Author Archives: kth

Wintery Hello

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by karen @ carefree creations - Winter Hello

This card was created for a few different challenges. First, I was really inspired by a sketch on the Creating with Connie & Mary challenge blog. I can see me using this sketch a lot!

Next, I used the Less is More – Winter Blues color challenge. Which went nicely with the last challenge I used: CAS on SplitCoastStampers which was about snowflakes.

This card only took about 15 minutes from start to finish (idea to completion). Which, for me is awesome, but the fact that it happened at 10 o’clock at night is astounding (for me). I’m best for right-brain things early in the day. I’ve reconfigured my schedule to better focus on my priorities (which while I love crafting, it has to come after more important things). So my crafty time is now after dinner (or any time on the weekend – I had to give myself some concession!!) I’m not sure what that means for my blog posting, but since I’ve never really been consistent… 🙂

Thanks for taking a peek!

hello
All supplies StampinUp unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Four You, Endless Wishes;
Ink/Cardstock: White, Pacific Point, Marina Mist, Soft Sky;
Other: silver ribbon;

Balloon Filled Year

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CAS Colours & Sketches challenge is back! And I’m the hostess for January. This first week is a sketch challenge; check it out: #56 – sketch.

CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge #56

This sketch was inspired by a Bug’s Life poster I found on Pinterest.

And here is my take:

by karen @ carefree creations - Balloon Filled Year

I had an idea for this sketch as soon as I designed it, but when it came time to actually get stamping for it, I had forgotten my original design. Then I remembered this card by Debby @ lime doodle. I love that the balloons are at the bottom of the card (and not at the top where ‘expected’). I pinned that card months ago but since I didn’t want to just copy it I hadn’t gotten around to casing it. But now is the time!

I chose not to mask the balloons because mylar balloons are translucent.

I’m still deciding if I should have added strings to the balloons, but I was afraid they would take away from the design.

Make sure you check out the other design team members:
Jacqueline
Lizy
Louise
Patricia

I hope you join us at CAS Colours & Sketches!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Little About the Challenge: Posted every Thursday, the challenges alternate between color and sketch (if there is a 5th week in the month you get the double dose of color & sketch).

Smiles to Last the Whole Year
Stamps: Birthday Style, Stylish Sentiments: Birthady (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: White, Lemon Tart (old), Spring Rain, Winter Wisteria, Limeade Ice, Smokey Shadow (PTI); Pink Pirouette, Crisp Cantaloupe (SU);

A Bit Cheesey

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by karen @ carefree creations - Be Brave

When I first saw the latest Fall-to-Layout, I immediately saw cheese. I didn’t have the stamps to make the card that came to mind, but I was able to keep the cheese & mouse idea.

I’m entering this in this week’s Paper Smooches Sparks challenge, which is an anything goes.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Be Brave
Stamps: Great Chemistry, Nine Lives, Group Hugs (Paper Smooches);
Ink/Cardstock: Black (Memento); White (GinaK); Saffron (SU);
Other: markers (Copic); circle dies (Spellbinders);

365 Day Trip

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by karen @ carefree creations - 365 Day Trip

I missed a nephew’s 18th birthday! I made this card to send to him – even if it is late.

It is a bit more noticeable in person, but the last line of the sentiment is inked with dark blue – it is a nice little contrast to all the brown.

Thanks for taking a peek!

365 Day Trip
All supplies Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Road Trip, Stylish Sentiments: Birthday;
Ink/Cardstock: Kraft, Cream, Dark Chocolate, Enchanted Evening;
Other: twine;

Monochrome Chevrons

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by karen @ carefree creations - Monochromatic Chevrons

I combined a few challenges for this card. First, a new challenge: Colour Me, which has an Island Indigo monochromatic scheme. Next, Crazy for CAS is doing chevrons this week. And finally, Addicted to CAS is back with a Die-Cut code word.

Whew! Normally I wouldn’t combine so many, but this came together so well for me. Yay!

I started with a strip of white cardstock and sponged it with Island Indigo ink. I went lighter as I moved up the strip.

I die-cut the chevron panel and only punched out one strip of pieces (the others I kept in with a few pieces of tape).

For the sentiment strip, I stamped the sentiment over the open chevrons – it falls nicely in line color-wise. I also added some little arrows pointing to the sentiment, also with an ombre effect. The panel is popped up to add a bit of dimension.

Thanks for taking a peek!

ColourMe-ColourConnoisseur

Hello
Stamps: Circles & Diamonds (Lil Inkers);
Ink/Cardstock: Smooth Bristol (Ellen Hutson); White (PTI); Island Indigo (SU);
Other: Pieced Chevron die (Lil Inkers);

Birthday Knit

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by karen @ carefree creations - Knit Sweater

I was inspired by the Curtain Call Challenge – Smitten.

I loved the colors of the inspiration piece, but what drew me most was the knit texture/pattern.

I wanted the card to seem like a sweater sleeve – so I did things to make the bottom piece like a cuff: stamped a smaller knit pattern in a different direction and popped the slightly wider panel up, like the cuff was rolled up. I trimmed the card base down just a smidge (the “cuff” is 4 1/4).

Thanks for taking a peek!

happy birthday
Stamps: Knit (W+9); Think Big Favorites #13 (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: White, Plum Pudding, Smokey Shadow (PTI); Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral (SU);

Let’s Be Adventurers

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by karen @ carefree creations - Let's Be Adventurers

I created this card for the CAS-ual Fridays #125 In a Word challenge.

I’ve been living in Colorado for 3 years now. I’m not really an outside kinda gal, but I feel we should take advantage of having so many awesome venues here. I hope to do more hiking and biking this year.

For the layout, I was inspired by this pin.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Let’s Be Adventurers
All supplies StampinUp unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Wanderlust;
Ink/Cardstock: White, Marina Mist, Garden Green, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie;
Other: Woodgrain embossing folder;

Happy Hello

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by karen @ carefree creations - Happy Hello

I’ve always found one-layer cards to be a challenge, but one I want to take.

The One Layer Simplicity Challenge has changed its format to a monthly challenge (instead of weekly). I think that is doable for me.

This month’s challenge is to “restock the shelves”. I definitely need more general hello cards. This particular one won’t be on the shelf for long – I want to send it to my niece who will be back at college any day now.

Thanks for taking a peek!

happy hello
All supplies Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Wonderful Words: Hello, Background Basics: Music (PTI);
Ink/Cardstock: White, Lavender Moon (PTI); Rich Razzleberry (SU);

Amazing Man

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by karen @ carefree creations - Amazing Man

It took me a few days (had to take a break to care for a sick kiddo), but I finished my ink swatch ring. Now I can focus on getting back to the challenges.

The latest Freshly Made Sketche #117 immediately made me think ties.

Normally I wouldn’t have something hanging over the edge, but as this is for my hubby, I don’t need to worry about an envelope.

FreshlyMadeSketch-HonorableMention

Thanks for taking a peek!

You super amazing spectacular
Stamps: Super Star (W+9);
Ink/Cardstock: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, White, Ocean Tides, Simply Chartreuse, Enchanted Evening, Avocado (PTI); Island Indigo (SU);

Happy New Year!

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A couple nights ago I decided to start the new year off organized. I decided to finally sit down and make an ink swatch book. I die cut 100 tags (yes, 100 – thankfully Pandora kept the tunes rolling and I danced my way through it).

I managed to get all my PTI inks done:

by karen @ carefree creations - Color Swatch

The front of the tag has two stamp images – one more dense than the other to help show what the ink will look like for solid and line-art type images. The back has a second-generation impression of the top image – because sometimes a second impression can give a wonderful new shade and sometimes it gives nothing! I also have a little label with the color name (have to have that!).

I can not explain how happy this little ring is making me!

I have enough tags left to do all the current StampinUp inks too (almost done with those).

I will need to make a few dozen more tags to make samples of the retired SU colors I still use, as well as all the neutral inks I’ve accumulated.

One great thing about doing this was that I finally made the decision to toss some inks that haven’t been used in YEARS (and for which I don’t have a refill). My ink drawers are lighter and less crowded!