Snow Boy Card

Submitted to Shopping our Stash - Challenge #74 (Out of a Jar) and Stuck On U Sketches - 2nd October Card Sketch

I used this card sketch from StuckOnUSketch and my Flower Soft Moments in Time Stamp to create my card.  My "thing" out of a jar is my glitter snow flower-soft.  The paper is Fancy Pants "Saint Nick" and the flowers are cut using a DieNamics die.  





Add some glitter brads and this is what you get!!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

My Craft Space

Last weekend, I was working on a card that needed quite a few cuts on my Cuttlebug.  Because my craft space had "messed" onto the floor, I was having to get up and down from the floor over and over to make these cuts.  WTH.  Seriously!

I'd been wanting an Ikea Expedit for some time, so I just bit the bullet and drove over and got one.  I spent all day organizing my space.  I am printing pictures so I can scrap my before and after pictures, but in the meantime, Authentique challenged us to show them our crafty space.  You'll have to wait for the LOs, but I wanted to enter the challenge showing you some of the after pictures.  I love love love my Expedit!  (Note the empty shelf!  I need more craft supplies!  ha ha ha!!)  BTW, I also love love love my Scrapbox!

Hope you enjoyed your sneaky peak!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Fabric Tape Card

  

Submitted to Scrapbook Steals - Monday Card Madness #107

 Scrapbook Steals asked us to make a card inspired by other crafty ladies.  Kelly M made this super cute owl card....  I love owls, and I loved the diagonal pattern.  Decided to do my own version of this card....








My card is made using some fabric tape that I purchased on Scrapbook Steals.  I used the packaging from this tape to make Halloween-ishus Treat containers - no waste here!  I also used a Unity Stamp of the Week set (owl and sentiment....)  I used 1/4" divider to evenly space the tape. So easy, but I really like how my version turned out!

I'm sending this card to a co-worker who recently had a stroke....so young.  My prayers go to her to regain her strength.  I hope this brightens her day.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

My Brian

Submitted to Scrapbook Steals - Coral 5

My boy - Brian - graduated high school in June.  As he was coming off the stage to the official photographer, I could see him all the way across the field making a goofy pose.  At first, I was annoyed because this was the first photo my boy would have post-graduation....then I realized, that's my boy - Brian.  He's sweet, smart, handsome AND goofy. 

Scrapbook steals provide the sketch off to the right.  The paper I used is Basic Gray Recess.  I haven't found a BG collection that I don't like!  I also used some of my nestabilities (I know, big surprise!! ha ha).  The letters BG are my son's initials.  I like how it turned out to center them....

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Doing the Dishes is a Gift

Submitted to Clear It Out:  The Gift Challenge

Clear It out asked us to create something with a gift theme.  They explained, "Your project may have a gift on it,  or maybe you'd like to showcase a gift you have, be creative!)"  Oh, be creative!  I like this.  As I was looking through my paper for something with a gift on it, I realized that one of the best gifts I receive is when the guys in my life (husband and four sons) do housework without being told, nagged or cajoled.  I remembered a digi stamp I had of a man doing dishes and created this card. The paper is Authentique Genuine, the stamp is from Dr. Digi (it's name is Dishcloth Dave), and the tape is brand unknown. 

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Never Forget

Submitted to Chick Challenges {with Ippity} - Challenge 47

Chick Challenges challenged us to create a card based on this sketch. For this project, I used Unity Now and Always sentiment.  I love this sentiment! If we could just live our lives with all of the best memories, that would be fabulous.  The paper is from Amy Tangerines Sketchbook. The flowers are itty bitty blossoms. 






I took some artistic license with the sketch because I wanted to add some another color.  I love the pop of pink against the green!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Too Cute to Spook

Submitted to: Anything But a Card - Challenge 4 (Fall or Halloween Colors)
and to:  Trendy Twine Challenge - October Challenge (Too Cute to Spook)

I generally don't combine challenges, but since I made four candy holders, I think it's ok.  I hope both of the challengers agree!

Trendy Twine asked us to create treat packaging.  Anything But a Card asked us to use Fall or Halloween colors.  I decided to make candy holders for my teenage boys.  I recently purchased some fabric tape.  I used the packaging from the tape for this project. I also used Echo Park Chillingsworth Manor paper, purple Trendy Twine, CTMH Troublemaker stampset, Zing embossing powder and some brads (that I've had so long that I don't remember the brand!).  The image is stamped and heat embossed.  I love the "framing" with the Trendy Twine!

I filled them with Reeses Pieces! I'll probably also add an iTunes card to the package since my "children" are all over 18 now!

I love these candy holders!  Fun!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

One of a Kind - Twice

Submitted to Crop Chocolate - Challenge 36 (Neutrals and Brights)

Nina from Crop Chocolate asked us to mixed neutrals and 3 bright colors on our project. To make these cards, I used white card stock, Amy Tangerine Sketchbook paper and brads one one card and bling on the other. 

Which one do you like better?

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

So excited!

I did it!  I tried out for the Design Team at Crop Chocolate, and I got picked!  Woo hoo! 

For the Design Team try-out, we were asked to submit two projects.  One was to represent who we are as crafters.  The other was to be "out-of-the-box."  Before getting involved in the Crop Chocolate addiction....errrr.....I mean online community, I really had only done paper-crafting on cards and lay-outs.  The incredibly talented ladies on this site have inspired me to look outside the box and get into some home and office decor. 

My first DT project is a gift card holder for the holidays.  The pattern is the Christmas Snowy Pine Medium Dot by Echo Park.  I added some flower soft to make the snow come alive a little.  This represents my current style because I recently purchased my first set of copic markers and am LOVING coloring again.  The card is fun and cheerful yet, looks fancy - but it's easy sneezy.  It also uses one of my Nestabilities dies, and I love those things....

My out-of-the-box DT project is based on an image that I cut out of a calendar.  I love the image and saying on it because it reflects me at work, but I was getting razzed at work because the calendar is two years old and still up on my wall.  I view it as out-of-the-box because I'm taking something that would normally have thrown away and turning it into something I'm very proud of!  The paper is BG Kioshi purchased on CC.  The brown flower came from a fellow DT member, DeeDee, who owns/operates UmWow Studios (seriously fabulous embellishments!!). 

By the way, I'm debating what I could/should do to snazzy up the frame more......would love ideas....

Thanks to Amber for selecting me to be part of the team.  I'm so looking forward to working closer with the awesome ladies on Crop Chocolate!!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Things in the Air

Submitted to {Ippity} OpportUNITY Challenge - Things in the AIR!

The challenge is simple. Create a project using something in the air.  Fun!  Butterflies, birds, clouds, dust!  Ok.  Maybe dust is a bit of a stretch, ha ha!

On Sunday, I went to a card class that a friend teaches (the crazy talented Sharon) teaches.  At that class, she showed us a neat trick to customize background paper.  The trick is to cut strips of paper (about 1") and adhere them diagonally to a piece of paper using a spacer in between.  Then, all you have to do is trim the edges.  For this card, I used the Amy Tangerine's sketchbook paper and the Blossom Soup Unity Stamp set.  Love the effect.

I love the color on that butterfly.  It was fun coloring in all those teenzy flowers.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Easy, cute cards

Submitted to the Paper Girls Challenge Blog - Challenge #18

The Paper Girls challenged us to create a project based on this picture.  What a fun picture, all full of circles and orange, pink and yellow.  I loved the soft colors.  Just yesterday, I received a fantastic package of blog candy from Julie O. She sent a EP 6x6 polka dot stripes pad along with ribbons, brads and all sorts of other goodies. I couldn't wait to play!  I used the EP paper to make the cards below (that I'll be sending off to OWH).

 

The flower/sentiment is cut from a nestabilities.  I also cut the same size in pink and orange and then cut them in half to layer them out to give the sentiment some dimension.  Fun, simple easy cards - so soft (like the picture!).

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Silly Fun

Submitted to Scrapbook Steals - Midweek Mojo - Coral 4

My LO is based on this sketch:

A few months ago, Erik and I were at the Apple Store waiting for the technician and started playing with photo distortion software and a web cam.  Pretty soon, we were laughing so hard that most people in the store turned to stare at us.  I snapped a picture of the computer screen to keep the memory.  I knew I wanted a colorful, crazy lay-out to scrap this pic....  Well, that's what I got!

All of the paper is from my stash - most of it I've had for years.....  Ha ha ha, I'm laughing all over again!  What silly fun!!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Halloween Coloring Card

Submitted to Timeless Twine - October Spook-tacular Challenge

Timeless Twine (don't ya love this stuff??!) has challenged us to create a halloween project using green, orange and purple.  I pulled out this lovely digi-stamp from Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties and my Copic markers.  The paper is from EP Chillingsworth Manor.  I love how the black twine frames the picture!  I colored the white bitty blossom to make it orange.... 

And of course, bling... :-)

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Flower by Unity

Submitted to Chick Challenges - Sketch #46

I used this sketch for inspiration:

 

And some paper, ribbon and rub-on from my stash to create this window card based on the sketch.

And, of course, added a little bling at the bottom and a brad for the center of the card.  Easy, pretty and colorful card!  The stamp is in the Unity Now and Always collection.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Gimme Something Good to Eat

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's Challenge #35 - Gimme Something Good to Eat

Design Team Member Julie asked us to make something that we would give as a gift - box, tag, card holder , etc -- using your favorite color of candy somewhere on the project.

I bought a little bucket from the dollar bin at Target.  I decided to make a pen cup, but I'll probably keep it for my desk at work!  The color of candy is the yellow and blue from M&Ms.

All of the products used to make this pen cup were purchased from Crop Chocolate (except the bucket itself, of course)!  The paper is in the Authentique Genuine Collection and the trims are Making Memories Passport.  The leaves are a scrap, but I don't remember which line it came from.

 I'm so pleased with the way that this turned out!!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

New Nestability

Submitted to Scrapbook Steals - Monday Card Madness #105

This card is based on the sketch to the right. I've just received a new Nestability die - Botanical Swirls.  I thought it was a perfect opportunity to try it out.  It's not the easiest die to work with!  The swirls and the purple are papers from Basic Grey Kioshi.  I glimmer misted the bow and the flower. 

Turned out pretty cute though, don't ya think?

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Sugarland Concert

Submitted to Scrapbook Steals MidWeek Mojo - Coral 3

My youngest son and I went to a Sugarland concert last year at Raley Field in Sacramento.  I came home from a fantastic-ly fun night with my boy with only three pictures, and all of them were bad.  Originally, I was going to skip scrapping this event, but then this same son told me he would be joining the Army.  I'm feeling like a sappy mom.  For this week's mid-week mojo, I pulled out the bad pictures and decided to go ahead and scrapbook this awesome fun evening. 

The Coral 3 sketch is off to the right.  I took some artistic license on my interpretation of this detailed sketch.  I used the Autumn Basic Grey as it is brightly colored and fun....hoping to hide the bad pictures a little :-) 

All in all, I'm glad I pulled out these pictures.  It was a great time watching a great show with my son!

He looks just like me, huh?  The picture(s) on the right are one picture cut in half.  The top is the stage (can you see Sugarland there??!  ha ha!).  The bottom is the I Street bridge in Sac.  It's beautiful at night.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Candy Winner

Winner, winner - chicken dinner!

The random number generator picked out #4 comment for the winner of the blog candy.  The winner, winner is:

Jeannie Walsh

Karen - I've said a prayer expressing my thankfulness for your sons (and others) service and asking that he not only be protected during his time of service, but also that his experiences end up benefiting him and through his actions, others, in years to come. Hugs - Jeannie (blue on CC)

I want to thank everyone who commented.  Please know that each and every one of your comments and prayers of support touched me deeply.

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Brittany's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Brittany's Challenge

Brittany challenged us to use our scraps.  I love using up scraps for cards, so this is a perfect challenge!!

The paper I used is CC EP Winter Park and Bazzill Cardstock.  Non-CC is the glimmer paper and the swirl embosser pads.

I've had the CTMH reindeer stamp forever and ever.  I love how he looks against the blue and swirly background! 

Thanks to Brittany and the rest of the CC DT for their efforts on behalf of Operation Write Home!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Julie's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Julie's Challenge

 Julie challenged us to make a card based on this sketch!

I used the EP Country Drive paper and kraft (white) cardstock.  The butterfly is kraft paper covered with five different washi tapes.  I cut it out from Nestabilities!  The paper is all CC, excep the red frame.  The washi tape is also not CC (hint hint:  CC, get some washi!!)





And here's the card!

I love how this turned out!  Thanks to Julie and the rest of the CC DT for their efforts on behalf of Operation Write Home!!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Nina's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Nina's Challenge

Nina challenged us to use up a collection. A bunch of cards I've made for this blog hop were from the Echo Park Country Drive collection, so I used up the rest of the package on these cards!  It's a good thing I bought two packs, huh?!  The only thing non-cc is the Summer Distress inks by TH.  I love my bird punch.  Here's a close up of one card:

I made four cards for Nina's challenge!

Thank you, Nina, and all of the CC DT for their efforts on behalf of Operation Write Home!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Amber's Challenge

Submitted to:  Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Amber's Challenge

 Amber challenged us to make cards based on this sketch.

I used the Very Merry Christmas collection from Echo Park.  The cardstock is also from Crop Chocolate.  The only thing that isn't is the gold foil paper that I've had in my stash forever.  I made three cards for Amber's challenge:

 Here's a close-up of one.  I love the mixture of patterns!

Very special thanks to Amber and the rest of the CC DT for their efforts on the Operation Write Home blog hop!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Brenna's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Brenna's Challenge

Brenna challenged us to make subtly dimensional cards that are visually and tactile-y interesting, without being lumpy or difficult to ship. Love this challenge!

I used scraps from other CC OWH challenges to punch circles and glued them randomly to white cardstock from CC.  I added some celery ribbon (love this stuff!!) and a sentiment.  I ran it through Tim Holtz embossing folders to add the subtle dimension.  All of the products are from Crop Chocolate!

I made a second card using this technique for the Crop Chocolate weekly challenge, but this time I cut a Christmas tree from EP Very Merry Christmas collection....  This time, I embossed with a winter embossing pad from CC and added some twine.

Very special thanks to Brenna and the rest of the CC DT for their efforts on the Operation Write Home blog hop!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Miwa's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Miwa's Challenge

Miwa challenged us to use our scraps.  The scraps I used were left-overs from Jenni's challenge, so everything but the ribbon is from CC.  I loosely based my card on Miwa's sketch:

This collage shows the two cards I made, and my pile of scraps.  (yeesh, what a mess!!!)

 Heartfelt thanks to Miwa and the rest of the CC DT for putting together this blog hop to inspire people to make cards for Operation Write Home!!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Jenni's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Jenni's Challenge

Jenni has challenged us to create a card with a stamp and a punch.  Fun!  I used my cupcake punch and a CTMH birthday present stamp that I've had for years.  Other products used: 

CC:  Paper from grab bags.  The greenish back-ground paper is EP Holly Jolly Christmas, but I forgot to write down the name of the other one!  Oops.  The craft cardstock is also from CC.  (Amber:  I need more of this!!!) Non cc:  the cherry on top!

A special thanks to Jenni and the rest of the CC DT for the time that they put into Operation Write Home! 

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Michele's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Michele's Challenge

 Michele challenged us to make cards based on this sketch.....

I made four cards for Michele's challenge using....

CC Products:
EP Country Drive
Bazzill Cardstock
Celery Ribbon

Non-CC
Bling
Unity Stamp
Washi Tape

Here's a close-up of the card.

And here is a picture of the four cards I made.

Special thanks to Michele and the rest of the CC DT for their time to promote Operation Write Home!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Chris's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Chris's Challenge

Chris has challenged us to create a card with an unusual fold. I scraplifted one of her folds and then made it my own.  I made two of these cards to send off to OWH!

CC Products:
Paper is from Grab Bags - FP Baby Mine and Victoria Gardens Sunshine
Bitty Blossoms

Non-CC
Gem on flowers
Unity Stamp

Here is one of the two cards open....

And then closed (well, mostly closed!)

A big thank you to Chris and the other CC DT for their time for Operation Write Home!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH Blog Hop - Kathy's Challenge

Submitted to Crop Chocolate's OWH Blog Hop - Kathy's Challenge

Kathy's OWH challenge was to use two colors (not including black and white) and to add some bling.  I made four cards for this challenge using a Unity Stamp (from their stamp-of-the-week club). 

CC Products:
EP Country Drive Paper
Bazzill cardstock
Brads from Hot Chocolates

Non-CC
Smile and Pink ribbon
Pink Ribbon
TH Summer Distress
White glimmer paper
Nestabilities and emboss folders (I used four styles; which do you like best?!)

And here's a close-up of one of the cards!

Special thanks to Kathy and the rest of the Crop Chocolate Design Team for dedicating their time and energy to support Operation Write Home!!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

OWH World Cardmaking Day Blog Hop

What a great cause!  God bless all of our heros, their families, and their friends.  My card is based on this sketch and, of course, has a wintry theme!  You have to turn the sketch sideways in your head.  (Most of them are that way naturally for me!!)

Be sure to check out the next post in my blog for my special story and some candy. 

Return to the blog hop at: http://operationwritehome.org/starsandstamps

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Blog Candy for OWH!

I signed up a month or more ago to participate Operation Write Home World Cardmaking Day blog hop on October 6, 2012.  I think this particular charity is very special......but in the last week or so, it has become more so.  My baby (he's 18!) has decided to enlist in active duty in the United States Army. While we haven't gotten all of the final paperwork through, we estimate that he will go to basic sometime in January.  I am incredibly proud of my son. (Trying very hard to be a big girl and not cry here!!)

Because of this, this particular blog-hop has become particularly poignant for me.  In honor of my hero, I am asking you to leave a comment either here or on the post above. For each comment (up to 50), I will send $1 with my cards when I send my batch off to OWH to help them with their costs.  To doubly encourage you to leave a comment, I am giving away this blog candy with all sorts of stamps, tools, and other goodies!

If you want to follow me, that'd be lovely.  Please be sure to leave me an email address or a blog or some other way to get ahold of you.  I will draw a winner on 10/8/12 - just after 8 a.m. California time.

Craftily yours,

Karen (mom of a soon-to-be real life hero)