A New CutCardStock Adventure Continues

Have you ever stopped to think about what we, as crafters, use and/or need the most?  In my opinion, it would be a toss-up between paper and adhesives.  We can't make beautiful cards without paper and adhesives.  When I first started crafting, I found my favorite (and my now go-to) Adhesives.  I use them all the time.  But when it comes to cardstock, I'd never really found my favorite go-to place to purchase it.  That is.....until now.  When I was introduced to CutCardStock, I knew I'd never need to look any further for all the perfect cardstocks and papers I could ever need.

For this card, I used a gorgeous Jelly Bean Green A2 Folded Card as my base.  I absolutely LOVE this deep rich green color.  These gorgeous A2 Cards come in a wide variety of colors and are so convenient and ready to use.  They make it easy to create something beautiful.  Just having the right color(s) of cardstock can make all the difference in making our projects.  CutCardStock has every color and every kind of cardstock you can imagine....and then some.  I'm so excited to try more colors of these gorgeous A2 Cards.

Next, I layered a patterned paper from the American Crafts Chalkboard 6x6 Card Stock Paper Pad.  The pattern paper gives my card just a little more color and pulls in one more color for me to incorporate into my design.  For my next layer, I used the Strathmore A1 Watercolor Cards.  I cut the card right down the center making it (no longer a card) two separate pieces.  On the one piece, I painted some green ink and stamped my sentiments and musical accents using the Deepest Sympathy Stamp Set and Worship & Praise Stamp Set from Stamp Simply.  Some machine stitching around the outer edge and a Seam Binding bow were the finishing touches.  I used the other half of my cut Strathmore A1 Watercolor Card to stamp a sentiment on the inside of my card.

You're sure to find the PERFECT color, size, texture, etc. cardstock when you shop at CutCardStock, and you'll never be disappointed with the quality of this paper.  It's absolutely amazing, and I'm just getting started.  I hope you'll be a part of my new adventure as we explore ALL the fabulous cardstocks available over at CutCardStock.  Thank you all so much for visiting me here today.

Blessings,

Karen

#Coffee Card Paper Layering

It's always so much FUN when I'm able to just create something to share in the challenges I love.  This card uses lots of neglected old products from a sweet Crate Paper line called Bundled Up.  I used a piece of repurposed cardboard for my base along with lots of old papers, chipboard, ephemera, stickers, etc. from this beloved older Crate Paper line.  I also love the warm homespun feel that machine stitching adds, so I incorporated that as well.  I know there's a lot going on here, so I'll try to mention everything I used.

Once I had all my papers in place and did my machine stitching, I die-cut the heart and hand-stitched it using some Solid Baker's Twine.  I also used this same Baker's Twine to add a double bow to the heart.  I stamped the background of the heart using Texture Tiles 9 Stamp Set and the coffee cups using Coffee Talk Stamp Set from Creative Worship.  The #coffee stamp is from Paper Sweeties.

The centers (wrappers) around the coffee cups were stamped using some of the Bundled Up pattern paper.  I also used 3-D Foam Tabs to raise up some of the images (coffee cups and heart).  Everything else is held down with my tape runner.  Just let me know if you have any questions about the other things I used on this crazy busy card.

Thank you very much for visiting me today.  I sincerely hope that you will stop by and visit my INSTAGRAM PAGE and FOLLOW me there.  It's been so difficult trying to get Followers there, but I'm working on it as best I can.

I'm playing along here:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenges - Challenge #52/April - I love to play along, and I also enjoy seeing all the awesome inspiration.

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #86 - Entry #4 - Anything Goes/Optional: Dies/Punches - All the dies I used are listed above.  And as always, I used lots of paper layers.

A Cut Above Challenges - April - I used a heart stitching die-cut on my card.

Blessings,

Karen

Congratulations w/Stamp Simply

Some cards are just plain old FUN to make, and this was one of those cards.  I've been thinking about this particular stamp set for a few days now, so I finally decided to get it out and create something with it.  I love the texture of the books, the colors of the books, and how all the stamped images and sentiments in this awesome stamp and die set work together.  This card is a perfect example of how combining Stamp Simply stamps and dies with some of the other products available at Stamp Simply such as Embossing Folders, Lace or Silk Ribbon, it's always a great combination and all these products complement one another so well.

For this Congratulations Card, I used black and white cardstock and then a piece of patterned paper from the Beach Hut 6x6 Paper Pad by Craft Consortium to create my base.  On top of the patterned paper, I laid some pretty May Arts White Lace and two colors of 1/8" Silk Ribbon.  The books image and sentiment are found in the A Man of Knowledge Stamp Set and I cut the books and keys using the Man of Knowledge Dies.  After I had stamped the books, I used Tim Holtz Embossing Folder to add some textures to the books.  The books were hand painted with Tim Holtz Oxide Inks.

The sentiment, as I mentioned is also found in the A Man of Knowledge Stamp Set and I cut the sentiment using a Fishtail Banner Die.  I cut the keys and hung them around the sentiment banner.  I also raised up the images and sentiment banner using some 3-D Foam Tabs.

There's a STORE-WIDE SALE taking place this week through the end of next week and you can SAVE 15% OFF all items.  This is the perfect opportunity to pick up a few of the lovely Stamp Simply products you've had your eye on for a while.  Maybe the pretty Vintage Seed Packet Background or Vintage Christmas Background, maybe a Scripture Stamp Set, etc.  We hope you'll stop by Stamp Simply to take advantage of this fabulous SALE.

I'm sharing my card in the following challenges:

Can You Handle the Pressure Challenges - March Challenge - Anything Goes w/Embossing Folder/Optional Twist: For Kids - For this card, I used a Linen Embossing Folder on my books to give them the texture, look and feel of real books.

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #86 - Anything Goes w/Optional: Die Cuts/Punches - I used lots of paper layers and some fun die-cuts as well.

Inspiration Station Challenge Blog - Challenge #84/April - In this inspiration photo, I was trying to copy the green shabby wooden frame at the top.

Blessings,

Karen

My Heart is Full w/Creative Worship Stamps

Today is the first day of the April Instagram Hop with Creative Worship Stamps, and my talented Design Teammates have created some truly amazing cards to share with you all.  By visiting the Creative Worship IG Page and hopping along, you'll be entered to WIN a $25 gift card to spend at Creative Worship.  This month, rather than an entire New Release, we're featuring our fabulous BIG BLOOMS (wide assortment of Floral Stamps) as well as our wide variety of Alphabet Stamp Sets.  The card and bookmark duo I'm sharing with you today combines stamps from both of these categories.  I hope you enjoy them and that they inspire you to check out all the fabulous products at Creative Worship.  The message here is....My Heart is Full - My Cup Runs Over.

Both my card and my bookmark started with a black cardstock base that I layered with white cardstock inked with Spun Sugar Oxide Ink, stencilled using the Circle Pattern Stencil and then cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.    The backgrounds of the card and bookmark are stamped with various stamp sets including the Going Postal Stamp Set, Vintage Postage Stamp Set and Faith Definitions 1 Stamp Set.

I stamped the two cute little clipboard images and small hearts using the Heart of Gratitude Stamp Set.  I also stamped on the clipboards using Texture Tiles 9 Stamp Set and stamped my words using the Teeny Alphabet Stamp Set.  To fill in the missing words (HEART and CUP), I used images in place of those words by way of cutting the hearts from wool felt using the Hearts Dies Set and cutting the cup using the Travel Cup Die Set.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention three more things I used on the bookmark.  First, I want to mention that I cut the bookmark using the Bookmarks & More Dies.  Second, I used the Patient Echinacea Stamp Set for the flower and leaf.  Finally, I'll mention that the sentiment on my bookmark (blessed) was stamped using the Typed Thoughts Stamp Set and was cut using the coordinating Typed Thoughts Dies.  I also did some machine stitching on the bookmark.  There are SO many fun products available at Creative Worship and you'll LOVE the fact that each stamp set is amazing on its own, and they're even more FUN when combined with other Creative Worship products.

I always enjoy creating with all the fabulous CW products.  I believe that you'll LOVE the products they carry, too, and you can WIN $25 towards some of those favorite products by hopping along with us on Instagram.  Thanks so much for your visit here today, and please be sure to visit Creative Worship to look around, and to visit Instagram for lots of great inspiration and for your chance to WIN the $25 prize.

I'm sharing my card/bookmark in the following:

The Paper Funday Challenges - April Challenge #86 - Anything Goes w/Optional Twist Dies/Punches

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #310 - Sweet Treats - I'm not much of a snacker (of sweets), but my sweet treat, every single day, is my vanilla latte (or two).

Have a blessed week,

Karen

So Very HAPPY w/Creative Worship Stamps

Hello, sweet creative friends, and thanks so much for stopping by today.  There's no new release this month at Creative Worship Stamps, but instead, we're using some of older favorite stamps, dies and stencils and featuring many of our lovely Floral Stamp Sets and Alphabet Stamp Sets.  The card I'm sharing combines a New Release item from March along with a really cute Alphabet Stamp Set that I used to create the phrase I needed in front of the die-cut word "happy".

The base of this card is a thick burnt orange corrugated cardboard that I wrapped with several long lengths of Ivory Burlap String.  The next two (top) layers are black cardstock that I cut using the cool Stitched Rectangle Frame Dies.  Creative Worship Stamps offers so many great stamps, dies and products.  I splattered the black frame with watered-down acrylic paint.  I inked white cardstock with various shades of Tim Holtz Oxide Inks and then cut the butterflies using the Delicate Butterfly Dies.

I used the Vintage Elements Stamp Set for the journalling spot.  The words SO VERY were stamped using the Teeny Alpha Clear Stamp Set.  There are several awesome fonts of Alpha Stamps available, and this allows you to write any words you need.  The word happy was cut using the Happy/Hugs Dies.  I cut the journalling spot again using one of the rectangles found in the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  Some ribbons up in the corner were my final touch.  It just looked a bit empty up there to me.

All throughout the month of April, you'll see many fabulous and inspiring cards being shared by my talented Design Teammates at Creative Worship Stamps.  You can find much of it on their Instagram Page.  I'd love to have you all visit and Follow mine while you're there.  Have a wonderfully creative and happy week, everyone.  Thanks again for stopping by today.

I'm playing along in the following challenges:

The Paper Funday Challenges - April Challenge #86 - Anything Goes w/Optional Twist Dies/Punches

Blessings,

Karen

Easter Joy w/Stamp Simply Clear Stamps

Welcome by my blog today, sweet creative friends.  I'm always happy and grateful to have you visit me, to hear your thoughts and comments, and just to know that you're here.  I also equally enjoy seeing all of your creative artwork, and I hope you know how much you all inspire me.  Today I'm sharing a sweet and easy little card and bookmark duo creating using the Stamps of the Week from Stamp Simply.  These products are all on sale this week, and they are amazing.

This card started with black, pink and natural white cardstocks that I layered together.  The top (pretty) layer was cut using the beautiful Craft Consortium Ink Drops - Rose 6x6 Paper Pad.  I cut the piece of patterned paper into strips and placed them strategically onto the natural white cardstock, leaving small gaps of white in between.  The beautiful pattern in the paper remains fluid and continuous even though there are spaces in between each section.  The Craft Consortium Collection has several lovely colors of this gorgeous paper, and they're all available at Stamp Simply.

The sentiment and image I stamped on the front of my card are both found in the (one sale) Salvation Stamp Set.  I also made a matching bookmark that uses all the same papers.  The sentiment on the bookmark can be found in the (also on sale) Good News Stamp Set.  I stamped the bookmark sentiment with Graphite Black Ink and cut it using the Fishtail Banner Dies.  I love the beveled edges these gorgeous Banner Dies leave.  The many wonderful stamp sets available at Stamp Simply make it easy to create beautiful cards, matching bookmarks and more.

The finishing touches to my card were a pretty Seam Binding bow topped with a Coconut White Paper Bloom.  You can find the Stamp of the Week and other promotions by visiting Stamp Simply, and you can always find lots of wonderful inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog and IG Page.  Thanks so much for visiting me today.  I appreciate you so much, and I'm praying that you all have a happy and blessed Easter.  God loves you very much.  So much, in fact, that He died for you.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges - Simon Says "Anything Goes" and I'm playing along.

Blessings,

Karen

The Goodness of the Lord w/Creative Worship

Welcome by, everyone.  This is a card that I created for Creative Worship Stamps and that I shared on Instagram.  I forgot, however, to post it here on my blog.  Today I'm sharing it here, and I do apologize if you've already seen it (and possibly already commenting on it) over there.  Nonetheless, I love having you visit me and I'll very much appreciate your comments and thoughts on it here as well.  Having you visit and take any interest in my art whatsoever is a blessing to me that I'm incredibly grateful for, and I hope you know that.

I used a pretty patterned paper from The Craft Consortium and some basic ivory cardstock.  I stamped the image using the Stamp of the Month called Finch Collage Stamp.  This lovely stamp can be yours for FREE this month with any $75+ purchase at Creative Worship Stamps.  I cut the image using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  You can manipulate these dies to cut where you need them regardless of their actual size.  They're truly awesome and I use them a lot.

The sentiment was stamped using one of the beautiful sentiments found in the NEW Goodness of God Stamp Set.  I also used the NEW Damask Pattern Stencil to first stencil the background for my sentiment.  Finally, I cut the sentiment using the NEW Stitched Tags Dies.  I attached some pretty Seam Binding and placed the sentiment on my card at a slight angle.

Whatever you're creating, I'm looking forward to seeing it.  It's always so nice when you leave me a little note letting me know what you've made and where I can view it.  You all encourage and inspire me so much.  I'm excited to see your creations, too.  Have a super fun, super creative and super amazing week.

I'm sharing my card in the following FUN challenges:

The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog - Challenge #83/March - Inspired by all the GREEN in this fun photo.

Cut It Up Challenge Blog - Challenge #352 - Forever Green - I couldn't resist sharing my green card.  I used several die-cuts that are all listed and linked above.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges - Simon Says "Anything Goes" w/Altenew

Blessings,

Karen