Happy Anniversary to Skip and Karen

Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary to me and hubby!

Can't believe 32 years have flown by. 

This photo was taken while we were dating. I was 19 and Skip

was 23 or 24. 

My friend Lisa sent me this card. Love the birds with the heart cut out in the center.

I'd also like to wish Lisa a happy anniversary who shares our anniversary date. 

This card was made by my friend Kat. So many pretty pink hearts!

Last card is from my friend Connie. Another bird card! 

Thanks for all the beautiful cards girls!

I'll be putting in my Stampin'Up! pre-order from the new catalog.

That is my anniversary gift!

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday # 11

Today's tip is reverse masking. 

I started by running a piece of card through the Big Shot using

just the image I wanted. In this case the large leave from 

Autumn Accents Bigz die. 

Next step is to place the mask on cardstock and use plenty of

post it notes to hold it in place. Also make sure you cover any area 

of the cardstock that you do not want the ink to touch. 

Use sponges to add color to the image area. 

I used Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler. 

I also added a word stamp to the area before removing the post it notes. 

Word stamp from Notable Notions. 

Here is the completed card. Would also be a great Mailable Monday card idea. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 59

Oh Hello stamp set is also on the retiring list. 

Color Palette: Crushed Curry, Island Indigo, Garden Green, Vanilla, Crumb Cake. 

 I was in the mood for spaghetti yesterday so I made a large pot.

Of course the men in the family got the pasta noodles, I opted for 

a less calorie noodle, so I broke out the Gefu Spirelli spiral slicer and

grabbed a zucchini. I like to saute the "zucchini noodles"in a little

olive oil then add the sauce on top. YUM.

Suppose to rain most of the week. I guess I should be happy with that as its

not snow, and you know what they say...April Showers bring May flowers. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Retired Stamp Set You're Amazing

This stamp set You're Amazing has been on my wish list

since it appeared in a SU catalog, but I only just ordered

it and received it yesterday. Since it was on the retiring list it

was now or never! 

Color Palette: Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Perfect Plum, and white. 

I also used Designer Frames and Square Lattice embossing folders. 

We went out looking at houses yesterday. Skip wants to find 

a foreclosure. We found one that might fit the bill. 

It is all one level plus a basement which is what I need

now that the knees are bad. This split level house is taking its toll. 

Skip also planted two apple trees. It was warmer out than what

the weather forecast predicted which is a good thing! 

 

 

Picture of the tulips coming up in the front flower bed.

Stamping trails

Karen

Retirning Take Care Stamp Set

Back with another card featuring retired stamps and supplies by

Stampin'Up!

Tree branch from Take Care stamp set. Word love is

from Best of Love. 

Sadly the little heart punch is also retiring. 

Not much going on today. Going to continue to be chilly for this time 

of the year. I would love to have a hot day. Guess I'll have to move 

to TX to see temps in the 90's. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Goodbye Papaya Collage, and Perfectly Penned Stamp Sets

Another two stamp sets that are on the retired list

Papaya Collage, and Perfectly Penned. 

Papaya Collage is wonderful for Shabby Chic cards, and collages. 

The background stamp I used Dictionary thankfully is still a current set. 

This was inked with Crumb Cake and stamped on vanilla cardstock. 

The greenery was inked with Garden Green, and the bird was inked 

with Cherry Cobbler, and touched up with some Early Espresso using a marker. 

Victorian Trim also used across to the bottom. To get the trim to ruffle I added

some sticky strip (red line tape) then gathered the trim as I adhered it on. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Retiring Things

While I'm sad this time of the year due to the SU retired list coming out

I'm happy at the same time knowing there soon will be lots of 

new things to flip for. 

I'm going to be using some of the stamps and supplies that are on the retired list

over the next few days. If you are planning to place an order for these things do it

fast as once they run out they will be gone. 

Above card uses Delicate Doilies stamp set, and Occasions Alphabet. 

Also retiring are the ink colors used Midnight Muse, and Gumball Green. 

Victoria trim ribbon, and pearls are also on the retired list. 

I made ham bone soup yesterday so the Easter ham is gone. Time to start

thinking of new things for dinner. I thought soup weather would be over, but

living in Ohio I should know better. We are going to have soup temps for the next week. 

Sarah asked her dad why he hadn't started any seedlings yet, and his reply...to cold! 

Hoping the Summer months will be nice and hot. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Easter Photos

I got an Easter basket! I told hubby earlier in the month that I 

wanted a basket so he put one together for me. 

Wasn't that sweet! 

Sarah colored eggs and put little rhinestone stickers on them. 

One of my favorite ones. Love the color. 

She also made a pan of brownies and added M&M's. 

They were really good as she used a Ghirardelli mix.

Remember that origami bunny I posted on Sunday? We had to put one of the eggs in that.

Perfect fit. 

Grandma Katie and Sarah. 

I had to snap a picture of the back of Sarah's hair. So cute the way

she had it curled and adorned with a butterfly clip. 

It was a good family day and thankfully the temps were in the low 70's so it was perfect. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday #10

So do you want to use that scrap cardstock but after the stamping is

done the cardstock piece is to small to slide down into a punch? 

No problem just add a post it note. 

Then you can slide the cardstock into the punch. Pretty simple tip but so 

handy! 

We had a nice Easter dinner on Sunday. I'll be back tomorrow with some photos to share. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 58

For today's card I used Post card stamp inked with Soft Suede. 

The flowers are from Serene Silhouettes, and the background words

came from Notable Notions. 

Colors Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry, and Garden Green. 

The vanilla layer was done with Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. 

After the stamping was completed on the post card layer I trimmed

the sides to make it look like a tag. Punched a hole in the top of the tag

and added Cherry Cobbler seam binding. 

I love the softness of this card. Since there isn't a greeting

on the front this card could be used for many different occasions. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Origami Bunny

I made an origami bunny yesterday afternoon. 

Made with a 6x6 piece of designer paper. 

The paper I used is from the "stone age" LOL 

Its a long past retired SU paper. 

And speaking of retired.....Stampin'Up! retired list comes out tomorrow! 

I'm hoping there is not a lot of stuff on the list that I need to get as I'd 

like to wait till the new catalog comes out to spend my money on.....

 

but even if there is a lot of retired items I want I won't have to pay shipping on them

 

because Stampin'Up! is offering free shipping starting on the 21st and ending on the 25th. 

 

How cool is that!!!! 

 

 

 

Side view of the bunny I made. 

There is a nice U Tube video if you'd like to make one.

Looking forward to visiting with the family today.

Hope everyone has a blessed Easter. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Fresh Print Card

Only one day till Easter! 

Thankfully the weather is just beautiful. It was 72 yesterday, 

and will continue to be nice and warm into next week. 

I've been busy cleaning the house and today I'll start

prepping some food that I will be serving the family on Easter. 

Today's card is simple and clean.

Designer paper is from Fresh Prints. 

Scallop tag punch in white, and then I punched the

bottom of the tag with the scallop border punch. 

Greeting used came from the "From my Heart" stamp set. 

Flowers are Petite Petals with matching punch. 

So while I'm still in the mood to clean....I need to go iron the white tablecloth that

my friend Lisa got me for Christmas. It will look great on the table with the 

bunny runner down the center. 

Hopping Trails!

Karen

Cold Weather and a One Eyed Cat

Just wanted to post a few pictures. 

This one was taken on the 16th of April.

That's right April!

We had snow on the 15th and a few days of cold

temps in the 30's. I took the picture of the icicle hanging 

from the sliding glass door. 

This is a picture of the next door neighbor's cat. 

They have four of them and they are all outside cats. 

When our cat Burbank died last year the other cats took over our yard. 

If you click on this photo you can see that this cat has only one eye. 

It scares me some mornings as it will be looking through the sliding glass

door with that one large yellow eye he has. 

Well bad news on the window install. Part of the new windows was the trim,

that we contracted to have installed around each new window. Well that wasn't written in

the contract (bad us for not catching it)

So the installers called the company and they spoke to the salesman.

After all was said and done they are going to honor what we were told.

Now for the bad news....because of the oversight we now have to wait till

May 6th to start the install. I'm happy we are going to get what was agreed to,

but bummed out about the longer wait time. Plus we had to move things around

to clear the windows and had to put things back due to family coming for Easter dinner.

Its always something! I spoke to my nephew Eric today. He said his new motto..."it is what it is".

So true.

Stamping trails

Karen

Punch Art Birdhouses with Take Care Stamp Set

The stamp set used is Take Care.

I made the birdhouses using the extra large oval punch.

I just trimmed off some of the bottom. 

Roof was made with the window punch. 

Designer paper Watercolor Wonder. 

Color Palette: Island Indigo, Smokey Slate, Chocolate Chip, 

and Gumball Green. 

Linen Thread attached to the tree branch and the houses. 

Both birdhouses were popped on the card. 

New Windows being put in today. 

I'll take pictures and post them on the blog. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Gorgeous Grunge Splotchy Card

I'm calling this card "splotchy" 

I used Gorgeous Grunge, for the background,

and Timeless Talk for the greeting. 

Color Palette: Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight,

Old Olive, and Pacific Point. 

Used little heart punch with the same color cardstock as the ink,

then just added a rhinestone to the center of each heart. 

Hearts were also popped. 

New Windows are coming tomorrow!!!!!!

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Take a Tip Tuesday #9

I just love how this card turned out. 

Did you know you can make eggs using White Simply Pressed Clay?

I used a small amount for each egg and rolled them into

oval shapes. Then let them dry. 

To get the spots on the eggs I inked up the dots stamp from Gorgeous Grunge

and placed it ink side up on my desk.

Then I simply rolled the eggs over the stamp. 

They look like little bird eggs with the Pacific Point ink. 

I also used Bird Builder punch, Artisan punch and Take Care stamp set.

Color Palette: Pacific Point, Wild Wasbi, Chocolate Chip, White, and Early Espresso. 

Happy birthday to my nephew Corbet. He is 26 today, and a Tax baby as my brother Tony

use to call him since he was born on the day taxes are due. 

Well after having a beautiful weekend the temperature dropped down into the 30's and we got a

little bit of snow. Good Grief!!!! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 57

This is a bold clean card for today's Mailable Monday post.

Base card vanilla, Layer Rose Red.

Stamped vanilla layer was done with Gorgeous Grunge, and Rose Red ink. 

Greeting from Feel Goods. 

We've had some warmer temps and I've been finding myself

being hit with the Spring Cleaning bug. 

Its going to be an exciting week as the new windows will be installed 

on Thursday. Can't wait! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mixed up Cactus

Okay...remember my Christmas cactus that thinks

its a Halloween/Thanksgiving cactus and blooms at the end of 

October?

Well that same cactus is really mixed up this time. 

Look what I found on it while I was giving it a drink......

a single bud that is going to bloom. 

Hmmm.....maybe it wants to be an Easter cactus now.

Or maybe it is jealous of all the crocus that was blooming in the yard....

or maybe the tulips coming up. 

I'm puzzled as it has never done this before. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Easter Cards from Friends.

Just wanted to share some cards I received last earlier this week. 

The cute little chicken card is from Kathy. She used

the Owl Builder punch. 

This egg card was made by Lisa. 

Both of the cards are just wonderful Ladies! 

Thanks for thinking of me. 

So which came first.....the chicken or the egg? 

Well seeing how both the cards came in on the same day and I opened 

Kathy's chicken card first....I'll say the chicken came first. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Silly Bunny Mini Coffee Cup

Back with another 4oz mini coffee cup project.

I used wide oval and large oval for the ears. 

Large oval for feet.

Mini punch pack circle for feet pads.

Small heart for nose. 

and 7/8 scallop circle punch for the tail. This I attached with a pop dot. 

All the edges were sponged with Basic Gray ink.

Face details added with Basic Gray marker. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Punch Art Baby in Tree Branch

Are these little punch art babies cute or what? 

Tree branch is from Take Care stamp set.

Baby uses the following punches:

Wide oval that was cut on two sides to make the diaper.

Small oval head

Small heart forms the knot around the branch, and feet.

Small circle from punch pack makes the knot at the bottom of the two hearts,

and makes the pacifier.

I used candy dot to make the center of the pacifier. 

Soft Suede marker used for the curl on top of baby's head. 

Also used Banner Framelits, That's the Ticket stamp set, and ticket punch. 

Tree branch is Soft Suede, and Garden Green. 

Base cards, Pink Pirouette, and Marina Mist. 

Edges of diaper sponged with Soft Suede. 

Head and feet were done with Pink Pirouette cardstock. 

Stamping trails

Karen

First Mini Coffee Cup Project Punch Bunny

How cute is this little guy? 

After seeing so many wonderful projects made with these 4oz mini 

coffee cups I had to add them to my collection of things to make. 

Here are the punches used to make the little bunny just

in case you want to make your own. He would be cute on a 

greeting card. 

Body, 2 1/2 circle 

Head 1 3/4 circle

Tail,  3/4 circle

Ears, wide oval, and large oval punch

Cheeks, 1 inch circle

Nose, 1/2 circle

Eyes, whites made with largest circle from Owl Builder punch, 

 

and pupils made with 2nd largest circle Owl Builder punch. 

 

Feet, 1 inch circle that was cut in half.

 

Teeth were just fussy cut.

 

After head was assembled and details added it was popped over the body

Close up of bunny. All the edges were sponged with Basic Gray

cardstock used Smokey Slate, white, black, and Pink Pirouette

I have to say I enjoyed making this project. Looking forward to making

more coffee cup projects. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday #8

I have a organizational tip for you today. 

I use empty clear mount cases to hold my flatter embellishments. 

This one holds rhinestones, pearls, and candy dots. 

This one has linen thread, and 4" doilies. 

I thought about putting a label on the cases, but I prefer to have

them clear so I can see quickly what is in each case. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 56

Happy Mailable Monday! 

Feeling better since the temps have been warmer. YAY!

For today's card I used glossy white for the layer. 

This was stamped with with Happy Watercolor using VersaMark, and 

Jet Black StazOn's ink. 

Brayer was used with Crumb Cake, and Marina Mist ink. 

I also used Gorgeous Grunge with Rose Red ink to add

some color to the flowers. 

Greeting is from a retired SU stamp set. 

Top Note die, and eyelet border punch also used. 

I made two of these cards. Both made the same way except in this one I didn't stamp

the flower with VersaMark, but stamped it twice with Jet Black. 

Not sure which one I like better. 

Stamping trails

Karen

I Got a New Bag

We were out shopping over the weekend at Petiti's. 

Its a locally owned home and garden store. 

They also carry a large collection of Vera Bradley bags. 

I saw this cute little shoulder bag and knew I had to have it. 

Doesn't it just scream Spring? Love the greens and pinks together. 

I told myself that I would not start buying Vera Bradley, but I 

have to admit I like the bags. 

This one was just calling my name, and at 29.00 it was far less

than getting a Coach bag. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Chalkboard Technique

I saw this card the other day on Pinterest and I just had to case it. 

I've had this single stamp for awhile but it never saw any ink. 

Its been sitting out on the shelve in the stamping room, but has

been gathering dust. I had planned on using for scrapbook pages as

it reminds me of Dick and Jane books I learned to read by. 

The would be great with some of my old black and white photo's of

me as a child. I still plan to get around to the those pages.....

but in the meantime this card was perfect! 

Base card Melon Mambo

Layer Basic Black

Ink Whisper White craft ink, and VersaMark.

I used detail white to emboss the image then a stamping sponge to add the rubbed

chalk marks. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Fine Feathers Card

Well I got caught in a down pour yesterday morning while coming 

out of the grocery store. If I had had shampoo I could 

have washed and rinsed my hair...isn't rain water suppose to 

give you nice soft hair? 

After getting home (and after toweling off the hair) I made a 

big pot of vegetable beef soup. That took the chill off!

Today's card is very simple using Fine Feathers stamp set. 

I first heat embossed the feather with white powder.

Then used sponges to add Marina Mist to the center and Wild Wasibi

to the outer edges of the feather. 

Greeting is a retired SU set. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Anniversary Perfect Cup Card

I used Perfect Blend stamp set to make

Anniversary cards. The greeting 

"perfect blend" came from a stamp set that my friend

Marianne sent me. (thanks Marianne!)

Designer paper is retire Beau Chateau.

 

Base card Soft Suede. I also used basic black, and Soft Suede ink.

 

Added a strip of burlap ribbon at the bottom. 

 

I had to dig out a retired punch. It is from SU and I think the name

 

of the punch was folk art punch. I ran the heart through 

 

the lattice square folder. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen