Masculine Grunge

Hey, all!  Surprise, surprise, I'm back again!  My husband's boss needed a birthday card for her boyfriend so I put together a grungy, masculine card.  Once again the Sultan of  Distress, Tim Holtz,  came to my rescue and I ended up using a smorgasbord of his products on this.  It's covered from top to bottom in Distress Inks, embellishments, and stamped images.  Heck, even the little tool I used to distress the paper edges is by Tim Holtz.  What can I say, the man knows his stuff! 

I was really happy that I was able to use the balloon image.  The International Ballon Fiesta is right around the corner, so how appropriate it that.  Kirk seemed "meh" about the card, but I like it.  He can stick to the cooking and leave the card making to me ;D 

I'm going to keep this post super short, but I'm happy you stopped by ;D  Until next time, stay crafty (and grungy)!

My October 6th class at CP2

Hey, all!  I'm back today with the second card I'll be teaching on October 6th at China Phoenix 2.  This card also features a fabulous new image from Stampendous, but this time I opted to forgo the Copic coloring.  Instead, I added vibrant color using some of the fabulous distress inks from Tim Holtz.  Maybe you've heard of him.  This guy is pretty good and I think he might have a future in this business...LOL!

Anyway, I just generously swiped Peeled Paint, Seedless Preserves, and that Marigold color (too lazy to get off my tookus and look up the actual name) across a white panel and then misted it heavily with water.  Then I just sat it aside and let the colors slide around doing their own thing.  After it dried, I was left with this very cool, very bright background, which was a perfect landing spot for this wonderful raven image.  Very simple, but it makes an impact.  I think I might do all my Halloween cards this way this year.  The rest of the card is all about the embellishments.  Remember those cheap glittery spiders that I completely raided my Westside Pier 1 for?  Yep, that's one of them in the corner.  I decided to break them out for this class seeing as I have about 50 of them...lol!  I reckon I can share ;D  The burlap is from Hobby Lobby and I picked up the black cheesecloth in the Halloween section of Target.  Dang, they have some cool stuff this year!

If you're going to be in the Albuquerque area on October 6th and want to join me to create these cards, contact Nancy at China Phoenix 2 or drop me a note at cvaladez@comcast.net and we'll add you to the roster.  Have a great Sunday!  Until next time, stay crafty!

A New Challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Fall Colors!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, BV00 hair- C7, C5, C3, C1 top, skirt, and hair bow- Y28, Y26, Y21, Y00, R59, R29, R22 cat- C5, C3, C1 ground- C5, C3, C1 toys- R29, R22, YG13, YG01, BG13, BG10 ***Copics listed in the order in which they were used***

Hey, all!  Welcome back!  You're just in time for the new challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  This week, our fabulous hostess is Kim O. and she is tasking us with using Fall colors in our card creations.  I would normally go with deep purples, rich pumpkins, lush olives, but decided to go a different route this time.  Instead I opted for reds, grays, and black with a smidge of kraft added for good measure.  Not sure if that is Fall-ish or not, but I'm digging it ;D

The image I used is called Madelaine and she is just precious.  You can find her in the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps shop, here.  While you're over there, check out the Frugal Friday Specials under Deals, Deals, Deals.  I love a good deal, don't you?!

Okay, I best be scootin' off to bed ;D  It's late here in the Land of Enchantment.  Come back tomorrow and I will share card number 2 I will be teaching on Oct. 6th at China Phoenix 2.  Until next time, stay krafty.

My next class at CP2!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 hair- E18, E09, E07, E01 dress- YG67, YG17, YG13, YG01 hat- V17, V15, V12  shoes and mask- C7, C5, C3, C1 clock- Y28, Y26, Y21, Y00, E31, E50  ***Colors listed in the order they were used*** 

Hey, all!  I'm back with one of two cards I will be teaching at China Phoenix 2 on October 6th.  Both cards will be Halloween themed and feature new stamps from Stampendous.  This pretty little image has a bit of a steampunk flair and is called Halloween Magic.  I also played with some Sticky Back Canvas for the first time and I must say...this might become my new addiction!  I see so many possibilities!

If you'll be in the Albuquerque area and want to hang out with me for a few hours on October 6th, contact Nancy at China Phoenix 2 or drop me an email at cvaladez@comcast.net and I'll add your name to the roster.  Pop back in later in the week and I'll have the second card up.

By the way, I don't say "thank you" enough, so I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the folks that visit my blog or send me emails.  You guys are the greatest and I appreciate you so much!  

Catch you later!  Until next time, stay crafty!   

September's Krafty Hop and Release Day at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!

Well welcome back!! It’s Krafty RELEASE Day at KRAFTIN' KIMMIE STAMPS!! And we’re celebrating with a KRAFTY HOP!! We're deckin' our halls and jinglin' our bells with the NEW Holiday Stamps for you to SEE this month and we've got them in a fabulous showcase just FOR YOU! 

Over the last few days in our Krafty Peeks, we have shared lots of AMAZING new stamps from all our artists! We’ve got something for everyone!! Lulu is back from Cheryl Alger.....and she's all dressed up for the holidays with her little sister....it's HOLIDAY LULU AND LIBBY!! We also have an adorable set of SIX images from Emilie Goulet called SANTA AND HIS ELVES! And of course we have an amazing new set of SIX super sweet HOLIDAY GIRLS from Annie Rodrigue that are simply precious! OH 

and don’t forget the exclusive line of sentiment stamps that will coordinate with ALL your images.... called HOLIDAY TRINKETS by the lovely Nicole Aspinall!!!

You will get to see most of the new images today as you sit back and enjoy our SEPTEMBER Krafty Hop! As you hop from blog to blog, be sure to leave a comment at each and every stop because some lucky stampers will win packages of these incredible stamps from the new release!! And when you’re done hoppin’, be sure to head over to the Kraftin’Kimmie shop, because ALL the new images are NOW available!

And of course, as always, we have our Gimme Kimmies Kits available for those of you who ‘need it all’!! The stamps are grouped together by artist and are available at a discount, but only for a limited time!!

Today I managed to create 2 cards...yes, don't faint!  In fact, I finished them about 30 mins. before this post was scheduled to go up, because I'm all about planning ahead...LOL!  Phew!  I was pretty much sweating this deadline, but don't tell Kimmie ;D  Anywho, I used Nettie, one of Annie's new Holiday Girls, on my first card.  Nettie likes to partake of the vino, so I decided she would be perfect for a few of my wine loving friends.  My second card features a fun image from Emilie Goulet's, Santa and His Elves line, called Rooftop.  I love this happy little guy getting a ride from his red-nosed compadre.  Perhaps Rudolph has been hitting the wine with Nettie, hence the red nose...LOL!     

Okay, enough of my yammering............let's get hoppin'!!

Check out the list of Krafty Girls and Guests below who each have a project to share with you using all sorts of the NEW September release stamps that are NOW AVAILABLE!  Be sure to leave some love at every stop because two lucky stampers will WIN a package of stamps from this release !  Happy hoppin'!  And happy shoppin'!!

1.	Elaine Hughes	9.	Alice Wertz	17.	Cheryl Valadez
2.	Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Blog	10.	Peggy Marsh	18.	Jessie Rone
3.	Sharon Caudle	11.	Amanda Reed	19.	Pam Varnell
4.	Kim L.	12.	Michele Boyer	20.	Lori Tecler
5.	Diana Pickering	13.	Nadia	21.	Kerry Johnson
6.	Sheri Willshire	14.	Cheryl Alger	22.	Alyce Keegan
7.	Sandie Dunne	15.	Kim O'Connell	23.	Jenny Peterson
8.	Emilie Goulet	16.	Angie Baker	24.	Melanie Holtz

(Linkup closed)

September's Krafty Peeks at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Day Four and a Sketch Challenge!

Copics used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 hair- E15, E13, Y21, Y000 hat and coat- R39, R37, R35, R32 trim- just a touch of C3 followed by Colorless Blender wreath- YG17, YG13, YG01 boots- C7, C5, C3 ***Listed in the order they were used.***

Now how totally awesome were those ELVES by Emilie Goulet that we previewed yesterday?? So fun!! The Krafty Girls cards were SO awesome!! 

So are you here for a new challenge or are you here to check out the brand new ANNIE stamps for SEPTEMBER???? Well, either way, we've got ya covered!! Not only do we have a new weekly challenge but we also have SIX new AWESOME stamps!!! 

Now if you are an Annie FAN, you know that she's been doing some illustration work for a children's book!! And she's tried out a new style lately! Well, we LOVED the new style SO much, that she's done her new HOLIDAY GIRLS stamps in that sweet style!!! We KNOW you'll LOVE them as much as we do!! Just wait 'til you see all the incredible creations by the Krafty Girls and Guests featuring Gemma, Grace, Joy, Madeline, Nettie and Penelope!! Prepare your pocketbook.....because you're gonna want them ALL!

Check out all the amazing creations on today's hop in combination with this week's challenge!! The lovely SHERI is our hostess this week and her challenge features a fantastic SKETCH!! Use the sketch she has provided as inspiration for your card or scrapbook page! And the random winner of this week's challenge will receive the new GRACE, as featured on her gorgeous creation!! We really hope you are inspired by this week's challenge and share your inky creations!!! We SO enjoy seeing your beautiful designs inspired by our challenges!!

Below you will find all the Krafty Girls and Guests who have goodies to show you today and while you're visiting their blogs, be sure to leave some love at each stop because TWO lucky ladies are each going to WIN a package of today's stamps!! Woohoo!!!

ALL of our SEPTEMBER stamps will be available TOMORROW at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!!! So be sure to come on back to enjoy our Release Day Krafty HOP!!

Check out the list of Krafty Girls and Guests below who each have a project to share with you using the new Holiday Girls stamps by Annie Rodrigue!  Be sure to leave some love at every stop because two lucky stampers will  WIN a package of stamps from this set !  Happy hoppin'!

1.	Kerry Johnson	8.	Sharon Caudle	15.	Michele Boyer
2.	Sheri Willshire	9.	Nadia	16.	Sandie Dunne
3.	Angie Baker	10.	Cheryl Valadez	17.	Kim L.
4.	Amanda Reed	11.	Melanie Holtz	18.	Alyce Keegan
5.	Lori Tecler	12.	Diana Pickering	19.	Kim O'Connell
6.	Elaine Hughes	13.	Pam Varnell	20.	Jenny Peterson
7.	Jessie Rone	14.	Alice Wertz

(Linkup closed)

September's Krafty Peeks at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Day Three!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11, BV00  hair- E15, E13, Y21, Y000  dress and stockings YG17, YG13, YG01, R59, R29, R22  boots- C7, C5, C3  scissors- Y28, Y26, Y21, Y000  ground- C5, C3, C1, C00, 0 (CB)  background halo- B01, B000, B0000  background dots- B01, B000, B0000, B60  ***Copics have been listed in the order they were used.*** 

Welcome back!! We hope you enjoyed all the sweet as pie cards we shared yesterday featuring the new HOLIDAY LULU & LIBBY set! Totally adorable, wouldn't you say?? 

Today at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps we are sharing SIX new individual stamps by the totally talented Emilie Goulet!!! Get ready to meet SANTA AND HIS ELVES!! We've got the most awesome elves in some sticky situations, the big man himself *may* have gotten himself in some trouble....there's a reindeer and a cuddly little kitten!! Just wait 'til you see them all!!

Below you will find a list of all the Krafty Girls who are sharing PEEKS with you today so grab a cup of coffee and check them out! And as you're hoppin' around, be sure to leave a comment at each stop because two winners will each win a package of some of these fun stamps!!

All our new SEPTEMBER 2012 stamps will be available on Sunday (late Saturday night) at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!!! And come on back tomorrow because not only will we have a fantastic new challenge for you, but we'll be revealing the NEW stamps by Annie Rodrigue!!!

Now get ready for some super fun holiday creations!!!

Check out the list of Krafty Girls and Guests below who each have a project to share with you using the new Santa and His Elves stamps by Emilie Goulet!  Be sure to leave some love at every stop because two lucky stampers will  WIN a package of stamps from this set !  Happy hoppin'!

1.	Jenny Peterson	8.	Diana Pickering	15.	Melanie Holtz
2.	Alice Wertz	9.	Kerry Johnson	16.	Cheryl Valadez
3.	Jessie Rone	10.	Sheri Willshire	17.	Nadia
4.	Michele Boyer	11.	Lori Tecler	18.	Sharon Caudle
5.	Pam Varnell	12.	Kim L.	19.	Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Blog
6.	Amanda Reed	13.	Angie Baker
7.	Kim O'Connell	14.	Sandie Dunne

(Linkup closed)

September's Krafty Peeks at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Day Two!

Copics used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11  hair- E15, E13, Y21, Y000 dresses- E44, E42, E40, 0 (CB) wings and socks- BG10, BG0000, R29, R22, R21 halos- E28, E26, Y21, Y000  ***Copics have been listed in the order they were used.***

Welcome back to our SEPTEMBER Krafty Peeks!!! Today we are excited to share the THREE new images and SIX matching sentiments included in our new Lulu set by artist Cheryl Alger!!! This ADORABLE new set is called HOLIDAY LULU AND LIBBY and the whole set is too freakin' CA-UTE!

All the Krafty Girls and Krafty Guests listed below have lots of super designs to show you, so be sure to hop over to each of them! And while you're there, be sure to leave a comment because one lucky stamper is going to WIN the new HOLIDAY LULU AND LIBBY set!!!!!

Then come on back tomorrow to check out MORE new stamps we have to show you as the Happy Holidays theme continues, this time by artist Emilie Goulet!!! And ALL the new stamps will be available on Sunday at the KKStamps Shop!!

Check out the list of Krafty Girls and Guests below who each have a project to share with you using the new Holiday Lulu and Libby set!  Be sure to leave some love at every stop because one lucky stamper is going to WIN this set!  Happy hoppin'!

1.	Sharon Caudle	7.	Jenny Peterson	13.	Pam Varnell
2.	Kim O'Connell	8.	Sandie Dunne	14.	Sheri Willshire
3.	Jessie Rone	9.	Kerry Johnson	15.	Michele Boyer
4.	Amanda Reed	10.	Nadia	16.	Angie Baker
5.	Alice Wertz	11.	Cheryl Valadez	17.	Alyce Keegan
6.	Kim L.	12.	Lori Tecler	18.	Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Blog

(Linkup closed)

September's Krafty Peeks at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Day One!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!! Well....not if you look outside. But it is at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!! Get ready for our HOLIDAY 2012 RELEASE!!!!! We are kicking off the *New* September Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps previews today and first off, we’d like to introduce you to a beautiful new set of Trinkets!!! We are very excited to share with you our….HOLIDAY TRINKETS!!! 

These circular sentiment stamps have been created and designed by the totally talented Krafty Girl, Nicole Aspinall!! They are made especially to fit in your 1 3/8ths and 1 ¾ inch punches, for quick and easy cutting!!! This month we are releasing the HOLIDAY Trinkets set which includes EIGHT trinkets in each set with four of each size and they come as both positive and 

negative images, so you can use your black or brown ink with the positive stamps and use your coloured inks with the negative ones!! You will get the set as a completely unmounted full sheet of deeply etched grey rubber.

A lot of the Krafty Girls are cardmakers and we have found these to be such a quick and easy way to add a sentiment to our creations or to use as the focal point on your cards! They are also perfect for your Smashbook pages and your scrapbook pages, not to mention your altered items and tags!! What a great way to make a bunch of gift tags for all those presents under the tree!! No stamper's stash is complete without them! 

I love the look of these fabulous trinkets showcased by layers of decorative dies and fancy papers.  Today I'm using a lovely set of DP from Authentique called Festive.  I bought a ton of this line, so you'll probably be seeing it on my cards throughout the release.  I just can't get enough of it!

Now just you wait 'til you see the awesome samples the Krafty Girls have put together for you....and be sure to comment on each and every stop because one lucky stamper is going to WIN the new HOLIDAY TRINKETS set!!!

Happy Holidays!!! *wink*

Check out the list of Krafty Girls and Guests below who each have a project to share with you using the new Holiday Trinkets!  Be sure to leave some love at every stop because one lucky stamper is going to WIN this set!  Happy hoppin'!

1.	Lori Tecler	7.	Jessie Rone	13.	Sheri Willshire
2.	Alice Wertz	8.	Kerry Johnson	14.	Nadia
3.	Amanda Reed	9.	Kim O'Connell	15.	Kim L.
4.	Angie Baker	10.	Melanie Holtz	16.	Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Blog
5.	Cheryl Valadez	11.	Pam Varnell
6.	Elaine Hughes	12.	Sharon Caudle

(Linkup closed)

Challenge #144: Use Kraft Paper!

Hello, hello, hello!  Are you enjoying the new special release set available at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, Three Wishes?!  Isn't it fabulous!  We're combining the release with our latest and greatest challenge.  The Hostess with the Mostest this week is non-other than the incomparable Amanda Reed and she has tasked us with adding kraft paper to our creation.  

This is a super easy challenge for me as kraft paper is one of 3 colors I ALWAYS use for layers...kraft, black, and white.  I know that seems strange, but instead of opting to keep a rainbow of solid papers on  hand, I use these 3 colors in some order or fashion on 95% of the cards I make.  I know that sounds lame, but it's really the patterned paper I'm enamored with, so rather than spending lots of time and money deciding on solids, I reach for my "3 Paper Amigos" and they literally go with everything.  I know...it's practically like cheating, but I can't tell you what a relief it is to remove that solid paper dilemma.  This gives me more time to agonize over the other details like ribbon, embellishments, DP, stamp images, Copic colors, etc.  It's the small wins that deserve celebrating ;D

Join this week's challenge by adding kraft paper to your creation and you could be randomly selected to win the image featured on Amanda's card.  

Visit the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps challenge blog to see all of the wonderful DT creations and stop by the Kraftin' Kimmie Shop to add this fabulous set to your arsenal of KKS images!  

I'll be back next week with something new.  Until then, stay krafty!