Playing with Embossing Folder

I was playing around with the Big Shot yesterday and the square lattice embossing folder. I turned the folder sideways and butted it up to the top of the score line on the base card then ran it through the big shot. I stamped the word "Thanks" in Early Espresso then ran the folder through again, but I just did it on the lower part just under the word.

Next I used the scoring tool to add a score line above the word stamp, and a score line below the word. I like it! Stamp set used Rue Des Fleurs. Large oval punch and oval from designer frames folders also used.

Sarah stopped over yesterday afternoon. First time I saw her since Christmas. She got the cast removed and is able to walk again. Her ankle is still weak and healing so she is taking it easy. She did go back to work, but she won't be jogging again for a while. Much to her dismay. It was wonderful to see her, she looks great as always. I fed her some homemade chicken noodle soup and pumpkin spice muffins....once a mother always a mother. Is there nothing that chicken soup can't heal?

Stamping trails
Karen

Another Card for the Box

I made another card for the card box holder I made last week. This one features the oval designer frame, and vintage wallpaper embossing folder.

I may take a break from making these cards. You should see my desk! Well I just dare you to find my desk, as its covered with cardstock, stamps, ink, and punches. Guess I better clean it up today. I keep pushing things over to make room to stamp, so now I only have this little corner left and that space has my laptop on it.

We had a bit of a storm yesterday. The wind was rattling the windows and the sky turned into a white out from the snow. Didn't last long, and today the temps are climbing into the low 40's. Tomorrow....get this....they are predicting 53 degrees. WOW!!!!

Stamping trails
Karen

Hand Penned and Established Elegance

I like how the word set Hand Penned goes with Established Elegance stamp set. I thought I would combine these two great sets and make cards for the card box I posted yesterday. Color Pallet for the cards: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, and vanilla.

Did you see Lisa? I used one of the vintage buttons she gave me on this card.

This is one of my favorite cards from the ones I'm creating. Love, love, love the dressmaker dummy stamp. I didn't have narrow ribbon so I just used a 1/4 strip of Cherry Cobbler cardstock and tied a piece of vintage lace around it. Doily background stamp also used. For both cards I used the vintage wallpaper embossing folder.

We had snow yesterday morning. Not a lot but enough to coat the trees and grass. Didn't even snow enough to run the snow thrower. So far it has been a mild winter. Kids haven't even had a snow day yet. Having said that......I'm sure we will be hit with 4 feet of snow!

Stamping trails
Karen

Card Box

This card box holds standard A2 size cards. I really like the lid. After scoring I used a border punch all the way around before adhering the flaps. Collage stamping done with Established Elegance and doily background stamps. I'll be showing the matching cards on tomorrows blog posting.

Here you can see the lid removed from the box. I'll be posting a tutorial soon on how to make the box, and lid.

Stamping trails
Karen

More Buttons

I received this beautiful thank you card in the mail from my friend Lisa yesterday. Just love the shimmery snowflake, and all those pearls.

Lisa also answered my call for cream colored buttons. These are some pretty "vintage" buttons. Lisa said she had to clean them twice with baking soda and a toothbrush. I love my friends! Big thanks Lisa.

Not much going on today. Skip has the day off. I'll be dropping off a SU order later in the day. Might do a little shopping. Other than that no real plans. I need to go and check in on my mom in law so I may just do that over the weekend.

Stamping trails
Karen

Shabby Chic Heart Card

I love the vintage typewriter that is in the Established Elegance stamp set. I do like the new stamp set in the Occasions mini that has a typewriter, but I'm not going to get that set seeing how I have a typewriter stamp already.

Base card Crumb Cake, layers Cherry Cobbler, and designer paper. Lace ribbon and Cherry Cobbler seam binding at the bottom of card. I also added a few half pearl beads just to add some interest.

We got freezing rain last night so the roads are a mess. Glad I got out and about yesterday as I won't be going out today.

Stamping trails
Karen

Faux Silk Again

Since I still had coffee filters and Take It to Heart stamp set on my desk I knew it would lead to another project. This time I used the technique on a manilla shipping tag. Colors Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, and vanilla.

I added a some lace to the bottom and ruffled it as I went along sticking it into the adhesive.

I was in the mood to make cookies yesterday but since I'm trying to stay away from sugar I did a google search and came up with the recipe for these diabetic applesauce cookies. They were pretty good with a spot of tea yesterday afternoon.

1/2 flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup un-sweetened applesauce
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

heat oven to 375
mix all dry ingredients in large bowl. Mix wet in a smaller bowl. Combine wet with the dry and mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoons on cookie sheet. Bake 12 minutes. I got about 2 dozen from this recipe. The kitchen smelled really good with all those spices!

Stamping trails
Karen

Playing with Colors

Playing around with some colors I wouldn't normally put together. This card has vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette, and Melon Mambo cardstock. Might be a bit over the top. I like how I popped the small hearts over the center of the trees. Gives it just a pop of color on the Early Espresso ink. The Pink Pirouette strip was inked with Very Vintage wheel using the same ink but it is very faint. Card also uses 2 1/2 circle, large scallop circle, and scallop border punch. Not sure if I'm happy with the outcome.

Had some wet weather yesterday and some thunder which is very weird for January. I woke up to a dusting of snow. So it went from 43 to 32 in less than 12 hours. Is Spring here yet?

Stamping trails
Karen

Techo Lunchtime Sketch 205

I haven't played around with Mary Jo's lunchtime sketch in a very long time so I decided to jump right in with my take on her sketch. You can visit Mary Jo's blog here

I used Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla to make the card. Since Rue Des Fleurs was still on my desk from the tag I made on yesterdays post I reached for it. So much easier than getting up out of my chair and going to the shelve. I know I'm lazy but I'm actually a bit sore from yesterdays workout so have some pity for me!

Here you can see a close up of the bodice. I stamped it on Pear Pizzazz, and popped it up on Soft Suede image. Then used mini pearls to put down the front. I just love this stamp set. It is so me!!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Playing Catch Up

Sorry for the late post today. It was pretty warm out....42 degrees. So I spent some time outside. Shoveled off the rest of the back deck. Not an easy thing to do as the snow was wet and heavy. Good workout though! Also did some walking. Me and hubby went out to get new kitchen curtains. So of course those had to be ironed before they could be put up.

I spent part of the morning going through designer paper. Had to sort some out of the stash. It will be donated. Also had to go through a ton of chip board pieces. I can't believe the amount of stamping stuff I have.

Okay on to the tag. Stamp set Rue Des Fleurs. This set was just screaming my name when I saw it in the mini catalog. Right up my alley for vintage stamping. Colors Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Old Olive, and vanilla. I used Delicate Doilies for the background. Umbrella was stamped with black ink, then I stamped and cut out the top part with Cajun Craze. Eyelet border punched used for the bottom of tag.

Gotta run my new favorite TV show will be on soon Once Upon a Time.

Stamping trails
Karen

SU Stars Ebony and Ivory Hop

Hi Stampers! Welcome to the SU Stars Ebony & Ivory Hop. I'm number two on this hop. If you'd like to start at the beginning click here

The main layer for this card uses the Faux Silk technique. I've done a photo tutorial for you today so you can see how easy and fun this technique is. Stamp set used Take it to Heart, Doily background, and Delicate Doilies. I also used the word "thanks" from Rue Des Fleurs. The larger heart was stamped with white craft ink on black cardstock, then embossed with detail white embossing powder. Antique brad used for the center.

First thing you'll need to create the Faux Silk is a coffee filter. Stamp the filter with your choice of stamps and ink. After stamping is finished crumble up the filter in your hand. (great stress buster!)

Next open up the filter and smooth it out, but leave some of the wrinkles.

Cut a white piece of cardstock to the size you are using for the layer. Use a glue stick (the anywhere glue stick from SU is great for this) all over the cardstock making sure to get it into the corners also. Lay the stamped filter ink side down on your work surface then press the cardstock onto the filter.

Next trim off the edges of the filter. To miter: cut off the filter overlap at each corner on an angle.

Use adhesive to glue the edges of the filter to the back of the cardstock. You can now attach your completed piece to your card. On the above card I used the spritzer tool and a black marker to the completed layer. I made a tote and matching card last week using this technique you can see it here

I hope you enjoy the rest of the Ebony and Ivory Hop. Next up is the ever talented Charlotte Hollingsworth check out her blog here

Stamping trails
Karen

Working in the Kitchen

I didn't stamp at all today. It was so sunny (but very cold), so I took advantage of all that light coming in the kitchen window. Spent a good part of the day sitting at the kitchen table working on my crochet. I have 4 Easter dresses to make for the 5" dolls, and the natural light helps to see all those tiny stitches.

Be sure to pop by tomorrow as I'm in a Ebony & Ivory Blog Hop. I'll also have that tutorial on Faux Silk that I promised you.

Stamping trails
Karen

Casing a Layout

I received this great card yesterday from my friend Kat, and I just loved the layout so much that I had to case it from her card.

I used Take it to Heart stamp set in Pear Pizzazz, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake, vanilla cardstock, and ink. The word is from another fav stamp set of mine Occasions Alphabet. Other things used, vanilla seam binding, pop dots, and vintage wallpaper embossing folder.

I'm off to start making tonight's dinner in the crock pot. We are having cheesy chicken spaghetti, a family favorite.

Stamping trails
Karen

Hearts in Brown and Blue

I just received this set Take it to Heart last week. I actually got it free from SU. Gotta love free stuff. Crumb Cake cardstock is my new love. Well I've always loved it, but lately I seem to reach for it first when designing a card. Kids inked with Early Espresso and stamped on vanilla cardstock. Baja Breeze, and Marina Mist cardstock used for smaller hearts. Tiny Tags stamp set and jewelry tag punch pieces were attached with bakers twine.

Close up view of the stamped images. I really like this card, and think it can go in the clean and simple category.

Have to run now. My nephews stopped by for a visit. I feel another board game coming on.

Stamping Trails
Karen

My Valentine

I was surfing the web and found a layout for this card. I changed it up a bit to use the supplies I had on hand. Base card black, stamps from Established Elegance, and Flexible Phrases. Hearts are punched using Trio Heart punch in Melon Mambo, and Regal Red cardstock. Strips at the bottom card are done with Old Olive. I like how the tip of the ink pen makes the strip look like an arrow. I thought the row of hearts needed something so I just did a straight stitch with the sewing machine.

For the inside I used another "arrow"

Today was a strange weather day. It started off my raining, then I heard some thunder. By mid afternoon it was clear and 42 degrees, so I took a walk outside. A few hours later the wind started whipping. The windows were all rattling. At the end of the day as I'm writing this....its snowing. What a day!!!!

Stamping trails
Karen

Silly Cat and Soup Recipe

My cat Burbank is just plain silly. He doesn't play very much, but he does like batting at strips of paper. I was playing with him Saturday evening. He just got tired and fell asleep with the paper on his head. LOL

We had a surprise Saturday night. My two nephews Corbet and Neil stopped over. We played board games, watched the football game and just hung out. Always great to see them!

My sis in law Kathy gave me this little Heart Smart recipe book at Christmas time. I tried the Spinach and Tortellini Soup yesterday for lunch. YUM it was good.

The recipe calls for 1 Tbsp margarine and two cloves of garlic that you saute. I omitted that and just used powdered garlic as I didn't want to fool around with the margarine.

6 cups fat free chicken broth
1 10 oz pkg frozen cheese tortellini
1 10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach ( I used fresh in mine)
1 tsp dried basil
2 14 1/2 oz cans Italian tomatoes
1/2 Parmesan cheese

Melt margarine in a soup pot. Add garlic and saute until tender. Add broth and tortellini and bring to a boil. Stir in spinach, basil and tomatoes. Simmer at least 30 minutes. Sprinkle individual servings with Parmesan cheese. Yield 8 servings.

calories 196, fat 5 grams

Stamping trails
Karen

Super Clean and Simple

Can't get much cleaner than this. Pretty much just one layer except for the celery strip that was embossed with the square lattice folder. I stamped the tree from Thoughts and Prayers first with Chocolate Chip ink, then used the stamp-a-ma-jig and over stamped the image with celery ink. Gives it a little shadow effect.

Brrr did it ever get cold last night. Down to 14. We got a bit more snow yesterday also. Today its suppose to be sunny an the high of 26. I'm wishing for summer. Not even thinking Spring at this point I want to go right to summer.

Stamping trails
Karen

Snow

Well we got about 6 inches of the white fluffy stuff. Still snowing. Hope it stops soon. After having all the days with temps in the 40's I got spoiled. Not use to having winter really be here and being cold!!! I didn't do any stamping yesterday. My studio was a wee bit nippy, so I spent most of the day on the middle floor. I crocheted a bit, and made cookies. At least the kitchen was nice and warm.

Stamping trails
Karen

Clean and Simple Turquoise

I've been seeing turquoise colors everywhere lately. So who am I to resist, as I love turquoise. I also love white on white. Base card A-2, with three different sized white layers. Stamp set Thoughts and Prayers. Happy Birthday word is from Hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes.

I'll be staying in today. We have a winter storm warning which started last night. Skip is working day shift today as the kids have off for a teachers in service day. Which is a good thing since its snowing. I bet they would have closed the schools today anyway. Brrrr its cold. Winter took its sweet time getting here since we have been having many 40 degree days, but I think that trend is over.

Stamping trails
Karen

Card Tote and Matching Card

I used Faux Silk technique to make this card tote and matching card. I'll be posting a picture tutorial soon for the technique.

Stamp set used Delicate Doilies and Kindness Matters. The template for the card tote I got from my friend Kathy. Thanks Kat! This is one of the projects I'll be doing for Sundays Stamp Camp. Cardstock used: Crumb Cake, Elegant Eggplant, and Wisteria Wonder.

I stamped one of the doily images on Wisteria Wonder cardstock then punched with the butterfly punch. I drew the antenna with a marker and attached with a silver brad. I started to use crumb cake for the handles of the tote, but the decided a contrasting color would be better.

Stamping trails
Karen

Keeping it Clean and things to be Careful of....

I'm still working on some clean and simple cards. This one features words from Thoughts and Prayers, and images from Inspired by Nature. Base card vanilla, layered with Chocolate Chip. Flower, and word stamped with chocolate ink, and edges sponged with More Mustard, and Cajun Craze ink. The stamped panel was attached using pop dots.

and things you should be careful of....making sure your stamp is right side up before stamping. Gotta laugh out loud about this one. Now lets be honest....show of hands how many out there reading this have done the same thing. Hope I'm not the only one!

Stamping trails
Karen

Happy Mail

I got a "happy" package from my friend Connie yesterday. She made this thank you card. Love all the colorful flowers with the little rhinestones in the centers. Makes me dream of Spring.

She also sent me all these great cream color buttons. You may remember this post
Where I was wishing for more vanilla buttons. Thanks for answering my call Connie!
While you are looking at this picture you may wonder about the blue bowl. It was my dads. He loved collecting glass. After his passing in 01 I got some of his collection. I like to use them to hold my stamping stuff, and sewing notions. I'm sure my daddy wouldn't approve of me doing this. He was of a mind that you should just look at the glass and not use it. Sorry dad....I love using them!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Simple Card

I have a stamp camp coming up this weekend so I'm working on clean and simple cards for that event. This card features Upsy Daisy stamp set. Words on card are from Thoughts and Prayers. Colors used: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Vanilla, and Old Olive ink.

And keeping with my New Years resolution I've stamped the inside card as well.

I spent today cleaning and organizing our spare bedroom. I'm going to use it for my sewing/store room. Since we have a split level home and my stamping studio is in the lowest level it gets a might bit nippy at times so I wanted to have a room I could work in during the winter that would be warmer.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Dress for Easter

No post yesterday. Friday it was in the low 50's which is unheard of for us in January. I had to make the most of it and spent a good deal of the day outside. Felt great to be in the sun! It wasn't as warm yesterday, but still nice and sunny. Of course today we are back in the 30's. We have having yo-yo weather!

After going through my doll patterns I decided that this one will be for Easter. Just love the shell stitch on the dress, and the hat is just too darn cute!!! I had to drive out to Pat Catan's yesterday as I ran out of white thread to finish off the socks.

Here is a side view, you can see the little bloomers. The white bear I bought when I was out to get the thread. A baby can never have enough stuffed animals in her crib.

Stamping trails
Karen

Barbie Doll

Sarah got me this Barbie for Christmas. What a pretty doll. Just love the dress, and love the fact that she doesn't have blond hair. Since I've been collecting Barbies (thank you Lisa) I try to only acquire the ones that are not blonds. Not that I have anything against that hair color, its because my hair is brown, and my mom always got me dolls that had brown hair when I was growing up.

I didn't get a chance to stamp or do any crafting yesterday. I spent the day cleaning. My house smells so clean! After the holidays it really needed a good cleaning and since the sun was shining yesterday and I was in the mood to clean I got it done. Hopefully today I'll get some crafting done.

Stamping trails
Karen

New Dress for Lizzy, and 1000 Post

As I was posting this today I saw that this will be my 1000 post since I started blogging. WOW! Never thought I'd ever post that much! I'm looking forward to posting my next 1000.

I made this new outfit for my 5" doll yesterday. It crocheted up pretty quick as this pattern called for fingering yarn which is a bit bigger than the thread I used in the other outfits.

See the cute little bottoms and shoes.

My friend Connie's husband made these great cradles to put the doll babies in. It is so cute! Just love it.

Connie also made the little quilt and mattress for the cradle. Great work Connie! Seeing how I'm making the outfits for so many dolls now I've set another New Years goal for myself....to make 1 doll outfit per week. Now I don't expect I'll keep this one as that would be 52 outfits in one year and I don't think I'll need that many, but at least this way I'm hoping to be able to get a good start on my birthday and Christmas gifts this year.

Stamping Trails
Karen

As the Snow Falls

Hmmmm......"as the snow falls" sounds like a soap opera set in Colorado. Well it has snowed the past 48 hours. The kids in Cleveland were to go back to school yesterday, but they had to shut them down. As we are about 20 miles south of Cleveland we didn't get quite as much snow, but we had enough for Skip to have to go out and run the snow blower. I went out and shoveled the walkway by the side and front of the house. Brrr it was cold lower 20's and with wind chill in the single digits.

Skip was bundled up good in this pic of him with the snow blower. He didn't know I snapped this from the front door.

Since it was snowing I took some time to make this cute snowman tag. What I really like about Snow Much Fun stamp set is I can use it after Christmas is over. Great winter set. This is just simple masking. I used Lovely as a Tree in Garden Green, and the smaller trees were done with Earl Espresso. To punch it up I added some mica flakes to the snow hills at the bottom of the tag.

I don't think you'll be able to see it very well on the blog but I also made an overlay of acetate that was run through Northern Frost embossing folder. It is so cool! I used Tombo Liquid glue to attach the overlay as the glue dries clear. Click on the image to get a larger view.

Stamping Trails
Karen