It is always such a huge honor when our invited guests agree to teach here in the CLASSroom! Today we would like to give an ENORMOUS welcome to Kim Kesti as she shares her creative ideas here in the CLASSroom. Kim is constantly inspiring her readers on her blog think fast, as well you will find her work as a Paper Crafts Go-to Gal on the Moxie Fab and Paper Crafts Connections blogs.
Once again we have a special "something" for those who take the time to visit Kim over on her blog - so head over to think fast and leave a comment for Kim! We will be doing a random drawing and announcing the winner together with Kim on Monday, April 18th, so don't delay - read her post here and then head over to her blog and be inspired!
Kim is a VERY busy designer and mom and to have her take the time to share with us here... all I can say is a simple and huge THANK YOU Kim! -Ellen
LEARN WITH ME! by Kim Kesti
I’m so excited to be here with you in the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom. I am a huge fan of all the teachers here and hope I can bring a little bit of my own experience and personality to share with you today.
My name is Kim Kesti and I’ve been paper crafting for about five years. I currently work with Paper Crafts magazine as a Go-to Gal, it’s the best job in the world! I love trying new techniques and even after five years, there are so many things I want to learn. Won’t you learn with me? (I kind of sounded like Mr. Rogers there, didn’t I?)
My main “style” of paper crafting is pretty bold and graphic. I tend to like simple patterns and straight lines. But, I was recently introduced to the Tim Holtz Distress Inks and I think I am in love. Although the project I am showing you today is clean and simple in nature, I adore how the Distress Ink just gives it that little touch of vintage. Plus, I think the look perfectly suits these Hero Arts stamps, don’t you?
First, I stamped my image in my favorite Memento Tuxedo Black.
Then I grabbed my Ink Blending Tool from Ranger and my Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I used the blending tool to add ink to the edges of all my stamped images. I learned the trick to making the ink smooth is to work from the outside edge toward the center, always moving your blending tool in a circular motion.
This technique gives such a pretty, soft edge to your images. It works exactly the same way on patterned paper, too. I was so happy with my stamped images that I decided to create a little set of blank note cards as a gift.
This Cosmo Cricket Social Club paper could have been made with these stamps in mind, don’t you think? Love them together.
Here’s a close up of how the ink just softened those edges a wee bit. Really nice.
Of course, every card set needs a little tag, right?
I created a simple tag with the Memory Box Eggshell cardstock, a piece of the Social Club Ready, Set, Chip and a sweet little scrap of 7Gypsies Paper Tape. I tied the set together with some twine and an old button. Fun!
Would you like to see one more coordinating project? (I know, I’m on a roll now). It’s basically the same format I used on my cards, but I made this little guy into a mini notebook.
I think it was this camera image that inspired the idea. That stamp is so awesome. To make the notebook, I adhered the cardstock panel to a piece of Craft-a-Board. Oh my – love the Craft-a-Board! It’s my first time using it and I already know I need another pack! Hee, hee.
One tip on using the Bind It All: pre measure your finished size to make sure the holes are spaced properly. I’ve learned the hard way to always double check the size first. It’s such a shame to punch your finished project and find out one of the holes is half way off the edge, right?
You can see in the photo that my notebook is sized to fit six punched holes across just about perfectly. Sweet.
I also wanted to show you how easy it is to figure out where to cut the coil. I place my coil right on to my project, then snip right where the punched piece ends. (Use the instructions that are included with the Bind It All to finish the notebook).
Well, there you go. A cute little set of cards and one notebook to match. I think this would make a great gift, don’t you?
Thanks for trying something new with me! I hope to be back someday to share again.
Kim Kesti
stamps: Hero Arts Vintage Stamps
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink Vintage Photo
paper: Cosmo Cricket 6” Mini Deck Social Club, Cosmo Cricket Ready Set Cup Social Club, Memory Box Eggshell, Lagoon, Squash and Persimmon Cardstock
accessories: 7 Gypsies Paper Tape Christmas Wrap, Zutter OWire ½” Antique Brass
