Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Urban Prairie Pansies


I created this card for today's sketch challenge at Splitcoaststampers. I'm thrilled that I was able to track down some of this gorgeous Urban Prairie paper by BasicGrey on a trip to my sister's LSS. I love it. This sheet is called Weather Vane.

I stamped the Kitchen Sink Stamps Pansy Multi Step Clear Stamps on US White using these Stampin' Up colors. I then cut them out and popped them up on dimensionals.

The sentiment if from KSS' Never a Loss 4 Words Clear Stamps.

Layer 1 - So Saffron stamped off once
Layer 2 - So Saffron
Layer 3 - Regal Rose
Layer 4 - Riding Hood Red

Leaves:
Layer 1 - Kiwi Kiss stamped off once
Layer 2 - Kiwi Kiss stamped off once
Layer 3 - Kiwi Kiss

Papers: Baja Breeze, Basic Black, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, US White by Stampin' Up
Urban Prairie/Weather Vane by BasicGrey

Embellishments: Ribbon, Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Tools: Square Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Don't forget to check out today's Blue Plate Special over at Kitchen Sink Stamps!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Coaster Refrigerator Art

Well, here it is Monday, and time for Kitchen Sink Crew Challenge #8. I have the great honor of being the hostess for this challenge. That means I get to decide what we are going to create today. I thought it might be a lot of fun if we used our Kitchen Sink Stamps to make some inspiring refrigerator art. So the challenge today is to use your computer to generate a favorite quote or scripture and then add the art with your beautiful stamps. Your refrigerator magnets can be any shape you like but must be no larger than 4 inches by 4 inches. I have used 4 x 4 coasters as the base for my refrigerator magnets, but you can use anything you would like.

In addition to being today's Crew Challenge, my coaster magnets are also the project of the month at Kitchen Sink Stamps. When I first designed this challenge, I hadn't planned on using coasters as my base, but while organizing my stamping materials trying to make room for more new stuff, I happened upon those hundred coasters I purchased a couple of years ago thinking I would make all kinds of niffy projects.

Well, I did make a few things but they were a lot of work, and I seem to be more into instant gratification so they got stuck away in a box and not used. When I saw them I thought, "Four by four! Perfect for my planned refrigerator art!!"

Thus were born these fast, easy refrigerator magnets made with scraps of cardstock and designer papers attached to a 4 x 4 coaster. I'm planning on using these as sweet little gifts when I visit friends in the hospital or tiny thank yous for coworkers or teachers. Or maybe just a little cheer for myself!!

I started my quest for quotes by laying out my stamps to see what images I could match to various themes. I selected my quotes and printed them on lightweight cardstock using my computer. Then the fun began. I pulled out my scrap boxes looking for designer papers and cardstocks to showcase my quotes and started cutting and layering.

I chose this first quote because most of my friends and family are employed in the education business! The quote is on a 3 1/2 inch square of white cardstock layered on a 3 5/8 inch square of black. I used a corner rounder to clip the corners, stamped the images, glued the two together, and then tied the ribbon around it before gluing it to the coaster. The coaster was covered with a 4 x 4 piece of red gingham designer paper with the corners rounded as well. A magnet was glued to the back of the coaster.


Stamps: School Days Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Red Gingham by the Paper Studio, US White and Basic Black by Stampin' Up

Inks: Real Red, Cranberry Crisp, Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Grosgrain Ribbon

Tools: Corner Rounder



I knew I wanted to use my butterflies with spring just around the corner so I selected this
quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne and beautiful Mellow paper from BasicGrey. I used my smooth and scalloped square Nestabilities to cut out my quote and mount it on dimensions in the center of my coaster which I had covered with the designer paper. The butterflies were stamped on US White and cut out to be mounted on the quote. I threaded the ribbon under the quote and tied the knot on the left. Last step, of course, was to glue the magnet to the back.




Stamps: Butterflies Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: US White, Baja Blue, and Summer Sun by Stampin' Up, Mellow by BasicGrey

Inks: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Ribbon by Stampin' Up, Rhinestones, Twine, Dimensionals

Tools: Nestabilities by Spellbinders



I chose this quote with a special friend in mind who is working to recover from a serious illness.
Her favorite color is purple so I created this field of tulips to lift her spirits. I cut the quote out the full 4 x 4 size, stamped it and glued it to the coaster front. I cut the frame out of a 4 x 4 square of Elegant Eggplant with my nestabilites. The ribbons were tied on last and the magnet glued to the back.


Stamps: Bitty Tulip Bouquet Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: US White and Elegant Eggplant by Stampin' Up

Inks: Almost Amethyst, Lavendar Lace, Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi, Always Artichoke by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Ribbon

Tools: Nestabilities by Spellbinders



This final magnet is done in honor of my favorite season, Autumn! I have a long hot wait before it arrives again in Texas, but when it does, I'll be ready!!

I printed this quote on Naturals Ivory and cut it out and framed it using my smooth and scalloped circle Nestabilities. The coaster was covered with Mellow from BasicGrey sponged with Chocolate Chip and the leaves and fern were punched with Martha Stewart punches. The ribbon was tied over the leaves and the quote glued over the top. The squirrel was added with dimensionals and last of all, of course, the magnet on the back!!


Stamps: Autumn Squirrel Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Paper: Mellow by BasicGrey, Naturals Ivory, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Red Riding Hood by Stampin' Up

Inks: More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Punched Leaves and Fern, Organdy Ribbon, Dimensionals

Tools: Nestabilities by Spellbinders, Martha Stewart Punches, Corner Rounder


After looking at the fabulous works of refrigerator art posted by the Crew today, I hope you will be inspired to join us in this challenge. If you do, be sure to link it to the Kitchen Sink page on Paper Craft Planet for us all to enjoy!!

Here is what the girls have created for us today:

Angela** Julie** Lori** Maria** Nicole** Tammy

Friday, February 20, 2009

LJ Card Club


This week I got to make a trip back home to stamp with my Lake Jackson Card Club!! It's always a treat when we get together and stamp. This is one of the cards I created for this shoebox swap.

Stamps: School Days Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Paper: Red Gingham by the Paper Studio, Real Red, Basic Black, US White by Stampin' Up

Inks: Real Red, Cranberry Crisp, Kiwi Kiss, Always Artichoke by Stampin' Up, Versafine Onyx Black

Embellishment: Black Grosgrain Ribbon

Tools: Martha Stewart Punch

CPS 100th Sketch


I am sharing with you today two cards which I created for the CPS 100th Sketch challenge.

Stamps: Autumn Squirrel Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: US White, Really Rust, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip by Stampin' Up, Mellow by BasicGrey

Inks: Kiwi Kiss, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, More Mustard by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Copper Cord and Brad



For this second card:

Stamps:  Graduation Multi Step Clear Stamps and Mix It Up! Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Paper: White by Papertrey Ink, Brilliant Blue and Basic Black by Stampin' Up

Inks: Basic Gray and Brilliant Blue by Stampin' Up, Versafine Onyx Black and Versamark

Embellishment: Gold Cord, Gold Embossing Powder

Monday, February 16, 2009

One Button Card



















I created this card for the Clean and Simple Challenge, "One Button Will Do," at Splitcoaststampers.

Although the clean and simple style is very popular, it probably isn't my stamping strength, so I have decided to add this weekly challenge to my calendar in hopes sharpening my skills!

I knew this sweet Kitchen Sink apple would be perfect for this project!

Stamps: School Days Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: White by Papertrey Ink, Red Riding Hood by Stampin' Up

Inks: Riding Hood Red, Cranberry Crisp, Kiwi Kiss, and True Thyme by Stampin' Up, Versafine Onyx Black

Embellishment: Button, Ribbon, Twine

With today being Monday, you know the rest of the Kitchen Sink girls have fabulous new designs on their blogs so be sure you check them out!!!

Tammy ** Angela** Dee** Julie ** Lori ** Maria** Nicole

Monday, February 9, 2009

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

The Crew at Kitchen Sink Stamps is excited today to have Connie who is currently Guest Designer present this week's challenge.

Connie's challenge is entitled "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" and requires that we use one of the fabulous floral sets from Kitchen Sink Stamps to create a Valentine. The twist is that no red or pink are allowed!

As you can see, I chose to use the 3 Step Pansy. I decided today to add a little dimension and texture to my blossom. I stamped the complete pansy twice. The first pansy I cut out the entire blossom. The second pansy, I cut out only from layer two up. I then distressed and inked the edges before layering them on top of each other.



The card front is 5 1/2 inches square.

Join us in today's challenge and link your card to our Paper Craft Planet group page! Be sure to include the tag KSCC#7. And while you're at it, link it to the What's Cook'n with Your Kitchen Sink Stamps Contest over at Kitchen Sink where prizes are to be had for the lucky winners!

Stamps: Pansy Multi Step Clear Stamps and Love Birds Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: White by Papertrey, Almost Amethyst and Lavender Lace by Stampin' Up

Inks: Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, and True Thyme by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Rhinestone, Ribbon, and clear atyouSpica

Tools: Nestabilities and Bird and Vine Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Thanks, Connie, for this fun challenge!

Be sure to check on the unique Valentine's created by the entire KSS Crew today:

Thursday, February 5, 2009

2nd Anniversary for CPS


Lots of fun and excitement going on over at Card Positioning Systems as they celebrate their 2nd year of sensational sketches. As you can see today and tomorrow Kitchen Sink Stamps will be sponsoring this exciting event and cards using this week's sketch have been created by the design teams at both CPS and Kitchen Sink Stamps. I hope you take the time to join in on the fun! There are some really great prizes to be won!

Peek in on these KSS creations:

**Maria Colosimo**
**Tammy Hershberger**
**Angela Knopf**
**Dee Jackson**
**Julie Masse**
**Lori Tecler**
**Nicole Cooke**


For my card today, I felt that this wonderful sketch just screamed for Hearts & Roses by KSS.

Stamps: Heart & Roses Multi Step Clear Stamps and Words of Love Clear Stamps
by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Mellow Moss, Pixie Pink, and Pink Pirouette by Stampin' Up, sugared by BasicGrey

Inks: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Mellow Moss, and Always Artichoke by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Pink Satin Braid, Crystals, Dimensionals

Tools: Circle Punches

Monday, February 2, 2009

Love Birds and Love Words


Well, here it is Monday again and time for me to post my latest Kitchen Sink creation. I decided to create a Valentine using Kitchen Sink's new Love Birds and Love Words. What could be more perfect for Valentine's Day?

I wanted my doves to be as white as possible so I cut the first layer of the doves from white cardstock before stamping on the shading layers.

Stamps: Love Birds Multi Step Clear Stamps, Words of Love Clear Stamps,
and Mix It Up! Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Basic Black, US White, Riding Hood Red by Stampin' Up, Red Roses by Paper Pizazz

Inks: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Die Cut Corners, Crystals, Ribbon

Tools: Cuttlebug Die Cut Corner, Heart Nestabilities

The Kitchen Sink Crew members all have new projects to share with you today. Be sure you drop in to check out their fabulous work!!

Nicole ** Tammy ** Angela ** Dee ** Julie ** Lori ** Maria