I'm BACK!!

Hi All,
I am SO SO sorry for the long hiatus!! I developed computer issues (like a fried hard drive) when I returned from my vacation and then had a few life changes that did NOT include Wifi!! I am now officially "wired" again and have SO much to tell you!!

First Stampin Up is going through a color change!! I am SUPER excited as my favorite blue of all time "Pool Party" is staying!! Woo Hoo!!!! Here is Stampin Up's News Release and New Color Chart:

Announcing our Color Refresh! We love color and we know that you do too. Color is fundamental to who we are and what we offer. It's important for us to stay up-to-date with color trends so we are thrilled to share our updated line of colors, and hope you will be as excited as we are by the new possibilities!
Why now? In 2010 we did a big color renovation and shared our plans for smaller color refreshes every three to five years to keep our colors on trend. Well it has been three years and we are excited to announce that the upcoming 2013-2014 annual catalog will include 10 new colors (most of which are returning In Colors from previous years)! We are welcoming back some of your favorites, moving some colors around, and introducing one brand-new color, so take a look!

Beginning on April 4, 2013, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) will be available only while supplies last. This means that some products will not be available through the retired list period. So stock up on your favorite retiring colors!

Second, as part of the Stampin' Up! 25-year anniversary celebration, they're bringing back some of our favorite stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into 12 sets, which will release-one set per month-during 2013. Even better, along with some great classic images, each "Best of" set will also include a never-before-seen image! This month is the "Best of Butterflies" Edition!!

Click here to see Stampin Up's flyer.

Some things to remember:

• Previously released stamps are not the same size they originally were. (Please print and refer to the stamp set flyer for accurate dimensions).
• All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $14.95.
• While Stampin' Up! is releasing just one Best of stamp set per month (with a new theme each month), all of the Best of sets will be available until March 31, 2014.
• A new flyer will be released every month for each new Best of set.
• All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.

Finally, Stampin UP! Watercolor pencils and Crayons are discontinued effective immediately. You can still purchase the remaining collections of the Watercolor Wonder Crayons: Subtles (item 119802), Neutrals (item 119805), and Regals (item 119803). Only available while supplies last!

Phew!! Well that is enough for the night!! Hope to post some of my creations soon!!
Have a great night!
Karin

Freshly Made Dinosaurs!

Morning All,
As promised I am sharing the box of cards that I am including in my raffle basket for this Sunday's "Keep the Beat" benefit for the "Its My Heart" New England Chapter. I was crafting like crazy last night, but was a little "stuck" for the last layout. So this morning I went on over to Freshly Made Sketches and they had an inspiring sketch:

Great layout!! Here is what I came up with for my last two cards:

I used the last of my Mellow Moss (sadly retired) as the base and layered pieces of Concord Crush DP (also retired). I am really in love with the Bitty Banner Framelits! So easy to use and love the look! Here are the rest of the cards that will be in the box:

I really had a lot of fun making the cards and hope they are a hit. Now off to work on my sign up sheet prize! Have a great day!

Karin

Saturday Sketch Challenge

 

Hi All,
Gave myself a good amount of time to craft this weekend, as I was trying to get a few Easter cards done and make plans for an upcoming stamp club. I wanted to complete at least one of the cards that I will present to the ladies and was fresh out of ideas, I knew the DP I wanted to use and had an idea for a technique to showcase, just needed a layout. I happened on over to the Saturday Sketch Challenge at Stamping411 Blogspot and this was their great sketch:

And here is what I came up with:

I took a little bit of liberty on the center panel and really liked how it came out. Here is what I used:
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso and First Edition DP (great stuff!)
Ink: Early Espresso
Stamp Set: Elements of Style
Punches: Small Oval, 1" circle and Modern Label
Other: Victorian Lace, Large sticky back pearls, brights brads, Big Shot and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, water color pencils and blender pens
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin



PPA129

Morning All,

Been a little lax with my posting lately as I am pulling a few extra shifts at one of my jobs. I had gone on over to the Pals Paper Arts blog and this was their sketch challenge:

I was in need of a sympathy card for one of my cousins, as her mother (my great aunt) recently passed away. Its always sad to lose a family member, but its very positive to reflect on how long her life was and that she always surrounded by family she loved. :) So I used this sketch for a jump off point. Here is what I came up with:

My base colors were Chocolate Chip and Naturals white. I love the Sunflower background stamp and really love using the spotlighting technique on it. I used the watercolor pencils to add the color on the petals.
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin

Less is More Week 52

Evening All,
Well feeling more human and trying to not panic about all the "stuff" I have to do to play catch up! Ugh so anyway I figured whats one more night?? Right??!! So, anyway went on over to Less is More and they had a great challenge:

They requested that the card be

• rectangular
• in landscape orientation
• with the band remaining in a vertical position 

As it's a very simple sketch,  we would like it to remain as is without any rotation of either the card or the vertical band.

 Simple sketches are not so simple for me, so I felt that this would be a great challenge for me. Here is what I came up with:

I really like how it came out! I am very proud of myself :) It was SOOO hard not to add a few butterflies or a ribbon!! LOL!! Here is what I used:
Paper: Naturals Ivory and Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft and Classic Ink
Stamps: Sunflower and Loving Thoughts
Tools: Watercolor pencils and Gamsol (love how it brightens the color!)

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Karin

Try Stampin on Tuesday #47 and Our Creative Corner Bright and Happy New Year

Hi All!
Feeling much better! Thank god! To celebrate I checked out a couple of challenges. First I needed my sketch so I went on over to Try Stampin on Tuesday and here was their sketch:

Now I needed my colors so I headed on over to Our Creative Corner and their color challenge was awesome for the new year:

                                                    

Here is what I came up with:

I chose to use my Flower Fancy set as I had not touched it in a while and was missing it! I also used the watercolor pencils and used the brightest green, yellow, pink and purple pencils. I brightened it even more by using Gamsol on the pencils before coloring with them. They are very bright in person, but I don't think my phone camera cant quite catch it!! I finished the design by using pieces of Concord Crush DP layed on black. Everything looks better on black right? Finally I tied the card shut with the new Sale-a-bration Lucky Limeade organza ribbon. Thanks for checking out my card!
Karin

Watercolor pencils

Hi All,
Another card we did at my October club. We used the awesome Sunflower stamp, colored it in with the watercolor pencils and blended quickly with the blender pens. The depth the blender pens give to the color is great, but the key is to blend very quickly. Of course it is layered on my current favorite designer paper Spice Cake with the Early Espresso Bakers Twine wound around it for a finishing touch. Enjoy the day!
Karin