Before the holiday season is over...

I thought I'd share some of my Christmas cards from this year...

card recipe (All SU!): Whisper White notecards; cardstock (Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Riding Hood Red); ticket corner punch, Chocolate Chip ink; To You & Yours stamp set; Stampin' Dimensionals

card recipe (All SU!): Whisper White notecard; cardstock (Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Baja Breeze, Glossy White); inks (Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Versamark, Baja Breeze); Stamps (Mr. Twigster, Snow Swirled, To You & Yours); Bold Bright Stampin' Write Markers, Blender pens, Brayer

Card Recipe (All SU!): Whisper White notecard; cardstock (Riding Hood Red, Kraft); inks (Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery); Cardinal Christmas stamps

I hope you have a very merry Christmas! I won't be posting a sketch this Friday...

Sketch #39

Well, the Christmas season is approaching way to quickly for my liking... and I'm blaming it for my lateness with the sketch this week. I've got a layout and card version, and a layout based on the sketch. Link me up in the comments if you create something!






I used the December kit from MSS for this layout and lots of Fontwerks stamps (Fling Alpha, Printed Numbers, Patterna and Flitter). This layout is also for the December DT Challenge at MSS. We were challenged to use fabric on our layouts... I used it to cover a plain chipboard tag.

Quick and Easy Gift--Stamped marble tiles

These are the tiles from my Handmade Holidays class. Each person makes a set of four. These were so easy, and I LOVE how they turned out! I started with tumbled marble tiles (4x4) from Home Depot. They were $4.99 for nine tiles. I used sponge daubers to apply Craft inks directly to the stamp so the colours would blend. Then I stamped onto the tiles. I heat set the tiles in the oven (250 F for 30 minutes) and then used a glue gun to attach felt squares to the back.

supplies (all SU! except for the tiles): Earth Elements Craft Stampin' Spots; Inspired by Nature stamp set; Sponge Daubers

Tagged by Leigh! and Awarded by Kelly!

Leigh tagged me a bit ago (sorry I'm just getting to this now...) to share seven random tidbits about myself. I have such a hard time coming up with these, but I'm going to give it a go.


1. I'm left handed, and I don't hold my pen correctly. No one noticed until I was in grade two, and then I didn't want to change.
2. My favourite flower is the Iris.
3. My favourite animal is the Elephant. I got to ride one last summer!
4. Some of my recent itunes downloads: Love Lockdown (Kanye West); Hot N Cold (Katy Perry); Lonely No More (Rob Thomas); Naked Eye (Luscious Jackson); Smooth Criminal (Alien Ant Farm)
5. I'm a procrastinator... even when I like doing something!
6. I just finished reading "Remember Me?" by Sophie Kinsella... loved it!
7. I'm craving chocolate right now!

Now I'm supposed to tag seven people...

1. Shannon
2. Krystn
3. Carmen
4. Kelly
5. Laura
6. Brandy
7. Anne (she already did it... yes I know that's cheating)

and Kelly gave me this blog award:


Thanks Kelly! I'm passing this award on to:

1. Shannon
2. Carmen
3. Krystn
4. Laura
5. Brandy
6. Anne
7. Leigh
8. Jen
9. Marcy
10. My Scrap Shoppe - not just because I'm the blogger this week... ;)

If you have time, check out these blogs!

I'll be back tomorrow with my stamped coaster tiles!

Sketch #38

It's Friday! Time for another sketch... I've got a layout and card version again this week and a layout to share. I have a card in mind too, but it's not done yet.

Here are the sketches:

and my layout (using the December Red Star Kit):

Handmade Holidays Class

I thought I'd post some pictures of my up-coming class (last one for this year)! If you'd like to add a personal touch to some of your gifts this year, this is the class for you. I'm limiting the class size to help keep the time down because there are so many projects, but I'm offering two dates.

Sunday, December 7th @ 7:00pm

Friday, December 12th @ 7:30pm

class fee is $20.00

Here's what's included in the class:

1 - set of 4 stamped marble coasters

1 - card folder and 5 co-ordinating cards (not shown)

1 - stamped art piece (frame not included)

2 - gift card holders (4 styles to choose from)

2 - bookmarks

2 - large tags

3 - small tags

Please contact me (phone or e-mail) as soon as possible to hold your spot in this class!

Sketch #37

Here are the sketches for this week (8.5x11 layout & card versions):

and my layout (this is a sneak peek at the December Red Star Kit!):

Link me up if you create something inspired by my sketches!

KWerner's Colour Inspiration #32

Love this colour combo from Kristina's blog for Christmas cards (and in general):

I had to use silver EP for this dove (love this set!) and on the edges of the Riding Hood Red cardstock... I also used clear EP on the Very Vanilla cardstock, and then sponged over it with the Riding Hood Red ink.

card recipe (all SU!): Whisper White notecard; cardstock (Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla); Stamps (Priceless, To You & Yours, Fresh Cuts); Embossing Powder (clear, silver), Inks (Versamark, Riding Hood Red).

Sketch #36

I'm late... it was Morgan's birthday weekend (Happy Birthday Morgan!) and I had a class Saturday too, so I just ran out of time...

Here's the sketch:

and my card version (Morgan's card):

card recipe (all SU!): Cardstock & Paper (Whisper White, Pirouette Pink, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Watercolour paper; Kraft DSP ~ hostess); stamps (Crazy for Cupcakes, A Little Birthday Cheer, Flight of the Butterfly); inks (Pink Pirouette, Bold Bright Stampin' Write markers, Chocolate Chip); Aqua painter; Dazzling Diamonds glitter; 2-way glue pen; Stampin' Dimensionals

I hope you're inspired... link me up in the comments if you create something!

KWerner's CI #30 (late)

I finished this card last Thursday night, but I was too late to add it to Kristina's blog by the deadline. Here was the inspiration:

and my card (which did double duty as an example for my Stamper's Club technique--embossing):

card recipe (all SU!): cardstock (Kraft, Whisper white, Old Olive); inks (Certainly Celery, Old Olive); Stamps (Eastern Blooms); hemp twine; Floral Frenzy Embossing template and stylus; Scallop Square punch.

Sketch #35

Here's the sketch for this week:

Feel free to make the grid work for you. Here's my layout:

I used the November MSS kit again... loved using all these papers!

Link me up in the comments if you're inspired to create!

Am I the only one...

who "pronounces" the gibberish authorization words when you're posting on other blogs? I've been trying to be better about posting on the blogs I normally just "read and run" on, and I've caught myself thinking the authorization "word" as I'm typing it... the funny thing is that sometimes they are real words!

anyway, I thought I'd post a couple more of my Card Buffet cards tonight.

The left card is pretty basic... I inked the Fresh Cuts stamp with three different Stampin' Spots (Old Olive, Garden Green, Not Quite Navy) and stamped directly on a Whisper White notecard. here's the complete recipe (all SU!): Fresh Cut stamps, Inks (Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Garden Green) , Whisper White notecard, Large Oval punch, Old Olive Flower Fusion, Silver mini-brad; Old Olive cardstock.

The card on the right isn't too tricky either (other than getting that knot to stay in place... I ended up stapling it on). recipe (all SU!): Whisper White Notecard; Real Red DSP (hostess level 1); Kraft cardstock; Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon; punches (5 petal flower, Boho Blossoms, Spiral); Owl Together Now stamps; Chocolate Chip Classic inkpad; Earth Elements Stampin' Write Markers

Sketch #34

It's a 12x12 layout sketch this week... I didn't have time to make a card version, but I'll try to add it later this week.

My layout is an 11x8.5" version (using the November Red Star Kit):

I'd love to see what you've done with the sketch... link me up in the comments!

KWerner CI #29

I always underestimate how tricky Kristina's colour challenges can be... the colours look so great together in the inspiration piece, but when I try to work with them, it's never quite as easy to get the right balance. So I used a lot of Whisper White in this one... ;) I am happy with the way it turned out though, so it was worth the struggle.

recipe (all SU!): Whisper White notecard; Pumpkin Pie cardstock; Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon; Whisper White cardstock; Fall Flair (Hostess level 2) and Wow Flowers (sentiment) stamp sets; Pumpkin Pie and Pacific Point classic inks; Elegant Eggplant and Taken With Teal Stampin' Write markers, 1 1/4" circle punch; Stampin' Dimensionals; Stampin' Sponge.

Sketch #33

I've got a card version and an 8.5x11 version of the sketch this week, and a card for my sample. Enjoy! Oh, and in the comments, Amy J asked last week where I get my sketches, so I thought I'd answer here... I make them myself! I get inspiration from magazines (ads) and art and sometimes take bits and pieces from cards/layouts I see. Sometimes the sketch develops from the pictures I'm trying to make into a layout.






















card recipe (all SU!): cardstock (Kraft, Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss), inks (Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip), Stamps (Organic Life - hostess set, Pocket Silhouettes, Bella Toile background, Define Your life - hard to see... stamped off and stamped over sponged background), tools (Scallop Square punch for mask, sponge, Word Window Punch, Top Note die-cut--thanks Anne!), paper (Kraft DSP - hostess)


Thanks for stopping by... link me up if you make something inspired by a sketch!

September's Stamp Club Technique cards (and post 100!)

I was intending to post these cards earlier (when it was September!) but obviously didn't... so I'm doing it now.



Each month in my Stamper's Club, I feature a different technique and we make a technique sample card (I type out instructions for the technique, and we make small samples on the back showing the technique). September's technique was watercolouring and faux watercolouring. We also make two cards/projects featuring the technique. The first card was faux watercolouring (we coloured on the stamp with Stampin' Write markers and spritzed with water before stamping):



card recipe (all SU!): Upsy Daisy stamp set, 1 3/8" circle punch, cardstock (Kiwi Kiss & Chocolate Chip), Whisper White Notecard, Stampin' Write Markers (Elegant Eggplant, Taken with Teal, Mellow Moss) and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.

For the second card, we stamped the image on watercolour paper with Stazon ink and used the Stampin' Write markers to add a bit of colour to the edges of the image. Then we used Aqua Painters to blend the colours together. The sky and grass were done with ink pressed into the lids of the stamp pads and an Aqua Painter.


card recipe (all SU!): Stamps (Bella Toile background, Serene Spring); Cardstock (Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip); Scallop Border punch, Watercolour paper, Earth Elements Stampin' Write Markers, Aqua Painter, inks (Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip).

If you're interested in my Stamper's Club (and you're Canadian), you can join at any time. You commit to spending at least $35.00 on product (plus shipping and tax) for six months and can attend six technique classes for free. You also receive hostess benefits (at least one level 1 hostess stamp set and $20 in merchandise of your choice) once during your six months. E-mail me for more details!

On another note, I can't believe this is my 100th post! I'm surprised I've kept it up this long... but I'm happy I did!

Sketch #32

Another week, another sketch! I've got a landscape 11x8.5 version, and a card version.

I created a layout this week... and part of it is a 6x6 make & take layout for a workshop this weekend, so I thought I'd share that too. I like to do 6x6 layouts at my workshops because of time and cost factors, but I show people how they can take that home and create a layout to go in their normal scrapbooks. So here's the 6x6 version:

And the 11x8.5 version (based on the sketch) with the 6x6 incorporated into the layout.

layout recipe (all SU!): Cardstock (Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Kraft, Textured Kiwi Kiss); Bella Rose papers (I don't have any SU! Christmas papers yet); Punches (Curly Label, Spiral); Stamps (Define your Life, A Cardinal Christmas, Contempo Alphabet); Inks (Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss)

Thanks for stopping by! If you're inspired to create something, please link me up... :D

More cards from my Card Buffet...

I still have some of these to share...

supplies (all Stampin' Up!): Whisper White notecard; To You & Yours stamp set; cardstock (Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Riding Hood Red); Chocolate Chip classic ink; Ticket Corner punch.

supplies (all Stampin' Up!): Whisper White notecard; cardstock (Pirouette Pink, Riding Hood Red); stamps (Eastern Blooms, Upsy Daisy); Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon; ink (Basic Grey, Riding Hood Red); 1 3/4" circle punch

and because Naomi asked, here's how my World Card Making Day card buffet worked: I prepped 10 different card styles (10 of each) that were fairly simple (basic stamping, not many layers) and assembled "kits" in various containers I had with all the inks, tools and products necessary to make each card. I typed out instructions for each card, and also included the sample in the kit. People came (I had two different days, and it was Open House style) and made as many cards as they wanted (and could make more than one of each style) for $1.50 CDN per card including the envelope. It was a lot of work, but I had a good turnout, and everyone enjoyed choosing the cards they wanted to make. I also have some prepped cards left over that I can use for future workshops.

Sketch #31 (and KWerner CI #26)

Here's the sketch for this week... I have a 12x12 layout version and a card version:

and my card:

I got the colour scheme from Kristina Werner's Colour Inspiration this week (but didn't get it up in time...) and tried some watercolouring.

supplies: SU! cardstock (Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Baha Breeze); watercolour paper and water brush; Stampin' Write Markers (So Saffron; Rose Red; Garden Green); Stampin' Pastels; Stamps (Polka Dot Background, Crazy for Cupcakes); Scallop Edge punch

Link me up in the comments if you create something!

Another late DT post...

I've given some peeks at the layouts I've created with this kit in my last two sketch challenges, but this is my official "MSS Red Star - October" summary... This kit is called "Into the Woods" and it's full of the trendy tree goodies: Luxe, Pink Paislee, October Afternoon, Cosmo Cricket (Mr. Campy), Dream Street and 7 Gypsies papers; a fun leaf stamp; chipboard flourishes and label holders, AC puffy thickers, some ribbon and acrylic birds are among the mix of products...



Here's what I created:









You can see the rest of the DT layouts in the MSS Red Star Kit gallery!

Late Re-cap of October BYOM kit...

Where have these first two weeks of October gone???!!! This is so much later than I usually share, but hopefully it's better late than never...

BYOM offered two kits this month--the "normal" one featuring Pink Paislee papers and alpha stickers, Scenic Route chipboard brackets, some chipboard tags and buttons and some yummy flocked brads. They also had a "Halloween" kit, which was equally packed with goodies. I worked with the Pink Paislee kit and created these layouts (and a card):

You can see what the rest of the Design Team created this month in the October DT gallery!