Yep….that’s right – it is time for another Simple Saturday and today we have the one and only….“Chris R. from Iowa” in the house! If you follow my blog and you read the comments…then you already know that Chris is a hoot and she has one super cute card for us today!
I had offered to my team if they wanted to have some fun while I was gone with some posts…and I am thrilled that many took the challenge and that I am sharing them with YOU while John and I are away!
Pop back tomorrow to see the stepped up version that Bridget is going to share with you and also, please give these ladies some Simple Stampin’ love…I am sure that they will adore reading your comments! Let’s get going…..
The stamp set that they chose was Christmas Cutter Christmas (carried over from the previous catalog) and I love the reason that they chose this Eskimo image….they thought that there have been soooooo many cards in the past using the Reindeer and the Santa…this dear, sweet Eskimo needed some love!
Do you all remember me saying time and time again that when you see a bundle – to HOP ON IT as it does NOT always stay as a bundle as this is a prime example. Even though both products “go together” they are NOT a bundle now so you will see them at the end of the post in the product line up!
We all adore punches as face it – they are super easy and fast. This punch is even more of a bonus as they are many other little “this and that’s” in the punch! (make a mental note that there is a great small heart now that the beloved Owl punch flew the coop)
This is my kinda card….as when I received it in the mail I beamed…sooooo clean & fresh and Chris did a FABULOUS job in coloring it. I learned a great lesson about this gem and one that I will try to try to do more of.
Chris colored this image with the watercoloring pencils! YEP, lesson learned for Susan and I am a “go to” Aqua Painter and the ink pads…but I am giddy of the softness and great blending that the watercolor pencils give.
Chris used the following color of pencils: Basic Gray, Pacific Point, Early Espresso, and Melon Mambo.
When she emailed me she shared that she also used the Aqua Painter…..so I am guessing that she used that in conjunction with the pencils! (again, lesson learned – I thought that you just used the blender pens with the pencils….learn something everyday!)
The card size is a whisper white notecard but it could easily be adapted to an A-2 card….I am a huge fan of this card size and the value…..can’t beat it!
Now don’t you think that this fun paper from the Color Theory DSP Stack is just perfect for this card!!!! Great choice Chris as I think the subtle change in color lends itself the image and the coloring of the sweet Eskimo!
A gal after my own heart….Chris gave her envelope some love. We are just so darn lucky that Stampin’ Up! does an absolutely BANG UP JOB with the color coordination of paper, stamps and inks…..we always have a “go to” to “go to” (say that 3 times)
Keeping the fun theme of the card, the sentiment was stamped on a scrap and then blinged up a wee bit with some pearls…..now this is MY KINDA bling….very soft and subtle!
I say SUPER CARD and SUPER JOB in creating the “front end” of our 2 day post! As the saying goes….Christmas in July and this sweet one would be a fast one to whip up as a Holiday card….a thank you card….or heck – just a sweet card to send to make someone smile!
I shared with you last weekend that I will try to share a “fun fact” about my team member that shared their talent…..well I think that we all know Chris R from Iowa from her fabulous and oh so witty comments but here are just a couple that make me burst out laughing when I think of her and….
- The comment about Mike and the Minion mowing the lawn…
- The comment about the guy driving the hearse and waving to her and Teddy…
- The comment about getting locked out of her house and getting a fireman to let her in…
There are many, many more and I am sure that you all will think of them (definitely Sonny will) but one thing that I do know is…Chris is a super kind person and truly loves to craft and also makes many of us smile by leaving comments on blogs! Way to go with this card!!!!
See you tomorrow….I KNOW that you are going to smile…..it’s time to STEP IT UP….think of us tomorrow….we will be flying to another part of Thailand to continue the fun!
Love the card! So sweet and classic and your soft coloring is perfect. I really enjoy reading your funny comments, Chris. Thanks for putting a smile on my face every day. Susan, enjoy the rest of your trip. ?
I gotta take advantage and answer all the comments! Thanks Mary Ann! It was out of my comfort zone to not add any snowflakes or anything but I really liked the simplicity of the little Eskimo and the paper. I put the other part of the sentiment on the inside.
That is just like Chris to want to give the Eskimo some love. (I was really expecting Chris to showcase a piggy card!) This is such a super clean, super cute card! Chris, I love the way you used the Color Theory paper and colored the Eskimo with watercolor pencils! This is just the perfect card to send to someone who needs a pick me up. I can’t wait to see what Bridget does to “step it up”!
Well, I did feel the Eskimo was a bit short changed last year and with the talk about the ice breaking in Antarctica and such it just fit beside it being so darn hot and humid here. Of course, I figured everyone would think I would do a pig too so that I was another reason for the Eskimo. I love that Color Theory paper and it reminded me of the Northern Lights a bit. My poor brown watercolor pencil has been well used with the moose and this card. Such an easy and fast way to color! We can wish Bridget a belated birthday tomorrow too!
Chris, that little guy is so cute!!! Love your clean and simple card! You used the DSP in a great way! And I could not agree more with Mary Ann H.!!! Thank you sooooo much for all your fun, comments! Your sense of humor is the best! Susan, I am sure you and John are living it up over there! Can’t wait to see pictures of all your adventures!!! Sending big hugs! And thanks so much for these fun posts!!!
I swear I felt cooler creating the little Eskimo, of course, they were also installing our new roof with the solar powered vent fans so that could have had some effect too! As far as Susan’s comments about me – well, it was actually a police man who used his own bank card on the lock to get us into the house! My neighbor hadn’t thought about Mike looking similar to a Minion until I mentioned it to her a few weeks ago. Now, she laughs every time she sees him in his denim overalls! The hearse – the other funeral home was performing a funeral at the church across the street the other day. I had taken Ted for a walk going past it a few hours before the funeral actually was to occur but the people from the funeral home were out in the parking lot, killing time, oops sorry – it just slipped out. Anyway, they didn’t know my name but somehow they new Ted’s and called us to come over to pet him. Sure dressed in black suits you want to pet a slobbering drooling basset hound! Maybe that is their way of being friendly or is it drumming up business? Either way it is spooking me to say the least!
Chris, Sweet card. I have been using the watercolor pencils too and loving them. You do a wonderful job with them. I was lucky enough to receive one of your cards in a Christmas swap last year. You do lovely work I happen to be driving across Iowa today. Going to a wedding. Will send you a warm hug as I drive by Pella exit ?
The watercolor pencils are so easy to play with and I love the colors. I even went and bought a set at Barnes and Nobles to play with since it had more colors. You will have to let me know where you were headed. It is funny, we don’t know where everybody lives either. Maybe we need to have Susan collect our E-mail addresses to provide them for whoever would like them so we can “chat” now and then. Of course we want to see photos of her trip first!
Chris R. from Iowa is the BEST! I can always count on her to leave a comment for me on my blog and love reading her comments on others.
Chris, you did a fabulous job on this adorable Eskimo! The coloring is just perfect and gradient background makes it look cool and inviting (especially for those of us in the hot desert in Arizona!)
Great Job Chris!
Hot dang (and I do mean hot both here and Phoenix!) you get to leave me a comment for a change! Wait until you see Bridget’s stepped up version – it is one hot number! It is so easy to color with the water color pencils and the aqua painter. I hope they come up with more colors. I accidentally used Melon Mambo on a pig card so he looked a bit sunburnt!
When I saw “Chris R.” in the post title, I knew we’d be in for a treat. Super cute card, my friend, & as several people have noted, super clever use of the Color Theory paper. The Eskimo was an image I didn’t use much either, last year, but now I have no excuse! I’ll be CASE-ing away! Thanks for taking on the challenge and creating such a perfect CAS card.
And thanks for always livening up the comments section on Susan’s blog. You are starting your own blog…when? You Know you’d have a massive instant following!!
Oh, I am so excited someone would want to CASE one of my cards! It was sure easy and fast once I decided to use that paper. I am still trying to remember an old joke my dad used to tell about a selling snowballs in H___ to go with the Eskimo. A blog, maybe someday….
Great card I never saw the Eskimo last year …thanks for doing this card I love it . I will go back and look at this set. Makes me have cool thoughts…need that since the summer heat has arrived in Texas.
We lived in Houston for 16-17 years before coming back to Iowa. We have the heat and humidity here too though. The little bear didn’t get too much love either as the gingerbread man and the deer stole the show with Santa and his stupid hat. I still say the weird hat makes him look like a gang member or something from the hood if you ask me. You will definitely have to play with the set some more. So, easy to color.
Great job, Chris. This is s really cute card. I can never get the very pastel colors, but yours are amazing. I, too, enjoy your sense of humor on Susan’s and other blogs. Thanks for participating on Susan’s site today. Have a wonderful day!
Easy peasy using the water color pencils and the aqua painter. Just use a light touch of color and let the water do it’s magic and you can always add more color. I am not a pastel person for the most part and this was an easy way to do that. I wasn’t sure what color a walrus hide would be and other animal skins so I just sort of kept it neutral in colors.
Hi Chris R . . . I love your simple card. You made the lil’ Eskimo so cute and cozy! I have not tried the watercolor pencils . . . even the free gift from “Sara’s PP” . . . one of these days is all I can say. I thought this was a Christmas card until I read the sentiment more closely. I love it even more. I have a few winter birthdays that this would be perfect for.
I’m wondering like we do each week, what will be the Stepped-Up version. I’m thinking a little snow at least, maybe an EF.
Susan, safe travels on your journey home.
Have a great Saturday to all!
🙂
Oh Nancy you have to give them a whirl – so fast and easy. Scribble some color on and let the water do it’s magic – use a light touch with the water and have a paper towel handy too. The Christmasy part is on the inside as it is in the set. I was trying to go with what Bridget did a bit. But, hey, it could be used for other occasions like you mentioned. The pearls were to mimic the snowballs! I would love to try some of that new embossing paste and try to make an igloo for the Eskimo some time too.
Great card, Chris!! I have not seen much of this little eskimo either. So glad you brought him to our attention 🙂
I had told a friend I was going to use the Eskimo and she said, what Eskimo – there is no Eskimo in that set. She looked and E-mailed me back and said oops – SU needs to use some of your ideas to promote some of the less used stamps! I loved the idea that you could use the punch and no fussy cutting to worry about.
I love your card Chris and agree with everyone about the color pencils. Beautiful work. The colors are very pleasing to the eye. You are so thoughtful to give the Eskimo some love.
Well, you can only do so much with the colors of animal skins and walrus hide – just kidding all you Eskimos and Native Americans to the north. It was just too hard to believe that they would have a Columbia jacket and snow pants let alone UGGS. Maybe they can use our cards in conjunction with the Alaskan Incentive Trip that the demos can earn. This will be probably as close to Alaska as I will ever get!
Holy Frostbite ! Chris ,this is the cutest I have seen this adorable Eskimo colored. I love those WC pencils too ! This card is so cute and I feel cooler already just looking at it !! GIGGLE ! Great choice for your card display today ! BUT then you are COOL like that !! BTW…bet that guy in the hearse was cool too (if you get my drift ) SNICKER !!
Hey Susan !
Well Sonny, how many cards have you seen so far 2 or 3? I checked and thought it was sorely lacking in attention. Besides, we had limited choices of sets that Bridget and I owned. I guess I did have the fan on me when I was creating the card too. I just love that Color Theory paper and the memory card things to go with are so fun to use too! See my comment to Ramsey about the other funeral home we have here in town. You had me smiling at the cool thought of the hearse driver. You should be at dinner with my in-laws always a story about a funeral or my FIL’s favorite when he was taking a body being donated to the U of I medical center for research. While getting lost and having students ask him what was in the van to when he got to the right place and the secretary kept asking him for his social security number. He still filled out the form with his name but kept leaving it off. She told him no way could he donate his body for research without having the SS# number as it was just not done! She turned on her heel and left him standing there. So, he went around the counter and followed her into the inner office and he told her he wasn’t donating his body he was bringing a dead body who had already submitted the proper paperwork he assumed. He asked her where he should put the body – did she want it sitting in her waiting room as he could do that! Then he turned on his heels and left the office. She had to run down the hall after him and apologize.
I do want to take a minute to thank Susan for letting me take over her blog for the day. It was a bit out of my comfort zone but a fun challenge. We will all be excited to see Bridget’s stepped up version. Then, next week we will have another great reveal by others – I think.
I am hoping Susan and John are having a super great time – both relaxing but also fun and exciting as this is truly a trip of a lifetime. I hope she has all her buddies like Mary, Brian, Patty and others visit her blog this month to show them what all we can do and all the helpful tips, knowledge, and tricks Susan and everyone else has kindly shared with us.
SO FUNNY !!! My cousin drove a hearse on the week ends while in college . He had stories galore ! Especially using it for first dates !!
You are right Chris ….I have not seen many of the Eskimos ,but even so the ones I have seen were not colored as special as this one !! CUTE !
Excited about the Bridget step up tomorrow !!
I am not sure if it is in Des Moines or where I have seen it but a bug exterminator company uses a hearse for their truck and it is pretty funny to see.
Thanks for the kind comments Sonny!
Aw Chris, this is as cute as can be! You definitely are a master with the colored pencils!!!!! Love all the little touches. The Color Theory dsp is the perfect choice for this cillin’ Eskimo. It will be tough to improve on this perfection!
Thank you Ginger! The watercolor pencils are fun for images like this. I need to do more flowers and I can’t wait for fall to try some multicolored leaves too! I haven’t used the “paint chip” looking paper yet but I am bound to figure out something for using them. I love using the Color Theory cards too.
Super cute card, Chris, and yes, it needed some love! Thanks for sharing your cardmaking creative talents, along with your storytelling ones.
My pleasure. This was the perfect ending to a rough week dealing with the roofer, taking a huge tree out of the yard, and several other problems. I love the little note card size as they don’t leave a huge white space which is hard for me to handle. Using the Color Theory paper just seemed a good compromise and still have enough for the envelope.
There is something so very special about this card! I am not a fan of Christmas in July but I feel like I could look at this card all day ANY time of the year. Chris, the coloring is spectacular!! I would not have thought to put color theory dsp behind the eskimo but it is the perfect compliment to the card. I did not know what to think abt the color theory paper when I first heard abt it and saw it in the catalog but this might be a dsp I will want to buy. I am convinced that product shares are the way to go and then it helps to decide which dsps I might want a full pack of. I think I would totally vote to not retire it. I love the pearls on this card also. Can’t wait to see tomorrow’s version.
The Color Theory paper is so varied. I have not figured out what to do with the “paint chip” looking one but I bet I figure out something. I bought the memory card pack too and they go so well together. I whipped up a bunch of fun cards in an hour using the paper and the cards. The price is good too since you get a lot of the smaller sheets and they are two sided. I love product shares too and this really sold me on the stack. The pearls were to mimic little snowballs. Bridget’s is fun!
Chris, your card is so cute! I got to glance at email yesterday, but I didn’t get to comment. I like the DSP with the eskimo. And the stitched circle die! Thanks for partnering with me! I enjoyed it!
It was fun and a lot harder to partner than doing both cards yourself but it worked! It was fun getting to know you a little better too. Wishing you a belated birthday. I hope you liked your card!
What a sweet card & it made me think of the northern lights with that DSP! When my hubby & I went to Alaska for our 20th anniversary we had hoped to see them but alas it was not to be! Thanks for sharing your card with us!
Northern Lights is what I thought of too, or, a sunset or sunrise even. I just thought it worked well with the Eskimo keeping it simple. I would love to go to Alaska! I am glad you liked it!
Makes me smile. Love the DSP choice! Bravo for Chris!
Thanks Mary. Glad you made it back safely and I trust you had a wonderful time.