Tuesday, December 31, 2013

My Favorite Cards of 2013 Part 2

Happy New Year! Thanks for visiting my blog today and in 2013. I am sharing my favorite cards from the second half of 2013. Which one is your favorite from today's and yesterday's cards?

Aug. 19 Repeat Impressions Butterfly Card

Sept. 14 Sweater Card

Oct. 3 File folder Card with Envelope Punch Board

Oct. 7 Embossed Strips Fall Card

Oct. 14 Velum Dimension with Repeat Impressions

Nov. 15 Fleas Navidad Stamp Camp Card

Nov. 21 SU Christmas Star in Cream and Kraft

Nov. 22 Chalkboard Christmas Card

Dec. 9 Center Stairstep Card with Repeat Impressions

Dec. 19 Mrs. Claus Merry Shaped Card

Wishing you and yours a blesssed and healthy 2014!

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Monday, December 30, 2013

My Favorite Cards of 2013 Part 1

2013 was a great year for me creatively and I had so much fun sharing card ideas here on my blog, in the classes I taught in my home, and in published articles and cards. Thanks so much for joining me on this continuing journey. Here are my favorite cards from January through July:

Jan. 12 Spellbinders Silhouette Card

Feb. 28 Crackerbox Palace Feather Card

March 5 Penny Black Butterfly Wedding Card

April 16 Stampin' Up Dress Card

April 21 Kitchen Sink Stamps Pillow Top Technique

April 28 Silhouette Wedding Card

June 8 Serene Silhouettes Sponging Card

June 21 Crackerbox Palace and Silhouette Shoes

July 11 Memory Box and Silhouette White on White Card

July 14 Super Hero Birthday Card for my Grandson

July 26 Crackerbox Palace Kitty Card

July 27 Joy's Life Drink Card

Come back tomorrow to see the rest of my favorites. Sorry if this is long, but it is so hard to pick my favorites from all my babies:) Happy New Year!

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Last Holiday Cards on Silhouette Sunday


No obvious diecuts on this card, so guess what I used my Silhouette for? Did you know that even without buying a single cutting file, you can cut circles, ovals, and just about any simple shape you want any size you want? I have the pokey patterns from Stampin' Up and wanted the oval mask to fit perfectly inside that poked oval. But my oval Nestabilities were not the right shape. So I measured the oval size I wanted, drew one and sized it perfectly to cut the mask for the sunset sponging over this winter scene from Penny Black. The sentiment is from Northwoods. I layered on pink and then on a navy blue card. We have so much snow, we really are knee deep in beautiful winter moments- as long as it stays off the roads and the temp is above zero degrees. That's not too much to ask for, is it?


I wanted to use some of my new holiday washi tape before it was too late and I saw a card on line that used a tag continuing a line of washi tape from the card base and this is what I came up with. Of course I added some embossed snowflakes (Sizzix) and a fun little sentiment from CTMH. The tag was cut out quickly and easily to the perfect size with my Silhouette and a free file I downloaded to my Silhouette library with my Designer Edition software. Add a bow of bakers twine, some snowflakes and gems and the quick holiday card is complete.

I am entering these cards in the Winter challenge at Brown Sugar and the Something New challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity. All the stamps in the first card are new purchases that I used for the first time.

Stamping and Silhouette smiles, Karen

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Last Minute Holiday Cards with Washi Tape and Acetate


I bought some new Christmas washi tape and had to make a few last minute cards with it and some other embossing folders and stamps in my Christmas NSIHNUY pile. To make this card I simply embossed a white piece with a new folder from Couture Creations and sponged the Merry Christmas with red ink to make it stand out. I added some pretty washi tape in each corner and a red bow at the top of the embossed ornament.

This card features some new stamps from Prickley Pear and Heartfelt Creations in different shades of purple.  I stamped and cut out some ornaments and attached over a piece of acetate in the space cut out from the middle of the front of the card. Through the acetate and on the top I stamped a matching design element also from Prickley Pear. The Believe sentiment is from Heartfelt Creations and I added some black gems to dot the i and to the ornaments.

I am entering these cards in the Home for the Holidays challenge at Card Crafter's Circle and the Anything Goes challenge at Stampin' for the Weekend.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Friday, December 27, 2013

Tri-Shutter Naughty Christmas Card from Crackerbox Palace


Karen H. here today and I am sharing one last Christmas card using Crackerbox Palace stamps and a fun fold called Tri-Shutter. I always thought this looked so hard to do, but it is very simple as I learned from the tutorial here. I started with my favorite paper by Core’dinations and Tim Holtz called Kraft-Core Shattered cut 12 x 5 ½”, then followed the directions on the tutorial for cutting and scoring. Then I just added some fun stamped images from Crackerbox Palace that make me smile, and did a little punching and paper piecing. Here is a picture of the card mostly closed so you can see that it folds to fit into an A2 envelope, and one showing it open so you can see all the folds.



I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenges at Crafty Creations and Stamp n Doodle.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. The CBP website is being upgraded currently, but you can always email or call them if you want any of the stamps I share. Happy New Year everyone!
Crackerbox Palace smiles, Karen



Thursday, December 26, 2013

Peace on Earth Wishes


I have a pile in my crafting room of NSIHNUY- New Stuff I Have Not Used Yet and some of it is for Christmas. So since my Christmas with my family was last weekend - and was wonderful:) - I have some time this week so make some last minute cards with my Christmas NSIHNUY. I started this card with a new snowflake background stamp from Hero Arts that I stamped after masking off both sides of the white front piece. Then I sponged the strip with blue ink. I stamped the beautiful large snowflake and perfect sentiment (both from a new set from Raisin Boat) and layered on a blue card. I added a pretty snowflake diecut from Maya Road and some gems to complete the card.

I am entering this card in the Something New challenge at Raisin Boat and the Christmas challenge at The Squirrel and the Fox.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas and Sketch Challenge from Repeat Impressions


Merry Christmas everyone! It's time for another fun sketch challenge at The House that Stamps Built and we are challenging you to make a card using the sketch below and link it up for a chance at some great Repeat Impressions rubber! For all the details on what you can win and to see the other Rock Stars cards using this sketch, please visit our blog.


I used non-traditional colors for this holiday card starting with shades of purple in the card base and the strip of paper with RI’s background stamp: Peace, Love and Harmony. Those are my wishes for you and yours. I stamped a beautiful snowflake pattern in the scalloped circle (cut with a Nestabilities die), and added a bow cut with my Silhouette and embossed with snowflakes.
Here is the sketch for you to follow when you create a card for our challenge. You do not need to use Repeat Impressions stamps to enter our challenges, but you get an extra chance to win if you do!

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenges at 613 Ave Create and Crafting from the Heart.

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Joy to You and Yours


My wish to you on this Christmas Eve- Joy to you and yours. My Christmas celebration with my family was this weekend and it was indeed joyful. My favorite holiday word is Joy and so when I saw this Sizzix embossing folder on sale recently, I just had to bring it home. I cut the inside of the wreath O out with a Nestabilities circle and used my computer to type the rest of the wish. I added lots of red gems for bling and layered on a red card.

I am entering this card in the Bling It On challenge at Simon Says Stamp and the Christmas Wished challenge at Southern Girls.

Stamping and Christmas smiles, Karen

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Tea Cup Card on Silhouette Saturday


What day is it? I normally post my Silhouette cards on Sunday but this weekend I will be celebrating Christmas with my family, so I am posting a day early. I can't wait to be surrounded by my kids and their families and love. Will be great!

I found this tea cup cutting file on the Silhouette site and just loved the look of it. I also played for the first time with a Tim Holtz stencil which I sponged brown ink with on the left upper side of the cream cardstock. Then I masked and sponged some more in the center using a steam flourish I also cut out with my Silhouette. I did a little more sponging around the edges and added a fun sentiment from Paper Smooches. I love how it turned out.

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenges at Charisma Cardz and Crafty Girls.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Stamping and Silhouette smiles, Karen

Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas Greetings from Crackerbox Palace and Me!


Karen H. here today and I am sharing a Christmas card using beautiful Crackerbox Palace stamps and a file folder card created with the Envelope Punch Board by WeRMemory Keepers. I stamped the beautiful pin bough and paper pieced the ornaments. I stamped the greeting in the folder tab and added a poinsettia I cut and embossed with Tim Holtz products.

I am entering this card in the Christmas challenges at Aud Sentiments and MilkCoffee.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. The CBP website is being upgraded currently, but you can always email or call them if you want any of the stamps I share. Happy Holidays everyone!

Crackerbox Palace smiles, Karen

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Mrs. Claus Card for a Dear Friend


I just shared this card with the special recipients, so now I can post it here. I have seen the Mrs. Claus dresses made with the Stampin' Up dress die and just had to try one for myself. I cut the dress out of a sparkly red paper and added the white trim. The belt and Merry are Silhouette America cutting files. The card itself was cut with Spellbinders dies.

Many of the dies are new to me so I am entering this card in the challenge at Raisin Boat for something new and also in the Anything Goes challenge at Through the Craft Room Door.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Designer's Choice Challenge at Repeat Impressions


It’s another Designer’s Choice Challenge at The House that Stamps Built, Repeat Impression’s blog. It’s Brenda’s turn and the theme of her challenge is “Last Minute Christmas Card or Tag.” After you make your card or tag, you can enter it for a chance to win some awesome Repeat Impressions rubber! Please visit the blog for all the details and to see the other Rock Star's cards for this DCC challenge. 

Today I am sharing the Christmas card I made for my husband, who loves our kitty almost as much as he loves me. I paper pieced the kitty and her Santa hat and placed her in the inside of this square card. I cut a circle out of the front with a Nestabilities die and framed it with a snowflake wreath cut out with a Memory Box die. Then I added the perfect sentiment for my cat loving husband to complete the card.

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenges at Love to Create and Scrapbook Stamp Society.


Stamping smiles, Karen 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

CAS Card for Anything Goes Challenges


I love kraft paper and also the technique where you stamp on the background and also on the die cut and raise the die cut words above the background. The "love" is a diecut from W Plus 9 and was cut out of a piece of kraft paper also stamped with the background floral stamp by Hero Arts and raised with pop dots when attached. That layer was attached to a black card for a CAS but nice card.

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenges at 613 Avenue Create and Challenges 4 Everybody.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Monday, December 16, 2013

Snowflakes and Stars CAS Card


Today I am posting one last holiday card featuring my new snowflake embossing folder from Darice and the Christmas star by Stampin' Up. I stamped the star in silver ink on a silver dp, cut out and scored the lines for great dimension. I attached to a navy blue card embossed with my favorite snowflake embossing folder and added a nice sentiment from Prickley Pear.

I am entering this card in the Snowflakes challenge at CAS-ual Fridays and the Let It Snow challenge at Simon Says Stamp.

Stamping smiles, Karen

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Quick and Easy Christmas Card on Silhouette Sunday


What do you get when you combine a sentiment die cut from Silhouette, an embossing folder and washi tape?  A very quick but fun Christmas card! I have been out of town most of this week, and my family Christmas weekend is fast approaching, so life has been very hectic.  If you missed my daily posts with new cards, that is why. But I managed to quickly make one more Christmas card. I started with the" Merry Christmas to you" die cut with my Silhouette machine with a cutting file from Silhouette America. I embossed the tree scene across the middle and added some Christmas washi tape and gems to complete the card.

I am entering this card in the Christmas card with dies challenge at Cut It Up and the Happy Holidays challenge at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards.

Stamping and Silhouette smiles, Karen

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

What If? Wed. Sketch Challenge at Repeat Impressions


It's time for another fun sketch challenge at The House that Stamps Built and we are challenging you to make a card using the sketch below and link it up for a chance at some great Repeat Impressions rubber! For all the details on what you can win and to see the other Rock Stars cards using this sketch, please visit our blog.


I used one of my favorite newer stamps from Repeat Impressions for this peaceful card - the deer family silhouette. I also used RI’s pine bough, and after I stamped both, I sponged and then embossed the whole picture with a Stampin’ Up embossing folder. I layered that onto a card made with Tim Holtz’s Kraft-Core Shattered card stock. I added a strip of kraft paper, some snowflakes and a circle of joyful wishes to complete the sketch card.

Here is the sketch for you to follow when you create a card for our challenge. You do not need to use Repeat Impressions stamps to enter our challenges, but you get an extra chance to win if you do!

Stamping smiles, Karen 

Monday, December 9, 2013

It's My Turn for a Project of the Week at Repeat Impressions!


It’s my turn to share a Project of the Week at The House that Stamps Built and I am going to show you how to make a new kind of center stair step card. Many of us have made center stair step cards and they are available here on the Repeat Impression’s website ready made for you. I discovered a new kind of center step card on a website recently and wanted to try making one, but the directions were not in English and the measurements were in centimeters. I created my own template with easy measurements (inches and half inches) and here is how you can make one too:

Cut card base 5” by 7 ¼” to make an A2 sized card when completed and folded. On back of piece, mark 1”, 2”, 3” and 4” on both shorter sides of card. (These marks are later erased.)

We are working on the BACK of the card so everything is opposite of what the front will look like. The picture below shows what it should look like from the back.


From the BOTTOM LEFT, draw pencil lines from:
1 ½” to 3 ½”   on the ONE inch line  
2” to 4”    on the TWO inch line
2 ½” to 4 ½”   on the THREE inch line
3” to 5”   on the FOUR inch line   (see picture)
Cut these lines with ruler, utility knife and cutting surface.

From bottom left, SCORE DOWN from each inch line at:
1 ½” and 3”   (not necessarily the end of the cut line, so pay attention to the measurements for each line to score.)
2” and 3 ½”
2 ½” and 4”
3” and 4 ½”
3 ½” and 5”   
Turn card over and Mountain Fold the first scored lines and Valley Fold the 2nd (or furthest right of the score lines) to form stairs. Erase your marks and decorate as desired. I followed these instructions and created a kraft patterned and a blue card base. 

For my first sample shown above, I sponged all the sides and the stairs with a brown distress ink. I paper pieced the Christmas kitty and hung her from the stairs. Then I stamped and attached a beautiful Christmas sentiment from Repeat Impressions.

My second center stair step card shows how you can decorate the stairs to make the card even more fun. To start this sample, I embossed the blue card base with a snowflake embossing folder. Then I stamped the Snowball Sequence set of snowmen tumbling down and attached to each stair. I added some punched snowflakes and another beautiful holiday sentiment (from Repeat Impressions, of course.) The cards lay flat to mail and fit into an A2 sized envelope. Here is a picture of the blue card closed.

I hope you try this fun folding card sometime soon, and that your holiday season is blessed with peace and joy.


Stamping smiles, Karen 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Holiday Shapes on Silhouette Sunday


Creating a holiday project with shapes from the Silhouette online store is the challenge this week at the Silhouette Blog. I just had a few minutes yesterday before a holiday party to make this card, but with my magic Silhouette machine, that was all the time that was needed. I cut the Merry Christmas shaped card, rounded the corners and added some gold decorator tape from the dollar store. Busy, busy here as I am sure it is at your house too, so to be able to make one more Christmas card so quickly is a big help right now.

Stamping and Silhouette smiles, Karen

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Winter Fun 4 Kids at Send a Smile 4 Kids


It’s Saturday and time for another fun challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids! This time our challenge is Winter Fun 4 Kids. Create and link any winter themed card for a child and you could win one of our great prizes. You have until January 3rd to enter this challenge as our design team is taking the rest of the month off to enjoy the holidays. 

We have three very generous sponsors for this challenge:  Dollar Graphics Depot is giving their winner a $15 gift certificate! Milk Coffee Stamps is giving their randomly picked winner 5 digis of their choice!  And Fred She Said’s winner gets a $10 gift certificate! TEAM S.A.S will also be choosing their favorite cards for our top three and the winners will receive a blog badge and an opportunity to be a guest design team member on a future challenge.

All three of my cards today feature sweet digital stamps from our sponsors and cutting files from Silhouette America. I dressed the adorable Girl Playing in Snow from Milk Coffee Stamps by paper piecing her outfit, boots and ribbon, and placed her in a snow globe cut with my Silhouette Portrait. I added some glitter and a fun sentiment.

The cute colored digital stamp on my second card is called "Brrr Outside" by Alice Smith from Dollar Graphics Depot. It is so appropriate for our weather right now in Wisconsin as the windchill is well below zero degrees. I embossed the card base, added some washi tape and a snowflake mitten cut out with my Silhouette using a Silhouette America cutting file. 

My third card features a sweet colored digital Winter Westie by Fred She Said. More washi tape and a snowflake Silhouette cutting file and this card is ready to send to our kids spending a winter day in a children's hospital. 

I am entering these cards in the Anything Goes challenges at Through the Craft Room Door and at Love's Rubberstamps. 

Stamping smiles 4 our kids, Karen