Remembering The Edmund Fitzgerald

Even though it's been over 50 years since the Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a horrific storm in the Great Lakes, it's still a very clear memory for me.  This is a piece that my brother asked me to create for him.  He wanted to have a small framed remembrance of the great freighter we remember so fondly.  Our Uncle Billy sailed on these great freighters for many years, and we were able to go aboard to see his living quarters, the mess hall, etc.  We praise God that Uncle Billy wasn't working on the Fitzgerald that year as he had been in years past.  Stamp Simply has captured this magnificent ship so beautifully.

For my project today, I created a framed piece of art for my brother.  My entire family loves the "Great White North", the Great Lakes (Lake Superior in particular), The Soo Locks (Sault Ste. Marie, MI), the Great Freighters (the Edmund Fitzgerald in particular), Gordon Lightfoot, and all things pertaining to the blessed life we've lived surrounding and involving the Great Lakes.  It's part of who we are.  I had picked up some very inexpensive little wood frames at Goodwill recently with the purpose of upcycling them in mind.  This is one of those frames.

I used a piece of Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock that I cut to fit into the frame.  I painted it and stamped it using the Mackinac Bridge Stamp Set.  I colored it and cut it using the Mackinac Bridge Dies.  I used the Edmund Fitzgerald Great Lakes Freighter Stamp Set for the great freighter, I painted it with oxide ink, and then I cut it using the Edmund Fitzgerald Great Lakes Freighter Dies.

I also used the (birds and ship's wheel) He Stilled the Storm Stamp Set and coordinating Dies as well as the He is the Light Stamps & Dies for the wooden posts.  Each stamp set from Stamp Simply works well on its own or when combined with others.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  It's a blessing to me each and every time you stop by to take a peek at my art and say hello.  I love hearing your thoughts on my art, and I truly hope that you'll come play along with us this month.  Stay creative, be happy and always know that I'm grateful for you.

I'm sharing my project here:

Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #87 - Anything Goes w/Optional Mountains/Coast - This project has lots of paper layers, and uses the Coast option.  This would be part of the Great Lakes coastline in Michigan where you'll find the Mackinac Bridge.  My Entry #2/6

Blessings,

Karen

Chasing Chickens w/CutCardStock

Welcome to my little slice of blogland, everyone, and thank you so much for being here today as I share this FUN card using some more of the many AWESOME cardstocks found at CutCardStock.  Each time I use another color, weight, texture, etc. from CutCardStock, I keep finding the same thing....a lot of really FABULOUS papers.  These papers are NOT like your craft store papers/cardstocks.  They're firm, crips and super sturdy for making high-quality cards that feel so good in your hands.

This card started with a Jelly Bean Green A2 Card that I stamped everywhere using the CW Texture Tiles 6 Stamp Set (you can't even see the stamping) and then embossed using a Tim Holtz Embossing Folder to finish the base of this love A2 Card.  Once I had all that completed, I used a cute chicken die cut set to cut all my adorable little feathered friends.  I wish I could remember where I got this darling little chicken die-cut set.  It's been in a small baggie ever since the original packaging ripped.  Does anyone else have this die-cut issue?  (the packaging ripping open from the sharp edges of the dies themselves)  Anyway...I do think I need to look into a bigger and better die-cut storage system for myself.  Any suggestions?

I used a Darice Chicken Wire Die and a piece of Sandcastle Castle Card Stock to create the chicken wire which I cut to work around the placement of my chickens in an attempt to fill in the space nicely without completely covering up my feathered friends.  I wanted it to look somewhat like my chickens are in their coop like good little chickens.  I also used the Sandcastle Castle Card Stock layered with a pattern paper for my sentiment strip.

Aren't these chickens just TOO much fun?  I used several small scraps of random patterned papers to cut all my chicken bodies and their heart-shaped wings.  I used some beautiful Astrobright Solar Yellow 8.5" x 11" Card Stock to cut all the chicken feet and beaks.  All the chicken tufts and gobblers (those aren't official chicken anatomy terms...lol) were cut using the awesome DCS Habanero Red Canvas Textured Card Stock.  As I sat and looked at my card at this point, it seemed very plain to me, and I knew that I wasn't finished yet.  I added some "chicken feed" by gluing tiny floral prills to me card.  CutCardStock carries these ADORABLE 3x3" Folded Cards in various colors.  I happened to purchase the Habanero Red which is now sold out.  But they're so cute, and they come in so many pretty colors.  They're a great size for making a gift card holder like mine, or perhaps a tiny photo album, journalling spot, cute little invitations, darling gift tags or thank-you cards, etc.  The creative possibilities are simply endless.

Anyway, I used one of these 3x3 Folded Cards in Habanero Red to carry over my card design into this cute little gift card holder.  I used more of the Sandcastle Castle Card Stock, some Jellybean Green Card Stock and Astrobright Solar Yellow 8.5" x 11" Card Stock along with the same patterned paper scraps to decorate the outside and inside of my cute little 3x3" Folded Card.  A ribbon enclosure ties shut my little gift card holder, and a tiny glassine bag holds a mini Starbucks gift card. The ribbon is hidden underneath the patterned paper so that it can be tied closed.  The Sandcastle Castle Card Stock made a great chicken coop, and it was also used on the inside of my little gift card holder.  What a FUN little project to create with these sweet little 3x3" Folded Cards in various colors.  You can use them to create all sorts of darling little things.  Here's what it looks like on the inside of this little gift holder.

Some ribbons/trims, die-cut hearts, a journalling spot, and several fabulous CutCardStock colors helped me to complete this project.  Again, the CutCardStock products I used on this card and gift holder include the Sandcastle Castle Card Stock, 3x3" Folded Cards, DCS Habanero Red Canvas Textured Card Stock, Astrobright Solar Yellow 8.5" x 11" Card Stock and Jellybean Green Card Stock.  No matter what colors you need, CutCardStock definitely has what you need.

I hope this inspires you.....at least enough to visit CutCardStock to look around at all their amazing cardstocks and papers.  The quality is absolutely amazing, and these papers are a much higher quality card stock than I've ever experienced in the past.  They're truly awesome.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, and please stop by again soon.

I'm sharing this card and gift card holder set in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "THINGS WITH WINGS" - My chickens wanted to be included in this fun challenge.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "MAKE IT COLORFUL", so I did.

Paper Playful Challenges - Challenge #87 - May: Anything Goes Optional: Mountains/Coast - I went with lots of layers in the Anything Goes option.

Blessings,

Karen

Praise the Lord w/Creative Worship Stamps

Hello, sweet creative friends.  Thank you for visiting here today, and thanks for taking a moment to take a look at my second card showcasing the fabulous NEW May Release at Creative Worship Stamps.  Today begins the Creative Worship May Instagram Hop where you can comment to WIN a $25 CW gift card.  It's been so much FUN creating with these awesome new stamps, dies and stencils.  The products in this month's NEW Release are nothing short of amazing, and they lend their way to creative happiness because you truly can't go wrong with products this amazing.

This card uses a black cardstock base layered with white cardstock that I cut using the sweet Stitched Rectangle Frame Dies. I stencilled the background of the white layer using the DARLING NEW Petals & Dots Stencil with Spun Sugar, Kitch and Concord Grape Oxide Inks.  This gave me a really sweet background design, but I wanted to add just a bit more.  I used the NEW Faith Definitions 2 Stamp Set and the Vintage Postage Stamp Set to add some pizzazz to the background of my card.

Next, I stamped the darling NEW tag using the Spring Tag Stamp Set, and I cut it using the (very cool) NEW Tag & More Dies.  I painted the tag with Oxide Inks and raised it up using 3-D Foam Tabs.  I used the NEW Stamp Set to add the sentiment (Praise The Lord) to the tag.  I also used one small set of leaves found in the gorgeous NEW Stamp Set to add some greenery to the tag.  (it also covers a mistake...lol).  The small hearts I added are found in the Heart of Gratitude Stamp Set.

If I used anything that I forgot to mention, or if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask.  I'm always delighted to hear your thoughts about what I create.  And if you have time, I'd be SO blessed to have you stop by and FOLLOW me on my Instagram Page that I'm still struggling to grow.  Please stop by Creative Worship to check out this FABULOUS NEW Release.

Blessings,

Karen

Congratulations w/Stamp Simply Clear Stamps

Whatever the occasion may be, and almost without exception, it's such a treat knowing that we can always count on Stamp Simply Clear Stamps to carry the perfect stamped sentiment, scripture, words of encouragement, etc.  From every event from the birth of a new baby to a sympathy card....and all of life's amazing adventures in between; Stamp Simply always has the perfect products.

This card starts with basic white cardstock.  The next layer (blue pattern paper) is from the Craft Consortium's Bloom & Wild 6x6 Paper Pad that I embossed using the Darice Dainty Flower Embossing Folder.  I attached different patterned paper scraps including pieces from the Bloom & Wild (floral) 6x6 Paper Pad and the Bright Blooms (polka dot) 6x6 Paper Pad by Craft Consortium.  I did a bit of machine stitching on the paper scraps.  I also added some May Arts White 3/8" Crochet Lace to my card.

The image was stamped using the Man of Knowledge Stamp Set and was painted with oxide inks, colored with Copics, and cut with the coordinating Man of Knowledge Dies.  I chose to use pastels this time to color these lovely books because I'm sending this card to a female.  The sentiment is also found in the Man of Knowledge Stamp Set.  The image of the books as well as the sentiment were pressure embossed using a Linen Embossing Folder.  The sentiment was cut using a Fishtail Banner Die.

You can find lots of great inspiration each day on the Stamp Simply Blog and Instagram Page.  I'm sure grateful that you stopped by here today, and I appreciate you taking a moment to view my card and comment on what you think of it.  This is really a nice stamp set option with lots of great basic sentiments to help you use it for many different occasions.  I've always done more masculine cards with this set, but now I've shown a different way to use it.  Fun, right?  Thanks again for visiting.

I'll be sharing my card in the following challenges:

Can You Handle The Pressure Challenges - Anything Goes/Optional Flowers

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Mother's Day/Feminine

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

New Release at Creative Worshp Stamps

There's a fabulous NEW Release at Creative Worship Stamps, and you won't want to miss this one.  As is the case most months, this NEW Release is absolutely amazing, and it's filled with the sweetest new stamps, dies and stencils.  If you already own some Creative Worship products, these NEW Release items will complement and enhance your existing sets; and if you don't own any Creative Worship products yet, this is the perfect time to treat yourself.  These products are SO much fun.

Each month when I receive my order from Creative Worship, it comes in a beautiful blue padded envelope, and the items are protected with a sturdy piece of cardboard.  I like to use that piece of packing cardboard and repurpose it into a project.  So, for that reason, I used the cardboard for my card base.  I also used small pieces of the cardboard on my project (ticket and tag reinforcement).  Recycle, reuse and repurpose, girls.  That's what I'm talking about.  I used a pattern paper (both sides) that I machine stitched together on a piece of white cardstock.  Then....I was all set for the NEW products.

I used the (older) Vintage Snippets Stamp Set for the ruler design at the top.  I cut that piece using a Stitched Rectangle Die, attached it, and added a piece of May Arts Burlap Ribbon.  Next, I used the gorgeous NEW Spring Collage Tag Stamp Set to create my tag and tickets.  I'm loving all the tag pieces (the top notch is cut from the cardboard piece) found in the Spring Tag & More Dies.  CUTE.  I painted the tag with Oxide Inks, and then I stamped and cut the tickets.

Even the Happy Birthday sentiment is found in this fabulous NEW Spring Collage Tag Stamp Set - along with several other sweet sentiments.  You get A LOT of FUN in this little stamp set, and the dies are SO cute.  The darling sentiment frame fits each sentiment perfectly.  I used some (super old) brass brads on the ends of the sentiment strip.  These sweet stamps and dies make it SO EASY to create something cute.

You can head on over to Creative Worship to see all the amazing items in this month's NEW Release.  You're going to love (and want) it all - like I do.  I'm already looking forward to creating my next card with these sweet new goodies.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, for taking a quick peek at my card, and for your comments.  I'm SO blessed and grateful to have sweet crafty friends who visit me, and I really hope you have an amazingly creative week.

I'm sharing my card here:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2617 - Anything Goes

Seize The Birthday Challenges - Challenge #325 - Anything Goes w/Optional Primarily Pink - I went with Anything Goes and I'm happy to share this Birthday card in the challenge.  I enjoy playing along.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

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