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

Release Day at Kindred Stamps!! - Planner Stamps: Vacations

Hi friends!!!

I have a VERY exciting couple of things to share with you today!  First, my very sweet friend, Audra, owner of Kindred Stamps has asked me to become part of her creative team, the Kindred Stampers! Thus far, we are a small group of gals who love her quirky, magical stamps.  Many of my projects use them and I'm so excited to get to share more with you!

Today is release day at Kindred Stamps!  Audra is launching her new line of planner stamps and she decided, like any good DisNerd, that they would be based off the most magical of all vacation spots, Disney! Get this awesome set here: Kindred Stamps: Vacations.

As you can see, I was a TOUCH excited about it! now, as I'm in the last week before my anniversary trip to Walt Disney World, what a better way to layout our plans?? 

I broke out my Erin Condren planner, my Japan Disney markers, my ink spots, and my Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black from Stampin' Up! Then I set off looking at the plans we made, and using my excitement to let my creative juices flow... I won't lie, not every day in my planner is pretty, some of them are very clearly hot messes of colors and stamps and the excitement overpowered the creativity!


I am pretty excited about the awesomeness of that castle and fireworks set up though! That adorable Mickey head? You know the one you're looking for on the set but not finding?  I took the large circle for the head and the smaller circle afterwards to make two mousey ears! Oh clever me!

Now, I know I've got some awesome color combos going on here, time to shout out to So Suzy Stamps and her awesome ink bites!!! I use these things for my planner constantly, the bright colors make sure that my planner isn't dull... because that would be very unRachel... and we CAN'T have that!

Now my next fun trick?? That little dot? It makes a really nice pattern that's similar to say... Minnie Mouse's dress when used repeatedly!  Our second day at WDW will be all about the Magic Kingdom, we'll definitely be having churros and a Dole whip so those clever stamps made their way on the page!  I love the words she's included... Fastpass, Reservation, Memories, and the beautiful Once Upon a Time were my most used for this trip!!

Now... I have to admit, I do have one "cheat" day planned with one of my amazing gal pals at Harry Potter World and Universal. (SHHH Don't tell on me!) So the fun little roller coaster made an appearance! 

I also took the fun little fireworks to make a background for our anniversary day... My excitement (and lack of a hard surface got the better of me trying to stamp the castle... but what can you do? 

Ok, so I know some of you may be curious about how I kept my stamping inside the cute little boxes in my planner? My answer? Post It Notes!  I lined the edges of the box with Post It Notes, stamped my little heart out and then peeled them off!

We have some fun things planned like the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Voyage of the Little Mermaid (like the swim suit Disneybound?? hehehe) and of course the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. I love using my stamps to tell the story of my day. 

Finally, I used my pretty castle and Tropical Teal ink bite from So Suzy to create a simple background.  

Creativity doesn't have to be complex, it isn't always pretty, but it should always be fun! 

Don't forget to hop over to Kindred Stamps to pick up this set, and several other amazing stamps and creative tools!

Love,

R. Winn

Disney Friends Who Craft: Side of Nicoleslaw

So for the last few months, I've had this idea knock around my head... I have SO many creative, talented friends.  I would love the chance to share their work with you! 

I wanted to start with someone who is a sweet friend, extremely creative, and has always had my back. I introduce to you, Nicole Duffy! Creator of my favorite Disney-Inspired ears and owner of Etsy Shop: SideOfNicoleslaw.







I asked Nicole about her love of Disney, and where it originated, this is her story...

A selection of Nicole's ears, both custom and shop ready!

I have loved Disney for as long as I can remember. 

My first Disneyland visit was when I was months old and it's been history ever since. I grew up watching all of the classics, enjoying the magic in every story. My love kept growing as I aged. 

The Grijalva's making a little Star Wars magic! PC: White Rabbit Photo Boutique

In high school, I created a Disney themed totalitarian state filled with pixie dust. It was then I was nicknamed "Miss Disney" by my teacher who would laugh when I related all history events to some Disney story. In college, I came across Disney Fairytale Weddings in which I knew my future wedding plans. I fantasized regularly of the perfect event with the ultimate wedding guests, Mickey and Minnie. 

MY first Nicole ears, for Halloween, I couldn't wear a costume, I wore my ears!

During one of our first conversations, I told my "now" husband that I was getting married in Disneyland. Two years later, I said "I do" under the gazebo at Rose Court Garden with my Prince Charming. 
 

During my planning, I wanted the perfect bridal ears. At the time, I couldn't find the Disney ones online and all vendors charged amounts that were out of my budget. 

Evan Dagg is a good sport and modeled my Christmas ears!

It was then I started my research on how to craft the perfect ears. My first set was actually using just fabric, foam and hot glue. 

 It was so much fun to make, that after my wedding, I invested in a sewing machine to further my creativity. A few months later Side of Nicoleslaw was created.  







 

Nicole's unique 101 Dalmation ears! (I've got a bow on order mimicking this!)

 

My store name came from a nickname growing up... I would call a classmate "pita bread" who would in turn call me "nicoleslaw." I wanted a store name that would truly reflect who I am. My goal was to make unique sets of ears that would be budget friendly. 

Molly Dagg's custom graduation ears! PC: Christina M. Photography

 

 

I've made some of the best friends during my venture, which is probably the best part. Not only do they push me creative skills, they have been the best support system. But hey, we all know that Disney friends are the best friends! 🙂 












Can you see why I love this girl?  She's as sweet as Minnie Mouse, and as creative as Walt Disney himself!  I've seen her make ears for a friend going through a hard time, get frustrated when another ear maker doesn't take inspiration from her ears but copies her design exactly.  She and I agree that crafting is a community, not a competition but also that creativity should evolve.  The things this girl can do with a little bit of ribbon and fabric never stop amazing me!

Renee Forero-Cook in her birthday present, Nicole's custom interchangeable ears!!

So, you've seen some of her work, you can see why I'm obsessed yes?  She continuously goes above and beyond her friends' and customers' expectations.  If you choose to buy from her, you won't be sorry.  Favorite her shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/sideofnicoleslaw, follow her on Instagram, share her info, or reach out to her to get your order placed.

Nicole is constantly coming up with new, innovative ways to enhance her ears!

 Disney friends are the best friends, I look forward to more ears and bows from Nicole, and to sharing with you more of my creative, talented friends!

Love,
~ R. Winn

My custom interchangeable ears, with my Regina from OUAT bow!