TBS DT: Once Upon A Midnight Dreary...

Hello hello hello! Excuse me while I peek under the sofa cushions for the rest of August, 'cause I seem to have lost it. What happened? *blinkblink*

Aaanyway... We had a couple of unnaturally cool days here in Maryland. Of course this led my thoughts down the Autumn path, and here I am with a Halloween card. Haha! Ok, I have to admit I found this paper when I made my surprise attack on Kimm at The Beary Scrap a short while ago. On my first visit to the store I wanted to take one of everything home, but settled on papers... embellishments... and tools. Oh stop! Of course I left you some - go check it out!

One line of papers I *couldn't* leave on the shelves was Cosmo Cricket's Haunted. It's delicious! As I write this, it's not in the online shop, but feel free to give Kimm a call at the store and she can set you up with it, too. :)  I tell ya, it's SO worth it!

The design team's projects this week are based on our September 1st BSC #9 sketch challenge - you'll see the sketch "officially" when you visit here on Wednesday. Here's little Tilda as she channels Edgar Allen Poe for the season. I like to think she's writing invitations to a Halloween party. Will you come?

Challenges

• Beary Sweet Challenge #9 (starts 9/1; ends 9/14): Fabulous sketch (if I do say so myself... haha!)
• Stampin' for the Weekend #45 (ends 9/2 ): Anything Goes!
• Stamping Vacation (ends 9/7): Very Vintage with Anything Faded - (fading text on the tag)
• Bunny Zoe #3 (ends 9/13): Vintage
• Lexi's Creations #21 (ends 9/4): Embossing
• Shabby Tea Room #25 (ends 9/5): Old Meets New - My "old" is the much-coveted but hard-to-find heavily waffle weaved paper that I love to use for printing vintage images and stuff... I found a single sheet while "destashing" and did a happy dance! The Halloween papers are new. :)
• Creatalicious #13 (ends 9/14): Vintage

Card Recipe

• Stamp: Magnolia's Tilda Writing
• Paper: Bazzill Basics Truffle; Cosmo Cricket Haunted; Neenah Classic Crest for stamped images and layers; waffle weave ivory from stash
• Medium: Colorbox Fluid Chalk in Dark Brown; Glimmer Mist Pearl; Stickles Star Dust, Frosted Lace and Black Diamond; Prismacolor pencils with OMS; Copic E000 for skin base (then shaded with Prismacolor pencils)
• Embellishments: Bazzill Tulle in Raven, dotted with Black Diamond Stickles; Prima Mini Roses in purple; orange flower from stash; raven graphic from a Google sear
• Tools: Cuttlebug embossing folder; MS punches; Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Ovals; Tim Holtz Distress Tool - available at the store
• Adhesives: Scor-Tape

So, there's *only* one more day to enter our current challenge - In Stitches. If you've included stitching in any form -machine, hand, faux- we'd love to have you enter our challenge. You could win $20 gift voucher from The Beary Scrap!

We'll have a new challenge for you on Wednesday (can you believe it's the 1st of September already?!) and there's a little surprise in store tomorrow. Be sure to check back at the design team blog and see what we have up our collective sleeve!

Cheers,
Susan

TBS DT: Dog Days of Summer

Hello dear friends,

Wow! What a fabulous weekend. I went up to Philadelphia for a trade show Friday, and thought to myself,

"Self, why don't you cruise on up the turnpike and surprise Kimm at The Beary Scrap?" And so I did Saturday morning!

Now, we've never met in person. Last year, Kimm was very kind to me when I started making tear bears out of her mulberry paper. She freely gave advice and we became "online friends". Early this year I became her design team coordinator and our friendship grew. I look forward to our hours-long weekly conversations, where we *might* talk about scrapbooking or cardmaking, but *definitely* talk and laugh about everything else. :)

I was a little worried about walking into her store cold - will she recognize me? Will she *want* to chat? Gasp! Will she have a store full of customers and I'd be forced to shop shop shop until we could talk? (Ok, that really happened...)

I walked in to her adorable boutique and watched as she flitted about with the customers. She slowed down long enough for me to show my face, and she stopped in her tracks. You know that feeling when you think you recognize someone but you're not sure and don't want to embarrass yourself... I saw all that going through her mind, including the slight head tilt and eye narrowing... I said, "It's Susan," and I swear she squealed! (With joy... really!) Ah, I'm getting teary-eyed just writing about it.

Big hugs, dear Kimm! I enjoyed our time together more than I can write here. It was cool to stand in your shop and see the shelves from which you pull my monthly order. Your shop is wonderful and I can't wait to meet up again!

Ok, now on to the design team's weekly theme, which is "Dog Days of Summer". It's almost the end of August and kids are returning to school in the next few weeks. Can you believe it? That sound you hear is the collective cheer of parents everywhere!

I had trouble with this theme at first. What does "dog days of summer" mean to me? Mosquitos. Hmm... Nope, can't put a mosquito on a card... I knew I wanted to use my fabulous new Echo Park paper, so I started from that happy point and landed here... on a big, fluffy yellow lab!

Of course, I had to glitter my little one up a bit. I used Faded Jeans Distress Stickles on the puppy collar and "regular" Stickles Lime Green and Star Dust on her dress and bloomers. Love the bloomers!

While at The Beary Scrap (heeheehee) I found these fabby crocheted flowers. Pretty, no? I've also amassed quite a collection of the We R Memory Keepers Designer Snaps, 'cause they're a great way to add sparklies or a sentiment for the sentiment-challenged like me. The variety of sizes in each pack definitely make your dollars go far. Oh, and the last 2 cards I've used them on were Crop-A-Dile free! (The mega eyelet setting tool that you're supposed to use to attach these little buggers.) On the last card I glued lace and this card I used the flower and then used Fabri-Tac or Aleene's (can't remember) to attach to the card. The added lace/crochet takes up the space and prevents wobble once it's on the card.    

So, that is all. I think this is the longest post I've done - I and *know* I've waffled on a lot before today... I thank you from the bottom of my happy heart that you've stuck with me. Thank you!

Challenges

• Mo's DP2 #45 (8/25) - Thank Heaven for Little Girls
• Papertake Weekly #46 (8/24) - Sketch
• Moving Along With The Times #60 - Glitter
• Stamp Something (8/26) - August Digi Days

Card Recipe

• Stamp: Mo Manning's Digital Pencil Too - "Buds"
• Paper: Bazzill Basics  Mud Pie, French Vanilla, African Daisy; Echo Park "Life is Good" Kit - Brown Floral and Set The Table; Neenah Classic Crest
• Medium: Distress Stickles in Broken China (collar); Stickles Lime Green and Star Dust; Prismacolor pencils with OMS
• Embellishments: Bazzill Green Ruffled Ribbon; We R Memory Keepers Designer Snap from the "Friends" pack; Green Crochet Flower (nudge Kimm to list these delicious little things online...); Robin's Nest Dew Drops; lace from stash
• Tools & Adhesives: Scor-Pal; Scor-Tape; Glossy Accents (nose and to attach Dew Drops); sewing machine

Yay! Thanks so much for stopping in today. Don't forget our current Beary Sweet Challenge "In Stitches"! You can enter with any kind of faux or real sewing and have a chance to win a $20 gift voucher from The Beary Scrap!

Cheers,
Susan

TBS DT: Stitching Inspiration

Hello hello again! Thanks for popping in today. It was a great weekend here in Maryland - got lots done around the house and had many giggles with the Husband. He's a card!

So, we kicked off a new Beary Sweet Challenge yesterday - "In Stitches". I hope you can play along with us! I've been noodling around with the idea of a vintage sewing inspired card lately. I collect vintage sewing stuff, so it's always on my mind in some form or another. At an estate sale years ago, I found a 1924 Singer Model 66 in it's cabinet with the cool drawers and scrolly iron base. The wood top had some cosmetic problems but the machine itself was in great shape. I recently sold it on Craigslist (without the drawers!) since I will be receiving Grandma's machine in a few weeks. It's in excellent condition and I'm very excited!

Sew, here's my card, in an attempt to scratch the vintage sewing itch I've been feeling lately:

I Googled "vintage sewing" images and found this beauty. I popped it into Photoshop, upped the resolution and sharpened it a bit. I think it turned out pretty well! I used Basic Grey's Capella papers - it's such a beautiful variety of prints. I was able to use 4 different Capella prints as well as the coordinating solid green layer. Oh, and the pattern along the left side is from the Capella ribbon tape set. Pretty!

The layout is strongly influenced by current challenges at Creative Prompts and Practical Scrappers, plus my own quirky style. I wanted the do the CP challenge but couldn't make the "tiles" work. I found the PS sketch and figured I could turn that scrapbook layout sketch into a card and use my already-cut tiles. Now it's a combination of the two challenges - three tiles as a nod to CP and freeform placement thanks to PS. They're kind of like quilting blocks, no? Even though it's a huge stretch, I'll still enter both challenges as a "thank you" for the inspiration. :)

I wrapped a tiny spool with coordinating thread and made it into a charm. I have no idea where the scissors charm came from... I don't remember seeing it in my collection before today. Weird, huh? The stick and t-pins are both from Grandma's sewing box. Thanks again, G-ma!

Challenges

• Creative Prompts #28 (8/31) - Photo inspiration
• Practical Scrappers (8/21) - Stitching
• Sentimental Sundays #16 (8/21) - Ribbon or Lace ( I think my "Inspire" snap counts... if not, that's OK!)
• Bunny Zoe's #3 (9/13) - Vintage

Card Recipe

• Image: Vintage Sewing from a Google search
• Papers: Bazzill Basics in Mud Pie and French Vanilla; Basic Grey Capella 6x6 pad as well as 12x12 Dolce and Timpani; Neenah card stock for the vintage image
• Medium: Glimmer Mist Pearl; Stickles Frosted Lace; Color Box Fluid Chalk in Chestnut Roan
• Embellishments: Basic Grey Capella ribbon tape; We R Memory Keepers Designer Eyelets & Snaps - Inspiration set; Lace, pins, charms, twill measuring tape from stash
• Tools: Scor-Pal; Cuttlebug embossing folders; trusty sewing machine and favorite thread
• Adhesive: Scor-Tape; Aleene's Quick Dry 

Thanks again for stopping to visit today. Be sure to check out the Beary Scrap Design Team blog for Elise's  answer to our BSC #8: In Stitches challenge. Hope to see you back for another visit, and can't wait to see your entry, too!

Cheers,

Susan

Good Fortune

Hello and good day fellow crafters! I want to share with you a bit of good fortune I've received lately and show some love to a couple of challenges and shops.

So, this is what has happened lately:

• A randomizer thingy picked my entry for June's drawing at Creative Prompts For You. I won 2 cute little stamp sets from My Stamp Box. This is my entry, which still holds the "All-Time Favorite" honor in my mind.
• I won the July blog candy over at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More. What?! That never happens! The prize is fantastic (yay! another Magnolia!), and includes Tim Holtz embossing folders (drool drool) *and* a stamp designed by Sandra Hammer, a new friend in blogland. How cool is that?
• And, last but not least... I won a $20 gift voucher from Stamp and Create for their stitching challenge. Lacy, the owner of S & C is really nice! Here is my entry. I can't wait to get my goodies!

Plus, there have been a few great things happen here at home, too. It's almost as if the summer stars are shining just for Casa Killam Creative. It's crazy that the last few weeks have been blissful... but I'll take it any way I can get it! ::verybigsmiles::

Cheers to everyone. I hope the stars shine down on you, too.

Susan

Baby Boy Baptism - Aww!

Hello dear friends! I'm here on a rare Thursday to share a card made for a friend. I dearly love this card (um...er... is that bad?). The baby is a vintage image I found poking around the internet. I loves me some Google!

Challenges

• Sentimental Sundays #15 (8/14): Anything Goes plus a sentiment
• Cupcake Craft #103 (8/15): Lace
• Papertake Weekly (8/15): Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Something Blue
• Colour Create #51 (8/25): Ivory, Duck Egg Blue and one other color
• Stamp Man #2 (8/13): Take 2 Colors (blue and ivory)
• ABC Challenge (8/15): A is for August 
• Bunny Zoe's #3 (9/13): Vintage

Card Recipe

• Image: vintage
• Paper: DCWV "Be Mine" stack
• Embellishments: pearls, crochet lace, charm, pins from stash
• Medium: Stickles Diamond; Color Box Fluid Chalk Ink
• Tools: Spellbinders tags
• Adhesive: Scor-Tape 

Thanks for stopping in!

Cheers,

Susan

TBS DT: BSC #7 - CAS Sketch

Hello! I hope everyone had a great weekend. We had beautiful weather which lead to yard work and a day trip to Annapolis, Maryland. It's such a picturesque historic town!

This week at the Beary Scrap we're trying to keep it simple with our CAS (Clean and Simple) Sketch Challenge... Oh my, this was difficult for me! My "simplicity" was only one stamp layer (really!) and no embellishment beyond the sketch. Ok, I admit that I've failed in the CAS department... *sheesh* The design team is going to fire me - LOL!

I've used Pink Paislee's Queen Bee papers. I really like the yellow/gray combination! The twill ribbon is also Queen Bee, called "Ribbon Pleats". The package has 2 - 12x12 ribbons, one in this yellow color and one in gray. I measured out the amount of pleat I needed and then pulled the stitching from the remaining ribbon. It too a little water spritz and iron to straighten it out, but I love the end result.

Challenges

• Paper Sundaes #29 (8/7) - In Stitches 
• Bizzy Bec's Creatilicious #12 (8/14)  - 3D
• Simon Says Challenge (8/3) - Going Dotty 
• Paper Pretties (8/3) - Add Glitte
• Stamp and Create (9/5) - Flower
• The Craft Den Anything Goes #9 (8/2) - Punches

Card Recipe

• Stamp - Magnolia "Flying Tilda"
• Paper - Pink Paislee Queen Bee from the 6x6 paper pad - black and prints; purple from stash
• Medium - Copic Sketch E000 (base skin tone); Prismacolor pencils w/OMS;Stickles Star Dust; Distress Stickles in Old Paper, Antique Linen and Milled Lavender; Glimmer Mist in Diamond
• Embellishments - Pink Paislee's Queen Bee Ribbon Pleats; Mulberry flowers
• Tools - MS Scallop Dot Edge Punch and Leaf Punch; sewing machine
• Adhesives - Scor-Tape; Fabri-Tac; silicone

Here's the BSC #7 Sketch - you have until August 14th to enter and you could win a $20 gift voucher from The Beary Scrap! Go HERE for all the details. 

Thanks so much for stopping in today. The design team will have fun samples for you all week, so be sure to visit the design team blog all week for inspiration. We look forward to your Clean and Simple projects!

Cheers,
Susan

CLP #28 - Come Grow With Us!

Hello hello! Ooh, it's the first of the month and you know what that means, right? It's CLP sketch challenge time! I always get excited to work on my CLP project - I'm a Procrastinator Extraordinaire, so I don't usually start any deadline project until it's just about due. *wink* I honestly feel most creative under pressure. CLP sketches always get my juices flowing and I tend to try new things. Love it!

So this month many of the fabulous design team got to work with Chelsea's new Gurlee Girl Blossom Fairies stamps. OMG! I couldn't believe my eyeballs when I opened the mail and found ALL THREE beauties! Which one to use first? Oh, the choices! 

I'd love to introduce you to Blossom Fairy Avie as she tends her garden:

Isn't she beautiful? This photo definitely does not do her justice. I promise you it's bright and fun - she's a stunner in person! Make sure you bop on over to the CLP Challenge Blog and check out all the DT samples - you'll get a great view of the other Blossom Fairies. I'm already planning my next projects with them! (Heehee, but  I won't do anything until a day or two before they're due. *wink*)

Little Avie is three layers, all popped up on silicone. I can hear you asking... "What? Silicone?" Yep, silicone. I like it much better than my normal 1/8" foam dots and have been refining my technique for a little while now. Ooh! I do believe I feel a tutorial coming on. If you want details before I'm tutorially-inspired, shoot me a note and I'll give you the scoop (without photos). Otherwise, wait a week or two and I'll get it together right here on these pages. :)

So, back to my darling Avie and her garden. I purchased the Prima Vine from Gurlee Girl *ages* ago and haven't figured out the best use until now. I love the watering can detail and immediately thought of  this vine. I added 2 Prima flowers from a Symphony Blend to finish it off. (The big whopper leaf in the middle is coming off, though. Once I focused in on it, it's all I see now. Kinda funny, no?)

Challenges

• Paper Sundaes #29 (8/7) - In Stitches
• Bizzy Bec's Creatilicious #12 (8/14)  - 3D
• Simon Says Challenge (8/3) - Going Dotty
• Flutterby Wednesday #115 (8/3) - Open 
• Stamp and Create #3 (8/2) - Stitching
• Creative Cottage #19 (8/3) - Touchy Feely

Card Recipe

• Stamp - Gurlee Girl - blossom Fairy Avie
• Paper - Bazzill Basics; Cosmo Cricket "Early Bird" Mini Deck
• Medium - Prismacolor Pencils with OMS; Stickles Star Dust; Glossy Accents (on her lips)
• Embellishments - Prima Vine; Prima Symphony Blend flowers; velvet ribbon from stash; clear crystals from a garland found at a big box craft store that shall remain nameless; Scrabble tiles from a game found in Grandma's basement (thanks G-ma; sorry, Husband... was this yours growing up?); vintage crochet doily from an incredible flea market score
• Adhesives - Silicone glue; Scor-Tape; Fabri-Tac

 So, you wanna come play with us? Here's the CLP #28 fine print: Make a project with this fabby sketch, upload by 8/31 and link back to CLP in your blog post. How's that for easy? I hope to see you there!

Tomorrow I'll have a new Beary Sweet Challenge project for ya, and I'm over-the-moon excited to share a special-order Baptism card later in the week. It's so sweet!

Thanks for stopping in, and I hope you treat yourself well today.

Cheers,
Susan