TOGETHER

Together is my favorite place to be.  What a CUTE sentiment; and it's so true.  Being alone is nice sometimes, and we all need a bit of time by ourselves now and then to think (and do other things).  Yet somehow it's always more FUN when we can get together with those we love.  The new Picnic Pals Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe is a darling box of creativity that helps us celebrate togetherness.  How adorable are these images?

As I mentioned in my post last week, I literally let out a squeal when I opened the Picnic Pals Inspiration Box.  So far, I've loved every box I've received; and I've made oodles of cute cards with them.  BUT....the Picnic Pals Inspiration Box is just SO stinking cute.  I just CAN'T with these darling little campers and all their adorable campground images.  CUTENESS overload.  Right?

I used a white cardstock and a Crate Paper Farmhouse red plaid patterned paper for my base.  I also machine stitched a white cardstock to the base of my card; but not before I created a fun background using Tim Holtz Oxide Inks and stamping the sentiment.  There are over 30 images in the full-sized Picnic Pals Stamp Set that comes in this Inspiration Box, as well as the 30+ coordinating dies.  I stamped my images, colored them with my Copic markers, and die-cut each piece.

I attached everything to my card base so that it all looked like a campground scene.  I just LOVE the adorable kids/campers in their camping attire.  And....how CUTE are the marshmallow skewers, sleeping bag, and birds?  I did raise up the birds a bit using 3-D Adhesive so that they look like they're "flying".  The Picnic Pals Inspiration Box also contains the cards (so I don't have to go out and buy them once I've made my cards) as well as the cute sequin mix you see in the background.  There are also ribbons, foiling sheets, cardstocks and SO much more.  Each Inspiration Box is filled with everything you need to create adorable cards.

You can always find lots of great inspiration on the Brutus Monroe Blog and the Brutus Monroe Facebook Page.  I make my Brutus Monroe posts every Wednesday, and I'd love to have you stop by often to see what I'm creating.  You can find the Inspiration Boxes, as well as hundreds of other wonderful products at Brutus Monroe.  Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a blessed week.

Karen

I'm playing along here in these FUN challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Summertime Blues - This card celebrates Summer and has a pretty blue sky background.

Time Out Challenge Blog - Inspired By Words (see below) - For this card, I was inspired by the word FRIENDS.  Being together with friends is always so special.

FUN Challenges and a New Fold

Hello, friends.  Thanks for visiting me again for a quick little post.  If you know me at all, you're well aware that I tend to create things that fit safely inside my comfortable little bubble of creativity.  I don't often try new things; and I've said for a long time that this is likely my biggest craft fault.  Well, I was inspired by the challenge on the Christian Card Makers' Facebook Group to try what's called a "Book Fold".  I watched THIS TUTORIAL on YouTube, and I gave it a try.  This is literally my first attempt at ANY kind of special fold.

I used a pale pink cardstock to make my card base following the directions in the video.  The patterned papers are from Kaisercraft.  I used some Light Pink Gingham Ribbon, Mulberry Flowers, Stamens, Mulberry Leaves, Bundled Burlap String, and  lots of other pretty touches.  On the front sentiment, I used a sentiment stamp from Stamp Simply Clear Stamps called Words of Encouragement.

On the inside of the card, I used another sentiment stamp from Stamp Simply Clear Stamps called Farmhouse All Occasion Greetings.  I love the font used on their stamps, and they have so many great sets for most every occasion.  I invite you to check out the links I've shared today as they're sure to be a blessing to you.  Happy crafting to everyone, and have a great week.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm sharing my card in these FUN challenges:

CRAFT-alnica: Challenge #291 - This is the first challenge blog in Slovenia and I'm delighted to play along.  This challenge is called PIKE: Use Polka Dot patterned papers.  Entry #3 (final)

Dare 2B Artzy - August: Anything Goes

Time Out Challenges: Challenge #193: Inspired By Words (I was inspired by the words ROSE and GARDEN)

You Are Sweet

It's hard even for me to believe, but I'm posting again today with another card I was able to create (rather quickly) just for fun.  If you know me, you're aware that I like to find creative ways to use up snippets of patterned paper; and this card is one of those that uses them in a fun way.  There's a really great die-cut set from Paper Sweeties called Square Scalloped Frames (they also come in Rectangle, Oval and Circle) that have various sizes in each set.  I used them to cut these cute frames with my snippets of pretty patterned papers.

I used some white and pale pink cardstocks for my base, and then used several sweet Doodlebug patterned papers.  I alternated the patterned papers for each square/border, and then I used some ADORABLE Doodlebug Doodle Pops Ice Pops for the sweet little popsicles.  Each square has its own sweet little treat.  In the center, I used the Kindness Matters Stamp Set for the sentiment, which is stamped in Coal Black Ink.  I tied some Solid Apple Green Baker's Twine around my card as the finishing touch.

Thanks for stopping by (again) today.  I'm sharing this quick, sweet little card in the challenges listed below.  I'm so grateful for your visits, and hope you're having a really great week.

Blessings,

Karen

CRAFT-alnica: Challenge #291 - Pike/Use Polka Dot Patterned Paper - I used a pretty yellow patterned paper with white polka dots as well as a few other patterned papers on the small square frames that are  polka dot

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Anything Goes

Dar & Diane's Double D Challenge Blog - Colors of Summer

Pixie's Workshop/Snippets Challenge #408

Crafty Hazelnut's July Patterned Paper Challenge - Special thanks to sweet Hazel for hosting all her FUN challenges.  

Hip Hip Hooray!

Hip Hip Hurray, and welcome by today!  It's always a treat to have you visit my blog.  Last night I had some time to myself, and I was able to make a couple things for some fun challenges where I love to play along.  I don't always find the time to create just for fun; so it's always a treat when I do.  I made a tag using lots of (long ignored) washi tape for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge that I shared on my Instagram Page.  I also created this sweet Summer card for another FUN challenge blog, Dar and Diane's Double D Challenge Blog where they are celebrating Summer.  Let's face it friends.....I don't need for it to be Summer to celebrate with ice cream.  But it's as good as excuse as any other.

I used a white cardstock and a few of my much-cherished Emma's Shoppe patterned papers, a sticker, and a journalling spot from Crate Paper.  I used a couple of different Paper Sweeties stamp sets.  One was for the sentiment, and the other, Sweet Wishes, was for the adorable ice cream cones.  I stamped the cone on cork paper, and I stamped the ice cream parts on white cardstock and colored them with my Copics.

I wrapped some Raspberry Baker's Twine around my card to give it some extra texture and personality.  I absolutely LOVE baker's twine.  When I was finished, the card just needed a little somethin-somethin at the top; so I added a Tim Holtz miniature rusty paper clip, and placed a small pink metal flower on top of that.  You know me....more is more.  I tend to pile it on, and I'm just FINE with that.

As I mentioned, I'm playing along in some FUN challenges that I'm linking below.  I hope that you've had a creative week, and that you're playing along in some fun challenges as well.  I always appreciate your visits and comments, and I look forward to seeing what YOU have been creating.  Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Karen

Here's where I'm playing along:

CRAFT-alnica:  Challenge #291 - Pike (Use Polka Dot Patterned Paper) - I used a yellow with white polka dots

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Dar and Diane's Double D Challenge Blog - Colors of Summer

You Make Life A Picnic

Hey there, sweet blog friends!  Welcome by today as I share a super sweet card that I created for Brutus Monroe using their DARLING new Picnic Pals Inspiration Box.  I literally SQUEALED out loud when I first opened this Inspiration Box.  The stamp set and coordinating dies that come in the Picnic Pals Inspiration Box are absolutely ADORABLE and I was so super excited to start creating with them.

Each Inspiration Box comes with several sheets of colored cardstocks to coordinate with the kit.  I used some white and some black cardstock to create my card base, and I added a small piece of black and white striped patterned paper.  Each Inspiration Box also comes with an assortment of three different colored silk ribbons; and I laid a length of the red silk ribbon across my card to create a border.  At the top of the card, I added another piece of white cardstock and that's where I placed the "fun stuff".

Using the sweet stamps and dies found in the Picnic Pals Inspiration Box, I used Black Soot Tim Holtz Oxide Ink and stamped the sentiment and the ants, picnic basket, French bread and hamburger which I colored with my Copic markers.  I also created some sloppy, messy "splotches" at the top of the card just for added color and fun.  That's really all there was to it.  These stamps and dies are SO cute, and I really wanted to use some of them as the focal point of this card.

Oh my heart!!!!  This entire stamp set is SO cute, and I can't wait to create more cards with this FUN Picnic Pals Inspiration Box.  I hope you'll stop by each Wednesday to see more of my creations.  You can also find lots of great inspiration on the Brutus Monroe Facebook Page and the Brutus Monroe Blog.  And, the Brutus Monroe store carries SO many great brands we all love.  I hope you'll check it out and see what they have. I sure enjoy creating with my Brutus Monroe products, and I think you'll enjoy them as well.  Have a great week, and thanks again for stopping by.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Double D Challenges: COLORS of Summer

With Sympathy

Hello, blog friends.  Thank you for visiting today.  The card I'm sharing with you is one that I made for myself (sadly, because I needed to make it); and is not for a DT assignment.  I normally love having time to create a card like this; but sadly, it's never "fun" when you need to make a sympathy card.  Nonetheless, that's what I'm sharing today and I appreciate you visit by to take a peek at it.

I started with a piece of brown cardstock, and then I added a piece of Jen Hadfield patterned paper from a 6x6 pad in my stash.  I thought the colors were really nice (comforting) for use on a sympathy card.  Once I had attached my papers to create a base, I wanted to keep it simple and still give it a bit of pizazz.  I used a Reverse Confetti circular die-cut that I stenciled using green ink.  I stamped the sentiment on top of that using a stamp from Inspired By Stamping.

I used a white magnolia flower, some bundled Ivory Burlap String and Brown Burlap String, a brown mulberry leaf, and some pretty mint colored ultra-thin seam binding to accent the sentiment spot.  Those of you who know me well are aware that I like to add flowers and ribbons; so it was an easy decision for me to add all those delights to my card.  I know....less is more, right?  But sometimes I just can't help myself....especially when it comes to pretty ribbons and flowers.  I do, however, struggle sometimes with having to use a padded envelope to mail them.  LOL

Thanks again for stopping by my blog today.  I hope you have a blessed and creative week.  I'm always so grateful for your visits.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm playing along here:

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - With Sympathy

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Out With The Old, In With The New - I used some old patterned paper and a very old stamp.  I used new flowers and ribbons.

Today Is Special w/RRR

Hello, everyone, and welcome by today as I celebrate my 56th Birthday.  Yes, it's my Birthday today; and I'm happy to share this sweet card I created for Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Whenever I make a card, I love to add some ribbon or twine to give my card extra dimension and pizazz.  I can always find the perfect ribbons and trims at Really Reasonable Ribbon because they carry literally every color and style you can imagine.

I used some gold foil cardstock from my stash and used that as the base.  I added a piece of patterned paper with some gold accents in it.  The top layer is a piece of basic white cardstock that I decorated by using a stencil and some gold Deco Foil Metallix.  It gave the background a nice shiny gold pattern along with some nice texture.  I used another scrap of white cardstock and the same stencil to create the background pattern (in Spun Sugar Oxide Ink) on the sentiment spot.  The sentiment spot itself was cut with a Paper Sweeties Cut, and the sentiment stamp is from Reverse Confetti.  I embossed the sentiment in gold.

OK....let's get to the FUN stuff.  Once all that ☝was done, I ran a width of the pretty Raw Silk Satin With Metallic Edge across my card and tied a bow with it.  I layered in some bundled and knotted Gold Metallic String.  I tucked in a White Mulberry Leaf and added several Miniature Pastel Sweetheart Blossoms.  I just LOVE the fact that Really Reasonable Ribbon always has the perfect trim or accent for every project, and their prices are SO reasonable.  When you see a ribbon or trim on one of projects that you like, in most cases; that trim almost always comes in different colors and widths.  The assortment is truly amazing, and you're always going to find what you need.  For instance, the Raw Silk Satin With Metallic Edge I used on this card comes in over 40 different colors.  Just sayin'.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today.  It's always a joy when you stop by and say hello; but especially today (being my special day) it's really a treat.  I appreciate you all, and I want you all to know that your friendship and support mean a lot to me.  My cup runneth over with gratitude.  I do hope you'll stop by Really Reasonable Ribbon to take a peek at all their wonderful products.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along in the following FUN challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Out With Old, In With The New - So I used new ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon and a new technique using the Metallix and stencil.  I also used older products such as that gold cardstock (ancient) and the patterned paper which has been in my stash for quite some time as well.