Step It Up

...........w/a step card! I saw this on a blog this past weekend and so loved the idea then couldn't find the blog I saw it on so I could give credit to where I got the idea from!!! The worst part is I always leave pages up to remind me and it wasn't on any pages so, I got nothin'!!!

Anywho, this step card was my first ever and so much fun to make. I truly DO NOT think it is my best work but it was def a work in progress to perfecting the step effect - the measurements are so tricky!!! I will try to get it down and share the measurements with you at a later date and time!!!



My sweet friend, Amanda, loved the card. She was the temporary technical assistant in the unit I am in. She started the temp assignment my first week in the unit and she has been such an amazing support and wealth of knowledge that aided in training me to do my job. Between her and Barbie (my permanent technical assistant) I have learned so much and actually feel as if I know what I am doing - trust me, there are still a few who don't have a clue!!!

I made this LO for Barbie but forgot to take a pic of it here at home before I took it to her so had to snap this pic with my phone so not the best quality!!!



The chipboard giant flower has been in my stash forever!!! I've been saving it because I've had an idea for it but never felt the right moment to use it til I saw this pic!!! Kiera (from Walking Tall a few posts back) is big sis to Jordan and this is how she gives kisses to Jordan. My hubby said I should've titled it "MMMMMM Tasty" but I was going for a more "lovey" feel this time around but I'm keeping that title in mind for a more casual pic of K giving J lovies!!!

That's it for tonite. I am off to work on a LO from our trip to Texas of my FIL's retirement party - the idea came to me today during a phone call. My first week back to work has been interesting. Very tired by Friday but that could be because I rec'd another shot yesterday for my headaches and she changed up some of my meds trying to get my blood pressure down - it's working but my body isn't used to it so I feel tired.

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin' - I'm sure you'll see more work from me this weekend!!!

You've Got Me Wrapped

Last card for the day/weekend. I found this free digi image over at Just Inklined and thought I'd crank out one more card because it was a simple image!!! I used the sketch over at Charisma Cardz to put this baby together very quickly!!! OK, off for the night - I hope you enjoy the card!!!



Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Back to School and..............

............on a roll!!! OMG I haven't felt this good and felt this creative in a long time. I hate that it had to come on with 2 hospital visits, numerous tests and a lot of blood drawn but hey, I feel my crafting groove coming back!!! And no, I'm not going back to school but my card is ready for Back to School action!!!

I'm working with the Kenny K Digi Images again. This one is a free download though available at Kenny K Downloads so make sure you grab it before the end of September!!!

So, this card completes a few challenges that I found:

1. Kenny K's Krafty Girlz - Stitching

2. SCS Featured Stamper - Casing Kristen where I used this card, Sparkle Henry as my inspiration.

3. Stamping Vacation - Special Month Challenge - Sewing

4. Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes



So in this pic you can kind of see some sparkle on the hoodie this little guy is wearing - his hoodie, backpack and shoes are all colored over with the Copic AtYou Spica pens and as with my other card, looks much better in person. Also, check out his pants!! I used B97 and B95 to color then...........get this, I learned it at my class to become a Copic Certified Designer, I took an old piece of denim jeans that Cait had made shorts out of, strapped it across my Tim Holtz inking tool, put a little Copic Blending Solution on it and "stamped" it to give the pants more of a "denim" feel. Now, if you try this let me warn you - COLOR THE PANTS FIRST AND NOTHING ELSE, STAMP IT WITH THE BLENDING SOLUTION AND LET DRY FOR A GOOD WHILE. Sorry for caps but in the class our instructor Jennie warned us that if we didn't do it this way that we'd ruin our image as EVERYTHING on the image would have the "denim" look. So, go try it and let me know how it turns out for you - if you do it please link it back to me so I can see!!!

I have to admit, it was AWESOME pulling out the sewing machine. No, I'm not using my little purple Singer machine that I adore, I'm using a new Singer that my hubby bought me last year and sadly, this is the FIRST time I've pulled it out to use!!! When I told him he stepped away from me (wise man lemme tell ya) and made a not so nice comment about how I just really NEEDED the machine last year so I could sew and how I am just NOW using it!!! Eh, it's all good because I just love how smooth it sews and stitches, boy howdy I don't know if I would ever use all 69 of them but your darn tootin' I'm gonnd try each out to see how they look!!! On the card I just used the basic stitch for now as I didn't want to screw up what I had worked hard on!!!

Here's my new, old baby!!!




Well, I think that is it for me this weekend. I feel like I've been in a whirlwind of creativity and dang it feels good!!! So, thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!

PS When I gave my blog an overhaul I lost ALL of my friends as well as my blog roll. I spent a good amout of time out of touch with friends and the blogs I used to love to stalk so I am desperately trying to make a list of all so I can find you and add you back. So, if you aren't here and you were at one time let me know, I'd love to add you back because I didn't "delete" everyone on purpose, I just didn't think when I overhauled and realized it just a tad too late..............

OK, off to watch the new HBO series "Boardwalk" with the hubby!!! Take care!!

The Spooks Come Out at Night!!!

So as with all things Karen, I am in LOVE with the Kenny K digi images and have used another already!!! This girl is known as Wanda Wicked and what better card to use her on than a Halloween card right?? I used the sketch challenge over at SCS this week, my first time to actually play along over there.

I also added a little "flair" to her but it doesn't show up in the pics. Copics were used to color the image (duh) but the flair was the newly introduced to me Copic AtYou Spica pens. I lightly colored over her dress with the Mint Copic AtYou Spica pen and then her lips with the Pink Copic AtYou Spica pen - again, you can't see it in the image but in person there is definitely a little sparkle.




This card was also used for the challenge over at Creative Card Crew - Autumn or Fall. Now typically when you think Autumn or Fall you think leaves, pumpkins, Thanksgiving dinners etc, but me, I think Halloween!!! I thought Wanda Wicked was just great to use for my Halloween thoughts!! I wonder who might get this card for her October 31st bday?? LOL

And................This reminded me of the challenge at Stamping Vacation which is Get the Music in You by using "Black Magic Woman" as your inspiration. The song definitely made me think Halloween and all things magic!!!

OK, off to work on something else. Feeling better sure has helped my creativity!!! Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Top 3 - That's Me!!!

Woohoo!!! I should really be going to bed, and about 2 hours ago I said that was exactly what I was doing but....................I just popped over to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge Blog because I just haven't been able to go to bed yet and wanted to see all the amazing creations to find the I won this week!!! They choose winners by one of the Randomizer's but hey, I won and that tickles me to death!!! I get to choose 3 of Kenny K's fabulous digi images as my prize!!!! And, I get to sport this fab little badge too!!!!



OK, off to make the tough decision of which 3 images I want and then, I promise I am going to bed. The hubby is already cranky with me because I didn't rest as much as I probably should have today but I've been bed/recliner ridden since last Thursday other than the two times in the hospital so feeling better def gave me incentive to get up and do something!!!

Night all, thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Stuck???

...........well not anymore! I found a great little sketch blog called, yep you guessed it, Stuck?

The September 1st Sketch was perfect to get me kickstarted after my 10 or so days of misery...........LOL. This LO is for a co-worker who is trying to decide if she REALLY wants to get into scrapping. This is her oldest granddaughter, Keira - isn't she so adorable!!!



It's a pretty simple layout for me - I so wanted to do more but I am having a time getting back into the swing of scrapping. I went from having all the time I needed to having no time with my new, well not so new now, job. And to top that off, I will begin teaching here soon basic scrapbooking classes - I'll post more about it once I get started as I'm running a bit behind the schedule I set for myself so I don't want anything out there if something else comes up and I don't get it going like I want. Hopefully by November at the very latest I will begin scheduling my classes and they will be over 4 weeks, once a week for 2 hours at a time.

OK, I think I'm rambling right now so gonna call it a night and see what I can accomplish before heading to bed!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Back w/a Little Something

I've been wanting to craft and post for a while but the last week and a half I've been pretty down and out with two separate hospital trips and mandatory bedrest so not much has been done.

I did manage to get a few challenges done in one card tonite though - it's the first time I've felt crafty in a while so I don't say it is my best work but it definitely felt good to be doing something again!!! This card is for the following challenges:


Kenny K‘s Krafty Girlz - Embossing

Friday Sketcher‘s - Weekly Sketch

Stamp Something - Digi Stamp

Stamp It Crazy - Girly Girly

Scrap-It Creations - Gotta Go Digi





And a close up of my Kenny K Digi Girl Delore's D'ammage, she is so schmexy!!! I have to admit I've not been a huge fan of digi images in the past. I found Kenny K digi images when I went to the Copic Certification Class a few weeks ago and met one of the girls on his DT and boy did I fall in love with them!!! While being sick, I had asked my daughter to go to the site and download the monthly freebie so I could try them out and she saw all the gorgeous girlz and bought me 5 of them!!! I was so tickled and thankful, she really made my day with them even though it was a few days before I could print any out and play with them!!! Regardless, I am hooked. I just wish I could afford to get more but after two hospital trips I will be limited to the 5 she got me (yeah, that is 5 more than I would have had if she hadn't been so sweet right? LOL) until we get all the hospital bills paid off but once that happens, I am def gonna grab me a few more, there are about 7 more that I am just really really really wanting and then of course I'd love to have them all!!!



Update from our Texas trip:

Was a great trip but way to short unfortunately. On Saturday morning we met my parents at a little cafe in Midlothian for breakfast then back to their house for a little nap - we got off at 7 p.m. on Friday night, picked up the kids and drove straight through so we were a tad exhausted! Got up and went with my Mom and Cait to The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie - man it felt good to visit a great scrap store again. We met my BFF from high school's daughter and her boyfriend there then went back to my parents house where my BFF from high school came out to visit and then we all went out to eat Mexi food - yeah baby, Tex Mex how I miss thee!!!! Sunday morning it was up for breakfast with my parents then off to Springtown to meet up with Rob's family for his dad's retirement party from BNSF. Lots of family and friends and amazing food along with some great visiting then off to bed and up to head back home on Monday morning. So, as you see, a short but definitely fun filled trip to Texas!!! Here are some pics from our trip:

My Mom & Dad



My Mom, Dad, Me, Caitlin and Dylan



Cait & Jeff at Mom & Dad's



Cait, Jeff, Shelby & Brad



Me & Julie w/Jeff sneaking into the pic



My gorgeous hubby :)



My thirsty Daisy girl :p



Rob's Dad - All smiles because he is officially retired!!



Pop's retirement cake



Pop's retirement gift






Rob's Momma



Just some of the 14 racks of ribs we had, yummy!!!



Rob, Cory, Marc, Chuck & Deb



My hubby & nephew Bryan



The whole gang







And then here is a card I did a few weeks ago for one of the ladies I work with. She has been amazingly supportive and helpful during my day to day work and has provided lots of patience and advice/teaching to make me perform my job to the best of my abilities!!!





You can tell I love the easel cards right!!! LOL I do love making these, they aren't just a regular card as the recipient can display them on their desk, entertainment center, mantle or where ever they choose, I just love the look of them!!!

OK, it is way too late for me to still be up so I best get to bed. Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

PS I do have one layout I completed today as well but forgot to take a pic of it so tomorrow hopefully as I plan on doing a little more scrapping tomorrow too!!!!

Time to Go Home

I'm really excited, I've not done much craft wise with a crazy busy schedule lately but......................come Friday I'm going home to visit!!! I haven't been back to Texas in over a year so it will be good to see familiar sites, family and for God's sake eat some REAL mexican food!!! Or should I say Tex-Mex...........LOL. Either way, I'm excited to come home!!!

I got this in my email tonite from our instructor this past Sunday:



I'm excited to put it to work soon!!!

Thanks for stoppin' by, I know you are probably tired of hearing I'll have something crafty soon but I promise, very soon!!! I am working on some exciting things including classes that I will be holding here in New Mexico. The first class or two will most likely be very small so I get my bearings but as soon as I get it all straight I'll let you know as I've had a couple emails asking where I'll be teaching. If you are in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho/Santa Fe area and are interested in a class for yourself and friends I'll be happy to do private stuff too and I promise, very reasonable :)

OOOPPPPSSSS........................

...............I did it again!!! I've neglected the old blog here. Things have been really hectic lately. Two weeks ago tomorrow we almost lost my mother to pneumonia. The first two days in the hospital were very touchy - so touchy both my Mom and my Dad admitted they didn't think she was going to make it. By Wednesday morning she kind of "bounced" back and started improving. By Friday she got to go home but has been to the doctor daily for testing here and there to make sure all is still clear - she had blood clots, one in the leg and one according to her (two according to my Dad the day she was admitted) in her lungs. She is still weak and tires easy but her attitude is definitely there making me know she is going to be OK!!!

Other than that (as if it wasn't enough) I've just been exhausted from work and life. So, hopefully I am back on the crafting bandwagon after Labor Day when we go to Texas.

But........................today, August 29, 2010, I received my Copic Certified Designer certification!!! Now, I can teach anywhere anyone wants me to!!! Although Albuquerque will be a hard market because we only have one scrap store and one stamp store and we had about 3 people from each store getting certified along with me but hey, that's OK because I will always have my certification!!!




One little girl I started in class - finished her while sitting in my recliner this evening with little to no light so didn't see my "oooppsss" until after I uploaded her, oh well, will do another. If anyone knows the brand of this stamp I'd love to know, our instructor Jennie gave us these to practice on with hair and skin. I think I'd like to add black to the white area of the eye then put some white on top of the black to make the eyes pop out more, next time :)



And a little something I did this last week that did turn into a card.............but I forgot to take a pic before I gave it out!!!



Thanks for stopping by and hopefully, someday soon, I will return with some work!!!

Happy Scrappin!!!


OK, so after the post I decided to try the black in the center of the eyes with the white added on top - like it. Then I got smart and decided to use a silver pen for the buckles - don't like it. Live and learn :)

5.5 Months Later and...................

................here I am!!! Wow, I can not believe it has been 5 1/2 months since I've done anything on here! Heck, I've hardly done anything scrappy at all in that time. I decided to make a few changes as you can see - I've changed the look of the blog and I've changed the blog address. I am hoping that these little changes will help rejuvenate me in several aspects of my life!!!


So, what have I been up to???

1. New job. I spent 3 grueling months in training for my new job with the Federal Government so by the time I got home during the week I was so stinkin' exhausted I pretty much fell into my recliner until time to roll to bed. And weekends, meh, I spent most of those asleep or veggin' in the chair.

2. Family. I have spent a lot of time worrying about my Mom as her health went downhill for a while. Teenagers - need I say more? LOL It's been a tough road leading to their senior year so we've had a few road blocks and obstacles to overcome but here we are 2 weeks before school starts and I think, keyword is think, we are back on track!!!

3. Drama. I grew tired of it so, I've rid myself of those who contributed to the drama and stress levels. I've reworked my world and am going for quality versus quantity :)

4. Travel. Rob and I have done a lot of travel and fun stuff this summer - I'll upload pics throughout this week a few each day - there are well over 1000 pics so I would hate to bore you with all the pics at once!!! LOL

5. Copic. Need I say more!! Actually I should! By the end of August I will be the proud bearer of the "Licensed Copic Instructor" title!!! I will hopefully begin teaching classes here in Albuquerque and surrounding areas by October helping others discover how absolutely amazing Copic markers are!!!

Anywho, thanks again for coming over from the old blog and I hope you will hang around for a while and share your life, scrappy goodness and anything else with me!!! Until tomorrow, Happy scrappin'!!!

K-