#alittlekinder

It's a Flowering Cactus Product Medley Blog Hop!

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Hey y'all!

O to the M to the G!! Y'all this product Medley is probably my favorite one ever. No really... this one is it! I have had so much fun playing with these products. Here is what I love about a product medley. Simply put you add some ink, maybe a little cardstock, and adhesive. That's it. Everything else is in the box.... stamps, dies, pattern paper (DSP), and embellishments. All there. No guessing what might work.

The cards I'm sharing today are my January Customer Thank you cards. These get mailed out with a little gift from me each month. I love sending out cards as much as I love making them. I'm showing you 5 versions of the same basic card idea. This card layout or sketch is part of the Sheet Load of Paper monthly sketches. These come with a sketch, and a cutting guide for making a set number of cards. I use these a lot when I am making custom card sets on commission. So let's take a look at the cards.

Details for today's card

I love how different these 5 cards look, but they all came from the same template or sketch. I highly recommend using sketches. You can follow them exactly, like I did with this set (I mean all the dimensions for cutting were already figured out for me so why not ;) ) Or you can use it as an inspiration.

Each of the cards started with a standard card base. I decided that these would have a top fold. I used both Highland Heather and Calypso Coral as my card bases.

The top layer of DSP is 4"x 5 1/4". This is a basic card front layer size. A lot of times I add a mat between this layer and the card base. I didn't do that this time. I used one of the DSP pages and die cut the cactus out. I did add Basic Black to help separate the DSP strip and the card base.

Part of the fun of a sketch and cutting guide like this one is mixing and matching the patterns. I love how many different looks I could have come up with for these cards. I have a process video below, where I put the cards together.

Video link:

Hop on to see the beautiful cards and projects using this Product Medley! It really is a must have and with all the pretty things to CASe you will have plenty of inspiration!

Products Used:

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If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

Tuesday's with The Spot! Get your Heart on challenge

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Hey y'all!!

Happy Tuesday! Man has it been a struggle to get here. Computer issues (I'm on a Mac), blogspot issues, and lastly video issues. I mean a trifecta of not wanting me to get this card out in the public eye! But here I am....

This week the team at The Spot is challenging you to get your Heart on! Grab your punches... grab your dies... grab your heart stamps and make us something beautiful.

I was so excited to dive into this challenge and create something different. Valentine's day always has this "fancy" feel to it. Like we should all dress up and walk around holding champaign flutes. It's that Breakfast at Tiffany's vibe that I feel when I think hearts and Valentine's. So this card reflects that feeling (or at least I think so).

I did make a process video to go along with this card. It's not exactly what I was thinking but I love how it turned out.

Here is the video:

Now let's dive in....

Details for today's card

When I look at this card I see frilly and love and almost a child like approach to things. I see a little girls dress up dress of ruffles and layers. It makes me smile.

Products Used:

Are you in the United States? I would LOVE to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

Tuesday's with The Spot! CASE the designer challenge

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Hey Y'all!

It's Tuesday's with The Spot! This week we are challenging you to pick a card designed by Jay Soriano and CASE it. Just a quick recap if you aren't sure what CASE means. I was taught that it stands for "copy and steel everything". In reality, it's picking something from the card (layout, color scheme, or use of a product) and create a card with it.

This is the card I decided to CASE. After last week's splatters challenge, I decided I wanted another go at it and this card gave me the opportunity to splatter some more. I also really love the impact that the simplicity of this has. There were sooo many projects to pick from that I really had a hard time narrowing it down. But I did ;)

Let's dive in to my CASE of Jay's card.

Details for today's card

I knew the instant I saw this card that it would be a fantastic sketch! And the kind of sketches you come back to over and over again. I decided that I was CASEing the layout of this card and the splotches.

For my card I used the stripe paper from the Ice Cream Corner suite. I love the happy colors and that it gave me light colors and dark colors to work with. The darkest stripe is Blackberry Bliss and the lightest is probably Purple Posey or So Saffron. In Jay's card he put black against a light gray (Smoky Slate). I used the Blackberry Bliss against the Purple Posey.

I decided make my large square out of Coastal Cabana cardstock. Where Jay stamped and colored, I used a striped paper. I splattered the background with Gorgeous Grape Stampin' Write marker. Some of the sprinkles from the Ice Cream Corner Suite and a little linen trim finish off this card. I used the Happy Birthday from the Sale-a-bration set called Approaching Perfection. I stamped it in Versamark and embossed it with White powder.

You need to join us in this challenge! It's a great one. Click on the image below to head over to The Spot to see the inspiration the rest of the team has created.

Products Used:

Are you in the United States? I would LOVE to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

Love Blog Hop

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Today I am taking part in the Love Blog Hop with the Creative Collaboration team. The card I made for today is deceptively easy and would be fun in lots of color schemes. Let's take a look and talk about how to make this card.

Details for today's card

To create this card you need at least 3 colors of cardstock. I used Basic White, Real Red, and Blushing Bride. Honestly I wish I had a 4th color, maybe one of the grays. You will die cut the long heart chain from the Lots of Hearts dies. I die cut it 3 across in each of the colors. Choose one of the colors one your background. Add a piece of Basic White to the back and layer in the hearts to completely fill the card front. Once all the pieces are glued in (I used a liquid glue), run the piece through an embossing folder like the Painted Textures one from the new Mini Catalog. I stamped the Buffalo Check heart in Blushing Bride and added the greeting from Meant to Be.

Join us in Hopping:

Are you in the United States? I would LOVE to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

OSAT Blog Hop Say Hello

Hey y'all!!

I am so stinkin' excited about today's projects. The things I am working with today are from the new January to June Mini Catalog (which I will be calling "the mini"). Normally demonstrators, like me, can pre order everything in the new mini during the pre order period. However Stampin' Up! held this set back and said "trust us we are working on something big". When that happens, hold on to your hat because it's gonna be good.

And boy oh boy is it!! Stampin' Up! has pulled a stamp set out of the vault to match a current mini catalog item AND they created dies for BOTH sets!!! Yep I'm talking about the Hey Chick and Hey Birthday Chick bundles.

So several years back, I'm thinking 2017 Sale-a-bration, Stampin Up! released a set called Hey Chick. This was one of the level one free stamp sets for Sale-a-bration. I was just a customer way back in the day and passed on that set. There were other things I wanted. But man was I kicking myself later. Fast forward to now, and it's out of the vault with a cute matching die set. Not to mention that the "chicks" now have a birthday set AND matching dies. These bundles will be available to all in February but demonstrators can order it now, and it could be part of the starter kit (just sayin').

Alright, let's take a look at what I have created for you today! I made a set of birthday cards and a card box. I have a good friend who has chickens and I knew immediately that my first projects with these sets would be to make her some cards she could send.

Details for today's card

How cute is this card? I love the little eggs and that adorable hatching chick. I started with a side fold card base. Then I layered the dot DSP and added a 1-1/2" strip of that striped paper. The chicks are stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I used Stampin' Blends to add shadows and the legs.

Next up is this crazy chick! To me this card tells the story of a party. Honestly it cracks me up! This card is a Seaside Spray card base with a piece of Cinnamon Cider DSP from the 6"x6" In Colors paper pack. I did layer some Misty Moonlight under my circles. The confetti is from the Ice Cream suite.

This is the last card in the set. I started with a Basic White top folding card base. Then I layered Seaside Spray and a layer of Misty Moonlight DSP. I used the Boarders to Background stamp set to stamp the tag with Misty Moonlight. I used some of the Frost White glimmer paint to splatter the background. The adorable hatching chicks are just my very favorite and super cute on this card.

Now let's look at the box I made to hold the cards.

I love giving card sets as gifts and this one has got to be at the top of my favorite one ever made list. The clear boxes from Stampin' Up! are perfect for holding 6 cards and envelopes (well I've gotten 10 cards and envelopes in there but it's tight). I made a belly band from the Ice Cream Suite and stamped some chicks on a die cut shape. I added one of the die cut chicken wire pieces and some linen twine to finish off my belly band. Here is what the whole set looks like together.

I really hope that you have been inspired to make a card or card set today. Thank you for hopping over to my blog where we make the world a little kinder, one card at a time! Make sure to check out the rest of the hop below!

Are you in the United States? I would LOVE to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

Love is in the air over at New with SU! blog hop

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Hey Y'all!

It's that time of the year... snow and Valentine's. Today's blog hop is all things hearts and love!

This month's hop is full of beautiful projects using some sets you would expect to see in a love and hearts blog hop and some that you would not. I can't wait for you to see what everyone created- you are going to LOVE it!!

Details for today's card

My card focus on the Lots of Hearts stamp set. This is a beautiful set of stamps and dies. They are not overly Valentine's themed. As a matter of fact, to have a Happy Valentine's Day message I had to pull out a second "hearts" set. I LOVE how this card turned out.

I added hearts from the Snail Mail suite and ribbon from the Art Floral suite. A few layers of cardstock and a background that was created by random stamping of the different heart stamps.

I hope that you are inspired to grab your heart stamp sets and create something beautiful! Thank you for swinging by my blog. My goal is to make the world a kinder place one card at a time!

Hop on with us and check out the Love you Always card by Dianne Browning.

Roll Call:

Tricia’s Stamping Creations - Kangaroo & Company

Creative Juice by Loni - Treasures of Life

Sugar & Scraps - Heartfelt

Gifted Hands, Ink! - Love Always & Many Hearts Dies

As the Ink Dries - Lots of Hearts

Stamping Flair - Always in My Heart

Carterie Plus - Heartfelt

Scraphexe - Lots of Hearts/Ganz viel Herz

A Little Kinder - Lots of Hearts *** YOU ARE HERE****

24/7 Inkspiration - Love You Always

Stampin’ Scrapper - Forever & Always

Are you in the United States? I would LOVE to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

Tuesday's with The Spot Creative Challenge #145- getting messy with splatter and splotches!

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Hey Y'all!!

It's Tuesday with The Spot Creative Challenge. This week the team is tackling splotches, splashes, and smooches.

This is the card that came out of this challenge. I have got to be totally honest.... this challenge was something else. I'm one who has struggled with splatter and splotches and drips. I don't have a dedicated space where mess isn't an issue. Like so many others I craft in a borrowed corner of my bedroom. It's such a small space that I have to use the bed and house many of my supplies in another room.

Let me back up and tell you a little about the inspiration for this card. I love glimmer and shimmer papers but dang they are not budget friendly. This challenge allowed me a reason to play with our Shimmer Paint and paper to see if I could create my own glimmer or shimmer paper. This card uses a piece of what I created.

To start I gathered up 3 things: Frosty White Shimmer Paint, Rubbing Alcohol, and a Stampin' Spritzer. I knew I needed to thin out the paint so that it would spray and coat the paper. I decided to use Rubbing Alcohol because it drys faster. I created a spray in my Stampin' Spritzer bottle. The recipe that I came up with was to add about a pinky width of rubbing alcohol to the bottom of the Stampin' Spritzer bottle. This keeps the Shimmer Paint from "sticking" on the bottom of the bottle. The paint needs a really good hard shake before you add it to the mix. Since this paint has more of a thick cream like consistency, I was able to create drops to count while loading it into my spritzer. I put 10 drops to start with. I then filled the spritzer with more alcohol- you need to leave room for the spritzing mechanism. You will need to shake the spritzer before you use it each time.

I think you can see in the image (either above or the close up below) that this is not the even application you would find on a pice of produced glimmer or shimmer paper. This is splotchy and heavy in places while light in others. For this project I really like how that works with this embossing folder.

Details for today's card

Let's dive in to the card. I started with a card base of Thick Basic White folded on the side. I then added the blue wash paper from the Sand and Sea Suite. The paper in this project is cut at 1/8" smaller than the layer above it or below it. So the top layer is Basic White that has been sprayed with my shimmer mix and is cut to 4" x 5 1/4". This is the layer that I ran through the stunning embossing folder from the Sand and Sea suite.

Because I wanted to shimmer embossed panel to be the focus of my card, I choose the simplicity of two of the shell shapes stamped on Basic White. I added the opals from the Sand and Sea suite for the perfect finish for this card!

This was such a fun challenge. Hop over to The Spot and join us! All of the directions and more inspiration are listed there. Click on the image below.

Products Used:

Are you in the United States? I would LOVE to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

Technique Tuesday... let's watercolor!

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Hey y'all!

Today I'm sharing projects that feature the watercolor technique. The artists gathered today are part of the Technique Tuesday blog hop.

So did you know that you can watercolor paint from your stamp pads? Yep you totally can! Simply squeeze the closed stamp pad in the center. This will deposit some ink in the lid. This ink is what you water color with. Of course you can always drop a dot of re-inker on to a clear block, but that's cheating. No not really but who wants to clean up blocks after playing. I like to use the aqua painters but you can use a paint brush and a cup of water.

Details for today's card

Let's take a look at the two cards I'm sharing with you. Both of these cards were made using Stampin' Up! stamp pads, the StazOn stamp pad, and an aqua painter. A couple of tips when you want to watercolor using any type of watercolor paint or ink. First the most important thing to remember is WATER. It is the first word in watercolor and it needs to be respected. To have this look right you need water and you need to let the water do its job. So when the water pools, let it and use it to your advantage. I'll talk about this more in a second. The other thing you need to remember is PAPER. Not all paper is going to hold up to the water. It's not supposed too. Many people use the Shimmer White paper with their watercolor. I'm not a big fan for all applications. I love it for the wet wipe type of water color where you do not need to saturate your paper. But for what I'm sharing today, you will need watercolor paper. Before you go looking for watercolor paper Stampin' Up! has a good starting point. Artist quality watercolor paper can be VERY expensive... ask my dad about the bills he got from all of my art classes in college.

In this card I stamped the flower and leaves stamp on to watercolor paper using StazOn ink. Then I watercolored with Bumblebee and Grannie Apple Green ink and an aqua painter. I mentioned that you need to let the water do it's job. So what is the job of water? In this case, it's job is to dilute and disperse your color. See the little flowers? To paint those I first painted them all with just water. This made little water "bubbles" on my paper. Then I simply touched the yellow to the water and it did it's thing. I repeated this technique with the leaves and stems. The top stem (over the strawberry) had a little too much water and that is why the color goes out as far as it does. I stamped the strawberry on Whisper White and added to my card.

This card is showcasing watercolor painting in a little different way. I started with watercolor paper and stamped Poppy Parade ink. I then stamped the strawberry tops in Grannie Apple Green on to the watercolor paper. Now the fun part happens. Taking a clean aqua painter I added water to the strawberry. The first "layer" of water is just water. Once everything was wet, I started adding some of the Poppy Parade ink from the lid of the stamp pad. This is how I was able to get some shading on the strawberries. You can really see the color variation on the tops of the strawberries.

I hope that you have been inspired by my watercolor projects. Check out the rest of our Watercolor Technique blog hop.

Roll Call:

Are you in the United States? I would LOVE to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

Tuseday's with The Spot Creative Challenge #144

Hey y'all!

It's Tusdays with The Spot! Today we are throwing down with a designers choice challenge! It's gonna be a good one! The new January June Mini Catalog is live and the designers grabbed their favorite new items and are dishing up some serious eye candy!

I decided to create with the new Sweet Strawberry Stamp set and punch. I am in LOVE with this stamp set and there is a coordinating Sale-a-bration (SAB) suite. I have to say that there is something super cheerful about strawberries and the ginghams and plaids that usually accompany them.

Let's break down this whole berry bunch of products. In the New January to June Mini catalog you will find the new Sweet Strawberry stamp set and the punch. In the SAB catalog you will find the Berry Blessings stamp set and DSP (designer series paper). Here is the best part about any SAB product... it's a free item when you reach a qualifying order level. The Berry Blessings set and paper come as a pack and are considered a level 2 item.

Details for today's card

Now it's time to break down today's card. Since I wanted to share just the Sweet Strawberry set in this card, I didn't have any of the Berry Blessings DSP to work with. That isn't an issue because I can always make my own pattern paper. I went with a color block layout and on each of the colors I stamped something... either a stamp from the Sweet Strawberry set or I made a plaid using Pattern Play stamp set. The label on this card is from the Hippo & Friends die set (you need this die set in your life!) I stamped the strawberries and tops on Whisper White cardstock. I then punched them out with the coordinating punch. The bow is out of the Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon, another must have in my craft room.

I really hope that you like this card. It's part of what I'm sharing today on Instagram (@alittlekinder). As the last day of my top 10 favorite new items, I really wanted to end with one of my favorite items (even if it's split between the two catalogs ;) ) Ok 2 things left to do.... 1). check out what I've shared on Instagram 2). check out what the rest of The Spot designers have created by clicking the image below.

Are you in the United States? I would LOVE to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and not currently working with a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can order supplies in my online store, here.

Positive Inkers A New Year Blog hop

Friday, January 1, 2021

Hey Y'all!!

Happy New Year's... today is a celebration of the end of 2020. And to celebrate here on the blog I am hopping with the team of stampers from Positive Inkers. We are showing off items from the New January to June mini catalog so it works PERFECTLY with my countdown.

Day 5- half way there- and we are diving into the Ice Cream Corner suite. Fun fact- I won this stamp set at On Stage and I've been holding for today! We are going to look at some sweet Birthday cards.

Details for today's card

This first card is using the warm colors from the collection: Terracotta Tile, Bumblebbe, and Petal Pink.

I punched the ice cream cone from So Saffron, Petal Pink, and Cinnamon Cider paper. I added stamped elements to the shapes. I used some of my nesting circle dies to make that large circle image. The sentiment on this card says "so what if you are a year older, you're FABULOUS!" It's a sale-a-bration set that is free with a $50 purchase.

On this card, I stamped the ice cream cone and then punched the pieces out. Right beside the word heart is one of the heart resin shapes that I colored with the light pool party Stampin' Blend marker.

So this is one of my favorite cards with this set. I love the two tone popsicles. The boys, otherwise known as Thomas and Jackson, aren't fans of the popsicles.

This one really is my very favorite! I love the layout of this card with the strips down one side.

Ok last card for the day! Everyone needs birthday cards, followed closely with thank you cards. I love to keep a big stash of birthday cards so that I never have to create one in a hurry AND the boys can pick what they need when they come in asking for cards. (No more rushing around to make something because they didn't plan well ;) )

I hope you were inspired by these cards. Keep hopping with the links below!