Dare You!

It's that fabulous time of year again. Preseason football stuff is starting, baseball is heating up, the final Major of the year is approaching for tennis... Can you tell I'm a bit into sports? Yep!

It's also a fantastic time to be a member of Splitcoast Stampers! Each year they throw a big party with oodles of cool challenges that lasts a week. All the member companies join in the fun providing prizes for those who play. It's AWESOME! It's also a little bit secretive. I can't give away the challenges, but I will be posting some of my work. You can learn about becoming a member - Click Here.

In the meantime - take a look at our unofficial mascot. Yep, that's Buddy and Tinker (left). Buddy was all over the Dare To Get Dirty. He started building an annex to the ArtLab Studio. Hee hee! I just love all that dirt, and Tinker seems to be saying she's not involved, hasn't provided any cheering, and could be whistling with a big though bubble: 'I don't see nuthin!'

Here's a little project I did last week as a warm up for DTGD. It's part of the Mix-Ability challenges hosted by Splitcoast Stampers and I'm on that team. I love working with those creative ladies, and enjoy seeing all the wonderful creations of the 'newbies' to mixed-media art.

This is a House Mouse image and I colored it up with Copic markers. The background print is an ombre application of Distress Inks through a Heidi Swapp stencil. I hope you'll come play at Splitcoast even if you aren't doing the challenges. It's a great place to meet people, learn some new stuff, get inspired, and make new friends.

See ya soon!!
~ky

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.

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