My Halloween BOO at Make My Monday

Are you ready for some spooky fun and another great challenge?  Well, it's time for Challenge #237 at Make My Monday and there's a fun Spooky/Halloween theme this time.  Here in the US, Halloween is in just ten more days.  The challenges at Make My Monday are based out of the UK, and I'm not really sure if Halloween is a "thing" there or not.  Either way, you can play along and share anything that says Halloween/Spooky or Autumn to you.  We just look forward to seeing your creativity at play.

For this card, I used a cute slimline die from Whimsy Stamps called Slimline Scallop Die.  I just love the cute little openings.  They're pierced (have holes), so you could actually stitch them if you wanted (which I've done before - SO cute).  This time, instead, I inked each one with oxide inks. I hand-cut a wavy piece of paper that I used to section off a piece of the card (middle) that I rubbed with oxide inks to create the purple/pink background.

How cute!  Not really all that "spooky", but that's quite alright with me.  I used a (long since retired) stamp set from Simon Says Stamp called Too Cute To Spook.  I colored all the darling images with my Copics.  The cute sprinkles around my card are Candy Glazed Confetti from Whimsy Stamps.  They're fun to use in shaker cards or as photo props.

We really hope that you'll come play along with us at Make My Monday Challenge.  I'm even offering up a special PRIZE for this challenge - for participants in the US only.  Sorry, UK players.  I love and appreciate you all, but shipping costs are crazy.  This (retired/out of stock) stamp set is called Halloween Ingredients and is from the wonderful Poppy Stamps.

Thanks SO much for stopping by today.  I really hope that you'll become a new FOLLOWER of my blog and my Instagram Page.  I'll see you at Make My Monday and out there in social media/blog land.

Blessings,

Karen

Hello Pumpkin w/Stamp Simply

One of favorite times of year is Autumn.  I enjoy the cooler weather, the beautiful colors of the leaves as they change, dry up and fall from the trees, and of course - all the wonderful cards and projects we get to create and share.  Stamp Simply has so many fabulous stamps, dies and products to help us create amazing and meaningful cards for Autumn and every occasion throughout the year.  This card combines a new stamp set with an older stamp set from Stamp Simply.

I used patterned paper from the Craft Consortium Wood Textures 6x6 Paper Pad, Carta Bella Gather at Home 6x6 Paper Pad, and the Craft Consortium Bloom & Wild 6x6 Paper Pad on the inside of card.  I used the Sizzix Thinlits Simple Plaid Die for the (grid) background.  All the wonderful products at Simply Simply work well to complement one another.

The darling sentiment was stamped using the new Boho Pumpkins Stamp Set onto a banner cut with the Fishtail Banner Dies (a must-have item that I use A LOT).  The pumpkins were stamped using the Welcome Fall Stamp Set and were cut using the coordinating Welcome Fall Pumpkin Die.  Here (below) in the inside view of te card.

The pretty leaves were stamped using the Harvest Stamp Set and were cut using the coordinating Harvest Steel Dies.  I used the Jute Burlap Bundle to tie my rustic bow.  The inside also includes a Sizzix Crochet Border Die and another sentiment (Thank You) from the Welcome Fall Stamp Set cut with the Fishtail Banner Dies.

Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  You can find lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog as well as information about special sales and promotions.  Stamp Simply has so many fabulous products to help you create wonderful cards for every occasion, and they're always willing to help you with any questions.  I'm so grateful for your visits.  Have a great week.

Blessings,

Karen

Halloween Fun w/Whimsy Stamps

Since Whimsy Stamps has so many fun Halloween stamps and dies, I decided to make another not-so-spooky card to share with you today.  I also love all their wonderful Slimline Dies and products, and I've been making more of them lately.  Today's card combines a few terrific products from Whimsy Stamps, and I hope to share my card in a few fun challenges.

I used basic white cardstock to cut my card with the awesome Scallop Slimline Die.  I inked the middle section of my card with Mariner Blue and Pumpkin Oxide Inks to create the colorful background.  The cute little windows are pierced, so you could hand-stitch them if you wanted.  Each of the cute little images and sentiments are found in the Halloween Postage Stamp Set.

I colored the images using my Copics.  These tiny little images are so much fun.  They're also great for making tags and decorating matching envelopes.  The Halloween Postage Stamp Set is such a FUN stamp set.  I sprinkled the Creepy Crawlers Confetti Mix all around my card.  I think one spider even "crawled" his way onto my card.

I'd really love it if you would FOLLOW my blog and pop over to FOLLOW me on my Instagram account.  I always appreciate your visits and comments.  Thanks so much for stopping by today and have a wonderfully blessed and creative week, sweet friends.

I'm playing this spooky card here:

Double D Challenge Blog - Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Who's Got The Pumpkin? - I have some bitty little pumpkins on my card and some pumpkin Confetti Mix in the background.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Halloween/Spooky - My Halloween card isn't incredibly spooky, but it's a little creepy.  Right?  Just not terribly frightening.  LOL

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Fall Mood Board - The creepy spider in the lower right part of the photo gave me that Halloween creepy feeling, so I went with that.

Festive Friday Card Making Challenge - #FF0170 - From the list below, I used Black, Orange, Shaped Embellishments, Candy and Bats.

Cut It Up Challenge - Challenge #315 - Add Embellishments -  First, I used a Scalloped Slimline Die Set from Whimsy Stamps.  I embellished my card with Confetti Mix all around it, and by using tiny stamped images to embellish all the little scalloped "windows" that need some creepy images.

Stay crafty,

Karen

Going Batty w/Whimsy Stamps

Are you ready for Trick-or-Treaters?  I'm all set here at our house.  While I'm not a big fan of Halloween and what it represents, I do participate in Halloween. This is the one and only time of year when up to 100 children (and their parents) will come knocking on MY door asking for something.  I make up really cute treat bags that include yummy candy treats, Halloween pencils, plastic spiders and "fangs", Halloween stickers and other novelties, AND....most importantly, I include a Christian Halloween Tract letting these dear ones know that Jesus loves them, died for them, and wants to be their Savior.

My card uses basic black cardstock for the base.  I layered that with striped patterned papers from the Fabulous Florals 6x6 Paper Pack.  I also added some sweet Gingham Ribbons to the card for texture and FUN.  That sweet candy corn shape was cut using the new Primitive Candy Corn Die Set, and it is absolutely adorable.  I rubbed each section with pink oxide inks.  Whimsy Stamps has such fun and fabulous products.

I used the Batty Die Set for all those not-so-spooky bats.  But first, I rubbed basic white cardstock with a fun new product I picked up at Picket Fence.  It's called Paper Glaze Luxe and the color I used is Black Eyeliner.  As you can see in the photo above, it gives the bats a glimmery sparkle.  I also cut the stitches and hashtag image from the paper treated with the Paper Glaze Luxe.  These small cuts are also found in the Primitive Candy Corn Die Set.

All around my card you'll see several different sprinkles.  They're from two different Confetti Mixes found at Whimsy Stamps.  Whether you're a fan of Halloween or not, there are lots of great products waiting for you at Whimsy Stamps.  I have fun creating with all their wonderful products, and I think you will as well.  Thanks for visiting me here today, friends.  I always appreciate you.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge - Challenge #2441 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Fall Mood Board - I saw the spider on the mood board photo, so I decided to share this spooky Halloween card.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Halloween/Spooky - FUN!  EEK!  BOO!  SPOOKY!

Try It On Tuesday Challenges - Theme:  Halloween

Blessings,

Karen

Pastor Appreciation w/Stamp Simply

October is a special month.  It's the month set aside for showing appreciation to our pastors and those who bless us spiritually and encourage us in our walk with God.  Pastors (and Pastors' wives) are such special people.  Most of them are over-worked and under-paid.  They work countless hours, weekends, holidays and they make themselves available to others 24/7.  Many times, we forget to thank them for all they do.  At Stamp Simply, you can find several great stamps and dies to help you celebrate these special people in your life and let them know they really are appreciated.

I made this card by cutting a piece of basic cream cardstock.  I layered brown cardstock for the base with a plaid pattern paper from the Memory Box Woodsy Plaid Paper Pad (currently sold out - but similar to the Tartan Plaid).  Next, I used the cream cardstock again and a Tim Holtz Grunge Stencil to create my background.  I stamped Psalm 23 using the Deepest Sympathy Stamp Set.  I ran a length of Dark Brown Jute around my card.

The photo above shows you the inside of the card.  I repeated the patterned paper and attached a length of 1/4" Silk Ribbon.  I added a small kraft envelope to hold a gift card; and I decorated it to match the front of the card.  The wonderful sentiments were stamped using the Pastor & Ministry Appreciation Stamp Set.  This awesome stamp set includes sentiments to thank your pastor, pastor's wife and others in ministry.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.  You'll find lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog, and the perfect stamp sets for Pastor Appreciation and pretty much every occasion you can possibly imagine.  They really have a bit of everything.  I hope you'll stop by Stamp Simply to check out all their wonderful products.  Thanks so much for visiting me today, and happy crafting.

I'm sharing my card here:

Stencil FUN Challenge - October: Anything Goes w/a Stencil - Optional: Halloween - I used a Tim Holtz Grunge polka dot stencil - Entry #3/3

Love Those Pretty Papers - On this card, I used a cool brown plaid patterned paper from a Tartan Plaid pack.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Fall Mood Board - I was inspired by the middle photo with the shades of brown, the book, etc. to create this card for pastor Appreciation Month.

Blessings,

Karen

Autumn Blog Hop at Really Reasonable Ribbon

It's time for the October Blog Hop at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  You should have arrived here by way of Misty's Blog; but if not, you can catch up quickly as this is a fairly short hop.  There are two fabulous prizes up for grabs in this fun and inspiring Blog Hop including a $10 Really Reasonable Ribbon credit and your choice of any two digital stamp sets from Bonnie Garby Designs.

I used black cardstock layered with some miscellaneous patterned papers that I secured in place using Scor-Tape.  I did just a bit of machine stitching on the papers.  Next, I ran lengths of Sharon White Crochet Lace and a piece of Black & White Bold Gingham Check Ribbon.  The pretty pumpkins are found in the Boho Pumpkins Stamp Set from Stamp Simply.  I colored them with Copics.

The sentiment I used (Autumn Autumn Autumn) is from the Autumn Sentiments 2 Stamp Set at Bonnie Garby Designs.  I added lack tulle bow tied with Solid Green and Solid Pumpkin Baker's Twines and topped it with a White Flatback Faux Pearl Embellishment.  There are always oodles of great trims, Mulberry Flowers, Adhesives and so much more waiting for you at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Your next and final stop on this Blog Hop is at the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog where you'll answer one final question making you eligible for the prize.  However, PLEASE leave a comment on each blog in the hop to be fair and to play by the rules.  We all appreciate visits and comments.  Good luck in the random draw, and thanks for hopping along with us.

I'm sharing my card here:

Inspiration Station Challenge - Challenge Prompt #66 - I was inspired by the colors and the pumpkins (black and white pumpkin and orange pumpkin) in the photo.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Add Some Texture" so I added lots of fabulous textures to my card.

Blessings,

Karen

I Hope This Perks You Up

Any time I see a coffee challenge, I love playing along.  No need to wonder why.  It's because I love coffee and crafting.  I almost always have a caffeinated beverage next to me when I'm in my craft room.  It's my creative fuel, I suppose.  There are a few fun coffee challenges taking place right now where I'm excited to share my card; and I sure had a great time creating it.

I started with basic black cardstock for my base.  The patterned paper is from JilliBean Soup and I cut it with a curved edge (by hand) and inked it with Mowed Grass Ink.  The coffee cups I stamped, colored and cut were done using a very old stamp set from my stash from V's Sweet Ideas where I used to serve on the Design Team.  The tree stump, darling animals and leaves were stamped using the Woodland Littles Stamp Set from Hello Bluebird.

The little holly and ivy images and sentiment are from Paper Sweeties where I also served on the Design Team.  Yes, it's a blessing to have a large stash of stamps.  I used some crumbled styrofoam to create the "snow" on my card.  This is a trick I learned long ago from my creative friend, Esther.  She's always got a trick or two up her creative sleeve.

I'm excited to play along in these caffeinated challenges.  I hope you're creating some fun cards and having a happy week sharing your art out there in blogland and on social media.  Speaking of which, I'd love to have you come Follow me on Instagram as well as here on my blog.  Thanks so much for your visit today.

I'm playing along in the following:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge - Challenge #34 - Coffee, Christmas and Whimsical Winter Theme

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #274 - Photo Inspiration - Well, it's pretty clear how I was inspired.  They had me at coffee.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Add Some Texture" so I used shredded styrofoam to create some snow to give my card extra texture, and to make it more "Wintery and Christmassy".

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Patterned Paper" - I used an (older) green plaid patterned paper from JilliBean Soup at the bottom of my card.

Not 2 Shabby Blog - October Mood Board Challenge - I was inspired by the pinks, the deer, and the sweet images on the mood board.  I don't own any Not 2 Shabby branded products yet.

Thanks again for visiting today.

Blessings,

Karen