{KKS Preview} Santa and his Elves

Welcome back!! We hope you enjoyed all the sweet as pie cards we shared yesterday featuring the new HOLIDAY LULU & LIBBY set! Totally adorable, wouldn't you say??

Today at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps we are sharing SIX new individual stamps by the totally talented Emilie Goulet!!! Get ready to meet SANTA AND HIS ELVES!! We've got the most awesome elves in some sticky situations, the big man himself *may* have gotten himself in some trouble....there's a reindeer and a cuddly little kitten!! Just wait 'til you see them all!!

I've used Up On The Rooftop, and I LOVE this little elf, thinking he is a cowboy;) hehe! And the look on the deers face is hilarious!

 

Here's a closeup:

 

Below you will find a list of all the Krafty Girls who are sharing PEEKS with you today so grab a cup of coffee and check them out! And as you're hoppin' around, be sure to leave a comment at each stop because two winners will each win a package of some of these fun stamps!!

All our new SEPTEMBER 2012 stamps will be available on Sunday (late Saturday night) at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!!! And come on back tomorrow because not only will we have a fantastic new challenge for you, but we'll be revealing the NEW stamps by Annie Rodrigue!!!

Now get ready for some super fun holiday creations!!!

{iSSC31/KKS} Unicorn

This month, Kraftin' Kimmie is releasing another fun Krafty Klubhouse Kit....and Annie Rodrigue has illustrated some magical images! The set is called Three Wishes, and features a fortune teller, genie and unicorn (what I'll be showcasing today) as well as a shwack of magical sentiments!

When I was a little girl, I LOVED My Little Pony! This guy reminds me of my childhood:) He is quite comfortable in his own skin/hide..to be turquoise with a pink mane and tail!

I used this awesome satin reversible ribbon from the Ribbon Carousel. One of the many sentiments from this set was stamped and matted onto a MFT dienamic. Some paper-piecing and rounded corners add some design details.....

On a sad note, this will be my last post as a member of the iSpy Sketch Challenge DT. I have really enjoyed being on this FUN team, but the time has come to step down and let someone else in on the fun!! The iSpy girls are truly all wonderful people and supportive stampers, and I have loved getting to 'know' all of you:):) I am going to miss our Facebook chatter!! But I will continue to play along when I can and visit all the Secret Agents blogs:) Thanks for having me on your team Kim!!!

This week, we were inspired by THIS card from Karen Dunbrook (k dunbrook @ SCS). You can see what the other agents came up with on the iSSC blog, as well as deets and our linky tool:) Here is Kim's sketch (which I turned on it's side:)

Check out Kraftin' Kimmie's blog for details on how you can become a part of our Krafty Klub (and there is a special surprise for those who order this set)!

{KKS Previews} Too Cute to Spook

My card today, features an adorable image from one of two new sets by artist Emilie Goulet. This little mummy's boy (hehe) is from the set Too Cute to Spook 2 and I stinkin adore him!!! Mom with the roll of toilet paper just kills me!

I used the sketch from this weeks iSpy Sketch Challenge (#29). This week we were inspired by Renee Matarese (Renlymat @ SCS) based on THIS CARD. You can see our sketch and what the other gal's came up with on the iSSC blog.

We are giving away two sets of Emilie's images...all you need to do is comment!! See you tomorrow for another peek!

{YNS/iSSC28} Oh Wise One

Today I have a fun card to show you using a brand new image from Your Next Stamp, Grad Owl. This months YNS Fun Friday theme is Celebrations (you may remember that last months was Christmas/Winter). You can see more inspiration from the YNS DT girls on the BLOG.

I used this weeks sketch from iSpy Sketches for my layout....
this week the iSSC team was inspired by Mary Brown (stampercamper @ SCS). You can see Mary's original card HERE. The other Secret Agents have come up with beautiful cards, you can check them out on the blog HERE.

I actually used the owl in place of the bow on the sketch- feel free to mix things up and make it your own! That's what makes sketches so fun....they give you a great kicking off point, but you can also put your own individual spin on it:)

I used some of my fave brown jute twine from the Ribbon Carousel for the button threaded bow and for his cap tassels.

Okay- thats it for me:) Thanks for stopping by!

{iSSC26} iSpy Another Christmas Card....

Time for another iSpy Sketch Challenge and I am combining today's sketch with YNS's Fun Friday Christmas themed card.
This week the Secret Agents were inspired by Therese Calvird (you can see her card HERE). Here is the sketch:

I used Criss Cross border stamp and matching die cut. I embossed the criss cross stamp with versamark and lime green Zing powder on black CS and cut it out with the die, adding red die cuts (cut in half and glued to the edges) for some pop. I embossed the sentiment from Light Up The Holidays, omitting the little lights on the bottom. The ribbon is SU satin red. CS colours used were black, kiwi kiss and real red.
And guess what? Criss Cross Stamp and Die set is on sale right now for 40% off!!! How awesome is that?

We'd love to have you join us this week at iSpy! Thanks for visiting:)

{iSSC25} Christmas in July

Hey there! I am not much for making Christmas cards or thinking of anything related to snow, wind, -40* celsius temperatures, long johns, insulated coveralls, winter boots, frozen water pipes, shovelling snow and taking 20 minutes to get the kids out the door to play just to have them come in 10 minutes later due to the freezing cold. I guess that probably has something to do with living in a province that has winter over half of the year! I treasure our summer months (all two of them;) Hahaha!!!

However, I am not one to rock the boat (well, most of the time) and this month we are starting something new for Your Next Stamp's Fun Fridays. Karen has decided to have a new theme each month, where all of the designers posting, stick with the same theme all month long! And I like that idea, so Christmas, here I come;)

I combined my card with this week's iSpy Sketch Challenge, thinking I had the PERFECT idea. That is until I was photographing my card and thought to myself "Hmmmm.....I think I am missing a reindeer" I then went through the song out loud. You know the one....Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. Oh yeah- and Ruldolph (the most famous reindeer of all). Ah CRAP! One reindeer too many. I was joking with my iSSC team that poor Donner went lame and had to be euthanized. Probably stuck his hoof in a gopher hole when delivering presents to Saskatchewan. It's a tragedy, I know. But now I have the right amount of spots for my card;)

The Secret Agents were inspired by THIS card by Elzbieta (crazysexycool @ SCS). Here is the sketch for you to play along:

I used the reindeer and Santa from the set Holiday Snow Globe, coloured them all up with copics and added spica and clear gel pen here and there. They were cut using a spellbinders square and they were popped up on foam dimensionals. The card measures 6x6.

Be sure to check out the YNS blog for links to more Christmas-y Creations! And find us at our SCS forum too!!! There is a fun challenge on at YNS right now, and you could play to WIN!

{iSSC24 & KKS} Birthday Buddies

Today we are featuring Krafty Artist Emilie Goulets Birthday Buddies!

I have coloured up this little guy with copics and cut him out, adhering him to the embossed white BG with pop dots. I used the sketch from this weeks iSpy Sketch Challenge, and moved the circles around a bit to follow my birthday balloon idea:)

This week, iSSC is featuring Shari Carroll and is based on this card. 

The balloons were cut using the YNS balloon die and anchored with Divine Twine.

If you would like to see what the other Krafty Girls have done with the new KKS images, check out the Krafty Blog! And remember that one lucky person is going to win this new set! So keep the comments rolling in for more chances at winning!

And here are the deets for this weeks iSSC:

 

Here is how to play:

• Create a paper crafting project (card, scrap book page or 3D item), based on the sketch provided.Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery (using a code ISSC24, and link it here with the inlinkz widget below.
• Please provide a direct link to your post - not the generic link to your blog.
• A new challenge will be posted every Friday at 12:01 AM EST, and you have until noon on the following Friday EST to submit your entry.
• You may enter as many times as you like, but please provide a newly designed project with a new link for each additional project.
• We will choose the top 2 creations to be featured in our "Top 2 Winners" post every Sunday where we will announce who we have picked :) The winners will receive their very own iSpy Sketches blog badge!
• Don't forget that you may combine our challenges with others and use supplies from any company that you wish :)
• Have fun and we look forward to "spying" your creations!

{iSSC23} YNS New Release Hop!

Hello and welcome to the Your Next Stamp July New Release Blog Hop!
We are so excited about our hop this month, because we are introducing a new artist to the YNS family-Ann Ellis! We just know you are going to love her fun, contemporary style!
We also have a few new Ellie stamps and a new Fhiona too! Plus some fabulous new dies that coordinate with some existing YNS stamps – Window Play and a selection of dies that go with the popular Mini Fhiona stamps!
All the new stamps and dies are available to purchase today in the YNS Store!
You should have arrived here from Diana's Blog, but if you're lost and want to start at the beginning, hop on over to Veronica’s Amazing Blog! ...

I used one of Ann's new stamps and embossed the butterfly with Zing and SU powders. The pom pom trim and net ribbon are from the Ribbon Carousel. Some SU rhinestones were added for the blingy factor;)

I used this week's iSSC for my layout. You can see all the details on that sketch, and the artist we were inspired by HERE, along with more DT inspiration!

Alright, up next on our hop is our fearless leader, Karen! And don't forget to leave some love at every stop- there are FOUR secret prizes hidden along the way!! You have until Tuesday, July 10th at 11:59PM EST to leave your comments.

{iSSC22} So Tweet

Todays card features a cute stamp by Your Next Stamp, called You're So Tweet. I love using glossy accents, or crystal effects (SU) to create that super shiny look for water, or shiny metal surfaces, like this aluminium watering can! Just remember to make that your VERY last step, as it takes forever to dry if you use a heavy coating;) It can also warp your area quite a bit, so make sure that you have enough pop dots, or whatever you use, to keep the cut out image flatter if thats what you like. I also added CE to eyes on the birdie and a more subtle glaze (with a sakura glaze pen) to the tiny beak and feet. The bird's body is also stamped twine and popped up with a dimensional. I added baby brads to the nails on the can handle.

YNS's designers have some more card making tips to share, so check out our blog HERE for that.

I've also used this week's sketch layout from iSpy Sketch Challenges for my card. This week, the Secret Agents were inspired by THIS card from Julie Mogford (jules bmp @ SCS). Here is Kim's sketch version of Julie's card:

Check out my Secret Agent sisters to see what gorgeous cards they came up with at the iSpy blog. You can also link up your creations there. We'd love to have you join us this week!

{KKS meets iSSC} Teen Spirit

Hey there! Emilie Goulet has designed two fun new sets for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps this month, featuring teens! There is the girls set 'Lets hear it For the Girls' and the guys set, 'Smells like Teen Spirit'!

Sorry for the dark pic, but for some strange reason I totally forgot to drag out my ott-lite! I used the gamer boy (this set comes with 3 guys- one curled up on an oversized armchair with a remote, one rocking out on the guitar, and this guy...plus six sentiments!) I coloured him with copics....I added denim texture to his pants and hat using a little swatch of real denim and colourless blender (just make sure you colour them first and be prepared for some bleeding- thats why I cut him out!) I airbrushed the sky with my compressor using a TCP cloud die and MFT grass die. I added a layer of clear glaze on the handheld game , using a glaze pen. The star border and speech balloon are MFT as well.

And here is a close-up of the jeans, cuz I think they look pretty cool!

Do you like the card layout? Well, it's from this weeks iSpy Sketch challenge! This week, the sketch is based on this card by Lori Boyd (3Bugs&Me on SCS). Check out the iSSC blog for more inspiration from the team, and all the info you need to play along this week!

And you can also head over to the Krafty Blog to see a complete list of designers previewing Teens today!

Thanks for stopping by, and we'll see you tomorrow with a new KKS challenge and Annie's Moonlight Whispers preview!

{KKS} Klubhouse Release Hop

It's time! It's time!!! Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps has some beautiful new MERMAIDS!!!

Today Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is releasing an EXCLUSIVE Moonlight Whispers stamp set!!! SEA JEWELS is the second of our special Krafty Klubhouse Kits…..we'll be releasing a new one every few months!!

Be part of the Krafty Klub and order your exclusive set (which is NOW up on the site!!!) which features THREE special edition stamps designed by Annie Rodrigue PLUS SEVEN coordinating sentiment stamps! Sea Jewels will be sold ONLY as a set and ONLY at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!! Not only will you get this special set, but you will also receive a special coupon code for 20% OFF, to be used on your next online order!

Now let me be clear…..there is NO club to join or sign up for! ANYONE from ANYWHERE in the world can order this special set but ONLY at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Shop!! These images will not be sold individually, but only as the complete set called…..SEA JEWELS!

Please join us today for a special Krafty Hop to celebrate today's release!! Be sure to leave some love at each and every stop because one lucky stamper will receive the new set, SEA JEWELS!!! Let's go! You should have arrived here from Michele's blog, but if you are lost and want to start at the beginning, head on over to the challenge blog so you don't miss a thing:)

I used a fun layout from this weeks iSpy Sketch Challenge, featuring the artist Diane Varrecchione (pinkberry @ SCS) based on this card.  Play along with us, and link your card up to the iSSC blog!

Okay- up next on the hop is the talented Melanie! Hope you enjoy hopping, and remember to leave some love along the way for your chance to win!

{iSSC18} Krafty Kate

Today the iSSC girls have been inspired by LeAnne Pugliese (LeAnne Pugliese at SCS). We loved this card by LeAnne. Here's Kim's sketch interpretation of that original card:

Okay. I admit it. I cheat. Not on tests or my husband or anything like that....but my hands don't always listen to my brain when it comes to art;) So I did take a few detours through this amazing sketch! My card follows the same basic design, but with some variations. I didn't add a sentiment. I only have three rectangular elements, which I changed to banners btw, instead of four. And my circle is seriously out of scale! LOL!

Today I am using a brand new to me line of digital stamps (which I normally hate, because my printer is an evil tyrant). But I couldn't resist these beauties! This is Krafty Kate by Saturated Canary, and I {heart} her!!
I used MFT dies for the banners, and black jute twine from the Ribbon Carousel. The buttons are OA, and the DP is a mix of BG and Fancypants.

I usually don't post Copic colours, just cuz I put them back and forget! Not because I'm a tip-hoarder! But I found a new brunette combo that I am really liking and I can remember it! It's E21, E27 and E47. It's my best brown combo for hair that I've done, I think;)

Okay, check out the iSSC blog for more inspiration, as well as all the info for linking up your card:)

{KKS New Release} Trinkets

Hey there! Today the girls at Kraftin' Kimmie are showcasing a new line of stamps we are introducing this month, called Trinkets! They are simple sentiments that are designed to fit in the circle dies and punches that you already own! And they are designed with both the positive and negative images...this means you can either have more of an outlined image to colour in or use coloured ink for a bolder stamped image!!
The new set is called Everyday Trinkets, and was designed by Krafty Girl Nicole Aspinall! There are 8 circle sentiments in the set, half fittingy your 1 3/8" punch and half fitting 1 3/4" punch! The sentiments are themed Birthday, Friendship, Thank you, and Just Because.
This line offers a quick and easy way to make cards that pack a punch. This card took me literally no time to make!! I haven't made a card this fast in ages! And I think it still has a nice effect and doesn't look 'slapped together in two seconds'! lol

I used the newest iSpy Sketch for this one...The trinket just fit so perfectly into this sketch!! We are already on sketch #16! Can you believe it!! This week we were inspired by this card by Dyane Fogleboch (Precious Stamps @ SCS).

I stamped the sentiment circle once with crushed olive distress ink and then a second time in SU's early espresso ink, just cutting out the 'For You' and popping it up with dimensionals. The stamped image was cut out using an SU! circle punch. It's layered on a cherry cobbler circle (cut with a nestie) and then a scallop circle cork layer. The fun die cut edge was made using a Stampin' Up edgelit die. I added some brown brads and  natural jute twine from the Ribbon Carousel.

Head over to the Krafty Blog to see a list of designers previewing today! And don't forget to comment for your chance to win this fun new set!

And join us at iSSC! We'd love to see your take on this weeks sketch!

{iSSC15} Jax Turns One!

Hi there! This week the Secret Agents were inspired by this card from Leanne (From Leanne @ SCS). Kim created this sketch based on that card:

And here is the card that I created for my friend Mindy's little man Jax, who turned ONE the other day! She also has three little boys like me, so that's kinda fun!! Happy Birthday Little Gingy!

I used a Papertrey Ink stamp set Fly Away and matching die, as well as The Cat's Pajamas cloud border die. The paper and twine are from the Ribbon Carousel. I did some wonkey machine stitching around the edges as well as through the cloud strip.

 
And here is the inside, with another sentiment from the set and more twine. Lots of room for some birthday wishes!

Go and check out what the other Agents have come up with! We'd love to have you join us this week! Upload your creation to the iSSC blog!

{TCP/iSSC} May Arts & Ribbon Carousel Blog Hop

Oh my, I think I am breaking some kind of company-challenge combination world record...and I'm throwing in a blog hop just for fun!! So I'll try to keep it straight for ya, cuz it's gonna get a little confusing. Maybe you should get a pen out and take a few notes to refer back to in case it gets too foggy to see through!
I was intentionally going to just combine my usual weekly TCP Tuesday gig with my iSpy Sketch this week, but then my good pal Corinna from the Ribbon Carousel asked me to join in on the RC's blog hop with May Arts ribbon. Oh Boy! So this card I made uses a very cheeky (monkey) image from one of my fave stamp companys The Cat's Pajamas, used in an iSSC layout, with some May Arts product, found at the Ribbon Carousel. Phew! Now, usually I am annoyed by people who combine a zillion challenges into one card...so I promise you this won't happen often, but you could look at it as me spreading my feelers all through cyberspace and trying to reach out to alot of readers (or a few;) while promoting an abundance of pretty awesome companies and challenges that I love:) So I shall look at it as the latter and not beat myself with a big stick. Agreed? Good.

Let's get on with it then. If you are here for one thing, and not another, just sit back and take it all in:) It's all good, baby!

I used the Go Bananas stamp set from The Cat's Pajamas and combined it with May Arts  Black Jute String, Red Jute Twine and Parrot Green Net Ribbon (all available at the Ribbon Carousel store)

Check out the iSSC blog for the original card, as well as the other Special Agents take on the sketch, as well as the Dancing in Pajamas blog to link up your TCPTUES208 colour challenge (RED, GOLD & LIME GREEN) card for your chance at the monthy Swanky Stamper or some weekly catcash!

Hop Details:

You have 4 chances to win! Hop along and leave some love on the designers' blogs. A winner will be chosen randomly from one of the designer's blog from the Ribbon Carousel and one designer's blog from May Arts.

Also,stop by and say hello on both the Ribbon Carousel's Facebook page and the May Arts Facebook page for additional chances to win!

You have until Friday , May 4th at 3:00 EST to play along! Winners will be announced on Friday, May 4th at 6:00 PM here, on the May Arts blog, the Ribbon Carousel Facebook page, and the May Arts Facebook page!

Here are the prizes:

Ribbon Carousel Blog: 4 spools of May Arts Ribbon (winner's choice)

Ribbon Carousel Facebook page: 2 rolls of Mary Arts Ribbon (winner's choice)

May Arts Blog: Ribbon Carousel

May Arts Facebook page: 2 ten packs of wooden spools

{iSSC13} Bug Buddy

This weeks iSpy Sketch Challenge was inspired by this card from Dawn Mercedes (dawnmercedes at SCS). And here is the sketch so that you can play along with the Secret Agents this week!

And here is my take on the sketch, using a brand new Kraftin' Kimmie stamp (Bug Buddies 2) from the lastest release that I had yet to ink up! These new KKS bugs are just the cutest! I am kinda kicking my butt that I didn't get the bee that looks like a flying puffy marshmallow..seriously adorbs!

Yep, this guy can come over and stay with me anytime, with that little napsack on his stick! And the 'queen' wave...bahahaha!

The paper is by Pink Paislee, button by Jenni Bowlin and the brown and black twine is from the Ribbon Carousel. I couldn't decide on the colour to use, so I went with both!
And here is the inside. Super simple. The sentiment is also new KKS that comes with the Bug Buddies 1 set!

See what the other agents came up with and enter your iSSC13 card on the blog here.

{iSSC11} Thanks a Latte

It's time for another iSpy Sketch Challenge Friday! This week we were inspired by this lovely card from Julia Stainton!
Here is Kim's sketch based on that card:

I've used the newly released Ellie Loves Lattes from Your Next Stamp. She is coloured up with copics. I popped her up in front of MFT's fence die (the cloud die was used as well). I threaded a wood button with some cranberry baker's twine (SU!) and added that to a TCP flower button cutup and circle punch embellie. The dotted ribbon is also SU, as well as the CS. The designer paper is Simple Stories.

Here is a view of the card laying flat, so you can see the dimension:

And a close-up of Elli, where you have a birds-eye-view of some colouring mess-ups, as well as the knit texture on the sweater/tights. Her latte and hands were stamped twice and popped up on dimensionals for effect:)

Go on over to the iSpy blog to see what the other Special Agents created with this weeks sketch, as well as the linky tool to enter your card to hopefully be featured as one of our Top 2 Picks!