kwernerdesign blog

CI #36 Round-Up

2009-01-06T04:10:45Z

Wow, I am completely overwhelmed with amount of Color Inspiration Challenge submissions this week. Seriously, it amazes me each week how many of you use my little color challenges to create something you're so proud of--and you should be proud because I see such growth in all of you. You are spectacular, creative, amazing, inspiring, and motivating. :)

And I just wanted to say thank you for all you guys do for me every day. You all are so supportive and I so appreciate you spending the time to check in on my little corner of the web.

Isn't it great that we can come together over something as little as cards? But, I'm sure you know it's more than that. It's about friendship and making handmade items to share with friends. And then you jump online to share with others as well, and then we can become friends over a common interest... paper. :)

Anyhow, keep it up each week, girls! These color challenges are not just to help you get a jumping off point to create something you enjoy. View it as an opportunity to grow and be creative. And each week I'm so amazed at all the things you create.

So here are this week's top 15. Everyone did so great. These are just a few of the awesome things that were created using the colors:

TOP TEN

MACM - Bright Valentine's Cards

2009-01-05T12:55:09Z

Good morning, everyone!

I filmed this week's Make a Card Monday video early yesterday morning, but didn't like one of the cards. I meant to re-film it and modify the card, but just didn't get around to it. So, you're gettin' the absolutely real stuff! LOL!

I'm still in love with the bright colors in American's Crafts Teen papers. So fun! And I love that they have a paper with just hearts on it. It was begging to be cut up and individual hearts used on separate cards, don't you think? Love it!

This is also one of the first videos I've filmed with my new Canon Vixia HF10 camcorder (the real first one was for TwoPeas and won't go live until the 15th). I LOVE THIS CAMERA SO MUCH! It takes amazing HD video and it's so much easier to edit because I don't have to constantly render it in Final Cut! (Although that might be because I've learned a whole lot more about FC recently).

And... I didn't have any color issues. Hallelujah! There were spots when it was a bit bright, but I figure that's so much better than all the dark areas and color shifting that happened with my Flip Mino HD. So much better. I still love my Flip Mino HD, just not for this type of filming. What do you all think? Better? :)

Anyhow, enjoy the cards this week. Hopefully I'll be back later tonight with the latest Color Inspiration round-up. Until then, happy Monday!

As usual, you see watch the normal quality (easier on slower connections) over at YouTube. :)

Supplies - Basic Black card stock and corner rounder punch (Stampin' Up!); Teen patterned papers and BFF ribbon (American Crafts).

On resolutions and new projects

2009-01-03T04:44:23Z

What am I doing taking on another project? Am I crazy? :)

Actually, this is a project that I hope really takes off and can become a source of motivation and strength for not only me, but my four friends that are going on the journey with me.

Go ahead, call us crazy, but we're banding together and documenting our year-long journeys to better health in video form. We started out on Wednesday, New Years Eve, by setting up a camera and just talking about what we want the new year to bring. We said out loud what our goals are and we're hoping that by giving a voice to them, it will help us be that much stronger in taking personal steps in a successful direction.

We don't have the first episode up yet (have to film a bit to get some, right?), but here's a little taste of what we're doing, and I think it's great and brave and worth watching. And I'm so thrilled and humbled that these girls would allow me to handle their personal stories. Talk about trust. :)

BTW, when Jen saw the trailer below, she was all, "Wow! It's like we're on Oprah or something!" It's called creative editing, and it was so much fun putting together. ;)

Finally Friday - Dry Embossed Frame

2009-01-02T15:03:10Z

Good morning!

This week's Finally Friday video came about from a couple requests to show how to create a dry embossed frame (as seen on this pink card). There are some products from companies out there that will create embossed frames, but how do you create one on your own using product you already have on hand? Watch the video to find out! :)

Be sure to check out the full description and photo over at the Designer Garden. Also, the video below is in high quality, but if you prefer the normal version (easier on slower connections), head on over to YouTube.

Happy New Year! + 2 pages

2009-01-02T00:42:35Z

Happy New Year, everyone! I wish you only the best in 2009!

Along with it being the beginning of the year, it's the first day of the month. That means there's a new Designer Garden over at Two Peas in a Bucket. Here my two contributions (click on the images to be taken to the page at TwoPeas with all supplies listed):

copyright Two Peas in a Bucket

copyright Two Peas in a Bucket

Color Inspiration #36

2008-12-31T05:23:23Z

Hi all!

The colors for this week's challenge come from a pin cushion that I found on Paula's desk at work. One of our co-workers Amy made cute pin cushions for Christmas gifts this year. When I saw it, I immediately had to take a picture. Isn't that tiny butterfly on the pin adorable? I love it! :)

Anyhow, enjoy the colors and I can't wait to see what you do with them!

Join us: Make a card/scrapbook page/whatever in the colors above. Color Inspiration virgins, please read the Color Inspiration FAQ first.

Deadline: Thursday, January 1 at 7:00 pm MT.
You will know when the deadline has past because you will not able to submit a new link through the Mister Linky box.

Grab this week's swatch-only image.

Reader submissions for Color Inspiration #36:

1. MacKenzie Bruckler
2. Kadee
3. Kerri
4. Julie Allain
5. joy leith
6. Tracey Old NZL
7. nikki schmaltz
8. Beverley
9. Jodie
10. Authentically Aron
11. Odette
12. Zeila Perez
13. Bellaelysium
14. Sarah from the UK
15. Dana Grothaus (danascott96)
16. Stacey Schafer
17. Melanie Brown
18. Amy, Ottawa, Canada
19. Patti
20. Kelly Jo
21. Susan
22. Karen Giron
23. Karen Wade
24. fiona y
25. Tessa
26. Shari Bielefeld
27. Karen M
28. Tracey Old NZL
29. Jenny
30. Kristi P (Paper Miniskirt)
31. Cath Thompson
32. Mercy
33. Julie Davison
34. Kelly Rasmussen
35. brittany
36. Selene
37. Robin
38. Renee D.
39. Regan
40. Kokie Larson
41. Kendra Wisenbaker
42. Card Crafted
43. Karen Thomas
44. Krystal
45. Kerri Hunter - Australia
46. Carol Dunstan
47. Judith Bassem
48. Janet Elam
49. Kathryn Mangelsdorf - Australia
50. Ange Kelly
51. Christi Snow
52. Kerry Bunting
53. Amy Fleming NZL
54. Leigh
55. Evonne Y. (Australia)
56. Ann

57. Kathryn Mangelsdorf (no 2)
58. Debbie Pamment
59. Sharlene
60. SmilynStef
61. Katherine Allen
62. Cherie Nymeyer
63. Ellen Woodbridge
64. Cheri Howard
65. Kylie
66. Caroline
67. Amy Dison
68. diana m
69. Karen Sullivan
70. Debbie Pamment #2
71. Elise in Oz
72. Rachael NZ
73. Lisa B NZL
74. Leonie, Land of Oz
75. Leenamummi
76. Sandy
77. Edna
78. stampersuzz
79. Jayne Mercer
80. Diana Ball-Seitz
81. Jess
82. Jess
83. Courtney Baker
84. Julie Cameron
85. Lori
86. Ashley Giffen
87. Sara - UK
88. Lori Tisdale
89. Katy B.
90. Jenyfur
91. Kelly Booth
92. Jenae
93. Lisa Bohler
94. Nellie M.
95. Ashley C. Newell
96. Ari VegaMacias
97. Sylvie
98. Vera
99. Brenda Weaver
100. Kristina
101. Suzanne Urban
102. Natasha Trupp
103. Heather M
104. Kara
105. Lauree Myler
106. Sari Hänninen
107. Carrie Gaskin
108. Missy D
109. Donna
110. Nola
111. Bianca from Germany
112. Rimna

113. Marie Kirkwood (BC Canada)
114. Jodie, Take 2
115. Amanda Kranzusch
116. Penny
117. Chrissy L.
118. April C
119. Sherri Barron
120. Sharlene Torres NZL
121. Blair M.
122. Sandie Downey
123. LeAnne
124. Lisa (sideoats scribbles)
125. Jo-Ann Pullen
126. Tamara H
127. Jackie
128. Karen (Paisley Petals)
129. Kim
130. Missy
131. Debbie M
132. Stephanie Atterbury
133. Sylvia Nelson
134. LaToya Kelly
135. Alina
136. Kimberly Trevino
137. Bethany
138. Jess Willison
139. Bethany
140. Jerry (First Card)
141. Jerry (Second Card)
142. Stephanie Herbert
143. Julia Aston
144. Melodie Hanes
145. Tina
146. Shelley G in Iowa
147. SuzieQTT
148. Christine
149. Stephanie Buriel
150. Jacquelyn Stamp Happy NZL
151. Holly
152. Deb Pierce
153. Sofie New Zealand
154. Savitri
155. Amy
156. Christi
157. Tammy Strengholt
158. Anthonette
159. Moonegirl
160. Angie Tieman
161. Kim L.
162. snappystamper ~ arielle
163. Kari V.
164. LORi Boyd
165. Samantha
166. Megan

Links are disabled. Join us next week! :)
I reserve the right to delete links that are posted incorrectly.
Has your link been deleted? There's probably a reason why. Check the FAQ.

Questions & Answers (12/2008)

2008-12-30T13:41:54Z

Good morning! I don't have a Color Inspiration Challenge for you guys quite yet (hopefully tonight after I get home from work), but I do have all of my Q&A videos. Enjoy!

If you watch all four in one sitting, bless you. They're long. Just a warning. :)

And there were a lot of questions about my craft space. I'm planning to make a separate video for that, so I didn't address that question in the videos.

Also, because they are long, I'm embedding the normal quality here. For the HD versions, click the links below each video.

PART ONE (Inspiration / Design / Technique):

(Watch in HD)

Questions answered in Part 1:
- What colors of ink/paper do you always keep on hand? Can you have too many?
- How do you translate colors in a photograph into Stampin' Up! colors? (i.e. Color Inspiration Challenges)
- Do you have any tips for working with 4 or more colors?
- What about the inside of cards? What do you do there?
- Do you create something each day? Do you ever let days go by without creating something?
- Do you create cards in bulk?
- Do you keep pre-made cards on hand?
- How do you store finished cards?
- When inspiration/motivation is gone, how do you get it back?
- What inspires you?
- Do you leave ribbon exposed on the inside of cards?
- When cutting out letters, how do you cut out the inside spaces? (i.e. A's, P's, and O's)
- How do you get a clean stamped image from stamps with large, flat areas?
- Would you ever consider making a font of your handwriting?
- Will taking a calligraphy class help with my handwriting?
- What is your favorite type of card to make?
- How do you find the time to do what you love?

-------------------------------

PART TWO (Products / Recommendations):

(Watch in HD)

Questions answered in Part 2:
- How thick is the vellum you use for circle cards?
- What are you opinions on the Making Memories Slice cutting machine?
- Which die-cutting machine would you suggest?
- What can I do in addition to scoring to prevent cracking card stock?
- What is the difference between acid & lignin free card stocks and those that are not?
- Do you have any tips for using photopolymer ("acrylic") background stamps?
- Tell me about photopolymer ("acrylic") stamps and ink. Is chalk ink best?
- Is it okay to use waterproof ink on photopolymer ("acrylic") stamps?
- Which stamp would you never part with?
- What are three tools that you always grab?
- Can you use regular white ink on acetate cards?
- What stamp cleaner should I buy?
- Is there a trick to using a Coluzzle craft knife?
- How often do you replace your Coluzzle mat?
- How noisy is the Stampin' Up! heat tool?
- Do you have a ribbon type preference? (i.e. satin, grosgrain, sheer, etc)
- What crafting product do you go through the most?
- How long does your embossing powder last?
- Which do you prefer: embossing or regular stamp pads?
- How should wood-mounted stamps be stored?
- Are there different types of watercolor paper?
- What scissors do you recommend?
- Do you have a favorite pen to use?
- What was your first stamp? Do you still have it?

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PART THREE (Video / Photos / Digital Scrap / Blogging):

(Watch in HD)

Questions answered in Part 3:
- Did you sell your old camera? (Canon Digital Rebel XT)
- How can I get colors to show correctly in photos?
- How can I improve the quality of photos of my cards and pages? Do you use Photoshop?
- What equipment do you use for making videos?
- What's your film set-up?
- Why did the format of your videos change?
- What was the song in your holiday ornaments video (before the music was replaced)?
- Where can I find royalty-free music?
- What comes first-- the card or the video?
- Do you plan to ever sell cards online?
- Do you have any advice for those interested in digital scrapbooking?
- What software do you use for digital scrapbooking?
- Do you receive free product from companies?
- What is your monthly craft budget?
- There's a lot of cute craft stuff out there. Do you think we're wasting money buying it?
- Are people paid to be on design teams? Can you make an income?
- What do you love most about blogging?

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PART FOUR (Makeup / Television / Miscellaneous):

(Watch in HD)

Questions answered in Part 4:
- What is it like working for Stampin' Up!? Do you do crafty stuff all day?
- How many dinner rolls does your sister's recipe make?
- How often do you paint your fingernails?
- What foundation do you use?
- What is your favorite lipstick color?
- What is your favorite character on The Office and why?
- What is your favorite episode of The Office?
- Is your house messy, or organized?

MACM - Button Heart Valentine's Day Card

2008-12-29T13:00:14Z

Good morning! I hope you all have rested up a bit after Christmas and are ready to head into New Year's. I, for one, could do with a bit more chocolate. ;)

How did I spend my weekend... Well, we had some major snow hit us. I spent most of Friday outside shoveling snow (even while it was still coming down in a blizzard!). I took it pretty easy though, and did it in small increments so I wouldn't hurt my back. So far so good! Back seems to be okay. :)

I didn't feel like going out and driving in all the snow so I gave myself a LOT of time in front of the computer (yes, I'm a nerd) so that I could learn Final Cut Studio 2. I've finally made the leap from iMovie to Final Cut, but there's a HUGE learning curve. Believe me, it's not for pansies. This software can kick some major tail.

Anyway, after exporting and uploading this week's MACM video to YouTube about a million times, I finally got it to work in HD with synced audio. Hallelujah! Let us all rejoice!

I also figured out how to embed HD video here at the blog. What does that mean? That means that all of you with fast internet connections no longer have to click over to YouTube to see high quality and HD versions (at least from now on you won't). For those who prefer the normal quality, I'll give you a link to head on over to YouTube to watch it there.

(If you're wondering how to embed HD video, go here. Just be aware that your video has to be available in HD over at YouTube for this hack to work).

Let's see, what else happened? On a whim, I applied for the YouTube Partner Program again and... I was accepted! Yeah! This is a direct result of my awesome YT subscribers and blog readers who watch my videos every week. You guys are awesome and I'm so thrilled to be given the opportunity to be a YT Partner.

One of the benefits of being a YT Partner is that I don't have a time limit on my videos now (the cut off used to be 10:59). This is particularly great because I've been editing the Questions and Answers videos--all FOUR of them! Holy crap! You guys had a lot of questions. Nearly all four videos are over 10 minutes long... um... I guess I talk too much. :)

So, anyway, here's this week's Make a Card Monday video. Sorry for jabbering on and on this morning... Now we'll get to why you're actually here. :)

The buttons I use in the video can be found here: Making Memories Rouge Paperie Blossom & Button Box. The flower I used on a Finally Friday card a couple weeks ago is from the same Making Memories box, but I don't think I showed the container in the video.

Seriously, there are a TON of buttons and flowers in these little plastic containers. I didn't realize how many there would be and when I ordered them from TwoPeas, I ordered two other colors as well... Uh, yeah. I have buttons and flowers coming out of my ears! There are so many!

So, here's the video. And if you prefer to watch it in normal quality, it's available over at YouTube.

Thanks again, everyone!

Supplies - Rouge Paperie Blossom & Button Box (Making Memories); Real Red marker, Kraft card stock, and corner rounder punch (Stampin' Up!).

Finally Friday - Homemade Notebooks

2008-12-26T15:11:10Z

Good morning, everyone! I hope your Christmas was wonderful! I spent the day at my Dad's house and just spent time with family. It was fun! :)

Anyway, this week's Finally Friday came about because I really wanted to use this American Crafts Teen paper, but hadn't quite figured out how to use it. My friend Allison LOVES bright colors and animal print (which this collection has), so I wanted to make something for her.

I eventually landed on homemade notebooks. Easy to make and everyone needs a little spot to write things down, right? So enjoy the video, and I'll catch up with you guys later. As usual, the video is available in HD over at YouTube. However, YT is still doing the strange video-speed-up-audio-out-of-sync thing, so my voiceover will be out of place. But it's still worth it to watch in HD for the quality of picture. :)

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-26T01:30:11Z

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Remember these little guys from... oh, a million years ago (it seems)?

They humored their Aunt Kristina this afternoon and let me take pictures. Such cute little guys. Doesn't seem like it was nearly four years ago when the photo above was taken. :)

Hope your holiday is merry and bright!

CI #35 Round-Up

2008-12-23T04:34:27Z

Hi everyone!

Wow, was it just me or were there a lot of really great submissions for the last challenge? Whoa. I had a hard time picking just ten! :)

Before I get to the top ten, I wanted to let you know that I'll be skipping this week's Color Inspiration Challenge because of all the holiday fun and craziness this week. We'll resume next Tuesday with CI #36. With that taken care of...

TOP TEN

MACM - Takeout Box + Card

2008-12-22T13:26:38Z

Good morning, everyone!

First of all, thank you to everyone who has purchased this month's Virtual Card Club. It's been so fun to see what you've all done with it--even after posting it just over 36 hours ago! If you've created something using the card print-out in this month's VCC, send them along to me. I'd love to see them!

Anyway, this week's Make a Card Monday is all about finishing up those last minute gifts, and this takeout box it perfect for it. I found this pattern over at Kim's website and she was kind enough to allow me to adapt her pattern for my digital cutter, the Quickutz Silhouette.

So, here are the files I mention in the video for you to download:

Illustrator EPS file (for those cutting to the Silhouette using a Mac and Adobe Illustrator)
JPG image (for those on PCs who are cutting to the Silhouette or other digital cutters that allow jpeg images. For the instructions for the Silhouette, click here.)
PDF template (for those who want to just cut the box out. Also, this is the file that shows the scoring lines).

If you have any questions about the box, or from the video, please leave a comment. Thanks, and have a wonderful day!

As usual, an HD version of this video is available over at YouTube. But like last week's Finally Friday video, the audio if out of sync... not sure why. Hmm... must do with how I encode it. I'll try to figure out why and hopefully it will be fixed by next week. :)

Supplies - Oh Joy patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket); Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon and Kraft card stock (Stampin' Up!); chipboard stickers (Basic Grey).

Virtual Card Club - Valentine's Day Cards

2008-12-20T23:08:05Z

Hi everyone! It's time again for another Virtual Card Club and this time we're focusing on Valentine's Day cards. Yes, Valentine's Day--can you believe it?! It's not quite Christmas, but I'm planning ahead. :)

The PDF is only $5 and is 7 pages long. Included in the PDF are instructions for three cards and large photos of the finished cards. Also, I wanted the cards to say specific things, so I created the text and included it on printable pages at the end of the PDF. That means you can print them out and then use whatever supplies you have on hand to finish the cards! :)

Here's a little photo so you know what I'm talking about (this is before I decorated the cards)...

I've also created them in both letter size (8-1/2" x 11") and A4 for all of you overseas that use a different size paper. Please make sure you click on the correct size when you buy the PDF.

I hope you all enjoy it! Please click on the Buy Now button below and it will take you to PayPal. NOTE: You will need Adobe Reader to view the file. Download it for free here.

And thank you all so much for support. Ya'll are the best! :)

8-1/2 x 11 - Those of you in the US will want this one

------------

A4 SIZE - Those in Australia, UK, Europe, just about everywhere else will want this one. :)

NOTE: The first 4 pages of instructions are still letter size. But the last three of the printable cards are A4 formatted.

Finally Friday Video - Be Merry

2008-12-19T13:40:52Z

Happy Friday! It's less than one week until Christmas--can you believe it?!

I thought I'd squeak out one more holiday card before Christmas, and I hope you enjoy it. I'm in love with these flowers from Making Memories, so I just had to get one on this week's card. See the full list of supplies over at the page in the Designer Garden. :)

Anyhow, you can catch the video over at YouTube in HD (click on watch in HD below the video). NOTE: YouTube had some issues encoding the HD version and the audio is out of sync (it sped up the video slightly). But you really can see things more clearly, so it's worth it.

Catching Up + Cool Stuff

2008-12-18T06:17:54Z

Man, I have a lot of catching up to do!

As I mentioned in my Color Inspiration Challenge post this week, I've been feeling a bit under the weather, but with some extra sleep, I think I'm shaking whatever it was off. Of course, here I am staying up late to post this, but... whatever. ;)

Anyway, Monday was the 15th so that means there was a new Garden up at TwoPeas. The seasonal theme for this month was Christmas and this is the 8x8 digital page I created for it. More Christmas photos. Love! :)

Click here to see the page over at TwoPeas with all the supplies used.

I've recently sort of switched to all digital scrapbooking. Strange for me because I was so against it even just 6 months ago. I think all I needed to see was some really cool examples of digital scrapbooking. Speaking of, I absolutely love this month's Guest Garden Girl elizzylee. She has a very calm style that I really respond to. Great use of negative space. Ahhh....

:)

---------------------

In other random things I've forgotten to share, here are some calendars that my awesome roommate Jen made. She made them a while ago, but I'm a bum and forgot to show you all their awesome-ness. :)

Yes, I share a craft room/office with her. And yes, it is amazing. :)

I know that a bunch of you were wondering if I was going to post calendars like I did last year, but I've just been too busy. But Jen made these last year for our co-workers and worked them up again for 2009, so I figured I'd point ya'll in the direction of her blog. Perfect idea for last minute gifts since you can print them out at home.

EDITED TO ADD: Just noticed that she'll be posting blank ones (great for customizing with stamping or whatnot) tomorrow, so watch for those! :)

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And yet another truly random thing... I'm currently obsessed with my new digital cutter, the Quickutz Silhouette. Oh. My. Word. I love this little thing.

The Merry Christmas block in the photo above was one of the first things I created in Illustrator and had it cut. (Their software doesn't work on Macs, but there's a plug-in to use with Adobe Illustrator--my favorite program ever so it was right up my alley.) Sweet, huh?! I was so excited!

Will this replace my Making Memories Slice? Probably. It just cuts so much better. Gets sharper corners and it's just overall amazing. I just might sell my Slice sometime soon. I'll let ya'll know if I do. It's still a good little cutter, but I just love being able to create things in Illustrator and cut it out on my Silhouette.

For those with Macs, and who also have Silhouettes, here's a little video I made showing how to merge letters and send it to the Silhouette. I was chatting with the TwoPeas Garden Girls and some of them were wondering how I made the Merry Christmas block. So here ya go...