Blue Bird in a Topiary

Ladies and gentlemen, you better hurry on over to Paper Craft Planet this morning where all kinds of excitement is happening!! Today is the kick-off for their 12 Days of Christmas event. For the next 12 days there will be challenges and prizes from sponsoring companies each and every day!!

The First Day of Christmas is hosted today by Kitchen Sink Stamps. Maria will be giving away her two newest sets, 3 Step Bells and 3 Step Poinsettia, to the lucky winner.

The winner will be selected from cards loaded on Paper Craft Planet which contain a tree and/or a bird for the First Day of Christmas! The key word on your upload needs to be 12day1.

I created my topiary tree by using layers 1 and 2 of the 3 Step Hydrangea, the rose stem from Hearts & Roses, and the sentiment from Playful Christmas all by Kitchen Sink Stamps.

The bird was created with circle punches by Stampin' Up and the fern punch by Martha Stewart.

Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps: Hydrangea Multi Step Clear Stamps, Heart & Roses Multi Step Clear Stamps, and Playful Christmas 1 Multi Step Clear Stamps

Papers by Stampin' Up: Cranberry Crisp, Tempting Turquoise, and US White

Papers by BasicGrey: Figgy Pudding

Inks by Stampin' Up: Wild Wasabi, Going Grey, Basic Gray, and Chocolate Chip

Versamark and Gold Embossing Powder were used for the sentiment.

Don't miss the fabulous entries by all the Kitchen Sink Crew designers:

Maria
Dee
Nicole
Tammy
Julie
Lori
Angela

Rachel's Kitchen in the Kitchen

Here it is Monday again and time for Kitchen Sink Crew Challenge #2. Today Angela is hosting our challenge and has selected this photograph by Rachel Denbow of her amazing kitchen for us to use as inspiration! I fell in love with the awesome colors and fifties flair!

Check out Rachel's blog Bling on my Sewing Machine to see more of her fabulous work. What a talented artist!! You can see her Happy*Kitchen here in her remarkable flickr gallery.

As you can see I created my card today using the beautiful colors I saw in Rachel's kitchen. I was also inspired by the pegboard and solid images on the glasses. They remind me so much of the jelly glasses my mother collected when I was a child in the fifties!






Stamps:
Autumn Squirrel Multi Step Clear Stamps and Never a Loss 4 Words Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps





Papers:
Cool Caribbean, Not Quite Navy, Really Rust,
Yoyo Yellow, and US White by Stampin' Up

Inks: Not Quite Navy by Stampin' Up, Versamark

Tools: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Paper Piercer

Embellishments: White Embossing Powder and Ribbon

I hope you are inspired by Rachel's kitchen and join the Kitchen Sink Crew in today's challenge!

You don't have to use Kitchen Sink Stamps to play! Be sure to post your card in the KSS Discussion Group on Paper Craft Planet.

And don't forget to check out what the other KSS Crew Members were inspired to create by Rachel's kitchen.

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

Triangle Fold Medallion

This week's SCS Technique Challenge was exactly that to me, a REAL challenge. I tried it once as soon as Lynn posted the challenge and that attempt ended up in the trash can. Later in the day I returned to the gallery to study all the beautiful samples and decided to give it another try. This card is the result.


Stamps:
Playful Christmas by Kitchen Sink Stamps
Snowflakes by Stampin' Up

Papers:
Baja Breeze and Bravo Burgundy by Stampin' Up
Figgy Pudding by BasicGrey

Inks: Bravo Burgundy by Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Ribbon and Rhinestone Brad

Don't forget that it is Wednesday which means it's time for another fabulous Kitchen Sink Blue Plate Special. Be sure to check in on the sensational items on sale today!! Remember you have just 24 hours to take advantage of today's bargains!

Kitchen Sink Monday

I decided today to mix up a couple of my favorite Kitchen Sink Christmas sets to create another Christmas card to add to my stash. I started with the four jingle bells in the center of the card. I stamped the first layer in Marigold Morning, the second in Color Box Metallic Gold, the third in Close to Cocoa, and the final layer was stamped with Versamark and embossed with gold embossing powder.

I then masked the bells and stamped the holly. The first holly layer was stamped with Wild Wasabi stamped off once, the second Wild Wasabi, and the third Handsome Hunter.

The berries were stamped with Real Red craft ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.

The ribbons were stamped with Purely Pomegranate stamped off once, Purely Pomegranate, and Bravo Burgundy. The sentiment was added with Bravo Burgundy.

Kitchen Sink Stamps:
Bells Multi Step Clear Stamps
Holly & Mistletoe Multi Step Clear Stamps

Papers: Purely Pomegranate, Bravo Burgundy and US White by Stampin' Up and Figgy Pudding by BasicGrey

Inks: Marigold Morning, Close to Cocoa, Wild Wasabi, Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Purely Pomegranate, Bravo Burgundy by Stampin' Up, Metallic Gold by ColorBox, and Versamark

Embellishments: Gold Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder, Gold Ribbon

My design team partners have also posted new Kitchen Sink projects today. Be sure to check out their wonderful work:

Maria's Quick Gift Card Gift Bag
Angela's Mistletoe and Holly Christmas Card
Julie's KSS Project of the Month
Lori's Silver Bells Shadow Box
Nicole's 3-Step Pansy
Tammy's Thanks with Style

What wonderful designs they have all created for you today!!

Don't forget that next Monday, November 24, will be the Kitchen Sink Crew Challenge hosted by Angela. Please join us on that day and share your creations!!

Monograms

With lots of Christmas gift giving just around the corner, I felt today was a good day to break out my newest Kitchen Sink sets to create some monogram cards for friends and family. The oval frames in Playful Ovals fit perfectly inside the largest ovals in my Nestabilities sets so I knew I was in business!! I chose to use the letters from Mix It Up! to create the monogram.

Kitchen Sink Stamps:
Mix It Up! Clear Stamps

Papers:
Bravo Burgundy and US White by Stampin' Up
sugared by BasicGrey

Embellishments:
Primas
Ribbon
Rhinestones

Nature Silhouettes

This is my favorite set from the current Stampin' Up catalog! I love silhouettes and this one lends itself so well to masculine cards of all kinds.

The rock 'n roll moon was created using the circle from Little Shapes and So Saffron and Summer Sun craft ink.

The stars come from Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamped in Whisper White craft ink.

Stamps by Stampin' Up:
Nature Silhouettes
Little Shapes
Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Inks:
So Saffron, Summer Sun, Whisper White craft inks by
Stampin' Up
Versafine Onyx Black

Papers: Basic Black and Bordering Blue by Stampin' Up

Embossing Folder: Leafy Branches by Cuttlebug

Golden Christmas Bells

When I read the Limited Supply Challenge on Splitcoaststampers today and saw "acrylic stamps only," I knew I would be reaching for my favorite Kitchen Sink Stamps.

I loved stamping these bells in silver late Sunday night, but they are truly stunning done in gold. The photograph doesn't do them justice! Believe me!!

The top bell was stamped first and then masked to add the second bell. The ribbon was stamped separately and then cut out to be mounted on top of the bell.

Kitchen Sink Stamps used to create this card:

Bells Multi Step Clear Stamps
Plaid Plus! Clear Stamps
Holly & Mistletoe Multi Step Clear Stamps

Papers:
Real Red and US White by Stampin' Up
Shimmer Gold Paper

Stampin' Up Inks:
Marigold Morning, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Bravo Burgundy

Color Box Ink: Metallic Gold

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Snow Dots

Hope you like it!! It may be landing in your mailbox this Christmas!!

KSS Crew Challenge #1 - Silver and/or Gold

Welcome, stampers, to the first KSS Crew Challenge!!

For today's challenge you will use silver and/or gold as a key element in your design. It is not necessary for you to use Kitchen Sink Stamps to create your card for the challenge, but remember, if you do, you can enter it in the What's Cook'n with your Kitchen Sinks Stamps? Contest.

Our host for this first challenge is Mario Colosimo, owner of Kitchen Sink Stamps. Read all about the challenge on the KSS blog.




If you haven't already done so, hop on over to Paper Craft Planet and join the Kitchen Sink Stamps Group. You can load your design to your blog or any public gallery. Use kitchensinkstamps or KSS in your keyword entry. Then simply link your project to the discussion in the Kitchen Sink Stamps Group at Paper Craft Planet. We cannot wait to see your sparkly creations!!

So, this is the card I have created for this first challenge!

Remember that silver and gold shimmer paper found at Target that had everyone buzzing last week? Well, that is what I used to create my Silver Bells card for today's challenge.

To create the bells, I started with the top bell, masked it, and added the second. I then masked the second bell and added the third.

Stamps - Bells Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Paper - US White, Real Red and Basic Black by Stampin' Up, Silver Shimmer from Target

Inks - Going Grey and Basic Gray by Stampin' Up (Don't ask me why they aren't spelled the same!) Versafine Onyx Black and Versamark by Tsukineko, Inc.

Embellishments - Holly Leaves, Red Crystals, Ribbon, Silver Embossing Powder

Tools - Allegro Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug

Hope you can come and play with us today!!! Just in case you may need a little more inspiration take a look at what my partners in crime have created:

Angela's Nugget Box
Maria's Swirly Christmas Tree
Julie's Wreath of Poinsettias
Dee's Poinsettias and Silver Bells
Lori's Icy Blue Jingle Bells
Nicole's Gift Card Holder with Poinsettia Belly Band
Tammy's Golden Leaf

Dee's Christmas Tag Challenge

I'm playing along with Dee's Christmas Gift Tag Challenge. Read all about it in the Kitchen Sink Group on Paper Craft Planet.

I used my Nestabilities to create this oval tag.

Stamps: Poinsettia Multi Step Clear Stamps and Playful Christmas 1 Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: US White and Real Red by Stampin' Up

Inks: Real Red, Purely Pomegranate, Bravo Burgundy, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Wild Wasabi, Handsome Hunter by Stampin' Up

Embellishmenst: Ribbon and Gold Microbeads

The bow is attached with red line stick tape and red line sticky was also attached to the back for sticking to the package.

Christmas Card #32

I really need to get moving if I am going to have the Christmas cards I need to have ready to mail the first week in December.

This card was created for this week's Splitcoaststampers' Sketch Challenge #201. All paper, ink, and images for today's card are from Stampin' Up.




Stamps: Peaceful Wishes, Stampin' Up - 2006
Heard from the Heart, Stampin' Up - 2008

Papers: Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Naturals Ivory, Riding Hood Red, and True Thyme Christmas designer paper.

Inks: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Ruby Red

Embellishment: Gold Ribbon, Versamark and Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Stickles


Don't forget to drop by Kitchen Sink Stamps today. They are hosting a Blue Plate Special all day with lots of great items on sale!!!

SCS Technique Challenge 193 Decorative Circles

When I saw the technique challenge on Splitcoaststampers I knew I couldn't put my stamps up just yet. After watching the amazing tutorial Making Decorative Circles with Corner Punches by Becca Feeken, I knew I would be stamping more poinsettias.

Another delightful thing I discovered about 3 Step Poinsettia by Kitchen Sink Stamps is that you can vary the size and shape of each blossom by simply adding more leaves in red before adding the green ones! What fun!!

This holiday card has a 5 inch square base.

Stamps - All images are from Poinsettia Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps.
Paper - Purely Pomegranate, Old Olive, US White by Stampin' Up
Fruitcake by BasicGrey

Ink on Blossoms - Marigold Morning, Real Red stamped off once, Real Red, Purely Pomegranate,
Bravo Burgundy by Stampin' Up

Ink on Leaves - Old Olive stamped off once, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Handsome Hunter by
Stampin' Up

Sentiment - Bravo Burgundy by Stampin' Up

Embellishments - Gold Microbeads, Ribbon, Dimensionals

The inside blossoms were stamped on the white background. The out-of-the-box blossom was
stamped on US White, cut out and popped up on dimensionals.

My First Kitchen Sink Monday

How exciting for me that on my first Kitchen Sink Monday I get to share a card I created with a brand new Christmas set being released by Maria tomorrow. This card was created using Poinsettia Multi Step Clear Stamps.

When I saw it, I knew that I would make a card which reflects the holidays at our house. For almost 20 years I have been collecting copper ornaments and decorations for my Christmas tree and home decor for the holidays. After piling these on my tree and over the windows and doors, I love to accent the copper with pots of peachy, pink poinsettias.

To create this card I used the following:

Papers - Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom and US White by Stampin' Up

Inks for the flower petals - Cameo Coral stamped off once, followed by Cameo Coral, Regal Rose, Cranberry Crisp stamped off once, and Cranberry Crisp by Stampin' Up

Inks for the leaves - Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi stamped off once, Wild Wasabi, and Always Artichoke by Stampin Up.

The embossed panel beneath the flowers was embossed with the Cuttlebug Textile Texture folder and sponged with Cameo Coral ink all over and Cranberry Crisp ink on the edges.

The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and embossed with copper embossing powder.

Embellishments - textured copper ribbon and microbeads.

In addition to this awesome set, Maria is also releasing 3 Step Bells tomorrow. Be sure to visit the blogs of my fellow designers to see the remarkable creations they have made with these new stamps which will be available for purchase tomorrow.

Maria Colosimo (owner)
Nicole Cooke
Tammy Hershberger
Angela Knopf
Dee Jackson
Julie Masse
Lori Tecler

Remember, too, that we each will be posting new designs with our Kitchen Sink Stamps every Monday! Next Monday will be the first Kitchen Sink Challenge. Please come and play with us!!

Excitement at My House

What an exciting day for me!!! Today I became an official member of the Kitchen Sink Stamps design team. What a tremendous honor it was when Maria asked me to join this group of talented stampers! When I received her invitation by email, I think it took me about 5 minutes to respond, "Yes, yes, yes!!"

I have been Maria's biggest fan since I began to see the beautiful creations she and her amazing design team were posting on the web just over a year ago. As soon as I figured out where they were getting these divine images, I started packing my cabinets with as many sets as I could afford!!

If you have visited my gallery at Splitcoaststampers, you know that it is packed with cards and projects made with these wonderful images. I love the depth they create with layer after layer of vibrant color.

On Tuesday, November 4, Maria is releasing two new Christmas sets. Be sure to check back here tomorrow for a peak at what they look like!!! I have a card ready and I know you will love these new sets as much as I do!!

Congratulations to Angela Knopf who is also a new crew member!! She does the most amazing and creative things with these stamps!! It feels so good not to be the only new kid on the block!!

The remaining gifted designers are long-time Kitchen Sink Crew Members Nicole Cooke, Dee Jackson, Tammy Hershberger, Julie Masse, and Lori Tecler. I can't wait to work with and learn from these ladies!!!