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HAPPY STAMPING and SHOPPING!

October Only!

Hi Stamping Friends!!

It's only during the month of October that you can take advantage of this amazing deal!

Visit my website today to place your order: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/krystalscards/

Happy Stamping!

Too Early!!

Hi Stamping Friends!!

For my October stamp club, we made 3 fabulous Christmas cards. I was really tempted to show them to you today, but come on!! It isn't even Halloween yet! I know every store in town has Christmas stuff already. Kohl's even has Christmas decorations up! But I've vowed not to have Christmas cards on the blog until November. (Thank goodness it's next week!) ;)

This is a card we made at our September stamp club:

CIRCLE CIRCUS

Stamps: Circle Circus, Wacky Wishes

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, 

Accessories: Daffodil Seam Binding, Circle Punches, Polka Dot EF, Jewels

I CASEd this card from Stampin' Connection. It, of course, was a Christmas card. :-) I made mine a birthday card. It's always fun to dust off an older stamp set, like Circle Circus, that I haven'y used in a while.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Love my stampin' club!!

Hi Stamping Friends!!

October is a crazy busy month for our family because we are up to our necks in water polo season. 16yo man-child and 14yo daughter are both playing this season. And hubby and I were asked to be score keepers for all the teams and of course we said yes because we want to get into the games for free!!

And that is why I LOVE my stampin' club because they are the only thing that keeps me stamping this time of year!! And besides that, they are a wonderful group of women who I enjoy hanging out with each month. If it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't stamp until Christmas vacation!

Here's a couple of cards we've made at our monthly clubs in the last couple of months. Enjoy!

TRUST GOD

Stamps: Trust God

Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede Early Espresso, Natural Composition Specialty, Champagne Glimmer

Accessories: Autumn Accents Die, Spider Web EF, Houndstooth EF, Vanilla Seam Binding, Crochet Trim, Baker's Twine, Naturals Buttons, Color Spritzer Tool

DAYDREAM MEDALLIONS

Stamps: Daydream Medallions

Paper: Old Olive, Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit

Accessories: Floral Frames Framelits, Autumn Accents Die, Spider Web EF, Woodgrain EF, Summer Starfruit Ribbon, Naturals Button

Both of these cards were inspired by other Stampin' Up demonstrators who posted their cards on Stampin' Connection. So happy to have that resource. Especially when I am too busy to be creative all on my own!! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

I'm still here!!

Hi Stamping Friends!!
Yes! I'm still here! And I'm still stamping!! Life is just a little too busy to keep up with it all. Blogging is usually one of the things I let slip when life gets crazy. It's fun, but not necessary. KWIM? 

And by crazy I mean two kids in high school with sports practices, games, and homework and homeschooling a 2nd grader, plus trying to keep things on track so hubby can be done with seminary sometime before I die!  :) It's all good stuff. Somedays it just feels like the wheels are fallin' off! Since I have a couple of spare minutes today (between loads of laundry!), I wanted to share a few cards a did a while back using some retired stamps and products. Enjoy!

SHE'S ALL THAT

SIMPLE BIRTHDAY THANKS

BY LAND

THE NETHERLANDS

CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES

Thanks for stopping by!!
Happy Stamping!

Betsy's Blossoms

Hi Stampin' Friends!
Here's another card from last month's hostess club, using one of my most favorite (for now!) new stamp sets.

Betsy's Blossoms

Stamps: Betsy's Blossom, Itty Bitty Banners

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Floral District DSP

Accessories: Label Framelit, Banner Framelit, Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Fancy Fan Folder, Polka Dot Brad

What are your favorite new products from the Stampin' Up! catalog? If you haven't ordered anything, you better hurry! Because come August when the Holiday Mini Catalog comes out, there are going to be even MORE fabulous new stampin' goodies to choose from!! Yay!! I can't wait! Maybe I should do a little pre-ordering today. ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

New Stampin' Stuff!

Hi Stampin' Friends!
I finally had time to play with some of my new Stampin' Up! goodies. This summer has been so crazy busy, that I haven't had much "play" time. But since my "card ladies" (my monthly Stampin' Up! hostess club) were coming over, it gave me the perfect reason to get out all my new stuff!

Layered Labels

Stamps: Layered Labels

Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Patio Party DSP

Accessories: Apothecary Framelits, Chevron Embossing Folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon, Basic Pearls

This card is a semi-CASE of a card I spotted in the Stampin' Up! catalog. Love using my catalog for ideas!! The elegant butterfly punch is going to be a favorite. And I LOVE all my new Framelits!!! How did I ever make anything without them?!! Just wait until you see the mini holiday catalog. They have lots of new Framelits, all with matching stamp sets!!! 

Hope you are enjoying your summer!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Stampin' Celebration Challenge #56

Hi Stamping Friends!!
It's already the first of the month and you know what that means... Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge!!! And this month we are getting a little beachy and celebrating.. S U M M E R!!

Love all these fun summer inspiration pics that Cori picked out. I especially love the blue and orange color combo. That was my main inspiration.

UP, UP, and AWAY

Stamps: Wacky Wishes, Up, Up, and Away

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Polka Dot Parade DSP, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories:  Apothecary Framelits, Paper-Piercing Pack, Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Twill Tape (retired)

After looking through my stamp sets for this challenge, I decided I really need some new "boy" stamps. I couldn't find anything beachy or summery or boyish. Any excuse for more stamps!! :)

My summer has been super crazy busy fun so far. Lots of swim meets (and practice), water polo games (and practice), and driving kids around to all of it! (Okay, so we mostly just go from one pool to another, but at least it's something!) How about yours? I'm just glad I "had" to stamp for this challenge, or I may have never got around to stamping this summer!! I did get to stamp with my club ladies last Sunday and had a blast. I'll share our creations with you soon.

Make sure you hop along the SCIC Design Team Blog Hop and see what all those talented stampers have created. And then don't forget to visit the Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge and play along with us. We would be thrilled to have you!!!

Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Krystal De Leeuw (that's me!) - Krystal's Cards

Marlene Peters - Hands On

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

For my card, I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Summer and Happy Stamping!

Stampin' Celebration Challenge #55

Hi Stamping Friends!
I can't believe it is June 1st already! Only one more week of school for us!!! Woo! Hoo! And today is the first day we can order out of the brand new Stampin' Up! catalog!! And besides all that excitement, the first of the month always means another inspiration challenge over at the Stampin' Celebration Challenge blog!! If you've been hopping from the other fabulous SCIC Design Team blogs, then you just came from Erin's blog... welcome!

Isn't this so fun and funky?! Erica picked out all these diva-styled inspiration pics this month and I just love them!! You just can't go wrong with the classic color combo of pink and black.

MAKE A CAKE

Stamps: Make A Cake, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Rose Red, Floral District DSP
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Folder, Bitty Banner Framelits, Baker's Twine, Scallop Dots Ribbon, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Rhinestone Jewels


Lots of fun new stuff on this card! Both stamp sets and the DSP are new. I thought the Make A Cake set was perfect for this challenge, because of the polka dots and the banner. And the Rose Red pattern in the Floral District DSP was the perfect match! I'm really looking forward to ordering new things from this catalog. As always, Stampin' Up! hit a home run with this catalog. I love it!!


I was planning on making another scrapbook page as well, but when my son went to print his English report at 9pm at night, we realized there is NO black ink in the printer! Lucky for him, he could print his paper in dark blue ink, but that wouldn't work to print photos. Hopefully I'll have time later this month to come back to this challenge and play again. 


I know the rest of the SCIC Design Team has done an amazing job with this challenge (they always do!). Make sure to check out there blogs and see what sort of diva-style creations they have stamped.

Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions

Candace Lawlor - not participating this month

Cori Kozak -Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Krystal De Leeuw -Krystal's Cards

Marlene Peters - not participating this month

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

Be sure to visit the Stampin' Celebration Challenge blog so you can "party" with us!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Last Day!!!

Hi Stamping Friends!!
Today is the very last day you can order from the current 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! catalog!!! Don't forget to order your favorite stamp sets and accessories before they are gone forever!

CLEARLY FOR YOU

Stamps: Clearly For You, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Paisley Petals DSP

Accessories: Designer Frame Embosslit, Oval Punch, Curly Label Punch, Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Finial Press Embossing Folder

The accessories I always hate to see retire are the ribbons. I LOVE ribbon!! I was super sad to see that they were going to retire my much beloved 1/4" grosgrain. GASP!! No!! Not my grosgrain!! But then of course SU! knew what they were doing, because they replaced it with a fabulous 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain which I love!! All the satin ribbon is being discontinued as well. Which is too bad, since it is the best quality satin ribbon I have ever found. And I've bought a lot of ribbon over the years!!!

I just recently purchased the Clearly For You stamp set and now it is retiring. I didn't get near enough fun out of it yet! I may have to keep it around for awhile. I just love those three little birdies on the wire.

Be sure to check out my Stampin' Up! website today. There is still time to order your favorite Stampin' Up! products before they are gone!! And be sure to stop back by tomorrow. It is the first of the month and that means another Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge. And what a fun one it is this month!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Farewell Flight of the Butterfly

Hi Stamping Friends!
Today we bid farewell to a dear friend, Flight of the Butterfly. This has been a beloved stamp set of mine for many years. And although I am sad to see it go, I can say that I enjoyed it very much while it was part of my collection. My set is well used and much loved. We made this card at my May Hostess Club...

FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLY

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly

Paper: Concord Crush, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White

Accessories: Butterfly Punch, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, Blushing Bride Twill Ribbon

Inspired by Jan Tink

Other items from this card that are retiring, Concord Crush card stock, Blushing Bride ribbon, Butterfly Punch. Another thing I get happy/sad about with new catalog season is the In-Colors. I love getting new colors, but I don't like losing colors. I'm really going to miss Poppy Parade. So glad that Stampin' Up! decided to keep the In-Colors around for two years instead of just one. It means I get to use them a little longer! They also hinted for us to keep all of our current In-Color items, as they plan to update their colors about every 3-5 years and they could add some of the most beloved In-Colors into the standard color families. Love that idea!!!

If you still have items on your "want" list. Make sure to order before June 1st. You don't want to miss out on something that will be gone forever!! There are still a few stamp sets that I think, "Why did I not buy that set?!!"  :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Sayin' Goodbye

Hi Stamping Friends!!
It's almost time to say goodbye to some fabulous stamp sets and accessories. The current 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! catalog will end on May 31st. So place your orders now!! Here is a card we made at my May Hostess Stamp Club...

CHARMING

Stamps: Charming, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Very Vanilla, Beau Chateau DSP

Accessories: Designer Frames Embosslit, Modern Label Punch, Vanilla Seam Binding, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Pearls

The Charming set will be retiring. It was intended to be used with the Simply Adorned charms, and since the charms are retiring, so is this stamp set. Which is really too bad, since it makes such beautiful cards. I'm really sad to see the Lace Ribbon Border punch go. It is such a gorgeous punch. I love the delicate detail. It is really quite easy to use. I've never had a problem with mine. It is a punch that you have to set down on the table and press down on. You cannot hold it in your hands and just think you are going to squeeze it. It needs more pressure than that. But it cuts out a perfect border every time, if you use it properly. Not sure why Stampin' Up! is getting rid of it.

I almost always end up doing a "shabby chic" style card for my stamp club. And the Beau Chateau DSP is the perfect paper for this look. Too bad it is retiring as well. I have a love/hate relationship when it is time for a new catalog to come out. I'm always excited to see what fabulous new products Stampin' Up! is coming out with (because they always have fabulous new stuff!). But I am also sad to see some of my favorite things go away. Sigh!! What's a stamper to do?! Such a dilemma!! :) 

This card was inspired by a card I saw on Stampin' Connection (an online sight for SU! demos). Typical me. I rarely have an inspiration of my own. But with three busy kids and a student husband, I really don't even have a life of my own! So I am thankful to all the wonderful SU! artists out there who so wonderfully and graciously share their talents with all of us. Thank you!!

And if you want to get any of these products before they are gone, make sure and visit my website today and place your order!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Crazy May!!

Hi Stamping Friends!!

Where have I been you may ask? Well let me tell you!! May is a CRAZY month at our house. There are always lots of birthdays, holidays, activities and appointments in May for some reason. Here's a little recap... and it does include some stamping!


Father In Law's Birthday

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Sahara Sand, Old Olive, retired DSP and blue (can't remember names)
Accessories: Stripes Embossing Folder, Twill Tape, Vanilla Hardware, Oval Punch

EYL Swim Championship

16yo man-child placed 3rd in the 500 Free and the 200 Free. His 400 Free relay team placed 1st. His high school team finished the year by taking first place in their league.
















Mother's Day Card

Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Perfect Plum
Accessories: Paper Doily die, Floral Fusion Sizzlet, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Decorative Label Punch, Pearls
We made this card for my Hostess Stamp Club

Mother In Law's Gift

"Sweet" 16th

Man-child turned 16 on the 16th so we tried to make his "golden" birthday extra special. He started the day by having cake and ice cream for breakfast and finished off the day with this "sweet" birthday sentiment from his tacky family...

Valley Swim Championship Finals

There were 46 schools at the Southern Central Cal Section Swim Championships. Our school took 4th place overall. Man-child placed 7th in the 500 Free (20 laps of freestyle) with a time of 5:03. He also got medals for the 200 Free Relay and the 400 Free Relay. Great end to a terrific swim season. Now on to water polo!!

Graduations

We were invited to 3 Jr. High School Graduation parties, 5 High School and 1 College. We didn't make it to all the parties, but I did send this card to everyone. The boys didn't get butterflies. That would have been too weird!

Stamps: Word Play, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard

Accessories: Label Framelits, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Modern Label Punch, Arrow Punch (retired), Striped Embossing Folder, Pearls

High School Survival Kit

DD and I put these "High School Survival Kits" together for some of her friends that graduated from 8th grade.

1. Be a smart cookie - a bag of cookies

2. Make friends - a picture frame

3. Look your best - mirror

4. Smile - lip gloss

5. Be organized - Daily planner

6. Be the teacher's pet - stuffed animal.

7. Follow the "golden rule" - ruler

8. Do your homework - pencils

9. Shine your light for Jesus - candle

10. Be on time - watch

Plus we added a bunch of "Smarties" candy in for filler and tied a smiley face balloon to the handle. Everything came from the Dollar Tree store, so all told, we spent about $12 on each girl. I think it was more fun for us to make than for then to get!

My Mom's (and her sister's and her brother's) Birthday

Yes, my mom is a triplet. She was born in 1948 (she is the one on the far left). The doctor had told my grandma he thought she was having twins, but boy were they all surprised when there was three of them! They were quite famous in their small MN town.

Bubba's 7th Birthday

Bubba insisted he had to have a birthday party ON his birthday. Problem was, all his cousins were going out of town or already had plans. So he was okay with just mom and dad and 16yo brother and 13yo sister. We had angel food cake, played Lego Creationary, watched Marmaduke, roasted Jumbo marshmallows, and made smores. All together a total successful party for a 7yo.

Memorial Day

Can't forget to mention Memorial Day. So thankful to all the men and women who have served to keep our country free. Afterall, freedom is not free. This is a pic of hubby and a few of his Army buddies from the 80's. He's the one sitting, looking all cool with his shades. 

And if that wasn't enough, hubby was gone for two weeks at school in MI. And the month isn't over yet! Tomorrow 13yo DD has an ortho appointment and 16yo man-child has a swim banquet. On Wednesday DD has a dentist appointment and a Freshman orientation. Plus we are trying to finish out our final two weeks of homeschool, plan a 8th grade grad party for DD, attend AAU swim meets and water polo tournaments, go to swim practices for all chilluns, and keep up with the dishes, laundry, cooking, cleaning, and office job. Whew!! I'm tired just thinking about all of it! Now you know why I haven't been blogging!! Yet I wouldn't trade one minute of any of it. So many wonderful memories. Can't wait until next May when man-child and DD will both be in high school swim together!! Good times are still ahead!

Thanks for stopping by! (If you've made it this far!)

Happy Stamping!