Sweet as Ice Cream Purse Bag Tutorial

Hi!  Check it out, I am over on Top Dog Dies today sharing a tutorial on how to make this sweet purse.

Won't you come visit me?!

Thanks,
Katie

Twilight

This is my second post for today, for my SOUS post, scroll down or click HERE. 

When you think of "twilight" what do you think of?  I think of dust and that saying "star light, star bright."  I love twilight, it is such a magical time of day!  But maybe you think of Edward and Bella perhaps?  Or a certain set of colors?  Maybe fireflies?  Whatever it is, I hope you will come join us over at this week's Cut-it-Up Challenge where the theme is Twilight and was chosen by yours truly. :) 

Here is my creation for this challenge.

I used my faux watercolor tissue paper technique for the skyline.  Once dried I applied the stars using some embossing paste with my Simon Says Stamp falling stars stencil.  I simply tore the rock outcropping from some kraft paper and added SU! brown ink brushed accros to make it look like a cliff.  Next I stamped and die cut my Lawn Fawn lighthouse from the Life is Good set (LOVE THIS SET).  I colored it using some colored pencils.  Before mounting it I cut some beams of light from bright yellow paper using my paper cutter, once glued down I mounted my lighthouse on top of it with dimensionals.  Finally, I stamped my sentiment.  

So.....won't you check out the other amazing creations over at the Cut-it-Up Challenge blog?  While you are there you can check out the rules and timeline and then get to creating!  If you are chosen as the winner for this round of the challenge you will get a $10 gift certificate to Kadoodle Bug Designs!  

Thanks for visiting today!

In the Water

Hi Friends!  Welcome to another addition of Stuck on U Sketches Die Cutting Challenge.  I hope that you will come join us for this round because we have some fun in store for you!  This week the theme is....wait for it...In the Water!

All you have to do is use a die cut, add anything in the water and link-up before the challenge closes.  

Now lets get onto the inspiration!  The team has made some AH-MAZING creations!  In fact, I am a feeling a little under-qualified to even be on the docket this round.  You seriously have to check these out!  

Before you go let me quick share my little Dream Boat.  The inspiration for this project came from Studio Calico's Atlantic collection, I simply couldn't take my eyes off the waves.  So I used that to inspire this sweet scene that features a Paper Smooches Wise Dies boat and some PTI clouds.  I kept the colors in line with the water but went out on a limb and added the blue clouds.  It kinda feels like a baby shower card to me for some reason, a sweet boat on the ocean.  Anyway, I hope you like it!

So, head on over to Stuck on U Sketches and check out the other gals die cut projects.  Then get your craft on!

An Anchor for the Soul

Some say your heart anchors the soul and some say hope anchors the soul, either way I like the sentiment. That is the thought that inspired my card this week for Top Dog Dies.

This creation uses the Top Dog Dies Heart Border Die, which is so fun and delicate.  I love this die used in velum as I did here.  It is a little bit hard to see here but If you look at the banner behind the lighthouse you'll notice it.  Isn't it lovely?  Well thinking of the heart, and anchors and lighthouses got me all worked up!  I love this color combo from the Summer Adventure collection from Echo Park Paper. The stamps are from Lawn Fawn and the Anchor from Studio Calico. Remember the blog hop that Authentique did with Top Dog Dies- well that is where I got that sticker, too perfect!

Speaking of anchors, one of mine is crafting.  I did quite a bit when I made this card and it made me feel rejuvenated!  So how's about telling me what your anchor in life is?  There can be more than one, feel free to tell all! ;)

Thank you as always for stopping, I feel so lucky when you do!

Check it out!

I am over at the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® blog today with a super fun and psychedelic creation.  Here is a peek:

Won't you please come on over and check out how much fun I had using Gelatos® Double Scoop® and Whipped Spackle!

Fusion + CASE this Sketch = AWESOME

Hello and welcome to another FUSION challenge! We have something exciting in store this week....we are teaming up with the ladies over at CASE this Sketch! We want you to try to combine our challenges...if you would like! Or you are still able to just use the sketch or just the inspiration photo! Be sure to link up at both challenges if you combine the Inspiration Photo and the Sketch! Or if you just use the sketch! Here is what we are playing with.....

PLEASE NOTE: This Challenge will only be on for ONE week...because we are combining with CASE this Sketch!

My take on the challenge is pretty much opposite of the photo inspiration and right on with the sketch, see:

Instead of going with a mostly neutral palette and adding in a little gold, I went all gold butterflies and saved the neutral for the accent.  I LOVE how it turned out!  The Delecata Gold ink with the Walter and Winnie sentiment are lovely.  The little die cut butterflies are on gold paper, with the SU! embosslet folder.  It makes me happy to look at this card.  I sure hope you like it too!  

Now go check out the other DT creations at both FUSION AND CASE this Sketch, you won't be sorry!  I can't wait to see what you make!!!!

another gate fold card

Hello friends.  I have another gate fold card for you today.   If you haven't done a gate fold before you'll need a piece of cardstock that is 4 1/4 by 8 1/2 inches.  You'll want to score your paper at 2 1/8 inches from each end (on the long side) of your cardstock.  This time I am using Top Dog Dies Madison Border Die to accent to go along the opening of my gate fold.  I love the look of the frill against the coral paper. On that note, the color inspiration for my card came from this week's Color Q Challenge, I was loving this pallette! The stamps are from Penny Black.

Now be sure to go over to Top Dog Dies and check out this awesome die.   While you are there you can check out the Refer a Friend program which gets you discounts on purchases from Top Dog Dies!  Feel free to let then know that I sent you! ;)

I am also entering it into:
Simon Says Stamp- Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping and Happy Tuesday!

Thank you!

Just a quick post today to say thank you to my friend Kimberly Wiener!  she sent me this FAN-FREAKIN'-TABULOUS card after I broke my wrist!  It is so beautiful and made me so happy and I instantly felt better!

This week she sent me another RAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wow am I feeling the love from this fabulous woman! Thank you my friend!

Not that this will be a surprise, but I heard on the radio this am that having support from friends does make the healing process go faster.  No wonder I am able to craft already! :)

Be sure to head over to Kimberly's blog to see more of her wonderful creations- there are so many!

I'll be there...with bells on

Welcome back to another Cut it up Challenge.  This week we are making wedding cards and you must use bells!  I love the bell idea and wanted to use real bells on my card, so this is what I came up with.

Most of the supplies are from the PTI May (I think it was May, but could have been April...) Make it to Market Kit.  (Ahem...I'd like to interrupt this program to tell you this is a fabulous kit!!!  The dies, the paper, the sequins, all of it swoonworthy!)  OK, sorry, back to our featured program. I used what I had, added a little twine and some bells.  For the "sprinkles" I cut the sentiment twice, once in Bermuda Bay and then in Sparkle paper and overlapped them. Maybe not a typical wedding card, but I do this it will make the receiver smile for sure! :)

You can read more about my wacky thought process below, but if you don't want to you can just get creating! You know the drill, make a project using a die and the theme and link it up over at the CIU blog.  One lucky winner will get a $20 coupon to As Cute as a Button AND a $15 gift certificate to Die-Versions,  wahooo!

___________________________________________

As I was making this card, I found myself wondering where the sentiment, "I'll be there with bells on" came from.  My interpretation of this means to do something with enthusiasm, and what I found on Google corroborated this.  I found a really fun site with origins of phrases here.  This is what it said about "with bells on:"

To be somewhere with "bells on" refers to a practice peddlers had when they roamed the area west of the Appalachians selling wares. To avoid Indians, they traveled as silently as possible until they reached a settled area. Then they unmuffled the bells that hung around their horses necks to announce their arrival to outlying cabins. Hence, "I'll be there with bells on." The peddlers' arrival was a much anticipated major event in the mostly tedious and hard lives of settlers, not only for the goods they sold, but also for the news, letters, and messages they carried from the outside world.

Not that you can believe everything you read on the internet (thought everything I say on this blog is 100% true!)... BUT this seems plausible at least. :)  There are other fun origin stories or theories on the page like being on "cloud nine" and "dead as a door nail."

Thanks for stopping and have a great day!

Stuck on U Sketches- Die Cutting

Hello!!!!  Welcome to my first post as a Stuck on U Sketches Designer!  I am super excited to be part of this team.  What I know so far is that everyone is friendly, kind, supportive and creative- what more could a girl ask for! :)

On to this week's project for the die cutting team.  The theme is.... any animal!  You are going to absolutely love some of the cutie-patootie animals the DT team has come up with- you have to head over to SOUS to check it out!  After that you can join us by creating something that includes a die cut an and animal.  That can't be hard right?!

Here is my take for the week.  I went cute and more cute (which is my fave so not hard for me- GRIN)!  I used a combo of Lawn Fawn and SU! Papers with Paper Smooches Stamps and corresponding dies to get this fun little guy. I had so much fun coloring this turtle (enter mom voice where I speak with so much enthusiasm and a high squeaky voice- LOL)!  And the papers and flair just bring out the colors perfectly.

So....what are you waiting for?!  Come on over and play!!!! :)

PS- I am throwing this in the ring for Paper Smooches Sparks current challenge.

My Bionic Arm, a Card & Some Crafty News!!!!

Hey!  Sorry this post is up a little late today, but I feel happy to be posting at all really.  In terms of my arm breakage, a little update is that I am doing well and healing.  The pins in my arm come out in three weeks and then onto PT.  I'd share pics here...but there are a little graphic and I've grossed a few folks out already so will refrain.  If you really want to see them you can comment and I can send you a pic. So today I am feeling quite grateful that I am able to craft.  Now had that not been a possibility, I'd likely be a miserable human being, but luckily it isn't that way.  The human body is an amazing thing!

So, now that we have that out of the way, let's get to the card, that I had so much fun making!  I love the bold colors coupled with the black and white chalkboard DP, it is just happy!  And I used some brand new products on this card when making it, some Faber Castell Gelatos Colors, Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils, AND some Paper Crafter's Crayons.  WOW, they were all fabulous and all a little different to use.  I'll be doing a tutorial later this month on the difference, so be sure to come back for that. I coupled that with some Lawn Fawn products from the Blissful Botanicals line and used the corresponding die set.  I also used Quinn's ABCs, again both the stamps and dies.  For this part I stamped on black with Versamark and embossed in white.  I love the outcome!

So, you may be wondering why I'm using so many Faber Castell products and that is because I am a Guest Designer for the summer.  I am so excited to use these fab products.  You know I love coloring, so this is right up my alley.  However, this...gulp...(confession time) is the first time I've used Gelatos.  Don't judge, it is true but I always hold out a little longer than others to be sure any hype is for real.  Well I can tell you that it is!!!!  I love the smooth colors of this amazing product.  So anyway, stay tuned for several tutorials from me. :)

Before you go, I'll be entering this into:
Lawnscaping Challenge #83- Embossing
Fusion (as a DT because the colors are perfect!)

Morning Glory

Hi friends!  I am getting better at crafting one handed.  It makes me feel so much better to know I can still do what I need to do.  OK, maybe more want, but for me it feels like a need!  The time when I wasn't able to do it was so hard!

So today I want to share a gate fold card with you.  Did you ever wonder how that card got it's name? Well, I'll give you a big hint right here.... can you guess?!  Yep, cause it opens like a gate!  Today I am not only sharing a gate fold card but one with a gate on it as well.  This features Top Dog Dies Ornate Gate Die, the Top Dog Dies Pretty Petals Die Set and the Top Dog Dies Butterfly Finishers Die Set.

Now there are a couple of things I want to point out on this creation.  First, when making a gate fold card, if you want to put this gate on it, I'd recommend you cut the die with a pair of scissors.  Because of all the intracacies of this die, putting in the paper cutter will likely just tear all the bits.  After I adhered this to the Pool Party (SU!) cardstock, I trimmed around the top to make the gate shape for the whole card.  I added the butterfly trials to be my climbing greens. The blooms from the petals set are cut from Marina Mist (also SU!) CS, I then colored the middle purple and finished with white to make them look like morning glories.  For the bloom that is just opening, I wrapped a little tissue around it, because as you can see from the pic, morning glories are white a the base before opening.  I added a little button and a loop so the gate could close.  On the inside, I stamped my Neat and Tangled sentiment in purple on the inside.





I always appreciate it when you come by, thank you so much!

Fusion #12- Because I'm Happy!

This week over on Fusion we are busting out some F-U-N colors!  I am partial to brights, so this is my pallet, but I know you'll like them too.  Don't believe me?!  As if! ;)  Here is the inspiration:

Don't you just lurve it?!  

Here is what I have in store for you today inspired by this fabulous combo and sketch.

Seriously, Happy EVERYTHING!  OK, maybe I've had too much coffee this am, sorry... BUT, I do love the panel of stamped flowers from PTI and the color wash applied over them.  I used kraft CS, embossing folder and twine to represent the texture under the flowers in the photo.  The final touch was using the Winnie and Walter sentiment with black embossing powder so it would really stand out.  

So what do you think?  You like?  Have you seen the other creations yet?  NO?!?!  Head over to Fusion to check out all the DT creations.  You can check out the rules while you are there too.  I can't wait to see what you make!

Entering this into:

The Pink Elephant #253- orange

Thanks for stopping today!

Better than cubic zirconia

I don't know why, but often when I am creating something I have songs running through my head.  In this instance all I could think of was Beyonce's Single Ladies.  You know the one, "if you like it you better put a ring on it!"  Crap, now I'll have that in my head for days!!!  My own fault tho...  now here is the reason why I have that song in my head.

So check this bling out.  I made it using Top Dog Dies Decorative Corner Die Set.  Add a little glitter paper and it is the perfect diamond, one that any girl would dream of! ;)   You know what is the best part of this bling though?  It is like cubic zirconia...cheap, but EVEN better!  This little die set is only a mere $6 and there are so many things you can do with it besides decorating corners!!!  Think butterfly wings like Ms. Wendy Sue Anderson made here or your own flower, a candy wrapper perhaps?!

Today's Question is- the sky is the limit, so what do you see and/or what would you make with this die set?

I hope you enjoyed this post!  I am celebrating because this is the first full card I've made since I broke my wrist, so that means I'll be rebounding to make more in no time! :)