Black and my "favorite" color

I'm back again!  I made two projects this week for our challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  The challenge is Anything Goes with an optional twist to use BLACK and your favorite color.  I had someone ask me what my favorite color was and I had to think about it for a minute.  My reply was "Well, I'm an artist so I don't have a favorite, they're all my favorite!"  But I guess if I were forced to choose just one it would have to be teal  :)   So here is my teal and black Santa!  Image by Bugaboo Stamps.

*ok first here's my little story.  It's been a long month at work, very stressed, busy with holidays, etc.  So I took a vacation day and locked myself in my craft room, music blasting just getting lost in the process.  Well...apparently I was so "lost" this is what I did...see the problem??  LOL!  My response, "Seriously!??  Oh !&*@$#%" and to top it off I used hot glue which I rarely use but I had the glue gun out.  Ugh...

Ok here's the finished project

  I have to admit I just love how the stickpin came out on this! 

Hugs,
Kathi

Challenges I'm entering:
Color Me Creative - Challenge #3 Holiday Themed ends 1/2/14 
Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes ends 12/31 
Crafthazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes ends 12/31 

I Love You SMORE!

Hi all!
     Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!  Today I have my DT project for the last challenge of 2013 at 613 Avenue Create.  I can't believe it's been a year since I started the weekly challenge blog with Chana and I'm so glad I did  :)  Our sponsor this week is Bugaboo Stamps and I've used the Old Snow Star digi for my project.

So here's the story behind the title/project.  Ever since my daughter, Shianne, was little she would say "I love you" and my reply would be "I love you more".  Well then that would turn into a playful argument of "No...I love YOU more" until one day IO told her not to argue with her mother  LOL!  She's 19 and we still say it and laugh.  I love that kid!  :)  So between that and the fact that she was a Girl Scout for 13 years she can't help bu love smores...hence the "I love you smore!" project.  I'll send it to her at school when she goes back next month.

 I used a very versatile SVG file from My Scrap Chick called Caddy Essentials.  I used the #7 caddy, made two of them and glued together.  She has some incredible files and great prices too!  You should check it out.  

Until next time!
Hugs,
Kathi

Challenges I'll be entering:
Color Me Creative - Challenge #83 Holiday Theme ends 1/2/14 
Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes ends 12/31 
Crafthazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes ends 12/31
 

Watercolor flowers

It's time for another Through The Craftroom Door challenge!  

This week we are sponsored by

Here is my DT card

I water colored two pieces of paper (blue/purples and green) then printed the digi.  I "fussy cut" the flowers and leaves out and glued the pieces on top of an image printed on white CS.  Just like a puzzle!  LOL!  The plum paper is from DCWV Shimmer Stack, the white with glitter design CS was a scrap I bought from a stamp store.  I used the Sizzix scalloped die and the Dainty Bow die by MFT.

The centers of the flowers are micro beads by Martha Stuart.  I put some Glossy Accents then poured the beads over it.  I did three layers this way so it is raised up.  I wrapped some cloth floral wire around the end of my pin tool and tucked them under the flowers secured with a little Glossy Accents (I love that stuff!!).  The crystals are Jolee's Hotfix Crystals.

I really like how this came out.  Let me tell you it's not easy fussy cutting water color paper!  LOL!  I hope you can stop by and see what my talented DT members have created or maybe you could join us at TTCRD for our Anything Goes Challenge!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Kathi

Challenges I would like to enter:
Tuesday Throwdown - Anything Goes 
Craft-Dee Bowz - Must have a bow 

For my GB :)

Hi all,
Today I have a card I made for my friend Gina and we affectionately refer to each as GB which stands for gutter buddy.  Well because our minds are always in the gutter!!  LOL!!  She has had the worst year possible and most recently she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her spine.  She has had 2 spinal surgeries in the last month and they think they have gotten it all now.  Humor has always been a wonderful coping technique and I love to make her laugh.  Well mission accomplished because I put the bra on a wobble so the boobs wiggle LOL!  She loved it  :)  This awesome digi is by Meljen's Designs.   This would be great for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

 

Floral paper by Martha Stewart and scalloped circle by Spellbinders. Colored with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol.

Glossy accents used on the heart and a Jolee's hotfix crystal

wobble...love these things!

Thanks for stopping by!

Kathi

Challenges:

Meljen's Designs - Anything Goes

Under the Table and Dreaming

Bugaboo easel card and tearing mulberry paper tip!

Hi Friends!  This week Jackson's Digital Expressions Anything Goes Challenge #20 has an optional Sketch you can use.

 

And this week we have 2 sponsors!  The Cutting Cafe and Bugaboo Stamps.  I made an easel card using the Edward Elephant - Flower image.  I just love this little guy I think he's sooo cute!  The sentiment is by Unity Stamp Co.  

I used the Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol to blend them.  Stickles on the flowers and the "toenails"...actually now that I think of it this is EDWARD!  LOL!  That's too funny...oh well it's a gender neutral elephant! 

On the letters I colored the bottoms of the letters and used the blending stump with Gamsol to pull the color up to the top and then highlighted with Stickles.  I love how they came out!  Crystals are Jolee's Hotfix Crystals.

NOW FOR THE TIP:

1.  I use a paint brush and water to "draw" a line where I want to tear the mulberry paper.

2.  Gently pull the paper in an outward direction and it tears very easily.  You can gently pull on the edges outward to smooth the fibers out.

Hope you found these tips helpful and hope to see you at JDE this week for another Anything Goes Challenge!  Have a great week!

Hugs,

Kathi

CHALLENGES:
Party Time Tuesday - Anything Goes
Basic Grey Challenges - Anything Goes

Meljen's Ribbon Challenge

My daughter's friend Alyssa just celebrated her 18th birthday and she LOVES hippos so I made her this sign  :)  Challenge #123 at Meljen's Designs is "Tie a Ribbon".  The digi is called Hearty Hippo, colored with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol.  It's hard to see in the pics but I used Glossy Accents on the teeth, "toe nails" and the heart.  The letter stamps are from Close To My Heart - Chocolate Alphabet small.  PP by We R Memory Keepers - Peep Easter Basket.

Thanks for stopping by!  

Kathi  :)

Additional Challenges:
Great Impressions Stamps - Walk on the Wild Side
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes
Sew Many Ways - weekly linking party
Under the Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase
Skip To My Lou - Made by You Monday

This week's Anything Goes Challenge at JDE!

This week is the Altered Art's turn to host and we are sponsored this week by Mayzy Art Digi Stamps.  I used a Robert Jackson image called Flowers IV found HERE.  Now that I think about it I didn't really alter anything but I did make a caddy.  I was going to alter something for back to school but thought it might be a little too early for that one  :)  Although I'm sure some parents are ready for them to go back now!  LOL!  

 There was minimal coloring on this one just some gray shading on the petals, the stem and some blue shadow.  I paper pieced the center of the daisy.

back...die by Verve

The caddy is an SVG from My Scrap Chick found HERE.  I used #5.

So come join us this week the challenge is still Anything Goes!  You do not need to alter anything you can make a card, bookmark...anything!  Join us HERE!

Kathi  :)

Inks and Such Challenge #12 at JDE!

Well it's Tuesday and time for another Anything Goes Challenge at Jackson's Digital Expressions.  This week it's the Inks and Such team that's up plus we have Bugaboo Stamps as a sponsor this week!  So some of the DT will be using their images.  Today I have an easel card using the Dress Forms V. digi.

Supplies used:  Floral paper by My Mind's Eye Howdy Doody "Beautiful" Roses, stamp sentiment by Verve, Jolee's hotfix crystals, Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol on the dress, Copics on the upper body, pop dots, yellow/ gray papers from stash.

So come join us this week at JDE with your Anything Goes entry, we are having a month long celebration!

Kathi  :)

JDE Inks and Such Challenge

It's time for another Jackson's Digital Expressions Challenge!  As usual it's Anything Goes and I'm featuring one of the new releases Just Purses II.  I tried something different today,  I colored my image in with Copics (pink RV63 and Cool Gray No. 5 on the handle) and Pearl Ex on the bag and the light purple flower under the paper flower.  I used silver, interference violet, duo red-blue and flamingo pink.  Unfortunately, the shimmer does not show up in any photo!  You'll have to trust me when I say it's a very pretty effect!  LOL!  Papers by Coredinations - Gemstones and stamp by Verve.

Hope you'll join us this week for our Anything Goes Challenge at Jackson's Digital Expressions!
Kathi

Challenges entered:     Try It On Tuesday - Anything Goes
                                  Simon Says Stamp and Show  - Anything Goes
                                  Craft Your Passion Challenges - #114 Anything Goes
                                  My Time To Craft Challenge Blog - #181 Hats or Handbags
                                  Family Home and Life - Wow Us Wednesday                       

Card + soda bottle gift

Here's one of my quickie cards.  The card base (plaid and already scalloped) was a blank note card from Target I think.  PTI stamps used:  Birthdays by the Numbers and Big Birthday Wishes.

 And here's a quick way to package gifts.  This took me about 10-15 minutes to put together.

Supplies needed:  2 liter soda bottle
                            exacto knife
                            sticker paper or paper and double sided tape
                            filler like shredded paper or tissue
                            ribbon or bow

And because I was in a hurry the sticker paper wrinkled at the bottom...grrr...LOL

Step #1     Cut a "door" in the side of the bottle with the exacto knife.  So you will be cutting 3 sides,
                 do not cut a complete hole in the bottle.

Step #2    Put some filler in the bottle then add items and more filler so the items are snug and don't shift.

Step #3   Print your saying on the sticker paper or regular paper and cut it so it is larger than your opening
               in the bottle.  This is how you will hide your "door".

Step #4   Close the opening and place the paper over it to seal the items inside.

Step #5  Decorate with ribbon on the top and that's it!

Just be careful when putting your items in because the edges can be sharp!!  Advise your recipient to do the same!  If I had time I would have decorated the sticker paper more but considering it was a last minute gift and card it was ok.  And my daughter's friend liked it so that's all that mattered  :)  Little kids love these!  I actually used to mail the smaller soda bottles but that was years ago.  I would be too afraid to do that now...things tend to get "lost" too often now  :)

Have fun!
Kathi

Such sad news....

Hi all...just bringing myself to create a post.  On August 31st two of my daughter's friends and soccer teammates were killed in a car accident.  Bella & Elana were only 16 and 17.  They did not have their seat belts on and the other two girls in the car who did have theirs on survived.  There was also another car with 5 other teammates right behind them and saw it all happen.  They tried to help the girls but couldn't.  Bella was starting her Sr. year but instead her funeral was on the first day of school.  It's still so unbelievable.  So I coped one of the best ways I know how...crafting.  I made the 7 girls involved composition book journals.  I know how therapeutic journaling can be and they need every tool they can get to help them through this tragic time in their lives.  The entire team and community have really shown their strength and ability to come together and help each other grieve.  I had just recently bought the My Favorite Things "Love you with all my Heart" stamp set and it was just so fitting for the journals.  My daughter suggested using Bella + Elana's favorite colors...blue and yellow.  The girls really liked them and I hope they help. 

The color doesn't show well but it's a Periwinkle blue and it's very old from Making Memories yellow from Core`dinations.  The side was punched with a MS punch,  I used the Grand Nestabilities Grand Labels Eleven, MFT stamp.  I used chalks to color her in and put a little Jolee's crystal in her barrette.

So if ANYTHING good could possibly come from this tragedy it is that my daughter and I have become even closer.  I think she has helped me through this more than I've helped her.  How did she become so mature and strong?   I can't stop hugging her....  So please hug your children whether they are 3 or 30 and make sure they always wear their seat belts.    Hugs....Kathi