Oh Kokirose....

I am currently away....in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, vacationing with our best friends and my kids and WMWH (worlds most wonderful husband). I made my featured stamper card the morning before I left for vacation. Sure I had umpteen million things to do. I had to pack for all of us for the trip.
Todd and I were spending the day at the track in Saratoga the day prior to our trip.
It was the Travers Stakes in Saratoga and we had a great table in the club house with Todd's business partner and his wife. We were then meeting a few other couples for dinner in Saratoga. We got home really late and I knew we wouldn't have time to fiddle with the featured stamper that night, so I asked my good friend with the great name (Beth/Showmestamper) to hostess. She was kind enough to post for me - thank you Beth. I finally have some not so spotty internet access while sitting on the front screen porch of our rental house. It's gorgeous here! The surf is high and the kids are loving the waves. We spend the mornings at the beach, come home, rinse off, get in the pool and then have lunch. The kids crash, nap, do some quiet fun things, then we get right back to the fun! Last night we stayed up until 2 am playing cards (Shanghai Rummy) - we also like to call it SHANGHAI PAI-KOW! Well, Debbie and I do to annoy Chris and Todd. It's all quiet, people are concentrating on their hands and discards and we shout PAIKOW! I don't know what that means, but it scares the daylights out of people and makes me and Debbie snicker! {grin}

PAIKOW!

So - my koo-koo for Kokirose card is based on her card: Smashing Birthday
I call mine - OH NUTS!

I love the colors which she used - I used fall themed colors with my new Kitchen Sink Stamps Autumn Squirrel stamp set. This set is only $15 bucks - think of all the wonderful fall cards you can make with it! I started with Rust (4.5 x 4.5), then added some summer sun. I used some black paper, embossed in the cuttlebug, then spritzed with tattered angels glimmer mist. I used a scalloped punch (marvy) to make the large rust scalloped circle mat. I used some glossy paper and stamped the leaves and acorns from the Autumn Squirrel set. I used daubers to color in the white space. I was pressed for time - there was no time to smash!!! Todd was about to walk in and interrupt my mojo! I needed some black, and didn't have the exact size circle punch - there was no time to find the proper circle in my nesties (TODD WAS ABOUT TO FIND OUT I WAS NOT PACKING!!!). I took some black paper, placed my stamped image atop it, trimmed it as best as I could, then used my finger to run around the edge to even things out. Phew! Looked good! Not perfect, but GOOD!


I used the sentiments from the stamp set and then punched out the sentiment with the small SU! oval punch. Daubered up the white space with summer sun and pumpkin pie ink. I used the rust scrap with the larger SU! oval punch, but still wanted that hint of back. I used the cardstock left over from the main image and did the same thing....placed my small oval sentiment piece atop the black, trimmed it up, then used my fingernail to even things up. Shabbilicious! I had this little leaf punch in my stash of punches (I went through a punch phase - don't ask!). I punched the leaves with scraps of my earth element cardstock which was lying on the desk after this fiasco of non-packing, card making. I sponged the leaves with some ink, used sakura stardust on them to give the leaves veins....then I used my copics to transform my white polkadot ribbon to this orangey rust color. I used my heat gun to curl the ribbon up, placed the stamped pieces atop the card with dimensionals, then added four yellow baubles to each corner of the card.

Phew! I think he knew I was playing in my stamp room. I told him I was looking for the cord to my camera~ Oh NUTS! I forgot to pack some stampin' stuff to make a card for this week! :)

That is okay - I have a wonderful SWEET hostess lined up this week - can you guess who it is?

And a big ol' HOLLAH HOLLAH Congratulations to my good friend Cindy Lyles! She just opened her new ONLINE STORE! Check it out STARLITSTUDIO.net . She is my source for the fabbo ribbon which I use on most of my cards! She just opened the store and I am so happy for her. MONDO SUCCESS CINDY!


stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps: Autumn Squirrel
paper: black, glossy white, rust, summer sun, pumpkin pie
ink: summer sun, pumpkin pie, really rust, tim holtz black
misc: copics, punches (su and marvy), baubles, floral screen cuttlebug (eclectic paperie), ribbon (starlitstudio), dimensionals, leaf punch (old/marvy?), sakura stardust

Kristina's Color Inspiration #19: Dream

This week's color inspiration on Kristina's Blog was so fun. Love the monochromatic look with the hint of color.







I used a white base (5x5 card), scored with my trusty Scor-Pal! I placed some some DCWV paper from my stash (aka the big closet containing more papercrafting supplies than I could ever use in two three lifetimes atop the card base.

The basic grey cardstock is punched with the SU! scalloped circle punch. The sentiment (Dream) is from Kitchen Sink Stamps {Vintage Words}. Word is stamped in versamark with white embossing powder. A dimensional raises up the sentiment. I used a big black stitched ribbon (I cannot get enough of this ribbon). Finally, I placed a few green buttons (course they are neked - avert your eyes!!!) on the bottom!

Did I stand up to the challenge?

Stamps: Vintage Words {Kitchen Sink Stamps}
Paper: White, DCWV, Basic Grey, Basic Black
ink: versamark
misc: dimensionals, ribbon (Mayarts/starlitstudio),
punches (SU! scalloped circle and circle), buttons, white embossing powder

Phew! I think that I am back to reality!

I just came home from the most fun, creative weekend! I spent the past weekend in Northern Wisconsin with so many talented and beautiful women! I had so much creative juices flowing.

I was picking up mojo from left and right! I took a few classes - learned how to solder jewelry (which is *SO* much fun....learned how to make these adorable playing card pocket books....


I also taught some digital scrapbooking to my friends. It was fun to teach my friends some of the secrets which I have taught myself over the past few years.

The retreat was refreshing for my soul! I haven't laughed so hard in years. Did you ever laugh so hard - that you could just look at the people and know they were thinking the same exact thing! Then you burst into tears and fits of laughter. IMAGINE 4 DAYS OF THAT!


I have to thank my beautiful and talented friend Pine and my friend HB for making all the retreat arrangements and HB cooked and planned the wonderful food! The most exciting part of the weekend was when Pine's stamp set was released on Papertrey Ink! We were sipping champagne. She even signed my copy of the stamp set! IMADORK, I KNOW! But I am so proud of her!!!

There was so many wonderful memories....here are just a few of my favorites....

FS80: Knightrone!!!

This week's FS is Jess (Knightrone). I really {heart} her! She is so sweet and her style is amazing.

This weekend I am in Northern Wisconsin. I was actually here with my good friend Pinefeather (Heather Nichols) who released her stamp set this weekend. It was so KEWL to be here with Heather as she saw the big reveal on the computer screen.

I used Heather's new set for this weeks card! WOOHOO! I have an autographed copy! She loves me the most!

I used Jess' gallery (here) to find a card and I spotted this cute card! I love the colors! I changed the stamp set to Pine's set (woohooo - go Piney, GO PINEY). Actually Go to Papertrey and check out her set! Click -BUY - SHIP!

I changed the ribbon, the colors (to pink) and the stamp set. I used that kewl Martha Stewart punch on the bottom and then I sewed on the main image.

I used the floral screen embossing folder from eclectic Paperie. The ribbon is from Starlitstudio/mayarts!

I raised the main image up on dimensionals.

I need to pack my stuff and head to bed - it is 1:25 my time and I have to catch a flight home to my six pack! Have a great night!!!

Please note - I will be out of town for the next few weeks - with some wonderful guest hostesses to the featured stamper challenge! Enjoy this week's reveal!
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SUPPLIES:
stamps: Pinefeather Press, Rustic Branches by Heather Nichols {Papertrey Ink}
paper: white, black, pretty in pink
ink: black, pink
ribbon: may arts/starlitstudio
cuttlebug: floral screen/eclectic paperie
punch: martha stewart/border
dimentionals: SU!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Those of you who have placed orders know how busy I am. I am also in the busiest time of the year - SUMMER! This week, I leave for Wisconsin to attend a very special stamping retreat with my upline and several of my closest stamping friends. I return only to unpack and re-pack for our family vacation to North Carolina. We are going to be heading to the Outer Banks (Duck) for a wonderful trip. Then, school starts.

Please send an email to freckledandfun@gmail.com if you are still waiting on a design sample. If not, I will be periodically working on designs if I can over the next few weeks. You will likely hear from me - but please feel free to send me a gentle reminder if you have a concern with your design!

Have a wonderful rest of summer! I will try and post a few projects I am working on!

FS79: Blondie090277

Okay - things could not go more wrong when I stamp so early in the morning without coffee. Friday, somehow while I was cleaning my stamp studio, Geneveieve got my new archival black ink pad and opened it. Yes - nightmare. I cleaned her up while it was still wet! It was all good. Fast Forward to Saturday. Sophie does the same DANG THING! I hear "Mommy, I made a card for you!" OH GOSH! I go in and find two black handprints on the white sink, the archival pad upside down on my desk (which is black). Needless to say, I picked up before we had to rush off to the 50th anniversary party in the neighboring state last night. My loving husband did a lot of talking last night, so we got in LATE. I decided to wake up early to stamp. I swear that everything that could have gone wrong with this card - went wrong! I tried to sew on the edges, my machine kept bunching up underneath on the third stitch in. Try threading a needle without coffee. NOT EASY! So, I ended up trimming the edges of the card, then I modified it. I got it all put together and I looked. BLACK SMUDGES everywhere. ACK! I grabbed my handy dandy white gel pen and got the smudges camouflaged. I hid some with ribbon, hid some with the photo corners. What a pain! ACK! I need to thoroughly clean the entire office today! Don't close up on the photo - you can probably see the boo boos! Maybe I will give it to someone recovering from eye surgery! LOL! That way they cannot see the boo boos!

Here is Kim's card which I cased:
Card details - changed the color from Olive to Wasabi. I used the new Kitchen Sink Stamps {Get Well Teddy} stamp set. Love this flower. It is so Val Stangle! How did I make the main image. I took a scrap of cardstock and cut out a square (you could use nestabilities, punches, anything to make a fun shape). Place it on your white cardstock with a small dab of mono to make sure it is secure. Using a sponge or a dauber, start out on the edges and sponge the ink to create your shape. Once the shape is filled in nicely, remove the mask. I removed the mask and found smudges (LOL) - so make sure that your card mask has nothing under the bottom (LOL). Stamp over the shape with your other stamps, in this case - the wonderful flower from Kitchen Sink Stamps Get Well Teddy set. I love this stamp - I cannot wait to make more with it!
I used some Mayarts (starlitstudio) ribbon (sheer burgundy polka dot). I also had to camouflage those smudgies, so I used my white gel pen and made those photo corners from scraps of paper. I took the wasabi paper and ran it sideways through a square scallop punch. I snipped a triangle on the inside and added some pearl baubles. Those photo corners are popped up on dimensionals. Thanks for looking at this smudgefest! LOL!
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supplies:
Stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps {Get Well Teddy}
paper: textured wasabi, white (SU!)
ink: wasabi, bravo burgundy
misc: scalloped square punch, baubles (pearl), dimensionals, white gel pen (ha ha), ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio), daubers.

50th Anniversary, Hanna Style

I have a wonderful event to attend this weekend. Todd's Aunt & Uncle are celebrating their 50th Anniversary. We are thrilled to attend their anniversary party. I threw together this card tonight. I used a fabriano notecard and ran it through the textile cuttlebug folder. The nestie was punched out, then I stamped directly atop the gold paper. I used the champagne glasses from the Hanna Bridal set. I used the sentiment from the Papertrey Wedding Day set. The champagne glasses are shimmered with sakura stardust pens. I placed a pearl (target) on each side of the oval. The oval is placed on dimensionals. I punched the bottom of the card with the SU! scallop edge punch. I also threw on some ivory ribbon stitched in gold. Simple, understated, elegant.....
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supplies:
stamps: Hanna (bridal), PTI (wedding day)
ink: archival black
paper: fabriano, gold
misc: ribbon, punch (SU! scalloped edge), nestie, dimensionals, pearls (target), sakura stardust, cuttlebug (textile/eclectic paperie)

New Releases: Kitchen Sink Stamps

So Far I have shown you the new Kitchen Sink Stamp Sets: Pretty Tear Drops, Vintage Words, Three Step Butterflies....

and there are so many more sets to play with. I am going to go into my craft room and whip up a card with one of the new 3-step stamp sets. I will open my sketch book (I have a beautiful leather bound book which I draw my sketches in) and choose a layout and try and create some magic! In the mean time - check out some of the designs by my fellow crafters on the design team:

Julie

Nicole

Becky

Tracy

Tammy

Dee

Lori

Jan

Give them a Hollah Hollah and tell 'em I sent ya!

Kristina's Color Challenge #18 - Thankful

I enjoy a challenge! Kristina's color challenges intrigue me and I knew that I wanted to play with some new Kitchen Sink Stamps. I used the new Pretty Tear Drops, Vintage Words and 3 step Butterflies sets to create this card.


At first, I was wondering how they would come together, but as usual, Kristina's colors were wonderful together! I started with a square white base (5x5). I stamped the dots (pretty tear drops) with rose red ink on the strip of rose red cardstock and I stamped some butterflies in pumpkin ink on the pumpkin cardstock. I took scraps of rose red cardstock and stamped the tear drops with the versafine ink. I did the same with the circle on the green galore scrap. Each tear drop was trimmed and placed on a center dimensional, then the petals were slightly bent. The center of the flower was also trimed and raised up on a dimensional. Thankful sentiment stamped in black ink. Do you not ADORE that ribbon. I got it from Cindy (starlitstudio). It's Mayarts and it is descrumptious! Finally, a little bling in the form of sakura stardust. It's hard to see in the photo, but the center (green) and the petals (dotted lines) are all sakurafied! What do you think?

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Supplies:
stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps {Vintage Words, 3 Step Butterflies, Pretty Tear Drops}
paper: whisper white, green galore, pumpkin pie, rose red
ink: rose red, pumpkin pie, black
misc: dimensionals, sakura stardust, ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio)

Kitchen Sink Stamps New Release Sets: Vintage words

This card is made with scraps of paper - lots and lots of scraps - which is the WT177 challenge on SCS. I used my scalloped circle punch to layer some designer papers across the card, then used the sentiment (Kitchen Sink Stamps, Vintage words) in the center of a scrap of kraft paper. I some bravo ribbon across the top and some sponging on the edges.
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Supplies:
stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps {vintage words}
paper: Kraft, MME scraps
ink: bravo burgundy
misc: scalloped circle and circle punches, daubers, dimensionals, ribbon (SU!)

Kitchen Sink Stamps New Release Sets: Butterflies and Vintage Words

I made this frame very easily with two stamp sets and a few scraps of cardstock. I love how it turned out. I had a 5x7 wood photo frame from a discount store. I took off the backing and the glass and turned it over and placed in on the backside of the cardstock. I traced around the frame opening and outside edge and trimmed the cardstock (with my carl cutter and paper snips). I ran the cardstock through the cuttlebug. I used the paisley folder. I stamped the butterflies (new Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 step butterflies) with archival black on the scraps of red cardstock (discarded pieces from the center of the frame). I trimmed the butterflies out and set them aside. I stamped the sentiment on a scrap piece of paper and punched it out with my SU! oval punch. I grabbed a piece of scrap white cardstock and scallop cut it with my nesties. I sponged the edges and set them aside. I used Scotch tacky adhesive and applied a generous amount (not too much, not too little) to the front on the frame, lined up the cardstock and gently pressed it to the frame. Allow a few minutes to dry. I used dimensionals to pop up and adhere the butterflies to the frame. I also added a little sakura stardust to the butterfly wings!!! I attached the white scalloped and sentiment to the frame, tied some ribbon around the frame and it was complete!
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supplies:
stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps {vintage words, 3 step-butterflies}
paper: real red, whisper white
ink: archival black
misc: ribbon, su! oval, nestabilites, cb (paisley), dimensionals, sakura stardust

Blog Banner: Can You Say.......

I made this banner for Jessie, a friend on SCS. The samples from now on will also be permanently placed on the sample page of my blog! Click here for all my banner samples. Jessie liked the Bella Papers from My Minds Eye but she wanted some flourishes as well! I was able to create a banner with both elements ! What do you think?

FS78: Perseverence! And Xavier's Birthday!!!

Friday the Little Man Turned Five. He wanted to have a swim party again. It makes my life easier when we have the pool party. We get pizza, cake....go to the pool and SWIM, SWIM, SWIM!



Friday evenings are special at the pool and we chose to have his party on Friday evening...It was less crowded and we were able to use Floats in the pool. FLOAT FRIDAY. It is extra special for the kids to take their floats in the pool! That was one of the goodie bag gifts for the people at the party: fun floats. We had rafts, Care Bear cell phones, dolphins, sharks, Shrek and Donkey....everyone got a float!

Xavier had his Spiderman cake - the boy loves his superheros!!!!


Here is CRAZY Sophie getting ready for the party. Even though it was late in the day, we still put sunscreen on the kids. Sophie helped herself. She looks more like Santa Claus! Xavier looks like a crazy person! LOL!


We also had Todd's 20th high school reunion this weekend. It's nice because we went to high school together and I knew nearly everyone there {except the Sweedish foreign exchange student who flew all the way here from Sweeden for the reunion - how kewl is that?}. It was nice to catch up with old friends! We went out Friday night until 2 am, then last night until 2:30. The baby was up at 6 this morning! Guess who is napping today! (me & baby).





Here is my FS card for this week! I got a PM from Anne Ryan on SCS asking to feature Shellapoo! Michelle is one of those amazing women who finds the time to stamp and give to others despite her own obstacles in life. She has advanced MS and spends her free time with her doggie! Her passion is stamping and she makes many of her cards for sick children. Her sister comes over twice a week to upload her cards for her! Stop by her gallery and give her some love!

I saw this card in her gallery and gave it a whirl. This card is for Victoria's friend, Heidi, who loves horses!

I used ruby red on the horse and sentiment. Stamped it in ruby and used a bravo marker to edge the horse. I rolled it back on the ruby and stamped on the paper. Layers of ruby red, not quite navy under the main image and sentiment. Main image has ticket corner punches and is popped up on dimensionals. Simple ribbon from my stash, an organza that seemed to match. Designer paper is from Stampin' Up! White card base (standard A2 size).



Supplies:
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stamps: wanted, warmest regards
paper: white, ruby red, not quite navy, SU! designer paper
ink: ruby red, bravo burgundy marker
misc: ribbon, dimensionals, ticket corner punch