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.

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

A Man of Knowledge w/Stamp Simply

There are SO many great stamp sets, dies and products waiting for you at Stamp Simply.  Today I'm sharing a fun masculine card which, if you know me, is a rare thing.  I really struggle when making cards for guys.  In fact, when my hubby asks me for a card for a guy friend; he usually ends up telling me, "that's too feminine".  LOL  But this card using a few awesome products from Stamp Simply is the perfect encouragement card for any male (or female, actually).  Here's how I made this one.

I used a light kraft cardstock to pressure emboss my frame using the Sizzix 3-D Lumber Embossing Folder.  Next, I used the smaller square found in the Praying Hands Dies to cut out the missing square from my lumber frame.  I dirtied the Lumber background using various ink mediums.  I used a piece of white cardstock to stamp the books found in the Man of Knowledge Stamp Set.  I stamped the books twice, and I painted them using oxide inks.  On the second (right hand side) layer of books, I used the Man of Knowledge Dies to cut the books, and I raised them up using 3-D Foam Tabs.

I'll let you all in on a little secret regarding this card.  I was attempting to add A LITTLE BIT of brown edging around the frame and edges.  A little bit, right?  Well, this has NEVER happened to me before; but as I was adding some color with a dark brown Copic, the Copic EXPLODED ink everywhere.  Big blotches, splotches and messes.  What to do?  Well, I wasn't about to start over, so I added more of it everywhere to make it look like it was done on purpose.

The sentiment I used is also found in the Man of Knowledge Stamp Set.  I fussy cut it, layered it on light kraft cardstock, and then used my cut-out square scrap to back the sentiment with that same Lumber Embossing Folder background using the Fishtail Banner Dies.  I was able to get lots of great texture while adding lots of great color as well.  Who ever said that guy's cards can't still be colorful?  Right?  There are so many fun stamp sets at Stamp Simply, and this one is really awesome.

No matter what type of card you're looking to create, I'm sure that Stamp Simply will have several options to help you.  Be sure to visit the Stamp Simply Blog and Instagram Page for lots of inspiration and to find out about special sales and promotions.  I'm so grateful to have you visit me.   By the way, this is the card that inspired my creation.  I just love being inspired by the art of others.  Don't you?

I'm sharing my card here:

Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge Blog - January: Anything Goes/Friendship - I used a Sizzix Lumber Embossing Folder on my card.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Emboss It" - This card front was pressure embossed using the Tim Holtz Lumber Embossing Folder.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2603 - Anything Goes - Sponsored by Taylored Expressions.  I LOVE this amazing store.  Their wool felt is my favorite, and I'm never able to resist ordering lots of their pretty colors.

 A Cut Above Challenges - January: Anything Goes w/Die Cuts, and I used some awesome dies from Stamp Simply, and they're all listed/linked above.

Blessings,

Karen

HUGS - You are Loved

This month's NEW Release at Creative Worship Stamps is absolutely stunning.  There's a really sweet set called Peaceful Swans, a gorgeous Butterflies in Flight set, two really cool new NUMBER stamp sets, Snowdrops (GORGEOUS drooping flowers) Stamp Set, Victory Blooms Stamp Set, and lots of great new products from Tim Holtz including Oxide Inks & Sprays, Foils and much more.  Today I'm sharing a card that combines a few of these new products with a few older favorites.  I needed to get a start on my Valentine's Day cards.

I used a white cardstock base/card layered with White Watercolor Paper that I rubbed with Tim Holtz Oxide Inks and cut using the awesome Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I stamped all over the background using the COOL NEW (Large) Graffiti Stamp Set, Typed Thoughts Stamp Set (for "you are loved"), the NEW Pick a Number Stamp Set, Faith Definitions Stamp Set, and the Heart of Gratitude Stamp Set (for the small hearts I randomly stamped on the background).  The word hugs was cut using the Happy & Hugs Word Dies.

I used the scalloped edge of the Stitched Rectangle Dies to cut the section that I inked with Citron Oxide Ink, stamped, and machine stitched together.  I also added scraps of the Citron and Spun Sugar papers using the Scalloped Border Dies.  At the top of my scalloped border, I attached a length of sweet antique white lace.  I can never resist a pretty lace trim when visiting an antique store.  In fact, there are many things I find impossible to resist when I stop at an antique store.

In addition to fabulous stamps, dies, stencils, etc.; if you're also a lover of all things Tim Holtz like Tim Holtz Oxide Ink Pads, Tim Holtz Ink Sprays and many other cool Tools and products, you'll really want to take the time to browse Creative Worship.  They carry the best stamps and dies, stencils and what you would expect; but there's just SO much more in stock now at Creative Worship.  SO many great NEW things to explore.  I hope you'll stop by Creative Worship to look around for yourself.  Have a wonderfully creative and happy week.

I'm linking up my card here:

 A Cut Above Challenges - January: Anything Goes w/Die Cuts, and I used some awesome dies (new and old) from Creative Worship Stamps, and they're all listed/linked above.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2603 - Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

A Cup of Cheer w/The Card Concept

One thing I absolutely love💕, besides crafting, is a good vanilla latte.  When I get the opportunity to combine these two things, I'm in a state of bliss.  Creating a cute coffee card while sipping on a nice vanilla latte is absolutely divine.  I'm not hard to please...crafting and coffee.  I'll always say yes please to that combo.  That's the overall inspiration for this month's FUN Cozy New Year challenge over The Card Concept, and we all hope that you'll come and join us.

When you look at the beautifully delicious inspiration photo, you don't have to necessarily make a coffee card.  Nothing has to be taken literally.  Perhaps it's a color that appeals to you, a texture, a pattern or an image.  Any part of the inspiration photo can be a starting point for your creativity.  We're just really hoping that you'll take on the challenge and join us.  The challenges over at The Card Concept are always fun, and there's always lots of great inspiration as well.  Some of the Design Team Members have shared some very special cards to inspire you and to help get your creativity flowing.

My card started with a light kraft cardstock that I cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies from Creative Worship.  I used this as my base layered with a matching layer cut from white cardstock for additional girth.  I lightly inked the kraft cardstock and stamped the background lightly using the pretty Faith Definitions 1 Stamp Set.  I was, of course, drawn to the coffee image and the warm Wintery colors and patterns.  I tried to stick with this Nordic theme in creating my Freestyle Collage card.  I cut two wreaths from green corrugated cardboard using the super cool Lovely Wreath Dies, and I tucked in some greens which are Jolee's foliage cuts from my super stash.

I added some red accents to the wreath, and I used the pretty Holiday Cheer Stamp Set to add the coffee cup, candy canes and sentiment.  I colored the images with my Copics.  This is really a very simple card, but I was very much behind schedule and not prepared for this challenge.  I took great inspiration from a sweet (similar) card made by my talented friend, Esther Asbury.  Her cards always inspire me.  We sure hope that you're inspired to come play along in this FUN challenge and let us know what's inspiring you.

It would be fabulous to have you stop by The Card Concept to play along in our challenge this month.  It's always more fun when everyone can play along, and this is a great challenge to join because you have so much inspiration to get you started.  Thanks for visiting me here today, and please know that I truly appreciate you.

I'm sharing my fun coffee card in these challenges I love:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge - January Challenge #49 - Anything Goes Christmas/Coffee

The Paper Funday Challenges - January Challenge #83 - Anything Goes with Paper Layers - Entry #3/6

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2602 - Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - A is for Anything Goes and/or B is for Bright

Blessings,

Karen