Fun And Games Happy Birthday

Hello, my crafty and creative friends!  Today I want to share a card that I made for a couple of challenges.  I always enjoy using my October Afternoon supplies; especially along with other favorites.  This card was created with October Afternoon patterned papers, chipboard and tidbits; as well as some fun Papertrey Ink products.  I did a little bit of machine stitching, added a seam binding bow, a glittered button, a half doily, a tag, and that's about it.

I'm going to share this card in the following challenges:

 

Nichole Heady/Papertrey Ink Blog - Make It Monday #202 - Anchoring With Borders and Banners - The Papertrey Ink products I incorporated into this project are some of their lovely die-cuts including the Hearts Border Die and their Double-Ended Banners Die Set.  I just LOVE all their sweet products!

 

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge Blog - Challenge #299 - Cute Critters - I used a chipboard elephant for my "cute critter".

 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Add A Little Texture" - How boring would our cards be without all the great elements that give them texture?  FABULOUS challenge!

 

I'm truly grateful to have you stop by and take a peek at my little Fun and Games card.  I appreciate your visit, and look forward to stopping by your blogs to see what you've been creating this week.

 

Blessings,

Karen

CAS/One Layer at The Kraft Journal

Hello, friends!  This week at The Kraft Journal Challenge Blog, the theme is CAS/One Layer.  And for anyone who knows me at all, you KNOW this is a real challenge for me.  I tend to layer a lot, and include several embellishments.  Yet somehow, I did it.  I used a Small Lunch Bag Kraft Note Card and added a piece of polka dot patterned paper that I inked.

Next, I added a couple of paper straws, and ran several lengths of Pink Baker's Twine around the card.  The sentiment (Celebrate) is rub-on that I applied to a scrap of Lunch Bag Kraft Cover Weight Card Stock using my hand-dandy Bone Folder Tool.  The finishing touch was adding a few sequins.  For me, this is a simple CAS card.  At least, that's my story....and I'm sticking to it!

 

We look forward to having you stop by to play along with us in this week's CAS/One Layer Challenge at The Kraft Journal.  Thanks for visiting, and have a blessed week.

I'm going to link my card here:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Add a Little Texture" - This was supposed to be a one layer/CAS card, but I just had to add some paper straws, sequins and twine to give it some texture!
 

Karen

Purple and Green Challenge at RRR

It's time for another FUN challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon, and we hope that you'll stop by to play along with us.  This time, our Challenge Theme is Purple & Green.  Our Ribbon Of The Month Collection for February is filled with gorgeous purple and green ribbons.  But you can use anything purple and green, as long as it includes ribbon.

My card was made from purple, green and kraft cardstock, an ODBD stamped sentiment, and LOTS of great trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  First, I laid a piece of Burlap/Jute Ribbon in Ivory, and added bows of Plaid Purple Ribbon, Plaid Celery Green Ribbon, Violet Burlap String, Parrot Green Burlap String, and Ivory Burlap String.  To the top of my bow, I added a Deep Ivory Rose and a Two-Toned Violet Wild Orchid.  Really Reasonable Ribbon has all the perfect ribbons, trims, flowers and more to make your cards and projects beautiful!

 

I really hope that you will stop by to link up in our Purple and Green With Ribbons Challenge.  There's lots of great inspiration on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog, too. 

I'm sharing this card in the following challenge:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says...."Add A Little Texture" - I used burlap, trims and flowers to add textures to my card

Have a blessed week, and thanks so much for stopping by.

Karen

Nursery Rhyme Booklet for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Today I'm sharing a super sweet Nursery Rhyme Book I created using soft, sweet glassine bags.  If you don't own any glassine bags, you can definitely create something like this using any of the sweet Decorative Bags available at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  And of course, these little books can be tied shut by adding ribbons as a closure.  This is the front of the little Nursery Rhyme Book.  You can see that I tied some May Arts Natural Burlap String and the closure includes Ivory Grosgrain and luscious Pink Aster Seam Binding.  There's also some Raspberry Baker's Twine tied around and around and around the bottom right.

The bags are covered in patterned papers, a doily, and lots of embellishments.  They're very easy to accessorize and adorn with all the FABULOUS ribbons and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Here is the next page as you untie and open the Nursery Rhyme Book.

You can see that I tied MANY lengths of Cotton Candy Baker's Twine around the right hand page because it's just SO sweet.  The photo below shows a close up photo of the Little Bo Peep page so that you can see the Cotton Candy Baker's Twine/Bow a little bit better.

By using glassine bags, or Decorative Bags in general, it creates automatic pockets for tags, journaling cards, etc.  The following page shows you what you see when you flip the next page, and of course......there are more Really Reasonable Ribbons!

This is my favorite because I just LOVE the Mary Had a Little Lamb page and the sweet little Mulberry Flowers tucked in.  And now......my favorite page of all, which is the Mary Had a Little Lamb page.

You can see the trims that tie the Nursery Rhyme Book shut, which again are the Ivory Grosgrain Ribbon and the Pink Aster Seam Binding.  And finally, the last photo is a picture of the Back Cover (flipped on its side), which has MANY lengths of Cotton Candy Baker's Twine around the back several times for texture and embellishment.

I hope you've enjoyed my little Nursery Rhyme Book, and that you will grab some great new ribbons, trims and laces available at Really Reasonable Ribbon to adorn  your project.  There's no end to the possibilities of projects you can create using Really Reasonable Ribbon supplies.  We really hope you will play along in our Purple & Green Challenge which starts tomorrow.

Blessings,
Karen

Celebrate at The Kraft Journal

I was thrilled to hear of an Anything Goes/Celebration Challenge because I knew it was another great opportunity to make a couple much-needed Birthday cards for my many nieces and nephews.  I made two projects for this challenge.  The first is a Birthday Card/Envelope Pocket for my nephew, Andres.  It's made using a Lunch Bag Kraft #10 Open End Policy Envelope that I decorated with patterned papers, embellishments, Tape Measure Washi Tape, some Pink Baker's Twine, and a rub-on sentiment applied using my Bone Folder Tool.

Below is a picture of the back-side of this envelope/card for Andres' Birthday.  I plan to tuck all kinds of photos, treats and a gift card inside for him.  I know Audra always did so much for her kids' birthdays to make them feel special and loved, and I want to do the same.  They miss their Mama SO much!

And finally, another view showing how I added some Tape Measure Washi Tape to secure the lengths of Pink Baker's Twine that I wrapped around it.  As I said, there's A LOT going on here.  LOL  But this photo, below, really helps you to see the Lunch Bag Kraft No. 10 Open End Policy Envelope that I used to create the project. The Kraft Outlet carries a lot of really different and unique kraft envelopes for crafting.

My second project is a Birthday card for my sweet little niece, and was made using a Small Lunch Bag Kraft Note Card that I covered with patterned paper, machine stitched, and ran several lengths of Pink Baker's Twine around it.  I used a piece of Lunch Bag Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock to die-cut a doily that peeks out from a ticket and some Tape Measure Washi Tape.   An ink-stained Tiny Wooden Clothespin holds a tiny tag with a rub-on sentiment (FUN!) that I applied with my favorite tool, the Bone Folder Tool.

 

Making the Lunch Bag Kraft #10 Open End Policy Envelope into a pocket for holding gift cards, notes, etc. isn't difficult.  Simply place the envelope on the table flap side up.  Take the bottom of the envelope, and fold it 3/4 of the way up and machine stitch it down (except for the top - you want the top open so that you can tuck thins inside without sealing it off completely).  This will automatically create a pocket/pouch.

I also hope you will be sure to play along in this week's Anything Goes/Celebrations Challenge at The Kraft Journal to let us know what YOU are celebrating this week.  It's always more fun when EVERYONE can play along!

Thanks for stopping by,
Karen

It's Blog Hop Time at RRR

It's that fun time of the month again for the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop!  We're so glad you're joining us, and just wait until you see this month's GORGEOUS Ribbon of the Month Club Collection.  Every single ribbon in this collection is beautiful, and they make the cutest bows, cards, projects and more.  You won't want to miss out on this one!  You should arrived here from the talented Bonnie Garby's Blog; but if you need to start at the beginning, just click here for the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog.

As you can see, this month's Ribbon Club Assortment at Really Reasonable Ribbon is a purple and green theme which is SO lovely for Spring projects.  They can be used together or separately, and are just SO lovely.  The stamped sentiments I used are from Verve.

To create the bow on my card, I used the  Shimmer Satin Kiwi (Wide Green), Satin With Grosgrain Edge Grape (Wide Purple), Plaid Ribbon Celery Green, Purple and Green Confetti Dots Ribbon, Plaid Ribbon in Grape, Purple/Green Chevron Stripe, and the sweet Sandra White Crochet Lace both in my tag as well as running up the side of it.  I also tied in several lengths of the coordinating Parrot Green Burlap String.

I also decided to make a tag to match my card because they make a nice little gift to tuck inside when you're giving a card.  The recipient can use it as a bookmark, and think of you while they're reading.  Not to mention, those ribbons are just SO pretty!

Your next stop on this fun hop is at the lovely Heather Hudson's Blog, and I know she will knock your socks off with her gorgeous project.  Be sure to complete the entire Blog Hop, leave a comment at each stop along the way, and answer the question at the end of the hop to qualify for the prize.

We sure hope you'll visit Really Reasonable Ribbon to sign up for your Monthly Ribbon Club Membership and check out ALL the great ribbons, laces and trims.  AND.....we hope you'll play along in our current challenge!

Have a great week!
Karen

P.S.  I'm sharing my card and tag in the following challenges:

Pile It On Challenge Blog - Challenge #55 - Use A Bow - Well, when you're on a Ribbon Design Team, you had BETTER use a bow, right?  LOL - VERY fun challenge for me!

Little Scrap Pieces - Show It Off Saturday Linky Party

 

Crafty Secrets Visits Word Art Wednesday

Hello, my crafty friends!  Today is Wednesday, which means it's time for another great Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week, we are being sponsored by Mark's Finest Papers (offering a free stamp set to one lucky winner), AND Crafty Secrets (offering a digital prize for another winner).  The card I made for this week's challenge uses some lovely Crafty Secrets images from their sweet Spring Printables Sheet as well as a stamp image from a Creative Scraps Sheet, a butterfly cut from the same Spring Printables Sheet and s layer of vellum, some purple baker's twine, this week's free word art/scripture file, machine stitching and some inking.

It would be WONDERFUL to have you all come by and play along with us at Word Art Wednesday for the chance to win one of our fantastic prizes, and if you use a Crafty Secrets image, you can also enter their challenge.  If you read the first paragraph on the Word Art Wednesday Blog, you'll even learn about a third way to win!

 

I'm going to share my card in these challenges:

 

Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage Blog - February Linky Challenge - All You Need Is Love - I used the Spring Printables Sheet as well as some Creative Scraps Pages.

 

Pile It On Challenge Blog - Challenge #55 - Use A Bow - I used purple baker's twine to create my bow!

DL Art February Linky Party - Anything Goes - Thanks for inviting me to play along, Diana!

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - "All Creatures Great & Small" - My "creature" is the butterfly I added at the top by repurposing a digital image and die-cutting it into a butterfly.  I made another layer of my "creature"/butterfly out of vellum to make his wings stand up a bit.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a blessed day,

Karen

February Challenge at V's Sweet Ideas

Hello crafters!  I wanted to remind you all about the monthly challenges at V's Sweet Ideas.  This month (February), the challenge theme is Red, White or Pink.  You can use one, two or all of these colors in your projects.  So, if you have any projects on your blog for February that fit this theme, you can link them up at V's Sweet Ideas for your chance to win a gift certificate to V's Sweet Shoppe.  It's filled with SO many lovely supplies for crafting.

My card was made using some October Afternoon and Crate Paper patterned papers, Vintage Street Market vintage photo tape, machine stitching in black, Tim Holtz Barn Door Red Ink, a Recollections journaling card (LOVED), a white Martha Stewart doily, and some pink baker's twine, Sequins with mini pearl stickers in their centers, and some red/pink Sweet Dots from V's Sweet Ideas.

 

We hope that you will all share your Red, Pink or White projects and cards in our challenge this month.  It's always more fun when everyone can play along.  We look forward to seeing your creations!

 

Karen

V's Sweet Ideas

 

I'm sharing my card in the following challenges:

 

Pile It On Challenge Blog - Challenge #55 - Use a Bow - I could have stopped with this card, but NO.....I just HAD to use the pink baker's twine to create a bow before it was finished!

 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "All Things Bright & Beautiful - Nothing more bright (or beautiful) than love!

Amusing Challenges for A Muse Studio - Valentines

Sweet Baby Girl Album for RRR

Making a Mini Album for a baby shower is a great idea because it not only saves you money, but it provides the new mother with a beautiful keepsake for her little one that will no doubt be cherished for years to come.  Leaving big areas for attaching photos and providing journaling opportunities make for a lovely keepsake.  Today, Karen Letchworth is sharing a special little Baby Girl Mini Album she created for a new mother.  The photo below shows you the front of the album which is bound using a Zutter Bind-It-All and tying LOTS of great Really Reasonable Ribbons through each ring of the binding.  Karen used Pink Aster Seam Binding, Light Blue Gingham and LOTS of the sweet Arianna Natural Crochet Lace throughout her mini album.

The next photo gives you a closer look at the binding of the Mini Album.  If you don't own a binding tool, you can punch holes in your album, and pull these various ribbons through the holes and then tie them together to create a decorative binding.

The photo below is close up of an extra journaling tag this is tucked inside one of the album's pockets.  It's got some more sweet trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon including the Natural Burlap With Pink & White Wired Edge, some Pink Aster Seam Binding and Moss Green Leaf Trim embellished with Really Reasonable Ribbon's sweet little Wild Orchid Craft Sweetheart Blossoms.

Here's the second page.  It's just patterned papers, machine stitching, journaling stickers, and a Martha Stewart scalloped decorative border.

Here's the third page.  It has a Mary Has A Little Lamb image and sentiment sticker, a doily, patterned paper and machine stitching.

Here's the fourth page:

And page five, which ironically has a big 5 on it which is a place for journaling 5 Things I Love About You (for your precious little baby girl), and it also has a Nursery Rhyme sticker:

And page six, which has patterned paper, machine stitching, plenty of space for a photograph, and a journaling sticker/journaling spot:

And finally, page seven which a place for journaling the baby's name, and details about how and why her name was chosen:

There are lots of great ribbons, trims, laces, leaves, flowers, and......you name it.....Really Reasonable Ribbon will help you create a lovely Mini Album for your next shower gift, etc.  We also hope you'll stop by and play along in our current challenge.  It's always more fun when everybody plays along, and Really Reasonable Ribbon is always a fun place to play, with lots of great challenges, and ribbon for every occasion! 

I'm sharing my Sweet Baby Girl Mini Album in these challenges:

Pile It On Challenge Blog - Challenge #55 - Bows - I ALWAYS put a bow on my projects!  You've just GOT to love ribbon!

Craftin' Desert Divas Craft It Up and Link It Up Challenge - Red, White and Pink - I used all three in this project.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - All Things Bright And Beautiful - There's nothing quite more bright and beautiful than a new baby, and this album is all about celebrating new life!

Happy crafting!
Karen

Pick Three at The Kraft Journal

When I saw the choices for this week's Take Your Pick (Choose Any Three) Challenge at The Kraft Journal, I thought to myself, "why only three"?  I incorporated almost all of the elements on the list into my project because they're ALL favorites that I enjoy working with.  I incorporated a Doily, Red, Hearts, a Tag, Twine, and even some Ribbon.  They're just all so cute together, why stop at just three?  And the Kraft Outlet can help you find some fabulous supplies to get you started.

My project was made from a Kraft "French Fries Container" I picked up at Michael's.  I  covered it in patterned paper and Ticket Stub Twill Ribbon, and then stuffed it with candies and treats for a special friend.  Below is a side-view of the container.  I don't know if you can see it, but I added a paper straw and attached to it a little banner made from Lunch Bag Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock.  I cut the Kraft Cardstock into a banner/flag, and again used my Bone Folder Tool to apply a (Friends Forever) rub-on sentiment.  At the very top of that is a set of die-cut hearts made from wool felt.

This last photo shows the Small Kraft Shipping Tag tied with Red Baker's Twine, and Vintage Winter White Hand-Stained Bias Tape.  I made the tag using a Small Kraft Shipping Tag and added a "to/from" rub-on sentiment, applied with my Bone Folder Tool, and added a My Mind's Eye 3-D heart embellishment.  It is held to the container with an ink-stained Tiny Wooden Clothes Pin.

I really hope that you'll "Pick (at least) Three", and come play along with us in this week's challenge.  Who knows, YOU could be the lucky winner of the monthly $15 Gift Certificate to The Kraft Outlet.  I hope you'll join us; come play along!

I'm sharing this project in these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - All Things Bright And Beautiful - This is a project about LOVE, and that's always bright and beautiful!

Pile It On Challenge Blog - Challenge #55 - Use Bows - I used LOTS of great bows including red baker's twine bows and seam binding bows.

Craftin' Desert Divas - Craft It Up Link It Up Party - Red, White and Pink - I used all three for this sweet Valentine's Day project.

 

Blessings,

Karen

Papertrey Ink Gift Bag & Tags

I saw that it's "The Most Wonderful Time of The Month" over at Nichole Heady's Papertrey Ink Blog, and I decided to play along.  I made this gift bag and matching gift tag for the Make a Tag and Matching Gift Bag Challenge.  There were some AMAZING samples shared that will inspire you!  Here are my Gift Tag and Matching Gift Bag for this challenge:

Here is the link-up for the Papertrey Ink Challenge (mentioned above):

 

Nichole Head/Papertrey Ink Challenge Blog - New Release Challenge - Make a Decorative Tag and Matching Gift Bag (see above).  My Papertrey Ink supplies include their DARLING Tiny Tags Die-Cuts and Scalloped Die-Cut.

I'm also sharing my projects here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - All Things Bright and Beautiful - I made something bright and beautiful for a friend.

Classy Cards 'N Such - Challenge #71 - "Thoughtful" - My sentiment (on my tag) is "Just Because" and this gift set is for a friend.  I only took red and brown (kraft) from the inspiration photo; and the CCNS products I used include Scor-Tape, Red Baker's Twine, Kraft Paper, and the Metal Shim for cutting my die-cuts - it works GREAT!

Pile It On Challenge Blog - Challenge #55 - Bows - I had a friend recently tell me "a project simply isn't complete without a bow", and I would have to say that I agree.  There's always some kind of a bow on my projects (for the most part).  SUPER FUN CHALLENGE!

Have a blessed week!

Karen

Buttons & Bows Challenge at RRR

It's time for another SUPER fun challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon, and this time our theme is Buttons & Bows......and of course, ribbon!  We would love to see your sweet creations using Buttons, Bows & Ribbons.  You can pick up all sorts of lovely ribbons, laces, trims and more at Really Reasonable Ribbon to help you get started.

I decided to make a sweet Valentine's Day card for my Buttons & Bows project.  I used some older Recollections patterned papers that are inked on the edges, a half a doily, and several red buttons with Red Burlap String in their centers.  I added a sweet Maya Road chipboard heart that is painted and glittered, and in its center, there is a scrap of red/white gingham material.

The sentiment is a Melissa Frances rub-on, and the bow is made from Lipstick Red Seam Binding and Walnut Seam Binding with some sweet stick pins tucked into it that hold a miniature tag.  I just love all the great textures including the glittered chipboard heart, the material scrap inside the heart, the ribbons, doily, and........YUM!!!!

 

We really hope that you will play along in our Buttons & Bows Challenge because it's always more fun when you're able to join us.

Blessings to you,
Karen

Spring Joy

I am really feeling for all of you living in the colder climates.  My Mom said it was 4 degrees at her house today.  Yikes!  I had a lovely day here in Las Vegas, and we experienced a sunny 72 degrees.  As a homeschooling Mom, I don't get a whole lot of time to myself.  But today, our son had sports at a park (not near our house); so my husband took him.  Then, they ran errands all day, and brought home dinner.  That means I DIDN'T HAVE TO COOK!  So......I got to spend the entire day ALONE scrapping, creating, taking it easy, and having a ME day.  I played with some of my sweet Crafty Secrets images to create a Spring card.  It just felt like such a perfect sunny day to create something springy.  I used Crafty Secrets' Feathered Friends digital collection to create my card.

I just LOVE Crafty Secrets and their sweet images.  It's fun and easy to use digital pictures on your cards and projects. You can still use all your regular supplies to give the card dimension and texture.  It makes your focal point easy to figure out and implement into your project.  Ultimately, I prefer to print these sweet images onto canvas, but I was all out of the sheets of canvas made to go through your computer printer.  So, I used an ivory linen paper instead.  The colors are just SO vibrant and lovely.  I added some patterned papers, burlap trim, natural jute, various colors of seam binding, and some paper flowers to accent this sweet image.

If you don't own any Crafty Secrets images yet, they do have some freebies on their blog.  You can pick up some sweet images and then play along in their current challenge.  It's a lot of fun, and you will be absolutely INSPIRED by their Design Teams' lovely samples.  Check it out!

 

Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage Linky Party - Optional All You Need Is Love.  Well, let's face it, this isn't a Valentine's Day project.  But, who doesn't LOVE this sweet baby chick?

 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - All Things Bright And Beautiful - I absolutely LOVE this theme (because I love the song, "All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Great and Small.....All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All".  What a sweet song/theme to go with my little baby chick/Spring card

Little Scrap Pieces - Saturday Show It Off Linky Party

Party Time Tuesdays - January Challenge

 

I'm SO glad you stopped by.  Before I run off, I wanted to mention that my VERY SWEET FRIEND, Viola Mahr, added the Pinterest "Pin It" button to my blog for me.  So, if you see something you like, please "Pin It" to your Pinterest board.  I would be honored!

 

Blessings,

Karen

 

Karen

Love Makes The World Go Round

For this week's Valentine's Day/Love Makes The World Go Round Challenge for The Kraft Journal, I made a sweet little card using a Buff Ivory Note Card as my base.  To that, I added a couple of different patterned papers from Recollections, and then attached a Small Glassine Bag that I embellished with a journaling card and a piece of Red With White Polka Dot Washi Tape.

I also tucked a Grungy Prim Shipping Tag into the Small Glassine Bag, and I topped the Grungy Prim Shipping Tag with a length of the sweet Vintage Winter White Hand-Stained Bias Tape.  You may also notice that I added a small Melissa Frances heart rub-on, and I ALWAYS use my Bone Folder Tool to apply my rub-ons with great ease.  I couldn't do without it!  My only other supply is the Recollections paper clip I attached.



We're really hoping that you will stop by The Kraft Journal this week to play along in our Valentines Day/Love Makes The Word Go Round Challenge .  We always love seeing your creations, and the Kraft Outlet can help you find ALL the best supplies for your projects.

I'm linking to these fun challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says - "H is For.......Hearts"

Classy Cards 'N Such - Challenge #70 - Shabby Chic Hearts - I used lots of hearts.  I also used white seam binding and  mini pearls from the CCNS store.

Have a blessed week!

 

Karen