A Family New Year's Card

Here's a little Card with Kitchen Sink Stamps. Something simple and pretty...

To be quite honest, you would not be able to mail these in the lined envelope I created; with the ribbon and all... but just in case you are among the .25% of people that have their New Years Cards hand delivered by courier... here is the fancy envelope.

The Envelopes are from Paper Source... they are lovely... 4 1/8" x 9 1/2" and made of a shimmery paper. Referred to on the PS website as a #10 Open End Envelope in Stardream Quartz. They would make wonderful wedding card envelopes... or envelopes for hand delivered cards. Of course you could mail them... without the ribbon.

I wish I could tell you who made this paper... to be honest I have no idea. But it's a sky blue and charcoal tone. The card base is Sky Blue. The ink is Adirondack Black. The ribbon is by Basic Grey. The stamp sets are Playful Numbers and Never a Loss for Words. Don't you live the "blah, blah blah" sentiment on top? I think at a glance it just looks like a pretty scroll pattern.

I also want to add that the photograph is in black and white, not blue and white. In person it looks great... I guess it's just one of those things that doesn't photograph well.

May Old Acquaintance Be Forgot...

When it comes to themes for New Years cards the topics are relatively limited. So while this might be a tad obscure... and a phrase you'd never actually say... well... it's one of the few phrases availible to announce the new year.

And, for those of you that follow the saga of my life... I survived sledding... but only because I didn't go. I decided instead that 2 hours of alone time would be healthier for me.

Here's the scoop on the card; All stamps are by Kitchen Sink Stamps. I used the Score-Pal to create the grid pattern; 1 1/5" squares scored 4X4" creates a 6X6" card. I stamped the base font in White Craft ink (SU!), and then stamped over top with VersaMagic Chalk ink in Sea Breeze, Pink Grapefruit, Persimmon and Key Lime. The card base is Kraft (by SU!). I used Groovy Guava paper behind the punched out squares.

More Inspiration!

As you may know... I design for several Stamp companies. I thought I'd just remind everyone that each of these companies has a design team, and a wonderful gallery you can look at too! Pls you can search at Splitcoaststampers for the images of each individual company.

Enjoy!

Kitchen Sink Stamps Design Team:
Paula Bloom
Nicole Cooke
Tracy Durcan
Tammy Hershberger
Dee Jackson
Erika Martin
Julie Masse
Sarah Moore
Rebecca Oehlers
Lisa Silver
Lori Tecler
Jan Tinklenberg

Kitchen Sink Gallery

Kitchen Sink Stamps DT on Splitcoaststampers

Lizzie Anne Designs Design Team:
Cambria Turnbow
Jeanne Streiff
Jen Allen
Joslyn Nielson
Julia Stainton
Kendra Wietstock
Kirsten DuBosque
Lauren Meader
Lindsey Botkin
Lori Craig
Michele Boyer
Michelle Wooderson
Sarah Moore
Sherry Cheever
Tricia Ulberg
Trudee Sauer
Zena Hoegger

Lizzie Anne Sketchbook

Lizzie Anne Designs DT on Splitcoaststampers

justjohanna Design Team:

Andrea Peterson
Barb Pritschau
Cathrine St. Clair
Charity Hassel
Debbie Scheunemann
Deborah March
Dianne McInrue
Eleanor Abril
Emilia Hsu
Erin Kellogg
Godelieve Tijskens
Heather Grow
Julie Prichard
Kathi Rerek
Kerry Urbatch
Kim Frantz
Kim Hutchinson
Kim Schofield
Mandy Cheshire
Marieke Vermeulen
Marnie Bushmole
Rina
Sarah Moore
Teresa Abajo
Tracy Durcan

justjohanna Gallery One

justjohanna Gallery Two, just click on each artists icon under the name to view their art

justjohanna Stamps on Splitcoaststampers

Brrr!!!

Ok... actual CLUMPS of snow fell today! I think we got about 6 inches... and it's the good stuff; just right for sledding... so that's exactly what we are going to do today!

So if you never hear from me again; that's how I died.... sledding.

The snow is very inspirational... here are a couple winter cards for you... all stamps are from Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Full Card Recipe HERE.

Full Card Recipe HERE.

So has anyone recovered from the holidays yet? I think I will be fully recovered after January 2nd. Heck, I still have leftover prime rib to consume... and as far as I am concerned you aren't done with the holidays until all the food has been eaten or has spoiled.

Baby it's Cold Outside!

I just can't seem to stop thinking about snowflakes! And this set from Kitchen Sink Stamps isn't helping any! Snow Flurry is such a cute and versatile set...

And here is another confession... this is the first time I have used the Stickles I have owned for over a year!

Paper: Shimmery White, Bashful Blue, Brushed Silver. Ink: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue. Accessories: Stickles, White organdy ribbon, 3D "dew drop" like embellishment by unknown maker.

Christmas Q and A

I saw this on someone else's blog and thought it was fun...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I aim to use wrapping paper, but every year I end up using gift bags at the last minute!

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. We have a cat... I can just see her drinking the water out of the tree stand... ick!

3. When do you put up the tree? I still have time right?

4. When do you take the tree down? Before Valentine's Day! :)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A pink, retroish Boom-Box... it was a cassette player... pre-CD players... Yes, I am that old.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes... I am not at all a religious person... but I think it's important for my son to be educated about all the major religions. So yes, I have a Fisher Price nativity set. I also have a menorah.

8. Hardest person to buy for? This year... maybe my husband, because he wants NOTHING.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My son... I have to restrain myself at this point to stop buying.

10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? My sister once gave me stretch-mark cream... and she was so miffed when I didn't get excited about it that she took it back!

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? oh... I want to say mail... I don't think you can email a Christmas card. What would Emily Post say? But I doubt I will get cards out in time! I think this year I might be mailing Valentines instead.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life... or A Christmas Story.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In October.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? If by "recycled" you mean "re-gifted"... Heck ya!

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? As far as sweets go; my grandma's Melt-a-way Cookies. As far as savory foods go;Prime Rib with yorkshire pudding please.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Tiny colored balls.

17. Favorite Christmas song or album? "A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector". It's so great... Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals; what's not to love. (besides Phil Spector being so creepy nowadays!)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay HOME.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Do I really need to prove it? Ok, fine... Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen... and Rudolph... and Olive.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? An pretty hand crafted angel my mother gave me.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning. How can you open gifts before Santa comes?

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I don't know... I love it all!

23. What is the “silliest” family tradition you do, or miss doing? My husband's family has the "Christmas Eve Gift". It started when my husband and sister-in-law were kids... the first kid to be the first on Christmas Eve (12:01 AM on 12/24) to shout "Christmas Eve Gift!" would get a special gift; usually something silly. Now we actually call my in-laws to try to win!

24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? I refuse to answer, as it's likely that I own and display some of the ugliest decorations ever invented.

25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? I have a homey tree... but a theme tree can be cool too.

26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies? Sugar... with royal icing.

Craft Critique Read Today...

Be sure to read Craft Critique today for my holiday wish list and favorite gift ideas... plus a fun giveaway!

Can We Think About Valentine's Day Yet?

I am determined to get a jump start on Valentine's Day. It takes a close second in my "favorite holiday" list, next to Halloween. Here is a little card I created using the Lizzie Anne Designs set "Heart to Heart".

A little tip about the glittered bracket/frame... I used a chipboard bracket (unknown maker) that had a self adhesive backing. I wasn't keen on the gray color of the bracket, and it had a glossy coating too, making it difficult to adhere glitter to. So I just pealed off the self adhesive backing and dumped on the glitter! Talk about easy! I might just start looking for self adhesive chipboard now just so I can glitter it with ease... I often see the off season colors of self adhesive chipboard discounted at my local craft stores.

Paper: Pink Passion, DCWV Rockstar Collection. Ink: Black Adirondack Ink, Versamark. Accessories: Arrow brad by unknown maker, Ribbon by DCWV, Bracket by Unknown Maker, Glitter by Martha Stewart Living, Sticky Dots by Joanne Crafts.

Winners!

A big thanks to all my regular readers. You are the reason I keep posting! :)

The winners of my random drawing are...

From my post on 12/11

Connie said...

This is GORGEOUS! What a great idea to use the oval punches!

From my post on 11/5

Tami said...

Your etsy shop is going to rock! I love what you are making with your bind it all!

From my post on 11/23

Debbie/StudioBeeCreations said...

Bless your heart!!...and your aching back!...so glad to hear you had "support" for the holiday!

Thanks again to you all! please email me at sarah@stampstars.com with your addresses and I will get your holiday paper kits out to you!

A Break from the Holidays

With all this Christmas Crafting, sometimes you just have to take a break... put away the red and green and bust out something new. So in that spirit... allow me to show you these fun justjohanna cards!

All stamps in these projects are by justjohanna.
I love these jellyfish... they are almost ethereal in a way. Stamped in Black Adirondack, I painted the jellies and the background with a variety of watercolors, reinkers and clear Sakura Stardust pens on Shimmery White paper. Other paper colors are Basic Black and Cool Caribbean. The black polka doted ribbon is by an unknown maker.


I think this paper is by Heidi Grace for Fiskars... But I am not positive... sorry! Card base is Sahara Sand. Other papers are Chocolate Chip and whisper white. Chocolate polka dot ribbon by an unknown maker.


Don't you love this polka dot paper? It's an origami paper by Paper Source. I shaded the chandelier and colored the owl with my Copic markers. Paper colors are Summer Sun, Coral and Whisper White. I also used Stampin' Up! Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon.

My Paper Pine Cone

Inspired by all the wonderful paper trees and ornaments I have been seeing in "scrapland" and "stampville"... I thought I'd create a paper pine cone.

I wish I could tell you who makes this paper... I bought it at Target. It has a wonderful, flocked scroll/vine pattern. A 6" tall Styrofoam egg serves as the base. I used my Stampin' Up! oval punch to make the pine cone scales. I partially folded each oval to help give some dimension and tapered the size of the scales to a smaller oval close to the top of the egg. Small pins hold the scales in place.

Skating Anyone?

I wish I could recall where I first saw this idea... using paper clips as the blade of a skate... I just love it! The skate is easy enough to make. I just folded a rectangle of Confetti White paper in half and traced my design on, lining up the bottom of the skate with the fold of the paper. Then you just slip the paper clip in place and glue the fold shut.

I sponged SU! Close to Cocoa ink on the edge of the skates to antique them and "laced" them shut with Linen Thread. The scalloped circle is antiqued with White Craft Ink and then I dotted the scallops with a clear Sakura Glaze pen. All stamps are Kitchen Sink Stamps; "Never a Loss for Words", and "Snow Flurry" were the sets I used.

Paper: SU! Kraft, Confetti White, Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip. Ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and White Craft. Accessories: Clear Sakura Glaze Pen, Paper clips, Linen Thread, flat back pearls by unknown maker.

More on Christmas

Just a helpful hint for those of you who might be new to "Sarah and the Stampstars!" If you'd like to see more Holiday stuff you can easily check out LAST year's Christmas related posts by clicking on the Tag for Christmas... or just click HERE.

Matroshka Card

Matroshka, or Russian Stacking Dolls are suddenly popping up all over craft-land. Just check out all these great Etsy items under the tag "Russian Doll". I decided to try my hand at the Matroshka trend with a papercraft translation.


I used the above photo as inspiration for my work... especially for how to "paint" the face. The card base design was easy enough. After I folded the card to size I drew in one side of the shape, cut it out, and used the piece I trimmed off as a template to trace the opposite side of the doll. The circles for the belly and face were formed with various punches and my colluzle.

The base of the card is Kraft Paper, and confetti white was used for the belly and face. The red paper is actually a flocked paper by an unknown maker. The stamps used in this project are from the set "Heart to Heart" and "Designer Dots" by Lizzie Anne Designs. I used Night of Navy and Real Red ink.

The face was drawn with a variety of SU! markers, the white "painted" look to the face was achieved with a White Sakura Glaze pen. It's sort of cool how it picked up the color of the ink underneath... not a look that would always be desired, but it works well with this project. I especially like how it changed colors on the flowers. It has that look of the real hand painted Matroshka. Plus it's 3D... ya gotta love a touchable card.


And a reminder... as a little gift to all my regular readers... especially those who leave comments... I have three little holiday stamping kits put together... Some adorable Christmas $1 stamps, KI Memories 8X8 papers and Christmas ribbons. I thought it'd be fun to pick three comments randomly from all the posts in November and December... and on the 12th I will pick three of them randomly to send a little gifty! You will receive them in plenty of time for Christmas... they would be perfect to make gift tags with! So feel free to leave on a comment on any post on December or November to participate. It's not too late! Again... I will select the winners on 12/12. Be sure to check back to see if you won!

Thanks for reading!

The Weather Outside is FRIGHTFUL!

I am snowed in! Perhaps I am a wimp... I have lived in the Chicagoland area most of my life... you'd think I'd be used to it by now. I have 7-8 inches of snow outside my window. I was unable to snap a good picture for you today, as I didn't want to get out of my jammies... but trust me; it's enough snow to make you want to stay indoors, drink hot cocoa and make soup.

So that is exactly what I did!

I also made a card...

I just love these Christmas Skull images by justjohanna. The card is colored with Copic Markers and embellished with A Muse Card candy "bling".

A Holiday "Peep-Pimp"

If you have been a reader for a while then you know... I loves to pimp my peeps. My lifelong pal Shannon has a wonderful Etsy shop; Boogiebead... and since you are ALL buying all handmade items this season (right?!?) you MUST check her out.

My favorite Boogiebead items are the holiday bracelets; they are so cute, the beads she uses are adorable! You can trust that the items are well made and that Shannon ALWAYS stands behind her work. This bracelet sells for just $14.95


But now Shannon also has a swanky line that is very sophisticated and "high-end". She uses Hill Tribe Silver, so the purchase of her work helps support Thai Artisans. How pretty is this necklace... and for UNDER $30!


Please help support artists and buy handmade items this Christmas!

I Be Scrappin'

So these new Kitchen Sink Stamps are making me feel all Scrappy! Scrapbooking is how I initially got into papercrafts... and while I feel that card making is my new and permanent love... I have a soft spot in my heart for the scrapped page. I also have BOXED of pictures that constantly call out to me; "put me on paper!"

I love this KSS alphabet... it's actually two stamp sets layered; Playful Alphabet and Playful Alphabet Basics... and because they are clear stamps they layering process is super easy! And the font is so cool and universal... I know I will love it for a LONG time.

I love this picture of my Son Anderson... this was taken at a wonderful Art School/Gallery In North Carolina (I forget the name!) The leaves were perfect, the light was ideal and Andy was running around the yard loving the weather and I thought this bright Orange Chair just yelled "AUTUMN!"

All stamps by Kitchen Sink Stamps except dots which are created with a pencil eraser.Paper; Sahara Sand Base Paper, Patterned Papers by American Crafts. Ink; Really Rust (SU!), Sky Blue, Sunflower, Chocolate, Graphite Black (Brilliance Dew Drops). Accessories: Wide Black Grosgrain by unknown maker.

One last thing... as a little gift to all my regular readers... especially those who leave comments... I have three little holiday stamping kits put together... Some Christmas $1 stamps, KI 8X8 papers and some Christmas ribbons. I thought it'd be fun to pick three comments randomly from all the posts in November and December... and on the 12th I will pick three of them randomly to send a little gifty! You will receive them in plenty of time for Christmas... they would be perfect to make gift tags with! So feel free to leave on a comment on any post on December or November to participate. It's not too late! Again... I will select the winners on 12/12. Be sure to check back to see if you won!

Thanks for reading!

Something to Make You Happy!

I have discovered a wonderful (albeit corny) song. Fun for the whole family... if this song by The Free Design and the corresponding video by Paul Frank doesn't make you gleeful then I can't help you.

Not For the Kids...

For someone who makes cards I STINK at sending them... I am horrible with important dates and I rarely send cards on time. So this card might be perfect for a belated birthday... or as an apology card perhaps. The letters were created with vintage typography rub-ons I found receintly and the bird and branch are by Hambly.

The little "poo" was made by using a 1/8" punch on a damaged rub-on to punch out a tiny circle. The note card is a So Saffron Long Note from Stampin' Up! I adore cards made with Rub-Ons, they are so sharp looking!