Peace & Joy w/Stamp Simply

As Christmas draws near, and all year round, it's so nice to know that I can always count on Stamp Simply Clear Stamps to have just the right sentiments, scriptures, images and products to help me create the perfect cards every time.  Today I'm sharing a sweet card created in traditional Christmas colors that combines two of the many fabulous Christmas stamp sets you'll find at Stamp Simply.  I hope you enjoy my card.

I started with basic black cardstock and I layered it with a sweet patterned paper from the Carta Bella Happy Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad.  I stamped the background image using the fabulous Vintage Christmas Background Stamp Set, and I colored everything with my Copics.  I fussy cut the frame by hand.  I used the coordinating Ovals & Twigs Die Set to cut the oval opening in the center of the image, and I placed a piece of paper from the Craft Consortium's Tartan Plaid 6x6 Paper Pad.  I do love the fact that the Vintage Christmas Background Stamp Set already says Merry Christmas at the top.

Next, I used the darling Vintage Christmas Images Stamp Set to stamp the cute birdhouse.  Again, I colored the image with my Copics, and this time I added some ultra-fine white glitter to the snow-topped birdhouse.  I cut the birdhouse image using the coordinating Vintage Christmas Images Dies.  The small sentiment I added (Peace & Joy) is also found in the Vintage Christmas Background Stamp Set.  It's on a banner that was cut using the Fishtail Banner Dies.  Did you know that you can manipulate these dies to accommodate any size sentiment (as I did here with this tiny sentiment.  A wee bit of machine stitching on the edges was my final touch.  I just couldn't resist.

Don't forget to visit the Stamp Simply Blog for lots of great inspiration each day as well as to stay up-to-date about special sales and promotions taking place at Stamp Simply.  It's always a treat to have you stop by my blog, and I hope you know that I truly appreciate you doing so.  Thank you so much.

I'm linking up here:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - Challenge #2549 sponsored by the amazing Newton's Nook.  Oh, my heart, how I'd love to win this amazing prize.  I own only two Newton's Nook sets, and I could never get enough of their super sweet products.

The Inspiration Station Challenges - December Inspiration #80 - I was drawn to the traditional Christmas colors and images.  Just like we gather warmth and comfort indoors, God cares for every creature, including the birds like the one on my card.  When I see this photo below, I think of peace and joy.

Blessings,

Karen

Christmas JOY w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

It made me feel a little bit (or maybe a lot) sad when I first heard that Really Reasonable Ribbon is going out of business.  I've been on this Design Team for over 15 years, and I've really enjoyed it.  But when I heard WHY Really Reasonable Ribbon is going out of business, it made complete sense.  My friend, the Owner of Really Reasonable Ribbon, Bonnie, has recently become a Grandma.

Her sweet new grandson has, rightfully, claimed a BIG piece of her heart.  For this reason, Bonnie has decided to close the doors of this AMAZING long-time business of hers.  But hey...who could blame her?  Certainly not me.  Those grandbabies are SO precious.  They grow up much too quickly; as we've all learned from raising our own kids.  She's not going to miss a minute of this little guy's life, and I couldn't be any more excited for her.  It would be awesome for her to be able to SELL OUT of everything.  Can you be a part of this?  You'd not only be helping out a truly wonderful small-business owner, but you'd be able to really SAVE on lots of fabulous products.

This means BIG SAVINGS for all of us.  Hurray!  It's a great time to stock up on Baker's Twine (currently $0.75 per yard) in many colors solid and striped or Seam Binding at $0.30/yard.  There are fabulous bargains on ribbons, adhesives, hair accessories, embellishments, mulberry flowers and much more.  The discounts are absolutely amazing, and this is the time to grab yours before the best things sell out (and they're going quickly).  I used an old Papertrey Ink Mitten Die to cut my mittens from wool felt.  I machine stitched them together.  The red wool felt border was cut using the Scalloped Border Dies from Creative Worship Stamps.

I used a leaf die from Paper Sweeties to cut some green leaves from wool felt, and I hand-stitched those.  The word JOY was cut from the red wool felt using the Peace & Joy Word Dies from Stamp Simply.  I attached more of the hand-stitched leaves to the word as accents of color and texture.  I attached some rusty jingle bells using Solid Red Baker's Twine, Solid Ivory Baker's Twine and Cherry Baker's Twine.  ANYONE who places an order this month at Really Reasonable Ribbon and lets me know will receive a special prize from me personally (minimum value $20).  Promise!!

OK...what else?  I tucked in some Christmas candy sticks and a Starbucks gift card.  This little mitten could easily become a Christmas ornament by simple attaching a piece of Grosgrain Ribbon or Gingham Ribbon to the top left (where the bow is).  Easy!  By using RIBBONS, it's easy to create lots of great projects.  You've seen the darling Christmas Trees and sweet projects on Pinterest and Instagram that are created with trims, right?  Check out ←those links for SUPER CUTE ideas for using Baker's Twine, Ric-Rac or Jute.  Well, now is the time to really STOCK UP on these DISCOUNTED Ribbons, Trims and Twines to help you create ornaments and projects of all kinds.

Thanks for stopping by.  It really would be a blessing to Bonnie as well as to me personally to know that you stopped by Really Reasonable Ribbon to see if there's anything that might catch your eye during this Retirement Sale.  I appreciate you visiting, and of course as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this little mitten.  Really Reasonable Ribbon has so many great products still in stock to help you make something extra sweet.  And if you do end up making a purchase this month at Really Reasonable Ribbon, don't forget to let me know so that you can claim your extra BONUS GIFT from me (mentioned above).  Have a creative week and use RIBBONS!

I'm sharing my project here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says Use Dies in DieCember - I used lots of different die-cuts on this project.  They're all mentioned and linked above.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says Use Dies in DieCember - Again, lots of dies were used on my project and you can find them all linked in my blog post above.

Double D Challenge Blog - Christmas Wrappings Challenge - I came up with a very different to "wrap" and give a small gift.

Happy crafting!

Blessings,

Karen

It's Instagram Hop Time w/Creative Worship

This is the day that the LORD has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Every day is a new opportunity to PRAISE GOD for all His goodness towards us.  I praise Him today and every day for His mercy and goodness towards me.  I am truly blessed.  Today begins the December Instagram Hop with Creative Worship Stamps, and I hope you'll join the fun for your chance to win a $25 gift card to Creative Worship Stamps.

I saw a lovely card on Instagram that was created by someone on the Brass & Bliss DT that used this basic idea, and I absolutely loved it.  I used products from Creative Worship to create my own version of this lovely card.  The base is black cardstock layered with deep red cardstock layered with white cardstock.  I used the Psalm 23 Background Stamp to stamp the words onto my background.  I did this twice, and I cut pieces of the background using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I raised up the three panels and matched them up to the words underneath as best as I could.

I used the Thoughtful Wreaths Stamp Set to stamp the wreath, the holly leaves and for the sentiment.  I cut extra wreaths using the Thoughtful Wreaths Dies, and I layered them to give my wreath some dimension.  I attached the holly leaves and added some "berries" by attaching red miniature floral prills in little clusters.  I used the beautiful Lantern Light Stamp Set to stamp my bow.  I painted it with Fired Brich Oxide Ink and cut it using the Lantern Light Dies.

Head on over to my Instagram Page to find the Insta Hop.  You won't want to miss any of the fabulous inspiration, and you won't want to miss the opportunity to WIN a $25 gift card to Creative Worship Stamps.  Thanks so much for your visit here today.

Here's where I'm sharing this fun Christmas card:

Double D Challenges: Christmas Wrap Theme - I used the traditional colors as seen below and I added a pretty red bow to "wrap" up my pretty wreath.  Everything needs a bow, right??  I even see some holly sprigs on these pretty packages.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Dies in DieCember" and I used lots of fun dies on this card.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Dies in DieCember" as I mentioned above, I used lots of great dies to create my wreath card that I'm sharing today. 

Blessings,

Karen

Merry Christmas w/Stamp Simply

Christmas is approaching faster than I can believe.  It just sora crept on me this year; and before I knew it, Christmas was upon us.  While I'm not prepared yet in the way of gifts, decorating and planning, I do have a nice head start on my Christmas cards that need to get in the mail this week.  Stamp Simply always helps me find the perfect stamps and products to create beautiful cards at Christmas and all year round.  The card I'm sharing today uses just two of their (many) fabulous stamp sets.

I started with black cardstock that I layered with a green patterned paper from the Craft Consortium's Retro Summer 6x6 Paper Pad that I machine stitched together.  I used a larger cluster sentiment with the names of Jesus found in the Jesus Stamp Set at the top of my card.  I used the O Christmas Tree Stamp Set and the coordinating O Christmas Tree Dies to create my trees in various colors (using Tim Holtz Oxide Inks).  I added some tiny foam balls to each tree as ornaments.  The Merry Christmas sentiment at the bottom of the card is also found in the Jesus Stamp Set.

There are so many fabulous stamps, dies, stencils, embossing folders, ribbons and products at Stamp Simply to help you create something special.  We hope you'll take a look around at Stamp Simply and treat yourself.  After all, Christmas is approaching and we all deserve a new treat (or two), right?  You'll also find lots of great inspiration each day on the Stamp Simply Blog.  Oh, I also wrapped some pretty Baker's Twine around my card and topped the bow with a sugar-coated bead from the Petaloo Teal Botanical Floral Ephemera package.

Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  I'm also sharing my card on Instagram if you'd like to stop by and Follow me there @karenletchworth.  I'd sure appreciate it.  Have a blessed and creative week, and please know that I truly appreciate you for stopping by to take a peek at my art.  Stay safe, friends, and I hope you've got all your Christmas chores in line at this point better than I do.  LOL

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes" - and I'd LOVE to pick up some new Lawn Fawn and other goodies from Simon Says Stamp.  Let's go!

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Dies" - I do own several awesome SSS dies, but this card uses dies from Stamp Simply.

Make My Monday Challenge Blog - Challenge #266 - Christmas Trees

The Inspiration Station Challenge - December - I was drawn to the tree in the inspiration photo

Cupcake Inspirations - Challenge #632 - I was drawn to the gorgeous teal color and the snowflakes.

Blessings,

Karen

Sweet 16 w/Creative Worship Stamps

I've been having so much FUN using the wonderful NEW products from this month's release at Creative Worship Stamps.  This month's release includes some lovely florals, awesome faith definitions, a super cool stencil, new dies, and so much more.  The card I'm sharing today combines some of the NEW products with some of my older favorites.  This is one of the (many) things that I love about Creative Worship Stamps.

For this card, I started with black cardstock layered with purple cardstock.  The top layer is basic white cardstock that I cut using the fabulous Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I use this sweet set quite a bit.  Isn't that scalloped edge just so cute?  In the center of the white paper, I stamped two of the definitions using the new Faith Definition Stamp Set.  The next step was to stencil on the background with various shades of Tim Holtz Oxide Inks using the pretty Delightfully Delicate Stencil.

There's a lot going on here, so I'll try to cover it all (LOL).  I used the Stitched Rectangle Dies again to cut the smaller rectangle that I stamped with the cool rulers from the Vintage Snippets Stamp Set.  Next, I stamped the 16 with various Tim Holtz Oxide Inks using the awesome NEW Jumbo Textured Numbers Stamp Set.  I placed them on the cut rectangle.  The butterfly and leaf are from the NEW Patient Echinacea Stamp Set.  The word SWEET is found in the Holiday Cheer Stamp Set.

Some of the images (rectangle, leaf, sweet) are raised up using 3-D Foam Tabs from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  RRR is going out of business, and there are lots of great deals taking place.  Be sure to check out that great opportunity.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, and please take time to stop by my Instagram Page to Follow me there.

I'm sharing my card here:

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #302 - The words I used and incorporated into my design are WHITE, NATURE (butterfly) and MOVIE (16 candles).

A Cut Above Challenge Blog - November: Anything Goes w/Die Cuts - I used several Creative Worship dies on my project as listed above.

Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog - Birthdays

Blessings,

Karen

Count Your Blessings w/Creative Worship Stamps

To be perfectly honest with you, I don't know exactly how long I've been blogging about my cards.  To be certain, I'd have to "cheat" and look back on my blog to my original blog post.  I do know that it's been many years.  My crafting and card-making abilities have improved over the years as I've served on various Design Teams and worked with different products.  With that said, my crafting journey hit its all-time high when I was invited to join the Design Team at Creative Worship Stamps.  Not only do I LOVE this amazing Christian-owned store and its products, but it's an absolute BLESSING to serve on a team where I'm surrounded by so many supportive Christian women who encourage one another to live the best version of themselves possible.....artistically, spiritually and personally.

This card showcases some of the NEW and some of the old from Creative Worship Stamps.  It starts with basic black cardstock layered with pink cardstock, and then finally, a piece of white cardstock that I rubbed with Tim Holtz Oxide Inks and was cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I used the cool Oval Mesh Stencil and some gesso to add texture.  I used the Vintage Snippets Stamp Set to add the numbers.  The pretty butterfly is found in the NEW Patient Echinacea Stamp Set.

I cut the smaller rectangle again using the Stitched Rectangle Dies, and I stamped the background with Hickory Smoke Oxide Ink using the NEW Faith Definitions Stamp Set.  I also used the NEW Heart of Gratitude Stamp Set for the clipboard, hearts and sentiments.  I also lightly stencilled the background of the sentiment spot using the NEW Moroccan Quatrefoil Stencil.  The finishing touches include a sweet bow tied with Pink Silk Ribbon, Baker's Twine and it's topped with an Ivory Open Rose.

Please take a minute or two to visit Creative Worship Stamps.  They really do have SO many great products that I know you'll enjoy.  Go ahead, treat yourself.  I also hope you know that I appreciate your visits here on my blog, and I hope that you'll also visit and Follow me on my Instagram Page.  Thanks again for stopping by to take a peek at my card, friends.

Blessings,

Karen

This is the Day Bookmark w/Stamp Simply

Things in my personal life have been a little hectic lately.  My parents are aging with grace, and they're now requiring a bit more time and attention.  For this reason, my hubby and I have been taking turns flying back and forth to Minnesota to spend time with them until we figure out a more permanent solution for their living situation.  Needless to say, it's been stressful.  But PRAISE GOD, I know that He is in control and will see us through this chapter in our lives as He always does.  Today I'm sharing a sweet bookmark (yes, it's an extra fluffy bookmark. lol) that showcases a few fabulous products from Stamp Simply.

I started with black cardstock and layered that with patterned papers from Carta Bella's Autumn 6x6 Paper Pad.  I machine stitched them together.  The top layer is basic white cardstock that I inked and stencilled using an older Tim Holtz Leaf Stencil and Oxide Inks.  The scripture I used is from the Give Thanks Stamp Set.  The cute pumpkin is from the Welcome Fall Stamp Set.  I colored it and cut it with the Welcome Fall Dies.  The little sprigs sticking out of the pumpkin were cut using the Sprigs Dies.

OK.....that bow.  Right?  I went a little extra with the topper on this fancy bookmark.  I included some 1.5" Cluny Ivory Lace, Orange Seam Binding, Ivory Burlap String, and several other random trims from my stash.  It's really just a fun bow that I thought would look cute sticking out of the top of a book.  There are so many great stamps, stencils and products waiting for you at Stamp Simply, and we look forward to having you visit the Stamp Simply Blog for lots of great inspiration.

Have a great week, everyone.  It's always nice to have you visit me here, and I appreciate your thoughts and input.  Take some time to play along in a few fun challenges and take a moment or two to stop by Stamp Simply to treat yourself to something new and beautiful.

Double D Challenge Blog - Autumn Colors

The Four Seasons - Autumn - I was drawn to the pumpkins and textures in the inspiration photo

Alphabet Challenge Blog - P is for Pumpkins

Blessings,

Karen