Spray inking- I'm a Little Teapot style...

Hello Crafty Friends!

It is a holiday here in Nova Scotia (Natal Day) so I thought I would start the day off with some fun craft time.  Last time I did a morning spray I told my crafty friends, Janice and Valerie, about my setup and they asked to see it. Well, their wish was my command!  I tweeted (@kathyjocrafts) the event and also took photos for this post.  (Please pardon the poor photos- the outdoor photos have a blue-ish hue due to the early morning hour.)  

So, without further ado, here was my spray inking morning!

I woke up a little after 6am and started a pot of tea.  Today's tea was rooibos.  (Yes, the blog name "I'm a little Teapot" is due to my tea addiction...and tea pot addiction...and tea cup addiction... so it makes sense that step one is a good pot of tea.)

 

Next I set up the spray station: covered a wooden deck table with a garbage bag, then my spray mat and a roll of paper towels.  All of this was set next to our large fir tree.

The spray cart was a new addition this time.  I recently received this from a crafting buddy, Amanda, and it holds all of my sprays and other goodies perfectly.  Most of the sprays were either received second hand from my friend, Mel, from Carsand Mosher or 50% off at Michaels.

Next step...spray away!  Yay!  All of the finished items temporarily hang out in the tree until I am done and my hands are ink free.  If you notice, there is seam binding in my cart.  I keep a roll next to my station to soak up the extra ink.  

I focused more on the Dylusions sprays and the Picket Fence Distress Spray.  I love the bright Dylusions colors!  Above are colors lemon zest, vibrant turquoise, cut grass and picket fence)

Another fun combo!  This one is cherry pie, London blue, pure sunshine and picket fence.

I called this one "Candy Corn Combo".  :)  It is lemon zest, pure sunshine, squeezed orange and picket fence.    Great colors!

After a while the tree starts to fill up with colorful paper happiness.  The paper and ribbons actually go around the tree!  As an FYI: I am fairly confident my neighbors think I am nuts...except the little 4 year old girl next door who probably thinks I am the coolest adult ever.

The papers are still outside drying (no longer on a tree but a flat surface).  However, my tags are dry so I thought I would share some of them.

The above is from lemon zest, cut grass, vibrant turquoise and picket fence.

The above bold colors are awesome.  Postbox red, London blue and picket fence.

Perhaps my favorites are the above tags.  The colors are cherry pie, cut grass and picket fence.  They will definitely be used for vintage Christmas tags.  (Will look so good with distress inks in vintage photo and walnut stain along the edges!)

So that was my spray fun time this morning.  After I cleaned up the station I had more tea and de-weeded the area I was standing in.  Every time I put the sprayed items on the tree I saw all the weeds and I told myself I needed to de-weed soon!  LOL- guess I should have done that before the photos but I was too anxious to spray.  :)

Thanks for sharing my morning with me!  I hope you all have a great day!
Big crafty hugs,
Kathy Jo

Take 2: "Worry does not empty tomorrow..."

Hello Crafty Friends!

Yesterday I shared a CAS Kraft card using Quietfire's new Worry stamp set.  

After I completed the post I thought more about the sentiment, the Kraft paper and the fern.  Instead of tidying up the craft room and starting a new project with new goodies, I made another card using most of the product I used from the day before.  This time I used Distress Inks in Shabby Shutters and Pumice Stone.

Spellbinders' Reflective Moment was used to die cut Kraft paper and was distressed with Pumice Stone.  A slender tent fold card was attached behind the front die cut.

Triple strands of twine was added and the card was complete.

I think this card will stay in my craft room as a nice reminder on how to approach life's problems.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I do hope you enjoyed my "Take 2" card.  
Have a happy crafty day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, CAS Inspirational
Simon Says Stamp, Wednesday AG
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Stamping Sensations, Use a die and stamp
Great Impressions, Use a Sentiment

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of it's strength."

Hello Crafty Friends!

On Monday The Kraft Journal announced a new challenge: CAS Inspirational.  Usually I do not make CAS cards but after I read their post I knew what I wanted to make.  Quietfire recently released new sentiment stamps and one really hit home for me.  The stamp is called Worry:

I have been known to be a worrier at times and I know it is not a healthy thing to do but sometimes it is difficult to not do!  This stamped sentiment is definitely true and should help provide a new perspective on those "worry times".

To make the card: make a 4.25" x 5.5" card from Kraft card stock. Tear the front along the outside tall edge.  Stamp fern (JustRite "Fern" stamp set) using Distress markers (Shabby Shutters, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint). Stamp worry using Ranger's black Adirondack Ink. Apply Distress ink (Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain) along all edges.  Spritz using Art Co's glimmer spray. Apply three gems.  

Oh- and if you ever wondered what my index finger looks like I have kindly inserted it in the photo.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I do hope you enjoyed the card  and I wish you a happy crafty weekend.
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, CAS Inspirational
Simon Says Stamp, Wednesday AG
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act, AG
Creative Fingers, AG
Crafts 4 Eternity, AG

Our Friendship Spans the Miles...

Hello Crafty Friends!

Quietfire Design has been busy lately- Suzanne has released many new beautiful stamp sets and dies!  Next week starts the die extravaganza at Quietfire Creations (stay tuned for more details).  Today I wanted to share a project using one of the newly released stamps, "Our friendship spans the miles" from the In a Perfect World stamp set:

The card also used a banner from my new Cheery Lynn Pierced Banners die set, both hearts from the Two of Hearts set and the Southern Charm Valance.  The butterfly from Butterfly In was cut and added in between the two hearts.

All of the patterned paper is from Graphic 45's Home Sweet Home set.  The ink is also from Graphic 45.

I do hope you enjoyed the card using Quietfire's new stamp.  It really is a wonderful stamp from a beautiful set!
Have a happy crafty day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

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

"If You Don't Believe in Miracles"

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today is my day to post at Quietfire Design and I wanted to use a stamp from one of my favorite Quietfire Stamp sets, If you don't believe in miracles:

This set has been used on many of my crafty projects and will continue to do so.  Usually I use lighter or pastel colors with the stamps from this set but this time I was in an inky finger vintage mood.  By the way nothing was safe in my craft room...if it was within reach it was inked.  There are numerous inky paper or ribbon pieces that are ready for a new project!

I like the colors popping out from behind the Sizzix Thinlits Mixed Media die cut corner (Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, Scattered Straw, Vintage Photo).  The colors are a nice contrast to the colors on the Spellbinders Postage die set (Abandoned Coral, Scattered Straw, Vintage Photo).  The seam binding was dyed using Distress Stains in all of the colors except Vintage Photo.  Yes, Stickles was added to all of the fussy cut butterflies.  Hellllooooo glitter!

Isn't it the sweetest sentiment?   It is so uplifting and true.  Definitely puts a beautiful perspective to a day!

Thank you very much for stopping by!  Feel free to hop on over to the Quietfire Creations blog for more inspiration!

Big happy crafty hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
613 Ave Create, AG
TTCRD, AG
Crafting by Design, August AG
Crafting from the heart, AG
Craft Your Passion, AG
Eureka Stamps, AG
Glitter n Sparkle, Something that begins with B (butterflies)

"Friendship isn't a big thing..." card using Cheery Lynn and Quietfire

Hello Crafty Peeps!

A quick post today to share a recently completed project.  I happily received a package in the mail this week that contained my new Cheery Lynn dies.  One of the die sets was the Pierced Banners dies and I am loving them!  This is my third project using the die set...so pleased with the purchase!

The card used the new stamped sentiment from Quietfire Design: Friendship isn't a big thing.  

It was stamped using Distress Ink in Dusty Concord.  The banners used Dusty Concord and Shaded Lilac.  The doily dies are also from Cheery Lynn- French Pastry and French Pastry Tiny Doily.  The edges were embossed in gold.

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

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn- Silver or Gold
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, Sparkle and shine
613 Ave Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Scribbly Bird tag- Dina Wakely and Ranger products

Hello Crafty Friends!

I don’t know about you, but I am an early riser on the weekends.  It seems that Saturdays and Sundays fly by so I try to take advantage of every moment I can.  Last weekend I was up and outside at 6:30am with a table setup out in my yard.  My goal was to play with my ink sprays…and two hours later I had a stack of papers, ribbons and tags ready for future projects.  Luckily my neighbors did not see the scene as I was wearing some grubby clothes, my hair was crazy and the fir tree was lined with all of the items I had inked. 

One of the inked tags was used on the project shared today.  It was sprayed with Dylusions spray inks- my word, I love their bold colors!  After it was dry, Distress ink in Vintage Photo was applied along the edges.  The oh-so-sweet bird from Dina Wakley’s Scribbly Birds stamp set was water colored using Distress Markers, fussy cut and applied using foam tape.  Stickles was added to the beak and feet.

The words are from Cosmo Cricket’s Tiny Text sticker pack. 

The seam binding was dyed using the spray inks and Distress Stains in Vintage Photo and Barn Door.

It was a quick little tag to make.   And the bird is super adorable!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you have a bright, happy, colorful, crafty day!
Big Hugs,
Kathy Jo

"Sometimes" said Pooh...MOJO Monday Graphic 45 card

Hello Crafters!

It may appear that I have been avoiding the blogosphere and that is partially correct.  Life is quite busy at this end and the crafting projects created are for future dates.  However, today I was able to complete a project to post...yay!  The card is based off the sketch for this week's MOJO Monday:

It used my new Graphic 45 paper (Gilded Life) and Quietfire's stamp "Sometimes, said Pooh":

Such a sweet stamp!

I used Cuttlebug's embossing folder to add texture, a strip of lace, two hearts (die punched with Martha Stewart punches) and an antique button.  The ink used for the sentiment and along all the edges is Stampin' Up's Baked Brown Sugar.  (Great color!) Spellbinders squares dies were used for the sentiment and frame.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!
Big Crafty Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
MOJO Monday, Sketch
613 Avenue Create, AG
Simon Says Stamp Monday, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
Sister Act, AG
Crafting from the Heart, AG
Crafting by Design, July AG

Scrapy Land Challenge- Steampunk!

Hello All!

Today starts a new challenge at Scrapy Land Challenge blog: Steampunk.  Admittedly, I had never made anything Steampunk before.  It is not that I do not like the style because I think Steampunk is very cool- I just never thought I could do it.  Alas, that is the fun thing about challenges: doing something new.

The new stamp from Quietfire is one of my new favorites...looks great on a Steampunk card! 

First time really using the Inka-Gold.  I may have to purchase a few more colors.  :)

Overall, it was a neat experience making a Steampunk project.  I may have to do this again!

Thanks for stopping by!  I look forward to seeing your Steampunk project at Scrapy Land!
Big Crafty Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Supplies used:
Dies: Cheery Lynn (Hearts n' Gears), Spellbinders (Sprightly Sprockets, Floral Assortment)
Stamp: Quietfire Design (I dwell in Possibility)
Paper: Graphic 45 (Steampunk Spells)
Awesomeness: Ranger (Clear Distress Crackle, Distress Inks in Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Distress Paint in Mowed Lawn and Scattered Straw, Black Adirondack Ink), Stickles, Viva Decor (Inka-Gold), Seam Binding, Metal Charms.

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Butterfly Challenge, Butterfly (on dress form) and Tallisman (three used)
Crafting Musketeers, AG
TTCRD, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG

Winner of "Hope is the Thing with Feathers" stamp set from Quietfire

Happy Sunday, All!

Thanks to everyone who entered into the draw for the "Hope is the Thing with Feathers stamp from Quietifre".  It is such a lovely stamp sentiment!  Here was my first card using the sentiment:

Yes, I said it is my first card as I plan on using the stamp many times!  Such a beauty of a stamp!

Now onto the draw...

A big Thank You to all that entered!  

The lucky winner for the stamp is....

Rebecca Billard!  

Congrats, Rebecca!  Please contact me to arrange delivery.

Have a great day and thanks again to all that entered the draw!
Big crafty hugs,
Kathy Jo

"Tidings of Comfort" Christmas (in July!) card

Hello Crafters!

BIG, EXCITING NEWS!  I am a 3 month Guest Designer For Scrapyland Challenges! Today I am sharing my first card as a GDT member.  The challenge is Anything Goes using dies from a manufacturer that Scrapyland sells.  I thought I would really do an AG project by making a Christmas card.  

The tent fold white card base had the largest die from Spellbinders Triple Floral added to the front.  Distress ink in Weathered Wood was applied to the edges.  A piece of white card stock was cut to size, had Distress Stain in Weathered Wood applied to the entire piece and then I took a toothbrush and added white acrylic paint in strips.  A white doily (Cheery Lynn's French Pastry) was added and three banners from scrap My Mind's Eye All is Bright paper.

Quietfire's "Tidings of Comfort and Joy" was stamped in coffee Adirondack ink, cut to size and adhered on top of red burlap.

A piece of hardboard was die cut using Sizzix's poinsettia die and heat embossed using white embossing powder with glitter three times.  It resulted in a thick coating of white glitter powder.  The center of the poinsettia had glue and fine red beads (Recollections) applied.  Distress ink in Gathered Twigs was applied to the edges.

Two vertical ribbons were added and the card was done!  Another Christmas card ready for this year.  :)

In case you missed my earlier post today, I have a giveaway on my blog!  Please scroll down to my next post to enter for your chance to win a new release stamp from Quietfire!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I really appreciate it!  And a big thank you to Scrapyland for having me as a Guest Designer!
Big Crafty Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn, Christmas in July
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Die Cuttin Divas, AG

"Hope is a thing with feathers" card and a GIVEAWAY!

Hello All!  Today is my day to post at Quietfire Creations and I am sharing a card using the new, beautiful "Hope is the thing with feathers" stamp from Quietfire:

The sentiment was stamped on ivory card stock and die cut using Spellbinders Labels Four.  Stickles in Frosted Lace was added to the wings on the top of the stamp:

It was mounted on a black die cut Cheery Lynn doily die (Nautical Wheeler).  Vellum was embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder (Pirouette) and was mounted on patterned paper (Prima's "Les Amours" from Bella Rouge).  It was all mounted on an ivory tent fold card.

Ivory crinkle ribbon, feathers and a bling embellishment were the final touch.

Such a great stamp!  One of many new released lovelies from Quietfire.

Now, here is your chance to win this gorgeous stamp- you have up to four possible entries:

• Leave a comment on this blog (one entry)
• Become a follower (if you are not already) to this blog (one entry)
• Hop over to the Quietfire Creations blog and leave a comment (one entry)
• Become a follower of Quietfire Creations blog (one entry)

You have until midnight on Saturday July 4th to enter.  The winner will be announced on my blog on Sunday. 

Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for stopping by!

Big crafty hugs,

Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create, AG

Sister Act, AG

TTCRD, AG

Word Art Wednesday, AG

Cuttlebugmania, Sentiment

Craft Your Passion, AG
Die Cuttin Divas, AG