Try Stamping on Tuesday #54

Morning All.
Had one more chance to make a card yesterday and was very glad I did! I had gone on over to Try Stamping on Tuesday and this was their sketch:

Here is what I came up with:

I really liked the sketch and decided that I will offer this card at my next stamp a stack as it was easy to make yet packed a nice punch!! Just love the vintage style! Email if you would like more details. Off to work......
Karin



Happy Birthday!

Evening All,
I wanted to share this cute (well at least I think so!) card I made for my niece who turned three! We went to her birthday party this afternoon and I couldn't wait to see her face! She is a Disney fanatic "in training". We went to Disney in the Fall and were picking out gifts and came across this adorable sweatshirt for her that was Tigger striped with "ears" and had his face on the hoodie. She wears it constantly and "grrrs" at people and runs away "like a tiger" she says!  So anyway here is the card:

I cant take credit as I searched the demonstrator website and combined a few cards I liked and this was the result. Hope you had a great weekend!
Karin

Less is More Week 56

Hi All,
I am excited once again to participate in the Less is More challenge of the week. This weeks challenge was "Don't Scrap it". Their challenge was to use your scraps on a Clean and Simple card. This was right up my alley for a class I was preparing using the Loving Thoughts stamp set. I pointedly used only scraps that I had in my collection. Here are the cards I came up with:

I think I am finally getting a handle on the clean and simple look :)
Thanks for looking!
Karin

Freshly Made Sketches #23

Morning All,
Quick post before I run off to work. I had gone on over to Freshly Made Sketches and Tui Nathan had designed a great sketch:

I have been trying to get my March Stamp Club cards done this week and was having a hard time with the layout of the third. I knew I wanted to go a bit outside my comfort zone and use some bright colors with one of the stamp sets that you can earn for free with Sale-a-bration (Language of Friendship). So using this great sketch here is what I came up with:

Here is what I used:

Stamps:           Language of Friendship

Cardstock:        Whisper White half sheet

                            Wild Wasabi 4 ¾ x 3 ¼

                            Beyond the Garden DP 4x4

                            Whisper White 2 ¼ x 1”

                            Beyond The Garden DP 2 ½ x 1 ¼”  

                                   

Ink:                  Black, Pacific Point, and Wild Wasabi

                       

Embellishments: Big Shot with Polka Dot Folder.

Punches:  2 Step Bird Punch and Boho Blossom Punch

I like how its different from my usual vintage, "softer" style. Always good to try to go outside of your comfort zone! Have a great day!

Karin

March Club Card

Hi All, 
Wanted to post a card I am making for my March Stamp Club. I have seen this card done a few different ways with a variety of paper, but I wanted to focus on the Everyday Enchantment DP. 

Here is what I used:

Stamps:           Tiny Tags

Cardstock:          Peach Parfait – half sheet

                            Lucky Limeade – 5 ¼ x 4

                            Very Vanilla -  5 x 3 3/4”            

                            Scrap Everyday Enchantment DP

Ink:           Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade

Embellishments: Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral Organza Ribbon and Everyday Enchantment Brads

Punches: 1 ¼” square and Jewelry tag

Let me know what you think!

Karin

Less is More Week 55

Finally! After half a day of fighting with my computer I am able to upload a picture of a card that I made for the Less is More Blog. Their challenge of the week was to use punches or die cuts. I chose to use punches on this card. It was right up the alley for the Less is More general theme of reduced layers. I did a clean and simple class around the Loving Thoughts set and thought this card was perfect for it. I really love the sayings and the script! So here is what I did:

I used a base of Very Vanilla and alternated some punches of Blueberry Crisp DP (now sadly retired).
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin

PPA129

Morning All,

Been a little lax with my posting lately as I am pulling a few extra shifts at one of my jobs. I had gone on over to the Pals Paper Arts blog and this was their sketch challenge:

I was in need of a sympathy card for one of my cousins, as her mother (my great aunt) recently passed away. Its always sad to lose a family member, but its very positive to reflect on how long her life was and that she always surrounded by family she loved. :) So I used this sketch for a jump off point. Here is what I came up with:

My base colors were Chocolate Chip and Naturals white. I love the Sunflower background stamp and really love using the spotlighting technique on it. I used the watercolor pencils to add the color on the petals.
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin

Freshly Made Sketches #22 & Our Creative Corner

Hi All,
I had a little ambition last night so I completed another challenge (or two!!). I went on over to freshly Made Sketches and Jen had another great sketch:

I loved the clean lines of this sketch. I had also gone over to Our Creative Corner and they had a great theme with a twist.They challenged us to make a project for our "Best friend" but it must include a flower. I needed a card for one of my oldest and dearest friend. She is a editer at a local newspaper and three of her piece were nominated for awards. She won an award and placed top three on the other articles and their design!!! Yeah Ang!!  So I mashed up all the requirements and here is what I came up with:

I have been dying to try out "bleaching" and thought it would add great contrast to the soft look of the Everyday Enchantment. It took me a few tries to not "over soak" the stamp with bleach. After a few tries I finally got the "right" amount. The one thing I will say is that if you try this make sure to wash off your stamp and then condition it with the cleaner to keep the stamp from breaking down. Here is the rest of what I used:
Paper: Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and Everyday Enchantment
Stamp set: Fresh Vintage Stamp Set and Loving Thoughts
Ink: Crumb Cake and Poppy Parade
Punches: Large oval and smaller oval (retired)
Other Big Shot Lattice folder
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin



Wacky Wednesday!!

WOW what a day!! Fortunately I gave myself a little time to craft and decompress. I had gone on over to the Paper Players Blog and they had a great color challenge that was right up my alley:

I have been using these colors quite a bit, especially Pool Party! Love Love Love! Anyway then I went over to Try Stamping on Tuesday and, as usual, they had a great sketch:

                                                 

I mashed up the two challenges and here is what I came up with:

Here is what I used:
Paper: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade and Everyday Enchantment DP
Ink: Soft Suede and Poppy Parade
Stamp Set: Fresh Vintage and Short and Sweet
Punches: Designer Label, Large and small tag punches and Eyelet Border Punch
Other: Pool Party Seam Binding

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Stampin Queens Challenge

Hi All,
Finally got a chance to do a little crafting for myself. Yesterday was a crafting mini marathon! Today has been a paperwork marathon, definitely not as much fun!! I promised myself I could complete a challenge before moving onto more paperwork! So I went on over to the Stamping Queens challenge. Here is their sketch for the week:

And here is what I came up with:

Here is what I used:
Paper: Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DP
Ink: Early Espresso and Crumb Cake
Stamp Set: Fresh Vintage Stamp Set
Other: Big Shot, Vintage Wall Paper Embossing Folder and Pool Party Seam Binding.

I am such serious trouble when the Everyday Enchantment paper retires!!! I love it!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin



Stampin Success Contest Cards

Hi All,
Been a busy morning! Happy to report the "storm" was a bust so I got to spend time raking in front of the barn!! Can't imagine that in any past February I would be able to do that!! Anyway I wanted to share three cards I sent into Stampin Up's Demonstrator Magazine's contest in January. They have three categories and I chose to enter two cards that I would "Demo" at a workshop. Here they are:

I also entered one card that I would offer as a "Make and Take" which means you get to make and take at a workshop. Here is that entry:

Sorry the pictures are a little tilted!! Not much of a photographer!! Well off to go ride my horse! Enjoy the day!!
Karin

Great way to start the day!!

Quick post before I run to work!! I went on over to the Try Stamping on Tuesday blog and here is what I saw:

Guess whose card is in the upper left hand corner??!!

 I am SO SO honored to have been picked again and cant wait to demonstrate this card to my club tonight! Have a great Friday!!

Karin

Another Late Night Post!

Evening All!
I am on a role with my late night posting, not sure if that is a good thing!! Anyway I started this card yesterday after I went on over to Freshly Made Sketches and checked out their very cool sketch:

Their challenge included the theme of "Seeing Double" where you use any medium for the two vertical stripes. Here is what I came up with:

I tried to keep with the "Double" theme and used two main colors: Calypso Coral and Pool Party. Here is what I used:
Stamp Sets: Take it To Heart, Loving Thoughts, Triple Treat Flower
Paper: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Naturals Ivory and Every Enchantment DP
Ink: Pool Party and Calypso Coral
Punches: Five Petal Flower and Fancy Flower
Other: Sticky Back Large Pearls, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Pool Party Seam Binding

Hope you got to bed early!!!
Karin



February Stamp a Stack cards

Hi All,
I wanted to share the three cards that I planning on doing at my February 22nd stamp a stack class. I am doing a general "friends" card, a birthday and a thank you. Here they are:

Feel free to contact me if your interested in coming or hosting your own! They are the best girls night in!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Try Stamping on Tuesday #51

Morning All,
Quick post before I head out to work. I went on over to Try Stamping on Tuesday blogspot yesterday and this was their challenge sketch:

I needed a third card for my upcoming stamp club and I wanted to focus on folding a different way. Here is what I came up with:

Here is what I used:

Stamps:           Fresh Vintage Stamp set

Cardstock:        Pear Pizazz -  Half sheet  

                         Very Vanilla – 5*4

                         Very Vanilla – 5*2 (2 pcs)

                         Everyday Enchantment DP 4 ¾ * 1 ¾

                         Pear Pizazz – 2 ½” * 2 ½”

                         Everyday Enchantment DP – 2 ¼” * 2 ¼”

                         Scrap Vanilla

Ink:                  Calypso Coral & Pool Party

Embellishments:  Everyday Enchantment Brad & Lucky Limeade Organza Ribbon

Punches:  1 ¼” circle

Techniques: Fold the Pear Pizazz in half and then score the

cover at 2 1/8” to create the accordion fold.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Paper Players #81

Evening All,
Quick post as my Pats get ready to WIN I mean play the Superbowl!! :) Anyway I went on over to the Paper Players blog and this was there challenge:

I thought "perfect!!" I wanted to use the Triple Treat Flower for one of my next club cards so here is what I came up with:

Here is what I used:

Stamps:           Triple Treat Flower

Cardstock:        Very Vanilla – half sheet

                        Everyday Enchantment DP 5 x 4” 

                        Scrap Very Vanilla

Ink:                 Pool Party and Lucky Limeade

Embellishments: Neutrals 5 /16 brad, Big Shot and Top Note Die and Lucky Limeade Organza Ribbon

.

Punches:  2 ½” circle and 5 Petal Flower



Thanks for stopping by!!!

Karin

GO PATS!!!

:)

New Challenge...for me!

Hi All

Finally had a few minutes to post a card I did for a challenge that is new to me. I have been checking out all the cool samples on Stamping 411 Blog and thought I would take a "crack" at it. Here is there latest challenge:

One of the best parts of this challenge is that they included the measurements:

Base: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"

Layer 2: 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer 3: 4" x 1 1/2"
Layer 4: 2 1/2" x 2 1/4"
Layer 5: 2 3/8" x 2 1/8"
Here is my take on it:

I really loved how it came together! Please email me for further details! Have to run out to the horses...again! :)
Thanks for stopping by
Karin



Pals Paper Arts 128

Evening Again!
I was on such a "high" from my two picks this week that I thought I would post a challenge card tonight before I "crashed" for the evening. I actually made this card for my upcoming stamp club next week and it works perfectly for the Pals Paper Arts challenge this week. Their challenge was to use red:

A perfect challenge for this time of the year! Here is what I came up with:

Here is what I used:

Stamps:           Sweet Shoppe Alphabet

Cardstock:        Poppy Parade – half sheet

                        Poppy Parade DP 5 x 3 ¾” 

                        Whisper White 4 ¼ x 3 ¼ ”

                        Poppy Parade 3 x 4”

Ink:                 Poppy Parade

Embellishments: Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Big Shot and Polka Dot Embossing folder

.

Punches:  ¾” circle punch, ½” circle punch, 3/4” x 15/16” and small heart punch

Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Two days in a row of being "picked"!!

Evening All!
I am so excited that I get to post another "pick" this evening! I am so blown away, two days in a row!! I went on over to Try Stamping on Tuesday to see the choices for last weeks challenge and here is what I saw:

Guess whose card is on the bottom??!!! :) I am SO excited! This was their sketch:

                                                          

And this was my take on it:

I decided to flip the sketch and really loved how it came out. I really appreciate all the effort that goes into these challenges and the time the Design Team members take to check out the cards and comment. If you haven't tried a challenge you really should, it adds a nice "lift" to your day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin



Stampin Queen Picks!!

Evening All,

Had to share some nice news I received this morning via email. It seems my cards for the Stampin Queen's Challenges 22 & 23 were spotlighted!! I am very excited!! These were the sketches:

 

And these were my "takes" on the cards:

I am very grateful to the designers for being chosen and for the inspiration they provide!! Have a great evening!

Karin