Stamping with Kim

Brooke's Valentines

2012-02-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

So here they are...the valentines that we created! Aren't they just so CUTE! We used the paper that we hand-stamped the previous day to create them. You can learn more about that paper here.

We also got TONS of foam heart stickers for $5 at Target! We have SO many that I think they will be featured on our cards next year too! They are awesome and Brooke can peel the backs off herself and stick them down. So easy and so cute! AND...every card turns out a little different so all the people receiving them should feel extra special! :)

Supplies: Card base is Stampin Up's Real Red cardstock. Hearts were stamped on Stampin Up's Whisper White cardstock. Crayola washable red and pink paint. Foam heart stickers from Target.

Valentine's Day Craftiness

2012-02-13T22:38:00.001-06:00

My daughter, Brooke is totally crafty...I think it's in her genes! :)

So I found this fun idea on Pinterest here. It looked so cute and easy and I thought the paper that we created would be great for our Valentine's cards this year!

You just take an empty toilet paper roll, fold in half, fold in one fold to create a heart shape and then tape in place. After that you just dip in paint, make sure it's fully covered and...

stamp it! So easy and so cute! Come back tomorrow to see the finished valentines!

February Stylin' and Stampin' Blog Hop

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hey All...I'm updating my blog! YAY! I hope you enjoy the group that I've found online and become a part of. This month we are showing you some new Stampin Up goodies that we used to make projects based on the theme...

Don't you just LOVE Sale-a-Bration time?!?!?!

Ok...here's my card...

This is a cute little baby card I made for my best friend for her baby shower last Saturday! There are a few new goodies on here: Blossom Builder Kit (Occasions Mini), Hat Pins (Occasions Mini) and Everyday Enchantment Brads (SAB). Don't you just love how it all comes together?!

This card was made using a Crumb Cake base with Rich Razzelberry and Old Olive as a compliment. The heart was hand-drawn and cut out from the First Edition Specialty DSP.

The Blossom Builder kit is probably one of my favorite things from the Occasions Mini! The flowers are double-sided; patterned on one side and plain on the other. Then you get these cute little flags with them. I used the Calendar Alphabet to stamp "BABY" on mine. AND...you also get some cute little pink jewels!

Here is my 3D item...

I also used the Blossom Builders Kit and Everyday Enchantment Brads for this project! I guess you can tell what my favorites are!

The base of this bookmark is Crumb Cake.

Then I layered two flowers in Poppy Parade and Baja Breeze, Circle of Daffodil Delight and a Lucky Limeade Brad! The leaves of the flower were created using Stampin Up's Linen Thread.

And here is the bookmark in action on the book I'm currently reading for my Mom's Group! Ha ha! Can you tell I have an almost 3 year old?!

If you want to visit the previous blog in the hop, click on the following link...

And I'm the last one on the hop but if you started in the middle, click here to get back to the beginning...

Blog Hop Participants:

Shellie G. of Creative Electica
Annie L. of Love Me Cards
Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun!
Nancy B. of Lady Stamps a Lot
Anji C. of Altered Scraps Blog
Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
Amanda H. of Live Laugh Craft
Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
Patricia T. of Sunnyone Stampin'
Heather W. of Heather's Stampin' Blog
Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
Linda O. of Stamp at Linda's
Marla R. of Marla's Stampin' Spot
Michele M. of Michele's Stampin' Blog
Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
Pam S. of Sunny Girl Scraps
Kim R. of Stamping with Kim

You're My Type

2012-01-09T16:38:00.003-06:00

Well it's that time of year again...time for the release of the Occasions Mini Catalog and time for me to attend another swap with my demonstrator group. This time around I came up with a cute, manly Valentine's Day card. But it could also be used for a variety of other reasons! Check it out...

I used the new stamp set: You're My Type. It's a new one and SO CUTE! It's really the one that I really, really wanted from the mini catalog and so I bought it in the preorder period and I love it! It goes perfectly with the First Edition Specialty DSP!

I used another new embellishment on this card...that's Seam Binding in Pool Party! YAY! The other colors on this card are: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler and Lucky Limeade. Love this color combo and I hope you do too!

Check back later, as I will be sharing 16 other samples that I got to make using new Occasions Mini merchandise! :)

Christmas Cards

2011-12-28T23:17:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to give you a look at my other Christmas cards for 2011. Maybe they will give you a jump on 2012!!!

Making just 10 cards per month in 2012 would make it really easy to have enough cards for next Christmas! Just a thought for all of you card makers!

JAI - Fancy Packaging

2011-12-27T21:51:00.002-06:00

I was catching up on the blog world today and I came across this post from Just Add Ink! And I immediately thought of my packages from this year.

Here they are! We always use Stampin Up's packing paper from the shipments that I receive for our wrapping. It's cheap (free) and I always have some on hand and it's just so cute! Then I usually add some cute ribbon to each package. I love to use real ribbon! It goes so well with the kraft paper that we wrap in.

Then this year, I saw an idea on Pinterest...and it was decided that I would add a little black and white picture to each package. This was great for a few reasons. #1 - It just looks SO CUTE! And #2 - Brooke was easily able to hand out packages to everyone. She can't read, but she can recognize who is in the picture and hand that present to that person!

I loved this idea and think I will continue for next year!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-06T15:02:00.001-06:00

If you are coming to my cardmaking event on Saturday...here's a preview of one of the cards you will be making!

I love to make my cards cute and simple! And if you are making 20+ cards for Christmas, you want them to be so simple that you don't get overwhelmed making them!

This card is the perfect one if you are looking to duplicate a card fast!

I started this card with a Lucky Limeade cardstock base. I love this new color from SU! I then took a strip of First Edition Specialty DSP and embossed the Simple Snowflake stamp on it with Cherry Cobbler EP! LOVE IT! I then used a sponge and Chocolate Chip ink to distress the DSP a little.

A few 1" circles punched in Cherry Cobbler and the "merry Christmas" sentiment from the stamp set Petite Pairs stamped in Cherry Cobbler and this card is DONE!

So cute and so simple!!!

Elephant Cards

2011-12-01T16:34:00.001-06:00

Well it's been a while since I've posted but I figured that since it's December 1st, it's a good time to get in the groove again and try to post atleast 5 times a week! Wouldn't you all just love that??!!!

I never got to show you all the thank you notes that I made for after Noah was born. I had 4 different designs that I created and I just loved them all. Elephants were the theme for his room! I might have to show you the other crafty sides of me in posts to come.

Hope you enjoy these quick and easy cards! Please let me know if you have any questions!

Where have you been Kim???

2011-10-05T17:11:00.001-05:00

Last time you all heard from me, I looked like this...

And now I have this...

Noah Samuel...born August 11th! You can read more about him and how the family is adjusting on my family blog: http://www.therydenfamily.blogspot.com/.

And be prepared...I spent the morning with Jinny and now I'm feeling a little bit of a crafting bug (which I haven't really felt since Noah was born). 9pm and both my kiddos will be in bed and you could be seeing a crafty post from me soon!

Echo Park Love

2011-07-20T08:45:00.002-05:00

If you all have been reading my blog for any amount of time you have probably heard that I love Echo Park Paper Company. After Stampin Up, they are probably my most favorite! :)

Here's a layout that I did about my little Brooke before a family event. She was so cute just waiting there for Daddy to cool down the car and get her carseat ready. Adorable!

I thought this little bee tag was appropriate because I sometimes call her BE. Her name is Brooke Elizabeth...it just fits!

I also love this tape that comes in the Smashbook line from K&Company! I like it a lot. Ha ha! You have seen me use it before on this layout. And you will probably see it again and again!

The color in this picture is kinda off. But I just wanted to showcase the cute stickers that come with every single kit! So adorable!

Hope you liked my layout! Thanks for stopping by!

June Club Layout

2011-07-19T07:25:00.002-05:00

I haven't blogged in SO LONG! I have been running, running, running...doing something every single morning with my little girl and by the time the afternoon blogging time comes around, I'm ready for a nap! But today we are staying at home all day and I plan to whip this house into shape a little bit more than it already it! YAY! So I will be blogging too! WOO HOO!

This is the page that we did for club in June. The hostess wanted to do a little painting. So I thought that painting with reinkers would be fun!

We started this page by creating the background. Just a little Early Espresso reinker and a paintbrush around the edges of the cardstock. Then we squeezed the Tempting Turquoise reinker bottle right over the paper to get the spotted effect. I thought that this would be a perfect layout for decorating Easter Eggs.

We used the Playdate DSP that is now retired. I love that set of paper and sticker embellishments!

I saw a challenge on someone's blog that challenged people to use 10 DSP's on one layout. I tried really hard to use all 12 that are available from Stampin Up in this pack and I think I succeed!

Hope you enjoy the layout and I can't wait to come back and show you a few more things that I've been creating! Look for atleast one more post today!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T13:56:00.002-05:00

We received this card in the mail this week from my Mother-in-Law. Since she doesn't have a blog, I thought I would enter it in a challenge for her!

I saw Friday's Mashup Challenge and just had to get this card in. The challenge was to use the colors: red, white and blue, create a patriotic themed card OR do both and mash it up!

She did both on this card and I just LOVE it! Don't you??!!

Sketches in Thyme - Open Challenge

2011-06-29T21:42:00.002-05:00

***I didn't get thos posted before the deadline last night because blogger wasn't working. But I thought I would share it anyway!***

I liked the sketch that Tiffany used this week and since it's an open challenge at Sketches in Thyme this week, I decided to use it too!

Here's my layout...

I love these papers that I got while I was out at Archiver's last week! They are all from My Mind's Eye! Love it!

That piece of tape that says, "I really, really, really, really like this." is part of the new Smash book line from K & Company. So much fun to use! You will see it on a few other layouts I will be showing you soon!

I just love all of the polka dots on this page. So cute!

Sketchy Thursdays 6.23

2011-06-29T21:25:00.003-05:00

I just loved this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch. Check out my take on it...

I used a scrapbook kit from Alphabet Soup and the little alphabet and number stickers came from Pink Paislee. So cute!

This layout is all about Noah's ultrasounds at 28 weeks. We are at 31 weeks now and I get an ultrasound every single week...YAY!! More pictures to scrapbook!

We are doing Noah's room with elephants. Don't you just love this elephant?!!

Isn't he such a cutie?!!!

Color Dare #107

2011-06-29T19:22:00.003-05:00

This week our color combination at Color Dare is: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery and So Saffron. I did a very simple card this week and I just love it!

It might still need something added to it...not sure. What do you think? I think it would be great for a manly birthday card!

Supplies Used - Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist and Whisper White (All SU), DSP (My Mind's Eye), Stamp Set: Best Dad Ever (SU), Ink: Marina Mist, Embellishments: Ribbon (SU), Button (SU), Baker's Twine (SU)

Make it with Crumb Cake Monday + Sneak Peek!

2011-06-27T23:03:00.002-05:00

Hey...look at this...another Make it with Crumb Cake Monday! Today I have a card for you that I used some of my NEW Stampin Up goodies to create!!

This card was made using a Crumb Cake card base. The other cardstock colors used are: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade (new in color), Elegant Eggplant and Wisteria Wonder (new in color)!

I also used the NEW Pennant Punch that punches both the scallop pennant and the straight edge pennant!

And the sentiment "you're the BEST!" comes from the new hostess stamp set "Perfect Words"!

You are going to love all of the new goodies in the catalog!!!

Supplies Used - Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Elegant Eggplant and Wisteria Wonder, Stamp Set: Perfect Words, Ink Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Embellishments: Early Espresso Baker's Twine (SU), Bitty Button (SU), Toothpick.

Color Dare #106

2011-06-22T09:09:00.002-05:00

Every week the Color Dare just gets me because I have never thought of putting all these colors together! This week we are on Color Dare #106: Real Red, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizazz! Here's my card...

I started with a Real Red carstock (SU) base. Then I added in a few pieces of DSP (American Crafts) to match up with Peach Parfait and Pear Pizazz. The circle was punched using my 2-1/2" Circle Punch (SU).

I then added on this metal flower embellishment that I have been saving for a long time. I got it at Archiver's a while back in the $1.99 spot (which they don't have any more) and I don't remember who the maker of this cute flower is! The brad in the center is a retired Stampin Up brad, Real Red with white polka dots! So cute!

Then I used the NEW Stamp Set: Perfect Words (WM: #122470 $12 Hostess, CM: #124505 $9 Hostess). I love this set! You can see another card I made using a sentiment from this set here.

Hope you all like my card this week. Can't wait to see what you all create when you play with us!!! Just link up to the Color Dare #106 post before Tuesday of next week!

SIT #50

2011-06-20T16:29:00.002-05:00

So I'm finally back to blogging because I actually created something! WOO HOO!

I saw this sketch from Sketches in Thyme and thought it would be perfect for a one picture layout! Here's what I created...

I used the Echo Park Little Boy line! This layout is all about me being 21 weeks pregnant with Noah! Tomorrow I will be 30 weeks...my how the time is flying by!!!

All of the papers on this layout came from the Echo Park kit. I added some Stampin Up satin ribbon and a random button tied with Stampin Up Baker's Twine!

Even those silver brads came from Stampin Up! :)

Supplies Used - Cardstock: Real Red (SU), DSP (Echo Park), Embellishments: Night of Navy Satin Ribbon (SU), White button (Unknown), Chocolate Chip Baker's Twine (SU) and silver brads (SU).

Color Dare #105

2011-06-15T15:08:00.002-05:00

Hey There Loyal Followers! Sorry that I've been a bad blogger lately! Just taking a little break I suppose! But here is your card for Color Dare #105: Elegant Eggplant, Pear Pizazz, Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand. I loved using this color combo and a NEW stamp set!

This card used the new Hostess Stamp Set: Perfect Words. I love the set and can't wait to show you a few more cards that I've made using it!

I am loving polka dots these days and I love how this stamp that states, "on a scale from one to ten YOU'RE AN 11" using a circle in it's design too!!

Hope to see a lot of you play with us this week at The Color Dare! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used - Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White and Blushing Bride (all SU), DSP (American Crafts), Stamp Set: Perfect Words (SU Hostess), Ink: Pear Pizazz and Elegant Eggplant (SU), Ribbon: Pear Pizazz Seam Binding (SU), Linen Thread (SU), Glimmer Brads (SU)

Three Challenges in One!

2011-06-10T16:49:00.005-05:00

Hey There...I have a new card for you. These supplies are new to me but not new to Stampin Up. The Playdate line is being retired and it is currently 40% off! So hurry and place your order! http://www.kimryden.stampinup.net/!

I made this card using the Playdate Quick Accents Sheet (#117172, $5.37) and the Playdate DSP (#117168, $5.97)! I guess I should mention that I made this card for my Best Friend and her hubby. They have now been married for 3 years! Congrats Kristin and Adam!

The sketch for this card came from Mojo Monday's Sketch #194.

I also submitted this card for Critter Sketch Challenge Blog #68 - Using Kraft paper, or Crumb Cake if you are from Stampin Up!

The last Challenge I submitted this card for is Pals Paper Arts #97 - Your Signature Style. My crafting style usually involves: Crumb Cake cardstock, bright colors, a simple design and buttons!!!

Hope you enjoyed my card! Come back soon for a sneak peek at the new In Colors from Stampin Up!

Color Dare #104

2011-06-08T00:00:00.002-05:00

The Color Dare this week is:

Not Quite Navy

Cajun Craze

Baja Breeze

And here's my card!

I love this little Father's Day card I made for my hubby. He plays guitar and Brooke is really digging it lately. So what is more perfect than my new stamp set: Grunge Rock, which I got on sale last month! YAY!

***Forgot to mention that this card was made from Clean & Simple's Sketch #143!***

Supplies Used - Stamp Sets: Grunge Rock and Best Dad Ever (SU), Cardstock: Crumb Cake and Whisper White (SU), DSP: Sassafras and Echo Park, Sticker Boarder (SU retired), Twine (SU).

Check it out!

2011-06-07T15:45:00.002-05:00

I have been an absent blogger for the past week! I think I just needed some new inspiration! Well...it came in the mail today! WOO HOO!

That's right...the new SU catalog! I can't wait to make my wish list! You all are going to love it and I will start playing with my new pre-ordered goodies tomorrow afternoon! YAY!!!

More blog posts to come this week than there were last week...promise!!

Color Dare #103

2011-06-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! I hope that you all are having a great week so far! The holiday weekend really threw me for a loop and I thought today was Monday all day long. But it wasn't!

But I now know that today is Wednesday and I'm bringing you a new Color Dare! The color combination this week is: Pear Pizazz, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. So here's my card...

I used all of the correct colors except Very Vanilla. I have to admit that I have a hard time crafting with Very Vanilla. I prefer to have the crisp Whisper White instead.

But I did love this color combination! So great!!! When I first saw it, I thought of doing a Father's Day card but quickly went away from that because I wanted to use those great chipboard letters!!!

I love the way that seam binding looks when you ruffle it! SO CUTE!

Well I hope you all enjoyed my card and I hope that you will play along with us this week at Color Dare!

Supplies Used
Cardstock (SU): Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip and Pear Pizazz, Ribbon (SU): Pear Pizazz Seam Binding, Button (Papertrey Ink), Tickets (Unknown), Chipboard Letters (Pressed Petals).

2011-05-31T17:13:00.003-05:00

Here is my last card for the month! I have given you 31 cards/scrapbook pages using NEW Stampin Up items this month! Have you loved it??!!

This last card is so cute! We used the Stregth & Hope Stamp Set. See the images in the set below...

Strength & Hope (Wood Mount #118100 $17.95, Clear Mount #123660 $13.95, page 27 of the mini). There is also a digital download available (#124475, $9.95), it includes the 4 images in the stamp set, 12 Designer papers and 10 embellishments. Awesome!!!

Supplies Used

Stamp Set: Stregth & Hope, Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Basic Black and Whisper White, Ink Colors: Melon Mambo and Basic Black, Ribbon: 5/8" Basic Black Satin, Tools: Curly Label Punch, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die and Perfect Polka Dots emobossing folder, Embellishment: Jewels-Basic Rhonestone.

5/30 - Flower Garden

2011-05-31T16:59:00.002-05:00

Ok...I'm a day late on this post. Yesterday was a busy day and we left our house early then got back really late! So here is your card for Monday.

This card was made using two Textured Embossing Folders: Square Lattice and the new Flower Garden (#123113, $7.95, page 24 of the mini). We rubbed a little Pretty in Pink ink over the embossed image and I love how it just pops on this monochromatic card!

Supplies Used
Stamp Set: Don't remember the name of this one, Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink, Ink: Pretty in Pink, Ribbon: Generic, Tools: Square Lattice Embossing folder, Flower Garden Embossing folder and 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Punch.

Scrap That Baby - Baby's Day Out

2011-05-29T14:55:00.002-05:00

I ran across this challenge online and thought it would be a great one for our zoo pictures from our first visit this season. Scrap That Baby is to showcase layouts of children 4 and under.

We decided to become friends of the zoo this summer so that we can do whenever we want to have some fun and see some animals! We've been twice so far this season and we plan to go again on Tuesday! WOO HOO!

Most of the items that are on this page are from Sassafrass. I just love their bold colors and funky style for layouts about little kids!

Their chipboard animal alphabet was perfect for this layout!

See that ribbon??? I got it from The Ribbon Jar. It's an online ribbon store and it has got some CUTE stuff!!

I love recording the details of our little outings as mother and daughter. Brooke's favorite animal was the polar bear today. She loved to just watch him swim back and forth.

One of my favorite things about this side of the layout are these Sassafrass cards. So cute and perfect for the zoo!

Supplies Used

Stamp Set: Comtempo Alphabet (SU), Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise (SU), DSP (Sassafrass), Stickers and Embellishments (Sassafrass), Ribbon (The Ribbon Jar)

5/29 - Memorial Weekend

2011-05-29T14:05:00.003-05:00

Here's another card sample using the Land of the Free stamp set...

#123100, $8.95, Wood Mount Only, page 18 of the mini.

This card was made at the demo swap I was a part of at the beginning of the month. It's a great grungy card showcasing this stamp set on the stripes of an American flag. Hope you all are having a great Memorial Day weekend! Enjoy your day off tomorrow!

Don't forget to check complete your card for the Color Dare this week! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Supplies Used
Stamp Set: Land of the Free, Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Night of Navy and Very Vanilla, Ink: Chocolate Chip, Embellishment: Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Other: Platinum Shimmer Paint.

5/28 - Land of the Free

2011-05-28T19:39:00.002-05:00

Here's another new card for you today! This card uses the new stamp set, Land of the Free (#123100, $8.95, Wood Mount only, page 18 of the mini). This set is just SO CUTE!!!

I love how simple this card is but still shows off the Red, White and Blue and the new stamp set!!

Supplies Used
Stamp Set: Land of the Free, Cardstock: Real Red, Night of Navy and Whisper White, Ink: Real Red and Night of Navy, Tools: Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

5/27 - Sail Away Again

2011-05-27T16:52:00.004-05:00

I was spoiled by my mom today! See, with my last pregnancy, I was very pregnant in the winter and my daughter was born in February. With this little guy, I will be very pregnant in the summer and needed some shorts and capris! So my Momma took me shopping today! So much fun!

She spoiled me and bought me 4 pairs of shorts, 2 capris and one tank top! I am so blessed to have a great Momma!!

Then, since we were in the area, we had to make a stop by Archiver's. So I spoiled myself with a few little treats! YAY! Can't wait to make a SMASH book of our summer!! I think I will start it with this weekend and continue through August when little Noah is born!

After that my mom treated all of us girls to lunch...yep Brooke (my daughter) and Erica (my sister), got to come too! So much fun! Thanks for a great day MOM!

Anyway, here is another card using the Sail Away stamp from the new Summer Mini (#123013, $9.95, Wood Mount only, page 11 of the mini). Don't you just love all of the texture on this card: Weathered Background Stamp (retired), Square Lattice Embossing Folder and sponging of ink!

Supplies Used (All SU)
Stamp Set: Sail Away and Weathered background (retired), Cardstock: Early Expresso, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White and Crumb Cake, Ink: Early Espresso and Not Quite Navy, Tools: Two Tags Sizzix Die, Sponge, Square Lattice Embossing Folder and Corner Rounder Punch, Embellishments: Early Espresso Baker's Twine and Whisper White Baker's Twine.

5/26 - May Club Layout

2011-05-27T16:32:00.003-05:00

Playing catch up again! Hoping I can finish the month our strong and on time over the next few days! There are just 4 more days left in this month and I can't wait to show you the last samples I have from the summer mini!

This is the club layout that we made for May! My pictures are all from Mother's Day 2011! We used the In Colors this time around...I love them!!!

The DSP came from the In Color 6x6 hostess stack that you can get if you have a $150 workshop! WOO HOO! And that cute heart came from the Hearts & Brackets Original Die by Stampin Up!

After I created this page, I was sure to send an email to my club members to help mentally prepare them for the cutting that was going to be involved! I cut out 9 flowers from the Proud Peacock stamp set! They just look so cute cut out and popped up on dimensionals!!

My hostess this month wanted to do some embossing and use the new Baker's Twine on her layout. So we embossed the flower image from the Proud Peacock stamp set using Clear Embossing Powder and then we used the Early Espresso Baker's Twine to tie all of the flower bundles together with a bow!

Supplies Used (All SU)...

Stamp Set: Proud Peacock, Cardstock: Pear Pizazz, Concord Crush, Whisper White and Blushing Bride, DSP: 6x6 In Color Hostess stack, Ribbon: 1/2" Stitched-Poly in Concord Crush, Embellishments: Glimmer Brad, Concord Crush button and Early Espresso Baker's Twine.

5/24 - Lisa Martz Teacup Card

2011-05-26T15:59:00.003-05:00

I saw this card on a blog last night and I just LOVED it! I think it's mostly because it uses 2 of my favorite things from the new Summer Mini!!

This card is by Lisa Martz. View her blog here. And see more details on this card here.

Pretty Postage Stamp Set (Wood Mount #123095 $11.95, Clear Mount #123097 $8.95, page 11 of the mini catalog). I love how she used her markers to colors the "thanks" image in 3 different colors!

Postage Stamp Punch (#122344, $15.95, page 10 of the mini). This punch is one of my new favorites! I have so many ideas on ways to use it for cards and layouts!

Supply list is located on her blog.

5/23 - Mary Fish's Best Dad Ever Card

2011-05-26T15:39:00.003-05:00

Ok, ok, ok...I missed a few days of showing you a new card with NEW SU Merchandise for every day of the month of May. So I'm posting for 5/23, 5/24 and TODAY, right now!

I ran across this card on splitcoast last night and I just had to share it with you all! I know I will be CASEing it soon...how about you?!!

I've never come across Mary's blog before but I'm so glad I did! Her stuff is SO CUTE! Check out this post for the details of this GREAT card!

Care Dare #102

2011-05-25T13:53:00.003-05:00

Sorry this post is later than normal everyone! See, I live in Kansas and it's the height of tornado season and it's been a crazy few days around here! I was going to post this morning but as soon as we got home from a few errands, the sirens were going off and we had to take cover.

Anyway, the excitement is over for the moment SO...here's my card for this week's Color Dare challenge!

The colors this week are: Concord Crush, So Saffron and a Neutral of your choice. I didn't think I would like this color combo but I think it's one of my favorites now! Check out my card:

I created this card for my Mom's birthday. We had a little celebration over the weekend. Hope you had a great celebration mom!

One of my favorites parts of this card is the little flower buttons that I put on top of the Concord Crush buttons. And of course the great Baker's Twine that I used to lace the buttons with!

The "Great Friend" Stampin Up stamp set is still one of my favorites! I just love that butterfly and I love the font that is in it as well! I stamped the butterfly in Concord Crush ink on Whisper White cardstock and the added a little glitter to the white parts. Can you see it?

Well I hope you all will play along with us this week! Please submit your creations to the Color Dare website before Tuesday of next week!

Forgot to mention too that I got this sketch from Clean & Simple's sketch #141! Check it out here!

Supplies Used...

Stamp Set: Great Friend (SU), Cardstock: Crumb Cake and Whisper White (SU), DSP: 6x6" In Color stack in the hostess section (SU), Embellishments: Buttons (SU), Early Espresso Baker's Twine (SU) and So Saffron edged circle diecut (Unknown)

5/22 - Another Open Sea

2011-05-23T00:22:00.002-05:00

This card also uses the new stamp set "The Open Sea". You can see the images in my last post!

I love the design of this card! And the color combo is perfect for the nautical theme too!

Supplies Used (All SU)...

Stamp Set: The Open Sea, Cardstock: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy and Whisper White, DSP: Nautical Expedition, Punches: 1-3/8" Circle and 1-1/4" Circle, Embellishments: Silver Brads and Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine.

5/21 - The Open Sea

2011-05-21T16:15:00.002-05:00

Can you believe all of these great samples that I'm showing you from the new Summer Mini?!! I love that there are SO MANY!

Here's another sample made mostly with the new stamp set: The Open Sea. Images and details below...

The Open Sea (Wood Mount #123030 $26.95, Clear Mount #123032, page 9 of the mini).

You will also see the new DSP: Nautical Expedition on this card. Details can be found on this post!

And of course that new Early Espresso Baker's Twine that I keep talking about! I just love that stuff!

Supplies Used (all SU)...

Stamp Sets: The Open Sea and Best Dad Ever, Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake, DSP: Nautical Expedition, Ink Color: Early Espresso, Embellishments: Crumb Cake brad and Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Punches Used: Decorative Label, 1-3/8" Circle and 1-1/4" Circle, Big Shot Dies: Top Note and Lots of Tags Sizzlits.

5/20 - April Club Layout

2011-05-21T15:00:00.000-05:00

Last month for club, my hostess wanted to try out Embedded Embossing. I had just started seeing it aroun the blog world so I had some research to do. But I learned more about it and came up with this cute layout for my club members to complete.

My pictures on it are all from New Year's Eve last year. We have a party at our house every year and this year did not disappoint!!

The Embedded Embossing technique was used on 3 squares on the right side of the layout. This first one was made using a 3"x3" piece of Crumb Cake cardstock, using the Hearts & Brackets die to cut out the cute heart, and then after gluing those pieces together I used the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder to give it the pattern. After that was all done, I added the pearls.

This square was created using the new Triple Layer Punch: Blossom Bouquet (#122464, $23.95, page 6 of the mini). Then I used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder to add the texture. After all of that was done, we sponged a little white ink over the top of the tops to help them stand out a little more.

And this last square was created using DSP from the Brights DSP Stack. We punched the circle with the 1-3/4" Circle Punch. Then we used the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder to give it the texture.

This was a fun technique and I hope you like the new punch that is featured on this page!!!

Triple Challenge

2011-05-19T17:56:00.002-05:00

I got a little creative today and combined three different challenges:

Paper Players had the color combo: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy and Early Espresso.

Paper Pal Arts gave a great sketch.

And Wee Memories challenged everyone to use stickers or rub-ons this week.

And here's the card I came up with!

I am loving tickets lately and you can see my signature buttons on this card as well! I used a hodge-podge of stickers from an old Stampin Up Simply Scrappin Kit! I love how this turned out. Not sure who I'm going to send it to yet, but won't they be lucky to receive it???!!!

And see what is laced through the buttons holes? That is Stampin Up's new Early Espresso Baker's Twine (#123124, $2.95 for 25 yards, page 10 of the mini)!!

Supplies Used...
Cardstock: Sahara Sand and Early Espresso (SU), Embellishments: Stickers (SU and one random red one), Buttons (SU), Baker's Twine (SU) and Tickets (Unknown)

Mashup #6 and CAS #2 - Best Dad Ever!

2011-05-18T15:38:00.003-05:00

This afternoon I have a card for you all that was inspired by two challenges and a NEW stamp set from the Summer Mini that I've been dying to use!! So here goes...

The first challenge was for Friday Mashup. They wanted to see Masculine Monochromatic cards this week for Challenge #6.

The second challenge was for CAS-ual Fridays. They wanted us to use buttons and twine this week for Challenge #2. I'm a button-aholic so I jumped on this challenge!!

Besides the challenges and the NEW stamp set that inspired me this week, I have to say that my hubby's new shirt and tie combo also helped me with this challenge! Don't you just love that green???

So here's my card!

I finally used my Best Dad Ever Stamp Set! When my hubby saw this card he pointed to the tie all the way at the right and said, "Hey, there's my tie!" Ha ha!

New Stamp Set: Best Dad Ever (Wood Mount #120399 $18.95, Clear Mount #120681 $14.95, page 13 of the mini).

Supplies Used (All SU)
Stamp Set: Best Dad Ever, Cardstock: Garden Green, Whisper White and Sahara Sand, Ink Colors: Garden Green, Old Olive, Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke, Embellishments: Pear Pizazz button and Old Olive 3/8" Taffeta ribbon

Sketchy Thursdays 5.12 - Kids at Play

2011-05-18T13:47:00.003-05:00

Remember this post when I told you I won an Echo Park kit of my choice for this layout?? Well I got it in the mail rather quickly and I decided to play with it for this Sketchy Thursday challenge!

Here is my layout. We spent the day having lunch and playing with some friends a few weeks ago and I took some cute pictures so I had to scrap them!

Cardstock is Stampin Up's Daffodil Delight. Stickers and DSP are by Echo Park. Baker's Twine, button, and ribbon is from Stampin Up!

Journaling Reads: "Today we had lunchand played with our good friends, the Cowdens. Own, Miller, and Isabelle are so much fun. And their Mommy, Natasha, is a good friend of mine. FUN!!"

I just love that banner!!!

And I love that Stampin Up's Brights Collection coordinates so well with this Echo Park Kit! The kit I got is called Playground! LOVE IT!

I thought this "Kids at play" sticker was very appropriate for this layout!

Hope you enjoyed this layout. I might even be back today with another creation! Who knows??

CD101 - Hello Blossoms

2011-05-18T07:45:00.001-05:00

I love being a part of the Color Dare Design Team! It's so much fun to be challenged with new color combos every week! This week the color combo is #101: Regal Rose, Old Olive and Early Espresso. And here is the card I created...

Last week I showed you card that I made for my MIL for Mother's Day and today I'm showing you the card that I made for my Mom! Hope you enjoy it!

I started this card like I do a lot of cards, with a Crumb Cake cardstock base! It's one of my favorite colors. I need to get back to my Make it with Crumb Cake Mondays. I will try to do that this week!

The DSP from this card is from the Brights Collection Patterns DSP Stack. This stack of paper has lasted me a LONG TIME! I love that it was only a $19.95 investment! The Rose Red cardstock was punched with the Scallop Border Punch (I think I prefer this color better than Regal Rose...I totally spaced it when creating this card and used the wrong color. Sorry!).

I love ribbon! And I especially love Stampin Up ribbon because it matches our colors perfectly! This card uses the Early Espresso 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon. I simply tied it in a bow!

Then I stamped the Hello Blossoms image (NEW IN THE SUMMER MINI: #123102, $7.95, page 7 of the mini) on Whisper White cardstock using Rose Red and Old Olive inks. I matted that piece of cardstock with a little Early Espresso. Then I used 5 Clear Rhinestone Brads, one for the center of each flower!

I love how this card turned out and I hope you do too! If you would like to play along with us, just link up your card creation by next Monday!

Supplies Used (All SU)
Stamp Set: Hello Blossom, Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Rose Red and Early Espresso, DSP: Brights Collection Stack, Ink Colors: Old Olive and Rose Red, Ribbon: 3/8" Taffeta in Early Espresso, Embellishments: Clear Rhinestone Brads

5/17 - Sail Away

2011-05-17T22:52:00.002-05:00

Here is my sample for today, using the new Sail Away stamp from the Summer Mini Catalog.

This card was easily created with a little masking (the sun), watercoloring, and spritzing of ink! It does look manly, doesn't it?!
New Stamp Set: Sail Away (Single Stamp, #123013, $9.95 USD, Available in wood mount only, page 11 of the mini).

Supplies Used (All SU)
Stamp Sets: Sail Away and Best Dad Ever (sentiment), Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist, Ink Colors: Stazon Jet Black, Early Expresso, So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist, Tools: Sponge for masking, Color Spritzer Tool and Aqua Painter to watercolor, Embellishment: Cherry Cobbler/White Baker's Twine

5/16 - Flip Flop Fun

2011-05-16T18:58:00.003-05:00

If you know me, you know I LOVE flip flops! I was so happy to see this stamp in action at the demo swap I did a few weeks ago!

This is a cute little treat holder! I love the summer-y color combo: Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tangerine Tango! LOVE IT!

New Stamp Set: Sunny Fun (Wood Mount #123040 $19.95, Clear Mount #123042 $14.95, page 16 in the mini).

The flip flop image was embossed on this little treat holder with Stampin Up's new Melon Mambo Embossing Powder (#123223, $4.75, page 23 of the mini). I think I might need to get some of that!!

The treat holder was held together by a little velcro. I love this idea!

Supplies Used (All SU, except the baggie)

Stamp Set: Sunny Fun, Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango, Ink Colors: Versamark and Melon Mambo, Tools: Floral Fusion Sizzlit Die and 1/2" Circle Punch, Embellishments: Jewels - Basic Rhinestone and 1/4" Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Ribbon

5/15 - Happy Father's Day

2011-05-15T16:06:00.004-05:00

This card will catch me up, finally! And I hope to stay on track for the rest of May with a card or scrapbook page a day using NEW SU merchandise! WOO HOO!

This easel card uses two new stamp sets!

The first new stamp set is: The Open Sea (Wood Mount #123030 $26.95, Clear Mount #123032 $18.95, Page 9 of the mini). I have a few more cards to show you with this stamp set! I can't wait to show them to you!

The second new stamp set is: Best Dad Ever (Wood Mount #120399 $18.95, Clear Mount #120681 $14.95, page 13 of the mini). I love this stamp set! I had to get it when I saw it! So I will be making a few more samples with this stamp set since I have a few dads and a hubby that's a dad in my life. I will need cards come June!

This card also used the new Nautical Expedition DSP (122343, $10.95, page 8 of the mini).
You also get a glimpse of the Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine (#123125, $2.95, 25 yards).

I love how this card used a color combination with Early Espresso and Basic Gray. I never would have thought to put those together before but they make a really manly card, don't you think??!

Supplies Used (All SU)
Stamp Sets: The Open Sea and Best Dad Ever, Cardstock: Early Espresso, Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White, DSP: Nautical Expedition, Ink Colors: Early Espresso and Not Quite Navy, Tools: Crimper, Sponge and Color Spritzer Tool, Embellishments: Eyelets and Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Punch: Postage Stamp (You will see more of this punch and details on a card in a few days!)

5/14 - Happy Birthday

2011-05-15T15:45:00.004-05:00

I will be posting multiple items today. So be sure to check out all of my posts below!

This card uses the Fabulous Florets Stamp Set (Wood Mount #123025, $23.95 USD and Clear Mount #123027, $17.95 USD, page 22-23 of the mini) and the Beyond the Garden DSP (#122342, $10.95 USD, page 23 of mini). Both items can be viewed at this link.

I just love the effect that stamping off does with images! So cute!

I love the layout of this card! I have never though to make a card open quite like this! Genius!!

Supplies Used (All SU)
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo and Whisper White, Stamp Sets: Fabulous Florets and Teeny Tiny Wishes, DSP: Beyond the Garden, Ink Colors: Wild Wasabi and Melon Mambo, Ribbon: Pretty in Pink 3/8" Taffeta, Tool: Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

PDCC #81

2011-05-15T15:04:00.003-05:00

This week at Play Date Cafe, the color challenge is awesome! I loved it from the first glance! Check out Challenge #81.

The purple is more of a Rich Razzelberry but I didn't have any of that. So I went with Concord Crush and I'm very pleased with how my layout turned out! Check it out!

I created this layout at my crop this past Friday night and I just love it! The colors work so well together and they also compliment my picture which has a lot of gray and green in it.

If you can't tell, I'm a little into buttons these days! They go on almost every project of mine and I was so glad to find some buttons that matched my Concord Crush cardstock for this challenge!!

I used a few different greens on this layout and that just happened because I wasn't at home with all of my supplies! I think the picture is matted in Kiwi Kiss (it was in my scrap box), the ribbon is Old Olive and the button is Pear Pizazz. It doesn't look bad, does it?!

Hope you enjoy my layout. It's all about the trike that she got from the Easter Bunny that came to Grandma and Grandpa's house a day early to celebrate. She's such a big girl now!!

Supplies Used - Cardstock (SU): Concord Crush and Kiwi Kiss, DSP (Echo Park), Ribbon (SU) Concord Crush 1/2" Stitched-Poly and Old Olive 3/8" Taffeta, Buttons: Some SU, some random collection, Other Embellishments: White Baker's Twine (SU), Letter Stickers (Echo Park) and Butterfly (Unknown)

5/13 - Strength & Hope

2011-05-14T17:12:00.005-05:00

Here's another card sample using new items from the mini!!!

This card uses the new stamp set: Strength & Hope (Wood Mount #118100 $17.95, Clear Mount #123660 $123660, page 27 of the new mini). You can also purchase this stamp set in a digital bundle (#124475, $9.95) which includes the stamp set, DSP, and embellishment pieces! And $2 from every purchase goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Details of the set are here also.

Another new item used on this card is the Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#123113, $7.95, page 24 of the new mini). This embossing folder can also be seen on this card.

I just love the font of this text stamp and the butterfly image! So pretty!

Supplies Used (All Stampin Up)...
Stamp Set: Strength & Hope
Cardstock: Melon Mambo and Whisper White
Ink Color: Melon Mambo
Tool: Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Punch: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border
Embellishment: Jewel - Basic Rhinestone

5/12 - Daffodil Delight

2011-05-14T07:36:00.002-05:00

Playing catch-up again! But this time it's not my fault! Blogger was down starting in the afternoon on Thursday, through Friday when I was available to blog and it was kinda annoying to me and my to-do list! Ha ha! So here I am playing catch-up again this weekend!

This card was created by Shelly. She was the host of the wonderful event that I got to attend and make all of these great samples! I love how she used Whisper White as her cardstock base. I hardly ever do that because I always think it will be too boring. But I really like it!! It's elegant!

This card also used the Fabulous Florets stamp set (Wood Mount #123025 $23.95, Clear Mount #123027 $17.95, page 22 and 23 of the new mini). You can see all of the images in this post.

And like the card in this post, Shelly used a Rhinestone Jewel in the middle of her flower and I love the way it turned out!

I will be back today and tomorrow to catch up on the days I've missed and share a few scrapbook pages I created last night at my crop...some are for a few challenges online! Hope you are having a great weekend!

Supplies Used...
Stamp Set: Fabulous Florets
Cardstock: Whisper White and Daffodil Delight
Ink Colors: Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi and Melon Mambo
Ribbon: 5/8" Satin Ribbon in Daffodil Delight
Embellishment: Jewels - Basic Rhinestone

5/11 - Triple Layer Punch: Blossom Bouquet

2011-05-11T19:10:00.005-05:00

Hello again everyone! Hope you all saw my post about the new Design Team I am a part of! If you didn't, you can see it here.

But since the card in the previous post only has the white baker's twine that is from the new mini, I figured that I better show you a card with MORE NEW STUFF too!

Of course you see the Happy Greetings Stamp Set (which you have seen here) and the Beyond the Garden DSP that was in the same post, but I haven't shown you the Triple Layer Punches yet!

For this card we used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (#122464, $23.95 USD, page 6 of the new mini). This punch is awesome and so much fun to use! The little lever on the side can be pushed from left to right to get 3 different settings and 3 different punches! For the above card we used the setting all the way to the left and the setting all the way to the right to get our Whisper White flower that we inked in Melon Mambo.

Don't you love it??!! I will have another sample in a few days showing you how to use this punch!

Supplies Used...

Stamp Set: Happy Greetings

Cardstock: Wild Wasabi (textured), Melon Mambo, Whisper White and Old Olive

DSP: Beyond the Garden

Ink Colors: Melon Mambo

Punches: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer

Color Dare 100...

2011-05-11T08:00:00.006-05:00

I am so excited to tell you all that I have been chosen to serve on Color Dare's design team!!! So each week you will see a color challenge from me and I hope you will play along too!

Our colors this week for CD100 are: Rose Red, Baja Breeze and Sahara Sand. I loved this color combo that Riley came up with!

And here is my card! This is actually the card I gave my Mother-in-Law for Mother's Day! You are always welcome to add in neutrals with our color combos!

I started this card with a Sahara Sand base and inked the edges with a little Chocolate Chip ink and a sponge. Then I roughed up the edges of a Whisper White piece of cardstock and added a Baja Breeze piece on top, inked with Chocolate Chip ink. Love this effect!

The piece of DSP came from Basic Gray and was perfect because it had Rose Red little swirls on it! I also inked all 4 edges of this piece of paper.

The stamped sentiment came from Papertrey Ink's stamp set: Signature Greetings. Love this set!

I then added 5 buttons (all but one are from Stampin Up...the other is from Papertrey Ink). I love to lace my buttons with Stampin Up's new Baker's Twine! I used the plain white on this card and laced all of the buttons a little differently.

Here is a up-close picture of the distressing and inking of the edges.

I hope you enjoy my card and I hope you go check out the creations of the rest of the new design team. Oh and don't forget to play along with us! You have until the end of the day on Monday to enter your card! Good Luck!

5/10 - Fabulous Florets

2011-05-10T16:37:00.003-05:00

And with this post...I'm caught up! Today is the 10th and here is my 10th card to show you all!YAY!

This card was made with a few new items! First, the stamp set: Fabulous Florets (Wood Mount #123025 $23.95, Clear Mount #123027 $17.95, page 22 and 23 of the mini). It seems like a lot of people liked this stamp set from my demo group...so you will see a few more samples using it over the next few days!

The other new item used on this card is the Beyond the Garden DSP (#122342, $10.95 USD, page 23 of the mini). Both of these items are featured on this post too! Click here to check out all of the images in the stamp set and patterns of the paper!

I love how this person stamped one flower on Whisper White cardstock with Melon Mambo ink and the other was stamped on Melon Mambo cardstock with Basic Black ink! Then the rhinestone jewels in the middles...SO CUTE!

Supplies Used...
Stamp Sets: Fabulous Florets and Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Basic Black and Melon Mambo
DSP: Beyond the Garden
Ink Colors: Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo and Basic Black
Tools: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border
Embellishment: Jewels - Basic Rhinestone

5/9 - People, Places, Things

2011-05-10T12:09:00.003-05:00

Here is another card using the NEW stamp set: Travel Log. You can see all of the details on this stamp set in the below post here.

This card is pretty simple but I love it's color scheme and elements!

This little owl is one of my favorite things about the card!!

Supplies Used...
Stamp Set: Travel Log
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Peach Parfait (textured and smooth), Crumb Cake and Early Espresso
DSP: Peach Parfait from the 6x6 In Color hostess pad
Ink Colors: Peach Parfait and Early Espresso
Punch: Two-Step Owl
Embellishment: 1/8" Taffeta in Early Espresso

5/8 - Travel Log

2011-05-10T07:42:00.003-05:00

Here is the card from Sunday. My 8th new sample to show you! This card was created by Diana Ball and she has a lot of other samples made using this stamp set on her blog already this month! You should check it out!

The new stamp set on this card is: Travel Log (Wood Mount #123080 $29.95, Clear Mount #123082 $21.95, page 12 of the mini). When I first saw this stamp set I LOVED it! But I didn't preorder it because I thought I wouldn't use it too much. But Diana has made so many samples with it that aren't even travel related! It's so fun!

She did a lot of embossing on this card and I think the map really does look great embossed! One more card using this stamp set coming today!

Supplies Used...
Stamp Set: Travel Log
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight

DSP: Brights Paper Stack

Ink Colors: Chocolate Chip

Punches: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, Modern Label, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border

Embellishments: Real Red 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Linen Thread, Vintage Trinkets

Other: Clear Embossing Powder

5/7 - On the Grow

2011-05-10T07:22:00.003-05:00

Today is the day that I get caught up! So keep checking back to see if there are new posts today! I should have atleast 4 posts and more if I happen to get a little crafty this afternoon!

This card was made using the new stamp set: On the Grow (Wood Mount #123075 $15.95, Clear Mount #123077 $11.95, page 14 of the mini). When I first saw this set, I wasn't sure I needed it. But this card is so beautiful! Might just have to order it!

You can also see a little bit of another new product featured on this card. Early Espresso/White Baker's Twine (#123124, $2.95, 25 yards, page 10 of the mini).

Supplies Used...
Stamp Set: On the Grow
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Whisper White and Baja Breeze
DSP: Celebrations
Ink Colors: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Soft Suede, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight and Pretty in Pink
Tools: Aqua-Painter, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch
Embellishments: 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon (Pear Pizazz), Real Red button, Early Espresso Baker's Twine

5/6 - Thanks

2011-05-08T14:36:00.004-05:00

Here is the card from 5/6...I love getting caught up!

This card uses the new stamp set: Flower Fest (Wood Mount #122278 $27.95, Clear Mount #122280 $19.95, page 20 of mini). This is a fun set that coordinates with 5 of our punches!!

Coordinating Punches include: 1-3/8" Circle, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, Fancy Flower, 5-Petal Flower, and Butterfly.

The flower on this card was colored in using our Stampin Pastels.

Supplies Used
Stamp Sets: Flower Fest and (I'm not sure where the "thanks" sentiment came from)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla and Tempting Turquoise
DSP: Brights Paper Stack
Ink: Basic Black
Embellishment: Regals Collection Brads
Other: Stampin Pastels (More Mustard)

5/5 - Hope

2011-05-08T14:14:00.003-05:00

Ok...I'm going to atempt to get all caught up in giving you a card a day with NEW SU merchandise! Here is the card for 5/5...

This card uses the new stamp set: Strength & Hope (Wood Mount #118100 $17.95, Clear Mount #123660 $13.95, page 27 of the mini). This stamp set is part of a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Stampin Up will donate $2 for every det purchased to the BCRF.

For all your digital scrapbookers, there is also a digital kit available (#124475, $9.95). It includes the 4-piece stamp set, 12 designer papers and 10 embellishment pieces. You can visit my website to purchase any of these items!

This card also highlights the new Melon Mambo embossing powder (#123223, $4.75). I love that we have colored embossing powder now! Also comes in Tangerine Tango (#123106) and Wild Wasabi (#123224).

Supplies Used
Stamp Set: Strength & Hope
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo
Embellishment: Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Heat Tool
Other: Melon Mambo Embossing Powder

Garage Sale Delay

2011-05-06T07:08:00.001-05:00

Please excuse my delay in yesterday's post showing you a card using NEW items from the mini. So busy getting ready for the garage sale.

Hope to post today. But if I don't, I will get you all caught up this weekend!

Thanks for understanding and hope you all have a fantastic Friday!

5/4 - Happiness Always

2011-05-04T14:20:00.005-05:00

It's May 4th, which means that I have my 4th card sample for you made using new products from the Summer Mini Catalog!

When I first got this catalog, I didn't think I needed this DSP or the stamp set. But there were so many wonderful swaps made with these products at my demonstrator event that I might just have to get them sometime before the summer is over!

Supplies Used to Create this Card (All Stampin Up!)...

Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White

Ink Colors: Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, and Basic Black

The DSP (Designer Series Paper) used on this card is all NEW! Beyond the Garden (#122342, $10.95 USD, page 23 of mini). You will see a few more cards using this DSP before the end of May and I think you will fall in love with it too!

A few new stamp sets were used on this card. The first is Fabulous Florets (Wood Mount #123025, $23.95 USD and Clear Mount #123027, $17.95 USD, page 22-23 of the mini).

And the senitment from this card comes from another new stamp set: Happy Greetings (Wood Mount #123311, $18.95 USD and Clear Mount #123313, $14.95 USD, page 26 of the mini).

One other new item is used on this card...Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#123113, $7.95 USD, page 24 of the mini). Please note that this embossing folder and all of the samples made using it are incorrect in the Summer mini catalog. The flower image is shown to line up on the left side of the paper. But it really lines up the on the right side when used. Stampin Up changed the product but failed to catch the error before the mini went to print. Thanks for understanding.

On the above card Colleen embossed the Sahara Sand piece of cardstock and then flipped it over to let the de-bossed side show. I love this look!

Hope you enjoy this card and come back tomorrow to see another one of my creations.

Sketches in Thyme #46

2011-05-04T10:01:00.002-05:00

I almost totally forgot about this scrapbook page that I made earlier this week. So I'm sneaking it in just in time to count for the challenge at Sketches in Thyme.

I loved this sketch and I knew I had just the picture to use for it!

This layout is of my daughter's 2nd birthday! I have already created a 2 page layout that you have already seen for her birthday book. But this 1 page layout is for our Project 365 Album in 2011! I am taking a picture a day for this whole year and putting them all in an album together. Most of the pictures aren't scrapbooked but I thought this one needed to be special!

The base of this scrapbook page is Melon Mambo cardstock from Stampin Up. All other papers and stickers came from the Echo Park Paper Company's "Little Girl" line. I love Echo Park and this line is just perfect for my little girl!

This little ticket is not Echo Park...I can't remember where it's from!

As you can see in this picture, I used Melon Mambo ink to spritz the background paper before adhereing all of the other elements. And then I drew a line around the whole layout using my Early Espresso marker!

Those little jewels that I added to the crown are by Stampin Up! I just love this layout and I hope you do too!

AND...I wanted to share some good news with you! As you all know, I'm a fan of Echo Park Paper Company. I think I own about 6 of their lines! Anyway, last Friday I was their Facebook Fan!!! I won for this layout and I got to pick a line of my choice for FREE!! I chose the Playground line! Can't wait to get it and play!

PDCC #79

2011-05-03T15:16:00.002-05:00

I love it when I have time to create a little something each day! I hope nap time lasts FOREVER! And I hope when Noah comes that I can get them both on the same nap schedule eventually! Whew! Just thinking about it makes me miss my crafty time!

So today when nap time rolled around, I tackled Play Date Cafe's Challenge #79. I love Play Date's challenges and I love these colors together!!

This card was made for my friend who just had a little baby boy! I started the card with a Basic Gray cardstock base which I inked the edges with Basic Gray ink and a sponge. The red polka dot paper came from my scrap box and I believe it was from a Making Memories Christmas line a few years ago. The lime green paper also came from my scrap box and is by Basic Grey. I used Stampin Up's Top Note Sizzix Die to cut out this shape.

The elephant stamp is by Stampin Up: Baby Steps. It's a single stamp sold in the a la carte section in the front of the catalog (#117092, $8.95USD, page 19 IB&C). I used Basic Gray and Real Red ink to stamp this image.

The buttons are also from Stampin Up! And the little Basic Gray polka strip came from one of Stampin Up's old Simply Scrappin kits.

I hope you enjoy this card and I hope you find a little time to be creative today just like I did!!

5/3 - Proud Peacock

2011-05-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

This is my swap card that I made using the new Proud Peacock stamp set (Wood Mount: #122020, $15.95 and Clear Mount: #122031, $11.95 page 14 of the mini).

The base of this card is Basic Gray cardstock. Other cardstock used: Pear Pizazz (punched with the 2-1/2" Circle Punch and stamped with the cute flower image in the Proud Peacock stamp set) and Whisper White (Stamped Peacock and cut out).

The Designer Series Paper on this card came from In Color 6"x6" pad in the level one hostess section of the current Idea Book & Catalog. The color on this card is Peach Parfait.

Ink Colors include: Stazon Jet Black, Concord Crush, Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, and Poppy Parade.

Just like on this card, I used the 1/2" Stitched Ribbon. But this time we used Concord Crush! I then used some of the new Baker's Twine in White (#124262, $2.95 USD, 25 yards, page 10 of the mini).

The sentiment "Happy Birthday Wishes" comes from the stamp set: Fun & Fast Notes.

Here are all of the images you can find in the cute Proud Peacock stamp set. So cute and I think it's so affordable!!! Only $11.95 for Clear Mount!

More samples using other stamp sets tomorrow!

5/2 - Hello Blossoms

2011-05-02T08:00:00.003-05:00

This past weekend I was involved with a demonstrator swap hosted by Shelly. She adopted me into her little Stampin Up family when she found out I didn't have an upline to do any fun events with anymore. So nice of her!!!

Anyway, she puts on a swap whenever we have a new catalog coming out. This way we all have samples to show our customers using the new stamp sets and accessories (which we get to order one month before you all...great perk)!! This swap was the biggest one yet! It was 27 members! So I have 27 cards or 3-D items to show you! WOW!

Here is another card made using the Hello Blossoms individual stamp (#123102, $7.95, page 7 of mini). More details and another sample in my previous post. Isn't this swap so cute???!!! It's by Jeanine Bush...not sure if she has a blog or not.

This card also uses a new Bigz Die for the Big Shot: Scallop Squares Duo (#120903, $21.95, page 24 of the mini). This new die has two square scallop sizes: 3"x3" and 1-11/16"x1-11/16". I love the great detail that it adds to this card!

The cardstock base of this card is Blushing Bride and is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. Other cardstock colors include: Pear Pizazz (3"x3" Scallop Square), Whisper White (Spritzed using the Color Spritzer tool with Bashful Blue ink), and Peach Parfait (Punched using the Jewlery Tag Punch).

Ink Colors include: Pear Pizazz, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride, Concord Crush and Bashful Blue.

I love the ribbon that comes in the In Colors: 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon. This card uses Pear Pizazz. Then we tied it off with a little Linen Thread. The "Thinking of You" sentiment comes from the stamp set: Silhouette Sentiments. This stamp set is a Level 1 hostess stamp set in the current Idea Book & Catalog.

I love the look of this card so much...it's one of my very favorites from the swap! I even like it better than mine which you will see tomorrow!

5/1 - Summer Mini is Here!

2011-05-01T15:02:00.005-05:00

Click on the above picture of the catalog to view all of the new goodies! Click Here to order online!

During the month of May I will be showcasing cards I've made using some of the new sets in the Summer Mini Catalog. Every day you will get a new card or scrapbook page to check out! YAY!!

So here is your first one...

This card features the new stamp: Hello Blossoms (#123102, $7.95 USD, page 7 of mini). This is sold as a single stamp and is mounted on wood only.

The base of this card is Sahara Sand cardstock. Other cardstock colors include: Rich Razzleberry (Texture added with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder), Whisper White, and Chocolate Chip (Punched with the Scallop Edge Border Punch).

Ink Colors include: Pear Pizazz, Tempting Turquoise, and Rich Razzleberry.

The ribbon used on this card is Pear Pizazz Seam Binding, which is still available for order even though you don't see it in the big catalog or the mini (#122330, $6.95, 10 yards). Other colors still available are: Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Rose Red, and Very Vanilla.

While posting this card to my blog, I thought of a great way to use this stamp for Mother's Day! How cute would it be with brads or buttons in the center of those 5 flowers instead of the word "hello"??!!! You might see that soon on the blog!

And come back tomorrow for another card made using this great stamp!!!

CASEing a Friend

2011-04-27T16:30:00.004-05:00

Have you ever CASEd a friend or run across a blog project that you just LOVE and have to copy? Well a few weeks ago, I came across this post from Jinny Newlin...I just had to copy it!

Jinny is my friend and has also been in one of my Stampin' Up! clubs for years! I remember back when she didn't have a blog and I told her she should start one. She wasn't so sure. But I'm glad she did! I think she has really grown in her crafting abilities and she gets a lot of recognition! You should check out her blog!

Here is my take on her card.

The base of this card is Crumb Cake cardstock. I then used the Circle Circus stamp set to stamp a colorful background on the Whisper White layer. Ink Colors: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, and Daffodil Delight.

I used the Scallop Border punch on the tempting turquise cardstock, layered with a little Crumb Cake, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, and finally a sneak peek from the upcoming Summer Mini! That is Stampin' Up!'s new Baker's Twine in Chocolate Chip! LOVE IT!

I used cork (Stampin' Up! sells this!) to cut this shape using the Top Note die. I love how this turned out! And I finished this card with a Daffodill Delight button laced with a little Whisper White Baker's Twine!

I love this card! Thanks Jinny for the inspiration!!!

Sketchy Thursdays 4.21 - Baby Noah

2011-04-26T15:25:00.004-05:00

Well as you found out in this post, we are having a baby!!! I can now tell you that it's a BOY! When we found out a few weeks ago, I hopped right online and purchased the Little Boy line from Echo Park Paper Company!

Then I saw this sketch from Sketchy Thursdays! They were meant to go together, I think!

Here is my take on the sketch. Journaling reads: "I loved seeing you for the first time! You were hiding from us but we finally found out you are a BOY! We are so excited and can't wait to meet you baby boy."

I love all of the patterned papers that come in this kit! I added a few buttons tied with twine also...one of my favorite accents for a little boy! And then I finished the layout by hand-drawing a black line around the whole layout to give it a finishing touch.

Here's a closer picture of my little man, Noah Samuel!

Hope you like the sketch! Can't wait to have more picture of him to add to his album!!!

P.S. I realized today that I've been slacking on "Make it with Crumb Cake Monday"...Oops! So even though it's Tuesday, this layout was made using Crumb Cake...so it counts! Back next week with another Crumb Cake creation!

Painting!

2011-04-22T08:00:00.002-05:00

Last August, Brooke was part of a photo shoot with Jessica Strom. Her assignment was painting. This is the first time that I let her near paints. It was rather adorable!

Just look at all that paint between her little toes!

Journaling reads: "Brooke painted for the first time today while Jessica took pictures. She is such a little artist! 08/2010"

I love the colors in these pictures and the paper that I chose to use. I actually got this paper from a scrapbook friend at church, we have nights of scrapbooking and swap things we don't want/need anymore. It's fun!

21 Months Layout

2011-04-21T10:23:00.002-05:00

I don't think it's a secret, I love Echo Park Paper Company! I think I have purchased about 6 of their lines and they just keep coming out with CUTE, CUTE, CUTE stuff! So for Brooke's 21 Month layout, I used the Little Girl line. It's so darn cute!!!

If you are in my scrapbook club, you will find that this layout design looks very similar to our club page last month. I loved it so much I had to use it again! This is a great layout to use when you have a collection of designer papers that all coordinate (and you want to use them ALL)!

Just a little note: The journaling to the bottom of the pictures is meant to be read all the way across the layout. So since I didn't photograph the two pages together, it might be a little hard to get the whole idea. But you can read the full post about Brooke being 21 months here.

I love all of the colors in these papers!

And I added in a few Stampin Up buttons to give the page a little POP! Like it???

Blast from the past...

2011-04-19T13:11:00.004-05:00

Want to see a card that I created about 6 years ago? My sister found it when cleaning out some of her things that were being stored at my parent's house. It's a beauty...

I hadn't found stamping at this time yet. I had just started scrapbooking with our wedding and honeymoon (we have been married 7 years now).

If you want to copy this card, go right ahead! Ha ha! It's amazing how far I've come as a crafter and I'm so happy about what I have learned and that I started stamping!!!

Fabulous Day!

2011-04-06T16:25:00.006-05:00

Today after going to the zoo, my little girl was tired! So we came home, she took a nap and I got a little crafty! I love it when I have time during the day to do things I love! Not that I don't love spending time with my little girl...but all you Mommas know what I mean!

This cute birthday card fulfills two challenges! The first is Get Sketchy's sketch #81!

The second is Embellish Magazine's Decorative Trim Color Trends Challenge.

All of the decorative paper for the 1" circles and cupcake, came from my scrap box! I love that! I know that a few of them came from Stampin Up, but not all of them! The cute ribbon trim came from sei. I have literally been saving it FOREVER! I don't know why?!

The stamp set used for the sentiment is by Papertrey Ink! I love Signature Greetings!

To create the cupcake I used Stampin Up's Exclusive Sizzlit Dies: Big Bold Cupcake (#114509, $21.95 USD). I love this set of dies! They make great birthday cards!

And lastly, this button is from Stampin Up too! It's Old Olive...love that color!

Hope you like the card and I hope to be back in the craftroom tomorrow to create another fun card or two! Have a great Wednesday!

Make it with Crumb Cake Monday + Challenges

2011-04-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to another Make it with Crumb Cake Monday! I think you all are going to love this page! I used a few challenges to get it done. Check them out.

The first challenge is for Sketchy Thursdays. I love their scrapbook skteches! They even have two page layout sketches sometimes! YAY!

The second challenge was for Wee Memories, Challenge #50. It was basically just to use your favorite colors. Mine were: Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, and Early Espresso!

This is the first page that I have done for little Lemon (that is what we are calling the baby until we find out if it's a boy or a girl)! This picture was taken about a week ago and I already feel like I've grown even bigger! Ha ha!

The Crumb Cake base and ribbons (minus the pom pom trim) came from Stampin Up! The cute designer paper is from AdornIt...the little owls were a part of that paper line too! When I saw this paper I bought a lot of it! It's so cute!

This clear heart is by Jenni Bowlin! So cute! I love this little ribbon detail too!

The "17" stickers are by Echo Park Paper Company.

On each of these little scallop circle embellishments, I used a sponge dauber and Early Espresso ink to give a little depth to the circle portion! I love this effect.

As stated above, these little owls were cut out from a sheet of designer paper. The journaling reads: "At 17 weeks I feel you move! Your Daddy even felt you move from the outside! We {heart} you!"

Thanks for checking out my page! I loved making it!

Another Challenge

2011-04-03T23:30:00.004-05:00

I was rather crafty today! I really enjoy days like this!

This card was made for Create with Connie and Mary: CCMC144 - Inspiration Challenge AND Stampin Royalty: Challenge #65 - The Heat is On (Heat Embossing).

I started this 3"x3" card by using my Dotted wheel inked in Versamark. Then I added clear embossing powder and used my heat tool to heat emboss.

I used the Decorative Label Punch and the 1" Circle punch on this card.

When I saw the cake as inspiration for CCMC144, I knew I had to use this new set that I got for FREE during Sale-a-Bration! The little cupcake is so cute! In fact that is what the set is called: So Cute!

The color combination for this card is: Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, and Pumpkin Pie.

I love the effect of tied ribbon with a button placed on top of the knot. This is the Rich Razzleberry 3/8" taffeta ribbon with a Pumpkin Pie button and a little linen thread on top.

I hope you enjoyed my card! Come back tomorrow for a Create it with Crumb Cake Monday project!

**All supplies are Stampin' Up!**

PDCC75 and Mojo Monday 184

2011-04-03T15:03:00.005-05:00

I combined two challenges today to make my cute "thanks" card. The first was...

Playdate Cafe's Challenge #75! I loved these colors and couldn't wait to get started!

The second challenge was Mojo Monday's Sketch #184. There is so much detail on this sketch and I loved trying to piece it all together.

So here's my card! It measures 4 inches x 4 inches.

My cardstock bases are always cardstock from Stampin Up! This time I used Basic Gray...one of my favorite colors! The patterned paper for this card came from Echo Park Paper Company and Basic Grey.

The satin ribbon is from Stampin Up! I find that if you tie your bow up-side-down, you will get it to come out looking pretty good when you turn your card right-side-up. I learned that trick from my mom!

The little flower and the "thanks" stickers are from Echo Park as well and the button is from Papertrey Ink! The border punch that I used is made by Fiskars: Upper Crest Border Punch!

I hope you enjoy my card. I'm off to my craftroom to create a little more before my little girl wakes up from her nap this afternoon!

Embellish: Color Trends, Masculine Challenge

2011-03-31T22:04:00.005-05:00

I decided to do a challenge for Embellish this week. I needed to make a masculine Thank You card anyway and this seems to be the perfect color combination!!

All of my embellishments came from my stash of things I've been hoarding! Yay for using that stuff! All of the buttons are SU and the flair is by American Crafts. The rest...I'm not quite sure as I don't have the packaging!

This little "thanks {so much}" stamp came from Stampin Up's stamp set, Tiny Tags.

Hope you enjoyed my card! I had fun making it and I hope the person who receives it likes it just as much!

I also used Clean & Simple's card sketch #134. So cute!

More Cards

2011-03-30T08:00:00.002-05:00

The color combo on this card is one of my go-to favorites for male cards: Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive. Other favorite things on this card: folding DSP to add texture to the card and "A Word for You" stamp set. I love that cursive font!

Fun color combo of: Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, and Early Espresso. This card is a great way to use up those ribbon scraps! Don't you have so many that just aren't long enough to tie in a knot or bow?!! I know I do!

This last card is pretty simple but still so cute. I love the stamp set in the mini catalog called "Eat Chocolate". And that Pompom trim is one of my favorite things too! I use it alot! In fact you will see a scrapbook page this week that we did last night for club that also includes Pompom trim!

Hope you all have a great day! Anyone hoping to craft today like I am??

Recent Cards

2011-03-29T23:12:00.002-05:00

I just realized that I never shared my cards that I made for my card event in February. So here are the first two...

I love the color combo of Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, and Rich Razzleberry. I also love the Circle Circus stamp set...it can be used for so many things: Birthdays, Generic Cards, Christmas, boys of girls...Love it!

My mom loaned me her Artistic Etchings stamp set so that I could use it for this card. I love how this circle image looks when stamped in Shimmer Paint. So pretty! I also got to use one of my favorite DSP packs on this card: Love Letter.

More cards coming in my next post! Stay tuned!

Make it with Crumb Cake Monday

2011-03-27T22:32:00.003-05:00

**Accidentally posted a bit early...enjoy!!!**

Here's another layout I made for "Make it with Crumb Cake Monday". I just love this flower paper that came with 2010 Project Life Kit. These are no longer sold but you can get a 2011 kit here or here.

This layout all started with my favorite feather pillow. I think I've had this pillow since high school...maybe longer. Anyway, on April 19th, 2009, my dog peed on it. So I threw it in the washer and headed to church. When we got home there was a hug mess. My favorite pillow had exploded in the washer. I was so MAD! I still miss that pillow today. Grrr...Chloe!

Love the simplicity of this layout and the pictures just crack me up!

What you are making with Crumb Cake lately??

Sale-a-Bration: Only 4 more days!

2011-03-27T21:58:00.003-05:00

Well I've been a very bad blogger lately! I promise to be better this week! And tonight I have a layout for you made with one of Stampin Up's Sale-a-Bration items...Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents Pack - Ice Cream Parlor. It's free when you spend $50 with me at my website: http://www.kimryden.stampinup.net

These pictures I took are a little blurry. My pictures have been turning out that way lately. Maybe my camera needs a check up. Hmmm...

Anyway, this paper pack comes with 3 different double-sided papers and you get 3 of each design. That's a total of 9 pieces of DSP. Then you get two 12x12 quick accent sticker sheets. Ther eare a lot of options here!

I love this litle jumble of quick accents. I added a cute Old Olive button and some white thread. So cute!

If you want to read more of the journaling, you can see all of the information on my family blog in this post. Thanks for stopping by!

Make it with Crumb Cake Monday

2011-03-21T16:27:00.002-05:00

Do you ever have pictures that are from a few years back that you have had sitting in your stack since you took them, you just aren't too motivated to scrap them. Well these are pictures from June 6, 2008! Almost 3 years ago and I finally got them down on paper.

My in-laws got a trampoline in the summer of 2008 and we all had so much fun jumping on it! They normally scare me so much when other people are jumping so I waited until everyone else was tired and jumped all alone!

This designer paper came from the Target $1 spot a few years ago. I love this paper and I'm so happy that I saved it for this layout!

I love Thickers! But I normally have a problem when I use them...I never have the right letters to spell what I want to spell. So for this layout I used multiple fonts in one color and I think it turned out GREAT!

I also am so in love with buttons these days. They just look so cute inside of circles!

Well I hope you enjoyed this Crumb Cake Monday! As you can see, this color goes with pretty much everything!!! More Crumb Cake creations next week!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T14:49:00.002-05:00

I am a slacker! I haven't even made my St. Patty's Day cards yet...don't know if I will get around to it this year. Oh well. But we did get a few in the mail this week...

Cute little 3x3 card for Brooke from my mom and dad. I just love it and so does Brooke. I had to wait until she was napping before getting a picture of it today! She loves a 3x3 card!

This one was made by my Mother-in-law and also signed by Brooke's granpda. I love it! She worked hard on this...there are so many elements!

Thanks for the cards ladies! Sorry you probably won't get one in your mailbox this year.

Make it with Crumb Cake Monday

2011-03-14T11:02:00.002-05:00

Crumb Cake makes really good cards too! Check out this card that I created for my last card event. I love the Eat Chocolate stamp set that my mom let me borrow for this card class! The stamp I used says, "I would give up chocolate, but I'm no quitter!" Ha ha!

A few other of my favorite Stampin Up things are on this card too! The Decorative Label Punch and Melon Mambo Pompom Trim! Love them!

All of these items are currently available in the Occasions Mini Catalog!

19 Months

2011-03-08T22:43:00.002-06:00

Here's another layout for you. The pictures aren't the best but that's ok! This layout was what we made at club in January!

We used the Brights Collection DSP and Brights Glimmer Brads...love those things! And a little bit of Melon Mambo pom pom trim!

I added a lot of writing to my layout because it was all about what my daughter was doing at 19 months. If you want to read the journaling better you can see it on my family blog here.

Thanks for stopping by...more tomorrow!

Make it with Crumb Cake Monday

2011-03-07T09:30:00.004-06:00

Since Crumb Cake (also called Kraft) is my favorite color to use EVER...I decided to start a new Monday tradition...Make it with Crumb Cake Monday! Every Monday I will show you a fun project that I have made using the color and that should NOT be hard because I use this color ALL THE TIME!

My first Crumb Cake creation is a layout of my Hubby. I took this picture back in 2009 on a family vacation and I recently discovered it again and changed it to Sepia. Instant love and I had to scrapbook it!

This layout was actually very simple but I just love it!

My favorite part are the cute little tickets by Tim Holtz! You have also seen them here.

Pray that my Hubby has a great flight today. He's on his way to California for business. Hopefully he's only gone 8 days, but it may end up being 11...Boo!

Scrap That Baby

2011-03-04T07:44:00.003-06:00

I have been following the Scrap that Baby blog for a while now, I just never got around to finally making a page! But at my crop last week, I made this page and then this week Scrap that Baby posted that the next prompt was BIRTHDAY! So I just had to enter the page that I made for my little one's 2nd birthday! Can you believe she's already 2?!!!

As I mentioned in my last post, I love anything Echo Park! And I got to use another new kit on this page...Echo Park's Little Girl line. It's so adorable!!!

Each Echo Park kit comes with alpha stickers and this kit has some cute ones!!!

I love to print Collage Prints at Walgreens so I can fit more pictures on my pages! (Click on the page to enlarge it and see the pictures better or read the journaling!)

Can you believe that this girl only had one baby doll until her 2nd birthday when she got 4 more! She was lovin (and still is) all her babies!

Hope you enjoy the page and I hope you come back tomorrow for more crafty creations! Can you tell that I just took a bunch of pictures of cards and scrapbook pages that have just been piling up?!!!

Back at the Challenges!

2011-03-03T16:33:00.002-06:00

Well now that you all know I'm pregnant...I have to tell you that being in the 2nd trimester is AWESOME! I feel so much better. I feel like getting off the couch and enjoying my nap time creating cards and scrapbook pages again (between loads of laundry, of course)!

So here is a card that I used two challenges to complete! I love it so much and I hope you do too!

The first challenge was for Play Date Cafe. They have a color challenge every week and this week was to use black and white with only a splash of color.
The second challenge was for Get Sketchy. They have a sketch every week and I just love them!

Here is my card! My hubby has started to travel more with his new job and he leaves again on Monday to head to California for 8...maybe 11 days. So this is a little card that I will leave in his suitcase so while he's away he will find it from me!

I started this card with a black base. I then cut a white mat down to 5.25x4 inches. The white mat was spritzed with black ink and then sponged on the edges with Melon Mambo ink (I love that color)!

The ribbon came from a little online store that I discovered...The Ribbon Jar. The decorative papers came from the the Echo Park: Be Mine line. I love anything Echo Park! And the sentiment came from my FAVORITE Papertrey Ink stamp set: Signature Greetings.

Hope you enjoy my card and I will see you back here tomorrow for more crafty goodness!

Puddle Jumping!

2011-03-02T09:22:00.002-06:00

If you read my other blog, you have probably already seen these pictures in this post. But here is the scrapbook page!

I love America Crafts papers! And that pom pom trim is new to Stampin Up in the Occasions Mini...SO Cute! And for Christmas I got the Fiskars cloud punch. I love that thing and it was perfect for this page!

I can't believe these pictures were from over 6 months ago! WOW...time flies!

Valentine's Day 2011

2011-03-01T14:53:00.002-06:00

Each month I have a scrapbook club meet at my house. This month the hostess wanted to make a LOVE themed page using the Love Impressions DSP and the Red Glimmer Paper!

So we did just that! I used a lot of that Love Impressions paper! All of it is so cute! I could hardly leave one of the designs out!

This page just chronicals the events of our Valentine's Day while Daddy worked and had class that night. Brooke and I did some fun things at home, had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, and then when Sam came home he brought me a Sonic Cream Slush...YUM! (Click on the pictures to read the journaling in more detail!)

Party Decor

2011-02-23T13:39:00.002-06:00

First of all, let me just say that I have been a very bad blogger for the past few months. And that's because...

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!! We found out on Christmas that we were expecting Ryden Baby #2! We are due on September 1st. Up until this week (week 13) I have felt really tired and really sick! But if I can get over this cold I have, I will be back to 100%! Can't wait!

We had Brooke's 2nd birthday party over the weekend and I just wanted to show you a fun idea for decor!

I used my two 12x12 shadow box frames to showcase a fun little layout of my baby girl.

Here it is up close. I didn't take it out of the glass so there is some glare on the pages...just ignore it! Ha ha!

The pictures on this layout were taken when Brooke was 18 months old...hints the 18 on this little tag!

And here is the other side. Journaling reads, "I (heart) these pictures! We were part of Jessica Strom's "Summer of Love" series. She took Brooke's pictures in a cornfield. They turned out so CUTE!"

And here is a close up on this little tag cluster. I love this layout so much! Probably because I love these pictures SO MUCH! Brooke most recent pictures are currently on Jessica's blog in this post if you want to check them out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T09:59:00.002-06:00

My cute little girl with her Valentine's Day present from Mommy and Daddy...16 heart shaped bracelets! YAY! She loves them! Got them on Clearance last year after Valentine's Day at Target...they were only 50 cents! And her cute outfit...also a clearance find at Target last year...only $2.50 for the shirt and leggings!

Here is the card I woke up to this morning! My hubby usually makes me a valentine! This one says, "I Pick You!" on the inside! Isn't he clever?! :) Gotta love him!

Card Kits

2011-02-12T20:13:00.003-06:00

I know Christmas is over but I just came across this picture and I wanted to share what I made for my sister-in-law. She is a card maker but I'm not sure how much she likes to get out supplies and actually spend 30 minutes to an hour creating a card (like I do)! So I created card kits that require some assembly!

Each card kit had: cardstock bases, patterned paper, and an embellished, stamped scallop. Dimensionals were even applied to the scallops so all she has to do it match up the colors that she wants, stick the patterned paper down, and adhere the scallops! I tried to do a variety of card types because I know there are a lot of occasions throughout the year. And some could even be masculine!

I created a sample of each card set so that she could see what they should look like. But I didn't get a very good picture of those! I was too excited and packaged them all up way too fast!

Do you have someone in your life that would love this as a gift?! You should try it!

Sale-a-Bration

2011-02-11T17:27:00.002-06:00

Well it's that time of year again! To learn more about Stampin Up's great promotion click here.

This year one of the FREE Sale-a-Bration rewards is a CD full of digital papers, ribbons, embellishments, and stamps! This was first on my list because I love to create using My Digital Studio!

I sat down today and made this card quickly to showcase a few of the free rewards you could be earning!

New items used: So Happy for You stamp set, Ice Cream Parlor Paper and Accents pack, and Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon and Button Pack. So many fun items to earn for free now through March 31st!

Finished 2011 Calendar

2011-02-04T08:23:00.003-06:00

Well I finally finished it. I'm posting the full calendar because I changed a few things on all of the pages before I sent it off to be printed. I think it's really silly that I left January 2011 in there (since I sent it to the printer around 11pm on January 31st! Ha ha!)! But I have a plan to get it done on this this next year!

I plan to complete it throughout the year as the months are completed. So I need to get on creating for January already!

Anyway...here is the calendar. Hope you enjoy!

Cover Page: One thing I love about My Digital Studio is that you have unlimited use to old colors that you can no longer purchase from SU! This page is Melon Mambo (current color) and Kiwi Kiss! Remember that old In Color?!

I also love the ribbon bows! I can never get mine to look that perfect but I don't have to worry about it with MDS! It's always perfect!

January: I love the stamped images that SU provides with MDS. The texture in the background is a stamp! You can change it to whatever color you want, make it lighter, darker...anything! I think it just adds to the depth of the page!

February: Can you believe my baby is going to be 2 this month! WOW! Just 15 more days and we will be having her Abby Cadabby birthday party!

This page is pretty plain...just some DSP, buttons, and a ribbon with a bow!

These pictures were taken at Brooke's 1st birthday party by Jessica Strom. If you are in the Kansas City area, she would love to photograph your child's birthday too!

March: This month marks our 7th anniversary! WOW! I love this picture of us both!

When creating a page in MDS it is VERY EASY to stamp on your pictures! Not so in real life! This stamp on our picture comes from the stamp set, Define Your Life. Love the little definitions for picture embellishments!

April: One of the other great things about MDS is that you get all of the punches and you can size them to any size that you want and make them any color you want without ruining a full piece of cardstock! WOO HOO!

Isn't my little girl cute? These are pictures of her presents from Easter. My family went a little crazy this year!

May: This page was changed a little from it's original form that you can see here. I just felt like the heart got a little lost on the first page. But you can see it now!

June: MDS gives you access to a bunch of kits, just like Simply Scrappin Kits in the catalog. You get papers, border stickers, stamp sets picked out to get with them, and other stickers for embellishing! They all coordinate!

And you can even stitch and staple without the tools needed to do so!

July: With MDS you get a lot of embellishments too! I have glimmer brads, rhinestone jewels, and regular brads all on this page! So fun!

August: Pictures again by Jessica Strom! Isn't she great!

September: Using an old color again. Who misses Really Rust? It goes really well with More Mustard for a great fall look!

Pictures by Jessica Strom again!

October: Another thing I like about MDS is that you can easily copy a layout to use in another project. This is a page that I made for my Mom's 2011 calendar (she gets one every year for Christmas). I love it so much I copied and pasted in my calendar too! So EASY and no extra supplies needed!

November: I love all of the DSP that you get with MDS...and you never run out of it! There's always more! And whenever SU comes out with a great new paper that sells well, they often offer it to MDS users for approx. $4! Love it!

December: You also get the chance to use old papers and kits still when you have MDS. This kit was from a few Christmas' ago but I just LOVE it!

If you are interested in purchasing MDS, you can find it here on my website! The cost is $79.95 USD. With the Sale-a-Bration Special going on right now you would also get to choose a free item! And there just happens to be a MDS CD with all of the SAB stamp sets and papers that you can choose! (That was the first one I got!) Please let me know if you have any questions: demokimsu@yahoo.com.

18 Months

2011-01-27T08:00:00.001-06:00

Here is my layout to showcase Brooke at 18 months old! She was so stinkin cute during this mini photo shoot!

All of the cute papers came from American Crafts. I just love their papers!

I also loved matting all of the pictures in a different color to match the designer paper! This is what scraps are great for!

You can read the journaling in this blog post on our family blog.

17 Months

2011-01-26T16:16:00.002-06:00

Wow! It's been a long time since I've blogged. SORRY!

But I have a cute layout for you all today and hopefully that makes up for it a little bit...maybe!

This layout is to highlight all Brooke was doing at 17 Months. You can read all of the journaling if you click on the picture to enlarge it or you can go here to read my blog post on my family blog.

The things I love most about this layout are the tickets and the bingo number!

The little birdie paper from American Crafts is another favorite of mine! So cute!

Coming back tomorrow to catch you up on her 18 Month layout!

Goal #4...

2011-01-12T08:07:00.003-06:00

Create Something for Myself weekly and blog about it! If you haven't checked out all of my goals for the year, you can find them here.

This project is from last week and this week. I am creating a calendar for our family using My Digital Studio. I love how it's turning out so far but I still have 7 months to go!

I am making most of the layouts pretty simple! I'm just trying to get it done and printed so I can hang January on my fridge for at least a few days!

When I create my calendar I use pictures from 2010. So this year I decided to challenge myself to create my 2012 calendar, one month at a time DURING the year. This means that once January 2011 is over, I can start working on my January 2012 calendar page!

Won't it be nice to just hit print after I add Christmas pictures in after Christmas 2011!

Hope you all are enjoying the calendar pages I have so far!

I will post the remaining months as I get them finished.

Bleaching Backgrounds

2011-01-11T14:30:00.002-06:00

This month in my stamp club we focused on bleaching. I have never done this before...probably because I don't have any in the house and I'm afraid of ruining all of my clothes! Ha ha! But I got over that to learn a little and create a few projects for my club members.

This is the card we made using bleaching. I think the best way to use this technique is to make a background. That way it doesn't have to be perfect and it still looks awesome!

Each cardstock color will turn out a little different when bleach is added to it. Old Olive gives off a yellow color, kinda like Daffodil Delight.

I just love the texture that bleach adds to a background. Don't you??

Valentine Defined

2011-01-07T16:59:00.002-06:00

Well Christmas is officially over. The decorations are down (even if it only happened 2 days ago), the presents are being played with, and the food has helped me to gain a few pounds. What a great Christmas it was!

Now that Christmas is over it time to start talking about Valentine's Day! It's the second biggest holiday for card making and I love it! Stampin Up has a lot of new goodies that just came out in the Occsasions Mini that you will just LOVE!

This is a card that I created for a demonstrator swap that I will be attending tomorrow morning! I'm so excited to go and can't wait to show you all of the other creations I will be making. But back to this card...

It features a ton of new products like:

*Valentine Defined Stamp Set (WM #121941 $26.95, CM #123057 $18.95)

*Love Impressions DSP (#121780 $11.95)

*Glimmer Paper: Real Red (#121790 $3.95)

*Seam Binding: Crumb Cake (#122332 $6.95)

WOW! Don't you just love all of the new stuff??!!!

I love all of the different textures that this card shows off. I started with just the DSP and just kept adding layers upon layers until I was satisfied! I hope you all like it!

Along with the new Valentine Defined stamp set I also used the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set. This has been a favorite since last year! I think this woodgrain heart if my favorite of them all!

What are you doing to get ready for Valentine's Day??

2011 Goals

2011-01-04T20:36:00.005-06:00

Here they are...without any further delay, I sat down tonight and I figured out my 10 goals. My problem this year was that I had too many floating around in my head. And you will see the results of that below. I wanted to stick to 10 main goals but there are a few extra that I hope to stick to also. Here we go...

Goal #1: Move More, Eat Less!

What a concept! Ha ha! If you don't already read Cathy Zielske's blog, you should hop on over there and check her out. She adopted this concept at the beginning of 2010 and she looks amazing now!

Last year I put a number on my weight loss goal and I didn't want to do that again this year. I will just say that I want to end 2011 at least one pound lower than 178 and I want to feel good about myself and my body!

Goal #2: Read 16 Books.

Last year my goal was to read 12 books. I surpassed that with 15 and a half books. Basically, I read my 12 books and then I just kind of relaxed and got lazy, watched more TV, you know! So this year I'm challenging myself even more!

Goal #3: Go on two dates per month with my handsome hubby.
One date where we go out and one date where we stay home. Obviously I want to get out the house with Sam and be away from parenting duties at least once a month. But on top of that I want to be intentional about enjoying our home together after our little one is fast asleep.

We may play games, watch movies, fix fancy dinners or desserts...who knows?!

Goal #4: Create something weekly that is just for me! (And blog about it!)
I was to make good use of my craft room! So I will create something (a card or scrapbook page) that is not to be used in a class or for an event. It will be just for me (and you because you read my blog)!

Goal #5: Organize the crawl space.
Yes, it's back on the list this year. I hope to get it done!

Goal #6: Finishing journaling in ALL scrapbooks...get caught up!
I have way too many pages that have been made without journaling being applied. So I will have a journaling day, or 20, this year!

Goal #7: Write a Will.
This one made the list again this year. We didn't get it done last year so hopefully we will this year.

Goal #8: Floss teeth at least 5 times each week!
I know my dentist will be happy about this one! I need to get in the habit and what better way than to set a goal and stick to it! I picked 5 times a week so I can take the weekends off if I want to.

Goal #9: Try 2 new recipes a month (and blog about them).
I got this idea from my friend Natasha. She is doing one new recipe a week. I scaled it back a bit so I'm not overwhelmed by the task!

Goal #10: Organize something once a week.
Notice that this goal is very generic. The word something could mean a lot of things! One room, one drawer, one box of clutter...I just want to be intentional about organizing this year! You will see why later this week! The hint is Ali Edwards.

And now we get to the part that I was talking about in the first paragraph of this post. The goals that I want to have but didn't make the top 10.

Goal #11: Rely more on God's Word to get me through the day.
The only reason that this goal isn't in the top 10 is because it's not really a measureable goal. I can't take a picture and call it complete. But this is probably the most important goal on my list. I want to be in the word daily, listening to what God has to tell me. When I have doubts and questions I want to seek out answers from God and rely more on Him to calm my nerves and fulfill all of my needs as he has promised! I'm excited to see where 2011 takes me spiritually!

Goal #12: Drink Less Sonic.

Yes, I actually wrote that one down! Can you believe it?? I would have a Sonic Route 44 Diet Dr. Pepper with real cherry syrup every day if I could. But let's face it, it's not really good for me and that would cost a lot of money! So I will reserve Sonic drinks to scrapbooking nights and special occasions only...unless I have a giftcard to use...I can use that whenever I want!

Goal #13: Drink at least 72 oz. of water per day

I can do this and I will be healthier because of it!

Project Life Album

2011-01-04T14:33:00.004-06:00

It's DONE! Yes, my 2010 album is done and I'm off to capturing life in 2011! Pictures of one layout per month are coming soon! But first, I must tell you more about Becky Higgins' Project Life Kit!

This is a great tool to use in documenting your Project 365. The process is so simple and it's SO CUTE! There are two options this year (one sold out yesterday and the other is about to sell out...but they will be back)! I can't wait to get my hands on my Turquoise Edition! I got it as a gift for Christmas but it just arrived to my parent's house yesterday! I hear they may come by tomorrow evening!

I was also thinking about getting the Amber Edition as a way to easily scrapbook all of my high school memories! I think it would work perfectly! There are tons of pockets per page, lots of journaling cards to write all my memories on, and it's SO CUTE!

Stay tuned the rest of the album to be showcased and also my 2011 goals! Looking forward to sharing with you all!

End of the Year: Goals Update

2010-12-30T16:29:00.006-06:00

Well I started to year with 10 goals.

I updated you in April and August on my achievements. Now I'm back again to update you at the end of the year.

I started the year around 175 wanting to lose 20 pounds. I gained a few, lost a few, and now I'm back at my starting weight plus a few nasty little pounds. Somewhere after I completed goal #7 I just stopped going to the gym. :(

Boo...

But I will not let this get me down and I will try again with another goal in this area of my life for 2011!

Goal #2: Complete Taxes by the end of February - COMPLETE!

Goal #3: Finish The Perry's Scrapbook - COMPLETE!

Goal #4: Read 12 Books - COMPLETE! You can read what books I read in the August Update. Since then I have only added 4 to the list...slacker!
13. Love and Logic Magic by Jim and Charles Fay
14. Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster
15. Mission Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
16. The Penny Tree by Holly Kennedy (And I'm not quite done with this one.)

COMPLETE!

UGH! This is the one goal that I have avoided all year! YUCK!

Goal #7: Run a 5K - COMPLETE!
I didn't run a real race but I did run it on a treadmill and my goal was to be under 40 minutes and I clocked in at 39 minutes and 18 seconds! NOT BAD!!!

See those two boxes full of cards??!! Well I'm almost done with this goal.

I have 4 card packs left! So while I didn't complete this goal this year, I made a huge dent in it! And I'm calling it good! YAY!

Goal #9: Go on one date per month with my man!

July: Inception at Fork and Screen and then Ice Cream! YUM!

August: Waldo Pizza! YUM!

September: While we didn't get an official date night this month, we did go on vacation with our family and we are going to call that our date this month. Ok?!

October: Dinner at Pei Wei and Gelato for dessert! YUM!

November: Breakfast Date at the Downtowner in Gardner!

December: Nikko Japanese Steak House for Sam's birthday dinner! YUM!

Goal #10: Write a Will. Incomplete.

So I ended up completing 6 goals this year! And if I count goal #8 as done that makes 7! WOO HOO! I am thinking about goals for 2011! I can't wait to share them with you! Join me!!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2010-12-23T08:55:00.002-06:00

I love the way we wrap our presents Christmas presents! You know that packing paper that comes in every Stampin Up order you have ever received? Well we use some to get creative on: painting or coloring. We sometimes use it as a fun play toy: it's fun to walk on it (or crawl when Brooke was younger), it makes great sounds! But at Christmas time we stock pile a little of it and wrap up all of our Christmas packages!

I just love the crinkled paper look! I also add a colorful bow with great ribbon and a cute handmade tag! I love recycling and not spending money on wrapping paper that is thrown away anyway!

Merry Christmas!

Still Need Ideas??

2010-12-22T15:50:00.003-06:00

Just 3 more days until Christmas but if you still need ideas for me you will find them here!

Also, my birthday comes just 26 days after Christmas. This might be just what you need to wrap up for me!

Echo Park's - Be Mine Collection. I LOVE IT! I wouldn't even mind having two of them! SERIOUSLY!

AND...
Echo Park's - Little Girl Collection. This one is not yet available. But maybe soon!!!

Hope you all are having a great day! I have had a day full of baking goodies, preparing appetizers, and getting cheesey potatoes ready to go in the oven! YUM!