Monday, October 31, 2011

Mon. Oct. 31, 2011 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Happy Halloween, my blog friends!
I love this cute little image, and so this card ends my Halloween card making for 2011.  The image is from Mark's Finest Papers and the die cut is PTI.  The bg is a free download from Gina K that I sponged with Dusty Concord Distress ink.
I hope you have a "sweet" day!    ...Karen

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sun. Oct. 30, 2011 Merry and Bright STVFRIGS3

The Friday challenge at StampTV on Oct. 28th was a One Layer Christmas card, and Giovana is hosting it this time.  I enjoy the challenge of making a one layer- which can be both easy and/or difficult .  
I have noticed on the web, that some card designers think a one layer card means adding one layer, but most know that the one layer is the card base.
Without further adieu, here is my card for this challenge.  I have been practicing with my Copics and shading, and I like what I achieved with this ornament. I also entered this in The Outlawz challenge CAS1029.


Both the ornament and the sentiment are from Gina K's "Holiday Hospitality" stamp set.

Thank you for popping in today!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Fri. Oct. 28, 2011 CSS Sketch Hop

Wow- can you believe we are at the end of October already? It seems like it was just summertime and now we are approaching Halloween and Thanksgiving!!!!
Today the CSS team has a fabulous Melissa Cash sketch to work with. If you have arrived from Kay's blog, you are in the right place. If you would like to start at the beginning, click HERE.


Here is Melissa's sketch:




We hope that after you hop and leave comments, you will be inspired to enter a card at StampTV and play along. 

Now, for my card.  I used the pumpkin image from Theresa's "Autumn Beauty" stamp set. I stamped the image once on the die cut and then again, on a scrap of cs.  I colored both with Copics, but cut the one image out and popped it up next to the other. Now, for all the patterned strips.  It is home made washi tape.  I used double sided masking tape.  I attached white tissue paper to one side of the tape, smoothing as I went along.  I then trimmed all the edges, as close to the tape as possible.  Using Gina's "Bold Flowers" set, I stamped with black Memento, then sponged with Rusty HInge and Walnut stain Distress inks.






Make sure to leave comments as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (November 1), we will randomly choose one of the comments from all the blogs who will get a stamp set of their choice valued up to $24.95!
I am happy that you have visited, but now it's time to visit Joy's blog and be wowed!!!!

Fri. Oct. 28, 2011 A Gift Stamp

When Vicki and I attended CHA this summer, we received some free stamp sets (courtesy of The Cat's Pajamas), while attending the Splitcoast reception.  I "lost" them in my craft room and found them yesterday-(hanging my head in shame). This little image was too cute not to play with, so here goes. 


Thanks for stopping by today!   ...Karen

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thurs. Oct. 27, 2011 Gnome at home

Tami Mayberry's little gnome is so much fin to color, and the image works for holiday cards too!
I used the house from Theresa's "Life is Good" set.  The sentiment is from Gina's "Holiday Hospitality" set.  All of these sets are available at Gina K. Designs.


Thank you so much for stopping by!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wed. Oct. 26, 2011 Just Because

I am really enjoying making cards with Theresa's "Heartfelt" set.  There are so many beautiful images.  

I started with a piece of  GKD Bermuda Green cs, and used the CB Polka Dots folder. I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored with Copics.  I sponged around the image too.  The sentiment is from Nina's "Fanciful Tags" set, which I stamped on a tab die from PTI.  Ivory seam binding tied around into a bow finished this card.  I appreciate you taking a look at it.


!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tues. Oct. 25, 2011 STVMONLM6

Lee posted a challenge about a week ago, to use snowflakes on a card.  I made two of them. The second card has snow that I drew in with a white gel pen. This card came about from an unusual circumstance.  I was playing around with some of Tim Holtz Stain and water on a piece of printed cs.  However, I over did it with the stain and the water and rather than heading to the kitchen for a paper towel, I decided to blot all the excess moisture onto a piece of white cs that was on my work table.  After I peeled the two pieces apart, the blotter piece had the most interesting pattern- kind of like snow and trees in a forest.  I went with that!


I decided to stamp some trees and a platinum heat embossed sentiment. What I did for the trees was to color the stamp itself with Copics-I did thump two colors on the branches.  Then I  lightly spritzed the stamp with alcohol, and stamped. I then added some Stickles, and was thrilled with the result!  Oh- of course the little snowflakes in the upper right corner were glued on too. LOL  Now onto card #2.



I receive Michelle Zindorf's blog in my mailbox and I saw a fascinating card that she brayered.  I have tried that before but I haven't mastered it- but I thought maybe I could achieve a similar look by sponging.  What do you think?  Close enough?
HERE is the link to Michelle's card and tutorial. Here is my card.


Monday, October 24, 2011

Mon. Oct.24, 2011 Happy Monday???

We had a busy weekend and it was wonderful.  My daughter and her BF came and stayed Saturday to Sunday.  After they left on Sunday, we started moving furniture- sending some pieces to the curb and switched room for some other.  Tired, but happy.  It's like Spring cleaning in the Fall!


The first card I'd like to share with you today is he one I made for Emily's Pink Challenge for Gina K's Release party last Thursday.


This card was created for Theresa's sketch challenge.  I have had quite a few questions about the leaves.  I die cut them with dies from Cheery Lynn Designs, and shaded them with alcohol inks.  The border (from Melanie's A Year of Borders) stamp set were colored with Copics and then I fussy cut them.

 Thank you for visiting!  If you have any questions, be sure to include your email address, so I can answer you!   ...Karen

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Sun. Oct. 23, 2011 Make It Monday #37: Layered Mats and Frames

I have a few dies from Papertrey, so I wanted to play along in their Make it Monday challenge this week. I decided to make a sympathy card, because it is much better to have one available than to have to make one last minute.

The flowers were also made with PTI dies.  I colored white pearls with a Copic to warm up the color a bit.
Edited:  Someone named Sandi wrote and requested an explanation of how the make the frame.  However, she didn't leave me an email addy to answer.  Anyway, here is a link to the video that explains the process:
 http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2011/10/make-it-monday-37-layered-mats-and-frames.html



Saturday, October 22, 2011

Sat., Oct. 22, 2011 STVFRICT9 Collage Card

Cat's challenge last Friday was collage stamping.  I decided to start with a tag, and then decided to attach it to a card.  I used a few images from Theresa's "Heartfelt" set and butterflies and a dragonfly from Tami's "Dreams" set.  I colored the bg with Distress stains-fun stuff!
So happy you stopped by today!


Friday, October 21, 2011

Fri. Oct. 21, 2011 Two cards today

First up is a black and white one I made for an Outlawz challenge, although I think I missed the deadline this time.  The trees are from Theresa Momber's "Life is Good" set. The little birds are from Melanie's " Gifts from the Sea" set.  I first stamped in black on my white card base.  Then I cut the circle out of the black cs. I used the cut out circle as a mask, putting it back in place, while I lined up and stamped the trees in white. Ta-da!



The next card I have to share was one I made for Jennie's  StampTV Challenge STVMONJH4. The challenge was to use Fall colors and leaves.  I stamped leaves on the bg, before sponging.  Then stamped, colored and cut another to add to my focal image. The die cut is from PTI which I partially embosedd, by moving the folder around the edges. Some faux stitching and twine, and I was finished with this one.


Thanks you for visiting!   ...Karen

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Thurs. Oct. 20, 2011


A nice Fall card, I think.  I die cut the leaves and the flourish with Cheery Lynn Designs dies.  I cut white cs, and then sponged with Distress inks. The butterfly is also a CLD die, which I painted gold.  The sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers "Country Thanksgiving" stamp set!
Glad you stopped by today!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wed. Oct. 19, 2011 Two for you Today

First up, is a card I made for last week's One Layer Wednesday Challenge #68. I really enjoy playing along, and makes you realize that beautiful cards don't need a ton of layers, if you use some basic principles- like the rule of thirds.  Sometimes, you can just look at a card and see that it is eye pleasing and balanced. I hope I accomplished it with this one.  The challenge was to use a triangular form. I used the holly leaves from MFP's "Holly Greetings" stamp set, and the sentiment from the "Christmas in the Country" set.


 I entered this one into the TouchTwin marker challenge, TTC03.  I just love Theresa's cone flowers from the "Heartfelt" set from Gina K. Designs.
Thank you for visiting!  
                ...Karen

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 CAS139 Challenge + one

The CAS challenge 139 at SCS was to be inspired by this photo.
Not only was I inspired, but it sure made me hungry!!!




Here is the card I came up with, using these colors.


I have another fun card today.  My kids are grown, but I wanted to use this die and make a Christmas card for a teacher. The sentiment and the pine boughs are from Mark's Finest Papers' Holly Greetings and Ginger Cookies stamp sets.


I really appreciate all your comments!!  ...Karen

Monday, October 17, 2011

Mon. Oct. 17, 2011 12 Days of Christmas Hop

My teammates at Mark's Finest Papers have 12 Days of fabulous inspiration for you.  Click on the link below the banner and you can start hopping.  

I have a card to share with you today, using a sentiment from the Mark's Finest Papers "Holly Greetings" stamp set.  It is one I made for the SCS Inspiration challenge IC306. Scroll down for my card, please.

CLICK HERE

This is the inspiration pic I used:

I am happy you stopped by today!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Sun. Oct. 16, 2011 StampTV Challenge STVSJDFRI3

 Suzanne challenged us to make a card using red and kraft.  I went with dark red for this vintage style card.  The poinsettia is from Melanie's "A Year of Flowers" stamp set.  I stamped and colored with Copics, but then decided to add a few extra petals popped up, for extra dimension.  The kraft was embossed with a Sizzix folder called Lattice.  I really liked the result I got with this card!
Thanks for visiting!   ...Karen

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Sat. Oct. 15, 2011 Speedy Challenge #77

The challenge this week, issued by Carol, was to use the same image more than once.  I used the holly leaves and berries from the newly released "Holly Greetings" stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers. The sentiment is from the "Ginger Cookies" set.  I stamped all the holly leaves with Memento ink and then colored them with Copic markers, fussy cut them and popped them up. The sentiment was heat embossed with platinum EP.  So glad you stopped by today!  ...Karen







Friday, October 14, 2011

Fri. Oct.14, 2011 CSS Hop-Card Drive for Kids

This post is longer than normal, but there are a lot of details to share with you in addition to my card. We hope you will join us in this wonderful card drive and have a chance to win- Wait until you see the prizes!
If you arrived from  JOY's blog, you are in the right place.  If you'd like to start at the beginning, click HERE.

First, here is the card I made for Logan, who will be 3 years old on Oct. 17th.  I thought these puppies would be perfect.  The image is from Melanie's "Basket Buddies" stamp set.  I colored them with Copics, and used Glossy Accents on the heart. The sentiment is from Theresa's "Warm with Love" set.








 Card Drive Details:
  • Create a fun, uplifting card or cards for one or all the kids listed below (you can click on their names to read more about each of them). The card can be anything cheery, encouraging, supportive, etc.  Please DO NOT send sorry, get well or anything like that. Remember, we want to cheer them up. The kids:
  • All cards need to have a message in it for the child/family.  Please also sign your name and where you are from.  On the card envelope, write the name of the child.  Please, don't seal the envelope, as the parents might want to read the cards before the kids see them.
  • Cards must be received by October 31st to be eligible for the drawing.
  • Mail your card(s) to Giovana along with a piece of paper with your name, address, e-mail address and blog (if you have one). This will help a lot to contact the winner a lot faster!: 
Giovana Smith 
Card Drive for Kids 
181 Perry Way 
Yakima, WA 98901 
  • Everyone who mails in a card for each of the children will be entered into the drawing to win a grand prize!!!!
 

 

Awesome companies have donated amazing prizes for you! More than $400.00 in prizes!!
  • Heartfelt Creations: 8 stamping sets + 1 Coordinated Die Set. Value: $150.00!
  • Gina K. Designs: 2 StampTV Kits: Value: $70.00 (Gina will send the prize direct to the winner!)
  • Unity Stamps: 10 Itty Bitty Stamps. Value: $70.00
  • SP & Company: 3 Stamp Set. Value: $40.00
  • Lawn Fawn Stamps: 2 Stamp Set: Value: $30.00
  • Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps: 1 Stamp Set. Value: $11.00
  • Spellbinders: 2 die sets!! (Not included in the picture yet)
  • Tombow:  Marker (six packs) and adhesives packs
I hope you will participate in this card drive!  Thank you for visiting! Now, please head over to  KAY 's blog, to see her fabulous work!

Fri. Oct. 14, 2011 MFP Release Hop Day Four

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

Today, I am sharing a treat box, card, and matching envelope.  This Ginger Cookies stamp set is just perfect for making gift-giving items.




So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Ginger Cookies? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Ginger Cookies. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Thurs. Oct 13, 2011 MFP Release Hop Day Three

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.



For my "Cardinals in Winter" sample, I used watercolor paper.  I painted my bg and the cardinal image, using re-inkers, water and a fan brush.



So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wed. Oct. 12, 2011 MFP Release Hop Day Two

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

Here is my sample using "Christmas in the Country".

 My "Snowball?" sample:



So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Christmas in the Country and Snowball? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Christmas in the Country and Snowball?. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Tues. Oct. 11, 2011 MFP Release Day One

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies. For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.


So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Holly Greetings? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Holly Greetings. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Mon. Oct. 10, 2011 CAS138

I want to share a card I made for the SCS Clean and Simple Challenge 138.
I crafted home made washi tap using double sided masking tape and tissue paper.  TI then stamped the small holly leaves and berries  from Mark's Finest Papers soon to be released Holly Greetings set.  I tag and the large holly are from the "Ginger Cookies" stamp set.  Both of these sets and 4 more are being released this Tues. Oct. 11th.  The hop starts on Tuesday and we hope you will join in the fun and a chance to win free stamp sets. This gorgeous red cs is also from Mark's.
I added a couple of score lines  to add a little dimesntion to the card's top.  Thanks for stopping by!   ...Karen



Sunday, October 9, 2011

Sun. Oct. 9, 2011 Speedy's Challenge #77

Time for another Saturday challenge at Speedy's.

Linda challenged us to make a card without using any dp.  So here goes...
This cute little chipmonk is from Mark's Finest Papers "Forest Gifts" stamp set.  There are a lot of fabulous images in this set.  This card is a 3.5" square and I scored lines all around the border.  I colored with Copic markers.  This will be a cute little gift card, along with some coffee or a mug (or both), don't you think?




Thank you so much for visiting!   ...Karen

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Sat. Oct. 8, 2011 STVMONCT8

Cat's Challenge on Monday at StampTV was to make a card with a coordinating envelope.
  I used a Christmas image, as I continue to plug along getting all my holiday cards made, before mid-November!!!


This image is from Gina K's "Lord of the Seasons" stamp set, colored with Copic markers and topped off with a few Liquid Ruby Red pearls.  I also stamped the image on the envelope and colored that one too.   Love the way they match, don't you?


Thank you for stopping by!   ...Karen

Friday, October 7, 2011

Fri. Oct. 7, 2011 Two cards today

I played in The Outlawz challenge this week.  It was a fun sketch, although I took a little liberty with it, to better work with my image.  The image is from Mark's Finest Papers "Boo to You" stamp set.  The dp I used is Tim Holtz.


The next card I want to share uses a big, really big sentiment from Papertrey Ink.  I am getting into Fall, I think, since I seem to be using quite a bit of plaid dp lately-LOL. Even though it has a flower and a bow, I still think it could be used as a masculine card- maybe! It was an easy CAS card. Hope you are having a great day.        ...Karen

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Thurs. Oct. 6, 2011 Two for Today

First card up today is one I made using a soon-to-be released set from Mark's Finest Papers. (available 10/11/11).  It is a one layer card that I entered into the One Layer Wednesday challenge (OLW 66). I made a circle template, with vinyl, on my Cricut machine.  I sponged the background, then stamped and colored the image with Copics.


My next card was for Tami's Monday challenge on StampTV, back on Sept. 26th.  I forgot to post it here.  There was a beautiful photo for our inspiration, and I used the colors in the photo to inspire me.


I am so glad you stopped by today!   ...Karen

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wed. Oct. 5, 2011 STVFRITG3

 The card I have to share with you today, was for Tina's challenge on StampTV, but I hadn't posted it here yet. Tina challenged us to make a round card.  The candle image in from Gina K's "Light of the Season" stamp set and the sentiment is from the "Holiday Greetings" set. 
I used the Lacey Circle from Spellbinders (not Grands) and an embossing folder with core'dinations paper. The image was colored with Copics, and I added a touch of Clear Star glitter pen.
Thank you for stopping by!   ...Karen



Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Tues. Oct. 4, 2011 Want to take a peek?

The card I have to share with you today uses some of the images in the soon to be released "Holly Greetings" set from Mark's Finest Papers.  The plaid dp is from my clip art stash.  I dyed seam binding ribbon with a Copic to match. The holly and berried were colored with Copics and the berries were given a coat of Glossy Accents.
I am getting quite a few Christmas cards done lately, and it feels great not to rush at the last minute.  Our friends and family tell me they look forward to my cards-love that!

 Thank you for stopping by today!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Mon. Oct. 3, 2011 Copic Creation Challenge #59

The challenge at Copic Creations this week is 'saturated colors', and I wanted to play along.  I find the Tilda image from Magnolia, is a good example to color for this.  I also included the pine bough made with the Marianne die I won from Joan's Gardens.  Thank you Joan!

 Thanks for visiting today!

Mon. Oct. 3, 2011 A Sneak Peek for you today

Mark's Finest Papers is gearing up for the October Release, on Tues. Oct. 11th, but I've got a sneak peek to show you today.  You are going to love this set!!!

Did you know that Faith hand draws each stamp image at MFP? I am sure glad I can stamp, because I can't draw at all!!



 I hope you enjoyed seeing my card today!  Thanks for visiting!

This image is from the soon to be released set called " Cardinals in Winter".

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Sun. Oct. 2, 2011 CAS137 challenge

I sure do love this little ghost!  This image is from Mark's Finest Papers "Boo to You" stamp set. 
The CAS 137 challenge at SCS was to paper piece, so I pieced the pumpkin using a piece of MME Happy Days patterned paper. If you look closely, you will see the subtle polka dots on the pumpkin!
Thanks for stopping by.   ...Karen

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Sat. Oct. 1, 2011 Speedy Challenge #75

Speedy's challenge this week was given to us by Colleen-to use polka dots!

 Recently I have decided that I really like using dots. I printed this bg from my clip art folder and sponged orange Distress ink over the dots.  I think it makes a great Halloween bg.  The Boo to You sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers stamp set of the same name. I added Glossy Accents to the eyes to accentuate them!

So glad you visited and please know I really appreciate your comments!

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