Gussy Up The Gallery Giveaway!

Hi Stamping Friends!

If you haven't heard me say it yet, my favorite online stamping community to find inspiration, encouragement, and a boatload of laughs is Stampin' Addicts.  There are some super friendly gals that hang out there.  And they are hilarious!  They are trying to increase the size of their Stampin' Up! gallery.  So in order to entice all of you fabulous, creative, talented stampers out there to upload your projects to their gallery, they are having a Gussy Up The Gallery Giveaway.  To find out more info, check out this link in the General Stampin' Forum:  DASH TO 10,000.  They don't have to be new creations, they can be stuff from the past.  They are really looking for cards made from retired sets.  I've been obnoxious about uploading all my old cards.  People are probably getting sick of seeing my stuff... "I don't know who that skdeleeuw is, but she sure likes to clog up the gallery with all of her stuff!"  Oh well!  They'll get over it! 

Anyhoo!  In honor of Stampin' Addicts Gussy Up The Gallery Giveaway, I thought I'd show you a card that I "gussied up".  The original card is one I made for a teen card class.  I wanted to keep it simple for new stampers.

The circles are from a retired set called Spot On.  The sentiment is from Three Thoughts.  The DSP is so old, I don't even know the name!  The card base is Tempting Turquoise.  I had about six of these "card kits" leftover.  So I decided to "gussy them up" and sell them at Goodies Cookies.  Here's the card I came up with:

I thought the colors would be great for tween boys, so I used the Extreme Skateboard and Extreme Elements as my starting point.  The main image is stamped in Garden Green. I changed the card base to Pumpkin Pie and used the Tempting Turquoise as a layer, which is stamped with the Sanded BG.  I distressed the edges of the image with the distressing tool that is part of the Cutter Kit and then inked the edges with Garden Green.  I also used the Spritzer Tool for some added "grafitti", but it didn't show up that well in the photo.  I guess it turned out pretty good, because my 13yo DS saw it and said... "COOL!".  Let's just hope Goodies Cookies customers will think they are "cool" enough to buy!

Extreme Elements  #115181  $26.95

Extreme Skateboard  #115179  $8.95

So stop by Stampin' Addicts today and help Gussy Up The Gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

In The Pink!

Hi Stamping Friends!

As most of you probably already know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  And in honor of all the women who are battling and have battled this horrible disease, Pals Paper Arts blog is having a PINK challenge PPA14.  Super easy challenge, just create something with pink!  I combined this challenge with the Thursday sketch challenge SASC33 from my favorite online stamping hangout, Stampin' Addicts.  Here's the sketch:

I flipped the sketch on its side, and decided to use a Stampin' Up! set that is retired (gasp!).  She's All That was in the Occasions Mini Catalog in 2008, and was not a huge hit.  However, I fell in love with the set and had to have it right away.  Most people thought the images were too skinny, but they look like half the high school girls I know!  Here's my card:

You can't get any more pink than that!  I just love that little poodle.  The card base is Pretty In Pink, layered with Razzleberry Lemonade DSP.  The Top Note is cut out of Melon Mambo and the girl is stamped in the same color.  The flowers are made using the Boho Blossoms Punch and the Circle Fire rhinestone brads. 

Razzleberry Designer Series Paper  #115675  $9.95 

Boho Blossoms Punch  #110711  $15.95

So here's to all the cancer survivors and those in the middle of the battle.  Our prayers are with you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Purple Lovers Challenge!

Hi Stamping Friends!

Today's double challenge card comes from the Color Throwdown blog CTD66 and from the Cards and Things blog.  Here's the two challenges:

If you love purple, then you HAVE to participate in this color challenge.  This is a purple lovers dream!  Me, not so much, but I still had fun playing!  Here's my card:

I haven't used Great Friend in quite awhile.  Doesn't seem like the right time of year to be getting out the butterfly sets.  Everybody is in to pumpkins or reindeer right now.  But I'm just looking to make some all occasions cards I can sell at Goodies Cookies in Visalia (if you're in the area, stop by and shop my card rack!).

Great Friend  #113792  $17.95

Finial Press Impressions Embossing Folder  #115963  $7.95

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to tell your friends to stop by too!

Happy Stamping!

Hippie Inspiration

Hi Stamping Friends!

Our internet stared acting crazy on Friday and by Sunday we had nadda... zero... zilch!  And for this challenge addict, that was a HUGE bummer!  My fabulous hubby spent the better part of last night on the phone with some tech guys and got it all figured out.  Now we are all connected again, and I can catch up on the challenges I missed.  Who knew I would miss being online so much!

Today's double challenge card takes the sketch from Gretchen Barron's blog: Inspiration in Action and the color combo from my favorite online stamping hangout Stampin' Addicts.  The color combo was called Hippie Holloween.  Isn't that fun!  The colors are Dusty Durango, Certainly Celery and Rich Razzleberry.  Quite the combo!  Here's the sketch:

I ended up flipping the sketch.  I also went with the hippie theme of flowerchild.  Here's the card I came up with:

How fun is that?!  I used the Petal Pizzazz set for my flowers.  The sentiment comes from Good Friend.  I made the Dusty Durango Corduroy Button by dripping Dusty Durango ink onto a Baja BReeze button.  I heat set it and dabbed off the extra ink.  Carol Anne from Stamp Your Stress Away gave me this fabulous idea.

Petal Pizzazz  #113417  $32.95

Good Friend  #113740  $28.95

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Late Night Sketch Challenge

Hi Stamping Friends!

I have another card for you today.  And yes, it's another double challenge card.  Aren't they all?!  :)  This sketch layout comes from my favorite online stamping social hangout: Stamping Addicts.  This sketch is Sketch Challenge 32 SASC32.  I love it because it is clean and simple and I don't do enough of those kinds of cards.  The color challenge is from a stamping Yahoo Group called LateNightStampers.  Here's the challenges:

Here's my card using the Falling Leaves set:

Like I said, clean and simple!  Wasn't sure what to do with the bow.  I attached it using Glue Dots, but I usually like to tie it on somehow.  Maybe I should have punched some holes and threaded it through.  But that's what you get when you are trying to finish up two challenges late at night!

Check out this week's deals from Stampin' Up!  Contact me if you want to place an order.

Pirate Party Kit  reg. $15.95  SALE 9.99

Princess Party Kit  reg. $15.95  SALE $9.99

Falling Leaves  #115368  $21.95

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

(p.s.this post was for Monday, but my interenet has been out.  Sorry!)

Krystal's Weekly Favorite Blog Hop #4

Hi Stamping Friends!

It's Sunday again.  Time for another edition of my blog hop favorites.  I have quite the eclectic group of projects today.  Everything from Halloween to Christmas and everything in between!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Make sure you click on Lyssa's link to her blog SONG OF MY HEART to find out 100 ways you can use the Sweet Treat Cups!

A beautiful nativity candle holder from Cindy at HEART'S DELIGHT.

This darling BOO bag from LeAnn Greff at FLOWERBUG'S INKSPOT.

A fun and sparkly altered metal sign from Connie Babbert at INKSPIRED TREASURES.

And finally these gorgeous Big Shot fabric flowers from Kay Kalthoff at STAMPING TO SHARE.

Thanks for stopping by!

I pray your Sunday is filled with peaceful rest.

Happy Stamping!

Techno Diva Day

Hi Stamping Friends!

Today's double challenge card uses a sketch from Techno Stamper TSSC92 (love her playlist BTW!) and a color challenge from the Diva's at Diva Coffee Break Designs DCBD150.

I thought these colors would make an awesome teen boy card, so I got out my Extreme Elements and Extreme Skateboard stamps.  Here's what I came up with:

I really like how this turned out.  Totally grungy!  The card base is Certainly Celery and then layered with Basic Gray and Old Olive.  The Old Olive layer is stamp with the Extreme Elements set in Old Olive.  The skater image is stamped in Basic Gray.  The stars from the Extreme Elements set are stamped in Really Rust.  I tried to use my Spritzer Tool again, to dirty up the image, but I'm just not having alot of luck with that thing!  I distressed the main image with my distressing tool from the Cutter Kit and sponged Basic Gray ink on all the layers.  The sentiment comes from the All Holidays set.  I was really happy with the Hemp Twine.  I used a Stamping Sponge and rubbed some Really Rust ink onto it.  Then I ran my Hemp across the sponge to color it.  Hemp in any color you want!

Extreme Skateboard  #115179  $8.95

Cutter Kit  #106958  $16.95

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Fifth Ave. Color Challenge

Hi Stamping Friends!

Today's card uses the Friday Color Challenge over at my favorite place to hang out, Stamping Addicts.  If you love all things Stampin' Up!, then you really need to come hang out with us!  The gallery is filling up everyday with more Stampin' Up! goodness.  And you know I'm trying my best to do my part!  These colors are from last weeks color challenge SACC34.  They are Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, So Saffron, and Not Quite Navy.  Here's my card:

I really like how this turned out.  I used the card in the Stampin' Up! catalog for my inspiration.  I would have liked to have added a Not Quite Navy strip of cardstock right above the So Saffron layer, but I couldn't find a scrap of it.  And I could not justify cutting into a whole sheet of cardstock for one lousy inch!  Some may call me cheap... I prefer to refer to myself as frugal!  The Saffron and Olive flowers were heat embossed using White EP.  The Saffron layer was embossed with the Manhattan Flower Impressions Folder.  And I'm still in love with this Striped Grosgrain Ribbon!  It was the Ribbon of the Month for October and I sold all the packs I had... because it's so gorgeous!  The half-backed pearl comes from the Pretties Kit.

Fifth Avenue Floral  #113734  $24.95

Manhattan Flower Impressions Embossing Folder  #114517  $7.95

SHOP STAMPIN' UP! 24/7

Don't forget to take advantage of the Deal Of The Week.  I'll be placing an order this evening, so contact me today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Inspiration from the Colour Queen

Hi Stamping Friends!

While doing my daily blog hopping (too bad you couldn't burn calories with this type of hopping... I think I'd be a size 6 again!) I came across another new (to me) color challenge called ColourQ.  I combined it with Gretchen Barron's Inspiration Sketch Challenge IA106.  Here are the two challenge images:

And here's the birthday card I came up with:

I hadn't inked up this particular stamp in the Crazy for Cupcakes set, because I'm not a lover of coloring and I didn't know what else to do with this image, until I thought of paper piecing!  And now I love this image!  Aren't these colors fun?!  I know the challenge pic shows Halloween images, but I need birthday cards, and I think this combo works great for it.  The card base is Pumpkin Pie layered with Pale Plum.  I used the Polka Dot background stamp on the Pale Plum layer.  You can't see it, but the flame on the candle has Dazzling Diamonds on it.  A little sparkle never hurt anyone!  And I love the feel of our Satin Ribbon.  So luxurious!

If you are ever driving down the 198 heading to the Sequoia National Forest, stop off at Mary's Vineyard shopping center and go to Goodies Cookies.  Pick yourself up a yummy, gourmet cookie and one of my hand-created, one-of-a-kind, unique creations!  And if you do, tell them Krystal sent you.

Crazy For Cupcakes  #111618  $23.95

Remember to check out the Deal of the Week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Stamping 411 and a Curtain Call

Hi Stamping Friends!

My double challenge card for today comes from Stamping 411 and Stacey's Stamping Stage.  So here's the sketch and the colors:

By looking at the colors, you would think I would have created a fall card.  But I just checked out my card rack at Goodies Cookies and I need to make a TON of birthday cards.  They sell better than anything else.  Fall is pretty, but birthday sells!  So here's what I came up with:

This was my first time inking up my Extreme Skateboard stamp.  I bought it because my husband and son love to skateboard.  Of course it was skateboarding like this that thrashed hubby's knees.  But who's worried about your knees when you're a teenager!  I thought these colors worked out great for a guy card.  Simple layout too, which is always what you want when you are creating cards for the male persuasion.  I also used the Extreme Elements set to add something to the background.  I TRIED to use my Color Spritzer tool on the main image, but I think I'm Spritzer impaired. 

So I consider this double challenge a success!  If you know of any SUO challenges out there that I'm missing... let me know!  I'm off to teach the 4yo all about the letter U. 

Extreme Skateboard  #115179  $8.95

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Deal Of The Week and Hostess Club Fun!

Hi Stamping Friends!

It's time for another Deal of the Week from Stampin' Up!  Here's what they are offering this week:

Basic Jumbo Grommets
#114348
reg. $6.95
SALE $4.49

Mini Library Clips
#109857
reg. $12.95
SALE $8.99

Circle Designer Brads
#122571
reg. 5.95
SALE $3.99

1/2" Library Clips
#112581
reg. 6.95
SALE $3.99

SHOP 24/7 AT MY STAMPIN' UP! WEBSITE

I will be placing an order on Friday if you are interested in taking advantage of these great bargains.  Contact me today!

I had so much fun with my Mystery Hostess Club on Sunday.  I thought I would show you the three fabulous projects that we made.

First up the card that set the stage for the other two projects.  We learned the Faux Silk technique which is really easy and a lot of fun.

I used the samples in the October Stampin' Success (a demo only mag from SU! another great reason to become a demo!) as my inspiration, as well as a card from JosannaP that I saw on SCS.  The colors are Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango.  The stamp set we used is called Falling Leaves. The panel is embossed using the Weave Texturz Plates.  I used the Hemp Twine as embellishment, because I think it looks rustic and fall-ish.

Here's the matching candle:

We used the Bright Blessings Jumbo wheel and the Falling Leaves stamp set for this project.  I picked up the pillar candles from our local Dollar Tree Store.  The wrap is made using Crushed Curry cardstock.

The final project is a little box using the Matchbox die:

The box is made with Chocolate Chip Textured cardstock.  The tag is punched with the Curly Label Punch.  The sentiment is from the Falling Leaves set.  See the little Mini Library Clip?  Isn't it cute?!  Don't forget to get them on sale this week!  The ribbon is our Polka Dot Grosgrain in Crushed Curry.  I think this would make an adorable place card for Thanksgiving.  You could replace the Grateful sentiment with each name of your guest.  The best part is that it fits four Hershey's Nuggets inside.  And who doesn't need a little chocolate after eating all that fowl?!

Falling Leaves  #115368  $21.95

Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel  #115626  $8.50

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!