HIMCR #130 - Anything BUT Christmas

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

I hope and pray everyone had a VERY Merry Christmas this past week . . . and are now getting ready to ring the new year!!!  

Here it is Saturday once again and do you know what that means?  Well, since it is the weekend after Christmas, it means that most of you are either getting geared up or resting from a day or two of "After Christmas" shopping. It also means it is time for another AMAZING challenge at Hiding In My Craft Room.  Usually, it is time for "Freestyle" week, but since so many of us are so done, done, done with making Christmas cards, Christmas candies, Christmas cookies, Christmas shopping, etc.,  this week's theme is "Anything BUT Christmas".  

And I am here to encourage all of you to put away your car keys and wallets . . . and get out your scissors, paper and adhesive so you can join us for this fun challenge. Remember, you have one week to submit your projects on HIMCR to be eligible for the weekly prize. 

Originally, I was working on a layout to share today.  But due to the busyness of the holiday, I decided to share a birthday card I made.  I did one similar back in June ("Polka or Not to Polka"), but since I liked the colors and sketch so much along the stamp that I used, I had to make it again.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:

Red cardstock

"Trend Setter" paper collection by Fancy Pants

"Aquaduct" Core'dinations cardstock

"Birthday Blueprint" stamps by Tim Holtz

"Quote" stamps by Tim Holtz

Twinkling H2Os - African Jade and Deep Coral 

" Rouge" Liquid Pearls

"Caribbean" twine from The Twinery

Gems & Pearls from Vintage Findings by Teresa Collins

misc. button

Usually, I just use a small brush when using my Twinkling H2Os . . . but this time, I also used  a "detail" watercolor brush in the smaller areas.  It helped me so much with the small detail areas and kept my "painting" from looking like a kindergartner . . . it helped me stay in the lines.  As I mentioned before in another post, I usually spray my Twinkling H2Os 3x with water and let it set for a few minutes to "activate".  If you don't do this, your color will be watery . . . not very vibrant.  

So once again, I am happy with my "make it again" project . . . is there a project you have made again and again?

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Get Inky! Challenge #20 - Winter/Snow

Hi, to all my crafty friends and family!!!

Did everyone have a good holiday?  I know I did . . . it was full of family, friends, and FOOD! (Well, and a little crafting on the side for me. lol)  It is always so fun to get together and give thanks for the reason for this season . . . and to reflect back on the "good ole days".  (Makes me sound old, doesn't it? lol)

Anyway, over at Get Inky! Challenge blog, they are having a new challenge and the theme is "Winter/Snow" . . . so easy, peasy!  Well, when I think of winter, I think of Christmas, Christmas carols, evergreens, and such.  So when I received this digi "Color Merry Christmas Tree", I knew I needed to use it as my challenge inspiration.  (Get Inky! stamps has some GREAT digi images, so make sure you check them out.)

Here's how my card turned out:

As some of you might recognize, I came up with this same sketch and used this paper a couple weeks ago for Super Scraps Saturday for Hiding In My Craft Room . . . but what can I say?  When you find or do something good, you keep it. :) (But I did add a few different items to it to work with my digi image.) 

For this card, I used "Very Merry Christmas" paper collection from Echo Park. I also used ribbon from Snug Hug; red bling from  "Holly Jolly" mini jewels by TPC Studio; and "Vintage Finds" gems and pearls by Teresa Collins . . . and Voila! it was done.  

Now it's your turn to come up with a project and get it entered in this week's challenge over at Get Inky! challenge . . . I truly hope to see you there!!!

Well, it's time to have a Midnight snack . . . I wonder if there's any leftovers left?  I sure hope so. :)

Again, I hope you all had a VERY Merry Christmas (and have a Happy New Year)!!! 

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

HIMCR #129 - CASE Yourself!

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!  

Here it is the 3rd Saturday of the month . . . 

and do you know what that means?  

Well for one, it means, we have only 4 days left till Christmas.  But it also means it is time for another AMAZING challenge at Hiding In My Craft Room.  And I am here to encourage all of you to put Christmas wrapping and get your crafty space cleared off so you can join us for this fun challenge. Remember, you have one week to submit your projects on HIMCR to be eligible for a Close to My Heart Stamp set from Carrie.  Hmmm, pretty nice prize . . . too bad I'm not eligible.  :)

Anyway, the theme this week is CASE Yourself! . . . meaning "Copy and Share Everything".  Basically, pick something you have done before and do it again by either revamping or redoing it, adding to it or just making it again because you really liked it and want another.

Well, for this challenge, I took a card that I did towards the beginning of November (click HERE to see original post) and have had on my crafty table since then because I just did not feel like it was "done" . . . that it still needed "something".  So when I saw what this week's challenge was going to be, I knew I had the PERFECT opportunity and project for it.  So Here's my card in it's "BEFORE" state:

BEFORE

Here's how it turned out after I changed or added a few things to it:

AFTER

As you can see, the "BEFORE" card is okay . . . but the "AFTER" card is much, much better.  What I did make it better was adding the words "Peace", "Joy", "Love", & "Noel" from Get Inky! 2013 Holiday stamp set around my digi image along with the "Merry Christmas" sentiment from the same stamp set from Get Inky!.  I also used small red glitter gems from Close To My Heart by placing them to the top and bottom of my card and larger ones to each side.  And "Voila!" . . . I was finally happy with it.

Now it is your turn to "CASE" something and turn it in to HIMCR in the next week.  I can hardly wait to see what you do.

Have a VERY Merry Christmas!!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the Night.  Kathy

Clear It Out Challenge - Warm Fuzzies

Does anyone know what time it is?

That's right . . . 

It's CHALLENGE time!!! 

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!! Can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner? Less than 8 days to go, I think?  And are you finished with your holiday crafting, baking and shopping?  Well, even if you aren't, that is okay because once again, it's challenge time over at Clear It Out Challenge.  Time to clear away the shopping lists, clear away any remaining baking "stuff" (well, except for a few cookies/candies to help you keep focused--lol), and clear away anything else that is stockpiled in your crafty space . . . and let's get our crafty on!!!  And usual, our most G-E-N-E-R-O-U-S leader, Laura,  has come up with another amazing challenge for us . . .and it's so easy, peasy!!!  So get out your paper, scissors, glue  and . . . 

 Are you ready???

I didn't hear you . . . 

Are you ready???

Okay, it's challenge time!!!

Theme: Warm Fuzzies

Stash: Something textured

You have 3 weeks to play (till Jan. 6th)

Our sponsors this challenge are:

Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet 

 

When I saw "The Perfect Christmas Tree" by QKR Stampede, it reminded me of a Charlie Brown Christmas and how beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . . old cartoons like that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And with it being so close to Christmas (less than 8 days away), I decided to show you once again this quick and simple card using "The Perfect Christmas Tree" digi image . . . as I have mentioned in other blog posts, it is a style I have done many times before and I never get tired of it. And I decided to get a headstart on my "Thank You" cards for after Christmas. Here's how it turned out:

One thing though, this is the first time I used a digi image on this style.  So while this card is a simple and quick one, you do need to take a few minutes to figure out the placing of where you are going to print your image.  How I did it for mine was take a 8-1/2"x11" piece of cardstock and made a pencil mark at the halfway point (vertical), so it would look I would have two (2) 4.25"x11" pieces at the end. Then I measured down 5.5" (to where the fold of the card would end up), then measured another 1/2" or so to where top of the image would be . . . BUT this will all depend on how big YOU decide YOUR image will be. With these numbers, I went into my Word doc and made the necessary adjustments to the margins and using the little ruler at the top and side, I inserted my image (which I changed its size to 1.25") approximately 6" down from top and in approximately 2,25" from side. BUT this all depends on how big you want your image.  If you are unsure if you got it in the correct place, then print it on plain white paper first to see if you need to adjust your measurements . . . that is what I did.  I was able to print two (2) images/cards.

Once I had it printed, I colored with my Copics, added some Stickles, some green Flowersoft Flock and Smooch Pearlized Ink.  Then add some twine from The Twinery and the "THANKS" sentiment is from Close to My Heart.  Then last, but not least, added a miscellaneous red button on the folded corner.  Voila! It was done!!!

As you can seen before, this style of card not only would work GREAT for regular clear or red rubber stamps, but it also works GREAT with digi stamps.  So now that you have an idea for a quick and simple card, I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do . . . as you can see, I've already done three (3) different ones this past month or so.  I just love it and how you can get different looks.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Get Inky - Challenge #19 Christmas

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!

Are you ready for Christmas yet?  I know I'm not quite there . . . but that is okay because I still have 10 days, right?

Well, right now, Get Inky! Stamps has a super fun challenge going on over at Get Inky! Challenge and I am here to give you some inspiration.  With it being so close to Christmas (less than 10 days away), I decided to show you a quick and simple card . . . it is a style I have done many times before and I never get tired of it. And with how versatile Get Inky! stamps are, I can get so many different looks. Here's what I came up with:

For this card, I used two (2) stamps from Get Inky! Stamps' 2013 Holiday stamp collection.  For the tree, I used my Copics (YG63, YG67, E43, E47) to color it and Xmas Red Stickles for a little decoration . . . I also used a sequin at the top of the tree.  The twine is from The Twinery.  And to finish off the card, I used a red button from my stash. Voila! It was done!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, especially when I know so many of you are busy with last minute preparations for Christmas.  And, just maybe this card might help you with a few last minute cards?

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

HIMCR #128 - Super Scraps Saturday

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!  

Here it is the 2nd Saturday of the month . . . 

and do you know what that means?  

It means it is time the Super Scraps Saturday challenge at Hiding In My Craft Room.  And I am here to encourage all of you to put Christmas baking and get out your scraps so you can join us for this super uber fun challenge. Remember, you have one week to submit your projects on HIMCR to be eligible for 3 digital stamps from our amazing sponsor, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  (I just realized something . . . it's SSS at HIMCR and our sponsor is SSS. Hmmm.....)

Anway, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps gave us some AMAZING digital images to play with this week.  I will admit that the following card is not the one I started out with . . . and that is because as I was typing up my blog post and trying to list what products and paper I used, I realized that some of my scraps were digi paper (and not from Sweet 'n Sassy---Oops!)  So back to the drawing board . . . and here's what I came up with:  

For this card, I chose "Cocoa's Christmas Tree" digital stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps . . . isn't he so adorable?  You can even get this same image as a clear stamp in "Cocoa Christmas" clear stamp set (comes with 2 images and 6 sentiments).  Isn't that GREAT!?!?

Anyway, at first I had used all scraps from "Very Merry Christmas" paper collection by Echo Park . . . but I messed up on resizing my tree paper, so I had to open a new pack of the same paper to get a full sheet of the tree paper.  Yes, I said a new pack . . . for those who know me and where I have bought a lot of my paper, understand how I may have 2 or more sets of different paper collections.  Right, my fellow CCers?  For my image, I colored it with my Copics---YG63 & YG67 for the tree, C1 & C3 for the mouse and R000 & R11 for his ears & nose. I used Smooch Pearlized Ink in yellow for the star. And for the ornaments & garland, I used Stickles in Christmas Red and Silver. I also distressed my paper with Walnut Stain distress ink and used Helmar's Scrap Dots to give more dimension to my layers.

All-in-all, I am VERY happy that I had to do a new card because this one turned out even cuter than the first. I think I may do my own Christmas tree this year in a two-tone theme . . . yes, I am late getting mine up this year.  But my family and I plan on doing it this weekend. :)

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy 

Mid-Challenge Inspiration

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!  

I am here today to remind you that you still have one (1) week to complete a project for Clear It Out Challenge.  The theme is "Christmastime" and the stash item is "make room for presents" (or basically, "Anything Goes" or even something with presents on it).  Here's a little something I put together as inspiration for you:

As I mentioned last week, I love having homemade tage to go on my presents.  And when I saw this digi image "Inspirational Candy Canes" from Stampart Design by Kathryne, I knew I had to make not only some cards with it, but also some tags for my presents as a reminder of the true reason  of Christmas.  

Since there were four (4) different images in one (1) document, I cropped each one so I would have four (4) different images to choose from . . . two (2) with a sentiment and two (2) with just candy canes.. Also, if you look real close, you will notice the white stripes on the candy cane are a bit different from the white paper . . . this is because I used Smooch Pearlized Ink in white for the stripes to help them stand out on the white paper.

So now I have some GREAT tags for my presents that not only will go with my presents, but will also be a gentle reminder of the true "Reason for the Season".  Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy