What I Do with Stampin'Up Boxes

Let me rephrase the title of this post to......What Burbank does with Stampin'Up! boxes.

He sleeps in them of course. Then when he is awake and bored he chews the edges of the box. 

Now that is recycling! 

Happy end of August. Can't believe the month flew by so fast! Tomorrow is the first of September and I'm looking forward to Fall and my birthday. How old will I be at the end of September? I'm going to start saying I'm holding at 49. Who wants to get older? Not me! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Bridal Shower Card

My friend Lisa's daughter is getting married in October. For the bridal shower I made this card for Jessica. 

She is getting married in cream, and will have a brick red accent color. 

The closest I could get to brick red was Riding Hood Red. I ran that through the 

vintage wallpaper embossing folder. 

Dress was made with Dress Up framelits.

Trim pearls and flower trim.

The mirror was made with Ovals Collection framelits. I got the reflective silver cardstock from Hallo's. 

Inside the card

I used the cowboy boot from Bootiful Occasions. 

Jess will be sporting cowgirl boots for the wedding. How fun, and so Jessica!

Great news! Chris made it through his transplant! So happy for him. I know it will be a hard road to recovery but there is hope now. Sending you hugs Chris and will miss you for the family picnic this Sunday. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mummy Mug

Well the Perfect Blend stamp makes a Perfect Mummy Mug! 

I cased the mummy from Becky you can see her artwork here

I used Eerie designer paper by Basic Grey. I really need to start using up all this "vintage" designer paper!

Don't know why I tend to horde it instead of using it. 

Also used Chalk Talk Framelits. Base card Tangerine Tango.

Greeting is from the new Best of Halloween set. 

I know August is winding down....hope its not to early to be posting Halloween cards. I stopped by Pat Catan's over the weekend and they have Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas stuff out. Tis the Season is right around the corner!!!! My how times flies when you are a crafter!

Stamping trails

Karen

Gorgeous Grunge Got Inked

Perfect Blend stamp set has met with Gorgeous Grunge. 

Love the stamps in both sets. 

Color Palette: Vanilla, Coastal Cabana, Soft Suede. 

Designer paper Afternoon Picnic

After stamping the cup on Soft Suede I cut out the center band then ran that through the paper crimper. 

OMG I've used the crimper twice in one month! If a stamping tool had feelings I'm sure it would be jumping up and down for joy as I had not used it for along time. (can you say vintage dust? I knew you could)

Well the black ants are taking over the house, so we will be bug bombing the house today. JOY!!!!! Don't really like to do it, but I don't like the bugs either.

Saying prayers for cousin Chris who went to the hospital yesterday to have a heart transplant. Chris is in his early 20's, and we have been praying for the transplant for him. Speedy recovery Chris! Love ya!!!

Stamping trails

Karen

Where the Buffalo Roam

Dug out a retired stamp set (In Wilderness) for this card. I really like the buffalo and it makes for a great guy card!. I also used Post Card stamp for the background inked with Crumb Cake and stamped on a Crumb Cake panel. 

Don't know if you can see it clearly on the photo but the Marina Mist layer in the upper right corner does have clouds that I made using a strip of three 7/8 scallop punches, and a sponge dauber. The hot air balloon is a Hostess set Postage Collection. 

Edges were torn and sponged with Early Espresso before layering on vanilla panel. Base card Cherry Cobbler. 

I did sponge the fur on the buffalo with Crumb Cake ink. Though it gave him more depth.

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #25

Another new stamp set has received a coat of ink! 

I got a little ahead of myself by getting that large order in July. To many stamp sets, and not enough time in the day to properly coat them all with ink. 

This set is called Fine Feathers. 

Color Palette: Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Soft Sky, Island Indigo

I actually purchased this set with a friend in mind, and she knows who she is! 

So I'll get busy with this one and make some more cards soon. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Shabby Chic Spool of Thread Card

This was fun to make and right up my alley! I love Shabby Chic, and vintage stamps. 

I started out by making a template for a A2 size card cut at 4 1/4 x 11. The template was in the shape of a spool of thread. Next step was to emboss it with wood folder (Cuttlebug)

Recently took advantage of the buy 3 get one free designer paper. One of the pack I ordered was Etcetera. This paper is so me! 

I took the Coral one and cut to fit the center of the spool.

I then use a brayer to ink a 4 inch paper doily with Old Olive ink.

This was then cut in half and pleated. I adhered it to the side of the spool. 

Of course I had to use the new Shop Around wheel with Soft Suede for the main image. The vanilla panel was then layered on Soft Suede. 

And since I had made all those Simply Pressed flowers recently (see yesterday's post) I was all set to add one to this card. 

As I'm looking at this I'm thinking the spool of thread could also be an hourglass shape of a woman. Wish I had her problems....OOH LA LA!

Stamping trails

Karen

Simply Pressed Clay and Molds

So I'm using the Simply Pressed Blossom mold to make flowers. 

I was worried that after I made a batch...(cause let face it these things are worse than potato chips.....you can't make just one!)...that I would have trouble identifying what color I used.

 Also what if I decided to make a batch of these pretty flowers to give as gifts? The recipient may not know what color they are. That would never do!

So I turned them over and used a ink pen to write down the color. Problem solved! 

Now you must excuse me as I'm finding it hard to put the clay down....I must make more!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen

Mistake, Clear Stamps, and Hey it Works

Well let cover the mistake first shall we? 

See the swirl stamp in Smokey Gray on the cloud background? Its right above the Crushed Curry large flower. Well it wasn't my intent to have it stamped in that direction. I wanted it to go the longer direction and extend from the background stamp out into the clouds. 

As I was just getting ready to put the inked stamp down on the card the clear mount stamp popped off the clear block. So instead of messing up the nice cloud background and starting over I just pushed the stamp down with my hand then lifted it off. 

I used Everything Eleanor stamp set for this card. This was before I started to not adhere the sticker to the back of the stamps. I'm much happier without them as now the stamps don't fall off. 

But hey this mistake worked for me as I like how the completed card looks. 

Never a mistake just an stamping opportunity!

The cloud background was made with the 1 1/4  scallop punch, and the scallop circle punch. 

I used three of the smaller scallops and two of the larger ones then glued them together. 

To use just take a sponge dauber and ink around the tops of the scallops. 

Here I used Soft Sky cardstock with Marina Mist ink. Love the look!

Other colors used Midnight Muse, and vanilla. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Woke up to a ton of birds in the backyard.These are a Morning Doves. Love to listen to them coo. 

Of course Burbank was watching them along with the goldfinches that were out it large numbers. 

He was chattering at the sliding glass door at all of them. At one point two of the gold finches flew into the door. Didn't look like they got hurt, but it made me and Burbank both jump. 

Close up of one of the doves. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Afternoon Snack Time

Just wanted to share with you a great snack find. Nabisco recently came out with Premium Rounds. I believe there are four different flavors, but I was only interested in the whole grain one. 

Since there was a 1.00 off coupon in the paper I picked up a box and it only cost me .98 cents. How cool is that! 

Well the crackers are great. Lightly salted with sea salt, and only 10 calories per cracker. Serving size is 6 so that is a 60 calorie snack. I paired them with my favorite Laughing Cow light cheese. Which only has 35 calories per cheese wedge. Making this afternoon snack come in at a mere 95 calories. I'm all about that!

Stamping trails

Karen

Eyelet Ornaments

So what do you do when you have a ton of eyelets and don't really use them often?

Well if you are like me you stick them in clear glass ornaments, and add some trim. 

The large ornament has silver, red, and blue stars in it. These were from SU but have long since retired. 

I added a white bow and a red star. Used silver ribbon for the hanger.

 

I filled one small ornament with more eyelets, and another with very small buttons. Since 

I also have a ton of buttons I may fill some of large ornaments with those. 

I think these would make cute gifts for my crafty friends. 

 

 

Here is a close up view of the small ornaments. I can't even remember where I got these, but while searching for something else I found them in a drawer, and believe it or not I don't even know how long I've had them. 

Guess I better look in the drawers more often! Who knows what I'll find next. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mailable Monday #24

Today I have 3 guy cards for Mailable Monday.

I was going through some of my vintage sets and came across Sail Away and decided to use it. 

The boat was inked with Jet Black StazOn and stamped on white base card

Used Baja Breeze marker to highlight the waves, birds, and bottom of boat

More Mustard ink with blender pen used for the sail

Top panel is Wild Wasabi, and a little strip of Night of Navy

Here the ship was inked with Midnight Muse and stamped on Crumb Cake base card.

I used the Stamp-a-ma-Jig to stamp two more boats with Crumb Cake ink. 

Added three pennants using Well Worn designer paper. Greeting was stamped at the top. 

Base card is Pool Party, but I trimmed part of the bottom front of the card off and used the scallop border punch across the shorter part of the card front. 

I then added a white panel, and Soft Suede panel that was also punched with the scallop border. 

Ship was inked with Island Indigo. 

I used the new Chalk Marker from the Holiday mini catalog to color the sail. 

If you haven't ordered the chalk marker yet I would strongly recommend you add it to your stamping collection. Gives a nice watercolor look. The tip is broader than the white gel marker, and dries at once. 

I think I'll have to order another one just to have as a back up.

Stamping trails

Karen

Toil & Trouble Treat Holder

Who's ready for Halloween? Well I'm not really ready. I love the fun of the holiday but I'd like to hold on to Summer as long as I can! 

But since I got this great set Toil & Trouble from SU Holiday mini catalog I just had to ink it up! 

The treat holder base is made with Bigz Clear Oval Accent. 

For the layer I used VersaMark ink on the large background stamp and then heat embossed with black embossing powder. Then it was cut using matching framelit Apothecary Accents. 

Added the skull and crossbones with Basic Gray ink on vanilla cardstock, and layered it on designer paper punched with scallop circle. 

Ribbon, Tangerine Tango. 

Here is a side view of the treat holder. I used a snack size Reese's cup and secured it to the bottom of the holder with mono adhesive. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Perfect Blend Note Cards, and Holder

I treated myself to a new stamp set ( I know, I know.....I haven't inked all the stamps from the last big order from my hubby), but I've been seeing some really cute cards made with Perfect Blend stamp set that I just cracked and had to have it. Maybe I had caffeine overload, and had a moment of weakness.

But whatever the reason I'm glad I bought it. 

I dusted off my paper crimper. OMG I can't remember the last time I used it! 

I sealed a standard A2 size envelope then cut it in half just a little bit below the seal. 

I snugged up the two pieces so they overlapped just about 1/4 of an inch. 

Next I stamped the coffee cup in Early Espresso. I also added a piece of designer paper to the cup wrapper. The chevrons were made with a stencil I made using the new Chevron punch.

Next I ran the lower piece of the envelope through the crimper. By doing this is makes the lower part just a bit smaller than the top half. The two pieces will then fit together better. 

After punching a strip using the chevron punch I took the cardstock placed over the bottom part of the envelope and sponged the ink on. Makes a perfect stencil. 

I made little note cards using the coffee cup. Started by folding a piece of cardstock in half the long way, then stamped a row of cups close to the fold line. Next these were hand cut leaving the score line intact. I was able to stamp 6 cups across the length of the folded cardstock.

The VC Rockers group is having its last Blog Hop for the season. This one is all about anything new from the 2013-2014 catalog.
You can visit there website to see other projects here

Stamping trails

Karen

Pansy Punch Gingerbread Men Cookies

This card just makes me smile! 

The little gingerbread men are made with SU pansy punch, and 3/4 circle punch.

Since I don't own that punch Kat was sweet enough to punch some for me using Baked Brown Sugar cardstock. Its so nice to have friends who also purchase SU stuff!

Base card is white that I embossed with Dot embossing folder. 

Greeting is stamped on Pistachio Pudding cardstock (More Merry Messages). I trimmed is layer with pieces of a white doily.

Oh I forgot before I embossed the card front I stamped it with Lovely as a Tree using Pistachio Pudding ink. 

Gingerbread men were decorated with white chalk marker....if you don't have one....get one! It is great for doodling on dark cardstock. 

Little red buttons made with Sweet Buttons embosslit. 

Eyes and mouth hand drawn with Early Espresso marker. 

Well now I just want a ginger cookie! YUM! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Timeless Talk Birthday

Still playing with Timeless Talk stamp set. 

I inked the bike with Midnight Muse and stamped on Smokey Slate panel. 

Used the Chevron punch with Crushed Curry cardstock for the bottom part of of the card

This was then layered on vanilla base card. 

Added greeting using Perfectly Penned stamp set.

Crochet thread across the top holds the very vintage button. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Gold Finches in the Flower Pots

We have potted zinnias on the deck by the sliding glass door. The gold finches just love them!

Of course they make a mess and ruin the flowers as they pull out each petal to get to the seed at the bottom of each petal. Since I enjoy the finches I put up with the mess! They are so fun to watch.

If you look close at this picture you'll see that there are two finches in the flowers. 

Burbank watching the finches. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Cards in the Closet Door

I thought I would share with you how I display some of the cards I receive. 

I have a closet in the front entry that has vents well at least that's what I call them. 

At any rate I slide the backside of the card into the openings then I can enjoy the cards every time I go in and out of the house. 

I like to change them out when new ones come in or for the different holidays. 

 

Weight loss inspiration for the day:

 

 I wake up every day with the realization that this is it, that there's only one shot at this life and I can either enjoy the ride and live it to its fullest and to my highest potential or I can stay the way I am.

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #23

Welcome back to another Mailable Monday.

Love this card! Only used one ink color Early Espresso. 

Base card Vanilla.

Stamp set Timeless Talk

Punches: 1 inch square, and scallop square

Designer paper Natural Composition

I cut two pieces from the designer paper to use as a layer. The top half I brayered with Early Espresso then just took a paper towel to wipe off the ink from the embossed part of the paper. 

This would make a great guy card!

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Did a little Harvesting

So we are getting some nice veggies from the garden. The green peppers are really coming in nice this season! I also have picked some wonderful green beans. 

On Pinterest I learned that male peppers have three bumps on the bottom, and female peppers have 4 bumps on the bottom. 

Female peppers have more seeds and are sweeter and better to be eaten raw, while male peppers are better for cooking. Learn something new everyday. 

One of the main things I can see between the two peppers is the ones with 4 bumps on the bottom are much bigger than the 3 bump ones. 

Some of the tomatoes are also getting ripe. I'm thinking by next week the bumper crop will come in, and I'll be busy washing, taking the skins off and freezing them.

Weight loss inspiration for the day:

 What are stumbling blocks and defeat before you, can be stepping stones to victory if you remain determined.

Stamping trails

Karen

Vintage Post Card Ornament

I got to used another new stamp! This one is called Post Card (its a background stamp)

I inked it with Baked Brown Sugar and stamped it on Vanilla cardstock. 

Greeting is from More Merry Messages and was inked with Cherry Cobbler. 

Snow flake from Festive Flurry. Inked and stamped on Coastal Cabana.

Victoria lace was gathered across the bottom using red line tape. 

I backed the finished stamped piece with chipboard and then added Baked Brown Sugar cardstock to the back of the chipboard to finish it off. Used natural trim ribbon for the hanger and as an accent with the snowflake. Cherry Cobbler ribbon retired now. I wanted to use Cherry Cobbler seam binding but wouldn't you know it.....I'm out! 

I think I've been stamping a lot lately and am running through all my supplies. I feel an order coming on!!!!

Weight loss funny of the day:

 

 Running to the refrigerator is not considered exercise.

Ah but why not? LOL 

 

Stamping trails

Karen

Hummers!

I was sitting outside several days ago and was able to snap some pictures of humming birds getting a drink.

Click on the pictures to enlarge. Enjoy!

The last two pictures are of the bird flying to the garden fence and landing. I was sitting pretty close the feeder and I can tell you the birds for being as small as they are....are really loud! They don't call them hummers for nothing.

Weight loss funny for the day:

 

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.

Isn't that the truth! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Snowflake!

Love this card! Not my own design I cased it from a SU convention swap I saw while surfing the net.

The designer (sorry I didn't make note of the name) used Shimmery White cardstock. Of course while I was looking for the shimmery white that I though I had was no where to be found. I think I must have dreamed that I ordered some when I used the last piece but I must have been mistaken. Isn't that always the way....I'm losing my mind now that I'm getting older. LOL

Stamp set Festive Flurry. The two smaller ones were adhered together. The largest one was attached to the inside card. I broke out Coluzzle (wow was that ever dutsy!) to make the 3 inch circle on the card front. 

Colors Smoky Slate, and Midnight Muse. 

Love the 3d look and no layer layout!

Weight loss funny for the day

 

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people. ~Orson Welles

Stamping trails

Karen

Oval Punch Bow

Back with another Harvest of Thank card. I used Spice Cake designer paper (retired)

Base card More Mustard, layer River Rock (both retired)

The bow was made using the large oval punch, but you could make the bow with any ovals

Need to punch four. On two of them use a 1 inch square punch to punch out the pennant shape. Or hand cut with scissors. For the remaining two oval punches round them in half being careful not to crease them and adhered them with glue dots. 

Match up the round ovals to the cut ovals and adhere together with glue dots. 

I used a pressed clay flower in the center of this bow but you could also use a button or brad. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Happy Birthday to my Friend Connie

Happy birthday to my dear friend Connie! 

This is the crochet afghan that I made for her. 

I used scraps from other projects to make this for her. 

She wanted it set up in black. 

Here is another view. Its folded in half. Happy with how it turned out. My hubby and son John liked the orange and blue blocks the best. 

Hope you have a great birthday Connie!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #22

Super simple no layer card today for Mailable Monday. 

Base card white. 

Stamp set On the Grid, Summer Silhouettes, and Simply Sketched. 

I used a ink pad for this card that I have not opened since forever, Rich Razzleberry.

 I do like this color, and I should be using it more, but I have my favorite color palette that I tend to gravitate to. Every once in awhile I break away from my norm and expand my color horizons.

On the Grid is a background stamp that I inked with Smokey Slate

Stems were inked with Pear Pizzazz.  Greeting and flower tops inked with Rich Razzleberry.

Even though this card has no layers the background stamp gives the card depth and the illusion of texture.

Just also wanted to wish my dear friend Marianne a very happy, Happy Birthday!!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen