Greenhouse garden in concord crush

This is a card I did for my demo swap group.  Something about the concord crush and the espresso spoke to me.  I tried a different layout (yeah, some of us tend to get in a layout rut) and I really like how the flower focal point pops off the card.  The background is embossed and then sponged with espresso ink to make the design stand out a bit.  Baby pearls along the side add a little somthin' somethin'.  The DSP behind the flowers is from the Patterns Paper Pack that is the Hostess Level 1 gift.  You know, those packs are great.  I am always pleasantly surprised by what's in them!  To finish the card, I punched three 1/4" circles, adhered them with mini glue dots and then put some shine on them with crystal effects for the faux brad look.  The sentiment is also a hostess level 1 set called Afterthoughts.  It's true...I do love being spoiled!

If you would like any more details on the card, drop me an email.  If you would like to receive the hostess paper patterns pack or the Afterthoughts set, contact me about hosting your own workshop!

Thanks for stopping by.

Kristine

Some more Christmas cards

I have continued making Christmas cards.  You'd think I have enough by now!  Here are a couple more to share.

The first card is one of my favorites.  It came together easily for my, which is unusual, and I still like it after looking at it days in a row! lol  The paper is from the Nursery Specialty Suite DSP.  I would not have thought to look in this DSP for Christmas paper, but as I was browsing my papers, this pattern popped out.  It's always fun to use a paper for a purpose it was not intended.   Makes me feel like a rebel!  Wohoo, I'm such a wild and crazy girl. :-)  Now the bow...oh my.  I went to Lee Conreys blog, and she has these magic bow makers for sale.  Yup, bought one.  Love it!  Hey, doesn't my bow look fan-tas-tic!? And the bows just whip right up.  Ain't nothin' but a thing!  Thanks Lee!  The punch is from the Martha Stewart collection.



The next card is for my Open Swappers group.  This is a card making group that swaps once a month for four months.  Materials have to be Stampin' Up!, but they do not need to be current.  If you would like to be a part of the next swap group beginning in January and continuing through April, please contact me.  I can give you all the specifics.  It's fun, and you get to use anything SU!  Anyway, onto the card.  This card has an old fashion feel to me.  I really like it, but it got mixed reviews from my family.  I did one of my new favorite tricks on this card, which is to adhere DSP before running it through the Big Shot with an embossing folder.  I like the look!  All of the edges of the paper are "frosted" with craft white.  I liked using the eyelets again too!  I wonder why they went out of vogue?  I would love to know your honest opinion about the card.  Leave me a comment!

Next is my very sweet daughter, Olivia.  She wanted to do the Mojo Monday challenge for one of her Christmas cards.  Here she is with her finished card. 

And here is the sketch she followed...

And here is the close-up of her card.  Beautiful!!  I think this is one of her best cards.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the snowflakes have dazzling diamonds on them!  A little pretty bling!  As you note, she used the Magic Bow Maker too.  Soooo easy!

I have more cards to share, but will save them for another post.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your Thanksgiving was a wonderful time with family and friends, and you had some time to stop and reflect on all that you have to be grateful for. 

Kristine

Catching up

I have a few items to show you that have been sitting in my work area.  The first card was for a demonstrator swap.  I decided to forgo the usual fall colors.  The front squares are popped up on dimensionals.  This card uses the Days of Gratitude set as well.  Such a versatile set!

Next up is a card for fall using the masking technique. 

The next card was one I did for the last Christmas card class.  It uses the letterpress Season on Joy.  I'm not a natural at using a letterpress, but some of my customers were pros!

My next share was a club card for Halloween.  It is almost a direct CAS from Paper Crafts Magazine.  It is the same layout and colors, but I used SU only stamps and materials.  The technique is faux letterpress, which I like MUCH better!

And my final share is of my constant companion, Simon.  He was all dressed up for Halloween. :-)

My daughter decided he should wear her outfit.  He doesn't look too pleased does he? lol.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy Fall!

Kristine

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