CCEE2005: Hot Air Balloon Week

Hi friends!

My blog post today is taking a little detour in it's flight path ...

my laptop stopped working :(

It's back on for now (thanks, honey!) 

and I'll begin the final back up tonight because i. need. this. laptop!

All my friends live in here!

 Santa Claus bought me a very fancy and technologically advanced new laptop 

but I haven't had the chance to set it up and learn it. 
.

Hi. My name is Kelly.  And I'm old school.

I guess I just found one of my weekend plans! :)

It's time for another challenge at the CCEE Stampers ~

we're celebrating International Hot Air Balloon Week!
Lynn has a final challenge for us and says:
"That's enough of this cold.  What say we shake the gloom of winter
by filling the skies on our cards with bright and colorful hot air balloons
in honor or Int'l Hot Air Balloon Week?

Beautiful!

Here's my card for the challenge,

a tried and true stamp set from W Plus 9 called Going Places.

I love this stamp and die set because it has that little storybook quality

that I love so much!

I added another bunny and happy mail to my OG card:
 

My card was something new I wanted to try.

I had a small watercolor background piece 

which was too small for an A2 card.

I keep looking at it and trying to figure out a way to use it

and finally just decided to go for it ~ even if it's too small,

it can still work as a backdrop :) 

And here's the inside: 

You can see all of the DT cards here on the blog.


I'll enter this into:
  As You Like It Challenge: Cool colors (they are so fresh and earthy and they are so serene and relaxing!)
 Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

Stamp What? ... Have you 'herd?!'

Hi friends!

Today's card is MOO-velous! :)

I'm debuting a new blog series called "Stamp What?"

where I'll post a card every month on the 29th - it's Leap Year!

where I'll be posting on the 10th of each month :)
 

A couple of weeks ago, I picked my son up from school

and ..

~ like always ~

lots of chatter and jokes and smiles ensued!

He and I are quite a pair in the car ...

Often, with the radio on,  I'm the lead singer, back up singer AND dancer

and he's the lead 'air guitarist' ....

YES!

in. the. car!

We have the best time on our rides

and have gotten some stares from time to time :)

 On one such occasion, we started chatting about stamps and card making.
He's a sweet and thoughtful boy

and probably one of my biggest cheerleaders ♥

We spoke out Stampin Up and how I next to never use them anymore.

He said "I have an idea!"

I'll pick a stamp set for you, you won't know what it is, 

and you have to make a card with it.

Deal?

Deal!

By the time we got home, I was so excited!

He went down the hall to the shelf and picked one, and said

 "Do you know why cows wear bells?

Because their horns don't work!"

Did I mention he's hysterical?! :) 

Here's what he chose:

His first choice for Card #1:  Cowboy Christmas!
Here's my card:

 

I think this is the second time I've even used this set

and I've owned it for close to 9 years!

I used the cowboy image once ~

but those little cows just spoke to me when planning my card ♥

I used the sketch from Splitcoaststampers this week as a base design

and stamped the cute cows as a focal point, 

and added the sentiment to the top,

and finished it off with a ribbon.

I ADORE gingham and just love the look of it, especially for farming cards.

One card down!

I invited Barb and Jeanette to join me in this adventure

since we 3 are pretty daring and don't say no to much of anything!
And we all have older SU stamp sets that need to shine again :)

I've sold so many of my SU stamp sets but held back 50 or so

from the good 'ol days.

I'm looking forward to what he chooses for me every month,

although I'm a little apprehensive :/

When he said random, he means random and

Stamp What? will be a challenge indeed!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

Entering my card to:  Word Art Wednesday

TPB: Just Sayin'

Hi friends!

There's a new little something at The Project Bin stamps ...

an adorable new stamp set :)

I. am. in. love!

The font and sentiments in the new stamp set are just fantastic!

It just landed in my mailbox yesterday afternoon

and I quickly thought of a card idea using the color combination

 at Splitcoaststampers for this week.

This year, one of my goals is to make cards using 'leftovers.'

Use all the teeny tiny bits of scraps of paper?

Yes, please!

I created this cheerful card by stamping two of the sentiments in the set

with Momento Tuxedo Black onto a white cardstock panel, 

already cut out with a die cut.

I ran the different colors of cardstock strips 

through my Gemini Jr. with a rectangle stitched die,

and used the small cut off section to layer those on the bottom panel.

The last little touch was adding some enamel dots.

My card was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest but didn't save :(
If I can find it again, I will link to give credit!

Here's another look ...

 Here's Just Sayin' with all 17 stamps to view:

 

You can see this stamp set and more in The Project Bin shop,

and catch up weekly on the blog with card inspirations.

Let me know if you are going to have some 'leftovers', too!

I'd love to see what you make!

Thanks for stopping by!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

GNOME card feature!

Hi friends - Happy Monday!

I'm super excited to share that my gnome card

 is featured on ScrapbookPal's blog today!

I'm so excited!

I was over the moon when they reached out 

and asked to showcase my card - of course, I said yes!

Gnomes are quite the fad right now 

and grace many blogs and gardens :)

I was surprised during a recent reorganization of my crafts

at how many I actually have ♥

My sweet friend, Angela, posted a gnome card over a year ago

 and it peeked my curiousity to purchase that stamp and onward it went :)

You can see my card on their blog post today here

and take a peek at their amazing shop here! 

And ...

I have a giveaway over on my Instagram!

Click the link over there →

If you are a following already, you may have seen it ~

head on over and take a peek!

Gnome sayin?

hee hee!

Grab it and Add it! ~ #1: Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today marks the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year 

or Spring Festival.

The 2020's Chinese zodiac animal is the 'Year of the Rat.'

I know ~ not that cute, right?

It actually ranks the highest on the Chinese zodiac chart :)

It's fascinating to me to learn about different cultures and customs,

so creating a card while reading about the celebrations and traditions  

was an enriching experience.

I'm the Year of the Sheep which means:

My lucky numbers are 2 and 7

My lucky flower is a carnation and an Alice Flower (I can't believe it!)

 my lucky colors are green, red, and purple,

my best match is a Rabbit, Horse or Pig (my husband is a rabbit ♥ ),

and my lucky gemstone is the emerald.

That was fun!

Even if I don't follow astrology or horoscopes,

it was fun seeing all the interesting facts about my year :)

 

Speaking of this year, one of my goals was to take one stamp set,

once a month,

and pile on as many of the stamps in the set as I can to one card.

You can read that here on my 2020 Word of the Year post 

highlighted in orange ♥

It's called Grab it and Add it!

(thank you to Chrissy, my daughter, for the catchy title of this series!)

 Wow!

It was a lot harder than I anticipated!

I naturally chose Mama Elephant's Lion Dance to start ~ card #1 ~

based solely on the date (and I REALLY love this stamp set, too!)

There are 11 stamps and 2 sentiments in this set.

I originally had all 11 on the front but it got so overcrowded,

it started to really not look okay.

So I switched up the sentiment to the front

and added the streamers to the inside.

much. better. 

The panel behind the images was created using Ranger Ink distress oxide inks

in twisted citron and cracked pistachio.

I created the frame by running a die cut through the Gemini Jr 

and glued that onto the panel.

The images are stamped/cut/colored with copic markers

and popped up on 3D foam.

I've used this stamp set a couple of times before

and you can see the cards HERE and HERE.

For this card, I wanted to incorporate some of the tips from class 

about being fearless and using bold via color plucking.

I started off with blues and greens and teal

and then popped in a splash of dark orange and hot pink!

And that's my card of cheer and celebration for today!

I hope you're off to a good start to your weekend :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

CCEE2004: Ice, Ice, Baby!

 Hi friends!

It's COLD here in Miami, Florida and 

I. am. so. happy!!!

It's been a GORGEOUS 33° with the wind chill

and temps hovering around 50° ..

woohoo!

I am absolutely loving - and taking advantage of our 1 day of winter ♥

And it just so happens that the new CCEE Stampers Challenge

this week is all about ice, ice, baby!

Lynn is our hostess for January and said:  

 

 It seems to me I have been bundled up 

in sweatshirts and sweaters for weeks now!

 Baby, it’s cold outside.  Let’s see those icy creations!! 

Add your glitter and shine to make some shimmery winter beauties.

 For today's card, I've made an easel card with a winter scene

using several stamps from My Favorite Things.

Dashing By (ret'd) and Snow Buddies.

I chose this fancy fold style for the Christmas challenge at Splitcoaststampers

for the month of January.

 Side view

 I created and colored this before I took the online color class

but I do love it!

It was also created in my 'pink christmas' phase, LOL!

I love this style of fold because it's actually an A2 size card

when folded and flattens right up for a perfect sized mailed card.

 We'd love for you to play along, too!

You can add your cards to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of the post here

and you can see what the rest of the Design Team has created this week.

Thanks for stopping by!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

Entered to:  SSS: Wednesday:  Pets!

3M: Hip Hip Horray!

Hi friends! 

What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?

Lost!

:)

 

It's Wednesday and we're half way to the weekend ~ woohoo!

Today's card is a celebration card for the 3M card group 

and I'm the hostess for January.

I posted this to the gallery at Splitcoaststampers

and I'm adding it my blog, too!

  

I am absolutely smitten with anything 'adorable critter' 

and cutsie animals!

I. just. cant. resist!

There's something so enlightening about making cute critter (anything!)

cards and they just make my heart smile ♥

 This is Ellie from Avery Elle Stamps.

I've also added the matching sentiment to the inside, too ↓

 

I was recently listening to a class video with Jennifer McGuire 

where she mentioned finding your card style.

Maybe you are a CAS card artist or maybe you are mixed media style artist

or maybe you don't have one style in particular and that IS your style,

just being comfortable making whatever you like when you feel like making it!

I LOVE THAT! 

I love to experiment with my cardmaking and there are some nights

where I'll just pull together a card and love it (like this one!) 

I'm learning, in the online class, to embrace who I am as a cardmaker

and not boxing myself in with a set 'style.'

Kinda like being fearless :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

Road Trip coloring challenge - class continues!

Hi friends!

Happy Monday!

It's a holiday here in the USA and many of the kids are off of school

and so many offices are closed.

But class is in session with Kathy Rac's online coloring road trip!

I am SO glad I signed up for these online classes 

as it's an immersive learning experience 

with so many tricks and tips

and it's always nice to connect with talented artists ♥

I watched and listened and taken lots of notes.

I've been practicing and been more FEARLESS in my coloring,

and am excited to make a few more cards with my practice pieces.

Here's my homework from Day 2/3:

 Color Mash:  We learned about color mashing, sweet spots and the trash factor.
I adored the instructions from Debby Hughes
from Lime Doodle Designs.
I used copic markers as my alcohol base ~
and with familiar color family, it's easier to get the blending to 'mash'and marry them together.

Here's my first attemp using Neat and Tangled Christmas Helpers.
I also used the lifting 'rag' technique we've learned from Kathy
although I need to practice this much more!

Faces:  Kathy also has a great learning session on coloring faces
and wow, light bulb moment for me!
Big difference when you use her fearless technique!
The difference is subtle yet you can see more definition
and oh. my. word.
Those dotted cheeks!
I learned that 'technique' years ago and looking at it now ....... oof.

Okay, moving on!

Dots and lines:  the use of pens to give your images that little lot extra!

 

Quick card for my sweet granddaughter, Alice ♥
I gave her dress some dots and 
shaded the hair and owl with the pencil/copic technique.

Homework done :)
I'm sure it's time to get up, stretch, and go for a Starbucks!
Yes, please!

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

The Coloring Challenge - Road Trip!

Hi friends and happy Sunday!
Class is in session!

Today I'm sharing a little bit of coloring as a participant

 of Kathy Rac's coloring challenge.

Yes ... that Kathy Rac! ♥

She's been an inspiration to me for many years now 

and her celebrated #thedailymarker30day
 is one of my favorite crafting adventures.
  I was so SO sad when she came to Florida to the My Favorite Things boutique
 and the class was sold out so quickly.

It was on my daughter's birthday and about 4.5 hours from my home, one way!

 BUT!

 What's the next best thing?

  Sign up for her new online classes! 

I fell last week and was injured on my dominant right hand

 so I'm coloring one handed-ish and typing one handed-ish

but I. am. determined!

The ER sent me home with instructions to

 'be a little more careful and R.I.C.E. my hand."

I heard 'add a little rice to your hand" and 

thought white rice? brown rice? fried rice?" 

 Is this a new thing?!

My husband says I am constant entertainment.

I'm surprised he takes me out of the house, LOL!

*giggling!*

Back to class!

 I love love LOVE what we've been learning in the classes -

 what to do, what perhaps not to do.

 It's about about learning, practicing, trying our best yet keep it fun!

Which was a great tip for me ~

I'm an adventurous soul by nature.

There's not much I won't try and the higher, the wilder, the better!

However, I'm a cautious cardmaker.

I don't know why.

I fret too much a card design and layout,

is this the right color combo (i.e., "the pinks don't match!")

and I rethink the mess out of most of my image coloring.

I've tossed more than I can count and probably restarted double that.

One thing she's teaching us:

Don't overthink it.

Be Fearless!

I started out with a Gina K Designs Vibrant Blooms stamp and die set.

I think the best flower choice for learning in Class 1 could be bigger, bolder ~

but I was super excited to stamp it up and color it that I just went for it.

It still has the nooks and crannies

and I took a plunge into fearless

 by adding grey, bright orange and brown to my sunflowers.

Is it perfect?

Nope!

But do I love it?
Yep!

I love the pop of color from the orange and the sweet spot white spaces!

I can't wait to make this into a card :)

Thanks for stopping by today!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly