Have a Drink

Welcome back! Today I'm sharing a video and project designed to make your playtime fun. It seems alcohol inks have been all the rage lately. I've never put mine away for long. They are just so organic, random, ever-changing, and plain old fun. Add some Yupo paper, and you have magic!

I'm hosting the Mix-Ability challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers this week. Our little team are dedicated to making artistic mediums approachable for card makers and art journalers alike! This week I'm challenging you to use alcohol inks to create a flower. Here's the video.



These are the three flowers I created. I've turned one into a card, one into an art journal, and the other is waiting for another application.

It's a pretty basic card, but I wanted the flower to take center stage. This flower was completed on SU! glossy cardstock. It didn't move the way alcohol ink does on Yupo, but it's still pretty. The faint blue areas on the paper were deposited residual ink drops.

This is the flower from the video. Isn't it wonderful? All the motion, the color, your eye fills in the gaps and viola! It's a pansy lily! Plily? Panly? Linsy? Hmm...

You were born an original. Don't die a copy.

All that yummy goodness! There were a million steps to this, but basically this is how it happened...

I started with a titanium buff acrylic paint, then adhered the Yupo flower panel with torn text paper glued around it. I find it fascinating that God would pick that little bit of all the papers I have (I just pull it out, I don't look at it) that says Santa Fe. That high school was the site of the recent school shooting. Intriguing since I picked the page statement out long before this concept came together. He leaves His fingerprints all around if we're willing to look for them.

I added layers of acrylic ink over Golden crackle paste spread through Dylusions and SU! stencils. I cut each word out of 37 different alpha dies...actually just 3 - 2 old QuicKutz dies and the other from Mama Elephant. The sticker words came from a Tim Holtz pack. I sealed it all up and added shading, black and white paint splatters, and Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops in places to lead the eye.

And this little gem will find its way onto something soon. I could make these flowers forever. I hope you'll try this technique - and have fun doing it!

Ta for now,

~ky

Three by Three for School

Hello dear sweet people! Happy Thursday to you!

Today I'm sharing a quick little project I made. I've been feeling the direction to encourage people to take tiny steps to affect a big change in other's lives. I call it the Positivity Project (I know that term is running around the interwebs, but I didn't know that when I started. Not trying to steal anyone else's idea.).

My goal is simple: Be kind. Back to school is a crazy, hectic time of year. All that running to and fro, trying to get the school supplies, learn a new schedule, and juggle everything is a power punch to the sanity. So let's dial it back just a little.

Card base is 3x6 inches scored at 3 inches, 'wood' paper panel is 2.75x2.75 inches.

Look around you. Do you see other frazzled people? That grocery clerk let you check out in her line even though she was closing up for lunch. What about that single mom dropping kids at three different schools? She got a little car damage and is wondering where the money is going to come from. She's on the verge of tears, but then dropped her coffee. I'm telling you, life is hard.

I'm making these small items just for occasions like this. Keep these little cards in your glove box, your purse, or briefcase. Hand them out to these people. HAND THEM OUT. You can write a note in them, or just give it with a hug and tell them to use that card to tell someone else they notice and care. Take just a second to feel the warmth. Don't let your ego get involved, however.

Here's a short video on how I made this set. Enjoy it and I hope it sparks you to do something for the Positivity Project!

Maybe you don't have time to make these, or you think it's too hard for you. Contact me and we can see if I can teach you or make these for you. I guarantee this is the best mood-elevating, love-stimulating, people-uniting act in the whole world! And believe me, we need it.

Take care and SHARE!

~ky

I used my MISTI, the Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented, for this project.

I used my Overhead Cellphone Camera Mount to video this project.

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I'm gonna gut you!

Hey there peoples of the world! We got some rain today. Finally! I think it  had been 43 days this go. We're not used to that. So while I was listening to this awesome thunderstorm, I decided you might like to learn something.

Have you ever got that nagging notice from the mailman? Your letter is being held in postage due hell? Oh that used to kill me. It never failed to happen on a Saturday and it would be Monday before Mom could pay the bail money on my pen pal letter that was barely half a page. But the glory of that half-page! Postage due is purgatory.

Today I played with my MISTI and Work Of Art stamp set. I wanted an ombre feel so I stamped the zig zags off until they faded away. The MISTI is magical for this sort of stamping!

I thought I might give you a way to save that extra penny or two while at the same time showing you how to stretch your cardstock dollar just a bit farther. It's a process known as gutting. Here's the quick video.

Now, I hope that gives you some ideas and that you PUT THEM TO USE right away. I have a little challenge that isn't too hard, and returns a lot in joy even on a dreary day. Send a card, give a note, leave a post-it for someone you don't say thanks enough to. #positivityproject. Just do it.

Off you go - have some fun. Reach out. See you soon.

~ky

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New Product! The Camera Stand!

I'm so excited! I haven't been too keen on making new videos because I had this problem. My set-up was bulky, hard to manage, and I had to get up on a ladder to check to see if I was still in frame. It was a bear.

Then my friend, Lydia of Understand Blue, told me to not use my big honking 35mm video beast and simplify things. I love that about her. She's wildly funny, very pithy, and such a generous sharer with her tricks and tips. Simplify. (Are you nodding along with me?)

So many selfies! 

Well, we went to convention. Together. A whole flock of little "Lydia's" in one town. I don't know how the city is still standing. We had a flaming BALL!! And I met this sweet lady, Katie, who shared her knowledge with me. DIY video stand for your cell phone!

Bev loves my little flower crab, Richard. We wuz HERE!

I about fell over dead because I'm pretty sure lightning just struck me right on the head. I was sitting next to Lydia. I'm sure that's what saved me.

When I got home, I went on the search, went to my second favorite toy store (Home Depot), and bought supplies. About 30 minutes later - eureka!

Yeah, I hope no one gets sea sick over this video. Like I said, I need help in videography! Heehee! The stand really makes a difference, though. And if you're like me... you have to clean that dinner table off to put dinner on!

Share it with your friends. I can think of so many non-crafters who would find this a big help too. I have a clickable link next to "Home" up there at the top. Click it. Order - I would love to make one for you, and you can even pick the color.

ALSO - If you'd like in on the fantastic madness and learn some sa-weeet stamping skills, check out Lydia's fall retreat: UNWIND at the Loft House! It will sell out quickly, so sign up soon!

Have a GREAT day! (Oh, and I'll have another video coming really soon, so check back!)

Ta!
~ky

Kind Koala

Hey there. Yep, it's me again. You can't get rid of me that easily! I'm back from CONVENTION! Oh my gosh, pinch me! I met so many new friends, I got a ton of ideas, and most of all I'm reminded of all the reasons we're part of this company.

The RELATIONSHIPS! 

Yeah! Card making, card mailing, card writing - it's all so personal and wonderful all in single little envelope. It is an ACTION word! Do you realize, I was gone most of a week, and when I got home... I had bills and flyers. That's it. Oh, don't get me wrong - I had a lot of emails (a few personal ones, but mostly subscriptions) and a million Facebook posts. Let's face it. As timely and as heartfelt as they are, hugging a card just before bed simply doesn't compare.

Isn't this koala simply the cutest?? I'm serious. Where else can you mail a smile like that? Easy easy easy too, and excellent if you want to let your kids color and send it to their grandparents. How 'bout tucking that into Dad's suitcase when he leaves on a business trip? We all need love. We do!

All the supplies for this card are listed at the bottom. You simply click on an item and it takes you to my store. How cool is that! I'd love it if you'd take a moment to like the video and subscribe (and please do share!) so I'll know I have viewers. If there's something you'd like to see, let me know!

I heard this rumor. Well, ok, it's not a rumor. Sunday is World Friendship Day. Did you catch the irony? Sunday? No mail day? Ha! Surely that was selected by a man. No offense, but really? Let's make it out of this world! Let's pour on the cards so that every day next week is World Friendship Day Observed! Find someone whom you haven't connected with in awhile. Send them a card. Send them another. Send one to that other person you say hi to in passing but don't get to sit down with. Encourage them. Be witty, be nice, be sassy, but most of all, be generous!

Thank you so much for visiting today. I really get a kick out of knowing you spent a few moments with me. Have a great weekend!

Ta for now,
~ky

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