Challenge Monday 2.28.11

Hi Stamping Friends! 
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister Kaye!!  Yes, I know you will always be younger (and probably skinnier!), but I will always be older and wiser.  :)

Welcome back to another Challenge Monday!  I hope you enjoyed the Stampin' Addicts blog hop I participated in this weekend.  If you missed it, click on the "Blog Hop" button in the Categories section of my sidebar.  I'm already looking forward to the next SA blog hop!!  I'm sure we will do another one when the new Stampin' Up! mini catalog comes out May 1st. 

For today's challenge cards, I added an extra "personal" challenge.  Shelli Gardner, the cofounder and CEO of Stampin' Up!, always has a monthly challenge on her blog.  This month she challenged everyone to use products from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  So that's what I did!!  Each card contains at least one stamp set that you can get free by placing a $50 order with your Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  And now... on to the cards!!

SO HAPPY FOR YOU

Stamps:  So Happy For You (SAB)
Paper:  Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories:  Elegant Lines EF, Floral Fusion Sizzlet, Designer Buttons, Basic Rhinestones, Modern Label Punch, Organza Ribbon

Sketch Challenge:  INKSPIRATIONS #59
Inspiration Challenge:  CREATE WITH CONNIE AND MARY #139
Theme Challenge:  SUO CHALLENGES #13 Sale-A-Bration Creations!
Recipe Challenge:  CRAZY 4 CHALLENGES C4C76 Flowers

THANK YOU KINDLY

Stamps:  Thank You Kindly (SAB), Tiny Tags

Paper:  Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Springtime Vintage DSP

Accessories:  Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Square Lattice EF, Scallop Oval Punch, Oval Punch, Vintage Trinkets, Linen Thread, Tag Punch, Basic Pearls, Tulip Frame EF, Designer Buttons

Sketch Challenge:  STAMPIN' ROYALTY #60

Color Challenge:  SPLITCOAST STAMPERS CC311

PUNCH BUNCH

Stamps:  Punch Bunch (SAB)
Paper:  Whisper White, Concord Crush, Perfect Plum
Accessories:  Tasteful Trim die, Scallop Circle die, Scallop Punches, Circle Punches, Circle die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Concord Crush Poly Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones
Technique:  Thumping

Sketch Challenge:  STAMPIN' ADDICTS SASC85
Color Challenge:  OFF THE WALL CRAFTINESS #47
Style Challenge:  PALS PAPER ARTS PPA82  CAS with scallops

HAPPY TOGETHER

Stamps:  Happy Together (SAB)

Paper:  Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Retired DSP

Accessories:  Chocolate Grosgrain, Pink Brads, Perfect Polka Dots EF

Sketch Challenge:  SKETCH FRIDAY FRENZY

Color Challenge:  COLOR THROWDOWN  #130

There were lots more great challenges out there this weekend, that I didn't get to.  Just not enough stamping time in the day!!!  Speaking of running out of time...don't forget!!  You have only one month left to take advantage of the wonderful Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration benefits!!  Contact your SU! demo today to place your $50 order and choose one of these (and many others!) fabulous stamp sets for FREE!!!

I hope you'll stop back by tomorrow and see what I've created for the ColourQ color challenge.  You know little Miss Arielle... she likes to make me work for my spot on the Royal Court design team!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Krystal's Sunday Favorites 2.27.11

Hi Stamping Friends!!
If you stopped by to see the Stampin' Addicts Birthday Techniques Blog Hop, CLICK HERE!!

And if you are here to see some of my favorite Stampin' Up! creations from throughout blogland, then you are in the right place!!  Since I've been celebrating Stampin' Addicts 2nd birthday all week on my blog, I decided it might be fun to feature all birthday inspired stamping projects today.  So sit back and enjoy the art of some amazing stampers!

ADD INK AND STAMP

STAMPIN' IS MY JOB!

JUST JUDY DESIGNS

POCKETS OF INSPIRATION

STAMPS, PAPER, SCISSORS

SANDY MACIVER

BUTTERNUT SAGE

I hope you have been inspired to stamp something fabulous!!  If you have a chance, be sure to stop by these wonderful stampers blogs and see what other lovely creations they have.  And I hope you can stop back by tomorrow for Challenge Monday. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Stampin' Addicts Birthday Technique Blog Hop!!

Hi Stamping Friends!

Woo!  Hoo!!  It's time for another fabulous Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop!!!  This time we are celebrating the 2nd birthday of my favorite online SUO hangout, STAMPIN' ADDICTS!  Stampin' Addicts is a free, public online community of Stampin' Up! fans around the world.  We are not associated with any one particular demo group.  We have an amazing gallery with over 23,000 projects.  It is easy to use, as all SUO stamps sets are organized alphabetically.  It is an awesome place to visit for inspiration and ideas.

For this hop we decided to take the birthday theme and twist it to include techniques.  So each stop will feature a unique technique.  If you have been hopping for awhile, that means you just came from Carmen's blog, Stamping Addiction, where she showed you some fabulous projects using the Inlaid Embossing technique.  I love using this technique and the best part is, it's so easy!!

If you are just joining the hop... welcome!!  We are so glad you are here.  There is a link at the bottom of my post that will take you to the next stop on the hop.  If you get lost along the way, just CLICK HERE and it will take you to a list of all the blogs on this hop. 

For my technique, I chose Spotlighting.  I'm not much of a technique junkie.  I prefer the really simple techniques.  If it has too many steps, I usually only try it once, if that!!  And spotlighting is as easy as it gets!!  No messy powders or fancy tools.  Just a couple of circle punches and you are good to go!

CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES

Stamps:  Crazy For Cupcakes, Punch Bunch (SAB)

Paper:  Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Ice Cream Parlor DSP (SAB)

Accessories:  Circle Punches, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Scallop Square Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Glimmer Brads, Melon Pom-pom Trim, Basic Rhinestones

Sketch Challenge:  MOJO MONDAY #179

BIRTHDAY BAKERY

Stamps:  Birthday Bakery (Level 1 Hostess Set)

Paper:  Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pink PIrouette, Pumpkin Pie, Ice Cream Parlor DSP (SAB)

Accessories:  Modern Label Punch, Circle Punches, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Basic Rhinestones, Melon Pom-pom Trim, Tasteful Trim die, Pumkpin Pie Grograin, Ice Cream Parlor Grosgain and Buttons (SAB)

Sketch Challenge:  THE PAPER PLAYERS #35

PERFECT SETTING

Stamps:  Birthday Bakery, Punch Bunch
Paper:  Ice Cream Parlor DSP (SAB)
Accessories:  Tag Punches, Circle Punches, Melon Pom-pom Trim, Ice Cream Parlor Grosgrain, Linen Thread, Basic Rhinestone.

I know what you are thinking... Boy!  She was really reaching deep for this 3-D item!  And you are right!  I'm not much of a 3-D stamper.  It just take too long to create 3-D stuff!!  So I went easy and made a cupcake wrapper with the Perfect Setting die.  Thankfully we had some disgusting Hostess Cupcakes (is that frosting or wax?!) in the house.  After I lowered my stamping skills to fake cake wrapped in paper, I found out the 3-D item was not required, only suggested for the hop.  Well!  You can be sure for the next hop I'll be suggesting to skip it!!  :)

I hope you enjoyed your stop at my little piece of cyber-world.  I know you have to be enjoying the hop.  Stampin' Addicts hops are the absolutle BEST!!  And I hope you pop over to Stampin' Addicts and check us out.  It's a fun place to visit, learn, share, and laugh.  At Stampin' Addicts we are "Positively Creative, Positively Stampin' Up!".

The next stop on the SA Birthday Technique Hop is Sara at Lily's Ink Pad.  She is going to wow you with the chalkboard technique.  So hop on over to Lily's Pad!!!  (Isn't that the perfect blog name for a hop!)

---GO TO NEXT BLOG---

I'll be back on Monday with Challenge Monday, where I post as many challenge cards as I can make over the weekend.  Come see if I can beat my record of seven!

Thanks for hopping by!

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge #41

Hi Stamping Friends!!

It's time for another celebration at the the Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge.  This week we have a gorgeous purple, green, and black theme.  Very striking!  Looks like it could be a bridal shower, but because I'm still celebrating the 2nd birthday of my favorite online Stampin' Up! only online hangout, Stampin' Addicts, so I just had to make another birthday card!! :)

FIFTH AVENUE FLORAL

Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral, Create A Cupcake (sentiment)

Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP

Accessories:  Oval Die, Perfect Details Texturz plate, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Striped Grosgrain, Razzleberry Brads

Sketch Challenge:  CLEAN & SIMPLE #128

Can you believe this is the first time I've ever used my First Edition DSP?!!  Shame on me!!  It's such fabulous paper.  I don't know why I never opened it before!!  I was really inspired by the striking colors in the photographs.  Of course you can't not be inspired by the flowers as well.  So pretty!  Be sure to stop be the Stampin' Celebration blog and see what the other amazing designers have created.  Those girls really know how to stamp!!

And don't forget about tomorrow... the Stampin' Addicts Birthday Techniques Blog Hop!!!  I will be showcasing the "spotlighting" technique.  I hope you can hop along with us!!  It will be a party you don't want to miss!

(Isn't this blog banner fun?!  It was created with My Digital Studio!!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!





Happy Birthday Stampin' Addicts!!!

Hi Stamping Friends!!

This week I am celebrating the second birthday of my favorite Stampin' Up only online hangout, STAMPIN' ADDICTS.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAMPIN' ADDICTS!!!  Stampin' Addicts is a public online site for Stampin' Up! fans around the world.  There is no charge and it is not run by any particular demo group.  The Stampim' Up! only gallery currently has over 23,000 projects.  It's so easy to find lots of fabulous inspiration since the gallery is alphabetized by stamp set.  Come check us out!!

We are celebrating together with a Virtual Birthday Card Shower.  Check out this BIRTHDAY BASH link to see more SA birthday greetings.

CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES

Stamps:  Crazy For Cupcakes, Party Hearty (sentiment)
Paper:  Early Espresso, Certainly Celery, Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink Patterns DSP
Accessories:  Elegant Bouquet EF, Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Celery Satin Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Boho Blossom Punch, Basic Rhinestones

Sketch Challenge:  STAMPING 411 #191
Inspiration Challenge:  FRIDAY MASHUP #32
Technique Challenge:  MOXIE FAB WORLD Paper Piecing

I hope you will stop by Stampin' Addicts and celebrate with us.  We have so many wonderful things going on: swaps, challenges, sharing, chatting.  It's always tons of fun!  And on Friday we will be hosting a birthday techniques blog hop.  Here is a link to all the bloggers that are participating:  SA TECHNIQUE BLOG HOP.  I best get my birthday projects started so they don't hop without me!!

I hope you can stop by back tomorrow and check out what we are celebrating at the Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge.  You won't want to miss that party either!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!

ColourQ #73

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Aren't these super fun colors that Arielle chose for the ColourQ this week?!! And that cat peeking out of the clock is hilarious!!  Wonder what happened to the poor birdie who supposed to be living there?  I know that Brilliant Blue and Brocade Blue are retired colors, but who doesn't have a scrap or two (or twenty!) lying around!

PARTY HEARTY

Stamps:  Party Hearty
Paper:  Brocade Blue, Pear Pizzaz and Rich Razzleberry Patterns DSP, the Brilliant Blue Polka Dot DSP is older than the hills.  I have no idea what it's name is.  SORRY!
Accessories:  Rich Razzleberry DSP, Markers, Word Window Punch, Razzleberry Brads, Circle Punches, Scallop Border Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer

Sketch Challenge:  PALS PAPER ARTS #81
Technique Challenge:  MOXIE FAB WORLD Stamping With Markers
Technique Challenge:  CCEE STAMPERS Scoring (My "little" rosette is scored. I have NO idea how that thing is going to fit into an envelope!!)

To celebrate the 2nd birthday of my favorite online Stampin' Up hangout, Stampin' Addicts, I have created another birthday card.  Stampin' Addicts is a free, public online site for Stampin' Up! lovers around the world.  They have a gallery of over 23,000 Stampin' Up! only projects.  Stop by for some amazing SUO ideas and inspiration!!

And be sure to stop by the ColourQ blog and see what the other amazing design team members have created.  That Sylvia with her fussy cutting... oh my!!  Play along with us at the ColourQ and you could have the honor of being crowned the ColourQ Queen!

Tomorrow I have a "Virtual Birthday Shower" card for Stampin' Addicts.  Then Thursday is the Stampin' Celebration Challenge.  And on Friday I have the priviledge of participating in another Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop.  So you don't want to miss any day this week!!

(Isn't this blog banner fun?!  I designed it using My Digital Studio!!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Challenge Monday 2.21.11

Hi Stamping Friends!

All week long I will be celebrating the second birthday of my favorite Stampin' Up! online community, STAMPIN' ADDICTS.  Stampin' Addicts is a public online site for Stampin' Up! fans around the world. There is no charge to join and it does not support any particular demo group.  The gallery currently has over 23,000 projects.  It is very user-friendly since it is organized by stamp set.  It's a fabulous place for amazing Stampin' Up! ideas and inspiration.  Come check us out!  To keep the party going all week long, we are having a Virtual Card Shower throughout the week.  Then on Friday through Sunday, we will be having a techniques blog hop birthday party.  You won't want to miss it!!  SA blog hop are the best!!

Of course I just HAD to stamp lots of birthday cards for Challenge Monday!

CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES

Stamps:  Crazy For Cupcakes, Create A Cupcake
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Crumb Cake Patterns DSP
Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch, Poppy Parade Poly Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Markers, Nuetrals Desginer Button, Hemp Thread

Sketch Challenge:  JUST ADD INK #56
Color Challenge:  COLOR ROUND UP #22
Technique Challenge:  MOXIE FAB WORLD Stamping With Markers

CREATE A CUPCAKE

Stamps:  Create A Cupcake
Paper:  Early Espresso, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Marina Mist
Accessories:  Build a Cupcake Punch, Tasteful Trim die, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Designer Buttons, Grosgrain Ribbon

Sketch Challenge:  CREATE WITH CONNIE AND MARY #138
Color Challenge:  INKSPIRATIONS #58

GOT TREATS

Stamps:  Got Treats

Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Whisper White, Playdate DSP, Patterns Pack DSP, Red Glimmer

Accessories:  Grosgrain Ribbon, Markers, Dazzling Diamonds, Glimmer Brads, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer

Sketch Challenge:  SKETCH FRENZY FRIDAY

Color Challenge:  OFF THE WALL CRAFTINESS #46

Recipe Challenge:  STAMPIN' ROYALTY #59

Only three for today.  But it's three more to bring to Goodies cookies!  I wasn't in a very stampy mood this weekend.  I keep getting this weird sore throat thing.  Not sure if it allergies or something more.  There's just too much sickness around right now.  I really need spring to come!!

I hope you can stop back by tomorrow for my ColourQ creation.  And yes!!  It will be a birthday card!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!



Krystal's Sunday Favorites 2.20.11

Hi Stamping Friends!!
Happy Sunday!  I saw tons of fabulous stuff on the web this week.  I've been trying to figure out how to use a site called Clipmarks.  It's supposed to make posting my faves easier, but I can't figure it out for the life of me!!  If anyone has some tips on how to use it, I would appreciate it!  I resulted in using my old fashioned tried and true way of posting.  Enjoy!

EXPRESSIVE DESIGNS

MIDNIGHT STAMPING WITH MINNIE

STAMPING BY JENNY

INSPIRED BY STAMPIN'

SIMI STAMPER

STAMP CRAVE

TWO FRIENDS STAMPING

PATTY STAMPS

I hope you have been inspired to stamp something fabulous!!  I know I have!!  I hope you have a chance to stop by these very talented stampers blogs and see what other amazing creations they have.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge #40

Hi Stamping Friends!!
Woo!  Hoo!  We are past "hump" day.  The weekend is right around the corner!  Bummer that rain is in our forecast.  That means I get to sit at a wet high school swim meet on Friday.  :(  But don't these inspiration pics from the Stampin' Celebration Challenge just make you smile?!  They remind me of a bright sunny day.  I just get happy looking at them!  I love the bright yellow and green.  I think I was on Valentine red and pink overload from the last month!!  Time to add some color to my world!!  I love the colors so much, I decided to make two cards.

PERFECT PUNCHES

Stamps:  Perfect Punches
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight Patterns DSP
Accessories:  Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Daisy die, Brights Designer Buttons, Tasteful Trim die, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones

Sketch Challenge:  UNSCRIPTED #93

UPSY DAISY

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, So Happy For You (SAB)
Paper:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Playdate DSP
Accessories:  Top Note die, Daisy die, Tasteful Trim die, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Sweet Stitches Fabric Brads, Perfect Polka Dots EF, DD and OO Markers

Sketch Challenge:  THE SWEETEST THING #104
Technique Challenge:  MOXIE FAB Stamping With Markers

Happy sigh!  Did I say how much I love these colors?  :)  I'm not done with them yet.  I have another card in the works for my Sale-A-Bration Saturday post and may even have to use them again for Challenge Monday.  Maybe if I use enough bright happy colors, the weather will do the say and be bright and happy instead of cold and dreary.  I could only wish!

Be sure and stop by the Stampin Celebration Challenge and see what the other Design Team members have created.  I'm tellin' ya.  Those girls rock my socks off every week!! Such a creative bunch they are! And I hope you have a chance to play along with us.  We always welcome more stampers!

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!

ABC Scripture Challenge -C-

-C- IS FOR CONFIDENCE

Hi Stamping and Scrapping Friends!!
This 8x8 digital scrapbook page was created for the ABC Scripture Challenge hosted by Patter Cross.  The letter "C" is for Confindence.  Not "self" confidence, but "God" confidence.  Patter asks these questions," Do you rely on 'self' or do you rely on God?  Do you think you can go through each day on your own without ever needing to rely on God?"  She then goes on to say, "Ask God to help you recognize those times when you are self-confident and ask Him to replace it with His confidence instead.  Then watch and be in awe of what He does!".  What a wonderful reminder to daily put our confidence in what God can do through us!

Again, I used BibleGateway to search for verses.  Love this site!!  What an amazing tool to have at your fingertips.  No more flipping back and forth through a Concordance.  And you can look at so many Bible versions.  So cool!  The two verses I chose were my favorites from the beginning of my search, so that part was easy.  The difficult part was deciding on what look to have for this page.  I started with a sketch from PageMaps.  Oh what did I ever do before PageMaps?!!  Love, LOve, LOVE this site too!!  So much inspiration.  Next, I went through the recent downloads I purchased for My Digital Studio.  Two of my favorite "new-to-me" downloads are Love Letter DSP and Artistic Etchings stamps.  So that is how I began creating this page and the rest just sort of fell into place.

Some of you have asked what I plan to do with these pages.  When the challenge is over, I do plan on printing them into a book.  I think it's fun to feature just one DSP kit and/or stamp set on each page.  It will be a great way to showcase all the downloads available for My Digital Studio.  My "A" page used the Travel Kit.  The "B" page used the Sweet Pea kit.  And this page uses the Love Letters DSP and Artisitc Etchings stamps.  With all the new downloads Stampin' Up! keeps offering, there will be plenty of them to feature for 26 pages!!  Stampin' Up! just came out with more new downloads on Tuesday.  You can now download the My Digital Studio Catalog in PDF format.  CLICK HERE

If you are interested in purchasing My Digital Studio or any of the MDS downloads, check out my Stampin' Up! website.  If you want to see more cards and/or scrapbook pages designed with My Digital Studio, check out the My Digital Studio online community.  It is a wonderful place find out all the lastest digi tips and tricks.

Yesterday I said I was going to share some fun news with you. Well, the pages I have been creating for the ABC Scripture Challenge were chosen by Shelli Gardner, the cofounder and CEO of Stampin' Up!, as a winner for her New Year Creative Challenge!!  Isn't that so exciting!!!!  Check out the link to the post on her blog, So Shelli.  Let me tell you, I was doin' the happy dance when I received the email telling me I my projects had won!  I am so thrilled and honored that she (the real Shelli Gardner!!) chose my MDS digi creations.  I've only just started playing around with the program and still consider myself a newbie to digi scrapping.  The best part about winning, is that I got to pick out one stamp set of my choice, from the current catalog.  I knew exactly what I wanted, Fabulous Phrases.  I can't wait until it comes!!  I've been wanting it forever!

That's enough chatter from me for one day.  I hope you visit again tomorrow.  It's Stampin' Celebration time and we have another fabulous inspiration challenge for you.

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stamping and Scrapping and Digi Creating!