CCEE1905: National Thank You Month!

There's a new challenge at the CCEE Stampers - 

celebrating National Thank You month!

Liz is the hostess for January and gave us this challenge: 

 It is National Thank You Month!

 So, before the month is over, make a thank you card, 

and send an unexpected thank you to someone
 whose small act of kindness has not gone unnoticed by you.

 

Here is my card for the challenge, using MFT Rain or Shine.

This is the card I've also created for the CYS Challenge group - 

to emboss and use it somewhere on the thank you card.

I used the thank you sentiment from MFT stamp Sending Blessings!

The embossing is the background from an old favorite:  Swiss dots!

Be sure stop by the blog to see what the rest of the DT has created!

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings!

~Kelly

New blog series ~ Book 1: The Library Card!

Hi friends!

I have a new series to debut ~

The Library Card !

This is my 3rd new blog series I'm starting this year,

based on my absolute love of books!

I wanted to find something that I could do once a week

like quite a few of my friends and crafter friends on YouTube
doing a '52 week' thing.

I immediately thought of the one thing I love so much ...

Starbucks!

Books!

 

As an avid reader and bibliophile,

navigator of libraries and dusty ol' bookshops,

and with a Goodreads R/TBR list bursting at the seams,

it was a natural fit!

Library Book + Card Making = The Library Card!

I had a fun contest here at home around Christmastime

with both my husband and kids all giving suggestions for this blog series!

In the end, mine won! 

In this series, I'll share with you some of my - and yours! - favorite books!

Last year, some of you answered the call 

and sent me your favorites  ... thank you for that :)
I'll tell you a little about each of the books, the author,
quotes and/or passages,
and a photo of the cover's artwork.

  

And where the card comes in?
To borrow a book from the library, you usually need a library card.

I'll design a card based on the book cover ~

52 times ♥

(the year already started ... but some of my posts are Book 1 and 2
so it won't be 52 weeks but 52 posts) 

Book 1!
 
G'morning, Gnight!:  Little Pep Talks For Me and You
by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonny Sun 

Yes, that Lin-Manuel Miranda from Hamilton!

 Book Cover:

My card:

 

What a wonderful read, quick with smaller exerpts
and a view that motivates and encourages!

Good morning. Do NOT get stuck in the comments section of life today. Make, do, create the things. Let others tussle it out. Vamos!
Before he inspired the world with Hamilton and was catapulted to international fame, Lin-Manuel Miranda was inspiring his Twitter followers with words of encouragement at the beginning and end of each day. He wrote these original sayings, aphorisms, and poetry for himself as much as for others. But as Miranda’s audience grew, these messages took on a life on their own. Now Miranda has gathered the best of his daily greetings into a beautiful collection illustrated by acclaimed artist (and fellow Twitter favorite) Jonny Sun. Full of comfort and motivation, Gmorning, Gnight! is a touchstone for anyone who needs a quick lift.

What also drew me in are the quirky and fun doodles and drawings
that accompany the little motivations!
I. seriously. love. this. book!

My favorite quote, page 109:

"Good morning,
you are stunning.
use your power wisely.
 good night. 
you are stunning.
lay down your burdens."
 ~ Lin-Manuel Miranda

I hope you get a chance to read, if you do, and let your Library Card inspire you!

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥
~Kelly

Exciting news to share!!

Oh friends!

Bucket list crafty moment:  CHECK!

 

I am over the moon excited, beyond thrilled

 and absolutely starstruck to share ...

THIS!

I was super excited to be chosen by Kathy R
to be a goodwill ambassador for the upcoming February
Daily Marker 30 day!

(February does have 28 days 
and Kathy explains on her blog, it's still the 30 day challenge :) ♥

I am sure you all know the talented, kind and generous Kathy R 

from The Daily Marker!
She generously hosts #thedailymarker30day 
and is one of the most encouraging and uplifting ladies in the crafty community!
I've been playing along with it for several years now
(my photos date back to 2015!)
That's a lot of fun - a lot of images - a lot of joy!

If you want to follow along with the coloring,
you can go here each day in February.

There is also a way to follow along on Facebook
and Instagram!

You can follow along with me on my Instagram at miamikel4

Thanks for sharing in my joy!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

TPB: Floral Valentine ♥

 Hello friends

and Happy Monday!

I'm up on the blog at The Project Bin today ~

and I've created a card for my mum ♥

When we lived in England (her hometown) and Germany,

 she would plant and nurture the most beautiful tulips! 

 I still remember propping open my window as a little girl 

and the smell of her garden would waif up to the third story of the house,

 where my bedroom was.

I didn't inherit her green thumb! 

 The only pretty flowers I can cultivate are on paper! :/

I've finished all of my Valentine's cards and am ready to move on to Spring!

Today's card was created by using two panels, both embossed.

I used an embossing folder that came with my new Cuttlebug ~

first embossing it with an A2 size cardstock,

then the same thing with smaller piece 5" x 3.75".

*hint - cut the paper to size first, then add it to the embossed folder.

I did it backwards on the first time and it 'squished' the beautiful design, LOL

The smaller oval die cut is an oval Spellbinders die.

After everything was cut out, 

I stamped/masked the tulip stamp from Spring Zen and colored it,

and used the sentiment from the very popular Really Hungry.

 My card was inspired by this one from Susan ~

I love the was she has a bright bouquet of vividly colored flowers

amidst all the white.

I did embossed as an extra step and kept the sentiment banner white :)

Here's a peek at the two stamp sets that I used from The Project Bin:

I'm still decorating the inside of my cards, too ~

just skipping that step in blogging and hiding the message already written! :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

LLAMA tell you ...........

I'm going a little bit bonkers!

I opened my email today ~ while sitting at a long red light ~

and squealed so loud from pure delight, 

I am certain the cars next to me heard me!

Some super duper absolutely awesome fun begins in February!!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!

Meanwhile, just wanted to say .......

you are weird,

but I love ya!

I didn't get my Christmas cards out as I'd planned

so I've been making cards upon cards 

and trying to send out more snail mail and getting ahead of the game!

This stamp set is one of my first and favorites from Gerda Steiner!

These llamas!!

They are delightful!

Colored and fussy cut, popped up and stamped out ~

super easy card for a friend .... already en route!
I hope she likes it :)

Happy weekend!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

CCEE1904: Gold!

"There's gold in them thar hills!"

 

Perhaps you've heard this quirky and popular sentiment ...

gaining popularity throught it's use in western movies and tv shows.

 This saying comes from Mark Twain’s 1892 novel The American Claimant. 

He supposedly got it indirectly from a Georgia assayer,

 Dr. Matthew Fleming Stephenson, who said, “there’s millions in it,”

 to keep locals from heading to California for the Gold Rush in 1849. 

The phrase later became corrupted to the above.

 

This fun fact flows right along 

with the newest CCEE Stampers challenge this week:

 

Gold!

Liz is our hostess again this week and states:

Gold was discovered in California on January 24, 1848 

 so use Gold on your creations!

 . Glittery gold paper, gold chrome cardstock, or gold embossing

 and any other possibilities you can think to create, 

we would love seeing on your creations. 

 

                      My son just returned home from New York City,

and one of their MANY stops on the trip was to Chinatown.

His words: "It was interesting and neat, a little choatic 

and I got to bargain for a new Rubic's Cube!

 

wait ... what?!

 

So that was the inspiration for my card ~ Chinese New Year!

I've always loved the colors of the festive floats, the ingenuity

behind the designs and movements of float performers in the Lion Dance ♥

 

 

 

I used my Mama Elephant stamp and die set to create this card,

and it's called Lion Dance.

I created a border and background of glittery gold cardstock.

I intentionally used just red, black and gold to bring out 

the feel of an asian style card.

The glittery gold cardstock really sets the tone for the celebration :)

You can see all the the golden cards on the CCEE blog today!

Each of the designers have created something wonderful :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

New Series: One Plus Twelve!

Hello friends!

I'm SO excited about today's post!

I am my most creative often at 3 am ~
it's when my mind comes up with fun ideas and wonderful challenges.

During the holidays, I wanted to create a challenge for 2019 
where I could stretch the use of my stamps.

So often, we buy stamps and craft supplies ~

some get used, some never see ink, some see ink only once.

And I thought oh how fun it would be to take one stamp

... just ONE stamp ...

 and create with it all year, once a month, in as many ways as possible!

I named my challenge:  One Plus Twelve!

The one = the stamp I've chosen
The twelve = the twelve months in the year.

The stamp I chose to work with for 2019 is:
Warm Wishes by Honey Bee Stamps!
My new One Plus Twelve series will be Foxy's Adventures ♥

 I've had Foxy (as I lovingly call him) for awhile now
and he was chosen absolutely on purpose :)

I've always loved the arctic fox but specifically,

 I chose the Honey Bee Stamps fox because ........

he's wearing a sweater!!

 

I thought - how am I going to make this stamp work

 all. year. long!

It's July ... the middle of summer ... and Foxy has on a turtleneck?!

LOL!

That's what it's a challenge!

I'm SO excited to see how/where/what I come up with :)

 

For my January card, I've used sparkly/snowy cardstock 

to create the winter backdrop.

I colored Foxy with promarkers and paper-pieced his sweater.

The snowy background is another piece of designer paper I've saved

and the vellum snowflakes and gems were added on for extra sparkle.

From another Honey Bee Stamps set, I stamped the sentiment

(the only other stamps allowed in this series - sentiments!)

from a retired set called No Place Like Home.

This card just makes my heart smile!

I'm really glad I created this and am sharing this series this year.

I have the most supportive family -

sharing hugs and sweet words and encouragement with One Plus Twelve!

Edited:  I invited two friends to create cards along with me ~
next month, my card will post on February 3 ♥  

Thanks for stopping by!

Big hugs, bigger blessings!
~Kelly

XOXO ~ The Project Bin gazes into the gallery!

Happy Monday!

 Monday's are always a Funday because it's the day I post over on 

The Project Bin blog!

Although my heart (no pun intended!) still wants to make Christmas cards,

I wanted to share with you the season upon us:  Valentines!

Young - or young at heart - Valentine's cards are always 

sweet to create ... and receive!

My card today is a CASE of another crafter's card from Splitcoaststampers.

I'm in a card group called the Galaxy Gazers where we look through the gallery,

find a card that inspires us, and recreate it.

Here is Sheri's card!

For my card, I used In My Heart and Really Hungry.

I changed up the wording from love to XOXO

and I created this panel by stamping the x0x0 in a repetitive line.

I added different color panels to bring out the red heart,

which is a textured shiny foil.

The sentiment is from Really Hungry and it's heat embossed.

Be sure to stop by the shop at The Project Bin for these stamps

and more!

New blog series: Spot the Difference!

Hi friends!

My son is home from his week in New York City 

and we are just are just enchanted by his photos and stories!

Since he's settling in, 

I'm blogging and making cards!

One of the new things I promised myself I'd do in 2019 is several new series!

And I have to thank my daughter, Chrissy, for coming up 

with the cute and clever title:  Spot the Difference!

 

The purpose of this series is to use up my scraps, leftovers, throw-aways,

pieces on the table after the cardmaking!

So often I look around and see ... a piece of this, a piece of that,

and into the basket it goes.

Not.  anymore.  more!
 

  

I'll take all those pieces and create two cards!

They will be strikingly similar since it's using the same paper, dies, paint, etc

but yet different on their own accord!

Using Honey Bee Stamps, I created two cards.

The basic idea and design is the same, maybe even the same stamp,

and just a little difference to spot!

I used my die from Neat and Tangled as a stencil (it cleans right off!),

my Catherine Pooler and Ranger Inks and blended them into the cardstock.

 

For the Blah Humbunny card, I used these two stamp sets here and here.

I trimmed the background stenciled piece for a smaller backdrop and popped the bunny up ~ the expression made me think of how I feel on a Monday!

 

For the Forest friends card, this was actually the oops!

After I saw it on the craft table, 

I decided I simply couldn't just toss it out,

I scooped it back up, looked at it again and this card was created.

Can you SPOT the DIFFERENCE? :)

I hope you have enjoyed this fun new blog series premiere!

I'll be doing this a couple of times in the month ...

changed up a bit each time in different ways!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

 

Crafters of Faith: No Rock like Our God!

Hi friends!

I'm wishing you a happy start to your weekend :)

Today's card is one I  made for my Crafters of Faith card group

and I'm the hostess for January!

 A few years ago, my son gifted to me a small rock

 with a stained glass cross on the front. 

  It was some little token he purchased for me at his christian school

 during one of their fundraisers ~ saying he thought of me because it had a beautiful cross and the word FAITH on the front.  I melted!

 I keep this rock in my kitchen window and it has become a cornerstone of joy 

for me as I see it daily. It's a reminder to always remember what matters the most ~ the love of this child, the baton of faith passed on, and that this rock mantra gets me through the tough times, the happy moments and all the in-between!

I asked the group to create a card with a rock somewhere on the card ~

either stones, river rocks, mountains, river rock paper, ribbon, etc

 and the scripture 1 Samuel 2:2

 “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; 

there is no Rock like our God."

As a Boy Scout, my son camps quite a bit,

including several trips to the mountains!

There has even been snow ~

with skiing and snowboarding!

I thought of him as I created a card with snow-capped mountains

and a camping bear, using stamps and dies from My Favorite Things.

Thanks for stopping by!

 Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

I'll enter this into: MFT card color challenge #109

CCEE1903: Favorite Hot Beverage!

Hi friends!

There's a new challenge at the CCEE Stampers this week:

Favorite Hot Beverage!

There's no hiding what mine is ♥

(hint:  starts with Star and ends in Bux!)

Oh how we LOVE each other, 

my grande triple nonfat caramel macchiato and I :)

My card is a mix of something new, something old!

I scooped up the new MFT Birdie Brown Friends at First Sip

the second it was available during their new release!

If there was ever a stamp set created for me, this one is it!

Coffee?  Dogs? 

Yes, please! 

That's the something new!

The something old?

The designer paper.

Yep, the one under the images ...

This is my 5 minute card!

I was scrambling to look through my paper pads and mat stacks

to find something to match the images I'd previously colored

(normally I do it the other way around - and mostly for this reason!)

and I stumbled upon my old My Sunshine stack from DCWV.

Such a fun 12 x 12 paper pad and

as I flipped through it, one in particular caught my eye.

I  thought I'd just let that small corner of the dsp do all the talkin'!

From the banner to the decorated spray paint sun, it's all part of the paper! 

All I did was add some die cuts and popped up my pre-die cut/colored images!

Be sure to stop in and see what the rest of the DT created using

their favorite hot beverages!

You can see all the pretty cards here on the CCEE blog.

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly