Kreative Jewels

The Simple Elegance of Kind Thoughts Brocade

I must admit when I first saw the stencils in the back of the Definitely Decorative brochure I wasn't that excited. I didn't think I would ever use them. I'm just not the wall stencil kind of girl. Well, once again I am eating my words! LOL I absolutely adore these stencils! My collection is growing and I can't wait to show you some of the fabulous things you can create with them.

This is one of the cards that we made at my recent Black & White with a splash class. Normally my Black & White classes feature only Black and White inks, card stock and embellishments. I decided that I would shake things up a bit for this class and add a bit of color. For this particular card we used Sahara Sand for our splash of color.

I started off stamping the En Francais background stamp on Whisper White card stock using Sahara Sand Classic Ink. I then sponged around the edges of the card stock with Sahara Sand. I used the small Kind Thoughts Brocade stencil and I layed it down on the Whisper White card stock that we just stamped.I used a sponge dauber and Basic Black Craft Ink and a filled in the stencil. I carefully pulled up the stencil and then used Clear Embossing powder to emboss the image. The card looked great at this point, but I wanted to add that extra touch that takes a card from great to wow! I cleaned the Black Craft Ink off the stencil and then placed it on the card again exactly on top of the image I had just created with it. I moved the stencil just slightly over from where it was originally. I then used Sahara Sand Classic Ink and a sponge dauber to create the shadow that you can see on the card. Adding the shadow to the card really helps the main image to stand out.

As you can see, I didn't add anything else to the front of the card. No ribbons, embellishments or even a sentiment. I felt that adding anything to it would take away from the beautiful image. If you haven't tried Stampin' Up!'s fabulous new stencils I highly encourage you to purchase one. I will have lost of projects coming up over the next few months that will highlight the incredible versatility of this product.

If you are in the Calgary area and would like to attend my next set of Black & White classes, they will take place on Tuesday October 20 and Wednesday October 21. This set of classes will be the classic Black & White only. These classes sell out every time I offer them, so don't wait too long to register!

Stamps: En Francais (109521)

Inks: Sahara Sand Classic Ink ()105208, Basic Black Craft Ink (102192)

Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (102851), Sahara Sand (105328)

Accessories: Kind Thoughts Brocade small (116572), Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Sponge Daubers (102892)

 

Magical Snowflake Tutorial

This is the card I shared with you on the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour last week. I created it using the brand new Serene Snowflakes stamp set and the Magic Snowflake technique. Today, I am going to share a tutorial on how to make this card. I have been using the Magic Snowflake technique for a couple of years now and I just love it! I did not come up with this technique, I'm not sure who did. The first time I saw it was on SCS, Vickie Maduzia was the creator of the tutorial.

For this card I used the following items and pieces of card stock.

- Bermuda Bay, Taken with Teal and Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink Refills, Rubbing Alcohol, Cotton Balls, Metal Clip

- White Embossing Powder and Heat Gun

- White Gel Pen

- Clear Rhinestone Brads

- My Way Punch

Taken with Teal Card Stock

- 5 1/4" x 10 1/2" scored at 5 1/4"

- 3 1/4" x 3 1/4"

- 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"

- 4 1/4" x 1"

Bermuda Bay Card Stock

- 4 3/4" x 4 3/4"

Glossy White Card Stock

- 5" x 5"

- 3" x 3"

- 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Whisper White Card Stock - you could use Glossy White if you prefer

- 4 1/4" x 3/4"

1. Use your Embossing Buddy on the piece of 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" Glossy White Card Stock. Rubbing your card stock with the embossing buddy before you emboss will help to keep those pesky extra bits of embossing powder off your card stock.

2. Ink up the snowflake stamp using Whisper White Craft Ink. Stamp the snowflake image on the piece of Glossy Card Stock.

3. Using White Embossing Powder and a heat gun, emboss your snowflake.

4. One of my very talented uplines, Karen Duke, told me about this little trick to keep the ink off your fingers when doing this technique. Use a Bulldog clip to hold the cotton ball. Isn't she a smarty! You need to wet your cotton ball with the rubbing alcohol. It is really important not to get too much alcohol on the cotton ball as the technique just doesn't work as well if the cotton ball is too wet. I usually just quickly tip the jar upside down over the ball. You will then want to drop one or two drops of each ink refill on the wet cotton ball.

5. Once your cotton ball is all inked up you will start dabbing it all over your embossed snowflake. Keep going until the image is completely covered.

 

At this point the image really doesn't look that great as the ink is covering up the embossing.

 6. Here is the really cool part! You use the heat gun to go over your embossed image again. The snowflake will magically appear through the ink. The image will become crisp and clear again! Isn't that cool?

I think the rest of the card is pretty easy to figure out. I used the smaller snowflakes and I stamped the Bermuda Bay card stock with Whisper White Craft Ink. I used a white gel pen to add a frame of dots around the main image. This just helped the main image to pop a bit more.

I do have one more little tip for you. On the greeting pennant I used the My Way Punch to get a perfect V cut. Just turn the punch upside down and place the end of your card stock in the large arrow punch. It gives you a perfectly even V every time!

To create the bump in the middle of the greeting I used a couple of dimensioals stacked on top of each other.

The Rhinestones came from Stampin' Up's Clear Rhinestone Brads. I simply took the rhinestones out of the silver brad.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me. I will do my best to answer them!

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes (available September 1), Four the Holidays (available September 1)

Inks: Whisper White Craft Ink (101731), Bermuda Bay Classic Refill (115661), Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink Refill (101041), Taken with Teal Classic Ink Refill (100550)

Card Stock: Taken with Teal (101584), Bermuda Bay (115317), Glossy White (102599), Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), White Embossing Powder (109132), White Gel Pen (105021), My Way Punch (110709)

It's coming, I promise!

I just wanted to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about you or the tutorial. This has been one of those weeks when life just got in the way of stamping and then stamping got in the way of blogging! LOL Things are quieting down now and I will be back to posting every day. I will definitely have the tutorial up for you tomorrow morning.

Have a Great Day!

It's Here, It's Here, the August Tour de Freaks is Here!!!

I am so excited that you have joined us again this month for the Control Freaks Tour de Freaks Blog Tour. You are going to LOVE all the wonderful projects that the Control Freaks have created for you this month. Our theme this month is the New In Colors! All of our projects will feature the brand new In Colors, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, and Soft Suede.

You may have just arrived here from Dawn Olchefske's blog. Dawn is one talented lady! Her creations are always fabulous!

 I mentioned yesterday that I was in full Christmas mode, so it shouldn't surprise you that my first card is a Christmas card! This is a sneak peak at one the new sets that will be available on September 1 when the new Holiday Mini is unveiled!  Serene Snowflakes is absolutely gorgeous! It may just be my favorite snowflake set that Stampin' Up! has ever had!

Bermuda Bay is a gorgeous color and it goes so well with the color that I have always liked the least from Stampin' Up! Yes, it's Taken with Teal! This color and I have never gotten along, until now! Believe it or not I actually had to open a new pack of it the other day!

The main image on this card was created with a technique called Magic Snowflake. It is a technique that I just love and use all the time. Check back in with me on Monday and I will have a step by step tutorial available for you on how to make this card.

Rich Razzleberry, is a color the I have been waiting for, I just didn't know it! This color looks fantastic with so many other colors! I absolutely LOVE it! Here I have it paired with Shimmery Sliver and the Crazy For Cupcakes set.

Are you gasping at the beautiful back ground on this card? lol I created this fabulous patterned paper using the Bride Specialty Paper, a brayer and the Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink Pad! The paper is absolutely stunning on it's own, but when you add ink to it just takes it to the next level! The possibilities are endless with this paper!

The last project I have for you today was inspired by another one of the Control Freaks, Kimberly Van Diepen. Kimberly has been making some fabulous creations with the Silver Hinged tins, otherwise known as Nugget Tins. I have some big plans for some Christmas themed ones this fall, but for now I thought I would show you a bright, sunny summer one that I created.

I used Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, and Rich Razzleberrry Textured card stock. The Simple Flower Embosslit die is the perfect die for making a quick and easy project look fabulous! This die embosses and cuts at the same time. It's size also makes is great to use with scraps! I added a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the edges of the flowers. I wanted a touch more bling so I added a few of the jewels from the Fire Rhinestone brads. The leaves were created with the Little Leaves die, another one of my favorites!

The gorgeous Designer Series Paper is from the Razzleberry Lemonade Collection. Of course you have heard me sing the praises of the Polka Dot ribbon before. I absolutely LOVE this stuff! I am not even going to tell you how many rolls I have already used! It's just embarrassing! LOL

Not only are these tins great for Chocolate nuggets, they also fit 6 Tealights! Wouldn't this make a great little pick me up, or thank you gift for someone?

I hope you have enjoyed your time here today! The next stop on the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour is the very talented Shona Watson! I know she will have some amazing creations for you!

Enjoy the rest of your tour!

Kreative Jewels Downline Meeting Project - Christmas Treat

Before I talk about one of the projects we did at my Kreative Jewels downline meeting on Monday night, it is important for you to know one thing ... I am in full Christmas mode! Almost everything I am stamping right now is Christmas related! For some strange reason I seem to have skipped right over Fall and Halloween and I am into Christmas! It might have something to do with all the terrible weather we have had this summer in Calgary. lol

Our first project was this gorgeous box!  This is Stampin' Up!'s Box #2 Sizzix die, bad name, great die! LOL This box is the perfect size to hold two votive candles. They just fit with the lid closed, but I like the presentation with the top open.

I used Real Red textured card stock for the base. The gorgeous Specialty Paper is from the soon to be released Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper. This particular pattern is a flocked design. The paper just feels so luxurious and rich. I wrapped it around the outside of the box and I also layered the back of the box with it. The fabulous stamp on the front of the box is from one of our fantastic Hostess Sets, Christmas Punch. Stampin' Up! has a fabulous Hostess Promotion starting on September 1, if you are in Canada and you would like to know some details about this new promotion please call or email me!

Don't forget tomorrow is the big day, the August Tour de Freaks will be up for your touring pleasure early tomorrow morning! I can't wait to see what all the talented Freaks have come up with!

 Stamps: Christmas Punch - Level 2 Hostess Set

Inks: Real Red Classic Ink (103133)

Card Stock: Real Red Textured Card Stock -part of the Bold Brights Pack (108698), Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper - available September 1

Accessories: Wide Oval Punch (112082), 3/16" Corner Rounder (109047)
 

Kreative Jewels Downline Meeting

 

Last night I held my monthly Kreative Jewels Team Meeting. We always have such a good time at our downline meetings! I have a fantastic group of ladies in my group and I really cherish the time that we get to spend together. One of my favorite things about Stampin' Up! is the wonderful friendships I have formed with my downline. It is so great to be around  people that share the same passion as you do!

At each meeting I like to make them a little treat box. This month I used the Matchbox die with the Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper. I used the fabulous Little Leaves die with Always Artichoke and Soft Suede card stock.

I added a few extra little details to make the box special. I used the Modern Label

Punch and the Movers ad Shapers die to create the cute label. I then added a little bling to it with the inside of the rhinestone brads. I finished it off with some Always Artichoke Grosgrain.

I think the most exciting thing about the box is what's inside! Inside each box they have a sample of the brand new ribbon from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog! I wanted them all to have a few pieces to play with. I am loving this new ribbon and I know they will too!

I also gave everyone a few samples of some of the new Bride Specialty Paper and the new Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper! I am so in love with this new paper! You can do so many things with the Bride paper and the flocked paper in the new Christmas Cocoa Specialty pack is just to die for! We made a few projects using these items that I will show you tomorrow.

This is what their place setting looked like when they got to the meeting. Each person had the 6x6 samples of the new Specialty paper, the matchbox and an extra little treat. As I was digging through my drawer of SU! items that I use for prizes and incentives I came

across a bunch of mint tins that I had bought at Convention a few years ago! Yikes! I did warn them all that the mints might not be too fresh! LOL I still keep my tin in my purse, it's a great Conversation starter when you are looking to talk about your business!

Here's a few photos of the girls hard at work!

Karen and Liz are working away at their projects. Both of these fabulous ladies just joined my team a month or so ago and this was their first downline meeting!

Becki is busy threading a button with some Taffeta ribbon and Julie has just finished up her project. Julie was our big winner for the night! She took home prizes for having #2 in sales for the April-June quarter, having the top sales for 2008-2009 year and for promoting to a Senior Consultant! Way to go girl!

Be sure to check back tomorrow and I'll show you a few of the fun projects we made! Don't forget Thursday is the fabulous Tour de Freaks Blog Tour so you will want to come back for that too!

If you would like to join our Kreative Jewels Team now is the perfect time to do it! The fabulous Mini Starter Kit Special is only available until August 31. For details on the kit and how to join my team please click HERE.

Welcome to the Kreative Jewels Team!

I had a number of ladies join my Kreative Jewels Team over the past few months and I wanted to make them all a welcome to my team card. I made a couple extra for the people that I am hoping will join my team this month before the fantastic special runs out!

I just love Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede together! It is such a fantastic color combination, it just looks so rich! I stamped the single flower from the Friends 24-7 set on Watercolour Paper using Jet Black Stazon. I then colored the image using a Blender Pen and Stampin' Write Markers. I then sponged the edges of the card using both Apricot Appeal and Creamy Caramel Classic Ink. I love the warmth this added to the image.

I finished off the card with lots of little details. I did some paper piercing around the main image and the greeting. I used a Texturz plate and the Big Shot to create some dimension to the card. I also added a little Rich Razzleberry Ribbon. I absolutely love this ribbon! I love the fact that you basically get two ribbons for the price of one! You can use the Polka Dot side or the plain side like I have done here.

Stamps: Friends 24-7 (113218), Warm Words (115108)

Inks: Jet Black Stazon(101406), Apricot Appeal (105218), Creamy Caramel (103220)

Card Stock: Rich Razzleberry (115316), Soft Suede (115318), Orchid Opulence (100969), Watercolour Paper (105019)

Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon (115613), In Color Stampin' Write Markers (116329), Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker (100079), Blender Pen (102845), Large Oval Punch (107305), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Wide Oval Punch (112082), Mat Pack (105826), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Sponge Daubers (102892), Big Shot (113439), Texture  Plates Kit #4 (114531), Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615) 

The Mini Starter Kit Specialis still going on for another 2 weeks! You don't want to miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Join my Kreative Jewels Team today! Speaking of my Kreative Jewels Team, tonight is our downline meeting! I am so excited! I just love all the ladies on my team and I look forward to our monthly meetings. I have a few fun projects planned for them. I'll show you a couple of them tomorrow.

August Tour De Freaks Coming Soon!

It's almost time for another fantastic Tour de Freaks Blog Tour! The Control Freaks have been working hard this month to bring you some brand new fabulous creations! The tour will be up and running on Thursday morning. Be sure to come back and check out what the Freaks have been up to!

I have tons of new items to share with you, I just haven't had a chance to photograph them! The weather here has been the pits for the past week, it's been rainy and cold. Since I try to take my pictures in natural light it has been hard to get any decent shots. We have a better forecast tomorrow so hopefully the cards and I will have a successful photo shoot! LOL

PPA3 - Inspiration Challenge

This weeks challenge on the Pals Paper Arts was an Inspiration Challenge. Below is the photo they gave us for inspiration. The great thing about inspiration challenges is that you can create anything, the bad thing about inspirations challenges is that you can create anything! lol Seriously, I can't be the only one that struggles with this! With a color challenge or a sketch challenge you have definite boundaries, with an inspiration challenge it is wide open!

I used the picture to inspire a lot of things in my card.

1. Color is the most obvious one. I choose to work with Brocade Blue, Certainly Celery and Real Red. All colors that were pulled from the picture.

2. I used the 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon to simulate the feel and texture of the stripped carpet.

3. The buttons at the bottom of the card were inspired by the circles on the chalk board.

4. The child theme of the card was inspired by the child's room in the picture.

 If you would like to take part in this weeks PPA Challenge just click on the button.

Don't forget about the great deal Stampin' Up! has on this month! Spend $45.00 on stamp sets in the Growing Up section of the catalog and you will receive a free pack of Designer Buttons!

Stamps: Choo Choo (113982), On Your Birthday (111664)

Inks: Brocade Blue (101102), Certainly Celery (105217), Real Red (103133), Night of Navy (102977)

Card Stock: Certainly Celery (105125), Real Red (102482), Night of Navy (100867), Shimmery White (101910)

Accessories: Brocade Blue 5/8" Grosgrain (109057), Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain (109050), Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain (109052), Wide Oval Punch (112082), Oval Die (114525), Big Shot (113439), Fresh Favorites Buttons (107421), Retired Real Red and Brocade Blue Buttons

A Little Dashing Cottage Wall

Did you miss my Designer Series Paper Class last night? This month's feature Designer Series Paper was Cottage Wall. I absolutely love this fun paper. It goes so well with so many of our fantastic floral sets.

One of the things that I like to do in these classes, is show my stampers how to use the Designer Series Paper in a different way. I bet you wouldn't have thought about making a Christmas card with Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper!

I am just thrilled with how this card turned out! It's a bright and cheery Christmas card! The card has a number of layers but it was very simple to make. I stamped my favorite Dasher on Tempting Turquoise card stock using Versamark Ink. I then embossed it with Whisper White Embossing Powder. I added a few extra details with the paper piercing and the Tempting Turquoise brads.

Stamps: Dasher (116816)

Inks: Versamark (102283)

Card Stock: Orchid Opulence (100969), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Cottage Wall DSP (115671)

Accessories: White Embossing Powder (109132), Embossing Buddy (103083), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Bold Bright Brads (106957), Scallop Circle Die (113468), The Big Shot (113439), Circle Scissor Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531)

My Designer Series Paper classes are an excellent deal! You will make 5 fabulous cards with matching envelopes and you will take home a full pack of 12x12 Designer Series Paper! If you are in the Calgary area and you would like to register for upcoming Designer Series Paper Classes just click the links below.

September 9 - Autumn Traditions

October 7 - Merry Moments

November 4 - Holiday Lounge

December 2 - Throughly Modern