Coptic Stitch Book

Today I'm sharing photos of the book that I made last week.

This is the first time I've made a book and bound it using a Coptic Stitch binding technique. It was so much fun but I must admit that I had to check out a book from the library and study it very closely before I could do the stitching .  When the signatures are sewn in using this technique, the book will lay flat.

I used a heavy chip board covered with designer paper  for the two covers.

The signatures were made using papers suitable for sketching. One book  finished and two more to go.

Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

Using My Gelli Plate Printed Papers

My goal is to use all the papers that I printed on my gelli plate. I'm using all the printed sheets of paper and scraps to make books.  I use an empty cake mix box for the base of my books.

This is one of the finished books.

I used mixed media papers for the signatures.

I used threads that I had on hand, which happened to be crochet thread,  to stitch the signatures to the book cover.

This is my book collection.
Thanks for visiting my blog today.
Hope you have a wonderful day.
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

Two New Cards Using NBUS

 Today I'm sharing the cards that I made using some "Never Before Used Stuff" and I'm entering this  in Darnell's NBUS Challenge #5. 

 "You'll never believe this, but, I've never owned a roll of Washi tape and never used it on a card before.Washi tape is the " Never Before Used Stuff " on my card. 

This is also the first time that  I've  used the button die and  the teal colored bakers twine.

I'm also skipping over to Pixie's Snippets Playground to join the Challenge.

I've spent the last couple of days trying to post pictures on my blog and was unable to. Hope this doesn't happen again. Have a great day, friends.

ta ta for now,
Kathy

A Card Inspired By Pinterest

The card that I'm sharing today was inspired by a card that I saw on Pinterest. You can see the inspiration card and visit the card makers blog HERE.

The stamps used
 Stampin Up: The Open Sea stamp set  and Hardwood background stamp.
Snippets of left over Kraft card to make the wood-grain frame, the anchor and the birthday banner.
Scrap of Map paper from my paper stash.

I'm entering this card in the  Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge
Last week I was nearly  the last entry before the gates closed at Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge .A big thank you to the playground prefect,  Sarn, who blogs at Stamping For Pleasure,  She chose  my card to be one of her featured picks for last  week.

Thanks again for visiting my blog and I hope you will come back again soon.
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

A Card Made With Two Of My Favorite Stamps

Today I'm sharing the birthday card that I made for my sister-in-law. Her birthday is Thursday and I have to get it in the mail tomorrow. Stamps used were SU Petite Petals and SU Gorgeous Grunge.

I'm entering this in the Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge # 193.

If you follow my blog then  you've probably noticed that each week I try to participate in the fun that goes on over at Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge. Well, this week the playgrounds administrator, "Di", is taking a little time off and allowing "Sarn" to be the prefect. I actually had to google "prefect" to see just what it meant.  Click on the link and check out all the great card creations at the playground.

Here is my excuse  for not posting to my blog this week and being late to the playground. This little memory stick reader, which uploads my pictures from my cameras memory stick  to my computer, decided to stop working.

         
Hope you have a terrific weekend and stop back again soon.
Ta ta for now,
Kathy   

August Rudolph Days Challenge

Today I'm sharing my card for the August Rudolph Days Challenge .  "Scraps of Life by Scrappymo" hosts  The Rudolph Days Challenge and the challenge runs from August 25th through August 31. 

Thank You, Mo for drawing my name  as the winner for the June Rudolph Days Challenge and this is the stamp and die set that I won. I used this to make my August challenge entry.

I'm also entering this card in the  Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge #191. Snippets of leftover card were used for the tag and the Poinsettia.

 I'm planning to clean my craft room today. We had our carpets done yesterday and I had to move everything out of my craft room and then move it all back again. The way my back feels today it is a sure sign that I need to get rid of some of my crafting supplies. I'll let you know how that goes.

Have a great day and thanks for visiting my blog today.
Kathy

Ranunculus Field Stamp By Stampendous

The "Ranunculus Field" stamp by Stampendous was the stamp that I drooled over every time I went to the craft store last summer. Each time I talked myself out of making the purchase until it went on the clearance rack and then I grabbed it.

That was a year ago and this is the first time I've used it!!!!!!! Just had to have it, never use it!!!  Does anyone else do that?

I made this card in two different colorways.
The image was stamped using Versamark on watercolor paper.
I heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder.
Used an aqua painter and  Distress Inks in dusty concord, picked raspberry, spiced marmalade and  wild honey for the flowers.
The inks used for the  leaves were bundled sage and forest moss.
The background was done using salty ocean.

The colored card used for layering and the vellum on the yellow card were snippets and scraps from my scrap drawer. Why does this supply of scraps never seem to get smaller?

  I'm taking this card to Pixie's Snippets Playground and joining my friends for Challenge # 191

Here in Minnesota it's beginning to feel like Autumn. The windy, cool weather that we're having now is about a month early. We commented yesterday that we hadn't seen any Robins in our yard for a while now so some of the birds are starting to migrate South. This SnowBird will be waiting until October. I better get some Fall cards made!

 ta ta for now, Kathy

"SNIPPETS" To The Rescue

After taking the pictures for my previous blog post, I realized that Clean and Simple just isn't my style. The cards just needed something so "SNIPPETS" to the rescue.

 When I have leftover scraps of card, I use my Paper Smooches die and a couple of Sizzix foliage dies and I cut them into usable "Snippets."

Here is my card with some little extras added.

The embellishments on this card now make it "Baby" appropriate.

Today I'm entering my revamped card in The Pixies's  Snippets Playground Challenge.

Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

It's All About Lines

Kathy R. from "The Daily Marker" is having a Pop-Up Challenge. The theme of the challenge is "It's All About Lines"

 

This is the card that I made using lines.

I had so much fun drawing the design, coloring and then drawing "Eyelashes" around all of the dark lines. So  I made a second card. This card  will be used as a congratulations card for my great niece's baby which is due in September.

I colored these card designs by using my Derwent color pencils and then blending them with Gamsol.

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you have a great day.
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

Mostly White On White With A Touch of Lavender

Today I'm sharing a birthday card that I made for a friend of mine who lives in the great state of  Iowa.
As soon as the picture is taken and this blog post is written the card will go in the mail.

The lavender paper is from a paper pack that has been in my stash for a very long time.
 Stamped the SU sentiment and the SU Petite Petals onto snippets of card.
The Distress Ink "Dusty Concord" matched the lavender paper perfectly.
The Spellbinders "Foliage"  die  is new.
There is a sprig of foliage in there that's cut  using  a Penny Black die.
Spellbinders "Fleur de Lis Rectangles" die.
 The embossing folder is an old one from  Cuttlebug.

 This is going to be a very busy week. It's County Fair time! My daughter-in-law, granddaughter and myself will all be entering items at the fair this year. Three generations. Most of our entries will be in the Culinary Division. We will all be baking and of course there will be greeting cards, and knitting, and quilts entered. I'll share pictures next week.

I'm going to take the  time to join my friends at Pixie's Snippets Playground this week. Hope you'll visit too!

Have a great day and ta ta for now.
Kathy

July Rudolph Days Card

My card today is for  the July Rudolph Days Card Challenge at "The Scraps Of Life By Scrappymo" blog.

The card looks very blah on this picture but the silver paper is a metallic and shines nicely in just the right light.

This picture shows it a bit better:

 The Memory Box, "Glowing Candles"  die was purchased  last winter and this is the first card that I've made using it.
The Spellbinders "Fleur De Lis Rectangles" die is a new purchase and also the first time I've used it.

Card making and my blog have been put on the back burner the last couple of weeks.  All of my book loving, book reading friends have shared their books with me. I just have to read them all!!!!!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. Hope you have a great day!
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

A Book Made From Envelopes

Today I'm sharing this little book that I just finished. It's a gift for a friend. 

 Click on the link  to see how to make the book from envelopes that are made using the Envelope Punch Board

tutorial that I used from We R Memory Keepers. 

The inspiration for this little book came from  Vickie who blogs at "HeARTful Stamper".

The background was made using a packet of  designer papers that I purchased at my local craft store. I downloaded the scripture from "Word Art Wednesday". 

I used a Spellbinders label die to cut out the scripture.

Vintage Photo distress ink was used on the edges of the label.

The background frames were cut using a  Cricut Fancy Lables cartridge.

I cleaned out most of my scraps and snippets of paper by using them for the flower embellishments. They were cut using my new Paper Smooches Flowers die.
 
I'm entering this in The Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge #186

Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy 

A Card With Summer Flowers

I needed a birthday card for a friend who loves flowers.

The large rolled flower in the center was made by cutting out the flower shapes and then spraying them with water. Scrunched them into a ball and then unfolded them and shaped and colored the edges. After they dried, I glued the layers together and used liquid pearl for the center. If you're interested in making flowers like these, check out this video  by Mynn Kitchen from The House Of Cards Challenge Blog.

I used snippets of card to make the leaves and the butterfly. I used my new Petite Petals stamp and punch to make the small flowers from even more snippets of paper.
 I used the Cricut and my new Fancy Frames cartridge to cut the background. 

I'm entering this card in the Pixie's Snippets Playground, Challenge #184

Thanks for visiting my blog today. Have a great day!
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

ATC's

 We've been working on the house this last week. Painting ceilings and walls and finishing up some other projects so there hasn't been much time to make cards
I did get a chance to spend some time making some ATC's or Artist Trading Cards.

I like to draw and these are some ATC's that I drew and colored with my Derwent colored pencils.
This ATC was done at 4:30 AM and is the Early Bird That Catches The Worm!

This card is a desert scene. It is more of a zentangle. If you are interested in learning how to draw a cactus then you should check out this blog because that is where I got the idea for this card.

This flower ATC is another doodled zentangle and the butterfly is a Memory Box die that I cut out and then used a white gel pen to doodle some lines.

Welcome to my new followers! Sarah, Lesley, and Becca. Please visit their blogs and see all the  beautiful cards that they create.

Thanks for visiting today. Have a great day!
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

A Butterfly-Hello Card

The deadline for entering cards in the Memory Box Butterfly Challenge #1 is fast approaching and  this  "Butterfly-Hello" card  is just going to fly in under the wire to qualify for the challenge.

This card used one of my last pieces of gelato  painted  background papers .
I cut out the Memory Box "hello" die from black card stock and the background paper and layered them to look like the hello was shadowed.
The last piece of ribbon from  my Mother's Day gift was also used on this card.

I am entering this in the Memory Box Butterfly Challenge #1

 

Have a great day
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

It's A Rudolph Day Card

This is the Christmas card that I made for The June Rudolph Days Card Challenge .

My Christmas cards are usually made about the second week in December so I'm getting a head start on things and perhaps eliminating some holiday stress.

 I thought the yellow lilies peeking out around the card would be a good ""Christmas in June"" backdrop for my photo.

The embossing folder is (retired) from Stampin Up
The stamp is "Sassy Salutations"  from Stampin Up
Ink is SU Mossy Green
The die is a NBUS  Memory Box"Poinsettia Bloom Trio"
Used Stickles "Crystal" and Liquid Pearls "Buttercup" to highlight the flower.

 I'm entering this card in
The Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge #181 - 182 (Because the flower was made from snippets of white card stock from my stash)
and
The June Rudolph Days Challenge

Have a great day,
Ta Ta For Now
Kathy

Another Memory Box Butterfly Challenge Entry

Today's card uses more of the Gelatos background papers that I shared last week.

The paper used for the  base of the card was a gift from a friend. The paper doily was a left over from a card that was made last month. The black and green glossy papers were snippets from my scraps.

I used two Memory Box dies to make this card. The "Hello Script" die was cut from the Gelatos colored watercolor paper and three more cuts were made from card stock. These  layers were glued together  and then placed back in the negative space on the paper.

The Memory Box "Willoughby Butterfly Wings" die was used to cut the butterfly from the watercolor paper. Instead of removing the butterfly from the paper, I placed a large piece of packing tape on the back side of the butterfly so the tiny pieces would all stay in place and  wouldn't fall out.  I trimmed the paper down so a portion of the butterfly wings were above the Gelatos colored strip of paper. 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge # 181 & 182
and
The Memory Box Challenge #1
 

Thanks for visiting my blog today and special Thanks for any comments that you leave.
Have a terrific day!
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

I Won A Prize Package

I have some really great news to share today. 
Last month I entered three cards in the "Mynn's Birthday Bash Giveaway" and one of my cards won!
WOW! Look at all the great stuff that came  in the prize  package!!!

I can't wait to take some time and play with the stamps, paper, and embellishments that were included in this giveaway. Thanks so much Mynn.

I have two new followers to my blog that I'd like to introduce.
First off is Wanda whose blog is Wanderful Creations and  Scrappy Mo whose blog is  Scraps Of Life by Scrappymo . Please visit their blogs, you'll find lots of card making inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy

My First Card Using Gelatos

This is the first time I've used Gelatos. I think I love Gelatos!

I know that I viewed a tutorial on a blog recently giving instructions on how to make a background using Gelatos. Do you think I can find the blog so I can share it with you? No, and believe me I have spent hours looking for it. If it was your blog and your tutorial, please let me know and I will give you credit.

Well, here are the instructions in case you want to try to make a background like this.

Use Gelatos to color on the raised portion of the embossing folder.
Lightly spray with water. Use your fingers to blend the colors.

 Place  watercolor paper in the embossing folder.
With your fingers lightly press the paper between the two sides of  the folder. You won't be running it through the Cuttlebug.
Dry with a heat gun.

Depending on how much water was used you might find that the colors will run, like the one on the right.

I'm entering this card  in the Pixies Snippets Playground Challenge #181 and 182

 I used snippets of ribbon that were saved from the bouquet of flowers that I received for Mothers Day. The butterflies were snippets of white card stock that were stamped with Wild Honey distress ink.  I used black, purple and white layers of card stock behind the card base.

 My card today is for the new "Memory Box Challenge #1"
 The theme for this challenge is "Butterflies".
A Memory Box "Butterfly" Die must be used on the card.
 I've used two Memory Box butterfly dies and the flower spray is also a Memory Box die.

 Thanks so much for visiting my blog today.
Ta Ta For Now,
Kathy