Word Art Wednesday Card

It's the middle of the week already.  Another Wednesday, and time to share my Design Team card for the challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday where our challenges are always Anything Goes, and our Design Team creates each week using the word art/scripture files that are available for free download on our challenge blog.  We would love to have you share your art with us in our challenge this week.  It's always Anything Goes as long as it has an uplifting or encouraging sentiment, Bible scripture, or is otherwise completely family-friendly.

www.vssweetideas.com

We have an INCREDIBLE sponsor this week.....V's Sweet Ideas is sponsoring this challenge, and offering one lucky winner a $10 gift certificate to V's Yummy Sweet Shoppe to spend on scrapping and card-making goodness.  And V's has plenty of adorable embellishments from which to choose.  The winner of this challenge is going to be ONE LUCKY PERSON!!  You are welcome to share up to 5 times per week, and we encourage you to do so.  We're trying to hit 200 entries in any one challenge; and when we do, there will be another AMAZING prize another randomly-selected winner.

 

I made my card using a base of a Small Kraft Lunchbag Notecard and adding patterned paper from Basic Grey's Porcelain Collection - Winemere and a scrap of My Mind's Eye patterned paper that runs across the middle and is machine stitched on.  I made a bow using some of the luscious Melon & White Crinkled Seam Binding available at V's Sweet Ideas.  I also added two chipboard hearts from the Dear Lizzy Chipboard Shapes by American Crafts - these are also from V's Sweet Ideas.

If you would love to win a $10 gift certificate to V's Sweet Shoppe so that you can fill your cart with some wonderful new crafting goodies, then stop by and share with us this week at Word Art Wednesday Challenge Blog.  You can enter up to 5 times to increase your odds of winning!

Karen Letchworth for Word Art Wednesday

Here are the challenges I'm entering with this card:

Twist of Faith Cards Challenge Blog - Challenge #38 - On The Square - my card is actually a rectangle, so I am not eligible to win, but still wanted to play along this week.

City Crafter Challenge Blog - Challenge #160 - A Color Challenge - I loved working with these gorgeous colors!

Basic Grey Challenge Blog - Challenge #94 - Inspired By A Song - This card uses Basic Grey's Porcelain line (Winemere patterned paper), and it is inspired by the praise song, "He is Faithful" which is taken from this Bible verse.

Simon Says Stamp & Show Vintage Challenge Blog - Challenge:  Favorite Ink - I used one of my most favorite ink pads on the edges of this card, which is.....Tim Holtz Distress Ink!
 

Thanks for stopping by to say hello today.  I really hope that we will see you enter the challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday because it's s great week to play along and try to win a gift certificate to V's Sweet Ideas.  Have a blessed day!

 

Karen

Paper Sweeties For Sweet Alexa



My sweet niece, Alexa Drew
 

I wanted to make a little card for my darling niece, Alexa.  She just had her dance recital, and I was SO bummed out that I couldn't be there for it.  It was just one of those times when I was really feeling the impact of how difficult it is living so far away from family.  She is growing up so quickly, and I miss being a part of her daily life.  I look forward to seeing her when we visit Minnesota in late June to early July.  This card will be sent to her.

Luckily, my brother Andy, Alexa's Papa (as she calls him) takes lots of pictures, so I have several shots from her recital.  I thought I'd share one here.  Alexa is the dancer in the middle.  There are lots of blondes there (hello...it's Minnesota - LOTS of Scandanavians) so I had to do a double take, but that's my precious Alexa in the middle, dancing her little heart out.  She's SO cute!  I love to brag on her.  She is amazing!  She speaks fluent Russian as well as English.  Mama is from Russia, and Baba (Grandma) Natasha has lived with them for many years, so she grew up speaking both English and Russian.  She is in Kindergarten now, and already asking about learning a third language.  Yes, I love that little girl and cannot wait to give her a BIG hug just as soon as I see her this summer.  We have SO much fun together!

Alexa is in the middle - the only one with her hands in proper position.  Go, Alexa!

My card is made using a Small Kraft Lunchbag Notecard as the base, and adding some My Mind's Eye patterned paper, a painted and glittered chipboard heart, some Prima flowers, machine stitching, and the sentiment is stamped on Lunch Bag Kraft Card Stock using a "So Proud of You" stamp from Paper Sweeties.

 

Paper Sweeties - Challenge and Inspirational Sketch #7 - I used Paper Sweeties "So Proud of You" stamp on this card.

Thanks for stopping by to say hello, and have a great night!  I will see you all tomorrow for my Word Art Wednesday Design Team post.  We have a great new challenge starting with an AWESOME sponsor, V's Sweet Ideas!!  I know how AWESOME V's Sweet Shoppe really is because I'm blessed enough to be on her Design Team and get to create with the wonderful products they offer all the time.  Check out the shop, and then come play along in our challenge starting tomorrow for a chance to win a gift certificate to V's.

Until then,

Karen

 

 

 

 

Time to Celebrate at The Kraft Journal

It's Monday again, and time for another SUPER FUN challenge at The Kraft Journal Challenge Blog.  And this week, the theme is "CELEBRATIONS".  This could be a birthday, a new baby, a graduation, anniversary, or anything that causes you to celebrate.  I decided to make a card to celebrate the birth of a new baby!

Karen Letchworth for The Kraft Journal

I started out with a Small Luch Bag Kraft Notecard - these note cards are WONDERFUL for card-making.  By picking up some note cards, cardstock, or any of the items at The Kraft Outlet, you not only get some amazing products, but you are also able to play along in our challenges.  To join us, you either need to use products purchased (or won) at The Kraft Outlet, or use any Kraft items you may have on hand.  We LOVE seeing Kraft (and creativity)!!!  Next, I took a smaller piece of Buff Ivory Cover Weight Cardstock and four strips of Blue & White Polka Dot Washi Tape and stitched them to my base with blue thread.  The boat and car are Melissa Frances rub-ons, and the car is on top of a Silver Bottle Cap that I painted cream.  The (it's a) rub-ons are by Jenni Bowlin, and the (boy) sticker letters are Thickers.  I also added  some brown, black and blue Baker's Twine, and accented that knot with a Tim Holtz Memo Pin to give it that "edgy" look.

The Ribbon Carousel - Challenge #81 - Celebrations!  Since I made this card for a "Celebrations" challenge, and I really want to win a fabulous RIBBON CAROUSEL from The Ribbon Carousel, I am sharing this card in their fun challenge!
 

What are YOU celebrating this week that you can share in our challenge at The Kraft Journal?  We sure would love to have you play along with us.  We select a Top 3 each week, and those names go into a random drawing for a monthly prize of a gift certificate to The Kraft Outlet where you can pick from hundreds of amazing items for all your crafting needs.  Check out this awesome store and do some shopping!

 

Have a blessed week, and thanks for stopping by today.

Karen

Keeping It Simple at Eureka

This week's challenge at Eureka Stamps Challenge Blog is to use all white, or to use no patterned/designer papers.  That doesn't mean that you can't use color if you want to.  It just means that you have to find other creative ways to bring in the color without using patterned papers.  You could use colored cardstock, washi tape, or bring your color in by taking an adorable image from Eureka Stamps and painting it or coloring it with markers.  There are many ways to be creative with this challenge, and we look forward to seeing what you will share with us.

Karen Letchworth for Eureka Stamps

For my card, I used white, black and yellow cardstock, colored the flowers on this digi (Eureka Digital Stamp #502 Flower Girl Angel) and then added a small strip of washi tape from Freckled Fawn and attached them using my Tim Holtz mini stapler.  At the top, I stamped a sentiment and added some Baker's Twine from V's Sweet Ideas.  It's really a pretty simple card, but it was a true "challenge" for me to stay away from designer/patterned papers.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek at my card.  I hope that we will see YOU link up in this week's challenge at Eureka Stamps Challenge Blog, and I would also love to see you share in our Anything Goes Challenge over at Word Art Wednesday.  The more challenges you enter, the more opportunities you have to win some amazing prizes, and the more people who get to see your wonderful creations. I know that I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's art this week.

 

There are times that I think to myself, "oh, I don't want to enter that one...it seems too difficult."  But, isn't that why it's called a "CHALLENGE" after all?  I encourage you to push yourself a bit this week and try something a little bit different, or a little bit "out of your comfort zone".  Then, stop by Eureka Stamps and Word Art Wednesday and share your creative ideas with us.  We would LOVE to see what you come up with this week!

I'm entering these fun challenges with my card:

Frosted Designs Challenge - Black, White and One Other Color - Since we were "keeping it simple" this week, I used black, white and brought in a touch of yellow for this challenge.

Twist of Faith Cards Challenge Blog - Challenge #37 - The Ties That Bind - I used several colors of baker's twine on this card.

 

Happy crafting!

 

Blessings to you,

 

Karen

Darling October Afternoon

Of all the MANY scrapbook items that I absolutely LOVE, and all the gorgeous lines out there from oodles of awesome companies, one of my ALL TIME favorites is still October Afternoon.  I own SO MUCH of this adorable company's products, and I still feel that I would LOVE to own every single bit of it (greedy, I know - shame on me!)  It's just the most adorable company with so many delightful embellishments, and the best part is that most of the different October Afternoon lines can be combined; and being able to mix and match really helps all that cuteness go even further.  I just LOVE it all.  The second piece of patterned paper (cream and blue stripe ledger paper) is Cosmo Cricket.  Then for the other layers, I used several different patterned papers from various October Afternoon lines, as well as some October Afternoon journaling stickers and chipboard, some washi tapes, Recollections flowers, seam binding bow with baker's twine and Making Memories ribbon, machine stiching, and the pocket of this Kraft Card Sleeve Envelope from The Kraft Outlet holds a little Making Memories tag with journaling and a date sticker).

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

 

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Vintage Challenge Blog:  A Little Paper - this card was made using patterned papers from several different 6x6 October Afternoon paper pads, along with small scraps of paper from my October Afternoon stash.

 

The Play Date Café - Vintage Retro Influences - Inspiration Color/Retro Photo (Maroon, Poppy and Jade)

 

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge Blog - Challenge #72 - Red, White & Blue

 

Chocolate, Coffee Cards Challenge Blog - Challenge #39 - Use a Number - Do you see the numbers on my washi tape? (top right of card)

 

Great Impressions Stamps Challenge Blog - May Challenge - Celebrations!   This birthday card is going to my friend, Mary.  We've been friends for 24 years.  Mary had a kidney transplant (praise God that she found a donor!)...and last week, she finally had her native kidneys removed.  I've tucked some goodies in the pockets for her!  I still don't have any Great Impressions stamps, but still love to play along in hopes of winning!  And yes, this is a true CELEBRATION that Mary is around to celebrate many more happy birthdays because of a generous donor who (along with God's grace) saved her life!

 

I'm so grad you stopped by today, and hope that you all had a blessed Lord's Day.  We enjoyed a day at church and out for lunch which is the first time we've all (all five of us including Lily being home from Bible College) been together to do that, so it was really nice!  I just love it when all my babies are tucked in their own beds under our roof (where they belong until they're at least 40...lol).

 

Thanks again for peeking, and I will see some of you again tomorrow for my Monday morning posts.  Until then, keep counting your blessings!

 

Karen

 





Basic Grey & My Third Cupcake Cutie

I didn't quite think that I'd be able to finish a third, and final, entry for the challenge this week over at Cupcake Inspirations.  I really liked the color combination for this week's challenge, so I found some time this evening (once dinner was in the oven) to sneak out another card.  It's nothing spectacular, but it's fun and follows the color combination.

Here is a link to the challenge at Cupcake Inspirations.  I really had a lot of fun with this challenge and, as I said, this is my third and final entry.

 

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge Blog - Challenge #210 - Cupcake Color Inspiration

 

I'm also entering this card in the challenge at Basic Grey Challenges Blog which you can read all about here:

 

Basic Grey Challenge Blog - Challenge #93 - Mix & Match - The pink polka dot patterned paper is Basic Grey (an older line, I think it's called Blitzen).  I enjoyed mixing and matching the two very different polka dot prints.

Simon Says Stamp Challenges - Flower Power

 

Simon Says Stamp & Show Vintage Challenge Blog - A Little Paper - this card was made using a small scrap of Basic Grey patterned paper from my stash.  It feels good to use up all those "little pieces of paper".

 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a WONDERFUL weekend!

 

Karen

Sharing God's Word at Word Art Wednesday

Hello my crafty and bloggy friends!  I hope that today finds you all doing well and praising God in everything.  I know that it's not always easy to remember to give God praise when things aren't going well, but...it's more important than ever to praise Him even when times are difficult.  He wants to hear us giving His name the glory and honor it deserves ALL the time.  So, I would suggest to just say "PRAISE the LORD" today, and say it OUT LOUD so that He hears it and gets the praise He deserves.  He loves to hear us praise Him, and Satan and all his demons can hear you PRAISE GOD too!  No, things aren't always going to be going perfectly, but God is always going to be able to get you through them perfectly.  His grace is ALWAYS sufficient, and He wants you to trust Him, and to call out to Him, to ask Him for His help, and of course.....to ALWAYS praise Him.

This week at Word Art Wednesday, we have another great challenge for everyone.  As always, it's an Anything Goes Challenge, and we have another gorgeous word art file for everyone.  Feel free to stop by Word Art Wednesday, save the free word art to your computer, and then stop by to share in our challenge this week.  We have TWO amazing sponsors; Digi Darla Designs is giving away 5 free digis to one winner, and Heart & Soul Rubber Stamps is giving another lucky winner a rubber stamp set of their choice.   It's another great week to be a winner at Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes Challenges.

Karen - For Word Art Wednesday

 I'm going to share my card into the challenges where it fits the theme as follows:

Twist of Faith Cards Challenge Blog - Challenge #37 - The Ties That Bind - I've used jute and Baker's Twine on my card

 

Simon Says Stamp Vintage Challenge Blog - A Little Paper - As it turns out, this is the perfect card for this challenge.  I found this scrap of paper (green gingham check) and there was such a tiny bit left.  I measured to see if it was big enough for a card base, and it was literally the PERFECT length and I just had to trim the width slightly.  I got SO lucky to be able to squeeze out one more card from this lovely 6x6 paper pad from Simple Stories Baby Steps line.

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog - Flower Power

 

I thank you SO MUCH for stopping by today to say hello and take a little peek at my card.  It's always such a blessing to me when you stop by, and I look forward to visiting each of you on your blogs this week to see what you've been creating.  Please do me two favors this week:  1) stop by Word Art Wednesday to play along in our challenge this week, and 2) PRAISE the Lord OUT LOUD.  God is SO good to us!   Let Him know.

 

Praising God for you,

Karen