Crafty Pad and Stamps R Us Challenges

The challenge this week at Crafty Pad is to use pastel colors and at Stamps R Us it is "There was a little girl". I made this little girl baby card using some really cute stamps from CTMH and my Nestabilities scalloped circle and regular circle dies. The card is the largest scalloped nestie cut using pink dp. I cut and embossed the pink circle on the front with two regular circle dies and a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I stamped the little girl and the sentiment and added pearl pen pearls to the scalloped edges to complete the card.

Stamping smiles, Karen

What If? Wed Sketch Challenge

It is What If? Wednesday at Repeat Impressions blog, The House that Stamps Built, and this week the challenge is to make a fun card using the sketch above. It is CAS but I like that.

I used the Crown Crane Deco stamp and stamped him twice on patterned paper. The stamp has both the positive and negative images and I cut them apart and switched the bottom two around to get the look above. I added the sentiment in the middle (also from Repeat Impressions) and placed all on an embossed white piece on a navy card.

So come join us, make a card using the sketch and maybe win some Rubber! You do not need to use RI stamps on your card, but if you do, you get your name in the drawing twice. All the details and more inspirational cards by the other Rock Stars are on the blog.

I am entering this in the Wings challenge at Simply Create.

Stamping smiles, Karen

CAS-ual Fridays and Secret Crafter Challenges

The challenge this week at CAS-ual Fridays is "Getting Edgy" and at Secret Crafter it is "Embossing." This is one of those cards that started with an idea that didn't work and evolved.. I was trying to emboss the images with white embossing powder and sponge to get a cool look that I had seen on line. But it just didn't work so I stamped the fun images from The Cat's Pajamas again with colored ink, cut out and attached slightly off the embossed images and I think I like it? The sentiment is from Flourishes and the fun edge is a diecut from Spellbinders.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Guest Designer for Shelly's Images

It is Marvelous Monday at Shelly's Images and guess who is the lucky Guest Designer this week? Me:) I got to play with this delightful Hummingbird image which is available for a special sale price today at their site. I am always amazed at the talent it takes to draw and create the wonderful digital images now available instantly for us to enjoy! Check out this and other beautiful images at Shelly's Images.

I really like a new technique with glitter that I learned at our local Stamp Shoppe but am disappointed that the photos of the cards do not show how sparkly the cards are in real life. It is much more glittery all over the white piece... I stamped the image on white paper and colored with my copics. Then you attach a stickly two sided sheet cut the same size as the cardstock, remove the sheet and add glitter all over the whole piece. I framed that piece with a SU tulip embossed red piece and attached to a card also framed with the SU tulip embossing. The front of the yellow card was folded down to create an easel card and a tulip brad holds up the front.

I am entering this card in the "Use a Digi" challenge at Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog.

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week

The SOTW at Repeat Impressions this week is this beautiful Lily of the Valley stamp. It is available for 50% off this week only with a discount code found at the RI blog, The House that Stamps Built. What a deal! I have used it before coloring it with markers and even adding Flower Soft at the flowers. I decided to go CAS this time, simply embossing the flower with white embossing powder in the center of a pink card. I framed it with a Cuttlebug embossing and cutting folder with rounded edges. Then I added some flowers that I colored with my copics to compete the CAS card.

To get other ideas on how to use this stamp and be inspired, visit the RI blog and check out the Rock Star's samples. Or just click on the links at the side of my blog.

I am entering this card in the CAS challenge at Dutch Dare Card Challenges.

Stamping smiles, Karen

OWH and Clear it Out Tuesday Challenges

The challenge this week at Operation Write Home is "Love You" and at Clear it Out Tuesday it is Clean and Simple. CAS is my favorite kind of card- with a twist- something new or fun added in. There are two new things on this card that I learned about at the recent stamp show in Wausau. The first is the beautiful laser cut sticker by Mrs Grossman's. So easy to use and very classy looking. The second is a new way to use our border punches! Punch out the border punch (or any shaped punch) on a piece of scrap paper. I used a portion of a Martha Stewart border punch. Attach it to your cardstock with temporary tape on all sides. Using Pearl Pen or Liquid Pearls and a stencil knife, swipe a little of the colored pearl into the holes of the punched paper. Take punched scrap paper off and discard. Allow to dry and you have a lovely accent for any card.

Of course the background is just a cuttlebug embossed card. CAS but lovely, I think.

Stampings smiles, Karen

Scrapbook Saturday and More Fun News!

I haven't shared scrapbook pages in forever so when a blog hop got cancelled last minute, I decided today was the perfect day to share a page and some pix and some news also about scrapbooking. This is a page I made recently about Nana and Papa's new Lake House that was being built last fall and winter. It is now done and is gorgus I hear! The picture below and in the center of the page was framed by the house materials as the family peaked out. My daughter and son-in-law are on the right and my grandson is in the middle of the front row hanging down. His cousins are on either side of him.

I do not consider myself an expert at scrapbooking but I have fun doing it and that is most important. Capture the memories with some pictures and a little journaling and some fun paper and embellishments. But I am currently taking a course on line to become a Certified Spotted Canary Scrapbooking Instructor at our local Jo Ann Fabrics and Crafts Store! So I will be teaching both cardmaking and scrapbooking- too fun. I have my sample cards done for my first class- Pop Up Cards. Come to the OPEN HOUSE July 9th or CALL that day to get the class 50% off!! Half price- what a deal!
Stamping and Scrapping Smiles, Karen

Lexi's Creations and Deep Ocean Challenges

The challenge at Lexi's Creations this week is No Sentiment and at Deep Ocean Challenges it is Flowers. I made this card one day when I was determined to use some supplies I had owned forever and had neglected. The front of the card is an old punch out card from SU. The base with the pop up circle was bought at a stamp show years ago and the sticker is an old one from Penny Black. The corner die cuts are from Spellbinders and the rose is from JoAnns. So in putting all these neglected supplies together, I came up with this card. Not too bad, I guess...

Stamping smiles, Karen

Make it Monday and Hooked On Crafts Challenges

Anything Goes is the theme of the challenges at Make It Mondays and at Hooked on Crafts and that is my favorite kind of challenge. I am entering this special 30th birthday card I made for my daughter-in-law. The beautiful background stamp is by Heartfelt Creations. I colored with my Copics then covered the whole front with glitter- it is much more sparkly and pretty than the camera catches. I added some circular glitz and 30 with stickers.

Stamping smiles, Karen

What if? Wed. Designer Choice Challenge

It's a Designer Choice Challenge at Repeat Impression's blog, The House that Stamps Built and Miriam is challenging us to use Watercoloring in our cards. I used RI's beautiful Tulip Bouquet for this CAS card and love how it turned out. I cut a frame with my nesties lacey squares and placed it diagonally on a card made with two sided cardstock with the corners cut off. I added some gems and lacey ribbon to complete the card. Please visit the blog for more awesome card samples using watercoloring and for all the details on the challenge and what you can win.

I am entering this card in the Flower Power challenge at Karen's Doodles.

Stamping smiles, Karen

It's Summer at Paper Creations Ink!

It's Summer at PCI and we are challenging you to make a card with a Summer theme and enter it in our latest challenge. Our wonderful sponsor is Freshly Brewed Designs and they are offering 5 digital stamps of your choice if you win!  
The challenges at PCI will now be on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. I will be posting my card on Tuesdays as I already have two DTs to post for on Mondays. Come join in the fun!

Isn't this elephant in a bikini by Freshly Brewed Designs just the sweetest summer image? I printed her on grey paper and paper pieced her bikini, bow and ice cream. Too cute! The sand was made with cork paper and I used a Crafts Too embossing folder for the sun behind her. Sweet!

I am entering this card in the Summer challenge at Crafting for All Seasons.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week

The Stamp of the Week (50% off this week with a discount code found at the blog!!) is Repeat Impression's Mussel Shell. When I first saw the stamp, I liked it but I was stumped for awhile on how to use it. I  have to admit, I am pretty proud of the completed card- while laying in bed one night, I had the idea of making a flower with it. I often go to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night, designing cards in my head. I know, I am crazy- or atleast totally addicted to this craft:)

I stamped the mussel shells on blue paper and cut out. The center is a Memory Box die with a lovely Repeat Impressions sentiment and Pearl Pen pearls to accent. The corners are a Spellbinders die.

I am entering this card in the challenge at The Paper Shelter to use punches and diecuts.

Stamping smiles, Karen

 

Critter Sketch Sketch Challenge

It's double fun Monday again:) Every other Monday I post for both Critter Sketch and Repeat Impressions- if looking for one or the other, just scroll down or up and you will get to it.

It is a sketch challenge this week at Critter Sketch. Here is the sketch to follow to enter our challenge.

Our sponsor is Stamp Fairy. Please visit the blog for all the details on this fun challenge.

I had fun designing this boy's card using the martian digital stamp from Stamp Fairy which (of course) I paperpieced. I embossed the frame with stars (Cutttlebug) and the card itself with a Tim Holtz folder that looks like craters. Instead of a flower with a sentiment, I used a Sizzix diecut, and I added red baker's twine for the final piece.

If you know me, you know I love making cards for kids and this one will go right into my box for Send a Smile 4 Kids. And click on the Blog Candy pix on the side for a chance to win- just a few days left.

I am entering this card in the challenge at Card Makin' Mamas "For a Child".

Stamping smiles, Karen

Your Next Stamp Challenge and Rainbow Lady Challenges

The challenge this week at Your Next Stamp Challenge is shaped cards and at Rainbow Lady it is "I Am Sailing", so this sailboat shaped card from The Cutting Cafe' is perfect for both. I printed the cutting file and the sentiments too all from The Cutting Cafe' and made this cute baby boy card. The sail and the flag were embossed with embossing folders and the yellow button with the yellow bakers twine was the finishing touch.

Want a chance at winning some Blog Candy? Just click on the button at the top right of this blog to find out how you can win. Only available for a few days to do it now!

Stamping smiles, Karen (but not smiling as I had to edit to add pictures back in again- sure hopes this stops happening again:(  If you subscribe, sorry to again be missing pictures...)

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge Saturday

Today is the start of another great challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids and we are challenging you to use your Teddy Bears and Other Animals to make a cute card for a child. Our sponsor is Digi Doodles Shop and you can win a $10 gift certificate to their online shop in our random drawing. I used their cute teddy bear digis to make both of these cards. I paperpieced the bear and his overalls and bunny above and put him on a circle and red frame and added red dots all around. I added dp in triangles with red borders and the sentiment is from Repeat Impressions.

My second card started with another darling digi from Digi Doodles. I put him in a frame created with a Sizzix embossing folder and added some punched butterflies and a bird with a flower to complete the card. Tweet!

Check out the SAS4Kids blogpost for more awesome cards by our Design Team and a chance to win some Blog Candy offered by our fantastic Guest Designer for this challenge!! And then join in the fun and enter your cards with Teddy Bears or Other Animals in this challenge.

I am entering my cards in the challenges at Dutch Dare Card Challenges "For the Boys" and at Delightful Challenges "Anything Goes."

Stamping smiles 4 our kids, Karen

Use It Tuesday and Scrap Creations Challenges

The challenge this week at Scrap Creations is Anything Goes and at Use it Tuesday it is to use a diecut or punch we have not used before. My nesties labels 10 have been sadly neglected but was perfect to frame this beautiful digital stamp from Floppy Latte' Designs. Isn't she gorgus?! I printed her on patterned paper and cut her out with my nesties label 10. The black card is embossed with a Tim Holtz embossing folder. I added some black pearls with a pearl pen to the top and bottom of the cut out frame.

This is a easel card and the inside has a cool blog saying from The Cutting Cafe'. I made these for my team mates at SAS4Kids as they all have awesome blogs. Check them out on the side of my blog:)

Stamping smiles, Karen

Aud Sentiments & Little Darlings Challenges and Exciting News!!

The challenge this week at Aud Sentiments is "Summertime" and at Little Darlings Challenge it is "Summer." I made a telescoping card with some fun summertime stamps and diecuts. A tutorial on how to make the telescoping card can be found here. It is not hard and makes a fun card. I started with some awesome stamps from Raisin Boat. I just love the chairs and the sand looks so real. I can image relaxing in that chair and looking out into the water.

The second panel has flip flops from Sizzix and a sun embossing folder from Crafts Too. The third panel has more fun summer diecuts from Sizzix. I typed the saying "Hope you're having a Flippin' Great Summer" on the computer and cut it out with a SU word punch. A ribbon on the top and some brads and the card is complete.

Now my exciting news! Our local JoAnn Fabric and Crafts Store (Wausau, Wisconsin) is totally remodeling and will be offering classes starting in July and guess who they hired to teach stamping and scrapbooking?!? Me! (and another friend who is a fantastic stamper too!) There is an open house to see the remodeled store and sign up for classes at HALF PRICE on July 9th from 1-3. I will be there with class samples and demoing as well. I will also be looking for suggestions on what you would like me to teach. If you can't make it in that day, be sure to call that day to sign up for the classes (regular price per corporate is $30, so half price will be $15. Same applies to other classes offered.) The number to call is 715-355-1007.

My first class is a Pop Up Card Class and is scheduled for July 28th from 6-8 pm and August 9th from 1-3 pm. I will probably be posting the actual cards being taught here, but I have to design them and get them over to JoAnns first.

Stamping smiles, Karen

What if? Wed Sketch Challenge

(Edited to add missing pictures back in- hope it works this time...)

It's time for another What If? Wednesday challenge at The House that Stamps Built and this is the fun sketch we are challenging you to design a card with. You have almost two weeks to play and can win some great rubber. Check out the blog for all the details and some great cards by the other Rock Stars (or click on the links at the side of my blog.)

I used one of the fun Swing Stamp Sets from Repeat Impressions for my card. The bird was stamped on a blue patterned paper cut with my nesties. It opens to show the cat saying he ate him. The inside continues with the fun. I love stamps that make me giggle and hope whoever receives the card get a laugh as well.

I am entering this card in the challenge at Totally Stampalicious for Anything Goes.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Crop Stop and Shelly's Images Challenges

The challenge this week at Crop Stop is to use two embossing folders and at Shelly's Images it is Anything Goes. I made this bookmark card using two of my favorite embossing folders: Swiss Dots by Cuttlebug and one of Tim Holtz's folders by Sizzix. The paper and flower is all by Tim Holtz too- love his stuff! I embossed his papers and sponged to age and created a pocket on the front for the bookmark with a Martha Stewart border punch. The bookmark is made with wood like paper, a Sizzix tag die, sponged stencils, fiber and a few sticker gems.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week

The Stamp of the Week at Repeat Impressions is this delightful Fairy Kiss and it is 50% off with a code found at their blog, The House that Stamps Built. Please visit the blog for all the details and to see the cards designed by the rest of the Rock Stars.

I went CAS with this card and am really liking the color combination and how it turned out. The fairies were stamped and colored with my copics. I cut them out with a nesties label and embossed and sponged while the die was still attached, then attached that to a rust colored card. I cut the opening in the blue patterned paper with a nestie several sizes larger than the fairy label piece and attached with
mounting tape to raise this piece up. The sentiment is also from Repeat Impressions and I added some brown pearls to complete the card.

I am entering this card in the CAS challenge at Lawnscaping Challenges.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Stamping Scrapping Central and Woodware USA Challenges

The challenge this week at Stamping Scrapping Central is Embossing and at Woodware USA it is Masculine cards. I am trying to make more masculine cards because it is a catagory we never have enough of at Send A Smile 4 Kids. It is hard to see, but one of my favorite things to do with the Swiss Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug) is to emboss a dark brown piece and then rub black ink over the dots. Makes embossing look masculine. I stamped the tiger (TAC) on cork paper and sponged the edges of the sentiment piece to complete this CAS card.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Bearly Mine and Paper Take Weekly Challenges

Anything Goes at the challenges this week at Bearly Mine and Paper Take Weekly (my favorite kind of challenge!) I made this CAS card a little while ago when I was playing with some new stamps and wanted to use some stickers from Penny Black that I always forget to use. I picked one with flowers and musical notes and cut it out with my nesties label. I also cut out a larger one in green and embossed and added some gem stickers when I attached to the card. The stamps are from Hero Arts and The Cat's Pajamas.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Prickley Pear Sketch and Craft Your Passions Challenges

The challenge this week at Craft your Passion is Anything Goes and at Prickley Pear it is to use this sketch and their stamps. I hadn't inked their beautiful bird yet and was itching to, so this was the perfect time. I stamped the bird and its wing on patterned paper (all Stampin' up) and attached with mounting tape to raise it on a nestie circle. The sketch had the rectangle behind this circle cut into fours and mine is, but the circle ended up too big to show that. The sentiment is also from Prickley Pear.

Stamping smiles, Karen