Bye to Burbank

Burbank passed away on Saturday evening. It was a sudden illness that took him very quickly. 

He followed me around on Saturday, and spent most of the day with me in the stamping studio. That is where he took his last breath. 

He was one of the sweetest cats I've ever owned.

He loved to just sit on your lap and get petted. He was my baby. 

We had the pleasure of having him in our family for 7 years.

Burbank early this month in one of his favorite spots in mom's craft room. He liked to play with scraps of paper that landed on my floor. Here he is around my big shot plates.

Bye my good boy we will miss you.

Kitty tracks

Karen

Scarecrow and Birthday Cards

I wanted to post a picture of my latest Goodwill find. Isn't he not the cutest thing? 

Only cost 2 dollars for this happy scarecrow pitcher. I have him sitting on the corner of my kitchen counter. 

Seeing how my birthday is tomorrow I wanted to share some cards with you that I've received this month from my friend Kat. I think it was Kat's mission to support the post office as she sent me a birthday card everyday, along with a few packets of cards. WOW

Big thanks Kat you made my birthday fun. 

These are only a few of the cards. I have to take pictures of the rest of them. 

Enjoy

Stamping trails

Karen

Back with another Chalk Talk Card

Playing some more with Chalk Talk stamp set and matching framelits. 

Base card white. Next layer also white embossed with script embossing folder.

Stamp was inked with Early Espresso. I added a piece of white paper doily before adding pop dots. 

I also added a Wisteria Wonder layer that was stamped with a small flower from Everything Eleanor. 

Happy with the look of this card. I had to add just one rhinestone on the flower just to draw attention to it. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Early Birthday Gift

I know my birthday is still 3 days away, but I had to share a picture of the wine glasses my friend Connie sent to me. Just love them! They fit in perfectly with the grape decor that I've added to my kitchen. 

The glasses have such a warm rich color. 

Big thanks Connie. What a great gift!!

Stamping trails

Karen

World Map meets Chalk Talk

This card was cased. I saw it while surfing the web, but of course now I don't remember where. 

Great idea though to use the World Map background stamp with the words from Chalk Talk. The just go well together. 

Base card Night of Navy.

Layer cut 4x5 1/4

I took a piece of printer paper and cut it to the same size of the vanilla layer. Next I made a mask by cutting it at 1/2 on all for sides. 

Map was inked with Soft Suede. 

I added the lines around the map using a ruler and Night of Navy marker. 

Word stamp was inked with Poppy Parade. I added to the card using pop dots. 

 

Love it!

 

Stamping tails

Karen 

Doily Chalk Talk Card

Another great set that needed to see some ink! Chalk Talk has a matching framelit, which I've used to make chalk board tags, but I didn't get around to using the stamp set. 

Ah so many stamp set so little stamping time. 

I inked the main image with basic black and stamped on white. 

After cleaning off the stamp I inked it again with Blushing Bride ink and then cut out word in the banner. 

This was layered on Blushing Bride cardstock with pop dots. I also cut out 1/2 of a 4" white doily. After folding it I adhered it with glue dots behind the tag before sticking it to the panel. 

Another layer of black then to the white base card. 

I added a strip of pleated ribbon to the bottom of the card. 

Fun set to play with. I'll have another card tomorrow. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Wedding Dress for 5" Doll and Weight Loss Update

Happy Birthday to my friend Lisa. 

Since her daughter Jessica is getting married in October I decided to make her a wedding dress for her 5" baby doll. How perfect is that?

Jessica is getting marred in a cream colored dress so I used ivory fingering yarn to make the baby dress. 

Side view

All the ruffles in this dress just about killed my shoulder, but I'm happy I was able to complete it for my friend in time for her birthday. 

Check out the panties and little booties. How cute! 

I also decorated this kraft box to put the wedding dress in. This was a box that Lisa gave me several years ago with a Christmas gift in it. Looks great decorated like the brides bouquet.

I have to tell you about the side of the box. So I get the box finished with just the top decorated. I show it to Skip and he goes you need something going along the sides of the box as you didn't "transform" it enough.
I had to laugh at that especially when he told me he got the word and idea from watching Chopped with me (foodnetwork show). They always say you didn't transform the basket ingredient enough. LOL
That's it he is banned from watching Chopped!

Hope you have a wonderful day Lisa!

Great news! I lost another 2 pounds. Which means I am only 18 pounds away from my goal weight! YAY!
I'm very happy about that! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 29

I forgot how much I love Crayon Resist Technique. 

I started this by inking the stamp with Jet Black StazOn ink. This was then stamped on white glossy cardstock. After the stamping was finished I took a crayon and drew lines where I wanted to show highlights on the flowers. 

On the flower centers I sponged with Cajun Craze ink. 

The outer petals were sponged with Cherry Cobbler. 

After sponging was finished I took the edge of my shirt and wiped off the ink to remove the crayon marks and show the highlights. Now I normally use a rag or a paper towel but I didn't have one handy so the shirt was the next best thing. You just don't question things like that when one is busy creating! 

I thought the layer still needed something so I ran it through the big shot using a script embossing folder (holiday mini). Just love the look! Click on the image for a better view. 

Side View

Inside card. I added the greeting and a leaf inked with Always Artichoke. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Wetland Sunday

I really enjoy stamping with the Wetlands stamp set. 

I decided to make a card using neutral colors.

Color Palette: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, and Early Espresso. 

I cut a cream panel then tore a piece of scrap paper to make a mask for the bottom. 

I sponged Chocolate Chip and over stamped it with Gorgeous Grunge (you can see I'm getting some good use out of this stamp set this week!)

Top half of the panel was sponged with Crumb Cake. Geese were then stamped with Early Espresso. 

Panel layered on Chocolate Chip. I added the neutral ribbon and candy dots to the bottom.

Stamping trails

Karen

Washi Tape Halloween Card

Another Halloween card?.......Sure why not. Halloween is just around the corner. 

I added washi tape to a cream panel then added a little flecking using a stamp from Gorgeous Grunge. Love that set! 

The hat I stamped in black then fussy cut it out. 

I wanted to add a bit of color to it so I used the rectangle punch on a piece of Tangerine Tango, then I cut around it to make the buckle. 

Close up of the buckle. Of course I could not resist adding a little bling to the top of the hat by adding a rhinestone. Hey even witches like bling......Don't they? 

Stamping trails

Karen

Witch's Hat Card

Back with another Halloween project.

I made a pattern for a witch's hat and cut a card using a 4 1/4x 11 piece of black cardstock. 

I left about 1/2 of the top of the card uncut so it would open up. 

To the bottom of the card I added a strip of designer paper. 

The stamped image is from 25th Anniversary SU Halloween set. 

I hand wrote the word Spooky using a chalk marker. 

 

 

Here is a side view. I did add the bottom strips on the front and the back of the card. 

Inside I stamped the message then used a circle punch to punch it out. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

 

 

Halloween Candy Tube

I took a plastic tube that I picked up from Pat Catan's several years ago, and 

wrapped the top part with washi tape. 

Then I stamped the image with black and punched out with circle punch. 

Next I made a rosette to mount the image on. 

Side view so you can see the washi tape. 

The rosettes are easy to make. I normally start with 11" piece of designer paper then figure out how wide I want the strip. I think this one I cut at 1/2 inch. All you have to do at than point is score every 1/4 across the strip. Accordion fold the glue the ends together. Collapse the strip upon itself to form a circle. 

 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Tea Party and Cup Charm

Very simple card using Tea Party stamp set. I used the Framlits Ovals collection to cut out the image and the layer. 

Base card vanilla, designer paper Afternoon Picnic. 

I added some cream crochet thread and a silver tea cup charm. 

Image was inked with Basic Gray and I just added a touch of color with Crushed Curry, and Pear Pizzazz markers. 

Burbank in my scrap bin again. 

He loves to take out paper and play with it while I'm trying to stamp. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Tea Party Card

Another new stamp set I got in July just just now got around to inking it. 

 

Base card vanilla. Designer paper afternoon picnic. Main image inked with Midnight Muse. Scallop doily stamp was inked with Crushed Curry. 

I added midnight muse ribbon and three little pearls to the bottom of the card. 

 

I'll be back tomorrow with another Tea Party card. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mailable Monday # 28

Very simple one layer card for this Mailable Monday Post. 

I used Gorgeous Grunge on a designer piece of paper. 

Color Palette: Night of Navy, Old Olive, and Pool Party. 

Birthday greeting is from a retired SU set. 

I like that the designer paper had grid lines printed on it. Goes real well this the grunge stamps. 

Sending out well wishes to my friend Kat. Hope you get to feeling better!!!!! No fun taking a tumble off a bicycle. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Joyful Christmas Again

Okay I had to use Joyful Christmas more than just for one card. This time I used Island Indigo, and Smokey Gray to make the flower and leaves. 

This was layered on white and Basic Gray. Designer paper Winter Frost. Love the bling in the center of the flower and the silver ribbon. I though the top of the card needed something so I added a white bow. 

 

Can you believe that September is halfway over? 

We have had a roller coaster weather pattern this past week. Tuesday and Wednesday we were in the 90's, then rain, then the temps dropped 30 degrees. 

Oh well such is the price when you live in Ohio. If you don't like the weather just wait a few minutes and it is bound to change! 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Joyful Christmas Gold Embossed

Isn't this just a beautiful card? I wouldn't make them as Christmas cards for everyone on my list as the card is time consuming, but it would be great for a special friend or family member. 

Stamp set Joyful Christmas. I was debating on purchasing this set or not. While talking to a friend she asked me how often would you use it. Well all I can say after making this card the stamp set paid for itself:)

Base card vanilla. Next layer embossed with print embossing folder. The post card stamp has a ton of heat embossing on it. I first stamped it on vanilla with VersaMark ink and embossed with detail gold powder. 

The 2 cent stamp was embossed with gold then trimmed with postcard scissors. Next step was to used Gorgeous Grunge and emboss again with more gold. The flower was stamped twice with VersaMark and embossed with gold. I trimmed and used the smaller center flower from the stamp. 

After embossing the flower color was added using markers: Poppy Parade, and Pear Pizzazz.

I raided my vintage gold and silver buttons to find the one I used in the center of the flower. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Wetlands Again

Back with another Wetlands card. 

Base card white. Panel Bermuda Bay with a small layer of Old Olive. 

I stamped the geese in black and added some grass with Old Olive. 

Just a simple card, but I like it! 

Not much going on this week. Trying to stay on top of the last of the garden. We still have some more tomatoes that will need to come in. I also have to dig up the sweet potatoes. 

Here is some of the latest. I'm glad I talked Skip into leaving some of the green peppers alone on the vine so they could turn red. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Sunflower Candle

I made this candle for Jessica's bridal shower. I wish the sunflower wouldn't have been so dark when I heat set it into the candle, but it is going as is. 

I stamped the sunflower with Early Espresso on tissue paper, then added So Saffron marker to the petals and center. After cutting closely around the stamped image I placed it on the candle then covered it tightly with waxed paper. Used the embossing tool to melt it into the candle. Then I added the word the same way. 

To the bottom I added a Certainly Celery strip with crochet lace and heart charm. 

I winged the candle holder using Blushing Bride cardstock. Only took 3 tries till I figured out the correct pattern. I'm going to wrap it up in cello paper. OMG the candle smells so great. Vanilla! My favorite sent. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Ex Libris Meets Sunflower

Back with another Ex Libris card. This time I inked it up with Garden Green and stamped on Crumb Cake. 

I cut out the inside and just used the border on a vanilla base card. I'll use the leftover piece for another project. 

Before attaching the border to the base I inked up the Sunflower background stamp with So Saffron then used a sponge to add Early Espresso around the edges of the petals and the center. 

Greeting is from Feel Goods. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Ex Libris Note Cards

I wanted to try and ink some new stamps. This time I'm playing around with Ex Libris 

Of course first I had to look up the definition of Ex Libris. 

used as an inscription on a bookplate to show the name of the book's owner

 

Okay now that I know that moving on to the cards. 

 

 

All of them were stamped on a Crumb Cake base card. I think this one is my favorite one. 

I inked the background stamp with Cherry Cobbler. 

Greetings are all from Perfectly Penned. 

For the flowers I used Mixed Bunch on Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray. They were punched with the matching punch and attached with a vintage brad. You wouldn't think that Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil and Gray would go together, but I think its pretty striking color combo. 

 

 

For this one I used the Bird Builder punch with Island Indigo, Night of Navy, and Pear Pizzazz. 

 

 

And for this one I used Everything Eleanor stamp set. 

I inked up the flower with Cherry Cobbler and stamped on matching cardstock, and also one on vanilla.

These were fussy cut and popped on the card. Also added vanilla seam binding.

Let me tell you about my bathroom scale. It seems three weeks ago I was going to weigh in. I was so sure that I had lost weight that I was not ready for the scale to tell me otherwise.
It wasn't much of a gain just .4 from the previous week, but it was enough to make something inside me snap. Maybe it was because its been hard to lose weight when I'm limited with working out. Maybe it was because I just wasn't feeling good. Whatever the reason I put the scale away.
Now even though I put the scale away and resolved never to step foot on it again something in the back of my mind must have still kept me on track.
I decided yesterday morning to drag out that dreaded scale again and see just where I stood on the weight loss or gain.
Over the three weeks I lost 2.5
So you just never know about scales.
I'm 20 away from goal. YAY! Now will I get back on that scale next week?
You know I will.
 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #27

Welcome back to another Mailable Monday. 

This time I'm using Snowflake Soiree. I'm happy that this is a carryover stamp set and is still available for purchase. Love these snowflakes!

Color Palette: Island Indigo, Marina Mist, and Pool Party.

I first used one of the stamps from Gorgeous Grunge on the white base card. Stamp was inked with VersaMark then embossed with white embossing powder. 

Next I stamped the snowflakes then added Pool Party to the background with a sponge. 

I like the way the embossed stamping shows through the sponged ink. 

I did add two very small rhinestones, one above the i in believe, and the other in the center of the large snowflake. Since there are no layers on the card the rhinestones should go through the mail just fine without adding additional bulk. 

Stamping trails

Karen

File Folder Card Envelope Punch Board

I'm still playing with Perfect Blend stamp set. Which is quickly becoming my "new" favorite set. 

So many decorating options for this stamp set. 

I first made a file folder using the new Envelope Punch Board. If you don't have one let me tell you....you need this tool. Makes great envelopes for mailing your cards in, but can also be used for other projects. 

I used some washi tape, and designer paper on the card. Also used Gorgeous Grunge stamp set for the background.  (another stamp set I can't live without)

Big thanks to Patty for posting a video on how to make the file folders. You can see her video here

Inside view of the file folder card. This is the size of a standard A2 size card. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Vintage Stamp Holder

Check out this "vintage" rubber stamp holder. These use to be use in offices, libraries, and banks to hold rubber stamps that had handles.

I was thrilled this past weekend when my brother-in-law gave it to me. He know how much I love stamping. 

I even like the little bit of rust on the base, makes it rustic and very vintage looking. 

And what is even better.....I have stamps for it to hold. How cool!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen

The Raven...Never More Witch Hat

I combined three stamp sets to make this cute little Halloween card. 

Raven from Toil & Trouble, Witch hat from Best of Halloween, and greeting from Tags 4 You. 

Color Palette: Smokey Slate, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black. Designer paper Howlstooth (retired).

I have to tell you....I inked up the greeting with Tangerine Tango, and used a black marker to color the spiders. Then when I stamped it on the vanilla base card it was just perfectly placed, however I had stamped it upside down!!!! So I had to ink it again and stamp on vanilla then punch out the image with the matching punch. I popped it over the OOPS I made.That my stamping friends is what happens when you choose not to add the sticker to the clear stamps. 

Raven and hat are also added to the card via pop dots. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Happy Mail Day

Well I got some happy mail last week. My friend Kat sent me a package of cards. 

Love the male themed cards as you can never have enough of those. 

 

Great job on the cards Kat. Big Thanks!!!!!

Today I'll be going over to MIL Kate's house. Going to take her to a doctor appointment then out grocery store shopping. After that I have some stamping projects that need to be finished up and a birthday box to mail. 

Stamping trails

Karen