Baby on the Way

Hi Everyone.
A short little post today. A couple of weekends ago, we had the baby shower for my niece Katie. Even before that, My SIL came over with all her Pinterest ideas to make the decorations for the fun day. She is quite the hostess and everything turned out wonderful. We had a fun time and I wouldn't let her put it together without adding dimension with some ink and bling. If nothing else, adding ink around the edges of a project makes everything pop!

This was a great way to provide favors.... Make your own candy station. Plastic bags and ribbon and you're set.

I just loved how the banner turned out. A little edging with the Martha Stewart punch put the finishing touches.

Too Cute.

Katie, Looking Happy and Healthy.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Create today!

More IU 2012 Paint Can Swap

Have you ever heard of a Paint Can Swap? I hadn't. But oh what fun I had. My Paint Can Buddie (PCB) was Faye and she is a huge Sully fan.  What to do???? I made a Sully can!.

The idea behind this was to spell out the word "INSPIRATION" with gifts and stuff them inside the can. I had so much fun (well maybe not) trying to figure out things for each letter.



So now I'm hooked on Ice Resin and I made the actual word. I figured she could split them up and use them on something. :)

Faye's dog recently passed so I made a little mini album for Emma

If you get a chance to host a swap or sugggest one. Pick a word and go for it. This was a great idea and so much fun. :)

Have a great day!

 

 

Inspiration Unlimited

Good Morning Everyone!
I'm writing today about my trip to Vegas (well, Henderson). As most of you know I traveled to Henderson and spent a few days with some amazing teachers and some wonderful women. I can't tell you how afraid I was to go to this event. It was pretty much the unknown to me and I knew no one. Let me explain.... I did meet people online and participated in some swaps so I had a plan to meet up with these women when I got there. BUT.... I was still chicken. :) I started panicking and getting cranky and overwhelmed. BUT.... I stepped outside the box (Tracy Weinzapfel and my good friends who support me) in pursuit of my goal to teach and eventually open a studio where we can all come together to create.
Let me say, I was welcomed with open arms. My fear melted as I met each and every one of these women (tearing up now). Each of these women have stories to tell and we all have our burdens to bear. I found myself laughing and crying as if I've known them forever. AND we all just clicked.
I wanted to share the littlest thing than no one knew about. I was so afraid I would have to sit with a group that was already established and then feel uncomfortable. You know..... I walked into the room and MY girls saved a seat for me every time. Tiny and HUGE all the same.

My dear friend Patty. She was my Secret Sister and boy did we have fun!!! I love her!

My other Secret Sister. Over the Top Janet! What a kind, wonderful person.

Faye! My dear Faye is going through some difficult stuff right now but her generous soul shined through and she will prevail!

My New YOOORker Renee. What a doll and I loved listening to her. :)

Leslie, My Paint Bucket partner. Wait till you see my "cowgirl" bucket. Too sweet.

I have a ton more pics that I'll be sharing soon but I wanted you to see these amazing women. And, guess what? Inspiration Unlimited is NOT a cult as some have posted! It's just so awesome, that everyone keeps coming back and it's hard to get in. Get on the waiting list first thing October 7th!

Happy Trails my friends and thank you for a wonderful time!



 

 

Inspiration Unlimited - Vegas Baby!

Hi Peeps....
Again I've been crazy busy. I'm happy to say that I'm finally finished with all my projects for Inspiration Unlimited. I have all my supplies and gifty things packed in on suitcase and I was so thankful MOST of it fit. I haven't packed my clothes yet but I'll get to that. Soooooo...... I have never made the same thing twice and I was certainly challenged with the swaps I signed up for 22 layout pages the same and 20 birthday cards the same. I thought to myself.... How hard can it be? Probably easier than coming up with a new creation everytime I sit down, right? Wrong...... It was difficult to stick with it. I wanted to go off and create other stuff and I missed my creations.

On the up side, I'll get 20 different cards back and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone else's art.

I think they turned out cute though and well, I don't really do cute. LOL

My layout pages paid off big time because I got 22 pages back in the mail that were so amazing. I am in awe of how many creative women there are in the world!!!! I am binding the pages together to hold all my pictures from the event.

My pages.......

I'll share tons more with everyone when I get back because I can't share my "stuff". It's a surprise for a few gals. So looking forward to a cocktail(or 2), pool and a room full of creative energy. Look out Vegas, I think it's going to be crazy!

Hugs!

Hi All:
I have been sooooo busy lately. Here's the scoop, I'm heading to Henderson this month to attend Inspiration Unlimited and there is a ton to do. Don't get me wrong, it's my fault. I had to join every swap so now I'm creating like cray but I can't show that until I get back. I can share one thing I made for a Secret Sister because she doesn't know me yet.

 

It was her birthday and I repurposed a clear acrylic paint can. This was ALL Tim Holz Paper Stash Lost and Found. I just fell in love with this paper.  I used alcohol ink to update the white metal lid. Added the embellies and filled with fresh lavender from my garden.

I did use my Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio tool to create the buttons for the mini paper rosette die.

 

I really enjoyed making this for my SS and all the other projects for my trip. It's just a bit overwhelming when I want to make everything perfect. uh????? What's perfect? Have a great weekend. Hugs.

 

 

 

 



Just Me

Hi Everyone
Well both children are off to college and I'm sitting here not doing a thing but missing them. I'm not sure why, because they were hardly home this summer visiting friends and dancing the night away(Nick). They always leave on the same weekend. I think to punish me. :) But I'm always excited for them to experience new things. Isn't that what I raised them for? To spread their wings and pursue their dreams. Boo Hoo.
Some of you know that I spend my Monday nights with Tracy Weinzapfel's online get together and this month's dare was to create a canvas of yourself. It's not to late to join in the August Dare....This was hard for me, that's why I'm late. I dug through my pics and decided I really liked this one. My friend Jan took this when we were getting ready for Auburn, Ca's Stampede Rodeo. There was a huge fiasco at this rodeo and it makes me laugh now. Don't you laugh too Jan?

So.... A beer in one hand and a horse blanket in the other. That's called "Multi-tasking". Please join us on Monday Nights here @ 6PM. I promise you won't be disappointed. We have a blast. There is no pressure to create during the broadcast but I promise you'll be motivated after.

 

I'm back now that the kids are gone and I'll be posting away in the next few days! I have a lot to catch up on and share.

Happy Trails

 

 

Heavy Heart

HI Everyone.
Wow, it's been a while since I posted. I've been doing some soul searching lately and I have realized that I have been running in circles and going nowhere. When I first started blogging, my goal was to open my little retail website (not done), teaching classes (one done and might I say a successful one), creating kits (not done) and eventually open a little brick and mortar store (maybe).
I realized I was becoming (well became) a hoarder of craft supplies to sell and items to alter but I was just collecting and not creating or selling. My garage and house was becoming ridiculously full of junk. This weekend I began organizing and purging. I didn't even know where to start so I bought a bunch of totes and garbage bags and jumped in. I'm only keeping what I really really want. That's the hard part. I want it ALL.
When I was challenged by Tracy (love her, thank you Tracy) over at  TW Studios to create one word for myself, I chose "Mother" then I changed it to "Create". Much better! I made my first canvas below, I realized THAT is what I need to do and I'm not. Of course, life, work, kids, friends, family are so important that I can't always do that but I do have focus now.

I don't usually do a lot of personal insights here because I want this to be a fun site for creating but you may hear more from my heart in the future. OK..... off to do more purging. Have a great week everyone.

I'm heading down that Happy Trail!

Kim