Another Technique

Ok, the mojo is back, but unfortunately the free time isn't. While you are all reading this post I am staying at LegoLand in Munich with my kids. Think about me. They somehow talked me into staying at the Knight's Tent. Yep, that is exactly what it sounds like. I'm not a girly girl, but I really like having a bathroom close by. Oh well, I'm sure we are having a blast! Since I didn't have a chance to make anything new I thought I would share another cool technique from our last downline meeting. This one is called "faux bag of water". With the Just Beachy stamp set leaving us forever in just a couple of days I figured I better bring it out one last time. This faux bag of water technique is super simple. You fill a little zip top bag (like a jewlers bag) with hair gel. Yep, I said hair gel! Then you punch a hole in the card front and sandwich the jewlers bag between it and the card base. This card has the card front textured with the dots texture plate. It also uses pacific point card stock. Yet another thing that is leaving us. Oh well, nothing says I can't play with them even after they are gone!

My final Sketch card

Today you will get to see my favorite card from Mary Jo Price-William's sketch. This one uses the Cheap Talk stamp set. I wish I would have put a little texture onto the Crushed Curry card stock (wow...that one is a tongue twister!), but otherwise I am completely satisfied with the way this turned out. I guess I shouldn't have worried about being mojo-less. Once I got started it seemed like it was all coming back to me. I also used the new in-color polka dot ribbon. Yet another reason I love being a demonstrator. I get the opportunity for sneak peeks. This stuff is so much fun to play with. The final touch to this card was the three build a brads. I used the little heart from this stamp set to put inside them. Aren't they just cute!

How about a little Pizzazz!

This card uses the same sketch I showed you yesterday, but I changed the stamp set and added a less DSP. This DSP is Razzleberry lemonade and will be in the new catalog being released July 1st. Isn't it awesome (my card yesterday used the opposite side of the same sheet). I thought this color (once again a new in-color) would make a gorgeous flower, so I used Petal Pizzazz. In order to make the flower a little more lively, I stamped it once, then stamped it again on a different piece of whisper white, cut it out and turned it. I like the way it looked. The only part of this card I wasn't totally happy with was the stem. I've never been a fan of stamping on DSP. Anyone out there in cyberland have any tips they can share or ideas that might have worked better. I think this card will definitely turn into a workshop one of these days.

WooHoo! Mojo has returned

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Mary Jo Price-Williams. Mary Jo is one of the Design Team members of Late Night Stampers (still haven't checked it out? What are you waiting for? click on the owl in the sidebar). Each week we are given a challenge. This week it was a sketch from Mary Jo's blog the Techno stamper. It looks like this:

Well I was driving home from work one night and I came up with three different ideas for this sketch. I got home and by some miracle was able to create all three! (Guess what you will be seeing for the next three days :) ). This first card I am going to show you is my least favorite. I did get to play with some of the new in-colors though. I haven't met an in-color yet I don't like. I also used "Flight of the Butterfly". For some reason these colors seem to just scream butterflies to me. I know what you are thinking...."Kelly, Quit talking and show us the card." Ok Ok, here it is.

How about a technique?

Ok, still no Mojo. How about I share a cool technique one of my sidelines showed at our last downline meeting. It's called the Alcohol Marbled Background. I wasn't able to attend, but they were kind enough to make me this sample and give me the directions. I thought I would share those directions with you while I am still mojoless. It seems pretty simple.

ALCOHOL MARBLE TECHNIQE
Take the cotton ball and dip in rubbing alcohol.
Add a drop or two of up to three ink refills and or a drop of metallic ink refill to cotton ball.
Dob cotton ball against glossy card stock until card stock is completely covered.
Spray with sealer if desired.

That's all there is to it. Doesn't it make a gorgeous background?

Did I lose my MoJo?

Well hello. I have to be honest, the past couple of days I have been posting older stuff. I just haven't had any Mojo lately. I think it is because my downline Cara is evil :) Actually she isn't, but she did introduce me to WOW (World of Warcraft for those who aren't "in the know"). That game is so addicting. And my computer is right in the middle of the living room, beckoning me whenever I walk in the door while my stamp room is up three whole flights of stairs. Well, you can see my problem. I promise though, I will do some stamping soon. While your waiting, I thought maybe you would like to see something really cool. My upline Sara found this really neat thin metallic sheeting (think gold leaf) last time she was in civilization (please forgive me if this is old news. Here in Germany new craft items are so rare we get all excited!). She used it to cover a sticky sheet die cut butterfly. I just thought this was the prettiest thing ever. Don't you absolutely love it? Now I just have to get myself motivated to go use it on a card.

What a Surprise!!

Stampin' Up! sure surprised us demonstrators. When we recieved our sneak peek catalogs we found out that some of our favorite stamps from last winter were returning. I can't reveal which ones quite yet, but I am going to show you a project I did last fall. I will say that one of the sets used is coming back, but since I used three here, you are going to have to guess which one it is. Any ideas?

RAKs

I am a member of several yahoo groups. These are online email lists containing nothing but stampers, some of which are true artists. Within the groups these talented ladies share their cards by sending them on to someone else. They are called Random Act of Kindness. I have been the lucky recipient of a few of these cards and thought I would share them with you all. Susan Timmerman, Loni Holt, and Megan Peacock. They don't all use Stampin Up! supplies, but they sure did make my day! Aren't they gorgeous?

More In-Colors sneak peeks

As a demo we are given the opportunity to purchase sneak peek items from the new catalog including a couple of the hostess sets. This card was made with the Lovely Flowers bundle. It not only has stamps, but also DSP and rub ons. This unfortunately is not one of the hostess sets I purchased. I will have to earn it just like you ladies, by hosting a $500.00 workshop. Luckily my upline did buy it, and let me play with it. Can I just say that seeing these items in the catalog just doesn't do them justice. This paper is so pretty in person. This is the card that I made using tone on tone stamps and DSP from the Lovely Flowers bundle as well as a little of our new in-colors polka dot ribbon. I think it turned out gorgeous, what do you think?

My Lady bug Card

Ok folks. Here is the greatly anticipated ladybug card that goes with the bag I showed you yesterday. Isn't she cute? The polka dots are our polka dot background stamp, but Dawn has a unique way of making them in her tutorial using black ink and a pencil eraser. Make sure you check out her tutorial here. This card uses real red, basic black, and gable green card stock. I think it is probably one of my new favorites. I like it so much I will be demoing it at my next workshop!

More Goodbyes!

It's not just the in-colors that will be leaving on July 1st, but a ton of our Designer Series Paper. I admit it, I'm a paper junkie. I have tons of packs of paper that I haven't used up, and some of them aren't even opened. I decided I had to make something with one of my absolute favorites, Rockabilly. I found this video tutorial on Dawn's website, and I immediately CASEd it. So much for using my own creative muscles :) I thought this 3D ladybug was too adorable to pass up, especially since I have my own "Katie-Bug" right here at home. This darling gift bag also comes with a cute card that I will show you tomorrow. Make sure you check out Dawn's blog for the tutorial.

Time to say goodbye to old friends

Ok, I know that I keep using the new in-colors, but unfortunately new colors means it is time to say goodbye to some old ones. You may still see these now and then, but as of July 1st SU! will be retiring Baja Breeze, Pirouette Pink, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red, and Kiwi Kiss. If you haven't stocked up on your favorites as of yet, you need to get a move on. These colors are going quickly and it's first come first serve.
Anyway, I decided that it was time to take a moment and use one of the retiring in-colors that didn't get much action around my stamp room......Tangerine Tango. I'm actually surprised that I didn't use this more often. Orange is my favorite color. So, without further ado......here is my Tangerine Tango Tribute (say that three times fast!).

Flight of the Butterfly

Well, I must have had butterflies on the brain lately. Actually, I think it was because this set was already out on the table from yesterday's bathsalts. Anyway, I decided to play with sponges and the new in-colors. This uses three of them: Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, and Crushed Curry. I was trying to make a sponged background that looked like a sunset. I don't know how close I came, but I loved the color combo. Adding the five butterflies covered the majority of the background, so in order to allow it to be seen a bit more I added some as a layer on top of the Dusty Durango ribbon. Would you believe that this ribbon is polka dotted on the other side? I never would have thought to turn the ribbon over until my upline, Sara, mentioned it. I'm pretty proud of myself! This wasn't even a CASE!

Test Tube Bath Salt Holders

A few months ago (ok several, I think I got these before Christmas) I ordered a huge amount of these cute little test tubes. I was trying to come up with a new idea for using them. Then, this lovely German lady had a stall where I shop and she was selling homemade bath salts. I put two and two together and this is what I came up with. Aren't they cute. I used the flight of the butterfly stamp set, the 1" circle punch, striped ribbon and a rhinestone brad. They were super easy to make, and came together so quickly that I made one for every person at my workshop. I think this idea will be a keeper. All I have to do is change out the stamp set and I now have a gift for every season!

My Catalog finally arrived

Ok people. All I can say is you are in for a treat come this July. Stampin' Up! has outdone themselves once again. New In-Colors, super bright and beautiful. Stamp sets for every occasion and then some. Amazing new designer series paper. Ribbon to die for. You get the picture! Let's just say that my children's college fund will have to suffer for another year! I did get a chance to play with some of the new in-colors recently and the next few posts will showcase some of those.

This card uses the new Bermuda Bay in-color as well as one of the sneak peek stamp sets. Isn't the whale just adorable. He is stamped on SU!'s twill tape and layered on Kraft card stock. I'm not sure how I feel about the scallop circles at the top of the card, but it definately needed something besides our new polka dot ribbon. If you can think of another way to "upgrade" this card please let me know. I need to pefect it before my July open house/customer appreciation day! Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Ebony and Ivory Card Swap

I joined a Ebony and Ivory Card Swap for my VC Rocks group (Virtual Convention). I would share the link, but they have a limited window to sign up each year. I have no idea how I managed to find out about it and join, but I promise to pass on the favor next year. They are an amazing group of women (not to mention Captain Jack). Anyway, the requirements for this swap were to only use neutral card stock. I was going to use my pyramid card, but it was too difficult to line up and used way too much time and supplies. Anyway, this was my solution. I used the Baroque Motifs stamps again, but this time I stamped it on Basic Grey Card Stock. I then embossed one in white and one in black embossing powder. Then I cut each piece into 1/2 strips and reconnected them alternating between black and white. I then attached it to a smoosh technique background using only black and grey ink and held it there with four black brads. Finally I added a black embossed flower to the front of the card. The flower was popped up on a double layer of dimensionals. I really love how this turned out. I'm glad too, because it is already on it's way stateside for the swap. Too late to turn back now!

My Father's Day Workshop

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I was trying to figure out a masculine card for a Father's Day workshop? I wasn't happy with the one I came up with, so I tried to figure out something else. Then the retiring list came out and one of my favorite sets is going away. I wanted to use it at least one more time, so out it came. It gave me the inspiration (along with several searches on splitcoaststampers) for this card. I also wanted to use some of my retiring In-colors, so the card is baja breeze, kiwi kiss, and tangerine tango. I also go to use up some of my in color ribbon as well. I will say I like this one so much better. And, after making this card, I think my Wild About You stamp set will have to stay in my personal stash. Since I won't be selling mine, you better hurry over to my online store and get your own. Come July 1st it will be gone forever!

Wow! Post 157

This is absolutely crazy. I have managed to blog 157 times since January. My goal was to do it every day, and I think I am pretty darn close. Sometimes I wonder if there is even anyone out there reading my blog. Then out of the blue I get a comment like the one I recieved a couple of days ago from Melissa "your blog's one of the ones that inspired me to start one." I didn't even know Melissa followed my blog. Anyway, thank you Melissa and everyone out there who takes the time to check out my ramblings. I appreciate your support!

Now, on to a card.

This card was rolling around in my head ever since I saw the June edition of Technique Junkies. If you haven't taken the time to check out this newsletter run by Pat Huntoon you really owe it to yourself to go have a look. This is the Pyramid technique, with of course my own twist. I will say that I liked it much better in my head, but the more I look at it, the more it grows on me. I used all black and white embossing powder and card stock for this one. I then trimmed and layers each piece on top of the next. This uses the Baroque Motifs stamp set (I'm so glad it will be here for another whole year!). I was thinking of using this for an Ebony and Ivory swap I am doing on VCRocks, but I decided against it. I'll show you the one thatI ended up using for the swap later on this week. Ok, enough of my Yapping...here is my creation!

I never get flowers!

Ok, I married the most wonderful man in the world, but definately not the most romantic. I think I have gotten flowers maybe 3 times in the course of our 11 year marriage, and one of those was a rose from the gas station down the street (this would be the year that he forgot Valentine's Day). Needless to say, If I want fresh flowers I usually have to cut them out in the garden myself. Well, flowers aren't really blooming in Germany quite yet (it is still 50 degrees for goodness sake!) so I decided to make my own. These were super simple and just used punches, buttons and a little floral wire. The "vase" is an acetate tube that some candle holders came in. Maybe if I fill every room with more of these flowers, hubby will finally get the hint!

Shower Gifts

When I set out to host the baby shower for my friend and Sideline Emily, I wasn't sure what to do. I am not a true baby shower person. I hate games, and all the cutesy stuff that comes with a typical baby shower. I decided to do a spa themed shower. We had a Mary Kay representative come over and do facials and make overs. We had a wonderful time. Don't worry Emily, I promise not to share the lovely pics of your facial :) I wanted to make some party favors for the guests to take home, but I didn't want to do the baby thing since the shower was more "grown up". I ended up doing candles (who knew these were so easy!! Want directions, I am happy to share. Just leave me a comment) and washclothes. The washclothes were tons of fun to make. I just used stayz on ink to stamp the flower and leaves, and permanent markers to color them in. Even the Mary Kay lady liked them and took one home!

Chuck Tribute #2

I also thought it might be cute to make "Baby's first Chuck Norris book". As you can see from the pictures there is a volume 1 and volume 2 (Since they are twins they each needed their own book). You probably can also tell from the pictures that these are not stamps but pages printed from the computer. I had to do it the quick and easy way since I got the idea right before the shower. Anyway, I hope you enjoy these as much as their dad did!

A Chuck Norris Tribute

My loving husband has a hang up with Chuck Norris. For example, a friend of our is having twins. Instead of calling them by their soon to be given names he calls them Walker and Texas Ranger (in a weird tribute to both Chuck Norris and Talladega Nights). So, for a gag gift for the baby shower he decided I should make something special for him to give to Joe, aka Dad to be. I decided to make these cute little trays along with another Norris tribute I'll show you tomorrow. I really like how these turned out. It was super easy, and in order to keep the paper safe, I used our window sheets as a cover. Now if baby powder or something else spills the tray liner won't be ruined.

I can see clearly now.

Ok, here is a picture of some cards I made for the Acetate Card swap on VCRocks. I am very proud to say this is an original Kelly design. I'm not saying I'm the first to ever come up with it, but for once I didn't have a card to CASE sitting in front of me when I made this. I did have a slight problem with them though. I made them all in one night and then I left them standing up like they are in the picture. The next day when I walked in every single piece of ribbon had fallen off the card and untied. Now they are secured with a yellow brad and then stuck to the card. This uses Stampin' Up!'s Window sheets. To make the center of the flower I cliped the metal back off of a Fire Brad and stuck it in the middle of the window sheet. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. What do you think?

Certainly Celery Notecards

Whew! You made it. You think that was suspenseful, wait until I show you my Chuck Norris projects! Today I'm showing you my certainly celery note cards that are included in the desk set for Katie's teacher. I absolutely love this color combination. I doubt I would have come up with it if I hadn't had the retired Green Tea DSP as inspiration. So, which note cards do you prefer....The blue or the green?

Baja Breeze Notecards

Ok, did the wait kill you? I sure hope you all survived the suspense. Today I'm showing you the blue notecards I made for Katie's teacher's desk set. These use the retired DSP Green Tea. I lover it's combo of certainly celery and baja breeze. I couldn't decide which ones I liked better so I made 4 of each. Today you get to see the baja breeze ones. I tried to do a little something different on each one. I think my favorite is either the one with the ribbon or the one where I embossed some of the DSP with white embossing powder. Which one is your favorite?

Teacher Gift

Ok, I've been seeing all these end of school gifts for teachers on other blogs, and I kept thinking already? But yes, it's that time again. Pretty soon cries of "I'm bored" will be coming from the house instead of "Hurry up or you'll miss the bus!" In honor of the occasion I decided to create one of the very cute desk sets I've been seeing online. This uses retired DSP but I just love the color combination. I'm really going to miss baja breeze. Don't forget the new in-colors are coming on July 1st. I for one can't wait! Anyway, in order to not inundate you with this project I'll break it up into a couple of parts. Today you get to see the actual holder. Sorry it is so blurry. Consider it a sneak peek. Tomorrow I'll share some of the notecards with you. Enjoy and I'll see you tomorrow.

A sweet little card

Isn't this an adorable idea? Who wouldn't love a sweet Popsicle card on a hot summer day. This is almost a straight case from Patty Bennett. I even colored the ribbon just like her tutorial shows. All I changed was the sentiment. You just can't mess with perfection. If you would like to create this cute card check out Patty's tutorial. Can you imagine all the different ways you can do this? Let me know what other color combo's or "flavors" you can think of!

My super duper awesome TAG card

Ok, I think it may finally be safe to show you this card. I made it for my downline Cara's birthday, but I had to wait until she got it in the mail before I could show it to you. I have to admit, I'm feeling pretty proud of myself on this one. Lately it seems I've been in a creative slump, never really liking the finished project, but this one I love. I used a pretty simple tutorial. If your interested drop me a line and I would be happy to share it with you. It only takes 1 12x12 piece of DSP and a few scraps depending on how you want to decorate yours. I used the Bella Rose DSP and Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red cardstock. I also got to play with my new watercolor crayons and paper. If you've never used these crayons you have to try it. I'm horrible at watercolors, but these crayons are so easy. Even a newbie like me can make it look good. The watercolor paper from SU! is also amazing. I've always tried watercoloring on regular cardstock, and let me tell you, the paper does make a difference. Anyway, if you are like me, and figure watercolors are for the pro's give it a try. I promise you will be hooked! Anyway, here is the card. As always, I would love to know what you think!

Father's Day

I am horrible at masculine cards. I think the only one that I ever made was an accident. So, when one of my June Hostesses asked me to do a Father's Day card as a make and take, I freaked. Oh well, here is my first (and possibly last) attempt at a masculine card. I just recently got the Taste of Textiles card stock pack and have to say I fell in love with the metallic paper in there. It doesn't show up very well in the photo, but that is what is behind the sentiment. I'm really looking for some constructive criticism here, so please, if you have a suggestion on how to make this look better, please let me know!

magnetic Note Holder

Someone on one of my Yahoo groups shared how she made a magnetic Note Holder using the Top Note Die and a magnetic sheet. I was so floored by the idea, that I spent all afternoon at work dreaming up ideas. As soon as I got home, I had to give one a try. This is made using the Always DSP and some On Board flowers that I had laying around. I'm not sure it turned out exactly like I wanted it to, but I'm still happy. This will most likely be one of my hostess gifts for an upcoming workshop. The only problem I'm having is the magnet isn't very strong (OTC is great, but you get what you pay for). Oh well, I'll have to tweak it a bit but I still like it!