Stamp With Kriss

Animal Stories Happy Birthday

I found a few minutes this morning to be creative!  Wow, does that ever start my day on the right note!  Anyway, I thought I'd check out the challenges at Splitcoast for this week.  I combined the sketch challenge at the left with the color challenge to use Really Rust, Not Quite Navy and Pretty in Pink IN THE SAME CARD!!!  Oh, my gosh, can I just say that those colors were really a challenge!  I'm still not sure what I think of them, but here goes:

I hadn't had much of a chance to use my new stamp set Animal Stories.  The color scheme reminded me of the circus which reminded me of animals.  The base of the card is Really Rust stamped with the same ink using the Polka Dot Background Stamp.  This basic background stamp is my very favorite--you won't find it in the new catalog, but it is on the dormant list and can be ordered.  I used the Scallop Edge Punch to punch both sides of a piece of Pretty in Pink card stock, tied a piece of 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Pretty in Pink around a piece of Not Quite Navy card stock, then adhered them together.  I stamped each of the animals on Whisper White card stock, then punched them out using the Scallop Square Punch and adhered them with Dimensionals.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, stamped on Whisper White card stock and punched out with the brand new Modern Label Punch, then I applied the Not Quite Navy brads from the Earth Elements Brads pack to each corner.  Yes, and (drum roll, please) we now have the Paper-Piercing Tool sold separately this year, along with the Mat Pack, for easy brad setting!  That's also put in place with dimensionals over two circles punched using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch with Not Quite Navy and the 1" Circle Punch with Pretty in Pink.  You can see how much I use my punches--I just love all of the great time-saving punches that Stampin' Up! has to offer!

• Item No. 116716 Animal Stories stamp set $15.95
• Item No. 115370 Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set $36.95
• Item No. 109276 Polka Dot Background stamp $17.95
• Item No. 112091 Scallop Edge Punch $15.95
• Item No. 116630 Modern Label Punch $15.95
• Item No. 104403 1-1/4" Circle Punch $15.95
• Item No. 109046 1" Circle Punch $10.95
• Item No. 106955 Earth Elements brads $8.95
• Item No. 112081 Scallop Square Punch $15.95
• Item No. 113882 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Pretty in Pink $7.95
• Item No. 104430 Dimensionals $3.95
• Item No. 116631 Paper-Piercing Tool $3.50
• Item No. 105826 Mat Pack $9.95

To order any of these fabulous Stampin' Up! products, visit my Stampin' Up website at www.stampwithkriss.stampinup.net and click "Shop Now", or contact me via email at krisshuels@gmail.com and I'll place your order for you.

Christmas in July

We've all heard of Christmas in July!  I just had to show you two of my favorite new products from the new 2009-10 Idea Book & Catalog.  The minute I saw Thoroughly Modern, the gorgeous new designer paper using Rose Red, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede and Sahara Sand, I thought of what fun and unusual Christmas colors they would make.  Then I ordered the new Level 1 hostess exclusive stamp set Holiday Best and knew the two would combine beautifully for just the right look for the holidays. 

This card was made easy by the new In Color Markers.  I was able to ink up three separate parts of the rubber stamp to create a multicolored main image.  Then I stamped it again and cut out the "Merry Christmas" and yes, the cardinal, too!  Aren't you terribly impressed with my paper snipping skills!  But I can't take all the credit.  My Stampin' Up! Paper Snips make it easy!  Both those images are popped up with dimensionals to add some more interest.  I used a Rose Red Button tied up with a bit of Linen Thread as an accent.  And, of course, the new In Color Polka Dot Ribbon finishes the card.

The main card stock is Soft Suede, one of the new In Colors.  And did you know the In Colors now come in 8-1/2" x 11" Textured Assorted Packets?  For just $.08 more per sheet, you can be using these beautiful card stocks on your projects rather than the plain card stock.  It doesn't show up that well in the photo, but believe me, it really puts a lot of pizzazz into your project.

Here's a picture of Holiday Best, Item No. 115364, an exclusive Hostess Level 1 stamp set. You can only earn, not purchase, this great little set, by either hosting a workshop that totals $150 or by placing your own order of $150 either online here or by emailing me your order at krisshuels@gmail.com.  I'd love to come to your home in the Finger Lakes area and show you more ways to use this versatile set.  Why not contact me to get your workshop on the calendar.

• Item No. 115719 In Color Textured Card Stock 8-1/2"x11"   $10.95
• Item No. 116329 In Color Markers set of 6   $17.95
• Item No. 115610 Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon   $9.95
• Item No. 115673 Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper   $9.95
• Item No. 107422 Fresh Favorites II Colored Buttons   $6.95
• Item No. 104199 Linen Thread   $4.50
• Item No. 103579 Paper Snips   $9.95

Splitcoast Sketch Challenge - Sympathy card using Upsy Daisy

Here's the sketch challenge at Splitcoast this week.  I meant to follow the sketch but deviated a bit with what I was trying to accomplish.

One of our stamping team members lost her husband, and I created this card especially for her.

I used the brayered sky technique to create the background on the main image.  If you've never used this beautiful technique, why not join us at Tour de Techniques and learn how.  Click here for more information on this upcoming event.

The stamp set is Upsy Daisy which has become one of my most used stamp sets on my shelf.  I love it as a silhouette and also as a colored image.  Here are some links to other Upsy Daisy cards:

Family Birthdays

Upsy Daisy

October Stamp Camp Projects

I've used a strip of black and one of More Mustard in the background, and I've paper pierced the top left and bottom right corners.  You can always click on the photo to enlarge it.

Splitcoast Color and Sketch Challenges

I wanted to send a special thank you card to a very special hostess, and I hadn't done a challenge in so long, so I decided to have some fun today creating this card.

Here's the sketch challenge.  The color challenge was to use Kraft, Summer Sun, Riding Hood Red and Black.  And here's what I came up with:

I used Flight of the Butterfly to stamp the image on a piece of scrap Whisper White card stock, then cut it out and popped it up with dimensionals.  The main image is raised up on leftover rubber scraps from cutting out my stamp sets.  I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch 5 holes down the side and then tied on some matching ribbons.  I didn't have anything in yellow, so I dyed a piece of White Taffeta Ribbon with an Aqua Painter and Summer Sun ink.  The taffeta ribbon really dyes nicely!  The base of the card is Kraft, with Summer Sun and Basic Black card stock, as well as Riding Hood Red Patterns Designer Paper.

Splitcoast Color and Sketch Challenges

I haven't had a chance to "play" in so long.  Today's the day!  I checked out the challenges over at Splitcoast and got going.

Here's the sketch challenge.

The color challenge was to use Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose and Kiwi Kiss.  Yes, in the same card!  Wow--this gave a whole new meaning to the word "challenge"!  I don't even want to admit to the amount of time I spent on this card.  Well, here it is:

STAMP SET:  Crazy for Cupcakes
PAPER:  Kiwi Kiss Patterns Designer Series Paper, Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White
INK:  Bravo Burgundy
ACCESSORIES:  Crystal Effects, Gold Brads, Paper Piercing Tools, Wide Oval Punch, 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Kiwi Kiss, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon in Bravo Burgundy and Regal Rose, Chit Chat Rub-Ons, dimensionals

And can I tell you -- if you don't own the Chit Chat Rub-Ons, you just HAVE to get your own pack!  When you don't have that perfect stamp for a sentiment, you'll always be able to find just what you need in this awesome rub-on pack.  There are over 84 sayings in both Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. Pg. 173 in the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog, Item No. 111804, $10.95.

If you'd like a chance to use this product in a class, check out the class I'm having in February and March here.

You might want to know how I made the "puff" on the card.  I used all the ribbons listed above, then cut their salvage edge off either side, then pulled the fibers out.  I believe it was Jaron Winder from SU who showed us this at Regionals in Orlando.

I tried to incorporate little 1/8" crimped strips of card stock somehow in the card to look like confetti, but it just wasn't working.  So after I made all these little bits, I decided that they will go inside the card so when the Birthday Girl opens her card, there'll be matching confetti inside.

Hope you enjoy seeing what I played with today!

Splitcoast Sketch Challenge SC206

Here's the sketch challenge for this week at Splitcoast.  It's been way too long since I stamped for pleasure.  I'm always getting ready for a workshop or event, but this afternoon, I decided to "play".

I used Pink Pirouette as the card stock base, as well as for punching the flowers out with the Trio Flower Punch for the centers of the circles.  Then I layered Chocolate Chip, followed by a piece of designer paper in Baja Breeze from the Level 3 Hostess packet Holiday Happenings.  Next is a piece of 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Chocolate Chip.  The circles are stamped from Seeing Spots on Whisper White card stock with Chocolate Chip ink, then punched out with the 1-1/4" Circle Punch and adhered to a piece of Riding Hood Red card stock.  Oh, and did I mention -- I wish so much that Stampin' Up! carried Chocolate Chip brads!  For this card, I just had to make my own.  I took three Silver Brad, dipped them face down into Chocolate Chip Craft ink, then into Clear Emboss Powder and heated them with the Heat Tool.  I repeated that process 3 times so that the Chocolate Chip really covered the metal.  Oh, well, maybe next catalog!  But then I wouldn't be forced to be inventive!

Way to Go, Cheryl!

I wanted to try this week's sketch challenge from Splitcoast, as well as make a special card for my downline team member, Cheryl Holman.  Cheryl is flying through her promotions!  Last week she promoted to Supervisor, and this week she promoted to Sr. Supervisor!  I didn't even have a chance to make her a card for the first promotion, so this is going to be for both!

I combined designer papers from the retired Simply Scrappin' kit Summer Days and Jersey Shore, as well as the current paper pack Summer Picnic. I used the Starring You stamp set to stamp "way to go" in black, then punched it out with the My Way Punch.  I added a piece of 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Real Red tied around the star and set 3 Real Red Eyelets from the Bold Brights Brads package.

Hope she likes it!

Get Well Wishes for Shallamar

Gosh, am I ever lovin' this week's sketch challenge!  I have a sweet girl whom I met at a workshop who is signing up to be a demonstrator.  She had to have surgery today, so I spoke with her a couple of days ago, and she said, "I should be well enough by next Friday to meet and get signed up!"  Now, that's dedication!  Anyway, I wanted to let her know I was thinking of her today.  Here's her card.

I started out by wanting to use Close As a Memory.  I've had this stamp set for ages and have never used it.  I tried it with the watercolor crayons first and it wasn't the look I was going for.  So I pulled out my markers--Rose Red, Regal Rose and Old Olive--then colored the image directly on the rubber and stamped on Whisper White.  Now that's what I was looking for!  I just had to use a piece of the new 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, especially since it comes in Rose Red so I just knotted it and adhered it to the back of the main image.  I find it very difficult to make a card with less than 3 colors, so I was looking for something else to add when I glanced across my (very, very) messy craft table and saw the pile of cards I made yesterday with the Simply Sent Card Elements Flower Power.  I wanted to have cards made to showcase the World Card Making Day special, so I took one of the kits and made 10 cards with it!  Now, that's value!  Ten cards from a $15.95 kit!!!  Anyway, I digress.  I had a few snips of designer paper left from the kit, so I decided to incorporate them into this card.  The olive and rose are Patterns Designer Paper and the mustard and plum are from the kit.

And, those stinkin' Sale-A-Bration rub ons!  I don't think I've ever used something so much, and I didn't even have to pay for them.  I was looking through my stamps and realized I don't really have anything for "Get Well" so I thought, aha, a rub on.  And, of course, I had one in Old Olive to really match the card perfectly.

Splitcoast Color and Sketch Challenges

Here's my card entry for both of the challenges at Splitcoast this week.  The colors to use were Rose Red, Basic Black and Kraft.  Wow, was it ever hard for me to make a card without some shade of green somewhere!  I so wanted to give those darling flowers some leaves!

Here's the sketch we were to work with:

Guess I'm a bit partial to Flower Frenzy and those sweet little silver beads!  I also used some Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, a rub on from the Sale-A-Bration package A Perfect Day and a gorgeous piece of Silver Hodgepodge Hardware.  Doesn't show too well, but I stamped the small flower in VersaMark on the Kraft background.

Birthday Butterflies

I can't even tell you the last time I did a challenge or stamped "just for fun"!  It was really starting to get to me!  So this morning, I pulled out 2 of the brand-new stamp sets I received at Convention and looked up the two Splitcoast challenges for this week.  The first was this layout challenge:

The second challenge was to use Taken with Teal, Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive for your colors.

The stamp sets are Flight of the Butterfly and Inspired by Nature.  I stamped the butterflies both directly onto the white card stock, then again on scrap card stock and cut them out, popping them up with dimensionals so they could take flight across the grass!  The final touch was to use the Spritzer Tool and the Elegant Eggplant marker to add some splashes in the background.  It's quite a simple card, but I think that's okay.