Thursday, January 14, 2021

Celebrating 13 FABULOUS Years and a GIVEAWAY!!!

Hello and welcome, friends! Today is a very special day...it's the 13 birthday of my blog! Can you even believe it? I can't! LOL! I'm so HAPPY to be here, all of these years later! There were years when I really thought that it would be the last, but my creative spirit has kept me going, even during those difficult "baby raising" years! The most wonderful thing about these past 13 years are ALL OF YOU! I have made such wonderful friends through this crazy paper crafting adventure and I wouldn't trade it for the world! 
So....in celebration...how about a little GIVEAWAY???? I'd like to give one lucky blog reader/Instagram follower a $100 gift certificate to the stamp store OF THEIR CHOICE!!! (U.S. currency only) You can enter BOTH places, but you MUST be a follower of mine on Instagram (please no follow and then un-follow later). I will be drawing randomly from ALL entries on both Instagram and here on my blog. Simply leave a comment letting me know what you have enjoyed here most over the years! That's it...easy, peasy! I won't be posting to Instagram until later in the morning since I am on MT, not ET, but it should be up around 7-8 a.m. The deadline for entries will be Sunday at 12 noon MT. 
And now...on to the cards!

I've created two almost identical cards that would be perfect for Valentine's Day. These cards actually had me thinking of all kinds of 4 letter words. NO, not those 4 letter words, silly! I'm talking about words like LOVE, HUGS, BABY, etc. I thought this design would work perfectly for a card for a baby girl, or a sympathy card using HUGS.

To begin both cards, I heat embossed the Enchanted Blooms Cling Rubber Stamp using white powder and then added the Passion Fruit ink over the top. It's been a while since I've done the emboss/resist technique and I felt it would be perfect for these two Valentine's Day cards. Once that was done, I die cut them using the Diagonal Stitched Rectangles dies. I love the polished, professional edges that it creates.


I die cut the frame using the gorgeous Fancy Oval Frame Die and then adhered it directly to the embossed panel using liquid glue with a precision tip. This set the stage to add the beautiful floral image from the Sending Love and Hugs Stamp Set. I stamped one with the lighter Fresh Pear ink and one with the darker Emerald ink. I layered two die cuts together for a more sturdy piece. This was the perfect platform to add the die cut silver metallic letters and a die cut bow

The letters were die cut twice; once from thick white cardstock and once from the silver specialty cardstock. I glued them together with liquid glue. The bow is secured with hot glue and then I added some glitter to it as well. I warned you about glittery bows, didn't I? ha ha!

The sentiment, which is from the Simply Sentiments Hello stamp set, is heat embossed in silver onto a strip of vellum. I secured it around the focal panel with tape in the back.

I thought I was going to like the one with the lighter green ink, but now I just don't know. This one has such a dramatic feeling with the dark foliage.

I added a few Jewels here and there. I reached for the pink ones, which you would think would be the obvious choice, but in the end I settled on the white ones. They pick up the pink beautifully, while the pink ones were giving this particular design a yellow look! Go figure! That's why it's always nice to play around with different options and don't get to "married" to a certain idea...let yourself enjoy the creative process and scrap an idea if it just isn't working! 
Once again, thanks so much for 13 fabulous years and thanks for fluttering by!

 

56 comments:

  1. Kelly, I love your blog and eagerly look forward to your posts. I am constantly amazed at your creativity and attention to detail. You never fail to inspire me to make beautiful cards. I love how you use paper crafting to spread joy to your neighbors, friends, children's teachers and church family. And all while raising 5 children! You go girl!

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  2. YAY! Congrats Kelly! I'm such a fan of your consistently GORGEOUS work. Today's projects are beautiful. I always love your wonderful inspiration!

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  3. Kelly your cards and projects have always been amazing!! What I have most enjoyed on your blog is how often you post your cards and projects!!! I stop at your blog everyday to see your inspiration, it makes me SO happy!!!!! Congratulations on 13 wonderful years!!!!

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  4. Congratulations Kelly on 13 years! I have always loved your cards and especially your gift ideas and packaging! Thank you so much for your inspiration!

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  5. Wow, 13 years! Glad you've hung in there and congratulations on reaching such a milestone! You post/design for several of my favorite companies and I cannot remember if you drew me to them or they drew me to you. Either way your makes are always so lovely and are great inspiration. Especially today's cards. I think they're gorgeous and I do love that you can switch out the letters for baby and hugs and I was even thinking NOEL. I love that!

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  6. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" "CONGRATULATIONS!" & EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN, Kelly!!!! I am a newer follower of your blog, but what I enjoy about following your blog is YOUR GORGEOUS CREATIONS, & I will MISS Celebrating Christmas with you EVERY MONTH on the 25th, & another thing I enjoy is that you show us things to deliver, little gifts for others! Your creations are ALWAYS STUNNING! YES, I've even started buying from a "new" company to me! The one company you are using today, PinkFresh Studios! LOOOVE, LOOOVE your card today! I see MORE THINGS I need to get today! LOVE the PINK, & the flowers!!!! ANNND THAT GLITTERED BOW!!! ;)<3

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  7. Congratulations on reaching such a wonderful milestone, Kelly! I love to see what you create and learn from your clever inspiration! (I do love those beautiful glittery bows!!!) Your blogs encourage me to look at new products and companies as well as new ways to use items in my stash. Good luck and here's to the next 13 years of amazing projects!! Take care! :)

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  8. Love the emboss resist background!! Always a delight to see what you create Kelly!

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  9. Kelly, you amaze me in new ways with every card - you really are the Queen of Layering! How you put it all together I'll never know!
    Congratulations on the 13th birthday of your blog... don't you wonder where we'd be without this community these days?
    =]

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  10. Thank you, Kelly, for a chance to win. Always inspired by your creativity!

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  11. Thanks for 13 years of amazing inspiration. Love all of your projects!

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  12. This card is absolutely gorgeous! InLOVE the Passion Fruit ink color! My favorite cards are pink floral and this one “takes the cake”! Congratulations on 13 years of successful blogging!

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  13. Happy Birthday! I've been following your blog for a couple of years as a quiet reader. I love your layered style with it's crisp lines and vivid colors. I've especially enjoyed your Keeping Christmas posts and I'll miss them greatly. I also enjoy reading your Quote Of The Day when reading your blog. Thanks for the very generous chance to win! <3

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  14. Your blog posts are my favorite. I love all the layers and depth you create with each project. I cannot imagine the time it takes to get each one just right, but my perfectionist heart admires your talent. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  15. Congrats on 13 years Kelly!! I'm bummed I've missed some of those years, but I've absolutely LOVED the years I have been following you! You are SO creative and it is just a JOY to come and visit your blog! I don't think you've ever made a card I didn't love, and I also love when you do your coordinating little gift packages...they are always above and beyond!! And your Keeping Christmas was always a favorite of mine too and I will definitely miss that feature but totally understand that there are only so many hours in a day and you just can't do it all! Luckily I can always come here and look at past posts to get my fill!! :0) And your cards today are absolutely BEAUTIFUL Kelly...I love every little detail you added! And every time I see you add that bow I tell myself I'm just going to go ahead and order it, so that's where I'm off to next! Thanks again for so many years of such awesome creativity and I'm looking forward to many, many more!! Hugs. :0)

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  16. Congratulations in 13 years if blogging! I really enjoy your use of different textures and colours on cards and that you always find some way to make a card even more amazing by popping parts of it up!
    I really have a hard times adding these aspects to my cards but you really inspire me (mostly over at instagram)
    Thank you for all your stunning ideas and projects!!

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  17. Congratulations Kelly on achieving 13 year milestone. Your cards are absolutely gorgeous and inspiring!

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  18. WOW, 13 years - you go girl!! Congrats!

    I find I CASE your work more than any other artist I follow; that means you create really beautiful and inspiring things!! Thanks for your continued inspiration with all your posts!!

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  19. You have been inspiring me all 13 years. It’s amazing how creative you are. Your projects are always done with such attention to detail. Congratulations and much love.

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  20. I have enjoyed the cards. The designs , the colors are so well put together. That's why I started following your blog. I have not been disappointed. Congratulations!

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  21. Happy Blog Birthday, Kelly! I have so enjoyed all your years of stamping, sewing and creating! My fav has to be “Keeping Christmas” series. I made a lot of your tags, projects and the darling little fabric “purses” for my granddaughters. They carried them to church over the years with little notebooks and pens and mints! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity. May there be many years of stamping and sewing!

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  22. Very sweet of you to offer such a generous prize! I always love visiting your blog and seeing your beautiful creations! I find them well designed with so much attention to detail. Truly inspiring! Congrats on 13 years!

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  23. Congratulations on your blogs 13th birthday! Love your creativity. Always an inspiration to me. Love the bright colors and layers of your beautiful cards!

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  24. What an amazing milestone!! Happy anniversary! :) I love all your projects so much. It's always the perfect blend of beautiful but attainable! :)

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  25. These cards are beautiful as well as all your work! Congrats on 13 years and I always look forward to your designs!!

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  26. I love everything!! I love how you are a genius with layers. I also love how you sew and coordinate your sewing with a card.

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  27. Congratulations on your blog anniversary, Kelly! I don't comment often, but I should as I've been a "fan" of yours for a very long time. I especially admire your use of colors, layers and all the many little details! Your creativity is such an inspiration to me!

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  28. Congratulations on your 13 year blog anniversary!! First of all your cards today are beautiful. I am always impressed with your designs but I think I am most impressed with the beauty of your heart and soul. The devotion you show for teachers, neighbors, family and friends is such an amazing inspiration to all who follow you. Back to the question, I loved your contributions to the Keeping Christmas posts and always admire your gift packaging projects. Looking forward to the next 13!!

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  29. Such beatifully layered and coordinated cards. Happy anniversary!

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  30. Congrats and happy anniversary! Your cards are just exquisite! So many gorgeous details. I love seeing how you layer all your elements!

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  31. Congratulations! Your posts are just beautiful! The color palette, attention to detail and decorative elements are fantastic!

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  32. Marisela Delgado said: Felicidades! Quite an accomplishment! Girl, you are a rock star! You always rock it! mariandmonsterd@yahoo.com

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  33. 13!? Wow! Love these cards. The bow is adorable

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  34. Oh, Kelly, I ALWAYS look forward to your blog posts! You are such a joy and you are so inspiring! I love everything you do! If I had to pick a favorite, I would have to say your gift packaging/ideas the best. Congratulations on 13 years! I just love you and so happy you are in this paper-crafting world!!!

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  35. You are the Queen of layering, and this card is just exquisite! Congrats on your blog's birthday! I've been following it for quite a few years, and look forward to every post!

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  36. Congratulations! Oh how I love your intricate cards! so much inspiration for those times I'm stuck. Thanks

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  37. Congrats, I just realized I have had my blog for 10 years and it just surprised me, time sure does fly. Amazing the beautiful work you do and have kids too :)
    These cards are just beautiful, such lovely design and I love the colors!
    I just have started instagram and am still trying to learn it, I will have to figure out how to follow you :) so sweet of you to offer such a nice gift!

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  38. I have followed your blog since the old Splitcoast Stamper's and Dirty Dozen days! I am blessed by your generous creativity, thank you!!

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  39. Sorry I forgot to say what I have enjoyed the most and I would have to say you always have such gorgeous designs, always such beautiful creations to look at!!

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  40. Happy 13th Birthday Blog! I started stamping 13+ years ago and I've loved your work since then - from SCS I think! I took a long break but am back to crafting! I love the cards I'm seeing from Pink Fresh and Papertrey Ink. You have enabled me to purchase many Pink Fresh products, which is new to me! Thanks for the continuous inspiration and here's to many more years!

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  41. Holy cow! 13 years! That is really worth celebrating!!! What have I enjoyed about your blog? So, so many beautiful ideas have come from your blog - I've told you that every one of my Christmas cards this year had inspiration from your blog. And I've loved your gifts ideas - you have such a genuine, generous soul. Your faith shines through and through, so keep shining, my friend!

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  42. Truly fabulous cards!

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  43. I just love your cards - always have! Love the design and colors of every single thing you make!

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  44. Congratulations, Kelly! The discipline it has taken to keep your blog up for 13 years (consistently) with quality posts is no little thing. Each post is full of beautiful photographs and design information - that's value added, as-well-as inspiration, in my book. Without knowing (or maybe you do) you've mentored many a card crafter with your skill and style -- color palettes, layering; all of these things and more make up your lovely blog. Congratulations again, here's to many more years of great style!

    Hugs,
    Susie ~

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  45. Kelly, your blog has been such an inspiration to me for years. I love your ability to create unique beautiful cards. So happy for your 13 years of success and hope you have many more to come. Thank you for inspiring beauty!

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  46. Congratulations on your 13 years Kelly! I really admire your style and colour combinations, and look forward to reading your posts! Keep all of your projects coming please! 🙂

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  47. I eagerly look forward to your posts...can't believe it's been 13 years! You have such grace and style and I feel like joy just emanates from your cards. Don't ever stop!

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  48. Happy Birthday & Anniversary Kelly, for 13 Wonderful years! Your blog is the best of both worlds - creativity and friendship rolled into one. I love your blog not only for your beautiful paper crating but for your journaling style too. Your an awesome designer, inspirational teacher and a generous crafting friend. Congratulations, with my thanks for all your hard work. My days are always brighter when I’ve fluttered by. 😊👏💖

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  49. Congrats these are just beautiful!

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  50. Congratulations on 13 years. I get up at zero dark thirty and enjoy my coffee while visiting my favorite bloggers. I began following you everyday this year as I became acquainted with The Greetery. Your sense of color and beautiful layering are pieces of art. Even if it is not a new blog post I look at the most recent post again as I see even more each time I look at a project. Thank you for sharing your creative gifts with the world.

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  51. Hi Kelly- Happy Birthday to your blog! I remember how much I enjoyed seeing your posts many years ago, & your unique approach to cardmaking. Now today I'm never disappointed. I love seeing the colors you use & designs you create. I'm very happy for you!

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  52. Your cards are stunning! Congratulations on 13 years, your work is always so beautiful and since I found you on Instagram I always look forward to seeing what your next gorgeous creation will be!

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  53. Congrats on 13 years. I always look forward to your posts and your creativity.

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  54. Congrats on 13 years!! I love your work from both Pinkfresh Studio and Ink to Paper, always very inspiring!!

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  55. Congrats on 13 years.

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