Sunday, January 5, 2014

Catered Crop: Best of 2013

The Catered Crop challenge for the month of January is to come up with your Favorite Crafty Creations of 2013.  Even If you have already done your list - you can still link up.  It's open all month - what a great way to find everybody's "best of" in one place!

This is most definitely a challenge!!  Doing a "best of" post is very, very hard.  I must lack confidence because I can love a card when I first post it - but when I look back I can see the things that I would have done differently.  On the other hand, looking back reminded me of the amazing teams on which I served and the guest spots that I was honored to do.  It was truly an exciting year for me.

But a new year also requires that one think ahead and I have realized that I need to make some changes.  Most likely nothing that any of you will notice, but a big change for me.  I have decided to stick with a couple of my very favorite design teams - and not accept any new teams in 2014.  I do love the thrill and honor of being on a team or being a guest - and I enjoy sharing products and challenges that I love with each of you.  However, there are many reasons for my change.

  • Showcasing products or challenges is stressful because I always want to show them at their very best.  I had so much going on the last three months of last year, every single card that I made had to be good and mojo levels just don't work that way!!
  • I realized that many of my favorite stamps and products have been ignored because of design team requirements.   I miss using some of my older toys and stamps from other companies for which I didn't officially design.
  • Most importantly, I'm in the last stretch of my second college degree.  Classes are getting tougher.  And I need to figure out how to do a resumé that glosses over the fact that I've been home for the last 15 years (or manages to show how hard it is to be home!)  And then, of course, a job search.   
I might be posting a little bit less - but probably not much.  Being surrounded my men and boys, and having a career based in numbers - making cards is a necessary outlet in my life!  I'm a much better person after some time at my craft desk.


Now on to the real point of the post...instead of looking month by month I decided to narrow it down by products and challenges that I like or that I was involved with during the year.  So without further ado...



Blog Post: Sparkle and Shine, Merry and Bright
Main Product: Neat and Tangled
The bokeh stamps on this one give it a glow that make this card my favorite of the year!
Sparkle and Shine

Blog Post: Winter Peace with the Lawnscaping Winter Blog Hop
Main Product: Lawn Fawn
I have a number of Lawn Fawn cards on my blog - their stamps are just plain FUN to work with!

Lawn Fawn Peace


Blog Post: Fresh Squeezed Stamps: #HOLIDAYFUN
Main Product: Fresh Squeezed Stamps
The colors on this card just make me happy. But I also think that I embraced about every current trend on this one card - woodgrain, word bubbles, an ampersand and sequins!

Merry & Bright


Blog Post: AEI{heart}U with Avery Elle: Oh Happy Day
Main Product: Avery Elle
I love the colors - I love the layout - and the little birdie and flowers make me oh-so-happy!!

Oh Happy Day


Blog Post: Warm and Fuzzy Hugs
Main Product: Paper Smooches
It's hard to go wrong with Paper Smooches!

Warm and Fuzzy Hugs


Blog Post: My Favorite Things Stamps Day 6: Text and To the Point
Main Product: My Favorite Things
I love these bold masculine stamps and this combination of colors!

Choose You


Blog Post: CAS(E) this Sketch: Give Thanks
Main Product: Reverse Confetti
I've been part of the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge since October 2012.  Even if you don't play (but I hope you do), it's a great challenge to bookmark just for the incredible variety of CAS sketches.

Give Thanks


Blog Post: Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Welcome Home
Main Product: Papertrey Ink
I've been part of the design team for the re-opening of the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge and currently serve as the Stage Manager!  Be sure to check it out!

With a Grateful Heart


Blog Post: Catered Crop: Canning Jar Recipe Swap
Main Product: Paper Smooches
I have served on the Catered Crop design team since April. It's a very fun challenge with a wide variety of challenges.  This one was for the canning jar challenge - others on the design team actually decorated mason jars!

Miss You So Much


Blog Post: Newton's Nook Designs September Release: Boo Crew
Main Product: Newton's Nook Designs
I noticed Newton's Nook because of their charming cat designs (I am owned by two cats!) but this mummy bear had to be the cutest Halloween stamp of the year!

Trick or Treat


Blog Post: Less Is More: White Christmas
Main Product: Clearly Besotted Stamps
I love all white cards so I had to include one of them in this year-end review! Plus Clearly Besotted Stamps was a recent discovery for me and I LOVE them!

Season's Greetings


Blog Post: Fab Friday and Rockwell's Colors: Hang In There
Main Product: Mama Elephant
This card makes me smile every time that I see it - these stamps are SO darn cute!  PLUS - Mama Elephant just came out with coordinating dies which, of course, I purchased immediately, so I will be doing more with this stamp set soon!

Hang in There


Blog Post: Something Wonderful with Twine
Main Product: The Alley Way Stamps
This card was particularly notable to me because it was my first card with sequins.  I saw how beautifully they filled up spaces and now it's a rare card of mine that doesn't include a sequin!

Something Wonderful

Blog Post: Happy Birthday
Main Product: Stampin' Up
I had to include a Stampin' Up card on my list; after all, how many of us got our start after a Stampin' Up party!  Stampin' Up products continue to find their way into my stash and I particularly loved this flower that matched all of their scallop circle punches.

Happy Birthday flower


Blog Post: Thank You Secret Santa!
Main Product: a fun stash of supplies from a Secret Santa exchange that we did as part of the Curtain Call design team
This card made it on my list for two reason.  (1) the card that was furthest from my comfort zone that I actually really like! and (2) my last blog post in 2013!

Special Days



If you have done your own "best of" list - be sure to head over to Catered Crop and link it up.  It really will be fun to see all of them in one place.

If you haven't done it - set some time aside and browse your own blog.  It's not an easy exercise but it is fun to remember everything your have created!!

Happy New Year to each of you!!

21 comments:

  1. Lovely!! The first one is my all time favorite of yours. Soooo stunning!!

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  2. My goodness, Kim ... what an amazing selection of your stunning cards ... and such a great post too! Took a bit of time to choose a favorite, which was fun, scrolling up and down and enjoying ... it's the woodgrain hearts ... I love everything about it! Anita :)

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  3. Gorgeous and I am surprised you were able to pick only 12--all of your cards are gorgeous! Happy New Year!

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  4. Each and every one a work of art Kim!! Thanks for the look back!

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  5. Wow, Kim...gorgeous projects!!! Happy New Year!

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  6. Stunning array of cards, Kim!!

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  7. Your cards are beautiful, Kim! You do the best work with every card. I find inspiration and learn creativity from you. Thank you so much for your blog!
    And best wishes to you at your school!

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  8. Absolutely WOW!!! Every single one of these made my heart stop (again!). You ooze talent, you know that?!!! Just amazing!
    And, totally understand your resolution :) One of your reasons totally resonated with me - the STRESS!! I'm always "chasing" perfection and it does cause me way more stress than I'd care to admit! I can't imagine the added layer of representing a company to boot! I've thought about applying for a DT occasionally, but I have opted out for this exact same reason!!! And you also have company in the love it, then not so much department!!! LOL!
    Wishing you a 2014 of doing what YOU want to do - no (okay, less!) stress!!! xo

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  9. what a fabulous walk down memory lane. it's a beautiful trip too! you are an awesome talent and you make it look effortless. love that :) happy 2014 Kim!

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  10. Wow! 15 show stoppers. What else can I say? Except good luck with whatever direction you go in 2014.

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  11. Show stoppers one and all! Your work is such an inspiration to so many of us. It's really wonderful to see so many beauties in one post, Kim. You hang in there with your degree work. It will be so worth it in the end. And I'm glad you'll still make time to play here in blogland. Bev

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  12. I don't know how you do it all! Beautiful cards....so many companies.....so many designs.....family and school? Yowza! You are my hero!

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  13. Loved all your favorites but I don't think I have seen you post a card yet that is amazing, so this must have been a difficult post to narrow it down...love them all!

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  14. Wonderful post, Kim! All your cards are fabulous, but I know what you mean about doing a "best of" post. I ended up showcasing some encaustic wax cards instead, which don't really fit into challenges.

    Logical decision to prioritise and downsize. Enjoy playing with your older toys. And Happy New Year!

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  15. What an AMAZING collection of creations, Kim!!! You are so incredibly talented!!! And cheers to more creating just for the fun of it in the new year!!! Happy 2014!!!!

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  16. Aaaaaand I just commented on the wrong post, lol! My scroll wheel got a little too happy there...this is the sparkle and shine card I love! I also did love that hang in there card--too creative! LOVE your work! How did you create the background circle with the shine spots on that first card? Is that a stamp too? Can you email me at mimimyselfandi(at)outlook(dot)net with details? Thanks in advance if you get a chance! :)

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  17. Kim - You just blow me away. I love everything you do - so happy and stunning at the same time. I'm so glad I got to know you better this year - the best part of 2013 for me!

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  18. Hopped over from Catered Crop where I've just linked up too... Your LIM work is just amazing - I adore the Grateful Heart one with the woody background, and the last one (where a little bit M is M!!) is so lovely!
    Alison x

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  19. This is indeed a lovely collection and I envy you for your talent to create such beautiful (and clean ;) cards! ;)

    Claudia x

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