Sunday, August 31, 2014

Technique: Embossed Kissing

Sounds fun right? Haha! I made a bunch of swatch cards for a SWAP at an event in Austin using the "Embossed Kissing" technique. All you have to do is ink up a stamp (a solid design works best, like this paint swish from "Work of Art")


Then ink up an embossing folder (one of my FAVORITE tools! So versatile!).


Then you stamp onto the embossing folder (this is the kiss)



then stamp the paper! Super easy!


Here's a fun but simple card:




A few things I discovered (in no particular order):
*Using darker ink on the embossing folder and lighter ink on the stamp works a little better, but look! I did the opposite and it still worked! :D
*Get your ink just right for best results. Not too wet, not too dry... especially on the embossing folder. If you have excess ink on the background it can transfer to the stamp, depending on how hard the kiss is. ;) which leads to the next tip:
*In the words of John Keats: Now a soft kiss, aye by that kiss, I vow an endless bliss.
 (Just stamp lightly on the embossing folder for best results.)

A few Halloween cards...and a little pumpkin or two.


This first little pumpkin is my sweet little helper. Both kids love to "help". And doesn't everyone have their favorite tools? His is obviously the rotary paper cutter. He's fascinated by the scallop and zig-zag blades. 
 

 This second pumpkin is the most recent Paper Pumpkin kit. I'll post pictures of the completed cards, but it might take me 3 weeks. Actually, because EVERYTHING you need is included in the kit, it's easy to grab the box and go. I might have to bring this on vacation with me. So, yes, I'll post the finished product in about 3 weeks.

 If you like Halloween at all (and you must if you're still reading this, considering the last few posts have been about Halloween) you will FOR SURE want to sign up for Paper Pumpkin before September 10th! The next kit is all kinds of Halloween AWESOME. Seriously. Might be my favorite pumpkin so far! If you go to mypaperpumpkin.com, choose me (Krystal Roberts) as your demo and enter the code HALFOFF2 You'll get 50% off your first two months (which makes them about 10 bucks! and you can cancel ANYTIME). Wait are you waiting for?! GO!!! Get your pumpkin on!!!

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

I'm a schizophrenic....and so am I.

Who doesn't love a little What About Bob? (Even though this quote drove me nuts when I was taking AP Psychology... schizophrenia is NOT multiple personality disorder. I should know...and so should I. haha. Couldn't resist!) Anyway, I apologize for the back and forth between holidays, but seriously people. THE HOLIDAYS. They start with Halloween and end with.... what.... Easter??? And then the 4th of July is right there in the middle of summer to tide us over for a few months. I LOVE celebratin'!

Ok I totally said that like a Texan. On purpose of course. ;) Stampin' Up! released this CUTE stamp set today. Pretty sure this redheaded Texan NEEDS it!!! (And no, I don't listen to country music.)


Anyway, that was a fun little surprise this morning. Then I finished this little baby for a swap.



I was so pleased with how it turned out! I was stuck FOREVER with the Freaky Friends stamped in black on the Tangelo Twist cardstock and had no idea how to salvage it. Google of course came to the rescue (as well as my sister Julienne's listening ear) with this image that inspired me.


All those paper decorations made me think of those paper rosettes used a TON for home decor these days. Then I thought of this awesome stamp set called Starburst Sayings. Super cute. This image (shown in the closeup of the card) ALSO reminded me of those paper rosettes. Done and done! Except I might want to add a few more of those stamped "rosettes". Hmm. Love em.


The excitement doesn't stop there! Right when I finished the card and started lunch for the littles, ding-dong! The UPS man (Brown Ho-Ho according to Evan) brought me the funnest box of goodies I've ever received! (There was even a sweet little card inside from the girl who packed it up! Thanks Julia!) Lots of goodies, but right on top was the HALLOWEEN WREATH!!!!!! I'm SOOOOO excited to put that bad boy together!!!!! 
You can probably guess what I'll be posting about tomorrow! ;)

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Ahhhh Noël

It's 3AM and I've been up for 2 hours.

So, what do you do when you can't sleep? I Pinterest. :)

Sometimes it just keeps me going with all those exciting images and ideas, but tonight (ugh this morning!) I figured out how it can calm me. I stumbled upon a pinner that immediately spoke (en français) to my heart. Amid the dozens of boards, there was a merry little one that caught my eye, and I began to devour it.

16 years ago I lived in Strasbourg, France at Christmastime. It was beautiful. The lights, the marché, the TREE, the snow.

Oh. Snow.

There is something so peaceful about a white Christmas. And if I can't have a white Christmas outside, I certainly can make one inside. I can hear you yelling at me: summer's not even over yet!

Well...



THIS year instead of wanting it ALL, I want it all to be about peace and joy. And yes,
do intend to keep calm.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Halloween Card Epiphany!

Ok, so back in 2006 when I FIRST signed up to be a demonstrator with Stampin' Up! I bought the CUTEST Halloween stamp set. It was called Booglie Eyes. SO ADORABLE. I still have that set, but I neeeehvaaaaah use it! So, while at the Annual Convention (Inspire. Create. Share. 2014) I saw this NEW Halloween paper and matching stamp set and of course, HAD to have it. Totally justified by the fact that Halloween is Evan's favorite holiday. That kid loves zombies and ghoulies and ghosties, but mostly all the candy. So, it got me to thinking, how can I really USE these cute things? And I thought, hey! most people don't send out Halloween cards, they do treat bags or favors though, AND who doesn't love a thank you or just because card that is fitting for the season??? I got REALLY excited about that one. I LOVE sending handmade cards because everyone gets so excited! It's kind-of like sending flowers.... only BETTER because flowers die, but you can keep the kind words on the beautiful cards forever really! I have a friend who keeps a little box for all her sweet notes received. I need to start that one too. Anyway, I LOOOOOVE this Halloween set "Freaky Friends" and the matching Designer Series Paper "Motley Monsters". It will be available on August 28th, or you can join my team and get it now! (Ask me how, and learn more about the opportunity to earn a Mediterranean Cruise!!!! Ooh la la!!! Also ask me how to get a free Holiday Catalog sent to you today!)

Evan spotted this baby amidst the creative clutter in my "office"
and said "why did you make that Mom?"
Translated: "That's awesome. Can I have it?"

Let the Halloween card festivities begin! And don't you fret Bat-Woman Brooke.... I have a special one coming up for you!!! bwahahahaha!!!!

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