Winter bbbrrrrr!

I can't believe it's December already! Geesh where has the year gone? Since it's my week to give the challenge I decided something with a Winter theme. So something dealing with snow, cold, ice, snowmen whatever.

So how are you doing with you holiday shopping? I usually end up finishing up at the last minute, even though I tell myself every year I am gonig to get it done early. Thankfully I don't have as many gifts to buy this year.

Happy Crafting,

Kimmy

House Mouse fun filled friday

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was very nice to be with my parents this year. I even got my card for today made up. I decided not to do any Black Friday shopping today. I just didn't see anything I really NEEDED. Of course there were many things I wanted, but not bad enough to get up that early and wait in line in the Minnesota cold. I might run up to JoAnn's in a bit to use my coupons and see if there's anything left.

On with Fun Filled Friday post. This week Jen challenged me to use House Mouse stamps. I decided which stamp I wanted to use before we left to visit my parents so I stamped a few images (in case I messed up), I even had a background paper all picked out, but as you will see I didn't go that route. Here is the cute little guy I decided to use:

This was a pretty simple card to make. I stamped the image on plain white card stock and colored it with my Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol. Then I cut out the image and layered it on blue card stock. Next I ran some really light blue (almost white) card stock through my Cuttlebug and used light green chalk to try and make it pop a bit. (that is really hard to see in the scan). Then I cut the Cuttlebugged paper into 3 pieces 1 1/4" x 3". I layered each one on the darker blue card stock. Next I glued all of the Cuttlebugged pieces to a piece of the lighter blue card stock and cut that out. Then I glued the whole piece to the center of my A2 size card base. i finally added my layered image and that was it. Don't forget to peek at Jen's card for today.

Supplies:

• Stamp - House Mouse Morning Kick Start #HMIR1014
• Card Stock - Bazzill
• Miscellaneous - Cuttlebug and swirls embossing folder, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, ATG gun

I stamped "Warmest Wishes" on the inside. I thought he could really help "warm" someone up this winter.

So did anyone venture out to the stores this morning? I would love to hear what you bought and what fabulous deals you got! If I make anything else while I am at my parents I'll be sure to post and share with you. Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Crafting,
Kimmy

House Mouse anyone?

Jen's turn for our fff challenge. This week she is challenging me to put my House Mouse stamps to use. These little mice are so cute! I love how fuzzy they look, and they have the most adorable faces. I think I know exactly what stamp I am going to use. I'm thinking something to warm us up.

Do you have any House Mouse stamps? I would love to see what you have made with them. Do you have a favorite stamp or mouse? If so which one?

Happy Crafting,

Kimmy

Sympathy Swap

I got back into swapping over at the Shack. Since it's always difficult for me to come up with sympathy cards I joined a Sympathy card swap to challenge myself and to get some ideas from the cards I get back.


Boy did I struggle with this one. I never know if flowers are too cheery, or the colors I pick not somber enough. I finally just sat down and forced myself to start. I was pretty happy with what I came up with, BUT I don't know if they fit for a sympathy card. Here is what I came up with: (If the layout looks familiar, that's because it is. After I made these I used this layout to create my Riley card last Friday.)


To make this card I started with my image. I stamped it on plain white card stock using black ink. I colored it with my Prismacolor pencils and used a colorless blender pencil to shade - I have only tried this a couple times before and was very happy with the outcome. Then I used my Marvy Uchida Giga scallop oval punch to cut out the image. I then used red ink to ink the edges. Next I cut two small slits at the bottom of the flowers and threaded black ribbon through and tied it in a knot. Next I cut a piece of red card stock to 2 1/2" x 5 3/8". Next I used my Martha Stewart Lattice border punch on both of the longer sides. Then I cut a puce of black card stock to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8". I then glued my red strip to the lower portion of the black card stock. I then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp my sentiment along the red strip. Next I used my border punch again to punch both of the upper corners of the black card stock. Then I added 3 red brads above the red strip of card stock. I then glued that to my red A2 size card base. Finally I added my image to the left portion of the card.

Supplies:

• Stamps - image by Inky Antics; sentiment by All Night Media
• Card stock by DCWV (Die Cuts With a View)
• Inks - black VersaFine; red Colorbox Cat's Eye ink
• Embellishments - brads by JoAnn Craft Essentials; ribbon by Offray; punches - Martha Stewart Lattice Border punch; Marvy Uchida Giga Scallop Oval punch
• Miscellaneous - Prismacolor pencils and colorless blender pencil

So does it fit the occasion? I really liked my coloring and layout, but I am not sure how I feel about it as a sympathy card. I would really like some feedback on what you think, or if you have any sympathy cards to share.

Happy Crafting,
Kimmy

Happy Thanksgiving

Another week has gone by and I am starting to get a bit stressed about the holidays. I swear they really snuck up on me this year. At least I have 1 Thanksgiving card done - thanks to this weeks challenge. Make sure you stop by and see Jen's card for this weeks challenge. I got a few Riley stamps and FINALLY got them mounted on my cling mount so I was very anxious to use them. Here is what I came up with



I started by stamping my Riley image on plain white card stock using black ink. Then I colored it with my Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol. I then used my Marvy Uchida Mega scallop circle punch and punched him out. Then I inked the edges of the scallop with brown ink. Next I punched out the Giga scallop circle in orange and inked those edges in brown too. I then centered my image on the giga circle. I then took some brownish red card stock and cut it to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" and used my Martha Stewart Lattice border punch along the bottom and the top corners. Next, I wrapped a piece of brown 7/8" ribbon around the center of the card stock. I then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up my "happy thanksgiving" sentiment and stamped that in the lower right corner using the brown ink. Next I added 3 orange brads above the sentiment. Then I glued my layered image to the left side of card. I then took my orange A2 card base and inked the edges in brown. Finally I added my card front to the A2 card base.

Supplies :

• Stamps - Turkey Riley by Hanna Stamps; sentiment by Stampabilities (ER1068)

• Embellishments - brads by unknown (sorry I don't remember where I got them); ribbon by Wrights 7/8" brown

• Ink - VersaFine black; Memories art print brown

Here is a close up of my coloring :

I really had fun with this image. I can't wait to start using the rest of my Riley's.

Well, how is your Holiday planning going? I haven't started my shopping yet, but thank goodness I don't have a ton to buy. I am very excited we are going to visit my parents for Thanksgiving. It will be a short trip, but I can't wait. It's funny I have never been out of Michigan for a holiday before. My parents have spend every Thanksgiving alone since they moved so I am very happy to be able to spend the day with them.

I am hoping to get some crafting done in the next few days so I can have some blog posts for you next week. Did you make any Thanksgiving cards this year? If so I would love to see them. Leave me a link to your creation. Any challenge suggestions for me? I could use some! I love hearing from you.

Happy Crafting,
Kimmy

My NEW TOY!!!

I am so excited this past Thurs my DH surprised me with an iPod Touch. The whole thing started a few months ago when I decided I wanted an mp3 player or something for music when I work out. Then I got to talking with one of my girlfriends (who is a marathoner) about how Nike and iPod have these shoes that will calculate your speed and distance and download it to your iPod. So I started looking at iPods. I don't think I will get the Nike's though. Then my DH started looking and decided the touch has wifi and a bunch of other stuff so if I'm gonna do it might as well do it right. He is a bit of a tech geek so he really researched it. I almost got the iPhone, but the extra $30 a month right now on our phone bill would be tight.

Anyways I was so excited with it I haven't been able to put it down. Since we have wireless Internet at home I have been constantly on the Internet on my iPod. I stayed up until 5:30 in the morning playing away.

Any other iPod users out there? Got any favorite aps you would like to share with me? How about any tips? I got a power inverter so I didn't have to use just my computer to re-charge it - anything else I'll "have to have"? I love that it has Facebook! (I'm hooked on that too)

Happy iPodding
Kimmy

Blog candy winner for October!

Well, I just realized I never announced a winner for October's blog candy. So without further ado

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Traci G!!!!

Here is here card. I loved the colors she used and how the whole card turned out. Traci is also a member on the Shack. I got to meet Traci at Shackapalooza this past April and am looking very forward to seeing her next year! Thanks for playing along Traci!

Well, Jen and I have been debating whether or not to continue with FFF after the new year. Let me know what you think? I am sure we would still challenge each other, but just might not make any deadlines or anything. Do you have any suggestions? Anything you might like to see on my blog monthly/weekly/daily? Let me know .... my New Year's resolution is to become a regular blog poster instead of my current posting. I know I can do it! ha ha ha

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

Kimmy

Happy Thanksgiving

Since next Thursday is Thanksgiving I decided our them for the week should be just that - Thanksgiving. I know it might be a little tight to mail to someone, but lets see what we come up with. Maybe I should have made a "black Friday" themed! If you aren't familiar with it black Friday is, it's the day after Thanksgiving with all the huge sales. I know they are really big here.

When I was a child, I used to love Thanksgiving because everyone would come over to our house and my parents would cook for all of us. It was everyone from my mom's side of the family. Oh the memories of sitting at the Kiddie table. My dad's stuffing is my favorite - I could eat just that. YUM! Since my parents moved out of state Thanksgiving hasn't been the same. Actually, not much has been the same, but this year we are going to visit them for Thanksgiving and I am very excited - so are they.

Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? Do you have any family traditions you always look forward to? What's your favorite dish? Do you partake in any of the Black Friday shopping?

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Crafting,

Kimmy

Tea for friends!

I joined a swap over at the Shack where we swap tea bag so we can try different flavors of tea. We had to either add some tea related stamped images or somehow decorate up our tea bags. Here is what I came up with:


I got the idea from Splitcoaststampers. I don't have an actual link to the template but I found it by searching for Tea bag holders. I (amazingly) remembered what the measurements were so I didn't have to look it up again. My mind isn't always the greatest:)

I started by cutting card stock to 4.5" x 9.75". Then I used my Score-Pal to score it at 3.25", and 6.5" on the longer side (obviously). Next I measured 1" from the bottom of the 4.5" side on the far right. Then I cut from the 6.5" score line to the 1" mark. This created an angled edge on the paper. I then glued that angled edge along the bottom and 1" side and folded it in toward the score line. Next I folded my other score. This gave me a little pocket card. (hope that makes sense) Next I stamped my image and colored it in with Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol. Then I used a square punch to cut out all my colored images. (we have to send in 14 for the swap). Then I inked the edges of the image with blue chalk ink. Then layered the image on pink card stock then again in green just using a photo corner punch on the upper right and lower left corners. Then I punched blue scallop square using my Marvy Uchida Giga punch and centered my layered image on that. I then cut a piece of pattern paper 4.125" x 3.125" and inked the edges of that with a pink or green chalk ink. I then glued the pattern paper to the center of the 3.25" x 4.5" card base. Then I stamped the sentiment (using my Stamp-a-ma-jig) to the lower portion of the pattern paper. I then added my layered image above the sentiment. Finally, I put my Vanilla Caramel tea bag inside the pocket.


Here is what the card looks like open. Hope the girls in the swap enjoy the card and the tea:)

Supplies: stamps - image A Muse Artstamps "cup and saucer", sentiment - Stampabilities "warmest wishes"; card stock - Bazzill; pattern paper - K & Co.; ink - VersaFine black, Colorbox chalk inks pink, green, blue; Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol; Marvy Uchida Giga scallop square punch; tea - Bigelow Vanilla Caramel.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! And Happy Crafting!
Kimmy

Kreativ Blogger Award

I am very honored to receive this award from my friend Jen. As you know we have been friends for a while and give each other challenges every week.

Here are the rules:

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.

2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Put links to their blogs

5. Leave a message for your nominees.

So here are the 5 blogs I've nominated, in no particular order:

Chrissy's Creative Spot
(for being a faithful follower of my blog and always trying to play along with FFF)

Forgetfulone
(also for being a faithful follower of my blog and playing along with FFF)

Sunflowers and Dragonflies
(for being a very good friend and always inspiring me with amazing work and new techniques)

Running on Ink
(for her awesome artsy work - I wish I could create like this)

Creative Diversions
(for always having something stunning and elegant to post)

Thanks for being "Kreativ" bloggers and keeping me inspired!

Happy Crafting,
Kimmy

Happy Fall!

Sorry for my delay in today's post. It's been a little crazy in the Kowalik house today. A ton of running around to do. I don't know why it seems like everything gets crammed into 1 day. On with my card for today! As you may know the challenge this week was a fall/harvest card. Here is what I came up with :


To make this card I stamped my image on plain white card stock with black in and colored it in using my Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol. Then I used the scallop Nesties to cut out the image and layered it with a copper card stock then again with brown. Next I stamped my sentiment "May the blessing of the the season fill your heart and your home" on the gold card stock and layered that on brown. Next I stamped 3 leaves on different colors of card stock and cut each one out. Then I cut a piece of leaf pattern paper 5.25" x 5.25". I then glued the pattern paper to the center of my 5.5" x 5.5" card base. Next I glued my layered image to the upper left of the card, and the sentiment to the lower left. Finally I added my leaves to the right side.

Supplies : stamp - House Mouse, paper - DCWV, card stock - Bazzill, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Marvy Uchida corner rounder.

Here is a close up of my image. I think he turned out so cute!

I again want to apologize for my delay. I hate when things get overly hectic. I do want to share with everyone that my DH surprised me with an iPod touch yesterday! I was so excited. I played with it all night. I knew I was getting one, but I didn't think until Christmas.

Stay tuned I plan on having another post this evening since I got a blog award!

Happy Crafting,
Kimmy

Fall.......

Jen gave me this weeks theme and it's a favorite of hers fall themed! I know she LOVES fall and leaves. She has already made a few really cute fall/leave cards so I can't wait to see this one. I also enjoy fall. I think it's the way the leaves change colors and the air gets a bit crisp. The smell of fall is wonderful too! Ahhh.... I don't like spring just as much for the way the flowers start to bloom and smell and everything gets green. I enjoy the first few snow of winter, but then it gets old, and summer sometimes gets TOO HOT for me.

Do you have a favorite time of year? If so why? Hope you Fall lovers decide to play along with this challenge. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Happy Crafting,

Kimmy

Thank you for your service.

Happy Fun-Filled Friday! I must start off this week by saying WOW! What a time we all live in. I will admit I voted for McCain this election after much debating, but I feel very honored to have Obama as our President Elect. What an amazing election this was. There was so much emotion from both parties and both McCain's and Obama's speeches were very moving. I now hope we can move our nation in a better direction. I know being in the state of Michigan things are pretty rough here financially. Jobs being lost all the time, homes going into foreclosure, and people not knowing how to get out of this slump. I am ready for a new year full of new opportunities.

Ok off the political rant and on with the cards:)
This week I challenged Jen to make a card for Veteran's Day. I guess it was kind of fitting with the election too. Here is what I came up with:



To make this card I started with my image. I stamped it on plain white card stock with black ink and colored it with my Prismacolor markers. Then I cut the image out and layered it on red and then blue card stock. I then layered that on white Bazzill Bling card stock leaving the lower portion longer than the rest. Then I wrapped red and blue ribbon around the bottom of the white card stock. Next I cut a piece of red card stock to 4 3/4" x 6 3/4" and layered my layered image on the red card stock centered at the top. I then stamped the sentiment to the lower part of the red card stock. Finally I glued the whole card front to my 5"x7" card base.

Stamps : image - Serendipity Stamps, sentiment - All Night Media, Card stock : Bazzill, and Bazzill Bling, Ribbon : Offray, Misc : Prismacolor Markers.


This card was put to good use. My husband and I left it at the grave site of a friend of ours. We put it in a plastic baggie so hopefully it would last a little longer. It meant alot to my husband to use it for this purpose once he saw it. It was a very special moment for me.

Well I have to thank Blogger for having scheduled posting. This week I had to work a few extra days since I was off last week and with out being able to schedule posts I probably would not have gotten this one added! Don't forget to check out Jen's card.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I will be working so have fun for me!

Happy Crafting,
Kimmy

Let's thank a vet!

Since this Friday is Veteran's day I figured our challenge should be to make a card to say thank you to a Vet. Maybe I'll make a couple and send them to a few Veterans. This should be a fun challenge, I have a couple ideas with military style designs.

Do you have any Vets in your family? A card is such a nice way to say thank you - don't you think? We also send packages to troops overseas around Christmas to thank them and show our support for all they do. Do you do anything for the military?

Make sure you check back Friday to see our card!

Happy Crafting,

Kimmy