Sunshine

Today Reno is overcast, but warm.  I would love a downpour with maybe some thunder grumbles.  There is nothing better, to this native Reno girl, than a spring downpour leaving the soil smelling like nothing else, except maybe Heaven.  I have smelled rain in lots of places around the world, but nothing compares to the smell of rain in Northern Nevada.  I am biased, I realize, as this is my home. :-)  But the card I made today has nothing to do with rain.  It is all about the sunshine!

Supplies:

Stamps: Button Buddies, Pursuit of Happiness

Card stock: soft Suede, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight

DSP: Attic Boutique

Embellishments: Neutral buttons, Lucky Limade Bakers Twine, Brights brads

Dies: Top Note

For those of you who have received the free Button Buddies card kits, (see the link at the top of the page for card kits if you're curious) here is an example of one more card you can make with the Button Buddies stamp set.  I stamped the flower three times--once in Old Olive and twice in Daffodil Delight.  I then fussy cut them out by layers and popped each layer up on a dimensional.

  It is not visible in the picture, but I also painted each leaf and petal of the flower with the Smooch Pearlized Top Coat paint.  So when you move the card, the flower sparkles. A little sparkle is always nice.  The layout is from a card sketch designed by Lisa Hjulberg for Taylored Expressions sketch challenge 144.

One more share...

Another thing I enjoy about Spring in Northern Nevada are the blossoming trees.  They line the parkways, they peek out of yards, and they smell almost as wonderful as the rain.  My kids tease me because I think fruitless plum trees smell like tacos.  They do!  Flour-shelled tacos.  I call them taco trees.  The blossoms pictured below are from the cherry tree in my back yard.  The tree is loaded with blossoms.  The bees are busy doing the things busy bees do, and I am crossing my fingers for another bumper load of pie cherries come late July. Last year we had over 20 gallons of pie cherries off this tree--and that was with sharing with the birds.  They ate from the top branches, we gathered from the bottom branches.   At dusk, this tree looks almost glowing.  It's white is pristine and stunning against the oranges of the sky.  My favorite place to gaze all spring.



Thanks for sharing some time with me today.  A special welcome to a new follower, Samara.  Thanks to all of my subscribers and followers.

Kristine  

A Potpourri!

I have such a back log of projects to share that I thought, "I'm going to post a bunch today!" So enjoy the potpourri of projects!

A Workshop card.  Uses the wheel Take a sip. What ended up being cool about this card was that each person's card looked a bit different depending on where in the wheel they were when rolled.  We each had a different grouping of cups!

This card was made at the same workshop.  I think that it is a CAS (Clean and Simple), stunning card.  The Chocolate Chip Card Stock is textured, which gives it a nice finish.  I saw this card on the display boards at convention in 2011.  Loved it!  I have no idea who to credit it to, however.  The base paper looks white in this photo, but it is actually Very Vanilla.  The stamp set used is called In Wilderness.  It is on the retiring list.  Don't miss buying this set.  It truly is beautiful.

The third card from this same workshop uses the set from the Occasions Mini called Sweet Cake.  It is a fun gate-fold card.  We used Dazzling Details to frost the cupcake and a Red Glimmer Paper cherry on the top.  This card idea came from my upline, Linda Gutierrez.  I think it is a super cute card.  When I saw her version on her blog, I had to buy the set.  Then I just had to do the card at a workshop.  Thanks Linda!

This card came from a Stamp-a-stack I did at my home.  It was a CASE of the card in the Sale-a-bration Mini. 

Next up is a Thank you card I sent to the gals who placed orders with me in March.  The paper behind the image looks likes DSP, but it isn't!  I used Vanilla Craft Ink and stamped the image from the background stamp Weathered, which is a retired stamp, on it.  I think it came out great!  I used some Dazzling Details on this card as well.  Just makes the flower centers pop a bit.

For my thank you cards I allow myself to use anything in my stash.  If you want a special thank you from me, just place an order and a thank you card or gift always comes your way!

My final share is a card I made for a thank you in December. I don't think I ever posted this? Hmm.  I like for my customers to be able to reuse the cards I send, so I never put anything which marks me as the maker on the card.  The cards are meant for reuse, so they are a thank you and a gift in one!

If you don't already have a demonstrator, I would love to help you enjoy the hobby of stamping and paper crafting.  Please check out the links at the top of this blog to see my rewards program and card kit offers.

My thanks to my subscribers and followers.  I appreciate you.

Kristine





Mojo Monday 236 times 2!

My daughter, Olivia, is almost done with Spring break.  We have done some scrapbooking already this week, but we had not yet done a challenge.  Livi loves the challenges.  She decided a sketch challenge was what she wanted to do.  So we did the Mojo Monday sketch 236.  Funny thing...we did not look at each other's work until we were done.  We picked a very similar color palette! Like mother, like daughter.  Shhh, don't tell her I said that.  And without further ado, here are are cards.  Well, first, the sketch...

My interpretation.  I could not get a middle strip of paper to look the way I wanted, so I skipped it! And the ribbon looks pretty in real life.  In the picture...not so pretty.  Ah well.

Olivia's interpretation.  I would like to point out that she did all of her own cutting! Very cool.

Thanks for sharing some of your time with Olivia and me today.  Special thank you to my followers and subscribers.  I like the idea that I'm not talking to myself. :-)

Kristine

Button Buddies Free Card Kits!

One of the sets in the current Stampin' Up! Main Idea Book and Catalog that I think is stinkin' cute is called Button Buddies.  My favorite image...the pig!  I have been having fun with this set as of late.  I realized that I do not use buttons all that often in my paper crafting.  So, stretch my creative muscles and wahlah! Well, Stampin' Up did the hard work, I just added the buttons. ;-)  I have four cards I have made using this stamp set.  Here they are...

Cute, cute, cute!  You wanna make them?  Great!

I will send you all of the card stock (cut and ready to use) and embellishments to make these four cards.  Yup.  Everything cut for you!  Ribbon included.  Brads and buttons...included. (Your kit may have some variation in buttons from what is pictured above.) Envelope?  Yup, included for each card.  How do you get these free card kits?   Easy! 

1. Place an online order with me through my Stampin' Up! website.  http://kristinechubb.stampinup.net
2.  When I receive notification of your order of $65 (before shipping and tax) or more, I send you the kits!  If you place an order of $150 (before shipping and tax) or more, you get two kits for each card for a total of 8 FREE card kits!  Plus, you qualify as a hostess and  you get the hostess freebies! You will have two of each design...one to give away, and one to stash in your idea box!  If you're trying to buy all the items on your wish list before they disappear on May 30th, then you might reach $200 in merchandise! You get more freebies from Stampin' Up, but also, guess what?  I send you another set of kits when you reach $200 in merchandise!  I know...cool.  That would be a total of 12 card kits! Now it's a party! Join the conga line! PARTY!  This makes me think that a savvy customer might go in with a buddy or two.  Reach $200 and there's kits enough for three!  However, the order has to be placed on one online order.  You can figure out the money split  and freebies amongst yourselves. :-)
3.  I will send your kits to the address you list on your online order. 

And guess what else! You get written instruction for completing the cards! I will send a pdf file to the email associated with the order. I know...un-be-live-able!
See?  Easy!!  And remember that every $50 you spend with me earns you an Ink Thought towards even more free stuff.  Check out the link at the top of this blog home page if you want to know about Ink Thoughts and my customer loyalty reward program.

Here are the supplies you will need to complete the cards.  If you don't have something on the list, put that item on your order!

Stamp sets:
Button Buddies 122735 (w) 29.95 122737 (c) 21.95
A Word For You 117032 (w) 21.95  120528 (c) 16.95
(I used the set Perfect Words 122470 (w) 12.00* 122472 (c) 9.00*, which is a hostess set, on the Pig card. This is just an option)
Inks:
Blushing Bride, Regal Rose, Basic Black marker, Calypso Coral, Certainly Celery, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade
Embossing Folders (optional): Stripes, Polka Dots
Punches: Eyelet Ribbon Border (or another border punch of choice), 1/16 circle or paper piercer and mat pack, 1/4" circle, 3/4" circle,
1 3/8" circle
Other: dimensionals, glue dots, adhesive, sponge dauber


I must thank my fellow demonstrators for the inspiration for these cards.  Mary Brown and Linda Callahan in particular.  I love visiting the special demonstrator website where we share our ideas.  I always come away from there ready to stamp!

My not so little loveys

March is over.  March for me is birthday month.  Both of my children were born in March.  Always makes for a busy month.  My son, Thomas, just turned 14 (gasp!) and my daughter, Olivia, just turned 12.  Where did those years go, I ask you??  I feel that since I have still not lost the "baby weight" it is unfair of the child to grow up! :-)  But grow up they have.  Thomas is 6'.  He shall be a big, strapping man.  Knew that at his birth! Lordy! He was 10 pounds at birth.  I never got the chance to put him in the cute newbie clothes.  He came out ready for 2 month clothing!  Livi, on the other hand, is as dainty as you please.  She was a 9 pound, chubby, sweet smelling, rolly polly at birth, but she is so dainty now.  One of my favorite things to do on laundry day is look at her clothes.  (Shhh, don't tell her I get all sentimental over her clothes) Her clothes are... well, hate to repeat myself, but...dainty. 

Anyway, I made them cards for their special days.  I got all sentimental in what I wrote inside, and basically did the "Mom thing."  Who knew I would turn into my own mom and cry at the drop of a hat?  Sorry Mom for rolling my eyes when you cried when I was younger.  Didn't get it.  Got it now. 

They asked if I was going to put their cards up on my blog.  I asked if they wanted me to.  They asked if I wanted to.  I said...well anyway...long story shorter...here they are:

Thomas' card:

Thomas has always been into animals.  Eagles and wolves in particular.  And the sentiment...so true.  He DOES inspire me.  Leaves me in awe.  Leaves me speechless (in a good way), and I could not be more proud of the man he is becoming.  (Hang on, I need a hanky.)  Question:  That smudge above the eagle was not there when I gave him the card.  I do not remember seeing it when taking the photo.  Where'd it come from?  Hmmm. Let's pretend it's not there!

Olivia's card:

Livi is my sparkle girl.  Or "sparkletastic" as she would say. :-) We are in the process of painting her room. (Please do not ask me how long we have been " in the process." )   Pool party is a pretty close match to the color she picked.  Livi stamps with me frequently.  She has a wonderful sense of fun and color to the cards she designs.  Me, well a little more understated.  I tried to bling it up for her.  She was pleased.  Made me cry.  Olivia is what I call an old soul.  She is wise beyond her years, her humor is sharp, but kind, and her advice...better than Dr Phil's.  Swear!  When I get all muddled up in "Life," she can make things simple for me.  She knows how to get to the point.  I admire her.  I want to be her when I grow up. (Where's that hanky?!)

Yes, the Lord blessed me with my children.  Noted, by me, every day.

Thanks for stopping by.  I would be grateful for you if you want to sign up as a follower of this blog.

Now, I'm going to go kiss my kids.  They're sleeping, but I'm a gonna kiss 'em anyway!

Kristine

A Muttley Crew

One of the sets that makes me laugh is the stamp set Not So Seriously.  I have had the set for a bit, but it had not seen any ink.  I found myself with some time, so I took a peek at the Mojo Monday sketch for the week.  Here's the card I came up with. 

I love the happiness of the mutts on the card.  What cracks me up the most is the wide, toothy grin on the Dachshund!  The Fire hydrant comes from a retired set called Man's Best Friend.  I do not have the stamp set, but I do have the brush set in My Digital Studio.  I added a leash instead of a bow.  See, the dogs are wishing the card recipient a happy birthday filled with all of their favorite things! Ha!  The inside of the card says, "From the whole muttley crew."  Cute. :-)

Here is the Mojo Monday sketch I followed.  It is sketch #234

Supplies:

Stamps: Not So Seriously, Man's Best Friend

Card stock: Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla

DSP: Well Worn

Ribbon: Taupe grossgrain (retired)

Other: Pewter Hodgepodge (retired)

Thanks for stopping in.  Leave me a comment.  I like to visit new blogs, so if you have a blog, leave that address too!

Kristine

Everyday Enchantment

Good morning Stampers!  I really have a back log of projects to show you.  My bad. 

Today are two very simple cards which use my favorite DSP, Everyday Enchantment.  The card on the left uses my favorite pattern from the stack.  I really like the delicate look of the pattern.  I made two different versions of the card.  A change of paper and the whole feel of the card changes!  I think the blue/green gives a soft feel and the orange and blue says, "Hey y'all, let's have fun!"  Okay, maybe not the southern accent, but it is definitely more BaZing! Pop!  The orange and blue card is a close CASE of a card done by Dawn Olchefske.  The blue/green version is my personality speaking.  The Perfectly Penned sentiment finishes the card nicely.   

If you have questions of anything used, shoot me an email!

There are only 5 days left of Sale-a-Bration 2012!  If you want some of the delish DSP, place a $50 order with me, and it's yours FREE! Just click the link on the right sidebar to order.

Thanks for stopping in.
Kristine