My Favorite 2012 Cards (Part One)

Happy New Year to my blogging friends! As the year draws to an end, I decided to share in a blogging trend this time of year and show my favorite cards from 2012. They will be in no particular order- but I will give you the date I blogged them in case you want to find how how they were made. If you do a similar blogpost, please leave a link in my comments so I can see your favorite cards too. And if you want, leave a comment with your favorite from the cards I am sharing again.

8/3/12 Reinker Float 

11/18/12 Joy Stamp Camp Card

5/11/12 Raisin Boat Fisherman

6/30/12 Spiderman

9/22/12 White Poinsettia Card 

9/11/12 Cloud stencil sponging

9/16/12 Triple Time Leaves

11/5/12 Butterfly frame

8/18/12 Saturated Canary Music Card

6/17/12 Red Solo Cup

9/14/12 Hambo Funny Halloween with Ribbon Ghost

7/6/12 Favorite Dasher Card

That's enough for today. Will be back tomorrow with the rest of my favorites.

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Paper Crafting Journey and Little Miss Muffet Challenges

Anything Goes at Paper Crafting Journey and Little Miss Muffet this week so I am sharing another card I made recently with new purchases. I just love this Butterfly Corner stamp from Our Daily Bread. I stamped it on patterned paper and again to cut out and raise the butterfly. The sentiment is from Close to my Heart. I added some pearls to the butterfly center to complete the card.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Delightful Challenges and Charisma Cardz Challenges

Anything Goes at Charisma Cardz and Delightful Challenges this week- my favorite kind of challenge! I am sharing a card I made with some new dies I have recently purchased. I made a mask with the A2 Frame Die from Cherry Lynn Designs and sponged pink distress ink on a white piece. I stamped a new favorite sentiment from Serendipity Stamps. The Poppy die is from Memory Box and I cut it out in black and burgandy and layered them. The ribbon is the final touch and is from Stampin' Up.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Simon Says Stamp and Divas by Design Challenges

**For the winner of this week's blog candy from Crackerbox Palace, please go to the CBP blog.**

Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp and Divas by Design this week, so I am sharing a gift I made for a dear friend. It is a Gingerbread House box (the top opens so you could put a gift or something inside if you like.) I am in no way clever enough to figure out how to make something like this, so I purchased the tutorial from Kim Score at Paper Punch Addiction. I subscribe to this awesome blog and get inspiration from her links and free tutorials as well.

This is a side view. I used many dies I own as well as lots of glitter and it was fun to make. 

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 tumbling snowmen trio on blue strips and also on white cardstock. I cut each one out and paper pieced onto the strips. I stamped Repeat Impression’s lovely snowflakes over the rest of the blue strips and attached. I stamped the perfect sentiment, punched out and layered onto a scalloped circle. I dotted the scallops with a white pen and attached with a ribbon strip.

Here is the sketch for you to follow when you create a card for our challenge. You do not need to use Repeat Impressions stamps to enter our challenges, but you get an extra chance to win if you do!

I am entering this card in the Snowflakes challenge at Card Mania.

Stamping smiles, Karen 

The Last of My Christmas Cards

Merry Christmas! I am home from a wonderful weekend spent with my two kids and their families and am sharing the last of the Christmas cards I made this year. The two above are ones I just made this week with supplies laying in my craft room and a beautiful digi freebie I found from TLC, and are among my favorites for the year. They will be saved for someone special next year:)

Not going to get into much detail about each, but if you have any questions on sources or anything, feel free to shoot me an email. Most are fairly CAS especially the first one, so am entering the 10 Minute Craft Dash challenge at CAS Fridays and at the Pretty Pink Posh 10 Minute Craft Dash blog. The first card is one of my favorites this year and it came together in about two minutes. Just tape on the front digital stamp background (from TLC Creations), die cut the snowflake (Impression Obsession) and attach with a black gem.

Hope you have a lovely Christmas! Karen

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week

Happy Christmas Eve! I am out of town finishing up a wonderful weekend with my kids and their families, so have scheduled this in advance. I want to share with you one of my favorite Christmas cards I made this year.

The stamp of the week this week at Repeat Impressions is this beautiful Winter’s Eve 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.

I have fallen in love with a new color combo- for me anyway…kraft and cream (or off white) together… I just love it. It is way outside my usual holiday colors of red and green with a little blue for snowflakes and snowmen. I embossed the beautiful Winter’s Eve stamp on kraft with white embossing powder, then layered on a cream square. I stamped the Peace, Love, Harmony in a light brown on cream and layered on kraft. I embossed the larger piece of cream with a Sizzix embossing folder and – you guessed it- layered it on kraft before putting the whole front piece on a cream card.

Wishing you Peace, Love, Harmony and Merry Christmas!

Stamping smiles, Karen

Simon Says Stamp and Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges

Merry Christmas is the theme of the challenges at Simon Says Stamp and Penny's Paper Crafty this week, and is also my wish for you! I will be out of town celebrating with my children and their families this weekend  so will take a mini break from blogging while we celebrate our love for each other.

In the meantime, I am sharing a last minute card I made with some Christmas paper and punches I had in my crafting room that I didn't want to put away without playing with. I didn't write down all the credits, but the ornaments were free digital stamps I found on line and the pine bough is from Martha Stewart. I bought the kraft printed cardstock at Hobby Lobby.

The inside has an ornament popping out, another new punch and a lovely sentiment.  Wishing you the joy, hope and wonder of Christmas!

Stamping smiles, Karen

Happy Holiday Cards from Crackerbox Palace

It's Crackerbox Palace Thursday and today I am sharing the last two holiday cards I made with stamps that are available from Crackerbox Palace. You can win your choice of the stamps featured on one of these cards by leaving a comment at either blog. The simple requirements for a chance at winning are below and now you have even more choices of what you can win!

But first- the winner of last Thursday’s blog candy is                                                     Pat Moore!   Here is her winning comment from my blog: “These cards are super. The pup in the sock is adorable. Perfect sentiments for both.”

Pat, please send me or Crackerbox Palace your address and your choice of which stamps you want (see your options below), so we can get you the stamps you have won.

My first card today is the special one I made for the owners of Crackerbox Palace. Vicky and John have received it, so I can share with you. I love poinsettias and I used the CBP poinsettia as the focal point on this card. I stamped it several times in red and cut it out, raising each layer with mounting tape. The top poinsettia has my favorite Christmas sentiment on it, Joy. I have received a lot of JOY this year working with my new friends at Crackerbox Palace!

My second card features a beautiful CBP Christmas tree as seen through a window created with a die from Memory Box. I used markers directly on the tree stamp to color it. I added some holly over a background created with a favorite Cuttlebug embossing folder.

So would you like to win the stamps featured on one of today’s cards or your choice of another CBP stamp? Here is how to win our weekly blog candy:

Vicky or Karen will post a card or two every Thursday on both blogs. All you need to do is to leave a comment on either blog and if you leave a comment on both blogs you will have a double chance to win. We hope you also want to 'follow' the blogs. The following Wednesday a name will be picked at random and the winner will receive:

The featured stamps that we used in one of the cards that were posted,
OR you can pick out a stamp that is worth up to $10.00 and email us your choice
OR Vicky will email you a coupon code so you can go shopping at Crackerbox Palace store for your choice of the stamp(s) you would like with a $10.00 coupon.

For a Bonus: if you use the blog candy stamps and post it on your blog, Splitcoast or somewhere else you will be able to choose another free stamp. So make sure you check out one of our blogs on Thursday! The winner will have 2 weeks to contact Karen or Vicky.

I am entering these cards in the Merry Christmas challenge at Love Rubberstamps and the Christmas Holidays challenge at KaboodleDoodles. 

Happy Holidays from Crackerbox Palace and me!

Karen 

Designer Choice Challenge at Repeat Impressions

It’s another Designer’s Choice Challenge at The House that Stamps Built, Repeat Impression’s blog. It’s Geri’s turn and she chose to challenge the Rock Stars (and you) to use 2 or more shades of blue in the cards we make. Then you can enter it for a chance to win some awesome Repeat Impressions rubber! 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 background with two shades of  blue distress inks as well as two shades of blue cardstock to layer with. I used the Wrinkle Distress technique that I learned about at a class taught at Let’s Create in Wisconsin Rapids by my friend, Sara. I tried to find a link I could share with you but was not successful. It is a Tim Holtz technique and if you want to know how to do it, just send me an email.

After I wrinkled and distressed, I stamped Repeat Impressions beautiful Glitter Star Ornament and a perfect sentiment on the front piece. I added a sticker line to complete the card.

I am entering this card in the Christmas Time challenge at Stamptacular Sunday.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Dream Valley and Joanna Sheen Challenges

Christmas is the theme at Dream Valley Challenges this week and "With Love at Christmas" is at Joanna Sheen's Challenge. I am sharing a card I made with some items I had laying on my bed in my craft room that I wanted to use before it was too late this year. The pinecones and greens are a digital image from Fred She Said. The tree was punched out at my local stamp club with lovely old sheet music that was shared with all of us. The embossing folder is a new one (to me) from Tim Holtz and I sponged a little green on it.

Stamping smiles, Karen

One Small Thing We Can Do (or two)

We are all heart broken over the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I am sure many of you shed tears as I did while listening to stories of the brave teachers and administrators and the families who lost those sweet innocent children. Karen P., who lives in England and is on one of my design teams, shared this address where we could send a card to let them know they are not alone in their grief.

Sandy Hook Elementary School.

12 Dickenson Drive

Sandy Hook.

CT 06482

USA

I am sending the card above with some heartfelt words of my own in the inside. There is also a fund set up by the United Way of Western Connecticut that will help the families. Here is a link to their site. 

In the words of Mother Teresa: "We cannot all do Great Things, but we can do Small Things WITH GREAT LOVE." 

Stamping love, Karen 

The Squirrel and the Fox and Come and Get It Challenges

Christmas is the theme at The Squirrel and the Fox and Come and Get It Challenges this week. I am sharing a card I made for a very special friend using digital stamps and a snowflake poking pattern from Fred She Said. It takes a little while to poke all those holes but I just love the look when it is done. The poinsettia was printed in color and cut out, then layered with mounting tape to raise each level. I added some yellow pearls and some punched pine needles (Martha Stewart) to complete the card.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Wags n Whiskers and Aud Sentiments Challenges

The challenge at Aud Sentiments is to make a Holiday card with a sentiment on it, and Anything Goes at Wags n Whiskers. I am showing you a CAS card I made for my kids with a fun digital stamp set from Doodle Pantry. I started with a kraft square card and added some rounded layers one of which was embossed. I printed the colored version of the Gingerbread Ants and also a fun sentiment that comes with it. I cut out the sentiment with a nestie and sponged while the paper was still in the nestie.

Stamping smiles, Karen

ABC Christmas and Crafting for all Seasons Challenges

The challenge this week at Crafting for all Seasons is to use Red and Green and Glitter on our cards and at ABC Christmas Challenge they are up to Y for Your Favorite Die or Punch. I love me my Nestabilities and use them all the time. And I am a traditional red and green gal on most of my holiday cards and I used those colors to make this card with a fun digi I won from Bugaboo Stamps for getting published with one of their stamps recently. The holly berries are all festive with red sparkle and the lower ornament has gold glitter pen highlights that are hard to see in the pix. Of course I paper pieced the whole stamp with some red and green dp.

Stamping smiles, Karen

The Cuttlebug Spot and Simon Says Stamp Challenges

The challenge at Simon Says Stamp is "What's your Favorite" (to create with) and at The Cuttlebug Spot they want to see a banner on our cards. I created a banner with a jingle bells die (Memory Box) and this card showcases all of my favorites- embossing folders and dies and the Big Shot and punches. I cut the ornaments out with Nestabilites dies, attached them and then embossed with a snowflake embossing folder. I hung the ornaments from the jingle bell banner over a background of Christmas music and punched a hole to showcase my favorite Christmas word - Joy!

Stamping Holiday Smiles, Karen

Crackerbox Palace Thursday Cards by Vicky!

It’s another Crackerbox Palace Thursday and I am sharing two awesome cards created by Vicky Briggs, the owner of Crackerbox Palace.  Aren’t they fun? I just love the whole line of humorous stamps at Crackerbox Palace! For all the details on how she made them and what CBP stamps she used, please visit her blog here.

Mr. Random has chosen and the winner of last Thursday’s blog candy is                                             Sharon! Here is her winning comment from my blog: “Your cards are so very pretty. Love the tree, presents and that darling little boy. The cat is so sweet. Thank you so very much for playing with us at Paper Playtime!!!! :)

Sharon, please send me or Crackerbox Palace your address and your choice of which stamps you want (see your options below), so we can get you the stamps you have won.  

So would you like to win the stamps featured on today’s card or your choice of another CBP stamp? Here is how to win our weekly blog candy: 

Vicky or Karen will post a card or two every Thursday on both blogs. All you need to do is to leave a comment on either blog and if you leave a comment on both blogs you will have a double chance to win. We hope you also want to 'follow' the blogs. The following Wednesday a name will be picked at random and the winner will receive:

The featured stamps that we used in one of the cards that were posted,
OR you can pick out a stamp that is worth up to $10.00 and email us your choice
OR Vicky will email you a coupon code so you can go shopping at Crackerbox Palace store for your choice of the stamp(s) you would like with a $10.00 coupon.

For a Bonus: if you use the blog candy stamps and post it on your blog, Splitcoast or somewhere else you will be able to choose another free stamp. So make sure you check out one of our blogs on Thursday! The winner will have 2 weeks to contact Karen or Vicky.

So leave us a comment for a chance to win and come back and see us again next week!

Crackerbox Palace 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 Cat Nap Wreath in green on a white piece and paper pieced the kitty and bow. I cut an extra bow and placed it on a line that I scored with my Scor-buddy (hard to see in the pix but it is there.)

Here is the sketch for you to follow when you create a card for our challenge. You do not need to use Repeat Impressions stamps to enter our challenges, but you get an extra chance to win if you do!

I am entering this card in the challenge at the Christmas colors challenge at PaperPlaytime.

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Robyn's Fetish and Speedy Fox and Friends Challenges

The challenge this week at Robyn's Fetish is Christmas Cards, and at Speedy Fox and Friends they want to see our red and green cards. I made this fun card with some digis I won at Bugaboo after being published with one of their stamps. Right now they have 50% off all their digital stamps so I was able to pick a whole bunch of really cool digital stamps for my reward! You should check their sale out!

I love Stella from Bugaboo- she cracks me up. This digi is called Stella Christmas- Boy List and you get both the funny sentiment and Stella. I paper pieced Stella's dress, hat and list and colored the rest with Copics. I used a Stampin' Up punch to make the edge on the notebook paper and embossed the gold piece with a Tim Holtz embossing folder that also looks like notebook paper.

I encourage you all to consider sending in your cards for publication. Not only do you get a free magazine and the thrill of seeing your name and card in print if they choose your card, but you can then possibly earn free stamps from the company whose stamps you used. Here are a few of the companies I know reward for publication: Repeat Impressions, Raisin Boat, Bugaboo, Hambo, Art Impressions, Kitchen Sink Stamps and others too. If a card is chosen for publication, I always check on the companies website and have received a lot of free stamps this way.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week

The stamp of the week this week at Repeat Impressions is this cute Santa Cat 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 stamped the Christmas kitty on a light brown paper and cut her out. I paper pieced the Santa hat in red and white and attached her to a white card. The red piece was raised with pop dots after I cut a semi-circle out with a nestie.  I added a perfect sentiment from Repeat Impressions and a little bakers twine to complete the card.

I am entering this card in the Christmas Friends challenge at One Stop Crafts.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Celebrate the Occasion and Ladybug Crafts Challenges

Christmas is the theme at Celebrate the Occasion and Ladybug Crafts this week, and at Celebrate the Occasion they also want to see colors other than Red and Green. I used a couple digital freebies to make this card and I just love it. The winter silhouette scene was from a series of gorgeous Christmas silhouettes by Paulo Viveiros and the sentiment is from Desert Diva. I added a couple punched out snowflakes with some pearls and the result is a CAS but lovely Christmas card.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Simon Says Stamp and Creative Moments Challenges

The challenge this week at Simon Says Stamp is Snowflakes and Anything Goes at Creative Moments. I am sharing a card I made with the Triple Time Stamping that is so popular on Pinterest and blogs everywhere. I used a stamp set of different snowflakes in black and added one pop of purple Joy to the card. The rhinestones on some of the snowflakes were the final touch.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Cuttlebug Spot and Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenges

Season's Greetings is the theme this week at The Cuttlebug Spot and Sparkalicious is what  Ladybug Crafts TLT wants to see. I created another origami tree with some green dp and added a line of glitter along the bottom edge of each layer of the tree. It really sparkles in real life:) The star is also sparkly as it was punched out of glittery paper. Both were attached to a white card front embossed with a no-name embossing folder. The sentiment is from Penny Black and is what I wish for you!

Stamping smiles, Karen

Crackerbox Palace Thursday and Another Winner!

It's Crackerbox Palace Thursday and today I am sharing two more holiday cards I made with stamps that are available from Crackerbox Palace. You can win your choice of the stamps featured on one of these cards by leaving a comment at either blog. The simple requirements for a chance at winning are below and now you have even more choices of what you can win!

But first- the winner of last Thursday’s blog candy is                                                     Scrappy Scatty!   Here is her winning comment from my blog: “lovely cards I love the santa stamp.”

Scrappy Scatty, please send me or Crackerbox Palace your address and your choice of which stamps you want (see your options below), so we can get you the stamps you have won.

My first card today is a pocket card that I learned how to do here. I stamped the Christmas tree and paper pieced the presents with different dps. The inside card pulls out (see pix below) and has a lovely CBP sentiment and the sweet little boy in his jammies and teddy coming to see what Santa brought. 

My second card features a Christmas kitty that I colored with Copics and sponged and then framed with punched snowflakes (punch from Stampin’ Up.)

So would you like to win the stamps featured on one of today’s cards or your choice of another CBP stamp? Here is how to win our weekly blog candy:

Vicky or Karen will post a card or two every Thursday on both blogs. All you need to do is to leave a comment on either blog and if you leave a comment on both blogs you will have a double chance to win. We hope you also want to 'follow' the blogs. The following Wednesday a name will be picked at random and the winner will receive:

The featured stamps that we used in one of the cards that were posted,
OR you can pick out a stamp that is worth up to $10.00 and email us your choice
OR Vicky will email you a coupon code so you can go shopping at Crackerbox Palace store for your choice of the stamp(s) you would like with a $10.00 coupon.

For a Bonus: if you use the blog candy stamps and post it on your blog, Splitcoast or somewhere else you will be able to choose another free stamp. So make sure you check out one of our blogs on Thursday! The winner will have 2 weeks to contact Karen or Vicky.

So leave us a comment for a chance to win and come back and see us again next week!

I am entering these cards in the Anything Goes challenge at Love Rubberstamps and the Christmas Colors challenge at Paper Playtime. 

Crackerbox Palace smiles, Karen

DCC Challenge at Repeat Impressions

It’s another Designer’s Choice Challenge at The House that Stamps Built, Repeat Impression’s blog. It’s Patti’s turn and she chose to challenge the Rock Stars and you to make a tag or bag. Then you can enter it for a chance to win some awesome Repeat Impressions rubber! Please visit the blog for all the details and to see the other Rock Star's cards for this DCC challenge. 

For my tag, I started with the Ornament Frame which I placed at the top of a folded piece of white cardstock and cut out so the tag opens at the top. I stamped Repeat Impression’s Peace, Love, Harmony stamp in very light blue across the ornament tag. Then I punched a hole and added a curled ribbon bow.

I am entering this gift tag in the tags challenges at Joan’s Gardens and  CASual Fridays.

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Scrapping Memories Holiday Card

It’s another Scrapping Memories Tuesday here and I am happy to share another fun card featuring digital stamps from Scrapping Memories. But first I am announcing the winner of the blog candy drawing from the comments made on my last Scrapping Memories blog post.

The winner of 5 digital files (cutting or digital stamps) is                  Deonna! And her winning comment was: “Would love to win the Great Scrapping Memories prize. Thank you so much for the chance and Happy Thanksgiving!”

Deonna - please contact me at khasheck at gmail dot com and I will put you in touch with Scrapping Memories to claim your prize!

My card today features a sweet digital stamp called Christmas Wreath Calvin. Isn’t he cute? I started with a red card and a kraft piece that I embossed with a holly branch embossing folder from Tim Holtz. The “joy” stamp is from Printworks and is my favorite. I added a snowflake (Martha Stewart) and pearl, then popped up Calvin in his wreath.

I am entering this card in the Christmas for Boys challenge at One Stop Crafts.

I have decided to stop the blog candy contest every other week for Scrapping Memories. But I will continue to share cards made with their awesome and oh so reasonable digital stamps and my kids at SAS4Kids will continue to receive those  cards. Thanks to Scrapping Memories for all the great stamps and fun blog candy prizes given.

Stamping smiles, Karen