Thursday, March 31, 2011

Secret Owlet Reveal

I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of today so that I can share with you my secret owlet and the fabulous goodies she sent my way!  The awesome package delivered to my house came from the talented (and most generous) Christy of Lone Pine Designs. Just have a look at the fabulousness I found in my box!

Christy kept with the owl pal theme and created this delightful reveal card and fun pencil holder! Also included was this precious blown-glass owl note holder which certainly came in handy for the photo! Aren't they cute?

She also handmade and decorated this fabulous little scrapbook from matboard and cardstock. Also included were three spring notepads!


And she wasn't finished yet! The package also contained this gorgeous matstack of designer paper from K&Company as well as paper roses and foam pop up squares!! All the things I love!

Now this doesn't look like it did upon arrival. With my background in Design Technology with children, I was fascinated by this delightful little box of truffles. The box and lid were all one piece so I had to dissect it to see just how it worked! (One of the truffles is missing! I wonder what happened to it?)  I'm keeping this deconstructed box as a pattern for future creations!! If it is created with two sided paper, the lid will be have a matching color scheme to the box!

 Here is what it looks like after I put it back together! Too fun!!!

Thank you so much for this treasure trove of goodies, Christy!! I will think of you with joy each time I use one of them! You're the best!!

I'm heading over to see what the other members of Tangled Up in Creativity who played along received from their secret owlet!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

TUIC and Party Time Tuesday Challenges

Dawn Mercedes has challenged the members of Tangled Up in Creativity to create a card based on that old saying about the month of March: In like a lion, out like a lamb.

The tutorial I shared yesterday for the white swan, shows the same technique I used to create my little white lamb for Dawn's Challenge. The swirls are to represent the windy early days of March.

Party Time Tuesday Challenge #9 is an anything goes challenge as long as you include a hand-crafted flower. My flowers were made by piecing together parts for the Martha Stewart hydrangea punch and her leaf punch. I layered two different sizes, folded up the petals of the top layer, and added a tiny pearl to the center.


Papers: Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, 
Crushed Curry, and Whisper White by Stampin' Up
Inks:  Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel, and Pear Pizzazz
by Stampin' Up, Desert Sand by Memento
Tools: Oval Nestabilities, Martha Stewart hydrangea punch, Martha Stewart leaf punch
Embellishment: Pearls

Monday, March 28, 2011

KSS Tuesday Tip - Working with White Images

Some of you may not be aware that I host a weekly thread in the Kitchen Sink Forum called Tuesday Tips which gives specific tips on ways to use and be successful with multi layer stamps. So today I am posting this week's tutorial here on my blog as well so you can get an idea of the kinds of things you can learn there about layered stamping.

The focus this Tuesday is on working with images which are white. This can be tricky so I am going to share with you what I do. I am using as my example the swan from 3 Step Love Birds. This technique also works well with the lamb and the doves.

First I stamped layers 5, 4, 3,  and 2 on white card stock. For the swan I stamped layer 5 in Memento Tuxedo Black, layer 4 SU BasicGray stamped off once, 3 SU Sahara Sand stamped off once, 2 SU Sahara Sand stamped off twice.

Instead of stamping layer 1 on top of the other layers, I stamped and cut out a mask using layer one and placed it over the stamped swan. To get this "white" effect, I never stamp layer one on the swan.


This next step is what makes the white image really begin to pop. I placed another mask across the swan to create a horizon line and sponged SU Marina Mist ink for the water.


I then removed the horizon mask but left the swan mask so that I could sponge SU Baja Breeze for the sky.


At this point, the swan mask was removed to reveal the white swan. What do you think?


I then added some beautiful spring tulips in the forefront to create a shore line.



The swan panel was then used to create a card for Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge 316. I hope you like it!


Papers: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, and Marina Mist by Stampin' Up
Inks: Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Basic Gray, and Sahara Sand by Stampin' Up
Grape Jelly, Lilac Posies, and Tuxedo Black by Memento
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Dimple Corner Punch
Embellishment: Martha Stewart Seam Binding Ribbon

This tutorial as well as one for stamping a white lamb will be in Tuesday Tips tomorrow in the Kitchen Sink Forum! The lamb I will be using to create my challenge card for the Tangled Up in Creativity Challenge - In like a lion, out like a lamb! It's coming, Dawn!!! I promise!

More Kitchen Sink Fun!

This first card today was created for Technique Challenge 318 hosted by the talented Joan Erwin. During our recent road trip through Central Texas, Joan invited Liz and I to stop by her stamp studio for a visit! What a great time we had seeing all her latest creations and talking stamping!!

For today's challenge called Follow the Edge, she asked that we trim one edge of the card following the stamped image. As you can see, I used the Kitchen Sink Giant Sunflower.

by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers
Crushed Curry and Early Espresso by Stampin' Up
Inks: Sunflower - 3 SU More Mustard, 2 SU Crushed Curry, 1 SU Crushed Curry
stamped off once, 4 SU Soft Suede, 5 SU Early Espresso
Leaves - 1 SU Pear Pizzazz, 2 Old Olive stamped off once, 3 SU Old Olive
Ladybug - 3 Memento Tuxedo Black, 2 Memento Rhubarb Stalk, 1 Memento Ladybug
Sentiment - SU Early Espresso
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Embellishment - Ribbon

Monday also means it's time for more 10 Minute Cards. Here is what I have cooked up for this week's clean and simple design. Play along if you like and upload your cards to the Kitchen Sink Gallery using keyword 10MC13.


Stamps: Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers and Basic Black by Stampin' Up
Inks: Strawberries - 3 Memento Ladybug, 2 Memento Ladybug, 1 Memento Ladybug stamped off once, 4 Memento Rhubarb Stalk
Leaves - 1 Memento Bamboo Leaves, 2 Memento Bamboo Leaves 3 Memento Cottage Ivy
Sentiment: Memento Tuxedo Black
Tool: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder



Stamps: Lilacs Multi Step Clear Stamps
and Words of Comfort & Joy Clear Stamps
by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers and Basic Black by Stampin' Up
Inks: Lilacs - 3 Memento Grape Jelly, 2 Memento Lilac Posies, 1 Memento Lilac Posies stamped off once, 4 Memento Grape Jelly
Leaves - 1 Memento Pear Tart, 2 Memento Bamboo Leaves, 3 Memento Bamboo Leaves
Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder


Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers and Basic Black by Stampin' Up
Inks: Roses 3 SU Melon Mambo, 2 SU Melon Mambo stamped off once, 2 SU Melon Mambo stamped off once, 4 SU Melon Mambo
Leaves - 1 Memento Bamboo Leaves, 2 Memento Cottage Ivy, 3 Memento Cottage Ivy
Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers and Basic Black by Stampin' Up
Inks: Tulips - 3 SU Peach Parfait, 2 SU Peach Parfait, 1 Memento Cantaloupe, 4 SU Tangerine Tango
Leaves - 1 Memento Pear Tart, 2 Memento Bamboo Leaves
Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Be sure to visit the Kitchen Crew today! You won't want to miss their beautiful designs today!!


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Happy Birthday Wishes

I'm really needing birthday cards this week!! That is probably all you will be seeing here for a while!!


Stamps: Gift Multi Step Clear Stamps
and Simple Sentiments Clear Stamps
by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers, Poppy Parade by Stampin' Up,
life of the party by BasicGrey
Inks: Gift - 3 SU Pixie Pink, 2 SU Pixie Pink stamped off once, 
1 SU Pixie Pink stamped off once, 4 SU Melon Mambo
Ribbon - 3 SU Cherry Cobbler, 2 SU Poppy Parade, 
1 SU Poppy Parade stamped off once, 4 SU Cherry Cobbler
Sentiment - SU Poppy Parade
Tool: SU Edge Punch
Embellishment: Ribbon

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

SCS Color Challenge 315

The colors today on Splitcoaststampers' Color Challenge are So Saffron, Regal Rose, and Pear Pizzazz! Who could resist these spring beauties! Not me!



Papers: So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, and Regal Rose by Stampin' Up and
urban prairie/bountiful by BasicGrey
Inks: Large Butterfly - 3 SU Regal Rose, 2 SU Regal Rose stamped off once, 1 SU So Saffron,
Memento Tuxedo Black on body, Background Butterfly - SU So Saffron
Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools:  Martha Steward Hydrangea Punch and Leaf Punch
Embellishment: Rhinestones and Dimensionals

Monday, March 21, 2011

Kitchen Sink Stamps - 10 Minute Monday Challenge

To create these picture window cards, I first stamped my images directly on the card front. I then cut a picture window out of the center of a 3.75 x 5 inch piece of coordinating card stock and stamped on a sentiment. After attaching dimensionals at the back corners, I centered this piece over the image and stuck it to the card front. It's hard to tell in the photos, but they look really cute popped up off the card. They are also quick and easy!

If you find an extra ten minutes this week and choose to play along, please upload your card to the Kitchen Sink Gallery and use keyword 10MC12. I would love to see your Kitchen Sink creations!!


Stamps:  Baby Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Paper: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers, Bashful Blue by Stampin' Up
Inks: Shoes - 3 SU Pacific Point stamped off once, 2 SU Bashful Blue,
1 SU Bashful Blue stamped off once, 4 SU Pacific Point, Sentiment - SU Pacific Point
Tools: Oval Nestabilites, Dimple Corner Punch, Dimensionals
Embellishment: Ribbon


Stamps: Father's Pocket Watch Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Kraft and Early Espresso by Stampin' Up
Inks: Watch - 3 SU Early Espresso, 2 SU Soft Suede stamped off once,
1 SU Crumb Cake, Sentiment - Brilliance Galaxy Gold
Tools: Oval Nestabilities, Dimensionals


and Words of Love Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers and Lavender Lace by Stampin' Up
Inks: Hydrangea - 3 SU Lovely Lilac, 2 SU Lavender Lace, 1 SU Lavender Lace stamped off once, 4 SU Concord Crush, Leaves - 1 SU Pear Pizzazz, 2, SU Old Olive, 3 SU Always Artichoke, 
Sentiment SU Concord Crush
Tools: Corner Punch, Heart Nestabilities, Dimensionals
Embellishment: Ribbon


and Honey Bunny Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers and Pear Pizzazz by Stampin' Up
Inks: Chicks - 3 SU More Mustard stamped off once, 2 SU Crushed Curry, 1 Su Crushed Curry stamped off once, 4 SU More Mustard, Grass and Sentiment - SU Pear Pizzazz
Tools: Nestabilities, Dimensionals
Embellishment: Ribbon

Visit the Kitchen Sink Crew! Each one has created something special for your pleasure today!

Angela * Maria * Connie * Lisa * Julie * Makiko

Thanks for visiting my blog today! 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Party Time Tuesday #7 - Sketch+Easel+Shamrocks

Today's easel card was created for Party Time Tuesday Challenge #7. The easel card needed to be based on a prescribed sketch and include shamrocks.

Stamps: Sentiments for Spring Has Sprung by Mark's Finest Papers
Papers: Bazzil and BasicGrey scrapes
Tools: Punches by Martha Stewart and Stampin' Up
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Embellishment: Paper Rose and Ribbon

Monday, March 14, 2011

10 Minute Monday - Kitchen Sink Stamps

The recipe for this week's 10 minute card is to stamp your Kitchen Sink images directly on the card front. Then cut a small panel , punch the top edge, and stamp a sentiment on it before affixing it to the card front.

I hope you will play along and add your 10 minute creations to the Kitchen Sink Gallery. Be sure to use keyword 10MC11.


Stamps:  Cowboy Boots Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Kraft, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso by Stampin' Up
Ink: Boots - 4 SU Soft Suede, 3 SU Soft Suede stamped off once
2 SU Soft Suede stamped off once, 1 SU Soft Suede stamped off twice
5 SU Early Espresso; Sentiment - SU Early Espresso
Tool: EK Success Star Punch


Stamps:  Bluebonnets Multi Step Clear Stamps
and Words of Love Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers, Basic Black by Stampin' Up
Inks: Bluebonnets - 4 SU Pacific Point, 3 SU Marina Mist, 2 SU Bashful Blue
1 SU Daffodil Delight on tip of blossoms only and stamped off once
Sentiment - Brilliance Platinum Planet
Tool: EK Success Edge Punch


Stamps:  Giant Sunflower Multi Step Clear Stamps
and Simple Sentiments Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Barely Banana and Certainly Celery by Stampin' Up
Inks: Sunflower - 3 SU Peach Parfait, 2 SU Delightful Daffodil, 1 SU Delightful Daffodil,
4 SU Soft Suede, 5 SU Early Espresso
Tool: EK Success Edge Punch


Stamps: Get Well Teddy Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Paper: Pink Pirouette and Rose Red by Stampin' Up
Ink: Carnation - 2 SU Melon Mambo, 1 SU Pixie Pink, 3 SU Rich Razzleberry
Stems - 1 SU Old Olive, 2 SU Always Artichoke
Sentiment - SU Rich Razzleberry
Tool - EK Success Edge Punch

The entire Kitchen Sink Crew has been busy preparing beautiful new samples to share with you today. Be sure you drop in on them to be inspired!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Party Time Tuesday's St. Patrick's Box Challenge

This tag box is my favorite treat package. It is so quick and easy to make. I have created this St. Patrick's Day version for Party Time Tuesday's Blog Challenge #6.

Stamps: Shamrocks & Clover and Lucky Horseshoes by Kitchen Sink Stamps
Hello Sunshine by Mark's Finest Papers
Papers: Kraft by Stampin' Up
Inks: Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz,
and Old Olive by Stampin' Up
Embellishment: Satin Ribbon

Monday, March 7, 2011

Playing the KSS Challenges

I'm so excited that I found time to play a couple of Kitchen Sink Challenges this evening. I combined Connie's Sketch Challenge with Angela's Everything Plus the Kitchen Sink Challenge (tropical theme) to create this card.

Papers: Cool Caribbean, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White by Stampin' Up
TC Vacation Pictures by K and Company
Inks: hibiscus - 3 SU Groovy Guava, 2 SU Peach Parfait, 1 SU Blushing Bride,
4 SU Melon Mambo, 5 SU Rich Razzleberry
Leaves - 1 Memento Pear Tart, 2 Memento Pear Tart, 3 Memento Bamboo Leaves
Sentiment - Versafine Vintage Sepia
Embellishment: Seam Binding, Dimensionals
Tools: Oval Punches, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

10 Minute Monday - Kitchen Sink Stamps

One way to create a quick and easy card design is to cut down on embellishments (which also makes your card easier and cheaper to mail). The challenge today is to pick a fun designer paper that compliments your Kitchen Sink image to be the stand-alone embellishment for your card design.

by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Snowstorm by Mark's Finest Papers
St Pats Day Shamrocks by Lucky Day
Inks: Memento Grape Jelly, Pear Tart, and Bamboo Leaves


Stamps:  Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Rose Red, Old Olive, and Whisper White by Stampin' Up
Berrylicious Berry Patch by imaginisce
Inks: Strawberry - 3 SU Cherry Cobbler, 2 SU Rose Red, 
1 SU Rose Red stamped off once, 4 SU Rich Razzleberry
Leaves - 1 SU Green Galore, 2 SU Old Olive, 3 SU Old Olive
Sentiment - SU Cherry Cobbler
Tools: Circle Nestabilities

by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip by Stampin' Up
Steve's Pages by Sugartree
Inks: Hat - 4 SU Soft Suede, 3 SU Soft Suede stamped off once,
2 SU Creamy Caramel, 1 SU Creamy Caramel, 5 SU Early Espresso
Sentiment - SU Early Espresso

I hope that you will play along with me this week and see just how much fun it can be to create quick and simple cards. Once I get rolling, I sometimes have trouble reigning myself in!!

If you create a card for this week's challenge using your Kitchen Sink images, please be sure to upload it to the Kitchen Sink Gallery and include keyword 10MC10.

The Crew has been busy again this week in the Kitchen! Check it out!!

Angela * Maria * Connie * Lisa * Julie * Makiko

If you haven't visited the Kitchen Sink Gallery, please do! It is packed with beautiful samples created with every stamp set Kitchen Sink has to offer. The Stamp Pantry is organized by stamp set making it easy to find samples using the stamps you own or any you may be interested in adding to your KSS collection.

As always, you can receive 10% off your KSS order when you enter the store here.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Party Time Tuesday's Swing Card Challenge

The challenge at Party Time Tuesday's Challenge Blog this week is to create a masculine birthday swing card. Here is what I have created:

Card Front



Card Back

by Kitchen Sink Stamps
Papers: Naturals Ivory, Creamy Caramel, and Early Espresso by Stampin' Up
Steve's Pages by Sugartree
Inks: Boots and Hat - 4 SU Soft Suede, 3 SU Soft Suede stamped off once,
2 SU Creamy Caramel, 1 SU Creamy Caramel stamped off once, 
5 SU Early Espresso
Longhorn - layer 3 only stamped in SU Soft Suede stamped off once
Horseshoes - layer 3 only stamped in SU Creamy Caramel stamped off once
Stars - 3 SU Early Espresso, 2 SU Creamy Caramel, 1 SU Creamy Caramel
Sentiments - SU Early Espresso
Embellishment: hemp lasso and 6 shooter stud

See more great samples with these wonderful images in the Stamp Pantry at Kitchen Sink Stamps!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

TUIC - Becky's Challenge - Vintage Summer

I created this card for the Vintage Summer Challenge hosted by Becky for Tangled Up in Creativity.

Stamps: Kids at Play by Flourishes
Inks: Marina Mist and Pacific Point by Stampin' Up
Papers: Soft Sky, Marina Mist, and Night of Navy by Stampin' Up
offbeat by BasicGrey