embossed Keepsake Envelopes

 

 

I have a pretty cool tutorial over on the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Crafty Power Blog today. One of those happy accidents and slightly crazy idea that worked! Stop on over and check it out!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

follow your heart

Happy Monday! A quick card share with you today. Its using  the latest from October Afternoon, called Travel Girl. The map is stamped, but the rest of the card is layered stickers. I love doing that.

Follow your heart this week!

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

greatest adventure

Another layout that was published in Scrapbooking and Beyond magazine, this one in the Spring 2012 issue. Using the Technique Tuesday stamp set, Loving Words, by Ali Edwards, this layout came together very quickly! To make the title, I stamped the sentiment, “you are my greatest joy” and masked off the word joy. I used letter stickers to spell out adventure. The idea came from a quote that has been pinned to my corkboard forever! The patterned papers are from October Afternoon (Rocket Age). They screamed six year old boy and I am hoarding them! :)

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Gratitude: On Tuesday and Thursday I get to volunteer in my son’s classroom at school. I love that I get to be a part of his day, but more importantly, I get to use my teaching skills, something that I am still very passionate about! There is nothing quite like watching a student understand a new concept, or read a challenging word, or get an answer correct when they worked hard! I am grateful for the school for allowing me to be there and to help out!!!!

hi sunshine gift bag

Today on the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Crafty Power blog, I have a mini-tutorial about how to get dimension from pre-made stickers. Plus the details on this fun mini-bag, perfect for gift-giving.

Have a fantastic rest of your weekend! thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

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

fall fun

This is an 8x8 layout I made for Spellbinders using the Presto Punch™ Machine. I used my all-time favorite photos of the little man on this. It was his first time out in the fall leaves. He was eight months old. We had gorgeous sugar maple trees filling our backyard at our first home and they filled it with red gorgeousness.

I punched out squares of patterned paper using P3-002 Square Punch Templates. Then I punched P5-001 Fall Leaves from each one. Keeping the paper in the punch template, I embossed the leaves. (everything is foam mounted to add lots of dimension)

The letters were also punch from brown cardstock using, PT-F02 Plain Jane Lower Case alphabet.

I am pretty excited about this project because it was re-created on Scrapbook Soup, the PBS show all about paper crafting!! Check your local listings for the show!

 

Gratitudes:

Nov 16 For lunch dates. When his schedule allows, I pick my hubby up for a lunch date. We try a new-to-us restaurant and get to chat without a 5 year old interjecting. Its really nice. Really, really nice.

Nov 17 For will power. Its been nine days since I have had a soda or caffeine. Its been tough, but I am determined to give them both up once and for all!

Nov 18 For Friday! :) We all look forward to the weekend to sleep in, enjoy breakfasts together, and just hang out. Enjoy your weekend!

 

thanks for stopping by!

~kimberly

Supplies-Spellbinders-Presto Punch, P3-002 Square Punch Templates, P5-001 Fall Leaves, PT-F02 Plain Jane (lower case), Patterned paper-My Mind’s Eye (Stella and Rose; Mabel 6x6), October Afternoon (Seaside Seashells 8x8 ), Stickers-My Mind’s Eye (Stella and Rose ), Ink-Ranger (Distressing-Frayed Burlap), Buttons-my stash, Twine-May Arts, Cardstock-Bazzill

CHA-S favorites

Here is a look at the latest product coming out over the next few months. Not all of it was new at the show. But they were my favorites.

JustRite Stamps Signs of Life
Love this stamp set! How beautiful to be able to hang all these signs.


JustRite Stamps You are the Best
Very cute and trendy. Lots of layering potential! I am thinking fabric and canvas for sure! Look for a project soon.

 
Kaiser Craft Miss Nelly (available early August)
This line is SO pretty. The colors are bright and fresh and one of my favorite combinations. And a huge thank you to all the companies for having 6x6 pads for all of us card makers! Look for a project soon.


Pink Paislee Wood Shop letters
I love all things made from wood and this line of letters is just fantastic! Many possibilities, from stamping to ink to mists to stains and paint!! There are several fonts to choose from. And be sure to check out their new Mistables line of products too!


Pink Paislee Vintage Vogue Spool Buttons
This was a fun collection from Pink Paislee. A unique color combination reminding me of my junior high days. This take on thread spool ends caught my eye right away.


Graphic 45: An ABC Primer
This is a sweet line of paper. It all screamed my name. Maybe it’s the former teacher in me. :)


Graphic 45: An ABC Primer, School Days
This paper was my hands down favorite of the whole line. Its going to be perfect with first day of school photos that will be happening oh, so quickly. I will have to break it out before then, so look for a project soon.


Basic Grey: Picadilly
Bright, country in style, and fun, this collection has a ton of great embellishments, which should not be missed. Hero Arts has collaborated with Basic Grey to create stamps and those should not be missed either.


Basic Grey: Canvas, Rook Large Sampler
These are cool, they are a pre-designed canvas. It has the lines painted on in black, leaving you to fill in the rest. Click over to see more photos.


Echo Park: Victoria Gardens, 6x6 pad
All of Echo Park’s new releases do not disappoint, but this one was my favorite. Soft and shabby, and look at that music note paper! Echo Park also has a great new Dots and Spots collection for Christmas.


October Afternoon: Farmhouse
This line has some fantastic colors, including yellow and grey, which is a personal favorite. And check out the Wrap pack, beautiful trims!


October Afternoon: Sasparilla
My little man is obsessed with being a cowboy and our recent trip to South Dakota just made it worse. :) It will be fun to use the embellishments and papers to create a mini album.



My Mind’s Eye: Lost and Found 2 Sunshine: Forever
Everything in the My Mind’s Eye Lost and Found Collection 2 is beautiful, but I am in love with the Sunshine part. For the obvious color reasons. :)


My Mind’s Eye: A Beautiful Life, 6x6 pad
My Mind’s Eye also released an entire collection of 6x6 pads, exclusively in that format. This is one of my favorite ones.


WR Memory Keepers: Sew Ribbon
This new tool looks like a ton of fun. It punches holes to allow you to thread ribbon into a pattern. There are several different styles. In a side note, I did not try this tool, so I have no idea its ease of use, or those details, just loving the idea of it.


WR Memory Keepers: Fancy Floss, Glitter Secondary
The Sew Easy now has baker’s twine and glitter floss. Yay!

Some trends that I spotted:

• texture, lots of texture
• flowers, flowers, flowers
• purple
• borders, the fancier, the better
• sewing and quilting themes
• turquoise in Halloween collections

There you go, just a few of the things that will *need* to come home to my house! Have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by!
~kimberly

Spellbinders Edgeabilities tutorials and ideas

Welcome back! I hope you are having a blast (hee hee) seeing all the new die templates from Spellbinders on the Blog Frenzy and all the wonderful inspiration from the designers! Let me also thank you for your sweet comments on my post-each one was so appreciated!!

Today I wanted to show you more about this layout I created using E8-005 Classic Postage Stamp Edgeabilities and S4-348 Postage Stamp.

The little man started saying, I love you to space, a few months ago and I could not wait to scrap it. When I was first looking at my new die templates, I saw this Edgeabilities decorative insert and I instantly thought, moon!

I die cut/embossed LF-114 Grand Circles from grey cardstock. Then I embossed ONLY the decorative insert many times. I wasn’t very careful about placement, just wanted to create the texture. Once the embossing was finished, Colorbox Chalk Grey Whale ink was added to the edges and onto the surface of the circle.

I also used the Edgeabilities in a more traditional fashion. Two pieces of Echo Park patterned paper were cut measuring 2”x8.” One was die cut /embossed with the Edger only. The second was die cut/embossed with the Edger and the decorative insert. I love this insert because it has little hearts inside it, relating back to the love theme. A piece of orange patterned paper was laid behind it and the embossed edges were sanded to bring the border out.

With S4-348 Postage Stamp, I wanted to create a set of “stamps.” I used the same photo in each square.

S4-126 Classic Squares Large works perfectly with Postage Stamp. I was able to die cut my photos to fit perfectly inside each space. I placed the die template over the photo, to be able to see what part would be cut out. To secure the die template, I added a small piece of tape.

Turn the die template over when placing on the Base Plate, because you want your cutting edge up when you cut. Try die cutting your photos with any of the Nestabilities.

Just a look at a die cut stamp and heart. It adds a fun little touch.

And one last look at the die cut hearts leading up to the rocket sticker. I thought it was kind of cute.

I hope you enjoyed a closer look at the new die templates from Spellbinders Paper Arts. thanks ever so much for stopping by!
~kimberly
Supplies: Spellbinders-E8-005 Classic Postage Stamp, S4-348 Postage Stamp, S4-126 Classic Squares Large, S4-136 Classic Hearts, LF-114 Grand Circles, Patterned paper-Echo Park (Playground;Kick the Can) (Little Boy;Buttons, Rock Star, Sailboats), Letter stickers-Cosmo Cricket (Tiny Type), Cardstock-World Win (Treasures-Honey), Bazzill, Ink-Clearsnap (Colorbox Chalk; Grey Whale), Stickers-October Afternoon (Rocket Age)

Avocado Arts Sunshine and Smiles set

Ooooh! I am so very excited to share with you my first Avocado Arts project!! This layout uses Sunshine and Smiles, which is available for order NOW! You can order it by clicking on Sunshine and Smiles.
When I saw the small bug in Sunshine and Smiles and a jar die template laying on my table, I knew I had the perfect photo to make a layout with! And it doesn’t hurt that the photo was in need of scrapping. :)

The open cloud image from the set was stamped onto patterned paper. Then it was trimmed out and mounted to the layout. Still one of my all time favorite techniques.

The big image was stamped into the small jar image. I love this stamp because it could be a bee, a bug, a lightening bug…

A cute little flying doodle from the set.

And, I adore this grass image!! When I stamp large, solid images like this one, I like to use two different colors of ink. On this project, I used a bright green pigment ink all over. Then I added a darker green ink along the bottom before stamping it onto cardstock.

These stamps have a ton of versatility. Its great to see stamps that can make cute cards and also work on layouts! For more inspiration, check out the rest of the team’s work. And we will continue to bring you projects for the rest of the month!!
May 1 - AJ Otto
May 2 - Latisha Yoast
May 3 - Julia Stainton
May 4 - Kimberly Crawford *here today*
May 5 - Becky Oehlers
May 6 &7 - Join us on the Avocado Arts blog for a project re-cap

Its been busy around here. We had my husband’s family at our house for a long weekend. It was a great visit, but it went by too fast! Soccer, T-ball, school, and all the other spring things happening make life crazy. Its great, isn’t it? :)

thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Avocado Arts (Sunshine and Smiles), Patterned paper-October Afternoon (Seaside), My Mind’s Eye (Fine and Dandy; True Blue), Crate Paper (Portrait), Kaiser Craft-Shaken Not Stirred (Daniel), Cardstock-World Win (Treasures; Kraft), Chipboard-Crate Paper (Toy Box Collection), Ink-Clearsnap (Colorbox Chalk; Citrene, Olive, Moss), Ranger (Distressing Ink; Frayed Burlap, Black Soot), Letter stickers-October Afternoon (Mini Market; Black), Spellbinders-Assorted Fresh Fruit

making changes

Sometimes in life we need to take a step back and re-prioritize. And sometimes we need to admit that we are not superwoman. Not that we want to admit that. :) Because of this, I have made the tough decisions to leave a couple of design teams that I have been a part of for quite some time. I will be joining a new team shortly, but that team is fitting nicely into my new life plans. So this post is a thank you to the teams, from the bottom of my heart.

Stampendous!

A wonderful stamp company with wonderful employees. You will never meet such truly nice, generous, and lovely women!! I have been a fan of their stamps from the start of my addiction. :)

My favorite project created for them, using Poppy Scene. Thank you, Stampendous!!!

The Scrap Review

Writing review articles on paper crafting products was a tough job, but someone had to do it! :) It was a new perspective on products, how I use them, and how others might use them. It made me think about all my purchases and about the products I share on my blog.

My favorite layout. Created for a review of Pink Paislee’s Queen Bee. Thank you for everything, Ashley Harris! I love when you work with someone on a team and they become a real-life friend!

Hope you are having a fantastic day! thanks for stopping by!

Stampendous Blog Hop

Welcome to Stampendous! Rubber Stamps’ first official Blog Hop! We’re so excited that our stellar Design Team was up for this challenge so soon after the grueling work of producing all the samples for our January 2011 Catalog. Here’s your chance to see some really wonderful projects from BOTH the October 2010 Valentine, Easter, Spring Catalog (just uploaded to our website for your purchasing pleasure that can be seen HERE) and the January 2011 Catalog premiering at CHA at the end of this month (soon to be available in your local store for your wish list making pleasure). We’re so excited you can join us! There will be four prizes drawn at random from the eligible hoppers... We’ll give away two of the Busy Bunnies set from the October Catalog and two flower sets from the January Catalog! All blog hoppers who comment on all the blogs will receive an email with a really cute bonus project and directions!!

Official Rules:
1. Start the hop at the Stampendous! blog then hop through all the Design Team blogs.
2. Make sure to leave a comment on each Design Team Members' post.
3. We will pick 4 random winners from all the comments left at all the sites. You must comment on EACH site to be eligible.
4. You have until Monday, January 10th at midnight EST to hop and comment.
5. Winners will be picked and notified on Wednesday, January 12.
6. We can’t mail prizes internationally, but if you want to join the hop we will email you the cute project.
7. Have fun!

Here’s where to start hopping:

• Stampendous!
• Jennie
• Wendy
• Rachel
• Cyndi
• Kimberly *you are here*
• Pam

Here is my first project for the hop. I am totally thrilled that this is in the October 2010 catalog! Mostly because I just love this card. Its so bright, springy, and I didn’t put the sentiment in a “normal” place. Way to go me! :) (Let’s face it. I am pretty type-A and lining things up is very important. Its a big step for me. :)) And note the sentiment stamped in watermark ink on the card base. I forget to add subtle details like that to my cards. Time to throw that one back into my repertoire.

Supplies: Stamps-Stampendous Clear(SSC1090 Block Art Beautiflowers), Copics (BG000, R22, R24, R27, YR02, YR04, YR07, YG03, YG17, G07), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versamark (Watermark),Ribbon-Creative Impressions, Spellbinders-Classic Scalloped Rectangle Large)

This card will be in the January 2011 catalog coming out at CHA. (Don’t you LOVE how they shoot these for catalogs? Could they come to my house please? :)) Of all the cards I have made, this one would rank in my top 2. Seriously. I love it. The colors and the papers just worked. I love the image. Its so beautiful and serene. Makes me want to go to Italy, and I have a thing for poppies.

Supplies: Stamps-Stampendous Wood (M234 Poppy Scene), Copics-R22, R24, R27, G40, G82, G94, E53, E55, E57, E29, E37, BG000, O), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Clearsnap (Colorbox Chalk-Creamy Brown), Patterned paper-October Afternoon (Thrift Shop 8x8)

Have fun hopping!!! thanks for stopping by!

Mint Monday

Its been quite sometime since we have had a Mint Monday! I am happy to say that life has once again returned to normal, we are settled, and I am ready to get back into the groove of things! :)

If you have made a project using Mint Motif stamps, be sure to email me at Kimberly1Crawford@gmail.com. I would LOVE to share your project and a link to your blog or gallery!

AND, in case you missed it, don’t forget the design team call we have going for Mint Motif! The deadline is THIS FRIDAY! There is lots of details HERE.

Please email your applications with all this information to
dt@iheartpapers.com. Deadline to apply is October 1, midnight EST.

I made a small flower, using the leaf image from Mint Motif’s school basics. Well, I made two. And I wanted to use the other one. (The first one is HERE) So, I grabbed more of the October Afternoon Seaside papers that the flower was made from and made another card.

The cork was stamped with a sentiment from MM’s Very Square Sentiments and it was die cut with a Spellbinders Classic Square. The thin cork from Creative Impressions is very easy to cut with your dies. I am sure that my love of all things kraft and twine also includes cork. :) And yes, Angela, I have an addiction! :)

The October releases will be peeking in just a little bit! (the 11th)! Oh, I cannot wait for you to see these images!! thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (Very Square Sentiments, School Basics), Patterned paper-October Afternoon (Seaside 8x8) Making Memories (Ledger), Cork (Creative Impressions), Twine (May Arts), Spellbinders (Labels One, Classic Squares Small)