In December I received the most wonderful invitation to guest design with a talented group of women who host The 12 Kits of Occasions each month. Michelle Leon and I knew each other only from blogland despite living within a few miles of one another. One of the pleasures of this invitation was getting together with her, and making a new friend. Thank you, Michelle, for thinking of me! I had a ball creating with your kit.
The kit was filled with bright, spring colors with lots of great die cuts and patterned papers to play with. I laid it all out on a table, and started picking out pieces to play with. It was a whole new way of creating for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I made seven cards, and still have a sizable bag of goodies with which to create more cards.
The first card I made was one for Easter. As soon as I saw the cute die cut bunnies, I knew just what I wanted to do. Michelle included quite a few tags as well and the bunnies looked so cute on the pink and white tag.
I lightly added some pink to the bunnies’ ears and a sentiment from Papertrey Ink’s “Bunny Basket.” The flowers and leaves were part of the kit as well. It’s nice to have a head start on Easter.
Next up, is an encouragement card. I loved the patterned paper, and fussy cut the umbrella and tiny flower from stamped images in the kit. I used a banner die to cut the sentiment, also in the kit. The tag was another included in the kit.
Michelle included a sheet of seed packet designs which I loved. It took me awhile to figure out how to use them. I also loved the white die cut with scallops. Once I found the sentiment in an older set from Papertrey, “Floral Frenzy,” I knew what I wanted to do. The gingham patterned paper worked perfectly, too. I fussy cut a couple more of those cute flowers as an embellishment and added two tiny pearls.
The focal point of the next card was also a preprinted piece in the kit. All I had to do was die cut a scalloped card with the die from Papertrey’s “Don’t Forget to Write” kit, and added a tiny stitched square of contrasting card stock. It’s been awhile since I played with flowers, but these were the perfect embellishment.
There was a cute bird cage and a tiny bird die cut in the kit. I colored the bird (and the die cut flower embellishment) with some Distress Inks, and adhered them to yet another tag in the kit, tied with the perfect twine and die cut sentiment. I added the two stamped word from Winnie & Walter stamp sets. I scored the white card base at every 1/2 inch for a little texture.
This card is probably the simplest and fastest one. The pretty flowered patterned paper was just too nice to cut up, so I used it as the main event. The die cut “Hello” and some Nuevo dots that Michelle made for the kit fit right onto the stitched oval from the “Don’t Forget to Write” kit.
And although it ended up pretty CAS, the last card (and probably my favorite) took the longest to create. I colored the cute birthday cake with Copics, and then made a mix of pink Perfect Pears and Glitter Glue to add some oomph to the cake layers. Then I was stumped, and there were several variations of the card that hit the circular file before I came up with this. I added another oval of patterned paper from “Don’t Forget to Write,” which perfectly coordinated with the colors in the kit. Once again, I die cut the stamped sentiment provided in the kit with a banner die. Three clear sequins added a bit of glamour to the card.
This gives a better look at the texture on the layers of the cake.
I’m off now to see what the Design Team has created with the kit. You can find all the inspiration at the 12 Kits of Occasions blog. Thanks again, Michelle, for letting me play with such a fun kit.
All of your cards are so stunning! I have a great fondness for gardening and used to work at a catalog seed company so your seed packet card really speaks to my heart. Love it!! Great texture on the cake card as well. I’ll have to try mixing my mediums sometime. I’m leaving here so inspired and eager for spring. I’m so glad you were this month’s guest designer. Michelle couldn’t have picked a more worthy player!
What a wonderful treat! So many beautiful cards all at once.
Hi Karen!!! Were your ears ringing last week? Two Ls and I had a nice conversation about you, your meet-up, and photography skills! Yes, and your card making skills are evident! Thanks for joining us this month, and in such a beautiful way!!!
=] Michele
Oh Karen, your cards are wonderful! A-maz-zing designs and sweet treats on each one. Love how your mind works. The bunny couple is adorable and a favorite. And the cake is yum yum! So glad you agreed to be a guest. xxx
Karen so happy to have you join us this month and what an awesome job you did! I so love the seed packet card you created. I had one in my kit and sorta messed up my design , I love the way you tucked them inside one card! I love the layered cake card just darling with all the little details! All your cards are beautifully created!
Every one a winner! I’m not surprised you were asked to participate in this – what a great advert for the kit!
What a treat, honor and recognition of your talent and creativity! The cards are just wonderful; thanks for sharing them and your process. I think my favorite – it was so hard to pick just one – is the “Let’s celebrate” cake. Off to look at others.
Cheers~
Congratulations on being chosen to create with this kit. You have made some really nice cards – great colour combinations.
Oh Karen! Look at all the wonderful cards you made! I love the one with the umbrella with the dot on the sentiment, the pretty coloring on the die cut bird, and the neat texture on the cake! Wonderful post!
How exciting that you were chosen as a guest designer!! All these cards are so pretty!! Thank you for sharing!!
Karen, so excited that you joined us this month…so many amazing and beautiful cards! I love your sweet umbrella with the pink but your seed packet card is my favorite, just love how you showcased each one, so beautiful and so springy too!
Karen, congrats on being their guest designer this month! It really was a different way to create, but so much fun. Your cards are just lovely with such unique designs. Your bunnies are so sweet, the cake so yummy, and the seed packets so realistic. Great job!
Oh my, what a lovely kit!! Looks like you had lots of FUN creating; so many fantastic cards. I do think the seed packets are my favorite of the bunch!
So happy to have you joining us this month Kathy!! Your cards are all incredible!! I like your style, you have a wonderful eye for design. Your tiny bluebird on the polka dot tag is adorable and I love the way you’ve decorated the cake!
SO happy, and honored, to have had you as the 12 Kits Guest Designer this month! You did a phenomenal job in creating seven (wow!!) unique and lovely creations. My favorites? So hard to choose….. but love, love the beautiful ‘let’s Celebrate’ cake (well worth the extra time!), the fabulous card packet design and the CAS ‘Hello’ card, which highlights the pretty pp!
Karen so fabulous! So many cards and each and every one is so unique! All of them so clean and simple, love them all but the seed packets behind the scallop is a favourite!
Love all your sweet, fresh designs! You did an incredible job with Michelle’s kit! Your use of color and pattern is amazing. And I love the texture on the cake. Another favorite is the one using seed packets, such a bright, striking design!
My! You have been BUSY!
Love your cards Karen!
You are an inspiration!
Thanks~
I am so thrilled Michelle invited you to guest with us this month! I’m leaving your completely inspired. You have done the most outstanding things with this kit. I adore your cake card…the texture…swoon! I’m absolutely wishing I could CASE your hello card and the one with the little bird cage is a stand out for me as well. But really, I love them all!
Golly, what an eye-watering and beautiful collection you have created! How clever you have been with the cake texture, and I’ve never heard of an ‘encouragement’ card – what a splendid thought and perfectly executed design.I love seed packets so that one is bound to be a favourite :). You have really excelled here …
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