Belli Challenge #48 Celebration!

This week's Belli challenge was "Celebration" You can view Crissy's blog here . She is the creater of the Belli Challenge. Read all about it on her blog!

I decided to to do an invite for a New Year's eve Watching the Ball drop.

I selected a stamp made by INKADINKADO. It's an older stamp. I picked it up two years ago at Big Lots for a buck. Love those 1 dollar stamp bins. I never got around to using it. This was the perfect challenge for me to use a new stamp and some embellishments. The layout for the card I got from ScorePal It's called Flap Fold.

I used Giga scallop circle punch to layer the ball. Added some glitz to the dots in the image with silver Stickles. I wanted to keep some of the design of the full image on the stamp even though I had cut the outer portion away. So I grabbed my handy dandy white gel pen and added the sprays going around the image. Designer paper is Basic Grey "Lucky"

Word stamp is from a retired SU set All Year Cheer.

Course I had to add some more bling, silver brads and silver ribbon. To carry some of the theme to the inside card I used the same silver Stickles on the : after the words. Also used some more designer paper. Piece of Velcro holds the invite closed. Want to see more Celebration cards?

Check out the blogs of the Belli design team

Holly

Joan

Ceal

Danita

Shelly

Jennifer

That's it for today Stampers! I'm so glad that I don't have to work for the rest of the week. I told hubby that I'm not doing anything for the rest of the week except for what I want to do. No house cleaning, no cooking, no entertaining. Did all that last week. I'm looking forward to lots of stamping time!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen 217

Thank You Gift

I made this thank you gift for my mom-in-law. Kit contains body wash, scrubby gloves, and Bubble Yum lip gloss. Box is made with Pink from the New Line Color SU, also used Chocolate Chip, and Gypsy paper by BasicGrey. I raided the flower drawer and came up with the pink one and a Heidi Stamps ghost flower. I've had that package since forever and never used any of them. Shame on me!!!!! Many Thanks word stamp by SU. Want to make one of these fun gift boxes? Check out Kitty's blog

She has some wonderful "tuts" on her blog that you can make using ScorePal

Since it was warmer today (48) we went to Hinckley Lake and took a 3 mile hike. I have to work off some of that holiday food I've been eating over the past week. Hubby also.

After the walk we had dinner then Sarah and I went after Christmas shopping. Got all our wrapping paper and boxes that we will need for next year. We still have the tree up. Hubby asks me if I'm taking it down today. I respond "How long have we been married?" And he still doesn't remember that I put the tree up day after Thanksgiving and always take it down New Year's Eve. You would thing after 26 yrs of marriage he would know that. LOL

I'm bummed out. My vacation week is over. Only good thing about it is I only have to work Monday and Tuesday this week. Then I have the rest of the week off. Now that is something to smile about!!!

Stamping Trails.

Karen 217

Bag of Punches

My friend Lisa sent me a large cello bag full of different color cardstock that she punched with her new punches. Okay soon as I saw them I knew I had the makings of my "deer" friend. I used two of the punches from the bag to make the ears and antlers. The rest of him is made from large oval punch, 1/4 circle, and 1/2 circle punch for the nose and eyes. Just love the little guy!!!! Box is made using 4 pieces of Chocolate Chip cardstock die cut with the scallop envelope die. Paper is from BasicGrey.

I'm going to be heading out in a few minutes. I got some Christmas cash from my mom-in-law Kate and it's burning a hole in my pocket. Since I still have some coupons from Archivers I'm going to go to Fairlawn and do some shopping.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!!!!!

Stamping Trails

Karen 217

Merry Christmas

Just popping in to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!!! I'm up very late this Christmas Eve. We went to Skip's mom's house met the family then went out to dinner at Long Horn. Big MISTAKE!!! We had to wait for a very long time to be seated. The place was a mad house! We did finally get seated and had a very good dinner. Got home kinda of late as we stopped back over at Mom's house to visit for a bit and have a some of her Birthday cake. She is 76 years young.

It's 2 am and this elf has to go to bed!!! We came home and opened our gifts as we have been doing since the kids got older. I'll be posting pics of some of the cool gifts I received from my friends, and family.

The card design layout is from MJ It is from her Monday lunchtime challenges. As normal I'm late in getting my card made. I just finished making this one. Talk about getting in some late night stamping time!!!!!! Stamp set is retired from SU called Snowflake. Colors: Not Quite Navy, Confetti White, Basic Black. Ink Colors: Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, and Always Artichoke.

Merry Christmas to all........and to all a GOOD NITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stamping Trails

Karen 217

Belli #47 Bellie from the Past

So excited to be a guest designer for Chrissy's Belli Challenges. This week is Belli from the past. We could use any of the past challenges. I selected #15. This one was a challenge to use Pencils. Since I have an awesome large box of Prisma Pencils I decided to use those to color in the angel images. The stamp set is a retired one from SU Angelic. I also used a technique from the October 2007 issue of TJ Cuttlebug Pearls. So simple to do but makes a wow impact on the background. See that little cream color tassel in the corner? I got several bags of them in different colors. Found them in the clearance bin at Walmart for .25 a bag. What a deal!!!!

Colors used: Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, and Confetti White.

Accessories: acetate, StazOn Jet Black, gold pen, large brad, tassel, ultra fine glitter, gel glue pen, pearl ex, stipple brush Xyron, Cuttlebug with swirl embossing folder, folk art star punch, pop dots.

OMG today is Christmas Eve!!!! It got here so fast!!!! Today is my mom-in-law Kate's birthday. Happy birthday!!!!!!! We are going over to her house later today for dinner.

Today will be busy. I need to run and visit my mom, and do some other last minute errands before dinner. At least the wash is all finished and the house is clean. Making some more cookies today, and a pumpkin cheese cake recipe that has been reworked to fit into the Weight Watchers format. I'll share that recipe with you later.

Have a safe and Happy Christmas everyone!!!!!!

Stamping Trails

Karen 217

Non Traditional Christmas Colors

I was inspired the other day by my blogging buddie Chris She made the card with non traditional Christmas colors. On my card I used Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, and Taken with Teal. The background is something new that I came up with, someone has most likely done this before but it was new to me. I ran confetti cardstock through the Cuttlebug folder. Then opened the folder up but left the cardstock still in the folder. Next I took SU watercolor wonder crayons and scribbled over the embossing. Removed the cardstock from the folder and misted with a little bit of water to make the colors blend better. I wanted a little bit of shine so I tapped a VersaMark spot over the raised areas once the cardstock was dry, then sprinkled with clear embossing powder, heat. I also found that putting the damp cardstock under the A plate of the Cuttlebug helps the cardstock to lay flat while its drying.

The tree is just three scallop punches that I cut and layered to look like a tree. To the scallops I added some Snow Writer paint, then added ultra fine glitter while the paint was still wet.

Hope everyone is ready for the holidays. I'm just about there. Been cleaning. We have company coming over Christmas day and then again on Saturday. Busy, busy!!!!

Stamping Trails

Karen 217

Barbie Tree!

I moved the Barbie tree from the basement last night into the living room. I was thinking about getting out our big tree, but I just don't have it in me to do this year. It's a lot of work for something I'll have to pull down a few days after Christmas. This little tree will work fine this year. I put it right in front of the picture window. Enjoy the rest of the pics folks. I'm off to do some well deserved stamping!!!! Oh there is only one Ken on the tree. He's with his bride Barbie. Talk about one lucky dude surrounded by all those hot looking Barbie babes!!!! LOL

This isn't the topper I wanted, but just couldn't find anything else that would work. I'll continue to look till I find the right one.

One happy

Ken Doll!!!!!!

Stamping Trails.

Karen 217

Living Room is Finished!

Hard to get one picture of the whole room. Still need to get area rug and some artwork for the walls, but other than that its finished!!!! I'm so happy with my new living room! For those readers who have been at my house you'll remember that the walls were green and the carpet was also green. We had black leather furniture. All those dark colors made the room look way to heavy. It's nice and "light" now (just like me!)

I'm on the first day of my vacation. Feeling pretty darn good! I'm going to spend today cleaning. I know what a

way to start it off, but if I get the house clean now I'll be able to enjoy my vacation more. I still have last minute holiday things to get done as well. I want to get as much done as I can so I will be able to stamp more during my time off. YAY

Stamping Trails!!!

Karen

217

Chrissy has Blog Candy

Go check out her site and leave a comment for a chance to win. But I'll tell you now......
I'm hoping I win!!!!!! Happy Saturday everyone!

Fuffle Tags

Sarah was in need of some gift tags so we made these last night. She just got such a laugh when I told her the name of the stamp line was Fluffles.

We used prima pencils, and gamsol to color in the image then added Stickles to the ornaments. My favorite one is the orange cat. Also broke out the Crop-A-Dial and put a large eyelet to use with string for a tie.

I lost another pound this past week. I had my weigh in this morning. YAY. So happy to see that scale coming down.

Today is my last day of work. Hoping I can get though my day. Time is really dragging this week. Of course next week when I'm on vacation time is just going to whiz by like a jet plane.

Stamping Trials

Karen 217

Belli Challenge #46

Couldn't pass up on this challenge! It was fun to make a card using wrapping paper. I had never done that before. Seeing how we had the snowman contest at work yesterday seemed only right to make a snowman card. Check out Chrissy's blog to see and join in her challenge. Also check out Lori's blog. Make your project using wrapping paper for a chance to win!

Only today and tomorrow then I'll have a whole week off. Can't wait. Christmas is so close and I don't even have a tree up. Hubby is getting the living room furniture today. Hoping to take some pics later when I get home from work, then you can see the new room.

Stamping Trails

Karen 218

How to Turn A Person into a Snowman

....with 5 rolls of toilet paper! LOL

We had our Christmas party at my job today. One of the contests was to wrap up your partner and turn the live person into a snowman. We got to use any props that we wanted, but only had 3 minutes to do it. Let me tell you.....If you ever do this the best way is to put a screwdriver into the roll then wrap. I had a hard time getting started as the paper kept ripping. We only got 3 minutes to finish. Now what saved me and my partner was the props. We had an apron, hat and broom. I used my circle punches to make the cheeks, and mouth. We rocked!!!! Plus we won!!!!!!!!!!! We each received 25.00 gift cards to Applebee's. How awesome is that. It was fun.

I glad I wrapped instead of being the snowman! Oh another prop I made was a carrot nose from orange felt. Just made a cone, sewed it up and attached elastic so I could put it on her face. Some of these people looked like mummy's not snowmen. Like I said it was fun!!! And you know last year I never would have done this. I always tried to keep a lower profile, because of my weight. Feeling better now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This last picture of a very good sport. He dressed up as Santa for us and gave out candy bags. Of course I gave mine away. Didn't want that on my desk!

And speaking about food......I was really good at the potluck. I brought my own salad, and had some of the creamy corn that I made, and a orange for lunch. I was a little miffed that someone came to my desk with food and wanted me to eat it. HELLO!!!!!! While most people are supportive of the newer me, some still don't get it.

Stamping Trails

Karen 218

Card and Corn

My friends are still sending me encouragement cards. I have been getting slow at sharing them with you. I received this one today from Kat. I had to call her and ask about the punch under the flower. I wanted her to punch some for me. Turns out that she had borrowed that punch from another friend, but was was willing to send me the punches that she did while the punch was on loan to her. Thanks Kat!!! You're a doll!!!! Another thing I found out....this is a Martha Stewart punch. YIKES!!! I really don't like Martha but I do like this punch!

Now on to the corn......We are having a Christmas Potluck at my job today. I'm planning to just pack my lunch as always. Don't want to be tempted to eat the wrong food this close to the holiday. I did want to bring in a dish to share and found this recipe on the WW site. It's really good!!!!

Creamy Corn

2 tsp butter

1/4 cups scallions minced

2 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels

1 tbsp all purpose flour

1 cup fat free milk

1/8 tsp salt, and pepper

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add scallions and saute until soft. Add corn and saute a bit more. Add flour and stir to coat the corn and scallions. Add milk and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, until mixture thickens, about 10 to 12 minutes.

I tripled the recipe for the potluck. After I finished cooking time I transferred it to a crock pot so it could be taken to work.

Stamping Trails

Karen 218

To Much Stuff...Stamping Poem

'Twas the Night Before Christmas'Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me. Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
"Or a Cricut," I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him, "Hi Santa!" I said.
"You know....good little girls should be in their beds."
"I know I should Santa, and now I've got caught. But I was just so excited to see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work.
" He shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk. I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear... "You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!"


******************************************************************


My Friend Debby shared this on a yahoo group that we are in. LOL I can so relate to this.........I have already decided to cut back on my stamping toys. I have so much already, and running out of room to store it all. But that doesn't keep me from being excited about Christmas!!! I know that my friends the elves will send me some new stamping stuff!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen 218

Peppermint Patties Dress Up

Playing dress up with York Peppermint Patties yesterday. Having fun with some punches. Not my ideas these have been cased. I added some things that were not in the originals. Snowflake punch for

Frosty's hat, white gel pen for highlights in Santa's eyes and nose. Little bit of stipple brushing for the cheeks of Frosty and Santa. I also used a 5/8 circle punch and 1/2 circle punch to make the angel a halo. Click here to see how the angel was made.

Santa: 1 1/4, and 1/2 circle punches, window punch, flower trio punch

Colors: Shimmery White, Real Red, Black, Blush Blossom, and Pretty in Pink

Small stipple brush with Pretty in Pink ink

Frosty: Curly Label, Window, and 1/8 inch circle punch

Colors: Shimmery White, Pumpkin Pie, Black

Small snowflake punch, small stipple brush with Pretty in Pink ink

Angel: 5 petal punch, 3/4 circle, and scallop punch

5/8 circle, and 1/2 circle punch

Colors: Shimmery White, and Brushed Gold

Planning on making a bunch of these to give out to nieces and nephews during the holidays. That is if I can keep Sarah out of my bag of peppermint patties! LOL

Hubby has all the flooring laid. Now he's working on the trim. He didn't want to hammer in all the nails for the trim, so first he tried gluing it, then he decided that he needed a nail gun. My Tim the Tool Man Taylor!!!! Least he doesn't have to go to ER every time he makes something. Thank Goodness!!!! Must have more tool power!!! Oh well I have my collection of stamps and supplies he has his tools.

Only this week left to work then I have a whole week off for Christmas. I'll go back for two days then have another 5 days off for New Years. Life is good!!!!!!

Stamping Trails

Karen 218

Deer

This what I worked on yesterday. I started out with a good idea then it just fizzled. Must be too cold here and my brain froze. Don't know what I was thinking. Don't really like this one. I think it's to busy, but I thought I'd post it anyway. I do like the new Spellbinders die I brought. It's curvy. I also picked up Label 1, and Label 2 die's at Pat Catan's a few days ago. I'm getting good collection going of Nestibilies.

Hubby got the floor finished, he's working on the moulding now. Hoping soon to start moving back the furniture and to pick up the new furniture we ordered. It's been in and waiting for us at the store. Glad they are find about holding it for us and not charging us storage.

Sending warm hugs and prayers for my cyber buddy Debby. Her mom is ill and at the hospital. She's in MN and they are on the verge of really cool weather. Hang in there Deb!

Stamping Trails

Karen 218

Winter Bird

I have been working on this card all week. Didn't start out like this. Just took on a mind of it's own after awhile! Stamp set is Winter Birds by Stampendous. Background is a retired SU background stamp Musical Notes. Carmel color snowflake was made with Spellbinders Snowflake dies. I had to add Diamond Dust to the flake. If you haven't used diamond dust it's really cool! It just ground glass. I got a little bit of Cranberry Crisp ink on the vanilla cardstock right over the bird's head so I had to cover that up somehow. Broke out the word window punch and Small Script both from SU. I found the ribbon at Big Lots of all places. It matched the Cranberry cardstock just perfectly! Just love when those things happen.

Tried to take a close up so you could see the detail on the snowflake. And speaking of snow.......we got 2 inches last night. So it's not much. I do have to venture out of my nice warm house to do the grocery shopping. JOY!!! I really don't like to grocery shop. But it's either I go or hubby goes, and let me tell you it's not a good thing when hubby goes. Won't go into that now.


Hope everyone stays warms and have a great weekend!!!!!

Stamping Trails.
Karen 218

WOW I Received Two Awards This Week

I received this great award from Danita, and Chrissy. Thanks bunches ladies!!!!! Take the time to visit there blogs. You'll find some great artwork!

Okay my turn to nominate some blogs

The *official rules* are:

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.

2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Put links to their blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Kim McNutt

Becca

Nicole

Anna

Holly

I had a good weigh in yesterday. Lost 3 pounds making my total loss a whopping 55 pounds. YAY!!! My hubby being the sweet supportive person that he is....when I told him the total he goes why that's almost a bag of concrete. LOL Found out a bag of concrete is 60 pounds. MEN. He meant well, and he is very happy for me. He was just using a measurement that he was familiar with.

Stamping Trails

Karen 218

Come for Tea?

I've set a cup just for you! I was chatting with my dear friend Kat this evening and told her I was going to stamp tonight. Then I got to thinking that I had not made any cookies this season. The house is still a mess but I just wanted to do something to get me in a holiday mood. So I made cookies!!! This are point friendly for those of you who may be watching your weight like I am. They are 1 point for each cookie.

Chocolate-Fudge Cookie Bites

Cooking spray

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4 cup margarine, softened

3/4 cup sugar

4 oz unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 tbsp powdered sugar

preheat oven to 375. Spray two cookie sheets with cooking spray.

Place cocoa, margarine and sugar in a bowl, beat with electric mixer. Add applesauce, and vanilla

beat to blend. In another bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into cocoa batter with a wooden spoon.

Shape batter into 48 marble sized balls. Arrange 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake about 8 minutes. Remove from oven place on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Store in plastic bags. Tip: before you start to roll the batter, dip your fingers in flour or cocoa. This dough is sticky!!!!! One good thing I like about this recipe. Since there are no eggs I can lick my fingers!!!

I thought you might like to see a picture of how the new floor is looking. We decided not to do the dark wood. Went with this one instead it was 1.00 less per each square foot. Brand name is Bruce Exotic Wonders. Does have a hint of cherry color to it. Great thing about this is the padding was attached to the bottom of each locking piece so that also cut down on some of the cost. Can't wait till it's finished!!!!!

I received this car from Connie today. Cute Texas card Connie!!!!

Stamping Trails

Karen 221

Who's Desk Is This?

It's mine!!!!! And it's clean!!!! I took some time this morning before we got into painting to clean my stamp room. The whole house is a complete mess, and I just needed one little corner of it to be clean. So what better room to clean than my stamping space? This way if I get tired of painting I'll have a space to get away from it all.

I've been making lots of projects with snowflakes so while I was cleaning up my room I gathered them all together in one bowl. How funny that the bowl they are in is blue. BRRRRRRRR

Cold here today. Wish I was in TX with all my gal friends, but here I am stuck in OH and the cold. Did I mention that it's snowing? It is. Least I don't have to go out anywhere today.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Stamping Trails

Karen 218

Brown Snowflakes?

Sure why not! Trying out a new technique from the December issue of TJ. This one is called Masked Frames. Pretty simple to do. I've really been into brown for Christmas cards this year.

Along with a new technique I'm also using a new toy.......Snowflakes from Spellbinders. OMG I just love them.

So fun to work with! And another toy......Glitter Dust. It's ground glass. I was lucky enough to come across a jar on Ebay.

I used Crystal Effects on the snowflake, then pressed the flake into the Glitter Dusk. So pretty!!!! Oh I just remembered another new thing....filigree brads from SU. WOW lots of new stuff!!!!! Is it Christmas yet? Feels like it with all the new stuff I purchased lately.

I went to weigh in. Lost another 2 pounds so that brings the total to a whopping 54 pounds!!!! Gotta keep that scale moving downward.

I've been lax on posting to the blog. We have been busy working on the remodel of the living room. All the walls are primed, carpet removed, and the floor free of staples and nails. We will be putting down a hardwood floor.

Stamping Trails

Karen 218

Chipboard Ornament

I have tons of chipboard so I decided to get some out tonight. Ornament is is covered with a circle of Wassail BasicGrey designer paper. Next I took the 1 3/8 punch and punched out 4 squares from coordinating paper. These were glued over the base paper, then I had to trim around the chipboard to even it out. Edges were sanded then sponged with Always Artichoke ink. Faux stitching was added with white gel pen. Hanger is Rose Red punched with Tab Rounder punch. Stamp used Circle of Friendship.

I don't think I could be any colder. At work they are working on the heating/air conditioning and there is a cold draft that is blowing down over my desk all day. I spent the entire day in my wool coat as I just could not handle the cold. Then of course we are trying to keep our heating bill down so the temp in the house is set at 66. My feet are still cold!!!! Hoping the heat gets fixed soon at work.

Stamping Trails

Karen 221

Another Great Challenge from Techno

Thanks to Mary Jo for another great layout! Just love taking her challenges.

This card uses Jumbo Snowman. Just got this stamp set on Saturday, and have been having fun stamping with this cute jumbo snow guy.

Colors: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, So Saffron

accessories: felt snowflake, rust metal snowflake, scallop circle punch, small snowflake punch, Cuttlebug swirl embossing folder, Jet Black StazOn, Pumpkin Pie marker.

I made lots of food when I came home from work today. I normally get food together on Sunday for the week, so I'll have stuff to pack for lunch, but since I've been busy with the living room I didn't get a chance to. So tonight I made Burrito casserole, curry butternut squash soup, egg salad, and pumpkin spice muffins. Whew!!!! And I still managed to throw this card together.

Stamping Trails

Karen 221