Deep Sympathy

 Hi Everyone,

Making a sympathy card when you need one most, is always difficult for me.  Lucky for me, I have this Calla Lily Sympathy Frame stamp from DRS Designs that does all the heavy lifting.

I stamped, colored and die cut it out, adding some sponging to the edges.  I attached it to an embossed background and added some flowers that were fussy cut from the Dogwood Branch.

After attaching everything with dimensional tape, I added a bit of glitter glue to the flower centers and called it done.

This stamp and many more sympathy stamps can be found right here!

Have a great week!
Karin

 

Army Proud

 Hi Everyone, 

I was in need of a couple of cards and had little time to make them, so I went with my favorite Dogwood Branch stamp that would work for both, and a couple of sentiments.  

I simply stamped the With Sympathy Greeting and the flowers multiple times, adding color by stamping using a small square ink pad.

I did the same here, but added a die cut Brush Thank You.  Some glitter glue was added for some flair.

Finally, I made another star filled card to honor our military, using the following stamps:

Army Proud

Interlocking Star Background

Thanks for stopping by!
Karin

With Sympathy

Hi Everyone,

Sadly, I was in need of a sympathy card and didn't have one on hand.  I have a simple, go to card design, but I've used it so many times, that I have no idea who I've sent it to in the past.  I chose another easy to replicate design in a neutral color, but I feel like the browns may have been a bit drab. More depressing, than soothing.  I'll choose a soft green or blue next time for my monochromatic sympathy card. 

The background was stamped using the Silhouette Branch and the sentiment is With Sympathy

  I mounted the greeting on some black cardstock and used a border punch and a row of gems to add some interest.  I also added some matching twine before I attached the greeting to the card. 

Not wanting to be stuck without a sympathy card for next time, I took inspiration from Lisa's beautiful card here, and made one for my stash. It's not as pretty as hers, but the recipient won't know that! 

Here are the stamps I used for this:

With Sympathy

Dandelion Puff

Spatter Background

And inside:

His Blessings Faith Greeting

Thanks for stopping by the blog today!
Karin

Best Fishes

 Hi Everyone,

Boy this looks like a rainy week for me, which isn't bad news, because that just means more stamping time for me!  

Masculine cards are always a challenge for me.  I usually go for neural colors or a pairing of orange and blue, like I did below.  I sponged a sky and also sponged the water, using some sticky notes, a scallop punch to aid me along. The photo makes the water look more splotchy than it does in real life, and I'm not sure if the gel pen waves show up to well either.  You'll just have to trust me on that. 

I stamped and embossed the Silhouette Fishermen and also stamped the Best Fishes Hook, coloring in the hook with a sliver pen, to give it a look of metal.  I then paper pieced the actual phrase on top. The two fish were stamped a colored using Copics and a bit of that white pen again. 

The fish came from these 2 stamps:

3 in 1 Ocean Floor Designs

4 in 1 Ocean Designs

Here's a card from the previous release that I forgot to share here on the blog.  This one is the opposite of masculine, but it's pretty simple in it's design as well.

I stamped the birds multiple times, and wrapped the panel with the ribbon, before attaching the sentiment, which was die cut.

 The stamps I used are:
Flowering Bird Branch  
His  Blessings Faith Greeting

 I then added a big gem embellishment to finish it off.
Thanks for visiting today!
Karin

2 Cards

 Hi Everyone,

It's a gloomy weather week here in north east Ohio, so I needed to spur on some spring though my stamping this week.  

This lovely greeting is suitable for Easter, or even a sympathy card.  It's always nice to have those in one's stash, for unexpected moments.  I dry embossed one half with flowers and stamped and colored the other side to match.  After attaching the die cut greeting, I added a few square gems to balance out the design. 

Here are the stamps I used:
Dogwood Branch
His Blessings Faith Greeting

 

Did you know that DRS Designs has a birthday stamp for every month of the year?  They do, and it's such a fun way to personalize someone's card!

Here I used the month of April and designed it using extras and leftovers on my craft table.  The chick was a spare from my place cards, the die cut grass was also an unused extra, the background stamp is always on my table, and the flower is one I didn't use on this card.  The moral of the story is, don't throw anything out!

Here are the links to these stamps:

Chick in Nest

Splatter Background

Easy Grass Background

April Birthday Greeting

Cheers to sunny days ahead...  

 Thanks for visiting!

Karin

Sympathy Cards

Hi Everyone,

My heart really goes out to those folks who have lost loved ones during these times.  I can't imagine the pain of not being able to put someone to rest, without the company and support of those you hold dear.  I've been keeping those close to me in my thoughts and prayers and wish you and yours health, safety and comfort too.  It's in that spirit, that I share these cards today.  

I kept things simple, super simple when it comes to the first card.  I chose to use the first embossing folder I ever bought (an oldie, but goodie for sure!) and stamped and die cut the 

Deco Deepest Sympathy for the sentiment.  

The flower came from the Calla Lilly Sympathy Frame stamp, and I colored and fussy cut it out, adding it with some dimensional foam tape.

Keeping with the flower theme, I chose to use the Circle Lily stamp, which I colored and fussy cut as well.  I attached it to a die cut frame, and used the same sentiment.

After assembling the card, I added some glitter glue to finish it off.  

Thank you for visiting the blog today.  All of these stamps can be found at the DRS Designs store.

 Wishing you and yours, peace & health.  

Karin

Two cards

Hi Everyone,

It was a cold and snowy weekend, so it was the perfect time for some stamping.  Here are two recent makes of mine that I'm happy to share here today. Both are pretty quick and easy.

In honor of the next card holiday, here is a valentine suitable for anyone.  I stamped and die cut the Valentine's Full of Love greeting, coloring in the empty spaces on a few of the words using a red marker.

I took a ruler and drew lines down one side of the cardstock, and added gems and punched hearts in traditional Valentine's day colors.

Thankfully I didn't have a need for this next type of cards, but they're the hardest to make when in a time of grief.  They're a must have staple in the card stash for sure.

I love the Calla Lily Sympathy Frame stamp because it's an image and greeting all in one.  I stamped and colored it, adding a bit of glitter glue to the center of the flower, after I had trimmed and matted it.

The background was made using the Splatter Background stamp, and I added a die cut and embossed flower panel on top of that, tying it with a gauzy ribbon before attaching the image.  

Have you begun your Valentine card making? Be sure to check out the stamp catalog right here!

Have a great day!
Karin

Thinking of you at Christmas

Hi Everyone,

"Remember the love at this time of year;

 Keep in your hart the one you hold dear.

 Remember the joy of holidays past; 

The heartache you feel, won't always last."

I think the above verse on this newly released Heartache at Christmas stamp is so touching.  It's difficult to figure out what type of card to send someone who's hurting from a loss at this time of year.  Holly jolly festive themes just don't seem to cut it, so I was thrilled to be able to make something so heartfelt.

Snowflakes were the theme I chose, so the background was made using the Medium Filigree Snowflake and the Snow Background in red and blue ink.  I added a red diagonal strip that was embossed in white, using those same snowflakes.  For embellishments, I attached some red lace, a few punched snowflakes and a gem

As we ease into the busy time of year, I 'm wishing you peace and happiness!

Karin

Picture Perfect

Hi Everyone,

The weather out my window looks very much like the one on my card.  Spring is in full swing in my little corner of the world and I'm happy to celebrate that with today's card share :)

I was working on using the new Picture Perfect Day greeting, so I chose the Country Window stamp as my focal image.  I stamped, die cut and colored it using my Copic markers. When I was done I set it aside and went to work on paper piecing the curtains.  I stamped the image again and colored only the curtains and then went over them using the Splatter Background stamp.  I then cut those out and adhered them in place.  The sentiment was cut apart and attached to the butterfly embossed background with some dimensional foam tape, and I added a tiny glitter butterfly just because I wanted to :) 

My second card today is super easy and clean and simple.  I stamped and die cut the Sincerely Sympathy Thanks sentiment, highlighting it by sponging on some yellow ink.  For the background panel I stamped the Brush Pussy Willows and added a row of matching gems below the greeting.

And to make the pussy willows soft, like the ones in real life, I dabbed on some glue and added glittery flock to them.

Have you seen the news about the great stamp give away at DRS Designs?  Check out the info right here!

  Good luck!

Prayers and Blessings

Hi Everyone,

I have a couple of monochromatic cards to share with you today. I seem to lean that way when making a sympathy card, trying to keep things simple and soothing.

I stamped and die cut the new Praying for Friends Sympathy Greeting and layered it onto a fancy die cut frame.  The background was embossed and for an embellishment, I stamped the Cross in a Cross and used my tag punches to create it, tying it on with some cream colored ribbon.

And here is my card made using the Dandelion Puff, Splatter Background, and Blessings stamp. 

The color inspiration came from that one lone flower embellishment in my stash, and I wanted to use it up :)  I finished off the card with some glitter glue on the puff and a wrap of matching twine.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and check out all of the new stamps from DRS Designs right here!
Karin

Faith

Hi Everyone,

Seeing that it's the week leading up to the Easter holiday, I thought I would show off a faith based card today that uses stamps from DRS Designs.  Originally I thought this could work as a sympathy card, something to offer hope at a dark time in someone's life, so I chose deep muted colors when designing it.

I stamped the Open Bible in brown ink and the I Am The Resurrection Greeting over it in navy blue.  I die cut it using rectangle and scalloped rectangle dies,  layering the sentiment panel on a script embossed  background.

The background panel was stamped using the Splatter Background stamp in the same brown ink and I stamped the Dandelion Puff a few times in blue. Stamping the flower once, and then again before re-inking it, is what gives it that subtle shadow effect.

 
All this was layered onto a navy blue card base and I added a matching bow. 

Thanks for visiting and if you celebrate, I wish you a Happy Easter!
Karin

With Sympathy

Hi Everyone,

 

Since my camera isn't cooperating with me today, I cannot upload the new quilt card I made a couple of days ago...So, I'm sharing a sympathy card I made and sent out recently. Sadly there is always a need for these cards.

 

In a hurry, I used my go to layout, and dry embossed the bottom portion of my white card stock. After choosing an ink color, I stamped the Silhouette Background Trees once and then again before re inking the stamp. I did that across the card and stamped the With Sympathy in black ink.

 

 

I decide to add some of the same green ink with a sponge to bring out the embossing on the bottom, and separated the top and bottom with a punched border and soft ribbon. I finished it off with a few matching gems.

 

Thanks for dropping by, and my fingers are crossed that I can get my new card uploaded for my post next Tuesday!

With Sympathy

Hi Everyone,

The current challenge at the DRS Designs blog is to make a card with a pet. While this one doesn't have the actual pet on it, it's pet related so I thought that would be good enough serve as a reminder to come and join the challenge :)

I used a paw print embossing folder for my background and added a stamped border made from the Dog Paw background stamp.

I used the new Furry Friend Sympathy greeting and Dog Bone for my focal point and decided not to embellish it any further. Yes, for once I didn't think it needed any glitter or gems :)

If you need some more inspiration, check out the DT cards and the challenge right here! Hope you get a chance to play.

May You Find Peace

 

Hi Everyone,

 

Another quickie post featuring some stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I made this a while back while working with the Religious Sympathy stamp set (#383).  I stamped the top half of the card and dry embossed the bottom portion.

 

The Find Peace sentiment stamp was layered onto a die cut that was made from Sticker Paper and Sassy Silver Glitter.  You can purchase the sentiment stamp separately here., and you can always view my card gallery for step by step instructions.

 

We are getting ready for our big holiday blog hop at Sparkle N Sprinkle on November 8th, so mark your calenders!  There will be tons of inspiration and we have a whole host of new designers that have recently joined the team.  Lots of excitement and gobs of prizes!  You won't want to miss the fun!

 

Enjoy the rest of you weekend :)



Never Will I Leave

Hi Everyone,

 

Even though I'm on a bit of a break from the Sparkle N Sprinkle team, I took some time to ink up a set that I received that I never got a chance to use before now.  It's the Religious Sympathy (383) set, so I made a card with this comforting Bible verse. 

 

I always love cards that have word art as the focal point, yet I rarely make them myself.  It's always good to get an opportunity to stretch your crafting comfort zone, don't you think?  I only wish I had distressed the edges of my papers to make it more shabby and vintage looking.  Lucky for me I have LOTS of this paper from Pink Paislee that I won a while back, so I can say "next time".  :)

 

 

The sentiment was stamped in brown ink and embossed with Clear Detail Powder (EP280) and I added a strip of  Carnation glitter (G1028) to the top of my lace.  If you've never tried an Anti Static pouch, I can recommend the one from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  It's got a generous size and it's packed with powder to last a long time.  Not only that, mine is a beautiful bright red color and it never gets lost in the mess on my crafting table...lol!  Full card details can always be found in my gallery here.

 

Thanks for stopping by and happy hump day!

 

Challenges for this card:

A&T Emerald Faries-Punches and Dies

Bearly Mine-Anything That Glitters

Crafty Sentiments-Let's Sparkle

Everybody Art-Anything Goes

LEJ Designs-Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesdays-Anything Goes

 Shopping Our Stash-Favorite Things (Glitter for me)

Created with Love-Sympathy & Bible verse

Cupcake Craft-Flowers

Stampin' Sisters in Christ-Punches or Dies

Extending Sympathy

Hi Everyone,

I'm popping in today with a sympathy card made with a couple of the newest stamps from DRS Designs. I already know that this Dogwood Branch stamp is going to be a go to favorite of mine. It's simply beautiful, no matter what colors you choose to make the flowers :) I colored mine with Copics and added Stickles to the centers for a bit of embellishment.

I created my backgrounds using Interlocking Circles and Woven Plaid. The Interlocking Circles were stamped 3 times using, orange, green and yellow inks. The Extending Sympathy stamp is also from this newest release.

I hope you had a great weekend.  My husband has been battling a nasty cold that seems to be making the rounds with everyone in these parts.  My fingers are crossed that I don't catch it.  Even so, he was a good sport and took me out to dinner at Delmonico's on Saturday night.  The steak was delicious, but the service left much to be desired :(  When the entree arrived, and I wasn't done with my salad, they just took it away!  NEVER has that happened to me in a restaurant before.  Especially one with these kind of prices.  Very weird.  Very rude.

Thanks for dropping by the blog today and be sure to check out the DRS Designs store and all the newly released stamps.

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Catered Crop-Ribbon

Let's Ink it Up-Flowers

My Time Made Easy-Color Challenge

2 Sisters-Spring Colors

All Sorts-Say it with Flowers

Crazy 4 Challenges-Spring as Inspiration

Our Creative Corner-Tic Tac Toe (Yellow, Glitter, Flowers)

Hot Shot Craft-Ribbon

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Memento, Stampin' Up!, Markers: Copic, Ribbon: American Crafts, Punch: Martha Stewart, Die: Spellbinders, Flowers: Darice

Heartfelt Condolances

Hi Everyone,

Well, it's been an emotional week here for me, so that's why posts have been few and far between. I received word that my grandma in Germany passed away.  My dad was gone on vacation, and between trying to get word to him, getting him home and making arrangements, well, you get the idea.  Also, today is the anniversary of my mom's passing, so my heart is definately heavy as I write my post for today. However,  I do know that God is good, and everything will be well again soon. If I haven't been to see you lately in blog land, know that I will be around eventually.

DRS Designs is sponsoring the sketch challenge over at the Card Patterns blog, so I thought I would show off my card I made in support of that.  I hope you can play along for your chance at a great prize :)

Here is the sketch:

And this is my card.  I flipped the sketch and used the following stamps:

Silhouette Branch Background

Girl Swirl

1 Line Heartfelt Condolences

Circle Lily

Since these cards can be difficult to make, especially when your heart is hurting, I like having a few of these at the ready.

If you are feeling especially sketchy, the challenge at the DRS Designs blog this week is a sketch as well.

Here it is:

If you want to see my card for inspriation, just click here to go to the challenge :)

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Other challenges for this card:

Crafty Purple Frog-Yellow and Green

Delightful Challenges-Spring Colors

Dutch Dare-Tic Tac Toe (Bright Colors, pearls and ribbon)

Paper Crafting Journey-Anything Goes w/Paper

Little Darlings-Pearls

Scrapbook Sisters-Spring Flowers

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Markers: Copic, gel pen, Ribbon: Offray, Pearls: Darice, Dies: Spellbinders