A surprise underneath

How about an anniversary card today. Doesn't the background look like copper? Well it's not. It is a surprise underneath. It actually started out as piece of Kelly green foiled card stock. It was a very stormy night when I was over at my friend Carol's. We headed to the basement to her stamping room to wait out the storm and do a little stamping at the same time. Of course you can imagine I was torn between two of my favorite pastimes- stamping and thunderstorms. But we decided to play with the foil paper and alcohol inks. We had several colors to use as our base. This package contained silver, gold, red and green card stock. I just started applying the inks with a felt pad and blending solution. I can't remember exactly what the color combination was that I used but it looks like raisin and gold and a lighter red color. I apologize for not having the exact recipe but by the time we were done doing several sheets I couldn't even remember what I used. You know us, we just get stamping and talking and not really thinking too hard about what we are doing. Sometimes the best creations arise when you don't over think it.

Once the inks were dry (which doesn't take long because they are alcohol based) I ran them through the cuttlebug using different folders for a multitude of different looks. This one was done with the Textile lace folder. I used SU River Rock card stock for the base and then I found some very light brushed gold metallic paper that I used with my labels 4 nestabilities and the border was done with my new EKsuccess border punch. The sentiment was embossed with copper metallic embossing powder. The ribbon is some of my favorite ribbon that I hate to use because it was purchased in Florida this spring on my trip to Cape Coral and I only purchased 2 yards of it. Isn't' that absolutely awful that I have a hard time using up something that I love. That's why I bought it in the first place- because I loved it. Anyway it is silk ribbon that came from France and it is very thin and flimsy( in a good way).

I really need to work on getting the right lighting for taking pictures of my cards. I have several projects lined up for myself this fall and winter to keep me busy and get me through the empty nest feelings. I want to get my stamp studio organized so this will be a great project for that. I have 6 small silver metal pails with turquoise ribbon tied around the top lip for color, that sit up on a white shelf. They are so pretty sitting up there against my pale yellow wall. I want to take all of my alphabet chipboard letters and divide them up into the pails. I figured I would put all the A's - E's in the first pail and F's- I's in the second and so on until I have the letters divided up into the six pails. I thought I would use a set of alphabet sticker to put on the outside so I know which letters are in the pails. This way when I need a certain letter I can go to that pail and see which one fits my project the best. I will try to remember to post a picture when this is done- don't hold your breathe, it may be this winter before it is done. This isn't an original idea. I saw it on Nichole Heady's blog- "capture the moment". She is the owner of Papertrey Ink and posted pictures of her new studio about 2 years ago. Thanks Nichole for that fantastic organization hint.

Well I didn't intend for this card to create such a long post but I sometimes get on a roll. This card had be thinking of marriage and I can't imagine not being married. My husband and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary this November. Oh sure we all have some rough patches but I can't imagine not having someone to share a life with. I am a very independent person and don't need someone to survive but I love having someone to go through each day with. Call me old fashioned, but I just don't understand those relationships that the two have been together for years but never commit and get married. Anyway I guess I am just thinking out loud and these are just my thoughts!

Have fun and enjoy!

~Kim

Something for the little one..

Today I wanted to share with you some baby girl cards that I created for a little someone whoever it may be. I still don't have use for these yet but I thought I should have some on hand. Yesterday I got all of my chores done because it is going to be a hot and steamy day. I did the laundry, put pepper steak in the crock pot, picked up the clutter in the kitchen that has been driving me crazy this week, did the vacuuming and made a coffeecake for today. I didn't want to be standing over a hot stove today browning the pepper steak so now I just have to warm it up. I have a little rice cooker which will work fine. My guys love to eat the pepper steak over rice rather than mashed potatoes- fine by me since it is much easier. We do have central air but I still wanted to get these chores done without any humidity. I don't mind hot but I don't like humid. Besides now I can stamp and play all day.

For this card I used Nursery-Girl paper from DCWV. The tag is a nestabilities with a sticker "sweet baby" from K&Company- Small Wonders. I held it all in place with a filigree brad from SU. The sentiment is also from Stampin' Up- Short & Sweet and I used the SU word window punch to punch it out. The trim is from Jo-Ann's

This next card could be used for a little boy or girl except that I used pink card stock that shows on the inside. All of the products are from the same companies mentioned above. This week has been uneventful which is good. Getting ready to send our baby off to college in 3 weeks. His room mates are in for a world of excitement. As I mentioned before I am not looking forward to this. I guess I will just have to stay busy so I don't miss him so much. My stamping room will most likely be seeing a lot of me.

Last night we had quite a few thunder storms move through our area. I got up and sat in the dark while I cruised on the computer (I know, not the best time to be on the computer). The storms weren't severe but just a nice constant flash and rumble of thunder. I love thunderstorms and we haven't had many this summer. I have to enjoy them when I can even if it is in the middle of the night. Actually that is the best time because it is so nice and dark and you can really enjoy the lightening. I know call me crazy, you wouldn't be the first and I am sure not the last. This morning it is already bright and sunny and it feels like the rain has given way to a nice fresh day. I want to get out and enjoy it before it gets unbearable. I think I will take the Sunday paper out onto the deck with a nice cup of freshly brewed coffee and a slice of that luscious coffeecake I made last night.

Have fun and enjoy!

~Kim

It's a nice day for a white wedding...

You can tell what era I grew up in with my Billy Idol title. Anyway I wanted to share with you today two of the wedding cards I made for my new venture. I worked like crazy last weekend as I had the house to myself and had 33 cards ready and sent on Monday. There were a variety of occasions and I will be sharing some of them with you in my future posts.

These two were a little similar yet unique enough that they could be considered one of a kind. I used Anna Griffin paper on both of them and Inkadinkado's clear Wedding stamp set. The top one I embossed in gold and then colored the bride's dress with my Gelly Roll pen- clear star. The labels three nestabilities frame is actually on straight but the angle of the camera makes it look a bit shifted. I dressed it up with a Martha Stewart border punch, some satin trim and pearls.

The second card I used labels one and turned them on their side. For this one I decided to go with some lace and a just a few pearls. At first I wasn't quite sure about the Mr. and Mrs. sentiment, but I soon fell in love with this card.

I haven't stamped all week. I don't think I had anything left in me from my stamping marathon.

I need to get busy on a picnic or BQ card for our stamping group card trade but I am finding it hard to get motivated because it is absolutely gorgeous out today. I sat in the sun this morning for a bit. I only like to be out until 11 o'clock and then it gets too intense for me. I head for the shade after noon. I hung up a new hummingbird feeder and it didn't take long for them to find it. I could sit all day and watch them. I still find it amazing at the speed of their wings every time I see one. In my region we only get the ruby throat but that is enough to keep me entertained. Hope you all have a great week. I'm off to enjoy the weather.

Have fun and enjoy

~Kim