Smitten

You may have heard me use the word "SMITTEN" in my previous blog post.  Every so often, an idea or a technique just clicks with me.  When I said that I was "smitten with the Confetti Banner Challenge" over at Nichole Heady's Papertrey Ink Blog this week, I wasn't kidding.  I think it's SO adorable.  In fact, it made me recall a card that Melissa Phillips made some time ago that I had "Pinned" on Pinterest.  I KNEW that I wanted to recreate her sweet card, and this technique reminded of it so much.  So, I pulled up her sweet card and did what I call "scraplifting" it.  I recreated her card, used LOTS of the same products and elements; and yet somehow, made it my own.

I was sad (after I had strung all the little sequins and pieces on my garland that I had forgotten to use the sweet vintage baker's twine from My Craft Spot that Melissa originally used.  I happen to have it, and I hoard it.  But I would have used it on this card if I had thought of it in time.  Oh well, I used Red Baker's Twine from The Kraft Outlet instead.  I also used The Kraft Outlet's sweet Mini Kraft Chevron Merchandise Bags, a Grungy Prim Shipping Tag, Red & White Polka Dot Washi Tape and a Tiny Wooden Clothespin that I ink stained.

Some of my other supplies include Crate Paper Pretty Party patterned paper, some sequins, sequin hearts from Michaels,  half doily, small tag from an office supply store, a vintage button, some lace scraps, a Melissa Frances rub-on (for the Valentine sentiment), and several products from Papertrey Ink.  The Papertrey Ink products I used include their Heart Prints Die Collection - Set of 3 (I used the smallest heart), their Tiny Tags Stamp Set and coordinating Tiny Tags Die Cut Set.  These fabulous Papertrey Ink products helped me create my Confetti Border.

 

I'm entering my card in these challenges:

 

Nichole Heady's Papertrey Ink Blog - Make It Monday Challenge #199 - Confetti Garlands - I used the following Papertrey Ink products:  Heart Prints Die Collection - Set of 3 (I used the smallest heart), their Tiny Tags Stamp Set and coordinating Tiny Tags Die Cut Set.  These fabulous Papertrey Ink products helped me create my Confetti Border.

 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Papertake Weekly Challenge Blog - Take Your Pick Week - I chose to use a Warm Color (Red) AND I used buttons.

Amusing Challenge by A Muse Studio/Chris Franco's Blog - Challenge:  Anything Goes - I stamped on my hearts

Time Out Challenges - Challenge #23 - Valentine's Day/Use Hearts
 

Have a blessed week, and give this FUN technique a try for yourself

 

Karen

 

 

Sweet Confetti Garland

I was absolutely SMITTEN with this week's challenge at Papertrey Ink' Challenge Blog.  I knew right away what I wanted to do with it; so I grabbed my Crate Paper, Oh Darling line and got to work.  I layered several of their sweet patterned papers, stickers, vellum overlays and little tidbits to create my base.

I created the Confetti Banner using sequins, vellum pieces, and hearts cut using the Heart Prints Die Collection which I strung with some silver twine.

Nichole Heady's Papertrey Ink Blog - Challenge #199 - Confetti Garland - I LOVED this sweet tutorial.  I used Papertrey Ink's Heart Prints Die Collection (Set of 3) and they are the sweetest dies ever!  I use them all the time.  They fit perfectly into my garland, and used to cut layered patterned papers for my heart (at the bottom left).  Papertrey Ink has SO many adorable stamp sets and dies.  You will want to own them ALL!  (at least, I know that I do!)

 

Amusing Challenge #15 - Anything Goes - I love playing along in Chris' challenges at the A Muse Studio's Challenge Blog.  This week it' an Anything Goes theme, so come play along!

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Classy Cards 'N Such - Challenge #69 - Letter It - The LETTERS I used for my sentiment are some Crate Paper vellum overlays.  The CCNS products I used include Seam Binding that I stained red, as well as Baby Pearls in White (on my sequins).

Cardz TV Designer Challenge - Create a Card for Any Occasion - I chose to make a card for my sweet 4-year old niece who is desperately missing her Mommy who passed away in October.  It's a Valentines/Just Because card to let her know how VERY loved she really is!  I love how it's so girly because I know it will make her feel special (like she truly is)!!
 

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek, and please visit me again soon.  If you leave a comment, I will stop by your blog to say hello as well.  And if you want to become a new blog follower of my blog, I will be sure to stop by and follow you.  I always LOVE meeting creative new blog friends.

 

Blessings to you,

 

Karen

Chalkboard Papers at The Kraft Journal

Hello, krafty friends! I'm here today to share a fabulous What's Hot Wednesday segment featuring the Kraft Outlet's AWESOME Chalkboard Paper.  We all know how popular chalkboard projects are right now, and this fabulous paper makes this technique SO easy.  The Kraft Outlet carries Chalkboard Paper in both 8.5" x 11" Size and Half Sized (8.5" x 5.5").  And....The Kraft Outlet also carries Chalkboard Tags.

What's really great about this wonderful Chalkboard Paper is that you can create all the popular chalkboard techniques by either stamping on it, or using a rub-on.  For my first project, above, I crated a card.  I started with a Small Ivory Buff Note Card base.  To that, I added the Blackboard Stock Paper.  Next, I added a journaling card from the Jenni Bowlin Vintage Black Journaling Card Set, and on top of that I added a Chalkboard Tag that I inked with white chalk ink.  I used my handy dandy Bone Folder Tool to apply a rub-on sentiment.  I ran lengths of Black Baker's Twine around my card to frame it, and finally added a bow to the upper left corner that was made from a clear button, more Black Baker's Twine, and Vintage Winter White Hand-Stained Bias Tape.

For my second project(s), I created two gift card holders using Mini Notebook Merchandise Bags.  Inside the bags, I tucked Jenni Bowling Vintage Black Journaling Cards so that I can include a personalized note, and also tucked a gift card into each.  On the front of each bag, I added a Chalkboard Tag with a stamped and embossed sentiment.  Each tag is attached to the bag using a clothespin from the Vintage Memories Wooden Clothespin Set and a bow made from Black Baker's Twine.

These fabulous Chalkboard Papers have so many fabulous uses, and really make it easy and fun to create all the popular chalkboard techniques we're seeing everywhere.  This is a great week to treat yourself to this fabulous product.  You'll just love ALL the great products available at The Kraft Outlet.  We also hope that you'll stop by and play along in this week's fun challenge for your chance to win a $15 gift certificate the Kraft Outlet.

I'm sharing my projects here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Have a blessed week,
Karen

My Love

I've been noticing a lot of heart projects on everyone's blogs lately.  They're jus SO sweet, and I've enjoyed them so much.  So, I decided to create one for myself.  I used a piece of My Mind's Eye striped patterned paper for the base, and then some Recollections patterned paper for the rest.  I also used the Recollections embellishments (chipboard pieces) that came with this set last year at Michael's.  I added a Prima ticket, machine stitched the edges, and added some trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon including their Arianna Natural Crocheted Lace, Red Burlap String and Ivory Burlap String.

I'm entering my "lovely" heart card in the following challenges:

 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Have A Heart" - In this case, I have several....LOL

A Muse Studio's Amusing Challenge - Hearts

The Ribbon Girl Challenge - January Color Challenge - Pink

Creative Card Crew - Challenge #79 Shabby Chic

Have a blessed week, everyone!
Karen

Mini Wine Bag Album With RRR

Hello, crafty friends!  Today I'm sharing a great idea for creating mini albums bound with Really Reasonable Ribbons.  We've all heard of making paper bag albums; but have you ever tried using wine bags?  Next time you (don't) visit the liquor store, kindly ask for a few extra bags.  They're always VERY accommodating.  These bags are longer than your ordinary lunch bags, ad they make awesome paper bag albums.  I took three wine bags, folded them in half, decorated them with patterned papers and embellishments, and then used my Zutter binding machine to bind the edges.  You can also punch holes in the bags and run ribbons through the holes to bind your albums.  It's easy, fun, and inexpensive......which we all love!

Once my edges were bound, I tied several sweet ribbons and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon on the wire loops of my binding including the super sweet Pink Aster Seam Binding, Light Blue Plaid Gingham Ribbon, and Helen White Crochet Lace.  Here is a closer picture of the binding from the front view:

Because I used three wine bags, that gives me a total of six pages.  My photos show the pages in order from the cover (at the top) to the back cover - way down at the bottom of this post.  Sorry, it's a long post with LOTS of pictures, so please bear with me.

The sweet little Nursery Rhyme cards I used throughout this mini album are a 12x12 patterned paper sheet from Carte Bella's Baby Mine collection.  Most Hobby Lobby locations carry this set in a 12x12 package with all the papers, stickers, etc., and you can always use a coupon to purchase this adorable set.  I've made LOTS of baby cards and mini alums with it.  Cute stuff!

One thing I love about making mini albums out of these paper wine bags is that there are all the built-in pockets, great places for journaling, adding photos, and such.  You can see that I also added some little sticker tabs for adding names and dates here and there.  Ribbons are a great way to add pull-tabs to your pocket inserts.

This page (above) has an old piece of Making Memories patterned paper worked in, as does the Little Bo Peep page.  I love having pages that are big enough for adding photos.  I always suggest to people that the photos that you can't fit onto the pages, you can simply tuck into the flaps/pockets for safe-keeping.  That way, the journaling will all be there with the photos.

You may also notice that when you use paper bags or wine bags for your mini albums, you will have these terrific built-in pockets where the bags open.  I used these sweet openings to tuck in photo cards made from ivory cardstock.  You will see that some of these tabs have a wide ribbon attached to them so that they can be easily pulled out of the pocket.  I used Really Reasonable Ribbon's super sweet Natural Burlap Ribbon With Pink and White Wired-Edge for these tabs.  Because it's such a nice wide ribbon, it makes a great pull tab.  This beautiful, wide ribbon comes in several lovely colors.

This page (above) has half of a Cheery Lynn French Pastry Doily on the side.  There is absolutely no end to the ways you can embellish these sweet little mini albums.  Really Reasonable Ribbon also has lots of sweet Decorative Bags that can be used for creating mini albums.



I really hope that you will give this fun mini album a try using wine bags instead of paper lunch bags.  This gives you a larger area for adding photos, journaling cards, and of course....RIBBONS!

Treat yourself to some of these gorgeous trims, and then come play along in our current challenge.  We look forward to seeing what you will create next.  Our challenges are open to EVERYONE.  Our only major requirements for playing along at Really Reasonable Ribbon are USING RIBBON on your projects, and having fun!  Really Reasonable Ribbon has everything you need to adorn your projects with the sweetest ribbons, trims and flowers.  Thanks for stopping by today.

By the way, there's a fantastic Three-Day sale going on NOW at Really Reasonable Ribbon, so it's a great time to order if you're looking for some fabulous new ribbons and trims!

Have a blessed week,
Karen

I'm sharing my mini album here:
A Muse Studio - Amusing Challenge - Hearts!  I used a Martha Stewart HEART border punch, and you can see this best in the first two photos at the top of this post

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Have a Heart!  I used a Martha Stewart HEART border punch, and you can see this best in the first two photos at the top of this post

 

 

It's Winter at The Kraft Journal

It's no secret to any of us that it's WINTER!  So, at The Kraft Journal, we decided to CELEBRATE it, and have a challenge centered around the very theme of WINTER!  Whenever I think about winter, I quickly recall happy memories from my childhood.  One of those sweet memories are the MITTENS my Grandma Ensign would knit for each of us.  They sure kept our fingers and hands extra warm.

I used a Papertrey Ink mitten die-cut to create her shape, and then covered the mitten with rows of Red & White Polka Dot Washi Tape and Blue & White Polka Dot Washi Tape.  Then, I added a couple rows of white lace, and wrapped a few lengths of sweet Red Baker's Twine around my mitten.

In this photo, you can see the top portion of my mitten that has some red glittered jingle bells tied with Natural Hemp Cord  and more bows of Red Baker's Twine.  I also placed a silver snowman charm on the bow as an accent.  I have several of these metal charms, and I often forget to use them.

The next photo shows the bottom portion of my mitten.  I added a sweet Papertrey Ink Tiny Tag with a PTI Tiny Tags stamped sentiment (warm wishes) that is attached with a Tiny Wooden Clothespin.  We sure do look forward to seeing what each of you think about when you consider WINTER.  Come, and play along in this week's SUPER FUN Winter Challenge.

I'm sharing this Winter Mitten project here:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Winter Stamping - I used a Winter Mitten, and I stamped a sentiment onto the little hanging tag.

Red Carpet Studios Challenge Blog - Challenge #87 - Frozen - Wintery Theme & Use Glitter - I used glitter to lightly frost my hand-painted and glittered jingle bells.

Scrappy Mom Stamps Terrific Tuesday Challenge - Think Warm - Mittens really do make me think warm because I don't live in the north - I just recall the warm knit mittens my Grandma made for me when I was little.

 

God bless you,

Karen

Hearts & Ribbons at Really Reasonable Ribbon

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, we thought that a Hearts & Ribbons Challenge would be just perfect for this month's challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  All you need to do in order to play along is create a project using hearts, flowers and of course.....ribbons!  For this fun challenge, I created a card using a piece of floral patterned paper, and running a length of  our GORGEOUS 2 1/2 Inch Cotton Blend Vintage Floral Pink Ribbon which was recently restocked.  Get it while it's available, friends!  On top of that, I added a small piece of 1 1/2 Inch Ivory Jute/Burlap Ribbon. To incorporate my hearts, I cut several wool felt hearts using some of my favorite wool felt and layered them, placing tiny accent stickers in the center of each.  Then, I hand-stitched some blue DMC floss through the hearts, and also touched the edges of my card with blue acrylic paint. 

I also added a sweet bow near the bottom made from another favorite which is the super sweet Light Blue Plaid/Gingham Ribbon.  I jokingly told one of my Design Team Members that I won't be content until I own this sweet ribbon in every color.  I also attached a little Happy Valentine's Day sentiment at the top of my card.   What I love the most is the GORGEOUS 2 1/2 Inch Cotton Blend Vintage Pink Floral Trim (besides the fact that it's breath-takingly beautiful) is how the edges fray (if you want them to).  It gives a soft, shabby feel, and I just love that.  Really Reasonable Ribbon has EVERY ribbon and trim you could possibly dream of, and I encourage you to take a peek for yourself.

I also created a decorative pocket by using wool felt.  I cut two hearts - one in red and one just slightly bigger in white.  I used pinking sheers to cut the white, and then layered the red.  I used Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ivory Burlap String to stitch the layers together creating a pocket.  I tucked some ribbons and candies inside.   At the top, you will also see that I used Lipstick Red Seam Binding and White Seam Binding to create a bow so that my sweet felt heart pocket can be hung.  Plus, bows are always beautiful in Really Reasonable Ribbon's sweet Seam Binding.  Treat yourself today!

This photo shows it a bit closer so that you can see all my goodies.  I added a small piece of Chevron Red Stripe Twill to the front, and then hot glued a few of RRR's sweet Mulberry Flowers just to add a little something special to make it pop!
 

We really hope you will play along in our Hearts & Ribbons Challenge!  It's always more fun when you can join us.

 

Blessings to you all, and happy ribbony crafting!

Karen