More Washi Madness

Well here we are on the last day of May. I have no idea where the month has gone, but it has just flown by!

Remember yesterday I had the card with the Washi paper "oops" and I use the oval scallop punch? Well I still had enough of the oops to punch three circles using the 1 1/4 punch. To those I added Melon Mambo cardstock with the 7/8 scallop punch. 

Background done with Sunflower in Daffodil Delight and Chocolate Chip. 

Word stamp from Blooming with Kindness. 

Background layer Island Indigo that was embossed with Square Lattice embossing folder. 

I like the card, and think it has lots of texture. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Washi Tape Meets a Punch

Well I started out going a different direction with the washi tape. I was going to just put some down on white cardstock then stamp a image over it. Well that didn't work out so well. I didn't want to waste all the tape I had on the cardstock so I got the bright idea to punch out some of it that wasn't stamped on. 

Now that was a good idea. I used StazOn Jet Black ink to stamp the thank you (from postage collection hostess)

Color Palette: Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, and White. 

The dye based ink won't dry on the tape so you need to use StazOn if you want to stamp on it. Lesson learned!

 I'll be going over to visit MIL Katie this morning. Her housing association is having a garage sale. So I wanted to take her to some of them. Then I'll be babysitting in the afternoon, and speaking of housing association the one we live in is having a meeting later in the evening. I'll need to go to that as they will be voting on officers and most likely about the pool. Hoping the dues aren't going up again. If we ever buy a house again it will not be one in an association! I have a long day ahead! 

Keeping my dear friend Marianne in my thoughts and prayers today as she is having surgery in the morning. Love ya Marianne!

Stamping trails

Karen

Mosaic Madness Poinsettia Card

Okay since I still had Mosaic Madness on my desk and I was thinking about a card using a poinsettia.....

well here it is. 

I used Baked Brown Sugar (love this color!), Strawberry Slush, Vanilla and Pistachio Pudding.

I grunged the paper doily using Baked Brown Sugar and a stamping sponge then just crinkled it up in my hand. 

I used frost white all purpose ink with a small paint brush to add to the detail on the Strawberry Slush petals. 

Word stamp from More Merry Messages. 

 

Christmas......I mean Stamping trails

Karen  

Mosaic Flower

Using more of the new colors. 

Stamp set Mosaic Madness, and Perfectly Penned

color palette: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Smoky Slate, and white.

Like how you can use the mosaic punch to turn the stamped images into a flower. 

Would make a nice poinsettia for a Christmas card, and I'm sure you could also use it to make a ornament on a card. So many ideas..... so little stamping hours in a day!

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #13

Just a very simple card. I didn't even use a layer on this one. 

Started with a white cardstock base. Stamped the greeting then masked off the area below and above it using post in notes. 

To give the card some depth I started sponging with More Mustard (going to be retired soon and I will miss that color!). The flowers from Secret Garden stamp set were inked with the following colors:

Daffodil Delight, Perfect Plum, and Pear Pizzazz. 

See how the top row of flowers have a more water color look? I used a technique that I believe is called Teflon craft sheet ink and swipe

 

Very easy to do. Using the teflon craft sheet (Ranger) swipe a color on it using dye based ink. Then mist it a little bit with water. Ink up a stamp with the color then stamp on the cardstock. I was able to get all three colors on the teflon sheet before I misted them with water. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Washi Tape Clothes Pins

Back with more Washi tape. This time I covered the front and back of standard size clothes pins. 

Then I took ribbon and wrapped around them. 

I think these would be great for a Hostess gift or door prize, or just to give to a fellow stamper. 

The flower tape is the perfect width for the clothes pins. 

For the wider tape after putting it on the pin I trimmed off the excess with a craft knife. 

The thing I really like about the tape is that it is very forgiving. If you put in on something incorrect or you just don't like it you can pull it right back up. Great for a gal like me that changes her mind a lot!

Stamping trails

Karen

Washi Tap Notebook and Embossed Pen

So I'm playing with some new washi tape and trying to decide how I want to use it. 

First thing quick and easy notebook. I stared out by cutting a piece of white cardstock to cover the notebook. Then I added the washi tape then stamped the upper portion using Summer Silhouettes.

Color Palette matches the tape colors: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, and Pear Pizzazz. 

 

Then I got a little creative.........

 

 

I pulled out the stick part of a ink pen and wrapped it with washi tape. Next I inked up the pen cap with VersaMark and embossed it with pewter embossing powder. Now I was doing this project a few days ago early in the morning. Hubby comes in and sees that I'm putting a plastic cap under my heat tool and he asks "should I get the fire extinguisher"? 

Funny guy I'm married to. The plastic is thick enough not to melt you just have to move fast and not hold it under the heat to long. I used a pair of long nose tweezers to hold the cap while heating. 

And take a look at that...I even embossed the cap at the other end of the pen. For that I put the cap in place in the pen, tapped it in VersaMark then embossed. 

I don't know if I'll be heat embossing caps again, but I will use the washi tape on the stick part of the pen to have a matching one to go with a notebook. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Magnetic Notepad

I found the directions for this magnetic notepad holder at Stampacademy.co,

I posting the link in case any of my readers would like to make one. 

The project is very easy to do. A little labor intensive as there are layers to cut for the front, back, sides, and inside pieces, but its worth it. What a fun project! Would make great Christmas gifts, or teacher gifts. 

 

I had to add a flower on the front of my notebook. Used the fancy flower, boho, and 1 1/4 scallop punch.

I also decided not to add a ribbon to hold a pen, but I did add a piece of natural ribbon. This was done because when I was using the hexagon embossing folder a small part of a top hexagon cut through the cardstock all the way so since I needed to cover it up I cut out another hexagon at the bottom then added the ribbon. Another happy accident. 

Here you can see the 3x5 note pad and another scallop envelope pocket. 

Just loved this project! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Fun Fold Card

I have a fun fold card to share with you today.

I used the Top Note die, and the largest framelit from Apothecary Accents. 

After using the Big Shot to cut out the shapes I scored them and adhered them to a piece of 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 vanilla cardstock. 

I then layered a piece of Tea For Two designer paper cut at 5 1/4 x 4 to cover the edges. Then added a small stamped piece of vanilla under the Top Note die piece. This is where a message can be written without it showing on card front. 

To keep the folds closed I added a very vintage button (will be in the new catalog) with a stamping dimensional. The edge of the cardstock slips under the button. 

Color Palette: Vanilla, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Tea For Two designer paper.

 

I can see myself making more of these fun folds using other framelits.

Stamping trails

Karen

Sparkling Flowers

Just playing with a new hostess set from SU. 

This one is called Simply Sketched. 

Color Palette Blushing Bride, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, and Jet Black StazOn

I inked the flowers and leaves with StazOn and stamped them on a piece of watercolor paper. 

Used a blender pen, and ink to add the colors

Broke out the Crystal Effects and added some here and there to the flowers and leaves then added some dazzling diamond glitter. I actually had to hunt down my glitter as it had been so long since I used any I couldn't remember where I stashed it. Oh the shame!!!!!! 

I layered the completed panel onto Melon Mambo cardstock. Added the pleated ribbon and jute with a button before layering it with pop dots onto a piece of Crumb Cake. Then that piece was added to the base card. 

I'm heading out early this morning. Have an appointment with the ortho guy. I'm going to see if I can get the orthotic adjusted. I'm thinking the arch is too high. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Cute Little Pop Out Box

This is just a cute little box, and I do mean little. Its only a 2x2 cube.

Its made using 1 sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock. 

Here is a closer view of the front. I added a designer very vintage button (new catalog). The box is actually closed with a Velcro mini dot. 

Inside view. I used Tea for Two designer series paper to decorate the inside and outside box. 

Sorry don't have time to posted directions today. I plan to make a few more of these as this is really just the prototype. I'll post directions when I make a few more of them. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 12

WOW! I've been posting Mailable Mondays for three months now! How time flies!

Okay onto the card.

Color pallet: Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar, Bermuda Bay, and Crushed Curry.

I cut the vanilla layer 5x3 3/4. Then I inked up the sunflower background stamp with Baked Brown Sugar and stamped on the lower part of the layer. 

Next step was to ink up the raised side of the Hexagon embossing folder with Crushed Curry ink. I used a brayer to add the ink. 

I put the stamped sunflower layer into the embossing folder with the inked side on the side of the sunflower then ran it through the Big Shot. Love how the color makes the hexagons stand out. 

Little bee is from Postage Collection (new hostess stamp set). Word stamp Thanks from Lovely Little Labels. 

Since I didn't have quite enough ink on the bee for one of the images I stamped it again on vanilla cut it out and added a little piece of a pop dot. I needed to cover up my boo, boo! 

My motto: There are no mistakes in stamping just stamping opportunities.

Stamping trails

Karen

Follow Your Dreams

I have a graduation coming up. His school colors are blue and gold so I used Night of Navy, and Daffodil Delight cardstock. 

Stamp set Word Play.

Cap is 2x2 inches and I ran that through the lattice square embossing folder. Tassels was made with white crochet thread. 

Not much going on this weekend. Enjoying the warm weather. I am going to pick up MIL Katie this afternoon. My nieces have a piano recital later in the day so we are going to go watch them. Its always fun to hear all the kids play.

Stamping trails

Karen

VC Rocks Blog Hop #2 Hostess Gifts

Welcome to another VC Rocks Blog Hop. Theme for this one is Hostess Gifts, and Booking incentives. 

Since SU has Washi tape in the upcoming catalog I wanted to make something with it. I thought these little washi tape covered tea light candles would be a great booking incentive. 

Simple to make just wrap the tape around the silver part of the candle and add matching color cardstock using the 2 3/8 scallop circle punch. I put them into cello bags and added a tag using Label Love stamp set also something new in the upcoming catty. 

I'm so happy with how my cardholder came out. This would make a great Hostess gift. 

Stamp set Papaya Collage

Color Pallet: Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, Crumb Cake, and Vanilla

Here is a look at the 6 cards I made to go inside the holder. The beauty of this project is you use the leftovers from the cardholder as layers on the 3x3 cards. Gotta love that! 

Now I'm sure you will want to make one of these so I have a tutorial for you! 

Start with a 12x12 piece of cardstock. I used Crumb Cake. Stamp the entire area. I also used the jumbo Very Vintage wheel. Think of making a one sheet wonder when you are stamping the cardstock. 

Turn the stamped cardstock over and score at

3 1/2, 4 1/4, 7 6/8, and 8 1/2

Then rotate the cardstock 90 degrees and score again using the same measurements. 

Cut out the 4 corners up to the second score line on each corner. These cut corners are what you will use to create the layers on the 3x3 cards. I used different punches with the leftover corner pieces. 

Click on the images for a closer look. 

I also used a corner rounder on the corners of the cardholder. You can decorate the top of the cardholder as desired. I added a natural ribbon bow, bird, and scallop circle. 

Hope you enjoyed my projects. Click here to visit the VC Rocks Blog as I'm sure you will like to see the other great Hostess Gifts made by our members. 

Thanks for stopping by

Stamping trails

Karen

Anniversary Card

I have some anniversaries sneaking up on me so I needed to come up with a card.

For this one I used two jumbo silver eyelets and set them on the card using the Crop-a-dile.

Then I ran some baker twine through the holes and tied the ends on the inside of the card. 

Next I added a rhinestone brad in the center of each eyelet. 

The towels are made with 4" doilies that I folded into thirds. 

Little heart in the center of the towels is a new in line color Strawberry Slush. 

So the brad backs wouldn't show on the inside card I added a 4x5 1/4 piece of cardstock over them. 

And to my friend Marianne sending hugs and prayers your way. Thinking about you! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Summer Silhouettes

Well I have my friend Kat to thank for enabling me to purchase Summer Silhouettes stamp set.

She sent me a few cards made with the set and I was sold! 

Well what are friends for if not to enable you to buy craft stuff? 

I'm still playing with the Darice shims that allows you to leave a blank space when using embossing folders. This one is a rectangle. Square Lattice embossing folder.

I even used some retired StampinUp! colors. Kiwi Kiss, and True Thyme. Also used Crushed Curry. 

I just added a bit of lace across the bottom of the stamping and a button. Base card vanilla.

I just don't know how I missed this stamp set in the catalog. Love, love, love the border stamp. 

Here I used a  new SU color Smoky Slate for the border, and flower stem. Darker ink color is Basic Gray. 

Don't those two colors go well together? 

Stamping trails

Karen

Lilacs and Goodwill Find

Our lilac tree is in full bloom. Skip had to move it years ago as it was really close to the house and was covering up the gas meter. It was a really big tree. I'm happy to see that one of the replants made it and is growing just fine now. 

I got the grapevine vase at the Goodwill for 4 bucks. It was perfect for the lilacs. 

I wish the blog had smell-o-vision as they smell so good! Just two sprigs of the lilacs fills the entire kitchen with fragrance.

 

 

The last of the tulips are also blooming. These little purple ones look so nice with the angel. 

For my Doctor Who readers.......Don't blink! Don't look away! 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Circles and Butterflies

I used some colors that I really have been enjoying. 

Wisteria Wonder, Crushed Curry, and Elegant Eggplant.

Love the rich colors!

Stamp set used is retired Hostess set called Four Seasons. I used a circle punch to layer on top using the same ink colors, then added a little butterfly to each circle. 

Base card white. 

 

This morning I had to get up early and go and get my last gel shot in my right knee. I was suppose to get it last week, but there was some confusion on the day and long story short I missed my appointment. At least the shot will still be effective even though it was almost two weeks from the last injection. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mailable Monday #11

I used Faux Paint technique on today's cards. It just gives the cards a nice splash of color. Love the new in line colors from Stampin'Up!

Color Pallet: Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Early Espresso, and white.

Stamp set Blooming with Kindness, and Oh Hello

Had a nice visit with Sarah yesterday. We had dinner at home. Didn't want to try to eat out as I know the restaurants would have been packed for Mother's Day.  Didn't get to lay on the chaise lounge chair as it was a mere 48 degrees yesterday. BRRRRRR. Skip was worried about the plants that he had put in the garden. I told him they should be alright as it didn't frost. I also reminded him that my mom always said not to plant till after the 15th of May. I'll be babysitting later today. Other than that no real plans. Just trying to stay warm!

Stamping trails

Karen 

Happy Mother's Day

This is the second year that my mom has passed. I lost her the week before Mother's day two years ago. 

Missing you mom!

I made this card for my friends who are also mothers. Simple no layer card using Tea Shoppe stamp set. 

Color Pallet: Pacific Point, So Saffron, and Baja Breeze. 

Base card is natural white. I inked the first cup with the ink pad then used a aqua painter to drag ink across the other two cups. I wanted to use the same color but allow  each cup to have its own look. 

Steam rising from the cups was also made with the aqua painter using Baja Breeze. 

Table cloth also uses Papaya Collage. Most of the table cloth was made with a stamping sponge and So Saffron ink. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's day. Not sure what I'll be doing today. Maybe I'll get Skip to get take out for dinner, and I'll just lay on the chaise lounge and enjoy the sunshine. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Hexagon Embossing Folder with Circle Shim

Some time ago I purchased a pack of shims to use with embossing folders. These are made by Darice. Found them at my favorite craft store Pat Catan's. Since I had not used them for a while I pulled them out and dusted them off for this card. I used the circle shim, with the hexagon embossing folder. This allowed me to stamp the flower and bee from Nature Walk stamp set in the un-embossed circle. 

Color Pallet: Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Wild Wasabi, and Chocolate Chip. 

Cardstock is Natural White. 

Thank you and small bee is from a new hostess set called Postage Collection. Which I know will soon to be my favorite stamp set....at least for this month. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Flower Pot Card

So I was making this card the other day and Skip walks in. He goes I know what those are! Those are pansies. Well I'm glad he can tell what my punch art pieces are. 

These are pretty simple to make using a butterfly punch from SU. I used Shimmery White cardstock, and after using the punch I misted them till little puddles of water formed. Next I took an aqua painter and Wisteria Wonder re-inker and added that to the wings. Next color for the center was Crushed Curry re-inker, and lastly I used Elegant Eggplant just around the outside edges. After they were dry I added black lines to the center with a marker then layered two of the punches together and added a brad. 

I used a tutorial on Splitcoast for the flower pot. You can view the tutorial  here

View of the card insert. Flower pot was made with Calypso Coral card stock and embossed with the hexagon embossing folder.

Stamping trails

Karen 

A Tilling we will Go

Skip spent the weekend prepping the garden to get it ready for planting. 

He of course was unaware that I was busy taking pictures of him. 

When I showed him this one he said that he looks like the Lone Ranger. He was wearing a wet t-shirt under his hat to keep him cool.

And here is the finished tilled garden. Its much bigger than last year. He's planning on putting in corn so he needed more more. We still have to get the rest of the fence up to keep the deer out. 

Resting and looking out over his labors, and thinking....oh my aching back! 

Stamping trails

Karen

New Colors

 

Just a quick post today.

 

One card design made with the new in line colors. 

Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana, and Strawberry Slush.

I must say after reading the ink colors I'm getting hungry! 

 

Going to get my last gel shot this afternoon. I'll be happy as this is the last doctor appointment I'll have. Hope I can get through the summer now and enjoy it pain free!

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Lack of Adhesive

The middle of last week I had completely ran out of adhesive. That has never happened to me before! 

I had to resort to using glue sticks and double stick tape....oh the horror of it all!!!!!

This gal prefers to use tape runners and Pat Catan's (local craft store) has the best deal on them. They are made by Darice. 

Since I had a 5 dollar off coupon I headed out and picked up a good supply of the runners. So I'll be set for good while. Let the card making continue! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #10

This card is super easy and so mailable! 

Base card is Pink Pirouette. 

On the vanilla layer I use scraps of designer paper that I cut into long skinny triangles. 

I alternated them and after the 5th one I cut a normal strip of paper and added that to the top. 

Last step was to add a strip using the ribbon punch. 

Stamped image is from Rustic Rooster (retired SU)

Edges were sponged with Soft Suede. 

This card is being mailed off to a friend today so if you think it might be you....watch your mailbox. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Blooming Flowers

Happy Sunday!

Stamp set Blooming with Kindness

Color Pallet: Gumball Green, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette, and white.

Just an update on the knees. I've been feeling lots better! I haven't had to take any anti inflammatory meds since Tuesday. Happy to be off those seeing how they do have side effects if you take them to long. I have one more gel shot to go and I'll get that one this Wednesday. My appointment with Yanke Bionics is tomorrow afternoon. I'll get the custom made orthotic for my right foot. So hopefully I'm back on track. No weight loss to report this week, but that's okay. Some weeks you just don't have any, and I'm okay with that. 

We went to the drive in last night. Got to see Ironman 3 and Oz the Great and Powerful. Both were awesome movies. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Washi Tape VC Rocks Warmup Blog Hop

Welcome to the 2013 edition of a summer of fun with the VC Rocks group!  We are accepting new members through May 31.  Send your subscription request to:

vc_rocks-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

What is VC? It stands for Virtual  Convention. Its a group that has been around  many years for Stampin'Up demonstrators and non-demo's who want to go to a SU convention but can't.

Enjoy a warm-up blog hop with an Anything Goes blog hop from our creative Rockers.    

Be sure to save the dates for our future hops

May 18-19 Hostess Gifts --> Show off those great hostess gifts and booking incentives!   Just in time for the new catalog season!!! 

June 22-23 Big Shot, Punch Art & Simply Scored - Featuring your projects using Big Shot, Punches, and/or Simply Score tool 

July 27-28 New Catalog 1 - Featuring New stamps, accessories, colors and paper from the 2013-14 catalog 

Aug 17-18 New Catalog 2 Featuring New stamps, accessories, colors and paper from the 2013-14 catalog.

Now back to my card, and the Washi tape........

This is the first time I've used Washi Tape. SU has some pretty ones coming up in the new 2013-2014 catalog.

To make the rosette I cut a strip of Daffodil cardstock 1 inch x 8 1/2 inch. I added the Washi tape to the strip. After that the strip was scored 1/4 all the way across. After I pleated the folds I glued the ends together to form a ring then it was glued to a cardstock circle. I used the 1 3/8 circle punch for that. I find it is easier to use a low temp glue gun for the rosette. Holds together better. Lastly I added a vintage button which will also be in the new catalog. Love them!

Here is the link back to VC Rocks starting page so you can check out some more great projects.

http://vcrocks.blogspot.com/2013/05/2013-blog-hop-warmup.html 

Stamping trails

Karen

Tulips

I'm not the first to use the Owl Builder punch to make tulips, and chances are I won't be the last, but

I did want to put my spin on this concept. 

I went to the scrap cardstock bin, and found a Crumb Cake piece that had already been cut with the Top Note die. I stamped that with French Script background (retired). 

For the tulips I punch six of the owl body using vanilla cardstock. 

With sponge daubers I added Cherry Cobbler, and Daffodil ink. 

I layered two of the owl bodies together offsetting them just a bit. 

Greeting is from Vintage Verses (SAB)

Color Pallet: Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive

My inspiration for the coloring were my own tulips. These are blooming now in my backyard. The ones I have planted in the front haven't bloomed yet but they are getting close. The front of the house doesn't get the morning sun so those flowers take a bit longer to bloom.

Stamping trails

Karen