Kim Padan: Pro-Life Speaker

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Sympathy in Red

Hello Stamping Friends!

I am trying to catch up on a few projects so I can clean up my craft room.  Virtual Stamp Night is coming up soon, and I have a bunch of hostess samples to create.  In the meantime, I have two sympathy cards which I made yesterday so they can be mailed tomorrow.  I have had to make a lot of sympathy cards already this year.  Sad, but at least it's a way to show someone I am praying for them.  The first card also works for a recent ColourQ challenge.  Too late to submit, but I can check it off my list.  

Recently a woman from Church passed away.  I know her two adult daughters and decided to create a card for each.  One sings in the choir with me, and the entire choir sang for her funeral.  I wanted to have cards made by then, but didn't.  Now I am glad.  You see, the woman who died was proudly Polish, and the family would wear red in honor of the nation's flag each time they had a family gathering.  In fact, I have never seen so much bright red at a funeral in my life...it was beautiful!  So I decided to use real red in both cards.  This first card has a basic black base with DP from S.E.I. called "Black Orchid."  I added a piece of red satin ribbon.  On a whisper white scallop circle, I stamped this image and sentiment, both from SU's "Love & Caring," using black, red, and gray markers.  Two candy dots finish off the clean and simple look.

Next, another black card base, this one with 2 different sides of SU  "Love Letter" dsp. The flourish is like the stamp from "Elements of Style," so I used the bird from that same set., stamped on very vanilla.  The sentiment is from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" on the word window.  Grosgrain ribbon and a single candy dot finish it off.

Both of these cards are ready to be mailed tomorrow.  Sad thing is, I still have to finish another sympathy card in the morning.  Sigh.

Any way...that is it for today.  I do plan on making some cards for happier occasions soon!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Birthday Birds

Hello once again!

Today I have two birthday cards that incorporate ZERO challenges!  Gasp!  Sometimes, I just need to look at raw material and let my brain kick in on its own.  I needed a card for a nephew-almost-in-law and for one of my brothers.  Here we go...



I had my package of SU "Soho Subway" dsp out; most of the patterns challenge me a lot.  But this one looks more earthy with greens and blues and a wood grain, distressed look, perfect for an early espresso card base.  I thought it would look nice with this image from SU "Wetlands."  I used more of the dsp to mat the image, after I colored it with my blender pens using crumb cake, early espresso, garden green, summer starfruit, and island indigo.  The sun was made simply witha sponge dauber.  I added a strip of burlap for texture.  The sentiment is from the same set, punched and sponged as I usually do.  Finally, candy dots were added to complete the look.



Next, I used the other half of that early espresso, and a reverse side of the gridline dsp (from the mat), which features these fun numbers.  Another pattern featuring summer starfruit is used in the center.  My sentiment is from "Just Sayin'" and the owl is from Paper Smooches, with a coordinating framelit.  I colored him with markers: early espresso, soft suede, river rock, summer starfruit, and island indigo. Candy dots and thick bakers twine finish it off.

That's it!  Quick post when I don't have to include any links!  I think it's fun that I used thee same card stock and dsp, but the cards are very different.  Hope the guys like them too!  Let me know what you think.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Mashin Up and Playing with Paper

Hello Friends!  I can't believe it has been over a week since I have posted.  I have stamped some, but just haven't had time for this end of things.  I am going to post quickly before the Friday Mashup deadline, then add more details later after I eat a late lunch with my husband.  We have a bit of a blizzard here today, and the Quaker plant shut down 2nd & 3rd shift!  Yikes!



Here is my Friday Mashup card, combined with LAST week's challenge at The Paper Players.  Funny thing is, the Friday Mashup is a two-week challenge this time so I didn't need to rush.  No biggie.  We were asked to make a birthday card and/or use stencils.  I knew I wanted to make a card with these fun spring colors from the Paper Players, even though it is late.  Here's what I created:

On my pool party base, and I added a piece of "Parker's Patterns" dsp which was on my cutting table.  I liked the chevrons, but didn't even realize how well they would work with the sun!  I used a Tim Holtz stencil, sponging two colors, then lightly sponged pool party after removing the stencil before mounting it on a piece of tangerine tango.  My sentiment is from "On Your Birthday," stamped on an oval which was cut to fit the stencil.  Bakers twine finishes it off.  On this cold day, I really like my sunny card!




Next I have a card for the current challenge at The Paper Players, combined with a color challenge from SCS.   I wasn't sure what to do with this, but I like the final results.  We were asked to make a Clean and Simple card with something that goes up...balloons, kites, whatever.  The colors are lost lagoon, old olive, and strawberry slush in place of watermelon wonder.  I used this retired image from My Favorite Things "From the Bottom of my Heart", and colored it with markers.  The sentiment is from a different retired MFT set, "Flopsey You Lift Me Up," but it goes well with the balloons.  The tiny flowers are from SU's "Flight of the Butterfly."  I wanted some texture, so I used this SU embossing folder that is perfect for borders.  Bakers twine and ruffled ribbon finish off the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Friday, February 12, 2016

Some Different Challenges

Hello, and Happy Friday!

Today I have cards for 3 different blog challenges that fit specific card needs I had.  The first is from The Paper Players, which I need to link up in the next few minutes!

Several weeks ago, Splitcoast had a color challenge of black/white & red.  I had a few ideas, but never put them together.  Then, this Paper Player theme challenge to use a dog or cat came along and I decided to put them together.

I am a Lay Dominican, and Dominicans (friars and sisters) are known for their black & white habits.  As a layperson, I don't wear a habit, but I received a pin which is black and white when I said my temporary profession.  Anyway, one of our chapter's longtime members recently moved to Texas.  He is an older man who told delightful stories at all of our monthly meetings.  Our group is just a bit different without him.  Why the dog?  One of the symbols for St. Dominic is a black dog, running with a torch in its mouth  (to set the world on fire with the Gospel.)  I wanted to do a torch, but it didn't work with this puppy.

I dry embossed the black & white card front with this cute paw print folder from Darice.  My image is from PaperSmooches "Cuddly Chums," stamped in black and colored with basic gray, smoky slate and real red markers, then popped up on a scallop circle.  The sentiment is from SU's "Just Sayin'" with the coordinating Word Bubble framelit.  Red candy dots finish it off.


Next, I have a Clean and Simple design using the palette from this week's ColourQ challenge.  I am also submitting it to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge...my first time posting there!  I found it through someone else's blog.  You know how that goes.  Anyway, this week they are asking for a one layer card!  WooHoo! They are also featuring Paper Smooches this wek, which aren't used in this card, but in the one above.  I love that I found this challenge today!  I actually made several attempts before coming up with this card.  You see, I never finished my Christmas cards, so I am sending Valentines to some friends who didn't get Christmas greetings.  I tried to combine a Christmas image with the colors, but I kept making a mess with the gold embossing powder.  I finally decided less is more!   I used the thick SU whisper white for a single layer card.  Using the challenge colors and "Work of Art," I created a simple abstract background.  The sentiment is from "Trust God," embossed in gold and on a scallop oval.  I added gold cord behind it...which made it a real trick to adhere!  LOL I am going to make a dozen tonight, simplifying the gold detail and give them to a few friends at church this weekend.  Just wanted a different take on Valentine's Day!


Thanks for coming by...I'd love to read your comments below!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Monday, February 8, 2016

Time for my Mashup

Hello and Happy Wednesday  Monday!

Today Wednesday was the deadline for the Friday Mashup challenge, and I finished my card 10 minutes too late.  Oh well.  I'm happy that I played along! I did a full write-up, but didn't get a photo until the next day.  I decided to wait until I completed the next challenge.

So, the current Friday Mashup has us focusing on love and candy!  Perfect for this week!  I am also combining this with the current ColourQ challenge; my first of this year.



I had a pool party card base cut already, and this small piece of SU Valentine dsp is perfect for both challenges.  I recently pulled out my remaining ruby red with the intention of making lots of Valentines (though this piece might be riding hood red)...better get going on those! I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder to add texture to the red and a strip of crumb cake.  The image was received in a swap a long time ago, and I don't know which company makes it.  I didn't have actual "candy" images, but I used markers to add candy sprinkles to the marshmallow topping of my sundae...Yum!  Scrunched up seam binding and a scallop border punch add more details.  Oh, the sentiment is from SU's "So Very," on a popped up small oval punch.  I am sending this to a friend...but which one??



Back to the previous Friday Mashup challenge.  We were encouraged us to make a card featuring a monkey (for the Chinese Year of the Monkey) or other animal, and/or a fancy fold.  I had various ideas, but finally put this together.  I have had this stamp for a long time, but never used it.  Today was the perfect chance.  It's called "Changito Chef" from Stampendous.  It is stamped with Stazon jet black, then colored with blender pens.  The colors are cherry cobbler, always artichoke, soft suede, more mustard, smoky slate, and marina mist.  The sentiment is from "Best Yet."  After using my ticket corner punch, I mounted it on soft suede.

 The fancy fold is one I learned years ago; even used it for my very first post on this blog!  It is a variation of the squash book, and was the Technique Lovers Challenge, #201.  I took an 8x8 inch piece of "Parkers Patterns" dsp, and folded it according to the instructions in the link above.  Riding Hood Red striped ribbon literally ties it all together.

I was going to send this as a very belated birthday card, but that person is too old for this sentiment.  Instead, I think I will change the inside greeting and send it to my grandson...on time!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Same Day Color

Hi Stamping Friends!

So, today I was busy with lots of stuff...not all important *wink*...but as I am winding down my day, I wanted to look at the color challenge on SCS and see if anything comes to mind.

It is so rare that I complete any challenge the same day it is posted, let alone upload it to my gallery AND post here.  Yet here we are!  I just wanted to end the night on a fun, positive note.

The color palette is very soft... so saffron, soft sky, and basic gray.  Almost immediately, I thought of birds' eggs.  That led me to the SU stamp set "Nature Walk."  I made the card while listening to a webinar!



The card base is soft sky.  I stamped bird eggs over and over again whisper white, using Stazon jet black, then coloring them with the challenge colors, using my blender pen.  The small saffron layer is dry embossed with a folder from Darice.  I used the same inks and blender pen for the bird, and sponged the edges.  All of this was placed on some "Nouveau Chic" dsp.  Daffodil delight taffeta ribbon is soft like saffron, so I added some to the corners for a different look.  The sentiment is from "Because I Care," on a scallop oval.  Lots of dimensionals and a few candy dots finish this off.  I am really pleased with the result!

Thanks for coming by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim