A Kept Life: 09/01/2023

Friday, September 29, 2023

Spring Wreath Wedding Congrats!

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a beautiful day! Today I’m sharing a card made with the beautiful new Leafy Spring Wreath! This set features a leafy wreath with lots of pretty embellishments including flowers, Easter eggs, little birds and a beautiful bow!

I like to reimagine my stamps and dies and imagine different ways to use them. Just because this set has “Spring” in it’s name doesn’t mean that’s the only time I can use it. I saw those little birds and immediately my mind went to weddings!

Pretty Pink Posh has a fabulous assortment of stitched border dies too. But why do they have to be just for borders? I like to use the Stacked Edges and Stitched Strips dies to create smooth flat backgrounds. I have more than one of each of the border die sets so I can cut several at a time. I always save the extras for other projects.

I love the clean line designs from Pretty Pink Posh because they’re ideal for every media type I can think of. I’m not an “expert” at coloring so I like to color the petals and leaves in different shades of color to give a stained glass look with lots of contrast.

I’m smiling because this card was made with something old (the older release dies), something new (the new Leafy Spring Wreath), something borrowed (my daughter’s markers), and something blue (all those fabulous stripes)! I'm playing at Shopping Our Stash where this time they want you to color something with your favorite media - mine is Copic Markers!

I know... they're expensive. But if you color as much as I do you can't beat the value of being able to buy ink refills. One refill will recharge your marker at least 10 times. The color match is perfect and I only have to buy refills of the colors I need.

Finished Size: 4.25 x 5.5”
Stamps | Pretty Pink Posh Leafy Spring Wreath
Dies | Pretty Pink Posh Leafy Spring Wreath, Congrats Script, Stitched Strips
Jewels | Pretty Pink Posh Caribbean

PPP = Pretty Pink Posh
SSS = Simon Says Stamp

Leafy Spring Wreath

PPP | SSS

Congrats Script Die

PPP

Stitched Strips

PPP | SSS

Caribbean Blue

PPP | SSS

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Sending Lots of Love

Today I'm playing along at Crazy is our Fame Stencils are Our Game! Challenge. Stencils aren't just for backgrounds anymore! Today You'll find lots of them for coloring your stamped images like the one I'm using today from Waffle Flower!

My card starts with a Heart Frame cut from white cardstock. I topped the center with a die cut stitched rectangle of red cardstock.

I stamped the Sketched Rose and then inked it with the coordinating stencil and Distress Inks. The rose is also available as a hot foil die so you can elevate this design to elegant shiny foil super easy.

The coordinating die cuts both the stamp and the foil die because the design on both is exactly the same.

I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock and then cut it into a simple strip to complete the design.

Have a great day and keep smiling!

Finished Size: 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps | Waffle Flower Sketched Rose
Dies | Waffle Flower Sketched Rose, Heart Frame, Nesting Stitched Rectangles
Stencil | Waffle Flower Sketched Rose

92-64031, 733-64980, 733-64981, 733-64982

WFL = Waffle Flower
SCB = Scrapbook.com
SSS = Simon Says Stamp
COT = A Cherry On Top

Affiliate links will take you to the store site for purchase

Sketched Rose
Shop at:
WFL | SCB | SSS | COT

Heart Frame
Shop at:
WFL | SCB | SSS | COT

Nesting Stitched Rectangles
Shop at:
WFL | SCB | SSS

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

My Creative Scrapbook September Main Kit

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you're having a great day! If you're looking for a great way to treat yourself I hope you consider trying a subscription to one of the My Creative Scrapbook monthly kits. They select the pattern paper and lots of coordinating supplies and deliver it straight to your front door so all you have to focus on is MAKING! Every month they have several kits to choose from.. their Main Kit, LE - Limited Edition, Creative Kit and Album Kit - so you can choose what's right for you!

This time I'm working with the September Main Kit. This kit includes die cuts, cut aparts, and premium 12" papers from the Pretty Little Studio Hey Summer! Collection. You'll also find foam stickers from Simple Stories, a Vicki Boutin stencil all celebrating this month's theme.... SUMMER!

The paper prints include florals, rainbows, stripes (think beach towels), plaid, sand dollars, and script. The colors include the rainbow in muted shades.

This kit includes lots of sentiments and labels so you'll want to make some of them the center of attention. I topped a circle label with a rounded edge strip label on the card below.

And if you can't get away.... there's nothing wrong with a staycation. Hopefully you know someone who has a pool.

I added some die cut frames to make shakers and focal points for my cards. This frame topped with a foam sentiment over patterned paper is simple yet fussy at the same time.

I love all the accessory images that almost make me hear the ocean calling - flip flops, bathing suits, sunscreen, lemonade and seashells too.

These cards were made with everything that you see in the kit photo. The only things I've added are the card bases, solid cardstock (for background mats), enamel dots, adhesives and envelopes. I also added the fame die cut on the shaker card above.

I invite you to join one of their monthly kit clubs and experience the possibilities that their coordinated kits offer. With plenty of innovative materials and ideas to jump start your imagination, preserving your memories and making cards will be effortless and enjoyable.

All cards finished size: 4.25 x 5.5"
My Creative Scrapbook September Main Kit
Includes: Pretty Little Studio Hello Summer 12" Papers, Beach Bits, Salt Air Die Cuts

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Make My Heart Sing

I love flowers! And if you do too you'll love Pretty Little Studio! Each and every one of their paper collections includes different printed die cut floral images. Today I'm playing with the Sunkissed Collection that includes stunningly realistic florals.

The Smell The Flowers pack includes 43 different die cut images so you have lots to choose from to create your floral designs.

The "love this" banner and tag are from the Sunshine Mix die cuts. I added a bit of faux stitching to the tag with a clear sticker. The sheet has lots of colors and different stitched designs to choose from including the simple pink ones on my tag.

One of my favorite elements in the collection is the Accent Pad. The sheets in the pack make it look like I took lots of time mixing and matching papers to create a unique background when really they're all printed on to one sheet.

I love the sweet escape that my craft room extends to me. The flowers in this collection are like a walk through a meadow of wildflowers. The only thing I miss is the buzzing of bees and the chirping birds.

Monday, September 25, 2023

Boo To You!

Happy Monday! I'm really dragging since the weekend! I thought my dentist appointment was this morning and showed up at their office bright and early at 8 am only to find that my appointment is TOMORROW! That hasn't happened ever!

That's ok because getting up early gave me more time to get to work on other things! Today I'm playing along with Send A Smile 4 Kids Challenge where they're looking for Halloween cards for kids!

This card starts with an inked stenciled cloud panel in yellow orange and purple. I splattered it with some blue to add a little more color and contrast.

Next I die cut a circle from the cloudy panel and added an inky yellow splattered panel underneath. That helped me with the placement of the Happy Halloween sentiment stamp.