Kween Bee Kreations

Colors of the Rainbow

For those of you who participated in my Monochromatic Challenge... thank you!!

I am hoping to host more challenges in the future.  They certainly get me out of my comfort zone and into a new world of creating.   So, I hope you'll come back to participate again OR join me for the first time.

Here are the gorgeous creations that were submitted.  Please click on the links below the cards and leave a comment for each of these talented ladies.  They deserve it!

Kari L.

Patti M.

Sara

Kathy A.

Kalshelia

Roberta S.

Mary F.

Regina M.

Candy

Andrea

Cynthia S.

Kim L.

Meghana

Jill G.

Mini Milk Carton

I made this Mini Milk Carton with my new Stampin' Up! Big Shot.  

I had put off purchasing a Big Shot for months ... but am I ever glad I finally made the investment. 

Here's the "skinny" on the Mini Milk Carton die ...

• Designed to cut through one sheet of paper or card stock at a time
• Use with Sizzix Big Shot machine and standard or extended cutting pads; for best results, also use standard or extended premium crease pad
• Finished carton size: 1-5/8" x 1-5/8" x 3-1/8"
• Die size: 6" x 8-3/4"

Using the FREE Good Neighbors stamp set, I stamped and cut out these adorable little house, tree & cloud images.  This project fit the bill for the most recent Pals Paper Arts challenge. 

Be sure to Play @ PPA on Thursday, February 25!  You'll be "inspired" to create. 

Check out these other Mini Milk carton examples from the Stampin' Up! online store.  I like how these examples show 3 different ways to seal the top of the carton.  CUTE!

     

My Monochromatic Card

I thought I'd quickly share with you MY monochromatic creation.  I used one of my favorite In Colors, Crushed Curry on this Birthday card.

Have YOU played in my Monochromatic Challenge yet?  If not, there is still time!  I would love to showcase your beautiful paper-crafted creations on my blog this Friday.

Click Here to see the rules for my second challenge.

Sale-a-Brate and earn this fun Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper.  For every $50 spent in current catalog merchandise, you earn 1 free Sale-a-Bration item.  There is no limit to how many items you can earn!

1 item earned for every $50 spent - it's simple as that.  

Monochromatic Challenge

Monochromatic \Mon`o*chro*mat"ic\
Having or consisting of one color or hue

The Challenge
Create a monochromatic project and upload it via Inlinkz below.  Challenge will close automatically on February 25 at 11:59 PM (CST).

I've provided some monochromatic photos below to serve as inspiration.  Do not feel tied to these images - they are here to get you thinking in a monochromatic mindset.

Can't wait to see what you create!

How to Participate in the Challenge:

1.  Create
2.  Photograph your project
3.  Upload your creation using Inlinkz below
4.  If you upload to an online gallery, use the keyword KBK2
5.  All entries will be showcased on my blog Friday, February 26

Exciting Announcements!

The Sweetheart Stamp Set will continue to be available through July and will also be in the new Idea Book & Catalog!

The Heart Treat Cups will continue to be available while supplies last through July and will also be in the new Idea Book & Catalog.

The following products from the Holiday Mini Catalog are available for ordering right now AND will also carry over to the next Idea Book & Catalog.

Item #	Description	Price
116794	Ornament punch	$15.95
116806	Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint	$  5.95
116854	Frost White Shimmer Paint	$  5.95
116807	Platinum Shimmer Paint	$  5.95
116829	Décor Elements Blocks	$  9.95
116824	Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty	$  7.95
116821	Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers	$29.95
116819	Table Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95
116820	Embosslits Merry die	$11.95
116823	Sizzlits Merry Details die	$  5.50
116822	O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die	$42.95
118140	Tree Decorations Sizzlits die	$  5.50
118108	My Digital Studio	$79.95
116519	Charming stamp set	$19.95

Life Happens. Love Helps.

One of the reasons I purchased the Vintage Vogue stamp set is for the sentiment you see on today's card.

Life happens.  Love helps.

So much in our lives is beyond our control, leaving many people (including myself) searching for answers.  Everyone has their own belief system - some believe God is in control, some believe Destiny, some Karma... and well, some - just aren't quite sure.

But I can tell you one thing I know for sure ... when I  am searching for answers to life's big questions ... love helps.

As most of you know from reading my blog or knowing me personally, my Mom is fighting the battle of her life against Stage IV breast cancer.  It has spread through her entire body, has invaded her liver, and consumed her life. 

This is where I again say "Life happens.  Love helps"

There is nothing I can do to change her story - I can't stop the cancer from spreading - I can't relieve her of pain - I can't make her hair grow back.  {Although, given the chance, I'd do it all in a heartbeat}

But I can love her.  And I do ... love her.

Happy (late) Birthday

My version of a belated birthday card. 

Get it?  Turtle, slow, belated... I missed my uncle Scott's birthday earlier this month, but still wanted to send my birthday wishes.

You would think the Fox & Friends stamp set is for kids.  But when paired with simple design and embellishments, like hemp twine (item #100982, 12 yards, $2.95), it makes a great card for an adult.  (At least I think so!)

Available in clear mount (item #118565, set of 7, $14.95) OR wood mount (item #117020, set of 7, $18.95), Fox & Friends is a fun and versatile stamp set.

Stampin' Up! Specials

Sale-a-Bration
Help Haiti by purchasing I {heart} Hearts
Country Living a La Carte Collection
Sweetheart Stamp Set & Treat Cups
Starter Kits - 15% OFF

Big Shot & Fabric

Fabric is one of the industry's hottest trends right now, and the best part is, you don't even need to be a seamstress to get in on the action!

You can create gorgeous fabric accessories and home décor, all without ever touching a sewing machine. There are myriad of options for seamstresses and non-seamstresses alike.

Check out these projects created using the Big Shot from Stampin' Up!  Click any image to download instructions for completing all of these projects.  NOTE:  Clicking the last image (quilt square) will provide you with the pattern needed to make this project.

Don't miss the Big Shot fabric Q&A at the end of today's post.

Ponytail Holder

Headband

Memory Board

Onesie

Quilt Square

Big Shot Fabric Q&A

What type of fabric will the Big Shot cut? The Big Shot will cut all types of fabric. For a complete list of Big Shot-approved materials, click here.

How many pieces of fabric can I cut at a time? That depends on the fabric. Different fabrics vary in thickness. For example, your Big Shot can cut through eight layers of cotton, which is a relatively thin fabric, but it will only cut through one layer of faux fur, which is a very thick fabric.

Do you shim fabric in a Big Shot differently than paper? No. Your Big Shot works the same with fabric as it does with paper. Different fabrics vary in thickness, much the same as different paper materials vary in thickness. If you are only cutting one layer of a very thin fabric, you might need to use a piece of card stock as a shim just as you would if you were only cutting one layer of thin paper.

Will all Big Shot dies cut fabric? You can cut fabric with any of the Sizzix steel-rule dies (Originals, Bigz, Bigz L, and Bigz XL). You cannot cut fabric with Sizzlits, Embosslits, Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, or Texturz Plates.

Will dies with score lines ruin my fabric? You can still use dies with score lines to cut fabric. The score lines will slightly distress your fabric, but shouldn't damage it permanently. However, we recommend that if you are using dies with score lines to only cut one or two layers at a time (depending on the thickness of your fabric). If you try to cut too many layers at a time, it is possible that the score lines could tear your fabric.

Will cutting fabric with the Big Shot dull my dies? The Big Shot steel-rule dies (Originals, Bigz, Bigz L, and Bigz XL) were designed to work on several different types of materials. For a complete list of Big Shot approved materials, click here. Cutting fabric with your Big Shot dies will not result in any damage to your dies, and will not dull them any faster than cutting paper will.

Should I wash my fabric before working with it? It really depends on the fabric. Some lower-quality fabrics will shrink after they're washed, which could result in your project coming apart. However, many quilters don't wash their fabric first because the fabric is stiffer and easier to work with before it's washed. And if you use higher-quality fabrics, they will likely not shrink.

Does Stampin' Up! plan to sell fabric? Stampin' Up! works hard to stay on trend, but it just isn't possible to offer every crafting product on the market. We will continue to explore new products and possibilities, but will keep stamps, ink, and paper as our core products.

I don't have a sewing machine. Can I still create fabric projects? Yes! The world of fabric crafting is as varied as the world of paper crafting. There are several alternatives to using a sewing machine. You can create many simple designs sewing by hand using a needle and thread or even a hot glue gun. In addition, fusible web is a great option for creating one-of-a-kind fabric crafts.

What is fusible web, and how does it work? Fusible web is a manmade fiber that will melt when heated with an iron and become sticky. When it is placed between two pieces of fabric, the melting of the web causes the fabrics to fuse together making it possible for you to adhere the fabric without the use of a sewing machine. Fusible web is available in rolls (similar to tape), in pre-packaged pieces, or is sold by the yard in your local fabric store.

My quilting friends mention things called charm packs, layer cakes, and fat quarters. What are they? Charm packs, layer cakes, and fat quarters are terms for precut cotton that is generally used for quilting. Charm packs include a variety of coordinating fabrics cut into 5" x 5" squares. The packs have an assortment of patterned and solid fabrics, and their small size makes them ideal for using on quilt blocks. Layer cakes are just like charm packs, but they are larger in size, with the cotton cut into 10" x 10" squares. Fat quarters are pieces of cotton cut into quarter yard segments. However, instead of being cut vertically, like you would cut a piece of fabric off a bolt, fat quarters are cut horizontally first, giving you a piece of cotton that measures 18" X 22". All of these options are a great way to get a good selection of fabrics at a relatively inexpensive price.

Love Notes from Grandpa

 

Since my Dad couldn't be here for Valentine's Day, he asked me to pick up some gifts for the Grandkids.

I made these little love notes to attach to my nephews gift cards.

 

Happy Valentine's Day, Dad!  We miss you.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you are spending time with the one(s) you love on this Valentine's Day.

This card and gift is for my husband... we don't really celebrate V-Day, but I always like to get him a little something.

This year his gift is wasabi almonds and salted cashews.  He's trying to stay away from sugar so I thought nuts were a good alternative to the chocolate that he loves.

Now me on the other hand... bring on the candy!

Happy Valentine's Day!!