Merry Christmas w/Poppystamps

Hello, sweet friends and thanks for visiting me here today as I share a Christmas card I created for Poppystamps.  For this card, I used just four of the many fabulous die sets you'll find at Poppystamps.  It's always easy to create pretty cards when you use the fabulous layered and intricate dies from Poppystamps.  Every time I use my Poppystamps dies, it's easy, it's fun, and my cards always turn out well.  It's pretty much impossible to go wrong with these gorgeous easy-to-use dies.

I started with ivory cardstock for the base, and I layered that with a kraft piece.  On top, I used more of the ivory cardstock to cut the largest oval found in the Scalloped Oval Pinpoint Dies.  The center of the oval was splattered with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Spritz.  I cut the gorgeous bird using the Nordic Valley Bird Die Set using various shades of ivory, kraft, and brown.  A bit of Saltwater Taffy Oxide Ink on the bird's underbody and beak gave some nice shading.

The darling Nordic Valley Bird Die Set is sitting on a nest of sorts that I created by cutting several trees with the Trimmed Trees Dies.  I used the same colors to cut the "nest" that I used to cut the bird.  I also tucked in some of the foliage (stems) found in the Lovely Floral Bundle Die Set.  The Foil Greetings Sentiment is from our sister company, Memory Box.  There are so many different die-cuts available at Poppystamps from animals and flowers to all sorts of other lovely images.  You're sure to find something you'll LOVE.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and please know how grateful I always am for your visits.  There's always a lot of great inspiration on the Poppystamps Blog and there's a FUN Monthly Challenge where you can WIN a $20 gift card to Poppystamps.  Have a great week, everyone.

I'm sharing my card here:

As You Like It Challenges - Favourite Christmas Critter and Why - I'm choosing the bird for my favourite Christmas critter.  I enjoy seeing cardinals, robins, sparrows, and yes, even penguins on Christmas cards.  I love ALL BIRDS, and I think they're super cute on Christmas cards.  When there's a critter on my Christmas cards, it's almost always a bird of some sort.  What a FUN challenge.

Blessings,

Karen

Slightly Spooky Slimline w/CutCardStock

If I'm being perfectly honest with you, I'm not a big fan of Halloween.  I do, however, get a lot of trick-or-treaters who stop by our house on October 31.  For that reason, I continue to participate in Halloween so that I can use the opportunity to share the #truth and good news of Jesus Christ with all those sweet little souls who stop by our house.  One company I designed for a few years back, Whimsy Stamps, carries lots of fun Halloween stamps and dies.  Those were the ones I chose to use when creating this FUN slightly spooking slimline card with lots of great CutCardStock.

I used Astrobright Black 80 lb. Cardstock layered with Conservation White Cardstock and Pop Tone Grapesicle Cardstock for the base.  The Pop Tone Grapesicle Cardstock was cut using the Slimline Scallop Die.  The other Whimsy Stamps products I used include the Halloween Postage Stamp Set, A Murder of Crows Die Set, and the Pumpkin and Mini Jacks Die Set.  I did lots of inking on all my cardstock colors including the Astrobright Orange Cardstock and the Astrobright Black 80 lb. Cardstock that I used to cut the crows and pumpkins.

This card came together quickly and easily.  By inking the die-cut pieces, it allowed me to add color and a spooky bit of mystery to my slimline.  Whimsy Stamps carries so many great slimline dies, stamps, die-cuts and patterned papers.  I do miss designing for them, but God had other plans for me.  I do love, however, how well the CutCardStock papers work with these products.  The high-quality papers they carry make such a big difference in both the look and feel of my cards.

Whenever you're looking for cardstock, please take the time to treat yourself to CutCardStock papers.  They carry every gorgeous color you can imagine at CutCardStock and you really will SEE, FEEL and appreciate the difference these papers make in crafting.  Thank you so much for your visits here, my sweet friends.  Your support means so much to me.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm sharing my slightly spooky slimline in the following challenge:

Whimsy Stamps October Halloween Challenge - I used Scalloped Slimline Die, Halloween Postage Stamp Set, A Murder of Crows Die Set, Pumpkin and Mini Jacks Die Set from Whimsy Stamps.  Come and join the FUN, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Sweet Christmas Tags w/Stamp Simply

It's hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner.  In fact, it's something like sixty (60) days away from today.  Yikes!  Well, rest assured that Stamp Simply will always have the perfect stamps, dies and products to help you create beautiful Christmas cards, tags and gifts.  In fact, Stamp Simply has the perfect stamps for just about every and any occasion you can imagine.  For today's post I'm sharing a couple of quick little Christmas gift tags that I created using products from Stamp Simply.

Just to perfectly transparent and honest with everyone, please know that my photo background is AI generated.  I'd like to say that I'm great at photography, but that would be a lie.  I need all the help and all the input I can get when it comes to photographing my cards.  Anyway...I cut four tags in total (two larger and two smaller) from Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock.  I used Raspberry and Citron oxide inks that I alternated between the two tags.  Using the Scripty Backgrounds Minis Set 2, I stamped the words onto the background of the larger tags.

The next thing I did was to stamp the mittens by using our Product of the Week, the Stockings &  Mittens Stamp Set.  I cut them out with the coordinating Stockings & Mittens Dies.  Next, I used both the Scripty Backgrounds Minis Set 2 and the Snowflake Blessings Border Strip Stamp Set to give my mittens a fun design.  I used the Stockings & Mittens Dies again to cut the tops of the mittens using some wool felt in the same coordinating colors.  The smaller tag was stamped (to/from) using the Farmhouse Christmas Stamp Set.  The finishing touches include some little gems and the solid Baker's Twine that I tied through the loops of my tags.

Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  I'd really LOVE to have you stop by my Instagram Page to Follow me there, too, if you so kindly will.  I've really been struggling to grow my IG Following, and the struggle continues.  You'll find so much great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog and IG Page, and you won't want to miss this wonderful SALE on the Products of the Week, our Stockings & Mittens Stamp Set and Stockings & Mittens Dies.  Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Creative Worship Team Takes Challenge

For those of you who love Creative Worship Stamps, this is a great opportunity to play along in their FUN monthly Team Takes Facebook Challenge where you can win a $20 CW gift card.  This month's challenge theme is Color Blocking, and we'd love to see your take on this fun technique.  Don't overthink it or stress about it, just show us your idea of Color Blocking.  I'm certainly not a pro at this, but I had a lot of fun making my inspirational card for this challenge.

I used both black and white cardstocks.  I cut my top layer of white cardstock with the Stitched Rectangle Dies to complete my base.  Using a taping technique, I added four color blocks by inking the open spaces.  I also stamped over the inked block using the super cool Typewriter Text Background Stamp.  That covered the Color Blocking part.  Next, I added some stamping by using the Vintage Snippets Stamp Set to stamp the numbers (at bottom) and the Going Postal Stamp Set at the top.  The fun stitches were stamped using the Sew Many Stitches Stamp Set.  I also did some ink splattering for additional color.

The sentiment was stamped using the NEW White as Snow Stamp Set and was cut using the smallest rectangle found in the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I raised up the sentiment with 3-D Foam Tabs.  Sadly, it covers up some of the Color Blocking, but hopefully you can still get the basic idea.  You're able to use any technique you like to add your color blocking.  Just let your creativity run wild, and most of all, have FUN doing it.  We're really looking forward to seeing what you'll create to share in this FUN challenge.

Head on over to the Creative Worship Instagram Page to get started on this hop.  There's a $20 prize for the hop AND another $20 prize for the challenge, so please be sure to join us in both.  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit here today, and happy crafting to everyone.

I'm sharing this card here:

Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #92 - Anything Goes: Optional/Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice - I used the Anything Goes Option - Entry #5/6

Blessings,

Karen

Glassine Bag Folio w/Creative Worship Stamps

Making cards and projects using products from Creative Worship Stamps is always fun.  This month's NEW Release has so many sweet new products that are wonderful on their own, and even better when combined with some of the already fabulous products they carry at Creative Worship.  This little project combines the old with the new, and a little bit of this and that.  These wonderful stamps, dies, stencils, inks and goodies from Creative Worship Stamps are truly wonderful; and the creative possibilities are truly endless.

This project started with a white/clear glassine bag that I folded in half to create a folio style card with pockets.  You can find glassine bags at craft stores like Hobby Lobby and at various crafty stores.  I used some Simple Stories Simple Vintage/Junk Journal papers to cover the glassine bag.  I also inked, stamped and stenciled these pretty papers.  I used so many Creative Worship products on this project.  To make things easy, I'll just go ahead and name them ALL right now.  On the front, you'll see images and sentiments from the Speckled Stencil, Vintage Snippets Stamp Set, Going Postal, Delicate Snowflake Dies, Snowflake Stencil & Mask, Tabs Tickets & More Dies.

There's a smaller glassine bag attached to the front where I tucked in a small tag that's stamped using the Scripture Tree Stamp Set and the Winter Collage Tag Stamp Set.  Then, when you open up the folio; you'll see sentiments and images from the Winter Collage Tag Stamp Set cut with the Tag & More Dies.  I also used the Worshipful Wordfetti Stamp Set, Snowflake Whimsy Background, Scripture Tree Stamp Set and the Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set to add words next to the pretty tag.  Some ivory burlap string was placed at the top of each tag.  Finally, in the right-most pocket, I tucked in a piece where I added a sentiment from the NEW White as Snow Stamp Set on a small piece cut with the Stitched Rectangle Dies.

I'm adding more photos than I normally do, and that's simply because there are so many pages and so many little tags and things tucked into the pockets and the smaller glassine bags I decorated.  On the inside left, I added another piece of pretty Simple Stories Simple Vintage/Junk Journal paper and stamped the sentiment using the pretty NEW White as Snow Stamp Set.

This lovely White as Snow Stamp Set has so many lovely sentiments including Be Still which I used in a couple different places on this project.  Some vintage lace and another pretty Delicate Snowflake with a tiny pearl bead in its center completed this inside left page.  I hope to tuck in some cash before I take my photos.  (wait.....do I have any cash?  lol)  The (BLESSINGS) tag is actually the one from the front of my card.

You'll always find so many wonderful products at Creative Worship Stamps as well as lots of great inspiration on the Creative Worship Instagram Page and Facebook Group.  It's always a treat for me each and every time you stop by my blog to take a quick look at my project and leave me a comment.  You are the BEST and most encouraging creative friends, and I appreciate you so much.  Have a great week creating pretty things.

I'm sharing my card here:

Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenges - Challenge #131 - Anything Goes Mixed Media

Blessings,

Karen

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.

I'm sharing here:

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #92 - Anything Goes/Pumpkin Spice - I went with Anything Goes - Entry #4/6

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.

I'm sharing my card here:

TIME OUT Challenges:  Challenge #324 - Inspiration Photo - I was drawn to the colors (cream, orange, brown) and the pumpkin.

Thanks again for visiting me today.

Blessings,

Karen