Sun. 3.4.12 An Attitude and more lattice

Good morning blog friends!  I hope you are not suffering through any dangerous weather.  My heart goes out to all of those being affected by the tornadoes that are sweeping across the country.

I have two cards to share today.  The first one is an adorable Mo Manning digi. I love coloring this image with Copics. It is such good practice for me. I let her take center stage on a popped up Nestie oval and scalloped oval.

Next up is a simple sympathy card, using an embossed PTI die cut.  I cut and embossed a piece of a coaster, for my focal point and layered it on a reverse lattice.  I used my cutting machine and cut a lattice for another project.  These little cutouts were left on my cutting mat and decided that they would make a great background too.  I placed a little adhesive on each piece and then placed a piece of cs on top, while they were still attached to the mat.  I pressed firmly and when I pulled it up, I ended up with this. It actually turned out better than I anticipated. Fun, huh? The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die cut.  Have a great day and I will be back tomorrow- hope you will stop back!   ...Karen

Sat. 3/3/12 The Outlawz Paper a La Mode PAM030312 challenge

I hope you head over to The Outlawz and play along with our PAM team.  This week, Rona asked us to make a paper pieced card- with NO coloring.  Here is what I came up with.  I used an image from Mark's Finest Papers "Dogwood Blossoms" set.  I am happy with the result! I paper pieced the petals, the leaves and even the branch.  Thanks for visiting!   ...Karen

Fri. 3/2/12 Big Button, really big button

I entered this card into the JUGS123 challenge a few weeks ago, to use a button or buttons.  Well, I decided to make my button and really have it be the center of attention.  Isn't this fun? I used Spellbinder's circle dies, then my Crop a Dile to punch out the holes for the ribbon tie. The sentiment is from PTI Mat Stack 2 set.

 Glad you came by!   ....Karen

Thurs. 3/1/12 Two Stamp TV challenges today

 YEAH!!!  It's March- now hopefully Spring weather is almost here!!

I am not sure if you saw these when I entered them into the challenges at STV, but they didn't make it here yet. This first one uses Gina K's "Oh Boy" set by Tami Mayberry.  The challenge was to use a stamp that 'moves', and I thought of this helicopter right away.

This one was for challenge STV12MON4-to make a shaker card. I used Gina K's "Funny Farm" stamp set. I love this little ewe and the way he's eating a flower, which is why I added them to the shaker too!

Thank you for visiting-it means a lot to mean!   ...Karen

Wed. 2/29/12 Two Cards for three challenges

Hi !!! Hope you will be having a wonderful day! I am glad you stopped by today.

The first card I am sharing is one I made for a Stamp School Geometry challenge about a week ago. This fun flower was made with tissue paper and lightly sponged.  The bg was made with a CB embossing folder and the scroll work was cut with my Silhouette Cameo. The sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers. 

This card is one I made yesterday and have entered it in The Play Date Cafe (PDCC120) challenge. Here are the colors. I used this sketch from MOJO Monday 230 and have entered it there too.

That's it for me today! I hope you have time to get inky!! ...Karen

Tues. 2/28/12 Card gift set

I recently started working on a gift card set and a box  to hold them. I finally finished and wanted to share with you!  This started out as an experiment.  I took a strip of pretty crocheted lace, which I love, but am running low on.  I decided to temporarily attached it to a piece of cs and scan it into my pc.  It turned out beautifully. I did the green first, then went into my editing software and changed the colors of the cs background. I then stamped the nestie labels to complementary colors of ink, and stamped, colored and cut out coordinating flowers. The label and the flowers are from Gina K Designs' "True Love" set.

For the box, which was made with a cut file, was decorated with a svg cuts for the lattice, the leaves, the doily and the label. The butterfly is GKD "Spring Mix" set and the sentiment from the "True Love" set.

 Thank you for visiting!   ....Karen

Mon. 2/27/12 Pinterest Inspired

Good Monday morning!

The lattice was made with a Cheery Lynn Designs die, and the flowers were cut using a few svg cut files. I stamped the flowers with Bitty Background Basics, from PTI.  The sentiment was from PTI's Mat Stack 2 set.  Thank you for popping in to see my card today!   ...Karen

Sun. 2/26/12 Joan's JG0209 challenge card

I entered this card a few weeks back, but hadn't got it to my blog until now.  I used Gina K's Winter Birds set, by Asela Hopkins. The challenge was to use lattice, and a bird. The lattice is a Cheery Lynn die and the branch is Memory Box die. The branch the bird is sitting on is part of the stamp image, which I colored with Copics.

Thanks for visiting!  It make me very happy knowing you stop by.  ...Karen

Sat. 2/25/12 The Outlawz PAM022512 FLOWER POWER

I am the hostess this week for the Outlawz Paper a La Mode challenge.  The theme is Flower Power.

I used Gina K's Bold Flowers stamp set, a sponged bg and a little twine, and I am happy with the result. We've got some great prizes this month, so come on over and play along! HERE is the link.

Fri. 2/24/12 Hello, Handsome Cat and Sending Happy Thoughts

  Isn't this big cat a real beauty? The image is from Mark's Finest Papers. 

The stamp set is called North American Woods. The branch is a Memory Box die, that I bought at Joan's Gardens. They cut beautifully!

My next card is one I made for the sketch SC373 at SCS. I used a sentiment from the "Sending Happy Thoughts" set from Mark's Finest Papers.  The flower was cut with my Cameo. I am loving this machine!!! 

My third card today is one I entered yesterday into the JUGS124 color challenge.  The colors given were teal, yellow, green and pink. I think I got them all here.  The flowers were cut with my Cameo and was the frame.  The sentiment is from MFP's "Dogwood Blossoms" set.

Thank you for stopping by!   ...Karen

Thurs. 2/23/12 Challenges times Two

Hi and good morning!

Do you like to make one layer cards?  I sure do, so I try to play along every week. If you haven't you should try it.  It's very freeing and a lot of fun.  The ultimate CAS!!!  This is for challenge OLW 78.

Can you guess what the challenge was?  Yep, use 5 circles.  This was fun and pretty quick too.  I used stamps from Gina K's Bold Flowers set stamped with PTI ink.  A little twine was added and I called it complete!  
This next card was made for a challenge to CASE the DT on StampTV. This week we are case-ing Jimmy Mayo.  This is Jimmi's card.

 This is mine.  I used the dress form image from Gina's "True Love" stamp set, in addition to some gorgeous Prima paper that I won.  This is gorgeous paper, let me tell you!!! The rolled roses were cut with a Silhouette file by Samantha Walker. The rose leaves were punched.

Thanks for visiting.   ...Karen

Wed. 2/22/12 A couple of new cards to share

Good Morning!  Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you have a wonderful day planned! The first card I want to share with you is one I made for one of the challenges at CPS.  This is for CPS 37.

Here is a card I made using a really cute image and an Easter sentiment from Mark's Finest Papers "Blessings" stamp set. I colored this little fella with Copic markers.

So happy to see you today!  ...Karen

Tues. 2/21/12 A new Valentine to share

I am pretty sure I forgot to share this card before Valentine's Day.  Well, better late than never?  LOL.

I used Tami Mayberry's Hopeful Hearts set along with a scalloped Nestie.

Mon. 2/20/12 CPS 5- Day 9 #8293

I was trying to keep up with all 15 challenges at CPS, but it just didn't happen. Here is one I did make, however.  This sketch is # CPS 5. The image and sentiment are from the new Dogwood Blossoms set from Mark's Finest Papers. I stamped with Memento and colored with Copics. That's it for today.  Thanks for popping in!  ..Karen

Sun. 2/19/12 My card for Gina K Day

Yesterday on StampTV, we celebrated our awesome, fearless leader-Gina K. The card I made used this video by Gina, as my inspiration. You can watch it HERE.  I used Tami's "Gnome one like You" stamp set, but made him into a Lepre-gnome-LOL.

 In case you're wondering who the SPA chicks are- they are my fellow classmates from St. Patrick Academy.  How awesome are we?? Well, we were the last graduating class and then they closed the school!!! Even after all these years, and it was quite a long time ago, we are still a group of 'girls' that keeps in touch.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Sat. 2/18/12 Paper A la Mode challenge PAM021812

Theresa's challenge this week at The Outlawz Paper A la Mode is to make a card that is Spring!  Even though we have had a pretty mild winter here in Wisconsin, I do yearn for Spring.

I used the kite image from Gina K's "Eclectic Summer" stamp set. I paper pieced with white cs, but colored it with Copics.  The sentiment is from the "Blessings" set from Mark's Finest Papers. I sponged the background with Distress and Memento inks.

I hope you will play along- we've got some very nice prizes.  Check it out! You've got until Feb. 24th to enter your card!

Fri. 2/17/12 MFP HOP Day 4 Dogwood Blossoms

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Relax A Bit Featured February 14
North American Woods Featured February 15
Blessings Featured February 16
Dogwood Blossoms Featured February 17

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!) All four winners will be announced on February 18, 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 and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday February 17, 2012.

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


Our new promotion begins this month! With the purchase of the February New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our February New Release Mini:

Spring Joy

Thurs. 2/16/12 MFP HOP Day 3 Blessings

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Relax A Bit Featured February 14
North American Woods Featured February 15
Blessings Featured February 16
Dogwood Blossoms Featured February 17

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!) All four winners will be announced on February 18, 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 and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday February 17, 2012.

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


Our new promotion begins this month! With the purchase of the February New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our February New Release Mini:

Spring Joy

Wed. 2/15/2012 MFP HOP Day 2 North American Woods

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Relax A Bit Featured February 14
North American Woods Featured February 15
Blessings Featured February 16
Dogwood Blossoms Featured February 17

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!) All four winners will be announced on February 18, 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 and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday February 17, 2012.

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


Our new promotion begins this month! With the purchase of the February New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our February New Release Mini:

Spring Joy

Tues. 2/14/12 MFP Hop Day 1

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Relax A Bit Featured February 14
North American Woods Featured February 15
Blessings Featured February 16
Dogwood Blossoms Featured February 17

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!) All four winners will be announced on February 18, 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 and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday February 17, 2012.

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


Our new promotion begins this month! With the purchase of the February New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our February New Release Mini:

Spring Joy

Mon. 2/13/12 MFP Sneak Peek

I have a sneak peek card for you today.  Mark's Finest Papers  February Release Blog Hop starts tomorrow and the four new stamp sets become available for purchase.  The image I used here is from the "Relax a Bit" stamp set.  There are so many fun images, so be sure to stop by tomorrow to get started with our hop.

 

 I stamped with Memento ink and colored with Copic markers. I hope to see you back tomorrow.  Thanks for visiting today!   ...Karen

Sun. 2/12/12 One card for StampTV and The Outlawz

The Outlawz Paper Ala Mode PAM021112 Challenge this week was a sketch challenge, by Sharon.  The Mix it up Monday challenge STV12MON3 at STV last week was to use at least 2 textures. 

Well, my card today fits them both.  So happy when I can do that! This heat embossed rose is from Melanie's "A Year of Flowers" set.  Have you seen the book that Gina is selling?  It's Melanie's fabulous book and tons of gorgeous pictures and instructions to make a bunch of cards for all occasions that come up during the year.  The sentiment is from Gina's "Enjoy the Sunshine" set.

 Thank you for stopping by today!   ...Karen

Sat. 2/11/2012 CSST Alumni Inspiration Hop

Hi all- I hope you are prepared for some inspiration from the Center Stage Alumni team again.  I am happy to be hosting this month! If you came from KAY's blog, you are in the right place.  If you'd like to start at the beginning, click HERE.

Make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (February 14), 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!

Here is the photo I have chosen for the inspiration. HERE is where I found it. I love all the colors, shapes and shadows- ah, so much to be inspired by and I can't wait to see what the other ladies have come up with.

This is the card I came up with, using the bird cage and flowers from Gina's "True Love" kit.
I die cut the window with a really old Spellbinders die. I sponged Tea Dye Distress ink on all the edges. The leaves and little branches were punched.

 Your next stop is  JOY's blog, to see a gorgeous creation!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Fri. 2/10/12 Relax a Bit, plus two more

Today is a sneak peek using one of the images from the soon to be released "Relax a Bit" stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers.  This set and 3 others will be available for purchase on Tuesday, Feb.14th. I also entered this into the challenge CPS102  Day 8. I have two more cards for you today- scroll down.

This is a vintage design card I made for a challenge STV12FRI2 on StampTV.  We were to use images from a favorite Gina stamp set.  The bird and the sentiment are from the "Springtime Silhouettes" set. The card below was another for this same challenge, using the same stamp set.  I cut the flower out with my Cameo and stamped the damask image on the petals.

 I am happy to share my work with you and extremely happy when you visit!

Thurs. 2/9/2012 Release Party challenge cards

Did you attend Gina K's Release party on the 31st?  Fabulous new stamps, beautiful samples by the DT, and so much fun chatting with everyone.  I had a fun time and enjoyed it a lot.

 There were two card challenges and today I am sharing the cards I submitted.  First was Lori challenge to use 'designer paper' dp on a card.  I used a cut file and my Silhouette Cameo to cut the sentiment panel. I stamped leaves from Theresa's Whimsical Wishes set around the border of the panel.  I then cut out the flower petals and built this fun little flower!

The second was a sketch challenge and was given to us by Jennie. I decided to use the sketch to make a masculine Valentine for my hubby.  The color palette I used reminded me of a big velvet heart box filled with chocolates!!  The heart image is from Tami Mayberry's Happy Hearts stamp set, and the itty bitty 'love you' sentiment is from Gina K's "True Love" set.

Wed. 2/8/2012 Pearl Challenge STV12mon2

The Monday challenge on StampTV last week was a challenge to use pearls on our card.  Joy gave us the challenge-she always wears pearls-even when she gardens!
I used a lot of pearls on my card today-much more than I ever had before!  I like the look.
The flower image is from Gina K's "True Love" stamp set, colored with Copics and highlighted with a Sakura Clear Star pen.  I had a difficult time, getting the sparkle to show up in the photo.
 The die cut flourishes were cut from a Cheery Lynn die, using GKD patterned paper.  I cut one in reverse so I could form a heart shape.  Glad you came to see what I am sharing today.  ...Karen

Tues. 2/7/2012 Have you seen this one yet?

Today's card is one I posted on STV last week, but it didn't get to my blog until now.  I used a gorgeous flower image from GKD's "Stately Flowers 2" set, by Melanie Muenchinger. It only took about 2 minutes to color this one with my Copics.  Love that- a lot of bang for the buck!

I entered this one into Stamp School 1/24 challenge and also the Friday 2/27 challenge

at StampTV STV12FRI1.  So happy you came to 'see' me today!  ...Karen

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