Have a "Cuppa" at The Card Concept Challenge

It's time for another FUN new challenge over at The Card Concept, and the theme for this inspiration photo is none other than......COCOA/COFFEE.  Oh yes, coffee and I are good friends.  I welcome this wonderful photo and I think it will inspire you to create something as well that you can share with us over at The Card Concept.  Here's the awesome inspiration photo for this challenge.

I used some of the colors for my inspiration, but....come on, let's be honest here - it's ALL about the coffee for me.  Some may argue that my images are cocoa; and perhaps for those of you who don't love coffee the way I do, they could be hot cocoa (but for me, there would still be a shot of espresso thrown in for good measure - lol).  Maybe the colors in this awesome photo speak to you, or an image, etc.  The inspiration photo is just a starting point for your creativity.  You can use anything in the photo that inspires and speaks to you.  This is what I came up with based on the inspiration photo.

I used a black cardstock base and some old Echo Park patterned papers from my stash.  I stamped the image onto a journalling spot.  Everything is stamped, colored and hand cut (other than the "joy" tag, which I attached to a cup handle with a length of Cherry Baker's Twine.

I glittered the marshmallows and whipped topping.  I stamped the (chocolate chip) cookies onto cork paper, fussy cut them, and layered them with adhesive.  I ran some Little B Washi Tape down the middle of my card.  I won't bother mentioning the company for the stamp set I used.  While I do enjoy these images, I don't support the company; so.....it's not worth mentioning.  I used Poppy and Coal Ink Pads for the images.

We sure would enjoy having you come by to play along with us at The Card Concept.  Have a wonderful and creative week, and don't forget to stop by and play along with us.  The more, the merrier.  And YOUR art is worth sharing, my friend.  See you in blogland, and thanks again for visiting.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm sharing my coffee card here in this FUN challenge:

Coffee Loving Cardmakers' Blog - Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge #1 - Coffee & Snowflakes

Come Play Along at Word Art Wednesday

Welcome by, everyone.  It's time for another FUN challenge over at Word Art Wednesday and YOU are most warmly invited to come play along for your chance to win the $25 gift voucher being offered by our fabulous sponsor, The Stamps of Life.  There's always lots of fun, inspiration, spiritual uplifting, encouragement, and.....the best challenges in blogland.  It's always more fun when everyone stops by to share their art, so be sure to visit and link up your creations for your chance to win the $25 from The Stamps of Life.

For this crazy fun card, I used red and black cardstock and some Crate Paper Peppermint patterned papers, stickers, 3-D medallion, etc.  I also attached some ruler washi tape, miniature colored staples, miniature rusty paperclip, and I did some inking to the sentiment strip and edges.  The sentiment strip where I printed the word art/scripture was cut with an old Verve banner die-cut.

Thanks again for stopping by, and don't forget to stop by Word Art Wednesday to link up ALL your Family Friendly projects.  You just might be the lucky winner of the $25 to The Stamps of Life.  Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Paper Sweeties New Release Rewind

Have you seen the new Gnome Add-On: Winter Stamp Set from Paper Sweeties yet?  Well, there's still time to grab your sweet Build A Gnome, Gnome Sweet Gnome, Keep Calm and Gnome On, and of course the FABULOUS new Gnone Add-On: Winter Stamp Sets.  Like I always say....ALL of the sets from Paper Sweeties work well on their own or when combined with other sets from Paper Sweeties.  They're all SO much fun.

This card uses the new Gnome Add-On: Winter Stamp Set for the sentiment (Let It Snow), the gnome hat, scarf and mittens, the heart and the snowflakes.  The gnome face and nose are from the Build A Gnome Stamp Set.  And of course, there are Sweet Cuts (dies) for all these wonderful gnome themed sets.  Because as we all gnome.....you've gotta have the coordinating cuts, right?

I used some patterned paper scraps, some pink and some gray cardstocks, a touch of silver Stickles on the snowflakes, and some pretty Paper Sweeties Sequins on my card.  When I was stamping the cute sentiment (Let It Snow) from the new Gnome Add-On: Winter Stamp Set, I couldn't resist stamping it three times.  You know....like the song says, "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow".

There are SO many great products at Paper Sweeties just waiting for you to pick them up and create something extra sweet.  Here's some more inspiration for you.  We always enjoy having you visit our personal blogs as well as the Paper Sweeties Blog.  I sure hope you've enjoyed this new release, and please know how very grateful I am for your visits to my blog, your sweet comments, and your blog friendships.  As we all gnome so well, crafting is all about FUN.

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties 

Annie Collins
Karen Letchworth

Larissa Heskett

Linh Van

Maria Patrick

Tasha Jorgensen

Blessings to you!
Karen

I'm playing along here:
Dare 2BArtzy - January Challenge: Winter Fun

Peace on Earth Challenge Blog - Challenge #8 - Christmas Challenge w/photo inspiration.  I saw the cute gnomes, the blues, and the snowflakes in the inspiration photo, and I was SO excited to share this card.

It's New Release Day at Paper Sweeties

It's New Release Day at Paper Sweeties, and you can own the darling new Gnome Add-On: Winter Stamp Set.  As with all of the stamps and products from Paper Sweeties, this new set can be used on its own or when combined with other Paper Sweeties products.  That's one of things I've always LOVED about Paper Sweeties - their products are SO versatile, fun, on-trend and help me to make the sweetest cards and projects.

I cut the large tag from black cardstock using the For You Sweet Cuts.  I embossed the words Good Luck Y'all, the good luck four-leaf clovers, and the mailing envelope image using the new Gnome Add-On: Winter Stamp Set.  There are so many fun images in this new stamp set.

I cut the smaller tag from a very shiny gold cardstock using the Stitched Tags #1 Sweet Cuts.  The images (four-leaf clover and envelope, images, etc.) were all embossed in gold.  The stamps from Paper Sweeties always stamp crisp clear images that can be embossed (or not).  They're truly wonderful!

The finishing touches were some lovely Seam Binding from Paper Sweeties including some Green Apple Seam Binding and some Black Licorice Seam Binding.  They're all SO crinkly and sweet!  I love every single color of the luscious Seam Binding from Paper Sweeties.  EVERYTHING is so sweet, and there's always lots of great inspiration.

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties 

Annie Collins
Karen Letchworth

Larissa Heskett

Linh Van

Maria Patrick

Tasha Jorgensen  

I hope to see you again tomorrow, and thanks SO much for visiting.
Blessings to you,

Karen

It's Sneak Peek Day at Paper Sweeties

There's a darling new stamp set being released tomorrow, Saturday, at Paper Sweeties.  This darling new set is the Gnome Add-On: Winter and it complements the other darling Gnome Stamp Sets from Paper Sweeties.  However, ALL of the products from Paper Sweeties can be used on their own or combined with other Paper Sweeties products.  For those of you who "gnome my heart"....you're well aware of my serious caffeine/espresso addiction.  I'm in LOVE with COFFEE, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  Paper Sweeties has so many cute on-trend stamp sets that fit our everyday personalities and loves.

I used the new Gnome Add-On: Winter Stamp Set along with the to stamp the Keep Calm & Gnome On Stamp Set and Gnome Sweet Gnome Stamp Set to create my tag and gift card holder.  The sentiment (You Gnome My Heart) combines the sets.  The gnome hands/mittens, heart (several times), small coffee mug, heart trio cluster, envelope w/heart, and floral bow topper are all images found in the new Gnome Add-On: Winter Stamp Set.

The larger coffee mug candy sticks are found in the Homemade With Love Stamp Set.  The #coffee sentiment is found in the Tackle Life One Cup at a Time Stamp Set.  I cut a sentiment banner using the Sweet Borders Sweet Cuts and I stamped the To:/From: using the Gnome Sweet Gnome Stamp Set.  There's also a small tag on the glassine bag/gift card holder that's cut using the Stitched Tags #1 Sweet Cuts; and the larger tag is cut using the For You Sweet Cuts.

The tags are topped with pink baker's twine, Robin Egg Seam Binding and Frosting Seam Binding as well as a bit of hot pink tulle.  I used some Paper Straws and rock candy swizzle sticks as photo props.  If you have any questions about anything else I used, feel free to ask.

There are so many adorable stamps, sweet cuts (dies), seam binding and all sorts of wonderful goodies.  There's always something DARLING waiting for you at Paper Sweeties.  Be sure to visit the Paper Sweeties Blog often to learn of special sales and promotions; not to mention lots of great inspiration as well.

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties 

Annie Collins
Karen Letchworth

Larissa Heskett

Linh Van

Maria Patrick

Tasha Jorgensen  

I'm hoping to see you again tomorrow and Sunday!

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along here:
Dare 2BArtzy - January Challenge: Winter Fun

It's Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop Time - Hurray!

It's that time again for the WONDERFUL Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop.  You should arrived here on my blog by way of the fabulous Bonnie's Blog; but if not, you can catch up quickly as there are only five stops in this AWESOME Blog Hop.  One lucky person who leaves a comment on each blog and answers the final question on the RRR Blog will be entered to win this month's DARLING new Valentine themed Ribbon Club Assortment, and this one is SO sweet.

The ribbons in this Ribbon Club Assortment are SO sweet and just in time for Valentine's Day.  These sweet Hair Bows incorporate all the wonderful ribbons found in this month's collection. This includes a length of the gorgeous 5/8" Poppy Red Taffeta, 3/8" Poppy Red Geometric on White Satin, 3/8" Random Hearts on Poppy Red Satin, 5/8" White Diamond Satin, 5/8" Red Houndstooth Plaid Ribbon, 5/8" White Checkerboard Satin Ribbon, 3/8" SWAK on Poppy Red Satin Ribbon, 3/8" Hearts in Line on White Satin Ribbon, and 5/8" Poppy Red Diamond Satin.  These Hair Bows are secured on the back with French Clips.  There are so many great Hair Accessories available at Really Reasonable Ribbon in addition to all their FABULOUS ribbons, trims, Embellishments, Mulberry Flowers and SO much more.

Sometimes when my creative mojo is lost and I receive the monthly Ribbon Club Assortment, I get excited because I know these pretty ribbons will spark my creativity and help me to create something lovely.  The Ribbon Club Assortments can be purchased individually, or you can subscribe to receive the Ribbon Club Assortment every month.  Either way, you will LOVE these sweet trims.  All the ribbons from RRR are high-quality, and have such flexibility so that you can glue them flat to a card, or fluff them up as you see here in the Hair Bows.

Aren't these Hair Bows pretty?  I get A LOT of help from my talented friend, Rachel.  She's the Hair Bow Master, and I appreciate her talents so much.  I've yet to tackle Bonnie's Headband Tutorials, but they are also AMAZING.  It's FUN to see all the different things you can create with ribbons.  Be sure to check out all the Ribbon Club Assortment and other wonderful products available at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Thanks for hopping along with us.  Your next stop will be back at the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog.  There you'll find the blog hop list (in case you missed any of the stops) as well as the final question you need to answer.  Remember to think of Really Reasonable Ribbon next time you need ANY ribbons of ANY kind - they really have it all.

Blessings,

Karen

Let It Snow

Hi friends!  Well.....it won't be snowing any time soon where I live.  That's just a fact.  But that doesn't mean that I can't dream about snow and all the fun things you can do in the snow.  Now of course, I'm not referring to the shoveling, cold mornings or having to plug in your car at night so the battery doesn't freeze.  No.  I'm referring to sitting by the picture window watching the snow fall, going sledding, making snow angels or catching a snowflake on your tongue.  You know....all those FUN Winter things.  That's exactly what we're celebrating this month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog.  All things Winter - and we'd LOVE to have you play along with us.

I used a white cardstock base and attached some pretty Crate Paper patterned papers from an old line called Peppermint.  I die-cut a small doily, attached a tag, sticker, and a button from this line.  I stamped the JOY sentiment using Paper Sweeties Merry Stamp Set.  Some simply Pink Baker's Twine and a miniature paperclip were the finishing touches to this sweet little Winter card.

You can use the inspiration photo as a starting point and just let your creativity run wild.  When I saw the inspiration photo, the SNOW was what I saw.  That made me think about sledding and snow angels.  You don't have to use the photo literally.  It's just an inspiration.  We sure would LOVE to have you share your Winter cards with us as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  As I write this, I'm enjoying pure chaos (the good kind, of course) with our middle daughter and son-in-law who are missionaries.  They're staying with us for another week or so.  This "chaos" won't last forever; so I'm soaking it up and enjoying every crazy second of it.  They'll be heading overseas soon, so our time together is PRECIOUS.  Thanks for understanding, friends, why my card for this challenge was late.  There's still LOTS of time for you to play along at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog.  Happy crafting, and I'll see you in blogland soon.

Blessings,

Karen