Christmas Wreath

Good afternoon everyone.  I hope you all are more ready for Christmas than I am.  10 days to go and I don't have my cards finished yet.  I set out today to correct that problem.

For this card I used multiple Stampin' Up! items.  I started with a card base made from Kraft card stock and I topped that with a piece of  Cherry Cobbler card stock.  I hauled out the Big Shot and cut elements from the Pretty Pines thinlits dies.  I cut 4 of the mid size pine branches and 2 of the small branches from Garden Green card stock.  Next I cut 2 of the berries from Cherry Cobbler card stock and a wreath using the large die in the Swirly Scribbles (RETIRING) from Soft Suede card stock.

I embossed a wood grain background onto Kraft card stock using a folder from my stash.  I love the outdoorsy look of this card.  After assembling the pine branches onto the wreath, I added a red ribbon using a glue dot for extra hold.  Next using Cherry Cobbler classic stampin pad, I used the Merry Christmas sentiment from the Star of Light set and curved it to fit the Dual Banner Punch (RETIRING).  The banner is mounted with dimensionals to give it some depth.

On the inside I used a sentiment from the Cozy Christmas set (RETIRED) again using Cherry Cobbler classic stampin pad and then added a pine branch from the Wonderland set (RETIRED) using Garden Green classic stampin pad.

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a Merry Christmas.

Hey, Chick

I'm dearly in love with the Hey, Chick stamp set that will be available in Sale A Bration beginning in a few weeks.  This fluffy headed chicken is simply adorable.

For this card I used a Crumb Cake card base and stamped the chicken onto Whisper White card stock. I colored the lil fella with Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie and Crumb Cake Stampin Write markers.  I then hit up his 'do with clear Wink of Stella. Then I fussy cut the guy out.

I cut the window frame using the Hearth & Home framelit dies and positioned my chicken to "peek" through the window.  If you haven't tried the foam adhesive strips, they are amazing for making a shaker card and simple to use. Behind the window I used an embossed sheet that I got from a friend in a swap and I colored the raised parts with my blender pen and Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry and Crumb Cake inks.  I added some sequins from my stash and assembled the card, stamping the sentiment in Cajun Craze.

My son said the card is for the wrong season but I don't care.  I just love this chicken.  If you want one of your own, visit my website http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/kimskreations/ anytime between January 4 - March 31, 2017 to get your very own. He is free with a $50 purchase.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy my card.  Have a Blessed Day. 

Time of Year

Good evening friends.  Tonight I'm sharing with you a cute card I made using the new Stampin' Up! in color Peekaboo Peach and exclusive hostess stamp set, Time of Year.

This is a A2 card base in Peekaboo Peach paired with the Playful Palette DSP stack for the hint of color on the side and the balloons.  The "Thinking of You" image was stamped using Peekaboo Peach classic stamping pad and the "on your" was stamped with Memento black ink onto Whisper White card stock.  I stamped the "Birthday" banner onto a scrap of Whisper White card stock with the Peekaboo ink, cut the image out using the Bunch of Banners framelits & my Big Shot.  I popped the banner up using dimensionals.

I used the large balloon from my Balloon Bouquet punch to cut 3 balloons which I then embossed using the corners of the Confetti TEIF and my Big Shot.  2 of the balloons were popped up using dimensionals.  I finished it off by adding bows from some baker's twine that I had hanging around the craft room.

I thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed my card. Enjoy the rest of your day!

A Non Traditional Christmas

I got in my Star of Light bundle from the Holiday Catalog and it has just been staring at me.  There are so many possiblities but it took me a while to get a clear concept.  I put these 2 cards together this afternoon but I reversed the colors of the stars for different effects.

Each card uses the same colors but in different ways for the star.  Each uses Whisper White card stock that I stamped with Versamark ink and used Silver embossing powder.  What is a Christmas card without a little "bling"?  The stamped piece is layered onto a Soft Sky panel and a Pink Pirouette card base.

I used my Big Shot to cut out the large star and the decorative star from the Starlights thin lits.  On one I cut the large star from some light blue glitter paper I had hanging around my craft room and the decorative star was cut from the Pink Pirouette card stock.  I reversed the papers for the 2nd star.

I used Tombow glue to put the card pieces together but used dimensionals to "pop up" the star.  A little rhinestone in the center and a sentiment from the Star of Light stamp set and I was done.

Thank you for stopping by.  

Believing Scarecrow

Tonight I tried a "side step" card and used various elements to make this wonderful fall / holiday card.  The card base is made from Cajun Craze card stock.  I used some fall themed DSP that I had in my stash  and I inked the edges with a sponge dauber and Early Espresso ink.

Next I stamped my scarecrow onto Whisper White card stock using the new Cookie Cutter Halloween stamp set and then punched out the little guy with the coordinating Gingerbread punch. I colored him with various Stamp n Write markers.

Next I used the Acorn Builder punch and Crumb Cake card stock to make acorns.  They are also inked around the edges with Early Espresso ink.  The caps are cut from the back side of the DSP and the acorn is attached with a dimensional.

For the pumpkin in the back, I used the 1 3/8" oval punch and Pumpkin Pie card stock.  The pumpkin is built with 3 punched pieces, also inked with Early Espresso ink, layered together with Tombow glue.  For the stem I used a scrap piece of Old Olive card stock that I fussy cut.

I cut a maple leaf with the Leaflets Framelits and Old Olive card stock.  The sentiment is from Lighthearted Leaves, stamped with Early Espresso ink. The edges are inked with a sponge dauber and Pumpkin Pie ink. The leaf is mounted with dimensionals to give it some depth.  

There you go folks.  I hope you've enjoyed my little card and have a lovely evening. Thanks for stopping by. 

A thoughtful flower

Good evening friends,

I played around some more with the Thoughtful Banners set making another sympathy card.  This is such a lovely set and is available for a limited time only.

I first stamped the tree foliage onto Calypso Coral card stock using Calypso Coral ink.  I then used the corresponding thin lit and cut out the foliage and the stem from Old Olive card stock using my Big Shot.  The precision plate made removing those tiny pieces simple.

I then used my Tombow glue to attach the foliage to the stem and glued my flower to a piece of Whisper White card stock and stamped my sentiment using Memento ink.  I then mounted this onto a card base made from Calypso Coral card stock. 

A simple, yet elegant card.  Thanks for looking and enjoy your evening.

Thoughts for You

Hello friends....

Tonight I sat down and played with the new Thoughful Branches bundle.  I needed a sympathy card and while they aren't fun to send, I always want them to feel special.  I started out by stamping the tree trunk onto Crumb Cake card stock with Early Espresso ink.  I then stamped the tree foliage using Calypso Coral ink onto Calypso Coral card stock and last I stamped a bird using Night of Navy ink onto Whisper White card stock.

Next I cut the pieces out using the Beautiful Branches thin lits in my Big Shot.  The die brush and precision plate really come in handy for this intricate work.  I also cut out the tree form from the Crumb Cake card stock so that you can see the tree branches peeking through.

I went to assemble the card using a Whisper White card stock base but I didn't like how plain it looked.  I got out my ink in Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Pool Party and Marina Mist and made my scenic background with a torn piece of scrap card stock and sponge daubers.

My card is assembled using an Old Olive card base and Calypso Coral layer behind the sponged Whisper White card stock.

I stamped the sentiment from the Thoughtful Branches set using my Memento ink and added clear Wink of Stella to the bluebird. 

Remember the Thoughtful Branches can be preordered through the end of July. Any $50 order qualifies you to receive a $5.00 coupon to be used anytime from August 3-31, 2016.  Just click on my link to order your set now.  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/kimskreations/

Thank you so much for looking and enjoy the rest of your evening. 

My Best Friend

You know how sometimes you just see a stamp that you have to use.  Well, the Stampendous House Mouse stamps do that for me.  I fall in love with them all the time.  Today I used Mr. and Meeces to make my sister a wedding card and also because she is marrying her "Best Friend".  I get the added bonus of taking it to her when I travel to Mississippi for the wedding. I'm so excited. 

For this card I stamped the image onto Whisper White card stock and colored it with Prisma pencils. I love how soft they are and how well they blend. I mounted the stamped image onto some red textured paper I had in my scrap box and then onto a black card stock base.  I added 3 red jewels (because my sister loves the bling!) and a red gossamer ribbon.  I used my heat gun on the ribbon ends to curl them up.  If you haven't tried that little technique, please do.  It gives a great effect. 

I'm also submitting this for the House Mouse Monday Challenge, HMFMC #222, A Day Spent with Friends.  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your evening. 

An Affectionate Birthday

Today's card is another I've made using the new Affectionately Yours Suite from the new Stampin' Up Annual catalog.  The colors work so well together and are very vibrant.

For this card I used the Affectionately Yours DSP, Mint Macaron and Watermelon Wonder card stocks. The sentiment and banner were made using the Thoughtful Banners bundle and stamped using Watermelon Wonder classic Stampin pad.  I mounted the banner using dimensionals. I used the Floral Affection embossing folder for some extra dimension.

I have so many birthdays to send cards for in July that I thought I'd better get started.  I appreciate your stopping to look.  Enjoy the rest of your day.

A returning favorite

It's raining here in Edmond, OK today so since I'm stuck indoors I decided to play around with the new Stampin' Up! In Colors.  Thankfully Butterfly Basics is returning in the new annual catalog.  It is such a versatile, beautiful stamp set. 

I made a base from the new Sweet Sugarplum card stock.  I stamped my images onto Whisper White card stock using the new Emerald Envy, Sweet Sugarplum and Peekaboo Peach stampin' pads.  I then assembled the stamped piece onto the base...but it was missing something.

I got out the Big Shot and the butterflies thinlits (also returning) and I cut the medium butterfly from the Sweet Sugarplum card stock and glued it to the card front.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

You can order any of the new products beginning June 1st on my website at http://kimskreations.stampinup.net

Easter Thank you

Happy Holy Week friends.  This week I have been busy busy busy trying to get all my Easter cards done.  This year I needed to make several "thank you" cards since our youngest is being baptized, confirmed and receiving his 1st communion during Easter Vigil.  I found a lot of inspiration from Pinterest.

I also got my inspiration from this week's color challenge over at Pals Paper Arts. I loved using these colors together and they worked wonderfully.

For this card, I cut my Mint Macaron card stock to A2 on the long side so that it will open from the bottom.  I then cut my card base from Whisper White card stock and I then embossed it around the edges 3/4" using the Confetti TIEF from the current Occasions catalog.  It wasn't the embossing folder I first had in mind, but I must admit that it looks nice.

I then stamped a cross from (retired) Crosses of Hope and the smaller flower from (retired) Secret Garden using Blushing Bride stampin' pad. I stamped 2 set of leaves also from (retired) Secret Garden in Mint Macaron and 3 flowers from Bloomin' Love in So Saffron.  I used my framelits from the corresponding matches for the flowers and leaves and fussy cut the cross.

I attached the card base using my snail and then attached the leaves and larger flower using my tom bow glue.  The cross and smaller flowers are attached with Stampin' Dimensionals for added dimension to the card. I added a few flat back pearls and it was done.  

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.  Enjoy the rest of your day and Happy Easter.

It's a Party!

Hi everyone!  I hope you are enjoying your Spring Break (if it's that time of year for you).  My darling youngest has come down with strep throat so while he is resting and monopolizing the television, I've been creating cards.

My 1st creation was inspired by this week's Pals Paper Arts color challenge.  I too love this color combination.

Such a cheerful, spring color choice.  I started with an A2 card base in Watermelon Wonder.  I then chose a sheet from the Cherry on Top DSP stack. I cut the page to make a top layer and then used a circle thin lit to cut out...well, a circle.  Next I used Pool Party card stock and the Party Pop-ups and cut out the "Happy Birthday. After placing a small square of Whisper White card stock behind the circle in the DSP, I mounted the Happy Birthday using glue dots strategically placed around the die cut. I attached all of this to the card base with snail.  A bow made from Pistachio Pudding thick bakers twine finished the front. 

For the inside, I again used the Party Pop Ups thin lit and cut "Hip Hip Hooray" from Whisper White card stock.  After punching out the little pieces, I layered pieces of Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush and Hello Honey card stocks behind the words for an extra "pop".  I used tear & tape adhesive to mount to the inside of the card base so that it would have extra hold. I finished off the edges with pieces left from my Cherry on Top DSP page. 

For the sentiment, I used Age Awareness and stamped the sentiment onto Whisper White card stock in Cucumber Crush ink.  I fussy cut the sentiment out and mounted it using Stampin dimensionals. 

I appreciate you stopping by to look.  Enjoy your day!

Celebrate the Sunset

Hi friends, today I needed to create an anniversary card for a special couple and complete a challenge at Pals Paper Arts. Lucky for me, I was able to do both.   Here is the inspiration for my card.

I wanted to try a little different take on the challenge and instead of using paper for the elements, I used ink and a stamp.  I started with a piece of whisper white card stock cut at 4 1/8" x 5 3/8".  I sponged most of the right side using my classic stampin pad in So Saffron. I then cut a circle from cardstock to use as a "sun" template.  I sponged around the template using Hello Honey and Delightful Dijon classic stampin' pads.  To build my sunset out further I sponged Pumpkin Pie, Tangelo Twist and Real Red also from classic stampin' pads. I finished the look using the Lovely As A Tree stamp set, stamped in Early Espresso.  The sentiment comes from the 2016 Occasions catalog, Beautiful Ride. I mounted the image on an A2 card base made from Hello Honey card stock. 

I hope my friends enjoy it and I hope you do as well. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your day!

Flowering Fields Forever

It's been a busy day but I wanted to tackle this weeks challenge at Pals Paper Arts.  This week is a sketch by Linda Callahan and below is my take on it.

I started with a card base made from Whisper White thick cardstock. To that I added Perfectly Artistic DSP from the SAB catalog cut as shown.  I layered a piece of washi tape from my stash across the bottom piece of DSP.  I then stamped the flower from the Flowering Fields stamp set, also in SAB, using Wisteria Wonder and Old Olive classic stampin pads onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I went back and added the butterfly from the same stamp set using Blushing Bride classic stampin pad.  Before adhering the stamped image to the card, I used a stamping sponge to put Old Olive ink around the edges to make it "pop".

I will be using this PPA286 challenge card for a friend's anniversary.  Thanks for stopping by my blog. Enjoy your day. 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

My lovely Valentine

I like to give my husband Valentines for the entire week leading up to Valentine's Day. This year we are trying to consume less sugar so I'm going with cards and little notes letting him know how much he means to me. One of the cards I created uses the beautiful Bloomin' Heart thinlit die.  I just love how intricate this die is and how lovely it looks when cut from foil paper.

For this card I used Basic Black cardstock for the card base.  I cut the heart from Red Foil sheets left over from Christmas. The flower accents were cut from some white glitter paper I have hang around. Using the precision base plate in my Big Shot and the Big Shot die brush system makes removing all of those tiny pieces of paper a snap. After all the pieces were cut, I adhered the heart to the base using the Stampin' Up! fine tip glue pen. The flowers were attached to the heart with glue dots.  I then made a bow from some red ribbon and attached with a glue dot.

Such an easy, lovely Valentine's card.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog. Have a great day!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

A Ray of Sunshine

I survived an all day crop yesterday and managed to produce some really great cards. One of these was my Ray of Sunshine birthday card. I used the new Sunburst Thinlit die from the Stampin' Up! Occasions catalog along with my Sky is the Limit stamp set and my Tree Builder punch.

I used Sahara Sand cardstock for my base and Soft Sky cardstock for my background. The sunburst is cut from the new Perfectly Artistic DSP in the SAB catalog.  After stamping the airplane and sentiment onto Whisper White cardstock, I cut the airplane out by hand and used my Tree Builder punch for the sentiment. Both are then mounted with Stampin' Dimensionals.  

Thanks for looking at my kreation.  Enjoy your day. 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Shades of Pink

I've enjoyed the PPA284 Challenge this week and decided to create another entry.  Here's this week's sketch by Maggie Mata.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I like to do a full week of Valentine's for my husband...cards, simple trinkets, little notes, etc.  He would never admit it, but he likes receiving them.

I decided to use the Bloomin' Love bundle from Stampin' Up! for this card.  I just love the heart thinlit and it is so pretty when cut out.  I used my Big Shot to cut out the heart from white glitter paper and then I went back and cut out the 2 flower accessories in pink glitter paper.  I adhered the pink flowers and then glued a white flat backed pearl to the centers.

I assembled the card at A2 using Blushing Bride card stock and Perfectly Artistic DSP from the new Sale-A-Bration catalog. After assembling all the pieces, I stamped the sentiment from the matching Bloomin' Love stamp.

It's my first Valentine's card of the season.  Thanks for looking.  

Sprinkles Cupcake

Tonight I made another birthday card using the fabulous Cherry on Top paper stack from Stampin' Up!  I just love this paper stack and use it quite often. The card is a standard A2 size.  I cut the DSP in half and used one half to cut a scallop circle with my Big Shot, I then used a sponge to ink the edges with Watermelon Wonder ink. The 2nd half I cut down to 2" and made additional cuts to get the desired effect.  I layered as shown and then stamped a cupcake from the Sprinkles of Life stamp set using Delightful Dijon, Cucumber Crush, Hello Honey and Watermelon Wonder inks and fussy cut out the pieces.  All the pieces are glued together and then mounted on the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

After assembling the card, I felt it needed something so I went back and highlighted the edges of the cupcake and the candle flame with Wink of Stella.

This card was inspired by Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge (PPA284).  Thanks Maggie Mata for the challenge.

Anniversary Balloon Celebration

Tonight I needed an anniversary card. I went back to the Balloon Celebration stamp set that I'm enjoying so much.  I used a Mint Macaron card base cut at A2 with Cherry on Top DSP.  The balloons are stamped in Mint Macaron and Blushing Bride with Hello Honey for the bow. To get a good contrast on the balloons, the 1st layer is stamped off on a paper towel. My particular paper towel has a dot design which transferred to the balloon.  I think it adds a little dimension to the stamp. The balloons are then punched out with the matching balloon punch and popped up with Stampin Dimensionals.  I then freehand drew the balloon strings using a Stampin' Write marker in Smoky Slate.

Inside I stamped "Congratulations" from the Sky Is the Limit stamp set  using Early Espresso ink.  To finish the card, I highlighted the bottoms of the balloons with Wink of Stella (although it is hard to see in the photograph).

My Red Baron

I had the task of creating the 1st family birthday card of the year. My brother in law, the youngest of my husband's siblings, nothing seemed right.  Then Stampin Up! released the Sale-A-Bration catalog and it all became crystal clear.  Joe works for the company that develops the black boxes on airplanes.  Sky is the Limit was just staring at me. I just knew that I had to use it and my Red Baron was born.

For this card I used an embossing folder that I've had forever but I swiped it with a Classic Stampin Pad in Marina Mist.  I then stamped the biplane in Real Red and the sentiment using Memento Ink Pad in Black Tuxedo.  I cut the plane out and used dimensionals to adhere the plane to the card.  The sentiment is also adhered with dimensionals.  Papers used are Whisper White and Marina Mist card stock. My card has gone postal to Austin, Texas.  I hope my BIL enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Thanks for reading my 1st blog and enjoy the rest of your day.