Tuesday, January 31, 2012

wishing you a wonderful day

wishing you a wonderful day

A cute and simple card using Avocado Arts February kit, Wishes and Kind Thoughts for today.

wishing you a wonderful day CU

The darling watering can was stamped onto cardstock and colored with Copic markers. A bit of fussy cutting was done, which I love. And to get inside the handle, I used an X-Acto knife.

Be sure and stop by the rest of the team to be inspired!

Avocado Arts Blog
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers

I am still at CHA. I should be back tomorrow night! After last year and spending 3 bonus days in Los Angeles, let’s hope I can get back on schedule! The little man has a birthday party this weekend! :)

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies:

  • Stamps-Avocado Arts (Wishes and Kind Thoughts)
  • Patterned paper-Lily Bee (Head Over Heels)
  • Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black)
  • Spellbinders-Circles LG, Standard Scalloped Circles LG, Lacey Pennants

Sunday, January 29, 2012

thank you with Avocado Arts

thank you

Today it’s a look at the next kit from Avocado Arts, Wishes and Kind Thoughts.

thank you CU

I used several of the smaller images from the set to create my own patterned paper. Its easy to do, just place the stamps on an acrylic block and stamp away. The best thing is, you can turn the block around and around to get the pattern the way you want it to look.

thank you CU how to cut pennant

And I wanted to show you how easy it is to create a pennant shape panel for your cards. Cut the patterned paper to the width and length you desire. Then, use another piece of patterned paper, or scrap cardstock, that has a 90 degree corner. Center the corner, trace the lines lightly with a pencil, and then cut. Doing this with the same piece of cardstock on the patterned paper, as well as the stamped piece, allowed them to layer perfectly.

Be sure and stop by the rest of the team to be inspired!

Avocado Arts Blog
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies:

  • Stamps-Avocado Arts (Wishes and Kind Thoughts)
  • Patterned paper-Lily Bee (Head Over Heels)
  • Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black),
  • Ink-Clearsnap (Colorbox Chalk-Razzberry)
  • Twine-The Twinery
  • Spellbinders-Classic Postage Edgeabilities

Friday, January 27, 2012

Paper Crafts Magazine: Stamp It! 3 Ways Blog Hop

PC20112

Welcome to the Stamp It! 3 Ways blog hop! This new special issue from Paper Crafts magazine is now available. Its stamping, all stamping!! What I love about this issue is how its set up. Three designers were given the same stamp set and they each created a card based on their own style. The creative ways each designer used the stamps is astounding! So much creativity! And so many ways to be inspired to use stamp sets in your stash.

charming

Today I am using one of the stamp sets I used in the issue, My Mind’s Eye Lost and Found Princess stamps.

charming CU

I stamped the pennants onto white cardstock with aqua ink. Then I added a piece of twine to the card base. Each of the pennants was cut out and foam mounted to the card. The butterfly was stamped with yellow ink, cut out and foam mounted. The sentiment fit perfectly between the embossed details.

The embossing on the background was created by Spellbinders Paper Arts latest; M-Bossabilities!! These dual-sided embossing folders are brilliant and create such a deep impression! This folder is called Elite. M-Bossabilities will be available for ordering at CHA-W. So look for them soon at your favorite store!!

Check out these talented stampers and see what they have created for today!
Jaclyn Miller
Julie Masse
Laura Williams
Heidi Van Laar
Emily Leiphart
Mariana Grigsby
Julia Stainton
Sarah Moerman
Karen Baker
Laura O’Donnell
Kelley Eubanks
Kimberly Crawford *you are here*

Congrats for making it this far on the hop! :) For your persistence, how about a giveaway? I have a copy of Stamp It! 3 Ways to give to one reader! Leave a comment on this post telling me your current favorite stamp set or stamping technique. You have until Sunday, January 29, at 12 midnight to leave a comment. I will draw a winner when I return from CHA on Feb 3. The winner will be announced sometime on that day.

AND there is an uber-amazing, cannot believe they are giving away all the stamp sets used in the issue give away on the Paper Crafts Connection blog!!! So be sure and leave a comment there for a chance to win too!!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies:
  • Stamps-My Mind’s Eye (Lost and Found 2 Princess)
  • Spellbinders-M-Bossabilities (Elite)
  • Ink-Clearsnap (Colorbox Chalk-Canary, Turquoise), Memento (Tuxedo Black)
  • Twine-The Twinery
This is a scheduled post as I am in California for CHA.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

CHA bound

ETA: There is lots of fun and giveaways happening on the Paper Crafts Connection blog today!!! Its the celebration of Stamp It 3 Ways and Susan Opel is featuring something near and dear to my heart! Pinch me please!! :) Ok, read the rest of this post and then go! :)

Today I am off to Anaheim, CA and CHA-W! I will be working in the Spellbinders Booth #1883 . If you are attending the show be sure and stop by and say hi!!!

Its going to be an exciting show for me for a few reasons.
Reason #1:
701033_CraftsQckEasyCVR.indd

Spellbinders Quick and Easy Crafts for Entertaining will be available and Stacey Caron, the president of Spellbinders Paper Arts, will be giving books away and signing copies (CHA Booth #1883 Sunday, January 29, 1-2:30 pm. Or until supplies last.)! I still cannot believe that my artwork is on the cover! Holding this in my hands and will make it very real!

Reason #2:
6501533355_e6a0b43347

This book from Paper Crafts Magazine, Party Ensembles will also be given away! One of the ensembles I created for this book is SO COOL! Seeing how they photographed it is going to be very exciting! This issue is very exciting!

Reason #3:
Ok, this one is a big secret. One I have been keeping in for awhile. Its pretty cool. Another surreal happening. As soon as the show starts, I will be able to share, well, show you. :)

When I get back (Feb. 2), I’ll share some of the things I saw on the floor. I honestly won’t have too much time to wander, but I will do my best. (If I get the chance to take/share photos, I will on Facebook and Twitter.)

Off to enjoy the palm trees! thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Stamp It 3 Ways

PC20112
Stamp It 3 Ways, another special issue from Paper Crafts magazine is now available. I am always excited and honored to have projects in any print publication, but this particular issue holds a special place in my heart. The reason being, one of the stamp sets I designed was used in the issue!!!!!

Beyond Borders

Beyond Borders was used by three very talented card makers, Kim Kesti, Jaclyn Miller, and Amber Daigre. A huge thank you to them! Its amazing to see what others create using something you designed!! Its totally unreal actually, who are we kidding? :)

thanks for stopping by and listening to my stories! :)

~kimberly

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

my little boy

my little boy

Another Spellbinders project to share. A sweet and simple layout with my little man. And look at all the die templates I was able to use!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies:

  • See above for Spellbinders
  • Patterned paper-Echo Park (Little Boy-Little Boy Buttons, Boxer Stripe, Awesome Dots, Sailboats )

Monday, January 23, 2012

go with all your heart

go with all your heart

Finally getting to share a Spellbinders Paper Arts project with you! We create so many projects, all that are used in various ways. Once they show up in the fabulous Spellbinders idea gallery, we can share them on our blogs.

See the supply list below for all the wonderful die templates that I used. One tip I want to point out is the inking. Be sure and add some ink to your embossed (raised) edges to bring out the beautiful details!

Its been a wee bit crazy here. The little man got ill over the weekend, which changed our plans. Poor thing. I am testing students this week, and I leave for CHA on Friday. Oh, did I mention I teach class Tuesday night? What would we do if we didn’t have to be a thousand places at once? :) Hope your weekend was wonderful!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies:

Thursday, January 19, 2012

more with Spellbinders Square Swatches

Kimberly Crawford Blog Frenzy Project 2 CD

Welcome back! Thank you all so very much for all your sweet comments on my post for the Spellbinders Blog Frenzy!!!!!

To create the frame on the front of the card, I started by die cutting a square of cardstock. Then, I die cut S4-342 Square Swatches from the center, using pieces of low-tack tape to keep it exactly in the center. Then the edges were inked. Using the same technique as my layout from the other day, I used the square die template to draw lines. A paper piercer was used to makes holes, allowing me to stitch. The stitched frame was then foam mounted to a piece of patterned paper.

The flower was die cut with S4-351 Spiral Blossom One and felt. Ahh that 100% wool felt again! Add leaves from S4-321 Nested Leaves, and a decorative brad from My Mind’s Eye.

The border on the bottom was die cut and embossed using E8-013 Classic Decorative Borders Five and E8-001 Classic Scallop Edgeabilities. To add extra depth to your embossing, be sure and rub some ink over the top, gently.

Ok, back to work, CHA is quickly approaching! So much to do, so little time!!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies:

  • Spellbinders-S4-342 Square Swatches (available for order at CHA-W), E8-013 Classic Decorative Inserts Five (available for order at CHA-W, S4-351 Spiral Blossom One, S4-126 Squares LG, S4-321 Nested Leaves, E8-001 Classic Scallop Edgeabilities
  • Patterned paper-Jillibean Soup (Sweet and Sour Soup 6x6)
  • Brad-My Mind’s Eye (Stella and Rose-Hazel Decorative Brads)
  • Stamps-Flourishes (Tag Lines)
  • Felt-National Non-Wovens (100% wool felt-Ivory)
  • Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Ranger-Distressing (Frayed Burlap)

Monday, January 16, 2012

Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy Day Six

Welcome to day six of the Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy!

125x125_A&B

Spellbinders™ Paper Arts is absolutely thrilled to bring you our largest product releases ever! These new collections are some of the most innovative and beautiful die cutting and embossing templates in the world! The Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy allows you a sneak peek of our introductions for the 2012 Winter Craft and Hobby Association trade show later this month. 

Win today’s new Spellbinders products!

Be eligible to win the Grand Prize by entering each day, see the schedule below!

Enter my Blog Frenzy from 12:00 am Eastern Standard Time (EST) January 17, 2012 until 11:59 pm January 18, 2012.

Today’s participating Blog Frenzy includes my blog and Donna Salazar and Ken Oliver's. You can enter yesterday’s blogs, Holly Simoni, Heidi Blankenship, and Judy Hayes through January 17th at 11:59 pm EST.

See the Spellbinders Blog for the complete schedule of designers and contest rules.

Thank you Spellbinders Paper Arts for sponsoring this contest!

Kimberly Crawford Blog Frenzy Project 1 SB

The first time I saw S4-342 Square Swatches Spellbinders Nestabilities®, my thoughts immediately went to a quilt. With quilts being warm, cozy, and full of love, this family photo was going to be perfect to use with a quilted background!

S4-342 Square Swatches

S4-342 Square Swatches
MSRP: $24.99
DIE SIZES:
1. 3/4"

2. 1 1/2"

3. 2 1/4"

4. 3"

5. 4"

E8-013 Classic Decorative Inserts Five

E8-013 Classic Decorative Inserts Five
MSRP: $19.99
DIE SIZES:
Diamond: 5/8" x 8"

Scalloped Dots: 3/4" x 8"

Scalloped and Swirls: 5/8" x 8"

Die cutting square

I started by using die number 5, where one is the smallest. It was placed on the A-Base Plate with the cut edges facing up.

Die cutting square how to lay paper

Then the patterned paper was placed face down into the die template.

Always place whatever side of your paper you want showing face down into your die template. This ensures that your embossing will be on the correct side.

Die cutting square how to plates

Top the patterned paper with the C-Cutting Plate. Run through the Spellbinders Grand Calibur® machine.

Embossing square how to plates

Leaving the paper inside the die template, place the Tan Embossing pad and B-Embossing Plate over the top, as shown. Run through the machine again.

Inking square edges

Ink the edges of each square.

Drawing stitches on squares

Using S4-126 Classic Squares LG, die template number 6, trace faux stitching lines.

Drawing stitches on squares 2

The die template nests inside the die cut shape perfectly.

Square finished

The finished square.

Square on Layout

Repeat these steps for each square, using different colors of patterned paper. A 12 x 12" layout can have a total of nine squares when using the largest die template.

Edgeabilities Inserts

To create the 100% wool felt border, I used E8-013 Classic Decorative Inserts Five. This set comes with three decorative inserts. I chose the one third from the top. It works perfectly with E8-003 Classic Ric Rac's edger.

Felt border cutting to length

Each Spellbinders Edgeabilities® die measure 8.” So to "measure" my piece of 100% wool felt, I placed the edger on the felt and trimmed.

Edgeabilities tape down

To keep the edger and decorative inserts in place, use several small pieces of low-tack tape. I use one piece on each end of each die template, for a total of four pieces.

Edgeabilities on the plate

To maximize the effectiveness of the delicate cutting of this decorative insert, place the insert, cut edge up (so the felt is on top), on the center of the A-Base Plate.

Because these dies feature such intricate cutting and embossing detail, you may need to cut twice. If an area didn’t cut completely, add a paper or cardstock shim only that section. Cut again, then emboss for a beautiful and intricate design!

Die cut felt

With one pass through the Grand Calibur, look at how beautifully the details cut!

felt on layout

Layer the felt border on top of a cardstock border.

Kimberly Crawford Blog Frenzy Project 2 CD

Here is another project I made using S4-342 Square Swatches and E8-013 Classic Decorative Inserts Five. For more details about this card, please stop back in a couple of days!

By entering the Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy you agree to the Official Rules. For questions on the Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy, send an email to contestquestions@spellbinders.us; no entries will be accepted at this email address.

TO ENTER:

My blog is open for entries from 12:00 am, January 17, 2012, until 11:59 pm, January 18, 2012, EST.
1) Send your Blog Frenzy email entry to: reveal16@spellbinders.us
2) The subject must be S4-342 Square Swatches and E8-013 Classic Decorative Inserts Five.
3) Send!

Be sure to visit all the Designers on their Blog Frenzy dates!

Daily winners will receive an email within 24 hours of the blog frenzy’s closing. The winners will have 72 hours to reply to that email to claim prize. If a winner fails to respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be drawn.
To be eligible for the Grand Prize, enter each and every Blog Frenzy within its designated time period, send your entries from the email address for each entry. The Grand Prize has a retail value of over $1900 and includes the complete Spellbinders line of die cutting and embossing templates released at the 2012 Winter CHA show, and a Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Die Cutting and Embossing Machine!


I love your comments! Unfortunately your comment does not count as an entry, so be sure to enter as stated above, and then leave a comment.

Thank you for visiting and good luck!!

~kimberly

Supplies: Spellbinders-Grand Calibur, S4-342 Square Swatches, E8-013 Classic Decorative Inserts Five, S4-126 Squares LG, S5-028 Nested Pennants, Patterned paper-Cosmo Cricket (Togetherness 6x6), Cardstock-WorldWin (Kraft), Chipboard-Jillibean Soup, Twine-The Twinery (Maraschino), Buttons-Michael’s, Ink-Ranger-Distressing (Frayed Burlap), Felt-National Non-Wovens (100% wool felt)

To receive information and announcements from Spellbinders, sign up for the Newsletter and subscribe to the Spellbinders Blog. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and Pinterest. Thank You!

Spellbinders and M-Bossabilities are trademarks of Spellbinders Paper Arts, llc.

Grand Calibur is a registered trademark of Spellbinders Paper Arts, llc.

CutEmbosesStencil

wood buttons

1 Wooden Buttons

Today I am sharing my current favorite thing over at the CardMaker Magazine blog. Pop on over and see how to create all these buttons with stamps!!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Saturday, January 14, 2012

I love you with Avocado Arts

i love you umbrella CU

Today’s project is featuring January’s kit, Sweet Treat Sweetie and a peek at what is coming up next month.

i love you umbrella

The umbrella was stamped onto patterned paper, but it still needed something. So, to give it more depth and interest, I colored the underside of the umbrella with Copic Markers.

And it’s the day that the entire Pit Crew is posting projects! The eye candy will be amazing, with all these talented ladies!

This week is going to be exciting on the old blog! Tomorrow is a CardMaker Magazine post, and Tuesday is my Spellbinders Blog Frenzy post day!! Lots of fun! thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Sweet Treat Sweetie, Feb. Kit), Patterned paper-Lily Bee (Head Over Heels), Clearsnap (Colorbox Chalk-Picante, Turquoise, Razzberry), Memento (Tuxedo Black), Copics-W1, W3, W5, W7

Friday, January 13, 2012

Sweets for Your Sweet

Candy Jar sweet treats
Welcome to another CardMaker Magazine Blog team hop! Today we are sharing projects all about sweet treats!

Candy Jar sweet treats CU
I have a thing for candy jars. There is something so nostalgic about them. Each of these little candy jars are filled with stamped hearts. And each heart got a little bit of sparkle.

Be sure and visit the rest of the team and the CardMaker Blog:
Tami Mayberry
Carolyn King
Trudy Sjolander
Colleen Schaan
Kimberly Crawford *you are here*

Happy Friday the 13th! Its always a good day for me and I hope its lucky for you too!
thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: