reflective mood.  Looking ahead to 2011, I contemplated what changes I'd like to make in my life.

The list got pretty long.
Either I'm pretty hard on myself, or I have A LOT to work on, lol! :)

Though all of this has been going on in my head, today's "Free For All Friday" challenge at SCS was to make a card based on one of your resolutions - it gave me the push I needed to post something. :)

Here are some bits and pieces...in no particular order.

Be a better mom. That's a loaded generic statement. ;-)  There are many ways I'd like to improve, but a big one is this: I get so focused on what it is that I'm trying to accomplish at the moment, that sometimes I tend to do the "uh huh" nod my head thing and not truly pay attention. I know I'm not the only one out there, right?

Be a better wife.  I resolve to be more selfless. My hubby is SO good at this.

Be a better homemaker. Yup, that means doing better at planning meals (that is the root of making good meals. I can cook, no problem. I need to PLAN.)  Better housecleaning - once upon a time, I followed a system that worked really well, but I got lax. Time to pick that up again.

Be a better friend.  Take more time and foster relationships. I get so busy (and stressed) over all that's going on, that I don't shove that aside and just invite anyways - the house doesn't need to be perfect to have someone over for coffee, right? ;-)

Be a better blogger/stamper. This means being more consistent! (thought you might like that one - wink)  It also means that I'd like to use up my stashes, and stamp more often - including taking part in challenges frequently again! This also means following God's prompting when I feel the push to send someone a card. :)

Be a better PERSON. This means better time management & less being late, better diet/exercise, and most importantly, this means making more time for devotions and plugging into God's Word.

Sometimes I look at this list and think "How on earth will I have time for ALL of this??"  Well, it all needs to start with the last one.  Taking more time studying God's Word - it is the best instruction book there is, right?  :)

That's it in a {small} nutshell. ;-)

So, you're wondering how in the WORLD will she make all this into a card?  I thought the same thing, lol!  But then I realized something...
Most all of my resolutions are based on bettering relationships with all whom I love.

LOVE....HEARTS...hmmm...oh!  I just thought of another challenge I could use!  Thursday's "Ways To Use It" challenge was to use silver!

After gazing at a few of my 'heart' stamp sets and drinking some creamerized coffee, the idea came to me.  A clean and simple (my fave kind!) card using hearts and silver.

Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to capture embossed silver on cards??  Ugh.  I won't tell you how many different angles I took the pic from. ;-)

Here's a closeup of the embossing:

I may just keep this card setting up to remind me of my resolutions:

Keep your life clean & simple, and remember to foster the relationships, Crystal. :)

Wellllll.....what do you think?  Do you have any resolutions you'd like to share?

The Small Print (All Stampin Up)

Stamps: Love You Much

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Encore Silver

Accessories: Silver EP, Heat tool, Paper snips, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

Crystal