Going Batty w/Whimsy Stamps

Are you ready for Trick-or-Treaters?  I'm all set here at our house.  While I'm not a big fan of Halloween and what it represents, I do participate in Halloween. This is the one and only time of year when up to 100 children (and their parents) will come knocking on MY door asking for something.  I make up really cute treat bags that include yummy candy treats, Halloween pencils, plastic spiders and "fangs", Halloween stickers and other novelties, AND....most importantly, I include a Christian Halloween Tract letting these dear ones know that Jesus loves them, died for them, and wants to be their Savior.

My card uses basic black cardstock for the base.  I layered that with striped patterned papers from the Fabulous Florals 6x6 Paper Pack.  I also added some sweet Gingham Ribbons to the card for texture and FUN.  That sweet candy corn shape was cut using the new Primitive Candy Corn Die Set, and it is absolutely adorable.  I rubbed each section with pink oxide inks.  Whimsy Stamps has such fun and fabulous products.

I used the Batty Die Set for all those not-so-spooky bats.  But first, I rubbed basic white cardstock with a fun new product I picked up at Picket Fence.  It's called Paper Glaze Luxe and the color I used is Black Eyeliner.  As you can see in the photo above, it gives the bats a glimmery sparkle.  I also cut the stitches and hashtag image from the paper treated with the Paper Glaze Luxe.  These small cuts are also found in the Primitive Candy Corn Die Set.

All around my card you'll see several different sprinkles.  They're from two different Confetti Mixes found at Whimsy Stamps.  Whether you're a fan of Halloween or not, there are lots of great products waiting for you at Whimsy Stamps.  I have fun creating with all their wonderful products, and I think you will as well.  Thanks for visiting me here today, friends.  I always appreciate you.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge - Challenge #2441 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Fall Mood Board - I saw the spider on the mood board photo, so I decided to share this spooky Halloween card.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Halloween/Spooky - FUN!  EEK!  BOO!  SPOOKY!

Try It On Tuesday Challenges - Theme:  Halloween

Blessings,

Karen

Pastor Appreciation w/Stamp Simply

October is a special month.  It's the month set aside for showing appreciation to our pastors and those who bless us spiritually and encourage us in our walk with God.  Pastors (and Pastors' wives) are such special people.  Most of them are over-worked and under-paid.  They work countless hours, weekends, holidays and they make themselves available to others 24/7.  Many times, we forget to thank them for all they do.  At Stamp Simply, you can find several great stamps and dies to help you celebrate these special people in your life and let them know they really are appreciated.

I made this card by cutting a piece of basic cream cardstock.  I layered brown cardstock for the base with a plaid pattern paper from the Memory Box Woodsy Plaid Paper Pad (currently sold out - but similar to the Tartan Plaid).  Next, I used the cream cardstock again and a Tim Holtz Grunge Stencil to create my background.  I stamped Psalm 23 using the Deepest Sympathy Stamp Set.  I ran a length of Dark Brown Jute around my card.

The photo above shows you the inside of the card.  I repeated the patterned paper and attached a length of 1/4" Silk Ribbon.  I added a small kraft envelope to hold a gift card; and I decorated it to match the front of the card.  The wonderful sentiments were stamped using the Pastor & Ministry Appreciation Stamp Set.  This awesome stamp set includes sentiments to thank your pastor, pastor's wife and others in ministry.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.  You'll find lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog, and the perfect stamp sets for Pastor Appreciation and pretty much every occasion you can possibly imagine.  They really have a bit of everything.  I hope you'll stop by Stamp Simply to check out all their wonderful products.  Thanks so much for visiting me today, and happy crafting.

I'm sharing my card here:

Stencil FUN Challenge - October: Anything Goes w/a Stencil - Optional: Halloween - I used a Tim Holtz Grunge polka dot stencil - Entry #3/3

Love Those Pretty Papers - On this card, I used a cool brown plaid patterned paper from a Tartan Plaid pack.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Fall Mood Board - I was inspired by the middle photo with the shades of brown, the book, etc. to create this card for pastor Appreciation Month.

Blessings,

Karen

Autumn Blog Hop at Really Reasonable Ribbon

It's time for the October Blog Hop at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  You should have arrived here by way of Misty's Blog; but if not, you can catch up quickly as this is a fairly short hop.  There are two fabulous prizes up for grabs in this fun and inspiring Blog Hop including a $10 Really Reasonable Ribbon credit and your choice of any two digital stamp sets from Bonnie Garby Designs.

I used black cardstock layered with some miscellaneous patterned papers that I secured in place using Scor-Tape.  I did just a bit of machine stitching on the papers.  Next, I ran lengths of Sharon White Crochet Lace and a piece of Black & White Bold Gingham Check Ribbon.  The pretty pumpkins are found in the Boho Pumpkins Stamp Set from Stamp Simply.  I colored them with Copics.

The sentiment I used (Autumn Autumn Autumn) is from the Autumn Sentiments 2 Stamp Set at Bonnie Garby Designs.  I added lack tulle bow tied with Solid Green and Solid Pumpkin Baker's Twines and topped it with a White Flatback Faux Pearl Embellishment.  There are always oodles of great trims, Mulberry Flowers, Adhesives and so much more waiting for you at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Your next and final stop on this Blog Hop is at the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog where you'll answer one final question making you eligible for the prize.  However, PLEASE leave a comment on each blog in the hop to be fair and to play by the rules.  We all appreciate visits and comments.  Good luck in the random draw, and thanks for hopping along with us.

I'm sharing my card here:

Inspiration Station Challenge - Challenge Prompt #66 - I was inspired by the colors and the pumpkins (black and white pumpkin and orange pumpkin) in the photo.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Add Some Texture" so I added lots of fabulous textures to my card.

Blessings,

Karen

I Hope This Perks You Up

Any time I see a coffee challenge, I love playing along.  No need to wonder why.  It's because I love coffee and crafting.  I almost always have a caffeinated beverage next to me when I'm in my craft room.  It's my creative fuel, I suppose.  There are a few fun coffee challenges taking place right now where I'm excited to share my card; and I sure had a great time creating it.

I started with basic black cardstock for my base.  The patterned paper is from JilliBean Soup and I cut it with a curved edge (by hand) and inked it with Mowed Grass Ink.  The coffee cups I stamped, colored and cut were done using a very old stamp set from my stash from V's Sweet Ideas where I used to serve on the Design Team.  The tree stump, darling animals and leaves were stamped using the Woodland Littles Stamp Set from Hello Bluebird.

The little holly and ivy images and sentiment are from Paper Sweeties where I also served on the Design Team.  Yes, it's a blessing to have a large stash of stamps.  I used some crumbled styrofoam to create the "snow" on my card.  This is a trick I learned long ago from my creative friend, Esther.  She's always got a trick or two up her creative sleeve.

I'm excited to play along in these caffeinated challenges.  I hope you're creating some fun cards and having a happy week sharing your art out there in blogland and on social media.  Speaking of which, I'd love to have you come Follow me on Instagram as well as here on my blog.  Thanks so much for your visit today.

I'm playing along in the following:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge - Challenge #34 - Coffee, Christmas and Whimsical Winter Theme

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #274 - Photo Inspiration - Well, it's pretty clear how I was inspired.  They had me at coffee.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Add Some Texture" so I used shredded styrofoam to create some snow to give my card extra texture, and to make it more "Wintery and Christmassy".

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Patterned Paper" - I used an (older) green plaid patterned paper from JilliBean Soup at the bottom of my card.

Not 2 Shabby Blog - October Mood Board Challenge - I was inspired by the pinks, the deer, and the sweet images on the mood board.  I don't own any Not 2 Shabby branded products yet.

Thanks again for visiting today.

Blessings,

Karen

Thank You w/Whimsy Stamps

I know that I say this a lot, but I'm really LOVING being on the Whimsy Stamps InstaPinners Design Team.  The stamps and dies they carry are AMAZING, FUN and they allow you to create wonderful and interesting cards.  The card I'm sharing today was not my own original idea.  This card was totally inspired by a sweet card made by the talented Larissa Heskett for Trinity Stamps.  I just used very similar stamps and dies from Whimsy Stamps when creating my version of her inspiring and beautiful card.

I used white cardstock and a patterned paper from JilliBean Soup.  I cut the frame using the sweet frame using the Mix & Match Scallop Rectangle Frame Dies.  I stamped the jar twice using the Atlas Mason Jar Clear Stamps and I cut out the jars and the jar center with the coordinating Atlas Mason Jar Dies to create a shaker.  How cute, right?

Inside the jar, I used Confetti Mixes to complete the shaker element.  Whimsy Stamps has SO many awesome Confetti Mixes.  The ones I used are the Glazed Confetti and Princess Pearls.  You can find the perfect colors of Confetti Mixes for every project.  I used the Fadoodles Blooms Clear Stamps for the flowers, and I hand cut the leaves.  Finally, the sentiment I stamped is also from the Atlas Mason Jar Clear Stamps and the tag I used is from the Atlas Mason Jar Dies.  It's tied on with a piece of Natural Burlap String.

Thanks SO much for stopping by my blog again today.  I'm still looking for FOLLOWERS here on my blog as well as on my Instagram Page.  You can find lots of great inspiration on Whimsy Stamps social media and lots of great shopping at Whimsy Stamps.  Have a great week, and please stop by again soon.  It's always greatly appreciated.

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Add Some Texture" - I added texture by creating a shaker card and lots of flowers that are layered.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Patterned Paper" - I used a teal plaid patterned paper from JilliBean Soup.

Blessings,

Karen

BOO w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

BOO!  Well, this isn't really all that scary.  But no what matter what time of year it is and no matter what type of project you're creating, you'll always find the perfect Ribbons, Twines, Trims, Adhesives, Embellishments and more at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  This (not so) spooky card uses several different products from this FABULOUS store.

I used basic black cardstock and then basic white cardstock to cut my frame using a cute Double Stitched Scalloped Frame Die Set from Poppy Stamps.  I rubbed the background with Kitsch Oxide Ink and splattered it with black paint, and then I stamped it with some tiny stamps from Paper Sweeties.  Once my background was all set, I ran a piece of Scor-Tape across my card and added a length of Black & White Bold Check Gingham Ribbon to my card.

I also tied a bow with the Black & White Bold Check Gingham Ribbon as well as with some Cotton Candy Baker's Twine and Plum Baker's Twine.  I tucked several Double Head Stamens (Pink, Black and Milk White) underneath the bow.  I used Adhesive Foam Sheets to give my ghost dimension and create the shaker element.  The ghost and BOO were cut using the Ghost Shaker Die from Pretty Pink Posh.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the products I used on today's project.  You're always sure to find lots of great inspiration on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and lots of amazing products at Really Reasonable Ribbon Store.  I'm so grateful to have you stop by and say hello.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm playing along here:

The Die Cuttin' Divas Challenge - October: World Cardmaking Day/Month - Celebrating World Cardmaking Day all during the Month of October.  How FUN!  The dies I used on this card include the scalloped frame die from Poppy Stamps and the ghost shaker die from Pretty Pink Posh.  Entry 4/4

Two Old Bats Challenge - October: Anything Goes Halloween - Entry 3/3

Double D Challenge - To Spook or Not To Spook - BOO!  Does this one scare you?

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Add Some Texture" - I love using ribbons to add texture and color.  I also added many layers of texture including sequins/shaker, etc.

Blessings,

Karen

Pumpkin Season at The Card Concept

It's time for a fun new challenge over at The Card Concept, and this time our theme is Pumpkins.  We know that most of you are creating Autumn cards this time of year, so we really hope that you'll stop by to play along with us.  The inspiration photo can serve as a starting point for your inspiration.  Perhaps it's the colors that inspire you, or maybe it's the pumpkins, the leaves, or some other element.  Whatever you're inspired to create, we look forward to seeing it.

I used basic black cardstock, a wood texture patterned paper from The Craft Consortium, an orange plaid from JilliBean Soup, and a cream paper from Crate Paper's Farmhouse line.  I also added a length of 1/8" Black Silk Ribbon to my card.  All the images, as well as the sentiment, are found in the cute Happy Harvest Stamp Set from Lawn Fawn.

We'd love to see what you're inspired to create for this FUN Autumn challenge.  Just let your creativity lead you.  It's all for fun.  I'll be sharing this card in some of the fun challenges where I enjoy playing along.  I sure hope you'll do the same.

Have a great week, and thanks so much for stopping by my blog.  I'm always super grateful for your visits.

Here's where I'm playing along:

Lawn Fawnatics Challenge - Challenge #182 - Sightseeing - Since we live in the desert of Nevada, our kids have always enjoyed going "sightseeing" in Minnesota (our home state) where they could see and visit Corn Mazes, scarecrows and all the FUN colors of Autumn.  I used the Lawn Fawn stamp set called Happy Harvest.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Patterned Paper" - I used three patterned papers, all listed above.

Inspiration Station - Challenge #66 - I was inspired by the colors, pumpkins and leaves in the photo.

Blessings,

Karen