Two Stamping Techniques, Two Cool Tools, One Fall Card

Moments of fall seem to be peeking through the days of lingering warm weather. One of my favorite fall color palettes is this one here. Mostly because I can create fall without diving head first into reds, yellows, and oranges. Because those colors somehow don't feel right when its still 85 out and the air conditioning is running. :D

Check out the We R Memory Keepers tools I used to create not only the beautiful sort-of fall color background, but also the shadowed sentiment.

For a full tutorial please visit the We R Memory Keepers Blog.

First set of tools up is the Impressions Daubers. These foam-handled tools are perfect for blending inks on your card stock or patterned paper. You can even use them to create unique backgrounds by using them as a stamp. There are two shapes as you can see. I personally love the circles, but when you need to get into a smaller spot, the triangles really are helpful. The Impressions Daubers come in a handy case that closes nicely. A fun and useful tool to add to your stash!

Then I used the Precision Press to create a very cool shadow effect behind my sentiment. The Precision Press is very helpful with lining up stamps so they line up perfectly. The part that I like the most about the Precision Press is the fact that the lid is not attached to the base. You can use the lid to stamp on its own. Nice for creating backgrounds.

Visit the We R Memory Keepers Blog for the full details on using these tools. Plus a few very helpful inking and stamping tips! 

Sincerely Yours,

Supplies Used. Listed with affiliate links. Thank you for supporting me and my family with your shopping.

custom thank you cards with the Silhouette Mint

Here it is! My first guest post for Silhouette! I am thrilled to be able to be sharing some of their amazing products with you and have a whole lot of fun creating!

It is the thank you time of year. And if you haven't yet, this is your reminder to get those thank yous out from the holidays! Its never too late to send a thank you. 

This time of year I also like to add to my stash of thank yous. Having a new sentiment and image, along with a new color palette is a nice way to start the year. Fresh and feeling a wee bit organized. 

The Silhouette Mint is a small little machine with a ton of creative power! This machine creates self-inking stamps! You can choose from designs that come with the software, designs from the Silhouette Design Store, or even make your own! There are several stamp sizes to choose from, allowing you to make tiny stamps to large ones. Once you load the design, place the carrier inside the machine, it takes about 1 minute to get a stamp!

There are many colors of ink to choose from. Once the stamp has been etched, you add the ink. A tiny bit is all that is needed. You will get about 50 stamps from one inking.

And you can use more than one color of ink on an image as well! Simply add the ink where you desire. And how pretty is that stamped envelope liner peeking out back there?!? :D

I know this is a brief look at the Silhouette Mint, so I encourage you to check out a more in-depth tutorial on the Silhouette 101 Blog! Also, visit me on Instagram @kimberlystamps where I will have a series of videos available in my stories!

For even MORE about the Silhouette Mint, check out my class at Big Picture Classes:

5 Ways to Mint

Sincerely Yours,

NEW Mini Evolution Advanced from We R Memory Keepers

ETA: Here is the shopping link http://gohsn.co/WeRMemoryKeepers

The 24 hour craft day on HSN is Tuesday!

The latest die cutting machine from We R Memory Keepers is arriving at HSN! Be sure and check your local listings for the times that this new machine will be available. Not only the machine, but also some really cute products that will be exclusive to HSN! I was excited to play with these new goodies and share them with you!

The Mini Evolution Advanced is the cutest little die cutting machine there ever was! This machine packs all the punch of a larger machine, but in a portable size. The size is really great for people who craft in a small space!

The machine comes with the plates you need for both die cutting and embossing. Simple and easy, the plates are labeled clearly, like all great tools from We R Memory Keepers!

This exclusive kit comes with a mini Precision Press Advanced. The stamps that  come with the kit are designed to line up perfectly inside the press. The base of the stamp is actually notched to line up with the pegs!

After being able to build up layers of stamped images, that are lined up perfectly, you can then use the combo die/embossing folders to take these images to a whole new level. I have never seen anything like this before and the idea is SO clever!

See the details? And the images can be bent to add even more dimension! Look at those hearts!! Be sure and check in with We R Memory Keepers and HSN this weekend on Instagram for more information and details. Happy Weekend! 

Sincerely Yours,

Papertrey Ink December Countdown Day 1 - Text and Texture Bokeh & Words to Live By: Happiness

Welcome to day 1 of the Papertrey Ink December countdown! I am thrilled to be playing along this month and showcasing some of the gorgeous designs the team has in store for you this month! Today I start things off with a look at the latest from Betsy Veldman, Text and Texture Bokeh and Happiness. Clever designs for some seriously fun card making!

I encourage you to head to the Papertrey Ink Blog for a closer look at my projects, and to see what the rest of the team is up to as well!

These products that I am showing will be available on December 15, 2018 at 10 PM EST. So while I will not have links yet, that night, I will be sure and update them quickly.

Text and Texture Bokeh is a very cool stamp set! It comes with two large background images that are perfect for layering to create this stunning bokeh-effect background. Bokeh is the blur of lights or color in a photo. Like Christmas lights. By layering a lighter shade of ink (put down first) and then topping it with a darker layer of ink, this background is made.

Note on this background-I also accentuated some of the star bursts in the background with a darker ink. It really adds to the depth of the image.

The word happiness is a new die that has a coordinating stamp set, fittingly called, Happiness. Ok, so technically its called Words to Live By: Happiness. :D 

I die cut the word several times from card stock and layered them together to make the word appear like a custom embellishment.

On this card, I again created the background, but cut out a part of it to use on my card base. Leaving the other half of my card base open, allowed me to stamp some fantastic sentiments from Happiness. To draw more attention to the words, I surrounded it with individual bokeh images and star bursts. Oh, and I had to make it shine even more with some glitter. But in a "safe" format of Nuvo Glitter Drops. (WAAAAY less messy.) 

How fun is that font? I also love that the sentiments are separate, allowing you to stamp them in different colors. It brings a unique look to the card.

And all those other shaped dies I used? Stay tuned. :D

You really do not want to miss what is on the Papertrey Ink blog! What a talented team of designers! This week should be a ton of fun! Thanks for stopping by!

Sincerely Yours,

Supplies. Affiliate links used. Thank you so much!

New Papertrey Ink products will be linked when they become available on Dec. 15

Sending Joy - available now!

It is time! The October release for Papertrey Ink is now available! For all the release information please visit this page: October Release. To purchase Sending Joy and Sending Joy Dies, please click the images at the bottom of this post. Thank you, one more time for all the love, support, comments, messages, and emails! I could not be more fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people surrounding me! I could never express how much it means to me!

For tonight's cards, I used one of my personal favorite images, this diamond from my set, Bold Basics. It creates one lovely focal point on a card!

After stamping and heat embossing the diamond image from Bold Basics, I began layering my stamped and die cut images from Sending Joy. The elements in this set are perfect for mixing and matching. I am pretty sure there is no way to use this set "wrong!"

The last step was adding the stamped and die cut word joy. Oh, and to finish it off, I added one of the straight-line sentiments from Sending Joy. I masked the image off to make it fit into the design of my card. Using a post-it note, I inked the first two words and stamped them. Making sure my image was clean and dry, I once again masked and added ink, but this time to the second half.

One more card. This intensely dark green cardstock was giving me fits for photography, but the elegance of the rich color with the gold is stunning in real life! 

On the cardstock, I stamped and heat embossed the diamond from Bold Basics and the small pine branch image from Sending Joy. When heat embossing on dark cardstock, be sure and use an embossing magic pouch on your surface to help eliminate stray flecks of powder.

For more depth, I stamped the berries from Sending Joy and then applied gold Perfect Pearls. I will be trying this dual look again soon!

And I couldn't end this release without showcasing the main image of Sending Joy, the word joy. Have fun shopping tonight! I cannot wait to see what you make! Be sure and tag me on social media, or email me your projects! Seeing how your creativity uses images and dies is a thrill that cannot be described! 

Sincerely Yours,

Supplies. Affiliate links used. List will be updated as quickly as possible.

Sincerely Yours introduces - Sending Joy

Welcome to the beginning of the Papertrey Ink October release countdown! I am once again thrilled to be releasing stamps and coordinating dies this month for my Sincerely Yours line! For all the details and links to the rest of the incredible design team projects, visit the Papertrey Ink Blog. 

"Sending Joy is a stamp set full of timeless and classic holiday images. Evoking a sense of warmth and comfort, Sending Joy will help you create cards that send your joyful thoughts during the holiday season. Create the look of plaid with the border image that works on either orientation of a standard A2 card. With the look of plaid ribbon, your card will feel like it has texture. Stamp the botanicals of winter and arrange them into a lovely bouquet. Or simply stamp them and heat emboss in gold for an elegant card. The handwritten word “joy” will express your feelings of the season with simple polish. Finally, use the images of Sending Joy to stamp on your envelopes as a stylish finishing touch."

This set is full of timeless images, images that will help you create quick, lovely, and heartfelt cards for the holidays. Everyone wants to make their own cards, but the time never seems to be available. Well, with the images and dies in Sending Joy, you will be able to be all Martha Stewart this holiday season! 

As I was stamping the two pine branch images in Sending Joy, I realized that I could make a wreath from them! I placed a circle die template on my cardstock and traced around the edges with a pencil. Following the line, I stamped the pine branch all the way around (you can use one image, or alternate. The person who wants quick did one branch on this card). Oddly enough, the bottom of each branch followed the curvature of the circle, making it easy to create! Stamp a few berries over the top to finish the wreath. Then I die cut the joy coordinating die and stamped it. For more dimension, I foam mounted it, but it would look fantastic adhered flat for mailing purposes. It took me longer to find a pencil than to make this card! :D

Again, I kept things simple on this card. It is my deal. Its the look I want when I am designing my stamp images. Classy, bold, and easy. 

There are two different sized holly leaf images in Sending Joy, which also have coordinating dies. I simply stamped them on the cardstock. If you wanted to step this up a notch, you could use two colors of ink, or add more detail with a color pencil.

The sentiment and berry images were also stamped, but in red ink. The berries got a couple of drops of Crystal Clear drops to add shine, but still keeping things flat and mailable.

Finally, there are three straight-line sentiments in Sending Joy that work with the main word, joy. You could use these words on the inside with this pairing. Once again, quick and easy. But oh, so nice looking!

Be sure and come back and visit me each day of the previews leading to release night. I will be sharing a TON of projects. From more advanced cards, to home decor, to ornaments, and much more! You should see the pile of projects building up in my office. Sending Joy has something for everyone and every style! Just wait and see! :D

Sincerely Yours,

Supplies. Affiliate links used. List will be updated when products go live on October 15.

Fairy Tale Christmas - Papertrey Ink

Fairy Tale Christmas is the latest kit from the genius mind of Betsy Veldman and will be available at Papertrey Ink tomorrow night. If you are even slightly interested in this kit, run now and set a reminder to order yours before they are gone. Once you see the unlimited possibilities with this kit, you will want, no NEED to have it! As I began playing with this kit, the amount of ideas I had were astounding. So many beautiful elements to create with! And there truly is something for everyone in this kit. From the beginning crafter to the advanced, it is all inside Fairy Tale Christmas!

My first card is lovely and easy. So easy. Which is my favorite kind of card. The card that leaves everyone trying to figure out if you REALLY made it or not. :D The pre-printed papers in the kit, along with coordinating dies, made the front of this card. Snip, snip, crank. I could have left the card finished, but with these cool clear card shaker elements and sequins, I had to step it up!

The plastic shaker component fits perfectly inside the opening. Fill. Adhere. Add to card base. Simple and so gorgeous!

Taking up another notch, the idea behind the kit is storybook Christmas. The kit helps you create small books. Books that can be used to hold gift cards, create ornaments, or more!

Layering the pre-printed papers, along with using the dies, I made this incredible ornament. Look at the wondrous world inside! Especially note the year stamp at the top. The stamps have years that you can use. Add it to an ornament like this, or even stamp on the spine of the book!

Oh yes, I took it up another notch with lights! The kit has a set of battery-operated lights! How amazing does this book ornament become now?! The switch can turn the lights off and on. The batter is also replaceable. The small LEDs do not get warm either.

Who doesn't want to open this book, walk inside, and celebrate the holidays?!?!

I want to decorate my entire tree with these! The attention to detail is truly astounding. My mind is completely blown!

One more card to share. This one is also a shaker card, but I utilized the stamps and dies in the kit more for this one.

After stamping and die cutting the scene elements, I decided to place them inside the card, inside a shaker. Like a snow globe world.

My favorite part of this card is the acetate for holding the shaker elements. I took a cosmetic sponge and rubbed white StazOn ink upon the surface. I wanted it to look like a frozen window. Adding a few stamped snowflakes from the kit really polished the look off! So fun!

Visit the Papertrey Ink blog for links to some unreal projects. There are several talented designers joining in this launch and you do not want to miss their projects!

Sincerely Yours,

Supplies, affiliate links used, list will be updated at kit launch: