Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Christmas Warmth & Cheer

Hello, sweet blog friends!  Today I'm posting for Really Reasonable Ribbon, and I wanted to share a couple of sweet Christmas cards I created using some of my favorite trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon, along with some of their new Embellishments.  There are SO many sweet touches available in the Really Reasonable Ribbon Shop to help adorn your cards and projects.  Check this out!
Both of my cards for today were created using patterned papers, stickers and ephemera from Carta Bella's new Christmas Delivery line.  This super sweet Christmas line is just filled with the sweetest designs, and Really Reasonable Ribbon helped me finish them off beautifully!
On my first card (above) I ran a length of the Christmas Traditions Plaid Ribbon, and I also tied a bow with it.  That's topped with a bow of Christmas Baker's Twine, and on top of that are three silver jingle bells tied with a length of Black Burlap String.  I just LOVE how these ribbons, twines and embellishments work together so nicely.  Behind the bow, I tucked a cluster of Wild Orchid Crafts' Bead Berry Spray in White and it gives my card the feeling of Christmas.  Isn't it sweet?
On my second card (above and below), I used two clusters of the Wild Orchid Crafts' Bead Berry Spray in Red.  I just LOVE them.  I cut some felt leaves, and added a bow made from Black Licorice Baker's Twine.  You may also notice that I placed a White Flatback Pearl Sticker on each card.  These sweet pearl accents come in a variety of sizes, and are such a sweet little touch as a random accent or in the center of a flower, etc. You will just LOVE all the great Embellishments carried at RRR (among all their other fabulous ribbons, trims, flowers and more).
Finally, you will notice that I tied a bow of Cherry Baker's Twine to an 11mm Heart-Shaped White Flatback Imitation Pearl and attached it to my card where I had a little ink smudge.  Yes, Embellishments are also a great way to cover our "little mistakes" in crafting.  Again, I used the lovely Christmas Traditions Plaid Ribbon on this card by tying it in a knot and adding it to my cluster at the top right.  I also tucked a small piece of the 1 1/2" Red Gingham Ribbon underneath the journalling tag.  The wider ribbons, like this one, are terrific for adding a sweet touch and to give your cards a lot of great texture and personality.  Really Reasonable Ribbon is a great place to get EVERYTHING you need to make your next card or project extra special!

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget about the fun challenge taking place now on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog. We love seeing your creations and having you play along with us.

Blessings to you,
Karen


Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Double-Layer Christmas Tags

Hello, sweet blog friends!  I hope you're all having a great week, and that you've had time during this busy time of the year to do some crafting.  Lucky me....I had a whole day to myself today, so I spent some of that time in my craft room.  
I wanted to play along in a couple of challenges that I haven't had the time to enter in a while.  I followed the tutorial on the Papertrey Ink Blog for Double-Layer Tags, and I had so much fun creating these sweet country tags to place on some of the packages I still need to wrap and tuck under the tree.
I cut my tags from kraft card stock and inked them, then I used older Simple Stories patterned papers and stickers to embellish and decorate them using the double-layer technique.
I used a Papertrey Ink stamp set called Love Lives Here Holiday Stamp Set, and it's been a favorite of mine for quite some time.  I use it every year.  The images were stamped with Barn Door Red, Peeled Paint, and Black Soot Tim Holtz Distress Inks.
Here are the challenges where I'm linking up my Double-Layer Christmas Tags:


Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - A Christmas To Die For - I used a PTI die-cut on the tags (Love Lives Here Holiday Die Set).

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog - O Christmas Tree - I used a Christmas tree stamp and coordinating die-cut on one of my tags.

Thanks so much for visiting today.

Karen


Monday, November 21, 2016

.....JOY

Today I'm posting for Really Reasonable Ribbon using someof their FABULOUS products.  There's just something about making Christmas cards and projects that's FUN!!  I made this card using some patterned paper scraps I've had laying on my craft table for the longest time.  I added some ephemera pieces, a Jenni Bowlin chipboard button tied with Solid Red Baker's Twine and Natural Solid Baker's Twine.  The button tops a bow tied with Lipstick Red Seam Binding and Cream Seam Binding.  I also wrapped a width of the Lipstick Red Seam Binding around my card.
I inked the edges of my card with Tim Holtz Distress Inks (as I usually do).  The little pieces of ephemera (Joy and Santa) are glittery, but you can't see the glitter from these photos.  That's why when people say that their cards are so much prettier in real life, I really do understand what they mean because I often feel the same way about my cards.  Photos just don't capture the wonderful glitter, texture, and special touches that you notice in real life.

Then, since I had some extra time, I decided to make a little Christmas gift item to go with this card that I'm sending to my niece.  I used a tiny, soft, fuzzy red mitten and adorned it by adding two of the sweet little Clusters of Wild Orchid Crafts' Bead Berry Spray in Red topped with a bow of Lipstick Red Seam Binding, White Seam BindingSolid Red Baker's Twine, White Metallic Icicle Seam Binding, and a Making Memories chipboard poinsettia button on top.
The mitten is a Starbucks gift card holder from many years past.  I just happened to have a few extras of them that I saved and never used, but always knew I could make cute little treat bags or ornaments out of them.  I'm so glad I put one of them to good use.  Really Reasonable Ribbon is the perfect place to pick up a few precious favorites to sweetly adorn your next project.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today to take a peek at this little Christmas card and gift mitten.  I hope that you will check out all the amazing seam binding, ribbons, twines and trim, flowers, leaves, adhesives and SO much more that Really Reasonable Ribbon has to offer.  There's also a FUN CHALLENGE taking place on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog.  Have a blessed and creative week.  Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

P.S.  Here's where I've linked my art:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says "Trio-Tastic" - I used three patterned papers on my card, three ribbons (seam binding and baker's twine), and three different ephemera pieces on my card (santa, joy sentiment and chipboard button), and three embellishments on the mitten (berries, chipboard button and ribbons). It's fun to be trio-tastic.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Silver & Gold Challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon

It's time for a fun new challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon, and this time our theme is Silver & Gold.  You can enter any project you choose as long it includes silver, gold, or both.....and of course, ribbon or trim of some sort.  We're really excited to see what you will create.
For this challenge, I chose to create a silver card.  I started with some glittery silver specialty papers that I inked on the edges with silver ink.  Next, I added a width of 5/8" Satin with Stitched Center in Grey/Silver.  This sweet ribbon comes in nine gorgeous colors.  Next, I added a bow that includes a bow tied with Charcoal Grey Seam Binding topped with two bows tied with Silver Metallic String.  Really Reasonable Ribbon carries this sweet Metallic String in both Silver and Gold, and they cost just $1.50 for 10 yards which is a great price, and is a beautiful accent to ANY project.  Underneath the bow, I tucked a Wild Orchid Crafts Spiral Stamen in Silver, and these sweet little accents are so much fun.  They come in packages of 12 pieces for $2.29 and also come in 9 gorgeous colors to accent any project.  I also topped the bow with three Ivory Sweetheart Blossoms.  These delightful little flowers come in a wide array of lovely colors, and are just the sweetest little accent ever!
Finally, I added a stamped sentiment on vellum that I stamped and embossed in silver, and at the bottom of my card, I added a couple more Ivory Sweetheart Blossoms and a lovely 12mm Crystal Flatback Round Acrylic Rhinestone.  Really Reasonable Ribbon also carries oodles of sweet Embellishments to accent your cards and projects.  They really have it all!
We would absolutely love to have you stop by and play along in our fun new Silver & Gold Challenge.  Really Reasonable Ribbon wants to be your go-to store for ribbons, twines and trims, flowers and embellishments.  And there's always lots of great inspiration on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog.

Happy crafting!
Karen

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Fun With Paper Smooches

Like so many of you, I absolutely LOVE Paper Smooches.  Owner, Kim Hughes, has generously sponsored challenges for me at Word Art Wednesday in the past, and they carry the CUTEST, SWEETEST stamps, dies, and more.  I just bought myself some of their amazing products from EBay yesterday, and I can hardly wait until I get them.  So......when I saw that they are having a Guest Design Call, I knew that I absolutely HAD to at least throw my hat in the ring.  It's a BIG dream, but you can't accomplish anything if you don't at least try.  I would be absolutely DELIGHTED to Guest Design for them.  Can you even imagine how sweet their new December release will be?  I get excited with anticipation just thinking about it.
Since I don't have any Paper Smooches stamps yet, I had to use some of their wonderful Free Digital Downloads.  I used their Leaf image and the Thanks sentiment to create this card.  I also used a piece of October Afternoon patterned paper and an October Afternoon journalling card.  I inked everything with Tim Holtz Distress Inks, and placed the sentiment in the center of the journalling cad.  These sweet little leaves have notches in them, so I linked the leaves together, and also placed some color coordinated sweet dots at the top right of the card.  I considered adding ribbons, but I really wanted the sweet Paper Smooches stamps to be the star of this card.
I can't even begin to tell you all how thrilled I would be to Guest Design for Paper Smooches, but I'm sure they will find someone to absolutely ROCK their sweet new December release.  You can also stop by the Paper Smooches Blog and play along in their November Thanks/Thanksgiving Challenge.  I'm sure they would love to have you join them.

Thanks for stopping by today, and please wish me luck (or say a little prayer for me).  It would be such an honor to be considered for this, and I will be sure to let you all know right away if this dream comes true.  At any rate, I sure had fun making my card.

Blessings,
Karen

P.S.  I'm linking my card here:

Paper Smooches - November Challenge/Giving Thanks - I used the digital Leaf image and Thanks sentiment digital stamps from Paper Smooches.

Simon Says Stamp - Monday Challenge Blog:  Thanks/Thanksgiving

Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge Blog:  Thanks/Thanksgiving

Creating Cards in Beautiful Colors

If you can even wrap your head around this and believe it, YES.....I'm making two blog posts in one day.  That doesn't happen very often, but I was lucky enough to have some extra time last night to create some cards that I wanted to make so that I could enter in some FUN challenges that I love.  Luckily, the color schemes are quite similar; so I'm able to "kill two birds with one stone" so to speak.  I participated in the November Blog Hop at Verve yesterday, and just fell in love with this color scheme.  I'm sharing both of the challenge photo inspirations below at the bottom of this post.
I used glittery gold specialty paper and a blue patterned paper from October Afternoon, a long length of Gold Metallic String, a Studio Calico die-cut for the sentiment (thanks), some wool felt flowers cut from a Verve die-cut set, and some cool fabric brads from K & Co.  Having thank you cards is always helpful in my world because I like to send/give them all the time when people do sweet things for me.
Here is the list of challenges where I'm sharing my card, and the inspiration photos for the challenges that have one.  You will see why I fell in love with these gorgeous colors.

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge Blog - Challenge #384 - Inspiration Photo



I am SO grateful that you've stopped by today, and I want you all to know how very grateful I am for all my fabulous blog friends.  I feel like the most blessed girl EVER, and I get truly excited each and every time I get a comment on my blog.  It just NEVER gets old, and I'm SO grateful.

Have a wonderful week!
Karen

Monday, November 14, 2016

My Precious Daughter

My sweet daughter, Andrea, just got married in August.  She wants to be able to stay at home and help set up a nice home for her husband (and future children).  While she does have a college degree, and she worked at a very good job prior to getting married, she would love to be able to stay at home as they start their new family.  With that said, she has opened an Etsy Shop and is selling hand-made jewelry.  She is just getting started; so if any of you need some cute Christmas gifts for sisters, mothers, aunts, daughters, etc., I would really appreciate you all checking out her Etsy Shop and supporting her if you are able (and interested).
God is SO GOOD, and I just want to praise Him for giving me such amazing children and a wonderful family.  I couldn't be more blessed.  Thank you all so much for stopping by today, and please know that I appreciate you all.  Your encouragement means so much, and I know it will mean A LOT to Andrea if she gets ANY sales in her little Etsy Shop.

My cup runneth over,
Karen

Sunday, November 13, 2016

It's Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop Day

It's time for Really Reasonable Ribbon's November Blog Hop, and we're so glad that you've chosen to hop along with us.  I hope that you've arrived here from Bonnie's Blog; but if you didn't, you can always head back to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog to get started.  This month's Ribbon Club Assortment is a beautiful Autumn/Seasonal collection of colors with beautiful jewel tones for the upcoming holidays, and all the way through the New Year.  It's called Country Holiday Collection:
For our Blog Hop, I'm sharing a Hair Bow that uses all the wonderful trims in this sweet collection; including the 5/8" Brown Diamond Satin Ribbon, 3/8" Crosshatch on Copper Satin Ribbon, 5/8" Pale Gold Taffeta Ribbon, 3/8" Gold and Copper Diamond Print Grosgrain, 5/8" Satin Swirl Rosewood Ribbon, 3/8" RRR Select Swiss Dot Wild Rose Grosgrain, 5/8" Delicate Stitched Satin Amethyst, 3/8" Quatrefoil Print on Sage Green Satin Ribbon, 5/8" Checkerboard Satin Forest Ribbon. They're all secured with a French Clip, which comes in several different sizes to perfectly accommodate all different lengths and thicknesses of hair.  Really Reasonable Ribbon has an entire assortment of Headbands, Clips and Hair Accessories.
Thanks so much for stopping by.  Your next stop on today's hop is at Kathy's Blog, and I'm sure she's prepared something to knock your socks off (so to speak).  Don't forget to answer the question at the end of the hop on the RRR Blog.  AND...don't forget about the FUN CHALLENGE taking place now on the RRR Challenge Blog.

I'm linking up here:
Outlawz Challenge Blog - November Color Inspiration - I just love how the colors EXPLODE in the inspiration photo, and this bow kind of does that.  It explodes with color from it's diamond center.

Have a wonderful week!
Karen



Thursday, November 10, 2016

Keeping It Simple with RRR

Well, I'm sure that by the time Christmas has come and gone, we will all be super tired of making Christmas cards and projects.  But at least so far, I haven't made a whole lot of them so it's still a lot of fun for me at this point.  I created these cards for Really Reasonable Ribbon, and adorned them with lots of great ribbons, trims and embellishments from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  They always have the PERFECT accents for ANY project.  My goal for these cards was to show you how SIMPLE it is to create cards with ribbon.  Don't overthink it....just keep it simple.
I used some American Crafts patterned papers that I recently picked up at Tuesday Morning.  I was really drawn to this interesting combination of Christmas red and that weird blueish green (a little more non-traditional).  Here's a peek at my first card.  Once I had my patterned papers in place, I laid a length of Canvas Color Band With Red Stitched Trim onmy card.   Next, I wrapped a super long length of Ivory Burlap String around the card several times. and tied it in a bow at the top of the sentiment card.  I also tied in a bow made from the sweet Christmas Baker's Twine, and then topped the bow with a 12mm Crystal Flatback Round Acrylic Rhinestone.
For my second card, I switched the papers around to give a contrast.  Then, I ran a length of Cream Seam Binding on my card and tied a double bow with it as well as a bow from Christmas Baker's Twine.  Again, I placed a 12mm Crystal Flatback Round Acrylic Rhinestone in the center of my bow.  They're just SO cute, and the perfect touch to any bow.
My third card is quite similar, but I ran some thin strips of patterned paper that I inked weaved together.  I kept this one really simple, and added three colors of Really Reasonable Ribbon's fabulous Solid Baker's Twine, including their Solid Red Baker's Twine, Solid Natural Baker's Twine, and Solid Mint Baker's Twine.  Again, I topped my bow with a sweet 12mm Crystal Flatback Round Acrylic Rhinestone to match the other cards in the set.  You see, when you use a few simple ribbons and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon and keep it simlple, anyone can crete lovely cards...for Christmas or any occasion.
Really Reasonable Ribbon has everything you could dream of to help you make your cards and projects look over-the-top lovely!  Why not stop by today to treat yourself to some new ribbons and trims.  There's also a FUN CHALLENGE taking place now on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog.

Thanks for visiting!
Karen

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

New CropStop Challenge

Hey there, everyone!  It's that time again...the second Wednesday of the month when our new challenge at CropStop begins.  The challenge runs all month, and you can enter ANYTHING as long as you use at least one thing that CAN be purchased at CropStop.  And let me tell you, friends, that's just about anything and everything.  From the Tim Holtz inks and products you use to the die-cuts, stamps, adhesives, paints, even die-cutting machine, etc. that are carried at CropStop.  CropStop carries SO many amazing products that you're sure to be using something carried in the store (whether you realize it or not).  We would really love to have you play along. YOU could be the lucky winner of an awesome prize package from CropStop.  Here's the card I made for the challenge.
I used Tim Holtz Hickory  Smoke Distress Ink Pad to touch the edges of the patterned paper, Carta Bella patterned papers and sentiment sticker, Simple Stories sticker, Red Burlap String, and the die-cut I used is by Memory Box.  
It would be such a blessing to have you all stop by CropStop to play along in their FUN CHALLENGE for a chance to win a really nice prize of product from the  CropStop Store.  We can't wait to see the amazing cards and projects you will link with us.  You have all month to play along, so come...play along!

I'm linking my card in these fun challenges:

Memory Box Challenge - Giving Thanks - I created this card with the sentiment of JOY to GIVE THANKS to God for all the blessings in my life.  I used the Chatford's Wreath Die Memory Box.  I cut it three times (once in green, once in white, and once in red) to layer the colors as desired.

Sweet Stampin' - Anything Goes Christmas - I just LOVE this challenge.

Have a great week of creative bliss.

Thanks for visiting,
Karen

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Christmas Carolers

Hello, everyone!  Thanks for stopping by.  Today is my second blog post for One Crazy Stamper, and for this card I've used the High Hopes Rubber Stamp simply called Carolers.  It's so sweet, and it's one of those stamps you could color with any color scheme in mind.  I stuck to the traditional red and green, but added in some blue.  This color choice worked well with the Christmas Wonderland patterned papers and stickers from Carta Bella that I used.
I stamped the image three times with Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Ink.  The first layer is the card base (stamped on white card stock), the second layer was fussy cut to lay over the base; and the third layer was stamped onto vintage sheet music which I also fussy cut and gently placed over the cute little sheet music books the Carolers are holding.  I also used a little strip of this same vintage sheet music as a border on the left-hand side of my card along with patterned paper, a Carta Bella border sticker, and some blue baker's twine.  I colored my Carolers with my Copics including Lipstick Red R29, Black, Emerald Green G05, and various skin tones.
Sometimes it's fun to add in some less-traditional Christmas colors to your cards, and this particular stamp is a great one to help you do just that.  You could literally color these sweet little Carolers in ANY color scheme to match whatever Christmas papers you choose.  This stamp is just SO cute, you can't go wrong!
Thanks so much for stopping by.  I really hope that you will all swing over to One Crazy Stamper to check out all the wonderful new High Hopes Rubber Stamps as well as all the other amazing goodies in their sweet store.  The new High Hopes Rubber Stamps release is absolutely adorable!

Have a blessed week,
Karen

I'm linking up here:
Joy Clair November Challenge - There were so many lovely colors to choose from, so I used the Deep Red, Christmas Green, Navy Blue and Medium Blue.

Fun With Felt

Like so many of you, my life is always busy.....at some times even more than others.  So, with all my personal responsibilities, and then my Design Team responsibilities, it's not always easy to find the time to create specific cards and projects just for fun.  With that said, every now and then, I find a challenge where I really want to play along, and such is the case this week.  I really wanted to at least throw my hat in the ring on a few challenges, so I was blessed to find the time to create this project.
I used one of my coveted and hoarded Crate Paper wooden embroidery hoops and traced a cardboard circle to reinforce the back.  Then, I made another circle from the brushed material and layered it onto the cardboard to give it some great texture on its background.  Next, I cut a tree trunk (My Favorite Things) from brown wool felt, covered a Maya Road chipboard piece with green wool felt for the tree top, and then used red and yellow wool felt to cut the leaves I placed on the tree (also My Favorite Things).  I strategically placed a few "fallen" leaves at the bottom of the tree trunk.
For the finishing touches, I added an October Afternoon journalling sticker with a Melissa Frances rub-on (give thanks), and then tied two bows; one with Lipstick Red Seam Binding, and one with Mimosa Yellow Seam Binding, and topped that bow with a small wooden button that's tied with Solid Green Baker's Twine.

That's all there is to it.  I was completely inspired on this one by the inspiration photo below for Curtain Call.  Luckily, I found a couple other challenges I could enter as well.  I really appreciate your thoughts and comments, and I want to thank you for stopping by.


Curtain Call Challenge - Inspiration Photo Challenge - Felt - I used several sweet colors of wool felt to create my card. This (below) is their inspiration photo for the challenge.

Crafty Calendar Challenge - November Challenge:  Autumn Colors - I just love making Autumn inspired projects, and this one really spoke to me.  Thanks for a much-needed challenge!

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Thinking of You - While my project doesn't say "thinking of you"; this is how I let people know I'm thinking of them...I give them hand-made gifts.  This one is going to a friend in Minnesota who I miss all the time, and want her to know that I'm "thinking of her".

Simon Says Stamp Monday ChallengeThinking of You - While my project doesn't say "thinking of you"; this is how I let people know I'm thinking of them...I give them hand-made gifts.  This one is going to a friend in Minnesota who I miss all the time, and want her to know that I'm "thinking of her".

Double D Challenge Blog - Harvest Blessings - Give Thanks - This is my project for the Harvest season because I am SO very grateful, and I give thanks to God for ALL my bles

Have an incredibly blessed weekend!
Karen

Friday, November 4, 2016

Tag Challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, everyone!  It's time for a FUN new challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon, and our theme this time is "Tag, You're It"!  You can make a tag/tags, add a tag to a card, or incorporate a tag in a creative way.  As long as you make a tag and use some type of ribbon or trim on your project, we welcome you to play along with us.  We always enjoy seeing your sweet projects.
I made a set of six tags that I will be selling at my next craft boutique.  Tags always seem to sell nicely when packaged in sets of six.  People use them to decorate a package or gift bag and it really makes them POP!  I used lots of fun Crate Paper supplies to create this particular tag set.  I added lots of great ribbons and trims, flowers and leaves, and goodies from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
I used the lovely Vivid Pink Seam Binding, Black Seam Binding, Bay Leaf Seam Binding, Gold Metallic String, and some Two-Tone Green and White Mulberry Leaves (these leaves are GORGEOUS and also have some pink in them).
I also added lots of great Mulberry Flowers from the RRR Shop including Black Open End Roses and the sweet Miniature Sweetheart Blossoms that come in a variety of colors.  I used the pastel collection.  There's sure to be a perfect color for your next project.
I also used some Deborah Natural Crochet Lace and a Soft Pink Sweetheart Blossom, and a sweet new Pearl Heart Ribbon Slider Buckle.  There are so many cute new accents at great low prices in our Embellishments category.
We hope to see your sweet tags shared in our challenge.  And don't forget to check out all the fabulous ribbons, laces, trims, flowers and more at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  You will just LOVE it all!  You can find the new challenge right here on the RRR Challenge Blog.  We really look forward to seeing your tags and projects with tags.

Have a creative week, everyone.
Blessings to you all,
Karen

P.S.  I'm linking up here:
Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Thinking Of You" - All my tags are for just that....those I'm thinking of, and need to give gifts to.  The tags say SO much!

Tag, You're It Challenge Blog - Tag, You're It!  Challenge #59 - I loved the inspiration photo (below) and the sweet pink.  All the tags in this collection fit this category SO well, and will be used for various birthday celebrations to let them know they are loved.
Jo's Scrap Shack - Fun-Day Friday Challenge #163 - Anything Goes - Jo and her friends always have something FUN happening.  Why not stop by and play along?  And she has blog candy, too.  She just needs THREE more followers to reach her goal.  I hope you'll stop by.