Creating Kris

I created this album to tell the story (through pictures and a little bit of journaling) of the construction of our new house. After we bought this home in summer 2008, we stopped by at least once a month to check on the progress as it was built from the ground up. It was very exciting to see all the pieces come together – the foundation, the walls, the roof, the inside wiring and plumbing, the counter-tops, the flooring, and all the decorative fixtures and features we’d picked out.

Part 1 of the album has been uploaded to my Scrappy & Stampy Gallery…

Click on the picture to see the gallery album with pictures of each layout. Unlike the other albums in the gallery, these pics have been placed in ascending order. Try a slideshow; it’ll be almost like flipping through the pages for real.

Here are a few favourite layouts from the first half of this album…

Most of the cardstock and other materials used to create the album were Stampin’ Up items, but I also dipped into my stash and pulled some papers and things from my CM supplies as well as papers from Michaels and Costco. I used almost all of the paper I had left in the Washington Apple paper pack that I’d used to create our change-of-address cards back in the summer.

Throughout the album, there are also lots of silver rub-on flowers and flourishes. Other embellishments include buttons, brads, punched cork, ribbons, hemp thread, gemstones, staples, velum, and felt flowers. The journaling in printed in a dark brown on white cardstock. For techniques, I did a lot of paper-piercing, inked edges, punched shapes and stamping.

Part 2 of the album is currently in the works (albeit slowly, especially the journaling component) so stay tuned for when I upload pics of those pages!

Happy Scrappin’!

Here is yet another card created for winter birthdays this year…

This was another set of two. One card was given to my son for his 5th birthday and the other went to a little buddy of his who was born about a week before he was (same year as well, that’s how we met!).

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (SU), white
Ink: penguins inked with Basic Black then coloured in with black & orange.
Techniques: paper-piercing on the penguin’s rectangle mat, glitter (blue Cosmo from SU) glued onto penguin’s scarf with Tombow adhesive
Embellishments: silver brads (Stampin’ Up), patterned ribbon (Michael’s)

I’d have to say that creating these cute penguin cards was *almost* as fun as creating the ones for the birthday girls this winter (this set of pink penguins and this set of purple/plum penguins). I didn’t feel I could get away with as much stamping, ribbon, and punches though.

This year, I’d like to try making more sets of cards in advance so that we have them on hand for up-coming birthdays. Whether or not I plan our ahead of time who each card is for, I’d still like to make a little batch of birthday cards for birthdays and occasions. Valentine’s Day is coming closer than I care to admit and I’m not ready yet! I haven’t made one single cards, although I did start designing and making some little treat folders/boxes for his classmates last month that I’ll be sure to post pics of (and the template for!) soon.

It’s time for a new name to reflect this blog’s changed identity. It has grown into something different than it originally started out as, so now it will have a new title to go along with that! I’m excited to introduce you to… the “Creating Kris” blog, where a young mom shares her creative projects: scrapbooking, stamped cards, home decor, free blinkies, etc.!

What I like the most about the new name is it’s dual meaning… Not only am I a Kris who creates, I’m a Kris who is being created. I grow and learn and discover, and my friends (online and off!) are part of that process.

Wondering why the change? I’ll explain…
Read the rest of this entry »

My son is such a little sunshine in my life, he has the funniest little expressions. His way of seeing the world is so unique and special, especially since he is SO incredibly smart! I have no doubt he’s picked up on the “gifted” genes from both his parents.

Here are a few favourite Avery quotes from the past little while…

Avery: “I’m so smart I don’t need any other people”.

Avery (after being told to go back to bed as the TV in our room is turned off): “You’re just doing a trick on me – when I go back to bed you will just turn that TV back on again.”

Avery: “I saw the muffin bag on the counter Mom!”
Me: “Oh you did eh…?”
Avery: “So what’s for breakfast?”
Me: “Guess!”
Avery: “I don’t know!”
Me: “Muffins!”
Avery is genuinely surprised and delighted to find this out! LOL

Me: “Well how did they watch that back then? There were no TVs!”
Avery: “WHAT?”
Me: “In the olden days, TV hadn’t been invented yet.”
Avery: “That is just. not. possible.”

Avery asks his dad: “Was it awesome?”

Avery tells me (as I leave the couch): “But Mom, the game was just so awesome that it *made* me kick the couch. It’s done being awesome.”

And another few that I’d scribbled down (on a note paper that got lost again and found again about a million times!):

“I need you to just do this by yourself.”
“See, I told you it was gross.”
“That so freaked me out!”
“I always share with everyone the candy that I get at Halloween.”
“I obey you to play Xbox!”