Sincere Sympathy

Just found out my childhood neighbors lost a very dear companion this week. Their beloved Golden Retriever, Blaze, of eight years passed very unexpectedly. I'm in shock as I just saw him this weekend jumping around and enjoying his family. My heart aches for them as I know what it is like to have that unconditional love and to lose 'mans best friend'. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a pet knows what I'm saying. Sorry to not be in brighter spirits, I hope you can accept that I'm not giving you the detailed rundown of this card, but here is the recipe:

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks
Ink: Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke
Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Hodgepodge Hardware Flower slide, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad (minus the brad), Clear Embossing Powder (sentiment), non-SU Ribbon

For now, go kreate
Kim

Mini Purse

Isn't this adorable? Are you ready... this is an Altoid tin, turned the cutest mini purse ever!! Need the perfect purse to go with an outfit, kreate one :)
This little purse will hold gift cards, business cards, wallet photos, lipstick, 4 pk of Crayons, some tissues, shall I keep going? This would be great as favors too. I chose to decorate my tin with Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper, but you could also take any coordinating cardstock and stamp your own design (that will be my next one). I also used Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, of which, the handles were given some extra pizazz with my White Signo Gel pen. Not only is the outside of this purse adorable, you won't be disappointed when you open it up either. The inside is just as cute :)

Love it :) Do you?

For now, go kreate
Kim

A Blog Award

A fellow blogger that had stumbled upon my blog, Just Judy and her Stamps, nominated me for this award! I'm so honored, thank you, Judy! So very thoughtful of you and I'm so glad you enjoy my blog! Now to nominate 7 other wonderful blog creators. It's going to be difficult to narrow it down to only 7, though! Well, here goes... Go check out these awesome ladies, they are sure to inspire you!

These are the rules for accepting the "I (Heart) Your Blog" award:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from (see the link above)
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4. Put links of those blogs on yours
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you have nominated.

These are the well deserving ladies who I am awarding this "I (heart) Your Blog" to:

1. Kris at Kween Bee Kreations
2. Tiffany at Tiffanys CardTique
3. Mary at Stampin Pretty
4. Tara at Stampalicious
5. Kelly at Girls Just Want to have Stamps
6. Beckie at Ladystamper
7. Lynn at The Queens Scene

Have fun!

Happy Harvest

I'm not happy about it, but Fall is upon us! I do enjoy fall, but it just means summer is over and I'm very much a summer girl!! Anyway, I chose to do this weeks sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers (SC190) and I challenged myself to try using Tangerine Tango again. Orange just screams fall to me. Last post I tried real hard not to be pulled in that direction, but instead I got a reminder of a NY baseball team. Ah well, I used my Coluzzle to cut my Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip circles. I placed some Tangerine Tango Punched Large Ovals to kreate my pumpkin and a Kiwi Kiss stem and leaf outlined with an Always Artichoke Marker. I inked out my leaves, from a retired (sorry) set Give Thanks, in Chocolate Chip and stamped them onto More Mustard, Riding Hood Red and Really Rust and then used my Paper Snips (scissors) to delicately cut them out and layer them below my pumpkin. I randomly stamped those same leaves on the Tangerine Tango, 4 1/4" square card base, again in Chocolate Chip. The diagonal banner was made with 2 pieces of 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon with the Tangerine Tango base 'peeking' between the ribbons. My circles and images were popped up on dimensionals over my card base. The sentiment from Loads of Love set was inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped onto a Tag punched Tangerine Tango layered on a Chocolate Chip tag, then tied with Linen Thread around my pumpkin stem. I feel a bit better with my use of Tangerine Tango this time and have slightly redeemed myself from my previous post (EEEK). Let me know what ya think! Thanks for the visit

For now, go kreate
Kim

Hey Mets Fans...

Well, if you are a NY Mets fan, you'll love this color combo. :) I was playing around with the New In Colors and I have yet to touch Tangerine Tango. So it was time. I laid Pacific Point and Whisper White next to it and I thought it looked like an OK combo. But after finishing, its NOT my favorite combo- sorry Mets fans (could be cause I'm Not a huge orange fan). But I thought I'd share with you anyway. I used my Coluzzle to pop up my half circle at the top of my card. Tangerine Tango was Scallop Punched and placed in the middle of my circle and my Pacific Point butterfly, from the Priceless set, was set on dimensionals. I inked 2 more butterflies in Pacific Point and gave them a 'flight path' with a Whisper White flourish, again from Priceless, shadowed by a Pacific Point flourish. I used the same 'shadowing' technique with my sentiment. The bottom piece of Tangerine Tango is embossed the ol fashion way with light box and Priceless Stencil (flower). Unfortunately this picture doesn't show the embossed images well, but it is pretty. (if you click on the image to enlarge, you may see the detail a bit better) The edges are decorated using the new Scallop Edge Punch and a White Signo Gel pen finished off the top with alittle faux stitching and some highlighting. What do ya think? Definitely not my normal card, but its good to go out of comfort zone every once in awhile, right????

For now, go kreate,

Kim

Diaper Fold Pouches

A little diaper fold and voila, a pouch. These definitely have the cute factor and they are super simple to kreate. I had made these for my New Catalog Open House and had them scattered on the table with some yummy treats inside. Each guest got to make there own too and loved how easy it was - simple, quick, and cute - just the perfect little craft. Again, showing off the new Bella Rose fabulous DSP paper I kreated my little pouches and they look cute with or without further embellishment. The one in the middle, I used my Scallop Circle punch on Pink Pirouette and the butterfly, from Dreams du Jour set, is inked in Riding Hood Red and punched out with the 1 1/4" Circle punch and placed on dimensionals. Also added one more layer of Riding Hood Red, punched out with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch under my butterfly. Have the time for the extra fluff, go for it. Would also look cute using flowers from the Pretties Kit or the Felt Fusion flowers and of course changing up the DSP for your specific occasion. For example the new Ghostly Greetings DSP would be great for a Halloween table decoration. Oh, endless possibilities - gotta love that!
Well, I finally placed my order from the New Catalog, so I will anxiously be awaiting my new goodies to play with :) Contact me if you have any questions or would like to place your fun order :) Like a little kid in a candy shop I tell ya :) Want it all, can't have it all, still want it all, but I will be happy with the treats I do get. Until next round, shhhhhhh don't let my hubby know!!!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Wishing you Happiness

Sorry if I've been MIA~ we took a long weekend to visit with family and then last night was my Open House to celebrate the release of the New (so fabulous) Catalog. We got to snack, chat, craft, listen to music, check out the new book - such fun!! I had to make sure I didn't overwhelm any potential new stampers, so this was a pretty simple card to kreate~ not a whole lot of 'fluff'. The base is a new In Color, Riding Hood Red, and my butterfly from Dreams du Jour is inked in Riding Hood Red as well and randomly stamped on the top half of my card. My sentiment across the bottom is from Heard from the Heart set and again inked in Riding Hood Red. I then took a piece of Bella Rose Designer Series Paper (DSP) and my Scallop Edge Punch to dress up the bottom of this beautiful paper. Using White Grosgrain Ribbon I tied a stay put bow. The final 'accessory' to this card is a Scallop Circle punched out in Pink Pirouette and set on dimensionals. The 'Love You' stamp from Dreams du Jour was inked with Ruby Red, Pretty in Pink and Always Artichoke Markers and stamped on Whisper White. TIP: You can directly ink up your stamps using markers to get a variety of colors on one stamp or even to omit something (ie: text or design), making the stamp more versatile. After inking with markers, huff to remoisten and stamp. This image was snipped out with my Paper Snips and also mounted with dimensionals onto the Pink Pirouette Scallop Circle for that 3-D effect. My virtual card to all my readers... wishing you happiness today and always! Thanks for stopping by

For now, go kreate
Kim

Sweet Treats

Once again, another fun project instead of a card. Is this not the cutest way to surprise someone with a sweet treat? And it doesn't have to be candy... think gift certificates, cash, love letters - isn't it sweet? This could be a great little party favor, upcoming Halloween treat, to place on top of a gift, door prize :)....Anyway, this pull treat was kreated with Regal Rose paper and I wheeled the Scatter Sunshine Wheel using Rose Red ink. TIP: I do not have a Rose Red cartridge for my wheel, but if not covering a large area, you can simply run and re-run your wheel over your stamp pad to ink it up and then wheel across your paper. Now I would not suggest doing this if you are trying to decorate wrapping paper for example, too large an area.
My Chocolate Chip belly band was scalloped using the hot new Scallop Edge Punch. My favorite new tool. I inked up a flower from Simply Said and randomly stamped it on my belly band. My sentiment from Simply Said was inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped on Regal Rose. Each corner was Ticket Punched and then set in the middle of the belly band with dimensionals.
If you pull on the Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, up arises your special treat. If you'd like to make this fun little treat, let me know and I will gladly pass on the info. Don't forget to think outside the box too!
I hope you are enjoying the fabulous new Fall/Winter 2008 Catalog and Idea Book. I'll be placing my own order this week and I can't wait to start some fun new cards and projects :) If you have any questions about anything in the new catalog, please don't hesitate to ask. If you are ready to place your orders, contact me and it will be submitted the same day.

For now, go kreate
Kim

A Teachers Tote

Its almost back to school - can you believe summer has almost come to an end??? I remember when it was time to go back to school and my mom would say 'lets go pick out your 'tote bag'. Backpacks weren't her 'lingo' until I was... I guess in middle school? So here is my back to school special tote bag :) I've been more in project mode lately than card making - I hope that's ok! I guess its that time of year when I start thinking holidays, birthdays, teacher stuff - so anywho on to the tote. I used my 'teacherish' apples from the Summer Picnic Designer Paper in the New Catalog. This paper is great and coincides with the fabulous Tart n Tangy set. I inked the apple, from Tart n Tangy in VersaMark and randomly stamped it on Kiwi Kiss. My panel of red apples is lined by Real Red 'straps' which I faux stitched using my White Signo Gel Pen. I attached silver brads to the handles to secure. And the finishing touch a little White Grosgrain Ribbon. A great little gift to fill with notecards (perfect size to hold 4 1/4"x5 1/2" cards and envelops) or any other goodies for a teacher, don't ya think? A gift inside a gift :)

For now, go kreate
Kim

FYI: Currently the New Catalog is only available in a pdf format. Opening the catalog direct from the link I've provided may take a while depending on how many people are accessing it. Its a very large file so be patient. Downloading it to your hard drive may be a better option.

Pocket Full of Roses

Well, its a pocket card with roses - Bella Roses from the the new Designer Paper, Bella Rose. My base is the new In Color, Pink Pirouette. I love this soft pink and I love this DSP as well. The 'flap' portion of the Pink Pirouette is punched using the must have tool of the year, the Scallop Edge Punch and pierced using my Mat Pack and piercer. The rectangular Riding Hood Red layered behind Whisper White slips in to your pocket to add your message. The sentiment, from Fresh Cuts set, is stamped onto Kiwi Kiss and punched out with the Round Tab punch. The Tab is highlighted with Circle Ice Rhinestones which finishes off the inside layer. And a Die Cut Bloom with a slightly larger Circle Ice Rhinestone in the middle finishes off the outside. Pretty simple card, definitely under 15 minutes!

For now, go kreate
Kim

IT'S HERE - Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

All the anticipation and its finally here!! The NEW CATALOG is fabulous, filled with so many goodies - ideas, great stamps sets, gorgeous Designer Paper, new embellishments, new In Colors... make sure to browse through it in my right sidebar. Print a wish list and start shopping :) Contact me with any questions and/or your orders. Orders will be submitted TODAY. If you'd like a copy of the catalog ($9.95) please let me know as well. And please click on the Current Promotions, to the right, to see all the great deals starting today!
Well, speaking of fabulous goodies, take a look at these fun little containers (AKA Sour Cream Containers). This is a super easy little craft which would be great for parties - fill with a few candies or whatever and you have an adorable favor or even a centerpiece - oh the possibilities. This was done with the Summer Picnic Designer Paper (pg169) and decorated with Die Cut Blooms (pg166). I stamped the little sentiments from Fresh Cuts and Seeing Spots in Real Red and Bashful Blue and punched them out with my Small Oval Punch and 1 1/4" Circle Punch. I filled my little treat containers with some yummy M&M's and Kisses. Cute right? Here is the tutorial for this great container. I'm gonna be brief today, 'cause I know you are dying to spend time in this catalog (In fact I'm dying for you to see the new catalog - I Love It!) Have fun shopping :) Email me your orders anytime you are ready!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Divine Window

This divine window got dressed up with some 'purdy' curtains, a window box, fancy flowers... phew, this card took forever. And looking at the picture here it loses its effect 'cause you really can't see all the dimension to it :( This set is called Window Dressings and it is a Hostess Lev 3 set coming out in the new catalog - Monday Aug 11th - oh I am just sooooo excited for you all to see the new book - its fabulous! I will be sure to have it posted here on my side bar for you to view, so make sure to check it out. Ok, back to my card... I inked out my window twice in Basic Black onto Watercolor Paper. I used my Aquapainter to add Baja Breeze to my shutters which I then snipped out and placed on dimensionals over my other stamped out window. I used my Creamy Caramel Marker to color the frame of the window. Using my Hobby Blade I carefully cut out the 'window pane' and then added a piece of acetate behind it to kreate my 'pane of glass'. Curtains were kreated using my Oval Punch on designer paper and slightly overlapping the two ovals. This window just wanted more... I kreated a window box and used my Aquapainter to color it in with Close to Cocoa ink. TIP: SU ink pads when closed can be squeezed in the middle and upon opening, you will have alittle pool of ink to use to Watercolor with your Aquapainter. Then I inked out my little flowers from this set using my Markers and then colored them in a bit and snipped out these very tiny flowers. My flowers glisten a bit with some Crystal Effects. I placed the flowers in the window box and popped the box up on dimensionals. Lots of little details that woefully don't show in the picture The base of this card is a new In Color, Baja Breeze and layered on top is Mellow Moss. In the center of the card I again used my Hobby Blade to cut through these two layers, kreating an opening to place my window over. The finishing touches were Mellow Moss Grosgrain Ribbon and my sentiment from a new set called Heard from the Heart. The window itself has so much detail that I wish you could see, but this card still looks so plain. Ah well...

REMINDER: If you'd like to order a new catalog ($9.95) please contact me and I will mail one out to you promptly!!! Make sure you have pen and paper ready for your wish list - I'm certain you won't be disappointed in this catalog! Great new stamp sets, fabulous new Designer Series Paper, wonderful inspirational ideas...... ooooooooh its just so exciting! Email me with your orders or any questions you may have. And check out my sidebar for all the new promotions starting Aug 11th with the release of the new Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Bella 's Tote

I've seen quite of few of these adorable totes and I had to give it a try myself. Mine doesn't have as much 'cute factor' as others I've seen, much simpler. The directions from this tutorial are easy to follow with an absolutely charming outcome. I chose to use the bold Pink Pirouette polka dots on Riding Hood Red from the soon to be released (Aug 11th) Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. If you haven't read any of my recent posts, I love this new paper. Soft pink roses, small clustered flowers, bold polka dots, small polka dots...And you can have it too in just a few more days! YEAH!!!! So my little tote was kreated with the Bella Rose DSP and Pink Pirouette cardstock. I accented my tab (tote handles) using the Totally Tabs set and inking the stamp with Riding Hood Red and stamping on Pink Pirouette. Then used the Round Tabs Punch and lined it up with my inked design and punched it out for a perfect 'tote handle'. Placed a 1/8" circle Punch to thread a piece of Pretty in Pink (close enough until I can get my hands on the new in color ribbons :) ) Grosgrain Ribbon. The bottom of the bag is completed using the new Scallop Edge Punch - I believe the must have tool of the year, esp. if you liked to kreate scallops the 'ol fashion way - slit punch or corner rounder. You'll love how easy and quick this new tool is! My dollars well spent as I'm using it all the time :) Instead of adorable buttons to adorn my tote, the final touch to my bag was some 'floating' butterflies that I punched out with a non-SU punch. (Love butterflies - hence my fluttering butterflies in my title header :) ) The center of my butterflies sparkle with a bit of Dazzling Diamonds. This tote is ready for gift givin'.

Reminder: Aug 10th - Last day to order - Only a few days left, so email me your 'retired' orders before its too late!

Aug 11th - The release of the new Fall/Winter Catalog - WaHoo. As soon as I am able, I will have it up on my sidebar for you to click on and browse through. Catalogs are $9.95, if you'd like one sent to you, please email me your contact info and how you'd like to pay, check or credit and I'll gladly put one in the mail for you.

Stay tune for some GREAT promo offers to begin Aug 11th with the release of the new catalog.

For now, go kreate
Kim

Pun Fun is so Fun

Pun Fun is one of my favorite sets and for so many reasons. Whimsical enough for kids, 'sassy' for an adult, adorable line images for watercoloring or coloring, and with 8 stamps in this set there is a stamp that fits most occasions! So the cards are all 3x3 and this adorable little box becomes a home for these cute cards. Fun right!! (Sorry not the best picture - lighting issues) The base, of my cards, is Brilliant Blue and the soon to be retired Designer Series Paper is Jersey Shore. A few other colors you may see on my kreations are Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie and of course Whisper White to stamp my images on. FYI: If you click on the picture, you'll get a much larger image to view. All images were stamped with Basic Black and either watercolored using my Aquapainter or just colored with my Markers. A few different punches also added some 'punch' (hehehe) to the project: Scallop Punch, Scallop Edge Punch (to be released in the new catty Aug 11th), 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Slot Punch, Corner Punch, Ticket Punch. The only card with 'accessories' was my rocket with some Silver Brads in the corners and alittle Crystal Effects for my center circle window. Fun and simple cards! Great little gift option. Hope you like it! Its been a long night, sorry to not be more specific, but if you'd like any more info on this project, feel free to contact me and I will gladly help you out (after I get a little sleep tonight :) )!!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Purse-onally Fab

The cutest little purse, right! This was kreated with my new favorite Designer Series Paper, Bella Rose. The catalog release is just days away, Aug 11th, and you too can enjoy this fabulous paper. Make sure to add it to your wish lists and email me your orders when you are ready. So to kreate this fabulous purse, you use your Round Tab Punch for the base and your small and large Oval Punches for the handle. It is amazing the kreations that people have come up with using punches. I wish I had a better photo to share of all the amazing punch designs that were displayed at the Spring Fling Convention I had attended in the spring... Well, I guess you'll just have to visit my blog often in case I decide to add another fun punch design to a project :)
The base of my card and horizontal scalloped band is one of the upcoming In Colors, Pink Piroutte. And the fun scallops were made with the soon to be released Scallop Edge Punch. My sentiment is from the Just B set and inked in Craft Ruby Red and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. For 'fabulous you'... hope you like it!

For now, go kreate
Kim

BIG SHOT NEWS

This is BIG news...Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix to offer us the Big Shot. 'The Big Shot is a sturdy manual die cutting machine used to die cut materials for use on crafts, home décor projects, and even clothing--it's a big deal! You'll love what the Big Shot machine, a 6-time winner of Creating Keepsakes Reader's Choice Award for best die cutting equipment and dies, can do for you.' The Big Shot and exclusive SU dies will be available to you for purchase beginning September 2. The Big Shot has the ability to cut through over 50 different materials. This is no longer a machine for just the paper crafter, check out the materials this can cut through and then think of the possibilities!!!The greatest news for all you that currently own dies for your cutting machines, the Big Shot is compatible with most other companies. The Big Shot is the most versatile die-cutting machine on the market today. Using the multi-purpose platform, you can use dies, embossing plates, and other products from a wide variety of sources. How great is that? I have never purchased this type of machine, but you can bet I'll be awaiting that Big Brown truck :) How exciting is this!!!! Mark your calendars, September 2, you can email me with your Big Shot order :)

Check out these cute projects done with the Big Shot and Exclusive SU dies!!!!... Just imagine.... :)














In other BIG news, you can now subscribe to my blog in my right sidebar! Many of you that have requested this, I thank for your patience as I tried to work it out and I'm so happy you continued to check out my kreations. I hope this makes things easier for you.

For now, go kreate
Kim

A Black Tie Affair

Once again another Splitcoast sketch challenge for me. If you are in need of direction or just want to try something different, check out Splitcoast for inspiration. Each panel of Whisper White, layered on Basic Black, is stamped with my flourish from the Priceless set using VersaMark and sprinkled with Hologram Highlights Embossing Powder (retired, but the substitute is the current Iridescent Ice EP) and set with my heating tool. TIP: I prefer this Embossing Powder to Dazzling Diamonds most times, b/c it gets heat set and therefore you won't be all sparkly from your card - unless of course you want that DIVA look :) My panels were then layered on Going Gray and again on Basic Black. My sentiment from Sincere Salutations was again inked in VersaMark and sprinkled with Black EP and heat embossed. Gives it a great finished look. FYI: The only inks that are embossable are the VersaMark or our Craft Inks. For a tutorial on how to make a Classic Ink embossable, click here. My sentiment was then layered on Basic Black. 'Together', from the Define Your Life set, was set with VersaMark and Black EP. My bride and groom, from Voila' to Go, were inked with Basic Black. A slight touch of Pretty in Pink was added to her bouquet with my Marker and with a close up click you MAY be able to see the extra shimmer to her veil. I used my Versa Marker and Hologram Highlights to add this subtle hint of elegance to my bride. I used the 1 3/8" Circle Punch to pop them out and mounted them on top of a Basic Black Scallop Punch. TIP: Place a small slit using a Hobby Blade into the crease of your card to feed your ribbon through and around the front of your card. Added the Black Gingham Ribbon and popped up the happy couple on dimensionals. Ready for a black tie affair?
Let me know how I did in my challenge! And here's the sketch if you'd like to give it a try.
Don't forget only a few more days to order your retiring stamps and accessories. Make sure to check out the link to the right and then email me your orders by Aug 10th.

For now, go kreate
Kim

Pull on This

Sorry to have been MIA, once again a crazy summer week has struck. I've been able to get some stamping in, so with out further ado... pull on this.
Isn't this a cute card?! Can you tell I'm loving the new Bella Rose paper? This paper will be released with the new catalog, IN ONLY 10 DAYS (Aug 11th) along with lots of new goodies! Can't wait! Don't forget to check out the retiring stamp sets and any accessories you may want, theres not much time left! So back to the card... I used Bella Rose DSP and the new In Colors, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, and Kiwi Kiss. I used VersaMark to randomly stamp my butterflies (from a retired hostess set Cause for Celebration) onto the Riding Hood Red. I then inked my little porcupine from Fast and Fun Notes with Markers and stamped it onto Whisper White and then double mounted it on Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red.

When you pull on the little White Grosgrain ribbon at the top, the card front slides up to reveal the 'inside' of your card. I chose not to place a sentiment at this time, until the occasion arises that I need it. You could also use the Kiwi Kiss 'pull' portion of the card to leave a message to your recipient as well. A few measurements, a few more cuts, and some scoring and its just a fun and different card. What do you think? Leave me a comment, love it when ya do :)

For now, go kreate
Kim