August 24, 2016

A Peak Into Christmas

Hello and Happy Wednesday! Today, I have an adorable peak into what's to come for Christmas in the up coming Holiday catalog as the count down to the go-live continues! I just love the versatility of this bundle! Notice how the reindeer is just a gingerbread man upside down! And this new dynamic embossing folder is the bomb! Notice how deeply embossed it is. It has a 3D look to it and I just love it.
So, what are your thoughts so far? Let me know in the comments below and until next time, have a great day!
Happy Stamping,
Katrina

August 23, 2016

A Little Sneak Peak into Halloween

Hello there! Ghosts, Gobblins and monsters oh my! Have you had an opportunity to see the new Holiday catalog that's going live on September 1st? Oh my gosh...the cuteness is just over-whelming I have to say. If you aren't already on my list and you would like a catalog, feel free to contact me because you are NOT going to want to miss this one!
Here is just one example of an adorable set:
I just love this scary guy! He's so stinking cute! And the best part, the punch used here has a coordinating Christmas stamp set too...and that one you can bundle with the punch for 10% off! So, be sure to stop by my online store on September 1st to see all the awesomeness and continue to watch here for more sneak peaks into the catalog as there is more to come!
Happy Stamping,
Katrina

August 16, 2016

Thoughtful Branches and the Great Pumpkin

Hello,
I bet you've been wondering what ever happened to me? I know, I have been among the missing. But not really. I did manage to keep up with my Facebook page, but the blog did take a back seat to all the going's on. So, what happened is, first of all, I had a workshop (expecting 20 peeps) and my largest class EVER of 15 peeps! All requiring planning and prep time. Secondly, my poor little munchkin, (my sweet little dog) had a small issue. To provide background, he developed a little cyst on his side about 2 years ago. We showed the vet who said not to worry about it, it wasn't bothering him and we shouldn't be concerned. Well, fast forward to Thursday 8/4, we noticed that it had gotten larger, appeared red and he didn't want mama to touch it. So, I planned to take him to the vet but then Friday morning, it looked a little better so we decided to watch it through the weekend and if necessary take him in on Monday.....well, Sunday, it was again large, mushy and red so definitely we were going to make a trip to the vet on Monday, in the meantime, I was going to hot pack it. Well, before I could get the hot pack on it, it popped on its own! (insert grimace!..YUK) Yes, I'm a nurse, so my nursing skills kicked in, and we soaked it, cleaned it, Peroxide it and soaked it some more. Needless to say, we didn't bother going to the vet and I spent the week warm packing it, and now, it's almost totally gone! And here I am, back to my regular routine!

Today, I want to share a card I made using the Thoughtful Branches stamp set bundle! I love the versatility of this set! I literally flipped the tree upside down and made it into a pumpkin! Isn't it adorable? I used Tangerine Tango ink on Tangerine Tango cardstock and for the stem I stamped it in Early Espresso and the leaves I did in Old Olive. I hope you like todays card and if you would like this bundle, be sure to visit my online store as this bundle won't be around long. It's only available until 8/31/16 or until supplies last, whichever comes first!

August 2, 2016

Two Stamp Sets and Some Designer Series Paper

Hello there! I'm so excited tonight! I placed my holiday catalog pre-order this morning and it shipped this evening! I so can't wait to play with my new toys! Every time the big brown truck arrives, it's like Christmas here...and trust me, the big brown truck makes many visits (insert grin) But in the meantime, I have plenty of toys to play with right here and today I want to share with you a card I put together using 2 different stamp sets and one of my favorite Designer Series Paper packs, Pop of Pink. This paper is so bright and cheery, you can't help but smile as soon as you see it. That's what inspired this card, because, what else makes you smile? Well balloons of course! So, I pulled out my Balloon Builders stamp set and the coordinating punch and here is the results:


It really is a POP of pink isn't it? It just says happy to me all the way. I hope you like it. Please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts. In the meantime, have a great day and until next time, Happy Stamping!
Katrina

July 28, 2016

Sharing the Joy

Happy Thursday everyone! I pray you are all enjoying your summer so far? It sure has been a warm one, that's for sure, but I'm not complaining! It sure beats winter! Anyway, I just wanted to share the fun we had last evening making my God-daughters baby shower invitations! I think that is actually the BEST part of this craft! It's the bonds and the memories you make interacting with others in the craft and getting others involved with you.

Being a part of the SU family allows you to share so much with others and what a great feeling that is. We had so much fun last night, laughing, chatting and of course stamping and before you knew it, we had 40 invitations, along with 40 coordinating envelopes completed and ready to go into today's mail! How's that for coordination! We set everything up assembly line style and everyone was assigned a task, and together we knocked it out of the park! And look at those smiles! My very best friend in the world and my 2 gorgeous God-daughters! I'm so blessed! And here is the end result:
If you've never gathered to stamp with others, you have no idea what you are missing! Give it a try and share the joy! I promise, you won't regret it. Yes, there will be "mistakes" but you know what, if you're looking for perfect, buy a Hallmark! But if you're looking to make memories, bonds and connections, stamp with others. Attend a class, a club or just invite your friends and family to join you. I promise, you will have so much fun! So, go out there and share the joy!
Happy Stamping,
Katrina

July 26, 2016

An Oldie But Goodie - Faux Silk Technique

Happy Tuesday everyone! I do hope you are all off to a great start this week. Today, I want to share with you a great technique that's been around for some time, however, I think gets over looked often. It's the Faux Silk technique. For this technique, you need some scrap tissue paper, and the more wrinkled up it is, the better! So, after you open up those birthday and holiday gifts, don't throw out the tissue paper! Keep it with your card making supplies!
Ok, for this technique, all you need to do is stamp your image onto your cardstock, cover the entire piece with a glue stick....be generous here. This is no time for conserving glue! Be sure to cover it side to side and corner to corner! Now, crinkle and wad the tissue paper into a ball. The tighter the ball the better the crinkles, so wad it up tight. Now, carefully un-wad it and smooth it out but don't try to get rid of the crinkles....you want lots of crinkles and creases in the paper. Once you have it opened up and smoothed out, apply it to your card front over the top of your stamped image. Trim the tissue paper to even it out or fold to the back and glue down. Add this piece to your card front and you're done!
Here's my example:
I used the hostess set, Gift of Love with Flirty Flamingo and Emerald Envy as my color pallet.

Too cool right? Have you ever tried the faux silk technique? Show us what you have done, we would love to see.
Happy Stamping,
Katrina

July 23, 2016

An Elegant Thank You

Happy Saturday! I hope you are enjoying what looks to be a perfect weekend? Blue skies abound here! Anyway, today, I wanted to share with you a thank you card I created. I actually created this one for the sketch challenge taking place on my Facebook page. Yes, you should check it out and come join us, we have LOTS of fun. Anyway, I was really happy the way it turned out and wanted to share this with you. One of the reason's I love this card so much is that it really show cases just how gorgeous the Affectionately Yours Designer Series paper is, for real. The one that I used has the copper flowers scattered among all the other beautiful colors and it just sparkles! I am really loving the copper trend this season.
So, what do you think? Ok, here's how I did it. I started with a Night of Navy card base, 8 1/2"x 5 1/2" and scored it at 4 1/4" for a standard A2 size card. then I cut a piece of Daffodil Delight at 4" x 5 1/4" and ran it through the Big Shot with the Elegant Dot's TIEF to give it some texture. I then wrapped a piece of retired (insert sad face) Watermelon Wonder ribbon through the center and adhered it in the back with some scotch tape then adhered the entire panel to the card front with Fast Fuse. I then cute a piece of this GORGEOUS Affectionately Yours DSP 2" x 3" and matted it onto another piece of Night of Navy cut 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" and added that to the card over the top of the ribbon. I just used my Fast Fuse (I love this stuff!) I then stamped Thank You from the Happy Happenings stamp set in Night of Navy ink onto a scrap piece of Whisper White and cut it out using my Layering Circles Framelits and matted that onto a scalloped Night of Navy circle, also cut using the Layering Circles Framelits, and then added that to the top right corner of the DSP using Stampin' Dimensionals. Then just to add a little sumthin' sumthin', I added 3 little enamel shapes from the Regals package (Night of Navy)
And that my friends, completes the card! The picture just doesn't do the DSP any justice at all. This is one you have to see up close and personal in order to appreciate just how beautiful it really is. I do also want to remind everyone of the Bonus Days taking place for the month of July. If you place a $30 order with me using Hostess Code: FT9YEUVC, I will send you the materials for my Christmas in July Class along with the PDF instructions and access to an exclusive video to follow along. The kit provides enough material to create a total of 9 cards, 3 each of 3 designs. And, Stampin' Up! is giving away a $5 coupon code for every $50 spent for you to use on ANY purchase in August! And there are no limits on how many $5 coupon codes you can collect! Just don't lose them. Print them, write them down and save the emailed code. You do not want to lose them....they're quite valuable! (wink) So, visit my store today and and begin earning great things! (All kits will be mailed out by 8/5/16 for anyone that places a $30 or more order)
Happy Stamping!
Katrina


July 19, 2016

Don't Miss Out on Bonus Days!

Hey there! I pray you have all been enjoying your week so far. I'm just returning to work after a nice staycation. It sure was too short. It's always hard going back after having a few days away from it all. I did enjoy my time at home, but like all good things, it must come to an end and it's back to the daily routine.
 I wanted to stop by here and make sure you know about the Bonus Day's going on over at Stampin' Up! For every $50 you spend, they will email you a coupon for $5 to spend in August on anything you want! That's a package of embellishments! Sequins, Basic Jewels, White Perfect Accents and even the Metal Rimmed Pearls are $5, so don't miss out on your opportunity!
And, for every order of $30 or more, using the hostess code FT9YEUVC, I will send you printed instructions and the supplies for my Christmas in July class! You will receive enough supplies to create 3 each of 3 designs for a total of 9 cards as well as the instructions. You will need to have the stamps and ink, because Stampin' Up! rules do not allow me to stamp for you, but I will provide the cardstock and embellishments needed to complete the cards.
Here is a look at the cards you will make:


Aren't they cute? I know it seems a little early to be thinking about Christmas, but, when you make your own cards and send as many cards as I do, you have to get an early start and I thought I would help you get an early start too.
Happy Stamping,
Katrina

July 13, 2016

Finding Your Inspiration

Hello again! I hope you're all fairing well in this heat wave? Me, I'm hanging out here with the air conditioners! A little wilted but overall fairing well! Anyway, today I wanted to revisit the topic of finding inspiration. In previous posts, I have spoke of finding inspiration from your Stampin' Up! Catalog and idea book as well as from your surroundings. Today, I want to talk to you about finding your inspiration from card sketches. There are sketches all over the Internet. Pinterest alone has a plethora of sketch ideas for you to refer to and get your creative juices flowing. As a matter of fact, I currently hold a weekly sketch challenge on my Facebook page where we have so much fun seeing what everyone comes up with each week. It's amazing to see each individual's interpretation of the weekly sketch. You literally have one sketch layout and a half dozen completely different card ideas! It's just so awesome. So, my challenge to you is, visit Pinterest, search card sketches and choose one you love then choose your favorite stamp set and go to town. You will be amazed at what you come up with. 
Here is this weeks challenge sketch: 
 
And here is my interpretation using one of my favorite stamp sets from the new 2016-2017 catalog, Jar of Love 
 
So what are your thoughts? Where are you finding your inspiration? Share with us in the comments below! Have a great day, stay cool and happy stamping,
Katrina
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