Have Faith w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

We all love making cards, right?  While there are so many different styles and techniques out there to try and to enjoy, I personally enjoy adding the warmth and texture of some type of trim.  Whether it be a true Grosgrain Ribbon bow, some Burlap String or Baker's Twine, or even some lovely Seam Binding like I'm using on today's card.....you can always find the perfect style, width, color and design to match all your art at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I pulled out some much older patterned papers and the stickers, ephemera and goodies that came in this lovely Pretty Party line from Crate Paper.  Lots of pattern paper layers indeed.  Here and there, you'll see tiny bits of the stickers from this line.  I wanted to pull on the colors, so I used a texture stamps (or two) from Creative Worship Stamps.  These encouraging stamped sentiments are from Stamp Simply.

I ran a length of my favorite color of Seam Binding which is the Bayleaf Seam Binding.  It matches these patterned papers so perfectly.  It's truly a beautiful color.  I tied a bow again using the Bayleaf Seam Binding, some bundled Ivory Burlap String, and added some fun accents to include stick pins, an Open Rose, and some sweet little Mulberry Leaves.

I wrapped the Ivory Burlap String all the way around my card.  As I said, I do love the texture and warmth it adds to cards.  The pretty Ivory Open Rose I used on this card comes in many beautiful colors.  Most all of the Mulberry Flowers we carry come in various colors and sizes.  There's such a great selection at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Give yourself some time to look around at ALL there is to offer.  Oh, and everything is held together with these fabulous Adhesives.

Thanks so much for visiting today.  Be sure to stop by and see all the fabulous inspiration on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and stay up-to-date on special sales and promotions.  We always welcome and appreciate your visits.

Blessings,
Karen

My Grandchildren Sharing Their Art

If you've visited me here on my blog recently, you know that my Granddaughter, Taylee, (our oldest Granddaughter (6) and the only one that lives with us, has been creating art this Summer that I've shared here over the past several days.  Because I'm in my craft room making cards much of the time, she likes to be right there beside me crafting.  In fact, today she didn't even get dressed until late in the afternoon because she was so busy.  lol  The photo below is Taylee creating the lovely rainbow picture you see in the photo.

Well, the most coincidental thing happened today when I looked at my IPhone and saw that our middle daughter had sent me a picture of some art from our Grandson, Bennett (5) and Bethany (3).  What a great surprise that was.  First asking for my daughter's permission, I decided that I wanted to share Bennett and Bethany's art in the Kids Summer Vacation Challenge at Simon Says Stamp.  Our daughter and her husband are full-time missionaries, and they live in Armenia.  We don't get to see Bethan & Bethany (or baby brother Emmett) very often other than FaceTime; for which we're SO grateful.  But when their sweet Mama sent me those photos today (which is tomorrow for her...lol) I got excited to share them.

The one above is Bennette's sticker creation.  They can't get a whole lot of craft/art supplies for the kids over there, but I can (very) occasionally send them a box.  It's exciting for them to receive treasures from back in the United States where all their loved ones (family) reside.  When she sent the above photo this morning, she was mentioning that stickers would be a great thing to stuff in our next box.  Lightweight and so fun.  It's always a joy to know that your children are truly doing and living the Lord's work, and I do praise God for that!  The photo below is Bethany's lovely self-portrait sketched in pencil.  She asked her Mom to mail it to me because "I would definitely need it".  lol

The final card seen below shares two more of Taylee's projects.  The top one is her IPhone.  She looked at my IPhone and drew what she saw to try to create for herself an IPhone.  Rumor has it that this new phone actually texts and receives incoming calls.  Just saying!  The final piece of art, just below the IPhone is "a crown".  She asked me to help her "add some string so she can tie it around her head".  It's so much fun seeing their creativity and joy for creating things.

Here's where I'm sharing Taylee, Bennett and Bethany's lovely art projects.  Thanks for visiting.

Kids Summer Vacation Challenge at Simon Says Stamp - Thank you so much, Lorraine, for the comment you left Taylee on her earlier entry.  Hearing you say that she is "a real artist" absolutely made her day.  Your heartfelt comment was greatly appreciated by both of us.  This post gives me the pleasure of sharing art from two more of my six grandbabies.

Have a blessed and creative week, friends!

Karen

Taylee's Fun w/Kids Summer Vacation Challenge @SSS

When Kindergarten ended in early June, my husband and I wondered how we'd survive the Summer watching our 6-year-old granddaughter, Taylee, and not run out of fun things to do with her.  Well, we made it - praise God!  School starts this coming Tuesday, and Taylee has surgery to get tubes placed in her ears on Monday.  She's got a LOT going on medically, and has to have an endoscopy the following week.  I won't get into it all, but it's a lot for her.  Anyway...one thing we did pretty much every day to help pass the time was ART.  While I was making cards, she'd be right there at the craft table with me making her art every day for at least part of her day.

To be perfectly honest with you, I couldn't even count ALL the things Taylee created, colored and designed this Summer.  I had to make a few things "disappear" there was so much.  However, today I'm sharing a few more of her wonderful creations.  She loves to paint more than anything else.  The river rocks are her favorite thing to paint, but she's always taking them from the front yard to color and then placing them in her self-proclaimed "rock garden" in the back yard once they've been painted.  You'll see that photo near the bottom of this post.

Another favorite for her has been making necklaces and bracelets.  She got a cute little bead bracelet making kit from the craft store mid-Summer, and she's been making a necklace and a bracelet for just about everyone she knows.  Not only is she having FUN making her art, she's also thinking about others as she creates.  We've mailed pictures, necklaces and letters to just about all her friends and relatives this Summer.  She's been a busy little artist.

In the following project (photo below), Taylee used some "stencils".  She found paper scraps on the table of things I had die-cut and she asked if she could have it.  She used those empty spaces as a stencil to color in the images.  Like I've mentioned, she's just learning.  But I absolutely love how she's trying new things and enjoying herself as she finds her creative side.

Coloring and using her markers is another thing she enjoys.  Lately, she's been asking me to stamp images for her and then she likes to color them and place them on cards.  She'll often add stickers, bows, you name it.  She's still learning, but she has FUN and I'm pretty sure that's the whole point of creating art.  She was SO excited when I told her that she is an artist.  She asked, "a real artist"?  I assured her that anyone who creates art is a real artist, and that I think she has a bright future in art.  You'll also notice that she loves doing projects with paper piecing.

She used random shapes that I either punched or die-cut for her.  Please remember that she's only six (6) and I don't ever "help" her with her art.  I'm not saying that I won't assist her when she has a problem, but I'm just saying that I don't do any part of her art for her.  It's all 100% whatever she dreams up in her head and creates.  I've been impressed with some of her ideas, and I know that her art will only continue improve over time.  The photo below shows Taylee's ever-growing "Rock Garden".

It's been a lot of fun creating with her this Summer.  I didn't really plan on entering a bunch of her projects in the challenge, but when I saw that other people were adding multiple projects, I figured that Taylee may as well throw her hat in the ring several times as well.  She sure made plenty of creative things, so why not share them?  She's proud of them, and I'm just glad she enjoyed making them and that we survived the Summer.  On to our next great adventure.

Simon Says Stamp Kids Summer Vacation Challenge - Here are few more of the many art projects Taylee created this Summer.  Each one is described, and each project brought her creative time of pure enjoyment.

I truly hope your Summer has been creative and happy.

Blessings,

Karen (and Taylee)

With Gratitude

This is something that I find myself saying a lot, but it's so completely true.  All of the stamp sets, dies and products from Stamp Simply are absolutely beautiful.  They work well all on their own, and they also work well in conjunction with other Stamp Simply sets.  The card I'm sharing with you today uses just one single stamp set from Stamp Simply.  That's it.  Just one stamp set.

I used a dark kraft cardstock for the base of my card.  The next layer is a piece of cream cardstock that I rubbed with Vintage Photo Oxide Ink and then stamped using the awesome Falling Leaves Border Gratitude Stamp Set.  I stamped the Falling Leaves Border once on the left-hand side of my card, and then another time onto cream cardstock.  With that extra piece, I cut out the images to place on my card.

This goes to show you that a card doesn't have to be complicated or use a whole bunch of different stamp sets.  When the stamps are as lovely as those from Stamp Simply, it becomes easy to quickly create beautiful cards.  The finishing touches on this simple card were the brown and cream acrylic paint that I splattered here and there.

Stamp Simply also has a beautiful New Blog where you can get lots of great inspiration every day.  The talented Design Team hopes to inspire you, and Stamp Simply hopes to be your one-stop shop for all your stamps, dies, stencils, embossing folders and more.  Don't forget to stop by again soon.  I really appreciate your visits here.

Before I sign off here, I'm also sharing a couple of the (many) art projects my oldest granddaughter, Taylee (6), created this Summer.  She's been living with us for a whole year now, and she's becoming quite the little artist.  She loves watching me make cards and share them on my blog, so when I told her that there's a Summer challenge just for kids over at Simon Says Stamp, she wanted me to share some of her creations.  Although Taylee has made a lot of art this Summer, these are the projects she asked me to share.  For these two art projects, Taylee used strips of construction paper (her design) to write down attributes or things that she's grateful to have, or things for which she can strive.

Taylee wishes to share her artistic creations in this FUN challenge.

Simon Says Stamp Kids' Summer Vacation Challenge - Anything Goes - Designed and created by Taylee M., age 6.  Taylee has been doing a lot of art this Summer.  She's getting tubes in her ears next Monday, and she starts 1st Gr. on Tuesday.  Prayers appreciated.

Autumn w/Creative Worship Stamps

As I may have mentioned earlier this month, there's not a new release this month at Creative Worship Stamps.  There is, however, one awesome NEW stamp set called Have Courage.  It's got several awesome and encouraging sentiments.  You can find it HERE at Creative Worship.  Anyway, rather than showcasing a new release, we're celebrating the Four Seasons we enjoy every year.  The first week, we focused on Spring.  The second week was showcasing Summer cards.  Our Instagram Hop (still open) showcased a few for each season.  Hop on over to Creative Worship Instagram to hop along for your chance to WIN a $25 credit to Creative Worship Stamps.  WOO HOO!

This card started with a green corrugated cardboard base layered with a cream cardstock that was cut using the fabulous Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I absolutely LOVE this die set and I use it ALL the time.  I stamped the entire cream background using the FUN Typewritten Text Background Stamp.  This stamp is great for creating a fun messy background.  The next step was to stencil the background using the Fall Leaves Stencil.

I layered more cream cardstock by cutting extra pieces of cream cardstock using, once again, the FUN Stitched Rectangle Dies, which I already told you I use a lot.  (like..... A LOT)  I stamped, painted and hand-cut the beautiful leaves and splattered them with a bit of white acrylic paint.  The sweet Fall sentiment is also found in the Autumn Splendor Stamp Set.  I think that covers all the products I used, but feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Don't forget to check out Creative Worship Stamps to see all the wonderful products that are waiting for you.  There's always something at Creative Worship Stamps to help your creativity run wild.  Stop by Creative Worship Stamps today to look around.  And don't forget about the Creative Worship Instagram Hop taking place now.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along here:

As You Like It Challenge Blog - Challenge: Favorite Season and Why - Clearly, hands down, Autumn is my favorite season.  The reason why is simple.  The leaves, the cool weather, the scarves, jeans and an excuse to drink more coffee.  Yes, please.

Stencil Fun Challenge Blog - August: Anything Goes w/Stencils - Optional: Leaves - I used the Fall Leaves Stencil from Creative Worship Stamps.

Paper Funday Challenges - August: Anything Goes w/paper layers - Optional: Four-Legged Friends.  I used the Anything Goes option.

Sweet Holiday Wishes

Welcome back to my little slice of blogland here, friends.  It's always a treat to have you stop by to take a peek at my art and to say hello.  I'm so glad you're here and I look forward to hearing what you think about the card I'm sharing today.  It was a lot of FUN to make, but then again, working with Creative Worship Stamps is always awesome fun.  Today is also the first day of the Creative Worship Stamps August Instagram Hop where one lucky person will WIN a $25 gift certificate to spend at Creative Worship Stamps.

I used black cardstock for my base, and I cut it using the awesome Stitched Rectangle Dies.  This wonderful die set creates a wonderful card base.  I used the Stitched Rectangle Dies again for the next two layers.  Then I stamped the cute wish list using the sweet Christmas Wish List Stamp.  All the "wishes" that I stamped onto the wish list were stamped in green inks using the Worshipful Wordfetti Stamp Set.  All the things listed here are things I truly do wish for in my life.

I ran a length of vintage lace across the bottom of my card.  I also stamped the sentiment, coffee cups and darling candy canes using the Holiday Cheer Clear Stamp Set.  I tucked some bundled Iridescent String under the sentiment for added texture.  It's fun combining stamp sets, and at Creative Worship there are SO many great choices.

As we share inspirational cards this month featuring the Four Seasons, we hope that you'll see just how ALL the wonderful products from Creative Worship Stamps allow your creativity to soar.  Treat yourself to a new stencil, stamp set, and some exciting new things this month.  Go ahead, you deserve it.

I'm sharing my card and linking it up in the following challenges:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge - Challenge #44 - I'm joining the Coffee Loving Papercrafters.  For this challenge, we're asked to share a Christmas themed card with a caffeinated element.  Yes, please!  While this challenge is being sponsored (via the Hostess, Jennifer) the wonderful Newton's Nook.  I didn't use any of their sweet products on my card because I don't own a lot of it.  I have to work with what I've got.  (lol)  I used products from Creative Worship Stamps.

Krafty Chicks Challenges:  Challenge #781 - Christmas - My card uses lots of fun products from Creative Worship Stamps.

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #295 - Photo Inspiration - I was drawn to the COFFEE image.  While I didn't go with the Summer vibes in the photo, I switched it up and made it a Christmas card; but I can't resist the coffee.

Blessings,

Karen

Merry Christmas w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

It's never a wrong time to make and share a Christmas card.  In fact, I started in July during the BYSHC Linky Party and I've continued doing so this month.  When the craziness of December comes rolling along, I'll be ahead of the game as far as my Christmas cards are concerned.  Now, for the Christmas shopping.  Oh, my!!  That's another story altogether.

This card started with cream cardstock and some Crate Paper patterned papers from the Peppermint line.  The cream base was stamped using the adorable Christmas Text Background Stamp Set.  It's truly a shame that you can't see more of this adorable stamp.  I covered it a bit with the sweet Merry Christmas sentiment from Bonnie Garby Designs; and can be found in the Merry Christmas Sentiment Digital Stamp Set.

At the middle of my card, I attached a cute little kraft/polka dot envelope.  I wrapped some of the pretty Peppermint Baker's Twine around my card and tied a bow with it.  I also added a glitter-dusted red jingle bell that's tied with Cherry Baker's Twine.  I also tucked in little paper scraps here and there on my card to add touches of color and because, well honestly, I just love layers of paper.

In the next photo (below), you'll see what happens when I open up that cute little kraft envelope.  I tucked in a second sentiment from Bonnie Garby Designs.  This one can be found in the Christmas Song Lyrics Digital Stamp Set.  These sentiments are SO sweet and SO affordable.  At the top right of the little sentiment, I attached a bit of 1/4" Chevron Red Striped Twill Ribbon using a Tim Holtz miniature paper clip.  It tucks right in that little envelope for an added surprise.

There are SO many fun ribbons, trims and twines waiting for you at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  It's amazing how much FUN and texture you can add to your cards and projects with a simple trim.  Be sure to stop by Really Reasonable Ribbon to check out all their fabulous products, and by the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog for lots of great inspiration.  Thanks so much for stopping by today, friends.

Blessings,

Karen