Peekaboo Die Two Sided Luminary

I spent part of the day playing with my new toys. Since I can feel Fall in the air it was time to start thinking about Halloween. I used the Peekaboo Big Shot die that is in the Holiday mini for the two sided luminary. I cut the square frame using Frightful Sight designer paper. The "peekaboo" part of the frame was turned down on both pieces to form the support for the battery operated candle. Safety note...not to be used with open flame candle.
Jack of all Trades stamp set was used for the pumpkin face, and stamped on vellum. I did have to cut a piece of cardstock to use under the frames to give the luminary more support.

Here you can see the side view. Should give you an idea of how this was made. Pretty simple to do. I just love that hat from Jack of all Trades! I'll be making more stuff using this fun set.

Can you believe that today is the last day of August? Where did the summer go?

Stamping Trails
Karen

I Got My Stuff!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy my stuff came!!! I have so many new "toys" to play with. I'll be busy for months!!! 19 new stamp sets

Background stamps, and free Pines and Poinsettias stamp set. This goes with the Christmas Keepsake box that was given if you became a new demo.

Box with all the goodies. Not shown was the 8 packs of designer paper. I forgot to put it back in for the picture. Lots of new punches and fun Big Shot dies!

Kit stuff for the Christmas Keepsake box

And the word on this card says it all......WONDERFUL!!!! Doing happy dance over new products!!! Love the doily background. I stamped it on Night of Navy using VersaMark and embossed with white powder. Layered images from Delicate Doilies using Wasabi, and More Mustard. Designer label punch, and Four Frames set also used.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Things in our Back Yard

So Skip goes....You should have got a closer picture. To which I promptly replied....I didn't want to get any closer to that wasps nest. He found the nest today while doing some yard work. Its pretty darn close to the house. He's going to spray them at night while they are sleeping.

He went out an got this closer picture for me. EWWW just look at them though the nest opening. YUCK!!! Gives me the creeps.

He also found this very large mushroom growing in the grass. It was next to our lamp post. It wasn't there last week when he mowed so it grew this much in one week. WOW!!!

We had lots of afternoon rain yesterday. Must have been bans of rain from the tropical storm that hit the east coast.

I'm so excited I get my stamping order today. CAN'T WAIT!!!! Hope "Mr. Brown" comes early.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

Today would have been mom and dad's 58th wedding anniversary. I made this little memory book and put it in a glass jar.

I used a Sizzix die to cut the album cover from chipboard, and the pages from cardstock and vellum. The hearts are also from a Sizzix die

I found a love letter that my father had wrote my mom back when she was still in Virginia with my older sister Charlotte (she was a baby). Dad had come to Cleveland to find work as there wasn't any jobs in Virginia. He found a good job working at Republic Steel.
I made copies of the letter and used them as background paper for the album pages. Even made a copy of the envelope to use in the book. What a wonderful way to date this point in time by using the cancellation mark.

I'm so happy how the keepsake turned out. What a great treasure to find that letter.

Stamping Trails
Karen

50th Birthday Card

My friend Faith and her Hubby recently turned 50. I wanted to make them a joint birthday card. So I got out Loads of Love and Loads of Love Accessories to make them this card.

Bottom of the card was brayered with Certainly Celery, and Wild Wasabi. I'm sure my stampin buddy Sharon Field would be pleased that I'm using the brayer techniques she taught me in an online class I took with her. Clouds were made using Basic Gray sponged around a scallop circle. Truck was stamped with white craft ink then embossed with white embossing powder. Shhhhh don't tell anyone but I cheated a bit. I didn't stamp the words or the number. I used black stickers. I know the horror!!!!

On the inside I used the stickers again to spell out "together"
Happy Birthday stamp is a former Hostess set Afterthoughts.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Challenge, Cards from Friends, and Swap

This easel card was made as a challenge. My friend Lisa put these circle stamps in for the group of us to do. Stamp by Inkadinkado. I used the Big Shot scallop circle die by SU. The vanilla circles were cut with my Coluzzle.

For You card made by Kat. Received this in the mail a few days ago. Nice!

Connie sent me the owl card. Received that yesterday. Love this! Very bright and cheery.

The fabric covered book is from Dianne. She was also in the fabric swap for the VC Rockers group. I may have to get this new fabric that is in the Holiday mini. May even have to rethink getting those large buttons too.

Will my Stampin'Up! order ever get here? Two more days and a wake up...comes on Monday. Can't wait!!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Vintage Scallop Circle Punch Flower

I attended an online class for the VC group last evening. Thanks Sassy Shirley for a great class. We made some flowers from punches. The one on the card was made with 7 small scallop circles from Whisper White cardstock. Edges were sponged with Crumb Cake. The entire flower was spritzed with vanilla smooch. Since the flower was so vintage looking I decided to use it with Timeless Treasures.

Close up of the flower. I'm thinking I should have positioned the flower a bit higher on the card, but overall I'm happy with it.

I made a peach cobbler yesterday morning. OMG it was so good using sliced fresh peaches. I took some to my mom in law Kate and she made me lunch.

Not doing much today. Going to do some more stamping, and just wait for my large SU order to come in on Monday. Can't wait!!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Brayered Embossing Folder

I learned how to do this the other day from my friend Carey. Simple to do. I think she called the technique Porcelain. I used the brayer to cover the Tulip embossing folder with Crumb Cake ink. Then put Whisper White cardstock into the folder and ran it through the Big Shot. The tulip frame with the Crumb Cake ink sort of looks like old fine porcelain. I tore out the center of the frame and rolled the inside edges a bit then layered that on Soft Suede. Stamp set Timeless Treasures, and Medallion. Stamped layer was layered on Riding Hood Red. Added some Victoria trim, Crumb Cake seam binding and a vintage brad to finish it off. Click on the image to enlarge you'll be able to see the detail.

I have recovered from being ill over the weekend. Update on the patio....its not going to be done this summer. Maybe next year.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Why you Shouldn't Craft while you are Sick!

You may end up with a card that has wonky colors. I've actually had a stomach virus since Saturday night. I was feeling a bit better yesterday evening and decided I'd stamp. Not the best idea. I was just working with leftovers that were on my desk that I didn't get around to putting away. I'm embarrassed to even post this card, but oh well, guess I'm entitled to have an off day.

Colors used...if you can believe it.....Night of Navy, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White. Big Shot Snowflake #2 die, rhinestones, brads, Winter Post, and Heard from the Heart stamp sets. The negative snowflake die was put on Night of Navy then I used a sponge to add the white craft ink.

Hopefully I'll be back to my normal self tomorrow. This concludes Karen's Wonky color edition.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Swaps

I was in a Christmas Winter swap recently. Actually I was the hostess for that swap. Received in 42 different cards. WOW! I wanted to share some of them with you.

Above by Loydean

Sharon Field

Chris Occhipinti

Jane Mykleby

The contractors are suppose to be here today to put in the new deck. They have been putting it off for months now stating they got behind due to all the rain we have had. Since we got more rain yesterday Skip thinks they won't show up. I'll let you know.

Stamping trails
Karen

Simple Angel Punch Card

This is one of the cards we made at the Open House yesterday. Just a very simple card but everyone liked it.

Small Scallop punch
3/4 circle punch
5 petal flower punch

Cardstock, Confetti White, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake
Stamp set: Heard from the Heart

Since the inside of the card was dark I decided to use confetti white on the inside as well with an angel.

Winner of the Blog Candy is Carey. YAY Carey you finally won a journal.

Carey said...

OK, maybe this time I will win the journal. If not I get the consolation prize of getting to look at your great card. I love that fold and the colors are wonderful. Thanks for the inspiration.



Stamping Trails
Karen

Fabulous Folds SU Stars Blog Hop*Blog Candy

This is my first Blog Hop with the SU Stars. Glad to join in the fun!

The name of this fold is Tri-Fold Book card. Pretty easy to do. You'll need a 12x5 1/2 sheet of cardstock. Also a 4 1/4 x 2 3/4 panel (this is cut using the same color cardstock. I found the directions here if you would like to make one.

Stamp sets: Winter Post, Pennant Parade, Lovely as a Tree, and Medallion background stamp

In this picture you can see the middle panel. I wanted to keep the same usage of punches on each page so I used the large scallop punch, and circle punches.

Here is the last panel. I really like how the word "Post Card" fit right across the top so you can see it when the book is folded up.

Close up of skaters. I grated some vanilla cardstock to make the "fluff" on the hat bands. Also used some glitter on the trees, and crystal effects for the ice pond.

Next up on the Hop Raissa Spatola

If you got to my blog out of order and want to start at the beginning of the hop click here

OMG I forgot to add blog candy!!!! I've been busy with my Open House that is starting now! Anyway...leave me a comment to win the Christmas journal that I listed in this post

I've been making lots of these for gifts and blog candy. They have been pretty popular.

Stamping Trails
Karen

I am a Rock......

......I am an island. Look at what I learned how to do! I had the opportunity to take another class with Sharon Field yesterday. This one was advance brayering. So much fun. I really relax when I'm rolling that brayer around. Great therapy and it only cost me a fraction of the cost as seeing a professional....well maybe that is not a true statement....after I look around the stamping studio and see all the money I've spent on supplies!

Speaking of supplies: Cardstock used: Pacific Point base card, White and Black for layering. Ink: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Early Espresso, Black and Always Artichoke. Stamps: The Open Sea, Warmest regards, and Balmy Breezes. Modern Label punch, 1 " circle punch.

Stamping Trails
Karen

The Open Sea Girl Card

Talk about being able to use stamp sets for many different people. Take a look at how I used the Open Sea stamp set to make a girl card. Bet you didn't see that one coming. I used a clear block to make the background with Pretty in Pink, and Pink Pirouette. Then stamped the background stamp from the set in Rose Red. The world stamp was inked with Pretty in Pink and stamped on Pink Pirouette. Layered on Pretty in Pink and base card Early Espresso. Also used the large scallop punch to layer the world stamp.

Took mom-in-law out to lunch yesterday. Then spent the rest of the afternoon chatting. Love my mom-in-law Kate.

Working on getting the Open House ready for Saturday. Pretty much going to just do some cleaning today.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Card Share

I wanted to share some cards that I've received this month. First one is from
Elaine Wright. Love the layout and colors on this Elaine! The torn rolled edges add just the right touch.

This one is from Connie. Her grand baby just celebrated a birthday 3rd one if I remember correctly and his party was a pirate theme. Cute card!!!

I've been busy with the garden. Canning and freezing. At this point I'll be happy when the garden is finished for the year.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Garden*Blog Candy Winner

**BLOG CANDY WINNER**

I let hubby pick a number from 1 to 40 and he picked number 15 so Brandy you are the blog candy winner from the Blog Hop. CONGRATS!!!! Here is her post

Oh how I love your deer! He is too cute on everything!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and took the time to post. You gals are great!!!!



My upline was so sweet to send me some card samples that I can show at my open house this weekend. This card was made by Bobbie. I really like the colors that I wanted to share it with you. She used Touched by Kindness and Brights Prints DSP.

I was busy yesterday. Working with stuff in the garden. I cleaned and froze a ton of tomatoes, shredded zucchini and froze that as well. I'll use it for bread and muffins during the fall and winter months. I also made sweet potato casserole with the taters from the garden. I was a busy girl!!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Punched Witch Feet

Since it rained all day yesterday and cooler, it got me thinking about Fall. So that brought me to thoughts of Halloween. Hence this card.

I used Modern Label punch for the Witchy legs, and the bird from Bird Builder punch for the shoes. I just cut the beak off the bird. I really like the way the tail of the bird flares up for the witch's shoes. Other punches used, small tag punch, and Lacy Ribbon punch. For the ribbon punch I cut it in half after punching and used it to decorate the top and bottom of the River Rock layer. Other cardstock used: Pear Pizzazz, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, and So Saffron. Used markers to add color to the mini clothespins. The shoes needed some "bling" so I added small rhinestones.

Yesterday morning I saw a Woolley Bear on my screen door (yes it is crawling on my arm). What's a woolley bear? Its a caterpillar that starts to come out this time of year. This one is just a baby. Later his hair will turn a dark brown. Here in Ohio we use these little guys to predict if we will have a cold winter or not. A very "furry" bear means it will be really cold. They are so popular here we even have a Woolley Bear festival. I may have to go this year as I've never been to one.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Mini Album from one 12x12 Cardstock Sheet

This little album is fun and quick to make. Would you believe it is made with one
sheet of 12x12 cardstock, a bit of designer paper and cardstock for the inserts. If you'd like to make one I found the directions here

I used Winter Post for the belly band, River Rock for the inserts and Paisley Petals designer paper. I'm going to have this as one of the little projects at my Open House this coming Saturday.

Okay so I have a very bad deer named Georgia. Just look at what she did to my sweet potato plants!!! Thank goodness she didn't find them till later in the season as the taters are already growing in the ground. I'm going to have to harvest them soon.

I did harvest just a few of them just to check and see how they are doing. On the left you will see a standard sweet potato I got from the grocery store. On the right.....Tater on steroids!!! They are so big I had to just make one and split it with hubby. Planning on making sweet potato casserole this week. YUM!!!!

Stamping trails
Karen

Punch Happy! VC Blog Hop*Blog Candy

So happy to be a part of the VC Blog Hop. Theme for this "HOP" is punches. My favorite thing to do is make stuff from punch outs. Really had fun with this one.

I used the new Pennant punch to make these cute little reindeer, and then used them to adorn a card, gift tag, and treat box. Stamp sets used: Pennant Parade, and snowflake from Winter Post.

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla.
Modern Label punch used on card.

I used the Big Shot and Two Tags die for the tag. White gel pen added highlights to the eyes, and nose.

Big Shot Box 2 die used for the treat holder. To make the band going around the box cut cardstock:

11 x 2 3/4
Score at 4 3/4 on each end.

Scallop punch used on top of the band,Jewelry Tag used for the word "Merry", and 1/2 circle punch used in center to hold the ribbon. Love that new Dotted Ribbon!!!!!I also used the new Oval Textured Impressions Designer Frames with the Large Oval punch in the center.

In this picture you can see the punches used to create my little reindeer. Isn't he just too cute??????

Now how bout some Blog Candy? I know you want a chance to win some. Leave me a comment on this posting for a chance to win this cute little Reindeer Christmas Journal. I'll also throw in a blank book so you can design your own journal.
For the Journal I used the large scallop circle punch, tab rounder punch and 1 3/4 circle punch. Medallion background stamp also used. Winner will be selected Tuesday 8/16. Check back to see if you won!

Next stop on the Blog Hop Stamping Fun with Kim

Stamping Trails
Karen