It's the big 21!

Hi friends,
21 years ago today, a 10 pound turkey was born! My oldest turns 21 today...
I made him this "simple" card:

 I took the stamp and colored in sections I wanted to emphasize, cut them out, & popped them up on top of the stamped image.
Here's a closer peek:

Here's a peek of the innies:

 I die cut the 21 from the white paper so you're seeing the negative space on the inside.

I thought I would make a "simple" card, but this took longer than if I had colored an image with Copics! Ack! Now, if you have this stamp (from Tim Holtz) you're probably wondering why it looks different...well that's because I omitted a couple of parts---> "Be Fearless" and "Take Risks". While I liked the rest of the message, my son doesn't need encouragement in the areas of taking risks and being fearless, let me tell ya! I have lots of emergency room visits in the old memory bank having to do with him being fearless & taking risks and believing the philosophy of doing your own stunts! Lol *Ü*

Well, I hope he likes it.  That's it for today...gotta run to a birthday dinner.
Tootles!


The 411 
Stamps: Way with Words- Tim Holtz, Big Birthday Wishes-PTI
Paper: Black cs, white cs, silver cs
Tools: Markers, Stars EF-Darice, Words dies, numbers dies-PTI

Tags of 2013- July

Hi friends,
Well, the good life is over. It's time to trade in the bikini for the books- back to school time for me!
Yes, already! I can't complain because I had a great summer & I feel like the batteries are recharged.

I'm just in the nick of time for July's tag.
Here's T!m's:

 Here's mine:

To be honest, I wasn't moved by this month's technique (which is why I waited so long). But I have done all of the other tags this year so I felt like I was letting myself down by not completing it. I did the technique of brayering in the background & the distress crackle paint with stain technique. I really don't know why, at this point it time, I doubt the creative genius that is Tim. Seriously, he has never disappointed and he didn't disappoint with this month's technique. If only I got a good pic of the leaves! They look absolutely amazing!!! I only wish more of the reds & greens would have shown through :(  Sorry, for doubting you once again Tim! Bad Karli :(

Well, it will be a bit quiet around the blog home until I'm settled in to my new school year. I am teaching my favorite class again- Spanish 1 *Ü* yay! and my not so favorite class- AP prep :( ah well, I hope this is a great year nonetheless. I do look forward to a new batch of nearly 200 kiddos!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Until the next time crafty friends!

Tags of 2013- June

Hi friends,
Just in the nick of time, I bring you June's tag.
Here's T!m's for inspiration:

Here's my tag:

 I was very inspired by all the patriotic projects he's posted lately. I hadn't used these patriotic images so I thought it was the perfect chance to get them inky.

Here's a closer peek at it:

 I used the image of Lady Liberty & colored her with a mixture of Shabby Shutters & Broken China Distress Markers to create the look of oxidized patina. I also added Pumice Stone DM for shadows. I colored the little stars & painted them with a bit of Stardust Stickles.

 The bottom half of the tag:  I colored the flag with Faded Jeans & Barn Door DM. I fussy cut the USA image so I could use it as an embellishment. I wrapped some red, white, & blue twine around the letter U & the rest of the twine just fell into place on it's own. I really liked where it all landed so I carefully added a bit of Glossy Accents to hold it down.

For the background, I used a combo of Barn Door Distress Stain, Picket Fence Distress Paint, & Faded Jeans Distress Ink- and they all played nicely together like in T!m's tute.

I had so much fun making this tag & it has turned out to be one of my fave tags yet! *Ü*

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Tootles!

The 411
Stamps:Mini Blueprints 2, Life's Possibilities
Ink: Shabby Shutters, Broken China, Faded Jeans, Barn Door, Picket Fence, Pumice Stone, Vintage Photo, Archival Black
Paper: Strathmore Watercolor paper
Other: Stickles, Tiny Attacher, ribbon, tule, baker's twine

Tags of 2013-May

Hi friends,
I'm back to share my tag for this month.
Here's Tim's tag:

Here's mine:

I didn't have the Mona Lisa stamp so I used this one I had. The technique this month was using his remnant rubs but I don't really like using rub-ons so I don't really have much. After digging through my stash, I came upon some fun stitches. Those are the ones that frame the tag. There are 3 different types of stitches on the tag: running, zig zag, & whip stitch. Then I used my Distress Stains in Wild Honey, Broken China, Bundled Sage, & Fired Brick. (Although Wild Honey & Fired Brick seemed to overtake the others :(

Here's a closer peek:

 I added a foliage flower to her hair, a strip of filmstrip, & last- the word band. Embracing imperfection is hard to do but something that I find myself having to do all the time. Mainly because I've learned to just let things go.
I really wish more of the blues & greens would have come across on my tag, but it is what it is & I'll embrace imperfection *Ü*

That's it for now. Thanks for peeking!
Tootles!

The 411
stamps:  Woman in Repose- Rubber Stampede, City Central-SA, Paris & London-SA
ink: Distress Stains: wild honey, broken china, bundled sage, fired brick  Distress Inks: Vintage Photo, broken china, Archival jet black
Other: word bands, film strip, foliage, tiny attacher, rub-ons (stitches- K&Co)

12 Tags of 2013- April

Hi ya friends,
Today I'm sharing my tag for this month. I'm so happeeeee that I haven't missed any for this year!
Here's Tim's tag:

Here's mine:

 I was very excited to play with T!m's Distress Paints & his technique for April's tag. Mine didn't marbleize as nicely as his, so I'm going to have to practice some more. I didn't have the stamp set he used so I subbed the dragonfly for the butterflies.

Here's a closer peek:

 OMG! Do you see that?! I actually used tissue tape DECORATIVELY for once!!! Lol! The butterflies were stamped on the clear sheet & then I added some Stickles on top.

Stamps used:
The butterflies came from the Mini-blueprints 2 stamp set
Skyline from City Central Stamp set
Clock from Life's Possibilities Stamp set

I have so much fun getting artsy with the tags each month. It's so freeing to create for the sake of creating. But it's not a smooth process for me- here's how it usually goes...
      I start off stressed out when I see I don't have the particular stamps or embellishments T!m uses. Ugh... Then I look at the technique for the tag & doubt it will come out ok...I tell myself to use what I have & give the technique a try. BE OPEN!!! I completely emerse myself in the process and get artsy! Then I'm usually surprised at how much I like the final result. LOL! Yup, I'm a whackadoodle *Ü*

Thanks for peeking today!
Tootles!

Tags of 2013- March

Hi ya friends,
It totally slipped my mind that it was daylight savings time so I felt robbed of an hour today. Thankfully, I spent the weekend with T!m at the Stamp show in Carson. I did quite a bit of damage at the Ranger/Stamper's Anonymous booth... but I am a mere mortal around T!m's stamps, dies, & inks- oh my! I picked up a few Distress Stains, some stamp sets, & the new Distress paints. They all look so colorful & preeetty on my shelf. So, I got to work on this month's tag and let me tell ya I had SO much fun with it!
     When I saw the tinsel ribbon technique, I was not too thrilled about it & I hesitantly did it- but the results were sooooo cool! I should know by now to trust T!m, right?
Here's my tag:

 I didn't have his bunny die, but I did have a Cheery Lynn one so that's the one I used. I also didn't have his grass die, but I have an old Sizzix one that did the trick. I also substituted the Labels Nine die & the Ribbon Banners.
Here's a closer peek at the tinsel ribbon technique along with the painted floral pins:

Unfortunately, this picture does not do it justice. I used a combo of blue & green ink on the bunny. This is probably one of my favorite tags so far! It's fun, full of dimension, & just squeals "Spring is Here!"

Thanks so much for popping in today. Hope you have a great week!
Tootles!

Tags of 2013- February

Hi there friends,
I haven't had much time for crafting, and honestly, I haven't had much mojo to work with. I guess I better start 'splaining....
It all started back in January with a lock down at my school. There was a report of a possible shooting attack so we were on lock down for 6 hours. That rattled the nerves, but the situation was handled and everything was OK.
Then 2 weeks ago, my family & I went to Big Bear for our annual snowboarding trip. To make a LOOONG story shorter, while we were in our loft, we received a phone call telling us the sheriffs were waiting for us outside the door. Someone reported seeing Christopher Dorner in our loft! We were to come out hands up, with IDs ready. So my husband, sons, & their friends (who were there with us) came out to meet nearly a dozen sheriffs, with assault rifles pointed directly at us. I had a million & one thoughts in my head at that moment! Some were of concern for our safety & others just straight stupid stuff!!! Here's an example of the stupid stuff: While we were coming out of the loft, hands up (& no shoes on in the snow by the way), there were helicopters flying above us. What came to my mind was "OMG, my students are going to see me on the news!!! How embarrassing! plus I look a HOT MESS!" Then I look down & notice I'm wearing my "Keep Calm & Kill Zombies" T-shirt in honor of the return of the Walking Dead tv show that night. So I thought, "Why did I wear THIS shirt with "KILL" in huge letters!!!---> stoops, right?! Well, after they went in & checked everything out, we were released & allowed to go back in. Needless to say, we packed up our stuff & flew off the mountain! I wish I could tell you I embellished this detail or that, but this is exactly what happened. So you may be asking:
Question: "why would you go to Big Bear knowing there's a crazy on the loose?"
Ans: We called the resort ahead of time & asked if it WAS safe & they assured us it was. In fact, they said, they were scaling back on police because they didn't think he was still in the area.
Question: How did the boys respond or feel about the frightening situation?
Ans: They complained all the way home about how it was the worst vacation ever since they didn't get to snowboard or do anything else---> since we left early" Forget the fact that we were all safe & unharmed! Ugh...teenagers!
So that's been my January & February :(  I hope March brings me the luck of the Irish because I need some! So that's why my crafty mojo hasn't been around lately....
Before we left for Big Bear, I did get to play along for Tim's Tag for this month. Once again, I didn't have much of the supplies he used, so I had to use what I had & substitute.
Here's my tag:

I didn't have Tim's Queen of Hearts blueprint image stamp, but I remembered I had a similar one from SU.
Here's a closer peek:

I did the same techniques of watercolor as Tim. I did draw the "blueprint" lines to match his *Ü*

I don't know how I have so MUCH of his stuff & yet, I don't have anything when it's time to create his tags??? Ah well, I'll keep subbing til I get lucky...

Thanks for peeking today. Hope to get back on the crafty horse soon!
Tootles!

Tags of 2013- January

Hello friends,
I'm back to share my tag for:

 Yaaaay!
I was so excited to see his new tag & even more excited that I actually HAD most of the supplies he used! (for once!) With T!m's tags, I usually have to make my own version because I usually don't have everything he uses. So I had fun "being like T!m."

Above is T!m's tag & here's mine:

I didn't have the pointing stamp, so I used a ticket stamp instead. But hey, lookie here:

It DOES have a pointing finger on it so I guess it counts, right Ü

Well, some habits are hard to break, so I had to make a version "If I didn't have T!m things" but keeping with the same techniques & layout.

Here's Version 2:

 I decided to go wintery & instead of gears, add snowflakes. I used the same techniques for the background but used different colors. I also used the filmstrip & added snow cap paint to remove some of the dark patina. The foliage that holds the sentiment also got a coat of snow cap paint as did the mini-clip that holds the ticket & post card oval.

Here's a peek at the sentiment:

 It got a coat of crackle accents to give it the look of frost or ice. This is a sentiment from T!m's line & it happens to be one of my favorites Ü

Here are my January tags of 2013!

I hope I'm better about completing T!m's tags in 2013 than I was in 2012 (since I only got 3 months done :(  It's fun!

Thanks so much for peeking!
Have a goodie!

Tag- I'm it for April

Hi ya friends,
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood... a beautiful day cuz I'm on vacation, Spring vacation! Yes, finally a few extra moments for lovely crafternoons.
 Today I'm sharing my April tag for:

 The challenge this month was stamping on embossing folders & then inking away. I have loads of T!m supplies---> except for what he uses for his tags! Ugh... well, I used what I do have & gave it my little spin.
Here's my tag:

I have to say, I felt a bit squeamish about stamping on my precious embossing folder with permanent ink, but I trusted T!m, & I went for it (with a folder I happen to have an extra of ;) but just as T!m said, it all came right off with the stamp cleaner. I won't doubt you again T!m. I think the technique & the results are pretty cool!

The deets:
I stamped the Leafy Branch CB EF with SU Weathered Background stamp with black Archival Ink. Then I used Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, & Wild Honey Distress Inks & blended them on the tag with my Inkssentials blending tool.With that technique it looks like the crackle/distressing is behind the leaves. It kinda looks like vines climbing up a wall.  cool :)

Then I die cut the tree (Marianne Designs) & embossed it with Vintage Photo embossing powder & the leaves with some green powder I had since I didn't have Peeled Paint. I was not too happy with the green color so I tried to fix it by adding Peeled Paint Stickles. The fence, grass, & bird are MS punches. I added "April 2012" to the ticket & tucked it behind the fence. To finish, I added some scrap bits of two-tone ribbon that happen to match tumbled glass & peeled paint to the top of the tag.

I've had a lot of fun with each tag & technique so far! Can't wait for the next one :) By the way, I have also been taking part in T!m's Creative Chemistry 101 classes & had several a-ha moments! He really is a master of his craft.

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

Tim Time

Hi ya friends!
I know... long time no blog :(  just been a busy little teacher. But this weekend, I got to spend some time at a Stamp in the Hand show & had so much fun! I luuuv going to this particular show cuz it's local,  low key, and not overly crowded either :) So Saturday I went with my Grammy. She likes to see all the beautiful card samples the different companies have to offer (she says my cards are prettier hee hee!) & to do some make & takes. She especially likes the make & take from Heartfelt Creations cuz it usually involves some ginormous flower. Lol!
Here's my Grammy (on our previous visit) using a stylus to shape & bend the petals.

Go Grammy, Go! Remember she's almost 85 years old and she can hold her own! HC was not there this time & Grammy was sad :( no ginormous flower for her this time...
But this guy was there both days:

That's T!m signing his new book for me :) Lookie!:

Ahhhhh! I will stay curious T!m! I'm sure he says that to all the girls ;)

Here's a pic of the 2 tags he's created for the 12 Tags of 2012 so far:

They are just as amazing in person as they look on the computer.

Which brings me to the topic of this lengthy post today!
Here's my tag using the Honey comb die cut technique:

I die cut the apples out of red honey comb paper & adhered them to a green apple cardstock base.
Here's a closer peek:

I am so smitten with these! Can you say Luuuuuv?!

To the bottom edge, I added some hanging mini paper clips from T!m's line. The alphabet & calendar are stickers from the Lost & Found Salvage sticker set. The tag was created with Graphic 45 papers called An ABC Primer.

I wanted to take both this tag & the mosaic tile tag I created

 to see if he would sign them, but I chickened out :( If I took them, that would mean he'd have to see them & that would be waaaay too embarrassing! Ah well.

Things are simmering down a bit, so hopefully I can come back & share some St. Patty's day goodies since that's around the corner.

Thanks so much for peeking!
Have a great week!

Tag- I'm it!

Hola Friends,
Every year, I look forward with anticipation for T!m Holtz' 12 Tags of Christmas! And every year I buy all the supplies & do... nothing :( as in: nada, nichts, rien, nashi, niente, ingentin, ei mitään ;)
 It's mainly cuz I'm rushing to get my Christmas cards done, so when T!m announced his

I squealed with delight! Yes! Now I might actually be able to join in the fun :) Ok, so I missed February, but I'm good this month! This month's technique is to create a Mini Tiled Mosaic, so that's what I have to share today.
Here's March's Tag:

 When I was a little girl, I loved making mosaics. I would cut up little bits of construction paper, draw a picture outline, & glue all those bits in the picture. I specifically remember making one for my grammy of her cockatiel, Paco. He is the inspiration for my tag.

Here's a closer peek at the larger bird:

Here's the smaller bird:

I started out with a tag to which I stamped the background with the SU stamp En Francais in Memento London Fog. I inked the edges with my Inkssentials blending tool. I used the 2 birdies from the Spellbinder's Bird Sanctuary dies. I didn't have the embossing powder T!m used so I just used silver then added Glossy Accents to the paper pieces to create the look of tile. (Which it really does look like IRL!!! :) The Swirly element is a Cheery Lynn die called Fanciful Flourish. I colored the leaves with YG11 for subtleness. (I didn't want the leaves to stand out). I added some fabric trim to the bottom along with a ticket with "March '12". The ticket comes from the Playful Journey stamp set from T!m's collection. I plan on using that stamp in the same way for the rest of the tags. To finish, I wrapped some sheer ribbon & a bit of pearl strand colored in E42 Copic (since it was white) to the top.
I'll be playing along in the following challenges:
Die-ing for a Challenge: Anything goes
Stamping For The Weekend: BINGO Ribbon, Lace, Diecuts
Do You Stack Up: #61 Things with Wings

Hope you like my version of T!m's tag. I had lots of fun working on it :)
I am playing catch up on February's tag. That one is in production ;)
Hasta Luego!