Mon. 2/6/2012 Card for Joan's and Tuesday Morning

I have one card to share with you today that I entered into Joan's Gardens' challenge #JG126 and for a first time entry at Tuesday Morning Sketches. 

I had fun making this one with pink, green with a dash of purple for Joan's and the sketch. Do you like using sketches, or do you prefer color challenges?

The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn Design die cut. I cut using white cs, colored with Copics and then glittered with Art Institute transparent glitter (love that stuff).  The dotted paper is GKD, as is the sentiment stamped 3 times and heat embossed, on a label made with a PTI die.  If you look closely, you can see the remainder of the circle on the card front, used to decorate the inside!  No waste here! LOL

I think this one is going to my granddaughter's mailbox!  Thanks for stopping by today.   ...Karen

Sun. 2-5-2012 Less is More #52 challenge

I have recently started playing in the challenges at Less is More. FUN!!!

Here is this week's sketch. The butterfly I used is from Basic Grey and the sentiment is PTI.  I just received some twine from The Twinery, and just had to use it on this card! Patterned paper and pink cs are from Gina K.

That's it for today!   ...Karen

Sat. 2/4/12 Outlawz Challenge PAM020412

It's time for another challenge for the Paper A La Mode group at The Outlawz. This time, Theresa has challenged us to use at least 2 hearts on our cards.  I hope you will click on the link above, then on the challenge dated Feb. 4-10th and play along.  There are some awesome prizes!!!!

Here is my card.  I used Nesties to cut the felt hearts and the sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers.  I didn't have red dotted ribbon, so I made it using white Liquid Applique, and centered it between two different strips of punched borders.  The embossing folder I used is a Sizzix one called Scallops and Lines. Hope you like this fun card.

Thanks you for stopping by!

Fri. 2/3/2012 Vintage card for two challenges and a pouch

I mentioned the paper I won from Becca at Amazing Paper Grace yesterday, and today's card uses more of this gorgeous paper.  I entered this card into StampTV's Free for All Friday challenge,
# STV12FRI1, (at least one stamped flower on your project plus use at least two different shapes) as well as the Card Patterns Sketch 150.

The vintage feel to this card makes me a happy camper! Hope you like it too!

Now I also want to share a candy bar pouch I made for the challenge JG022 at Joan's Gardens. There is a tutorial-easy to follow and fun to make as well.

That's it for me today!  Thank you for visiting!   ...Karen

Thurs. 2/2/2012 Pretty Bird

I really like the colors I ended up using for today's share. I used a sketch from The House that Stamps Built challenge J2512, and also entered it into a challenge at Stamp School Study Hall 1-24-2012.

I recently bought this bird stamp from Serendipity-thinking it would be great for a collage card, but I haven't made that one yet.  I think it's cute on its own!

The patterned paper is Prima.  I won a bunch of beautiful Prima papers from Amazing Paper Grace.  Thanks Becca! The papers are gorgeous!
I hope you have a great day!   ...Karen

Wed. 2/1/2012 It's February Already!!

Good morning!  I needed to make another sympathy card this week, and I really love this rose bud from Mark's Finest Papers new "Love Remains" stamp set. I stamped with Memento and colored with Copic markers. After cutting it out I popped it up on oval Nesties, both plain and scalloped. The sentiment is from Gina K. Designs "Not Forgotten" set. 

 So happy you stopped by!   ...Karen

Tues. 1/31/12 OLW 76

I love playing in the One Layer Wednesday challenges.  This week we were challenged to use gray with just a dash of red- "Color in Winter".

A while back I bought some inchie stamps, and decided to use them here, with a dash of red bling. The circle stamps are from Inkadinkado and the sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers. The card base is Neenah Solar White.  Tonight is the Gina K release party at StampTV

- Woo hoo!  Will I see you there?          

Thanks so much for stopping by!   ...Karen

Mon. 1/31/12 CASE-ing Jennie and CFC36

Happy Monday!  Today I want to share a card with you, that I made for Cat's challenge to CASE one of Jennie Harper's cards.  What fun!!!-since Jennie make gorgeous cards.
I chose this lovely vintage looking one.

Here is my CASE.  I used black and white plaid dp, used a different Spellbinder label and a different sentiment. I also entered this into CAS-ual Fridays challenge #36.

Sun. 1/29/12 Kary's Challenge Pocket Card

Kary Lim is the Guest Challenger at StampTV this week.  Great choice, Lori-for choosing this talented stamper!  Kary's challenge was to make a pocket card and to use red.  I also wanted to keep the Chinese New Year in mind, while creating my pocket card.  I haven't made a pocket card in ages, so it was a lot of fun.  I think I was able to give it a Chinese feel- what do you think?

I used images from two of Theresa Momber's stamp sets.  Her new "Wild Wilderness" and a previously released set, called "Vogue Vases".

 Thanks for stopping by today!

Sat. 1/27/12 Outlawz PAM012812

Good Saturday morning!!!!  

The Paper A La Mode challenge this week is PAM012812 and hosted by Rona!  The theme 

S (stitching) N (new stamp) O (oval) W (white)= SNOW-that wasn't mentioned however.  Mine is more spring-like and has nothing to do with snow. LOL

My stitching is faux and my new image is a Unity stamp. I used an embossing folder for the bg.  The image was colored with Copics and I added some sponging. 

That's it for today.  See you tomorrow!

Fri. 1/27/12 Another True Love card

I just love the new StampTV set "True Love", from Gina K. Designs. It is so versatile and I am having tons of fun playing with it. This set comes will awesome GKD card stock and an assortment of ribbons.

The plaid paper was a .jpg file on my computer.  It was a really bright green, but I changed it to more blue than green.  Love that I can do that!

I stamped, colored the flowers with Copic markers and cut them out.  They were then attached with pop dots. Yep, this was a pretty easy card to make, and I like it, even though its pretty CAS.

Thank you for visiting!   ...Karen

Thurs. 1/26/12 Just for fun

Sometimes I like when mojo visits and I get to play without any challenges in my mind. I used PTI cs, Spellbinders lacy circles and a fussy cut image from Gina K's new "True Love" stamp set.  I distressed some of the edges, added some lace and ribbon and I was finished.  I like it, because I am especially fond of the colors! I am so glad you stopped by today!  It means a lot, to know you were here!

Wed. 1/25/12 Valentines

I made this card using a border image from Gina K's latest stamp set called "True Love". I entered this one into the Sunday CAS challenge at The Outlawz.  We were requested to use something new, and I just bought this set.
Next up is a card I entered for a Stamp TV challenge last week. It was so easy to make using Tim Holtz Distress stain and a heat embossed sentiment. I really like how it turned out.

Thanks for visiting!

Tues. 1/24 Another One Layer Wednesday Challenge

One layer cards are a challenge to many, and used to be for me, as well.  Now, I just find them a lot of fun! Participating in the OLW challenges has also helped me with CAS cards. If you shy away from them, you should really give it a go-it's so freeing and gives you a chance to ink of some of the stamps in your collection that have never touched an ink pad. Really-you have some of those, don't you?

This stamp is a new one from Gina K's latest StampTV kit called "True Love". The images are ones I will use A LOT!  For this card, I only inked up part of the stamp since I wanted to change the words on the sheet of paper.  I have a bunch of ideas, using this again with some of the teeny sentiments I have.

I was so happy with this image, that I made another card for the Outlawz CAS012212 challenge.  This time I used a panel and made a square card, measuring 4.25". I like this one better!!! I think I should have added a ribbon or something to the first card, for better balance.

Glad you stopped by!

Mon. 1.23.2012 Good Morning!

I have a quick post for you today!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

This clean and simple one layer card was for the One Layer Wednesday 74 challenge.  The sentiment is from Unity and I added some faux stitching to draw your eye to this lovely quote.

Next, is the card I made for a friend.  Inchie stamps are so much fun to work with.  I have a bunch of them and really need to get more of them inky.

 

Lastly, is a card with a really fun fold.  I watched the video for it on the Memory Box site and just had to try it.  You may have seen this card on StampTV, since I entered it for Suzanne's challenge last Monday.     The heart was made with glossy cs and dabbed with alcohol inks.  When it was dry, I added silver metallic mixative (Adirondack), and embossed in my Vagabond.

Thank you for visiting!  I hope to see you tomorrow!

Sun. 1.22.12 A few cards for you today

Hi blogger friends!  I hope you are having a wonderful day.

*** My Blogger didn't post Saturday-converted it to a draft instead.  Hate when that happens!!!

 Anyway, it is located below today's post!

I have a few cards to share with you today.  The first one is a simple one in black and white.  The silhouette horse was cut with a .svg file I have had in my pc for quite a while.

Not sure what svg files are?  They look like digi stamps, but are used with a cutting machine, like the Sizzix eClips, and they can be sized and stretched etc.  You can get a better idea by looking HERE.

 This next one is a non-traditional color Valentine for challenge # JG112 at Joan's Gardens. I used Spellbinders dies to cut out the felt hearts, and then I added the lace edge. Not sure where I bought these two different types of lace, but I like them both! No stamping on this card, but that's okay with me-fun, once in a while.

My final card for today was a fun one.  We had friends over Saturday night and they asked what it was that got me into making cards.  So, of course I demonstrated heat embossing.  I grabbed a piece of GKD chocolate cs and some platinum EP.  The stamp that was laying on my desk is one I just got from Unity-isn't this bird cute?  I wowed our friends with the transformation from powder to beautiful gold embossing with a wave of my magic wand---err, I mean the heat tool!!! LOL Sunday evening, I decided to see what I could come up with the image I embossed-voila'- here is the card!

 I hope you enjoyed seeing these cards and will come back tomorrow! I am very grateful that you visit!

Sat. Jan. 21, 2012 The Outlawz Paper a La Mode Challenge

I am the Paper a La Mode challenge hostess this week at The Outlawz, and I hope you'll play along! My challenge is for you to make a CAS Valentine. Come on over and check out what our DT has to share with you.


Here is mine-to give you some inspiration, I hope! Clean and simple, even on beautiful kraft cs.
Here is a link to the gallery.

Fri. Jan. 20, 2012 Mark's Finest Papers Hop -Day 4

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Here is the card I designed using the "You are Cherished" set. I stamped this beautiful heart image and heat embossed with fine detail white EP- both for my background and on the cut out heart.  I distressed the bg panel, and the sentiment was stamped and heat embossed on a piece of vellum, and held in place with 2 pretty pearl embellishments. This soft pink cs is a favorite MFP color and the ribbons is a perfect match!!!

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.(happy you are here)
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Thurs. Jan. 19, 2012 Mark's Finest Papers Hop -Day 3

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Isn't this postage image gorgeous?  Easy to color too!  This beautiful pink cs is also from MFP, and with a  quick zip through my Vagabond with embossing folders, some seam binding ribbon and bows, my card was complete!

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.(you are here)
Pam (your next stop)
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Wed. Jan. 18, 2012 Mark's Finest Papers Hop- Day 2

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

My card to share today uses the boots image and a sentiment from "Cowgirls Rule", colored with Copics.  Have you noticed I love my Copics!  LOL.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.(Thanks for visiting)
Pam (visit Pam next)
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Tues. Jan. 17, 2012 Mark's Finest Papers Hop- Day 1

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Here is my sample of this gorgeous rose image.  I colored it with Copic markers!

Lois

Vicky

Anne

Pat G.

Karen H.

Patty P.

Mary

Dawn M.

Marilynn

Chrissy

Karen K.(glad you're here)

Pam (go here next)

Debbie

Nancy

Bonnie

Harriet

Kathy

Silvia

Brenda

Mark's Finest Papers

Mon. 1/16/2012 Sending Happy Thoughts

Hi everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  The snow we got on Thursday and Friday has put a beautiful and clean wintry look to our area.  We were blessed with a rather mild winter up to this point, but it was strange, until we got snow.  It's so pretty looking now!

The card I made for today's post uses a wonderful little postage image from Mark's Finest Papers stamp set called "Sending Happy Thoughts" which is being released tomorrow.

 

 

The MFP Release hop starts tomorrow, so be sure to stop by, and see how you can win some new stamps! See you then!   ...Karen

Sun. Jan. 15, 2012 Free for All Challenge F4A98

Good morning everyone!  Are you getting some winter weather?  We have had quite a change since last Wednesday, when it got to 50°  I guess now we will appreciate Spring even more when it gets here! LOL

I made this one for a challenge at SCS.  Make a “potpourri” by adding the following elements:

1. A 3-D Flower (or more than one, if you'd like!)
2. A gem or gems (rhinestone, pearl, etc.)
3. Embossing Folder
4. Diecut/Punch
5. Designer/Patterned Paper

I think I have all the bases covered with this card.  I had a lot of fun creating this felt flower. The leaves and the sentiment are from two different MFP sets:  Winter Crocus and Love Remains.

Thanks for visiting!   ...Karen

Sat. Jan 14, 2012 The Outlawz Challenge PAM 011412

It's time for the Saturday Paper a la Mode challenge at The Outlawz.  I hope you have a chance to play along.  Theresa's challenge this week is called "White Sale".  You are to use mostly white!

This crocus image is from Mark's Finest Papers-a Heinrich Company, colored with Copic markers. The card base was embossed with a Sizzix embossing folders called Scallops and Lines. I added some seam binding ribbon with a bow.

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

Fri. Jan. 13, 2012 CSS Alumni Sketch Hop

Welcome to another CSS Alumni Hop. If you arrived from  Joy's blog, you are in the right place  If you'd like to start at the beginning, click HERE. This month our challenge is a sketch by our talented team mate, Melissa Cash.

*** Make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (January 17), we will randomly choose one of the comments from all the blogs and that person will receive a huge grab bag of fabulous Gina K. Designs Stamps!

I made two cards for this sketch, since it is such a fun one.  My first card uses a sentiment from the "Friends" stamp set by Gina K.  I used two different Nestie die cuts and a felt flower and leaves that I die cut. Instead of embellies in the outer corners, I added them around my focal panel.  The flower stamp I used to make my dp, is from Gina's "Comfort and Peace" set.

Next I used a flower from Melanie's new "Stately Flowers 2" set.  This was so much fun to color.  I then cut out the petals and leaves and attached them to the circle nestie.  I decided a  lacy border would be a nice touch. 

I am so happy you visited!  Now it's time to head over to Kay's blog, to see her gorgeous work!

Fri. Jan. 13, 2012 MFP Sneak Peeks

 I used two sentiments from Mark's Finest Papers "Love Remains" stamp set.  This new set will be available HERE, on Tuesday Jan. 17th. This card is for the Moxie Fab World challenge.

My next card  uses an image from the MFP  set called "Cowgirls Rule".  Our release hop starts on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.  I colored this with my fave Copic markers.

That's it for me today!   ....Karen

Thurs. Jan. 12, 2012 Post it Note Holder with tutorial

Jennie's challenge at StampTV (STVMONJH7) on Monday was to create a Post it Note holder.  Here is mine, where I created a little box type holder. If you scroll down, I have the instructions on how to make this one.

Start with a piece of sturdy card stock, 120# would be ideal.

1. Cut cs 7" x 4".

2. With the 4" side on your left, using a Scor-Pal, score at 1/2", 3.5" and 4".

3. Rotate cs, placing the 7" side on the left and score at 1/2" and 3.5".

4. Make cuts, as shown, including punch out where noted.

Whoa- sorry this pic is blurry!

5. Fold along score lines, place Scor tape on flaps and create the box.  Decorate as desired.

Wed. Jan. 11, 2012 Showcasing Theresa's stamp set

Theresa's latest stamp set has so many cool images to play with. The set is called "Mountain Wilderness".

The first images I wanted to ink up, were the bears.  I thought it would be a great birthday card, and used the vertical sentiment to finish it off.

I stamped the bears with Memento ink and then colored them with Copic markers. The sky was sponged with Distress ink.  Glad you popped in to see what I'd share today!  ...Karen

Tues. Jan. 10, 2012 Playing with svg cut files and a sneak peek

I totally forgot that I had software to use cut files, so I have been playing with them the past few days.  This was a freebie (from somewhere) and is such a pretty round flourish. I made the rolled rose and the leaves were punched.  The sentiment is from the soon to be released stamp set, from Mark's Finest Papers, called "You are Cherished".

Thanks for coming by to visit!  It means a lot to have you stop by!   ...Karen

Mon. Jan 9, 2012 A Baby card for Challenge STVFRIMW1

Happy Monday morning!  Still no snow here and temps in the 40's-so strange for SE Wisconsin.  Friday and Saturday we were in the low 50's!!!!!  Temperature records were broken all over the U.S.!!!! 

The Free for All Friday challenge at StampTV was to make a Baby card.  Michelle came up with this fun challenge.  I don't know anyone that is expecting, but I'll save the card for when I do!

The frame was cut with a .svg cut file, and then I ran it through with a CB Dotted Swiss folder..  The image is from Gina K's "Jumping for Joy" by Melanie Muenchinger.  The Baby letters were die cut, using a Sizzix alphabet set, colored with Copics and dotted with TH picket Fence stain and a mini mini paint brush.

Sun. Jan. 8. 2012 Second post today!!! You've got to see this!

Melanie has a fab tutorial and blog candy!  HERE 's the link- she is so clever!

Sun. Jan. 8, 2012 More challenges- woo hoo

Happy Sunday morning!


 First up is a card for The Outlawz CAS0101 Challenge- white base, and no dp! The snowflakes were made with a MS punch and glittered.  I embossed the card base with a CB folder.  The frame was made with Nesties and the sentiment is from Gina K's "Winter Wonderland" stamp set.

This one is for two challenges- the CPS 249 sketch and StampTV's Friday Challenge- STVMONTG5 (a girlie card). The flower image is from Theresa Momber's "Hope Grows" set from Gina K's.

Thanks for stopping by!   ...Karen

Sat. Jan. 7, 2012 The Outlawz Paper a la Mode Challenge

I am so happy to now be a DT for The Outlawz Paper a la Mode Challenge team.  The challenge this week is to use numbers on a card. I hope you will join in the fun and play along with this challenge.  

Here's my second card:

Come on and join in the fun!  Here is the link to the challenge. 
Be sure to check out the prizes for entering the challenges in January, especially a 20 pack of Cryogen White card stock as a "special prize" from Paper Temptress!

Fri. Jan.6, 2012 Another challenge done!

This card is one I made for Gina's Release party challenge.  Giovana challenged us to use stamped flowers on our card.  Here is mine using Theresa's Fanciful Fall set! I love coloring flowers, so this was a lot of fun for me.  Yay!