New Beginnings January ATC Swap

January 2017 marks the first time I have participated in an Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap since about 2004. I figured it's about time I get back into the swing of things, so my first swap of 10 will be mailed out by Friday! The Dreamcatcher stamp is from Fun Stampers Journey and the Dream stamp is retired from TAC. I blended pastel chalk inks for the background and used a light silver vellum for the sentiment layer. Tiny iridescent sequins are added to the centers and subtle shimmer was added with a Wink of Stella pen...sadly, I can't capture that in the photo.

Paper Play Sketches #29

I guess maybe you can tell by now that I just LOVE working from sketches when I make my cards...I have been that way for years and own many fabulous books filled with card sketches from Becky Higgins and Close To My Heart (CTMH) -just to name a few! The beauty of participating in the online challenges is that I get to see all the lovely work of everyone who participates -further fueling the creative fires within.

Today's card was made from the sketch over at the Paper Play Sketches blog. I wanted to try out this new clear stamp set I got from Stampin' Up! (SU!) back in November. It took quite a bit of planning out in advance and required some masking, but I just love the way it turned out and I think I'll be sending it to Australia as one of my card swaps this month.

Try Stampin' -Or Not- on Tuesday's Challenge #303

Here is the sketch I worked with for Challenge #303 over @"Try Stampin' on Tuesday's" blog and this is my first time playing along over there. I have had this owl stamp for many years -I think it is from Inkadinkadoo? I really love it, yet I think this is the first time I have ever used it -shame on me!!! I will have to get it out more often in the future for sure. Coloring was done with alcohol markers, patterned paper came from Basic Grey and a simple, tiny polka dots embossing folder was used. I didn't use any of the optional Bling for my challenge card, instead keeping the colors soft and subtle...as beautifully gentle way to express my wishes for a peaceful 2017.

CYCI#143

Last week's only stamping was done as a card for the sketch challenge @ Can You Case It. I used a new embossing folder from Richard Garay's (RG) retail line and a long retired snowman stamp set from The Angel Company (TAC)...inside says "Snow glad to have a friend like you". Coloring was done with Prismacolor Water Color pencils and a blender pen. Unfortunately, I waited too late in the day to get good lighting for my pictures, but I hope you are still able to appreciate the gorgeous cable knit details! I am not only a paper crafter/cardmaker, I am also a knitter -so I love how this card turned out.

Craft Day 2016

Hope this finds everyone having had wonderful Christmas celebrations with family and friends! We were rather busy and traveled a bit, but things are now getting settled back in to the normal routine and I am finally getting back to my happy place -my stamping desk!

Yesterday, 4 generations of girls from my mom's side of the family got together to be creative and I was in charge of the crafts...so, of course, we made some cards together. I kept things clean and simple since we were all ranging in age from 6 yrs old to 86 years old! We were missing my daughter (who lives in Philly) though, so we sent her silly snap-chats throughout our time together so that she could still be a part of the fun, lol. Everyone seemed to have a really good time and they got to try out coloring with markers, water color paints and chalks along with some paper embossing and stamping along the way.

FMS267 Sketch Challenge

Today I created the second project with my new Fun Stampers Journey supplies. I needed a few "Thank You" cards to keep on hand for customers and these will work perfectly. While I was at it, I decided to play along with Sketch #267 over @ Freshly Made Sketches. Here's the sketch -hope you enjoy my latest creations!

PCC223: Weekly Challenge

Found time to participate in another sketch challenge from the Paper Craft Crew over @ papercraftcrew.com/ using retired stamps from both CTMH & TAC with card stock from SU! and Basic Gray this afternoon. I made a "holiday thanks" card for my mail carrier that I plan on slipping a gift card into...I buy ALOT of things online and she does a great job of getting it all to me in one piece every week! So "Thanks a Latte", Ms. Kim!

Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Been a busy week here at my stamping desk! For my December Birthday Club card I went with a wintery coffee theme so that I could link up for the first time to the awesome Winter Coffee Lover's Blog Hop going on this week.

I also used MOJO477 sketch from the challenge over @ Mojo Monday but I missed their deadline this time...oh well, maybe next time. The photos don't do the glittery snowflakes justice -it is a really gorgeous card in person (if I do say so myself, lol) and is now on it's way to make someone in Canada smile for their December birthday.

Stamped Blessings HeARTful Stamping Challenge

Although I was late for the actual entry date by a few hours, I completed these gorgeous Christmas cards for my December card swap group using Sketch #222 from over @ the Paper Craft Crew. I'll also be entering this card in the challenge contest this week over @ my friend Chris Franco's heARTful stamping challenge  Be sure to check out her awesome blog too!

My goal for the new year is to participate in as many challenges as I can to keep creativity flowing in my stamp room. And I'll be sure to share them all here with you too!

Holiday Coloring Page Cards

As I work on cleaning out my craft room and get back into the swing of paper crafting regularly again, I decided to try something different with my Christmas cards this year. Instead of starting from scratch with stamps, ink and paper, I started with some coloring sheets that I've colored over the last 3 weeks with colored pencils, water based markers, watercolor pencils and alcohol markers. I blinged them out with some glitter gel pen accents, mounted them to cardstock then stamped and heat embossed all the sentiments...pretty pleased with the final results, even though it only made a dozen cards.

Starting my Journey as a Coach with FSJ

Welcome to my bog and please bear with me as I learn the ins and outs of blogging design and further perfect my photography, lol. Here is my very first creation using some of the new stamps from my Fun Stampers Journey Amaze kit. Come join me on the Journey @ http://www.funstampersjourney.com/kathyklersy