Welcome!

My name, Karin, was pretty common when I was growing up...just not the spelling. Unless you are of German heritage like I am. So, I have spent my entire life answering the question, "What is your name"?... With, "Karin...with an "i"! Who knew it would come in handy all these years later when I went to name my blog.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Halloween Sale at My Grafico


Happy Halloween All!

To celebrate this fun time of year, everything at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff at My Grafico is 25% off!

Have you seen some of the new stuff she has in her shop?


How about some coordinating papers?



Head on over to Lindsay's Stamp Stuff for the Spook-tacular savings!

Happy Halloween!

Card Patterns Sponsorship

Hello Everyone!

Today DRS Designs is sponsoring the challenge over at the Card Patterns blog.  The prize is a $10.00 gift certificate to the DRS Designs Store! This is one of my favorite sketch challenges around, they aways have a great design to work with.  Here is today's :

This is my take on it.  I rounded the corners like the sketch, but instead of rectangles, I used the Simple Berry Branch along with the sentiment Jingle All the Way for a clean and simple look. I used a dark evergreen color for the ink and paper, but it looks black in the photo.  I promise it's festive in real life!


Here is a close up of the added red Stickles.

I hope that you can play along with us for a chance at a prize to the DRS Designs store!  
Other Challenges this card is linked to are as follows:
Lothian Crafts-Christmas
The Ribbon Girl-Red and Green
Craft Your Passion-Glitter, Sparkle, or Bling

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Punch: EK Success, brad from my supplies.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Come Play!

Hey Everyone!


It's Aloha Friday over at the Amber Inklings blog today!  Won't you join in the fun and play along??? Seriously, it is so great to see what people link up in each category...You will visit fun new blogs and totally be inspired.  People that play have won prizes too!  I look forward to it each week...Only fun and no pressure! What's not to like about that?! Go there and see my pick for Witch, Treat and Feet....

Aloha!

Spooky Friday

Hi and Happy Friday!

You know the deal...It's my posting day over at DRS Designs soooo...Only a sneak peek here.

Stop by to see my Halloween card over there at the blog today!
See you over there at the DRS Designs blog!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Best Witches

Hi Everyone!

The big day is almost here, so I thought I would show off one last Halloween card.  I hope the weather is nice this weekend, so the trick or treaters don't have to wear a coat over their costumes.  I remember this being the most horrible thing that could happen when I was a kid.  Looking forward to showing off my costume, and here comes Mom with my big winter coat! lol.

My card today was made with a free image that Lindsay, of Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, offered up on her blog last month.  Isn't it cute?  Can you believe it was free? She always has a little surprise like this on her blog every Thursday when her design team does their posting as a group.
I love that I could print it out and just color in the witches tights for a super quick, but super cute card.

I added Stickles to the web, and the Nestie cut out is the actual card.  The black embossed background is only the base.

Have you been to Lindsay's Stamp Stuff lately?  Lindsay has added lots of great digi items to her shop recently.  Have you seen this?



Or what about this?



I know, right?  If you have been to my blog this fall, you know that I have used images from both to make some really great cards!
Be sure to stop by Lindsay's Blog for this weeks freebie and see what my team mates have made for their post this week!  

Lindsay (Owner and Designer)
Cheryl (DT Coordinator)
Leanne (No project)

Challenges this card is linked to are as follows-
Clearly I Stamp-Black, Orange w/Option of Purple
Dutch Dare-Halloween
Raise the Bar-Orange, Black, & Purple
Stamp Something-Use a Digi
Craft Your Passion-Glitter, Sparkles or Bling
Karber Challenge-Fantasy or Halloween characters
Ooo La La-Scary Stuff
Paper Playtime-Halloween

Thanks for visiting!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Cuttlebug, Copics, ribbon from my supplies.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Waltzing Mouse Tag Challenge

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would join in the challenge called Tag You're It over on the Waltzing Mouse blog.  Can you guess what the challenge is?  Yes, a tag :)  I don't have any real Christmas stamp sets from Claire's shop, so
I used this cute peppermint candy wreath stamp that came in a set of Nestie friendly stamps. (I bought the whole set just for this one stamp....Can you say sucker? ) Love it though...lol! Her stamps are fantastic and will make you do this, so consider yourself warned!
The "to, from"and :with love" are from her set of tea sentiments. The wreath is cut out and layered with my Nesties, and embellished with some green rhinestones.  Thought I would use the very trendy bakers twine and a couple of buttons to finish it off. 

I don't usually make tags, but I like how this turned out.  Now I have to think of a person who is "worthy" enough to get this one :) Do you ever do that too?  Think to yourself, "Nah, they would never appreciate it" and give that person something else?  Wow, how bad is it that I just admitted that!?

Thanks for stopping by the blog today and I hope you are having a good week!

Other challenges this is linked to are as follows:
Gingerloft-Winter
I Did It Creations-Anything Goes
The Paper Players-Recipe-1 Paper, Punch something, sentiment
All Sorts Challenge-Spots and Stripes
Crafty Emma-Buttons and Bows
Marks Finest Paper-Die cut or Punch
Sweet Stampin-Anything but a Card

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Heidi Grace, Ink: Stampin' Up!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Happy Halloween

Hi Everyone!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  Why? It's all about the candy!  No shopping, no cooking big meals, no gift wrapping...Just fun! 

So, before the holiday is here I want to share another card made with Spencer the Not So Spooky Ghost from DRS Designs.  I coupled him with my favorite die cut bats and embossed haunted house.
I added the Small Happy Halloween sentiment and that ribbon along the bottom came from the sale bin at a local craft store. Gotta love a bargain, right?
Here is a close up of the moon covered in Stickles and Spencer up on his pop dot!

Edit to add-Now that you have seen my card, please stop by my friend Leanne's blog to see her cards made with DRS Designs stamps...You will be BLOWN AWAY...I promise.  I nominated her, and she was chosen! 
Do you know someone you would like to nominte for the special honor of working with some DRS Designs Stamps?  We have a contest going on named By Invitation Only.  Click here for all the details!

Thanks for visiting today!

Challenges this card is linked to are as follows-
My Time to Craft-Ghosts and Ghouls

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up, Ribbon: KI Memories, Cuttlebug

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Music Saves My Soul Saturday

Hi Everyone!

I'm playing along with Music Saves My Soul, on Marcea's Blog.  My offering is not new, but no one ever knows who the Old 97's are, or who Rhett Miller the lead singer is, so I'm putting it out there.  This group is a fav of my hubby, so therefore I have seen them few times in concert...  

This song is called Question and is definitely one of the songs I love by them.  Sorry the video is not more exciting.  Hope you like the song :)

Friday, October 22, 2010

Martinis

Hi Everyone!

Are you ready for the weekend???  I know that I am and what better way to celebrate the weekend, than to play along with Aloha Friday at Amber Inklings?

I always try to play along because it is so fun, (this weeks is especially fun!) but did you know that you can win prizes to the Amber Ink store??? I won not too long ago and used my gift certificate to stock up on some iPaper.  Look at the fun card I made using that and the martini image from the new Hostess with the Mostess set that was just released.
I wish I could take credit for the funny sentiment, but it's pretty much one that I have seen in card stores forever... I just printed it out on the computer myself. 
What are you waiting for? Come and join the fun at the Amber Inklings blog...Oh, and one more thing! Want to join a great challenge and make a difference too?  The stop by the AmberInk's Inkredible 21 day Challenge blog and be inspired to do a good deed!  I have my thinking cap on for this month....

Have a great weekend!

Challenges this is linked to are as follows-
Cards for Men-Birthday
Cupcake Craft-Boys and their Toys (Martini counts as a toy, no?)
Crafty Emma-Male Birthday
Alota Rubber Stamps-Food and Drink
Drunken Stampers-Food (Olives)

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Marker: Copic, Punches: EK Success, Crop o dial, Ribbon from my supplies

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Birthday Card

Hi Everyone!

I'm completely out of birthday cards.  Seriously, not one extra in my stash, so I thought I better go ahead and make a few to have on hand.  I think this one may already be spoken for though, I have my aunt and mother in law, both with birthdays in November. 


I used the versatile set Doodle Flowers from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff and everything at her My Grafico shop is 40% off!


I printed out the flower twice so that I could pop it up and curve the petals. All I did was color it to match the papers. 

Here is are all the images in this one set....Did I mention it's 40% off???



My Grafico is also hosting a Halloween contest with fantastic prizes like a Cuttlebug!!! If you want a chance at winning, just click here for all the details.

I just had to share this great fall photo taken this past weekend here.  I only had my phone with me, so it's not the best, but the colors were breath taking! Say what you want about the lousy, forever lasting winters in Cleveland...but autumn in the Metro Parks is AWESOME!!!!


Now, off you go to visit Lindsay and the rest of the design team.  I know they will have great crafty inspiration on their blogs like always :)

Lindsay (Owner and Designer)
Cheryl (DT Coordinator)
Rhonda (no card)

Challenges this card is linked to are as follows-
Lexi Creations-Birthdays
Our Creative Corner-Embellishments
Pocket Full of Posies-Champagne and Roses (Celebrations)
Sarah Hurley Challenge-Color in your Image
Tuesday Throwdown-Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting me!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Cosmo Cricket, Stamps: Stampin' Up!, Markers: Copic, Punches: Martha Stewart, EK Success, Stampin' Up!, Nesties, ribbon and bling from my supplies.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge

Hi Everyone!
DRS Designs is the sponsor this week for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge.  If you want a chance to win a $20.00 gift certificate to the DRS Designs store, why not play along?

Here is the sketch I chose to use:
Feeling ambitious?  You can also use this sketch...Your choice!


Here is my card:

I used some of my favorite stamps to make this:

Want more Halloween stamps? Just click here.

Other challenges this card is linked to are as follows:
Cowgirl Sunday Challenge-Make your own background
Tueday Throwdown-Anything Goes
Crazy Challenge-Halloween
Make it Crafty-Distressing (My edges are distressed)
Paper Cutz- Anything Goes
Pear Tree Designs-Free for All
Sentimental Sundays-Black, White & one other Color
A Spoonful of Sugar-Boo (Halloween)
Stamp with Fun-Halloween
Stamp Something-Halloween

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you can play along! Good Luck!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink:Stampin' Up!, Die Cuts: Cuttlebug

Monday, October 18, 2010

Visit for a Spell

Hi Everyone!

Wow, fall sure has been a busy time for me. We had our anniversary and our cruise.  I came home with the beast of all colds, can you believe I'm still battling the effects of it? Just so crazy! I started a new Bible study, made cards for OWH, there was Homecoming weekend with my niece home from college, took over the position of Administrator for my book club, had a friend visit from out of town and this weekend was Rod's birthday.  I'm pooped just thinking about it.  It's all good, but I feel like I need another vacation. 


So, now that you are up to date with me, on to an invite I made with one of the new releases from DRS Designs.  This Halloween Party Invite is a great stamp if you want to host a Halloween get together.  I love that the party details are written in the swirls from the cauldron! 
I used the Starry Background stamp and ran a piece of purple Cordinations though the Cuttlebug and sanded it for some texture.  They also match those swirls on the image.  Love that.
A bit of stickles for some bling and it was finished.  How's that for easy to mass produce?
All the new Halloween stamps from DRS Designs can be found right here.

Challenges this card is linked to are as follows:
Double Dutch-Halloween
Fresh Brewed Designs-Purple and Black
Stampin Royalty-Halloween

Hope your week is off to a fantastic start!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Versafine, Corner Punch: Fiskars, Markers: Copic

Friday, October 15, 2010

DRS Designs Day

Hi Everyone...

It's DRS  Designs day for me today, so head on over to the DRS Designs blog for the full reveal of Stella...
See you over there!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Winterland

Hi Everyone!

I'm taking a break from the Halloween items on the blog, and I worked on something for Christmas. Yes, I'm plugging away, trying to reach my 60 or so cards I send out each year.  Hmmm, I am no where near that number, but I am one closer now :)

  Lindsay, of Lindsay's Stamp Stuff,  has just released a new set of digital images and papers called Winterland and that's what I used on this card today. Lucky for you, today thru October 16th, everything in the shop is 30% off!


The neat part about this set is that the images are colored in already, so it makes for quick crafting.  A good thing if you are mass producing cards for the holidays, don'tcha think?

I used the sleigh image along with the two digi papers found in this set jam packed with winter images. The colors are bright and fun too.  A nice change from the usual red and green.
I added an embossed layer under my main image and the sentiment was a traditional stamp.  The die cut snowflakes were embellished with a bit of bling, and I found this mini candy cane in my stash...Fits perfectly tucked under the bow. 

Here is a lookie at the Winterland set of images and papers in this new set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.


Remember, the 30% off sale is on  though October 16th.  Be sure to visit Linday's personal blog for her weekly freebie and check out the awesome creations by my team mates all made with products from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff!


Challenges this card is linked to are as follows:

One Stitch at a Time-Digi Stamps and Paper
Create 4 Fun-Digi Stamp
Lothian Crafts-Christmas
Ooo-La-La-Nothing Floral
Inky Impressions-Anything Goes
Pile it On-Things in 3's (Snowflakes)
Tellen's Place-2 Patterned Papers
Totally Stampalicious-At least 3 snowflakes
Tuesday Throwdown-3 of anything


Have a great day!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Cuttlebug embossing folder, rhinestones and ribbon from my supplies.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Candy Corn Bees

Hi Everyone!

Do you like candy corn?  Well, even if it's not your favorite thing to eat this time of year, how can you not love these adorable Candy Corn Buzz Bees from DRS Designs?  I just love this sweet little stamp that was part of the new Halloween releases.  My only question is this.  Is the candy corn dressed up as a bee...Or is the bee dressed up as a piece of candy corn?  LOL!
Well now, it doesn't really matter because as far as I'm concerned, because...It's all in the accessories! I just thought the sentiment was so spunky and well suited to these little critters, dressed up in their Halloween finery!

The edge stamp of candy corn is a two parter that comes with a line of leaves too.  DRS Designs has so many stamps that go together and compliment each other.

Here is a close up of the bling I added to the wings...Love that sweet little face too!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and to see the entire catalog of DRS Designs stamps click here!

Challenges this card is linked to are as follows:

Craftalicious-Anything Goes
Gingerloft-Glitter or Bling
Let's Ink it Up-Halloween (No Digi)
Bee Crafty-Halloween
Paper Romance-Halloween
Stamp Insanity-Halloween
Creative Craft-Trick or Treat
Cutie Sunday-Cute Halloween
Double Dutch-Halloween
Everybody Art-Halloween
Fussy and Fancy-Halloween
Inky Impressions-Anything Goes
Meljens-Halloween
Pile it On-3 of Something
Tuesday Throwdown-3 of Something

Details not listed above are as follows-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Versafine, Stampin' Up!, Punches: EK Success, Stampin' Up!, Markers: Copic, Stickles, Cuttlebug Folder, rhinestones from my supplies

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Music Saves My Soul

Hi Everyone! 

A couple of weeks ago I saw that my friend Pinky played along with Music Saves My Soul.  Then I saw that Cheryl was playing along.  I don't want to be left behind. I want to be one of the cool kids too, so here is my entry for this weeks Music Saves My Soul.

In honor of John Lennon's birthday, I chose Instant Karma.  Fun song, makes me sway back and forth every time I hear it....but why is Yoko Ono knitting blindfolded in it?  They were so weird. 



Have a fabulous day and Shine On!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Operation Write Home Cardmaking

Hi Everyone!

I must say, my Operation Write Home card making event was a complete success.  Everyone that came seemed to enjoy themselves, and knowing that we were supporting a good cause made it so worth wile.  Now, I wish my photos did the event justice.  I really am the worst when it comes to taking photos of something.  I'd so much rather be in the moment, than stop, get the camera, and try and document it.  So much so, that most times I forget.  Which is what almost happened on Friday.  So I apologize for the slightly boring photos of these fabby friends working .

I had 11 stations set up with a sample card and all the materials to make a copy.  After I briefly described how the card was to be made, everyone picked a spot, and when they were finished with that card, they moved to the next open spot. 
 

I tried to keep the cards rather flat and simple.  We had both novice and experienced card makers alike.

This is Beth...She knew what she was doing.  Can't you tell?


This is Holly.  (I always wished my name was Holly because I was born around Christmas.  But then then what would I have named my blog, right?)


Photo of one of the clean and simple cards.  This sentiment came in a set, so I gave everyone creative freedom to choose the sentiment for the card, so they all wouldn't be the same.


This is my cousin Jenn, and my friend Laura.  Her and her husband started keeping bees and making honey this year.  Isn't that interesting?  My cousin Jenn and her husband started making their own beer this year.  Me and Rod. Nothing.


Here is Jenn again with a very large glass of Pomegranate Lemonade near the cards.  There were no disasters.  Unlike when I have beverages near my cards.  Rod has banned them from my craft area.


This is not everyone that came.  Some folks had already left before I remembered to get the camera, so I apologize for not getting you in the pics.  My bad.

The ladies that couldn't make it, donated cards as well. Big, huge thanks to them too.  My total cards being shipped out is 130!  Isn't that exciting? 

Thank you everyone for all your time and effort!  I can't wait to do it again next year. 

Have a great day and thanks for visiting me!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

A Fang-Tastic Card

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Today is my day to post at the DRS Designs blog, so to see all of this FANG-TASTIC card, head on over to the DRS Designs blog and I will see you there :)

Have a good one!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Cute Pumpkin

Hey All...

Quick post.  I managed to snag this Happy Pumpkin stamp from Amber Ink when it was a freebie.  Isn't it just way cute?? I want to pinch the cheeks of this cutie pie!  I love the adorable look all her artwork has going for it.  And all of it seems to have a winky style and flair ;)
The sentiment is a stamp I grabbed over the summer in a clearance bin and it pairs perfectly with this image. It all just makes me grin.

That's it for me...The gals will be here shortly and hopefully I will have some photos of my OWH stamping event posted by Monday.

Thanks for this adorable stamp Amber!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Bo Bunny, Stamps: Studio G, Ribbon: Martha Stewart, Rhinestones from my supplies.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Boo Thank You Treats

Hi Everyone!
Tomorrow I have 12 ladies coming to my house to make cards for Operation Write Home. EEK!  I have been so swamped designing, cutting and prepping everything for the event.  I knew it would be time consuming going in, but then when I actually started doing everything, I'm thinking  maybe I will prepare farther in advance next time.  Well, being gone for vacation, and then coming home sick really didn't help things either. 

Anyway, I was really glad to make these quick treat bags as favors for everyone to take home, and once again I'm using an image from my favorite Lindsay's Stamp Stuff set of the season, Vintage Halloween Labels
I stamped my glassine bag using a traditional stamp in Stazon.  My skull image was sized on the computer to fit my punch, so after copying and pasting it multiple times, I printed it out on orange paper. Hurray, no coloring required! (I CASED this idea from my teammate Cheryl...Thanks, Cheryl!)

Here they all are in the basket, ready to be taken home.
How's that for an easy peasy idea? 

I know I've shown this set before, but it deserves all the the glory...So here it is again :)


Make sure you see what Lindsay and the rest of the design team has to show you for this week....
Lindsay-Owner and Designer
Cheryl-DT Coordinator

Thanks for dropping by today :)

Challenges this card is linked to are as follows-

My Grafico-Dimension (I hope my ribbon counts as dimension ;) Yay! I am FINALLY playing along with my friends at My Grafico...It's been too long!
Scrappy Frogs-Halloween Treat bags
Sweet Stampin-Punch it Out

Details not listed above-Stamps: DRS Designs, Paper: The Paper Company, Punches: Marvy, EK Success, ribbon from my supplies.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Plaid Pumpkin

Hi Everyone!

A quickie post from me today using one of the cute new Halloween stamps that DRS Designs recently released. 

This is the Precious Pumpkin stamp and he's just so cute and fun to color :)  I thought the Delightful and Frightful Halloween sentiment paired well with this sweet image, since he's pretty delightful himself!
The background was created using the Open Plaid stamp.  It's a long stamp, so you can actually customize the type of plaid you want to make yourself.  It's just one of the many background stamps that DRS Designs has in their catalog.

Challenges this card is linked to are as follows:
AI Factory-Buttons & Bows
Create Blog-Halloween
Character Cafe-Orange, 2embellishments and ribbon
Craftalicious Challenge-Harvest or Autumn
Kaboodle Doodle-Colors of Fall
Paper Playtime-Ribbons, Buttons or Rhinestones
Pollycraft-Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays-Autumn or Fall
Mark's Finest Papers-Buttons and Bows

Thanks for stopping by and hope your day is more delightful than frightful!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Momento, Versamark, Markers: Copic, Ribbon, Buttons and Brad from my supplies

Monday, October 4, 2010

Halloween Kiddo

Hi Everyone,

Well, I am still being plagued with this stupid cold I brought back from the island vacation I had. Blech.  I am so sick of being sick!  I really shouldn't complain, I haven't had a cold in over 2 years, but c'mon...Enough is enough.

Anyhoo...I'm FINALLY getting a chance to post my project I made with my recently acquired Amber Ink products.  Have you seen the cute stuff she has for Halloween? Oh my word, ADORABLE!

I'm playing along at the Amber Ink Challenge blog, where the theme is...Dun, Dun, DUN...Halloween!  Yay!

I love to make treat holders of all kinds, so I decided the new iPaper (Spider Polka Dots) and Bat Kid Cutie digi would be perfect for my label box.  
It's a pizza box design that I altered last Christmas to fit a gift card, but it works for snacks too. See?



  I used the Large Rectangle Nestabilities for the cut outs and embellished it with a die cut bat and hand stamped sentiment.  Isn't he darling...And he's so excited about the holiday too! Actually all of the new HeyLoWeen Kiddos are super cute.  I had a hard time choosing just one! LOL

These are just some of my favorite treats that bring out the kid in me :)

Now, here are a few more photos from my trip...I wanted to do a whole post, but since that's not going to happen, I will just add them if and when I feel like it.

We saw so many pretty rainbows.
Where I wish I lived! This was in St. Thomas.
Us looking decent.
A little crab in Dominica.
I will need to look at this photo around January 15th when I'm buried in snow and can't take it anymore.
Funky Chair.
Heaven on earth.
Warm Chocolate Melting Cake.  Someone at our table ordered this every night.
These couples at our table were celebrating their 20th Anniversary too.

Well, that's all I'm up for today.  Have you played along with the Amber Ink Challenge Lynne, who won last month got a WHOPPER of a prize!  Who knows, it might be you next!

Other challenges this is linked to are as follows:
Aud Sentiments-Halloween Sentiment & treat holder
Cowgirl Sunday-Anything Goes
Crafty Ann's-Anything but a Card
Crafty Pad-Spooky
Elephantastic Challenge-Black and Orange
Pollycraft-Anything Goes
Scrappy Frogs-Halloween Treat Holders
Stamp n Doodle-Anything Goes
Humble Pie-Halloween

Thanks for visiting me today :)

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