Happy Birthday To Me

Just a quick little post to say

Happy Birthday to me! 

Sarah came over yesterday and we celebrated, as she had

the day off. 

She brought me lunch and we had a great visit.

Dear Hubby got me a new table and chairs for 

the kitchen which I love, and we badly needed! 

I enjoyed opening up gifts from friends. 

I'll be posting those soon. 

Thank you Thank you Thank you to 

all my great friends for making my birthday special! 

Can't believe its the last day of September already. 

Not looking forward to winter but hoping we will

still get some nice fall weather. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mailable Monday # 80

I know I was going to start the Mailable Monday Christmas cards

during October but decided to start this week.

Base card Crumb Cake. 

I used Little Letters Framlits to cut out the

greeting Bah Humbug.

I used pop dots to place Trim the Tree designer pack to the back

to make the letters stand out. 

 

I also used more designer paper with the tree punch. 

 

This was also popped on the card front. 

Here is a side view showing how it looks behind the card front.

Stamping trails

Karen

Sketch Frenzy Friday 092614

Welcome back to Sketch Frenzy Friday. 

Since I still had these colors on my desk from Wednesday's post

I decided to use them. 

Base card Mossy Meadow, layer Color me Autumn 

designer paper. 

I used the Ovals Collections Framlits for the

center panel. 

Stamp set For All Things 

Wooden leaf accents, linen thread and burlap ribbon also used. 

To see what the other great designers have done with this 

sketch please visit the Sketch Frenzy Friday blog

You are also invited to play along with this great sketch. 

Details on the Sketch Frenzy Friday blog. 

Stamping trails

Karen
start weight 273
current weight 177.7
goal weight 170
 

Birthday Gifts from my Friend Lisa

Birthday card I received from my friend Lisa. 

Simply beautiful!!!

She also sent me a Chopped cookbook. I love 

Chopped. Its one of my favorite shows on the Food Network. 

I've already picked out some recipes to make from it. 

And she sent me this cool Beatles coffee mug. Just love it!

It was filled with sugar free candy. 

Big thanks for the great gifts Lisa! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Hello Fall

Hello to Fall. I think as of yesterday Fall

was officially here. 

It feels like Fall weather in my neck of the woods. 

Cold at night and warmer by the afternoons. 

Stamp set For all Things. I stamped the leaves

on white using Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, and Old Olive. 

Then I fussy cut them out. 

Base card Mossy Meadow, layer Color me Autumn designer paper. 

 

Very Happy Birthday to my friend Lisa. Wish I could

 

be there to celebrate with you. Hope you have an awesome day. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Car

Sarah got herself a new car, well new to her its a 2012 model

Ford Fiesta.

 

She brought it over last week to show it off. Pretty 

 

silver. 

 

 

It looks good even with raindrops on it as it was

 

raining when she came over. 

I want to give a shout out to my friend's hubby Geoff. 

He turns the big "50" today. 

Hope you have a great day Geoff!

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

 

Mailable Monday #79

Last week my friend Kat sent me a boat load of

great "guy" cards. 

I decided to feature one of them for this edition of

Mailable Monday 

What could be more classic than a black and white card?

This one uses Wetlands stamp set. 

Thanks Kat for the great cards. I think I'm set for awhile with

guy cards. Good to know as I'm always looking for them. 

 

I was talking to my another gal pal a few days ago, Lisa.

 

She told me her hubby wanted a tree on the Christmas cards this year.

 

She picked out two designs and he selected a simple one that 

 

is perfect for a mailable Monday. 

 

This has inspired me so during the month of October I'll 

 

be featuring Christmas cards for all the Mailable Mondays. 

 

With the cost of postage it will be nice to have some ideas that won't 

 

require additional postage. 

 

Thanks for putting that idea in my head Lisa. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Sketch Frenzy Friday SSF09192014

Welcome back to another Sketch Frenzy Friday. 

Today's sketch was created by Stacey. 

I used Blackberry Bliss as the base card. 

Moonlit paper pack designer paper. 

Lucky Stars embossing folder. 

Gold buttons.

And Star Framelits, and matching stamp set shown in the new holiday mini catalog. 

I didn't do the banner as shown in the sketch. I used the scallop border

punch across the bottom of the designer paper instead. 

Want to play along with this fun sketch? Please

visit the Sketch Frenzy Friday blog

You will also be able to see how the other designers used 

this sketch.

Stamping trails

Karen 

start weight 273

current weight 179.7

goal weight 170

Wetlands Stamp Set with Feathers Framelits

For today's card I combined Wetlands stamp

set, and the new feathers and framelits dies. 

Goose is stamped with Basic Gray. It was then masked

 

and the grass stalks were stamped over it so they

 

where in the background. 

 

Feathers are stamped on Crumb Cake, and Hello Honey cardstock.

 

Ink used Early Espresso, and Cajun Craze. 

 

I attached the feathers with linen thread. 

 

Base card Mossy Meadow. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gift Box Punch Board my First Project

This is the first little box I created using 

the gift box punch board that is in the holiday mini catalog. 

I was a little scared at first to use it with the scoring and all, 

but I have to say it is one of the easiest tools to use! 

The box is formed and put together without using

any adhesive. How great is that!!!!

I used a 6x6 piece of Tangerine Tango to make the box.

This is the smallest box that the tool makes. 

To create the stripes I used the stripes mask that is new

to the 2014/2015 large SU catalog. 

The top has a curly piece of Meadow Moss cardstock, and 

autumn wood elements. I have to say the wood elements are really 

nice, and a good value at 4.95 for 36 pieces. I'm going to 

have fun using more of these for some Fall projects. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday # 28

I have been enjoying the Tee Hee Hee stamp set that

is in the holiday mini catalog. 

I wanted to put a witch together using the clothes that

come in the set, but I wanted my witch to have a head. 

You know she needs a good head on her shoulders to 

cast all those spells!

So I used the 1/2 circle punch with Pistachio Pudding cardstock to 

make her one.

I also glued a small piece in the "v" neck of the dress so the

head wouldn't appear to be floating without a neck to be 

attached to. 

Designer paper across the top is from Color me Autumn. 

Large oval, and scallop oval punch used for the greeting. 

Dress and the head were attached using pop dots.

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 78

Well I'm up and running again. I have

most of the basics that I need to continue stamping in 

my temporary upstairs room. 

I had the most problem with the punches. I have so many, 

and needed to decide which ones I used the most. 

Today's card features All is Calm washi tape,

and Endless Wishes stamp set.

I couldn't find my Lost Lagoon ink pad in the mess that

is still my temporary stamping space so

I used Basic Gray ink to stamp the snowflakes.

I really love the colors, and patterns of the washi tape.

The tape and snowflakes at an angle give the card some

interest, and no need to add any embellishments which makes

it perfect for Mailable Monday. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Sketch Frenzy Friday SSF091214

Welcome back to another addition of Sketch Frenzy Friday.

 

The leaves were cut using Autumn Accents Bigz die using

 

Hello Honey cardstock. 

 

I then stamped them with dictionary background stamp and 

 

Blackberry Bliss ink. 

 

Designer paper Color me Autumn. 

 

Greeting is from Blooming with Kindness stamp set. 

 

Leaves and greeting layer were attached to the card

 

using mini staples, and of course I had to add a little

bit of lace across the bottom. 

Base card Very Vanilla. 

 

We would love to see your artwork

 

using this sketch. Please visit Sketch Frenzy Friday Blog

To see the other designers artwork. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Moving Up

Sorry no artwork today. 

I decided to start moving the stamping studio to 

the upper level of our split level house. 

The steps going in to the lower level have 

just become to much for me. 

I'm combining the sewing room and the stamp room. 

Since I don't have a lot of space I won't be

moving everything. Going to get hubby to 

start helping me this weekend. Will be

moving the things I use the most for now. 

I'll focus on Fall, Winter, and holiday stamps. 

Of course I'll have to move all of the ink, cardstock,

markers, and blendibilites. And I'll have

to have the big shot and all the dies, framlits, thinlits, and

embossing folders. Maybe I'll have to enlist John to help

me also. In the long run with winter around the corner this

will be better for me. 

So we may have a few days of interrupted stamping till 

I have it all moved. I will have a post tomorrow

for Friday Sketch. 

Stamping trails

Karen

start weight 273

current weight 180.4

goal weight 170

Tee Hee Hee Broom Parking

I love this stamp set. So much fun to use, 

and so many different things to do with it. 

I just used the broom, and a greeting stamp on this

card. The stamp set has 18 different stamps to use. 

The 2 cent stamp is from Postage Due stamp set. 

I added some fringe along the side of the brooms that 

I got from using burlap ribbon. I just pulled out some

of the threads from the ribbon to form the fringe. 

Colors: Vanilla, Black, Crushed Curry, and Tangerine Tango. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday # 27

Now here is a quick and easy tip for using blendabilities. 

See the washi tape going along the side of the card? 

I turned it over on my desk and used Wisteria Wonder blendablitlites

to add the color that you see on the tape. 

Make sure when you do this that you are coloring on the sticky

side of the washi tape. 

Stamp set Summer Silhouettes. 

Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Early Espresso. 

Greeting is from Good Greetings stamp set. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 77

For today's mailable Monday I broke out a new stamp set....

Ornamental Pine. I just love the pine branch. 

So great for backgrounds. 

The designer paper is from Trim the Tree paper pack. 

Branch stamped on Sahara Sand. This is a neutral color that I really

need to use more often. 

Base card is white. Ornament was inked with Cherry Cobbler. 

Greeting was punched using 2 1/2 circle punch. 

Stamping trails

Karen

WOW Look at the Size of That!

WOW! Look at the size of this one! 

I was in the stamping studio the other day and Skip came

down to show me this very large tomato that he got out of 

the garden. Its bigger than my hand.

The tomatoes are getting ripe really late this year. 

Normally by mid August my kitchen table is over flowing with 

ripe ones. No so this year. I think it was the weather. 

They are slowly getting ripe. 

I had to show you Cherokee's favorite toy.....

crumpled up ball of newspaper. 

She reminds me of babies that like to play with 

the box instead of the new toy that was bought. 

What a cute girl! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Sketch Frenzy Friday SFF090514

Two posts in one day? Why not.

I am so please to have been asked to join the

Sketch Frenzy Friday Design Team. 

You can visit this blog here and see today's layout that

was created by Patrice Herrera. 

You are also invited to play along and post

your creations using today's sketch. 

I used For All Things stamp set. 

Color palette: Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Color me 

Autumn designer paper, and

Very Vanilla. Accessories, venetian crochet trim, burlap ribbon, and decorative dots 

embossing folder.

I used an old technique for the leaf, called rock and roll. I first inked the leaf with

Crushed Curry, then I rolled just the edges of the inked stamp with Cajun Craze. 

Stamping trails

Karen

White Christmas Stamp Set

I am in love with the White Christmas stamp set. 

So many ways to make different stamped scenes. 

The little car with the tree on top is my favorite one of this set. 

I colored the images with blendabilities. 

I thought the cards needed some embellishments so I added some snowflake sequins. 

Base card Lost Lagoon. Sponging was done with Soft Sky. 

If you are planning to buy any set from the new holiday mini I'd 

recommend this one! 

Stamping trails

Karen

start weight 273
current weight 181.5
goal weight 170
 

Festival of Trees Card

Just a clean and simple card today. 

Stamp set Festival of Trees.

Base card Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, and White layer. 

Trees inked with Mossy Meadow. Bird inked with Cherry Cobbler. 

Cherry Cobbler seam binding and panel popped over it. 

I'm happier with my foam ink pads now that I turned them upside down. 

There is a lot less juicy ink hanging around the top the of pad. 

I love when things work! 

Our tomatoes are staring to come in. They were on the vines

green as they could be for the longest time. 

It just didn't get warm enough this summer. 

I'll be starting to freeze them soon so I can have them over 

the winter months. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Card Box and Matching Card Set

I'm so blessed to have great friends! 

Kat knew I had a bad week so she made me this

cute little card pack.

Here are the matching cards. She used last years in line colors.

So pretty! 

She also send me a fell better card. Love the sequins. 

Big thanks Kat! You did make my day brighter! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Take a Tip Tuesday #25

Ever since Stampin'Up changed there ink pads to foam I've 

been having trouble with them. 

The pads are so juicy with ink that when I tap the stamps in them

the ink bubbles up on the rubber. 

And of course when you stamp on the cardstock the ink bubbles transfer

and the image is not as crisp as it should be. 

Thanks to my VC Rocks sisters they gave me a few tips to help with this problem.

The first thing is to store the pads upside down. That way the ink goes to the bottom

 

of the pad instead of floating around the top. 

 

The second thing is to use a bone folder and scrap down from one end to the other. 

 

Then use the area that the ink was moved down from to ink up the stamp. 

 

 

The image on the left was done using this method. I think its a much better

 

image with out the ink bubbles. 

 

Hope this helps anyone else who was also having this problem. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mailable Monday # 76

Welcome back to Mailable Monday and to the first day of September. 

I have no idea where the summer has gone, but I'm thankful that 

September in Ohio has the most beautiful weather. 

Its cool at night great for sleeping, and warm in the afternoons. Just perfect!

Base card is white. Stamp set For All Things. 

Acorns were colored with Hello Honey, and Blackberry Bliss markers. Stamped

on white layer that was punched with 2 3/8 scallop circle.

Layer is Mossy Meadow using 2 1/2 circle punch. 

 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. 

 

Skip went to a family picnic on Sunday. I opted to stay home. They have 

 

the event at a park and its a long hike to the the restrooms and I'm just 

 

not up to that much walking. 

 

We will be grilling out today since Skip has the day off. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen