Pink is this Week's Color!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are having a great week! I finally had some time to play today and make this week's color challenge. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month and women, this week was anything Pink!!

So, I went with Pink Pirouette ink and CS. I stamped the Baroque Background stamp on Shimmery White with the Pink Pirouette ink. Then, I stamped the flowers from Inspired by Nature, also in Pink Pirouette. I used a dauber, directly on the stamp to add some Pink Passion highlights to the top of the flowers and bottom of the petals before stamping it on the Shimmery White cs. Then, I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the tops of the flowers.

For the scallop punched layer, you need to cut your card stock 1" larger than the top layer. So my layer with the flowers is 3" x 3.5". I cut my Pink Pirouette layer to 4 x 4.5" and then punched it with the scallop edge punch. I am still working on getting the corners to look right... but you get the idea!

On a personal note, this card is going to be mailed to my friend, Lisa. She was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer and will be having surgery soon. The prognosis is good... so if you have a moment, say a little prayer or think a good thought for all those who are dealing with this disease. Let's all hope for a cure and good health for all!

Thanks!!

Enjoy your weekend!

Kelly

Halloween Trio

Ok... so I have been seeing these "Frankie's" on several blogs and I had to give them a try. I also saw this post on Carrie Rhoades' blog. I knew then that I wanted to make a few different Halloween friends. So here is what I came up with...so far.

All were cut out using my Top Note Bigz die and my Big Shot. I layered them first and then cut them out. For the Mummy, I used strips of white paper and sponged the edges with So Saffron and then just the very edges with Close to Cocoa. The eyes were made with the 1 3/8", 1 1/4" and 1/4" circle punches.

Frankenstein was made with Green Galore for the base and Lovely Lilac hair. The eyelids and nose are 1 1/4" circle punches and the eyes themselves are 1" circles. the "ears?" are made with Brushed Silver CS and the word window punch.

Finally, Dracula was made on Lovely Lilac CS. I punched the eyes the same way as Frank's and the fangs are from the small star punch (mostly because I wanted them to be the same and this way I could get two identical pieces).

Give these a try.... They were fun to make. My son has instructed me to make a werewolf one too... so we will see what I can do for that.

Enjoy!

Super Specials!!

Oh My Goodness! Stampin' Up! has so many specials going on. So here goes:



1. Spooky Spider Decor Elements -
Spooky Spider is a limited time offer, and will no longer be available after October 31, 2008.

Spooky Spider Décor Elements (S) - Black - 114761, White - 114764 $5.95
Spooky Spider Décor Elements (M) - Black - 114762, White - 114765 $10.95
Spooky Spider Décor Elements (L) - Black - 114763, White - 114766 $14.95






2. Stampin' Up!'s Birthday Celebration -



Dates: October 1-31, 2008
Promotion Details:
Spend $20 in regular catalog merchandise and qualify to purchase any preselected birthday/celebration stamp sets at 20 perent off.

(109439 pg. 62) Big Bold Birthday $22.36
(112895 pg. 62) Cumpleaños genial y divertido (Spanish Big Bold Birthday)* $22.36
(111532 pg. 63) Party Hearty* $21.56
(110994 pg. 64) Bitty Birthday $10.36
(111618 pg. 64) Crazy for Cupcakes* $19.16
(111546 pg. 65) Simple Birthday Thanks* $14.36
(111702 pg. 65) Time to Party* $13.56
(108559 pg. 68) Crab & Company $22.36
*Stamp sets are die cut.

3. The $99 Starter Kit Promo is still going on but only until October 11th. If you want to take advantage of this great time to join the Stampin' Up! Family, you need to let me know right away and I can help you get started! For more about this, see this post.

There are even a few more things going on! I will post those later! :)

Color Challenge 09-29-08

This week's color challenge was a tough one for me. The colors are Rose Red, So Saffron and Orchid Opulence. For someone who loves purple, I am not a fan of Orchid Opulence! I don't use it very often at all!!!!

Anyway, here is what I came up with.

This first card really did not caom out as I envisioned it in my head... but I think it has grown on me throughout the day. I used the Pocket Silhouettes set. I stamped the various flowers in the three colors on the Whisper white CS. Then, I layered it with a piece of So Saffron. I stamped the other flower across the bottom of the card with Rose Red and then sponged around the edges of the card with Rose Red as well. I stamped the "friend to friend" in chocolate chip on Orchid Opulence and punched it out with the word window punch. I also tied some chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon around the card.

For this one, I stamped the large rose from "A Rose is a Rose" set in Rose Red ink twice. Next, I masked these by stamping them on Post-its and cutting them out. I stuck the masks over the stamped images. Then, I stamped the smaller rose in So Saffron and the small flower in Orchid Opulence. Next, I removed the mask. I stamped the sentiment in chocolate chip. Finally, I layered the main panel on Orchid Opulence and then onto a chocolate chip card.

I hope you enjoyed these cards!!!

Color Challenge 9-22-08

Hi Everyone,

This week's colors are Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie and Apricot Appeal. I decided to go to my catalog and go to a random page again! This time I opened to page 59 and used the Simply Said card as my inspiration. I do have the Simply Said set but decided to use my Fall Flair set instead. I even had some of the materials I needed right out on my desk. First I took a piece of Shimmery White card stock. It happened to be out on my desk and was cut at 4 1/4 x 11". So I went with that and folded it in half. So this card opens on the left side. I ripped the bottom and add a 1" strip on Pumpkin Pie CS on the bottom. I stamped my flowers in Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal and Bashful Blue. Then, I added the Flower Fusion Pumpkin Pie flower with a Filigree brad. I stamped one of the flowers with Apricot Appeal on Apricot Appeal CS. I cut it out and added an Ice Rhinestone Blue Brad. Both of the flowers are attached to the card with Dimensionals. Finally, I sponged around the entire card with Pumpkin Pie ink to soften it a little.

Enjoy!!

Color Challenge 09-16-08

This week's Color Challenge was to use Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel and Regal Rose. I also decided to use Beate's new weekend sketch challenge. I started with a 5.5x11" piece of Alaways Artichoke folded in half. I stamped the edge of this with Artichoke ink and the outline Butterfly stamp from the set "Flight of the Butterfly" (#111564 $31.95). Next I cut a piece of Creamy Caramel at 4.75x4.75" and a piece of Regal Rose at 2x3.5". The regal rose piece was stamped with the flowery butterfly in Regal Rose ink. I only inked the flowers on this and not the body of the butterfly to create the background.

I then stamped the base butterfly on a scrap of whisper white with creamey caramel. I did stamp off first. Then I used my stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped the outline butterfly with Artichoke ink and the stamp-a-ma-jig again for the flowers in regal rose ink. (Again, I did not ink the body for this step.) I cut out the butterfly and added some dimensionals to the back.


This pic is kind of blury.... but you can see that I placed one dimensional in the middle and then doubled up the dimensionals under the wings of the butterfly to give it some extra dimension. Finally, I stamped the sentiment with Artichoke ink on the caramel square, stamped the small buterfly with caramel ink across the bottom and assembled as shown.

I hope you enjoy this card! I was really happy with how it came out!! Don't forget to check out the blogs of the other "Color Girls", listed on the right, for more inspiration!!

The Color Girls

So, the Demo in my group who posts the color challenge is Colleen. Well, at Fall Fest, the event I went to last weekend, she was asking people if we were one of the "color girls". Well, it kind of stuck. So I added the list of "Color Girls" to my side bar this way you can easily check out their blogs anytime and see their entries for the color challenges each week.

As more girls join us in our challenges, I will add them to the list, too! Thanks Colleen for starting this challenge and for bringing us "color girls" together!!

Kelly

Upsy Daisy and a Color Challenge!

Last night I had my Upsy Daisy Class. The ladies who attended really enjoyed the cards, so I thought I would share them with you! You have seen 2 of them previously, but ya know, it never hurts to show them again. The one on the top was inspired by a card I saw while browsing around. I will try to figure out who made it and let you know. To create the sunset look, I used my brayer and some sponges and sponge daubers. I started with Summer Sun ink, then went on to Tangerine Tango followed by Red Riding Hood Red and finally ended at the bottom with Chocolate Chip. I stamped the flowers with Basic Black. It takes some practice to get the brayer to add the color without getting too much of a straight line. That is where the sponges and such come in hady to blur that line if you need to.

The card on the bottom, I made for this week's color challenge. The colors were: Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Ballet Blue and Brilliant Blue (or Pacific Point). Now I know you are saying, "ok, I see the other colors but where did you get in the Ballet Blue??" Relax.... Let me explain - no, no, there is too much- let me sum up!! (for all you Princess Bride fans out there.) I stamped the flowers on the Turquoise CS in Ballet Blue first! Then, I stamped them again in Brilliant Blue. I got that shadowy look and got in all of the colors. BTW, this card was cased right from the "Never Before Seen Stamps" Promotion flyer!! I love that Stampin' Up! always gives us great samples. Better than that, they even encourage us to copy them!! What could be easier?

I hope you enjoyed these cards!! If you would like to order the kit for this class, please let me know. The kit is $25 plus $5 shipping. The kit includes all of the cs and embellishments needed to make these 4 cards. I will even stamp any images that are not included in the Upsy Daisy Set as that is part of the kit!! I will take orders until September 20th. I will then place the order for the stamp sets and have them shipped to you by 9/30.

It's Here!

Well, we were asked to keep this under wraps until it was official........ (drum roll)....... Online ordering for Stampin' Up! has arrived. That is correct. There is no more waiting for me to have an order together. There is no more needing to call me to place your order (unless you still want to - I do love to chat!)....... You can now click right here and then click on the "Shop Now button in upper right hand corner. This will bring you right ot my online store and you can place a Stampin' Up! order anytime you want to!! Plus, you still get me! I will still be here to help you when your order comes in and will be happy to show you how to use a new product or help you get some new ideas.

So check it out! Let me know what you think of this great new option! Plus, it is easier than ever to browse the catalog right there, too!

Enjoy!!

Kelly

Good Times Book

So, the other day I was checking out some other blogs of my favorite stampers and I came across this little beauty created by Lisa Sommerville. Well, I knew I needed to make one.....

So here is my version. I used the Urban Garden DSP. I also got to use my Curly Label punch bundle. The "Good Times" is from the Celebrate Everything set. I even got to add on of the Flowers from the new Flower Fusion set with a silver brad.

Enjoy!

Kelly

Color Challenge 09-02-08

OK.... I know haven't posted all week! The kids are finally going back to school and I am trying to get back into a schedule. I think my body is going into shock.

Anyway, this week's color challenge was to use Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss (or Old Olive), and Pumpkin Pie. Last night was the first chance I had to sit down and work on this. I also was feeling like I had no idea what I was going to do. So I decided to open the catalog to a random page and copy the layout of the card. I ended up opening to page 104 and decided on the middle card.

I started with a 3 1/4 x 5 1/4" piece of Chocolate Chip CS for the back of my card. Then I cut a piece of 6" x 5 1/4" piece of Kiwi Kiss that I folded in half. I stamped the branch image from Eastern Blooms in Kiwiw Kiss ink on the top. Then the "Happy" definition from Define your Life on the bottom. I stamped and cut out the flower in Pumpkin Pie ink on Whisper White CS. I also stamped the "For You" from Fresh Cuts in Chocolate Chip ink and punched it out with the Curly Label Punch. Next, I took a scrap piece of Pumpkin Pie CS and punched it with the spiral punch. I adhered this to the back of the Kiwi Kiss card so it sticks out the side.(You will see this in the bottom pic on the inside of the card.) I wrapped the 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain around the card and adhered it to the Chocolate chip backing. Finally, I attached the Label, added one of the new Flower Brads to the center of the flower and put that on the card with Dimensionals. I also stamped a few flowers on the inside of the card.

And now a challenge for you... This card is definitely not somthing I would have ever considered designing. It is so out of the box for me. But it was fun picking a random card from the catalog and using it to create. So I challenge you to give it a try!!

Enjoy!

Kelly

Color Challenge 08-26-08

Hi Everyone,

Well, I am sitting here winding down from the first session of my New Catalog Open House and thought I would send you the color challenge card from this week that I made. I also have been busy making some samples with my Big Shot!!! I will share some of those in the next few days. But today's color challenge is one of them.

(Sorry the pic is a little crooked!) Ok so the colors this week are : Brocade Blue, Night of Navy and Bravo Burgundy. I made this very simple card by making the base from the Burgundy. Then, I stamped the Baroque background stamp with Night of Navy ink for the layer. Finally, I used some Brocade Blue CS with my Join in the Cheer Decorative Strip die for the Big Shot. I trimmed the words "Love", "Joy" and the "&" and put them on the front of the card with my Tombow multi purpose adhesive. That tombow stuff is my new favorite thing btw!! It works so well for so many things. You must have it! (110755 $3.95)

I hope you enjoy this card! It really was pretty quick to put together.

Kelly

Some More Convention Samples!

I love this sample. It was made by Stampin' Up!'s very own Brent Steele. He always makes the most amazing projects on stage at Convention! This one was done on one of those clear frames with the glass on the front and back. He then added a piece of Designer Series Paper in the center with a photo of his sons. On the top piece of glass, he added the white swirls from one of the Decor Elements. On these, he stamped and embossed some extra flower images to make it pop more and give it more texture and depth! I believe the "moments" is a rub-on. What a great way to use so many of the Stampin' Up! products together is unique ways!

$99 Starter Kit?!

Oh My Goodness! What a great time to Join Stampin' Up! If you have ever wanted to become a demonstrator and thought, "the kit is too expensive", or "I have so much stuff, I don't need all that stuff that comes in the kit".... then this is the promotion for you. Even if you haven't thought that stuff but had other excuses, then this is still the promotion for you! Stampin' Up! is offering three different choices for a $99 starter kit!

Check them out!

For more info, Click here! Then contact me and I will help you get started on your new business today!

More Upsy Daisy Samples!

I love this new Upsy Daisy set!! I love it so much that, I am having a class devoted to this amazing set! It also happens to be on sale right now! How much better can it get! Ok so here are a couple cards that you will make at the class!

This first one was inspired by a card we saw at Convention! I really love the stipple look of the image that you get when you use the sponge daubers to add several colors to it. This is a 4x4 card!

This next one, was inspired by a card I saw on this post on Patty Bennet's blog. It even uses the new Big Shot and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies! LOOOVE IT! The colors here are Kiwi Kiss and Pacific Point along with Shimmery white.

My class will be on September 10th at 7pm at my house. The cost of the class is $25 and includes the stamp set! Please RSVP by August 30th. There will also be a class kit available for those of you who cannot make it to the actual class. The cost for this will be $30 including shipping! Again please RSVP by AUGUST 30th!!

Here are the other sets that on sale:

111690 Snow Swirled $21.21
111586 It's a Stretch $20.36
111544 Putt Putt (Not available until August 18) $21.21
111626 Eastern Blooms $18.66
111672 Pocket Silhouettes $16.11
111710 Upsy Daisy $16.11
111556 Under the Stars $25.46
111644 Heard from the Heart $19.51
111570 Contempo Alphabet $34.81
109381 Felicidades Siempre* $15.26

Contact me today to order any of these sets or to register for the class!!

Kelly

Color Challenges!

Ok... so I have been making the color challenge cards, I just haven't photoed them, loaded them to my computer and then posted them... So I am doing a little catching up today!


















This Card is from the week of July 22nd. The colors were Real Red, Certainly Celery and Old Olive. The theme was Christmas in July. So that is what I went with. I used Baroque Motifs and Sincere Salutations. I stamped the big swirl in Old Olive on the Certainly Celery. Then, I stamped the little flowers in Real Red. I highlighted with my white gel pen. Finally, for the bottom, I added the 5/8" celery grosgrain and the greeting stamped on Old Olive with Real Red ink. I punched that out with the large oval punch.

These next 2 cards were from last week's challenge. The colors were Ruby Red (or Red Riding Hood Red), Brocade Blue and Summer Sun. For the first card, I used a new Technique Junkie Technique called Bandana. (For more info on the Technique Junkies go to patstamps.com) This card is pretty basic... but just a note I stamped on the White Taffeta ribbon with the Brocade blue craft ink. If you are going to stamp on this ribbon make sure you use craft ink, the classic ink will just run!!!

The second one, I used the Upsy Daisy and the Inspired by Nature stamp sets. On the Brocade Blue piece, I couldn't figure out how to get it to pop enough... so I first sponged the edge with the Red Riding Hood ink. That wasn 't quite doing it for me, so I then swiped it with the White Craft pad. Also the Summer Sun layer is distressed with the cutter kit.




Last but not least, is this week's color challenge card! The colors for this week were Barely Banana, Brocade Blue and Bordering Blue. I started with a Barely Banana card. Then added the Brocade blue layer. I also wrapped this layer with a piece of the medium size Twill Tape. For the main image, I masked the outside of the card stock so there was a rectangle in the middle. I stamped the branch image in Bordering Blue a few times. (I did stamp off on my scrap paper first.) Then I sponged some Bordering Blue ink in the rectangle as well. Next, I removed the mask and stamped the Branch in Brocade Blue. I stamped the Flower in Barely Banana on scrap paper and cut it out. I also curled the petals a little for some extra dimension. Then, I used my Tombow multi purpose adhesive to add little dots in the center of the flower and used some of the Fine Cosmo Glitter. I added that to the card with a Dimensional. I also stamped the "Thank You" from the Fresh Cuts set in Brocade Blue.


Enjoy! Why don't you try one of these color combos!! Let me know what you create!


Kelly

Convention Make N Takes

HI again,

I thought I would share a pic of the Make n Takes we did at Convention. They were great projects. The sets we received as part of Convention were: Flight of the Butterfly, Eastern Blooms, and Inspired by Nature. These are also the sets we used on these projects.

Enjoy!

Kelly

Thankful Shadow Box

Check out this cool shadow box! The words are from a new Decor Elements coming in the fall. Check back soon to see when I am having a class to make this project!

5 Years with Stampin' Up!

Well, as Stampin' Up! is celebrating its 20th Anniversary, I got to celebrate my 5 year anniversary of being a demonstrator this year at Convention. Here is a pic of me with some other members of my group.

That is me on the far left. Next is Traci, Marlene, Alex, Jen and Stephanie. This was a very exciting moment for us! It is so much fun to have such a great group of women to spend time with and celebrate with!!!

Kelly

Some Pics of new stuff!

I know I promised you these pics a few days ago... but well, with travelling home and leaving right away for my family vacation, things got out of hand... But better late than never right??

This is a pic of the new Sizzix Big Shot made exclusively for Stampin' Up. There are also going to be lots of exclusive dies and the cool bag to tote it in. These will be unveiled in the new Holiday Mini Catalog coming out very soon. I believe the sales period starts on September 2.

There are also some new Decor Elements coming this fall. Here is a pic from convention. These are 2 step Decor Elements and they look amazing on the wall. I love the colors.

The colors are Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink, Gable Green and So Safffron.

Enjoy!

Kelly