Welcome 2008... Yada, Yada, Yada...

I don't know why the phrases "blah, blah, blah" and "yada, yada, yada" seem to fit so well with the new year... maybe I am a tad twisted. Anywhoo... Happy New Year!

I love how the Kitchen Sink Stamps are so graphic and contemporary. I am constantly wanting to use them for one layer designs... in fact, I often have to push myself to add layers. In this case I added depth with color, image layering and unique embellishments... all wonderful substitutes for using papers to create depth and textures.

Ink: Brilliance Rocket Red (for extra "pop" and to make the red layer super SOLID), SU! inks; Brilliance Blue, Gable Green, Yo-Yo Yellow. Stamped on a White Card from Paper Source. Accessories: Jingle Bell, Silver Cord, Red Organza Sheer Ribbon.

BIG NEWS: I have a 2008 Challenge for you (and me!)... I will be offering one sketch, color combo and theme per week... each Wednesday. I will also be discussing some basic concepts of design, composition and color. If you complete each challenge you will have 52 cards made, and hopefully you will learn a bit more about your own style and improve your design skills! So please check back tomorrow for the first fun challenge for 2008! Beginners, non-stampers and non-card-makers welcome! I hope you will all play along!

I wish you all a healthy, peaceful and joyful 2008.

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.