Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Trinity Stamps Sponsors Word Art Wednesday

Hi friends and welcome by today.  You know, I've been running the Word Art Wednesday Challenge Blog for well over ten years now.  I've come across some truly amazing business owners during those years, and I've seen these awesome business owners generously support our challenge blog and our crafting community.  However, I have to tell you that it's not very often (although it does happen) where a sponsor offers up a $50 prize.  Well, get ready for an AWESOME prize at a FUN challenge blog because Trinity Stamps is offering a $50 gift code to one lucky participant.  That's amazing.
Another very generous thing Trinity Stamps did for our Design Team was to offer us a discount to purchase some of their wonderful products so that we could showcase them for you.  I really do hope you will take a moment to check out this fun store.  Because I own and manage Word Art Wednesday, I can't (won't) play along as it just wouldn't be right in my opinion. But, WOW, this prize is awesome.  It drives me nuts when (one in particular) challenges are held and the Design Team Members end up winning all the best prizes.  That's not right, either!  I answer to God, so my intentions are different than that.  Let's just leave it there.
I took this close-up photo so that you see the sweet products from Trinity Stamps  I used their Tiny Donut Dipper Die Set to cut my donuts from light kraft cardstock.  The sprinkles are also found in this die set and were cut from pink glittery paper.  I also added sprinkles to the donuts, and my card, by way of the sweet Opaque Confetti Pieces.  They come in every color of the rainbow (and more), but I used the Carnation and Marine Dream Opaque Confetti Pieces on my card.
The sentiment I used was stamped with varying shades of pink oxide ink using the Sprinkles on My Cupcake Stamp Set.  I love the BIG sentiment and Trinity Stamps has oodles of fabulous sentiments, images, and crafting goodies galore.  You won't want to miss out on your chance at this FABULOUS $50 Gift Code to spend at Trinity Stamps.  Thanks for stopping by today, and happy crafting.  Come play with us at Word Art Wednesday.

I'm sharing my yummy donut card in the following challenges:

Word Power Challenge Blog - Challenge #3 - Anything Goes - My BIG sentiment is from Trinity Stamps.  They are our current sponsor at WAW offering a $50 prize.



Blessings,
Karen

Monday, March 25, 2024

For This Child I Prayed w/Stamp Simply

Thanks for stopping by today, sweet blog friends.  I hope you've been busy making cards and crafts, taking part in the fun blog hops taking place this Spring, and enjoying yourselves indoors and outdoors.  It's always a trat to have you stop by, and I appreciate your visits very much.  Today I'm sharing a sweet card that I created for Stamp Simply Clear Stamps using some of their FABULOUS stamps and dies.
As it turns out, I needed to make a baby card for someone very dear to me who shared a "special secret" with me last week.  As always, I knew that Stamp Simply would help me to make something beautiful and meaningful.  I used red cardstock layered with Echo Park patterned papers from their Love Notes 6x6 Paper Pad and then a piece of inked white cardstock.  The sentiment was stamped using the Welcome Baby Stamp Set, and the baby outfit and diaper pins were cut using the Welcome Baby Basics Steel Dies.
I wrapped a length of Black Canvas/Twill Ribbon as well as piece of Light Green Seam Binding around my card and tied a bow with it.  I topped the ribbon treatment with a Red Paper Bloom Rose.  There are so many fabulous stamps, dies and more at Stamp Simply.  You're almost always sure to find the perfect stamps for every sentiment, scripture and occasion/event on our lives' calendars.  There's always lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog. as well as information about special sales and promotions.
The second version of this card is shown below.  The only difference is that I added the cute little baby bib that's also found in the Welcome Baby Basics Steel Dies.  This sweet set makes it easy to create adorable baby cards for both baby boys and baby girls, and the sentiments in the Welcome Baby Stamp Set give you so many wonderful options.  I created the "tutu" on the baby's Onesie by gathering a small piece of Cheesecloth and wrapping it around the outfit.  The flowers that adorn the top of this "tutu" were cut using the tiny flower dies also found in the Welcome Baby Basics Steel Dies.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll visit me again soon.  It's always greatly appreciated.  Create something beautiful today.

I'm sharing my card in the following:

Pammie's Inkie Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2412 - Anything Goes - I love to play along at Pam's FUN challenge whenever I'm able.  I also have to admit that I'm totally in crushin' on Newton.

Blessings,
Karen

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Finger Paint Fun

Hello, sweet friends.  I've been wanting to play along at A Barrel of Monkeys Challenge Blog ever since it first started.  I just adore the concept of creating cards based on our childhood toys.  The theme for the current challenge is Finger Painting, and I actually did finger paint on my card, and I had a lot of FUN doing it.
I used a piece of corrugated cardboard as my base.  Next, I used the You Add Color To  My Life Stamp Set from Paper Sweeties to stamp my sentiment, the paint brushes, and the pallet.  I colored the pallet with my Copics.  For the paint splotches and paint drips, I actually finger painted on white cardstock and then used the You Add Color To My Life Dies to crate the paint splatters (using the die cut).  I also added some of my finger paint scraps to the ends of the brushes to make them look like they were dipped in paint.
How CUTE are these stamps and dies?  I used basic acrylic paints and I FINGER PAINTED on white cardstock.  I dried the paint quickly using my embossing/heat gun.  Once dry, I cut the dripping paint pieces using the You Add Color To My Life Dies from Paper Sweeties.  What a super FUN challenge.  I hope you'll pull out some finger paints or whatever you've got and come play along.  I'm so grateful for others who inspire me and for fun challenges where we can all share our art.  Where are you playing along this week?
Thanks so much for visiting me today.  It makes me so happy when you stop by and leave me a comment or let me know what you think of my card.  I also enjoyed pulling out these older stamps and dies that have been somewhat neglected lately.  They needed to be used, and I sure had a lot of FUN using them again.  Stay creative, everyone.

I'm sharing my card here:

A Barrel of Monkeys Challenge - Challenge #13 - FINGERPAINTS - As explained above, I actually did some finger painting when making this card.  FUN!

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Easter/Spring - I used Spring colors (pastels) and kept things light and fresh.

Pammie's Inkie Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2412 - Anything Goes - Sponsored by the one and only Newton's Nook.  YES!

Blessings,
Karen

Friday, March 22, 2024

He Is the Light w/Really Reasonable Ribbon

Well, hello to everyone stopping by my blog and please know that I'm very grateful for your visit today.  I appreciate every single visitor, every single comment, and every single opportunity to either make a new blog friend or to reconnect with an old one.  Either way, it always makes me happy.  Any time that I can make a card and adorn it with some type of ribbon or trim, it opens up a whole world of different creative options, and Really Reasonable Ribbon always makes it easy and fun.
For this card, I started with basic black cardstock that I layered with a yellow patterned paper from JilliBean Soup.  Next, I cut a frame from white cardstock using the Crimped Frames Die from The Greetery.  I inked the edges and I stencilled the background using a Tim Holtz lines stencil in Fossilized Amber Oxide Ink.  I'm sorry to say that I don't know what company makes the light bulb dies I used as they're not in their original packaging.
The sentiment I used is found in the He Is The Light Stamp Set from Stamp Simply.  At the bottom of my card, I ran a length of Black & White Bold Plaid Ribbon and I also tied a pretty bow with it.  Underneath the bow, I added some bundled Yellow Burlap String and several pretty Double Head Stamens.  I topped it all with a White Carnation using a cut piece of Scor-Tape.  The screw-in part of the light bulbs (two layers) were raised up using 3-D Foam Tabs for dimension.
Be sure to stop by the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog for lots of great inspiration as well as information about special sales and promotions.  We're always here to help, to inspire, and to answer any questions we can.  Whether you need ribbons and trims, Adhesives, Mulberry Flowers or Embellishments, you're almost always sure to find it all when you shop RRR.  Thanks so much for stopping by today, everyone.  Have a great week.


Blessings,
Karen

I'm sharing my card in the following:

Die-Cut Divas Challenge Blog - March Challenge: Anything Goes w/Dies - I used a Crimped Frame Die and the Light Bulb dies.  This challenge is sponsored by the fabulous Lawn Fawn.  HURRAY!

Inspiration Station Challenge - March: Photo Prompt - I was drawn to the (literal) light in this photo.  I see how the sunlight plays on everyone's beautiful colors.  I also see how the light lives inside people....and this is for people all over the world.  The light shines through, people dance, people connect.  Isn't this photo beautiful?

Simon Says Stamp  Monday Challenge - Easter/Spring - As we all SPRING Forward in DayLIGHT Savings Time, it made me think of this kind of light.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Thinking of You w/Stamp Simply

Hurray!  It's time for another FUN blog post showcasing another sweet card that I made for Stamp Simply Clear Stamps using more of their wonderful products.  These stamps and dies are so amazing that I can't seem to put them down....ever.  Here's what I came up with to share with you today.
This card uses basic black cardstock layered with a green gingham patterned paper and a cool woodgrain patterned paper from the Craft Consortium's Wood Textures 6x6 Paper Pad.  I added a length of May Arts White Lace and a piece of Solid Yellow Baker's Twine as accents.
I also added a piece of vellum over the green gingham patterned paper that I stamped with the floral cluster image that I used on my card.  This lovely floral can be found in Fall Flowers Floral Cluster Stamp Set and I used the coordinating Floral Cluster Die.  The sentiment I used is found in the Farmhouse All Occasion Greetings Stamp Set and was stamped on a banner cut using the Fishtail Banner Dies.  I did some yellow circle stencilling over the sentiment.
Thanks again for taking the time to stop by my blog today.  It's such a joy to have you visit me and leave your kind thoughts.  I hope that my cards inspire someone, and I really do hope you'll check out Stamp simply Clear Stamps.  It's truly a wonderful store that will be an asset to your creative adventures in card-making.

I'm sharing my card in the following:


Stencil Fun Challenge - March: Anything Goes/Optional: Easter/Spring - I used a dotted stencil on my sentiment strip.


Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog - March: Anything Goes - The die-cuts I used on my card include the Fishtail Banner Die for my sentiment, and the Floral Cluster Die Cut.  I love the sponsor, Lawn Fawn.

Blessings,
Karen


Thursday, March 14, 2024

Let Love Bloom at The Card Concept

It's time for another FUN challenge at The Card Concept and we hope that you will come by to play along with us.  This beautiful inspiration photo (below) got my creativity going at just one glance.  I was immediately drawn to the bird, the soft blue and pink, and the light feeling of Spring.  That's what I tried to capture in my card.
I used basic white cardstock, patterned paper and vellum to create my card base.  The nest was cut from painted corrugated cardboard using the Jumbo Curiosity Nest Die from The Greetery.  I splattered it with paints.  The bird is a die-cut from Simon Says Stamp.  I colored the bird by rubbing him with oxide inks.  The same is true of the eggs that are also found in the Jumbo Curiosity Nest Die from The Greetery.
The sentiment is from an Echo Park Spring Market stamp set that I picked up at Hobby Lobby several years ago.  I love the soft colors in the inspiration photo and my goal with this card was to balance those soft pastels with the images I wanted to incorporate (bird, nest, eggs).  You can let your creativity lead you when creating a card for this challenge.  Simply look at the inspiration photo and let the colors, images, or mood inspire your creativity.  We really look forward to seeing what you'll make to share with us.
Thanks so much for visiting me today.  I'm always very grateful to have you stop by to take a quick peek at my card.  It would be awesome to have you come play along at The Card Concept.  You all inspire me so much, and I hope that my card has inspired you to come join the fun.  Have a blessed week.
Happy crafting,
Karen

I'll be sharing my sweet little bird card in the following challenges that I absolutely LOVE:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2410 - Anything Goes - I absolutely LOVE to play along at Pammie's any time I can.  And, I absolutely LOVE Lawn Fawn......who doesn't, right?

Double D Challenge Blog - First Signs of Spring - My eggs, birds and nest (along with the sentiment I used) are all first signs of Spring.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #63 - Anything Goes/Optional Twist: The Dies Have It.  I used several dies on this card including the bird, the nest, and the postage stamp background frames.

TIME OUT Challenge Blog - Challenge #259 - Birds of a Feather - In collaboration with Just Us Girls Challenge Blog, TIME OUT is hosting this fun challenge that's all about BIRDS.

Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog - March: Anything Goes - I used a SSS bird die and the Jumbo Curiosity Nest Die from the Greetery.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

It's Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop Time

Blog Hops are FUN, and they're a great way to win some fabulous prizes, get some great inspiration, and just meet some different crafters. So with that said, you're in the right place if you're looking for the monthly Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop.  Hopefully, you arrived here by way of Misty's Blog.  If not, you can catch up quickly.
There are TWO FUN PRIZES to be won on this Blog Hop.  First and foremost, the lucky person who comments on each blog and gets their number selected by random draw will WIN a $10 Gift Card to spend at Really Reasonable Ribbon (which can go a long way) AND they'll also win their choice oany one (1) digital stamp set from Bonnie Garby Designs.  Let me tell you, there are some really DARLING stamp sets at this darling Etsy Shop.  I use them on my cards quite a bit because I can find the perfect sentiment every time, and that makes it easy.
This was such a fun card to make.  It uses basic white cardstock, gold glittery paper, and some Crate Paper patterned papers from my stash.  I used a cute little alarm clock die-cut from Echo Park and added some adorable Twiddler's Nook sprinkles here and there.  A piece of Bay Leaf Seam Binding separates the two patterned papers, and I also used it to tie a pretty bow.  I topped it with a bow that's tied with Gold Metallic String.  Like I said, Really Reasonable Ribbon always has the perfect trim for every project.  I also tucked in several Double Head Stamens at the top of the alarm clock, and everything is secured in place using Scor-Tape and 3-D Foam Tabs.
I'll also say this about my friend Bonnie, the Owner of both RRR and Bonnie Garby Designs.  She's honestly one of the sweetest, most amazing women I know.  She amazes me with how she ROCKS at card-making/crafting, at her businesses, and how hard she works all the time.  She's had (more than) her share of life's hurdles for a season in her life, but she keeps on going.  She's a real-life super-hero.  It's such a blessing now to watch her succeed as she moves forward, and I'd be truly honored to have you support her AWESOME small business(es).  RRR carries so many great products including ribbons and trims, Adhesives and much more; so please stop by to take a look at what you might possibly need.  It would be a blessing to have you visit the store just to make sure there's nothing you "can't live without".  lol

Your final stop is at the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog where you'll need to answer one quick question making you eligible for the wonderful prizes being offered in this FUN Blog Hop.  Please leave your comment here to let me know what you think of this card I created, and then head on over to the RRR Blog.  We're so grateful to have you hop along with us.

Thanks again for visiting me today, and happy crafting.

I'm sharing my card here:

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #63 - Anything Goes/Optional Twist: The Dies Have It.  On this card, the dies I used include the postage frame dies, the sentiment banner, and the darling alarm clock.  I just LOVE die-cuts.

Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog - March: Anything Goes - This card uses a cute alarm clock die cut, a postage stamp background die and a Fishtail Banner Die for the sentiment.

Blessings,
Karen