Many Thanks

As someone who's been running/managing a challenge blog for over ten year now, I am SO super grateful for all the wonderful and generous companies in our crafting community who give their support to us.  I've been on both ends of it.....on one hand, as someone in need of sponsors for our challenges at Word Art Wednesday and on the other hand; as a grateful winner at another challenge blog.  All of us who craft and blog are BLESSED in so many ways by the generous sponsors of challenges, blog hops and give-aways.  Well, this month at Mod Squad Challenge Blog, their challenges are taking the time to (literally) say THANK YOU to a few of these kind-hearted companies.

The challenge taking place right now at Mod Squad Challenge Blog is sponsored by Gina K Designs.  While I don't own any of Gina's sweet stamp sets yet, I do have some of her amazing die-cuts.  This card does not use any of her products...sorry.  But I will say this, Gina K. is a very generous woman who runs a very respectable business.  She sells high-quality products, offers excellent customer service, and she is also a sponsor at Word Art Wednesday.  She is quite a blessing to much of the crafting community.  Her mailing address is on the Mod Squad Blog so that you can send her a thank you to tell her how grateful we all are for her generous support in the blogging world.  I'll be sending her this card which I created today.

I used a three-piece die set from The Greetery for the base of my card.  I added a piece of Black & White Bold Gingham Ribbon to my card as well as one piece of black/white gingham patterned paper.  I used an older stamp set from Papertrey Ink (an oldie, but a goodie that I love to use again and again).  I stamped my pumpkins in Smoked Hickory Oxide Ink, Black Soot and Green Grass Oxide Ink.

I kept this card very simple (and flat) so that I'd be able to mail it to Gina easily.  I know she would LOVE to receive a thank you card from you; and you can play along in the fun challenge at Mod Squad where you could win a prize to Gina K Designs.  Come, play along in some FUN challenges this week.  Be sure to thank the generous sponsors, and of course give thanks to God for it ALL.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along here:

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Month of Thanks/Gina K Designs - As detailed above.

Pixie's Playground - Snippets Challenge #409 - I used a ribbon snippet AND a patterned paper snippet on this card.  I also used white scraps to stamp and die-cut my pumpkins.  Gotta use it all!!

With Sympathy

Hello, blog friends.  Thank you for visiting today.  The card I'm sharing with you is one that I made for myself (sadly, because I needed to make it); and is not for a DT assignment.  I normally love having time to create a card like this; but sadly, it's never "fun" when you need to make a sympathy card.  Nonetheless, that's what I'm sharing today and I appreciate you visit by to take a peek at it.

I started with a piece of brown cardstock, and then I added a piece of Jen Hadfield patterned paper from a 6x6 pad in my stash.  I thought the colors were really nice (comforting) for use on a sympathy card.  Once I had attached my papers to create a base, I wanted to keep it simple and still give it a bit of pizazz.  I used a Reverse Confetti circular die-cut that I stenciled using green ink.  I stamped the sentiment on top of that using a stamp from Inspired By Stamping.

I used a white magnolia flower, some bundled Ivory Burlap String and Brown Burlap String, a brown mulberry leaf, and some pretty mint colored ultra-thin seam binding to accent the sentiment spot.  Those of you who know me well are aware that I like to add flowers and ribbons; so it was an easy decision for me to add all those delights to my card.  I know....less is more, right?  But sometimes I just can't help myself....especially when it comes to pretty ribbons and flowers.  I do, however, struggle sometimes with having to use a padded envelope to mail them.  LOL

Thanks again for stopping by my blog today.  I hope you have a blessed and creative week.  I'm always so grateful for your visits.  Happy crafting, everyone.

I'm playing along here:

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - With Sympathy

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Out With The Old, In With The New - I used some old patterned paper and a very old stamp.  I used new flowers and ribbons.

"You Got This" - Coffee

Hello, friends!  If you're here at my blog today, I surely do thank you for the visit.  I had a chance to create a card, once again, that was just for fun.  No Design Team assignments or pressure....just me in my craft room having a little fun.  I hadn't pulled out my fun old October Afternoon patterned papers and stickers, etc., in a while; so I put some together and machine stitched them to create my fun card base.  It's easy to see why I've always loved October Afternoon and why I have such an extensive stash of it.  I chose a coffee-themed card today because I was inspired by the new challenge over at Mod Squad.

The coffee mug, its sleeve, and the fun sentiment are from a Joy Clair stamp set called Coffee Lovers.  I use this set quite a bit, and I love the coffee cups and fun sentiments in this set.  The ribbons, seam binding, baker's twine, stamens and sweetheart blossoms are all from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  They always have the perfect accents for every project.

I put two October Afternoon journalling stickers together to create a space for stamping the sentiment.  I also stamped the coffee beans from this fun stamp set. as well as the different steam stamps that are coming out of the coffee cup.

I also used the patterned papers for the coffee cup by stamping it several times (on different patterns) and paper-piecing them together.  I did also do some coloring with my Copics.   It's never a stretch for me to make a coffee card, so this challenge was a great one for me to be inspired by.   I love giving them to all my coffee-loving friends and relatives....especially when we're meeting for coffee.

Here are the challenges that inspired me and where I'm  linking up my coffee card:

Blessings,

Karen

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Tea or Coffee - This was a perfect challenge to inspire me.  I'm such a coffee-lover, and I always enjoy making coffee-themed cards.

Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge Blog:  Anything Goes - I always love to play along at SSS whenever I possibly can.