Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Today I had the fun opportunity to do some crafting just for fun.  I've been looking forward to having the time to use this sweet new die-cut set that a "Secret Santa" sent to me in the mail.  I don't know who it was from (other than that it was postmarked from Phoenix, Arizona) but, nonetheless, THANK YOU to whomever it was that sent me these lovely new dies from Honey Bee Stamps.  They are adorable, I love them, and I appreciate the gift.  Thanks for thinking of me.

I used a cream card for the base, and I layered that with several patterned papers from a line called Bundled Up by Crate Paper.  I machine stitched my papers together.  I used the darling In Stitches Candy Cane Dies from Honey Bee Stamps to create my ink-splattered candy canes.  I stitched them with DMC floss and attached them with Scor-Tape and 3-D White Foam Tabs.

Next, I used the Holiday Cheer Stamp Set from Creative Worship Stamps to stamp my sweet sentiment.  I also used the Lovely Layers Dies from Honey Bee Stamps for the foliage, holly, berries and bow.  The darling little coffee mug (because I can't do without coffee) is from the Coffee Talk Stamp Set from Creative Worship Stamps.  Lots of cuteness.

I'll be sharing my coffee candy cane card in a few fun challenges where I enjoy playing along whenever I'm able to do so.  Like I said, it's always fun and exciting when I can create just for fun.  I really do hope that you're all ready for Christmas and that you have a blessed time with family and friends.

Here's where I'm sharing my card:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge #48 - December Challenge/Anything Goes - My coffee image is from Creative Worship Stamps.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - Challenge #2550 - Sponsored by Lawn Fawn

Blessings to you,
Karen

A New Challenge Begins at The Card Concept

Hello, friends.  Thanks for "buzzing" by today to take a quick peek at the card I've created as inspiration for the new challenge over at The Card Concept.  For this new two-week challenge, you're able to select and gather inspiration from two different, and gorgeous, inspiration photos.  I chose to take my inspiration from the Busy Bee inspiration photo (shown below).

I used black corrugated cardboard for my base and then added a piece of white watercolor paper that I rubbed with oxide ink.  I used a die-cut for the word "Be" which is from Simon Says Stamp.  The word HAPPY is from a Paper Sweeties stamp set.  I tried adding the extra e to make the word "Be" become "Bee", but it just didn't look right.  Anyway....I used a honeycomb die-cut and some dotted gold cardstock to create the honeycomb.

The stamp set I used is called Bee Hive and it's from Honey Bee Stamps.  Because I don't own the matching die-cut set, I fussy cut those little bees.  They were stamped and embossed with a black glittery embossing powder.  I colored them a bit with my Copics.  I just love how they look like they're buzzing around my card...and the beehive.

Let one of these two FUN inspiration photos speak to your creativity and come play along with us at The Card Concept.  We always enjoy seeing what you come up with, and we appreciate your participation in our challenges.  I really hope that you have a blessed and creative week.  Thanks again for buzzing by today.

I'm playing along here:

Crafty Calendar Challenge:  April - Use Die Cuts - I used some fun dies on this card.  The chicken wire (honeycomb die) is from Darice, the word (Be) is a die-cut from Simon Says Stamp, and the hive and bees are from Honey Bee Stamps.

Blessings,

Karen

HELLO Sunshine

Welcome by my blog, everyone!  I'm SO glad you're here.  Today is one of those rare days when I'm posting a card just for fun.  It's always nice when you can make something that's not part of a DT assignment; but rather, just because.  This is one of those cards, and I had fun making it.

I used some black and deep yellow cardstocks and cut my chicken coop/wire background using a Darice die-cut from my stash.  The image stamp set (hive, bees and dotted lines) is called Bee Hive from Honey Bee Stamps.  The sentiment stamp I used is an old favorite from Verve Stamps.  I enjoy being inspired to use products from my stash.  By participating in challenges, I'm allowed the freedom to create and use some of my older items that I sometimes neglect or forget about.  I haven't used these particular products in quite some time, so I'm very grateful for the inspiration.

I added some seam binding, baker's twine, and floral prills.  I had to make it look a little bit realistic, right?  It was a FUN card; and I really appreciate the inspiration.  I hope that you're creating things just for fun this week, too.  I can't wait to get back in my craft room to make something else.  How about you?  What have  you been making this week?  I hope you'll link up your art with us at Word Art Wednesday.  It's always FUN to play along in challenges.

Thanks again for stopping by.  I'm playing along in a couple challenges that you'll find listed and linked below.  I hope that YOU will stop by and play along at Word Art Wednesday and some of these other FUN challenges.  Have a great one, everybody.

Blessings,

Karen

Double D Challenge Blog - Dar & Diane's BEE Inspired Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Create A Scene - I created a bumble bee hive scene.  Now, if you're a bee, that's quite a scene.  Right?

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Mixed Media - It's always fun to incorporate a bit of mixed media into every project.

Allsorts Challenge Blog - Week #628 Bugs & Butterflies - I hope my bees are "buggy" enough for this challenge.

Have a BEE-autiful Day

Welcome by!  I hope you're having a BEE-autiful Day!  When I saw the new challenge over at Moving Along With The Times, I just KNEW that I wanted to play along.  You see, I got a new bee stamp set a while back from Honey Bee Stamps, and I hadn't used it yet.  This fun challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to pull it out and use it.  I also used a cool bee-hive type die-cut from Darice which I have used before; but it was so perfect for this card that I just had to incorporate it into this card.  It's similar to this Hexagon Cover Plate Die, but mine is by Darice.  Once I had my base together with the die-cut honeycombs, I stamped the bee hive, bees and swirls from the Bee Hive Stamp Set from Honey Bee Stamps.

I colored the images with my Copics, added a few yellow prills, and the sentiment I used is from a Paper Sweeties stamp set.  I couldn't find the exact stamp I was looking for.  I just knew that I wanted to create this card because I love the BEES and just hadn't had the opportunity to use this sweet new stamp set yet.  I love how it turned out. 

Here are the challenges where I'm sharing this fun little BEE card.  I hope you're having a creative week as well.  I look forward to getting some projects done this weekend while my boys are busy with work, hockey, and other "guy things".  You'll almost always find me in my craft room on the days they're busy doing other things.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Karen

Moving Along With The Times - Challenge #103 - BEES

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Add A Die-Cut - I used a Darice Honeycomb Die (similar to this one at SSS) to create the honeycomb background.  I used Honey Bee Stamps Bee Hive Stamp Set from SSS.