Wishing you a blessed Christmas!

Hello to you and a great big Thanks! for looking in~
I want to let you know I may not be posting anything for a while; well, possibly till February~
I am a full-time bookkeeper and do lots of accounting and some work related travel  at the years end.  This is a busy time any way, with Christmas and New Years just a few weeks away!
Perhaps I'm jumping the gun a bit - - but just in case I don't make it back for a while, I wanted you to know why~  I certainly hope to do some blog visiting though;  So I'll see you at your place! :)

Well today I am posting a card I made a looong time ago!  - but is a favorite for me.
Old world Santa and burlap

I used a distressed card base, a layer of red burlap, then white burlap, a piece of corrugated board with some Gesso 'snow', the image from a friend, and a few berries & such, & a whisp of raffia. The white button is from Grama's jar.  There is a generous amount of white glitter too~

How are your holiday preparations going?  From what I see in my 'Readers List' there is much Creativity going on!!  Hard to believe Christmas Eve is just 2 weeks from today.  In my family we love the festivities of this celebration of Jesus' birth - along with reaching out to others with gifts of love, good will, and best wishes!
I Thank each one of you for your loving support and dear friendship~  My life has seen it's share of difficulties these last few years and I truly and sincerely appreciate your love and encouragement!

Wishing for you a very blessed Christmas and very Happy New Year!
Love and hugs,
Karen~

Neutral Christmas card~

Thanks to all who stop in!  I sure appreciate you taking time to look~
Hopefully  : ) just a quick post for me to share a card I created last week.

I couldn't seem to get a good clear shot of this one.  The sky has been quite dark and grey for days and so with just the artificial light - I get the shadows . . .

There is a bottom layer of pale pink cardstock, then black cardstock, cheesecloth, a pale greenish-blue that you can hardly see 'peeking thru'; and then the image. (From ShabbyArtsBoutique blog - KerryAnne is so kind.)
 I tucked in some white Prills beads, glitter and sequins.  Added bits of texture paste and paint, not too much,   just here & there along the top & bottom sides.

 A little punched snowflake~

I am hoping to enter this tomorrow at Wens:    Simply Neutral Tuesday's Party!!
Hope you can peek in on Tuesday and see what's new~  Always delightful art!

 Two white jingle bells, white cotton twill tape, seam binding, cotton twine and a pearl on top.

Thank you for the visit!  Wishing you a wonderful creative week~  We are cooold and a bit snowy up here in NW Montana~  Sure fits the Christmas Season to be sure~

Loving hugs to you,

Karen

A Paper bag Thank You~

Hello to all!! Thanks ever-so-much for stopping in~
I wanted to share something I made many months ago; but just recently got sent out to our friend Marie at Lost Bird Studio. http://marie-lostbirdstudio.blogspot.com/
She is an artist with great talent; and a woman of generous spirit~  I hope you'll take some time to enjoy her blog~  She was (and is) such a blessing to me during some extremely difficult times- and this is a very (very) long over-due little thank you card.

 

This is a small paper bag; lightly painted with white acrylic around the edges.  I then added some papers, a bit of cheese-cloth, some scraggly-torn tissue paper and the image- which was gifted to me by Marie~ Isn't that a sweet vintage girl!   The 'crown' punched piece of paper at top is the sentiment card that fits inside.  I wrote a few words &  tucked a few small things into the bag for her and finally got it sent off~

There is a smattering of prills, beads, sequins and glitter here & there.  Look at those boots! : ) <3 

(PS, I am such an amateur at this blogging! and don't know how to remove the spaces and gaps between photo's & text sometimes : p)

 

I hope this day finds you well?  And enjoying some creative time~  I am feeling Christmas so early this year.  I don't usually start things till after December rolls in; but my trees have been up for a week! That's just Not me~ hmmm

My dining table is covered with wrapping projects.  I don't shop this early! (who am I?:)
Well so-long for now dear friends.  I am still working full-time and my job awaits.
Wishing you blessings in the days ahead~

Love and hugs,  Karen

A Birthday tag, and a sweet old pic~

Hello to you friends!  Thank you for joining me today~

How are things in your corner of the world?  We are cold and grey today, but the bright spot for me is dinner tonight with my daughter and grandkids!  (Then off to church.)  I count myself fortunate to be able to see them so often~~  This is the first time I've lived closer than 900 miles away!  So it's been wonderful to be just a few miles down the highway.

I created a little tag for my baby sis's birthday.  She is 7 years my junior, but we are super close friends!  I do miss seeing her,  like when we lived in the same city, but we talk often.

I have used Kaisercraft papers (Romantique collection) and a piece of Tim Holtz filmstrip.  A resin frame from Prima and (of course) some bows and ribbon.

I 'fussy-cut' a bit of flowers to attach to the frame,   and a single little blossom for the filmstrip; mounted with a foam dot for dimension.  *Can you read 'Paris' behind the film? : )
The 'love' is cut with a T Holtz die. https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product?id=316463&sscid=b1k2_eahz7&utm_source=ShareASale&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=244984

My sister, Jane, is the youngest of the 6 kids in my family. (I was child #4)
She is such an amazing woman!  full of life, love and compassion - and is deeply committed to several very serious causes (one being the fight against human trafficking . . .)
As a toddler, we used to carry her around everywhere! Always soo cute; she was our "baby doll."

Here is a picture of her  on the right,   when she was about 4 years old.

See those little 'arms open wide'?! : )  she is still that way today.
Jane is also a very avid hiker in Colorado and has climbed many of the " 14ers" (mountains in CO over 14,000 ft-- there are 52 peaks in that category).  The photo is from a mini album I made for her Many years ago.  That is our parents on the left~

 I thank you so much for peeking in!  And hope you have a beautiful rest of the week.
I would love to hear what you have been up to : )
Wishing you blessings and hugs,
Karen <3

My new journal; A place to share my heart ~

Welcome!! to my blog today.
I hope and trust you are doing well?!  And finding Joy in many things~

My heart has been in (desperate) need of journaling;  so I decided to make myself one. Well, I  'covered' myself a notebook anyway  : )  I guess you might call this "semi-homemade" ; )

I found some composition books so reasonable I could not pass them by.  I covered the front with some beautiful Prima paper; from their Salvage District collection. https://www.scrapbook.com/store/products/?w=Prima%20salvage%20district
 Before adhering it, I did a bit of script and music note stamping, some dry embossing with a 'harlequin' folder; and added a bit of TH (pumice stone) distress ink. https://www.scrapbook.com/store/pp-th-tim27140.html   **Please know I'm not one to intentionally advertise online supplies co's; but I want you to see what I'm talking about : ) I know some are interested in specifics~ Please feel free to ask.

 I'm afraid you will almost always find a 'bow' somewhere in my work~
 I.Can't.Help.Myself.~ *sigh*

This resin frame is also from the 'Prima Marketing' family.
The sweet bird  image is trimmed from a Tim Holtz die-cut. 

I made the flowers from the paper I used on this project (again, Prima Salvage District) and I've added quite a bit of German glitter glass, sequins, gems, micro-beads and & glitter here & there.

There's a strip of lace at the bottom (cotton) -  but she decided she would not 'stand up' to get her picture taken!! (she's a lot like me)

The text "from the heart" is stamped on a titch of linen lace, and mounted on a bit of white corrugated board; for dimension.  I made myself a little pencil from a toothpick end : ) 

I included a simple pocket for the inside/front; to hold a few bookmarks, notes, and my writing pencil.

Thank you!!! for peeking in today~  It always blesses my heart.
 I am planning to enter my page at Simply Neutrals Tuesday Party!! 
 I wish wish wish you would pay a visit there and see what beautiful neutral projects will be showing up in the days to come! : ) <3

We are in the mid to high 30's (deg) today, and they are forcasting snow! (Brrrr) We shall see.
If it happens and if it's a pretty one, I'll try to post a pic!

 Much love and hugs to you~   Karen

A paper bag birthday card

Hello friends~  I am so happy you peeked in today.
I want to share a little card I made, and just say hello to all who stop in.

Are you ready to welcome November with open arms? : )  I think perhaps most of you are!
And for those of us who prefer a warmer climate? [let's speak truthfully here, I don't like the cold! ]  --well, that's where the scripture  "be content . . .  In whatever state you find yourself"  comes in to play~
 Our circumstances, our 'situation' in life may be far from ideal;  but if we can't control it (like, say, the weather! or even my [still active] grief,)  then finding 'contentment' is a wise thing to do.
I don't care to much for the cold, but I love the colors of November! and the smell of fresh air and that great 'musty' smell of the piling leaves! So, if I bundle up good enough, the walks I take will be a blessing and help me to press into the changes in the air and give me plenty to still enjoy~~

Today I want to share a sort of grungy paper bag card I made for my sweet SIL; my brothers' wife.

Using some older My Minds Eye papers and a lot of distressing and peeling, this is all layered on top of a small 8"X4" (20.3X10.15cm)  kraft paper bag.
I'll write the sentiment on this tag; which has a little pocket to hold a gift card for her~It slides into the bag.

The little white happy birthday tag is dry embossed (with a folder.)

A little love spilling out of her mailbox : )  [and a bit of washi tape across the top left.]

Thank you!! for the visit~  And happy wishes for the rest of the week ahead.  Please know your blogs bring me so much happiness and inspiration!
Hugs to you,
Karen

A few more Holiday flutters~

Hi friends!  Thank you for peeking in today~
I have some inspiration to create!   Thanks to you out there in blogland ; )  giving me the (holiday) nudge~  You 'creatives' are inspiring and encouraging me.  I'm still working in the familiar and simple- but for me that is OK <3    *I'm very thankful to be sitting at my table and doing something!  Isn't this a great time to peruse blogs? Some are in holiday mode (yay! thank you:); others are out shooting photo's of our beautiful earth and sky; and some are sharing peeks of their home, life & art~
So many of you bloggers may have no idea what seeing your art does for me!  Well, I'm sure for most of us really.  I for one just love to see the notice that says 'you'  have something new to share~
 I do work full-time, so for me, when I have the chance to check,    my 'Reading List'  is always a welcome  sight~

Well, for today here is a Christmas gift tag.  I find inspiration from Beatriz Jennings Youtube videos from time to time~  I believe this one is simply "Christmas tags"
I have used things from my box of Christmas paper and supplies; nothing new : )  As you can see my photo's are not the greatest (sorry) so some of the details do not show.
I used some dots of red Stickles on the punched branches. A piece of ribbon to separate the 2 papers, and paper doily for the little skirt~

 I have quite a bit of accumulated ribbon; this country brown plaid used to be such a fav! : ) It does warm this tag up nicely don't you think?

  I think I mentioned I'm still working in the familiar and simple? : ]
I decided to make a few fast & simple Christmas cards; about 4" X 4" (10.1CM)

It keeps me active and keeps me going.  Simple is good for me~

 The bell above is a punch~  The "Noel" I've had for about 112 years! : )  Decided I better use it~

Someone gave me these 'primitive star' die cuts;  I wish I had the die!  I 'frosted' the stars with some picket fence Stickles from Tim Holtz and perhaps a titch of glitter.  A 'joy' tag on a bit of corrugated ppr and a sequin.  I like postage stamping and add it often~~~

I thank you for taking the time to check out my simple cards, made with love!
I am enjoying a few more days of B E A U T I F U L weather, before the cold rolls in again~
Lots of blue skies and 60+ degrees! (about 16 Celsius?)
Brilliant autumn colors are lighting up my world here in MT USA and it helps me to truly feel better.

Much love and hugs to you!

Blessings,  Karen

A grungy, vintage-style thank you card~

Hello friends!  So happy you could peek in today~
How has your week been going?  Would love to hear how you've been.

I have a rather grungy style/vintage style card to share.

Well, if ever I wanted a card to look like it was 100 years old and fresh out of an old dusty box from Grama's attic - this would be it : )
What draws me to the grungy look I'm just not sure. But I love the 'peeled back' corners and edges. As if it is soo old, it's shredding away!    Now what's so fab about that; I can't say~ It just appeals to me.  Like finding an old treasure among Grama's things.

The die cuts here (butterflies, flowers, tag) are from Tim Holtz; which were recently gifted to me. I added some pleated seam binding and lots of seed beads and glittery stuff~
The ppr is either Prima (Salvage collection,) or - 49th & Market. Ooops.?! I don't remember.
There is a bit of white corrugated board under the tag, just for a little more texture.
 I did dry emboss a few areas of the ppr and lightly inked w/ T Holtz Pumice Stone distress ink.

 I really like postage 'stamping' so it often shows up in my projects.  
I am not too keen on the sheen/shine of these paper die cuts, but I do love 'em~  You can see them here:
https://www.scrapbook.com/store/ch-th93554.html

We are bracing ourselves for snow - soon ahead (in the forecast)  But for now, there are beautiful Fall colors everywhere.  It is cold here in the Rocky Mountains of Montana.  It will get to 50 deg(f) today, but lows in the mid 20's tonite!! 
I am grateful for so many things, but especially today I'm grateful for my wood fireplace!
Working from home has it's advantages~

Today is a melancholy one for me.  A sad anniversary date : (tears tears)  I had a long cry yesterday - missing my Alan soooo much.  4 years now, but it hardly seems that long.  He would have loved it here (in MT)

Wishing you a blessed week ahead and hope for a creative one too~
Hugs,
Karen

A quick (re) post, and big hello!

Hello friends!  I am honored by your visit; thanks for peeking in~ This happens to be my 70th post!

(Have you noticed how much I use this - - ->  ~ ~ ~  little crooked squiggle line!?!
* I don't even really know what it is supposed to be used for to be honest.  Oh right, I could Google it ; )  But I call it my little cartwheel.  IDK why~
Anywho,  I only wanted to say hello and share with you an older mini book cover I made - waaay back when.  I believe it is on a very. early. post.
When I first started, I did not know (at all) how to blog, and was just 'winging it' all the way.  Now I only wing it   part  of the way : ) lol
Actually I would just load up my posts  with tons of pics, (of different projects & things) not knowing it's probably best to just share one project per post - - - - and talk about the process ; ]
So again, ANYWHO~
Here is a little cover I made a few years ago.

 I wanted so much to contribute something and be a part of  Wendy's (October)
Simply Neutrals Tuesday Party
 
But I have "nothing new as of late" to share,  - so I searched my archives and found this little cover.
**Please  take a few minutes to stop in and see what treasures Wen is sharing at her  neutrals party!

So, to create this 6" journal cover:
Stiff cardboard and a piece of hankie lace created the base.  I pleated some cream seam binding along the left edge and machine stitched it on.
Then  more layers - of linen, vintage buttons from my Gramma's jar, and distressed corrugated board.
I added a square of  white burlap, some 'fussy-cut' flowers (from old K&Co scrapbook paper -named "Ancestry")
 and a layered heart made of quilt batting.  I topped that with a piece of wedding lace.
I attached a little 'door knob,' and small key (can you see it?!) to invite you into this mini journal~~

Oh yes, I stamped the sentiment; " beautiful   day "  on teeny scraps of white linen~

I enjoyed making this, back in the day when creativity flowed from my heart quite steadily : )
And today?  Well  . . . Things are different! and I don't take the mojo for granted~  lol
Wishing you Gods peace and blessings for the week-end friends!
Hugs and lots of love,
Karen~

a bit of early flutterings of holiday inspiration : )

Hi Friends!  I'm so happy you could peek in today~  And a big Thank You! to those who have recently clicked my "Follow" button! : )  What a blessing you are! you really made my day~

If you have followed for a while; or if you have read a few posts back - you will know I've had a series of 'losses' in my life and I have been trying to "climb out of the rubble" (so to speak) for some time now.
Lots of emotional business going on, and as probably all of you know, it is sometimes hard to be creative when your heart is broken~
My 'Mojo'  has been un-friending me! But I keep trying to woo her back <3   ; )

 I want to take a few minutes and share with you a website that 'feeds' the shabby-chic part of my art-heart~
Her name is Kerryanne and she is found at    https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/
Her tone is soft and feminine, and I find her blog uplifting and interesting.  She is also a woman of generous spirit; offering free patterns and templates; and lots of creative ideas.

A while back I found a free pumpkin template there- and, while her pumpkin was very soft and shabby (and I think perhaps made from fabric?)  I decided to use some (older) Autumn paper from Graphics 45.  (I think it's called School Days)
I simply cut out the 6  pieces from differing papers and attached them to a kraft paper backing.
I added a bit of natural polished hemp that I curled around a pencil~
 This will probably adorn a homemade pie or cookie box for a give-away treat : )
 Soo simple and soo easy, I know~  But that is where I need to be right now.  Simple and easy!!  It's my happy place, while I steady myself and re-connect <3

 I also wanted to share a few package toppers I made for the upcoming Christmas holiday~

 

The hearts I made using a die cutting machine, but the canvas stars were purchased a few years ago.

(Made by Canvas Corp.)

 I added a loop to each one, so it could even be used as a mini ornament.~~
I painted them with some white acrylic paint, added a bit of sparkle along the edges with  micro beads, glitter,  and Ranger brand Stickles.  Then a teeny bit of Winter greenery and a few rusty jingle bells~~

 

 This heart is canvas.  I included some glitter glass and "prills" (little white beads)   The buttons are m.o.p.

Here's a heart made from quilt batting.  I added some machine zig-zag stitching.  Sure love the vintage, home-spun look of a primitive heart~

Thank you!! For stopping in.  Hope you enjoy this week ahead~  Mine will include Verrry Chilllly weather!  Oh my~ How is your weather?  I know many of you look forward to the Fall & Winter.
I'm - - -still acclimating! LOL
Blessings to you,
Karen

Thank you card~

Hi and good day to you!  Autumn greetings from chilly-beautiful Montana USA : )
Our temperatures have been in the  high 50's-mid/high 60's (degrees  Fahrenheit ) during the daytime~  (I'm bracing myself for what's to come : ) LOL)
 Today we have a beautiful blue sky and bright sunshine; so it makes me feel happy. <3

I have the blessing of some wonderful siblings~  And my 'baby sis' is such a dear friend to me.
She is a 'kindred spirit' and I love her so much <3
This card is for her~

I was recently sitting amongst  (Google says that is not a word!)  - OK then, well, hmmm, I was sitting at my craft desk surrounded by some beautiful things- and hoping for inspiration to make this card.  Some of the fabrics and laces below came from a wonderful shop on Etsy that belongs to Suzi~ She is an amazing artist and her blog is a place I can always find encouragement and inspiration.  Here is her blog;   it will also lead you to her ETSY shoppe~
https://suziqusthreadworks.blogspot.com/

I was able to put together a simple Thank You card for my sweet sister~
Though the 'baby' of the family (she is 7 years my junior) she has that wonderful natural ability
to communicate loving care and attention to all of us : )   She recently sent some flowers; so I want to acknowledge her with a small homemade card.

Aren't the laces and Sari (I think) ribbon lovely!? They came from Suzi's Etsy; as well as the image.

I had a left over handmade flower from a previous project - and it found a nice home here : )
I adorned the woman's hair with a few small pearl beads.  There's a little 'thank you' tag peeking out from the ribbon.


I TRULY appreciate your visit today!!  and blessings to you in this week ahead~
Hugs,
Karen