Ugh...

My apologies, dear blog readers.  I was half asleep and too lazy last night when I posted the St. Patrick's Day cards and didn't bother to take the few extra minutes to clean up the pics in Photoshop.  Looking at the post now, those photos are terribly dark and the different shades of green used on the cards kind of run together.  Sorry about that!  I'll try to get some done editing in Photoshop tonight...  Ugh...

Everyone Loves an Irish Girl...

Hello my crafty friends! It’s been a while, eh? After the holidays, I took a much needed break from my studio to recharge my crafty batteries, but now I’m back in action!

St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. Dressing in head to toe green, drinking Guinness and/or green beers with friends, making homemade Irish Soda bread, going over to my parents’ house for my mom’s traditional St. Pat’s Dinner, what’s not to love about St. Patty’s Day??

Here are a few cards to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day:

Supplies used by Stampin' Up and Papertrey Ink

On this first card, the shamrock image is popped out to give it dimension and it’s covered in glitter for some sparkle. The layout design came from Clean and Simple Stamping.

For the second card, I used the patterned paper as inspiration for the color scheme of the card, pulling in the navy and the orange from the plaid as accent colors. The patterned paper also has a linen texture, giving the card a little more interest. The layout is also from Clean and Simple Stamping.

Supplies used by Stampin' Up, Chatterbox, Papertrey Ink, Colorbox

And finally, a little St. Patrick’s Day cheeky humor…

Supplies used by Stampin' Up, Prima, American Crafts, Spare Parts, Papertrey Ink, KI Memories

Coming up next: Spring themed birthday cards…

"So bring us some Figgy Pudding..."

My Christmas crafts are winding down, so just wanted to pop in and share one of the last things I’m working on for this holiday season, some Christmas thank you notes.

Supplies used by Papertrey Ink, Technique Tuesday, Basic Grey, Stampin' Up, Ranger Ink

This card has some of my favorite things:

• A clean and simple layout idea, courtesy of Clean and Simple Stamping
• Patterned paper, specifically Basic Grey Figgy Pudding patterned paper
• An excuse to go through my scrap pile for the patterned paper strips
• A little bit of sparkle in the center of the poinsettias, which may be hard to see in the photo

I love patterned paper. It’s sad how much I love patterned paper. A dear friend of mine even had a t-shirt made for me regarding my love of patterned paper. It helps to add so much character and color to projects, especially when using coordinating designs like this Figgy Pudding paper. I love Figgy Pudding, the paper- not the actual fig pudding, that is. It’s Basic Grey’s holiday line from a few years ago and I’m clinging on my last few pieces and scraps of it. I think I may shed a tear when the last piece is used up. *sigh*

Want some Christmas thank you notes to send to friends or family? Drop me an email at kzivic at aol dot com and I’ll whip up a few for you.

Thinking ahead to Valentine’s Day projects… have some fun ideas I can’t wait to translate onto paper!

I *heart* Ali Edwards

I *heart* Ali Edwards. She is my crafty idol. She does amazing things with scrapbooking, encouraging people to not focus so much on how beautiful the page looks, but instead it’s more important to tell your story. I’ve dabbled in scrapbooking a little bit and someday when I have more time (ha!), I hope to take some of her advice and inspiration and create books of my own, telling my story. But anyway, as I was checking out Ali’s blog today, I notice a project similar to one of my own- holiday blocks!! Ali Edwards, crafty goddess, and me, far from crafty goddess, are on the same wavelength! So cool… check out Ali’s blog and her holiday blocks here:http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/12/simple-holiday-project-paper-covered-word-blocks.html



Additionally, I want to thank everyone for all the compliments and support I’ve received this past week since I launched KZ Paperie! It’s so awesome to share something I love to do with all of you. Please keep me in mind for any crafty projects or cards you may be interested in! Also, tell your friends!

Projects I’m currently working on: Christmas thank you notes and some other card ideas that are buzzing around in my brain right now.

Holiday Block Party

Hello my frosty friends! Staying warm this chilly, chilly evening? I’m wishing I could craft up a way to stop the draft that’s seeping in through my window. Below is one of my favorite Christmas crafts. I made these a couple of years ago and gave them away as little gifts to friends and family. They are a perfect decoration for that shelf that just needs a little extra something!

These blocks aren’t just for Christmas! Picture a set in pinks and reds that says “love” for Valentine’s Day…or what about orange, black and “Boo!” for Halloween? Or, what a about a personalized set to decorate a child’s room? So many possibilities!


Interested in a set of blocks to add to your holiday decorations? Just email me!

Stay warm tonight!

Dean Martin has his love, I've got "White Christmas" to keep me warm...

Here are photos of a few of the Christmas cards I made last year. Still trying to wrap up this year’s offerings, but haven’t made it into my studio (aka the crap room) yet this week. With this snow and chilly weather, all I’ve wanted to do is curl up under a blanket and watch the movie “White Christmas” (who doesn’t just love Bing Crosby??), while drinking hot chocolate. Also, my mom borrowed one of my essential crafty supplies…note to self…get paper trimmer back…

Supplies used are by A Muse Art Stamps, Stampin' Up, and Ranger Ink

Wish you could see how this card really sparkles, couldn't quite capture it in the photo!

Supplies used are by Papertrey Ink, Stampin Up', Marvy, and Ranger Ink

Want a few handmade Christmas cards to mail to your friends or family? Drop me an email at kzivic at aol dot com!!


Projects I’m currently working on: wrapping up my Christmas cards and possibly making some fun custom t-shirts for a New Year’s Party.

Snowflakes and Sweet Peas

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! As the snow falls and the weather turns colder this evening, here’s a little something to warm your heart. An extra special onesie, perfect for your little sweet pea!!

Take a minute and peek out your window tonight. For as much as I dislike what the snow will do to my commute tomorrow morning, it does look beautiful as it’s falling and coating the trees in a dusting of silvery-white.