Hello Crafty Friends!

Hello Crafty Friends!

How are you all?  Have you been crafty and happy?  I do hope so!  Crafting is one of many joys I have in life so I make sure to take time to create- whether that is every day or once a week.  My blog may have been on pause the past year and a half but my crafting was not.

If you follow me on Instagram (@kathyjocrafts) then you will see a snippet of a few projects.  Sometimes I shared some quick videos of projects on Facebook, too.  But, mostly, I kept the creations to myself.  

I was on the Crafters Companion design team for a couple of years.  The team members were very nice and hard working crafters!  

After the time on the team I took a break from cardmaking and turned my interests to junk journaling.  Oh- that is too fun!  Using old or "junk" items in new ways was exhilarating.  I keep almost all junk mail envelopes now and cut pretty pictures from otherwise tossed mail or magazines.  And using my favorite drink (tea!) to dye paper is awesome.  Taking old index cards and dying them to create mushroom cards was so enjoyable.

I also spent more time playing with product I hardly used- whether it was watercolors...

(...including super cute watercoloring)

...using alcohol inks with new stamps (or at least new to me!)...

...and playing with stencils.

More photos will be shared and my YouTube channel will have videos uploaded.  :)

In short, the blog has been neglected but creativity has not.  You will see more posts here, Instagram, Facebook, and videos on YouTube.  Yes, it is time to share again.  And time to share some FANTABULOUS news...but that will need to wait a few days.  Until then...

Thank you very much for stopping by!

Have a happy, crafty day.

Hugs!

Kathy Jo

Video Tutorial and new release! Watercolor "Best view"

Hello Crafty Friends!

The HSN show is fast approaching for new Crafter's Companion product.  Have you visited the Fan's of Crafter's Companion on Facebook to see all of the product samples and projects other crafters have created?  Some of them are just jaw dropping gorgeous.  Don't you just love seeing other crafter's creations?

Today I am sharing another card created using a newly released Crafter's Companion product: The Best View stamp.  The stamp is from a four piece set:

The stamp is another inspirational quote that I wanted to use on a bright and happy project.  I went with a sweet watercolor hill scene with lovely flowers and beautiful sky.

If you would like to learn how to make the card, I created a YouTube video showing the steps.  Feel free to see below or follow the link here.

The card would be nice framed and given as a gift for a dear friend or family member.  

Hope you enjoyed the video and card!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Have a happy, crafty day.

Big Hugs,

Kathy Jo

Quietfire Design stamp and watercolor card: Living is not enough

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today is my day to share a project at Quietfire Creations and I created a card using the inspirational quote from Quietfire Design, Just living is not enough.

Feel free to hop on over to Quietfire Creations for more information.  :) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a happy, crafty day!

Bug Hugs,

Kathy Jo

Crafter's Companion Vintage Candles Christmas card

Hello hello!

Is this a busy crafting time of year or what?  I love it!  There is always a perfect excuse to be in the craft room whether is is making a Halloween treat bag or a Thanksgiving card or a Christmas project.  Today's project is Christmas: a vintage looking poinsettia and candle card.  (My apologies for not supplying more photos- this was one of the cards sent for the TSC show and I only took a couple of good photos before shipping the card off.)

The card used Crafter's Companion Christmas Candles stamp and die set and Luxury Card Stock.  The candles and background papers used water color paper.  I water colored the candles and poinsettias using Distress Markers but this also could have been done with other water based inks.  For extra awesome I added Stickles to the candle flames.  :)

Really like the antiqued look of the card.  After looking at this I realize that it would be neat to try different colors for the poinsettias...hmmm...I think I see another project!

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a happy, crafty day.
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Video Tutorial: Poinsettia Watercolor background

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today is my day to share on Quietfire Creations and I created a video tutorial for creating this festive holiday card using newly released Merry Christmas dies and the Poinsettia stamp from Quietfire.  It is a fun card to make and the tutorial is full of tips for new and experienced crafters.  Enjoy!

Is there anything that you would like to see in a paper crafting video tutorial?  Drop me a line!

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs!
Kathy Jo

A trio of Leisure Arts cards- watercolor, colored pencil and vintage Distress coloring

Hello Crafty Friends!

What a busy week it has been here on I'm a Little Teapot sharing projects for the FaveCrafts contest!  Today is no exception as I am sharing a trio of cards created using product from Leisure Arts and Xyron.  The card images are all from the Thank You Coloring Note Cards with Envelopes.

The package contains two sets of three different note cards.  The first card created was the happily designed "Thank you so much" and colored using the 30 pack of Premium Coloring pencils.  I ended up carrying the cards and pencils in my purse so that I could color during break time at work.  Every day I looked forward to my break and finishing another bit of the card.

I played with the coloring to try to give some depth and pop to the details.  My favorite area of detail are the petals on the sunflower.  The same coloring technique was used in several areas on the card.

 After the card was completed, I cut the note card in half and mounted it onto a card base.


Next, I decided to try out watercoloring a note card.  (It is important to know that the cards are not made from watercolor or mixed media papers.  I knew this before I starting watercoloring as I had full intentions of mounting it onto card stock.)  Leisure Arts' 30-pack of Watercolor pencils were used on the card front.

The card came together quickly!  After the image was dry, I mounted it onto a large sheet of double sided adhesive tape and then matted onto a card base:

After finishing the two above cards I decided to try out a vintage inspired card.  The image was completely covered in Distress Ink (Antique Linen).  Next I took a watercolor brush and used various Distress Inks to color the image.  The plan was to have it look like a 1960's style print with colors reminiscent of the time period.  Here is a closeup of the leaves:

When the card front was completed I cut the image, distressed the edges and then applied more Distress Ink along the edges.  It was mounted onto a card base.

The finishing touch was a piece of vellum with a die cut "Hello" mounted.  The Hello die cut was made as a sticker using the Anna Griffin Create a Sticker by Xyron.  I have the larger Create a Sticker by Xyron so I am very familiar with the method.  I really like this little sticker maker!  Not only is it super pretty, but it is small enough to bring to crops and keep on your work surface.  It has a layer of plastic above your created sticker for ease of removing the small glue balls that sometimes appear.  (No more adhesive balls on your fingers!)  Here is an image of the wee unit (I have the darker patterned sticker maker):

The card was now complete and I was very happy with the results.  It looks so cool!

What a fun little card set this turned out to be!  And I was able to play with three different techniques for the different card images.  A perfect excuse to craft!  :)

A big Thank you to Leisure Arts for providing the cards and both sets of pencils.  Thank you to Xyron for the Create a sticker maker.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I do hope you enjoyed the cards.

Have a happy, crafty day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Bright and cheerful watercolor "Thank you" card

Hello Crafty Friends! 

Today I would like to share a watercolor Thank You card. This card is perfect to give to a someone sweet- not only in appreciation but also to brighten their day.

The focal point of the card is the "Thank you" die set:

Watercolor paper was colored using two shades of yellow watercolor.  After drying, pink watercolor was randomly flicked on the background:

The background was die cut with a rectangular stitch die.  It was mounted on white card stock cut slightly larger than the yellow background.  Both were mounted on a scalloped card base.

A watercolor flower, twine, cheesecloth and washi tape was added to the corner as shown.  Stickles was applied to the flower center.

Thank you was die cut twice: coordinating pink card stock (matching the card base) and white card stock.  It was adhered to the card front using liquid adhesive.

Isn't it a bright and cheerful thank you card?  

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Have a happy, crafty day!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create, AG
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Candy Corn Halloween card

Hello Crafty Friends!

Sharing another Tim Holtz Blueprint Halloween card- candy corn!  Yummy!  Candy corn is my favorite Halloween treat and I definitely needed to make a wee card using the candy corn blueprint stamp.

The image was stamped on water color paper and colored using Distress Inks and a watercolor brush.  It was die cut using the Memory Box stitched square and mounted onto an orange postage stamp die cut (Spellbinders).  

A 4x4 tent fold card was created using black card stock.  Tim Holtz' Halloween paper was cut to size and mounted as shown.  The Tim Holz "trick or treat" metal embellishment was secured with orange/white twine and liquid glue.

The inside is more TH patterned paper and the Happy Halloween sentiment from the Stampers Anonymous Mini Blueprint Halloween set.

Isn't that candy corn just the cutest image?  I never would have thought to dimension a candy corn and seeing the image for the first time made me smile.  So sweet!  (pun intended)

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a happy, crafty day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, Halloween
Simon Says Stamp Monday, Halloween

Tim Holtz Halloween Blueprint Pumpkin

Hello Crafty Friends!

My last post I shared a frightfully feline Tim Holtz Blueprint Halloween card.  The card in this post uses a blueprint pumpkin from the same stamp set, more Tim Holtz papers and dies.  More Halloween crafty fun!

The image was stamped on watercolor paper and colored using Distress Markers and a watercolor brush.  It was die cut using a Memory Box' stitched squares die.

The Halloween die is from the Tim Holtz Handwritten Halloween die set.

The patterned papers were cut to size and distressed using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  The lace was mounted and light blue/white gems adhered.

Although the card has dimension, it will be easy to mail.  

Thanks for stopping by!  I do hope you enjoyed the card.  :)
Have a great day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, AG
Simon Says Stamp Monday, Halloween

Tim Holtz Blueprint Frightful Kitty Halloween card

Hello Crafty Friends!

Recently I picked up the Tim Holtz Happy Halloween Blueprint stamp set, the Handprint Halloween die set and the Materialize paper pad.  Oh- those purchases have made me very happy and busy in my crafty room!  Today I would like to share one of several projects created using the goodies.  

The cat drew my attention right away as it reminds me of my tuxedo cat, Pepper...minus the orange checkered shirt.  :)  The image was stamped on watercolor paper and colored using Distress Markers and a watercolor brush.  It was die cut using Elizabeth Craft Designs' Stitched Circles.

The Halloween is the negative of the Halloween die cutout.  The seam binding was dyed using Distress Stain and water.

The inside is more of the patterned paper and the sentiment from the same stamp set.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed the frighteningly feline Halloween card!
Have a happy, crafty day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp, Wednesday, AG
Simon Says Stamp Monday, Halloween