Merry Christmas w/Poppystamps

Chances are pretty good that none of us are ready Christmas.  Well, believe it or not, Christmas is only 77 days away which means there are lots of Christmas cards needing to be made.  When you shop at Poppystamps, you're always sure to find the most beautifully detailed and intricately layered die cuts to help you easily create beautiful cards.  The Merry Christmas card I'm sharing today was easily created using just a few of the many wonderful dies from Poppystamps.

I used basic black, a heavy glittery gold (Michael's) and a basic cream cardstock for the base of my card.  The top layer is a piece of pretty gold-embossed vellum (from Michael's).  I used the second largest oval found in the lovely Pinpoint Oval Frame Dies to cut the oval frame from the focal point.  I used the lovely Nordic Drop Ornament Die Set to cut the lovely ornament that I hung with solid cream baker's twine.

The ornament and pretty bow at the top were cut from Fresh Aqua and Blueberry Mist Cardstock as well as small scraps of the glittery gold cardstock.  The bow was cut using the Satin Ribbon Craft Die Set, and it makes a lovely accent for any card.  I really just wanted that gorgeous Nordic Drop Ornament Die Set to be the star of this card, and it certainly is.  The Merry Christmas Foil Tab tab is from our sister company, Memory Box.

Take some time to visit Poppystamps to see all the wonderful die-cuts they carry.  You can also play along in our monthly Poppystamps Challenge for your chance to WIN, and the Poppystamps Blog always has lots of great inspiration.  Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello here today.  I always appreciate your visits.

Peace on Earth Challenge Blog - Challenge #121 October:  I was inspired by the ornament in the photo with all the gold accents.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Pattern Paper - I used a patterned/text vellum paper.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #92 - I'm going with the Anything Goes option this time because this card has nothing to do with pumpkins, spice or anything of the sort.  Just a Christmas ornament with glitter.  lol

Blessings,

Karen

Christmas Coffee w/Stamp Simply

Welcome by today, sweet friends.  As the October New Release continues at Creative Worship Stamps, I've been having so much fun creating with these awesome new products.  There are so many great things found in this month's NEW Release including some gorgeous peacock stamps, dies and stencils.  There are also several sweet Snowflake products including a gorgeous background stamp and some sweet layering dies.  And let's not forget about the awesome NEW Sermon Notes Stamp Set for those of us who enjoy Bible journalling.  It's all so incredibly wonderful, and you won't want to miss any of it.

This card started with basic black cardstock layered with basic white cardstock and then a jewel toned blue cardstock that I stamped using Unchartered Mariner Blue Oxide Ink and the awesome NEW Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp.  I inked the edges with more of the blue as well as some white ink for a snow-kissed look.  Next, I stamped the Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp onto a piece of the white cardstock, and I cut it using one of the ovals in the Stitched Oval Dies.  I surrounded the oval with a green wreath that was cut using the Lovely Wreaths Dies.  A bit of white paint splattering and a sequin gave my background some "snow" which also helped break up the dark background.

I used the fabulous Holiday Cheer Stamps & Dies for the coffee cups, sentiment and candy canes.  I positioned these images around the oval to give it depth.  It's always fun to incorporate coffee into my Christmas cards because everyone who knows me is well aware of my love for coffee.  And truth be told, most of my friends and family love it as much as I do.  Creative Worship Stamps has so many great coffee related products to help you give your cards some caffeinated love.

Thank you once again for your visit here today.  It means the world to me that I have crafty friends who stop by to say hello and take a quick peek at my cards.  You all inspire me SO much and I appreciate you beyond words.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm playing along in the following challenges that I 💕love so much:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge Blog - October Challenge:  Anything Goes Christmas and Caffeine - This card uses products from Super Sponsor and friend of all things caffeinated, Creative Worship Stamps.  I absolutely LOVE💖 playing along in this fun challenge any time I possibly can.

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - October Challenge - Anything Goes w/Optional Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice- Entry #1/6 - My "everything nice" always includes coffee.

Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

Be Still w/Creative Worship Stamps

It's been such a tremendous blessing and honor to be a part of the Design Team at Creative Worship Stamps.  There are many times that I still can't believe that they would truly want ME on this team.  I'm surrounded by such incredible talent, and I don't feel at all adequately matched to their level.  But I will say this, I'm blessed and grateful to have this privilege and I enjoy Creative Worship Stamps products SO much.  I pray all the time that God will help me to create art that's worthy of this position, and that will bring honor and glory to Him.  For me, that's what my art is all about.....honoring God and praising Him for any talent I may (or may not) have.  God has blessed me tremendously, and I'm #blessed to design for this amazing company.  This month's NEW Release is absolutely wonderful.

Among the many awesome NEW products this month, I've fallen in LOVE💖with the NEW Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp.  When you receive a padded envelope from Creative Worship Stamps, your products come protected with a piece of thick cardboard (so they won't bend).  Each month, I use this piece of cardboard for a project, and this month, this is that project.  The base is cardboard and the top piece is also cardboard which was cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I stamped that piece using the awesome NEW Snowflake Whumsy Background Stamp in dark brown.  And YES, the die-cuts from Creative Worship Stamps will cut straight through that thick cardboard with great ease.

I used another scrap of the cardboard to make my grungy piece that I cut using one of the smaller pieces in the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I rubbed some paint on it and attached it.  It's topped with images found in the Holly Christmas Stamp Set (holly and berries) as well as the Coffee Talk Stamp Set (coffee mugs).  The sentiment (Be Still) can be found in the gorgeous NEW White as Snow Stamp Set.  And finally, let's talk about those STUNNING snowflakes.  They are SO pretty, and the NEW Delicate Snowflake Die Set includes SIX (6) different styles/sizes of snowflakes.

You'll LOVE💖this NEW Release as much as I do.  The beautiful snowflakes and snowflake background are definitely good choices, and products that I already know will get used a lot.  Creative Worship Stamps always has such amazing products, and I really do hope you'll stop by to check out all their fabulous things.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today, friends.  I'm always grateful for you, for your comments, and for your supportive friendships.  Leave me some love and I'll pop by to say hello to you as well.  Happy crafting.

I'm sharing my caffeinated Christmas card in the following challenges:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge - Challenge #58 October: Anything Goes Caffeinated Christmas. I used products from Creative Worship.  Thanks for another FUN challenge and all the great inspiration.

Keep creating beautiful things.

Blessings,

Karen

Christmas is Coming at Stamp Simply

It's hard to believe it, but Christmas is just around the corner.  When I start thinking about all the sweet Christmas cards I'd like to make, I know that Stamp Simply will make the job much easier.  Stamp Simply carries so many great stamps, dies, papers and more to help us create lovely cards.  And this week, there are THREE (3) great Christmas sets on SALE.  I incorporated two of this week's sale items into the card I'm sharing with you today.

I used basic black cardstock layered with red cardstock and then a piece of yellow patterned paper found in the Craft Consortium Ink Drops Sunset 6x6 Paper Pad.  The black cardstock was stamped in white ink using the Vintage Christmas Background Stamp Set.  I fussy cut this and layered it onto the other papers.  I cut the oval in the center using the Ovals & Twigs Dies.  This is where I stamped my sweet sentiment using the Jesus Stamp Set.  The foliage and berries are also found in the Ovals & Twigs Die Set.  So cute.

The lovely star was stamped onto a scrap of the yellow paper in the Craft Consortium Ink Drops Sunset 6x6 Paper Pad using the Merry Christmas Stamp Set.  I embossed the star with gold embossing powder and cut it with the coordinating Merry Christmas Die.  So many of the stamp sets from Stamp Simply work great on their own as well as when they're combined with other sets.  They're just so sweet and so super versatile.  This card came together quickly and easily featuring these SALE items.

When you're ready to start on your Christmas cards, head on over to Stamp Simply to SAVE on some great products.  You can also find lots of fabulous inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog.  We're always so grateful and blessed to have you stop by to visit.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm linking up this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

Delicate Snowflakes w/ Creative Worship Stamps

This month's fabulous NEW Release from Creative Worship Stamps includes some gorgeous peacock stamps, stencils and dies along with some new Sermon Notes Stamps and some lovely Delicate Snowflake Dies, Snowflake Stencils and a Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp.  Today I'm sharing my first card of the month which features the NEW Delicate Snowflake Dies.  It's always fun to create Wintery cards in unexpected colors, and these new products are so much FUN to use.

I started with Dolphin Gray Cardstock layered with Pink Lemonade Cardstock that I stamped using the fun NEW Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp.  I also used the Typewriter Text Background Stamp to add the words you see in the background.  I embossed the pink background with a glittery embossing powder to give it that wonderful shimmer.

Each of the snowflakes in the NEW Delicate Snowflake Dies comes with an outer cut and a smaller (thinner) snowflake cut.  They can be used either way, but today I layered them and stitched in some white iridescent string.  The sweet sentiment can be found in the NEW White as Snow Stamp Set.  I really love the movement in the Snowflake Whimsy Background Stamp.  It's much prettier in real life, and that's partially because I don't take the best photos.

I've also shared this card on my Instagram Page where I'd love to have you visit and Follow me.  I'm still struggling there and the struggle is real.  If I ever do get to 1,000 Followers, I'll be having a BIG give-away.  Thank you for being a part of my creative journey.  I always appreciate your visits here.  Have a wonderfully creative week, everyone.

I'm playing along in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Blessings,

Karen

 

Love, Joy & Peace w/Creative Worship Stamps

One of the many things I love about Creative Worship Stamps is that you can always find fresh new products that are exciting to use and that honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It's one of my greatest blessings being able to design for Christian companies that are led by Godly Owners like sweet Korin at Creative Worship.  She's always coming up with fabulous new products that allow Christian artists to design with praise and honor to God while using high-quality amazing products.  This month's NEW Release is no exception.  I seriously cannot put it away....it's all SO awesome.

This card has several cardstock layers including Natural White, Gum Drop Green and Smoke Gray.  The top layer was cut from the Natural White using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  I stamped the background using the beautiful Holly Christmas Clear Stamp Set.  I added some pink glitter to the sweet berries from this set to give my background some shimmery goodness and make the card pop.  Next, I stamped my tag using the sweet NEW Winter Collage Tag Stamp Set.  I painted the images and cut the tag using the Tag & More Dies.  I also splattered everything with lots of pretty Tim Holtz Distress Spritz.

The tag is raised up with 3-D Foam Tabs.  I cut several wreaths using the Lovely Wreaths Die Set that I placed underneath and around the tag in cream, green and pink.  I attached some natural jute string to the top of the tag because I wanted to incorporate another, more rustic, texture to my project.  I can't think of anything else, but please let me know if you have any questions.  There's so much great inspiration on the Creative Worship IG Page.  Thanks so much for visiting me today.

I'm sharing here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2629 - Anything Goes

Double D Challenge Blog - Pretty in Pink

Blessings,

Karen

It's Tea Time w/Stamp Simply

If you're a fan of the annual Coffee Loving Cardmakers' Blog Hops, monthly Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenges and special events; I'm sure you're excited for the Fall/Winter Hop.  As always, Stamp Simply is a proud Sponsor for this special event, and they're offering up a $25 store credit.  Just stop by and hop with us leaving comments along the way to be eligible for this awesome prize.  In fact, there are several awesome companies sponsoring this event as always.  I'm sharing my inspiration card using a few of the many fabulous coffee/tea themed products available at Stamp Simply.

My card started with black cardstock that I layered with a piece of patterned paper from the awesome Stamp Simply Coffee or Tea 6x6 Paper Pad.  I used lots of Tim Holtz Oxide Inks to paint pieces of Tim Holtz Watercolor Distress Cardstock.  I also splattered them with cream acrylic paint and splashes of Tim Holtz Distress Spritz.  Then, I cut all my pieces using the Coffee or Tea Die Set for the teacup, its handle, and the tea bag and Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlit Leaf Fragment Dies for all the foliage.  I tied a piece of String to the tea bag to resemble a real tea bag.

I also added the coffee themed words to my teacup using A Cup of Java Stamp Set.  I thought it helped to set apart the teacup from the print background, soften the color on the teacup and blend everything together.  There are so many fabulous Coffee and Tea themed products at Stamp Simply.  We hope that you'll stop by to see what's new and what you just might not be able to live without.  lol

Oh, and here's more good news.  In celebration of National Coffee Day, all our Coffee/Tea themed stamps, dies and patterned papers are ON SALE (20% off) this week.  This is a great time to stock up and save on some of these awesome products.  These basic coffee shaped dies are SO much fun to use and to incorporate with other products.  Stop by Stamp Simply to check out this awesome sale.

Thanks so much for visiting me.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on my Autumn coffee card.  You can find everything you need to recreate this card at Stamp Simply and SO much more.  There's also lots of great inspiration over on the Stamp Simply Blog.  I'm hoping to share this card in a few fun challenges as well.  Have a wonderfully creative week.

Blessings,

Karen

Inking Cardstock w/Poppystamps and CutCardStock

Hello, creative friends, and thanks for stopping by today as I share a card that I created for CutCardStock using a few of their MANY fabulous cardstocks.  Truth be told, I would LOVE to own every single color of cardstock carried at CutCardStock.  Not only because they have every sweet color you can imagine, but also because of the amazing quality I've found in the cardstocks from CutCardStock.  Never before had I actually realized the difference between cards made with basic cardstock and cards made with those of the weight and quality found at CutCardStock until I held them in my hands.  You can honestly FEEL the differences as you hold the papers in your hands.  They're thicker, heavier, sturdier, crisper, and I really can't adequately explain how amazing they truly are.

For this card, I chose DCS Dolphin Gray as my first layer, Pop Tone Pink Lemonade for my second base layer, and a the lovely Lessebo Colors Premium Sweet Mint Cardstock for my top (cut) layer.  I used the Heart Pinpoint Frame Die from Poppystamps to cut that sweet top layer.  To cut my watering can I used a die called Nordic Watering Can (also from Poppystamps).  The colors I used for the watering can include more of the DCS Dolphin Gray, Pop Tone Pink Lemonade and Lessebo Colors Premium Sweet Mint Cardstock as well as some DCS Sea Foam Green Cardstock.  Here's where I get to the part about "Inking Cardstock".  Because not everyone has access to every single color of this high-quality cardstock, I like to make the most of what I do have.  So, when I don't have quite the exact color of cardstock I'd ideally prefer, I can simply ink blend the next darkest shade of whichever color I'm trying to match onto my existing color(s).

For instance, even though you see other colors on my card, these (above) are the only colors of CutCardStock that I used on this card.  I ink blended the Lessebo Colors Premium Sweet Mint Cardstock (top base color) with a darker green for my stems.  The Pop Tone Pink Lemonade was inked with a darker pink for all of the flower parts as well as for the inside color on the sentiment which was cut using the Poppystamps die called Hugs Moonlight Script.  It's mounted on a piece of the DCS Dolphin Gray Cardstock.  Oh, and my small "yellow" center piece on the one flower isn't yellow cardstock at all.  But rather, it's a piece of Heavy Cougar White Cardstock that I ink blended with yellow ink. If you'd like to see more of my ink blending process, you can find it on the CutCardStock Blog.  This is a great place to find lots of great inspiration using the fabulous cardstocks found at CutCardStock.

Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  If you have any questions about CutCardStock, I'm happy to help.  They also have amazing Customer Service that will assist you with anything you might want to know about these fabulous cardstocks.  Have a wonderfully creative week, and happy ink blending.

Blessings,

Karen

A FUN New Challenge at Creative Worship

For those of you who LOVE Creative Worship Stamps as much as I do, you'll be happy to know that they host a monthly Team Takes Challenge every month on Facebook.  This month's challenge theme is Black & White w/One Other Color.  We would be delighted to have you stop by the Creative Worship Stamps Facebook Fan Page to play along in this FUN new challenge with us.  Here's the inspiration card I created for the challenge.

As you see, I used black and white cardstock along with my "other color" which is a jewel tone blue.  I layered these three colors for my card base.  The top layer is white cardstock that I cut using the lovely Stitched Rectangle Dies.  In the center of that piece, I stencilled in Black Soot Ink using the Jumbled Diamonds Stencil.  I stamped over that using the Typewriter Text Background Stamp.  And on top of all of that, I stamped in Hickory Smoke Ink with the NEW Basket Weave Background Stamp.  This created my messy background.

The fish were all stamped using the awesome NEW Loaves & Fishes Stamp Set and were cut with the coordinating Loaves & Fishes Dies.  Underneath the fish, as well as accents at the bottom, you'll see that I added some filmstrips that were cut using the Film Strip Dies.  The center piece was stamped using the Vintage Elements Stamp Set and was cut using another cut from the Stitched Rectangle Dies.  On top of that, I added my sentiment which can be found in the NEW Winter Collage Stamp Set and cut with the Tag & More Dies.  I also added some Iridescent White String that I wrapped around the card under the sentiment.

We would really LOVE to have you come by and play along in this FUN Challenge for your chance to WIN a $25 gift card to spend at Creative Worship Stamps.  In addition, there's another $25 store credit up for grabs on the Challenge Inspiration IG Hop starting today.  There are so many great products in this month's NEW Release and in general, and two ways to WIN.  Be sure to stop by the challenge on Facebook, the IG Inspiration Hop and at Creative Worship Stamps to take a peek at all the wonderful things that await you.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today.

I'm playing along here with this card:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Make Your Own Background" so I did this by stencilling first, then stamping the typewriter text and finally the basket weave background.  

Blessings,

Karen

Grateful w/Stamp Simply Clear Stamps

My apologies for missing my Stamp Simply post last Monday, friends.  Time got away from me, and I simply forgot to post.  It's always a good idea to stop by the Stamp Simply Blog to stay up-to-date on all the specials, sales and promotions.  Each week, we've been featuring a "Product of the Week" and sharing cards using those products.  This week, the Seasonal Wreath Stamp Sets & Dies are on sale.  These are such pretty sets that will take you through the entire year with lovely images and sentiments.

This card base is Cougar White Cardstock layered with several patterned papers from an older Echo Park line called Fall Blessings that I machine stitched to the cardstock.  I roughed up the edges of my sewn papers to give my card some grungy texture.  Finally, I used a journalling card from this Fall Blessings line as the focal piece.  I added a sentiment (Grateful) from the Fall/Winter Seasonal Wreath Stamp Set and I cut it using the Fishtail Banner Dies.

Again, I used the Fall/Winter Seasonal Wreath Stamp Set to stamp the lovely wreath two times.  I cut the wreath with the coordinating Fall/Winter Seasonal Wreath Dies, and I layered them with 3-D Foam Tabs to give more dimension.  Next, using this one same set, I stamped the pretty pumpkin cluster.  I colored it using my Copics, and then I cut it out and placed it on my card below the wreath.  The only other touches I added were a Tim Holtz mini paper clip and one little green sequin.  If I've forgotten to mention any of my supplies, please just let me know.

Thank you so much for your visit here today.  It's always a treat to have you stop by and say hello.  I so love hearing your thoughts about my cards.  This is one that I hope to share in a few challenges.  Hopefully, you're playing along in some fun challenges this week as well.  Be sure to visit Stamp Simply to take advantage of this fabulous SALE.

I'm playing along here:

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #91 - I went with the Anything Goes theme.  This is my Entry #5/6

Craft Rocket Challenge Blog - Challenge #140 - Use Dies - I used lots of die-cuts on this card, and each one is named and linked above for your convenience.

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #322 - Seasonal Colors Where You Live - While I live in the desert of Las Vegas, we're just minutes away from Mt. Charleston.  We visited this week to view the changing leaves.  While they don't come close to the leaves in Minnesota (see above), I chose these colors for my card based on the rustic Autumn colors I saw there.

The Inspiration Station Challenges - September Inspiration Photo - I was drawn to all the beautiful leaves.  Look at all those gorgeous colors God has given us in nature and all around us.

Blessings,

Karen

One Card & Two Layouts w/Poppystamps

It's always so much FUN using the wonderful layered and detailed die-cuts from Poppystamps.  When I take them out and create with them, it's always a good time.  Today I'm sharing a sweet Autumn card that uses just two different sets from Poppystamps.  There are lots of paper layers on this warm and heartfelt card, and because the patterned papers are so busy; I decided to make two versions of this card.  This first one has more of the patterned papers, and the second version is a bit simpler with less of the patterned paper.

For both cards, I used lots of Echo Park's lovely Fall Blessings patterned papers.  I cut each background layer using the Eyelet Frame Dies.  This has become a favorite of mine, and as you can see; I love running some Baker's Twine through the eyelet hoops for added color and texture.  This lovely 6-piece Eyelet Frame Die Set is a great investment because you'll use it time and time again.  Once I had all my background layers in place, the real FUN began.

I used the ADORABLE NEW Nordic Acorn Squirrel Dies to cut that sweet squirrel.  I used more of my patterned papers to cut Mr. Squirrel's cute sweater as well as for all those darling little acorns.  I rubbed the edges of the patterned paper-cut acorns with some distress ink for shading and placed them all around the squirrel.  Like I said, using just two die sets was all it took to create this sweet card.  OK...now I'll share the second, less busy version of this card.

For this second version, I removed one of the patterned papers and replaced it with a larger piece of the ivory cardstock that I cut, once again, using the Eyelet Frame Dies.  I almost forgot to mention that on both cards, I splattered everything with a bit of Spiced Marmalade and Peeled Paint Distress Spritz.  This gives your cards another pop of color and pizzazz.  This version is basically the same card other than that I changed the background layers, and I changed the sweater on the squirrel.

Which version of this card is your favorite?  My husband thinks the first version is way too busy.  I think I kinda like all those pretty papers and colors.  Those who know me best are well aware of my need to layer it on...and then some.  As I've mentioned many times, layering paper is one of my favorite things to do when cardmaking.  It's always fun to make a second version of a card just to showcase the products differently.

Using the dies from Poppystamps really is SO FUN and SO EASY.  You simply cut the layers and place them where they go using your favorite glue or adhesive.  Some of our Poppystamps Designers make very simple cards, and some go crazy like me.😲  The point is that with Poppystamps products, it's always fun and easy.  I really do hope that you'll stop by to take a look around at all the wonderful dies at Poppystamps that will help you create something wonderful.  They also have a really FUN Monthly Challenge where you can WIN a $20 store credit.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit me here today.  It's always a treat to have you stop by to take a quick peek at my art, and I appreciate it more than I can possibly express to you.  Let me know what you think about these cards I've shared today.  Your opinions are always appreciated and valued.  Have a wonderfully creative week, sweet friends.

I'm playing along here:

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #91 - I went with the Anything Goes theme.  This is my Entry #6/6

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #322 - Seasonal Colors Where You Live - I live in the desert known as Las Vegas, but we live just minutes away from Mt. Charleston.  We visited this week to view the changing leaves.  While they don't come close to the leaves in Minnesota (see above), I chose these colors for my card based on the rustic Autumn colors I saw there.  I also saw several squirrels on our trip to the mountain, and they are SO cute.

Craft Rocket Challenge Blog - Challenge #140 - Use Dies - I used lots of die-cuts on this card, and they're all mentioned and linked above.

Blessings,

Karen

Coffee Loving Cardmakers' Caffeinated Christmas Challenge

It's always a great day when I can create a couple of cards just for fun.  I have so much old Crate Paper product sitting in bins in my craft room.  So, when I do get the opportunity to pull it out and create with it; I like to do so.  The fun coffee and cocoa images are perfect to use with these sweet products.  For this card, I used some Crate Paper Peppermint patterned papers and chipboard pieces.  These wonderfully warm papers and products are so easy to use, and I always enjoy creating with them.

I machine stitched my top patterned paper to the card base.  Next, I used the Stitched Scalloped Notebook Dies from The Greetery to cut the woodgrain piece of patterned paper.  I placed the Crate Paper chipboard cocoa piece on top of that and adored it with some trims from this old Peppermint Crate Paper line for added texture and color.  The sentiment (ticket), lollipop and peppermint candy chipboard pieces are also from the Peppermint line.  There's no actual stamping on this card, but it was still a lot of fun to make.

Playing along in these challenges is something I wish I could do far more often.  Hopefully, you've been finding some great challenges where you can share your art as well.  I'd love to suggest the Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenges as well as the FUN challenges at Word Art Wednesday.  It's awesome seeing all your wonderful art out there in blogland and on social media.

Thanks so much for stopping by today for a peek at my caffeinated Christmas card.  Below you'll find all the links to these FUN challenges where I'm sharing my art and playing along.  I can't wait to see YOU out there sharing your art, too.  Happy crafting, everyone.

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge #57 - September - I'm always thrilled to play along in this FUN challenge whenever I possibly can. 

Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #91 - Anything Goes w/Optional Sketch

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Add Some Texture - My textures come in the way of several paper layers as well as chipboard pieces and multiple trims.

Blessings,

Karen

Recycling/Repurposing w/CutCardStock

When it comes to any crafting project, I think it's fair to say that it really all starts with cardstock.  Right?  Our card bases are almost always cardstock, and we also incorporate cardstock into many (most) of our projects.  The quality of that cardstock really does matter.  When I first began crafting and cardmaking, I would just purchase whatever cardstock I could find.  I'd get it from WalMart, Hobby Lobby or one of those stores.  Then, we all fell in love with our local scrapbook store(s) where I'd purchase countless pieces of Bazzill.  I don't know about you all, but my local scrapbook stores are all gone now.  So, when I was introduced to CutCardStock, it was an immediate love affair.  Quality, color choices, various weights, textures and every single cardstock I've purchased so far is of the highest quality.  It truly makes a difference when you hold a CutCardStock card in your hand as compared to a flimsy store-bought cardstock.

Today I'm sharing a Recycling/Repurposing project with you.  But again, I knew that by using cardstocks from CutCardStock, I would have a quality project that will last over the test of time.  And in this case, being pulled in and out over and over again.  This cardstock can handle it......because it's awesome.  I started with some old Maya Road packaging items. You simply pull out the back piece of printed packaging cardboard, trace it onto a piece of CutCardStock, cut it, and slide it right back in the place of that old packaging.  I also put a package of Tic-Tacs into the open space where my product once was.  It's a great way to Recycle/Repurpose.  Complete details can be found on the CutCardStock Blog.

For the backs of these projects, I used DCS Cougar White Cardstock that I inked to match the colors of the flowers on both projects. If you'd like, you can see photos of my process on the CutCardStock Blog.  Once I had my back pieces cut, I was able to get to the really FUN part which is decorating the repurposed project.  For the first one, I used Red Habanero, Lessebo Brick Orange, DCS Yellow Jacket, and for the leaves, I used Pop Tone Jelly Bean Green and Pop Tone Gum Drop Green Cardstock.  I simply attached a length of bundled twine at the top, and then placed the flowers and leaves where I thought they looked nice.

For my second one, I followed the exact same process.  Instead of the bright colors, I used softer tones including some Pop Tone Pink Lemonade Cardstock, Pop Tone Grapesicle, more of the DCS Cougar White Cardstock and DCS Plum Cardstock.  No matter which colors of CutCardStock I use, I can always count on the high quality I've come to love and expect from CutCardStock.  It truly is FABULOUS.  There are so many lovely colors, weights, textures and choices of cardstock at CutCardStock along with envelopes, adhesives and much more.  Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek at my little recycling/repurposing projects today.  It's always a treat to have you visit and leave me some feedback.  Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen