About Me

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DFW, Texas, United States
I'm the luckiest woman out there. I'm blessed to be married to my best friend. I have two amazing children, one son-in-law and the most adorable grandson ever with grandson number two due February 2013!!! My passion is people and preserving their memories for generations to come.
Questions, Comments or Concerns:

Email me at craf_t_scrapper@yahoo.com

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Friday, July 31, 2009

Hop To It!!! AdornIt Blog Hop!!!

Hi all!!! Welcome to the AdornIt Blog Hop. We girls over at Scrappin' Mojo have joined forces with AdornIt to have "blog hoppin' time" this weekend and we want YOU to join in!!! So, if you have started at my blog you should go back to the AdornIt blog so you make all the rounds, if you are here from the hop WELCOME and read on - our next blogger will be at the end of my post!!!

I jumped at the opportunity to participate thinking this will be easy peasy! My daughter, Caitlin, was one of the 5 winners for the AdornIt Teen Chix contest last spring so I figured she had LOTS of stuff - let me tell ya, the box that AdornIt sent her for winning was piled full of fun stuff but.......................GAH!!!................she informed me that she had used it all!!!! With all the paper I have I knew I just had to have some AdornIt stuff to work with but after searching through the mountain (it was a mountain cuz I had it all out going through it) of papers I found one, yes 1, ONE piece of AdornIt paper!!! UGH!!!

Part of my papers that I had to go through:


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So 1 piece of AdornIt paper to work with - this was gonna be challenging! I found a really old picture of my grandma and me - early 70's - in what she referred to as a "moo moo" that she made to match hers. The picture is not a real good pic but it is a scanned Polaroid from the 70's so what can ya expect? LOL Regardless, I love this picture because it has amazing memories with her.

I ended up using my lone AdornIt paper from the Nancy Jane Collection - Aged Line Black, Thickers, Prima swirls and Prima flowers.

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I made a mat that opens so I could do some journaling inside and, here is the coolest part, take a pic of the "moo moo" because my Mom still has it!!! Unfortunately my Nana passed away in the late 90's so I can't get a pic of me and her together with it but the memories are there and that is what counts!!!

Here's the matted pic opened so you can see where I will place the journaling and the new pic:


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So, now that you have hopped to my blog it is time for you to move on and see what Kelly Waterman has in store for you!!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Have You Charisma'd Lately?

Well, have ya? If not why?

This week at Charisma Cardz JoAnne challenged us to a fun sketch. I have to admit I am usually not stumped by sketches but this one, for some reason, had me scratching my head til I started cutting the paper. Once I made that first cut it all just fell into place.

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I used stamps I got last spring by The Cat's Pajamas and I just love them!!! I have another 2 sets that I need to get inked up but honestly, I have way too many stamps!!! But yet, I want more!!! I also used papers by BG, a Prima flower and misc cardstock from my stash!

Here are the Copics I used for this:


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I almost forgot to post a winner from the Serendipity technique card I posted on the 21st - EmmaH said:

"Love this technique, thanks for sharing the directions. I tried it out and it turned out great! http://paperaddictsanonymous.blogspot.com/2009/07/simple-is-best.html"

Thank you to everyone who played along with me and Emma, if you will email me at craf_t_scrapper@yahoo.com with your mailing address I'll get a little something out in the mail to you!


Thanks for stoppin' by and make sure you head over to Charisma Cardz to join in on the fun we have each week AND check out the fab work by the rest of the DT!!!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Christmas in July!!

Monday, Monday!!!

As always, Mondays are our reveal days for The Cuttlebug Spot. This week the theme was Christmas in July. I know, I know why are you focusing on Christmas so early - well, don't blame me blame WalMart and the other stores who are already carrying Christmas decorations!!! Each year it gets earlier and earlier but, I love Christmas so it is all good to me.

I used DCWV Christmas stack for the PP's, Stampin' Bella image, Copic markers, Heidi Grace flowers, MM felt flower, Misc Gems, Paper Studio Ribbons, Cintas ribbon (from WM) and the Snowflakes and Spots/Dots embossing folders.

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And the Copics I used:


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I also used this card for the ABC Challenge Blog's X on a sketch challenge. I really like going back through the archives for the ABC Challenge blog to see all the awesome cards and getting inspiration from the weekly letters.

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

PS I will go back through last weeks posts when I get home from work and see how many tried the Serendipity technique I featured and draw a winner for a little scrappy goody!!!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Busy Weekend

...........it has been pretty busy around here. I have had to get my DT work for the next week completed, my project for the blog hop at AdornIt, my project for our crop this weekend at Scrappin Mojo done AND school work because.............


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wait for it........................


I start work tomorrow! YAY!! I will be in training for 2 weeks then I go to the local branch (banking) and begin working part-time. I'm tickled pink as it will get me out of the house a bit, a little extra income which we could use right now after our move and eventually it will give us play money!! LOL We sure miss having play money lemme tell ya!!!

So, I got a lot done this weekend scrap wise and it is all scheduled for auto posts starting tomorrow with my CB Spot reveal, Thursday with Charisma Cardz reveal and then the AdornIt Blog Hop and Scrappin' Mojo crop. I also managed to pop in a card for a couple blog challenges that I can show now but you'll have to come back throughout the week to see everything!!!

My card, as seen here:


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.......is rather, um, well, bright! I did not intend for it to be this colorful when I started it but well, it ended up rather bright and I do like it but it is out of my comfort zone.

The Copics I used are:


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This card is for two challenges:


Penny Black
- recipe challenge to use 3 ribbons, 2 flowers and 1 charm (and a PB image)


Friday Sketchers
- sketch challenge.

Thanks for stoppin' by, keep me in your thoughts for my first week back at work in a LONG LONG time (well a real job that is...LOL) and most of all..........HAPPY SCRAPPIN'!!!!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Charisma Cardz Thursday Reveal 7/23/09

Howdy!!! This week at Charisma Cardz Vee challenged us to use tags! Well, my tag card a couple weeks ago was so much fun but I just didn't want to make another one like it so I opted to put a small tag on the front of my card. Now, is this a Christmas Tilda? Heck no! I put on my creative thinking cap - it was tight but still fit - and got to pulling out all my stamps that had presents on them to see which would fit in Tilda's hand in place of ...................... drum roll...................the ladybug! Yep, this is Tilda holding a ladybug that has been transformed into my version of a Christmas Tilda (only having 3 Tilda's inhibits my stamping so creativity is necessary!). The presents are from a Stampendous set that I bought a couple years ago at Archiver's that have little dinosaurs with them.

On to my card:

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and my colors (I forgot to take a pic right after I finished coloring so had to do it with the completed card):

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I also used this card to fulfill several challenges:

Magnolia-licous Highlights - The monthly sketch inspired my card.

Just Magnolia - Buttons on your card, there is a big green button under the center flower and then buttons for the center of the two other flowers.

Magnolia Down Under - Christmas in July.

OK, I think that is all the challenges I can link this card to but I am not sure, I forgot to write them down!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'! As always, if you feel inspired to create by our challenge link it to the Charisma Cardz blog and.........if you are so inclined and were inspired by me, link it to me!!!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Some Mojo & House Mouse!

I saw the challenge over at House Mouse was white on white. I used to flip out when I would be told I couldn't use anything but white cardstock but I am actually becoming quite comfortable with it. I can admit that I don't think it is as pretty as other stuff I do with all the color but it is growing on me. When I saw they wanted white on white my little bride couple House Mouse stamp popped into my head because when I think of white I think of weddings. I stamped the House Mouse on white cardstock, colored it in, used my Sakura white gel pen to "color" in the veil even though you can't tell it here and then my Sakura purple gel pen to add a couple highlights to the cummerbund and tie. For the design of the card I used the Mojo Monday card sketch. I cut 1 inch strips of white cardstock, ran them through my Frills CB embossing folder then used a light purple chalk to shade the raised areas...........oh yeah, I chalked the background of the couple too hoping it would make it pop out a little more - not really sure if it worked or not. I added ribbon and some flowers that I got from the wedding section of Hobby Lobby for half price - a bunch of these were regularly $.99 so they were $.50 and there are 12 flowers on them and if you wanted to take them apart and use gems or something else for centers you could have 24 flowers - plus they are just really pretty!!

Enough yapping - here is my card:


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and the Copics and Sakura gel pens I used:


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Thanks for stoppin' by and if you venture out to try white on white let me know, I'd love to see how it comes out!!! Happy Scrappin'!!!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The Cuttlebug Spot #40, Friday Sketchers, Stampavie DT Call & Blog Candy.............Now that is a mouthful!!

I'm very excited about our reveal this week at The Cuttlebug Spot. We are reviewing past techniques and I have to tell you that one of my favorite techniques ever was learned from The Cuttlebug Spot - ironic huh? I absolutely love love love the Serendipity Technique showcased as Challenge #21 back in March. I guess that the fact that I won this challenge helps make it even more special to me too huh??? Not to mention I was honored to become part of The Cuttlebug Spot team in June!!! If you didn't see my card that I made for this challenge make sure you take a look at it RIGHT HERE - then be sure to come on over and play with us this week. We are doing a blog hop by listing only the links to the DT's blog so you get to "hop" over and see what we are all doing!!! So if you are visiting me first then you should "hop" over to Katz Designs where our blog hop started so you see everyone's work. If you have found your way from to me from Aymee then you are in the right place and can "hop" right after viewing my card!!!

Now enough chatter from me, here is my Serendipity card:


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and here are the Copics I used for this card - yes, there are a lot of colors here:


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This technique is really so so so easy and fun! I know there are several methods to achieving the same result but I take the easy road out! I measure out my backing cardstock to the size I want - since I take the easy road I make sure it is no larger than embossing folder I am using so I don't have to run it through more than once. I put adhesive on the backing cardstock and then take my choice of patterened papers - I try to get several shade variances from light to dark so it gives good contrast - then I just tear away into pieces and place them on the cardstock lined with adhesive. Now, since I am typically anal about things being lined up and "perfect" I have to trim the edges back to straight before embossing. Once you have the cardstock covered and trimmed up it is time for the final step - embossing! Run it through your embossing folder and voila', you have now made a serendipity card base!!!

Now, in typical Karen fashion I also used this card for the Friday Sketchers challenge #61 AND I am going to link this card in addition to the one I did the other day to the Stampavie DT call!! Wish me lots of luck!!!

Now the last thing before I send you on your way is a little blog candy - As much as I'd love to keep it a secret so I have a better chance to win I can't not tell you about it. If I am not gonna win I'd love it to be one of my blogging buddies so check out Crafty Goings On for their 72 Copic Marker giveaway!!! And if you visit there because of me, it would be so sweet if you mentioned it! By mentioning you were referred by me does NOT give me any more of a chance than you but it is nice to see that word of mouth is working!!!!

Here is the pic they have on their blog of the candy:

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The requirements are simple (as quoted from Crafty Goings On Blog):

"""""The twist is that we want you to link to a project on your blog (in your comment) that either uses a download or a stamped image that you coloured in.

*
Link to a card you made with a download or a stamped image (does NOT have to be one of ours).
*
If you are using one of the Charmed Cards & Crafts downloads or Delectable stamps then you get two chances (please enter two comments, in the second just write "my second chance). All entries will be checked.
*
Link to the candy on your blog.

Please note that if you leave more than the allowed amount of comments then you will not be eligible for entry."""""""

OK, "hoppers" you have made it through my post and it is time to check out the rest of my "sistahs" work. Make sure you stop by Stephanie's to see her card and continue on with the "hop."

As always thank you for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!


PS If you try out the Serendipity challenge please link your creation here as I'd love to see it!!! If enough people try it I might just put together a little RAK so make sure you check back and see how many people played along and who won the RAK!!!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Blog Party w/Scrappin' Mojo & AdornIt!!!

We ladies at Scrappin' Mojo have teamed up with Adornit for a little summer blog party & lots of fun! Want to join us? Check it out:











If you "hop" on over to visit us at Scrappin' Mojo or you stop by AdornIt make sure you tell them I sent ya!!!


Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

New Stamp Company and Blog Candy

Check out La-la Land Stamps blog for a fab blog candy give away. La-la Land Stamps is a new stamp company coming out soon and the one preview she has on the blog proves to be quite an adorable little girl named Lala. Make sure you sign up for the blog candy by leaving a comment on her blog and linking on your blog!!! Good luck!!!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Inky Impressions 2nd Design Team Call & Stampavie Design Team Call

Well, I've only submitted one time before for a manufacturers design team and said I doubted I would ever do it again because the disappointment is just too great but..........................I lied!! I have found that regardless of the disappointment the creation still thrills me so, whether I make it or not I have created and that creation will bring a smile to someones face when I send it out so it is a definite win win situation! Wish me luck!

I am actually submitting this one card for two calls - Inky Impressions and Stampavie.

First call - Inky Impressions:

I do not own any Inky Impressions stamps and just recently found out about them from an online friend of mine is carrying the Inky Impressions stamps in her store and I've been drooling over them wanting to order but have had to put all scrappy purchases on hold (it isn't like I don't have enough stuff to keep me busy....LOL). Well, what did I hear through the grapevine this week??? Inky Impressions is holding it's 2nd design team call and well, I figured what the heck, these stamps are gonna be mine one way or the other - maybe sooner if I make it but if not later when I get back to work!

In order to submit for the DT call you had to use these colors (or as close as you had):

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The second call - Stampavie:

What can I say. I love these stamps. I own two Sarah Kay stamps and two Rachelle Anne Miller stamps (check out THIS post for the Rachelle Anne Miller stamp that I just adore as I haven't stamped the other SK or RAM stamps just yet but plan on it soon) and think they are just too flippin' adorable! I actually have the 2nd RAM stamp on my desk getting ready to use it in the next couple days!! The submission requirements for the Stampavie DT Call was simple - post your submission on your blog and link back. Easy peasy lemon squeezy right?

So without further delay here goes:

I used the Basic Grey Urban Prairie line as the colors were pretty close for the Inky Impressions requirements and, most importantly, I just love these papers!! I've been hording them (you all know what I'm talking about) not wanting to use them because they are so "purty"!!!

Anywho, my card:


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and as I promised to start trying to do each time I use my Copics, a picture showing the ones I used:


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I used this card for a blog challenge as well - no surprise there, I love to combine challenges when I can as I can use parts of each challenge to make a beautifully delicious card!! LOL This week at 2 Red Bananas they had a sketch challenge and I love the simplicity of the sketch so that the focus of the card remained the stamped and colored image!!!

First call - Inky Impressions - Part Deux:

The 2nd part of the DT call requirements is to post one of your fav cards and altered projects that you have made before in order for them to get a feel for your style. Well I had a really hard time because I usually make cards that I love hence the reason I make them right??? Every one of my cards I have ever made - yes even back to my omg look at that days has something special about it so I have narrowed it down to one of my more recent cards but by no means are any of the other cards I have made any less special.


My most recent fav card:

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This card has more meaning behind it than most - as you can read about in THIS post.

Now for the project - this one is tough! But, I keep going back to this lamp that I bought at the thrift store for $3.33.

Lamp before Karen:


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Sorry for the small pic, not sure why it is so small and I can't find the original anywhere as it has been a good couple years since making this.

Lamp after Karen:

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and a close up of the lampshade - I tore that baby apart thinking it was a preform and then whoops!! I had two wire circles and had to reassemble a lamp shade!! I used papers from the Basic Grey Mellow line (yes, I have a BG fetish) and love the cloud paper as the lamp shade!!

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OK, off to work on another card - I feel my mojo working so I need to take advantage of it!!

Thanks for stoppin' by, wish me luck and happy scrappin' all!!!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Charisma Cardz Thursday Reveal

WOOHOO!! It is that time! Did I mention I love Mondays and Thursdays? They are my two reveal days for the DT's I am on and I am always so excited to showcase the new challenge for the week!

This week at Charisma Cardz we were challenged to create from a sketch!! Now I totally love love love sketches so this was right up my alley. The sketch is posted over at Charisma so go check it out and play along with us this week! I did flip a few things on the sketch to make it work for what I wanted to create but I tried to stick as close to it as I could.

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Now, you are probably wondering what the heck was yesterday's post about, I don't see a paper bag! Well, yes you do! My card is made from a paper bag this week as I combined my DT challenge with the Just Magnolia monthly challenge!!

So here is the bag I started with - yep, the same pic from yesterday:

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Now silly me didn't think to take pics as I was making it to show the stages of creation - typical of me!!! LOL But, here are pics of the completed bag card:


Front:

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Open:

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Open - left page:

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Open - right page, left blank for me to write a little note on when I send it out:

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The right page pull out - this is the mouth of the bag and I made a pocket to put stamped images in for my recipient:

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And, just so you know it is a paper bag, the back:

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When I put the ribbons on the inside to tie showing on the front I sewed a seam to keep them in place so that is the stitching you see on the back.

I hope you like it and hey, give it a try! The funny part is I used to make the paper bag mini albums (years ago) and I forgot about them but now, I have so many ideas flowing to use these on!!!

The most asked question I get is what colors do you use on the images you color? Well, I have my Copic markers sitting in front of me:

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And I kind of just grab, doodle to find out if the color is a.) right for the papers and b.) the coordinating color. As you can see, I took the pic after I finished coloring so I rubber banded the colors I used on my image and I even left my paper that I check colors on nearby so you can a partial glimpse of my process.

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I hope this kind of helps out those who have emailed me - I will try to do better on each image I color by snapping a pic of the colors I use each time but if I forget please forgive me as my desk usually looks like a tornado went through it right after coloring..LOL

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Sweet Tooth???

Well, I got some blog candy for ya!!! Michelle is offering up some yummy blog candy including some new stamps she has started carrying by Inky Impressions! All ya gotta do to be entered in the chance to win is follow her blog, post about her blog candy on your blog and leave her a comment! She is gonna leave the candy open til the 31st which is when she returns from CHA and on the 1st she'll announce the winner!!! Good luck and make sure you tell her I sent ya over there!!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!


PS Just a few short hours and I can show you my paper bag!!!

PSS Oh wait, you wanna see the blog candy too don't ya?? Just an incentive for you to get over there right now and sign up for a chance to win, check this out:


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Sneak Preview & A Little Lurv to Spread!!!

Tomorrow is Thursday and every Thursday brings the DT reveal at Charisma Cardz!!! I just love Thursdays (and Mondays too LOL)!!!

Here is my sneak preview for tomorrow:



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Are you confused?? Yep, it is what you think it is - a plain brown paper bag typically used for sending lunches to school with children. Come back tomorrow to see how I transformed it!!


Now, I got a loverly blog award from my darling Carly!! She is so fun and I don't just say that because I am working on a temp basis for her DT, I say it because I just love her attitude and personality - it would be amazing to live near her as I know we'd have a blast and probably end up in trouble!!! LOL


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This is really a sweet thing and I must pass it on to a few ladies that I just really LURV!!! If I didn't link you please don't be upset with me - it would take me days and days and days to list everyone!!!

Carol - This woman is so sweet, amazing and beautiful! I loved getting to meet her this past April and treasure the time I got to spend with her. She is truly a talented lady and the momma of a dear friend of mine!!!


Aymee
- Wow, is there enough time and words for me to write about this chick!!! I also met Aymee this past April and like with her momma, I treasure the time I got to spend with her. Aymee is so sweet and cute and talented. Her style is amazing - she can adapt to any challenge you put in front of her. I am always amazed when I check out her blog - her work is just amazing!!

Kerri - This chick is on fire lately! She has been cranking out some stuff that has knocked my socks off!! Not to mention she is absolutely adorable!

Danielle - Danielle is a new online friend but I am just in awe of her talent. Her kids are just adorable and are the perfect scrap subjects! And Ms. Danielle is a Texas girl too!!!

Niki - When you talk talent and a heart of gold you should immediately think of Niki. Her work is so beautiful and touching. Niki has been through so much but is so strong. I "met" Niki online a couple years ago and have been a huge fan of her work from day one!

OK, I need to go finish dinner but I could honestly sit here and go on and on and on about my talented friends!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Monday, July 13, 2009

It's What's On The Inside That Counts

Hi all!!! As the Bangles would sing.............."It's just another Manic Monday"...........yep, this weekend flew by so fast and I accomplished nothing, nada, zero, zilch! But, today is the reveal at The Cuttlebug Spot with challenge #39 - The Inside Counts. Our challenge this week was to create a card but show the inside of our card this time - OK, this really threw my family because rarely do I do anything to the inside of the cards until I am ready to hand/send them out so when they do look in it is blank. Well, they have gotten in the habit lately to not look inside anymore so when I told them to hold up and look inside they were a little shocked! LOL

My card w/it's insides a showin'!! LOL:

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I pulled out one of my favorite MFT stamp sets and stamped it several times on patterned papers and cut out the sections and layered. Last time I colored the chair when I photographed it I could see the marker streaks so I wanted to do it differently this time. I also used the "kiss" looking candy stamp on the flap of the envelope.


I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!

Friday, July 10, 2009

The Cuttlebug Spot & $1000

You read that right! Thanks to our amazing sponsor Custom Crops we at the Cuttlebug Spot have an amazing prize of $1000 to give away! Yes, $1000 - that is 3 zeros!!! So, all you have to do is sign up to follow us at The Cuttlebug Spot and make a post to your blog telling the blogging world that we are on the drive to reach 1000 followers and YOU, yes you right over there at your desk, could win the $1000 prize!!!



Why are you still here reading my blog??? What are you waiting for!!! Go, go, go now!!!

The Importance of Drinking Water

Too cute not to share!

Have a great day!!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Help Cosmo Cricket Help Others

A scrappy buddy, Sandy, posted this on one of the message boards we frequent together and I had to make a post here. Cosmo Cricket is reaching out to the community by making a donation to food banks during the time of year that donations are not as plenty. Please visit the Cosmo Cricket site and join in if you can!

Thanks for stopping by and happy scrappin'!!!

Alter It

That is the challenge this week at Charisma Cardz where I get to make my debut as a stand in designer while Leanne is moving to Dubai! I'm very excited for the opportunity to work with these girls as they are quite the group of talented ladies over there - not to mention they are friendly as heck! So, stop by the blog and check out our designs and then alter something of your own for a chance to win some stamps donated by our generous sponsor, DRS Designs - I bought my first DRS stamps this past January at a stamping show in Grapevine, TX and I just love them!


My altered item:


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This was a "plain & simple" chipboard flower kit from Doodlebug Designs. I bought this over a year ago and it has sat on my desk in 3 different houses in its container just waiting to be altered. When I saw my debut challenge for Charisma Cardz I knew it was time to bring it to life! I used an old paper stack on it by DCWV called Blossoms & Butterflies, Prima flowers, Prima butterfly, gems, buttons and ribbon from my stash. The original set has the flowers standing straight up but I used my embossing gun to heat the "stems" just slightly so I could bend them a little for a more "realistic" feel - well as real as chipboard and plastic stemmed flowers can be! I had a blast with this challenge and am grateful to the girls at Charisma Cardz for letting me play with them while Leanne gets moved. I wish her a safe and happy move!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Summer Fun

This card reflects what summer typically meant to me growing up. My parents owned a cabin on Lake Tawokani in Texas and we would pack up just about every Friday night and drive the hour to the cabin and spend the weekend. On holiday weekends my dear, departed cousin David and I would sit on the wooden fence that surrounded the cabin my parents owned and the cabin his parents owned and we'd watch the fireworks being shot off over the lake and at times, we'd get to shoot them off in the dirt road in front of our cabins. Sweet memories that I wish I could still share with him but he fought cancer and lost the battle in '99 at a young 30 years old. So this card is for him.


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I used this card for four challenges:

Charisma Cards (I start the DT this week woohoo) - Use buttons!

ABC Challenges - U is for United States - use red/white/blue, stars and stripes, etc. This is also for the DT tryout.

Magnolia Down Under Challenges - Magnolia stamp and the posted sketch.

2 Red Bananas - Patriotic!

I hope you like. Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Knock Knock.........

...................Who's there?

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OK OK OK yeah, I know - Karen you are so flippin' corny!!! What can I say!!! This week at The Cuttlebug Spot we were challenged to "Tell/Show Me Something Funny" and as soon as I saw the theme this popped in my head!!! It was most likely because I had just recently worked with the Lime Rickey papers by BG and the little birds were just so cute that I was trying to figure out what I was gonna do with them...........well, now you have it!! I used the Frills border embossing folders on the top and bottom of the tag and then on the library pocket font I used Spots & Dots embossing folder. Lime Rickey papers as mentioned along with the alphas and bird that came with it. The one thing I added that makes me giggle every time is the googlie eyes with eyelashes. Thanks to Cait for suggesting googlie eyes when I was finishing up. I added a little bling to every other raised spot on the Frills border embossing as well.

I made a library pocket and tag and voila - easy peasy lemon squeezy!! I started a little tutorial on how to make the library pockets but then I realized it wasn't that hard so I nix'd it. But, if you would like measurements just leave me a message here and I'll send them to ya!!!

PS: I've gotten several emails about my bread and cinnamon rolls asking for the recipe. I have to tell you, after all these years of trying to make bread and failing unless it has been the premixed boxes you buy at the store I can tell you first hand that if I can do it, you can!!! The recipe is so simple to follow and doesn't require anything crazy or out of the ordinary. If you'd like to get the recipe just check out The Simple Dollar and follow the easy steps and before you know it, fresh homemade bread by YOU!!!! For cinnamon rolls I just rolled the dough out, mixed butter & cinnamon into a paste, spread it on, rolled up the dough, cut into circles, let rise the 2nd time and baked at 350 for about half an hour if I remember right!!

As always, thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Celebrate

I hope you all had an amazing weekend!! Happy 4th to us all in the US!!!

Over at Scrappin' Mojo this weekend Niki challenged us to create and altered item based on the colors red/white/blue in celebration of the 4th of July holiday. I made a card base and attached it to an acrylic photo frame using clear plastic stars and rub-ons to embellish.

2 Red Bananas also challenged us to use red/white/blue in our project this week!

So, woohoo, 2 birds with one stone!

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Tomorrow is the weekly reveal for The Cuttlebug Spot - just wait til you see what I came up with. You think I'm a goof, you haven't seen anything yet!!!

Thursday will be the reveal at Charisma too so stay tuned for that one - I am tickled with my creation this week!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Exciting Announcement!!!!

WOW!!! I am in shock and so tickled!! Little did I know that when I said in my post this morning announcing the end of the DT at Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketches about all good things come to an end and new doors DO open that it would be today!!!

I went for an interview with the University of New Mexico and came home a little down as I was told flat out that it was an extremely competitive market right now at the University but there were lots of positions open and/or opening and thousands of applicants and interviews going on. I was given a lot of good info though and was told to apply for EVERYTHING that I knew I was qualified for AND even for stuff that I was not totally sure on and let them do the deciding on whether I am fully qualified or not. So anywho, I came home not as excited as when I left because I just didn't feel "it" if you know what I mean. Well, my mood QUICKLY changed when I got an email from Carly at Charisma Cardz!!!! I have been asked to be a temp DT member while Leanne gets moved to Dubai!!! How exciting is that???

Here's the banner and link for the site, I hope you will all come play with us!!!!

Charisma Cardz



Now this isn't a permanent position over there at this time but, it is for the next 8 to 10 weeks while she is getting settled in and internet access set up. I'm really excited and had to share - I really hope you will find time to come play with us!!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!!

I'm Bananas About You!!!

Today's reveal is a sad occasion. I must tell you that Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketches will not be doing any reveals after the July 15th reveal. Today's reveal will be my last **insert sniffles here** reveal as a DT member. All good things must come to an end and new doors DO open!!!!

Onto my card!!!

This month's sketch was definitely a challenge for me. I twisted and turned this sketch in circles knowing what it was I wanted to do just not having the stamps I wanted to use!! So, I finally improvised!!! I pulled out my cute and never inked **insert gasps here** Changito stamps and voila', I came up with something close to what I was wanting to do!!!

Here is the sketch De had us work with:

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And here is, my final card as an Am I A Scrap Addict - Sketches DT member:

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I just want to thank De for the opportunity to be on her DT for the last year and wish her lots of luck on her future endeavors!!

I'm also using this card as my entry this week at Charisma Cardz since the theme is anything goes!!!

Thanks for stoppin' by and happy scrappin'!!!

Followers

Just to cover all bases...................

I am not the best scrapper out there. I don't claim to be totally original, I lift from many places and in many forms from color combinations, to product usage, to technique and so forth. I try to be fair to all scrappers out there and mention them when I lift from them - now keep in mind, there are so many people out there scrapping, card making and altering items that naturally more than one person will have similar ideas. When I mention lifting, or casing as some call it, I mean when you intentionally take a design you see and duplicate it exactly or only change up the coloring........KWIM???

With that said..........

All content, including text, photographs, and concept design elements are © Karen Brooks unless otherwise noted. Content within this blog is shared for personal, non-commercial use and inspiration only and shall not be used for personal gain or entry into contests or for publication. That wouldn’t be very nice now would it???

Thanks and happy scrappin'!!!!