Spring Gardens at The Card Concept

Welcome by today, creative friends! Are you ready for another GREAT challenge? Well, if you're creating anything that says Spring, we want you to share it with us at The Card Concept. There's a lovely inspiration photo to give you a starting point, but you're free to create ANYTHING that means Spring to you; and we can't wait to see what you will share with us over at The Card Concept Challenge. My talented teammates have created some gorgeous inspirations as well. Here's the inspiration photo that was my initial inspiration. What does it say to you? 

The colors are interesting together. A mauvy pink, a sky blue, a fern green and a taupe tan.... ish assortment. I wasn't quite sure where I should start. Should I go literal again this month (by using the boots on my card or a hat, etc,) or should I try something different? I was truly SO not sure what I was going to create for this particular challenge. And then..... I went and sat at my craft table. This is what happened. 

I knew right away that I wanted to use the Spring Market collection from Carta Bella, so I pulled out my bin and got busy. I used some white cardstock, Spring Market Carta Bella patterned papers, did some machine stitching in black, and inked pretty much everything. The journalling spot is a PTI doily die-cut onto which I stamped a Carta Bella Spring Market stamp set sentiment (live life in full bloom) and wreath.

 I added some bundled Natural Burlap String, a Doodlebug green button tied with Solid Pink Baker's Twine and a cute little Maya Road canvas tag underneath the Carta Bella chipboard rainboots. I think that's just about everything. But please let me know if you have any questions about what I used. I'm SO grateful that you stopped by today.

Have a blessed day.  I sure do hope you'll join us at The Card Concept.  We love seeing everyone's creativity and wonderful artistic ideas.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'll be linking my card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says "Favorite Things" - I LOVE that song from the Sound of Music BTW...some of my favorite things include die-cuts, twine, and lots of layers with texture.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Feminine"

Thanks again for visiting.

Blessings,

Karen

LOVE Is in the Air at The Card Concept

It's time for a fun new challenge over at The Card Concept and this time the theme is LOVE.  There's a sweet photo inspiration to get you started.  You can use anything from this inspiration photo that speaks to your creative process.  It could be the colors, the images, or any combination of ideas that inspire you.  I was drawn to the colors (green and pink), to the flowers, and to the heart image.  What inspires you in this beautiful image?

I started with a black cardstock base and attached a couple pieces of cute patterned paper (woodgrain and gingham/plaid) to create my card base.  Next, I used a die-cut called Stitched Primitive Hearts from Papertrey Ink to cut my heart and I hand-stitched it in pink with DMC floss.  I also hand stitched a few French knots in the wool felt heart.  I added a couple darling little rolled paper flowers and added a hand-cut sentiment strip.

The sentiment and cute little hearts were stamped onto patterned papers using a cute little stamp set I picked up at my local Hobby Lobby.  It's made by Carta Bella and it's called Spring Market.  The two (woodgrain and pink gingham) patterned papers I used are also from this same Carta Bella Spring Market line.  The paper flowers are from the dollar bins at Michael's.  This is really simple card, but I thought it matched the inspiration photo quite nicely.

I hope that something in the inspiration photo will inspire YOU and I really hope you'll stop by The Card Concept to play along with us.  There are several Card Styles defined on The Card Concept Blog to help you find your creative style.  My card is a bit of a Shabby Chic Vintage style or could also be called Clean Layered. I enjoy using lots of layers, different materials and textures, and of course, a cute, stamped sentiment.  Come on by The Card Concept to find your style and inspiration.  We're SO excited to have you join the fun.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm entering these FUN CHALLENGES where I love to play along:

Simon Says Stamps WEDNESDAY Challenge Blog - WITH LOVE💖

Just Us Girls (JUGS) Challenge Blog - Challenge #416 PLAID - This inspired me to use the pink and white plaid/gingham patterned paper and not cover it up with anything else.

Time Out Challenge Blog - Challenge #206 Friend Quote (see image below) - I was drawn to the words ".....and admires the flowers in your garden".  I used some pretty rolled paper roses.  AND...this card is going to a precious friend of mine; and both of us have overlooked each other's broken fences over the course of our 50+ year friendship.

Double D Challenge Blog - Dar & Diane's Double D Challenge: HEARTS💓

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Hearts and Flowers