Nothing Shall Be Impossible w/Stamp Simply

One of things that I love most about Stamp Simply Clear Stamps is that they're a Christian-owned, Christ-centered, amazing store that offers crafters SO many perfect stamped sentiments.  Yes, Stamp Simply also carries hundreds of other products, but the fact that I always know I can find the PERFECT sentiment, and the perfect words and/or scriptures of encouragement, means so much to me.  Please take some time to stop by Stamp Simply to explore ALL the amazing sentiment options they carry.  Disclaimer: NOT my fault if you spend a little money. 💰lol Their products really are beautiful, and you should treat yourself.

Yes!  This is one colorful card, indeed.  In fact, the colors don't actually all match one another.  While I tried to match them, I failed.  That's why I'm simply calling this my "Rainbow Card".  LOL  I used white cardstock and I pressure embossed the top layer of white cardstock using the Sizzix Snowfall Speckles Embossing Folder.  The floral patterned paper at the bottom of my card is found in the Craft Consortium's Bloom & Wild 6x6 Paper Pad.  The small banners were cut using papers from the Craft Consortium's Ombre 6x6 Paper Pad.

I cut the sentiment spot using a Spellbinders Circle Die Set similar to this one, but mine has stitched edges (retired).  The sentiment is found in the Pray Without Ceasing Stamp Set.  I splashed inks everywhere.  Finally, I wrapped some White Seam Binding around my card and into a pretty bow that I topped with a blue paper flower.  I also tucked in a few stick pins including one from the lovely Darice Pink Pin Collection.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  As always, you can find lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog, and that's also where you'll learn of any special sales and promotions taking place at Stamp Simply.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, and please don't forget to stop by (and Follow, please) my Instagram Page.  Have a wonderfully creative week, everyone.  Oh, and don't miss out on the fabulous SALE for our Product of the Week.

I'm sharing my card at:

Colorful Options Challenge - February: Pink & Purple/Or Rainbow - While my card does contain both pink and purple, this is definitely a Rainbow Card with lots of color.

Paper Funday Challenges - February: Challenge #84 Fun With Pastels - I used lots of paper layers and lots of pastel colors on this bright card.

Blessings,

Karen

Let's Get Cozy w/Creative Worship Stamps

This month at Creative Worship Stamps, we're showcasing and featuring many of the FUN and FAB stamps, dies and other products that are "Reading Related".  In an effort to encourage us to read more, we all wanted to create some cards, bookmarks, journal pages, etc. to showcase these amazing products and to pair them with other Creative Worship products such as Stencils, Inks and Sprays.  As part of this month's Creative Worship Instagram Hop, I'm sharing my first two projects of the month....this card and bookmark duo.

My card starts with black cardstock layered with white cardstock that I stencilling using Spun Sugar Oxide Ink and the gorgeous Star Pattern Stencil.  I also stamped the background with the super cool Typewriter Text Background Stamp.  I also used the Peace Joy Love Stencil to add the words BE STILL at the bottom of my card.

I used the adorable Let's Get Cozy Stamp Set for the sentiments, chair, blankets, lamp, coffee, etc. and the coordinating Let's Get Cozy Dies to cut them.  There's also a small piece of tulle behind my couch.  Why?  I'm not sure.  Like I tend to do a lot, I knew that I wanted to make a matching bookmark for this card; especially since we're celebrating the art of Reading.

I used the Bookmarks & More Dies to cut my bookmark.  I used the Star Pattern Stencil and Typewriter Text Background Stamp again on the background of my bookmark.  The sentiment, light and stack of books are also found in the Let's Get Cozy Stamp Set and were cut using the coordinating Let's Get Cozy Dies.  Some tulle at the top of my bookmark will stick out the top of your book....how fun.

Be sure to hop on over to the Creative Worship Instagram Hop for lots of great Reading-Related inspiration and a chance to WIN a $25 gift card to spend at Creative Worship.  We'd love to have you join the fun and....who knows, you might just find some fabulous new products for yourself at Creative Worship.  Have a wonderfully creative week.

I'm playing along here:

A Cut Above Challenge Blog - February: Anything Goes Using Dies - All the dies I used on my card and bookmark are listed and linked above.

The Paper Funday Challenges - February: Anything Goes/Optional Pastels - I did use the Optional Pastel Twist along with lots of fabulous paper layers.

Double D Challenge Blog - Shabby Chic Challenge - I thought the cozy chair with blankets, coffee, and especially the flowered doilies on the armchair really seemed vintage to me.

Craft Rocket Challenges - Challenge #133 - Flowers - This card has pretty flowers on the couch.

Blessings,

Karen

Happy Mother's Day w/Stamp Simply

There are some cards I make that I don't always decide ahead of time what their ultimate purpose will be.  For instance, when I started making this card, I only stamped the "I Love You" at the bottom right and nothing else.  I figured that it was a nice card to have on hand because, at any given time, I could stamp the top of this card and/or the inside with sentiments like "Mom", "Happy Mother's Day", "With Sympathy", "Happy Anniversary" and so forth.  You can make cards and leave the occasion open-ended.  Well, as this card progressed, it took a few turns due to my "bloopers".  When that happens, you just have to roll with it and "make it work", so I did.  Before I was finished, it became this lovely Mother's Day card.  Art is a process.  You have to sort of just go with the flow and not let your errors cause you to give up on a project.  Shhhh...just between us, I tend to do that more than I should.

I used a full piece (plus a smaller scrap) of Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock and I stencilled the entire background of these pieces using the Tim Holtz Lace Stencil and Green Paint Oxide Ink.  I stamped the pretty flowers using the Happy Day Iris Stamp Set, I painted the flowers with oxide inks, and then I cut them out using the coordinating Happy Day Iris Dies.  I sprayed the papers with Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Spray and cream acrylic paint.  It's a bit of a mess, but I haven't yet learned how to control where all that spray goes.  The sentiments I stamped are found in the Happy Day Iris Stamp Set (Mother's Day and Love You) and the All Occasions Sentiments 2 Stamp Set (Happy).

I added a piece of gorgeous 2.5" Isabella White Venice Lace to the side of the floral image.  The lace can add a really nice element of texture to your cards.  Stamp Simply carries various widths, colors and styles of Lace as well as many Ribbons, Baker's Twine and Paper Flowers among so many other great things.  Be sure to check out all the wonderful products waiting for you there.  You can also find lots of great inspiration each day on the Stamp Simply Blog.

OK, so...here's where the "blunder" came into the picture.  I had splattered everything a bit too much (especially the Iris and stems) and I knew I had to re-stamp the pretty Iris.  When pulling up my original (over-splattered) Iris, I tore some of the paper.  That meant I had to reposition where I placed the flowers which changed where I was stamping the sentiments.  Yikes!  (TMI?)  Because there were small problems, I used a piece of black cardstock and embossed it using a Sizzix Embossing Folder (you can barely tell I even embossed it).  I tucked in the black embossed cardstock and small bits of vintage sheet music that I bent, inked and crumpled to cover my problems.  lol

Oh, and by the way.....there's a fabulous SALE taking place now through Valentine's Day at Stamp Simply.  This is a great time to pick up some of the things you've been wanting from Stamp Simply and save money at the same time.  Why not treat yourself?  It's time for some lovely NEW stamps.  We'd sure love to have you stop by to do some FUN shopping.

Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello.  I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about my quick and easy card.  I try my best to explain everything step by step and to include all the Stamp Simply (and other) products I use.  But if I missed anything, please be sure to ask.  It's always so nice hearing your thoughts and comments, and I welcome your input.  As always, I'm just super happy to have you stop by to say hello.  Have a great week, sweet friends.

I'm playing along here:

A Cut Above Challenges - February: Anything Goes Using Die Cuts.  All the dies I used are all from Stamp Simply, and they are individually listed and linked above.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Spritz/Splatter" - As I explained above, there was a lot of spritzing and splattering going on with this card.  A bit TOO much in some cases.  lol

Craft Rocket Challenges - Challenge #133 - Flowers

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #84 for February - This card doesn't use pastels (other than maybe a pastel green...lol) but it does use lots of great paper layers.

Blessings,

Karen

The Perfect Sentiments Every Time

Often times, I talk about how Stamp Simply really does carry the perfect stamp sentiment for every occasion.  Well, the card I'm sharing with you all today truly proves that very statement.  I have a very special person in my life (don't we all?) who needs extra encouragement, support and kind words of affirmation.  I want it to always be very clear to my friend(s) that I'm here for them, that I care about them, that I'm praying for them, and most importantly; that God loves and values them.  Stamp Simply is always able to help me find the perfect sentiments.....every time.

For this sweet card, I used a kraft base and I attached a (very old) piece of dark blue cardstock.  I gathered up some patterned papers including a gingham from the Carta Bella Winter Time 6x6 Paper Pad and a sweet floral from the Craft Consortium's lovely Bloom & Wild 6x6 Paper Pad.  I machine stitched the papers together and attached them to my card base.  I ripped, inked and curled up the inside edges of the pink gingham paper.  I should have done more of that.

I used sentiments from the Typewritten Just Checking In Stamp Set and the Stick Family Sentiments Add-Ons Stamp Set for the words of encouragement, and each one was cut using a Fishtail Banner Die.  I attached them to my paper and accented them with a bow tied with White Seam Binding, 1/8" Blue Silk Ribbon (may be out of stock, but there are very similar trims available), two Baker's Twine bows.  I also topped the ribbon treatment with a pretty Hot Pink Paper Flower (similar) smaller White Flowers.  Although it's a little bit hard to see, I also attached some delicate White Lace to the floral paper.

As always, I see things I wish I would have done differently.  I'm that way, I guess.  Perhaps a bit more machine stitching, more paper tearing, more texture.  Well, one thing is for absolute certain; Stamp Simply will always have the perfect stamps, dies, stencils, embossing folders, pretty flowers and all I need to create the cards that express how I feel about someone.  That's always a blessing.  Stop by Stamp Simply today and have a peek for yourself.  Happy crafting.

I'll be sharing my card here:

Double D Challenges: January: Shabby/Chic - I used a pretty floral patterned paper in the middle that really matches the inspiration photo nicely, as did all my colors.

Blessings,

Karen

A Cup of Caffeinated Cheer

No matter what time of year it may be, I'm always up for a Christmas card that includes a coffee or caffeinated element.  That's why I always LOVE the challenges over at the Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge where I'm Guest Designing this month.  This card I'm sharing is one of those extreme "Frankenstein cards" that was literally put together with a little of this and a little of that, and some extra things tucked in here and there.  It's all very random, indeed.  But that's the FUN of making art...it can be a hot mess sometimes, and that's alright.  The way I look at it, if it includes Christmas and coffee, it's a win.  This isn't my finest artwork by any means, but with all the travelling I'm doing lately, I'm truly just grateful to have it posted.

This card started with black cardstock layered with red cardstock layered with a kraft cardstock that I cut using the XOXO Pierced Plate Die from Pretty Pink Posh.  Much of this darling background got covered with all the things I added.  First, I grabbed (super stash item) an October Afternoon (Naughty or Nice) journalling card.  I stamped an image from the Tim Holtz Brewed Blueprint Stamp Set onto that card.  Part of that stamped image rolled over onto other pieces including a Tim Holtz Christmas card (wishes).  I added the #coffee stamped image and die-cut (yummy) from Paper Sweeties, some Tim Holtz Christmas Ephemera, and some vintage sheet music.

I kept cutting up small pieces of the Tim Holtz Christmas Ephemera and adding them here and there.  Like I said, a lot of random pieces went into my "Frankenstein" card.  Or at least that's what I call a card that has bits of this and that...not all necessarily from one company.  Once I'd pulled out a Christmas bin, I just kept adding all sorts of things.  The tiny coffee cups were stamped onto even more of the Tim Holtz Christmas Ephemera using a stamp set from (long-since retired) V's Sweet Ideas.  Have I covered it all yet?  lol

Thanks so much for your visit here today.  We all hope that you'll come by and share your caffeinated Christmas cards over at this month's Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge.  There's lots of great inspiration from Amy and her talented Design Team, a fun prize, and of course...coffee.  I hope to see you there and out in social media land.  Happy crafting, everyone.

Don't forget to stop by and play along in these FUN challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes" Sponsored by Pink & Main

We Love 2 Create Mixed Media Challenge - Challenge #1 - Anything Goes - Sponsored by Polkadoodles - This challenge caught my eye because it is called "Mixed Media Challenge" and this card is (my version anyway) mixed media.  I used a lot of ephemera and various Tim Holtz products among lots of other things.

Blessings,

Karen

You're Invited w/Stamp Simply

Did you know that most people who don't attend church often say that they'd welcome the opportunity to do so?  It's true.  Many people either weren't raised with church/religion in their lives, have possibly relocated and not found "the right church" yet, or simply don't have a church home.  This is one reason why I like to carry around invitations to church.  I can give them to people I meet, and I'll tell you that most people are very receptive and welcoming to it.  This card that I created for Stamp Simply is for someone that I continue to pray for and invite to church.  I do it because I know this person needs Jesus and the sweet fellowship of other believers in Christ.

I used a kraft cardstock base and I layered it with a green patterned paper from the Craft Concortium's Beach Hut 6x6 Paper Pad.  I also tore some small scraps of vintage sheet music that I have peeking out of the top and bottom of my card.  The other patterned paper is found in the Carta Bella Gather at Home 6x6 Paper Pad.  I crumpled and tore this paper just a bit to reveal the sheet music.  I did just a small bit of machine stitching on the papers.

I used the Fall/Winter Seasonal Wreath Stamp Set to stamp the sweet wreath.  I cut it with the coordinating Fall/Winter Wreath Dies.  I stamped the lovely church image using the My Church Stamp Set, and I cut that with the coordinating Country Church Dies.  I colored the church with my Copic markers and attached both to my card base.  The sentiment is also found in the My Church Stamp Set, and I fussy cut around the sentiment and raised it with White 3-D Foam Tabs.  I think that pretty much covers everything I used.

You can find lots of great inspiration each day on the Stamp Simply Blog and Stamp Simply Instagram Page.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, and please know that I really appreciate your visits, comments and all the "Follows" I can get; both here on my blog as well as on my Instagram Page.  And by the way, Stamp Simply carries so many great stamp sets to help encourage others and allow you to say to others exactly what you're feeling.  Be sure to stop by and check out ALL they have to offer.  Happy crafting, sweet friends.

I'm sharing my card here:

Paper Funday Challenges - January Challenge #83 - Anything Goes - I used lots of paper layers including patterned papers and vintage sheet music.  My Entry #5/6

Craft Rocket Challenges - Challenge #132 - Something New - For my "new" element, I used a brand new paper pad (linked above).

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #305 - A Favorite Card-Making Technique - The technique I used on this card that I like is paper tearing/ripping/folding or curling up the edges.  I also did some machine stitching on the edges of this card, and that's another one of my "signature moves"...lol  I'm such a creature of habit.  This "old bird" needs to learn a few new tricks/techniques.  

Love Those Pretty Patterned Papers - January Challenge - Anything Goes/Optional Snowman - The patterned papers I used are from Craft Consortium and Carta Bella.

Blessings,

Karen

HELLO w/Creative Worship Stamps

As I continue to share cards this month created with the FUN and fabulous NEW Release from Creative Worship Stamps, I find myself enjoying them more and more.  The fun NEW Pick a Number Stamp Set and Number Graffiti Stamp Set are awesome for creating amazing backgrounds.  It's a lot of fun combining some of the old with some of the new, and all the awesome products from Creative Worship work well on their own and when combined with others.  All their products are truly awesome.

For this card, I used a brown cardstock base and then I cut a cream cardstock for my top layer using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I inked the edges with VIP Photo Oxide Ink and stamped several of the number images from the NEW Pick a Number Stamp Set on the background in various shades of Oxide Ink.  I also used a piece of cream canvas to stamp the numbers found in the Pick a Number Stamp Set and Number Graffiti to add a different textures to my card.  I used matching acrylic paints (to match the oxide inks I used) when stamping onto the canvas material.

I also stamped some of the butterflies found in the Butterflies in Flight Stamp Set.  For the sentiment, I inked up the cardstock and cut the word hello three times using the Hello & Smile Word Dies and I added the words to the canvas.  I like using various materials and textures now and then.  I think they're cool and I love the depth and texture they provide.  If there's anything I forgot to mention, feel free to ask me any questions you might have.  I tend to add a lot, so I may have forgotten some of the small details.

Thanks again for visiting me here today.  It's always a treat to have you stop by and say hello.  I enjoy hearing your thoughts and comments, and I appreciate you more than you'll ever know.  Have a blessed and creative week, and I hope to see you out there in blog land.  I hope you'll visit Creative Worship Stamps to have a look around at all the wonderful stamps, dies and products they carry.  Happy crafting.

Here's a list of the FUN challenges where I'm sharing this fun card:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2603 - Anything Goes Sponsored by Taylored Expressions

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Things With Wings - My butterflies are my winged image

Paper Funday Challenges - January Challenge #83 - This is my Entry #4/6

Blessings,

Karen