Posie Doodle Hello

I had a hard time working with this stamp originally, my mojo just wasn't flowing....until I turned the image on it's side.  Then all of the sudden this card came together for me.  I don't know why, but it just wasn't working for me with the image running vertically on the card.  Does that ever happen to you?  Strange how "mojo" works sometimes.

Get you mojo on today and get inky!  See you back here later!

recipe:  stamp: Stampendous Posie Doodle; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-gone, Tortillons; The Paper Co.; Crystal Stickles; Fiskars Scalloped Scissors; JoAnn's sheer ribbon

My First Card Design

I'm in the process of uploading all of the photos on our computer to Shutterfly (what a job!).  While I was sorting through the pictures, I found pics of a bunch of cards I forgot I had ever made.  It was fun to take a little trip down Creative Memory Lane.  The card pictured above was the first card design I ever made.  I actually started making cards out of necessity.  It was my nephew's 2nd birthday, and by the time I realized I had forgotten to buy him a card it was too late to go get one.  So, being a scrapbooker and having a ton of paper and stickers, I decided to make a card.  This is the design that I came up with (although my nephew's card said "Brad" on it).  I made this card for every kid I knew for the next six months. That was six years ago, and I have not purchased a card since. 

Early on, my cards were mostly decorated with fancy paper and stickers.  It took me awhile to discover the joys of stamping (I wonder if I can find the photo of my first stamped card......hmmmm...I think I need to look for that!)  I'd like to think I've come a long way, it's been a fun and creative journey and I'm looking forward to see where this path leads. 

recipe:  paper: Creative Memories; stickers Making Memories Letters, Mrs. Grossman's stripe; CM Circle Punches; Sakura Micro Pen

Best Fishes

This card was for my nephew for his 8th birthday.  He has a few fish, so I thought this would be a fun card for him.  As it happens, I gave this card to him while we were on a family vacation, and he spent much of his time fishing and caught quite a few. So, this card was perfect for the little fisherman!

I really need to get my hands on a stamp that says "best fishes" - I'm never happy with the way my handwriting looks on the front of a card.  Don't get me wrong, I like my handwriting, and I don't mind journaling in scrapbooks or writing a message inside a card, I just don't like my writing on the front for some reason.  I can't explain it.

These little fishies were fun to color, I think I'll be getting them inky again soon.  The Stampendous Sushi Bowl Party stamp set is so much fun! 

Ok friends, I'm off to get inky.....hope you'll join me!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Sushi Bowl Party; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black; The Paper Co; Sakura Star Glaze Pen; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons

Thanks Flourish

I made a bunch of these cards last year with a bunch of different sentiments to add to my stash.  This was the last one.  I usually tend to make "cutesy" cards, but I thought this one was pretty elegant.  It was easy to make, and would be a great card to customize with a variety of sentiments or monograms for a gift set. 

Quick post today, friends, time to go get inky.....hope you will too!

recipe: stamps:  Hero Arts Fantastic Flourishes, Hero Arts Simple Messages; Tsukineko Wheat, Coffee Bean ink; The Paper Co; Stampendous clear embossing powder, Marvy Scalloped Circle Punch

Sunflower for Mom

Have you ever made a card that just had a mind of it's own?  This one certainly did!  I had every intention of making this card yellow and purple based on some really cute polka dot ribbon I found in my stash.  Well, this card had another idea!  It definitely wanted to be yellow, orange and green.  But, it all worked for the best and when I was done, I realized why.  You see, I was making this card for my Mom's birthday, and this card would have been completely at home in the bedroom Mom decorated for me when I was a little girl.  In my room, I had 2 walls papered with big yellow, orange and green flowers and 2 walls papered with green gingham (welcome to the 70s!)  It was such a fun, cheerful, happy room - and I think this card is fun and cheerful, too. 

It's hard to tell in this photo, but I used an X-acto knife to cut around the flower petals and curled them up a bit to add dimension to this card.  There is a layer of orange paper under the flower that can be seen under the upturned petals.  For added texture I used the Scor-It to make the stripes on the background.

Hope you're having a creative day, take time to get inky!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Sunny Flowers, Everything Happy; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black; Scor-it; The Paper Co; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Me & My Big Ideas bling; Target ribbon; Crystal Stickles

Back to School Goodies

Every year before a new school year starts I make a little Back to School goodie for my niece and nephew.  This year I made these Jr. Legal Pad notebooks.  I also made one for my son to give to his new 1st grade teacher (wouldn't you know I forgot to take a picture of that one!  I hate when that happens!)  Anyway, these little notepads are so much fun to make and are the perfect little gift for any occasion.  I take the Jr. Legal Pads to Kinkos and have them cut in half - my store does a pack of 12 notepads for a few dollars.  Such a deal!

The notepad pictured at the top of this post was the one I made for my nephew, at the bottom of this post you'll find my niece's.  I also made them each a matching RSVP pen.  They are both into office & school supplies (must get that from their Aunt Krissy!)  By the way, now is the time to stock up on school supplies since they are all on sale this time of year.  These Pentel RSVP pens I got at Staples for only $1 a pack, regular price can be $4 or more.  I love a good bargain!

Now that my oldest guy is back in school, maybe I will stop ignoring my blog so blatantly!  I have a few cards done and photographed, so maybe I'll actually get them posted soon.  My youngest still has a few weeks before Preschool starts, then summer is officially over for our family. 

Hope you're having a wonderful day, the weather is beautiful here in Chicago today - it's a nice break from the heat and humidity we've had lately! 

Take time to get inky today!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous School for Changito, Stampendous School for Max; paper: Bazzill Cardstock, miscellaneous DP; Pentel RSVP Pens; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, StazOn White; Hero Arts Paper Flowers; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Misc. buttons from Gram's stash♥

Miss you!

Dear Blog-  I miss you!  I promise I will be back as soon as I get organized and get TJ off to 1st grade!

Love, Krissy

Winter is Warmer with Snowmen

8/10/10 - Edited to Add-  Just found out that this card was one of the winners for this week's challenge!  Woo-hoo!

I am so excited with the way this card turned out!  Don't you just love when a plan comes together?  I had this idea in my head, but wasn't sure it was actually going to work until I started playing with the design.  It was really a fun card to work on!  I think I might make a few more of these.  It would be fun to add the right number of snowmen to correspond to the number of people in the family you are sending this card to.  Know what I mean?  Did that make any sense?  Like this card, would be great for a family with 4 kids and a mom & dad. 

This is my final entry for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  This has been such a fun week to participate, it has really made me jump-start my Christmas card production.  Now if I can just keep working on them every week, I might actually get cards mailed this year!

Well, friends, I have to be going.  I need to get a few things done around here before my little guy wakes up from his nap.  I hope you're having a wonderful day and that you will take time to get inky today.

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Winter Warm, Snowplace; The Paper Co.; Tsukinko Tuxedo Black ink, White Staz-On; Frosted Lace Stickles; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Liquid Applique

Santa Snow Globe

This card makes me smile!  How cute is this little Santa?  When I saw this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge, I knew I wanted to make make a snow globe card.  This is such a fun card to make, I found the instructions on Splitcoast Stampers.  There are a bunch of great instructions for some beautiful projects in the Resources section at SPS, take a look when you get a chance. 

Are you tired of seeing my submissions for Stampendous yet?  I hope not, because I still have one more to show you.   Stay tuned......

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Elf Wishes, Changito Snowplay; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, White Staz-On; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons;  DCWV Holiday Stack, The Paper Co.; Liquid Applique; Acetate Sheet; JoAnn's ribbon

Christmas Blessings

It seems that every Christmas I need a simple, more reserved card for someone.  This will be that card for this year.  I made this one for the Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  This is a quick card to make, just simple paper piecing for the cross.  I've made this same basic card for several occasions with a variey of patterned papers for the cross.  I hope you'll try it, too!

recipe:  Stampendous Sunlit Cross, Lily Blessings Topper; Yours Truly Red Card; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Versamark; Detail Gold Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder; DCWV Cream & Green Holly Paper

Snowy Day Changito

Another one of my submissions for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  I thought I'd try to use Rainy Day Changito but make him Snowy Day Changito.  Don't they look like they are cuddling under that umbrella trying to stay warm?  I added Liquid Applique to the tops of their boots to make them look more wintery.

Still more to show you....don't change that channel!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Rainy Day Changito, Snow Place, Winter Warm;  Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Aegean Blue, Gingerbread, Watermark; Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder; Diamond Glaze; Liquid Applique

Krafty Elf Wishes

I've been busy today making cards for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  There's actually no sketch to work with this week, the only guideline is to make a Christmas card.  How fun!  I had so many ideas running through my head, and couldn't decide on just one, so I made 4 or 5 cards this week.  I was on a roll!  My creativity was flowing!

This little elf makes me smile!  Isn't he cute?  It may be hard to see in the photo, but I added Red Stickles to the tips of his little elfin shoes and Liquid Applique for the "fur" trim on his jacket.  They both add a fun texture to cards.  To add a little more texture, I used my Scor-it to score evenly spaced lines on the green strip.  Until I get a Cuttlebug, this is an easy way to add texture to paper.  I had a lot of fun working with kraft paper, I'll have to do it again soon!

I've got more to show you.....stay tuned.  In the meantime, take time to get inky!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Elf Wishes, Warm Winter; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black; JoAnn's Red Pigment Ink; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Red Stickles; The Paper Co.; Scor-It; Liquid Applique; CM Gold Pen

New Stampendous Products!

How cute is this?

Have you seen the new Stampendous products that are out this week?  If not, check them out here.  I can't choose a favorite - I love them all!  I have a special fondness fo the polar bear stamps, since my little guy will be in the "Polar Bear Class" at Preschool this year.  I think I'll probably have to add some polar bear stamps to my ever-expanding stamp collection and make some sort of polar bear ornament for all of his classmates at Christmas.  Anyone have any ideas to share?  I've never combined stamping and an ornament before - this will be a first.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

I've been busy this week working on a couple of cards for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  I've got one card done and have started another.  I'm really enjoying these weekly challenges, it's been a great way to build up my stash.  Don't you hate when you need a card and you don't have one ready and waiting?  I'm trying to avoid being stuck in that situation.

Better run, friends.  Hope you're having a wonderful day, take time to get inky!