Challenge #122 at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Heavy Metal!

Hello!  Welcome to the weekend.  What's on your agenda?  Lots of relaxing, I hope.  I'm attending a workshop today with the ridiculously talented Arley Berryhill to make a Witch's Apothecary Shadow Box.  You can see the details on the China Phoenix 2 blog.  It is way more awesome in person, so you can only imagine how stoked I am to be in this class.  Later, I'm hoping Kirk and I can squeeze in a movie.  Nothing serious or sappy.  I have one goal in mind...to laugh my tuches off, so I'm thinking 21 Jump Street should do the trick.  Don't get me wrong, I love the quiet art house films that make you think, the beautiful sweeping epics that make you cry, and the gorgeous cinematic period pieces that make you yearn for a simpler time.  But...sometimes, only rude, crude, and lewd will do and that's what I'm in the mood for.  So 21 Jump Street it is!  AND...I hear that Johnny Depp has a cameo.  Nice!

Anywhoo, I digress.  Let's talk about the latest and greatest challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.  This week's challenge is brought to you by the very lovely and talented Sharon and she's asking us to add Heavy Metal to our creations.  This can be real metal, faux metal, or just an image.  Pretty cool!  That leaves us lots of options.  I chose to add a strip of leather with metal grommet details to my card, plus a scattering of Tim Holtz embellishments.  The image I'm using is from the sensational Going Places set that  was just released.  Word on the street is that these images are selling quickly, so if you are interested in getting this set, don't delay.  The only place you can find it is in the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps shop.

While you're at the shop, take a gander at the 6 designs selected for this week's Frugal Friday Specials.  It's a great way to add some of your favorite images to KKS collection at a steal of a deal.  This sale only lasts through Sunday, so don't delay!

Head over to the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps challenge blog to see the super cool ways the DT members interpreted this challenge.  The designs are exquisite and inspiring.  AND...don't forget to join the challenge this week!  We can't wait to see what you create!

Okay, krafty peeps!  Catch ya later!

Going Places Krafty Hop!

Join Kraftin’ Kimmie’s Klubhouse!!

It’s time!  It’s time!!!  Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps is GOING PLACES!

Today Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps is releasing an EXCLUSIVE Moonlight Whispers stamp set!!!  GOING PLACES is the first of our special Krafty Klubhouse Kits…..we’ll be releasing a new one every few months!!

Be part of the Krafty Klub and order your exclusive set (already available in the shop!!!) which features THREE special edition stamps designed by Annie Rodrigue PLUS FOUR coordinating sentiment stamps!  Going Places will be sold ONLY as a set and ONLY at the Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps Shop!!  Not only will you get this special set, but you will also receive a special coupon code for 20% OFF, to be used on your next online order!

Now let me be clear…..there is NO club to join or sign up for!  ANYONE from ANYWHERE in the world can order this special set but ONLY at the Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps Shop!!  These images will not be sold individually, but only as the complete set called…..GOING PLACES!  

So let’s get hoppin’ and be sure to leave some love at each and every stop because one lucky random stamper will WIN the new set!!!

  

You've should have landed here from Pam's incredible blog, where you were treated to feast of eye-candy!  Your next stop on the hop is Amanda's crazy awesome blog.  Prepare to have your socks knocked off!!!

Tootles!  I'll see you tomorrow with the new Krafty Challenge ;D  

Hola!  Welcome back to my second post today!  Yep, you heard that right.  Scroll down if you would like to see the birthday card I made for Christy Croll at Tiddly Inks.

Now it's time to share something new and exciting happening at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.  We've been teasing you Krafty Keeners all week, so finally....here it is!!  Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is thrilled to introduce the first of our *NEW* Exclusive Krafty Klubhouse stamp sets!!!  Today we are sharing previews of all THREE new images by Annie Rodrigue included in this special edition set, along with FOUR coordinating sentiment stamps!

Now, let me be clear.....there is NO club to join or sign up for!  ANYONE from ANYWHERE in the world can order this special set but ONLY at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!!  These images will not be sold individually, but only as the complete set called.....GOING PLACES!  ALSO, if you order this set before April 20th, you will receive a special coupon code for 20% OFF your next online order!

The set goes live on the shop website at midnight tonight!!!  We will also be celebrating with an awesome Going Places Krafty Hop and giving away a set to one lucky stamper, so be sure to join us for more gorgeous samples tomorrow!

Scoot on over to the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge blog and check out the eye-candy that's sure to get your motor racing ;D  

Happy Birthday, Christy!!!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear Christy!

Happy birthday to you!

WOO HOO!!!  We are celebrating a very special birthday at Tiddly Inks today!  Yes, that's right!  Our very own, super talented, extremely sweet, boss lady extraodinaire, Christy Croll is having a birthday and we're throwing her a big ol' fashioned surprise party via the Internet!!!  Okay, on the count of three, let's yell "surprise"!  One, two three...

SURPRISE!!!

Heehee!  I bet she didn't see that coming :D  So here's the scoop...visit the Tiddly Inks Challenge blog and you'll be greeted with numerous birthday greetings for Christy.  The theme for this special event is From the Heart, so that we can show Christy just how much she means to us :)  Be sure and visit, because there may be a few prizes given away, just saying'. 

For my card I used Wryn - Grow a Little Love.  She's one of my favorite Wryns and I have used her a few times.  Find her in the Tiddly Inks shop along with all of Christy's other gorgeous designs.  Speaking of the birthday girl, visit her blog and leave her some love on her special day :D

Off you go now!  Spread that birthday cheer!         

Going Places Special Release at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!

Join Kraftin' Kimmie's Klubhouse!!

Okay, all you Kraftin' Kimmie KEENERS (and you KNOW who you are), we have some
VERY exciting news to share with you today!!! Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is GOING
PLACES!

Remember at the beginning of the year when we said we've got some awesome new
stuff in store for 2012? Well, we've been planning this for months!!

On Friday, March 30th, Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps will release an EXCLUSIVE
Moonlight Whispers stamp set!!! GOING PLACES is the first of our special Krafty
Klubhouse Kits…..we'll be releasing a new one every few months!!

Be part of the Krafty Klub and order your exclusive set which features THREE
special edition stamps designed by Annie Rodrigue, PLUS FOUR coordinating
sentiment stamps! Going Places will be sold ONLY as a set and ONLY at the
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!! Not only will you get this special set, but you
will also receive a special coupon code for 20% OFF, to be used on any
additional online order at the Shop the following month!

The Krafty Girls have been busy playing with the new stamps and creating
gorgeous samples which we will preview on Thursday at the KKS Challenge blog,
with the release going live in the Shop on Friday, March 30th!! We know you'll
be as excited as we are for the fun to begin!! See you Thursday!

Challenge #121 at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Recycle!

Whew!  A whole week in between posts?  I feel like the Rip Van Winkle of bloggers.  One minute, I'm uploading a blog post...the next minute, 25 years have passed and I'm scratching my gray hair with a wrinkly finger going "Whuh"?  Okay, I'm a notorious embellisher, not only with cards, but with stories, as well.  It may only have been a week, but I'm still left befuddled about where the time went.

I'll take a quick moment to say in my defense that my black whole vortex of lost time wasn't due to slacking.  We have been scrubbing, polishing, cleaning, packing...basically all the action words ending in "ing" to make our house ready to put on the market.  Sadly, we have outgrown our tiny 1,100 sq. ft. town home and desperately need something bigger to accommodate our changing lives.

Kirk, my incredibly talented, funny, and smart husband, has a BBQ spice rub and sauce business, along with a passion for cooking, grilling, and BBQing.  His rather large BBQ toys have filled our minuscule patio and now we barely have space to enjoy our outdoor meal in the same area it was prepared.  Outdoor dining is top priority for us and we been known to send smoke signals from our patio throughout the year, even when the weather turns brisk.  Plus, he needs a place for AlbuKirky Seasonings to call home and a couple of offsite indoor storage lockers are just not going to do it anymore.  That's a good thing.

I also took over the second bedroom and now it is solely used for my craft studio.  Sounds great, huh?  It is.  I have 2 wonderful wire racks with canvas baskets that house precious tools and supplies and a beautiful desk at which to work.  It's not so lovely though when mom comes to visit.  I give her the royal treatment by sandwiching a twin size air mattress between my art desk and our computer desk.  She rolls one way and she gets a Copic Marker in the eye...she rolls the other way and it's a staple to the forehead.  It's a dangerous business being an overnight guest at our house!  A third bedroom would be divine...right, mom?

Anyway, the point of all this is that we need a larger home, so now we start the Selling the House/Buying a New House amusement park ride and hope that we don't get thrown off the Ferris Wheel during a freak accident.  Wish us luck :)  The ride has begun and we're coming to the end of the Fixing Up part of the process.  We had our bathrooms tiled this week and they look snazzy.  We also had a number of small cosmetic repairs completed.  We've also packed and stored what seems like a gazillion boxes filled with tchotckes, knick knacks, dust collectors, thingamajigs, and whoozy whatzits.  Where and when did we accumulate ALL this stuff?  I smell a garage sale around the corner!  The goal is to list next week and then the REAL fun will begin.  A thrill inducing, whirlwind of excitement known as The Waiting Game.  I hope it's the abbreviated version and not the Trivial Pursuit version that never seems to end.  We shall see.

So, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

BUT, that's not why you're here, is it!  Nope, you want to know what the new challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is and all I've been doing is blathering on about non-papercrafting stuff.  Okay, I'll focus now...lol!  This week's challenge is brought to you by the lovely and talented Melanie.  She is asking us to use something recycled on our project.  I had no idea what I was going to use until my lovely hubby brought me home a cupful of inspiration this morning in the form of a latte from Starbucks.  A quick inspection of the underside of the cup sleeve revealed gloriously textured corrugated cardboard.  BINGO!

This beauty was cut down to size, edged in Gathered Twigs Distress Inks, and lightly treated with white acrylic paint.  Dang!  I just now thought of glitter.  That would have been a nice touch.  Oh well, next time.  My image du jour is called Betty and she is a sassy little number to color.  You can check out all of the images available by visiting the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps shop.  Also, be sure to stop by the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps challenge blog and see all of the DT samples.  Fabulous stuff!  There are also 6 Frugal Friday images on sale right now, so don't forget to take advantage of that discount.  It's only on through Sunday.  OH, before I forget...Melanie used Calla Lily on her card, so that is this week's prize for one lucky random winner.  Can't wait to see what you create!          

Release Day at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!!!

Hola!  The Krafty Girls are hopping today!  WOO HOO!  Before I get to that, however, I want to extend a big "THANK YOU" to the lovely ladies who joined me Saturday at China Phoenix 2 for my first card class since the store reopened.  It felt wonderful teaching in my home away from home and spending a few hours with my crafting buddies.  Also, Nancy (the gracious proprietress) has created a bright airy space perfect for coloring and paper crafting.  Yes, the Phoenix has risen and is better than ever!

Now...back to our regularly scheduled programming...LOL!

Do YOU know what day it is?  It's Krafty RELEASE Day at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and we're celebrating with a KRAFTY HOP!  There are SO many incredible new SPRINGY stamps to SEE this month, so let's get started!

Over the last few days in our Krafty Peeks, we shared lots of AMAZING new stamps from all our artists!  We've got something for everyone!!  Lulu is back from Cheryl Alger.....we know how much you love her!!  So we have a new set called SPRINGTIME LULU!  We also have TWO fantastic sets of adorable GARDEN GNOMES from Emilie Goulet called HANGIN' WITH MY GNOMIES AND WHAT'S UP GNOMIE?!!!  And of course we have an amazing new set of six FLOWER GIRLS from Annie Rodrigue!

You will get to see most of the new images today as you sit back and enjoy our MARCH Krafty Hop!  If you want to start from the beginning, just head over to the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge Blog!   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!!

For my card today, I used a lovely ballerina by the name of Daisy Mae.  Isn't she a fabulous image?!  I went with pink and black because that color combo always reminds me of the ballet for some reason.  I knew I wanted to go this route with the palette, but when I went scrounging, I couldn't find any pink patterned papers.  There are literally thousands of sheets of paper in my craft room and I couldn't find a thing to go with my card.  It's practically a paper jungle in there!  After lots more rummaging, I finally uncovered a couple of sheets that seemed to fit the bill.  Believe it or not, even with all of that foraging for paper, this card only took me 2 hours to make from start to finish.  That's half the time it usually takes me.  Hmmm...maybe it's time for a de-stash, ya think?  LOL!  

You should have arrived from Tara's amazing blog where I'm sure you were dazzled with one of her stunning designs!  Your next stop on the hop is with Peggy and I bet she has some gorgeous eye-candy waiting for you there.  In fact, I'm going to head over there right now and start hopping!  See you there ;D

It's been a fun week; lots of fabulous new stuff to play with.  Until we meet again, stay Krafty!

March's Krafty Peeks: Day Three!

Welcome back!  It's time for Day Three of March's Krafty Peeks and today we're sharing Annie Rodrigue's new designs!  They are fabulous and I just know you are going to adore them.  She has created 6 new images and each one has been illustrated and named for a flower.  

I'm using Calla Lily and I just adore that sweeping graceful dress she is wearing.  The folds mimic those found within the petals of the Calla Lily.  How clever is that?!  In addition to the new release, it is also challenge day and this week's challenge is a sketch.  WOO HOO!  Sketches are awesome, because they are quick to complete and there's no hemming and hawing over the details of the layout.  I can easily spend an hour just trying to decide where everything should go, so a prefab sketch literally shaves off a quarter of my work time.    

Be sure to make the rounds today and leave comments on all of the DT blogs, because Kimmie will pick 2 random winners and each will receive 3 of Annie's new images.  What a fabulous way to add these beautiful flower girls to your stamp collection.  Start at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge Blog and go from there.  Also, check out the shop for all your KKS needs.  The new stuff will be available Sunday.     

Okay, krafty folks, I better scoot.  I'm teaching a class tomorrow and I still have lots to do.  Chatch ya' later!

March's Krafty Peeks: Day Two!

Hola!  Back again with Day Two of March's Krafty Peeks!  Today we are showcasing 2 incredible new sets by Emilie Goulet featuring Gnomes!  Yes, you read that right...Gnomes!  The image I used is from a set called What's Up, Gnomie!  LOL!  Makes me laugh every time!  These new stamps along with all of the others featured this week at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps will be available for purchase in the shop on Sunday.  

Hop around and leave comments on all the DT blogs. 2 random commenters will be selected to each win one of the new Emilie Goulet Gnome sets.   While you're out roaming around in Blogland today, be sure to visit the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge Blog and the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop. 

Okay, that's it for me.  Come back tomorrow to see what Annie Rodrigue has up her sleeve this month!  

March's Krafty Peeks: Day One!

Hello there, Krafty Peeps!  Come on in and sit a spell!  It's Day One of March's Krafty Peeks and there is going to be lots to see over the next few days.  We're kicking this release off with non other than Cheryl Algers new Lulu set, Springtime Lulu.  We LOVE Lulu!  This month we find Lulu spending her days gardening, swinging, and tending to a fine feathered friend.  Yep, that Lulu's a sweetheart! 

Lulu tending to this sweet little bird really caught my eye, so I colored up the image for my card.  I also ran across these fabulous fabric tags by Maya Road and this proved to be the perfect place to stamp my sentiment.  These little tags are soooo cool...I picked up a couple of packages and really wish I had bought more.  Oh well, I really need to learn to be less of a piggy when it comes to embellishments...lol!

There are lots of giveaways this week so be sure to come back everyday and leave a comment on all of the DT member's blogs.  You'll be rewarded with some fantastic cards showcasing all of the new images.   The random winner from Day One will receive the full set of Springtime Lulu.  So COOL!  Start at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge Blog and make the rounds.

All of the new images will be available for purchase in the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps shop beginning Sunday.  Until then, just sit back and enjoy the krafty ride ;D   

A New Challenge at Tiddly Inks: Best Friends!

Hey, all!  Back with another card today!  There's a new challenge at Tiddly Inks this week and the theme is Best Friends.  I love this theme because it was the perfect opportunity to use this adorable image  appropriately named Best Friends.  

I love this sweet image and decided to keep the coloring simple, but added lots of dots to depict grass and sunlight.  As I'm looking more closely at the pics I posted, I just noticed that I did not color their collars.  Egad!  Sorry about that folks.  Let's just pretend they are wearing white collars...lol!  

There are tons of BFF inspired cards for you to peruse on the Tiddly Inks Challenge Blog, so be sure to swing by and visit for awhile.  The TI design team is amazing and my jaw drops every time I see their posts.  What a lucky girl I am, 'cuz I get to hang out with these talented ladies.  

Before you end your Blogland travels for the day stop by the Tiddly Inks Shop and check out all the wonderful images available, and don't forget to check out Christy's blog.  Christy always has something wonderful waiting to be discovered.  

Also, it's release week at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and the Krafty Girls will start previewing new images beginning Thursday.  WOO HOO!  I LOVE release week!  Come back Thursday and I will have something brand spankin' new to share ;D  Until then, stay crafty!

Sketch #256 at CPS!

Sketch #256 at Card Positioning systems

Hey, all!  Just popping in for a super quick post!  Bombshell Stamps is the sponsor for this week's sketch challenge at Card Positioning Systems (CPS).  Join the challenge at CPS and you could be selected to win $20 to spend in the BSS Shop!  That's some serious booty!  

The Bombshells have created some tremendous art using this sketch, so be sure to spend some time on the Bombshell Stamps Blog soaking in all that inspiration!  

Catch ya tomorrow with a new challenge at Tiddly Inks!  Until then, stay crafty!

A Card for My Mom

Hola!  Whatcha up to this weekend?  Mom's in town for the rubber stamp convention so we are on a mad tear to see, eat, and buy everything that gets in our way while she's here.  Seriously, we began the day bright and early enjoying breakfast with friends, then headed to the mall for a brief encounter with Dillards.  Going down the list, not wanting to miss anything, we popped into The Hen House (a fabulous local scrapbook store), then into China Phoenix 2 (the best little rubber stamp store in the Southwest).  After, being good consumers and leaving a few shekels behind in these fine establishments, we headed to Cost Plus so my sister could buy some towels.  She doesn't make cards so we had to give her at least one stop where should could also assist in boosting the local economy.  

Along the way, we visited with friends, laughed our butts off, shared a story or two, and caused general mayhem everywhere we went.  We rounded out the day's events by settling in for tea at one of my favorite places in ALL the world...St. James Tea Room.  I could live there!  Tomorrow is proving to be a busy day, as well.  Mom's a popular lady and when she comes up, her dance card stays full the entire visit.  We haven't even been to the convention, yet...LOL!

Before mom drove up from Las Cruces on Friday, I decided I would make her a card using a very cool Tiddly Inks image called Hot Mama, you can find her in the basement.  Lots of cool bargains to be had, so grab that flashlight and venture down there.  You might just be surprised at all the cool stuff you'll find!

Okay, we have a big day tomorrow and there's that little ol' time change thing that is going to rob us of one hour of sleep, so I better scoot!  I'll be wrestling with the sand man to catch a few ZZZs before it's time to get up and start all over again.  I'm thinking a 4 hour nap tomorrow afternoon will right some of the injustices this time change will bring ;D                                   

My New Class at China Phoenix 2

Hey, all!  What a great weekend!  You can tell Spring is just around the corner here in Albuquerque.  No, not because the weather is starting to get nicer outside, but rather because Spring literally comes in like a lion in these parts.  Yep, the 60 mph winds have arrived and they will stick around for a good month or two.  During this time, I will sport a continuously wind-blown hairdo, that would be lovely if it were casually tousled, but instead it will scare small children and animals, because it resembles the Bride of Frankenstein if she were to hang her head out the window of a car traveling at the speed of sound.  I shouldn't complain, though.  The wind is virtually the only weather issue we have and once its gone, we are left with lots of warm sunny days, perfect for spending time relaxing on the patio.  

We spent part of our weekend helping out in the Disc It booth at the National Fiery Foods and BBQ Show.  We visited with friends and made plenty of new ones in the process.  Next year, I'm happy to say, AlbuKirky Seasonings will have its own booth in the show.  WOO HOO!!!  

Another bit of good news, I have a class scheduled for Saturday, March 17th, at China Phoenix 2 teaching these Alice themed cards featuring images by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  YAY!  This is the first class I'll be teaching since the store re-opened, so I am beyond thrilled!  I'm SOOOO ready to get back to teaching.  I've missed hanging out with my crafting buddies in our home away from home :D

So, if you're in the area on the 17th and want to make 2 fun Alice themed cards, call CP2 or email me at cvaladez@comcast.net to add your name to the list.  I'd love to see you :D

Copics used:

Alice

skin - E11, E00, E000, R20

hair - E15, E13, Y21, Y00

dress - B06, B04, B02, B01, B000, B0000, R59, R29, R22

stockings - C3, C1, C00, R59, R29, R22, R21

shoes - C7, C5, C3

Cheshire Cat

stripes - BG49, BG18, BG15 or 13, BG10, YG17, YG14, YG01

Challenge #118 at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Double Trouble!

Woo hoo!  It's Saturday!  How are you spending your weekend?  We're heading to the National Fiery Foods Show going on right now, here in Albuquerque, NM.  Kirk will be demoing in the Disc It booth and I'll be around to provide moral support.  If you're in the area and like a little heat in your culinary fare, stop by the show and come by the Disc It booth to register for a Disc It giveaway.  My husband creates magic on ours!

You know what else is happening today?  YEP!  You guessed it!  A new challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  AND this one is near and dear to my heart, because I'm the hostess this week.  YIPPEE!  My challenge to you is to use not one, but TWO Kraftin' Kimmie images on your creation.  Sounds like a toughy, but wait until you see what those amazing DT gals came up with...you will not believe your eyes!    Head to the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge Blog for some krafty inspiration!

On my card, I used Super Star and Gadget Girl.  Both of these super ladies are available in the KKS  shop.  Gadget Girl will be given to one lucky random winner this week, so be sure and enter the challenge and you might be able to add her to your KKS arsenal.

Speaking of adding to your KKS collection of images, check out this week's Frugal Friday specials.  6 fabulous images at deep, deep discounts.  You can't go wrong!  Head to the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps shop and click the Deals, Deals, Deals link to see all the details.   I will tell you this, 2 of my absolute favorite KKS images are on special...Mizuki and Raychel.  If you don't already have these gorgeous gals, pick them up today, because this sale will only last until Sunday.  Hurry!