Congratulations Graduate!

Hello Everyone!
Wanted to share this card I made for my niece, Christina.  She graduated with her Associates degree in Health Information Tech.  Her favorite color is Aqua....

The envelope was also decorated with Cardstock and ribbon.

Three different dry embossing folders were used on this card.
I started with a dark teal card base.  I dry embossed the stripes on a medium toned aqua cs.  The white cs was dry embossed with a graduation hat folder and layered onto the dark teal cs.

The sentiment was also dry embossed on gold paper.  I added a teal ribbon and some Liquid Pearls dots on the corners.

Here is a better look at the graduation hat dry embossing.

So, turned out pretty nice and a fun way to utilize all the embossing folders that we have in our stashes.....

So glad you stopped by today!  Hope you are having a sweet day.
Karen.

"Stylish" Cards

Hello Dreamers!
We are celebrating in Style today with some stylish birthday cards.  I used a "Celebrate in Style" sentiment on all the cards.  Embossing folders with distress inks made up the backgrounds.  I just love the dress form image and it is a fav in an embossing folder!  Really nice for a quick "stylish" card! 

The first card is made in a blue color scheme.

I used browns and reds on this card.  I used textured cs to emboss on.

Happy you visited today.  I have one more "Stylish" card coming up in a few days.  See you then!!
Karen

Wedding Theme with Dry Embossing

Hello Everyone!
I wanted to share two cards today made with dry embossed backgrounds.  Both of the cards have a wedding theme.  The first could be for a wedding or anniversary.  The second is for an anniversary. I used Distress inks to add a touch of color.


Added a stamped and punched embellishment with  a bit of ribbon.

Die cut the word Happy and added a stamped sentiment.

Hope you enjoy all the dry embossed cards!!  Next series of cards will showcase 3-D embellishments.  I know you all have a big box full of those embellishments---just like me.  LOL  See you next time.   Have a lovely day!!
Karen

Welcome Baby

Hello Dreamers!
I hope you are enjoying some Spring weather in your little corner of the world.  I think it is trying to be Spring here in Michigan, but it just doesn't know how.  We have had cold and rainy weather all week.  No flowers up yet!  Boring!  
So, let's go to Dreamland for a little simulated Spring with a Welcome Baby card.  I made this card for a friend.

I punched three layers for the main focal point.  The top square was dry embossed and distressed with Milled Lavender Distress ink.  CS is all from Stampin' Up.

This card goes together very quickly and would also be great for Baby Shower invitations and/or Thank you's.

I wish you a lovely day filled with plenty of time to craft!  See you soon.
Karen

Sympathy Cards

Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to pop in and say hello and post  a few ideas for sympathy cards.  I know that sometimes they can be hard to make.  I like to use soft colors and natural elements...like flowers or butterflies.  I made these for a card order.

Card #1

Two embossing folders were used for this card.  I applied Distress ink to the bird and then layered.

Card #2

The background is a DP from K & Company; the stamp is from Hero Arts.

Challenges for my Sympathy cards:
Brown Sugar: anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack: anything goes
Just add Ink: just add texture
Sister Act: anything goes


I hope that gives you a few ideas for making sympathy cards.  I will be back on Monday with a new challenge with Love to Scrap with a Thanksgiving card.  See you then and have  great weekend.  Love ya
Karen

Dry Embossing Takes the Spotlight

Hello Dreamers!
How is your week going?  Keeping busy here.   Making a few cards.  Mowed the lawn today too.   Now that I have that out of the way, I have more time to make cards.....
The projects today, feature dry embossing.  The embossing really sets the tone for the card.  On the first card, I added some paper flowers and a little bee.  The second card is all dry embossing with a little bee.  

Materials:

Stamps: DRS Designs Sentiment on inside of card One-Not Some Junk

Inks: Vintage Photo, Forest Moss, and Mustard Seed Distress inks

CS: Cream, white, tan, brown,and yellow

Paper Flowers

3-D Bee stickers: K & Company

Ribbon

Embossing folders: Paisley - Cuttlebug; Flower - Darice

Instructions:

• Make two A2 cards from tan and yellow CS
• Layer the tan card with brown CS
• Dry emboss  cream and white CS
• Highlight the dry embossing with Distress ink
• Add layers of paper flowers to the Paisley card and a bee to both cards
• Stamp this fun sentiment on the inside of the cards

Inside

Card Two:

*********** Challenges for "Dry embossing take the spotlight":

DRS Designs: color challenge
Craft-Dee Bow: anything goes with a bow
Dream Valley Challenge: flowers
Through the purple haze: anything goes
Allsorts: bright sun shiny colors
Aloha Friday: in the garden

Well, I should go and finish up the soup I am making for dinner.   I have to add a few more things.   Enjoy your evening!!   See you next time.  Love ya.
Karen

Who Loves You???

Hi Dreamers,
Today's cards are made with dry embossing.   The cards were sent to  Operation Write Home.  I used my folders in a little bit different way.  Take a look.

Materials:

Owl Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug

Inks: rust and brown

CS: cream, orange, and rust

Ribbon: orange and rust

Instructions:

• Make A2 size cards from orange and rust CS
• Cut cream cs 4" x 5.25"
• Apply ink directly onto the embossing folder and place cream CS in the folder and run through your Cuttlebug ------Clean the folder off with mild soap and water ---the ink will come right off

I did both cards this way and it is interesting  to see the variations you can get.  Try a bunch of them---it is so fun!!

• Complete the card by wrapping the ribbon around the cream CS
• Add to the card base
• Stamp the sentiment

***************A few really fun challenges for my embossing Owls:
Operation Write Home Our Daily Bread Challenge: embossing
Clear It Out: favorite product---I used one of my fav's--embossing folders
Crafting from the Heart: anything goes
Created with Love: critters
Addicted to CAS: grunge + CAS
Rhedd and Rosie's: texture


*******************Coming Up in Dreamland:   I am Guest Designing at The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge Blog this month.  My first post will be on May 14.  Lots more Operation Write Home cards too.  And, some other fun things.  LOL  See you again soon.  Love ya.

Karen

The Twenty-Five Days of Christmas Day Twenty-Two

Hello Everyone!!

Welcome to Day Twenty-Two of The Twenty Five Days of Christmas!!

And Blog Candy!!

I will be sharing a different Christmas card every day from December 1st through December 25th.  On today's card, I used an angel embossing folder.  After dry embossing cream CS, I rubbed on some Metallic Rub-Ons with my finger.  This is another card that is good for multiples as it goes together very quickly.   

Materials:

CS: Cream; Rich Razzleberry from Stampin' Up

Ink: Rich Razzleberry from Stampin' Up (for the sentiment)

Burgundy  Ribbon

Angel with Integument Embossing Folder-Darice

Metallic Rub-Ons from Craf-T Products

Circle Punch and a Spellbinders to cut out the sentiment label

And, don't forget the blog candy!!!! 

Ways to Win the Blog Candy:

1. Leave a comment on any of the 25 Days of Christmas posts--each time you leave a comment your name goes in the drawing.  So the more you comment, the more chances of winning.
2. Become a Follower--Leave a comment to let me know!
3. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on your Blog--Leave a comment to let me know!
4. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on Facebook--Leave a comment to let me know!

See all the details about the Blog Candy on Day One post here.

See again tomorrow for day Twenty-Three!!!!  Getting close to the end of the 25 days of Christmas!!!   Only three days left.  I hope you have been enjoying all the Christmas and Holiday cards!!!  Don't forget to leave a comment for the blog candy!!!   Love ya.

Karen

The Twenty-Five Days of Christmas Day Thirteen

Hello  Everyone!!

Welcome to Day Thirteen of The Twenty Five Days of Christmas!!

                                    
And Blog Candy!!

I will be showcasing a different Christmas card each day of December from the 1st through the 25th.  I have three samples today!!  You know me, sometimes when I get started I can't stop.  I found that I could use this same folder and really make different variations easily.  On the three samples here I used the reindeer embossing folder and accented the dry embossing with Distress ink on one card and pigment ink with heat embossing on the other two.

Materials:

CS: Burgundy; Real Red and Night of Navy  from Stampin' Up
DP: My Mind's Eye; gold metallic paper
Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Brilliance Pearlescents Pigment ink
Clear Embossing Powder

Silver and Gold Stickles glitter glue

Gold and Sheer Red Ribbon

Reindeer Embossing Folder-Darice
Corner and Edge Punch- Martha Stewart

And, don't forget the blog candy!!!!!

Ways to Win the Blog Candy:

1. Leave a comment on any of the 25 Days of Christmas posts--each time you leave a comment your name goes in the drawing.  So the more you comment, the more chances of winning.
2. Become a Follower--Leave a comment to let me know!
3. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on your Blog--Leave a comment to let me know!
4. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on Facebook--Leave a comment to let me know!

See all the details about the Blog Candy on Day One post here.


See you tomorrow for Day Fourteen!!!     Over half way through the Twenty-Five Days of Christmas!!  Gee, I guess I had better get some Christmas shopping done.  LOL!!     Love ya.
Karen

The Twenty-Five Days of Christmas Day Eight

Hello Everyone!!

Welcome to Day Eight of The Twenty Five Days of Christmas!!

                                    And Blog Candy!!

I will be showcasing a different Christmas card each day of December from the 1st through the 25th.  On Today's cards I used the Hanging ornaments embossing folder and paired it with an evergreen tree stamp.  I used Distress ink to make the dry embossing pop off the CS.

Materials:
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree-Stampin' Up
CS: Greens; Marina Mist and Bashful Blue from Stampin' Up

Faded Jeans and Forest Moss Distress Ink

Silver and Gold Stickles glitter glue

Blue and Silver Ribbon

Ornaments on Side Embossing Folder-Darice

And, don't forget the blog candy!!!!!

Ways to Win the Blog Candy:

1. Leave a comment on any of the 25 Days of Christmas posts--each time you leave a comment your name goes in the drawing.  So the more you comment, the more chances of winning.
2. Become a Follower--Leave a comment to let me know!
3. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on your Blog--Leave a comment to let me know!
4. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on Facebook--Leave a comment to let me know!

See all the details about the Blog Candy on Day One post here.

See you tomorrow for Day Nine!!! I am having fun---I hope you are too??!!!!! Have a great day.   Love ya.

Karen

The Twenty-Five Days of Christmas Day Four

Hello All,

Welcome to Day Four of The Twenty Five Days of Christmas!!

And Blog Candy!!

I will be sharing a different Christmas card every day from December 1st through December 25th.  On today's card, I used an embossing folder to create texture and also stamped a sweet image that was colored with Distress Markers.  

**********This card is entered in the Simon's Wednesday Challenge-Make your own background.

Materials:

Stamps: Presents for You-My Favorite Things

CS: Kraft; Electric Red -My Favorite Things
Coffee Archival ink (to stamp image)
Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Distress Markers- Barn Door, Crushed Olive

Xmas Red  and Chrystal Stickles glitter glue

Silver Ribbon

Ornaments on Side Embossing Folder-Darice

And, don't forget the blog candy.  I purchased some new items and shared some of my stash.  Here it is!!

Ways to Win the Blog Candy:

1. Leave a comment on any of the 25 Days of Christmas posts--each time you leave a comment your name goes in the drawing.  So the more you comment, the more chances of winning.
2. Become a Follower--Leave a comment to let me know!
3. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on your Blog--Leave a comment to let me know!
4. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on Facebook--Leave a comment to let me know!

See all the details about the Blog Candy on Day One post here.

See you next time for DAY FIVE of THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.  Hope you are having a great day.  And, that you are finding time to make a few Christmas cards!!  Love ya.
Karen

The Twenty-Five Days of Christmas Day Two

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Day Two of The Twenty Five Days of Christmas!!

   And Blog Candy!!

I will be showcasing a different Christmas card each day of December from the 1st through the 25th.  I have tried to keep most of the cards mail friendly without lots of heavy embellishments.  I send out over 75 Christmas cards and I really  want them to be easy to mail.  On Today's cards I used an embossing folder to create the focal point.

Materials:

Stamps:Various Holiday Sentiments

CS: Cream, Dark Green; Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip from Stampin' Up
Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Brilliance Pearlescents Pigment ink
Clear Embossing Powder

Silver Stickles glitter glue

Silver Ribbon

Reindeer Embossing Folder-Darice
Background made with Template and spray inks

After dry embossing the card stock I used the direct to paper method of applying ink to the raised portion (the reindeer).  On the first card, I used Vintage Photo DI.  On the second card, I used pigment ink and then sprinkled clear embossing powder over and heat embossed.


And, don't forget the blog candy.  I purchased some new items and shared some of my stash.  Here it is!!

Ways to Win the Blog Candy:

1. Leave a comment on any of the 25 Days of Christmas posts--each time you leave a comment your name goes in the drawing.  So the more you comment, the more chances of winning.
2. Become a Follower--Leave a comment to let me know!
3. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on your Blog--Leave a comment to let me know!
4. Post about the 25 Days of Christmas on Facebook--Leave a comment to let me know!

See all the details about the Blog Candy on Day One post here.


***********Challenges for my Embossed Reindeer:
Christmas Card Challenges: no stamping--card Two
Sentimental Sundays: traditional Christmas colors--card one
Paper Playtime: anything goes
Through the Purple Haze: Christmas

See you tomorrow for Day Three!!!  Hope you are having a great day and enjoying the Holiday inspiration. Love ya.
Karen

Embossed Vintage Cards

Hi Dreamers!
Today, I would like to share two cards that I made with a Tim Holtz embossing folder and---no stamping!!
I know, shock--horror!  Just for today.  But, the cards still have lots going on and are interesting even without some stamping.

Materials:

Eiffel Tower Embossing folder

Vintage Photo Distress Ink

CS: green, red, Kraft

Lace, fabric scraps, pearls, rhinestone, and paper flowers

Instructions:

• Mark two cards:one from red and one from green CS
• Dry emboss Kraft CS
• Highlight the embossing with Distress ink

• Add fabric strips tied in a bow or knot
• Add lace and paper Flowers
• Add a pearl or rhinestone.

I found the cards to be very quick and enjoyable to make.  Sometimes it is fun to not stamp---BUT only sometimes.




A Few Fun Challenges
Brown Sugar: shades of brown
Chocolate, Coffee and cards: anything goes
Crafts Too challenge you: texture + shiney--I added a gold rhinestone!
Left of Center: no DP
Simon's Wednesday: use a product the Simon Store carries---Vintage Photo Distress ink and embossing folders


I will back next time with another Jane Austen themed card---it definitely has stamping on it!!!  See you soon. Love ya.  Happy Weekend!
Karen

Thankful Mum Card made with Paper Towels

Hi Dreamers!
Really in a Fall mood here in Dreamland!  I am working on a few Thanksgiving cards this week  Today's card is made with Paper Towels.  What??!! Yes!! Here is the story.  I was making some backgrounds and wiped up ink from the Craft Sheet with a couple paper towels.  I was looking at them thinking the colors look really cool.  And, I remembered the Technique making textured paper with toilet paper .  So, out comes this new embossing folder with mums--this one is called "Awesome Blossoms" from Sizzix..  And look how cool this looks.

I rubbed some watercolor crayons over the flowers and leaves.  And, also sponged some green ink on the leaves.  The card base is made from dark wine textured CS.  I added a layer of Lucky Limeade CS (Stampin' Up).

This card only needed a big bow in the corner for embellishments.  Well, now I guess I have to start saving the paper towels.  LOL  But, only if the inky mess looks cool.  LOL

I wanted this to double as a Thanksgiving card for my BFF. I stamped a nice sentiments from Mark's Finest Heinrich and Happy Thanksgiving from Impression Obsession.

And, now, a few fun Challenges for my Paper Towel Mum Thanksgiving card.
Dutch Dare: Thankful
Paper Play: thankful
Stampin Sisters in Christ: thankful
Craft Punked: fall/thanksgiving
Crafty Catz: add texture
Heck of a Challenge: 50 shades of fall

How is your weekend going??  Doing good here.  Let's see, what do I have planned for this week?  A few more Thanksgiving cards, and whatever else I can come up with.  Hey, I used paper towels today. You just never know what will happen here in Dreamland.  Love ya!
Karen