Thinking of you

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

Today I'd love to show off a card using the brand new Flower Power from The Joy Collections, found at Brutus Monroe.  This set has endless possibilites..

 

I used Altenew ink and layered my flowers.  These cute little heart flowers are adorable!!

 

I then took from the Flag Banner set at Craftin Desert Divas and stamped Thinking if you from the Flower Power set. 

 

It was a super simple and quick card.  Highly recommend this Flower Power stamp set.

 



Hello!

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Today I want to share a card that I made for a color/photo challenge from Craftin Desert Divas.  This was my first ever color challenge and I felt the challenge for sure.   If you have never tried one, I challenge you!   Here is the color pallet to work with!

 

 

 

The card itself holds TONS of layers.  The Fancy Frames from Craftin Desert Divas is probably one of my most favorite purchases.  I use these dies non stop.

 

I picked up some Bristol watercoloring paper from Michaels this past week.. There was a wicked sale so I decided to get out my Zig Markers for this project.  While I still need practice, I do love these markers. 

 

 

 

 

Craftin Desert Divas products used:...
Fancy Frames : http://craftindesertdivas.com/fancy-frame-dies/
Pocket Pieces Hello: http://craftindesertdivas.com/pocket-pieces-hello-dies/
Chickie: http://craftindesertdivas.com/chickie/
Sequins: http://craftindesertdivas.com/pastel-paradise-sequins/

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Happy Crafting

 

This card is entered into the linky challenge at Craftin Desert Divas

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

 



Simple cards

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

Today I want to share a few cards I made using water color and Concord & 9th goodies.

 

I used the Floral & Flutter die set for these cards.  This set is STUNNING in person.  I am so excited to use it on so many projects.  

 

I also used stamps from Sophisticated Script, Grateful and Tree Hugs.

 

I used Tim Holtz watercolor paper.  These squares are handy as you don't need to cut them.  They are also a GREAT quality and thick.

 

I took my pearlescent water colors and just randomly placed them sideways.  I had envisioned what I wanted and the look I was going for.  Next time, I would leave more room for where ever I will be stamping.  I think the stamped word looks better on plain white and not on the water color.  I used my MISTI to stamp most of them and thankfully because it needed a few layers over the watercolor.  I used Brutus Monroe detail ink form my stamping.

 

I then took my die cuts and placed them over the watercolor and used flat back pearls for the center of my flowers.  I mainly used white cardstock, but after these I experimented with colored card stock and it adds that little punch.

 

Happy Crafting!

I hope this sparked some creativity

~Kara

 

 

LoVe Cascading Card

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

Today I wanted to show a cascading card that I made.  I'm so in love with this card.  Cascading cards are so adorable in person.  Pictures do them no justice.  The base of the cascade is truly not hard at all.  I followed a YouTube video and they come out perfect every time.  The most time consuming part is measuring for the panels and any embellishments you may add.

 

So to start out make your card base and have your embellishments ready. I used the Tons set from Craftin Desert Divas. This includes the peanuts, elephant and two hearts.

 

 

I knew I wanted TONS of peanuts on my cascading card, so I stamped and cut several.  I used my Scan N Cut to make it easier on the cutting part.

 

After I had all of my peanuts and elephant cut, I went to town coloring with my spectrum noir pens.

 

However you choose to decorate you may want a 2nd color for your side panels.  I always add the panels and the measuring and cutting seem to be what takes the most time.

 

You will also have 4 visible panels on the 'inside' of the card.  You will need to decide what you'd like to do there as well. 

 

 

Now this part, I actually lost sleep over.  LOL  I knew I wanted hearts and peanuts to be 'floating'.  I took out my transparency film and cut small rectangles depending on how high you want them.. This picture is to just show the transparency film.

 

When attaching the film keep in mind that it will 'sway' or move.  You don't want to make it do heavy that they fall over.  You could also stabilize it more if you choose to have a heavier embellishment.

 

This is a close up of the transparency film with the peanuts and hearts.  To just look at a photo, you can not tell the peanuts are on transparency film and 'moving'. 

 

 

The hearts I used from my left over pile that comes from the Heart of Heart die from Craftin Desert Divas.  Never throw away anything!  It can always be used in another project.  I stamped Sending tons of and oh what  cute card!!

 

The word love comes from Crafters Companion the whimsical alphabet.  I triple cut the letters in my Diamond Press from Crafter Companion. 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope this has sparked some creativity... If you have any questions or need help, please do not hesitate to reach out.  I am not a cascading card pro, but it is truly easier than it looks.

 

Happy Crafting

~Kara

 

This card is entered into the challenge

Craftin Desert Divas - Heart Linky Challenge

Fan-Tastic -Sweetheart

DL Art - Valentine

 

 

 

Miss you using Penny Black and Altenew

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

The moment I saw the Dandee stamp from Penny Black I just knew that I needed it.

 

Start off with your cardstock and using distress ink slowly (working from your mat to your cardstock), make circles to make a blended look.    I chose the Dusty Concord for the color.

 

I wanted a background look so using the Unity Stamp Company handwritten stamp.. Stamp this several times.  I stamped this by hand not suing much pressure.  I used the same dusty concord to ink the stamp and lightly make the impression on your card stock.  I didn't want this a heavy stamp, just a light background.

 

Take your Dandee stamp and place this where you'd like.  This is a larger stamp so the card base would need to be a larger size. 

 

I then took my Fancy stitched frames from Craftin Desert Divas and cut the oval.  Colored this with the Dusty Concord and stamped 'miss you' from the Altenew Painted Greetings collection.

 

For the finishing touch I took my gold shimmer spray and gave it a mist.  It is a gorgeous shimmer that can not be seen in a photo.

 

I hope this has sparked some creativity!

 

 

This card is entered into the challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Penny Black - At All Sorts



Thinking of You

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

Today I wanted to share a card I fell in love with.  I always joke PURPLE everything, but purple and gold make the most beautiful combo ever!!

 

Using the Sun Kissed Fleur Border & Corner (from Heartfelt Creations) stamped with distress embossing ink.. I took my gold embossing powder and then the magic formed. Wowza does it look beautiful.   I did a corner stamp on each side.  I then I took my card and Dusty Concord distress ink and inked up mostly the outsides making it lighter towards the center.

 

I adore butterflies, so I took the Botanical Wings stamp set out to make my butterfly.  Using the clear embossing and gold powder she took form.  Then I took my dabber and dusty concord and made near the body a darker purple.. fading to a lighter purple.  I put a little glossy accents on the body to make it shine.

 

I then took my stamp set from Altenew Painted Greetings (brand new release) and stamped thinking of you.

 

Adding a few sequins made this card one of my all time favorites.  It is so gorgeous in person.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope this has inspired you to be crafty! 

~Kara

 

This card is entered into the challenge:
Sparkle N Sprinkle - Anything Goes

Friendship card using Splatter with Dylusions

Hello!  Thanks so much for stopping by

 

I have been trying to get organized enough to participate in some card challenges.    Some of these challenges you need a specific layout, some you need specific colors.  For this challenge you could only use the colors you see... Turquoise, Orange, Pink and White.   I made a few cards for this challenge and I will share one with you today.

 

I LOVE to play with my Dylusions Paint from Ranger.  To play in paint is so freeing!  Where ever it lands.. it lands!   I had just received my splatter brush made by Tim Holtz (I purchased from Blitsy.. Blisty is my online crafting obsession.. LOL  You can save $10 on your first order by using this link.  Once you sign up.. you have to complete your purchase within 24 hours for the $10. http://blitsy.com/ref/gz0g7j )

 

With the splatter tool I randomly flicked paint .. As you can see there is not much control over the matter.  I ended up with a large orange blob, but I did not want to mess it up by scraping it off in case I wanted to use that side. 

 

 

I then took my Pocket Pieces Hello die set from Craftin Desert Divas and cut out the 3 coordinating colors.  Once I had these cut out I pondered for a bit what I'd do with them.. left alone and bare looked horrible.. I tried some sequins.. and finally it dawned on me to use my white paint and platter as well.  I had already stamped my sentiment, so I took a small piece of paper and covered the sentiment.  It is easiest to place whatever you are painting in a box.. this way when it 'splats' it won't ruin anything.

 

Once I had all of this splattered, I let it set over night to dry. 

 

 

The sentiment and my die cut 'friend' is from My Creative Time.  I just love the friendship set.. So many possibilities..

 

The final card turned out miraculous .. it is so eye catching that I can not wait to get it mailed to my girlfriend.. I ended up covering that large orange blob I had, but I'm glad I left it there because I wasn't sure.  For the friend die cut.. I took my 3 stamp pads and went directly to the letters.. I ended up putting 2 coats on.

 



 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by! 



Get Well Soon

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by

 

Life can change in the blink of an eye.  My friend from school was in a horrible car accident with her family.  She was in ICU for a few days and was not allowed flowers.. etc.. So I had in my mind to make a flower card.

 

Luckily, she is a fighter and no longer in ICU, but I will still be giving her this card in hopes it can bring a smile to her.

 

I LOVE box cards.. What I didn't love about them is the long labor it took to mark, measure, cut, score..  On Black Friday The Stamps of Life had a NEW die set over half off for the sale and I JUMPED!!  It's a box card die!  How genius .. it does all the world for you!!  Cuts and scores and all you need to do is fold and assemble one little piece!!  Easy Peasy!!!

 

I chose to use the flowers that come with the die set.  There are TONS of dies that come in this and will get so much use out of this purchase.  The possibilities are endless with box cards.  They can lay flat to mail as well.

 

 

Close up of the center portion of the box card

 

 

The back of the card.  You can leave these blank or decorate as you wish.

 

Thank so much for stopping by!  I hope that you were inspired to craft from my post. 

Happy Crafting

~Kara



Howdy

Howdy!  Thanks so much for stopping by. 
 

There are so many different options for many of these new dies.  I took out the Western Boot and just had this idea of adding a lasso to my card in some fashion.

 

It all came together just perfectly.  I used the Western Boot from the November release.  Once I die cut the boot I knew I wanted a solid background.  I traced the die with a pencil and fussy cut.  I then erased any lines left over.  I glued the boot die cut onto my solid white and perfecto!  Just the look I was going for.

Using my Cricut, I then cut out the word howdy and boy oh boy did it make the card.  I wanted to some how frame the word howdy .. I tried a few different options and then it dawned on me.. use the jute .. So I lined the rectangle and glued it all down.

I formed the lasso and glued it down. That jute was a little wild, so I did have to put a few books over it for the night.

I love this and love how it turned out!  Masculine cards are sometimes tough to come up with. This is a great idea for you to use.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  When shopping with Die-Versions be sure to use kara15 to save 15% off.  This is not valid with any other sales or promotions.

 

Hello Fall!

Hello!  It's Kara here on the blog.  I reside in Western PA and Fall is usually FREEZING cold, but as I write this.. it is a whopping 70 degrees!  So Hello Fall!

 

I took some watercolor paper and sprayed Starbursts from Lindy's Stamp Gang to create the green background.  For the Hello Fall, I used a mixture of sprays ranging from Lindy's Stamp Gang to the Color Bursts from Ken Oliver to pearlescent sprays.

 

I wanted to make a simple, but beautiful card.  I used the Hello Fall Die from Die-Versions to be my heading.  I love this die as there is so many ways you could display this on a card.    I went simple and do I ever love how it turned out!

 

I then took some twine from Annie's Paper Boutique and wrapped around a few times.  I then used the Blessed stamp (Thankful Squeaks set) from Craftin Desert Divas and the tag die from her Pocket Pieces Die set. I attached the Blessed tag to the twine and gave it a little glue to hold in place.

 

The two small leaves came from Simon Says Stamp die set Maple Leaf Corner.  I used the Dylusions orange paint to add some fall color.

 

I adhered the main green background to my Kraft Brown (oohhh I love Kraft Brown, LOL) and just like that the card was complete!  I love love how it turned out.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

 

As always, when purchasing goodies from the Die-Versions shop use kara15 to save 15% (can not use with other sales or discounts)

 

~Kara

 

 

Merry Christmas

Hello! Kara here today with a traditional color Merry Christmas card. It certainly is turning Fall like here in Western PA.  With that brings chilly weather and with chilly weather brings Christmas!

 

I decided to make a tradition color Christmas card using a few different dies.  I used the Delicate Tree from the Whispers collection.  Using green cardstock, I cut the tree and just knew it needed something else. I then took the actual die and traced it on the red cardstock and fussy cut.   The star is a perfect size for the topper and it comes from the Make a Wish set.  The final touches came with using stickles to 'glitterize' and make it sparkle.

 

I love inking up the embossing folder before I run it through my Big Shot, so that is what I did!  It gives such a different look to each embossing.  Using green and red and then running it through my Big Shot.

 

The sentiment Merry Christmas is from the Sweet Wordlet collection Merry Christmas.

 

 

 

Thanks again for stopping by!  Be sure to check out the other amazing Design Team creations here.

As always, when shopping at Die_Versions, save yourself some money and use the code kara15 for 15% off your purchase.  Not valid with other discounts or sales.

 

~Kara

 

 

 

Fun Fall shaker card

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by today.  I absolutely love shaker cards!  I love how they look.  I love that they are interactive and not to mention just full of cuteness!

 

Fall is here in Western PA, so I got the itch to make a fall card.

 

Here are a few items I used to make my card.

 

 

I used the Holiday word art from Craftin' Desert Divas and her new Pocket Pieces die to cut the center for my shaker.  I also used her Autumn sequins (what a bag full of gorgeousness this is)

 

Versa fine ink (one of my all time favs)

 

This shaker card I used a sheet of Foamie instead of my normal foam tape.  I wanted to try this technique.  I saw the video from Jennifer Mcquire and thought how much easier that must be.



 

The clear part of my shaker card is transparency film. I have one small square sequins stuck there at the top.. I guess that adds character!

 

The small pumpkin on the bottom left if from the Lawn Fawn Happy Harvest set.

 

I wanted to give my card a little different look, so I angled my shaker box.  I love how it turned out!  I hope you try a shaker card.  It is tons of fun.

 

Have a beautiful day! 

 

 



Mixed media card

Hello!  I hope this finds you having a wonderful day!  I have been watching many YouTube videos about mixed media.  At first, I'll be honest.. I wasn't a fan of it.  The more I looked around, the more I thought WOW is that ever gorgeous.

 

I truly do not think there is a right or wrong way to do a mixed media piece.  I used distress inks for my background.  I wouldn't use them for a project larger than this 6x6 card (just my opinion).  I will be trying the Dylusions Paint for my next mixed media project.  I think it will be easier to cover a larger surface.

 

I then randomly stenciled and stamped around various places.  For the gray hearts, I used my gelatos and texture paste.  I mixed up my concoction and spread over my heart stencil.

 

I wanted this to be a card and it didn't take me long to go to my Heartfelt Creations collection.  Think of you seems to fit just about anywhere.  Who wouldn't want you to think about them?

 

I feel this is just the start for me.  There are so many techniques and I will continue to work on my mixed media. It was fun to make.  It almost brought out your inner child!  I hope you try a mixed media project.

 

Have a beautiful day!