Owl Be Home

It is the third day of the 12 days of Christmas at Paper Craft Planet.  Check out the gallery for this challenge for inspiration.  Since I love owls and I could use one for this day's challenge, I made time to create a card.  I wanted it to be somewhat of a Christmas theme and I thought of the sentiment "Owl be home for Christmas".  I love the stamp sets that play on words.  Since I didn't have a stamp to say what I wanted, I printed it from Word on sorbet paper.

Here is my card from a different view, so you can see the way I used pop dots to make the owl stand out on the tree branch.

Here is my owl close-up.  I embossed him with sand embossing powder I bought at Archivers.  They had a demo one day and I had to have it.  I am glad I finally used it....LOL!  Then I colored the white places on him with cocoa marker.  For his beak I used bamboo marker a couple different times to make it darker.  I finished him with chocolate brads for his eyes.

All materials used are CTMH unless noted:

Paper - Evensong Level 2, sorbet cs, garnet cs, new england ivy cs

Stamps - Whoo Loves You

Marker - cocoa, bamboo

Embellishements - new england ivy brads, chocolate brads, Nature's Ambiance rub-ons, chocolate designer ribbon rounds, dimensional elements bookplates, sand embossing powder (unknown), pop dots (unknown), Martha Stewart checker board punch, EK Success concave punch

Happy Stamping!

Day 2 of 12 Days of Christmas

It's Day Two of the 12 Days of Christmas give-aways over on Paper Craft Planet.  Jessica is your host and she had made great card for your inspiration.  Here is her challenge:

Let's continue our awesome contest with another round -- Create a card with a bird or a turtle (or amphibian) on it. Load it into the photos area using the keyword/tag "12day2" (all lowercase) and you'll be entered to win a prize from The Cat's Pajamas -- the Element Christmas set. It's a GREAT prize! I can't wait to see what you make!

Here is the gallery for this challenge to inspire you!

Your card must be uploaded by midnight on Saturday, November 29, 2008, to be entered into the drawing.  Good luck!

Happy Stamping!

SK112908

It's Saturday and time to play with another sketch.  This one is mine!  It is the first time I have created a sketch using Photo Shop Elements.  It is fun!  I will have to do more, so I get better at it.  I hope you can play with us this week.  To get some inspiration, check out the gallery for this sketch.  

Once you create your card or project and upload it in your photos at Paper Craft Planet, make sure you put SK112908 in the tag section.  That way I can find it and add it to the sketch gallery for everyone to see.

Have fun!

Happy Stamping!

12 Days of Christmas

Starting this Friday, November 28th, we're having

12 DAYS OF CONTESTS

on Paper Craft Planet! Each day, one of our generous sponsors will give away something AMAZING -- all you have to do to play is make a card that goes with the theme and post it in the correct gallery. We will have one winner for each day! Feel free to play every day!

It's going to be a ROCKIN' holiday season!

Also on Paper Craft Planet, don't forget our Sketch Challenges on Saturdays.  My sketch is next!

Happy Stamping!

Got Neck

I got this cute little giraffe from Paper Works Company and had to make a card for my youngest son, Tanner.  Those of you who have been around Tanner know he loves necks.  Ever since he was born, he has held onto necks for comfort and to show his affection.  When I saw "Gordie the giraffe" I knew I had to make a card about necks.  Tanner's favorite animal is a giraffe too.  I am sure you can guess why.  Just think of all that neck to touch....LOL!

This little stamp is just one of the safari friends Paper Works Company has to play with.  Others I have are Lucas the lion and Harriet the hippo.  Oh, I am going to have fun!  These great stamps are rubber, but I just stick the stamp onto my acrylic block and I am ready to create.   

Here is Gordie close-up.  You can see how I stamped him onto the safari spotted pattern paper that I used in the background too.

I saw Christi from Blessings on Paper use the phrase below for her products used and I like it!   Christi, I hope you don't mind I am using it too!

Economy boosters (just doing my part):

Paper - Expedition Level 2, new england ivy cs, autumn terracotta cs, sunflower cs

Stamp sets - Gordie the giraffe (Paper Works Co.), Friendship Alphabet (CTMH)

Ink - Cocoa, chocolate distressing ink

Embellishments - chocolate eyelet, jute, sunflower bigger brads, chocolate waxy flax, chocolate grosgrain ribbon, pop dots, SU punch tag

Happy Stamping!

Amazing Grace

I wanted to wish those of you in the US a Happy Thanksgiving!  

Here is a fabulous video my friend, Cherie sent me.  Many people have taken advantage of the good weather and put their Christmas lights up already.  I haven't seen any this good yet!

Happy Stamping!

Kim

So Thankful

I have been lackadaisical about thanking those of you who have nominated me for blog awards.  I am truly thankful for your nominations and the fact you take the time to stop by my blog to see what I have been doing.  I hope all of you know that I am grateful for my blogging friends.  I started blogging about 1 1/2 years ago and am so glad to have such wonderful inspiration and friendships I never would have had.  SOOOOOOOOOOOO!  Here are the great awards from my wonderful blogging friends and a peek into their blogging world:

Just today, I received the award from Sankari at Sankari's Sunshine Corner.  She is a fellow design team member at Paper Craft Planet.  Sankari is a talented paper crafter and has challenges for you.  Check out her site and play along!

A Different Kind of Tag

The other day I was tagged by my friend, Jeanne at Creative Bliss.   Jeanne and I started blogging together, so she is a special blogging friend to me.  She is a card maker, digi scrapper, and so many other crafts.  Go see her and see what she has been up to these days!

Here are the rules of the tag: 
1. Get the book on your nightstand (or whatever book you are currently reading). 
2. Open it to page 56 and find the 5th sentence. 
3. Post the next couple of sentences on your blog, along with these instructions. 
4. Do not go and find your favorite book, it has to be the one you are reading now! 
5. Tag 5 other people to do the same.

Currently, I am reading A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket *The Reptile Room*.  I started reading this series, because I wanted to know if it was something my son, Tate, would like.  Well, I am glad I read it before him.  He isn't ready for this yet, because I think he would have nightmares about the children's misfortunes.  I told him he could read them when he is older.  Guess what?  He decided to sneak the first book and read a little of it...AND he had nightmares that night.  He hasn't touched it since.  When will our children realize, we know what is best for them?  LOL!  I know, I know...when they have their own.  Here is a snipet of the second book:

"And Sunny tried to bite the rope, but she had a cold chill of fear running through her teeth and she soon gave up.  She didn't even feel like playing with the Incredibly Deadly Viper.  So the Baudelaires spend the rest of the afternoon sitting silently in the Reptile Room, looking out the window for Uncle Monty's jeep and listening to the occasional noise from upstairs."

If you want to play along with this tag, post what you are reading on your blog.  It is interesting to see what people are reading and you just might inspire someone to pick up a book or read the book you are reading.

I received this award from Adela at Creations by AR.  She ROCKS!  Adela is a fellow design team member at Molly Stamps and Paper Craft Planet with me.  I am always amazed by her work.  She designs for other stamp companies too!  I love to see what she creates.  Her coloring is fantastic.  Check her out!

I was given this Kreativ Blogger Award by Walk on the Creative Side.  I have heard so many times that there is never an original thought.  I believed this, because I get my creative ideas from everyone and everything around me.  Check inkypuddles' blog out!  I love the name inkypuddles!

I hope I didn't forget anyone from the award list.  I have so many blogs I follow it would be embarassing to show you all of them.  I just can't seem to learn enough about paper crafting.  I AM AN ADDICT, but I don't want to go through an type of recovery!  LOL!

Happy Stamping!

Warm & Cozy Christmas

The snow hasn't fallen here in Nebraska yet, but I hear we are going to get our share this winter.  I just {heart} this stamp from the Warm & Cozy Christmas set from Gina K Designs.  My boys love going out side to play in the snow.  They can't wait for a big snow storm.  

I didn't have a lot of time to color, so I made this card monochromatic.  I wanted to use this set so badly that I thought of a way to ink up my stamp and play.  Don't think you always have to color your outline stamps in to use them.  

I stamped this cutie with white pigment ink on textured outdoor denim cardstock and built the card around him.  The swirled background paper is from a Serendipity paper pack promotion that CTMH offered this year.  I thought it went well with the snow theme.  

The sentiment reads, "Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas season!"  I added white rub-ons next to the sentiment and the tiny sparkles from the CTMH sparkles pack.  The little snowflakes are rub-ons from the Nature's Ambiance set too.  I am so glad CTMH sells rub-ons now.  I like how they come in white, chocolate and black in the same pack for only $9.95.  I think that is a great deal.  

The card itself is from the outdoor denim cardstock and the light blue paper is the reverse side of the textured cardstock.  I love how I can just use the other side of the paper to coordinate my colors.  Can you believe I broke out my eyelets?  I have so many of them and don't use them enough.  I finished the card with some white organdy ribbon with a touch of silver in it.  You can't see it from the picture, but the ribbon is really pretty.  I got it from Michaels.

I had questions about whether I like my Wii Fit.  YES, I DO!  I get to workout and play at the same time.  I used it for 1 1/2 hours the first day.  The first 1/2 I completed the strength exercises and some aerobics.  Then I played the balance games with my boys for about an hour.  My legs hurt so bad the next two days, I couldn't sit down without just falling in the chair.  I have kept up the strength exercises and aerobics almost every day.  If you are thinking about getting one, I give it THUMBS UP!

Happy Stamping!

Miss U

From all the cards I have posted with Today's Forecast and Quirky Alphabet from Molly Stamps, this is my sister's favorite.  She likes it, because she has two kids in college and she sends them a card every month.  These stamp sets are so much fun to play with.  I know I have said that before, and I am sure I will say it again.  I have another idea for Mr. Smiley, but I just haven't created it yet.

Recipe:

Card - 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored at 4 1/4 to make a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card (landscape)

Paper - Sarsaparilla Level 2 paper, Twilight cs, Barn Red cs, Black cs, White Daisy cs

Stamp sets - Today's Forecase and Quirky Alphabet from Molly Stamps

Ink - Twilight, Barn Red, Black

Markers - Barn Red

Embellishments - Blue crystal stickers, black hemp, EK Success concave punch, Houndstooth cuttlebug embossing folder, pop dots

Happy Stamping!

Going Google Reader

After many months of wondering why people subscribe to blogs through Google Reader, I have seen the light.  I emailed my friend, Jeanne, and asked her what she liked about it and decided I would try it.  I love Google Reader.  I can look at more blogs faster!  What could be better than that?

I just want you to know that I will be unsubscribing from blogs that I subscribe to via email.  I have been tracking my blogs both through Google Reader and email the last couple of days.  I am turning off all my email subscriptions tonight.  Do not think I don't want to follow what you are creating.  I have been watching you double time and now am getting rid of one way.

See you on Google Reader!

SK112208

It's Saturday and that means another sketch challenge at Paper Craft Planet.  Tammy created this great sketch for us to play with this week.  There are already so many wonderful cards for your inspiration in the sketch gallery.  Check it out!

Here is my take on the sketch.  I played with my nestabilities again.  I don't use these cutting dies enough.  Each time I get them out, I love how my image looks.  Since next week is Thanksgiving Day in the US, I thought I would make a card for my in-laws.  We are going there to celebrate and they always make such a delicious meal.  I better get on my Wii Fit this week for sure to work off some calories before the feast...LOL!

Materials used: 

Paper - CTMH - cocoa cs, olive cs, colonial white cs, Abundance pattern paper

Medium - prisma pencils, CTMH watercolor pencils

Ink - Memento rich cocoa, CTMH - buttercup, sunkiss yellow, sunflower, honey. olive

Marker - cocoa

Stamp sets - CTMH - Give Thanks, Say It In Sytle, SU - Leaves & Swirls jumbo wheel

Embellisments - CTMH - dimensional elements bookplates, autumn terracotta photo clip, cocoa ribbon, natural hemp, nature's ambiance rub-on, cocoa brads, Unknown - bling bought at Michaels

Tools - Large Scallop Classic Oval Nestabilities, SU photo corner punch, SU mat pack, paper piercer, sponge

Happy Stamping!

Sweet Christmas

Do you remember this little guy?  I made the liquid applique video tutorial and he was one of the pieces I showed you.  Well I didn't get rid of him.  I keep all these little projects in a drawer and look in there once in a while to see if I get some inspiration.  Mr. Gingerbread inspired me to make this card today.  Isn't he cute?

Materials used: Paper - Evensong Basic Collection, olive cs, cranberry cs, white daisy cs, Stamp set - Sweet Christmas (retired), Ink - cranberry, brown bag, white daisy, Marker - new england ivy, Embellishments - new england ivy brads, liquid applique, Holiday Collection ribbon rounds, snowflakes cuttlebug folder

I wanted to let you know if you are considering buying the Wii Fit, YOU SHOULD!  I got it today for my anniversary.  Yes, I picked it out!  I love it!  I have worked out on the strength training today and played a bunch of the balance games with my kids.  My legs hurt!  It is so much fun and it is working out at the same time.  

Happy Stamping!

Alleluia!

Today, I was thinking about what I should create when I came across my Gloria stamp set.  I was going to put it away when I saw this card base.  It already had the Evensong pattern paper and the cuttlebugged barn red and cranberry attached and I knew I had to stamp with the Gloria set I had in my hand.  

I remembered Marianne teaching us a technique with copic markers where you stamp the image on vellum and then color the back with markers.  I didn't have copic markers in these colors, so I used my CTMH markers to match the stained glass pattern paper from the Evensong Collection.  I ran the marker across, so I could put all four colors (sorbet, tulip, barn red and new england ivy) on the image.  I wanted it to have the rainbow of the colors in the background.  I really like how this turned out.   

All materials used are CTMH unless noted: Paper - Evensong Level 2, barn red cs, cranberry cs, sorbet cs, gold vellum, regular vellum (non-CTMH), colonial white cs; Stamp sets - Gloria, Romantic Backgrounds; Ink - black; Markers - sorbet, tulip, barn red, new england ivy; Embellishments - brass brads (non-CTMH), Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl, gold ribbon (non-CTMH)

Happy Stamping!

Wings on Things - Believe

Oh, how I wish you could see this card in person.  The picture does not do it justice.  The wings sparkle with prisma glitter and look so pretty.  The video today is filled with tips on how I made this card.  ENJOY!

Recipe:

Card base - White Daisy cs 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 - scored at 4 1/4 to make a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card

Paper - Paper Garden pattern paper (3 7/8 x 5 1/2), Blush cs (2 1/2 x 2 3/4), 

White Daisy cs 2 5/8 x 2 7/8)

Ink - White Daisy pigment ink, Petal ink, Staz On Opaque White ink

Stamp sets - Wings on Things: Big by Molly Stamps, Romantic Backgrounds by CTMH

Embellishments - White Daisy grosgrain ribbon, white pearl stickers, Just My Type Cuttebug folder, prisma glitter, clear craft plastic by Grafix, EK Success concave punch, EK Success corner rounder.

Happy Stamping!

Molly Monday

I am posting this on Monday, so that is why it is Molly Monday.  It seems like I post my Molly Stamps at the beginning of the week.  Hmmm!  Probably because when I got them, I started playing with Today's Forecast and Quirky Alphabet first and couldn't stop coming up with great card ideas.  I love these guys!

My sister, who is my biggest fan and critic, wants me to start using the other sets I got from Molly Stamps.  I played with Wings on Things: Big and Wings on Things: Small today, but I am not done with my card yet.  You will have to wait for another post.  BTW, go a little softer on my sister regarding the Silhouette paper pack.  LOL!  I told she was crazy when she told me she didn't like it.  This is the first paper pack, she hasn't wanted to buy.  She is my best customer and likes a lot of color..AND she likes everything I make with it, especially the last "Thanks for the Memories" card.

I always need thank you cards and since gratitude is our theme at Paper Craft Planet, I thought I would show you this thanks card.  I pop dotted Mr. Smiley on this one too.  Can you say I love pop dots?  After stamping the Quirky Alphabet in sweet leaf, I colored the letters in buttercup to match the Good Times pattern paper.  I used the same buttercup marker to color Mr. Smiley's face.  This card is 3 1/2 x 8 and the corners are rounded.  I hope this card makes the person receiving it smile!

Material used: Good Times paper pack, Sweet Leaft cs, White Daisy cs, Today's Forecast stamp set (Molly Stamps), Quirky Alphabet stamp set (Molly Stamps), Sweet Leaf ink, Buttercup ink, Chocolate ink, Buttercup marker, CTMH sparkles, pop dots.

Happy Stamping!

Sketch Challenge - SK111508

It is sketch challenge time at Paper Craft Planet and Wendy has created a great sketch for you.  Isn't it great?  Check out the gallery and see the great cards fellow card makers made for the challenge.  

Here is the card I was inspired to make using this sketch:

Happy Stamping!

Kim

Thanks for the Memories

Hello Stampers!  I don't have a video for you this week, because I am nursing a bad cold.  I just got my normal voice back today; however, I am still sniffing, sneezing and blowing my nose often.  I didn't think you wanted to her a video filled with those cold noises.  

I did get a chance to make another card for the gratitude theme at Paper Craft Planet.  Have you seen the gratitude gallery pack full of so much inspiration.  For this card, I was inspired by the foundry plate (CTMH) I painted with create a shade.  When I saw it, I knew I wanted to use the Silhouette pattern paper from CTMH.  

After arranging the paper and coordinating ribbon, I decided to use the new rub-ons from the Love Letters set.  If you haven't purchased any of these, you need to get your hands on them.  

I dresed the card up another notch with crystal pearl stickers on the ribbon and I used the Frills embossing borders from Cuttlebug.  I really liked how this turned out. 

My sister doesn't like this paper pack.  I know, I know...she is crazy like that.  I am trying to get her to cave and say she at least likes what I have done with it.  Do you like it, Connie?

Happy Stamping!

Gloria

Remember when I posted the pictures of a card I made for the CTMH card class I was teaching.  If not, click here to refresh your memory.  I didn't like those cards, so I scrapped that project and started over completely with the new Gloria set from CTMH.  This set is so pretty!  Here is one of the two cards I made for the training class.

I stamped the images in outdoor denim on white daisy cardstock and then spread create-a-shade over the images.  I wish you could see these in person, because they have a pearl sheen.  The create-a-shade pulled the outdoor denim ink to make the white daisy cardstock a shade of blue that matches the Aspen pattern paper, which is also a new paper from CTMH this fall.  I added prisma glitter to the angel's wings, halo and the star.  

This is the card we made at our last club meeting too.  The club members liked how the create-a-shade dresses up whatever it touches.  If you missed the create-a-shade video I made or just want to watch it again, click here.

Happy Stamping!

Hello Molly

I am still having fun with my Molly Stamps.  Here is another card I made with Today's Forecast stamp set.  This smiley guy to so cute!  He makes me happy just looking at him.  

I made the background on this card by embossing Mr. Smiley in black embossing powder on black cardstock.  Black on Black!  I really like how it turned out.  Then I embossed hello in black also.  The hello is from the Molly set Quirky Alphabet.  

I used sunflower, garden green, barn red and smokey plum inks to sponge across my sentiment, so it would match my pattern paper from the Enchanted series.  I finished the card with black bling!  I found the black bling around Halloween time and new it would come in handy.  The sentiment is popped out from the white daisy mat with pop dots.  My hubby liked this card the best out of the ones I have shown him.  Figures, since it has such masculine colors.  It is one of my favs too, because I love autumn colors.  

Happy Stamping!

Stellar Design Team

The word is out -- Paper Craft Planet is the place to be! If you haven't been there yet, what are you waiting for? Chances are, you'll see lots of familiar faces, tons of inspiration, chatting with people who have the same interests as you, have knowledge of upcoming releases and challenges! 

I wanted to introduce you to my fellow Design Team members and you can find there blogs on my sidebar under The Best Design Team in the Solar System.

Susanna Boyd

Adela Rossol

Melanie Muechinger

Lynn Mercurio

Wendy Price

Jen Tapler

Tammy Hershberger

Diana Gibbs

Erika Martin

Lori Tecler

Jessica Fick

Sankari Wegman

I am honored to be part of their team.  They are awesome paper crafters.  CHECK THEM OUT!

Happy Stamping!

SK110808

Every Saturday on Paper Craft Planet, we will be hosting a sketch challenge.  I should have posted this on Saturday; however, I was at an all day training event for Close To My Heart.  In the future, I will post the challenge on Saturday (whenever possible).  Here is the sketch design by Susanna Boyd:

Here is the card I made for this challenge:

I {heart} the Perfect Day Level 2 paper from CTMH.  The pattern paper is so pretty.  When I saw this paper I used for the background, I couldn't think of anything but a monochromatic card.  I used both sides of the great pattern paper for a soft background.  Then I stamped the coordinating stamp set, Life's Creations for the image.  I saw a tutorial last week on inking around your stamped image while it is still in the nestabilities die, so I tried it.  Love it!  It makes a perfect frame around the outer edge of the paper.

I added the sentiment from Life's Creation stamp set, ivory organdy ribbon, colonial white small spiral and the crystal stickers in the upper right corner.  I was going for a simple, but elegant card.  I hope you like it.

If you want to see the other projects made with the sketch this week at Paper Craft Planet click here.  After checking out the wonderful artwork, you should get out your supplies and play along, because you could win a prize.  Go to Susanna's blog and check out what you need to do to win.

Okay!  I said I would announce the winner of the blog candy give away today.  I put all the names on tickets for all the times you completed an item on the list.  My son, Tate, loves drawing names out of the basket.  We shook them up really goood!  Tate drew the name........Karen Wilson!

Congrats Karen!  Send your snail mail to stampfest@cox.net and I will get your candy packaged and ready to mail.

Happy Stamping!

Tutorial Time - Baby Wipes Technique

I have always wanted to try this technique and finally just did it!  Glad I did!  Love it!  You don't need to buy spectrum stamp pads any more with this technique.  There is no music...bummer!  I just don't like the royalty free music, so you will just have to listen to me.  ENJOY!

Recipe:

Card base - 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 - scored at 4 1/4 to make a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card

Paper - White Daisy cs (8 1/2 x 5 1/2 and 2 x 2), Barn Red cs (2 1/2 x 3 3/4), Goldrush cs (2 1/4 x 3 3/8)

Stamp set - Just Like You, Solo t

Reinkers - barn red, autumn terracotta, goldrush

Ink - buttercup, honey, chocolate

Embellishments - square window charm, autumn terracotta bigger brads, goldrush organdy, barn red sassy strands, goldrush small spiral

Check out Paper Craft Planet this weekend for our first sketch challenge!  AND....

Don't forgot to check out the blog candy here!

Happy Stamping!

Season of Gratitude

This time of season always makes me remember to be thankful for all the blessings I have in my life, so you will be seeing gratitude projects from me this month.  In addition, Paper Craft Planet will be featuring a theme each month and this month is Gratitude.  If you want to see more gratitude inspiration, visit the Paper Craft Gallery here and you will see a gratitude album.

I purchased one of the new Cuttlebug embossing borders Just My Type.  These are strips that you can put anywhere on your card, so you can emboss right on your card.  Yippee!  I used the dots border and then used the swiss dots folder to emboss the sorbet cardstock under my image.  I {heart} my embossing folders!  

Here is the rest of the card recipe:

paper - Perfect Day Level 2 paper pack, sorbet cs, tulip cs, cocoa cs, colonial white cs

stamp set - Victorian Snowflake (Gratitude sentiment)

ink - sorbet, juniper

embellishments - Perfect Day My Stickease (main image), pop dots, EK concave punch, small oval punch, large oval punch, crystal stickers, ivory organdy ribbon


Don't forget to check out the blog candy here!

Happy Stamping!

Love in the Air

This stamp is another great image from Today's Forecast at Molly Stamps.  My anniversary is this month, so I made a card for my DH.  Ssh!  Don't tell him!  I stamped the Smitten sentiment on a fresh elements chipboard heart from CMTH.  The background paper is from the Just Chillin' paper pack from CTMH retiring at the end of this year.  

Three of the love smitten faces are stamped in white daisy pigment ink, punch out and adhered to the card with pop dots.  I love how you can see the shadow to the left of them.  The color combo is vineyard berry, ocean, white daisy.  The four blue elements in the corners are crystal stickers.

If you haven't checked out this stamp set yet, you should.  The six faces are so versatile for your card making and scrapbooking projects.

Don't forget to check out my post below for Paper Craft Planet and blog candy!

Happy Stamping!