It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Now that the cards are done it's time to look at those home-made gifts and ornaments.  So, on Monday, December 12 we will be making a cookie bag (images show closed and open), table favor (or small gift for friends or classmates), and an ornament.   If you'd like to join this class for these projects, e-mail me at kathystamps@gmail.com for more information. 

Happy Stampin'!
Kathy Kamradt
Stampin' Up! Creative Coach

Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

Christmas will be here before we know it. So, time to get cranking on the Christmas Cards. On Tuesday, November 15 at 7 pm and Wednesday, November 16 at 9 am, I will be hosting a Christmas Stamp-A-Stack. We will be making 12 cards, 3 each of 4 designs. Unfortunately, the shimmer and glitter don't show up well in the photos.

E-mail me at kathystamps@gmail.com for more information.

Kathy Kamradt
Stampin' Up! Creative Coach

I Love Fall!

I love the cooler dryer weather, the warm colors, and the foods of fall! Oranges, rusts, reds and browns, apples and pumpkin pie, Halloween and Thanksgiving. This is my stamping inspiration for the season. The tree image was stamped on So Saffron paper with Versamark ink and embossed with clear EP. I then sponged on orange and brown inks and 'Polished' ink off of embossed area with a paper towel. This technique is called Emboss Resist. Happy Fall!

Kathy Kamradt
Stampin' Up! Creative Coach

INSPIRATION

It's fun to take inspiration from unlikely places...a magazine ad, the fabric design on a favorite dress, etc. I found my inspiration for my card from a rug in the Home Decorators Collection catalog. I used the direct to paper technique using Mellow Moss as my base and then randomly hitting it with Old Olive, Whisper White and Garden Green ink pads. Over that I stamped the swirls from Season of Joy in Whisper White, Always Artichoke and gold.

Not sure how to find inspiration for your cards? Go to splitcoaststampers.com and try the Inspiration Challenge posted there. You'll find it really stretches your creativity.

Christmas In July

Today's class was a lesson in the beautiful uses of shimmer paint. Unfortunately, the shimmer on these cards does not sparkle through the scanning process. These cards are MUCH prettier in person.

The Noel cards both used the same technique. First I inked the stamp with Classic Ink and then patted on shimmer paint with a sponge and then stamped the paper. This made a nice shimmery color.

The Happy Holidays card was made by mixing a couple of drops of shimmer paint with a drop of Old Olive re-inker, then painting in the trees. I followed this with Stickles on the stars and ornaments in gold, red, and green. For the snow at the base of the trees I used some Puffy 3-D Glue.

On the Seasons Greetings card, using the Top Note Die I die cut a piece of window sheet, then taped it over a piece of water color paper using Dotto removable tape. I put this in my spray box and sprayed it with a mixture of 1 ounce of alcohol, a few drops of shimmer paint and a couple of drops of re-inker. (You can find small travel size spray bottles at the drug store.) Carefully remove the window sheet as it will be wet and drippy. Let the sprayed piece dry, which doesn't take long because of the alcohol. The trees were painted with silver shimmer paint then stamped into the sprayed area. This card has wonderful shimmer to it, but did not photograph very well.

It may be hot outside, but for a little while we felt cool as we stamped these holiday cards. Of course, the air conditioning helped too.: )

I'M BACK!

Gosh, I can't believe it's been over 4 months since my last post. Throughout much of the Spring I was remodeling my craft room. It took a bit longer than planned due to various issues with supplies and furniture, but that's a story for another day. I am so pleased with my new "Craft Cave" and find it so much more efficient than before. The work table is in the middle of the room and offers cubbies on two sides for my stuff. Another favorite is the hanging wall shelf for my stamp pads,reinkers, ribbons and embellishments. More cubbies along the walls and a repainted cabinet finish off the room. I kept my computer desk and just moved it across the room so I don't get light reflection from the window. I found some fabric at JoAnn's to make a cornice over the window, which set the theme for the room.

I'm planning to organize and transfer to disks the pictures of my craft projects, so in the process I'll try to get some posted here as well. In the meantime...

Happy Stampin'!

Kathy Kamradt
Stampin' Up! Creative Coach

Valentine Class at Village Gallery

The picture doesn't do justice to the collage card. This was fun to make and I can't wait to share this technique. The handled box was created from the card stock that was left after last month's Valentine candy card. I have made these for the grand kids that I will be visiting next week...filled with candy and filled with love. The class for both of these projects will be at the Village Gallery at Stiles and Smith in Orange Park on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 10:00 am. E-mail me at kathystamps@gmail.com if you are interested in attending.

I am in the midst of renovating my craft room and all of my supplies are in boxes or stacked up in my Florida room. Stamping is a challenge right now, but I know I will have a wonderful work space when my craft room is finished. I am so thankful to my darling husband who has taken on this project. The room is painted and the laminate flooring and new desk are ordered. Last week we purchased new cabinets. I will post pictures when the room is completed.