Merry Christmas wish from a Beauty

Hi Dreamers,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

This card is made with a gorgeous stamp from the Marilyn Monroe Full Sheet by The Stampsmith. 

Marilyn is stamped on glossy white CS with black dye ink.  The DP is all from My Mind's Eye.  The ribbon is by May Arts.

The sentiment on the inside was computer generated by me.   I am, of course, referring to Marilyn and not myself.  LOL.

See you in a few days!!  Enjoy the Holidays!!

Love ya.

Karen

Marilyn and Santa Card in Brown

Hi Dreamers!
I have two more Christmas cards to share with you!  One today and the last one for tomorrow.  This card was made for the Stampsmith Design Team Christmas card swap.  I made this same card in reds and you can see that one here.  The gorgeous Marilyn stamp is from The Stampsmith. 

Marilyn is stamped in Black dye ink on Glossy White CS.  The DP is all from My Mind's Eye.

This cute sentiment is from Printworks.  I used a little Vintage Photo Distress ink on the label.

Wishing you a  Happy Holiday!!  Love ya.

Karen

Embossed Flowers on Painted Background

Hi Dreamers!
Only a few days until Christmas.  I think I will be baking cookies tomorrow.  I have to make a list and head over to grocery store and pick up the baking items.  And, I need a few last minute gifts too.  Hope I can get it all done!  Well, today's post is very un-Christmasey.  I made a floral card with a painted background.  I used stamps from Blockheads Paper Arts.

Materials List:

Stamps: Flower Garden and Verses- Special Delivery both from Blockheads Stamps

Inks:

Cinnamon Versa Color Pigment 

Royal Satin Kaleidacolor Pad

Various Spray inks

Pine Needles Distress Marker

Orange Embossing Powder

Blank Canvas (White) Studio Paint

Cardstock: White, Peach and light pink

3D Zots

Instructions:

• Make a card base from light pink CS
• On the peach CS paint on the Blank Canvas paint in broad strokes and let dry
• Spray the same piece with gold, red, and peach spray inks and let dry
• Stamp the large Calendula flower with pigment ink and heat emboss with orange powder
• Color the leaves with Pine Needles Marker
• Sponge ink from the Royal Satin pad on the edges and arond the leaves
• Add to card front

• Stamp the image again on White CS with the Royal Satin Kaleidacolor pad
• Cut out three flowers
• Ink edges with the Royal Satin pad
• Add to card front with 3D Zots
• Add three Rhinestones

• On the inside stamp a sentiment and the flowers with the Royal Satin Pad.

Challenges for my Warm and Sunny floral card:
365 Cards: color scheme
Sweet Stampin: seeing double
Crafts 4 Eternity: anything goes
Craft room door: anything goes
Lady Anne's: anything goes


Now we have a nice card for a special someone.  This would be great for a thank you card too.  And , will help us think of warmer days.  We have a light dusting of snow now and I wanted to make something warm and sunny.

See you tomorrow with a Christmas card.  Have a great day.  Love ya. Have to run and get busy on that shopping list.
Karen

Wishing You Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Hi Dreamers!

Welcome to my new followers!!  I am so pleased to have you stopping by.  And, as always, a big hello to my followers and friends!  Today, I thought you might like to see the card we made at Card Ministry.  This is a group that gets together at a local church and make cards for shut-ins.  We made forty of this card.  I decided to omit the ribbon to make them easier to mail. 

This angel is from a retired Stampin' Up set.  I stamped the angel with Rich Razzleberry ink and colored it with Chalk Pencils.

A light distressing was done on the background  by sponging on some Vintage Photo ink.  The inside was stamped with some nice sentiments.

A few fun challenges for my Angel card
For Fun Challenge: Christian Christmas card
Simon Says Stamp: Christmas
Word Art Wednesday: uplifting sentiments
Do you Stack up: anything goes
Aud Sentiments: any sentiment
Stampin' for the weekend: anything goes

I am almost ready for Christmas.  I spent most of the day yesterday making Cake Pops.  I will give the Cake Pops are gifts to my neighbors  staff at my Chiropractor's office, and still have some to take to my brother's on Christmas day.  Still have a few gifts to pick up.  Hopefully today or tomorrow I will be all ready.  I hope you are having a great day and still have time to do a bit of crafting!  Love you.
Karen

WOYWW 185 ---Making Christmas Cards--Of course

Hi Dreamers!
And happy Wednesday!!  Time for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday with Julia on her blog the Stamping Ground.  Julia hosts a peek at workdesks all over the world each week.  My work table is covered with some Design Team projects for the month of December.

The stamps are all from The Stampsmith.  Two of the cards went out for swaps.  Getting closer and closer to  Christmas.  I am almost done with my shopping.  I did mega shopping the last two days and got just about everything.  I am doing mostly gift cards this year.  It really is okay!!  People love to get gift cards.  Hope you have a great WOYWW!!!  And, happy Holidays!!!
Karen

Ideas Quote on Sea Green Card

Hi Dreamers!
Happy Tuesday!  What, Tuesday is not a day to celebrate !!  Sure it is!  We should celebrate everyday as a precious gift.  So, Happy Tuesday.  And on this lovely day, I have a pretty sea green colored card to share with you.  I made the background for this card using my new mono printing Plate from Blockheads Paper Arts.  This is really a fun new toy!  I made a stack of background pieces and used one of them on this card.

Materials List:

Stamps: Idea Quote and Grunge It Up from Blockheads Stamps

Inks:

Coffee Archival Ranger

Black Soot Distress Ink

mono printing Plate

Brayer

Mini Damask Crafters Workshop Template

Acrylic Paints

Cardstock: sea green, dark brown, and white

Ribbon

Spellbinders die

Rhinestones

Instructions:

• Make the background using the mono printing Plate.  Here is a video with some tips
• Use the Damask Template on the Gelli Plate
• When paint is dry, trim the background

• Stamp the floral stamp on the background with Coffee ink.
• Layer with brown CS on a sea green card base.
• Stamp the sentiment with Black soot ink
• Cut with die and layer with brown CS
• Add Ribbon and Rhinestones

• On the inside, add a strip of the background 
• Stamp the floral image

Some super fun Challenges:
365 Cards: tone on tone background
Artistic Inspirations Crafts: anything goes
Paper Take Weekly: pick of the year  ---my pick is July 24-Make your own--I made my own background paper
Tuesday Taggers: Lucky dip pick four---ribbon, sentiment, distressing, die cut
Simon Says stamp: Favorite--making my own backgrounds

Some tips on using the mono printing plate: make sure that you don't apply the paint too thickly.  I achieved the best results with two layers.  Have fun, this is a great addition to my craft tools.  Hope you have a great day!  Love ya.
Karen

Coffee Gal Cup of Cheer with The Stampsmith

Hi Dreamers,
Hope you had a great weekend!  Ready for a bit of Christmas inspiration??!!  Today, I have a fun card that I made with one of my favorite stamps--Coffee Gal from The Stampsmith.

I stamped Coffee Gal on glossy white CS with black dye ink.  I cut a frame from red paper and gave it a coat of Crackle paint.

The card base is made from rusty red CS ans layered with flocked Christmas DP from Me and My big Ideas.  I added a bright ribbon.

The sentiments are from Mark's Finest/Heinrich stamps.  

I just love Coffee Gal.  I have used this stamp on everything from Christmas to birthday cards.   The current Stampsmith Challenge is currently running.   The theme for this month is Handmade Holiday.  Check it out.  There is a great prize involved too!!

A few Fun Challenges For my Coffee Gal:
Sunny Cards: Holiday Greetings
the Stamping Shack: Let the Holidays begin
365 Cards: hot and cold
Stamp Your Life: anything goes
Love to Create: Winter fun
Victorine Stamps: non traditional Christmas


Well, better get going and get some things done today.  Have a great Monday.  Love ya.
Karen

Christmas Morning Wall Hanging with Character Construction

Hi Dreamers!
A bit of Christmas spirit in Dreamland today.  I made a small wall hanging project with The Vintage Christmas sets from Character Construction.  I wanted to make a scene with trees and then I started thinking about a snowy morning....and then, that children would want to get out and play with the new sled.  And, that is how this project evolved.

Materials List:

Stamps: Sets #2, #3, and #4 from Vintage Christmas-Character Construction

Inks: 

Distress Inks-Forest Moss, Black Soot, Frayed Burlap

Versa Magic Chalk - Jumbo Jan, Pink Petunia, Aspen Mist

Cardstock: White and Brown

DP: holiday from My Mind's Eye

Stickles

Corragated Cardboard

Wide Wired Ribbon

Gems

a Twig

• I used white CS and made a watercolored background for the base.  The trees are stamped in Forest Moss ink, the sledders and sentiment in Black Soot.
• Distress the stamped piece with Frayed Burlap
• Layer with Brown CS

• Tear the top layer off the cardboard.
• Distress the cardboard with the chalk inks
• Glue the DP to the cardboard.
• Add the stamped piece with dimensional adhesive

• Add the gems
• Add two ribbon loops to the back of cardboard for hanging
• Add a big bow.
• Add Stickles to trees
• Hang on wall

Challenges for my Christmas Morning Wall Hanging

Simon Says Stamp: favorite--Watercolored backgrounds

Allsorts: Oh Christmas Tree

Mark's Finest: snow

Christmas blog: Christmas tree

365 Cards: rough and smooth
One Stop Craft: distressed Christmas
Reasonable Ribbon: Christmas + ribbon
Craft a Scene: Winter scene

Isn't this a fun project.  I have it on the wall near my fireplace.  Love the vintage feel to the stamps and they work so well with the cardboard and rustic DP.   Hope your weekend is going well.  Love ya.

Karen

Holly Christmas Card

Hi Dreamers!
Happy Saturday!  Switching back to Christmas today with a card and decorated envelope made with Blockhead Stamps.

Envelope close up

Materials List:

Stamps: An Illustrated Christmas from Blockheads Stamps

Inks:

Tuxedo Black Memento

Tumbled Glass and Shabby Shutters Distress Ink - Ranger

Copic Markers: YG91, YG63, R35

Cardstock: Solar White Neenah, cherry red, and black

Ribbon

Epoxy Sticker

Instructions:

• Make a card base with the cherry red cardstock.
• On the Solar White CS stamp one of the holly images with Tuxedo Black ink.
• Stamp again on a scrap of paper and cut out.  This will be used as a mask.
• Cover the first image with the mask
• Repeatedly stamp the holly image to cover the white CS.
• Color the main image with Copic Markers

• Distress the stamped piece with Shabby Shutters Distress ink.
• Layer with black CS and add to card base.

• Add a Holiday Epoxy sticker
• Tie a bow in ribbon and glue to card

Some fun Challenges for my Holly Card:

Card Makin Mamas: Holiday

Fat Pages with Attitude: Anything goes

Simon Says Stamp: favorite...I used a favorite Tech: masking

Do you Stack Up: Christmas

Crafty Hazel Nuts: Christmas

Card Crafters Circle: red white and green
Crafts and Me: no blues
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop:Christmas

Hope you have a great weekend!  Love ya

Karen

Girly Birthday Card with Dress Form

Hi Dreamers!
A non Christmas post today!  I have been feeling like I have been neglecting my gorgeous decorative papers.    This girly Birthday card is primarily DP with just a tiny amount of stamping.  I made this card for the Flourishes blog hop Challenge.  The challenge was to hop around to all the blogs and collect the eight elements for the challenge project.  You can see all eight elements in my card.

The dress form and aqua DP is from Webster's pages; the floral and red from MME.  I stamped on the DP with small background stamps from the Flourishes stamp set called Alleluia Angel.

I stamped the same small  images on the tag and distressed it with Tumbled Glass Distress ink.   The sentiment is from Blue Ridge Impressions.

I added a sheer blue ribbon and pink paper flowers.

I repeated the papers and stamping on the inside and added a nice sentiment from Blue Ridge Impressions.

I will put this in my card box and send  it for someone's birthday.    Tomorrow, I am hoping to get started on my Christmas shopping.  But, I will be back here on Saturday with a Christmas Holly card.  See you then!!  Love ya.
Karen

Wedding Couple in Lavender

Hi Dreamers!
Finally getting a chance to post!  Yesterday and today, I have been busy running around to the dentist, visiting my parents, grocery shopping, post office.....  But, here I am, with a few minutes left in the day to post this wedding card.  I made this for my BF's son and his new wife.  I choose to use their wedding colors for the card--lavender, gray, and white.

• Start with a harlequin background made with the Crafter's Workshop Template Mini Harlequin and spray inks.  
• Once the background was dry, I stamped a large script stamp from Hero Arts -Wedding Word Print - over the background.
• Wrap lace and tulle around the background.

• Stamp the Couple-Wedding Collage Sweet N Sassy Stamp.  
• Distress the edges with Pretty Petunia Versa Magic Chalk ink

• Add ribbon and peals
• On the inside is stamped this pretty sentiment that is also in the SNS stamp set.

I used Becky's pretty Sketch for my layout. 

Other Inspiring Challenges:
Word Art Wednesday: up lifting phrase
Simon Says Stamp: favorite---I love making background with the Crafters Workshop templates.
Craft door magazine: anything goes #48

I sent out 52 Christmas cards yesterday!   Now I have to start doing some Christmas shopping.  Well, perhaps I can get started this weekend.  Hope you are having a great week!  Love ya.
Karen

Mini Note Card Set with Blockheads Stamps

Hi Dreamers,
As promised, I am changing things up a bit today with a non-Christmas project.  But, you could make a few sets of  mini cards to give as  gifts.....Or to use as gift tags.    I used stamps from Blockhead Paper Arts to make my mini note cards and choose  feminine images and colors.

Materials List:

Stamps: Vintage Travel Set

Inks: Watermelon and Shell Pink Adirondack - Ranger

Cardstock: white, cream, and pale pink

The cards are quite small -- approximately 2 1/2 " square,  and 2 1/2 x 3 1/2" -- and go together very quickly.  I made card bases with the CS and stamped with the Watermelon ink.  I did some shadow stamping on some of the cards with the Shell Pink ink.

2 1/2 " square

2 3/4" square

These would also be nice as gift tags.  Punch a hole in the upper left 

corner and thread a ribbon through.   

A few fun Challenges for my Mini Note cards

Pretty Pink Posh 10 minute challenge: add red
Moving along with the times: CAS
Crafty Bloggers Network: anything goes

I will be back on Wednesday with a pretty wedding card.
See you then!!  Love ya.
Karen

We Wish You A Merry Christmas with The Stampsmith

Hi Dreamers!
Hope you had a great weekend!  Guess What??  I addressed my Christmas Cards and have them ready to go out!  I will have to do a few more, of course.  I always think of a few more people I want to send to.

Funny Story about addressing cards: I had three cards in the envelopes all addressed and sealed up when I realized I had not written anything in the inside!!  Not even signed my name!!  Duh!!!  LOL.  Well, I am glad I caught it after wrecking only three envelopes.  Of course they were larger sized more expensive ones!!  Oh, boy!  I need a vacation!  Do you have a funny story?? I promise to laugh with you not at you!

Today, I have another Christmas card idea for you today.  This photo stamp is called "Banjo Singers" and is from The Stampsmith

The Banjo Singers are stamped on Glossy White CS with black dye ink layered onto black CS.  A strip of piping (form my sewing stuff) and ribbon are glued to the under side.  I wanted the colors to peek out from the edge.

The decorative paper has the lyrics to "we wish you a  Merry Christmas" and is from My Mind's Eye.  I added a printed ribbon and some glitter balls for a touch of red.

This was a really fun card to make.  The photo stamps pair so well with a piece of beautiful decorative paper.   And, results in a lovely one of a kind Holiday card that goes together quickly.  I love challenging myself to use non-holiday stamps to make holiday cards.  Makes your stamp dollars go a lot further too.

I hope you are not getting tired of Christmas cards.  LOL.
Tomorrow I will change it up with a set of mini note cards--not Christmas.  I also have  a wedding card to post on Wednesday.  So, a few non holiday projects for you.  See you then!  Love ya.
Karen