Christmas Tree from stakes

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Today I want to share a Christmas Tree that I made from stakes.  I may have raided my husbands stash of stakes to make these, LOL. 

 

I cut my desired lengths for the branches.  I then laid them out and cut the main trunk to the length I needed.  I did no measuring.. I really was not striving to be perfect as I wanted it to look not perfect.. if that makes sense. 

 

I painted the stakes and after it was dry I took a piece of sandpaper to each branch and the trunk.  Again, I wanted it to look a bit 'rustic' and not perfect.   

 

The first one I made, I did not put glue on before nailing and what a mistake that was.. on the 2 following I did put some E6000 glue down and then nailed.  The branches are now secure.. very secure.

 

I then used my cricut explore air to cut out the words for each branch.  I wanted the words to grow in size with each branch.  I found the general idea for these on pinterest.. However, if you want you could google Christmas words with how ever many letters you are looking for.  I then placed the vinyl onto the stakes. 

 

I had some ribbon and twine laying around so I used bells and small ornaments I had to hang on the branches.  Put a dab of hot glue on the back side of the branch so they stay in place.

 

This particular tree I did not mod podge over, but the other two I made I am giving away so I did mod podge so the vinyl would never come off.  That is totally optional. 

 

I hope this may has inspired you to get some wood pieces out with some power tools and create!  Have fun

 



Snowflakes are winter's butterflies

Hello! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

I always say I live in the wrong part of the US.. I like warm and sunny weather.  Here where I reside, we are fortunate that NO accumulation has happened yet.. At least I'm thankful, LOL.

 

When I saw the sentiment stamp from So Suzy Stamps.. Snowflakes are winter's butterflies... I just knew I needed it.   I love butterflies and this is one way to get me through our rough winters..

 

Purple everything!!  That's what I feel.   So of course I went purple.  I used the Snowflake fusion cover plate from My Favorite Things.  I chose a lilac color and to have a contrasting dark purple behind.    I went back and forth as to whether or not glitter was needed to pop out a snowflake.  I tried a few and did not like the outcome, so I used the plain lilac.

 

The tag that I stamped and embossed my sentiment on is from Craftin Desert Diva's Pocket Pieces.  This set is so versatile and be used in so many different ways.  The stitched look is a look I LOVE!

 

I took some twine and wrapped it around that tag to give it a different look.  The snowflakes I used are shiny and give a little flare to the card. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope that if you dislike snow where you live, that you too can see it through different eyes.. Butterflies

 

 

 This card is entered into these challenges.
Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge
Craftin Desert Diva's linky party



Christmas Tree Pallet

  I wasn't sure if this would be an epic fail or win.  The Christmas tree made from pallets is going viral. I am sure you have seen the post I speak of. 

 

Here is my take on a Christmas Tree pallet.

 

I started off with a pallet and kinda gauged where I wanted to cut.  I knew I wanted some of the nails and or nail holes to be present on my tree.  Added rustic look!  So I cut and placed the 'branches' in the order I wanted.  I used a stake I had laying around, however, I wouldn't use a brand new one again.. It needs to be 'roughed up' to go with the pallets.. Unless you are using a brand new pallet.

 

I then took some scrapbook paper and mod podged it onto the pallet.  I did let this set over night.  If I were to do this again, I would for sure make the paper fit the 'branch' .. not just the 12 inches in length the paper is.  The morning after, I took my sander and  roughed up the scrapbook paper a bit.  I didn't want it to be perfect. 

 



For my other branches I took some acrylic paint and just randomly painted with a bunched up paper towel. Again, I wasn't going for a 'perfect' look.  I wanted to be a bit messy and primitive if you will. You can make the tree any color you wish.. I'm a purple fan to the extreme, so I did purple.

 

After I the paint dried, I put a thick layer of mod podge over every part of the tree.  The paint dries quick as you only put a thin layer .. Unless you do thick painting.

 

I added some buttons and a star that I scuffed some paint up.  Screwed it all onto my stake and there you have it!  I did paint over the stake.  As I said earlier, it was too new looking.  I'd stain it or just get some wood that looks used next time.

 





Thanks for stopping by!

~Kara



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

 

 

Tim Holtz Crazy Bird gone Halloween

 

 

 

Calling all Crazy Bird lovers!!  I just can not get enough of these little guys from Tim Holtz.  They all have their own personalities.  The accessories make them! Versatile and can be used for any holiday or occasion!

 

I took the Crazy Bird stamps out and decided which lovely was going to make it to the Halloween card.  Stamped with my Misti and colored with the Spectrum Noir markers.  I just received these alcohol based markers from craft day on HSN, so I wanted to give them a spin.  I need practice for sure, but I love them.  I used the accessory stamps and die sets for the hat and pumpkin.  Trick or Treat is from the sentiment crazy bird set.  Brilliant release Sizzix and Tim Holtz, they are all amazing!

 

I used the tag from Craftin Desert Divas for the Trick or Treat.  Twine came from Annie's Paper Boutique.  I also used Avery Elle Wonky die set for the fun stitched backgrounds.

 

I used Dylusion's paint for the background directly behind the bird.  I just received these paints and are they ever amazing.  I want to paint everything.  I just used my finger tool (lol) to paint the orange and purple.  Under the bird I put some black and let me tell you, black is not easy to cover up or blend with.. Lesson learned!  No fear, cover ups are possible.  Behind my pumpkin is also a disaster.  When I opened the orange paint, it splattered.. thank goodness the pumkin looks awesome right there!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy crafting <3

~Kara

 

 

 



Thank you box card

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by today.  When I said before, that box cards would be my go to.. I wasn't joking!

 

My Dad and Step Mom had over 10 Monarch Butterflies hatch this year.  This was a childhood event we always did as I grew up.  I was thrilled to hear my Dad found some caterpillars this year.  If you have never experienced this part of life, it's amazing and I definitely recommend you do this some fall.

 

So, when I created this card I knew I wanted Monarch Butterflies and I also needed to send them a Thank you for everything they do for me.

 

I started off going through my collection and my go to sets are always from Heartfelt Creations.  I adore these sets (any of them) and low and behold.. the Butterfly Medley was PERFECT!.

 

I started my box card following the directions I previously had followed.  I found a stellar tutorial on YouTube and wrote all of her exact measurements down.  It comes out perfectly each time I make this style of card.

 

As I assembled this card, the paper was way to plain for my liking.  I took a large stamp from a collection and stamped white on what I wanted to show.  Since I already had the cardstock glued down, I had to lay the section and press on the stamp to give it the stamped image.  I was ok with whatever came out.  I really didn't want a 'perfect' image..  It turned out fabulous!!  I stamped the large back panel as well.  I was still able to write my sentiment as I made this stamped image as light as I could.

 

 

 

I stamped the butterfly medley (using the MISTI tool) and embossed with clear powder. It was then time to color my butterflies to resemble Monarch's.  I used my Zig Brush markers.  I absolutely love these markers.  I never claim to be a color professional, but I do like the outcome with these markers.

 

Behind all of these beautiful butterflies, I wanted some sort of flower to be in the background.  When all of the butterflies were hatching, I was away and so my Dad sent me pictures of each butterfly on a flower.  So I wanted to incorporate a flower of some sort.

 

I used the perfect stamp and colored again with my Zig Brush Markers.  I tried my best to use the ink where I wanted it most.  I then embossed to make the coloring a bit easier.

 

 

I attached the butterflies using transparency film.  I wanted them to 'sway' a little so this works perfect.  I put dabs of liquid pearls (Opal White) on the wings of the butterflies to resemble Monarchs.

 

This card turned out incredible.  Purple is my favorite color, so of course I thought it was near perfection. LOL!  I used some liquid pearls for the buds in the flowers.  The purple I had colored with mixed with the white opal I put down.  It turned out ok, however I'd wait longer for the Zig's to dry next time. 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed this Monarch Butterfly card.

 

~Kara

 

 



September is Prostrate Cancer Awareness month!

Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by!  I am honored and thankful to be on the DT team for Die-Versions.  I thought for my first project that I would share a card I made.  September is Prostrate Awareness Month and what a way to honor my ahhhhmazing Dad (Prostate Cancer SURVIVOR).  He lights up a room with is whistle and smile! 

 

I started off using the Awareness-Heart from the Whispers Collection and knew I wanted to make it light blue for the Prostrate Awareness. 

 

 

 

 

I took Versa Magic Brilliance ink and inked away.  The brilliance line doesn't always photograph nice, but in person I assure you it gives a gorgeous shine and shimmer.

 

 

 

I knew I wanted to make this a shaker card (who doesn't love a shaker card).  So I then took transparency film and attached it to the heart. 

 

 

Added some foam to make it stand away from the cardstock.  I then added some random blue glitter, sequins and microbeads.  I purposely added a few pink hearts because after all my Dad was the first guy to ever have my heart.

 

 

I used the stamp set 408 Pink Ribbon Background from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Stamped the background using the MISTI (seriously this tool is amazing).  I then embossed with Hero Arts Clear.

Also, on that stamp set comes a survivor stamp.  I stamped this 2 times along each side and again embossed with clear.

 

 

I decided the hearts on the background stamp needed to be blue.  So I took a colored pencil and lightly colored in the hearts.

 

 

I then pieced everything together and attached my shaker portion to the main card.  I absolutely love how this turned out and what a way to honor my Dad.  Cheers to him being a survivor!

Thank so much for taking time to read my blog post!  I'd love to hear any feedback you may have.   Please be sure to check out the other blog posts for the Die-Versions amazing design team here.

 

Stop by and shop, shop, shop at Die-Versions.  If you love to save money, be sure to use coupon code: kara15 to save 15% (not valid with any other discounts or sales).

 ~Kara