Penny's Paper Crafty and Designed 2 Delight Challenges

The challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty is Happy Birthday and at Designed 2 Delight it is "It's My Party". I created this gift card holder card last spring for my friend and I am sorry that I can't properly credit where I saw it originally. I used dp from CTMH and the stamp- which is sooo true is from Repeat Impressions. The HB punch is from Martha Stewart.

Edited to add: I found the tutorial! It is here: http://thecatspajamasrs.com/March2011.htm

This is a side view that shows how it is put together and how the gift card slides into a slit in the top. The card folds flat and fits into an A2 envelope.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Bearly Mine and Paper Take Weekly Challenges

"Anything Goes" is the theme at both Bearly Mine Challenges and Paper Take Weekly this week and that is my favorite kind of challenge! I am sharing a card that I made as a sample for my demo today at the local Wausau WI Jo-ann Fabrics and Crafts Open House. The technique I am showing is how to make the circular frame using corner punches. The stamp in the center is from Inkadinkadoo and the corner punch is by ek success. Of course I used my nesties for the circles and I added some white pearl made with a Pearl Pen as a finishing touch.

Come see me if you are local from 1-3 p.m. especially if you would like to take some classes as they are Half Price today only. (Or you can call the store at 715-355-1007.)

Stamping smiles, Karen

Crafter's Companion and Craft Your Passion Challenges

The challenge this week at Crafter's Companion is "One for the Boys" and at Craft Your Passion it is "Anything Goes". I saw these awesome digis on a card awhile back and had to go right to Cardmadfairy and buy them. Just perfect for teenage boys! I printed "Zak" on white speckled paper and paper pieced his clothes and guitar. I printed the "you rock" star on patterned green paper, cut it out and raised with mounting tape. The Core'dinations paper for the card itself was sanded on the edges for an distressed look.

This card is going in my box for Send a Smile 4 Kids to be delivered the end of the month and used to cheer a teenage boy in the hospital. But it was so perfect for my nephew who plays guitar, I just had to make one for him too.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Sneak Peaks at the Cards I am Teaching

This post is mostly for my stamping friends who are within driving distance of Wausau Wisconsin. This Saturday, July 9th is the Open House at our Wausau Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts Store. I will be demo-ing and visiting with stampers in the aisles of the newly remodeled store, right in the stamping and scrapbooking section from 1-3 p.m. But there are specials and prizes all day long.

I am posting a sneak peak at the cards I will be sharing in my Pop-Up Cards Class on Thursday, July 28th from 6-8 pm and also on Tuesday August 9th from 1-3 pm. You can see the actual cards anytime at Jo-Anns in the classroom at the back of the store.

The reason the Open House is so important is that you can save 50% off any of the classes THAT DAY ONLY! If you can't come in, call that day. The phone number is 715-355-1007. The normal price (set by corporate) is $30.00 so HALF PRICE is $15.00. There are three different instructors teaching stamping classes, so you can check out all the samples and sign up for any or all. There are many other classes being taught as well, such as sewing, knitting, quilting, jewelry etc.

I will also be teaching Scrapbooking Basics and Beyond (4 sessions starting in September) and Fall Cards with Punches and Diecuts in September and October and you can sign up for either of those in person or on the phone at the August Open House on August 13th at HALF PRICE that day only.

On Saturday I will be demo-ing how to make a fun circle frame like the one above using corner punches. I have other samples to share and if you sign up for my class on Saturday, you will be eligible to win my door prize valued at $25.00.

Hope to see you then. Feel free to email with any questions.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Designers Choice Challenge - Christmas in July!

It's What If? Wednesday at The House that Stamps Built and Makiko's Designer Choice Challenge is "Christmas in July". Make a holiday card and link it up for a chance to win a great prize from Repeat Impressions! For all the details and to see the rest of the Rock Stars' cards for inspiration, please visit the blog.

I used the Glitter Star Ornament and Peace, Love and Harmony stamps on my card. I embossed the ornament in gold and cut out. I cut a hole in the white front piece and the green card with my nesties and the ornament is hanging from a thread attached in between the two pieces. I stamped the Peace Love and Harmony stamp repeatedly on the front white piece, wiping a little of the ink off each time with a baby wipe so some of it was lighter than the rest. The band is a Starform sticker placed on two sided tape that held fine red glitter.

This is how the card looks with the ornament hanging free. I am entering this card in the Christmas challenge at Crafty Sentiments.

Stamping smiles, Karen

PCI Red White & Blue Challenge

It's time for another great challenge at Paper Creations Ink and our theme is Red White and Blue! Our wonderful sponsor is JLJ Designs and they are offering the winner a $10 gift certificate to their online store. You really should check them out for great digital papers and lots of other neat stuff. The DT at PCI was given these awesome red white and blue digital papers to play with and I couldn't decide between them so I used them all in this CAS card that mostly features the papers. I cut them in squares and formed a "quilt" on a red square and then ran the whole thing through the Big Shot in an embossing folder by Sizzix. I added a simple star cut with my nesties, some gems and a sentiment from TAC to complete the card.

Please check out the PCI blog for all the details and more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team. Wait 'til you see the unbelievable slide shows Michael and Sara set up with favorite cards from the DT members! Take your time when you get there- there's alot to see! Then come play in our challenge (and your card would qualify for SAS4Kids Red White and Blue challenge too)- you have almost two weeks for both challenges to enter.

I am entering this card in the challenge at The Pink Elephant Challenge for - you guessed it- Red White and Blue Cards.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Repeat Impressions SOTW

Happy 4th of July everyone! The Stamp of the Week at Repeat Impressions is "God Bless America"- how perfect! It is available for 50% off this week with a discount code found at the blog, The House that Stamps Built.

I stamped the flag and sentiment twice once in red and once in blue and cut them and put back together to resemble a real flag. I embossed the red background with a new embossing folder from Crafts-Too. Then I highlighted the embossing with Spica Pens which Repeat Impressions is now selling!

I am entering this card in the challenge at Delightful Challenges for Red White and Blue.

Stamping smiles, Karen