A Kept Life: 01/01/2019

Thursday, January 31, 2019

The 12 Kits of Occasions - Good Fortune

I'm so excited! It's finally here! It's post day for The 12 Kits of Occasions! It was my turn to host and I chose an Asian theme of Good Fortune!

I tried to include a little bit of something to appeal to everyone in the group. Here's a peek at the kit I put together.

I always worry about what I send the group.. do these things all go together? Will they have fun making? I guess I had to prove to myself that it was all good so I tried to make with as much as I could so I made 8 cards!

I also invited four special guest to play along because crafty friends are the best! Please welcome...

Jeanne Tomshack - Creative Bliss

Kimberly Wiener - Wiener Honeymooners

Kelly Schirmer - Gingham Girl

Richard Breaks - That's MISTER Cardmaker to You!

Stamps | La La Land Paper Doll Marci Kimono
Pattern Paper | Photo Play "Paper Crane" 12"
Wood Veneer | Kaisercraft Oriental
Washi | MT Japan

Stamps | Birch Press Design Lingo Thanks
Dies | Tutti Designs Kimono
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug | Oriental Weave
Sequin Mix | Buttons Galore & More Sparkletz Sailors Sky

Stamps | MFT Ninja Mazing
Dies | MFT Ninja Mazing | Memory Box Circle Basics, Stitched Country Borders
Pattern Paper | Photo Play "Paper Crane" 12"
Sequin Mix | Buttons Galore & More Sparkletz Sailors Sky
MT Washi Japan

Ready to see more cards made with this kit? You can see a sample from each of the designers who are playing along today at The 12 Kits of Occasions Blog. I've invited four special guests too so there's LOTS to see!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

All cards Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Pretty Little Studio - Sweet Savannah Dreams

I hope you're having a great day! I'm ready for a sweet escape! How about you? Today I'm playing with Pretty Little Studio Savannah Dreams Collection. It's my hands down favorite collection in the shoppe!

If the bright colors and beautiful florals weren't enough the little birdies are enough to seal the deal!

The Best Ever Frames are the focal point of the card. If you look close you'll see frames with different patterns are stacked and adhered over a 4" Cambridge Doily.

Die cut birds and bitty SO SWEET Sentiment are from the Happy Place die cut pack. The colorful bouquet is from Floral Fantasy.

This collection just makes my heart happy! I hope it brings you joy too!

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Momenta Cactus Succulents

Wow it's cold outside! And we've been getting lots of snow lately here in the Midwest. I had to go to the doctor yesterday for a routine visit, and I got stuck in the parking lot (it hadn't been plowed). I tried to keep calm and remember to take my time.. no spinning wheels, and I did eventually get unstuck, but it did put a little scare in me. I think I'll be staying home today! LOL!

Today I'm playing with the Momenta Cut and Emboss Cactus Succulents. This is a really neat die set because the die cuts AND embosses with one pass through your die cut machine. Momenta can be found at your local craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michaels, as well as their on line store and Scrapbook.com.

This is how I colored the embossed dies. I used a sticky note to mask off the part of the die I didn't want inked. Next I inked up the exposed area. I used distress ink and a blending tool. I have an old composition notebook leftover from when my kids were in school and just flip to a clean page and ink away. Waste not, want not right?

Next I inked up the bottom half of the die cut. This is the area that is embossed on this die. I chose two shades of blue distress ink.. one light, one dark. I inked the entire pot with the lighter shade (in this case Peacock Feathers).

Next I inserted the colored die cut back into the die and inked the openings - the same way you'd ink a stencil - with the darker shade of blue (Broken China).

Here's what the finished die looked like. I did this with all three of the dies in the set.

To finish my scene I created a distress ink background and added a sentiment from the Love You Stamp and Emboss set that includes stamps and an embossing folder.

A few sequins add some sparkle and shine and make it a sunny day.

Want a chance to win this Momenta stamp and emboss die set? Head on over to my Instagram page. Just follow me and tag a friend. One lucky commenter chosen by random number generator and the friend they tag will BOTH win this die set. Comment by 12am US EST on February 4 to enter, and I'll post the winner on February 5.

Have a great day!

Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps | Momenta Stamp and Emboss Love You
Dies | Momenta Cut and Emboss Cactus Succulents

Cut and Emboss Cactus Succulents

SBK

Stamp and Emboss Love You

SBK | MMT

Friday, January 25, 2019

Spellbinders Small Die of the Month

Baby it's cold outside! What a great day to stay inside and play! I recently signed up for the Spellbinders Small Die of the Month club. I don't know what the die will be every month so it's a big surprise. A nice treat for me! It's a great value at only $12.50 a month (that includes shipping).

I'm playing along at Dies R Us Challenge - where you're instructed to use something new!

There are actually 21 dies included this month! The die set included everything I needed to make this cute girl. There is lots of versatility because it included pigtails or braids for the little girl who's wearing a dress or t-shirt.. with or without ruffles.

You can also very easily make a little boy! I thought they'd make sweet Valentines with their heart balloons, or a sweet birthday card for your favorite girl or boy.

I think the kiddo's in my life might even like playing with these too (adult supervision required of course).

Everything you see is included.. the little collar on his shirt, the rosy cheeks, and socks and shoes too.

I layered both of these cuties on a simple distress ink background because a day playing out doors is never a waste of time.

You can find the Small Die of the Month here at Spellbinders. I think you'll get hours of enjoyment out of this fun set!

Spellbinders January 2019 Large Die of The Month

January 2019 Small Die of the Month

SPB

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Fusion Card Challenge - Penguin Love

Are you looking for a fun challenge to play? Then you need to check out Fusion Card Challenge! Here's the inspiration this time.

Isn't that photo adorable? I immediately fell for the penguins (anybody else having a Fleetwood Mac flashback?).. and how they are doting on their little chick. If the photo is leaving you uninspired that's ok.. you can make something following the sketch.

In my winter scene Momma and Pappa Penguin are watching over the kiddo's who are playing in the snow.

The images from Pretty Pink Posh Penguin Pals were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black (how appropriate) and colored with Copic Markers.

Dad's wearing a stocking cap and has a cuppa to keep him warm. The little pine trees are from the Holiday Pals stamp set. Behind them is a stitched die cut circle from the Stitched Essentials One tag set.

The sky is a an inky panel of Shaded Lilac distress ink. The snowy hills were cut with the Scallop Borders die, and the sentiment is from Love Sentiments stamp set. Some sparkling clear sequins add some shine to the snow.

Need a little more inspiration? Check out designs from the rest of the team. Just click on their names below to jump to their blogs.

I hope I see you at Fusion Card Challenge! I cant wait to see what you make.

Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps | Pretty Pink Posh Love Sentiments, Penguin Pals, Holiday Pals
Dies | Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Essentials One, Penguin Pals, Scallop Borders, Holiday Pals

Love Sentiments Stamp Set PPP	Stitched Essentials One PPP \| SSS	Penguin Pals PPP \| SSS	Penguin Pals Dies PPP \| SSS	Scallop Borders PPP
Holiday Pals PPP	Holiday Pals Dies PPP	Sequins Sparkling Clear 3mm PPP	Sequins Sparkling Clear 4mm PPP
Sequins Sparkling Clear 6mm PPP	Memento Tuxedo Black SCB \| SSS	VersaFine Onyx Black SCB \| SSS	Copic Markers DB
Copic Marker Refills DB