Squeal-y Thanks

 

Really, I am not trying to push Paper Smooches stamps.....I just really, really, REALLY like them - a LOT.  Soooo, I use them.....a LOT.......

 

I think he's supposed to be a hamster?  Obviously a rodent of some sort - but a cute one and he fit perfectly into the "instant photo" die cut from Taylored Expressions.  I know it's a small image/focal point to carry the card but I think it works.  The embossing folder gets the "theme" of the card across subtly but clearly.  The Squealer is just so stinkin' cute!  And isn't that the best type of gifty to give OR receive??  Something that absolutely makes you squeeeeal???

 

In this terrible photo I'm hoping you can tell I used Liquid Glass to give a more "instant photo" finish.

Here's hoping you receive a SQUEAL-ABLE gifty soon!!

Toodles,
Kathy & Bob

Card Ingredients
Cardbase - PTI (Kraft - love it.....horrible to photograph but LOVE it for cardbases!!)
Embossing Folder - Cuddlebug
Stamps - Paper Smooches and CTMH (grass)
Die Cut - Taylored Expressions
Ink - Memento
Copics
Liquid Glass - CTMH
Foam Tape

Monster Wishes

 

Well here's where it gets a little tricky about being gone so long from blogging......I don't quite remember exactly what cards I've posted AND since I've been so lacking in the posting department I actually have cards that I made LAST year that have yet to be posted.........sooooo please forgive any repeated postings I may do in the near-ish future. 

 

Who doesn't love the Paper Smooches monster?  Seriously, I can't get enough of him.  I would use him in every other card but I think someone might get a bit sick & tired of him.  Heidi - remember when we used to do those card swaps at Carol's shop and EVERY time we'd get a card with that huge bunny holding something??  I just don't want anyone to feel like that towards this cute guy so I limit his exposure.

 

But doesn't this handsome fellow really make an impact???

 

Being sick is NEVER fun (well, I guess Amy would disagree - as long as Sheldon was ready to run some Vick's Vapor rub on her chest...) and I figured if I were sick, getting this purple-dotted guy (in a spiffy nurse's cap) dragging along some TLC might make me feel better for a nano-second or two.  At least I'd appreciate the thought, right? 

 

Besides, I think we could all use with a little more TLC & love in our lives...............

Toodles,
Kathy & Bob

Card Ingredients
Cardbase - Memory Box
Border punch - Martha Steward
Stamps - Paper Smooches and Hero Arts ("sending", "Get Well")
Inks - Memento
Copics and Stickles
Sharpie Metallic Pen
Washi Tape - ??? possibly 3M
Foam Tape

Busy!!

 

Hey there everyone!!  It's been a really looooong time hasn't it?  I seem to read that so much in the blogs I follow - kinda goofy, we're always apologizing for "being away".  That's just life, right?  Let's agree to stop wasting time with apologizing about not blogging - ok, ok, let me just say that I'll stop wasting time with it - starting NOW!!!

 

Whilst I was away (doing life stuff) guess where I landed?  Yep, in mid-June we could be found at Disneyland (along with about nearly everyone else in the world...).  My eldest niece wanted to celebrate her 40th (FORTY....!!!) b-day at Dland - which is cool AND a big deal since she and her family are coming from Australia!  So of course we had to make the journey to celebrate with all of them. 

 

It's NEVER my intention to land up in Southern California in the summer months so what's with the last couple of years?  June this year and June last year found me in Anaheim...so much for good intentions.....oh well both trips were definitely worth it.  I LOVED spending time with my family and as you can imagine, it doesn't really happen that often - gotta grab those moments when they present themselves!

And now (finally!!) - the card.........made this for the birthday girl.  Kind of had no clue - then POP there it was in my head.  I'm smugly pleased that I remembered I had colored vellum (old stuff from CTMH but as you can see - it still works great).  It was perfect for the background balloons. 

The rest of card is pretty straight-forward.  Die-cuts, punches, B&T paper, Perle cotton for the strings and just an eensy bit of stamping....there you have it. 

 

During my Sabbatical from Stamping I've been busy craft-wise but a LOT of it has been about The Sewing.  I've rekindled a friendship with a former Stamper (turned Sewist) who has graciously agreed to mentor me in my Quest for Sewing Greatness.  Seriously, it's really wonderful to have someone to talk Sewing with and since she's been doing this longer than a minute she's been instrumental in the success of many of my projects.........and her Wall O' Fabric..............swoooooon........ 

 

Since I had already decided that Kabobbing Cards was no longer going to be exclusively about cards, I'll be posting some of my other exciting Crafty Adventures - hope you'll stay tuned, I think it will be fun!

 

Toodles for now,



Kathy & Bob

Card Ingredients:
Cardbase: PTI (Soft Stone - LOVE it!!)
Die-cut: Castle/QuicKutz
Punches: Mickey Heads (large & small)/EK Success
B&T cloud paper:  Paper Doodles
CS & Vellum: CTMH
Inks: Memento
Stamps: #'s - CTMH; words - PTI
DMC: white Perle cotton

Happy Heart Day!

Done in a different color pallet this could have been sickening sweet.  It's pretty busy.  And there's heaps of hearts.  And there's "love"..........in red......in a double scalloped heart.

 

 

Since it was darker I wanted to add a pop of color but I didn't want it to be overly foo-foo (red can be appropriate for a man or a woman, right?).  

 

So lots of grey works......even if sparkles.



 

Oh come on, we're talking about love here.......and "forever and for all eternity" too?  Well that just screams Edward to me and you know he just sparkles so beautifully in the sunlight.......

 

Stamps - Paper Smooches

Embossing Folder - Sizzix

Scallop Heart Punches -Marvy

Cardbase - PTI

Stardream CS

Ink - Memento & CTMH

"love" die cut - QuicKutz

Ribbon - stash scrap

Heart Brad - Making Memories

Foam Tape

 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Heart Day!!

 

Toodles,

Kathy

Supernatural 16

Ok, as usual there's a bit of a story behind this card.  I was commissioned by a co-worker to make a Supernatural card for her daughter's 16th b-day because welllllll of course her daughter is a big fan of the show and she was celebrating by going to a Supernatural Convention thing.....with her Dad (who's also a big Supernatural fan).

 

Me???  Well I'm pretty much a scaredy-cat because my oh-so vivid imagination will wreak havoc when left to it's own devices (there's a reason why Mr. B must accompany me whilst I bring in the pegged laundry at 11:00 at night...I just KNOW there's either a vampire or a werewolf that will be waiting for me behind that last pegged sheet......).  Soooooo, I've learned that it's best if I don't watch certain movies or shows or even read certain books (still haven't finished "It" and I started that one in 1988.....).  But I've seen a couple of reruns of Supernatural here and there and it seemed like mostly an action/adventure type of show and it was hilarious when the short one (I know, I know - it's Dean but it's so confusing because the tall one was Dean in Gilmore Girls....) did the whole lip-sync thing to the "Eye of The Tiger" at the end of one episode. 

 

Sure, I'll make a card - I mean how difficult could it be?  I've got enough supplies that I can create practically ANY themed card.  Ahem......except when I really don't know the characters, plotline, symbols, etc.  Enter Creepella - my go-to Research Person (whom I live with....Gail is my go-to Research Person that I don't live with.....it's nice to have a Research Staff....).  So Creepella starts researching and she finds some stuff and that gives me enough material to start planning the card.  And oh what a plan - it even included burning the edges, having things dangling in the middle of the card and having twigs and other bits & bobs and well.........huh, THAT'S not working.....at all.

 

"Mom, just look at what I've found on Pintrest and you'll figure something out.....calm down - you always come up with something......now leave me alone."  I might have been a bit clingy - almost needy at times. 

 

But finally a cooler head prevailed.............and set Creepella up with another task.  Make me some background paper please - huh?  Use this parchment paper and use different shades of brown for the text and make the text all random....you know different sized fonts and all wonky across the paper - nothing neat and tidy - huh??  I may have raised my voice when I repeated my demands requests.  After a couple of editing sessions I had a sheet of background paper that I could work with AND during the course of her research she found the image of the Winchesters' tattoo (ok whatever, I don't need the whole story - can I please just have the image???) and printed it in dark brown ink on some cream 65lb-weight CS and in about 4 different sizes and then ran off to bed so I would stop pestering her. 

 

Not much stamping to do really - I have several number sets so I found some that I thought would fit the "mood" and the various printed font sizes and luckily I had 4 different shades of brown that matched the various browns used for all of the "supernaturals".  LOTS of fussy cutting involved with the main image and even more fussy cutting of my beloved foam tape.  At one point Creepella came to see how things were progressing.  I had just finished getting all of the foam tape adhered to the back of the tattoo image - she took one look at it, rolled her eyes and told me I was crazy.  Why thank you very much - I'm absolutely passionate about my paper-crafting!!!  I already had the wings in my stash and got the cross charms on a stamp store run with Heidi.  Who, by the way, is demented and has watched Supernatural since the beginning and was instrumental with the cross selection (it wasn't a large selection but we did the best we could with what was available). 

 

Twine from my stash, distressing the edges with a distressing tool and grunging it up with some chalk ink just added to the feel.  The card itself is 5 x 5.  Stamped "happy" and "birthday" along with "16" around another printed "SUPERNATURAL" that I was able to use from some of the custom-created background paper and distressed it as well.  I used one of the smaller tattoo images for the envelope (because I ALWAYS try to make the envelope match!!).

 

There are a lot of photos because I tried to capture all the bits and pieces of the card - because I will NEVER make this card again...................   Ever.

 



 

 

 

 

Stamps - CTMH

Inks - Memento and CTMH

 

Toodles,

Kathy

 

Sympathy Leaves

Sympathy cards.....sigh......so sad to have to send but surprisingly, they're pretty easy to design.  It's all about peace, love and trying to offer comfort.  Stamps are from Stampin' Up (sentiment) and PTI (leaf branch), B&T paper and ribbon is also from PTI.  

Memento Inks and Corner Round punch finishes if off.  You can see where I've stamped the leaves a few times (in different shades of green) for some very light texture.   Fast & simple card - hope it also sends comfort...

 

It's a long weekend for us so I hope to get some stamping and other crafting things done - enjoy yourself!!

 

Toodles!

Paris Tea



This is a small little gift enclosure - only 4X4 and it was pretty much all done with B&T paper and some cardstock.  I don't know the manufacturer of the B&T but I still a bit of it left - just love this stuff.  I ran the CB through the Cuttlebug to get the cool card shape - gives it some character!!  The gemstone is from Hero Arts, the little butterfly is from Michael's......and of course you need some organza ribbon to top it off.

Oh and Stickles...............can't forget about the Stickles!!!

Toodles!

Cooties!...caught...



Yep, I pretty much like fiddling with paper - just about any type of paper (aside from newsprint - I don't like to get dirty when I'm doing my paper-fiddling).  So I thought I'd fiddle around with some origami paper and make a cootie-catcher.  Do you remember those from when you were a kid? 

This is an oldie but goodie stamp......I've had it for years.....years I'm telling you.  I think it's from Hero Arts,  actually I think one of my very first stamps (a unicorn that I got in the 7th grade...) was from Hero Arts.
 

 

Stamped the little cooties and then colored them (as you can see, not much to color!!)  then stamped and colored some extras to toss about.  The polka-dotted B&T paper is from Hero Arts too - I've had it for years!!!

 

Used an EK Success border punch to echo the whole polka dot theme......you know, "spots" 'cause you're sick.....

 

Toodles!!

 

Other supplies:

Martha Stewart Tag Punch

Marvy Oval scallop punch

Mementos & Copics

Colorbox Chalk Inks

Memory Box CB

POW! BAM! THANKS!

 

 

Kind of looks comic-bookish to me.  At least that's what I was going for................  Stamps and B&T paper from CTMH.  Die-cut from Taylored Expressions; CB from Memory Box (still working on that stash too!!).

 

And finally stamped in Memento Inks and that's that!

Toodles!!

Backwards and in High Heels

 

Trying to remember how long I've had this sentiment stamp......I'm thinking at least a dozen years (probably more like 15).  I LOVE it!!  I don't remember who the manufacturer is and everything is packed away in the stamp room closet and now I would have to wade through a whole lot of fabric in order to get to it.  The shoes are from Hero Arts (one of those smallish stamps that came in a themed set in a plastic tub).  The B&T paper is from CTMH and the CB is from Stampin' Up (still trying to make a dent in the stash that I've amassed.....amassed - such a weird word).



To girly it up a bit, I added a small gemstone to each flower for a little sparkle and to carry the sparkle theme a little more, I used some Stardream CS to frame out the stamped panel.  Some sheer organza ribbon adds the final touch!!

Toodles for now!

Happy New Year!

 

A birthday card but with enough party to serve as the first card for 2015, right?

 

 

Details?  Window die-cut & border loop from Taylored Expressions; grass & gifts border punches from Martha Stewart.  Stamps - party scene from Taylored Expressions, stipple background from CTMH.

Other items, washi tape, Liquid Glass, colored CS - CTMH; Stickles, Memento Inks, Copics.

Hope you all started the New Year off on a good note!!

Cheers!

Brrr-fectly You

 

It's only AFTER making this card that I came to realize, "HEY - you need to invest in a new black Memento Pad!!!".....and so I did, again AFTER making this card.  And wow - what a difference it's made in my stamped images!!!

 

I used a die-cut with a hillside of trees and I very carefully snipped away the trees.  I random-stamped the background with what I consider a mod-retro snowflake design.  I also stamped the sentiment on the CB itself in a darker blue ink.  Stamped and colored the penguin, hat and the fish on a separate piece of CS and then cut them out (times 4 - I make 4 cards for the craft fair cards).  I know I've mentioned that I actually ENJOY doing some fussy-cutting because it's a Zen-thing for me (as long as I have good scissors of course).  

 



As you can see, I PILED on the Icicle Stickles on the poor fish in my attempt to make fish scales (I don't know, I think he kind of looks like he might have sort of affliction instead??).  I stamped the small oval and then made a slit big enough to slide part of the fish into it and used a smidgeon of glue to hold him steady.  After adhering the snow bank panel onto the CB, I  popped the Penguin out with foam tape (of course).  You might not be able to see it but I also applied a bit of Liquid Glass onto the Penguin's beak.

 

I think the mini pom-pom on his hat is fun and helps to give the card dimension.  And from a distance, the heavily-applied Stickles really does look like fish scales!!

 

Hope you all have a wonderful New Year.....may 2015 bring you loads of GOOD health & happiness!!  Stay safe & warm!!

 

Toodles for now.......

Kathy & Bob

 

Supplies:

Stamps - Paper Smooches, Savvy, A Muse

Die Cut - Impression Obsession 

CB - Memory Box

Inks - Memento

Copics

Stickles

Liquid Glass - CTMH

Corner Rounder

Mini Pom-pom

Mr. and Mrs.

 

This one proved to be quite popular.  And WOW - it's so simple!!  I've seen a lot of  wedding cards with the whole "Mr. & Mrs." theme and since I have a few stamps that say "Mr. & Mrs." I thought it was time to get busy!!!

 

 

 

Like I said, easy card........ran the CB through the Cuttlebug (I think you could use any embossing folder that was floral or flourish in design and it would work well).  I stamped the "Mr. & Mrs." and then added Stickles (no heat embossing for me.....actually, I didn't even think about it!!), swiped the edges with some chalk ink to "frame" the stamped panel and then matted it onto some Stardream CS and popped it out with some foam tape.

Then I topped it all off with some white organza ribbon across the top with some bits of pearls and white shimmer ribbon.  It's very monochromatic and I think that tones down what could have been a slightly busy design.......

A pretty traditional design, fast and easy and like I said, very popular at the craft fair.  All winners in my book!

Toodles for now!

Supplies:
Stamp - PTI
Embossing Folder - Cuddlebug
Inks - Memento & CTMH pigments
Stickles
Ribbons (various & miscellaneous)
Stardream CB (I think it was Platinum)
CB - Neenah Solar White Cover

Yum - Yum!

 

An old card (like maybe 5 years old or more??)  - originally there was no gem flourish but it definitely needed something so a sparkly corner always works, right? 

 

I still have the cupcake stamps (Hero Arts) but I haven't used them in ages......one of the side effects of the seemingly never-ending quest for the latest stamp set.  Something that is both thrilling and completely wasteful.  I aim to change my spending habits in 2015 - it'll be challenging but it's like losing weight - a slow & steady stays the course sort of thing.  It's taken me nearly 3 years to drop 50 pounds......I'd like to shed another 20-30 pounds and had HOPED to have it off by now but alas, that hasn't happened..............yet....................

 

But back to stamping - yes, it's still thrilling to get a new set of stamps and paper, well paper is it's own slice of heaven for me but I'm toning down the absolute driving need of getting EVERY new set because I NEED to......need is a funny word, you know?

And back to the card.....

Here you can see the Liquid Glass application on the frosting area.  No idea why I decided to color the frosting a light grey - I think I was just trying to add some shadowing for depth.  Ahem......a lesson here - Copics aren't always your friend!!

By my absence from the blog you could surmise that I've been hugely busy and that would be correct but a lot of the absence is due to the fact that I'm not very timely in the taking of photos and I get kind of lazy at the end of the day/evening and then I mostly veg or stamp or craft and blogging is just "poofed" out of my mind. 

So long story short, I do plan on blogging more in 2015.....at least until I can post all of the cards that were made for the last craft fair (which went very well) - and just like exercising, it's something I need to make time for on a regular basis. 

Toodles for now!

Supplies:
CB - Memory Box
Stamps - Hero Arts
Memento Inks
Copics
Stickles
Ribbon - May Art Ribbon
Gemstone Flourish - CTMH
Corner Rounder

Technology and Changes

Well, I've finally got something more up-to-date than a flip-phone.  I like that I can now text at will (AND it doesn't cost me 25-cents per text) and the photos I take are really quite nice (AND with this huge screen I can actually SEE them).  There are tons of other features (yes, I've even done a few videos) but I have NO clue how they operate and at this point I have NO desire to learn more. 

At this point...

The features I do understand and know how to operate are keeping me pretty amused - for example, never before have I ever been able to get a photo of Bob THIS close....this clearly.....AND with him having his eyes open!

Actually even when his eyes are closed, you can STILL tell what he is: (Obviously I'm a handsome devil - that's what I am....)

And now he's heard the "click"....

And he simply wants to know what I'm doing......(AGAIN with that stupid pink rectangle thing Kathy??? - Really, REALLY???)

 

He's a good boy in humoring me......(Well of course I humor you.....I'm certainly not going to scoop my own litter-box.......I need you around for those mundane tasks!)

 

Unfortunately we've run into a major dry spell as far as card-making goes....oh, we'll make a set or two here and there but there's just not the excitement or passion there once was.  Could be that I've turned that toward other crafting endeavors but more likely than not - I think I'm just burnt out on the whole card-making for a profit thing.  And HA - that's a laugh - as if we've EVER actually made a profit!!  But (for me at least), it's come down to feeling more like a JOB, something that I feel that I HAVE to do - and well, that makes it a lot less fun........

 

Lately I've made a couple of cards for special b-days (and nope, didn't even think about taking a photo - even with my cool new phone!!) and that was fun but it was fun because it didn't feel like a JOB - like it didn't HAVE to be done (which technically it did 'cause well, they were b-day cards....needed by a certain date and all).  We've got a craft fair looming (and I do mean LOOMING) ....and I've got to get my stamping butt into gear but with each weekend that passes I find myself oh-so busy doing OTHER things (pretty much ANYTHING else - good grief I've even glommed onto watching T.V. shows for pity sake... all in my avoidance of stamping).....so yep, pretty much everything/anything else EXCEPT for stamping.....sigh....

 

Oh, I'll get my sets of cards done because I'm in a partnership but those cards won't be made with a whole lot of fun nor joy or enthusiasm and I'm a bit afraid that will be reflected in the end product......but they WILL get done.  After the craft fair, we'll need to re-visit our plans and goals - I know that mine have definitely changed.   

 

But ok, life goes and so will I - not sure what will end up landing on the ol' bloggeroony - and if it's not your cup of tea, I totally get it and sorry to disappoint - but there are TONS of other card-making blogs out there - I know you'll find something...   

 

Bob and I thank you for your time - we hope we've given you a good idea every now and again.  Create & Enjoy and spread that happiness around - use your talents for good!!

 

Toodles for now........

Kathy & Bob