Hello w/Poppystamps

As my journey continues, I'm sharing my second card for Poppystamps since joining their Design Team.  I'm having so much fun using these fabulous intricate die-cuts carried at Poppystamps.  Each time I open a new set, I fall more and more in love with the small details in each one.  These background die, once again, called to me and asked me to do some hand-stitching on the card.  Of course, I had to oblige and answer this call by pulling out my DMC floss to add some extra colors and textures, of course.

I started with Natural White Cardstock and Pink Cardstock that I layered together.  The top layer was cut using the lovely Fine Eyelet Frame Dies.  This sweet set contains six different frame sizes.  The one I used on this card is the largest of the six sizes.  I stitched the edges with coordinating DMC flosses for added color and texture, splattered the background with acrylic paints, and added a few sequins.

I used the lovely Nordic Cozy Tea Cup Dies for that super sweet tea cup.  All those lovely intricate details in the tea cup give this card so much color, texture, and detail in each part.  Even the steam is cute, and I added some ultra-fine glitter to that.  The sweet little butterflies I used are found in the Nordic Cheery Butterflies.  They're the perfect size to rest sweetly on the tea cup.

I'm also sharing this card on the Poppystamps Blog, Poppystamps IG, my own IG Page, and the Poppystamps Facebook Inspiration Page.  Yes, there's always plenty of fabulous inspiration out there to help you find creative ways to use the amazing dies found at Poppystamps.  I know that I'm sure having a lot of FUN creating with them.  I hope that I inspire you to stop by and take a peek....maybe to even treat yourself.

Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  It means more than you can possibly know.  And, as I work towards growing my IG Page, those visits become even more meaningful.  It's not easy growing my Following, but I'm getting there slowly but surely; and I appreciate you so much for Following my journey.  Happy crafting.

Blessings,

Karen

Words of Encouragement w/CutCardStock

Welcome by my blog today friends, and thanks for visiting me here.  Today I'm sharing a sweet and simple little card and bookmark duo featuring more of the fabulous cardstocks from CutCardStock.  No matter what type of project, no matter what colors, styles or techniques, you're always sure to find the perfect cardstocks when you shop at CutCardStock.  These high-quality papers will really make you smile.

My card uses Cougar Natural White Cardstock for the base layered with Pop Tone Pink Lemonade Cardstock for the inner frame.  I used a Scalloped Frame Die Set from PoppyStamps to create the frame.  The inside parts that are pattern papers were cut using an older Crate Paper line called Emma's Shoppe (my all-time favorite).  The same is true for all the papers, ephemera, stickers, etc.  I did a bit of machine stitching on both my card and my bookmark to give it all a homespun feel.  Yes, you can machine stitch cardstocks and papers.  Lots of paper scraps and tidbits were tucked in, but that sturdy cardstock is such an awesome base every time.

I did some masking on my stamping.  This is where I used a bit of scrap paper to cover the silhouette image from Jenni Bowlin Studio (on card) and the sentiment from Creative Worship (on bookmark) so that I could stamp the Wonderful Words of Life Musical Background Stamp on my backgrounds without messing up the other stamping.  You can see the masking technique photos on the CutCardStock Blog.  I simply cut a piece of scrap paper to block the stamped image from being stamped in the area where I would next be adding the focal image on card and the sentiment on the bookmark.

The matching bookmark was also cut using the Cougar Natural White Cardstock and Pop Tone Pink Lemonade Cardstock with the Bookmarks & More Dies.  I also tied some natural jute into a paper button on my card and into the hole of my bookmark.  I love the warmth of adding ribbons, jutes and laces to my tags and bookmarks.  The CutCardStock papers make such a great sturdy base for all your cards, bookmarks, tags and more.  They're awesome.

If you have any question at all, please let me know.  I tend to have a lot going on with some of my cards and projects.  lol  Paper layering is a lot of fun and an easy way to create fun projects while using up old paper scraps.  By using CutCardStock papers, you're always sure to find the perfect colors and weights of sturdy bases for all your projects.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today and have a creative week.

I'm playing along at:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2621 - Anything Goes Sponsored by Newton's Nook

Blesisings,

Karen

Celebrate America w/Stamp Simply

At Stamp Simply Clear Stamps, we all love to celebrate America.  And Stamp Simply carries so many fabulous Patriotic Stamps, Dies & Pattern Papers to help you get started in making some truly fabulous cards and projects.  You can find lovely stamps and dies in most every category imaginable.  I can't ever remember a time when Stamp Simply didn't provide me with the proper sentiments, images and all I need to make a perfect card for the occasion.  They really cover a bit (or more than a bit) of everything, and I believe you'll really LOVE their wonderful stamps.

This little patriotic folio started with a music patterned paper.  I used a piece of 6x8 (not from Stamp Simply) because of the size.  You simply score the paper down the center and fold it in half.  Next, you turn it print side/front side down and fold about 2.5" upward to create the pockets.  You snip a piece of the corner folds diagonally which creates your pockets.  I added some Natural Crochet Lace (similar to this) on the edges of each pocket.  I also stamped on the pockets.  The sentiment is stamped using the Blessings & Beatitudes 1 Stamp Set onto a small piece cut using a Fishtail Banner Die.

All the patterned papers I used on this little folio are found in the Echo Park Stars & Stripes 6x6 Paper Pad.  On the cover, you'll see stars cut from this pretty patterned paper.  You'll also notice the gorgeous eagle which is found in the awesome American Eagle Stamp Set.  I used the coordinating American Eagle Dies to cut both eagles (yes, there's one on the inside as well).  The sentiment on front is also found in the American Eagle Stamp Set.  On the inside, I also added the US image using the Old Glory Stamp Set and Old Glory Dies.

There's a gift card in the pocket as well as a quick little bookmark.  I used the Patriotic Background Stamp on the background of the bookmark, and then I stamped my sentiment onto it.  You'll also see the border I added which was cut using the Tim Holtz Crochet Border Dies.  Be sure to visit the Stamp Simply Blog for lots of great inspiration.  It's always a treat to have you visit me and say hello.

I'm playing along at:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2621 - Anything Goes Sponsored by Newton's Nook

Blessings,

Karen

Thinking of You Folio w/Stamp Simply

Those of you who know me best are well aware that I like to create within my own little creative box or in my creative comfort zone so to speak.  Rarely do I ever venture out and try a fancy fold or a new technique.  I've said for many years that I need to break out of this bad habit and try new things.  While I am getting a little bit better about it, I still have a very long way to go.  It's a creative journey, right?  Today I'm sharing something a bit different.  I saw this done on an Instagram Reel and decided to give it a try.  As always, the wonderful products from Stamp Simply made it easy.

I used patterned papers from the lovely Bright Blooms 6x6 Craft Consortium Paper Pad to create this sweet little folio.  Along with the papers, I also attached a piece of White May Arts 3/8" Crochet Lace to the front and on the inside pockets.    The poppies and sentiments on the front were all stamped using the lovely Pretty Poppies Stamp Set.  I cut the flowers with the Pretty Poppies Die.  A few sequins completed the front of my project.

Here's the inside view.  My plan is to tuck a hand-written letter in the left side pocket.  The right side pocket contains a pretty bookmark that I created by stamping the sentiment and music swirls onto white cardstock using the sweet Worship & Praise Stamp Set.  I layered it with more of the papers from the Bright Blooms 6x6 Craft Consortium Paper Pad, did some inking, and then added a piece of golden yellow Seam Binding at the top.

There are so many fabulous products waiting for you at Stamp Simply and lots of great inspiration each day on the Stamp Simply Blog.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  It's always a treat and it's very much appreciated.  Have a wonderfully creative and happy weeks, my sweet creative friends.

Blessings,

Karen

Feeling Incredibly Blessed w/Poppystamps

Are you familiar with Poppystamps and all their gorgeous die-cuts?  I've been a fan for many years; and now I get the honor of being on their Design Team.  This is my first official card for Poppystamps, and I had so much fun creating it.  Those who know me best are aware that I enjoy hand-stitching on my cards.  These sweet dies allow me to do just that.  Here's what I came up with to share with you today.

I started by cutting my cardstocks for the base of the card.  The top layer is a nice thick creamy cardstock that I cut using the beautiful Diamond Oval Pinpoint Craft Die.  This gorgeous die gave my background so much texture and design.  I splattered the background with coordinating colors of paint to give it a splash of color.

Next, I used the lovely Nordic Luminelle Flower Dies to cut the stem, leaves and flower pieces.  All the floral images you see on my card are found in this one Nordic Luminelle Flower Die Set.  Gorgeous!  I did a bit of hand-stitching on the flowers with coordinating colors of DMC floss.  The dies have small pinholes that make it easy (and cute).  I placed a French knot in the center of the flowers.  The others have small floral prills on them.

The sentiment was also cut from the same cardstocks using the Happy Birthday Tender Script Die.  I did the words in deep purple, and I did the background (two separate pieces) in pink.  It's a little bit messy, but I didn't redo it.  I'll try harder next time.  I was just so excited to have my first card completed.  (lol)  I wanted to also share this last photo (below) to show you a more close-up view of all the lovely textures, the stitching, and the intricacies of these amazing Poppystamps dies. 

A few sequins were the finishing touch.  I do hope you'll visit Poppystamps to take a look around at all their gorgeous die-cuts.  They really are quite spectacular, and so different from those sold at other companies.  It's a really nice change of pace with a completely different look.  Please let me know what you think, and thanks so much for visiting.

I'm sharing my card here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges - Simon Says "Use Craft Dies" so I used lots of pretty dies from Poppystamps.

Tic Tac Toe Challenge Blog - Challenge #292 - My Tic Tac Toe is across the middle row with Floral, Free, and White/Cream.  I splattered that creamy white paper with lots of paint, but it's still a pretty creamy white that I die-cut to create my background.

Keep on creating, sweet friends.

Blessings,
Karen

Sending Love Bookmark w/Creative Worship

Hello, friends and thanks for visiting.  I don't normally share "just" a bookmark as a project.  However, I am under a bit of a pressure crunch this month to complete all my art assignments so that I can go spend some much-needed time with my (very elderly) parents in Minnesota.  They need my help, and I'm blessed to be able to go.  So, for this reason, I've been busy making all my cards and projects for the month.  For this particular post, I decided to create two projects in one. This pretty card and bookmark duo showcases some of the NEW Release items from Creative Worship.  They are SO awesome.

For the bookmark, I used white cardstock and the Bookmarks & More Dies to cut my bookmark.  I painted the entire bookmark with Pistachio Oxide Ink.  I stamped the top of the bookmark with the sweet tag found in the NEW Spring Tag Collage Stamp Set.  I used the little topper (black cardstock) and I used a sentiment (sending love) from this set.  The coordinating Tag & More Dies allowed me to cut those small tag piece (topper and sentiment).  In fact, there are several different sentiment strips in this sweet new set that will fit each of the (four) lovely sentiments in the NEW Spring Tag Collage Stamp Set.

I stamped the bottom portion of the bookmark, as well as the background of the sentiment, using Texture Tiles 1 Stamp Set (grid image).  I splattered the card and bookmark with Oxide Inks and painted the flowers (which I layered) with the Oxide Inks.  I ran a bit of jute through the top of my bookmark.  It's fairly simple, and this sweet set of Bookmarks & More Dies allows you to easily make bookmarks which are always a nice little gift.  The final addition to this little bookmark was adding the John 3:16 ticket at the bottom.  This sweet stamp is also found in the wonderful NEW Spring Tag Collage Stamp Set and the coordinating ticket die-cut is found in the NEW Tag & More Dies.

The matching card uses the Stitched Rectangle Dies for the base, and I used the gorgeous NEW Heart Doily Stencil on the background with Pistachio Oxide Ink.  At the bottom of this card, I stamped a definition using the lovely NEW Faith Definitions 2 Stamp Set.  The Happy Birthday sentiment is also found in the Spring Tag Collage Stamp Set.  The sentiment strip was cut using the Tag & More Dies.

Thanks for stopping by today, everyone.  Please feel free to ask if you have any questions or if I forgot to mention any of the products I used.  I do hope you'll stop by my Instagram Page to say hello and to Follow me there, please.  You can find so much fabulous inspiration on the Creative Worship IG Page every day, and so much happy shopping at Creative Worship Stamps.  Have a wonderfully creative week, my friends.

I'm sharing my card and bookmark duo here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Make it Colorful" - I used white, black, pistachio green, red and gold.

Blessings,

Karen

Remembering The Edmund Fitzgerald

Even though it's been over 50 years since the Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a horrific storm in the Great Lakes, it's still a very clear memory for me.  This is a piece that my brother asked me to create for him.  He wanted to have a small framed remembrance of the great freighter we remember so fondly.  Our Uncle Billy sailed on these great freighters for many years, and we were able to go aboard to see his living quarters, the mess hall, etc.  We praise God that Uncle Billy wasn't working on the Fitzgerald that year as he had been in years past.  Stamp Simply has captured this magnificent ship so beautifully.

For my project today, I created a framed piece of art for my brother.  My entire family loves the "Great White North", the Great Lakes (Lake Superior in particular), The Soo Locks (Sault Ste. Marie, MI), the Great Freighters (the Edmund Fitzgerald in particular), Gordon Lightfoot, and all things pertaining to the blessed life we've lived surrounding and involving the Great Lakes.  It's part of who we are.  I had picked up some very inexpensive little wood frames at Goodwill recently with the purpose of upcycling them in mind.  This is one of those frames.

I used a piece of Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock that I cut to fit into the frame.  I painted it and stamped it using the Mackinac Bridge Stamp Set.  I colored it and cut it using the Mackinac Bridge Dies.  I used the Edmund Fitzgerald Great Lakes Freighter Stamp Set for the great freighter, I painted it with oxide ink, and then I cut it using the Edmund Fitzgerald Great Lakes Freighter Dies.

I also used the (birds and ship's wheel) He Stilled the Storm Stamp Set and coordinating Dies as well as the He is the Light Stamps & Dies for the wooden posts.  Each stamp set from Stamp Simply works well on its own or when combined with others.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  It's a blessing to me each and every time you stop by to take a peek at my art and say hello.  I love hearing your thoughts on my art, and I truly hope that you'll come play along with us this month.  Stay creative, be happy and always know that I'm grateful for you.

Please come by The Card Concept to share your cards and projects with us there this month.  The inspiration photo (above) doesn't have to be taken literally.  It could be the colors, textures or anything that speaks to your creativity.  Just come and join us.  It's always more FUN when you're there.

I'm sharing my project here:

Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #87 - Anything Goes w/Optional Mountains/Coast - This project has lots of paper layers, and uses the Coast option.  This would be part of the Great Lakes coastline in Michigan where you'll find the Mackinac Bridge.  My Entry #2/6

Blessings,

Karen