Happy World Card Making Day!

Today is world card making day. Now that's my idea of a good day! But then again, most every day is card making day for me! lol

Here is a card I created for the occasion. Another Christmas card to add to my collection. I really need to send some of them out this year! lol

The Santa image is from Stampers Anonymous. I inked it with real red ink and then touched a Memento chocolate brilliance pad on it here and there before stamping it onto Vanilla cardstock. Then to distress: I used tea dye distress ink as well as close to cocoa and chocolate chip sponged and smooshed. I distressed the edges with my fingernail and then really inked it with the sponge as well. The top corner was turned down. To do this, I used my bone folder to soften the cardstock (use your thumb to scrape it, as if you were curling ribbon with scissors) and then rolled the corner down. I did the same to the chocolate chip layer. I then stamped the sentiment onto the ribbon using the Brilliance Chocolate ink and let it dry. dum dee dum dee dum - patience. Then I distressed it a bit with more of the tea dye and chocolate ink and a sponge. I mounted it onto the image panel and used brads on each end. Now I attached it to the real read card front which was also sponged with the inks to distress it a bit, gluing away from the edges a little so that the edges stand up just a tad for more dimension. Hmmmm, that corner looked a little bare, so I used a snowflake which was cut and embossed with Spellbinders Snowflake Borderabilities petite die template. Of course it was sponged as well.

So there you have it. I hope you enjoy my creations. I really appreciate you stopping by and I love hearing from you!

Hugs,
Karen

Fall is in the air!

When I woke up yesterday, the house was actually cooler than I have my thermostat set! Woooooo hoooooo, coolness without air conditioning! I love it.

This card is so Autumn, I thought it would share it with you. I designed this card for a class I am doing at Scrapbooks to Remember on Tuesday, Oct. 6. I hope the ladies will enjoy making this card.




For this card I used this gorgeous paper from The Paper Company. It is actually a shimmery paper, which isn't really captured in the photo. You'll have to take my word for it. I cut the cardstock 4 1/4 X 11 and folded in half to make the card. Next I cut/embossed the largest leaf from Spellbinders Nested Maple Leaf die set in the card front. Psssst - It is only available until the end of November, so if you don't have it yet, you'd better get it! The inside of the card (the other side of the paper) is a shimmery bronze color, which is pretty hard to color on, so I cut a piece of Prism smooth cardstock 4 X 5 1/4 and attached it inside the card. Next I stamped the Hero Arts image and sentiment with Memento Rich Cocoa Ink before coloring with Copic markers. The flourishes were inked with Tsukineko Brilliance inks in Chocolate and the leaves with Rocket Red Gold. Ooooo, these inks are gorgeous. They really do shimmer.

Happy Fall Y'all. I'm enjoying this beautiful time of year. Well, it's beautiful here in Phoenix! We had to put up with more than 100 days in triple digits to get here, so we so deserve it!

Thanks for stopping by. Please visit again soon!

High Heels

Do you love high heels? I do! I created this card for a class I am teaching on Monday, Oct. 5 at Scrapbooks to Remember in Anthem.

I used Core'dinations Black Magic cardstock for this card. Have I ever mentioned how much I love that stuff? It makes such loveliness when you emboss it, or crinkle it and then sand it to reveal the color from behind. It's delicious.


I used Spellbinders Lattice borderabilities on the right edge. I cut/embossed it and then sanded the detail to bring it out. In fact, I sanded the whole card front to show a bit of the rose color from the back. I then stamped the shoe (from Hero Arts) using Memento black ink on the reverse side of another piece of a lighter pink Core'dinations cardstock. I used clear embossing powder and heat embossed before coloring with a Copic Marker. I then cut/embossed it using Spellbinders Labels Five die. I cut the black side of the paper, using the same size die for just a little touch of a black mat. Now take your small detail scissors and trim off the embossed edge of the pink shoe label and adhere it to the black one. I then cut/embossed the rose side of the cardstock using Spellbinders Petite Ovals Large and mounted the shoe panel a little low onto the oval, using 3D foam squares. I mounted it a little lower so that I could put the ribbon detail on the top of the oval. Adhere the oval to the left side of the card front, and voila! a most lovely card.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share this fun card with you.

Pizzazzy Sentiment!

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my creations.

Here is a card I would like to share with you today.


I wanted the sentiment to be the main focus of my card, so I stamped it with black ink and used clear embossing powder. I then added the black dome stickers and even pizzazzed them up by gluing on a little black chunky glitter. That panel is matted with a shimmery black card stock and popped up. I added some flourishes cut/embossed with Spellbinders Doodle Parts from the same shimmery black cs. The harlequin panel is cs from Crafty Secrets and cut/embossed with Spellbinders Labels One. The pink card front is embossed with Spellbinders Flourish Impressabilities - it is one of my favorites. The whole card is mounted onto black for a little more pop - oh wait - more pizzazz!!!!!

I hope you like my card today. Come back soon! Please!

Sharing a fall lovely!

Hi there. Welcome to my blog. Thanks for stopping by.

I want to share a lovely fall card with you today. This card uses some of my favorites: fall leaves (I do love fall), several of my favorite and well used Spellbinders dies, and these delicious papers by The Paper Company.



This turned out to be a very Clean and Simple card. The center panel is Autumn Harvest Wheat Flourish mounted onto black cs. The small leaves were centered over the printed leaves on the Autumn Harvest Falling Leaves paper before cutting/embossing with Spellbinders Nested Maple Leaf dies. The leaves were mounted onto the reverse shimmery side of the same papers which were cut/embossed with Spellbinders Labels Four and that was mounted onto black cs cut/embossed with Spellbinders scalloped rectangles. These papers are so beautiful, with a metallic flourish, which I don't think you can really see in the photo. The inside of the card was also decorated with another three leaves cut/embossed from the shimmery copper paper.

What do you think?

Steppin' Out!

I have been creating, it is just things I can't share with you . . . yet!

This card, I can share.

I have a problem. I love high heels, can't wear them, but I can stamp them! I love this stamp set and thought the color combo was perfect to use with it today.

The shoe is stamped onto shimmery white cs with Versamark Dazzle Frost ink and embossed with Lana Pink by Sparkle N Sprinkle. I used the pretty in pink marker to go over elements of the shoe to make it pop. The image was cut out with Spellbinders circle and mounted onto Spellbinders Fleur de Lis pendant. I backed the ribbon with pretty in pink cs and going grey cs. The card front is embossed with a Sizzix folder. The sentiment was stamped onto pretty in pink cs with the Frost ink and embossed. I cut it into the strip and then cut/embossed the end using the Spellbinders Fleur de Lis borderabilities, rounded the other ends and added Crystal Stickers Mosaic tiles to the ribbon and to the sentiment.

What do you think? I love reading your comments.

A different color combination

but do you think it works? It's interesting.

I stamped the image with Melon Mambo ink onto white cs, coloring in the leaves with the crushed curry marker, then I cut/embossed it using an oval Spellbinders die. It is mounted onto a black oval and popped up. The duo color bg is embossed with Spellbinders Floral and Stone impressabilities with a border of Fleur de Lis. I think the black helps tie it together and makes it pop. What do you think?

Make your own buttons

Today I made a faux button to match my card. It really is easy, just takes a little patience, which I am not good at. lol Punch out five layers of cardstock (it doesn't have to be anything grand) and one punch out of your designer paper. Glue the layers together with the dp on top. Allow to dry (this is the patience part). I could have let mine dry a bit longer. Once dry, sand the edges to make them "one" and give a better appearance of a button. I colored the edge of my button with a black sharpie. Then punch holes. I used the crop-a-dile as it easily punches through multiple layers. Then cover top entirely with crystal effects, being careful to leave your holes open. PATIENTLY allow this to dry thoroughly, or if you are like me, let it dry most of the way and then move on. lol I used black embroidery floss to tie onto my button. Here is something I learned just a bit too late - I marked the holes on the back of my button and punched. Then I turned it over and noticed the buttons weren't level and where I would have wanted them with this pattern of paper. Most patterns probably wouldn't even matter.

The piano image is from a friend, Dawn Mercedes. I used Tim Holtz tea dye distress ink on the edges and mounted it onto black. The right side of the Bravo Burgundy card front is embossed with the Cuttlebug Textile Texture folder. The music panel is mounted on black cs as well. It is a fairly simple card, but takes time and patience.

Now I seriously need to take some time to clean up my stamp room! It has gotten really bad and I am losing things. lol It's gonna take a while.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
Karen

Step by step

Double Aperture Triangle Fold Box

You can create these boxes in any size you wish. They are great for small treats or gifts like jewelry.

Supply list:
Spellbinders Nesting Pine Tree S4-220
Spellbinders Holiday Cheer S4-225
Color Core Cardstock by Core’dinations
Green Shimmer Paper by The Paper Company
Ribbon by Creative Impressions
Brad by Creative Impressions
Holiday Tags Stamp Set by Hero Arts
Smooch Moonlight by Colorbox
Glitter Winter Frost by Colorbox
Clear envelope
Clear embossing powder
Dark Green pigment ink


For this sample, cut a piece of cardstock 6 X 12”. Score at 6” and fold. Mark center of each end (3”) and score from that mark to the edge of center fold on each side, creating a triangle. Do this to both ends of the cardstock. Fold on scored lines.

Position die template on front of box, centering in triangle created by folds. Use repositionable tape to hold in place. Cut/emboss.




Cut a triangle just slightly smaller than the one created for the front of the box from the lighter green cardstock.

Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the edges of the lighter cardstock and adhere to the inside of the box. Position smaller tree die template onto lighter green cardstock and cut/emboss.







Cut a piece of acetate to cover the opening and adhere to the inside of the box. I actually used part of a clear envelope.

Fold along center and bring sides together, overlapping front over back. Mark position about ½” from top and centered and punch hole through all layers. Do the same on the other side.



Cut/emboss stocking from shimmery green cardstock. If desired, use Smooch to highlight the snowflakes, heel and toe and add glitter. Stamp front of box. Use brad to attach stocking to box front.

Fill with your small gift or treat.



Thread 16” length of ribbon through the holes, beginning at the outside of one side, through both layers, and from the inside to the outside on the other side. Tie ribbon into bow.




I hope you will try this fun little project. I know you will love it.

Hugs,
Karen

Fun gift bag

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by.

Here is a little gift bag I created and thought I would share with you. The base for the bag is a white lunch bag. See that cute border on the bottom. Do you know how it was created? I do. Oh, you want to know too! All right. To create this border, I used the Spellbinders eyelets borderabilities. One of them cuts both edges, and one cuts only one edge. For this border I used the one edge one and ran a strip of card stock through twice, cutting both edges,and meeting in the middle. Wasn't that a clever idea? LOL I like how it turned out. Do you? I used the Spellbinders scalloped circle to cut/emboss the main panel with the tree. I used Copic Spica glitter pens for a little bling on the trunk and on the hearts.

Happy Birthday Wendy!!!!!!

Today is my beautiful daughter's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is so you won't know how old I am! lol I made this card for her because she loves a little bling and she loves loves loves shoes. So for this card I used a shoe stamp and added Spica pens for the shine on the shoes and the glitter domes for even more appeal. Of course I stamped in red because red shoes are so awesome, aren't they? The red and white gingham is wrapping paper I used on her gift so it would be all matchy matchy! Am I clever, or what? LOL I hope my darling daughter has a most beautiful day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Baby Mia

What is sweeter than a new baby? Not much! They smell so sweet (most of the time) and they are so soft and snuggly! Delicious! I made this card featuring a photo of my great niece. I used Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Pendant because I think it is so feminine and lacy, the perfect compliment to a picture of a beautiful little lady. See what a perfect frame this die creates! I think that is awesome! What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by.

Looking for a baby!

Hi there! This is an unusual post for my blog, but I need to help my sweet niece Kelly find a baby to adopt. I thought I would just throw this out here and see if anyone knows of a baby that needs a wonderful home with a loving Mommy and Daddy. If you do, please contact me: carrotsoup@hotmail.com. Thanks!

Hope

For this card, I stamped the sentiment with eggplant ink and then cut/embossed with Spellbinders Labels 4. I wanted it to stand out a bit more, so I used my marker to color the embossed edge. I also wanted to mat it with the old olive, but didn't want that solid paper covering the background stamp, so I cut the larger label from vellum and then sponged the color on the back. I got that color, without the density of the card stock. Oh yeah, that's what I wanted. I added the bow and popped the sentiment up with dimensionals. The background is a stamp by Hero Arts which I colored with markers to get both the eggplant and the olive onto it. The card is mounted onto Elegant Eggplant. What do you think?

Something simple

I was just introduced to "scraplings". I had never heard that term before, but it is to basically take a scrap of cardstock 8 X 1-1/2 and make a little note card. I had never tried that size before, but was up for the challenge. Here is what I came up with. I stamped the guitar guy using versamark ink and detail black embossing powder. The full image wouldn't fit on the width of the cardstock, but I think there is enough you get the idea. Rock star was stamped onto white using red pigment ink, clear embossed and punched out. Kind of flimsy. I wanted the black to just peek around the edges, so I mounted it onto black and used scissors to cut the outline. Oh yeah, that's better. So here you have my little Guitar Guy note card. It makes for a great bookmark, don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by! Come back soon.

Hugs,
Karen

Sandy beach

Today SCS challenge was to incorporate sand or sanding into your creation. I love to sand core'dinations cardstock, so I surprised myself by choosing to create this beach scene with Copic markers and the air brush system. Silly me, I airbrushed the scene and then realized I couldn't stamp the image on it or the background would show through. Hmmmmm, what to do? Not a mistake, but another creative opportunity. lol So, I stamped the image, cut it out and affixed it to the locket. I like the look a lot. What do you think?

And laying a finger aside of his nose

I love this Santa from Stampers Anonymous and thought he would be great for today's sketch. I stamped him onto vanilla cardstock with riding hood red ink, then used a sponge with tea dye distress ink and a little more riding hood red to distress it. I cut/embossed it with Spellbindersd large deckled rectangles and matted it with the same shape. The dotted paper was cut/embossed with Spellbinders Curved Rectangles and ink distressed in the same way. The bg dp is also distressed before being mounted onto the riding hood red card. I added the striped grosgrain ribbon and there you have it. I hope you like it. Thanks for looking!

Sympathy

I used some unusual colors for this card, don't you think?

I cut/embossed the leaves using Spellbinders Nested Maple Leaf. After inking the stamp with markers, I stamped the sentiment onto the largest leaf, then sponged with Melon Mambo ink. I cut another of the largest leaves from the Melon Mambo paper and layered it behind. The card front is embossed with D'Vine Swirls and mounted onto crushed curry cardstock. I popped some of the smaller leaves up with dimensionals. I also put one of the leaves on the inside of the card.

The stamp is from JustRite and is from the Thinking of You Set.

I hope you like it. Thanks for stopping by!

Which tool rules?

So, I am sure it is quite obvious I am a huge fan of Spellbinders products, and I hope you are too. If you are, or if you would like to support my addiction and art, please go vote for Spellbinders Impressabilities as part of this contest.

This is an adventure sponsored by When Creativity Knocks! It’s a chance for you to participate by voting for the Spellbinders Impressabilities as your favorite craft tool! Voting begins August 28 at midnight (PST) and ends on September 8, 2009 at midnight (PST).

Just register and log in at the When Creativity Knocks homepage, go to the Creativity Forum. Select Categories, and then scroll down to the Great Crafter’s Tool Hunt section, select Spellbinders Impressabilities, and leave a brief message in the forum. You can even watch a short video of the Impressabilities in action! There is a vote button you need to click to vote for Impressabilities. Then, to verify it you will need to do the math in the little square. This is confusing because it says to type what you see. That's not quite right - it really wants the answer to the math problem. Just a little head's up from me to you.

Why should you vote? Everyone who votes will be put into a drawing to win the big prize package including one of each nominated tool! I know you love prizes!

What does Spellbinders get? When the Impressabilities win the most votes (thanks to you all!), Spellbinders will win a full-length episode featuring the Spellbinders Impressabilities and be featured on the When Creativity Knocks website as the When Creativity Knocks Best Tool and receive a trophy! Wahoo! We love trophies!

So go ahead and join me in voting for the Spellbinders Impressabilities, and we can all win!

I recently got some new products and used some on this fun card. I love this stamp set from Hero Arts called High Heels. Unfortunately I can't wear them anymore, but I can stamp them. I used tsukineko brilliance pearlescent chocolate to stamp the shoe. You can't see all the shimmer, but trust me, it's there and it's gorgeous. What a great ink! I am loving all their shimmer inks. The papers are from Melissa Frances (such gorgeous stuff in this line) and Nikki Sivils. I guess she is new and has some really fun new papers.

So my challenge to you today is to get something new and give it a try! You may find a new love! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
Karen

Just playing around

Just playing around with the new Spellbinders Pumpkins dies. Why not stack them? So, I did. Just a different way to use the pumpkin dies. I used a leaf die behind the pumpkin's head, and the Paisley Impressabilities on the card front. The arms are twine. Just wanted to share another way to use the Pumpkins. They are only available for a limited time, so if you want to order them, now is the time!!!!! Have fun!

A new technique!

My friend Kimberly has come up with a fun new technique. Go check her blog for the scoop! It is a really cool idea. She's so creative. Here is the link to her post about it.

Then check her new video tutorial posted today.

Hugs,
Karen

A Christmas card

Here is another Christmas card to add to my collection of holiday cards I don't send out! What's wrong with me? This year I am going to actually put them in the mail! That's my goal.

For this card I used some brand new products from Flower Soft. They have beautiful cards which you can embellish with popped up layers (they include die cut pieces of the images, so it is oh so simple) and their beautiful flower soft. This card showcases the Polar White snow. It is so glistening and beautiful.

Hugs,
Karen

Is Autumn really coming?

No signs of it in Phoenix, but this card made me feel better.

You really need to click on this photo to enlarge it so you can see the wonderful embossing on this card.

. For this card, I embossed the ruby red card front with Spellbinders Paisley Impressabilites. I then cut/embossed the chocolate chip card stock with the Scalloped Paisley die and then embossed it with the Paisley Impressabilities. I also cut out a circle for the opening in the cornucopia with the scalloped circles and created a small border using two of the dies for the outside border of the opening. I thought it gave it more of a basket dimension. I added some machine stitching too. The pumpkins were cut/embossed with the new Pumpkins Nestabilities. These are only available for a limited time, so hurry and get yours. I added some of the brand new Autumn Flower Soft to the bottom of the card. I hope you like it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
Karen

A new addiction

Oh what was I afraid of????? I was so chicken to try airbrushing, thinking I couldn't do it well. So who cares? I don't know if I can do it well, but I love the looks and I am hooked. It isn't hard at all and with a little practice, I'm sure I'll get better.

I layered the Spellbinders Illuminations 12" border in teal and vanilla which was airbrushed with Copic marker. I love the detail and dimension it added! Awesome. I also embossed the top of the card with Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls. I added a little taffeta ribbon and left it at that.

Thanks for stopping by! Make it a great day!

Hugs,

Karen

Cute Halloween Kids!

I wanted to share this layout of my cute, cute grandchildren all dressed up for Halloween. The new Spellbinders Nesting Pumpkins are so great. I used chalks to create dimension on the pumpkins. Don't you just love this vine ribbon? I got it from Creative Impressions. Oh yum! The background paper is by My Mind's Eye.

Sharing

I wanted to share a couple of my creations with you today that are in the new Spellbinders catalog supplement.

This first one is using the new S4-229 Labels 5 dies. Isn't this a fabulous shape? I also used a thicker from Crafty Secrets. Their designs are so vintage and nice, aren't they? After I took this photo of the project, I went back into my craft room to load it to the computer, etc. Probably an hour (at least) later I came back into the kitchen and there was that candle - STILL BURNING!!!!! YIKES! Never leave a candle unattended! I could have burned my house down! Don't do that! lol
I also added a little butterfly from Flying Beauties! I love butterflies and flowers.


This next one is a box in a bag. It is quite easy to make, and a great way to present a small gift or treat. I used Spellbinders S4-223 Create-a-flake 2, S4-234 Ribbon Tag Trio 2, and S4-224 Snowflake Borderabilities PetiteSpellbinders Create a Flake 2 for this. I also used Artsylicious Fine Flocked Paper in Peacock by Chatter Box. It's a lovely paper. Unfortunately, the photo can't capture that beautiful flocking. The snowflakes are white and silver shimmer papers by The Paper Company. So pretty.


I think you are going to need these new dies too. They are fabulous!

Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, Karen

New Pendant

I used one of Spellbinders new Pendant dies to create this very simple, yet stunning card. I cut/embossed the Tulip Pendant from Golden Shimmer paper by The Paper Company. It's gorgeous! The center tulip is cut with the tulip charm., and I used a 1/4" punch for the faux brads in the corners. It is mounted on Stampin' Up! shimmery white card stock. I colored a white silk ribbon with a copic marker, leaving some of the white so it is slightly variegated. So, what do you think of this new pendant?

Such a nice birthday!

I had such a nice birthday! I wanted to show you the cards I received and a picture of the yummy lunch I had too! The lunch is the Ahi Tuna sandwich from Joe's Farmhouse Grill. It was featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives on the food network. OH YUM. Then for dinner we went to Joe's Crab Shack! Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of the Crab Pot. Sorry. But it was oh so good! It was a Joe day, but they are two of my favorite places. See, now you want to go there too, don't you? So, enjoy the photos!

Today is my birthday!

Today is my birthday
na na na na na na na
I'm gonna have a good time
na na na na na na na

A friend of mine recently had her birthday and declared "birthday immunity". This is what she said, "I decided to give myself the gift of "birthday immunity" this year. This meant I was free of any responsibility for any of my actions and also free from everyone else's problems. I figured that for one day people should be able to "figure it out" without involving me."

Isn't that a great idea? I loved it. Her kids did NOT! lol That may have made it even better!

I don't know if I am going to need Birthday Immunity or not, but I'm holding it in reserve, just in case!

Now, I'm off to a great, great day!

Hugs,
Karen