Sponged Butterflies

This was a fun card to make. I used the negative image of the largest butterfly from Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Sizzix die. Started with Pear Pizzazz, then Peach Parfait, and at the top Daffodil Delight. After the sponging was finished I over stamped it with Chocolate Chip and the flower from Just Believe. I then cut around one side of the stacked butterflies and around the top. On the white layer I used Tim Holtz brick embossing folder. This was popped on Peach Parfait cardstock then the butterflies were adhered in place. Word thanks is from Kindness Matters. Just to give it more texture I added a butterfly from Beautiful Wings die. 

So I got in touch with my family doctor yesterday. He gave me a referral for ortho. My first appt. is this Wednesday at 8:30 am. I'm a little bit scared as I know the physical therapy is going to hurt, but if it helps me to walk without pain I don't have much of a choice. Wish me luck! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Great Stuff in the mail Last Week

Just wanted to share some fun stuff that came in the mail last week from my friend Marianne. 

Love the Bloom where you are planted card. The score lines on the main image are cool and really make this card. 

She also hand stitched the bookmarks on textured white cardstock. The pattens remind me of the Pennsylvania Dutch artwork. Big thanks Marianne! You made my week. Always wonderful to get "happy" mail.

Didn't do a lot yesterday. Still resting the knee. Going to call the doctor today as I gave it a week of resting and icing and it has not got any better. 

Saturday night we went to the drive in and saw the new Batman movie. Wasn't bad, but I think I liked the 2nd one better with Heath Ledger as the Joker. Second movie shown was Ted. Even though we had seen this movie already we stayed and watched it again. I think I found it more funny the second time around. Didn't get home till 2:30 in the morning. 

Stamping trails

Karen

One Sheet Wonder Christmas

I haven't made One Sheet Wonder cards since I can't even remember when. I just got in the mood to make some cards and selected Delicate Doilies stamp set with these colors: Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Basic Gray, and Vanilla. Not really traditional colors with the the Basic Gray, and you may not think of Delicate Doilies to use for Christmas cards, but I think I pulled everything together to make these 10 cards.

I used some ribbon, crochet thread, lots of pop dots, large Hello Doily background, Many Merry Messages, Tiny Tags, and verious embossing folders, and Delicate Doilies Sizzix die.

I also made two thank you cards. Have to have these to send out after the presents are received.

I think my favorite one is the Hello Doily background stamp inked with Basic Gray and stamped on the matching cardstock. Really striking.

I started with 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock. This was randomly stamped with Delicate Doilies set. Next I cut the sheet into four quarters. I took one quarter and cut in in half lengthwise. Second quarter I cut in half diagonally. Third quarter cut lengthwise at 1", and 1.25 inch. The remaining part was cut into 3 pieces 1 1/2 x 2. There will be a small scrap left on this quarter. I used it to make another card. Fourth quarter cut width wise at 4 1/4 x 1 1/2. Remaining piece cut at 4" by 2", and two pieces at 2" x 2". Hope you enjoyed what I did with my One Sheet Wonder cards. Think I'll make a nice little holder to keep them all in. Would make a great Christmas gift! Stamping trails Karen

Popcorn Stitch Baby Outfit

Isn't this just darling! Love the little hat with tassels! The popcorn stitch really made this pattern fun to make.

Little pouty baby sitting down. You can see the popcorn stitch being used on the white thread round. It was also used on the green thread round of the hat.

And OMG can you believe how cute these little booties are? So stinkin cute!!!Popcorn stitch used again on the white thread round on the top of the booties.

Big thanks to Kat for making my week by sending me some goodies in the mail. Love this cup with the spoon. She got it on her trip to Padre Island. Love the colors!



Stamping trails
Karen

Two More Large Tags

I bet you are surprised to see more tags as I said I was done making them. This time I mean it.....really....finished.....for now! 

My friend Kat got me Day of Gratitude stamp set for Christmas last year. Love this set! So since I was making Christmas tags I thought I would make some Thanksgiving ones. Thanksgiving is always overlooked. Sandwiched right between the biggest holidays of the year I know don't always make crafts for it. 

Colors used More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, and Soft Suede. I tried to make the one tag look like a door with a wreath on it. Didn't come out the way I had hoped. Oh well I still like it. 

I'm hoping to have a new 5" baby doll dress to post tomorrow. I was going to finish it yesterday but a storm came rolling in and it got dark outside. Can't see that thread at night like I use to. Need lots of sunshine! I must be getting old! 

Stamping trails

Karen

One More Large Tag

Well since I've been trying to use up all my scraps I had to make one more large tag. This was actually the first fireplace I made for the stocking tag that I posted yesterday, but I cut it to short and the stocking would have hung down way beyond the tag. Since the cardstock was already glued down I had to start over for the stocking tag. So with the smaller fireplace one I added some ornaments. I sponged around them and added Star Dust Stickles. I also cut the top of the ornament again with brushed silver cardstock to make them look more like ornaments. Lace ribbon with glue dots used to string the ornaments. Word from Many Merry Messages. I really love this tag! I can see myself making more of them for the Christmas season. 

Deck the Halls!!!! 

Okay I really have to stop the Christmas stamping as I have a ton of other craft projects that need to get completed. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Playing with Tags

Just playing with some Christmas gift tags. I like the fireplace one the best. I used Tim Holtz brick embossing folder on Cherry Cobbler cardstock. I also like have some larger gift tags. These are made using manila shipping tags. Size 6 1/4 x 3. Good size for larger packages. 

Still planing to take it easy today. The knee is a bit better so I think the rest and ice is helping. 

Suppose to be in the 90s tomorrow, but we are also suppose to get storms and rain. I'm all about that! We need some more rain. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Block Stamping

Just a clean and simple card today. Didn't have much time to stamp yesterday. Spent the day with Sarah. 

The house is coming along. The floors are finished, and the stove and fridge are in. She got the chrome ones that she wanted. They look great. Still lots of work to do, but it is coming along. 

Really hot yesterday. In the low 90's. The rest of the week is suppose to be in the 80's, and that's a bit better for me! My knee started acting up two days ago, so I'm trying to rest it. So far it is not any better. Really don't want to go through the pain of a stiff knee again. 

Today I'm taking it easy going to do some crocheting, keep my knee up and iced. I'll be spending the day with Netflix on the couch with the kitty playing with my crochet thread! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Just some Cards

I have been taking it easy this weekend. My knee has been acting up again, and I'm not very happy about it! Really put a dent in my normal routine.

However I did spend a big part of the weekend making cards. Trying to get a jump on making Christmas gifts. So my ink pads were pretty hot along with the temps outside. Got up to 90 yesterday. Way to hot for me!

I used the negative image the Labels Collection dies (SU). Sponged the inside with Baja Breeze. Flower stamp was inked with Perfect Plum, then I used Old Olive marker to go over the leaves and grass part of the stamp. Added a white bow and word at the bottom and I called it finished.

For card I used some color block stamping. I scribbled markers on a clear block then stamped on the white cardstock. Colors used: Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, Perfect Plum, and Old Olive. Stamp set used for both cards Just Believe.


Going to go visit Sarah this morning. Taking her some stuff from the garden. The tomatoes are just starting to get red on one of the plants, and the bean plants are still producing. Plus I have a ton of romaine and leaf lettuce.

And don't look now....okay you can look...take a look on the left side of the blog at the hit counter. Getting close to getting 100,000. WOW

Stamping trails
Karen

Ghost Rock

While on our cross country trip we stopped at Ghost Rock. Located in Utah. The rock is made from sandstone. So very cool! There is an entire story how cowboys named the rock.

Another view.

Story at the rock.

There were lots of loose pieces of rock on the ground so I had to take one home with me. Its not very big. Had it out on the picnic table and during the rain we had the other day there was a pile of sand that came off the rock. So I'm sure this will "melt" away, but I still think its pretty darn cool.

Of course all these pictures of Ghost Rock prompted me to make a ghost card. I used the Bird Builder punch for his head, just cut off the bird's beak, and Blossom Petal Builder for the arms and body of the ghost. Spider, word, and bats came from Wicked Cool stamp set. The mouth on the ghost was hand drawn. Looking at this little guy reminds me of one of the ghostly trio from Casper because of how the head is formed. I like him! Stamping trails Karen

VC Rock July Blog Hop

Welcome to VC Rocks July Blog Hop. Theme for this Hop is Hostess Gifts and Non-Card items. I'm stop # 5 on this hop. If you'd like to start from the beginning visit VC Rocks blog site here

In this little Ball Mason jar is sugar hand scrub. So easy to make and smells wonderful! Take a small mason jar and fill it 3/4 of the way full with sugar. Then add Dawn Oil of Olay dish soap (pink kind) up to the rim then mix together. You can add more sugar as needed to make it into a paste. To use just scoop some up in your hand wet a little and scrub, then rinse off. Makes your hands so soft and pretty smelling. For the top flower I used the blossom punch. Colors used Regal Rose, Rose Red and Crumb Cake. I did a tutorial on this flower for last years VC blog hop using a different punch. You can check it out here for directions.

Here is a nice top view of the jar lid. I used the dot embossing folder on Crumb Cake then just dragged the ink over the dots. I plan to use these as hostess gifts.

For booking gifts I'm currently giving out brads, and buttons and presenting them on cardstock strips that I've placed in the tall thin cello bags. Toppers use Rue Des Fleurs stamp set.

Closer look.

And last I'm wrapping bakers twine and linen thread around wooden spoons. The tops of the spoons I used my Cropidile on and joined with a split ring.

Hope you enjoyed my little part of this fun hop.

 To go back one visit Jane's blog here

Next up on this hop is the very talented Carey. Visit her great blog here


Weigh in - lost 2.2 pounds this week. YAY!

Stamping trails
Karen 

 

5 Little Ducks

Five little ducks Went out one day Over the hill and far away Mother duck said "Quack, quack, quack, quack." But only four little ducks came back.

I use to sing this silly song to my kids, and I couldn't help but think of this when I was at the lake yesterday. While me and John were walking around the lake we saw this momma duck heading for the bridge. As she passed under I took these pictures. One little duck was always lagging behind. Momma would pause just for a second to allow him to catch up. So cute!

Here she is with 4 ducks...little one still trying to catch up.

Of course the ducks lead me to this card. Stamp set Easy Events. Colors: Daffodil Delight, Baja Breese, Soft Suede, and cream. Embossing folder used on Daffodil layer is by Tim Holtz.


We got rain yesterday morning. So thankful to have it as everything was so dry. It was the first day since I've been back from the trip that I didn't have to water the garden. YAY!

Stamping trails
Karen 

Helicopter Ride

So this is how much I love my husband. While we were in Vegas he sprung on me his desire to take the helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon. Now I don't like to fly, and never had been in a copter before. After thinking about it all day I finally agreed since I knew it was something he really wanted to do. Now this involved us getting up at 5 am to meet the bus to the airport. Once there I had to get weighed. Really? I'm scared, tired, hungry, and now you are telling me I have to get on a scale....in front of people? Once in the air I didn't do to bad. My tummy felt a little flip floppy at times, but I managed to keep myself together (didn't need the air bag that the pilot from time to time offered us) Top two pics are Hoover Damn. Next pic of Grand Canyon. We had to stop and refuel so while landing I snapped the pic of the helicopter's shadow against the side of the mountain. Me and Skip on the ground. There were three other people taking the tour with us. Copter carried six of us including the pilot. I managed to get a pic of a roadrunner. Now I wonder where the coyote was? Skip in the copter.

The pilot told us that the copter was about a mile high, and we were flying at 120 miles per hour. Tour lasted about 90 minutes. I was looking at the landscape and let me tell you it did not feel like we were traveling at 90 mph. Most of the time for me it felt like it was going around 30mph. We had headphones that allowed us to speak to each other and to hear the pilot. Looking back on it I'm glad I decided to go.

Stamping trails
Karen

PS........Congrats Kat for beating Joe's time at Cross Fit. You go girl! 

Flowers and Picket Fence

Isn't this just a neat looking card? I was very happy with the completed project. I started with Cajun Craze cardstock for the base. There is a layer of vanilla, and smaller layer of Cajun Craze. The small layer was embossed using Tim Holtz brick folder. Stamp set used Fabulous Florets. I stamped the stem and leaves on Pear Pizzazz then cut them out. That was a bit time consuming but well worth the effort. Flowers were stamped on More Mustard with Chocolate Chip ink then cut out and popped.

Inside of the card

For the fence I used the jewelery tag punch from SU. To make the fence post I needed to make a longer strip. So I cut strips of vanilla cardstock 3/8 inch wide. Then slid a strip into the punch and pulled the bottom out of the punch to the length I needed then punched it out.

It was to hot to move much yesterday. Got up to 99 degrees which is very hot for us. I took my morning bike ride at 7 and by the time I got back the top of my t-shirt was soaked with sweat. Needless to say I didn't venture out anymore except to the mailbox to get the mail, and to water the garden. Suppose to rain today. I'm hoping it will as we can really use it.


Stamping tails
Karen 

Tales from the Bike

I have been meaning to post a picture and directions to make these wonderful light tasting cupcakes, but so many other things to post that I forgot about them. 

I made these for John's birthday last week. A big hit with everyone. 

Start with a box of angel food cake mix. To that add one 20oz can of crushed pineapple. Add the juice from the can also. Mix it up then either make them into cupcakes or pour batter into a 13x9x2 pan. Bake according to directions on the cake box. 

These are good as is, but you can also add frosting. I use one tub of Cool Whip free and 1 small package of vanilla sugar free fat free instant Jello pudding. Mix the two together and spread on the cooled cake. I also added a few mandarin orange slices on top. Perfect little dessert for summer! For my Weight Watcher trackers each cupcake is 3 points including the frosting. If you are making the cake cut into 16 pieces for the same point value.

I took my bike ride yesterday morning and it was pretty interesting. First a bunny ran out in front of the bike, then I had a run in with some angry geese that thought they owned the road, and to top it off football practice started up again at the high school. So when I was riding around the back of the school about 30 some odd boys come jogging out of the building coming straight for me. Figured I needed to speed up to get around them. I was just peddling my little heart out and they are cheering me on to pedal faster. So now I'm racing on my bike with teenage boys running beside me. I think they let me get ahead of them just to get rid of the old crazy lady on the bike. LOL 

Me and Skip went to see Ted last night. He liked it I didn't. Funny that I didn't like the movie as I'm a big Family Guy fan, but the voice of Peter Griffin coming out of stuffed bear I just found disturbing.

Stamping trails

Karen

Scrap Flowers

Still trying to find way to use up scrap cardstock, designer paper, and odds and ends. 

I used a flower punch with designer paper, then added black cardstock that was punched with 1 inch circle punch. Button is tied in place with crochet thread. 

This would be a great way to use up scraps and turn into card candy for friends. 

Simple card using Pretty in Pink , black, and Perfect Plum cardstock. Dot embossing folder used on the center black strip. Thank you word is from Just Believe stamp set. 

I tried to take it easy yesterday. Got up at 6:30 and took a bike ride, then back home for breakfast. I read that to jump start your metabolism do some cardio in the morning before eating breakfast, then eat within an hour of getting up. So since Thursday I've been getting out on the bike at 7 am. Skip thinks I'm nuts, but actually with the temps being so high it has been good getting an early start not so darn hot! I'll let you know if this has made any changes to my weight loss. One thing I've noticed....I have more energy. After breakfast I'm ready to keep moving. So the house is clean again:)

We also took a nice brisk hike last evening after dinner. I needed a shower when I got back as I was really sweating! 

This morning I have to follow Skip to an auto body shop over in Parma. Top of the van got scratched so it needs to get repaired. They said we would get it back in three days. Wish he would have found a place closer to home, don't really like driving over to Cleveland. Since it will be rush hour on a Monday morning. Going to be a lot of traffic. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Look what Skip Found

Just a quick post today as I've been busy getting the yard sale ready and assisting with Sarah's move. 

Skip found this large zucchini in the garden yesterday. See how much bigger it is compared to the cucumber in the foreground. I sliced it up put it in a gallon freezer bag and added some olive oil, and Italian seasonings. After shaking the bag to coat it was then place in tin foil and on the grill it went. Very good! 

So Joe is this one bigger than the one you found in your garden? 

I still need to take some pics of the garden to share. The squash is taking over! We planted acorn, butternut, spaghetti, summer, and zucchini. Think we went overboard on the squash! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Barefoot Sandals

My sis-in-law's birthday was yesterday Friday the 13th. She hosted a party at her home. 

I crocheted her a pair of barefoot sandals. She liked them. So cute! I have an itch to make more of these. I've searched around the net and have found several different free patterns to download. They made up pretty quickly. These only took me 35 minutes to make. 

We had fun visiting with the family. Played lots of cornhole. Top picture Corbet (in the forground), and Neil (nephews, Tony's sons)

Bottom pic Skip, and John.

Weigh in......I lost 5.7 pounds this week. GO ME!!!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen

Halloween Card for Friday the 13th

Since today is Friday the 13th I decided to make a Halloween card yesterday afternoon. 

The tree image is from Ink-a-dink-a-doo. Stamp set is called Fall Fields. Little spider is also a Ink-a-dink-a-do stamp. 

Colors, Basic Gray, cream, kraft, Soft Suede, designer paper by Basic Grey eerie paper. Didn't know where I was going with this card, but I think I got there! 

Going to visit my sis-in-law Cheryl today. She is having a Friday the 13th party. That should be fun. 

Yesterday I got up at 7am and took a 50 minute bike ride. Let me tell you it was a lot cooler outside doing it at that time. I get my best thinking done while riding the bike. 

Tomorrow is weigh in day, hoping for some good numbers on that scale. Wish me luck. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Biking in the Desert

 

 I wanted to share some photos that we took on our trip. We stopped at Arches National Park in Utah and stayed the night at a camp ground. We brought the bikes along as we thought it would be fun to ride them in the desert. Skip didn't have as much of a problem with the hills as I did.

 

 And here I thought I was in great shape since I've been working out and riding the bike since March, but I was wrong couldn't handle some of those hills. I felt better after talking to my friend Kat. She said it wasn't me it was the altitude. We were at about 5000 ft. Which is a big difference from the 1000 ft here in Ohio.

 

 Yay on the bike and riding!

 

 Beautiful view of our campsite. It was wonderful. There was a space to park each vehicle, and each site had a fire pit, picnic table and shade trees. We were lucky as the night we stayed there was a full moon. So peaceful!

 

 Me and Skip

 

 Long eared bunny seen on the ride. Or as they should be called....Jackalopes

Since I'm talking about biking......I decided to make this card. Stamp set is from the Tim Holtz collection, called Playful Journey. What a great word stamp perfect for this trip. Colors, cream, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, and Baja Breeze.

I'll be posting more pics soon.

 Stamping trails
 Karen