One-Layer Christmas Card

Today's optional challenge at Christmas Card Challenges is to create a Christmas card with only one layer.  That's hard!  I searched Pinterest for some inspiration and found all sorts of people using a masking technique.  I decided to give it a try.

I'm not sure if this is my favorite card ever, but it turned out ok......  I guess I'm a layering gal at heart.

Craftily yours,

Karen

Miss You

Just a quick post tonight to submit a card to Shopping Our Stash Miss You Challenge.  I love this little panda from There She Goes Pandamonium.  The sentiment was part of a grab bag from Unity.....and there's just a smidge of crinkle ribbon from 3 Girl JAM.  Don't forget you can save 10% at 3 Girl JAM with code KN10!  Great deal on this beautiful ribbon!

Craftily yours,

Karen

Growing in Unity Day 5: Eryn Girl

Happy Friday, Friends with Flair!  I've had a great time being the Growing in Unity Girl this week!  If you haven't already commented on my posts, be sure to go back and do so for a chance to win some Unity Itty Bitty!  I'll pick the winner on Monday morning, January 20!

Today's post uses Eryn Girl.  I got Eryn quite a while back but hadn't had a chance to show her any inky love.  (Yes, I have a lot of stamps like that....ok, maybe I just am a Unity hoarder....pretty sure I'm not the only one hahah)  I used the color palette from the Unity Be Inspired Challenge, and I'm entering her there. 

I hadn't shown my Copic markers any "love" recently either as I've been doing a lot of coloring with TH distress markers, but I had fun playing with shading her.

Craftily yours,

Karen

Growing in Unity Day 4: To the Moon

Thank you SO much for all your bloggy love this week!  Love, love being the Growing in Unity Girl!  Today is day 4!  If you haven't checked out my other posts this week, be sure to do so for your extra chances to WIN two Itty Bitty stamps from Unity Stamp Company!

Today, I continue on my quest to show some inky love to stamps I haven't stamped up!  I used To the bitty MOON on this one along with some paper from Nikki Sivils Sugar Cookie.  Many of my  regular followers know I host a monthly crafter lunch at work.  Our group is near 20 now, and they wanted me to make something Valentine's Day appropriate.  Quite a few of the group weren't into paper-crafts before we started this adventure, so I have to be careful to keep it somewhat simple....yet fun.  Each month, I try to show them something new.  This month, we are using embossing folders!  This should work :)

Craftily yours,

Karen

Happy Birthday, Katheryn

My very first design team project with 3 Girl JAM is UP on their blog today!  How fun is that?!  Whoop!  

Yesterday was my niece's sweet 16 birthday.  Her name is Katheryn, but she's known to be as Kat-ar-veen-a.  When she was little, she used to tell me, "My names not that, Auntie K, it's Katheryn!"  Hard to believe she is so grown up.  My brother and SIL have raised a very smart, super talented and gorgeous young lady....  I'm very proud to call her niece, that's for sure <3

My project highlights some yummy 3 Girl JAM Gold Crown crinkle ribbon (from the Royal Bundle) on a money envelope that contained my niece's birthday present.

The $20 was for the picture, but I'm pretty certain there is another bill or two tucked inside!  The paper is from my scrap heap.  The 16 is covered with Tim Holtz distress glitter.  I really love that stuff.  Before you leave (and after you leave me some love because I really appreciate your comments!), be sure to check out the 3 Girl JAM Store. You can use code KN10 to save 10% off your purchase! 

Craftily yours,

Karen

Growing in Unity Day 3: True Wishes with Dandelions

Happy Humpday, Unity Friends!  Today's card is using another Unity stamp that I got a while ago and never inked up!  I just had to show it some inky love!  This one from my SOTW club - it's called True Wishes.

I stamped the images on watercolor paper that I inked up with TH distress inks and misted with water to get that "dappled" effect.  It took me about 5 tries to get it the way that I wanted it.  Tim makes it look so easy!  That gorgeous paper is from the Basic Grey Obscure Collection, and the lace is from Prima Marketing.  I topped it off with some buttons and a smidge of Timeless Twine in Lemonade Yellow.

Be sure to leave a comment on my GIU posts this week for a chance to win some Unity of your own!

I'm entering this card into the Paper Girls challenge to be wishful thinking (because of the sentiment)....



Craftily yours,

Karen

Growing in Unity Day 2: Melting My Heart

Happy Tuesday, Unity Friends!  This week, I'm the Growing in Unity girl!  How fun is that?!  I'm also continuing on with my quest to ink up my Unity that I just had to have and haven't inked up.  On this one, I did make one card out of it, but then I haven't used it in over a year.  It's the most ADORABLE stinkin' stamp, so I wanted to make sure to show it some inky love!

It's Unity Stamp Company, I will give you my heart.  The sentiment is from my heart melts.  The two together are perfect for Valentine's Day, right?  :)

I had worked on a winter themed project and cut a BUNCH of those Nestability snowflakes....and ended up not using them, so I designed the rest of the card around them.  The paper is from Bo Bunny Powder Mountain, and I love the "oomph" of that little smidge of Timeless Twine in Bubblegum Pink. 

Be sure to leave some bloggy love on my GIU posts this week for a chance to win two fabulous Itty Bitty stamps from Unity!

Entering this card into Clear It Out challenge - two designer papers all layered up!  

See ya tomorrow!

Craftily yours,

Karen

Growing in Unity Day 1: Hip Hip It's Your Birthday

Happy Monday, Unity Friends!  I'm up as the Growing in Unity (GIU) girl this week!  whoop, whoop!

I'm working on using my Unity that I got and never inked up.  I have quite a few, so you may see some this week!  LOL, had to have them, ya know!?

This card is made with It's your Birthday from the Stamp of the Week club in 2013.  It happens to be Mrs. Unity's BIRTHDAY!  Happy Birthday, Angela!!! Thanks for all you to do bring stamp-y goodness into my space!

Anyway, when I pulled this out, I really had no idea what to do with it.  I searched Unity's web site and found a stunning example by Unity Artista Shemaine.  I totally cased it - love the mixture of patterns.

  

The paper is from Basic Grey Obscure.  I have had this collection for a long time, and once I broke it out, I'm totally addicted to it!  The twine is Timeless Twine.   Love the little double-bows of twine.

Leave a comment on my GIU posts this week to win some Unity goodness (two Itty Bitty stamps)! 

Have a lovely weekend!

Craftily yours,

Karen

Polka Dotted Christmas

It's challenge day at Christmas Card Challenges!  This week, our optional challenge is to create a Christmas Card with polka dots!  I

I know Christmas was last month, but I really LOVE Christmas images and cards.....and this adorable snow-peep from Unity Stamp Company has stolen my heart!  It's called "Just Skating By {Snowpeep Kurt}."  The paper used is from the MME Merry Little Christmas line.  I made "snow" from Liquid Pearls in White Opal.

Craftily yours,

Karen

Hangin' in There

I got a couple NEW Tiddly Inks stamps and just had to show them some INKY love!  This card ismade with Basic Grey Clippings and the Hang In There set.

And this is the other set I got called Bugs n Kisses.  The paper here is from Fancy Pants Love collection.  I added some Timeless Twine, 3 Girl JAM ribbon and something NEW and EXCITING from 3 Girl JAM.  That colored lace.....and it's SO pretty!  Watch for it in their store....and you can save 10% on ALL their products using KN10!  How sweet is that?!

I'm submitting the second card to the CAS Challenge at Tiddly Inks Challenge!

The final Tiddly Ink card I made to submit to Clear It Out Challenges.  CIO asked us to make a thank you card using the stash item, buttons.  This one uses Echo Park Country Drive. 

Craftily yours,

Karen

Fall ATC

Happy Friday, Friends with Flair!

My post today shows off some ATCs I made recently as part of an online crafty group swap.  The theme was Fall, and I loved the {leaf}ing Grateful Stamp of the Week and thought it would be great for the ATC swap.  The leaf is stamped and then painted with Tim Holtz distress paint and distress crackle paint. 

 

The top two ribbons are from Webster's pages....and that bottom so yummy ribbon is 3 Girl JAM (save 10% there with code KN10!!).

Have a GREAT weekend!

Craftily yours,

Karen

Tape-Runner Holder

Today is an exciting day!  It's my FIRST design team post with Timeless Twine / Bella Creationz.  Yay!  Our theme is something new - something new to us or a new technique.

I asked my DH to make me a new tape-runner holder.  When I'm crafting, I put the darn thing down - and even though it's HUGE, I can never find it under the mess.  Matt got a couple of pieces of scrap wood and fashioned me this - which I promptly decorated up, of course.

Isn't she perrrrrrrty?!  The paper is from Carta Bella True Friends, and I used pink ribbon and Olive Green Timeless Twine.  Here's a close-up of this fabulous twine tied in a triple bow...

And finally, the holder with my tape-runner in it! I totally didn't think about the pink ribbon matching the tapegun.  hahah!  Love <3

I'm entering this into the Shopping our Stash Something New challenge.....since I decorated up the NEW tape-runner holder DH made for me!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Craftily yours,

Karen

A Flick of the Wrist

SO excited to be on the Stampin' and Cuttin' blog today with my very first Cuttin' and Stampin' design team post and so honored to have been selected for this team!  Mixed media is fun - can't make mistakes!!  It's just letting loose and letting your creative self come out with whatever happens to land in your hands.  Today's post includes some Tattered Angels paper, Dylusions sprays, Tim Holt Distress Markers, Copic Marks, Twine and FUN.  To see the tutorial for this card, go to the Cuttin' and Stampin' blog!

Craftily yours,

Karen

Let's Play

Today is the last day of my holiday vacation.....sadface.  Happy face though because I've had a lot of time in the last few weeks to play and craft......and just maybe I can face work again.  hahah  I made one last card for a challenge - this time for Paper Smooches, using Chubby Chums!

The paper is from Echo Park Everyday Eclectic!  And the ribbon is beautiful crinkle ribbon from 3 Girl JAM.  I'm entering this into the 3 Girl JAM anything goes challenge!  (Did you know you can save 10% at their store with code KN10?!!? Great deal!  I'm also entering this into the Paper Smooches Challenge - Anything Goes!

Craftily yours,

Karen

World of Wonder

Kraftin' Kimmies stamps posted today for a contest for a guest designer.  Their stamps are super cute....and while I don't have many (yet), I thought I'd throw my crafty hat into the ring!  This one is made with their World of Wonder set along with some Basic Grey Obscure paper and some UmWow Studio butterfly confetti covered with liquid pearls, Stickles and glossy accents.  The call said to make sure it had some sparkle.  No problem!  Have Stickles - will sparkle.  I colored this adorable image with Tim Holtz Distress markers!

I'm also entering this into Kraftin' Kimmies Wonderful Wednesday - Anything Goes!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Craftily yours,

Karen

New DT and New Challenge....and YOU can save!

I'm so excited and honored to announce that I made it onto the 3 Girl JAM Design Team!  How CoOl is ThAt!?!?!  I really love their crinkle ribbon, and they have the serious BEST bow-maker EVER!  Check out the 3 Girl JAM store, and use discount code KN10 to get 10% off your purchase!  Cooler yet, huh?!?!

It's going to be an exciting term with these incredibly talented, crafty ladies!

AND today there's a new challenge up on their blog.  It's an Anything Goes w/ Ribbon challenge, and you have until January 31, 2014 to link up!  Join US!

In this card, I used 3 Girl JAM Goblin Green crinkle ribbon from the Spooky Bundle.  I tied that amazing bow with their Bow Maker.  I cannot tell you how much I love that thing.  It's small, so it can stay on my desk.....easy to use......and makes a variety of bow sizes. I was working on a project last night and needed a teenzy bow.  The bow I made is just slightly over 3/4", and it's perfect.

The stamp is from Unity Stamp Company - Bird with a French Fry.  The paper is from Basic Grey - Clippings.

Craftily yours,

Karen

Feel the Joy

Happy New Year, Friends with Flair!  Welcome to 2014!  whoop, whoop  One of my resolutions this year will be to ink up the stamps that I just "had" to have and then never used.  This is my first.  I really loved the image, got it, and then just put it away.  What's up with that?  I have quite a few.....so here's to using my Unity in 2014!

This is Unity Stamp Company's Itty Bitty, Feel the Joy used with Authentique Summer collection papers and 3 Girl JAM ribbon.

Last week's post was Capture Your Dreams, and this week's is Feel the Joy.  Both seem like apt New Year Wishes, huh?

I'm entering this card into Shopping Our Stash's challenge to use up the last of something.  The paper is the last of my summer pack of Authentique, and the button was the last in the package that it came in as well!

Craftily yours,

Karen

My Top Ten of 2013

Today, I'm posting my favorite ten projects for 2013.  It was a LOT of fun going through a whole year of posts and picking them out. 

To start of with, one of my favorite images from Unity Stamp Company.  Seriously, how sweet are these guys?

Next I move onto a boots card made with a There She Goes Stamp designed by Torico.  It was perfect timing when it came out because my youngest had just joined the Army.  There She Goes Stamps is going out of business today. *sadface*

And speaking of Brian.  Check out my handsome guy.  This pic was taken when he graduated boot camp.  So handsome.  (Note, the same boots stamp is in this one too.  I used it a lot this year!)

 

And speaking of boots.....what year-in-review would be complete without a little Phyllis Harris / Unity Stamp Company.  This guy is SO adorable as are all of her images!

 

 The next favorite is a sweet card I made when I blog-hopped as a Unity Stamp Company Friend.  That was seriously one of my favorite things to happen this year, and I was so honored to have been selected.

And now onto another Unity favorite.  This little scarecrow is seriously just so sweet.

And yet another Unity Stamp Company card.  Hmm.....see a theme here?  Love their stamps!  This one I made for the current Be Inspired Challenge.

And, of course, I had to add a Christmas Card.  I've been on the Christmas Card Challenge design team for about half a year.  I love Christmas cards, and this one with a Tiddly Ink stamp is one of my faves!

Ok, I have to post another Christmas card.....because I love this image from Unity Stamp Company.  Seriously, how awesome is it?

And while the others are in no particular order, this one is my definite favorite.  I went to Minneapolis this year and met Tim Holtz.  When I came back, I created this one inspired by one of his 2013 tags.  I realllllllllllly love it.  The image is from Unity Stamp Company.

Happy New Year, everyone! 

Craftily yours,

Karen

Monochromatic Dress

I spent a WHOLE day crafting.  When I went into my craft-room, it was to clean up from the holidays.  I cleaned about a 10 inch piece of desk surface....and found a few stamps I'd pulled out to use before the holidays.  Welllll, this was one of 'em.  (Unity Stamp Company Shop. Lunch. Chat. Gal)

Maybe I've got an attention deficit disorder?  I've crafted about 8 hours straight, and my crafty space isn't any cleaner!  LOL  Maybe tomorrow.  Maybe not.

I'm entering this card into the Shopping Our Stash One-Color Challenge.

 Craftily yours,

Karen

Hey Chickie

I'm on a roll with my Paper Smooches stampset, Chubby Chums.....and seem to be addicted to googly eyes. :)

Recipe:  Paper Smooches - Chubby Chums stamps, Basic Grey Nordic Holiday (red stripe), Echo Park A Boy's Life (yellow stripe), Timeless Twine in Lemonade Yellow and some sequins and googly eyes!

Ca-ute stamps!  I'm entering this into the Paper Girls Challenge to use a holiday item on a non-holiday card.  I used Basic Grey Nordic Holiday paper :)

It's also my second entry into the Paper Smooches Challenge - Anything Goes challenge!

Craftily yours,

Karen