Keep Going

Hi Everyone!

Happy Monday!
 I spent much of yesterday and this morning tearing up vinyl flooring, so this afternoon I decided to take a crafty break.  Faith in God has been on my mind as of late and I felt the need to make a card reflecting that.

I used an Our Daily Bread Designs image as well as sentiment.  The image was heat embossed with gold ep and colored with Copics, then die cut out with its matching die.  I matted it on a vellum circle backed with a Calypso Coral cs circle.
The sketch is this week's MOJO Monday sketch~

 I am also linking up to Our Daily Bread Design's challenge, which is 'Anything Goes' this week,
and Time Out Challenges, which has a great inspiration photo this week.  I was inspired by the colors. 
The Pink Elephant has a 'Anything Goes' Challenge this week!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps- Our Daily Bread Designs Never Give Up and Butterfly Branch
Paper- SU Razzleberry, discontinued dsp, vellum, Calypso Coral
Ink- Versamark, Razzleberry
Other- ODBD matching die, SU polka dot ef, Copics, Neat and Tangled sequis, gold ep, ODBD Antique Labels and Border Dies

Tiny Bubbles

Good Morning Everyone! 

I am home from Florida and ready to get back into a routine.  First up, a card I made with a brand new and unfortunately, already sold out Kraftin' Kimmie Card Kit.

 Now how fun is this???!!  The GOOD News is, the stamp will be released in July!
  I started with coloring her with Copics and then drawing in a floor.  I fussy cut the image from the floor line up and then created my scene.  The window is a NBUS die from Taylored Expressions which was colored with Copics for a wood look.  I made a curtain, complete with ruffle, created with lace trim and added a floral tie back, made with 3 white paper flowers that I colored with Copics. 
Details were added by using a glaze pen on the bubbles and the bottom portion of Becky's hair (as it would be wet and shiny in the tub!) and with sequins to mimic bubbles.  And how about that sweet hot air balloon scene outside the window?!

I am linking up to Papertake Weekly- 'Trio-Tastic'- I used 3 paper flowers to make my tie back-
and also to
Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge, 'Fave Technique/Product'- one of my favorite techniques is fussy cutting!  I also love creating scenes.

That's it for me- I will keep you posted as to when the stamp us available!

Have a blessed weekend!

Lee Ann  :) 

Getting Nautical

Good Morning from Sunny Florida!

Sorry to be late with this post; I am still in Florida visiting my parents.  Today starts a new challenge at The Challenge~

This week our theme is 'Nautical'~

Oh my goodness!  LOVE these wide navy stripes!  Check out all of the inspiration from the rest of the team!
 

Lesley Croghan

Kimberly Wiener

Lori Tecler

Nancy Salkeld

Kim Heggins

Anita Madden

Michele Ferguson

Claire Broadwater

I am linking up to Just Add Ink-'Typography'

Have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Flyin' High

Good Morning and Happy Saturday!

It is time for a new Saturday Challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie and this week we want you to try something new! 

I have to admit, this single layer card really excited me.  I have been in a bit of a sponging frenzy lately and after viewing a few images of skateboarders in Google Images, I decided this stamp required just that- a sponged background.  I cannot share my 'something new' just yet!  As far as how I did the 'something new', you will have to check back on July 6th on the Kraftin' Kimmie Blog, where I will have a complete tutorial! 
I used the new and awesome Let's Roll, Dude set for this card.

I am linking up to CASology-

As well as Time Out Challenges- this week we are to be inspired by words in this quote-'Happy is the Bride that the Sun Shines On.'  I guess it is not too difficult to figure our which words I focused on! 

AND a BIG Happy 3rd Birthday to Addicted to Stamps and More- one of my favorite challenge blogs!
This week is CAS week! 
That's it for me!  Check out all of the wonderful inspiration from the rest of the talented team and also check out the details on the challenge, where you can win a Krafty prize! 

Making Waves

Hi Everyone! 

I am headed out of town tomorrow- needing to spend some time with my parents as my mother is still on the mend.  I did play a bit today with some mixed media goodies, inspired by both the Curtain Call Challenge and Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, 'Paste'. 

As I am heading for Florida, this seemed quite the appropriate card!  I will probably send this to my mother when I get back from visiting them. 
I really loved the inspiration photo from Curtain Call and was inspired by the angle of the photo more than anything.  I really did not succeed in creating that angle, but, I do like how it turned out, considering I am NOT in any way, shape or form a mixed media gal. 

I also wanted to play with water coloring some more, as I feel like a novice in that area.  I think part of my problem is I am too impatient to wait for things to dry!  So, I water colored the sky, sea and sand.  I went over the sky and the sea a few times.  I added white embossing paste at the shore line to mimic sea foam and spray.  Then I mixed some brown inks with some embossing paste to make the sand.  I should note that I pounced on the embossing paste with a firm bristle brush to give it the texture.  The sea foam, once dry, was colored over with white acrylic paint- a tooth brush was used to apply it. 
My starfish (Sweet n Sassy Stamps) was colored with Copics and fussy cut out.  The sentiment is a brand new one from Kraftin' Kimmie and the birds are from a Craft Lounge set. 

Thanks it for me! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Lee Ann  :)

The Challenge has some Inspiration!

Good Morning and Happy Monday Everyone!

It is time for a new challenge at The Challenge.  This week is an Inspiration Photo week~

My card has a shabby chic feel, which is what I saw in this inspiration~

I used a couple of PTI stamp sets including a Mini Market Kit and the Rosie Posie sets.
My sentiment is Altenew's  Label Love.  

I am linking up to PTI's Make it Monday Challenge- 'Stamping with Neutrals', as well as

Allsorts Challenge- 'Flower Power'

Time to check out the rest of the inspiration from the rest of the Design Team!
 

Lesley Croghan

Kimberly Wiener

Lori Tecler

Nancy Salkeld

Kim Heggins

Anita Madden

Michele Ferguson

Claire Broadwater

Have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Kraftin' Kimmie June New Release Blog Hop!

Hello and Happy Sunday!

I am glad you are here and am excited to share my card for the Kraftin' Kimmie June New Release Blog Hop!  My card today uses the new Believe in Fairytales set.

 

He is soooo cute!  I had so much fun coloring him my in navy and gold.  Don't you just love the crown?  I added a tiny bit of dimension by fussy cutting out the crown jewels and layering them over the already colored crown.  I also added Crystal Effects to them.  

The scepter also has a coat of Crystal Effects on it.  The stars are atually die cut from SU's Brushed Gold Cardstock, but I could not get the gold to show up in photos, so unfortunately, it looks like kraft cardstock.  I layered the stars and image panel on some vellum (it already has the white starts on it): I did not get too blingy as it is a boy card.  A few sequins seemed enough.   The sentiment is actually from the Let's Roll Dude stamp set, also newly released.

I used the sketch at The Deconsucted Sketch~

 

And the colors at this week's Just Add Ink Challenge~

And at Crafting For All Seasons Challenge Blog 'It's a Boy Thing'.  

 

When you’re done hoppin’, be sure to head over to the Kraftin’Kimmie shop, because ALL the new rubber stamp sets are NOW available!! And don't forget...if you NEED it all, we have a Gimme Kimmies Kit which features ALL the new June stamps at a discount!! But only for a limited time!

Time to check out all of the amazing inspiration from the team! 

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It is Day 3 of Kraftin' Kimmie Peeks and Today is Fit for a King!

Hello Everyone and Welcome Back to Day 3 of 

Kraftin' Kimmie June New Release Sneak Peeks!

Today's peeks are all about the days of old- princes, princesses, dragons and frogs!  Check out the 

soon to be released, Believe in Fairytales~

Yes, I had to go with the FROG!  He is soooo cute!  Here are peeks of the others~ 

I colored this cutie with Copics and then cut him out, leaving a bit of a border, mimicking a die cut.  I could not resist using some Crystal Effects on his eyeballs. So fun!  

I used a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches~

I water colored a background using my Peerless Watercolors.  Then I thinned down some gold acrylic paint and flicked some onto the water colored background.  The frog is matted on a wonderful scribbled flower die cut.  

My colors are from the Color Throwdown Challenge~

I am also entering in to Fab and Funky's Fantasy and Fables Challenge. 

I used my MISTI to stamp my 'Kiss Me' sentiment several times in Versamark and then embossed in gold.  Yes, I am a bit early for Valentine's day, but he seemed so perfect for  it!  I work with a lot of young teachers and every year they deplete my Valentine's Day stash; why not start replenishing early?!
Ready for some FUN!?  Tonight is the Release Party!  I hope you can join us for all the fun and excitement and prizes TONIGHT beginning at 6pm EST!! Hope you can come hang out with the Krafty Girls at our LIVE ONLINE RELEASE PARTY!

Ready for some more amazing inspiration?  Remember to leave a little love along the way because we are giving away a gift voucher; you could win some Krafty Kash to spend at the store!

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Catchin' Some Air and a Peek at New Kraftin' Kimmie!

Hi Everyone! Welcome back to another peek- Day 2 to be exact-

 of the June Kraftin' Kimmie release!  

Today it is all about the boys with the fun set, 'Let's Roll, Dude'~

See what I mean?  It is all about those teen boys at play~

I colored my guy with Copics and fussy cut him out.  I had to give him a red ball cap as I am from St Louis, so this young man is clearly a St Louis CARDINALS fan!
I spotted this sketch from Viva La Verve and immediately saw the skateboard park ramp in it~

My clouds are the banners.  Yes, it is a bit abstract, but I really like how it turned out! 

I am also linking up to Papertake Weekly-'Something for the Boys'
and
Crafting For All Seasons-'It's a Boy Thing',  
So there you have it!  My card is pretty simple today.  Ready to see all of the other inspiration from the Design Team?!  It is pretty amazing!
Be sure to leave a comment on all the preview posts for this week because we are giving away a gift voucher!!! You could WIN some Krafty $$$ to spend at the shop!!


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Day 1 Kraftin' Kimmie Sneak Peek!

Hi Everyone and Welcome to Day One of the June Kraftin' Kimmie Sneak Peeks! 

We are sharing a preview of the fabby new set, Fin-tastic Friends!  

Want to see more??  :)

I have really been enjoying watercoloring lately, but some things I am still not willing to try.  :)  

My mermaid's hair and skin is colored with Copics while the rest is watercolored.  I also added some Wink of Stella glitter pen over much of the mermaid.  

The tail was stamped and colored a second time and fussy cut out, then added to the tail with dimensionals.  I also fussy cut the land and mermaid out (this was not planned, it is because I did not like my inital watercolored sky and water!).  After watercoloring new the sky and water, I added the mermaid scene with dimensionals to add, well, dimension to the scene. 

I decided to give the card a beach vacation feel and framed the image with a polaroid die cut, letting the tail pop out of the frame.  I had to add some texture with linen thread along with some baker's twine and finished it off with a fabby Seashell at the Seashore Button! 

I used a sketch from Sweet Sunday Sketch~

I am sure by now you are ready to see more amazing inspiration from the rest of the team, and it truly is Ah-mazing! Be sure to leave some love at each stop because one lucky stamper from all the comments this week is going to WIN some $$ to the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!!

Enjoy the hop and thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comments!  

Lee Ann  :)

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Taking on a Few Challenges

Hi Everyone! 

Just a quick post of a card I made for Retrosketches, Colour Q, AAA Challenges and Shopping Our Stash.  I have had these bunnies in my stash for about a year now.  What on earth was I waiting for???

Are they not adorable!???!!!  They are from Lawn Fawn's Hello Baby set. 
It seems I am always in need of baby cards, so when I saw this Retrosketch (which I flipped)~

And these colors~

I could not resist!  Especially since I wanted to play along with a couple of other challenges involving cute critters-AAA Card  Challenges- 'Woodland Animals' and Shopping Our Stash-'Cute Critter Alert'. 
I watercolored the background with my Peerless Watercolors and used my ever favorite twine, Hemptique twine. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful rest of the week!

Lee Ann  :)

Coffee Makes Wednesdays Wonderful!

Good Morning Everyone!

It is Wednesday, and you know what that means- another Wonderful Wednesday Challenge over on the Kraftin' Kimmie Blog!  The Wonderful Wednesday Challenges are always 'Anything Goes'!  Today is also the last day of the Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop, so I used the super fun KKS image, I {heart} Coffee!
 

I kept the layers to a minimum (who needs layers on a hot summer's day) and sponged a bright background with a brightly shining sun.  I used SU Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight, and Pumpkin Pie ink and Tim Holtz Mustard Seed and either Broken China or Tumbled Glass (sorry, can't remember which) for the background.  I drew in a black border with a microfine pen.
The fun image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics.  I made sure to give her a good tan and a bit of a sun burn!  :)  The cup us paper pieced.

Copic Colors used~

I am linking up to The Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop~

As well as Just Us Girls- 'Summer'!

And this week's Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-'Friends or Super Heros'

Make sure to check out the rest of the inspiration from the talented team on the Kraftin' Kimmie Blog and then join us and link up your creation!

Have a Blessed Wednesday!

Lee Ann  

Challenging Colors with The Challenge

Hello Everyone and Welcome back to Monday and another color challenge from The Challenge!

Today's colors were a bit tricky for me-well, actually, a real challenge for me- but in the end I love the results.

Here are your colors for this week~

I started with this absolutely darling and vintage style image from W Plus 9.  Really, how can you go wrong with this cutie??  I wanted to try watercoloring  her, but the skin scared me, so I compromised.  The skin is colored with Copics.  The dress and hair is with Inktense Watercolor pencils.  The background is done with Peerless Watercolors, and the cat and boots are with Kuretake Watercolors.  Sounds like mixed media to me, don't you think?
I considered a bit of bling, but decided to let this fantastic image stand alone.  What do you think?

I am entering this in the W Plus 9 Throwback Thursday Challenge.
I am also linking up to the Pretty Pink Posh Watercolor Blog Hop.

And the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge- 'Make Your Mark"

Ready for some more inspiration from the amazing team?  Check out what they have for you!

Lesley Croghan

Kimberly Wiener

Lori Tecler

Nancy Salkeld

Kim Heggins

Anita Madden

Michele Ferguson

Claire Broadwater

Hope you join us!  Be sure to link up your creation at The Challenge!

Blessings!

Lee Ann  :)  

Bring on the Summer with Kraftin' Kimmie!

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited to share that I am now a Design Team Member for the awesome Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  Thanks so much Kim, for the opportunity!  My first official card as a DT member is for today's Saturday Challenge, 'Summer'~

Kim has a sweet, little floral stamp set, Flowers Feed the Soul; I used one of the images to make my wreath.  I will have a tutorial for this card on the Kraftin' Kimmie Blog next month, so stay tuned!
I used the sketch from Match The Sketch~

Check out the Kraftin' Kimmie Blog for all of the challenge details and for more inspiration from the Krafty Girls!  And, how could I leave out the chance to win a KKS gift card!?
AND, did you know there is a Krafty Guest Contest?  You can work with brand new Kraftin' Kimmie stamps and hang out with the DT for the month of July!  Check it out on the Krafty Friends FB group!
AND, be sure to check out the Frugal Friday Specials for the weekend! There are some fantastic deals there!

I am also linking up to the Just Us Girls Challenge, where their challenge this week is also 'Summer'. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you will join us!  Can't wait to see what you make!

Lee Ann  :)
 

Coffee Lovin' Hop!

Hello Everyone, and Welcome to the Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop! 

I must start with a HUGE THANK YOU to Amy Tsuruta for all of her hard work and dedication in planning and preparing for the coffee hops! 

  Have you seen all of the wonderful sponsors that Amy has lined up for us?

To be eligible for one of these sponsor prizes, link up your summer/coffee themed card HERE.  As you hop along, be sure to leave some love for everyone who has taken the time to share their coffee creations!
It is hard to believe that it is June and summer break is here for many of us.  I have already been on a vacation to the mountains.  It was not very summery, in the strictest sense, as there were many feet of snow still on the ground.  But, since this is a summer themed hop, I went with a beachy feel to my card.

I used the Monday Mood Board for inspiration~

as well as the Stamplorations June Sketch~

I stamped my Stamplorations coffee cup two times each on vanilla cs and on white cs.  All pieces where fussy cut out.  The coffee beans were stamped in Versamark on the coffee cups and then in Island Indigo on the cup sleeve.  The pieces were assembled and the lid of one cup was adhered with dimensionals.  

The card base was sponged with Island Indigo and Bermuda Bay ink.  I used a stencil to add embossing paste along the left side.  Next, I spritzed Mister Huey's Calico White spray ink to mimic the sea foam; then, I spritzed Heidi Swapp Teal Spray ink to add another shade of blue as well as some shimmer. To make the white embossing paste stand out more I inked it up with my white Signo pen.  Sequins from Simon Says Stamp finish off the card.  

This card fits in perfectly with Verve's Inspiration Challenge, Eat Me.  Drink Me. 

As I used two different ink sprays, I am linking up to Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge, Sprays/Mists.

That's it for me!  Be sure to head to the Coffee Lover's Blog Hop for ALL of the other inspiring coffee themed cards.  That is where you link up YOUR creation as well!

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a little love!  

Happy Hopping!

Lee Ann  :)

Clearly a MOJO Card Concept

Hi Everyone!

I am back from vacation and ready to start the summer!  Colorado was great fun and oh so beautiful! I did come back ready to craft and decided to take on a couple of challenges.
I started with a sketch from MOJO Monday~

Julee, the creator of MOJO Monday and owner of Verve Stamps, is celebrating her 400th MOJO Monday challenge!  Congrats to you Julee! 
Along with the celebration, Julee is looking for two new MOJO Monday designers.  I would love to be a part of this Design Team.

Also, The Card Concept has a gorgeous inspiration photo this week. I Love the green and white palette and the hint of grey in the marble table top,

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge this week is 'Make Your Mark'.

I used a brand new stamp set from Clearly Besotted, colored with Copics and then fussy cut it out.  I used the inlaid die technique on the circle and background layer.
I wanted to mimic the marble look so used a retired SU background stamp and inked it up with a few different shades of Copic markers.  I spritzed the block with alcohol and then stamped the image.  Then to further smudge it up, I colored areas with different lighter shades of grey Copic and then went over the entire background with a blender pen.  For a little more interest, I stamped a portion of a script background image in the right hand corner.
The image is popped up on dimensionals and I used my MISTI to stamp the sentiment.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

A Sketch Challenge

Hello Everyone!

Coming to you from Colorado, I am sharing my newest card for The Challenge.  This week we are working with a sketch~

Here is your sketch~

I know what you are thinking; my card does not look like the sketch.  Well, I know it is a stretch, but as I browsed through some new goodies, I happened upon this stamp and my mind went right to this sketch, with the cactus flowers being the banners and the green part of the cactus ( is there a name for this?) being the oval.  Obviously, I turned the sketch as well.


The whole card is colored with Peerless Watercolors- love them!  The white layer is just an unpainted area of watercolor paper.  I scored lines before starting, so I had a guide as to where to paint the background. 
I was going for intense color ( I think I achieved that, don't you?  LOL)  so added some shading with Prismacolor Pencils.  I have yet to decide whether or not I like the background, but I ran out of time, so it is what it is.
The sentiment is Avery Elle, from the Bright Days set.
And that fabulous image?  Well it is a Impression Obsession  stamp, designed by the uber talented Dina Kowal of Mama Dini's Stamperia. 
Ready for some more inspiration?  Check out what the rest of the girls have for you!
 

Lesley Croghan

Kimberly Wiener

Lori Tecler

Nancy Salkeld

Kim Heggins

Anita Madden

Michele Ferguson

Claire Broadwater

Are you inspired to play?  We hope you do!  Link your card up at The Challenge!

Have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)