Look out Wonder Woman!

Hello all!

Yes, yes I do have a photo of Wonder Woman on my blog.  That is because I feel as cool as she looks.  Do you know why? Because I have joined the 21st century and now I have an Instagram account. Woo-who!  I have posted a few crafty photos, too.  10 minutes in and already a pro. Wonder Woman indeed. 

You know what?  I feel quite "hip" right now.  I feel like I should perhaps dress trendy or use more up-to-date lingo.  Instead of referring to the "clicker" to change channels I will say "remote control".  Maybe I should get rid of my 8 track player and move up to cassettes.  At the mall I will hum hip tunes like Baby Got Back or Ice Ice Baby.  Yep.  Look out 21st century- here I come!!

Listed below are all of my social media links.  Feel free to friend or follow me and I will make sure to follow you back!  I am always happy to see new crafty inspiration. And in case you are concerned, I am not one of those people that post every meal or notify you all when I changed my location.  That is TMI.  (See that?  I slipped in a cool abbreviation.  Told you I was rockin' the 21st century.)

Instagram: @kathyjocrafts
Twitter: @kathyjocrafts
Pinterest: @daisysanddaf  (or just look up kathy wood)
Facebook: Kathy Jo Wood (kathyjo.wood)

Some of my shortcuts are also on the right side bar.

Thanks for stopping by!  I look forward to following you all in the other social media realms.
Hugs,
Wonder Woman Kathy Jo

Happy Birthday!

Happy Friday, All.

It is a beautiful day here in Nova Scotia.  The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the squirrels are up to their squirrelly antics.  Although the lawn has some dandelions that need to be pulled, I opted to head into the craft room first to finish the birthday card I started last night.  Funny how "work" easily moves to the back burner.  :)

The birthday card used Quietfire's Happy Family Days set:

The set was designed to coordinate with Spellbinders Labels One.  The swirls were stamped in green and the sentiment in Archival Ink (Potting Soil).  It was die cut with Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One.  Next green card stock was die cut (Spellbinders Decorative Labels One), ivory card stock (Labels One Card Front) and all was mounted on Kraft card stock.

I stacked white tissue paper and die cut it using Spellbinders Blossom Two die.  It was dyed using Distress Stain in Abandoned Coral, a brad inserted through the center and was gathered to create the flower.  Green card stock was die cut using Spellbinders Create a Rose leaves dies.

Sweet, simple and happy.  I hope whoever receives the card will like it.  

Before I head out I wanted to show you some of the tulips that popped up in one of my gardens this year.  I should literally have hundreds of tulips in the spring showing off their beauty.  However, last year I had a problem with my tulips and I do not think even 20 popped up.  I was concerned that a disease had gotten a hold of all of them but decided to wait a year before pulling out all of the bulbs and starting over.  Thankfully many of the tulips came back.  Here are a few from one of my gardens.  This garden is full of red, yellow, and red/yellow blended tulips.

The photos do not do them justice.  They are stunning in person!  They really brighten up a day and I love seeing them soaking up the sun.  

Thanks for hanging out until the end!  :)
Have a fabulous weekend.
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Scrapyland- Happy Birthday/celebrate
613 Avenue Create, AG
Sister Act, AG
TTCRD, AG
Simon Says Stamp, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Believe Butterfly card

Hello All!

Lately I have been playing in my craft room with different watercolor methods.  Most of the playing has resulted in card backgrounds or images that have not been made into a card as of yet- but it has been fun trying new things!  I do find in this process that I have used my Distress Markers and waterbrush a lot.  Today's card used several of the Tim Holtz Distress markers for stamping.  

Two stamp sets from Quietfire were used on the card, Butterflies/Dragonflies:

And If You Don't Believe in Miracles:

The butterfly and Believe were used from the sets, respectively.  The butterfly was colored using markers in Abandoned Coral, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Dusty Concord, Spiced Marmalade and Mowed Lawn.  They were all stamped in a circle on water color paper as shown.  Believe was stamped using Ranger's black Archival ink.

The image was cut to size, mounted on green paper and then mounted on patterned paper from Ken Oliver's Pitter Patter Paper Pad.  Seam binding was dyed using Distress Stain in Spiced Marmalade and adhered.  All of this was mounted on a tent fold card from a Tim Holtz Distress paper.  

Such a bright colored and happy card!  I think this card will be sitting near my work desk to cheer up the craft room at night or on rainy days.  :)

If you are interested in different water color methods, cards, and inspiration, feel free to visit my Pinterest board dedicated to water coloring.  (Gotta love Pinterest!)  

Hope you all have a great day.  Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp, Work it Wednesday, Rainbow
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Graphic 45- Artisan Style Gift Card Holder with template

Hello Crafty Peeps!

It is always a good idea to have a stash of Thank you cards handy.  This little Thank you card is not only bold and beautiful but it also has a pocket inside for a gift card, special note, photo, whatever.  It is quick to reproduce, easy to mail and fun to make.  

First, here is the template for the card:

To make the card you will need one sheet of 12" x 12" paper. (I chose Graphic 45's Artisan Style- gorgeous!)  You will get 3 cards from the one sheet.  (Yay!  No scraps!)  

The front used papers from the Artisan Style 6x6 pad.  They were die cut using Cheery Lynn's Christmas Ball Decoration w/Angel Wing and Tiny Bubble Borders. The lovely Thank You sentiment is from Quietfire's Floral Thank You set:

The inside is more color and happiness:

The left side of the card contains the sentiment and a fussy cut flower.  The sentiment is Quietfire's No act of Kindness stamp.

The right side is the pocket for the wee gift.

I really like how this card turned out!  And, I have three for my stash.  Perfect.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great day.
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn, AG
Simon Says Stamp Monday, Thank you
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG with create your own (patterned paper, die cut, solid paper, flowers, sq card)
Crafting from the Heart, AG
Craft Your Passion, AG
Artistic Inspiration, AG with die cuts

Vintage "Faithful Friend" card

Happy Sunday!

Today I am sharing a vintage style friendship card.  The stamped image (JustRite's Rose Postcard Background Stamp) was colored using Distress Inks and Ranger's Waterbrush.  Stickles was applied to the leaves and Crackle applied to the roses.  (I beginning to realize that I have an addiction to Crackle.)

The bottom of the card front was die cut using Spellbinders A2 Bracket Borders One.  Both the card base and image background were made from kraft card stock.  Distress inks (Old Paper and Vintage Photo) were applied along the edges.

The inside was stamped using Quietfire's Always Be My Friend stamp set:

Another look at the outside.  

I totally forgot to mention this yesterday: Quietfire Design is having a sale!  Summary: Spellbinders are 30% off (except Becca Feeken dies) with free shipping on $70 minimum.  Decorative-scrapbook paper is 35% off.  Gotta love sales!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I do hope you are having a good Sunday.
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, AG Vintage
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
Stamping Sensations, Flower Power
613 Avenue Create, AG
Crafting By Design, Use Sentiment
Crafting From the Heart, AG

Father's Day card...gone fishin!

Hello All!

Don't you just love getting a new die and playing with it?  The Cheery Lynn die Bass Fishin was my new purchase yesterday after work.  I didn't have too much time after work to play with it- which must have been on my mind when I was sleeping.  I woke up at 2am and played in the craft room with the die until 6!  Oh yes...this was a good purchase.  Different papers were used, then different materials applied.  My favorite finishes were used on this card: clear Distress Crackle, Distress inks (Old Paper, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain) and Stickles (Seafoam) on the fish and Imagine Craft's CM Iridescent (blue) on the water splash.

Love the way the fish and splash turned out!  It is difficult to tell in the photo but the splash has a very cool iridescence to it (thus the name- LOL). 

The patterned paper is from Graphic 45's Good Ol' Sport.  The stamped sentiment is from Quietfire's must have set, Happy Family Days:

Yes, it took some time for everything to dry but it was worth the wait...plus I was able to tidy the craft room while waiting.  Win-win.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn, Make it Manly
Scrapyland challenge, Birthday or celebration
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act, AG

Quietifre Thank you card using new Amazing Paper Grace die set

Happy Friday, All!  Today is my day to post at Quietfire and I used the newly released Amazing Paper Grace's die set, Arched Elegance Pocket with Quietfire's Thank you set of 4 stamp set.

Isn't that a lovely set?  Here is a closeup of the stamped sentiment on denim:

For more details on the card, feel free to hop on over to Quietfire Design!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Zombie/Walking Dead birthday card

Hello All!

Recently a friend of mine celebrated a birthday.  She and I are both Walking Dead fans, crafters, and (I think) totally awesome ladies.  It makes sense that we are friends.  :)  It also makes sense that I made her a Walking Dead inspired birthday card.  

For those of you that watch the show, you may recognize the front: Daryl's wings.  (I tried to get the wings as close to his jacket as possible...would be cool to have stamps of his wings!)  To make the wings I ran two wing dies through my GC- but embossed only.  The wings were then fussy cut and Distress inks applied.  The wings were mounted on faux leather paper distressed with more ink.  The tent fold Kraft base had ink (Distress inks in Barn Door and Fired Brick) splattered on the background.

The inside is more splattering and two zombie sentiments (from Art Gone Wild).

Yes, the sentiment says "You're a great friend but if the zombies chase us, I'm tripping you. Sorry".  I know, I know- that is not very Daryl-like.  Perhaps more Shane-like or Nicholas.  

Next, is a reassuring (?) statement: "Don't worry, zombies are looking for brains. you're safe".  See?  That's not so bad.

The back is the ominous symbol from the end of the season.  A simple, fearsome "W".  With more distressed edges.  And more blood splatter.

Sure, it will not be a Hallmark card anytime soon.  But will Hallmark even be around after the zombie apocalypse?  Probably not.  But Daryl will.  

Hope you liked your card, Suzanne!
Have a great day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

If I had a Star card using Tim Holtz Abandoned Coral

Happy Sunday, All!

Today I am popping in to share a card using Tim Holtz' Abandoned Coral products.  Oooohhhh...I really like this color.  It was a lot of fun to play with and I cannot wait to do the same with the new Twisted Citron!  Such refreshing colors!  

I played with all of the products in the Abandoned Coral line and next thing I know a card was forming.  :)  Here are the layers from the bottom up: ivory base, navy blue card stock, ivory card stock embossed (Tim Holtz Damask) and colored with Abandoned Coral paint, blue jean and star ribbon (Donna Salazar), pleated ribbon, Tim Holtz patterned paper (die cut using Spellbinders Squares), and handmade tag stamped using Quietfire "If I had a star" stamp (Tim Holtz reinforcer used on hole and inks used along edges).   The stars were die cut using Spellbinders Stars die set and was made using scrap paper (one dyed using Abandoned Coral).

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you all had a fabulous day.
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday, Don't Abandon the Coral
Scrapyland, AG using Scrapyland Dies
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG
TTCRD, AG
Cuttlebugmania, Stamp
Sister Act, AG

Graphic 45 Cat's Meow card

Happy Saturday!

How is your weekend going?  We have had a good weekend so far.  Last night we saw the new Avengers movie and it was excellent.  This morning my sweet hubby, our cute-as-a-button Saint Bernard (Ella) and I went to Truro to take Ella for a walk in Victoria Park.  Such a beautiful day and park.  They also took me to a local crafty store to pick up the Cheery Lynn die I ordered, Large Sunflower Doily.  Of course, as soon as I arrived home I ran it through my machine and made a card.  

All of the patterend paper is from Graphic 45's Raining Cats and Dogs and all of the dies are from Cheery Lynn.  There are a few layers to the card so I will list them from the bottom up: tent fold black base, patterned paper, Large Sunflower Doily black die cut, vintage image, Two of Hearts (both hearts from the set) die cuts, Southern Charm Valance die cut.  Flowers were fussy cut from scrap Raining Cats and Dogs paper and placed on the larger heart.  Stickles was applied at will.  :)

I really like my new die and am very happy with the purchase.  A bonus is that It goes so well with the vintage style Graphic 45 paper!  Yay!  

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn, Lots of Layers
Scrapyland, AG using their dies
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Believe Butterfly CAS Kraft card

Hello again.

Two posts in one day...this has not happened in a while...it surprised me, too!  I did not think I would have extra crafting time today as I planned on doing outdoor work.  While I was raking I designed this card in my head.  During the deck cleanup I thought further of the card and I am fairly certain I heard the craft room call me.  I answered the call.  :)

The card design is based on the current challenge at the Kraft Journal: CAS with ribbon or twine.  The focus of the card is the butterfly (Recollections) stamped in Baked Brown Sugar (Stampin' Up).  Next Quietfire's gorgeous Believe was stamped in black (Ranger's Archival Ink).  A white gel pen was used to add highlights and clear Wink of Stella was applied.

The card is stacked as follows:  Kraft card stock tent base die cut, black card stock, the stamped image.  All were die cut using Spellbinders Curved Matting Basics.  Black sheer ribbon and a black/white twine bow finished the card.

Well, I am reluctantly returning to the yard work...unless the craft room calls me again.  ;)
Hope you liked the card!  Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges: 
Kraft Journal, CAS with ribbon or twine
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act, AG
Craft Your Passion, AG
Crafting by Design, AG
Simon Says Stamp Monday, AG
Crafty Ribbons, AG with Ribbon