Friday, June 27, 2014

Top Dog Dies Mini Album


One of the really GREAT things about Top Dog Dies is how easy they make it to create something truly beautiful.   And...something that will last!  Sometimes you want to give more than just a card, but you might not have enough time to create a full scrapbook album.  Well, with Top Dog Dies' many different Album Dies, there is a perfect solution to this problem.  You can whip up a mini album in one short sitting.  Here's how!
As I mentioned, Top Dog Dies carries several different Album Dies in various shapes, which all coordinate together.  I started this particular little album with the lovely Top Dog Dies 5 1/4 Album Pocket Die and I cut three of them out of black card stock.  As you can see, on the front of my album, I cut a beautiful butterfly from the Top Dog Dies Butterfly Die Set which gave it a eye-popping cover.  Then, I simply added some washi tape and a small sentiment.
For the second page, I covered the card stock in washi tape, and then added a smaller butterfly at the bottom using the lovely Top Dog Dies Butterfly Finishers Die Set.  The wings on this small butterfly are movable, so I added Stickles glitter to make the wings sparkle.  I also used the butterfly antennas from this super fun die set.  There is plenty of room on each page for a photo, or some journalling to help you record precious memories.
The third page was made by covering my card stock with a coordinating striped patterned paper, more washi tape, and then (to the left side), I added a gorgeous bundle of branches by cutting the Top Dog Dies Berry Branch Die three times and layering them.  I tied a bow at the bottom using baker's twine.  And again, this still leaves plenty of room for a photo.
As you can see, Top Dog Dies really does make it easy to create a quick and memorable mini album that anyone would cherish.  You can find ALL the lovely dies I used on this mini album in the Top Dog Dies store.  Be sure to check back soon on the Top Dog Dies Blog for more inspiration from the rest of our talented Design Team.

I'm sharing this project here:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges - Simon Says Anything Goes

Blessings!
Karen




Monday, June 23, 2014

Color Challenge at TKJ

Welcome to my blog!  I'm so glad you've stopped by to say hello and to take a peek at my project for this week's challenge at The Kraft Journal.  You will have so much fun with this lovely color palette.  I know I sure did!
For this week's gorgeous Color Challenge, I decided to grab one of the Kraft Outlet's fun Mini Kraft Gable Boxes and decorate it with some layered wool felt flowers.  I used a Papertrey Ink flower die-cut.  In the center of each flower, you will find a little button tied with some shabby country-style Natural Hemp Cord.
These fun Mini Kraft Gable Boxes (along with all the other fun boxes sold at the Kraft Outlet) are great for gift-giving, and they're a great bargain at just $0.70 each!  I tied my box shut with a big fluffy bow made from both the Vintage Winter White and Pink Blush Hand-Stained Bias Tape.  Then, I finished off my project by hanging a sweet little Round Metal-Edged Grungy Prim Hang Tag that I stamped with a Papertrey Ink "warm wishes" sentiment.
Finally, I decided to create a matching card to make the perfect little gift set.  I used a Small Lunch Bag Kraft Note Card, and I simply repeated all the same supplies as listed above.  It's always a super cute idea to make a matching card for your gift box, and the Kraft Outlet makes it SO easy to create gift sets.  You'll find everything you need to make a lovely gift set of your own using products from the Kraft Outlet.  I hope you'll stop by this week to play along in our fun color challenge.  Who knows?  YOU could be the lucky winner of our monthly prize (a $15 gift certificate) and we would LOVE to have you join us.

Sharing these projects here:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - You Gotta Have Friends - This set is for my dear friend's Birthday!

Have a blessed week!
Karen





Monday, June 16, 2014

Going Shabby Chic at TKJ

There are so many fabulous products at The Kraft Outlet, and I get excited every time I get to sit down and crate something new with mine.  For this week's "Shabby Chic"Challenge at The Kraft Journal, Karen decided to make a chalkboard style card.
This is such a fun challenge, right up my alley (so to speak); and the Kraft Outlet has ALL the right supplies to help make your shabby chic, or any other style, card and projects you wish to create an absolute BREEZE!  I simply grabbed a piece of Half-Sized Blackboard Stock Paper and, when folded in half, this becomes a perfect sized card for any of our small mailing envelopes.  This fun blackboard paper is SO on-trend right now, and is SUPER fun to create with.  I simply added a few goodies including a Hodge Podge Magpie Sticker (home), a little chalkboard button tied with old-fashioned Pink Baker's Twine, a little house sticker from Jolee's, and a seam binding bow made from Cameo Beige and Strawberry Shortcake Hand-Stained Bias Tape.
It's hard to see it in the first photo, but I also added a sweet little tab from the Hodge Podge Magpie Stickers that sticks out to the side (super cute how these little accents add something interesting and unexpected to the sides and edges of your projects).  It also gives a place to add a date, etc.  What a great idea for mini albums and scrapbook pages, too!  I really hope you will stop by and play along in our Shabby Chic Challenge this week, and I wish you a VERY blessed week!

I'm sharing my card in the following challenge:

Little Scrap Pieces - Show It Off Saturday Linky Party

Hugs,
Karen

Friday, June 13, 2014

Cute Caddy From Top Dog Dies

It's Friday again, and time for me to share another fun project I made using my awesome Top Dog Dies.  This week, I'm sharing a little caddy I created for gift-giving.  I didn't have a template for this project, so I just got creative and came up with my own little design.  I used several different Top Dog Dies on this project, and I will list them all for you so that you can stop by and pick some up for yourself!
OK...let's get started.  As I mentioned, I "created" my little caddy out of card stock, and attached some sweet My Mind's Eye patterned papers, vintage sheet music, and various vintage trims.  To the front of my caddy, I attached half of the gorgeous Top Dog Dies Bella Doily Die that I cut from vintage sheet music.  Next, I cut the lovely Top Dog Dies Bottles #1 Dies from black card stock.  As you can see, I was able to tuck some "goodies" inside this little caddy- including a perfume, a hand sanitizer, and a matching tag for journalling.
The tag was made from the same sweet My Mind's Eye patterned papers, more of the vintage sheet music, and some other paper scraps as well as lace, jute, and another vintage sheet music cut of the Top Dog Dies Bella Doily Die, and top of that you will see in black...the LOVELY Top Dog Dies Bottles #2 Die Set.
I did this close-up photo so that you can see the lovely little Top Dog Dies Decorative Corners Die which I placed in the corner.  On top of that, I added a music button with some jute, and I cut two of the adorable Top Dog Dies Mini Tags Die Set, again from vintage sheet music.  There are just SO many gorgeous high-quality wafer-thin dies at Top Dog Dies; and you are sure to find just the right cuts for all your crafting needs.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Karen

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Watch Us Wednesday at TKJ

This post today is the Watch Us Wednesday segment for The Kraft Journal, and I'm showcasing our FABULOUS Cotton Drawstring Bags.  These sweet little cotton bags cost just $0.35 each, and are adorable just as they are, or....decorated with various embellishments and supplies from the Kraft Outlet.  I made three bags for today's post, and I will describe each one for you so that you are able to find the supplies I used, and you can purchase some of them at the Kraft Outlet to give these sweet Cotton Drawstring Bags a try for yourself!
They are GREAT for tucking in a gift card, candy, small perfume, or just a little gift to let someone know that you care about them.  For my first bag (below), I used a Tim Holtz Adage Ticket and also made some really cute "flags" using a new technique I came up with, and you will see these "flags" on each of my bags today.  To make them, I started with washi tape (for this first bag, it was the Red & White Polka Dot Washi Tape) and I laid the washi tape onto Vintage Sheet Music which you can see through the washi tape giving it a soft romantic feel.  I also added a small sequin and mini pearl, a kraft tag, and some vintage lace at the top.  I tucked some peppermint sticks inside the bag.
For my second Cotton Drawstring Bag, I used my Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die-cuts to create a shabby chic inked flower that was cut using Vintage Dictionary Pages.  In the center of the flower, I placed an adorable Icon Flatback, and as you can see, I used another sweet vintage lace at the top, and created another one of the "flags" I was talking about.  This time, I used the Pink & White Striped Washi Tape and laid it over Vintage Dictionary Pages.  I really like this look, and I'm sure I will use this technique again and again.
And....for my third, and last, Cotton Drawstring Bag, (below) I added vintage lace and Old Fashioned Red Baker's Twine to the top.  Then, I created my infamous "flags", this time using Tape Measure Washi Tape that was laid over Vintage Sheet Music.  I also made my backdrop out of a Jenni Bowlin Vintage Mini Deck Journalling Card to which I attached a small tab from the Hodge Podge Magpie Stickers.  Next, I added another Tim Holtz Journalling Ticket, some machine stitching, and another one of the adorable little Icon Flatbacks.
Truth be told, I could have sat and decorated these sweet little Cotton Drawstring Bags all day!  They're just SO much fun, SO easy to decorate, and they make such an inexpensive, yet adorable, gift-giving treat.  Who wouldn't LOVE getting a little pick-me-up that came in one of these sweet little bags?  And YOU can make everything you see here.  Just stop by the Kraft Outlet, pick up the items listed, and get busy making your own sweet Cotton Drawstring Bags.  I hope this little Watch Us Wednesday segment has been helpful and inspiring to you.

Thanks for visiting today, and don't forget about the "Just For Him" challenge going on this week at The Kraft Journal Challenge Blog where you can share all those great Father's Day cards you've been making.  We'd LOVE to have you play along with us.

God bless you!
Karen

Pretty in Pinky Peach

Hello, everybody!  Thanks for stopping by again today to say hello, and to take a peek at my scripture card for this week's new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  We have two more AMAZING sponsors this week - Docerela Stamps - giving away a stamp set of choice, and Really Reasonable Ribbons - giving away a $15 gift certificate.  I really hope that you will stop by to play along with us.  You are allowed to link up ANYTHING, as long as it's family friendly and meets the uplifting/encouraging challenge rules.  And, you can share up to FIVE projects per week.
My card for this week was made with some VERY old Chatterbox patterned papers that I've had for SO long.  I machine stitched them, and added some cream lace, seam binding (for the bow), a paper flower, a Martha Stewart border punch, some washi that I got for twenty cents at Target, and some lovely little sequins from V's Sweet Ideas.

I'm sharing this card in the following challenges:

Craftin Desert Divas - Craft It Up Linky Party #33 - Use Your Favorite Color - My favorite color is PINK, and this is a pinky, peachy celebration of color.  I don't own any of Craftin Desert Diva's stamps yet, but.....maybe some day soon!

Again, I'd like to thank you for stopping by.  I'm always delighted to have you visit and leave a comment.  I invite you all to play along in the challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday, and I wish all of God's richest blessings on you.  Thanks again for being SO supportive and kind.  You all mean so much to me.

Hugs,
Karen

Monday, June 9, 2014

Sharing My Heart...and My Art

Hello, friends!  I hope you're all doing well, and having a blessed week.  I've had a full plate lately, and I really don't want to lay it all out there just for sympathy or pity - that's not my style.  I truly do understand that we ALL have stresses on in our lives.  The reasons why I've chosen to share some of these things with you all is because; well, for one...this is my blog where I can vent my feelings, and second....I know that some of you really will pray for these issues, and also finally....I just want to share my heart in the hopes that you will all understand that I'm just like you - stressed out, hanging in there, and trusting God will ALL the details.

As some of you already know, my Dad is slipping away.  It makes things extra difficult because of the fact that I live SO FAR away from him.  The travelling is exhausting and expensive, but I know I have to be there.  On top of that, we just learned that my husband's younger sister, Audra, (and quite honestly, my dearest and closest sister-in-law) who is only 41 years old, has a brain tumor and has already lost her sight.  She has four small children (Tomas 8, Andres 7, Isaias 6, and Audranna 4) who she ADORES.  Her greatest fear is leaving them.  Audra (like my Dad) knows Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, and KNOWS she is on her way to Heaven when she dies.  She is married to the love of her life, and is incredibly happy and blessed.  She's scared - let's be honest.  But we know that the Lord has her in His perfectly capable hands.  We really appreciate any and all prayers for God's grace, which we KNOW is ALWAYS SUFFICIENT, as she goes through all that the future holds for her.

I really haven't had much time for crafting; and when I do, I just don't find the same joy in it lately because my heart is so heavy.  I am really hoping that as I am able to cast ALL my burdens on Him, that He will allow my joy to be made full once again.  I KNOW that He is capable, and I know what I need to do.  It's just hard sometimes.  Let's be honest.....simply KNOWING God's Word doesn't make the difference.  It's putting His Word into action that really brings that true peace which passes understanding.  That's what I am praying I will experience once again.  I appreciate your prayers SO MUCH during this process.

So any way, I finally had a chance to sit down and create something.  I made this first card "just because", and it felt good.  I also have to keep up with my Design Team commitments, and that is proving to be a bit more difficult lately.  But I know that God will continue to lift me up and be INCREASED as I remember to put Him first, and allow my selfish needs to be DECREASED (John 3:30).

The patterned papers for this card (above) are from October Afternoon.  The polka dot die-cut is from Michael's as well as the flower and journalling spot, and I put a rub-on sentiment in the center of the journalling spot.  I added a resin flower to the center of the flower, and placed some cream seam binding on the side.  The edges are machine stitched.
This second card (above) is not my own original idea.  I found this card (or one pretty close to it) on Pinterest, and I really liked it.  It is also made from primarily all October Afternoon products (all the patterned papers and stickers).  I added a silk flower from Jolee's that I bought at Target, and there's a red seam binding bow, some Twinery baker's twine, jute, a Papertrey Ink doily die-cut, and the sentiment stamp (So Sweet of You) is from Paper Sweeties.

I'm sharing my card in the following challenges this week:

Stamp and Create - June Challenge - Thank You Cards - My second card uses the sentiment So Sweet of You, and it's a Thank You card for a friend who did something super sweet for me.  Stamp and Create carries SO MANY lovely products, and one that I used on this card is the My Favorite Things Dainty Doily Die-Cut and you will find LOTS of other great products in their lovely shop!
Litltle Scrap Pieces - Show It Off Saturday Linky Party

Diana M. Larson (DL Art) Challenges - June Linky Party

Docerela Stamps Challenge Blog - Challenge #62 - Anything Goes - I used a stamp, at the bottom of my card, for the sentiment.  I don't have any Docerela stamp sets yet, but I sure hope to have some in the near future!

Craft-Dee Bowz - June Challenge - Anything Goes With Hand-Made Bows

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I appreciate your visit, your sweet words of encouragement, and I really look forward to visiting YOUR blog to say hello and to see what you've created this week.

God bless you,
Karen

Sunday, June 8, 2014

GORGEOUS Something Tattered Stamps

Hello, friends!  It's always a great day when I'm able to sit down and create, and it's always fun to do that with Something Tattered's GORGEOUS stamps.  For this mini album, I painted the wood cream and used some canvas and felt to cover it.  I used the gorgeous July Juliet Stamp Set.
I absolutely LOVE how Something Tattered stamps give such a soft, romantic feel to your projects.  You can add small accents with the lovely swirls and designs provided in each stamp set, or use one of the bigger stamps as a focal point.
There are also lovely background/wallpaper stamps available that will add a nice texture or backdrop to your cards, scrapbook pages and projects.  I used two different stamps from the lovely new July Juliet Stamp Set to create this card.  There's something for everyone, and you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for.  Take a moment to browse the shop!
I picked up this wooden album at Michael's and I painted it cream.  The inside pages have lots of space for photos, journaling, etc.  I covered the front in machines-stitched canvas, and added some felt, vintage lace, a doily, some Melissa Frances pink vellum envelopes, Making Memories black lace trim, and a sweet Prima flair pin.  There's always lots of great inspiration on the Something Tattered blog, and on their Facebook page.  I appreciate having you stop by, and hope that you will do some shopping today at Something Tattered so that you can get creative with these BEAUTIFUL stamps!

Blessings,
Karen

Friday, June 6, 2014

Top Dog Perfume Bottle Dies

It's Friday, and time for me to share another project I've made - this time using some of the fun and fabulous favorites from Top Dog Dies.  This month there was not a "new release", but each of the Design Team Members were given some of their favorite Top Dog Dies to revisit and use in creative new ways.  You will be DELIGHTED with all the great projects and ideas that are being shared this month on the Top Dog Dies Blog.
For this card, I used a wooden vanity that I painted on the edges and inked.  I placed silver foil of the mirror, and covered the base of the vanity with vintage lace with black mini gem stickers in it, and there's even a half doily (cut from a crocheted doily) hanging by the metal scissors charm.  I placed another metal charm (purse) underneath the vanity.  I used the sweet Top Dog Dies Bottles 1 Die Set which I outlined in silver Stickles and I also placed some mini pearl stickers on the bottles.  The sentiment at the top is from the It's a Girl Thing Sentiment Collection by Diane's Daydream Designs, and I just thought it fit this card perfectly.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek, and don't forget to check out Top Dog Dies Blog for more inspiration, and the store to view ALL the fabulous dies we offer.

Have a blessed week!
Karen

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Another Great Word Art Wednesday

It's Wednesday again already, and time for another great challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  Each week, we offer a FREE piece of digital word art (scripture), and a wonderful new Anything Goes Challenge with AWESOME sponsors.  For this week's challenge, our sponsors are Freckled Fawn and Crafty Ribbons.  We are so blessed, and feel SO fortunate to have such amazing and generous sponsors who provide such great prizes for our winners each week.  We're grateful to have each and every one of you share your art with us, and hope that you will stop by to link up with us for your chance to win one of the great prizes being offered....and to show us your creativity.  We look forward to it!
For my card, I printed the word art onto a piece of My Mind's Eye patterned paper, and then used a couple of other coordinating patterned papers, as well as a scrap of vintage sheet music, to create my card base.  I machine stitched the edges in black, inked the edges with Tim Holtz ink, ran gold baker's twine across the top, and ran a seam binding bow across the bottom.  I secured the bottom with a black seam binding bow that I adorned with a gold Freckled Fawn Filagree Rhinestone Sticker.

I'm going to share my card in the following challenges:
Faith, Hope and Love Scripture Challenge Blog - Anything Goes With Scripture

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Fathers Day/Masculine - This card is "pretty", but it really is my Father's Day card because of the scripture.

Little Scrap Pieces Challenge - Show It Off Linky Party - Please be sure to stop by this FUN blog for lots of great creativity, and a fun prize offered each week!

Thanks for stopping by, and may God bless your week.
Hugs,
Karen

Monday, June 2, 2014

Water Water Everywhere at TKJ


For this week's Water, Water Everywhere Challenge at The Kraft Journal Challenge Blog, I made a gift bag to hold two great smelling travel-sized lotions that I picked up at Bath & Body Works.  I used a Small Kraft Coffee Bag With Window and then added lengths of Oatmeal Cream and Strawberry Shortcake Hand-Stained Bias Tape, and also a strip of Blue and White Polka Dot Washi Tape and another of the Pink & White Polka Dot Washi Tape.  I added some fun stickers to "make it rain".  There are many great gift-giving bags sold at the Kraft Outlet ranging in price from $0.20 - $0.45.  They are easy to decorate, and perfect for delivering your gifts in style!   I really hope that you will stop by the Kraft Outlet to pick up some fun gift bags, and also to play along in this week's fun challenge.
Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello and to see my project for this week's challenge at The Kraft Journal.  It's always more fun when EVERYBODY plays along with us, and we sure would enjoy having YOU stop by to link up to this week's challenge.  Who knows....YOU could be the lucky winner of the $15 monthly prize for FREE PRODUCT from THE KRAFT OUTLET!!!

I'm sharing my project in this challenge:
Craft-Dee Bowz June Challenge - Anything Goes With a Bow - I created a BIG seam binding bow that wraps around the gift bag.

Have a WONDERFUL week, and may God bless you!
Karen





Sunday, June 1, 2014

Summer Fun at V's Sweet Ideas

It's the first of the month again already, and time for a brand new and super FUN challenge at V's Sweet Ideas.  For the Month of June, we are celebrating SUMMER!  You can share anything having to do with summer - bright colors, water, flowers, or whatever makes you think of summer.  I chose to use a bicycle since my family and I enjoy going on bike rides in the Summer.
For this SUMMER card, I used several great products from V's Sweet Ideas including the Dear Lizzy Daydreamer grey bicycle patterned paper, dusty blue patterned paper, and coordinating bicycle card.  I also used the sweet grey flair with the white heart from the At Plus One Flair Set.  I machine stitched the edges, inked my card, and placed a big fluffy white bow made of May Arts Crinkle Ribbon with a matching blue Sweet Dot in the center.
The sentiment is a Melissa Frances rub-on that speaks of SUMMER, and I thought that went nicely with the bicycles.  Our family always enjoys riding bicycles in the Summer, so this seemed like a perfect fit.  It should be another fun challenge, and I really hope that you will play along with us.

I'm sharing this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Bastel-Traum Challenge Blog - SUMMER - My card is ALL ABOUT SUMMER FUN!

Crafty Hazelnut's Challenge Blog - Patterned Papers, Oh....yeah!

Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by today!
Karen