1.28.2013

Kelly's CRAFTING theme of 2013 (Jan. Calendar Girls)


Each year, I have a 'word' that inspires me - it becomes my mantra and my challenge to last the whole year through.  I almost always strive to have something spiritually based as that is pretty much the foundation of who I strive to be (even though I often fall short of my 'word!')  

 In addition to having a word of the year, I also have a crafting 'theme' of the year.  I try to make it rhyme {not just to be cute and catchy) but to help me actually remember it! *smile!* 

Last year was "Take it off the SHELF in 2012" which inspired me to use some of the SU! stamp sets that I bought on a binge when I first started card making!  I was so proud that I followed through with my challenge!

So this year?  Hmmmm, '13.  That's a tough one!  
You could rhyme it with the "thirt" part ..... or the "teen" ... what to do!  
Then I remembered that I really loved the process of learning new things last year - whether it was a challenge tossed down or a DT requirement to a simple browse through a gallery and thinking "I would love to try that!"

And an idea was born!  This year's theme is .....

I'll be LEARNing in 2013!

How exciting!  I'm already ear-marking new challenge spots,
techniques to try, ways to stretch my creative mind waaaaay out of it's comfort zone and still play along with my favorite groups, friends and regular hangouts :)

My crafting goals for Learning in 2013 ~ 


1. To post once a month something I've made with something learned; henceworth, called my LINY cards!  (Learning In the New Year) :)
2. To learn to love scrap-booking again!  This was my first crafting love and I promised my girls I'd get those pages done!
3. To learn new techniques with the stamps + papers I own rather than "stay stuck in a rut!"
4. To learn to use each item I've been gifted or won in a blog hop/candy! I'm so excited about that one!
5. To reconnect with all the challenge sites I've learned about  - new and old!

And right out the gate, I am excited that the Calendar Girls' hostess, Jeanette, gave us a challenge this month that sort of allows creative freedom!
We are to find a picture - either on the web or one of our own - and create a card/project inspired by that.  I have so very many pictures that inspire me but truly one of the greatest loves of mine to craft are scriptures. 
I find that even in my walk of faith, I like to include a craft from time to time - be it something creative in my church women's fellowship or maybe a card or faith-book page!  Literally, my intended card bothered me so greatly that I started all over, pretty much at zero hour!  
I typed in christian images and this one was like the 3rd one I saw - and it felt like "the one!"  I intended to make a CAS card with just one layer of dsp - the purple colored background, but I failed big time! I just couldn't do it :)  I quickly added a few more layers and colors to the card and am much happier with it ... I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, in this case!

So here is my photo inspiration:

followed by my humble card :)
For this card, I used an old set of stamps from Stamps Happen that have NEVER seen ink, shamelessly!  They inked up perfectly and were so wonderful to use!  The petals and flower are actually a half flower.  I over-layed the stamp to create a full flower, added a few stickles and propped it up on 3D dots for a bit of dimension.  What I did different for this LINY card #1 was use my aqua painter and water color crayons to create the flower.






 So this is my LINY card #1 for the year and still in the month of January :)


1.  Green at Heart DSP from Basic Grey (this was a must have when it was first released and I made one card and hoarded saved the rest!)
2.  The Numbers scripture stamp and SNSS butterfly stamp (that one was gifted as a GDT many years ago!)
3. Aqua painter and water color SU crayons - dusted off and put to good use!

Whew, thanks for reading this super long post!  I'm excited to be starting off the new year fresh and ready to conquer many of my 'bucket list' crafting items :)  I made lists.  ALL. the. time.  But this is the year to get them DONE! 

At least that's my silent mommy prayer :)

Big hugs,
Bigger Blessings!

~Kelly

32 comments:

  1. I love your goals! You will do well, I know it.

    Your card is just so much like the inspiration photo, wow! You created such a pretty image with beautiful colors.

    Um, that would be a ... rocked it!!!!

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  2. you have done it again, this is absolutely gorgeous!

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  3. Wow!! What a great photo and a super job capturing it with rubber & ink! Love how you made the flower full, very creative! I love my aqua painter, but haven't mastered the watercolor crayons with it. You're inspiring me to give it a try! Love that verse on the inside too, such a pretty script.

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  4. It´s a beautiful case and yours looks much nicer :-)

    My goal for this year is to use my sewing machine for card making.

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  5. Kelly what a beautiful card and your goals for the year are so inspiring. I love how you put the flower together with the bling and all. Very pretty.

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  6. Loved this post and reading about your goals Kelly. This is one fabulous card... I love that big sunflower and the colourful way you've designed it. Gorgeous!

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  7. This is beautiful. I love that yellow butterfly.

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  8. What a great goal for the new year! I love the Basic Grey paper you used (you can't go wrong of BG)! You did a great job with your photo inspiration. I hope you will post the scrap pages you make!!

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  9. Gorgeous card! I enjoyed reading your post as I am making a lot of my cards lately using old SU sets and others that I bought when I first started too! I loved them to buy them and then I got out of it and they fell by the wayside. I also have all the WC crayons that I need to take out and use. Thanks for inspiring me.

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  10. Oh Kelly! You are such a joy in my life! You took on the challenge and grew with it! ;)

    I loved reading about your crafting theme of the year and the goals you've set for yourself are going to help you to blossom even more than you already do.

    And I love Scripture - and use it on cards, too, from time to time. So you know I love that you used Scripture on yours.

    WOW! What a gorgous photo for your photo inspiration - and those DP's you used suit it perfectly. I am in awe of your coloring skills - with an aqua pen and watercolor crayons.

    Amazing! Thank you for being a Calendar Girl!

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  11. Kelly--your card is another work of art. Like Jeanette said--it is just like the photo.

    I love reading your story and theme for this year--I know you will do it!

    Stunning card--I lovethe colors and the scripture is perfect! Great Card for the Challenge! AND--thanks for being an awesome calendar girl!

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  12. Very pretty and very inspiring! Love the Scripture you chose, wonderful and uplifting card!

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  13. Very, very nice! I love how you created this! I think it was probably cute as a CAS, but your layers are beautiful!

    I am so jealous that you have the will power to stick by your list....I have a hard time even coming up with a list....lol

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  14. Beautiful card!! Love those colors together.
    Lynn

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  15. It's gorgeous! And what a story. I love how you use themes for the year. This image did just scream for you to use it.

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  16. Holy Hannah girlfriend...this is jaw dropping stunning...I love, love, love it..You made a masterpiece for sure. (Like usual)...You truly are an inspiration to me...this card is gorgeous...I believe you would have a hard time with a simple one layer card because you do such an amazing job layering and pulling your card front and inside together with those stunning layers.. Great job on this challenge my friend....♥♥♥

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  17. Good on you Kelly. I love your word. Learning to me should be life long! Love your pretty card today with once again, I know I say it, such a great finish!
    Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog recently too!

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  18. Wowza- love the gorgeous colors- the flower and butterfly are fabulous! The sentiment on the inside- wonderful!

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  19. Wow, this is just gorgeous!!

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  20. Kelly, this is stunning. Wonderful use of color and a knockout design.

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  21. What beautifully inspired work, Kelly! Your card is gorgeous!!

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  22. Wow. Your card really pops! Maybe I should have a word this year too? Especially if it could inspire me like this.

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  23. LOVE your LINY card... What a great one to start off! Your coloring is to die for. So, so gorgeous!

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  24. Absolutely gorgeous!!! Those colors are so beautiful and something I wouldn't really think of. Your take on the inspiration photo is fantastic! I love this!

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  25. You have some pretty lofty goals, girl! You go for it. I love the rhyming technique - 13 and new things. Pretty card! I wish you all the best in 2013. You're ambitious! I love that. :-)

    Hugs,

    Terry

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  26. Love your fabulous card and great post! Thank you for sharing... :)

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  27. Fabulous card you created from the inspiration photo! Love the idea of choosing a word for the year as a theme to work with.

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  28. Beautiful card Kelly. Truly a mirror image of the picture you chose. It is lovely. Wonderful colors together and you always do the layers proud! And I love the challenges/goals you set for yourself.

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  29. How stunning is this fabulous card!!! I look forward to all you will learn in 2013, as it will also be an inspiration to the rest of us. This color combo is just magnificent.

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  30. Wow Kelly...your card is soooo much like the inspiration picture and it is awesome!!

    Great colors and great layout!

    Thank you for being a fellow Calendar Girl!!

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  31. Wow, how'd you do that?? The stamp looks exactly like the inspiration!! GORGEOUS card!! And I've said it before, but I'll say it again...you always have the BEST scripture stamps! LOVE IT!!

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  32. This is lovely and the papers really enhance the beauty of the flower and that pretty butterfly! I LOVE your new challenge for 2013 and can't wait to see where this leads you!

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