Life Is Delicious w/Brutus Monroe

Well, believe it or not, this is my last post for Brutus Monroe.  I've been on their Inspiration Box Design Team for the past six months; and this is the end.  I trust that God has great new things ahead for me, so I'm not sad about stepping down from this team.  But in the meantime.....just look at this CUTE card that I made using the new Sugar & Spice Inspiration Box.  I also used a brand new Brutus Monroe Embossing Powder on the background.

Each Inspiration Box contains several sheets of various colored cardstocks, so I used the black cardstock for my base.  My second layer was a piece of white cardstock that I stamped and embossed with a brand new golden Embossing Powder from Brutus Monroe.  It has a cool shimmer to it, so I'm trying to get you a photo at an angle where you see the glimmer it gives your card.  Kinda like a like glitter dusting, only it's inside the embossing powder.  Really cool!

So after I embossed the background, I rubbed various yellow/gold Tim Holtz Oxide Inks onto the background to create an ombre effect.  Since I had this cool golden background, I stamped the cake three times, colored it in yellow/gold Copic colors, added some glitter to the frosting, and used the coordinating die-cuts to cut the cakes.  I placed some on 3-D Foam Tape to raise them, and adhered them to the card.  I used a sentiment strip to create the cute sentiment "Life Is Delicious" at the top.

The little hearts and dots are also found in the Sugar & Spice Stamp and Die Set included in this Inspiration Box.  The cute small accent stamps are super fun to fill in bare spaces as I did here.  I also added a red bow using the silky ribbon found in the Inspiration Box, as well as a few sequins.  I don't think there's any possible way you could go wrong with this DARLING Inspiration Box.  Everything I've created is super cute just because these stamps, dies and goodies are SO super cute.

Thanks again for stopping by to take a peek at my final card for Brutus Monroe.  If you ever lose your mojo, just remember the Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe.  It's a sure way to spark your creativity.  Happy crafting, everyone!

Blessings,

karen

I'm playing along in this FUN PARTY challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - Simon Says It's A PARTY

What's Cooking? w/Brutus Monroe

I always love and appreciate when someone shares a good recipe.  In fact, if you have a family favorite; please send it my way.  It's always FUN trying a new recipe.  Right?  Well, the new Sugar & Spice Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe will help you create some adorable recipe cards so that you can share your favorite recipes with friends.  Next time you're sending someone a card, why not tuck in a recipe?  The adorable new Sugar & Spice Stamp Set will help you decorate your recipe cards so sweetly.  I decided to use plain old ordinary white recipe cards.  The reason why I made this decision is because I figure that if I used some of my specialty recipe cards (Bo Bunny, specialty from Etsy, etc.) you might not be able to find them, and that wouldn't be fair.  Right?  So, I used the very ordinary white recipe cards for this easy project.  It's also a very inexpensive "gift" to tuck inside a card.

All the images in the Sugar & Spice Stamp Set are so cute.  They're all kitchen or food themed, obviously.  There aren't a lot of great sentiments (in my opinion) in this set; but.....there are oodles of sentiments strips included in the Sugar & Spice Inspiration Box.  In fact, each Inspiration Box contains sentiments strips, and they expand your sentiment choices exponentially.  I actually shared a card last week where I used one sentiment strip, and cut and pieced words from others.  Like I said, you can make a vast variety of sentiments using the goodies in each Inspiration Box.

Each recipe card has a bit of Tim Holtz Oxide Ink rubbed on it somewhere.  I also placed at least one image (more) on each recipe card.  Some are stamped directly onto the recipe card and others were stamped and cut with the coordinating dies and then taped securely to the recipe cards.  I love not only the darling bigger images in this Sugar & Spice Stamp Set; but also the darling little stamps included such as the hearts and dots, flowers, sprig, etc.).  These smaller accent stamps are great for creating backgrounds or for using as accents as I did here.

The one recipe card uses the vintage scale, rolling pin, and apple images.  The second recipe card I put together showcases the DELICIOUS cake on stand as well as the hearts and dots, and the third card showcases the sack.  The front is actually blank and there are several choices as to what you can place in the little sentiment box.  I used the "Sugar" sentiment stamp.  I had contemplated using the cute sprig, and now I wish I had.  It would have given it a softness it's missing.  Oh well, next time I suppose.

There's really not anything else here to mention (that I can think of), but if you should happen to have any questions, I don't mind at all.  Brutus Monroe has LOTS of great stamps, dies, inks, stencils, and pretty much anything you can think of using.  I was part of the Inspiration Box Design Team for Brutus Monroe, so I've been working strictly (90%) with the Inspiration Boxes.  Next Wednesday will be my last post for Brutus Monroe as my GDT term will be over.  I can honestly say that they really do have great products and wonderful Customer Service.  They're good group of peeps and a great company.  Thanks for stopping by everyone.  Have a wonderfully creative week and please stop by again soon.  I always appreciate your visits and comments.

Blessings,

karen

The Secret Ingredient is LOVE

It's time for another fun Brutus Monroe blog post; and today I'm sharing a really sweet card I created using the new Inspiration Box.  This  month's box is SO sweet.  It's filled with the "usual items" such as cardstocks, ribbons, sequins, patterned papers, sentiment strips, and the most ADORABLE stamps and dies you can imagine.  I've been having SO much fun with this Inspiration Box.  Here's what I made to share with you today.

I started with black cardstock, and then I added the pretty pastel pink cardstock from the Inspiration Box and I inked it a bit.  I used several colors of Tim Holtz Oxide Inks on my card.  I machine stitched in red along the edges of the pink cardstock.  The sentiments (The secret ingredients is Love, Love, Love) are found on the sentiment strips in the Inspiration Box.

ALL the adorable images you see on my card (the apron, the fork, spoon, cake, eggs, rolling pin and hearts can be found in the Stamp Set included in the Inspiration Box.  The coordinating die-cuts are also included, and I used them to cut all the images I placed on my card.  I stamped an extra pocket, colored it, and raised it up with 3-D Foam Tape so that I could "tuck in" the fork and spoon.

Purchasing an Inspiration Box is like getting your "mojo" in a box.  As soon as you open up a new Inspiration Box, the creativity and ideas start flowing quickly through your mind.  There's just SO much creative potential waiting for you in every Inspiration Box.  I hope you'll stop by Brutus Monroe to check out ALL their wonderful products.  Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week!

Blessings,

Karen

What's Cookin' With Brutus Monroe

Hello, creative friends!  I've got a real treat for you today as I share another cute card I created for Brutus Monroe using their ADORABLE new Sugar & Spice Inspiration Box.  I am so in love with this stamp and die set that I can't leave them alone.  CUTENESS overload.  This is my favorite stamp set so far from an Inspiration Box.  I mean, I've enjoyed them all; and they're all cute, but this set is just SO me.  I'm having loads of fun creation with this Sugar & Spice Inspiration Box.

Come on, right?!?  How CUTE is this?  I started with black cardstock and then white cardstock.  I stamped my red plaid and turquoise/teal circles to create the background.  Then, I added a small white kitchen doily.  I stamped the apron, cup of coffee and rolling pin and I colored them with my Copics.  I used the coordinating Sugar & Spice Die Cuts (also in this Inspiration Box) to die-cut the images and then I placed them carefully onto my card.

I stamped the sentiment and heart using the Sugar & Spice Stamp Set, and I free cut the sentiment piece.  This Sugar & Spice Stamp Set is going to be super handy for creating gift tags, recipe cards, and when giving food gifts.  It will just make the most darling little cards, tags and projects.  Every Inspiration Box is filled with products to help you create lots of great cards and projects.  It's a box of creativity and FUN just waiting for YOU to open it.  Why not treat yourself to an Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe today?  And Again.....Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek at what I've been "cooking up" here on my blog.  I always appreciate you stopping by to say hello and take a peek.

Have a blessed and creative week, everyone.

Karen

P.S.  I'm playing along here:

Coffee Loving Cardmakers' Blog - Caffeine Fueled Paper Play - I used stamps from Super Sponsor, Paper Sweeties

Getting Kitchy With Brutus Monroe

Let me just say.....I'm absolutely LOVING the new Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe.  It has some of the cutest kitchen images I've ever seen.  I love the rolling pin, the mixer, the scale, the bowls, and   .  Not to mention that, as always, this Inspiration Box contains cardstocks, glimmer paper, foiling and sentiment sheets, ribbons, sequins, the stamps, die-cuts and more.  It's a box full of creativity just waiting for you to "cook up" something super cute.

I started this card with the black cardstock and added some Bo Bunny patterned papers and stickers.  I used Tim Holtz Oxide Ink to blend my misty green background.  I topped that with a journalling card and some more stickers from the Bo Bunny line.  The adorable scale and flower cluster at the bottom of the card are stamped images from the Stamp Set included in this Inspiration Box.  I used the coordinating die-cuts to cut the flowers and scale.

I placed some of the pretty Sequin Mix on this card.  You may also notice a tag sticking out from behind my card.  I placed a hidden glassing envelope behind the patterned paper so that I could tuck in a cute tag (and perhaps a gift card, a favorite recipe, a note, photo, etc.) and I used the Stamp Set to also decorate this tag.  It's tied with Solid Black Baker's Twine.  Y'all know me...I love to layer papers so there's a lot going on here between all the patterned papers, stickers, stamped images and everything else.  What a DARLING stamp set.  I know I'll be using this one quite a bit.  It's SO perfect for making your own recipe cards and gifts.  Imagine a cute stamped tag on some homemade jam or soup.  There are endless great ideas for using this extra sweet Inspiration Box.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I say it all the time, but it's so true.....I always appreciate your visits and comments more than you could possibly know.  Please don't ever hesitate if you have any questions about any of the things I've used.  If you're not already "Following Me", please do so now and I will return the favor.  Just let me know.  I appreciate you all SO much.

Blessings,

karen

I'm playing along here in this FUN challenge:

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge Blog - Challenge #533 - Cream, White, Red.  I also have a lot of kitchy green.

You're PAW-sitively The Best

If you haven't yet checked out the awesome Inspiration Boxes from Brutus Monroe, you'll want to take a look.  Each month, Brutus Monroe comes out with a new Inspiration Box with a fun theme and this month it's Four Legged Friends.  How much FUN is that?   We all either have our own four-legged friends, or we know someone who does.  Pets are just such a wonderful part of our lives; and the Four Legged Friends Inspiration Box celebrates those special furry friends of ours.

I made a slimline card to share today by using the silver shiny cardstock found in the Four Legged Friends Inspiration Box as my base; and the white cardstock from the box on the rest of the card.  There are always cardstocks in each Inspiration Box to help you with the basics of card-making.  I used one of the foiling pages/sentiment pages from the Inspiration Box for my sentiment.

I stamped and die-cut the dog, cat, bone, yarn ball and wind-up mouse using the Stamp Set found in the Four Legged Friends Inspiration Box.  I also added a few of the Sequins found in the Sequin Mix included in each Inspiration Box.  I added some pink baker's twine as my finishing touch.  Everything you need to create Four-Legged FUN can be found in this Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe.  Why not stop by and check out ALL there is waiting for you Brutus Monroe.

Thanks again for stopping by today.  Next Wednesday, I'll be sharing some inspiration using the new December Inspiration Box.  I do hope you'll stop back by to check out what's next from Brutus Monroe.  Have a wonderfully creative week, friends.

Blessings,

Karen

Here's where I'm linking up and playing along.  I enjoy these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says ANYTHING GOES

Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge Blog - Challenge #72 - Anything Goes - I used a puppy (forgive me) as well as a darling kitty cat.  SO cute.  They're PAWsitively the best!

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2147 - Anything Goes - Sponsored by the wonderful Lawn Fawn.

I Believe In You w/Brutus Monroe

Have you check out the Inspiration Boxes yet from Brutus Monroe?  If you're a crafter who sometimes needs a little bit of "motivation and inspiration in a box", then the Inspiration Box is a great choice for you. Each Inspiration Box has a theme, and contains stamps, dies, papers, sequins and ribbons (among other things) to coordinate nicely with the theme of the box.  During the Month of November, the Inspiration Box is called Four Legged Friends, and it's filled with FUN.

I used some of the awesome cardstock from the Four Legged Friends Inspiration Box to create my card base, and I added some patterned paper to my design.  How CUTE is that little wind-up mouse image?  I used Hickory Smoke Tim Holtz Oxide Ink to stamp it on the background.  Next, I rubbed Spun Sugar Oxide Ink on the background and covered it with a spot of patterned paper.

The images in the Four Legged Friends Stamp Set are adorable.  To be perfectly honest, I am NOT a cat lover.  And yet, I adore these sweet images.  I have lots of cat-loving friends/family members and four-legged friends in general.   We all do.  That's why the Four Legged Friends Inspiration Box is such a fun one to own.  Who wouldn't love to get a pick-me-up like this in the mail?  Brutus Monroe can help YOU get creative.

All the images in this set are SO cute.  I used a small Maya Road fabric tag to give some extra dimension.  On top of that, I placed a sweet cream bow using the beautiful ribbon assortment found in the Inspiration Box.  I also stamped and die-cut the cute yarn balls and wind-up mouse that I added.  The sentiment is from the Unique Unicorn Inspiration Box stamp set.  Let me know if you have any other questions, and I'll hope to see you here again soon.

Blessings,

Karen

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Make Your Own Background" - I used Tim Holtz Oxide Ink Spun Sugar on my background, and then I stamped the mice in Hickory Smoke Oxide Ink to create my fun background.

Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge Blog - Challenge #72 - Furrything Goes - These CUTE images (the cat, the mouse, everything) is from Brutus Monroe.

Stay Paw-Sitive With Brutus Monroe

I sure hope you're all staying PAW-sitive these days.  Life can get discouraging when you start listening to the media and all that's going on around us.  Just remember that God is always in complete control.  So, as long as you're right with Him, you have nothing to fear.  Praise God!  Anyway, the card I'm sharing today using the November Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe is called Four Legged Friends; and it contains an adorable stamp/die set (among lots of other great crafting goodies) with the cutest cats, dogs, images and sentiments.  We all have friends (including ourselves) who LOVE our four-legged friends, and this Inspiration Box helps you create cards to encourage your friends and family members who adore their furry friends.

I started with some of the black cardstock found in the Inspiration Box and I attached one of the foiling sheets (paw prints) to the cardstocks.  Next, I used a piece of white watercolor paper and some Tix Holtz Oxide Ink to create an ink brushed background with a splattered effect.  I used the Stamp Set from the Four Legged Friends Inspiration Box to stamp the sentiment, the dogs, the bones, bowl and food images.  I used 3-D Foam Tape to raise up some of the images.

I also used some of the pretty silk ribbons found in the Inspiration Box and ran two lengths of the silver ribbon across my card just underneath the stamped area.  The pretty ribbon gives my card extra dimension, texture and color; and you'll find a 3-color ribbon assortment in each Inspiration Box.  I like trying to use several of the products you'll find in each Inspiration Box so that you can see ALL the creative potential.

Before I run off, I'd like to share one more card that I created using the Four Legged Friends Inspiration Box along with a special edition Brutus Monroe embossing powder.  There is a cool mix of white and brown in this COOL embossing powder, so it gives a "shaggy" or furry look sorta like cat/dog fur.  I used it on the word LOVE in the sentiment.  The sentiment and images are from the Stamp Set found in the Inspiration Box.  I also created a matching envelope for this card using another dog image from the included stamp set.

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek at my card today.  I'll be sharing another Brutus Monroe card next Wednesday again using the November Inspiration Box called Four Legged Friends.  Please let me know if you have any questions, and have a great week.

Blessings,

Karen

Brutus Monroe November Inspiration Box

Do you have a four-legged friend?  A dog or cat?  Well, as so many of us have and love our four-legged friends - I think it's about high time we celebrate them.  The new Four-Legged Friends Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe is FILLED with stamps, dies, sequins, ribbons, foiling sheets, cardstocks and more that will help us celebrate our furry friends.  I'm not a cat lover (just being honest), and yet, I do enjoy making "cat cards" for my friends who do love cats.  This new stamp set is the perfect combination of both dogs and cats.

For this card, I started with some of the lovely cardstocks found in the Four-Legged Friends Inspiration Box and used them to create my card base.  I used one of the foiling sheets from the Inspiration Box as sort of a patterned paper.  Then, I used a piece of watercolor paper to ink and stamp a quick background using some Tim Holtz Oxide Inks.

I used the Stamp Set found in the Four-Legged Friends Inspiration Box to stamp all the images and the sentiment.  These cute images make it so easy to create a cute card, and we all have friends who LOVE their four-legged friends.  I know how much joy our sweet Belle (Miniature Schnauzer) brings to our lives, and I'm guessing you know someone who feels the same way.  This is a great Inspiration Box to create cards for all your pet loving friends.

As I mentioned, there are multiple cats and multiple dogs (images) in this sweet new Stamp Set.  So, I used one cat image on the card and I used another image on the envelope.  As I envision it, this stressed out cat (on the card) has actually fallen over as seen on the envelope.  It tells a little story, and then reminds its recipient to STAY Paws-itive.  How cute is that?

I'll be back again next Wednesday with another card created using the new Four-Legged Friends Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe.  You can find lots of great products at Brutus Monroe.  You'd be surprised to see ALL that they carry.  Thanks for visiting me, and please stop by again soon.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Thinking of You - This card is for a friend who needs some encouragement, so I used the sentiment "Stay Paws-itive".

Leaves Are Falling With Brutus Monroe

Well, here we are at the end of October already.  That went by SO quickly, didn't it?  Wow, I'm quickly realizing that Thanksgiving and Christmas are literally right around the corner.  Well, I've been getting in the Harvest spirit lately by using the new Harvest Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe.  This warm and welcoming new set is perfect for the season.

This card started with some of the cardstock from the Inspiration Box as well as a piece of the printed paper from the box.  I used those along with a small strip of the orange glitter paper and some green glitter paper from another Inspiration Box to run across my card - since this box does not include a ribbon assortment.  I stamped and die-cut the GORGEOUS leaves with Tim Holtz Oxide Inks and colored them with my Copics.  I wanted the leaves to be "falling" because the sentiment says "leaves are falling, Autum is calling"....so I made the leaves fall on the cute scarecrows.

As I like to do, I did some black machine stitching around the outer edge of my card.  The sentiment is stamped on a scrap of the paper I used for the background which is also included in the Inspiration Box.  Everything you see here on my card is included in the Harvest Inspiration Box, so you could literally make this exact card.  I love this time of year, and the Harvest Inspiration Box really celebrates everything Autumn.  The "boy" scarecrow is raised up with 3-D Foam Tape.

By the way.....there's a FUN challenge waiting for you all over at Word Art Wednesday.  This time, we are sponsored by the AWESOME Erin Lee Creative.  You won't want to miss out on this Anything Goes/Family Friendly Challenge where you can share your art, get some encouragement and inspiration, and play along to win awesome prizes.  Please come play along with us at Word Art Wednesday.  Here's a peek at my card using the free digital scripture image and lots of products from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

Thank you once again for stopping by today.  I always appreciate your visits and comments; and I look forward to visiting your blog as well.  If you're not yet a "Follower" on my blog, I'd really appreciate having you Follow me.  I'd be more than happy to "Follow" you back.  Just leave me a message so I can find you.  I love making new blog friends.  Again, thanks for visiting.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along here:

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Halloween (first card)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (top card)

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Thinking of You (bottom/scripture card)

Brutus Monroe Harvest Inspiration

Hello again, my dear blog friends.  Words will never express to you how much I appreciate your visits and comments.  I've been having fun creating cards with the Brutus Monroe Inspiration Boxes.  I challenge myself to use as little of my own "stuff" as possible, and to really use ALL the products in the Inspiration Boxes to showcase everything.  I also try to keep my cards fairly simple so that all crafters can realize their potential.  Sometimes inspiration comes in a BOX.  You just never know.

This card started with a black cardstock base.  Each Inspiration Box has cardstock included in it, and that's really helpful.  First, I attached a piece of the glimmery orange paper from the Inspiration Box, and then used a piece of the creamy yellowish ivory cardstock from the Inspiration Box to stencil a background.  I stenciled my background using various yellows and oranges of Tim Holtz Oxide Inks.  Next, I machine stitched that piece to the other papers.  I added another strip of the glimmery orange paper across the middle, and placed pieces of woodgrain washi tape here and there.

I stamped the cute scarecrow, pumpkin, and Pumpkin Patch sign using the darling new Harvest Stamp Set found inside the Harvest Inspiration Box.  I colored my images with Copics, and used the coordinating Harvest Dies to cut out the images.  I used some 3-D Foam Tape to give my scarecrow some extra dimension.  This Inspiration Box does NOT include a packet of sequins, so I used a few of the sequins from some of my older Inspiration Boxes.  I think that covers it; but feel free to ask any questions if I forgot something.  I really appreciate your visit today.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along in these FUN challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Spooky/Halloween

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Halloween

Brutus Monroe Falling For You

I've been so blessed to design for Brutus Monroe for the past several months showcasing their FUN Inspiration Boxes.  I don't have much longer to go on this Guest Design position, but I'm sure having fun while I'm still promoting these awesome Today I'm sharing a card that was created using the new October Harvest Inspiration Box.  The stamps/dies are, obviously, Harvest themed.  There are loads of cute images including two cute scarecrows, many different leaves, pumpkins, sentiments and more.

I used some of the cardstocks and created a base.  The glitter paper in this Inspiration Box is orange (which I used on another card); so I borrowed the green glitter paper from the Splish Splash Inspiration Box.  I did some machine stitching as I added a piece of white water color paper that I stamped/spritzed the entire background using various colors of Tim Holtz Oxide Inks and ALL the different leaf stamps in this stamp set.  I spritzed the stamps just a bit to give a watery/smudged look.

The sentiment (Falling For You) is also from the stamp set included in the Harvest Inspiration Box.  I stamped that onto a journalling strip, and stamped two of the leaves from the stamp set on the sentiment strip.  I used some 3-D Foam Tape to raise up the sentiment.  I added the black thread machine stitching to pull out the black cardstock base.  The glitter paper (there's always one sheet of colored glitter paper in an Inspiration Box) really sparkles and makes your card shiny and pretty.  The script stamp that I used on my background is from a Brutus Monroe set I was sent for the Fall/Winter Release.  Some of you may remember my mushroom card...??  Well, this script stamp is found in the stamp set containing the groovy mushroom I used on my mushroom card.  It's called Fall Changes.

I kept everything fairly simple so that those pretty leaf stamps would be the star of this card.  Well, that and the pretty sentiment.  This Inspiration Box has lots of creative potential, and it's always a great way to get your creativity rolling again.  Brutus Monroe carries their own brand of stamps, dies, inks, stencils and so much more.  They also carry many of our favorite big name brands.  Whether it's for an Inspiration Box or anything else, Brutus Monroe is a great place to "get your craft on", my friends.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll stop by again soon.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Fall Colors/Mood Board

Unicorn Fun With Brutus Monroe

It's Wednesday already, and that means I'm posting again for Brutus Monroe.  This time I'm featuring the Unique Unicorn Inspiration Box, and I've sure been having fun making cards with this whimsical assortment of stamps, dies and accessories.  Every Inspiration Box has the same basic items (give or take) which includes a stamp/die set (in this case, Unique Unicorn theme), cardstocks, glitter paper, a ribbon assortment, a Sequin Mix, blank note cards, foiling/background sheets, and one other product which varies.

For this card, I started with some of the cardstocks (black and turquoise) and I added a piece of one of the foiling sheets.  It's already iridescent, so I didn't foil or ink it at all.  It's still really pretty and shimmery.  I ran a piece of the turquoise silk ribbon across my card and tied a pretty bow with it.  I also attached several sequins from the Sequin Mix found in this Inspiration Box.

The darling unicorn, sunshine and sentiment are all found in the Unique Unicorn Stamp Set; which is found in the Inspiration Box.  The Inspiration Boxes are a great value considering the stamp and die set alone would cost more than the entire Inspiration Box.  And, as I've shown you with the cards I've shared; the Inspiration Boxes make it very easy to create cute cards.  Just start with a card, add some of the cardstock or glitter paper, stamp some images, and.....you're well on your way.

To showcase the versatility of this Inspiration Box, I used it to create one year-round card.  Don't get the impression that the theme of a box is limited only to those images and sentiments.  Brutus Monroe designed these Inspiration Boxes to be used all year long by including various images and sentiments.  For this next card, I used the balloon image three times; and I watercolored each one; placing them onto a white background that I also watercolored.  The sentiments and balloon image are all included in the Unique Unicorn Stamp Set/Dies - which are all in this Inspiration Box.

I used some cardstocks from the Inspiration Box along with one patterned paper from my stash.  I did a bit of machine stitching, and I inked the edges.  The Tim Holtz Oxide Inks I used on this card include Spun Sugar and Salvaged Patina.  I really wanted to show you how EASY it is to create a simple, cute card.  The Inspiration Box always holds loads of creative potential.

This last card I created uses the brand new Inspiration Box, and let me say....it's amazing.  I used the large pumpkins image from the stamp set and embossed in gold.  I did some water coloring to my background.  Not my best work, but....it was fun.

All these cute images make your cards and projects speak happiness and FUN.  Receiving an Inspiration Box  is such a great way to spark (or sometimes "re-spark") your creativity.  When you open your first Inspiration Box, endless ideas just start flowing out and you can't help but create FUN cards and projects because these products make it SO easy.  I've tried to keep all my cards super simple so that every crafter can realize how easy it is to create something new.  Brutus Monroe carries LOTS of great products to help you expand your creativity.  Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Karen

I'm entering my card(s) in the following:

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere - I used a Brutus Monroe stamp set and I used watercolors to paint the image.

Brutus Monroe's New Unique Unicorn

WOW, try saying that three times fast.  (lol)  I've been having SO much fun with the brand new Unique Unicorn Inspiration Box from Brutus Monroe; and I really think you're going to LOVE this great new Inspiration Box.  When I opened the new Unique Unicorn Inspiration Box, I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous colors in the Sequin Mix.  They're iridescent pinks, blues and purples with tiny specks of glitter.  There's also a package of pretty silk ribbons in yellow, blue and purple.

I wanted to use it ALL....but I had to start somewhere.  I used some of the colored cardstocks also found in this fabulous Inspiration Box to create my card base.  Then, I attached a piece of one of the pretty iridescent foiling sheets to that, and I machine stitched everything together.  I ran a piece of the pretty purple silk ribbon across my card and tied a bow with it.  I stamped and colored one of the unicorns and the butterfly found in the darling new Unique Unicorn Stamp Set; and added a touch of glitter to each.  The sentiment (I believe in you) is also from the Unique Unicorn Stamp Set. The finishing touches were made by adding several of the pretty sequins from the Inspiration Box.

There are so many great products in this new Unique Unicorn Inspiration Box, and I know I'll have a FUN time creating more cards using it.  Be sure to stop by each Wednesday as I reveal my inspirational cards and projects using this awesome new Inspiration Box.  Brutus Monroe has all sorts of great products, and I hope you will check them out so that you can create something really awesome.  Thanks SO much for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Karen

New Release Stamps at Brutus Monroe

As most of you probably already know, I joined the Brutus Monroe Design Team back in June.  I've been having SO much fun creating with their awesome Inspiration Boxes.  Well, today I'm sharing something a little bit different.  I was asked by my friends at Brutus Monroe if I'd be interested in working with some new stamps they're releasing this fall.  Of course, I knew right away that I'd enjoy creating a few cards with their awesome stamps from this new release; so I said yes.  When I first received these stamps, I wasn't quite sure what I create with them.  I had to put on my creative thinking cap.

I was sent four (4) different stamps from this new release at Brutus Monroe.  One was a long (12-inch approximately) tree line stamp, one was Christmas ornaments, one was a mushroom image and script stamp, and the last was the gift packages stamp that you see above.  For this card, I used a black cardstock base layered with a white cardstock base and a plaid patterned paper.  This gifts/packages stamp is the real STAR of this card.  You could actually use this stamp year-round - either as a Christmas card (as above) or as a Birthday card.  I kept my card simple just to show you how EASY it is to create a cute card using this stamp.  It's all one stamp (the gifts), so.....POOF, super easy to create.  I tied on some Solid Red Baker's Twine, added a small chipboard (love) sentiment, and....finished!

Out of these four adorable stamps I was sent, the mushroom was probably my favorite.  I used a black cardstock base and then layered several scraps (or snippets) of patterned papers.  I used the masking technique to add the script.  If you're not familiar with the masking technique, it's simply where you cover one image (in this case, the mushroom) with a piece of paper in that shape to protect it from getting any ink on it.  Once the mask was placed on the mushroom, I stamped the script over it.  Finally, I stamped the sentiment on a journalling sticker, and I stamped the acorns in this sweet set to use as little accents.  Some inking with Tim Holtz Oxide Inks always seems to be the perfect touch.

My third card uses the ornaments stamp set with Ho Ho Ho sentiment from the Fall New Release at Brutus Monroe.  I had SO much fun making this one.  I used white and red layered cardstocks for my base, and I cut the area where I stamped using a die-cut and more white cardstock.  I stamped all those darling little ornaments using various Tim Holtz Oxide Inks.  I wrapped some Solid Yellow Baker's Twine around my card, and that was it.  Brutus Monroe makes it so easy to stamp cute cards.

This last card uses the Ho Ho Ho sentiment once again, and also uses the (very long - 12 in. approx.) tree line stamp from the New Fall Release at Brutus Monroe.  This stamp didn't completely fit into my Mini Misti, but it still works with it.  So, what you see here is only a portion of the stamp.  I placed some Moon Dust Stickles underneath the sentiment.  The trees are colored with my Copics.  These new stamp from Brutus Monroe make stamping a cute card SO easy.  Be sure to check out all the fun new stamps at Brutus Monroe. Thanks for visiting me today, and have a creative week.

Blessings,

Karen

Here are the fun challenges where I'm playing along:

Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Challenge #411 in Ruby's Memory - I'm entering my mushroom card (above) because (as you can see) I used several different snippets of patterned papers to create the background.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Sparkle & Shine" - I've entered my bottom card with the tree line.  I used Stickles to add sparkle underneath my HO HO HO sentiment.