A New Release at Kenny K AND a New Challenge!

Hello again!  There's a couple of big news items happening at Kenny K today.  Remember the images that first made you sit up and take notice of Kenny K in the world of paper artistry?  They were the Glam Gang...12 of the cutest, most unique images to hit the digi world and set it on fire.  Well, guess what?!  Kenny has created the Glam Gang Set 2 and they are just as fabulous and fun as the originals!  Trust me when I say that you will want all 12 of these cuties!  I know...that's a lot of exclamation points, but I can't help it!  I'm so excited!!!

My card features Wasn't Me and it plays into the new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Girls blog, which is My Favorite Things.  Anyone who has visited my blog even just a couple of times knows that my personal faves are flowers, paper (lots of it!), and bling.  Hopefully that comes across in my card ;D  You know who else has a laundry list of Favorite Things?  The Kenny K's Krafty Girlz DT, that's who!  So head to the blog and check out their creations with the new images.  You will want to see them in action!  After you're done there, head over to the Kenny K Download site and pick up a few of these new images.  You know you have to 'em!

Create a project featuring an image by Kenny K and your favorite things, and enter it in the challenge.  You could be randomly selected to win your choice of 5 Kenny K digi images.  This week's prize also includes one of Kenny's images in an actual rubber stamp courtesy of Whimsey Stamps (image to be chosen by Denise).

http://whimsystamps.com/store/

http://www.kennykdownloads.com/

    

That about sums it up for today.  Come back next week and I will share some new creations with you ;D  

Stay crafty!        

Bombshell Wedding Card

Hello!  I'm back with a wedding card for my buddy's brother and his new wife.  I know it's a little unconventional for a wedding card, but I think it's perfect, especially for a couple with a sense of humor.  I don't know this particular couple all that well, but I do know the rest of the family extremely well, and I think this card will be just fine ;D

This set is by Bombshell Stamps and it is my absolute favorite Bombshell Stamps set OF. ALL. TIME!  It is called 'Til Death.  The image is fabulous and that sentiment...need I say more?!  This set just screams crazy cool!  Okay, must calm down.  That's better.

I colored the image with my Copics, then added glitter glue to various parts of the banner.  Next, I coated the heart and the diamond with a generous amount of dimensional lacquer.  I distressed the oval die cut that everything is sitting on, by leaving the die cut in the die, and sponging Antique Linen and Vintage Photo around the edge until it looked nice and old.  I finished off the die cut with a little bit of glitter glue around the edge.  I added all of this to some lovely Basic Grey papers I picked up yesterday.  I believe they are part of the Curio line.  Lots of foam tape helps create even more depth (and heft...lol).  I hope the happy couple likes it ;D

Before I go, one more thing...in a much earlier blog post (months ago), I confessed that I had to buy a pair of readers for up close tasks.  Well, today I had an appointment with the eye doctor and guess what she talked me into...that's right...BIFOCALS!  So, I guess it's official, I'm old!  My youth has forsaken me and instead left in it's place a pudgy, middle aged, caricature of the person I used to be.  Today's escapade was truly a "wake up and smell the Geritol" type of moment.  Oh well, what's a girl to do, but embrace middle age right around it's expanding belly.  

Until next time, stay crafty ;D            

February 5th Class at CP2 - Sample 1 of 2

Hello, everybody!  Welcome back.  Today I am sharing the first of two cards I will be teaching the afternoon of February 5th at China Phoenix 2, the greatest little stamp store in the Southwest.  I had one goal when I started putting this sample together...no Copics.  That's right.  I touched nary a Copic marker when I made this card last night and though it was killing me, I managed to survive.  I guess I wanted to prove that I didn't have a "problem" with Copics; that I could "quit" anytime I wanted.  Yeah, right!  I will make one more "Copic free" class sample and then I'm back with my little felt tipped, alcohol ink soaked, babies ;D  I guess you could say that I am powerless over alcohol...alcohol ink, that is.

This card started out by stenciling a flower from a die cut created with the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Alterations die.  I randomly placed the floral die cut on my main panel and sponged Fired Brick Distress Ink around the flower.  Next, I gave the panel a few gentle swipes of Antique Linen Distress Ink and then followed that with a fairly heavy coat of Vintage Photo around the edges.  I decided to add another layer of images, so I inked up a Hero Arts dotted background and placed that on top, again in Antique Linen.  The sweet little bird silhouettes are by Deadbeat Designs and I added them on top of everything else using Tuxedo Black Memento dye ink.  I didn't have the good sense to stop there, so I decided that I would add a Penny Black flourish to a couple of the corners, again using Fired Brick.  I finally decided to the give the stamping a rest, but trust me, I could have kept going.  The birds needed a bit of gloss so they received a generous coating of Glossy Accents and, of course, no card can escape the glitter glue when I'm in charge, so a little Diamond Stickles found it's way to the edge of the panel.  A scrap of lace, a touch of ribbon, a few other delicate embellishments, and there you have it... a fairly nice Valentine's Day card.  I rather like how it turned out, but I sure am missing those Copics...LOL!

If the week goes as planned, I will be back with a second class sample, a couple of Bombshell cards, and a new Kenny K card.  Plus, I have to share with you a lovely and thoughtful package I received in the mail ;D  I am such a lucky girl to have so many talented and crafty friends!  Catch ya' later, crafty gator! Don't ask...it rhymed...it's late...I'm a doofus ;D

Kenny K Challenge #29 - A Sketch!

Hello, everyone!  I hope your weekend has been stellar!  First of all, a big crafty hug and huge "thank you" to the folks who attended my Valentine's Day card class at China Phoenix 2 yesterday.  I had 14 people attend and for a good bit I was in a panic when it appeared that I didn't have enough kits, because I forgot to put someone's name on the class list (Hi, Denise ;D)!  BUT, with some juggling and a big favor from my friends, Alex and Debbie, I was able to make it all work out.  Phew!  That's the sound of me breathing a sigh of relief and wiping the sweat from my brow...LOL!  Class was so much fun, because I was able to spend the day with some of the wonderful folks who regularly attend my classes, plus I made a lot of new stamping buddies, too ;D  I hope you all will join me again sometime.  I am so lucky to have met so many talented and friendly crafters through China Phoenix 2.

Do you wanna hear about the new challenge over at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz blog?  It's a good one!  This week's challenge is a sketch, which means half of the work has already been done for you.  These are my favorite challenges, because that means I only have to color an image, pick out some fab paper, and add 2 or 3 fun embellishments.  It couldn't be any easier.  Plus, there are amazing prizes to be had.  Enter your card featuring a Kenny K image and you could be randomly selected to win the following prizes.  Someone has to win.  Why not you?

A $25.00 gift voucher from Bizzy Becs.

AND...your choice of 5 digital images from Kenny K Downloads.

  

Not sure about digital images?  Not a problem.  Kenny K puts a monthly freebie in his shop and it is yours for the taking.  This month's freebie is a real cutie and perfect for all those Valentine's Day cards that are sitting on your "to do" list.  Head to the Kenny K Download site to check it out.  By the way, there's a new release of images scheduled for next Sunday and you are going to flip when you see these!

My super talented design team mates have created some amazing cards to get your creative juices flowing, so head to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog to check them out.  You do not want to miss these!

Well, that's all for now.  Thanks for joining me today!  Have a wonderful Sunday and see you next week!  Stay crafty ;D

...and another!

Hello, blogging two days in a row!?!  Quick, somebody take my temperature because I must be feverish...LOL!  Today I'm back with the second of the 2 cat themed cards that my friend requested.  This post is going to be really short.  I'm actually surprised that I was able to get this card done today.  I had a DT card due that seemed to take me all afternoon and part of the evening to complete, then I took a little break to fix dinner and watch American Idol, so I really didn't start this card until way late.  Once I got rolling, however, it came together very quickly.

Again, this is an image by Stamps by Judith.  I really like them both and now I am hoping that she comes back through Albuquerque when the rubber stamp convention is here in March.  I would love to pick up more of her fab animal images.  I colored the image with my trusty Copics and then hit the die cut with some Stardust Stickles Glitter Glue around the edge.  Some simple papers, a bit of ric rac, a couple of paper flowers, and a sweet little handmade button courtesy of my mom, is all I needed to cross this request off my "to do" list.

I have a class at China Phoenix 2 on Saturday, so I will be prepping kits for the next 2 days.  I probably won't be back with anything new until Sunday when it will be time for a brand new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog.  Who knows, maybe I will surprise both of us and squeeze in a new card, but let's just say, I'm not holding my breath ;D

One more thing before I go.  My sister has started a terrific food blog, so if you like to eat (I know I do!) then swing by at All About Cooking, Food and Stuff and check it out.  She's just starting out, so it would be awesome if you showed her some love ;D  

I better scoot!  The cats stay up with me until I drag myself to bed and they are looking at me right now with their big, beautiful eyes pleading to go to bed, even though they have already slept for 16 hours today.  Ah, to be a cat...wait, strike that.  Ah, to be MY cat... that is the life ;D      

A card, finally...

Hello!  Today I am finally posting a new card.  It seems it has been ages since I have made one, so it felt good to play a little.  My friend asked me if I had a couple of cards laying around that used cats as the central theme.  She has 2 friends that are very special to her and they both love cats.  I too, love cats!  You would think that a person, such as myself, who very much loves cats and has 3 cats of her own, would have a few cat themed cards already prepared and ready to go, but that is just not the case.  I even have an entire box dedicated just to cat images, however, I can count on one hand the number of cat cards I have made during the 13 years I have been stamping.  Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration...perhaps 2 hands is more accurate.

Anyway, I was excited to drag out my box full of cat stamps, or as I like to call it, the "cat box"...lol...and play with a few stamps that have never seen an ink pad before.  There is just something about breaking in a stamp and getting it inky for the first time, no matter how old it is.  The stamps I settled on for these cards were actually by Stamps by Judith, a brand I don't get to play with all that frequently, which is a sad thing because she has some fantastic images!  I believe I picked these up at a rubber stamp show a few years ago.   The sentiment is from a teeny tiny set by Hero Arts.  I colored my fabulous felines using Copic Markers, gave the die cut panel a little distressing action with some Vintage Photo Distress Ink, and rimmed it with a bit of Diamond Stickles Glitter Glue.  I love these two characters.  The expressions on their faces are just wonderful and make me smile ;D  The light aqua DP is by October Afternoon and the polka dot DP is by Basic Gray.  Normally, I would never have used these two papers together, but here, they seem to work.  Take a gander at that awesome button sitting next to the bow.  That little puppy (no offense kitties) is a handmade button courtesy of my uber-talented mother.  Isn't it just crazy cool!  I love it!  Thanks, mom ;D

Before I go, I just want to extend a huge "thank you" to all of the fab folks who have joined my Blog Candy Give-a-way.  You guys are da'bomb!  I can't wait to pick a winner on February 2nd!  Keep signing up ;D  Okay, time for bed.  See you later, crafty goddesses of the world!    

Random Musings

Hello all!  We had a couple of days without the computer and it was pure misery!  The hard drive died and the Mac dude had to pop in and get us up and running again.  Phew!  I never realized how much we rely on technology to get us through the day.

Remember the good old days when you had to actually get in your car and drive to the library if you wanted to research a particular topic?  There was no Google, no Bing, no Internet.  There was no instantaneous resolution of the daily conundrums that popped up unannounced in our brains.  Who hosted the 1985 Academy Awards?  What was the name of that movie, directed by that guy, about that thing, with that girl, who worked for that place?  Where can I find a deal on a pair of Manolo Blahnik strappy sandals in red?  Instead, the questions were harder and the subjects more profound, because we actually had to do a little more planning and exert ourselves to satisfy our quest for knowledge.  The only answer at that time was The Library.

Though it seems inconvenient nowadays and though it has been years since I have paid a visit, there was always something intoxicating about stepping through the front doors of the library.  The immediate visual impact of row upon row of majestic wooden shelving housing thousands of books on every subject imagined, was powerful and exciting.  I remember breathing in that heady scent of paper and ink that left promises of undiscovered knowledge floating in the air and being entranced by the possibilities of it.  With a sense of determination, my search invariably began by hoisting a heavy card catalogue sleeve out of its slot, and flipping through the index cards to find the one book that held the answers to the questions that were rattling around in my head on that particular afternoon.  I would carefully jot down the information onto a scrap of paper and carry it like a treasure map to locate my destined tome, not sure if the outcome of this hunt was going to be successful or not.  I remember feeling that momentary flash of "Eureka" when my book and I were finally united, or that sudden rush of disappointment when I would discover that my book had been whisked away by another.  Whatever the outcome, I was happy to start the hunt again.

Now, I realize that the age of technology has probably significantly changed the library experience over the years.  I doubt that there are still heavy card catalogue sleeves to hoist, and most likely a quick hunt and peck on a keyboard is all that's needed to determine if a book is available, but I do enjoy waxing nostalgic from time to time.  Perhaps a visit to reacquaint myself is all that's needed to satisfy an urge for a more tangible literary experience that doesn't simultaneously empty my wallet ala Borders or Barns and Noble.  Funny how a momentary lapse in computer accessibility could result in such a rambling ode.  Hmmm...now where did I put my library card...?

Thanks for sharing in my musings.  Tomorrow I will return with a card ;D          

A new challenge at Kenny K!

Hello, everyone! I hope your weekend has been fabulous so far. This post is going to be super short today. Hubbs is doing a little maintenance on our computer, so I am typing this on our iPad. While the Pad is awesome for playing games, surfing the Internet, checking email...it is not so great for blogging. Typing is not too bad, but editing, setting up links, loading pics, etc is sort of a pain in the tookus. Now, I know some you will disagree, but I am a fairly lazy blogger, so taking the extra steps to figure this stuff out is just not in the cards for me tonight. What is in the cards, however, is telling you there is a new Kenny K challenge this week. Find info regarding the theme and prizes on the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz blog. As soon as hubbs has our computer in tip top shape, I'll come back and dress this post up a bit. Until then stay crafty ;D

January 22nd class at CP2...Sample #2

Hola!  Welcome back!  I want to take a quick moment and thank the folks who have signed up for a chance to win my blog candy.  If you haven't signed up, why not do it now?  Go ahead...I'll wait ;D

That wasn't so hard, was it?  Okay, now on to my card.  This is the second card sample for my January 22nd class at China Phoenix 2.  The class focuses on Valentines Day cards with a bit of sugar sprinkled in for good measure.  Sugar Skulls, that is!  Sometimes when I put a card class together, I like for the cards to work together in harmony and create a set of sorts. Other times I like the cards to be completely opposite.  This was one of those instances where the cards came out opposite of each other.  I started this particular card with a goal of creating something simple with light touches of Latin influence.  Well, as you can very well see, the card took on a personality of it's own and I ended up with a full-fledged paper fiesta.  You can practically hear the mariachis playing in the background ;D

The sugar skull is from a Bombshell Stamps set and he has been colored with Copics for a bit of personality.  The heart die cuts are from Tim Holtz and they have been painted with Black Soot Distress Crackle and Red Pepper Adirondack Dabber.  Both were liberally coated with Rock Candy Distress Crackle resulting in a delicious shiny crackle finish.  I really like the tuft of black lace tucked in behind the flower.  The colors and material remind me of an outfit that might be worn by a lovely Mexican senorita.  By this time, my logical side was saying, "Okay, that's enough", but the flamboyant, more is better side of me was saying, "There's always room for something shiny", so I caved and added a small label die cut with the word "sacred" on it and few red gems.  The leopard print paper has literally been in my stash for years.  I remember when I bought it, I thought "I better get a bunch because I never want to run out"...LOL!  I have had this stack of leopard print paper for roughly 10 years now and whatever I have leftover from class, I probably have for 10 more!

Okay, so that's my second sample for my class.  I hope you like it ;D  One more thing before I go...tomorrow night, my friend and I are going to the Morris Day concert.  Do you remember him?  He was in Purple Rain with Prince.  I only remember 2 songs that could be marginally labeled as hits, but what I do recall is that nifty dance he used to do on stage during Jungle Love.  You know the one where he rocks back and forth and then does a little hop.  I tell you...it's addictive!  Don't believe me?  Take a look at this video and try to convince me with a straight face that you don't feel like jumping up and getting your Jungle Love groove on...LOL!

The Time - Jungle Love (morris Day)
- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

A new challenge at Kenny K!

Hello!  Time for a new challenge at Kenny K, but before I get to that, I want to give a big "shout out" to all the fabulous ladies who showed up to my Beginning Copic Marker class yesterday.  You guys rock!  I was especially excited to have a few folks in class who were brand new to the magic of Copics, so this gave me  an opportunity to really extol the virtues of these amazing tools.  Thank you, everyone, for spending the afternoon with me!

Now, back to this week's Kenny K challenge.  Team A is up this week and we are challenging you to create a Love Themed card using a Kenny K image.  The new L.O.V.E. release is in the shop and there are 8 fabulous images that would be perfect for this challenge.  If you are randomly selected from the entries and you have used a Kenny K image in your creation, you will win an assortment of Swiss Dot ribbons from Crafty Ribbons and your choice of 5 digi images from the Kenny K Download site.  Isn't that fantastic!

http://www.craftyribbons.com/

http://www.kennykdownloads.com/

I used one of the new L.O.V.E images on my card called Prisoner of Love.  This image makes me chuckle every time I see it!  I colored up the images with my Copics and added a thick coating of dimensional lacquer to the lovely dungeon diva's horns, gloves, and body suit.  For some reason I look at her outfit and all I can think of is shiny fetish latex...LOL!  Okay, I'm being bad ;D  I'll stop now.  Anyhow, check the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog for eye-popping inspiration from my DT teammates.  Their work is incredible and they showcase these images like nobody's business, so check it out!

I have some exciting things planned for next week, so pop back in to see what crafty mischief making I'll be getting into ;D  Stay inky!  

Well done, you!

Hello, all!  I'm back today with a new card.  This time I used Movie Star by Kenny K.  She is so fun and exuberant I couldn't help but pair her with a sweet little stamp by Wordsworth.  The layout, I borrowed from Amy Scheffer at Pickled Paper Designs.  She has the greatest sketches!  Love her blog!

Again, I am going to have to keep this post short because my eyelids are getting heavy.  Not sure what's going on with me lately.  Normally, I am a big ol' night owl, but lately I'm having difficulty staying up late.  Of course, late to me is 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, so that's out of the question.  If I sit down on the couch for more than 5 minutes and it's after 9:00pm, I fall asleep.  Weird, huh?  It has provided my husband with hours of amusement ;D  I am seriously going to have to start these posts earlier in the evening, 'cuz they wearing me out!  Sorry about that :(  I'll be back in a few days with another Bombshell Stamps valentine card.  Until then, stay crafty!  

Valentine's Day Card Class at CP2

Hello, all!  Today I am sharing the first of two cards I will be teaching for a Valentine's Day card class at China Phoenix 2 on January 22nd.  I wanted to do something a little less traditional for Valentine's Day this go around, so I reached for my Bombshell Stamps.  These images are beautiful and edgy, and I just love them!  I combined one of the sacred heart images from the All My Heart set with a couple of the sugar skulls from the Sugar Skulls set for a V-day card that says, "I love you, but I am so uber-cool, you are lucky to have me!"  LOL!  

I colored the sacred heart image and the sugar skulls with Copics using primarily reds (R39, R29, R24, and  R22).  A thick coat of dimensional lacquer makes the heart pop and gives the card added interest.  The best part, though, was dyeing the seam binding.  I went back and forth spraying the seam binding with water and swiping it with the Fired Brick Distress Ink pad, then I crumpled the ribbon and dried it with my heat gun.  My hands were bright red after this process, so I knew I had been successful.  Dont'cha just love to get inky?!  I finished it off with the usual accoutrements...gemstones and glitter glue.

YAWN!  I must be boring myself with this post, because I can barely keep my eyes open right now.  I can't even stay awake long enough to proof read it, so if there are any typos or grammatical errors, please forgive.  I am literally sitting here nodding off.  Ack!  Okay, I am going to succumb to Mr. Sandman and take my behind to bed.  Tomorrow I will be back with something more entertaining ;D  Stay crafty!

My first card of the year!

Hello, everyone!  It's been awhile, but I finally sat down yesterday and made a card.  Wow, did it feel good!  I've said it before and I'll probably say it again...a day without cardmaking is like a day without sunshine!

I chose one of Kenny K's Gothic Angelz, Vikki Lee Vicious, as my first image of the year.  I just love this line of digis!  I colored her up with Copics and added a thick layer of dimensional lacquer to her boots and guitar.  It's a fun and easy effect and I just can't seem to stop doing it.  I guess maybe I have a patent leather fetish or something, because a card just doesn't seem finished unless I add a shiny bit of gloss.  I actually made this card using all scraps from my scrap bag.  It is growing huge, so I am trying to use up some of these stray pieces.  It's hard though when every week I seem to bring home new paper to play with.  What's a girl with a paper addiction to do?

If you like Vikki, you can purchase her on the Kenny K Download site.  There are lots of images being added each month so take a look around.  The latest line, L-O-V-E, was just released yesterday so feel free to get a head start on those Valentine's Day cards.  Take it from me, you can never start too soon!

I have lots of stuff going on this week.  Next Saturday I am teaching a Beginning Copic Marker class at China Phoenix 2, so if you are interested in learning the basics about these wonderful tools, including blending and color gradation, then give Nancy a call at the shop to sign up.  The details are listed on the China Phoenix 2 blog.

Also, I am working on samples for a Valentine's Day card class I am teaching on January 22nd.  I'll be using sacred heart and skelly images from Bombshell Stamps and will have samples up on my blog this week.

I think I need to post some New Year's Crafting Resolutions, too, but we'll see ;D  Until then, stay inky!

Challenge 26 at Kenny K's and a New Release - Hearts, Hearts!

Hello, Blogland!  Boy, is it great to be back blogging again!  I can't believe it's been over a week and half since my last post!  I am expecting an Internet social worker to show up any day now and take my blog away from me due to neglect and hand it over to a blogging foster family that can look after it properly.  Show it the love and affection it deserves.  Keep it off the streets and away from that group of troubled blogs it's been hanging out with...smoking cigarettes on the corner, sneaking into bars with a fake I.D., and holding up the local liquor store...wait, now I'm just getting carried away!  My blog would never do that!  Or would it?  Anyway, I better start keeping it busy again with regular entries.

How were your holidays?  Make any crafty resolutions for the New Year?  I had a fantabulous Christmas!  Hubby got me a Tim Holtz Vagabond!!!  I about near passed out!  I pulled it out of the box, but haven't used it just yet.  Maybe I will break it in tomorrow.  It is the cutest dang thang...EVER!  Looks just like a well-traveled suitcase.  Mr. Holtz is a clever fellow!

http://bmd-creations.blogspot.com/

No card today as I am still trying to get back into the cardmaking scene, but I plan to have something new Monday.  I do, however, have some Kenny K news to share with you.  First of all, there is a new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge Blog!  Team B is hosting and the theme is Hearts.  They are gearing up for Valentine's Day and just in time, because there is also a new love themed release!  Team B has shown these new images some krafty love and their samples are outstanding!  Swing by the Krafty Girlz Challenge Blog and be prepared to be dazzled!  There are 8 new images and you can purchase them on the Kenny K Download site.  While you're there, don't forget to pick up January's new digi freebie.  He's a cutie patootie!  Bearly Mine Designs is sponsoring this week's challenge so in addition to the random winner receiving their choice of 5 digi images from Kenny K, they will also receive their choice of 2 digi sets from Bearly Mine Designs, as well.  What a fabulous prize package!  I can't wait to see what you create ;D

Stay inky!!!