Mama Elephant Color Challenge

**If you are looking for my Pretty Pink Posh Giveaway - please scroll down**

Hi everyone!  I'm posting on the blog today my entry for the Mama Elephant Challenge!  YEP! That's right Mama Elephant is doing challenges now!  So exciting.  I really do love their stamps and dies!  They are quickly becoming a favorite company of mine!

Here's my take on this challenge - 

This was a great time for me to use some of these stamps that I haven't inked up yet!!  I used the set Lights Out, and I also used the oh so loved by me Femme Frames!  I stamped one of these adorable light bulbs in Bubble Gum Ink from HA, and then used the inside of the bulb using the heart image stamped in Raspberry Jam ink also from HA.  I stamped the bottom part of the bulb in Espresso Truffle Memento ink, and then stamped the little chain in VersaMark ink and heat embossed it in Silver embossing powder.  It is a little tough to decipher that here.  

I chose the sentiment " I will feel a glow just thinking of you" and carefully inked it up in Raspberry Jam and then in the rest in Versa Fine Black ink by masking it off in parts.  Then, I randomly stamped some hearts found in the new Pandamonium set in the same inks, and also heat embossed in silver the larger hearts.  

My pattern paper background panel is an older MME 6x6 pad called "Love ME".  To finish the card off, I HAD to use some Wink of Stella *wink* to my heart in my light bulb to give it that shimmery glow.

So fun!  I plan on doing these challenges again....because Mama Elephants stamps are fun!!  

See you soon!

Kari

COMMENTS CLOSED **GIVEAWAY!** I've reached 100 "likes" on FB!

Hello, everyone!  I've reached one of my milestones on FB!  I've reached my first 100 "likes"!  If you follow me - you will remember that I said I would do a giveaway for reaching this milestone on my FACEBOOK PAGE, so I am here to keep my promise :)

Here are the details:

If you'd like a more in-depth look of what I am giving away, here is a direct link of what is in store!

GIVEAWAY video on Youtube




To ENTER : simply leave a comment on this post!  That's it! Easy Peasy!  I will randomly draw a name from Random.org to determine the winner!!

You will have two weeks to leave your comment below to enter - PLEASE ONLY ONE COMMENT per entry!!

I will close the giveaway on Sunday, OCTOBER 27th, and will announce the winner on Monday OCTOBER 28th.

This is open to INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTERS AS WELL!

Be sure to spread the word to all of your crafty friends!!!  The more the merrier!!!!   :)

Thank you all for your support!!

LSC # 51 Be My Valentine

Hi crafters!  I needed to get in some crafty time this Wednesday evening!!  What a better way to spend it than to make and submit my next card for the latest Lawnscaping Challenge.  As we all know - Valentines Day is right around the corner!  There were so many ideas flowing in my head on how I should go about making my card for this week's challenge.  But, like last week - I am continuing with my "simple" method!  This card I will probably give to my hubby for Valentine's Day.

This card is simple and gets the point across! ( and its not too girly!! - haha)  I started out stamping the heart sentiment from Many Thanks from Lawn Fawn, but I altered it a bit.  Instead of inking the "thank you" part of the sentiment, I opted that out, and added " I love you" from Love 'N Breakfast, also from Lawn Fawn.  I "fussy" cut my heart out, and then worked on the base of the card.  I used some pattern paper from the new My Mind's Eye - Lucky in Love 6x6 pad.  I, then added some aqua wood grain washi tape to frame out the pattern paper.  I used Sally's ABC's to add "Simply" to my card base to be apart of my sentiment. To finish the card off I added some Lawn Fawn trimmings in the red and white.  

I hope my hubby likes it!  

Thank you for stopping in to look at my card!!  See you back here soon!

It's my blog's birthday!

**COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED**


Happy Sunday everyone - for those that are involved in the time change - are we enjoying the extra hour??  I  know I am!!

Today, I just wanted to say that I am happy that my blog is now 2 years old!  It has passed so fast!!

In the three years I have been crafting - I have learned and grown so much as a crafter, not to mention - my craft room and the supplies in it as evolved so much since that point.  I find myself thinking back to Aug 2009 often, and seeing my first cards I've made - to this point - and WOW - such a big difference!  I love creativity and how it makes me feel!  

Thank you to all of YOU that follow my blog!  I wouldn't have a successful blog without you and your support!!

So - I would like to do a little giveaway - this is open to International followers as well.

All you have to do is simple - just leave a comment on this post - Easy Peazy!  

This is what's up for grabs - 

What you see here are 2 6 x 6 pads - one from S-E-I called "Vanilla Sunshine", and the other is a by My Mind's Eye called "Dwell".  Then - there is one bottle of Perfect Pearls by Ranger in "Perfect Pearl", and two stamp sets from Inkadinkado.

**I will close comments for this giveaway on Sunday Nov. 18th  - and I will choose the winner using Random.org and will announce the winner on Monday Nov. 19th**

Please spread the word about my giveaway to your crafty friends, and if I get new followers out of this - how happy would I be!?!  **GRIN**

Thanks again for all of your support!!

Where do you draw your inspiration?

We all draw inspiration from many places - even things we see everyday ( or at least I know I do).  Today - I was just playing around and thought - my bedspread would make a pretty card!!  So - this is how my card turned out...

And, this is what my bedspread looks like....

Like looking in a mirror, huh?!  I love these colors together.  So serene!!  I used Hawaiian Shores from PTI as my card base.  Then, I took my *very hard to find* Doilies stamp set from My Mind's Eye from the Stella and Rose Collection, and stamped various blues and greens over my card base.  Then, I took some strips of some patterned paper from the same line, and added it to the bottom of the card base.  I decided to use the sentiment "Thinking of You" from the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive set For The Record and stamped that out in Versa Fine Black Ink.  To finish off the card I added some bling with them gemstones I had in my stash.  

Thanks for stopping by!!  See you soon!

*Hero Arts Shadow Ink Pad GREEN HILLS Mid-Tone 2012 AF209 *Tsukineko Memento Ink Pad PARIS DUSK Navy Blue *Hero Arts Shadow Ink Pad TIDE POOL Mid-Tone 2012 AF223 *Doodlebug SPRING MINI PEARLS

InLinkz.com

Sweet Stamp Shop Sept Release - Day 3

Welcome back SSS fans!!  Hello to Day #3 for the new release blog hop!  Today we are focusing on another awesome set - Dream Ocean.  I'm your first stop today :) .  Here is my card for this dreamy set Dream Ocean.

This card was fun to make.  It is relaxing to looking at these colors.  These images looked like they were just sitting in shallow beach water.  I actually did some masking with  the snapshot fun dies.  I die cut from the die some masking paper and created my scene here, and then I "fussy cut" the whole image out. All my inking for the contrasting colors from "sand" to "water" are Memento Inks - Toffee Crunch, Teal Zeal, and Summer Sky.  My patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye.  The colors were perfect with my "picture" I created.  I added some stickles to the starfish, and glossy accents for extra dimension on the sand dollar.  

To finish off the card - I added some stitched borders from Basic Grey, some twine and a key that I thought would add to the "serene" feel.  Hope you all like it!!  OK - I can't keep you any longer!  Time to turn you loose onto the oh so awesome Stephanie.  Thank you to all that has left wonderful comments!!  YOU are the ones that inspire US!  

SSS Blog- http://sweetstampshop.blogspot.com

Kari- http://www.kwcarddesign.com - ME

Stephanie- http://www.handmade75.blogspot.com

Michelle- http://outofmybook.blogspot.com/

Kim- http://paperiepetals.blogspot.com

Nicole- http://www.onesweetromance.com

See you all soon!!!

LF Challenge # 36 Color Splash

Back again for another submission for the Lawnscaping Challenge.  What a fun challenge this go round.  Make a card or project with neutral tones - and then add that splash of color!!  I never know what I will come up with from one project to the next.  This one is one of those times!  I was thinking of what I had in my "stash" and I remembered that I had bought some Honey Pop paper.  If you have never seen this stuff - it is so neat.  Inky Antics has stamps that coordinate with this paper.  


So - I thought I would use it to make a hot air balloon for my splash of color!  I used LF's "Sunny Skies" to stamp out my ribbon flags from the balloon , and my sentiment " Reach for the Sky"

Such a happy card, don't you think?!  I punched out some clouds with my Fiskars cloud punches - and used pattern papers from My Mind's Eye - On the Bright Side.

Well - it is getting late for me - and need to wind down for the night.  See you all back here soon!

Good For You!

Well, I thought I would share with all of you just a card I made for a friend/co worker.  It has been a while since I have shared a card that wasn't made for a challenge blog - and I need to get back into doing that.  After all - I didn't start doing this hobby just for challenge blogs - I did it because I enjoy making cards for all occasions.  So - this card features the stamps by  Hero Arts - You're the Best.  I wanted to make it simple, but elegant.  I used my own ribbon for the tails - to make it seem a bit more realistic.  I made this over a month ago - so I apologize, but I am not sure which papers I used for this card.  I did emboss the card base - and I added some gems to "glam" it up a bit.

The recipient of this card got her Masters in Nursing.  She is such an awesome girl.  She has worked so hard for a very long time.  Congrats, Amy!!

Be back soon!!

- Kari

Lawnscaping Challenge # 35 Patterned Paper

Well, it is late for me, and I really need to get to bed, but I know myself, and if I didn't get this done - I would be restless.  I will be short though :)  This week over at Lawnscaping  - we have been asked to use patterned paper for our projects this week.

For my card I used " Dad's Day", " Critters in the Burbs", " Stay Tuned", and "Fanciful Frames".  I did some reverse stamping to my "TV" and did the "kissing" technique for some interest on the sofa chair.  My pattern papers come from Lawn Fawn's 6 x 6 Bright Side, and My Minds Eye The Bright Side ( that was by a fluke of course ).  My little frame comes from Studio Calico - the wood veneer frames.   I added some glossy accents to the TV screen.  I tell ya - the reverse technique with solid images is much harder than with lined images - but I got it to work.  

I had fun creating this little scene.  The kitty cat reminds me of my Katie - here is a picture of her

She is the queen of the house for sure ( or she thinks she is)  She has definite personality :)

OK!  I am heading to bed!!  Be back soon!!

Night!

- Kari

My obsession with 6 x 6 paper pads

I have a confession...actually I have confessed this before, but I wanted to dedicate a full post about it :o)  They are small, they are compact, they are simply wonderful, they are 6 x 6 paper packs!  They are so wonderful for card makers, like myself, and so many manufacturers are producing them now!!  I have to say that my favorite is My Mind's Eye!  Their papers are so gorgeous, and so yummy!!  There is no way in this world I will ever use all of this paper, but just knowing that it is in arms reach, just brings a simple smile to my face!  I have discovered some others manufacturers I like - Simple Stories comes to mind.  Their line FabUlous is right up my alley with the color palette.  Fancy Pants and Basic Grey are others that I like a lot.  My small obsession is growing and growing, and its seems that it is turning into a hoarding issue.  :o)  Of course this ever changing, but here is a pic of my collection - and as I am writing this, I've bought more today online to add to this collection of mine.



 **Since posting this last night, I decided to share an updated picture with you on how much my collection has grown.  This first picture is from a few months ago, and the second is what it is currently**  :o)

I must say that I sometimes feel guilty buying more, but not enough to stop!!  hahaha.  It doesn't hurt anyone, and it makes me happy - goes right along with my happiness of creating!!  

So - let me hear from you!  What is your crafting obsession - what is the one product you have that you can't get enough of!!  I'd love to hear from who ever would like to share with me!!!

- Kari

Lawnscaping Challenge - Coloring

Annndddd I'm back to share with you my take on the Lawnscaping Challenge for this week : Coloring.  So - What is cuter an a cow??  How about a SPINNING COW!  YEP - I did a spinning cow.  I couldn't resist.

I colored and cut out my cow from Critters on the Farm - adhered to pennies with dimensionals, and added him to the track die cut from my Movers and Spinners Die from PTI.  I paper pieced the barn with My Mind's Eye On the Bright Side papers that had the distressed wood look. I thought it really made the barn come alive!  I colored in the barn doors and added a colored hay bail.  I added a fence with my Martha Stewart punch, and adhered everything to my Lucky Limeade card base from SU!.   What's so fun about this card is that you can spin him and he is intended to do, or just "manually" move him up and down the track as if he was "grazing"  hehehe.  Hope you think this card is as fun as I do!!!  Thanks for "rollin" in  :o)   ( OK - I'll stop)  :o)

- Kari

Sending Love...

'Tis Saturday - and when I woke up this AM, I had an idea for a card - so I jumped right to it, before it left my creative mind.  So I started out with my Lawn Fawn set You've Got Mail.  I hadn't used this set since buying it - and it was crying out to get inked!!  :o)  So I stamped out the mail box, and some of the envelopes, and did some Copic coloring.    I added the smallest heart from Plus One, and then cut all my images out.  I used a portion of the woodgrain paper from My Mind's Eye - On The Bright Side.  I popped up my  mailbox with dimensional adhesive, and then added my envelopes.

My sentiment comes from the same set from Lawn Fawn - and I embossed it with SCENTED cherry embossing powder from Stampin' Up!!  YES - Scented!!!  How cool is that!!??!!  On the side on my card - I die cut a scalloped envelope from this Sizzix Die.  

I punched out some hearts from both my Stampin' Up heart to heart punch, and Martha Stewart cluster heart punch ( not sure what its actually called).  The envelope is die cut from the same paper pack from MME.  I added some bakers twine, and called it done!  

Enjoy the weekend!!

- Kari

CAS-ual Friday Challenge 41: Jest for the Pun of it.

What a beautiful Sunday afternoon it has turned out to be.  I wanted to share with all of you my entry for this week's CFC - Jest for the Pun of it.  Make a clean a simple card, with a "punny" sentiment.  This time I chose two different stamp sets from Hampton Art- owls, and woodland animals 1 .  I love this cute lil owl, and the sentiment that goes with it.  Who doesn't love owls?!  I stamped my owl on a piece of PTI white card stock, and stamped the same owl onto patterned paper from My Minds Eye 6 x 6 paper pad, A Happy Heart, and paper- pieced the owl onto my white card base.   I am becoming a paper fanatic for  6 x 6 paper pads - especially My Minds Eye. I finished off my card with some patterned paper stitched together, and some stickles for a bit of pop.

A cute little simple card this week.  Well, I'd better get busy doing other things around the house before the weekend ends :)  I will be back soon to share another project with all of you :)


- Kari

SuperBowl Sunday/Card Share

 Happy Superbowl Sunday my fellow crafters and readers.  If you are into football, then today is the biggest game of them all.  I like football, but I am a bigger baseball fan - STL Cardinals fan for life!  Anyhoo, most of us watch of course the game, but it is a big day for commercials too!  That sounds funny when you put it like that, but its true.  So - we will see what a 1 min. spot for millions of dollars will bring to the TV this year.   **grin**. Also - today is a day where I am taking a "vacation" off of my "diet" of eating healthier.  I am eating a supreme pizza, I am SO looking forward to it!

  In other news::  Today I am sharing with you a card I "whipped up" for the FlutterBy Wednesday challenge.  It has been a while since I made a card for this challenge.  With Valentines Day coming up, I used that as some inspiration for my creation on this card.  It is a fairly simple card.

 For the butterflies, I used two of my Martha Stewart punches, the Monarch Butterfly Punch, and the 3 in 1 Butterfly punch.  The paper I used on my card base comes from My Minds Eye, Blink of an Eye 6 x 6 pad, and the glitter paper comes from Stampin' Up!  I used a piece of Kraft card stock from PTI ( Paper Trey Ink) and the cute sentiment comes from a  mini stamp set from Inkadinkado.  Here are additional closeups of the butterflies.

Have a nice afternoon!!!!

- Kari