God is Working

Welcome by my blog today, friends!  This post is going live today at the same time as the Creative Worship Stamps July New Release Instagram Hop.  If you stop by my Instagram Page, you can take part in this IG Hop for your chance to WIN a $25 Gift Certificate to spend at Creative Worship.  The NEW Release, and all the products you'll find at Creative Worship, are amazing.  Today I'm sharing a FaithDex project that I created using a couple of the NEW Release items.

I used white cardstock that I rubbed on the edges with a bright purply pink gellato crayon.  The next layer is white cardstock that I stamped using the Vintage Ledger Page Stamp and inking with Tim Holtz Oxide Inks.  Next, I stamped the background using the cool NEW Texture Tiles 13 Stamp Set in a couple different colors.  I did the same thing on the next layer.

Here's a close-up photo of the FaithDex card.  There's an even closer shot down below.  It's a real encouragement to read these words reminding me that while I'm being patient and waiting on Him, God is busy working all things together for good - just as He promised He would do.  I need to wait on Him and His perfect timing.  I just LOVE this NEW God Is Already There Stamp Set that I used for my sentiment here.

I used the Stitched Rectangle Dies to cut the various sized rectangles on my card.  Do you realize that I said this is the Texture Tiles 13 Stamp Set from Creative Worship?  What that means is that there are already 12 other Texture Tiles Stamp Sets available.  Each one contains four different, unique, and always super cool texture backgrounds.

I used Pumpkin, Raspberries, and Concord Grape Oxide Inks; and I also used a bright pinky purple gellato crayon on the backgrounds.  I'm looking forward to the day when my FaithDex box is full and when the pages can stand up on their own.  I won't even begin to tell you the struggles.  They're real.  lol

I love how these stamps make your card look like it has dimension when is doesn't.  It's just a really FUN way to design when you're using Texture Tiles Stamp Sets from Creative Worship.  Be sure to HOP on over to my Instagram Page for your chance to WIN the $25 gift card.  Happy crafting, and thanks again for visiting me here today.

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #78 - July: Anything Goes & Optional Fun w/ Stencils - This project is the Anything Goes option, and it's my Entry #5/6

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2527 - Anything Goes sponsored by the wonderful Lawn Fawn.

Color Throwdown Challenge Blog - Color Throwdown #836 - I was immediately drawn to this awesome color combination.  How gorgeous is this inspiration photo?

Blessings,

Karen

The Light Shines w/Stamp Simply

Hello, and welcome.  It's always a treat to have you visit me here on my blog.  Today I'm sharing a FUN lighthouse card that I created for Stamp Simply Clear Stamps using just a few of their many wonderful products.  There are several different Lighthouse Stamps available at Stamp Simply, as well as stamps and dies for just about every other category you can imagine.  They carry a wonderful variety of wonderfully amazing products.

Lighthouses always make me think of my sister, Audra, who passed of brain cancer.  She loved them so much because they reminded her of how God is our light in the dark storms, just like the lighthouses are to the ships.  Stamp Simply carries so many great Lighthouse Stamps.  I started with a black cardstock base and I layered that with a woodgrain paper found in the Craft Consortium's Scorched Wood 6x6 Paper Pad.   It's a really warm welcoming paper pad for card bases.  Next, I added some patterned paper scraps to the card base.  And finally, I added a paper ledger page from my stash, and this is where I did my stamping.  Very basic and easy.

I used the He Is The Light Stamp Set with Ground Espresso ink to stamp the lighthouse, the sentiment, anchor and ship's wheel.  I used the He Is The Light Dies to cut the ship's wheel.  Oh, before I forget to mention it, the flying seagulls are found in the He Stilled the Storm Stamp Set.  I also tucked in some torn cheesecloth and some bundled Green Jute from the Burlap Jute Sampler Pack.  There are lots of great trims and other surprising goodies waiting for you at Stamp Simply.

Be sure to check out the Stamp Simply Blog for lots of amazing inspiration each day and stop by Stamp Simply to look around and possibly do some shopping.  You deserve something new, and at Stamp Simply, you're sure to find something that you will absolutely LOVE.  Thanks again for stopping by to say hello today.  I appreciate you so much.

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #78 - July: Anything Goes & Optional Fun w/ Stencils - This is my Entry #4/6 for the July challenge.  I love to play along, and I couldn't resist the chance at one of the two amazing prizes.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2527 - Anything Goes sponsored by the wonderful Lawn Fawn.

A Cut Above Challenge Blog - July: Anything Goes w/Dies - I used dies from Stamp Simply (anchor, ship's wheel)

Blessings,

Karen

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.

Stencil FUN Challenge - July: Anything Goes - I used the awesome new Funky Stones Stencil from Creative Worship Stamps.

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #78 - July: Anything Goes & Optional Fun w/ Stencils - I used the new Funky Stones Stencil from Creative Worship on my card.  (My July Entry #3/6 at Paper Funday)

Moving Along With the Times Challenge - Challenge #180 - Masculine - This is very masculine for my style, and very much "out of my wheelhouse" so to speak.  I ended up making a great card to give a man who you want to encourage with thoughts and prayers.

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