Here a Chick, There a Chick, Everywhere a Chick, Chick

So Sunday morning we woke up only to find that our neighbor's chickens had found an escape route out of their fenced in yard, and made there way into our garden area. 

Hubby thought it would be great to take some photos outside. Once there he did take pictures, but then he also decided to feed them with some ears of corn that he had saved to feed the squirrels over the winter. 

Well of course the chickens loved that. I told him well now he really did it....once you feed them they will be back for more. 

And it started to rain....so what do the chickens do? Run under the picnic table of course which is right next to our deck. 

While I was fine with them in the garden..hey who doesn't need free fertilizer? But once they started coming up to the deck that was it. I didn't want to clean up chicken mess.

Skip went over to the neighbors, but of course they were not home. Skip, and John went out and rounded them up. They got them to go back into their own yard. The side gate had a latch that popped open that was how the chickens had flown the coup. 

So now you know what inspired me to make that chicken card on yesterdays post. 

Happy New Years Eve.......hopefully chicken free

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #42

Welcome to the last Mailable Monday installment of 2013. 

 

Hope you have been enjoying them. I know I have enjoyed making them! 

You may wonder what my inspiration was for this card...well I'm not going to tell you.

 

Please come back tomorrow and you will understand why I decided to make a chicken card. 

 

Punches: 

 

2 1/2 circle punch for body

wide oval with Fresh Prints designer paper for belly

scallop oval punch for wings, only one needed cut in half to make both wings

1/4 circle punch for eyes

small heart punch for waddle, and comb

nose was free cut into small triangle 

Greeting from Oh, Hello stamp set

 

Color Palette: Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake, White, Real Red, black

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

 

 

Tag Box

Stampin'Up has two new tag punches coming up in there Occasion mini catalog. 

I got both of them as part of a really nice stamping order that hubby got me for Christmas. 

The punches have a two inch wide base that allows you to make the tag as long or as short as you'd like. 

For the box I started with 2 strips of white cardstock cut 2x10

I then scored both strips at 2, 4, 6, and 8 inches. 

One of the tags was punched at both ends using the tag punch. 

 

I then added Season of Style designer paper cut at 1 3/4x 1 3/4. (you will need 6) 

The bottom of the strips were layered together and glued in place. The sides were all folded to form a cube. The two top pieces were held together with ribbon. I also added some ornaments using Christmas Collectibles stamp set. 

Would make a cute little gift box or an ornament for the tree with a small gift or candy inside. 

Now lets see what else I can make with these tags.

We had a beautiful day yesterday. Temps in the lower 50's. Such a treat for us during this time of the year. Lots of warm sunshine. Just what I needed to give my spirits a lift! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Elephants on Parade

I got some great elephants to add to my collection. 

The large greenish brown one is from Sarah. This came with potpourri, and it can be refilled. Love the color, and that the elephant is sassy with its trunk up in the air. 

The blue one is from Kat. This little thing is heavier than the green one if you can believe that. Love the blue and the spiral design on it's back.

The cookie cutter and cinnamon ornament is from Lisa. This really takes me back. 

When Lisa and I were both in Guam we made cinnamon ornaments from ground cinnamon and applesauce. 

Made the house smell so good! What a great memory. Thanks for bringing that back Lisa! 

Thanks to all the "girls" who got me new elephants! 

I'm glad I have a ledge going around the entire downstairs level. Makes a great place to display them. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Cleaning, and Mini Cake Domes

Well I spent part of yesterday cleaning out the craft room. What a chore! I had not been a very clean Elf while I was making things this month. 

I got some new stamping goodies from hubby and friends so I also had to find homes for it all. 

The above pic is mini cake domes that my friend Kat sent me. Just love them! I have pumpkin bread, magic bars and chocolate raspberry bells in them. They look great on the kitchen counter. Thanks Kat! 

Skip had to go back to work today so I'm thinking about taking down the Christmas tree. I normally don't take it down till New Year's Eve but since its been up since the 3rd of November I'm thinking it might be time. Skip was looking at last night and saying how nice it looked that we should just leave it up all year. I told him not to temp me as I like to put the tree up but I don't enjoy taking it down. All those Barbie ornaments have to wrapped and put back in the box. Now that is a real chore! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Ornament Card

I wanted to share this wonderful Christmas/Ornament card that I received from my stamping friend Gwen. 

The ornament comes out from the front of the card. What a nice way to get a gift as part of the card. 

And so there wouldn't be a blank spot on the card front once the ornament was removed she stamped another snowflake on the base card. How clever! 

Thanks Gwen! 

Hope everyone got just what they wanted for Christmas. I'm blessed to have some very special friends who were really good to me this year (who am I kidding they are always good to me)

I'll have to post some pics soon. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Gift Exchange

I was in a gift/ornament exchange with my upline, and other demo's earlier in the month. 

I receive my box back on Saturday. YAY just in time to enjoy for the holidays. 

Love the little angel ornament made using the bow die

Also received this origami wreath made with designer paper. I'm going to have

to figure out how to make these! 

These are some heavy duty magnet clips for the fridge. Decorated with designer paper and punches. 

Candy treat up made with a little tiny coffee cup. Way to cute! 

and a magnet calendar for my fridge. Love the Perfect Blend stamp set. 

Thanks to my upline Gail for sending me such a great box! 

Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas!

Stamping trails

Karen

80 Years

I want to wish my wonderful mom in law Kate a very Happy Birthday. 

She is 80 years young today. 

When she was younger she loved to sew and roller skate. She told me that she had made all her skating outfits. This picture was given to me by her years ago. I just thought she looked so cute modeling the outfit and wearing her skates. 

I wanted to do something special for her birthday today so I got out my Cricut machine and used the Nifty Fifties cartridge to make the Let's Roll. 

I thought it still needed something so I used Summer Silhouettes to stamp the leaves and flowers. I wanted to pick up some of the pattern that are in the curtains Kate is standing in front of. 

Hope everyone has a blessed Christmas Eve. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 41

Hi everyone! Hope you are all enjoying this Christmas season. 

Isn't this skiing snowman just too cute? This is an almost no layer card.

Base is white. I sponged some Marina Mist just in the center using a circular motion with the sponge to apply.  

The snowman was made using shimmery white cardstock and 1 1/4, 1 3/8 circle punches. 

The washi tape was a bit wide for the scarf so I cut it in half. 

The ski, arm, mouth and eyes were done with a black marker. 

Snow flying from the back of the ski was made with more shimmery white and 1/4, and 3/8 circle punches. 

The greeting is a single stamp by Anita Stamps that I've had for years. This little guy will be in the mail this week for a special person. 

I'm finished for the holidays except for making a few batches of cookies which I will be making this afternoon. Doesn't look like we will have a white Christmas. We had lots of rain over the weekend and it melted the snow we had. Going to be getting colder. 

Stay warm out there! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Drifting Snowflakes Card

I was inspired to make this card because my friend Marianne sent me a acetate card.

Hers had a panel with vintage children hanging from the center of the card with bakers twine. 

I thought I could make one using Festive Flurry stamp set with the matching framelits. 

Colors used, white, Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Bermuda Bay. 

I used Cotton White StazOn to add the greeting to the outside of the card. 

Here is a picture that shows how the snowflakes look like they are drifting down inside the card. 

I'm so happy with it!

Thanks for the inspiration Marianne! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Happy Snowman Tag

I'm still making tags for the Christmas gifts. Nothing like waiting till the last minute!

Punches used: Wide Oval and Tab Rounder for hat

1 3/8 and 2 1/2 circle punch for body

star buttons made with small holiday punch pack, nose also made with that set

Washi tape makes the scarf, black marker for eyes and mouth. 

I used shimmer white cardstock for the snowman's body. Island Indigo for the tag

So this is the last weekend before Christmas. I don't have much left to do.

Although I do have to make the family some cookies. Wouldn't seem right not to make them some!

I had to get a upper GI done last week. I did get the results. No ulcer or problems found. I do have a small amount of reflux so the doctor gave me a med for that. At last lab work my platelet count was a bit high but still within normal range, and my hemoglobin was low. So I have to get more lab work done to check that again. The reason for the upper GI is anemia 

Stamping trails

Karen

Lights at the Fairgrounds

Over this past weekend me and Skip picked up his mom and went to see the light display at the Medina fairgrounds. Love this one with the farmer going to milk the cow. 

Santa on motorcycle. It came out a bit fuzzy as this was a drive through light display and I was taking pics as the car was moving. 

Holy Family

It will be a "Blue" Christmas with the Smurfs. 

Monsters Inc. You can see it had been snowing this day and the monster had some snow on them. 

Old truck all decked out for the holidays. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Wreath from Joyful Christmas Stamp Set

I had to make some gift tags for Sarah's Christmas gifts. 

Since I wrapped her gifts with vanilla paper that had red stripes with green wreaths in the center I had to make wreath tags to match. 

Started off with a 3 1/2 inch wide strip of vanilla cardstock. I angled the top to make it look like a gift tag. 

I used a brad clear container (from SU) and traced around it with a pencil onto the cardstock. 

The leaf (from Joyful Christmas stamp set) was inked with Old Olive. Once I stamped the leaf without picking it up from the cardstock I gave it a twist. I continued to do this all the way around the traced circle. 

I went back with an eraser and removed the pencil line. 

Red berries were made with a clean pencil eraser that was pressed into Real Red ink. 

I am very happy with how this turned out. Skip though I should color in the leaves on the wreath as too much cardstock was showing, but I decided not to do this. I like the open and airy look. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Victorian Santa Christmas Card

This reminds me of vintage Victorian Christmas cards. 

Stamp set is retired Old-Fashioned Christmas. 

Base card vanilla. Marina Mist layer. The post card stamp was inked with Marina Mist and stamped on 

vanilla panel. 

I stamped the large tree with Pink Pirouette then inked Old St. Nick with Cherry Cobbler. 

Love the pink, blue and red together. 

Thanks to my friend Kat who sent me the Old_fashioned Christmas stamp set. I needed a set with

a vintage Santa. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Can you believe Christmas is only a week away? I know I can't!!!!

Magic Envelope Card

Loved making a magic envelope card. 

I found the directions from this video

Using a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of designer paper I was able to make the envelope. 

Then just stamped a white panel using Joyful Christmas and mounted it on Early Espresso layer. 

Closer look at the stamped card. 

The paper folds up to form the envelope. Now you could just add a 1st class postage stamp to this and mail it, but seeing how I am going to hand deliver this I decided instead to make a faux postage stamp using one from the Postage Due stamp set. 

The label on the front is just a piece of stamped cardstock. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #40

I cannot believe that this is the 40th Mailable Monday post. WOW! 

I was watching TV the other night and saw this design on a TV sales ad. I thought hey

I have stamps that would work for that. 

You just never know where you will find inspiration.

Stamp sets Snowflake Soiree, Christmas Collectibles, and a retired word stamp for the greeting. 

Colors: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, and white. 

The ornament is popped on the card and centered under the "b". 

Stamping trails

Karen

Have Yourself a Very Washi Christmas

WOW! Only 10 days till Christmas! Time sure is flying. 

Just  quick and simply card for you today. 

Love washi tape! So easy to use and so forgiving. If you place it in the wrong place no worries...just pick it up and put it down again. 

Stamp sets: Everything Eleanor, and More Merry Messages. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Christmas Deer

Another great card for the troops using retired Christmas Deer. 

Base card Crumb Cake, Early Espresso layer that was embossed with wood folder, white Top Note die. 

Only two ink colors used Early Espresso, and Cherry Cobbler. 

This card would also work well for Mailable Monday. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas Collectibles Card

I designed this card to be used for a book club meeting. They were making cards to send to the troops. 

Such a great idea to do that! 

Color Palette: Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, and white. 

Northern Flurry embossing folder, 2 1/2 circle punch, and ornament punch used to create the card. 

Christmas Collectibles, and More Merry Messages stamp sets used. 

Since I embossed the Crumb Cake layer before I punch out the circles I have a great base to make some gift tags. I'll be sharing those with you later this week.

Stamping trails

Karen

Scrappy Christmas Card

Since I had a few pieces left from the cascading card I posted yesterday I decided to use them for this card. 

The olive layer was embossed with Petals a Plenty folder. That was layered on Soft Suede panel. 

I thought when I was cutting out all the items for the cascading card that I would have had

enough to make two of them. 

I couldn't have been more wrong. I didn't realize that it would 

have taken so many elements to fill in the card. 

Now about my weight loss update....well there really isn't one. I'm still holding at 15 more pounds to lose till I reach my goal weight. I'm thinking due to the holidays that I will be doing good just not to gain any weight back that I have lost. 

So at the beginning of the new year I'll be working hard to lose the rest of weight I wish to lose. 

I did inform the family that I will not be making a ton of Christmas cookies this year. They will be lucky to get one batch from me. This was met with lots of disappointment. But I'm sure we will be receiving holiday goodies from friends so not to worry about them:)

Stamping trails

Karen

Cascading Christmas Card

I made a cascading card. How fun, but lots of work. 

Lots of stamping and using the Big Shot with framelits. I think it was worth the effort. 

I used Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages, Tags till Christmas stamp sets. Also

used the matching framelits Holiday Ornaments. 

Color Palette: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Rose Red, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, and white. 

Side view. I have to admit I had wanted to make one of these along time ago but was put off as I felt it was to hard....I couldn't have been more wrong. Very easy to make, just a little time consuming. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Swallowtail in Blues

This is a shameless case of a card I found while surfing the net. 

Base card Marina Mist. Layer is Crumb Cake designer paper.

The Swallowtail butterfly was inked with Midnight Muse then stamped on the embossed paper. 

I took an aqua painter and Marina Mist and colored in the butterfly. 

Greeting from Wetlands stamp set. 

Scallop oval and large oval punch also used on the card. 

I just love stamping on the pre embossed designer paper. Which reminds me...I think I need to order another pack! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 39

Lets do a Christmas card for today's mailable Monday.

Color Palette: Bushing Bride, Real Red, Old Olive, Glossy white, and white.

 

I used Joyful Christmas and stamped the flower on glossy white using VersaMark ink. 

Next I embossed it with white embossing powder. 

Sponges were used to add the color first in Blushing Bride, then a little Real Red in the center to give the flower some depth  of color. 

Even though this card has a few layers it will still having no problem going through the mail with a 1st class stamp. I didn't feel the card needed any embellishments as the flower color is making the statement. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Treat Purse

Here is a cute little purse that will hold candy or other very small treat.

The purse uses one 6x6 square of cardstock. 

I've seen this pattern floating around but have always had trouble with the score lines. 

I finally found a video that shows how to make it. Check this out if you want to make some. 

Here is a picture of the treat purse open. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Winter Card Candy

Making some card candy.

I started with 2x2 inch squares then added some punches and stamping. 

Colors Pool Party, Island Indigo, white and silver glimmer paper. 

Winter Frost designer paper used for the topper. 

I also stamped a gift bag to put the candy in. 

For this I used Festive Flurry with Island Indigo ink. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Elf Apron Candy Holder

Now isn't this a cute little candy project? 

I used the Top Note die to make the elf apron and the elf shoes. 

Narrow cello bags used for the legs. I at first took the sixlets out the packages to put in the bags but then I found they were a bit small and were bunching up which made the legs look funny. So I used two of the packages in each leg. The bags were small enough to slide into the cello bag. 

I added a tag to the top to name the elf. Since my friend Kat told me this was her "baking" week I decided to put her name on the apron. With all the cookies she is baking I think she will need an apron! 

Close up view of the apron. It was embossed with Petals-a-Plenty folder. 

I added a strip of Cherry Cobbler at the center of the apron and some silver glimmer paper punches. 

Small silver brads hold the Cherry Cobbler seam binding apron strap in place. 

I used the 5 petal punch to make the little elf shoe toppers. Added some silver bows and more trim using silver glimmer paper. 

Stamping trails

Karne

Gift Bags

Remember I told you I got the Gift Bag Punch board?

Well here are three cute little bags that I made with it. 

For the far left one I used Festive Flurry framelits to cut out the snowflake after the bag was made and before gluing it together. I then used piece of window sheet on the inside bag. And last I added a Island Indigo snowflake over the window sheet. 

The center bag is the largest of the bags. Made with a 6x12 inch piece of white cardstock. 

I layered Island Indigo, and Pool Party over the center panel. The Pool Party layer was stamped with Festive Furry, Snowflake Soiree, and Gorgeous Grunge. 

Instead of punching the holes in the top of the bag and adding a ribbon I closed it with mini white clothespins. 

 

Last bag is the smallest. For that one I just added a tag using Tags 4 you set. 

Closeup view of the snowflake bag. This on is my favorite of the three. 

Here is a picture of the Gift Bag Punch board. Very cool tool! And just like the Envelope Punch board it is very easy to use.

Stamping trails

Karen