Spring is Here w/Creative Worship

There are definite signs of Spring here where I live in the Nevadas desert.  There are bees buzzing all around the Spring flowers, and the temperatures are rising every day.  I spoke with my younger brother this morning (he lives in Minnesota), and he said they got three more inches of snow last night.  It makes me glad that I'm here and grateful that he's there to help my aging parents get the shoveling done.  It truly depends on where you live when trying to decide if Spring is quite here or not.

This card serves two purposes.  First and foremost, it was created using some of the fabulous NEW Release products from Creative Worship Stamps including the gorgeous NEW Delicate Butterfly Dies and the pretty Damask Pattern Stencil that I added to the butterflies.  This allowed me to combine the color scheme into the butterflies while, at the same time, keeping those lovely butterflies lighter than the background.  The colors I chose were determined by the current NEW Challenge starting today over at The Card Concept.  I hope you'll come by to join us.  Here's the inspiration photo that determined my color choices.

I used the FUN Stitched Rectangle Dies to cut my rectangles that were created using Tim Holtz Oxide Inks and Distress Sprays.  The entire NEW Release this month at Creative Worship Stamps is so very amazing, and you won't want to miss a thing.  No matter what kind of stamps, sentiments, scriptures, images, stencils, inks or products you're looking for; I'm guessing that you're likely to find it all at Creative Worship Stamps.

The sentiment I used is from the awesome Typed Thoughts Stamp Set which has a coordinating Typed Thoughts Die Set which I used to raise up my sentiment just a bit.   I rubbed the sentiment piece and the butterflies using the gorgeous new Damask Pattern Stencil.  It would be such a blessing to have you stop by The Card Concept to play along in our current challenge.  You can let any (or all) of the inspiration photo guide you.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  It's always a real treat for me when you do.  I greatly appreciate your thoughts, comments and Follows.  You can find even more inspiration on the Creative Worship IG Page as well as a fabulously FUN challenge over at The Card Concept.  It's always more fun when everyone plays along.  Happy creating, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Cross Stitching on CutCardStock

There are so many fun and creative ways to use cardstock.  I've loved doing cross-stitching ever since I was a little girl when, at about the age of 10, my Aunt Betty taught me how to hand stitch.  But it wasn't until fairly recently that I learned I can actually cross-stitch on cardstock.  That's right.  You can cross-stitch on cardstock the same way you'd do it on a piece of Aida cloth.  And some of the gorgeous Linen Cardstocks available at CutCardStock are so rich and filled with amazing texture that you'd have a hard time knowing that it's cardstock.  There are so many great high-quality cardstocks to help you expand your creativity, and that's exactly what happened with the card I'm sharing here with you today.

I used a piece of the lovely Sand Castle Tan Cardstock and a really cool die-cut called Stitchable Pinking Rectangle Die from Waffle Flower Stamps to cut this gorgeous piece of Sand Castle Tan Cardstock, and then I cross-stitched my cute little penguin onto the paper.  This cardstock is thick and hefty giving it the girth you need to stitch on it while still looking like paper.  Have I mentioned all the gorgeous colors 🌈of cardstock they carry at CutCardStock?  I'm not joking when I say that you can find the perfect color(s) to match all your projects, and you'll LOVE the prices and quality.  We all need our go-to cardstock company, and I'd suggest that you look no further than CutCardStock.

I used a Jelly Bean Green A2 Folded Card as my card base and then I attached another piece of the Sand Castle Tan Cardstock that I inked on the edges with inks.  The cross-stitched image was created by using a free pattern I found on Pinterest.  I had to run to WalMart twice to pick up (first black and then white) more DMC floss because I didn't plan ahead.  lol  I won't make that mistake again.  I put together my card by attaching the inked piece of Sand Castle Tan Cardstock, then the cross-stitched piece of Sand Castle Tan Cardstock.  The stamped sentiment is from Paper Sweeties, and it's stamped on a banner cut using the Fishtail Banner Dies from Stamp Simply.  My finishing touches included a Burgundy Wrinkle Ribbon bow and a few little pearl accents.

Thank you again for stopping by to take a peek at my project today.  It's always a real treat to have you visit me and leave your thoughts.  It lets me know that you were here and also helps me to know what you're thinking.  I need new and creative ideas for exciting ways to showcase all these fabulous cardstocks, so please feel free to chime in if there's a project you'd like to see me attempt.  One thing I know for sure is that CutCardStock will always the perfect cardstocks for every project.  Have a great week, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Hugs w/Creative Worship Stamps

I always enjoy a good NEW Release, and again this month at Creative Worship Stamps, there's an awesome assortment of NEW products that will excite you and get your creativity going on all kinds of different directions.  The more I create with these awesome NEW products, the more excited I get about all the awesome new stamps, dies and stencils available in this month's NEW Release.  The amazing inspiration from our talented Design Team is also super exciting and will get you super ready to get busy in your craft room.  Let the creativity continue.

I used a white cardstock base layered with light kraft cardstock that I cut using the pretty Stitched Rectangle Dies and inked on the edges with Vintage Photo Oxide Ink.  I stencilled the background of this piece using the gorgeous NEW Damask Pattern Stencil and some Crackle Paste.  This lovely stencil gave my card a simple, yet elegant, layer of texture and color.

Next, I used more of the light kraft cardstock to cut two tags using the awesome NEW Stitched Tags Dies.  I layered them, inked them, placed a small piece of white lace around part of them, and then tied them with a length of White Seam Binding.  I cut the largest of all the pretty butterflies found in the NEW Delicate Butterfly Dies with white cardstock, and then did the same for my sentiment.  Using the Happy/Hugs Word Dies, I cut the word hugs several times and layered them for more depth and dimension.

For some really great inspiration, please visit the Creative Worship Stamps IG Page.  And for some really great stamps, dies, stencils, inks, sprays, and SO much more; you'll definitely want to stop by and check out everything at Creative Worship Stamps.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today.

I'm sharing this card in the following challenges:

Stencil Fun Challenge Blog - March: Anything Goes/Optional Vines

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - Challenge #2610 - Anything Goes

The Paper Funday Challenges - March Challenge #85 - Anything Goes

That's all, folks.

Blessings,

Karen

Sending Encouragement w/Stamp Simply

It's always nice to make and send a card to encourage someone who's going through a difficult time in their life.  When I do need to make an encouragement card, or any type of card, I know that I can always count on Stamp Simply to have just the right sentiment stamps, scripture stamps, images, die-cuts, papers and more.  Stamp Simply has such a wonderful assortment of stamps and products that will help you make something special and meaningful.  Today I'm sharing a card and bookmark duo that will, hopefully, be an encouragement to its recipient.

Most of the patterned papers, stickers and ephemera I used on this set are from a Carta Bella line called Spring Market.  This particular set is no longer sold at Stamp Simply, but you will find several other similar (and fabulous) Paper Pads from which to choose.  I also used the Wood Textures 6x6 Paper Pad from The Craft Consortium.  Like I said, there are so many FABULOUS paper pads available at Stamp Simply.  The stamped sentiment at the bottom of my card can be found in the Faith Stamp Set.  The small banners at the bottom left were cut using the Fishtail Banner Dies.

The next photo (below) shows the inside view of my card.  I decorated the inside of the card by using the same patterned papers.  I stamped the wreath using the Fall/Winter Seasonal Wreath Stamp Set and I cut it using the coordinating Fall/Winter Wreath Dies.  It wraps around a sticker sentiment.  Beneath it, I used the Fishtail Banner Dies and the words Praying for You once again using the Faith Stamp Set.  On the left side of the inside, I added a small kraft bag that holds a coordinating bookmark that's also stamped with a sentiment from the Faith Stamp Set.  It's a really lovely stamp set, and I used it once again to stamp the word "faith" on the little kraft bag.

I'm hoping that this card and bookmark will be a blessing to my friend who's going through a rough time right now.  She loves to read, so I thought that the bookmark would be a nice little addition to the card.  The next photo (below) shows the entire bookmark that coordinates with the card.  It will be an unexpected surprise when the card is opened.  I don't always decorate the inside of my cards, but in this case, Stamp Simply made it so easy.

I do apologize for having such a long blog post here today, but I guess I just wanted to take plenty of photos so that you could see all the different views of my card front, inside and bookmark.  You can find so many fabulous stamps, dies and products when you shop at Stamp Simply, and you can also find lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog.

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit me here today.  It's always appreciated, and I do hope you'll take some time to visit Stamp Simply for some great shopping.  Have a blessed and creative week, my dear friends.  I'm so grateful for you.

I'm linking up my card and matching bookmark in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Make it Cute"

The Paper Funday Challenges - March Challenge #85 - Anything Goes w/Optional Twist of Fur or Feathers

Double D Challenge Blog - Books/Bookmark/Postage

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - Challenge #2610 - Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

The Goodness of God w/Creative Worship

Are you ready for a FUN Instagram Hop, lots of great inspiration, a fabulous NEW Release and a chance to WIN a $25 gift card to Creative Worship Stamps?  Well, I hope so because we've got so much fun for everyone.  To take part in the IG Hop and for your chance to WIN, just head over to the Creative Worship IG Page to get started.  You can also find the link on My Instagram Page.  This card and bookmark set will combine several NEW products with some my older favorites.

It's always special to receive a Creative Worship hand-made card in the mail; but receiving a hand-made card along with a matching hand-made bookmark is a real bonus.  Creative Worship Stamps makes it so easy to create those matching bookmarks.  I simply cut the same cardstock using the FABULOUS Bookmarks & More Dies and designed it to match my card.  Super quick and easy, and it's such a nice and thoughtful little gift to send.

For the card, I used a cream cardstock that I used both as the base and to cut the inside using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I attached together those two pieces, and I stamped the top layer using the Typewriter Text Background Stamp.  Over that, I added Tumbled Glass and Spun Sugar Oxide Inks using the lovely new Damask Pattern Stencil.  It's SO pretty.  I used more of the cream cardstock and did the same thing to each piece that I cut using the FUN NEW Stitched Tags Dies.

The focal sentiment on the biggest tag was stamped using the NEW Goodness of God Stamp Set.  I also added accents from the Going Postal Stamp Set.  This is true of the card and the matching bookmark.  The pretty butterflies were cut using the NEW Delicate Butterflies Dies.  I also have a couple of small pieces of vintage music that I cut using the Tabs Ticket & More Dies.  One tab is tucked in underneath the butterfly and the other ticket is at the bottom right.  The butterfly (half butterfly) on my card is also backed using the vintage sheet music.

The sweet NEW Stitched Tags Dies are so much fun to use.  I used this awesome NEW set to cut the smaller tags you see on my card and on the bookmark.  These darling dies allow you to add a pop of color, do some journalling, or just add a touch pizzazz to your cards.  I'm finding so many ways to use them, and I know I'll be pulling them out a lot.  They're just so much FUN.

The matching bookmark was made the very same way as the card.  I used the NEW Stitched Tag Dies to cut and layer all the sweet little layers underneath my sentiment which is, again, from the NEW Goodness of God Stamp Set.  The bookmark is tied off with a tassle I made using Solid Pink Baker's Twine, which is now ON CLEARANCE for just FIFTY CENTS ($0.50) per TEN YARD length.  Don't miss the DEEP DISCOUNTS at Really Reasonable Ribbon during their Retirement/Going Out of Business Sale.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog to take a peek at this card and bookmark duo, and please don't forget to check out the Creative Worship IG Hop.  I'd love to have you Follow Me there, too please.  I've been stuck at the same place for so long, and I don't know what else to do to help my IG Following grow.  In the meantime, I'll keep on crafting and sharing.  I appreciate you for visiting me and for your support, comments and friendships.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm sharing my card in these fun challenges:

Stencil Fun Challenge Blog - March: Anything Goes/Optional Vines - I used a cool new Damask Pattern Stencil from Creative Worship Stamps on this card and bookmark duo.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Make Your Own Background" and I made my background by stencilling, stamping and inking.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Make it Cute" - I hope this card and bookmark duo is cute.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - March: Anything Goes

Double D Challenges - Book, Bookmarks, Postage, Etc. - Lately, I've really been enjoying making a matching bookmark for the cards I create.  I like to tuck them inside the card I'm giving.  What a FUN idea.

Happy crafting!!

Blessings,

Karen

He Is Risen w/Stamp Simply

One of the things that I love most about Stamp Simply Clear Stamps is the fact that no matter what type of card I need to make, I know that I can always count on them to have a stamp set with the most absolutely PERFECT sentiment.  This is such a blessing because sometimes it's hard to find just the right words, but Stamp Simply will have exactly what I'm trying to say - and in the most beautiful stamp sets that help me create lovely cards.  Knowing that I can lift the spirits of others and be an encouragement to them by sending a Stamp Simply hand-made card is such a joy.  It's also so nice knowing that I can find pretty much every scripture stamp I could possibly want; and that's so nice to have access to as well.  I love to stamp an encouraging scripture on the inside of my cards, and again, Stamp Simply always has just what I need.  This card was very much inspired by a similar card made last year by my talented Design Teammate, Esther Asbury.

This card started with cardstocks (black and natural white) that I layered together.  I used an additional piece of the natural white cardstock to stamp the bunny and eggs using the Easter is for Jesus Stamp Set.  I stamped the bunny a second time and cut it out using the coordinating Easter is for Jesus Dies, and I placed it as the focal point using 3-D Foam Tabs.

The top layer (so pretty, right?) was stamped onto a piece of Carta Bella patterned paper using the gorgeous Vintage Seed Packet Background Stamp in Graphite Black Ink.  The center of the stamp was cut using the coordinating Vintage Ovals & Twigs Dies.  This is one stamp set that I highly recommend.  It's so versatile, and it makes the sweetest background for any card.  The sentiments

Thanks so much for visiting me here today, friends.  Having you stop by to take a peek and say hello still (and always will) means so much to me and is greatly appreciated.  I do hope you'll visit the Stamp Simply Blog for more great inspiration, and then by Stamp Simply for some awesome shopping.  Have a creative and wonderful week, everyone.

This card will be shared in these FUN challenges where I enjoy playing along whenever possible:

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

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges - Simon Says "Make Your Own Background" so I stamped my background on gingham paper using a pretty Seed Packet Background Stamp from Stamp Simply.

Blessings,

Karen

Be Blessed w/Creative Worship Stamps

I'm so glad to have you stop by my blog to visit me and say hello.  Today I'm sharing another card that features the beautiful Stamp of the Month from Creative Worship Stamps.  You can get this lovely Wonderful Words of Life Stamp Set for FREE with your $75 purchase.  Why not stock up on some Tim Holtz Oxide Ink Pads and Sprays and possibly a few new stamp sets?  It's a great time to restock some of those products and pick up a FREE gift (and gorgeous one at that) in the process?  Go ahead....you've earned it.

I used Natural White 100lb. Cardstock from CutCardStock for my base as well as for each layer.  The first layer is plain, the second layer was stencilled using the Oval Mesh Stencil and the Jumbled Diamonds Stencil from Creative Worship Stamps.  Next, I stamped the scribbly words found in the Peaceful Botanicals Stamp Set using Hickory Smoke Oxide Ink.  And then, I sprayed it with Peeled Paint Distress Spray.

The top (third) layer of cardstock was stamped with gold ink using the gorgeous NEW Stamp of the Month I mentioned above.  It's called, obviously, Wonderful Words of Life Stamp Set and it's so very pretty.  The last things I did was stamp the sentiment (be blessed) using the Typed Thoughts Stamp Set which offers a coordinating set of Typed Thoughts Dies.  How perfect.  A piece of pretty Seam Binding was the finishing touch.

You know how some cards are just SO much prettier in real life?  Well, this is one of those cards.  These photos don't really show how pretty the Wonderful Words of Life stamp shimmers in gold ink.  You also can't really see all the amazing texture or the glimmer of the Winsor & Newton Gold Ink I added.  I will tell you this, however......you'll always find gorgeous stamps, dies, stencils, inks and more when you shop at Creative Worship Stamps.

It's like I mentioned above, this is a great time to stock up because you can get this beautiful Wonderful Words of Life Stamp Set for FREE with your $75 purchase.  Thanks again for visiting me here today, friends.  I'm so grateful for you.  Have a wonderfully creative week, and I'll be looking for you out there in social media land.

Here's where I'm sharing my card:

Inspiration Station Challenges - Challenge #82 - Photo Prompt (see below) - I was inspired by the softness of this photo, and I also wanted to pull in the soft pinks and the light, airy, Spring feeling this photo gives.

Stencil Fun Challenge Blog - February: Anything Goes/Create Your Own Background - I did create my background by using two different stencils (listed and linked above) as well as by adding inks, ink sprays and stamping.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - February: Anything Goes/Optional Pastels - I did use pastels on this card.  I wanted to keep it very soft and pretty.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2608 - Anything Goes sponsored by Gina K.Designs

Blessings to you,

Karen