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!