karen's escape

Papertrey Organization

2010-07-29T13:50:00.001-04:00

I have been wanting to do this for such a long time and I finally finished it. I made a book with samples of all my Papertrey cardstock with the inks that I own that match. The pages are 5 x 5 and include all of the cardstock Papertrey carries. I stamped a sample of the inks both on the cardstock itself and on white so I could see how it affected both papers. I labeled each ink color as well as the cardstock with my label maker and clear label tape. I also stamped a flourish in the corner with Versamark so I could see how that looked on the cardstock as well.

Here is a look at the inside. I used my Bind It All to bind it so I can add new pages easily.

I created a file to store all of this info on one sheet so I could keep it in a binder and print it out to carry with me. I have compiled it based on my own research as well as what I have read on the PTI forum. The inks that I have not personally proven are marked with an *, darker colors with a (D) and lighter colors with a (L). If you are interested in using it as well, I have made it available to download.

Papertrey Color Matches as of 7/2010 Download HERE.

Papertrey Copic and Prismacolor matches as of 7/2010 Download HERE.

I hope you find this helpful. If you share this information, please direct people to my blog and not directly to the link. Thanks so much!

Have a blessed day!

Summer…and vinyl

2010-07-26T10:24:00.001-04:00

It’s summer, and in the Murray household that means getting doing everything I don’t find the time to do during the school year. I have been busy decluttering, reorganizing, rearranging and redecorating. The work is hard, but I am loving the results and I thought I would share some of the what I have been up to so you don’t think I have fallen off the face of the earth.

I LOVE my Cricut and cutting vinyl and all the fun stuff that I can do with it. I have been wanting to add some sayings to my walls for such a long time and decided this was the summer I was going to make it happen. This is what I’ve done.

My family room.

I added this saying above the pictures. I absolutely love this saying (scripture). What more could a mom ask for than to have all her children walk in truth! I updated all my pictures and converted them to black and white using my new software Lightroom. I have been teaching myself how to use Lightroom this summer, and I really adore this program. I realize all you can see in the pictures is reflections, sorry about that.

This is actually the same room, but the lighting is different, so funny. I added the vinyl around our wedding picture. I can’t believe we will be celebrating our 22nd anniversary this Thursday! I guess I need to get busy and make my hubby a card.

My craft room.

I love this saying and knew I had to have it in my craft room. Stamping vs. cleaning, which one would you choose? I need to figure out a way to have the best of both worlds.

I love this saying, too. I thought it was so appropriate for my craft room as it really is those little details that make a project a WOW project.

And last but not least, my bathroom.

A reminder to smile!

I have one more saying that I put up in my kitchen, but the vinyl that I used is so light that it doesn’t show up on my wall. So disappointing…so I need to do it over…someday.

It is time for me to change modes and gear up for the school year. I have schedules to make and lesson plans to prepare and the school room still needs to be decluttered and reorganized. I am really dreading that project, but I know the results will make it all worthwhile…and it is a necessary thing for a successful school year.

I will try not to be MIA so long this time. I hope to be back to my regular posting schedule and have some new WORDart in September. Til then I will check in every so often to share what I’ve been up to. Thanks for being patient with me.

21

2010-07-01T07:02:00.000-04:00

My oldest daughter turned 21 this week. It is so hard to believe 21 years have passed since the day she came into this world. She has matured into quite the young lady and I am so proud of her. She is so sweet and beautiful on the inside as well as the outside and I feel so blessed to be her mom.

For her card I used the Shapes by Design set (PTI) on the bottom in Hawaiian Shores ink. On the top portion of the card I used Dot Spot in Pure Poppy and Hawaiian Shores ink. I cut a strip of pure poppy cardstock with the Medium scallop border die and used score tape to add the strips of glitter. The numbers are cut with my Cricut using the Base Camp cartridge and run through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. I added a little bit of Pure Poppy twill ribbon tied around the number 2 and then adhered them to the card with foam tape to make them pop up a little. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the Shapes by Design set.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

The Joy of the Lord WORDart

2010-06-29T05:26:00.000-04:00

The joy of the Lord is my strength! It just doesn’t get more simple than that, does it? My joy is in Christ Jesus who not only gives me strength but provides joy in life’s situations. It’s amazing what we can find to be joyful about if we just take the time to slow down and reflect. There is something to be joyous about in every situation if we only acknowledge it. If nothing else we can find joy in the love of an awesome Savior who loves us so much He died for us. I am so thankful for His love for me.

I had the hardest time getting started with this card. I just couldn’t come up with any ideas at all. I was cutting all this paper and trying to make something come together but nothing was striking my fancy. Amazingly, it all worked itself out eventually and I ended up with a card I love. Does that ever happen to anyone else? It’s so frustrating for me when that happens, especially because I don’t have much time lately to make cards and I seem to spend so much time in limbo.

I started with a card base of Hawaiian Shores stamped with polka dots in Fresh Snow. Then I stamped the flourish images in Pure Poppy. The WORDart was printed onto Stampers Select White cardstock, cut with an oval nestie and run through my Cuttlebug with the linen impression plate. I then matted it onto some Beautiful Blooms patterned paper that I cut with a scalloped oval nestie. The flowers were cut with Beautiful Blooms dies in Hawaiian Shores and Beautiful Blooms paper. The leaves are cut from Ripe Avocado cardstock with the Dahlia leaf dies and run through my Cuttlebug with the canvas impression plate.

You can download the WORDart for free HERE.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Just a simple card

2010-06-26T11:33:00.001-04:00

I started with a card base of Rustic Cream and stamped the image from Through the Trees in Dark Chocolate, then stamped the birds in Pure Poppy. I tore a strip of Pure Poppy cardstock and stamped the sentiment from Masculine Motifs in Dark Chocolate and tied some twine around it. Super simple and fun.

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!

A Father’s Day Card

2010-06-24T14:14:00.001-04:00

I know that Father’s Day is over, but I thought I would share this card anyways. I also have another one to share later in the week.

I used the Woodgrain background stamp in Versamark ink to stamp the background on kraft cardstock. The main image is from Through the Trees and is stamped on Rustic Cream cardstock. I used Versamark to stamp the image and them embossed it with Transcendence embossing powder. I then used a sponge and Kaleidacolor Fresh Greens ink to add color to it. I stamped the little bird in pure poppy ink. I cut the border with the eyelet die from Dotty Biscotti paper and threaded some Simply Chartreuse twill ribbon through it. The sentiment is from Masculine Motifs and is stamped in Simply Chartreuse on Kraft cardstock. I die cut it with a Spellbinders label die and inked the edges with Chai vintage ink and adhered it to my card with foam tape.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Ecclesiastes 3:11 WORDart

2010-06-22T15:59:00.001-04:00

Isn’t this such a beautiful verse? I have seen God take some ugly situations and circumstances and make them beautiful. Sometimes it seems that the situation is going to remain ugly forever, but we need to remember that it is in His time. I am thankful for His mercy and love and the promise that He will make all things beautiful if we just give it to Him to make something beautiful out of.

The card~

I started with a base of Lavender Moon and stamped the stripes in Versamark, Plum Pudding and Simply Chartreuse. The stripes are from the Distressed Stripes and Faux Ribbon stamp sets. The WORDart was printed on Lavender Moon cardstock after I changed the color and then I die cut it with the Fillable Frames #4 die. Instructions on how to change the color of the WORDart can be found here. The flowers and leaves are from the Delightful Dahlia stamp set and are cut with the Dahlia dies from Plum Pudding and Simply Chartreuse cardstock.

The WORDart can be downloaded HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a blessed day!

Psalm 107:1 WORDart

2010-06-15T07:02:00.000-04:00

I’m finally back with a card and some new WORDart. The last few weeks have been crazy with us finishing up with the school year and everything that goes along with that. My parents came and spent a week with us on their vacation, so we decided to take a staycation. We filled our days visiting a lot of the local tourist attractions we have been wanting to visit, picking strawberries, making homemade ice cream and a few day trips. We had such a wonderful time!

It felt so great to finally make a card. I haven’t made anything in over two weeks. I was beginning to have withdrawal symptoms. I received my Papertrey order and it sat in the box for a week and a half, that is definitely a first! I usually rip that thing open the minute it comes through the door.

I started with a card base of Simply Chartreuse that I ran through my Cuttlebug with the Woodgrain impression plate. I used the Life and Beautiful Blooms II sets to create the little scene on Stamper’s Select White cardstock. The images were stamped in True Black, Lemon Tart and Simply Chartreuse and Simply Chartreuse satin ribbon tied around it. I layered that onto true black cardstock then onto lemon tart cardstock with a border punched on the right side with the Fiskars apron lace border punch. The WORDart was printed and cut with the Fillable Frames #4 die. I went around the edges with some Metallic Rub-on and adhered it to the layers. I stamped an image from Beautiful Blooms II onto Lemon Tart cardstock using Simply Chartreuse ink, then used a butterfly punch to make the butterfly. The gems were clear until I colored them with a black Copic marker. Love doing that!!!!

The WORDart is available for download HERE.

I want to say thank you to all of those who have taken the time to let me know you are enjoying my WORDart. It means so much to hear from you. I would love to see what you have created with it!

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Lamentations 3:23 WORDart

2010-06-01T07:05:00.000-04:00

This verse is also one of my favorite songs.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Time and time again this verse and this song have given me so much hope and strength. How humbling it is that God would still remain faithful to me when I have not always been faithful to Him, yet He is always there for me when I call on His name. I am so grateful for His mercy and faithfulness to me.

The card~

I stamped the flower and polka dots in Versamark on Hawaiian Shores cardstock and added some black Stickles to the flower. The WORDart was printed and die cut with a Labels Four die and the clear rhinestones are colored with a BG15 Copic marker. I punched holes on both sides of the label and threaded some narrow black polka dot ribbon through it. I rounded the top corners and adhered it to the true black card base.

The WORDart can be downloaded HERE.

Stamps	WORDart by Karen, Floral Clear Stamps, Polka Dot Basics II (PTI)
Paper	True Black, Hawaiian Shores, Stampers Select White
Ink	Champagne Versamark
Embellishments	clear rhinestones colored with BG15 Copic marker, Black Diamond Stickles, ribbon
Tools	Corner Chomper, Labels Four die

Have a blessed day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Another Grad Card

2010-05-29T07:16:00.000-04:00

It’s funny how some years no one I know is graduating and other years there are so many. This is one of the “so many” years so I have yet another graduation card to share.

I started with a base of enchanted evening. I cut a piece of spring rain about a 1/4 inch smaller on all sides and stamped the argyle with Versamark ink on the top 2/3 of the cardstock. I then stamped over it with the dotted image in enchanted evening ink. Along the bottom I stamped the image from “For A Graduate” in enchanted evening masking off the Class of part of the stamp with a piece of tape. I then stamped the sentiment in scarlet jewel and rounded the top corners. I die cut a piece of scarlet jewel with the Mat Stack 1 die and stamped the image in Versamark. I then embossed the image with Transcendence embossing powder. I tied some scarlet jewel satin ribbon around the spring rain cardstock and added an enchanted evening button tied with twine.

Have a blessed weekend!

A Graduation Card

2010-05-27T10:23:00.001-04:00

I started with a kraft base stamped with “Dot Spot” in enchanted evening and pure poppy. I ran a piece of spring rain cardstock through my Big Kick with the Circle Cyclone texture plate then rounded the corners with the Corner Chomper. I love my Corner Chomper, such a great investment! I cut a strip of enchanted evening cardstock with the small scalloped border die and stamped the grad hat from “For the Graduate” in Versamark and embossed with Transcendence embossing powder. I die cut the car and stamped the image in enchanted evening, then cut the window with an exacto knife. I made a little tassel with embroidery floss to hang in the window. I remember I couldn’t wait to hang my tassel from my rear view mirror when I graduated! I added some gems for headlights and the sentiment in pure poppy ink.

I hope you all have a wonderful day! Thanks so much for stopping by!

I Corinthians 13:13 WORDart

2010-05-25T07:03:00.000-04:00

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

I thought this was a great verse to use for an anniversary card I needed. I started with kraft as my card base and stamped the script stamp from Text Background Basic in Versamark. I then printed the WORDart onto white cardstock and cut with a heart die and matted it onto a pure poppy scalloped heart. I wrapped some black baker’s twine around the top of the heart and secured a pure poppy button. I then cut strips of black and pure poppy cardstocks with the small scalloped border die. The pure poppy layer has been embossed with the swiss dots Cuttlebug folder. I tied some black gingham ribbon around it to complete it.

The WORDart is available for download HERE.

Stamps	WORDart by Karen, Background Basics Text
Paper	kraft, true black, pure poppy
Ink	Versamark
Embellishments	baker’s twine (MS), pure poppy button, gingham ribbon
Tools	heart and scalloped heart dies (Spellbinders), swiss dot cuttlebug folder, small scalloped border die (PTI)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

Psalm 48:14 WORDart

2010-05-18T07:01:00.001-04:00

I apologize for my lack of blog activity. My aunt passed away unexpectedly and we went to spend some time with my family for a few days.

For my WORDart this week, I chose to use one of my aunt’s favorite verses. My uncle read this scripture to her on their wedding day and it was their mission statement so to speak in their home. “Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:12-14 My aunt lived this verse and it became her testimony. I was so inspired by her story and this verse, I wanted to use it in memory of her. She left behind a great legacy and I feel so blessed to have been a part of her life.

The card~

I started with a card base of spring rain. The patterned paper is from All Dressed Up and Green Boutique. After printing the WORDart, I stamped a flourish from Fancy Flourishes in Spring Rain ink and die cut it with a Labels One die. I then stamped the border from Vintage Labels in Versamagic Tea Leaves ink. I added some New Leaf satin ribbon behind the WORDart before adhering it with foam tape, then added some spring rain buttons tied with twine on either side. The strip of paper from Green Boutique is punched with the Apron Lace border punch and is under a strip of spring rain cardstock embossed with the swirl embossing folder and cut with the small scalloped border die. I added some gems to each scallop.

You can download the WORDart HERE.

Stamps	WORDart by Karen, Vintage Labels, Fancy Flourishes (PTI)
Ink	PTI Spring Rain, Versamagic Tea Leaves
Paper	All Dressed Up(DCWV), Green Boutique (PTI), spring rain, new leaf (PTI)
Embellishments	new leaf satin ribbon, spring rain buttons, twine, gems (MS)
Tools	Labels One die (Spellbinders), small scalloped border die (PTI), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars)

Have a blessed day!

Philippians 4:4 WORDart

2010-05-11T07:05:00.000-04:00

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

rejoice – to be glad, take delight, to make joyful.

alway (always) – every time, on every occasion, without exception, all the time, continuously, uninterruptedly, forever

We are told in Philippians 4:4 to rejoice always. The word rejoice is synonymous with revel, exult and glory. These three words mean to take great pleasure or delight in. I think it is apparent that the Lord wants us to take great delight in Him. Jesus Christ died for us that we might live in victory! I think that is definitely something to rejoice about!

The card~

I started with a card base of Pure Poppy. The patterned paper is from a digital kit by Angie Briggs called “Just Be You”. I stamped a leaf image from Turning A New Leaf in Versamark onto Aqua Mist cardstock and then embossed it using Transcendence embossing powder. I also stamped a leaf image onto the focal point and the background paper with Aqua Mist ink. I added some glitter to the leaves and the scalloped edges using a glue pen. I matted the focal point off center to a pure poppy scalloped circle and adhered it to my card using foam tape. A pure poppy bow with an aqua mist button finished off the card.

The Wordart is available for download HERE.

Stamps	WORDart by Karen, Turning A New Leaf(Papertrey)
Paper	All About You (Angie Briggs), Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy (Papertrey)
Ink	Versamark, Aqua Mist
Embellishments	pure poppy grosgrain ribbon, aqua mist button, twine, glitter, Transcendence embossing powder
Tools	classic and petite scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders), glue pen (MS), small scalloped border die (PTI)

Have a blessed day!

Papertrey Pixies Challenge

2010-05-06T09:11:00.001-04:00

I am so excited to be part of the Papertrey Pixies. Our first challenge is to create our own patterned paper. I used the rickrack die to cut different scraps of cardstock to make my background. When I first saw this die, I thought it would be so much fun to create a background with it, so I was really excited when I saw this challenge. If you can’t tell by now, I am totally in love with this die. I think I have used it on every card I have made since I got it. It is so much fun. I sponged Broken China distress ink onto white cardstock with the blending tool then stamped the plane from Fly Away in Scarlet Jewel. I then rounded the opposite corners and tied twine around the image before adhering it to my card base with foam tape. The buttons tied with twine were the finishing touch.

Stamps	Fly Away
Paper	enchanted evening, summer sunrise, ripe avocado, terracotta tile, lemon tart, scarlet jewel, spring rain
Ink	scarlet jewel, Broken China distress ink(Ranger)
embellishments	twine, buttons (terracotta tile, scarlet jewel, lemon tart, ripe avocado)
tools	blending tool (Ranger), Corner Chomper, rickrack die

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by.

Psalm 46:10 WORDart

2010-05-04T06:45:00.000-04:00

“Be still, and know that I am God.” The word “know” in this verse does not just mean to know or understand that there is a God. It means to have a relationship with God, to know him intimately. The only way we can know God intimately is to be still, to stop what we are doing and focus ourselves on Him. When we do that, there is such a peace that comes over us and an unspeakable joy. God begins to show us things we would never have noticed on our own. In the stillness there is a heavenly sound that fills our souls. God’s love for us is so amazing! To think that He would care about me and want to know me intimately is incredibly humbling.

The card~

I started with a card base of Ripe Avocado that I embossed with the Woodgrain impression plate. I cut a strip of kraft cardstock and stamped it with a leaf impression from Masculine Motifs using Versamark ink. I sponged the edges with Creamy Brown chalk ink. The focal image is from Through the Trees and is stamped in Ripe Avocado on Spring Moss cardstock. I also inked the edges with the same ink as the kraft layer. I rounded the edges and added some Ripe Avocado cardstock cut with the rickrack border die. The WORDart is printed onto Rustic Cream cardstock, cut to size and I used a square punch to make the flag. I added some branches punched out of Ripe Avocado behind it and attached it with glue dots bending it a little to leave some space for added dimension. For finishing touches, I added a button tied with twine to the sentiment and some twine to the focal image.

To download the WORDart, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

National Scrapbooking Day

2010-05-01T08:57:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe it is May already. This year seems to be flying right by. Didn’t we just celebrate New Year’s? The closest I come to scrapbooking is making my monthly desktop wallpaper for my computer, so I thought I would share that today. My kids love to fool around and be goofy and I love when I am able to capture it. This is them at their finest. My daughter is like, “Ok, whatever, I have some really crazy brothers.”

My husband recently bought me and itouch, which I love, so I thought I would make a wallpaper for that as well.

I used a kit from Scrap Girls called “Just Be You” created by Angie Briggs for both of these. Isn’t it just so fun? I love it!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. It looks like we are going to have a beautiful day here. The sun is shining and the sky is so blue and cloudless. I am so excited!

Thanks for stopping by!

Masculine Argyle Birthday

2010-04-29T18:21:00.001-04:00

Just a really quick post before I run to make dinner. I was playing around with A Little Argyle and this is what happened. I really need to work on lining up those diamonds, hence the twine and button to hide my mistakes. I used Summer Sunrise, Scarlet Jewel and Enchanted Evening. The sentiment and leaf are both from Masculine Motifs. I sponged the edges with Colorbox Creamy Brown ink. It’s not exactly what I pictured when I started out, but I don’t hate it. That’s good, right?

Thanks for stopping by!

Psalm 30:11 WORDart

2010-04-27T07:06:00.000-04:00

I am so thankful for the joy that the Lord gives. He can take any situation and turn it around for good. He is a God of extreme opposites, mourning to dancing, sadness to gladness, darkness to light and I could go on and on. What an awesome God he is!

The card~

I designed the card around some digital paper I found hiding away on my computer. It matched beautifully with Aqua Mist and Melon Berry. I layered a strip of Melon Berry grosgrain ribbon with some Aqua Mist I had die cut with the rick rack border die. I also die cut the flowers with the Beautiful Blooms II dies 1 and 3. I added a pearl to the center that I colored with a Copic R05 marker. I added some glitter around the edge of the focal point and the Melon Berry button as well. I love that look and it’s so much fun to do!

The WORDart can be downloaded HERE.

Image	WORDart by Karen
Paper	Melon Berry, Aqua Mist, Express Yourself digital kit (Ronna Penner)
Ink	Versamagic Sage
Embellishments	Melon Berry grosgrain ribbon, Aqua Mist, Melon Berry, Spring Moss buttons, glitter, pearl colored with Copic R05
Tools	classic and petite scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders), rick rack border die, Beautiful Blooms II #1 & #3 dies (Papertrey)

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a blessed day.

Graduation Stuff

2010-04-22T07:11:00.000-04:00

My sister-in-law asked me to design a graduation announcement for her college graduation and this is what I came up with. I created it using Photoshop. I have blurred out the personal information incase you’re wondering what all that weird smudging is. I have so much fun designing stuff like this.

She also asked me to design an invitation for her and her daughter’s graduation party. I think it’s really neat that they are both graduating—one from college, and the other from high school—and are celebrating it together.

I know it’s not a card, but I just thought I would share what I have been doing and another hobby of mine.

Thanks for stopping by.

Just thought I'd share a find…

2010-04-21T11:24:00.001-04:00

I was at Walmart the other day and came across this little box of goodies for only $20. I thought it would be great for my daughter because she likes to stamp and I don’t always like letting her use my good stamps when I am not able to work beside her. I was very impressed with what was included.

It says on the box that there are 7 clear stamp sets included, but mine had 8. I didn’t get any of the stamp sets pictured on the box, but I am really happy with the stamp sets that were included. The box says Contents will vary. I am tempted to go buy another one just to see what I would get (but I won’t).

Here is what was inside my box. I really love some of the sets that were included and can’t wait to play with them.

It also comes with a book, called “the me book” which is mostly about scrapbooking layouts, but has some great tips. The box also states their is a bonus item included. In my box that was a package of tags. I think this is such a great deal for $20, I thought I would pass the info along.

Psalm 147:3 WORDart

2010-04-20T07:13:00.001-04:00

I am so thankful that when my heart is broken, He is my healer. He knows how to salve my hurts and heal my pain. I am so glad to know that Jesus still heals today and that it is not just something to read about or just a great story.

The card ~

The WORDart was printed onto Stampers Select white cardstock and die cut with a Labels Four nestie. I added glitter to the edges by using a glue marker and then adding the glitter. The clear gems were colored with a Copic E19 marker to match the Terracotta Tile paper. I used Summer Sunrise as my card base and stamped images from Flower Garden. I then layered a strip of Terracotta Tile stamped with Polka Dots Basics II with a layer of Aqua Mist that I had stamped Turning a New Leaf onto. All the images are stamped in Versamark ink. I then wrapped some Summer Sunrise satin ribbon around my Aqua Mist layer and tied it into a bow and added a Terracotta Tile button tied with twine. I adhered the focal image with foam tape to make it pop.

To download the WORDart, just click HERE.

Supplies~

Image	WORDart by Karen
Stamps	Flower Garden, Polka Dot Basics II, Turning A New Leaf (Papertrey)
Paper	Summer Sunrise, Terracotta Tile, Aqua Mist (Papertrey)
Ink	Versamark
Embellishments	glitter, clear gems colored with E19 Copic marker, Summer Sunrise satin ribbon, Terracotta Tile button, twine
Tools	glue marker (Marvy), Labels Four Nestibilitie die, foam tape

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

You make this world a better place

2010-04-17T10:24:00.001-04:00

I made this card for a dear friend who is moving away to be closer to her family. I am going to miss her dearly. She truly has made my world a better place. I know wherever she goes she will make the world a better place, that’s just the type of person she is.

I broke down and bought new stamping stuff. The first time this year. I made it almost 4 1/2 months, so I am feeling rather proud of myself. I really didn’t think I would be able to go that long. I had a rather big job that I completed, so I was able to justify my spending. I spent it all at Papertrey, so there is LOTS of Papertrey in your future. I am so in love with all Papertrey goodness and could resist no longer. This stamp set was in the first of three orders (yes, that’s 3). When I go down, I guess I go down big. LOL

I have to say that I LOVE this set! I had so much fun playing with it, and the matching die….genius! I stamped the flowers in Melon Berry and Hawaiian Shores. I die cut the largest flower and stamped the flower in Hawaiian Shores. I was really surprised how easy it was to stamp on the die cut. I was afraid it would be hard to line it up, but it really was so simple to do. I then spread some Tacky Glue all over the image and added some glitter. This is a great way to add a heavy coat of glitter, it really sticks well. I think I would have liked a little less glitter on this flower, but I learned something in the process. I then added a Melon Berry button tied with twine to the center. The sentiment is from Verve’s “All About You” set. It expressed perfectly what I wanted to say.

Well, I am off to clean my house on this cool spring morning. Have a wonderfully blessed weekend.

Stamps	Delightful Dahlia (Papertrey), All About You (Verve)
Paper	Stamper’s Select White (Papertrey)
Ink	Melon Berry, Hawaiian Shores (Papertrey)
Other	glitter, melon berry button, twine, Dahlia die

Design Divas Challenge Card

2010-04-15T09:24:00.001-04:00

The March Design Divas challenge was to make a card with a reading theme. It was hosted by Gina of Makings and Musings. She has a wonderful blog, if you haven’t been there you should stop by and check it out.

I chose to use this House Mouse stamp called Smarty Pants and stamped it onto Rustic Cream cardstock with Burnt Umber ink. This little guy is into some serious reading! I think he is so cute! I colored it with Prismacolor pencils and gamsol (my favorite coloring medium when coloring House Mouse stamps.) I distressed the edges and added the green clip and used foam tape to adhere it to my card. The paper is some from my stash matted onto some Bazzill cardstock and tied with some blue satin ribbon. I sponged the edges of all my layers including the kraft card base with Colorbox Creamy Brown ink.

Supplies~

Stamps	House Mouse Smarty Pants
Paper	Kraft, Rustic Cream(PTI), Bazzill, pp from stash
Ink	Burnt Umber (Palette), Creamy Brown Chalk (Colorbox)
embellies	ribbon (Offray), green clip

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

Psalm 40:3 WORDart

2010-04-13T07:07:00.001-04:00

This past weekend, we had our Annual Ladies Tea at our church. It was great fun and well worth all the effort that went into it. Our theme was “It’s time to sing, dance, laugh, heal and give”. I had different ladies speak on what these topics meant to them. I was really touched by what the speaker of the “to sing” topic said. I felt God was telling me that I need to take the time to notice the song He put in my heart. Sometimes I get so busy that I tend to stress and feel overwhelmed, but if I stop and listen long enough I can hear the song He has placed there. Our pastor spoke the very next day about the same thing…that we as Christians should always have a song in our hearts and a smile on our face and others will take notice and be blessed by it. Then later when I was reading my Bible, I read this scripture and it just summed up everything perfectly. I think God was really trying to get through to me. I am so glad He loves me enough to do that.

The card~

I printed the WORDart onto Papertrey Stamper’s Select White and stamped the bird from Inkadinkado and the music notes from Papertrey in Thatched Straw. The patterned paper is from a digital kit from Shabby Princess. I tied some black satin ribbon around the first layer and tied it in a bow and added some rhinestones to the other end. I then adhered the focal image with foam tape to add that extra dimension.

To download the WORDart, just click HERE.

Supplies~

Image	WORDart by Karen
Stamps	Birds Galore (Inkadinkado), Birds of a Feather (Papertrey) (music notes)
Ink	Thatched Straw (Versamagic)
Paper	Stampers Select White, Bazzill, Dinner Party digital paper (Shabby Princess)
Other	black satin ribbon (Offray), rhinestones (me & my big ideas), classic rectangle nestibilities

Thank you so much for the kind comments and support of my taking time off from my blog. It meant a lot to know that I had that support and helped me to focus on what I needed to accomplish. You are such a blessing to me.

Have a blessed day, take time out to listen for the song He has placed in your heart.