Little Scissor Holder

This little scissor case was made using the Petal Cone die, and Sweet Stitches fabric. Flower on the flap of the case was made with Fun Flowers die. This little sewing project is also the first one I made using my new (old) machine that I got from the Good Will several weeks ago.

The flower petals were stiffened with a glue and water mix. I think you could also use spray starch but I didn't have any on hand. Love the new designer vintage faceted buttons that SU has in the new catalog. I also added a piece of dark brown ribbon behind the flower before I attached it.

So since Skip had yesterday off he thought it was the perfect day to go on a tire hunt for my car. (Back tires really needed to be replaced). I'm not using the term hunt loosely here folks. We went to three different places and ended up getting them at the last place. What an adventure that was. It was a used tire warehouse and we had to drive the car up an enclosed ramp to get into the warehouse to have them mounted, balanced, and put on. Was a long afternoon. Did I mention that it was still raining and cold out? Did I also mention that every time the wipers on my car are turned on they squeak? So nerve racking. Skip's going to try to fix that problem.

Happy Halloween! I have to leave my outside Halloween decor up till Sunday. The city of Brunswick along with many other cities here in Ohio have changed the date for Tricks or Treats due to the bad weather. As Charlie Brown would say.....Good Grief! 

Stamping trails
Karen 

Windy

Windy pretty much sums up the past two days. We are getting part of Sandy as she makes her way through. Most of the schools are closed. Skip has the day off because Medina County schools are also closed. I won't be babysitting today as my nieces are both at home with their mom. Personally I don't think the wind is that bad at this point although we have been having some pretty large gusts of wind, and the rain is still pouring down. Thankfully we haven't lost power.

So I made this card last evening while listening to the wind outside. That is why all the pine trees are stamped leaning to the right. 

Burbank in the basket I gave him. I wanted him to have a warm place to curl up in while he is in the family room with us. I may make him a pillow for the bottom of the basket. I'm sure he would like that.

I think we will go out into the rain and wind and go to lunch. I'm in the mood not to cook. Other than that I think I'll be staying indoors and crafting.

Stamping trails
Karen

RAKS

Received these beautiful RAKS last week from Kat. 

Love getting happy mail! 

Cold wet and YUCK yesterday and looks like going to be a repeat today. 

The boys got soaked yesterday at the Brown's game. The only good thing about it was the Brown's actually won! Score was 7 to 6. All the players were slipping and dropping the ball since the field was wet. Must be hard for them to play in the rain. 

Me and MIL Kate enjoyed the piano recital yesterday afternoon. The children played music in the minor keys, and some Halloween songs. 

I'm going to be working on some sewing projects today. Lots to do before the holidays roll around. Can't believe that October is almost over. 

Hope all my readers are keeping warm and dry out there! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Rainy Saturday

Sorry no real post today. Rained all day yesterday. It was cold and yuck. So what do you do on days like that? Well if you have a very good friend.....(which I do) you stay indoors and read the book she bought and mailed to you. Which is what I did most of the day. Skip did pry me away for a few hours to go to the mall. (Drat!)

Today I plan to finish up the book, then I'm off to visit with MIL Kate. We are getting lunch out. Later in the day we will be attending my nieces piano recital. Skip and John will be spending part of their afternoon at the Cleveland Brown's stadium watching the game. I know they will be cold. I only hope it doesn't rain on them too. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a project to share. 

Thanks again Kat.....I'll be going out this week to get the other two books :)

Stamping trails

Karen

Deer in the Woods

Just playing around with the Christmas Deer stamp set. I used scraps of cardstock that had already been embossed with embossing folders. Deer stamped on vanilla tag with Early Espresso ink. I used the word stamp and the smallest snowflake from Snowflake Soiree (another new stamp on my desk). Trees are from Christmas Lodge stamped with Garden Green. I think next time I'll forgo using frost white paint on them. I applied it with a sponge but I think I used a bit to much. 

Used pewter embossing powder along the side and bottom of the tag. 

Talk about 180 turn around. We went from 84 to 45. Going to be cold and rainy here for the next several days. Since I did my grocery shopping I only have to go out to the post office today. Rest of the day I plan to stay in and work on some projects. Maybe clean the house a bit. Maybe.....

Stamping trails

Karen

Wicked Halloween

Late posting today. Just wasn't in the mood to update the night before as I normally do. I was in TV watching mode. Lazy I know. I made this card to send to Sarah. Jack of all Trades, and Wicked Cool stamps used. Base card is black. After scoring in half I cut off about 2 1/2 inches of the front side. I must say I really like the purple, and orange with the black cardstock.

I went out an did grocery shopping this morning. We lost the sunshine that we have been enjoying this week. It's cloudy, raining and colder today. For the next 5 days they are calling for temps in the 40's. Guess the Indian Summer days are gone. I guess I'll just have to focus on Christmas gifts to keep my spirits perked up.

Stamping trails
Karen

Treat Bags

 I needed bags to put all the Halloween goodies that I have been making for my nieces, and decided to use standard brown lunch bags. 

The fence with the crow was stamped in black along the bottom of the bag. Witch stamped in black and cut with Framelits Labels Colection. Instead of layering it I just sponged the edges with Gumball Green. (Why did I wait so long to buy this great color? Love it!)

Used Gumball Green cardstock with the Framelits then ran it through the spider web embossing folder. Used an oval punch to make the handle. Since I still have tons of wide twill tape I stamped the message with StazOn Jet Black ink, and attached it through the handle opening.

We had record breaking temps yesterday. So nice out! Today it is suppose to get to 84 degrees. Looking forward to laying out in the sun again. 

Still have some more cleaning to do, but I did get the closet clean yesterday. That is a big thing off my to do list. I'm using part of that space to house Christmas and birthday gifts. Soon as the holidays are over I'll have more room in there. 

The replacement light bulb came in the mail and Skip put it in my sewing machine. I'll see if I can take some pictures today of the machine so I can post it on the blog. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Spiders! YACK!

Since the weather has turned cooler the spiders are coming to get me......not really just seems that way cause they really creep me out. This one was in the hallway heading towards my stamping studio. I snapped this picture with the telephoto view. Wasn't getting too close! Although I did take a fly swatter to him and buried him at sea via the toilet. I know I'm just cruel.

Now this is the only spider I want to see in my room. I found this on Pinterest and thought the nieces would like to make some this week. Super cute!

Have the day off from babysitting and since I got some new stamping toys I'll be working on some stuff with them. I'm also going to clean out the closet in the upstairs sewing room. It is so packed with stuff! I'd have more room if my daughter would come over and move out the rest of her things. I'm hoping by next summer she will get it all moved.

Stamping trails
Karen

Halloween Crackers

I wanted to make one more thing for my nieces for Halloween, and since I've been saving toilet paper tubes...candy firecrackers seemed like the thing to do. The tubes are wrapped in orange and black crepe paper. The tags are all embossed with black embossing powder. Stamp sets: Toxic Treats, Wicked Cool, and Bootiful Occasions. After wrapping the tubes with the crepe paper I added a strip of Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer paper.

Close up of Boot tag.

Close up of hat and boots tag.

I also use Artichoke ribbon to tie the ends of the tubes and to attach the tags.

October is just flying by. I was thrilled to be able to lay out in the sun yesterday. Got up into the low 70's. Pure bliss this time of the year. Suppose to be warm the next few days. Going to take advantage of it and get outside as much as I can.

Stamping trails
Karen 

Mummy Card

I received this cool mummy card last week from my friend Marianne. Super cute! Thanks!

Didn't get time to stamp yesterday. The family was over early (7:15) for breakfast. The boys went to the slot car show I decided not to go because I could barely walk yesterday. Sarah spent the day with me and we figured out how to work the sewing machine I got at the goodwill. Love the Singer! Skip oiled it for me on Saturday so it is running pretty good. I'm still planning to take it to a sewing machine repair shop. The stitch adjuster isn't working as good as I'd like. 

Oh Sarah liked the witch hat that I posted on Saturday for the blog hop, so it went home with her. 

Later in the evening me and Skip went to the mall to do some walking and eat dinner. Was a pretty good day. Like having the family around. 

I'm excited as my Stampin'Up! order comes in today. More goodies to play with. Can't wait. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Paper Strip Pumpkin

I've been seeing these cardstock strip ornaments lately and decided to make a pumpkin for Halloween. This one uses one 6" strip for the center. You will also need (2) 7", (2) 9", and (2) 11". I used glue dots to hold each strip to the top and bottom of the ornament. Cropadile was perfect for making a hole in the center top to thread the Early Espresso scallop tulle through. I used Jack of all Trades for the focal point.

Close up of the leaves. I used the large heart punch to make them. Also ran them through an embossing folder.

I've been featured once again on Tiffany Bauer blog Thanks Tiffany! Glad you liked the Witch's hat I posted on Saturday. Be sure to go visit her site, she has some really great stuff showcased each Sunday!

Making breakfast for the kids today then off to the slot car show. We use to do this when my brother Tony was still with us. The boys still enjoy going. Kids...we never grow up....me included! 

Stamping trails
Karen

SU Stars Fall and Halloween Blog Hop

Welcome to the SU Stars Fall/Halloween blog hop.

 

I get to kick off this Hop. 

 Since I love Halloween I decided to design my project around the holiday. 

The idea came to me for the hat after cleaning up the storage craft closet. I found the paper mache witch hat that I've had for several years now and decided now would be a good time to use it and get it out of storage.

First thing was to paint it. I wanted to use things on hand instead of running out to Pat Catan's for more supplies. I had Folk Art Grass Green Acrylic paint on the shelve and put on two coats of it using a foam brush. 

Next I got out the low temp glue gun and gathered and glued Early Espresso tulle all the way around the brim. This step went really fast. 

For the focal point I used Toxic Treats stamp set. Witch was embossed with black then the colors got added with sponges: More Mustard, Tangerine Tango, and Early Espresso ink. 

Broom was made with a piece of Sixlets candy. Bottom of the broom has s strip of Crumb Cake cardstock that was fringed with paper snips. Mixed Melody stamp set used with the little frog in the center. 

Okay so remember I didn't want to go to Pat Catan's and get supplies? Well that didn't happen. I needed a styrofoam ball to make the graveyard. I took a 2 1/2 inch ball and cut it in half. Next step was to paint it green. The grass was made the same as the broom using Garden Green cardstock. Tombstones were heat embossed punched out, glued to suckers and pushed into the foam ball.

 

Here is a side view of the hat. You can see that I did gather and glue the scallop Early Espresso tulle all the way around the brim. Really super easy to attach using low temp glue gun. 

Sarah is coming over on Sunday for breakfast then shopping later. I'm going to give her the hat to use at her home. 

Hope you enjoyed my little part in this fun Blog Hop. Next up the ever talented Charlotte. See here blog here

Stamping trails

Karen

Toxic Treats Cello Bags

Another little treat I made for my nieces. Love the Toxic Treat stamp set. The witches cauldron was inked with VersaMark then embossed with black embossing powder on vanilla cardstock. Used the 1 3/4 circle to punch it out. The frog was stamped on Garden Green cardstock then embossed with clear powder. The word stamp is from the Holiday Mini Catalog it's a Hostess set called Mixed Medley. It was stamped with Tangerine Tango punched with 3/4 inch circle punch. I attached the word to the main circle with a jump ring.

Close up of the stamp images.

I also used Jet Black Stazon to ink the fence with the bird on the bottom of the cello bag. Turned out pretty cute. Don't forget to stop back tomorrow for a Halloween/Fall Blog Hop. That will be fun!

Stamping trails
Karen

Cookie Sheet Card

I made the cookie sheet with Brushed Silver cardstock and the two tags Sizzix die. I had a few stamped and cut gingerbread men from a stamp camp and I wanted to find a way to use them that was my inspiration. 

Also wanted to start using the Early Espresso scalloped tulle that I got in my last order. You'll see some more of the tulle this weekend as I'm in a Halloween blog hop and used it on one of the projects. 

I cut off the rounded edge of each tag, then used simply scored tool to add the score lines to create the handles of the cookie sheet. Added two red brads just to give it some color. Base card is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2. 

Did you see the little bite taken out of the top gingerbread man? I used the new smaller scallop circle punch that is in the holiday mini to make that. 

Such a beautiful day yesterday. Got up to 73 with lots of sun. I was outside soaking it in! At this time of year you just never know when you'll get those sunny days.

Stamping trails

Karen

Pumpkin Outfit for American Girl

Well my niece Lilly couldn't have been more happy with her new outfit for her American Girl doll. I'm so happy that she loved it so much. She got her doll last year for Christmas but only has two outfits for the doll. Looks like I'll be making her more clothes soon.

Close up on the little Jack-o-lantern treat bag. The directions said to use yarn to make the face, but I didn't think it would look as good so I opted for black fabric paint. My friend Kat suggested I make button eyes from shrink plastic. Which was a great idea, but after a long weekend I was tired and decided to go for the quick and easy with paint.

Love the little stem hat. Had to play with the last two rows of stitches as I was having a senior moment and couldn't figure out how to make the stitch. After putting it away and coming back to it...it finally clicked.

I'm in a Fall/Halloween blog hop this weekend so today I'll be working on my projects for that. Suppose to be in the 70's today so I also plan to get outside and just enjoy the sun.

Stamping trails
Karen 

Punch Happy Card

Part of this card was cased. The original had only one tree in the scallop circle, and didn't have the snow bank at the bottom of the card. I decided to go with the odd number rule and added two more trees. Which was easy to do since the Merry Minis set has three different designed stamps. Still wanted to step this simple card up a bit so I added a torn layer of cardstock to the bottom part and used dazzling details to add sparkle to the snowbank.

So happy SU has the matching punches to go with the Merry Minis set.

I also used the paper piercing tool around the edges of the Night of Navy scallop circle piece.


We lost our warmer temps that we enjoyed over the weekend. It was in the lower 70's, but in the lower 50's now. Going to be a long winter and winter hasn't even got here yet!!!!!

Stamping trails
Karen

Full Card Swap

I joined a swap with some other SU demo's, and just got the completed cards back last week. It was full card swap using any SU products, and also okay to use retired stuff as well. It was fun seeing some older stamp sets used. Enjoy!

Had a fun stamp camp last evening. I think all the stampers enjoyed making the cards and learning about heat embossing.

Today I have off from nanny duties so I'm going to get caught up on some housework and start another crochet project. Busy, busy!

Stamping trails
Karen

Last of the Garden

The weather was beautiful yesterday. Perfect day to wrap up the garden. Harvested a basket of green peppers. Love the colors, and they smell so fresh!

Our carrots did really well this season. They didn't get very long, but as you can see from the basket they got pretty fat. I'll be able to use these in vegetable soup for the winter months.

Close up view of one of the carrots. I also started to clean out the front flower bed. Didn't get finished as it started to rain late in the afternoon. I'm hoping if the weather is nice again tomorrow I'll get it finished.

Speaking of finished, I got the pumpkin outfit completed for my nieces American Girl doll. I'm not giving it to her till Tuesday so look on Wednesday to see completed photos.

Later today I have a stamp camp at Pleasant Valley church. Looking forward to that. Great bunch of ladies!

Stamping trails
Karen 

Playing with New Stuff

I wanted to play with some of my newer things. Since I'm using Lovely as a Tree at the stamp camp I wanted to show the stampers that you could use the large tree in that set to create branches to hang ornaments on. I used the new Ornament Keepsakes stamp set with the matching framelits, and piercing mat. 

Colors used Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, and Crumb Cake. I used the new Champagne glimmer paper for the ornament caps. The panel was layered on a white base card. 

 

Not sure how we will be spending the weekend. Suppose to be in the 60's but also suppose to rain. There is plenty of Fall yard work that needs to be done, and we have to clean up the garden for the season. Skip has been taking down the screens and battening down the hatches for Old Man Winter. JOY!!!!! NOT. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Simple Embossed Christmas Card

I'm prepping my card projects for an upcoming stamp camp. They wanted to learn embossing so this one is just a very quick and simple embossed card. I love the red on white. Stamp set Lovely as a Tree (hope they never retire this one), trees embossed with white embossing powder. Word is from Christmas Lodge. I stamped it in Real Red on white then tore the edges before gluing it in place. Used bakers twine (can you believe I have barely put a dent in that jumbo cone of bakers twine I think I'll have it forever!) for a quick bow at the bottom.

We have had our first frost of the season. JOY! Not looking forward to winter as I know it will not be mild like it was last year. Skip turned the heat on in September which he never does. I thought it was to early and just put on sweater. But I have to admit to having some hot flashes so maybe that will help during the colder months. Hey something menopause might be good for. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Emboss Resist

I have a workshop coming up this Sunday. The group requested to do some cards with heat embossing. Also to make a Thanksgiving card. Of course Day of Gratitude sprang to mind. Love that set! Makes wonderful Thanksgiving cards, but can also be used in so many other ways. Plus it rocks when it comes to the emboss resist technique. 

 First I embossed the large medallion with clear ep and heat set. Then used sponges and More Mustard, Cajun Craze, and Wild Wasabi ink to add the color. The medallion was cut out and added to a Chocolate Chip layer with pop dots. These colors all go so well together. Its a simple card but looks brilliant!

I spent yesterday working on the pumpkin outfit for my nieces 18 inch doll. Almost finished I'll be posting that soon. This morning I'll be making Rice Krispy treats as the girls requested them for a treat this week. Of course I must be careful because Skip also loves these and I don't make them often so I'll have to watch that he doesn't run off with the entire pan. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Box Going in the Mail

So the swap is finished and since I have today off I'll be heading out to the post office to get it in the mail. I did want to show you how I wrapped it all. I joined two spots so I had to have two sets of 12 bags plus 2 extra bags to give the hostess. I started to wrap the bags and got to # 5 before I started throwing them in the large priority box only to find out that they were all not going to fit unless I made the packages smaller.

I had to get creative and wrap those bags flatter. All the tags are the same. Used a jumbo wheel from the holiday mini with Crumb Cake ink. Made them go much faster. The alphabet used is retired but its one of my favorites called Collage. Very vintage looking. Since I have a large spool of bakers twine it made sense to wrap the bags with it then attach the tag. I also used Tim Holtz tiny stapler to help ensure no peeking!

Close up of a tag.

Just to let you know as some have asked how my weight loss is going I've given myself permission to just maintain for the rest of this month. Since the knee is not at 100% percent I just don't want to push it and make it worse again. I'm still going to walk but not for weight loss just to keep the joint moving. I'll be able to get another cortisone shot first of November. After that I'll go back to the workouts, but at a slower pace. I did lose .6 at this past Saturday's weigh in. I need to practice maintaining since at some point I'll be at my goal weight and need to do that.

Stamping trails
Karen

Note Book

Just finished up the last project for the 12 days of Christmas swap I signed up for. It was fun but I'm glad it is finished! 

I still had a few blank notebooks that I picked up last year at Pat Catan's. I used Scentsational Season stamp set and matching Framelits. Wide Riding Hood Red ribbon I also found in my ribbon stash. If you click on the photo to get a larger image you'll see I also used Hello Doily background and Delicate Doilies stamps to fill in the blank space. 

Well it looks like the cable man fixed our Internet problem. So far it has not gone out since he added a direct line to our modem Saturday morning.

Stamping trails

Karen

More 12 Days of Christmas

I wanted day 12 to be a little bit bigger so I made two projects for that day. First one is a double pocket tea bag holder. Made with a 6x6 square of designer paper. I used Morning Cup stamp set to decorate both sides of the holder. Word Merry is from Tiny Tags set. Colors used Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, and Wild Wasabi. The candy holder is made from the large Scallop Circle Sizzix die. I used the same designer paper so they would match. Used Got Treats stamp set for the little gingerbread man and saying.

Side view of the pocket tea holder.

Side view of candy holder. Now who ever gets my projects will be able to enjoy a cup of tea and Ghirardelli chocolate on a cold Winters day.

I'm still working on another project for the this swap. Then it will be finished and I can get it in the mail and out of the stamping studio. I didn't post all of the swaps made because some of them have already been posted here. I will post a picture to show you how I packaged them all before I seal up the box.

Stamping trails
Karen

Mini Purses

Sorry no post yesterday. Was a busy day. I did work on some more projects for the the 12 days of Christmas swap. Which I'm happy to say I'm just about finished with. Since it was a larger swap I didn't want to wait till the last minute then be rushing around to complete it. These are just little fun purses made from a piece of 6x6 designer paper. They can be filled with candy, but I'm going to get a lip balm for each one. Not using currant SU supplies as the rules are allowing the use of retired items so I wanted to use up some of the stock.

Close up of the purse open

I used a Velcro closure to hold the purse closed.

Today I'm planning to do some more crocheting. Still working on my nieces pumpkin outfit for her American Girl doll. I was hoping to finish it today. So while hubby is watching the football game I'll be busy with the outfit.

Stamping trails
Karen 

12 Days of Christmas

Remember yesterday when I told you I joined a 12 days of Christmas swap? Well this is one of the projects for that. We are suppose to make inexpensive items so I've been looking around the stamping studio just to see what I had on hand. These large wooden clips have been in a drawer for years. I base coated them with Gesso, then painted them again with FolkArt Enamels Warm White. After they dried came the fun part. I used cardstock to punch out the eyes. Carrot was done with Pumpkin Pie just free handed that. Sponged around it and added some lines to give it some depth. Mouth was drawn on with a black Sharpie marker. The buttons were made with Embosslits Sweet Buttons. Attached them with a pop dot. Fabric for the scarf is retired Deck the Halls.

Here is a side view so you can see this is just a very large clothes pin. I think I like the one with Cherry Cobbler buttons better than the Soft Suede buttons, but I like the mouth better on that one. Very quick and easy project. Only had to wait for the paint to dry. Although I was a bit lazy and decided not to paint inside the clip. I know...I'm bad, but hey in my defense I wanted to decorate...who likes to paint anyway?

Stamping trails
Karen