Patriotic Gift Card Holders w/Stamp Simply

Sometimes it's nice to take a break from creating cards and just create something else.  I thought making some patriotic gift card holders would be a good idea.  I like leaving little notes around the house for my Dad (he's 92 now, and a retired USAF Lt. Colonel) to let him know how much I appreciate him and the years he gave to serving our country.  He's my patriotic hero, and these little note cards are just the right way to let him know just how much we all appreciate him.  Who are the patriotic heroes in your life?  I'll bet they'd love to find a little note like this, and Stamp Simply can help you create them.

I used some Habanero Red 3x3 Folded Cards for the base of each note card.  I used the Sizzix Snowfall Speckles Embossing Folder on the layer of white cardstock that I placed on the front of each note card.  To decorate the front of each note card, I used the American Eagle Stamp Set for the eagle and striped stars.  I cut them using the coordinating American Eagle Dies.  My sentiments are also found in the American Eagle Stamp Set.  I cut the sentiments using the Fishtail Banner Dies.

I used the Patriotic Sentiments Stamp Set for the three solid stars that I attached to the front of the note card holder and on the inside.  I added another sentiment strip using the Fishtail Banner Dies where I stamped to:/from:_____ on the inside using the Farmhouse Christmas Stamp Set.  The right side of the inside is just a piece of machine-stitched pattern paper and a journalling card from the Echo Park Stars & Stripes Forever 6x6 Paper Pad.

Under the journalling spot, I added a piece of May Arts White Crochet Lace, and a length of Blue Gingham Ribbon ties closed each little note card.  There's also a tiny glassine bag underneath the journalling spot where I tucked in a mini Starbucks gift card.  Stamp Simply carries everything you'll need to create sweet cards and meaningful notes to share with those you love.

Whatever you're looking for in the way of Patriot Stamp Sets, Get Well/Sympathy Stamps, Christmas Stamps or any category; you're sure to find a wonderful selection at Stamp Simply.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today and please stop by again soon.

Blessings,

Karen

Let's Go Fishing w/CutCardStock

It's hard to believe that Spring is here, and that Father's Day is just around the corner. Celebrating my Dad (a 92-year-old retired Colonel in the United States Air Force) is something I like to do all year long, but Father's Day is always an extra special day to let him know just how awesome he is and how very much he means to me. No matter what the occasion, CutCardStock always has the perfect cardstocks and papers to help me create awesome cards that will hold up nicely. I've been on this Design Team for a couple months now; and I'm SO super impressed with the high quality of the CutCardStock papers I've used thus far. They aren't like your typical craft store cardstocks. Nope! They're thicker, heavier and sturdier than any other cardstocks I've ever used. Simply put.....they're awesome!

First and foremost, I'd like to give artistic credit for the inspiration I received from Beth Wainwright of Stampin' Up when creating this card.  It uses an older Stampin' Up stamp set and die-cuts set called Gone Fishing.  My card starts off with Desert Storm Cardstock that I used for the base and inside layers. I stamped several of my images directly onto the Desert Storm Cardstock. I love the slight "speckles" you see in this cardstock. It's like a literal desert storm with the wind blowing. It's fabulous! Two of the cut-out spaces, as well as all the fishing images, were cut using Natural White Cardstock. As you can see, all of my stamped images look fabulous stamped onto either of these lovely cardstocks. The papers are absolutely gorgeous.

That STUNNING blue paper that I used for the second base layer and the tackle box were cut using Lessebo Premium Misty Blue Cardstock. Again, the weight and thickness of this high-quality paper is amazing. It's firm, easy to work with, cuts so nicely, and really makes my card pop with color. And here's some GREAT NEWS.....this amazing Lessebo 83lb Premium Color Cardstock comes in a wide variety of beautiful colors to help you with any and every project.  By the way, I've had this stamp and die set for a very long time, but this is the first time I've ever used it.

Thanks so much for visiting today. I hope you'll take some time to visit CutCardStock to see all the awesome colors and varieties of cardstock they carry. You'll absolutely LOVE it as much as I do, I'm sure. There's always lots of great ideas and inspiration on the CutCardStock Blog and CutCardStock IG Page. Have a blessed and creative week, everyone.

I'm playing along here:

Die Cuttin' Divas Challenges - April Challenge: Sponsored by Altenew - I used several die-cuts on this card which are all listed above.

Karen

Pure Joy w/Creative Worship

It's truly a blessing to be on the Design Teams I'm on currently, and I praise God for these amazing opportunities I've been given to create with wonderful products I love.  Being on the Creative Worship Stamps Design Team is such a blessing, and I'm so grateful (and humbled) to be on this team with such creative artists.  They inspire me so much.  You all do.  One can only hope that their own creations inspire others.  Today I'm sharing another card that showcases what we're focussing on this month at Creative Worship Stamps which is....Big Blooms and Alphabet Stamps.

This card starts with black cardstock layered with white cardstock.  The third layer is also basic white cardstock that I smooshed with alcohol ink.  I stamped the background of tinhe card using the Going Postal Stamp Set, Vintage Postage Stamp Set and Texture Tiles 9 Stamp Sets.  I also added some white acrylic paint using the Mesh Ovals Stencil.  I inked the edges of the card using Black Soot Oxide Ink.  I wanted the card to have a fairly grungy background.

I stamped another image from the Vintage Snippets Stamp Set and cut it with a Stitched Oval Die.  This piece is tucked under my flower.  The flower was stamped twice using the Cosmos Background Stamp Set.  I fussy cut the flowers and layered them.  On the petal of the top flower, I stamped the word JOY using the Mini Grunge Stamp Set.  That petal is raised up with 3-D Foam Tabs.  I attached some Iridescent White String around my card as an accent.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the products I used on this card.  It's always fun to try new techniques, and I really think you'll LOVE all the wonderful Alphabet Stamp Sets available at Creative Worship.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, and please stop by again soon.  I'm very grateful for you, your visits here, your visits to my Instagram Page, your comments, your inspiration and your friendship.  Have an awesome week.

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Make it Feminine

Die Cuttin' Divas Challenges - April Challenge: Sponsored by Altenew - I used die-cuts for the oval and the flowers.

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #311 - I actually picked three from this list which the Blooms, Hope and the Pastel.  While my pastels are bright, they're still in the pastel category.  My Blooms are big.  I incorporated hope by adding the word joy.  I also have some Rain elements in my background.

Blessings,

Karen

Sympathy Card & Bookmark w/Stamp Simply

No matter what the occasion, you'll always find the best selection of sentiment stamps, images, die-cuts and coordinating products at Stamp Simply Clear Stamps to help you make a lovely card to celebrate.  I always enjoy using the lovely sentiment stamps and products from Stamp Simply to create my cards, and when possible, a matching bookmark is always a nice addition to tuck inside.  Stamp Simply always makes it easy and fun to create and express just the right words you need to convey.  This card is sort of a sympathy card to encourage one of my (extended/in-law) family members following the recent passing of my dear Mother-in-Law.  You can't tell from the photos - because I couldn't figure out how to photograph it, but it's a tri-fold card.  It has a cool opening, but it was really difficult to photograph.

I saw this simple fold on an Instagram post and decided to give it a try.  Once I had my card folded, I covered each panel with some pretty paper from the Craft Consortium found in their Rose Ink Drops 6x6 Paper Pad.  This created three panels....one small panel on the outside (left), one larger panel on the inside (right) and a third small panel on inside (left).  On the front of my card, I cut several circles using the Spellbinder Circle Dies (similar) that I stamped with the Spring Pansies Floral Cluster Stamp in gold and pink inks and then with the sentiment found in the Sympathy Sentiments 2 Stamp Set.  I also added some Pink Seam Binding to the front and inside of my card.

On the inside of my card on the inner panel, I attached a small glassine bag that I decorated with more of the Rose Ink Drops 6x6 Paper Pad along with some May Arts White Lace.  I used more of the white cardstock, the same pattern papers, another sentiment from the Sympathy Sentiments 2 Stamp Set and some trims to create the bookmark that I tucked into that inside glassine bag.  I also added another small sentiment to the inside (right side and center) of my card just to tie everything together nicely and complete my card.  Stamp Simply has the best selection of products to help us create simple and sweet cards and projects.

Thanks for stopping by again today, friends.  I'm always beyond grateful for your visits and comments.  I'll be seeing you all out there in blogland and on social media.  Your friendships and inspirations mean so much to me as well.  You're all a tremendous blessing and encouragement to me.

Blessings,

Karen

Christmas Coffee Blessings

No matter what time of year it is, I'm always grateful for coffee.  Most days I enjoy a minimum of one, and sometimes two, vanilla lattes in the "morning".  But the term "morning" is even open for interpretation now that I'm retired.  Perhaps it's 10:00 AM, but it's still morning at my house until I've had at least one latte.  This card combines several things I love which include coffee, stamping, Christmas and Creative Worship Stamps.

This card started with a black cardstock base layered with light kraft cardstock that I cut twice using the Stitched Rectangle Frame Dies.  I stamped the base of the top light kraft layer using the darling Christmas Wish List Stamp.  I used the Holly Christmas Stamp Set for all the pretty foliage and berries you see; including on the coffee cup that was cut using the Travel Cup Dies.

I love to play along in the Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenges whenever I possibly can.  It was a joy to have some extra time today to create a card for this FUN challenge.  I hope that you've been having fun creating cards this weekend as well.  If you let me know what you made this weekend, I'll be sure to stop by and take a peek.  It always makes me smile when you stop by to say hello and leave me some love.

There are so many great stamps, dies, stencils and products at Creative Worship Stamps.  It's always fun to see what my creative friends create when they do purchase these awesome products.  Inspiration comes from everywhere, and I always feel like the more we all share our art in challenges, the more who get the pleasure of seeing our creativity and possibly being inspired.  You all inspire me every day.  Thank you for visiting, and please stop by again soon.

I'm playing along here with this caffeinated Christmas card:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenges - Challenge #52 - Anything Goes Christmas/Coffee

Blessings,

Karen

Oh, Happy Day w/Creative Worship Stamps

Hello, sweet blog friends and crafters.  It's always a treat to have you visit me here, and I hope you know how truly grateful I am for your visits here.  As I've mentioned many times, I feel so very blessed to be on the Design Team at Creative Worship Stamps.  They carry so many great products and, most importantly, they're a Christian-owned company with a focus on glorifying God through our art.  How perfect.  So, as I watched my talented Design Teammates create these lovely pages in their mini art journals, I was in awe.  I knew that I wanted to try this.  Then....I found out that they carry these SWEET Spiral Bound Watercolor Mixed Media Mini Sketchbooks at Creative Worship, I was so excited.

I'm pretty sure that every cardmaking crafter knows who Melissa Phillips is.  She's amazing, right?  Well, she had used some of these lovely papers on a card recently, and I just had to know where she got them.  She steered me in the right direction, and I purchased these lovely Paper Rose Vintage Rose Basics 6x6 Paper Pad.  I used the Stitched Tags Dies for the tag and two circles, and I stamped them using the Going Postal Stamp Set

There are snippets of vintage sheet music, scraps of canvas and burlap, and a small ticket from my stash.  I used the pretty Sketched Roses Stamp Set for the roses, which I doubled for additional texture.  The background is stamped using images from the lovely Vintage Snippets Stamp Set and Faith Definitions 1 Stamp Set.  Some natural jute is bundled up and tucked under the larger rose.  The sentiment I used can be found in the Typed Thoughts Stamp Set and was cut out using the coordinating Typed Thoughts Dies.

The pages in the Spiral Bound Watercolor Mixed Media Mini Sketchbooks are 3.5" x 5.5" which is pretty small.  I absolutely LOVE💖this size because you can pack a whole lot of cuteness into these sweet little pages.  Why not stop by Creative Worship Stamps and treat yourself to a few new stamps and a cool new Spiral Bound Watercolor Mixed Media Mini Sketchbooks ?  You won't regret it, I'm sure.

Thanks again for your visit here today, friends.  It's truly an honor (I mean that) when you visit me and leave a comment.  If you happen to have the time, I'd really appreciate it if you would stop by my Instagram Page to Follow me there as well.  Have a wonderfully creative week, everyone.

I'll be sharing this mini journal page in the following challenges I love:

Creative Ariste Mixed Media Challenge - Challenge #125 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Bright & Cheerful

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - Challenge #2615 - Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

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Bloom in Faith w/Creative Worship

This is my first project for Creative Worship using the super cool Spiral Bound Watercolor Mixed Media Sketchbook.  It's such a fun size, and it works so well with all the amazing stamps, dies, oxide inks, sprays, stencils and products carried at Creative Worship.  I had so much fun creating this journal page that reminds me to "bloom in faith", or in other words, to never stop growing in my relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ.  What a beautiful reminder of His love for all of us.....and even for me.

I rubbed the entire background with Salvaged Patina Oxide Ink and then I stencilled it using Hickory Smoke Oxide Ink and the lovely Delightfully Delicate Stencil.  I also stamped the background using the Vintage Postage Stamp Set and Faith Definitions 1 Stamp Set just to make the background even more interesting.

I cut three layers of wreaths using the Lovely Wreath Dies.  Next, I cut several tags from old 7 Gypsies Tags using the new Stitched Tags Dies.  I stamped on the larger tags using the Vintage Snippets Stamp Set.  Then, I stamped and cut some of the smaller pieces (tickets, tags, etc.) using the Vintage Labels Stamp Set and cutting them with the coordinating Tags Tickets & More Dies.  I layered everything together.

The sentiment (bloom in faith) and the three pretty roses are all found in the lovely Sketched Roses Stamp Set.  They were painted using Peeled Paint and Lumberjack Plaid Oxide Inks.  I think that pretty much covers all the Creative Worship products I used.  If you do have any questions, please let me know.  There's a lot going on there, I know.  Please take time to stop by my Instagram to Follow and say hello.  You can also find lots of great inspiration on the CW IG page.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm sharing my art journal page here:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Bright & Cheerful

Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #86 - Anything Goes/Dies & Punches - I used lots of paper layers as well as several die-cuts on this mini art journal page.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2615 - Anything Goes Sponsored by Lawn Fawn - Entry #3/3 and I love playing along whenever I possibly can.

Creative Ariste Mixed Media Challenge - Challenge #125 - Anything Goes Mixed Media

Blessings,

Karen