QKD + Tim Holtz' Techniques = A Stunning Tag

I was playing with some new Tim Holtz supplies I received from crafting friends on my crafting Yahoo group,  Your Scrapbook Place.  I thought I could make something that would make a great venue for this QKD image by artist Kathy Cyr.  It's called "New Dress" and is so versatile for all kinds of cards!  As you can see, I used her to make a tag.

I colored her with my trusty Copics, in addition to a set of Black Spectrum Noir markers.  I Stickled her hair to put a little edge on her soft look.  She is available at the QKD Shoppe as a new May release, along with several other artists' images.  Did you hear?  QKD has expanded their line to include digi's as well as rubber!!  Now they offer the best of both worlds!  And do you know what's so great about Queen Kat Designs' stamps and digi's?  They are a perfect fit for crafters who love Tim Holtz' style!!  Go check out all the wonderful images at the Shoppe today!

The tag is full of Tim's amazing techniques--distress inks, collage design, embossed base, etc--and was so much fun to play with.  You can go to Pinterest and a lot of other sites to see how he makes all the amazing things he does.  I inked an embossed tag as a base, adding some ink-distressed pieces of stamped images from the Tim Holtz line and popping them onto the tag.  Besides the lace, twine and gold charm, I used a metal embellishment to attach a wired bead onto the clock face, and added an Ideaology that reads "live the life you've imagined."

And do you know what's so great about Queen Kat Designs' stamps and digi's?  They are a perfect fit for crafters who love sTom Holtz' style!!  Go check out all the wonderful images at the Shoppe today!

A-ROUND the Craft Room with Squigglefly

Bet you can't guess this week's challenge over at Squigglefly Challenge Blog?!  It's in the title--ROUND.  This week we're asked to make a card or project using a Squigglefly image and rounded corners.
This was difficult for me, since I found out today that I lost my corner rounder punch!  So don't look too closely at those hand-cut corners-LOL!

For my Squigglefly image, I used a May release from artist Dawn Collins called "Have a Mice Day."  The image actually comes framed with the sentiment inside the frame, but for this card I printed and colored 2 images and cut the sentiment apart from the images.  I used two so that I could cut out the mice and make a longer picture with them.

I framed this in black card stock that I border punched.  The orange card stock base is covered with two pieces of leftover patterned papers from my stash, and a strip of textured card stock that I distressed, then embellished with a strip of jewels.

I framed the sentiment with a paint chip and popped it onto my card.  Then I embellished with a flower and one tiny "stalk" of pearl thingies (does anyone actually know what they're called?) from the wedding aisle of Hobby Lobby.

Hope I've inspired you to join in the Squigglefly challenge this week!  Free digi's to one lucky winner!!  Don't forget to grab some freebies to play along with at the Squigglefly shop.  have a great week!

Another Father's Day Card

I was challenged this week to make a shaker box card, AND to "Man Up" for the Squigglefly Challenge blog, so I merged the two requirements into one card!

The digi image is a May release from Squigglefly called Mad Hatter by artist Daphne van der Zandem.  I colored him with my trusty Copics and then fussy cut him out.

Then I used some Stampin Up circle dimensional tape to make my shaker box.  I have a background stamp of various sizes and styles of clocks, so I used one from which to build my shaker box.  A few foam beads and a piece of acrylic cut to size and my shaker box is part of the inside of my card, with a circular window cut from the card front so it peeks through.

I adhered my Mad Hatter as if he were balancing on the clock (don't you love his bunny slippers?) and hand-penned the sentiment.  The inside finishes off the sentiment "Time to celebrate...a great Dad"  My daughter loves this card and will probably snag it from me to add to his present on Father's Day.

You still have time to join in the Squigglefly challenge this week.  Just use a Squigglefly digi image and follow the theme of a "manly card" for your chance to win!  Good luck, and happy crafting!

Random Acts of Kindness

Or, as they're known by many, RAKs.  A smile here, an opened door there.  Paying for the guy's coffee in the car behind you in drive-through, leaving a handmade card for someone going through a rough time.  All are random, all are appreciated more than anyone will ever know.

I have been peppering a few teachers and staff with RAKs this year.  A few are going through rough times, so I wanted to let them know they aren't alone in their prayers by saying it in cards.  A couple had babies, and I wanted to brighten their day with a handmade gift to cheer their sleep-deprived weeks.  Here is a gift I made for one of the new mommies.

While rummaging for deals at a rummage sale, I found a shadow box with a weird focus, but the frame was sturdy, so I cracked it open and threw the weirdness away.

I covered the back with patterned paper, adding a photo mat.  Then I had fun with a paper piecing, handmade flowers and some baby embellishments.

When I gave it to my teaching friend, she loved it, and immediately thought it would be the perfect place to keepsake her new daughter's hospital wristband.  I put a smile on her face, and on a Monday morning, in her class room!

Now it's your turn.  Do something nice, randomly.  And keep crafting!!

Safe Under Mama's Wings

Today my heart goes out to the victims of the tornadoes that have brought destruction to the midwest, especially yesterday.  Would that we all be safe from harm "Under Mama's Wings", as this QKD image is called by the very talented Sandra Caldwell.

I made a tag card, distressing the background a tad, popping some lace on the bottom for a roosting spot for that poor tired mama, under whose wings her chicks rest peacefully.  A wired swap of beads decorates the top, while sequins are sprinkled across the front.  A simple "Hi" sentiment finishes off my card.

Prayers to all who lost something or someone this weekend, and heartfelt thanks to those heroes who put themselves in harm's way to save their neighbors.

Enjoy the day, crafters!!

Man Up, Crafters!

Time to make a card for the guys, according to this week's challenge at Squigglefly.  Birthday, thank you, and Father's Day cards, whatever you wish.  Just keep it "manly,"

I used a not-so-very-manly digi image by Squigglefly artist Diane Carubia for my challenge card.  It's called "I Just Called to Say".  Just like the song, "I Just Called to Say, I Love You."

This is one for my granddaughter to give to her daddy on Father's Day.  She is five going on sixteen, and a real smartie too.  She's been in private schools for Pre4 and kindergarten because she spent two years at the college daycare and came out of there with a head start on school, but her birthday is just shy of the cut-off for public schools.  So a few weeks ago her mom took her to the local public school and had her tested before registering her, and she was accepted to start first grade in August!!  She is reading and writing already, and will graduate Kindergarten at the end of May.

Okay, enough bragging for one post, grandma, back to my card!  I gave it a color-blocking design, framed the Copic-colored image with black cardstock and stamped the sentiment with a thrift store wood-mounted find.  A few clear acrylic hearts decorate the front.

I hope you find time to play in the Squigglefly Challenge this week.  Don't forget, if you use a Squigglefly image and create with the theme, you have a chance to win free digi's!!  Have fun, and keep crafting!

Under Mama's Wings by Sandra Caldwell

Did everyone enjoy the weekend?  I ran away with my mom and my sisters for a girls' overnight away.  We played Yahtzee and watched movies and had a bunch of fun.  We laughed over memories and made new ones.

I made this card for one of my sisters. Each is a godmother to one of my kids, so I always give them cards as well as my own mom.

Queen Kat Designs released a new image from Sandra Caldwell that was perfect for my Mother's Day card.  It's called "Under Mama's Wings".  That is one tired looking mama bird, but she also looks happy to me, happy to be able to hold and protect two healthy young ones.

I too am happy to have two young adults as my children, one married into a family with a daughter of his own, and the other about to embark on the adventure of her life, graduating from high school next month.

You can always find the perfect images and stamps for whatever you're feeling, whatever you want to say to someone.  Check out the Shoppe for the most fun, funky, fantastical, gorgeous images!! You'll love what you see!

Butterfly Cookie by Diane Carubia

I hope everyone enjoyed Mother's Day yesterday.  I had gone away with my  mom and sisters to a girls' overnight out and came back early afternoon to kisses, hugs and surprises.  Later I spent an hour ruthlessly cleaning out my craft room, putting aside a few treasures for crafting friends and filling a trash bag for the Goodwill store.  I felt empowered!

Once that was done, I sat down and played with a Squigglefly May digi release from artist Diane Carubia.  It's called "Butterfly Cookie".  I made a card with a pocket on the front,as that is this week's challenge over at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog.  I adhered my Copic-colored image to my pocket and into it I placed a small tag on which I stamped Happy Birthday!  Then I added the butterfly to grab the tag.  It's peeking out of the pocket.  I threw on some paper flowers and the Butterfly sentiment to embellish and my card is ready for the challenge.
Did you know that Squigglefly gives one lucky participant free digi images each week, as long as they use a Squigglefly image and follow the challenge guidelines.  What's more, they offer FREEBIES for you to start your collection!
It's a win-win situation, so run on over and play today!

Pretty in Pink

I really am trying to push SPRING the last few weeks because in the Chicagoland area, it's just not happening.  Although the weather is finally shifting to a more normal pattern and the temps are s-l-o-w-l-y climbing up, so there is hope for us.

So, today I made a pretty Springtime card in shades of pink.  I used a brand spankin' new May DIGI release (that's right, a DIGI from QKD) called New Dress by Kathy Cyr.

I had a handful of leftover pieces of patterned papers in shades of pink, so I ran with it and ended up with this card.  I love the yellow butterfly playing peekaboo and adding just a pop of color.

You can find New Dress at the QKD Shoppe, along with lots of rubber and digi's!  Have fun!
And while you're having it, ask yourself if you've ever considered becoming a design team member for QKD.  There is a Royal DT call going on right now:

Queen Kat Designs Stamp Co. (www.katstamps.com) announces its latest search for loyal, dedicated and excited Royal Court members! You must be a STAMPER and card maker to apply. We are a stamp manufacturer that makes laser etched rubber stamps and digital stamps. We are looking for people who LOVE to stamp and can do so on a deadline with a smile!

Term Dates: June 1, 2013-Dec 31, 2013 (7 months)

*Must love to color!*

*Must be willing to try new techniques and use layers and embellishments in your projects.*

*Must be able to do a minimum of 5 projects a month*

*Must be able to blog 1 time a week on your own blog*

*Must be able to blog 1 time a week on our company blog*

Work Description:

*5-6 Hand stamped projects a month (photographs only, you keep your projects)

*1 Blog post a week on your personal blog (using 1 of the cards you made for your monthly quota)

*1 Blog post on the Queen Kat Designs Blog

*Participation on the QKD Facebook Fan page at least once a week (with a sample that you have made)

*Check in on the Court’s private message board at least 3 times a week to make sure you’re up to date

*Must be able to upload your monthly projects once a week to our gallery on Splitcoaststampers.com

Perks of the team:

+Worldwide exposure to your work through our blog and Fan Page

+Free Digital or rubber stamps each month of your term (mostly digital)

+A generous product discount on any stamps and digital stamps we carry

+The Coveted Royal Court Blog Badge

+And more…

Please see info below and take your time to prepare a well thought out application.

A.    Make 3 projects showcasing your best work and blog about them on your blog with a link to the Queen Kat Designs Royal Court Call.  (Cards must be new for this call and can use any stamps and products you want. Of course we are partial to QKD stamps but welcome submissions with any stamps.)

B.     Email us the link to your blog post to: royalcall@katstamps.com with the following (all in 1 email please!)

C.     Include the following information in the body of your email: Your full name, mailing address, phone number, blog or website address, email address.  Current bloggers only!  This call is open to anyone in the world.

    

General Questions…

1. Would you say you are primarily a stamper, altered artist, or a scrapbooker?

2. How long have you been stamping/ scrapbooking? What techniques do you like to play with? What are your favorite products? Ie: Distress Inks, Dylusions Sprays, Masks, etc.

3. Have you participated in any other design teams? If so, please explain (guest designer, regular designer, for store, for manufacturer), and if currently on other teams, please list those teams and your commitment. Please list the work load and the length of your commitments as well as names of companies.

4. What is your motivation for participating in our design team?

5. Do you currently own any Queen Kat Designs stamps? If not, why not? (Please be candid)

6. Are you able/ willing to make at least one post per week to promote our products?

7. Are you able/ willing to commit to a 7 month term with QKD at this time? (Yes! We do extend terms if all goes well)

Applications are due by May 17th at 10am MST!

New Royal Court members will be contacted by May 20th via email.

Send everything in 1 email to: royalcall@katstamps.com

Please put Royal Court Call in the Subject Line

Color Me Blue

Or green, or pink, or any color really, as long as you keep your card monochromatic--shades of the same basic color.  That's theis week's new challenge over at Squigglefly Challenge Blog.

I happened to choose BLUE.  I chose it because I don't see a lot of colored images of girls colored in blue.  Most of the time it's pink, but my girl here is a rebel, and made sure mommy dressed her in her favorite color.

This May Squigglefly digi release from the very  talented Lynne Stansbery is called "Blow Me a Kiss".  I love her, and I know you will too!

I used up more of my leftover stash from previous projects.  I used a couple of rubber stamps, one of scattered hearts that my girl is blowing to a lucky recipient, the other on the inside, a sentiment stamp that simply reads:  Love Ya Bunches.  The card design is a Z-Fold, which is one of my favorite cards to make.

Are you in the mood to make a pretty card, perhaps for your mom?  Or from your young one to your mom? Squigglefly offers you "Blow Me a Kiss" as well as plenty of other fantastic digi images with which to play.  You have a week before Mother's Day, and a week to play in the Squigglefly challenge.

Have fun!!!

Mini Tag Book Challenge

I joined a Facebok group called The Craft hole on Facebook, and from the get-go was challenged to step out of my comfort zone with a new (to me) project-a mini tag book!
Yes, I had never made one before.

This is my cover.  We were given a youtube tutorial to follow, with a margin of personal tweaking allowed.  Most tag books I've seen are bound together at the "other" end.  I like that this one is bound at the sides.

I was gifted with a handful of beautiful patterned papers that lent themselves wonderfully to flowers and fairies, which run amok in my tag book.

The dimensions are roughly 4x6, and we were asked to use six pieces of paper in our books

Each mini layout as the pages are turned has at least one pocket in which the tags are nestled.  My tag on the left hides a sentiment that reads:  There is no greater treasure than a good friend.

I recently received a package from a very good crafting friend, Holley, filled with charms of all kinds, and the tag handle uses one of these charms.

The fence is cut from the Creative Memories punch system, and the sentiment grow is a Cricut cut.  If you look closely at the flower on the right, you can almost see a face stamped on it.  That's a QKD stamp, and I've used more throughout the book.

I have lately been dabbling in mixed media, so the next set of pages showcases a paper doily, ripped designer napkin, inking, acrylic paint, another QKD stamp, all held together with a bit of Mod podge and finished off with a couple K&Co chipboard stickers.


Turning the page, I used a couple images on them.  In fact, two of my favorites, both from QKD.  On the left is Blue Haired Fairy, and on the right is Just Breathe.

The Tim Holtz Idea-ology metal charm reads:
Reality has limits, Imagination is boundless.

I agree!

I printed the digi Just Breathe in three different sizes and after coloring them, I fussy cut them out and layered them on the page.   My sentiment fits the page perfectly: Earth laughs in flowers.

Almost done, thanks for hanging in there! LOL
A small handmade journal is tucked in the pocket.


And we finally come to the last set of pages!

Just a couple quotes from the Quote Garden about fairies and flowers, the perfect ending to my challenge project.

I hope you liked it, and are inspired to try one yourself!