Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Clear It Out - Should I Eat It?

Today is the THIRD week of inspiration at the Clear It Out challenge blog.  Our fabulous leader, Laura, is on vacation though this week, so we have a couple SPECIAL surprises.  First, usually our challenges only last two weeks.  For this one, you can have THREE weeks!  Seriously, more time is good!

Next surprise is EVEN better.  Laura is going to give a $10 gift certificate from one of our fabulous sponsors to someone who comments on a Clear It Out Design Team member's blog!  How cool is that?!?!  And if you win from commenting on my blog, I also win a gift certificate!  So, comment to win!

Our challenge is to use the theme "International (or from your country)" and to use some of that washi tape you've got laying around!

For my card this week, I used red-white and blue (for the U.S.A.!) and this adorable boy digi from Digi Darla called Boy Wonder.  I tried to find a good sentiment for this card, but the only thing that went through my head was that he was adorable.....and I wondered if he is contemplating eating the bumblebee!  ha ha  And then the song starts....  "I'm pickin up the baby bumblebee....and won't my momma be so proud of me..."  Better to leave off the sentiment :)




Be sure to comment on all my team-mates blogs to increase your chances of winning!  You can find the blog links at the Clear It Out Challenge blog!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Monday, July 29, 2013

Christmas Hedgehog with Stripes

As I was blog-surfing, I saw someone's card made with a Christmas hedgehog stamp, and it was SO stinkin' cute.  I just had to pull out my own version and create. Love Christmas creating so much!  What's your favorite season to create for?


I love challenges, so I found a few to submit to.  First, the Paper Girls Challenge blog is to use watercolors.  This hedgehog was painted with my new watercolor paintbrush and Tim Holtz distress inks.

Next, Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday is having a Christmas in July challenge this week.

And last but never least, I'm submitting this card to Friday Mashup.  One of their challenges is to create for Christmas, another is to use stripes.  I mashed it up and did Christmas with stripes!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Christmas Card Challenges - Backgrounds

Today's challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges is to use background stamps.  All of my background stamps are a bit funky in nature, so my friend, Corrie, suggested I use my snowflakes to create a background.  Do that, add some banners and some bling - and a wee bit of twine....and yes!


Be sure to check out the blogs of my fellow Christmas Card Challenges VERY talented design team members:


Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Saturday, July 27, 2013

All That Stickles - Waterfall Linky Party Inspiration

Happy Saturday, blog-ville!

A creation of mine is up on the All That Stickles blog today!  The current linky party asks you to create something using Waterfall Stickles!  This is one (of the very few) colors I didn't have, so I had to buy it for this creation - SO glad I did!  This color of Stickles is GORGEOUS!  The image is from the Mother's Day Unity Stamp of the Week.  Cute cute!  The paper is from one of our fantastic sponsors, Robin's Nest!  Add a little 3 Girl Jam Ribbon - and voila!


Break out your Waterfall Stickles (or get some!) and join us!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Friday, July 26, 2013

Get in Gear!

There She Goes has another great challenge this week - a sketch challenge!  Don't you just love sketches!?  This sketch is simple, but of course, that's the great thing about sketches....they can be interpreted in so many ways.  I decided to do it in a very straight-forward way. 
I pulled out my Get in Gear stampset from There She Goes and some paper from my scrap-pile, and this is what I came up with!  Love her funky style!



Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

FWF - Big Dreams

Happy Friday, Friends with Flair!

I know we all love our Unity Stamps and anything that is designed by the ever-so-fabulous Phyllis Harris.  The stamp set, "Determination," is one of my favorites.  (Yes, I know, I have lots of favorites!  haha)

My son's first birthday away from home is tomorrow.  He'll be 19.  He's a soldier in the United States Army and is deployed in Korea.  I miss him....and decided this stamp totally would be perfect for him.  It won't reach Korea in time, so it'll just say "thinking of you" - and I already sent him a birthday package.  I'll mail it on his birthday, so the post-mark will be the correct day.


It's not a card I would normally give to a grown-up boy, but this particular son gets my need to craft totally; it'll make him smile :)

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Clear It Out - Beach Scene

Today is the second week of inspiration at the Clear It Out challenge blog.  Usually, these challenges only last two weeks, but this one is three, so you have lots of time to enter something!  AND check back next week for a special surprise!

Our challenge is to use the theme "International (or from your country)" and to use some of that washi tape you've got laying around!

For this challenge, I used a really pretty beach scene from one of our sponsors, Dig-Darla Designs - you can find it here.  I stamped a Unity Stamp sentiment on it.  I live in California, and we have some beautiful beaches.  I realize California isn't a country, but it does represent where I'm from!  :)  I used some green-striped washi tape too.




Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Monday, July 22, 2013

Unity's CHA Week

For the Surf, Sun and Stickles Blog Hop - either scroll down or go HERE.  Thanks :)

Fun, fun!  Unity Stamp Company decided to have an online creative party.  They are giving away a new digital stamp by Angie Blom and a sentiment by Joslyn Nielson at their blog - HERE.  I just had to play.  I pulled out my Copics, some Basic Grey Kioshi, UmWow Studios Chipboard confetti, and 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon. Fun!

I'm also submitting this card to 3 Girl Jam - Anything Goes Challenge....  I love their beautiful crinky ribbon!


Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Sunday, July 21, 2013

SWAT - Sketch for Brian

For the Surf, Sun and Stickles Blog Hop - either scroll down or go HERE.  Thanks :)

One of my online besties, Michele, (and a total inspiration for me!) is part of the Scrap Warriors Advanced Training Design Team, and she posted a great lay-out based on their current challenge, a challenge that says we have to use ONLY patterned paper.  Fun!  I've been art journaling for my son who is deployed in Korea in the United States Army.  I am super proud of him, but I also miss him a great deal.  This lay-out showing him swearing into the Army last November will be pasted into his journal.  The small picture is me and him - just before the swearing in.

I'm also posting this to Polly's "Firsts" challenge on Cocoa Creators.  This was definitely my first time watching my son swear into the military!  And it's the first time I've used my Army green splatter ink.  


Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Surf, Sun and Stickles Blog Hop

Welcome to the Surf, Sun, & Stickles Blog Hop brought to you by the All that Stickles design team!



We're in the midst of a heat wave and what better way to cool off then indoors crafting with some Stickles?! This month's hop is all about using Stickles on those fun, summer-themed projects we all love to create. 


When I think of summer (and it's not so hot outside that all I wanna do is craft and stickle), I think of barbecues and swim parties.  I've always wanted a set of wineglass tags, so my friends and I will know which glass is ours.  For my project, I thought - why not make them!?  A Cameo cut, some ribbon, washi tape and some Stickles later...
Stickles used:  Lavender, Firefly, Glam Pink and Yellow!
 And here's a close-up of the Firefly (love, love that color!!)...

 
 We have blog candy for those who are a follower of All that Stickles and leave a comment on every stop of the hop! Winners will be announced Wednesday July 24th at All that Stickles.

Winner's Choice of a Cricut or Cameo cover

$15 Gift Certificate

$6 Voucher

10 Digis of Winner's Choice

5 Digis of Winner's Choice

Your next stop is the super creative and talented Cathy's blog.

Here's the complete lineup:
Chas
Julie
Karen <<-- You are here!
Cathy <<-- Go here next!
Ann

Thanks for hopping! :) Don't forget to check out our Waterfall Linky Party!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Christmas Card Challenges - Snowflakes

Today's challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges is to use a snowflake (or two).  It's so blasted hot here in Northern California that even making a snowflake CARD cooled me down!  Woo hoo!


I used some red snowflake/star paper from a paper pad I've had forever.  I cut the two snowflakes with my Cameo.  The larger one was done with kraft paper, but it was too brown, so I oozed some White Opal Liquid Pearls on it.  I embossed the sentiment.  I really like how it turned out!

Are you making your Christmas cards yet?  Only a few more months!  Better get on it, and when you do, be sure to link up to Christmas Card Challenges!!

Be sure to check out the blogs of my fellow Christmas Card Challenges design team members:



Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Friday, July 19, 2013

Pocket Tag Card

 

Timeless Twine has a fun challenge going on!  Tags and twine!  Love love!  The challenge calls for us to use our fabulous Timeless Twine and bright summery colors along with a tag.  I decided to make a tag shaped card with a tag pocket and a tag that can be used by the recipient as a bookmark!  Tags, tags, tags!  And Timeless Twine, of course!



Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

FWF Classy Lady

My friend, Corrie, put together the Cocoa Creators challenge this week.  She challenged us to use washi.  It's a good thing to remind me to do.  I have oodles of washi and always forget to use it!

I used a sentiment from Unity to make the card, so I'm entering into Friends with Flair.  I found a card similar to this on Pinterest, and I love the washi with the matching ink splatters!  I knew I just had to make one, and I love how this turned out!


Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Ship Shape

There She Goes stamp challenge this week is to use metal.  I had received some nautical brads from a dear friend as a gift, and I decided to break out my Shiver Me Timbers stampset to create this card.  I love that anchor brad - perfect with this ship!  This stamp-set is one of my faves. 


Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

CIO - Moose-A-Licious

Another great challenge is up today at the Clear It Out challenge blog.  Our challenge is to use the theme "International (or from your country)" and to use some of that washi tape you've got laying around!

For this challenge, I used an adorable moose digital stamp from QKR Stampede (you can find it here).  I didn't have a really good sentiment to go with it, so I printed this one out on cardstock.  It cracks me up!  What the heck is a moose-a-licious day anyway?!  I used some red polka-dotted washi tape, and red/white/blue colors (from the U.S.A.!).


Linking this card up to Scrap Warriors Advanced Training - Red/White/Blue Challenge!  (Thanks, Michele!!)

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Sunday, July 14, 2013

One Fine Chick

3 Girl Jam Challenge asked us to make a shaped card with ribbon.  I used their fun crinkly ribbon on this card.  There She Goes Stamps challenged us to use an animal in our creation.  I pulled out Blossom by Blossom and colored up this adorable little gal with her little chickie friends.

Met both challenges.  (I was going to say "killed two birds with one stone" - but somehow that just seems wrong!  LOL)


Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

CCC - Embossing

Today's challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges is to use an embossing technique.  A few weeks ago, I did a button butterfly card using the negative space filled with pink buttons.  I decided to use that technique again to create the tree below.  And, of course, I embossed!  The star at the top is UmWow Studios chipboard decorated up with Liquid Pearls, Stickles and a bling.


Be sure to check out the blogs of my fellow Christmas Card Challenges design team members for more holly, jolly inspiration!



Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Saturday, July 13, 2013

ATS - True Blue Boogers

I love funny cards!  The sentiment on this adorable Bugaboo Digital stamp cracks me up.  Birthdays are like boogers for a LOT of reasons, eh?

The color for the linky party over at All That Stickles is True Blue.  The word "Birthdays" is highlighted with True Blue Stickles.  I also used some Glam Pink on the melted ice cream cone.  The paper used on this card is from another sponsor, Robins Nest!


Be sure to link up to our linky parties for a chance to win some great prizes!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

CIO - Sweet Treats

Today is the mid-challenge inspiration over at the Clear It Out challenge.  Our challenge is to use the theme "Make Someone's Day" and to use something glittery or sparkly from your stash.

For this challenge, I used a digital stamp from The Stamping Chef and made a sweet treats card.  It's been HOT HOT HOT here in Northern California, and I made a card that I'll add an ice cream gift certificate with.  Now, whose day shall I make?


Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Silhouette Challenges CH#3 "Faux Stitching"


It's the first of the month again and time 
for another Challenge over at

A blog dedicated to the Silhouette Cutting Machines.
You MUST use a Silhouette somehow in your project.

Ch# 3 Faux Stitching
Begins: Monday, July 1
Ends: Wednesday, July 31

Sponsors this month are:
Prize: $10.00 GC
Digi Pack (Winner's Choice)

The challenge this month at Silhouette Challenges is to create a project with faux stitching.  I was SO relieved that it wasn't real stitching!  LOL!  I have three kids with birthdays this month (twin stepsons and one biological son).  They will be 19....and want money.  I downloaded everything on this card from the Silhouette Store except the Timeless Twine and UmWow Studios chipboard covered with Liquid Pearls and Stickles (and a bling, of course!).  The patterned paper is from Piggy Tales. The holder perfectly holds a $10 bill.  Wonder if the boys would be happy with $10?  Probably not....




Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

CCC - Stockings

Have I ever told you that I love my Cameo?  Well, I do!  *smiles*

Today's challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges is to use a stocking theme.  Last year, I really wanted BAD the stocking die from Stampin' Up.  I ended up not getting it because Christmas was coming, and that time of year can be so expensive.  When I saw the stocking theme, I thought, "Oh man, I still want that stocking die!"  BUT BUT BUT, I have a cameo now.  Head to the Silhouette store, and problem solved!


The card design and the stocking are both from the Silhouette store. I really love it, and it was so simple to make!

Be sure to check out the blogs of my fellow Christmas Card Challenges design team members:



Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Friday, July 5, 2013

FWF Buttons, Buttons

Happy Friday, Friends with Flair!

This week over at Crop Chocolate, Amber challenged us to use up some of our buttons and make a project with buttons in a shape.  I saw a card similar to this on Pinterest and loved it, so I thought I'd give it a try........


I call it my buttonfly!  I cut the mat using my Cameo and then just popped it up on a pink mat with buttons underneath the image.  The sentiment is, of course, Unity!  I really love how this turned out!

Have a LOVELY weekend!

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

CIO - Make Someone's Day

The challenge at Clear It Out challenge is to use the theme "Make Someone's Day" and to use something glittery or sparkly from your stash.

I decided to make a card for Operation Write Home and use a super cute and funny image from Bugaboo Stamps.  When a soldier sends this card to a friend, it's certain to make their day!  And of course, I had to use some bling for my sparkles!  You can purchase the digi here and/or enter our challenge to see if you can win a gift certificate!  There are oodles of adorable and funny digital stamps at Bugaboo Stamps!



Birthdays are like boogers - for many reasons!  ha ha

Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)

Monday, July 1, 2013

Spark DT: Happier Than a Bird With a French Fry

It's a new Anything Goes Challenge over at Spark Your Creativity Now!  I'm very excited to present my design team project!  When I got this stamp set from Unity Stamp Company, I was so excited about it!  I love, love, love the giggles sentiment with the very serene bird image!

The paper is from Carta Bella So Noted.  The chevron's are chip from UmWow Studios that I blinged up with some liquid pearls and then tied it off with some fun 3 Girl Jam sparkly ribbon!



Craftily yours,

Karen (karey2005)