FAREWELL....ORIVOIR....GOOD BYE....

I've waited for the dust to settle and by now you've probably heard the news...The Angel Company has officially closed.  It has been a pleasure and a joy to be an angel among many.  I wish Mischelle and her family all the best.  I also send BIG hugs to the designers who contributed their beautiful artwork to TAC.  I appreciate how much your work speaks to the heart of every stamper.

So what will happen to me?  Well, nothin' much.  As the new school year approaches, my stamping will be limited to weekends and holiday breaks.  The needs of my students are some of my top priorities. I will continue to keep this blog active and alive with specTACular cards and projects from time to time. 

I do not plan to join any other DSA companies.  I love teaching, so that's what I'll do.  Perhaps I'll teach at my local stamp store again.  I don't know.  I'm not a salesperson and never had that perfect salespitch down.  I will continue to share my love for all things "STAMPY"  through this blog and my "NON-TAC" blog.  I will also continue to design for stamp companies here and there.  You can keep up to date on my Design Team obligations on my other blog HERE.  You might also find some of my work published in future magazines as I will continue to submit my work to calls. 

HEY WAIT!  Keep an eye on this blog...I'll continue to keep it TAC related...all things TAC, for sure.    I've got A TON of sets that still need inking and also have quite a collection of RETIRED sets that haven't seen the light of day in AGES.  Here and there you may also see some sets up for sale...Seriously, I've got TOO MUCH.

Inky HUGS :)
Kerry

Hello There...

Just thought I'd post a little card to bring some sunshine to your day today and to let you know that I'm praying for you....

of course, you KNOW I had to add a little sparkle. 

I'll leave you with one more thought...

  Hugs and blessings today and always! 

A Sample for Color Throwdown #7...

As I was making the Color Throwdown #7 combo swatch I was totally thinking about how the new GWP TG-3514 Floral would work PERFECTLY with it...so this morning, I got up and started playing around. I pulled out some papers that I thought would match (well, the grayish brown was as close as I could get to the third taupe color without going shopping!), the inks and the Copic Marker...

Here's what I created: 

Stamps?  I selected the GWP TG-3514 Flower for my main image and the sentiment is from T3490 Love Lines.  I think that's my MOST FAVORITE SENTIMENT SET from this catalog. 

Paper?  The card base was some cream cardstock I had lying around.  I think I got it when Recollections (part of Michael's) was going out of business.  It's a great formal card base.  I also used some Ivory Ultrasmooth cardstock to stamp my image on and to mat under the grayish brown.  Oh, that grayish brown color is from the DCWV neutrals stack. 

Inks?  I pulled out my Tuxedo Black and Dandelion Memento ink.  The Copic Marker used was Y17 Golden Yellow.  I also used Ranger Burlap just a tad on the edges of the distressed frame. 

Tools?  Nestabilities Long Rectangles were used to create a mask for distressing with the yellow and with stamping within the boundary. 

Ribbon?  OK...Black...from Michaels cheapo ribbon section!

I love this color combo so much and I WILL be making many more cards with it.  After I pick up the PERFECT color for the #3 taupe color I will be back to show another inspiration sample! 

August Color Throwdown...

Hey everyone! I thought I'd pop on for a minute to post my new color challenge. This August color combo is delicious huh?  What inspired this color combination? Well, new color trends and some yummy fabric I picked up when at Joanne's last week. You can see a picture of it in my previous post HERE.  I'm working on making a new purse with it and I just LOVE the colors!

Here are a few paper suggestions that will work for this challenge: 

The Hemingway Paper Collecdtion (minus the greens and blues)
Yellow Smoothies:  Grapefruit, Lemon or Pineapple Bliss
Black Smoothies:  Blackberry Swirl, Flintstone
Taupe Smoothies:  Almond Cream or Kraft -but actually a bit grayer if you can find it
Cream:  Aspen Cardstock, Ivory Ultrasmooth Cardstock, Natural Cardstock Assortment

NEW RULE!!!

I think I need to implement a new "rule" in my challenge...or I'm really going to go broke!  Since I buy EVERY stamp set I give away, I need to make sure that it is really worth my while.  So...From now on, I will be giving away a free stamp set IF and WHEN there are AT LEAST 10 participants in my challenge.  I really love to see all the creative ways my colors inspire people so instituting this little "rule" will help ME and it's no impact on those who already play along.  SOOOO...PLEASE encourage your stamping friends to participate!  I would REALLY appreciate it.

Now on to the winner of Challenge #6: 

There were six participants so I plugged those numbers into my random number generator on my sidebar and this is what popped up:

So that means KAREN is the lucky winner.  Please email me Karen to get more information about your free stamp choices! 

Kerry

FINALLY....NO MORE SNEAKS...

Today is the day!  WOO HOO...Today the SAVVY PROJECTS BLOG is hosting a HOP!  This hop is for anyone to participate in and all you have to do is create something and add a link to the inlinkz tool below and there you go...Instant hop...

The theme for this hop is "Stamping on Fabric" and I LOVE stamping on fabric.  Most of you may have already seen my tutorial for the denim soda bottle Corset that is displayed above and that was quite fun to make.  This time, I decided I would do something a bit different so I made a handmade PURSE!  YES, you got it...A REAL professional looking "CUTE" purse!  I didn't have a pattern and just kinda went with the flow (as I usually tend to do) and started creating. 

Here's a picture of the supplies I used to create this purse (minus my sewing machine, some batting, interfacing, some ruffled trim ,and the handle parts)

So, what you have here is cream colored cotton fabric (I painted on this), Lotsa Dotsa stamp set, some button patterned fabric from Joanne's, coordinating acrylic paints, paint brushes, a variety of Nestabilities Circle dies, Memento Ink, StarDust Stickles, StazOn, a pencil and a Sharpie. 

Day 1: 

Step 1:  Cut a piece of 12x12 cream fabric (Yes, It's scrapbook size!).
Step 2:  Paint this fabric with (white) acrylic paint.  This will create a "canvas"effect. 
Step 3:  Stamp "canvas" using Memento and StazOn ink.
Step 4:  Use a variety of Nestabilities dies to trace random circles on the stamped fabric. 
Step 5:  Paint circles with coordinating acrylic paint. 
Step 6:  Use Sharpie pen to trace around painted circles and make "button holes/threading". 
Step 7:  Apply StarDust Stickles to all "buttons" and let dry. 

Day 2: 

Step 1:  Cut four pieces of 12x15 patterned fabric

Step 2:  Cut two pieces of 4x3 patterned fabric (these will hold the handle)

Step 2b:  Cut two pieces of ribbon (these will be part of the handle)

Step 3:  Cut four pieces of 12x12 fusible interfacing

Step 4:  Cut two pieces of 12x12 natural batting

Step 5:  Iron interfacing onto patterned fabric.  Fold remaining three inches of patterned fabric over interfacing edge and iron flat. 

Step 5:  Cut one piece of ruffled trim approx. 12 inches and one piece of ribbon approximately 16 inches.

Step 6:  Fold stamped fabric so it is approximately 12x 8.  Sew ruffled trim along folded edge then adhere ribbon with Zip Dry glue. 

To assemble the Purse "Sandwich layering"

Step 1:  Layer batting, patterned fabric (pattern facing up), patterned fabric (pattern facing down) and stitch around three sides but not the "folded edge".  Turn inside out and iron flat. 

Step 2:  Layer batting, patterned fabric (pattern facing up), stamped fabric, patterned fabric (pattern facing down) and stitch around three sides but not the "folded edge".  Turn inside out and iron flat.  The paint and the glitter will not be affected. 

Step 3:  layer both "sandwiches" on top of each other and stitch along one edge. 

Step 4:  Attach the patterned fabric/ribbon with the metal clasp along the sewn edge (inside).

Step 5:  Close the fabric sandwich again and stitch around the bottom and the other side. 

Step 6:  Attach the patterned fabric/ribbon with the metal clasp along the  sewn edge (inside).  Make sure to stitch the handles securely as they will carry all of the load of the purse. 

Step 7:  Flip pattern inside out to reveal purse design.  Attach strap.  Add some ribbon to the patterned fabric straps for added decoration. 

That's it!  I hope I didn't forget any steps!  I think I will be using some hot pink satin fabric I have left over from a dress I made for my niece to create an insert on the inside...just to make it completely FABULOUS! 

Here are some pictures of my completed purse: 

So this is the final purse...SO cute huh? 

This is the handle treatment I went with...Hopefully it will be sturdy enough for the goodies inside! 

See the ruffles, the stamping and the adorable button fabric???

OOHHH how I LOVE  ruffles!!! ")

Now, I don't profess to be a seamstress by any means!  There are a few OOPSIES in this project but I won't give them away!!!  So there you have it...YOU CAN STAMP on FABRIC and CREATE SOMETHING USEFUL AND FABULOUS!!!

Hope you enjoyed this little project.  I'll be working on another purse soon with a different handle and THESE deelish fabrics...What stamp set should I use this time????

One LAST PEEK...

Finished my project today.  I'm so excited about it.  It's the first one I've EVER made, and the idea has been milling around in my head for a while now.  I've had some fabric for over a year and KNEW it was the perfect match to the stamp set I used-Lotsa Dotsa...It incorporated some of my greatest loves:  buttons, ribbon, sparkle, painting, stamping, sewing, doodling and flying by the seat of my pants...LOL!

Tomorrow I'll reveal the WHOLE thing.  I'll also include a photo of the supplies I used and even share a little about the process.  I don't think I'm EXACTLY done as I think I want to include a lime green or hot pink satin insert.  For now, you'll have to settle for this Final SNEAK PEEK!

What could it be???

I've been working hard to complete my project for the Stamping On Fabric Blog Hop that is scheduled for the 12th on the Savvy Projects Blog.  I'm headed out the door to Joanne's to get something for the finishing touches.  Thought I'd tease you with a little SNEAK PEEK...

Hmmm...Can you guess what it might be??? Notice the stamp set I'm using???

Back later for a few more teases...")

Sketchy Inspiration...

Here's a card inspired by one of the sketches in this month's Card Club Quickies...

Here's the sketch:

Now the measurements don't match, but the concept does...I prefer to just wing it with cutting and never seem to follow measurements on sketches...They're just an eyeball guide for me...

I used a few sets to create this card:  T-2796 Ornamental Snowflakes and T-306 Chicken Scratch.  I also used some Smoothies cardstock (V-1148 Watermelon Sensation and V-5127 Lime Crush).  My inks...well they're becoming my most used:  SC703 Memento Pear Tart, SC400 Rose Bud, SC504 Lulu Lavender.  You can see I used that pink ribbon again.  Just added some double sided tape to the back and attached with some wrinkling.  The white cardstock scalloped edge was cut with an old pair of scallop scissors.  TAC has a pair called Cloud Scissors F306 but I'm not sure it's the same thing.    Oh, just about forgot.  I distressed the white cardstock with some Ranger Distress ink (Spun Sugar).

More...

Hey everyone!  Got another fun little card created with the August Card Club Set TA-3479 Happy Leaf.  This time, wanted to step away from the typical fall colors...

I stamped the border of some white cardstock with one of the leaves in the set and cut it out to create a fun edge.  Added some patterned paper (From Lilly Anna) and a strip of cardstock with the sentiment stamped repeatedly.  Finished it off with another leaf placed in the opposite direction, some ribbon and bling...easy, peasy! 

Notice the swirl pattern in the paper...doesn't it work PERFECTLY with this set???  LOVE IT!

August Card Club...New Leaf...

Hello stamping friends, for the next few days, I'm going to be sharing some cards I've made using the new August Card Club Bonus set that Card Clubbers can purchase at a discounted rate with a qualified purchase.  During my card club event in August, you will have the opportunity to play with this set and see how versatile it is.  So today, I'm sharing my first few cards...

This was my first card created using the set.  It was really a hodge-podge of embellishments and I even did some braiding techniques that I used to do when I was a teenager (remember those floss bracelets?)  The button I wove into the twine is a backwards shell button.  I Loved the color and the texture of the back side! 

Here you can see the glossy paper I used.  I also incorporated some of my favorite rub-n-buff and spackling tape to add those sparkly circles...YUM! 

I stamped the leaves using white ink then sponged fall colors over that to create the background. 

I LOVE this simple layout and the little pop of pattened paper! 

I wanted to create a flower-like effect with the leaves...and added some clear ultrafine glitter too...It's real SPARKLY! 

The Kraft background was stamped with Versamark using one of my new background favorites! 

Adding a little punched edge to the bottom border just give it the finishing touch!!!

Hope you enjoyed the peek at the August Card Club Set:  Happy Leaf!  Check out the other creations on the Savvy Projects Blog too...You'll really be inspired!!!  Kerry

August Card Club....Workin' on cards...

Hey friends,

I'm working on some card club samples and happened upon the newest download...Check out the sketches that will inspire my card club projects: 

SO wanna have some fun???  Card Club will be held the second Saturday in August...Wanna come???  I'll be back to share what we'll be making soon!

As seen in the 2011-2012 TAC Inspiration Catalog

Introducing...Brandy and Emma...

Oh this kiddo and her pooch collection by Phyllis Harris has to be one of the BIGGEST hits in the whole catalog right now.  I think everyone loves this little girl and her adventures with her adorable pooch Brandy...or is it Emma?  Well, either way, they are sooooo cute! 

 Coloring these images brought back some bittersweet memories of me when I was about 6 or 7 and a long drive to the country to give a farming family my precious pooch.  My family was moving and for some reason, couldn't take her with us.  I'll never forget it!  That drive, the long gravel road, the barn, the goodbye puppy hug...are etched into my memory forever! 

And here is another card that didn't make the catalog but boy, did I love coloring the pooch in grays...I wanted the focus to be on the sentiment...and the pooch was delivering the message perfectly.  PS...This card was on display at Seminar and some stranger came up and bought it right off the display board!  Too shocking!

Stamp set:  Brandy and Emma RPH3

Followed...

I joined the world of TWITTER about a month ago and was followed by a Christian Articles Resource from Shane Trusty (@ChristianArtcls)...Visited and found some amazing poetry...Here's one that called to me: 

(I recommend playing "IN GODS HANDS" by NATALIE GRANT-in my Playlist while reading this.)

Faith in God

As I found myself doubting yesterday,

wondering what would become of me.

You came to rescue me in my crisis,

for you did hear my cries and pleas.

You never have forsaken me dear Lord,

as each day my daily bread you did give.

While teaching me silently to wait on you,

you were also showing me how to live.

For our lives are never ours alone,

since they all really belong to you.

So we should fully trust, never wavering,

always having faith in what you do.

And though sometimes I become so weak.

often wondering where my faith does dwell.

I will always stand firm on your Holy Word,

that true faith in you will never fail.

By Wendell A. Brown

Final Video...Coptic Stitch Book

Hello everyone,

I've finished my book and it's now available for viewing!!! Check out this video...wait until the end because I have photos too! Enjoy.

Part 2 of Coptic Stitch Book NOW LIVE!

Hey stamping friends,
Here's part two of my Coptic Stitch book tutorial.



Part three will be shown tomorrow...ALL FINISHED!

Coptic Stitch Video Tutorial...Part 1...Now Live...

Hey stamping friends, I uploaded Part 1 of my Coptic Stitch Video Tutorial today.  You can check it out HERE: 
TIP: Scroll down and turn the music player off...then you can hear the video. ")



I'll be back tomorrow (hopefully) to post Part 2, then on Monday, I'll share pictures of the finished book-stamped and embellished!

Kerry

Christmas in JULY!

On Tuesday I said I would have a special TREAT for you...Everyone Loves GIFTS right?  Nothing better than a gift of RUBBER right???  Well, today I'm finishing off Christmas in July with a little card and a gift for one lucky reader...You'll have to follow some directions though...

When coloring this little girl, I was thinking about how I was going to display her.  She needed some sort of Christmas scene for sure.  Since there was nothing in the set that spoke Christmas (more spring flowers in the set), I decided I needed to doodle my own scenery...Sooooo...Got out my Copic .35 Multiliner pen (works perfectly for Copic coloring afterwards) and doodled some cartoon-like images. 

*  First something to ground this little girl...grass.  Colored that with my Copics then cut it out.  Added some pop dots and set it aside. 

*  Then I made the thinking bubble.  I thought the card wouldn't speak "Christmas" without some sentiment...So the little girl "SPOKE".  Every cartoon needs a thinking bubble, right?  Doodled that and cut it out.  Used my Copics to add some contrast.  Added a pop dot and set it aside. 

* After preparing my images, I started moving them around on a white background...I liked the little girl in the position she's in on the card, but I felt there was a lot of space to her left so...I HAD TO FILL IT IN!  I doodled a Christmas ball, colored it in and cut it out.  Placed it in position (without glue) and surveyed the look...I LIKED IT. 

*  The white background was WAY too bright so I decided to do my favorite sky coloring technique to tone the white down a bit.  LOVED IT!!! 

* Finished...NO...Something wasn't right....I thought about cartoons and decided to outline the image like a cartoon frame.  Worked perfectly for these cartoon-like images.  OK...So cut the whole thing out. 

* In selecting a card base, I knew I wanted the image to be the focus...that's all the card needed...So put it on some black cardstock and the whole scene just POPPED!  LOVED IT!!!!

Details: 

Stamps:  T-3263 Brighten Your Day, T2144 Trendy Greetings

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic .35 Multiliner Pen

Copics: 

Skin:  E00, 01, 50

Hair:  E21, 34, 35, 57

Dress, bows, ball stripes: R02, 14, 22, 24

Ball holder:  Y15; YR23;

Grass/Ball/Dress:  G24, 40, 82; YG 06, 21

Sky:  BG0000, B0000

Paper:  Copic Xpress It Card, Bazzill Raven Cardstock

DON'T BE AFRAID TO DOODLE.....I doodle because the images I stamp start to build a story...I doodle to share that story and to make it come to life...

So there's my process...Now the GIFT...I'm giving away this stamp set to one lucky person!  In the comment section, share your thoughts about doodling...Do you do it?  Why do/don't you doodle?  When do/don't you doodle?  I'll pick one lucky winner and on the last day of July, I'll announce the winner.  It's that EASY!!! 

Coptic Stitch Christmas Book...

Well, I had all intentions of posting my completed project today but...AHHHH....It's not done yet.  The book itself is made, just kinda blank...So...Tomorrow's another day. I'm making a video tutorial of the stitching technique so I had to practice stitching on camera-BLURRRRRRYYYYY...I need a good zoom camera. 

As promised, my final project (not including my Coptic Stitch Christmas Book) will be posted tomorrow.  There's a TREAT so make sure to check it out!!! 

Kerry

Christmas in July...More for my Box!

 Hello again!  I'm so having fun with Christmas In July.  My box is making me HAPPY!!! I'm so thrilled that I am getting a head-start on my Christmas Cards this year.  This card is pretty simple and easy to mass produce, for sure!!!  I used one of my new favorite background stamps to create the bottom border with my Kaleidacolor pad.  The sentiment was stamped in Memento Danube Blue.  When my card was finished, I thought it looked a bit flat so I added some Crystal Stickles to give it more POP! 

Stamps:  T3495 For Everything, Trendy Greetings

Ink:  Kaleidacolor Memento Danube Blue

Caboodles cardstock

Colored Cardstock: The Paper Company:  Aegean Sea

Ribbon:  Offray

Stickles: Crystal

Now here's another take on the same design...Just added a Spellbinders/Martha Stewart Snowflake and colored/cut the lady from Who Am I.  I'm not sure I like it or not, but maybe it'll grow on me...
The sentiment comes from the new set Dotted Peony by Nina Brackett.  That verse always makes me think of the songs we sing at Christmas Eve Services.

I stamped the skirt onto the blue cardstock then colored to shade it with Copics.  I also added Stickles to her shirt.  Oh, yeah...I added a nose too...I didn't like that she looked like her nose froze off!!!

Details: 

Stamps:  T3495 For Everything, TB3488 Who Am I, RN-2 Dotted Peony

Ink:  Kaleidacolor S017 Blue Breeze, SC900 Memento Tuxedo Black

Caboodles Cardstock

Copic Xpress It Card

Copics:  B00, 02, 28, E00, 01, 50 

The Paper Company:  Aegean Sea

White Ribbon:  Offray

Spellbinders Snowflakes and Martha Stewart Snowflake

Making Memories bling brad

Diamond Stickles

I'll be back tomorrow with another card for my Christmas Box...Stay tuned!

Christmas in July...

Hey Savvy Stampers!  This week is all about CHRISTMAS IN JULY...So get ready to FILL YOUR CHRISTMAS BOX FULL OF CARDS!!!!

I'm hosting the Savvy Projects Blog today so head over there to find out more about the three Christmas cards I created using NEW sets from our catty...Gotta love going to Seminar and coming home with a LOAD of stamps...I'm in inky heaven!!! 

Card #1:  Boughs of Blessings

My goal for all three cards was to use non-traditional sets for Christmas cards.  I love to create cards with particular family and  frends in mind. so these cards were created for some special people in my life.  When you really know someone, you can create something extra-special!   I'm really excited that I'm getting a HEAD START on my Christmas Cards this year too!!!

Stamps Used:  RN-13 Beautiful Lace, TA-3480 Circles of Love, T-2144 Trendy Greetings

Inks Used:  SD703 Memento Pear Tart, SD400 Rose Bud, SD404 Angel Pink

Other:  Ribbon:  Offray, Ribbons and Bows Oh My, MM Brad, Martha Stewart Microfine Glitter, Bling/Button Michael's, Twig:  My tree!

Card #2:  HANGING WREATH?  It can't be! 

I first thought of this idea when I saw this set at Seminar.  I had envisioned a clean and simple design. Again, this card was created for a family member who is very traditional yet LOVES clean and simple lines.   

Stamps used:  TA 3478 Dotty Flowers

Ink:  SD301 Memento Rhubarb, SD707 Bamboo Leaves

Ribbon:  Offray, MM mini brads, Bling:  Michael's

Card #3: HO HO HO...OH NO!

I selected just the top portion of the Santa hot air balloon...Perfect for this CAS card. I loved the formality of the sentiment, so this is for a special "Sophisticated"child at heart... 

Stamps Used:  TC-3489 Love This Day, T-3490 Love Lines
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Copics:  E01, E50; R02, R14, R24; BG0000, C00, C02 

Bazzill Red, Raven, Copic Xpress it Card
Ribbon:  May Arts

Check out Savvy Projects Bloggers (Design Team sister's blogs) for additional Christmas Inspiration: 

Angela Kelley (Monday)

ME (Tuesday)

Rita Kegg (Wednesday)

Paula Kay Bourland (Thursday)

Michelle McDaniel (Friday)

I'll be back tomorrow to pull a few more projects out of my Christmas Box...I hope you find some time to stop by!