Did I scare you, or simply enchant you? We monkeys are not only a crafty bunch, but also magical and enchanting, don't you know? We release the inner (flying!) monkeys at Halloween, so the holiday is special to .... ahem ... us.
Monday, September 16, 2013
An Enchanting Halloween Card
Boo!
Did I scare you, or simply enchant you? We monkeys are not only a crafty bunch, but also magical and enchanting, don't you know? We release the inner (flying!) monkeys at Halloween, so the holiday is special to .... ahem ... us.
I made this Halloween card using a file I modified from the Silhouette Online store. The original file is for a pop-up greeting card of some sort, but I just wanted the neat subway-art-looking "Trick Or Treat To You" framed and set upon some neon papers. I fussy cut the witch, bumpkin and ghost (and the bat, at left) from Bo Bunny Halloween paper and highlighted each icon with mesh.
Did I scare you, or simply enchant you? We monkeys are not only a crafty bunch, but also magical and enchanting, don't you know? We release the inner (flying!) monkeys at Halloween, so the holiday is special to .... ahem ... us.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Cat in the Hat and other tall tales ... of BLING!
If you're here for the IT'S ALL ABOUT BABIES BLOG HOP, CLICK HERE
But ... hmmmm... why should glitter be reserved just for lovely brides? How about for those of us baseball fanatics who want to show our team enthusiasm in style?! Here's what I made -- not just for the hop, but to actually wear:
This hat got its test run last week, when I wore it to a Sunday home game of the Philadelphia Phillies versus the Atlanta Braves. The whole family went as part of my birthday celebration -- hubby John and I, daughter Emily and her (Braves fan) hubby, Josh, and of course, my 2.5 year old granddaughter, Charlotte.
John was a bit -- shall we say -- chagrined to see his hat looking rather ... ummm, attractive ... and he actually tried to pay me $20 not to wear it. Twenty bucks!? He could do better than that! Besides, I LIKE it! :) And it DID attract a lot of attention, and all of it good.
For instance, we walked in the main gate and headed to our box seats when we were stopped by representatives of the Phillies front office. As it turns out, at every Sunday home game, they randomly select nine (just 9!) children from the attendees to be what they call the "Starting 9." Would we allow Charlotte to be one of the nine?
The selected children (and no parents or grandparents!) would be escorted into the press room before the game where they'd meet all of the starting Phillies and the mascot, the Phillies Phanatic.
They'd then be escorted to the field -- of a major league game! -- and stand with their assigned player at his position for the national anthem.
Here's Charlotte, at home plate at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia:
Charlotte was assigned to be at home plate with starting catcher Erik Kratz. After the anthem, the player autographed a team ball for each of the kids, and they each were returned to their seats, star-struck!
OH, and their picture and name went up in lights on the HUGE Jumbotron!
... and it was all because of the HAT, imagine THAT! (Okay, and it helped to have a cute kid with me.)
I hope you've enjoyed the story of my blinged-out Phillies cap. I plan to bring you many more ideas for using the fantastic products of The Buckle Boutique. Watch this space and have fun with me!
DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,
Other than having a place to chit-chat and show off my creative endeavors, having a blog and being active in social media has allowed me to meet the absolute nicest people in the world. People I'd never have a chance to meet otherwise ... women who have expanded the horizon of friendship across the miles and smiles.
When one such wonderful women -- Shawn Mosch -- told me that she was picked to coordinate the design team for The Buckle Boutique, I knew I wanted to be "in"! Don't let the name fool you -- The Buckle Boutique offers SO MUCH more than buckles. They offer fantastic bridal trims, rhinestone sheets (including those you can cut with your Cricut!), rhinestone pins, iron-on rhinestone sheets ... if it blings, it's carried by TBB.
And today, The Buckle Boutique's Design Team is hosting a Bling Party!
What is a Bling Party? It is our way of showing you all of the different ways that you can use the products from The Buckle Boutique to add some sparkle to your crafting projects.
ONTO MY PROJECT:
When I was named to The Buckle Boutique's Design Team, I got a wonderful package of samples from the owner Cathie. In there was bridal trim that would make even the most shy bride sparkle on her special day ...But ... hmmmm... why should glitter be reserved just for lovely brides? How about for those of us baseball fanatics who want to show our team enthusiasm in style?! Here's what I made -- not just for the hop, but to actually wear:
This hat got its test run last week, when I wore it to a Sunday home game of the Philadelphia Phillies versus the Atlanta Braves. The whole family went as part of my birthday celebration -- hubby John and I, daughter Emily and her (Braves fan) hubby, Josh, and of course, my 2.5 year old granddaughter, Charlotte.
That's me with my (hatless!) daughter, Emily
For instance, we walked in the main gate and headed to our box seats when we were stopped by representatives of the Phillies front office. As it turns out, at every Sunday home game, they randomly select nine (just 9!) children from the attendees to be what they call the "Starting 9." Would we allow Charlotte to be one of the nine?
Charlotte with "her" ballgirl, Madeline
The Starting Nine
The selected children (and no parents or grandparents!) would be escorted into the press room before the game where they'd meet all of the starting Phillies and the mascot, the Phillies Phanatic. 
Here's Charlotte, at home plate at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia:
Charlotte was assigned to be at home plate with starting catcher Erik Kratz. After the anthem, the player autographed a team ball for each of the kids, and they each were returned to their seats, star-struck!
OH, and their picture and name went up in lights on the HUGE Jumbotron!
... and it was all because of the HAT, imagine THAT! (Okay, and it helped to have a cute kid with me.)
So now that you've found out how magical The Buckle Boutique's rhinestone trims can make your life too, why not try to win some to use on your next crafting project?
Simply enter our giveaway for
$25 store credit at The Buckle Boutique!
You'll find the Rafflecopter entry form on the next stop of this Bling Party, at
And don't forget to visit the blogs of my DT sistahs, Shawn and Lori to see how they've used the fabuloso TBB bling to make their projects more magical, too. Here are the links:
The Buckle Boutique’s Links Listing
The Buckle Boutique’s Website . . . click HERE
The Buckle Boutique Blog . . . . click HERE
Facebook Page . . . click HERE
Twitter Page . . . click HERE
Pinterest Page . . . click HERE
The Buckle Boutique Blog . . . . click HERE
Facebook Page . . . click HERE
Twitter Page . . . click HERE
Pinterest Page . . . click HERE
I hope you've enjoyed the story of my blinged-out Phillies cap. I plan to bring you many more ideas for using the fantastic products of The Buckle Boutique. Watch this space and have fun with me!
DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,
All Aboard the Babycakes Express! "It's All About Baby" Blog Hop, Sept. 14
It is my pleasure to participate in the It's All About Baby Blog Hop, hosted by Miranda at Nana's Scrap Spot. As I'm the last stop on this great event, I'll make this a "linger longer" sort of post to describe my project in depth.
I thought of this project when considering what to make for a monthly "scraps to treasures" blog hop. I'd recently emptied a cylindrical container that held Panko bread crumbs -- and if you're like me, you'll relate to this: I looked at that container and instantly thought, "What can I make from this?"
...and don't ask me WHY, but I thought of a train, using Close To My Heart's newest "Babycakes" line of paper. Here is the finished project:
Starting with the engine, I covered the clean can with a wrap of the dotted Babycakes B&T Duo. I trimmed it out with the zip-strips on the edge of the designer paper. I made the engineer's house just by guessing the measurements ("eyeballing"). I decided to make windows all the way around, and cut them out using an X-Acto knife. I lined the windows with scrap acetate, to give the structure body.
Here's a view of the front of the Engine:
I decided to make the "nose" of the Engine using rosettes that I stacked on top of the removable plastic can lid, leaving the can empty for a gift onesie for baby. If I was feeling really industrious, I'd design and make the matching onesie -- maybe later!
On the tip of the "nose", I put a beautiful rhinestone gem that I cut from some scraps from The Buckle Boutique. I'm newly appointed to The Buckle Boutique's first Design Team ... you can see my first post for them by clicking HERE. (It's a whole different project that I'm featuring today! Talk about industrious!! I've been BUSY!!)
I crafted the hinged roof over the engineer's house, punching the edge with a CTMH new scallop edge punch. (Love that thing!!)
TIP: Oh, let me give you a hint on the rosettes: Normally, I'd make these using hot glue to hold them securely. But this year, CTMH introduced Adhesive Dots that are super-duper strong and WAY easier to use for rosettes. Really! Try them!
The wheels are also made with rosettes, these cut from CTMH "Whisper" cardstock. The monkey hanging from the roof is from the "Wild Things" CTMH stamp set. I dubbed the train the "Babycakes Express" and set the little sign on my computer, trimming it and inking the edges in CTMH Exclusive Ink in Sunset color.
Moving on to the Cage Car:
This car was cut on my Silhouette Cameo using a file purchased from the Silhouette Online Store.
I had to manipulate the file a little bit -- and the Silhouette Designer Edition software makes this super-easy! -- to be the right size. Again, the wheels are rosettes cut from CTMH Whisper cardstock.
The adorable giraffes (love them!) are from the Cricut Create a Critter cartridge, cut in 7.5". I inked the edges of the giraffes, and also tied bows on their necks using yellow seam binding ribbon.
For the "box car", I further manipulated the file for the cage car (above) by running the Cameo's digital "eraser" through the horizontal center of the cage. I joined the sides together digitally, added the word CIRCUS, and dropped the flourishes onto the swirled top edges.
Pardon my pun (but I'm like that!), but since this is a "box car", that is what this car holds -- a dozen 1.75" cube boxes that can hold candy or other baby gifts like socks, gift cards, binkies, etc. The back of the car has intentionally off-center stacked layers under a sign that says "It's about to get Wild Around Here!" I tied some giraffe-stained ribbon to the sign. It's wild!
The only other detail that I want to show you is how I opted to link the rail cars together. I cut apart a CTMH "Base and Bling" Necklace to use the discs to be attracted to magnets I put on the railcar perimeter. Nifty, huh?
BACK to the BUSINESS of the BLOG HOP:
If you care to comment on my post here, and also choose to become a follower of my blog, I'll put you in the running for my delicious BLOG CANDY! You see, writing this post in this yummy brown color has gotten me thinking about ... CHOCOLATE! And I have an extra Close To My Heart "A Chocolate Affair" stamp set to give away to a randomly picked person who comments/follows this blog.
As I mentioned earlier in the Hop, I'm the last (and not least) stop on this fun Hop. So there's no one to send you off to -- I'm just going to say THANK YOU for hopping along with us. Do come again!
P.S. -- If I can help you purchase any Close To My Heart products, it would be my honor to be your Consultant. You can find an online catalog at http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com.
Defiantly DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,
I thought of this project when considering what to make for a monthly "scraps to treasures" blog hop. I'd recently emptied a cylindrical container that held Panko bread crumbs -- and if you're like me, you'll relate to this: I looked at that container and instantly thought, "What can I make from this?"
...and don't ask me WHY, but I thought of a train, using Close To My Heart's newest "Babycakes" line of paper. Here is the finished project:
Starting with the engine, I covered the clean can with a wrap of the dotted Babycakes B&T Duo. I trimmed it out with the zip-strips on the edge of the designer paper. I made the engineer's house just by guessing the measurements ("eyeballing"). I decided to make windows all the way around, and cut them out using an X-Acto knife. I lined the windows with scrap acetate, to give the structure body.
Here's a view of the front of the Engine:
I decided to make the "nose" of the Engine using rosettes that I stacked on top of the removable plastic can lid, leaving the can empty for a gift onesie for baby. If I was feeling really industrious, I'd design and make the matching onesie -- maybe later! On the tip of the "nose", I put a beautiful rhinestone gem that I cut from some scraps from The Buckle Boutique. I'm newly appointed to The Buckle Boutique's first Design Team ... you can see my first post for them by clicking HERE. (It's a whole different project that I'm featuring today! Talk about industrious!! I've been BUSY!!)
I crafted the hinged roof over the engineer's house, punching the edge with a CTMH new scallop edge punch. (Love that thing!!)
TIP: Oh, let me give you a hint on the rosettes: Normally, I'd make these using hot glue to hold them securely. But this year, CTMH introduced Adhesive Dots that are super-duper strong and WAY easier to use for rosettes. Really! Try them!
The wheels are also made with rosettes, these cut from CTMH "Whisper" cardstock. The monkey hanging from the roof is from the "Wild Things" CTMH stamp set. I dubbed the train the "Babycakes Express" and set the little sign on my computer, trimming it and inking the edges in CTMH Exclusive Ink in Sunset color.
Moving on to the Cage Car:
This car was cut on my Silhouette Cameo using a file purchased from the Silhouette Online Store. I had to manipulate the file a little bit -- and the Silhouette Designer Edition software makes this super-easy! -- to be the right size. Again, the wheels are rosettes cut from CTMH Whisper cardstock.
The adorable giraffes (love them!) are from the Cricut Create a Critter cartridge, cut in 7.5". I inked the edges of the giraffes, and also tied bows on their necks using yellow seam binding ribbon.
For the "box car", I further manipulated the file for the cage car (above) by running the Cameo's digital "eraser" through the horizontal center of the cage. I joined the sides together digitally, added the word CIRCUS, and dropped the flourishes onto the swirled top edges.Pardon my pun (but I'm like that!), but since this is a "box car", that is what this car holds -- a dozen 1.75" cube boxes that can hold candy or other baby gifts like socks, gift cards, binkies, etc. The back of the car has intentionally off-center stacked layers under a sign that says "It's about to get Wild Around Here!" I tied some giraffe-stained ribbon to the sign. It's wild!
The only other detail that I want to show you is how I opted to link the rail cars together. I cut apart a CTMH "Base and Bling" Necklace to use the discs to be attracted to magnets I put on the railcar perimeter. Nifty, huh?BACK to the BUSINESS of the BLOG HOP:
If you care to comment on my post here, and also choose to become a follower of my blog, I'll put you in the running for my delicious BLOG CANDY! You see, writing this post in this yummy brown color has gotten me thinking about ... CHOCOLATE! And I have an extra Close To My Heart "A Chocolate Affair" stamp set to give away to a randomly picked person who comments/follows this blog.
As I mentioned earlier in the Hop, I'm the last (and not least) stop on this fun Hop. So there's no one to send you off to -- I'm just going to say THANK YOU for hopping along with us. Do come again!
P.S. -- If I can help you purchase any Close To My Heart products, it would be my honor to be your Consultant. You can find an online catalog at http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com.
Defiantly DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Join Me at Kathy Davis Studios for a jolly Holiday Cardmakers' Smorgasbord
The next class I am teaching there is on Thursday,
Here are four of the cards I've made that will be available on the buffet:
There will be at least ten cards in all on the table from which attendees can choose to make. The $10 class materials fee includes your choice of five of the cards to make. Class participants will pick from 5 Christmas/Winter Holidays cards, 2 Thanksgiving cards, 2 Halloween cards, and 1 Hanukkah card.
There will be all sorts of techniques to learn with each one, including simple stamping, fussy cutting, smudge edging, embossing, Copic coloring, paper piecing, and fancy folds. Some cards are easier for beginning cardmakers, and some are a little more challenging for the more advanced. In other words, this class has something for everyone!
To reserve your spot in the class (limit: 8 enrollees), contact me at cardmonkey@comcast.net, or contact bill@kathydavis.com. I hope to see you there!
P.S. The cards shown here were all made using cardstock and B&T Duos from Close To My Heart. As a special offer, any one of my blog followers can join the "Kathy Davis Craft Classes" online party to order CTMH products for direct shipment to your home. Just go to my CTMH Online Business Address at http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com and look to the right for the button that says JOIN.
Clockwise from top left, these cards use:
(Top left): Sarita B&T Duos paper pack along with the Hanukkah Celebration (A1147) stamp set;
(Top right): Huntington B&T Duo paper pack along with the Perfect Fit- Thanksgiving (B1427) stamp set;
(Bottom right): Frosted B&T Duo paper pack, the Cricut Artbooking cartridge, solid cardstock in Ruby and Kraft and the Polar Bear Holiday (C1557) stamp set; and again,
(Bottom left): Huntington paper along with the Happy Autumn (D1550) stamp set.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Classic Sympathy Card
Of all the cards we make, no doubt the most difficult are those where we need to send a sympathy card. Whether death or another kind of loss, these cards are best remembered, most often saved and savored, and allow us to express an emotion that's difficult to touch.
With general loss in mind, but thankfully no one in particular to whom I need to send this card, I designed the card at left for my stash.
I incorporated both Close To My Heart's Laughing Lola designer paper, with black ribbon to add a classic touch. The sentiment is stamped with a beautiful new CTMH set called "Words of Comfort (C1524, $13.95), using CTMH Exclusive Ink in "Gypsy." The metal flourished flower is also from Close To My Heart.
I hope never to have to use this card -- but realistically, I'll be glad to have it on hand. Take the challenge to make a card that's difficult for you before you need it, when you'll probably not feel like crafting.
With general loss in mind, but thankfully no one in particular to whom I need to send this card, I designed the card at left for my stash.
I incorporated both Close To My Heart's Laughing Lola designer paper, with black ribbon to add a classic touch. The sentiment is stamped with a beautiful new CTMH set called "Words of Comfort (C1524, $13.95), using CTMH Exclusive Ink in "Gypsy." The metal flourished flower is also from Close To My Heart.
I hope never to have to use this card -- but realistically, I'll be glad to have it on hand. Take the challenge to make a card that's difficult for you before you need it, when you'll probably not feel like crafting.
Monday, September 2, 2013
So Glad We are Friends
Aren't these the most adorable little squirrels? This little card -- "So Glad We Are Friends" -- incorporates a textured pink mesh under the blue banner to give it a little more interest on the Jillibean Soup CardKitchen kit card. Isn't it a sweet card, with those adorable squirrels?
...and Happy Labor Day, especially to all those union members and trades workers whose excellence in their crafts built America to what it is today. Thank you to family members especially, including hubby John (Plumbers' Local 690), and my favorite Aunt Joan (Teachers' Union) and my late grandpa Bert (Printers' Union).
Sunday, September 1, 2013
KCC My Man Blog Hop -- Happy Birthday, Bernie!
Hey, girlfriends!This "My Man Blog Hop" is being sponsored by the Krazy Crafting Crew and is hosted by a member, Katina Martinez's "Loving Life's Little Blessings" ...
... in honor of those pesky men in our lives who support our cardmaking habits, but for whom it is so tough to make something masculine.
Will they like the glitter? Doubtful. The bling, the ribbon? Negative. Men -- gotta love 'em, even when they cause a crafting challenge!
Well, today also happens to be the birthday of one of my best male friends, Bernie. Bernie is the hubby of my "sister" Star -- one of those women whose sisterhood you've chosen, not one of your blood but of your soul. Bernie is a wise man who married Star in 1979, the same year Star and I met as work colleagues. I rely on Bernie for a caring ear, warm hugs, spot-on judgment, and sense of humor. He's seen me through some fun times, and some tough times. Bernie, happy birthday -- and many, many more!
Bernie, this card's for you:
I made this card using almost all Close To My Heart products. The base cardstock is Daisy White, then a layer of Champagne cardstock.
The shapes were off-cut squares that I cut from Laughing Lola B&T Duo paper. I rounded two of the corners using the new CTMH Corner Rounder.
The Happy Birthday stamp is one of the fantastic new M-sized stamps by CTMH, Heartfelt Birthday Greetings M1033, priced right at just $2.95! I stamped the greeting using Exclusive Black Ink, and used a colored pencil from Prisma to match the blue in the Laughing Lola paper.
The Happy Birthday stamp is one of the fantastic new M-sized stamps by CTMH, Heartfelt Birthday Greetings M1033, priced right at just $2.95! I stamped the greeting using Exclusive Black Ink, and used a colored pencil from Prisma to match the blue in the Laughing Lola paper.
I hope you liked this card, and now it's time to move on to see other projects made for the men in our lives by other members of the KCC. Your next stop is: ROBIN at Scrap and Chat.
Here is the entire line-up, in case you get lost:
Thank you for stopping by, it was lovely having you!
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