CPS Sketch #229 and Kraftin Kimmie Challenge #89

The following is my entry for the CPS Sketch #229 and the Kraftin Kimmie Challenge #89 - No Embellishments. 

The sketch for CPS #229 looks like this:

That's a pretty challenging sketch to begin with, but then when you add Kraftin Kimmie's Challenge #89 which requires a card with no embellishments....whew! that really gets you thinking...

So, I dreamed up this bright and cheery card using Kraftin' Kimmie's Nurse Nellie Stamp and a variety of Stampin' Up cardstocks and designer paper. 

I first punched the right edge of the base card with my Martha Stewart punch to add interest to the card since I couldn't add embellishments.  Next, I cut each layer from cardstock and designer paper following the sketch.  I airbrushed some ink from my Copic airbrush (I love this airbrush!) around all the edges of the top layers I had cut using my Sizzix and my scalloped rectangle Spellbinders.  Here's a tip:  Spellbinders make a great mask for the edges of the layers when airbrushing.

I then added my focal image, Nurse Nellie, which I had colored using my Copic markers.  Finally, I stamped my sentiment, which is a stamp from the Stampin' Up set, Curly Verses, with Cherry Cobbler ink from Stampin' Up (this is my current favorite ink color from Stampin' Up).  I believe this set is retiring with the arrival of the new catalog so if you like it, you may want to see if it is still available right away!

All in all, I think the card works, even without embellisments.  As you all know, I love my embellishments...this turned out to be a REAL challenge for me.

Thanks for looking!

~Kim

ATC Swap - August Swap posted tonight! Check it out!

Hey Everyone!

Don't forget to check out our monthly ATC swap Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Artist-Trading-Card-Swap-Dallas-TX/139336096125542.   The inspiration this month is your favorite movie.  Check it out and let us know if you would like to participate in upcoming swaps.

Thanks.

Kim

CPS Sketch #228

It's been a while since I participated in the weekly challenge, but I am back!  :)

The following is my entry for sketch #228:

I used a blue color pallette and kept the card very simple.  The single butterfly embellishment was added for contrast.

Thanks for looking and check out the rest of the blog for some great ideas!

Kim

Hello!

This is my entry for the Stamp TV Friday Free For All (STVFRICT5) to Case the Design Team.  I used Carolina's card "With Love" and changed coloring, the message, and the embellishments to arrive at the design.  Great challenge!

I cut the layers and then stamped the sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black.  I then colored the flowers using my Copic markers (very lightly since this paper wasn't ideal for Copics).  I added some glitter accents on the sentiment and then cut the layers using my Spellbinders and Sizzix.  Finally, I added a ribbon to the bottom strip layer and pushed a stick pin with a heart on it through the tied part of the ribbon before assembling the card using standard scrapbooking adhesive.

Thanks for looking!  Take a look around the blog while you are here....There's some great ideas that's been posted.

Kim

ATC Swap

Hey Crafters!

We will be posting a new ATC swap on our Facebook page tonight.  Hop on over there and take a look...http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Artist-Trading-Card-Swap-Dallas-TX/139336096125542.  We would love to have you join in.  :)

Kim

You've come a long way baby...

WOW people.  It has been over a MONTH since our last post! Abby here, and as you might have noticed I have been MIA from the crafting world for a while, and I am SO HAPPY to be back!  Here's what's been going on:

First of all!
Me and my wonderful hubby, Justin moved to Addison.  Let me just say- it was a fiasco getting moved, but I am so happy we did.  MUCH closer to work for both of us...but (and I'm sure all you crafters out there will really appreciate this one...) the best part is...I get my OWN ROOM for crafting! I finally got to move out of my cozy nook in the old apartment. So here is why I have been MIA:

AHHHHHH! WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT?!?!?! There's floor under there, at least that's what the apartment people told us.  At this point I was reserving judgment. You can see in the back my lonely little black and white Ikea desk on which I did all my crafting at the old apartment, and that's what I'm typing this post on right this second.

So about two weeks of time was spent unpacking.  everything.  my poor craft room was our storage area for a while so we could at least LIVE in the rest of the apartment. With both of us working full time and sometimes overtime, it's very hard to get unpacked.  But here's the progression...

AHH the floor! I told you it existed!

 Ok here's where I cleaned out an area for assembling my custom made by daddy craft tables.

 Here's after we got my custom tables in the room.  the one with the sewing machine is 30" tall: shorter than your average desk to make it more comfortable to sew on. the taller one is 35" : perfect for standing to craft/color.

 ah yes.  this is my dearest husband.  being such a good sport and hanging ALL those shelves for me.  Note: those things are put in with the toughest duty sheetrock anchors there are.  I could probably hang off of them.  craft stuff is HEAVY (paper in particular).  I have already had one accident in the old apartment where one of my shelves, and everything on it, fell off the wall onto me, unsuspecting, below.  luckily, none of my craft stuff got hurt. :-P

Ok here it is thus far.  still a work in progress. I plan to make very basic black curtains to put around the storage areas in the tables to clean it up a bit.  I need two more wire curtain rods (thin wire above the taller table) to hang my cards and ATC's from.  I also need to decorate it up a bit.  it isn't very inspiring right now...but soon enough it will be.  I'll keep updating to this blog.

So where have I been otherwise?

Well, Mom and I just came back from Houston.  and we didn't just go to see the sights. (it was 105 and about a billion percent humidity).  We went to get COPIC CERTIFIED!!

So please note our new little blinkie on the sidebar, and if you live in the Addison TX area and want a copic class, let me know!

It was really a great class with Jen Balcer.  We learned new techniques, perfected the ones we already knew, and most of all: got to play with the airbrushes!

which! by the way...the ABS-3 airbrush set is on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $22!!  Of course, you need a compressor with that set, but having played with both the compressor and the air cans, I would DEFINATELY recommend a compressor.

Anyways, I almost have my craft room workable...just in time to have to work three days in a row! of course. :-(

Have a great night and stay cool!

-Abby

Rosabelle

Happy 4th of July!

This magical little girl is Rosabelle.  She is from the Kraftin' Kimmie stamp collection.  I have created this card for the CPS Card Sketch #225. 

This was a great sketch to really get you to thinking about the colors you are matching together.
I started with a olive green card base and then added a second layer of ligher green and rounded all four corners for layer #1.  I colored Rosabelle using my Copic markers.  I selected a couple of the colors that I used in the image as the square layers behind the focal image.  I then chose a bright pink to coordinate with the inked edges I place around Rosabelle.  I think that really makes the image pop out from the card.  I used my white glaze pen on Rosabelle's eyes to give them a bit more dimmension.  Finally, I added eyelets to each corner of the focal image.

I hope you enjoy her....she was a blast to create!  Have a great day!

Kim