I'm Here For You

Another simple single layer card for you this weekend. Nothing fancy, just playing around with simplicity. 

I love this sentiment. Simple and to the point. And I think people need to hear it often. What a blessing we can be in each others lives. I hope your day is going well and that you feel loved.

Thank you for stopping by. Each day I am reminded that without each other, life is pretty darned empty, so thank you for the part you play in my life!! 

loves~

k

Deets: All Papertrey Ink unless noted

Stamps: Floral Fusion 

Ink: Sweet Blush, Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate

Paper: Kraft

Accessories: Vintage Button, Glitter (by Stampendous), Chocolate Chip Pen by SU!

CHA Photos!!!

Ok, so I am totally lame because I didn't take any picture of product or full booths, I only took pictures of my Stamping Idols and even then, I missed a few. But here are some of the lovely ladies I got to meet while I was there, and let me tell you, they are just as wonderful as they look and then some!!

I spent a lot of my time at the Papertrey Ink booth. They had fabulous make-n-takes and of course the company just couldn't be beat. It's the only reason why I went to the show in the first place (that and to get some R&R from the kidlins). I got to meet and talk to the uber-talented and ever brilliant mind behind Papertrey Ink. Nicole Heady:

Isn't she lovely? She is young and smart and so so kind. Thank you Nicole for chatting with me and for the wonderful product you produce each month! I remember getting into stamping a bit a few years ago and thinking I might try it out for awhile, but when I found PTI, the passion and desire to stamp 24/7 shot through me like a knife. The quality and design of these products are top notch and they never disappoint. It's fresh, modern, cute, and fun all rolled into one. There is a bit of everything to meet your style but its always clean and professional so you look like a stamping rock star when you send out a card. Now that is something I can get behind!! Stamping has been a pure joy and blessing in my life ever since and in so many ways, so I do really owe a lot to this lady. Thank you Thank you!~

And who could forget the other PTI ladies that were there? Color guru and celebrity stamper Dawn McVey:

Holy cow is she sweet!!! I was so excited to meet her. I am amazed that all that talent comes out of one brain. Truly Amazing!  She is everywhere in the crafting world and SO SO talented that I am sure you have seen her blog and spied her face in the stamping mags (and if not, here's HER LINK). Thanks Dawn for the chat, it was such a joy!  

Next up is the brilliant Heather Nicholes. It's been said she is a wiz with Kraft paper and white ink. And yes, she certainly is that. But she also has this amazing earthy but sweet design ability and she too is so nice and normal and really down to earth. (and honestly can I stop gushing??) She was willing to take a moment from working the make-and-take table to take a pic and chat a bit. Thanks Pine!! I look forward to your new set release this month!

The last picture I have, but definitely not least is Debbie Olson:

I actually had a pic of us together, but we had our eyes closed, so I thought we would save that picture for the trash can! But as you can see we got to chat. I think hers was the first blog I came across that dropped my jaw to the floor. From then I found all the other amazing PTI DT and the rest is stamping history. You can see from this picture that I have stars in my eyes, which is totally embarrassing, but I was so glad to get to talk with her. She is absolutely lovely and puts in a lot of time to her blog and family. I know she doesn't sleep much, but boy do I love seeing her creations! It was wonderful to get to know her a bit.

Ok. Onto the other amazing designer that I got to meet there, but for some reason didn't get a picture! (what is wrong with me??) She was so busy working the table, that I think I didn't want to interrupt her. But it was none other than Michelle Wooderson. She is queen of this hip vintage vibe that is so great and you know she too is kind and did I say amazing?! Really I think PTI got all the good ones tied up on their Design Team. Way to go!

And can you believe I got to chat briefly with my fellow 365 Card DT member Vicky Cook!?!?! It was SO great to meet her and can you believe I totally spaced taking a picture!? Man was I ticked when I realized that. I looked for her for the rest of the time and never did connect with her again. The funny thing is she doesn't live more than a half hour or so from me. You would think I would just drive to her house to get a picture, but I am pretty sure she would think I was psycho, which I never want to give away too quickly ; ) She was sweet and delightful and has such a pretty and contagious smile. It was fun to meet her face to face. Thanks for saying hi Vicky!!

I had a wonderful time at CHA. Got a lot of good stuff, met a lot of fabulous people and above all got to go with my own mother! It was so so delightful to get away and share together something we both love so much. Thank you mom for being my traveling companion, stamping enthusiast and greatest cheerleader. I love you!!

Ok.. now for the serious news. If you have actually made it this far in my post, you are a complete rock star. Seriously. I just wanted to tell you a little secret I have been keeping for a while. As much as I wish it was me joining another design team or making it into a magazine, alas it is not. But what you can expect from me in 6 months time is giving birth to baby #3. Yes it is crazy and actually not the best timing (thats a different story altogether!) but it is a blessing and we are excited to welcome our new little one into the nest. I am finally out of the first trimester. Not feeling sick or tired as much even though I do have some wicked heart burn. Things are going well but bear with me if I seem spacey and forgetful, that seems to happen a lot to me when I'm in this altered state. I will still be here making cards, even if the majority are baby ones ; )

Alrighty that is all the news for now. You would think for all that talking, there would be more pictures. HA! Keep stopping by. I will have my card for 365 Cards Sketchy Sunday (uh, on sunday) and next week is Art Glitter week, so definitely stay tuned for that and have a great night!!!

loves

k

 

Distressed Postcard

I picked up a package of postcards from Michael's awhile back. I was really excited to use them and then let them sit, for months. I'm not proud of how I am, but I'm not scared of sharing the truth, and this IS what happened ; ) It all finally came together for me when I added to my distress ink collection at CHA. Here is what I did:

I started with some Tim Holtz masks. They are clear plastic and sticky on one side. I laid those down first and then blended 4 different Tim Holtz distress inks over top. After peeling up the masks, I stamped over the entire card with Background Basics: Text Boxed in Dark Chocolate (not fully inked) and then some Polka Dot Basics II by Papertrey Ink with more distress ink. I only did polka dots on the left side. I added some nifty vintage stamps I got from my sister-in-law, (I have no idea the company), and then added my sentiments by Ali Edwards. I honestly love THIS set!  I threw on some glitter while the polka dots were still drying to add a little somethin' somethin'. I'm pretty sure you can't see that part ; )

Ok, so the back is printed just like a postcard. A small square for postage and a line down the middle to separate the message from the address. I love the idea of sending postcards, just randomly to anyone. You never know, you may get one of these in the mail, so keep your eyes peeled. I also love that it didn't take me an entire night to make it up. It came together really fast! So what do you think??

Thanks for stopping by today. You make me smile!!

k

Deets:

Stamps: Loving Words by Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday, Polka Dot Basics II, Background Basics: Text Boxed by Papertrey Ink, Vintage Stamps (company unknown)

Ink: Shabby Shutters, Broken China, Tea Dye, Scattered Straw Distress Inks by Tim Holtz, Jet Black by StazOn, Dark Chocolate by Papertrey Ink

Paper: Postcard

Accessories: Glitter

In Bloom

One of the new Papertrey Ink sets I got from CHA. I wanted a simple one layer card that could be easily reproduced. I thought I had succeeded and then I added some coloring with pencil and a gel pen:

It's hard to see, but I used a Gelly Roll Glitter Star pen to color in the petals. They are SO fun to use. I think I will go through it pretty fast because it rocks. You can click to enlarge the photo to hopefully see the glitter better.

I still have a lot of things I want to play with and show you, but if today is any indication, it sure is gonna be hard to get all these fun things done! So far the laundry is more than I can manage. The floor hasn't seen a vacuum in ages, and I am potty training as well. boy oh boy am I a glutton for punishment. Luckily the boys have been sweet and mellow all day so at least I am not doing time out as well.

Ok. I promise to get my CHA pictures up today or tomorrow and get my craft on tonight so I have a card to show you tomorrow. Plus don't forget Art Glitter week next week over at 365 Cards. 

loves

k

Deets:

Stamps: In Bloom by PTI

Ink: Basic Black and Pink Passion by SU!

Paper: Kraft by PTI

Accessories: Glitter Star Gelly Roll Pen

365 Cards: What's Your Sign?

Happy Wednesday my friends! I am finally home from my trip. My mother leaves today and we have been trying to craft up a storm, but you know there is just SO much chatting to do! Here is my card for todays 365 Card Challenge:

The challenge is to make a sign for your card (or make it your card!). I know, I know... it's no longer really summer. We are maybe closer to saying goodbye than hello but I really wanted to make this sign. I used some of my new goodies I got at CHA. Nothing that is new on the market, but it is new in my stash so it was fun!
This sign is made of grunge paper by Tim Holtz. It is kinda leathery and not like paper at all. I stamped on it and then used distress inks to give it some color. I also used some sponging for the grass too. I have these flowers that I stamped onto some white paper YEARS ago. Its a SU! set, that was never mine and I don't even know which friend it belonged to. We used to get together and we would stamp each others sets so we had them in our stash. Well it feels good to finally use them!

Ok. That is it for today. I have lots of fun sets to show you this week, and be sure to stay with us for next weeks sponsor Art Glitter. I can't wait to have my house in a flurry of glitter!! 

Thanks for stopping in!

loves

k

Deets:

Stamps: Hero Arts Clouds, Kim Hughes Summer Trees, Sassafras Lass Vintage Frames

Ink: Tim Holtz Perfect Medium, SU! Basic Black

Paper: Papertrey Ink Stampers White, Tim Holtz Grunge Paper

Accessories: SU! Earth Elements Markers, Gelly Roll Glitter Stars Pen

Button Bits: Trees

Hi there! It's tuesday and my laundry is a big messy pile. I barely have food in the fridge BUT I did have time to craft! This is a set I picked up at the Papertrey Ink booth at CHA. It's called Button Bits. It's so fun to use because you replace the circles of the images with buttons. Which actually is a lot harder than it seems. I searched for these buttons for a long time, and still feel they are not quite right.

In fact I am just plumb out of practice with this craftin' stuff! I need to get back into the swing of it all. I hope to try a lot of new things this week. I had a wonderful time at CHA and will share some photos soon. 

How are things with you this week??? I have been missing my online friends and am glad to be back home where I can check my computer often. Hope all is well with you this week!

loves

k

Deets: All are Papertrey Ink unless noted

Stamps:  Button Bits

Ink:  Dark Chocolate

Paper: Hibiscus Burst, Lemon Tart, Spring Moss, Stampers White

Accessories: Vintage Buttons, American Craft Brown Ribbon, SU! Scallop Line Punch

365 Cards: Sketchy Sunday Aug 2

It's Sunday again! This was set to post since I should be on a plane right now coming home from Florida. Sketchy Sunday 365 Cards Style! I really enjoyed playing with Pam's sketch. I hope you do to! Here it is:

Here is my take:
Once again I flipped the image. I pulled out some cork and stamped on it. Then ran it through my CuttleBug with a die cut circle. I added some scored lines around the cream edges and my fav. buttons!! Pretty straight forward. I hope you like it! I will be back in full swing (hopefully) this week. My mother and niece will be staying for a few days, but I hope to be crafting with some of my new CHA goodies. So stay tuned for that!

Have a wonderful day!

k

Deets:

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro, Friends Til The End by PTI

Ink: SU! Basic Black, Hero Arts Soft Pool, PTI New Leaf

Paper: Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist, Spring Moss.

Accessories: PTI Buttons, Cork Paper, Score-It Mini