Archive for TGIF Challenge

Happy New Year- 2016!!

Posted by Kimberly
on Friday, January 1st, 2016

Happy New Year!!

New Year? Already? It’s hard to believe we are now into 2016 and I say that every New Year.

Where does the time go? Why does it seem to be flying way TOO fast?

 

I remember waiting for my 21st birthday because I couldn’t wait to be the legal age to do anything and it seemed like I was waiting an eternity for that.  Now, time whizzes before my eyes and all I see are my two children growing so fast.  Way too fast.

 

Of course today I will reflect on all the great things that happened in 2015.  There was a lot of GREAT and some bad.  What a year it has been.  I prefer to focus on the good as I’m sure you do.  I think I would label the year 2015 as the year of overcoming.  Overcoming a lot of everything.

 

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for 2016.  This year is going to be big for Russ and I.  Russ will retire from the military this year. That is really hard to believe.

 

Friends, we will continue on this great journey of life together and make 2016 AMAZING.  The one thing I know that can get us through the many obstacles we are guaranteed to face is to stay positive throughout it all.  Together, we can do it and nothing is better than stamping together.

 

TGIF Challenge- Color & Remix

Today we not only celebrate ringing in a new year, but it’s also FRIDAY which means it’s time for a new TGIF Challenge.  YAY!

 

TGIF, Challenges, Stampin' Up!

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It’s the perfect color challenge for this week with these colors.  I can see champagne glasses clinking together with this color combination.  However, I didn’t have two glasses clinking together so I went with a star theme.

Happy New Year, Stampin' Up!, Fabulous Four stamp set

 

Honestly this card was a doozie to make only because I kept messing it up over and over again.  I had the stars to big, the number dies crooked, then the entire card was crooked… Basically a HOT mess.

After being torn a part a few times it finally came together.  Unfortunately this has been a bit of a problem for me lately.  It seems like everything I am creating is not going as planned.  A creative crooked rut.

Happy New Year, Stampin' Up!, Fabulous Four stamp set

 

I won’t let that scare me away.  I just keep plugging along until I do get it right.  Plus I’m happy to say this did not end in the trash.  YAY.  That IS something to celebrate. HA HA HA

Happy New Year, Stampin' Up!, Fabulous Four stamp set

 

Create it!

This card can be used not only for New Years but birthday’s too.  For instance, you could use the following instead of 2016:

  • Celebrate Baby
  • Celebrate (Insert year born)
  • Celebrate (Insert Age)
  • Celebrate NEW or OLD
  • Celebrate YOU

The list could go on and on.  I love that the Little Number Dies have the hashtag included in the dies.  SO fun.  Now you could go #crazy!

The word CELEBRATE came from the stamp set Fabulous Four.  I omitted the words beneath the celebrate.  The word Celebrate was the perfect size.  You can see a video on the Omitting Technique in this post HERE.

 

I instantly thought of stars and fireworks for the new year and it this was a perfect card to create a shaker card.  I used foam tape on the back with a window sheet to keep the sequins in place.  I love that they are Gold, Silver, White and Clear and of course there are some stars mixed in.  Perfect coordination by adding the Die Cut stars.

 

Join the Challenge

Join us this for this challenge or the Remix challenge.  Check out the TGIF blog to see what the other designers created and play along by clicking HERE.  It’s fun and EASY.

 

Tell me… what are you excited about for the new year? One thing for sure, I hope you are excited to

 

Categories : 3-D Cards, Big Shot, Cards, Celebration, Color Challenge, Congratulations, TGIF Challenges
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Holly Jolly Time- TGIF Challenge

Posted by Kimberly
on Friday, December 18th, 2015

Holly Jolly Time- TGIF Challenge

Are you ready to have a Holly Jolly time? Hello! It’s FRIDAY! Yahoo!

TGIF, Challenges, Stampin' Up!

It’s time for another TGIF challenge.  Man, last week we had a fantastic sketch challenge and I loved all of the cards from those who participated.  They were fantastic.  I hope you had a minute to check it out. 

 

This week our challenge is inspiration.  You can use this photo below as your inspiration and let your creativity run. These types of challenges usually trip me up a bit because my mind runs wild with all kinds of ideas and then the card looks like a complete disaster.  You’ll see that I kept my card pretty simple.

Holly Jolly Time, TGIF Challenge, Stampin' Up!

 

I couldn’t get the song, “Holly Jolly Christmas” out of my head while creating this card.  I was singing at the top of my lungs when creating.  I’m sure it was pleasant for anyone around me but it helped me as I created.

Holly Jolly Time, TGIF Challenge, Stampin' Up!

As I said, I kept my card fairly simple.  I used a blender pen and ink pads to color my Holly branch from the Peaceful Wreath set. I love how this image looks when stamped. The holly leaves are so crisp and it was easy to color using three basic colors- Pear Pizzaz, Watermelon Wonder and Soft Suede.

Holly Jolly Time Christmas, Peaceful Wreath, Stampin' Up!

The Jolly and Christmas greetings came from the Oh, What Fun stamp set.  I used the omitting technique on the Christmas greeting because I didn’t want all of the other words. It worked perfect for this.  Just ink only the words you want and then stamp.  You could also stamp the entire image and only cut out the words you want.  Either way works great.

Holly Jolly Time Christmas, Peaceful Wreath, Stampin' Up!

 

I’m grateful for all those that participated in our challenge last week.  It was so fun to see their take on the challenge.  I hope you will join me this week.  One thing about challenges, they stretch your creativity and let you try new things.  Don’t be afraid to try something new.

To join in on the fun with TGIF #34 click HERE.  See what the other designers came up with too.  I am always amazed at these talented women.

You will see my supply list at the bottom of the post.

Have an awesome Friday and weekend ahead.  I’m still digesting the Star Wars movie I just came home from.  Russ was like a kid in a candy store.  He was so excited and as soon as the music started the smile on his face got bigger.  It was AWESOME.

XOXOXOXO

 

Categories : Cards, Christmas, TGIF Challenges
Tags : , , ,

Friday Sketch- TGIF Challenge

Posted by Kimberly
on Friday, November 13th, 2015

Friday Sketch- TGIF Challenge

Oh boy!  Get ready for a Friday Sketch!

I decided last week I did not have enough baby cards on hand so I used this sketch to create a neutral baby card.

 

TGIF, Challenges, Stampin' Up!

TGIF Challenge, Stampin' Up!

Sketch Challenge, TGIF, Stampin' Up!

I worked with the Go Wild DSP stack that has been sitting on my shelf collecting a bit of dust.  Hello!  What is WRONG with me.  This is the cutest paper stack.  So many cute designs and perfect for my giraffe.

Sketch Challenge, TGIF, Stampin' Up!

I used the Zoo Babies stamp set and the animals in this set are adorable.  I love how the giraffe coordinates with the paper and the circles on the giraffe coordinates with my Tangelo Twist Washi.  Win Win.

Sketch Challenge, TGIF, Stampin' Up!

Play Along!

Join us this week and play along with the TGIF design team.  See what the designers have created and be inspired.  Then play along with us and share your creativity.

Click HERE to see all the excitement.

Don’t forget!

Don’t forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway.  I am overwhelmed with the gratitude shown in the comments.  I have read every single one of them and many have brought me to tears.  Your kindness, your genuineness and your uplifting messages for ALL are simply amazing.  For those of you struggling, know I am praying.  I love you guys and you made my birthday exceptionally better.

Stamps in the Mail

Stamps in the Mail registration is open.  Click HERE to learn more about it.

Have a FANTASTIC weekend!! I’m playing in Tampa… I’ll keep you posted on great news coming.

 

Supply List

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Categories : Animals, Baby, Cards, Congratulations, Sketch Challenge, TGIF Challenges
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Grateful- TGIF Challenge

Posted by Kimberly
on Friday, October 23rd, 2015

Be Grateful!

 

If I had to list all the things I’m grateful for I would have a list that was a mile long.

I bet you feel the same way?

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I might think in my head how grateful I am about something but then outwardly it doesn’t appear that way.

This came to my mind the other day when talking to a friend. I’m incredibly grateful for her friendship but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t realize it or how much. I just assume that due to my high maintenance over the last year she already knows how much I love her and I’m grateful for her.

This is one of those “sit up in bed from a dead sleep moments!” When all of a sudden I think to myself… does she REALLY know? I never outwardly tell her.

Friends, we are coming up on the beginning of the annual “tell your 30 days of gratitude” on Facebook starting November 1st. Honestly, it’s not my favorite Facebook time.

I know I’m sounding ungrateful but hear me out.

We should be grateful all the time. Every single day. More importantly we should spread the gratefulness outwardly by telling others exactly why we are so grateful. Those kind words go a long way. It could be the very thing that makes someones day from icky to happy. Right?

I’m not one to do the 30 days of grateful on my FB account for a few reasons but I will vow to outwardly share my gratitude to my friends and family personally. This could mean sending them a card, picking up my phone (I’m TERRIBLE at this) or looking them square in their eyes and telling them exactly why I’m grateful.

My goal is to make a bunch of grateful and thank you cards to have on hand and randomly pass out as well. Again, these types of things are not normal anymore. They use to be the norm, but the internet changed much of this. Don’t get me wrong, of course it’s okay to thank someone or tell them your grateful in an email or on social media. BUT- doesn’t it make a bigger impact face to face? OR, when they get that card in the mail they know you spent time on them.

 

And I know you might be thinking… “what if I do post 30 days of grateful on my FB.”  I will love you and I won’t judge you.  I promise.

I have a two fold challenge for you today. I hope you will join me.

TGIF Challenge, Stampin' Up!

 

This weeks challenge is “Thankful!”  Pretty open ended.  That means anything goes, just make it a “thankful” card.  Or, in my case “Grateful For You” card.

Grateful, Vintage Leaves Stamp Set, Stampin' up!

I used the Vintage Leaves stamp set for this card along with the Leaf Thinlits to die cut.  I started by die cutting directly on my Whisper White card base and then put the same size behind it and placed Washi tape to show through the die cut image.  I love this technique because it’s simple enough yet a WOW.

Grateful, Vintage Leaves Stamp Set, Stampin' up!

These Bohemian colors are delicious together.  I am NOT a purple lover at all.  In fact I dare not tell my friend Dawn Griffith about my non purple obsession or she may come after me.  <hee hee>  In all honesty, purple has been growing on me lately.  I especially love the bold impact it makes with Island Indigo and Delightful Dijon next to it.  Of course the purple I’m using is Blackberry Bliss.  It’s so crisp.

Grateful, Vintage Leaves Stamp Set, Stampin' up!

Are You Ready? 

 

The challenges are easy!  Check out what our designers for TGIF have created and join in the challenge.  Click HERE to see what others have created.

Second, join me in attempt to share outwardly the gratitude and kindness.

What does this all mean?

It’s simple…. Be inspired and uplift and inspire others.  It’s a game changer I promise.  You will get that warm sensation all over when you do and your day will be brighter knowing that YOU have made someone else’s day brighter.  Just like the Stampin’ Up! mission statement- …together we make a difference! 

Are you in? Post a comment and let me know.

PS- Today is the LAST day of the 15% off Stamp sale.  Click HERE to take advantage.

 

Categories : Big Shot, Cards, Fall, TGIF Challenges
Tags : , , ,

Inspiration & Interpretation

Posted by Kimberly
on Friday, October 16th, 2015

TGIF, Challenges, Stampin' Up!

TGIF Challenge, Inspiration, Stampin' Up!

 

I’m pretty sure if this challenge was graded I would fail miserably in the interpretation of the inspiration.  WOW! That’s a tongue twister.

In fact, now that I’m sitting here starring at the picture for the inspiration of this challenge, I see the light pink.  No where will you see light pink in my card today.  Shoot! Phooey!

I think You're Great stamp set, Stampin' Up!

What I did see was GREEN.  Umm… now that I have my glasses on, there is no green whatsoever.  It’s maybe Soft Suede? Oh dear. How could I be SO off on these colors??

Okay, I failed miserably at the interpretation but in the grand scheme of things I like how this card turned out. I’ve sat here for half an hour looking at all the mistakes with the colors.  But I like the colors in my card.

It’s bright and bold.

It uses snippets of different designer papers and fun patterns.

 

I think You're Great stamp set, Stampin' Up!

 

It has Gold stitching… be still my HEART.

It has one of my favorite things, Filter Paper.

TIP: When punching filter paper, take a piece of cardstock and place the filter paper on top of the cardstock.  Punch both layers.  You will get a clean punch every time.  

I think You're Great stamp set, Stampin' Up!

It also has sequins… you can’t go wrong there.

Maybe this would be a good teaching lesson for my kids.  I can show them how we interpret things differently.  Of course I can hear my daughter now, “Umm Mom! Where are the flowers!” They are plain as day in the picture.

Once again, I leave you with hope. Hope that anyone can do what I do.  <smile>

I hope you also take part in this challenge and share with ME how you interpret the inspiration above.  Take on a challenge this week and share your passion, what you love so others can be inspired by YOU.

If you are up for the challenge click HERE and see what the other designers have created this week.

 

Meanwhile I have a prayer request.

Russ is driving today to Harlan, Kentucky taking them Winter clothes and food for the winter with other members of our church.  Will you pray with me for safe travels?  My parents are also traveling there to help.  They will hand out the clothes and food on Saturday.  This tiny little community can use the prayer and love.  They are down to 2 coal mines open from 13 total.  A devastating situation.  I pray that they can feel the love and see the gospel from those surrounding them this weekend.

 

 

 

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Categories : Big Shot, Cards, Congratulations, Thinking of You
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Kimberly VanDiepen
(719) 360-1242
stampinbythesea@me.com
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This blog reflects my personal offers and classes as an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. Images copyrighted Stampin' Up! All content is copyrighted so please do not submit my work for contests or publication and/or reprint my articles without permission. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Stampin' Up!
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