Getting Patriotic w/Stamp Simply

Happy 4th of July, everyone!  I'm SO BLESSED to be an American, and I praise God for allowing me to be born in this beautiful country.  We should never forget that our freedoms here were not FREE.  They were paid for by the brave soldiers who defended our country and paved the way for us today.  It's very important to remember that we each need to respect and defend the freedoms we enjoy, or they can quickly disappear.  Well, let's not get too deep here today.  Let's just CELEBRATE our many BLESSINGS as Americans - especially on July 4.

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps has SO many great stamp sets, coordinating die-cuts, patterned papers, ribbons and everything you could possibly need to help you create something lovely.  While I was getting ready for the 4th of July, I knew Stamp Simply would have the perfect stamps to help me CELEBRATE patriotism and being a blessed American.  This card started with some Echo Park Freedom Ring Patterned Papers and a piece of May Arts 1.5" Red Gingham Ribbon.

I used some Tim Holtz Oxide Inks on the background and Hickory Smoke to stamp all the background words using the All Occasion Sentiments Set 2 Stamp Set, and the card also showcases the Old Glory Stamps & Dies, and the Patriotic Sentiments Stamp Set.  The sentiment was stamped and then cut using the Fishtail Banners Die-Cuts.  There are so many great products at Stamp Simply, and you're sure to find something you'll LOVE.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  I'm always super grateful for your visits and comments.  You all inspire me SO much, and I hope that my art inspires you as well.  Please let me know if you have any questions about my card or about Stamp Simply Clear Stamps.  They have so many great stamps and products to help your creativity explode.

I'm playing along here:

Colorful Options Challenge Blog - Red, White and Blue - Inspiration Photo Below

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - Red, White and/or Blue

Keep on crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

GATHER with Love My Tapes Washi

Are you ready for some more FUN with washi tape?  Well, if so, you're in the right place because today I'm sharing a cute card that I created using primarily washi tape; and of course, it's from Love My Tapes.  You always know you're going to be able to find the perfect washi tape at Love My Tapes.  They have such an awesome selection and at great prices.

I started with a black cardstock base and added a piece of white watercolor paper that I oxide inked with Green Grass Oxide Ink.  Next, I laid several torn strips of the Watermelon Washi Tape on a piece of white scrap paper.  I used a scalloped border die to cut the border strips from the Watermelon Washi Tape.

The sentiment stamp (GATHER) is from Paper Sweeties.  I made one more watermelon by placing some small strips of the Watermelon Washi Tape on a piece of white cardstock.  I cut a half circle to create the larger watermelon and I placed it on some 3-D tape to raise it up just a bit.  There are a few little prills on the watermelon for texture.

I do hope you'll stop by Love My Tapes to see all the wonderful stickers and washi tape they carry.  You will be delighted to see how many great washi tape designs you'll find at Love My Tapes.  And as you can see from my card, you're only limited by your own imagination when it comes to all the creative things you can do with washi tape.  Have a blessed and creative week, everyone.

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

As You Like It Challenge Blog - Flora or Fauna - I believe what this means is either flora (plants, vegetables, growing things) or fauna (animals, wildlife, etc.).  I don't often use fauna (animals) on my cards, and I think it's because I'm not the best at Copic coloring.  I went with flora - the beautiful watermelon plant.

Karen

Be Kind

If everyone on the face of this earth would truly put themselves aside, think about others more than themselves, and just BE KIND, we would have a much more peaceful and joyful world.  So, when I saw the challenge over at Time Out Challenge Blog celebrating the word KIND/KINDNESS, I knew right away that I wanted to play along and to also create a card specifically for this challenge.  It was nice to have some time to myself this afternoon to create a card that was "just for fun" and not for a design team assignment, etc.  I like to create just for me sometimes too.

I started with a black cardstock base and then used a white watercoclor paper that I inked and pressure embossed it with an Antique Linen Embossing Folder from Altenew.  I added some vintage trims, and I cut some leaves and flowers from the pressure embossed/inked papers.  I placed some stamens in the center of the flowers.  The die-cut (Be) is from Simon Says Stamp and the letters for KIND are from Top Dog Dies.

I know this card is really bright but I wanted the sentiment BE KIND to really stand out because it is such a powerful and important sentiment; especially in today's society.  We could all use more kindness and we should each GIVE more of it and hopefully receive it in return.  But if not, keep being kind anyway.  Just do it because that's the right thing to do.  Have a blessed week, and happy crafting.

I'm playing along here:

Time Out Challenges: Challenge #217 - KIND - Let's all do our best to always BE KIND.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Can You Handle The Pressure Challenge Blog - Anything Goes (Optional Twist - Things w.Wings but I did not add anything with wings.  The pressure embossing folder I used is an Antique Linen folder from Altenew.

Have a creative week, everyone.

Karen

Taylee's ROCK Garden

Hello, friends!  Thanks for stopping by today as I share something completely different.  I was so BLESSED to have our oldest daughter and our oldest granddaughter, Taylee, visit us for two whole weeks.  The just left for home, and I miss them already.  You know how we love our own kids, and WOW those grandkids...they have pieces of my heart that I never knew existed.

While Taylee was here, she wanted me to come up with a craft (at least one, often more than one) every single day.  She knows I have LOTS of cool things in my craft room and they intrigue her.  She wishes she could peek in every single drawer, cubby and cabinet.  Taylee is only three (3) and she is curious about everything.  Lots of questions at this age for sure.  

One of the many crafts we did while Taylee was here was rock painting.  We have lots and lots of river rocks, so we went on a hunt for several in the correct sizes, shapes, etc.  Taylee ended up painting about 20 rocks in total.  She wanted to start a "rock garden" she said.  I painted a few rocks, she painted some rocks, and I promised her that I would keep them safe in her "rock garden".

The rock Taylee was proudest of was this big one where she painted a large green T for Taylee.  She's learning, and she's trying, and she's enjoying being creative.  I love that.  I'm hoping that my love for crafts and making things with my hands rubs off on her, and that she will find joy in making beautiful art all her life.  I thought I'd share her pretty rocks with you, and I'm entering them in a challenge on her behalf.  Craft time is essential every day in Taylee's life, so this is perfect for her.

Simon Says Stamp - Kids Only Vacation Challenge - Anything Goes - As explained above, the rocks were painted by my precious granddaughter, Taylee, who is 3 years old.  She had a lot of FUN painting them.

Happy crafting!
Karen - aka Mammie (and Taylee, 3)

Celebrate SUMMER at The Four Seasons Challenge

We're getting ready to start another FUN challenge over at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog, and this month there's a SUMMER theme to inspire you.  Of course, the inspiration photo is just a starting point.  You can use it literally, or for the colors, an image, or any aspect that speaks to your creativity.  Just let your inspiration run wild as you create something Summery and fun for this challenge.

I was drawn to the colors, and that's what really inspired me.  I started with a black cardstock for my base and cut layers using the Crimped Frames Dies from The Greetery.  I layered one piece of gingham patterned paper.  I used white watercolor paper to stamp the bicycle using an old Prima rubber stamp from my stash.  The sentiment (Blessed) is from Paper Sweeties, and I stamped it in Fog Ink several times as a soft muted background.

I added a length of Lipstick Red Seam Binding and tied a pretty bow that I topped with a White Sweetheart Blossom and a few Milky White Double Head Stamens.  A bit of machine stitching on this card was the finishing touch.  It's really a very simple card, and that's the whole point at The Four Seasons Challenge.  You don't need to create anything super fancy.   Just whatever your creativity leads you to create and share with us will be a blessing to us all at The Four Seasons.

This is a really old stamp.  In fact, it has a thick rubber mounting which makes it difficult to use in my Misti.  You can see how it stamps (hit or miss) on the textured paper.  I do like how the flowers cascade out of the basket.  I used my Copics to gently color just a few things in the basket to add a touch of color.

If you have questions at all about what I've used on my card, just let me know.  I'm happy to help answer anyone that asks.  I try to keep things pretty simple and I tend to be a creature of habit when creating; but that's ok.  We're just really grateful to see whatever you create and share with us at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog.  Grab your supplies, create something, and come play along with us.

Have a blessed and creative week, everyone.  Thanks again for stopping by to say hello to me today.  I always enjoy and appreciate your visits.  I'm sharing my Summery card in the following challenges that I absolutely LOVE:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes" - I love a good old Anything Goes challenge.  And while I've only ever won at SSS one time, I always continue to play along when I can".  How about you?

Colorful Options Challenge Blog - Red, White and Blue

Time Out Challenges - Challenge #217 KIND - I used this "Blessed"💖 sentiment stamp to send some "kind" thoughts to my friend.  She loves bike riding too, so I thought this was a nice card for her.  I wanted to do something kind for her because she has always been so very kind to me (and to others).

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2226 - Anything Goes

I sure hope that you're entering some fun challenges this week.

Blessings,

Karen

Stamping With Stamp Simply Clear Stamps

I always enjoy stamping and creating with my Stamp Simply Clear Stamps products including their beautiful stamps and coordinating die-cuts and all the other wonderful things that help me create FUN cards.  In fact, it's SO much fun creating with these awesome stamps that I made TWO cards to share with you all today.  Stamp Simply has SO many great stamps that you're sure to love.

The first card turned out, in my opinion, a bit underwhelming due to my lack of experience and know-how when it comes to embossing.  I've never had good luck with embossing no matter what tools I buy and how hard I try.  It just never seems to work out for me.  However, that's no faut of these amazing stamps.  It's ME.  I guess I need to watch some more YouTube videos on embossing.  Anyway, I made a standard A2 card using white cardstock.  The wood patterned paper is from Craft Consortium Wood Textures 6x6 Paper Pad.  I stamped the sentiment on a strip of it cut using the Fishtail Banners Dies and underneath the banners I placed a length of the Tan Twill Tape.

I used the A Man of Knowledge Stamps to make the books.  I didn't use the coordinating die because I cut down the image a bit so that it would fit this way.  The entire image would fit a standard A2 card if you set up your card horizontally.  I don't know why I prefer vertical layouts.  I colored the books using Copics and I used the A Man of Knowledge Dies to cut the keys that are hanging from a piece of Natural Burlap String.

The second card uses black cardstock and patterned papers from the Graphic 45 8x8 Catch of the Day Paper Pack.  The red can ephemera is also from this paper pack.  There are lots of cute patterns and images in this pack.  I attached a mini rusty paperclip and added the anchor found in the He Is The Light Stamp Set.  The rope bar and the ship's helm images as well as the birds stamped on the background are found in the He Stilled The Storm Stamp Set.

There are lots of great stamp sets, dies and other things at Stamp Simply to help you create something special.  I hope you'll stop by the Stamp Simply Blog often for loads of great inspiration and information about special sales and promotions.   Thanks again for visiting me.

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - "Inspired By a Movie" - I'm entering my second card (nautical) which was inspired by one of all-time favorite movies, The Perfect Storm.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2226 - Anything Goes

Double D Challenge Blog - Challenge: Beach Time - Celebrating Kathy - Fun at the beach

Where are you playing along this week?

Blessings,

Karen 

By The Sea at The Card Concept Challenge

It's the first day of a brand-new challenge over at The Card Concept Challenge Blog; and this time the challenge theme is "By The Sea".  You can create anything that the photo inspires you to make.  Let your creative talents run wild.  Because I was terribly pressed for time this week (and I didn't plan ahead through the end of the month), I threw together a very quick card for this challenge.

As you can clearly see, I completely ignored the color scheme and went with the idea of being "By The Sea" when I created this quick little card.  I started with a black cardstock and I used the Crimped Frame Dies from The Greetery on that as well as two October Afternoon journalling cards.  I attached them to the black base, and that was pretty much the entire card.

I attached a few October Afternoon star stickers to the card, and I tied a nice long length of Solid Red Baker's Twine around my card and tied it into a tidy bow.  Like I said, it's incredibly simple.  But that's just to remind everyone that making a card doesn't always need to be a big difficult chore.  Simply use what you have on hand to create something fun.  The challenges at The Card Concept are just a starting point for your creativity.  We can't wait to see what you will create to share with us at The Card Concept.

For lots of FUN with challenges, I really hope you'll come by The Card Concept this week to share your "By The Sea" and other Summer creations.  I'd also LOVE to have you stop by Word Art Wednesday to play along with us there as well.  The wonderful Altenew is our sponsor for this challenge.  Woo hoo.

I'm playing along here:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - Simon Says "Something Beginning With an S" - I used a Sailboat, Solid Red Baker's Twine and Stickers.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says "Clean and Simple" and for those who know me, you're aware that this card is very clean and simple.

Dar & Diane's Double D Challenge Blog - Beach Time - I was inspired by the beachy ocean theme.

Where are you playing along this week?  I always enjoy a good challenge, and I hope to see some of your art this week as well.  Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen