Hippity Hoppin' into spring!

Well....CHA is over, and it's February. Hmmm...must be spring I hear coming down the street.

I have not made an original item in 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS! Yikes! It did NOT go smoothly either! Wow...really need to not take a long break like that if I can help it.

Loving all my finds from CHA. One of the BEST parts of CHA was meeting all the wonderful ladies that have meant the world to me in all the online forums. I really get a little choked up when I think of the sweet times we had...maybe that's why I haven't processed all the pictures yet. Hugs to all of you!

One of the other great treats for me was stepping into the Ippity sales world. I cannot tell you how great the response was from the public when they got to hold {ippity} sets in their hands. It truly is an amazing, one-of-a-kind opportunity. I heard over and over that {ippity} could teach [another large stamp company] a thing or three about home sales! You go, Angela!!

I am now selling {ippity}!! Wahoo!!

The new sets are so awesome - you are going to want them ALL! Oh...and Angela has made a wonderful new handle just for {ippity}. I really wanted to bring it home, but it's not being released just yet. Enough blabbering...you've got a hop to be on. Here's my project:

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I made this card using the current Card Positioning System sketch, and the Just Wanted to Say set. The paper is from We R Memory Keepers' Madame Royale palette.

Don't forget to swing back by tomorrow - I will have my first Queen Kat Designs project for our hop tomorrow. Hope you have a lovely day! Hop back over to the {ippity} blog for the full list, or go on to Tenia for the next stop on the hop!

Cool runnings ~ peace be the journey. ~ky

CHA from Monday!

Here are a few more pics from CHA. I have heard that there are plenty of {ippity} photos, but not enough Unity ones....so, I'm gonna try to remedy that!

Ryan Broman...Salesman extraordinaire!

Kelly works for Unity on Sales

So...hopefully that CUTE tree will satisfy your need for Unity for now. I have more photos, but I'm so tired and need to go to sleep. Tomorrow will be yet another busy day.

Cool runnings - peace be the journey!  ~ky

H{ippity} Hop! Live from Anaheim - it's CHA Nights!

Oh my...we are having a blast here at CHA. So much to see, so many people to meet, so much to do...it's fantastic! We're just across the street from Disney, but the park can't even turn a head compared to the beauty and fun in the Convention Center!

Eryn, Ky and Michelle at the {ippity} booth

I love how generous all the attending companies and businesses have been. Not only have we been treated to demonstrations of products and patient instruction from industry leading crafters, but we've been given samples to take home for experimenting. I cannot wait to show you things I've learned!

I was able to learn from Heidi Swapp using Tattered Angels products - the differences, the nuances, her favorites, her tricks and tips. It was *awesome*!

Heidi Swapp shows attendees how to use new Tattered Angels' products.

Beautiful people. Graciously sharing. Encouraging, empowering, evolving.

I love it. LOVE it!!

So...I've been a little distracted, I've been a lot overstimulated, and a lot sleep deprived. This is the project I tossed together using my Make and Take from Basic Grey's new Kioshi line.

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Yes, I know...it's not a great project, but it is something terrific to me...it's a moment in time that will remind me of CHA for years to come. It will remind me of the ippity girls, and Kelly, from Kentucky, at Basic Grey who talked to me of how she came to work for them. Beautiful people, the heart of every product and every company I've come in contact with so far.

Imperfect people, imperfect companies...doing what they do, and putting themselves out there to help us take the next step along our creative pathway. I hope you are inspired to try something, just for the fun of seeing what you get when X meets Y and gets combined with Z. Such fun!

Oh - I'm an {ippity} chick now... watch out for future sales!! You are going to LOVE the new sets. LOVE LOVE LOVE them! See you soon with more CHA updates!

Cool runnings - peace be the journey.  ~ky

Organization!

I've been in CHA-prep mode for so long now...then Gina posted this challenge to make a project based on a gorgeous, organized studio.

I looked around my studio. Disaster everywhere! Stuff buried under stuff that was buried. Couldn't find a pen or scissors if I HAD to... {Gina's challenge...whispered my muse}

I found these rolling shelf units for $30 each from WalMart. I had baskets for my supplies, and binders for my stamps, but they were scattered on the floor or over my table. I put these shelves together today, and stowed all my gear on them. Oh. My. Gosh. What a difference. I made my muse very happy today!

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Wow. Since I can see all my stuff, everything has a place, and I can immediately grab it. It can go right back to it's home. Now, all I need to do is label those binders, and decide on a few other best solutions for certain hard-to-store product. It's much easier to follow my muse. Rather than stop and start the creative flow to find stuff, I can now just roll with the thought, plan, emotion. It's cool!! Here's what I created (part of it was already done). But can I tell you? The rest came faster!

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Products are mostly Gina K, and Basic Grey. I colored the girls with prismacolors and OMS, copic markers, and smooch. Such fun! I am loving Alicia's new stamp set, Wishes and Dreams. LOVE them! Easy to color, great sentiments and very versatile. The card box is based on a free template generously given to us by Gina K. She even has a video showing you step-by-step how to make it.

Come play some challenges! Come learn and share. Just check it out...Stamp TV is a wonderful place to be.

I'm heading to the Craft and Hobby Association's Super Show in Anaheim tomorrow. Prayers for safe travels for all the people heading that way would be greatly appreciated. I hope to be able to post some photos, so check back!

Cool runnings - Peace be the journey! ~ky

It's a Royal H{ippity} Hop!

I have *wonderful* news!! I was selected to be a Royal Stamping Maid for Queen Kat Designs! Yippie skippie!!! I'm so excited!

Now...back to your regularly scheduled blog hop...

I combined my {ippity} stamps with Gina K's stamp TV sketch challenge to create this:

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Yep - Gina K's new pink palette of papers! Those who know me may just roll over - I used *PINK*!!! LOL! Well, it's a seasonal thang, ya know? The heart (stamped 4 times) is from Life's Little Moments, and the sentiment is from Because of You.

Those of you who think stamping requires a big investment take note: all of my {ippity} projects have been created with just two sets. Just TWO! I love how versatile these sets are! And Unity makes them super affordable with top notch quality!

Ok - got a ton of projects to work on for CHA. I hope I'll see a bunch of you there. If not, keep an eye on this blog. I plan to post as many photos as I can and give you a running narrative. Thanks for your comments - they mean so much to me!

Hop back to the {ippity} blog for the full list! Enjoy the hop!

Cool runnings - peace be the journey! ~ky

Oh My Happy Day!

Did you hear?? Did you SEE? Queen Kat Designs has been having a contest for their next design team positions. I was selected to move on to round 2!!! Woooohoooo!!! You all know I love that company!

So, our challenge for this round was to create a project that was anything but a card, and also a card. Since I'm heading to the Craft and Hobby Association next week, I thought I would need a new art journal. What better project for this challenge!?! Here it is:

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What do you think?? I love this!! LOVE it! Thanks, Vicki, for making this challenge so I could create a supah journal! That is the beautiful ocean diva, Pearl, as the center piece. Maigan Lynn created her just for Queen Kat Designs, and you can buy her too! This is a hand made journal, complete with 18 pages of Pure Luxury cardstock for me to draw and jot inspired notes in while at Craft and Hobby Association's supershow!

She's colored with copics, layered for dimension (her tail is a layer lower than the rest of her), and placed in a beautiful bed of ocean lilacs. Mmmm... I'm in LOVE! Her mask is Smooch moonlight, and she's holding her siren pearl - in my mind, a fire opal! Isn't she just a beauty??

My second project is a card set for a young lady. I will be contributing these cards to Operation Write Home for some servicemember to send home to a child whom they are missing. Very simple, but hopefully full of happiness. Take a look:

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Isn't this fun?? I love how whimsical these images from Gina K Designs are (drawn by her daughter Alicia). I used this week's sketch from the Mojo Monday blog, and I colored them with Prismacolor pencils and OMS. It's a fun and fast sketch with a lot of design power. I hope you'll play along with that challenge too! By the way - QKD has a challenge - check it out HERE and play along!!

So - what do you think? Do I have a snowball's chance? Oooh I do hope so, but regardless I think I did pretty well with these projects. If you need specific instructions of product info, please leave a comment and I will gladly share! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! See you on Monday for the H{ippity} Hop!

Cool runnings ~ peace be the journey. ~ky

FWF Friday!!

Wow do I dislike technology issues!! I think my camera thought it was Monday. Sigh...

Welcome!! I know you are seeing a lot of inspirational projects along this hop. I always enjoy hopping, but I sometimes can't get to in on a Friday. If you're like me, you can still hop even if you're late. Just find the list on the Unity blog, and go to each blog. Then, you may have to scroll down a little to find the FWF post. Better than not missing it all!

Here's my project!!

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Whew! I used Card Positioning System's sketch #149. I love their sketches. I used the new Treasure To Me set from Unity for this card. It made me giggle...!

Next on the hope is that very talented Rachel!!  Or, you can go back to Unity for the full list!

Cool Runnings! Peace be the journey. ~ky

Recipe: Gina K pure luxury cardstock In the Navy, and Ocean Mist; Ranger ink, Unity Stamps, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Nesties Labels 3, American Crafts Ultimate Gell Pen, pastel white, Basic Grey patterned paper, pop dot, Michael's rhinestone, Making Memories ribbon.

H{ippity} Hop! Easter's on it's way...

Hello my friends out in blogland! If it's Monday and you're here, there's only one likely reason - it's H{ippity} Monday!! Yay!!

I created another page in my art journal to commemorate my trek down Project 365 (which may de-evolve into Project 52). I did a project like this back on 2004, except we focused on 7 days. It was intense, taking repeat pictures of the things that repeated in that week, and joyous for all the 'odd' things that also got captured by my camera.

So this time, I'm going to focus on capturing a picture each day for a full year. Ok, ya caught me...I also got a new digital 35mm SLR for Christmas! Thanks Dad! This project will also serve as a 'getting to know you' period for me and my new toy! Wanna play along? Go ahead!! SCS also has a forum if you want to get involved there.

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What do you think? I just love creating in my art journal. Yes...I'm reaching all sorts of ways 'out of my box.' Hmmm...that gives me a visual - maybe I need to draw that right now. Hmmm... No smart remarks from the peanut gallery!

Have a great time while you check out all the other great projects today! Play along with the weekly challenge HERE.  Now - off to Elisabeth's blog!

Cool runnings. Peace be the journey! ~ky

FWF Friday High Day!!

Ok - be gentle with me. Many of you have asked about my art journal, so I'm showing you a little glimpse. This page is not finished, but it is an example of what I'm working on. This combines art techniques, supplies, textures, ideas I want to try and documentation about where I am in life right now. It's rough, but, it's also fresh.

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I used Gesso to create a rough texture (Gesso is an artists canvas primer made of glue and chalk) then adhered bits and pieces of some of my favorite papers. I stamped my Unity stamps over the surface and colored them with my Copic markers (owls). This page will be all about my journey into the gluten free world. It is a huge change for my DH and me, who LOVE all things pasta. I will have a journaling block to add to this page too, and you can bet it will be one of the many great blocks made by Unity.

Check out the Unity blog for all the Friends with Flair! Each blog on the list is chock full of fabulous stuff. Not to mention the sales and perks to just plain clear thinking quotes on the Unity blog, all the time. Be sure to find that blinkie for your chance to win free rubber!

See you real soon!


~ky

H{ippity} H{ippity} Hop!

It's amazing how quickly a little change can make Mondays so much better! I look forward to Mondays now, because I get a whole bunch of inspiration and eye candy from all the {ippity} fans! Be sure to visit everyone on the list by starting at the {ippity} blog!

I made a really simple birthday card. I wanted something grown-up enough for my son (turning 17!!), masculine in color, but with just a hint of playfulness. This is what I came up with:

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I used Gina K pure luxury In the Navy base weight, Basic Grey Nook & Pantry cupcakes (fun!), Gina K pure luxury sweet corn cardstock, Memento Paris Dusk ink, Ranger scattered straw distressing ink, Offray ribbon, Basic Grey bling, Cuttlebug Swiss dot embossing folder and Spellbinders Labels 1 dies.

I hope you find a lot of little treasures along the hop. Don't forget - new {ippity} sets will be out in February!! I can hardly wait! Click here to go back to the {ippity} blog.

Cool runnings ~ peace be the journey!  ~ky

Happy New Year!!!!

Well, friends - it's a New YEAR! We spent the new year with our furry family, but thinking of good friends and family scattered across the world. I'm so excited for all the possibilities this new year holds. Here's a little card for you to enjoy today:

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I hope you like it. Yes, it's {ippity} by Unity. I cannot wait until the new sets are released. I believe {ippity} is looking at February, after CHA. I cannot wait for CHA - I'm looking forward to finally meeting so many friends in real life! I have a new project that I'm working on...hopefully I can get this up and running this week. Please check back!!
See you all soon!

Cool runnings ~ peace be the journey. ~ky

Recipe: Gina K pure luxury base weight cardstock, Ippity stamps, Memento ink, Michael's bling and ribbon, Versamark, SU silver embossing powder.