With Prayers

How nice it is when you get a random card in the mail from someone letting you know that they were thinking of you, or that they appreciate you, or just letting you know that they care.  I had one of those (very rare for me) occasions the other day when my sweet "blog" friend, Bev Jordan, sent me the sweetest card.  It was unexpected and very much not needed.  But it was a tremendous blessing to me, nonetheless.  This card that I'm sharing with you here today is another one of those cards to have ready and on hand in case you need to reach out to someone.  I like that it's flat for mailing.

I used light kraft cardstock layered with cream cardstock layered with a green cardstock from my super old stash.  In fact, I never thought I'd use this piece of green cardstock.  I used it along with some cool stuff called Paper Glaze which is used for stenciling.  I used the awesome NEW Funky Stones Stencil and this green Paper Glaze to create the textured background.  I really didn't want to cover up any of this gorgeous background.  The Funky Stones Stencil leaves the coolest stone images.

I took this photo at an angle so that you really see the gorgeous lines in this cool new stencil.  The Paper Glaze adds texture and sparkle.  I've seen, thus far, this awesome new Stencil used with various inks, with Crackle Paint (my favorite), Gesso and Paper Glaze.  It's a really cool stencil to add to your collection, I'm just saying.  I used the Thoughtful Wreaths Stamp Set to stamp the sentiment.

The sentiment was stamped onto a super old kraft tag from 7 Gypsies.  That's from way back in my scrapbooking days.  Anyway, I liked that it was already grungy, so I stamped it and was able to keep the focus of my card on that gorgeous Funky Stones Stencil background.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, friends.

Blessings,

Karen

Turn Your Cares Into Prayers

At Creative Worship Stamps, you'll always find the most uplifting sentiment stamps and the most interesting and unique stamps, dies and stencils you can imagine.  The talented Creative Worship Design Team has created some really amazing inspiration using the NEW Release items.  The card I'm sharing with you today here and on my Instagram Page, uses two of the new products from the July Release along with a couple of older products.  Everything from Creative Worship Stamps is absolutely awesome!

I used black cardstock that I layered with cream cardstock that I rubbed with a bit of ink to "dirty" it.  I used the fabulous NEW Funky Stones Stencil to create the subtle green background.  To that, I added more stamping to include the awesome (green) texture using the NEW Texture Tiles 13 and the script from the Peaceful Botanicals Stamp Set.

I used the Stitched Rectangle Dies for all my cut layers.  The one onto which I stamped my sentiment is again stamped first with the Texture Tiles 13 and then with the encouraging sentiment from the NEW God Is Already There Stamp Set.  I used the BINGO Card Stamp for the middle layer.  The holly and berries are found in the NEW Thoughtful Wreaths Stamp Set.

I hope you'll stop by Creative Worship Stamps to check out the fabulous NEW Release and to see all the fabulous inspiration.  Thank you for visiting me here.  It's always a treat to have you stop by to say hello and see what's new.  I'm excited to share more of this FAB new release with you all.

I'm sharing my card in these FUN challenges that I love:

Stencil FUN Challenge Blog - July: Anything Goes with Stencils - Optional: Flag Colors - I used the new Funky Stones Stencil from Creative Worship Stamps.

Paper Funday Challenges:  July - Anything Goes/Optional Stencils - I did use the FUN new Stencil from Creative Worship Stamps on my card.  It's on the first layer.

Blessings,

Karen

Proud to be an American w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

Just one more day until we celebrate Independence Day here in the United States of America.  The 4th of July is a special day for our country, and it's an opportunity for each of us to thank God for all those who have served this great country to give us the freedoms and rights we enjoy today.  If we don't humble ourselves before God and start appreciating our country, all those rights and freedoms can be taken from us.  Be educated, people.  America is worth protecting.  Let's celebrate our great country together and join in prayer for the future of our great country.

This card was created using a piece of watercolor paper that I rubbed with Tim Holtz crayons and then rubbed with a bit of water to "smudge" the colors in an attempt to create a flag in the background.  I used this as my backdrop and then cut it with the Eyelet Rectangle Dies from Pretty Pink Posh.  I used the pierced holes to add some Cherry Baker's Twine.  My paper layers are held together using Scor-Tape.

I used a sentiment stamp from Stamp Simply on my card.  This is a very simple card, but I wanted to show you all how quick and easy it is to create a fun card using Baker's Twine or other trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon to add accent and color to any project.  The Scor-Tape and 3-D Foam Tabs are everyday essentials for me (and for most crafters).  If you don't have a regular place to purchase your Adhesives - such as Scor-Tape and 3-D Foam Tabs, I hope you'll think of Really Reasonable Ribbon next time you need them.

I love how using 3-D Foam Tabs can give your cards added layers of paper that provide textures and charm like nothing else can do.  Incorporating fabrics, textiles, cardboard, etc. is always a cool touch; and Scor-Tape will hold it all securely in place.  I hope my patriotic card today was a blessing and an inspiration to you.  Thanks so much for visiting.  It's always appreciated most gratefully.

This card is being shared here:

Shopping Our Stash - Challenge #551 - Red, White & Blue - The stash items I used include the patterned paper that I placed underneath the stitched white flag frame.  It's an old Carta Bella patterned paper.  I also pulled the Baker's Twine from my abundant stash.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - Simon Says Red, White & Blue - I used all three colors.  This card is also a bit more in the style of the Monday Challenges.  My cards are generally a bit different in style, so I'm always excited when I'm able to fit the style of this challenge a little better because I really do love to play along.

The Paper Funday Challenges - July/Challenge #78 - Anything Goes - Optional Stencils

Blessings,

Karen

Best Birthday Ever at The Four Seasons

It's time for a new Summer challenge over at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and we hope that YOU will join us.  The inspiration photo has several fun images including flamingos, ice cream, bright colors and more.  The elements that drew my immediate attention were the ice cream and the color pink.  The bright pink in the flamingo image was appealing to me as was that delicious Summer ice cream.  What's calling your creativity?

I used basic white cardstock for everything.  I cut this slimline card using the Slimline Scallop Die from Whimsy Stamps.  I do miss being on that Design Team.  boo!  Anyway...I rubbed all the pieces of white paper that were cut with the slimline frame with Spun Sugar and Kitsch Oxide Inks and I splattered it with a bit of water here and there for effect.

All the sentiments and images (popsicles and ice cream cones) are from Paper Sweeties.  I stamped the cones and popsicle stick onto cork paper and die-cut them.  The ice cream scoops were colored with Copics, sprinkled with ultra-fine glitter, and raised up with White 3-D Foam Tabs.  Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

It would be awesome if YOU would head on over to The Four Seasons Challenge and play along with us.  You can share any art that makes you think about Summer.  Ice cream certainly does that for me.  But let's be perfectly honest here.....I eat it year-round.  LOL  How about you?  I'll see you out there in blogland, friends.  Thanks for your visit.

I'm sharing my card in the following challenges:

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

Seize The Birthday Challenge - Challenge #308 - I went with the Anything Goes Option

Retro Rubber Challenge Blog - Challenge #258 - Happy Birthday to You - The stamps I used on this card are approximately ten years old.  They're from Paper Sweeties and I was on the Design Team for many years.  I do still love their stamps, and many of them are still available.

Happy crafting, everyone!

Blessings,

Karen

Two Hearts, One Love w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

It's time for me to share another fun card showcasing some of the (many) awesome products from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Making cards with ribbons, trims and twines has always been something I enjoy.  I like the textures and dimensions that they add to our cards, tags and projects.  Really Reasonable Ribbon carries every style ribbon, every width, every color and every choice imaginable.  They also carry items like Adhesives, Embellishments, Flowers and much more.

I used white cardstock and layered it with a pretty Kaiser Craft (Miss Betty) patterned paper.   To be honest with you all, I planned to machine stitch the edges of this card; but the bobbin was empty, and I was too lazy to refill it.  I placed half of a small white doily on the left side of my card.  I used lots of the fabulous Adhesive called Scor-Tape to attach all the papers and goodies securely in place.  The sentiment I used is from Bonnie Garby Designs and can be found in their Wedding Digital Stamp Bundle.

I attached a length of the beautiful Vivid Pink Seam Binding on the left side of my card covering the edge of the doily.  There are many lovely colors of Seam Binding, and it's very affordable at just 30 cents per yard.  You'll always find the perfect color(s) for every project.  On top of the Seam Binding bow, I added some Blueberry Baker's Twine, White Metallic Iridescent String, two Wild Orchid 15mm Green Mulberry Leaves, and a lovely Ivory Open Rose.  I also strung the White Metallic Iridescent String around my sentiment, etc.

Thanks so much for visiting me here today, friends.  Your stops here at my blog always mean a lot to me, and I truly appreciate the relationships I've made with so many of you.  I love hearing your thoughts and input.  Oh, and be sure to come play along at Word Art Wednesday and other fun challenges.  You can visit the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog for lots of great inspiration, too.  Happy crafting..... and add some RIBBONS!

I'm sharing this card in the following:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge #2525 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

May Your Cup Runneth Over

As you've probably been able to figure out by now, I'm a coffee lover.  I named my blog, My Cup Runneth Over, because God has blessed my life so much; and also because He fills my coffee cup every morning.  I'm truly grateful for ALL of God's great blessings.  At Stamp Simply Clear Stamps, you'll find lots of great coffee stamps and dies in addition to stamps and dies for just about every other category you can imagine.

This card uses a light kraft cardstock base layered with patterned papers from the 6x6 Coffee or Tea Paper Pad.  I stamped the background words and phrases using the A Cup of Java Stamp Set and the Coffee or Tea Stamp Set onto a postage stamp die from Hero Arts.  The coffee mugs are found in the Have A Cup On Us Stamp Set and were cut with the coordinating Have A Cup On Us Dies.  I stamped my sentiment and coffee beans onto a banner that was cut using the Fishtail Banner Dies.  I also tucked in some bundled Burlap String near my sentiment.

I used the A Cup of Java Dies for the steam coming out of the coffee mugs.  This "steam" was also cut from patterned paper found in the cool 6x6 Coffee or Tea Paper Pad.  No matter what you're looking for in the way of stamps - whether it's Coffee/Tea Stamps, Scripture Stamps, Patriotic Stamps or any other topic; the chances are very good that you'll find the perfect sentiment, image and product(s) at Stamp Simply.

Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  You'll always find loads of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog and lots of great shopping at Stamp Simply.  There are frequent sales and promotions that  you'll also learn about by visiting the Stamp Simply Blog often.  Have a wonderfully creative week, everyone.

The Paper Funday Challenges - June Challenge #77 - Anything Goes w/Optional Embossing

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge - Challenge #2525 - Anything Goes

Colorful Options - June Challenge - Photo Inspiration - I absolutely love all the beautiful shades of blue in the inspiration photo.

Happy crafting and enjoy a latte!

Blessings,

Karen

It's a Wonderful Day w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

Welcome by today, everyone.  I'm so glad you're here and it's always a treat to hear your thoughts and to have you visit me.   Thanks for being here.  Today I'm sharing a sweet card that's adorned with ribbons and tidbits from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  It's an otherwise quick and easy card to create, but the trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon just take it to the next level in my humble opinion.

I used basic white cardstock for the base and the top layer.  The top white piece was cut using a cool die called the A2 Lattice Die from Whimsy Stamps.  Once I attached everything, it was time for the FUN stuff.  I ran a piece of pretty Danish Blue Seam Binding across my card and used that to tie a double bow.  I also tucked in some bundled Ivory Burlap String, Light Blue Burlap String, two sizes of (White) Mulberry Leaves, some Double Head Stamens, and it's all topped with some Light Blue Sweetheart Blossoms.  I also tucked in a couple of stick pins for accent.

The sentiment and small heart are from Carta Bella's Spring Market Stamp Set.  I used the Fishtail Banner Die from Stamp Simply to stamp it on.  It's raised up using 3-D White Foam Tabs.  EVERYBODY NEEDS 3-D Foam Tabs and Scor-Tape Adhesive.  Just saying!  The patterned paper underneath the white cardstock is from the Fabulous Florals Paper Pack by Whimsy Stamps.  The really cool thing is this....no matter what COLOR I had chosen to make this (or any other) card, I know that I can always find the perfect color trims and more at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Thanks again for visiting me here today.  Stay creative and be sure to stop by the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog for lots of great inspiration.  You'll always find the most amazing Adhesives, Flowers, ribbons, trims and more at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I'm playing along in these FUN challenges that I enjoy:

A Cut Above Challenge - June: Anything Goes w/Dies - I used a fabulous A2 Lattice Die from Whimsy Stamps on my background, and a Fishtail Banner Die from Stamp Simply for my sentiment.

Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Challenges #273 - For this Tic Tac Toe, I went across the middle with CAS, Hearts and Stripes.  This is truly CAS for me, the HEARTS were stamped, cut and placed randomly around my sentiment, and the STRIPES are on the blue background patterned paper.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #77 - Anything Goes (layers of paper) Optional Embossing - I went with the Anything Goes option.

Blessings,

Karen