I'm Published...and a Giveaway!

Yipee, I can now post the card that was recently published in Stamp It! Techniques special issue magazine!!!  The magazine is now available for purchase on newsstands everywhere, so make sure you check it out! 

I received my complimentary magazine the other day and just had to flip through the pages to see where it was going to show up and to see who my stamping "neighbors in publication" were going to be.  I've loved paging through the magazine to see some fabulous projects and tutorials and I can say that I do have some ultimate favorites for sure.  I'm sure if you've seen the magazine, you have some favorites too!   I also had to look for my stamping "sisters" who I congratulate whenever I see their work published too. 

To Celebrate my card being featured on page 81, I'm going to give a little prize away!  Read the bottom of my post for the GIVEAWAY DETAILS...

So when I read the details posted in the magazine, I noticed they made a HUGE error and I felt very bad for Woodware USA who has been trying to build their new company-and promote their stamps from the bare bones...The stamps I used are (of course) the WIZARDRY set from WOODWARE USA, not from the company mentioned in the credits.  I emailed the publisher.  She kindly replied and said that an error correction will be posted on their website, along with my card again when they have their February Stamping Techniques events.  Not sure how much that will help Woodware USA now, but I guess that's about the only thing that can be done.  I just feel so bad for Woodware USA to not have gotten the credit in the first place. 

This was the original card sent in for consideration.  I was also asked to create an alternate version of the card, or another interpretation...so the second card below shows the same theme, just a LONG layout instead.  I think both card designs are simple but effective...Easy, peasy!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: 

I will pick ONE lucky winner to receive THEIR CHOICE of one WOODWARE USA stamp set that will be shipped directly to you from Woodware USA-My treat!  

In future posts, I'll be blogging about my favorites, but for now, I wanna know yours...So here's where the GIVEAWAY comes in...

1. Check out the magazine and find a favorite.  (Page #, Title, and Stamp Artist)

2. Blog about your favorite project found in Stamp It! Techniques (Winter 2011) Magazine
3. Come back to my blog and link your blog post in the inlinkz below.

The winner will be selected through the inlinkz contest tool and I will announce the winner FEBRUARY 1. 

Tiny Bubbles...

Hey stampers! This week is the perfect week for a stamper like me who LOVES sparkles, bling and...WoodwareUSA! I just love sparkly things and my family knows that whatever sparkles, catches my eye.

For this week's sparkly challenge, I decided to use an adorable baby set called New Baby. As you can see from my card, it's a great baby set that's easy to color and FUN to sparkle up with Diamond Stickles. The bubble bath is just PERFECT for the challenge, don't you think?

I paired the image up with some Imaginisce Paper with tiny little sparkly bubbles. To add additional whimsy, I stitched the border in a whimsical path around the card (I love whimsy and not-so-straight stitches.) I also added some Bazzill Harvest cardstock to give a little contrast to all the blues. A BIG button tied with a ribbon finished it off.

I hope you find some time to add a little bling to your cards. If you do, please share, we'd love to see your creations.

PS...Did you hear WoodwareUSA has added 28 new sets to the website? I've got my eyes on Parcel Train, Pretty Labels, Winter Tots, and Bird Song...among others. What are your new favorites? If you happen to pick up a few sets, make sure you take advantage of the FREE INKY LINKS special!

For more inspiration or to particpate in this challenge, visit the WoodwareUSA blog.

Inky Linkz...

Hey-Just popping in tonight before I hit the sheets...

Got this BIG news from Andre of Woodware:

Get 2 free Inkly Links inkpads with any stamp order - CODE: inkylinksfree (Can be combined with 22% Discount!)

I'm picking up a few sets for my fellow teachers (4) and my little niece. They make great gifts so get 'em while they last! Can't beat FREE right???

Anyway, here are a few of my most favorite sets you may want to check out:

Teddy Remembers
A Dog's Life
A Winter's Day
Mixed Greetings
Take it EZ

See you back here this weekend to share a few new creations!
Ker

Is it Christmas Yet???

Hee hee... It's Paper Piecing week at WoodwareUSA and I made a card using the cutest teddy bear polymer set ever! It's called Teddy Remembers and I LOVE IT! If you didn't know already, I'm an avid Teddy Bear collector and I love all colors, shapes, sizes, conditions and textures of teddys. There's just something special about the teddy bear! Other than stamps (I'm sure), what do you collect?
For more paper pieced inspiration, hop over to the WoodwareUSA blog and look at all the creations this week. If you would like to join the fun, don't forget to participate in the challenge. One lucky participant will win an awesome prize!

Have a great weekend!

Kerry

Woodware 1,2,3...

This week's WoodwareUSA Challenge is as easy as 1, 2, 3...

The challenge was to include

ONE ribbon, TWO circles and THREE flowers...

1 ribbon...Check...

2 circles....Check...

3 flowers...Check...

For this A2 sized card I used some bold floral print patterned paper from Scenic Route, pink cardstock and baby blue cardstock and of course, white cardstock. If you look close enough, youc an also see that I used some grass patterned paper from Paper Pizzaz that I paper pieced right under the house. Since the image was so playful, I decided to keep the coloring bold and solid...no shading on this one. I think it fits the image well. (Copics Used R24,R22, Y19, Y06, YG23, B00, BV11, E33) The "sun" fits nicely with the scene and you wouldn't know that it comes from a completely different stamp set! I took my color inspiration from this week's Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #75. I loved the BLUE frosting so the house and the border pulled the deelish blue from the cupcake. All the sprinkles are represented in the various colors presented in the image.

I used two Woodware sets for my card this week. Tiny Frames is a wonderful little inexpensive set that includes 14 stamps in various playful shapes and sizes. I particularly love the "sun" shape, the little flower, the stitched square and the little tags. The second set is called Home Sweet Home. I purchased this set to make some cards for a friend who has just moved. I love the little child-like images and the little piece of grass (that'll be very handy with other stamp sets).

To finish off the card, I doodled the dotty line around the border with a copic multiliner pen to mimic the same line in the sun.

For all those who have participated in the challenge this week, please post a link to your creation in the inlinkz below. You'll have a chance to win a fun little WoodwareUSA gift from me! You have a whole week from today to get something posted so get to stamping! Make sure it follows the challenge guidelines: 1, 2, 3...You don't have to use WoodwareUSA Stamps, but you may get something EXTRA special if you are the winner and you use WoodwareUSA stamps!

Anything Goes...

Well, I'm still borrowing a computer from school but did have a chance to upload a card. Not the greatest photo but it'll do today.

For the Anything Goes challenge on the Woodware USA blog, I decided to make a baby card with the Patch Alphabet set, a stencil I picked up in the Tessler booth at the CK convention last Saturday (I ran the stencil through my Cuttlebug). I also tried out the Blue Chunks (LOVE THE NAME) ink Andre recently posted in the store. It's deeelish ink and stamps beautifully. It reminds me of the way Versacolor ink stamps...juicy...not so sticky, great coverage... LOVE it. I stamped the little flowers from the stamp set on the little squares. I also pulled in a little chalk too...I thought the white was just a bit too bright.

I also got away from using Copics this time. I pulled out my Gamsol, blending stumps and started coloring with my colored pencils...Haven't used that technique in FOR-EVAH!

Here are pics of the WoodwareUSA products I used:

Here's the finished product:

Stop by the WoodwareUSA blog to check out the other creations for the Anything Goes Challenge!!!

Kerry

School Treats...

About a week ago, I was at Joanne's and I discovered a whole shoppong cart full of these tiny little empty cardboard boxes. The thread shipment had arrived and they were unpacking and shelving all the tiny bobbins of thread. I thought they would make pervect little treat boxes for my students on the first day of school. I headed over to the cutting counter and asked them if they were going to throw them away. The lady called her manager, who said I could have them! WOOO HOOO!!! SCORE!





I felt kinda wierd digging through that cart. It reminded me of a bag lady or something! Anyway, I selected the good ones out of the cart and hurried home to play. I promised the store a few boxes after I had "fixed them up" so I guess now I have to head back and give them a few. here is one of the boxes I just finished:

Supplies used:

Stamps: Woodware School Tots, Mixed Greetings.

Patterned Paper: The Paper Loft Well Worn Collection

Ink: Memento Black and Ranger Distress Ink: Frayed Burlap, Vintage Photo

So long, Jesse...

I read news today that my cousin lost her best friend and buddy yesterday. Jesse, her long time sidekick and best pal, passed away peacefully during her morning nap. Oh I am so sorry for you Tracie. I know how much Jesse meant to you and how much she will be missed. I can't imagine how heavy your heart is right now. Jesse touched so many lives and her memory will be cherished so very much.

I pulled this photo from Tracie's page...It'll be up just for a few days, then will disappear...Love the tenderness and the love in this photo.

I know you'll miss waking up to her golden face every morning (wherever you hang your hat), taking her for walks, exploring busy cities together, living up the night life, hanging on your lap, her hip bandanas, and all her funny quirks...

Big hugs to you and I know Jesse's spirit will be the shadow to comfort you during the highs and lows to come.

Big Hugz...

Ker

Stamp set used: Woodware: A Dog's Life, ribbon Stampin' Up, cardstock: Bazzill, button and twine: my stash

My favorite Technique...

I really love experimenting and playing around with different techniques. Over five years ago, I went to an art show in Maryland and saw an arist doing something that fascinated me. This artist painted in layers...Not what you think...paint on top of paint on top of paint. Actually, the artist created his scenes of depth and intesity by painting parts of a whole on individual panes of glass, then stacked them one on top of the other (with spacers) to create depth.

I minored in Art Education in college so this reminded me of an ancient technique called Reverse Painting. But his art was slightly modified. So as a teacher, I thought I'd share a link with you...If you would like to learn a little art history. CLICK HERE to learn more.

When I observed his work, all I could think of was my stamping. I knew this ancient technique could be a stamper's dream so I tried using clear acetate, StazOn ink, my stamps and of course, acrylic paints.

I created two different cards with the same materials- just a twist on the layout and a few additonal elements. I used Mixed Greetings because not only does it have some great sentiments in various fonts, it also has some adorable icon images (like the cupcake) that is perfect for cards.

I first tried this technique five years ago and I love it! I challenge you to give it a try! If you create something with this technique, please share! I'd love to see it!!!

PS... Older StazOn works best on acetate. It slides less, is more tacky and creates a crisper image. I had to get some new StazOn this week and it is VERY juicy so the images are less than prime this time. I'm a bit disappointed.

Kerry

You would think...

You would think that with all the cards I have in my craft room that I would have the perfect card for my Mom's birthday, my parents' anniversary AND a friends anniversary right??? WRONG...Nothing jumped out so guess what I've been doing all day today...

Here's my Mom's birthday card. Just a little tweaking of the sentiment set Mixed Greetings and I was able to make the vase (from the sentiment in the circle) and the flowers.


My parents' anniversary card....They are leaving for the Carribbean in a few days so I thought this was a perfect anniversary send off. Used the summer fun set by Stamps of Life.

And here's the anniversary card. Used some scraps of crate paper and two sets by TAC.

So now I think I'm set for the weekend... Be back tomorrow to share my favorite Technique for the Woodware Weekly Challenge and on Monday I'll share what else I made...and the close ups of these cards too!

Have a great weekend!

Ker

Is this MANLY enough???

I think I'm not unlike most stampers in the quest to find the perfect MANLY stamp set for my collection. You know, the stamps that you would pull out as your go-to set for a quick masculine birthday card, anniversary card, Valentine's Day card, thank you or just a simple hello- Well, I think I found it!

My card today was created using the WoodwareUSA DIY set. Woodware carries two sets that are similar yet quite different. Looking Good is a masculine clothing stamp set that is on my wish list too. Since I could only choose one to add to my collection for now, I selected the DIY set because it had sentiments I thought would work well for birthdays and Valentine's Day.

I really like the string level too...I'm trying to figure out a way to tur that into a Christmas Tree!!! Yeah, I think I can do it!!! Anyway, I coupled the "BUILDER" set with a "BUILDER" sentiment in the Mixed Greetings set. This set is very versatile and has a variety of fonts and styles which I REALLY LOVE!

This weeks challenge over at WoodwareUSA blog is to create something using the following colors: Red, Teal and Tan (Kraft)

I created this manly card for the challenge as well as a few others too...I just love this color combination!

To create this card, I started by coloring the saw image with my copic markers then moved on to designing the card. I then cut the Bazzill Neighborhood cardstock to become the base of the cardfront. I offset the "Tube Socks" (the school bubbling scan-tron paper) and the "Anthem" (teal dotted stripes) paper to the right. I then punched the graph paper with the Fiskars punch, applied the ribbon with staples and stamped the Mr Fix It sentiment with Memento ink. The "happy" and "birthday" sentiments were stamped on Kraft cardstock then cut apart. I added pop dots to each birthday letter and applied them in a whimsical pattern, then glued the "happy" to the upper left edge. I decided to mount the cardfront on a teal card base to allow more contrast against the brown and tans. Hope you enjoy!

Supplies Used: Memento Ink, Copic Markers, The Paper Company Teal and Kraft Cardstock, Bazzill Neighborhood-Walnut, Cosmo Cricket-Tube Socks, SassafrassLass-Classic Anthem, Adornit-Aged Graph, May Arts Ribbon, Pop Dots, Fiskars Notebook Border Punch

I hope you decided to take part in the color challenge this week and posted your creation to the woodware blog. If not, please consider joining the fun and post a link to your creations here on my blog or on the WoodwareUSA blog. If you are not a follower, I'd love for you to follow me on my fun stamping journey!

On Monday, Bonnie Rose will announce the next challenge, so keep your inky fingers ready for another week of FUN!!!

Ker

What day is it today???

Boy, having the whole summer off has really messed with my time clock! I can't seem to remember what the date is or what day it is from day to day. I guess you can say it could be a "perk" but for me, it's driving me NUTS!!! I wanna know what day it is without having to look at a calendar! Oh, well, in a few weeks (yeah I know it's about two or three weeks to go) I be headed back to school... Then the rat race will begin.


This morning I set out to make another project for the WoodwareUSA color challenge. I worked for hours with something else (can't tell you what it is yet cause it's a work in progress), but got tired of it and started working with a new set I got the other day. I purchased Leafy Swirls and Circular Greetings. Initially, I stamped the long leafy swirl on kraft cardstock then colored it and then I tried my hand at watercoloring with my distress inks...Bad idea...So...I had to cut out the swirl. I then distressed some white cardstock with Vintage Photo ink. I had the teal circle scrap on my worktable so I thought it would work well with the color scheme. I stamped it with the circular sentiment and added the flower with bling too. After moving, sliding and fiddling a bit, I finally found a pleasing design and started gluing things down. There was a lot of negative space to the left of the circle so I stamped some more swirls and added them to the edge.

I picked up the little butterfly (colored with my copics) from the GASC convention and I can't remember which booth it came from. I also colored the bling with my Copics. I think I'm going to splatter a bit of red or teal acrylic paint on the background paper to give it more pop...What do you think?

Hope you're taking part in the color challenge at the WoodwareUSA blog. Come back tomorrow for another creation inspired by the yummy color combination of red, teal and kraft.

Kerry

It's a beautiful day!

What a lovely day to wake up to. The sun is shining and the weather is great. Stormy weather is in the forecast for the rest of the week, but for now, I'm soaking up the sun!

I spent some time last night playing with my newest WoodwareUSA stamps that arrived in my mailbox yesterday. I plan on making several more creations with them this week. Are you following this weeks challenge at the WoodwareUSA blog??? Every week, the Woodware Design team is hosting a fun challenge. This week's challenge is a color challenge:

Create something using the colors:

Kraft, Red, and Teal

Such a delicious color combo right? I'll be posting color challenge creations all this week on my blog and will close out the week on the WoodwareUSA blog by posting my final color creation.

I have been admiring many cards on blogs and galleries that have displayed the stippling of blues and teals to create a wonderful background to images and I decided to try making a "swoosh" of stippling on this card. I wanted to create something that would trail away from the skateboard. Tons of colors were used to create the effect. After assembling the card, popping the pooch off the page and adding ribbon, I wanted a sentiment that would work well with the theme of the card. I found the perfect sentiment in my new Wizardry set. I love the ability to bend and curve my clear sentiment stamps to fit my needs and this sentiment works so well, don't you think??? After stamping the sentiment, I HAD to add some sparkly stickles, because nothing's really magical without sparkles right??? HEE HEE!

Crafty Supplies Used:

Stamps: WoodwareUSA: A Dog's Life, Wizardry (sentiment), Large Small Sentiments (hello stamped repeatedly on the red cardstock with Ranger Clear Resist ink)
Ink: Memento Black, Ranger Clear Resist, Copics (too many to list)
Paper: Kraft, Teal, Red cardstock by The Paper Company
Ribbon: May Arts
Diamond Stickles, Glossy Accents (nose, tag and wheels), Pop Dots.



Be back tomorrow with another color creation!

Hop, Hop, Hop!

This lighthouse card is sure to light your way and guide you successfully through the blog hop...just follow the light hee hee hee...Stamp set used: By The Sea, WOODWARE USA

HELLO STAMPERS! You may be finding yourself here If you're on a hop, hop, hop through WoodwareUSA's first Design Team Blog Hop and I hope you're a happy hopper!!! Have you gathered your letters from BonnieRose, Harriet, Anne and Dawn? Here's your opportunity to pick up another letter. This very important letter is just as important as the others and it will help you put the pieces together to spell a word we're all looking for...My letter is:

Now hop on over to Piali's blog to grab your next letter. You're nearing the finish line. On your way, make sure NOT to drop any letters. You'll need ALL of them to figure out the secret!

And for those who just happen upon my blog today...Join the fun and start hopping HERE and follow the hop straight through (NO DETOURS OR LEFT TURNS). We have a sensational team of 8 paper crafters from all over the USA, and we want to show them off today! Please visit each team members’ blogs and leave them some love. You'll be able to grab a letter to help you figure out a secret. In the end, there will be a special stamping prize for one lucky participant. If you become a follower on the WoodwareUSA company blog, you'll have two opportunities to win!

Happy Hopping!
Ker

Ahoy there!

I'm very excited to announce that I've been selected as a designer for the debut of WOODWARE USA clear stamps!!! I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such awesome quality clear stamps and as you have already seen on previous posts, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their adorable colorable images!!!

Now, you may say Hmmmm..Woodware, I recognize that name. Yes, Woodware Stamps isn't new...They've been around for YEARS in Europe and they have finally made their way to the US... Andre Cox is the distributor of WOODWARE stamps here in the USA we have all grown to love! I'm so thrilled to have the chance to design for the USA debut of this amazing stamp company!!!

The DT will officially be announced with an exciting blog hop starting right at the Woodware USA blog (The official Woodware USA home of inspiration). We'll be awarding a fabulous Woodware prize so I hope you'll come to check it out!

In the months to come, I'll be working with a fabulous list of designers to bring you inspiration and fun challenges. I recommend you become a follower of the WOODWARE USA Blog too, because there will be lots of fun sneak peeks, challenges and stamping fun to be had there!!!

If you like what you see, head over to the WOODWARE USA store and pick up a few sets too. I'd love to have a THROWDOWN or two using the same stamp sets!

Happy Fourth of July!

I'm spending my Fourth of July weekend just hanging out stamping, visiting family and will head to a baseball game and fireworks show tomorrow night. I decided not to head to DC this year. I'm grateful for the freedoms I have in America. I'm thankful for all the liberties I have and for those who have fought so hard for me and other Americans.

To celebrate, I drew a sketch, made a card, and whipped up a video. Hope you enjoy! Happy Fourth of July!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful Fourth of July and hope you take a little time to reflect on the freedoms you appreciate as an American.

For all my friends outside of the US, I'm grateful for the ability to communicate with you via this blog, my stamping communities and in person. Thanks to you too!

Here's the video:

PS: The stamps used in the creation of the card and video are from Woodware, USA. Woodware is now available (and has distribution rights) in the US. Yipee!!!! The stamps are so cute and wonderful to color and the quality of the acrylic/polymer is awesome!!! I used the following sets for this card:

Mary and Friends

By the Sea

Yahoooooo!!! It's officially SUMMER!

Yahoo!!! Summer has officially begun for me! Today I finished packing up my classroom (I'll be looping with my third graders next year so I had to pack EVERYTHING.), turned in my keys and badge and checked out for the summer. YAHOOOO!!! What a relief! I'm done, and now I can spend all my summer stamping, crafting and working on my house.

SOOOO...when I came home today I headed straight for my craft room to do a few sketches, try them out and start working on my next "Ready, Set, Sketch" youtube video. Here's one of the cards I worked on today. I used the sketch I created this afternoon and really like how the layout turned out as an actual card. I was happy because sometimes sketches aren't all that great turned into cards. I'll post the sketch tomorrow after I scan it on my computer but in the meantime, Here's the card...
I think I mentioned in one of my last posts that I was attending the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Chantilly last Friday and Saturday. This year was the first year I didn't volunteer, and I participated in a class (A Recipe Book by the Button Farm that I'll post later), a crop (Hi MD friends...I'll try to schedule teaching a Copics Class with your store soon.) and SHOPPED, SHOPPED, SHOPPED. I was impressed this year with the wonderful amount of Rubber Stamp Companies represented. Unlike years of the past where only a few stamping companies were represented, this year there were about 7-8 rubber stamp companies there as well as a shop that was selling COPICS!!! I picked up several sets of stamps and also got more Copics for my huge collection. Anyway, this little lady was found in a set of clear stamps by Woodware Stamps. This company is primarily in the UK but now has distribution rights in the US!!! I was impressed with the quality of these clear stamps and will definitely be buying more!

Here's a close up of my coloring. Sorry, I didn't keep track of the Copics I used. I did use Daisy D paper and DCWV cardstock. You can see that I pulled out my dry Versafine pad too so I could distress it up a bit. The colors were just too crisp for the patterned paper so I distressed it up a bit to work well with the image.

I'm sure I'll be back tomorrow showing more creations from the stuff I got at the convention.