Kraftin with Kathy

Whoo's up for a challenge

2010-01-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a sketch, new stamps, designer paper and a challenge to get you stamping.
Latenight stamper's challenge this week was to use ribbon, gosh not hard to do on a card but unfortunately, I could not think of anything creative to do with it.

The sketch is from Stamping 411,
Of course I missed this week's again before "mr linky" expired but great to have some more cards in stash, especially since I could not figure out a sentiment for this one.

Stamp set: "fox and friends"
ink: taken with teal, chocolate chip, regal rose, old olive
paper: whisper white, saffron, choc chip, regal rose, old olive and stampin up sweet pea designer pack

Something Sweet

2010-01-05T04:38:00.000-08:00

The new Stampin Up Occasion mini and SAB kick off today- you can check them out on my sidebar.
This is new set called something sweet (117688), you can get it in wood or clear mount. I am a purist (or lazy) so I ordered it in wood. I missed out on similar set in Holiday mini- so I thought this one would be fun, especially the goldfish option.

This is a card that I did for a swap I hosted. I love that the circle fits in our 1-3/4 circle punch, makes life easy. I also used new embossing folder from mini- perfect polka dots (117335).

I spent day at IKEA yesterday, so hopefully I will have all my furniture up and assembled to show pics of my new craft room. That Expedit furniture is heavy, so I only got it as far as garage!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

Starting January 5th- the best time for Stampin Up- Sale-a-bration starts. For every $50 you spend you can earn FREE stamp set!

Also, new Occasion mini catalog starts on the 5th as well- get excited about new stamp set and clear mount option.

I put links to these catalogs on my sidebar.

I hosted a swap for both these catalog, so I will be posting samples in coming days!

Happy and a prosperous New Year too you all!

Turtle Thanks

2009-12-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

I used "fox and friends" again for another challenge this week. Stamping 411
is one of my favorite places to do challenges, the operators always visit and make nice comments and they give you measurements- easy peasy!

I needed more thank you cards for Christmas gifts and new dsp, stamps and a sketch are a great way to start!

Back with some mojo

2009-12-30T09:37:00.001-08:00

I can't believe I haven't posted in almost 12 days! We are in final phases of addition (and no my craft room is not done yet- it is but I don't have furniture or shelving and such in there yet), so we have been moving furniture, painting, etc... Oh and by the way Christmas and shopping, cleaning, etc.... happened in between there.

So, I took a much needed stamping break. I got back in the groove with some new stuff- I got my preorder for occasion mini which starts on January 5. This set is called fox and friends, super cute! I attempted to do mirror image technique, but kept getting air bubble in acetate sheet when I tried to put it down on card stock.

I also used Mojo Monday sketch this week, as I needed some mojo after lay off from stamping. I needed some thank you cards for gifts I received from some of my swim students.

Caroling Reindeer

2009-12-18T14:00:00.001-08:00

I love punch art! This is a card we did in a class. I cased the idea from a bunch ones I have seen on SCS and blogs, so I don't know who to give credit too, but I combined some ideas I saw from a few different people.

Head: wide oval in cocoa, small oval in black
antlers-:snowflake punch in choc chip
nose: 1/2 in circle in red
hooves: end of small oval and then cut triangle out with scissors

White Family Christmas Card

2009-12-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

Are you crazed by Christmas yet? Good Golly, got so much going on- no time to blog or visit other blogs.

I did manage to get our Christmas cards out last week.

I used a combo of Stampin Up sets; Baroque motifs, delightful decorations and a personalized stamp that I have been using for year. I used Stampin Up's shimmer paint in Holiday mini catalog and the ornament punch.

ONLY 9 Days to go, soooo much to do.....

Winter birthday

2009-12-12T04:48:00.000-08:00

I make the cards for the teachers birthdays at school, when you need to mass produce for the month, I like to do one style per month. This is the December card I came up with to give the teachers. They use to buy cards and I said if they would pay for supplies I could make them much nicer than a bought card.

Another tip- when I send hand stamped cards I use a post it note to write in it, then they can reuse the card for their own personal use.

This card features the sizzix original dies snowflake # 2, the other is stamp sets are Stampin up's-
short and sweet, think happy thoughts and hostess set patterned pines.

off the Christmas cards, onto birthday

2009-12-09T16:32:00.000-08:00

I needed some birthday cards and wanted to break out of the Christmas color scheme I have been in the last month.

Luckily, I went to stamping 411 blog and got their latest sketch. Stampin Up's razzleberry lemonade dsp with colors of melon mambo, rich razzleberry, crushed curry and pumpkin pie was far away from Christmas colors.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas! But it was a nice change to play a different color palette.

Gift in a jar

2009-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

I did a "gifts class" last week, and this was a project we made. I can not take credit for idea, I subscribed to Debbie MacNeil's website- craftyperson.com and she has fabulous ideas for demonstrators, and does all the work and planning for you.

I was able to find the jars for only $1.69 at our local Christmas tree shop. If you don't have one in your area, it's like the best store ever! It is one that the men hate to go to also!!!

You could fill it with any thing, this is peppermint patties decorated with scallop circle and any image that fits in 1-1/4 circle.

Lots of Challenges and a Winner!

2009-12-07T04:40:00.000-08:00

Congrats to #12- Marge winner of my blog candy! Marge- PM at kraftinkathy@verizon.net with your address and I will forward you the prize!

Thanks for all who left messages, I found some sites I never knew before. Here is the list (no links sorry)

Place to do stamping Challenges:

1) stamping411.blogspot.com
2) Mojo Monday
3) Jen Del Muro's sketch
4) Late Night stampers
5) Gretchen Barron
6) Diva Coffee Break Designs
7) Technique Junkies newletter
8) SCS
9) JUGS (justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.com)
10) my pink stamper
11) Sudsol
12) my studio (formly the craft room)
13) Hope stamps eternal blog
14) the whimsy stamp challenge

Blogoversary x 2- Blog candy offered

2009-12-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

This Saturday 12/5 is my two year blog-o-versary.

To celebrate I am offering some fun embellishment blog candy (see pic).

One of my favorite things is to do challenges to get my mojo going. I have been super busy lately and haven't had a chance to play along with many.

Tell me your favorite place to do stamping challenges, name. I will winning entry this weekend.

Dasher share and blog candy alert

2009-12-02T04:43:00.000-08:00

Happy December! Can you believe it? This is a card we did at recent stamp a stack using the Dasher stamp and teeny tiny wishes.

Also, my 2 year blog anniversary is coming up in 3 days- 12/5/09. Leave a comment and I will post some goodies for you in next post (will include ribbon and stamps!).

Honey Do List

2009-11-30T04:35:00.000-08:00

I had some large legal pads cut in half at my local office supply store. I had plans to do some holiday planners with them, but decided to use "buzzin by" set from Stampin Up to make some "honey do" list. We all have them!

stamped money holder

2009-11-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Looking for some great gift ideas for delivery people, coaches, bus drivers, music instructors and more for the holiday?

How about a money holder? Who doesn't love money or can use it now days.

instructions:

1. card stock measures 7" x 7 1/2"

2. score it at 1-3/4" and 4-3/4".

3. use circle punch for inside, only about 1/2 of the circle- thumb hole to pull out money.

4. used sticky strip to hold sides together

5. belly band measures 1-1/4" wide by 7-1/2 " (dsp is 1/4" narrower)

Decor elements gift

2009-11-24T04:33:00.000-08:00

My good friend Michele hosted a holiday Stamp a stack for me and this was the Hostess gift I gave her. I used the small Welcome decor elements and the big flower was a hostess set from last catalog.

I have so many frames (there must be a 12 step program for that), I decided I better do something with it. I just put in a piece of designer paper and then voila in 5 minutes you have great home decor.

Online extravaganza is going on now! Many items 30-50 % off! check out link to my online store!

Thanksgiving 411

2009-11-22T13:56:00.001-08:00

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge is posted here.
I love their sketch challenges, because they give all the layer sizes. So much easier when you know your cuts and just have to pick out a stamp set and paper!

My friend asked me to make a Thanksgiving card for her. So I picked up Autumn Harvest stamp set. I love it to watercolor with and I used masking technique as well.

shimmery snow swirled x 2

2009-11-19T13:56:00.001-08:00

Two kids home sick today, no food in the house... what to do. I got all my Christmas cards cut, stamped, punched, embellished - all 75 of them. All I left to do is assemble.

I thought I would share a card I did last week for stamp a stack at my friend's house. This features using shimmer paint available in winter mini catalog.

* I used a sponge dauber to apply it onto stamps, then used it to "ink up" the edge to add dimension without another layer.
*I also used some clear rhinestone brads to add some bling.

Notice how I changed up stamp set from Christmas (snow swirled) to Hanukkah (let there be light) to give people options.

glitter reinker ornaments

2009-11-17T13:24:00.001-08:00

Are you ready for Christmas yet? Yikes Thanksgiving is next week- when did it get to be the middle of November? Anyways, our school's holiday fair is coming up, we make things for the kids to buy for Christmas gifts all under $5. As it was near 60 degrees yesterday, I sat out in my porch and whipped out 2 dozen of these babies. I wore plastic gloves and still ended up with ink all over my fingers!

Super fun and easy to make.

Tutorial:

materials needed:

glass bulbs

reinker(s) for classic ink

fine glitter

funnel or paper cone

*recommended (old film canisters, plastic gloves, paper towels)

1) clean glass bulb, remove top

2) using your classic reinkers add 20-30 drops depending on size of bulb you are using

3) swirl it around the bulb filling in all the spaces as you go. This is where gloves are handy or use paper towel to cover open hole. add more reinker if you are not getting good coverage

4) I let it drain out into a empty film container

5) use fine glitter (such as SU cosmo or dazzling diamonds)

6) using your paper cone or funnel add glitter to ornament, dump out extra using funnel into container

7) using thumb over hole, shake up ornament to get good coverage

8) let dry for few minutes upside down in film container

Play around with mixing colors. My favorites are rich regals, pacific point, purely pomegranate, rich razzleberry. Deeper colors look cool!

Fashion 411

2009-11-14T16:25:00.001-08:00

Stamping 411 Saturday sketch challenge is here. I love having a sketch to make quick work of a card. It saves time to have a starting point, vs spending hour or two surfing the web to case a card. I can come up with one all on my own!

I needed to send a thank you card to a personal shopper who helped me out this week.

Long story short, I need an outfit for upcoming event and since I am stuck in typical "mommy wardrobe" of jeans and sweats- I needed some 411 fashion help. I have expect to be ambushed by Stacy and Clinton, but no such luck of a $5,000 shopping spree for me. Lucky for me my friend Jax majored in fashion and could help me out.

So, I used my humor in humor in high heels stamp set, night of navy prints dsp and cardstock and texture plate for big shot.

November's 3 for $5

2009-11-12T09:13:00.001-08:00

I started holding 3 cards for $5 classes, to get people stamping and make it affordable for them to do so. I offer this as "class to go" vs. a workshop as well, more a totally hands on class. If they make a purchase I waive the class fee.

Anyways, this month we are doing 3 different types of gift card holders. Gift cards are a great idea, but having a nice hand made holder looks like you took the extra time to make them something from the heart.

Class will be held Friday November 20th at 10:00 am, and RSVP is due by 11/13.

coffee gift card gift

2009-11-10T04:37:00.001-08:00

Super cute idea to make a gift card holder out of a lunch bag! Then the open pocket you can fill with anything else, I chose a packet of gourmet hot cocoa.

The idea is similar to paper bag scrapbooks. I made a bunch of these up for a vendor fair last Sunday. Unfortunately, beautiful day killed our indoor traffic and I did not sell any of these.

Sorry, I have not posted or commented in last few days. We are in final phases of our addition and I have spent the better part of two days with the frustrating job of removing wallpaper from our hallway. Not fun!

build a bear dress up magnets

2009-11-06T07:53:00.001-08:00

Have you seen the new build a bear dies for the big shot? They are exclusive to Stampin Up in our current Holiday mini catalog. At first, I was not going to get them. I have two boys ages 12 and 10, no big need for dress up.

But I am so glad, I did. They are toooo fun! What girl does not like to play dress up and accessorize???

Anyways, I got the original idea to make magnet tins from Michelle's rubber room
Here are some clothes inside:

And here she is all dressed up! The cool thing about the big shot you can cut through almost anything and this adhesive magnet sheets went through "like butter"

Masculine birthday card

2009-11-04T12:00:00.001-08:00

I combined two challenges in one card! I got the sketch from SCS sketch challenge 253 and Late Night Stampers challenge #44- masculine cards. I went to my old standby for masculine cards Lovely as a Tree, may Stampin Up never retire it!!! The technique I used is thumping with markers.

Hershey Bar slider tutorial

2009-11-03T10:41:00.000-08:00

I am participating in a vendor fair this Sunday and have been busy crafting some things to sell.
This is a cute candy bar slider. It is super simple to do, and fun way to present Chocolate!

steps:

1. cut you cs to 6 x 6 and then score it at: 1/2 inch and 3.25 inch
2. put sticky strip along the 1/2 inch side and on the bottom
3. stamp as desired
4. cut your ribbon double the length of the candy holder plus enough to tie it on top
5. using a crop a dile or another 3/16 punch punch top center through both sides
6. now seal up your sides of holder and crimp the bottom
7. slide ribbon through both hole and put candy bar between ribbon and slide it down and then tie it off. When they pull the ribbon it slides the candy bar up!

"Christmas fudge poem"
Dashing from the malls
With groceries yet to buy,
Lessons, work and housecleaning, Life’s so crazy! Why?
Bells on our telephone ring, The machine will take the call,
We have not time for family or friends, It drives us up the wall.
How are you? How’s your life? We really want to know.
Hope you’re ready for Christmas, Now maybe it will snow.
A day or two ago, We thought we’d make a treat, For all our special friends-
A Christmas gift to eat.
Our intentions were top notch, But our schedules would not budge,
Hence, here’s this year’s edition
Of homemade Christmas Fudge…