Beautiful Days Blog Hop!

I am so excited today to be sharing some cards made with the new Beautiful Days set of lovely stamps from Repeat Impressions. We are having a blog hop to introduce you to these beautiful stamps and if you visit each blog and collect their special letter, you can Win the entire set of stamps!

After you collect all the letters you need to form the correct word, email it to Wendy at wendy@repeatimpressions.com before 5 p.m. Sunday June 3rd to be eligible to win the Whole set of stamps! WoW! Here is a link where you can see the Whole set. You can purchase them individually or as a set on unmounted rubber.

Here are the blogs you should visit to collect the letters and to see the aWesome cards made with the Beautiful Days set.

Cheri ~ http://stampnboomer.blogspot.com/

Dawn ~ http://dipndotscreations.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/

Patti ~ http://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/

My first card features the Daisies and Butterfly stamp. I just love how the Whole set of stamps have a framed image with part of the scene outside of the frame. I colored the Whole scene, then cut the front of the card apart and attached again using acetate on the back. I stamped the butterfly again and attached with mounting tape to raise, then added some gems to finish the card.

My second card shows off the gorgus Water Lilies and Dragonflies stamp, and the Beautiful Days sentiment which I just love. You could use this sentiment for a Wedding card, a graduation card or any card for a special person. I stamped the Water Lilies and Dragonflies on aqua colored velum and cut out with a fancy Nesties circle diecut. I colored from behind and stamped, cut out, colored and attached an extra dragonfly and some  gems.

So have you guessed What my secret letter is? It is W, of course.

I am entering these cards in the Add a Sentiment challenge at Love to Create and the Anything Goes challenge at Tammy's Scrappin' Corner. 

Stamping smiles, Karen

What If? Wed. Sketch Challenge

It's time for another fun sketch challenge at The House that Stamps Built and we are challenging you to make a card using the sketch below and link it up for a chance at some great Repeat Impressions rubber! For all the details on what you can win and to see the other Rock Stars cards using this sketch, please visit our blog.

For my card, I stamped RI’s Iris Window on velum and coloring from behind with markers. Then I created some frames with a corner punch from Fiskars and added a sentiment piece with a flower gem to dot the i. 

I am entering this card in the challenge at Sentimental Sundays called “A Pocket Full of Posies (use flowers and a sentiment.)

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Dream Valley and The Squirrel and the Fox Challenges

The challenge at Dream Valley Challenges this week is to use humor in our cards and Best Friends is the theme at The Squirrel and the Fox Challenge. I made this CAS with a picture I found on Pinterest that I printed, cut out and layered on black cardstock. I embossed some paper from Core'dinations and sanded it before layering on a black card.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week

The stamp of the week this week at Repeat Impressions is the lovely “Dream, Inspire, Hope” background stamp, and it is available this week only for 50% off with the discount code found at Repeat Impressions blog. What a deal! Please visit the blog for all the details and to see the other Rock Star's cards using this stamp.

For my card, I decided to make a graduation card and went with my local high schools colors of green and gold. I stamped the word background  that is perfect for a graduate in green   I stamped the  Jumping for Joy bunny in brown,  cut him out and attached with mounting tape to raise. I cut a little gold square, added some bakers twine tied to look like a tassle and a gem to make my graduation cap. The sentiment is also from Repeat Impressions of course.

I am entering this card in the challenge at Sassy Studios called “Hats off to you”. I think my cute little graduation cap will do for a hat, right?

Stamping smiles, Karen

Hambo Hoedown and Simon Says Stamp Challenges

Paper piercing is the theme of the Hambo Hoedown this week and at Simon Says Stamp they want cards for a special male in our life. I made this card featuring Dr. Needle, a digital image from Hambo Stamps that I won by participating in last week's challenge. Each week you participate (using Hambo stamps only), you are emailed the digital stamps for the next week's challenge. What fun is that?!

I created the background on this card by piercing with my Scor-buddy and Scor-bug every 1/4 inch. I colored and paper pieced Dr. Needle and added the fun sentiment and decorative tape to complete the front of the card. The inside sentiment was also pierced using my Scor-bug.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Aud Sentiments and Southern Girls Challenges

The challenge at Aud Sentiments is to feature any sentiment and at Southern Girls Challenge, they want us to use our die cuts or punches. My main focal point in this CAS card is the sentiment from Hambo Stamps. Here is the inside of the card:

I started with some two sided cardstock, and used my nesties rectangle frame die cut in two different ways. On the front, I created an embossed frame using the No More Shims thick embossing pad.  Then I sponged with green ink to highlight the embossed frame. The inside piece was cut and embossed with a smaller version of the same nesties die cut and then I stamped the lol punch line, also by Hambo of course.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Penny's Paper Crafty and Bearly Mine Challenges

Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty and Bearly Mine Challenges this week and so I am sharing a fun card I made with my new stamps from Crackerbox Palace. I love to make funny and CAS cards and this one fits both of those catagories. I created an area to stamp the lol sentiment with an embossing folder from Indentz and the new embossing diffuser from Tim Holtz. I cut out a small oval and sentiment with the same embossing folder on aqua paper. Here is something I found on line to complete the thought on the inside of the card:

Stamping smiles, Karen

Paper Crafting Journey Card Drive for SAS4Kids!

Paper Crafting Journey is doing a card drive for Send a Smile 4 Kids from May 24-June 6th. Their theme is Anything Goes for Kids (just like at SAS4Kids right now), so you can enter your kids card in both challenges for several chances at some fun prizes! It is not required that you send your card in to enter the challenges, but we sure would appreciate it! For all the details on how to donate your cards please click on the link above and check out the tabs on the top.

I had fun creating this card for a teenage boy. I used an embossing folder from Craft Concepts and the new embossing diffuser from Tim Holtz. The stamps are from The Angel Company.

Stamping smiles, Karen

My turn for a DCC at Repeat Impressions!

It’s another Designer’s Choice Challenge at The House that Stamps Built, Repeat Impression’s blog. It’s my turn and I am challenging my team and you to make a card using these 3 elements: a stamped image, embossing and a diecut or punch. Please visit the blog for all the details and to see the other Rock Star's cards for this DCC challenge. 

For my card, I created a mask with the ornament die from Spellbinders and sponged in the inside of the masked shape with green ink. I stamped with the tree and stars from the Snow Tree Flip Set and highlighted the stars with a gold Spica pen. I embossed the white layer with my favorite holiday words embossing folder by Cuttlebug, layered it all and added a red bow to complete the CAS holiday card.

I am entering this card in the challenge at OneStitch At a Time for Anything Goes.

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle and Robyn's Fetish Challenges

The challenge at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays this week is Flowers and Anything Goes at Robyn's Fetish. I had a great time this weekend playing with a new toy: Tim Holtz's Embossing Diffusers. For years I have seen do-it-yourself versions of this technique that leaves an area unembossed but now Tim has made it easy for us. Here is a  video on how these work. I started with an embossing folder from Sizzix and using the oval diffuser, left the center unembossed. I attached a beautiful layered flower sticker from Reddy Creative Cards that I added glitter and gold microbeads to. Then I finished with liquid pearls to each intersection of the embossing.

Here is a closer look and the inside view:

Stamping smiles, Karen 

CAS-ual Fridays and Craft Your Days Away Challenges

The challenge this week at CAS-ual Fridays is to do a CAS card using punches or diecuts, and at  Craft Your Days Away, the theme is All Creatures Great and Small. My "creature" is a  butterfly and my punch is a new border and corner punch from Martha Stewart. I started playing with the new punches on white, stamped the beautiful butterfly from Hero Arts in Kaleidacolor ink, added some gems and attached to a patterned cardstock. Not sure of the sentiment's source- sorry... But I like what it says and how the card turned out.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Hambo Hoedown Sketch Challenge

It's time for a sketch challenge at Hambo Hoedown and since I had some new stamps from Hambo that I won recently, I decided to play along. Using the sketch for this week (found below) I made this funny birthday card. Of course I paper pieced the Floating Pig and balloon, layered it on embossed paper (Cuttlebug numbers) and added the lol sentiment, also from Hambo of course. 

Did you know that if you get published with Hambo stamps, they reward you with a gift certificate for more Hambo stamps? It sure is fun to get free stamps in the mail:)

I am also entering this in the Spots and Stripes challenge at Emergency Crafters.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Anything Goes for Kids at SAS4Kids!

It's time for another new challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids and this time Anything Goes! Any card appropriate for a child can be entered in this challenge for a chance to win some great prizes from our sponsors and/or be picked for our Top Three! Both of our generous sponsors for this challenge are offering you the chance to win 3 digital stamps of your choice in our random drawings! Our sponsors are: Wee Stamps and Karen's Doodles. Please click on their names to visit their websites and check out their wonderful stamps!

My first card features a sweet stamp from Wee Stamps called Sam's Special Delivery. I decided to use a CAS technique on this card rather than try to color or paper piece him. I stamped him on a subtle designer paper, cut it apart in blocks and used direct to paper with lightly colored inks before putting it back together on a black card. I added some tiny butterflies and gems and a sentiment from TAC to complete the card.

Cannonball is a great stamp from Karen's Doodles. I started this card by cutting out a large circle card with my Grand Calibur and large circle dies from Spellbinders. I stamped the Cannonball stamp on a white and aqua blue circle. I paper pieced the waves in the same aqua blue and paper pieced his suit too. I raised each layer with mounting tape as I attached and added a bunch of wavy and bubble stickers. The sentiment is from Raisin Boat.

I am entering these cards in the challenges at Ladybug Crafts Ink for non-square cards and at Simon Says Stamp for CAS cards.

Stamping smiles 4 our kids, Karen

Lollipop Crafts and Creative Card Crew Challenges

"Just for Him" is the challenge at Lollipop Crafts this week and at Creative Card Crew they want us to use our sentiment as the focal point. I had fun with some new stamps I got from Crackerbox Palace at a stamp show I went to recently. The sentiment cracked me up so of course I had to buy it:) I started with a simple sketch and some fun dp that I punched with an ek success border punch and rounded the corners. I stamped the sentiment, doodled around the edge after rounding those corners too. The fun fish is also from Crackerbox Palace and I stamped him on dp and again on orange. I paper pieced the sunglasses and cut out the fish. I added dimension to the fish by rounding him and attached him with two dimension dots.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Simon Says Stamp and Show and Totally Stampalicious Challenges

Anything Goes this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show, and CAS is the theme at Totally Stampalicious. I started this card with some pretty green and orange dp that I embossed a floral shape on using a diecut from Memory Box and the No More Shims thick embossing pad. I added a lovely sentiment from Serendipity Stamps and a couple butterflies (SU) and this CAS card was done.

I have to share that I am thrilled that my Donald (Driver) made it into the finals of Dancing With the Stars! I am sad Maria was voted off- all the dancers in the semi-finals were sooo good- any could win. But I know who I will be voting for:)

Stamping smiles, Karen

What If? Wed. Sketch Challenge

It's time for another fun sketch challenge at The House that Stamps Built and we are challenging you to make a card using the sketch below and link it up for a chance at some great Repeat Impressions rubber! For all the details on what you can win and to see the other Rock Stars cards using this sketch, please visit our blog.

For my card, I stamped RI’s Raccoon in black on white and doodled a little around the oval. I attached him to a scalloped oval (both dies from Nestabilities.) I punched two pieces of black textured paper with an edge punch from ek success and added a fun sentiment also from Repeat Impressions to the white strip. Then I added some red gems to complete the card based on the sketch for this challenge. 

I am entering this card in the challenge at Lexi’s Creations for Black and White and One Other Color.

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Dutch Dare and C.R.A.F.T. Challenges

The theme at Dutch Dare Card Challenges this week is Birthdays and Celebration is the theme at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge as it is their 3rd Blogaversary, so congrats to them! I am sharing a fun card I made with some awesome stamps from Hambo. If you know me or have followed my blog for awhile, you know I love to use humor in my cards, and Hambo is a great source for funny funny stamps. Check out the inside of the card for the lol punch line:

Too funny and perfect for one of my friends... Chief Hambooli was paper pieced and colored on the front, and I added him again on the inside to bring an even bigger smile to the recipients face.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week

The stamp of the week this week at Repeat Impressions is this cute Persian cat, and it is available this week only for 50% off with the discount code found at Repeat Impressions blog. What a deal! Please visit the blog for all the details and to see the other Rock Star's cards using this stamp.

For my card, I stamped the Persian cat on grey dp and cut him out. We have a gray and white kitty who is also fat and sassy, so I am loving this stamp! I created a circular frame with dp, a white card and two sizes of circular nesties, and attached the cut out Persian kitty across the opening. I stamped the funny sentiment (also from Repeat Impressions of course) in a semi-circle and added a sticker and fabric and pearl for some bling.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Divas by Design and The Paper Shelter Challenges

The challenge at The Paper Shelter this week is Anything Goes and "For Boys" is the theme at Divas by Design.  I used a new favorite set from Raisin Boat to make this card for Father's Day or Dad's birthday.This is what the inside looks like:

I masked all but a rectangle on the inside white piece, stamped the fisherman and weeds and sponged various shades of blue. The front pieces were cut with two sizes of nesties rectangles to create the frame. I stamped the fish on glossy paper with Kaleidacolor ink, cut him out and attached with mounting tape to raise.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions Big Boys Toys Blog Hop!

Today is a fun fun day here in blogland because I get to be part of a Blog Hop to introduce you to the newest stamp set from Repeat Impressions! It is called Big Boys Toys and if you follow the hop and check out the great new stamps and cards by our design team, you can WIN a great prize! All you need to do is check out each blog on the list, collect the special word from each blog, and email those words to Wendy at wendy@repeatimpressions.com. If you can use all the words to create the correct phrase, you will earn two chances to WIN! What can you WIN?? The whole sheet of new Big Boys Toys of course! 


Here is the list of the blogs you will want to visit to collect the words and see the awesome cards we have all created with this fun set perfect for men's cards and graduation cards and many other cards as well:

Cheri ~ http://stampnboomer.blogspot.com/  

Dawn ~ http://dipndotscreations.blogspot.com/

Joy ~ http://www.piecesofjoyhadden.blogspot.com/ 

Karen ~ http://karenskreativekards.blogspot.com/  (you are here)

Kecia ~ http://stampingdeets.blogspot.com/

Kendra ~  http://craftsandcravings.blogspot.com/

Lynette ~ http://mystampingaddiction.blogspot.com/

Makiko ~ http://makinkstudio.blogspot.com/

Patti ~ http://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/

I loved the set so much I created three cards right away and am sharing them all today. I used Bi-Plane Silhouette and Wishing you Adventures to create this card:

My second card features the Chevy and Classic stamps: 

And my third card shows the Hot Air Balloon Cluster and Dreams Take Flight sentiment as well as a stairstep card also available at Repeat Impressions:

See what I mean? What a great set you can WIN - and this is not all of it! The stamps are available individually and in a whole set on unmounted rubber here.

So what is my word?? Did you get the hints? It is WIN! So go hopping and see if you WIN!

I am entering these cards in these challenges: Creative Craft Challenges (Anything Goes); Top Tip Tuesday (CAS cards); and Crafty Cardmakers (For the Boys). 

Stamping and hopping smiles, Karen 

Designers Choice Challenge at Repeat Impressions

It’s another Designer’s Choice Challenge at The House that Stamps Built, Repeat Impression’s blog. Dawn is challenging us all to make a Double Dutch Door Card.  Please visit the blog for all the details and to see the other Rock Star's cards for this DCC challenge. 

For my card, I stamped the sweet Beach Time girl and did some coloring and paper piecing. I punched the side of the piece with a seashell punch from Martha Stewart. The sentiment was stamped, then cut and embossed with a nesties label. That bottom part opens like a double door and I used velcro to hold the label down until you want to open the doors. The top part also flips up.

I also posted a card using this fun fold yesterday. Here is the link to instructions so you can make one for yourself and enter it in our challenge for a chance at some great Repeat Impressions rubber!

I am entering this card in the challenge at Catchthe Bug for Anything Goes.

Stamping smiles, Karen

PCI In the Garden Challenge

It's time for a new challenge at Paper Creations Ink and the theme is In the Garden. Our sponsor is our very own Miranda who is awarding all the digital images the dt used to make our cards to the random winner. For all the details and to see the other dt cards for this challenge, please head over to the PCI blog. 

For my card, I printed Miranda’s “Sitting in the Garden” on tissue paper, crumpled it all up, flattened out somewhat and attached with glue to a piece of cardstock. This technique is called Faux Silk. I then colored the image with a watercolor pen and dye inks. I cut out the image with a circle nestie. The background was a piece of green dp cut into three pieces and attached to a dark green card. The sentiment is from Verve.

I am sad to announce that today is the start of the last challenge at Paper Creations Ink. Sara and Michael have decided to move on to concentrate on other challenges in their life together. They did a great job at PCI this last year and I have enjoyed being a part of their team.

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenge at DigiDoodles Shops Best.


I just have to share because I am such a proud aunt:) My niece was crowned Prom Queen this weekend! I am sure you can see why- lovely and a sweetheart besides!

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Paper Pretties and Little Darlings Challenges

Flowers is the theme of the challenges this week at Paper Pretties and Little Darlings. I made this card recently using a floral stamp with words on the petals. I paper pieced the leaves and added a button to the center. The
sentiment was stamped and punched out with a SU punch. I added some stitching around the edge with my Scor-buddy and a thin black marker.

Stamping smiles, Karen

SAS4Kids Buttons, Ribbons and/or Flowers

It's time for a new challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids and we are challenging you to make and link a card with some buttons, ribbons and/or flowers that a child would like. We have three generous sponsors for this challenge: Di's Digis is offering a $10 gift certificate to their random winner; The Paper Shelter's prize is a $20 gift certificate; and A Day for Daisies is giving their winner a $12 gift certificate!  

My first card features a fun digital image from The Paper Shelter that I printed out and cut with a nesties circle. I created buttons with a die from Cherry Lynn Designs and  added a ribbon across the center. The sentiment is from Stamp Fairy.

My second card features a sweet digital little boy and his paper airplane from A Day for Daisies. I paper pieced his clothes, shoes and airplane. I tied some bakers twine (my favorite kind of "ribbon") together and added some buttons in the corners.

I am entering these cards in the challenges at Simon Says Stamp (birthdays) and Crafty Cardmakers "For the Boys".

Stamping smiles 4 our kids,  Karen

Totally Stampalicious and Cards for Men Challenges

The challenge this week at Totally Stampalicious is to make a masculine card, and at Cards for Men, they want to see texture in a card for a man. I made a set of  this holiday card for my brother as a gift so he would have some nice Christmas cards to use this year. I made it masculine looking as it would be from a guy. I diecut the reindeer (Tim Holtz die) and then embossed the green background (Cuttlebug.) I put a ribbon and gem across  the deer's neck and backed the shape cut with a page from an old book.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Craft Your Passion and Karen's Doodles Challenges

The challenge this week at Craft Your Passion is to use lots of texture and at Karen's Doodles we are to make something for the kids. I made this card for my sister to give as a part of a gift to a friend who is expecting. She will receive 30 thank you cards she can use for her showers or when the baby is born. I love to give cards as gifts- everyone needs them!

I embossed the background with my favorite Cuttlebug embossing folder, Swiss Dots. I cut a large circle with my Grand Calibur dies and folded in half, then cut and embossed a half circle in white. The stamps and ribbon are from Stampin' up. The baby's pjs are paper pieced and the lace border is from Martha Stewart.

Stamping smiles, Karen

What if Wed. Sketch Challenge

It's time for another fun sketch challenge at The House that Stamps Built and we are challenging you to make a card using the sketch below and link it up for a chance at some great Repeat Impressions rubber! For all the details on what you can win and to see the other Rock Stars cards using this sketch, please visit our blog.

For my card, I stamped the sweet baby owl from Repeat Impressions in brown on a white diagonal piece and used the Scor-Buddy and Scor-Bug to create stitches around the piece. I stamped the fun sentiment in aqua blue across the center of another diagonal piece and stamped second and third generations of the same sentiment towards the top and bottom of the piece. The dark brown card is embossed with stars and swirls and I added some diagonal gems to complete the card.

I am entering this card in the anything goes challenge at Poodles Parlour.

 Stamping smiles, Karen

CAS-ual Fridays and Little Darlings Challenges

The challenge at CAS-ual Fridays is to use flowers on a CAS card, and at Little Darlings the challenge is also flowers. I made this card with all new supplies: a 6 x 6 mini chicken wire template from The Craft Workshop, a  fun sentiment stamp from Technique Tuesday and flowers from 7 Gypsies. I put the template down in the corner and sponged ink, then repeated for the opposite corner. I added the sentiment and flowers and attached to a black card. Very easy but I like the outcome.

Stamping smiles, Karen