Christmas Cards

Just wanted to give you a look at my other Christmas cards for 2011.  Maybe they will give you a jump on 2012!!!

Making just 10 cards per month in 2012 would make it really easy to have enough cards for next Christmas!  Just a thought for all of you card makers!

JAI - Fancy Packaging

I was catching up on the blog world today and I came across this post from Just Add Ink!  And I immediately thought of my packages from this year.

Here they are!  We always use Stampin Up's packing paper from the shipments that I receive for our wrapping.  It's cheap (free) and I always have some on hand and it's just so cute!  Then I usually add some cute ribbon to each package.  I love to use real ribbon!  It goes so well with the kraft paper that we wrap in.

Then this year, I saw an idea on Pinterest...and it was decided that I would add a little black and white picture to each package.  This was great for a few reasons.  #1 - It just looks SO CUTE!  And #2 - Brooke was easily able to hand out packages to everyone.  She can't read, but she can recognize who is in the picture and hand that present to that person!

I loved this idea and think I will continue for next year!

Merry Christmas!

If you are coming to my cardmaking event on Saturday...here's a preview of one of the cards you will be making!

I love to make my cards cute and simple!  And if you are making 20+ cards for Christmas, you want them to be so simple that you don't get overwhelmed making them!

This card is the perfect one if you are looking to duplicate a card fast!

I started this card with a Lucky Limeade cardstock base.  I love this new color from SU!  I then took a strip of First Edition Specialty DSP and embossed the Simple Snowflake stamp on it with Cherry Cobbler EP!  LOVE IT!  I then used a sponge and Chocolate Chip ink to distress the DSP a little.

A few 1" circles punched in Cherry Cobbler and the "merry Christmas" sentiment from the stamp set Petite Pairs stamped in Cherry Cobbler and this card is DONE!

So cute and so simple!!!

Elephant Cards

Well it's been a while since I've posted but I figured that since it's December 1st, it's a good time to get in the groove again and try to post atleast 5 times a week!  Wouldn't you all just love that??!!!

I never got to show you all the thank you notes that I made for after Noah was born.  I had 4 different designs that I created and I just loved them all.  Elephants were the theme for his room!  I might have to show you the other crafty sides of me in posts to come.

Hope you enjoy these quick and easy cards!  Please let me know if you have any questions!

Where have you been Kim???

Last time you all heard from me, I looked like this...

 And now I have this...

Noah Samuel...born August 11th!  You can read more about him and how the family is adjusting on my family blog: http://www.therydenfamily.blogspot.com/.

And be prepared...I spent the morning with Jinny and now I'm feeling a little bit of a crafting bug (which I haven't really felt since Noah was born).  9pm and both my kiddos will be in bed and you could be seeing a crafty post from me soon!

Echo Park Love

If you all have been reading my blog for any amount of time you have probably heard that I love Echo Park Paper Company. After Stampin Up, they are probably my most favorite! :)

Here's a layout that I did about my little Brooke before a family event. She was so cute just waiting there for Daddy to cool down the car and get her carseat ready. Adorable!

I thought this little bee tag was appropriate because I sometimes call her BE. Her name is Brooke Elizabeth...it just fits!

I also love this tape that comes in the Smashbook line from K&Company! I like it a lot. Ha ha! You have seen me use it before on this layout. And you will probably see it again and again!

The color in this picture is kinda off. But I just wanted to showcase the cute stickers that come with every single kit! So adorable!

Hope you liked my layout! Thanks for stopping by!

June Club Layout

I haven't blogged in SO LONG! I have been running, running, running...doing something every single morning with my little girl and by the time the afternoon blogging time comes around, I'm ready for a nap! But today we are staying at home all day and I plan to whip this house into shape a little bit more than it already it! YAY! So I will be blogging too! WOO HOO!

This is the page that we did for club in June. The hostess wanted to do a little painting. So I thought that painting with reinkers would be fun!

We started this page by creating the background. Just a little Early Espresso reinker and a paintbrush around the edges of the cardstock. Then we squeezed the Tempting Turquoise reinker bottle right over the paper to get the spotted effect. I thought that this would be a perfect layout for decorating Easter Eggs.

We used the Playdate DSP that is now retired. I love that set of paper and sticker embellishments!

I saw a challenge on someone's blog that challenged people to use 10 DSP's on one layout. I tried really hard to use all 12 that are available from Stampin Up in this pack and I think I succeed!

Hope you enjoy the layout and I can't wait to come back and show you a few more things that I've been creating! Look for atleast one more post today!

Happy 4th of July!

We received this card in the mail this week from my Mother-in-Law. Since she doesn't have a blog, I thought I would enter it in a challenge for her!

I saw Friday's Mashup Challenge and just had to get this card in. The challenge was to use the colors: red, white and blue, create a patriotic themed card OR do both and mash it up!

She did both on this card and I just LOVE it! Don't you??!!

Sketches in Thyme - Open Challenge

***I didn't get thos posted before the deadline last night because blogger wasn't working. But I thought I would share it anyway!***

I liked the sketch that Tiffany used this week and since it's an open challenge at Sketches in Thyme this week, I decided to use it too!

Here's my layout...

I love these papers that I got while I was out at Archiver's last week! They are all from My Mind's Eye! Love it!

That piece of tape that says, "I really, really, really, really like this." is part of the new Smash book line from K & Company. So much fun to use! You will see it on a few other layouts I will be showing you soon!

I just love all of the polka dots on this page. So cute!

Sketchy Thursdays 6.23

I just loved this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch. Check out my take on it...

I used a scrapbook kit from Alphabet Soup and the little alphabet and number stickers came from Pink Paislee. So cute!

This layout is all about Noah's ultrasounds at 28 weeks. We are at 31 weeks now and I get an ultrasound every single week...YAY!! More pictures to scrapbook!

We are doing Noah's room with elephants. Don't you just love this elephant?!!

Isn't he such a cutie?!!!

Color Dare #107

This week our color combination at Color Dare is: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery and So Saffron. I did a very simple card this week and I just love it!

It might still need something added to it...not sure. What do you think? I think it would be great for a manly birthday card!

Supplies Used - Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist and Whisper White (All SU), DSP (My Mind's Eye), Stamp Set: Best Dad Ever (SU), Ink: Marina Mist, Embellishments: Ribbon (SU), Button (SU), Baker's Twine (SU)

Make it with Crumb Cake Monday + Sneak Peek!

Hey...look at this...another Make it with Crumb Cake Monday! Today I have a card for you that I used some of my NEW Stampin Up goodies to create!!

This card was made using a Crumb Cake card base. The other cardstock colors used are: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade (new in color), Elegant Eggplant and Wisteria Wonder (new in color)!

I also used the NEW Pennant Punch that punches both the scallop pennant and the straight edge pennant!

And the sentiment "you're the BEST!" comes from the new hostess stamp set "Perfect Words"!

You are going to love all of the new goodies in the catalog!!!

Supplies Used - Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Elegant Eggplant and Wisteria Wonder, Stamp Set: Perfect Words, Ink Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Embellishments: Early Espresso Baker's Twine (SU), Bitty Button (SU), Toothpick.

Color Dare #106

Every week the Color Dare just gets me because I have never thought of putting all these colors together! This week we are on Color Dare #106: Real Red, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizazz! Here's my card...

I started with a Real Red carstock (SU) base. Then I added in a few pieces of DSP (American Crafts) to match up with Peach Parfait and Pear Pizazz. The circle was punched using my 2-1/2" Circle Punch (SU).

I then added on this metal flower embellishment that I have been saving for a long time. I got it at Archiver's a while back in the $1.99 spot (which they don't have any more) and I don't remember who the maker of this cute flower is! The brad in the center is a retired Stampin Up brad, Real Red with white polka dots! So cute!

Then I used the NEW Stamp Set: Perfect Words (WM: #122470 $12 Hostess, CM: #124505 $9 Hostess). I love this set! You can see another card I made using a sentiment from this set here.

Hope you all like my card this week. Can't wait to see what you all create when you play with us!!! Just link up to the Color Dare #106 post before Tuesday of next week!

SIT #50

So I'm finally back to blogging because I actually created something! WOO HOO!

I saw this sketch from Sketches in Thyme and thought it would be perfect for a one picture layout! Here's what I created...

I used the Echo Park Little Boy line! This layout is all about me being 21 weeks pregnant with Noah! Tomorrow I will be 30 weeks...my how the time is flying by!!!

All of the papers on this layout came from the Echo Park kit. I added some Stampin Up satin ribbon and a random button tied with Stampin Up Baker's Twine!

Even those silver brads came from Stampin Up! :)

Supplies Used - Cardstock: Real Red (SU), DSP (Echo Park), Embellishments: Night of Navy Satin Ribbon (SU), White button (Unknown), Chocolate Chip Baker's Twine (SU) and silver brads (SU).

Color Dare #105

Hey There Loyal Followers! Sorry that I've been a bad blogger lately! Just taking a little break I suppose! But here is your card for Color Dare #105: Elegant Eggplant, Pear Pizazz, Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand. I loved using this color combo and a NEW stamp set!

This card used the new Hostess Stamp Set: Perfect Words. I love the set and can't wait to show you a few more cards that I've made using it!

I am loving polka dots these days and I love how this stamp that states, "on a scale from one to ten YOU'RE AN 11" using a circle in it's design too!!

Hope to see a lot of you play with us this week at The Color Dare! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used - Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White and Blushing Bride (all SU), DSP (American Crafts), Stamp Set: Perfect Words (SU Hostess), Ink: Pear Pizazz and Elegant Eggplant (SU), Ribbon: Pear Pizazz Seam Binding (SU), Linen Thread (SU), Glimmer Brads (SU)

Three Challenges in One!

Hey There...I have a new card for you. These supplies are new to me but not new to Stampin Up. The Playdate line is being retired and it is currently 40% off! So hurry and place your order! http://www.kimryden.stampinup.net/!

I made this card using the Playdate Quick Accents Sheet (#117172, $5.37) and the Playdate DSP (#117168, $5.97)! I guess I should mention that I made this card for my Best Friend and her hubby. They have now been married for 3 years! Congrats Kristin and Adam!

The sketch for this card came from Mojo Monday's Sketch #194.

I also submitted this card for Critter Sketch Challenge Blog #68 - Using Kraft paper, or Crumb Cake if you are from Stampin Up!

The last Challenge I submitted this card for is Pals Paper Arts #97 - Your Signature Style. My crafting style usually involves: Crumb Cake cardstock, bright colors, a simple design and buttons!!!

Hope you enjoyed my card! Come back soon for a sneak peek at the new In Colors from Stampin Up!

Color Dare #104

The Color Dare this week is:

Not Quite Navy

Cajun Craze

Baja Breeze

And here's my card!

I love this little Father's Day card I made for my hubby. He plays guitar and Brooke is really digging it lately. So what is more perfect than my new stamp set: Grunge Rock, which I got on sale last month! YAY!

***Forgot to mention that this card was made from Clean & Simple's Sketch #143!***

Supplies Used - Stamp Sets: Grunge Rock and Best Dad Ever (SU), Cardstock: Crumb Cake and Whisper White (SU), DSP: Sassafras and Echo Park, Sticker Boarder (SU retired), Twine (SU).

Check it out!

I have been an absent blogger for the past week! I think I just needed some new inspiration! Well...it came in the mail today! WOO HOO!

That's right...the new SU catalog! I can't wait to make my wish list! You all are going to love it and I will start playing with my new pre-ordered goodies tomorrow afternoon! YAY!!!

More blog posts to come this week than there were last week...promise!!

Color Dare #103

Hello everyone! I hope that you all are having a great week so far! The holiday weekend really threw me for a loop and I thought today was Monday all day long. But it wasn't!

But I now know that today is Wednesday and I'm bringing you a new Color Dare! The color combination this week is: Pear Pizazz, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. So here's my card...

I used all of the correct colors except Very Vanilla. I have to admit that I have a hard time crafting with Very Vanilla. I prefer to have the crisp Whisper White instead.

But I did love this color combination! So great!!! When I first saw it, I thought of doing a Father's Day card but quickly went away from that because I wanted to use those great chipboard letters!!!

I love the way that seam binding looks when you ruffle it! SO CUTE!

Well I hope you all enjoyed my card and I hope that you will play along with us this week at Color Dare!

Supplies Used
Cardstock (SU): Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip and Pear Pizazz, Ribbon (SU): Pear Pizazz Seam Binding, Button (Papertrey Ink), Tickets (Unknown), Chipboard Letters (Pressed Petals).

Here is my last card for the month! I have given you 31 cards/scrapbook pages using NEW Stampin Up items this month! Have you loved it??!!

This last card is so cute! We used the Stregth & Hope Stamp Set. See the images in the set below...

Strength & Hope (Wood Mount #118100 $17.95, Clear Mount #123660 $13.95, page 27 of the mini). There is also a digital download available (#124475, $9.95), it includes the 4 images in the stamp set, 12 Designer papers and 10 embellishments. Awesome!!!

Supplies Used

Stamp Set: Stregth & Hope, Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Basic Black and Whisper White, Ink Colors: Melon Mambo and Basic Black, Ribbon: 5/8" Basic Black Satin, Tools: Curly Label Punch, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die and Perfect Polka Dots emobossing folder, Embellishment: Jewels-Basic Rhonestone.

5/30 - Flower Garden

Ok...I'm a day late on this post. Yesterday was a busy day and we left our house early then got back really late! So here is your card for Monday.

This card was made using two Textured Embossing Folders: Square Lattice and the new Flower Garden (#123113, $7.95, page 24 of the mini). We rubbed a little Pretty in Pink ink over the embossed image and I love how it just pops on this monochromatic card!

Supplies Used
Stamp Set: Don't remember the name of this one, Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink, Ink: Pretty in Pink, Ribbon: Generic, Tools: Square Lattice Embossing folder, Flower Garden Embossing folder and 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Punch.

Scrap That Baby - Baby's Day Out

I ran across this challenge online and thought it would be a great one for our zoo pictures from our first visit this season. Scrap That Baby is to showcase layouts of children 4 and under.

We decided to become friends of the zoo this summer so that we can do whenever we want to have some fun and see some animals! We've been twice so far this season and we plan to go again on Tuesday! WOO HOO!

Most of the items that are on this page are from Sassafrass. I just love their bold colors and funky style for layouts about little kids!

Their chipboard animal alphabet was perfect for this layout!

See that ribbon??? I got it from The Ribbon Jar. It's an online ribbon store and it has got some CUTE stuff!!

I love recording the details of our little outings as mother and daughter. Brooke's favorite animal was the polar bear today. She loved to just watch him swim back and forth.

One of my favorite things about this side of the layout are these Sassafrass cards. So cute and perfect for the zoo!

Supplies Used

Stamp Set: Comtempo Alphabet (SU), Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise (SU), DSP (Sassafrass), Stickers and Embellishments (Sassafrass), Ribbon (The Ribbon Jar)