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~