Kween Bee Kreations

T for Technique

REMINDER:  Check out the Kurrent Promotions... more information at end of today's post

Today’s project was made using the "Bitty Book" from the "On Board" collection, and is it ever Bitty! I covered it with designer paper from the Summer Picnic collection (Occasions Mini). To my surprise, this was a very quick project … I just measured the paper needed, adhered it using my snail adhesive, and added a few die-cut blooms (Occasions Mini) in Old Olive and Real Red.  The Bashful Blue portion of the bloom was popped out using the scallop circle punch.

Next, I punched two holes in the chipboard with my crop-a-dile so I could add two fasteners from the Hodgepodge Hardware in an Antique Brass finish (page 188 Spring-Summer Collection). I tied some ¼” grosgrain ribbon in Real Red around the fasteners, and finished it off with a simple bow.  UPDATE:  The Hodgepodge Hardware in Antique Finish, Aged Copper and Pewter will retire with the release of the Fall/Winter 2008 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog.  So, if you are a fan... I highly suggest you stock up now.

For the inside of the book, I printed off some Stampin’ Up! Techniques and filled the pages. I titled my Bitty Book, “T for Technique”.  Inside you'll find a photo showcasing the technique on one side of the page and on the other is step-by-step instructions for that technique.

Included techniques are:

o Dry embossing

o Heat embossing

o Masking

o Two-Step stampin’ & repetition

o Using background stamps

o Using heat & stick powder

o Using markers

o Rock & Roll

o Using stampin’ pastels

o Watercoloring

 

PROMOTION INFO:  Currently, Stampin’ Up! has two great promotions for the On Board Collection.  You'll find one under Kurrent Promotions, listed on the left side of my blog.  The other, hostess On Board promo, is listed in this post.

I am also running an exclusive promotion you’ll want to get “In” on.  View details here.

Wild & Groovy Time (For You)

Today’s card is Wild & Groovy!!  I"m referring to the colors used in my Kreation because as you can see, this card is far from wild and groovy; it’s rather calm and collected.  I used Groovy Guava as my card base (from the current In Color collection).  To the oh so Groovy base, I added some Afternoon Tea designer paper.

These prints are actually on one sheet of paper, one side is done in a Close to Cocoa print accented with Groovy Guava and the other side is the floral.  My Aunt Mary (Stampin’ Pretty) was kind enough to share some of the Afternoon Tea paper with me last weekend, and I am lovin’ it!

Things really start to get Wild on top of the floral strip … Wild Wasabi, that is. The stamped image is from the “Time for You” stamp set (Occasions Mini collection) and is mounted atop a square of Wild Wasabi.  I used my corner punch to add a bit of interest around the card base itself and you’ll notice that in a few other spots as well.  In my opinion, the rounded corners add a soft look to this Wild & Groovy card. 

This Kreation came to a close by cutting the sentiment into pieces and arranging the words along the left side of my layout.  I wanted to emphasize the word "Always" and did so by mounting it on top of a small oval punched out in Wild Wasabi.  And finally, I added two spots of bling and called it a night.

Helpful Hint:  I used the stay put bow technique on this card (as I did in yesterday's card) for the Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon.  So Groovy baby!  Yeah! 

Tomorrow: Sketch Challenge (SC175) and the awaited promotion you’ll want to get “In” on!!  So, be sure to Buzz on by ... and check it out.

Embrace Life ... on your Bike

This card is an homage to my beautiful bicycle.  My bicycle, an Electra Townie, sports a color that so closely resembles Blue Bayou, that I decided to incorporate that into today's Kreation. 

The base of this card is done in Blue Bayou, covered in a print from the Afternoon Tea collection (Occasions Mini 2008).  This designer paper is gorgeous and is covered in a Soft Sky floral pattern on the opposite side.  Luckily, the Occasions mini has been extended through June 30th, so there is still time to purchase and covet this paper.  Yay!!

I'm a self proclaimed "paper hoarder" so Afternoon Tea is definitely on my wish list!  What's on your wish list?  I'd love to hear ... simply leave a comment to share.  AND please buzz on by to print yourself a blank Stampin' Up! wish list (see the SU Wish List link on the right).  Start wishing and writing, because the Occasions Mini collection ends soon. 

The bicycle is stamped in Going Gray and lightly colored in with Barely Banana and Pale Plum Stampin' Write markers.  I used the end with the large tip to quickly fill in the cascading flowers.  I finished the card off with a few silver hodgepodge hardware brads for the wheels, tied off a bit of Blue Bayou double stitched ribbon, and added the embrace life sentiment.  Check this video out on All Inked Up for the stay put bow technique.  It's amazing!  I used this technique to add ribbon on this card and will never go back to another way of ribbon tying.

Now, don't you want to just get on this bicycle and go for a ride? 

TOMORROW:  Another Occasions Mini sample using the In Color collection.  Later this week, a Kween Bee Kreations exclusive promo you'll want to get "In" on. 

Welcome Home?

Quick Update:  The current In Color collection has been extended until August 30th... so there is still time to stock up.

ENDING TOMORROW 4/30/08:  Free Wheelin' Promotion.  You can view the details on the left hand side, under Kurrent Promotions.  Don't miss out on this great sale!  You can view a snapshot of these images by clicking this link Download free_wheelin_images.pdf

Today’s Kreation was made for the SCS, Try a New Technique challenge (TLC166). The instructions were to create a two way open card and a great tutorial was provided.  This tutorial was so clear and to the point, it made putting this card together a breeze (or an Airstream to be more precise).   

I used the “Happy Camper” stamp set and inked up the trailer in one of the current In Colors – Groovy Guava. The focus of my card was to create something a bit more masculine when I pulled out the Fall Flowers designer paper. But, then I ended up gathering my coordinating colors – Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, and River Rock (all current In Color’s).  The card then started to take on more feminine look.  But I think with the Soft Sky & River Rock thrown in, it could be given to either a woman or a man.

The current In Color collection is only available through August 10th, 2008.  If you love these colors, like I do – be sure to stock up before they are gone! OR if you already own the ink pads in these colors, stock up on the ink refills, only $2.75 per color. NOTE: The coordinating ribbon and cardstock for the In Colors expire August 10th as well.  All of these items are great treats for yourself, but would also make great gifts for family & friends.  The In Colors are found on page 163 of the Spring-Summer Collection (see a quick reference chart by clicking the image to the right) 

Current In Colors are: 

• Blue Bayou
• Soft Sky
• Wild Wasabi
• River Rock
• Groovy Guava
• Purely Pomegranate
  

And now back to my Kreation… I quickly pulled the two way open card together with help of the tutorial. I can’t wait to try more cards using this technique – super quick, easy and especially fun! I titled this card Welcome Home? with a question mark because I used the little trailer stamp from the “Happy Camper” set.  It’s not your typical house, but in my opinion a house is more than just wood and nails.  I think a house is the love you find inside and that makes it home. 

The only thing I struggled with was trying to figure out a way to keep the triangle portion closed. I tried a bit of ribbon, but that took away from my design. So, I chose to keep it bear (pun intended and mis-spelled, I know). I finished off the card with a bit of faux stitching using my beloved Signo white gel pen. This was my first shot at stitches and I can’t believe I haven’t tried it before … so cool and such a striking result.

You can view more examples of the two way open card, by other stampers in the TLC166 gallery.

Tomorrow:  SCS Color Challenge - CC164 Use Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, and Soft Sky.  More In Color examples on the way!   Yay!

Technique Tuesday

OK, so the technique challenge is really on Monday's over at Splitcoaststampers.com, but I'm posting my Kreation from Monday's challenge today (which is Tuesday). 

For the "Try a New Technique" challenge TLC165, I submitted this gift card holder to the gallery.  This idea was something new to me and was just that - "a challenge".   My 1 1/4" circle punch is on the fritz and I could not even use it to punch out the little lemon & lime from the Tart & Tangy stamp set!!  Argh!  I had to use my trusty honey bee's (scissors) and with a steady hand, attempt to trim around the circles.  

For the base of this gift card, I used Wild Wasabi cardstock from the current In Color collection (which will no longer be available after August 10th, 2008).  Here is a sneak peek into the new In Color collection (click image to enlarge) – colors such as Pink Pirouette,  Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze & Pacific Point.  Ahhh... the tropical hues make me think of the warm summer sun.... soaking in the warm rays...   

Anyway, back to reality and the gift card ... I chose one of the pretty designer sheets from the Spring Fling collection (found on page 169 of the Spring-Summer Collection 2008) to use as my card front.  Inking up the “lemon” from the Tart & Tangy stamp set in Wild Wasabi and So Saffron ink, was a diversion from the norm for me. I really liked how these little fruits turned out, regardless of not having access to my circle punch. I finished the card off by inking one of the Lots of Thoughts (Sale-a-Bration 2008) stamps up in Regal Rose, stamping the sentiment and tying the card closed with a bit of Certainly Celery narrow grosgrain ribbon.

You can view a tutorial on how to complete one of these gift cards by visiting Splitcoaststampers.com (SCS). Click here.

Tomorrow: SCS Color Challenge – Kreate a card using the colors Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, & Chocolate Chip.