Spoonie Squad

So, if you don't know me well, you may not know that I am a "Spoonie". I have Fibromyalgia, simplified this means I suffer from overactive nerves, anxiety, depression, migraines, stomach problems, mid to extreme pain at any given time... the list goes on. Audra at Kindred Stamps, (that's my referral link, you'll get 10% off your first order and I will be rewarded too), was excited to create a stamp set to celebrate and give voice to myself, and those like me, the Spoonie community. "Spoonie" is a term used by those of us with chronic illnesses, chronic pain, and limited energy.

"Spoonie Squad" was released by Kindred Stamps last month, and it features an excellent assortment of sentiments, spoons, and a couple little leaves. I created 4 cards myself for the release.

First, I used silver embossing powder and the four unique spoons to create a border on both the top and bottom of the card, next I chose the sentiment. I felt like this one was a great celebration for my friends who suffer like me, I kept this card in cool colors, silver, white, and a little turquoise.  

My next card, I used the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks and layered the colors light to dark to create a simple, but beautiful background. I felt a bit snarky, so I thought "you can just fork off" was perfect here.  I sandwiched the saying between two silver spoons.

Typically, I find myself doing a lot of layering but I wanted to keep this one simple so I used a corner punch to add a touch of elegance and finished it with dimensional tape to make the featured part pop from the base.

My next card, again, I kept simple but used more layers again. The black background makes the red and touches of green and silver pop. I used a single spoon with this sentiment to make the impact that much more powerful. I wanted to show off the leaves and put it in the corner.

My last card was a little more work. I chose a nice green base and used these beautiful roses from So Suzy Stamps to create a pretty little card. I colored them in using Copic and StyleFile Markers by Brutus Monroe.

I felt like the glitter tape behind the sentiment makes the impact of the sentiment a little better. This sentiment is super powerful for me. My anxiety, energy, and pain levels are always putting a kibosh on my plans. My friends and family always seem to have to move on without me.

It's been a while since I was able to create a blog post just because I wanted to. I am SO happy that I was able to finally get these up for all to see! My disease means a lot of missed events, laying around in pain, trying all sorts of medicines, both homeopathic and prescription, little to no answers, glares from people that think I'm faking, concerned looks from strangers, and so much more. I am beyond grateful to have crafting in my little world. Being able to create something beautiful makes my life qualify infinitely better, the friends that I've made in this community, and the friends I've brought to this community keep me going even on the hardest of days.

I hope you've enjoyed this post and please remember that not all disabilities are visible, you can't the pain some people live with daily.

~R. Winn

Something a Little Different!

Hey all!! This month's Kindred Stamps release is already here!! I'm EXTREMELY excited about this set and decided to try something a little different this month! 

First, I found a very neat Step Card Tutorial on Pinterest and knew it was right for Kindred Stamps new set, "Yo Ho"! I decided to create a dock for the pirate to stand on using a retired Stampin' Up Woodgrain background stamp on kraft paper. I cut small strips of the large block and drew on small back "nails" on the ends to make the wood planks.  I colored the pirate using various Copics and StyleFile Markers from Brutus Monroe.

Next, I used my new favorite, shiny origami paper to create the layers of water, the layer closer to the dock I left smooth. For the back layer to add more of a choppy waves feeling, I crumpled the paper up and added texture, then cut the top into a rolling wave look.  My base was made from retired Stampin' Up chalkboard paper, I am not sure what I'm going to do when I run out of this stuff, I love the thickness and weight of it!  

I wanted to create a kind of stormy sky to contrast with the pretty blue water. To do this, I smudged Tim Holtz Distress Oxide in Antique Linen over the black paper. After that dried I used Brilliance white ink and a dauber to create the clouds. I finished it off with a simple "Yo Ho" sentiment!  The back of the card can have a piece of white cardstock added to leave space for writing on.

My next card also features Kindred Stamps' "Yo Ho", I used Lawn Fawn's Shadow Box Card Die to created a light blue base. This die cut was VERY easy to use and created an awesome look!  I chose not to use any sort of sentiment on this one, but colored in the pretty lady and the ship again. 

I wanted the water to be a little different this time, I retrofitted the hills that come in the die kit with Wave CutUps from The Cat's Pajamas, I chose to do layers to add depth and add the ship to it.  I just got this amazing Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Kiss in Sahara Gold and decided it would be excellent to create a beach for pretty lady to stand on!  This brand comes with a built in sponge and so I dabbed it on and left it rough, it created a pretty, glittery, sandy beach.  Lastly, I finished the background off with clouds using a Lawn Fawn die! 

I hope you've all enjoyed my "something a little different" attempts this month.  Our release this month is much smaller than the past but personally I think the sets are fantastic! We've also got new Shaker Packs, and maybe another surprise up our sleeves, I can't wait for you to see!

As always, we have a blog hop going on for this release, to be entered you must comment on each blog. The winner will be chosen at 9:00PM EST on 2/14/18 and will win a $10 credit to the shop!

Kindred Stamps

Fanciful Spaces

R. Winn Creates (You are here!)

Mad Crafters Tea Party

The Frolicking Fairy

Dagg Designs

Thank you all for visiting!

~R. Winn

Pixie Dust!

My little geeky heart flutters... at the newest stamp release from Kindred Stamps! 

There are SO many cute things, but the first one I HAD to play with was the Peter Pan Set! I made a few fun things with this set and even tried something new too! 

This little tag was made using Stampin' Up Whisper White cardstock, the Stampin' Up Stars boarder punch, a tag punch from Stampin' Up,  and some sparkly silver washi tape that I'm not sure where I picked it up!! 

For my attempt at a new technique, I stamped Tinkerbell onto the washi tape using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored her in using Copic markers. It did take me several layers of coloring to get the color to pop but it's a very cute little image to color in! I want to use Stanzon Ink next time and maybe "regular" markers that might stand out a bit better on the glitter.

I finished the project off using Memento Luxe ink in Nautical Blue to stamp one of my favorite sayings from Walt Disney. I'm not sure who will get it but I absolutely love it!

Next up? A card of course! I used some retired Stampin' Up black chalkboard cardstock for a solid base and some blue cardstock from JoAnn Fabrics for the top layer. 

On my blue CS, I used a Stampin' Up stars mask or stencil with some Bo Bunny glitter paste to create a little bit of a starry sky.  I tried to leave enough room for my two favorite characters from the set, Tinkerbell and Peter Pan himself of course!  

I colored both up images using Copic markers. Tink's wings and Peter's knife both got glittered up using Copic's glitter pens (perfect for when you want control of where you're adding glitter!) I finished the card off with what I feel is the perfect sentiment for a Peter Pan card! 

I may not be on much over the next few weeks so I want to invite you to keep an eye on the Kindred Stamps blog for featured products and work from Audra, Hannah, and Molly! If you haven't already joined us on the Kindred Stamps Fan Club Facebook page, we'd love to see you there too!

As always, if you wanna get your hands on this set for yourself, or someone who could use a little pixie dust of their own, please feel free to use my coupon code "RWinn10" for 10% off your order!

~R. Winn

A Little Vitamin Sea

Is everyone enjoying Summer? Honestly? I've been melting. No A.C. at work, only one room cooled at home? I could happily live in my car if it meant I wasn't overheating!

I'll tell you what I do love though, the bright colors, the animals out and about, my silly puppy deciding to sunbathe, and the inspiration that all of that leads to anything artistic!

Typically, I make cards to share but the stamp set I am sharing today from Kindred Stamps is Vitamin Sea!

It SCREAMS fun in the sun, with a hint of snarky personality thrown in! These little summer images are the perfect size to decorate my planner with! I use a Webster's Pages A2 size, so it's a little smaller than a lot of planners. My life isn't terribly exciting so I didn't have a ton going on to write down, but man does it look pretty!

I used the blank sticker sheets from Sweet Stamp Shop to stamp out my images, and I just picked the ones that looked fun to me. No rhyme or reason. The sticker sheets held both the Copic and Chameleon Marker inks perfectly.

Once I had my items colored up I went ahead and fussy cut them out. I chose random places to put them and added a few sentiments I felt were appropriate for the days (see the end of the work week .) It was a fun little layout and I loved doing it!!

A few days later, I decided I wanted to make a tag with this set... I don't typically make tags! I broke out a few Stampin' Up punches I hadn't used before, but they had been sitting on my shelf waiting!

I went ahead and used some DSP from Stampin' Up that I hadn't used yet and reminded me of pool water for the bottom layer. I wanted to use the BRIGHT colors of summer, and I didn't want to color because... I do that a lot! Instead, I broke out three fun Versafine colors and kept it simple but fun.

I placed images at random and used some washi tape that I received as a gift from the UK! because flamingos and neon colors totally fit my theme! The sentiment I made stand apart by sticking to solid black, again I used Versafine since it works SO well for detailed stamps and dries fairly quickly so I didn't stress about smudging it!

Last I added a little yarn from my SU stash and tadaaa! My first original tag! It's fun and a bit raw as far as "talent" goes but I love it!

Now it's your turn! Run over to Kindred Stamps, pick up your own set of these stamps and use my coupon code "RWINN10" for 10% off your purchase!!

I would LOVE to know which is your favorite image, and you can guess which is mine!

~R Winn.

Everything is Awesome!

Hi lovelies!

I am SO excited about the new Kindred Stamps Building Block stamp set!!  If you're like our household, you enjoy using these wonderful little bricks to build iconic buildings, create scenes from your favorite movies, or even just play around!! Audra at Kindred Stamps, asked her creative team for ideas and somehow asked for something "Lego" inspired but still so unique!  

The first card I want to share is a classic couples card!  I built my own background paper using the side view bricks and top view of the flowers! They are colored with Copic markers, and I tried to use the basic brick colors in the build your own type buckets. I mounted it on a Brazill Basics burnt orange card stock, unfortunately, I was gifted it so I don't know the shade name!

Next, I built my couple, they were so fun! I loved picking which faces they got!! Thank goodness for my MISTI, none of this would've happened without it! I used my Chameleon Markers to color their clothes, I attempted some faded jeans, it was kinda fun. 

Last, my sentiment, I love the "You Complete Me" sentiment. I took some Real Red cardstock from Stampin' Up! (if you don't have a demo, check out my friend Kelli, she rocks!) and used the Layering Ovals Framelits from Stampin' Up! 

I completed the card with a few... LEGOS! I couldn't resist, I dug around in my bucket and pulled out some flat white 2x1s to add a little... embellishment! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

My second card, I really wanted to dedicate to friendship, because they really are the thing that keeps us standing and build us up when we are struggling!

I decided to try a little masking! This technique allows for you to tape or paper off a part of a stamp and layer the stamps. (The amazing Lydia at Understand Blue gave a good, simple video example here!) I figured the best thing to use for your first attempt at masking was Building Bricks... that you could stack. **HEHE**

Everything was colored up with Copic markers, I kept the girls simple but considered trying to mask some of the adorable flowers on to their shirts or pants (my BFF and I are a little obsessed with leggings so it would've been fitting!) 

The little brick hearts were begging to be used and added to the cutesy of the card.  I finished off with some of my FAVORITE embellishments, DoubleClick Skittles (you need them!) they give just the right amount of POP to any card and are soooo pretty! My card is layered with some retired Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper and ready for gifting!

I hope you all enjoyed my creations! I had so much fun making them and can't wait to get to play with my Building Blocks stamp set again!  For making it through this long post, if you want to place an order on www.KindredStamps.com you can use my coupon code "RWINN10" for 10% off your entire order!

Until next time!

R. Winn