My Monday's a bit Sketchy....

Hiddee Hooo Kreative Krew!!! 

Happy Monday.... 

If you are a daily follower you know that I try to at least 

post once a day on my Blog. And well....My Mondays and Fridays

 are kind of a bit what you would say "under construction".... 

But I think I found a solution to my Kreative Block! 

There are like a Million Guzillion Trillion 

blogs out there for "sketch this", "sketch that", "sketch challenge here"

"scratch that challenge" there & "pick a color challenge instead" ...

These challenges are all over the internet for every day of the week 

and by the time I can even see straight I've already missed out on it

(maybe you would say...that's MY challenge!)

Its enough to swirl you into next TUESDAYS challenge...

{hahahahah}

Anyway, I just seek a challenge to break me OUT of my Kreative Block at times and help me discover new layouts I would have not thought of

or color ensembles that I would have NEVER put together.

So among all these blog challenges I'm introducing my own twist

~My Sketchy Monday~

Looking over these sites and possible layouts I want to embark on new 
personal challenges and they might spark interest of yours too. 
Maybe you hit that "block" occasionally and could use a little help. 

 Here is today's Sketch It Challenge.  

Found Here

I created this card using a 6x6 card layout and built from there. 

Not too bad, but here was a challenge I felt would help me break out of my 

anti-layering funk. The card was fun

but I can Definitely see this best as a Scrapbook Layout

***What do you think?***

Rules To Join Along:

Anyone can join!! Customers, New Friends and/or Fellow Demos

Challenges Must be done using SU Product Only (Retired or Current)

Please Link back to MY Blog from your Blog Post

Please leave your Blog address below in the comment field so we call all view 

your layout leave you a comment.... and most IMPORTANTLY

Have FUN!

And if there is a Sketch blog you would like me to consider

please send me an email (NikkiSapien@gmail.com) and I will add it to our Sketch Monday Roster 

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue...

Todays Thursday Thrill.... 

Something Old, Something NEW, Something Borrowed and Something Blue...

When I started to build my Post for today I didn't have any intention of where it took me. 

In the end, I saw what I accomplished and 

the title was perfectly suited to what was kreated and great ideas to share. 

I took my Mixed Bunch(w: #125535 c: #125537) and Blossom Punch(#125603) yesterday afternoon and sat in my Kreative Corner

and so came to me....

Something Old...

You may have seen me post this ensemble before, I CAS'd this card from fellow Demo 

and good friend, Christena Bagne. When I saw this card I just had to recreate it! 

There is something about Daffodil Delight Im in love with....

 It's so SUNNY & CHEERFUL! 

Here I used BOTH  Mixed Bunch and Bossom Punch

Something NEW...

I took a piece of clean Crumb Cake(#120953) 

and using Crumb Cake Ink (#126975) began stamping 

my background image to create my own Designed Paper.

Then I attached that to my Rich Razzleberry Cardstock (#115316)

and added a strip of Floral District DSP(#126919)

Last I took Mixed Bunch Stamp, inked in Tangerine Tango (#126946)

Afterward, I used my 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (#119854) to pop out my image. 

Using a piece of scrap paper and my Snail Adhesive (#104332), 

I created a small semi sticky strip to be my guide for the next step.

 You will place the Punched image back into the same punch using the handmade

guide then turning the scallop semi clockwise, punch again.

**The image will no longer be scalloped but now like a sun burst**

 Here is how your final punched image will look. 

Using the same stamp I used for my Crumb Cake background, 

I used Rich Razzleberry Ink (#126950) and created a small center for each flower. 

Using my Handy Dandy Stampin Up Markers, I added small sunbursts to the image with accent colors.

I also used the Blossom Punch (#125603) to create fun little 

leaves in Lucky Limeade(#122977)

and here is the completed card.

Can you find where I used my Blossom Punch(#125603)  in this card? 

Something Borrowed....

Still determined to find something unique and using the same Blossom Punch, 

I came across this GORGEOUS card created by 

fellow demo, LeeAnn's Happy Hibiscus. 

How unique is this beautiful card!?! 

LeeAnn used Stamps-Happy Hour(w: #126640 wc: #126642), 

Teeny Tiny Wishes (w: #115370 c: #127802)

Paper-Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight and Lucky Limeade

Ink-Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral

Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Word Window Punch, and Blossom Punch

Something Blue..

Using the same Blossom Punch, did you know you can create these too? 

I stamped my Mixed Bunch lacy image in Marina Mist (#126962) 

onto Vellum paper (#101856)

and using the Blossom Punch, I carved these elegant little Butterflies.

I adorned them with both size Pearl Jewels (Reg:119247 & Lrg: 125577)

 So there you have it, using just the Mixed Bunch Stamp Set and Blossom Punch

how many different pieces can you come up with or have you come up with? 

I know there are TONS of beautiful possibilities out there, and when you are 

determined to sit and REALLY use what you have around... 

YOU TOO can come up with some amazing projects! 

Give it a try. 


My last but NOT least Thrill for today is I finally created my FIRST video: 
(please be gentle on me)

I hoped you found all this information helpful and useful. 
Thank you for joining me

Cardstock: Whisper White Cardstock #100730,  Very Vanilla (#101650), Crumb Cake (#120953), Rich Razzleberry (#115316), Lucky Limeade (#122977), 
DSP and Vellum (#101856) 

Ink: Daffodil Delight (#126944), Marina Mist (#126962) and 
Crumb Cake (#126975)

Tools:  Blossom Punch (#12563),  Scallop Circle Punch (#119854), Scallop Oval (#119856) Decorative Label (#120907), Pearl Jewels (Reg:119247 & Lrg: 125577), Brights Buttons(#119747) and Snail Adhesive (#104332.)

Fun Friday Tutorial Part 2

Hello Friends and Welcome back for 

Part 2 

of my 

Friday Fun Tutorial

Last week we left off with layering 

and adding touches of color. 

Here you see a simple ensemble (Left)

and on the Right you see where I added a

small layer of Crumb Cake to our Blue and White featured project

As mentioned, today we are going to discuss 

further into ink colors. Initially if you recall, I was excited to experiment 

with my stamp set and see where I was truly going with it. 

Not paying much attention to color and ink

Bashful Blue, White and ink was in More Mustard.... 

These colors aren't horrible, I wont mention what I thought of 

but obviously wasn't the direction I 

was hoping for.... 

To help aid me in this next task I brought out my 

Color Coach (#120148). 

With so many fascinating colors to 

choose from and not wanting to make the wrong choice. 

I had to really see each and every color

Stampin Up had to help me be sure of the Right direction. 

After shifting through all the colors in my Color Coach

I compared my initial choices of color to the 

ones that fit just Perfect!

Can you see the stark color choices I had compared to 

a more subtle, soft and welcoming choices I selected?

And Taadaaa! My card was born!!

(Well ... Almost.. Were not done yet)

So there it was.... 

See my beginning card compared to 

a mild make over and finally how changing my Ink choice, 

adding Layers and an additional Designer Paper

can make such a Wise Move!?! 

I would REALLY love to see you 

try the same, start out a card with

random colors and grab some colors. 

And Stamp It!

I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!!!!

Sit and rethink... 

"What could I do different?" 

and send me your before and after! 

***Email me your before and after card to NikkiSapien@Gmail.com***

I will enter everyone 

who submits their cards in an email into a drawing

for a free stamp and ink of my choice!

A FREE STAMP AND INK AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS EMAIL 

ME YOUR BEFORE AND AFTER CARD

ALONG WITH YOUR CONTACT INFO

So, come on ... Stamp and Send...

and I know your going to ask.... 

what could possibly be next?? 

Oh there is more... and your just going to have to follow along 

to see! :)

Happy Stampin

***AND LAST REMINDER***

ONLY 1 DAY LEFT!!!

I'M OFFERING 20% OFF OF ALL 

NEW CATALOG PRODUCTS

VALID ONLY UNTIL SATURDAY JUNE 30, 2012

<<MINIMUM $25 PURCHASE>>

ANYTHING YOU WANT FROM OUR CATALOG FOR 20% OFF!

YOU HAVE TO EMAIL ME YOUR ORDER AT NIKKI.SAPIEN@YAHOO.COM 

WITH ALL YOUR CONTACT AND PAYMENT INFORMATION

OR 

IF YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER ON MY WEBSITE YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR 

20% REBATE FROM ME ONCE PAYMENT HAS BEEN POSTED 

(USUALLY WITHIN 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS) 

PLUS....

THE FIRST THREE PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE

WILL RECEIVE A 6X6 SAMPLER PACK OF THE FEATURED 

2011-2013 IN COLOR CARDSTOCK AND 

2011-2013 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!!!

THATS A $20.95 VALUE-FREE 
THESE COLORS ARE DREAMY AND CAN BE
A CORE ELEMENT TO ALL OF YOUR CRAFTING!!

.......THERE'S STILL TIME AND CLOCK IS TICKING.......

Stampin Queen's Sketch Challenge

I don't know about you but I really feel that some days I feel Im hitting a kreativity block. There are so many beautiful and amazing cards out there that I can get overwhelmed or just wonder... Where do I begin?
So I found this lovely group of creative women who started a Sketch Challenge and is held weekly to give us an idea of what to start with and let your mind do the rest. I figure if I have a base then the rest of the ideas/creativity will fall into place and so comes todays Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge, hopefully next time you too will play along... http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha/

Here is my SQSC42 entry for this weeks challenge. I hope you like it :) 

Designer Series Paper: Patio Party DSP #126916

Cardstock: Crumbcake #120953, Gumball Green 126840, Summer Starfruit #126839
Ink: Midnight Muse #126860

Stamp: Petite Pairs (w:122495 c: 122497)

Embellishments: 5/8: Crochet Trim #118481

Bazaar CAS Wedesday

Today I wanted to display a card that was Clean and Simple. This card took less than two minutes to gather, but the highlight of it all for me really is the new International Bazaar DSP shown here.

I have recently found Im one of those who see a patterned paper, fall in love with it and buy it. I bring it home and into my file it goes. To sit and look pretty for all the days and weeks that pass.

Well times are a changing and I'm moving past this phase! 

How unfair I am to hold and keep the colors and designs to myself. 

SU is all about sharing and from now on, Im bringing that bad boy out to play and 

were going to show you how a little can go a long way!

Each Wednesday I will try to show you a card using some scraps of DSP you might have lingering around or a card with fun colorations and more DSP to display. So dont forget to fill in your email to follow along with us and you might just be called out on a week to display your DSP in a sketch challenge. FUN!!

Designer Series Paper: International Bazaar DSP

Cardstock: Crumbcake #120953, Chocolate Chip #102128

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Stamp: Bring on the Cake (w:121899 c: 121958)

Techn{ink} Corner Tuesday

Todays Techn{ink}: Reverse Masking

Although this card seems sad and gloomy, it sure was fun to create! 

I was hesitant on how exactly to display this new Techn{ink} but when I recieved my new package of fun at my door today this little stamp set drew attention to itself. 

How can I incorporate something fun and "punchie" to this little stamp set? 

Then it hit me like a Bolt of Lightning - No Pun Intended! 

My monthly Stampin' Up! group with my Upline had a challenge to display Reverse Masking so I thought I would combine that challenge with my new goodies.

(must add if you are one of my downlines, I will have monthly challenges and incentives for you too! Want to know more? Click on "Join The Fun" tab for more info!!)

 So here you go.

Steps to Reverse Masking: 

First you will want to select a shape for your mask. You may have plenty of negatives around your scrap pile from previously used Punches and/or Die Cuts. They are just so nice to have and you never know when you might use it again. I keep EVERYTHING! lol

I selected to use a Punch Negative from the Decorative Label Punch (#120907). 

Once again it is the Negative I'm using not the actual Punch. 

Once you've selected your shape, you will want to select the color of Cardstock you will want to use. I have here a sheet of Basic Gray (#121044) and thought a few hues of blue would spruce it up and go along with the sentiment of choice. 

Align up where you will set up your Negative Masking. 

Before I started sponging,  you will see I added another Techn{ink} using my Versamark and a stamp I selected from the Word Play Stamp Set (Wood: #120308 Clear: #120651). 

I moistened the stamp onto my Versamark pad and stamped the sentiment onto the area where I plan to sponge. Then sprinkled over the wet word area with Black Embossing Powder (#109133) and set my heat tool (#129053) to finish the emboss to be raised and appear wet (from the raindrops)

I then used Bashful Blue (#126961) to add color to my card; I used a sponge to apply the color. Some people have used a patterned stamp to apply the color to the Negative area.

Although its not patterened, I did apply the additional stamp and incorporated both Techn{ink}'s together. See my final photo!

Now that the color is finished, remove the mask to reveal the shape on the card. On my final photo you will see an additional step completed. 

Finish up your card and decorate accordingly. I used the Cupcake Punch (#121807) 

to make clouds in white (#100730) along with drops of water in 

Bashful Blue (#105120) and Pacific Point (#111350)

I think it came out real fun, thank you for visiting my blog and I check my page daily so please leave a message and I hope to see you around next week too! I have another fun Techn{ink} I will show next Tuesday! And Always, Happy Stampin'

Kreative Upcoming Events

Happy Monday all!! Welcome to Kreative at Heart! Today I wanted to share with you a new online series I will be beginning in the next week - Techn{ink} Tuesdays!

I know with so many products out in the scrapbook world it can get pretty overwhelming, and

 when you are purchasing from those "box stores" you are definitely in it alone. 

There are NO store assistants who are willing to HELP answer technical questions 

and stuck paying high $$ for what you are hoping you can figure out alone. 

When you purchase from me, you WONT be alone! 

I will be happy to demonstrate a product to teach you and be there to help my customers each step of the way. And after you purchase your products I can help 

show you a few different ways to use your new products! 

More for your dollar!!  Who doesnt like that!?!

YOU WANT TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE PRODUCTS YOU BUY 

and to not waste money trying to figure it out alone. 

For those of you who are Seasoned Stampers this will be a great opportunity 

for me to share with you some Stampin' Up products 

and features that you too can easily refresh yourself on or simply learn along with me!

Each Tuesday, I will be posting a Techn{ink} you too can make with Stampin' Up products, 

so check back here every Tuesday and sign-up to receive my posts by email. 

Plus I will have a monthly drawing for my customers and downline who play along!! 

Happy Stampin!