Bee Notes

I found a clear A2 size box and decided to turn it into a gift. 

First I made the card pack using white base cards that were embossed with the Hexagon folder. 

Next I used the little bee from Postage Collection stamp set. 

I also used Label love stamp set, and matching punch. 

I flattened the clear box and ran it through the embossing folder. 

Belly band is Coastal Cabana cardstock that was also embossed with the same folder.

Along with the cards I inserted some brown shreddy paper and added a Burt's Bees lip balm. 

So happy how it came out!

Now who to give it to?

My weight loss inspiration for the day:

 "So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key."

 ~Lyrics from Already Gone, performed by the Eagles for their 1974 On the Border album

Stamping trails

Karen

Hello There!

So I got to play with a new stamp set called Timeless Talk. 

This set is so me. It also has a vintage bike, and old Victrola along with two other greetings. 

Base card is Crisp Cantaloupe...this color is just so yummy! Edges were sponged with Crumb Cake.

Layer is black that I embossed with a new folder from SU holiday mini. 

Phone is stamped on Coastal Cabana. 

On the side pennants I used little black circle punches. I think they go well with the circles on the phone.

Well in an effort to get more healthy fat in my diet I picked up some avocados at the store the other day.
I was going to make avocado banana bread   , however I didn't have any ripe bananas. So what to do.....
Since I enjoy making smoothies I decided to whip up one using a avocado.
I first cut the avocado in half and scooped out half of it into the blender. Added 1 cup of un-sweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze, 1 tbls dark cocoa powder, 1 tbls. brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 3 ice cubes.
Can you say yum? It was  thick and rich. Really hit the chocolate spot! By using 1/2 of the avocado the calories were 120. I know they are high in calories, but the healthy fat is good for you. I was reading about avocados being good for people with arthritis as they reduce inflammation. So that is another plus! I'm also trying to stop using artificial sweeteners so the brown sugar works. Calorie count isn't bad on that either one tablespoon is only 33 calories.

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #21

I'm so happy to show you this card today! 

 

First I cut a A2 size card then centered the 4th largest Window Frames framelits on the front of the card and ran it through the Big Shot. 

Next I cut one Lattice die from white cardstock. 

On the four points of the lattice I added a mini glue dot then adhered it to the back of the cut out shape on the card front. 

I cut the same size Window Frame from Winter Frost designer paper and glued that to the inside card so it could be seen through the lattice opening. 

Festive Flurry smallest snowflake was inked with Island Indigo cut out and popped 

on the upper corner. 

Greeting from More Many Messages. 

 

 

Here is how the card looks standing up and partially open. 

So very pretty! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Wood Mount Case Card Holder

Hi stampers I'm back with another decorated wood mount box. 

This is a large box that I'm using to hold A2 size cards. 

Used winter frost designer paper, Festive Flurry stamps and matching framelits for the 

front of the box. 

Photo of the inside 

I thought about covering the Hershey's nuggets, but I like how the silver wrappers work with the snowflakes.

I made a picture tutorial for you that will show how to make the insert and the divider. 

Cut cardstock  8 1/4 x 6.

Score at 1/2 on all four sides. 

Cut flaps as shown in photo. Fold the insert on the score lines and use

glue dots to adhere the box sides together. 

For the divider: Cut cardstock 5" x 2 1/2"

On the 2 1/2" side score at 1/2, 1 1/4, and 2" 

Mountain fold the score lines. 

Use mono adhesive and adhere the center together. Your piece should like the photo. 

Place the insert and the divider inside the box and fill with cards, and candy. 

Wouldn't this make a great Christmas gift? 

I know I'll be making some to give out this season. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Smoky Snowflakes

I love the new Smoky Slate cardstock and ink from SU. Even better than the new designer paper in the Holiday mini has this in the color palette. 

I embossed the layer with Northern Flurry. The strip of designer paper is Winter Frost. 

I stamped the small flake with Island Indigo and cut out with the matching die. 

In the center of the flake I used a small vintage faceted button then added a rhinestone on top of it. 

The layer was popped over the base card and the edges were rounded with corner rounder.

Greeting is from More Merry Messages stamp set.

The VC Rockers are having a new catalog blog hop. You can visit them here
My card isn't really new thing from 2013/2014 catalog, but I am using new things from the upcoming Holiday Mini.

Stamping trails

Karen

Box of new Stamping Toys

Some of the new stamping toys that hubby bought me. This box arrived on the 10th, but since I was busy updating the blog with Christmas in July week I didn't get a chance to post this pic. 

Of course the only problem with getting new stamping toys is the mess on the desk. 

I want to use it all at the same time, and get so caught up I forget to clean as I go! 

 Of course this pic is from last week, and the desk has been messed up and cleaned up lots of times since then. Right now? Its a mess! 

Oh well everything comes in cycles, and maybe I'll clean it up later today. 

Tea for You

Still trying to use up some scraps I have in the old scrap box.

The only stamping on this card is the greeting from Vintage Verses (retired SU)

Base card is Calypso Coral, circle layer Early Espresso, designer paper Tea for Two. 

I thought the pinwheel design looked like a table cloth so that is why the piece is turned on point to resemble a cloth. The tea pot is part of the designer paper. 

For the greeting I inked it with Jet Black StazOn then stamped on acetate. The stamped piece is held in place by two small silver brads. 

Base card was embossed with Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Embellishment Holder

How fun and cute is this organizer? 

I've been trying to use supplies I have on hand instead of buying more. While going through some boxes I found this countdown calendar made by Karen Foster Designs. I had bought it years ago I think at Archivers. Anyway I knew I wasn't going to used it for a calendar so I decided to make an embellishment holder out of it. 

The little cubes are 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 so I used designer paper and cut out the squares then used a circle hole punch to make the little tabs at the top of each box. 

After attaching the squares I cut little strips of Wisteria Wonder cardstock and used my DYMO label maker to add the words. I took it a bit farther by adding some of the embellishments to the outside of the boxes. 

I used wide vanilla ribbon to go around the outside of the box then made a bow for the top. This is going to look so great on my desk. 

Of course I'll have to clean off the desk and organize it a bit before I can even put the embellishment holder on it! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Fun with Scraps

I attacked my scrap box again, as it is getting pretty full yet again! 

Designer paper is Tea for Two. I made the two cards, and also made a post it note holder using a chipboard coaster. After gluing the paper to the coaster I used a emery board to even it out and to distress the edges. 

The "just a little note" word is from a retired SU set Apple Blossoms. 

Cards use Oh Hello, Feel Goods, and Summer Silhouettes stamp sets.

Color Palette: Island Indigo, Gumball Green, and So Saffron.

I really like the look of stamping on designer paper. I have to remember to do it more often. The 

Sunshine card would also be great as a Mailable card as there are no embellishments on it. 

The center card sports a very vintage designer button. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #20

I know I just finished up with Christmas in July week, but its still hot, and I want to play more with all the new stuff hubby got for me. 

This is a simple masked card. I tore a sheet of printer paper and taped it to the white base card. 

I used sponges and the following ink colors: Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, and Island Indigo to add the main colors. 

Greeting is from a retired SU set. 

Snowflakes are from Festive Flurry.

I used the matching Framelit to add the little snowflake to the top left corner. 

This was attached using a pop dot, and I couldn't resist adding a little bling with a rhinestone in the center of the flake. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Chalk Talk Tags

Okay I'm loving the Chalk Talk framelits! So cool to cut

them out using black cardstock. 

With the new Chalk Marker that will be coming in the holiday mini, the tags look like 

little chalkboards. 

After cutting them out with the framelits I added the lines with the chalk marker. 

Hand wrote to/from and added the names. 

These make some cute little tags! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Week!

So on this last day of Christmas in July week I decided to have some fun. 

I got a long thin shopping list pad of paper and covered it using Crumb Cake cardstock. I used

the Naughty and Nice tag from Very Merry Tags. It was inked with Cherry Cobbler. I also used Cherry Cobbler seam binding to run down the center of the list.

So read the list and see if you have been naughty or nice. 

Of course I've been naughty!  LOL

Another cute tag from this set is Bah Hum Bug. I thought this would be great to cover a small note pad. 

I measured out the cardstock and scored it before running it through the argyle embossing folder.

Here is the inside of the notebook. 

On a trip to my local Dollar General store I came across this index file book. Only cost a buck and they came in black, red, and green. Cool thing about this is the plastic sleeve on the cover. Made it easy to cut designer paper to fit and add the word stamp. This stamp is from Tags 4 you which will also be in the holiday mini catalog. And to make it really easy this set has matching punch. YAY got to love that! 

I weaved a piece of Victoria crochet trim through the spiral then also tied some pieces of twine around it. 

I used my Dymo label maker to make the words for the tabs. 

I'm planning to write down some family recipes in this and give it to Sarah as part of her Christmas gifts. 

After going through some of my mom's things I came across some hand written recipes from her and I thought what a nice personal gift to take the time to write them down, instead of putting them in a word document. 

Well I hope you have enjoyed Christmas in July week. I had a good time playing with some new toys and beating the heat by staying in my nice cool stamping studio! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Week!

How about some cute little candy favors for the holidays? 

These can be put in stockings or just given to friends, and co-workers. 

I used designer paper and the Top Note die to make the holders. 

After cutting out the shape I folded the sides and overlapped them. Sides are held closed with glue dots. 

Next step was to fold up the bottom and use more glue dots to hold it in place. 

Still using the Festive Flurry stamps. This time I inked it with Pool Party. 

Bah Hum Bug tag is from Very Merry Tags. This is such a cute set to make gift tags. 

All of the images from this set has a matching punch....can you say quick and easy!!!!

And seeing how its very hot and humid out (mid 90's) I wanted to make some snowmen. 

These cute little guys conceal a treat size Hershey candy bar.

Hat is 1 inch square punch and window punch.

Little flower was made using Boho punch.

Eyes are circles from the punch pack. Cut two in black and one in white. The white one is cut in half to make the eyelids. 

Nose was cut free hand using Tangerine Tango.

Buttons are black and were made with Sweet Buttons Embosslits. 

Mouth was drawn free handed with black marker. 

I went to use my white gel pen but then discovered that it was dried out. Bummer!

However I remembered that I bought a chalk marker from the Holiday mini. It works perfect on dark cardstock and looks like chalk!

I wrote Let it Snow on the hats, and added the pupils using the chalk marker. 

Stop on back tomorrow for the last day of Christmas in July week. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Week!

Bring out the tree! I made ornaments for it. 

This sweet angel was made using the large scallop die. After cutting it out I ran it through the petal embossing folder. The wings were made using the largest butterfly on the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die. The wings were embossed with a new script embossing folder that is in the holiday mini. I also inked the edges of the wings with Encore ultimate metallic silver ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. 

The head is a 1" round wood ball. 

To assemble I folded down 9 of the scallops from the circle then over lapped the edges and glued in the front. I got the inspiration from the new dresses the young ladies are wearing. The skirts are longer in the back and shorter in the front. Such a cute style.

I cute three lengths of 1/8 silver ribbon and braided them to form the halo. 

The word stamp is from a retired SU stamp set. 

Next ornament was made using Festive Flurry and the matching Framelits. 

There are 4 snowflakes in the stamp set. The largest one I stamped with Island Indigo, next one Pool Party, next one was stamped on acetate with Cotton White StazOn, and the smallest one is stamped on Smoky Slate.

I  stamped and cut 4 of each size, then layered them together, before gluing all 4 sides together. 

I found it easier to use hot glue when I began assembling them. 

Here is a front view of the ornament. I also used about a 30 inch piece of 1/8 silver ribbon in the center of the ornament. To each end of the ribbon I attached designer vintage faceted buttons. 

 

Hope you enjoyed the ornaments. I had fun making them! Now where did I store that Christmas tree?

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Christmas in July Week!

We had some gift tags yesterday so how about some gift boxes today? 

Are these not the cutest things?

Made with only a 12 x 12 sheet of designer paper, and needing no cutting or adhesive can't get better than that! 

Top box features Festive Flurry. Can you tell I just love these snowflakes! If you click on the photo to enlarge it you will see that I stamped one of the flakes on a window sheet using Cotton White StazOn ink. I folded it before layering it on the Island Indigo flake to give it some added dimension. Also check out the cool bling in the center of the flake. These will also be out in the new holiday mini (August 1st)

Bottom box uses last years designer paper, but the little reindeer tag in the center is from Very Merry Tags. 

Now let see the inside of the gift box.....

The box is very simple scoring and folding. Basic origami which I enjoy doing. Special thanks to 

Tanya Bell for coming up with this and making a video. If you'd like to make your own gift boxes

you can view the video here

Wow we are half way through Christmas in July week. 

Be sure to stop on by again tomorrow for some fun ornaments. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Week!

Well with Christmas comes presents, and for those presents you are going to need tags. 

This is a 1/2 size wood box case that you can purchase from SU. You get 4 of them for 4.95. Pretty goo deal. 

I cut Winter Frost designer paper to fit the outside of the box. The great thing is the box has a plastic sleeve on the outside that you can put the paper under. 

Stamp set is Festive Flurry used along with the matching Framelits. These will be in the Holiday mini. 

On the outside of the box I added a 1/8 inch silver bow and a rhinestone in the center of the snowflake. 

Let take a look inside the box....

Love the double sided designer paper. I used the same stamp set to make the gift tags. On one side I made 3x3 inch tags. 

The other side has smaller tags. 

These would make awesome little gifts for friends. 

They could be changed up and filled with other little gifts, or chocolates. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Week!

What would Christmas in July week be without more Christmas cards?

Have you made yours yet? Have any idea what you will be making?

Christmas is less than 6 months away! No pressure! 

I used some new things from SU Holiday mini catalog. Items from this catty will go on sale August 1st. 

This card features last years designer paper. Since I still had some left I decided to use it, and I love Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green! 

The Santa is from the 2013/2014 catalog called Tag It. Love that this set can also be used with the Chalk Talk Framelits. 

The little stamp I (heart) Santa is from Very Merry Tags also from the upcoming Holiday mini. I used the small heart from the owl builder punch and punched with Vanilla cardstock to pop over the heart on the stamped image. 

Added a bow with natural trim. 

The large snowflakes will be in the holiday mini. Stamp set has 4 of them. The largest one (not shown on the card) is 4 x 4 1/4 wide. WOW!

Designer paper Winter Frost is oh so beautiful! I inked the snowflakes with Island Indigo, and Coastal Cabana. 

Greeting is from More Merry Messages which is still available for order. 

I added a strip of white ribbon trim, white satin bow, and a few rhinestones. Also featured on the card is new 1/8 silver ribbon. You will love it as it is very shiny, and easy to work with! Perfect for the holidays. 

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for more Christmas in July! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Christmas in July Week!

Temps are soaring into the low 90's here all week, so I thought it would be a perfect time for my annual
Christmas in July week!

How about a little Mosaic Madness for a Christmas card.

I first stamped the images on Always Artichoke with the same ink. Use the matching punch to punch out 9. 

Soft Suede used for the tree trunk. 

The topper was inked and stamped on So Saffron. 

More Merry Messages used for the greeting. 

Base card is Real Red.

Big thanks to my friend Joe. He made a new header for my blog.
I decided that the blog needed a "face" lift. I also played with the colors and font for the posts.
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I'd love your input! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Label Love

Back with another washi tape card. 

After putting down the three tapes on white cardstock I added focal image. 

This was made with Label Love and the artisan punch.

I didn't think the card had enough so I added a brad and white bow. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Secret Garden and Scored Background

Sometimes I forget I own Simply Scored and that it can be used for other things besides scoring an A2 card at the 4 1/4 inch mark. 

For this card I scored the vanilla layer 5 times at 1/4 intervals in both directions. Gave some great interest to the boring vanilla layer. I then added the greeting and a flower and leaf from Secret Garden. 

Color Palette: Crumb Cake, Pistachio Pudding, vanilla, and Perfect Plum.

The word embossing folder is from Cuttlebug. Since the folder is in Portrait set up I had to run the cardstock through twice to make it suitable for the landscape style I needed for the Pistachio layer. 

I think the only other thing I'll be adding to this card is a pearl to the flower center. I think it needs a bit of bling.

Stamping trails

Karen

Punch Happy Making Grapes

Now this is a fun card. Not my design as I saw it while surfing the web. 

Grapes are made using 1" circle punch and Wisteria Wonder cardstock. 

Each circle was sponged with Elegant Eggplant.

Scallop oval punch used to make the leaves from Old Olive cardstock. Leave veins were made with spider embossing folder. 

Stamp set Friendship Preserves

Added a frayed edged lace bow

Thank a bunch was colored with Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive markers then popped over the circles. 

Wood embossing folder is from Cuttlebug. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Happy Birthday John!

Happy Birthday to my son John.

Today is his 25th birthday. 

Why is it that its his birthday yet I'm the one who is feeling older? 

I waited till the last minute to make this card. Actually I made it last night around 9 pm.

As I was headed down to the stamping studio John asks me what I'm doing. Told him I was going to make a birthday card. He goes....who for. 

I told him it was for him. 

He goes....you don't have to make me a card.

I told him I have all that stamping stuff of course I was making him a card, and I enjoy making cards.

He goes....so is the card for me or is it for you. 

 I just laughed at this, and told him it was for both of us. 

Very happy birthday to the greatest son a mom could have! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Postage Due on Acetate

I love Calypso Coral and I really like it when it is teamed up with black ink. 

I stamped the larger stamp from Postage Due on to acetate using Jet Black StazOn ink. 

The flower was made with Mixed Bunch stamp set and the matching punch. Used Island Indigo

The 2 cent stamp is on white using Pool Party.

Little thanks at the bottom is from Lovely Little Labels stamp set. 

The acetate was easy to attach as the flower and postage stamp hide the adhesive. Only two corners of the acetate is glued down to the cardstock. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #19

Welcome back to another mailable Monday. 

Even though this card features flower trim it will still mail pretty easy as the trim flattens well in an envelope.

Color palette: Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar, Indigo Island, Soft Sky, and Soft Suede.

Stamp set Feel Goods. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Feeding the Squirrel

Feeding my squirrel. I didn't know that my squirrel that comes to my sliding glass kitchen door and knocks to get fed was a girl. But I think you can see by this picture that she has had a liter of babies. Click to enlarge the photo. 

She is looking a little haggard. Missing some fur from her tail and way thin. So

she was very happy to get peanuts from me today! 

Stamping trails

Karen

3 D Gift Swap

I was recently the Hostess for a 3d gift swap. 

This cute votive candle holder was stamped by Debbie Pererson

She used Jet Black StazOn ink to stamp on the plastic globes. 

****Edited 7/7/13*** Side view of photo frame

This is a picture frame made by using cardstock for the base with a designer paper layer.

Photo goes in at the top. Window sheet used on the embossing folder layer. 

Made by Diane Villegas

The mini hand sanitizer holder was made by Elizabeth Kratzer. 

Stamp set Field Flowers. 

Thank girls for sending such cute gift ideas! 

Stamping trails

Karen