Double Take Friday - Cosmo Cricket

Hello Everyone,

Beth and I decided to have DT on Friday this week, as we have both been busy, and I have been sick, so we missed a week. Things are getting back to normal, so here we are with a challenge! Beth challenged me to use Cosmo Cricket papers! I was so excited as I just love their papers! They have one line that I just hoard, WANTED. So, I decided to pull out my cowboy/cowgirl stamps and make a couple cards this time! I had a blast with this weeks challenge! I wanted the cards to be a bit grundgy looking, keeping a real western theme. So many times I wanted to start over again cause it didn't look perfect, but I was determined not to let it get to me! A bit to much ink in one spot, a dot of ink here, a print of ink there....lol...relax Kim....lol...that is what I kept saying to myself!

Please be sure to stop by Beth's blog to see her gorgeous creation!! And, she also has awesome tutorials on her blog, check it out!

Anyway, all the stamps for these cards are from Rubber Stamp Avenue. They have a delicious selection of stamps. I used Cosmo Cricket papers, charms are from Frost Creek, and I even threw in some hemp cord. On the bottom card, I punched holes and sewed the hemp thru the card, and added quite a few teeny brads. I used the new Tim Holtz ruler, and it is amazing! Everything lines up so nicely when you are able to use all the grids that are on the ruler. And the holes, tons of them....at 1/8" apart. So you have alot more choice when decided how close or how far apart to space your brads! I just can't say enough about this ruler, and the price is fantastic!

Well, thanks for dropping by today!

:)
Kim

Quietfire Guest Designer for February

I know I shared with you my excitement when Suzanne from Quietfire Design asked me to be Guest Designer for the month of February. Today the newsletter was released and I wanted to share a link to it! If you scroll close to the bottom you will see my project, just click on the picture and it will take you to the directions! Plus all each member of the Design Team has a beautiful project in the newsletter with full directions, so if you have time, stop by and have a look!

Quietfire Design February Newsletter

All stamps used for the box and card are from Quietfire Design

I was inspired to try something new because of one of blogs I visit all the time, Sharon, from No Time to Stamp! Please do go have a look, she does AMAZING work! I went and bought the book she was talking about, and have been trying a few different things! Thanks for the great tip on the book, and for the inspiration we all get from your work!

I have been sick for a few days and will probably be off for the rest of the week. I have a nasty sinus infection, and infection in my lungs, all started from a simple head cold? Urgh...what can you do! I will rest lots and hopefully create while I am off as well. Stamping relaxes and calms me!

Thanks for stopping by today!

:)
Kim

Created Byhand Challenge - Glossy Paper

Afternoon Everyone!

This weeks challenge at Created Byhand is to use glossy paper on a card. The glossy on my card is the Stampsmith Photostamp, she is stamped on glossy paper with Ancient Page black ink. I think painted the image in softly with Zig Photo Markers and a watercolour brush. After that, I stippled Tim Holtz Distress inks over top, then darker around the edges of the image, hoping to give it more of an aged look. All other stamps used are from Quietfire Design. Suzannes stamps are just GORGEOUS, and such a treat to use! I also used swarovski crystals in the corners of the sentiment panel, but I couldn't seem to pick up the beautiful sparkle of them.

Thank you for the challenge ladies! That was fun!

:)

Kim

Picture of my Sons

Evening Everyone!

Tonight I wanted to share a picture of my boys with you. I don't often post personal pictures, but I have a weakness when it comes to my sons! lol Shawn is on the left with Wendy and Mike is on the right with his g/f Debra. Aren't they a great looking bunch? I think so...lol...but I am a bit biased! lol

I do have a few things to post, but I have to wait until they come out in the newsletter from Quietfire Design before I put them on my blog. I think it's tonight or tomorrow, then I can post everything!

Have a great evening Everyone!

:)
Kim

Last Tuesdays Byhand Challenge

Morning Everyone,

I have finally gotten a picture taken of my House card for the Byhand Challenge. My battery died in my camera, and I was running behind schedule. Sorry it's so late! :)

All the stamps used on this are from Quietfire Design, except for the photo stamp of the young boy and dog, that is from The Stampsmith. I tried something I haven't tried before and that is the Maya Road sheer flowers. I just rubbed some pigment ink on them, put some embossing powder on, and I had flowers to match my project! I would highly recommend them!

The template is also available at the Byhand Challenge site, so go check it out and maybe build yourself a house!

Thanks for dropping by!

Kim

Award from Jennifer...

It was a real honour to find out that Jennifer gave me this blog award! Jennifer is one of the sweetest, talented and most encouraging people I have ever known. Please stop by her blog Thimbles, bobbins, paper and ink to see her gorgeous work! I know she already received this award, but if she could have another, I would award her with it again! Thank you again Jennifer, you are a sweetheart!

According to the rules I will now pass on the blog of excellence award to the following people who's blogs I find outstanding and EXCELLENT:

http://blog.papermonkey.org/ - Suzy

http://artsbyflowers.blogspot.com/ - Holly

http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/ - Sharon

http://manicstamper.blogspot.com/ - Sheila

You know what, I would love to award this to everyone whose blog I link to. I stop at every one of their blogs daily and drool over their beautiful designs. So if you are listed in my inspiring artist on the right hand side, please consider yourself awarded!! It would just take me too long this morning to post each and everyone in this post! Work really gets in the way of my stamping and blogging! lol

Thank you for the inspiration ladies, and thank you for this very special award Jennifer!!!!

:)
Kim

Double Take Thursday!!

Hi Everyone!

Today for our Thursday Double Take, I challenged Beth to make an extra special Valentines card with bling. It only seemed fitting as it's Valentines Day today! I started out making a totally different card, and it just didn't seem to work for me, so I decided to do a vintage photo stamp card! There is bling, but it's a bit more subtle that I had in mind when I issued the challenge! Oh well, what can you do! lol

The main image is from Stampsmith, there is a link on the right hand side of my blog to Estelle's gorgeous stamps! The rest of the images are from Inkadinkado. They have such a wonderful selection of stamps...I want them ALL though! lol I used a wider ribbon and a ribbon charm on this card as well as some beautiful brads from K & Co. The patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket, I can't wait to see all their new papers in person! lol

Please be sure to stop by and check out Beth's challenge card! I am on my way there now...I know it's going to be gorgeous!

Thank you for dropping by today, and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!
:)
Kim

Created Byhand Challenge

Evening!

I am late in getting the Created Byhand challenge done, but my printer wouldn't work, so I had to get someone else to print out the collage image for me (thank you Deborah)! The challenge this week was to use the free clip art image from Quietfire Design, and use it on a project. I also used all Quietfire Design stamps on this card. They are so gorgeous, check out those flourishes!! And the verses are so thought provoking....Suzanne's calligraphy is simply beautiful!

Sorry about my photo, I couldn't seem to get the words to show well, they are silver embossed.

Thank you for stopping by!!

:)
Kim

Double Take Thursday!

Todays challenge from Beth was to use Buttons on a card...yikes....that was a huge challenge for me! It took me forever to figure out what I was going to do, but I finally found a stamp that would go perfectly! The image and saying is from Creative Chaos. Paper is from Junkitz that I have had forever! I used a bit of distress inks on the image to give it a bit of colour.

I haven't been over to Beth's blog yet, but I am heading right over to see her card, I know it's going to be beautiful!! Why don't you pop over there too if you have a chance!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
:)
Kim

Valentines Cards

Hi everyone!

Today I have a couple cards to show. One is stamping on acetate, and the other is using non-traditional colours on a valentines card.

The first card is done using Basic Grey Pheobe papers available at Embellish-It, sentiment from Quietfire Design, and the heart stamp is from My Favorite Things. I stamped and embossed with versamark, then Moss Green embossing powder from Artful Stamper. I used a swarovski crystal in the center of the heart, and on the four corners, just for a bit of bling. I like the way this card turned out....and they are colours I don't really use much! lol

The second card is using Basic Grey Two Scoops paper, Basic Grey Swirlies and Sweet Sentiments, all available at Embellish-It. The stamp is done on acetate using pink Stazon ink. I was surprised how fast this dried! But, I think I pressed to hard on the acetate because it seems a bit of the ink came off? I will try some more and see what happens. The image is from Inkadinkado, and I think it's just so cute! I stamped with Java Brilliance, then embossed with ice diamonds embossing powder, so it's quite sparkly. I coloured a bit with Copic Markers. I also used a Martha Stewart border punch for the bottom of the card. I know this one is pink...but it's a Valentine card...lol...any excuse will do!

I know these cards aren't my typical style, it's fun though to try something different!

Stop by tomorrow and see what the Double Take Thursday challenge is!!

Thanks for dropping by, and have a great day!
:)
Kim

Double Take Thursdays & Exciting News!

Morning Everyone,

I challenged Beth this week to use only Black and White on a card. There were a couple of reasons I challenged Beth to Black and White. I needed to issue a challenge, and I was asked by Suzanne of Quietfire Design to be a Guest Designer for the month of February! I was so excited and honoured to be asked! Quietfire has a weekly challenge and this week it's to use B & W on your art. So this card is for Double Take Thursdays, as well as the Created Byhand Challenge! Please be sure to check out Beth's Blog, Sunflowers and Dragonflies, to see her beautiful creation for this week!

I have to say I just LOVE the stamps from Quietfire Design. This card uses the flourish and sentiment from there. The calligraphy stamps are incredibly beautiful, as well as all the others! Ahhh....I am in heaven using these stamps!! Thank you so much Suzanne for this wonderful opportunity!!

I will be back later to post some more cards!! Have to get busy creating!!

Have a wonderful day everyone!
:)
Kim

My Valentine

Today I made myself do something I haven't done for a long time now. Make a card using a photostamp. I really do love the vintage look of the photostamps, but I was feeling a bit in a rut lately, and was scared to even attempt it! I have been making alot of cuter and happy feeling cards, and not so many of the darker collagey type cards, must really just be my mood lately! I just want something that makes me smile. Anyway, once I started making this card, I had a blast. The main image is from Stampsmith, and all other stamps are from Basic Grey, Swirlies, and Sweet Sentiments (clear stamps), and they are available at Embellish-It. The background paper is Cosmo Cricket. I am going to upload an extra photo, so you can see the detail of the card. The my love stamp from Basic Grey fit perfectly into the center of the ribbon charm! I can't believe I actually took these pictures, they aren't bad? lol...My camera and I really are becoming friends.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful evening!
:)
Kim

Sole Sisters

Hi there!

I just got these stamps from Stamping Bella, and had to ink them up! The shoes are embossed with black on Basic Grey two scoops paper, then coloured in with Copic markers. After I coloured in the hearts, I used a clear glaze pen so the hearts would stand out a bit more. It's a chick card for sure...lol...and YES, it's pink! lol...but it's also yellow, a colour I NEVER use! So it was a challenge for me. The Basic Grey papers are available at Embellish-It.

Thanks for stopping by!

:)
Kim

Double-Take Thursdays are back!

Afternoon everyone!

Beth and I decided to resume our Double-Take Thursdays! Beth challenged me to use a Bella stamp on this card. I have so many of them, and they rarely see ink, so I was so excited about this challenge! For my card I decided to use one of the newer Bella's called Saavyshoppingbella. I stamped and embossed her, then coloured her in with copics. I used my Creative Memories Oval Cutter to do the ovals, and added some spica glitter in a few places, but it didn't show up well in my picture. I also cut a slit in a couple of the bags and put ribbon in, so it would look like tissue. The saying is from TAC. Patterned paper is from Basic Grey, Two Scoops. The base card was stamped with versamark and one of the new sets of Basic Grey Two Scoops stamps! The Two Scoops products are available at Embellish-It, thanks Barb!!!

Thank you again Beth for the wonderful challenge! You can check Beth's blog for her challenge card!

Did you notice that there is no PINK or PURPLE on this card?? lol

Have a great day!
:)
Kim

PS....I also used this card in a contest posted at Tracy's Happy Place, check it out, some awesome blog candy over at Tracy's Blog!

Blog Bling Winner

Oh my, I sure wish I had blog bling to send to everyone. Some of your "gifts" made me cry. Christmas really is a special time of year isn't it? Last night instead of using a random # generator, I wrote out everyones names, and thru them in a bucket and had hubby draw one name. I was going to take a pic, but he said NO WAY!! lol..He doesn't want his pic online! I said COME ON, just your hands? But still no go! lol...Anyway, the name he picked is:

Kraftin' Kimmmie!

Congratulations Kimmie! Please email me your snail mail address so I can get this Bling out to you! The email button is on the right hand side of my blog.

I will have another Blog Bling contest soon! Thank you everyone for playing and for the very touching comments you all made.

:)
Kim

Baby, it's cold outside!

Well, actually it's nice and rather warm here for this time of year! We had a nasty thunderstorm last night, in January? Strange for Halifax! Oh well, it is what it is! lol...I saw this set at the local SS and had to have it! It is made by Serendipity Stamps. It came mounted on cling and was a great deal as well! I am loving the penguins...

I made this card for a theme called Baby it's cold outside at Embellish-It. If you haven't been there before, please go check out the forums and gallery! OMGosh, some of the most talented ladies are posting their GORGEOUS work over there....and the shopping is great too! LOL

The image was coloured in with copic and prismacolour markers, and embossed with black. I used my coppernob imp score board to do the dry embossing around the edges, what fun that was! And a center ruler to place the brads...gotta love that tool! lol Oh, almost forgot, used the Cuttlebug and die for the snowflakes!

Have a great day everyone!
:)
Kim

Impression Obsession Flourish Heart

Afternoon!

I can't seem to get enough of Impression Obsession stamps! They are just so delicate and beautiful! This is a flourish heart that came out last year and Leigh Hannan is the designer. If you haven't checked IO out lately, you really should! They have some gorgeous stamps, and their new releases are truly going to make me BROKE! lol

Here are a couple cards that I made yesterday using the flourish heart. Pretty basic cards, just stamped, embossed, layered and added embellishments. Not sure yet about the blue card, the ribbon seems kinda big, but I didn't have anything that came close to matching, so it's staying like that now! lol

Thanks for stopping by!
:)
Kim

I'm Back & Blog Bling

Sorry, Blog Bling contest is now closed! Thank you to everyone who particpated!
Morning Everyone!

It sure is nice to be back home again! We actually got home last Thursday, but I got some kind of infection in my left eye, that spread into the nerves on the left side of my face, and I wasn't able to do much of anything. I have been going to the hospital every day for iv antibiotics and the swelling has gone down considerably, and I am starting to feel better, so I am hoping to do some stamping! I don't go back to work now til Monday so I have a few days to play!

We had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you all did as well. Happy New Year to everyone!! My husband spoiled me as usual, and he gave me an iPod Nano, and a portable light studio for taking pictures of my cards! He gave me a bunch of other things as well, but those 2 are my favorites!

Did you get something really special for Christmas? Tell me about it! If you leave a comment on this post, telling me about your favorite Christmas gift this year, I will do a draw on Sunday night (Jan. 13th) and send out some Blog Bling to one lucky person! Here is what the winner will receive in the mail from me:

1 - Basic Grey Acrylic Stamp Set - Santa Baby
1 - Hero Arts Acrylic Stamp Set - Letter C ( Big Letter C, create, swirls, flower..etc.)
1 - Package of Karen Foster Wood Signs - Santa
2 - Packages of Hero Arts Gemstones - Snowflakes
1 - Sentiment Box for you to do from Melissa Francis - Love Potion
1 - Package of Metal Index Tabs from Making Memories

Good Luck everyone, and it's great to be back!!!
:)
Kim

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Good Morning,

I just wanted to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! It is such a busy time of year, and we often get to busy to enjoy the simple things in life. So, I hope you can all slow down a bit, and just enjoy this special time of year with your loved ones!

We are enjoying our stay in Sudbury, with our family and friends! Lots of visiting, eating (yikes) and some drinking (not me, I am the designated driver...lol). It is amazing how things can change in a matter of 2 years, since we were last back home! All the kids are growing up, the city is building up, but somethings don't change at all, like sitting at home and playing cards with the in-laws! I am loving our stay, but have to admit I am looking forward to going home and settling back into "real life" again! lol I am missing my stamping.....I am so bad! lol

Well, I won't keep you long here....
Have a Merry Christmas, and all the Very Best to you in 2008!
:)
Kim

Away for the Holidays!

Morning Everyone!

We safely made it to Sudbury and are having a nice time catching up with family and friends! We weren't sure we would have internet connection where we are staying, but we do!! Yeah!! I can't imagine going 3 weeks without being online at all! lol....I hope you are all week and are all ready for Christmas! We have a bit more shopping to do, then we can sit back and relax.

Must run, but have a wonderful day!!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Kim