It's Almost Time!

Yippee!! I get to announce my first on-line art journal class! It's going to revolve around healing your inner soul and exploring your creative one. Take a look!!



If you would like to sign up for more information as the class date nears, please email me using the little envelope button over on the right. Squeee! I hope to see lots of you there!

We start September 19, 2011, and go for 6 weeks. Thanks so much for checking it out!

♥ ~ky

Busy Busy Bunnies

Hello friends! I have been busy these past few days. Today, it's all caught up with me. I got 9 hours of sleep over a 72-hour period. I kept up my physical therapy 3 days in a row. I did the normal, nominal house keeping (thank goodness for Cabana Boy or we would live in a pig-sty!). Today, I can hardly walk. Every fiber in my back and shoulders is screaming. It's a flare, and will keep me company most of the week. Fun stuff!

I made it to the studio (hello, it's downstairs, right next to the living room) and pulled out stamps. I made... this!

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There are seven... 7 ... images on this card. Some are stamped several times, but there are 7 unique images. Most of them are from Theresa Momber's new set Heartfelt, available from Gina K but I also used the salt grass image from her By the Sea set.

So, a couple weeks ago, I mentioned I would be announcing my class in a couple weeks. Here it is, time already. I need to make a little video to tell you all about it. If my body will cooperate, I will get it done today! Class won't start for a couple more weeks, so save your pennies. You're gonna want to go on this ride with me!

Two days ago, we had a big scare. I had Tinker out in our bunny romp pen, and we were chatting with the neighbor. Another neighbor came over with his lab following along, and the lab saw the bunny and oh my oh my. Tinker never was 'got' but she set about crashing the pen and shrieking that horrible bunny death-cry. Oh my HEART! She was terrified, and whimpered even after we were safely inside. For the next day and most of today, I haven't been far from her.

Please understand - I have no problem with my neighbor or his lovely labby (we miss our girl). It was just one of those chance situations. It reminded me how quickly the whole world can change. Hug your babies! Find your happy, share your hellos, and try to not take life too seriously.

Ciao!
♥~ky

Recipe: Gina K pure luxury papers (white 120 lb., tan leather, chocolate brown), Bo Bunny patterned paper, Bazzill textured red, Gina K brown stitched ribbon, jute ribbon, jute twine, Gina K brads, Ky's faux stitching, Copic markers, Spellbinder's nestability dies and ribbon tag die.

Homecoming

Welcome to my little corner of blogosphere. If you've come here just on a random whim, welcome! I'd love to encourage you to visit Melanie Muenchinger's website, because I'm featuring stamps she designed. Besides, you will learn so much from her!

I have really been enjoying bringing you projects using Melanie's Basket Buddies this month. Wow! There are so many ways to work these stamps. They play nicely with all sorts of other sets! I've used Melanie's Hip to Be Square today to make 2 cards to welcome some of our heroes home!

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I simply created a 'sofa' of Basic Grey paper, overlaid clear plastic, and superimposed the cross lines for the window. The plush bed works great with the sentiment from Nina's Lovely Labels 3 and a Spellbinder's Fancy Tag #2 die. Just add some ribbon (wide ribbon on the left is May Arts, across tag die is organdy) and some bling, and there you have it!

I followed the same design with the kitties, and their sofa. I stamped the critters separately, and colored them using Prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits.

I created the background using distress inks and blending foam to mimic the light inside a house as they await their master's arrival. This card uses Spellbinder's Fancy Tags #3 die and gingham ribbon with a Prima flower and a gorgeous little button from Gina K.

A finishing touch I love to use brings light to their eyes with glossy accents. I also use it on the puppies' noses - you know they are always wet! I hope you enjoy both of these cards. I love this set so much, and am honored to showcase their uses!

This set can be put to so many uses. Is your child going off to college and leaving a loved pet behind? Do you know someone whose heart is breaking at the loss of their family member? Do you just want to send a silly note with an adorable image? This is the puuuuurrrrfect set!

Thanks for stopping by!
♥~ky

Gorgeous Weather

Everyone has been suffering with the heat lately. Our weather finally turned and it is just lovely. Beautiful blue skies, a little rain every few days, temps in the low 80s. Football is on the schedule, and we're heading into my favorite season, fall.

I guess that's what made me pull out my Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses paper pad. Flowers in winter aren't all that common, beyond the usual poinsettia, but it felt right. More like Christmas wrapping paper flowers and boxes that get ripped open.

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Or this one with some Robin's Nest gems tucked in between?

Oh yeah, those little stringy bows. They are custom colored dental floss. Give a great look and a nice fragrance, too! When you put it all together, this is what you get:

Notice all the summery green in the background? Yep, it's a great time to be in Chicago. I hope you enjoy a little cool breeze today. See you soon!

Ta!
♥~ky

Recipe: Gina K pure luxury cardstock, Basic Grey patterned paper, misc cardboard, Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix Tattered Flowers die, EK Success border punch, Robin's Nest dew drops, Hobby Lobby organza ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Memento ink, Gina K stamp sets Warm & Wonderful, and Lovely Labels, and Gina K buttons.

Basket Case

Wow - this has been one of "those" weeks. Cabana Boy is back and we're trying to get back into the routine. The weather has broken, finally, and we are having *GOR-JUS* weather. All the critters want to be outside, including one pain in the rumpus Tater who's been escorted home 3 times this week. Anyone have any tips on keeping a strong-willed man kitty in the yard? Bueller?

If you hopped over here from Melanie's blog - welcome! If you didn't - welcome!! LOL It's a joy for me to have you visit. Here's my card using Melanie's new set, Basket Buddies. I wanted to spend a little time anticipating fall and winter, so I made a winter card!

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How cute are these pups?? I love all the ways you can put them together with other sets. This one uses Rupa's Warm and Wonderful set for the hat on the grey pup. It reminds me of how people love dressing up their pets, and how some pets let you, but clearly show their reluctance. LOL

I used my secret (top secret) faux stitching technique. I have GOT to get a video done for that so you can do it too! The 'life is good' sentiment is from Theresa Momber's Life is Good set from Gina K.

If you want to know 2 tips for Copic coloring and cut-out images, hop on over to Melanie's blog where she'll be spilling the beans. Come back in a few days for a little more inspiration. I'm going to be filming this weekend, so there will be some new stuff to fill your dreams.

Ta!
♥~ky

Recipe: Gina K pure luxury cardstock and Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses. Basket Buddies and Life Is Good. Inks - Distress and Memento. Ribbon - May Arts and the Twinery. Embossing folder - Cuttlebug, holly ribbon. Die cut - Sizzix Tim Holtz elegant flourishes. Other - filigree disk and brad, Michaels; rhinestones.

Did You Dare?

I did. Splitcoast Stampers hosts an annual, week-long challenge for members of their fan club as a thank you for subscribing. It's called Dare to Get Dirty. While I have been a fan club member in the past (it's really affordable), this was the first year I participated. Let me tell you, it was VERY worthwhile.

Membership is either $14.95 for 6 months or $24.95 for a year. That's really cheap considering all that goes on in the background of this wonderful site. If you've never been part of Splitcoast, you should check it out. It is free to everyone, but you get perks when you join the fan club.

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There are all sorts of challenges. The card above was entered in the handmade flowers challenge. I love how soft this one turned out! There are 37 challenges to play over the week-long event.

This card was created for the masculine challenge. I love making a scene!

This pair was created for the Christmas in July category. I really like these border embossing folders. You are going to see a lot of these in my future posts. They make elegant cards quick and easy - perfect for holiday cards!

Hey - thanks for stopping by today. I hope these cards inspire your muse, and that you will give some thought to participating next year. Did I mention there are a dozen prize packs at stake? Yep - the member companies have wonderful gifts!

I hope you have a wonderful, creative week!
♥~ky

Card Recipes:
Happy Day: Gina K cardstock & stamp set (Whimsical Wishes), Basic Grey patterned paper, Memento ink, Tim Holtz/Sizzix tattered florals die, My Favorite Things flower die, Prima flowers, Gina K buttons, twine, jute ribbon.


Thinking of You: Gina K cardstock & stamp set (By The Sea), Memento and Distress inks, jute twine, Copic markers and rhinestone.


Christmas Bells: Gina K cardstock & stamp set (A Very Merry Christmas), Memento and Distress inks, rhinestones and Copic markers.

Cooler Weather, Simple card

Happy Saturday! I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned. It's finally cooler here in Chicago, and that's a big relief!

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This is a simple card that packs a big punch. It's one layer of Gina K's Pure Luxury cardstock, stamped with Melanie Muenchinger's Basket Buddies (brand new!) in Memento tuxedo black and colored with prismacolor pencils. I put two border treatments together, and added a few bits of bling to make the embossed border pop. A simple, thin dot ribbon frames the image.

If you want to get out there today, this is the kind of quick card that will let you get to it while still having time to get crafty. Happy stamping!

♥ ~ky

Exciting News!

Yesterday I got to do something I've always wanted. I got to be part of the talented group that creates samples with brand new stamps, and then post them live at the show. My penultimate stamping genius and pusher, er, supplier, Gina K had a release last night over at Stamp TV! I got to show off and it was exhilarating! I need to give a

HUGE

shout out to Melanie Muenchinger for asking me to be a guest designer for her BRAND NEW stamp set, Basket Buddies. Melanie is ubber talented and has been my stamping IDOL for some time! I have to admit I felt like getting called on in 3rd grade to complete a math problem at the chalkboard, all nervous, wondering if your pigtails were straight... I think I like the feeling of those butterflies, tho *giggles*.

Isn't this set Ah Dooor Able?? LOVE it - perfect for all my critter card needs. This set works with other sets from her line, Spring Basket and Basket Blessings, but it's great all on it's own. For example, here I've used only stamps from this set:

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I used the beautiful black and white papers provided in the Vintage Chic Stamp TV kit. I went polka dot crazy on this one because the Splitcoast Stampers are still having the Dare to Get Dirty Challenge for fan club members. Those challenges close on Monday, August 8th.

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For this card, I paired Basket Buddies with Spring Basket with a ton of layers and distressing. I colored my Tim Holtz tattered flowers die with distress inks to match the Basic Grey Max & Whiskers papers. The flowers were cut out of Basic Grey Basics Manilla paper (LOVE). I love how this turned out, and I know some hero serving overseas is going to use this for that perfect letter back home.

Now... there's another secret coming soon. As soon as I can get all my projects caught up and have some camera time, you'll get to see what all I have in store for you! Thanks so much for stopping by - if you have any questions, please leave me a note.

Don't forget to play along with the Stamp TV release challenges and check out the AMAZING samples all the gals put together. Happy stamping!
♥ky