CHA Fun

CHA 2012 is in full swing and I was lucky enough to attend, at least for one day this awesome show. It was my 11th show and I'm still in such awe of the incredible creative talent of the industry and it's designers. I used to say "certainly they couldn't come up with anything cuter, or more creative" and every year, they do!!!!

I thought today I would share a few photos of my favorite part of this industry....the People.
First of all I finally meet some of my online Flicker sisters...

from right to left...Myself, Jennifer McGuire, Ivy, Sharri Carrol, Sally Traidman, Nancy, Linda and Gina. Nancy was so sweet to talk with me over the phone to set up this meeting. It was a great way to start off the day.

Next I had the pleasure of meeting and doing a make-n-take with Jill Foster...

talk about a sweet girl and so very talented as well. If you haven't already been over to her blog you really should check it out, http://www.stampinginspiredby.blogspot.com/ 

The highlight of the show for me was getting to spend time with Laura and Merilee!!! For those who may not know, Laura worked for me and then bought my store this past April. I feel so blessed to have given up my baby to this wonderful girl! Yes I really do feel like the birth Mom to her baby, lol.

I enjoyed watching her in action. This girl really has an eye for all the fun new product and if you shop at her store you will be thrilled with all the exciting new product coming your way....wish I was there to enjoy it with you all. I can't wait to get my hands on those new Distress markers!!! Be sure to check out the Scrapbook Paradise Blog for all the coming fun. http://renoscrapbooking.com/

Well I hope you all have a great week. I was back at my new job today and feeling very blessed to be there. Even if it was a little bitter sweet not to be back at the show today.  Thanks again for stopping by!

Hugs!

Karen

Clean and Simple

I can't believe Monday is the last day of the Clean and Simple Cards Class... :-(  I really have enjoyed each and everyone of the On line card classes even when I don't get a chance to try each technique. The good news is when you sign up for class you get  lifetime access!!!! So I will eventually get to try everything. Here is a card I did from day 8. I needed a couple of Thank You cards for my new Co-Workers. The lady I'm sharing an office with started my first day off with flowers, candy and a card!!! Another lady that I will be working closely with took me to lunch on my second day! Talk about a warm welcome. Yes I do believe, God is good, and I'm feeling so grateful!!

I used the Hero Art's Friend Definition stamp for the background and another set for the Flower and Thank You.

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Karen

Check this out...

My sweet friend Barb from the Hero Art's flicker group has a fantastic give away over on her blog. Check out this prize package...

To enter just go over to Barb's Blog  here. 

Barb was one of the first girls I "met" over on the Hero Art's Flicker group and she has been such a source of inspiration and encouragement. I feel blessed to call her a friend.

Here is a quick card I did yesterday for a special young couple I know. I started my new job today and it was a wonderful start. A very welcoming group of people and I'm looking forward to working with them, so.... I probably won't get much time to do my homework from the Clean and simple card class but I will try to catch up over the weekend.

As always thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to hop over to visit Barb's blog!!
Hugs,
Karen

And another CAS Card

I found time to try one more technique from the Clean and Simple Card class. I was really excited to try this technique which Jennifer McGuire calls "Watercolor Blocking". It uses distress inks and the foam applicator dipped in pearlized water.  I look forward to practicing this technique, for now here is my first attempt.

I hope I get to play some more tomorrow!

Hugs!!

Another CAS Card

Here is another card I did earlier this week for the Clean and Simple card class. I just finally had a moment to finish it up.

For this one I decided I wanted to do a little bigger square card. It measures 5.5 x 5.5, the only problem...my background stamp did not cover the whole card. Luckily I have a stamp positioner and I think I did OK lining it up. I used Sail Boat blue Adirondack ink against a soft blue cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm looking forward to another week of class!

Hugs!

It's been a crazy couple of days....

I had really hoped to get more of my homework from class done but sometimes life just happens! My husband had surgery on Thursday, outpatient shoulder surgery and I really thought being home taking care of him would give me plenty of time to enjoy my craft room, Ha! I feel like all I've done is cook, clean the kitchen, Ice duty, med's, laundry, taking out the garbage ect. ect. It made me realize how much he does help around here!

Anyway here are a few Valentine's Day cards I did a while back. I had actually submitted them for publication but they were not picked. So I thought I would share them here with you.

I just love these little owls and that Tim Holtz sentiment worked perfect for a heart.

For this one I did a lot of layering and masking. I found the big doily when I was unpacking from our move and kept it handy just for this purpose. 

This was a fun CAS card that I added a little stickles to.

Oh and in the midst of all the craziness with my husbands surgery I received a call that afternoon that I got a job!!!! It is working in the church office where we started going back in October. It has been a long process but I landed it!!! I can't tell you how grateful I am for this opportunity. God is good!!!!

The remaining....

peices of my last card came to rest here on this card, LOL. I used the third sketch from Day 1 of Clean and Simple Card Making to create this.

I'm really enjoying this class, and going through the student gallery. So many talented ladies out there!!! and so much inspiration.  I hope I get to create another card tonight ;-)
Hope your having a great week!!!!
Hugs,
Karen

Another Sketch from CAS Card Class

Here is another card I created from a sketch from the wonderful Kristina Werner. I'm loving this Clean and Simple Class!

For this clean and simple card I used my Silhouette to cut out the word "Be Mine" from a 4.5 x 1.5(ish)

rectangle. I used the negative rectangle on the card and have the words left over for another project. I cut

a couple of hearts added some stickles and a ribbon, which was white and I colored with Copics.

Thanks again for stopping by, I really appreciate your comments!

Hugs,

Karen

A CAS Card...

Well here is what I created after day one of the Clean and Simple Card Class.



This was one of three sketches provided today. This card is 4.5 x 4.5.

I placed a post it note in the center to mask it off.

I wanted to add a some color to this monocromatic card with the little butterflies.

Thanks for stopping by...Hugs!

A New On-line card class...

The next online card class begins tomorrow!! I'm so looking forward to it. Here is a card I did for the pre-class gallery.

This sweet little butterfly die is from "Memory Box" and I just love it. I borrowed it from a friend and die cut a few cards to play with. I used some fun Basic Grey paper behind the opening.

Hope you all have a fabulous week and if your participating in the card class I look forward to seeing you there!

Hugs,

Karen

Scramble Cards

These are the cards I did for the Hero Art's Flicker Group Scramble...

It was so much fun and it was my first time hosting. 

The challenge was to use patterned paper with your stamping, and we had a great turn out.




The ladies did an amazing job. If you would like to see the fun cards they created you can search the Hero Arts Flicker group with the work "quickcard30"...no spaces.

Thanks for stoppin by!
Hugs,
Karen

Hero Arts Challenge

Hero Arts has a new challenge for January....

So I've been playing around a bit with the color challenge. Here are 2 cards I made using the color family.

This is not a color scheme I would typically use and it did prove to be a bit of a challenge but fun!

On this one I added the sentiment at the end and then was sorry I did.

 Oh well I should have known better, LOL.

Remember tomorrow, Saturday Jan 7th I'm hosting the scramble on the Hero Art's Flicker group at 11am.

I hope you will come and play.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs!!!

First Hero Art's scramble of the New Year...

I want to let you know that I am hosting the first Hero Art's Flicker group online Scramble. If your not familiar with a scramble it's a 90 minute challenge. Here is how it works.

• Log in to the Hero Art's Flicker group Saturday morning (the challenge begins at 11am Pacific time)
• Look in the discussion thread where I will post the scramble challenge
• Create a card using the challenge guidelines
• Use at least one Hero Art's stamp
• Post a picture of your card within 90 minutes
• Tag your card with "quickcard30" for a chance to win prizes!!

Please think about joining in on the fun. If you've never joined in on a scramble here's your chance!! and here is a link to the Flicker site http://www.flickr.com/groups/heroarts/

Here is a fun little card I did on New Year's day. I just love this tree, it's an old stamp by Wendy Vecchi.

Here's a close up...I was trying to capture the shimmer of the glitter embossing powder I used.

I hope your New Year is off to a great start and I hope to see you on Saturday over in the Hero Art's Flicker group.

Hugs!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Well it's here, ready or not 2012 is here! Personally I'm so excited for a New Year. 2011 wasn't a fav for me and I'm ready to embrace the new opportunity's that I'm trusting God to provide in 2012.

Some of my the sweet ladies over on the Hero Art's flicker group are doing a year in review post on their blogs so I thought I would join in on the fun. Here are 12 cards over the past year that I either enjoyed making, tried something new or are just a favorite of mine. I hope you enjoy them.

For this card I tried creating a drop shadow effect on my flowers using Copic.

This was a challenge on the Create Blog using denim. Very fun!

This was a Hero Art's challenge, one that was a real streatch for me.

This was a color challenge and I would have never put these colors together

 on my own, but it became a favorite of mine.

This was one page from the calendar I created for my new Neice.

Who is cuter and sweeter by the day!

This was my first go with my new Distress Stains.

This was a fun card I made for my DD for her first day at CSUN!

My favorite fall card of the year.

This was a sketch challenge and having fun with rossettes and tissue tape.

This was for a PDC challenge.

This was a challenge for a friend's blog.

This was from the summer card class.

I wish you all a Health, Happy, Prosperous 2012! Thanks again for stopping by, I have really missed my blog and all my bloggy friends these past few months. Your always in my thoughts!
Hugs!!!!