Designers Choice Challenge Birds of a Feather

It’s another Designer’s Choice Challenge at The House that Stamps Built, Repeat Impression’s blog. Cheri is challenging us all to make and link a card featuring a bird of some kind.   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 and embossed Repeat Impression’s Goose and then sponged around him in blue inside a mask created with my oval nesties. I added some gems and a favorite sentiment from Repeat Impressions, and layered on several colors of aqua blue cardstock. Have you noticed that is my favorite color lately?

Stamping smiles, Karen 

SAS4Kids Happy Mother's or Father's Day FROM the Kids!

It's time for a new challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids and we are doing something different this time. We are asking for cards the kids could give to their mothers or fathers (or grandparents) on Mother's Day or Father's Day. There is no greater gift to give a child than the gift of giving. It makes them so proud and happy to give something lovely to someone they love. Of course, you can enter our challenges without sending in your cards to SAS4Kids, but please consider sharing your fun Mother's Day or Father's Day card with a child in one of our seven children's hospitals after you enter it in our challenge.

We have FOUR generous sponsors for this challenge: Whimsy Stamps is offering their random winner 5 digis of their choice; Digi Doodle Shop's prize is a $10 gift voucher; Crop Stop's prize is a $15 gift certificate; and Cuddly Buddly's prize is a 5 pound gift certificate!

For my first card above, I made a fun Father's Day card with a sweet digital stamp from Cuddly Buddly. I paper pieced the cute bear and his buddy- I thought it would be perfect for a little one to send to his Grandpa or give to Dad on Father's Day.

My second card features a sweet digital image from Digi Doodles which (of course) I paper pieced and colored. I embossed and punched rows of dp and cardstock for the background and added a tag with the sentiment (by Repeat Impressions) and a flower and sticker. A special Mom or Grandma will be happy to get this card on Mother's Day and even more importantly, a child will be happy and proud to give it.

Stamping smiles 4 our kids, Karen

My First Card and Happy Easter!

My daughter found this card recently from 1999 and it is an Easter card that was my first attempt at stamping.   I wanted to make graduation announcements for my son that spring so I was learning how to stamp,  and I remember making this at the home of a Stampin' Up demo who showed us how to color with watercolor pencils and blend with a water pen. I've come a long way since then! Who knew then how addicting and fun and gratifying this hobby would become? New friends and blogging and design teams and sharing ideas and articles and cards published and Pinterest... I could go on and on. So much fun!!

Happy Easter or Keester! I had to share these sweet buns-thanks Barb!!

 I am off on a cruise for 10 days (our first and a big adventure for myself and my husband!), but have some blogposts scheduled while I am gone.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Paper Take Weekly and The Cutie Pie Challenges

Anything Goes at Paper Take Weekly and at The Cutie Pie Challenge, we are to use our favorite cute stamp. This little guy in a dinosaur costume with his "Rawr Means I Love You" is my favorite cute set of all time and it comes from My Favorite Things. Of course he touches my heart because I have a five year old grandson, but even without that, he is so darn cute!

This was my first attempt at a T-slide card and I am happy with how it turned out. Here is a tutorial if you want to try one. I stamped the little guy on white and cut out with a beaded nestie oval and sponged the ovals while still in the die. I paper pieced the dino costume and colored the rest. If you follow the t-slide instructions, when you pull on the tab, it slides open to reveal the message on the inside. Fun card for a child.

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 used the Crowned Crane Deco stamp from Repeat Impressions. I stamped it on dp, cut apart and rounded the edges. The sentiment (also from RI) was stamped on the same d and I added a fun button flower and ribbon to complete the card.

I am entering this card in the “Things with Wings” challenge at Crafting When WeCan.

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Paper Creations Ink Natural Materials Challenge

It's time for a new challenge at Paper Creations Ink and the theme is Natural Materials. In other words, use some burlap or twine or gauze or something natural on your card. Our sponsor is Shelly's Images and they are  offering a great prize 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 started with a lovely digital stamp from Shelly's Images called "Close to my Heart." I printed it and paper pieced the horse and dress, and  colored the rest. My natural materials are burlap,gauze and the paper in the background is a handmade paper. This challenge is a good reminder to pull out our handmade papers and other natural materials we have in our stashes and use them to make a neat card.

I am entering this card in the CAS challenge at The Pink Elephant.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impression's Stamp of the Week Ode to Spring

The stamp of the week this week at Repeat Impressions is this fun Ode To Spring joyful bunny, 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 joyful Spring bunny, colored the flowers and cut him out with a nestie. I stamped a white cloud and put a pretty spring sentiment from Repeat Impressions in the cloud. The “grass” at the bottom is a Memory Box die. This bunny is so joyful he just makes me smile. Since I am leaving later this week on my first ever cruise, this is how I feel- jumping for joy!

I am entering this card in the Easter challenge at Delightful Challenges.

Stamping smiles, Karen