Birthdays, Birthdays, and more Birthdays!!

Hi all!!  Sorry I have been MIA other than posting for Sweet Stamp Shop's August Release.  Hope you all enjoyed the release!!  It was fun seeing all the DT projects and being active for my first DT!!  OK- switching gears here!!  Thought I would post three birthday cards I've made recently.  These birthdays happened all within the last week!! Two on the same day :)  Here is a look at card #1.

This card features a Gina K. Designs set called Holiday Basket.  I just LOVE this basket - so much fun to play with!!  I also used the sunflowers in this set.  I colored directly on the stamp of the sunflowers with various colors of Memento markers.  I colored the leaves with Copic marker G05.  I stamped the basket directly onto my card base, and stamped it again onto some pattern paper from the Basic Grey 6 x6 paper line Shine On - it was a line exclusively for Joann craft stores.  I added some dimensionals to pop it off the card.  I added a few embellishments to tie everything together - like the copper brads on the basket - a button in the middle, and used some hemp twine and tied a bow and added it to the single sunflower.  I added some sunburst washi tape.  My sentiment is from Lawn Fawn - Grand Greetings.  

OK- Card #2

This card was a simple card to make but with lots of color!  The fun element to this card is of course the cassette tape.  It is from a set from TPC Studios - Retro.  The pattern paper comes from Amy Tan's Sketchbook.  For the sentiment - I added some various Thickers :)  Quick and simple!!

Card #3

This card features The Stamps of Life set Candy2share.  The border on this card was cut using this die from Memory Box.  Love this design!!!  The pattern paper that is behind the die is from the same Basic Grey 6 x 6 pad Shine On.  The birthday sentiment comes from Studio Calico Hey Day sentiments.  You can't use this candy images without using some glossy accents to bring the to life!!  Such a fun and happy card!!  Here is a closer look at the glossy accents on the candy - it really makes the shine!

Hope you all like these three totally different birthday cards!!!   They were fun to make and even more enjoyable - giving to them to the recipients with a smile on their face!

Christmas Card Swap - 18 Cards I made...

Happy Sat!!!  I wanted to share with all of you my finished cards I made for my spot(s) in the StampTV Christmas Card Swap.  I signed up for three spots - each spot you make 6 cards total - one the hostess keeps - and the rest are split up among all the other people that signed up for spots.  This is the second time I have participated in this swap - but it wasn't Christmas themed.  There are no restrictions really, other than you have to use a Gina K. Designs stamp set or one of her designers.   I am VERY limited on the Christmas stamp sets I have of Gina K's, so much in fact, that I had to purchase a couple of sets.  This swap challenged in me in many different ways for sure, but now that they are done - I am so proud of my self, and what I have made!!  I hope the ladies that receive ANY of my cards feel the same way.  OK- so now without further or do - here are a couple of pics of my finished cards!!

Well - off they go in the mail on Monday!!  I am anxious and excited to see what cards I receive!!  Also - I get TWO prizes - one for signing up for a second spot and two for landing on a # 10 spot!  YAY!


Hope you all are well - and able to get some crafting in during the weekend!!  Thanks for stopping in!!

Kari

I know I keep saying it, but I am sorry...

Hi all!  I'm back in on this day that America remembers 10 yrs. ago, the terror we faced as a nation on 9-11-01.  Most everyone remembers exactly what they were doing, and where they were when they heard about the Twin Towers, and the events that took place after.  We are a strong nation!  I am proud to be an American, and so happy that we have come a long way since that day!!  Let us not forget!!

Onto crafty news:  I know I keep apologizing for my absence from my blog, but I like a lot of us, things in everyday life take over, and it hardly leaves any time to things we really love.  Sometimes you have to MAKE the time.  That is what I am doing today.  In between laundry and resting up for the next work week, I have made a card to share.  I have actually made three cards now this weekend, so things are good!!

I used the new BG/Hero Arts background stamp that coordinates with the Out of Print collection, and embossed it in black embossing powder.   Then I just picked out random Distress Ink colors that struck my eye, and inked my cardstock.  I  placed this onto a A2 size card base using some card stock from Gina K. Designs.  I added black satin ribbon, and a dimensional sticker.  My sentiment comes from TPC Studio called Card Crafting Hello.

I would love to hear feedback!!!  I love getting comments!!

CAS-ual Friday Challenge: Embossing

Hi all!  Back with you to share my entry for this week's CAS-ual Friday Challenge: Embossing.  This time we needed to make a card that features any type of embossing - dry embossing, heat-set or embossing folders.  I did two types for my card, heat - set and used an embossing folder.

 

I heat embossed my Hero Arts image on a piece of patterned paper from the new stack from BG : Indie Bloom. I then added a bit of distress ink to the image to bring it out a bit on the paper and to tone down the "brightness" of the paper.  I wanted COLOR in my project, and this paper was perfect for it.  I, then cut the image up into three segments, and added them to a piece of white card stock from Gina K. Designs.  I die cut the image then with my Top Note Die from SU!  I took a piece of vellum card stock and one of my cuttlebug folders and embossed the vellum.  I didn't want to take away the beautiful card base color of Summer Sunrise card stock from PTI, that is why I thought vellum would be a different choice.  I then adhered all of it to my card base, and I had this cute card stock sticker, and added it for my sentiment.  For the final steps, I added some gemstones color by some Copic markers, and some "faux" stitching on the sides with my white gel pen. 

Until next time!!!  Keep smilin'! and creative!

~ Kari ~

CAS-ual Friday Challenge 14: Glitsy Glue Dots

I'm back to share with you my submission for the CFC14: Glitsy Glue Dots.  I took a little break from CFC among other challenges because I didn't feel very creative.  Since my break - I have been brainstorming again for ideas.  For this challenge the objective Add glitter to your Clean And Simple project using an adhesive Glue Dot or strip. 

 I decided to use sticky strip.  I knew I wanted color, color, color.  I also knew I had two different sizes of sticky strip I could use.  My card base is GKD heavy base weight white card stock.  I took strips of other colored card stock from my scraps and put them to good use.  I cut the ends to a banner shape, and added my sticky strip.  The middle is the 1/2" size, and the other is the 1/4" size.  I added some dazzling diamonds glitter to my strip, and my strips of color card stock comes to life with sparkle.  Then I wanted some kind of medallion in one corner of my card, and took some of my cat eye inks and added the same colors to my medallion.  My sentiment comes from HA - " You inspire me".  I thought it was fitting since this is the first card from my "break" from all the different challenges.  Hope you like it!! 

A little birdy....

Happy Wed!  We are nearing the weekend, and I am happy about it.  I can actually say that today was a pretty good day.  It is a nice change from what I have been having at work.  As I mentioned in last night's post - I wanted to make a couple of cards to take my mind off of all the rain we've been getting here in Missouri.   I wanted to share with you the other card I made.  I used a new Hero Arts Cling Stamp I purchased.  I thought it was so cute.  I am sure you could do so many variations with this stamp.  I first embossed the image on Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury White card stock with clear embossing powder - then did the emboss resist technique, and used some Distress Inks to color in the image.  I like embossing on this card stock because it is so thick - there is very minimal warping. 

I used some pattern paper from MM 6 x 6 "Just Chillin'" stack. I also used some Bazzill card stock I had to create my matte.  I popped up my "Hello" image with pop dots after cutting it out.  I added some "stickles" for some shine on the flowers, added some Baker's Twine in green, and a cute little button from BG.  The little birdy dimensional sticker is from KI Memories called Puffies.  These things are so stinkin' cute!!  I gotta get more of these!! 

Well - It is time to go watch some TV! Have a relaxing day and night where ever you are in the world!!  Till we meet here again!

Stay Inspired!!

-Kari

Making people smile...

Hi my blog readers!  How is everyone Sat. evening going??  Well, I have been spoiled in some regards, but frankly I deserve the time off.  I took some time off to have some "mental health" re coop time, and some time to spend with my mom.  My mom has been under the weather lately, and since the rough winter weather we had just a few weeks back, I hadn't had the chance to go see her.  So- I made her a card instead.  I think she liked it.  Who can resist this 'lil duck??  I had a sneakin' suspicion that she would like him.

I tried my hand at some more Copic coloring.  I'm still learning, but what I love about these markers, whether you are just beginning or a  professional, your image always comes out looking so nice!!! This sweet image is another Gina K. Designs stamp set.  I also used some of the "Fancy tags" from Nestabilities. 

Tonight it is going to be short and sweet.  Night everyone!


Stay Inspired!

YEA for warmer weather!

Hi my friends!- I just know that Spring is right around the corner!  It has been a very cold few months in the area.  Well- now that I think about it, the whole country pretty much has been very cold, with nasty winter weather.  It is time to bust out of all that, and enjoy the warmer temps, and the bright, beautiful colors that Spring offers!  I am all for it for sure! 

Well- I sent out my cards for the card swap I am involved in, now just the anticipation of receiving 5 cards back!  I am looking forward to see what I receive from other wonderful card makers.  This card I am about to share with you is the 6th card I made for that swap.  It was one of my favorites.  They ALL turned out good though I must say. 

I used the "resist" technique on the card.  First I stamped the flower image, and embossed it, and then took some various colors of Distress Inks and blended around the image, and the ink resists the embossed image, leaving the flower bright white.  I think it is a cool technique.    I also used ( as a requirement) a Gina K. Designs stamp set.  I used 3 different stamps from the same set called "Botanicals".  It is a very nice set.  I would recommend it. 

On the video front:::  I am going to try my hand at making a video of my craft space this weekend, and get it up on You Tube.  I have been talking about it for a couple of months, and I just need to get it done.  Well, think I am going to treat myself to a vanilla caramel iced coffee, and get my Sat. started!  Have a nice weekend my friends!!

Time waits for no man...

Hi all!- It has been since Friday since I have shared a card with you all.  I've said it many times- there is just not enough time it seems for everything you want to do during the day.  If work isn't crazy enough, I got to manage my time to fit in my favorite hobby, and sometimes I don't get to do that because I am so tired!  Luckily- I am making the time for you all tonight to share another card.  I have been making some pretty good ones for friends, and I'm about to send off the cards I made for the card swap I have been telling you all about.  I am really anxious to receive other cards from people I don't know- and in turn make new friends that share the same love of paper crafts! 

On this card- I did the art of paper piecing.  I am trying to use some of  different techniques that I have seen so much from other card makers, and expand my "skills" if you will in getting a bigger variety of the cards I make.  I really love how this one turned out!  It has some beautiful spring colors!  What do you think??  I used another Gina K. Designs stamp set.  I color the flowers with some of my Copic makers.  I hear that Gina K. has just celebrated her birthday.  Happy Birthday Gina K.! 

We are nearing to Valentine's Day.  Wonder what my hubby has in store?!  :o)  We will soon find out.  Reminder that I have an Etsy store, and would love to add more items, but need to sell the current ones.  Check it out!!  Have a good night all!

I love Butterflies!

Hi all!!-  It is a Friday evening here in MO, and it is snowing!! It seems winter is here to stay!  Goodness!  I don't remember in recent memory having such a cold, cold winter, and all this precip on the ground.  Maybe we are in for a beautiful Spring!!  I love Spring because the birds are happy, the sun shines, the flowers bloom, and you get to see butterflies.  I love, love butterflies.  I always have, but it has been more of an intense liking within the last couple of years.  They are just beautiful creatures!!  There is no doubt that they make me happy, and smile.  So, guess what my card is featuring today!!  Take a wild guess :o)  I have smart readers! :o)  

Of course, some of my favorite colors are purples, blues and greens.  You probably starting to think that I made this card for myself, but I didn't.  This is another card that I made for the card swap that I am in.   This set features also a stamp set from Gina K. Designs.  The butterfly dimensional sticker is from K&Company.  I also used one of my new tools from We R Memory Keepers- the corner chomper that has the "Deco and Stub" options.  I love my corner rounder from them, and liked the others they have as well.  Their tools are made in very good quality.  I would recommend them to any crafter for sure.  I added some pearls from SU,  and some ribbon I purchased from Oriental Trading.  Any questions or comments you may have, feel free to contact me or leave them underneath this post.    Also- be sure to check out my Etsy Shop!  I will try and add some new cards and other projects soon.  Take care all!  Till next time...

Stay Inspired!!,

Monday's Card Share..

How are you my friends on this Monday-  Hope the world is treating you right as I am posting today's card.  I am sure you will be hearing these words from me a lot, but it sure is cold outside, and I am not liking it!!  I hope I don't wear all of you out.  I need to move some place warm for the winter.  I was telling a few of my co workers today that I either would like to become a bear and hibernate, or a kitty cat so I can just curl up and go to sleep!!  :o)  I am sure neither of those things will be happening, so how about I just show you today's card!! :o)

My card base is from Gina K. Designs.  I am trying out a new card stock to see if I like it, and so far, I am loving this card stock.  It is a heavy weight card stock and wonderful to make cards with!!  I am sure I will be purchasing some more.  If any one is interesting in purchasing some of the same card stock, they have multiple colors to choose from.  You can go to the website www.ginakdesigns.com
I stamped the card base using the Swirls and Curls background stamp from Stampabilities.  You can find that here.  I inked it up with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  On the card back, I trimmed off a portion of the bottom, and added a piece of the patterned paper from DCWV 12X12 paper, The Home Made Christmas  stack, and added it to replace what I had trimmed off.  I added some self adhesive lace from Hero Arts, which you can find here.  They come both in white and cream.  I, then added some ornament stickers I actually found at a dollar shop in Branson, Missouri.  I knew that I would be able to use them for some Christmas Cards.  I added some baker's twine from Martha Stewart Crafts for added dimension.  I stamped my sentiment on a scallop circle and popped it up with a dimensional.  I think my favorite part of the whole card is....well, who am I kidding, I love the whole card, but if I HAD to choose, it would be the self adhesive lace.  Love, Love that stuff!!  Hope you all like today's card.
Gonna go, and curl up in my chair with my cats...lol.  Take care all!!  Till then,

Stay Inspired!,