A Kept Life: 04/01/2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

12 Kits of Occasions - April Showers Bring May Flowers

Hi friends and thanks for stopping by! You picked a great day for a visit because there's lots going on! I have three posts today. It's my last week as the Guest Designer at Color Throwdown, Waltzingmouse new release previews start today, and I'm the hostess this month for the 12 Kits of Occasions. Just to refresh your memory, the 12 Kits is a group of 12 friends who are obsessed with card making. Every month we take turns supplying the group a "kit" of ingredients to work with. On the last day of the month we all show what we made with the kit. This month the theme is "April Showers Bring May Flowers" and I was the hostess who put the kit together. I think I was a little nervous about my selections. I know I'm a little more "fru fru" than my friends, and lets face it.... my color preferences do tend to lean towards bright, and yes... pink! I suppose that's not every body's cup of tea so I did my best to prove that yes.... all these things really do go together! LOL! I mean what's not to love about Basic Grey Paper, May Arts Ribbon, and Poppy/Memory Box die cuts right? That's heaven in my world! I've got lots of things made so here goes.....

Unfortunately our friend Christina MacLaren decided to leave the group so we had two kits (vs. the usual one) to give to commenters from last month - and I'm happy to have made two new friends Erin and Nancy!

April Guests

Erin Theim

Nancy Penir

Renee - It's a Patchwork Life

Marybeth - It's Time For Paper

Joyce - Cards By The Sea

Cathy Weber - Empty Nest Crafter

Kim - Cupcakes Cards & Kim

Kara - K & R Designs

Jessica - The Paper Parade

Sharron - On Papillon Wings

Tracey McNeely - In My Creative Opinion

Kellly Schirmer - Gingham Girl

Want a chance to play along with us next month and receive a kit of your own? Leave a comment here on the 12 Kits of Occasions Blog

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a beautiful day!

Stamps:
· Clearly Besotted Happy Everything
· Paper Sweeties “April Showers” from Spring is Here
· Paper Smooches Pretty Momma, Sentiment Sampler, “Thank you” from Word Up
· Serendipity Stamps: More Than Anything, God Gave Us, Happy Mother’s Day, Happy Birthday, Thank You Small, Butterfly Bush Small, Hydrangea Small, Queen Anne’s Lace Small
· Waltzingmouse Stamps: “Hello” from Fancy Phrases, “Birthday Wishes” from Teeny Trees
· Papertrey Ink Birthday Classics April Stamp Set
Dies:
· Memory Box Norwich Corner, Lovely Peony Outline, Lovely Peony Background, Delightful Peony Background, Delightful Peony Outline, Pixie Flower, Fairy Flower, Twinkle Bell Flower Elegant Leaves, Arched Stems, Eva Stem
· Kraft Ticket from Maya Road
· Poppystamps Large Marianna Vine, Wild Rose Bud, Mod Flower Border
· Clearly Besotted “Happy Everything”,
· PTI Double Ended Banners
· Lil Inker Designs Mom
· Serendipity Stamps Teapot and Tea Cup
· Spellbinder Tags Trio
· Cheery Lynn Priscilla Doily
· Marianne Oval Doily CR1204
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Fresh Cut Collection 12 x 12” “Lilac Meadow”, “Poppy Lane”, “Violet Garden” , “Morning Glory Market”, “Bluebell Boutique”, “Gardenia Row”, “Peony District”, “Sweet Pea Square”
Card Stock: Stampin’ Up! Tangerine Tango, Strawberry Slush, Night of Navy, Coastal Cabana, Paper Trey Ink Simply Chartreuse
Embossing Folders : Stampin’ Up! Vine Street, Sizzix Fleur Tile, Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Matelassé
Ribbon: May Arts 5/8” Sheer Ruffle Edge Turquoise, 1/8” Solid Diagonal Stripe Navy, ½” Trim Loops Ivory, 5/8” Grosgrain Dots Navy/White, 5/8” Crochet Watermelon, 5/8” Mesh Fuchsia /Yellow
Twinery Twine: Strawberry, Caribbean, Mandarin, Honeydew
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Sentiments), Memento Tuxedo Black (images to color), Stampin Up! Night of Navy, Versamark
Zing Gold Embossing Powder
Extras: Buttons: Stampin Up!
· Pins: Dritz
· Lotus Gems Jolees Boutique
· Rhinestone swirl with pink flower and butterfly paper clip by Recollections
· Sequins: Michaels
· Glitter Lady bug Paper Studio
· Woodgrain Polaroid Frame Jillibean Soup

Waltingmouse New Release - Tag Collection One

Thanks for stopping by for the latest Waltzingmouse Release. Over the next few days (April 1 - May 1) we'll be showing you projects made with the new stamp set "Tag Collections One" and Waltzingmouse Cutting Edge Dies. The "Tag Collections One" is 6 x 4" set that features stamps perfect for gift giving. Wait until you see the Christmas sentiment in the set - it's a hoot!

I'm using the "for YOU" sentiment from the set on my card today along with the new cutting edge dies that coordinate with the "Simple Sprig" set. The font is really pretty on this sentiment - and the extra "shading" means you're going to add lots of color when you stamp it.

The dies for "Simple Sprig" are not window dies, they are solid backed dies. This means that you have to cut them out before you stamp them - since there is no "window" you can't position them over your stamped image. Sometimes that means that the dies are hard to line up because the image is too close to the edge of the stamped design. I was delighted to find that these are so easy to position when stamping that you can simply eye ball where they're going to line up. NO stamp a ma jig or other tool required. Easy Peasy folks!

Want to see more designs featuring the new "Tag Collections One" set? Here's a list of designers showing projects today.

Release day is May 1! I hope you'll come back tomorrow to see more - I think you're going to be glad you did!

Hugs!

Supplies Used: Finished Size 4.5 x 5.5"
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Tag Collection One, SImple Sprig
Dies: Waltzingmouse Simple Sprig, Spellbinder Nested Pennant,s Cheery Lynn Swedis Spring OVal Doily
Card Stock: PTI Vintage Cream, SU! Pool Party
Pattern Paper: Echo Park "Splendid Sunshine" 6x6"
Ink: Impress Fresh Ink Basil, Pink Lemonade, Tomato Red, Island, Avery Elle Fizz, Raspberry
Button
Ivory Button Twine May Arts

CTD#290 - Thanks A Bunch!

Oh it's going to be a wonderful day folks! I have three posts today so you better take some time and look around!! LOL!!! There's a Waltzingmouse new release, the 12 Kits of Occassions that I'm hosting as well as this post for The Color Throwdown. This is my last week as guest designer for the Color Throwdown Challenge. I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to shine in the spot light all month. I had a great time and made some new friends. Have you played there yet? You should check them out!! I'm not the best at color challenges but I really got in the swing of things now that I've reached the end of the month.

Here's the color swatch for this week. My first thought when I saw this was RETRO - and those stacked baking dishes totally had me thinking Mom or something with the kitchen. In the end I put the coral and banana next to each other and I saw some flowers with some Caribbean accents. This one came together really easy - and I'm really happy with how it turned out. It seems so light and airy even with the dark black matted sentiment in the center.

Need a little more inspiration to get you kick started? Check out projects from the rest of the design team!

Now it's your turn! I hope I see you at The Color Throwdown!

Supplies Used: Finished Size: 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps: Avery Elle Petals & Stems, All Squared Up

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Poppy

Dies: Spellbinder Circles, Big Scalloped Circles, Cheery Lynn Priscilla Doily, Avery Elle Petals & Stems

Card Stock: PTI True Black, White, Aqua Mist

Pin: Wild Orchid Crafts, Pearls Doodlebug, Wood Butterfly Studio Calico

Ink" Impress Fresh Ink Provincial Gray, Pool, Tomato Red, Chamomile, Versafine Onyx Black

Monday, April 28, 2014

April Showers

It's my first post on the Twinery Blog! I've made a project featuring a rainbow of twine. Here's a little peek for you!

If you'd like to see more just click here!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Serendipity Stamps New Release Blog Hop!! For Mom

Hi and thanks for stopping by! You picked a great day for a visit. The Serendipity Stamps Design Team is celebrating the latest stamp release with a blog hop. If you're following along you should have reached me from Anya's blog. If you'd like to start at the beginning you can get all the details on Mary's blog.

There's lots of beautiful flowers and some new sentiments for you to see. I've got lots of photos for you so grab a cuppa your fave and settle in!

My first card features the new Happy Mother's Day Stitched Sentiment Do you see the little needle under "Mother's"? I surrounded it with flowers from the new Flower Pops Set. It includes 8 stamps. First I inked up the sentiment and a background of flourishes. Then I colored and fussy cut the flowers and layered them with adhesive foam tape.

My next card features the new Mason Jar and Wildflowers Stamps. They work perfectly together. I stamped the flowers first, and then using my stamp a ma jig I stamped the Jar so it wouldn't over lap any of the flowers. It was lots of fun to color up all those pretty flowers!

My last project features the new Aprons stamp. This one makes me think of my grandmother - she always had lots of pretty aprons to keep her dresses spotless when she was cooking. I wish I had some of them now because I'm always messing up my clothes!

I thought it would be fun to add little twine bows along the end of the clothes line to help hold them up. A little eyelet lace peeking out from the doily seemed just natural here. I'm going to let the cat out of the bag too - Serendipity Stamps is going to be stocking some Cheery Lynn dies soon so keep an eye out for them.

Ready to see more? The next stop on the hop is Jenny! Oh and before you leave - don't forget to leave a comment. One random winner who comments on ALL the blogs will receive a $20 gift code off their next order. You have until Midnight on Sunday March 27 to comment. The winner will be posted on Mary's blog on Monday 4-28.

Here's a complete list of all the blogs for your convenience.

Jeanne Jachna (that's me!)

Jenny Gropp

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Happy Hopping and have a great day!! Don't forget if your a fan of Serendipity that they have a challenge blog with a new challenge every month! It's another great way to win some great stamps! Good Luck!!

Supplies Used: Finished Size 4.5 x 6.25

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps: Flower Pops, Happy Mother's Day Stitched

Card Stock: PTI White, Aqua Mist

Ink: Memento, Copic Markers

Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps: Mason Jar, Flower Bouquet, Mom SM

Pattern Paper: Pink Paislee Christi Tomlinson She Art 6x6"

Card Stock: PTI White Spring Rain, New Leaf

Dies: Cheery Lynn L7 Silver Stacker Oval Classic, Horizon Oval Boutique Stacker Frame

Border Punch: EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Twinery Honeydew Twine

1/2" Striped Grosgrain Martha Stewart

Button

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Button

Finished Size: Serendipity Stamps:

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps: Aprons, Mother

Pattern Paper: Echo Park "Paper & Glue" 6x6"

Card Stock: PTI White, Aqua Mist

Dies: Spellbinder Petite Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals, Cheery Lynn Swedish Spring Ovals

Twinery Caribbean Twine

Buttons

Fusion #9 - Hello Chevrons!

Hi and thanks for stopping by today! I hope you're enjoying the Spring weather. I'm trying to get more active and start walking again. I even bought some new walking shoes yesterday. I was actually out looking for some for my son, but I quickly got distracted by all the bright colors in the women's section. I'm old school and normally go for the plain white. The ones I picked a bit shocking - silver with pink and purple accents. I don't know what got into me. I guess it's time for a change! If they make me want to walk more then it's all good right?

A new two week challenge begins at Fusion today. Look at all the bright colored chevrons! The minute I saw it I started thinking about striped beach umbrellas, but seriously folks, it's still cold in my part of the world! Here's the cool thing about Fusion - you can work with the inspiration photo, OR the sketch.... OR BOTH!

I stuck with the pattern and snuck in the striped colored chevrons on the background paper. The three chevrons on the pattern became colorful flowers. These were just flat cut flowers that I layered and added a gem to the center of. If you look close you will see the layout is there, but as a foundation. I topped it with die cuts and wood accents. I think it's just about as cheery as the inspiration pic. And look! No stamps!! How weird huh? Well sometimes that just happens. I'm just sayin'!

If your needing a little more inspiration, check out more designs from the rest of the team.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Supplies Used: Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Pattern Paper: Simple Stories "Summer Fresh" 6x6"

Card Stock: PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream, Blueberry Sky, SU! Garden Green , Midnight MuseDies: Memory Box Donnington Tendril, Paper Smooches Flag Tags, PTI Hello, Lil Inker Stitched Rectangle

Wood Butterfly Jillibean Soup

Button

Flowers I am Roses.com

Gems : Jolees Boutique

CASE Study #188 - Wishing You Well

Happy Thursday! I hope you're ready for a new challenge at CASE Study! I love playing at CASE - I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. It's always fresh with a new muse every month to meet. I really like being introduced to different people and getting a glimpse of how they approach card making. I always find something new and interesting to try - and most of all it's always fun. Our Muse this month is Jaclyn Miller of Designs by JAX.

He're the inspiration photo for this time. Just like the magnifying glass in the CASE Study Logo implies.... take a good look at the inspiration. Focus on what moves or inspires you and then make it your own. Sometimes things are perfect just as they are and other times there is room for interpretation. So what do you love? The layout? Colors? Theme? Here's what I picked up on - the clean pattern paper background, the banner sentiment in the center of the design, and all the fun colors and shapes of the embellishments on Jaclyn's card. Here's what I came up with....

Want a little more inspiration? Check out designs from the rest of the team as well as our guestie this month - Catherine Pooler!

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Debbie Hughes

Tasnim Ahmed

Maureen Merritt

Silke Ledlow

Now it's your turn. But before you go - I just want to make sure you know that there is a call out for some new Teamies at CASE. It's a great experience and one that I've really enjoyed. I hope you'll submit a project and I wish you all the best! You can get all the details here.

Supplies Used: Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Reverse Confetti Petals & Posies
Dies: Reverse Confetti Petals & Posies, Paper Smooches Flag Tags
Buttons, Pearls
Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye "Presh" 6 x 6"
Ink: Avery Elle Mojito, Fizz, Aquamarine, Raspberry, Memento Luxe Love Letter Rose Bud Morocco, Versafine Onyx Black
Card Stock: PTI White, Sweet Blush

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

CASology - Garden

Hi and thanks for stopping by! I wanted to sneak in a quick post. I've been missing playing at CASology - I've got a few friends there and I'm always looking to make a few more! I know a CAS card isn't supposed to take a lot of time, but sometimes it's figuring out what you're going to make, or which stamp set you think will work out best for the challenge that takes the longest. I saw the Cue Card: Garden this week and it was easy peasy. Dang it! Maybe I should have done some peas! Oh well.... all I have for you today is some carrots!

I'm missing my garden too, but pretty soon we'll be ready to plant and I can pretty much guarantee there will be some carrots in there. I was happy to use this PTI set that I fell in love with but never got around to inking. I'm so glad I did! Thank you CASology! It was fun stamping these cute little carrots and I'm having fun stamping lots of the other veggie images in the set as well today. So there's bound to be more headed your way soon!

I hope you find a little time to play today as well!

Supplies Used - Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps: PTI BGotanical Silhouettes, Vegetable Garden
Ink: Memento Tangelo, Morocco, Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy, Versafine Onyx Black
Card Stock: PTI Rustic Cream, Orange Zest

CTD289 - Fuchsias

I'm So glad you stopped by today! I know I'm late but I hope you had a great Easter! With my dental work it totally slipped my mind that it was THIS Sunday. Lots of running around and special thanks to my chauffeur for driving me to the store. We survived the holiday - no family disputes. Holidays make me feel so dysfunctional. I did make a pistachio cheesecake with a ganache layer on the top. Everyone in the family helped out - cracking eggs, measuring ingredients. I was certain it would be messed up - it's hard to keep track of who's doing what.. but it turned out perfectly. It might even have tasted better because I know all the love that went into it behind the scenes.

I'm so lucky to be the guest designer this month at Color Throwdown. I won't lie.. I still have a hard time with color challenges. The first thing I do is pull a sheet of card stock in each of the colors so I can think on them. I was certain I was going to use the inspiration photo and make something with a butterfly, but I got to thinking about this fuchsia stamp I bought but never used. Next was picking out some patterned paper (you know I can't live without it LOL!) Do you know how hard it is to find paper with any shade of purple in it?

I colored the fuchsia in Copic markers and then fussy cut them. I layered some different pattern papers and then slipped in a little "get well" sentiment stamped in purple. A sprinkle of sequins for a little bling factor and to pick up on the purple a little more.

Are you smitten with this color combination? Maybe you should give it a try! Need a little more inspiration? I know the Color Throwdown DT will blow you away!

Have a great day and I hope I see you at The Color Throwdown Challenge!