K.I.S.S. anniversary card

While I love the multi-layered cards, I also love simplicity. This was definitely a quickie, using the Michael's $1 "{heart} happy anniversary" stamp by Kolette Hall and more of my Dutch Girl papers by Cosmo Cricket, on true thyme colored cardstock, finished off with bargain hemp twine from Hobby Lobby. Since it's Friday, be sure to K.I.S.S., that is keep it simple, sweetie! --Kelly

It's my anniversary....

...on splitcoaststampers, that is. One year ago, I discovered this gold mine of a website for inspiration, sharing, and ideas. I love it. PLUS, it is my one week anniversary for starting this blog, dedicated to my little hobby that I've been crazy about for several years. Here's my story of how I got hooked.

Long ago, I met a new friend, Gwen, who had relocated to my area and was a successful demonstrator for D.O.T.S. (Dozens of Terrific Stamps). Gwen wasn't sure she wanted to get her business going again after the move and considered joining me in my business. I saw her incredible art and how amazingly talented she was at card making. Gwen's beautiful paper creations were so enjoyable to look at. I convinced her that she'd be crazy to give it up, then hosted a huge soiree to get her stamping gig kick-started again. Her business took off from there, and Gwen became THE stamping goddess in the area.

For a time, Gwen had even recruited my sister as a D.O.T.S. demonstrator while my brother-in-law was specializing to become an endodontist. All the while, my passion for card making grew. Gwen moved away and my life got hectic, and my stamps and supplies were tucked away collecting dust. Some time later, Stampin' Up emerged, and I rediscovered the art, found out that D.O.T.S. became Close to My Heart, and Gwen had moved away again.

Now my passion for stamping is as strong as ever, my stash of stamps and supplies have multiplied exponentially, and the possibilities and ideas are limitless. I love my little hobby and hope to be able to share the fruits of my labors with money others, as he or she opens a card and smiles, knowing it was hand made and one of a kind. Today's creation is for a friend of mine, "just because," as the Simple Sayings II sentiment implies. See my Just Because Dutch Girl card on SCS for details if you'd like. Thanks for checking out my new blog! Happy anniversaries!

My first Sketch Challenge

Today I've completed a sketch challenge, my first one on SCS. It was my third challenge of the week and I'm having fun with it. It's like a little homework assignment to improve in your card making art. I like that I've used papers and stamps that I've been wanting to, but haven't. This card was using more of my Dutch Girl paper kit, and a stamp from Delight in Life and the cherish stamp is from a little boxed set by Nostalgiques, the Attic Collection. I always keep any random buttons that I come across or that come as extras with clothes, and I nabbed this red one from my surplus stash. I'm off to lunch with Carol now.

"If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much."

Having spent a year and a half living in The Netherlands, I learned this cute phrase from the wonderful Dutch people, who tend to have millions of cute little expressions, "doe maar net alsof je thuis bent," "klein maar fijn," and so forth. When I saw this new 2007 Cosmo Cricket designer paper, it was truly love at first sight, with the paper kit titled Dutch Girl. The luscious prints remind me so much of Holland, that I had to buy some. There was a challenge on SCS that I wanted to try using this layout, by a contributor who goes by HB. Take a look at her card, and see what inspired me. She's got some other gorgeous creations to look at. I needed a hiatus from working on my taxes, and this card was such a nice break to create.