Inky Impressions DT News...

I made Inky Impressions' First Ever Design Team!☺

Thank you Nicole, and thanks to all of you who wished me well and encouraged me on this. I'm so excited to have been one of the..... (get this!) 17 new members, and I'm looking forward to working alongside each and every one of them! I've actually visited all their blogs and I see some familiar faces and some newbies, but they're all fantastic, so I hope you'll be inspired by all!!

If you tried out and weren't on the list, please don't give up!! I know how it feels trying out for DTs and not being chosen, but in this case... it may just be a few more months until you ARE chosen because Nicole is going to be picking a new Design Team, as well as have monthly Guest Designers!!

In case you missed my other posts, Inky Impressions is a new "up-and-coming" (and totally fabulous--and I'm not just saying that) stamp company with the CUTEST little girls stamps...can't wait to see what else she has coming out, can you?!!

Vroom, Vroom...

Biker Bella's Hittin' the Road

Do you remember a few posts ago I told you my friend Helen sent me some Stamping Bella images to play with? Well, here's my first one!!

The first person I thought of to send this to is my mom. She's not the typical "Biker Babe," but she and my dad have been doing lots of biking trips these last couple years on the motorcycle! She actually has black leather threads too, but I don't have a picture. They've traveled across a few states for vacation last summer, and lots of shorter trips to the coast to go camping. Anyway, mom's birthday is in July, so I sometimes like to do red/white/blue cards for her.

The flower "spokes" on the front and both wheel rims are colored with my clear sparkly gellyroll pen, and the muffler and other parts are colored with the grey sparkly pen...but that's so hard to see in this photo. Maybe if you clicked to enlarge it might show it. Did you notice my bow? Uh-huh... doin' a little "Melissa Bove" action there, LOL!!! Hey, I'm trying!!!

Okay, before I go, here's a picture of my parents with their cute little 2-seater "Hardley Davidson"

Did you notice the writing on the tank? At quick glance it looks like "Harley" but it's not! LOL It's a "Hardly" Davidson. It's actually a Yamaha. Fooled me too! lol.

Thanks again Helen for the cute images to color! =P (Told ya I'd get some use outta them!) ☺

I Got My "Melissa Bove" Original!!

I'm one of the rare few (or maybe not-so-few) that will get my hands on a Melissa Bove Original, as she usually only makes one of each piece of art and they are all very different. She customized this frame just for me!! :) But, I have good news!! Right now you too can own one of her fabulous handmade creations including personalized frames, beautiful birthday boxes (oh, you just have to see them!), cute carousels, her signature cards and more! If you've ever seen a "Melissa Bove" creation, you'll know it's hers!! She's now selling them online at Keepsakes by Melissa for very reasonable prices!!

Would You Help a Friend?

My friend Tonya Hopkins has a gorgeous card posted at Scrap N Win this month and needs some friends to go leave a comment (as we found out that the no. of comments has a lot to do with how they pick a winner), so would you please take a second to go vote? Here's the link to her card, then you'll have to login and click on "cards" in the left column and find hers --right now it's the first one listed, but here's the link to her card so you know what it looks like: http://www.scrapnwin.com/categories_detail.asp?f_userId=primpainter&f_idx=1182&f_cartegory=PaperCards&strPast=&intCurPage=1
Thanks so much!!

Precious Moments

Happy Tuesday!! If you saw my card yesterday, I posted Sarah Kay meets Lime Rickey...well today, Sarah Kay meets Porcelain...that's the name of this gorgeous Basic Grey paper! There's such a different feel between my two cards. I have to admit, although I really love this one, vintage doesn't come easy for me. Not sure I love the brown sponging, and I think I might've sponged too much pink on my white doily? (I KNOW...I'm my own worst critic, lol) But I do love this Sarah Kay image, don't you? Cute little chickies. I even decorated the inside:

(dontcha just hate it when you tape down your piece first and then stamp it...crooked!! Eeeeekers!! Oh well...maybe it adds charm *wink*)

Sarah Kay meets Lime Rickey

Warning: You may need sunglasses to view this card!
Okay, maybe not! Teeheee!! Stampavie has arrived at KL Stampin N Scrappin! This adorable image is by Sarah Kay and is called Picnic of Daisies (which is my favorite flower, btw). I watercolored her, and used my Nesties to cut her out. She's layered on various patterns of the new Basic Grey paper called Lime Rickey and boy do I ♥ this bright, fun paper!! The fun scalloped shape in green and dp is the Top Note die from SU! and the sentiment is a $1 stamp I got at Michael's. Well, that's about it for today. If you'd like to see what other new stamps are available for pre-order, please click on over to KLSNS.

Have a super day and hope you get to Ink Something!

Sterling Silver Thank You's

Happy Sunday everyone!! I titled this "sterling silver" t.y.s because that's what type of embossing powder I used...after all these months (?possibly even years?)!! Iwas big into embossing when I first learned to stamp about 5 or 6 years ago, but really haven't used it much lately. I was hired to do some thank you's for the 5 churches that hosted our Passion Week lunches a couple weeks ago. I thought purple was an appropriate color, and my friend Heather had sent me a package of silver cards/envelopes -- a few years ago, or so it seems! I knew they'd come in handy some day!! LOL.

The cross and sentiment is from the "Everyday Blessings" set by Papertrey Ink. The Nesties and pearls are from KL Stampin' N Scrappin' store (although she's no longer taking orders on Spellbinders Nestabilities--sorry). And the designer paper...??? not sure who makes it but I got it from our LSS before they went out of business.

I also got a card made for my DT post on Tuesday...it's super cute, so hope you'll come see that soon! =) Have a beautiful Sunday!!

Arbor Day Ceremony & New Siggy

Well, I can't say that "Arbor Day" is a holiday that we normally celebrate, but this year it was. My daughter won first place in a poster contest at school for Arbor Day!! Go Carly!! ☺ Only 4th and 5th graders could participate, but didn't have to. They had over 40 submissions and all the winners (1st--4th place) were all 4th graders!! They had a ceremony this morning in Metolius so the winners could help plant the new blue spruce, and Carly was the only winner who showed up. There were several others there though from the community including the Mayor. Our girls got to help plant the tree. They also got a certificate and won an unpainted birdhouse and DQ gift certificates! More pics are up on our family blog.

Did you notice my new siggy? Did you "get it"?? Kristine "Bee"... I mean, "B" LOL!!! You're prolly tired of my little technical antics, but I feel like a kid with a new Christmas toy! Okay...over -n- out. Hope you get time to Ink Something! ☺

Spring Swap and a R.A.K.

HeLLo ☺
My SBS4 group (Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers) recently did a Spring Swap and now that my sis got her goodies, I can share this with you! I decorated a tin can with this bright springy paper from DCWV. The dark coral paper has a design in it, but hard to see that here. I decorated 3 Magnolias and pop-dotted them in between the letters of her name, "JANE" --hi Jane!! I didn't take a picture of the goodies inside, but I filled it with mini brads, glue dots, buttons, white gel pen, her favorite candy, and then I also sent her a card and a bunch of stamped images of animals, as those are some of her favorite images to use (or at least I hope I got that right?) LOL.

Next I want to share a card... actually it's a stamped folder filled with Stamping Bellas that I received a couple days ago from my friend Helen of Stampin with Helen! Thanks so much Helen!! You are the best. I don't own any Bellas, but they are sure cute and I'll definately enjoy using them!! Love the glitter on your flower, and your dp is really cute too! Thanks so much for everything Helen!!

Random tidbit for today:
Did you know that jelly is made from fruit juice, but jam is made from pureed fruit?

I've Earned a New Title

Someone actually tagged me as "tech savvy" recently!! ☺ I'm learning some stuff on my own and loving every minute of it. I'm so excited that I recently learned how to create a blinkie!! So I put it to good use and created this cute little blinking banner (shown above post) for Kelly's store.

I also made this cute little one that you can grab and add to your own blog if you are so inclined ;P I know that Kelly would love for you to show your support by placing this on your blog!

To add this blinkie to your blog:Copy the teal code below and then go into your layout and add a gadget. Click to add html/java script and paste it in the box. Hit save and you'r done! :) Thanks!!
<a href="http://shop.klstampinnscrappin.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss306/KLSNSphotos/KLSNSlogoblink.gif"></a>

Wanna be a Guest Designer for KL Stampin' N Scrappin'?? Now taking applications!! Please see this post.

A Spoonful of Sugar Sketch

It's been quite a while since I've done a Spoonful of Sugar challenge, and although I do love creating cards for my design team and Etsy Store, it was nice to just make a card for no reason today. I received some Swedish Hanglar images from Lim months ago and they were getting pretty lonely in my box over there, so I got this one out and used this week's sketch ☺ Thanks again Lim--you're such a sweetie and I appreciate your kindness so much. If you haven't seen Lim's blog yet, you're really missing out--she's so talented!! Go take a look ☺

I also thought I'd try something I've never done before--these curly que thingies I saw on Carolyn's blog. I loved this card of hers and think these unusual paper twisties adds such a fun element to the card... I likey!! ☺ Carolyn's another one of those extremely seasoned stampers...love everything she makes! Here's her blog: PMS, etc (it's NOT what you think!) LOL.

Thanks for stopping in!! Hope you find time to Ink Something!

Step It Up...with Your Cuttlebug!

Happy Tuesday!! I finally got a card done for Heidi's April Challenge, which was to use your cuttlebug to create an accent piece...instead of a background on your card! Great challenge, eh?? So, I decided to step it up a little and I created 2-tone cuttlebugged butterflies! It's really easy to do. I'll show you: (feel free to click on picture to enlarge)

1. Pick a cuttlebug folder, a classic ink pad, and lighter shade of cardstock to use. I used Floral Fantasy with Tempting Turqoise ink, and Cool Caribbean cardstock (as well as Pink Passion and Pretty in Pink c.s.)
2. Brayer on just one side of your folder. I inked up what would be the background so the flowers popped up are the lighter shade of cardstock. (see pic #2)
3. Close your folder and run through the Cuttlebug/big shot or whatever machine you use =P
4. Then I punched out my cardstock with a Marvy Butterfly punch that I bought at ... the Dollar Tree!!
5. Go rinse off your cuttlebug folder under water real well so it doesn't stain :)

That's it!! I then punched out some solid butterflies out of the darker shade of cardstock and adhered the embossed b-flies with a rolled up glue dot just in the middle so that the wings could be "free." SO, you ready to go try it?!

**NOTE: Heidi's challenge does NOT have to include this technique, you just have to have a cuttlebugged accent instead of background. When you finish your card, please upload it on the PCP forum and put KLSNS04 in your key words/tags if you want a chance to win!! You have til the end of April.

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Would you like to have a Guest spot on our Design Team?? Kelly's looking for someone to showcase each Thursday in May!!! Go check out the deets HERE.

May the *Horse* Be With You!!

Just thought I'd share a "funny" with you, at the expense of my 8 year old!! They had an OMSI assembly recently at my daughter's school in which they showed a bunch of science related things. Evidentally they had those Light Sabers like you'd see in Star Wars and her principal jokingly held one up and said, "Let the Force be with you!" Well, my daughter has never seen Star Wars before, and she thought it looked like a sword that a knight riding on a horse would hold. So she came home and laughingly told us all about the funny principal who raised his *sword* and said, "Let the HORSE be with You!!" LOL !!! She actually thought that's what he said. Oh goodness!!! Guess we should go rent the movie? =P

EDITED TO ADD:

Here's one more card I made with LiLi...an image sent to us from Nicole of Inky Impressions for round 2 of her DT call. I don't know why that pink button looks so bright and orangy, but IRL it actually matches the pink paper really well! LOL...guess my lighting didn't hit it right. Anyway, the top strips of green and blue are actually shiny satin ribbon...betcha couldn't tell that either huh? Feel free to click on the picture if you wanna see closer up. I used a white gel pen to add polka-dots to her shirt, and pink stickles to her bracelet and headband. Thanks for droppin in!! ☺

Paper Pretties Weekend

I had a very productive day today!! After lunch I cleared the table off and got busy on my goal to finally ink up my Paper Pretties set, Bunny Slippers Sophia. There are 3 different sentiments in this set, and I wanted to use them for variety... guess I was on a roll because I actually got 4 totally different cards made--Woohoo!!

I used watercolor pencils and aqua painter to color images, and paper pieced her robe on most cards. I also used different Spellbinders dies. The rest is pretty self-explanatory, but if you have questions, please feel free to ask! :)

My favorites out of the 4 are the 2 middle ones. SO...which is your fave??

My Heart is Smiling ☺

I received another blog award--2 in one week :) This one came to me from 2 of my newest blogger friends, Allie of Allie's Creative Designs... and NoraAnn of Robinson's Nest. Thanks So Much ladies!! We were to pass this on to 10 people, which is so hard to do because of course there are so many out there that I just LOVE!! So this time, I'm taking the easy road, LOL. I'd like to pass this on to all my blog readers because you all make me smile each and every day!!

A R.A.K. and an Award

Here's another card I got this week from my sister Kathy. This is one stamp I don't have, but is so very cute!! It's called Tilda with Bunny and is available at KLSNS at a discount!! She stamped me some images and sent those to me as well--thanks Kathy ☺ Love the yellow glitter on her dress and hairband, and I'm a sucker for polka-dots, so loving those! ;)

I also received this sweet blog award this week from my friend Tonya of Olde Country Creations. Thank you so much!! I'm so glad my blog makes you smile ☺

I'd like to pass it on to a few ladies whose blogs make me smile as well: Kathy, Helen, Melissa, Lorie, Lisa, Debbie, Marcia, Chris, Kelly, Cheryl, Sparkle. (And there's tons more that I can't possibly list off the top of my head right now.) ☺

Round 2 - Inky Impressions DT Call

Aaack!! I received my image and sketch in the mail last week from the very talented Nicole of Inky Impressions and although I knew they were gonna be cute, I was totally [blown away] delighted at the super sweet image she sent us!! I made 2 cards with the image and sketch we were to follow, so here's my first one:
The blue card base is scored on the left side--my ribbon covers the straight fold line ; P

I added some pink clear puffy hearts in varrying sizes to my cocoa satin ribbon--it just needed something there and I didn't even realize they go perfectly with the pink hearts dp until I posted it, lol!! I added a couple of paper doilies and used my oval scallop Nesties, as well as stickles and gellyroll pens (guess the lighting didn't pick that up?) Here's a close up:

And here's my second card -- different color scheme.

I cut out one of the big ladybugs from scraps and pop dotted it over another one. Then I added pink stickles to all her spots. The image on both cards are colored with watercolor pencils and an aqua painter. Some markers were used for the tiny spots. This 2nd card has lots of glitter on it, from her shirt to paint can, to her headband flower and all the designer paper already had lots of glitter in it as well.

That's about it! Thanks so much for your support, and best wishes to all the rest of you participants!! Thanks, Nicole for this opportunity to try out for your team.

xXx Kristine

WooHoo!! It's Snowing!

I just took this picture about 5 minutes ago and.... can you believe I'm actually THRILLED with this snowfall? It's snowing even harder now as I look out my window. I've been suffering terrible allergies these past couple weeks, and today I'm actually able to breathe again!! Thank God for this unusual cold front today to give me some relief when the meds just won't. ☺

A Super Cute Sneak Peek

Psst!!... Have I told you about my friend Helen? ☺ She's just posted some really cute (and not-your-typical card) cards for an upcoming baby shower over on her blog, Stampin with Helen. Here's a peek at just one style she's doing. If you'd like to see the whole card plus the other cuties, pop on over there and check em out!!

Easter R.A.K.s from Family

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! We certainly did. The church service was really good and then we had family over--10 of us all together and we enjoyed a very yummy dinner. Here are a couple of cards sent to me from my sister Kathy, and my mom, Joan. Thank you so much!!

My DD's Art as Inspiration

(card posted at the end)
Happy Friday!! Look at this amazing sugared egg that my 4th grader made at school!!! Her whole class got to make these and then brought them home yesterday. Of course they had help making those gorgeous flowers on top, but the whole thing is so beautiful!!

Here's a better picture of the top of flowers:

So, this beauty inspired me to do another egg card, but this time I colored it like the sugared egg...I even added Dazzling Diamonds to the white egg to resemble the sparkly sugar.

This card went to none other than my daughter's teacher today.

And now I'm about wiped out with Easter cards and am itching to do bug cards for some reason?? Ladybugs in particular! We'll see what I can come up with in the next few days. ☺

Have a Blessed Easter everyone!!

An Elegant Easter Egg & a R.A.K.

This is one of my new Magnolia images from the Easter Collection. I got it from my friend Kelly of KL Stampin' N Scrappin' store. Isn't it pretty? I've seen where some are sitting their Tildas and Edwins on top of the egg too--super cute! But I wanted to go for a more elegant/classical look. I added tiny pearls to many of the flower centers as well, and used Nestabilities to cut out the ovals. Whaddaya think?

Oh, and I received this cute Fluffles card in the mail from Kelly also this week!! Thank you so much Kelly!! (I ♥ Fluffles)
Thank you everyone for all your wonderful comments you've been leaving me!! I'm still haven't quite a bad time with my allergies, but I doubled up on the Allegra and it got somewhat better tonight. I'll have to call my Dr. in morning and see what we can do. Hope you all have a great week!!

Hurray for Snail Mail!!

TLC - Flower Pot Pocket Card

Happy Tuesday!! This week's TLC (technique lover's challenge) was to create this fun pocket card. My actual colors are lighter than this picture shows...her hair is brown, not black! (Boy, I need to get one of those studio-in-a-box thingies.) Anyway, here's Tilda with her puppy sitting on a huge flower pot, and the tag inside says, "It's the little things that make life BIG" - kinda goes with the "BIG" pot and flowers...which reminds me, today was 70 degrees here--FINALLY! And the flowers are starting to bloom! ☺ Unfortunately my allergy meds are not able to keep up! But it's prolly not from the outside environment... I was Spring cleaning today and lots of dusting *cough, cough* Yuck!

I've got 5 extra people coming over this Sunday for Easter dinner, so I went a little crazy and moved all my livingroom furniture around--ya know, trying to make more room! And btw...I'm one of those "Ta Da!" people, LOL...meaning that I like to get it all done before my husband comes home so he'll be so proud and ya know, *eh hum* cook dinner etc. SO, I ended up moving the piano (by myself), and stacking the t.v. stand on top of a bookshelf and I managed (with my girls' help) to get the t.v. on the top and now it's "hiding" (but not really) behind one of the couches. Do you feel sorry for me yet?!! LOL. I know you're asking...and yes! I'm sore tonight, and can't imagine what tomorrow will feel like. So I best get to bed...it's already 10 p.m. (oh ya, and in case you're wondering...yes, my hubby DID cook dinner--he BBQ'ed teriyaki chicken, YUMMO!!

Anyway, here's a larger picture of the pull out tag:

[Here's a link to my sister's flower card]

Hope you find time to Ink Something!

My Daughter Sang for Church

Carly, age 10, sang this song on Palm Sunday (originally sung by Nicole Nordeman)
Sorry the video is so dark, but the lights had to be down for the video behind her to show up. (If you click the bottom button...2nd one in from right, it will fill your screen, although it loses quality)


**NOTE: If other clips appear after this video, please do not click on them.
I have no control over what YouTube attaches at the end. Thank You!

Magnolia Butterfly Collection...

is coming to KL Stampin' N Scrappin' Store!!
How absolutely adorable are these?!! They will be added to the store this weekend, (but are available for Pre-Order only in the month of April). Hop on over to Kelly's blog to read what else is "NEW for SPRING!" ☺