TICKLE A TEAPOTTER!

Happy Fall y'all!

Whenever we have a fifth Tuesday in a month, we swap cards amongst the teapotter group. One of us hosts the challenge and then we sign up to get a swap partner.

This month is my turn to host.  I signed up for October because, well, it's October! LOL

Here is the challenge I posted:

Hello, Teapotters!

I love FALL.

Some of my favorite memories are from my twenties through late forties when we lived in central Illinois. No autumn was complete without a trip to Tanner’s Orchard. The family owned business has grown over the generations from a simple apple orchard to a thriving Fall Festival destination. Tanners is a staple on any elementary school child’s first field trip of the season.

Aside from their apple cider donuts still warm from the fryer, I loved their pumpkin scarecrow characters. These larger-than-life play on real life people greet visitors and passers-bye at the front entrance.

While Autumn has officially arrived here in southcentral Missouri for some folks, I miss my annual pilgrimage to Tanner’s Orchard.

Check out their webpage – www.tannersorchard.com and be sure to watch the video for a long-distance experience.  Then show us your best jack-o-lanterns, scarecrows or any favorite fall memory you want to share.

Keyword:

Here are a couple of teapots to inspire you:

Happy Fall y’ all!

Here are the tea pots I sent with the post:

Here is my card:

I used a Mossy Meadow card base then added a 1-1/2" strip of Balmy Blue for the sky. The straw bales are cut from Crushed Curry with the baling twine drawn on with Cajun Craze.

The pumpkins and the sun are stamped from the 9/16 Paper Pumpkin. The clouds are from the 7/17 Paper Pumpkin.

The scarecrow is a digital image from pixabay that I sized down. This is what he looked like originally:

After fussy cutting him out, I trimmed the hands/ shoes away then added tiny pieces of Raffia Ribbon behind the cuffs of his sleeves/ pants then reattached the hands/ shoes.

The sign is stamped in and mounted on Early Espresso

For his head, I added Raffia Ribbon to the bottom of his chin then attached one of the jack - o- lanterns from the 9/16 Paper Pumpkin. The straw hat is trimmed away from the image of a farm guy I found on Pixabay.

I'm pretty sure this is going to the bank in IL with my deposit this month... let them know I how much I miss them and Tanner's Orchard.

CHANGE Can Be A Good Thing!

At least that's what I'm telling myself these days.

I guess what I really mean is Change is A Good Thing.. if I'm in control.

Hi. My name is Kelly and I'm a control freak. LOL

This change I do have control over.
Effective immediately, I am a Stampin' Up! Hobby Demonstrator. I am closing the SU blog the end of the week.

I want to devote my time to writing the three books I plan to release next year and opening my Etsy shop, specializing in items I make that someone else may enjoy or use in their art work.

I figure that's enough to keep me out of trouble.

The big thing is that to build an on-line business with SU, I have to be on every day, at least 60% of my day. I can't do that. FAMILY FIRST.

Bob has a real schedule, finally! He will be out 21 days and home 21 days.
With his schedule in mind, I can plan the things I need to do so that I'm only working (4) 5-hour days a week at the most. The rest of the time is all about our time together.

The other thing is with the holidays coming up, I am NOT going to work through the holidays in hopes someone wants to order stamps. If I let that go over the holidays, then I'm starting from scratch in January. That just  isn't how I functioin.

So .. a lot more regularity here from me! Slim posts through the holidays as I get stuff settled into place and enjoy  my holidays.

In the words of Dorothy

I'm hosting the Tickle A Teapotter this week so I'll be back tomorrow with a card!

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

WOYWW #540

Good morning, friends

No desk to show you today as I'm headed out to a writer's conference. Bob is holding down the fort and babying HoneyB, who still hasn't had his surgery. I'm stopping at the vet's office on my way out.

Kind of lost the creative mojo yesterday after receiving word of my oldest sisters passing. All the blood work and everything she's had done in the past couple of years, no one picked up on the fact she had Lukemia!

This is Country Bob. He is a musical bear, though for the life of me I can not remember what it is he sings. I call him Country Bob because he does sing a classic country tune and Bob bought him for me. He enables my bear collection (over 250 at last count).

I'm off. I may be back in here next week, no promises. I'll try to get 'round to blogs to see who else brought their bears to work.

In the mean time,

That's it for my desk this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground  for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list. 

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly 

FRIDAY FREEBIE - Stampin' Up! October Daily

I should have saved this for Monday's Mixed Media post but I hope to have something new to show then.

So today, I have the video of the completed flip-through of the October Daily using Stampin' Up! products from our new Holiday catalog. The only exception are the numbers. Those are Glitter Number Thickers from American Crafts.

If you missed Part 1 of the product used, you can see that video HERE

Be sure to join me on my KellysCreativeStamping blog/ Facebook page/ YouTube channel and my KellysCreativeDreams on Instagram all day tomorrow for my World Cardmaking Day Event!

~Creative Blessings
Kelly

WOYWW #539

Good morning, friends!

I am so sorry for not getting around to everyone a couple of weeks ago.. and for not linking up last week. I had the base post in place so all I had to do was add the picture but I just couldn't get there. Was too busy trying to get work out of the way so I could craft with my sissy all weekend.

I'll try to get to folks this week but no promises. Bob is on his way home and I have World Cardmaking Day on Saturday. I've planned a big all-day event on social media.

So here's my desk this week:

Yep, it's still the filming table. Bear with me.. I have  a plan.

In the mean time, here's a close-up of the project you see on the desk:

These will be the Daily page markers in my October Daily Junk Journal. I hope to do a video early next week.

HoneyB still hasn't had his surgery. Pain meds are his friend. He's hating the almost endless kennel time but I have to keep him from using that back leg as much as possible. Before, we were waiting on my vet to be released to 'supervisional duty' from his surgery. Now the vet that would actually be doing the surgery is on 'maternity leave'. Dr. Johnny became a new dad on Sunday.  We're hoping for next week..... just in time for me to head to a writers conference.

Next week is 

Take Your Teddy Bear to Work day.

 I hope to see bears on lots of desks next week!

Looking for a STOP button here at some point.

That's it for my desk this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground  for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list. 

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

CARD CHICKS - Sketch Challenge

Good morning!

As you know, I belong to a fabulous group on Splitcoast called Card Chicks. Each month one of us sends a packet of inspiring goodies to everyone else in our group. Then, on the 21st of the month, we post our creations to the group.

We had a member drop out so September became a Sketch Challenge.

We were given this SC Sketch:

Here's the card I made:

I used the 3rd smallest square die from Layering Squares and 'fussy cut' pumpkin images. I placed them on the strip of 5-1/2" x 1-3/4" Mint Macaron.  The large leaf below is cut from Whisper White then I did a light wash in Mint Macaron using the Aqua Painter.

Tomorrow is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday and do I have a surprise... well, I hope :-)

Anyone is welcome to join us on this fabulous, fun blog hop! Click HERE for all the details.

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - Ooh La La Vintage Treasures

Good morning! - well, for a few more minutes. I've been busy behind the scenes.

Almost every morning when Bob is gone, my sister and I get together on line to watch YouTube videos. They are usually junk journal or pour painting in subject.  Kitty has found her peace in junk journaling and is coming out as an entrepreneurial artist in the Pour Painting community.

Later this week she and Steve are planning a 4-day weekend trip up here to celebrate my birthday in Bob's absence. I don't mind spending them alone, really, and this year I'd already planned to do nothing but craft all day. Now, I'll get to do it with my sissy.

This morning, I directed her to a video by Ooh La La Vintage Treasures. The video is about collage embellishments. I told Kitty I have plenty here that maybe part of our crafting time, we'll put a bunch of stuff in the middle of the table and see what we can come up with.

Here's the video that inspired us:

Creative Blessings

~ Kelly

FRIDAY FREEBIE - A Very Brady Renovation!

Have you guys seen the HGTV series on renovating the Brady House?

This first video gives a bit of the behind the scenes. I've not watched this particular video but I've been watching the series on HGTV.

For those of you who do not know... only the EXTERIOR of this house was used for the shots. Everything else took place on Studio 5. There was also only a single floor to the exterior house, whereas we saw a two-story house on the series.

When the house went on the market for $1.5 million, the only serious contender was Lance Bass. HGTV knew they needed to do this project so they put in an offer for $3.5 million. That in mind, I can't even imagine what they put into making this original single story ranch into the two-story house we grew up with.

As well as watching the renovation shows, I've watched the 'meet the kids' episodes. It's cool seeing where the kids are as adults and what they're up to. One of my favorite 'meet' episodes has been with little Bobby Brady aka Mike Lookinland.  I'll leave that video below.

So tell me.... Did you have a favorite Brady? or a favorite episode?
For me.. .I adored Alice. I'm a lot like her. As to favorite episode.... Davey Jones, hands down! LOL

Have a Great weekend!

Creative Blessings

~Kelly

THURSDAY THREADS - All About the Pink!

Good morning, crafty friends!

I'm trying to get back in routine so Thursday Threads has returned.

I can't remember if I told you my plan to make afghan's for the grandgirls' beds here.  Abby is all about pinks and Adrian is usually about black's/ reds but she went with blues for hers. I haven't even purchased her yarns yet, but pinks for Abby was an easy go.

I started with the variegated from Red Heart then chose a lighter tone to act as a bridge between the variegated and the white. I do two rows of the variegated then one row of pink, one row of white then repeat.

I'm not sure what possessed me to do a single crochet. I know Adrian's will probably be a double. The single gives the blanket a heavier weight, which they probably won't need. 

Each afghan will be a little larger than an afghan but smaller than a twin... perfect fit for their ottoman - turned - single beds from Wayfair.

I do most of my crocheting in the evenings when Bob is home since that's our tv time... if I can get the cats to lay in his lap instead of mine. That isn't always an easy feat. They are such mama's babies. LOL

WOYWW #537

My main work table is still a mess. I've been a bit busy this week trying to step up my game with the SU business and taking care of my doggy.

HoneyB, my 4-year-old Beagle/ Spaniel mix managed to blow the tendons in his left hind leg a week and a half a go jumping out of the truck when we got home. He is always so rambunctious and couldn't wait for Papa to help him. He scrambled right over Papa and down to the ground. He will need surgery. Sadly, my vet had the same surgery on his arm on Monday after being kicked by his horse. My other vet is out of the office until tomorrow. Until then he is on pain meds and spending lots of time in the kennel so he isn't using the knee.

So there's my desk. The tub in the top left holds the new fall/ Halloween stamps from Stampin' Up! I've been playing with. You'll also see punches I've been using and the remnants of yesterday's card making.

I have the new Paper Pumpkin kit to crack into this morning. I know it's all about 'treats'. While I don't have kiddos, I often times share the treat type items with business folks like the tellers at my bank. Then I break everything else down into cards and scrapbook pages. Since I'm working on the October Daily books, there might even be a few tags/ tucks/ embellishments for that as well.

To see what I do with Paper Pumpkin, be sure to hop over to my Stampin' Up! blog and look for September Paper Pumpkin. One for sure will be up by noon today (I over-slept this morning) and another on Thursday (and possibly Friday).

As to the work table... this week I'm more concerned with getting the Mixed Media stuff sorted and put away. I only have another 2 weeks before Bob comes home.. EEEPPP!!!!

That's it for my desk this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground  for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list. 

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

TEAPOT TUESDAY - Bingo!

Good morning, friends!

Today's card is a week late. Mostly because the new challenge wouldn't post until today and I needed to get some cards/posts done up ahead of time.  This card is going in the mail this morning for last week's recipient.  You can read her (their) story HERE.

For extra's we were given this BINGO card. I went right across the top row.

I randomly selected this sketch:

Here's the card I made:

I used the Attic Boutique DSP (retired SU). the three flowers in the top corner of the small mat are from Bloom & Grow (SU Current). For my sparkle, I added Wink of Stella to those three die cut flowers.

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - September Stashbuster Junk Journal Challenge

If there is one thing I have a lot of, it is STASH!  The video I'm sharing today is JUST HALLOWEEN! (and not all of what I have for my favorite holiday season).

For Dearjuliejulie's September Stashbuster Junk Journal Challenge, she challenged us to do one of 3 things:
1 - Use A Digital Kit
2 - Use a Paper Pad
3 - Build our own kit

Well, I have been contemplating an October Daily Junk Journal for months and knew I had more than enough to create my own kit. Some items were still assembled from my last project (2017 album)

The other part of the challenge was that we could only buy 3 items.
I was thinking ahead. I had most of the new Tim Holtz Halloween items already purchased (Okay so only in my head but I had to wait til we went to Springfield. I can't help it if we didn't get to go until AFTER Sept. 1!! so I'm not counting those items.

However, I did go with items I didn't have in mind but found WHILE we were in springfield.
1 - awesome witchy napkins at Party City

SPOOKS & SPELLS 

I had a second napkin (counts as 1 purchase) that says 'it's just a BUNCH of Hocus POCUS'. They don't have that one on the website.

2 - SPELLCAST 6x6 paper pad from Tuesday Mornings. It's by Pink n Main and is discontinued. I like the cut aparts I can use for tucks and tags.

I doubt I'll need to use the third purchase. Goddess knows I have enough! lol

I feel like I should have a big BEWARE sign for this video post. Sadly, I couldn't find a free image graphic. So here you go...

Viewer Beware!

My goal is to get back to more regularity in my postings. Cross your fingers. 

Creative Blessings!

WOYWW #535

I am so late to the party this week!

Bob is home for another week. I apologize for not getting to as many as I'd have liked last week. Will try to do better this week.

I'm being brave and showing you 2 pictures. The first is why I'm working at the filming table:

You can just make out the ironing board - another sorting surface - in the background.

Here's where I'm spending most of my time:

Bob leaves on the 11th so will be getting in as much time with him as possible.

That's it for my desk this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground  for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list. 

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

TEAPOT TUESDAY - Blue's for Judy

Hello stamping friends!

Today, I dropped in at Just Add Ink to see what the challenge was. Sketch Challenge! I love sketch challenge and this is one I'd never used before. For me, getting the angles were tricky. Probably, because I'm such a 'uniform' person. But the whole point of a challenge is to step out of our comfort zone, so here we go. First, the sketch:

Here is the card I made:

This card also doubles as a Teapot Tuesday challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. See HERE for the details as to where this card will be going. Hint: If you follow Jennifer McGuire at all on YouTube and appreciate all she does for the crafting community, then you're going to want to join us!

I chose blues because blue is Jennifer's mom's favorite color.

Here's what you'll need to CAS this card:

Stamp Set - Floral Essence

Punch - Leaf Punch

Cardstock - Pacific Point, Seaside Spray, Whisper White

Embossing Folder - Stylish Scroll 

      NOTE: This folder is retired. I did not catch that in time. 

                   You could use Swirls and Curls as a suitable background

Inks -Pool Party, Pacific Point

Stampin' Blends-  Seaside Spray (Dk/ Light) and Soft Suede (Lt)

Embellishments - Clear Faceted Gems

Adhesives - Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals.

First off, I was inspired to use the embossing folder by THIS card from JAI Design Team member, Nikki Spencer. I hope you'll allow me to inspire you and pay it forward by creating your own design and sharing with others. 

Cut the piece of Whisper White at 5-1/4" x 4"

Run through the embossing folder.

Use Pacific Point to create your cardbase (5-1/2" x 4-1/4"). Cut a second piece 3-1/2"x 4". Use the photo of my card, or the sketch to guide you in cutting the angle. I cut up from the bottom right corner approx. 1-1/2" at an angle. Then came  back and cut up 2" from the bottom left. 

Repeat the process with the piece of Seaside spray cut 3-1/2" x 4". Cut up 1" from the bottom right and 3/4" from the bottom left.

Stamp your sentiment in the bottom right corner of the Seaside Spray piece in Pacific Point. 

Layering:

     Glue the embossed piece to your card front, followed by the Pacific Point and Seaside Spray, lining them up at the bottom edge of the card.

Stamp the largest flower from the stamp set twice using Pacific Point by stamping one full strength then as a 'ghost' or secondary stamp. Use Soft Suede to stamp the center in the darker of the two flowers. Color both images in with the Seaside Spray Stampin' Blends by going over the lines with the darker marker then filling in with the light shade. 

Color the Faceted Gem with the Stampin' Blends Soft Suede then add to the center of the darker flower. I use a bit of Multi-Purpose glue behind the gem to adhere to the flower even though they are adhesive backed. Just a little extra stability for our mail service.

Attach the darker flower to the lighter one with a Stampin' Dimensional, off-setting the top flower just slightly from the bottom. This adds extra depth and shading to your image.

Add the flower to your card front.

Stamp 2 leaves on whisper white using Pool Party. Punch out and tuck under your flower with a bit of glue.

Your card is finished and ready to share!

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - August Altered Junk Journal Challenge

Happy Labor Day, everyone!
I hope you're having a wonderful day. Warm here but not uncomfortable. I have doors/ windows open to air out the house and am in deep cleaning mode of the laundry/ kitchen. This is the first week of the month task.

Okay.. enough about my house cleaning habits. You're here to see what creativity I've been up to.
Late on Saturday I finished the basics of my August Altered Junk Journal Challenge with Dearjuliejulie.  For my book, I chose to alter a book about the Rocky Mountains. This will be my travel journal when I finally get to go to Colorado.

Here's my video. I hope you'll leave a comment either here or on the video as well as subscribe to my channel (soon to be changed to KellysCreativeDreams.

Please note, apparently I say 'July' in the video. This really is AUGUST! lol Thanks for watching!

WOYWW #534

Hello Friends!

I've missed you all so much. We had the grandgirls all of June and July. Then I spent most of this month trying to get the studio in shape. I was doing a really good job until Bob came home after being on the boat for 7 weeks! So now the time is mostly about him and getting what work done I need to accomplish. 

My regular work table is not available for anything at the moment. Hopefully, by the weekend. For now, I've been working at the filming table. I'm able to see the television better while I craft.

To jump in this week I thought I'd share three cards I made over the weekend. The floral image is from my stash by Unity Stamps As We Go Along.  Most of the papers are from The Paper Studio and the cardstock from Stamin' Up!

That's it for my desk this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground  for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list. 

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

CARD CHICKS - August

Good morning, stampers!

This week, I'm playing catch-up. I should have had the August Card Chicks cards up last week but I was a bit busy finishing up last-minute contest entries for the OzarkCreativeWriters conference that were due on Saturday. Plus, Bob came home after being gone for 7 weeks and we were planning our get away for our 35th wedding anniversary. Hopefully, I'll be on time for September. That's the plan anyway. ;-)

Terry sent us lovely images from The Angel Company (sentiments)  and Deep Red Cling Stamps (bouquet). as well as a nice collection of papers,ribbon, embellishments.

Here are my cards:

I used a variety of Stampin' Blends to color the images. I really like how these turned out. Now to share them with people. Mailing seems to be such a challenge for me. 

Creative Blessings!

LACE LACE AND MORE LACE!

Good morning, everyone!

Feels great to be back in the studio and thinking about work again. Before I show you today's video, I wanted to let you guys know that this blog is going to be taking on a new look soon. The changes will be minimal and gradual.

I have decided to open an etsy shop... KellysCreativeDreams.   This blog will be used as a promotional venue while sharing all things creative. I'm hoping to learn how to set up different tabs/ pages on the blog so that I can kind of keep things separate. Not sure how that will work out yet, so I hope you'll bear with me through the learning process.

Key things in my Etsy shop will be junk journals, junk journal kits/ supplies, ephemera. I HAVE to start getting rid of YEARS of collecting. What better way than to share with other appreciative creatives?

This past weekend, Bob and I celebrated 35 years together. We did an overnight visit to Poplar Bluff where we spent two days digging through thrift shops/ flea markets/ estate sales. Today, I thought I'd share a video of what I found.

I hope you'll subscribe to my YouTube channel and help support me.

WOYWW #524

Good morning, everyone!

No time to play for a few more weeks. Too many things to do with the grandgirls.   This is my post for Stamping Ground this week.

I did want to take a moment and thank Angela aka Felix the Crafty Cat for her ATCs and little extras:

Scans of some of her matboards plus the ATC

Her matboards always inspire me and we share a love for Tim Holtz.

The ATC

Then yesterday I received this lovely surprise from Sandra de in Australia:

Sandra knows I've long admired her paintings and am blessed to have received this beautiful rose.

I also have an ATC from CARO but that seems to have vanished off the dining room table. As soon as I unearth it amongst the girls crafting supplies I'll show it off! 

that's it for me this week. Thank you for stopping by. I'll be back in full force August 1. In the mean time, I am trying to keep up my SU blog a couple of days a week so feel free to drop by there Tuesdays and Fridays. 

Creative Blessings!

Kelly 

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - Art Bar Journal Prompts

Hi everyone!

Having a blast with the girls. We spent 4 days in Springfield last week. One entire day (yep- 6 hours) of touring the amazing Wonders of Wildlife Museum at Bass Pro. Some seem to think the prices are a bit high but not in the least... not for all you get to see AND DO. A lot of things are very interactive and Johnny Morris has done an amazing job of offering up a spectacular attraction. I'm considering a season pass for myself just so I can go whenever I want when I'm in Springfield. some of the exhibits in the Wildlife portion will change periodically. Then there's the whole petting the stingrays thing. I could live at that tank. LOL

Okay... Mixed Media.  A few months ago, I was invited to join a FB group called The Art Bar. Denina is very active in the group and in LEADING the group. Every time I turn around, she has another LIVE on YouTube... she just turns on the live and plays all day, interacting with folks as they come and go.

Saturday, I finally got to play. She drew 6 cards from her Art Journal card deck... something I intend to make in the future. 
We had:

Something Shiny
Repetitive Pattern
Privacy Envelope
Animal
Postage Stamp
Paint Chip

I pulled out a fresh 6x8 spiral art journal and decided to designate just for Art Bar. This way I'll have one ready to go any time I can sit and play with the group.

Here was my 2 page layout:

I started by swiping School Bus yellow paint all over the page then came back with Yellow Citron. My paints are old and clunky. They don't mix up well so after spreading them as best I could across the page, I swiped them with a baby wipe. Then I wiped the baby wipes off on other pages in the journal to start new base pages.

I pulled out those new Tim Holtz stamps from my haul to stamp the butterfly and the swirl from Urban Chic in Gorgeous Grape. I stamped between the butterflies with a stylish swirl from Mini Ornates

I tore a section of the privacy envelope off.. keeping just the part with the window. Then swiped Pumpkin Pie paint on both sides. 

The butterfly is a  napkin transfer on a paint chip that is folded so that part of it tucks into the top of the envelope. I covered the back of the paint chip with more of the same napkin.

When you flip the envelope open, you see this:

The sentiment on the envelope is from the Urban Chic collection.

live in the

moment

and make it

so beautiful

that it 

will be worth

remembering.

I have items for the new Just Do It June Junk Journal Challenge. I will post mini challenge # 1 & #2 next week... maybe even #3. As of writing this on Saturday afternoon, Julie still hadn't posted the new challenge.

WOYWW #521

First off, I apologize for signing Stacy's # to my visits last week. I posted my link, hit refresh and I was #35.  Imagine my surprise after signing several posts yesterday when I realized I'd been bumped to #33 and Stacy was #35 LOL. Maybe I'll just skip adding a number. Y'all know where to find me. LOL

Well last week was a whirlwind of festivities here at WOYWW as we celebrated a blog hop that has gone on continuously for 10 years! The girls across the pond will gather on Saturday for a Crop & Chat.. though I think there will be more chatting (and eating) than cropping. Just as it should be.

My desk is a flurry of activity this morning as I put the May Mystery Mayhem Journal together. The journal needs to be done by the 31st and I go after the girls on the 31st. LOL Not only finish the journal but get the flip - through video recorded as well as the final installment of the Everything Is Rosy Suite Sweet Journal project for SU.

Just to the far left, you'll see the corner of a stamp set I discovered while reorganizing last week. It's a retired set from Stampin' Up! called Expressive Flexible Phrases - a 56 word stamp set. the words are about 1/4" wide and 1" long.

Everything else is part of the current journal challenge. Hadn't opened the laptop yet as we had light storms roll through early this morning. Skies are clear now, sun is shining and I have work to do.

ATCs are ready for the mail. Posting them on Friday so if you've not sent me your address, please do so to KellyH (at) artlover (dot) com.

Not sure how many desks I'll get to this week as prepping for the girls is a whirlwind of activity. They arrive on Sunday.

That's it for my desk this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground  for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list. 

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY Meets Paper Pumpkin

IMPORTANT NOTE!

I will try to keep the blog up from this point on but no promises. I'm trying to finish up house stuff before the grandgirls arrive. From there, I may not do much the first week. We will see. Just know that I am here and my brain is creating but I have a standing rule - FAMILY FIRST. Nothing else is important. 

I say that as we prepare for the new catalog launch next week! So I will do my best.

Now.. on with today's project!

I've been playing in junk journals for several months. That's what inspired the Suite Sweet journals we've been doing here.

Last week, as I cleared off the remnants of the Paper Pumpkin, I was inspired to use some of the elements in the current May Mystery Mayhem Junk Journal Challenge I've been playing in. For full details, check out  my creative blog post HERE. 

I pulled the following Media Sticks (also in that linked post)  and went to work:

Here's a group shot of the elements I made:

Quick explanation of individuals:

'Belly Band' and also my 'Collage' elementI also incorporated the paper flowers

Once placed across the page, I actually have 2 places to tuck tags:

Behind the main kraft belly and behind the leaf patterned DSP

The back of the 'flat paperclip'

The front of the paper clip has the 'metal' bird

Homemade Washi Tape using double-backed adhesive and a strip of the DSP

One of the tags behind the DSP with 'paper flowers'

'Top Tuck' and 'Paper Ruffle'

The flap on the envelope glues to the top of the page, then the envelope flips up from the 

'top tuck' to reveal a second tuck spot with a tag.

Sometimes we need to think outside the box and realize our kits and the leftover elements can be used in so many other creative ways. as fellow dem, Carol Tinson says - 'Just have a play!' You'll find her on YouTube as Sew Carol.

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - #MMMJJC - Mini #2

Good morning, friends.

As you read this, I'm busy making final passes through the house in prep for the grandgirls arrival. I have so many creative things planned for us. They love to create so they got the right grandma!

So today, I'm showing you Mini Challenge #2 in the May Mystery Mayhem Junk Journal Challenge. I've finally started on the actual journal and look forward to showing that off in a couple of weeks.

For now, here were the parameters for the challenge:

Fussy Cut Image
Handmade Washi
Messy Thread
Receipt or Ticket
Paper Flower

I used a time card for my base that I inked up with Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip (retired but still one of my favorite colors!) The papers are ones I had on the desk where I've been working on the ABC journal, including the fussy cut flower. While that could apply as my 'paper flower', I've aded a layered flower from my stash to the ticket. My handmade washi is the word strip on the left hand side.

Making your own Washi Tape is super simple but the absolute easiest way is to just cut a strip of paper the same width as your double sided adhesive. Mesh the two together and you have instant washi to match any project!

I know the blog is slim these days but the summer is about to get even busier. Next week I'll be showing you Mini Challenge #3 then the final journal after that. By then we'll be in to June and a new challenge will have begun!

The ABC journal is nearly finished. I'll be showing that flip-through video on a Friday Freebie soon. Stay tuned!

How will you be creative on these Lazy Hazy Days of Summer?

Creative Blessings!

WOYWW #520

Good morning, friends.

WOW! I can't believe some of you have been doing this for 520 weeks! I feel so  blessed to have been welcomed into this circle. Thank you each and every one who take time to comment. You are loved!

Bit of a cool morning lingering after storms yesterday. Weather forecast says we'll heat up today and get sticky sticky - ahead of yet another round of storms. I have the windows open enjoying the fresh air while I can before I have to turn on the AC.

My desk isn't very exciting. I've had to pack electronics up and tuck them into my hidey hole in the basement ahead of severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings the past couple of nights.

The new Paper Pumpkin from Stampin' Up! waiting for some play time. That's first on my list this morning. At the top right you'll see a single red rose. Plucked that from my garden yesterday before the storms blew in. Just below that is my daily sheet from my workhorse planner, my pink personal that I'm now using again for Stampin' Up! as we don't have a new one in the catalog this time 'round. I'm okay with that. I bought this little Recollections when I started with SU two years ago just for this purpose. Like reuniting with a former co-worker. Bottom right corner you'll see a card I made on Monday from the Stampin' Up! Everything is Rosy medley. Man, that medley has some gorgeous play toys. If you've not seen this special edition, you'll find lots of pictures on my SU blog as well as our current journal project on my KellysCreativeStamping YouTube channel. 

Also, I'm still playing in Junk Journal challenges. If you want to see those pics, check out my Monday posts. Mixed Media Monday

A couple quick pictures.

Spirit decided to keep me company during some video time the other day. He can be such a snob most days and as a 7th generation panther, he does have his mean side but he's still my sweet boy regardless his mood.

Lastly, 

This is one of three Clematis I planted last year. This lavender hue is called Little Duckling. That is only about 1/3 of the blooms that have opened so far. 

Only ten days left before the grandgirls will be here. So much to do, including finishing up my ATCs for the swap. A design finally clicked with me so that's on my list for tomorrow. Must finish putting the new SU stuff in place first. I have 4 left so if you'd like to swap please let me know in the comments so I may add you to my list... as soon as I remember where I put it :-)

 That's it for my desk this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground  for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list. 

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - #MMMJJC Mini #1

Good morning!

I haven't actually started on the journal yet. I'm hoping for some play time this week. I've been busy getting the studio re-organized and prepping for the 2019-2020 Stampin' Up! Catalog launch... just two weeks away!

Then there's the arrival of the grandgirls on June 1. So yeah, it's been a little crazy here. I have kept up with the mini challenges. We've done two so far. I'm going to show you #1 this week, #2 next week then the final challenge will run the first day the girls are here. That way I can schedule these posts and keep rolling here.

For each of the mini challenges so far, Julie has drawn five items from our list. Here's the selected items for the first mini challenge:

Guest Check
1/2" strip of paper
Square
Junk Mail image
Word
Yarn

I like being given parameters to work with. Though, you'll see by the picture I added a couple of things. Just thought a couple of elements were missing from my composition. Please leave a comment below telling me what I added that was not on the list.

Creative Blessings!

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - The Art Bar

Last month I was invited to join a FB group called The Art Bar. I know the moderator, Denina, from the junk journal challenges I've been taking part in with dearjuliejulie. I've never been invited to join a group before so am looking forward to participating.

Denina offers up challenges, swaps and does live art participation groups on YouTube each week. The first swap I'm jumping in to gave me the opportunity to try Artist Trading Coins. Much like an Artist Trading Card but in the confines of a 2-1/2" circle. Do a search on Pinterest and be amazed by the creativity. There are even a few using Stampin' Up! products.

We had the option of staying within the US or swapping International. I chose the latter as the coins can't be that expensive to mail and lets me connect with people all over the world. My partner for this swap is from NSW Australia. Her coins go in the mail tomorrow morning.  Here's what I came up with:

If you saw  my post last Monday about the inspiration sticks I made for the May Mystery Mayhem Junk Journal Challenge, the colors may look familiar.  Once I'd finished painting the sticks, I used a piece of sponge to clean out each well and swipe the paint across Guest Checks. No wasting all those pretty paint colors! 

Once the Guest Checks had dried, I cut a 2-1/2" circle from each one as well as 4 coordinating circles from white cardstock for each one. I layered 4 of the white 'coins' together with glue then glued one of the Guest Check circles on top. 

The little envelopes were made from the SU Sealed With Love (Valentine retired set). The leaves were punched from scraps of the Autumn Harvest DSP using a Martha Stewart Pine Bough punch. The flowers were from my stash as were the little word slips tucked into each envelope.

I used Avery Labels to design the identifier label for the back. I hope to have that as a digital download in my Etsy shop opening soon!

These were my first. I really like how they turned out and will be making more. 

However you choose to be creative, remember.... this is what we do for FUN!

Creative Blessings!