CCEE2014 - Garden Month

It's a brand new month, which means it's time to introduce our new CCEE Stampers Challenge Hostess to you, which is Frances Byrne.

According to the Days of the Year web site, April is Garden Month. So Frances has challenged us this week to be inspired by a garden .... flowers, plants, trees, insects, garden shed, etc. Anything that you might find in a garden is good for this challenge.

Images are from Berries by Kitchen Sink Stamps
Designer Paper is from Down on the Farm by Echo Park Paper Co.

Let's look in on the gardening designs from the CCEE Stampers DT!

Kelly McKown-Santi
Anne Harmon

Vicky Gould

Lois Bak
Liz Williams

Frances Byrne
Maryann Einam

For additional designs featuring Kitchen Sink Stamps, please visit the blogs and YouTube videos of the members of the Kitchen Crew linked below:

Kitchensinkstamps' Weblog by Maria Colosimo,

the owner and creator of KSS

Nancy Stamps by Nancy McCabe

For those wishing to purchase Kitchen Sink Stamps, click SHOP HERE. It will take you directly to the store as well as let Maria know that you are a fan of my work! Thanks so much!!

Sweet Summer Pears - Kitchen Sink Stamps

The time has come for me to confess! I have been indulging in way too many sweets this summer, and it is beginning to catch up with me. My pants are now a bit snugger than I care for them to be, and I won't be buying a newer, bigger wardrobe! Therefore today's card sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps is a tip of the hat to my new commitment to ban processed sugar from my diet until my clothes get baggy again!

It will mean more trips to the store for fresh produce, but I am determined to stick to my guns and get that scale moving downward.

I used two Kitchen Sink Multi Step Clear Stamps to complete this clean and simple, one-layer card: Pears Multi Step Clear Stamps and Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps. The stencil for the background is from Penny Black and brushed on with Distress Oxide Squeezed Lemonade after the pears were stamped and masked. The color recipes for the pears are attached below the card. 

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Splitcoaststampers Clean and Simple Challenge 540 - Summer Garden

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #176 - Clean and Simple Summer Card

Artistic Impressions Challenge Blog - Challenge 216 - Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart - Challenge #246 - Anything Goes

See more wonderful Kitchen Sink Stamps creations below:

Kitchensinkstamps' Weblog by Maria Colosimo,

the owner and creator of KSS

Nana loves stamping by Jeanne Frontz

Nancy Stamps by Nancy McCabe

New Releases are on the way!! It won't be long now!!

Summer Pleasures - Kitchen Sink Stamps

This clean and simple one layer card, sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps, was created using images from two of the newest KSS releases - Fishing Creel & Reel Multi Step Clear Stamps and Fisherman's Hat and Tackle Multi Step Clear Stamps. The sentiment is a part of the Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps set.

This card was stamped directly on the cardfront with the fisherman's hat being stamped first.

After the hat was completed, I masked it and stamped the creel. I added a mask for the creel before completing the card. 

To finish the card, I added the fly, the float, the grass, and the sentiment before removing the masks.

The responses I received about my new visual color recipes were all positive so I plan to continue adding them to my posts. They are very helpful to me, as well as my readers, for future reference.  The color recipes I have posted below are the ones I used to complete this design.

Fisherman's Hat

Fishing Creel

Fishing Fly

Fishing Float

The grass was brushed on with SU Certainly Celery and the sentiment was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black.

I am entering this card in the following challenges today:

Splitcoaststampers Clear and Simple Challenge #539 - Summer Activities

Crafter's Cafe #221 - Boys/Men

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #118 - AG + You're the Man

Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog Challenge #41 - It's a Man's World

See more fabulous fun summer KSS designs by visiting the work of the Kitchen Crew:

Kitchensinkstamps' Weblog by Maria Colosimo,

the owner and creator of KSS

Nana loves stamping by Jeanne Frontz

Nancy Stamps by Nancy McCabe

Let the Summer Begin!!! - KSS

Today's one layer card sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps celebrates the beginning of my summer. Two friends and I are headed to Mo Ranch (take a virtual tour if you would like) near Hunt, Texas on the beautiful banks of the Guadalupe River at the end May. Which is ALMOST here! I am so excited!

There is so much fun to be had on and around the river, but I doubt I will be in one of the canoes with my klutzy balance. 

Kitchen Sink Sets Used for this Card Include:

Cabin by the Lake Multi Step Clear Stamps

Tiny Norway Pine Multi Step Clear Stamps (no longer available)

Honey Bunny Multi Step Clear Stamps

Greetings for the Woods Clear Stamps

Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps (Summer)

Color Recipe for the Cabin

Layer 4 SU Soft Suede on the wood and SU Creamy Caramel on the brick

Layer 3 SU Baked Brown Sugar on the wood and Creamy Caramel on the brick

Layer 2 PTI Fine Linen

Layer 1 Memento Desert Sand

Color Recipe for the Tiny Norway Pine

Layer 3 PTI Dark Chocolate

Layer 2 SU Mossy Meadow

Layer 1 Memento Cottage Ivy

Color Recipe for the Lake

Layer 1 Memento Summer Sky

Layer 2 PTI April Rain

Sentiment - PTI Dark Chocolate

Grass - Distress Oxide Peeled Paint


Looking for more KSS inspiration? Here it is:

Kitchensinkstamps' Weblog by Maria Colosimo,

the owner and creator of KSS

Nana loves stamping by Jeanne Frontz

Nancy Stamps by Nancy McCabe

I am entering today's card in the following challenges:

Clean and Simple Challenge #534 at Splitcoaststampers

Addicted to CAS - Card Challenge #159 - Horizon

Creative Craft Cottage - Challenge #118 - Use Ink (as much or as little as you like)

I am so happy that you came by for a visit today.  I hope you saw something you liked and will want to visit again!

Sweet Thoughts of You - KSS

For today's card sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps, I have mixed images from Carnations Multi Step Clear Stamps, Giant Sunflower Multi Step Clear Stamps (ladybug), and Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps (sentiment) to create a card for Splitcoaststampers' Color Challenge. The featured colors for today were Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, and Crushed Curry. I think they worked great for both the carnations and the ladybugs, don't you think?

Color Recipe for the Carnation

Layer 1 SU Peach Parfait stamped off once

Layer 2 SU Peach Parfait

Layer 3 SU Calypso Coral

Layer 4 SU Calypso Coral stamped 3 times

Stem and Leaves

Layer 1 SU Lucky Limeade

Layer 2 SU Lucky Limeade

Maria is sharing a gorgeous bridal shower card called

Hydranges, Blue Jeans and Pearls! Don't miss it!!

August COF - Life's Simple Pleasures

For today's design sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps, I have created a card for the Crafters of Faith Challenge. The Crafters of Faith is a group of wonderful Christian ladies who have joined together over on Splitcoaststampers in this faith-based group. Our mission is to encourage each other, chat with each other, lift each other up, pray for each other, and craft together with scripture as our focus.

August is my month to serve as hostess of this challenge,  and I have chosen as this month's scripture James 1:17 --- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. I have encouraged the Crafters of Faith this month to celebrate life's simple pleasures which bless our days with joy and beauty and meaning in the cards they create.

The images from these Kitchen Sink sets were used to create this card:

Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps

Whole Family Clear Stamps

Harvest Multi Step Clear Stamps

The Kitchen Sink Crew:

Lisa Somerville - designer

 Maria Colosimo - owner and creator

Fold Flat Diorama Card - KSS

For this week's Fun Fold design sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps, I have created a three level diorama which folds flat for mailing. 

The basic construction is created with one kraft panel and one blue panel each measuring 5 inches by 7 inches and scored at 1 inch and 6 inches. The mid-range panel of kraft and blue are 2 inches by 6 inches and scored at 1/2 inch and 6 and 1/2 inches. I die cut the circle opening in the kraft panel and added a dark brown frame on the back side of it.  I did all the stamping and embellishing before scor-taping the panels together to complete the card.

Images used to create today's card come from the following Kitchen Sink sets:

Lighthouse Multi Step Clear Stamps
Cabin by the Lake Multi Step Clear Stamps
Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps (sentiment)

The die cut seabirds are by Impression Obsession and the wheel is from the Sea Breeze Collection by Couture Creations. The sea grass is punched with Martha Stewart's fern punch.

Here's a look inside to see how the center panel is attached.

Thanks for your visit today! I love it when you drop by!!


Those looking for further Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration should check out the work of the rest of the Kitchen Sink Crew:

 Lisa Somerville - designer

 Maria Colosimo - owner and creator

10 Minutes and 10 Minutes More KSS Pears

I discovered when I needed to send a thank you card last week that my supply was depleted so the cards I design for the rest of this week will be thank you cards! With the inventory of cards I have on hand,  there is no excuse for not having what I need at a moment's notice.

That being said, today's 10 Minutes and 10 Minutes More designs sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps are thank you cards featuring the beautiful Pears Multi Step Clear Stamps. The sentiment for each is from Make a Big Statement Clear Stamps.

10 Minute Card

20 Minute Card - Using masking for this card I added three pears as well as the branch from Owl & Autumn Moon Multi Step Clear Stamps and the leaf cluster from Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps.

Thanks for your visit today! Let yourself in for a treat and visit the rest of the
Kitchen Sink Crew:

Lisa Somerville - designer

 Maria Colosimo - owner and creator

Summer Living - KSS 10 Minutes and 10 Minutes More

Many families are getting out for the 4th of July weekend and doing  a little sweet summer living. I hope you and those you love are able to squeak out some time together to celebrate our nation's birth!

My 10 Minutes and 10 Minutes More designs sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps this week feature some much cooler and more peaceful places than where I'll be! But, I can dream, can't I?

10 Minute Card

Stamps: Cabin by the Lake Multi Step Clear Stamps, 
Pine Trees Multi Step Clear Stamps, Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps,

and Greetings from the Woods Clear Stamps 
by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Paper: Crumb Cake by Stampin' Up

Inks:  Cabin - Layer 4 Memento Espresso Truffle

Layer 3 Memento Rich Cocoa

Layer 2 Papertrey Ink Classic Kraft

Layer 1 Papertrey Ink Fine Linen

Pine Tree - Layer 3 Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow

Layer 2 Memento Cottage Ivy

Layer 1 Memento Bamboo Leaves

Layer 4 Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow

Trunk - Memento Espresso Truffle

Sentiment - Memento Espresso Truffle

20 Minute Card

Stamps: Cabin by the Lake Multi Step Clear Stamps, 
Pine Trees Multi Step Clear Stamps, Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps,

Grizzly Bear Wishes Multi Step Clear Stamps, 
and Tree Friends Multi Step Clear Stamps

 by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Paper: Crumb Cake, Wild Wasibi, and Soft Suede by Stampin' Up

Recollections White

Inks:  Cabin - Layer 4 Memento Espresso Truffle

Layer 3 Memento Rich Cocoa

Layer 2 Papertrey Ink Classic Kraft

Layer 1 Memento Peanut Brittle

Pine Tree - Layer 3 Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow

Layer 2 Memento Cottage Ivy

Layer 1 Memento Bamboo Leaves

Layer 4 Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow

Trunk - Memento Espresso Truffle

Grizzly Bear - 4 Memento Espresso Truffle

3 Stampin' Up Soft Suede

2 Papertrey Ink Classic Kraft stamped twice

1 Papertrey Ink Classic Kraft

Sentiment and Deer - Memento Espresso Truffle

Sky Sponging - Memento Summer Sky

Grass Sponging - Memento Cottage Ivy

Embellishment - Richard Garay Embossing Folder

Find additional Kitchen Sink Stamps inspiration  on the blogs of the Kitchen Sink Crew:

 Lisa Somerville - designer

 Maria Colosimo - owner and creator

CCEE1621 - Blueberry Cheesecake

According to our CCEE Hostess, Maryann, today is National Blueberry Cheesecake Day. What a fun thing to celebrate!! Here is my cheesecake design:

The blueberries and sweet sentiment are from Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Check below to see how the rest of the CCEE Stampers are celebrating this fun day!

Joanne Grzelak

Anne Harmon

Vicky Gould

Lois Bak

Liz Williams

Frances Bryne
Maryann Einam


I have also entered this design in Little Red Wagon's Challenge #343 - Round & Round.

The Iris

Kitchen Sink Monday continues this week with more beautiful spring flowers. (post sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps). Today I have used images from Iris Multi Step Clear Stamps. This set comes with both a small iris image and a larger one. The 10 minute card is a one layer design with the large iris stamped directly on a pale yellow card front.

10 Minute Card

Stamps: Iris Multi Step Clear Stamps 
and Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps (sentiment)
by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Barely Banana by Stampin' Up

Inks: Stem and Leaf - Memento Bamboo Leaves and Olive Grove

Iris - 4 Memento Grape Jelly stamped twice, 3 Memento Grape Jelly,

2 Memento Lulu Lavender stamped 3 times, 1 Memento Lulu Lavender

Memento Dandelion sponged in center of petals

Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black

20 Minute Card

Stamps: Iris Multi Step Clear Stamps 
and Honey Bunny Multi Step Clear Stamps (sentiment) 
by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Whisper White and So Saffron by Stampin' Up

Unknown Purples

Inks: Stem and Leaf - Memento Bamboo Leaves and Olive Grove

Iris - 4 Memento Grape Jelly stamped twice, 3 Memento Grape Jelly,

2 Memento Lulu Lavender stamped 3 times, 1 Memento Lulu Lavender

Memento Dandelion sponged in center of petals

Sentiment - Memento Grape Jelly

Tools: Nestabilities Decorative Elements and Circle Dies

Embellishment: Ribbon

Also creating for Kitchen Sink Stamps:

Lisa Somerville - designer

Connie McCotter - designer
 Maria Colosimo - owner and creator

Thank you so much for checking out my Kitchen Sink Stamps' creations this week! Next week: the Lilac!

KSS Monday - Sweet Cherries

I have be sharing some of the wonderful Kitchen Sink fruit stamps with you for the past month and will share one last one this week before moving on next week to a new focus.

Today I am working with the beautiful Cherries Multi Step Clear Stamps. The 10 minute card was inspired by a pair of chartreuse pajamas I wear which are covered with pink and red cherries. I always have sweet dreams when I wear them!  (Post sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps).

10 Minute Card

Stamps: Cherries Multi Step Clear Stamps and Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps
 by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Recollections White, Passion Pink and Pistachio Pudding by Stampin' Up

Inks: Red cherries - 3 Memento Rhubarb Stalk, 2 and 1 Memento Lady Bug

Pink cherries - 3 Memento Rose Bud, 2 and 1 Memento Rose Bud stamped off once

Leaves - Bamboo Leaves and Olive Grove

Tools: Martha Stewart Edge Punch

20 Minute Card

Stamps: Cherries Multi Step Clear Stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Recollections White, Real Red and Basic Black by Stampin' Up

Inks: Cherries - 3 Memento Rhubarb Stalk, 2 and 1 Memento Lady Bug

Leaves - Bamboo Leaves and Olive Grove

Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black

Embellishment: Ribbon

I appreciate so much your visit today!

Look in on the exquisite KSS work of the Kitchen Sink Crew!

  Connie - designer
 Lisa - designer
 Maria - owner and creator

Sweet Summer Strawberries

Thanks for dropping by for another Kitchen Sink Monday. Today I am working with the sweet strawberry from Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps.  (Post sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps).

10 Minute Card

Stamps: Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps and Seed Packet Clear Stamps
by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Recollections White, Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade and Certainly Celery

Inks: Berry - 2 Memento Love Letter, 3 Memento Rhubarb Stalk stamped off once, 

1 Memento Love Letter stamped off once, 4 Memento Rhubarb Stalk

Greens: Memento Bamboo Leaves and Olive Grove

Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black colored with Copic Markers

Tools: Circle Nestabilities

Embellishment: Seam Binding Ribbon

20 Minute Card

Although this is a simple single layer card, all the masking took up the entire extra 10 minutes

Stamps: Berries Multi Step Clear Stamps and Basket Multi Step Clear Stamps 
by Kitchen Sink Stamps

Papers: Recollections White

Inks: Berries - 2 Memento Love Letter, 3 Memento Rhubarb Stalk stamped off once, 

1 Memento Love Letter stamped off once, 4 Memento Rhubarb Stalk

Greens - Memento Bamboo Leaves and Olive Grove

Basket - 3 Memento Rich Cocoa, 2 Memento Rich Cocoa stamped off once,

1 Memento Peanut Brittle

Table sponged with SU More Mustard

Sentiment - Memento Espresso Truffle

Embellishment: Seam Binding Ribbon

You will find more Kitchen Sink inspiration on the blogs below.

  Connie - designer
 Lisa - designer
 Maria - owner and creator