Happy Mail Day!

What a happy mail day!!! I received all of these fun stamps from Kat. Thanks bunches Kat just love them! She got them at A C Moore when she was visiting her mom in PA. I know Micheal's also carries these stamps but I have not see ones for the holidays. So awesome!



She also sent me cards. Just love the Once upon a Time card. If and when my dear daughter ever decides to get married, I'll be giving her this card. I have her scrap book already for her wedding, again if and when! I got the Once Upon a Time paper, and scrapbook from Michael's, now I just have to sit back and wait.





Oh and did I forget to say Kat also included candy in the package? Well what is a package without the chocolate. Have you ever heard of Cheesecake Hershey Kisses? I never heard of them. Of course not until Lisa let the cat out of the bag that I would be getting some from Kat. (Sorry Lisa) Anyway they are yummy!!!!

Hope everyone is having a good week. I know I am. Only two more working days till a 3 days weekend. YAY

Happy Stamping

Paper Cone

I made this for hubby for Valentine's Day. I found the paper cones at the local craft store. The size is 9 x 5. Cone is made by Darice. I haven't checked Michael's but they may carry them there. I know they carry Darice products. Anyway......I used Basic Grey paper to cover the cone. The doily is one I had from Guam days. I wish I would have bought more of them now. They were pretty inexpensive. Heart is from Stampin'Up! Love and Kiss stamp from See-D's.

Hope your Monday is going well. Only three more days for me to work this week. I'm looking forward to it. I took some time this evening and watched Broke Back Mountain. This was a very well done movie. Of course I couldn't watch it when hubby was around. He didn't want to be in the same room with this one. It's so sad that Heath Ledger died. He does have one more movie coming out this summer. It's a Batman movie. I think he is playing the Joker. Till tomorrow.....

Happy Stamping.

More Stamps!

Got a bit carried away yesterday at the craft store. Bought lots of stamps....but in all fairness to my 50.75 total it wasn't all mine. I did pick up stamps for friends as well.
I really love the French Quarter set. It's the largest one. It is selling for 9.97 at Pat Catan's. Thank You set is 2.97 and the smaller ones were each one dollar. I see happy stamping in my future!!!!



I did do little bit of stamping today. The card is cut 4 1/4 by 10 then scored at 3 1/4 and again at 6 3/4. This will make a tri-fold card. For the front I cut a wave free hand with my scissors. Here's a tip for you.....to get clean cut lines turn the cardstock as you cut not the scissors. It really does make a difference. Stamp set used is Here Kitty Kitty. On the inside panel of the card I added Chocolate Chip cardstock then used the 1/2 punch to punch out Tempting Turquoise circles. On the inside of the tin I plan to put a set of earrings for my daughter. Her birthday isn't till November, but I'm trying to work ahead a bit for this year.



That's all for now. I can't believe the weekend is over already. I didn't do anything at all today. I did make a big pot of chili. That was yummy! But I just didn't want to do anything. I was talking to a friend of mine today and she suggested it was the winter blues. Could very well be. I'm looking forward to a short week. I took Friday off as a vacation day. I have to start training the Seasonal staff on the 4th of February and I won't be able to take any time off for the next three months so I figured I better take one day before all the FUN started!

Happy Stamping!!!!

Framed Love

Hope your weekend started out well! Mine did. Came home from work yesterday and made a nice pot of hot comforting soup. (and enjoyed a York peppermint patty brownie, shhh don't tell on me)

I'm going to bring mom some lunch today, then stop by Pat Catan's on my way home. I need to check out those stamps again!

The frame is 8x8, and the designer paper is Lucky from Basic Gray. I have been collecting Basic Gray paper for some time now, and I really need to pull it out of the drawers and use it! Why oh why do we hoard our stamping stuff? The world may never know! I purchased a dozen test tubes so I had to come up with a way to use them. This one holds the flowers just right.

I'm so excited! Tonight starts a new season of Torchwood. The show is a spin off from Doctor Who....I'm such a sci-fi/fantasy geek. Wish my brother was still here to enjoy it with me. He is the one who got me hooked on Doctor Who back in the seventies, when the BBC first started the show. Back then it was an 1/2 hour program and came on channel 25 (public broadcasting network). Sigh.....miss you Tony.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I know I am!!!

Happy Stamping!

Sympathy/Brownies/New Stamps

I made this card for a good friend who recently loss her step father. So sorry for your loss Kat. I'm also sorry this card is late getting to you.Please know you have been in my thoughts and prayers.
**********************************************************************************

We are having a pot luck tomorrow at my job. Now normally I would make a main dish, but just didn't want to lug a heavy crock pot across the parking lot. So....I opted to make a dessert. I made a recipe called York Peppermint Patty Brownies. I want to rename them to gooey sugar high! They are good but let me tell you they are no fun trying to cut and get them out of the pan! Here is the recipe if you care to give it a go

1 1/2 cups butter, 3 cups white sugar, 1 TB vanilla extract, 5 eggs, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 24 small peppermint patties

Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs till well blended. Stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Blend well
Reserve 2 cups of the batter, set aside
Grease 13x9x2 inch pan. Spread remaining batter in prepared pan. Arrange peppermint patties in a single layer over batter about 1/2 inch apart.
Spread reserved 2 cups batter over patties. Bake 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes till brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

I took them out at 40 minutes and they were done. Check them as all ovens are different.





I stopped at Pat Catan's after work today and they have new See-D's STAMPS! I'm such a sucker for new rubber!! The larger ones are 2.97 and the small ones are 1.00 each. I had my son with me so I didn't get a good chance to rummage though all the bins of these stamps so I'll have to go back over the weekend when I can take my time and let my fingers and eyes take in all the new rubber! I'm telling you it's really a sickness!!!!

Happy Stamping
and Thank Goodness it's FRIDAY!!!!

Mess

I thought it would be fun to show you a picture of my desk after a stamping session. This is what it looked like the day I made the Barbie card. Hubby always advises me to clean as I go. When I'm finished with one item put it away that way I don't have so much to clean when I'm finished stamping. However.......when I have tried to do that I find it interferes with all those creative juices. So the desk is a mess, so I have to clean it before I start a new project. I'll just have to live with it.

I did get out my stamps after the clean up was done. Stamp set is called In the Garden. It's made by See-D's



I used this same stamp for a recent magazine submission. It turned out great. Wish I could show you, but I can't post it anywhere. Did you know that Certainly Celery and Close to Cocoa go well together? I think they look great on this card. The window flower box was popped up. I'm trying to use some items I haven't use since I acquired them. The green flower ribbon running down the length of the card was given to me. Sorry girls I can't remember now if it was my friend Lisa, or Kat. I know it came from one of them. The gold hammered brad reminds me of an upholstery tack. I picked this up for 1.00 at Pat Catan's. They came in a set of 12. Of course I also had to get the silver ones, and the brass square ones they had......and speaking of Pat Catan's......I got some new stamps when I stopped by there this evening.....but that's a story for tomorrow.

Happy Stamping!

Barbie (it's about time)

So how is everyone this wonderful "hump day"? I really could use some more sleep, but you know how that goes. I'm a night owl and always have been. I try to focus on stamping early in the evening after dinner, but after working all day, then fixing dinner, and clean up......I just can't be creative anymore. I watch some tv, or read email and check out blog sites. By the time I can find some creative energy in me it's about 10 pm...the time I should be going to bed.

My friend purchased these Barbie stamps, made some cards, then passed the stamps along to another friend who made some cards, then finally passed them along to me, and they have been sitting on my desk just looking at me for the pass 6 months. Oh Dear! I should have used them sooner. So last night on the phone my friend who was reminded by the second friend that I've had these stamps for 6 months. WHEW! Okay ladies I did make a card last night. I found this wonderful layout at http://poeticartistry.blogspot.com Julee has the best sketches! Check out her blog and see for yourself.



Whinny the Pooh day was on the 18th. I received several cards from friends for this fun obscure holiday. Thanks girls! I did receive 4 of them, but one is floating around in the stamping room, you know how Whinny is....always going out and about on some type of adventure. I'll have to track him down. I wonder if he's with piglet or Christoper Robin?

Ooh La La

This card was made just for fun. Made the corset cards before, but one of my
girl friends suggested that I make a white one. So I stamped Paisley background
on Basic Black cardstock and then cut out the corset pattern. Which by the
way I had my daughter draw for me some time ago. Just added the ribbon for the
garters, and a little bit of fibers on the top to make it frilly. The words are
from a See-D's stamp set.

I made something really good. Have you ever had lemon muffins? I have never had them let alone ever made any. I bought a whole bag of lemons. I'm trying to drink more water and putting a lemon wedge in my bottled water really helps to perk it up. Anyway I'm getting off the subject. So I have this bag of lemons and I'm thinking I'll never be able to use them all just in my water so I did an internet search and came up with a great recipe for lemon muffins.

1 3/4 all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 TB grated lemon peel
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup lemon or plain yogurt
6 TB butter or margarine, melted
1 TB lemon juice
Topping:
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp grated lemon peel

In large bowl, combine the fist six ingredients. In another bowl, beat the egg, yogurt, butter and lemon juice. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes; leave muffins in pan. Using a toothpick, poke 6-8 holes in each muffin. In a saucepan, combine the topping ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Spoon over warm muffins.

Makes nice large muffins and they are sooooooo lemony! Goes great with a cup of hot tea.

Till next time
Happy Stamping!

BRRR It's Cold!

Went to 7 degrees here in Brunswick yesterday I didn't go outside at all. I will have to head out soon for work....while my dear hubby gets to sleep in. Darn it all anyway. He has today off due to the holiday. No fair!!! WAH!!!!

Okay.....Enough already of my whining. I did get some stamping time in on Sunday. Since it's so cold I brought out the Snowman folder for my Cuttlebug. I ran the folder though using Brushed Silver cardstock. Then I ran another one through using Shimmery White. Next I cut out the words from the white, and also the snowman. I used the reverse side of the snowman and colored in his mouth and eyes with a black marker. Nose is Pumpkin pie. Then just layered him and added to the card. The words I used Night of Navy marker so they would stand out more.

At least with the weather being so cold the chance that it will snow is pretty slim. Didn't have to cook today yesterday. I made meatball and sausage subs on Saturday and there were plenty of leftovers. I made spaghetti, so we could finish them off.

It was nice that the "Boys" (hubby and son) left me pretty much alone on Sunday. There were two big football games on. So I had plenty of time to stamp and get on the computer. Now why can't there be a "BIG" game on everyday? LOL

Happy Monday
and Happy Stamping

Love Bag and Tag

I know where have I been? Just to busy recently to get to the computer. I've been working on card submissions for magazines, and although I've been stamping I just can't post those completed works on my blog. I did find time yesterday to make this little bag. I found them at a local paper store. First I cut off two inches from the top then sponged the edges of the bag with Close to Cocoa ink. Used the largest oval punch to make a window in the bag. Stamp set used is Priceless, and Love Matters. The luggage tag is stamped with Certainly Celery, and Rose Red. The heart in the center is made from memory glass. I stamped the heart on white cardstock and layered it between the two pieces of glass. "Love" is stamped on top of the glass with Jet Black StazOn. Next I wrapped the two edges of the glass with red line tape, before removing the backing I pushed the edges of the tape over to both sides of the window panes. Then I added clear micro beads. Before attaching it to the tag I added a pin back. the strips of white cardstock in the bag where just added for fun, and interest.

Happy Stamping!

Go LOOOOOOOOOOOONG

Long card that is. Tuesday Challenge card is a long card. Cut cardstock 8 x 9 then score at 4 inches. This will fit in a business size envelope. Thanks Debby for posting this challenge on my yahoo group.

What a day I had. My supervisor yelled at me. What a pain, but that's another story. Then I stopped at the ATM machine on my way home, and the system ate my card and froze. It wouldn't do anything. I got the bank manager to come look at it and he can't do anything about it. So he took my name and phone number and will call me in the morning. Well hello! Now I don't have my card and I'll be at work in the morning. I asked about what happens if the machine spits out my card later after I drive away. He says it won't come back out. I really have my doubts about that. What if it starts working again while my pin number is still in the system and the next person who drives up cleans out my bank account? I know they can only take 300.00 at one time, but how would I ever prove it's not me who took the money. Okay....done venting for one night. I think I better just go to bed and start fresh tomorrow.

**Valentine Blog Candy Winner****

Congrats to Beverly Kissler. You won! Read what Beverly wrote:

Karen, what a great blog. My favorite candy is anything chocolate, especially with caramel and pecans!! My favorite flower is the hydrangea. Thanks for offering the blog candy. I love your work, you are very talented.

Beverly please email me your address and I'll get this in the mail for you.
clar42ie@adelphia.net


Thanks to everyone to made a comment and shared with us!!!

Who's Ready for Valentine Blog Candy?

I know you are! The stamp set is from See-D's. The sticker sheet is cool, it's made out of fabric. There is also a package of red brads. Winner will be announced on January 14th, exactly one month before Valentine's Day. Since hubbys, and boyfriends tend to get us candy and flowers on this day...when you post a comment please tell me what your favorite candy is and your favorite flower. Have fun and good luck!!!

This post will stay at the top of the blog till the drawing on 1-14-08. Please scroll down for newer posts.

Happy Stamping!

Valentine Party Favor

I never knew a empty roll of toilet paper could be so much fun! I cut the cardstock to fit around the tube. Then I made a reverse mask using the heart from Year by Year. To make the reverse mask stamp the heart on a scrap piece of paper. Make sure to leave a border going around it. Now take a craft knife and cut out the inside of the heart. Next lay the mask on the cardstock and stamp. I used the small flower from Priceless, then I took a sponge and sponged on Creamy Caramel ink. I did this three times on the cardstock. I wanted to make the hearts pop a bit more so I grabbed the Stamp-a-Ma-Gig and over stamped the hearts with Jet Black StazOn. The last thing I stamped was the Old Olive borders using All In A Row stamp set. To make the favor stand up I punched three Real Red Texture pieces using the scallop punch. Then layered them together to make it big enough to fit the bottom of the favor. Glue it on using tacky glue. Red tissue paper was tucked into the roll and filled with candy hearts. Pretty simple favor to make.

Happy Monday!!! Got to go back to work.......would someone please tell me why the weekends go by so quick!!!!!

Mini Photo Album

This is a work in process. I'm not finished with the inside pages. The album is made with one sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock cut in half. Each piece is scored at 5 and then again at 5 1/2. Then they are glued together at the back to form the tri-fold album. Inside is covered with designer paper. 5 1/2 square envelopes are glued together at the flaps to form the accordion pull out that will hold the photos




Stamp sets: Love Matters, and Priceless
Carstock: Mellow Moss, So Saffron, Brocade Blue, Basic Black
Scallop punches were cut in half and used as a decorative touch on the front cover. Cardstock inserts for the envelops are cut 5 x 5 1/2. I wanted the cardstock to be flush with the top of the envelopes so I could add a topper to pull out the photo pages.

Happy Stamping!

Number Card Reject

I was playing around last night trying to come up with a card for a magazine submission. This one I like but it's not really what the magazine is looking for. So I'm scrapping this one. I'll have to rattle my cage a bit today and see if I can come up with something else.

Not much going on this weekend. Going to get some rest after working a full week coming off two weeks that were not full weeks. Getting back to the grind. Wish the holidays come have been longer!

Winner will be announced for the Valentine Blog candy in a few days. YAY.

Happy Stamping! (that's were I'm off to....my stamping room......please check on me if I don't come out for awhile......maybe throw me some food and bring me a cup of coffee)

Sketch Challenge a Different Size

I really like this layout so I had to try it with a different size. Base card is 3 1/2 by 6. Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery. Ink: tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa. The designer paper is an retired level one Hostess set. I have like 8 packs of it so I really need to start using it! Stamp set: Priceless. Other items used: Scallop punch, and 1 1/4 circle punch.

Not much new going on today. Went to see mom. She was doing better than she was on Saturday. That's a relief. Stopped at the Verizon store on the way home and got new cell phones. My daughter lost hers during Christmas while in MI, and I just plain needed a new phone. To much the joy of my friends. My old cell phone is older than dirt and it kept dropping calls. So now I have a nice new V Cast. Someone will need to teach this old dog some new tricks. It will take me forever to figure out how to use it!

Happy Stamping!!!!!

Tuesday Sketch Challenge

I'm trying very hard to break away from the colors I always reach for. I can't have my filing system out of balance with one one sheet of several colors and tons of others. Colors have feelings to, and they want to be used!



Base card is Handsome Hunter, Blush Blossom layer is stamped with Paisley background using Blush Blossom ink, strip of Really Rust is stamped with Canvas, flower is made with Office Accouterments flower ink More Mustard stamped on So Saffron. I just love these colors together!

So I hope you take the challenge and break away and use colors you hardly ever reach for. Try the card design. It's fun to work with.

Happy Stamping!!!

It's Going To Be A Boho Valentine's Day!

So have you wondered where I've been? I've been around but just have not been in the mood to stamp. I needed to shake myself up a bit and try to get the creative juices flowing again.

Remember the 1.00 tins I got at Target? The Tic Tac Toe game is made using the square tin.

Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White. For the outside of the tin the Olive CS was cut 5 x 5, and the white CS was cut 4 3/4 x 4 3/4. Since the tin is red it gives I had an extra layer of color without using cardstock. For the inside I stamped the hearts on white CS, and flower circle on Olive CS. Each was run though the Xyron using the magnet cartridge, then they were cut out. The white zig zag stitches were added with a gel pen. The game pieces are held in a small envelope which was layered on Real Red CS.





The card was made using the same colors. Boho wheel was used on the red base card.




Stamp sets: Priceless, and the Valentine word is from Flexible Phrases. Hearts were stamped on Red using Whisper White craft ink. Creamy Caramel ribbon and silver brads were added for accents.

The little plastic candy holder a M & M container. I just took off the wrapping and added my own.

Happy Stamping!

Happy New Year......Kissy Fishy!

Happy New Year!!!! Can't believe it's 2008.....and I still don't have my flying car! LOL





I saw this cute little fish at Pat Catan's. He was a 1.00 but all the 1.00 stamps were on sale for .50 cents. I had to bring him home. He was just to darn cute. Background was done using Taken with Teal on bubble wrap then the wrap was pressed onto Tempting Turquoise cardstock. Fishy was stamped on white with Jet Black StazOn then colored in with Apricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise, and Cameo Coral for the lips. The "kiss heart" was part of a See-Dee's stamp set. Oh and the small circles on the Certain Celery layer were made by inking a new pencil eraser in celery ink.

Well I have to run and get my vegetables in my crock pot or we won't have any with our pork roast!

Happy Stamping!