Patriotic Blooms

It's time for another FUN challenge over at The Card Concept and we'd really LOVE to have you come by and play along with us.  Challenges are always the most fun when everyone joins in and shares their creations, so we all hope to see YOU share your art with us this month.  When I saw the beautiful Patriotic Blooms inspiration photo (below), I knew this would be a lot of fun.  I also knew that Stamp Simply had the PERFECT stamps and dies to help me create the look I was envisioning.  How can you go wrong when combining our great country's beautiful colors with beautiful florals and products from Stamp Simply?  It's a win-win-win for everyone, and I'm excited to see what you'll create to share with us.  Stamp Simply will afford you several fabulous Patriot Stamp and Die options; among every other category you can imagine.  Stamp Simply has so many wonderful products.

For my card, I used a base of black cardstock layered with white cardstock that I stamped using the Vintage Seed Packet Background Stamp.  I cut the center of this using the coordinating Ovals & Twigs Dies.  This allows the cute pattern paper from The Craft Consortium Beach Hut 6x6 Paper Pad to peek through the opening.  A bit of machine stitching around the edge and a few sequins were the finishing touches.

The floral image is the Floral Summer Roses Cluster and was cut using the coordinating Floral Cluster Die which fits all four of the beautiful Floral Cluster Stamp Sets (it's interchangeable).  I colored my image using Copics and I hated it, so I stamped the flowers a second time and hand-painted them with Oxide Inks to match the colors found in the inspiration photo.  They're raised up with 3-D Foam Tabs.  The star is found in The American Eagle Stamp Set, it was colored and then cut using the American Eagle Dies.  I also added a small piece of May Arts 3/8" White Crochet Lace.

The small word PEACE that I stamped at the bottom right of my card is also found in the The American Eagle Stamp Set along with several cool patriotic sentiments.  Each stamp set from Stamp Simply has several lovely sentiments to help you say just what you're wanting to express.  I really hope that you'll stop by Stamp Simply to grab a few new things and then stop by The Card Concept to play along with us.

Please don't hesitate.  Just come on over to The Card Concept and share your patriotic cards with us this month.  Remember, it doesn't have to be anything literal from the inspiration photo.  It can be anything that sparks your creativity, and we're excited to see what that might be.  Stamp Simply Clear Stamps is the best place to shop for Patriotic Stamp Sets to help you get started.  I greatly appreciate your visit here today.  Have a great week.

I'm playing along here:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2615 - Anything Goes Sponsored by Lawn Fawn - Entry #1/3

Blessings,

Karen

Spring is Here w/Creative Worship

There are definite signs of Spring here where I live in the Nevadas desert.  There are bees buzzing all around the Spring flowers, and the temperatures are rising every day.  I spoke with my younger brother this morning (he lives in Minnesota), and he said they got three more inches of snow last night.  It makes me glad that I'm here and grateful that he's there to help my aging parents get the shoveling done.  It truly depends on where you live when trying to decide if Spring is quite here or not.

This card serves two purposes.  First and foremost, it was created using some of the fabulous NEW Release products from Creative Worship Stamps including the gorgeous NEW Delicate Butterfly Dies and the pretty Damask Pattern Stencil that I added to the butterflies.  This allowed me to combine the color scheme into the butterflies while, at the same time, keeping those lovely butterflies lighter than the background.  The colors I chose were determined by the current NEW Challenge starting today over at The Card Concept.  I hope you'll come by to join us.  Here's the inspiration photo that determined my color choices.

I used the FUN Stitched Rectangle Dies to cut my rectangles that were created using Tim Holtz Oxide Inks and Distress Sprays.  The entire NEW Release this month at Creative Worship Stamps is so very amazing, and you won't want to miss a thing.  No matter what kind of stamps, sentiments, scriptures, images, stencils, inks or products you're looking for; I'm guessing that you're likely to find it all at Creative Worship Stamps.

The sentiment I used is from the awesome Typed Thoughts Stamp Set which has a coordinating Typed Thoughts Die Set which I used to raise up my sentiment just a bit.   I rubbed the sentiment piece and the butterflies using the gorgeous new Damask Pattern Stencil.  It would be such a blessing to have you stop by The Card Concept to play along in our current challenge.  You can let any (or all) of the inspiration photo guide you.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  It's always a real treat for me when you do.  I greatly appreciate your thoughts, comments and Follows.  You can find even more inspiration on the Creative Worship IG Page as well as a fabulously FUN challenge over at The Card Concept.  It's always more fun when everyone plays along.  Happy creating, everyone.

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

The Paper Funday Challenges: March Challenge #85 - Anything Goes/Option Fur or Feathers

Blessings,

Karen

A Cup of Cheer w/The Card Concept

One thing I absolutely love💕, besides crafting, is a good vanilla latte.  When I get the opportunity to combine these two things, I'm in a state of bliss.  Creating a cute coffee card while sipping on a nice vanilla latte is absolutely divine.  I'm not hard to please...crafting and coffee.  I'll always say yes please to that combo.  That's the overall inspiration for this month's FUN Cozy New Year challenge over The Card Concept, and we all hope that you'll come and join us.

When you look at the beautifully delicious inspiration photo, you don't have to necessarily make a coffee card.  Nothing has to be taken literally.  Perhaps it's a color that appeals to you, a texture, a pattern or an image.  Any part of the inspiration photo can be a starting point for your creativity.  We're just really hoping that you'll take on the challenge and join us.  The challenges over at The Card Concept are always fun, and there's always lots of great inspiration as well.  Some of the Design Team Members have shared some very special cards to inspire you and to help get your creativity flowing.

My card started with a light kraft cardstock that I cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies from Creative Worship.  I used this as my base layered with a matching layer cut from white cardstock for additional girth.  I lightly inked the kraft cardstock and stamped the background lightly using the pretty Faith Definitions 1 Stamp Set.  I was, of course, drawn to the coffee image and the warm Wintery colors and patterns.  I tried to stick with this Nordic theme in creating my Freestyle Collage card.  I cut two wreaths from green corrugated cardboard using the super cool Lovely Wreath Dies, and I tucked in some greens which are Jolee's foliage cuts from my super stash.

I added some red accents to the wreath, and I used the pretty Holiday Cheer Stamp Set to add the coffee cup, candy canes and sentiment.  I colored the images with my Copics.  This is really a very simple card, but I was very much behind schedule and not prepared for this challenge.  I took great inspiration from a sweet (similar) card made by my talented friend, Esther Asbury.  Her cards always inspire me.  We sure hope that you're inspired to come play along in this FUN challenge and let us know what's inspiring you.

It would be fabulous to have you stop by The Card Concept to play along in our challenge this month.  It's always more fun when everyone can play along, and this is a great challenge to join because you have so much inspiration to get you started.  Thanks for visiting me here today, and please know that I truly appreciate you.

I'm sharing my fun coffee card in these challenges I love:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge - January Challenge #49 - Anything Goes Christmas/Coffee

The Paper Funday Challenges - January Challenge #83 - Anything Goes with Paper Layers - Entry #3/6

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2602 - Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - A is for Anything Goes and/or B is for Bright

Blessings,

Karen

Fun New Challenge at The Card Concept

Are you ready for another fun challenge?  My guess is that you're already creating something that will fit in perfectly at the challenge over at The Card Concept.  The beautiful inspiration photo is just a starting place for your creativity.  You can clearly see that I completely ignored the suggested color palette.  Instead, I used the elements I saw that drew my eye.  The items, specifically, that captured my eye include all the darling little cottages/villages that are scattered around the photo.  I also spotted the pretty Christmas wreath in the window, and I loved the black/white plaid or gingham.  SO many pretty elements from which to choose, so....I just include them ALL.  lol

Let me tell you the TRUTH about this card.  My friend and teammate at Creative Worship, the talented Angy Hughes, created the top portion of this card.  She sent it to me along with some lovely stamps, dies and goodies from her stash.  Anyway....my youngest grandson (Benjamin 10 mo.) decided to eat it.  My fault. I left it where he could get at it.  So, I salvaged the top portion of the card and used it to put this together.  The Village Dies, Thoughtful Wreaths Dies and star stamps are from Creative Worship Stamps.  They have SO many fabulous products.

I added a bow that includes lengths of gorgeous Iridescent White String and lovely Blue Jay Seam Binding, and it's topped with a Gold Rhinestone Embellishment and secured in place using Scor-Tape.  Don't miss out on the BIG RETIREMENT SALE taking place now at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The discounts will continue as the store closes its doors forever; but for the very best selection, I'd suggest grabbing a few things before they're gone.  The deals on (my favorite) Baker's Twine are AMAZING. 💗Just thought I'd mention that again.

Like I said, I went with a completely different color scheme than what you see in the photo above.  That doesn't matter!  We just want you to be inspired by SOMETHING....ANYTHING in the photo.  What is calling your name?  Is there anything that you see in the photo that you could create and share with us at The Card Concept?  We'd sure🍬LOVE to have you come play along with us.  There's a PRIZE.  Go check it out, friends.

Can you see all those pretty gold flecks?  SO pretty.  Thank you, Angy.  She did the difficult work on this card.  I just embellished it using a cute sentiment stamp found in the Lantern Light Stamp Set from Creative Worship and lots of great (DISCOUNTED) trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  It really would be awesome to have you come play along with us this month at The Card Concept.  It's always more FUN when everyone (including you) plays along.  Happy crafting.

I'm playing along here:

A Cut Above Challenge Blog - December: Anything Goes Using Dies - I used village dies, wreath dies and a sentiment die.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge Blog - Challenge #2549 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges - Simon Says "Add Sparkle & Shine" - I added a Gold Rhinestone Embellishment to add some sparkle and shine, and there's also lots of gold sparkle splashed on the top half of the card.

Blessings,

Karen

So Grateful for You

This card is coming a bit late, but as they say....."better late than never", right?  If you haven't seen it yet, there's a FUN new challenge waiting for you over at The Card Concept Challenge Blog and we're looking forward to seeing what you'll create to share with us this month.  We're still celebrating Autumn with a lovely inspiration photo to help you get started.  When I saw the photo, I was drawn to the colors and textures.

I used kraft cardstock layered with cream cardstock.  I cut the cream cardstock using the Stitched Rectangle Dies from Creative Worship.  I stamped the background in Marigold Oxide Ink using the FUN Typewriter Text Background Stamp also from Creative Worship Stamps.  Next, I used the Stitched Rectangle Dies once again to cut three smaller rectangles that I layered onto my card.  The top cream layer is, once again, stamped using the Typewriter Text Background Stamp.

The stamp set I used for the pumpkins is a very old (retired I believe) set from Papertrey Ink called Pumpkin Patch.  It's one that I've used every year since I purchased it.  The cute little sprigs and sentiment are also part of this sweet stamp set.  I tied some Natural Burlap String around my card for some added texture, and I attached a cute wooden button from my stash that had some of the same colors.  I also used a lot of Scor-Tape to secure everything in place.

It would be fabulous to have you stop by and play along with us this month at The Card Concept Challenge.  You don't have to follow the photo literally; it's simply a starting point for your creativity.  Thanks for visiting me here today and please know that I appreciate you very much.  Here's that inspiration photo to help get you started.  Happy crafting!

I'm playing along here:

The Paper Funday Challenge Blog - Challenge #82 - Anything Goes w/paper layers and Optional: Merry & Bright

Ellibelle's Garden Party #9 - Anything In or From a Garden

The Four Seasons - November Inspiration Photo - Autumn

Dar & Diane's Double D Challenge Blog - November/.Fall Colors - I used a bit more non-traditional colors for my pumpkins, but they are, nonetheless, still done up in Autumn colors.

What's inspiring you?

Blessings,

Karen

New October Challenge at The Card Concept

Hurray!  The FUN continues over at The Card Concept Challenge Blog, and we're hoping that YOU will stop by to share your Autumn cards with us this month.  There's a beautiful inspiration photo to help spark your creative process.  You don't have to follow the photo in any literal way.  It's simply a starting point for your creativity to take you in any direction you desire.  We really look forward to seeing what you'll create to share in this FUN challenge.

I used black cardstock for my base layered with patterned paper (green gingham) from Carta Bella's sweet Welcome Home 6x6 Paper Pad.  The next piece is simple white cardstock that I stamped using the Typewriter Text Background Stamp from Creative Worship Stamps.  I use this particular stamp set A LOT, as you may have noticed.  It's a really fun background (in any color) to fill in that empty space and make your cards a bit more interesting.  The image was stamped using the cool Boho Pumpkins Stamp Set from Stamp Simply, and was cut using the coordinating Boho Pumpkins Dies.

The sentiment at the top (Cool & Crisp) is also found in the Boho Pumpkins Stamp Set and was cut using the awesome Fishtail Banner Dies which are also from Stamp Simply.  The die-cut sentiment (Autumn) was cut using the Boho Pumpkins Dies.  Fairly simple, really.  I colored the image using my Copics.  I originally wanted the pumpkin on the far right to be green; but I didn't have the right color to match the background paper, to which I was already committed.  Some Black Burlap String and Natural Burlap String from Really Reasonable Ribbon were the finishing touch.

We really do hope to see you all over at The Card Concept Challenge Blog this month.  Happy crafting, everyone.  It's always a big treat when you stop by to take a peek and say hello.  Thanks for your visit and have a blessed week.

Blessings,

Karen

New Challenge at The Card Concept

It's time for another fun new challenge over at The Card Concept and we hope that you'll join us.  There's a pretty inspiration photo to help you get your creativity kicked into gear.  When I saw it, I decided that I wanted to make a softly colored pastel card with hearts and shades of pink.  I'm not a big fan of using gold, so I decided to go with kraft for the brown.

I used a kraft card for the base of my card and layered it with pink cardstock and kraft paper.  I stamped the Bingo card using the new Bingo Card Stamp from Creative Worship.  I absolutely love this sweet new stamp and I've been using it a lot.  It's the Stamp of the Month right now, and a great time to get one for yourself.

I used a LOVE die-cut from Pretty Pink Posh and cut the word three times in different shades of pink.  I love the combination of the pink and kraft.  I tied my bow using Pink Gingham Ribbons and I topped the bow with an older Tim Holtz metal charm that's hanging from a pear-shaped rusty paper clip.

Can you see my inspiration now?  Instead of gold or brown, I used kraft paper and metals.  It's a very simple layered card, but it was fun to make.  You can create anything Valentines or whatever this photo inspires you to make.  We always look forward to seeing where your creativity will take you, and we really hope you'll come play along at The Card Concept this month.

Thanks so much for stopping by again today.  It's always a treat to have you visit me and leave some love.  I look forward to seeing your cards and creations, too.  Stay crafty this week, and have a wonderful week, my dear friends.

I'm sharing here:  Double D Challenge - Hearts and all things pink and pretty!!

Paper Funday Challenge - Anything Goes or Pink, Burgundy and Sage

The Color Throwdown - Challenge #826 - These colors also inspired my card - Pink, Brown, White

Happy crafting, everyone.

Blessings,

Karen

December/Winter Challenge at The Card Concept

Whenever there's a FUN challenge available, I love to play along.  We're hoping that ALL of you reading this post will come by and PLAY ALONG with us this month at The Card Concept.  We always enjoy seeing your wonderful cards and projects and learning just how you were inspired by our beautiful inspiration photos.  The photo for this month's challenge is absolutely stunning and includes traditional Christmas colors.  You can use this inspiration literally or as a simple starting point.  Just tell us how you were inspired.

I was completely inspired by the traditional red, green, black and gold colors when creating my card.  I started with black cardstock layered with a beautiful pattern paper from Craft Consortium Tartan Plaid 6x6 Paper Pad that I cut using Crimped Frame Die from The Greetery.  Once I had added those layers in place, I cut a piece of wheat paper and stamped the Fall/Winter Wreath and Poinsettia.  To that, I added a sweet stamped sentiment also from Stamp Simply.  To the wreath, I added some pretty touches with a few rusty little jingle bells tied with string, and some ribbons which were also given as inspiration prompts in the photo.  How pretty!

We sure do hope that you'll stop by The Card Concept to play along with us this month.  It's always a real treat to have you share your wonderful art with us and it's so fun seeing how the inspirational photo speaks to each of you.  This is the best part of the challenge....just seeing YOUR creativity.  We LOVE having you join us and share your unique ideas with us.  Have a blessed week, and thanks for visiting me here today.  I'm so grateful for you, sweet blog friends.

I'm sharing my card here:

Stencil Fun Challenge - December Challenge - I used a beautiful stencil from Creative Worship Stamps and used Gesso to have it raised up for dimension.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Use Dies - I used several different dies on this card.

TIME OUT Challenges - Challenge #278 - Photo Inspiration - I was inspired by the overall theme of the holidays as well as the colors

What's inspiring you?  

Blessings,

Karen

Pumpkin Season at The Card Concept

It's time for a fun new challenge over at The Card Concept, and this time our theme is Pumpkins.  We know that most of you are creating Autumn cards this time of year, so we really hope that you'll stop by to play along with us.  The inspiration photo can serve as a starting point for your inspiration.  Perhaps it's the colors that inspire you, or maybe it's the pumpkins, the leaves, or some other element.  Whatever you're inspired to create, we look forward to seeing it.

I used basic black cardstock, a wood texture patterned paper from The Craft Consortium, an orange plaid from JilliBean Soup, and a cream paper from Crate Paper's Farmhouse line.  I also added a length of 1/8" Black Silk Ribbon to my card.  All the images, as well as the sentiment, are found in the cute Happy Harvest Stamp Set from Lawn Fawn.

We'd love to see what you're inspired to create for this FUN Autumn challenge.  Just let your creativity lead you.  It's all for fun.  I'll be sharing this card in some of the fun challenges where I enjoy playing along.  I sure hope you'll do the same.

Have a great week, and thanks so much for stopping by my blog.  I'm always super grateful for your visits.

Here's where I'm playing along:

Lawn Fawnatics Challenge - Challenge #182 - Sightseeing - Since we live in the desert of Nevada, our kids have always enjoyed going "sightseeing" in Minnesota (our home state) where they could see and visit Corn Mazes, scarecrows and all the FUN colors of Autumn.  I used the Lawn Fawn stamp set called Happy Harvest.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Patterned Paper" - I used three patterned papers, all listed above.

Inspiration Station - Challenge #66 - I was inspired by the colors, pumpkins and leaves in the photo.

Blessings,

Karen

New Autumn Challenge at The Card Concept

It's for another fun and fabulous challenge over at The Card Concept and we sure hope that you'll join us.  There's a gorgeous inspiration photo to give you a starting point for your creativity; but you're really welcome to share pretty much anything that the photo inspires you to create.  We are super excited to see what you will come up with for this awesome challenge.

For the challenges at The Card Concept, you aren't ever required to take the inspiration photo literally.  For example, the photo shows lots of beautiful flowers; and yet, I didn't use flowers as my focus.  I used a few flowers as simple little accents.  I was more so inspired by the amazing colors in the photo.  Since this is first Autumn challenge, I went with an Autumn theme by using the darling Bushel Basket Die and Botanicuts Apple Dies from The Greetery.  I used Crate Paper (Farmhouse) patterned papers, white watercolor paper, and lots of oxide inks.

The background (frame) is the Frosted Frame Die, also from The Greetery.  The sweet little sentiment is from Paper Sweeties.  By the way, I'm selling A LOT of my Paper Sweeties products if anyone is interested.  I hadn't used these Farmhouse patterned papers in quite a while, and now I remember why I've always loved them so much.  They're SO fun.  The sentiment was cut using a Fishtail Banner Die.

The Bushel Basket Die is awesome, isn't it?  It's already got the woodgrain marks, so I just rubbed it with oxide inks and did some painting and splattering.  It's one of those where you really can't go wrong because it's just SO CUTE.  Whatever speaks to your creative side when you look at the inspiration photo will be perfect.  It might be the colors, the hat, the flowers, the ribbons, or anything that calls to your creative side.  We LOVE seeing what you come up with to share in our challenges at The Card Concept.

Head on over to The Card Concept today and play along with us.  It's always more FUN when everyone can play along.  The same is true of my challenges at Word Art Wednesday.  I hope you'll join our challenge there as well.  Our current sponsor at Word Art Wednesday is the wonderful Lawn Fawn ($25).  Whatever you create, you can link them up at BOTH of these fabulous challenges.  I hope to see you there.

I'm playing along in the following challenges:

Stencil Fun Challenge Blog - Anything Goes w/Stencils - September: Optional Fall Theme - I used a stencil called "Leaves" by CB Stencil Art, and I created a Fall/Autumn card.  I love to play along here whenever I can.

TIME OUT Challenge - Challenge #271 - Friendship/Encouragement/Support - I'm entering the top card that says "Thankful For You" - This card is to let my BFF know how incredibly grateful I am to have her in my life.

The Paper Funday Challenges - Challenge #69 - Anything Goes - Optional: Make Your Own Background - On the first card I entered (top), I used all patterned papers for the background.  For the second card, I used a stencil on my sentiment.

Blessings,

Karen

Join the FUN at The Card Concept

Are you ready for another FUN challenge?  Well, we've got a great one waiting for you over at The Card Concept and we really hope that you'll come play along this month.  There's a beautiful inspiration photo to give your creativity a kick-start along with several inspiring cards from our Design Team.  Just head on over to The Card Concept Challenge to check it out and join the excitement.

I used two different cardstocks (black and blue) layered with some JilliBean Soup patterned papers.  I did a bit of machine straight stitching on the outer edges.  Next, I stamped the patriotic sentiment using the Red, White & Blue Stamp Set from Stamp Simply.

Stamp Simply carries lots of great Patriotic Stamp Sets as well as covering pretty much every topic you can imagine.  This particular stamp is really because it has so many great sentiments and makes a fabulous background.  Whatever speaks to you in the inspiration photo will be a perfect starting point.  Just let your creativity run wild and come share your art with us.

Be sure to head on over to The Card Concept to see all the fabulous inspiration from the Design Team, and to play along with us.  We always enjoy seeing your wonderful art shared in our challenges and hope that you have FUN creating.  Have a great week.

You don't necessarily have to share a patriotic card.  Whatever this photo does to inspire you, we'd love to hear about it.  Please come share your art with us this month at The Card Concept.  Happy crafting.

I'm playing along in the following:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Use Patterned Papers" - I used several gingham and polka dot patterned papers on this fun patriotic card. 

Double D Challenge Blog - Theme: Polka Dots - I used some blue/white polka dot patterned paper as well as a red polka dot firecracker.  Just look at all these FUN polka dots.

Create something exciting for yourself and come play along in these FUN challenges.

Blessings,

Karen