Kelli's Krafts - My First Sketch Challenge!

I have never participated in any kind of card challenge before, but I was thinking that I would give it a try. Over the weekend I came across this challenge and decided to participate. I LOVED it. I'm all about a quick, yet cute, card and having this sketch really helped me to make a card in a little amount of time.

I made this card for a couple who is moving to Asia to serve God! Here's the sketch:

And here's what I came up with:

Again, I went to my Color Coach to pick out my color combination (everyone should have one!). It originally included Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and Tangerine Tango, but I don't currently have Tangerine Tango (it's on the way!) so I substituted it with Pumpkin Pie. I also used my Heart to Heart Punch (hi Jodie) to punch out the hearts in the three colors (this is a great reason to keep your scraps because they can be used to punch out shapes.) I used the Short & Sweet stamp set for my sentiment, punched it out with the 1-3/4 X 7/8 Inch Oval Punch, and layered it onto my Scallop Oval Punch.

This was also my first attempt at a bow...I plan on practicing a little more :) The ribbon that I used is retired...but still loved.

Kelli's Krafts - My First Workshop

I'm so excited to share with you some of the details of my very first Stampin Up! workshop. SU gives great coaching to help demonstrators have a successful workshop. My upline Lisa was also a huge help and support as I prepared how I wanted the workshop to flow. I did not take any pictures before or during the workshop because...well, I was nervous and didn't think about it. I had each seat set up with a piece of grid paper (to stamp on, take notes, etc), a Summer Mini catalog, an order form, and information about hosting a workshop. Overall, I feel that the workshop was a success...bring on the next one!

I had 6 friends attend and I believe that was a perfect number for me (and my nerves). First I talked a little about SU and why I became a demonstrator. I explained to them how I went to my first SU open house at Lisa's and from there I was hooked. I am all about thoughtful and making a card for someone has thoughtful written all over it. SU & I just fit!

Then onto the projects. First, I demonstrated a 3x3 card that I made with Bouquet Bunch, out of the Summer Mini catalog. With this demonstration I also showed my guests how to use a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig...which is a tool to help you line up images and keep your sentiments straight (every stamper should have one!).

Here are a few samples of the card that I made:

I really love this set because you can do so many things with it...so universal!

The next card I demonstrated was one that everyone also had a chance to create and take home with them. I used Pocket Silhouettes because it has great images and two sweet sentiments...a great beginner stamp. I also wanted to show the technique of "stamping off" to show how to get further use out of one stamp pad. See:

I found this card on SU's demonstrator website (I'm not sure how to link there or give credit...something I need to find out!). On Whisper White card stock I stamped the image using Real Red and then, without reinking, stamped the image again creating a lighter image. It looks as though I used more than one ink pad but in reality it's just one (oooohhh...aaahhh).

It's really true that all you need to get started is an ink pad, a stamp set, card stock and adhesive.

**If ever you want to order any Stampin Up! product contact me by email (kelliskrafts@yahoo.com) or my SU website ( http://kelliskrafts.stampinup.net).

Kelli's Krafts

Hello Friends. The card I am featuring today is one that I made while trying to see different color combinations (using my Color Coach...LOVE it) with the stamp pads that I have currently. I also wanted to use one of the stamps I received with my Demo Kit. Here's what I came up with:

The stamp set that I used was Watercolor Trio and the colors that I used were Rich Razzleberry and Tempting Turquoise (both from the Brights Collection). I actually stamped the Rich Razzleberry flower onto my grid paper first and then stamped the image onto my card to make it softer.

I almost always add something to the inside of a card. Here I simply stamped one of the images from the front of the card to tie it all together.

This card was so simple and took me about 5 minutes (which is sometimes all that I have when a 3 year old is pulling on my arm and I need to get things together for the next day)! Quick, easy, and fun!

Sending Happy Birthday Love

***Edited to participate in PPA55 Color Challenge.

I recently made this card for my step mom Renee for her birthday. This was the first card that I made after receiving my newest Stampin Up! items for signing up as a demonstrator. This year SU revamped its color combinations, removing old colors and adding new colors...and I am in love.

For this card I used Daffodil Delight (my new favorite color), Melon Mambo (a returning In Color), and Tempting Turquoise card stock and ink (and Melon Mambo ribbon)...all from the Brights Collection.

The stamp set that I used is the one I'm going to feature at my workshop next week...Pocket Silhouettes. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from a retired set and then I punched it out using the Modern Label Punch. I also used the Scallop Edge Border Punch to add a nice border.

Happy Stamping!

Wordless Wednesday - It's Official...I'm a Demonstrator

Stop by Tanya's for more Wordless Wednesday.

A Special Thanks!

As you know from my previous post today is Jamison's last day of school. I can't believe she's going to 2nd grade!

She had an amazing teacher this year and I wanted to put together something for her as a thank you. I know that she's going camping this summer for vacation so I put together a little care package for her of some things she might need:

Water bottle, Vitamin Water, lip balm, a travel first aid kit, hand sanitizer and a card game that she can play with her family.

I put it all together in this cute little canvas bag I got from Hobby Lobby. I learned about these bags from my blog friend Kelli (thanks Kelli!).

I also made her a card.

I love adding things to the inside of the card.

There you have it...a special gift for a special teacher!

He'll Always Be My "Baby" Brother

My "baby" brother, Evan, turned 19 today...19! I vividly remember the day he was born...waiting in the lobby with my uncle, eating Wendy's and waiting to hear if I had a brother or a sister. And now...he's finished with his first year of college and he's 19...19!

Isn't he handsome...I think so!

I made him a card. He actually called me to remind me of his birthday while I was making the card. I laughed a little inside...I could never forget that day.

Here's the card (and I would show you the inside but after I took these the camera died, sniff):

I used my Bitty Birthday stamp set and my new Designer Series Paper (DSP) that I got from the SU clearance rack (there's some good stuff on there).

When I was done with the card there seemed to be something missing and so I decided to add a piece of ribbon. Usually when I add ribbon I attach it and wrap it around the paper before I adhere it to the card. But since I was already done I just added a strip on top and you can see above why I usually wrap it around the paper...the ribbon was just a little short. I still like the card and I hope he likes it too!

Happy Birthday Baby Brother...I love you!

Thank You Cards

I have been making quite a few cards lately and I've realized that I haven't been sharing them. Sooo I made sure to have my camera ready while I made a few thank you cards the other day. I made them for the people who have been helping us out with back-up childcare.

This is one of the stamps that I used (and I'm sorry I forgot the name, I know it's retired). I actually didn't use the entire stamp, just the corner of the stamp...see:

I only inked the corner of the stamp where the swirls were and then stamped it onto the top corner of my card. If any of the ink got on the words I simply removed the ink with my finger. I love the way it turned out (and I was excited because I thought of that all on my own!)

I used the 'thank you' from this stamp set (Short & Sweet). This is my go-to set right now because it has a lot of the sentiments I need and I love the little stamps with the pictures. I've used those to create backgrounds on cards or to just add a little accent to a sentiment.

Here are the finished cards (please excuse the dark pictures):

They are just simple note cards...so easy to do. I just put a little message on each one and I was done. A simple way to say "thanks."

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Here's the card I made for him (hopefully he's gotten it already):

You've Got Mail

Oh, how I love that movie...but, that is not the focus of this post.

I think it is safe to show you the card that I made this year for Christmas. It is a pretty simple card, but I had a lot of fun making them and I hope people enjoyed it.

Here's the front. I used two different designer papers (which is SU!'s scrapbook paper, except is matches its color groups). The card base is red (Real Red) and the I used a green cardstock (Old Olive) to add another layer. I used two punches, an oval punch and a scallop oval punch for the sentiment. I also used a piece of red (Real Red) ribbon for trimming.

I used the Christmas Greetings stamp set for the inside and used another piece of designer paper just to add some pizazz.

Next year I will have more products and will be able to make more cards. I didn't send out as many as I would have liked to send out this year...let's call it the trial year!

What kind of card did you do this year?

Goodbye...So Long

Not you, silly. I'll be around blogland for a long time!

There is a judge who is retiring at the end of the year and I decided to make a card for her that my entire department can sign.

Another simple card. One day, when I get better at stamping I'll be able to come up with super-creative cards. I used a stamp set called Short & Sweet (see it here). I used one of the accent stamps to create a bit of a background and then used two punches for the sentiment.

Here's the inside of the card. At first I didn't think I should put anything on the inside since more than one person will be signing it, but I couldn't help it.

Another angle.

I hope she likes it. She is a judge who will truly be missed.

One Craft, Some Cookies and a Ton of Lights!

This past weekend was filled with fun times! I decided to share it with you all in one post (with a ton of pictures)...you ready?

My friend Lyndsey and her mom host a cookie party every year and I think they are so sweet to do that. This year I made them each a little gift as a thank you. I got the idea for this craft from my Stampin Up! demo Lisa and then found the tutorial here.

It's a little magazine holder that holds gift cards.

Inside each holder I put four little 3x3 gift cards that they can use when they give gifts. Can I just tell you that I love Designer Paper and how it coordinates with the cardstock by SU!

Lyndsey and her mom really go all out for their cookie party.

Chicken Club Wrap...yum.

Hummus, veggies, and pita chips.

Cheeseball...one of my favorites.

Festive drinks. Have you tried the sparkling drinks from Trader Joe's...very good.

Everyone enjoying the good food.

Lyndsey and her mom even have door prizes. How fun is that?!

And of course...the cookies. There was a very nice variety.

Here are the chocolate chip cookies that I made. Simple, yet oh so delicious. I just used the Nestle Toll house recipe (do any of you remember that Friends episode?), only I substituted the butter with butter Crisco .

Sunday we went with a group of people to see the lights at our local zoo.

Jamison was super excited...

...Caleb, not so much at first.

Here's my friend Tonya's daughter...all bundled and ready to go.

The gang.

More of the gang.

Despite the cold temperatures the kids really had a great time.

In the reptile house there was a snake you could touch. Notice I am BEHIND the camera. No snakes for me.

Whoa baby!!!!

One of my favorite parts about our zoo is the manatee exhibit. This isn't the best picture, sorry.

The lights were amazing! My pictures do not do them justice, you just had to be there. This year all of the lights were LED.

This was the display right outside of the aquarium.

This is the display around the lake in the zoo. At certain points in the evening they play music and the lights "dance" to the music. It was really neat.

Me and my homie Tonya.

Are you still there? How was your weekend?