Wishing it were all FREE.

I like the word FREE. Sounds nice doesn't it. No worries. No cost. No obligations.

Well several paper crafting bloggers are sharing codes to get a FREE trial at InLinkz Link Manager. I have seen the sites of the beta testers, Krisina Werner and Jennifer McGuire specifically, and loved the look of relevant links all neatly lined up below their beautiful projects. I used one of their codes and thought I would try this nifty new tool for myself.

Krisina Werner's video tutorial was incredibly helpful, making it easy to get started. I don't have a beautiful project today so I thought I would link to some items on my wish list. Admittedly I copied one of Kristina's links because it is just that cool. So here it is my first InLinkz link grid.

Some of these things will probably never make it into my collection as the budget is tighter than ever. But I can dream and save up for some of these things. So here is the question - Which of these items would YOU like to have and why?

Music Background Stamp from Hero Arts	Fabulous Flourish Stamp Hero Arts	Alpha Pattern Stamp from Studio Calico	Mindy's Zoo Stamps from Autumn Leaves
Banneriffic Stamps by Lawn Fawn	Lunar Lights Stamps from Lawn Fawn	Critters on the Farm Stamps by Lawn Fawn	Say Cheese Stamps from Lawn Fawn
i-Top Tool from Imaginesce	Copic Marker Set	Silhouette CAMEO electronic cutting tool	Vagabond Sizzix Machine by Tim Holtz

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Happy Crafting,

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Recycling postage stamps on cards

In 1992 I worked in an office that received entries for a sweepstakes. There were a LOT of entries and so a LOT of postage stamps. I thought the wildflower stamps were especially pretty and saved them to decoupage a desk set for my mom.  I saved the rest for other craft projects.

I soaked the glue off all the stamps, organized them by them or color and put them in boxes and envelopes until I had time and/or inspiration to do another project. This weekend I finished several  sets of cards using those old postage stamps. Each set contains 6 cards with different color bases and each card has 6 postage stamps. I had enough wildflower stamps to make 6 sets. Sensing a theme here.


I used repositionable tape and my xyron to make the stamps into stickers. The process was a combination the perfect alignment tutorial and the my xyron tips found here. I lined up the stamps using a see through ruler and the sentiment was lined up using a stamp-a-majig so that each card has exactly the same layout. 


I will be selling these sets at the Rock Star Rosie Benefit on October 1st. You purchase tickets online and find out all about a special little girl who is fighting brain cancer by going to Research4Rosie.com. Come out and get a closer look at these sets and the 300+ other cards I'll be selling to benefit Rosie.

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Happy Crafting,

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Katemade Designs looks so official now

I will be vending at the Rock Star Rosie Benefit on October 1 and need a way to store/showcase my cards, so this weekend I got out the spray paint and got busy. I don't have a signature color like "sky blue pink" or anything so I opted for black to match my card carousel. I painted a wooden cd holder that I found at Goodwill. I would have kept it the natural wood color had it not been for the black china marker price that was on it a couple of times and the stickers, also with prices.

I cut vinyl letters out with my Silhouette and put them on both the long sides. It will look so nice filled with cards. I fit 250 in it before painting and there was still room for a few more.

I've been making cards for several years and they have been sitting in boxes or displayed on shelves. I finally started packaging them up. I stopped at 340 cards when I ran out of clear envelops. I'll begin again when my order arrives.

I'm hoping I can sell a lot of cards at the benefit not just for me but because a portion of sales go to benefit Rosie.

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Happy Crafting,

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What are YOU doing October 1st?

Mark your calendars for a Night of Fun for the Whole Family
A Benefit for Rock Star Rosie
Saturday, October 1
3:30-8pm
Holy Family Parish
2515 Palatine Rd

Inverness, IL

 
Food • Games • DJ • Raffles • Silent Auctions
• Kids Crafts • Clowns • Face Painting • Balloon Art •
Vendor Sales • Free Massage • Pampering

 
Advanced Tickets: Adult $15, Kids $5

For more about Rosie and tickets go to
www.Research4Rosie.com
At the door prices will be: Adults $18.00, Kids (6-14) $7.00, Under 5 – Free.
 

Come be a Rock Star with Rosie!
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I put together the website for this event and worked on several committees, 

plus I will be one of the vendors selling Katemade Designs. I have over 300 cards that need good homes. If you are free come join us.

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Happy Crafting,

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It's aLIVE!!!!!!!!!

I feel like Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein when I say that.

The Rock Star Rosie website is finally LIVE and I am so happy. Go take a look then come back and tell me what you thought of it, what works for you what doesn't. I'd love to get some feedback. Here's the address:

www.research4rosie.com. 

I'd also like to ask you all to consider making a donation to the raffles. If you know of a business that could donate something send them the link. Maybe you could donated a set of handmade cards, a piece of handcrafted jewelry, or something else you have made with your own hands. I have looked at your blogs, I know you are all talented crafters. Please consider donating because every little bit counts.

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Happy Crafting,

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