Mini Pizza Box

I love love love this mini pizza box! So stinking cute!

Cardstock for box is cut 7 1/4" x 4"

Score the long side at 3/4", 3 1/4", 4" and 6 1/2"

Score the short side at 3/4 " and 3 1/4" 

Use a bone folder to make sure you have nice creases on all the score lines. 

Make cuts at the score lines just as you would see on a box. 

Use sticky strip or other strong adhesive to adhere the box flaps together. 

I used a 3/4 circle punch to make the little notch at the front of the box for 

easy opening. 

Belly band is 1" x 7 1/2.

Spiral Flower die used with Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock. Build a Blossom punch used for 

the leaf. 

Here is view of the open box. 

 

Happy last day of February. Lets hope March goes by just as fast!!!! I need Winter to be over! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Sweet Sorbet Starburst

Well I finally got around to trying the starburst technique. 

So simple to do. 

Stamp set See you Later. Designer paper Sweet Sorbet, and sweet sorbet accessory pack.

Used Apothecary Accents framelits to cut out the greeting that was stamped on Pool Party 

cardstock. 

For the starburst I cut strips of designer paper 4x1/2. These were then cut on an angle 

down the center to make two long triangle pieces. 

The pieces were then adhered to a 5 x 2 3/4 inch piece of cardstock. 

Starting at the center adhere one strip. The strip will over hang the cardstock on two edges. 

Repeat with remaining strips till the base cardstock is covered. Then just trim the edges even with 

the cardstock piece. Layer and finish as desired. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Happy Birthday Hubby

Happy Birthday to a really great guy....my hubby Skip. 

We had his birthday party on Sunday, but I wanted to wish him Happy Birthday on

his birthday. He is working today, but I'm making one of his favs for dinner...Spaghetti. 

Just a simple no layer card using stuff from this years Sale-A-Brations. 

See Ya Later stamp set and Sweet Sorbet accessory pack. 

I also used Dictionary background stamp with Sahara Sand ink.

Base card white. Basic Black ink for the greeting. 

Summer Starfruit twine. 3/4 inch circle punch used on top and bottom of 

card to hold the twine in place. 

Normally this time of the year our temps are in the low 40's. Well no such luck with that....

the next 10 days we are not going to get out of the 20's. Wind chill this morning was -5.

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

I'm more than ready for SPRING!!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday #2

Welcome back to Take a Tip Tuesday.

When working with large background stamps I

find it easier to turn the stamp rubber side up on my desk. 

Then tap the ink pad all over the stamp till it is completely covered

with ink. 

Before you turn the stamp over to place on the cardstock give a good look

to make sure there is no "stray" ink along the edges of the rubber. 

Take a piece of tissue and wipe the ink off the edges. 

Now if you forget to do this step and you get that "halo" on your stamped image....

refer to the  Take a Tip Tuesday #1

You can see I'm speaking from experience here. Can't tell you how often I have stray ink!

Here is the completed card. See how nice and crisp the image is? 

I also used Crushed Curry Chevron ribbon (thanks Kat!)

Stamps: Label Love, and Swallowtail

Base card white, ink Basic Gray, and Smokey Slate

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #50

Can you really tell that I'm lovin' fringe scissors? 

I used them again for today's Mailable Monday card.

Vanilla base card cut 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2

I used the fringe scissors to cut along the bottom of the card. 

Next I used Delicate Designs embossing folder across the top

of the fringe. Then added a 1/2 inch strip of Crumb Cake cardstock

across the top of the embossing. 

Greeting from Perfectly Penned stamp set. 

I think if I wasn't posting this for Mailable Monday I would have added

some small pearls across the Crumb Cake layer. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Fringe Flower Tutorial

Remember the fringe flower card I made last week? Well

I got the photos together to show you how it was done. 

Instead of making a flower to put on a card I wrapped it around pencils. 

I like how the eraser stands out as the center of the flower. 

If you are making a flower for a card you can use the same tutorial but instead

of wrapping it around the pencil you can wrap it around a button, or brad.

First thing you will need is a piece of designer paper cut 11x2

Mark the center at 1 inch

Next take normal scissors and cut from the one inch mark up to the 2 inch side. 

See the photo as to how the piece of paper is angled. 

Fold paper in half the long way, open it up and apply tombo glue to one edge. 

 

Fold in half and just adhere the edges together. 

 

 

Using the fringe scissors make cuts from the folded edge, but

be careful not to cut all the way. Continue to cut across the strip. 

Cut a piece of sticky strip about 3 inches long and place on the shorter side of the cut strip. 

Remove the red piece and place the pencil (or button or brad) at the edge and 

start wrapping. 

Once you reach the end of the piece of sticky strip add

tombo glue along the edge of the rest of the strip. 

Continue wrapping till it is all rolled up. 

You could use sticky strip along the entire piece but since the tape cost a bit more than the tombo

I only use it at the beginning. Don't worry the tombo will hold the rest of it in place. 

After the glue dries (doesn't take long) Use your fingers to flatten out the fringe. 

Simple right? 

Stamping trails

Karen

Lets get Punchy!

Just a little punch happy today. 

Greeting from Blooming with Kindness. Flower stamp from Petite Petals

Punches: 1 1/4 scallop, Petite Petals, and punch pack small scallop.

Designer paper from SAB Sweet Sorbet.

I have a large job to do today. We have to empty out our

large Rosewood entertainment center due to getting new windows in the house.

The center is to close to the front room windows and will have to be moved in order

to get the trim put on around the new windows. 

I have the easy part taking everything out. I don't have to move the two

piece monster. It is very heavy. The boys will be doing that part. 

We are having an early birthday party for Skip on Sunday. So the boys (aka, Skip, John and Sarah's 

 

boyfriend Jason) will be moving it then. Shhh they don't know it yet! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Bitty Boxes

How cute and clever are these boxes made from designer paper?

I found the tutorial here

Each box uses a 3x11 piece of designer paper. 

I used Sweet Sorbet paper and Occasions Alphabet stamp set. 

 

I found out that the Occasions Alphabet fit really nicely into the ticket punch! COOL!

 

Finished box size 4x1

I am late posting today. I was adsorbed in a book yesterday and didn't get to the

stamping studio. 

This morning I forced myself to clean the microwave. Not my favorite job, but 

I made it easier by heating water in a bowl on high for 3 minutes. Got the 

inside nice and steamy so the crud on the walls wiped off pretty easy. 

The wind is really howling outside right now. We are in a wind advisory. I still ventured outside

to get a few things from the grocery store. Thought I was going to be blown away!!!

Funny little story....Skip brought in the mail and read the outside of an envelope that was 

addressed to me......"Cards" inside. He laughed and said that this must be mine. 

He knows me so well...but it wasn't that type of card. They were new cards from AARP....

Yes I'm that old!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen

Shabby Chic Bliss

I was in one of those moods yesterday...Just wanted to do a shabby card. 

I used the jumbo Shop Around Wheel with Soft Suede ink, layered on Calypso Coral.

Flowers from Mixed Bunch, and Everything Eleanor. 

Background stamp Hello Doily. 

It was warmer yesterday, and the snow has started to melt. 

Today is going to be even warmer at 51 degrees. Of course now there are

flood warnings as the snow will be melting. I'll be happy to be warmer for a change. 

This Winter has been way to bitter cold for me. 

We met yesterday with a salesman to get new windows installed. So those will be

put in within the next 6 weeks. I'm happy about them as they tilt in for easy cleaning. I'm 

all about easier cleaning! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Fringe Scissor Flower

Isn't this fringe flower to cute!!!

Yup it was made with the fringe scissors that is in the Occasions mini catalog. 

I used the paper that comes as packing material in SU boxes. 

Hopefully I'll get a tutorial made so you can see how I made it. 

Also used the new scallop tag punch. What a fun punch to play with. 

Stamp set Blooming with Kindness for the greeting, and Papaya Collage for the leaf in the

background. 

Other things used, button, natural trim ribbon, delicate designs, and lattice square knot embossing folder. 

Blossom builder punch used with Old Olive for the leaf. 

Skip was home yesterday. We had a bit of a snow storm late Monday night. Brought down

quite a bit of snow. I think I've lost count on how many calamity days they have had this year. 

 

And after the snow this week it is suppose to be 50 degrees on Thursday. Crazy weather we are 

 

having! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday #1

I have tip to share with you today. Its something I have been doing since I've 

been using clear stamps. 

See the little "halo" at the bottom of this stamped image? 

Try as I might sometimes I get ink around the edge of the rubber image and forget to 

wipe it off before I stamp. That is what causes the "halo". 

Now see the cute flowered emery board next to the stamp image? 

That is my trick! 

I used the emery board to lightly sand away the stray ink. 

It just takes a few light strokes to remove the little boo boo. 

Here you can see that the "halo" has been removed without any damage to the 

cardstock. Click on the photos to see a larger view. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday #49

I have a no layer card for today' Mailable Monday.

Base is white. 

Stamp sets Gorgeous Grunge, Secret Garden, and Feel Goods

Ink colors: Strawberry Slush, Midnight Muse, and Cherry Cobbler. 

I inked the line stamp with strawberry slush and stamped starting with long image

then worked my way across using less and less of the stamp. 

Then I inked the flower image with midnight muse and stamped one flower at the

bottom of each of the line images. 

Hope you will stop by tomorrow as I'm starting a new section of the blog called

"Take a Tip" Tuesdays. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Fringed Pencils

Fringed pencils. How cool! I know my nieces would love these.

I used Sweet Sorbet designer paper (free SAB paper)

Cut the paper 8 1/2 x 3 inches. Then scored in center to have a doubled 1 1/2 x 8 1/2 strip. 

I then used the fringed scissors and cut through up to about 1/4 inch away from the scored line. 

Next came a piece of sticky strip across the uncut edge of the paper. 

This was then wrapped around the edge of the silver part of the pencil that holds the eraser. 

To finish it off I added a piece of washi tape around the base of the fringed piece.

Its snowing here again today. It looks pretty sticking to the branches of the trees. 

We were enjoying watching the birds this morning. Glad to see them coming back that must mean that Winter is getting shorter now. Hope so as I'm pretty darn tired of being cold! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Fringe Scissors

Just trying out the new fringe scissors. 

I used Midnight Muse, and Strawberry Slush and after cutting with the 

scissors I layered them behind the stamped panel. 

Stamp set used From My Heart. 

I have a few projects in mind to use with these fun scissors. Hoping to start posting them

next week. 

We are off to get lunch and then to the Home and Garden Show. Its snowing again, but I have

cabin fever and really need to get out of the house. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Love You More with Deco Label Framelit

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is the card I made for hubby. It will go along with the large container of 

his favorite cookie.....peanut butter! 

Base is white, layer Bermuda Bay.

The small white layer was stamped with World Map and Off the Grid stamps. 

I first punched Crumb Cake with 2 1/2 circle punch then ran that through the 

Big shot using a deco label framelit die. 

Stamp set used Love you More. 

I linked the globe with Bermuda Bay on white then fussy cut it out. 

Then I inked up the stamp three more times and stamped it on Crumb Cake. 

The circles were cut out, folded in half, then glue dots applied so maps would be 3d. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Potted Rosebush

Just a quick post today. Wanted to show you this cute little rose bush that

Skip got for me on Saturday. We were out

shopping and they had carts full of potted plants. I like the miniature roses. 

Skip liked the tulips, but I'm not really overly fond of tulips so we got the rose bush. 

Speaking of Skip he's not been feeling so well. He had a cold two weeks ago, got over it

but got sick again. Poor thing. He doesn't get sick very often, but when it happens it

takes him out. 

Knock on wood I recovered from my cold and have been doing well. 

Close up of the little rosebuds. 

I'll be making peanut butter cookies this afternoon. Wanted to make some to give Skip for 

Valentine's day tomorrow. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Get Well Tissue Box

Isn't this the cutest little Get Well project? 

When I found this on Pinterest I knew I had to make one. 

The base is made with Pistachio Pudding cardstock. 

Designer paper Sweet Sorbet (free SAB)

Greeting from Perfectly Penned. 

Other things used: Deco Labels framelits, Deco Label punch, paper doily, rhinestones, Petite Petals stamp set and matching punch. 

Now I know since you have seen this you want to make one for yourself or an under the weather friend. 

Click here to view Shannon's video on how to make this quick and easy project. 

I think next time around I'm going to run the deco label frame piece through an embossing folder. Just to give

 

it more texture. I know I'll be making more of these. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Hello Sailor Framelit Card

I used a few things on this card that I haven't played with before. 

Whale is from Hello, Sailor stamp set. The greeting is from

Just Sayin', which also has a matching Word Bubbles Framelit die. 

Chevron punch was punched with Pacific Point and added to the bottom along with silver

bakers twine. 

Hello, Sailor stamp set also has matching designer paper called High Tide. 

This is one of the mail reasons why I love Stampin'Up! products so much. They 

have many things that work together! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 48

For today's card I used Best of Love, and Petal Parade.

Word was stamped with Garden Green

Before inking the flower stamp with Rose Red I used a Rose Red marker to color in one of the

flower petals. I was hoping to do a play on he loves me he loves me not by stamping three single

flower petals on the card.

After that was finished I inked the entire stamp with Rose Red and stamped it above the word love. 

Also used my new favorite embossing folder Delicate Designs. 

Base card and layer are both Sahara Sand.

Very simple card but I think it has great appeal and works very well for Mailable Monday.

I was actually thinking about making up a few more of these and using them for Anniversary cards.


 

Stamping trails

Karen

By the Tide

Another new to me stamp set....By the Tide. 

I thought this would be great to make those ever challenging "guy" cards. 

I started by sponging the background colors with Pacific Point, and Old Olive, but I 

wanted bolder colors. So used a mist bottle filled with alcohol, and dropped one drop of

Pacific point re-inker on the cardstock. I used a sponge to blend it in. 

The sea vines were inked with Jet Black StazOn. 

Fish and shell were stamped then fussy cut out. 

Embossing folder from SAB was used on the white panel. 

 

I left off a greeting as I want to have more blank cards. I can add a greeting to the inside card later.

We grocery store shopping yesterday. Glad we did as we got more snow overnight. At least 

yesterday it was clear and sunny. 

Going to Home and Garden show today. Skip wants to see "Spring" things as he is 

pretty tired of Winter....so are we all! 

I did see an early sign of Spring yesterday....a robin was in our tree out front. 

A little early, but Spring is only 38 days away. Can't come soon enough for me! 

Stamping trails

Karen

There be Squirrels in my Tree

I was going through some photos and I saw that I didn't post this one taken on December 29th. 

The squirrels were out and looked hungry so I threw out some nuts to them. 

Two of them picked up a nut and selected the same tree to climb up an enjoy the feast. 

Just heard on the radio that it is only suppose to be 19 degrees tomorrow with a wind chill of -9.

Say it with me......BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

 

Speaking of the radio Magic 105.7 is having a Beatles weekend. Sounds like a great weekend to stay in the 

 

stamping studio stamping and listening to some good tunes!

I did venture out yesterday afternoon. I need to mail some stuff at the post office. 

Really need to do the grocery shopping, but I don't think I'll be doing that today. I'm such a freeze baby! 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Petite Petals

Happy Friday! 

I was playing with some new stuff yesterday. 

Lets see....Petite Petals stamp set and matching punch, Watercolor Wonder designer paper, silver bakers twine, and decorative spots embossing folder. 

 

Color Palette: Gumball Green, Island Indigo, Crushed Curry, Smokey Slate, and Tangerine Tango.

For the greeting I used Thank You from Perfectly Penned. 

I carried the theme from the outside to the inside card since the card is a bit dark to write a message on. 

 

Skip just came home from work (keep in mind that I normally write my posts the night before they go live)

He's telling me that the temps are going down to zero and he might get another day off work. 

 

He says he is running out of things to do on all these days off...I promptly told him he could help me clean the house or make me dinner. Well none of those went over very well, so he said he would take me out for dinner. Its a win, win. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

You Mean the World to Me

Playing around with a new stamp set. This one is called Love You More. 

I really only got this set because I really loved the globe. 

The designer paper is Fresh Prints. 

Globe was stamped with Real Red. The globe itself was stamped with Crumb Cake then a pop dot was

added to lift the world off its axis.

 

 

We got tons of snow Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Skip got the day

off work due to the schools being closed. 

You can see the snow covered cars in the picture. The gray car is John's new "old" car. 

He sold the pick-up truck as it was just falling apart due to the rust and age.

The smaller car is so much better on gas. He's happy with it. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

I Like You

Well since its snowing and I got a new stamp set....Best of Snow...

It is fitting that today's card features snow. 

The little hedgehog is just to stinking cute! 

Word stamp is from this years Sell-A-Bration You're Lovely

I stamped the image with Jet Black StazOn onto Shimmery White cardstock. 

Colored in with aqua painter using Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, and Peach Parfait. 

Little heart at the top is from Owl Builder. 

I'm still working on getting rid of the cold hubby decided to share with me. 

Hopefully I'm getting to the end of it. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Frame Art

Look what I got in the mail on Saturday! 

Isn't this "Love" frame just too cute? 

As the letters spell out.....I just LOVE it! 

Big thanks to Kat for making my day. It seems that I have picked up

hubby's cold and I'm none to happy about it. The happy mail was a great pick me up, and had great timing showing up at my door. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 47

Happy Mailable Monday!

Back today with a Valentine card.

Stamp sets: Best of Love, and Geometrical

Color Palette: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and White. 

I used different embossing folders for the banners, and speaking of banners..I also used

the new Banners Framelits dies that are in the Occasions Mini catalog. 

I wanted the banners to be different heights even though I used the same framelit on all three

banners. I used the Old Olive strip of cardstock on top so I could have the the embossed banners on the right and left even with the bottom of the Olive strip. Only the white banner with the words are tucked 

under the olive strip. 

The greeting at the bottom is another story. It is from Geometrical stamp set. I didn't ink the stamp

enough or I didn't press hard enough and either way the "o's" didn't get good coverage. I didn't think I could fix it with a matching marker so I used the 1/4 circle punch and covered them up with white cardstock. 

I like the effect...makes them pop! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Gingerbread

Well the gingerbread came out really good. I didn't have the buttermilk as the recipe called for so 

I used 1% milk instead as that is what I had on hand. 

This went really good with my ginger snappish tea. 

Good-for-You Gingerbread

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 packed brown sugar

3/4 tsp ground ginger

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 egg white lightly beaten

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup light molasses

Heat oven to 350. Spray 8x8 pan with cooking spray

Mix the flours, brown sugar, spices, and baking powder/soda

In a small bowl mix the remaining ingredients 

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix with hand mixer until combined. 

Pour batter into pan and bake for 30 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. 

Cool on wire rack. Sprinkle with powder sugar before serving warm. 

 

While I thought this was good warm I liked it better at room temperature. 

Skip got my car fixed. The battery was weak so he bought a new one for it. 

I'm hoping that we are finished with the Polar Vortex stuff. Twice in one year is enough for me. 

 

Happy that February has arrived and I'm wondering about the shadow of the groundhog. 

I'm sure it will be 6 more weeks of Winter. I never really understood the groundhog business anyway.

Living in the Northeast we know that in February at the very least we always have 6 more weeks of Winter. 

Sometimes a little more. 

I think I'm a little smarter than a groundhog! LOL 

So go ahead groundhog and predict your worst!

 

Stamping trails
Karen

Minion Full of Love

Happy February! 

I'm still making some Valentine cards. 

Back with another Minion card. 

Base card vanilla, layer Chocolate Chip that was embossed with a heart folder (Cuttlebug)

Minion was cut from Daffodil Delight. I used the large heart punch with Cajun Craze cardstock.

I didn't have a smaller heart punch to cut out the center so I used a hobby blade and just winged it. 

Behind the heart is a piece of vanilla cardstock. 

Greeting from Tags 4 You. 

Such a happy little Minion just full of love! 

I didn't do a lot yesterday. I had planned to craft since I got a SU order in, but I just didn't get to it. 

My nephew came over and I spent the late afternoon and evening with him. It was good to catch up with what he, and the family has been doing. 

I did make some gingerbread which I will share the recipe and picture with you tomorrow. 

Stamping trails

Karen