let’s catch up with Avocado Arts

Another day, another fun set of stamps to use from Avocado Arts! The June kit, Let’s Catch Up, is full of great images for summer and Father’s Day! For this card, I used travel themed papers. The envelope image was stamped onto the cork paper to add a fun touch. (that and I just love stamping on patterned paper)
This is a sad post for me as it is my last with Avocado Arts. Being a part of this team for the past year has been an honor and privilege. Lisa and Michelle are truly amazing women to work for and with. They are beautiful women who run things openly, honestly, and with complete organization. I cannot say enough about each of them! The team has also been a joy to work with. Women who are truly kind and caring and supportive. I could not even begin to express my love and thanks!!
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

just you & me tree with Avocado Arts

Happy project sharing day with Avocado Arts! Today I am using the June kit, Let’s Catch Up on my card. I stamped the tree onto kraft cardstock, coloring the base with a Copic marker. Then I stamped the tree image again onto patterned paper. I cut out the pieces with a detail scissors and foam mounted those to the kraft piece. Easy and cute. This would actually be a fun piece to use on a layout.

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

P.S. I am still having health issues, that are effecting my hands and my ability to use them. One appointment with a specialist down, another one in a couple of weeks. When I can update you, I will. Continued prayers would be so greatly appreciated!

thank you friend with AvocadoArts

It’s a post day! Yay! We are all using April’s Kit, Sew Nice along with May’s kit, Thoughts and Smiles.

The flowers were stamped onto glossy cardstock with Archival Ink, along with the sentiment. (Both the blue and green flowers.) The ink was heat set. Then I applied Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo Distress Inks over the top with a foam applicator. Its an amazing new effect I learned while taking an online class from Tim Holtz. The colored images appear to be “inside” the paper. Its fantastic!

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

sew nice, too

Another tag today…I am sensing a theme lately. More about that later this week. Again I am using the April kit from Avocado Arts, Sew Nice.

A stitching image was stamped around the edge of the tag. The buttons and the sentiment were arranged on an acrylic block and stamped all at once. Twine was tied through the button holes, and through the needle.
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

Sew Nice

Welcome to a group post day for Avocado Arts! Today we are sharing projects using the April Kit, Sew Nice.


The tag base was stamped with the flower using Watermark Ink and Clear embossing powder. Once heat set, I rubbed Distress Stain over the tag and then Distress Ink.

Then a medallion was made with patterned paper. It was placed on a burlap border. The thread spool was stamped onto patterned paper and wrapped with baker’s twine. The sentiment was stamped onto a die cut piece of patterned paper using Spellbinders Grommet Tags.

Be sure and stop by the rest of the team to be inspired!
Avocado Arts Blog
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers

Tonight is the school’s Family Fun Night carnival/fundraiser. Being in charge of finding and organizing the volunteers has made the last few weeks a little nutso. :) I know many of you can relate. Have a fantastic weekend!

thanks for stopping by!
~kimberly

a sweet note with Avocado Arts

Today the entire Pit Crew is sharing projects using the March kit, Springtime Celebrations and a little peek using next months’s kit, Sew Nice.



I stamped a flower from Springtime Celebrations onto patterned paper. Then I stamped the button from Sew Nice onto wood patterned paper. I thought it made a really cute flower center. The sentiment is from Springtime Celebrations.

Check out what the rest of the team is up to:

• Avocado Arts Blog
• AJ Otto
• Becky Oehlers
• Julia Stainton
• Latisha Yoast
• Emily Branch
• Kelley Eubanks
• Emily Leiphart
• Savannah O’Gywnn

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

CardMaker Blog Team hop

I have another post below this! A look at the new stamps from Mint Motif and a chance to win them!

photo from Pinterest

Its another CardMaker Blog Team hop today! We are using the photo above as inspiration. I love using photos like this as a starting point for projects!



And here is my take on the inspiration. The first part that struck me was that amazing mirror. To re-create that look, I stamped and heat embossed this hexagon pattern on cardstock. Then I stamped the image onto foil, cut them out, and adhered the hexagons to the background. (You can see the close up below.)

To finish it off, I added white and fuchsia cardstock that was die cut with Spellbinders Labels Twenty Five. And then a lamp stamped in Teal.



A little birdie told us that is Brooke Smith’s birthday today, so this is a birthday wish for her! She always brightens my days with her emails and contagious happiness!! Happy Birthday, Brooke! Hope your day is fantastic!!!

Stop by all the blogs today and be inspired!

• Tami Mayberry
• Carolyn King
• Trudy Sjolander
• Colleen Schaan
• Kimberly Crawford *you are here*

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

fun with Avocado Arts

Its another day with Avocado Arts and the March kit, Springtime Celebrations. This set has a great little circle all about St. Patrick’s Day. Not having even one speck of Irish in my background, its not something we celebrate. But why not have a cute little something to wear on the day. And that’s where this projects idea came from…

The center of this four-leaf clover is kind of fun!

It’s a pin! I made it using Imaginesce’s I Top tool. Stayed tuned for a video tutorial about how to use the tool. Its easy and makes great brads, buttons, and pins like this one!

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 (Springtime Celebrations)
• Patterned paper-Basic Grey (Picadilly, Kissing Booth)
• Cardstock-Bazzill (Simply Smooth White)
• Ink-Memento (Pear Tart)
• Copics-YG03
• Imaginisce-I Top, Badge Daddies Large
• Spellbinders-S4-136 Classic Heart

Happy Easter with Avocado Arts

Happy Easter! A little early. :) Today I used the March kit from Avocado Arts, Springtime Celebrations. I wanted to channel my inner shabby but fabby Julia Stainton. ;)

I cannot leave the wood grain patterned papers alone! It’s a trend I am happy to join in with! The egg was stamped onto muslin and cut out. (Surprisingly, the Memento ink worked on it well. I wouldn’t wash anything with this ink stamped on it, but for cards and projects it’s a happy discovery!) It was added to a tag that was inked on the edges. The tag was also stamped with the nest from the set. Isn’t it cute?

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 (Springtime Celebrations)
• Patterned paper-My Mind’s Eye (Miss Caroline Dilly Dally 6x6)
• Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black, Pear Tart), Ranger-Distressing Ink (Frayed Burlap)
• Tag-Jillibean Soup
• Twine-The Twinery
• Lace-Wright’s
• Button-stash
• Cardstock-Bazzill (Kraft)
• Spellbinders-S5-029 Nested Lacey Pennants
• Adhesive-3L (EZ Runner, Foam Squares White)

Don’t forget to leave a comment on my previous blog post for a chance to win some great crafty stuff from my stash.

Feel Better with Avocado Arts

Today the projects from the Pit Crew use not only the February Kit, Wishes and Kind Thoughts, but they also show a peek of an image from the upcoming March kit, Springtime Celebrations.

When I look at the two sets together, I noticed that the cute bubbly background (Springtime Celebrations) I used also coordinated with the darling little owl’s (Wishes and Kind Thoughts) rain gear. Love how all these sets work together!!

The background was stamped in clear ink and then the smaller bubbles were colored in with a UniBall Signo Broad white gel pen. I added the same detailing to the owl’s rain gear, after he was colored with Copic Markers.

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, Springtime Celebrations)
• Ink-Tsukineko Memento (Tuxedo Black)
• Copics-Y11, Y13, Y15, E53, E55, BV20, BV22
• Spellbinders-S4-132 Classic Rectangles LG
• UniBall Signo Broad White Gel Pen

wishing you a wonderful day

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

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

thank you with Avocado Arts

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

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.

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

I love you with Avocado Arts

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

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!

• Avocado Arts Blog
  AJ Otto
  Latisha Yoast
  Julia Stainton
  Becky Oehlers
• Emily Branch
• Kelley Eubanks
• Emily Leiphart
• Savannah O’Gwynn

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

favorite layouts of 2011

And last, but not least, a look at my favorite layouts from 2011…there are still a few more to share soon!

First day of kindergarten

I Love You to Space; Spellbinders Edgeabilities

Stinker: Unity Stamp Co and Spellbinders

Bug Catcher: Avocado Arts

Hope that you enjoyed looking back on 2011! thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

favorite altered items of 2011

Today it’s a look back at a few of my favorite altered items from the past year. Hope you enjoy!

Boo to You: Avocado Arts, stitching over your stamping

Hydrangea Frame: Stampendous, with video tutorial

Video tutorial: Coloring with Distressing Inks

Faux Slatted Wood frame

Stamped fabric photo mat

Snow globe with Avocado Arts

Coffee Cozies: Spellbinders

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

favorite cards of 2011

Happy New Year! I hope that your year is off to a wonderful start! It seemed like it would be fun to share some of my favorite projects from the past year. Today cards, then altered items, and scrap pages. Its fun to look back and remember all the projects and ideas and work! If the link is worth visiting, I added it underneath the card. Some of the projects have video tutorials, so there are links for those as well. Enjoy!

CardMaker Magazine blog post: Faux Letterpress, Spellbinders, Hero Arts, my very first blog post on the blog team

Faux Letterpress: Spellbinders, with video tutorial
Video tutorial: Faux Letterpress

Sorry, this project has been removed for publication. :)
friends: a favorite publication reject

just saying hello: another reject, and its ok :)

another hello: resist embossing technique

Sorry, this project has been removed for publication. :)
those you hold well: Moxie Fab World challenge card

my favorite pattern-chevron: Spellbinders, Mint Motif

SORRY! This project had to be removed for publication. :)
Look for it in the June 2012 issue of CARDS magazine.

thank you: die cutting felt, Spellbinders, Technique Tuesday, Kaiser Craft


pair of socks: Avocado Arts

the little things: Hero Arts, with video tutorial
Video tutorial: Acrylic block stamping
Its great to be back home after visiting both sets of families in MN last week. We had a great time celebrating Christmas and eating way too much good food! Snow tubing and ice fishing, board game playing, and movie watching also rounded out our time together. Its tough to get back into the groove of things! CHA is approaching quickly, which means tons of artwork to complete. The Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy is also on its way…oooh fun stuff to share! It means that the old blog here will be a bit neglected again, but I am learning to say no, even to posting. :)
thanks for stopping by and for all of your comments, encouragement, and emails!!!
~kimberly

I love you jar with Avocado Arts

Let me start this post off with wishes for a very Happy New Year!!!

Today’s project from Avocado Arts again features the latest set, Sweet Treat Sweetie.

The background behind the jar was die cut and then stamped with the x’s and o’s image. The jar was stamped onto patterned paper, cut out, and foam mounted to the rectangle. Each heart was also stamped onto patterned paper and foam mounted to the inside of the jar. The tag was tied to the jar with twine, after it was stamped (via masking) with the sentiment.

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

Avocado Arts Blog
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers

And there is very exciting news from Avocado Arts! There are new members joining the team!!

• Emily Branch
• Kelley Eubanks
• Emily Leiphart
• Savannah O’Gwynn

Be sure and stop by and visit them and welcome them!! And they will be posting their projects on January 7th!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Sweet Treat Sweetie), Patterned paper-Lily Bee Designs (Memoranda), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Distressing-Ranger (Frayed Burlap), Twine-May Arts, Spellbinders-Rectangles LG, Standard Scalloped Rectangles LG, Tags Five

happy heart day peek from Avocado Arts

Today it’s a look at Sweet Treat Sweetie, the next release from Avocado Arts! Hard to believe its time to think about the next holiday! ;)

The background of this card was stamped several times in different colors of ink. (The stamp image itself has three rows of x’s and o’s.) To make it easy, I used a Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Queue set of inks. They are five inks, stacked up, that all coordinate.

The extra touch to this card is the stamped button. Yep, I cannot get enough of those wood buttons. Perfect for making your own embellishments! This button was sanded first, then using Palette ink, I stamped the heart image. Tie some twine through the button and you are done. Lots of possibilities with that idea.

Hope you are enjoying your holidays! thanks for stopping by!

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

Avocado Arts Blog
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Sweet Treet Sweetie), Ink-Clearnsnap Colorbox Chalk (Rose Petals), Button-Maya Road, Twine-Martha Stewart, Spellbinders-Lacey Pennants

A homemade Christmas gift with Avocado Arts

Having cute dish towels is something I love to have in the kitchen. Nothing like adding a bit of holiday décor or just some fun personality to the room! These plain dish towels were a great find at my local fabric store. They are made for decorating, typically with stitching, but Brrr! and the Nerdy Snow Peeps stamp set from Avocado Arts (and those stinking cute snowmen) were perfect to use! This is a quick project, which makes it a perfect gift to make for someone this holiday season!

Here is a look at the stamping on the towel. If you are going to do this, here are some tips, well, instructions for what you need to do, if you want the stamping to stick around. :)

• Wash the towel/s first. No dryer sheets or fabric softener, though.
• Stamp on a single layer of towel and consider putting a piece of scrap paper underneath to save on your stamping surface. If you stamp on all the layers, your image will go through to the underside.
• Use PALETTE inks from Stewart Superior. These are hybrid inks made for this type of application.
• Heat set the image using an iron. Place another dish towel over your stamped image before you iron, to help avoid burning.

The towels were simply wrapped with ribbon and a tag. The ribbon was cut to wrap around the towels and was fastened together with a large glue dot.
The tag was die cut and stamped. Chalkstock was used and it takes ink beautifully! Versamagic Cloud White was used. Keep in mind this is a juicy pigment ink, so it needs dry time or a little help from a heat gun. The tag was tied to the ribbon with a piece of twine and a cute wood button.

And here is a sneak peek of the next kit being released, Sweet Treat Sweetie. Stop back on December 30 for the full reveal!
Be sure and stop by and visit the rest of the team to be inspired!
Avocado Arts Blog
Latisha Yoast
Julia Stainton
Becky Oehlers
thanks for stopping by!
~kimberly
Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Brrr! and the Nerdy Snow Peeps), Ink-Palette (Noir, L’Amour), Versamagic (Cloud White), Chalkstock-Canvas Corp, Twine-Martha Stewart, Ribbon-Making Memories, Button-Maya Road, Towels-Hancock Fabrics, Spellbinders (tag no longer available)

Video Tutorial: Making windows in gift bags

When I made this project, using a small bag to hold a gift card, I got quite a few emails asking how to make the window in the bag. Well, I finally got around to it, and here it is.

For those that need the direct link: Making windows in gift bags

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Ho Hos and Holiday Blessings, Hello Friend), Ink-Palette, Copics, Bag-Canvas Corp (Small Kraft), Spellbinders-Standard Circles Large, Twine-May Arts, Large Clothespin-Canvas Corp