A New Spring Challenge at The Four Seasons

Hello, dear friends and Happy Spring!  It's time for a beautiful new April Challenge over at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and we sure hope that YOU will join us.  There's a gorgeous inspiration photo to give you some fresh Spring/Easter ideas to help you start envisioning images, colors, textures and ideas for your entries; but the ultimate creative choices are completely up to you and your own unique interpretation of the inspiring photo shown below.

I came up with this pretty card to (hopefully) inspire you a bit on this new Spring/Easter April Challenge.  What spoke to me from the inspiration photo were the bicycle, the flowering cherry blossoms, and the gorgeous colors in the cut flowers found in the bicycle basket.  I drew inspiration from several different elements in the photo, gathered up a few supplies that matched the overall design theme, and got busy.  Creating art that speaks and celebrates everything about Spring is always pretty and fun to design.

I started with white watercolor paper for this card and I painted oxide ink on it pretty much everywhere.  I stamped the darling bicycle in dark brown ink using an old favorite stamp from Unity Stamp Co.  called Enjoy This Day.  The stamped sentiment is from Carta Bella's Spring Market collection.  I ran the card (both layers) through my embossing machine using an embossing folder called Organic Linen from Altenew.  yum!  All those gorgeous colors and textures.  Yes, please.

The colors of Tim Holtz Oxide Inks that I used to paint the background are Weathered Blue, Spun Sugar and Walnut.  I ran a length of Solid Ivory Baker's Twine around my card and attached a Tim Holtz Miniature Rusty Paper Clip to the top right of my card.  What elements in this inspiration photo speak to your creative side?  That sweet bicycle under the cherry blossoms just called my name from an inspirational standpoint.  We can't wait to see/hear what you'll create to share with us this month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and how you were inspired.

I did something with this card that I don't often (or ever) do.  After I'd completely finished, photographed and posted this card; I started to wonder how it would have looked if I'd rubbed some more ink over the image/face of the card using a fun stencil.  SO.....here's what happened.  I like what a stencil does for a card.  So cool.

Thanks again for stopping by to say hello and take a peek at my card.   I really do hope you'll stop by The Four Seasons Challenge to join all the fun this month.  We always LOVE seeing your amazing art.  Here are the challenges where I'm happily sharing my card.   Any questions, just leave me a note.  Happy crafting, everyone.

Can You Handle The Pressure Challenge Blog - Anything Goes/Twist - Easter - I used an Organic Linen Embossing Folder made by Altenew.  Just look at all that gorgeous texture the embossing folder gives to my simple white watercolor cardstock.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - Simon Says "Stencil It" - This is one of the reasons why I did a stencilled version of this card.  I started to think it might look cool with an inky polka dot stencil image rubbed everywhere, so I revamped my card a bit.  That, and I wanted so badly to play along in the SSS Monday challenge this week.

TIME OUT Challenge Blog - Challenge: Photo Inspiration - In this photo, I was really inspired by the vintage bicycle, the flowers and the simple country vibe I felt.  I kept my card pretty simple to showcase the bicycle (which I love).

Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Challenge #192 at The Card Concept Begins

It's time for a FUN new Easter/Spring Challenge over at The Card Concept and we sure would love for you to join us.  There's a gorgeous inspiration photo shared below and we hope you will add it to your blog post (to be eligible to win), and let it inspire you in some way to create a card that you'll link in our gallery.  It's always way more fun when you are able to join us in all the fun and inspiration.  I can't wait to see what you will create to share with us.  Here's what I came up with for this challenge.

Here's the inspiration photo that gave me my ideas for colors, etc.  I started with some fun patterned papers from the Craft Consotrium's Brick Textures 6x6 Paper Pad, layered them, and machine stitched them together.  Next, I drew from the colors in the inspiration photo by adding a kraft tag, a journalling tag, a candle, and a canvas tag.

The sentiment I used is from Stamp Simply's Farmhouse Scriptural Quotes Stamp Set.  I just really fell in love with all the wood textures, bricks, and images in the inspiration photo and I used many of these elements in my card to try to give it all those rich textural elements.  The (HOME) journalling card is from Jenni Bowlin (old stash item).

I tied Solid Black Baker's Twine and Solid Ivory Baker's Twine onto my tag.  The canvas tag and kraft ticket are both from Maya Road.  The chipboard candle and chipboard clip are from Echo Park.  I also love the font of the sentiments in the Farmhouse Scriptural Quotes Stamp Set and I thought that matched the inspiration photo as well.   There are so many great inspirations to be found in this lovely photo.  How does it speak to you and to your creativity?  We can't wait to see it.

We all hope that you'll stop by The Card Concept to play along in this fun new challenge.  You can use anything in the photo to inspire you - a color, an image, a texture, etc.  Just let your creativity run wild and share what you design.  We can't wait to see what you'll come up with for this challenge.

Oh, before I run off here...I'd like to remind you of another FUN new challenge starting today over at Word Art Wednesday.  Our sponsor for this challenge is the AMAZING Stamps of Life offering a FABULOUS $25 prize to one lucky entrant.  Come, play along with us.

Here's where I'm sharing my art today:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2312 - Anything Goes - I always love to play along here when I can.  This is my Entry 3/3.  Thanks for another great challenge, Pam.

Blessings,

Karen

Hoppy Easter w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello to all my ribbon loving friends and crafty peeps, and thanks so much for stopping by my blog today as I share a sweet little Easter card that I created for Really Reasonable Ribbon.  As I've mentioned many times, one of my all-time favorite trims is Baker's Twine.  There are well over 20 fabulous colors of Baker's Twine at Really Reasonable Ribbon and it costs just ten cents ($0.10) per yard and adds SO much great texture.

I used purple cardstock and then a white cardstock that I pressure embossed using an Organic Linen Embossing Folder from Altenew.  I added yellow, purple and pink oxide inks to the white cardstock before embossing it.  I used the same colors of oxide ink on more of the white cardstock and then cut my bunnies using a cute Frantic Stamper die-cut.

I tied Solid Lemonwood Baker's Twine around one of the bunny's necks, Solid Pink Baker's Twine around another, and Solid Purple Baker's Twine around the other.  I placed a small white cotton ball tail on each of the bunnies.  I used Scor-Tape Adhesive to attach everything securely.  The sentiment was stamped using a stamp set from Paper Sweeties.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions about my project.  You're always sure to find lots of great products and deals at Really Reasonable Ribbon and loads of FAB inspiration on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog.  Thanks again for stopping by to say hello.  I always enjoy and appreciate your visits.  Have a blessed and creative week.

I'm playing along in these fun challenges:

Can You Handle The Pressure Challenge Blog - Use an Embossing Plate - Anything Goes/Optional Twist Easter - For this card, I used the Organic Linen Embossing Folder from Altenew.  One of my all-time favorites.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Easter/Spring

Dar & Diane's Double D Challenge Blog - Easter/Spring - See Inspiration Photo Below - The adorable bunny (and his cotton tail) inspired this card.

Cut It Up Challenge Blog - Challenge #274 - Use Embellishments.  I used tiny cotton ball tails, baker's twine and a miniature rusty paperclip as my embellishments.  The die-cut I used isa cute Frantic Stamper bunny die.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2312 - Anything Goes - I always love to play along here when I can.  

Hoppy Easter,

Karen

The Lord is My Shepherd w/Stamp Simply

Welcome by my blog today, sweet creative friends.  I'm always so super grateful to have you visit me and take a quick peek at what I've created.  Today I'm sharing a simple card that uses a gorgeous stamp from Stamp Simply Clear Stamps and it's the 23rd Psalm.  The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want.....this is a well-known and much-loved Psalm.  It's familiar, so it lends comfort and reminds us of God's great love for us.  This is a great card to send for sympathy, illness, difficult times, and so many occasions when hearing Psalm 23 would be an encouragement to someone.

You can make this simple card.  It uses white cardstock and purple cardstock.  The focal point of the card was rubbed with oxide ink and then stamped using the Deepest Sympathy Stamp Set.  I really kept this card very simple to show just how BEAUTIFUL and impacting Stamp Simply Clear Stamps are when used in a very simple manner.  I stamped the Psalm in Versafine Onyx Black Ink.

I adorned the side of the card with some of the Vintage Neutrals (Grey) Seam Binding, some Black Baker's Twine, and a pretty purple magnolia flower.  I hope you'll treat yourself to a new stamp set from Stamp Simply Clear Stamps.  They carry SO MANY great stamps, dies, and crafting products of all kinds.   You're sure to find something you will absolutely LOVE.  I know that I always enjoy creating with stamps and products from Stamp Simply.

Thanks again for visiting me today.  Have a great week, everyone.  Don't forget to stop by Stamp Simply to do some browsing/shopping.  You really will LOVE these wonderful stamps and more.  I'm sharing my card in the following challenges.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Spring/Easter - I used fun Spring colors to create my card.

Dar & Diane's Double D Challenge Blog - Easter/Spring - See Inspiration Photo Below - The cross inspired my card.  Psalm 23

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2312 - Anything Goes - I always love to play along here when I can.  

Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Have Faith w/Stamp Simply

Welcome by today, sweet crafty friends.  It's always so nice to have you stop by my blog, and today I'm sharing a card that I created for Stamp Simply Clear Stamps using a few of their awesome products.  No matter what kind of cards I need to make, I always know that Stamp Simply will have the perfect stamps to accommodate my needs.  They carry the loveliest sentiment stamps, dies and so many other amazing things to help you create something beautiful.

This card started with basic black cardstock and then a piece of woodgrain patterned paper from the Craft Consortium's Wood Textures 6x6 Paper Pad.  Once I had layered those, I cut a tag out of recycled corrugated cardboard using the Sizzix Tag Dies.  I tied a piece of Champagne Baker's Twine through the hole in the tag.  I stamped the image onto another piece of the Craft Consortium's Wood Textures 6x6 Paper Pad paper and cut it to fit inside the tag.  The sentiment is from the awesome Farmhouse Scriptural Quotes Stamp Set which contains several great sentiments.

I ran a length of the May Arts 1.5" Ivory Crochet Lace across the card and the pretty flower and leaves can be found in the May Arts Vintage Sampler Shabby Rosettes with Leaves Collection.  There are so many great trims and embellishments to help compliment the lovely stamps and dies available at Stamp Simply.  There's never a shortage of AWESOME products to be found at Stamp Simply.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and have a wonderful week.  Don't forget to stop by the Stamp Simply Blog for lots of great inspiration and by the Stamp Simply Store to check out all the great bargains and amazing products.

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - RECYCLE IT - I used recycled corrugated cardboard to cut my tag.

Time Out Challenge Blog - Challenge #234 - Inspired By Words (Charles Dicksons from the classic book Great Expectations).  The words from this quote that are inspired in my card (above) are the words "in the shade" which gives me the warm wood background, and the words "when the sun shines hot" which is displayed in the blooming flower.

Blessings,

Karen

A New Challenge at The Card Concept

Welcome by today, friends.  It's time for a new challenge at The Card Concept and we hope that you'll come play along with us.  There are two different inspiration photos for this challenge.  You can decide what speaks to your creativity and just create whatever you're inspired to design.  My card drew a bit of inspiration from both of the photos.  It's primarily based on the photo posted below, but I also used a butterfly which is from the other inspiration photo.  You can see both, get inspired, and link up your cards over on The Card Concept Challenge Blog.

I started with basic white cardstock and also a piece of teal cardstock to layer my card.  On the second piece of white cardstock, I used an embossing folder to give it some wonderful texture.  I also painted on some Fossilized Amber Oxide Ink for added color.  This is why I considered my card Clean & Layered as described here on The Card Concept Blog.

The butterfly stamp & die I used are from Brutus Monroe.  I doubled it up and lifted the wing so it would look like the butterfly was resting on the flower branch.  The flowers were created using a die cut and more oxide inks.  The stamped sentiment is from Carta Bella Spring Market.

I do hope that you'll stop by The Card Concept to play along in this fun challenge.  We always enjoy and appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing what you will create to share with us.  Have a blessed and creative week, everyone.

Here's where I'll be sharing my card:

Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge Blog - Anything Goes/Optional Twist: Rainbows - I didn't incorporate a rainbow on this card, but I did use a cool embossing folder for my background.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Whatever the Weather - This card depicts Spring weather when things are blooming, and the butterflies are fluttering in our gardens.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - This week, Simon Says "Recycle It" so I used small paper scraps (most people would have thrown away these tiny scraps) to die-cut the flowers/stems.  I didn't want to use a new piece of white paper, so I simply used tiny paper scraps to cut the flowers and the butterflies.

Blessings,

Karen

It's Blog Hop Time at Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hi there, sweet creative friends and thanks so much for visiting me today.  It's Blog Hop time once again at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  One lucky person who hops along with us will WIN a $10 gift certificate to Really Reasonable Ribbon PLUS one FREE digital stamp set from our Sister Company,  Bonnie Garby Designs.  You'll always find SO many awesome ribbons, trims, twines, laces, ruffles, and spooled goodies at RRR in addition to Mulberry Flowers, Adhesives, Hair Accessories, Embellishments and oodles of wonderful things.  Our theme for this month's Blog Hop is Easter/Spring.  You should have arrived here by way of Bonnie's Blog, but if not; you can catch up quickly. 

I made this cute little bunny by using a kraft envelope.  I covered the envelope with white cardstock and patterned papers.  I used vintage googly eyes, the nose is a small heart die, and I drew on his mouth.  The bunny's hands were cut using a larger heart die.  I free-handed the Easter egg on cardstock and cut it out.  Then, I covered it with Black & White Bold Gingham, Medium Pink Gingham, Light Pink Gingham, Bright Pink Gingham, White Crochet Lace and I trimmed around the excess.  The bunny's whiskers were made with Solid Light Pink Baker's Twine.

I also made a cute little Easter card using some Echo Park patterned papers and stickers.  The sweet sentiment is from Bonnie Garby Designs.  It can be found in the Easter Religious Bundle along with several lovely Easter sentiments.  You'll find sentiments perfect for every occasion.

I added a length of Lace Blue Seam Binding, some bundled Ivory Burlap String, and a few pretty Double Head Stamens.  The bow is topped with an Ivory Sweetheart Blossom.  Everything is secured in place with Scor-Tape Adhesive.  It's fun and easy to create a pretty card using all the wonderful things that await you at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

The prices at RRR truly are reasonable as are the shipping rates.  In addition, RRR has a new sister company, Bonnie Garby Designs, where you'll find adorable digital images and lovely digital sentiments.  Head on over to take a peek.  Your final stop on this Blog Hop is at the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog.  Be sure to leave a comment on each blog and answer the question at the end of the hop to be eligible for the prize.  Thanks again for visiting me and have a blessed week.

Happy crafting,

Karen