a very special issue

Stamp It 3 Ways from Paper Crafts Magazine always has a special place in my heart, but this issue, like last year’s, means just a bit more. Not only do I have cards in the issue, but a stamp set that I designed was used! Now THAT is unreal!

Here is the set, from Mint Motif, available exclusively at i {heart} papers.com. Its called I’ve Got Your Number. I love this set because each number is individual. And I think it is perfect for all the Project Life style scrapbooking going on these days. Easy to make your own journal cards!

And a HUGE thanks to these fantabulous designers who used the stamps in the issue! Their creations were beautiful and inspiring and classy!

• Heidi Van Laar
• JJ Bolton
• Kim Kesti

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

bedtime playlist

Pop on over to The Scrap Review and read about what inspired this layout.

A close-up look at the journaling piece. I stamped the handwriting line from Mint Motif School Basics onto cardstock. The numbers were also stamped and they came from I’ve Got Your Number.

thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (School Basics, I’ve Got Your Number), Patterned paper-Cosmo Cricket (Joy Ride), Cardstock-Core’dinations, Ink-Palette (L’Amour, Water Lily, Terra Cotta Tile), Letter stickers-Thickers (American Crafts)

i love you

Gratitude Day 16: This week I am definitely thankful for being a stay at home mom! It has been such a privilege to be at home with my son, spending his years before school with him. It wasn’t something that I was sure I even wanted to do. And there are some frustrating days when I think, yikes. But these past four years have been the best time. I know how lucky I am.

There is a song on the radio that inspired this layout, called 1,2,3,4 by the Plain White T’s. The lyrics say, “there’s only 1 way, 2 say, 3 words, 4 you…I love you.” Super sweet and now that I have a great number stamp set from Mint Motif, I could easily create the journaling tag. But more on that in a minute. (one more note, the photo is from Valentine’s Day 2008, even better to fit the theme)

With the theme of numbers set for the layout, I placed the large numbers from, I’ve Got Your Number, on a large acrylic block.

Then I stamped the entire background piece of cardstock with the numbers and Versamark Watermark Ink.

For the journaling tag, I stamped the handwriting line from School Basics onto cardstock. Then I cut it down and rounded the corners. The numbers were stamped in red ink. When I designed the numbers, I made them fit the handwriting line perfectly. :) See yourself making tons of these tags now? Think of the possibilities! The hearts, from What a Card, were stamped in pale pink.

To add to the love theme, Classic Hearts from Spellbinders were die cut from self-adhesive felt. Making an easy embellishment.

Just a quick look at the patterned paper. Not only is it stylish with its red and text, but read it. Its all about happiness. Silly things to be happy about. A final perfect little touch! :)

What are you thankful for today? thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (I’ve Got Your Number, What a Card, School Basics), Patterned paper-Bella Blvd (Midterm-Text Me, Steve’s Keys, Mid Term Borders and Blocks/Hello Beautiful-Thanks a Bunch), Ink-Stewart Superior (Palette-L’Amour, Bella Rose, Water Lily),Tsukineko (Versamark-Watermark), Felt-Wal-Mart, Cardstock-Bazzill, Border punch-EK Success (Notebook Punch), Spellbinders-Classic Hearts

Christmas countdown calendar

Gratitude Day 13: Today I am thankful for my sister and her hubby coming for a visit. We had such a wonderful time! I miss her like crazy, but we have Facebook and text messaging and so many other wonderful technologies to be able to stay in touch. Guess those are things to be thankful for as well! :)

I have been wanting to make a Christmas countdown calendar for quite sometime. Some little kraft bags from Canvas Corp. were the perfect solution! The small bags can perfectly hold a little piece of candy, movie tickets, or gift cards.

The top of each bag was folded over slightly. I used small bits of leftover lace that were on my desk on the top of each fold.

Small pieces of patterned paper were cut and the edges distressed. Then I die cut/embossed several circles, in two different sizes, from cardstock. The edges were inked and then the numbers were stamped. I also added a small stamped snowflake on each circle.

Each bag was hung from twine with a mini clothespin. Way too cute! Hope this easy and cute project inspires you to create your own countdown calendar!

What are you grateful for today? thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (I’ve Got Your Number), Hero Arts (Get Merry, Holiday Sayings), Patterned paper-Basic Grey (Jovial), Ink-Ranger (Distressing Ink-Frayed Burlap), Tsukineko-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Kraft bags and Clothespins-Canvas Corp., Twine-May Arts, Lace-Hero Arts (Lace Ribbon, Cream Self-Adhesive), Spellbinders-Standard Circles Large, Standard Circles Small, Create a Flake 2

Introducing Mint Motif’s November Release

I’ve Got Your Number $10

• 29 images, including 5 sentiments
• larger numbers measure about 1.5” tall and about 1” wide
• smaller numbers measure about .75” tall and about .5” wide

What a Card! $10

• 17 images, including 10 sentiments
• the wood grain background is the same size as the Very Square images, 1.75”x1.75”
• the border measures about 5.84” long, allowing it to cover the long side of a standard A2 card

Both of these sets are now available at i {heart} papers!

Check out to see what the rest of the fabulous design team created:

• Geny Cassady
• Bonnie Kempenich
• Julie Masse
• Melissa Bickford
• Ryann Salamon
• Tobi Crawford
• Kate Baldwin- i {heart} papers owner

And, there is a chance for you to win! I will draw two names from all the comments left here and the design team’s blogs and they will win either What a Card! or I’ve Got Your Number. Be sure and leave comments on each blog because it gives you more chances to win!

Mint Motif Sneak Peek: What a Card! with a video

Gratitude Day 12: Today I am thankful for coupons. Another silly thing, but they sure help us save money! :)

The inspiration for What a Card! came from my hubby. I was asking him what images could be considered masculine, and playing cards and poker chips were mentioned. It got me thinking and at 3 o’clock in the morning, I awoke and started sketching and researching. I think this set is a great mix of masculine images and punny sentiments.

There is a some great game playing supplies making an appearance in the paper crafting world. Look at the patterned papers here from Crate and Jenni Bowlin. Add in the Mint Motif stamps and you have a fun card!

Here is a quick video tutorial on how to make your own playing cards. For those that need the direct link, click HERE.

For this project, I made a cute poker table with Spellbinders Octagons. The poker chip image from What a Card! was stamped with red ink and heat embossed. Then I applied fired brick distressing ink over the top.

The little man is feeling better, thanks to antibiotics. And that is letting us have a good time with my sister and her hubby. Its been so much fun to talk make-up and do our hair together yesterday morning. Like old times! :) We are also getting tons of shopping in together. How I have missed that! Tomorrow is the day, release day! Yay! I can’t wait to share the full sets with you and hopefully a project or two. Don’t forget to share what you are grateful for today! thanks for stopping by!

Supplies If You Play: Stamps-Mint Motif (What a Card!, I've Got Your Number-available Nov. 14), Patterned paper-Crate (School Spirit), Jenni Bowlin (Play Date), Ink-Palette (L'Amour), Twine-Jillibean Soup

Supplies One of A Kind: Stamps-Mint Motif (What a Card!), Patterned paper-Crate (School Spirit), Wood paper-Real Wood (Creative Imaginations Thin Maple), Felt-Michael's, Ink-Ranger (Distressing Ink-Fired Brick), Palette (Noir), Embossing Powder-Stampendous (Clear Detail), Spellbinders-Octagons, Label Trio

Mint Motif Peek: I’ve Got Your Number

Gratitude Day 11: Urgent care is today’s gratitude. Thank goodness there are places open for when your child gets sick outside of office hours. The little man has double ear infections. Poor thing. I am thankful for the doctors, nurses, and other professionals that take care of our families at crazy hours.

So, with the little man being sick and my sister and hubby here for a visit, today’s peek is going to be short. I know that you will all understand, family first! :)

I’ve Got Your Number is a fantastic set of numbers and a few sentiments. There are large numbers, which are perfect for coloring or paper piecing, and small numbers, great for making backgrounds and adding numbers in small places. Not to mention how fabulously it works with the other set we are releasing this month. :)

Sassafras Lass papers inspired this card. I loved the unique color palette and I love any excuse to make something girly.

I stamped the numbers right on the patterned paper and colored the in with a Copic marker. (R24) Keep in mind when you color on patterned paper, its different than your usual coloring paper, its thinner and can bleed easily.

And my favorite font was used to create the sentiments in this set. This one would be great to create birthday party invitations.

The background was really fun to stamp. I placed all my small numbers on a large acrylic block. I stamped them onto a piece of white cardstock and heat embossed them in red embossing powder. Then I stamped them again and heat embossed with yellow powder. Distress ink was applied all over the cardstock. And then a darker color was added just to the edges.

What are you grateful for today? thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (I’ve Got Your Number-available Nov. 14), Patterned paper-Sassafras Lass (Count Me In), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Ranger (Distressing Ink-Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick), Versamark (Watermark), Embossing Powder-Stampendous (Chinese Red, Lemon Yellow), Brad-Chatterbox, Spellbinders-Labels Eight

Mint Motif Sneak Peek for November

Gratitude Day 10: Today’s gratitude: For an understanding hubby, who was helping me clean the house and get ready for my sister and her hubby arriving for a visit today, while in the middle of a release. He is the best!

Sneak peeks for Mint Motif’s November release start today! I am very excited to share both sets with you over the next couple of days, including the backstory of where these sets originated from. Let’s just say my best creativity arrives around 3 am. :)

Mint Motif stamps are made in the USA from the highest quality photopolymer. They are available exclusively at i {heart} papers online store. Sneak peeks will happen here from the 11th of each month, concluding with the release day on the 14th. Mint Motif Stamps will be available for purchase on the 14th.

And here is my sneak peek for today. This card uses each of the two stamp sets we are releasing this month. Over the next couple of days I will get into specifics of each set.

Check out what the new design team has created for you today! I know I cannot wait to see! :) Ok, so I peeked, ahead of time, and saw what they created. You really must click, as quickly as possible, to see what they have designed! Wow. Knock your socks off wow!

• Geny Cassady
• Bonnie Kempenich
• Julie Masse
• Melissa Bickford
• Ryann Salamon
• Tobi Crawford
• Kate Baldwin- i {heart} papers owner

What are you grateful for today? And if you are wondering what that is all about, click HERE. thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (I’ve Got Your Number, What a Card!-available Nov. 14), Patterned paper-Jenni Bowlin (Play Date), Ink-Palette (L’Amour, Noir), Twine-May Arts, Lace-Hero Arts (Cream Self-Adhesive)

And Jan, thanks again for stopping at the store!! It was wonderful to meet you in real life!! :)