Feature Me Friday designer at The Kraft Journal

Happy Friday!

I am very honored and happy to say that I am the Feature Me Friday designer at The Kraft Journal!  Thank you so much!  Woo-who!  This is a wonderful Friday, indeed.  :)

Don't forget their challenge this week: Copy your favorite designer.  The challenge ends on Sunday so that may be enough crafty time to give some love to your fave designer...or two!  

Have a great weekend, Everyone!  Thanks again, Kraft Journal!

Hugs,

K-Jo

CAS Manly Nautical Birthday Banner Card

Hello Crafteteers!

A friend of ours is celebrating his birthday this weekend and he loves sailing so I thought I would use the JustRite CAS challenge sketch in a nautical theme for his card.  

The card base is navy blue card stock.  MME "Moments" mini paper pad provided the background paper and the large banner paper.  I distressed the edges of the base white paper and the MME paper.  I applied faux red stitches along the inside edges.  JustRite banner die (SW-04415) was used on white paper and I used all those bits of scrap I saved from other precious MME paper to add color and pattern to the inside of each banner (yay scraps!).  The Happy Birthday sentiment (JR set Anchors Away, CR-03710) was heat embossed in white on the large blue banner.  The red corrugated paper (from an unknown supplier) was used to add some texture and height.  Sprightly Sprockets (Spellbinders S5-048) was used on the yellow patterned Moments piece of paper and applied to the banner.  The round anchor detail was from the Anchors Away stamp set.  Bling gems were applied at will.  :)

So there you go!  The CAS Manly Nautical Birthday Banner Card.  Hope you liked it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Thank you for your much appreciated comments!
Hugs, 
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite Challenge #104, CAS
PTT, AG
Craftin Desert Divas, AG
Shopping Your Stash, For the Boys
Seize the Birthday
Cuttebugmania, Die Cut (banner die and sprocket)
Crafting By Design, AG
TTCRD, AG
Challenges 4 Everybody, AG
Sister Act Challenges, AG

Secret Garden card- Life Is Better With Friends

Hello Fellow Crafters!

I would like to share a card submitted for a few challenges.  The card used my much loved and cautiously cut Graphic 45 Secret Garden paper.  

The card is following a sketch for the Crafting Musketeers Challenge #4.  As soon as I saw the sketch I thought of Graphic 45- not sure why but it just called out to me.  As coincidence would have it, the Kraft Journal started a new challenge this week to create a card inspired by your favorite designer....I picked Gloria Stengel for my inspiration.  I have been admiring her work since I first saw it on the Graphic 45 site.  She has such a wonderful style and her cards are so full of life and color and texture.  Her creativity shows in every card and no two are same.  She really is a talented and creative paper crafter.

The card was made with a Kraft paper base.  Graphic 45's Secret Garden paper from the 8x8 and 6x6 pads were also used.  The die cut behind the adorable image of the two girls was cut from Spellbinders Timeless Rectangle die set.  Ribbon was added as shown, as were three small pink pearls.  An ivory tab was applied under the vertical rectangle and JustRite's sentiment "Life is better with friends" (from Spread Your Wings stamp set) was stamped in Tim Holtz's Tattered Rose distress ink.

I did not realize until after the card was completed that Gloria probably would have had it open from the top, but I think it still looks nice opening from the side.  :)

The following paragraph is directed specifically to the Crafting Musketeers so feel free to skip down to the Materials Used and Challenge sections if you wish.  The Crafting Musketeers is having a DT call and I would like to apply for the open DT position.  A wee bit about myself:  Although I have had a blog for a while, I did not really start blogging until January of this year.  I do blog on a regular basis- approximately 2-3 times per week.  I find that participating in challenges are a great way to try new techniques, meet fellow crafters and see other crafters' amazing projects.  I believe being on a DT would be a fun way to meet other crafters and share in the joy of paper crafts.  Thank you for the consideration.


Materials used:

• Kraft card stock
• Graphic 45 paper pads- Secret Garden 8x8 and 6x6
• Spellbinders die set Timeless Rectangle
• Tim Holtz Tattered Rose distress ink pad
• JustRite Spread Your Wings stamp set
• Pearls, lace, ribbon and green twine

Thank you so much for stopping by and stay crafty.  ;)


This card is entered into the following challenges:
Crafting Musketeers, Sketch
Kraft Journal, Favorite Designer Inspiration
Cuttlebugmania, Die Cut (Timeless Rectangle die cut)
Craftin Desert Divas, AG   
TTCRD, AG
PTT, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Die Cutting Divas, Just Because

Nautical Birthday card showcased on The Weekly Scrapper blog

Hello Crafteteers!

On Tuesday my JustRite Nautical Birthday card was showcased at The Weekly Scrapper blog.  How cool is that?!  The funny thing is that I noticed my blog visits had increased a lot over a two day period.  I had posted a few Christmas cards in the past week and I told my husband "I think people are really into looking at Christmas card ideas right now."  LOL.  Nope.  The increase in traffic was to the Nautical Birthday card.  :)

Here is the link to the Nautical Birthday post at The Weekly Scrapper.

Thanks to Lisa at A Mermaids Crafts for sending me the note about the post.  (If you have never been to Lisa's blog, it is a must visit!  I bet you will become a follower!!)

Finally, here is the link to my original post.

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome Thursday!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Season's Greetings!

Happy Holidays!

It may be nearing the end of August but I am definitely in the Christmas card making spirit.  This card was so easy to make and the best part: it was all made from scraps- yay!

The card base is white card stock, blue snowflake scrap paper was distressed along the edges and applied to the base, another layer of white (distressed) and then some scrap wood grain (distressed).  Spellbinders Venetian Motifs was used with white paper and Season's Greetings (JustRite set Christmas Vintage Labels One) was stamped and embossed.  Scrap grey satin/sheer ribbon was applied and a blue button with white twine was adhered.  Four silver pearls were placed on corners.  Voila! - a quick and easy Christmas card.

Feel free to see the other cards I have made this year.  Just click on the Christmas page tab above.  If all goes as planned, there will be plenty of Christmas cards on that page by December!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments.  Your kind comments are always so appreciated!  :)

Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown, Scraps
TTCRD, AG
Sweet Stamps, AG
Craftin Desert Divas, AG
Paper Playtime, Pearls (one in each corner)
613 Ave, AG

The Magic of Christmas Never Ends

Hello All!

A short posting of yet another Christmas card to share.  It feels so good to finish another card.  My goal is to not make any last minute cards this year...hope the goal is achieved!

Materials used:

• Cuttlebug snowfall embossing folder
• Spellbinders: 2010 Heirloom Ornament, A2 Polka Dots
• JustRite stamp set Christmas Inner Thoughts
• MME mini pad Merry
• Plain blue-ish card stock and matching vellum (sentiment is stamped on the vellum)
• Red pearls (8 total)
• VersaFine Satin Red ink
• Stamp n Stuff embossing powder in Red Tinsel
• Red satin ribbon
• Red and white twine

This card is entered into the following challenges:

Cuttlebugmania, Dry embossing (Cuttlebug folder)

Craftin Desert Divas, AG

Sister Act Challenge, AG

Paper Playtime, Pearls

Drunken Stampers, Twine

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

Kathy Jo

Wreath Christmas Card

Happy Sunday!

It is looking like another great day here in Nova Scotia- not a cloud in the sky.  I just love August weather! 

My new Spellbinder die, Build A Wreath, arrived earlier this week and I finished my first wreath card this morning.  I wanted to show off the wreath so I kept the card simple and made the wreath using ivory glimmer card stock.  The wood paper background (from MME Dilly Dally) really makes the wreath pop and gives it the home-y feel.  Gold ink was applied around the perimeter of the woodgrain base for some extra holiday glimmer.  The sentiment was stamped in VersaFine's Satin Red and clear embossed.  Too wee pearls were added on either side of the sentiment.

Product used:

• Spelbinders Die/emboss set, Build a Wreath S5-184
• Wood paper- MME Dilly Dally
• Ivory card- Recollections
• Sentiment- picked up second hand and it was in a ziplock bag so unsure of manufacturer
• VersaFine Satin Red ink and clear embossing powder
• Satin ribbon and pearls

Thanks for stopping by and have a super Sunday!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

Cuttlebugmania, Embossing- Spellbinder die

Allsorts challenge, Use new stash- Spellbinder die

Sister Act Card Challenge, AG

Shopping our Stash, woodgrain- Dilly Dally paper

TTCRD, AG

Divas by Design, Christmas in August

Kraft Sew Thank You card

 Happy Weekend!

Last night I went to my besty's house- Janice's- for a crafty night with the girls.  Lots of laughing, crafting...and food!  We each brought our own project to work on and I decided to make a card for some current challenges.

The Kraft Journal this week has a sewing theme and I just happened to have purchased JustRite's Grandma's Attic Background Stamp last weekend (perfect timing!).  A perfect background since it has the dress form, buttons, spools and sewing text on it.  I stamped it out four times: twice on Kraft paper and twice on white paper.  I cut out dress form twice and double foam taped it to the white background.  The sentiment area was cut out on the white background paper and foamed onto the background.  The sentiment "Thank you" is from JR set Winged Vintage Labels 2 and 3.  Three black gems (more bling!) was used on the sentiment flag.

The card base is Kraft card stock die cut using one of my favorite Spellbinders die sets: 5x7 Elegant Labels 4. 

Random embellishments were used as were pearls and gems.  Stickles Tiara was applied on the dress form for some extra glitz.  Various TH distress stains (antique linen, victorian velvet, barn door, worn lipstick, walnut stain, vintage photo) were applied as shown.

I tried to stick with different shades of pink, brown, black and glitz (lol) for an antique yet bright style.  Hope you liked it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  And thanks for all of your kind comments...they make my day!

Have a wonderful weekend.
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, Sew Simple
Really Reasonable Ribbon, Pink, Brown, Ribbon
Simply Monica, Bling
Do more with less, Shaped
Cardz TV, Make it pop (dress form)
Allsorts, Use Your New Goodies (background stamp)
Crafty Ribbons, Three  (gems, pearls)
Pollycraft, Buttons and Bows
Paper Shelter, Ribbon
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sunday Funday, Linky
Sister Card Act, AG
DL Art, Linky
TTCRD, AG
Crafting by Designs, AG
JustBCreativeCrazy, AG

Christmas Card- Tim Holtz Santa

Happy Friday, All!

You know what I like about challenges?  They inspire you to do things you have not tried, use product you have not used and meet other crafters.  This week I scrolled through the challenges and was inspired to make a Christmas card.

The Santa silhouette is from a stamp set I have not used yet: Tim Holtz's Mini Holidays.  Isn't that Santa the cutest?  I love the retro/vintage feel to the stamp.  The paper is Pink Paislee's City Sidewalks- also my first time using.  I applied distress ink (old paper, antique linen, vintage photo) along all edges to emphasize the vintage look.  Red velvet ribbon was assembled under the sentiment and I die cut poinsettias from red velvet ribbon and Kraft paper.  Distress ink (fired brick) was added to the Kraft poinsettia.  Twine was applied to the top of the tag (also from City Sidewalks collection).  Black gems were used on Santa's die cut in the corners and scalloped lace along the edge as shown.  There are several layers applied to the Kraft card stock base- which gives it a fun feel (hopefully!).

So, my first time playing with the stamp set and paper...and I look forward to using the product again.  Also, I hardly ever do vintage and I love vintage!  I definitely need more excuses to do this style.  

For all the challenge hosts and design team members: thanks for the inspiration...and the excuses to craft!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,

Kathy Jo

The above card is entered into the following challenges:

Kraft Journal, Layers

Little Red Wagon, Christmas

Sweet Stamps, Silhouettes

Paper Crafting Journey, Vintage

Creative Craft Challenges, Tic Tac Toe (Twine, Ivory, Distress)

Perfect Sentiments, Favorite Technique (distressing!)

3 Girl Jam, Kraft with Ribbon

Divas By Design, Bingo (distressing, lace, flowers)

Kaboodle Doodles, AG with Scallops

TTCRD, AG

DL Art, AG

Sister Act Challenges, AG

Whimsical Designs, AG

JustRite Challenge #102, Color Inspiration

Happy Monday!

JustRite's current Challenge #102 is color inspiration.  As soon as I saw the photo I gasped: I have those tea cups!  Big shocker to my friends, I'm sure.  LOL.  For those of you who do not know me: I love tea cups (and tea pots...thus the blog name of "I'm a Little Teapot").  Tea cups are like little works of art.  Not only are they art but they are perfect when having a tea alone and best when shared with friends.  

The photo made me wonder:  If I had a tea party, who would I like to drink tea with?  One tea cup would be mine...so I need two more people at my tea party...

The first person is my mom.  She is one of my best friends and I would love for her to visit me and share a tea and some laughs.  But what tea cup would my mom choose?  I think she would choose the pink tea cup.  I verified this in a phone call to her: "Mom, you have three cups in front of you, all are identical except color.  You have a choice between pastels in pink, yellow and robin's egg blue.  Which would you choose?"  About 1/10 of a second went by and my mom said pink.  Do I know my mom, or what?  At my tea party my mom would have the pink tea cup in front of her and this card:

All pink with the JR lace background (she loves lace), a doily (ditto on doilies) and a ribbon (another ditto).  The sentiment is from JR stamp set Poppies Labels Twenty Nine.  I picked the sentiment because it is true and because we jokingly tell my mom she has brown thumb when it comes to gardening.  :)

The second tea cup is for my best friend, Kim.  She is also in the States so having her here would make the tea party complete.  At first I thought she would choose the blue cup but I really think she would consider the yellow.  For Kim, she would have whatever tea cup (the blue or yellow) and this card to match:

I had to use the JR Winged Vintage Labels Two and Three stamp set.  Kim and I used to collect butterflies as kids and this butterfly stamp brings back some great childhood memories.  I am smiling just thinking about those times!  The card was made using Spellbinders die Filligree Delight- which I think Kim would like.  I wanted to give some life to the card and make it look like the butterfly was in flight.  I used flourishes from the SW dies sets Twisted Metal Tags and Accents and from Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents to do so.

Finally, I get the last cup.  Honestly, I do not care what color because it is not the tea or the cup that matters but the friends at table.  Since this is a tea party, I decided to make a happy party themed card in all three colors.

The card was made using Spellbinders Detailed Scallops.  The banners are SW Buntings and Button dies.  The large banners were made using the JR stamp sets Victorian Tile, French Rose Background and Floral Flourishes. I used a flourish from Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents to make steam coming out of the cup. 

There you go!  My tea party.  Thanks for stopping by to find out about my tea guests and to see the cards.  

Have a great week!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenge:
JustRite Challenge #102, Color Inspiration


Materials/Tools used for each card:

• Mom- JustRite stamp sets Lace Background stamp and Poppies Labels 29; Spellbinders Stately circles and Std Circles LG; Couture Creations Alcyone Doily die; Recollections bling; TH ink in Spun Sugar.
• Kim- JR stamp set Winged Vintage Labels 2 & 3; Filligree Delight, Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents, Twisted Metal Tags and Accents, Vintage labels 3 dies; white pigment ink and winter white embossing powder; Recollections light blue chalk pad; mini pearls; pale yellow vellum (inside of buterfly)
• Kathy Jo: JR stamps Floral Flourishes, French Rose Background, Victorian Tile Background, Charmed; Buntings and Button, Ornate Artisan (steam out of the cup), Detailed Scallops, Framed Tags One and Nested Tea cups; white pigment ink and embossing powder; pastel gems.

Giraffe "You have a spot in my heart" card

Happy Weekend, Crafteteers!

I finally used a cute-as-a-button stamp set that I have had for a while now: Darcie's giraffe stamp set.  It is such a sweet little set and the rubber is deeply etched which means a nice stamped image.  

The baby giraffe was colored using colored pencils and gamsolled.  Red and pink chalk was applied to her cheeks and cinnamon Stickles applied to her spots.

The inside of the card has the sentiment inside of a double heart window.

The following were used to make the card:

• Darsie's giraffe stamp set
• Kraft paper
• Spellbinders sets A-2 Fancy Ribbon Threader, Classic Scalloped Hearts
• Sizzix embossing folder
• Martha Stewart heart punches (lacey heart on front and small heart on inside)
• Memento Rich Cocoa dye ink
• Pink Twine, Pink Flower, Martha Stewart pink ribbon with brown edges
• Crafty love

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Kathy Jo

The card is entered into the following fun challenges:
Kraft Journal, Cute Critter
3 Girl Jam, Kraft & Ribbon
Sister Act Challenge, AG
Frosted Design, Embossing
DL Art, August Linky
Whimsical Designs, Bug or Animal
Eureka Stamps, AG
Party Time Tuesdays, AG
Die Cuttin Divas, AG