It Feels Like Spring!

Okay...some days it feels like Spring. This weather is a silly roller coaster and I think that's why I've had trouble getting into the spirit. Here in Tucson, we've had snow fall twice in the past couple weeks, and then heat up to mid 70's. Crazy I know.

Along with our wacky weather, our family has been on fence with some possible changes in the future and I just couldn't seem to clear my mind enough to stamp. So, with the air settled a bit and things finalized, I was FINALLY able to sit down and play with my new Lots of Lavender Stamp set that I got back in early February. (Life I tell ya...)

I was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest and really wanted to try that look along with this watercolor technique I've grown quite fond of. Well, I had one trial card that didn't turn out.. So here is my finished product!

I'll just give you a quick rundown on how I created this beauty. I stamped 5 times with the lavender outline stamp upside down and set it aside. The fun part happens when it gets messy. Using a ziploc bag (do not use cellophane wrap because it easily tears and color will leak and stain), I dropped a few splatters of Prussian Blue Brushos powder and a couple drops of Brilliant Red, then sprayed them with water. (Be careful doing that as the pigment will fly out). Now, to avoid such deep color, I used a brayer to roll the color around and mix it a bit. Then turn your stamped image down and rub it onto the remaining color splotches. Next, I picked up my brayer and kind of went caddy-corner along the stamped side to spread that lavender color around. I then used my aqua painter and colored in my lavender petals, made a green color for the leaves, and added a touch of Wink of Stella to the ribbons. The card was beautiful at this point and I couldn't think what I wanted it to say. Looking at my new framelits, the AMAZING stuck out at me. So I cut that out with the gold cardstock. Finished it off with a little gold thread in the background.  Simply made and finished! 

I hope you enjoy making a mess, I mean, a beautiful card as much as I did!!
-Kira

Creating a Magical Card!

I'm lovingly calling this my Puff the Magic Dragon card. When I discovered Brusho Crystal Colour, I knew right away that I needed them! They are so much fun to play with and each piece feels like a true work of art! Pair that with PLENTY of sparkle, and it really looks like magic!

Now, to completely make this card, you will need the following supplies. Keep in mind, any $50 order earns you a FREE Sale-A-Bration product and $100 earns you 2 of the $50 reward products or 1 $100 reward! Decisions, decisions...

Product List

Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100867]

$8.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100730]

$9.00

Gold Metallic Thread

[138401]

$3.00

Brusho Crystal Colour

[144101]

$30.00

Aqua Painters

[103954]

$17.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$8.00

Magical Day Clear-Mount Bundle

[145985]

$45.75

Party Pandas Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[147221]

$0.00

Classic Label Punch

[141491]

$18.00

Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter

[133751]

$5.00

White Stampin' Emboss Powder

[109132]

$5.00

Heat Tool

[129053]

$30.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Fast Fuse Adhesive

[129026]

$10.00

SNAIL Permanent Adhesive

[104332]

$7.00

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Big Shot

[143263]

$110.00

Big Shot Magnetic Platform

[130658]

$40.00

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

Instructions Start with your base card in Night of Navy. Measured at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" folded. Cut a piece of Whisper White 4" x 5 1/8". On a small separate piece of Whisper White, stamp your dragon from the Magic Day stamp set with Memento Black ink. On a silicone mat or ziploc bag, shake your blue and green brusho powder out in a few spots. Then spray with water to activate the color. Gently press your sheet of whisper white on top of the color and use your fingers to rub the back of the cardstock. This allows the color to "smoosh" or smear around on the front. Then lift it up and set it aside to dry. During your drying time, color your dragon. I used a small plastic tray with green and blue brusho color and an Aquapen to color him. I then used tomobow liquid glue over the scales and chin, then dusted him with dazzling diamonds glitter. To give him some extra magic, I used Wink of Stella to cover the rest of him. Use the dragon framelit and your big shot to cut out your dragon! Once the dragon is dry, flip him over and apply a little snail adhesive. Then gather your gold metallic thread in a few circles and press a section down on the adhesive strip. Make sure that the loops spread out from behind the dragon. Now that your ink smooshed piece is dry, apply some fast fuse to the back of it and center it on your base card. Now, before sticking on the dragon, attach a couple stampin dimensionals to him, and pop him down! Time to add a sentiment! I used the Happy Birthday stamp from Party Pandas. On a small piece of Night of Navy, I stamped Happy Birthday in versamark ink, then covered in white embossing powder. Use your heat tool to melt the power. Complete this step by punching out your sentiment with the Classic Label Punch. Finally, lets layer the sentiment over the bottom of the dragon by popping on two stampin' dimensionals! Ta-da! A magical card that has everyone singing Puff the Magic Dragon lived by the sea....

Celebrate! with a Pop of Color!

I created this card as part of a challenge. A lot of cards look so pretty with a black and white theme, and this challenge was a Black and White card with a Pop of Color! So I opened up my new Petal Passion designer series paper and chose the two sheets I wanted. Now with the flowers, I did have to fussy cut them out, but then I enjoyed coloring them with the new Brusho Crystal Colour set. I even used the Celebrate Thinlits from the Sale-A-Bration catalog to brighten up my card with a simple sentiment!

To create this card, you'll need the following supplies. :)

Product List

121045

145589

100730

144245

144129

144101

103954

145632

104430

129026

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

Check out these Swaps!

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of commotion on my craft desk.  Getting new products in, designing the cards I'm going to make, and then making multiples of them!

For our team SWAP, we had 16 people participate.  I used the Bubble Over Stamp Set and the Sale-A-Bration DSP that coordinates with it called Bubbles & Fizz.  It was so fun creating "my own brand" of drink too! ;)

Here are the products used to create this card! 

Bubble Over Bundle
Includes the Stamp Set and Framelits 

Clear Epoxy Stickers
Adds a fun 3D wet look to the bottles. 

SAB Bubbles & Fizz Designer Series Paper- FREE with a $50 Purchase!

For my next SWAP I decided to use the Party Pandas stamp set from the SAB catalog! This stamp set has SO much potential. I Love LOVE LOVE all of the ideas and versatility for it! Honestly, If you had to choose one SAB item, I would recommend this one!  It's so easy to pair up a black and white Panda with any Designer Series Paper, so I chose the Painted With Love paper from the Occassions catalog. 

You can see how I added dimension with the silver twine, Berry Burst Silver lined ribbon, and I used the Embossing Paste and a little Berry Burst Ink to give the texture in the back some color! It was such a fun card to make! 

Painted With Love Designer Series Paper

Party Pandas Stamp Set-SAB- FREE with $50 purchase!

If you enjoyed these cards, please comment below!

January is time to Sale A Brate!!

January is my favorite month (and not just because it holds my birthday).. 
January means we are starting Sale A Bration in Stampin' Up! world! It also means a new catalog is live! Sale A Bration is a three month period (Jan 3-Mar 31) when you get the chance to earn FREE Products!

If you don't have either of the catalogs above, click here and you can shop the individual catalogs!

If you are unfamiliar with Sale A Bration, here is how it works: 

For every $50  you spend, you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration product. 

*New to 2018

A new reward level, giving you more flexibility and options for your free items.  Here's the breakdown:

• If you spend $50, you get one free level 1 product. 
• If you spend $100, you get one level 2 product, OR, you can choose two level 1 items. 
• If you spend $250, you can get 2 level 2 items, OR, three level 1 items and a level 2 item. 

This new option allows everyone to create a personalized Sale A Bration experience! 

If your order goes over $150, there are some even more rewards called Stampin' Rewards. At $250 you can receive an additional $25 in FREE items (your choice from the Annual or Occasions Catalog). See Chart Above. 

The BEST deal in the catalog is ALWAYS the Starter Kit!! In fact, this is how I joined! You get $125 in product of your choice for only $99 and free shipping!! During Sale A Bration however, you also get to pick 2 additional stamp sets from either the Occasions or Annual Catalog! That's a potential added value over $100!! 

Additional Benefits of purchasing the Starter Kit: 

• 20% Discount
• Potential to earn up to 40% of your sales
• Early and exclusive access to new products
• Opportunity to earn free product through various incentives
• Qualify for cash bonuses, free product, trips and more
• Receive Stampin' Success magazine with business & creative ideas

Email me if you have questions about Sale A Bration! 

Purchase your Starter Kit and Join the Fun today!

This Creative Journey!

Hello!! 
 It's a new year and a new journey! Thanks for joining me here on my new blog! I've had many years of joy in the Stampin' Up! club and hope that you will find some joy here too! 

It all began in the Spring of 2007. I was invited by a local military wife to come over to her house for an afternoon of crafting. My world changed! I quickly fell in love with Stampin' Up! and the products. I also made a life long friend and SU has been a part of my life since!

Over the years, I know I can count on SU to blow my mind with amazing catalogs full of gorgeous, creative images, and easy to use products. Really, ANYONE CAN stamp! 

I invite you to follow my blog for tutorials, sales, techniques and so much more! 

Warmly, 
Kira