Card Challenge - Christmas inspiration by Cari Locken

How many of you have started making your christmas cards? I haven't. :( I taught a class this past Saturday and was surprised at how many ladies are almost finished making theirs (if not done already!) That's wonderful!

However, if you're like me and haven't started yet OR maybe you never thought about making them before and figured you'd try it out this year then I hope that I can share a bit of inspiration with you right now.

Remember, you can keep them as simple as you want and then they're easy to mass produce.

Or you can make them all different if you'd like. You also don't have to make cards using the typical red & green combos. There's so many different colors that are being used to decorate christmas trees these days that you can use that for your inspiration as well.

I'm going to share with you a bunch of cards that I have made.

This 1st collection reveals 7 cards that I'm currently teaching. I've used product from Imaginisce and their new christmas collection called Cottage Christmas.

This second set were cards I made last year using Imaginisce's Polar Expression collection.

And these cards I did a lot of embossing using the Cuttlebug embossing folders and then just added a few pieces of cardstock here & there along with ribbons, buttons and stamped sentiments.

I hope that you're inspired to start creating. ENJOY!

Card Challenge - "For A Friend" by Cari

I know that there have been many times when my friends have needed a shoulder to lean on, a prayer said on their behalf, a listening ear and just a big comforting hug. However, if you live far apart those things aren't always the easiest to do but sending a hand-made-with-love card especially for them can be the best gift ever!

Here are some that I have created with this theme "For a Friend" in mind.

"Sweetest Friend"

Supplies used: Bazzill Cardstock, patterned papers (Daisy Bucket), stamps (Hero Arts and Stampin'Up), flower (KaiserCraft), ribbon (May Arts), corner rounded punch (EK Success). brads (American Crafts)

"Great Friend"

Supplies used: Bazzill Cardstock, Paper Trunk (patterned papers), Prima flower, twine, EK Success punches, stamp (Hero Arts), ink (Colorbox), button (unknown)

"Sending Sunshine"

Supplies used: Core'dinations Cardstock, October Afternoon patterned paper, American Crafts felt flower, ribbon (May Arts), punches (EK Success), stamps (Hero Arts)

So, I hope you'll try the challenge and create a card for a friend. It just may be the sunshine in their day! ;)

Card, cards!

I love making cards, however, I admit that there was a time when I couldn't stand them and didn't even want to think about making them. I thought it was a big waste of time. I know ... crazy huh? (*hanging head shamefully*)

But then, I found that they were a fabulous way for me to get my creative ideas coming especially when I was stumped and just not in the scrappy mood.

I always sketch out my designs (just like I do with my layouts) and I it's such a great way to use up your scraps from a layout/projects you just completed.

So, in honor of World Card Making Day tomorrow I thought I'd share a few cards with you now. One picture is actually a set of cards and box that I made.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Wedding - by Cari Locken

Well, it seems that we're getting close to that time of year when we'll see more & more weddings happening during the summer months. It's been 12 years since my hubby & I got married and my photos have been in an album shortly after we got married. And to be honest, I have no desire to take them out of those plastic sheets and scrap them. I'm not sure why because they're good photos. I just prefer to scrapbook the "here" & "now" I guess.

Anyways, with all the weddings happening there's always showers & gifts that are to be given so I created a couple of cards to celebrate this blissful time of year. I've used the new "To Love & Cherish" collection from Imaginisce - a wedding collection.

Supplies used: Imaginisce (To Love & Cherish collection of papers, rub-ons, ribbons, flowers) and Core'dinations cardstock, Fiskars border punch, twine, button, rhinestones

These 2 cards are very similiar in design however with a different color added (let's say something that matches the bridesmaid dresses) the black & white combo really changes.

Supplies used: Imaginisce (To Love & Cherish collection of papers, flowers, brads), Core'dinations Impressions Cosmo Cricket Collection (black) and Essentials cardstock (yellow), button, ribbon

I'd love to see what you can create for weddings. There's many ideas out there, like wedding favors, invitations, gift bags, etc. So show us what you've created by posting a link here on the blog.

"All Things Animal" by Cari Locken

Hi there!

Hope you've had a great week. I admit that I'm thankful that it's Friday because I love the weekends. I like all of us being together especially after a busy weekend.

My challenge this month was to create a project about animals. So as I was tidying up the boys' bedroom and making their beds I came across a gazillion stuff animals everywhere and thought that I would document on a layout about just a few of them.

Here's my layout about my youngest child's 1st stuffed animals and how he has become very fond of one in particular. (and believe me, it shows!!!)

Supplies used: October Afternoon papers, Core'dinations Cardstock, Basic Grey chipboard alpha, other chipboard (flowers, large label & heart) by Fancy Pants, buttons (Chatterbox), Fiskars border punch, corner rounded punch (EK Success)

I'd love to see what you come up with using the theme of animals. The possibilities are truly endless so have fun!! And ... have a great long weekend!!!