Missing Laptop

Sorry I missed posting for a few days. John borrowed my laptop for the weekend and I didn't get it back till Monday evening. It was such a beautiful weekend that I didn't stay indoors to much so no stamping got done. I did play with the new milk carton die from SU!. Its much smaller than I thought. One sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock will make two cartons. I also purchased the new stamp set Got Treats. It is perfect to use with the milk carton.

Filled the carton with caramel apple candy corn. Never seen that before and it's really good. Low in points for Weight Watchers as long as you only have a few. Wanted the candy to show through the carton so I cut a hole using my circle cutter. I got it a little to much to the right so it wasn't centered just right, but hey that only makes it look more home made which is a more desirable look...right?

Stamping Trails
Karen 206

Brayer

Brayer....now there is a tool I haven't used in a very long time. It has been hanging on the pegboard in my stamp room collecting the very finest antique dust. Its within my line of sight at my desk just waiting it's turn to be used. Well I guess I could say that about all the supplies I have. This card is not my design and was inspired by Michelle Zindorf. I changed up the stamps that were used and made the overall card smaller. I would love to be able to go to one of her Brayer workshops. She's coming back to my area next year so I'm hoping to be able to attend. Marina Mist is my new favorite color! Just love the shade, and goes so well with black. Base card is 5x5, white layer for the main image is 4x4. Little white stars in the background were made with a white gel pen. Stamp sets: Lovely as a Tree, and Nature Silhouettes. I bought the nature set when it first came out in SU! catalog but this morning was the first day that the stamps saw an ink pad. Been on a roll lately making cards. I'm having fun doing it again. It's like seeing a long lost close friend again. Its all NEW!!!

I'm off to Hollo's paper store. I know I should leave my credit card at home (sigh), but I'm in need of some cardstock and envelopes.

Stamping Trails
Karen 206

Tools of the Trade

There is something to be said for having the right tool for the job. I've been enjoying playing with all my new stuff. The antique brads are perfect with the basic pearls. But I got to tell you those little pearls are very hard to work with unless you have the right tools. The Quicker-Poker-Picker Upper (no I didn't make the name up..it is the name of the tool) is wonderful! It has a flat angled piece on one end that you can use to slide the pearl off the sheet and then place it where you want it. I found this nifty tool at Archivers. If you don't have one run right now and get one. You won't be sorry. I put one of the brads in the foam mat from the the tool kit to hold it in place while I stuck the pearls on it. Isn't this cool!!!

Colors used on the card: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil, and Espresso. Wood embossing folder by Tim Holtz, other things used, twill tape (stitched with brown zig-zag)pop dots, Sanded Background, Friends stamp by SU!

So happy Friday got here. Looking forward to the end of the year. I'll be quitting my job. Think I might get a part time job at Pat Catan's, or another fun crafting store. Work is getting to stressful and its not worth my health. I've spoken to my managers and have stressed my concerns but it's falling on death ears, so I'll be moving on.

Stamping Trails
Karen 206

Happy Thursday

I love these colors together! Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, and Marina Mist what a great combo. I also used Bashful Blue on the flower with the Marina Mist. I was checking my stash and I'm about out of Confetti White...looks like I have another reason to stop at Hollo's Paper Store. Guess I'll make a quick stop there after work today. I have been watercoloring lately and the confetti white is great for this. Again I used the beads I colored. Also used Inque Boutique designer paper, Cuttlebug folder, aqua painter, Top note die, Because I Care level one Hostess set by SU!, and off white ribbon. Same ribbon I used on the school card I posted yesterday. I had a scrap of it still on my desk and it was just enough for this card.

It was really nice out yesterday. I took a bike ride after dinner. Had to go by myself as Skip is working. I did ride the bike up to the school and visited with him for a bit as he was taking break for his dinner. Wish the weekend would hurry up and get here.

Stamping Trails
Karen 206

School Days, School Days......

good old Golden Rule Day. So in honor of the first day back to school for our school district I made this card. Aren't these little "kids" so cute!!!! Designer paper by Basic Grey. This is from there Black and White Collection. The ruled paper was perfect for this card! Base card Crumb Cake, Music layer Riding Hood Red using the new musical wheel from SU! Confetti White and Black also used. Kids watercolor with Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, and Crumb Cake. Circle dies by Spellbinders. See the little brown dots at the bottom right. Yep those are the plastic gems I dyed last week. The little word stamp along the side is from Happy Together set. I looked through my stash and didn't come up with a school word stamp to use so seeing how the kids looked so happy.....well you know where my mind went with this.

Let be careful driving readers as I'm sure there are plenty of kids waiting for buses, or walking to school.

Stamping trails
Karen 207

Fun at Home

Enjoyed having yesterday off. Just relaxed and enjoyed being in my stamp room. What a great day. Got to chat with my girlfriends, and pretty much just did what I wanted to do. Still playing with some new stamp sets. For this card I used: Wasabi, So Saffron, Garden Green, and Perfect Plum. Ribbon I found while rummaging through my room. Trick or Treat by Ink-a-dink-a-do. Also used Greeting Card Kids, and Baroque Motifs by SU!

Really hate to go back to work today. I have to be there at 7 am for training. So I'm working 10 hours today. GOOD GRIEF!!!!!! I'll be needing a nap when I get home.

Stamping Trails
Karen 207

Where the Buffalo Roam

In Wilderness is one of the stamps I got last week with my SU! order. Animal stamps that look this good and I like are a rare find. Buffalo was stamped with Soft Suede and brown flock was used on just his upper back. (Thanks Connie for that suggestion)
Other colors: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, and Crumb Cake. The cork used for the word stamp came from Lisa. She gave me a spool of this cork that has adhesive backing. This is the actual width of that spool of cork. Since the cork was thick I had to raise up the other layers in the cards with pop dots. Marina Mist layer was run through a embossing folder by Tim Holtz. It looks like a knotted log. Really cool folder.

Well I took the day off work. Skip will be heading off to work in few hours as he is back on second shift. I have the rest of my day lined up pretty much with just me time. Which will include lots of music and stamping. Love getting the house to myself as it doesn't happen often.

Stamping Trails
Karen 207

Another Challenge Card

The stamp for this challenge wasn't SU! Farm Fever set (cow), but the little teeny, tiny chicken stamp that is sitting on this cow's back. GOOD GRIEF I didn't know what to do with the little guy, but I came up with this card while stamping this morning. Glad this one is done. I did get to use a new punch, and Black and White designer paper by Basic Gray. I popped the calf's head and added the little red ribbon and tiny jingle bell. All things considered I'm happy with the end product.

I'm tired. Spent a good part of the day canning maters and making a big pot of chili using the garden tomatoes. I really liking eating a good mater right out of the garden I just dislike that they all come in at once then I have tomatoes coming out of my ears!!! Such a chore to clean and peel them all. I'd rather be stamping!!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen 207

Tired of Halloween Cards Yet?

I sure hope not cause here comes another one! Broke out my Bella stamps for this one. Love this witch!!!!! Teamed it up with web Cuttlebug folder (can you tell I love this web!!), SU punch, and word stamp. I believe the background paper is also retired Halloween paper by SU.


I've had a busy shopping day. Went out to Pat Catan's when it opened at 9 this morning as I needed a few things for a Christmas gift I'm working on. Then hubby took me out to Fairlawn as I wanted to stop at Archiver's as I was looking for a birthday gift. I'm so happy I found what I was looking for.

Been raining all afternoon. Not complaining as we really needed a good rain, but now I'm stuck in the house as its still coming down. I may have to get on the treadmill.

Stamping Trails
Karen 207

Played with New Stuff

Today was the first day I had to play with new stuff. Stamp set Greeting Card Kids, soon as I saw this set in the new SU! catalog I had to have it. Just too darn cute! Web is a Cuttle Bug folder. Color: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Black, Shimmery White, and Real Red. Also use aqua painter to color in the girl. Black ribbon I've had laying around for awhile. Not sure where I picked that up. And did you see I used one of the beads I colored earlier this week in the center of the O in Halloween. Oh and I also used shimmery paint on the base card web. That was fun to use.

Just got back from riding bikes with hubby. He just told me that he goes back on 2nd shift starting Monday. I thought he wouldn't start doing that again till the 25th when the kids go back to school. For readers who may not know Skip is a custodian for the local middle school. He prefers to work 2nd shift as he hates getting up early. Makes it nice for me as I don't have to worry about making dinner as soon as I get home from work. I can go back to my workout schedule I normally have. Plus I only have to worry about making food for me. Less cooking....I'm all for that! I will miss him going bike riding or walking in the evening.

Stamping Trails
Karen 207

While I was cleaning out some craft drawers last weekend I came across a ton of coasters. There were square ones of different sizes and some round ones. Since the web Cuttlebug folder was still on my desk from the bag card I made I wondered if I could run the coaster though the Big Shot with that folder. Well it worked...then I wanted some color so I use Elegant Eggplant reinker with a stamping sponge and pounced that over the coaster then sort of dragged the sponged across the circle to give it some lighter tones. Next I squirted some stickles on the coaster and taking another sponge dragged that across the area. It gave it a nice little touch of glitter. Stamp sets are from Ink-a-dink-a-do. I thought the base needed something more so I used some ecru crochet thread and wrapped it around the card. I must say I'm happy with the results. I'm going to have to play some more with the coasters and the Big Shot.

Really happy that I only have 1/2 day tomorrow, and I have Monday off. Looking forward to a long weekend so I can have some more stamping time with my new stuff!

Stamping Trails
Karen 207

Did You Ever Wonder........

What 585.00 dollars in StampinUp! products might look like? I don't need to wonder any more cause that is exactly what I got from Mr. Brown today. I was thinking with the amount of the order I would receive two boxes, but I forgot since all but two of my stamps were clear more would fit in one box. What I did forget to include with the photo is the new Color Coach. With so many new colors I had to have that as well. I didn't get to take the day off work so on lunch I drove home (35 minutes there and back) to get my order off my steps, into the house and out of the sun. As I just had time to open the box and peek inside I grabbed the color coach and took it with me back to work. Thought I could look at it on break. I did bring it home but forgot to take it out of my bag so it could be in the picture. I have to say I love the new coach. Has all the colors in a large size. This will be good when I make a Hollo's run. I can take it with me to match up some colors. I took 1/2 day off this Friday as well as Monday so I'll have some extra time to play with my new stuff. I feel like its Christmas, but really this is just an early 50th birthday gift to myself. Can't wait to play with all the new punches. I have some ideas in my head for the owl punch.

I wanted to also get the add on for the watercolor crayons so I'd have all the colors but it is not available yet. Don't think I'll get the pastels as sadly I never use them.

Well I need to run. Gotta get outside and on my bike. Then it's off to bed early. Have a meeting tomorrow that I have to go to. Looking forward to my long weekend. If you have my number call me.....Love to tell you all about my new stuff!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen 208

Color me with Alcohol...Ink

Are these not cool or what? So simple to add color to the clear plastic lustre beads made by Darice. It only takes a few drops of Ranger alcohol ink to cover the beads, and the best thing is they dry really quick. If you use a plastic container to dye the beads it will discolor the container. You can use the Alcohol Blender also by Ranger to clean out the bowl. For me that is too much work so I just used a paper bowl and threw it away after I was done. These beads remind me of the Drew Drops that were so popular a few years ago when they first came out. So now I'm off to the stamp room to make a card using some of these pretty beads. Check back tomorrow!

Stamping Trails
Karen 208

Witchy Poo Card And Correction to Fudge Recipe

I had a blast making this card. I got to use so many stamping things that I haven't used for a while. My friends are doing another stamping challenge and I needed to make a card using this brown bag stamp by Vippies. I wanted it to look like a paper bag so I stamped it on a thin sheet of cork then cut it out. The cat die cut used on the bag was made with my Cricut. It's a new cartridge that has lots of pumpkin designs. The trick or treat I cut from a ribbon found at Pat Catan's. I love the witch stamp and thought it would be great with the die cut cat but I really didn't want to watercolor three of them so I stamped the witch on Old Olive with black ink and cut out the So Saffron eyes just to give her a bit of color.

Other things used: Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Old Olive cardstock, Cuttlebug Spider Web folder, black cat eyelet, sponge, Chocolate Chip ink.

I'm so sorry about the error in the peanut butter fudge recipe I posted a few days ago. I posted that it was 1 can of fat free evaporated milk, but it's really 2/3 of a cup. Here is the complete recipe in case you missed it.

2/3 cup fat free evaporated milk
1 2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons light butter
2 cups mini marshmallows or 14 large marshmallows
1 bag Reese's peanut butter chips.

Mix first 3 items together in pot bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and boil for 3 minutes. Mix in chips and marshmallows and remove from heat. Stir till smooth. Pour into 8x8 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Place in fridge for 2 hours till firm.

Great weather day. The humidity was gone and very comfortable. Suppose to go down to 55 tonight so it will be great sleeping weather.

Stamping Trails
Karen 208

All Wrapped Up

Had fun with this card. Stamp set from SU! All Wrapped Up. Colors: More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, White, Creamy Carmel. Used a swirl embossing folder, Top Note die, and Weathered stamp to create the backgrounds. I really didn't have the correct size crochet edging for the jar topper so I took a little doily cut out the center and used needle and thread to run a gathering stitch, and sticky tape held it in place on the jar. Also used the sticky strip to hold down the ribbon. The little two step stamping leaves in the jar are not from the same set. They were part of incentive stamps that only a SU demo could get. Just love it when I can go though my stuff and start using it!

Didn't do a lot today. It is really hot and muggy. Talk about the dog days of summer this is it. I did do some stamping over the weekend so that was a good thing. I spent several hours in the stamp room Saturday night reorganizing the ink, and cardstock. My SU order should be arriving this week so I needed to have things cleaned up so I could work in my new goodies so I can use them. Can't wait!!!!

Stamping trails
Karen 208

L@@K MA! It's No Layer Friday!

Did you ever notice that cards can get to complicated. Not to mention heavy by using lots of layers. Yes they look wonderful and yes I still love layers, but sometimes I yearn just to stamp a simple card that still looks great without all the layers. So welcome to No Layer Friday. I'll be sharing no layer cards with my readers each Friday. This card features Older but Wiser stamp set from SU! It was a hostess set and retired now. This is actually the first time I've used this stamp set. Shame on me! I can't tell you how many stamps I own that have still yet to be inked. Ah....someday when I retire and have time to just stamp then I'll have ink all over the place!!!!! Maybe even on the cat. Seeing how Burbank loves to jump up on me when I'm stamping. I swear he sits in wait till just the right moment to pounce.

Okay colors used: Mellow Moss, So Saffron, Brocade Blue, Regal Rose, and Creamy Caramel markers. Other items Score Pal, StazOn Jet Black ink, White cardstock. Click on the image to get a better view of where I placed the score lines.

So glad the weekend is finally here! I'll be getting up early tomorrow and heading down to the flee market to meet Sarah. She is going to have a spot set up there to sell things she made. Hope she does well. Then seeing how the flee market is right next door to mom's nursing home I'll be stopping in to visit with mom for a bit before heading home.

Stamping Trails
Karen 208

It's Thursday.....

and tomorrow is Friday....thank goodness! It's been a long week, and I'm looking forward to a nice weekend. Been so hot this week. I guess I shouldn't complain as I know in a few months I'll be complaining that its cold! Never a dull weather day in Ohio.

Didn't get to stamp today. I did make some peanut butter fudge. We are having a pot luck tomorrow at work. The recipe is a lower fat version but it still has lots of sugar in it.

1 can fat free evaporated milk
1 2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons reduced fat butter
1 10 oz bag Reese's peanut butter chips
2 cups mini marshmallows

heat milk, sugar and butter let boil for 3 minutes stirring all the time. Remove from heat and add the chips and marshmallows. Stir till smooth. Pour in 8x8 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Put in fridge for a few hours till set.

I'm also making salsa chicken. I have to put that together now and let it cook on low in the crockpot all night. That way it will be ready for lunch time tomorrow. For that I do:

3 large skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 can black beans
1 jar salsa
1 cup frozen corn
1 packet taco seasoning mix

Put it all in a crockpot on low for 8 hours. Serve with fat free sour cream and taco chips. YUM!!!

Stamping trails
Karen 208

Dream

I have a friend that is really having a tough week. She wants someday to buy a little log cabin, leave work,and everyday worries behind her. Well I don't have a log cabin stamp, but I do have a word stamp that says Dream. It's from SU! Natural Beauty one of my favorite stamp sets.

Colors used: Bordering Blue, More Mustard, Vanilla, and Basic Gray designer paper Periphery. Other things used: beads and stick pin from Pretties kit, aqua painter, pop dots, paper doily, and blue ribbon. It may not be a log cabin card, but I think it will lift her spirits to find this on her desk in the morning.

It was another hot day!!! I did find the energy to go ride bikes with hubby. It wasn't so bad in the early evening. We went out at 7 pm.

Stamping Trails
Karen 208

Up late stamping tonight. I should be in bed getting some well needed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's but here I am doing a blog entry. Oh well, maybe I can get caught up on the sleep tomorrow at work. (SMILE)No I won't go to sleep at my desk I'll just think about it. This card uses Spellbinders dies Labels 3 and Small Circles. I used the rolling technique on the butterfly. Haven't done that one in a while. For those who may not know how to do it....ink the stamp in a lighter color ink, then roll just the outside edges of the inked stamp with a darker ink and then stamp it on the cardstock. Colors used: Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink, and the base card is a textured piece that I picked up from Hollo's Paper Store. Embossing folder is a new one I just purchased by Tim Holtz. The splatters are made with Smooch Spritz Sliver Foil. Stamp set Great Friend by SU!

Went to the local park and took a 2 mile nature hike with hubby. It was cooler in the woods thank goodness as we have been hit with a heat wave. In the mid 90's and humid. You can just look outside and see a haze everywhere. I was dipping with sweat at the end of the hike. Jumped on the swing in the playground and swung for a bit to cool off.

Stamping Trails
Karen 208

Tired

Been a busy weekend. Didn't have time to stamp. John borrowed my laptop to take to a friends house. He left me with a smaller one, but I was having trouble with that one. Did lots of yard work, and rode bikes. Even spent some time this evening playing badminton with Skip that was fun. Sarah and I went shopping yesterday in Medina. That was fun. She is wonderful to spend time with. Really good for me when I'm in a funk. Picks me right up. I wish I had 1/2 of her energy.

So I got the new AARP magazine. GOOD GRIEF.....I'm not 50 yet let me enjoy my last 2 months of still being in my 40's.

Rode bikes early this morning. It was hot outside today, and according to the news it will be hot all week. JOY. Well it's better than being cold and driving in snow so I'll stop complaining now. Made a quick stop at Catan's. I needed to pick up supplies for a Christmas gift I'm making. Nope not saying any more about that.

Not looking forward to working all week, but hey it pays the bills and keeps me in craft supplies, and speaking of craft supplies I'm putting in a big order with SU. I'm treating myself to some birthday goodies!!!

Stamping trails
Karen 208

Christmas Card & Good Deed

I was in the mood to make a Christmas card today. After taking Skip for his tests I came back and stamped a little bit. The flower is the same pattern for the other card and project I posted but I used a bigger crochet hook so I got a larger flower. I also used embroidery floss that has light catching highlights in the thread. I don't think the camera picked that up in the photo. The stamp set is one of my favorite Christmas sets by SU! Yuletide Montage. Designer paper is Fruit Cake by Basic Gray. Image and base card uses shimmery white cardstock. This stock is wonderful for water coloring. Also used some Spellbinders dies. Used the out of the box technique to have the angel's wings pop out. Please drop me a comment and let me know how you like the card. I had fun making it.

Now for the good deed. I stopped at the grocery store earlier today to pick up some stuff for Skip. When I was putting my cart in the cart return I found that a woman had left her wallet in the cart. I took it back in the store to the courtesy desk and turned it in. I know if I had left my wallet like that I would have wanted someone to turn it in. I felt good about being able to help out.

Good day on the scale lost another pound. YAY

Stamping Trails
Karen 208

Still Awake

I'm still up and its after midnight. Its rainy and storming outside. I got on the treadmill after dinner. It was 98 in the garage I thought I was going to pass out so I only did 20 minutes. Way to hot and humid for me. I have the day off work taking Skip to the hospital to have tests done. Taking along my crochet so I can make some more flowers. I had a request to share the pattern for the flowers. I'll type it up over the weekend and post the directions. Thanks for asking!

Hope everyone' week is going well. Friday is just around the corner!

Stamping Trails
Karen 209

Dinner at Buca

Took Skip out to one of our favorite Italian restaurants Buca. There is more to that name but I can't spell it...at least not at 10:45 pm when my brain has pretty much shut down for the day. Skip has to have some tests done on Thursday and he'll have to fast all day tomorrow so he wanted to have a meal today that didn't include any of my low fat food. Poor guy...sometimes I feel for him. He doesn't need to lose a pound but he tries to adjust to my eating requirements. I came home and let my food settle for a bit. Don't worry didn't overeat. I did get on the treadmill and did a work out with a resistance band. I'll be heading for bed soon.

Kat made this beautiful card for me. So nice to get happy mail! Thanks for the encouragement Kat I need all I can get to keep on track.

Stamping Trails
Karen 209

Long Day

Worked all day, came home had a quick dinner then we took off to the Medina County Fair. It was fun. Watched the demolishing derby. First time either of us saw one. Lots of cars being banged up. Several of them caught fire, one was flipped on its side. Good time had by all! Wish I would have remembered to bring the camera but I forgot it. Saw some really pretty draft horses and lots of other farm animals. The drafts are my favorite thing to see at the fair.

Well I'm beat so I'm off to bed. Before I go though I have a really easy chicken crockpot recipe for you. We had it tonight for dinner

4 chicken breasts
1 can healthy choice cream of chicken soup
1 can healthy choice cream of mushroom soup

Put the frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot. Mix the soups together. You can season the chicken with pepper, garlic powder, onion flakes and I like to use just a little red pepper flakes. Pour the soup over the chicken and cook on low all day. You can serve this over noodles or rice. We did open face sandwiches with it today and just added a side of peas. YUM!!!! Point value is really low on this one.

Stamping Trails
Karen 209

It's Sunday

And I'll have to go back to work tomorrow...darn it all anyway! Mary I did get the Pat Catan coupon and I did use it. Thanks! After I checked out I happened to see a Circuit Pumpkin carving die I wanted so I asked how much it was. Turned out it was on sale but because it was 26 dollars on sale the clerk made me a friend and I was able to take 7.77 off that too. COOL! Love Pat Catan's

Went to visit mom this morning. She is doing good. Brought her some new coloring books as she likes to color. I'm going to need to get her more crayons she uses them a lot. Poor thing has to use her left hand to color. Has no use in the right one at all since the last stroke. Although she started out being left handed and back in mom's school days they cracked your hand if you wrote with your left so she was forced to use her right, so technically she just went home to using her left hand.

Me and hubby went to the mall this afternoon. Had lunch at Subway...he's trying to be supportive of my food needs. After lunch went to see Inception. Not a bad movie Leonardo is a good actor. Skip didn't like it.

Well I have to run...gotta get my happy butt on the treadmill and sweat a bit. Then I'm going to color my hair. Gonna wash that gray right out of my hair. LOL I am showing my age by quoting that commercial.

Connie I mailed your birthday box on Saturday morning. You'll have it tomorrow. Hope you enjoy your goodies and I hope Logan had a wonderful second birthday. Talk to you soon.

Stamping Trails
Karen 209