A Year in Review

I've been seeing some crafty friends doing post like this 

and I liked the idea so here goes mine!  2012 was a very exciting one for me with lots of accomplishments in this crafty little world of ours!

In January, I was the All That Scraps guest designer and during that month, I was selected to be on the All That Scraps Challenge Team.

In February, I made the Paper Shelter's Design Team and I was invited to be part of Kim Teasdale's iSpy Sketches Challenge design team.  

In March I went to Seattle for a crop as part of the Ribbon Carousel Crew and we met up with the designers of  There She Goes Clear Stamps. 

Front row:  Laurel Sparkle, Smith, Tobi Crawford, Katie Skiff

Back row: Angela Thomas, Kim Teasdale, Jessie Rone, Danielle Lounds, Jessica Knutson, Wendy Ramlakhan, (that's me perched behind Wendy), Savannah O'Gywnn

Shortly after returning home, I was invited to join the There She Goes Clear Stamps DT!  

Also in March, I was was honored to have been invited to the by Lori Designs design team!

Then in May I was promoted to be the Design Team Coordinator at the Ribbon Carousel.

Then in July I joined the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Design Team! 

In August I had the honor of being a Guest Designer for Your Next Stamp.

In September I was promoted from the All That Scraps Challenge Crew to a full fledged Design Team member!  

In October, one 2 of my cards were published in the Designed to Color Magazine......my first publications!   I also made the Designed to Color Magazine's Challenge Crew!

And  December, I will have 4 cards being published in the Designed to Color Magazine AND  I made the Stamping Bella Design Team! 

I have also been invited to be part of the The Greeting Farm's Premiere Guest DT and I have been helping them to give some sneak peeks of their newest crop of stamps which will be released tomorrow!

It's been quite a ride and I am so thankful for all of the opportunities that have been given to me this year!  Last year my New Year's resolution was to get published.  This year my resolution will be the same though I am going to try to get published in more than one magazine this year.  Yep, that's my goal for 2013.

Tomorrow,  I have the honor of participating in a release hop as part of the Greeting Farm's Premiere design team AND I get to announce some exciting news so be sure to comeback tomorrow!  

Thanks to all of my blog followers!  I can't believe that I have over 500 followers now here on my blog and over 550 followers on my Paper Perfect Designs Facebook page!  

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy New Year! 

TSG188 - Love Bucket

Who wants to squeeze in one last challenge before 2012 comes to close?  

Actually, you have a week to play along, but I got my card done today for the newest There She Goes Clear Challenge #188 which is to do some sponging on your die cuts!  

Ya know......cut out your image using one of your dies and then leave it IN the die while you sponge some ink around the inner edges! 

Here's my card:

I am playing along today with the Buckets of Love stamp set.  I colored my image with copics and then cut it out using one of the dies from the MFT Die-Namics circle STAX.  I left it in the die and then sponged some A Muse Studio blush ink around the inner edge of the day and around the image.   I paired some PP from the My Mind's Eye "Love Me" 6x6 paper pad with some Bazzill Card Shoppe peanut cluster, marshmallow and icy mint CS.  

Here are the copics I used:

bucket - C7, C5, C3, C2, C1, C00

hearts - R59, R29, R2, R05, RV09, RV06, RV04, RV-2, RV00, RV000

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using the provided sketch, and then head over to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (January 7th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!  TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)  If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG186 so we can check out your beautiful work!

I am also playing along with the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #66: 

RS44 - Got Balls?

If you are here for the Greeting Farm Sneak Peek of "Awareness Anya," click HERE!" 

 

When I saw this week's Retro Sketch Challenge #44, I had to play along!   I was sifting through my beloved There She Goes Clear Stamps and the "Swing Big" stamp set caught my eye.  WHY oh WHY had I not yet used one of the sentiments in that stamp set?   Gotta love the cheeky sentiments!

I colored my image with copics.  I paired some Bazzill Beach House PP with some Bazzill Card Shoppe marshmallow, licorice twist and wax lips CS.   I added some faux stitching to the wax lips panel with a white gel pen.   I stamped the baseball and layered it over the black PTI button.

skin - E11, E21, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

helmet - R59, R29, R24,R05

clothing  -  R59, R29, R24,R05, E43, E41

shoes - C9, C7. C5,C3

Here is the sketch:

The Greeting Farm's "Awareness Anya" Sneak Peek

I am thrilled to have been invited to be part of the Greeting Farm's "Premiere Guest Design Team" to help them kick of their very first release of 2013!  

A whopping FIVE new stamps will be released on January 1st!  If you missed my sneak peek of Lovey Bean from the other  day, you can click HERE to see it!  

Today I am helping to show off the soon to be released "Awareness Anya!"  

This image is great because you can color up to any way you'd like to support any cause!

I have a couple of cards to share with you.

First up is a card I made for Colon Cancer Awareness. An old friend of mine from high school has a dark blue ribbon with her mom's name and date of death as her avatar on Facebook.  I've been thinking of her lately because I know the Holidays make you miss those we've lost all the more.  So, here is a card I made with my old friend Robin in mind.

I colored the image with copics. I paired some Bazzill Card Shoppe peanut cluster and licorice twist CS with some PP from the Echo Park For the Record 2 Documented 6x6 paper pad.  I added some black twill ribbon, a blue button from my stash, and some black hemp cord to embellish.

skin - E21, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - E19, E18, E08, E02

ribbon - B 26, B24, B23

dress - B23, B21

boots - C1

For my second card, I colored Anya up for Alzheimer's Awareness.  As a Social Worker on a geriatric psych unit, I have seen so many people affected by this disease.

This time I paired some Bazzill Card Shoppe sour lemon and gummy bear CS with some PP from the Doodlebug Designs Hello Spring 6x6 paper pad.  I printed the sentiment from my computer. I used the PTI double ended banner die and I did some fussy cutting so I could pop Anya up with foam dimensionals and layer her over the banners.  

skin - E21, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - E37, E35, E53, E51

ribbon - BV17, BV13, BV11

dress - BV02, BV01, BV00

boots - C1

For a chance to WIN Awareness Anya, leave some blog love for me as well as for:

Julie Masse

Jessica Diedrich

TGF Blog

Don't forget that release day is January 1st!  Stay tunes for the Greeting Farm's PREMIERE Guest Design Team blog hop for a chance to win ALL FIVE of the new stamps!  

Saying Goodbye to All That Scraps

(insert sniffling sounds)

As the last All That Scraps challenge of 2012 rolls around, so does my final card as a member of the All That Scraps Design Team.  I have decided to step down after having spent 9 months on the All That Scraps Challenge Team and the last 3 months on the regular DT to take on some new adventures in this paper crafting world.  I loved every minute of it!  Thanks for Christine Wooden, owner of All That Scraps and C.C. Designs, for the opportunity over the past year and thanks to Tracy Clemente and Lesa Rapp, Design Team Coordinators, for making it all so fun!  

The theme of the  final All That Scraps challenge of 2012 is "the oldies."  I pulled out one of the first stamps I received as part of the DT and inked up Swiss Pixie Woodland Lucy.

I colored my image with copics and fussy cut her out so that I could layer her over the circular panel of PP.  I paired some PP from the Simple Stories "Fabulous" 6x6 paper pad with some Bazzill Card Shoppe candy bar and butter mints CS.  I printed the sentiment from my computer.  

skin - E11, E21, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - E19, E18, E08, E02

clothing - BG13, BG11, BG10, E43, E41

Now head on over the All That Scraps blog to see what my fellow DT members have created for this challenge and link up your creation! 

Though I tweaked the sketch just slightly, The Sweet Stop Sketch 190  was the inspiration for my card.

The Greeting Farm's "Lovey Bean" Sneak Peek

So, I have been sitting on a secret for a few weeks now.....which is torture!  

I hate having to keep exciting news quiet!  

Today I can finally share that I have been invited to be part of the Greeting Farm's Premiere Guest Design Team to help them kick off their very first release of 2013!  I was thrilled when Jessica Diedrich emailed to invite me!  

The Greeting Farm is releasing FIVE new stamp sets on January 1st to kick off the new year!  Today I have the honor of giving you a sneak peek of the adorable "Lovey Bean" with a couple of cards I created with this new stamp set.  

Here's my first card:

Her hair was so much fun to color.....and so was her cute little round belly!  I colored her with copics and fussy cut her out so that I could layer her over some PP with text on it.  I paired some Bazzill Card Shoppe wax lips  and licorice twist CS with some PP from the Fancy Pants Designs Love Note 6x6 paper pad.  I added some black grosgrain ribbon.  I used a SU heart punch to cut out the heart, stamped the sentiment, and then went over the sentiment with a black glaze pen.  I added some opal glitter glue to her wings.  

skin - E11, E21, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - C9, C7, C5, C3

clothing and flowers - R59, R29, R24, R05, YR18, YR16

And here is my second card:

This time I stepped away from the scissors.  No fussy cutting this time so that I can show you the entire image.  I colored Lovey Bean up with copics and cut her out using the MFT Die-Namics circle STAX sets 1 and 2. I paired some Bazzill Card Shoppe icy mint and black licorice CS with some PP from the My Mind's Eye "Love Me" 6x6 paper pad.  I added some black vintage seam binding and some opal glitter glue to her wings and the centers of the flowers.  .  

skin - E11, E21, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - E19, E18, E08, E02

flowers and hearts - R85, R83, R81

clothing - B02, B00, B000

Would you like to WIN the new Lovey Bean stamp set?

Of course you would!  

Just leave me a little blog love as well as some blog love for......

Melissa Andrew

Jessica Diedrich

The Greeting Farm Blog

They have some sneak peeks of Lovey Bean to show you as well!

Wishing You Luck in 2013

I am on vacation!   Yep!  I don't have to be back at work until January 2nd!  Hooray!

After all the stress of the Holidays, it is so nice to wind down, hang out in my pajamas, and do a little craftin'!  

As much as I love Christmas, I am all set with coloring any more Christmas images.  

To kick off my non-Christmas craftin', I decided to ink up one of my

favorite a la modes from MFT.  

Stamp set - MFT a la modes Wishing You Luck

Paper:  X-Press It blending card, PTI simply chartreuse, black, and white

PP:  Doodlebug Designs Hello Spring 6x6 paper pad

embossing folder - Darice stripe

accessories:  Making Memories mini silver circle brads 

skin - E11, E00, E000 

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - E35, E53, E51

shirt - BV04, BV02, BV01, BV00

pants - E44, E43, E41

shamrock - YG17, YG13, YG11

shoes - E44, E43

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very 

Merry Christmas!  

  

Smarty Pants Personalized Teacher Note Cards

Just a quick post to show you some personalized note cards I made last night for my kids to bring to their teachers today for Christmas.  I used the There She Goes Clear Stamp set called"Smarty Pants" that will be released this Saturday night!

I made 2 slightly different CAS designs.

Here's the first with the sentiment layered over and outside of the circular panel:

and this one has the sentiment within the panel:

I can't decide which one I like more.  

I used the MFT Die-Namics Circle STAX dies.  I stamped the argyle stamp in PTI pure poppy and ripe avocado ink on the lower half of the circles.  I colored my images with copics and printed the sentiments from my computer,  I rounded the bottom 2 corners of the cards with my corner chomper.  

Bellarific Friday - Alice's Warm Wishes

It's a Bellarific Friday!  

This week were simply challenging you to make a "Thinking of You" card!

I wanted to play along with the Bellatastic Tuesday challenge in the Stamping Bella forum on SCS which is to make a CAS card............so this card covers both!

I colored Alice up with copics and fussy cut her out so I could pop her with foam squares and layer her over  some PP from the Fancy Pants Country Boutique 6x6 paper pad.  I paired it with some PTI fine linen and black CS.  The sentiment is from the PTI Warm Happiness Too stamp set.  I rounded 2 opposite corner of the card with my corner chomper.

skin - E11, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - E57, E25, E53, E51

cup - BV17, BV13, BV11

dress - BV02, BV01, BV00, BV0000

Be sure to play along for a chance to win some bella bucks!  

EMAIL your submissions to Emily (emily@stampingbella.com ) by the end of Thursday, December 27th to be in with a chance of winning $10 in BELLA BUCKS and also get your card featured on the Bellariffic Friday post on the blogabella!!

You will also want to visit this week's Bellariffic Friday post to leave a comment, as one random commenter will also win $10 in Bella Bucks!

Make sure you also upload to the SCS Gallery using the keyword stampingbella, and you might also see your card featured on our Pinterest board.

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Sparkly and Bright

Here we are on our last day of the There She Goes blog hop challenges, and we have our new Sparkly & Bright set from Torico! We hope you have enjoyed the blog hop challenges so far, and we can't wait for you to see today's set!

When we saw these SUPER gorgeous characters from Torico, we were instantly in love. These gorgeous girls love their retail therapy, so no matter your gift giving reason-whether it be Christmas or Birthday, they’ve got you covered.

Sparkly & Bright is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 12 stamps and will sell for $18.00.

I stamped my image in Momento tuxedo black ink onto X-Press It blending card. I colored the with copics and paper pieced one of the bags. I cut the image out with the MFT Die-Namics Rounded Banner STAX. I left the image in the die and sponged some Tim Holz Distress Ink in antique linen around the edges. I paired some PP from the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Union Square 6x6 paper pad with some Bazzill Card Shoppe wax lips and licorice twist CS. I added some black grosgrain ribbon and attached the sentiment using a spiral clip and and then added a black rhinestone.

Would you like to win the new Sparkly & Bright stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, December 22nd with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Tooth Fairy Approved

Here we are on day two of the There She Goes sneak peeks, and we have the second of two sets being released by our artist, Melyssa Connolly! We know you loved yesterday's and we know you will love today's just as much!

Melyssa is back today with a set that is Tooth Fairy Approved! Whether congratulating your child for losing a tooth, scrapbooking the loss of a tooth, or leaving a note for the tooth fairy, you have so many options for them all!

Tooth Fairy Approved is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 17 stamps 

and will sell for $24.00.

I busted out my brand spankin' new Silhouette Portrait that I got from the Ribbon Carousel for the very first time! It was so easy! I found this tooth shaped card which was perfect! I colored the tooth fairy with copics and added some clear spica pen to her crown and the star. I added glitter glue to her wings. The strip of PP is from the Doodlebug Design Hello Spring 6x6 paper pad. I added some ribbon from my stash. 

Here's the inside of the card stamped with one of the sentiments from the stamp set:

Would you like to win the new Tooth Fairy Approved stamp set? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, December 22nd with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Sweet Love

Today I am showing off one of the newest C.C. Designs images from the December release at All That Scraps.  This is Mashi's Muffins Sweets and the Love Always Sentiments.  

I started with a Bazzill Card Shoppe peanut cluster CS base and rounded the two bottom corners with my corner chomper.  I used a stamp from the Craft's Meow Retro Foundations stamp set and stamped it in PTI Fresh Snow ink.   I stamped the "Love" sentiment in Momento black ink. I stamped my image onto X-press It blending card and colored her with copics.  I fussy cut her out and popped her up with foam dimensionals.  Finally, I added some white grosgrain ribbon.  

skin - E11, E00, E000, R20 ,R30

eyes - B24, B23, B21

hair - E53, E37,E35

dress - RV09, RV06, RV04

candy box - RV02, RV00, RV000

Head on over to the All That Scraps blog to see what my fellow design team member shave made for this week's review of the December reelease.  

There She Goes Blog Hop Challenge - Smarty Pants

It's time for the There She Goes December Release, and we are SO happy you are here to celebrate it with us!! This month's sets are sure to appeal to the crafter in you, and we have three days worth of peeks for you to enjoy, and to be inspired by!! Let's get to it!

Nerds are all the rage right now, and we at There She Goes are in love with this SUPER nerdy, super cute set from Melyssa, Smarty Pants. With 23 stamps in this set, you will have SO many fun options for the nerd in your life!

Smarty Pants is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 23 stamps and will sell for $24.00.

I colored my cute little nerd with copics and fussy cut her out so I could pop her up with foam dimensionals and layer her over and outside of the circular panel. I stamped the argyle stamp from the stamp set in VersaMark and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder to create the patterned paper. I added some Diamond Glaze to her glasses for a glossy look. 

skin - E11, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - E53, E37, E35

sweater vest - R59, R29, R24, R05

shirt - W3, W0, and a white gel pen

skirt- B26, B24, B23

socks - W5,W3, W7, R29

shoes - W7. W5. W3

Would you like to win the new Smarty Pants stamp set? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, December 22nd with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

RCC75 - Mistletoe Kisses

Have you played along yet with this month's Ribbon carousel Challenge?!  We are now doing monthly challenges with a big 'ol prize at the end for one lucky challenge participant!  

Each month we are giving away a Ribbon Carousel 

to one of our randomly chosen challenge participants!

This month's challenge theme is "Holiday Spirit"

I colored up this adorable Stamping Bella Uptown Girl Eve Under the Mistletoe with my copics and fussy cut her out so that I could layer her over some patterned paper.  I created the "photo" using the Lil' Inker Instant Camera die (love that thing!).  I paired some pretty PP from the EP This & That Christmas 6x6 paper pad  with some Bazzill Card Shoppe licorice twist and marshmallow CS.   I added some celery satin ribbon , a PTI black button, and some black licorice Divine Twine.  I used a SU large oval punch to cut out the sentiment and I added a few small black rhinestones. 

skin - E11, E00, E000

cheeks - R20, R30

hair - E35, E53, E51

dress - R59, R29, R24, R05, E43, E41

belt - C9, C7, C5, C3, C2, C1 and a clear star Gelly Roll Pen

mistletoe- YG95, YG93, R29, R24

Ready to play?! 

There are three rules to be eligible for the prize:

1.  You MUST use ribbon or twine on your creation 

2. Your project must be based on the theme of the month

3. You must add  a NEW project  to the inlinkz and link directly back to your project on your blog or online gallery.

You have until Dcember 31st to add your creation to the link below. The random winner of the ribbon carousel will be announced on the Ribbon Carousel blog during the first week in January!

To link up your project, click HERE and go to the bottom of that post!    

Good luck & happy stamping!

TSG186 - Snowy Seasons Greetings

Monday means we have a new challenge for you on the There She Goes blog and it is my favorite kind......a sketch challenge! 

We're getting our first batch of snow here snow here in the Boston area so I was inspired to ink up these adorable snowmen from the Seasons Greetings stamp set.

I stamped my image onto X-Press It blending card in Momento tuxedo black ink and colored it with copics.   I cut it out and matted it using the MFT Die-Namics oval STAX sets 1 and 2.  I paired some PP from the My Mind's Eye Be Merry 6x6 paper pad with some Bazzill Card Shoppe candy bar and peanut cluster CS.  

Snowmen bodies and snow - E43, E41

left snowman clothing - B02, B00, B000, B0000, E43,E41

right snowman clothing - R59, R29, R24, R05, YG97, YG95, YG93, E41, E43

Here's the sketch:

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using the provided sketch, and then head over to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (December 24th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!  TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)  If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG186 so we can check out your beautiful work!

DTC Challenge - Anya Treats

Have you played along yet with the Designed to Color challenge?!  

It's a sketch challenge this month!  

I decided to ink up the adorable Anya Treats by the Greeting Farm.  

I coloed my image with copics and fussy cut her out so that I could layer her over some PP from the Carta Bella Paris Girl paper.  The polka dot PP is from the Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas. The CS is Bazzill Card Shoppe marshmallow and licorice twist.  I used a 1.25" circle punch, a 1" circle punch and the SU mini heart punch.  I clear star Gelly Roll pen to add some shimmer to the buttons on her boots and a bit on the flower on her hat.  

skin - E11, E00, E000, R20, R30

hair and boots - C9, C7, C5, C3, 

sweater and hat - R59, R29, R24, R05

shirt - C2, C00

cupcake box - RV02, RV00, RV000, C1, C00

Here is the sketch:

Now head right on over to the Designed to Color blog to see what my fellow DT members have created for this challenge and link up your creation for a chance to win! 

And the winner is.....

Thanks to everyone who swung by both my Paper perfect Designs Facebook page and the Tiddly Inks Facebook page to say hello!  

The winner of the Tiddly Inks blog candy is.......

Debbie Owens!

Congrats, Debbie! Email me at kimoc21@gmail.com with your address so I can get your blog candy in the mail to you!  

Remembering the Sandy Hook Angels

My heart just breaks for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre and their family and friends.  Unthinkable horror.  Reading the list of of names and the ages of the victims today was unbearably sad.  I can't watch the TV.  I can't listen to the news.  I can't read any more.  It's all just too much.  

My friend and owner of the Ribbon Carousel, Corinna McGregor, posted the address of the school on the Ribbon Carousel Facebook page today.  Please join us in sending cards to Shady Hook Elementary School.   It's a small token, but how wonderful it would be if we joined together and showered that community with our hand made cards expressing our sympathy.

If you would like to send a card, here is the address:

The Town of Newtown
3 Primrose Street
Newtown, CT 06470

Here is my card:

 

I received this Crafter's Companion stamp called "With Sympathy" in the mail today.  Perfect timing.  I stamped my image onto X-press It blending card and colored her with copics.  I paired some PP from the Fancy Pants Country Boutique 6x6 paper pad with some Bazzill Card Shoppe butter mints and licorice twist CS.   I used the MFT Die-Namics circle STAX sets 1 and 2.  I rounded the bottom 2 corners with my corner chomper.  

skin - E11, E00, E000, R20, R30

hair - E35,E53, E51

clothing - BV25, BV23, BV20,colorless blender

flower - BV17, BV13, YG95, YG93, Y21

This card is also my final card for the 2012 Sketch for You to Try challenges.

Here is the sketch:

So sad that this is the finale to Jen del Muro's Sketch for You to Try challenges!  

I am grateful that I played along all year.  Here are my previous entries:

January

February 

March 

April

May 

June 

July

August

September

October

November

Thank you, Jen, for a year full of inspiration!