RI Designer Choice Challenge Starts Today

and I can't show you my funny card that I designed just for that:(  The pictures I put in blogger when I create disappear! But you can go to Repeat Impressions blog, The House that Stamps Built and check out my card and all the great cards designed by the Rock Stars.

The new What If? Wednesday challenge is a Designers Choice Challenge. Darsie has challenged us (and you!) to create a scenery card. You have until Tuesday April 12th to post and link your card for a chance to win Rubber!

I will post the cards from today and yesterday when this issue gets fixed. If any of you have had this problem or know how to fix it, please contact me (email on the side.)

EDITED TO ADD: You can now see the pictures here

Stamping smiles (and blogger frowns),

Karen

Speedy the Cat's Friends and Rubber Cafe' Challenges

(If you are a subscriber and got one earlier w/o a pix, don't know what happened, but I am trying again...) The challenge this week at Speedy the Cat's Friends is wet and dry embossing and at Rubber Cafe' it is also to use embossing. I dry embossed a piece of kraft paper in a Tim Holtz Sizzix folder and then used brown embossing powder on top of that to get this cool wood look. I learned how to do this technique at a class at my local Stamp Shoppe. The loon and sentiment are from Repeat Impressions.

EDITED TO ADD: You can now see the picture of the card here


 Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions SOTW Easter Egg

The stamp of the week at Repeat Impressions this week is this fun Easter Egg (4505-F) and it is available this week for 50% off with a special discount code found at their blog, The House that Stamps Built. That's a great deal, so check it out along with their other great stamps.

I paper pieced my eggs with several dps. The background is a technique I learned at our local Stamp Shoppe using baby wipes and ink sprays. After spraying the baby wipe with several colors of any of the mists or sprays on the market, let it dry completely and then emboss with your embossing folder. I had better success when I used lighter colors and a very deep embossing folder (this is one from Sizzix.) And be patient- hard to do I know- but wait for it to dry completely or really dry it well with your heat gun. The edge punch on the bottom is from Martha Stewart.

Stamping smiles Karen

Happy Birthday Dear Wendy...

Happy Birthday to Wendy Wyman, the owner and founder of Repeat Impressions!! Today we are celebrating Wendy's birthday and each of her Rock Stars are posting a special birthday card just for her! Mine is also in the mail to her- hope it gets there right on time. I used RI's stamp "Kisa" because she is a cat lover (just like me). The background is a bargello pattern created with the new awesome dps from Close to My Heart. I had a little extra after creating the front, so I made a scalloped circle of the bargello pattern for the inside.

Wendy's story is a great one - check it out here. And while you are there, leave a comment on the home page of the blog wishing her a Happy Birthday too. She is very generous with her design team and I am having such a great time since she asked me to join her team.

Here are the links so you can see Wendy's other birthday cards designed by the Rock Stars:

Ayana ~ http://www.ayanaposadas.typepad.com/
Darsie ~ http://www.craftingwithdarsie.blogspot.com/
Harriet ~ http://allycatcards.blogspot.com/
Joy ~ http://www.piecesofjoyhadden.blogspot.com/
Karen ~ http://karenskreativekards.blogspot.com/ (you are here)
Lynette ~ http://mystampingaddiction.blogspot.com/
Makiko ~ http://makinkstudio.blogspot.com/
Michele ~ http://whimsicalcreations.blogspot.com/
Robin ~ http://robins-rubber-room.blogspot.com/

or you can click on the links at the side of my blog anytime for inspiration.

Happy Birthday smiles, Karen

RI What If Wednesday? Sketch Challenge

Time for another fun What If Wednesday? Sketch Challenge at the Repeat Impressions blog, The House that Stamps Built. Is this not a fun and unique sketch?

For my card, I used the Wings Quartet series of stamps (8507 W). In this set of stamps, you get the positive and negative image, the words and the single feather stamp. The circles behind the main image were cut with my nesties, and I used Close to My Heart dp and gems to complete the card.

You have until April 5th to create a card using this sketch, post it and link to the RI blog for a chance to win a great prize. You do not have to use Repeat Impression's stamps, but if you do, you get an extra chance to win in the random drawing.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impresssions SOTW Celebrate Spring

It is Monday again and time to Celebrate Spring with Repeat Impression's Stamp of the Week. I am so anxious for spring, I admit and this card makes me smile with it spring palette of colors (great dp from Close to my Heart inspired the green and peach combo I used.) The Celebrate Spring stamp (3908-I) is available this week at RI for 50% off with a special discount code you can find only on the RI blog, The House that Stamps Built.

I used my nesties to create the lacey circle in peach and then covered the back of the lacey openings with green cardstock. It is a little time consuming to do this (cut each one from scalloped circle and attached individually) but I really like the look. The peach flowers were cut with Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers diecut and layered with a green flower and green bride's flowers for leaves. I stamped the sentiment on green dp and colored just the flowers, then layered it all on CB white piece and then on a green card.

I scheduled this post ahead of time as I am currently in Arizona enjoying the warmth and sunshine (I hope) with my sister and bro-in-law. Sure hope I come home and can indeed, Celebrate Spring!

Stamping smiles, Karen

RI What If Wed? CASE Me!

Today is What If Wednesday? challenge day on the Repeat Impressions Blog, The House that Stamps Built. The challenge for the Rock Stars and for you, should you decide to accept, is to CASE Me! I loved this card I made for a sketch challenge and decided to use it for this CASE challenge. You have almost two weeks to enter and can win a great prize. Visit the RI blog for more details and to see what the other Rock Stars have created using my card for inspiration (or you can click on their links on the side of my blog.)

I used the awesome Crowned Crane Deco stamp which has a positive and negative image and stamped it on dp that shows that really well. The center piece is embossed with a SU folder and the edge punch is from ek success. The sentiment (also Repeat Impressions) was stamped on an oval piece cut and embossed with a nestie and I sponged the inside with a light blue ink.

So it's your turn to CASE my card and link it for a chance to win a great prize. I am in sunny Arizona on vacation and so scheduled this post before I left. I can't wait to see the entries when I get back!

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions SOTW Bird and Blossoms

It's Monday again and time to show you another beautiful RI stamp of the week. This week it is this lovely Bird and Blossoms (1321-M) stamp which is available to RI blog readers at 50% off with a special discount code found at The House that Stamps Built. What a deal! Check out their other awesome stamps at the same time- available wood mounted or really reasonably priced unmounted.

I stamped the bird and blossoms onto velum and colored with markers from behind. I also sponged and embossed the oval cut with my nesties. The background is a new embossing folder technique I will be demonstrating at a gathering of stampers the end of the month in Madison. It is very subtle and the paper is not embossed. You ink up the inside of a embossing folder (this one is from Cuttlebug) and use your brayer to transfer the image to your paper. The corners are rounded and I added pearls to complete the card.

I am leaving today for a week plus trip to sunny warm Arizona to visit my sister and brother-in-law. Will be sooo great to get out of snowy Wisconsin and relax in warm weather. I will (to be honest) miss blogging, but have scheduled a few posts for you while I am gone.

Stamping and vacation smiles, Karen

Wags and Whiskers and Woodware USA Challenges

The challenge this week at Wags and Whiskers was to make a card with more than one fold and at Woodware USA it was to have your sentiment be the focal point. I made a twisted easel card with my fun fun Hambo stamps for these challenges. I paper pieced the chick from Hambo on a beaded oval from Nestabilities. The HB edge punch is from Martha Stewart. The lol Hambo sentiment is raised with double mounting tape to hold the twisted easel up. It lays flat and fits into an A2 envelope for mailing.

Starting tomorrow I will be on vacation in sunny warm Arizona and then in Madison. For about two weeks I will be away from blogging and I admit, I will miss it. I have my Repeat Impressions blog posts scheduled while I am gone, so I will pop in a few times with new cards and ideas while I am gone.

Stamping (and vacation) smiles, Karen

Send a Smile 4 Kids Room Fold Card

The challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids this week is Anything Goes and since I can enter twice, I am doing another before I leave on vacation for two reasons: it is a great cause I want to promote and I just had to share this awesome new card fold I learned from this post by a fellow Rock Star.

Isn't this cute? And easy to make. Harriet's card was like a little living room, but I decided to make mine an outdoors scene. If you go to the post, there is a tutorial link that shows exactly how to make these Triangle Room Fold cards. Mine features stamps by Paper Smooches on the front and popping up on the inside. The tree embossing folder is from Crafts Too and I used cork paper for the ground.

Send a Smile 4 Kids collects cards for kids in the hospital. Right now they are looking for Easter cards, but they accept cards for any holiday and birthdays and any happy cards for kids who could use some cheering up. Visit their website for more details on how you can help them help kids.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Stamping Boutique TSB Challenge

The challenge this week at The Stamping Boutique is TSB, or Texture, Sparkle and Buttons. I used some real sparkly pink paper and my new new Martha Stewart floral punch for some fun borders. I used a floral embossing folder and some cork paper for texture and used buttons on the flower and to hold up the easel card. The bunny is a Sizzix diecut. Happy Spring- soon I hope!

Stamping smiles, Karen

Happy Blogaversary RI Hop!!

Today is the one year anniversary of Repeat Impressions blog, The House that Stamps Built and to celebrate, we are having a Blogaversary Hop! The Rock Stars are all posting an anniversary or celebration card and you can qualify to win a $35 RI gift certificate in TWO different ways:

1. Hop your way to each of the Rock Stars blogs and the RI blog and leave a comment on each blog and you will be entered in our random drawing for the gift certificate.

2. Follow all the rules above plus...create a card to celebrate our blogaversary and link it to the RI Blogaversary Hop post for THREE entries in our drawing! You have until Wednesday, March 16th to link your card and/or leave your comments. The big winner will be announced on March 18th. One lucky stamper will win a $35 Repeat Impressions gift certificate!

Here are the Rock Stars links:

Ayana ~ http://www.ayanaposadas.typepad.com/
Darsie ~ http://www.craftingwithdarsie.blogspot.com/
Harriet ~ http://allycatcards.blogspot.com/
Joy ~ http://www.piecesofjoyhadden.blogspot.com/
Karen ~ http://karenskreativekards.blogspot.com/ (you are here)
Lynette ~ http://mystampingaddiction.blogspot.com/
Makiko ~ http://makinkstudio.blogspot.com/
Michele ~ http://whimsicalcreations.blogspot.com/
Robin ~ http://robins-rubber-room.blogspot.com/
RI blog ~
http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/

Here is my anniversary card for the blog hop. I took two pictures, showing the card totally closed and also opening to show the gate fold with the heart attached to one side and the sentiment on the other. I used RI's Rose Heart Wreath and a lovely anniversary sentiment on my card. The dp is from Close to My Heart. I stamped the heart on velum, colored with markers from the back and attached on a scallop heart cut out with my nesties. I added a heart punch in the center and a little rose to complete the card.

So how about making and posting a card celebrating our Blogaversary and come hopping and commenting for another chance to win? Remember to leave a comment at our blog too and refer there for all the details.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Send a Smile 4 Kids & Wee Memories Challenges

The chllenge this week at Send a Smile 4 Kids is Anything Goes (love those!) and at Wee Memories it is Woodland Creatures. The bird and sentiment is from a really cute new set I got from Paper Smooches. I decided to make a mini easel card on the front of my card. The background is a embossing folder from SU and some floral dp in my scraps pile. The mini easel card is 2" x 2" with the lacy circle attached to the top square which is folded in half back. I paper pieced the bird and her hat, did a little coloring with markers and added a tulip brad to hold the front up. This card would (I hope) put a smile on any kid, age 1-99!

Stamping smiles, Karen

Hambo Hoedown Gold

I decided to do an extra blogpost today because I won't be here next week to post on St Patrick's Day and I just had to make a card using the free digi I got from Hambo Stamps after I participated in last week's challenge at Hambo Hoedown. The challenge this week is to use Gold in our cards and if you have stamps from Hambo and participate, you can get a free digi for next week's challenge.

Isn't St. Pat Hamster so cute? I printed him on light brown paper and then again on green and gold paper and paper pieced the hat and coat and the bucket of gold. I colored the gold with my mica pen and also added gold gems to really make it look like a golden treasure. The sparkly gold paper on the sides was embossed with a CB folder and I added some more gems in the corners to complete this diamond shaped fold out card.

Stamping smiles, Karen

RI What If? Wed Sketch Challenge

It's What If? Wednesday at Repeat Impression's blog, The House that Stamps Built, and this CAS sketch is one that is very versatile and can inspire you to make a fun card. For my card, I used RI's Sunlight Cat which I love. It reminds me of my kitty who loves the sun and looking out, but she is alot wider than that cat:) I simply stamped on a circle cut and embossed with my nesties and layered onto a grey circle. The lovely dp is from Close to My Heart and I just love the color combo of the browns, tans and greys. The grey pearls were my final touch on the CAS card.

So now is your turn. Create a card inspired by this sketch, post to your blog and link to RI before March 22nd for a chance at a great prize. Please refer to the RI blog for all the details.

I am entering this card in the challenges at Creative Belli Challenge (Animals) and Craft Your Passion (Anything Goes.)

Be sure to stop back Friday for something fun you won't want to miss! Hint: do you like inspiration and big prizes??

Stamping smiles, Karen

Do You Stack Up and Sassy Studio Challenges

The challenges this week at Do You Stack Up? and Sassy Studio Designs are to Think Green. I don't normally do St Patrick's Day cards, but when I saw the super cute free digis this month from Paper Smooches, I just had to make one for my grandson. The clover and the "Lucky to have you" are from Paper Smooches. I added the "as our Grandson" in alphabet stickers. The three leaf clovers are cut out and attached on the inside with mounting tape. I added a couple star punches to complete this CAS card.

This is what the inside looks like. On the real St. Pat's Day, I will be in Fountain Hills, AZ watching a huge fountain spout green water- I have seen pictures and can't wait to see in person.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions SOTW Bunny Hop

It's Monday again and time for another Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week. This week it is Bunny Hop (4215-I) and it is available for 50% off with the special discount found on the RI blog, The House that Stamps Built.

I am ready for spring, even though we are getting snow here and a big storm is expected on Wednesday again:( I decided to make the hopping bunny card a CAS Easter card. I simply used some fun DP, the great stamps from Repeat Impressions and a couple flower gems.

I am entering this card in the challenges at Cute Card Thursday and Delightful Challenges as they are looking for spring cards this week. I refuse to make any more winter or snowflake or snowman cards- will positive warm thoughts melt the Wisconsin snow and bring spring? Sure hope so!

Be sure to check back on Friday for a chance to see some great cards and win some free rubber! Can't tell you anymore cuz it's a surprise, but mark your calendar for some stamping fun!

Stamping smiles, Karen

Critter Sketch Guest Designer

Guess who is the Guest Designer at the Critter Sketch Challenge Blog this week? ME! I was honored to be asked to participate as a Guest Designer and even more thrilled when I saw the super cute digital stamps from Soft Pencil that we could use and the fun sketch they have to inspire us this week.

The ladybug and flower are a digital stamp from Soft Pencil and I first printed it on the green piece and again on orange patterned paper and in red. I paper pieced the flower and the ladybug and layered all together as per the sketch. The background was embossed in a new Sizzix embossing folder after I attached the orange strip.

Critter Sketch has great challenges and I have participated in many of them, which is how I got this great opportunity to be a guest designer. So take some time this week to play with this fun sketch and check out their blog for all the details on this week's challenge.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Hambo Hoedown and Art Impressions Stamps Challenges

Fun challenges this week at Hambo Hoedown and Art Impressions Stamps: At Hambo they want us to use their stamps to make a masculine card with stripes somewhere and at Art Impressions they want funny cards. I love Hambo stamps because so many of them crack me up and I love to make funny cards. I had these papers picked out from Tim Holtz because they looked old and so I just added my own lines with a thin black marker. I paper pieced the caveman and sponged his oval and the sentiment piece to look aged. The shape of the card was fun- I just cut the whole card down and matched red and aged map pieces when layering.

FYI- did you know some companies give you free stamps when you are published using their stamps? Hambo is one and I won these and others recently when I was published in Just Cards Birthday issue. Repeat Impressions also rewards stampers who get published with their stamps and also has a gallery you can enter and earn free rubber at as well. Check it out- both companies have buttons on the side of my blog. The key to getting published is sending in your cards- just do it!

Stamping smiles, Karen

Woodware USA and Lexi's Creations Challenges

The challenge at Woodware USA this week was "Anything Goes" (love those!), and at Lexi's Creations it was Flowers. I love how this card turned out. I started with two designer patterned papers, one for the card base and one for the focal point. I taped down a floral mask and sprayed the lighter colored piece with a Smooch Spritz. After letting it dry (is that not the hardest part- waiting for something to dry when in the middle of creating something!), I cut apart and reassembled on a slightly large dark brown piece. Adding the large sparkly rose is the final step.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Scrapbook Friday

We took our grandson to Disney on Ice a few weeks ago and had so much fun I had to scrap those memories right away. I got some Mickey Mouse paper (because he was our host) and put the pictures to the paper.

This is Grandma and Grandpa with our Nate before the show started.

I used my zoom and got some pretty good pictures of the various charactors we saw. As I said in the journaling, the best part was watching the joy and excitement on Nate's face. So fun to share that with him!

Stamping and scrapping smiles, Karen

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge

The challenge this week at Fussy and Fancy Friday was to use paper piercing or embossing on our cards. Well, that is no challenge for me- I do both all the time:) This a fun image I got free at Paper Smooches, a new stamp company with the cutest images and great fonts for their sentiments. I just downloaded this month's free image and will be playing with that one soon- check it out! I am a newbie to digital stamps but am starting to figure it out and since I have no more room in my stamping room for storage of stamps, figure this is the way to go for atleast part of my stamp purchases!

The background on this card was fun and easy. Just emboss (Cuttlebug folder) three different colored sheets of cardstock and then cut them together in various angles and put them back together as shown. The Paper Smooches bird was printed on two different dps and cut out and attached to circles cut with my nesties.

Stamping smiles, Karen