Cork Wreath

I finally got the wine cork wreath finished for my kitchen. 

I learned a few things. The base is a firm Styrofoam wreath. It is white. I'm wishing now I would have painted the wreath a color that matched the corks color. I decided to live with it. Not going to re-make it as it does take quite awhile to finish one. 

I used craft sticks and Aleene's tacky glue to adhere the corks to the wreath form. 

I dipped the pointed end of the craft stick into glue the pushed it into the cork. Most of the time the stick did insert into the cork other times it just wouldn't budge. I think it depends on the cork used. I started with the inside of the wreath base and went all the way around it adding the corks. The other end of the craft stick was broken off to the correct length I needed then dipped into the glue again and pushed into the form. 

After the inside was done I went along the out side of the wreath form making sure to keep it flat. Then I went on to add the corks around the remaining top part of the wreath. 

I used a piece of ribbon and hot glued it to the back so the wreath could be hung on the wall. 

Special thanks to Kat for sending me all those corks! Also thanks to the craft group for donating them to me. 

Stamping trails

Karen

The Garden

Darn weeds grow faster than you can hoe them! Here's a pick of hubby trying to keep up with the weeds. I think the weeds are winning! 

The petunia pots are growing really well. We have one pot on each side of the brick wall around the deck. Skip got the plants from a sale they had at the school. Love the colors. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Flashback Friday

Welcome to Flashback Friday! 

This is a retired Stampin'Up! set called Welcome Little One

I wanted to use more vintage colors for this card.

Color Palette: Wisteria Wonder, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Blushing Bride, 

The gingham square was done with the stripes embossing folder. I used a brayer to add color directly to the folder with Blushing Bride ink. Then I ran vanilla cardstock through it. Added ink again to the folder then turned the cardstock and ran it through again to get the checkerboard pattern. Looks like a little receiving blanket. Color added to the stamped image with ink and blender pen.

Stamping trails

Karen

And Last but not Least More Pansies

This is a little card holder purse. I filled it with 5 A2 size cards and envelopes. 

Since I made the pansy projects early in May I can't remember where I found the directions for the purse. I do remember that is uses 1 sheet of 12x12 designer paper. I'll post the link soon as I find it as it really is an easy and cute way to gift handmade cards. 

And here we have the last pansy project. I had made a total of 17 pansy flowers. I ended up with 4 leftover. I was going to use them as package trims, but then decided Kat might want to make her own cards so I took the 4 remaining flowers and added them to a window sheet, slid them into a flat cello bag and added a topper. I think they make really cute "card candy". 

Stamping trails

Karen

Pansy Notepad Holder

Back again today with more pansy flowers. This is a magnetic notepad holder. I do have a link on a previous post here that I made earlier in the month of May. You can check that post to find the link to directions if you'd like to make the notepad holder.

Here is a inside view of the note pad holder. 

Well are you getting tired of seeing pansies? I only have one more project that I'll post tomorrow. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Still More Pansy Birthday Gifts

Another pansy decorated item is this candy box. I found the pattern for it on Amy Celona's website. 

Here is what the card looks like. 

This project I struggled with just a bit. Was having a hard time getting the window sheet to stay glued to the cardstock. I also struggled with eating the candy I was filling the box with. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #17

Welcome back to another Mailable Monday.

Today I have a simple card using Secret Garden stamp set. 

Color palette: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Garden Green, and Baja Breeze

The only embellishment is the popped Cherry Cobbler flower that also sports a rhinestone in the center. 

Other stamp sets Mixed Bunch, and Feel Goods.

Well I'm getting excited! Been hard to wait for the 1st of July to roll around. I want to place an order from the new SU catalog but decided to wait so I can combine it with the Holiday mini pre-order. 

Was pretty hot here over the weekend. Got close to 90 both days. I'm not complaining. I'm loving the heat. Went out last night and viewed the Super Moon. It was so pretty! Very large as the Moon was close to the Earth. 

Have a Happy Monday everyone! I'm not planning to go anywhere today. Staying at home working on some birthday gifts.

Stamping trails

Karen 

Pansy Birthday Gifts Continued

Now this gift I was the most pleased with. I used a metal pail and decorated the front with pansy flowers. First I used dotted Chocolate Chip ribbon and hot glued it to the pail, then added the flowers. 

I'm sure Kat thought I was crazy as I put an unopened bag of dried black beans in the pail. 

The beans are to keep the pens upright in the pail.

Close up view of the flowers. 

These are just stick ink pens that I got at the dollar store. I cut off the silk flower tops and attached to the top of the pen using green floral tape. I had to go back and add the leaves using some hot glue. Just the flower alone didn't look right to me. I made a total of 7 flower pens. I was so happy how this project turned out. It was my favorite one! And let me tell you it was very hard for me not to post pictures of the finished project back on the 8th of May when I finished it! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Pansy Seed Holder

This is one of the pansy gifts I made for my friend Kat.

The pansy was made using the SU butterfly punch and Shimmery White cardstock. 

After punching I misted the cardstock with water then used an aqua painter and reinkers to add the color. 

Here is the inside view. This project was sized to hold a seed packet. 

I'll have more pansy projects tomorrow! 

Want to see more blogs? This weekend the VC Rockers are having a Big Shot, Punch Hop. Visit the home blog to see more 

Stamping trails

Karen

Happy Birthday Kat

Happy first day of Summer! 

Also.....

A very Happy Birthday across the miles to my friend Kat! 

Today's card features Postage Due stamp set. 

Color Palette: Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla

I stamped the card stock vellum with crumb cake using the larger background stamp then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. Added a layer of Cajun Craze with a torn edge. 

Inside card reads "across the miles" 

Kat I hope you have a very happy birthday and enjoy the day with your daughter Amber. Wish I was there to celebrate with you! 

Check back tomorrow and over the next few days as I'll be posting the things that I made for Kat. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Simply Sketched Thank You

Happy Thursday! 

I really like Simply Sketched. It is a new Hostess set from SU.

Color palette: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, Old Olive, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla.

I first stamped the leaves and berries then ran that layer through the hexagon embossing folder. 

Blushing Bride was punched with scallop border punch then layered with Perfect Plum. 

Added a cream vintage button.

Yesterday I went to have my orthotic adjusted. I felt the arch was just to high. Felt like I was walking on a rock. Much better today. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

For You Card

Stuck on Washi tape...ha, ha...stuck, tape....I know I'm just being silly.

Just randomly placed the tape around in a circle cutting the edges into a "v" shape.

Then I added the stamped image. This is from a retired SAB set Punch Bunch. 

Color palette: Glossy white, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, and Chocolate Chip. 

I think I'll put the washi tape away for a few days and move onto some different projects. Its just so addictive!!! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Have a Mug of Beer, or Mug of Root Beer on Me.

Isn't this a fun guy card? I'm sorry but I don't know who to give credit for this one. It's been in my files for over a year just waiting for me to case it. 

I did do my own spin on the card. Instead of the beer mug I turned it into a root beer mug. Would make a nice card for a teen or for a summer birthday. I changed the colors to Chocolate Chip for the root beer, and Pool Party embossed with the dot embossing folder for the layer. And of course I had to add two straws. I just drew the lines in with chocolate chip marker. 

Want to make your own mug of beer? Here are the things you will need.

3 white 1 1/4 circle punches

5 white 3/4 circle punches

1 white 1/2 circle punches

5 white scallop circle punch this is from the little punch pack

White A2 size base card

Either Soft Suede or Pool Party for layer cut 5 1/4 x 4 Embossed with stripes or dot

Mug: White cut one 3 x 3 3/4

White: punch large oval first then center extra large oval over it and punch again this will make the beer mug handle

 3 strips of either So Saffron or Chocolate Chip cut 7/8 x 3 1/2

Use corner rounder on the bottom of each of the three strips and the bottom of the mug

Straw for root beer mug is white cut 1/4 x 2 1/4, use marker to make the lines

Sponge the edges of the circles for the foam either in So Saffron or Chocolate Chip, also sponge the three strips for the mug.

Then just follow the pictures to assemble the mug and card.

I want to wish my daddy a happy birthday. He passed away in 2001. Today he would have been 80. He also would have loved this card as he enjoyed having a beer in his day. Earl use to work at Republic Steel. He was a catcher which meant he caught the white hot steel beams as they came down and would turn them and pass them on down the line. It was so hot where he worked that the workers could only work 30 minutes on then have 30 minutes off. I remember as a kid he would come home from work and the first thing he wanted was a drink of cold beer. So here's to you dad thanks for all you did for me and the family. Love you!

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #16

Today I have a super quick and easy Mailable card. 

Color palette: White, Tangerine Tango, and Early Espresso.

I inked the flower stamp with the tango ink then stamped off on scrap paper before stamping on the white cardstock. I repeated this process for the third flower. 

For the flower in the center I didn't stamp off first, but used the full ink color. 

I can see this easy card design being used with other greetings. 

The stamped layer was attached using pop dots. 

Stamp set Secret Garden. Greeting is from Rue Des Fleurs (retired SU) 

Stamping trails

Karen

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

I made this card using some retired, and current SU stuff.

Well Worn designer paper retired

Word stamp retired

Artisan punch current

A fitting Occasion stamp set current

Ink colors: So Saffron, and Soft Suede

Argyle embossing folder. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

 

Crackers and Double Take

Wanted to post a good snack find. These Special K cracker chips are great!

Only 110 calories per 27 chips. They also come in Honey Barbecue, and Sour Onion. 

Now I did have to do a double take the other day when I was looking at the expiration date. 

Upon first glance I thought this read 3013, and I'm thinking hey if they can preserve chips that long if I eat them maybe I'll get preserved some too. But alas it is actually Nov 30 2013.....or is it? LOL

Stamping trails

Karen

Top Note Notebook

I took printer paper and ran it through the Big Shot using the top note die. I was able to stack the paper together 10 sheets at a time. I used a total of 25 pieces for the notebook. 

The front and back of the book are chip board that I covered with designer paper. 

Used the crop-a-dile to punch the holes, and used a clip to hold it all together. 

Here you can see the inside pages. I think I'll go back and stamp a rose on each sheet. Won't that be cherry!

 

Stamping trails

Karen

Papaya Collage Birthday

Hi stampers! Today I have a card that I cased while surfing Pinterest. I did 

change it up just a bit. 

Stamp set Papaya Collage.

Color Palette: Baked Brown Sugar, Crushed Curry, Pistachio Pudding, and VeryVanlla

I wrapped crochet thread around the butterfly and added a little pearl.

I also added Crushed Curry cardstock the the honeycomb. The little bee is from Postage Collection. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Card Case from Regional

This is a card that was shown at one of SU regional events. 

I thought it was a very cute way to use the flower trim. I'm so glad I picked up two extra packages of the trim as sadly it is retired now. 

 

The only change I made to the card was the bottom of the cupcake. After making the pattern for it I ran it through the square lattice die.

Stamping trails

Karen

Birdie Friend

Since I still had supplies on my desk from Sundays project I decided to put them to use. 

This time I teamed the Basic Gray cardstock with Blushing Bride. Love that color! 

On the paper 4" doily I stamped the bird with basic gray ink then added color to the image with stamping pastels Regal Rose, and Always Artichoke. 

The little bow is actually three strands of fine crochet thread that I braided together then formed the bow. 

Stamp sets: Simply Sketched, and Postage Collection both are current hostess sets from the new 2013-2014 Stampin'Up! catalog. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #15

Wanted to say happy birthday to my big sis Charolette who turns 56 today. 

Base card is Very Vanilla. Simple panels that are stamped with the same stamp but in different colors. 

Stamp set Just Believe, and Blooming with Kindness

Color palette: Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, and Basic Gray. 

I put two little rhinestones at each end of the greeting. 

Well I'm going to call my sis and wish her happy birthday. Later today I have to get busy and finish up a large project I've been working on. Also going to go take MIL Katie grocery store shopping. No time to clean today which also needs to be done. No rest for the crafter!!!!! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Butterfly Sympathy Card

I needed to add some sympathy cards to my card supply. Don't like to think about needing any but life happens. 

Base card white. Basic gray layer was embossed with square lattice folder. 

4 inch doily was folded in half and glued together before adding the basic gray butterfly and pear pizzazz leaves. Flower trim piece was sponged with daffodil delight.

Word stamp is from a new hostess set Simply Sketched. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Upside Down Cake...Mixed Up

I made this cake for the family last week. Really simple and good! 

One box of angel food cake mix

one 20oz can of crushed pineapple

fat free Cool Whip

Heat oven to 350

Mix the cake mix and crushed pineapple together in a large mixing bowl. Don't drain the juice go ahead and add that also. 

Spray 13x9x2 pan with cooking spray.

Add cake mixture to the pan.

Bake for 25 minutes. 

Top will be light brown. 

After the cake is cool add the thawed Cool Whip on top for the frosting. 

Decorate with a cherry if desired. 

Its just like pineapple upside down cake with a lot less fat. The entire family loved it. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Secrect Garden Birthday Card

I started by inking a flower from Secret Garden with Jet Black StazOn ink then stamped on designer paper. 

I then used an aqua painter to color in the flower with Melon Mambo and just a little bit of Daffodil Delight. 

Stamped a few more solid images then tore the designer paper and layered it on more torn cardstock. 

Added a flower and leaf using the matching framelit dies for this stamp set. Also ran the base card through the Big Shot using Wallpaper embossing folder. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Broken Top Note Die

I should rephrase the title of this post.....my top note die isn't broken I just cut it up. 

I ran Smokey Slate, Calypso Coral, and Tea for Two designer paper through the Big Shot using the Top Note die, then cut them apart. On the slate cardstock I stamped the rose from Oh Hello using Pear Pizzazz and Island Indigo. On the coral cardstock I inked the background with coral ink then inked the greeting with Basic Gray. All edges were sponged with Smokey Slate before layering on vanilla base card with pop dots. 

Just a very simple card, but it has some visual interest. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Congrats

You can just barely see the Hello Doily background stamp inked with Crumb Cake on this card. 

Flower from Just Believe inked with Basic Gray. Congratulations inked with Rose Red. 

Inside card reads "on another year of happy togetherness"

Added a crumb cake seam binding ribbon, butterflies, and pearls to finish off the card. 

 

The school year just flew by. My nieces last day is this Friday the 7th. I won't be watching them during the summer. I will have them for two weeks just to take and pick up from there summer camps. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Out of the box Flag Card

Happy Tuesday! Today I want to share a out of the box card. I used the border stamps from Mosaic Madness to create the stripes for the flag, and one of the mosaic stamps for the stars. 

Some other things used: Artisan label punch, and Itty Bitty Banners. I placed rhinestones in the mosaic design, and also one on the thank you banner. 

I think this would be a great card to send to someone in the Military.

Color palette: Whisper White, Pacific Point, and Real Red. 

Today is my last day babysitting the nieces. They are out of school for the summer, and they are happy to get the break from school, but I know they are going to miss me. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #14

Very simple card using Washi tape. Boots are from Bootiful Occasions.

I stamped them with black ink then used a blender pen with Daffodil Delight, and Island Indigo to color them in. After cutting the boots out they were attached to the card using pop dots. 

I never saw the fun in using washi tape before I got some. Looking forward to picking up more, and even making my own washi tape. It is a very fun and user friendly product!

Well after today and tomorrow the nieces will be out of school for the summer. Won't be babysitting anymore. Guess I'll just have to craft more! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Okay I Need Help

So I was using my bone folder this morning and I suddenly thought how plain and boring it looked......

so I had to put Washi Tape on it. 

Some days I think I'm losing my mind! 

But I have to admit it does look cheery now! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Envelope Cardholder with Cards

Just some simple cards today. I was going through some old supplies and came across several retired kits from SU. Simply scrappin' called Just Delightful. 

I thought I'd used the supplies to make a few cards. 

The above envelope card holder was also made using the kit. Made from an 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 square. 

The cards were quick to put together as the kit had die cuts with adhesive already on them. 

I think this kit was an old SAB set that you could get for free with purchase. 

Here is a picture of how the envelope card holder opens. 

Thanks to Dawn at DOstamping for the directions.

Happy 1st day of June! Summer is here! I know it doesn't start till the 21st but its been really warm here. We hit 90 two days in a row, and had a rockin and rolling rain storm yesterday. Lots of great rain for the garden. Had a few thunder boomers but more rain than anything else. 

Congrats to my friend Marianne who had her surgery and is doing fine. 

Happy late 33rd Wedding Anniversary to my friend Connie. It was yesterday. Nice talking to you Connie! 

Today I'll be hanging around the homestead. Have to run to the post office but other than that I'll be crafting. Love this time of the year. Since we have a split level and my craft room is in the lower level it is very comfortable now. Not like in the winter months when I'm wearing a ton of layers and gloves just to stamp. Oh and breathing on the ink to unfreeze it....I kid......its not that bad:)

Stamping trails

Karen