Dreaming of Sand & Surf!

 Hi friends!  I am here to share a fun 3-D project that I created using the adorable Happy Beach Critters Stamps and Coordinating Dies from Prickley Pear Stamps.

This is a pop-up shadow-box card that stands on its own and has the cutest little scene inside, but it folds completely flat for mailing. 

I colored the cute little critters with Copic Markers and used the coordinating dies to cut them out.   I assembled the card.  I used some beach themed digital papers for the inside panel, which I tore to create the uneven shoreline.  I adhered the images to acetate and placed them strategically so that they would pop up and out at different heights and depths.

I created a banner for the sentiment which I embellished with a life preserver brad and then adhered it to the card front.  I also created a fun; ratty gingham bow that I embellished with a sunshine brad. 

I can't even tell you how much I love this little card!  I hope it inspires you to get crafty and try something new! 

You can find these little darlings in the shop here!

Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links have been provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you so much for supporting my hobby!**

Joy & Peace!

 Hi crafty friends!  Today, I am up on the Prickley Pear Blog with another fun card that I created using the new Peace Collection from Prickley Pear Stamps that was released earlier this week.  This time, I wanted to create a hippie themed mini slimline card, so I focused more on neon colors (a first for me)!

I pulled out my fluorescent Copic markers and worked on finding some color blends that would work (I think I nailed it) and then I set about coloring the images.  Once I was done, I cut them out and set them aside.

I paired a fun tie-dye digital paper with some colored strips and adhered them to my card base.  I added a die-cut heart and a loopy bow and then arranged the images on my card front. 

This card was really out of my comfort zone, but I had SO much fun creating it!  I hope you are inspired to get crafty!   Make sure to head to the shop and check out the new release!  You will not be disappointed! 

Thank you so much for spending a few minutes of your busy day with me!

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links have been provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you so much for supporting my hobby!**

Peace On Earth - Earth Day Style!

 Hi friends!  Today, we are celebrating this beautiful new release - Peace - over at Prickley Pear Stamps!  I LOVE how versatile this set is!  If you are into the hippie vibe, it's got everything you need!  If you want to celebrate Earth Day, it's perfect for that!  And honestly, I think it would make some beautiful Christmas cards, also! 

I wanted to create an Earth Day themed card, so I colored up the images in shades of blue and green, and cut them out.  I found a perfect digital paper on Etsy to pair the images with. 

I used a die from my stash to cut the little doily looking element and layered it along with a white iridescent bow behind the main image. I stamped the word "On" and cut it into a banner which I adhered behind the earth, and then popped it up on foam dots. 

I don't know about you, but I love how this card came together!  I hope that you are inspired to get crafty! 

Make sure to head to the shop and check out this beautiful release!  You won't be disappointed!

Thank you so much for spending a few minutes with me! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links have been provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for supporting my hobby!**

Life Can Be Prickley!

  Hi friends!  Have you ever needed an encouragement card and just didn't know what to do?  That was me, until I saw the "coming soon" Cactus Brads from Eyelet Outlet!  I knew that they would be a perfect match for the Prickly Pear Catcus Clear Stamp Set from Prickley Pear Stamps!

I colored the Prickly Pear Cactus Image with Copic markers, die-cut it and set it aside. I used the amazing Glitter Washi Tape - Copper to cover the edges of a cardstock panel.  You'd never know it, but I just grabbed the first piece of card stock I could find.  It's yellow (haha), but since the washi covers it, it doesn't show.

I layered a piece of digital paper with the washi panel and adhered them to my card base.  I added my focal image to the front of the card.  I embossed the sentiment on a strip of cardstock and added a couple of Cactus Brads before adhering it to the front of the card.  To complete the card, I created a bow and using my glue gun, I glued one of the brads to the center and then to the front of the card. 

I love how this came together!  The brads and the stamp set paired beautifully!

Make sure to check out the shops at the links above to see these beauties!

Thank you so much for hanging out with me! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you so much for supporting my habit!**

Sending Good Thoughts Your Way!

 Hello, friends!  I am back to share another card that I had the pleasure of creating with the gorgeous Brighter Days Ahead Stamp Set from Prickley Pear Stamps!

Similarly, to the last card that I created, I stamped the image at the base of a vertical panel and I colored the image in with Copic markers.  I used the same mask that I used on the last card and I covered the stamped and colored image so that I could ink blend a beautiful daytime sky with Distress Oxide inks. 

Once I was happy with the sky, I heat embossed the sentiment on a coral panel of card stock and backed it with yellow.  I layered my landscape on the same colors and adhered them to the card base.  Just before adding my sentiment panel to the card, I added a loopy nest of gold thread behind it with mini glue dots.  Lastly, I popped the sentiment panel up with foam dots.

I really love how easy it is to change the look of this stamp set just by changing the color palette.

I hope you love this card as much as I do!  Please make sure and head to the shop to check it out! 

Thank you so much for spending a few minutes with me today!

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links have been provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for supporting my hobby!**

The Darkest Hour is Just Before the Dawn!

 Happy Saturday, crafty friends!  Have you checked out the new Brighter Days Ahead stamp set form Prickley Pear Stamps yet?  If not, you definitely need to! 

I loved coloring up this beautiful landscape.  I will tell you a funny story in a bit. 

I took a trip to Arizona recently, along with several of our amazing Design Team members, and one of the things that struck me was how different the landscape is from where I live, and the skies are incredible!  I saw some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets there. 

Anyhow, I colored up this beautiful scene with Copic markers.  To start, I only colored the ground, and left everything else uncolored.  I used a piece of a wash cloth with some colorless blending solution to add a bit of texture to the ground.

I stamped the image again on some sticky notes and fussy cut it.  Those that know me know that I hate to fussy-cut.  I am terrible at it, truly terrible!  I masked the image and I did some ink blending to create this night sky. Now, I have to be honest (here comes the funny story) - I was on auto-pilot when I gathered my Distress Oxide colors and went to my go-to's for a night sky.... Imagine my dismay when I lifted the mask and realized that the sun is up in the image.  I don't even know what I was thinking!

Not to worry, though!  I heat embossed this beautiful sentiment that is absolutely PERFECT for the scene, and I covered the sun!  No one would be any wiser, except for the fact that you all know now!  Don't tell! 

I added some die-cut frames that I had in my stash, and voila!  A beautiful landscape on a card. 

I hope you love this as much as I do! 

Please make sure to head over to the shop and take a peek at this fabulous stamp set, along with all of the other fun sets in the Southwest Collection!  There is even a bundle available with the entire collection. 

Thanks so much for spending a few minutes of your day with me! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for supporting my hobby!**

Have a Roarsome Birthday!

Hello friends!  I am  here to share a super fun birthday card that I created using the darling Dinosaur Pals stamps and dies from Prickley Pear Stamps & Dies.  I never seem to have enough birthday cards, and so I have been working to build up my stash.  I love that this stamp set is perfect for anyone! 

I started by coloring this little cutie and the greenery with Copic markers and using the coordinating dies to die-cut them. 

I kept my color palette very simple with greens and whites, and I love how the color really pops off of the front of the card.  I paired the dinosaur with some dies in my stash from Whimsy Stamps and an embossing folder from Altenew.  I wanted to add a lot of texture and dimension, and I think it came together perfectly!

I seriously love this card!  The Dinosaur Pals stamp set is full of cute dinosaurs and some great elements to build a scene.  Stay tuned, as I will be sharing another card that I made soon. 

Make sure to head over to the shop and check it out!  

Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me!  I hope you have a great day! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links provided at no additional expense to you.  Thank you so much for supporting my hobby!** 

Say I Love You with a Card!

 Hi crafty friends!   I hope you have been having a good weekend!  I am over on the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps blog today and I am so happy to be sharing another card that I made using the new Love You Stamp Set!  

To create this card, I stepped WAY outside of my comfort zone in several ways.  I knew that I wanted to use a teal, purple and pink color palette, but I felt that it needed a color that would really make it pop, so I pulled out my color wheel to find a complimentary color and came up with yellow green.

I also created a mask, which is something I rarely do; however, I wanted the "You" to be in front of the love.  I recently saw that someone uses full sticky notes to create masks.  I didn't even know that was a thing, but I found them on Amazon.  I did need to pair two of them together to make it large enough; however, because the entire surface is sticky, it worked like a dream.  

I stamped my image on the sticky notes, and I cut it out using a pair of snips.  I even cut out the center of the heart.  I then stamped the "You" on my card panel where I wanted it and placed the mask right over it.  When masking, you always start with the image that you want in front, and mask it, then stamp what you want in the background.  I stamped the "Love" image right over the top of the mask.  When I peeled the mask away, I had the perfect image.  Best part is that I put the mask in with my stamps and can re-use it again.

I colored the image using my Copic markers, and I added some accents (stripes) with a white gel pen.  to add the yellow-green effect, I scribbled with my Copic marker on my glass mat and picked it up with a water brush filled with 99% rubbing alcohol (or you can use blending solution).  I applied the color right next to the image and as it began to dilute, I dragged it outwards, giving the panel a light color wash.  I just learned this technique at boot camp, and I have to admit it is a ton of fun. 

I paired some purple card stock with a teal patterned paper, which I distressed the edges of.  I adhered all of my panels together and attached them to the card base.  To complete the card, I added a paper flower to a loopy bow using my glue gun and added some rose colored rhinestones.  

I have to say that I am in love with this stamp set.  It is so versatile, and incredibly fun to color up and create with!  Make sure to head to the shop and check it out!   It is available as just the stamp set, coordinating dies, or in a bundle that includes both.  You will save $5 by purchasing the bundle! 

Thanks so much for hanging out with me!  I hope you have been inspired to try something new! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links have been provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for supporting my hobby!**

Love You!

  Hello friends!  It is Release Day over at Prickley Pear Stamps and Dies today and I am so excited to share this fun Valentine's Day card that I created using the BRAND NEW Love You Stamp Set!  This stamp set is full of beautiful bold words and is perfect for coloring up.

  To create this card, I stamped the "Love" sentiments five times, alternating the patterned stamp with the solid stamp.  I stamped the "You" on a separate piece of card stock.  Once I was sure my ink was dry, I colored them in with Copics, alternating the colors that I used to break it up.  If you look closely, you will see that the "Love" on the upward diagonal is all in the same color.  Fun! 

I don't know about you, but I love red and purple together, but I NEVER use them... it reminds me of the poem by Jenny Joseph, "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple..."!  This was a fun exercise in using colors.  I stuck to the red and purple for the "You" image and cut it out.  

I layered the colored panel on red and purple card stocks and before adhering it to the card base, I wrapped some lilac crochet thread around it.  I popped the "You" up on foam dots to add some dimension and added a loopy bow. 

I had so much fun creating this card and I hope that you love it as much as I do!  

Please make sure to head to the shop and check out this fabulous new stamp set! 

Thanks so much for hanging out with me for a few minutes!
Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you so much for supporting my hobby!**

Dance to the Music of Your Heart!

 Hello friends!  Have you been enjoying all of these fun Southwestern themed cards?

I created another fun card using the Kokopelli - Just Dance stamp set.  I really love the sentiments with this stamp set!  

I created a simple tag and heat embossed the focal image on it.  I paired it with some fun digital papers and heat embossed the sentiment and created a double-ended banner.

I finished up the card with a few Obsidian Black Rhinestones.

Thanks so much for hanging out with me for a few minutes!  Make sure to stop by the shop and check out the entire collection! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate Links provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for supporting my hobby!**

Dance Like No One's Watching!

 Hi friends!   

I am just popping in to share another fun card from the new Southwest Collection! 

For this card, I heat embossed the joyful image from the Kokopelli - Happy Birthday stamp set onto a digital paper that I had printed out.  I die-cut the stamped panel and a border in a fun shape.  I wrapped the border with gold metallic thread and adhered the stamped panel down, before attaching it to the card front.   

I heat embossed the sentiment "Dance Like No One's Watching" from the Kokopelli - Just Dance stamp set and backed the sentiment strip with gold cardstock. 

To complete my card, I added a loopy bow and some gold sequins. 

I hope you are loving the Design Team's inspiration this week! 

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me. 

Xoxo, Kim

Happy Birthday, Southwestern Style!

 Hello, friends!  Over at Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps, we are so excited to be sharing the newest release with you - The Southwest Collection!

I had so much fun creating with this collection, that I made two cards to share with you today!  I love anything animals, so I really love the Southwestern Fun Stamp Set!   It is perfect for masculine cards, though it really works for any occasion!  

  Masculine cards are a huge struggle for me, and I never have birthday cards on hand for the guys, so this was a perfect opportunity to add to my stash.  I paired this stamp set with some fabulous digital paper that I found on Etsy.

Once I figured out what I was doing, these cards came together so quickly!  I heat embossed the animals on die-cut circles and set them aside.  I also heat embossed sentiments from the Kokopelli - Happy Birthday Stamp Set and cut the strip into a banner.  I wrapped my card panels with some champagne colored metallic embroidery thread and added a loopy bow. 

Please make sure to head over to the shop and check out the entire release!  You won't be disappointed!  Also make sure to head to the Prickley Pear Pals Facebook Group and keep an eye out!  The amazing Design Team will be sharing their inspiration with you all week.

Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me!  

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links provided at no additional cost to you.  Thanks so much for supporting my hobby!**

Warm Winter Wishes from Spinach & Ramona

Hello again, friends!  This is almost my last Christmas project, I promise!  

The first stamp set that I ever purchased from Prickley Pear Stamps was the darling Frog Pals - Spinach and Ramona stamp set.  I love this stamp set so much, and even more so after Sharon shared with me that Spinach and Ramona are their granddaughter's pet frogs!  How cute is that?    Anyhow, I was dying to dress them up for Christmas and create a card with them.

I colored them with Copic markers in traditional Christmas colors and added some gold accents using a gelly roll pen. I cut them out using the coordinating dies and set them aside. 

I created a layered tree using my Cricut, and I added some sparkle embossing paste that is nearly dried up to add snow.  I am loving the consistency of it for winter scenes, so I can't bear to throw it away, even though it is on its last leg.   

I tore two strips of white paper to create hills, and added the embossing paste to them, and set the wet items aside to dry completely.   I dry-embossed a white panel using a snowflake embossing folder from my stash and layered the panel on a piece of patterned paper.

I heat embossed a sentiment from the Santa and Rudolph stamp set and backed it with red glitter paper.   I adhered all of my elements to the card front and completed my card by adding some glass bubbles and a bow from my favorite ribbon.  I have had this ribbon in my stash for probably 20 years.  How crazy is that?! 

I have to say that this is my absolute favorite card that I have ever made!  I love all of the different texture, and of course the sweet frogs! 

Make sure to head to the shop and check out this sweet stamp set, and all of the other amazing goodies! 

Thank you so much for spending a few minutes with me!  I hope you love this card as much as I do! 

Merry Christmas to you and yours! 

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you so much for supporting my hobby!**

 

2 More Sleeps!

Hi friends!  Only 2 more sleeps until this big guy comes to visit!  

Have you jumped on the Memory Dex train yet?  I absolutely love making Dex cards, as they are a quick and easy project to create.  I created this Dex card using the sweet Santa from the Santa and Rudolph stamp set from Prickley Pear Stamps ages ago and forgot to take photos so I could post.  I figure since the big day is nearly here, now would be the perfect time! 

As I said, Dex cards are really easy to create.  I started by die-cutting my Dex card four times - once from a solid cardstock (for the back), two patterned papers, and one glitter cardstock.  I trimmed the papers down to the sizes I wanted to layer up on the solid base.  The best part of this is that I have additional pieces to use on another Dex card later. 

I heat embossed the sentment and cut it in to a banner, adhered it to the back of my Santa, and glued it down to the front of the card.  I added a bow from metallic embroidery thread and some glitter enamel dots.

I would love it if you would comment and let me know if you have started making Memory Dex cards or not.

Don't forget to head over to the shop and check out all the goodness available!  

Thank you so much for spending a few minutes with me today!  

Xoxo, Kim

**Affiliate links provided at no additional cost to you.  Thank you for supporting my hobby!**