Collective Craft Haul + Holiday Rant??

Hi all! I quickly wanted to share with you my latest craft haul, and I also have a little rant about the holidays - LOL

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!! I will be back tomorrow with a new tutorial using some new goodies!!

ENJOY!!

I'm back......

Hi all!  Sorry it has been a while since I last posted.  My hubby and I were on vacation, and enjoying some down time from work.  We traveled to see my cousin in Chicago.  Since Chris and I are big St. Louis Cardinals fans, we took in a baseball game at Wrigley field.  St. Louis and Chicago have been rivals for a long, long time, so these games are fun to watch.  At least it is a "friendly" rivalary.  So- anyway, we are back getting back into the swing of things.  I wanted to share a card with you today, but my watermark software is not working right now for some reason, so hopefully after I get my husband to check that out for me, I will be able to post a card for you soon. 


I bought lots of fun things for my cards, and other possible projects while in Illinois.  I was able to make it to my favorite craft store that is in O'Fallon, Illinois.  They have pretty much everything a card - maker, scrapbooker, or paper crafter could want or need.  If I lived closer, I would go there probably weekly!  The store is Scrapbook Factory, and they have products in every nook and cranney that they can fit.  It is an awesome store!!  I also had the first chance at visiting an IKEA store.  Very different store.  This place is huge!!  If you really look, they have awesome deals.  I picked up a few things.  I knew I couldn't get too much, as my hubby and I brought home a lot of things my cousin gave us already.  It was a great time off.  Back to work I will go tomorrow.  No tellin' what awaits me there....

I will be back soon to share some more cards in the next few days.

- Kari

Friend projects, and some rambling...

Hi crafters!!  I'm back with another post for you.  This time I wanted to shake things up a bit, and share with you some projects that I have recently done for some friends of mine.  Every now and then, I want to get my creative juices going with something else other than a card.  I LOVE my cards, as you all know that follow me, but sometimes I need to break out of that and create something different.  Recently, I had a friend of mine ( and technically she is family by marriage) asked if I would take her favorite saying and create something beautiful to look at for a reminder that no matter what she faced, she had everyone's faith in her as long as she believed in her self.  So, she wrote it down on a post it note, and I took it home, and this is what I created for her.....

She loved it!!  I even took a frame I currently had, and altered it a bit, so she would have a "complete package".  I love it when my friends and family give me challenges to do - creatively!  It makes me broaden the possibilities! 

Then, we have my dear friend Vicki.  As I am posting this, she still has not seen this that I am about to share with you.  Vic is my "rebel" friend.  At heart she is a peace loving, biker chick!  I just love her.  She most certainly calls it as she sees it, and I respect that from her.  Last year, at Big Lots I found some discounted 12 X 12 papers called "Flower Child", and the patterns are what you would expect- flowers, peace signs, paisleys, etc.  So- I carefully cut out from one of the sheets the big flower with the peace sign in the middle, and put on the backdrop of continuous peace signs.  Then, I had some felt letters, and arranged them to say
"My Friend", and accented them with some Stickles in Paprika!  I just love Stickles, you can do so much with that stuff!  Anyway, then I took a trip to Wal-Mart and purchased a frame that really accented the whole project!  It think it turned out nice. 

In other news::: I mentioned in the last post that I had purchased some craft goodies- and among all the stuff I've have ordered from various places, one that I was really looking forward to was my Clip It Up!  I bought it at Overstock.com for 43 bucks and some change, with FREE SHIPPING!  I got a pretty good deal on it I think.  I already love it.  I have at my finger tips my clear and cling stamps, that are not already in clear DVD cases ( most if not all Stampin' Up).  I still have like 3 or 4 orders that should be trickling in next week.  I am really anxious for my PaperTrey order.  This is my first order with them, and I know that they have quality products.  Well, believe it or not, I think I have my craft room in the arrangement that will stick for a while!  Never thought I would say those words.  The only thing that I would like to change is the actual wall color from dark purple, to maybe a pretty green or blue, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.  Maybe one day. 

OK my friends, I have rambled on long enough.  I don't want to run you all off with boredom!  :o)  Love to all!!

Stay Inspired!,

I love to buy craft goodies...

Happy Tues evening my friends.  Hope all is well with everyone.  Recently over the last few days, I have bought some craft goodies ( I haven't received any of them as of yet, but they are coming).  I made my first purchase from PaperTrey, Inc.  I have heard so many wonderful things about their products, especially their ribbon and card stock.  So, I bought the card stock sampler that they have, and also various colors of their ribbon. I'm excited to receive their ribbon and try it out.  Also- I broke down and went ahead and purchased a Clip it Up.  If you have seen my videos on You Tube of my craft area- you will notice in the beginning of video one- I showed on my first wall the long Bygel rail from IKEA.  I had made this into my "homemade" clip it up.  It was just fine, other than the fact that it was so far away, and not right at my finger tips where I would like to see what I have in my clear/cling stamps.  I think I will like this better!!

Also- I have just made some other purchases from Eyelet Outlet, and Stampin Up with their clearance  I bought more ribbon their too.  Not to mention, made purchases through the SU parties I attend.  Good thing we have a refund from the IRS!! (tee hee) Not to worry, I am not just blowing this money- I am actually doing good things with it too, like paying on or off a couple of our bills that need it the most.  Well- onto my card share.  I really, really, really love this card.  I had made it especially for a good friend of mine that recently had surgery, and was recovering at home.  She loves owls, and how could you not by looking at this adorable dimensional sticker!  This card has a lot going for it- lots of color, and just pure happiness.  It was a hit for sure!

I really never know how some of my cards will turn out because I don't do like some, and do a sketch before hand. I just go with what I have, remembering what the person I am making for likes as far as color, animals, flowers, etc, and see what comes out of it.  This being said- I almost didn't give this one up!  It is too cute!!  I know I am gushing over my own creation- but I feel I can do this from time to time! 


Well- I am rambled on long enough!  Have a good evening everyone!  Stay safe out there and be good to one another!

Stay Inspired!,