Too much work, not enough play

Hi my friends!  It feels like too much time goes by in between posts anymore!  I wanted to take the time and put something up for my readers, and also welcome all of my new followers!!  This is awesome to have equally talented, and gifted crafters follow me- and the creations I share.  It seems all I do lately is work, and when I am not working I have to eat, do laundry, pay bills, you name it.  I really haven't had the opportunities to really get into any card making lately, and it makes me sad.  This weekend - I am making it a point to do what I love if it is the last thing I do!!  Tonight - my card is one I made a few weeks ago as a special request.  In fact, I need to make her other requested card, and get it off to her!!  I have a couple I need to make this weekend - and fulfill my promises! So- here is tonight's card share.

It is meant to be a masculine card.  I don't get to make those too often.  Wood grain is perfect to inspire to create something for the certain man in your life.

If my hubby liked it, then I knew it was a winner.  My husband is very supportive in my hobby, and I couldn't be more blessed!!


I know this is short and sweet - but I just wanted to post something new for you.  I hope to post more on a regular basis soon.
Again - thank you to all my current and new followers - I appreciate your support and visiting my blog!!

Stay creative, and inspired!

Friday night is alright...

Hi all!- I'm feeling a bit better, and wanted to share a card with you since I haven't in a week or so.  This time I have a "Happy Anniversary" card I made in the beginning of this month (March) for my Stampin' Up Demo, Margaret.  A few of us ladies went to Pleasant Hope, MO for a scrappin' and craft event the day of her wedding anniversary, and I knew since her day was spent with us, instead of her hubby, I wanted to make her a card. 

These individual heart images are embossed - Here is a closer look.

I used one of the Fancy Tags Nestibilities Dies, and patterned paper from the Restoration 6 X 6 pad by Crate Paper.  Margaret loved it. 

I hope to continue on the road to feeling better.  I think I will.  This weekend I plan to continue to rest up, and most certainly, I am going to make some cards, and be crafty.  I am overdue!!

Night!

Sorry for my absence lately

Hi everyone - I will make this short, but I wanted to let everyone know that I am still here.  Lately I haven't been posting very much, and for those that follow me, my apologizes.  I've been under the weather since Sat., and haven't had the time, nor the energy to make a card, much less post anything.  I haven't made a card in over a week, and I miss it, but I've been trying to get over this spring cold that I have right now.  I plan and hope to get something going and posted for you this weekend.  Believe me, I miss it all.  What I do at my job during the day is very demanding, and making cards, and just being around my craft supplies gives me a certain calm that I crave, so I want to get back in creating cards for those that mean so much to me, and those that appreciate the time and effort that goes in to it all. 

**I'm still here**  alive and kickin' I promise. 

-Kari

First Scrapbook Page! ( with a little help)

Good Sat. everyone!  It is a nice day outside, and I am inside being crafty.  It is all good.  I will get out and enjoy the weather some today.  Last night I went to another Stampin' Up workshop, and as always I look forward to what I will be learning, and discovering.  It was a special night as one of our craft friends was saying goodbye.  She is moving to California to be near her children, and in retrospect for them to be near her, so they can help take care of her.  She has been ill lately, and needs to be around family.  At our workshop, it is usually about making cards, or a some other cute crafty item, but we were taught to make a scrapbook page more approachable to achieve!  I do not dislike scrapbooking at all, but just feel it is overwhelming at times..  I feel that there are numerous ideas out there that so many people come up with, and sometimes it is overwhelming to fill up a 12 X 12 page, or what ever size you choose, and make it presentable on a page with your pictures.  Having that said, we were introduced to a more simple way of approaching it.  Angie is awesome, and she has given me the confidence to try and maybe get into scrapbooking more.  I love my cards, and cardmaking, because it was the first thing I was introduced to just a year and a half ago, but as a crafter, I want to expand what I can do.  So - Angie helped us with planting the seeds, and now all there is to do is grow!  So - here is my first scrapbook page!!

 

First, the pictures are of my oldest nephew Justin and I back early 2000's.  He is 11 now, and I no longer have the long hair!  I chose these particular pictures because the colors matched the page so much.  That is another thing with scrapbooking.  I feel I have to match the colors in the picture, and sometimes that is added pressure ( for me anyway).  When Justin was very little, he came up with calling me "Kiki", and needless to say Aunt Kari loves it!  It has stuck, and some of my other family even calls me Kiki, which is fine with me!  Here is another pic of the page.

 

I messed up slightly on the journaling part, because it is my first page, and it is just for me anyway!  I am proud of this page, and maybe in the future I will see what I come up with in other pages.  

Stay Inspired! ( with any kind of crafting)

All Bloggers- For Japan

Hi all!  I know I haven't posted in a few days- but I will not be posting tomorrow either as I will do a day of silence for Japan. If you are a blogger - won't you join me??

Stylish Blogger Award!

 Hi all!
I'm very happy and honored that Angela over at Krafting with Kings, has awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award.  Thank you so much Angela for noticing my blog, and for giving me this award!  Please check out her blog!

There are some rules when a blog receives the award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share 8 things about yourself.
3. Give the award to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award

THANK YOU AGAIN Angela!!  Be sure you stop by Angela's blog and check out all her awesome projects.

8 THINGS ABOUT ME:

1.  I was born in Arkansas, but now live in Missouri.
2.  I'm married to my best friend, and wonderful man, Chris.
3.  I went to Europe in 1995 with the Arkansas Ambassadors of Music.
4.  I am addicted to pens, butterflies, dark chocolate.
5.  I have only been a card maker for a little over a year and a half.
6.  I love to make cards, and just be crafty, and make people smile.
7.  I have two nephews - one 11 yrs old. and the other 5 yrs. old.
8.  I have two adorable cats that are my children- Katie and Daisy.

Here are 8 blogs that I have recently found with very talented crafters, so please take a minute to visit these ladies.

 I am passing this award on to you, congratulations!

 1. Darlene at http://darlenedesign.com

 2. Kerry at http://kerryspapercrafts.com

 3. Ayana at http://ayanaposadas.typepad.com

 4. Sarah at http://liveloveandscrap.blogspot.com/

 5. Lisa Lo at http://scrappylos.blogspot.com/

 6. Andi at http://www.janeofallcrafts.com/  

 7. Lorie at http://live-love-laugh-create.blogspot.com/

 8. Andrea at http://creatingcardswithandrea.blogspot.com

Updates to Blog

Hi everyone!  I decided on a whim today to update the look of my blog.  Nothing was wrong the way it was, but I felt it needed some "happy" feeling to it.  With spring around the corner, I wanted to do some "spring cleaning" on my blog as well.  When I first started my blog back in Nov 2010, I went through so many changes- and I messed with it so much, I didn't know if I would ever find "my look" that I wanted.  Well- my caricature is my "symbol" of KWCardDesign, and that is what I like to build my look around.  Nothing has changed, but the look.   What do you all think??


Change is good every once in a while!

Take Care
Stay Inspired!

Simply Thanks

Good Evening!! I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in a while- but time had other plans for me!  I'm back tonight though wanting to simply say thank you to each of you for making my blog a success so far.  Without all of you coming back to my blog and reading my posts- I wouldn't have all the exposure that I have so far.  I appreciate my followers, friends, and all the comments and feedback I have received!  It means a lot!  I love to hear from you! 

I would like to share with you a thank you card that I made especially for a co-worker that helps keep things in line for me on the financial end of my job.  She does a great job and I made this for her.  What do you all think??

I was also inspired by my craft friend Darlene DeVries.  She used in one of her videos the Flourish Stamp  by Hero Arts.  I didn't have this stamp and she actually did some enabling on my part. Check out her card here.  Thanks Darlene for your inspiration! 

Well I plan on doing more videos soon.  My hubby and I got rid of the Creative Vado HD pocket cam I had.  For what I wanted to do- it just wasn't for me.  It was a good little camera, just not for my needs.  He found another one for me by Sony.  I am  not sure what model it is, but I do know it is not a pocket cam.  I have a good husband.  He is supportive in my hobby, and knows I love it so much! 

Well- that is all from me tonight!  Thanks again so much for all of your support of me and my blog!  You all are the best!

Stay Inspired!!

Short and sweet

Good Evening to you all.  I wanted to just stop in tonight and share a card with all of you, and then settle in for the night.  It has been a rough day for me today- mostly mentally.  My brain is tired, and frustrated with some of the things going on at work, but this is where I like to unwind from all of that.  Tonight I'm sharing a simple birthday card that I made for the lady that does my nails.  It was her birthday yesterday on the 1st.  It was bright and cheery, and I wanted to use some Distress Inks using the emboss resist technique.  I stamped the cupcake image all over the white card stock, and embossed it, and then I blended three bright colors of Distress Inks and that is where the magic happens, and the cute little cupcakes show through when resisting the colors of the ink. 

It was a happy birthday for her!!  I took her card to her on my lunch break, and she displayed it so all of her clients could see it!!
Well- I said it was going to be short and sweet.  I will be back soon with another card share with all of you!!  Thanks to those of you that follow me regularly!  It means a lot to me!
Night!

I've been awarded a blog award!

I've been award the Liebster Blog Award!


Thanks Angie for this awesome honor! Check out her blog at www.angiescraftblog.blogspot.com

If you haven't heard about the Liebster Blog award, here is some info. It is a way to share information about smaller blogs ( less than 300 followers) as a way for us little guys to recognize other small blogs to get more followers, and some blog love.

Here are the rules for the Liebster Blog Award:

It is given to bring light to new blogs, and it's a great way to share blogs that might not otherwise be seen that often, or ones you want to share with others. 

As a recipient you must share the love & award and pay it forward by:

1. Creating a post where you blog about the Liebster award & reveal your 3-5 blog picks.
2. Let them know you chose them by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy & paste the blog award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will rally & show their crafty love back out to those you awarded!
5. Have fun!

Now I have to choose my blogs that I feel are worthy of this award and here they are:

DarleneDesign.com

susansdoodlepad.blogspot.com

scrappylos.blogspot.com

nickiscardstockcreations.blogspot.com

live-love-laugh-create.blogspot.com

Stop by and check out their blogs!

Stay Inspired!,

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!,

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!