Author Archives: kth

Papertrey Bouquet

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Another Papertrey challenge – this time, create a bouquet using more than 1 flower set. I love flower sets, so I knew I could do this challenge. My biggest problem was finding flowers that looked like they went together.

Here’s my card:

Multi Bouquet - by karen @ carefree creations

I decided to use flowers from Mini Blooms & Day Dreamer. I also pulled a sweet little leaf sprig from Natural Beauties. For colors I chose those that made me think spring (soft, almost pastels).

The little pointy border on the side is the Heart Border die, but the pointy end instead of the petite scallop of the top.

PTI-8thAnniversaryLogo

Thanks for taking a peek!

Dream
Stamps: Mega Gracious Vases, Mini Blooms, Natural Beauties, Day Dreamer (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: vase-Charcoal (Palette); sentiment-Espresso Truffle (Memento); bouquet – Spring Moss, Winter Wisteria, Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold (PTI) & Blushing Bride (SU);
Other: Heart Border die (PTI); twine (stash);
Sketch: retro sketch 145

Birthday Balloons

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Another Papertrey challenge. This time, be inspired by Maile Bells. I love Maile’s work – perfect CAS cards! One thing that stands out to me as a Maile technique – cutting a panel to make room for a sentiment. I tried my hand:

Birthday Balloons - by karen @ carefree creations

I ended up goofing on the sentiment placement so I had to leave a larger opening that I had originally intended. Still, I love the way it turned out.

PTI-8thAnniversaryLogo

Thanks for taking a peek!

Happy Birthday
All supplies Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Birthday Style, Boutique Border: Birthday;
Ink/Cardstock: White, Hawaiian Shores, Hibiscus Burst, New Leaf, Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow;
Other: dimensional adhesive;

Hello

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My stamps have been gathering dust, but Papertrey’s 8th anniversary party got me inspired.

The first challenge was a color/sketch combo. I chose to use the first color combo with the seventh sketch to come up with this card:

Hello - by karen @ carefree creations

I am really happy with how this turned out!

PTI-8thAnniversaryLogo

Thanks for taking a peek!

hello
All supplies Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Ruby Rose, Wet Paint, Ombre Builders;
Ink/Cardstock: White, Aqua Mist, New Leaf, Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst, True Black;
Other: Stitched Rectangle die (Lil Inkers); Ruby Rose dies (PTI);

Inspired to Make 4

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A long time ago I pinned this beautiful image from Design Seeds (link goes to home page as I can’t find the original post any more):

Inspiration from Design Seeds

I pulled up the inspiration today and sat down to make a card…and ended up making 4!

I basically pulled out a die cut that reminded me of the lace flower in the inspiration piece, picked a sentiment that worked (with no reason to make cards, I went with a generic saying) – and then got started.

This one is my favorite:

You Make Me Smile - by karen @ carefree creations

I used distress ink to sponge a background (with a splash of water for interest). Very simple, and in my definition, a one-layer card. I love how the flower pops!

Next up is a watercolor background:

You Make Me Smile - by karen @ carefree creations

Again, I used distress ink – but a couple colors to go for a subtle ombre. I love the soft wispy feel.

A bit of cardstock color blocking:

You Make Me Smile - by karen @ carefree creations

I really wanted the flower to pop, so I started with the darker color at the top – bonus that that meant I could stamp (instead of emboss) my sentiment.

My least favorite of the four:

You Make Me Smile - by karen @ carefree creations

I like the idea behind it, but wish I had used a different stamp to make the background.

Also, I kinda got stuck on the blue color theme (which I *love* for the first two cards), but with the other two cards, I wish I had picked brighter (not necessarily blue) colors.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Smile 1
Stamps: Signature Greetings (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: White (PTI); Broken China distress ink (Ranger);
Other: white emboss powder (Hero Arts); Versamark; Chloe die (Memory Box);
Technique: sponging; embossing;
Smile 2
Stamps: Signature Greetings (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: White (PTI); Tumbled Glass, Broken Chine, Faded Jeans distress inks (Ranger); Watercolor paper (Ranger);
Other: white emboss powder (Hero Arts); Versamark; Chloe die (Memory Box); Stitched Rectangle die (Lil Inker);
Technique: embossing; watercoloring;
Smile 3
Stamps: Signature Greetings (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: White, Enchanted Evening, Blueberry Sky, Spring Rain (PTI);
Other: Chloe die (Memory Box);
Technique: colorblocking;
Smile 4
Stamps: Wonderful Watercolor, Signature Greetings (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: White, Enchanted Evening, Blueberry Sky, Spring Rain (PTI);
Other: white emboss powder (Hero Arts); Versamark; Chloe die (Memory Box);
Technique: embossing;

Poinsettia Holiday

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Card 6 of 7:

Poinsettia Holiday - by karen @ carefree creations

OK, so I got a little artsy with this one…I love it!!

I really wanted to do a poinsettia card and, no idea why, but doing a color wash behind the flower came to my mind. Instead of a color wash though, I decided to break out my distress inks (still getting used to having/using them).

After inking the background I flicked water to add that final artsy touch.

The sentiment is gold embossed and the flower is popped up.

This shade of distress ink (pine needles) went really well with the old Forest Foliage cardstock from SU – thankfully I had a handful of sheets. Not sure what I’m going to do when I run out…that was a fabulous color!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Sending Holiday Wises
Stamps: Year of Flowers: Poinsettia (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: old Forest Foliage (SU); White, Pure Poppy, Scarlet Jewel (PTI); Pine Needles Distress Ink (Ranger);
Other: gold pen (too lazy to look up brand); Versmark ink (Tsukineko); gold embossing powder (Filigree); Stitched Rectangle dies (Lil Inker);

Winter Season

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Card 5 of 7:

Seasonal Flurries - by karen @ carefree creations

This card is a CASE of the layout from Jax’s autumn card.

A one layer card – woo hoo!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Season’s Greetings
Stamps: Peace Be Still (PTI); Cheerful Christmas (MFT);
Ink/Cardstock: Soft Stone, Melon Berry, Autumn Rose, Winter Wisteria, White (PTI); Lost Lagoon (SU); Cocoa (Memento);
Other: nada!

Cozy Holiday Season

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Card 4 of 7:

Cozy Holiday - by karen @ carefree creations

Very simple and quick card. I started with the sentiment – love that it called for front & center treatment. Framed it with a bow and poinsettia.

Oh and I think this is the first time I used the Delicata ink – but it definitely won’t be the last…such a luxurious ink!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Cozy Holiday
Stamps: Happiest of Holidays, Bells & Boughs, Holly Jolly (PTI); Gold (Delicata);
Ink/Cardstock: White, Simply Chartreuse, Pure Poppy, Black (PTI);
Other: Stitched Rectangle dies (Lil Inkers); Bells & Boughs dies (PTI);

Country Pine

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Card 3 of 7:

Country Pine - by karen @ carefree creations

Another stamp set I fell in love with: Ornamental Pine! Most of my pine bough images are small, so I easily justified the purchase of this set.

My design called for pine cones that would be the focal point. The pine cones in the stamp set were too small, so I pulled out Peaceful Wishes.

The kraft/crumb cake looking strip at the top is really the old gold paper SU carried (maybe still does??…too lazy to get my catalog from across the room).

This is the only card with ribbon, but, since the knot is small and fits between the popped up pinecones, I think it will mail fine.

Oh and the plaid is handmade (I was inspired by a Papertrey Ink Make it Monday video).

Thanks for taking a peek!

Christmas Wishes
Stamps: Ornamental Pine, Peaceful Wishes (SU); Super Stripes (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: Autumn Rose, Simply Chartreuse, Dark Chocolate (PTI); old Gold paper (SU); Gold ink (Versacolor);
Other: Dark Chocolate baker’s twine (PTI);

Partridge in a Pear Tree

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Card 2 of 7:

Partridge - by karen @ carefree creations

I really love this image from the SU Holiday catalog….probably because I actually like the song 🙂

For the coloring of this image, I copied Tanja Kolar’s beautiful card. If I had that embossing frame I would have just completely CASEd the card.

I used what I had, and I really liked the idea of framing the image, so I made a frame using my favorite Stitched Rectangle dies. The tree is cut out and popped up – the white panel behind the tree is woodgrain embossed.

I loved this card so much I made an extra for my own stash!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Thinking of You at Christmas
Stamps: Partridge & Pears (SU);
Ink/Cardstock: So Saffron, Pear Pizzaz (SU); Black (Memento); White (PTI);
Other: Copic markers; Woodgrain embossing folder (SU); Stitched Rectangle dies (Lil Inkers);