Be Joyful

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

These are verses I memorized years ago and they are written on my heart. There are times when I still need to remember not to be anxious, but I eventually listen to my heart saying these verses. I didn't really understand what the "peace of God" was until I experienced it. It's having peace inside you, even when you're going through heartbreaking situations and trials. It does "surpass ALL understanding" and you know it comes from GOD alone. Praise the Lord for His wonderful promises!


I love, love, love what I do. I am passionate about the things I create and the talents God has placed in me. I SO appreciate the time you take to look at my things and the comments you all leave me!

Blessings to you!

Kathy

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Majestic Morning Elegant Tag - Heartfelt Creations


Happy Wednesday!

It's time for a little Heartfelt Creations inspiration!  This week I have a beautiful floral tag for you!




The base of the tag is made with Spellbinders 5x7 Elegant Labels 4.  The pretty designer paper mat is from the Raindrops on Rose Paper Collection which I used for the color scheme on the Majestic Morning flowers, Burst of Splendor leaves and Garden Romance butterflies. The white "hearts" tucked behind the flowers are from the Raindrops on Roses Die that I cut into pieces.

If this reminds you of my Majestic Blooms Box I posted last month here, that would be because I made these at the same time!  I really love how both projects turned out with these pretty colors and textures!

Be sure to visit the HC Blog to see the beautiful creations by the designers this week!  Also, HC is announcing the new designers and ones that will be leaving the team.  Very sad to see the ladies leave, but I am looking forward to working with the new designers.

I'm submitting this to the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #156 - Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers #126 - Cut It Out (die cuts or punches)
Really Reasonable Ribbon #105 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Kathy


Majestic Morning Elegant Tag

Heartfelt Creations Products and Products Carried by HC:

HCPC 3578 - Majestic Morning Background PreCut Set
HCPC 3545 - Open Leaf PreCut Set
HCPC 3480 - Brookside Manor PreCut Set
HCD 742 - Majestic Blooms Die
HCD 736 - Classic Leaf Die
HCD 743 - Raindrops on Roses Die
HCD 723 - Garden Romance Die
HCDP1 240 - Raindrops on Roses Paper Collection
452255 - Grand Calibur
459222 - McGill Paper Blossoms Tool Kit
159223 - McGill Paper Blossoms Molding Mat
Other Products:

Paper: Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Peeled Paint Distress (Ranger)
Accessories: Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko), glue gun, splat mat (Darice), White 1/4" Silk Ribbon (May Arts), Bow-Easy Tool, 1.5” White Netting, String Beads Pearlized (Really Reasonable Ribbon), adhesive pearls, Diamond Stickles (Ranger), Spellbinders Labels 4 & 5x7 Elegant Labels 4 Dies, mineral spirits, Prismacolor Pencils: Clay Rose, Rosy Beige, Black Cherry.

Instructions:

For tag base, die cut 2 Elegant Labels 4 with white card stock and glue wrong sides together using Metal Glue Tip and Art Institute Dries Clear Glue. Using floral designer paper (Raindrops on Roses) and Labels 4, die cut piece and glue to tag.

Stamp flowers (Majestic Morning Background), leaves (Open Leaf) and butterflies (Brookside Manor) on Solar White with Onyx Black. Color flowers and butterflies with pencils and mineral spirits and leaves with Peeled Paint Ink. Die cut all with matching dies and shape with mat and tool kit as desired. I used 9 of the flowers to create 3 different size flowers and 1 bud.

Die cut the Decorative Heart Topper (Raindrops on Roses Die) using white card stock and trim into 3 hearts. Trim piece of white netting and tie center into a fake bow. Trim thank you tag from designer paper. Make multi-loop bow with silk ribbon and Bow-Easy Tool. Trim piece of string beads (approximately 4"). Assemble all as shown arranging flowers and leaves over hearts using glue gun. Tuck netting, string beads and tag under flowers and leaves on bottom and glue in place. Add adhesive pearls and add butterflies as pictured. Add Stickles around pearl in flower center. Spray with Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz and let dry. Add ribbon to top of tag tying to each side.


Monday, October 27, 2014

Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #18 - Layer It!


Happy Monday!

This is my second creation as a guest designer for the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog this month!  This time the challenge is to Layer It!

Challenge #18 Layer It!
One good way to use your hoard is to use lots of it all at once! So, let's see those layers! We need to see at least THREE layers on your project! (Ink, paint, embossing, and mixed media products do count as layers!) Drag out all of that hoarded paper or those embossing folders that are in the back of the drawer. Use those stamps, dies, and punches! Show us the layers!

Here is my take on the challenge this week which includes lots of layers!




For the image, I used an old Stampin' Up set called Because I Care. This was stamped on Solar White card stock with Onyx Black Ink, then colored with pencils and mineral spirits.  I stamped the image a second time to color a few extra flowers that I then fussy cut to add add an extra layer to some of the flowers.  Before added the extra flowers, I cut it with Labels 18 Spellbinders Die.  I added this to a Night of Navy mat cut with Labels 18 die next size up.  The image was added to the mat with pop dots.

I made an a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card base with Night of Navy.  I cut a white mat measuring 4 1/16" x 5 5/8" and embossed it with Framed Tulips Embossing Folder.  A piece of Olive Wrinkled Ribbon was wrapped around the mat, secured in the back and then the mat was glued to the base.

I added to image to the base with pop dots, then added Nestabling for Labels 18 by Want-2-Scrap to both the image and mat.  The flower centers were dotted with White Opal Liquid Pearls.  For the remaining embellishments, I added a 3 loop bow, a blue pre-made flower from Recollections and a little angel charm.  That's a lot of layers for sure!

Hope you can join in the challenge this week at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

I'm also submitting this to the Word Art Wednesday Challenge #155 - Anything Goes.

Card recipe:

Stamp: Because I Care (SU)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Night of Navy (SU)
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 18, Olive Wrinkled Ribbon, Bow-Easy Tool (Really Reasonable Ribbon), flower (Recollections), Nestabling Labels 18 (Want2Scrap), White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Framed Tulips Embossing Folder (SU), mineral spirits, Prismacolor Pencils: Blue Violet Lake, Imperial Violet, Violet Blue, Olive Green, Sage Green.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Kathy






Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Blue Sunflowers Card & Note Holder - Heartfelt Creations


Good morning!

It's Wednesday again and time for some Heartfelt Creations inspiration!  This week I have a card and Post-It note & pen holder set to show you using the Classic Sunflower Collection.  I just LOVE this collection!!!




To color these I used a technique I found here called Highlight Emboss Resist by Kelly Acheson.  It's similar to a technique I already do with chalk inks on my flowers, but with this technique you highlight the image for a background.  Pairing the technique together with the sponged flowers is a beautiful combination!

Here is the card by itself.




And a little closeup of the flower and the technique used.  I used VersaMark Watermark Ink and detail clear embossing powder for the images and then colored with Nautical Blue Ink using a sponge.  I love the monotone color and this beautiful shade of blue with the white.  I added extra sponging where shadows might appear to give it a little depth.




Here's the post-it note holder and pen set.




And a side view for you.




These are so simple to make and make really cute gifts when packaged up!  I made a bunch of these for craft shows and gifts in the past.  I think I may make some of these for Christmas gifts this year!  Using this coloring technique will make them quick and easy to color too!

Be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations Blog to see all the beautiful creations by the designers this week!

I'm submitting this to the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #155 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today!

Blessings!

Kathy


Sunflowers In Blue Card

Heartfelt Creations Products and Products Carried by HC:

HCPC 3626 - Classic Sunflower PreCut Set
HCPC 3627 - Sunflower Stem PreCut Set
HCPC 3628 - Sunflower Bouquet PreCut Set
HCPC 3545 - Open Leaf PreCut Set
HCD 753 - Classic Sunflower Die
HCD2 750 - Cut Mat Create 1B Die
HCD2 751 - Cut Mat Create 2A Die
HCD 736 - Class Leaf Die
452255 - Grand Calibur
368770 - Scor-Pal
459222 - McGill Paper Blossoms Tool Kit
159223 - McGill Paper Blossoms Molding Mat
Other Products: Paper: Solar White (Neenah), blue (Recollections); Ink: Nautical Blue (Memento), VersaMark Watermark; Accessories: Heat Tool, sponge, blue fibers, orange stick, Detail Clear Embossing Powder (Stampendous), pop dots, Fast Grab Tacky Glue (Aleene's).

Instructions: Make top folded card base with blue card stock measuring 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". Cut blue mat measuring 4 1/16" x 5 5/16". Cut Solar White 3 7/8" x 5 1/8". With VersaMark Ink, stamp corner treatment (Sunflower Stem Set) on bottom left and partial sunflower (Sunflower Stem) on top right, then heat emboss with clear embossing powder. Stamp sentiment as pictured with Nautical Blue Ink. Using a sponge and Nautical Blue Ink, add color to image using the Highlighted Emboss Resist Technique found here. Glue image to blue mat, wrap fibers across as shown 3 times securing in back, then add to card base with pop dots. With blue card stock, die cut 2 small vines from Cut Mat Create 1B Die and 1 small leaf from Cut Mat Create 2A Die.

Stamp Classic Sunflower and Open Leaf (8-leaf stem) images on Solar White with VersaMark and heat emboss with clear embossing powder. Die cut with Classic Sunflower Die. Select 2 medium flowers and sponge with Nautical Blue Ink. Ink leaf stem and pinch leaves. Shape flowers with orange stick and mat and tool kit as desired and glue together. Pinch leaves on blue vines with fingers. Arrange all as pictured cutting the leaves in pieces and glue down using Art Institute Glue.



Sunflowers In Blue Post-It Note & Pen Holder

Heartfelt Creations Products and Products Carried by HC:

HCPC 3626 - Classic Sunflower PreCut Set
HCPC 3628 - Sunflower Bouquet PreCut Set
HCPC 3554 - Love At Christmas PreCut Set
HCD 753 - Classic Sunflower Die
HCD2 750 - Cut Mat Create 1B Die
452255 - Grand Calibur
368770 - Scor-Pal
459222 - McGill Paper Blossoms Tool Kit
159223 - McGill Paper Blossoms Molding Mat

Other Products: Paper: Solar White (Neenah), blue (Recollections); Ink: Nautical Blue (Memento), VersaMark Watermark; Accessories: Heat Tool, sponge, orange stick, Detail Clear Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Post-It Note Pad, Scor-Tape, Gel Mini Pen (office supply store).

Instructions: With blue card stock, make Post-It note and pen holder base using technique found here.

To decorate, cut white card stock measuring 2 7/8" x 3". Stamp sentiment on top right with Nautical Blue Ink. Stamp corner treatment from Sunflower Bouquet Set on lower left with VersaMark and heat emboss with Detail Clear Embossing Powder. Use Highlighted Emboss Resist Technique found here to color the image using Nautical Blue Ink and sponge. Stamp Classic Sunflower image in same manner, select 3 small flowers and sponge with Nautical Blue. Shape flower with orange stick (or pen) and mat and tool kit. Pinch leaves on blue vines with fingers. Arrange all as pictured and glue down with Art Institute Glue.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Nuts and Bolts - Heartfelt Creations & Really Reasonable Ribbon


Happy Wednesday!

I'm back again with another card using the new All Geared Up Collection released last week by Heartfelt Creations.  This time I'm using the Nuts and Bolts Set.




I stamped the image with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and colored it with pencils and mineral spirits. (You can click on the photo for a closer view.) The 'frame' was made using one of the card fronts from the designer papers that I trimmed.

Today we are also doing a cross-promotional blog hop with Really Reasonable Ribbon - my favorite place to buy ribbon!!!  I used their gorgeous Copper Forest Silk Ribbon and Bow-Easy Tool to make this beautiful bow!  I love the way their silk ribbon drapes, so pretty and the 2 tones on the ribbon really make an eye-catching bow!

Be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations Blog and the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog to see all the beautiful creations by the designers this week!

I'm submitting this to the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #154 - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps & More #117 - Make Your Mark

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Kathy


Nuts and Bolts

Heartfelt Creations Products and Products Carried by HC:

HCPC 3633 - Nuts and Bolts PreCut Set
HCDP1 248 - All Geared Up Paper Collection
452255 - Grand Calibur
368770 - Scor-Pal
SMP001 - Stamp Mat Pad

Other Products:

Paper: Natural White (Neenah), Fudgesicle, French Roast, Aegean (Coredinations)
Ink: Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Copper Forest Silk Ribbon, Bow-Easy Tool (Really Reasonable Ribbon), cutting mat, craft knife, button, floss, adhesive pearls, mineral spirits, Prismacolor Pencils: Jade Green, Celadon Green, Muted Turquoise, Ginger Root, Light Umber, Chocolate, Dark Brown, Black.

Instructions: Make top fold card base with French Roast measuring 4" x 5 1/4". Cut mat 3 3/4" x 5" with Aegean and ink edges lightly with Vintage Photo. Cut mat 3 1/2" x 4 3/4" with Fudgesicle and ink edges with Vintage Photo. Glue two mats together and add to base with pop dots.

Stamp image on Natural White with Vintage Photo and color with pencils and mineral spirits. Cut card front (pictured) from designer paper and trim outside and center oval as shown. (I used a craft knife and cutting mat to cut out the oval shape.) Ink edges with Vintage Photo. Add image behind card front as shown with pop dots and add to mats. Make triple loop bow with Bow-Easy tool and add as pictured with glue dots. Add floss to button and add to bow center with glue dots. Add adhesive pearls.




Monday, October 13, 2014

Guest Designer Craft Hoarders Anonymous


Happy Monday!

I'm so excited to be a guest designer this month for the Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog! I love Gloria Stengel's work and she's put together a really fun challenge blog for all of us! Here is the challenge going on right now:


Challenge #17 Happy Fall, Y'all!
Many of us like to purchase NEW seasonal products EVERY season. What happens to last year's fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving products? We HOARD them! Drag out those hoarded fall-themed items and make a project to share with us! You can make something for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any other fall or harvest celebration!



**You have until October 19th, 11:50 pm PT to enter the challenge here.


Here's my rather clean and simple card for the challenge this week!




In following the challenge theme, I used an old stamped image from my stash. I keep uncolored stamped images together in a recipe card box and found this one in there from a LONG time ago. (If you are interested in craft room organization tips, you can read more about my using recipe card boxes on my post here.) I used watercolor paper to stamp the image on which tells me it was from a few years ago!  I don't even remember the last time I used watercolor paper! I colored the image with pencils and mineral spirits and then fussy cut it. You know, it's not easy to fussy cut watercolor paper!

The card base is made using Mocha Devine card stock and measures 4 1/4" square. I added a So Saffron mat measuring 4 1/16" square and stamped it with a sentiment using Rich Cocoa. I then partially embossed the mat with Square Lattice Embossing Folder and added a piece of Brown Twill across to cover the embossed edge. This was added with pop dots to the card base.

I added the image to the mat using pop dots and finished the card with a couple of rhinestones on the top right and microbeads sparsely added to the flower centers of the image.

Card recipe:

Stamps: Sunflower II (Rubber Stampede), Season of Thanks (SU)
Paper: Watercolor, Mocha Devine (Bazzills), So Saffron (SU)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Accessories: Brown Twill (Really Reasonable Ribbon), rhinestones (Want 2 Scrap), Antique Copper Microbeads (Recollections), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (SU), pop dots, mineral spirits, Prismacolor Pencils: Yellow Ochre, Goldenrod, Burnt Ochre, Chocolate, Black, Kelp Green, Marine Green.

Thanks for stopping by to visit today!

Blessings!

Kathy



Friday, October 10, 2014

You Inspire Me - Heartfelt Creations


Happy Friday!

I'm back again with another card for Heartfelt Creations using the new All Geared Up Collection that was released on Wednesday!




This card is a little more soft and feminine than my first one.  The collection is perfect for masculine projects, but can be used for feminine ones too!

I'm submitting this to the Word Art Wednesday Challenge #153 - Anything Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Kathy


You Inspire Me

Heartfelt Creations Products and Products Carried by HC:

HCPC 3632 - Plates and Gears PreCut Set
HCPC 3635 - Shifting Gears PreCut Set
HCD 754 - All Geared Up Die
HCPC1 248 - All Geared Up Paper Collection
452255 - Grand Calibur
368770 - Scor-Pal
459222 - McGill Paper Blossoms Tool Kit
159223 - McGill Paper Blossoms Molding Mat
Other Products:

Paper: White (Recollections), tan, (DCWV - Neutrals), Ocean Tides (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Ocean Tides (Palette), Sahara Sand (VersaMagic)
Accessories: Ivory Burlap String (May Arts), Bow-Easy Tool, button (stash), glue dots, pop dots, Fast Grab Tacky Glue (Aleenes).

Instructions: Make 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card base with Ocean Tides. Cut tan mat measuring 4 1/16" x 5 5/16". Cut light aqua designer paper 3 7/8" x 5 1/8", ink edges with Ocean Tides, then using Sahara Sand Ink, stamp floral image (Plates and Gears) on lower left and stamp spray image (Shifting Gears) on top right corner. Glue the 2 mats together and add to card base with pop dots. Using the All Geared Up Die, cut 1 small flower and 1 circle from tan card stock and 3 leaves from Ocean Tides card stock.  Ink leaves and small flower with Ocean Tides and shape as desired. Stamp sentiment (Plates and Gears) on white with Ocean Tides and cut with matching die. Ink edges with Sahara Sand and Ocean Tides. Glue circle die cut to mat as shown, then add sentiment with pop dots. Make multi-loop string bow with bow tool. Add all elements together as pictured. (The tan flower is cut into 2 pieces and added on top of each other.) Thread string in buttons and adhere to card with glue dots.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Your Special Day - Heartfelt Creations


Happy Wednesday!

It's time for the new release for October, the All Geared Up Collection!

Shift your creativity into high gear with the All Geared Up collection from Heartfelt Creations! This imaginative mix of gears, cogs, and mechanical flowers uses deep shades of rust, brown, teal, red and cream to create a fabulous industrial vibe. Clever vanity license plates, chains, wire, rugged stripes and distressed graphics mesh perfectly with Steampunk or masculine projects, and will keep your wheels turning with ideas for "girly grunge" creations, too. The versatile All Geared Up dies feature fanciful sprockets, gears, cogs, chains and license plates that can be shaped into innovative 3-D embellishments or die cut from white cardstock to create beautiful doily accents. Six hand drawn stamp sets continue the mechanical theme with a large Cogs and Gears background stamp, themed accent stamps, mechanical bouquets and playful sentiments that are "geared" to carry your project across the finish line with a smile. The All Geared Up Collection has been designed to inspire the bold in you....so let's gear up!

My first project with this collection is called "Your Special Day".  I love this teal and brown color combination!




Such beautiful and rich colors in the designer papers!  I heat embossed the main image on the designer paper using Clear Bark Embossing Powder.  I then added a mechanical flower with Brown Gala Glitz, leaves, some Natural Jute Ribbon and a brad.  You can see the complete instructions for this at the bottom of my post.

Be sure to visit the HC Blog and see all the awesome projects by the designers this week and a new video by Emma Lou showing you some fun techniques!

I'm submitting this to the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday #153 - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps & More #116 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Kathy


Your Special Day

Heartfelt Creations Products and Products Carried by HC:

HCPC 3634 - Tarnished Gears PreCut Set
HCD 754 - All Geared Up
HCD 745 - Luggage & Tags Die
HCDP1 248 - All Geared Up Paper Collection
452255 - Grand Calibur
368770 - Scor-Pal

9brn - Brown Gala Glitz

Other Products:

Paper: Early Espresso (SU), Aegean (Coredinations)
Ink: VersaMark Watermark (Tsukineko), Java (PowderPuffs - Quick Quotes)
Accessories: Clear Bark Embossing Powder (Recollections), Brown Twill, 1.5" Jute Ribbon Natural (Really Reasonable Ribbon), brad (Bo Bunny - Weekend Market), orange stick, pop dots, Fast Grab Tacky Glue (Aleenes).

Instructions: Make card base with Early Espresso measuring 5 3/8" square. Cut mat with Aegean card stock measuring 5 3/16" square and ink edges with Java Ink. Cut striped designer paper (dp) 5" x 1 1/2" and cut teal/brown dp 5" x 3 1/2". Stamp image (as pictured) on teal/brown dp with VersaMark and heat emboss with Clear Bark Embossing Powder. Ink the two papers with Java and glue down as pictured to Aegean mat. Cover seam of two papers with Brown Twill and secure in back of mat. Add to card base with pop dots. Cut ticket sentiment from dp with Luggage & Tags Die, ink edges with Java and add as pictured with pop dots.

Die cut 2 leaves from Early Espresso and 3 from Aegean. Die cut 1 small flower with Early Espresso and 1 from teal/brown dp. Shape all pieces with orange stick or pen as desired and ink with Java. Trim pieces of Jute Ribbon and add as shown using Fast Grab Tacky Glue. (For the "bow" on top right, I removed a couple of the fibers in the middle and tied it to shape into a bow.) Add leaves and flower as shown using Fast Grab Tacky Glue. Add clock face brad to "bow" center. Add Brown Gala Glitz to flower center using Art Institute Glue Dries Clear.



Monday, October 6, 2014

Creative Blog Hop


Happy Monday!

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from a sweet friend, Chris Olsen, who I use to work with on the Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge Team.  Chris told me about something called the Creative Blog Hop and gave me a couple of examples of what it was.

The Creative Blog Hop is an ongoing blog hop that works on a nominating system where I am to nominate 2-3 other designers whom I admire and inspire me.  The idea is to learn more about designers in blogland by asking and answering 4 questions.

I was very honored to be nominated by Chris (you can read about it here) as someone who inspires her, especially where she is one amazingly creative person that inspires me!  To top it off, Chris is one of the sweet ladies I know and a dear sister in Christ!  If you don't know Chris, please take a few minutes to visit her blog and see the gorgeous creations she makes!  Here's a little sample of Chris' work...wow!


And another beauty created by Chris...



Isn't Chris' work stunning?  Her work has definitely always inspired me!


Here are the questions I am to answer:

1. What am I working on right now?

I am currently working as a designer for Heartfelt Creations.  I just finished a couple of projects for them that will be posted in a couple of weeks and I am about to start working on their new release for November.

Here is my latest project I posted for Heartfelt Creations this past week. This was colored with chalk inks.



In addition to designing for Heartfelt Creations, I also do administrative work for them behind the scenes as paid work.  This has been a huge blessing for me to earn a little money at home after being a stay home mom for the past 15 years.  (I can't believe it's been that long!)  I had been praying for something I could do to earn money and still be at home for my sons and to continue doing design work.  I knew if I went to work full-time outside the home, my creating time would be very limited if at all.  Heartfelt Creations was a tremendous answer to my prayers and they are a wonderful company to work for!

A verse I memorized many years ago in Ephesians always comes to mind when I think of what I prayed for and what God did in my life.  “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...” Ephesians 4:20.  This is one of those times that God did far more than I asked for or could have imagined and  I'm so thankful to have Him in my life!

2. How does my design work differ from others in my genre?

My work is similar to a lot of other people.  We all get creative ideas and inspiration from each other.  I do like my designs to be balanced and not overly done.  I'm kind of a perfectionist and will sometimes agonize over the slightest details on my designs like where to put an adhesive pearl or button to finish the design.  I drive myself crazy sometimes with this!

Another thing I do differently from a lot of people is color images with pencils and mineral spirits.  Many people now use markers like Copic, etc., but I just love using my pencils!  I love to find the perfect colors and to use shading to make things come alive.  Here's one of my more recent projects I made.  The flowers and butterfly were colored with pencils to match the designer paper on the background.




I am very focused on color in my designs.  I can be very picky about the colors I use on my projects.  It drives my crazy if colors aren't the right shades or tones to be together.  I spend a lot of time on making sure they are.  For example, the sunflowers above were done by layering 4 different colors and blending after each.

3. Why do I create what I do?

I have to create!  God created me to be creative!  It brings me so much joy to take things and create something with my hands! I have done so many different crafts since I was very little and have tons of supplies to prove it!  I love paper crafting because I can do so many different things with it.  I can create a card, a box, an altered project, and add all sorts of supplies from my other crafts to embellish them.  For example, I use to do weaving on a loom and have tons of fibers still.  I love incorporating those natural fibers on my projects.  Here's one of my projects here using blue fibers from my stash that I added to ribbon and twine.




4. How does my creative process work?

When I get a new collection from Heartfelt Creations to work with, I lay everything out and chose an image(s) to work with.  I try to find the perfect colors of papers, ribbons, and embellishments to go with the designer papers and then find the perfect pencil colors that will match.  I have a pencil coloring sample book I used to match them and if I don't have the right one, I try to create it by combining different pencil colors together.  If I still can't come up with the perfect colors, I will sometimes use inks instead to color images using make up applicators.

On a rare occasion, I will think of something I want to make and it will all come together quickly and easily and be just like I pictured it.  About 95% of the time, I have no idea what I'm going to make.  I just start with the image or die cuts and it just gradually develops into something I like.

There are times when I get stumped along the way and I'll have to get up and do something else for a while.  Usually, when I go back to it I see it in a new way and the creative process starts to flow again.  I often pray for God to be with me and my work and help me to create something beautiful.  He never fails me.  Here's one of my projects that took a lot of prayer and I love how it came out.  This is one where I used chalk inks and make-up applicators to color the flowers to match the background designer paper.





So that's a little about me.  Although I don't have anyone in particular to nominate (lots have already done this type of hop, don't have a blog or are very busy), I would like to give you a couple of the MANY people that I admire and that inspire me with their work.

Becca Feeken - Amazing Paper Grace - I just love everything Becca makes, her work is just gorgeous!  Becca is one of the first people I started following and the one that led me to Our Daily Bread Designs originally.

Marisa Job - Designs By Marisa - Marisa's work is just stunning and she is amazingly creative!  Everything she makes is a work of art!  She is one of the few people in blogland that I've actually had the pleasure of meeting in person and she is such a sweet lady!

Pam Simpson - Pams Crafts - I haven't been following Pam for very long, but wow her creations are just beautiful!  I love what she does with die cuts and she definitely inspires me with her work!

Well that just 3 people that I admire and I'm inspired by.  I could list many others, but the list would go on and on! So many talented people out there and it's so wonderful that everyone freely shares their work!

Thank you, Chris, for nominating me for the Creative Blog Hop! Such an honor to be chosen by you!   I could have easily nominated you as an inspiration in return!

Blessings!

Kathy


Thursday, October 2, 2014

Secret Garden Quilt Card


Happy Thursday!

Today I have a quilt card I made for my sister's birthday.  I kept the embellishments to a minimum so I wouldn't be covering up the pretty star pattern.  (Don't look too closely though...I have a little to much spacing between some pieces.)




I made the top quilt piece for this last year with my crafting buddy in California, Brenda.  Sure do miss us crafting together on Thursday nights... :-(  Brenda had a bunch of patterns from her quilting (fabric) folder and we decided on this one here.




We're not sure where this came from so I don't know who to give credit to if needed.  Basically, we cut 1" squares for each block and cut the pieces diagonally for the half squares.  Brenda had a 1" square punch which makes it a lot easier than using a paper cutter.  I can't get perfect 1" squares with my cutter.

This is the same technique I used on my Christmas Quilt Card here back in 2011.  The Quilted Card Technique is originally from Split Coast Stampers in the Resources section here.  It's a fun technique if you want to try it out!

Here's the inside of the card, just a simple sentiment.




Card recipe:

Stamps: Well Scripted (SU)
Paper: Tan, off-white (Recollections), Secret Garden  Patterns & Solids (Graphic 45)
Ink: Soft Suede (SU) for sentiment, Antique Linen Distress (Ranger) for sponging
Accessories: Button, peach floss, Cream Seam Binding, Bow-Easy Tool (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (SU), Labels One, Decorative Labels One (Spellbinders), SU Grid Paper.

I'm submitting this to the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #152 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Blessings!

Kathy


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Sun Kissed Wishes - Heartfelt Creations


Happy Wednesday!

It's that fun time of the week to show you a little inspiration from Heartfelt Creations!

This week I used an older HC release, the Sun Kissed Collection...always one of my favorites!




I love using this technique on stamped images of heat embossing with embossing enamel and coloring with chalk inks and make up sponges.  I love the way it looks and it's so quick and easy to color!  (You can click on the picture to get a closer view if you would like.)

Be sure to visit the HC Blog to see all the beautiful creations by the designers this week!

I'm submitting this to the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge # 152 - Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by to visit!

Blessings!

Kathy


Sunkissed Wishes

Heartfelt Creations Products and Products Carried by HC:

HCPC 3599 - Balloon and Bicycle PreCut Set
HCPC 3533 - Sun Kissed Fleur PreCut Set
HCPC 3537 - Sun Kissed Fleur Swirls PreCut Set
HCD 734 - Sun Kissed Fleur Die
452255 - Grand Calibur
368770 - Scor-Pal
DDOTS - Double Dots
459222 - McGill Paper Blossoms Tool Kit
159223 - McGill Paper Blossoms Molding Mat
Other Products:

Paper: Natural White (Neenah), Apricot Appeal (SU)
Ink: Pumpkin Spice, Spanish Olive (VersaMagic), VersaMark Watermark
Accessories: Scrollwork Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), make-up applicators, glue dots, pop dots, Bow-Easy Tool, Cream Seam Binding (Really Reasonable Ribbon), button, Aged Ivory Embossing Enamel (Stampendous), heat tool, Elegant Ovals (Spellbinders).

Instructions: Make 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card base with Natural White. Cut mat 4 1/16" x 5 5/16" with Apricot Appeal and emboss with Scrollwork Embossing Folder. Add mat to card base with Double Dots. On Natural White with VersaMark Ink, stamps flower image and flowers and heat emboss with Aged Ivory Embossing Enamel applying heat from underneath. Die cut flower image with Elegant Ovals largest die and die cut flowers with matching die. Stamp sentiment next to flower image as pictured with Pumpkin Spice Ink. Color image with inks and make-up applicators. Color an assortment of smaller flowers the same way, shape with mat and tool kit and add to card with glue. Add Lettuce Entertain You Prills to flower centers using Art Institute Glue. Add also to button center using glue dot. Make 3-loop bow with seam binding and Bow-Easy Tool, add button and add to card using glue dots.