Hi all! I'm here today to share some simple all occasion cards you can make easily for those special occasions that always pop up when you need a card lickety split. These are fast, easy, beautiful, use no adhesive, and are flat for mailing too! And I'll admit, I totally "craft-lifted" this idea from my designer friend, Crystal O. Minkler and paired it with a couple of my favorite floral stamps from the Unity Stamp Company.

I originally made all of these cards for a crafty friend in my state, who is donating them to a local place that helps caregivers and patients with dementia. And I'm honored to contribute. But I loved them so much, I had to make myself some Birthday and Thank you cards to have on hand too!

How I made these cards:
1. For both sets of cards I started with 8.5x11" 110lb white cardstock, cut in half, then fold those halves, which create two A2 cards per sheet. 
2. Masked off the top and bottom areas with purple tape.
3. Inked up the center area with Distress Oxide ink with a blending brush. 4. Let sit a few minutes and removed the purple tape.
5. Stamped each card with a gorgeous floral stamp and a good black ink. I love Catherine Poolers Midnight or Versafine Onyx black as my top favs. 
6. And completed each card with a matching colored sentiment. And of course you can add some bling, a dab of glitter glue, or sequins/gems too! But I kept these beauties bling free, for true CAS (clean and simple) cards. 
​
Easy peasy and oh so pleasing, right!?! And if you change the sentiment these lovely cards can be for almost any occasion! Or change from florals to boats, lighthouses, classic cars/trucks, or airplanes and these would be great for Father's Day, coming up Sunday, June 16th too!

I'm playing along in the AAA Cards Birthday Bash Challenge and you can too! Click the pic above or the links below and see all the great sponsors donating prizes that you'll want to know how to win.
Here are the details:

1. Enter a CAS card into AAA Cards birthday themed challenge using the link up at the bottom of their post "here" - 8 prizes!

2. Enter their Treasure Hunt. Details "here" halfway down their post.

3. facebook - (Join their group, if you're not already a member) like and leave a comment on the birthday post to be entered into a random draw -
1 prize.

4. Like, comment & follow them on instagram to be entered into a random draw - 1 prize.

5. And on their post "here" leave a comment on the challenge blog and get the list to comment on each of the 7- DT blogs too!
A random draw will be made from each blog - 9 prizes.

And that makes 20 ways to win!!!
Happy Birthday AAA Cards!!!
​Thanks for stopping by and get hopping! ~ Kim

Challenges:
AAA Cards CAS Game #141 - Our 5th Birthday Bash
Allsorts Challenge Week 522 - Black and White plus One
LTSCB #122 - No Rulz 3
LTCCB #35 - June Anything Goes
​
​
Supplies {affil}: Unity Stamps: You are Forever Beautiful floral, Grow in Grace (birthday stamp); Poinsettia With Love (thank you stamp); Papertrey Inks-110lb white cardstock; Purple Tape; Misti stamping Tool; Distress Oxide Inks; Picket Fence Studio-Life Changing Blending Brushes; and Catherine Pooler Midnight black ink and NO adhesive!

Welcome to our June Friends of Unity Blog Hop where several amazing designer friends and myself share our love (and obsessions) of all things Unity Stamps every month and share lots of GIVEAWAYS too!!! Scroll down to enter. Now get ready for some amazing inspiration!!!
​​
​But before I get started...check back to all of our May Blog Hops to see if you are one of the many Winners and claim your prizes!  Kelsey T. is a Winner here at My Kraft Kloset, for May 2019!  Congratulations!!! 

Our theme for this months Blog Hop is...Wedding!!!

I too am a June bride as my hubby and I celebrate our 24th Anniversary this month too!!! WHOOOHOO!!! So, I took my inspiration from our wedding with a white gown, some lace, wild flowers, and being outdoors. And I wanted to show you how a few other Unity stamps can be for weddings too!

My first card represents everlasting love to the happy couple. Did you know swans mate for life? They do. For this card I mixed two stamp sets together to create this beautiful scene. I also incorporated some of my wedding colors and added our initials to one of the trees. Can you spot them? This set is great for Weddings, Anniversary, Valentines, Birthday, friendship, and many occasions!
​
<Click on the smaller pictures below for a detailed tutorial>

My second card is for the bride. I was thinking for her bridal shower. I kept it simple with a white wash of ink on her dress and another stamp for wedding lace. They go beautifully together for many other occasions too!

​My final card is for the happy couple and representing a beautiful colorful wedding cake with that background stamp again for some wedding lace. 
​
<Click on the smaller pictures below for a detailed tutorial>

Voila! You too can make wedding cards! Unity Stamps has only a few true wedding stamp sets, but as you can see here and throughout our hop, there are so many sets that can certainly be used for a wedding or bridal shower too! ​I hope I've inspired you to mix and match your stamps in new and creative ways. ​​The possibilities are endless! ​ 

Happy 24th Anniversary, honey!!!  
Thanks everybody for stopping by! ~Kim

Pssst! Are you still with me???
​There are several GIVEAWAYS along the way, but you have to Blog Hop below to find them all. ​Here is one of them now...​​

To enter this GIVEAWAY use the Rafflecopter box below. 
The more boxes you check the greater your chances.
The information you provide is confidential, but I need a way to
​contact you if you win, either via email or private messaging.
One winner will be selected randomly at each giveaway and 
announced ​in our next Blog Hop on July 6, 2019. ​
Good luck!!!

==> The HOP starts below <==
so go back to the beginning & hop with all these talented 
Friends of Unity Designers 
for even more Inspiration, Giveaways,
and to leave us some love in comments to win! 

Crystal O. Minkler
Eileen Mathys
Bobbie Sue McConathy
Dawn Fields
Jeanie M. Hays
Robyn Jordan
Kim Klinkovsky <= you are here, go to the top & start hopping

Disclaimer: We designers on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get. That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway. We are NOT paid or sponsored by Unity Stamp Co., but they do approve of our hop, and that makes us all very happy. We started this hop because we love Unity Stamps. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite Unity Stamps and to inspire others along the way!


​Challenges:
LTCCB #35 - June Anything Goes
HLS June Watercolour Challenge-Anything Goes + Love (swan card)
Color Throwdown #545 (wedding cake card)
Little Red Wagon Challenge #499-Upcyle/Recycle (I used scraps of cardstock, vellum scraps, and ribbon scraps)
WWC223 - Anything Goes Challenge
Simon Says Wed Challenge: Anything Goes
Repeat Impressions Anything Goes Challenge ~ M2219
Simon Says Mon Challenge: Frame It (bridal shower card)


Supplies {affils}: 
​(Swan card) Unity Stamps: Grow in Grace Sentiment Stamp Kit (On Sale this weekend) and So & So Loves (background trees);  Papertrey Ink Cardstock: 110lb white, light blue, and vellum;  MISTI Stamping Tool; Spectrum Noir alcohol markers; Catherine Pooler Midnight ink; Versamark Clear ink; Ranger Distress Ink-Vintage Photo, Ranger Distress Oxide Ink-Faded Jeans, Ranger Embossing Powder-Sunflower; Marvy Uchida Heat Tool, Picket Fence Studio-Life Changing Brushes; Ranger Orange Peel Stickles; and Scor-Tape 1/4"
​​
(Bridal Shower card) Unity Stamps: Happy Girls, Pretty Girls; Brutus Monroe/Unity: Lace background stamp; and the sentiment is from Grow in Grace Sentiment Stamp Kit (On Sale this weekend), and Rectangle Scalloped {border stamps};  MISTI Stamping Tool; Papertrey Ink Cardstock: kraft and black; Versamark Clear ink; Ranger Embossing Powder-Clear and Seafoam White; Marvy Uchida Heat Tool; Catherine Pooler Midnight ink; Gina K Designs-white pigment ink; H2O brush; Big Shot die cutting machine; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Rectangle die; Adhesive Pearls@Micheals; and Scor-Tape 1/4"

(Wedding Cake card) Unity Stamps: Blissful Birthday and Brutus Monroe/Unity: Lace background stamp; MISTI Stamping Tool; Papertrey Ink Cardstock: kraft, white, and black; Catherine Pooler Midnight ink; Versamark Clear ink; Ranger Embossing Powder-Seafoam White; Marvy Uchida Heat Tool; Spectrum Noir alcohol markers; Ranger Orange Peel Stickles; Adhesive Glitter Enamel Dots and Satin Ribbon@Micheals; and Scor-Tape 1/4"

*
Click ​the pink button below and never miss an announcement, 
Blog Hops, Challenges, Giveaways, Craft Tutorials, & so much more! 
*
​​See more inspiration on these social media networks: 
  Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blogger | Bloglovin

​Hi all! Whew! What a month! So many of us crafters just finished up an intense couple weeks of making coffee projects for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop to enter to win over 85 crafty prizes up for grabs. They only do this twice a year and it’s super HUGE and so much fun! I submitted 8 projects and I recognized several of you on the winners list and I won too! It’s super fun to enter challenges and it’s even more fun to win! Right? Who won and what did you win? Share with us in comments!

I love to challenge myself to use different products, different techniques, or just make myself finish a project that same day, which can be a challenge for me sometimes, because I’m easily distracted or I procrastinate. (lol)
​
I have a whole list of challenge sites I like to enter, just click the tab “challenges” at the top of my website and you will see. Some have prizes and others it's just nice to get recognition. Click on the picture and it will take you to their challenge page. I’m always adding new ones, so if you have a favorite challenge site that I don't have listed, just let me know in the comments, and I’ll check it out and get it added. And I hope you give challenges a try too!

Most of my coffee projects were added over on my Instagram page, where you can see more inspiration, but this card was one of my  favorites. It has my favorite morning drink, plus it got mailed to my daughter last week, so I can finally share it here and do a quick tutorial too! It's a great stamp for many occasions from Mother's Day, Birthdays, Anniversary, Wedding, Graduation, Thank You and more!

I colored my image with just a few alcohol markers (colors listed below) and cut it out with a stitched oval die using a die cutting machine. It was too stark, so I inked the edges with distress ink using a fabulous blending brush and adhered to a hot pink piece of cardstock and set aside.

This was a big image and I wanted to use it all. So, I folded a piece of 8.5x11” kraft cardstock in half and trimmed it down to approx. 5.5 x 7" as the finished card base. Adhered a piece of soft green polka dot patterned paper down to the card base. Then adhered the coffee image panel to the green panel. Stamped a sweet sentiment and added three colors of bakers twine to complete this beauty. Isn't she pretty??? I can't wait to try different color combos!

I hope I've inspired you to try printing/coloring digital stamps. Some of of my current favorites are Stamplorations, Polka Dot Orchards, and Graciellie Designs! She has digital sets/paper on her site and red rubber stamps sets over on Unity Stamps site. Go check them out! Some good deals are happening this holiday weekend too!

Challenges:
STAMPlorations Never-ending Anything Goes Challenge
Brown Sugar Challenge #290 May 2019-flowers
Addicted to Stamps: Challenge #342-Make your Mark (I used Markers)
Three Amigos Blog Hop Challenges - Food and/or Drink!
LTSCB #121 - Anything Goes
HLS May Anything Goes with Dies Challenge
LTCCB #34 - May Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon Challenge 498 - Flower Frenzy!
WWC222 - Helen's "All About Occasions" Challenge (Mother's Day)
The Paper Girls Challenge #176 - Your Favorite Drink! (coffee)
Simon Says Wed Challenge: Bright Colors Inspiration Moodboard
Repeat Impressions Anything Goes Challenge ~ M2219
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper May 2019 Challenge
Challenge #29 "National Brown Bag-It Day" with Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch Challenge (I used kraft cardstock, sort of followed the sketch, and used strawberry colors)
​Try Stampin' On Tue Challenge 410 - Ends June 9th

Supplies {affil}: Stamplorations digital stamp; CAS-ual Fridays Stamps-Heartfelt Sayings sentiment stamp (use code "KIMSENTME" to save 15% off total purchase); Spectrum Noir alcohol markers (TB4, TB6, TB3, PP5, DR3, PP1, CG4, CG2, FS3, TN3); American Crafts white and hot pink cardstock, and Bakers Twine; Papertrey Ink kraft cardstock; Patterned Paper is a scrap, sorry no name. I'd guess Reverse Confetti or Simple Stories; Big Shot machine; Gina Marie Designs stitched oval die; Ranger Distress Ink-vintage photo; Picket Fence Studio-Life Changing Brushes; and Scor-Tape.

{Affilate Programs (affil) means no extra cost or upcharge to you, but if you click on them and visit their page or make a purchase, I receive a small commission that contributes to my family and this blog. I appreciate your clicks, purchases and support! }

Hello and welcome to the Spring Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!
This is a HUGE Blog Hop that starts today and runs through May 10, 2019 and is dedicated to Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa Loving Papercrafters! And CAS-ual Fridays Stamps is proud to be a Super Sponsor, which means a BIG prize, and there are over 80 prizes to be won, and SO much daily caffeinated inspiration for an entire week!!!

​Do you love Coffee, Tea, or Hot Cocoa and crafts? Then this Blog Hop is for you...with over 80 Craft Sponsored Prizes up for grabs. It's HUGE! And it's ONLY done twice a year! ​So join the fun...leave comments along the way...and link up your NEW coffee/tea/cocoa projects!
​
Click link for ALL the Details: Coffee Loving Cardmakers Spring/Summer Blog Hop

​​​SO MANY GIVEAWAYS UP FOR GRABS!!!
All you have to do is create a card, tag, or craft project using the theme coffee, tea, or cocoa for spring/summer and go to their page "here" to be entered to win, scroll down their page to the bottom where the "link up" button to add your projects to be entered.
Enter as many new projects as you want, but must link to be eligible and tag them #springsummer2019clh or us #casfridays #casfridaysstamps if you our Super Sponsor CAS-ual Fridays Stamps products too!

Welcome to our May Friends of Unity Blog Hop where several amazing designer friends and myself share our love (and obsessions) of all things Unity Stamps every month and share lots of GIVEAWAYS too!!! Scroll down to enter. Now get ready for some amazing inspiration!!!
​
​But before I get started...check back to all of our April Blog Hops to see if you are one of the many Winners and claim your prizes!  Denise Sayers is a Winner here at My Kraft Kloset, for April 2019!  Congratulations!!! 

Our theme for this months Blog Hop is...Fruitful!!!

So I took my inspiration from "producing much fruit."  But other things are "fruitful" too, which makes these monthly themes SO much fun. Because they really do stretch our imaginations and creativity to design something totally different from each other. We hope you join us and post your "fruitful" creations to the Unity Show & Tell Facebook page too! We'd love to see them and see where your creativity takes you!

Berry Background Card:
Today I'm going to show you how to take one stamp set and use it a couple different ways to really be "fruitful and abundant" with your stamps to create many cards and stretch your budget too.  Like this berry patch background I created on my card project below...

​(clean & simple) CAS Berries Card:
For my next project I used the same stamp set as above, but in a more clean and simple way. Which means more "white space" (or green space in this case) and less busy by using less embellishments.

​Berry Border Card:
And for my final card I used a brand new border stamp a couple different ways from simple to more detailed. And the looks are amazingly different.​

And there you have my "fruitful" projects that are so sweet & lovely
for Mother's Day (May 12th), Graduation, Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, and many more occasions! 
​I hope I've inspired you to try your stamps in new and creative ways. 
The possibilities are endless! ​ 

Happy 11th Birthday Unity Stamp Co!!!
You have brought so much joy into our lives over the years!
And have introduced us to a creative community that surrounds itself with kindness and support of one another!
We thank you and "cheer" you on for another 11 years!!!

Thanks for stopping by!  ​Happy Spring!!!  ~Kim
​

​​Pssst! Are you still with me???
​There are several GIVEAWAYS along the way, but you have to Blog Hop below to find them all. ​Here is one of them now...​​

To enter this GIVEAWAY use the Rafflecopter box below. 
The more boxes you check the greater your chances.
The information you provide is confidential, but I need a way to
​contact you if you win, either via email or private/direct messaging.
One winner will be selected randomly at each giveaway and 
announced ​in our next Blog Hop on June 1, 2019. ​
Good luck!!!

==> The HOP starts below <==
so go back to the beginning & hop with all these talented 
Friends of Unity Designers 
for even more Inspiration, Giveaways,
and to leave us some love in comments to win! 

Crystal O. Minkler
Robyn Jordan
Kim Klinkovsky <= you are here
Bobbie Sue McConathy
Dawn Fields
Jeanie M. Hays
Eileen Mathys

Disclaimer: We designers on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get. That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway. We are NOT paid or sponsored by Unity Stamp Co., but they do approve of our hop, and that makes us all very happy. We started this hop because we love Unity Stamps. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite Unity Stamps and to inspire others along the way!
​
Supplies{Affils}: Unity Stamps & Products: Simple and Sweet stamp set, Strawberry Fields border backgrounds stamp, Every Single Day Sentiment Kit, Circle Scalloped {border stamps}, and Gina K Designs-White Pigment Ink; a MISTI Stamping Tool; Spectrum Noir alcohol markers; Neenah white cardstock for alcohol markers; Papertrey Ink 110lb white card stock and kraft cardstock; American Crafts red and green cardstock, A/C 1Canoe2 water color pencils, and A/C gingham red ribbon; My Favorite Things-tiny checks 6x6 patterned paper; Catherine Pooler Midnight Black ink (great with alcohol markers/water coloring); Versamark Clear ink; Ranger Clear and Seafoam White Embossing Powder; Marvy Uchida Heat Tool; Sizzix Big Shot Machine; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle Die; 2" Circle Punch;  Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink- Candied Apple; Ranger Diamond Stickles glitter glue; Tim Holtz Ideology colored twine; HL Rose Ribbon or found at May Arts Ribbon; Doodlebug red doily; Glitter adhesive enamel dots; Scor-Tape 1/4"
​​
Challenges: great for creativity, inspiration, & using those supplies
Challenge #28 - Let the Troubles Begin!" A Double Trouble Dare w/Twist" (includes Thing 1: a Spring theme and Thing 2: a food-strawberries and cherries)
Three Amigos Blog Hop Challenges - Food and/or Drink!
LTSCB #121 - Anything Goes
LTCCB #34 - May Anything Goes
HLS May Watercolour Challenge
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper May 2019 challenge
WWC219 - Heidi's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge
Simon Says: Happy Birthday!
*
*
Check out these events going on this weekend too:
Unity Instagram Hop (inspiration/prizes)
Spring/Summer Coffee (tea/cocoa) Lovers Blog Hop
SCT International Scrapbook Day May 4 (inspiration/prizes)
Scrapbook.com has LOTS of deals, inspiration, and prizes all weekend

*
Click ​the pink button below and never miss an announcement, 
Blog Hops, Challenges, Giveaways, Craft Tutorials, & so much more! 
*
​​See more inspiration on these social media networks: 
  Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blogger | Bloglovin

Today's Project: Easter Egg Shaker Card
​I cut a white piece of cardstock 4.5x12" and folded in half to be 4.5x6." Then cut a 4x6" piece of plaid patterned paper and adhered to the card base. And took a 4x6" piece of yellow cardstock and cut an oval shape hole in the center with an egg shape die cut and a Big Shot machine. And set a side.

Next I taped down a NEW stencil on white cardstock with some purple tape (like masking tape, but less tacky) and added some color with a blending tool. And trimmed down a little larger than the oval shape opening to about 4x4.5"

When I was at a craft Expo last year I came across these clear shaker bags for cards and thought that was a genius way to contain our sequins and remain flat enough for mailing. Because we usually use foam tape and it's very bulky.

So, I took a clear bag, filled it with pretty spring colored sequins, sealed the top closed and adhered to the back side of the yellow cardstock at the top and bottom that we already cut out the opening previously. Then adhered the stencil panel to this yellow panel, and adhered the whole piece to the card base.

The cut out of the egg shape was a little wider than the clear shaker bag, so I covered that up by adhering these pretty flowers all the way around it. (our little secret) And added glitter enamel dots to the centers for more sparkle. Pretty, right?

To finish up this card I stamped a sweet sentiment in black on green cardstock, trimmed it down, cut the the end with scissors to create a banner and adhered to card, tucked under the flower.  So sweet and versatile for Easter, Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation, New Baby or any special occasion! I hope I've inspired you to use your die cuts and stencils in new and creative ways. And check out these clear shaker bags too! The possibilities are endless!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Easter! ~Kim & family


CAS-ual Fridays products used today:

Hi ya'll!!! I am SO honored and excited to announce that I have been published as a "Gallery Girl" in the new Spring 2019 issue of Retro Hip Magazine with one of my vintage masculine truck cards!!! So let's celebrate my 10th publication with a GIVEAWAY below too!!! I hope you go check it out in a printed copy or get the digital issue right now "here."

Get your copy now and see 92 pages of inspiration, pattern papers to print and use on your projects, bonus downloads, tips, techniques, the card gallery and so much more!

And with Retro Hip Mama's approval, here is my card below to share with you all!!! I made it for one of my twin son's birthday, as he LOVES classic cars and trucks, cruising in the Spring or Summer, and he just loved this card. And I'm so honored to share it with you all too!!! Go check it out "here" in the Retro Hip Magazine Spring 2019 issue in the card gallery section on page 71, where I used Unity Stamps!

And to celebrate...I'm having a GIVEAWAY, of course!!!
To enter this GIVEAWAY use the Rafflecopter box below. 
The more boxes you check the greater your chances.
The information you provide is confidential, but I need a way to
​contact you if you win, either via email or private/direct messaging.
One winner will be selected randomly and announced ​next week!
Good luck!!!

Challenges:
Challenge #337 - Make Your Mark (I used markers and inks)
Three Amigos Blog Hop Challenge #25 - Springtime!
LTSCB #120 - Male Call
LTCCB #33 - April Anything Goes
HLS April Watercolour Challenge
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper April 2019 challenge

Thank you for stopping by! ~Kim
*
Click ​the pink button below and never miss an announcement, 
Blog Hops, Challenges, Giveaways, Craft Tutorials, & so much more! 
*
​​See more inspiration on these social media networks: 
  Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blogger | Bloglovin

Welcome to our Friends of Unity Blog Hop where several amazing designer friends and myself share our love (and obsessions) of Unity Stamps with all of you every month and share lots of GIVEAWAYS too!!! Get ready for some amazing inspiration as we pull out all the stops!!!

​But before I get started...check back to all of our March Blog Hops to see if you are one of the many Winners and claim your prizes! 
Congratulations!!! 
Meghan Kennihan 
she is our Winner here at My Kraft Kloset, for March 2019!!! 
Thank you all for participating!!!

​Our theme for this months Blog Hop is...Rainy Days!!!
Which means to me: April showers, bring May flowers. And it's starting to green up and bloom here in the South. And where there is rain, sometimes there are rainbows, which was the inspiration for my project this month. I wanted "Harmony Girl" to appear like she's strong and confident, dancing in the puddles, and she's coming through the storm into the big bright happy rainbow of life. 

I had to be creative, as I wanted to create a "rainy" effect to my card and I achieved that by using a few "new to me" techniques and products and mixing stamp sets I hadn't used before either.  ​As shown on my "Harmony Girl" card below...

Today's project...
I started with a 5x7 white card base, because this girl is tall and I wanted the background to show too! And inked the card base with a few distress oxide inks in blues and purple by dragging the ink pads from the top to the bottom of the card stock, spritz with water, let it run a bit, and added ink back on where needed. And when it dried it was too light, as it oxidized, so I dragged some regular distress inks in two blues to darken it up to look more stormy.

Tip: if you use water color card stock, your paper won't buckle. I just grabbed what was handy to use it up and it did curl a little, but I put a heavy book on it and it flattened out. 

Next I blended several colors of Distress Oxides inks in a ROYGBIV color sequence across a piece of white card stock to create a rainbow using these amazing blending brushes. So great when you're using a lot of colors, just brush it off on a paper towel between colors, and continued blending away with no contamination of colors. Love them!!
​
And then I trimmed down the rainbow panel.​​

​Using my MISTI stamp tool, I placed the rainbow panel down with a piece of purple tape folded behind it, to hold the panel in place, because you can't use the magnets from the MISTI for this project.

Then inked up this "new to me" Dance with Denim background stamp with clear ink and stamped directly over the rainbow panel and leave stamp in MISTI.

Carefully take the panel out of the MISTI and sprinkle with clear embossing powder all over it and heat set. This created my "rainy" effect. Can you see it???

Next I placed an edger die across the bottom of the rainbow panel and put a piece of purple tape down to hold the die in place and cut out with a Big Shot machine to create a rounded edge at the bottom.

​I Stamped this "new to me" Harmony Girl in black ink compatible with alcohol markers and colored her with the colors shown above. I wanted her to have girly colors. Isn't she pretty and feminine?  She is one of the many "Angiegirls" that I love to color up for friends and family!
​
Next I blended some Distress oxide inks around her to create a stormy look with the blending brush. Added a touch of watered down white ink around her and blended it in a circular motion a little at a time. Let it dry a little and went back and blended a little more to get that "cloudy" coming through the storm effect. Cool, right?

Once dry, I placed her in the MISTI with a piece of purple tape folded behind her, to hold her in place, again using no magnets. Then inked up the "dance with denim" background stamp again, that we left in the MISTI from before, and inked up with clear ink and stamped directly over the Harmony Girl panel.
Then carefully took her out of the MISTI and sprinkled clear embossing powder all over and heat set. This created a "rainy" look all over her too. Can you see it? 

Tip: If you don't have clear embossing powder or these tools or stamps to create this "rain" effect, you could use Ranger Goosebumps Spray to create a similar effect too! That was my original plan, until the denim background stamp worked perfectly! We are Always experimenting, right?

​Adhere Harmony Girl to the rainbow panel with liquid glue, because it's textured. Then adhere the whole piece onto my card base with liquid glue, because it's strong too! And I used my big heavy book again to press all these layers in place and flatten the card. Can you see all that "rain?"  I'm so pleased how it turned out!

​Next I stamped out the sentiment from the same kit in black ink. Blended some Distress oxide inks in a few bright colors, trim to fit, and adhered to card base with liquid glue. Tied a red piece of twine in a bow and added a few glitter "rain drops" for some sparkle to complete this strong willed girl, dancing in the rain, and coming through the storm. I just love her!

I hope I've inspired you to try "new to you" techniques or mix and match products in new and creative ways.  The possibilities are endless! 
​ Happy Spring!!!
Thanks for stopping by! ~Kim

​Pssst! There are several GIVEAWAYS along the way, but you have to Blog Hop below to find them all. ​Here is one of them now...​​

To enter this GIVEAWAY use the Rafflecopter box below. 
The more boxes you check the greater your chances.
The information you provide is confidential, but I need a way to
​contact you if you win, either via email or private/direct messaging.
One winner will be selected randomly at each giveaway and 
announced ​in our next Blog Hop on May 4, 2019. ​
Good luck!!!

==> The HOP starts below <==
so go back to the beginning & hop with all these talented 
Friends of Unity Designers 
for even more Inspiration, Giveaways,
and to leave us some love in comments to win! 

Crystal O. Minkler
Eileen Mathys
Jeanie M. Hays
Bobbie Sue McConathy
Dawn Fields
Joyce Verdon
Kim Klinkovsky <= you are here
Robyn Jordan 

Disclaimer: We designers on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get. That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway. We are NOT paid or sponsored by Unity Stamp Co., but they do approve of our hop, and that makes us all very happy. We started this hop because we love Unity Stamps. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite Unity Stamps and to inspire others along the way!
​
Supplies{Affils}: Unity Stamps & Products: Harmony Girl and Dance with Denim background stamp by Brutus Monroe (as the rain) and Gina K Designs-White Pigment Ink; a MISTI Stamping Tool; Spectrum Noir alcohol markers; Neenah white cardstock for alcohol markers; Papertrey Ink white card stock; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Versamark Clear ink; Ranger Clear Embossing Powder; Marvy Uchida Heat Tool; Sizzix Big Shot Machine; Reverse Confetti-Edgers Confetti Cuts die; Picket Fence Studios-Life Changing Blender Brushes; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks: ROYGBIV (the rainbow colors): Candied Apple, Spiced Marmalade, Scattered Straw, Lucky Clover, Faded Jeans, Mermaid Lagoon, Wilted Violet, Seedless Preserves; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Faded Jeans and Chipped Sapphire; Ranger Mr. Mister water spritzer; Tim Holtz Ideology colored twine; glitter adhesive enamel dots; Purple Tape; and Beacon 3 to 1 liquid adhesive.
​
Challenges:
Challenge #289 April 2019 (spring theme)
WWC215 - Donna's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge
LTCCB #33 - April Anything Goes
Three Amigos Blog Hop Challenge #25 - Springtime!
HLS April Watercolour Challenge
​

*
Click ​the pink button below and never miss an announcement, 
Blog Hops, Challenges, Giveaways, Craft Tutorials, & so much more! 
*
​​See more inspiration on these social media networks: 
  Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blogger | Bloglovin

Today's Project: Just Breathe Fri Die & Tin Roof Cover Fri Die
Cut a piece of 8.5x11" smooth white cardstock in half. Blended Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in Weathered Wood and Scattered Straw and created an awesome ombre water color effect with a blending brush. And used the other half of the cardstock to blend a section, a little larger than A2 size, with just the Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pine Needles Ink and spritzed with water for an oxidation water color effect. It looks almost teal. It's so pretty!

Once dry I placed the new "Tin Roof Cover Fri Die" over the newly blended Pine Needles cardstock and ran through my Big Shot Machine. Adhered the cover die with a clear liquid glue over the ombre piece of cardstock and glued them together. Then adhered the whole panel to an A2 white cardstock base, not shown. Pretty, right? I love how this cover die looks like little flowers all over.  ​It's just stunning for so many projects!

​Hi everybody!!! I hope you're enjoying our amazing *NEW* Spring Release from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps this week who are debuting 6 new Fri-Dies, including two Cover Dies, and 5 new stencils, designed in Colorado and made in the USA!!!  Are you loving all the projects???  Well today is sure to inspire you too!!!  ​​

Today's Project: Trellis Cover Fri Die & Sweet Friend Fri Dies
I started with an 8.5x11" piece of smooth white cardstock, cut it in half, chose a few coordinating Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink colors, and created an awesome ombre effect with a blending brush. 

Then placed the new "Trellis Cover Fri Die" over the newly blended ombre cardstock, ran through my Big Shot Machine, and keep all the cut out parts. And adhered to the front piece of A2 black cardstock base with clear glue and gluing two rows of cut outs back into the cover die spaces. I love how it looks like a bunch of spring flowers in a row.

Next place the new "Sweet Friend Fri Die" over a scrap piece of ombre cardstock and run through the Big Shot machine. And cover the words with Stickles glitter glue to make it really sparkle and don't forget to sparkle the dot for the letter "i" too, it's tiny,  and set aside to dry.

While that's drying, cut a strip of yellow cardstock and cut the ends with scissors to create banners. Once the "sweet friend" words are dry, adhere them to the yellow banner with clear glue, and adhere to card panel. The sparkles are hard to photograph, but they are a sparkly orange like above.
 
And that completes my card for today that was created with no stamping. Sometimes it's fun just to play with die cutting. And these are so versatile for a birthday, graduation, encouragement, thinking of you, Easter or Spring cards and so many occasions! ​
​
Happy Shopping at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps => "here"

Thanks for stopping by & have a great week! ~Kim

Happy Monday everybody!!! It's an amazing  *NEW*  Spring Release from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps who are debuting 6 new Fri-Dies and 5 new stencils, designed in Colorado and made in the USA!!! Did you LOVE yesterday???  Well...today is sure to inspire you too!!!  

​AH-MAZING, Right??? Which one is your favorite???
Tell us below...we LOVE comments!!!

Check back daily everyday thru Sat on the 
CAS-ual Fridays Blog => "here"
for daily inspiration from our wonderfully talented
Design Team showcasing these wonderful new products.
And enter to WIN one of two BIG GIVEAWAYS!

Are you still with me??? Yay!!! 

Onto Today's Project: Stencils & Noteworthy Fri Die
I started with our awesome Noteworthy border Fri Die and my Big Shot machine to cut down each side of a piece of plaid patterned paper and adhered to a green cardstock base. 

Then I adhered this beautiful Starlequin Stencil onto a piece of white cardstock with purple tape. It's like masking tape, but not as tacky and more gentle on your project. And using a Picket Fence blending brush I inked up the stencil with Distress Oxide ink and blended around the edges. And spritz with water for some oxidation/contrast. Trimmed to fit and adhered to card panel. 

​Next I stamped this darling sentiment onto green cardstock in black ink, trimmed the edges into banner shapes with scissors, colored the cute little hearts red, and adhered to card. Added several sequins for some sparkle to complete this lovely card that's great for so many occasions.
​
Happy Shopping at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps => "here"

Thanks for stopping by & have a great week! ~Kim
​

Happy Sunday everybody!!! I'm so excited to share this amazing  *NEW*  Spring Release from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps who are debuting 6 new Fri-Dies and 5 new stencils, designed in Colorado and made in the USA!!!

​AH-MAZING, Right??? Which one is your favorite???
Tell us below...we LOVE comments!!!

Check back daily everyday thru Sat on the 
CAS-ual Fridays Blog
for daily inspiration from our wonderfully talented
Design Team showcasing these wonderful new products.
And enter to WIN a GIVEAWAY too!
​

Still with me??? Yay!!! Onto today's projects...
Gift Card Holders or Treat Holders with Huggable Critters

I started with the Huggable Critters Fri Die set that includes an egg shape body, feet, ears, tails and more. AND a coordinating stamp set that includes faces, whiskers, feet, and paws too! It's just darling. You will have tons of fun creating with these. I did! The possibilities are endless. ​

​​I used colored cardstock and cut out all the "egg shaped" body parts, "feet" and "hand" parts with a Big Shot. And die cut from plaid patterned paper for the ears, tails, and paws.  It was very fun to mix and match solids and prints. But I do suggest you make one body at a time, so you don't lose or mix up body parts. It is easy to do! (lol) And since I was making several, I made little piles of the die cuts until I was ready to glue.​

I'm a big fan of recycling, reusing, and re-purposing. And today I'm using paper towel holders cut in half as my holders. Or your local big box craft store sells these rolls brand new too. I kept these rather simple, as all my cuteness will be on the front.

I cut patterned paper in 4x6" strips and adhered around the paper towel roll and added a piece of ribbon with adhesive. To keep the bottom closed I fold in the ends and pinched it in a little. Or you can add a sticker, an eyelet, brad, or even a staple would work to keep the bottom closed if your going to fill it with treats. But a gift card should be fine with or without anything on the bottom.

Next I added a strip of good bonding adhesive down the back of the holder and adhered a huggable critter and filled with gift cards. Aren't these adorable???  Now you too can make puppies, kitties, bunnies, and there is a bear in the set too! So versatile for Easter, Birthdays, Graduations, Baby cards/showers, and more.
​My kids are going to flip when they see this darling critters and yours will too!!! Happy Shopping at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "here."

Happy Spring & Thanks for stopping by! ~Kim 

Challenges:
HLS March Anything Goes with Dies Challenge
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #333 - Holiday -(Easter)
LTSCB #119 - Anything Goes
LTCCB #32 - March Anything Goes
Simon Says Wed Challenge: Cute
Repeat Impressions-Tic-Tac-Toe-Challenge-M1319- (paper piecing, green, birthday)
Simon Says Mon Challenge: Miniature/Tiny Things
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper March 2019 challenge


Supplies: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps and Fri Dies: Huggable Critters set; American Crafts pastel/brights cardstock and ribbon; HL or May Arts rose ribbon; My Favorite Things 6x6 petite plaid patterned paper; Big Shot Machine; Versafine Onyx Black ink; Ranger Diamond Stickles glitter glue; Beacon 3 and 1 clear glue; Scor-tape 1/2"; and paper towel holders.

Happy 1st Day of Spring! I know many of you are still dealing with snow, ice, flood waters, tornado aftermath, and then some. It's been a rough winter and our thoughts and prayers are with you all.  Here in the south we are drying out from record breaking rainfall and more rain to come, but things are starting to bloom around here too! Yay! And our biggest reason for us to celebrate is our daughter's birthday is today too!!! 

How I made this Spring Birthday card...
I'm so happy I can finally share this purple beauty I made for my daughters birthday! I started with an A2 (4.25x5.5") purple cardstock base, because purple is her favorite color. And using my Big Shot I cut a banner from one of my favorite banner/fishtale dies in this lovely green patterned paper and adhered to card base. Using my MISTI stamp tool I positioned and centered the sentiment right where I wanted it. Inked the sentiment with clear ink, sprinkled with white embossing powder, and heat set. ​It's from one of my favorite sentiment stamp kits listed below. 

Using my MISTI stamping tool again, I stamped a frame in purple a couple times until I got a good solid purple color on water color card stock. Then I stamped this gorgeous Angiegirl Violet image with Gina K Amalgam black ink, it's my favorite and works with ALL coloring mediums. I centered her inside the fame with my MISTI to line her up perfectly. She just exudes Spring, doesn't she? And she's versatile for many occasions, weddings, new mother, mother's day, and more.  I just love her! 

And this time I colored in this beautiful girl with water color pencils. I've been anxious to try them out. I added a touch of color to the outer lines of my Violet girl and used a Q-tip dabbed in a touch of water to smooth out the color and work it around the image, adding more color with a pencil as needed, smoothing again, until I liked her. And I did the same to create her background too with a little misting of water to make it blend. Adhered to the card panel. Added this stunning purple rose ribbon to the top and lots of purple adhesive gems to make her sparkle. I just love her and the roses in her hair too! Isn't she pretty??? She's my new favorite stamp!

Welcome to our Friends of Unity Blog Hop where several amazing designer friends and myself share our love (and obsessions) of Unity Stamps with all of you every month and share lots of GIVEAWAYS too!!! Get ready for some amazing inspiration as we pull out all the stops!!!
​
​But before I get started...check back to all of our February Blog Hops to see if you are one of the many Winners and claim your prizes!  Amanda Rhodes is the Winner here at My Kraft Kloset, Feb. 2019 prize!!! Congratulations!!! 

Our theme for this months Blog Hop is...Creativity!!!
Which could mean anything. Right?  So it got me really thinking.  What new thing could I create?  What products haven't I used?  Or what techniques haven't I tried?  So, I decided to use "new to me" products and techniques by combining two different foiling techniques with NO laminator and paper piecing to give you lots of tips too! 
​As shown on my "Poppy Girl" card below...

It usually takes me a while to warm up to trends, because I like versatile products I can use over an over again or reinvent them for other purposes or occasions. And trends usually come and go so quickly, but foiling has actually been around for a long time and is very elegant and shiny.

Today's project was inspired my inability to find my laminator. (lol)  As I moved a while back and my laminator is still packed somewhere in my craft room and I can't find it, and I refuse to buy a new one.  But I wanted to try this new trend, so I needed to find new ways to foil without a laminator.  And after putting my thinking cap on and watching lots of videos,  I came up with two ways that worked pretty good with products I already had. 

I started my project with an A2 card base in 110lb blue cardstock. Then I inked up this amazing brick wall stamp in the glue pad, add more from the refill to make it nice and sticky, and stamped on a piece of white cardstock. Next I took a piece of red foil, pretty side up or color up, and laid it directly over the stamped image. Smoothing it down gently with my fingers or hand. Then I took a bone folder and gently pressed the foil into the glue. Removed the foil to reveal all magic...with no laminator. Trim image and adhere to a black cardstock mat or frame and adhere to card. Foil is hard to photograph, but you can see all that shimmer!!!

​Next I chose this sentiment because it reminded me that our creative vibes  inspire others in this great big crafty world and because of Unity, we've become our own tribe. Which I thought fit our theme perfectly!

​I inked up the sentiment with black ink and stamped on white cardstock. Using a Big Shot Machine I cut it out with a stitched framed rectangle die. And this time, I used a glue pen and went over the word "tribe" and let it set for a few minutes,  to get tacky to the touch. Then took the same red foil, color side up, and laid it directly over the word. Smoothing it down gently with my fingers. Then I took a bone folder and gently pressed the foil into the glue. Removed the foil to see all this glorious red shimmer. But the word "tribe" looked kind of bloby and hard to read, so I went over it with a black alcohol marker.  It's stunning, isn't it?  And set aside.

​I chose "Poppy Girl" because I had not had the opportunity to ink her up yet and I just love all the poppies. It reminds me of Spring and with all the rain we've been getting in the south, that spring flowers blooming are just around the corner.

I stamped her on Neenah alcohol marker friendly white cardstock with Amalgam black ink. It's my go to ink for coloring with alcohol, water coloring, or using Gamsol blending spirits. One stop ink for all mediums. I stamped her twice, in case I messed up. And I stamped parts of her on two different pieces of patterned paper scraps that will be her clothes and fussy cut them out.

I colored the rest of poppy girl, the flowers, and a light outline in marker FS2 around the whole image with these alcohol marker colors shown above. I'm a big fan of using two markers from the same color family for coloring and shading. And gives a pretty good effect without using a lot of markers.

​Tips: I came across this 101 blog post "here" that does a great job helping you get started with alcohol markers and tips on coloring and shading. And if you do a search on their website there is a newer 102 post too with good information on coloring skin and hair and more. They talk about Copic alcohol markers, but some of it applies to Spectrum Noir alcohol markers too, which are what I used above. 

Then using the same glue pen I "paper pieced" her top and jeans in place. And it looks like one whole piece. Isn't that cool?  It reminded me of playing with paper dolls as a kid and now you can change your paper scraps and change her outfits. Fun, right??? The possibilities are endless and uses up a lot of your scraps!!! 

​I fussy cut poppy girl out by hand, but you could totally use a die cut, scan n' cut, or a silhouette with a pixscan to cut her out too. I also trimmed off the top of the sentiment, because it was too tall and colored around the edges with the same light alcohol marker to match the girl.  Adhered both pieces to the card panel. Added adhesive red gems and adhesive gold metallic embellishments. And added two different twines to complete this super shiny stunning card, that required NO heat laminator, and is great for any occasion. 

Tips: I used two different glues in different ways with colored heat reactive foil. The background was with a glue ink pad and the sentiment used a glue pen. Things we all probably have in our stash of supplies. Right???

I tried several different foils and not all foils seem to work this way or I'm just not patient enough, as it needs be sticky to stick, and it may take some practice. I also don't know the differences between all the different foils on the market, so they may not all work equally with this technique.

I can only share what products I used and We R Memory Keepers foil worked the best with both the glue pad and the glue pen. The Gina K Designs/Thermoweb colored foils also worked. But I didn't have any luck getting the Minc foils to work, but I think because they are a toner reactive foil and not a heat reactive foil. But I'm not sure, as I didn't use heat. Try what you have and see how creative you can be.

Disclaimer: These are my personal experiences and nothing against any of these brands/products, as they are originally intended for a heated laminator. 
​
Here is another look at Poppy Girl in all her shimmery glory!

I hope I've inspired you to try different trends and "new to you" techniques or products in new and creative ways.
 The possibilities are endless! 
​ Happy Spring!!!
Thanks for stopping by! ~Kim

​Pssst! There are a few GIVEAWAYS along the way, but you have to Blog Hop below to find them all. ​Here is one of them now...​​

To enter this GIVEAWAY use the Rafflecopter box below. 
The more boxes you check the greater your chances.
The information you provide is confidential, but I need a way to
​contact you if you win, either via email or social media messaging.
One winner will be selected randomly at each giveaway and 
announced ​in our next Blog Hop on April 6, 2019. ​
Good luck!!!

==> The HOP starts below with Crystal <==
so go back to the beginning & hop with all these talented 
Friends of Unity Designers 
for even more Inspiration, Giveaways,
and to leave us some love in comments to win! 

Crystal O. Minkler
Joyce Verdon
Eileen Mathys
Jeanie M. Hays
Bobbie Sue McConathy
Kim Klinkovsky <= you are here
Robyn Jordan
Dawn Fields

Disclaimer: We designers on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get. That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway. We are NOT paid or sponsored by Unity Stamp Co., but they do approve of our hop, and that makes us all very happy. We started this hop because we love Unity Stamps. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite Unity Stamps and to inspire others along the way!
​
Supplies{Affils}: Unity Stamps & Products: Poppy Girl, Hit the Brick (wall) by Brutus Monroe, Vibes and Tribes, and Gina K Designs Amalgam black ink;  a MISTI Stamping Tool; We R Memory Keepers-colored foil sheet set; Tsukineko-The Essential Glue Pad Kit; Zig two way glue pen; Fiskars Bone Folder; Spectrum Noir alcohol markers; Neenah white cardstock for alcohol markers; BoBunny-Double Dot 6 x 6 Paper Pad-Very Vintage patterend paper; Papertrey Ink blue cardstock base; American Crafts black cardstock and white; Sizzix Big Shot Machine; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Rectangle Frames; Tim Holtz Red Scissors; Adhesive gems and metallic embellishments @Michaels; American Crafts natural twine and bakers twine; and Scor-Tape ½".

​
Challenges:
Week 509 - Seasons - what's your favourite? (My Season is Spring flowers)
MIUCB #23 - Anything Goes + Inked Background (I inked up a glue pad to add foil to my background)
LTSCB #119 - Anything Goes
LTCCB #32 - March Anything Goes
Color Throwdown #532
Little Red Wagon # 486 - LOVE it! (I loved these techniques and stamps)
Simon Says Wed Challenge: Anything Goes
Repeat Impressions Anything Goes Challenge ~ F2719
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper March 2019 challenge

*
Click ​the pink button below and never miss an announcement, 
Blog Hops, Challenges, Giveaways, Craft Tutorials, & so much more! 
*
​​see more inspiration on these social media networks: 
  Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blogger | Bloglovin

Happy February everybody!!! Welcome to our Friends of Unity Blog Hop where several amazing designer friends and myself share our love (and obsessions) of Unity Stamps with all of you every month and have lots of GIVEAWAYS too!!! Get ready for some amazing inspiration as we honor "friendship" this month!!! 
​
​But before I get started...check back to our January Blog Hops to see if you are one of the many Winners and claim your prizes!  Congratulations!!! Karen Ladd is the Winner here at My Kraft Kloset Jan. 2019 prize!!!

​Our theme for this months Blog Hop is...Friendship!!!
Which is very special to me, as I've made a lot of amazing friends along my crafty adventures and I'm honored to know each and every one of you. You inspire me daily, we encourage, support, and cheer for one another too! Our craft world is the kindest place I've found to be apart of something online or in person that is so positive. You are all remarkable and talented people that I'm glad are in my life! And thanks to Unity for building such a wonderful community of inspiration, kindness and supportive followers that are truly amazing!

Today's project is inspired by the beauty of this new floral border stamp by the talented Angie Blom and combined with this meaningful sentiment by Graciellie Designs to create this amazing card honoring my many friendships in this big beautiful crafty club!

This card is a little bit bigger than I usually make, so it may require a special envelope or a handmade envelope. And possibly extra postage. I started with an 8.5" x 11" piece of quality sturdy cardstock, folded in half and trimmed off 2 3/4" off the length, to give you a 5.5" x 4.25" card base. Then I cut two vintage dot patterned papers 3" x 4.25" in pink and green and adhered to card base. One of my favorite color combos. 

Using a MISTI stamp tool, I stamped this stunning floral border stamp on water color cardstock in clear ink, carefully take out of the MISTI, sprinkle with gold embossing powder, and heat set.  Then tapping directly onto my Distress ink pads with a water brush and colored in the stamp image with just two colors. If you dab with a paper towel as you go, it drys a little and you can add more color to add dimension and shadows. Set aside to dry.

Once dry, adhere to black cardstock and trim a 1/4" border around all edges to create a frame and make those colors pop. ​Look at that sparkle...

Next stamp the sentiment with black ink onto smooth white cardstock, trim into a strip, fussy cut the ends into banners or you could use a punch or die cut, and adhere to floral panel with foam tape. Then adhere the whole image onto the card base.

Adhere floral ribbon to the top, add adhesive gems to the bottom, and added this sweet colorful foil butterfly sticker to the sentiment. I also, added liquid pearls in pink randomly, but as you can see, they dried kind of pointy. Not sure why, but I flattened them down with my bone folder and that seemed to help. 

Here's another look at all that shimmer...isn't she gorgeous in gold? 
​I'm just obsessed with this border stamp. It's so versatile for so many upcoming occasions like Mother's Day, Birthdays, Graduation, Wedding and more.  And to make it even sweeter...both the sentiment and the floral stamp are ON SALE this weekend!​!!

I hope I've inspired you to mix and match your stamps in new and different ways. And to play with embossing powder and water colors to see what you can create. The possibilities are endless! 
​ 
Happy Love & Friendship Month!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
~Kim

​
​Pssst! There are a few GIVEAWAYS along the way, but you have to Blog Hop below to find them all. ​Here is one of them now...​​

To enter this GIVEAWAY use the Rafflecopter box below. 
The more boxes you check the greater your chances.
The information you provide is confidential,
but I need some way to contact you if you win,
either via email or social media messaging.
One winner will be selected randomly at each giveaway and 
announced ​in our next Blog Hop in March 2, 2019. ​
Good luck!!!
​

==> The HOP starts below with Crystal <==
so go back to the beginning & hop with all these talented 
Friends of Unity Designers 
for even more Inspiration, Giveaways,
and leave us some love in comments to win! 

Crystal O. Minkler
Dawn Fields
Joyce Verdon
Kim Klinkovsky <= you are here
Bobbie Sue McConathy
Eileen Mathys

Disclaimer: We designers on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get. That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway. We are NOT paid or sponsored by Unity Stamp Co., but they do approve of our hop, and that makes us all very happy. We started this hop because we love Unity Stamps. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite Unity Stamps and to inspire others along the way!
​
Supplies {Affils}: Unity Stamps & Products: Delectable {border backgrounds} and Here's to Love & Friends; a MISTI Stamping Tool; Papertrey Ink Cardstock in white and black, 15% off thru Jan. 8th; Bo Bunny Double Dot Very Vintage 6x6 pad; Ranger Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock; Versamark Clear Ink; Ranger Gold Fine Detail embossing powder and Liquid Pearls in Ballerina Pink; Versafine Black Onyx on the sentiment; Marvy Uchida Heat Embossing Tool; Distress Ink: Picked Raspberry and Mowed Lawn; Water Brush Pen; Adhesive gems @Michaels;May Arts-rose ribbon; Butterfly Sticker sheet @Hobby Lobby; Scotch 3D Foam Tape; and Scor-Tape ½" ​on Sale @Papertrey thru Jan 8th.

​
Challenges:
PCC324: Tic Tac Toe Challenge-(Vintage (lace and roses), Valentines, and Texture with the gold heat embossing)
Simon Says Wed Challenge: Anything Goes
Repeat Impressions Anything Goes Challenge ~ J2319
Simon Says Mon Challenge: Love Is In The Air​

*
​Click ​the pink button below and never miss an announcement, 
Blog Hops, Challenges, Giveaways, Craft Tutorials, & so much more! 
*
​​see more inspiration on these social media networks: 
  Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Blogger | Bloglovin

​Hi everybody! This week I'm still working on a few Valentine cards and today I'm sharing a pretty easy, but colorful card with some of my favorite CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. They have this darling ballerina stamp that is so versatile for so many occasions and the matching die is a card makers dream.  Also, this amazing swoosh stamp I used in the background for a monochromatic look and a super fun banner stamp with a matching die too!

​The 2019 Stamp & Scrapbook Expo dates for the ultimate craft show in paper crafting and stamping, for the public, have been announced and are all listed below. If you are a card maker, scrapbooker, paper crafter, mixed media artist, jewelry maker, a stamper, or any kind of paper artist, then you don't want to miss this show. Each one is different and they are all amazing! 

See below...when they are coming to a city near you. You can go for the day, or take a road trip, go for the whole weekend and book early and get hotel discounts, and join the fun! And if you don't see a city near you, don't fret, plan a trip or mention it on their website or social media and make recommendations. They are always looking for new venues to add every year.

I've attended several shows over the years and have received some super products, shopping deals, great classes, giveaways, amazing make and takes, and the whole experience is fantastic. Enjoy learning some great new techniques, meet wonderful instructors, get LOTS of inspiration, and take home TONS of fabulous products given to each class participant too! 

I suggest signing up for your cities newsletter and get the scoop, notice of early registration, coupons, deals, vendor list, hotel discounts, and more. And stay in the know, because classes do sell out within the first hour of pre-registration. And hotels book up fast. 

Also, the Expo offers paid volunteer positions to help at the shows in booths or in classes to assist instructors, so check your cities website or join your cities Facebook group for more info and stay up to date. 

Meet and shop at your favorite craft manufacturer's, meet designers, see new products, learn new techniques, take amazing classes, join a crop, make new crafty friends, make LOTS of projects, and so much more! Grab your crafty friends and family, take a road trip, go for the day, or book a hotel and have a girls weekend, and get to a Scrapbook Expo. 

I do not work for the Expo, but that would be amazing someday, these are just my personal opinions and experiences, because it is a fabulous show. You will not regret it. It's an amazing experience! ~Kim

Happy New Year!!! And welcome to our Friends of Unity Blog Hop where several amazing designers and myself share our love (and obsession) of Unity Stamps with all of you + Lots of GIVEAWAYS!!! Get ready for some amazing inspiration as we "celebrate" a New Year!!! 
​
​But before I get started...check back to our December Blog Hops and see if you are one of the many Winners and claim your prizes!  
​Rhonda Rushing is the Winner here at My Kraft Kloset's Dec. 2018 prize. Congratulations!!!

Our theme for this months Blog Hop is...New Year! And I'm celebrating you!!! To thank you for your support and for following my crafty adventures. And I can't wait to be even more inspired by you in 2019!

What does a New Year mean to you? To me it means a fresh start, new beginnings, learning new things, and usually getting more organized. ​​​I wish you all a happy, healthy, and crafty New Year!

​
​For tutorial and more details click Read More ==>

May this find you happy, healthy, and crafty this holiday season and always!
I thank you for following me, your friendship, laughing with me, inspiring me,  and supporting my crafty adventures.
And I have more to come in 2019...so do follow along...
you don't want to miss it!

From Our House To Yours...
​Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
~Kim & family @ My Kraft Kloset

​Supplies: Holly Berry Company Stamp-poinsettia; Ken Oliver Color Bursts; Ranger Ink Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Liquid Pearl drops, and Diamond Stickles glitter glue; DCWV Gold metallic cardstock; Spellbinders Square frame die cuts; and Unity Stamp Co-inside sentiment stamp w/Colorbox Green Chives Chalk Ink; and Vistaprint.com card printing, envelopes, and matching return address labels.

​
Challenges:
Repeat Impressions Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge ~ D1218 (patterned paper, heat embossing, winter holidays)
Lil Red Wagon Challenge #477 ~ All Things Christmas
CASology Challenge Week 324: HOLLY
The Holly&Ivy Challenge # 42 - Anything Christmas Goes
HOLIDAY SEASON CHALLENGE (ALL SEASONS)
ABC Christmas Challenge: Y and Z are for? ("Y" for Your favorite thing, which is heat embossing)
HLS December Anything Goes with Dies Challenge
52CCT December - Pick a Previous 2017 Challenge-(Combo CCT18 - September 2017

​ONLY 9 days until Christmas! You still have time to make this CAS, clean and simple, yet elegant metallic beauty that has no layers you could whip up in no time and is flat for mailing too! While foil is all the rage these days, I couldn't for the life of me find my laminator, it's still in a box some where from my move last year! Crazy right? I know! I may just have to buy a new one...unless I'm on Santa's good list and he's heard my frustrations...I mean wishes! (lol)

Anyhoo...In the mean time I found an alternative. I had a stack of metallic foiled cardstock in my stash of paper and wondered if you could heat emboss on it.  Well, you can, BUT...do it quickly or it will burn or warp your paper. As I had some trial and errors before getting a few perfect ones.

Who LOVES the Nutcracker??? This girl right here does. I could listen to this story over and over again! And for many years I've introduced my kids to different versions of the Nutcracker presented by professional ballet troops, city ballets, or local dance groups. They are all priceless family holiday memories.

So I was inspired to create this sugar plum fairy card with these amazing CAS-ual Fridays Stamps to honor our family traditions. Isn't she pretty?  She is great for a holiday card, but also a thank you card, or even a wintery birthday card too! So fun!

Happy December!  Do you love Coffee, Tea, or Hot Cocoa and crafts? Then this Blog Hop is for you...with 87 Craft Sponsored Prizes up for grabs. It's HUGE! And it's ONLY done twice a year! ​So join the fun...

Click link for ALL the Details:
"Coffee Loving Cardmakers Fall/Winter Blog Hop"

​​​SO MANY GIVEAWAYS UP FOR GRABS!!!
AND
Scroll down to enter my Giveaway too!!!

For tutorial and more details click Read More ==>

Welcome to our Friends of Unity Blog Hop where several amazing designers and myself share our love (and obsession) of Unity Stamps with all of you + GIVEAWAYS!!! Get ready for lots of inspiration as we say "thank you" for following us, leaving kind words, and supporting our crafty adventures as we celebrate our 1 year Anniversary as a group Hop too!
​
​But before I get started...check back to our November Blog Hops and see if you are one of the many Winners and claim your prizes! Becca Y. is the Winner at My Kraft Kloset's Nov prize. Congratulations!!!

Our theme for this months Blog Hop is...Thank You! 
​Which was instilled in me by my mother at an early age to always give thanks. And I've made sure my 4 children do too! As we always hand write "thank you" notes to thank friends and family that gave us gifts over the holiday season or anytime of year.
​And an added bonus is it's another excuse to use your holiday stamps and pretty papers one more time before you put them away. This month I was inspired by the outdoors and patterned papers, as shown in my cards below...

This month I kept my cards simple, but similar styles and designs,  so I could make a bunch of them. And I just love love love this moose! He's going to be great for so many occasions. Did I mention, we have obsessions? Well this is one of mine and a few other peoples, I hear! (lol)

To re-create this wonderful card I started with an A2 piece of kraft cardstock as my base. I used a scrap piece of patterned paper from my stash for my background that had horizontal stripes that resembled a forest. And using my MISTI stamp tool I lined up the trees (from the Northwoods set) in the middle and inked them up with a couple distress ink green colors and stamped the patterned paper. Then I stamped the sentiment (from Abundant Blessings kit) with clear ink directly onto the patterned paper, sprinkled with white embossing powder, and heat set. And adhered to card base. 

Tip: The MISTI stamp tool eliminates your need for lots of acrylic blocks in different sizes. You just need this ONE tool! And allows you to line up all your stamps and sentiments to stamp perfectly every time. Or re-ink with ease. 

Next I stamped this majestic moose with clear ink onto kraft cardstock, sprinkled with brown embossing powder, and heat set. Inked around the image with Distress ink in brown. Then die cut the image out, adhered to card panel, and trimmed the edge. And added a rustic piece of twine to complete this woodland card that was leftover from another project.

And I can totally see using this stamp set for Father's day, Sympathy cards,  or for any of my three sons birthday cards too! Amazing, right?

For my next card I want to show you how to stretch your holiday stamps and holiday paper to use for other occasions too!

I am MAD for plaid and Michaels had packs of cards/envelope sets with this plaid already printed on them. Easy, right? They were 5x7", so I trimmed it down to an A2 size and used as my card base. They are kind of thin, so I also added an extra piece of white cardstock inside to make them sturdy.

Then I stamped these stunning reindeer with clear ink directly onto the plaid card base, sprinkled with gold embossing powder, and heat set. Next I stamped the sentiment (from the Abundant Blessings kit) in clear ink on white card stock, sprinkled with gold embossing powder, and heat set. And repeated for a second sentiment. Then die cut the sentiment out, adhered to card base, and trimmed the edge. And added adhesive gems to complete this elegant card that expresses how truly Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed I am for all of you in my life! Thank you for your support!
​
I hope I've inspired you to use your holiday stamps and patterned papers in new ways for other occasions and see what you can create. The possibilities are endless! 

Welcome to our Friends of Unity Blog Hop where several amazing designers and myself share our love (and obsession) of Unity Stamps with all of you + GIVEAWAYS!!! Get ready for lots of inspiration coming your way today. I just LOVE this time of year!!! 
​
​But before I get started...check back to our October Blog Hop and see if you are one of the many Winners and claim your prizes! You don't want to miss out!  And in the USA don't forget to set your clocks back 1hr tonight!

Our theme for this months Blog Hop is...Strength! 
​Which can be interpreted many different ways. I was inspired by the many craft friendships I've made, such strong women supporting one another, and the beautiful uplifting sentiments I drew strength from, as shown in my card below...

​For tutorial and more details click Read More ==>