Friday, March 28, 2014

Getting Sketchy at Stamping Bella!






Hey, all!  Back today with a new card for Stamping Bella.  This week we were asked to play with a sketch and you KNOW how I love a sketch!  Half the work has already been done for you and all that's left is to pick out paper and color an image.  Voila! 

For this card, I chose to play with Little Umbrella, an image by Mo Manning for Stamping Bella.  Oh my, how I heart this image!  Here in the desert Southwest, we've had nice warm days and then it dips into coat wearing evenings.  UGH!  It's impossible to know what to wear and you almost need to carry a complete change of clothes with you if plan on being out all day.  God forbid you should start out in sandals...BRRRR!  I know, with daytime temps in the upper 60's I have nothing to complain about, but still...

Anywho, I love this image because it screams Summer.  Hot, hot, hot Summer!  I can't wait for temps to head skyward and I can feel the sizzling warmth of the sun on my skin every time I step outside.  Not that I don't like the cooler weather, I'm just tired of this in between period.  Where it's sort of warm and sort of cold.  Gimme some heat, baby!  Of course, come mid-Summer, I'll be complaining about that, too.  It's the way of the world.

Back to my card, I took liberties with the sketch and angled some of my layers.  I also stayed light on the embellies.  I wanted my voluptuous, sunbathing diva to take center stage. 

Visit the Stamping Bella Shop (Shopabella?  LOL!) to see Little Umbrella and a BUNCH of other way awesome images.  Also, don't forget to play along with the next challenge using this inspiration photo.  Look at those delicious colors!  


I best be scooting'!  Until next time, stay crafty!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

It's Wonderful Wednesday at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!




Welcome to another Wonderful Wednesday challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and the last one for March!! As always....it's ANYTHING GOES!!
Your submission must use at least one Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp but can be any theme, any style, any design and it can be a card, a scrapbook page, an altered item....you name it!! It must be a NEW creation.
I've used an image from Pretty Little Pixies for my card.  Love this sweet set!  
**Please note that you are more than welcome to combine this Wonderful Wednesday Share to Win challenge with other challenges, BUT not our regular weekly challenges. This must be a new and different creation than anything you create for our Saturday challenges.
By the way, I just want to take a quick second to say that this is my last card as a design team member for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.  I'm trying to vary my DT load a wee bit and thought I would step aside after 2+ years and give someone else an opportunity to enjoy this team in the way I have.  Never has there been a kinder, sweeter, funnier, more talented  group of gals than the KKS DT.  I am just ever so grateful to them and their fearless leader, Kim, for allowing me to bask in their glorious presence :)  Thank you ever so...MWAH!   
Until next time, stay krafty!

Mini Front and Backs by Art Impressions!



Hey all!  I'm back to share a new card for Art Impressions using an image from the Boy and Girl Mini Set.  This image is from the Mini Front and Backs line which are so sweet and truly unique.  I paired it with a 1 3/4" round punch to create a completely interactive card that's as fun inside as out.  

You'll find this set in the Art Impressions shop along with tons of other awesome goodies!  Be sure to visit the Ai Blog daily for lots of DT inspiration.  

Catch ya later!  Until next time, stay crafty!



Saturday, March 22, 2014

A New Challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Pretty in Pink!


Welcome back for another fabulously FUN challeng at Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps!! We always enjoy your creations so be sure to submit them so you can WIN MORE rubbah!! Show us your stuff!!
This week our hostess is KIMMIE!! And her challenge is PRETTY IN PINK!! So create a card, scrapbook page or altered item with a Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamp that features the colour PINK in some way!! Have some krafty fun and join us this week!!
Of course, we’ve got our FrugalFriday Specials on this weekend with 25-50 percent off some specially chosen stamps!!
We’ve also got LOTS of brand new 6x6 paper pads…and restocks of EZmount and HOT KNIVES, while supplies last!!  (P.s. Have you seen Kimmie's new video, Working with Unmounted Stamps?)
Now check out the wonderful creations by our Krafty Girls and special Krafty Guests featuring this week’s challenge!! We’re sure you’ll be inspired!! Then join us, play along and you could WIN!!

I've used a sweet sloth image from our new Wanna Hang set.  I just adore these little guys!  Find him in the shop along with LOTS of other wonderful stuff!

Until next time, stay krafty


Friday, March 21, 2014

My First Bellarific Friday!!!




Hey, all!  Back today with a special announcement.  Today marks my first challenge for Bellarific Fridays as a Bella Babe!  WOO HOO! Sorry...got a little excited there ;)  I'm honored to have the opportunity to join this team and can't wait to color up more of these glorious images.

I know what you're thinking..."Enough already, just tell us about this week's challenge!"  This week you were asked to Bling it Up.  For my card, I chose to work with Uptown Girl Ava Loves to Celebrate.  She is a lovely lass and anybody that comes to my house with a gigantic cake like that is alright by me!  It's apparent that Ava loves to shine, so I gave her the glitz treatment with a little Stickles around the main image panel, some fancy baker's twine sporting a delicate gold thread, and the piece de resistance, a strip of crystal bling courtesy of my good friend Shay :)  She gave me an enormous roll of ribbon and it was nothing but BLING!  YOWZA, I think I died and went to heaven!  I have so much bling now I might just make the cats shiny matching disco frocks.

But I digress...visit the Blogabella blog to see all of the lovely DT inspiration and to find details regarding the next challenge.  Be sure to play along for a chance to win some fabulous Stamping Bella swag.

Until next time, stay crafty!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

A new challenge at Art Impressions: Cards with a window/opening!



Hey, everyone!  Welcome back!  We're introducing a new challenge this week on the Art Impressions Blog and we're showcasing our brand new Mini Front and Backs.  

These are sweet petite images, quick to color, and FUN to use on a card.  I've used Boy & Girl Mini set #4403.  She's a doll!  Find these images and MORE in the Ai Shop!

Head on over to the Art Impression Blog and check out all of the wonderful samples created by our ridiculously talented DT.  

As you can guess...the challenge this week is to create a window or opening on your card.  Find all of the details on the blog.  

Okay, I've got to scoot!  Until next time, stay crafty!


Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Little Behind by Art Impressions!





Hey all!  I'm keeping this post supah short as I am posting it live.  Yep, the post time you see is not a scheduled time, but an actual time.  In fact, I might be a few minutes late getting this one up on the blog.  Tick, tock...!

This is the Little Behind Set and he is a cutie patootie!  I added an action wobble to the inside so that if you give his little rump a tweak it looks like he's running.  Cracks me up!

You can find this sweet fellow in the Art Impressions Shop along with tons of other goodies.  Also, be sure to visit the Ai Blog daily for inspiration from the DT.

Phew!  I think I made it ;)

Until next time, stay crafty!



Monday, March 17, 2014

Krafty Tips and Tuts: Dressed for Distress!

Hey, everybody!  I'm sharing a toot on the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps blog today and thought I would share the post here, as well.  I'm quite fond of adding a little distress and grunge to a card.  Sit back and grab a cup o' joe, cuz I've got a few tips for making that pristine card look old and ratty ;)


I've gathered all my card elements and though they look like they're ready to assemble, I'm going to rough them up a bit to add more interest.


Here are some of my favorite tools for distress.  Distress Ink Pads in Pumice Stone and Gathered Twigs are a couple of my "go to" grunge ingredients.  I know you're jealous of my skully themed scissors!


I start with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and sponge it just on the edges of each of my patterned papers.    


Using those adorable skully themed scissors I scrape the edges of each of my layers, careful not to rip the sheets.  If you don't have skull themed scissors, regular scissors will do ;) 


Next, I sponge Pumice Stone Distress Ink onto a die cut panel with the die cut still intact in the die.  This will act as a stencil and give me a nice white border.  In order to maintain a smooth finish, I apply the ink using a circular motion starting off the die and gradually work my way onto it.  



Then I sponge Pumice Stone onto the edges of the die.  



I rim the edge of the die with Diamond Stickles glitter glue.  This has a subtle gold fleck in it and picks up whatever color you put it over.  In this case it picks up that Pumice Stone and the results are something in between a vintage gold and pewter.


I've distressed all my edges and let the Stickles dry, now I'm ready to get this show on the road.  Let's build this card!


I've adhered all my layers together, but added a couple of carefully placed tears in the polka dot panel to expose a gem stone.


I've continued my layering adding a bit of cheese cloth for more texture.  Cheese cloth is inexpensive and makes for a great unexpected detail.  My die cuts all have a layer of dimensional foam tape between them for depth.


I add my Show Stopper image also using a foam tape.


A few last minute additions and this card is ready to go!  Check out that old button.  I buy them by the jar at antique stores and always have a great assortment to chose from.


My card is finished and ready to be handed off to it's recipient :)  Notice how my Show Stopper is adorned in green in celebration of St. Paddy's day.  Are you wearing green?  Better put some on, 'cuz I've got my pinchers ready ;)  

Thanks for hanging out with me today :)

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Release Day at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!





We're so excited! It’s our MARCH RELEASE Day at KRAFTIN' KIMMIE STAMPS!! And we’re celebrating with a KRAFTY HOP!! So grab yourself a cuppa joe, sit back and be prepared for some krafty eye kandy! We're going to inspire your creations with our fun, new stamps!
Over the last few days in our Krafty Peeks, we have shared lots of AMAZING new stamps from all our artists for our March release! We’ve got something for everyone!! We’ve got a very unique new SLOTH set from Thai called WANNA HANG? There's an awesome new a-MOO-zing new set from Cheryl called DOWN ON THE FARM 2! Lastly, we are SO excited to share a SASSY new Moonlight Whispers stamp set....SHOW STOPPERS!
For my card today, I'm using an image for the new Moonlight Whispers set called Show Stoppers.  These feathered ladies are so sassy and gorgeous you will not be able to pass them by!  
You will get to see ALL of the new images today as you sit back and enjoy our MARCH 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 available NOW! And don't forget...if you NEED it all, we have a Gimme Kimmies Kit which features ALL the new March stamps at a discount!!
OH AND we have a bunch of new PAPER PADS in the shop for you today!! There are brand new lines by Simple Stories, Bo Bunny, MME, American Crafts, Graphic 45 and Kaisercraft!! There are also a bunch of restocks of most requested paper pads!!!
Now let's celebrate with our NEW RELEASE and get hoppin' and shoppin'!!

March Peeks at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Day Three!




Welcome back to day THREE of our MARCH Kraftin' Kimmie Peeks!!! The awesome new stamps just keep on comin'!!
We are SO thrilled to share the newest set of THREE images with matching sentiments from CHERYL! With the popularity of a set we released last year, we have continued on with the farm theme so today we're showing you the new set called DOWN ON THE FARM 2!!
This week our challenge hostess is TANGII! And her challenge is ANYTHING GOES!! So create a card, scrapbook page or altered item with a Kraftin' Kimmie stamp with no restrictions! Use any sketch, any design, any embellishments because Anything Goes! Have some krafty fun and join us this week because we'd LOVE to see your KKS designs. We hope you can play along for your chance to WIN some NEW Kraftin' Kimmie rubbah!!!
Would you like to know who won the new stamp sets that we've previewed this week???!! Well, you'll just have to wait until TONIGHT at this month's ONLINE RELEASE PARTY!!! Hope you can join us for all the fun and excitement and prizes!!! We'll be releasing all the new stamps you've seen this week after the party at 7pm EST!! You can read all the details about how you can join us on the blog.
All the Krafty Girls listed below have lots of super FUN designs to show you featuring these sweet new stamps from Cheryl! And while you're hopping around, be sure to leave a comment because we are giving away some stamps!!! You could WIN the new set stamps!!!!! {All of this week's winners will be announced at the online party tonight!}
So come and hang out with us tonight for all the LIVE action krafty fun at the release party and then come on back here tomorrow to check out the release day blog hop! ALL the new stamps will be available on TONIGHT at the KKStamps Shop!!
Happy hoppin'!

Friday, March 14, 2014

March Krafty Peeks at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Day Two!



Welcome back to Day TWO of the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps MARCH previews!!! We are back with a fabulous new Moonlight Whispers stamp set!! You'll love these two SASSY showgirls along with the FOUR fun sentiments!!
Today the Krafty Girls are thrilled to share with you.....SHOW STOPPERS!! There are lots of amazing creations on today's hop featuring both new images and sentiments from the set!! We know you are just going to LOVE these classy, sassy ladies and be inspired by all the fun designs!!
Below you will find all the Krafty Girls who have goodies to show you today and while you're visiting their blogs, be sure to leave some love at each stop because one lucky stamper is going to WIN a package of today's stamps!! Woohoo!!!
ALL of our MARCH stamps will be available on Saturday night at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!!! We'll be celebrating at our LIVE ONLINE RELEASE PARTY!! It's over at our KKS Facebook fan page! Join us for all the fun!! You can find more details there!!
Happy hoppin'!!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

March Krafty Peeks at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Day One!



Welcome to day ONE of our MARCH Kraftin' Kimmie Peeks!!! Today we are excited to share a supah cute new set by artist Thais Narciso!! We'll guarantee you haven't seen anything like these adorable SLOTHS before!!! We are sharing samples today featuring.......WANNA HANG?!
All the Krafty Girls and Guests listed below have lots of super FUN 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 we are giving away one of the new sets and YOU could WIN!! {All of this week's winners will be announced at the online party on Saturday night!}
Then come on back tomorrow to check out MORE fun new stamps we have to share with you! And ALL the new MARCH stamps will be available on Saturday night at the KKStamps Shop!!
Happy hoppin'!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Spring Forward!





Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 hair- C7, C5, C3 desk- E37, E35, E31 computer /keyboard- C5, C3, C1 skirt- BG75, BG72, BG70 Sweater- Y26, Y21, Y00 orange accents- YR68, YR65, YR61  ground-C7, C5, C3, C1, C00, 0 background-BG72, BG11, BG10, BG000, BG0000, 0

Hey, all!  Welcome back!  How about that time change???  Yowza!  Let me just say that I won't be joining the "Spring Forward" Fan Club anytime soon!  The extra daylight in the evening is certainly delicious, but the price is hefty and it will no doubt take me a week to adjust.

Leave it to Art Impressions to have JUST the image to perfectly convey my feelings :)  This set is called Asleep on the Job and it's available in the Art Impressions Shop along with TONS of other goodies.  Be sure to pop in for a good long visit.  

Speaking of sleep...I think I hear the Sandman calling!  Tootles!

Until next time, stay crafty!