Avocado Arts: Boo to You

Its another stitching with stamps project with Avocado Arts! I couldn’t help myself. The last one was just way too much fun! (if you missed my first project and tutorial you can see it here Stamping and Stitching)

I used the spider image from Thankful for You. I back stitched the outline and legs, and then did a straight stitch to fill in his body.

The spider web was pretty easy to stitch also. Now I have a cute piece of Halloween décor for my entry way! :)

Check out the rest of the team:
Avocado Arts Blog
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Thankful for You), Letters-American Crafts (Thickers), Fabric, Embroidery Hoop, DMC Floss, Needle, Ink-Palette (Water Lily)

Happy Halloween with Avocado Arts

Its time for a look at the September (gasp!) kit from Avocado Arts! Thankful For You is a darling set with the ability to create some trendy backgrounds, perfect for fall, or anytime of the year. Be sure and check it out!

See what I mean? That spider web is perfect for so many projects this Halloween!!

I needed a reason to use this bat, and this seemed like the card. I die cut Spellbinders Nested Bats from cardstock. Added a large black pompom and googly eyes. Sometimes you just need to use them.

Check out the rest of the team:
Avocado Arts Blog
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Thankful for You), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Cardstock-Bazzill (Kraft), Spellbinders-S4-277 Nested Bats

Stamping and Stitching with a Tutorial

A project! Shocking, I know! I cannot tell you how great it feels to be back into the swing of things. (at least this week :) )

I have noticed embroidery hoops being used everywhere on the internet and something about them just appeals to me. I am not good at sewing. My mother was the seamstress. But there is just something appealing about creating a little project like this!

As I thought about how I could create my own stitching pattern (because I cannot sew straight), I immediately thought about my stamps! I could stamp the images on fabric and stitch over the top! Oh the possibilities!!

I picked up a small 3” hoop, thin muslin, and a water washable fabric marker. The fabric was trimmed to a smaller size. The inner hoop was traced onto the fabric, to give me an idea of how far I needed to stitch, to fill the hoop. (you might have to click the photo to be able to see the faint image)

Wanting to mimic the pale color of the fabric marker and knowing I would stitch over the top and it really wouldn’t be seen, I used a pale blue ink. Stick with dye-based ink (or fabric ink) because you don’t want wet ink for this.

I stamped the handwriting line from Mint Motif’s School Basics set until the circle I drew was completely covered.

The clear stamps make it very easy to line everything up.

The final stamping.

The stitching. I used a back stitch, so they would be continual.

For the blue and black stitching, I used 3 strands of DMC embroidery floss. For the red lines, I only used two strands, to make it stand out less. Looking at this now, if I did the lines again, I might use only one.

A look at the letters. Just follow the letters with small stitches, especially around the corners. Having never done anything like this before, I am pretty happy with the results. I am off to see what other images I have in my stash…

Some advice from my mom. Thanks, Mom!:

• If you want this to be a project to hang on the wall, pre-wash the fabric.
• Move the hoop around while you are stitching, to keep the fabric taut.
• Keep your hands clean because the oils can rub off and leave marks.
• Don’t leave the project in the hoop if you walk away from it. The hoop could leave marks in an undesirable place.

Another last look at the hoop. It is glued to this card, but it might be fun to make it removable as a keepsake.

Hope you are inspired! thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (School Basics), Fabric-Hancock Fabrics, Michaels (DMC Floss, Hoop, Marker), Ink-Palette (Water Lily), Patterned paper-Kaiser Craft Miss Nelly, Spellbinders-S4-127 Classic Scalloped Squares Large

Paper Crafts magazine presents: Bonus Sketch Blog Hop

Welcome to the Paper Crafts magazine Bonus Sketch blog hop! Today we are celebrating the release of the latest special issue, Card Ideas for Paper Crafters. The issue of full of inspiring sketches to jump start your creativity and I am very honored to have several cards in this issue!

Typically I am not a sketch user, but I found these sketches made creating projects flow easily and quickly. These sketches are easily adapted to mixed media projects, or even scrapbooking. I mean, look at that cover! I am totally making those candles on the little man’s next birthday page!  And on days where the mojo just isn’t around , I will be grabbing this issue for inspiration!

In the back of the issue are 12 bonus sketches, and if you are waiting to get your hands on the issue, you can find the sketches here: Paper Crafts bonus sketches. For the hop today, we all chose a sketch and created a project.

I took the sketch very literally because the whole thing just spoke to me and my usual style. To create the panel with the sentiment, I die cut a journaling card with Spellbinders Labels Seventeen (just use a little low-tack tape to hold the die template in place while cutting). And I just had to use one of my favorite lines from CHA, Kaiser Craft’s Miss Nelly.

For more inspiration, and of course a chance to win, visit these talented ladies:

• Julia Stainton
  
• Teri Anderson
  
• Chan Vuong
  
• Lindsay Amrhein
  
• Kalyn Kepner
  
• Regina Mangum
  
• Angeline Yong
  
• Heidi Van Laar
  
• Kimberly Crawford *you are here*
• Vanessa Menhorn

What’s up with the winning I mentioned? Well, you have two ways to try and win a copy of Card Ideas for Paper Crafters! One, visit Paper Crafts Connection and leave a comment. And look at the loot also up for grabs there!

· My Little Shoebox’s Playtime collection

· SRM Stickers (25-Sheet Set)

· Close To My Heart’s My Acrylix: Art Philosophy Seasons

· Go-to Sketches

· Card Ideas for Paper Crafters

Two, leave a comment on my blog because I have a copy to give away also! You have until midnight (MDT) on Sunday, August 28 to leave comments.

For your comment, I would love for you to help a mom out! :) Our little man has asked for his training wheels to be removed from his bike. He is trying hard, but, you know how it goes. :) Do you have any special tips, tricks, or advice to help him conquer bike riding? We would really appreciate the ideas!

good luck, enjoy the hop, and thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Sketch-Betsy Veldman (Card Ideas for Paper Crafters), Patterned paper-Kaiser Craft Miss Nelly (Her Smile, Her Eyes), Stamps-Hero Arts (Live and Laugh), Ink-Tsukineko (Memento Tuxedo Black), Brads-Creative Impressions, Spellbinders-S5-025 Labels Seventeen

Stamp out cancer: Blogs 4 Boobies breast cancer fundraiser Final Day

ETA:

This auction has now ended. Thank you to those that participated! The winner will be contacted by Skipping Stones Design.

Welcome to the last day of Blogs 4 Boobies!

There us still time to join in on the fundraising!! There are two ways you can help:

#1 .  There is still time to bid on my projects.  Here is another look at what I have up for auction:

The auction will end TONIGHT at 8:00 p.m. Mountain time, August 23rd.
The highest bid is currently: $17

To win this simply bid more than $17 in the comment section of THIS post. YOU MUST INCLUDE your EMAIL ADDRESS with your bid. (This way we can get in contact with the winning bidder.)
Remember 100% of what you bid will go to the Komen foundation!!! If you are the top bidder you will receive a paypal invoice for the amount that you bid.


#2. There is still time to shop!!! Through midnight on the 23rd of August Skipping Stones Design is still donating $2 to the Komen Foundation for every stamp set sold.


Together we can make a difference!!!

Good luck bidding, thank you for your generous bids so far, and thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

publications

Card Ideas for Paper Crafters is now available for purchase. (This issue used to be called Go-To Sketches.) Its full of sketches and different designers take on those sketches. Its pretty darn inspiring. I keep going through the pages from the front, and then backwards…anyone else do that?

Here is one of my projects included in this issue. I just love that Hero Arts stamp, Circle Lace. Its been heat embossed, cut out, and added to the card.

Supplies: Stamps-Hero Arts (Circle Lace, Type ), Patterned paper-October Afternoon ( Thrift Shop), Clothespins-Canvas Corp (Natural), Twine-The Twinery (Black), Embossing powder-Stampendous (White Detail), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versamark (Watermark)

And the September/October issue of the regular issues of Paper Crafts just arrived at my house too! This is FULL of clever ideas. Seriously clever!

This frame is in that issue. I die cut felt using my Spellbinders die templates and Grand Calibur. To allow the embellishments to stand outside the frame, I removed the glass. (Gotta love cheap frames from Target for projects like this!)

Supplies: Spellbinders (Grand Cailbur, Nested Leaves), Patterned Paper-My Mind’s Eye (Stella and Rose; Hattie), Sticker-My Mind’s Eye, Brads-Nikki Sivils, Buttons (Buttons Galore), Twine-May Arts, Lace-My Mind’s Eye

It never ceases to amaze me to have work in a magazine. Its always an honor to have work chosen and I am thankful for each and every opportunity I have been given! Be on the lookout for some fun activities coming up to celebrate Card Ideas! Paper Crafts Connection and Moxie Fab World always have fun on their blogs!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Don't forget to check out the Blogs 4 Boobies blog hop/cancer fundraiser currently going on. You have the chance to help raise money for the Susan G Koman breast cancer foundation by bidding on cards made by many talented designers. And check out Skipping Stones Design for other ways that you can contribute.

Stamp out Cancer: Blogs 4 Boobies Breast Cancer Fundraiser

IT'S TIME TO STAMP OUT CANCER!!!!

Welcome to the second annual Blog 4 Boobies fundraiser!

This is day 2 of a 3 day blog hop where EVERY CARD OR PROJECT is up for auction!

Last year with your help Skipping Stones Design raised and donated $1108.99 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. It is our goal to raise $1500 this year and WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! There are 3 ways you can join in on the fund raising.

1. You can help by Going shopping!
For every stamp set that you purchase during August 15th through the 23rd SSD will donate $2 to the Komen Foundation. Stamping and shopping that you can feel good about ! Click Here to laugh at some of our funniest stamps Click Here to be inspired or Click here to see everything we've got!

2. You can help by *Biding!
Another way you can help us raise money for the Komen Foundation is to *bid on a project or card along the blog hop. YES! EVERY Single card/project along the Blogs 4 Boobies hop is up for auction. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Your *Bid not only includes the card or project but shipping to your home as well. * See "How to place a bid" for more detailed instructions.
If you are the highest bidder August 23rd 8:00 p.m. mountain time then you WIN the card/project that you bid on.

3. You can help by Telling Your Friends~
Help us spread the word about "Blogs 4 Boobies" the more people that know, the more money we can raise!!!

*How to place a bid on a card/project:
Step #1
Find the comment section of the blog that shows the "Blogs 4 Boobies" card or project that you want to buy. *Please note you may only bid on the card/project shown in the specific "Blogs 4 Boobies" post. *Any bids not placed on the correct post will be considered invalid. 

Step #2
Once you are in the "Blogs 4 Boobies" comment section fill in the dollar and cents amount of what you are willing to pay for the card/project. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Remember your bid includes shipping as well as the card/or project. 100% of the money your bid will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation

Step #3
Next to your $ bid please type in your email address. During a silent auction bidders sign their name next to their bid. Typing your email address is the electronic equivalent of signing your bid. Also it will help the blogger contact you if you are the highest bidder.

Step #4
Watch and wait.
Once you have entered your bid/comment sit back and wait. If someone out bids you then you may bid again. Bidding will continue until 8:00 p.m., Mountain time, August 23rd

* Please note that the participating stampers/bloggers will re-post their Blogs 4 Boobies card/project on the 23rd of August. When the blogger re-posts their project, then the bidding will continue on the NEWEST post and that comment section.

"What do I do once I place a bid"
The "Winner of the Auction" Will be the highest bid (that includes an email address)in the comment section of the MOST RECENT blogs 4 boobies post at the end of the silent auction. Please note that ALL cards/projects WILL BE REPOSTED on the 23rd of August. The silent auction will end at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time on August 23rd .

Things to keep in mind:
The blogger/designer will declare who has won the silent auction. Skipping Stones Design will send you an invoice for your donation/bid amount. Please pay that invoice as soon as possible, so the designer can get your card/project in the mail to you.

Remember 100% of your bid will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation.

And here are the projects, made by me, that you can bid upon. Both cards will be shipped to the winning bidder:

Please be sure and visit the rest of the talented ladies that are auctioning cards off today:

Skipping Stones Design blog (for all 3 days of participants)

Teri Anderson

Ashley Cannon Newell

Karen Christensen

Jodi Collins

Kimberly Crawford

Jen Del Muro

Katie Gehring

Vanessa Menhorn

Kryssi Ng

Taylor Usry

Sankari Wegman

Good luck bidding and thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Skipping Stones Design (Heartsong), Patterned paper-Authentique (Blissful, Splendid), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Ranger (Distressing Frayed Burlap), Lace-Hero Arts, Gems-Hero Arts, Clothespin-Canvas Corp (Natural), Spellbinders-Lacey Ovals, Ribbon Banners)

I heart you with Avocado Arts

Hello! Welcome to another day of looks at the latest and greatest from Avocado Arts! Today I am sharing a project using August’s set called, Zip n By to Say Hi. It’s a really cute set, with lots of potential for creating layouts and mini albums with all those summer vacation photos.

I stamped the license plate image onto a piece of cardstock. Then, I masked off the heart and inked up the letters from the sentiment. They fit perfectly. The image was then stamped again, with red ink. The heart was cut out and foam mounted to the center. Two mini brads were added to “hang” the plate from.

Seeing this as a little boy card, I stamped a line of cars in black.

Stopping the cars short of the end, I added a few little hearts, like exhaust. Simple and cute. The little man starts kindergarten on Thursday, so I may slip this into his bag to find. Maybe I need to send it more than he needs to get it.

And here’s a quick little peek at what is coming up for next month…

Our basement is finally back to normal. There are a few more repairs to be completed, but everything is back in its place. We had a great time with my parents and sister here for the last week and then some. Lots of shopping and playing tourist. And of course eating at lots of fun places and cooking lots of fun food.

My hubby and I also celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary this past weekend. I am very blessed with him and all he does for our family!! We went crazy and worked on the house in honor of it. That is the best part about being married, the everyday, the mundane. Having someone you love by your side through all the craziness of life. And this past summer has been just that.

Be sure and check out the rest of the ladies and their fabulous creations!
Avocado Arts Blog
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Zip N By to Say Hi), Patterned paper-Crate (Toy Box), Ink-Palette (L’Amour, Noir), Twill-Jillibean Soup, Twine-Jillibean Soup, Brads (Creative Impressions)

happiness is…

 

…well I think his smiling face says it all! We made bouncy balls one winter afternoon, with a kit we ordered online. It was so much fun!

I am thrilled to be able to share some of my Spellbinders Presto Punch artwork! One, I haven’t been in my crafty space since July 1, and two, its so much fun to be able to share “secret” projects finally!

The Spellbinders Presto Punch machine will be shipping oh, so very soon. This machine has a motor that is run by the buttons at the top of the machine. The buttons raise and lower the cutting and embossing platform. The punch templates are specially made templates for this machine only. Its brilliant really, the size and flat nature of the templates, compared to the bulkiness of punches. Not to mention that you get the embossing and stenciling part not possible with punches. And for those that are losing their manual dexterity, what a helpful tool. The Presto Punch is battery operated (AA), but if you desire, you can purchase separately an A/C adaptor. (Video tutorial)

Wanting to create the feel of the bouncy ball, I punched/embossed several circles from various patterned papers. Then I scored them each in half, gluing the backs to one another.

I used the same circles to place the title letters upon. The letters were also punched, using the Plain Jane Capital alphabet. Super font for all your projects.

It’s a super simple layout, but I was happy with the bright colors against the grey and black. And even better than that, the little man loves this one, and that is what really counts.

The same idea mimicked on this card. This would be fun for birthday cards or invitations, or even for a baby shower.

We started putting things back into our lower level last night. It feels s0oo good to get our house back into some order. Especially when company will be arriving shortly! We are looking forward to having my mom, dad, and sister stay with us for a bit. There will be lots of shopping!! Oh, how I miss shopping with them!!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Spellbinders Presto Punch Templates (Plain Jane Capital, Circles), Patterned paper-KaiserCraft (Shaken Not Stirred; Sean, David), Crate Paper-Snow Days (6x6), Stamps-Hero Arts (Typewriter Letters, Thank you for being my friend), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Pearls-Hero Arts

By the way, if you haven’t yet, be sure and check out the new Spellbinders Paper Arts website. Its pretty impressive. Tons of new projects, videos, and more!

lower level mess update

Well the fans and dehumidifiers have been pulled out and now we are waiting for a carpet pad replacement and complete sanitization of the lower level of our house. They are telling me it will happen on Wednesday. I hope that is the truth and not contractor talk. :) The house is a disaterous mess because we had to remove all our belongings from the lower level, which included my crafting office. Its frustrating to say the least. Let 's hope we can get things back together before Saturday, because my parents and sister are arrriving for a little longer than a week visit. :) Then school starts for the little man after that. Life is quite the ride, isn't it? :)

waiting to create the ideas rolling around in my head for you...thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly