color challenge #7

Alright, so I found some time to stamp a quick card after the kids went to bed. I wanted to do Kristina Werner's color challenge again this week and I'm glad I did because her color choice rocks! This week is very vanilla, soft sky, chocolate chip, and close to cocoa - very cool and fun and the bedding in this picture is fabulous. Too bad good bedding is so stinkin' expensive.

I used a stampin' around wheel for this card and then added some bling for a little excitement - love the wheels! The card size is 4-1/4 square, that way it will fit in the standard A2 envelope. No need to make extra expenses, eh? Question for you... does anyone know how to get a better stamped image with the wheels with darker colors? The close to cocoa seems so faded here. Let me know if you have a fab idea.

Alright, time to get back to organizing the stamping space. It's a little out of control since I got new furniture and haven't really put things away completely. Have a good night everyone - see you back soon. Thanks for stopping by!

~Karen

a visit to the farm

Hello and happy Wednesday - today I don't have any cards or spectacular projects to show you, heh, but we had a fantastic fieldtrip to the Farm with Avery's preschool this afternoon. Andrew was saying Hi to all the animals and I actually got him in action saying hi to the horse. And since it was Avery's trip you'd think her mother would get her in a picture or two, but she didn't get in a single picture! What is up with her mother?! I tried, but it was like trying to take a picture of Dash from the Incredibles. She's over here, over there, running over this way.... Needless to say, she is not in any pictures where you can see her whole face.









These pictures are from the park afterwards and if you notice in the picture of Katie, I didn't really look to see what was in my background - every picture of her has a dirty diaper on the step of the stroller - good grief!










I'll be back soon with another card - thanks for stopping by and letting me show off my cuties (or two of them anyway...bad mom...)

~Karen

mom

The color challenge over at splitcoast this week is basic black, purely pomegranate and soft sky - here's the card I came up with. The ribbon flower was really easy to do, but it is about 1/2" thick on the card, so it probably won't be a good one to mail out. Hey, it's a really fun idea for a tag though! Might have to come back to this one and re-work it a bit.

I hope you are enjoying your week - thanks for stopping by!

~Karen

details -
ink: black staz-on
stamps: tall tales alphabet (retired)
paper: soft sky, basic black, soft sky prints dsp
accessories: soft sky & purely pomegranate double stitched grosgrain ribbon, clear button, white thread, 1" circle punch, mini glue dots, stampin dimensionals

i actually used river rock!

Howdy! Yes, I just said howdy - don't know where that came from. Hi! Better. Today I tried out a sketch from Lauren Meader, who has fantastic cards and projects over at her blog. Here's what I came up with - since I had the window sheets out from my last card, I decided to use them again with rub-ons. how fun is that!? The card base is river rock and I don't think I've ever used this color! I like it, but then I try to use it and decide I don't like it. Funny how that is because I really do like this color and just have to get over whatever hiccup I have there.

Thanks for swinging by today - have a great afternoon!

~Karen

Details -

paper: river rock, soft sky, and groovy guava cardstock, groovy guava, river rock prints dsp

accessories: window sheets, love & happiness rub-ons, soft sky double stitched grosgrain ribbon, ice circle brads, stampin dimensionals

weekend sketch challenge

Happy Saturday! Last night was my big night out for my birthday and let me tell you, it was so much fun. Michael took me to the Melting Pot and we ate waaaay too much, but it was worth it. You can't go to the Melting Pot and not have any chocolate, so we pigged out! Then we headed on over to Starbucks to play a couple games of backgammon and chat. It was so nice to have dinner all to ourselves and not have the kids, such a nice break for me. Then to top it all off, Michael gave me gift cards to 4 of the places I love to shop - The Treasure Box (LSS), Starbucks, Kohl's, and Barnes & Noble. I love this man. He told me this morning that he had looked at getting me a Cricut and had major sticker shock when he saw how much they are. That made me laugh.

Alright, on to the card for today. It's the weekend, so this means Beate's sketch challenge. I thought I'd do a new twist on the layers and not actually add layers, but 'underlayers'. Is that a word? It is now... Anyway - I've been wanting to do a window card for a while and thought it would be perfect for my brother-in-law. His birthday is Monday. Another super simple card that looks cool! Okay, well that's what Michael told me after I brought the down for him to write birthday wishes in it. So it's approved! Ha! The designer series paper behind the window is mostly there so my hubby doesn't write into the view of the window, but I like the look it adds to the card too.

I hope you all are having a great weekend - we had snow this morning, so soccer was cancelled. The sun is shining now and so goes spring in Colorado.

Thanks for stopping by today!
~Karen

Details -
stamps: uhhh, none!
paper: wild wasabi, jersey shore dsp
accessories: rue rub-on letters (american crafts), cream soda thickers (american crafts), window sheets, rectangle nestibilities

color challenge #6

I finally have completed a color challenge on time! Kristina Werner has an awesome color challenge and here is the card I actually completed for it last night. I love this combination - so saffron, sahara sand, pumpkin pie, and wild wasabi - and I drew inspiration from the blank canvas of the comforter and then added the color from the pillows. Kristina did mention to leave the wild wasabi to a minimum, so that's what inspired me to add leaves to my flowers. I think it adds a nice touch of dimension.

On another note..... It's my birthday! Surprise! Ha! Nothing big planned for today, just getting together with my bunco group and then tomorrow my hubby has planned something for me - don't know what that is yet, but he's arranged a babysitter for the kiddos, so I'm just excited to be childless for dinner!

Have a wonderful day and I'll see you back soon - thanks for stopping by!
~Karen

Details
stamps: short & sweet
paper: sahara sand, wild wasabi, so saffron prints dsp, jersey shore dsp
ink: pumpkin pie
accessories: orange grosgrain ribbon (american crafts), ek success flower punches, rhinestones (a-muse & heidi swapp)

more fun with the cuttlebug

I'm still working on the bridal shower invitations, but what better way to procrastinate than to make entirely new cards?! Since I already have my Cuttlebug on the desk for the invites, I just whipped up a simple card using the stylized flowers embossing folder and rectangle nestibilities scallop. Done! This one doesn't have a sentiment on it, but I think I'll list it as a Mother's Day card.

I hope you are enjoying your week. See you back soon!

~Karen


Details -
Stamps: priceless
Paper: stampers select white, soft sky
Ink: bayou blue, groovy guava
Accessories: soft sky double stitched grosgrain ribbon, nestibilities scalloped rectangle, stylized flowers embossing folder (cuttlebug), gemstones (the paper studio)

up to my elbows in invites...

Hello! I'm still here - and I've missed posting and doing challenges the end of last week and all weekend! Where does the time go? I'm feverishly working on a big order of bridal shower invitations and it's taking up all my limited stamping time, so I haven't had a chance to make anything new to show. Don't get me wrong though, I'm loving making these invites and I'm so happy to have the order. It's my own fault it's taking a long time because I thought it would be a nice touch to color the images by hand instead of doing a simple stamp. Well, that's all fine and dandy for one sample, but add a bunch of them and whoa! Its good. I love it. At least I'm not heat embossing each one like I did for my Christmas cards - yikes!

This card is a back to basics card really - limited layers and such. I had to do something that was quick and easy and this is what I came up with. The main image is a toss-away from trying out different things for the bridal shower invites, so that was a piece of cake to just add to this card. Loving the embossing folders for the Cuttlebug, although the one I've really had my eye on is sold out everywhere lately. I really would like to get Birds & Swirls, but patience is a virtue, right?

Oh, by the way, I borrowed this card from Taylor to do this card today. Loved her card!

That's it for today - thanks for stopping by and I hope to post again soon!

~Karen



Details: stamps: big on spring; ink: lavender lace, mellow moss (applied with blender pens/reinkers), black staz-on; paper: stampers select - papertrey ink, lavender lace; accessories: rectangle & scallop nestibilities, stylized flowers embossing folder, gemstones - the paper studio, purple ribbon - dashes, dots & checks, flower punch ek success

more afternoon tea

The snow they predicted is here now - I thought maybe it would skip over us because it was actually quite warm this morning, but that was the warmest part of the day. So I have my coffee with *lots* of flavored creamer and I'm just enjoying the quiet of nap time while Avery is at school. Word on the street is the weather will return to the 70's again this weekend, so I can't complain too much here.

Today's card comes from the Wednesday sketch challenge over at Splitcoast. This one was right up my alley! Thought I'd go with one of my current favorite designer series paper - Afternoon Tea. I hope they continue it in the new catty....

I hope you are enjoying your week. Thanks for stopping by today.

~Karen

Details: stamps: live your drem; paper: afternoon tea dsp, chocolate chip, groovy guava, and papertrey ink stampers select white cardstock; accessories: antique copper brads, rectangle nestibilities die cuts, antique copper hodgepodge hardware, chocolate satin ribbon

spring is here!

Hello! The weather has been so nice and with that we've been playing outside a bunch this week - no time to stamp! I feel the need to create though, but these times are precious and there will be a time in the not too distant future when I'll look back and just wish my children would hang out with me. We were outside trying to fly a kite and I just loved the look of wonder on my 2-year-old's face. Wow! Love those moments.

Today I'm posting a name frame I did probably a year ago. I know, everyone has done a name frame, right? It's ok. I just needed to post something, and this was it today.

Tomorrow is supposed to be cold and possibly snowy, so back outside I go today and try to get some pruning done, or maybe just sit in the warmth and read a book. It's just too nice to stay inside. I'll leave that for tomorrow...

Enjoy your day - see you back soon!

~Karen

color challenge indeed!

hmmm. Yeah, I think this one is a challenge for sure! Taylor's color challenge today is tough for me - so many bright colors all in one place; pumpkin pie, tempting turquoise, gable green, and soft sky. I'm sure there is another way to use these colors that isn't so hard on your eyes, but I don't think a little kid will notice, hee! All part of a 'challenge', right?! The sketch is from Beate's weekend sketch challenge #43 - another fun sketch and great with any stamp set I'll tell ya.

Thanks for stopping by today - enjoy your weekend. Ours is filled with soccer games. Busy busy!

~Karen

Details - paper: pumpkin pie, tempting turquoise, gable green, and soft sky cardstock, jersey shore dsp; ink: pumpkin pie, close to cocoa; stamps: polka dot, wild about you; accessories: soft sky double stitched grosgrain ribbon, rectangle scallop nestabilities, corner rounder, stampin dimensionals

inspiration challenge winner

Jen Tapler is the winner of my first inspiration challenge with this beautiful card! Jen is relatively new to stamping and her work is wonderful - go check out her blog Jen Tapler Designs and say hi. Thank you so much for participating, Jen!

~Karen

you make me happy

Don't you just love this fun, simple sketch? Lauren Meader posted it on her blog earlier this week and I've been trying to find some stamping time to make a card with it - today that finally happened! I'm going to be short winded today so I can get the kids ready to go eat. It's Qdoba Wednesday after all! (double points on your Qdoba punch card)

Thanks for stopping by today.

~Karen

Details - stamps: little flowers, polka dot; paper: groovy guava, blue bayou, purely pomegranate, darling doodles dsp; ink: groovy guava, versamark; accessories: scallop punch, 3/4" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, pewter build-a-brad, a perfect day rub-ons, love & happiness rub-ons, groovy guava double stitched grosgrain ribbon, stampin dimensionals

huge sale!!

Michael's is apparently having a huge 40-50% off sale on all things scrapbook/card making. Martha Stewart brand is the only thing I noticed not on sale. Bah humbug! I just got back and picked up some opaque Staz-On for $5.99! That is a steal. Anyway - thought I'd share the good news. Happy shopping.

Don't forget your 40% off coupons too!

very elegant and extremely...

EASY! This one is a very simple card, but it looks so elegant. My etsy store has hit a slump, so I want to make some Mother's Day cards to sell there and this one is my first new addition. I created my own background paper using blush blossom classic ink andwhite craft for the images. The sentiment is typed up on the computer and printed on blush blossom. Each time I use Live Your Dream stamp set, I love it more and more. I would say it's a must have for all you flower lovers out there.

Enjoy your day - thanks for visiting.

~Karen

Details - stamps: live your dream; paper: blush blossom, stampers select white (papertrey, ink); ink: craft white, blush blossom; accessories: white organdy ribbon, aged copper hodgepodge hardware, dimensionals

paging allison #2...

Allison - you are the blog candy winner, yay! Please email your address so I can mail out your fun freebies.

inspiration challenge

Yesterday I received a package for my littlest one, Katie. Inside was this adorable little Janie & Jack sundress along with matching hat and socks from my aunt. I love it! So I've been inspired to make my aunt a special thank you card using this sundress. Here is my challenge to you - to be entered into a raffle, place a link to your 'inspired creation' in the comments and I'll choose a winner through random.org on Friday the 11th. Are you game? Your odds are probably pretty good on winning since my blog is yet to be 'discovered', ha!


If you decide to upload your photo to Splitcoaststampers, use the keyword KICK1 (karen's inspiration challenge, k?) and we can see them all in one place.
Thanks so much for participating - I'll have a sample soon...


Hi again! Here is my sample - can you say bashful blue and night of navy?!! I was inspired by the color and flowers, so I went with that. The scallop square is from the large rectangle Nestabilities die and I just printed the 'thanks a bunch' on the computer using AL Serenade font from 2 peas in a bucket.

SCS submissions (please don't let my photo be all alone by herself...)

Have a great weekend!

~Karen

Details - paper: bashful blue, whisper white, night of navy; ink: bashful blue, white craft; stamps: friendship blooms, little flowers, seeing spots; accessories: nestability die cuts, flower punches (ek success), white taffeta ribbon, ice rhinestone brads

as simple as black & white

I know, more rub-ons! Have you ever just been on a kick and can't seem to get off of it? I feel like George Jetson - "Get me off this crazy thing!!", but I don't actually mean it, ha!

Ever since I got my free pack of Love & Happiness rub-ons I wanted to try using the white on black cardstock. Love it! So here is another 3 minute card. It took me longer to photograph and edit it than it did to make the card start to finish. I wish I could figure out a way to stamp white images on dark cardstock. Has anyone had success with this? If so, please leave a comment - I'm open to suggestions. Has anyone used the white Staz-On? I know I could use white detail embossing powder too, but I seem to always get those little extra 'dots' that sneak their way onto other parts of the cardstock. Alright, enough rambling! Have a wonderful day!



Details - paper: black textured; accessories: soft sky double stitched grosgrain ribbon, love & happiness rub-ons

american crafts contest

It's a very *exciting* day for me - I actually entered a scrapbook page contest at my local scrapbook store. The premise was you could do a baby page or an American Crafts page, so I chose the latter. Granted, I have a ton of baby pages to do, but I remembered this sweet picture of Avery and her cousin AJ and really wanted to use it. Plus, I was floored when I saw this paper that matched both of their sweaters! It's meant to be. Avery and AJ are only 4 months apart in age and he and his family moved in next door about a year ago. It's been so much fun having them so close and the 2 kids have really bonded. They'll be in the same grade at the same school, so it is kind of like they are twins! I'm sure they'll be asked that quite a bit. They might play up that angle too - ha! I'm not sure if this page will win me any prizes, but I love how it turned out and will be proud to at least display it at the store during April. I might have to vote for it more than once, bwahahahaha! I haven't peeked at the other entries yet, so I have no idea how mine stands up, but we shall see. I have a friend that entered as well, so we're going to peek at all the entries soon. I may have to enter in each catagory each month just so I get myself motivated to crop! I'm only, let's see.... yeah - 4 years behind. I did Avery's first year and then stopped (something about a stamping habbit).

Thanks for stopping by!



Details - all items American Crafts unless otherwise noted paper: a la mode-strudel, a la mode-irish cream, play-ringtoss, vellum cardstock (stampin' up!); accessories: thickers (foam letters)-cream soda & rootbeer float, mini marks-ned jr rub-on letters, fun house ribbon, antique brass brads (stampin' up!). font is CK Marissa

and the winner is...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers: 5

random.org picked #5, so a big congratulations to Allison #2! Allison, please email me your address and I'll get your new fun freebies to you.

Thanks to you all for leaving your comments - you made my day! I had this fear that I would have to leave myself a bunch of comments, ha!

So many circles! This card layout comes from the April issue of Stampin' Success (a demonstrator's magazine from Stampin' Up!). Love this simple layout and it's fun at the same time. I scalloped the edge of the card to let a strip of patterned paper peek through, but you can't really see it when the card is sitting on the table. Here's more of what it looks like flat...

I got the idea for using the 5-petal punch over the 1-3/8 circle from the spring-summer collection catalog on page 163. I love how it looks on the square better though, maybe because it's bigger? Super simple, fun card that you can duplicate to fit any occasion and stock up on your cards.

Thanks for stopping by today!


Details - stamps: it's your birthday; ink: blue bayou; paper: soft sky, groovy guava textured, rose red/blue bayou/groovy guava prints dsp; accessories: 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-3/8" circle punches, 5-petal punch, corner rounder, clear buttons and white thread