Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Spooky Smiles

Hello! I'm so excited to be sharing some cards with you today that I created with stamps I designed. They will be available at  Papertrey Ink on August 15th, at 9:00PM, EST! 

I have wanted to have my own stamp line for years. I actually started designing some over 16 years ago before my kids were born. I had the designs all drawn out, and had sent them to the manufacturer, and they had been made into rubber. This was back before the clear stamps. I had them all cut out and my husband was cutting wood blocks for me to mount them on. My dream was to have my own stamp business and travel to all of the Stamp shows. Well, low and behold I found out I was pregnant :) That pretty much put a halt to my production. I was afraid to use all of the chemicals to glue the stamps down, and to be honest, I was way more excited about this baby than my dream of having my own stamp company.  Soooo fast forward about 17 years later to now! That baby is now 16, driving and playing golf, and along with him is my girl who is 14 and makes me laugh all day long. AND I now have my first two sets of stamps out! Wow!  And with Papertrey Ink! I could not be more thrilled! So a huge thanks to Papertrey Ink for this most amazing opportunity! 

Okay enough of my reminiscing, I have a couple of cards to share with you featuring one of my sets called Spooky Smiles. The little characters I have drawn look very much like the little clay creations I make too. I love cute and whimsical designs!




For this one, I used Distress ink and blended a dark circle onto my white background. All of the little characters were colored with Copic markers and cut out with the matching dies. I embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder and cut it out with a banner die, then I added it and the stamps all with foam tape. 


I added a few white dots to the background with some white acrylic paint and lastly a few clear PPP sequins.


STAMPS: Spooky Smiles
DIES: Spooky Smiles, Moments Inked Planner Banner Dies
PAPER: Stampers Select White, Smokey Shadow
OTHER: Distress Ink, White Embossing Powder, Copic Markers

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When I created this set, I wanted it to be versatile, and to be able to be used for more than just Halloween cards. I colored the little kitty in orange tones and I hid the pumpkin's face with the kitty. I added the leaves in fall colors, and used the  Pumpkin Weather is Here sentiment to create a cute fall card.  The background is Distress ink blended onto watercolor paper and then speckled with water and more of the red ink.



STAMPS: Spooky Smiles
DIES: Spooky Smiles, Moments Inked Planner Banner Dies
PAPER: Stampers Select White, Smokey Shadow
OTHER: Distress Ink, White Embossing Powder, Copic Markers


***

That is all I have to share with you today! I will be back tomorrow to show you what I've done with my other set! 

Thanks so much for all of the sweet comments of support you've left for me on my blog, Facebook, the PTI blog and Instagram! I've read them every one! They mean so much!

See you tomorrow!



Kay :)



66 comments:

  1. These cards are both fabulous Kay...love the bright and vibrant colors! And how cool that one of your dreams has come true!! So excited about your new stamp sets and can't wait to see more...congrats!! :0)

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  2. Oh Kay! I am even more excited for you after reading about your dream of having your own stamp line. What a wonderfully uplifting story! I'm sure this line is going to be very successful. Your first card using your first set is beyond adorable! The style I right up my alley for sure. It sure looks like you can make your signature vignettes with ease! I adore that dark background on the first card as it allows your colored images to really pop! Your second card is fabulous as well. The colors are SO fall. And that kitty is beyond adorable. You are mega talented and I couldn't be more thrilled for you that your dream is coming true! Big, huge, happy hugs!! :)

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  3. I'm so happy for you and look forward to seeing all your awesome stamp designs!

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  4. Congrats on your new stamp line and making your dream a reality. What a neat story you shared with us. Of course both your cards are absolutely adorable.i love the kitten so much. I can't wait to see what else you have for us this week.

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  5. Kay congratulations on a dream come true! These cards are both beautiful and I love your sweet stamp designs and the versatility you have created with them! So excited for your new line with Papertrey!

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  6. I just love your cards, and I am in love with those stamps!!

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  7. What an adorable stamp set! Congratulations!

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  8. Kay, these are so adorable!!! Congratulations on your new line of stamps. Your cards are always awesome and I'm excited to see your own line for creating more cuteness!!

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  9. Oh, what an adorable set! I love the sweet cards you made with it, too!

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  10. Congratulations! Your stamp designs are just as wonderful as your cards!

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  11. Cangrats Kay! I was so excited to see you are presenting your own stamp designs. I love your cards, & can't wait to see more. I think the grandkids will love this!

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  12. Cangrats Kay! I was so excited to see you are presenting your own stamp designs. I love your cards, & can't wait to see more. I think the grandkids will love this!

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  13. Congrats! So excited to see your new stamps. You are immensely talented.

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  14. Good things [and in your case GREAT things] come to those who wait, Kay! Now we all get to celebrate with you! How wonderful ...
    =] Michele

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  15. I am sooooo over the moon for this set of stamps and dies and I normally don't do Halloween. I can't wait to order this!

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  16. oh my goodness how cute are these!! Love them!!

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  17. Heartfelt congratulations to you Kay on achieving your dream! This stamp set is beyond adorable. It is on my wish list for certain. Beautiful cards.... but would expect nothing less from you. Cheers.

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  18. Kay I love your stamps! I can't wait to order those on the 15th! Congrats on living your dream!

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  19. Love , love, love! So happy that you have achieved your dream, Kay! You've done a fantastic job. I cannot wait to order this darling Halloween set! So glad that you can share this happy day with us all!

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  20. What a way to kick off this wonderful celebration, Kay - your cards are top notch showcases for your beautiful new stamp set, Spooky Smiles, and I'm sure we'll be seeing much, much more from your PTI collaboration. Congratulations!

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  21. Whimsy is not usually my favorite, but with these adorable Halloween critters, I am going to make an exception. In central Texas, we can't wait for "pumpkin weather!"

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  22. Love the adorable little scenes you've created, Kay. Your colouring skills are just mad! So happy for you and us. :)

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  23. Waking up and seeing your card designs has always brightened my morning. And now that I see your darling little stamp designs I'm even more happy. Such talent! Thank you for sharing with us. And, congrats on having your own line of stamps. I can't wait to see where you go from here!

    Sharin Johnson (on FB)

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  24. Kay, your story of 'a dream deferred' reminds me of a line from one of my favourite books, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coeho, that reads: "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." Though it took you several years (during which incredibly awesome things were happening, too), your dream has come to fruition. The timing is perfect for your to embrace this journey...and embrace it you have, with the most adorable Halloween-themed products I have EVER seen! Trust me: I have scoured blog-land for 'cute Halloween" images, and my research finds yours the BEST! Cute AND classy, as is your signature style. Your showcases are outstanding! My heart is smiling for you...and us *grin*
    Hugs~c

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  25. How adorable ... both of these cards and entire set of stamps. I've followed your artistic skills since day one and am so happy and proud of you. They are all fantastic!!!

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  26. Oh, Kay! You are so talented! Happy that your dreams are coming true! I can't wait to purchase these little Halloween sweeties!

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  27. Congrats on your new stamps.
    They are ADORABLE!!!

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  28. OMG I am so excited to see you have a line of stamps!! CONGRATS! AND they are SO CUTE! I love them!!! One can never have enough cute Halloween stamps - I must have these!

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  29. Couldn't be happier for you, Kay! And they're the cutest critters, no scary Halloween here! Love them to bits. Can't wait to play with these. Your 2 cards are adorable, and show off each sweet image in 'Kay Miller' hi-style!

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  30. Congratulations on becoming a stamp designer. . . again! This set is adorable, and of course I've told you before - you are one of my FAVE designers. :-)

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  31. So happy for you, Kay! I think your card designs are wonderful and inspiring. I've pinned so many I've lost track! So glad to be able to get your whimsical look now in stamps too!

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  32. Loved hearing your story about starting your own stamp business pre-kids. Sounds like a fairy tale how things worked out. Congrats! I'm so glad you are designing stamps now. You don't know how excited I am. Your new set is adorable.

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  33. Kay, I've been a big fan of yours since I started stamping about a year ago. I love your style and wish I had some of your talent. Congrats on your new stamps and dies! I can't wait to get them!

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  34. Congratulations on achieving your dream of your own designs being manufactured. You could not have a better partner than PTI! This set is adorable; I know it will be a big hit.

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  35. Kay, Congrats on your dream coming true!!! I am so happy for you and can't wait to see more of your designs! You are so talented and gifted and we are so lucky that you are sharing your gift with us!

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  36. woohoo! So fun to read your story! :D Adorable stamp set and I love the pumpkin weather sentiment! So cute! Darling cards! LOVE them both! Congrats Kay!

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  37. I loved your reminiscing ! I couldn't be more excited about your line of stamps,I love everything you make including the Christmas ornaments you created! Sounds like your first dream of having a family came first ! I love these stamps you designed and the cards you made with them! I know,what's going in my cart first and fast! Hugs and congratulations,your family must be so proud!

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  38. Congratulations on your new venture!!! I am so excited to see what you have in store for us!!!

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  39. I'm so happy for you to have your dream come true, after 17 years, of your own stamps out there for us to enjoy! This set is so sweet, I look forward to the next one. Love your style.

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  40. Love a great story about dreams coming true, and yours is no exception. Have you been following the Olympics at all? Swimmer Ryan Murphy created a booklet for his class project about his love for swimming when he was 8 (now 21) and his high hopes of being an Olympian just earned a gold medal Monday night. Patience is definitely a virtue and you've got it. So proud of you, Kay! Love everything you create. ❤️

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  41. Congratulations, Kay. It must be very exciting. The stamps are super cute.

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  42. Kay, I couldn't be happier for you my friend! I suspected this was what was happening "mid August", but I certainly had no idea this was a dream that began so many years ago. I can honestly say this is the CUTEST Halloween stamp set I've ever seen (and as you know there's a lot of cute stamps out there!) You have such a gift and I wish you tremendous success with this new endeavor!

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  43. Congratulations on your new stamp line. Beautiful cards!Love the cute stamps!your work is amazing!

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  44. Congratulations on your new stamp line. Beautiful cards!Love the cute stamps!your work is amazing!

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  45. Congrats these stamps are sooo adorable! I can't wait to play with them!!

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  46. Kay, Your stamps are adorable! So cute... Can't wait to order them and use them myself! Your talent never ceases to amaze me, from your ornaments to your cards. You have a beautiful style! I can almost always (not quite 100%), but very, very often recognize your cards as being yours before I see the identification by creator! Creating and using stamps will keep you busy long after you are a grandmother! Congratulations on your "new" stamps! Phyllis

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  47. Hi Kay,

    I am so very happy for you! You deserve this and much more! I hope that PTI appreciates you for all that you are worth! Your talent and inspiration is boundless and I thank the Universe for having encounter your blog long before you joined this magnificent team!
    I have been an admirer of your talent for a very long time and I am pretty sure that this venture will come with many more Blessings for you!
    Keep inspiring us with your SUBLIME creations!

    Cariños,
    María Alba

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  48. Hello Kay, I must say, you are so talented! I love your stamps, they are so sweet. I hope to see more of your stamps in the future :) Great job! Iris,SavedbyGrace

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  49. So happy for you, Kay, to have your dreams come true! And PTI is so lucky to have you designing for them. Your images DO look like your clay ornaments--so charming! Can't wait till the 15th! =)

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  50. Love your new set and all of the cards you created today! Looking forward to seeing your other new set as well! Thank you. :)

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  51. Huge CONGRATS to you, Kay! I'm so happy to see that your dream in the stamping world has finally come true...I'm so happy for you! Both of your cards are amazing, and I can't wait to get my hands on this fabulous set...WTG, my friend!!! (Looking forward to the next one, too)

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  52. These cards are so stinkin' cute! And congrats on finally achieving your dream! What a wonderful thing!

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  53. Congratulations, this is your something big! Wow, your designs are darling and I couldn't be happier for you my friend! Not only are these designs so cute but you have created the sweetest sample today!! xo

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  54. There's a whole lot of happy to dish out today. I'm happy for you having your stamp line (finally) being manufactured and sold, and I'm happy for us being the beneficiaries of such talent. Love, love, love the pumpkin weather sentiment.

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  55. Bright, beautiful, colorful and lots of FUN! Your choice of colors and designs are perfectly fabulous!

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  56. I am SO HAPPY for you Kay!! Your stamp set is absolutely adorable, so you!! Your cards, well, they are amazing!!

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  57. Oh, wow! How awesome, Kay!!! Congratulations on your new stamp line! I love seeing everything you create! As if it couldn't get any better! What you created with your new stamps are super sweet and so fun...love!!! I can hardly wait to purchase them!!!

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  58. Congratulations, Kay! I am so happy to see you designing stamps for PTI! This first set couldn't be cuter, and I can't wait to see what your amazing artistic skills bring us next!!

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  59. Your stamps and cards are a breath of fresh air to PTI! I hadn't ordered any new stamps or dies from their new releases in months and was about to give up on them all together until now!

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  60. Congratulations! The stamps are lovely and I look forward to many more.

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  61. Your stamps are adorable. I love that little candy corn. I love all things candy corn, but NOT purple ones! ;)

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  62. Congratulations I'm really excited to hear this wonderful news of you becoming a stamp designer. This set is adorable!

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  63. Kay, I am tickled pink for you! It's a given that everything you design will be a smashing success--in my book for sure! Can't wait to see what you come up with every month. Blessings, Debbie

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  64. Your work is great... Keep it up!

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  65. Your work is great... Keep it up!

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Thank you so much for leaving me a comment! I read and appreciate each and every one so much! Hugs :)