The Paper Shelter Winter Card

This is a card I made using a digi image from The Paper Shelter.  Isn't she adorable!!!  I love their images.  They are so stinkin cute!  I love that they separate their images and then they also put them together as one image such as the background, the bird, the girl, etc. so you don't have to do anything but print it.  However, they are also separate to give you the option of maybe using a different background or maybe not using the bird.  And they have so many to choose from in different categories. 

I also did a video on it.  See below.  Let me know what you guys think.

Christmas Tag Swap

MayMay Made It had a Christmas Tag Swap in which you had to make a tag holder out of a file folder and fill it with Christmas tags.  I had a great time working on this.  It was a lot of fun.  Here are a few pictures of the one I did for my partner.  I hope she likes it. I also did a video showing each tag so check that out also (below).

Here is the video showing all the tags in better detail.

I'm Having a Giveaway!!

I published a video last month on a giveaway I am doing.  It is a challenge giveaway I am doing in memory of my mom who passed away this year.  Here is the video to get the information.  It is due December 1st.  I hope you can participate.  I would really appreciate it.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you so much!

Christmas Cards...keep 'em coming!

Boy I'm crankin' 'em out!  I like making cards and since it is that time of the year, I am working hard to get my cards done to send to family and friends.  Here are more cards I have done.

I really like how these turned out.  Thanks.

More Christmas Cards

I wanted to try out my new Spellbinders Christmas Die so I made these cards using different kinds of paper.  The first one I did in foil paper and the second on with just regular card stock.  I could not do any changing of the foil paper like coloring but I did some changes or additions to the other one.

Here is the video I did on the cards so you can a better look and explanation of how I did them and what I used.  I hope you like them.  Thanks.

 

Birthday Cards for Son

October is mine and my son Daniel's birthdays.  We had a little party at our house in which my Dad and his wife came in from out of town to attend.  My son wanted my Dad to cook steaks cuz he can cook a mean steak now.  And it was sooooo gooooood too!  My other son and his girlfriend came in from out of town (college) to attend also.  It was good to have everyone together.

Here is a video showing the cards.  I do so many deer cards for him since he is a hunter that I wanted to do one a little different.  He also turkey hunts but would you believe I did not have not a one turkey die.  I have a digi but no stamps or dies.  Weird for me.

Thanks for watching!

A Lil Scrap of Heaven Halloween Tag Swap

I did a tag swap at A Lil Scrap of Heaven as well. Boy I'm on a roll!  Or maybe it's just a biscuit.  Not sure.  But I had a lot of fun doing all these swaps.  Here is the tag I did - front and back. I got the big owl a long time ago from someone and I had no idea how I was going to use it.  I finally found a way. LOL 

 Again, here is a video telling about my tag. 

I hope yall like it.  Give me some feedback on all these swaps I'm doing.  I thought I went a little overboard in getting involved with too many at the same time, but I really had fun doing them.

Thanks!

A Lil Scrap of Heaven Halloween Card Swap

These swaps with A Lil Scrap of Heaven are my first swaps I have done so I was hoping I did it right.  I think the cards I did came out cute. What do you think? The first two cards I have done before. I liked them so much, I wanted to do them again.  But really because I did not have any mojo going so I looked at my past cards to do them. LOL  The papers I got from Webster's Pages. The little ghost and mummy are just dollar stamps.

Here is the video so you can get closer look at them and more info about what I used.

I loved doing the swaps and I hope to do more in the future.  Check 'em out at A Lil Scrap of Heaven.  Leave a comment and let me know if you like them. 

Hugs, Karen Sue

Altered Composition Book for a Challenge

I did this altered composition book in response to Justine Stone's Camp Kangaroo Challenge.  The camp is for teenagers who have lost loved ones and they provide the books to the kids.  They can use them to write their feelings about their loss or just as something to take notes or whatever they want.  She wanted a female and a male decorated book but did not want any kind of wording on them. 

Here is a video showing what I came up with. It had been awhile since I had done one but I think they turned out okay.  Let me know what you think.  Thanks!

My Favorite Things Goodie Bag Swap (Scrapdaworld)

Here is another swap I participated in that was a lot of fun.  Tmika at Scrapdaworld does a ton of swaps and I have always wanted to do one but just got a little intimidated I guess.

We had to make and send 3 sets of 5 (items) and a 3x3 note card with envelope. The note card had to have at least 2 embellishments. The items could be themed or not - but all 5 things must be different. At first I did not want to do a themed item and was going to find stuff in my stash but I could not find enough of everything to do it.  So I went with the Christmas theme.  But then what to get....just a variety of stuff?  No, I wanted the person to be able to make something out of the stuff they got.  I walked around Michaels and came upon the ornament idea.  So I got things that were not expensive (around $1 or $1.50 or so) that you could use to make them.

Here is the video showing all the stuff.  I hope the ladies enjoy it.

New Handmade Flowers

I made some more flowers so I thought I would show them to you.  I love making flowers because you can do them so many different ways.  They are mostly made with fabrics.  Let me know what you think.

Response to Pocket Letter Challenge

Stacey Lambert (LambertCreations26(froggygreenstamper)) did a pocket letter challenge in memory of her sweet doggie Chloe.  It has to be doggie related so this is what I did. 

She was in bad health and had to be put down. I know it is hard.  I lost 2 doggies within a year of each other.  It's so hard because they become a part of your family and it is hard to let them go.

Here is a video showing it closer:

Prayers for Stacy for her to get through this hard time. I hope these Pocket Letters make you smile.

First Pocket Letter to Darling Houska

The Pocket Letter craze was fast and furious.  Although I wanted to try doing one, I really did not know how to go about finding someone to swap with other than to ask someone but I feel awkward doing that.  I looked at quite a few videos of them and how they were done.  Looked like a really simple and fun craft to share with a friend.  I happened upon Darling Houska's channel and saw that she was doing them and also saw that the ones she crafted were GORGEOUS!!!  She does such awesome work.  OMG!  I commented on one of her videos about how wonderful her work was and we got to talking about them and she offered to do a swap with me.  WOW a swap with someone with that kind of creativity was a bit intimidating.  However, I agreed so I started my first pocket letter.

Now....how to start.  I knew a little about her from watching so many of her videos.  I knew she loved sewing and loved birds and butterflies, normal crafty likes for some.  It really took me forever to finish it. I wanted my first one to be just right.  I had fun picking out all the little things I was going to put in the back of the pockets.  So here are some pictures. 

I think it turned out okay.  I saw her video when she received it and apparently I did a good job because she loved it.  LOL  Here is a video I did on it too so you can see it a little closer.  After I did this one, I did another one for a challenge for someone.  I'll post about that one too.  Let me know what you think.  Thanks so much!!!

New DIY Christmas Trees (Sorry posted way...way...way late)

Here are the other Christmas trees I did. I think they turned out okay.  I think I may use some other materials next year.  These are all made out of ribbon.

 

Here are a couple of videos I did.  The second one is one I did with the extra little tree in the middle.

Hugs,

Karen Sue

Giveaway Time!!!

Where are all my followers?  Do I have any that actually read my posts?  I never see any comments on them so I was just wondering about that.  Well, if you see this post and want to enter into the giveaway, you need to be a follower and then just leave me a comment below telling me if you are a new follower or one that has been with me for awhile.  I am hoping this will give me an idea of how many people actually "hover" around my blog.  LOL

I make a lot of videos so most of my crafts get put in a video.  I try to keep up my posts here on my blog but this year has been awful in trying to get that done.  Being "sick" with neuropathy and then trying to deal with the passing of my mom has been really hard.  However, I think I am getting back on track now.

So, leave those comments!!!  I will do a drawing for a winner in about a week. Giving some sweet crafty goodness away!

Big o' Hugs!!!

Karen Sue
ScrappyKsue

Easter Cards

Easter?  Yeah I know. I am a bit late posting this.  I almost did not even do the cards because I knew I was late, but I wanted to go ahead and do them to get ahead for next year. I really wanted to try out the very intricate egg die from Die-versions.  I am glad I had the foam backing on it.  That helped to get all the little pieces out.

I am not sure where I got this little border stamp but it is so cute.

Here is another card I did using a little bunny I won from Kat Scrappiness awhile back. I have been wanting to use it for a long time and finally had the chance.  Isn't he just so stinkin ka-yute!!!!!

Here is the last one.  The wood piece I got from a husband and wife that started making these when they became the big craze.  I believe they still make them because their photobucket page is still listed - click HERE. You can contact her at the email address listed.

I just left it kinda plain but may add something more before I send it to anyone.  Well I hope you liked these.  Maybe next year I won't be late making more.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  Thanks tons guys!  Hugs! 
 

Birthday Card for Friend

I sent this card to a friend for her birthday.  The papers came from another friend (2muchhurt on YT). I love this combination of red, white and black with all the patterns.

I really did not like the way my stamping turned out on the sentiment but I guess you have to practice with them to get it right huh?  It's okay though.  The inside of the card I just put some scraps on.  Here is the video so you can see it better.  Thanks guys!

Father's Day Card - Sorry Posted Late

I did a few Father's Day Cards one of which I gave away before I had a chance to video it or take pictures.  But here is one I did remember to catch.  The video below explains some of the supplies I used.

I think it came out okay. I like the background I used. I was trying to pick a background that went with the "frog".  Something you would see in the woods I guess.  Please leave a comment and let me know if you like it or have any suggestions as to what I should have done differently.  Thanks guys!

Hello Card

Just a little card I made for a friend.  I used some random paper I had.  I am trying to use up all the loose papers I have before digging into my paper stacks.  Not sure how long that will last though.  I used a punch for the center border and put little blingy things everywhere.

I made the butterfly from a Stampin Up Bigz die and then I put a ribbon on top of it with stickles.  Then I put random flowers on top with some bling for its body and then some antenna.  I think it turned out so cute.  I need to make more of them because they make such cute little embellies. 

Let me know what you think.  Thanks tons and big hugs!

~Karen Sue

I'm Still Here

I know it has been forever since I posted anything but a lot has been going on since Christmas. First my health has not really been too good. As many of you know I have neuropathy in my hands and feet/legs. It makes it hard to walk steady and I am always in pain. I am on medications but they do not work 100%. My hands have gotten worse lately. I'm even having trouble typing this post. I have been tested more than one time for everything in the world that may cause it and all tests are fine. They just put me in that category where they don't know why I have it or what caused it. Bummer!

Then right after Christmas my mom had to go to the hospital. She was not able to breathe. She had been fighting COPD since 2006.  During the time she was in the hospital, she had to be put on a ventilator because she was not getting enough oxygen in her system. Her muscles in her whole body had gone down so much over the years that she was not strong enough to breath on her own. Eventually they put in a trach line because the tubes had been in her throat from her mouth too long and could damage her throat. She then came down with shingles but she was on so many meds that it came and went. They had her doing physical therapy which after awhile she was getting a little stronger. She started to get better. The whole time she was in the hospital they would draw blood once or twice a day to check certain levels of everything. So they had to give her blood to replace what they took cuz she was not producing new blood fast enough.

She had been in the hospital for two months. Then on February 26th (I believe) her organs started to shut down. Did not know why at that time. It was like a complete turn around. Apparently she had developed sepsis. I had heard of it but was not sure what it was. Sepsis is contracted through blood transfer. Those last couple of bags they gave her apparently had the disease. There is no cure and no way to test for it cuz I asked the doctor why they don't test the blood people give for sepsis. I know they test it for tons of other stuff but there is no way to test for that disease. And it works fast!

My mom passed away on February 28th.

I was really close to my mom. I had never lost anyone that close to me so it has really been hard. I'm an only child so I have no siblings to mourn with. I do have my family though and they have been great, especially my sweet hubby. He lost his mom awhile back so he knows what I'm going through. I went through his mom's passing too and it was awful....for me. Hubby was strong but for some reason it affected me worse. I was a wreck for a long time. I loved my MIL. She was a sweet woman but I was not sure why I was morning for her so bad. I had hoped that if and when I lost my own mom I would feel just as bad and worse. Well I DO!!

I know death is as part of life and everyone goes through this at one level or another, but this is just too much for me to handle. I had always told friends when they lost their loved one that time will heal but now that I am going through it, I just want to know...how much time does it take?  Geez!  Enough already with the water works!  But I just can't help it. I loved my mother very much and I'm not sure if it is because I am an only child, but it just feels like it will never end. I have a very close friend who lost her mother a few years back and while we were at the gravesite, I remember seeing her really cry hard. I had seen her cry before but not like that. I gave her a hug when I left and she was trembling and still crying hard as we hugged. I knew she had siblings to be there for her and for each other so I know she would be ok. I felt so bad for her. She was the only girl out of I think four brothers and even though I know she grew up tough, you would never know it from the amount of sadness she expressed. And I am sure that even though she was the only girl in the family, because of that I believe that is what made her close to her mom and what made her tough exterior disappear during that time and just become a daughter that lost her mom.

I'm so sorry to go into all that but she has been a great friend to me for a very long time and she is the one I have been leaning on through this very sad time in my life. She loved my mom too.

So ANYHOO I want you guys to know I will be trying to get my act together and start crafting again. I will be going to a crop in July. I missed the one in January for obvious reasons but I am excited for this one cuz I will be scrapping layouts of my grand baby!  Who hoo!!  I have steadily been gathering things that I know I will need for "baby" layouts.  I will eventually be doing an album about my mom also. I have been collecting pics from her sisters of when she was little. She was a cute kid!  No baby pics though. Bummer!

Ok so let's get to it!  Love you guys!

~~~~~~~~~~~
Karen Sue
ScrappyKsue