My Paper Creations

Happy Winter

The November release stamps are now officially available at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, including four new images from the Crissy's Cuties line, four new images from the Moonlight Whispers line, and a new set of sentiments, called Kimmie's Holiday Sentiments (which includes 44 sentiments!).  To celebrate the new release, we are having a fun blog hop with lots of beautiful creations using the new stamps.  And, as if all that inspiration isn't enough, everyone is giving away a little blog candy, too!  Be sure to leave a comment on each blog stop and check the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps blog on Monday to see if you're one of lucky winners.

I had to use this adorable Antoinette image on one of my sneak peek cards.  Isn't she adorable?!  She's so happy and fun!  I paired her with some My Mind's Eye Be Merry patterned papers and some SU Taken with Teal cardstock.  The buttons are snowflake buttons stacked on spring moss buttons.  I love how they look!

I colored Antoinette with copic markers.  Then, I added some polar white flower soft for some snow along the edge of my "frozen pond," which I covered with dimensional glaze so it resembles real ice.

Your next stop in the blog hop is the amazing Kimmie Reid herself.  Happy hopping and don't forget to leave a comment to win a mystery package of Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  BLOG CANDY is now closed.  Look for the winner to be posted in the morning. *wink*

Niki 

Recipe
Stamps: Antoinette, Kimmie's Holiday Sentiments (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), taken with teal (SU)
Patterned Paper: Be Merry (My Mind's Eye)
Accents: spring moss buttons (Papertrey Ink), snowflake buttons
Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, dimensional glaze (Ranger), polar white flower soft (Flower Soft)

I Love You

 

It's time for another Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps challenge.  This week's challenge is to use buttons.    Ha  That's not a challenge for me since I can't seem to not use them!  Now, that would be a challenge. *wink*  I pulled out the cute little Daisy stamp for my card and colored her with copic markers that coordinate with my My Mind's Eye patterned paper.  I used black cardstock, buttons, and ribbon to help make all the colors really pop.

 

I cut a semi-circle from the edge of my image and a flower ribbon slide for an embellishment. Then, I finished the card off with some black stitching.

Join us in the challenge for a chance to win a free stamp!  Have a great weekend!

Niki

Recipe
Stamps: Daisy Doodle (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Cardstock: white, true black (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Pretty Please (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: tuxedo black (Momento), true black (Papertrey Ink)
Accents: true black stitched ribbon, true black vintage buttons (Papertrey Ink), ribbon slide (SU)
Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, circle nestability die (Spellbinders)

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Holidays!  Is everyone having a good Christmas?  What?  It's not Christmas time yet, you say.  Well, lookie what it was doing here all day today . . .

Crazy weather!  We're up to a couple inches now of really wet, really slippery snow.  You'd think it was getting closer to winter instead of being just the beginning of fall. (photo taken from our front porch out across part of our yard)  My three year old daughter cried more than once today because we wouldn't help her build a snowman.  She just didn't understand that the snow was too wet and wouldn't work for building snowmen.  Poor girl!

Well, icky weather is the perfect time to stamp, right?  I got my card all finished up today and finally get to share a sneak peek of one of the images drawn by Annie Rodrigue for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.  She has such a fun, whimsical style that you don't see very often in rubber stamps. 

 
  
This is Francesca.  I paired her with some patterned papers from the Pretty Please line from My Mind's Eye.  I used one of the diecut flowers under my sentiment.  I also added some stitching and cut the edge of one of the patterned papers and its black mat with some decorative scissors.

Check out more sneak peeks on the design team ladies' blogs: Kimmie, Andrea, Diana, Elaine, Jeanne, Tara, and Vicki.

Happy Stamping!

Niki

Recipe
Stamps: Francesca (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Cardstock: orange zest, true black (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Pretty Please (My Mind's Eye)
Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, decorative scissors 

Holiday Jumpstart

This month's group post from the Papertrey Ink design team highlights homemade gifts for the Christmas season.  My absolute favorite homemade gift that I create every year is a calendar that I scrapbook using photos of my family throughout the year.  I scrapbook one calendar, scan it onto my computer, and print copies on photo paper for all of the grandparents in our family.  I bind the copies with my bind it all so they can be hung up.  I use a clip board to hang the original.  It is the one gift they request year after year.

 

I haven't started on my calendar yet this year so I thought I would share my December pages from last year.  I take holiday photos of my kids every year and those are the photos I used last year.  I often use photos with Santa, too.  I always add a little journaling, too.  Even if I am way behind in my scrapbooking, my yearly calendars share a glimpse at our past year.  The sentiment on the circle is from Silent Night.

I created the grid for my calendar on my computer and then used  My Mind's Eye rub ons for the months.  I always add some small photos across the bottom as a way to squeeze in a few more photos because I always have a hard time choosing just a few for the layout on the top!

And you have to have a handmade Christmas card to go with your gift, right?!  Nichole designed this amazing set called Tree Trimming Trio.  I absolutely love it!  I love the different trees and all the options for trimming them.  I used one of the ornaments stamps to trim my tree on this card and some buttons on some of the other cards I've created with the set that I will share later. 

I was inspired by this set to create some super easy cards that are perfect for mass producing for the holidays.  I stamped my images and sentiment directly on my card base.  I swiped my fresh snow ink pad along the edges.  I love that look.  It just looks so frosty and perfect for the season.  Then, I tied a ribbon across the top and added a button to the center.  Last, I added some epoxy stickers over the ornaments to help highlight them. 

Pop on over to the other designers' blogs to see what they created with this fun set:  Nichole, Becky, Betsy, Dawn, Debbie, Geny, Heather, Lauren, Lisa, Melissa, and Michelle.

Have a great weekend!

Niki

Recipe for card
Stamps: Tree Trimming Trio - available Sept 15 (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: kraft  (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: true black, pure poppy, fresh snow (Papertrey Ink), jardin moss (Palette)
Accents: pure poppy satin ribbon, rustic twine (Papertrey Ink), green button, epoxy stickers

Recipe for calendar pages
Stamps: Silent Night (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Accents: poinsettias (Making Memories), rub on (My Mind's Eye)

Have a fairy Merry Christmas!

It's time again for the High Hopes challenge.  I haven't had the chance to play in the last couple challenges so it felt good to finally get my card ready for this week's challenge which is to Make it Sparkle and Shine.  I used Cindy's sketch again for my card and used lots of sewing which fits Bev's challenge.  I also did a bit of recycling.  I had originally created the striped panel across the bottom for my Bearly Swooshin' sneak peek card.  Then, I changed my color scheme on that card and didn't end up using it.  So, I decided to use it for this card since I love the holiday colors in Be Merry line from My Mind's Eye.

I colored my Holly the Winter Fairy image with copic markers in colors that coordinate with my patterned papers.  Then, I cut her out.  I added some glitter to the tops of her boots and her wings and some clear dimensional glaze to the berries and bells.  While the image was drying, I cut my white circle using a nestability die.  While the circle was still in the die, I sprayed it with a pink copic marker using my air compressor.  I stamped the sentiment on the bottom of my card and assembled the layers on my card.  Then, I added my image using foam adhesive.  Then, I added my buttons and poinsettia.

Have a Happy Sunday!

Niki

Recipe
Stamps: Holly the Winter Fairy, Fairy Merry Christmas (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)
Cardstock: white, pure poppy, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink), wild wasabi (SU - retired)
Patterned Paper: Be Merry (My Mind's Eye)
Accents: poinsettia (Prima Marketing), new leaf button, dark chocolate buttons (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: copic markers, air compressor, circle nestability dies, scalloped circle nestability die (Spellbinders), dotted wave border punch (EK Success), sewing machine, dimensional glaze (Ranger), glitter (Taylored Expressions)

Everyday Button Bits

Can you believe it already time for another Papertrey Ink countdown?!  This year is just flying by!  I am so excited to get to share a sneak peek at one of the new sets called Everyday Button Bits.  Buttons are such a hot trend right now and one of my favorite embellishments to use.  So what could be more fun that a set created to coordinate with all those buttons we've all been collecting?! It's such a neat concept where you have images that are completed when you add buttons.  I've never seen anything like it on the market and let me tell you, it is so much fun to play with!  I love it!  You're going to be seeing me making lots of cards with this set!  (Just a small warning! *wink*)

 

Tonight, I am sharing a sneak peek at the hot air balloon image.  I chose some Pretty Please patterned paper from My Mind's Eye that coordinates with berry sorbet, aqua mist, and ripe avocado.  I stamped the hills and then the hot air balloons on white cardstock.  (The three hot air balloons are on one stamp, but it is very easy to ink them up in different colors.)  I added some shading to the hills using a copic marker and then sprayed the sky using my air compressor while the cardstock was still in the nestability die.  Leaving the stamped image in the nestability die while you spray the sky gives you that nice white border around the image. 

I used a piece of patterned paper from the Making Memories Slice 8x8 Ledger paper pad to create the circle for my sentiment.  Then, I stamped the sentiment directly on the lines (masking parts of the sentiment so that it would be stacked rather than in the original straight line).  Lots of stitching and buttons to finish everything off.

Just wait until you see what the rest of the design team ladies have created!  Hoppity hop over to their blogs for lots more eye candy: Nichole, Becky, Betsy, Dawn, Debbie, Geny, Heather, Lauren, Lisa, Melissa, and Michelle.

Niki

Recipe
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: white, ripe avocado, berry sorbet (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Pretty Please (My Mind's Eye), Ledger paper pad (Making Memories)
Ink: berry sorbet, ripe avocado, true black (Papertrey Ink), pumpkin spice (versa magic)
Accents: new leaf vintage button, berry sorbet vintage button, aqua mist vintage button (Papertrey Ink), orange button, flower (Prima Marketing)
Tools: copic markers, air compressor, circle nestability dies, square nestability die (Spellbinders) sewing machine

Winter fun

 

I am so excited because I get to share some sneak peeks of the new High Hopes release!  (New stamps will be available for sale Saturday night or Sunday morning.)  Oh my goodness, there are so many adorable new stamps!  Just wait until you see them all!  One of the themes for this release is Christmas in July.  I had to ink up this adorable bear as one of my first images.  Isn't he so cute!?!

I chose some Be Merry patterned papers from My Mind's Eye along with some hibiscus burst and dark chocolate cardstock.  I used a dotted wave border punch across the bottom.  (Bev has these available in the store.)

 

I stamped my skiing bear on white cardstock and colored him with copic markers that coordinate with my patterned paper.  Then, I masked the image and sprayed the sky using a copic marker and my air compressor.  Then, I added some dimensional glaze to the bear's nose and ski goggles and some polar white flower soft to the bottom of my image.  Love that stuff!

Not all of the design team ladies have received their stamps yet, but I know there are at least a few of us doing sneak peeks.  (All the design team ladies are listed on the left of my blog.)  Hop around to catch some more sneak peeks.  Crissy also has an amazing blog candy going on along with some sneak peeks at the new release.  (Seven chances to win!!!) 

Have a good one!

Niki

Recipe
Stamps: Bearly Swooshin  (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)
Cardstock: white, hibiscus burst, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Be Merry (My Mind's Eye)
Accents: polar white flower soft - available to order July 24th (Flower Soft)
Tools: copic markers, air compressor, sewing machine, Dotted Wave edger border punch (EK Success), dimensional glaze (Ranger), scalloped scissors, flower soft glue (Flower Soft)

more than all the fishes in the sea

Did everyone have a fun weekend?  Our weekend was great.  The weather was pretty nice except for the downpour Saturday afternoon.  But we just stayed in the trailer and played cards so it was still fun.  We spent time each day riding and picnicking.  All in all a very good weekend.  I didn't get the chance to schedule more than the one post while we were gone so I have a few cards ready to share this week while I work on some sneak peeks for the Papertrey Ink release and the High Hopes release (hoping my stamps come tomorrow so I can get started).  Both companies have some fabulous releases coming up!!

 

Last week, I pulled out this set from Our Craft Lounge called Bubbles.  I just love the cute little turtles in this set!  I colored the image with copic markers and paired it with some My Mind's Eye Tres Jolie patterned paper, Pacific Point cardstock, some orange buttons, and some American Crafts ribbon.

 

I also added some dimensional glaze to the turtle's shell and the rocks on the ocean floor.  I am off to tuck the little ones into bed. 

Have a great week!

Niki

Recipe
Stamps: Bubbles (Our Craft Lounge)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), pacific point (SU - retired)
Patterned Paper: Tres Jolie (My Mind's Eye)
Accents: ribbon (American Crafts), buttons
Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, corner rounder, circle punches, dimensional glaze (Ranger)

Picnic Time

It's time for the Sunday High Hopes challenge!  This week, Lacey is challenging us to use stars or stripes on our cards.  Thanks for the fun challenge, Lacey!

 

I pulled out Ants Picnic from the last High Hopes release.  (You know these cute little ants are some of my favorites!)  I paired my image with some patterned papers from my stash and some blue bayou cardstock and ribbon.  I'm not really sure who makes the paper.  I think it is some retired Wild Asparagus from My Mind's Eye.  I doodled the grass around the image and colored the image with copic markers.

Have a great day!

Niki

Recipe
Stamps: Ants Picnic, Picnic Time(High Hopes Rubber Stamps)
Cardstock: white, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink), blue bayou (SU - retired)
Patterned Paper: wild asparagus (My Mind's Eye - retired)
Accents: blue bayou stitched ribbon (SU - retired)
Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, circle punches, rectangle nestability die (Spellbinders)

Aloha from Kona

A few weeks ago, Our Craft Lounge released this super cute Hangin' Loose with Kona stamp set available exclusively at Electric Paperie.  Oh my goodness, he is so adorable!!  I had to order him and finally got the chance to play with him this week.  You will definitely be seeing this cute little guy again soon!

 

I pulled out my My Mind's Eye Grow paper kit again and colored Kona with copic markers in coordinating colors.  I doodled the sand around Kona and the cute little crab that comes in the set.  I matted everything with true black cardstock to help the colors pop and added some true black buttons.

I am going to be busy packing to go camping this morning.  Looks like we are going to have some nice weather and it's going to be so nice to get away.  I'll schedule my High Hopes challenge card to post Saturday night.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Niki

Recipe
Stamps: Hangin' Loose with Kona (Our Creative Lounge)
Cardstock: white, true black, vintage cream (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Grow paper kit (My Mind's Eye)
Accents: true black vintage buttons (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, rectangle nestability die (Spellbinders)