Nov9

A Little Christmas Bling

Posted on November 9, 2013 by clkondo

So, if you are like me, you always wait till the last minute to remember to WRAP the Christmas gifts. And, I must confess…. for Isaac’s first Christmas, I thought I was brilliant in hiding his gifts in his closet (cause he could’t see the top) and totally forgot to get them out before he went to sleep on Christmas Eve. Not one of my better mothering moments. But, thankfully, as it was his first Christmas, it took him like 2 weeks to open all his gifts. Just cause it was overwhelming. But anyway…

I digress… I was talking about waiting till the last minute. And, when you wait till the last minute, you get the gift wrapped, and suddenly remember you need a TAG to go with the brilliantly wrapped gift. And, that daunting task becomes overwhelming so you settle for those free stick-on to/from tags that the credit card company sends you and there you go. Except such a wonderful gift with exquisite wrapping should not be degraded by a free to/from sticker.

Enter: Very Merry Tags.

This set is the end-all of Christmas Tag sets. The images all have a coordinating punch. SO, you can make just fast, simple tags with that. OR, you can step it up a bit more and add some bling. Now, I must confess, what I’m getting ready to show you took all of 10 minutes to make. Seriously. They were that simple.

I wanted to make a little set of 3×3 cards. I’ve been fascinated by 3×3 cards lately… But these are perfect to stick on top of a gift. And, the glimmer paper makes the tag worthy of a gloriously wrapped package. And, truth be told, you can give so-so gifts in brilliant packages and everyone will think you are fantabulous. And, yes. That is a word. (For proof, just watch which gifts seem to go first at your next white elephant gift exchange… the beautifully packaged…)

I love the mistletoe stamp. And, I originally made the berries red, until I think I remembered that they were white. Thank goodness we have both red and ‘sparkle’ dazzling details. (I’m pretty sure they’re white… I know I coulda solved this with a quick google search, but I was on a roll…) And, did you know mistletoe is the state flower for Oklahoma?? Oh the stuff you can learn on this blog…

Why use a simple check mark for the nice box when a DIAMOND will do??

I think the Bah Hum Bug is my favorite stamp in the WHOLE set. Probably because my favorite Christmas T-shirt is one with the grinch. It’s FUN. (and my t-shirt has glitter on it TOO–cause Christmas is just. s0. glittery.)

Here is the WHOLE set. And, you can make fascinating little envies with the punch board for these too. Or, you can just stick them on top of the package without an envelope…cause they are beautiful all by themselves. And, it will be glorious. And only take you seconds to put together. Score for Very Merry Tags.

You are off to your next stop!! Thanks for stopping by!

Crystal Kondo http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com

Audra Monk http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com
Maria Pane   http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds   http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Pam Staples   http://www.sunnygirlscraps.com

Jeannette Swain http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com
Janet Wakeland http://www.remarkablycreated.com

Oct19

Autumn is a little different here….

Posted on October 19, 2013 by clkondo

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Fall in Hawaii had always seemed different to me. Probably because, there isn’t one… I suppose, growing up in Kansas, fall has always been that glorious transition to Thanksgiving. And Thanksgiving is that delightful holiday that ushers in the full-on festivity that is Christmas. And, I suppose it does the same here, except that the weather here doesn’t seem to want to cooperate. Football games in shorts and tank tops just seem strange to me. And I guess I never realized how significant a role the weather plays in this process. But, even though I’ve lived here a while now, I still feel that the holidays sneak up on me. Cause we don’t have the telltale sign of the weather.

All of that is neither here nor there… except it kinda is the reason behind the color scheme of this card. I love fall. And fall colors. And crunchy leaves. But, it doesn’t seem quite right to have all those elements here. Which is why I wanted to make a brighter Thanksgiving card. I chose crushed curry for the color of this card. Now, I know it is a fallish color, but it’s brightness seems to capture a Maui Thanksgiving a little better.

This card uses the label framelits die. I love it cause it comes with a label die sized to fit perfectly inside the cutout.

The Best of Autumn stamp set had several fall images and I kinda wanted to stick with the traditional pumpkin… even though it’s Maui. I used the aqua painter and some tangerine ink to keep with the brighter fall colors. I tried to keep away from the browns (though some of my favorite colors) just to keep the color bright.

The magnificiant maple stamp adds some texture as does the strip of sweater weather DSP. Oh. And my favorite. The burlap. LOVE BURLAP (I think its gonna be the Christmas theme this year.) A vintage brad completed the theme.

I love the Give Thanks stamp that comes in this Best Of… set. Its super cute, not too long (Ever try to fit “Happy Thanksgiving” on a card?? It seems to take up an entire three card fronts.)

Anyway, hope you have a wonderful FALL…. I just saw on facebook that it snowed yesterday in KS. Sometimes, Kansas weather can skip seasons. So, I suppose KS doesn’t always follow what is SUPPOSED to happen. But, here on Maui…. 80s and Sunny. I gotta say, it is fun to go to the beach during Thanksgiving break… 🙂

Click the icon below to take you to the next stop on this tour: Deb Leigh. Enjoy your Tour!

Here is the list:

Nancy Amato    http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson       http://www.stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis     http://www.thecardladies.com
Sherri Eddleblute    http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Lynn Embrey        http://www.possibilitiestamperstudio.com
Kathy Hamrick http://www.countryroads.typepad.com
Crystal Kondo   http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh   http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Andi Potler   http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Sharon Tisdale http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/coveredbridgesstamper/blog
Janet Wakeland http://www.remarkablycreated.com

Oct12

Christmas Collectibles

Posted on October 12, 2013 by clkondo

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Hello Again!! Welcome to the next stop on the next Stamp of the Month Blog Tour…

This month, I have for you a few projects for your Christmas gift needs… A card, goodie box, and a goodie bag tag! All perfect for your gift giving needs. And, take my advice (and this is totally a “do as I say and not as I do” piece of unsolicited Christmas prepping advice). START NOW. then you don’t get overwhelmed in December. (check back in with me in December and see how well I heeded my own advice).

So, here it is:

First up is the Christmas Card. And I must confess, I got the color scheme from Pinterest. The polka-dots from the Christmas paper (Season of Style) and the Coastal Cabana (just fyi, I love this color so much I’m thinking of painting my kitchen a shade of it…).

Very simple layout. One of my favorite styles of cards (i.e. the 3×6). Tag is cut from the Chalk Talk framelits set. And, a piece of washi… And, of course, after I made this and was so proud of myself, I realized that silver cord is retired. But, we do have the perfect silver ribbon that would totally work. I didn’t wanna take it off cause it’d never look quite right for me to re-do… and I didn’t feel like remaking everything… SORRY. My apologies.

And, next up is a little gift tag. This would go wonderfully on a gift, a cello bag of goodies, or you could even layer it up and put it on the front of a card:

I love how the coordinating punch works so well with this set. And, you can punch a bazillion ornaments for all your ornament needs… You could even make cute ornaments for your own tree. The children would love to make it…

Just another view…

And, last up, is the little goodie box. SU has expanded their packaging line, to my utter joy and excitement. I LOVE PACKAGES. And, the best gift, given in a junk package is not nearly as brilliant as if it were packaged well… so, there is NO excuse for ugly packages this year…

ANYWAY… these boxes are super cute. They have a clear slide that allows a peek at what is inside. Don’t get too excited. I had no idea what to put inside at this point (It’s October, and I’ve already alluded to my procrastination problem…) So, all I have inside this one is the brown crinkle paper. Which makes it look cute, but the gift receiver may not be very excited about the gift…

The nice thing about this box is that you can put belly bands ALL the way around the plastic sleeve and its FINE. Cause the plastic sleeve slides off the box. So your design stays nice and you can still get into the box. BRILLIANCE I TELL YOU…. PURE BRILLIANCE.

Here is the set together:

Hope you enjoyed this installment! Next, you are off to see Deb Leigh. Click on the button below. And, below that is the entire list of those in the blog… If you need…

Nancy Amato           http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson         http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis            http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler         http://www.conniestamps.com
Sherri Eddleblute      http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman        http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Audra Monk              http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com
Maria Pane               http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler                http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds     http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Pam Staples             http://www.sunnygirlscraps.com
Jeri St. John             https://jerrisgemtastics.blogspot.com
Jeannette Swain       http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com

Oct5

Celebrate World Card-Making Day!!

Posted on October 5, 2013 by clkondo

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So, I really wanted to call this post Spread the Joy Part 3… (you aren’t sick of this set, are you…. cause I”m not…). But, this will be the LAST in the set installment. I promise. But, I thought it was a glorious set to use to celebrate World Card-Making Day. I hope you have a moment to set aside to Spread Some JOY. Make a card. Send it to someone who least expects it. That is the whole point of World Card-Making Day. The joy. Joy the one has creating it. And, Joy the recipient has getting the card.

And, that is kind of the reason I got started in card making, craft show selling, and general craft merriment. Cause I have a WONDERFUL time doing it. And, it makes me feel happy to know someone else will be blessed by it.

So… without further adieu… here is the rest of Spread the Joy:

I decided to split the entire set between 3×6 cards and 3×3 cards. And, the designs are super simple which leads to simple, easy, but striking cards. For this set, I put the 3×6 card on it’s side… just a different take…

It’s fun. And, basically uses just scraps of paper. Super fast. Perfect for making on World Card-Making Day.

Here’s another 3×3:

By far, the fastest card in the lot. Super simple. Easy. Rhinestones add such detail. This is another good card to give to a friend who needs a bit of encouragement. Sometimes when making decisions, we need to ‘throw caution to the wind’ and follow our dreams.

And, probably the stamp that stuck out to me the moment I laid eyes on the set: The piece of toast.

I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a stamp that was a piece of toast. And, I think it may be awhile before I see another. So, realizing this opportunity may come but once in a lifetime, I HAD to jump on it. And, own a piece of toast stamp. And, not just any toast…one that spreads joy. JUST LOVE IT. (you can own it too, if you want… visit my online store)

Here is the ENTIRE set of stamps, made into cards:

Wouldn’t’ you love getting this set of cards as a special gift on World Card-Making Day?? Cause what is making a card without giving one…?

Oct1

Spreading More Joy.

Posted on October 1, 2013 by clkondo

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To say I love this set would be an understatement. I wanted to share a couple more cards I made with it. I think what I like about this set is that it is different. Different in how it looks AND different sentiments. It works when you need something that you don’t have the right sentiment to say. It’s a very encouraging set.

Here is the first one:

This is a little 3×3 that makes a super sweet card for a friend or significant other. I think it would be good for valentines. Or a nice card to slip in a lunch bag. Or hide in a wallet to be found when it is least expected.

Here is the second card:

I just love the “Be Brave” card. Cause it is serious in the sense that some people need this message. Dealing with life sometimes requires bravery. But, the image had a sense of whimsy as not to not be super serious…yet give appropriate concern for a situation. Its a perfect card and image combination.

Here are the cards together.

These are super fast and easy xards to make. You will be sure to make someone’s day! Stay tuned for more ideas with this set!

Sep25

Anne and Crystal’s Christmas Extravaganza

Posted on September 25, 2013 by clkondo

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It’s that time again…. for Anne and Crystal’s Christmas Extravaganza!!! (we call it ACCE, cause that’s a mouthful… a delightful mouthful).

If you are in or around the Maui area on October 12, we would love to have you join us for this year’s ACCE. We have three exciting classes to offer.

The first one is the card class:

You will be making 4 full sized cards and 4 3×3 cards. These are designed simply to be reproduced in bulk, should you decide to recreate some for your own Christmas card list. This class will run from 9-11. The cost will be $10 and include the supplies needed (but bring your own preferred adhesive).

Next up is the Packaging Class:

Here you will make 2 boxes, 2 gift card holders and a super cute Santa bag. These are perfect for all of your little gifties for your friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Also designed so that you could reproduce if you wanted more… The cost of this class is $20. It will run from 11:30-2. And, supplies are included, with the exception of your preferred adhesive.

And, introducing a new, exciting art form to ACCE: MIXED MEDIA. In this class, you will expand your crafting skills, learn how to use stamps and inks in other ways than just on paper making cards.

You will create this delightful home accent piece to enliven your space during the holiday season. All supplies will be included. The cost of the class is $25 and it will run from 2:30-4:30.

If you’d like to spend the DAY with us crafting, you can take all THREE classes and enjoy a $5 discount… ($50 instead of $55). We’d sure love to have you! If you are interested, you need to RSVP by Monday, September 30 to get a space. Don’t wait too long!! It will be a ANOTHER WHOLE YEAR until this opportunity comes around again…

Sep17

Spreading Joy

Posted on September 17, 2013 by clkondo

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At convention, we were introduced to a new card set designed by Emily Montoya. SU! had a contest that people could submit artwork that could possibly be turned into a stamp set. The first set chosen (I believe there will be more) was Spread the Joy created by Emily. When I saw it, I knew I needed it.

I just LOVE the hand-drawn line art look. And I love this particular image with all these words of encouragement.

She commented on the SU blog (see Sept. 16) that her husband was the inspiration for the set. And how perfect because the images make just wonderful little notes to pass around to people who just need a little note!!

And of course, I had to make a matching envelope…

I just love the toast image. I think it’s my favorite.

Stay tuned for more from this fabulous set…

Sep14

Defying Gravity

Posted on September 14, 2013 by clkondo

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So the title really has nothing to do with this post except this month’s Best Of set…Best of Halloween…reminds me of the musical, Wicked. Well, the hat does. And I absolutely love the musical. And the song. I think it has something to do with the whole Kansas upbringing. (For those of you who don’t know, Wicked is the true story of the Witches of Oz.) I even just bought the most fabulous pair of red shoes…

Anyway… Wicked inspired the first card I made with this set. Though the stamps are super cute, I really wish the retired stamp we had with the legs in boots had made the cut…then I really could have a musically inspired card… but we can’t all have our druthers…

This year’s Halloween DSP, Witches Brew, is absolutely fabulous. This is a Summer Starfruit piece from the pack. The I wanted the girlie-ness from that piece of paper to liven up the card. Its 4.5″ square… but I trimmed off a portion of the front and scalloped the edge. I textured with chevron and stamped with the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set And the Illuminate ink. On the eggplant, it comes out a pretty silver. Thus the hint of brushed silver paper.

Now, I knew I wanted to glitter the hat with our black glitter. And I swear I had some of the heat and stick powder. But I think in efforts to simplify my life, I must have gotten rid of it. So. I had to stamp the image and then trace over it with crystal effects. But the result is still the same.

A few rhinestones and we are all “off to see the wizard”.

Card #2
When I saw the owl in the tree in this set, I just knew I had to make a window card with the sponging and all that business. So… off to figure that out.

Here is the finished product

I used the window framelits die and cut the window out of the layer of DSP that is on the front. Then I placed it where I wanted it to be on the card and marked the insides so I knew where to line it all up.

Remove the DSP and with the help of the exceptionally wonderful magnetic platform, my window got cut out of the card base exactly where I needed it to be.

I put a piece of vanilla paper on the inside and then marked the window from the front of the card. This is so I would know where to line up the mask for my stamping and sponging. I cut then same size window out of a scrap of paper and used it to mask the area. I stamped the owl/tree stamp and then sponged summer start fruit for the moon.

After stmping and sponging summer start fruit, I used the 1″ c ircle to make a mask to keep the start fruit clean as I sponged smokey slate, basic gray, and black.

Like my piece of Washi as a way to hold the mask down?? Its perfect for that cause it is removable. And here is the finished sponge job.

Now, I couldn’t keep the insides that plain… and we have all that glorious Halloween washi. So…

Here’s another look at the front again :

And the whole thing…

Well. Thanks for stopping by for this month’s Best Of… you’re off to see what Deb Leigh has in store. And here’s to a day of defying gravity. Plug that song in and go around singing it. I dare ya….

Click the box to go to Deb’s blog:

Nancy Amato    http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson       http://www.stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis     http://www.thecardladies.com
Sherri Eddleblute    http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Lynn Embrey        http://www.possibilitiestamperstudio.com
Kathy Hamrick http://www.countryroads.typepad.com
Crystal Kondo   http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh   http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Andi Potler   http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Sharon Tisdale http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/coveredbridgesstamper/blog
Janet Wakeland http://www.remarkablycreated.com

Sep12

A Banner Building we will go

Posted on September 12, 2013 by clkondo

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So… I must admit. When I walk into a retail establishment before Halloween and I see Christmas merchandise, I usually groan (and this year, I saw some around the 4th of July…) And, so I know, people must be groaning… BUT. CHRISTMAS IS COMING, PEOPLE. And, it’s always faster than we are ready for. With that in mind, I had to get going on some of my Christmas projects. And, this project is a fun one. And, to my credit, I’ve included Thanksgiving. Which isn’t that far away…

This is the Build A Banner kit that is featured in the Holiday Catalog: But, I’ve taken it and turned it into a custom Thanksgiving and Christmas Banner. The banner is amazing. You get 18 banner pieces which are made out of the canvas that SU sells. They have the retired jumbo eyelets (of which, I have a stash that I fiercely guard) And, when you buy the starter set, you get all the stencils. You can buy a refill of banner pieces as well. I have a list of about 60 things I wanna make banners for…but these two got first dibs…

Here is the Thanksgiving One:

And the Christmas one:

So, I’m not going to go into too many details of how to make them because you can come to a class and get to make one or both of them FOR YOUR VERY OWN!! I will have all the supplies, so all you need to do is come!

Friday Night September 27 at 6:30 or Saturday Morning at 9:00. You can choose to make one or both banners. They are $20 (for either one) or $35 if you choose to make both banners. RSVP to me if you are interested in joining the class. Specify the date you prefer and the banner you’d like to make. I need your RSVP by September 17. (I need a minimum of 4 people in each time slot to run the class…)

In order to take the pictures, I wasn’t able to put them up on the string… but the kit will come with the twine that you string them on and hang them with.

Anyway, I’ll be sure to have Christmas music blaring. So you can get ready for Christmas. In September.

Sep10

A Grunge Birthday

Posted on September 10, 2013 by clkondo

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So… When we returned from convention, mauistamper organized a stamp a stack for our downlines to play with new convention sets and talk about convention… and all exciting new stuffs. This was one of the cards we made:

It utilizes the Gorgeous Grunge (which I LOVE) and a simple tag. Could make this ANY kind of card by changing the tag. So easy.

And, of course, I needed an idea of something for club to do, so I changed it a little and made this:

Exact same thing. Changed colors, added a candle made from the “Tape-it” stamp set (the candle idea was cased from Stampin Success). Used the bird wing from the bird punch to make the flame. Simple!!

I get a lot of requests for manly cards. And I’m always at a loss for what exactly that means, I think this could qualify. Could change the color to green or a darker blue. Or black or gray… would be more manly..

And, speaking of birthdays…. I kinda forgot about mine. Not my ACTUAL birthday…but my Stampin’ Up! birthday. I received this in the mail:

Very exciting. I knew it was coming, but it just kind of slipped my mind… what a nice surprise. And, who can believe it’s been that long!!??!!

hanniejoy&co

creating joy with family and crafts

A Little Christmas Bling

Autumn is a little different here….

Christmas Collectibles

Celebrate World Card-Making Day!!

Spreading More Joy.

Anne and Crystal’s Christmas Extravaganza

Spreading Joy

Defying Gravity

A Banner Building we will go

A Grunge Birthday

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