Hello Kitty Tag Mania

I got my Hello Kitty stamps this weekend and the first thing I thought to do was make gift tags for one of my best friends, Kelli.  I think it's an understatement to say she loves Hello Kitty.  She has EVERYTHING Hello Kitty.  Not only is Kel an HK fanatic, but she's also one of the most generous people I know.  She's always giving gifts, so how perfect would this be?  She can just put a tag on a gift and it's good to go!

I stamped the images on some shimmery Cryogen cardstock and punched it out. I sponged the edges with Distress Ink and layered it with a cut out using Spellbinders Blossom.  I used various DP for the tags that were cut out from Sizzix Tags, Scallop Combo #2.  I also cut out white cardstock using the same Sizzix die and backed each DP (with glue stick) to make the tag sturdy.  Then I stamped the "to" and "from" and added a ribbon.  It's always fun to ink up new stamps!  I made a set of twelve tags and I'll drop them in the mail tomorrow!

Supplies:

• Stamps: PSA Essentials Hello Kitty, Waltzingmouse Fancy Phrases
• DP:  My Mind's Eye Sweetie Pie Strawberry, My Mind's Eye Alphabet Soup, Jillibean Soup Ground Ginger, 
• Dies: Sizzix Tags, Scallop Combo #2, Spellbinders Blossom
• Punch: 1-1/4" Circle
• Distress Inks, Ribbon

Bird in Distress

I'm still having fun experimenting with the Ranger Distress Inks and this is another sample I came up with for the class I taught.  I used a Hero Arts bird image from a Valentine's cling set and found it's versatile for all occasions.  I also used this image in the scrapbook page I posted a few days ago.  Distressing music sheets or pages from a book gives another layer of interest to the card.  Top it off with some linen thread and heart punches and...viola!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Hero Arts Hugs & Kisses Birds
• Inks: Distress Stormy Sky, Peeled Paing, Wild Honey, Vintage Photo
• Punches: SU Heart to Heart, EK Success Small Heart
• Copics, Linen Thread

Christmas Tag Swap

I signed up for Kyoko's monthly tag swap and the rules for play were simple; make three similar Christmas tags. I tried out this adorable gingerbread man punch and love it!   He's just too cute.  I have to mention a tool that came in handy for using this punch and all its pieces.  Bravo for the Quic Kutz Quick Stik.  It made picking up the small pieces so much easier.  My swap partner was Myra and I hope she enjoyed the tags.

I had so much fun making the tags for the swap so I kept on playing and trying different paper combinations.  I didn't put the black dots here for the eyes because I wasn't sure if I like them better in or not. Also used SU's new glass glitter.  I like this chunky sparkly look.

Supplies:

• Punch: EK Success Gingerbread Man
• Paper: October Afternoon, Doodlebug
• Glitter: SU Glass Glitter (champagne)
• Cardstock, Ribbon, White Bead

Karber Fever

If you haven't checked out the new Karber Digi Store, it's worth a look see, as they say.  These images are so cute and cheery they're hard to resist.  I learned how to make this gift card holder at the Island Girl's Social event this past Saturday where Teri had some great make and takes (Thanks Teri).  I enhanced it slightly by adding designer paper to the front, but it's little Thinker Leslie that really steals the show.

Supplies:

• Stamp: Karber Thinker Leslie
• Paper: Cosmo Cricket Apron Strings
• Punch: Marvy 2" Circle
• Spellbinders: Scalloped Circle
• Diamond Glaze
• Crystal Stickles
• Copics

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Fall

I got my hands on some of the new Imaginisce fall papers and I love how there are a few coordinating designs.  I thought the trees were so cute and some even have words like "fall" written into them - Here they are as the focal point in this card.  The sentiments and acorns were border images so I just cut and paste.  Easy peasy!

Supplies:

• Paper: Imaginisce Apple Cider 
• Punch: Fiskars Apron Lace Border

Halloween in August

A lot of Halloween craft supplies are in stores now and my head is spinning with ideas as I think about what to do for my projects this year.  So to get warmed up, I colored this Pink Cat Studio cutie and put this card together.  I'm probably the only person who didn't have a bat punch so I finally got the new one from SU- and I love it!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Itty Bitty Halloween
• Punches: SU Bat, MS Drippy Goo 
• Spellbinders: Labels Four
• Paper: Making Memories Spook Alley
• Copics

Wreath of Sympathy

I needed a sympathy card so I decided to try a wreath of flowers and this is what I came up with.  I cut out a circle from the center of the card using a Spellbinder circle and placed various flower punches around creating a wreath.  Not sure if you can see the dimension, but then I stamped my sentiment on cream cardstock and popped it up on the inside of the card so it looks recessed.

For the inside of the card, I used Spellbinders Labels Four combined with Walzingmouse Stamps' coordinating Vintage Labels Four stamp for the pink border (Victorian Velvet Distress Ink). I also made a pocket for the check we will be giving.
Supplies:

• Punches: SU Boho Blossoms, SU Two-Step Bird, Marvy 1" Circle
• Paper: Creative Imaginations Samantha Walker
• Stamp: Amy R Sympathy Sentiments, SU Hostess Punch Potpourri, Waltzingmouse Vintage Labels Four
• Spellbinders Circles, Spellbinders Labels Four

My First Scrapbook Page

I'm not a scrapbooker at all, but the girls at Island Scrapbooking decided to put together a scrapbook as a farewell gift for our special friend Donna.  Donna and her husband are moving to New Zealand sometime next month to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law.  The task was outside my comfort zone because I've never done a scrapbook page before, but I was up for the challenge.  The idea was to put our photo and contact info on the page so she would remember us and keep in touch.  I changed the concept a few times before it all came together, but once I got going, it was a lot of fun.

Supplies:

• Stamps, Hero Arts Hugs and Kisses Birds, Hero Arts Heart Flourish
• Paper: October Afternoon Ducks in a Row - Sleep Tight
• Doily: MS die-cut lace tags
• Punch: MS grass edge punch
• Prima hydrangeas and leaves
• Copics
• Pearls

Journal Card and Some Felt Flowers

It's been fun to see what's being done with journal papers and stamps.  I've been inspired by so many great ideas and made this journal card from the Hero Arts' Ledger Cling Stamp.  It's embellished with some felt flowers cut from a Hello Kitty Sizzix die and I used PTI's 100% wool felt.  I LOVE this felt because it's 100% wool and cuts like "buttah!"  The edges of the DP and journal card are distressed with Ranger's Vintage Photo and the lace ribbon is a great new item from SU.  Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

Camouflage Birthday

I used to be good about being on time with people's birthday gifts but since my son was born, that all changed.  So here's a gift for my brother that I finally got in the mail (it's almost 2 months late)  I used the wrapping paper to make a coordinating card, but it came out a little more "halloween-ish" than I expected. Maybe I should have used more green and black with orange just as an accent.   Anyway, it was fun to create and I hope my brother likes the gift.

Back From Summer Vacation

I'm back from vacation and ended up staying on Oahu almost an extra week.  My son was having so much fun and my mom and dad invited us to stay longer so without any hesitation I took them up on the offer.  My brother, sister-in-law and 4-year-old twin nieces were visiting from L.A. and we all stayed at my parent's house.  Although it was somewhat chaotic, we had a blast!   My poor husband had to return to reality after a week's vacation, but we did a lot while he was there and a good time was had by all.

I'm finally settled back in here at home and my crafting mojo is flowing again.  This card was made with cute cut-outs from Kanban.  Don't they just make your heart smile?  They just punch out (no coloring or stamping) and the characters have such cute backs to them.  I made this for a baby shower we threw for our Island Scrapbooking friend Kelli.  We had an early shower for her since our other IS friend Donna is sadly leaving us and moving to New Zealand in a few weeks. 

Anyway, that's it for now.  I hope you're all enjoying your summer!