Summer Buds & Blooms

Howdy all! I hope all of my American friends are having a wonderful long weekend.  We had our holiday weekend last weekend! 

Today I’m sharing my final challenge card as a Guest Designer with Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps! I’m so happy I got the chance to work with all these lovely ladies all month long!

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps’ always enjoys your creations so be sure to submit them so you can have a chance to WIN a $20 gift card to the Shop!! Show us your stuff!! In keeping in line with the rest of our challenges (Wonderful Wednesday and our NEW Krafty Scrappy Challenge), we will be drawing one winner per month from all Saturday Challenge entries to win a $20 gift card!! You can enter as many times per month as you'd like!!

Have you joined the Kraftin Kimmie's Krafty Friends Facebook group?? It's the best place to keep up with all of the goings on as well as sharing YOUR creations and getting inspired by other Krafty Friends' creations!!!

Have you ever wanted to be a Krafty Guest? Well now's your chance!!! Click on over to the Krafty Friends Group and read up on the details on how YOU can be a Karfty Guest!!!  All entries due June 5th.

Frugal Friday specials are UP! Happy Shopping! Remember these specials end on Sunday evening, so get shopping!

In addition to the great Krafty Challenges & Wonderful Wednesday, each month we post a Sketch. The sketch will last all month long and if you use it in ANY of our Challenges or WW's during that month you will get an additional chance to win a store gift card! You do NOT have to use the sketch, it's just a little extra boost for your mojo if ya need it! Here is May's sketch...




Now create a card, scrapbook page or altered item with a Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp or any other stamp and be sure to use our theme, “SUMMER”, as a starting point for your creation!!! You will have until June 3rd at 11:55 pm EST to get your entries in!

Pull out those fabby stamps and play along! Have some krafty fun and join us this week!!


************
For my final challenge card today, I used the “Buds & Blooms” stamp set.  And by gosh… it’s on SALE right now! 25% off all weekend long!  Make sure you check out the Frugal Friday event this weekend!

One of my favourite parts of summer is all the wonderful blooms we get to see around our neighbourhood.  My next door neighbour has an amazing garden.  I, on the other hand, I don’t have a green bone in my body let alone a green thumb!  So I enjoy their gardens all season long instead.

Thanks for joining me today!  I hope you get a chance to check out what the rest of the Krafty Girls have created to show “SUMMER”!  Find more inspiration HERE.  A big thank you to Kim Reid and all of her Design Team for having me all month long.   Thanks ladies!  I had a blast creating with all of you!

~ Ally ~

stamps: Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Buds & Blooms)
cardstock: Strathmore Watercolour Paper, MFT (Limeade)
ink:  Ranger Distress (Carved pumpkin, Spiced Marmalade, Dusty Concord, Seedless Preserves), Simon Says Stamp! (Hot Mama), Versamark
sequins: Pretty Pink Posh (Sparkling Clear 4mm, 6mm)
dies:  MFT (Stitched Squares, Stitched Circles)
patterned paper: MFT (Plaid Patterns 6x6)
embossing powder:  Stampendous! (clear)
twine:  Bead Landing.

Be Strong, Be You!

Happy Friday everyone!  TGIF… I need a rest but for the next week and a half, NO rest for me!  I’m getting ready to take my Cubs to camp the first weekend in June so we’re in “prep mode”!  Now let's get on to the card making…

This month for Power Poppy, our Power & Spark Challenge is all about…
FLOWERS! 

For all the challenge details, click here!  Come and play along!

So I strolled through all my amazing bloom images for Power Poppy and final decided to pull out my “Orchids Rock” clear stamp set to play with this week.  I even drew inspiration from our lovely challenge hostess this month, Katie Sims, and pulled out my gold pen and some vintage papers to play with…
Copics Used: R05, Y23, Y26, Y28, YR0000,BG90, BG93, YG93, YG95, YG97, W00, W0, W1

And here’s a close up of the luscious blooms, which I gave them a little bit of sparkle…

Now, come along and visit each of my fellow Bloom Brigade members to check out what they’re sharing this week…

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great weekend!  I hope you enjoy the creative journey today!

~ Ally ~


Sponsored byPower Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Orchids Rock)
cardstock:  Recollections #110 White Cardstock
patterned paper: Carta Bella (Yesterday 6x6)
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Copic Markers, Wink of Stella (clear), Pen-Touch Calligraphy (Gold)
die: My Favorite Things (Cross-Stitched Squares, Cross-Stitched Rectangles)

thread:  Sulky (Metallic Gold), white
gold pearls: Micheal’s.

Let's Go Round & Round!

Join me on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog today for a fun Card Cafe Thursday video tutorial on creating a interactive spinner card.  I’m featuring the lovely and adorable stamp sets by Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps!

Here’s a little sneak peek…
All supplies are listed on the blog.

Don't forget to check out the latest issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine!

Celebrate 10 years of this wonderful Canadian publication and get it FOR FREE!  You can download it HERE or have it mailed directly to your doorstep at only the small cost of shipping!

Come and join me a short and easy tutorial on how to make this card over on the SCT Blog, right HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~

I Treasure You!

It’s Saturday and time for a new challenge over on the Kraftin’ Kimmie Blog today!

This Saturday’s challenge is all about ANIMALS so I thought I would use one of my older Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps sets called “Under the Sea 2”. Isn't that cute little octopus darling?!?!  This stamp set happens to be on sale this weekend (50% off!!) so grab it if you can!  It’s a darling little stamp set!

Copics: E51, E53, E55, E11, E13, E15, Y32, Y35, Y38, YR07, YR12, Y26, Y28, BG10, B32, B34, B37

Here’s a quick close up of all the sparkle on the main coloured images…

Now, come and check out what the other Krafty gals have created today for this fun challenge… click here!

Don't forget you can use the May sketch on any of your challenge cards during the month too!  Good luck!


Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~

Supplies:
stamps:  Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Under the Sea 2)
cardstock: Recollections (110# White), SU! (Pool Party)
patterned papers: Lawn Fawn (Beachside 6x6), My Favorite Things (Farm Fresh Gingham 6x6)
dies:  Pretty Pink Posh (Stitched Duo 1), MFT (Stitched Circles), Cheery Lynn Designs (Expandable Tiny Borders)
ink:  Memento (Black Tuxedo), Copic Markers, Clear Wink of Stella
sequins: Pretty Pink Posh (Tangerine 6mm, Sparkling Clear 4mm)
twine: Bead Landing.

Lovely Magnolias

Howdy Power Poppy fans!  Happy Friday!  Today starts the first day of the long week for us cool Canadians!  Happy May 2-4 to all my fellow Canucks!

This month the Power & Spark Challenge is all about blooms…
For further challenge details, please click here!  Participate to WIN a free stamp set of your choice!

Today I’m featuring the gorgeous Magnolia blooms from the “Planning for Magnolias” stamp set.  I’ve included one of my all time favourite sentiments on my card from the “My English Rose” stamp set too!

I chose to dapple in water colours today!

Now, check out what the remainder of the Bloom Brigade has in store for you…

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~


Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Planning for Magnolias, My English Rose)
cardstock: Canson Water Color Paper, Recollections (110# White)
ink: Versafine (Black Onyx), Yarka Water Colours, Pen Touch Calligrapher (Gold)
dies: Simon Says Stamp (Stitched Rectangles)
thread: Sulky (Gold Metallic).

Fishy Kisses!

Hello everyone!  I hope you’re having a fabulous week!  I’m here today with the Krafty Girls from Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps playing along with today’s newest KKS Wonderful Wednesday challenge!


Like all Wonderful Wednesday challenges, this challenge is an ANYTHING GOES challenge!  Awesome right?  Come and share your Kraftin’ Kimmie kreations!

Today I’m showcasing one of the newest release stamps sets, “Mermaid Friends”.  It’s got two adorable mermaids on it, each with a fun ocean friend.  I chose to use the mermaid with her dolphin friend for my card and the cute “Fishy Kisses” sentiment also included with this collection.

Copics: Y00, Y02, Y15, Y17, E000, E00, E11, R00, R02, N0, N2, BV00, BV01, BV04, BV02

Here’s a little close up of her kissin’ her finny friend. I used some Prismacolor Pencil to add some hair and fin details…

Make sure you check out the rest of my fellow designer blogs today and check out what they’re all sharing…

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~

Supplies:
stamps: Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Mermaid Friends)
cardstock:  Recollections (White 110#), Bazzill (Pansy)
patterned paper: NitWit Collections (Snow Princess 8x8), My Favorite Things (Country Fair Plaid 6x6), Penny Black (Gentle Whisper 6x6)
inks:  Memento (Tuxedo Black, Elderberry), Copic Markers, Prismacolor Pencils (Goldenrod)
dies:  Spellbinders (Floral Ovals), Pretty Pink Posh (Mini Tags)
pearl brad:  My Mind’s Eye (Lost & Found)
ribbon: Flourishes (Seam Binding Ribbon)
star sticker: Basic Grey (Basics)
sequins: CraftMedley
twine: Bead Landing
other: thread.

FIN-tastic Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Release Hop!

It's finally here!!! The RELEASE of the MAY 2016 clear stamp sets for Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps!!!
We've released ALL SIX of the new clear stamp sets that we've been previewing all week and we're celebrating with a FIN-TASTIC krafty HOP! So grab a nice hot beverage and put your feet up because you will need a few relaxing minutes to enjoy all the underwater fun by our design team!!

There are THREE new sets from artist Annie Rodrigue called SERENA SPARKLES, TREENA TWINKLES and a fabulous new background stamp set called THE OCEAN!

We have a sweet new set from artist, Cheryl Grant called KEEP SWIMMING!


We've got a splish splashy new set from artist, Emilie Goulet called MERMAID FRIENDS!

And lastly there is an adorable new set of WHALE-Y cute underwater friends from artist Becky Pearce called OCEANS OF LOVE!

You will get to see ALL of the new sets in action as you sit back and enjoy the hop! Then head on over to the Krafty Shop because ALL of the new stamp sets are NOW AVAILABLE!

And if you HAVE to have it ALL, we also have our April Gimme Kimmies Kit which includes all SIX of the new sets together and at a discount! But only for a limited time!

Today I'm going to share a quick and easy tutorial on how I made this super simple spinner card using the new "Oceans of Love" and "Keep Swimming" stamp sets...

STEP 1:
I stamped out the 3 critters in black ink and coloured them using some light Copic Markers.  I chose a soft colour palette because I'm going to send this card to my sister for my nephew, who is only 10 months old.

STEP 2:
Then I die cut two circles of white cardstock.  One has to be smaller that the sentiment circle and has to have a smaller hole cut in the center (see the "donut" shaped circle on the card base below).  I also die cut a few smaller circles, the same size as the hole.

STEP 3:
Trace around the larger sentiment circle on the upper portion of the card base.  Using two shades of green, stamp the seaweed multiple times all around the circle.  I also used my Copic air brush system to add some blue for the water.  I suggest you also stamp your bubbles at this point too (not seen in the above photo).

I also suggest you die cut the decorative bottom piece from your card front before adhering anything down to your card front.  Soooo much easier then doing it later!  Ask me how I know!

STEP 4:
Place the donut circle in the center of your traced circle - DO NOT ADHERE.  Using 3 of the smaller circle die cuts all adhered in a little sandwich, adhere this stack in the center of the donut. You could just die cut a piece of foam for this center piece if you have some.
Using some scrap pieces of cardstock, adhere these thin slivers of cardstock to the donut cardstock circle.  If you think these pieces may show on the front of you card, you can use clear acetate instead.

STEP 5:
Adhere the sentiment circle over top of the donut circle, adhering ONLY to small circle stack in the center.  The donut cardstock must be free to move.
I added some small pieces of foam adhesive to the ends of the strips of paper to help pop my critters up from the sentiment circle.

STEP 6:
Cut a piece of white cardstcok about 1 1/2" wide and 4 1/4" long.  Add a large piece of double sided adhesive to the entire strip (I used Scor-Pal tape).  Using a pair of tweezers, stick the multiple colours and sizes of sequins to the adhesive down the center of the strip.

STEP 7:
Using 3 dimensional foam tape, cut strips to adhere down all 4 sides of the sequins strip.  Peel off the backer paper and stick it to the inside of the decorative die cut area.

And voila!  You now have a shimmery, spinner card creation... see it in action...

Now let's celebrate with our NEW release and get hoppin' and shoppin'!!


~ Ally ~


Stamps:  Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Oceans of Love, Keep Swimming)
Inks:  Memento (Black Tuxedo), Simon Says Stamp (Mint Candy, Spring Rain), Copic Markers
Sequins: Pretty Pink Posh (Sparkling Clear, Springtime Mix, Share Kindness Mix), CraftMedley (pink)
Dies: Spellbinders (A2 Borders 1), Simon Says Stamp (Stitched Circles)
Cardstock:  Neenah (Solar White)

Copics:
B0000, B000, BG10, BG11, V0000, V000, N0

Introducing... Oceans of Love!

Welcome Krafty Friends to Day FOUR of our May Krafty Previews for Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps!!! Plus a Challenge!

Welcome back for our final day of May krafty peeks! And not only do we have a fabulous new bunch of FIN-tastic stamps to share with you....it's challenge day!!

Today we are previewing a sunny new set of images and sentiments by artist, Becky Pearce! Check out all the adorable underwater stamps in this set called Oceans of Love!

There are so many sweet little images that you can put together and mix and match to create amazing scenes! Plus six kraken coordinating sentiments for a total of TWENTY ONE amazing stamps!

It's also Challenge Day and our hostess is Krafty Girl, Becky! The challenge is Anything Goes (as it always is during release week) so create a card, altered item, scrapbook page with any stamp BUT if you use a Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp, you'll double your chances to WIN! Use any sketch, any design, any theme because anything goes! Have some krafty fun and join us this week because we love to see your creations! At the end of the month we'll announce a winner from all the creations submitted for the month of May! We hope you can play along for your chance to WIN a $20 gift card to the krafty shop!

You'll be able to check out lots of inspiration using the new set from our amazing Krafty Girl Design Team plus a couple of fabulous guests in today's blog hop! Below you'll find links to all the gorgeous creations and while you're visiting the blogs, be sure to comment and leave some love for our designers because one lucky krafty person is going to WIN a gift card to the shop!

I seriously giggled out loud when I saw this stamp set… so adorable!  I just couldn’t resist stacking all the cute little fellas in the stamp set…

Here’s a little close up of some of the Copic details on my critters…

All of the new May clear stamp sets will be released this afternoon! Be sure to join us at the LIVE Online Release Party beginning at 2pm EST! Come join us to help celebrate the new release, check out lots of krafty kreations, have a chance to win some prizes and just have fun with the Krafty Girls and me!

Wish me luck... I'm taking some of my Cubs and Vents to do our local Highway Clean Up today - we have a 16km (9 miles) stretch of highway to clean up today.  That's 32km (20 miles) of walking!!! 


Happy hoppin'!

~ Ally ~

 
Stamps:  Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Oceans of Love)
Inks:  Memento (Black Tuxedo), Simon Says Stamp (Willow), Copic Markers
Cardstock:  Neenah (Solar White)

Copics:Porpoise: W00, W0, W1, W2, W3
Whale: B52, B91, B93, B95, B97, 0
Puffer:  YG00, YG01, Y08, Y13
Octopi, Crab: YR12, Y17, YR07, 505, E07, R08
Turtle: YG01, YG03, E84, E87, Y00
Water: BG10, BG11, BG13

Introducing... Mermaid Friends!

Welcome Krafty Friends to Day THREE of our MAY Krafty Previews!!! Are you ready for another amazing day of May krafty peeks! Have you been enjoying all the underwater creations from Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps so far?

Did you think we were done with the MERMAIDS??? Nope!! Today we are sharing previews featuring a set that I KNOW will make a splash! We're so excited to share the new set of fin-tastic images by artist Emilie Goulet called... Mermaid Friends!!


The 4x4 clear stamp set features two beautiful mermaids with their water-ful friends PLUS five awesome sentiments!!! They're such fun!

You'll be able to check out lots of inspiration using the new set from our amazing Krafty Girl Design Team and Krafty Guests in today's blog hop! Below you'll find links to all the gorgeous creations and while you're visiting the blogs, be sure to comment and leave some love for our designers because one lucky krafty person is going to WIN a gift card to the shop!

All of our new May clear stamp sets will be released this weekend! Be sure to join us on Saturday at the LIVE Online Release Party beginning at 2pm EST! Come join us to help celebrate the new release, check out lots of krafty kreations, have a chance to win some prizes and just have fun with the Krafty Girls and me! Hope to see you there!

I began my card with the fun turtle and mermaid hi-five image... how cute is that?!?!


Here's a quick close up of her shimmery top and mermaid tail...

Now, take some time and leave some love on my fellow co-designer blogs for a chance to WIN...


Happy hoppin'!

~ Ally ~



Stamps:  Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Mermaid Friends)
Cardstock:  Recollections (White 110#), MFT (Grape Jelly, Lavender Fields)
Patterned Papers:  Doodlebug Designs (Under the Sea)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versafine (Black Onyx), Copic Markers
Dies: Spellbinders (Classic Scalloped Ovals, A2 Curved Borders), MFT (Stitched Ovals)
Brads:  All My Memories (Purple)
Other:  Wink of Stella (Clear), Thread.

Copics:
Skin: E50, E01, E53, R02, R83, BG10
Hair: E23, E27, E29, E11
Tail/Suit: BV02, BV13, RV52, RV55, 0
Turtle: Y00, Y02, Y15, G20, YG03, YG93

Introducing... Keep Swimming!


Welcome Krafty Friends to Day TWO of our May Krafty Previews for Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps!!!

We've got lots more fabulous previews for you today featuring lots of inky inspiration from our amazing design team and guests!! Just wait 'til you seeeeee!

Today we are sharing another adorable underwater set, this one by artist, Cheryl Grant! I think you'll WHALE-Y love it!!

The set is called Keep Swimming!! It features our cute kids Lucas and Lulu having some splish splashy fun with some underwater friends! There are FOUR main images PLUS FIVE fabby sentiments for a total of NINE awesome stamps in the set!

You'll see today's set featured by our amazing Krafty Girl Design Team plus Guests in today's blog hop! Below you'll find links to all the gorgeous creations and while you're visiting the blogs, be sure to comment and leave some love for our designers because one lucky krafty person is going to WIN a gift card to the shop!

All of our new May clear stamp sets will be released on Saturday afternoon! Be sure to join us at the LIVE Online Release Party beginning at 2pm EST! Come join us to help celebrate the new release, check out lots of krafty kreations, have a chance to win some prizes and just have fun with the Krafty Girls and me! Hope to see you there!

I chose to create a watery scene using the no-line colouring technique for you today!  I created the back drop for my scene using Distress Inks.


 Here's a little close up of my little boy with the whale over sea-ing what he's doing...

Now on to the show!  Don't forget to leave a comment for all of my lovely co-designers today...


Happy hoppin'!

~ Ally ~


Stamps:  Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Keep Swimming)
Inks:  Memento (Nautical Blue), Ranger Distress (Dusty Concord, Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Stormy Sky), Copic Markers
Patterned Papers: Doodlebug Design (Anchors Aweigh)
Cardstock:  Neenah (Solar White)
Other: Thread.

Copics:
Skin: E00, E50, E53
Hair: E13, E37, E49
Whale: B52, B91, B93, B95, B97
Other: BG11, BG45, BG49, BV25, Y08, Y17, Y18, Y19

Introducing... Annie's Mermaids & Ocean Background


Howdy all!  Welcome to the first day of the Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps May 2016 release!  This release is going to blow your socks off!

Welcome Krafty Friends to Day ONE of our MAY Krafty Previews!!!

Welcome to the amazing Krafty Peeks for our fabulous new May release of clear stamps!! The theme is UNDERWATER and we are kickin' things off with THREE FIN-tastic new designs to inspire you this month from artist, Annie Rodrigue!

First off, we have a TWO new stamp set featuring BRAND NEW MERMAIDS!!!!!!! I know some of you have been waiting for these!! They SHORE are beautiful and they are called Serena Sparkles and Treena Twinkles! And each one features several super cute and funny coordinating sentiments!

Next up Annie has designed the perfect BACKGROUND stamp set to go with these new mermaids and many other summer stamp sets OR to just use it by itself!! How gorgeous is this underwater scene called The Ocean!!?
You'll see all the stamp sets featured by our amazing Krafty Girl Design Team and Guests in today's blog hop! Below you'll find links to all the gorgeous creations and while you're visiting the blogs, be sure to comment and leave some love for our designers because one lucky krafty person is going to WIN a gift card to the shop!

All of our new May clear stamp sets will be released on Saturday afternoon! Be sure to join us at the LIVE Online Release Party beginning at 2pm EST! Come join us to help celebrate the new release, check out lots of krafty kreations, have a chance to win some prizes and just have fun with the Krafty Girls and me! Hope to see you there!

Happy hoppin'!

This month's release is all about the sea!  And the sea wouldn't be the sea with out a few beach babes... MERMAIDS that is!

Meet "Serena Sparkles"!

I chose to highlight just Serena on my card so I kept it fairly simple and just stamped our little mermaid babe and then coloured in the back ground using Copic Markers.

First I stamped the image and then I using my Copic Airbrush system to lay down some even blue colour for the water. Then I used long strokes of all kinds of blues, light greens and teals to get the light effect traveling through the water.


Now go and leave some much needed love on my co-designer's blogs today!


Thanks for stopping by!


~ Ally ~


Supplies:
Stamps: Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Serena Sparkles)
Inks: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versafine (Black Onyx), Copic Markers
Cardstock: Neenah (Solar White)
Tools: Copic Airbrush System

Other:  Wink of Stella (Clear)

Copics:
Background: B00, B02, B52, B91, B93, B95, BG10, BG11, BG13, BG15, BG49, G00, Y0000, 0
Landscape: E30, E33, G00, G94, R02, R12, Y17, YG93, YG95,
Skin: E00, E50, E53, R02, E04
Tail: V0000, V000, V04, V22, B93, B95, B97
Hair: E50, YR31, YR24, E19, E09
 
09 10