Echoes of Kindness

The images from this set, Echoes of Kindness (hostess Lev 2) were the perfect fit for this sketch. Pretty simple too, stamped the image in Basic Gray and used my SU Markers to color in the flowers and stamped the sentiment in Perfect Plum craft and embossed it with Clear EP. I then used my VersaMarker to highlight a few petals and then add some Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and heated it to set the sparkle. In person the card has a subtle but perfect shimmer. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you may get a better view. The edges were also sponged with Perfect Plum Craft ink and given some shimmer again with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. Layered this on Pale Plum, which I gave decorative borders with the Eyelet Border Punch and placed on Perfect Plum. I used the perfect polka dot ribbon (non SU - shhhhhh, have had it forever in my stash) to accent the bottom and embellish with a little bow. Well, I am off to Florida in the AM. YIPEE!!! I hope to have a few more things posted for you while away, but I can't make any promises - sorry, it's been busy getting ready to go (hope you'll forgive me). Any questions, I will have access to my email - but be patient as I will be spending as much time outside in the warm sunshine as possible - hopefully basking in the sun on the beach !!!!!
Don't forget, Sale-a-bration is in full swing until March 31st!
And now is a GREAT time to Join my team as a demonstrator, or just purchase the Starter Kit(view my right side bar for kit contents - substitutions are available!), a fabulous deal at 15% off, $169 including shipping, with no obligations. Contact me for more details, I'd love to help you out!!

For now, go kreate
Kim

Serene Spring

I'm so looking forward to the Spring. Its that time when I've had just about enough of the snow and cold. My family and I are leaving for Florida this weekend to visit my in-laws. Can't wait to spend some time on the beach and not worry about coats, gloves, hats, heavy sweaters - just warm sunshine (I hope!) Thinking of spring brought me to this retired set, Serene Spring. Love this bunny image and he's perfect for Easter too. I used this sketch designed by Mercy for the Stamps and Smiles blog challenge. Fun sketch to work with. Hope you like it. Sorry the photo looks a bit washed out.
Supplies:
Stamps: Serene Spring (retired hostess set)
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Bella Rose DSP, Pink Pirouette, Watercolor
Ink: Basic Black and various colors to color image
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Choc Chip Ribbon, Button Bouquet, 3/4" Circle Punch

For now, go kreate
Kim

Buzzin By

Buzzin' through some new supplies I decided to play with the Just Buzzin By set and Delicate Dots DSP from the Sale-a-bration catalog. You have until March 31st to place an order of $50+ and earn FREE sale-a-bration merchandise (including this designer paper and Certainly Celery poly twill ribbon used in my kreation). Don't miss out!
I inked up my 'honey pot' with a Basic Black Marker, omitting the top and honey drips to kreate a vase. I stamped it once on Very Vanilla and again on a piece of Delicate Dots DSP. I then stamped my flower and used Blender Pens to color it in. Snipped out my 'honey pot/vase' and popped it up with dimensionals. Used the new Eyelet Border Punch to decorate my Bashful Blue layer. Snipped out my cute little bee that I stamped on Very Vanilla and then colored with SU Markers. Inked out a portion of the sentiment with a Brocade Blue Marker, huffed to remoisten the ink and stamped. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Love it when you do.
For now, go kreate
Kim

New Technique and Fifth Avenue Floral

More new toys :) I decided to try out a technique that was in our March issue of Stampin' Success magazine. This is one of the many benefits of becoming a demonstrator - a magazine which features product tips, project techniques, and ways to build your business. With the Starter Kit currently being 15% off, $169 and FREE shipping, NOW is the time to Join my team. Or just enjoy the starter kit with no further obligations. Click here for the benefits of being a demonstrator or contact me and I will gladly answer your questions.
Ok, onto this new technique for me... bleach! Yep, you read that correct. I kreated an ink pad with a paper towel and saturated it with bleach. Now please be careful, we all know the hazards of bleach! I 'inked' up my stamp,like you would any other and pressed it onto Baja Breeze. Give it a second for the image to appear - its like magic - at first you don't see anything and then voila'. TIP: SU states not to worry about your stamp as long as you clean it right away.
After stamping each flower, from Fifth Avenue Floral, with bleach, I then went back and 'shadowed' them with Baja Breeze. I 'highlighted' the centers of the two smaller flowers with my VersaMarker and then added some Iridecent Ice Embossing Powder to give them a little sparkle. Click to enlarge the photo for more detail. My sentiment from Sincere Salutations is also bleached. Three Choc Chip brads and the cute choc chip polka dot ribbon from the Valet Ribbon Originals pack finish it off. I sponged the edges with Baja Breeze, snipped 3 corners with my Corner Rounder, placed it on Very Vanilla and finally on Choc Chip.
What do you think? Happy Stampin'
For now, go kreate
Kim

A Kind Word

New goodies, WaHoooooo! My two little girls were just as excited as mommy to see the Big Brown truck and then to unveil the big box of 'mommies toys'. Future stampers in the making :) When I saw this set, A Kind Word, I had to have it since I have two little girls and its just perfect for watercoloring. I had to play with this set first. I used the SCS sketch challenge 216 to start my inspiration. If you look closely, you can see I used my Big Shot with the new Backgrounds Texturz plates. SO FUN! The Eyelet Border Punch provides a pretty delicate border and the textured Poly Twill Certainly Celery Ribbon hides my seam. Then there is the precious little girl image that I inked in Jet Black Stazon and stamped on Watercolor Paper. I squeezed the lids of various inks to kreate a pool of ink in the lids and then used my Aquapainter to pick up color and bring her to 'life'. Isn't she sweet? Hope you like her :)
Any questions, I'm always here to help. If you enjoy stamping and would like to get paid for it :), consider joining my team as a demonstrator (check out my right side bar Join My Team for more info. Now is the perfect time to join!! The Starter Kit is NOW 15% off, $169 (a value of $335) and you can make many product substitutions. PLUS you get a bonus of any stamp set in the current catalog (up to $47.95 value). If you decide being a demo is not for you, there's no obligation, NO penalties for signing up. Contact me with any questions, I'd be happy to share the benefits of joining me and SU. Happy Stamping :)

Supplies:
Stamps: A Kind Word
Paper: Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette, Choc Chip, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Close to Cocoa, Choc Chip, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Bordering Blue
Accessories: Big Shot, Background Texturz Plates, Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Eyelet Border Punch, Aquapainter, Poly Twill Certainly Celery Ribbon (available as a FREE product during the Sale-a-bration promotion), dimensionals


For now, go kreate
Kim

Waiting for Spring

This template for the TLC208 challenge was the perfect box that I needed for my little gift. Just print it out and decorate as desired - so easy! I used a piece of Holiday Happenings (retired hostess lev 3) paper and left things simple - scalloped the round top using my corner rounder and placed a matching piece along the front and also scalloped the edge. Wrapped a Baja Breeze double stitched ribbon around the 'box' and embellished with two flowers from the Pretties kit. The pink was kreated easily with a Pretty in Pink marker - voila'. A Filigree Brad and Circle Ice Rhinestone (pink) adorn the center of the flower. It was that easy for the box!! I placed my little terra cota pot with dirt and seeds ready to plant, tied with a Baja Breeze ribbon and using the Tag Punch popped out my frog and watering can from the Flowers for All Season set. Fun! Happy Stamping!

For now, go kreate-
Kim

Heartfelt Thanks -Mojo74

After a 'make-up' class with one of my customers last night, I decided to kreate a card using the Mojo Monday sketch. I went back to an oldie, but goody set, Heartfelt Thanks. This is a great 2-step technique stamp set (if you like floral). Not sure if I'm in love with this one, but it was way past my bedtime and I think my mojo was already sleepin' :) Maybe it will grow on me!

Here's a close up of the flowers with a bit of sparkle that you can't see so good in the full photo. Sparkle is very difficult to capture, but I try. Click on the photo to enlarge more.

Supplies:
Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Raspberry Tart, Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Old Olive Marker, Always Artichoke Marker, VersaMarker
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Clear EP, Iridescent Ice EP, Scallop Edge Punch, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon

Enjoy your day :) Happy Stamping
For now, go kreate,
Kim

Mojo Monday 73 Meet CC205

As you can see from my title, this card was inspired by the Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge and the Mojo Monday sketch. I started with a Perfect Plum base, layered with Pink Pirouette and a piece of Bella Rose DSP. I inked out my butterflies from the Flight of the Butterfly,a 2-step technique set, in Perfect Plum. I inked off (stamping on scrap) a few times to get my butterflies to be various shades. I took the the little flowers stamp from the set and inked it in Perfect Plum craft ink and dusted them with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and used my heat tool to set the sparkle. The edges of the Whisper White were sponged with Perfect Plum craft and given that same sparkle with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. TIP: If you click on the photo to enlarge you may see a bit more of the sparkle- never easy to capture. My hand dotted flight paths were kreated with Old Olive Marker and the sentiment also inked in Old Olive. The Kiwi Kiss corners were kreated with the Scallop Edge Punch and a triangle template. White taffeta ribbon and some bling, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, finish off my card.
Happy Stamping! Enjoy your day

For now, go kreate :)
Kim

Happy Heart Day

I've been a bit under the weather, so not much stamping going on. Sorry, but this is going to be a short post today. But this is a fairly simple card to kreate.
I love this little mouse :) I quickly made these little 3x3 cards cards to attach to the Valentines gifts for my daughters preschool teachers. I think they came out cute :)! Any questions, you can always email me. Happy Friday!

Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Heart Day
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Bella Rose DSP, Holiday Treasures DSP (retired), Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Choc Chip, VersaMark, Riding Hood Red (sponged the edges of DSP)
Accessories: Heart Punch, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad, Choc Chip Grosgrain, Clear Embossing Powder, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, dimensionals

For now, go kreate :)
Kim

Love you a latte!

Here is my completed card from the SCS 214 sketch challenge last week. I had a hard time with this one for some reason. After 2 trash worthy cards, I changed the sketch to a vertical orientation and this is what ya got! Not my favorite card to date, but it could surely pass for someone's Valentine :) Simple card, not too involved, just follow the sketch. Any questions, feel free to ask! If you like the idea of having a sketch to challenge you, today, Wednesday is the day they post a new one. Have fun with it :)
Supplies:
Stamps: Pun Fun
Papers: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Choc Chip Craft, Choc Chip Marker (to doodle my hearts), Riding Hood Red (sponged on edges)
Accessories: Paper Piercer and Template, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Crystal Effects, Pretty in Pink Ribbon, Big Shot, CB Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals


For now, go kreate :)
Kim

So Tweet

As promised, here is the adorable box we made at the demo class I went to last Friday.
We painted our boxes (from Michaels) first with white paint and then the real fun began. Using the So Tweet On Board Chipboard and Good Morning Sunshine designer paper, we decorated our birds, owl, flowers and stems and then glued them (Tombo MultiPurpose Adhesive #110755) on to the box. I love it and its a perfect fit for 4-1/4x 5-1/2 cards. Cute and functional - Gotta love that!
Happy Monday everyone!



For now, go kreate :)
Kim

Demo Class Projects

I went to a demonstrator class this past Friday where we kreated 3 cards and a cute 3-D project. Great fun to be with other demos and stamp and not be the 'teacher' :) These cards are not my design, simply CASED (copy and share)from our teacher Tina.

This first card, is using the baby wipe technique - which I actually had never done before. You kreate your ink pad on a baby wipe with a few drops of different colored reinkers. Ink up your stamp on the newly colored baby wipe and you have a multi colored/ tie-dyed type image. Fun :)
Supplies:
Stamp: Simple Friendship
Paper: Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White
Ink: reinkers: Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Tempting Turq Brads (Bold Brights)



This next card is using your Aquapainter. I can not wait to own this new set, Fifth Avenue Floral. The images were inked and stamped on watercolor paper and using the Aquapainter, lightly 'pulling' ink into to the image for a very soft watercolored look.
Supplies:
Stamp: Fifth Avenue Floral
Paper: Rose Red, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Basic Grey, Black Stazon
Accessories: Rose Red Grosgrain, Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain, Black Grosgrain



This last card is also done with a technique I have never really done before, but will definitely use it in the future. This was done with emboss resist and the NEW Big Shot die Movers and Shapers Curly Label. Simple run your paper through the Big Shot with your curly label movable piece to your desired location and it cuts and scores your card and pops out the adorable curly label. So cool!
We stamped the Sweet Stems flower randomly over Whisper White with Black Craft ink and then embossed with Clear EP. Used an Aquapainter to color in the flowers with Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, and Kiwi Kiss. Then using a VersaMarker, went over the entire flower and embossed with Clear EP again. Finally using a dauber, in circular motions, applied Kiwi Kiss over the entire card. Ink will resist the embossed images (hence, emboss resist technique :) ) so using a paper towel, rubbed over each flower and you get a shadowing effect where the clear embossing was. May have to click on the photo to enlarge and get better view. I hope that makes sense. Easy enough to go a play around with or you can view this tutorial on SCS to get a better idea. When I got home I added the Pacific Point ribbon as well. This was my favorite of the 3 designs we CASED from Tina. Thanks Tina and fellow INKsisters it was fun.
Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Stems, Fresh Cuts (sentiment)
Paper: Pacific Point, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Black Craft, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Tango Tangerine, VersaMarker
Accessories: Big Shot, Movers and Shapers Curly Label Die, Clear EP, Aquapainter, dauber, heat tool

If you have any questions on the above cards, I'm here :)

Tomorrow I will be sure to show you the cute 3D project - if you love all the birds and owls, you don't want to miss it.

For now, go kreate :)
Kim

Coordinating Brag Book

As I mentioned in yesterdays post, this is the little brag book album I made up for my little ones to give daddy. (sorry for the fuzzy photos, they look fine until I put them here?) I completed this simple album and used the same idea to make his matching card yesterday. I was fresh out of masculine ideas :) For more info on how to kreate this album you can refer to this post or this or if you'd like more detail, feel free to contact me. Have a good one, happy stamping :)

Supplies:
Paper: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Ghostly Greetings (retired)
Stamps: Always
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: Clear Envelopes (#102619), Antique Brass Eyelets, Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (CB), Go Go Boots Alphabet (sizzlits), Big Shot, non-SU velvet ribbon

For now, go kreate
Kim

Love Always

This card is to give to hubby for his birthday. I've said it before, masculine cards are so tough - especially when you don't own any rustic/outdoorsie sets! This will do! Not my favorite, but I KNOW my husband won't be analyzing it :) I also have made a coordinating brag book album from the kiddos too, I'll give you a peek tomorrow. Not a lot of detail to this card, so I'll simply leave you the recipe.

Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Grey, Real Red, Ghostly Greetings DSP (retired)
Stamps: Always
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Non-SU velvet ribbon, Non-SU mini-buttons

For now, go kreate
Kim

Buzzin By with a Birthday Hi

Well, so far so good, my computer 'Charlie', is holding up with one drive and isn't making any funny noises today. He's gotta hold on a few more days, hopefully by Saturday he'll be fully restored! In the event you don't hear from me, you'll know Charlie is kaput! Onto more fun things... this set, Just Buzzin By is just so cute - I love the little faces on these bees :) Started with a So Saffron base, layered with Choc Chip and then my ever so cool honeycombs :) A piece of bubble wrap was inked up using my Summer Sun ink and then pressed down onto a piece of Glossy White cardstock - voila' honeycombs :) - you may need to click on the photo to enlarge in order to see the honeycombs. Their sweet hive was inked in Choc Chip craft ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. I highlighted my hive using my Blender Pen and some Close to Cocoa Ink. TIP: Kreate a pool of ink (by squeezing the center of a closed pad together, you'll kreate a little pool of ink on the cover when opened) either on the inside cover of your pad or use the plastic lid of one of your stamp sets or any piece of plastic. Hint: If you have a Marker, you can use that as well to scribble some ink onto the plastic. Then use your blender to dab into your ink and use to highlight or color your images. Easy clean up too, just take a tissue to wipe off your plastic and although your Blender Pen may appear stained, scribble off on a piece of scrap paper until no color appears on your scrap and you are ready to pick up another color with your blender. Easy peazy!
My hive wasn't completed until I covered it all with Crystal Effects. My little bees were inked in Basic Black and stamped onto Whisper White. Colored them with Blush Blossom, Barely Banana and YoYo Yellow and then used my 1-1/4" Circle Punch to pop them out. Dazzled them up a bit with little Crystal Effects and some snazzy glitter. Also sponged the edges with some more Summer Sun and layered them on a Choc Chip 1-3/8" Circle. Inked up a portion of the sentiment in Choc Chip Craft ink and again embossed with Clear EP. A Choc Chip Grosgrain ribbon, complete with a yellow Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad, finishes off the outside.
But wait it continues on the inside... Another bee, inked in Choc Chip Craft and embossed in Clear EP, hangs out overlooking the sentiment from Loads of Love Accessories. A portion of the sentiment was masked off and again inked in Choc Chip Craft and embossed in Clear EP. Finally the little flower was inked in Versamark and randomly stamped. I then took my white Stampin Pastels and highlighted some of the petals as well as my little bees wings. Phew! What a card :) Time well spent I think! Let me know your thoughts, leave me a comment below.
For now, go kreate :)
Kim

Please Forgive this Interruption

Our regularly scheduled program has been disrupted :( Our computer crashed Sunday afternoon - how irritating!!! We do have a backup hard drive, but I was extremely hesitant to turn on the computer for fear that that too may crash and I'd lose family photos. Hubby stayed up very late last night to burn them all to DVD in the event this happens - almost cried when we couldn't get the computer to turn on - thought it was a complete crash. I can't be without family pictures, memories!!!!! I prayed and prayed and thank God he got it on and pictures safe to a DVD. Anywho... I will try my best to get something posted later today and hopefully all our new computer parts will be here SOON!!!!
Thanks
Kim

Sale-a-bration is HERE!

Starting today, Sunday Feb 1st- March 31st... Sale-a-bration begins.

* Free product/s from the Sale-A-Bration catty for every $50 you spend.

* Host a workshop of at least $300 (before tax and shipping), you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward, in addition to all of the regular hostess benefits!

* Join Now to be a demonstrator, and receive a FREE stamp set of your choice (up to $47.95 value) - not to mention ALL the other perks of being a demo.
AND the Starter Kit is 15% off the regular $199 --that's $335 worth of products for only $169.15 and shipping is included! Substitutions are available to customize the kit a bit.
If you'd like some more info on joining my family of stampers, click on this video link.
FYI: You will need to contact me for a password to join my team.

* A FREE Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog with any ON-LINE order (now thru April 30 or 22,000 orders, whichever comes first) - if you already have one, pass it on to a friend - they'll love the award winning idea book and all the great products :)

Contact me with any questions! Have a great day and for all you football fans, enjoy the game!

Kim