Introducing....Mini Tag Die Set

Ever since I started designing for Top Dog Dies, I've absolutely fallen in love with each new release.  But every now and then, a great new die cut set comes along that I just ADORE, and for me, the new Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Die Set is one of those sets.  This awesome set of six mini tags in various shapes is absolutely PERFECT for adding a special touch to any project.

I used the Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Die Set for the little hang pieces at the top.  They're just SO cute.  I also used several die-cuts on this little card (w/tag) that are from the brand new Top Dog Dies Camera Finishers Die Set including the brackets (in hot pink on the bottom corners), as well as the hash tag (in hot pink by the words best, trip, ever).  The sweet little bicycle, patterned paper, and little pieces at the top, are all from the Scrapbook Circle.  Top Dog Dies will be having another AWESOME FUN Blog Hop starting this Monday, April 21.  You will have the chance to win some amazing prizes from both companies, so I hope you will stop by and hop along with us.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'm sharing my Top Dog Dies project in the following challenges:

Just B Creative Crazy - April Linky Party - Just Because/Anything Goes

Docerela Creations - Anything Goes Challenge #59 - Docerela has so many amazing stamp sets - stop by to check them out!

Sister Act Card Challenge - Challenge #53 - Anything Goes

My Craft Spot by Kimberly - Challenge #133 - Tags & Banners - You see can how I cut my card to look like a tag, and then I made a pocket out of vellum where I actually placed a tag.

Have a blessed weekend, and I hope to see you on Monday for the amazing Blog Hop.

Karen

Downsizing My Craft Room

In an effort to downsize my craft room, I am going to be selling some items.  I will keep this post going until I've posted and sold all the things I'm getting rid of.  The first are my coveted Ribbon Boxes.  They were originally sold at Target for about $5 each.  Each box has dividers inside, and six holes for ribbons to come out for display.  They stack very nicely against the wall.  I'm not selling them filled with ribbon (they're empty) and they can be unsnapped and folded flat to mail.  I will only charge ACTUAL shipping.  The price depends on how many you'd like to purchase.  I'm thinking about $2-$3 each, or we can make a deal if you want them all.  I have 28 of them available.  First come, first served!  Here are some photos:

As I stated above, I'm selling them EMPTY, but this photo (below) shows you what they look like when they're filled with ribbon, and how nicely they stack up.  I absolutely LOVE these ribbon boxes, but I just gave away three HUGE bags of ribbon to a friend from church, and now I need to get rid of the boxes that they were being stored in so that I can rearrange my craft room.

Let me know if you have any questions at all, or anything you're looking for specifically.  I'm PURGING!

Have a blessed week!

Karen

Bunnies and Lambs at TKJ

Welcome, everyone!  It's Monday again, and time for a great new challenge over at The Kraft Journal.  We are always delighted to have new faces join in our challenges, and we were THRILLED with last week's turn-out for our Paris/France Challenge.  We look forward to seeing your fun Easter creations this week - anything with a bunny or a lamb using kraft product or items found at the Kraft Outlet.

Karen Letchworth for The Kraft Journal

For this week's Easter-themed "Bunnies and/or Lambs" Challenge at the Kraft Journal, I chose to make a cute little tag with an Easter Bunny that was cut from wool felt.  I started my little project with a Blackboard Tag.  These lovely tags are perfect for projects using the chalkboard technique or anything you want to really stand out against the white, and they're a great value at just $4 for a package of 25 tags.  I placed my wool felt bunny onto the Blackboard Tag, and secured the top with a big fluffy bow that I made of Vintage Winter White and Rose Petal Cupcake Hand-Stained Bias Tape.  I also made the bunny's whiskers by cutting a few short lengths of Natural Hemp Cord.  The "Eggs 4 Sale and matching eggs" are white rub-ons that were placed onto Blackboard Stock Paper.  I added googly moving eyes, a tiny pearl sticker on his nose, and that's about it.  The lovely blackboard tags and papers at the Kraft Outlet are SO fun to create with, and are right on trend.  SO many great items at The Kraft Outlet.  Why not treat yourself today!

It would be WONDERFUL to have you HOP on over to The Kraft Journal Challenge Blog to play along in our Bunnies/Lambs Challenge this week.  You could be our next Featured Artist, or the lucky winner of the $15 Gift Certificate to The Kraft Outlet.  Remember, the only requirements are following the weekly theme, and using kraft products or items sold at the Kraft Outlet.  We would LOVE having you play along and share your talents with us.

I'm sharing my little Easter Bunny Tag in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamps Challenge Blog - Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says Easter or Sweet Treats

Just B Creative Crazy Challenge Blog - April's Just Because Link Party - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew Challenge Blog - Challenge #59 - Spring - I chose to share my little Easter bunny who is bringing in Spring with a smile!

Little Scrap Pieces - Happy Easter and Show It Off Saturday

Thanks for stopping by to visit, and have a blessed week!

Karen

Friday With Top Dog Dies

It's Friday - TGIF!!!  And, time again for my Top Dog Dies Blog Post.  In case you missed the big news, there's another SUPER FUN Blog Hop taking place this week between Top Dog Dies and Authentique Papers.  Just stop by the Top Dog Dies Blog and the Authentique Papers Blog to enter to win amazing prizes from both companies.  LOTS of great inspirational ideas, sales, and prizes being given away.  You won't want to miss out on this awesome event.

In our newest Spring Release from Top Dog Dies, we have a large mini album sized Butterfly Die and Camera Die.  There are also finisher sets for both, as well as new Mini Tag Dies and more.  You can stop by the Top Dog Dies Store or Blog to see all the savings opportunities, and view the new Spring Release.

My project I'm sharing with you all today was made using the new Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Die Set which is one of our new sets that I absolutely LOVE and can't seem to put away.  I used it through this sweet little baby album, as you will see.

The second page uses another tag from the Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Die Set as well.  There are a total of six (6) mini tags in the set, and they are all ADORABLE, and SUPER versatile.

You can stamp on the mini tags, add details such as names or dates, and can be attached with a mini safety pin (as I did on these mini album pages), or with string, jute, baker's twine, etc.

Some of the mini tags are narrow and small, and some are more square with a bit more room.  Each is unique and adds such personality to your projects and really helps give it those little touches that really make it special.

By the way, my album was created using Crate Paper's Little Boy Blue line.  I added lots of sweet little pockets for tucking in memories, photos and keepsakes, and these darling little Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Dies helped make it really special.

In the photo above, I attached my mini tag using some baker's twine and a mini clothespin.  There are oodles of ways to attach these darling little tags, but what can't be denied is that they are ADORABLE, and a must-have item.  You can get your new set of Mini Tag Dies by stopping at Top Dog Dies and doing some shopping today!

Since I ran out of room, and this post is getting quite lengthy, I didn't post ALL the pages of this mini album.  There were also some Maya Road envelopes decorated and placed in the middle because they make a great place to store keepsakes such as hospital bracelet for baby, and other keepsakes.  And the Top Dog Dies Mini Tag Dies Set is the perfect touch for baby albums, and SO much more!

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek today, and don't forget to stop by the Top Dog Dies Blog and the Authentique Blog to check out the details on how to win some great prizes.  

Have a great week!

Karen

My Card That Took A "U-Turn"

If you're anything like me, you'll know just what I'm talking about when I say that not all cards turn out ANYTHING LIKE what you originally envisioned when you began creating.  I'm not exactly certain just when or how this card took a "U-Turn" of sorts, but for some reason I turned to my October Afternoon patterned papers and embellishments.  I originally intended to end up with an "Easter-themed" or at least a somewhat "Easter-ish" card......but as you can see, that clearly DIDN'T happen.

I put three different October Afternoon patterned papers together, inked and machine stitched them, and then added an October Afternoon piece of Emphera from the OA Alchemy add-ons (blue children card cut into several pieces) from one older OA line or another (I have WAY TOO MUCH October Afternoon product....or at least I own more than what is most likely legal in some countries....LOL).  It's quite a collection, and definitely more than a girl could ever ask for - and then some.  I am blessed!

Next, I added a seam binding bow, placed two buttons in the center of that, added a Maya Road stick pin and a few lengths of pink baker's twine.  I used the October Afternoon Emphera piece by cutting it into strips and placing the strips....here and there....machine stitching as I went.  It turned out very "vintage looking", but not necessarily very "Easter" looking.  But that really was my original intention, please believe that.

I guess the pastel colored polka dot paper and the vintage feel give it somewhat of an Easter feel.  I realize I'm stretching here......but as I said right up front, not all cards turn out the way you envision.   It just really took a "U-Turn" on me.  I hope you enjoy creating something beautiful this week and sharing it with us in the Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday. 

This beautiful scripture is the free word art file for this week, and you can find and save it on our challenge blog at Word Art Wednesday Challenge Blog and we really hope that you will stop by to share your lovely art in this card challenge (art project challenge, etc.).  We LOVE seeing the art you create, and while you are most welcome to save the word art and use it on your project if you wish, you are not required to do so in order to play along with us.  We're just grateful to have you share ANY of your art with us. Our marvelous sponsors this week are My Craft Spot - offering a free stamp set of choice, and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - offering our digital prize this week.

I'm sharing my card here:
Just B Creative Crazy - April's Just Because Linky Party

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by to say hello.  I am always SO very grateful to have you visit my blog and leave such kind and encouraging comments.  I look forward to visiting YOUR blogs.  Just leave me a note (and hopefully your blog address) and I will be by to say hello to YOU, as well.

God bless you and keep you,

Karen

Top Dog Dies and Authentique Blog Hop

The Design Team at Top Dog Dies is very excited, and quite honored really, to be working with Authentique Papers this week to bring you a SUPER FUN Blog Hop.  This isn't a typical blog hop where you're required to hop from one blog to the next.  But rather, you will have the opportunity to win from both Authentique AND Top Dog Dies.  To enter to win the amazing Authentique Prize Pack being offered, head on over to The Authentique Blog and follow the instructions given to be entered.  You may also enter by stopping by the Authentique Facebook Page to say that "Dog Top Dies sent you".  Then, to enter to win the amazing prize being offered by Top Dog Dies, simply use this link to stop by the Top Dog Dies Blog to follow the instructions there, and you will be entered to win an AWESOME prize of $50 in exclusive wafer-thin Top Dog Dies.  Each Top Dog Dies Design Team Member has lovely projects on their blog to showcase all the lovely new Top Dog Dies Spring Release for you, as well as the lovely Authentique Papers we were given for this special hop.

This first project was made by getting a little bit creative, and hand-drawing and cutting my own template to create a boat.  This lovely Authentique Anchored Line has a warm ocean/sea-side theme to it, so making and decorating a boat seemed only appropriate.  I cut the boat shape from kraft paper, and covered it in the Authentique patterned papers and stickers.  I made a base for my boat using the beautiful Top Dog Dies Bella Doily Die.  It is exquisite, and made a beautiful base for my project.  I used a red and white striped paper straw for the mast of my boat, and placed a sweet little butterfly at the top which is from the new Top Dog Dies Butterfly Finishers Set.  I love how these dies have wings that can be separated to give them such dimension. 

Down at the bottom of the boat's mast, I tied some baker's twine which is holding an Authentique Anchored "seaside" sticker that fit nicely on our new Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Set.  This AWESOME new Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Set is one that everyone needs!  You can add these sweet little tags to ANY project, giving it that "something extra" that adds a personal touch.  SO cute!

This second photo really shows you how GORGEOUS the Top Dog Dies Bella Doily Die really is.  This sweet doily can be used in so many different ways, and has a 4 1/2" diameter; so it's perfect on cards and scrapbook pages; yet big enough to be used creatively for other crafting projects such as this.  Doily dies are always awesome, and Top Dog Dies has the sweetest doily dies ever!

My second project is a card that I made using several different patterned papers from the Authentique Anchored Line.  I used the Top Dog Dies Madison Doily Die at the top with an Authentique sentiment sticker and some baker's twine.  At the bottom, I again featured the FABULOUS new Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Die Set.  I am loving these sweet little tags because the set comes with several different shapes, and can add a personal touch to any project.  You can use them on baby cards and albums to add name, date, or on any project where you just want a really special extra touch.

I made the bottom banner using the Authentique papers, a ticket sticker and border sticker, and then added some baker's twine to attach the adorable tags from the Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Set.  I used the Authentique prodcuts to cover the Mini Tags - the compass (using the round die from this set) is cut from Authentique patterned paper, and the little sentiment tag (square die from the set) is an Authentique sticker.  It's clear to me that these fabulous new Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Dies will be used over and over again.  They're just the sweetest ever, and SO versatile!

Thanks for being a part of this fun collaboration between Top Dog Dies and Authentique Papers.  We hope that you've become a new fan of both, and that you will always turn to Top Dog Dies when you need any type of new die-cuts.  They really are AWESOME!

Just B Creative Crazy - April's Just Because Linky Party

Have a blessed week, and best of luck in the give-aways!
Karen

As I Dream of Paris/France

While dreaming of actually going to Paris, I made this little wall hanging for a friend who actually did have the amazing experience of visiting this beautiful city.  I really wanted to create a little keepsake for my friend to remember this trip of a lifetime, and the Kraft Outlet made it easy to come up with something lovely.  She had SO much fun, and I can only dream of going there myself......someday (if only in my dreams).

Karen Letchworth for The Kraft Journal

The project base is a Canvas Rectangle, and the string for hanging this little wall decoration was made from several lengths of Natural Hemp Cord.  The project is backed with a piece of Small Pre-Cut Chipboard so that a personal trip photo can be attached to this keepsake to help her remember this trip......always!  Next, I took the lid/rim of a basic canning jar (they're cheap at Goodwill or garage sales), and I simply wrapped Kraft Raffia Ribbon around the lid several times...creating a frame.  In this raffia-covered frame, I placed an Eiffel Tower image that I found on-line and printed onto a soft patterned paper to create the focal point of my project.

Karen Letchworth

To the bottom right, you will see a Tim Holtz Journaling Ticket to which I added a rub-on (Memories) using my handy Bone Folder Tool.  On the left side of the image, I created a lovely bow using Winter White Hand-Stained Bias Tape and Rose Beige Hand-Stained Bias Tape.  These gorgeous trims come in several colors, and give such a soft, romantic feel to your projects - I absolutely LOVE all this luscious new Seam Binding.  On top of the gorgeous bow, I added a sprig of flowers, and then tucked in a Tim Holtz Adage Ticket that's held with a Tim Holtz Memo Pin.  Oh my, how I do just LOVE these awesome and fun supplies from the Kraft Outlet.

As you can see, by using some of the Kraft Outlet's AMAZING products, it's easy to create all kinds of great projects.  Why not treat yourself this week to some new goodies?  Stop by the Kraft Outlet to pick up some new favors and cards, and then be sure also to join in our FUN Paris/France Challenge this week.  We'd love to have you play along, and we can dream about Paris together!

I'm sharing my little project in the following challenges:
Just B Creative Crazy Challenge - April Linky Party - Just Because/Anything Goes

Crafty Card Makers Challenge Blog - Challenge:  You've Been Framed - As explained above, the focal point of my project is the FRAME I made using a canning jar lid that I wrapped in raffia.

Little Scrap Pieces Challenges - Saturday Linky Party

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog - Monday Challenge/Journey/Travel - And I will FOREVER dream of this beautiful trip for myself as I help my dear friend celebrate her beautiful journey!

Thanks again for stopping by! Have a blessed week,
Karen

.......Fun Blog Hop Tomorrow!