Day of Gratitude

This stamp set was the first one to catch my eye when the Holiday Mini came out.  It reminds me of one of my favorite retired stamp sets called True Friend.  Both sets have the same design style--a little western, a little ...Scandinavian?  At least that is what I think when I look at them.  I really like the sample card that is pictured with the set in the mini, so I decided to stick with the Cajun Craze color.  The layout is courtesy of Stampin 411 blog Saturday Sketch Challenge #171.  This will be one of the cards for my club this Friday.  I like the rich, warm colors of it. 

The DSP is the Autumn Spice.  Doesn't that sound wonderful?  Makes me think of warm apple cider.  The ribbon is in Early Espresso, and I used the lattice embossing folder on the Cajun Craze panel for some extra texture.

Here is the inside of the card.

Wonderful sentiment, yes?  I sometimes need the reminder that everyday is a blessing and a reason to be grateful. 

Thanks for stopping in today.  Remember to feel the gratitude today for all of your blessings!

Kristine

Halloween past

It's finally feeling like Fall here in Reno.  It has been raining the past couple days, and the temperature outside right now (according to my computer) is 48*.  I can actually wear a sweater!  This is my favorite time of year. :-)  It is also a favorite month for many because of Halloween.  So today I thought I'd share with you some cards made by some super talented stampers who have made some wonderful Halloween cards.  Maybe they will inspire you to get your spooky on! :-)

The first two cards are made by Lynnette Parker.  She is Ah-MAZ- ing!!  Truly.  She should have her own blog to share her giftedness with us all.  Alas, she doesn't, so I will share her giftedness with you!  This card is made with the spider embossing folder.  Stinkin' cute, huh?! (Lynnette, I bet you're wondering how I got this card.  Me no say!)

This next one was from Lynnette last year.  Such talent. {sigh}

Next up is my wonderful  friend Jennette Sworthout.  She is one of those people who have an eye for color and balance.  Not that I'm at all jealous. :-)  This was her card last year.

Love it?  YES!

Next up is my friend and upline, Kim Goodsell.  This card was made awhile ago, but I love it!  It has softer colors for Halloween.  This was a card some of you may recognize from one of holiday stamp camps. Love the layout.

And the final card is mine.  Halloween is not my forte, so I go more fallish in design.  I used the gate fold on this card.  What I like about the card is that just by switching out the DSP and the ribbon, you could do any season! 

Pull off the ribbon and here is what it looks like...

Well, I hope these cards inspired some of the spook in you. :-)

Thanks for taking time to visit. 

Kristine

MOJO 158

Two weeks in a row for the Mojo Monday challenge!  This week the sketch came in handy for my DH's birthday.  With a busy week, his card was still in the makings when he came home from work.  Yikes!  I love the simply sketches, and this one worked well for his card.  Whenever I show him my work, he always likes the simpler design cards best.

Here's the sketch:


I chose the square version.  Here's my DH's card:

There is a little sparkle to my card--just like my hubby. :-)

I used the Sizzix Squares texturz impression folder to add a little somethin' somethin' to the back panel of the card.  I'd show you the inside, but the note is a mushy gushy one. :-)

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a good one!

Kristine

MOJO 157

It's amazing, but I found some time to play along with the Mojo Monday sketch this week.  I used mostly retired items in the making of this card.  I tend to always want to play with my newer stuff, but I have so many retired things to use.  Here is the sketch:

Here is my interpretation of the sketch.

The large flower is a die cut on board that has been inked with More Mustard craft ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder.  It looks almost leatherish to me.  The sentiment is from a set called Absolutely fabulous.  I like the continuation of the sentiment on the inside of the card which says, "No seriously, ...you are." 

It's a GORJUS day in Reno today.  Time to go play in the sunshine.

Thanks for looking.

Kristine



More Christmas cards

I'm continuing to make Christmas cards.  I will be making these two cards with some ladies on Saturday for a Christmas Card Class.  If you are interested in making either of the cards on your own, I do offer card kits for both.  Just send me an email and I'll reply with the particulars!

One of the ladies coming to the class loves blue and white.  This card is in her honor.  It uses the new snowflake embossing folder and the basic rhinestones.

This second card is really stunning in person.  It's the kind of card people want to touch because of the sparkle.  The sparkle is done with heat and stick powder and dazzling diamonds.

The sparkle is not showing up in the picture. :-( I need to learn how to take better pictures!

Hope you like the cards. 

Kristine

First Christmas card of the year

I have created the first Christmas card of the year.  Yes, it does seem way too early for jingle bells, holly and the manger.  But the weeks are short for those of us making cards!  I like simple cards that mail easily.  Well, let me clarify...I love wonderfully ornate cards, but for mailing lots of them during Christmas, the simpler the better.  With that in mind, I created this simple card.  Another bonus is that it is easily mass produced.  (Sorry friends, I do not make individual card designs for each of you.  Alas, I may appear crazy, but I'm not!)  I like the sentiment of JOY for a Christmas card.  Although Joy is there in every day of Life, more folks seem to find it in the holidays.  Lookie:

I'm grateful to SU for adding bling to the inventory line-up.  The pearls are wonderful.  Lots of sizes and easy to use.  Plus, I'm a pearl girl. 

Thanks for sharing a moment of your day with me. 

Kristine

Inspiration and another scrapbook spread

It is rare that I create a card that I instantly like.  But the card in this post is one of those rare gems.  Stampin' Up has some new cork sheets (119819, 9.95 for 6) and when I saw them, the first thing I thought of was the bulletin boards at schools.  Must be the former teacher in me.  So, of course, my card ended up with a school theme.  When I designed the card, I had two things in mind.  First, a customer, Susie (Hey Susie!) liked this kind of fold for a card, so I wanted to incorporate that.  Second, I wanted to use the Define your life Stamp set.  Take a look...what'cha think?

Here's the inside of the card.

I used the spiral border punch to make it look like a sheet of binder paper.  My daughter wondered where I got the small piece of paper.  :-)

I also created another scrapbook spread for Kyle.  I am really enjoying making this book for him.

Isn't he a doll! 

Here's closeup of each page.

He's not even a month old in these pictures.  Such an alert boy!

Thanks for spending some of your time with me today.  Hope your day ends up being a lovely one.

Kristine