Heard it through the grapevine

 Hello crafty friends,

If you like to color, this is the card for you. I find coloring to be therapeutic and really enjoy my creations coming to life through. My favorite medium to color is Copic markers using the Big & Bold stamps from The Colorado Craft Company.

This card has that Wow factor using very little supplies. Here's what you need:

1. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 white base
2. 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 white top panel
3. white pieces for the die cut
4. Copic friendly black ink pad - I use Momento Tuxedo black
5. Copic markers - the colors I used are E53, E55, E57, YG03, YG17, YG67, BV00, BV01, BV02, BV11, V17, BV08, V09, and V15
6. Grapes Big & Bold stamps and dies set

To make the card, I stamped the grapes on a piece of Basic White cardstock and colored before die cutting. Since this is the center focal point of the card, I wanted it to have a little dimension. I die cut the image and then using the same grape die, but a white piece (no stamped image) and glued the two pieces together.

The image will be larger than the card base so some of the edges will need to be trimmed. I stamped the sentiments, die cut and popped them up on the card. To had a little sparkle, I added a few sequins in coordinating colors. 

And that is it - super easy and super fun to color.

I hope you enjoy make this card as much as I did. 

Make today a crafty day!

Kathie K.

Wave Birthday Card

 Realistic wave - looks complicated; super easy to make.

I just love making this card and watching the recipients feel the wave almost like it's real. The layered stamp set from The Ton creates this realistic wave and color combinations are endless.

Here's what you need:

• Basic Black cardstock (Stampin Up): cut 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 (card base) and a layered piece - the size will depend on the size of the die cut wave layer
• Blue layer (retired Stampin Up): 4 1/8 x 5 3/8
• Basic White (Stampin Up): scraps for tags, approximately 1/4 sheet for wave image, and 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 for inside
• Smoky Slate (Stampin Up) ink page

Stamp Sets - I like stretching my stamps sets by mixing and matching:

• Wave - The Ton
• Wave set - Stampin Up

To create the wave image, you will need three coordinating colors. Here's what I used to create this blue wave:

• 1st layer - I combined Balmy Blue and Pool Party (both from Stampin Up) to get the light aqua color
• 2nd layer - Pacific Point ink pad (Stampin Up)
• 3rd Layer - Night of Navy ink pad (Stampin Up:

Die - the dies I used are all from different sets - I liked coordinating the stitched edges:

• Stitched rectangle - My Favorite Things
• Sailing Away - Stampin Up
• Tasteful Labels - Stampin Up

Die cut all the stamped images and layer. Adhere down the inside layer and that is it! Super easy but looks like you spent hours. I hope you give this stamp set a try - just beautiful.

Make today a creative day!

Kathie K.

Teepee or Pyramid Birthday Card

I really like making this style of card. I like being able to decorate three sides of the card. These cards have a huge impact and are really easy to make. I have tried a couple different ways to make to these cards and here is my favorite.

You will need:

• 3 - 4" squares of cardstock for the base
• 2 - 3 7/8" squares decorative paper for the outside
• 1 - 3 7/8" square decorative paper for the inside
• 1 - 3 7/8" square white cardstock - inside note and signature panel
• Embellishments - tags, die cuts, etc

Constructing the card:

1. Score the base squares in half on the diagonal; fold and burnish
2. Cut decorative squares and inside panel in half on the diagonal - you will have triangles
3. To for the teepee or pyramid, place one square on work surface with the score line vertical; the piece will look like a diamond. Place the other base squares on each side of the diamond matching the top points and the edge of the square to the score line of the diamond. Glue squares together.
4. Arrange the triangles to your liking and glue in place on the base - outside and inside
5. To close the flap on the teepee, you can use Velcro dots or my preference is to cut a small slit and insert the tip of the flap to close. Do this measure up the from the tip of the base 2 1/8" and then cut a 3/4" slit horizontally starting at the score line. You will need to cut through the decorative layers and the base cardstock. Insert the tip of the flap and your card will stand up on its own.
6. Use embellishments to decorate. I like to place a die cut over the close slit to hide.

When the card is unfolded, it will fit in a standard envelope. The card pictured actually fits in a larger envelope due to the embellishments.

I hope you give this card a try. If you would like to purchase this card, check out my shop here.

The products I used are from Stampin' Up and will be discontinued on June 2, 2020. If you would like to order, the products are listed below. Please use this Host Code when ordering: CGCB6Z76

Free as Bird stamp and die set bundle - #151123

Bird Ballad Designer paper - #149592

Happy stamping.

Kathie K.

Sunsets by the ocean

Hello fellow crafters!

When my husband and I are able to take a vacation, we love going somewhere warm by the ocean. Since we live in the mid-west, this is something that we don't get to do very often. So in between vacations, I recreate those memories through stamping.

Here are my current favorites.  I love doing the sponging technique to create the blue/green hues of the ocean, and the yellow and purple sky of a setting sun. Thanks to all of you that post your great creations as they definitely inspire my creativity. The thing that I like most is that every card turns out a little different.

The cards below were made for a couple of my friends that needed a little pick me up.  I also think these designs would be great for sympathy cards and for the guys in your life.  The version with the lighthouse was made for my brother's birthday.

Both cards were made with the Stampin' Up High Tide stamp set.  Here are few tips when making these cards:

• Before stamping or sponging, make sure your card stock is cut to the finished size.  When I made these cards I trimmed after and lost the really cool edging the sponging makes.
• For the masking, I found post-it notes that have a large sticky area.  This made masking so much easier. They are made by Post-it and called full adhesive notes.
• When stamping the lighthouse, be aware of the shadow that is created by layering the two stamps together.  Just make sure you place the light source on left.

I am still amazed how these turned out!  Both cards started out completely white,  Give this a try.  I hope you have as much fun as I do making these cards.

Happy crafting!