Sad News
Yesterday my husband and I received news that a friend of ours had lost his battle with cancer. He leaves behind a gorgeous wife and 8 children, two from a previous marriage. We are so sorry to hear of their loss, especially at this time of year.
I guess when I saw the sketch for the chat and challenge at Sudsol it helped me to create a card to send to the family.
I embossed a piece of Very Vanilla card stock using the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder and attached it to a scored and folded piece of Basic Black card stock. I attached a piece of the Newsprint Specialty Designer Series Paper to a layer of Basic Black card stock and attached it inside the embossed frame. I stamped “Thinking of You” from the Sincere Salutations stamp set onto Very Vanilla card stock and attached it to a layer of Basic Black card stock. The greeting is attached to the card front over the Designer Paper and inside the frame. I inked the “stem” image from the Field Flowers stampset using my Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker, stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock and attached it to Basic Black card stock.
I inked the “solid” large flower from the Field Flowers stampset using Regal Rose ink, stamped once onto scrap paper and then onto Very Vanilla card stock. I inked the “detail” large flower from the same stampset using Regal Rose ink and stamped over the “solid” image without stamping onto scrap paper first. I cut the flower out and then attached it over the stamped stem image. The image panel is attached to the card front using dimensionals.
I always wonder if I get these type of cards right. You don’t want it to be too sombre, but you certainly don’t want it to be too bright. What do you think?
Bye for now, Kris.
A Blue Birthday
Can you believe it, Christmas is over for another year. All that anticipation, preparation, exccitement and now it is all finished. I had lots of fun over the holidays, spending time with my parents, daughters, sons-in-law and of course my gorgeous grandchildren. They got lots of fantastic gifts and had lots of fun playing with them and each other. I trust that all of you had a wonderful Christmas.
Now it is back to reality and hopefully some more regular blogging. I am preparing for my first classes of the year and looking forward to Sale-A-Bration. Being a demonstrator I have already seen the Sale-A-Bration catalogue and I think you are all going to be very happy with the gorgeous selection.
Here is a card I made using the sketch challenge at Stamping 411, however, it also fits the challenge at Sunny Challenges and Creations too.
I started with a base of Crumb Cake card stock. The next layer is Baja Breeze card stock which I have stamped using two of the images from the Extreme Elements stamp set. The largest image in Baja Breeze ink and the smaller image in Versamark ink. I stamped the largest image from the Extreme Elements stamp set onto Whisper White card stock using Crumb Cake ink. I stamped the “jeep” image from the Need for Speed stampset using Not Quite Navy ink over the top of the Crumb Cake image. 
I attached this panel to Not Quite Navy card stock and then to the stamped Baja Breeze card stock. I wrapped the Blue Denim Jean Ribbon around this whole piece, tied a knot and then attached it to the Crumb Cake base. I stamped the greeting from the Sincere Salutations stampset onto Whisper White card stock using Not Quite Navy ink and punched it out with the Large Oval Punch and attached it to a Crumb Cake Scallop Oval. The greeting is attached to the card front over the ribbon using dimensionals.
I always find it hard to get back to work if I take some time off, so this is card is very simple. Of course, male cards are always harder for me to make. I’d love to hear what you think.
Bye for now, Kris.
Merry Christmas and a new Challenge
Firstly let me wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope that you all have a wonderful day filled with good times. I also wish you all the very best for a happy and healthy New Year. I am looking forward to spending the day with one of my daughters and her family as well as my Mum and Dad.
Sunny Challenges and Creations is having a two week challenge – anything but Christmas. We would love to see your cards, scrapbook pages, 3D items with any theme other than Christmas. I am sure that we all love making things for Christmas but I know that I for one am looking forward to creating something new.
My husband and I have friends expecting their first child any day now and I thought that I would create a photo frame for them to use for a photo of their newborn. We don’t know if it is a girl or a boy so I created this prototype for a girl. I will have to whip up another one in blue if it is a boy. I embossed a piece of Whisper White card stock using the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder and added it to a layer of Chocolate Chip card stock. I attached this to Pretty in Pink card stock only on the sides and across the bottom. I made a tag to slide behind the photo to record the date, time, weight and length. 
I punched the long edges of a strip of Whisper White card stock and added a layer of Chocolate Chip card stock which has been embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. I wrapped this with Pretty in Pink 5/8″ Satin ribbon and attached it to the Pretty in Pink card stock. I tied Pretty in Pink 5/8″ Satin Ribbon and Whisper White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon to this ribbon. I punched two stockings from Pretty in Pink card stock using the Stocking Builder Punch and cut them down a little. I punched the cuff, heel and toe pieces from Whisper White card stock using the Stocking Builder Punch. I attached the Whisper White pieces to the Pretty in Pink stocking and then embossed the whole piece using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. 
I attached the “booties” to a Whisper White card stock 2-1/2″ circle and then to a 3″ circle of Chocolate Chip card stock. I attached this over the decorative strip using Mini Glue Dots. I tied a knot in a piece of Whisper White 5/8″ Organza ribbon and attached it to the top of the “booties” using Mini Glue Dots.
What do you think? I think it looks really cute. I hope the new parents like it.
Now it’s time for you to visit Gwen and Vicky and see what they have in store for you, then pop over to Sunny Challenges and Creations and add your creation to Mr. Linky. We are looking forward to seeing what you make.
Merry Christmas, Kris.
A Matchbook Treat Holder
There is a challenge at Late Night Stampers this week to use Blue, White and Silver on your creation. I decided to use a tutorial which I have from Class in a Flash to make a little treat holder for my grandchildren to go under the tree. Just a little bit of fun.
I used Night of Navy card stock to create the basic matchbook. The photo doesn’t really show it well, but there is a Round Treat Cup in the centre of the embossed cardstock which is where I will be adding my treat. I used a combination of Whisper White and Silver Glimmer Paper to decorate the box. I also used a variety of punches – Full Heart, 1 1/4″ Circle, 1″ Circle, 1 3/4″ Circle, Scallop Trim Border Punch as well as the Circle Scissors to create my 3″ circle. I also used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to add a little texture. The greeting comes from the Perfect Punches stamp set and I used Night of Navy ink to stamp it. I just need to find something to add to the Treat cup. I am thinking Red Smarties or M&M’s would look fantastic. The little matchbook opens and the treat holder swings out so that the treat can be eaten without destroying the holder.
I can’t wait for Christmas morning to see my grandchildren’s faces and hear their excitement about what Santa brought them.
Bye for now, Kris.
Clean and Simple Flower
Today I decided to play along with the Clean and Simple Challenge. It is a very simple sketch but one that has lots of potential.
I kept my card pretty simple, because as you know it is a very busy time of year. I have a base card of Wisteria Wonder to which I added a piece of Very Vanilla card stock which I have stamped on the top half using the floral filigree image from the Creative Elements stamp set using Lucky Limeade ink.
I ran a piece of Very Vanilla card stock through the Big Shot using the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder and added a strip of Lucky Limeade card stock which has been punched on one long edge using the Pinking Hearts Border Punch and then attached it to the card front.
I stamped the flower image from the Creative Elements stampset onto Very Vanilla card stock 4 times using Calypso Coral ink and cut out one complete flower and then sections of the flower – gradually decreasing in size. I stacked the flowers together using dimensionals and then added it to the card front using Mini Glue Dots.
What do you think? I think it is simple and elegant.
Bye for now, Kris.
Santa’s Treat Box
I thought I would share this adorable little box which is made using the Petal Cone Die. The tutorial was written by Vimar Serrano as part of the Christmas Edition 2011 of Inkspiration 4U. I think it is just gorgeous and a great way to use our new Red and Silver Glitter paper. The top part lifts off and you have a cute little box. This is going to sit on my table at Christmas and hide a few little treats.
This fits the current challenge at Sunny Challenges and Creations – anything Christmas. You still have a few days left to add your creations to Mr. Linky. We’d love to see what you have been making for the Christmas season.
Bye for now, Kris.
Christmas Bauble Wreath
Here is somthing I wanted to share with you just for fun. I have seen these wreaths made from Christmas Baubles and a wire coat hanger and thought I would give it a try. All you do is open the hanger and shape it into a circle. Slide the baubles onto the wire (make sure your hangers will not come away from the bauble) and use different sizes so that the wreath doesn’t have any gaps in it. I used 3 different sizes and love the way it turned out. We celebrate Christmas on the back verandah so the grandchildren have quick access to the pool and this wreath will be the focal decoration. I did use something from Stampin’ Up! – Basic Black 1 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon.
I’d love to hear what you think.
Bye for now, Kris.
A Pleated Tree
Robin Messenheimer shared a great photo of some Christmas Trees that were displayed in the White House and then she shared a tutorial in her newsletter on how to make them.
I made mine following Robin’s instructions using Old Olive card stock. I added a little glitter in the form of circles I punched from scrap Silver Glitter Paper using the largest eye on the Owl Punch. I think this tree turned out so cute and will look great sitting on the Christmas table this year.
While making this tree I started thinking about how I could decorate a polystyrene cone shape that I have left over from some other projects. 
I cut strips of Very Vanilla card stock and punched one long edge using the Eyelet Border Punch. I sponged Old Olive ink onto the punched edges. I ran each piece through the crimper several times until the card stock was nice and pliable. I started at the bottom of the cone and used dressmaker pins to attach the card stock to the polystyrene cone. I made sure that the bottom of each piece fitted around the cone and then attached the top in 4 places and then just kind of squished the paper to the cone and added pins to keep it in place. How to cover the top had me a bit stumped at first but then I decided to punch a 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle from Very Vanilla card stock and score through the scallops. I also sponged the edges with Old Olive ink. I cut through one of the score lines until I reached the centre of the circle and then cut one scallop away. I concertina folded the score lines and then used Tombow Multipurpose glue to join the scallop together again. I attached this to the tree using Tombow Multipurpose Glue. I punched 2 stars from Silver Glimmer paper using my Star punch (retired) and joined them together back to back with a toothpick between the layers. I then pushed the toothpick into the top of the cone through the Scallop Circle and there you have it – my version of the paper Christmas Tree.
Ok guys, I have been showing you things that I am making for Christmas, how about you share some of your gorgeous creations by adding them to Mr. Linky at Sunny Challenges and Creations. You still have plenty of time and I know that you are all making fabulous things for Christmas.
Bye for now, Kris.
Happy Birthday Abigail
Today is my granddaughter Abigail’s seventh birthday. She is growing into a lovely young lady of whom I am very proud. Her birthday present is a ticket to see Taylor Swift in March next year but it wouldn’t be a birthday without a present so I made a little gift to give to her today.
I used the largest of the Beveled Windowpanes to create a necklace for her. I cut Whisper White card to fit the frame and stamped the “word” image from the Charming stampset (released in the Mini on 1st December) using Certainly Celery ink. I inked the “flower stem” image using Certainly Celery and Regal Rose Stampin’ Write Markers and stamped over the top of the “words”. I attached the image panel to the back of the Beveled Windowpane using Mini Glue Dots. I attached a loop of Certainly Celery 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon to the top of the Beveled Windowpane behind the image panel. 
I cut slits in the image panel matching the slits in the Beveled Windowpane and again wrapped Certainly Celery 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon making sure that the ends were attached to the back. I attached another piece of Whisper White card to the back of the piece to cover all the ends of the ribbon. I cut the “legs” off a Designer Flower brad and used Crystal Effects to attach it to the front of the Bevelled Windowpane. Once the Crystal Effects was dry – I let it sit overnight – I threaded Certainly Celery 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon through the loop at the top of the Beveled Windowpane and attached jewellery rings and a lobster closing to the ends of the ribbon so that she can wear it as a necklace. 
Of course I needed a way to present the necklace, so I created a little matchbox to house the gift. I used Certainly Celery card stock to create the box and ran the cover through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder to add a little texture. I punched a window in the front of the cover using the Full Heart Punch and attached a piece of window sheet behind it using Mini Glue Dots. I created a little flower using the largest flower on the Boho Blossom Punch, added a small Clear Rhinestone to the centre and attached it to the front of the box using a Mini Glue Dot.
Lastly I made a little carry bag to put the necklace and card into. Selene Kempton shared a tutorial at Stamping 411 and it is just perfect to hold my gift. I used Certainly Celery card stock to construct the box. I punched the length of Certainly Celery card stock using the Lace Ribbon Border to create handles. I used a piece of Regal Rose Designer Paper from the Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack to decorate the front. I punched a strip of Whisper White card stock using the Lace Ribbon Border and cut it in half to add to each long side of the designer paper. I added Whisper White card stock punched using the Round Tab Punch to the front and back of the bag and attached the handles using Large Clear Rhinestone Brads. Lastly I cut Whisper White card stock using the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit. I punched Certainly Celery card stock using the Full Heart punch and placed it in the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit to add the small polka dot pattern and attached it to the Certainly Celery scalloped heart. I added a flower made in the same manner as for the front of the matchbox.
I think the necklace is really cute and will be a fun accessory for her. I love the presentation bag and know that Abi will too. I’d love to hear what you think.
Bye for now, Kris.
Christmas Cards for the Boys
Here are the cards I made for my grandsons. There are many variations on this style of card out there in blog land, so thanks to everyone for the inspiration.
I started with a base care of Whisper White and added a layer of Real Red. (Look no embossing). I punched the long edges of a piece of Whisper White card using the Scallop Trim Border punch and then embossed the centre panel using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder. I added a strip of Basic Black card and then using a piece of Silver Glimmer paper punched a 1″ square. 
I used the 1 1/4″ square and punched around the 1″ square making sure to centre it. I added this piece to the Basic Black strip to make the “buckle”. I kept the inside of this card plain as well but did add “Ho Ho Ho” to the inside. I cut the letters from Real Red cardstock using the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet.
These are simple cards but I think my grandsons will love them.
Bye for now, Kris.
Stamping with Kris 