Wednesday, January 28, 2009

I did it!!!!! Challenge cards 4-9

OK, if you have been reading you know that I have been working on the cupcake challenge which is to make 9 cards. Today is the deadline and I didn't think I was going to make it but I did- YEAH! You might think that is silly, only 9 cards, but I have a full time job and a toddler at home, there were 9 templates to work from AND it takes me at least and hour to design something usually. I did three cards last night and three the night before. If you see me sleeping at my desk today, you'll know why. ;) So yes, if you can't tell I am so proud of myself.

Now, some of the cards I love and some I am so-so on. Of course I don't have 9 different cupcakes, so some are not cupcakes (they aren't required). (check out taylored expressions blog here- http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/).

Card #4 (actually this was my #9- they are out of order I did them in, but it doesn't matter) was designed by Monica Davis- http://stampnmad.typepad.com/mad_stamper/2009/01/taylor-expressions-cupcake-challenge-anniversary.html. I call it Special Delivery. The carousel note is SU, but the rest is just from the limited (or at least I think) supplies I had.



Card #5- template by Stephanie Hargis- http://stephsstampinstuff.blogspot.com/2009/01/cupcake-anniversary-challenge-and.html. I call this one Apple of my Eye. All SU products except the ribbon (random, came of a christmas present or something).




Card #6- template by Jackie Pedro- http://thescallopededge.typepad.com/the_scalloped_edge/2009/01/tecc52-a-year-of-cupcake-sketches-anniversary.html. I call this one Cupcake Love. Normally I would have put the image in the big circle and the sentiment in the smaller, so again, trying to think outside the box. I also thought it was fun to string the ribbon through the eyelets in the top right corner. All products SU except the cupcake stamp. The love is die cut from the big shot.



Card #7 (almost there!)- template by Donna Baker- http://stampamaniac.blogspot.com/2009/01/tecc52-taylored-expressions-anniversary.html. I call this one Honey Comb because of the pattern, not exaclty like a honey comb, but repeated background. I am not sure about this card. I like the template, but I had a hard time with it. What do you think?



Best for Last- these last two are my favorites.

#8- Pretty Peony. Card design by Vicki Chrisman- http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/. I just love this stamp set don't you?! I love the idea of using blues and other unconventional colors for flowers. Everything SU.



And finally, #9!!!! Template by Sherrie Siemens- http://sherrie-cardcreme.blogspot.com/2009/01/year-of-cupcake-fridays.html. Now this card is my very favorite! At first blush I didn't know what to do with this template. (I had some trouble with all the circles because I don't have a cutting system for that so all were traced and cut by hand- which explains why they are imperfect. ) But yesterday during lunch I needed a stress break and went to a stamp store I love (but don't frequent often because I am a SU demonstrator)- Monkey Love Rubber Stamps. I found the spaceship and the fuzzy little guy and got an idea. The color is slightly off in this pic (the cotton ball blast off explosion is not orange, it is white) but oh-well. I used a texture plate for the background and then brushed it with ink over the top to make the stars pop out. To make it pop even more, I used a little crystal effects on the spaceship window and a Stampin' Dimensional behind the little space dude. Most paper, ink, markers are SU, everything else is other. What do you think of this card???? Did I mention I LOVE it!?! i just think it is really fun, and was fun to make.



Thanks for staying tuned for the cupcake challenge and wish me luck, maybe I will win. :)


Monday, January 26, 2009

Cupcake Challenge Card 3

Still working on the cupcake challenges. I am not sure if I am going to make it- I still have 6 to go! UGH! I am suck a slow worker/creator. The other thing is I just used my last cupcake stamp! Really, I don't have to use all cupcakes but it is the cupcake challenge. Anyway, here is the template from Ana Wolfhart- http://inkastamp.blogspot.com/2009/01/cupcake-anniversary-challenge.html. Her card is sooo fabulous by the way, check it out. They all are actually.



My interpretation is definitely different than Ana's but I love this set (actually used the cupcake for the first card) and I love this paper. Can't remember what it was called but retired about a year ago from SU. The only things that aren't from SU are the rik-rak and the flower. If you want a list of supplies, please let me know.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

posts

a few more recent posts below the DSP club info.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Join the Designer Series Paper Club

Join the DSP club today!

ONLY TWO SPOTS REMAIN (as of 1/26/09)!!!


Picture provided with permission by: Barb Mullikin


Get 1 6x6 sheet of all new Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper
84 6X6 sheets total for only $22 - to purchase these on your own is $150++
Paper sets are new to the 2009 catty including: NEW TEXTURED PAPER
Rockabilly, Parisian Breeze, To the Nines, Sweet Slumber; and regular
DSP- Jackpot, Candy Lane, Bella Birds, Pink Flamingo, Good
Morrning Sunshine, Raspberry Tart, Urban Oasis, Bella
Bleu, Flock Together & Tea Party


To join:
Seven individuals sign up and pay a one time fee of $22 for the club

Here’s how it works:
Once 7 members have signed up for the club and paid their fee, I order all the paper listed above. Once received I cut and package the paper and give to you for your creating pleasure.

BONUS: Sign up by Jan 25th (date of my customer appreciation party) I will give you one door prize ticket. Sign up a friend and get two more door prize tickets.


Contact me today to sign up!


Katie Brooks, Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
206-947-8273
katieannbrooks@gmail.com
http://www.kbstamps.blogspot.com/
http://www.kbloves2stamp.stampinup.com/

Another Cupcake Challenge

There are 9 total cupcake challenges that I can enter (in total). The first (shown in the post below) wins me a $10 gift certificate, but if I enger all 9 I could win $75 gift certificate, so why not try right?! So here is number two, Jami Sibley made this design, you can view her blog at http://jami.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/01/23/a-year-of-cupcakes/

Again, please let me know what you think about this card. My goal of late is to go outside my normal.



Sorry the picture is not of the best quality. :( All materials are Stampin' Up! aside from the stamps themselves which are from Lockhart Stamps.

Two challenges in one

OK, I wanted to do Kristina's color challenge http://kwernerdesign.com/blog/ but was unsure of the colors (see below):

Then I checked out Taylor Designs- http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/ Cupcake Challenge (below)- they are celebrating a year- so I decided to combine the two!

Unfortunately, I missed the KWerner deadline :(. But I will make the other deadline. Who knows, maybe the use of colors will win me the other challenge. What do you think?

One for the road

I made this card the other day when I was home sick. Now I know what you are thinking, "shouldn't you be in bed?!" I agree, but you know how boring it gets being home and having to lay around all day, so I do a little something. Anyway, I am calling this one for the road because the DSP I used and some of the stamps are retired/from the last catalog (all SU! product). Maybe I was feeling inspired, or maybe delirious, who knows, but this card is a little different from my usual style. Hope you like it.

Sale-a-bration Sneak Peak

I made this card using one of the new upcoming Sale-a-bration set. Don't you love it?! I really enjoyed using the silver emboss powder too.


The design shape was inspired by the Mojo Monday Challenge.





Supplies Used (all SU):
Stamps: Polka Dot Punch
CS: Green Galore, Ballet Blue & Apricot Appeal
DSP: Green Tea
Ink: Versamark, Green Galore & Ballet blue
Other: Silver Emboss Powder, Certainly Celery 1/4" grossgrain ribbon

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Bee Mine



I had fun with this one. Let me know what you think.

Supplies Used (all stampin up):
CS- Basic Black, Basic Grey, Taken with Teal, Ridinghood Red
Stamps- Party Hearty, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Buzzin' By, Happy Heart, Polka Dot Punches (2009 Sale-a-bration)
Ink: Real Red & Basic Black
Markers: Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Tempting Turquiose & Yoyo Yellow
Other: Silver Brads, Scallop Edge Punch

Inaguration Celebration

This card was inspired by today's inaguration of our new President.


Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Build-a-bracelet, Krista inspired

I created this because my friend Krista was in town from MN and wanted to do a crafty project, my choice. She likes jewlery and has done some beading in the past, so this is what I came up with.


This is my build-a-bracelet, what do you think?!? I found the basic, charm free bracelet at Michaels and used the SU build-a-brads and some patterned paper for the images.




The New Catalog is HERE!!!!

My email inbox is flooded with, "It's here, it's here!" I have to tell you, it is G-R-E-A-T! Some items of note that I LOVE in the new catalog:

  1. new stamps-obviously
  2. new DSP including textured paper!
  3. new button, ribbons and other accessories
  4. new dies for the Big Shot including TEXTURE PLATES- whoa!
  5. colored rub ons

The list could go on and on (and on), but you should just look for yourself.

Watch out for some upcoming club opportunities, for example, maybe a paper club to get you a little bit of EVERYTHING!!! Wouldn't that be nice?!

Also, you should note that from Feb. 1st - April 30, if you order online from my SU! website, you get a free catalog. There is no minimum purchase to get this!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Kristina's design challenge

This is my first time participating in a challenge of any kind. I often find many new blogs, ideas, etc from Kristina's challenges and really like them. Thought I might get inspired by just doing one myself!


here is my card. put it on a black backdrop so you could see it better. Hope you like it!




Thursday, January 15, 2009

Sweet Sophie

Recently my daughter turned 1- :). Finally, I am working on a scrapbook for her that makes up her first year. Here is the start...

EXPECTING


C-SECTION DELIVERY (11/3/08)




1 DAY OLD- DADDY & GRANDPA GIVE THANKS





BATHTIME WITH GRANDMA & MOM




1ST FRIEND- EMBER

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Top Note Gift Card Holder/Mini Purse

Isn't this fun! I love the Big Shot- did I tell you I got one for Christmas?! I haven't used it much yet, took a bit of a break post holidays, but getting back into full swing now. This was soooooooo easy. I used two dyes from SU- Top Note and the So Swirly- a little ribbon and done! I think it makes a great little gift card holder, or you could put wedding or baby shower favors in it, you decide. :)


Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Have you seen the new decor elements????

I LOVE the new decor elements!! I really, really, really want the tree (hint- birthday, christmas, anything!!!) Anyway, I am thinking wouldn't this make a great family tree?! There are some really fun ones for adults, kids and everything. I even have a guy who might buy some for his son's room, we'll see. Enjoy this little taste!



Live in California? Then Vino Prima-it-up!!

This is my friend Stacey who moved to California in August to start a wine bar with her Uncle. Though I miss her dearly, I am happy she is doing so well. If you live in Cali, check out the wine bar Vino Prima! Here is their first review, which says they are excellent of course: http://www.gtweekly.com/20081219307783/dining/wine/vino-prima-wine-bar


Monday, January 12, 2009

One Sneaky Little Peak!

Can't wait? Neither can I. Here are some cards made from some of the new stamp sets and paper from the upcoming SU! Catalog. Thanks to the ladies who made these (I participated in a swap with the Just Buzzin By set)!




Here are a few close ups of some of my favorites. Don't you love the little embosslet flower?!


The thank you is great too! I love that they will be selling a few individual stamps for purchase!



I am not sure about this set, "Game Night", the card is well done but maybe the set isn't my taste. I think it is inteded to be more of a masculine set, and it is. What do you think?


Please remember these images are copywright Stampin' Up!