My first Ustream!

I had so much fun doing my first Ustream show on Tuesday! You know, it's always fun to play with your toys, but it's even better to help someone else learn while you do it. I love teaching and sharing! There were many questions from the audience, and I promised some links and other information. This post will attempt to pull all that together for you. If I've overlooked something, please email me at scrapacat at yahoo, and I will edit this post to include the info.

Types of inks

Dye inks - water-reactive inks great for smearing and mixing:

Ranger Ink distress inks - a dry-time extended, heat embossable, water activated dye inks. 

Memento dye inks - when dry, perfect for use with Copic inks when heat set.

Pigment inks - glue or paint based inks, great for heat embossing and archival qualities

Stampin' Up Craft inks, 

Colorbox cateye chalk inks,

Versacolor and Versafine inks - embossable, archival, pigment inks.

Solvent inks - permanent on most non-porous surfaces, reactive with solvents like alcohol

StazOn, Ranger Ink Adirondack, and Copic inks - appropriate for porous and non-porous surfaces, fast drying, and solvent-reactive inks.

Storage Solutions

Stampin' Up's Ink spinner
Storage binders: for 8.5x11 3-ring binders, and other sizes
Patter Cross - my hero of organization!

Where I shop Online

Eclectic Paperie - great source of Ten Seconds Studio and Tim Holtz gear
Live.Teach.Create - awesome variety of tools and product
Gina K. Designs - wonderful stamps, excellent papers and inks, and the BEST customer service
Unity Stamp Company - the best, most innovative stamp company hands down. This is where I got those outstanding acrylic handles. Tell them I sent you!

Where else you can find me!

Recipes from my personal chef line

Art Journal specific challenges, new each Sunday

The Learner's Permit art, stamping and sewing teaching Ustream show.

I hope you find this information helpful. Remember, let me know if I've left out something and I will gladly share the information!
~ky

Baby Now!!

We have so much going on this week!!

FIRST!!

We’d love to welcome

Savannah O’Gwynn to the team.

She’s amazing in her talent and we’re go glad she’s joining us.

SECOND!!

Have you thought about wanting to join us?

Would you like to be a Guest Designer?

All you have to do is play along with us this week.

Post your creation and we’ll choose a Guest Designer.

Can’t wait to see what everyone creates.

Wanna know the challenge?

Elizabeth, one of our fellow addict’s let us use one of her sketches.

 
So, here's my stab at the sketch. I hope you like it. I used several different pieces of Unity. One of my favorite things about Unity is how nicely all the sets play together!
 

(click to enlarge)

And a different view:

This was made using Basic Grey papers, some distress inks, a little bling, some distressing and a little copper embossing powder. Love this! Hard to read the sentiment - it's You Give Me Happy Butterflies!

Now - go find your Unity and stamp it out! Don't forget to link your project up at All Things Unity's blog!

Ta for now, ~ky

CHAPTER 19: Twinkle, Twinkle...

"Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you're at!"


You know the song, perhaps?'

`I've heard something like it,' said Alice.

`It goes on, you know,' the Hatter continued, `in this way:--

"Up above the world you fly,
Like a tea-tray in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle--"'

Here the Dormouse shook itself, and began singing in its sleep `Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle, twinkle--' and went on so long that they had to pinch it to make it stop."

Hello out there! It's a beautiful day here in Wonderland and a twinkling one at that! We are wrapping up one FABULOUS month with a super fun, no-pressure challenge! We are going to ring out the month of June with a Twinkle!

That's right, just use something Twinkling, Glittery, or Sparkly on your card or creation this week and we'll put on our shades :D Before we get to this week's challenge though, Oh, Alice would like to thank Kellie at Tickled Pink for such a wonderful sponsorship and amazing prize! Congrats to Barbara Washington YOU are the winner of a Tickled Pink Lil' Lotita Rubber Stamp! Please email Jessica for details on how to claim your prize! We are so excited about our sponsorships here at Oh, Alice! and thank all of our wonderful contributors thus far!

Here's my "Manly" Twinkle-riffic sample:

A VERY special thanks to Lynne Phelps, our June Guest Designer! It has been a pleasure having you at our twisted little table and we will miss you! Next week we will be back to announce our July Guest DT and have more tricks and treats up our sleeves....'til then, there's no time limit to play this week, so get your twinkle on and be sure to come back to the Oh Alice! blog and let us know what you did!

Have a very twinkling week!

~ky (and da bunz!)

Friends with Flair!

Welcome readers! Here's another wonderful Unity Friends with Flair Friday! Be sure to check out the Unity blog for the complete list of participants, and for information on sales and upcoming events at Unity. I am hearing rumors that something big will be happening at the beginning of April and YOU don't want to be left out!

We've been busy with a lot of things in preparation for spring, and one of those is trying to find time to visit my Dad. He and his friends love to play cards - they meet at his house every Friday evening. So, I put together this little project just for them.

They are getting up there in age, and some are dealing with joint issues, like me, so I thought a set of card holders would be welcome. Each card holder has a cheerful Unity sentiment and Unity images from the February 2010 Kit of the Month. I love how everything in these kits work together to make a unified project!

I used some repurposed coasters cut with my trusty nestability dies, Basic Grey papers, and Bazzill cardstock. I got the basic idea from this sample on Stamp TV. I think they will love these! They turned out so nicely, I may have to make another set or two to keep or give as little thank you gifts as I need them.

Now, look for that blinkie along your hop, leave love along your way, and hop on over to the very talented JOSLYN for the next stop along the way.

DON'T FORGET

All Things Unity is hosting a challenge with prize - you still have a week to play along!

Have a great weekend, friends!
Ta for now, ~ky

Friends with Flair!

Wow - another Friday! I had a very good mail week - so I have a project using the February kit of the month for you today.

Are you a kit member? No?? What are you waiting for? It's a stellar deal - a full 8.5x11 inch piece of rubber full of the best deeply etched images on the market. Even better? Each stamp is custom cut for you!! You want MORE?? It's only $26 per month plus shipping, and you can skip a month anytime! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Nope - Unity is just that awesome! Mention my name if you decide to subscribe so they'll know who sent you.

I'm back into the swing of multiple cards per studio session. It feels good, and supports Operation Write Home. Lookie at these two simple beauties!

{click to enlarge}

I used this week's inspiration card (FWF13 challenge) as my basic design. I just love how quickly these came together and the way the rounded edges were carried through the design. I switched up some of the details between the two, but they are essentially the same. That ribbon is, once again, some of my new May Arts!

Next up on the hop is Lisa sharing a project from beautiful Alaska! Don't forget, tonight starts Virtual Stamp Night over on Splitcoast, and Spellbinders is our prize sponsor! We start challenging and chatting at 6 p.m. Eastern time. Come join us!!

Ta for now, ~ky

It's Friday! Finally!

Let the weekend commence!

Have you seen the new Unity blog? Whoa! That's seriously beautiful, with such heartfelt contents. Love it! And I love that Angela is getting a chance to share her thoughts with us. Love reading her posts! You're here today to enjoy a little customer hop, and I'm delighted to join you!

I went a little different direction today. This week, we had some decisions to make. Some that weren't very hard, but required a lot of exploring. While I don't want to share the topic, I do want to share the process.

I have an art journal. I've been reading about Journal Spilling... it's a stream of consciousness thing. You write. Just pour thoughts onto paper. Feel it - write it. Honest thought, real feelings. You write on top of writing. Slide down that slope like an Olympic skier.

When it's all out...all there on paper...you cover it up. You bury the issue in beauty, and watch for it to emerge later from the cocoon you built, all pretty and grown up.

{click to enlarge}

I mixed gesso (a chalk/glue mixture used for surface prep), matte multi-medium (a gel that extends the drying time), and a drop of Ranger distress reinkers together, and painted general areas, using a color-blocking technique. I used Broken China, Peeled Paint, and Aged Mahogany reinkers for coloring.

After the gesso mix dried, I used Peeled Paint reinker mixed with multi-medium and a liner brush to paint the stems and leaves (across the bottom). I stamped bunches of grapes (Gina K stamp) with Memento over the color-blocked area to give the appearance of lilacs, and clear embossed them. Then I added rock candy stickles over the flowers to give the appearance of dew or frost. I also used Glimmer Mist (sunkissed peach, and turquoise blue by Tattered Angels) sprayed broadly over the page to give a nice shimmer.

{click to enlarge}

I cut a portion of bar coaster material and dipped it in melted Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel that had been color with regular embossing powder (a la Suze Weinberg). While it was still hot, I pressed the circular ornate plate stamp from the Unity January 2010 kit of the month to emboss the enamel, brushed the resulting negative image with perfect pearls (gold), and rubbed it with Patina stickles. Then I added a metal flower and leaf with a long fastener (Tim Holtz, idea-ology Foliage) and adhered it to the page. I stamped one of my favorite Proverbs passages from {ippity} Devoted on velum, heat embossed it and applied it to the page.

Whew! All that to say.... I put all my angst onto this page, and turned negative energy into something positively beautiful. Now I can look back on that day and think about how that difficult decision made me stronger, and by giving it over to the Lord to handle, I can wait for the beauty of His timing to bring the perfect answer.

Don't forget - tomorrow marks the debut of Oh Alice! A curious collection of unusual challenges that I know will have you jumping down the rabbit hole to enjoy!

Now, back to the hop! Don't forget to check out Unity's new blog, and the deal of the day! Happy hopping!

Cool runnings ~ Peace be the journey!  ~ky

Beautiful Monday!

Welcome my dear friends to yet another wonderful, beautiful Monday! DH and I are hoping to go to town for a bit of recreation - movies and food! Sort of a belated Valentine's Day. So...I'm gonna get an early start on things for today.

Some of you may have read about my cat, Bitty-kitty, also known as Dyna, and now Dyna Dot... Curiosity didn't kill the cat, but it sure left it's mark! She really wanted some lovin' but rubbed up on my Adirondack ink refill bottle instead! LOL! She's a cutie, a rescue, she's 8 years old, and weighs 6 pounds. She's T.I.N.Y. and full of cATTiTuDE!

{my tiny Maine coon dancer...}

Ok - here's my project. I love scripture, and I've got a small library of studies I've done, books and study aids. I love the word of my Lord. I'm not always the best child in His family, but I know He loves me and I love Him. So this card was just a product of feeling thankful, and represents how His word is the center of my heart and home.

I hope you enjoyed your stop here. Please remember to leave a comment, and check out the rest of the {ippity} peeps for this wonderful release day! If you'd like to reserve a stamp set from the new release, please email me at scrapacat at yahoo dot com. I am also adding a line of May Arts ribbons to my sales list, if you are interested....drop me a note!!

And...one final announcement: I have been selected as one of the Twisted Thirteen!! Wahooooo!!! Check it out at Oh Alice! We're going to be hosting some WICKED challenges with twisted themes, and wonderful inspiration based on the upcoming release of Jim Burton's Alice in Wonderland! You don't want to miss out! We start with challenges on this Thursday....and nothing is what it seems!

Cool runnings - Peace be the journey! ~ky

Friends...with Flair!

Wow. CHA is gone. I'm still looking at images...still missing peeps...still wishing time slowed down.

{just me...Feb 2010}

I was told my CHA photos showed an OLD woman.

Meanwhile, my January Unity kit of the month came. I inked it up. I studied it more than I ever did for college finals. I love so many of the images in that set!! It was hard to decide what to use. Here's the project:

{click to enlarge}

I hope you like it. The background paper is from We R Memory Keepers, the flower on the lower left is a Tim Holtz alterable. I used Tattered Angels glimmer mist in Turquoise Blue and Sunkissed Peach, and stamped in Memento rich cocoa, and distressed embossing ink.

I hope you've enjoyed this project. Continue on your hop, and don't forget to check out the Unity blog and store for the great offers they have!

Oh - check out my post below. I reviewed the new Scor-it-all board. You're gonna love it!!

Cool runnings - peace be the journey. ~ky

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:

{click to enlarge}

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

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:

{click to enlarge}

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

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.

{click to enlarge}

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} Blog Hop!

Wow - last one of the year. I am happy to congratulate all the Unity team on bringing {ippity} into reality. It's quite an undertaking! I love that they include their customers in a weekly hop. Be sure to stop at the {ippity} blog to see the whole list! I'm so excited to see new names on our list of blogs! Welcome ladies! Here's my project:

Yes, I used Unity, {ippity}, and Gina K in the construction of this card, along with Basic Grey and Offray ribbon. I hope you enjoyed this card! Keep hopping - there's lots of inspiration!

Cool runnings - Peace be the journey. ~ky

Freakin' Friday!

Yep - you guessed it! It's another fantastic full-featured friends with flair Friday! Freakin' get outta here! Where has this year gone?? This is the last customer hop for Unity for this year. So, fill up on the fabulousity as you hop around the flair tree! {ok...maybe I've had too much eggnog!}

{click to enlarge}

I did this card for the Card Positioning System sketch challenge #145. I played with my distress inks to make the middle band. The star was cut freehand out of Gina K's metallic cardstock, Silver Lining. It's so shimmery!

You really need to check out Angela's blog (over at Unity) for the specials this weekend. She's still doing the garage sale thing! Yay for us!!! And keep your eyes peeled for that special blinkie that lets you know you can put your name in for the free stamps!

Today, sister company {ippity} will be announcing their final design team members. I'm very excited to see who gets these last two spots! ETA: Congrats to Lisa Henke and Michelle Woerner!

Saturday, I will have a new post with a special Sunshine Stamp Creation. Monday, I will unveil my "new" OLD style project! I'm giddy about sharing this - I know, to most folks, it's no big deal, but to me, I finally feel my stamping self has met my older creative self, leaving me in creative harmony! YAY!! Ok... leave me a comment then off you go: RONA is your next freakin' crafty friend!

Ta for now! ~ky

Friday...Again???

Seriously? Where has this year gone?? Here's a card I whipped up for FWF using my latest Ippity set.

{click to enlarge}

Seriously. I'm not ready for winter to be half over. I'm not ready to welcome 2010. No no no no no no!!!

I made a card for Valentine's using the Because of You set from Ippity. Really makes things easy. It's a bit hard to see, but there are three levels of elevation on this card (the heart, the circle and the base). I used my Basic Grey paper (love this stuff!) and Stampin' Up base paper for the project. So simple, yet so involved! I hope you like it too. Don't forget to look for the hidden emblem for your chance to win free stamps, and check Unity's blog for this weekend's SMOKIN' deals.

Ta for now! ~ky

Black Friday Friends with Flair!

Wooohoo!!! If you're reading this, you've survived Thanksgiving. You might be out there hitting all the great Black Friday sales. If you are/were, I hope you shop to your heart's content and get everything on your list. I will be hiding in the house!

For this FWF, I made a set of Valentine's for our soldiers. These will be sent to Operation Write Home. Seriously - have you been over and read the Hero's Blog? Inspiring stories!

{click to enlarge}

I made five cards - they are basically the same except for different background paper and ribbon.

{click to enlarge}

This is part of the ippity collection of stamps. I am really enjoying this new line! I hope you've enjoyed stopping by here. Be sure to check out Unity's sale, and look for that sneaky blinkie for your chance to win free stamps!! I also know (hint hint) that *someone* is hosting an ippity sale this weekend too!

Ta for now, ~ky

Friends with Flair!

I love my Unity.... don't you dare touch it. It has an honored space in my craft room...

I love my soldiers... don't you dare cross them. They have an honored space in my heart...

{click to enlarge}

Here are some cards I made to share with soldiers to send back home to their sweethearts. Operation Write Home is working on Valentine's right now. Our unofficial FFF theme was to use flowers. I chose these heart flowers from September 2009 KOTM, Go Ahead...Wish, to create these fun cards.

I decided to do a feminine version (in pink and gold), and a masculine version (in green and ivory). The masculine version can double for St. Patrick's Day if the mailing comes a little late.

I hope you've enjoyed this project - I had a lot of fun creating them. If you want to join in sending your finished cards to Operation Write Home, just click here for instructions. There's never a set too small or too large.

Don't forget to look for the Unity blinkie for your chance to win free stamps! Your next stop is: Jen!! I love her work!

Ta for now! ~ky

FFF, FWF Anyway you spell it, It's FUN!

Welcome to another Friday Friends with Flair! Woohoo!! We're having a ton of fun this weekend!!

It's time for another Virtual Stamp Night over on Splitcoast! Come join us for a Masquerade Ball tonight and all day tomorrow! We will have prizes, challenges, great chatting and lots of fun! You're going to have a chance to try new techniques, meet other fun stampers and get great ideas for more projects!

Second, Operation Write Home (formerly Cards for Heros) is hosting a 75-blog hop on Saturday. It will begin at noon Pacific time. Just click the picture to go to their site!

Here's my FFF project for this week. Our unofficial theme was to use embossing. Remember, Angela has lots going on with Unity and Ippity - so check her blogs!! And be on the look-out for that hidden blinkie for your chance at free stamps! I'm soooo excited that Donna Downey has a Unity set!!! Squeal!!!

{click to enlarge}

This card was made for our US soldiers stationed abroad. It will be mailed to Operation Write Home for use as a Valentine's card! I just adore this owl! Here's an inside view!

{click to enlarge}

I also used a cuttlebug folder (Forest Branches) to emboss the lower half of the card. The image is colored with Copic markers. I used Basic Grey paper for the sentiment and inside decoration.

Hope you've enjoyed your stop. Next you're off to Maria's blog!

Ta for now! ~ky

FWF Yes - It's Flairday!

Welcome to my blog on Flair Day - I'm glad you love it and keep stopping by. Quick note: stop back by tomorrow for our THREE COMPANY BLOG HOP.

Now, on with your regularly scheduled programing!

I know you have a lot of blogs to hop through, so I won't keep you long. Here's the project for today.

Isn't this ca-ute??? I love this set from Lisa Hetrick. Just LOVE it. It's so easy to create the perfect birthday card using this set. All you need to do is change the colors and it becomes perfectly masculine.

Next up is Joslyn! http://www.hereiswhatido.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your hop!!

Ta for now, ~ky

Flair Friday!

I love all these Friends with Flair!!! Give yourselves a hand!! Leave love along your way!!

{click to enlarge}

Our unofficial theme this week was Halloween, but I've done so many of those lately that I chose to use the October 2009 KOTM. I stamped the dragonflies on Gina K luxury cardstock in soft sand, embossed them in gold, cut them out and spread Stickles all over them. Paper is Basic Grey (Fruitcake), and Gina K luxury cardstock in navy. Gina K ribbon, too. Hope you enjoy this little glimpse of warmer weather!

Don't forget to find that blinkie for your chance at free stamps!! Next on the list is JULIE!

Ta for now, ~ky