A "Making It Work" Moment

I'm sure every crafter/card-maker out there can relate to me when I say that I had one of those "Gotta Make It Work" moments while creating this card.  So...... while making this card for our new challenge at Word Art Wednesday I ran into that very problem.  I was in a pinch and had to work with what I had.  Our sponsors for the new challenge at Word Art Wednesday are The Project Bin, a sweet stamp store that's offering one lucky winner a $25 gift certificate to their shop; AND...... Iralamija Etsy Shop is our digital sponsor for this challenge; and their sweet owner, Bety, is offering one very lucky winner some shabby-chic adorable Iralamija digital goodness (one digital collage/sheet of choice).  Now, those are two AWESOME sponsors; and I really hope that YOU will stop by and play along in this (always) Anything Goes Challenge.

The little journalling card image I used is a Freebie from (sponsor) Iralamija Blog and the scripture I used is the "freebie" Word Art file from Word Art Wednesday.  As I went to print out the scripture and journalling card, I quickly learned that my printer ribbons (BW and color ribbon) needed replacing.  Well, I needed to finish up this card because we're getting ready to hit the road and leave town.  Soooooo.....I had literally had to "Make It Work".  I figured, "Well, since the image is already a bit "fuzzy" and faded because of the ribbon issue, I'll just ink it even more with a smokey vintage ink and make it appear as though I was trying to achieve that look all along.  right?  LOL (....maybe not).

It's definitely faded!  This sweet digital freebie from Iralamija Blog is truly SO bright and adorable.  I wish my ribbon had been new and that I could have had the bright vibrant colors in this sweet card.  You really need to take a peek at it (click on link).  In fact, all the images at Iralamija Etsy Shop are SO sweet.  They have a wonderful vintage homespun feel, and there's lots of inspiration on the Iralamija Blog.  So anyway, I inked my papers with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Spun Sugar and Hickory Smoke; and I made these faded images work (for the most part).  I also added a Prima ticket and a few Sweetheart Blossoms.

I really hope that you'll stop by Word Art Wednesday to play along with us.  Not only can you pick up these fabulous freebies, but you can play along in our current Anything Goes challenge for your chance to win one of our AWESOME prizes.  I really hope you will link up with us.  And please don't forget to check out these fun sponsors and their awesome shops.  Thanks for visiting me today!

Blessings,

Karen

Paper Sweeties July Inspirations

Welcome back today, everyone.  Today we're wrapping up our July inspirations using all our favorite Paper Sweeties products.  I sure hope you like what you've seen this month.  There are just so many fabulous (and super adorable) stamp sets and coordinating sweet cuts available at Paper Sweeties to help you create something adorable.  Here's what I came up with for today.  I used the ADORABLE new Treat Box Sweet Cuts and cut my "house" from a cute patterned paper.

I inked the edges of the little "house" and then decorated both sides.  On the first side (shown above), I ran two borders that I cut using the borders found in the sweet new Treat Box Add-Ons Sweet Cuts; one from brown felt and one from a gingham print.

I also added a big bow tied with Oatmeal Seam Binding, and secured with a rusty pin holding a grungy tag that I stamped with a sentiment (HeyShug!) from the new Hey Y'All Stamp Set and flowers from the Treat Box Add-Ons Home & Garden Stamp Set.  The grungy tag has a "waxy" surface that did do real well with the stamped images on it.

On the other side of the little "house" (shown below), I ran the same two borders cut from the borders found in the sweet new Treat Box Add-Ons Sweet Cuts - this time in a tomato red and a floral patterned paper.  Again, I topped it with a Oatmeal Seam Binding bow.  I topped that bow with a hand-rolled flower that I put together using the smallest Circle Scallop Frame Sweet Cuts.

I placed a flower pot under that flower from the Treat Box Add-Ons Hoe & Garden Stamp Set and coordinating Treat Box Add-Ons Sweet Cuts, and placed several little "flowers" around the flower and above the flower pot by adding some Grapefruit Sequins, Strawberry Sequins, Bubblegum Sequins and Robin Egg Sequins.  At the bottom, I added another sentiment from the Hey Y'All Stamp Set (Hey Darlin') and another piece of the felt border.

Here's the list of all my teammates from Paper Sweeties who have created something special to inspire you today.  Simply click on each of their names to be taken directly to that person's blog.  I know you will LOVE what you see on each and every visit.....lots of Paper Sweeties goodness!

Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Paper Sweeties

Jinny Newlin

Karen Letchworth - That's Me💘

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett

Lisa Bzibziak

Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala

Nancy Salkeld

Thanks again for stopping by,

Karen

Celebrating July With Paper Sweeties

Welcome by again today, everyone!  Today I'm sharing another sweet card I created using some of my favorite products from Paper Sweeties....both new sets and old are always SO much fun to combine.  You're always sure to find something you will absolutely LOVE at Paper Sweeties, and there's always lots of great inspiration on the Paper Sweeties Blog as well as at the blogs of the Sweeties Design Team.

This card was created with papers from Emma's Shoppe by Crate Paper.  They always seem to fit so nicely with Paper Sweeties sweet stamps.  Once my patterned papers were all in place, I cut a sentiment banner using the Sweet Borders Sweet Cuts and stamping the sentiment BLESS YOUR HEART by using the new Hey Y'all Stamp Set.  This sweet sentiment set contains ten (10) different sentiments.  I wanted to combine this new stamp set with some of my other favorites, so I used another sweet also found in the Sweet Borders Sweet Cuts and I cut the adorable hearts border; alternating different patterned papers in some of the hearts, while leaving other hearts empty.  I just LOVE this sweet border die.  Well, all the sweet cuts in this set are super cute.

I also tied a bow for my card using some Robin Egg Seam Binding, Bubblegum Seam Binding.  At the bottom of my card, I added another heart (from the heart border die) and placed a Robin Egg Sequin next to it.  Here's the list of all my amazing teammates who have prepared something lovely to share with you today.

Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Paper Sweeties

Jinny Newlin

Karen Letchworth - That's Me💘

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett

Lisa Bzibziak

Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala

Nancy Salkeld

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope to see you again tomorrow.

Karen

Sweet July Favorites With Paper Sweeties

Hello, sweet blog friends!  I'm posting today for Paper Sweeties, and I'll be sharing even more Paper Sweeties goodness with you tomorrow and again on Monday as we spend the month in review of our newest releases:  Treat Box Sweet Cuts, and Hey Y'all Stamp Set along with many of our past favorites.  This little card I'm sharing today does just that.

I started with some sweet patterned papers that I inked and machine stitched a bit.  Next, I placed a small ivory circular doily on the paper, and topped that with a circle cut using the Circle Scalloped Frames Sweet Cuts.  I cut the darling heart and the word (SWEET) using the Treat Box Sweet Cuts, and placed them on the circle.

To adorn my card, I made a pretty bow of Bubble Gum Seam Binding and Robin Egg Seam Binding, and I topped that with a little with sweetheart blossom.  I cut the arrow (twice) using the new Treat Box Sweet Cuts, and placed a Sugar Sprinkles Sequin on the turquoise arrow and attached it to the flower - pointing at the heart.   I placed another lighter blue arrow on the top right.  I don't know if you can really see them, but I also placed a cute page tab and a small flag tab that I cut using the Sweet Borders Sweet Cuts.  You can see it peeking through to the left of my Seam Binding bow.

I also decided to place some buttons with ivory baker's twine in their centers at the bottom right of my card.  I guess I just felt like it was "off balance" a bit.  LOL   I have been known to "over-do" it more than once.  I just start adding cute things, and I can't stop!  And Paper Sweeties has so many ADORABLE products that it's hard not to want it ALL, and to use it all!  You will LOVE what you find at Paper Sweeties, and of course, there's always so much inspiration waiting for you on the Paper Sweeties Blog.  Speaking of inspiration....here's the list of my Paper Sweeties teammates who have prepared something sweet for you today:

Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Paper Sweeties

Jinny Newlin

Karen Letchworth - That's Me💘

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett

Lisa Bzibziak

Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala

Nancy Salkeld

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'll hope to see ya again tomorrow!

Karen

I'm playing along at:
Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge: Simon Says Fun In The Sun - So my card is fun, summery and bright, and celebrates the sweetness of Summer.

It's Blog Hop Time at Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, and welcome to the July Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop!  I'm so glad you're here, and hope that you came by way of Bonnie's Blog.  However, if you just happened along, you can get started and caught up very quickly by visiting the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog.  This month's FABULOUS Ribbon Club Assortment is a gorgeous collection of Summery country blues and yellows.  Just look at this lovely assortment!

This sweet bow I'm sharing today includes a bit of each trim from this month's collection including a piece of 5/8" Plaid Ribbon in Capri Blue, 3/8" Diamond Satin Daffodil, 3/8" Yellow and Blue Confetti Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, 5/8" Capri Blue Taffeta Ribbon, 5/8" Yellow Poppy Print Satin Ribbon, 5/8" Daffodil Delicate Satin Stitched Ribbon, 3/8" Blue and Yellow Diamond Print Grosgrain Ribbon, 3/8" Capri Blue Checkerboard Ribbon, and 5/8" Satin Swirls Daffodil.

All of Really Reasonable Ribbon's trims work together and compliment each other SO well.  The back side of the hair bow is secured with a French Clip, which is just one of the many styles Hair Accessories and products carried at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Isn't that floral ribbon just the sweetest trim ever?  I'm SO loving the blue and yellow combination in this month's Ribbon Club Assortment.

The next stop on this Blog Hop is at the sweet blog of my teammate, Kathy.  She is sure to have something wonderful prepared for you.  And....don't forget to answer the question at the end of the hop to be eligible to win this month's AWESOME Ribbon Club Assortment.

Blessings,

Karen

Hello.....How Are You?

Hello!  How are you?  I'm sure glad you've stopped by today as I share a sweet little card I created using several FABULOUS Really Reasonable Ribbon products. It's always fun to adorn my cards with all their wonderful touches, and here's how I created this one.  I attached two patterned papers and a journalling card using strips of Scor-Tape, and then I ran a width of sweet Bay Leaf Seam Binding across my card and used it to tie a bow along with some Lipstick Red Seam Biding.  I topped that with some 10mm Red, Mixed Blue, and Black Open Roses, one 10mm Wild Orchid Crafts Mulberry Leaf and some adorable Red, White, Teal and Black Double Head Stamens.

I stamped my sentiments, added a stamped flower pot and flowers, a die-cut swirl border, vintage scotch tape, and some 10mm Rhinestone Resin Flowers.  I also attached a snippet of some awesome May Arts trims including a piece of Red Center-Stitched Burlap Trim; and I topped that with a (Black) Mixed Color Plaid Fabric Covered Button.  I did a bit of inking on the edges of my papers, and that's about it.

There are so many awesome products available at Really Reasonable Ribbon, and SO much more than just the hundreds of different ribbons and trims. You can find Embellishments, Adhesives, Hair Accessories, and everything creative you can imagine to make something wonderful.  There are also sales and promotions, lots of inspiration, and our monthly Blog Hops here on the wonderful Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog; so be sure to stop by each day so you won't miss a thing.

Thanks again for visiting me, and have a great day!

Karen

I'm playing along here:

The Paper Players Challenge Blog - 400th Challenge CELEBRATION - I hope my bright, fun card says CELEBRATION because in my opinion, there's always cause to celebrate. This card doesn't match the colors in the inspiration photo like my first entry did (was inspired by), but this card is bright, fun and celebrates the art of keeping in touch.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Fun In The Sun - I figured with all these flowers and sweet colors, it must be a fun Summer card!

Birthday Blessings - PP400

Hello everyone!  Thanks for visiting me today.  I'll share an honest truth about getting "older"....and that is the fact that every now and then, I can't sleep.  I'm awake into the wee hours when my body is tired but my mind won't let go and just get some much needed sleep.  Well, that is precisely what happened to me last night.  I was up very late, and I started playing around with a few scraps of bright patterned papers (primarily Echo Park) that were left lying on my crafting table.  I was inspired by this inspiration photo over at The Paper Players Challenge and wanted to help CELEBRATE their 400th Challenge!

I used the largest of my paper scraps to create the card's base, and took advantage of the smaller pieces by cutting them into thin strips that I layered on my card.  I attached half of a small white doily, and ran a piece of wood-grain washi tape along the edge of the doily and did some machine zig-zag stitching.  The little "happy day" piece is from Crate Paper, and the rolled flowers are from the dollar bins at Michaels.

I added some Ivory Burlap String underneath the flowers, and I cut the sentiment strip from my final Verve Stamps purchase, their Stitched Pennants Dies.  The stamped sentiment (Birthday Blessings) is from My Craft Spot (no longer in business).  I love both Verve and My Craft Spot, and will miss both companies.  However, that doesn't mean we all can't still LOVE their products and use them in times like this.  Just work them in here and there....they're still such sweet products. 

Anyway, there's really not much to this card.  It just looks like there's a lot going on because of the crazy patterns and bright colors in all the papers I used.  I must say, however, that I really do love to use up paper scraps so that they don't go to waste. I do hope that you all stop by to help The Paper Players Challenge Blog celebrate their 400th Challenge.  Thanks once again for stopping by to say hello, and I hope you will leave me a  comment and visit again soon.

Blessings to you,

Karen

The Paper Players 400th Challenge CELEBRATION - I fell in LOVE with the bright colors in the celebration inspiration photo with the balloons.  It really inspired me to use up these paper scraps to create a special CELEBRATION birthday card.

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