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Picket Fence Studios October 2021 Release is Here

Hello my sweet friends! I’m so thrilled to be part of the October 2021 Release from Picket Fence Studios today. You are going to love the new goodies and all the cards made by our Design Team.

And this celebration needs a Giveaway to make it even more fun, so to participate you need to subscribe to PFS YouTube channel and leave a comment at the October 2021 Video Release from Lisa. Below you will find the video:

I hope you like all the cards I have created for this release. They were made with lots of love ❤️.

I hope you can join me this Saturday, October 16th with the 7 in 7 event at 6:00 pm Central Time over PFS Facebook Group. Please make sure you join the group in order to attend the class. We have a $50 gift card for one lucky winner, you just need to leave a comment during the live.

I will be teaching how to make this bookmark so set up your alarms for this October 16th at 6:00 pm Central Time. See you there!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope I can inspire you today.

You can find all affiliated links (at no cost to you) from all products below.

Your friend, Karen


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#cardmaking, Uncategorized

STAMPtember with Picket Fence Studios

Hello my Cat lovers 🐈! We are so excited to bring this exclusive stamp from Picket Fence Studios to the STAMPtember celebration!

This adorable and sweet stamp is called Sarcastic Kitties and it has the coordinating dies available at Simon Says Stamp shop.

And this is the slimline card that I created with the Sarcastic Kitties stamp. Additionally, I used the Slim Line Die Cutting System, Slim Line Horizontal English Brick Wall Stencil, Slim Line Grass and Waves with Tile and Wood stamp, Life Changing Blender Brushes and our new medium, Paper Glitz.

Below you will find all pictures and close ups from this card. Enjoy!

Remember that this stamp set once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. So hurry up to get yours and I really hope you have a crafty time!

Below you will also find links to all supplies used to make this card.

Have a MEOW day! Your friend, Karen


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#cardmaking, Uncategorized

Picket Fence Studios August 2021 Release

Hello crafty friends! Today we are celebrating a new release from Picket Fence Studios. We have lots of wonderful products that you are going to have so much fun playing with. Also, there’s a fantastic GIVEAWAY over Picket Fence Studios Instagram account that you cannot miss.

Winners will be announced in August 18th over PFS Instagram account.

Below you will find all the cards are made using this new release. I hope you like them ❤️

And the 7 in 7 event is back!!! YAY 🥳 We had so much fun last month that we decided to have another event again. The Design Team and the owner of Picket Fence Studios will be teaching 7 classes in 7 days and they are FREE! Yes, you read that well! Also, you can win a $50 gift card GIVEAWAY each day. So if you want to participate in the giveaway just join the PFS Facebook Group and leave a comment during any live.

Winners will be announced in August 21st over PFS Facebook group.

Next is the list of all products from this August 2021 Release and these links are at no cost to you. Have a wonderful weekend!

Your friend, Karen


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Picket Fence Studios July 2021 Release is here

We are so excited to be launching this July 2021 Release from Picket Fence Studios. There are many Christmas goodies and so much more that you are going to love! Also, we have a new Paper Glitz Collection in different colors with lots of glitter. Additionally, there are new Paper Glaze Ombre sets with Fall and Christmas colors that you are going to enjoy!

And this big celebration also has a wonderful GIVEAWAY! You can win the stamps and dies you see below plus a Paper Glaze Ombre set, a Paper Glitz and a Sequin Mix Plus of your choice. The prize value is over $150. Winners will be announced next week. Good luck!

I have created several cards using this release and I had a wonderful time! You can see each card below and you will also find the complete list of new products at the bottom of this page. Affiliated links at no cost to you.

Here we have our new gnome die!

There’s another gnome and Paper Glaze in the background.

This slimline shows you our new Santa’s Snowy Hills Die along with our Christmas stamp A Happy Winter To You.

We also have new Word Topper Dies and sequins!

Here you can take a look at the new Paper Glitz.

You like Christmas tags? Well, here we have a set called Holiday Gift Tags Die and I even made shakers using these tag dies.

I used O’ Christmas Tree Sequins Mix Plus on this shaker.

I used Icicles Sequins Mix Plus on this shaker.

This Nesting Dolls Stamp just got my heart ❤️

Fall cards are one of my favorites! I used the pumpkin from Jack-O-Lantern Stencil to create this card 🧡

And my last card features Paper Glaze Ombre Polar Ice Layers

You cannot miss the 7 in 7 event and it starts today! Nicole Petersen will be teaching tonight July 14th at 6:00 p.m. Central time over our Facebook Community Fanpage. Each day we are also having a $50 gift card GIVEAWAY for a lucky winner. You just need to join us and leave comments. Please be sure to join our FB Group in order to attend this event each day. I’ll be teaching a class tomorrow so see you soon. And remember these classes are FREE 🤩

Here’s the schedule of each DT’s classes:

  • Wednesday July 14th: Nicole Petersen
  • Thursday July 15th: Karen Reátegui
  • Friday July 16th: Lydia Fiedler
  • Saturday July 17th: Michelle Lupton
  • Sunday July 18th: Sandi Maclver
  • Monday July 19th: Erica Andersson
  • Tuesday July 20th: Nicole Petersen

Have a crafty happy day! Your friend,

Karen


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#altenew, #cardmaking, Embossing Folders, Uncategorized, Video Tutorial

Embossing Folder + Inking | Thank You Card

YouTube Video Tutorial

Hi friends! Today I have a new video on my YouTube channel showing you how to add more dimension and definition to your backgrounds using any embossing folder and different inks. For this card I made a “Thank You Card” using the Floating Foliage Embossing Folder and Simple Greetings Die Set from Altenew. The inks I used are Salvaged Patina and Twisted Citron Distress Oxide inks and the Antique Gold Pigment Ink was used to add more definition and contrast. Click here to watch the video.

Let’s begin! I added Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide ink to the raised parts of this Floating Foliage Embossing Folder. Then, I inserted a piece of white cardstock inside the embossing folder and run it through my die cutting machine. I always use my Gemini Jr. and the sandwich type is “clear plate, embossing folder and the other clear plate”. I have to admit that I’ve never had any issues with this machine while using this type of sandwich.

Next, I added Twisted Citron Distress Oxide ink to the background of this panel, then once I covered the whole background I applied Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide ink on top of the leaves to cover some white spots. This whole process of adding color doesn’t have to be perfect, actually the more imperfect it looks the better. I guarantee you that this technique is so therapeutic that you will enjoy it so much!

So to create more definition on this leaves, I applied Antique Gold Pigment Ink and the ink got stuck mostly on the detail parts and edges of the leaves giving them even more dimension because now they do have more definition. Once my panel was dry I added some splatters using Hero Arts Gold Metallic ink.

When this panel was dry I adhered a white folded note card at the back using foam tape. Then, I applied Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide ink to a piece of cardstock and die cut out of it the word die Thanks from the Simple Greetings Die Set and the shadow was die cut from white cardstock. I placed this word die sentiment on top of my background and as a final touch I added some enamel dots from Julie Hickey and this card was done.

Hope you like this card and try this technique. All products used on this card are listed bellow. Affiliate links at no cost to you. Have a marvelous day and thank you so much for stopping by.

Your friend, Karen

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#cardmaking, Uncategorized, Video Tutorial

4 Easy Slimline Cards for Mother’s Day + Video Tutorial

Hello crafty friends! Mother’s Day is right around the corner and today I have 4 easy slimline cards that you can mass produce and give them to the most important women in your life. I also have a video tutorial on my YouTube channel and you can take a look at it for all details on how I made these cards, click here.

So for these slimline cards I have used the Nested Rectangle Dies from Picket Fence Studios, the Slimline Floral set from Simon Says Stamp, Hey Mama dies and Mother’s Day Sentiment Strips also from Simon Says Stamp. The embossing powder used is WOW! Metallic Gold Super Fine, my favorite! And I colored the flowers and leaves with Copic markers.

My first card has a choice of pink cardstock for my card base, along with iridescent sequins and the hey mama die cuts.

The sentiment strips from Simon Says Stamp are really helpful, they came in handy for me and saved me some time.

For the second card I have Neenah Desert Storm cardstock with two floral frames and I love how all the flowers leaves look on top of this color of cardstock. The pearls gave this card a very warm touch too.

Here’s a closer look.

On my third slimline card the floral frames literally jump up from the background with this dark pink cardstock.

The use of these embellishments on this card also helped to create a more dramatic contrast.

You could’ve also had your sentiment gold heat embossed on this panel and it would’ve have looked wonderful too.

On the last card I had this dark teal cardstock that also helped to create contrast on this panel.

This floral frame is not just beautiful but it helps to create a focal point on your card.

The contrast of colors here is also beautiful and strong.

Making these slimline cards were very easy and fast. Once you have all floral frames colored and your die cuts ready then you just need glue and start putting together all pieces.

I wish all moms to have a marvelous Mother’s Day, please feel blessed for being the most strong and courageous people in this world. Hugs and kisses to all of you!

Your friend, Karen


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AECP Family Instagram Hop

Welcome to an AECP Family Hop where we are sharing the Altenew Academy class which has inspired us the most.

We are all at various points in our AECP journey, but we are united in wanting to celebrate the inspiration and knowledge we’ve gained from the classes in Altenew Academy.

~~~~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~~~~

Altenew is generously sponsoring this hop and to be in with a chance to win one of FOUR $25 gift certificates to their online store. You will find all details and the hop list of designers over my IG account.

To be honest, I loved many classes so I decided to put a lit bit of three of them on this card: “All About Layering”, “Creating Watercolor Media” and “Let It Shine”.

Let’s start!

To create my background I used Watercolor Brush markers and I made this organic look with lots of splatters but I didn’t covered the whole panel so the background would have some movement. The colors of watercolors I used on the panel are Rubellite, Midnight Violet and Emerald. These colors belong to the Spring Garden set.

Once my panel was dry, I placed it inside the Mod Squares 3D Embossing Folder and run it through my die cutting machine. Next, I added a white folded note card at the back using glue.

Then, I added some touches of Antique Gold Pigment over the embossed panel. Additionally, I gold heat embossed some flowers and leaves from the stamp set Nature Blossoms. I watercolored these flowers and leaves using more of the Watercolor Brush markers. The colors I used were Fresh Lemon, Sunkissed, Emerald and Desert Night. Using the matching die I die cut all these images.

I arranged all flowers and leaves on top of my panel using glue and foam tape. Also, I die cut the Waterbrush Hello Die out of golf foil paper and placed it on top of my arrangement. Finally, I watercolor a piece of watercolor paper using Emerald Watercolor Brush marker and once it was dry I gold heat embossed my sentiment and added it to my background along with some sequins and this card was finished.

I hope you like this card and get some inspiration. You will find all the products I used down below. Don’t forget to participate in the IG Hop and leave some love to the other designers. Thank you so much for stopping by and have wonderful weekend!

Your friend , Karen


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Picket Fence Studios April new release is here!

Hi crafty friends! And a new release from Picket Fence Studios is here! The April release is full of wonderful new products and to show case them I have made 5 cards and I will be telling you step by step how I made this Wild Daisy slimline card. Also, below you will find more pictures of the other cards I created for this release and the link to all products (Affiliated links at no cost to you!).

Let’s start! Using the new Scallop Frame Slimline Die I die cut a piece of watercolor paper. I created this organic and natural look for this background using yellow, orange and green watercolors. As you can see I used lots and lots of splatters all around the panel. Then, once my panel was dry, I adhered a folded slimline card at the back using glue.

Next, with the help of my MISTI I stamped the Wild Daisies Stamp onto piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White using Picket Fence Studios Black Hybrid ink and colored them using Copic Markers. When I finished coloring I fussy cut the whole image, added foam tape at the back and placed it at the bottom of my panel.

Finally, I die cut the Slimline Big Happy Hugs out of two different colors of green cardstock in order to create a shade underneath. I added this word dies to my panel using glue and this card was ready!

My next card features this small scallop circle and “hi” word die from the Scallop Frame Slimline Dies.

For the following card I have created a shaker card and I’m show casing the new “celebrate” word die also part of the new Scallop Frame Slimline Dies.

This card features the Monarch Butterfly die cut out of gold glittery cardstock.

And finally I have created this slimline card featuring the new Cats are Family Stamp Set and Details of a Wing Slimline Stencil.

I really hope I can inspire you with all these cards that I have made for this April release. You can click here to find all new products at the Picket Fence Studios store. Thank you so much for stopping by and have a marvelous day!

Your friend, Karen


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Altenew Academy Level 2 – Final Challenge

Hello crafty friends! Today I’m really excited to be sharing my final challenge for Altenew Academy Level 2. I was assigned to create 4 masculine cards plus an altered item/upcycled project. For the cards I chose two themes: birthday and encouragement that are the ones I use the most. I will start presenting and explaining how I made the 4 masculine cards and at the end I will show you the altered item/upcycled project, which in this case was a recycled item.

For this challenge I have selected three components from Level 1 and 2. Here they are:

Easy Die Cutting Techniques: Die cutting is one of my favorite techniques and for these cards I used this technique to create focal points in a very subtle way since I was creating masculine cards. I think masculine cards should be clean and simple so I used a few elements like frames, word dies and feathers that I die cut using different materials like vellum and washi tape, making the layers more interesting. TIP: By using different elements like washi tape or vellum you give your card a very unique look without having to add too many elements to your background.

Impressive Heat Embossing: I love to heat emboss. I could gold-heat emboss every single stamp because I believe you can achieve a sparkly and glamours look when using metallic or glitter embossing powders. Also, you can get different textures that will enrich your projects. TIP: Whenever you heat emboss over vellum you get a better impression and it looks so elegant and beautiful.

Beyond Basic Backgrounds: I love working on making my own backgrounds from scratch, whether is playing with watercolors, ink blending, alcohol inks, etc. It’s always fun to achieve unique backgrounds with different mediums and techniques. For these cards I’m using an Embossing Folder and Washi Tape, the combination is really awesome. TIP: Don’t limit yourself and try different things, getting out of your comfort zone helps to find new creative ways.


Masculine Cards – Birthday and Encouragement theme

Masculine cards are very challenging for many including me, but I have learned that masculine cards need to be as clean and simple as possible. I don’t always get this done but I think you can help yourself by choosing the right combination of colors and the elements that you will use on the card, depending on the theme of course. So, for these cards I chose the Tranquility mini cube set as my ink color combination and this set includes the following colors: Misty Morning, Cloudy Sky, Nimbus and Dark Night. Additionally, I went out of my comfort zone and I included Washi Tape for the first time ever. I have to say that this design is so elegant and definitely work perfect for male cards, so I have to admit that I truly enjoyed using washi tape. Also, I thought that using an Embossing Folder was the right element for these cards and I decided to combine it with the Foiled Marble washi tape. You have many ways to incorporate Embossing Folders and washi tape to your projects, so this can easily be another technique for the Altenew Academy. Lastly, for adding that touch of shine I used Metallic Gold Embossing Powder and Antique Gold Pigment ink, which is my favorite when playing with Embossing Folders. I combined all the previous supplies mentioned before with elements like feathers stamps and dies, word dies and frames throughout the four cards that I made, having the same color combination with unique designs at the same time. Now let’s continue with the process of making the cards.

Supplies

  • Mini Delight: Strength Stamp & Die Set
  • Fancy Celebrate Die
  • Nesting Frames Die Set
  • Foiled Marble Washi Tape
  • Mod Squares 3D Embossing Folder
  • Tranquility Mini Cube Set
  • Antique Gold Pigment Ink
  • WOW! Metallic Gold Embossing Powder
  • WOW! Ulla’s Cognac Embossing Powder
  • Large Ink Blending Tool
  • Mini Blossom Die Cutting Machine
  • Vellum
  • White cardstock
  • Gold mirror cardstock
Adding washi tape to a panel

Let’s start with the Encouragement cards.

For this first card I started with an A2 panel, where I applied Misty Morning and Cloudy Sky inks to only half of the panel and using the large Ink Blending Tool. Then, I added this fabulous Foiled Marble Washi Tape on top of the other half panel without ink. But before adding the washi tape I slowly ripped the edges. As my next step, I placed this panel inside the Mod Squares 3D Embossing Folder and run it through my die cutting machine. Also, I added a white folded note card at the back of this panel.

In addition, I applied Dark Night ink using the Large Ink Blending Tool to a piece of cardstock and then I die cut it with a die from the Nesting Frames Die Set. Then, on top of it I heat embossed the sentiment from the Mini Delight: Strength Stamp using WOW! Metallic Gold Embossing Powder. I added it to my background along with some feathers that I gold-heat embossed from the same stamp using foam tape and glue. As a final touch, I added to the background a bit of gold using the Antique Gold Pigment ink from Altenew.

In the picture about you can see some images of the process I made to create this background.

For the next card, I ink-blended a piece of cardstock using the Tranquility Mini Cube Set and the Large Ink Blending Tool. I covered the whole panel using all colors from the Tranquility ink set. Then, I placed only half of this panel inside the Mod Squares 3D Embossing Folder and run it through my die cutting machine. I trimmed down the edges a little bit too. Next, to visually create a division between the embossed and the non embossed parts, I added a strip of washi tape previously adhered to a piece of cardstock. I also, added a white folded note card at the back.

Using the Nesting Frames Die Set I die cut 3 frames, the first out of washi tape adhered to a cardstock, the second from gold mirror cardstock and the last one out of white cardstock. On this last frame I heat embossed the sentiment from the Mini Delight: Strength Stamp & Die Set, using WOW! Metallic Gold Embossing Powder. Additionally, I added two feathers that I stamped and die cut from the same stamp. Finally, I added over the embossed part a bit of gold using the Antique Gold Pigment ink.

The following card is a Birthday card and I started by placing one side of a white folded note card inside the Mod Squares 3D Embossing Folder and run it through my die cutting machine. Then, I applied to the whole embossed panel Cloudy Sky and Nimbu inks directly on top and not pushing too hard.

I also die cut two frames from the Nesting Frames Die Set, out of washi tape and another from white cardstock. On this last frame, I applied Cloudy Sky, Nimbus and Dark Night inks on top using the Large Ink Blending Tool. Then, I added these frames to the background plus two feathers that were heat embossed on vellum using WOW! Metallic Gold Embossing Powder. Last, I die cut the Fancy Celebrate Die from white cardstock and placed it on top of the frames.

For my last birthday card I ink-blended a panel using all inks from the Tranquility Mini Cube Set. Then, I placed this panel inside the Mod Squares 3D Embossing Folder. Adhered a white folded note card at the back and I applied the Antique Gold Pigment Ink directly on top of this panel. The gold definitely enhanced the colors from the background.

Next, I die cut the Fancy Celebrate Die and I only heat embossed half of the word using WOW! Metallic Gold Embossing Powder. Finally, I added the celebrate word to the background along with some feathers die cut from vellum and washi tape.

Above you can take a look at how I made the background for the last birthday card.


Upcycled Item

Now let’s jump into the recycled item and for this project I decided to use one of my aprons, it’s not new, I got it like two years ago and I’m not planning on replacing it because this was a special gift to me. I love coffee and my aunt has a business where she sells organic products. Her Organic Gourmet Coffee is one of my favorites so this apron was given to me by her, it was part of her launching marketing campaign.

So I wanted to give this apron a new look and to add some of my personal touch to it by stamping. The stamp I used was Coffee Love Stamp Set & Die Bundle along with Evergreen ink from Green Fields Mixed Media Ink Bundle, which are perfect for stamping over fabric.

So, I started working on this project by washing the apron and once it was dry I ironed it until it was wrinkles free. Then, I got a large stamping block and created a collage on it using some stamps from the Coffee Love Stamp Set. I inked up the stamps using the Evergreen ink and pressed hard enough on top of the apron to transfer as much ink as possible.

Next, I stamped the Coffee Ring Stamp over the pockets. I didn’t cover the whole pockets, I just made small designs around them and once I was finished stamping I got my iron back, placed a piece of paper towel over my stamped designs and heat set all of them with the iron. This way the ink won’t fade and it became permanent. I loved giving this apron a second life and with my personal touch, thanks to Green Fields Mixed Media Inks this process was easy and fun to achieve.

As you can see here I decided to make a matching coffee card for my apron. We are coffee lovers in my family so this card will be handy! I used Green Fields Mixed Media Inks to stamp on my background using Coffee Ring Stamp and the coffee beans from Coffee Love Stamp Set. I did first, second and third generation stamping and I loved how you can achieve this look with the mix media inks. I also added some splashes of ink using Paper Bag Watercolor Brush.

Once I finished stamping I heat set my background using a heat tool and I adhered a white folded note card at the back. I also created a watercolor panel using Paper Bag Watercolor Brush, Milk Chocolate Ink and Forest Glades mix media ink. Then, I stamped some images from the Coffee Love Stamp Set using Black Jet Mix Media Ink.

Finally, I die cut the images using the coordinating dies and I placed them on top of my panel using glue and foam tape for more dimension. My sentiment was from Coffee Ring Stamp and I used Black Jet Mix Media Ink to stamped it.

I really hope you like these masculine cards and my new apron. I cannot wait to try more mixed media inks on a T-shirt. I think I can create a very special Mother’s Day present for my mom and sister. Below you will find all supplies I used to make the coffee card and to stamp on top of the apron.

Supplies

  • Coffee Love Stamp Set & Die Bundle
  • Green Fields Mixed Media Ink Bundle
  • Coffee Ring Stamp
  • Stamping blocks
  • Milk Chocolate Ink
  • Paper Bag Watercolor Brush
  • Mini Blossom Die Cutting Machine
  • Watercolor paper
  • Espresso Envelopes

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Your friend, Karen

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#cardmaking, Uncategorized

Waffle Flower Challenge

Hello crafty friends! Did you hear the news? Waffle Flower just started a new weekly challenge program! Each Waffle Flower Challenge (Link: https://waffleflower.com/challenges/) starts on a Friday and runs for a week! This week’s challenge is hosted by their design team member Jeanne. Michelle and I are so excited to be co-hosting the challenge by sharing our creations on 3 platforms: Blog (Link Party), Instagram and Facebook! Check out all the details below!

This week, we challenge you to use watercolored florals in your projects!

There are three ways to enter the challenges:

And here is the direct link to the link party post!:
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/p/0ec860837cbe4fde98f4e3b8a86671a2

Hope you would join us in the challenge fun! There are awesome rewards!

And here is my take on the challenge:

For these cards I’m featuring the Bouquet Builder 3 and Sentiment Additions Stamps and dies from Waffle Flower

I stamped these bouquets using Gingerbread hybrid ink from Scrapbook and colored the flowers and leaves with Copic markers.

I die cut the bouquets and additional flowers and leaves using the coordinating dies.

Above you can take closer look of the flowers. And by the way, this stamp set is absolutely gorgeous!

My backgrounds were created using watercolors and for this card I used teals and aqua colors to make the flowers and leaves pop up from the background. I really love all that contrast of colors on this slimline watercolor card.

I added the bouquet to my background using foam and glue. Finally, I stamped the “love you” sentiment using black ink, die cut it using the matching die and placed it on top of the bouquet.

My second card was created following the same steps as I did with my first card.

But this time, the watercolor background was created using green and yellow colors. That organic look on both cards is exactly what I wanted to create when I first visualized these cards in my mind.

Again, here you can see all the contrast of colors between the flowers and the background.

I really hope you liked these cards that I created with tons of love for all of you. Also, I hope I can inspire you I want to encourage you to play with us in this awesome challenge all this coming week. On Instagram use hashtag #WFC2103W3.

I can’t wait to see all your wonderful floral creations using watercolor. Good luck and have a marvelous day!

Your friend, Karen


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