Under His Wings w/Stamp Simply

Hello, sweet crafty friends and thank you for visiting me here today.  You know, this world can be an ugly place sometimes.  While I try to continually stay fixed on the things that truly matter - God, my family, my faith, my blessings, my relationships, my joy, etc. the world can still be a lot at times.  And even though I know for sure that God is always in control and that there is NOTHING He isn't handling, there are still moments when it all gets a bit overwhelming.  I guess it's simply because of how sinful the world has become and how far so many people have pulled themselves away from God and from His perfect will of blessings for their lives.  Each person has to eventually make those decisions and choices for themself.  As for me, I've made my decision.  I will ALWAYS surrender everything to God, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.  So, when times get difficult, stressful or a bit overwhelming; I go to Jesus and hide myself under His wings where I can take refuge from it all and find perfect peace.  Today I'm sharing a card that expresses that kind of peace that ONLY God can provide.  The Products of the Week from Stamp Simply made this card come together with great ease.  You can get these beautiful stamps and dies for 20% off during this SALE.

I used basic black cardstock layered with a piece of woodgrain patterned paper found in the Craft Consortium's 6x6 Wood Textures Paper Pad.  I added a small scrap of a golden gingham patterned paper that I inked and machine stitched to the first layer.  A 7 Gypsies Grungy Tag was placed at the bottom of the card base, and a bit more machine stitching was done for added texture.  I stamped the wreath using the pretty Fall/Winter Seasons Wreath Stamp Set and cut it with the coordinating Fall/Winter Seasonal Wreath Dies.  I also splattered everything with Tim Holtz Distress Spritz.

The leaves, foliage/berries, cardinal and sentiment are all found in the Product of the Week set which is our lovely God Will Take Care of You Stamp Set.  I colored the images and I fussy cut them.  I tried to place each piece so that I could fill in the area evenly.  This isn't always my strong suit, but when the products are this sweet, it's pretty much impossible to go wrong.  At the top left, I added a small rusty paperclip with a snippet of May Arts 3/8" Green Gingham Ribbon.  If I forget anything, I'm happy to let you know what I used.

Happy crafting, everyone.  I do hope you'll stop by Stamp Simply to check these fabulous products.  You'll always find so many pretty things at Stamp Simply and we always enjoy having you visit.  You can also find loads of wonderfully inspiring art on the Stamp Simply Blog.  Thanks for stopping by and please visit again soon, sweet friends.

Blessings,

Karen

October Challenge at The Card Concept

Hello, creative friends.  For those of you who love a good challenge, I hope you'll join us this month at The Card Concept for an inspirational Autumn theme.  There's a gorgeous inspiration photo to help get your creativity flowing.  But don't feel that you need to take the photo literally.  It may be some of the colors, textures, elements or images you see that speak to your creative side.  Whatever inspires you when you look at this photo, we want to see what you create.

I used basic cream cardstock from Walmart (nothing special) that I layered with a dark woodgrain patterned paper from Echo Park's Autumn Blessings collection.  The paper strips that were cut and machine stitched are also from this same Echo Park line.  I embossed the second layer of cream cardstock using the Sizzix 3D Texture Folds Foliage Embossing Folder.  I placed a wooden button laced with Ivory Burlap String on top of my sewn paper strips.

The pumpkin at the bottom of this card was stamped using the Welcome Fall Stamp Set and was cut using the coordinating Welcome Fall Pumpkin Dies.  The BLESSED sentiment was also stamped using the Welcome Fall Stamp Set and was cut with the Fishtail Banner Dies.  Here's a peek at this month's inspiration photo.  It has SO much beautiful eye-candy to inspire you.

Looking back now at all the empty space, I'm thinking I should have splattered it with some color, or perhaps I should have rubbed on some gold or other color to the embossed/raised leaves.  Isn't that wagon full of pumpkins and flowers just gorgeous?  There's so much there to inspire you.  What are you thinking of creating?

It would be wonderful to have you all stop by The Card Concept to play along with us there.  It's always more fun when YOU and everyone can join in on the FUN.  Please take a peek at the inspiration photo and come show us what you're inspired to create.

Blessings,

Karen

JOY to the World w/Stamp Simply

It's pretty fair to say that we're all fans of Stamp Simply Clear Stamps and all their wonderful products.  Did you know, however, that Stamp Simply features a Product of the Week SALE each week?  Most weeks, it's more than just one set that's being featured; and this week, it's the awesome Farmhouse Collection that's on SALE.  These sweet sets are among my favorites, and they're just SO super cute.

Today's project is a simple little brown paper bag pocket.  You can use any simple brown bag including a lunch sack to create one like this.  I added some kraft cardstock to the front that I machine stitched in dark brown thread.  I also cut two tags by hand from the kraft cardstock and machine stitched those as well.  On the one (larger) tag, I added a pre-printed tag from the Echo Park The First Noel 6x6 Paper Pad.  I also added some May Arts Ivory Lace to my project.  On the smaller tag, I stamped the to/from using the Farmhouse Christmas Stamp Set.

The foliage/leaves, hearts and red lines were all stamped using the Farmhouse Signage Stamp Set.  The larger sentiment on the front is also found in the Farmhouse Christmas Stamp Set.  Each of the stamp sets in the Farmhouse Collection are super sweet and have lovely sentiments.  Here's a peek at the collection of this week's sale items.

This little project shows you just how easy it is to put together a cute project for Christmas gift-giving.  The tags are both topped with Natural Jute Burlap Cord, and I tucked in a Starbucks gift card, a tea bag and a tiny wooden spoon.  I feel badly about covering up all that pretty Echo Park The First Noel 6x6 Paper.  You can see it much better when everything is taken out of the pockets.  I guess I should have photographed that too.  These papers are so pretty!

Paper bag pockets are great for tucking in a gift card, a note, photos, etc.  Stamp Simply has all the best products to help you get started.  Thanks for visiting me and have a great week creating pretty things.  Don't miss the savings on the Products of the Week at Stamp Simply.  There's always a great deal to be had, lots of fabulous inspiration, and we always enjoy having you stop by to say hello.

Blessings,

Karen

Autumn Paper Bag Pocket w/CutCardStock

It's October already and time to enjoy the beautiful signs of Autumn that surround us.  One thing I truly miss about living in Northern Minnesota is seeing the beautiful leaves change color.  Every Autumn, we'd take a drive up the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior (sometimes all the way into Canada) to enjoy the gorgeous foliage.  Some years we'd do it more than once because it's so beautiful as the leaves change their colors.  There are also lots of adorable little shops and restaurants on the drive from Duluth, Minnesota up the scenic North Shore Drive following the shore of Lake Superior.  As you drive the approximate three hours, you (hopefully) begin to grasp the enormity of this Great Lake.  It's SO beautiful and so incredibly impressive.  God is truly an amazing Creator, and I feel so blessed to have grown up surrounded by His creations in the great Northland.

This project that I created for CutCardStock using several of their (many) fabulous cardstocks is a bit of a celebration piece for Autumn and those awesome memories.  I used a very basic brown paper bag to create a paper pocket card.  You don't need anything fancy for this....just any little old paper sack will do the trick.  There's a bit more of a Tutorial on the CutCardStock Blog if you'd like more detailed instructions.  I machine stitched pieces of DCS Twine Cardstock that I placed as my base pieces over the brown paper sack.  Once you've attached those base pieces, the rest is all about making it pretty.  CutCardStock made that process SO easy with all the pretty colors of high-quality cardstock they carry.

The following colors of cardstock from CutCardStock were used to cut the tags, sentiment, acorns, stems, leaves, berries and foliage you see on this Paper Bag Pocket.  The Tags/Tag Toppers are from Creative Worship Stamps and the (thanks) sentiment is from Poppystamps.  I also used some 3-D Foam Circle Tabs to raise up some of the pieces.  The following images were cut using Into the Bloom: Acorn Die Set from Papertrey Ink with these gorgeous cardstocks:

DCS Twine Cardstock - Base Pieces and Acorns

DCS Vanilla Bean Brown - Acorn Tops

Pop Tone Gum Drop Green - Stems

DCS Habanero Red - Leaves

DCS Yellow Jacket - Leaves and Tag

Astrobright Orbit Orange - Leaves

DCS Plum Purple Cardstock - Berries

There are SO many fabulous colors of high-quality cardstocks of various weights at CutCardStock.  I wish I could own every single fabulous color and variety they carry.  Until then, I'll enjoy working with the colors I do own, and I'll tell everyone I can how FAB they truly are.  You can find lots of great inspiration on the CutCardStock Blog and SO much great cardstock at CutCardStock.  Don't throw away those paper lunch bags.  You can turn them into art.  Thanks again for visiting me here today, friends.

I'm sharing my paper bag pocket card here:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Tag It - I tucked in a few tags at the top.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #92 - Anything Goes/Pumpkin Spice - I went with Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

Merry Christmas w/Poppystamps

Chances are pretty good that none of us are ready Christmas.  Well, believe it or not, Christmas is only 77 days away which means there are lots of Christmas cards needing to be made.  When you shop at Poppystamps, you're always sure to find the most beautifully detailed and intricately layered die cuts to help you easily create beautiful cards.  The Merry Christmas card I'm sharing today was easily created using just a few of the many wonderful dies from Poppystamps.

I used basic black, a heavy glittery gold (Michael's) and a basic cream cardstock for the base of my card.  The top layer is a piece of pretty gold-embossed vellum (from Michael's).  I used the second largest oval found in the lovely Pinpoint Oval Frame Dies to cut the oval frame from the focal point.  I used the lovely Nordic Drop Ornament Die Set to cut the lovely ornament that I hung with solid cream baker's twine.

The ornament and pretty bow at the top were cut from Fresh Aqua and Blueberry Mist Cardstock as well as small scraps of the glittery gold cardstock.  The bow was cut using the Satin Ribbon Craft Die Set, and it makes a lovely accent for any card.  I really just wanted that gorgeous Nordic Drop Ornament Die Set to be the star of this card, and it certainly is.  The Merry Christmas Foil Tab tab is from our sister company, Memory Box.

Take some time to visit Poppystamps to see all the wonderful die-cuts they carry.  You can also play along in our monthly Poppystamps Challenge for your chance to WIN, and the Poppystamps Blog always has lots of great inspiration.  Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello here today.  I always appreciate your visits.

Peace on Earth Challenge Blog - Challenge #121 October:  I was inspired by the ornament in the photo with all the gold accents.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Pattern Paper - I used a patterned/text vellum paper.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #92 - I'm going with the Anything Goes option this time because this card has nothing to do with pumpkins, spice or anything of the sort.  Just a Christmas ornament with glitter.  lol

Blessings,

Karen

Christmas Coffee w/Stamp Simply

Welcome by today, sweet friends.  As the October New Release continues at Creative Worship Stamps, I've been having so much fun creating with these awesome new products.  There are so many great things found in this month's NEW Release including some gorgeous peacock stamps, dies and stencils.  There are also several sweet Snowflake products including a gorgeous background stamp and some sweet layering dies.  And let's not forget about the awesome NEW Sermon Notes Stamp Set for those of us who enjoy Bible journalling.  It's all so incredibly wonderful, and you won't want to miss any of it.

This card started with basic black cardstock layered with basic white cardstock and then a jewel toned blue cardstock that I stamped using Unchartered Mariner Blue Oxide Ink and the awesome NEW Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp.  I inked the edges with more of the blue as well as some white ink for a snow-kissed look.  Next, I stamped the Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp onto a piece of the white cardstock, and I cut it using one of the ovals in the Stitched Oval Dies.  I surrounded the oval with a green wreath that was cut using the Lovely Wreaths Dies.  A bit of white paint splattering and a sequin gave my background some "snow" which also helped break up the dark background.

I used the fabulous Holiday Cheer Stamps & Dies for the coffee cups, sentiment and candy canes.  I positioned these images around the oval to give it depth.  It's always fun to incorporate coffee into my Christmas cards because everyone who knows me is well aware of my love for coffee.  And truth be told, most of my friends and family love it as much as I do.  Creative Worship Stamps has so many great coffee related products to help you give your cards some caffeinated love.

Thank you once again for your visit here today.  It means the world to me that I have crafty friends who stop by to say hello and take a quick peek at my cards.  You all inspire me SO much and I appreciate you beyond words.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm playing along in the following challenges that I 💕love so much:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge Blog - October Challenge:  Anything Goes Christmas and Caffeine - This card uses products from Super Sponsor and friend of all things caffeinated, Creative Worship Stamps.  I absolutely LOVE💖 playing along in this fun challenge any time I possibly can.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - October Challenge - Anything Goes w/Optional Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice- Entry #1/6 - My "everything nice" always includes coffee.

Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Be Still w/Creative Worship Stamps

It's been such a tremendous blessing and honor to be a part of the Design Team at Creative Worship Stamps.  There are many times that I still can't believe that they would truly want ME on this team.  I'm surrounded by such incredible talent, and I don't feel at all adequately matched to their level.  But I will say this, I'm blessed and grateful to have this privilege and I enjoy Creative Worship Stamps products SO much.  I pray all the time that God will help me to create art that's worthy of this position, and that will bring honor and glory to Him.  For me, that's what my art is all about.....honoring God and praising Him for any talent I may (or may not) have.  God has blessed me tremendously, and I'm #blessed to design for this amazing company.  This month's NEW Release is absolutely wonderful.

Among the many awesome NEW products this month, I've fallen in LOVE💖with the NEW Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp.  When you receive a padded envelope from Creative Worship Stamps, your products come protected with a piece of thick cardboard (so they won't bend).  Each month, I use this piece of cardboard for a project, and this month, this is that project.  The base is cardboard and the top piece is also cardboard which was cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I stamped that piece using the awesome NEW Snowflake Whumsy Background Stamp in dark brown.  And YES, the die-cuts from Creative Worship Stamps will cut straight through that thick cardboard with great ease.

I used another scrap of the cardboard to make my grungy piece that I cut using one of the smaller pieces in the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I rubbed some paint on it and attached it.  It's topped with images found in the Holly Christmas Stamp Set (holly and berries) as well as the Coffee Talk Stamp Set (coffee mugs).  The sentiment (Be Still) can be found in the gorgeous NEW White as Snow Stamp Set.  And finally, let's talk about those STUNNING snowflakes.  They are SO pretty, and the NEW Delicate Snowflake Die Set includes SIX (6) different styles/sizes of snowflakes.

You'll LOVE💖this NEW Release as much as I do.  The beautiful snowflakes and snowflake background are definitely good choices, and products that I already know will get used a lot.  Creative Worship Stamps always has such amazing products, and I really do hope you'll stop by to check out all their fabulous things.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, friends.  I'm always grateful for you, for your comments, and for your supportive friendships.  Leave me some love and I'll pop by to say hello to you as well.  Happy crafting.

I'm sharing my caffeinated Christmas card in the following challenges:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge - Challenge #58 October: Anything Goes Caffeinated Christmas. I used products from Creative Worship.  Thanks for another FUN challenge and all the great inspiration.

Keep creating beautiful things.

Blessings,

Karen