Cosmo Cricket Sketch

I have a dream (like many others) to have a card published! So when I came across this challenge/sketch at cosmo Cricket, I knew that I had to give it a shot. When it comes to a sketch, do you stick by it or do you use it as inspiration and see where it takes you?  I tend to do the latter! (Although, I sometimes stick with the sketch.)

Here is the sketch from Cosmo Cricket:

I have been trying to think of a card to use one of the cute kids from Odds & Ends collection, but I was looking at other entries, someone beat me to it! So here is the card I came up with (and yes, I did not stick to the sketch, I used it as inspiration):

And I continue to use my latest addiction (pop-dots)!

 Supples : Cosmo Cricket Circa Collection Papers, Tiny Alphas
                 Studio G Letter Stamps
                 Pop Dot

School has begun!

The house was somewhat kind today.  I truly enjoyed the peace, but was excited when my son came home from Kindergarten.  I didn't spend too much time in the craft room but, here is a card I made using this week's sketch from Skipping Stones:

Here is the card I made:

To add a little 3D:

Hope everyone has a great day! I have to cut this one short! (My daughter thinks it is fun to climb up and into the bathroom sink!)

Summer is almost over...yippee!

Been a busy week!  School starts on Monday...is it wrong that I am jumping in my boots with excitement!  The boys have been non-stop fighting ALL summer...I am looking forward to the "quiet" time during the day!  Brayden starts Kndergarten this year, boy is time going fast!

Here are a couple of layouts that I was able to work on recently.  I included my own handwritten journaling and not happy with the outcome.  I think I am done with the handwritten!

AC - Confetti (Paper and embellishment)  and Thickers

AC Hello Sunshine (papers) and Thickers

Our Home

I love doing altered projects!  They mostly consist of unfinished wood projects, however, I am hoping to break into the world of altered albums!  I used all American Crafts papers and embellishments for this project. (Peachy Keen Collection).  The wooden house came from Michael's.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!

Oh, Happy Day!

What a great day it has been!!! My husband called me this morning to inform me that he was named "Volunteer of the Year" at our local YMCA!  I am so proud of him!!!

Skipping Stones released a new sketch challenge today, so I figured I would take a stab at it!

And here is my take:

Lately, I have been trying to use papers that I have in my stash.  There are too many wonderful papers out there, I need to make some room for them!  As I was going thru my papers, I came across a Cosmo Cricket packet that I have yet to use...until today! All the papers are from the Garden variety collection. The stamp is from Ditto by Studio G.

I have an itch to scrap, so I am hoping to get some time in for that!

Have a great day!
Jessi

Skipping Stones Challenge

So I have have been working on a new business adventure.  All I can say right now, is that I am working on crafting several new cards.  I am enjoying that time I get to create!  Some of the cards are turning out and some just don't turn out the way you envision.  For inspiration, I went to my favorite source...the blog world!  I truly love searching the wide-range of talent out there!  Thanks for inspiring me! 

I love participating in challenges!  They are great when you are in a creative-block!  I used Skipping Stones sketch challenge for this card:

Supplies:

Kraft cardstock - Recollection

Pattern Paper - Adornit

Brads - Recollections

Twine - Misc

Ink - Frosted White by ColorBox

I love this sketch so much, I have a feeling I will be playing around some more this weekend!

Wedding Wednesdays

At the moment, when one of my invitations include a design, it is hand-stamped.  I really enjoy the look of adding the design element to a wedding invitation.  However, one problem it that not all stamps come out the same.  Resulting in several redos. 

So I have decided that it might be useful to try to work with Photoshop/Illustrator to design graphics for the invitations. I will be completing a few lessons over the next few weeks, in hopes of adding digital graphics to my wedding invitations.  Until I figure that out, I will continue to look for more stamp designs to add to the wedding invitaiton collection.  I have several ideas in the works and cannot wait to share!

Have a great Wednesday!

Simple Thanks...

It has been awhile since I made a simple card.  One with the main focus of a simple shape and a simple sentiment.  I went digging through my scraps and came up with this card.

My husband has been watching the kids today, so I can get some crafting time in.  I was about to crank out a few cards.  As I was wrapping up, I realized that I rounded the corners on most of the cards.  I use to not do this (mainly because I didn't have the corner punch), but now I am addicted!  I love the look! 

Supplies:
Bazzill Cardstock (Brown and blue)
Mohawk Cardstock (white)
Ditto Stamp (flower)
Studio G Stamp (Thanks)
Paper Studio Inks

Happy 75th Birthday!

Last week my grandmother turned 75!  I can place all the blame onto her for getting me into the papercrafting world!  She has been making cards for years! (In fact, I have a box..or two... of all the cards she has made for myself and kiddos.)  I used American Crafts papers for the card.

Also, from American Crafts, I used Thickers. The stamp is from Studio G. 

One of the trends that I have been using is fussy-cutting.  Using one of the flowers in the patterned, I fussy-cut the layered flower next to the bracket (Spellbinders die-cut).

Hope you had a great birthday Granny!

Baby you're the one...

So I have been cranking out projects this week!  I need to send a special Thank You to my wonderful husband, for giving the time I was craving locked up in my craft room!
I LOVE Lily Bee Designs!  The vintage feel of the papers, the colors, what more can you ask for?  I created this following layout using "This & That" papers.

All the papers are from Lily Bee.  Along with the red alpha stickers and the stamp.  I also used AC Thickers and Cosmo Cricket small alphas. To add a little 3D to the page, I made the flower at the top of the page using a Fiskar circle punch and Basic Grey button.

I also use decorative scissors to cut the edge of the photo mat. I simply folded the edge over and inked the scallops, so they would stand out more.

Have a great one!

Introducing Wedding Wednesdays!

Since 2008, I have been creating handmade wedding invitations.  I mean truly handmade.  I cut and glue the pieces.  If there is a graphic on the invite, it is hand-stamped by me.  I have been having a blast creating wedding invitations for a number of brides.  My goal is to be able to widen my selection and start to make digital graphic design invitations. Please feel free to visit my etsy shop: Kissin' Krafts .

One of my most popular invitations is the "Michelle".  It is a triple-layered invitation using textured cardstocks. 

Please come back every Wednesday to see more wedding invitations!  I am having a blast working with a variety of brides.  I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for Kissin' Krafts.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great one!
 

One of a Kind...

I am trying to upgrade my level of scrapbooking expertise to at least immediate.  I have not completed too many LOs, but I am getting braver on trying to techniques.  I might be a little behind the scrapbooking times, but I am having fun trying to catch up.  Here is a LO I made using My Little Shoebox papers.

I am addicted to finding new ways to make flowers.  You can never have enough flowers, right?? 

Supplies:

My Little Shoebox papers

AC and The Paper Studio letters

Misc. chipboard flowers, buttons, brad and ribbon

Trend of die-cut cards...I'm finally there!

I am in love with kraft cardstock.  I tend to use it for all my cards.  It is a habit that I should break...but why stop something that's so good! Although, I did do something that is out of my comfort zone.  I decided it was time to use a die-cut to make the card itself.  I broke out my Spellbinders to start this card.  I must say that I might get addicted to the shaped cards, a nice break from rectangle/square cards!!!! Here is my creation with Adornit Vintage Groove:

Supplies also used:

Buttons - Basic Grey

Alpha Letters - Cosmo Cricket

Challenges:

Frosted Designs - Buttons

Together...

So I have been avoiding doing some work with the wedding business.  The last few days, I have been cranking out scrapbook pages and cards like crazy!  Why go back to work, when I am having too much fun crafting? (Psss... not too much fun!)  Here is the LO that I used the Adornit Vintage Groove Collection.

I have been waiting to find the right papers for these pictures!

Supplies: Adornit- Vintage Groove

Letter Stickers - The Paper Studio

"Together" Sticker - Unknown

Look Who is two...

I am a fan of Jillibean Soup!  I love the colors they tend to use and I absolutely love that they go GREAT with kraft cardstock (my fav to use for cards)!  I used my fav technique (paper piecing) to complete the owl. Here is a pic of a card I made for my adorable niece, Moxie!

Along the variety of Jillibean papers, I used AC Thickers for the number and Cosmo Cricket small alphas for the lettering. I found a template for the owl online...once I find it again, I will link it up!

Challenges:
Pile It On : Fav Technique
Deep Ocean Challenge : Cards
Catch the Bug : Clean and Simple
Mark's Finest Papers : Die-cut as a Background
Cupcake Craft : Pick any past challenge (#29 - include a number)

Getting back into the groove...

So I have been absent from blogging for a while now, but did not stop creating!  Life has been crazy the last few months.  However, I have been able to get things back in a working order and cannot wait to re-join the blogging world! I am currently working on re-vamping my ETSY shop and blog.  Really excited about how it is all coming together, but still a work in progress.

Here is one of my latest LO using Echo Park's Little Boy collection:
-

I also used border punches (by Fiskars and EK Success) and circle punch (Fiskars).

"LOVE" AC Valentine's Day card

So I have been going crazy with wedding orders!  I managed to sneak in some time to make a quick Vday card.  I have been dying to use the new AC LOVE collection.  I enjoy using kraft cardstock to make cards and this paper goes perfect!

Supplies used:
AC LOVE papers: Crazy Little Thing, Many Splendored, All You Need, and Can't Help Falling
Studio G stamp
Brown ink
Brown Twine
Kraft Cardstock
pop-dots

Challenges:
Papercrafting Journey
Allsorts
Cupcake Craft Challenges
The Pink Elephant

Starting 2011 Fresh!

So one of this year's resolutions is to blog more...off to a slow start.  I was hoping to post once a week, which I can still do...just started late. I was actually motivated by Cassandra Cooper's blog entry, so this is why I am here today!

I have been working on transforming my workspace.  I have to share my crafting space with the guest bedroom.  With all the crafting I did last year, the room got messier and messier!  I found the only time I "cleaned" the room was when guests were coming and needed to sleep on the bed/desk. 

I was tryign to figure out what I could do, that did not cost an arm and a leg.  My parents gave me the idea to use a door and file cabinets. Here is the result:

At first, I had my doubts.  But what can you do when you have a small room that also includes a queen bed. (I am sitting onthe bed to take these pictures.)  It is actually pretty nice.  I still need to add shelving, not a fan of the wire cubes. 

So along with organizing the workspace, I wanted to organize my supplies.  And it might not look like it to the average eye (my husband), but like most other crafters, I know where everything is!!!

Organizing craft room...Check...one thing off the New Year List.

Other things on the list for 2011:
-learn to swim
-learn Photoshop and Illustrator
-the original...get in shape

Happy New Year!!

Holiday Gift AC Challenge

Quick post...like everybody else, cramming for the holiday!

Made this Gift Holder?money Holder out of 3 different Dear Lizzy Christmas papers.  The ribbon is Premium Ribbon. And while I was "stitching" the stocking I noticed the Galaxy marker is from American Crafts, as well! I also used an EK border punch.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

You better NOT Pout...

When we saw this picture of my daughter and Santa, I could not resist making a layout!  It was too stink' cute!  I had what to see if I could paint over a cake doily to get the effect.  It worked after a few attempts. I will do it again.

Supplies:

AC Papers - Dear Lizzy Christmas X2

AC Puffy Letter Stickers

MakingMemories Letter stickers

Cuttlebug Swirls Embossing Folder

Ribbon

Paint

Doily

Ahhh the smell of Christmas!!!

I have been busy the last few day cranking out projects. (Hoping to share some pictures soon!) I would like to share a Quick & Easy Holiday card for this week's AC challenge:

Supplies:
-AC Dear Lizzy Patterned paper
-AC Red cardstock
-Making Memories Buttons
-Clear Stamp (need to search for name)
-The Paper Studio Joy stamp
- Recollection Brad
-Silver and Red Ink

Lastest Layout

I decided to take a breather and krank out a quick layout!  I used Echo Park's Little Boy collection!  Figured I would use the papers for actuall boy  pages, but could not resist!

I'm grateful... AC Challenge

So I some how found time to complete a layout this week!  The challenge at American Crafts is "I'm Grateful..."  Of course, my first answer was more wonderful kids!  At least they are wonderful most of the time :)  (It is only Tuesday and I am ready for school to be back!  Boy am I looking forward to Winter Break ...)

Here is my layout:

Supplies: AC Enchanted paper, AC Thickers, AC Foam letters, misc cardstock, EK Succes border punch, Spellbinders Circle Die-cut, Spellbinders Impressabilities,  Michael's ribbon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

AC Recipe Challenge

Was I happy to see this challenge- AC Recipe Challenge!  I have been meaning to make a scrapbook/recipe book using my husband's family recipes!  This was just the challenge to kick my bottom into gear and get started!
I made the first of many layouts to fit into a 8x8 album.

Supplies: AC City Park Papers, AC Washer Stamps, AC Thickers, EK border punch, chalk, ink, and brad.

I cannot wait to start the other layouts!  Just need to add it to my list of to-do's (and there are MANY!!!).

I have been working on some exciting things, hoping to share with you very soon!

Take care!