Cards from Friends.

I've been receiving some great cards from friends that I wanted to share.

These three were made by Kat. 

This one was made by Connie. 

The little mouse was an incentive stamp from Stampin'Up! I sent it

to Connie with her birthday gifts at the beginning of the month. 

I love how she popped three of the small flowers. I have no idea how

she cut them. They are small!!!!!

Thanks ladies. I love all the cards. Its great receiving happy mail! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Internet Issues and I won Blog Candy

So where have I been? Down without the internet. 

It started running slow last Friday then just quit. Had to wait

till today to get a tech out here to fix the problem. 

I wanted to share with you some blog candy goodies I won from 

my VC Rocks sister Patrice. 

She made this little gift bag using the top note die. 

Side view. 

She also sent me this matching card. So cute how she made it

The flower is stamped on the inside card but with the circle punched out

on the front base card you can see it. 

Inside view. 

She even went one step further and cut a hole in the envelope, and 

put the design on the back of the card. You can see it when you put the 

card in the envelope. How fun! Thanks Patrice for the great blog candy! 

I haven't been feeling myself all week. I had a procedure done early Friday afternoon

last week and it didn't go well. The test came back incomplete so lucky me I get to 

have it done again in October. I've been out of sorts since the test. Hopefully I'll get

back on track and get to do some stamping soon. 

Stamping trails

Karen

VC ROCKS BLOG HOP

Welcome to the last VC Rocks Blog Hop of the Season. 

Sad that it is over already, but I have enjoyed it! 

Theme for this hop is 

"Rock your Creativity with Stampin'Up! Colors"

Base card is Mossy Meadow. Panel on top is Lost Lagoon. 

On the white panel I used Tee Hee Hee stamp set and 

added the clothesline and stamped images. 

Colors: Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Tangelo Twist. 

I love the cute little clothes pin stamp that comes with this set. 

The line was drawn on with basic black marker and a ruler. 

Now on this card I went HOG WILD with the colors. 

I don't think I've ever used so many colors on one card before. 

The Christmas Bauble stamp features the following blendabilities:

Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Wisteria Wonder, Rich Razzleberry, and Smokey Slate.

Base card Blackberry Bliss. Next layer Wisteria Wonder. 

White panel was stamped first using the branch from Ornamental Pine. Inked with

Old Olive and Soft Suede. 

The pine cone was inked with Crumb Cake and shading added with Soft Suede marker. 

After the stamping was done I embossed the panel with Decorative Dots folder. 

The bauble was cut out after the coloring was done then mounted with pop dots. 

If you look close (click on the image to enlarge) you will see I used a mini staple to make it 

look like the ornament hanger. I also added a silver bow. 

Greeting is from Good Greetings stamp set and punched with Modern Label punch. 

Please stop by the VC Rocks site to see the other great projects in this hop. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Tee Hee Hee, and the Cat in the Bathroom

My first card using a new Halloween set called Tee Hee Hee.

Its a very cute and fun stamp set. 

Lots of different witch stamps and greetings. 

Colors: Blackberry Bliss, white, Tangelo Twist, Basic Gray, Smokey Slate, 

and black. I also used Moonlight designer paper pack. 

Base card embossed with Lucky Stars folder. 

So I have been meaning to share this story with you, and finally am in the mood to type it up. 

Last week I got up in the morning to use the bathroom. Now when no one is

at home I just leave the bathroom door open. Cherokee

followed me in. So I'm sitting on the toilet seat with my under ware around my ankles, and

Cherokee decided now would be a great time to jump in my lap. 

So I put her down. She looks up at me meow's then jumps back up. 

I put her down again....and then we are repeating this process several times. I have to let you 

know that she is a very one minded cat. When she decides to do something she does

not take no for an answer. Best thing to do is just to distract her. 

Which is what I did. I put her up on the bathroom sink and started running the water at a very

slow trickle. While she is batting at the water stream I'm able to finish my 

business and get up. 

I'm wishing I had the camera so I could have taken a picture of her in the sink, but on the 

other hand maybe it was a good thing I didn't have it as I wouldn't have wanted to accidentally 

 

get a selfie of me on the pot!!!!

 

 

Maybe Cherokee thinks she is my "familiar".

Stamping trails

Karen

Thick Bakers Twine Storage

I had fun making these as gifts.

The container is from Tag a Bag Gift Boxes.

They have a kraft base and a clear sleeve that goes over

the box. 

This one holds the in line colors thick bakers twine. 

If you'd like to make one I found the 

video on Patty's blog 

 

 

 

Holes are punched on the sides of the box to allow

 

the twine to pass through. Really great way to store these little spools. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Take a Tip Tuesday # 24

Here is another way to use the Blendabilites markers. 

Start with a dark color cardstock. I used Early Espresso for the card. 

Next take an outline stamp. I used one of the flowers from Flower Shop stamp set. 

Ink up the stamp with VersaMark and stamp on the cardstock. 

Use white embossing powder and emboss the stamped image. 

After the embossed image is dry use one of the blendabilities marker to color over the image. 

I used the darkest color of Daffodil Delight in the sample. 

The ink from the marker will dry over the image. 

Just another way to get some more bang for your buck when 

using these great alcohol markers. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 75

Welcome back to another Mailable Monday. 

This card features For All Things stamp set that will

be in the holiday mini catalog. 

Colors: Blackberry Bliss, Sahara Sand, White

Color me Autumn designer washi tape. 

If you wanted to step it up a notch add a basic gold metal button

and some linen thread. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Cherokee Turns 6 Months

Well my little girl Cherokee is sixth months old now. 

I snapped this photo of her while she was on my lap.

This was after she fell asleep on my lap. 

So cute!

Stamping trails

Karen

Holiday Home Stamp Set Fall Scene

Playing around yesterday afternoon with a new stamp set. 

This one is called Holiday Home. 

Has three different houses in the set with lots of 

accessories to make some great Fall, Halloween, and Christmas scenes.

I used Crumb Cake blendabilites to color the house that was stamped on 

Crumb Cake cardstock. The windows were colored with Hello Honey marker. 

The leaves in the background were colored with Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and 

Crushed Curry markers. 

I enjoy having markers that match the ink colors. The tree

on the right didn't come down far enough under the green hill but 

I was able to extend the trunk using Early Espresso marker. Also the tree

on the far right one of the branches didn't get enough ink so I was 

 

able to color it in to match the rest of the tree. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlits Die

I am in love with the new curvy keepsake box thinlits die

that will be on sale in the Holiday mini catalog. 

This one was made using designer paper Color me Autumn. 

This one I used cardstock weight velum and embossed with 

stars embossing folder. Inside holds a battery operated tea light candle.

Since I liked the velum look so much I made another one. This

time I stamped one of the snowflakes using Encore silver ink. 

Stamp set Endless Wishes. 

The die also comes with three different shape tags. 

Everyone on my Christmas list will be receiving a little gift from me inside this

cute little box. So much fun! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Take a Tip Tuesday #23

I recently joined a One Sheet Wonder swap. 

Here is what I came up with using a new Holiday mini stamp set "For all Things"

The set also has matching designer paper and washi tape. 

So today's tip is using washi tape on One Sheet Wonder pages. 

You can see it in the sample. Colors Blackberry Bliss, and Cajun Craze washi tape. 

The set also comes with Crushed Curry tape. 

I used the tape only under the greeting hello Fall. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 74

A very clean and simple card for Mailable Monday. 

I'm still playing with stamps from the upcoming Holiday Mini catalog. 

This one is called Endless Wishes. 

It only has the three snowflakes shown in the card above in the set, 

but it has some wonder greetings to use with them or with

other stamp sets. 

The designer paper is also new called Trim the Tree. 

Its a paper pack. So many pretty holiday papers in the pack. 

Colors used: Island Indigo, Pool Party, and Soft Suede. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Birthday Came Early

Well its not September, but I received my 

birthday gifts from dear hubby early this year. 

The pre-order from the holiday mini arrived at my door on Friday. 

Lots of fun new stuff to play with! 

So many new stamp sets I didn't know where to begin, but

I'll be stamping the rest of the weekend for sure! 

We got a mess a very good green beans from the garden 

yesterday. I cleaned them up and made them for dinner. 

Great with a little salt and butter. YUM. 

There are still a lot left so we will be enjoying those this week. 

I'm sure I'll be freezing some as well. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mason Jars Envelope Punch Board

I've been playing around with the envelope punch board this week.

I designed these mason jar cards. 

One on the right is a full size shape card that opens at the top. 

The smaller one also opens from the top. 

Used Background Rule with markers from the new in line colors. 

I'll be waiting today for my holiday mini order to arrive. So excited to 

have some new holiday stuff to play with. 

Yesterday I got the cleaning bug and did some much needed 

cleaning on the bedroom level of the house. 

Not that I wanted to clean but sometimes you just 

have to do it. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Envelope Punch Board Jar Card

Jar card made with the envelope punch board. 

The card base is whisper white and opens from the side. 

Layer Soft Suede embossed with Lovely Lace folder. 

Stamp Blended Bloom done with Coastal Cabana. 

Tag is from Label Love stamped in Melon Mambo. 

Not much going on in my neck of the woods. 

We had some really bad thunder storms this week. 

Lots of rain. At least we don't have to water the 

garden. I'm hoping that we will get a few 90 degree days this month, 

as I'd really like my tomatoes to get ripe. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Washi Covered Button

Remember yesterday's tip to cover buttons with washi tape?

I used one of the them on today's card. 

Stamp set Summer Silhouettes, and Good Greetings. 

Colors: Strawberry Slush, Smokey Slate, and Pistachio Pudding.

Well my SU order shipped...all I have to do now it wait. 

Wonder if I can chase the UPS man and get it here earlier. 

I can dream.

I 'd like to wish my friends a very Happy Birthday.

Connie's B-Day is today, and Marianne's was yesterday.

Hope you enjoyed your day girls! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday # 22

Need a button to match your project? 

How about covering plain white or cream buttons with 

washi tape?

If the tape isn't wide enough to cover the top of the button 

just use two pieces. Make sure if there is a pattern

in the tape that you line them up. 

I use a bone folder and rub over the tape after it is in place just

to get a good hold. 

I then turn the button over and using scissors trim the tape even with 

the top of the button. 

Very simple and a fun embellishment. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 73

Happy Monday! 

Hubby had to go back to work this morning after having

3 weeks off on vacation. I felt bad for him, but I think

he enjoyed the time off. 

Today's card features Kinda of Eclectic, Gorgeous Grunge,and Feel Goods stamp sets. 

The star burst was inked with Crushed Curry. I added a 1 1/4 circle punch

of Crushed Curry cardstock that was sponged around the edges. 

Blotch (that's what I call it) stamp was inked with Marina Mist and 

stamped randomly. 

Greeting inked with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Which 

by the way is my favorite black ink now! 

I placed my pre order for the new Holiday mini catalog. Nope not

going to share the damage with you, but lets just say I'll

have lots of great new goodies to play with! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Little Letters Thinlits

I saw a card on the demo site where the artist

used Little Letters Thinlits to create a word

across the fold line of the card.

I played around with this yesterday afternoon. 

Took some time before I came up with this card. 

You can clearly see some rough edges from the thinlits at the back of the card. 

I think I'll be playing around some more with this as I love how 

the letter sit across the top and stand up. 

Stamp sets: Lovely as a Tree, and Christmas Collectibles. 

Designer paper Season of Style (retired)

Stamping trails

Karen