Sharing a Christmas Coffee

Hurray!  Today is one of those fun days when I get to create and share a card that wasn't created for any Design Teams or anything.  This one was just for FUN, and that's exactly what it was.  I had such a good time creating this sweet and caffeinated Christmas card.  It's not all that often, especially lately, that I have the time (and energy) to create cards just for the fun of it.  When I do get the opportunity to do so, I love to make Christmas cards just to get ahead.  Well, that, and they're also a lot of fun to make.  This card uses a completely mish-mash of products.  I'll try to name them all as we go.

I used a piece of scrap packaging cardboard for the base.  To that, I added some machine stitched October Afternoon and Crate Paper patterned papers.    Next, I added the big red bow which is an old one from The Greetery.  The small piece in the center (from Crate Paper patterned paper) is the Eyelet Frame Die from Pretty Pink Posh.  The two coffee cups were stamped and cut using them Have a Cup on Us Stamp Set and Die Cuts from Stamp Simply.  The Peace & Joy is also from Stamp Simply, and the other stamped images on the coffee cup are from Paper Sweeties.

The cute little cookies that I added are found in the adorable Hug in a Mug Dies from The Greetery.  I think that pretty much covers all the things I added to this busy card.  I've always enjoyed adding lots of pretty paper layers and I tend to pile on a lot when making a card like this.  I even contemplated another sentiment but finally decided that Peace & Joy is quite enough.  Other than that, maybe "yum".

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me here today.  I'm also sharing this on my Instagram Page where I really hope you'll visit and Follow.  I'm sharing this fun caffeinated Christmas card in a few challenges where I enjoy playing along whenever I possibly can.  Happy crafting, sweet friends.

I'm playing along and sharing my sweet and caffeinated card here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - ANYTHING GOES

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - Challenge #2634 - Anything Goes Entry #3/3

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says LOTS OF LAYERS

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Anything Goes - Entry #4

Blessings,

Karen

Layered Candles w/CutCardStock

It's been a real gamechanger for me since I discovered the AWESOME quality cardstocks from CutCardStock.  The weight and thickness of this wonderful cardstock make such a difference in the overall quality and look of all my cards.  When you hold these cardstocks in your hands, you can feel the rich quality and see the vibrant colors.  CutCardStock has SO many wonderful cardstock choices from which to choose.  Here's a look at what I created to share with you today.

This card uses Cougar White Cardstock for the base, top layer, sentiment strip and candle wicks.  The second layer and some of the candles were cut with DCS Plum Cardstock.  The other colors used to cut these darling candles include DCS Raspberry Ice Cardstock, Pop Tone Pink Lemonade, Lessebo Salt Water Blue, Pop Tone Snow Cone, Pop Tone Grapesicle, DCS Orange Zest, and Astrobright Solar Yellow Cardstock.  They're all so pretty together.

The sentiment I used is from Stamp Simply Clear Stamps, as is the Fishtail Banner Die on which it's stamped using a small piece of the wonderful Cougar White Cardstock.  The background piece was cut from it as well using the Dot Dash Nested Rectangle Dies from Brass & Bliss Co.  Those darling Layered Candle Dies are also from Brass & Bliss Co.  These quality cardstocks really make them shine.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  The next time you're in the market for some really amazing high-qulaity cardstocks, just head on over to CutCardStock to see what you're missing out on.  You really will LOVE the difference these cardstocks will make in your crafting.  Have a wonderfully creative week, everyone.

I'm sharing my card here:

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Anything Goes - Entry #3

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - ANYTHING GOES

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - LOTS OF LAYERS

Blessings,

Karen

New Release at Poppystamps

It's time for another FUN card using more of the fabulous NEW Holiday Cheer 2026 Release from Poppystamps.  This awesome new collection includes the sweetest dies including penguins, a fun sled, an old truck, pumpkins, trees and SO much more.  You can see it ALL by popping over to Poppystamps for a quick peek.  I'm having so much fun using these awesome new die-cuts, and you will too.

How CUTE, right?  This card came together easily.  I used black and red cardstocks for my base.  The top white layer was cut using the darling Eyelet Frames, and I ran some Cherry Baker's Twine through the holes for an extra fun touch of dimension.  The red hearts were left over pieces which were cut using the sweet Heartfelt Pinpoint Frame Die.

The sweet trees were cut using two different shades of green cardstock and the AWESOME NEW Trimmed Trees Dies.  They're really awesome trees for all kinds of projects, and I know it's a set I'll use a lot.  Those sweet little penguins can be found in the NEW Santa Penguin Dies and Coffee Penguin Dies.  The gift that penguin (on the right) is holding can also be a heart 💗or a cute little coffee cup.  And finally, they're taking a quick ride on the darling NEW Winter Sled.  How fun.

Be sure to visit Poppystamps to see all these fabulous NEW dies.  You can also find lots of great inspiration and a FUN monthly Challenge on the Poppystamps Blog.  It's always a blessing to have you visit me here, and I want you to know that I really appreciate you for it.  Take care and enjoy your week, everyone.

I'm sharing this card in the following:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge - Challenge #2634 - Anything Goes sponsored by Lawn Fawn

Blessings,

Karen

I Thank God for You w/Stamp Simply

It's hard for me to believe that it's already nearing the end of August.  Where has the Summer gone?  Soon, we'll be seeing the changing colors of the leaves and experiencing cooler temperatures.  My husband is happy about this because our A/C bill was outrageous this last month (highest ever).  But this "old lady" needs her A/C, so I praise God for it.  Today I'm sharing a card with you that celebrates the arrival of Autumn using a few lovely products from Stamp Simply.

I used the same design as the card I shared last week (sorry, but I've been travelling and in a time crunch) by using cream cardstock and some pretty Patterned Paper Pads.  I used older paper scraps from October Afternoon that I machine stitched.  I used the Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Typewriter Embossing Folder.  Using an Embossing Folder gives our cards so much fabulous texture and depth.

I attached all my patterned papers to the embossed cardstock base.  I used the lovely Give Thanks Stamp Set to stamp the leave with acorns and the sweet sentiment.  I cut it with the coordinating Give Thanks Dies.  This sweet Give Thanks Stamp Set is on SALE this week along with the Harvest Stamp Set.  It's always fun sharing an interesting card using just ONE simple stamp set.  Stamp Simply makes it easy to create sweet cards.  The finishing touches were some Burlap String and a button.

We hope you'll stop by Stamp Simply to look around and take advantage of this week's fabulous SALE.  It's a great time to pick up a new stamp set or two.  Thanks so much for stopping by here today to take a peek and leave me your thoughts.  I'd love to hear what's new in your world this week.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm sharing my card here:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - Challenge #2634 - Anything Goes sponsored by Lawn Fawn

Blessings,

Karen

Wishing You a Beautiful Day

I absolutely love Creative Worship Stamps, and I feel so incredibly blessed to be part of their Design Team.  Working for a Christian-based stamp company and a Christian "boss", is the best feeling.  Not only do I get to create pretty cards and projects with their wonderful products, but I also get to share the love of the Lord, Jesus Christ, with others as I create and post my art.  What a blessing.  Today is the first day of our Instagram Hop and August Challenge with the theme "Summer's Last Hurrah".  We hope to see what YOU will create to share in this fun challenge.  Not only is there a $25 prize for this Instagram Hop, but there's also one for the monthly challenge on our Creative Worship Stamps VIP Facebook Group.

For my card base, I used black and pink cardstock.  The top layer is a piece of white watercolor paper that I cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies frame and I stencilled it with Citron and Kitsch Flamingo Oxide Inks using the awesome Jumbled Diamonds Stencil.  Next, I used the cool Typewriter Text Background Stamp and Shadow Oxide Ink to lightly stamp the wording you see.  I also stamped some numbers on the diamonds in Shadow using the NEW Entomology Elements Stamp Set.  Finally, I added a few ink splatters to my base.  That pretty much made up my background.

I used the Entomology Elements Stamp Set again for the rectangle frame and butterfly.  I cut them using the NEW coordinating Entomology Elements Dies.  The butterfly was raised up with some 3-D Foam Tabs.  The little leaves that I tucked in near the frame can be found in the Peaceful Botanicals Stamp Set.  They make a cute little accents.  I also stamped the scripture ticket (x2 one green, one pink) found in the NEW Autumn Collage Stamp Set and cut them using the Tab & More Dies and tucked them under the frame.

At the bottom of my card, I added the sentiment using the gorgeous NEW God's Beauty Stamp Set.  It's stamped in Black Soot Oxide Ink.  Isn't it lovely how each stamp set from Creative Worship (new and old) work SO well together.  They work just as well on their own because of their beauty and versatility.

Above, you'll see the inspiration logo to give you some direction as you decide what you'd like to share in this fun challenge.  If you're not into entering challenges, we do hope that you'll still come hop along with us starting on the CW Instagram.  When you get to my Instagram Page (and I hope you do), please be sure to Follow me there.  I'd really appreciate it.  Thanks again for the visit, friends.

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #90 - Anything Goes - Optional Fun Folds (I'm not great at fun folds, but I have tried a few folios recently.  It's a work in progress for me...lol)

Alphabet Challenge Blog - I is for Insects

Tic Tac Toe Challenges - My Tic Tac Toe for this challenge #141 is diagonally from the top right to the bottom left with Gems (sequins), Free, and Insects.

Come and join the FUN, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Autumn Blessings w/Stamp Simply

Each week at Stamp Simply, there's a fabulous SALE where different stamp sets are being featured.  This week, the Autumn Blessings Stamp Set and Welcome Fall Stamp Set are on sale, and several of the Stamp Simply Design Team Members have created cards and projects using this sweet set to inspire you.  You can find the card samples each day on the Stamp Simply Blog.  Here's what I came up with to inspire you today.

I used a basic white cardstock as my base and second layer.  That second white layer was pressure embossed using a (Chevron - Retired) Darice Embossing Folder.  By using any of the fabulous Embossing Folders available at Stamp Simply, you're able to add quick dimension to your cards.  I also did some machine stitching around the outer edge of the white embossed layer.

I gathered up several pattern paper scraps.  While there are many fabulous Paper Pads available at Stamp Simply, I used some older October Afternoon paper scraps.  I did a bit more machine stitching on the papers to tie in the brown accents.  The bundle of wheat and sentiment are found in the lovely Autumn Blessings Stamp Set which is on sale this week.  They were stamped onto white cardstock and cut with a Circle Die.  Some May Arts Burlap Stitched Ribbon and a bit of Jute were the finishing touches.

Which set do you prefer?  The Autumn Blessings Stamp Set that I used, or the Welcome Fall Stamp Set?  Either way, it's a great time to pick up some NEW stamps for Autumn and SAVE money in the process.  I love having versatile stamp sets like these from Stamp Simply that make it SO easy to make a pretty card.

Just one sweet Autumn Blessings Stamp Set and some pretty Patterned Papers, and you've got another stamped simply card.  Stamp Simply always makes it easy.  And don't forget that this week you can SAVE on these sweet sets.  Thanks for visiting me here today, sweet friends.

I'm sharing my card here:

The Paper Funday Challenges - August Challenge: Anything Goes w/Optional Fun Folds - I'm just using lots of fabulous layers of paper on this card.

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #319 - From the prompt of artistic choices, I incorporated Stitching and Floral (patterned paper).  I love to play along whenever possible.

Stay creative, friends.

Blessings,

Karen

Thanks w/CutCardStock

It's always nice to send a thank you card when someone does something kind or helpful.  Having those cards readily on hand becomes so easy when you start with good quality cardstock.  The rest is easy.  Choosing a quality cardstock really does make a big difference in the quality, feel and appearance of our cards.  For this reason, I've really been enjoying using the wonderful cardstocks found at CutCardStock.

This card starts with Astrobright 80 lb. Eclipse Cardstock layered with Cougar White Cardstock.  The top layer is that deep gorgeous Pop Tone Razzle Berry Cardstock that I cut with a cute Heart Die from Poppystamps.  I used some sweet flower dies that are also from Poppystamps to cut each flower.  To do this, I used the Pop Tone Razzle Berry Cardstock, Pop Tone Pink Lemonade Cardstock, and DCS Yellow Jacket Textured Cardstock.  The stems and foliage were all cut from Pop Tone Jelly Bean Green Cardstock.

I wish you could FEEL the weight of these wonderful cardstocks.  They feel rich and firm when you hold them in your hands.  Knowing that my cards won't bend or buckle and that they'll last the test of time, mailing and handling is a great comfort.  Quality cardstocks allow us to take pride in our cards knowing that they're made from the highest quality papers available.  That's what you'll find at CutCardStock.

The sentiment is a simple tag from my stash.  Thanks for visiting me here today.  I really do hope you'll check out CutCardStock and their wonderful cardstocks.  Have a wonderfully creative week and please stop by again soon.

Blessings,

Karen