Happy October!

October is finally here!  The days are shortening and the air is cooling here in the States.  Even better, October is the month of Halloween!  Yup that is right the whole month.  Time to dive into our chocolate and our Halloween crafting supplies.  I will admit I am pretty sure I have more Halloween stamps than any other stamps.  This season I had to order some more!  I just had to have two of the Halloween stamp sets from Stampin' Up.  Witches' Night and Sweet Hauntings were calling my name.  Click here to access the my Stampin' Up website to check out these fabulous stamps and much more.

I created these cute 3x3 Greeting Cards and storage box with the Sweet Hauntings stamp set, the Note Tag punch from Stampin' Up, and Doodlebug Halloween Parade paper. The owl sticker came from Michael's Recollection's collection that I purchased last year.  

Everyone has there own way of building greeting cards.  I like to start with a card blank when building my greeting cards by cutting and scoring white card stock. I prefer to only use white as my card blank, so that it is easy to right any messages you have for the recipient.  For this set of cards, I cut four 3x6" pieces of card stock.  I then scored them at 3" on the long side of the card.  I even stamped the Stampin' Up trademark on the back. I like to try and do all my stamping on the card blank before burnishing the fold.  I find it is easier to stamp that way.  I did leave what will be the inside of the card blank though, because these are small note cards.

Next I started to build the card top.  I very rarely do one layer cards straight on the card blank for two reasons.  First, I like to have layers that frame the main design.  I used two layers for this card along with some stamped and punched sentiments.  I felt this gave a nice effect and more professional look to the card.  Second,  if I make a mistake I have not wasted a large piece of paper.  There are always opportunists to fix or mask a mistake, but I feel more comfortable working on the separate smaller piece.  This has just become my preference after some trial and error.  

I also like to use tape runner instead of a wet glue.  I find it is quick, easy and doesn't warp the paper.  

I created these cards in two ways.  One way was to punch the note tag shape from the black layer that measures two and three quarters of an inch.  Then I attached the decorative paper (that measures 2x2 inches) layer to cove the black leaving a border around the edges. Finally I stamped one of the sentiments from the Sweet Hauntings stamp set that coordinates with the Note Tag Punch.  I also used a stamp that I had from the dollar bin at Michael's on a few of the punched note tags. I attached these sentiments on top of the layered piece.  

The other way was to punch the note tag out of the black on an angle.  Then adhered the the decorative paper underneath the black piece.  Then layered the stamped sentiment on top at an angle, as shown below.

I attached the layered pieces to the card blank, leaving some of the card blank exposed to create an additional border.  I created the top for the box very similarly.  I did stamp the card stock I used to create the box with the bottles in the Sweet Hauntings stamp set, to create my own tone on tone paper.  I love making this type of paper and is one of the reasons I joined Stampin' Up.  

Have a happy October everyone! 

Promises Promises...

In my last entry I stated that I was going to explain more about my greeting card creation philosophy and then didn't post again.  Eek! How could I do that to my precious crafting blog.  Well I don't want to give a lot of excuses, time just seemed to get a way from me.  During that time I have done something wonderful, I joined Stampin' Up! as an independent demonstrator.

I am extremely happy with my choice to join Stampin' Up.  I love there inks and paper.  The above picture is made from They do make stamping so easy and effortless.  You end up with great results every time increasing your satisfaction with your finished product.  What I didn't expect was to love some of the other products as much as I do.

The first surprise was the acrylic blocks used for the photopolymer stamps or unmounted rubber stamps.  They are awesome.  They have a weight to them that makes stamping easier because the weight helps the stamp make full contact to the paper giving you a good impression.  The blocks also have a ridge around them that makes them easy to hold, so you don't drop the block spreading ink in places you don't want or push the stamp in the wrong direction.  Plus the size range they come in are really great for the Stampin' Up stamps or even the other stamp you may have already.

The other product that was a surprise was the piercing mat.  This is actually one of the first things that I wanted to order from Stampin' Up, because I needed a piercing mat for some projects.  I found in the catalog and on some You Tube videos that you can use the mat to stamp on as well when you use photopolymer (clear) stamps.  Now I love photopolymer stamps (even before Stampin' Up), because it is easy to see when they are inked up and easy to see where you are stamping.  And boy where they right. The extra padding helps to make a crisp stronger impression when you stamp.  I might buy one more just for stamping. I tried using a mouse pad, which did help but not as much as these pads.  These pads are twice as thick and a bit cushier.

I am having so much fun with my new stamps and punches that I will be sharing my creations soon (and i won't lose track this time).  I have added a link at the right to my Stampin' Up website if you would like to see the items I have described or the other wonderful products offered by Stampin' Up.  Please contact me with any questions about Stampin' Up, products, or how to become a demonstrator.  My email address is on the Stampin' Up website, just click the Holiday catalog on the right.


Happy Crafting everyone with your favorite supplies!

Challenge!

As if crafting itself was not challening enough, we crafters love to challenge each other or be challenged by each other.  I decided to enter a challenge this month.  Above is my card for the Unity Be Inspired Challenge.  Unity Stamp Co. offers a monthly challenge.  Read more about the challenge on there blog here.

I decided to enter their challenge this month., because I needed some inspiration.  I often feel like I have a million ideas and then sit down to craft and all my ideas run away.  It is the empty paper syndrome.  One of the things I like about this challenge is that it is a sketch challenge.  They give you an idea!  How wonderful!

I had been thinking about what stamps I wanted to use and my background for a couple of days.  True to form, though, I went a completely different direction once I sat down to craft. The stamp I was first going to use was to large.  Oh no.  Even the stamp I went with was almost to large for a greeting card.  The full stamp is the middle image.  What I did was eliminate the birds when I stamped the flower my two additional times, by wiping the ink off the birds before stamping.  This made the image fit. I water colored the flowers and birds with a water pen and Distress Markers. I decided to fussy cut the images as if they are die cuts leaving a little bit of white around the image.  There was some little details that would have been to hard to cut out without leaving the white border.  I feel the faux die cut helps give this card a whimsical appeal.

When I cut the images out, the paper was still a little wet.  I was able to shape the flowers which added some dimension to the images.  I popped the middle flower up with pop dots.  I wanted the middle flower and birds to be the focal point of this card.

I really enjoyed making this card. Card making is also a wonderful way to battle crafting ADD.  Just like artist trading cards, greeting cards offer a small canvas in which to create.  You use a many or as few techniques as you like on each card.  They are great for practicing new techniques also. I have much more to say about greeting cards, as you will see in the coming weeks.

I hope you enjoyed the card!

Crafting ADD

I enjoy crafting and yet I often feel there is something holding me back.  I don't always feel as fulfilled with my efforts.  I wondered about this for awhile and why I felt this way.  Was it because I didn't really know how to get the look I want on a project? Did my efforts look to "home made"? Am I not really a crafter at heart? Or could it be something else?   I think I figured out one of my issues. I have Crafting ADD!

I am very good about starting new projects but not as great at finishing them.  The bigger or more time intensive the less likely it is to get finished for awhile (if at all).  I start a project with high hopes and high energy.  About midway through though I can feel my brain start to think about other crafting creations I can make, sometimes with the same supplies I am using right at that moment.  Before I know it another project has been born and the old project is pushed aside.  When I have just one too many projects started I will buckle down and finish a half project.

When I am done I am very happy with the results. I kick myself for not sticking with the original project.  It could have been done and enjoyed instead of sitting and gathering dust.  How can I cure myself of this condition or am I just stuck this way? You know there is just to much to do and try and just not enough time in the day.  That is what I thought for a while but then I found ATCs!

Wonderful little ATCs allow me to feel that great feeling of accomplishment that fuels me on to my next project.

If you are new to the crafting world ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards.  They are 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 cards that you can do any technique on.  You can draw, paint, stamp, emboss, paper piece, watercolor, zentangle, etc.  Everything your heart can think of you can do.  The best part is they are small! You can put at much time and effort into them as you want.  Traditionally they are used for trying new techniques and are often swapped between artists or crafters.  Some people also use them as a calling cards to showcase their artwork.

I typically use them as a practice space.  I can try out different techniques or color combinations.  I can practice stamping with new stamps or inks. I also like that you can buy or create cards out of any paper material that strikes your fancy.  I bought a pack that had a variety of papers.  I found some that I liked and some that I did not care to use again.

The best part though is I can make an ATC quickly and I have a sense of fulfillment.  It gives me the encouragement to move on to my next project.  It also taught me to think about my projects in smaller bits.  If you feel like you can't get a larger project finished, try breaking it down into to smaller bits.  Once you have one small piece of your project done you will be excited to move to the next part, instead of feeling overwhelmed or bored.

Here is an ATC I created this weekend.

I used Strathmore Canvas paper.  The stamps I used was from Unity Stamp Company Stamp of the Week called Change is Never Easy.  I stamped multiple times with multiple different pressures to add depth and interest to the over all image.  The ink I used is Memento Luxe Rich Cocoa. I love that color!  The brown is rich but not to dark.  I think it has a very nice vintage feel.  I colored the image with Distress Markers Fossilized Amber, Twisted Citron, and Cracked Pistachio (all new colors for 2015). I love how these colors blended with each other.  I simply put down a little color with the brush tip and then used a water pen to spread the color around trying to keep some darker areas.  The markers really moved very well on the canvas paper.  When I was done coloring the pieces, I popped up the sentiment on torn black card stock.  I then cut a piece of 3x4 black card stock to mount the ATC.  It is beautiful with really nice texture from the canvas paper!

You will be seeing more ATCs from me on this blog!

Let me know how you over come Crafting ADD!

My First Post!

Hello Crafters!

This is my first post to any blog ever!  I started this blog as a place to share my work, ideas, tutorials, inspiration, and fun challenges.  I found crafting videos on You Tube a couple of years ago and it has changed my world.  I have learned soooooo much from all the wonderful crafters and artists on You Tube.  These wonderful women and men have inspired me to join in on the fun online.  Here is a little bit about me and my crafting journey:

My name is Katherine but I go by Kate as well.  I have been crafting since I was a child.  I have tried many different crafts over the years.  I have found that paper crafting and sewing are my two favorite types of crafts.

Paper crafting is my all time favorite!  I love making greeting cards, note cards, easel cards, photo books and journals, altered canvases all the way to home decorations projects.  I really love stamping and creating my own embellishments. I also really love making books.  I have made interactive mini-albums for photos and art journals with coptic stitching.  I have found that I enjoy the book building process a little more than the decorating the pages.  Yet I still like to try and push myself to decorate the books I have created. I also like making charms or beaded tassels for my books.

I plan on using this blog in 5 main ways:

1. Show - my artwork and creations
2. Share - tips and tricks along with how to and tutorial videos.
3. Build - a positive community of friends and mentors who love crafting as much as I do.
4. Learn - I am still learning every day. I am learning how to craft better, how to use social media and how to enjoy my creative journey.
5. Challenges - I will be posting challenges on this blog as much for me as for others to join in on.

I plan to start posting once a week as I learn about blogging.  Once I am comfortable with this social media format, I hope to have a couple of posts a week.

I hope you join me on this journey.  I am going to end this first blog post with an image of an easel/shaker card.  I made the card from a stamp I received as part of the Stamp of the Week club by the Unity Stamp Company named Sad Stymie and a Fiskars 8-Inch by 8-Inch Background Clears Stamps, Asian Inspired stamp set.  I stamped Sad Stymie in Memento Ink and used Tombow Markers to stamp the bamboo leaves. The shaker material is green and gold glitter. Under the sentiment, I used a lace Washi glitter tape I found at the Dollar Store.  I am so happy with how this card turned out! 

Have a wonderful day and be creative!