Final Christmas Card Share of 2013!

Here is my final Christmas card of 2013. This year, unlike the past few years, each and every recipient on my card list was sent a card (although the last batch went out on Christmas Eve day!) That is a big accomplishment, especially with all of the extra time I've devoted to work. I started 2013 with plenty of time to pursue my crafty endeavors, and finished the year lucky to squeeze even an hour of crafty time in each week! What a difference a year makes. That is a good thing, as it's nice to be contributing significantly to the household, but a bad thing as I need to have creative time in order to feel complete. It's odd how that works with us creative folk -- our desire to create is so great, we end up grumpy or sad or wandering through life like a lost soul if we do not get enough creative time in. It's like an itch that needs to be scratched, or an addiction that leads to "withdrawal" symptoms when we aren't able to just. make. something.

So my 2014 intention: make more time for craftiness. My crafty business is doing well, but my scrapbooks are not. They are quite neglected, so it's time to get back to what got me into papercrafting in the first place: preserving my family's memories for generations to come. It's time to strike a balance between work, family, and my creative needs so that I do not lose my mind!

Alright...so here's the card. It is simple, yet striking, I think. Of course, Crafter's Companion to the rescue, with the 4.25x5.75 Darice Ornaments On Side embossing folder and a piece of sandpaper. After sanding the embossed image, I just added a matted sentiment stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, from the Crafter's Inspiration magazine, one of the freebie stamps provided. Done! (That's the key to Christmas cards by the way -- if you want to send out a bunch, keep it simple!)

Get ready for one more post to finish off 2013. My last Crafter's Companion post for 2013! Can you believe another year has ended? I certainly can't! So many good things...I wonder what's to come in 2014?

Happy World Cardmaking Day!

I hope everyone is having a great World Cardmaking Day! I actually got to sit down and make something, which is pretty awesome. Crafting time has been few and far between, mainly due to the fact my 13-year-old daughter (who, I might add, is highly inactive) dislocated her kneecap doing....get this....cartwheels in the front yard.

She has a follow-up appointment tomorrow after the MRI she had last Thursday, so we'll know if there is damage beyond the dislocation (fingers crossed no surgery is required!)

To celebrate WCMD, I wanted to post this gorgeous card I made using the new Sheena's A Little Bit Oriental - Sakura EZ Mount Stamp Set. I combined it with a lovely woodgrain Darice embossing folder and my Spectrum Noir markers:

 Isn't it pretty? I inked the edges with Memento Tuxedo Black, and added fun lace trim and bling.

Today I am also taking the day to make other pretty things, and my second project today is my October challenge card for Crafter's Companion. The theme is baby, and one of my favorite stamps to turn to for any baby card: Humphrey. Any of them, really. Humphrey is just adorable! This stamp set, Humphrey Xmas EZ Mount Stamp Set - First Christmas, is a favorite for baby themed Christmas cards and gifts:

 With Lillybee Christmas paper and my Spectrum Noir pens, this little cutie is ready for the holiday gift-giving season! I added some Frosted Lace Stickles to his hat for a little sparkle (but here's a tip: wait until your marker dries completely before you add the Stickles! I did not, and you can see it bled red into the wet glue! Ooops!) Black Diamond Stickles add a nice touch to each of the paper pieces.

Don't forget to play along with our challenge this month for your chance to win a gift code to the Crafter's Companion store worth $30! Don't forget to follow the rules completely, as your card will be disqualified otherwise!

Stay tuned, I will be posting a fun tutorial early next week involving the Ultimate Tool, you won't want to miss it!

I hope you're enjoying World Cardmaking Day!

xoxo

Khristen

Sheena Release Day and a Call for Help!

Christmas in July? Sure, why not?! New Sheena's A Little Bit Festive stamps have just been released today in the Crafter's Companion store. It's never too early for this girl here to start Christmas cards -- my list of recipients is a mile long, and I never have the time in the actual holiday season to get them all done. So I am now one more card ahead!

I chose the Snowy Wellies EZ Mount set, and the teeny little snowflakes and sentiment.

 I used Lilybee Design's North Pole - Christmas Cheer front and back along with red cardstock, all adhered with my Extra Strong Permanent Tape Runner. I embossed the snowflakes onto a sheet of vellum using the Darice 4.25x5.75 Snowflakes Asst. embossing folder, adhering it to the cardstock with adhesive spray. I colored the letters of the sentiment with CR11 and TB4 Spectrum Noir pens.

The snowflakes were adhered with foam circles.

Head over to the Crafter's Companion store to check out the multibuy special: buy three sets of your choice for only $30! That's a great deal, don't let it pass you by!

Alright...now, for another request. I have a dear friend who works for a wonderful program called TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. They receive requests from those who have lost a loved one in the Armed Services, and they have received a request I know a lot of you out there would love to help with. Recently, a woman contacted them requesting scrapbook supplies. She recently lost a son in Iraq, and wants to include scrapbooking as part of her healing process. Money is an issue in her household, so she cannot afford to take up the hobby on her own right now.

What I am asking: if you have a moment, go through your supplies. Pull out things to donate to this woman, and mail them! Of course a focus on military papers and embellishments is great, but as scrapbookers, we know that there are pictures of this brave man at every stage of life. Anything is welcome! Also, she needs everything: adhesives, album, refill pages....EVERYTHING. Whatever you can give will be much appreciated! They are hoping to gather donations by 6/30 as his birthday is in August. They want to present her with the donated supplies by this date.

Send your donations to:

TAPS
Attn: Kathy Stephens
3033 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 630
Arlington, VA 22201

I really appreciate those who donate. And please share this post! The more people it can spread to, the more who have the opportunity to donate! I thank you all in advance!

xoxo
Khristen

CC May Challenge: Masculine

Good afternoon! Did everyone have a fantastic Mother's Day? I know I did.

I must be quick today, but I just *have* to share my card for the Crafter's Companion May Challenge, in which we are asking for your masculine creations using CC products.

I decided to craft a quick card for the hubs for Father's Day. My son will end up writing inside of it, my little lover of all things race car! For this card, you'll need the 4.25"x5.75" Darice Embossing Folder - Checkered, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, the soon-to-be-released Camden Town - Male 2 stamp set, some adhesive foam squares, and twine.

Here's what I made:

Isn't it neat? Start by running the card base through your embossing machine (like the eBosser!) Gently rub your ink pad over the raised squares to create the background that complements the checkered flag. Stamp the flag and "No 1" "Dad," then fussy cut them. Adhere them to the card with adhesive squares. Adhere twine around the whole thing, and you're done! Super quick and easy, and something dad is sure to love!

Don't forget to head over to the Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge Blog to enter your creation. You could win a nice gift certificate to the Crafter's Companion store!

Alright, back to work...and I'll have more Camden Town sneak peeks coming up, too :)

Have a fabulous day :)

xoxo
Khristen