Tuesday, April 26, 2016

A Few Days Left....

Well our second 9-to-9 Crop was a success!  I will be posting some of the techniques we learned at the crop and more info on the cards we made over the next week or two...but in the meantime, we have a deadline creeping up!

Get it before it's gone...

Seasonal Expression 1 - Jan - April 2016
Everything in the Seasonal Expressions 1 catalog (well - ALMOST everything) will be retiring on May 1st...  That give you a few days to order anything you still want to add to your collection.

Click here to place an order online or call, email or message one of us directly to receive free shipping.  Don't wait or it may be out of stock even before the month is out.

Introducing the new Seasonal Expression 2...


The new Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog will be going into effect on May 1st with all its new crafting goodness - flamingos, amazing stamps sets and more will be available to order!  Those that attended our crop received a copy of the SE2 book already!

Seasonal Expressions 2 - May - Aug 2016
Also, click here to see the full list of stamps (posted in our "Crafting with Kindred Hearts" Facebook group) retiring from now from SE1 May 1st and then August 1st from the Annual Expressions big book.  You may want to print the lists out and see if anything is on your wish list.

Please let us know if you have any questions or need any information.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Scrapbooker? No, Family Historian!

Two things occurred to me recently.

#1 - Guilt and Scrapbooking often go hand in hand.  Time after time on the groups and blogs, I see scrapbookers apologizing for stashes or justifying purchases - current or past.  Family members berate us for having "so much" and we start to think that maybe we should be ashamed.

#2 - We lose our reason for making these memory books.  Calling scrapbooking just a hobby takes the skill out of the process.  Claiming that the books are just pictures and stickers negates all the time and care that is put into them.  The value of these works of art diminish as these thoughts are stated and believed.

I've come to the realization that I am NOT just a scrapbooker, scrapbooking is not my "hobby", and I have NOTHING to be ashamed of.

I am the self-proclaimed FAMILY HISTORIAN!  I have chosen to use my skills of color matching, spacial arrangement, and attention to detail to tell future generations the story of my family life. Birthdays, Christmases, and all the other important, silly, happy, and memorable times are recorded in the pages of those scrapbooks.

My daughter, when she is old enough to value them, will turn page after page and be reminded of her life, of laughs and tear, and learn how her parents grew up.

"Grandma played the guitar?  Grandpa had a full head of hair?  I remember ..."


I do not want these memories to die.  So if I see a cute chipboard or sticker set or beautiful paper that would express the moment perfectly, I'm going to buy it.  If I need that embossing folder and stamp set to add the right amount of texture and just the right sentiment, it should be added to my wish list.  It's not buying for the sake of buying.  Each item in my collection was purchased with a purpose in mind.  All to work together to document life.

I am the FAMILY HISTORIAN!  and I'm proud to be.  How about you?

Monday, April 4, 2016

Coloring Book Card Set

Coloring Book Card Set

For my Community House class this month, I've combined the popular "Adult Coloring" book trend with card-making.  Using random stamping and multiple stamps from a single or multiple stamp sets, I made an 8.5 X 11 piece of cardstock into a coloring page.  I then divided the page to create 6 panels.  The mats and sentiment banners provide a complete card that as a set would be a great present for your favorite coloring aficionado.  Or if you enjoy the coloring-arts, you can color the card specifically for the recipient.




Close To My Heart has quite a few stamp sets that work so well for this technique and its so much fun.  There is one set in the new Seasonal Expressions (available May 1) that will be perfect!  I will post a sneak peak of the set and some other page examples later in the month. Here are two other options for Saturday's class.



BONUS:  Two 9-to-9 Crop tickets for anyone who attends this class.

I'm hoping to have a full class!  Have a great day!

~ Penny

Friday, April 1, 2016

GIVEAWAY TIME!

In honor of the new BLOG and GROUP and wanting to get things started, we are giving away a "WISCONSIN" stamp - this is an "M" sized stamp that will be retiring soon.  These are available for all 50 states, however, so if the winner is not in Wisconsin, I may be persuaded to get them one from their home state!


Here's the rafflecopter gadget with FOUR ways to enter!  I will pick a winner the Friday before the 9-to-9 Crop (if you are attending, you will get the stamp there!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Getting excited for the Crop!  Hope to see you there!