Thinking of You w/Stamp Simply

Today I'm up on the Stamp Simply Blog where I'm sharing this sweet little Thinking of You card.  When I use any of the stamps from Stamp Simply, I know I'll be able to create a lovely card with the perfect sentiment.  In fact, the card I'm sharing today uses just one stamp set from Stamp Simply for the floral image and the sentiment.  There are so many great stamp sets at Stamp Simply that work this way, as well as being great when combined with other Stamp Simply products.

The patterned papers I used are some very old October Afternoon papers from my stash.  However, you will find lots of great paper choices at Stamp Simply such as the Echo Park Farmer's Market 6x6 Paper Pad which would be a great choice for recreating this card.  I did some machine stitching on the edges of my paper and then ripped/tattered the edges.

I added a length of 1.5" Cluny Crochet Natural Lace and some May Arts Jute that I wrapped around my card.  The gorgeous flowers were stamped using the Pretty Poppies Stamp Set and were cut using the coordinating Pretty Poppies Steel Dies.  I also cut a few paper strips using the Fishtail Banner Dies that I used for my sentiment and for added layers.

The beautiful stamps from Stamp Simply make it easy to create amazing cards.  This week, the stamp set I used (Pretty Poppies Stamp Set) as well as the Delightful Dahlias Stamp Set and dies are on SALE.  This is a great time to grab them for your own collection before this sale ends.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today.

I'm sharing my card here:

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #89 - Anything Goes: Optional Summer Splash - I did use bright Summer colors on my tag with butterflies.  And as always, I've got LOTS of fabulous paper layers.

Blessings,

Karen

Hugs Tag w/Poppystamps

It's always fun creating a sweet tag with a super FUN topper, and today I'm sharing just that.  Making a tag with an extra fun topper is a really great gift-giving idea for anyone.  Especially if it's someone who loves to read.  Seeing all those fun ribbons, laces, twines and torn fabrics pop out the top of a book is just oh, SO cute.  By using just two products from Poppystamps, I was able to create this darling little tag.

I used cream cardstock to cut my tag using the largest sized tag in the Scallop Pinpoint Tag Dies.  I rubbed the background with Salvaged Patina and Spun Sugar Tim Holtz Oxide Inks.  I splattered the inks with a bit of water.  Next, I cut two butterflies using variating cardstock colors and the lovely Nordic Whisper Butterfly Dies.  They are so easy to put together, and those details are gorgeous.

I used ribbons, solid black baker's twine, tulle, lace and torn fabrics in my tag topper.  They look darling when they pop out the top of your book, so it makes such an adorable bookmark.  I used an out of stock (hugs) sentiment die, but there are many lovely sentiment dies available at Poppystamps.  I hope you'll stop by to take a look around and maybe even treat yourself.

There's also a super FUN monthly challenge over on the Poppystamps Challenge Blog.  You could WIN a gift card to spend at Poppystamps, so come and join all the fun.  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me here today.  It's always a treat to have you say hello when you're here.  Have a great day.

I'm sharing my Summery tag in the following:

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #89 - Anything Goes: Optional Summer Splash - I did use bright Summer colors on my tag with butterflies.

Blessings,

Karen

Guest Designing at Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge

If you're anything like me, you might enjoy a coffee, latte, tea or other favorite beverage while you're crafting.  My morning must-have drink is a vanilla latte, and my daytime drink is a strawberry acai lemonade.  Other than that, I drink water and unsweetened tea.  Either way, it's always nice to have a deliciously caffeinated beverage on hand when creating.  Today I'm honored to be a Guest Designer at the July Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge #55, and I'm sharing a few lattes with you all.

I cut three 4"x4" squares from white cardstock and layered them with some fun patterned papers from a line called Bundled Up by Crate Paper.  I used the A Cup of Java Dies from Stamp Simply to cut the coffee cups and handles.  The teacup die is an old one from Paper Sweeties because I think I lost my teacup from the Stamp Simply A Cup of Java Stamp Set.😢 The sentiment strips are also from this same paper line.  I used a super old heart die-cut set from Papertrey Ink to cut some small hearts that I attached with Tim Holtz Miniature Paper Clips.

While each card is very similar, they're each different as well.  By using one (cute) paper line, you can switch up the patterns allowing you to create more than one card at the same time.  This is a great way to pop out more cards rather quickly.  Just repeat your process on additional cards and change up the papers, designs, etc.  What a simple design that you could use for any occasion by simply changing up the papers you use.  By the way, the overall design for this card trio came from my talented friend, Esther Asbury.

If I forgot to mention any of the products I used, just let me know.  I'm always more than happy to answer any questions, but I think most of you can figure it out for yourselves.  lol  I just know that I tend to throw a lot on my cards, so I always do my best to list everything just in case there's someone out there who actually cares.  LOL  And if not, I'm getting good practice at my typing skills.

Here's the challenge logo for Challenge #55, and we sure do hope that you'll join all the FUN for your chance at a great prize.  There's always so much fabulous inspiration in these challenges.  Just stop on by to get some ideas and then play along.  It's always so much more exciting when everyone joins the excitement.  I hope to see you there.

For this month's Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge, you can share any new card that includes a Christmas theme and a coffee (or caffeinated beverage) image and/or sentiment.  There's even a fabulous PRIZE for this challenge from the Hostess, who is offering a $25 gift card.  Come by this month's Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge and share your wonderful art with us.  We'd love to have you join the fun.

I'm sharing my card trio here:

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #89 - Anything Goes (obviously for me this time) or Optional Summer Splash.  I'm so excited to play along, as always.

Blessings,

Karen

IG Hop & New Release w/Creative Worship

Are you ready for another FABULOUS and FUN New Release?  Well, once again, Creative Worship Stamps has some really amazing NEW stamps, dies, stencils and products to entice you.  I'm sharing a card that uses a few of these wonderful new goodies.  As always, Creative Worship Stamps products work well on their own and when combined with other Creative Worship products.  These NEW stamps and dies are SO much fun.  Here's what I created to share with you today.

I used basic white and black cardstock for the base of my card.  The top layer is an older patterned paper from Crate Paper's Oh Darling line.  I used the sweet NEW Summer Collage Stamp Set on the background of the card along with the Library Card Stamp, Vintage Postcards Stamp Set and Sew Many Stitches Stamp Set to create my wonderful mess.

I used the awesome NEW Film Strip Dies to cut my film strip.  I placed vellum in the center pieces so that you can still see the stamping underneath.  Splashes of Oxide Spray here and there gave my card the messy colors I desired.  Even when you get a "splotch" of color here and there, it's all good.  Just go with it.  Art can be messy sometimes, but as long as you're having fun; you're on the right track.  My butterfly can be found in the NEW Funky Flutters Stamp Set.

OH, and did I mention that there's a FUN Instagram Hop where you can WIN a $25 gift card to spend at Creative Worship Stamps?  Yes, it's true.  Head on over to my Instagram Page or the Creative Worship IG Page to get started.  There's always loads of fabulous inspiration, and of course a chance to WIN is always enticing as well, right?  Happy crafting and thank you SO much for visiting me here today.

I'm sharing my card in the following challenges:

TIME OUT Challenges: Challenge #316 - I was drawn to the geometric lines in the solarium (? is that the correct word?) overhead as well as the water which is represented in my colors.

The Paper Funday Challenges:  Challenge #89 - Anything Goes w/Optional Summer Splash.  This card does have a bit of a Summer splash.  Two of my favorite companies are sponsoring...how FUN!!

Blessings,

Karen

Land That I Love w/Stamp Simply

If you're someone who enjoys making Patriotic Cards, you will LOVE Stamp Simply and their amazing assortment of stamps for Independence Day and every occasion all year long.  Today I'm sharing a little 4x4 card that I created using some of the AWESOME Patriotic Stamps available at Stamp Simply.  Like I always say, Stamp Simply has the perfect stamp for every occasion.  And when it comes to Patriotic Stamps, they have so many great choices.

I cut a 4"x4" square of basic white cardstock that I layered with kraft cardstock.  Next, I cut a piece of red paper from the gorgeous Craft Consortium 6x6 Beach Hut Paper Pad.  Looking at it now, I totally wish I'd machine stitched my edges.  I added another (white cardstock/kraft cardstock) layer to the card that's stamped with both sentiments found in a retired set.  Again, in retrospect, I'm wishing I'd used the perfect sentiment for this band found in the Red White & Blue Stamp Set.  Whatever you don't have, improvise.  Stamp Simply has just the right stamps to help you.

Underneath the kraft piece, I tucked in a length of beautiful 2.5" Isabella Venice Lace.  SO pretty!  On top of the band, I added the magnificent eagle and those cool stars using The American Eagle Stamp Set.  The smaller red and blue star are found in the Patriotic Sentiments Stamp Set.  Like I said, at Stamp Simply you'll always find LOTS of fabulous stamps, dies and more.

Whatever it is you're looking for in the way of stamps and crafting supplies, I highly recommend that you stop by Stamp Simply to look around.  This is a great time to treat yourself, too, because there's a SALE this week and you can SAVE 20% all Patriotic Stamps.  You'll also find lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog.  Thanks so much for visiting and have a wonderfully creative week.

I'm sharing my card trio here:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stars and/or Stripes - I used both....again.

Blessings,

Karen

Guest Designing at Pretty Little Studio

One thing I absolutely LOVE 💖about the crafting world would be all the wonderful people God has allowed me to meet.  There's a wonderful little shoppe called Pretty Little Studio that's been a friend to me/all of us at to Word Art Wednesday for a very long time now.  Not only has their Owner, Melissa Ross, been a blessing in sponsoring challenges for us at Word Art Wednesday; but she also creates and sells the most ADORABLE pattern papers, labels, tabs, tags and all sorts of ephemera cuteness.  Today I'm sharing two projects that feature some of her sweet goodies from Pretty Little Studio.  Grab yourself a beverage and get ready because this will be a very long post.  SO much sweetness to share.

Both projects were created using the same white glassine bags.  They're the basic ones from Hobby Lobby, I believe.  Anyway, for the Pocket (above), I folded up part of the bag and machine stitched the pieces together using the darling Sunshine 6x6 Paper Pack.  The small tag on the front is found in the Jolly Cheers Cut-Aparts Tags.  The sweet piece of flair is found in the You & Me Flair (retired).

That darling girl is found in the Grab Bag E Ephemera Packet.  Oh my heart!  There's SO much cute ephemra.  You can make a cute Pocket Card like this one and tuck in sweet little piece for the recipient.  You can write (or stamp, stencil, etc.) on the back of the Ephemera pieces with words of love and encouragement.  I stamped some very small sentiments on the tags throughout.  All the sweet prints on the Sunshine 6x6 Paper Pack papers make it even sweeter.

How fun, right?  Pretty Little Studio makes it easy and FUN to create sweet projects.  The next project I made is the Book/Album (photos Below) which was created by adhering two glassine bags together.  The pages were, again, covered in the sweet papers found in the Sunshine 6x6 Paper Pack.  They were machine stitched and roughed up on the edges for a vintage look.  The front of the book also shows the pockets.  Each pocket has a pull-out with either a journalling spot, photo spot, or a place for a gift card, etc.  I used the Jolly Cheers Cut-Aparts Tags throughout this mini album.

The album is tied shut with ribbon.  When you pull the ribbon, the bow unties, and you can open the book.  This one 6x6 paper pad completed both of these projects and still has plenty of paper left over to create even more sweetness.  I love all the details on the papers, and it was sad to cover up any of the darling images.  There are still three+ particular papers left that I haven't used that are my favorites of this collection.  Stay tuned....more cuteness to come.

Inside, you will see this next view below (the open view) and then below that, each of the two pages individually and in a more close-up view.  There are so many sweet little tabs and tags.  The Flair used on the front of my album is found in the You & Me Flair Buttons which I believe are sold out.  They do still have lots of cuties, though.  SO many cute elements to add to your projects are waiting for you at Pretty Little Studio.  I also used a Holiday Style Cut-Apart Flag on the front of my book.

The inside pages are, again, filled with the same patterned papers, tags, etc.  The page on the right-hand side shows the pocket page sticking out of the pockets left naturally by the paper bags.  This is one reason why I love to use bags (paper bags, glassine bags, etc,) to make albums.  Those natural pockets are SO fun to fill with notes and surprises.

This sweet puppy is found in the Grab Bag E Ephemera Packet.  The same is true of the next page, the right-hand side of this page.  There are so many cute Ephemera Pieces at Pretty Little Studio.  There's never any shortage of cuteness.  That's for certain.

How cute, right?  I love the machine stitching and how that adds so much texture to the pages.  You can combine a lot of what you already have on hand with the sweet products from Pretty Little Studio to create darling projects.  You really can't quite go wrong when you shop at Pretty Little Studio.  I know that I adore their sweet products and really have so much fun using them.

Here's the inside left of the next page.  More of the same sweet Grab Bag E Ephemera Packet and Ephemera pieces were used here on this page and throughout.  I also used another piece of Flair called Nutcracker Flair.  Another pocket peeking out with another place for hidden journalling.

And finally, here's a peek at the inside right-hand side of the last page.  I didn't decorate the back of the book.  It's just a plain white glassine bag.  I do, however, LOVE how you can see all the wonderful paper layers when you close this sweet little album.  All those lovely little bits and bobbits from Pretty Little Studio make it SO sweet and special.  Why not check out Pretty Little Studio for yourself?  You're going to LOVE it as much as I do....maybe more.

Happy crafting,

Karen

In Honor of Our Veterans w/Stamp Simply

It's really ALL because of our amazing Veterans and the sacrifices they've made for our country that we can, and should, celebrate the 4th of July as Independence Day.  I try my best to say, "thank you" when I see a Veteran (someone I'm certain has served).  This is something I do simply as a matter or respect.  Even if you're a person of few words, you can say, "thanks for your service".  As we celebrate our great country; we should never forget our Veterans.  Like I always say, at Stamp Simply Clear Stamps, there's a perfect stamp (die, etc.) for EVERY occasion, and Independence Day is no exception.

Yes, Stamp Simply has several different (all fabulous) Patriot Stamp Sets.  I think I've used most of them on this card. LOL  I'll try to list all the different stamp sets I used and where I used them, but the list may get long.  I used some Patterned Papers and a journalling card.  I do apologize that we're sold of this particular paper pad right now; but you can use any red and blue papers or any brand patriotic papers.  I did some machine stitching on each card.  I stamped the white background (behind the journalling card) using the Liberty Bell Stamp Set (gold bells), Red White & Blue Stamp Set (flag), The American Eagle Stamp Set (stars), Old Glory Stamp Set (words) and the Patriotic Sentiments Stamp Set is where you'll find the sentiment I used.  The sentiment strip was cut using the Fishtail Banner Dies.

I used the Patriotic Sentiments Stamp Set to stamp all the pretty stars that surround my sentiment and the journalling card.  I'm sorry to say that our star die-cuts (among others) were SO popular that they're all sold out already.  But don't worry!  They're not difficult to fussy cut with a good pair of scissors.  Stars are a great accent for many occasions.  This is a simple card that anyone can create.  Check out all the pretty Patterned Papers with journalling cards available at Stamp Simply Clear Stamps. Next, pick a coordinating stamp set (Baby, Christmas, Patriotic, etc,) and perhaps a coordinating die-cut or two.  Just grab these few simple things from Stamp Simply, and you're on your way to making wonderful cards.  Stamp Simply really does put the "SIMPLE" in card-making. There's always lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog to give you creative ideas and show you cool ways to use Stamp Simply products.

Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  It makes my day every single time I get a comment because I sometimes wonder if anybody comes by blogs any longer.  I'd like to keep blogging forever because (as you can tell), I love to talk.  I also type SUPER fast (about 110 wpm) so I'm literally typing what I'm thinking.  lol  I'm hoping you all have a super blessed and wonderfully creative week ahead, and don't forget to visit Stamp Simply.  Thanks so much, sweet friends.

I'm sharing my card here:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stars and/or Stripes - I used both

Blessings,

Karen