This Post is for the Birds

Hi Dreamers!

 I wanted to share a few more of the all occasion cards I made for my girlfriend.  I have a flock of bird themed cards for you today.   The first card is  monochromatic with lots of texture.   The bird stamp is from Memory Box.  

I stamped part of the image on the inside and added a sweet sentiment from Sweet N' Sassy stamps.

The next three cards all have images from Magenta Stamps.  I stamped the birds and tore in half and distressed it quite a bit.  I really wanted it to  look beat up.  I also used some Distress inks on all the edges.  

Here is a close up.  Can you see the gold Perfect Pearls on the birds?  I added that for some shimmer.  

And, here we have another monochromatic card with some DP. 

I used lots of red on this card.  This bird is also from Magenta.  

And, I also decorated the inside.  I just can't leave the inside plain.  LOL.  I stamped the image and cut out the bird house.  

Well, that should keep my BBF in cards for a while.  I hope you are having a great Holiday weekend.  Just a quiet weekend for me here.  I did get a new camera this morning.  I can't wait to try it out.  I am hoping that I will have even better photos to share with you!!  Have some fun this weekend!  Love ya.

Karen

May Flowers in My Garden

Hi Dreamers!!
This is what my garden looked like when I returned from my vacation in Florida.  What a lovely welcome home!!!  Now, I did have to spend a few hours weeding too.  Because just as the flowers went crazy, so did the weeds.  LOL     I hope you will enjoy this stroll through my garden.

I will be back with more card making fun tomorrow!!!  See you then.  Have a splendid day!!  Love ya.

Karen

All Occasion Cards

Hi Dreamers!!
I am back from my vacation in Florida!  We had a great time and spent lots of time relaxing.  I feel so relaxed that I am having a rough time getting back in the swing of things.   I guess you could say I am still in vacation mode.  LOL.  However, I have missed my blog and my followers.  So, here I am with a few cards I made for my girlfriend.  She loves to send cards.  But, now the cards all have to be handmade.  I keep her supplied.  This is a set of three that use the same older Stampin' Up stamp. 

On this first card, I used watercolor crayons.  I colored right on the stamp.  I spritzed the stamp and them stamped on watercolor paper.   Love how this turned out.   I put the image on a crinkled piece of DP.

On the second card, I used markers to color right on the stamp.  Then I stamped it on smooth white CS.  

This card was also made using markers as in the second card.  I used lots of bright colors and a really cheerful ribbon.  I will back later with some pictures from my garden.  My yard went crazy while I was on vacation.  On coming home, I was greeted with lots of gorgeous blooms.  I got out this morning when the light was really soft.  So, stay tuned for those.  I am glad to be back!!  Hope you are having a lovely day.  Love ya.
Karen

Dragonfly Border with Blockheads

Hi Dreamers,
I made this birthday card for my friend Sharon's  Mother's 80th birthday.  I used the border stamp from the Inspired by Nature set.

Materials list:

Stamps:

Inspired by Nature

Verses-Feel Better

Ink: 

Black Pigment Color Box Ink

Clear Embossing Powder-Ranger

Markers: 

Memento-Angel Pink, Summer Sky

Adirondack-Wild Plum, Pesto, Butterscotch

CS:

 Double sided 2 tone Lav and Purple, Purple, Green

Household Bleach

Sponge Brush

On the 2 tone CS, swipe a brush dipped in household bleach.  This CS turned to the color that was on the back side-a light lavender.  If you have some of this 2 tone CS try this.....it is such fun!!  On the bleached area, stamp the border stamp with Black pigment ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder.  I colored in the images with markers in bright colors.  Add layers of purple and green CS.

I added sheer ribbon and ric rac for embellishments.  I stamped the border again and the birthday sentiments from the Verse-Feel Better set on the inside.  

Sharon collected over 100 cards from friends and relatives for her Mom's  (Kay) birthday.  The coal was 80 cards.  Kay was pleased as punch with all her cards!  Hope you are having a great day.  Love ya.
Karen

Butterflies and Birds

Hi Dreamers,
I wanted to share a few more cards that I made for Card Ministry.  I used some  oldies but goodies Stampin' Up sets.  The background was created with a Crafters Workshop Template and spray inks.  I stamped with black ink and colored with Distress Inks.

      The second card was stamped with brown ink and the edges distress with Distress ink.

The bird image was stamped with brown ink and colored with Distress inks.

This bird was stamped with Jet Black Stazon.

As you can see, I have limited the embellishments.  That just makes the cards  easier to mail.  So, I will be back from Florida in a few days.  I hope you have been enjoying my "ghost" posts.  LOL... I scheduled a bunch before I left.  I hope you are having a great day!!  Love ya.
Karen

Field Flowers with Emboss Resist

Hi Dreamers!

I scheduled this post to go live while I am on vacation.  Today's card is made for the Blockheads Technique Challenge and there is still time to enter.   I used three Blockheads Stamps for my project: Botanical Silhouettes, Idea Quote, and Background and Borders.

Materials List:

Stamps: Botanical Silhouettes, Idea Quote,

Background and Borders all from Blockheads

Inks: 

Cardinal Versa Color Pigment

Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo Distress Inks -Ranger

Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress Stain

Clear Embossing Powder -Ranger

Cardstock: Tan, red ,and cream

Brown Packing Paper

Burlap

Shell pieces

Craft Sheet

Heat Tool

Stamp the script background stamp with Vintage Photo Distress ink.  And, then follow the Emboss Resist Technique following the instructions given in Colleen's tutorial.  Stamp the Flower with Cardinal Pigment ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder.  Use Frayed Burlap to color in the stamped image.  Make card from tan CS.  Tear edges of another piece of a different shade of tan CS and add to card base.  Tear strip of Red CS and add to card.   Tear a piece of brown packing paper.  (We all have lots of this from our stamping goodies shipments.  I don't throw this paper out...it is just too nice.)  Lay out the Craft Sheet (or a plastic bag).  Apply the Antique Linen Distress stain to the packing paper.  Crumple the paper.   Smooth out and apply Vintage Photo Distress Stain and mist with water.  Crumble again.  Smooth out and dry with heat tool.   I actually liked the back side of this piece when I was all done...the colors were softer.  Glue to card.  Add the embossed piece.   

I added some burlap and shell pieces for accents.  I layered the inside and stamped the Idea Quote with Frayed Burlap. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope your day is full of sunshine and sweetness.  And, that you are able to get in some stamping time!  Love ya.

Karen

Flowers Galore

Hi Dreamers!

I haven't posted any Card Ministry cards recently.  None the less, we have been busy making cards for shut ins and those in need of a kind word.  We used this flower design and then I made a few more in different colors.  

Really Rust, Old Olive, and Rhubarb Stalk (Memento)

This is an older Stampin' Up set.  I like to get out these older sets.  They are so nice and the recipients don't care if the stamps are "retired".    The stamp was inked with red and green inks.  It is easier to use Stampin' Spots or Memento Dew Drops.  The small pads allow you to ink up the stamp and have more control over where the ink goes.  I used a combo of Stampin' Up and Memento inks on the cards.  I get all my Memento inks here.

 Melon Mambo, Cameo Coral, Bamboo Leaves (Memento)

 Taken With Teal, Tempting Turquoise, Pear Tart (Memento)

 Sentiment from My Favorite Things.

 Rich  Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight. 

 Sentiment from Blue Ridge Impressions.

 Terra Cotta (Adirondack), Old Olive. 

Poppy Parade, Cameo Coral, and Old Olive.

You really don't need a lot of stamps to make a lot of different cards.  Thanks for  visiting!  Hope you are having a great day!!  Love ya.
Karen

Grunged Up Cornflower with Blockhead Stamps

Hi Dreamers,

I should be relaxing on the beach as you read this.  I am vacationing in Florida and have schedule some posts to keep you occupied while I am gone.  LOL.  The Design Team at Blockhead Paper Arts are showcasing the Grunge It Up Stamp set.  I used this set to "grunge" up the Cornflower Stamp.

Materials List:

Stamps:

Cornflower

Grunge It Up

Inks:

Frayed Burlap, Black Soot Distress Ink -Ranger

Terra Cotta Walnut Ink Spray

Gold Shimmer Spray

Crafter's Workshop Template-Mini Harlequin

Flannel fabric

Chain

Gold Cording

Cardstock: White, Kraft, and Black

Make the background by placing the template on top of the white CS.  Spray with gold glimmer spray ink.  Let it pool up a bit to get those really intense blobs of goldy shimmer.  Dry.  Stamp the Cornflower with Black Soot Distress ink.  Stamped the Grunge elements with Frayed Burlap DI.  Tear the edges of the stamped piece and distress edges with Frayed Burlap.  

Layer onto Kraft and black CS.  What would Grunge be without flannel??!!  I tore some strips of green flannel and grunged it up with Terra Cotta Walnut spray.  Let dry.  Glue to card front.  Pin a recycled piece of broken jewelry and add some gold cording.  I used a piece of scrap from the background to decorate the inside.  Also stamped more of the elements from the Grunge It Up set.  And, there is still room to write a note or add a sentiment.  

Well, hope you are having a great day!! Love ya.
Karen

Tea Dance and Evening Tea Party With The Stampsmith.

Hello Dreamers!
Time for Tea!  I call this card "Tea Dance" and I used an image from The Stampsmith full sheet "Sunday Evening Tea".     I stamped with Vintage Sepia Versafine on lavender CS.  I added dry embossing that is colored with Distress Inks.

 Isn't this a fun card.  I will send this to one of my tea loving friends.  I layered with pinks and added a pink satin bow.

The second card is called "Evening Tea Party" and used am image from the same set as above.  I stamped with Vintage Sepia again on white CS.  I dry embossed; and colored with Distress inks.  Will you take lemon with your tea?

This card is made on a lavender base.

Not too much talking today.  I am actually on my way to Florida as you read this.   I will be gone for a couple weeks, but have scheduled lots of posts so you won't miss out on any creating.  So, keep on dreaming.  Love ya.
Karen

Masculine Birthday Card and Featured on Craft Corner

Hi Dreamers!

I have some exciting news!  My blog and I will be featured on Crafts Corner!  Have you been over there yet? It is a really cool web site that has lots of tutorials on every thing from crib sheets to cards.  They archive all the tutorials in easy to find tabs (on the top of the home page).  There is sewing, jewelry, and lots more.  They are also have a feature called "Best of the Web"  which is where I am featured.  The lovely Susan  at  Crafts Corners  does all the leg work by collecting a fabulous assortment of web sites for us to visit.  Head over and leave some heart warming comments.  You can say you like me too.  LOL.  

In addition to the announcement, I have a Masculine Birthday Card to share.  This is the card I made for my Brother's birthday with the decorated envelope.

The background is dry embossed with a folder and distressed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The train is from 100 Proof Press and is stamped with Onyx Black VersaFine ink.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up.

On the inside, I used a sentiment from Blue Ridge Impressions.  

Hope you are having a great day!  Love ya.
Karen