Jenkins Journal

Say Cheese....

2012-01-18T14:58:00.000-06:00

Here is a camera that I made with the matchbox die and various punches. It opens up to reveal a mini scrapbook inside.

It also comes in several designer colors.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

More Apothecary Art

2012-01-09T05:00:00.003-06:00

I'm really liking this new set from the Occasions mini - Apothecary Art. So here is another card for you.

I had the background piece already created, it was left over from my Convention Swaps that I did last summer. The background technique is called Faux Tin Ceiling.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

RECIPE:
Stamps - Apothecary Art, Elementary Elegance
Paper - Pool Party, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink - Island Indigo, Pool Party, Basic Black, Lucky Limeade
Accessories - Pool Party Ribbon

Case'd Myself

2012-01-06T05:00:00.017-06:00

I really like the layout of my card yesterday and I love the new Everyday Enchantment DSP so I decided to case myself. I did use a different stamp set this time - Fresh Vintage - which is one of the Sale-a-bration sets that you will be able to earn starting January 24. I also dusted off my Janome Sewing Machine (I mean this literally, it was dusty) and added some stitching to the card. It had been so long since I had used the machine I had to figure out how to thread it all over again.

I think that since I have it threaded now, I will keep it out and use it for a while. I hope you like the card.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

RECIPE:
Paper - Poppy Red, Everyday Enchantment DSP, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
Stamps - Apothecary Art, Fresh Vintage
Ink - Markers: Poppy Red, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party
Accessories - Framelits Labels Collection, Very Vanilla Ribbon (retired), Pearls

Finally - My New Stuff

2012-01-05T16:22:00.000-06:00

I have finally got a chance to play with my new goodies from the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration that I pre-ordered on December 1st.

Here is my first card of the new year and I've used several new products. I hope you like it!

Thanks for looking,
Kim

RECIPE:

Paper - Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Everyday Enchantment DSP
Ink - Basic Black pad, Markers - Pool Party, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade
Accessories - Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon, Bird Builder Punch, retired Three Flower Punch

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

2011-12-01T12:54:00.000-06:00

The other day I was working on balancing my checkbook - it has to balance to the penny - and I was so wrapped up in finding my mistake I hadn't noticed it had started to snow. I just finished my checkbook when I heard a door slam so I looked out to find my husband home for lunch but I was even more excited to see it snowing. I LOVE THE SNOW. Of course, I don't have to get out in it or work in it, although I do love to go cruisin' when it starts to snow.

Ok so you probably don't really care for my checkbook issues or my love of snow, so on to todays project. My grandson Ryan and I put the Christmas tree up over Thanksgiving weekend. For the last several years I have decorated my tree in all snowmen or snowflake type ornaments. Remember I told you I love snow, well I also really like snomen. So I decided to make a tissue box cover to go with the snowman theme. This was my first try at it and I did make a few mistakes but I decided to keep it anyway. I hope you like it.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Fall Purse Sets

2011-11-10T04:00:00.001-06:00

I can show these Purse Gift Sets now. I made seven of these sets for my friend Judy who bought them for the ladies that work for her. She is great about giving gifts for lots of different holidays and these were for Halloween, although we went with more of a fall theme.

I really like the purses that Becky Roberts creates, so I decided to design my own pattern. This is what I came up with. The nice thing about these purses are that they will hold 4.25 x 5.5 cards. A lot of the patterns I have seen are for purses that will only hold 3x3 cards.

I hope the ladies at the office enjoyed them.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

September 2011 Stamp Club Projects

2011-11-09T11:05:00.000-06:00

My November Stamp Club is next week and I didn't even post the projects from September. I hold my stamp clubs every other month. This gives the ladies time to try out their new purchases before it's time to buy again. It also works out well because we start in September and go until May so the ladies have a chance to order out of each mini. We also finish up before summer starts.

At each club meeting we do three projects. I usually try to do 2 cards and a 3-d project. For September I picked a card that had several techniques involved in it - Emboss Resist, Background stamping, Tearing, Sponging - and then the second card was a clean and simple card.

For the 3-d project, although it was pretty simple to make, I still managed to slip in a couple of techniques on this project - punch art (check out the cute pumpkin) and altering punches (using a punch in a different way than intended). We also used the big shot to make the box.

Hope you like these fall projects and thanks for looking,

Kim

Post-it Note Holder

2011-11-08T04:00:00.003-06:00

This was another door prize from my Christmas Stamp-a-stack. These would make great gifts for teachers, co-workers, secret sisters or for just anyone you want to give a little something to.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Stamp-a-Stack Door Prizes

2011-11-07T15:36:00.000-06:00

Here is one of the door prizes from my Stamp-a-Stack last month. It's a dry erase picture frame.

The pumpkin was attached with velcro so if you wanted to change with the seasons, you could just pull off the pumpkin, change the background paper (which is inside the frame) and pop a new embellishment onto the front. Fast and simple gift idea.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Best Friends Forever

2011-09-14T14:59:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick notecard made with the set Best Friends Forever that we were given at convention.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

HOLIDAY MINI NOW AVAILABLE!

2011-09-03T16:08:00.002-05:00

To view the new Holiday Mini Catalog, just click on the picture of the mini on the right hand side of the blog.

I warn you - your wish list will be long.

Kim

Brandy's Birthday Card

2011-08-30T11:09:00.000-05:00

My oldest daughter Brandy turned 28 this month. I had to stop and do the math because I couldn't believe she was 28. Seems like I was 28 just a few years ago.

So here is her belated birthday card. This is another image from the Easy Events set that we received at convention. Love this set.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Workshop-in-a-Bag

2011-08-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a card that came in our Workshop-in-a-Bag that we received at convention. It uses the free set we got called Easy Events. I think you will see a lot of cards from this set.

Well VBS is over for another year we had our program at church this morning. We had a great time and a lot of kids and hopefully the seed was planted. I was excited because my grandson Ryan came from Ohio last weekend and went to VBS with me every evening.

Yesterday Ryan's mom (my daughter Jess) and his little brother Myer came home for a few days so we celebrated my granddaughter Hydi's birthday a few days early. Jess and the boys will be leaving Wednesday and then we won't get to see them quite as often as Ryan starts kindergarten next week and they won't be able to come home whenever they want. That's really going to stink!

Anyway, I will be AWOL for the new few days as I will be trying to spend as much time with them as I can, but I will be settling back into a routine soon.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Convention Make-n-Takes

2011-08-12T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here are three of the make-n-takes they had for us at convention. I didn't think I would like the sets they gave us at convention, but they are really growing on me. I'll share some more projects with these sets next week.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Faux Tin Ceiling

2011-08-09T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here's the card that I made for the WOW Swap at convention. I call it the Faux Tin Ceiling. I've seen something similar done with the brushed silver cardstock and I've seen it done with layers of embossing powder, but for my card I used aluminum foil.

We are in full swing at VBS this year and having a great time, so my posts will be pretty short this week.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Halloween Treats

2011-08-07T04:00:00.001-05:00

I guess since I've already started making Christmas cards, it really isn't too early to start on Halloween. These are the new 1"x 8" bags that will be available in the Holiday Mini September 1st. There is a ton of cool stuff in the mini, so if you would like to earn some of it free, contact me about hosting a party.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Playing with some new toys...

2011-08-06T14:11:00.000-05:00

It was like Christmas at my house the other day, I got a big box of new Stampin' Up toys. I was playing with one of my new embossing folders last night and this is what I came up with.

The idea all started from the little bow on the card. I had made the bow several days ago when I was practicing the Faux Bow technique and so I just designed the card around the bow. Hope you like it.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Easy Events Make Easy Cards

2011-08-05T23:20:00.000-05:00

I have just a quick post today. Here is one of the cards I made with the new stamp set Easy Events that we got free at convention.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Christmas in July

2011-08-05T04:00:00.003-05:00

Well not exactly. You all know I run behind so this card was actually made in August.

I'm helping my friend Terri make cards for a fundraiser that her puppet team at Faith Fellowship Church in Hidalgo Illinois is having August 20th. The fundraiser helps to pay for mission trips that her puppet team takes. They just recently went to Alaska. To find out more about her puppet ministry, the mission trips or the fundraiser go to www.puppetsfromtheheart.com.

If your school or church is in need of puppets, Terri makes the best ones around. I was a puppet director for several years, so I know from experience.

If you like the card, this one and many more will be up for auction so come to Faith Fellowship Saturday August 20th - I will post the time as soon as I find out when.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Now I Remember...

2011-08-04T04:00:00.014-05:00

...why I don't like creating scrapbooks - IT TAKES FOREVER. This is a mini scrapbook made from one piece of 12x12 Desiger Series Paper and the finished size is 3x6 closed. The scrapbook itself only takes minutes, me deciding how to decorate it took about three hours.

My grandson Ryan played baseball here this summer while him and his mom and little brother were staying with us. I've been meaning to make him some kind of scrapbook for weeks but I just haven't had time. So Monday while my husband was out of town I decided to stamp all day and work on some projects that had been floating around in my head (before I forgot them). And this was my first project. I really didn't mean to spend so much time on it, but I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to scrapbooking so it takes me a while.

This project uses a combination of new and retired products. The stamp sets that I used are Just Baseball and Sporting (both retired). I bought these sets when they were on sale for half price because I knew in the near future I would have some little athletes in the family. I even had to mount them before using them as these sets were pre-diecut sets, I really am thrilled our sets are all diecut now. I also used the new Pennant Punch which was great for this project.

The little baseballs you see sticking out at the top of the scrapbook is attached to inserts I made so my daughter could write down things like Ryan's coach's name and team members. At this point you think you will never forget those details, trust me, 25 years later you will be glad you did.

Well I hope you like it, thanks for looking,
Kim

Life is a Matter of moments...

2011-08-03T04:00:00.007-05:00

Isn't that the truth. Here is a brag book that I demonstrated how to make at a downline meeting several months ago. It's made using Stampin' Up's clear envelopes.

It makes a great gift which is why it ended up in my "Gift Basket" at my After Convention Party . Everyone who came got to pick a gift from the basket, except my returning Stamp Club ladies as I already had gifts for them.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Fun Flowers Bookmarks

2011-08-02T04:00:00.002-05:00

I have some cousins who come to Illinois to visit every year. And every year they bring gifts. The gifts are small gifts, but always unique or useful and sometimes both. And every year I think, I need to give them a gift but as you already know if you have read this blog before, time gets away from me.

BUT... this year I finally managed to do it. I made them gifts. So here are the bookmarks that I made for them. I think they are unique (unless you are a Stampin' up fan, then you've probably seen them a hundred times already) and they are certainly useful and they turned out pretty cute in my humble opinion LOL. The picture doesn't do them justice as you can't see all the sparkle they have from the shimmer paint. Anyway they really seemed to like them and I hope you do to.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day

2011-08-01T11:02:00.000-05:00

Well with me a day is like a week and a week is like a day....Anyway my day turned into a week last week. But I finally have a card to show you.

This was a swap card for Lyssa's Convention Quality Swap. I was in 2 different slots for this swap, but I didn't keep my other card so I can't show you that one right now. Maybe I can recreate it later.

For this card I cased myself, but on the original card I used grays and the critter looked like a little mouse. But since Going Gray retired, I switched to browns - there are brown mice you know - but everyone seemed to think this looked like a bear. So you decide - mouse or bear? Either way, I hope you like the card and thanks for looking.

Kim

I am alive and well....

2011-07-25T00:17:00.000-05:00

I've had a few people email asking me if everything was ok with me. I appreciate your concern and yes I am fine, just busy. It started Memorial Weekend when I had a houseful of company - stepson and his 5 kids, my daughter her husband and their two kids - then it continued for the next 6 weeks as my daughter and her boys stayed with us. They left on July 8th to go home and I left on July 12th for convention - my first one - how exciting!

We've spent the first part of summer swimming in the pool that Ryan (my grandson) convinced Papa we needed, going to T-ball games, going to the fair, the 4th of July celebration at the park, and just a lot of running around in between.

I'm now trying to get back into a routine. And about the time I do, Ryan will be back for another visit, which I'm looking forward to. He starts kindergarten this fall, so they won't be able to come home and visit anytime they want.

Convention was awesome and I will be sharing more of that with you later. I've also stamped a little the last few days so I have some cards to share with you also.

Well that kind of catches us up and I will be back tomorrow with one of my swap cards I made for convention.

Good night,
Kim

Friend to Friend

2011-05-18T10:44:00.000-05:00

This card was made with some scraps that were left at my house after a "playdate" with my friend Terri. Not only can I not throw away my scraps, I have a hard time throwing away others scraps. So these scraps of Designer Series Paper set on my cutting table for a long time and I finally made them into a card. I actually finished this card months ago, but I'm just getting around to posting it. I hope you like it.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

To all you convention goer's...

2011-05-17T17:11:00.000-05:00

I'm just curious ladies as to how many of my blogger friends are going to the Stampin' Up Convention this year. This will be my first year going and I'm really excited.

If you are planning on going, please leave a comment and let me know. Maybe we can even take a moment to meet.

Kim

Workshop Leftovers

2011-05-17T16:45:00.000-05:00

Here is a card I made from leftover cardstock from a workshop I did several months ago. I used to just toss the leftover packets in a basket thinking I would make them into a card later, but now my basket is full and I look at the pieces of the packet and I can't remember what I made with them. So lately I have been trying to make up the cards as soon as the workshop or stamp club is over.

I think my favorite part of this card is the tiny little bow. I made this bow using the "fork technique". It's really simple and makes the cutest bows.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Here Comes the Bride....

2011-05-08T06:00:00.003-05:00

This has to be the most difficult project I have ever tried to photograph (I'm not a good photographer under the best of circumstances). But this brides dress is so cute in real life.

Here's the instructions to make these cute little boxes. I had to simplify mine a bit because I didn't have all the tools that the original designer had and I was also making 16 of these for our Mother-Daughter Banquet at church.

The paper is some that I have had for several years, it has a beautiful shimmer to it, which also made it very difficult to take a good picture. You can click on the picture to get a more detailed look at the box.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Totally Tess Graduates

2011-05-07T17:33:00.001-05:00

Well we made it back from Ohio. Steve and Jess said the Tim McGraw concert was great and they had really good seats. Ryan, Myer and I also had really good seats - at the movie theater. We went and saw Rio. It was a cute movie and the boys were really well behaved. Myer does a great job of watching the movie and he's only two.

Here's a grad card I made a few weeks ago. This one is a 5x5 square card. I used Concord Crush and Daffodil Delight on this card as our school colors are purple and gold. In our area graduations are anywhere from mid to late May depending on how many snow days we use. We seemed to use a lot this year.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

RECIPE:
Paper - Designer Series Paper Pack - In Color (hostess item), Daffodil Delight, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Stamps - Totally Tess, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink - Concord Crush, Blush Blossom, Basic Black, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip (all makers)
Accessories - 1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Extra Large, Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Trim Corner

Better than nothing right?

2011-04-29T11:12:00.000-05:00

A really quick post is better than nothing at all, right? So here is the Easter basket I made for my daughters this year. They were filled with candy of course, but this is the first year my 27, 25 and 19 year old daughters didn't get a gift or as in most years lots of gifts in their Easter basket. I'm sure they were disappointed but I explained to them that they were too old for the Easter Bunny and now he comes to see the grandkids instead of them.

After lots of tears, I think they finally accepted that. Now what do you think will happen when I tell them Santa isn't coming to see them anymore either?

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Is anybody still there?

2011-03-18T18:59:00.000-05:00

I don't think I have ever went this long without posting. I wonder if anybody is still out there. I have lots of excuses for not posting, but I'm sure you don't want to here them all so I will just get right to today's post.

These are the projects that we made yesterday at Stamp Club.

The carrot was made with the Petal Cone Sizzix Die. I had the hardest time with this carrot. I wanted to make the box so it could be opened without destroying the box, so I put a brad in the leaf top so it would swivel out and the box can be easily opened. I tried using velcro and magnets to hold the leaf top on, but that didn't work so well.

The Thank You card was made with the Sale-a-bration set Bliss. This has turned out to be my favorite Sale-a-bration set. I also used the Framed Tulips Embossing folder on the card base.

The Springtime Smiles card was made with the Easter Blossoms set from the Occasions Mini (this is a complete case, but I don't remember from who). I'm really going to miss this catalog. This has been one of my most favorite mini catalogs. I've bought a ton of stuff from it and there are still a few more things I would like to get before it expires.

Well there you have it, I have finally posted again. Hopefully it won't be so long next time.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

January Stamp Club 2011 Projects

2011-01-20T18:00:00.004-06:00

Here are two of the project that we made at Stamp Club this evening. I've already shown you a couple of the Treat Box Cards I have created. They really are quick and easy to make once you have your first one under your belt.

And before someone points this out to me, I do know that the paper I used is retired. But I have been trying to use up some of my stash and I didn't have any other Valentine paper, besides it is available on the Clearance Rack and so it was a great way to remind my club ladies to check it out periodically.

Do you see the candy and candles in the box? Add a gift card in the pocket and this would make a great gift.

The card really is so much prettier in real life, but it's fuzzy in this picture. It's been gray and gloomy here for days, so I haven't had a chance to get some better pictures.

I will post the third project later.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Changed up just a bit...

2011-01-19T04:00:00.001-06:00

I have to take Brandy to her doctor's appointment this morning so this is just a quick post.

This card is very similar to the one I posted HERE. I just changed it up a bit.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Filled with Fun

2011-01-18T20:08:00.000-06:00

Fun Foam that is. Most of this card was made with Glittered Fun Foam. The heart was punched from Stampin' Up's new Glitter Paper, but the rest of the sparkly layers and the birds are Fun Foam. Bet you didn't know Stampin' Up punches would punch through this did you? I used the corner trim punch and the sizzlets on this card.

Now I'm not saying you should try this at home LOL. Stampin' Up punches are meant for paper and cardstock, so if you messed up your punch with the fun foam, I don't think it would be covered. But I like to live on the edge, so I use my punches on Fun Foam anyway.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

ps - I'm sorry I didn't get anything posted yesterday, things didn't go as planned.

Treat Box Card Tutorial

2011-01-13T22:09:00.001-06:00

I'm still getting emails asking for instructions for the Treat Box Card. I did post earlier that you could find the instructions at Splitcoaststampers.com, but I guess some people are like me - you just look at the pictures.

Yes, it's true. When I'm surfing through my lists of blogs, I usually just look at the projects and go on, so I can understand how some of you might have overlooked my previous post - because it didn't have any pictures!

So here is the link for the tutorial I used - http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/treatboxcard/

I hope you can all access it. I did make one change. I didn't like wasting paper and I felt like that was what I was doing when I cut my cardstock to 6.5 x 11.75. So I cut mine to 6x12 then just followed the same scoring instructions. This way I got two projects out of each sheet of paper.

If you do make one of these card boxes please leave a comment with a link to your project, I would love to see them.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kim

It had to end sooner or later...

2011-01-13T15:05:00.000-06:00

I was on a roll with my posting, 11 in a row. But all good things must come to an end right? Wednesdays are pretty busy days around here. My daughter Brandy usually comes and stays on Wednesdays along with my granddaughter Hydi. I usually pick her up and take her to doctor's appointment then they come home with me. Brandy is on bedrest due to complications with her pregnancy and her husband has a late class on Wednesday so they come here so I can help out. Then they stay all day Thursday and her husband comes and picks them up after work.

So needless to say after chasing around a two year old, I don't have a lot of time to post. She is napping right now so here I am. I just have a second as she doesn't nap long and I'm trying to get packed for the weekend. My husband and I are going to Ohio to see my grandsons for their birthdays. Ryan's is today and Myer's was on the 8th.

So needless to say I won't be posting much over the next few days, but I do hope to get some things posted next week.

Oh, and I did have several people email me for directions on how to make the Treat Card Box. I believe a few people are selling them, but I found them for free in the resource section of Splitcoaststampers.com. I don't believe you have to be a member to view the site (it is free if you want to join though), but you do have to be a member to post on the site.

Thanks for stopping by and check back soon,

Kim

Another Treat Box Card

2011-01-11T15:33:00.000-06:00

Here is another Treat Box Card, this time made with the new Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper. This one has Hershey Nuggets wrapped in matching paper in the treat box, and a Thank You tag in the pocket.

I now have my Facebook page up and going. You can visit me at www.facebook.com/KimsCrafts.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Going Green...

2011-01-10T04:00:00.001-06:00

Here is a calendar that I made with a recycled coaster. Again, I used the new Vintage Springtime paper available in the new Stampin' Up Occasions Mini Catalog. And isn't that flower cute? I love them.

I've got to run. Today is a cardmaking day with my friend Terri. Because of the busyness of the holidays it's been a while since we've been able to get together to stamp.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Come and see me on Facebook

2011-01-09T22:00:00.000-06:00

I've just started a Facebook Page for my Stampin' Up business. So come by and visit me and while you are there how about hitting the like button? Once I hit 25 fans, then I can get a URL, until then the link to my page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/KimsKrafts/124641947602754?v=app_2309869772&ref=sgm#!/pages/KimsKrafts/124641947602754?v=wall

Thanks for helping me out,
Kim

Treat Box Card

2011-01-09T19:55:00.001-06:00

Is it a card or is it a box? It's both.

This is my first go at a Treat Box Card. On the left side is a little box that you can put small treats or gifts in. I've put tealight candles in this one. If you wanted to put jewelry or something really small in it, you could put a piece of transparency over the opening so that it couldn't fall out. Or you could just not punch the window in it at all.

On the right side is a pocket that you could put a tag with a message on it or you could slip a gift card into it.

These are really pretty simple to create and would make great gifts for anytime - Christmas, Valentines, Birthdays.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

ps - I know it's late, but I still got my post in today. That makes 9 days straight!

No Project Today - but check out Walker Wear

2011-01-08T10:20:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to pop in with a quick post. I've posted everyday this year and didn't want to break my momentum now.

I just got my house back last night. I took Brandy to her doctor's appointment yesterday - things are going well so far, just still on bedrest - then took her back home. Then I came home got Rob and took her back to college and after I got home last night I put on my pj's and did pretty much nothing all night.

Today I have to get my house back in order. Carpets need swept and toilets need cleaned. Believe me I would much rather be stamping.

I do still have several projects to show you that I completed before Brandy and Hydi came last week, but I need to take pictures of them first. I also need to pack up what's left from my Christmas Craft Show that my daughter Jessi and I participated in. I sold my stamped items and Jessi sold hair clips, bows, headbands, Pony O's, barrettes and tutus. They were really cute.

Jessi does have a few left and if you would like to see some of things that she makes check out her page on Facebook, it's - www.facebook.com/walkerwear - she does special orders and she does ship her products. She just got a new Cricut and Big Shot for Christmas so I'm sure she will be adding a lot of new items soon.

Well I've got to run, those toilets are calling my name and the sooner I get my work done the sooner I can get into my stamp room.

I hope you all have a good weekend and thanks for stopping by,
Kim

God is and All is Well

2011-01-07T04:00:00.011-06:00

Another quick post as my daughter is still here on bedrest and I've been watching my two year old granddaughter. She doesn't like to stamp yet, so we have to play what she wants to play.

I believe I saw this card on Mary Fish's blog. I changed it up a little and used Concord Crush and Basic Grey. I love the stamp set Refuge and Strength and still pull it out often even though it's retired. It's a pretty simple card so I'm not giving many details. If you have any questions, just let me know.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Happy Thoughts...

2011-01-06T16:01:00.000-06:00

I liked the top of my Calendar Box that I posted yesterday, so I made a card to match it. I really wish I had gotten a better picture of it. This was a super quick card to make and would work for many different occasions.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Calendar Box

2011-01-05T04:00:00.008-06:00

I'm not sure what these are called so I'm just going to call it a Calendar Box. I really wish I could have gotten a better picture of it, because this new Springtime Vintage paper (another hubby gift) from the new Occasions mini (click on mini on left hand side to download) is really very pretty.

You will be seeing several more projects over the next few days made with this paper, so I hope you like it.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Out with the Old, and in with the New

2011-01-04T17:12:00.000-06:00

The Holiday Mini ordering period is over, but don't worry, the Occasions Mini catalog is now available and you are going to love it. There are a lot of great products and I will continue to showcase some of those items through out this week, so stay tuned.

To view the new mini, just click on the picture. I will also have a link to it on the left hand side of my blog. If you would like to place an order you can do so at my website - http://www.kimjenkins.stampinup.net/. Just click on the shop now link on the top right hand corner.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kim

ps - don't forget to scroll down to see a few of the things I have made with my new products.

XOXO

2011-01-04T03:00:00.002-06:00

Although I don't normally send Valentine cards to anyone, I do enjoy making them. So here's the first one of the season.

I used two different embossing folders on this card - Finial Press and Perfect Polka Dots - as well as the Pinking Heart Border Punch. To make the heart I used Basic Black cardstock in the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die and punched out the new Red Glimmer Paper with the Full Heart Punch. The Red Glimmer Paper is another one of the gifts from my hubby that is available starting today in the new Occasions Mini Catalog. The Glimmer Paper is great, you get all the glittery look, without all the glitter mess. The stamp club ladies will love this since my husband has banned glitter from the house. (We do break out the glitter when he's not around). And the sentiment is a rub-on which is also available in the Occasions Mini. That mini really has a lot of great products in it.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

First Sale-A-Bration Card

2011-01-03T06:00:00.024-06:00

This is my first card made with my new Sale-a-Bration set (another Christmas gift from hubby). I made this card for a teenager in our church who was born on January 1st, so this is also my first birthday card of the year.

The picture isn't so great, but the colors I used for this card were from the Stampin' Up Color Coach. The combo was Concord Crush, Tangerine Tango, and Daffodil Delight. I know I thought yuck at first too, but it grows on you.

The set I used is called Punch Bunch and will be available to earn during Sale-a-Bration. All the images in the set coordinate with - you guessed it, one of our punches.

You can also see just a peek of the inside of the card. It's "the thing" now to decorate the inside of your cards also. And I've always liked decorating the envelopes with a little something.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Something Old and Something New...

2011-01-02T16:41:00.000-06:00

I bet you thought you were going to get a wedding card didn't you?

Well actually the box is something old in that I made it several months ago and I never posted it. Then I saw a card similar to this one while blurfing (that's blog surfing) and decided to make one yesterday.

So here's the details. The box is actually made with the fabric from the Holiday Mini. I attached it to a piece of white cardboard (the stuff that comes in your Designer Paper packages). then ran it through my Big Shot using the Scalloped Envelope Die. It takes 4 of these to make the box. Then not wanting to waste any of the fabric, I took the scrap pieces and ran it through my Butterfly die. So now I have several fabric covered butterflies that I'm sure you will see on other projects. The card itself is very simple. I ran Very Vanilla cardstock through the new Tulip Embossing Folder. I sponged a little bit of Always Artichoke ink on the raised part and stamped the sentiment (from Flight of the Butterfly set) in Cherry Cobbler ink. Used a couple of Stampin' Dimensionals to attach the butterfly and there you have it.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

My First Card in a Long Time

2011-01-01T14:13:00.000-06:00

Ok, I'm off to a good start, so far I have posted everyday this year! Let's see how long this will last.

The sun finally popped out today so I was scrambling trying to get some decent pictures of the cards and projects I've been making. Since I'm not much of a photographer, this is about as decent as it gets. Maybe I can get my old friend and new downline Cheryl to give me some lessons.

This was the first card that I had made in weeks. I've been trying to get as much stamping in as possible the last few days as I don't know what the next few weeks are going to bring.

This card was made with some of the new goodies my wonderful husband (had to throw the wonderful in because he looks at my blog from time to time) bought me for Christmas. Doesn't he have great taste? He bought me the new Tulips Embossing folder, the Build a Blossom Stamp Set and the matching punch. He actually bought me tons more than that and hopefully I will get to show you some of it over the next few days. He really is wonderful - most of the time.

I hope you all have a very Blessed New Year!
Thanks for looking,
Kim

Back to Normal Now

2010-12-29T12:14:00.000-06:00

My blog is back to normal now. I want to thank everyone for all the emails and advice on how to fix things. Some of the best advice I got was to have a second blog to try things out on first.

I did get to make some cards Monday. That was the first time I have stamped in a long time. I wasn't at my creative best, but it felt good just to stamp. I will hopefully get to share some of those cards with you soon. I'm still on my old computer as my daughter still has my laptop so you will have to bear with me.

Also, my husband got the flu yesterday so that just leaves me and my youngest daughter who hasn't gotten it yet. I have practically bathed in disinfectants and hand sanitizers hoping for the best, but time will tell.

Thanks again for all of your help and well wishes,
Kim

Maybe I Went to Panic Mode too Soon!

2010-12-26T22:02:00.002-06:00

OK, evidently you have to update something or another before you can change your template, so long story short, I still am not sure what I did but I do have my lost sidebar stuff back, so please disregard the last panic driven post.

I'm still trying to figure out to update my blog to a new design, so wish me luck!

Kim

HELP!!!

2010-12-26T21:51:00.000-06:00

I don't know how I'm ever going to get this mess fixed. Any and all help is appreciated.

I tried to update my blog with a new template and things went terribly wrong. I've lost all my widgets and sidebar stuff. If you were on my blog lists (where we agree to visit and leave comments on each others blogs) - PLEASE let me know and leave me a link to your blog.

Thank you,
Kim

ps - I guess this is what you get when you try to do things when you are tired.

A Belated Merry Christmas to All

2010-12-26T20:47:00.000-06:00

I hope you have all had a great Christmas and I hope Santa was good to all of you, he was very good to me.

I'm sorry I've been gone so long, but besides the normal busyness of the season, we have had a lot of company and a lot of sickness and my pregnant daughter has been having some issues. I also apologize to my Blogging Buddies. I know I haven't checked out your blogs in weeks, but I just haven't spent much time on the computer at all.

My pregnant daughter had to spend Christmas in the hospital so I took her my laptop so she could at least be with us through Skype. So I'm trying to post this on my old desktop which doesn't always want to cooperate.

I'm not sure if I will be back to blogging anytime soon either. Brandy did get to come home today, but she is on complete bedrest. She was supposed to come here to stay, but since my other daughter and grandchildren were here over the weekend and they all ended up with the flu over Christmas, we didn't think it would be a good idea. We are waiting a few days to see if any of the rest of us end up with it. So I spent the day trying to disinfect the place and now I'm working on putting together all my wonderful new stamp sets.

I haven't even been in my stamp room for weeks so the creative juices aren't even flowing. I'm hoping all my new stuff will help with that. I will try to get around to visiting all of your blogs soon and I hope to be back into some kind of routine next week.

Happy New Year,
Kim

Tags Til Christmas Class

2010-11-11T15:31:00.000-06:00

Here is the box and tags that we made at Tuesday's class. This class was free to anyone who purchased that bundle at my Stamp-a-stack, otherwise it was $10. I will be doing more of these "$10 Classes" in the future, so keep checking my Calendar at http://www.kimjenkins.stampinup.net/.

I've seen several tutorials for a similar box, but just decided to come up with my own design. Hope you like it.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Still Charming...

2010-11-01T20:15:00.000-05:00

Here's another one of my "Charming" cards.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

So Charming...

2010-10-29T20:46:00.000-05:00

My friend Terri and I had another cardmaking day yesterday. I actually made several of each card this time. I usually only make one or two. I also managed to mail out three cards today. I honestly can't remember the last time I mailed out cards. Isn't that terrible? My friend Cheryl has challenged me to send out 5 cards next week (between Sunday and Wednesday). She will be calling me Wednesday evening to see how I did. It's not like I don't have 100 or so cards in my stamp room at any given time. I just seem to have a hard time getting them sent.

I just received a new stamp set called Charming. It was part of one of the Holiday Bundles that's available through Stampin' Up right now(click on the Shop Online button for more information). And I used this stamp set (one of the stamps anyway) on most of the cards we made yesterday. That's kind of unusual for me also. I normally use lots of different sets.

This card also uses retired ribbon that is available on the Stampin' Up Clearance Rack. I used markers (Riding Hood Red, Old Olive) to color the image, then stamped it on Whisper White cardstock. I also used the new Clear Scallop Sizzlet, I diecut two of them from Basic Black cardstock and attached them together to get a little big longer scallop rectangle.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Stepped Up Version Card #3

2010-10-28T20:34:00.000-05:00

I'm really sorry for this terrible photo. It's been too cloudy or windy here the last few days to be able to go out and take any pictures so this is the best it's going to get.

I added Cherry Cobbler ribbon and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I also popped up the middle ornament.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Stepped Up Version Card #2

2010-10-26T13:10:00.000-05:00

Here is another "stepped up" card from my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack. I added Dazzling Diamonds to the bird and Crystal Effects to the leaf image.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Snowman Dominoe Pins

2010-10-24T13:22:00.000-05:00

Lot of people are getting geared up for craft shows right now and everyone is looking for ideas. For the last couple of years, I have done two small craft shows in our local area during the holidays.

One of my best sellers at all the craft fairs are these dominoe pins. These make great stocking stuffers or if you just need an inexpensive gift for a co-worker or neighbor these are just the thing. Sometimes I package them up with a topper and if I run out of time, I just throw them in a basket. Either way, people love them, especially after they find out it is made from a dominoe.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Stepped Up Version #1

2010-10-24T13:07:00.001-05:00

Here's my first "stepped up" card from my recent Christmas Stamp-a-Stack. You can see the original card HERE.

I added Dazzling Diamonds to my snowflake (click on the picture to see this better). I used the spritzer tool to add the speckled look on the cardbase and then I sponged Whisper White Craft ink around the edges of the card to give it a "frosted" look. I did have to use a different piece of Designer Series Paper on this card as I used up all of the other design.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Still Finding Them....Because I Care

2010-10-22T05:00:00.001-05:00

I'm still finding cards that I haven't posted yet. This is one I made earlier this summer. I used the Because I Care Hostess set and I believe the color is Rose Red. I added a little bit of black to make it pop.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Christmas Stamp-a-Stack 2010

2010-10-21T15:24:00.001-05:00

Here are the Christmas Cards that we made at my Stamp-a-Stack last week. Each person made 3 of each design and we also had matching envelopes.

I will try to get some pictures up of the "stepped up" version of these cards. A few pearls, some glitter and ribbon can really add a lot to a card.

These cards I kept very simple for a couple of reasons; 1. Some people make and send a lot of cards. I didn't want to bog them down with too many layers. 2. When you go to send these in the mail, some post offices are very particular and you end up paying a lot of extra postage when they feel that ribbon knot or brad on your card. 3. I had some new stampers and didn't want to overwhelm them with too many tools or techniques. 4. My husband wanted to come home at a decent hour that night so time was also a factor.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Merry Christmas!

2010-10-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

Do you like the way I have jumped from Halloween right into Christmas? It's kind of like the stores these day, they have halloween on one aisle and Christmas items on the next.

Anyway, here is another card I had made for my open house that I don't think I've ever posted. The penquins are made with the Owl Punch from Stampin' Up. I think that is one of the most versatile punches they have had so far.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Happy Halloween Greeting Card Kids

2010-10-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

I'm not feeling well today so instead of stamping, I have been laying around most of the day. I did want to get something accomplished today though, so I thougth I would clean up my folders on my computer. And in doing so, I have found pictures of cards that I have never posted (or at least I don't think so).

This is a card that I made for my open house that I had back in August.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Build-a-Bear Boy Card

2010-10-19T16:35:00.001-05:00

Some time ago I posted this card in pink and I never got

around to posting the blue one, so here it is.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Youc can view the pink card HERE.

HOLIDAY PROMOTION BUNDLES

2010-10-18T22:36:00.000-05:00

Stampin' Up is running a great Holiday Special that will help you to get a jump start on all your holiday gift giving projects.

From October 19th to December 16th, choose from several different Holiday Bundles containing gorgeous Stampin' Up! products - perfect for creating cards, gift packaging and gifts and all at 20% OFF!!!

You can order these bundles directly from my Stampin' Up Website (the link is on the left hand side) or if you prefer, I will place the order for you, just give me a call or send an email.

Don't delay, let's get started on all those Christmas projects now. If you need some help or would like to earn these bundles for FREE, how about booking a workshop and I will give you lots of ideas and the chance to earn free stamps and products.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kim

Kim

Day of Gratitude

2010-10-03T18:33:00.001-05:00

I know I have neglected my blog the last few months, but what can I say life gets in the way. My daughter and the grandkids came home to visit on Monday and stayed until Thursday and I didn't get on the computer other than to check emails. We had a great visit. Jess even took me to get a pedicure on Tuesday while the boys were visiting with their other grandma. That was a new experience for me, but it was a lot of fun. Brandy my oldest daughter met us and spent the afternoon with us too. We even did a little shopping and I bought the grandkids their first Christmas present.

Wednesday Brandy and my granddaughter Hydi came over for the evening so we had a houseful. The grandkids had a great time playing together. My sister-in-law was here also and we talked about how it reminded us of us when our kids were small and we would all pile in at my Mom's house. We had 8 kids between us at that time and they were literally stairstepped. All of them were a year or less apart.

I've also spent quite a bit of time on Skype the last few days. Jess got a new laptop Friday and we have been visiting online quite a bit. It's fun to be able to see the grandkids as well as talk to them.

Then Saturday, I went to a downline meeting. It was a good time. It's great to be able to get together with other women who are as nuts about stamping as you are. What's really cool about the downline meeting is this isn't even my upline or sideline. They just "adopted" me.

Next week is pretty busy also as we start revival Monday at our church. But I'm looking forward to it. As you can see, I have had a lot to be grateful for lately.

So that kind of catches us up on the last week, so now on to the card.

This is one of the cards that we made at stamp club in September. It uses the Autumn Spice DSP and the Day of Gratitude stamp set. I really like this layout and I love using the linen thread on the buttons. Just that little extra adds so much to a card I think.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Matchbox Hostess Gift

2010-09-23T16:43:00.000-05:00

My new stamp club started this month. This time I am doing things a little differently. Instead of meeting every month for 5 months, we meet every other month. This gives everyone a little more time to play with all their new stuff and it also gives us a chance to order from all the mini catalogs. Normally club starts in January and runs through May. I'm hoping everyone will like this schedule better.

So here is the hostess gift for this month. I did use retired paper on this. I bought the paper from the Stampin' Up Clearance Rack. Don't forget to check that out occasionally. We never know when they are adding new products and some items go really fast.

This was made using the matchbox die, a die I haven't used much, although I don't know why, it makes very cute boxes. I've just stacked three matchboxes on top of each other and wrapped Designer Series Paper around them. When you open the top drawer, butterflies come flying out. All the drawers are filled with miniature candy bars.

Pretty cute idea isn't it? It's not my idea and I have no idea who to credit for this, sorry.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Well they are gone...

2010-09-12T19:12:00.002-05:00

My daughter and her family moved this weekend. We moved them to Ohio. This is one of the reasons I haven't posted lately. She's been busy packing, and I've been trying to spend time with the boys.

Ryan, who is four, and loves to stay with Granny (that's me) spent most of last week here. And Jessi (my daughter) and Myer (who is 19 months) came every evening to eat supper since her kitchen was packed up. And then they all stayed the last few nights here.

Everyone keeps saying Ohio isn't that far (it's 5 hours), but it seems very far when you are used to your family being less the 5 minutes away (and that's walking, not driving). Just keep us all in prayer as this is quite an adjustment for us.

Tomorrow will be a busy day filled with cleaning, then I hope to get into some kind of routine soon. I seem to do better when I have a routine.

Thanks for stopping by and I will have some things to share soon.

Kim

Earn a Free Craft Tote, Get Some Great Bargains

2010-09-01T15:43:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to let you know that Stampin' Up has a great recruiting special going on now through October 18. If you sign up to be a Stampin' Up Demonstrator you can earn a free Craft Tote.

Just click on the tote to find out all the details. Then come back here and send me an email I will be happy to help you sign up as a demonstrator.

Ok, maybe you are just looking for the bargain I was talking about in my post. Just click on

http://www.kimjenkins.stampinup.net/

go to the right hand top corner and click on Shop Now. Then on the left hand side 3rd link down is the Clearance Rack - click on that and you will find several colors of retired cardstock, Simply Scrappin' Kits, accessories, etc. all for 60% off.

And if that isn't enough to get you excited click on the Holiday Mini to see all the great new products that are now available.

Click the catalog to download in .pdf format!

How's that for some exciting offers.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kim

Another Owl Punch Card - and still no owl!

2010-08-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

I told you the Owl Punch had a lot of uses. It also makes great tulips. Again punch out the owl, cut off his feet, then use the Scallop Edge punch on him and you have a tulip. The stem and leaves are from the 2-Step Bird punch (another punch with a lot of uses).

I apologize for the poor picture and all the shadows, I told you I would try to salvage what I could.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Owl Punch Card

2010-08-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

I bet you thought you were going to see an owl didn't you. The Owl Punch has a lot of uses besides punching out owls. You can also punch out ghosts.

If you punch out the owl, cut off his feet, and turn him upside down, you have a ghost. I used the hearts from the punch to make his little feet. Isn't this card cute? I wish you could see it in real life. The whole ghost is covered with Dazzling Diamonds and it really sparkles.

Although it looks like my fence could use a little work. It's pretty crooked.

Don't forget you can earn an extra stamp set from me if you host a workshop in September. For more details just give me a call or send me an email. The links are on the left.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Open House Cards

2010-08-26T21:11:00.003-05:00

I'm back to posting some of the cards I made for my Open House. I'm not sure how many pictures I can salvage. Something went terribly wrong with them - the problem is probably the camera operator. But I will try and salvage what I can.

This card was made with a set that will be in the Holiday Mini called Bells and Boughs. The whole mini is really awesome and you can begin ordering from it on September 1st.

You can't tell in the picture, but the whole white panel is covered with irredescent embossing powder, so this baby really sparkes. The ribbon is the new ribbon available in the Idea Book & Catalog. I also used Wild Wasabi paper on this card - an old In-Color that is now a new color in the Subtle Family.

If you see any product that you can't live without, be sure to click on the link to the left and you can shop right from home at the Stampin' Up Online Store. For anyone who places an order, I will send you a thank you gift. If you would like to host a workshop in September, just send me an email or give me a call - the number is on my Stampin Up Website (link is to the left) - and you can earn an extra stamp set (offer good only through me).

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Happy 25th Anniversary!!!

2010-08-21T17:30:00.003-05:00

My friend Cheryl and her husband Denny are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. They were high school sweethearts, have three grown children and two grandchildren now. You just don't hear of too many relationships like that lasting anymore.

Her daughters threw them a surprise party today and so for a gift I made them a tile using my Cricut and Stampin' Up vinyl that had their name and est. 1985 on it. I didn't take a picture of the tile but I did take a picture of the wrapped gift and the matching card.

Can you guess what the wrapping paper is? Yep, it is packing paper from Stampin' Up. When I first started selling Stampin' Up, I saved everything. I would even save the packing paper and then iron it. Of course I quit that a long time ago (you can just buy a roll of it for a $1 at the Dollar Tree) and I just used up the last of what I had saved.

I used my new favorite stamp set - Just Believe. This set is great for just about any kind of card.

I know I said I would show you more of my open house projects, and I will, but I just wanted to share this one with you first.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

It's A Girl

2010-08-20T11:38:00.002-05:00

We now have a new granddaughter. Libby Hope was born on Friday the 13th.

My friend Terri and I spent the day yesterday making cards. We hadn't been able to get together since early June because we were just both so busy. We like to try and get together every week or two, but this summer just didn't cooperate with us. Anyway, we both needed some baby cards and so here is the "girl" version".

I'm trying to use up some of my retired Designer Series Paper, so I pulled out this pink and brown. I have had it for a couple of years so I don't even remember the name of it and I'm just too lazy to go back through the catalogs to find it. I did used the Build-a-Bear embosslit for the teddy bear on the card. Love the BAB line! It really is very versatile.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

ps - I do have a lot more open house samples to show, so stay tuned.

A Wonderful Teacher

2010-08-16T09:04:00.003-05:00

Here is the card I made using the Beary Bright Sizzlet Die. I used it to cut out all the apples on the tree. This is for Ryan to give to his new preschool teacher - got to get a few brownie points in.

The sentiment is from a new set that is in the Holiday Mini called Seasons of Hugs. It it part of the Build-a-Bear line and it has a lot of cute images in it. The whole sentiment says "To a Beary Wonderful Teacher", but since I didn't use the bears on this card, I just used my marker to get the part I wanted.

I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture or not, but the apple down in the corner was cut out of Fun Foam. The sizzlet dies can easily cut the Fun Foam since it has some give to it, but I would not recommend it for other materials since it is only supposed to be used with paper and cardstock.

I finished the card with a little stitching using my Janome Sew Mini - had to knock some cobwebs off of it first, LOL! My whole stamp room has been sadly neglected this summer until last week. Anyway I hope you like the card.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Open House Projects

2010-08-15T16:56:00.002-05:00

I told you I would post some pictures of the projects I had been working on for the open house so here is the start of them.

This is just a little journal that I had in my stash of stuff. I'm sure I bought it on clearance somewhere along the way. This book was made for my grandson Ryan who will be going to preschool this fall. I've used a lot of the Build-a-bear product line on this project. The paper on this project is retired, but there is some new Designer Series Paper in the catalog that goes with the Build-a-bear line called Positively Prints ll (very similar to the retired paper except with new colors). The new product used on this journal is the little apple from the new sizzlit die called Beary Bright.

I have all of the dies now except for the new one Beary Dresssy. It is on my list.

I will have another post tomorrow with a card using the Beary Bright die again. So I hope you will come back by.

This is going to be a busy week for me. Tomorrow I'm off to Terre Haute to shop for my granddaughter Hydi's birthday which is the 25th of this month (we are having her party Friday). I'm also taking my oldest daughter out for lunch for her birthday (which was the 5th of this month) and then I have to finish shopping for my youngest daughter Robbi who is going off to college. Actually she isn't going too far, just about 30 miles away but we are moving her into her dorm on Wednesday. And my middle daughter is busy getting ready to move to Ohio. Her husband has a new job and so they will be moving to the Findlay area.

This move is really going to be hard on us as she will be about 5 hours from home. That might not seem to bad to a lot of you, but currently she lives less than 5 minutes from me (and that is walking, not driving). I'm used to seeing them about every day and sometimes they pop in several times a day. So please keep us all in your prayers.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Stampin' Up Open House Tomorrow

2010-08-11T16:25:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,

I know I've been missing for quite a while, but right after VBS I started getting ready for my Open House which is tomorrow (Thursday August 12). I still have a ton to do, but at least I have the cheese ball made. I think I will be pulling an all nighter - or at least a very late nighter!

I will have a lot of projects to show you starting Monday. So be sure and stop back by. Also, if you are in the Casey, Illinois area and would like to stop in at my open house just send me an email and I will give you directions. You can come anytime between 1:00-4:00pm or 6:00-8:00pm. I would love to see you.

Thanks
Kim

Because I (still) Care...

2010-08-03T12:57:00.003-05:00

Ok, I am not sure what happened with my scheduled posts. I must have messed something up. Anyway VBS started last night and for it being the first night everything went pretty smoothly. We ran out of paper plates (we feed the kids supper each night), but we found some small plates in the back of the cabinet. The first night is usually the most chaotic as we don't do a preregistration so I was pretty pleased with how it went.

So here is a quick post of a card I made a few weeks ago. Hope you like it.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Because I Care...

2010-07-29T09:48:00.003-05:00

Wow it's been a while. I apologize for not posting but if you had to choose between stamping and camping with your grandson, which would you choose LOL?

I actually took some stamping supplies with me camping, but didn't get a chance to use them. But here's a card a made a while back and I just got around to taking pictures of it.

It's made with the hostess stamp set "Because I care" that is in the new Stampin' Up catalog. I love this image and it works great with the Poppin' Pastel technique.

I do have a few posts scheduled over the next few days, but next week is the start of VBS so I will be very busy and won't have any time to stamp for a while. Don't give up on me though, I have a huge order that I'm putting in on August 1st and will have all sorts of things to share with you after VBS.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Another Chalkboard...

2010-07-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post to show you another one of my chalkboards. Which one do you like the best? The one I posted today or the one I posted Saturday?

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Chalked Background

2010-07-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

Isn't this the coolest background? I got my Stampin' Up Pastels (another name for their chalks) out here while back and played with them all evening. I hadn't used them for quite a while, as a matter of fact I didn't even update my chalks when we had the last color change. But the new chalks are definitely on the top of my list now.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Mars to Earth...

2010-07-05T07:00:00.004-05:00

Greetings Earthlings! Isn't this the cutest card (I can say that because I cased it). Yes, this is a copy, and I didn't get the original creator's name I am sorry.

My daughter needed a card for her VBS class to sign. All the classes were signing and sending cards to a young boy who has cancer. I didn't want to send the typical "Praying for You" card (although we are). I wanted something that would bring a smile to his face and I hope this card does.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

A Honey of a Card...

2010-07-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

I saw these cute cards on Stampin' Connection (a website just for Stampin' Up Demonstrators). The demonstrator who designed them had tutorials for sale with the templates, and while I'm sure people put a lot of time into making their tutorials and I am sure they are well worth the money, I have to admit - I'm Cheap! I don't like paying for tutorials because I usually only make a project once or twice, then I move on to something else.

So I decided I would just make my own template for this card and I did. It took a little while to get the pot sketched out and looking good, but I was happy with the end result. This is just basically a pocket card shaped like a honey pot.

You just pull the lid off the honey pot and stamp or write a message on the insert. The original design had punch art bees on it, but I thought this stamp set worked great with this card.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

ps - if you would like to have access to the Stampin' Connection Website, all you have to do is sign up as a Stampin' Up Demonstrator and I would be happy to help you do that, just send me an email.

Sweet Pea Chalkboard

2010-07-03T18:37:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry I didn't get my project posted yesterday. Several things came up including my grandsons VBS program and you know that comes first.

But here it is now. This is actually a chalkboard. It is made with Stampin' Up's Chalkboard Vinyl. I also used some of the now retired Sweet Pea Designer Paper and embellishments. You could put a magnet on the back and then hang it on your fridge or you could just punch some holes at the top and add some ribbon and hang it by that.

There were really easy and quick to make and I think they would make cute, inexpensive gifts.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

New Catalog is Active

2010-07-01T21:03:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry to be posting this so late, but I spent the day with my husband and daughter. We had College Orientation today for my daughter and that seemed just a little bit more important than the new catalog.

I do have a few catalogs here and I have more on the way, so if you would like a catalog just send me an email. For those of you who placed a $50 order online with me this month, thank you and I think I have delivered all of your catalogs. But if someone didn't get one, please let me know.

If you can't wait until you get a catalog in your hands, then you can scroll down on the left side of this blog and there is a picture of the new catalog, just click on it and it will download a pdf file of the new catalog.

I have some new projects that I hope to show you starting tomorrow if all goes well. I'm a little behind things here at home right now so I'm trying to get caught up.

If anyone would like to host a workshop and receive their catalog free, just give me a call or send me an email.

Thanks
Kim

Myer's Baby Contest Can

2010-06-24T14:01:00.002-05:00

Here's Myer's can for the baby contest. I got the idea of doing a Build-a-bear Uncle Sam from Barb. You can check out her wonderful blog HERE . She has lots of great projects.

If you are in our area and would like to vote for Myer, he has a can at Pizza Hut, Bolin Enterprises, and Casey's Gas Station. Remember, all the money goes to the Shriner's.

Thanks for looking and thanks for the inspiration Barb,

Kim

ps - the one thing we forgot to do was to put the muzzle on the bear.

2010-06-24T13:44:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry to say I still haven't done any stamping, so I'm showing you another Itty Bitty Button Card. It's the same design has in the previous post, I've just used different Designer Series Paper and a different button.

I did however help my daughter make some decorated cans for a baby contest that my grandson Myer is going to be in on July 4th. You vote for the "cutest" baby by putting money in the cans, then all the money is donated to the Shriner's Hospital. I will try and get a picture of the cans from my daughter and get them posted. They were almost as cute as my grandson.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Itty Bitty Buttons

2010-06-19T17:33:00.003-05:00

These really are itty bitty buttons that I used on this card. The buttons have a matching stamp set called Itty Bitty Bits of course. And there are also three punches that coordinate with the buttons and stamp set. All of these items are available in the Summer Mini catalog.

This card is a very simple card. I just let the Designer Series Paper be center stage on this card. I stamped a sentiment and added the button with the coordinating stamp. You could really mass produce these cards and just change the sentiment to match the occasion.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

ps - Thanks for the comments, emails and well wishes for my husband Steve, he's getting a little better everyday. It's just not fast enough to suit him though LOL.

Lots of Dots

2010-06-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

That's what this card has - lots of polka dots. This is another "old" one that I haven't posted before (at least I hope not). I'm still not crafting and since I have to start on VBS this week, it's not looking like I'm going to get to anytime in the near future.

I have however cleared off one of my memory cards and have now started on my second, so I do have lots of things to show you. I just need to find the time to post them.

This card uses the stamp from the Happy Moments Sale-a-bration stamp set and the colors are Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo. I'm so glad they are keeping Melon Mambo but I really hate to lose Close to Cocoa.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Magnetic Boards

2010-06-17T17:41:00.004-05:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted in such a long time, but I think I have a good reason this time. My husband has been sick. He's doing better now and it was never life threatening, although I wondered for a while. After three trips to his doctor, a trip to the ER, a couple of nights in the hospital, tons of blood work, X-rays, Cat Scans, Colonoscopy....they finally discovered what was wrong with him. HE HAS MONO! Can you believe it? It's ok to snicker a little bit, I did when I found out. The doctor said he had never seen anyone his age have it before - he's 54. Our daughter had it about three years ago, but it was completely different symptons. We were just thankful that it wasn't anything more serious, although it will take him several weeks to recover.

So that's my excuse, do you think it's a good one? So I haven't done any crafting for the last few weeks and the project I'm showing you now is an old one (and the picture isn't very good). I just had never posted it before. I have made several of these and used them for hostess gifts for my last club. They are very simple to make but the ladies really seemed to like them. These magnetic boards are made from step flashing covered with Designer Series Paper and the butterflies are magnets.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Thank You

2010-06-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, this is the last one for today. I know you are seeing these cards one day at a time, but I have scheduled all these posts on Saturday when I should have been working on the church bulletin.

I can't really tell you much about this card, I made it so long ago that I don't even remember the name of the stamp set I used. I know it was an old hostess set, but I would have to go through a ton of sets to find this one and get the name for you.

I do remember that I watercolored it with Stampin' Up's Watercolor Pencils. And I am pretty sure that the cardstock is More Mustard, Rose Red and Soft Suede.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

Graduation Card

2010-06-08T07:00:00.002-05:00

I really should be working on the church bulletin instead of scheduling these posts, but I have found several cards that I haven't posted yet and I really thought I should get this graduation card in. I know lots of seniors haven't had their graduation ceremony yet, but for us it is all over with.

This is the male version of the grad card I posted earlier. Instead of the lacy shirt and pearl buttons, I added a tie on this one.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Chocolate Chip Flowers

2010-06-07T07:00:00.002-05:00

Here is another Flower Brad Card. This is the same layout as yesterday's post, just different colors. If you don't have any of these great brads, don't worry. I hear (although I don't have my new catalog yet) that they will be in the new catalog in new colors. You will definitely want to add some of these to your order.

I am trying to clean off the pictures from my camera card, so I am scheduling posts as I come across cards that I haven't posted yet. So check back often this week.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Flower Brad Card

2010-06-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

A while back I made several of these "Flower Brad" Cards. These are real quick and simple cards to make. I left the sentiment off for now. I will add one from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set as I need the cards.

This card uses the retiring Barely Banana cardstock and the Razzleberry Lemonade designer paper. This is also a great way to use up those little scraps of paper, and I save every last little piece. The stem was stamped using the image from the Cheap Talk Stamp set. If you don't have any of these cool flower brads, you could use buttons instead.

Thanks for looking,
Kim

May 2010 Stamp Club Projects

2010-06-05T12:14:00.002-05:00

Here are the three projects that we did for stamp camp last month. The first card was cased from Tami White. The second card used the set King of the Grill from the new Summer Mini. I really like that set. And the last project is actually a brag book. The inside used the clear envelopes that Stampin' Up sells and this is where you insert your pictures.

I think everyone really liked this project as most of the clubbers ordered the clear envelopes to make more of these cute brag books. You can make them for any occasion and jazz them up as much as you want. I had in mind just general family pictures for this one as the saying in the middle is "memories". I printed the "memories" stamp from My Digital Studio program as I don't own the actual stamp set. Although I am not much of a "scrapper", I'm really finding a lot of uses for this program. I might even attempt a full blown scrapbook some day.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

Retirement Time Again

2010-06-01T20:59:00.002-05:00

It's time for Stampin' Up's annual retirement of stamps and accessories.

Hundreds of products from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring. Now is the last chance for you to get them before they're gone for good! Some items have even been specially priced.

While the retiring stamp sets are available through June 30, the retiring accessories are only available while supplies last.

To get the latest information on what is still available, click on the Last Chance Link on the left of my blog.

Kim

It's the Berries...

2010-05-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

We had our last Stamp Club meeting tonight for this round. I'm always so excited when we start a new club, but always ready for a break when they are over. But I miss seeing everyone each month.

This month was Debbie's turn to be hostess and she fixed one of my very favorite desserts. I don't even know what it's called, but Debbie has been with me since I started my first club 5 years ago and has fixed this dessert several times.

It has Angel Food cake, ice cream, strawberries and I think pudding in it. Al I know for sure, it is good! So since Debbie usually makes this dessert for me, I made her this strawberry basket with some strawberry covered chocolates in it. You heard me right - strawberry covered chocolates - the strawberries have chocolate kisses on the inside.

So thanks Debbie for the dessert (and your dip was pretty darn good too) and a big THANK YOU to all the ladies who participated in club this year.

Thanks for looking,

Kim

April Stamp Club (part 3)

2010-05-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

When I first started Stamp Club this time around, I had the ladies fill out a survey on the type of projects they would like, what things I could do differently, and where I could improve my stamp clubs. They were all very nice with their comments and for the most part liked the way I conducted my clubs - aren't they sweet - but they did give me a few suggestions.

One of the suggestions were for some simpler, flat cards that could by easily mailed. I tend to put ribbon or brads on almost all my cards, which can add to the cost of postage. So here was a simple, flat card. Just Stamps, Ink, and Paper (SIP Card). Ok, I did add just a little glitter even though my husband banned glitter from the house. We even used Stampin' Up's notecards and envelopes, so that really makes this a fast card

Thanks for looking,

Kim

April 2010 Stamp Club (part 2)

2010-05-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

For my Stamp Clubs, I usually do two cards and a 3-D project of some kind. Here is April's project. This cute little bag is made from the Sweet Pea Designer Series paper that was available in the Occasions Mini. If you really like this paper, you can still get it as a My Digital Studio Download. Then you won't ever have to worry about running out.

This bag is the perfect size to hold a set of A2 cards.

Thanks for looking,

Kim