Happy Anniversary to....

To me and hubby Skip. We have been married for 31 years. 

Happy Anniversary also to my friends Lisa and Geoff who are also celebrating there anniversary today. 

Color Pallet: Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette, and vanilla

Simple masking using the elephant from a sell-a-bration set. 

inside card reads: on another year of happy togetherness!

This is the card I gave to hubby today. Its one that I made many years ago. I found it while going through some of my card boxes and decided it would be great to give hubby. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #9

Welcome back to another addition of Mailable Monday. 

This card uses Fabulous Florals. 

Color pallet: Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Old Olive, and Cajun Craze

I have an older acrylic block that has a curvy shape to it. I don't even remember where this block came from but I know its great for applying ink directly to it then stamping it on cardstock. Makes an interesting background. The flowers were stamped with Cajun Craze.

Stamping trails

Karen

Card Case Mixed Bunch

I received the latest Stamping Success magazine and decided to CASE a card from it.

This one uses Mixed Bunch. Of course SU used the new inline colors that I don't have yet so instead I used 

Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, and Daffodil Delight. 

And speaking of the new inline colors....I'll have them on Tuesday! Hubby put in a large Stampin'Up! order for me as a an anniversary gift. Couldn't have worked out better as I get new toys from the upcoming 2013-2014 Catalog, and it will arrive on our anniversary April 30th!

Stamping trails

Karen

Messy Direct to Paper Card

Okay I don't like how this card turned out but decided to post it anyway. 

This is direct to paper technique. I used So Saffron, Perfect Plum and Wild Wasabi ink pads and dragged them across a vanilla base card. 

Hello Doily was inked with Perfect Plum then stamped on the card. I added some pearls, and vintage brad to the center of the doily. 

I think it just looks messy. Maybe I'll try the technique again later. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Collage Card

I love vintage collage cards. This one starts with a vanilla base card, and uses a color pallet of Baja Breeze, and Cherry Cobbler.

I just had fun with it and used what I had on hand. Trying to use some older supplies like the clip in the lower right hand side. I have a ton of clips! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Using Advertisements Again

Well here I am using advertisements again on my cards. This one is for the local Cleveland Plain Dealer. The butterfly has different media on the wings that the paper offers. 

All I did was cut out the butterfly then embossed the edges of the wings with black embossing powder. 

Color Pallet: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, and black.

Stamp set Oh Hello

Since I couldn't cut out the antenna  I hand drew it on the base card then popped the finished butterfly on top of the layer. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mother's Day Card

Since More Mustard cartdstock is being retired I wanted to use it a few more times.

I first made the flower using the 5 petal punch with Perfect Plum cardstock. I sponged the edges of the punches with Eggplant. I also punched two flowers using cream netting. I layered all the pieces together and added a clear faceted button.

I had a oval pre cut in my scrap bag so stamped that with French Script in More Mustard. Layered the flower and leaves on that and added to the card. Square Lattice embossing folder used for top layer. Garden Green used for leaves and strip across bottom.

I forgot to update you yesterday about the appointment. I had an impression of my foot made and will get the orthotic in two weeks. Doctor said I have an arch but it flattens out when I put weight on it that is why I'm having the trouble I've been having. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen

Just Beachy Card

I received this fun card from my friend Marianne a few days ago. It really made my day! 

Thanks!!!

The inside card reads: "How the Shell are you?"

Too cute!

I'll be going to babysit this afternoon. Only two days this week as I had the ortho appointment yesterday, Wednesday I always have off, and not working Friday this week either. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #8

Happy Monday stampers! 

On Friday I posted a tutorial on Muted Colors.

Since I had some leftover cardstock from that project I decided it would be great to use some punches.

I broke out the 1 1/4 scallop circle punch and layered them on a strip of Pacific Point. 

This was added to a base card of Pool Party. 

The only stamping done was the greeting. Stamp from Vintage Verses. 

I just love the colors! Its such a simple ad mailable card but I think it makes a bold statement with the colors.

Not babysitting today as I'll be going to get the orthotic made. I'll let you know how it goes. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Chalkboard Card

Just love this chalkboard card. So cute and easy to make thanks to Becky's tutorial

I used Storybook Friends stamp set, and the matching designer paper to make the card. 

Inside the card I stamped it's your day, and added some more designer paper at the bottom. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Folded Flower Die with Flower Trim Center

Well I'm ready to see flowers in my yard. My tulips are about 5 inches out of the ground but still a long way from blooming. We get the morning sun at the back of the house so my flowers in the front are always the last to bloom. In the meantime I'm making flowers! 

I started with Flower Folds die. The one I used was the second largest. 

After running it through the Big Shot with vanilla cardstock I sponged the edges with Champagne Mist all purpose ink. Next I used the second largest Shaker Frames adhesive foam rings. 

Next came the fun part coloring the flower trim. I used markers Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango and just ran the brush tip across the trim till I was happy with the color. Then I sponged more champagne mist ink over the top to give the trim some sparkle. 

For the completed card I used Vintage Wallpaper background embossing folder on a base card of Vanilla.

The center of the flower is from Mixed Bunch stamp set. Inked with Chocolate Chip and stamped on Daffodil Delight cardstock. 

Made a bow with vanilla seam binding, and finished off the card with greeting from Perfectly Penned stamp set. 

I'm very happy with how the card turned out. I really like that the flower fold die has score lines so its easy to fold up the flower petals. 

Close up view of the flower trim center. Click on any of the images to get a larger view.

Just an update on my foot problem. Turns out I have arthritis in my right foot. The x-ray also turned up I have a slightly flat foot. No surprise to me, so on Monday I have an appointment to get a custom fit orthotic made.  Hope that along with the gel shots I'll be getting in my right knee next Wednesday will help to correct the problem. No fun being in pain all the time!

Stamping trails

Karen

Muted Colors Technique

I started with a full sheet of white cardstock. Using direct to paper technique I added the following colors: 

Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Pool Party, and Pacific Point. 

I then added some gesso to the inked cardstock and used a brayer to smooth it out. Set the piece aside at this point and let it dry. Didn't take long about 2 hours. 

The white gesso mutes the color, and added texture to the cardstock. 

I cut the completed piece of cardstock into different sizes to use on cards. This one is a 3x3 piece. I inked up the flower image from Blooming with Kindness with black ink and stamped on the panel. 

I also used a strip of the completed cardstock for the bottom part of the card and added the greeting. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Oh Hello Again

Base card is Calypso Coral. Stamp set Oh Hello.

I hand cut a vanilla tag and used markers Pear Pizzazz and Coral to color the flower. 

Added Indigo ribbon, and flower trim. 

Going to the doctor this morning. I'll let you know what I find out. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Really Getting Frugal

Talk about getting frugal with crafting supplies....Let me tell you that the strips across the bottom of this card may look like designer paper but its not. I was going through some of my Take Ten magazines and discovered that I liked the look of the back of the subscription advertisements and thought they would really look great on Basic Gray cardstock. The center strip actually shows Take Ten magazine covers. You really can't see them though unless you look really close. 

The rosette is made from Pink Pirouette two tone wide ribbon that is currently in the Spring mini catalog. 

Leaves were made with Certainly Celery (soon to be retired) and the Blossom Builder punch. I scored each leaf in the center and sponged the edges with Old Olive. Top part of the card was stamped with images from Everything Eleanor, and the birthday greeting is from Itty Bitty Banners. 

I get to go to the doctors tomorrow morning to have my foot looked at. Been hurting and giving me grief for two weeks now. I also have to make my appointment to get the gel shots as they were finally approved by the insurance company. Hope everything works out. Please keep me in your thoughts. Thanks! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Hardware Necklace

I started off with a designer label frame from the SU Winter mini. Kat got them for me at Christmas. (thanks Kat!) I started with a layer of Silver Glimmer paper. This was adhered with Crystal Effects. Then all I had to do was the fun part....add all the embellishments. The cardstock butterflies, and circles were all leftovers from other projects and cards. Everything was glued down with Crystal Effects. There are some brads, butterfly charms, pearls, gold seed beads, button, and gold hardware on this piece. I added a rat tail cord to make it into a necklace. 

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #7

Happy Birthday to my nephew Corbet. Hope you have a wonderful day! 

Although this card does have several layers to it, the only real embellishment is a flat piece of black ribbon, so this can go through the mail without any extra postage or problem. 

Color Pallet: Black, Vanilla, Pool Party

Stamp set The Open Sea, and Just Believe

Ovals Collection Framelits used. 

The water under the boat was colored using Pool Party ink and a blender pen. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Simple Sympathy Card

Sympathy card made with Fabulous Florets stamp set, and Musical Score (retired) background stamp. 

Color Pallet: Vanilla, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, and Crumb Cake. 

Edge of musical note piece was torn then embossed with gold embossing powder. 

Not much else going on here. Been raining and storming a lot this past week. I've just been babysitting and stamping. I did rearrange the stamp room a bit. It needed some sprucing up. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Seeing Double

I'll start by saying I love the ink color Pool Party. I bought this SU In Line color and never used it till I played around with this card. 

Color Pallet: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Vanilla.

Since there are new colors being added to the SU ink color families I wanted to start using them. 

Stamp sets: Everything Eleanor, Papaya Collage, and Blooming with Kindness

I stamped the 4x5 1/4 panel first then tore it in the center before mounting to the base card. 

 

We got a great little storm come through here the other night. About midnight the wind kicked up against the bedroom window. Rain started pelting down, and what a great thunder and light show! We even lost power for a bit. I don't understand how Skip could sleep though it, but he did. For me I just laid on the bed and watched out the window. So much nicer than looking at snow! I think Spring has finally arrived.

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Playing in the Craft Room

I got to watch my nieces at our house on Monday. We of course ended up in the stamping studio to craft. 

Here is a pic of proud Lilly with her cork frame message board. 

The girls like that I have so much fun stuff to play with. 

Of course the room was pretty messed up after we were finished, but we had fun so who cares about the mess. They helped me clean it up. 

We have finally got some warm weather. Skip was able to go out and till the garden. Just so nice to feel the sun again. Been raining off and on all week, but that is okay as long as it is warmer!

Stamping trails

Karen

Circles

Lets hear it for circles! I used 1 3/4, 1 1/4, and 1 inch circle punches to make this card. 

Stamp set Established Elegance

Color Pallet: Vanilla, Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, and Crushed Curry. 

You may have noticed Crushed Curry as a color blast from the a past in line color group. 

Stampin'Up! has refreshed there color line for the new 2013-2014 catalog. We had to say good bye to some color favorites (mine were More Mustard,and Not Quite Navy), but in saying farewell to some colors we are getting some new colors, which are returning In Line colors. New colors to play with are always a good thing. Change is good. I forgot how much I loved Crushed Curry. I'll be playing with some more returning in line colors later in the week.

Stamping trails

Karen

More Designer Paper Please

Still trying to use the designer series paper that I own. I have so much an don't use it as much as I should. 

For this card I used Natural Composition paper. Love this paper! So nice as it is already embossed. 

Added a banner of Marina Mist, and Sahara Sand. Top is a 4" white doily. 

Skip is thinking about tilling the garden early this year. Have to see how that goes. I think he is planning to expand it this year. One good thing he put up a higher fence so I'm thinking we won't have the deer problem that we did last year. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Scallop Edge Card

Simple scallop card. This uses 5 different designer series papers. For this one I used Tea for Two paper.

Cut the 5 strips 2 x 6. Stacked them up then ran through the Big Shot using the Tasteful Trim die. 

I staggered the scallop layers and glued in place with mono adhesive. Stamped the work with Tangerine Tango and added the Early Espresso ribbon. 

 

 

Temps are slowly starting to crawl up. Thank goodness! I checked on my tulips and they are about 4 inches out of the ground. At this rate I'm thinking they won't bloom till the end of April.

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mailable Monday #6

This is a very simple cut edge card. I used retired Bliss stamp set by SU to stamp the edge of the base card. 

Color Pallet: Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, More Mustard.

Of course with the color change you have to make sure the stamp is cleaned after each stamping. 

I altered the stamp in different directions. 

After the stamping was finished I used scissors to cut around the edges.

Inside view of the cut edge of the card.

Using the same colors I made this card using Posy  stamp set.

Stamping trails

Karen

Lotion

You know as far as lotion or body sprays goes I'm pretty much a Warm Vanilla Sugar girl, but I had to share with you that I'm quickly warming up to other fragrances.

The Paris Amour Skip got me many months ago while we were walking through the mall. I always pop into Bath and Body Works and try on lotion so Skip normally buys the one I try. Since the bottle is along the same design as I'm decorating the sewing room I leave that bottle in there.

 

The Coconut Lime Breeze I just picked up. It smelled fresh and reminded me so much of Summer (which I'm longing to get here) I had to have it. 

All the years I've lived in Ohio and I never bothered to look on the label but Bath and Body Works is made in Ohio. COOL. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Let's Fly a Kite

I found this great video on how to make this cute little exploding kite card on Kelly's blog

Color Pallet: Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, White, and Sycamore Street designer paper. 

Such a fun little card to make. I've added the link to Kelly's video if you'd like to make one. She also has two other videos showing how to make different kite cards. 

 

 

Inside view. 

 

Wish I could say it is warmer now but its not. Still chilly. I think I heard possible 60 degree temps by the end of next week. Really? That long? Darn that groundhog!!!!

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Good Will Finds

I have been looking a very long time for a old Train case. I finally found one a few months ago while Goodwill Shopping with John. This one is in excellent condition. Cost 8 dollars.

 

 Inside view. It has a mirror and a tray. 

Now you might want to know what I intend to do with the train case now that I have one. 

Very simple. Going to alter it into a craft case. Going to use decoupage to cover the outside of the case. 

I'll post when it is finished. Won't be starting the project for a bit. Want to wait till it gets warm enough to do it outside on the deck.

Another great find glass wheat snack trays with matching cups. These came in a set of four. Since there were two sets I got one for me and one for Sarah. They were made by Federal Glass right here in Ohio back in the late 30's early 40's

Here is how the cup sits on the tray. Cost 4 dollars for a set of 4. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Blue Flower

This card was cut 4 1/4 by 11. Scored at 5 1/2, then the front of the card was scored again at 2 3/4. I ran part of a framelit die on the front, then cut a smaller layer framelit for the flower stamp. 

Color Pallet: Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, White

View of the card more open. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Sense of Time Bottle Cap

I thought a bottle cap would look great in the clock face from Sense of Time stamp set. I do really like how it turned out. 

Color Pallet: Vanilla, Basic Gray, Soft Suede, Sand

Got all the Easter decorations put away for another year. 

Since the holidays are over till the 4th of July I'm going to do some Spring cleaning, maybe that will make the warmer weather get here! 

 

Burbank picked up a cold. Poor baby. His eyes are watering, and he is sneezing. I told him that is what happens when you lay out all night. 

Going to have to watch him to make sure it doesn't get any worse. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Oh Hello

Well I woke up yesterday morning to April Fool's day weather. We had snow on the ground! Thankfully there wasn't much and it melted by the afternoon. Still come on! Its April and in the 30's. Spring better get here soon!!!!!

Stamp set: Oh Hello

Color Pallet: Vanilla, So Saffron, and designer paper

Picture of me and Sarah Easter day. She couldn't stop telling me how good I looked with my weight loss. Since she doesn't see me everyday she tends to notice more of the loss than Skip and John do. 

We had a nice visit. Played Monopoly and Sarah won. She was thrilled as that doesn't happen to often. John normally is the one who wins all the board games. 

I did make deviled eggs, cause to me it isn't Easter without them. Sarah however doesn't care for them and since I was watching what I was eating I filled some with sweet red pepper hummus. Those were good! Sarah is going to let her clients at Curves know about the hummus to fill hard boiled eggs instead of the yucky for you egg yolks. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #5

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I was good and stayed on my diet plan. Go me! 

For today's mailable Monday I used Tone on Tone technique. 

Color Pallet: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Base card Vanilla

First I used a stipple brush and Baja Breeze ink. I stippled over the base card leaving some of the vanilla cardstock showing. 

Next I inked the stamp up with Baja Breeze and stamped on the card. 

The layer is 2 1/2 x 2 1/2

The same background stamp was inked with Not Quite Navy and stamped on the layer. Stipple brush used to add more Not Quite Navy ink, and edges were also sponged with same color. This layer was popped on the card.

Bottom panel is 1 inch by 4 1/4. This was stamped with Not Quite Navy ink with Perfectly Penned stamp set. 

This really is two techniques in one, Spotlighting, and Tone on Tone.

Weigh in - lost 2.8
so to date I have taken 32 pounds of pressure off my knees. YAY

Stamping trails

Karen