Projects - My Top 10 for 2012

Some of my Crop Chocolate fellow design team members have been creating their top 10 projects of 2012.  I thought it sounded like fun.  Here are my favorites....

I made this mini for a contest....and won.  It's one of my all-time faves.... :)

I made this for my very first design team try-out with Crop Chocolate.  I really love it.  It's hanging in my new craft room....

I made a bunch of these tuna can / clothespin holders for Christmas this year.  This is my favorite one that I gave to my mom.

A Christmas card that I did for a challenge at Crop Chocolate.  Love the patterned heart ornaments...

My tags at Christmas.  Love that penguin with the googly eyes!

Dishpan Dave is always good for a giggle.

Scraplifted from Amber...but it's Karen... :)

I love this colorful butterfly card.

Frazzled, what can I say?  Someone asked me if they opened up from the wrong side.  They look like it.  They should - what a great idea!!   But no....they do open the proper way.

And last but not least.  A LO of my Brian showing his turkey at the county fair.  This was my first "design" piece as a guest designer at Crop Chocolate. 

Here's to a very Happy 2013 :-)

Karen (karey2005)

Spring Break

Submitted to Retro Sketches - Challenge #44
and to Pause, Dream, Enjoy - Challenge #52
and to Simple Salutations - Challenge 25 

This afternoon, I decided I needed to do something spring-y.  I noticed that ALL of my crafts here lately have been winter and/or Christmas, so I needed to make a change.  I pulled out a couple sheets of Paradise Beach by Echo Park and some flower stamps from Unity.  I even used my Tim Holtz summer color distress inks.  I love these cards.  They make me feel all warm and spring-y!  Retro Sketches provided this super cute sketch, and Pause, Dream, Enjoy said anything goes!  Here are my cards...

I'm sure these will head off to Operation Write Home.  In just a few more days, my baby heads off to Army boot-camp, so supporting this cause is near and dear.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Snowbird

Submitted to Try Stampin' on Tuesday - Challenge 98
and to My Time to Craft - Challenge #202

Try Stampin' on Tuesday gave us this really cute sketch!  I love it.  This is a new challenge blog for me, and I do LOVE challenge blogs!!  My Time to Craft (also a new challenge blog for me) challenged us to use animals in the snow.  Since I still had some Bo Bunny Winter paper left, I pulled out my Stampin' Up snow fun stamps and make a couple cards for Operation Write Home.  I'll probably have to save these for when I send off a box during the summer since they need cards so much in advance.  On the inside, I used the snowman stamp with a sentiment that says "snowbuddy likes you as much as I do!"

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Frazzled Frenzy

Submitted to Chick-n-Scrap Anything Goes Challenge

On my crafting frenzy today, I just had to use my frazzled stamp from Unity Stamp Co.  The CS I used is from a warehouse sale of Nikki Sivils.  I found a piece of teal-ish colored metal-ly paper (that's the technical term - LOL!!).  I love LOVE these cards!  It's the mood I'm in! :)

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Snowman Friend

Submitted to Creative Moments Challenge 7
and to Friday Mashup FM 90 Challenge

Creative Moments said to emboss.  Friday Mash-up said:

1. Make a project using "Snowflakes".
2. Or Make a project with the colors "Whisper White, Pool Party, Midnight Muse, and Basic Black".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Snowflake Project with the colors Whisper White, Pool Party, Midnight Muse, and Basic Black".

Add it all together with my urge to use up some scraps and you get a couple snowmen cards - friend to friend.  The background paper is Bo-Bunny winter collection (close to Pool Party with snowflakes on it).  I added a Sizzix snowman, midnight blue matting, some embossed glimmer paper, black cardstock, "whisper white" ribbon,  and a heart/button embellishment (along with some ribbon and Timeless Twine) and voila, I think I mashed it up with a creative moment!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Crafting Frenzy

Submitted to Sketch Frenzy Friday

Sketch Frenzy Friday!  Love the name of this challenge blog.  I was in a bit of a frenzy today trying to use up some of my scraps.  I made these two owl cards with scraps.  The card on the left has EP Winter Wishes and Bo Bunny dots blue.  The card on the right has....ummm....I think it's Bo Bunny something :)  The stamp is from Unity's Stamp of the Week Club.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Purple Owl

Submitted to Basic Grey Challenge #84

Seriously, I love Kioshi.  I do, I do!  I am working my way through four packs of it and probably will be desperate for more when I'm done.  I had about half a sheet in my scrap pile and used my Unity Stamp of the Week for this card.  The paper ribbon is also from BG. 

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Sketch Challenge using Metal

Submitted to Sketch and Stash Challenge #103

and to Scrapbook Steals Monday Craft Madness #6

Scrapbook Steals Monday Craft Madness Challenge is to use metal.  I found a "new to me" challenge blog - Sketch and Stash who challenge us to use this sketch.  It really caught my eye, and I was in the mood to use up some scraps from holiday crafting, so here goes.





Since they are all scraps, I'm not 100% certain what all the papers are.  The card on the right, I know, has Echo Park Winter Wishes and Bo Bunny dots.  The card on the right has a Christmas theme on the other side... :)  The image is from Unity Stamp, and the little metal hearts are from Making Memories.

These cards are going to be sent off with my next batch to Operation Write Home.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

It's Neon Bro

Submitted to Paper Girls Challenge Challenge #22

Paper Girls challenged us to make a neon card.  There was a double challenge to make something wintery from neon colors.  That's like a double-dog-dare....you can't turn it down.  Right?  I loved the neon challenge. 

The image on this stamp is from Unity's Stamp of the Week Club.  Ha ha, he's so FREAKIN' cute!  The paper is from Webster's Pages, and the little felt flowers are from Petaloo.

 

 When my oldest graduated from high school, one of his class's favorite sayings was "it's neon, bro" - that meant, "it's good."  Hope you think this card is neon, bro.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Friday Cuteness

Submitted to Tuesday Alchemy Challenge #46 - Anything Goes Challenge and to Friday Friends with Flair - Unity Stamp Co.

Tuesday's Alchemy says anything goes.... I decided that I needed to use up some of my scraps from some recent projects....so I used Unity's You are Cute stamp and made this card.  I love this cute image....and think it turned out pretty cute.....for a cute card *smile*

This card will be in the next bunch of cards I send off to Operation Write Home.

Craftily yours,

Karen

Upcycled Wedding Photo

Submitted to Anything But a Card Challenge 9 and to Crop Chocolate Challenge #43

Anything but a Card said - anything goes.  Easy!  Crop Chocolate's challenge from Julie and Brenna was:

"The Design Team term is almost over. For this week's challenge, look back through The Crop and make a project inspired by one of the current design team members."

This is my wedding photo.  I had it in a closet because, lets face it....it's in sad shape!  Inspired by Michele (by belle) on

Inspired by Michele (by belle) - the mosaic frame, I decided to try her mosaic upcycled frame.  I used Fancy Pants Hopscotch and Echo Park Paradise Beach papers. I also used some bling from Teresa Collins, Tim Holtz distress ink and crackle paint, and some Timeless Twine. The Red and Green flowers and stick pen are from UmWow Studios.  The rest of the flowers are home-made using Nestabilities blossom dies.

I'm super proud of the final project; it's almost as colorful as my wedding was.  My dear husband also likes it because the banners show our wedding date, so he has a reminder of our anniversary on the wall! 

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Penguin Cards

Card on the left submitted to Die Cuttin Divas Challenge 95
Card on the right submitted to Shopping Our Stash Challenge 82

Die Cuttin Divas challenged us to make something with the holiday spirit.  Shopping Our Stash challenged us to make a winter card - but not holiday.  I used Unity's SOTW Penguin stamp to make both.  The card on the left says "You're so cool" on the sentiment, and the card on the right says "Holiday Wishes."  Same card - different sentiment!  I'm sending the winter-card to Operation Write Home; the holiday card will hold cash for my son's Christmas present :)

The card base is from Bo Bunny, and the die I used is from Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Flower.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Gift Bag (2 of 2)

Submitted to Unity Stamp Co December Challenge

I made one more gift bag for my candle holders.  This one is based upon Unity's challenge to create something using non-traditional colors.  The paper is from Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses collection.  I stickled the angel wings.  The stamp is Unity's Snow Angel.

I think I'm ready for Christmas!  Are you?

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Gift Bag (1 of 2)

Submitted to Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday - Santa Baby

Little Scrap Pieces said to make a craft with Santa.  Love it!  Christmas is almost here, so I decided to make a gift bag for one of my candle holders that I'm giving away on Christmas to family.  This one is decorated with Echo Park Winter Park paper (and dots and stripes).  Surfing Santa is from CTMH and the trim (which I just noticed is a little crooked!) is from Webster's pages.  I'm done taking pictures, so just imagine that I've already straightened it!  Maybe too much Nog in my Egg, huh? LOL!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Friends with Flair and Stuck on You!

Submitted to Friends with Flair #21 and Stuck on You Sketches Dec 19 Card Challenge

Stuck on You Sketches provided this card sketch, and since I'm home on a Friday for once, I am submitting this card to Unity's Friends with Flair too!  I love this festive sled that I got as part of their Stamp of the Week Club.  The doily is made with one of the Nestabilities medalions.  I'm using this card as a "Thank you" to my mother-in-law for her yummy holiday cookies.  I've probably gained 10 lbs eating them!!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Birthday Flower

Submitted to Reasonable Ribbon's Challenge #62

Really Reasonable Ribbon says Anything Goes as long as we use a ribbon.  I felt the need to create something other than holiday stuff (as much as I love Christmas), so I created this birthday card.  I love this flower....the color reminds me of ice.  It's created with a Nestabilities die, some light blue and vellum paper and some TH distress in their summer blue.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

One Final Candle Holder

Submitted to Tuesday's Alchemy - Challenge 45

Tuesday's Alchemy says Anything Goes.  That sure makes it easy.  I had one final tuna can/clothespin holder to make for Christmas.  This one will go to my sister-in-law.  She has a bright red bathroom, so I'm hoping she will like this!  The paper is from Nikki Sivils. The flower and butterfly are from UmWow Studios and the trim is from Webster's Pages.

I made about eight of these for holiday presents.  This is one of my favorites!  I sure appreciate all the challenge blogs, like Tuesday's Alchemy, who help keep me motivated and visit my blog to leave some love for my projects! 

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Seasons Greetings

Submitted to Friday Mashup Challenge 89

I found a fun new challenge (new to me!)...  Friday Mashup!  The mashup challenge is:

1. Make a project using" Heat Embossing".
2. Or Make a project that has a "Clean And Simple Layout".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "CAS project using Heat Embossing".

I mashed it up!  I created a clean and simple card using heat embossing.  I love that little penguin with the googly eyes!  It's made with the Stampin' Up owl punch!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Snowbuddy

Submitted to CTVS Challenge 21

CTVS challenged us to make a white Christmas - with snow, a snowman, or a snowflake.  I chose two of the three and used one of my new Stampin' Up stamps.  He's a TOTAL cutie, don't ya think? I also broke out my Bo-Bunny Powder Mountain collection for this card. 

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Snowman Tag

Submitted to the Little Scrap Pieces - Fun Friday Holiday Challenge

Create a holiday project - that's what Little Scrap Pieces said.  So, ok!  One of my crafty buddies did a tag like this on Crop Chocolate last week, and I fell in LOVE with it, so I was inspired to create my own.  I used Fancy Pants white corrugated card board as the base and cut circles.  The face is stamped with Peachy Keen stamps, but I added a carrot nose.  I noticed as I was submitting the project that one of the DT on this site did an UBER cute version of the snowman from above. Cute cute!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Penguin Tag

Submitted to Crop Chocolate Challenge #42 
and to Tuesday's Alchemy Challenge #44

I'm off on vacation for the holidays!  Woo hoo!  I had BIG plans to start my vacation with a whole day of crafting.....and then the vertigo set in.  I've had vertigo before, and fortunately, it doesn't happen a lot....but it pretty much took me out of crafty circulation.  I finally was able to get this project done....so I'm hopeful for a great crafty vacation!

I made six of these adorable little penguin tags, so I'm submitting them to two challenges.  Crop Chocolate challenged us to create something with ribbon and bling. Tuesday's Alchemy says that anything goes.  The penguins in these tags are made with Stampin' Up's Owl Punch.  The paper is Echo Park Winter Wishes, Fancy Pants White Corrugated, and vellum (painted with glitter paint).  Full instructions can be found on my Instruct-agram board...

Do you like the lines from the corrugation (word??) going horizontal or vertical?

Craftily yours,

Karen

Humpday Crafts 2 of 2

Submitted to Shopping Our Stash Challenge 81

Shopping Our Stash challenged us to create a project without an image and to use a sentiment as the focal point. I used this fabulous iridescent white opal "paper" I had an embossed it with a TH winter embossing folder.  I wet embossed my sentiment onto black cardstock and added a light blue mat and a bitty blossom.  The iridescence is really pretty in person... Wish I could figure out how to get the picture to show it :)  Even without showing the pretty opals, I still love this card!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Hump-day Crafts - part 1 of 2

Submitted to Scrapbook Steals - Monday Craft Madness 4
and to Clear It Out Holiday Challenge

It's hump-day and it's 12-12-12.  Cool.  I had a great day at work!  We had our annual holiday party.  I gave my co-workers the Snowman Poop Favors that I made over the weekend.  I think they liked them.

To finish off a good day, I decided to create some cards.  Scrapbook Steals challenged us to use two collections of paper.  I used Authentique Festive and Fancy Pants St Nick collections to make these cards.  Since I made four of these (two are pictured), I am also submitting them to the Clear it Out challenge to create a holiday project.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Mug of Hugs

Submitted to Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #149

Kaboodle Doodles challenge this week is to use red.  Easy!  For Crop Chocolate's weekly challenge, a couple of the crafty ladies used this week's Unity Stamp of the Week (Mug of Hugs) to create cards for the challenge to use 3 patterned hearts.  I had already created a card for their challenge, so I decided to create a second card - using red so it would fit into the Kaboodle Doodle challenge!  It's a great stamp!  The paper used is from Fancy Pants St Nick collection.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Stars, Twine and Snowflakes

Submitted to Timeless Twine December Challenge

Timeless Twine challenged us to make a project that is Merry and Bright that includes Timeless Twine and a button.   We usually give our boys some money for Christmas, so I decided to make a gift card holder.  (Or in my case, it'll hold cold hard cash!)  Here it is:

I hope the colors are merry and bright enough!!  It'll go great with green....ha ha, at least my boys will think so!  I wished I'd have had blue Timeless Twine for the project.  Maybe next time....once my budget recovers from Christmas!  For instructions on how to make this gift card (if you are interested), check out the Instructagram link.

Here's another card I made using Timeless Twine (and hanging hearts instead of stars) just to show another variation of the "hanging" with twine.  (This card was submitted on Crop Chocolate challenge to use 3 patterned hearts.)

Craftily yours,

Karen

Snowman Poop - Day 3

Submitted to Anything But a Card - Challenge 8

Well, I think I'm done making snowman poop favors for my co-workers!  I've made over fifty of these things.  Here's a sample from DAY 3 of making them that I'm submitting to the Anything But a Card challenge to create something for the holiday....  I hope my co-workers love these as much as I do! For instructions on how to make these, check out my Instructagram.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Snowman Poop - Day 2

Submitted to Tuesday's Alchemy Challenge 43 and to Shopping our Stash Challenge 80

I am making a bunch of these snowman poop favors for the people I work with.  I'm on Day 2 of making snowman poop....that's a LOT of poop!!!  Tuesday's Alchemy challenged us to make anything but a card, and Shopping our Stash asked us to make something for the winter holiday.  For complete instructions on how to make these cute little snowman poop favors, check out my Instructagram.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Snowman Poop - Day 1

Submitted to Clear it Out Challenge and to Basic Grey Challenge 83

Clear It Out asked us to make something with a holiday theme.  Basic Grey challenged us to create something for the holidays.  I made a bunch of these snowman poop favors for the people I work with.  These are made with Timeless Twine and Basic Grey Nordic Holiday paper, so I'm submitting them to these challenges!!  For complete instructions on how to make snowman poop, check out my Instructagram.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Sparkle Trees

Submitted to Little Scrap Pieces:  Fun Friday Challenge

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Yes, indeed.  This is the challenge on Little Scrap Pieces this week, so I used some Co-ordinations paper and some white glitter paper from Stampin' Up and made these cute cards.  I love the little jingle bells (also from Stampin' Up).  They even make a slight "tinkle" noise when you shake these cards!  Fun.  I sure do love Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Coral Lay-outs

So I decided to try to do the Coral series of scrapbook lay-out sketches for Scrapbook Steals. I wanted the motivation to do at least one scrapbook page per week.  Wellllllllll, I did it and I did them all on time!  Woo hoo!

Here are links to all the lay-outs I did over the last several weeks.

Coral 1 - Graduation Party, Page 1
Coral 2 - Graduation Party, Page 2
Coral 3 - Sugarland Concert
Coral 4 - Silly Fun
Coral 5 - My Brian
Coral 6 - My Mess
Coral 7 - After, My Craft Area
Coral 8 - Camping with Friends
Coral 9 - Camping Cows

and (drum roll), here is Coral 10....and the sketch used to inspire it.  It's a lay-out with a picture of the hubby and I at a Marina party....and the next morning, a picture of my car with a broken window :(  Oh well, got most of my stuff back....

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Ribbons and Sleds

First card submitted to Really Reasonable Ribbon - Challenge #61
Second card submitted to Shopping our Stash - Challenge #79

Really Reasonable Ribbon challenged us to make a card using white on white - with perhaps one color.  I stamped a Santa image from My Favorite Things and used White Glimmer ric-rac to make a frame.  I used a Spellbinders fancy tags die to add the sentiment.  A small red bow completes this card.

Shopping our Stash asked us to use odds and ends that have been sitting around for a while.  I have had this ric-rac for about 8 years.....and like what it adds to the sled card (from the same stamp set)! 

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Button and Bow

Submitted to Christmas Card Challenge 52

Today was such a fun day!  Looking down at my hands, they are inky, covered in mod podge and even burned in places from hot glue. I must have been crafting all day!  The cards I created for this challenge were done with a triple stamping method.  The stamps are from Unity, and the twine is from Timeless Twine.  The challenge called for paper piecing. I'm not entirely sure what that is but.....I did this. :)

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)