Tags, tags and more...

I love to make tags because they give me such quick gratification. I purchased some of the Tim Holtz masks and went to town with my distressed inks and blending tool. I love using these masks so much that I purchased several of the handles with 40% coupons at Jo-Anns over several weeks. I also found a "spinner" that holds all the handles so I don't have to keep taking off the pads when I want to change colors. I will try to remember to post a picture of the spinner soon. I actually found it on the QVC website.

The last tag has some of the beautiful ribbon I got at The Owl and the Pussycat. You know me and ribbon. A girl can never have enough shoes or ribbon. These tags are really easy. Tim has instructional videos on his website on how to use the masks and blending tools. You will just love it.

This is just going to be a short one tonight. I have all these new supplies but I haven't even taken them out of the box yet. I had to ship a box home from my vacation to Florida. Got a little crazy in the stamp stores down there. Need to get a little Mojo back. I think the snow we just had made me a little depressed after coming back from 88 degree weather. It's all melted now so I'm good to go.

I almost forgot a list of the supplies I used. I will have to go through my stuff to get company names and that is going to take some time so I will post an edit to this post tomorrow with the supplies.

Edit
Tag 1 supplies: Tim Holtz -concerto mask, Cleaer Art Stamps- bird notes, DMD Clear Stamps- borders, Tim Holtz clear stamps- life's possibilities, ARTchix Studio- winged cuties, Silk ribbon, Ranger distress inks- vintage photo, dried marigold, peeled paint.

Tag 2 supplies: Tim Holtz- flourish & timeworks masks, Tim Holtz clear stamps- life's possibilities, Prima- Got Flowers?, Brads, Fibers, Ranger distress inks- shappby shutters, broken china, faded jeans, vintage photo.

Tag 3 supplies: Tim Holtz- concerto mask, Paper Studio Clear Stamps- botanicals & birds, The Paper Company clear stamps - faith greetings, Brends Walton- Madeline Butterfly ChipBox, Ranger distress ink- shabby shutters, faded jeans, Prima- artful collage flowers, Rhinestones.

Have fun and enjoy

~Kim

The Journey

As I said in my last post- I didn't get much done in the way of stamping while I was on vacation because my priority was to enjoy the sun and sights and boy am I glad I did. It was 88 degrees when I left Florida and this morning I woke up to snow and slush. You have got to be kidding. April and we are still getting snow? Now I just close my eyes and imagine myself floating in the pool and I can almost feel my body soaking up that sunshine. OK so it's the blanket I have wrapped around me that is keeping me warm. Don't burst my bubble.

This is a card that I created around the larger tag from the Que Sera Sera line of K & Company. I found it so fitting since I was on my own little journey. You know how it is when you get something new and you just can't wait to use it, rather than putting it into your stash and using it as needed. Somehow I find it harder to create a card this way rather than selecting my color combo first and then finding the embellishment to fit. These are some awesome tags and they go perfectly with the same line of paper. The detail on the tags is beautiful. The teal stitching was even already done for me. I did have to add the tan piece with the three brown brads. I guess this is where you could put another smaller tag with a message on it if you wanted. The printed paper is "Far East" by DCMV and the card stock is SU Tempting Turquoise and Ruby Red. I toned it all down with some distress ink. The Prima flowers are something new that I picked up while in Florida. I just love how they come packaged in a clear tube that looks like hand lotion would come in. The stamp is from Catslife Press. I got it at this fantastic stamp store called The Owl and the Pussycat in Fort Myers. They have the best things in this store that I haven't seen in any stores around here. What a treat it was.

I have a habit of making cards where everything matches so perfectly. I think that is what I like the most about how this card turned out. The colors are of the same hue but they aren't a perfect match and that's OK. I am trying to get a different feel for some of my cards rather than just doing the same thing over and over. I hope this is what I am also helping you to do. I go to other blogs for inspiration and tips than can take me out of my comfort zone. I said in my first post that I was creating this blog as a place where others can find inspiration and their inner creativity.

I also had some time to make a few tags with some of the new Tim Holtz masks and stamps. I am always more in my element when I have Tim with me. I will share these with you in my next post after I pack my bags and head back to Florida. Just kidding! That is the reason for the other little quote on the card- Hope and Dream.

Have fun and enjoy!

~Kim

Home again...

When I left for Florida I posted a picture of a beautiful sunset, so I thought it was only fitting to post a beautiful sunrise that I took while I was there. Every morning I had my coffee by the pool overlooking the canal as the sun came up everyday to greet us to a beautiful day. My friend Carol is very fortunate to have this everyday. The weather was in the 80's and it only rained once. I certainly didn't mind because I love thunderstorms. I sat out in the open lanai with my morning coffee and listened to the thunder and watched the dolphin that came in for the morning fish. It was a very relaxing trip and I can't thank Carol and Jean-Paul enough for their wonderful hospitality and four star accommodations. Also a big thank you to Fran and Dan for a spectacular dinner and great conversation. They are great couple but they don't know what they are missing in the Rum Raisin ice cream- more for Jean and me.

I didn't get home until after midnight Wednesday and had to go into work yesterday so I don't have any cards to post just yet. I did make a few things while I was in Florida but haven't photographed them. I plan on making a few things this weekend and should have them up by Sunday. I thought I was going to do more stamping than I did. Even though Carol told me not to bring anything, I had a carry-on that almost broke my back with my stamping supplies. I am glad my stamping things enjoyed a trip to Florida also. I just couldn't see myself stamping when I could be relaxing and floating around the pool while soaking up that beautiful Florida sun. I even have a beautiful brown tan for my efforts. I figured I can stamp at home in Michigan but I certainly can't be laying out in the sun in 40 degree weather.


Here are a few more pictures of the wonderful sites of Florida.



This is a hibiscus outside of Carol's front door.




Sanabel Island on the Gulf of Mexico. It was very windy and they were setting up for an outdoor wedding that afternoon on the beach, or should I say trying to set up. Best wishes to the bride and groom whoever you are.


I don't remember the name of these flowers but they are very common. This bush is growing over the garage door at Betty and Joe's who we visited in Naples. Their home is absolutely beautiful. Betty you certainly have good taste in decorating.



This is the same view of the sunrise picture, but as the sun was setting that very same day, I was able to capture a reflection of the sun in the water. What a hard way to live.


Jean-Paul's son took us out on his boat for a tour on the canals. Here is a picture of the dolphins we saw, along with how the other half of the world lives.


Hope you enjoyed a little peak into my fabulous vacation. Carol- it wouldn't have happened without you. Love you and thanks again girlfriend!

Enjoy

~Kim

Off to the beach..

I am off to sunny Florida in the morning for ten glorious days. I can't wait to soak up some of that beautiful sunshine. It has been cold here the last few days so the warm weather will be very much enjoyed. I tried to pack a few stamping things. Trying to remember what could go in my carry-on and what had to go in my luggage was driving me crazy. I can't tell you how many times I had to rearrange things. I hope to have a lot of new cards to post when I get back.

Hope you all have a wonderful week and I'll do my best to have one also. Some how I feel that is going to be a little easier for me than it is for you.

Have fun and enjoy!

~Kim

New Stamps

The third Thursday of each month we meet at a local stamp store (Mary Maxim) for our stamp club. That night and for that entire weekend we get 25% off anything in the stamping and paper craft department. Look what I found this month. Anyone who knows me as a stamper, knows I love crowns. So I just had to have the set from K&Company. I also fell in love with this Hero arts set. I especially like the script circle because I can see using it on flower embellishments. Use a dark ink on a lighter flower. It really adds a nice touch. I think I am going to take these with me to Florida so I will post my creations when I get back. I will try to remember to do up a flower so you can see what it looks like.

I have a lot to do before I head down to Florida on Monday. I want to take some stamping things but it has to be light so I will have some decisions to make. I am not very good at trying to create something with out my stash around me. This is really going to be a challenge. My dear friend Carol who has a heart of gold and is the most selfless person I know told me not to bring anything that she has plenty of everything. She always jokes that she couldn't live long enough to use up everything that she has. I just feel like I have to bring something. Of course there is going to be plenty of shopping for new things that I can always break in while I am there.

I will try to post again before I leave on vacation. I can't say that I will get anything posted while I am away. We'll have to see how that goes.

Have fun and enjoy!

~Kim

Hip Hop Horray...

As usual the bunnies are multiplying. I found these cute little things at Hobby Lobby in the Easter isle. I tried stamping purple polka dots on one and they looked great on his little behind but once I got to the head his eye disappeared and he looked funny. So I decided to just put a few flowers on him. I think I might try a pink so the face still stands out.

With the time change I keep thinking Easter is sooner than it is. Oh and by the way- Happy St. Patrick's Day to ya. I had to make sure I saved my lime green scrubs for today to celebrate the occasion. My mother's maiden name was McCormick so I have a little Irish in me- maybe even more than a little. My father is thinking about taking a trip to Ireland. How I wish I could go with him but I am trying to be a little conservative with the $$$. My husband hasn't been able to work since his massive stroke 3 years ago and my son Elliot will be done with the community college here in town and off to a university next year. I can't be sure about my job in the health care industry so I am trying to plan for the worst; god forbid.

I am trying to get this posted before I head off to work. I have a lot to get done before I leave next week. I am just as busy if not more at work, the days before I go on vacation than when I get back trying to catch up. Murphy's law- I have more meetings this week than usual.

Have fun and enjoy!

~Kim

Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: Paper Pisazz- Lavender Rosebuds, The Paper Company- Spring Pinwheel Stripe, SU- Lavendar Lace
Ink: Ranger Adirondack- Eggplant
Accessories and Tools: SU scallop square punch and designer label, satin ribbon, Sandylion Essentials paper flowers

So simple

I wanted to create a card that was simple but had a touch of elegance to it. I think beginners get intimidated by the complexity of some of the beautiful cards out there that they don't even attempt to take their stamping to the next level. When I started my blog I wanted it to be a place where fellow stampers could get inspired and get a tip or two every now and then. I remember the days when I first started stamping and everything seemed overwhelming. Hence the reason for today's card. I know there are a lot of new stampers out there who are combing the blogs for inspiration. This one is for you!

This card took me all of 15 minutes. Notice that there isn't any stamping on it; which is usually against all my beliefs, but I had just purchased this new paper and chipboard from JoAnn's and I immediately saw an quick creation. These are both from the La Cre'me line of DCWV. Isn't it just gorgeous. I purchased the 4.5''x6" stack because of the price (sale $5.99 for 72 sheets) and I liked that the patterns were smaller than the larger stacks. Both the paper and chipboard are black flocked which gives it such a wonderful texture. The lighter flecks on the flower and the veins on the leaves is actually black but the way the flash hit it; makes it look silver. Wherever you see the darker black is where it is flocked. The ribbon was on clearance to 50 cents for the whole spool and the gemstones are from Hero Arts.

I will leave you with my so simple card. Today is going to be a beautiful sunny day so I want to get out and get some fresh air.

Have fun and enjoy!

~Kim