Saturday, December 26, 2015

AND  THE  WINNER  IS . . .
Well,   it  was  me!!
Hello and welcome to any and all who may visit.  I  hope your Christmas was a blessed one!
I enjoyed being with family and friends here in Colorado Springs~  All was an unhurried, relaxing, fun!,  and truly  peaceful weekend~  I really needed that too : )  Things have been emotionally difficult and I'm grateful for the respite.

 Well, a few weeks back I entered a give-away on Liz's blog  http://lululizinlalaland.blogspot.com/
 and I actually Won!  One of 3 great giveaway prizes!  She is a very generous and kind person : ) and shared with me some of her beautiful laces, vintage papers and sequins & buttons!  Liz is an artist and a collector of fabrics, laces, antiques and vintage finds in both France and Great Brittan.  (as far as I know!: ) 
I ask you to visit her blog (see the link just above here) and you will find here unique Etsy shoppe~

Here is my wonderful surprise, received in early December.
 So beautifully wrapped and adorned with this gorgeous embossed and decorated tag (personalized on the back.)  Tied with a gorgeous velvet ribbon!  It was . . . luscious~
Just look at the details on this tag!
I wish you could hold it and see each beautiful facet~ Inks, embossing, texture,  intricate laces and unique 'diamond' stars.  And of course the lovely image of Mary and the Christ child.

 The ephemera papers are vintage and authentic.  One is dated 1896!  I want to frame that one!

 Gorgeousness! The sequins are like nothing I've seen here in the USA.     * I wish I would have thought out my photo's a little better : j  as I would have spread the laces out so you could really see the details.
 I couldn't help but jump in and start working!!  Liz, I was so excited to create something and I plan on more cards; etc. soon~ 
 
 
 
BELOW  is my first "Thank You" card to reciprocate a special Christmas gift from my loving brother and his gracious wife.
All the different papers I've used here were from Liz's gift package.   A wonderful eclectic mix! 

I AM ENTERING MY TAG CARD IN WEN'S
SIMPLY  NEUTRALS  TUESDAY LINK UP!
 AT her  ApplesApricot blog:  http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/Weekly linky party
I  invite you to visit the wonderful display of neutral projects posted there: )

Well, here is my tag card.
I like 'round' bows! People, I'm not sure why! : ) LOL  But I guess I 'blame' blogger friend Beatriz Jennings!http://iralamija.blogspot.com/ As she 'taught' me how to tie one : ) *smile*
Bea, you got me started and I can't help myself! 

I added a small rusty bell, and you can see one of Liz's beautiful MOP (mother of pearl) buttons and those exquisite sequins.  I wish you could all hold a few in your hand!  They are extra special.

Good grief! There's my 'round bow' again! ~~~~
Told ya'  - I can't help myself. 

Dear friends and visitors,  thank you for peeking in today!  I hope you know it means a lot to me.  
 ~And I wish you a wonderful 2016~
God's love and peace to you all.  Karen


 

31 comments:

  1. Hi Karen. Your gifts are lovely and I love what you have done with them. I'm glad that you had a nice Christmas and hope that your New Year is just as good. I love the round bow! Sue

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    1. Much thanks for you visit Sue~ You're such a peach! ( And I'm happy to have a friend who appreciates round bows too; ) lol Karen

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  2. Congrats on your win and it is just Gorgeous card you made from all the goodies!!

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    1. Hi Connie! Thanks for the visit : ) Wishing you a Blessed New Year. Hope all is well~ Karen

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  3. Congratulations on your gorgeous win!
    Your excitement and thankfulness is quite evident as you shared this sweet post, Karen.
    I love what you created for your brother and sister in law, beautiful, just beautiful.
    It was good to hear that you had a wonderful Christmas, I thought about you.
    Blessings~~ Debbie

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    1. Debbie I was thrilled to see you stopped in today : ) thank you so much. I really was shocked to win those wonderful things! and yes was so grateful. Bless you for your encouragement Debbie! Hope you are enjoying your time with family. ~Karen

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  4. Dear Karen, sorry I have been away, but my dear family visited all christmas, as you know, so only now I start looking at blogfriends posts again!!
    I`m so glad to read your Christmas was a relaxed and lovely time with your family, that is what matters!!
    The win from dear Liz, is gorgeous, Karen, I love her tag, she gifted you, and all the laces, and paper ephemera. so many goodies ,and so much to enjoy and play with.
    Your card using some of the lovely pieces, is wonderful, love all the neutral tones, in it, and your different layers of tags getting smaller and smaller . LOVE the bow, and would ,love to know how to .
    See you soon again Karen, and all the best in health, happy hours and joy for you in 2016 .
    Hugs from Dorthe

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    1. Hi Dear Dorthe! I am having some computer issues : ( So I hope this works! We have all been busy with Holiday's and family --I am so thankful you stopped in! My vacation time is almost done for now; but it has been good. I'm glad you liked my card! Thank you dear friend. Liz has been so good to me! Wishes for a wonderful 2016 my friend! Hugs, Karen

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  5. Hello Karen I am so pleased that you could spend a lovely and relaxed Christmas with your family.
    Lucky you to win one of Liz's very generous Giveaways. Such a lot of beautiful lace, mop buttons and ephemera which you have already started to create with. Your collaged and layered cards are so pretty how you have done that.
    Many blessings for a better New Year full of love and joy in all you undertake and become inspired by.
    Hugs,
    Suzy

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    1. Oh Suzy thank you for the visit! I did have a good Holiday time and am thankful for that. I took a short trip and have pics to post soon.
      Wishing you the very best for 2016! Looking forward to seeing some of you gorgeous creation's : ) Hugs, Karen

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    2. Thank you for responding Karen! I am so happy for you that you had a lovely holiday away - just what you needed! Look forward to seeing where you went!!! Hoping Happiness and more happiness will fill you heart through the New Year!
      Hugs,
      Suzy

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  6. Hi Karen, Happy New year sweet friend. Congrats on your win from Liz. She is such a talent and so generous with this beautiful win of treasures. Love the thank you card you designed from your winnings. Beautiful!! You are one talented designer. So glad you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and got some rest and relaxation. Wishing you a great new year filled with many blessings. xo

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    1. Thanks so much for peeking in my blog Celeste! I appreciate you (I know you are one busy lady:) and am looking forward to your upcoming 2016 posts~ Enjoy the week, Karen

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  7. Hi Karen, Happy New year sweet friend. Congrats on your win from Liz. She is such a talent and so generous with this beautiful win of treasures. Love the thank you card you designed from your winnings. Beautiful!! You are one talented designer. So glad you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and got some rest and relaxation. Wishing you a great new year filled with many blessings. xo

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  8. Congrats for winning. Awesome goodies there and I love what You did with them. More beautiful work from you!

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    1. Happy New Year Connie~ Thanks so much for the visit today! You always encourage me friend~ Hugs - Karen

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  9. Congratulations on winning such a gorgeous prize and your tag card is beautiful too!

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    1. Oh wow Kelly, what a peach you are! : ) Thanks for taking time to peek in today!
      Appreciate that so much~ Karen

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  10. Happy New Year sweet Karen! Congratulations on winning such a gorgeous rack and it is so perfect for your scrappy style!! I always love seeing your beautiful creations and you always inspire me both creatively and personally. Your strength reminds me that we are the life we live <3

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  11. Hi there Renea! What a treat to hear from you~ I am excited for your new endeavors this year! and will be watching : ) Thanks for your support and encouraging words. Blessings to you, Karen O

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  12. Happy New Year, Karen. I'm sure you were greatly cheered up by such a beautiful package of yumminess. I hope some more exciting and happy things happen for you.
    Hugs,
    Jesse

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    1. Thanks friend : ) You are such a peach! Wish you the very best Jesse~ Karen

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  13. P.S. Your card is so sweet, and Liz will be impressed that already you have used some of her gifts!

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  14. Gorgeous card with such pretty details, love the bow. Wonderful gift received by a very talented lady.

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    1. Hi Sheryl! I feel honored : ) you came back! : ) I mostly do paper crafts; but I have a real love for fabric and lace- so I do use it often when creating… Thane so much for peeking in! ~Karen

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  15. Wau what a beautiful tags so many lovely details, hugs pia

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    1. Hello Pia!!! Thank you so much for the visit! I appreciate you~ Karen

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  16. Lucky girl, how wonderful, you received such beauties! I'm so happy for you Karen, you deserve to be spoiled :) Your tag card is beautiful! I especially love that beautiful handwritten paper you used with the lines, and how you added the tags on your card. Hugs xx

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    1. Thank you dear Wen! Yes this gift from Liz is amazing! I told myself "USE IT". : ) No hoarding for me. The lined hand-written paper had a date of 1935: ) Thank you for the visit~ Karen

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  17. Happy New Year, dear Karen and congratulations on winning Liz's, giveaway.
    Your card is stunning.
    Hugs,
    Marie

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Marie! Winning Liz's give-away was so exciting! (a package all the way from England ; ) Hope all is well. ~Karen

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