Artisan Blog Hop-First One!
This is it. The very first Artisan Blog Hop for me. Hang on… how in the world did I get to be doing this?
If you’re new to my blog let me give you a quick fill in about me, Kimberly. Just a girl who loves to craft.
For those of you that have been reading my blog for quite some time… hang with me. This could be information you didn’t even know. <grin>
Who Am I?
Currently I live in Pensacola, Florida. Home of the most beautiful white sandy beaches. I’ve been married to my Navy guy for 19 years and we have two crazy teenagers we are raising, Brandon (14) and Alexis (13 next month). I started my journey with Stampin’ Up! in 2003. When my daughter was only 4 months old. Never in a million years did I imagine the ride I’ve taken with this company. I also didn’t realize I would get to be a demonstrator in 5 different states over the last 13 years thanks to my husband Russ.
This company has brought abundant blessings to my family including 9 trips to places I never would have seen otherwise. I’ve been awarded the Top 100 Demonstrator 8 years in a row and taken 8 trips to Founders Circle, truly a dreamy trip. In 2009-10 I was honored to be on Stampin’ Up!’s Advisory Board. Pretty incredible year that was. All of this because I loved to stamp and teach others to stamp. Not kidding. The funniest part of this journey is I had never heard of Stampin’ Up! nor had I stamped before when I began. True fact.
Besides stamping I also love to go to the beach, and my favorite thing to do when I have a little extra time on my hands is to go antiquing. I love to find vintage treasures for my home or use in my crafty place.
Artisan? Me?
How did I land here… being a Stampin’ Up! Artisan?
Last year was the first year I had submitted for Artisan. It was kinda on a whim. My best friend and I had discussed it and I was truly rooting for her and we were so excited when she was an honorable mention. I was not selected, but felt at the time and what was going on in my life it was not in God’s plan at the time.
Fast forward to this year.
When it came time for submissions I decided not to submit. I have always tried to be realistic with my priorities and during the time submissions were being taken I was going through a hardcore depression and trying to find myself again after a very tough 2 years after my husbands stroke. I literally had taken 4 months off from everything March-June to just find ME. I eventually found me and I’m thankful I listened to myself for once. That does NOT happen often.
In July once I felt back to myself I started back to the things I loved, stamping and my business. My friends, family, team and customers were incredible to me during this time and such a blessing to have by my side.
When Stampin’ Up! asked me to be a part of the Artisan Team this year I totally felt this was God’s timing. Typically I’m the one that pushes God to the side and says… hold on… I’ve got this. Like I’ve got some super power over God. I know better. I didn’t take control of this. He did.
I am so honored that Stampin’ Up! has chosen me. More blown away than anything. I started 13 years ago never stamping before. Just a girl who loved art and loved sharing it with you. I’ve made some pretty awful things over the last 13 years but I’ve also had a lot of growth during that time. Making pretty things is what I love to do. In doing that I love to inspire and uplift you along the way.
What’s Next
I’m pretty excited you are here. If you are new to my blog… I hope you will continue to check it out and put up with my crazy antics. I’ve always got a story or two and I love to share my crafty self with you. What’s next will be another year of growth. Another year of stretching my personal creativity and I hope you are along for the ride with me. I can guarantee there will be some fun things along the way and possibly a trash can filled with flubs. This is how we grow. So grow with me, will you?
Birthday Blooms
To start the first Artisan Blog Hop I thought I would start with something that is most challenging for me. Flowers. Who knows why I feel this way and honestly I think I psych myself out more so that I tell you it’s a challenge. The new Birthday Blooms stamp set in our upcoming Occasions Catalog is a gorgeous set and I fell in love with the fonts in the greetings. I am a sucker for a good font and this set has amazing fonts.
The flower in this set, Birthday Blooms is amazing. Look at how beautiful the font is in this greeting, “For You!” Oh my. I typically do not use an entire sheet of Designer Series Paper but this paper from the Birthday Bouquet is just as stunning and I promised myself I would not hoard it.
The Details
I started this card by die cutting the largest framelit from the Lots of Labels framelits. I trimmed off one end so the label would be flush with the right side of the card. I added a few pieces of layering which included the Blush Blossom Glimmer Paper and the strip of Burlap Ribbon. You will notice the ribbon is much slimmer. To achieve this look just cut down the center of the ribbon using your ribbon scissors.
I also added one of my latest favorites- the scallop edge. This die cut can be found in the Cutie Pie Thinlits. It’s a little treasure in that package of die cuts. To keep the elements together I used my Handheld Stapler.
The flower was watercolored using a blender pen and a few inks that you can see down below in the supply list. While I did have to fussy cut this flower, it was not hard. You can see in the photo above I layered a flower on top of the original flower to give it more of a 3D effect. I love how this turned out.
To finish this card off I added a few green sequins from the Brights Sequin Assortment. These can be placed simply by using our Fine-Tip Glue Pen.
Time to Hop!
Thank you for taking the time to come along and view my first Artisan Blog Hop. It’s time to see what the rest of the gals have to share. It’s going to be an amazing year of talent and our hopes are to inspire you.
Click the buttons below to follow the hop. Next up is Krista Frattin, a previous artisan and incredibly talented. She’s a hoot too.
Make sure to tell us what you think. You know I love to hear from you.
XOXOXOXO
28 thoughts on “Artisan Blog Hop-First One!”
Your card is gorgeous, Kimberly! Beautiful projects. I am so excited to be on the 2015-16 ADT with you! Congrats and Hugs!
Gorgeous! I am surprised to hear you don’t like flower stamps because you always color so beautifully! I am excited to be on this team with you, Kimberly!
Love your card – and love the added texture as well – going to be an exciting year together!!
Absolutely beautiful! So very happy that you were asked to be Artisan! You have inspired me for YEARS and even though, we’ve never met “in real life”, I consider you a friend. 😉 Thank you for sharing your life and your amazing talent with us. Blessings to you and your family.
You totally nailed the flower thing with this card. It’s so adorable! What a fabulous story you have too. Still pinching myself to be on the team with you! x
Gorgeous details on your card, Kimberly! So happy to be on the team with you- congratulations!
I have always been a fan of yours! When we met at founders circle we talked about your Artisan journey and about timing. This is YOUR time! Enjoy the ride and all the fun that the year will bring. You are an amazing designer, a strong woman and an inspiration!
Wow Kimberly, it’s so gorgeous. That flower is really poppin’!
Your work is so lovely Kim – you’re a Stampin’ super star and I’m glad to be on the Artisan Design Team with you this year.
Soooo excited to be on the team with you this year 😀 I love your creations Kimberly, they are always so inspiring <3 This card is no exception…stunning!!!
Love this card!!! Thanks for sharing.
I’m happy to hear, you are doing better right now! Happy they called you for the Artisan, somethings happen for a reason. I love to share the Artisan adventure with you this year. We both kicked off with a beatiful stamp. I really love how yours turned out! X
Kim, I can’t tell you how excited I am that you are on the Artisan Team! I started following your blog shortly after I became a demonstrator (like 9 years ago), and I have always LOVED everything you create! Honestly, it is because of YOU that I am where I am at today. You have been such a creative inspiration to me! I have been waiting for YEARS for you to be on the ADT, and I am so glad that you finally decided to apply, and that this year you got it! This gorgeous card is EXACTLY why you are on the team, you have such a natural knack for making beautiful things!
Congratulations Kimberly! It is amazing how thing work out exactly how they are supposed to. You have always been an Artisan to me and now you officially have the title! I can’t wait to see your amazing creations in the next year!
You already know how I love your work so I’ll try to resist going on and on and on….. But I just have to say again how thrilled I am for you. In my house we have a phrase, “We make plans and God laughs”….because apparently we never make the right plans, haha. Sounds like you did and God giggled again….this time sending us all this gift of you being on the ADT. So excited to see your journey this year!
Love your card Kimberly and I am very appreciative that you listened to yourself! Looking forward to all of your wonderful creations.
Congratulations, Kimberly! Some things always seem to work out and fall into place when the time is right. And you are inspiring. I think you first Artisan project is gorgeous! X Yvonne
Love your card!! I´m so happy to be with you in the ADT
Hi Kimberly,
Absolutely stoing, looooove ittttt, Thank you for sharing your work of art.
Thank you Millie. Thank you for reading.
Thank you Ginger and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. XO
Girl, this is the truth and exactly what happens here with our family. We just roll with the punches. LOL. Thank you for following along this journey. I’m pretty excited about this coming year. XO
My friend, your words made my cry. Thank you. I’m so excited about this year and being able to share to the masses feels pretty amazing as well as the group I get to go on this journey with. Incredible talent. Truth be told though… I couldn’t be more excited for you and where you are at. What an amazing ride you are in for. Truly a dream job. Enjoy every minute of it because YOU deserve it. Love you girlie. XO
Thank you Kaitlyn. Dreams come true… that’s for sure and I think we are both proof of that. I’m so excited for you and YOU are the inspiration. You had a goal and you never wavered reaching it. That’s so AWESOME. XOXO
Thank you. XO
Love this card, and you, times one million. You are an inspiration to SO many (including me) and I’m thrilled to share in the ADT experience with you!
So sweet and soft card, love it. I’m super happy to be part of the team with you!
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