Kitty its Cold Outside

This is Cherokee earlier today. She was caught out in the cold and falling snow. 

I couldn't take her photo, but thanks to Caitlin she was able to get the picture for me. 

We had a visit from my nephew Corbet, and his fiancee Caitlin. 

I was busy making breakfast for everyone when Cherokee was outside. 

We've had some off and on snow today, but it didn't amount to much. 

Nice to look at, and even better when you can enjoy it from the warmth of house. 

I got new toys today. While hubby was watching the football game on Sunday I was

busy putting in a Stampin'Up order. After dinner I'm going to hold up in my stamping studio and

have some fun. 

Stamping trails
Karen

EK Tool Bow Makers

I stopped out to Pat Catan's the other night and came back with a new toy. 

Its a bow maker by EK tools. 

Couldn't pass it up as the three set bow makers was only 3.50, and the re-fill pack was 1.50.

A great way to use up older designer paper. You can also use this tool with ribbon, and 

tissue paper. The store only had two re-fill packs, so now I'm on the look for a source to purchase

a few more of them. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Be Mine Popcorn Cover, and the Cat

So how about a heart covered popcorn packet to give to your sweetie for 

Valentines Day? 

The cover is made with gray cardstock. 

January's PP kit was used for the heart. I the heart about 2 inches from the top center, 

and glued the edges together to make the flat heart into a 3d one. 

I like how the sequins fit perfectly on the clothes pin. 

Hubby came home from work yesterday, and ate dinner. Then he

laid down on the couch and went to sleep. Of course Cherokee favorite 

spot is on the couch so she joined him for a nap. 

Now my four legged daughter knows where her cat food is, and

when she wants to be fed she rolls around really cute like in front of the cupboard. 

I'm just being cute mom.....

Well now you are just taking to long to get the hint that I'm hungry so

I'm going to go to sleep. Big yawn! 

And Emily wearing her scrubs. She stopped by after class on Friday. 

I got this pic of her and Cherokee. They are cute! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 138

Happy Monday, and my readers are Tea-riffic! 

I used a new stamp set from the Occasion mini called Have a Cuppa. 

Its a very cute tea stamp set, that also has matching thinlits. 

Just three colors used Crumb Cake, Real Red, and black. 

I first stamped the tea cup with Crumb Cake on the white base card. 

I stamped it again on Crumb Cake cardstock then cut it out omitting the 

handle and base of the cup. This was popped over the stamped layer. 

Just a bit of linen thread used to make the string for the tea bag which was also

popped up over the tea cup. 

I'll be back tomorrow with some new photos of Cherokee since I've had people

requesting to see some.

Stamping trails

Karen

Valentine Cards January Paper Pumpkin Kit

Yes I'm still making things with the January Paper Pumpkin kit. 

Yesterday I made some cards. I didn't want to make square cards so I cut

part of the heart off so it would fit on the cards. Designer paper is from last years

catalog Stacked with Love. 

Added a white doily on this card. Threw in two banners, and some sequins. 

Okay the word MEH is this set didn't make sense to me. I thought it

might be some shortened word that you could text. Turns out it is a popular

expression among teens. Means an exclamation of mild displeasure/uncaring.

 

Can also mean a verbal shrug. I don't think I'll be using this greeting to send 

to someone as I care about all my family and friends. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Hanging Ornament January Paper Pumpkin

I used January's PP kit to make this 3D ornament. 

Simple to make. I took 8 of the hearts and stamped them. 

Next I folded each one in half and glued them back to back. 

Here is a top view of the ornament. 

I used the thick bakers twine that came in the kit in the center so I could hang it. 

Another side shot. 

I need to make some cards using the hearts. Maybe I'll be back tomorrow with

those! 

Stamping trails 

Karen

Valentine Pup

I got this cute little stuffed pup at the store over the weekend. 

Like the little hearts on the back of one of its ears. 

After looking at the Valentine ribbon around his neck I decided that

he needed heart dog tags. 

After stamping and using the heart punch I ran the completed tags

through the Xyron 510 to laminate them. 

I then punched a hole in each one and threaded them with a bit of twine and

tied round his neck. I always smile when I make something just a little extra

special with just a little bit of stamping. 

Stamping trails
Karen

January Paper Pumpkin Conversation Hearts

January's paper pumpkin kit comes with hearts, and 

was made to be a banner or treat bags. 

I decided to turn some of the hearts into this banner. 

I slit the heart a little bit from the center top. Then curled the edges back 

and glued them together to make the 3d heart. 

I stamped the sayings on the banners. 

"Sweet" was inked with Watermelon Wonder ink, and 

"you're" was inked with black then stamped over sweet. 

I also stamped the clothes pins. Just a tip when stamping on clothes pins...

after inking the stamp, stamp it off once on scrap paper then stamp the pin. 

The ink will bleed into the wood if you don't. Speaking from experience here. 

 

 

After the hearts were decorated I attached them to a piece of ribbon. 

I have a ton of hearts left in the kit, so I'll be making , more stuff with them 

between now and Valentines Day. 

Happy Birthday to Emily who turns 24 today. 

I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Stamping trails
Karen

Cork Key Chains for Valentine's Day

I used wine corks to make these cute Valentine key chains. 

Before twisting in the eyelet screws I put a little Crystal Effects on the 

threads. I thought that would make the screw hold better in the cork. 

The greeting is from Know what I love SAB set. I'm really enjoying this stamp set. 

After punching with the window punch and stamping I ran them through the Xryon machine to

laminate them. The heart is from the retired SU triple heart punch which I was also laminated. 

Used a hole punch then threaded the greeting and heart onto the key ring. 

Here is a closer look at the greeting. 

We are still in frigid weather here. Still trying to stay warm. 

I've been taking short rides on the recumbent bike throughout the day to keep the

blood flowing and to get some warmth. Baking stuff in the oven also helps! 

 

My friend Marianne just opened up an Esty shop. 

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KymsKreations2 

 

She makes beautiful cards using string. Please stop by and visit her shop. 

Stamping trails
Karen

Snowman Frame Art and Pumpkin Muffins

My friend Kat sent me this fun snowman frame art. 

I think she used the Cricut machine to cut out the greeting. 

I was going to hang him in the living room, but I thought

my kitchen hutch could use the warmth of his smile

so I place it there instead. 

I made chocolate chip pumpkin muffins the other day. 

I found a great recipe on line that used applesauce, and no eggs. 

Don't they look yummy? They are!!!  

I was able to get 14 muffins out of the batch. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

set oven to 375

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp allspice

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

 

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup milk

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup un sweetened applesauce

1/2 cup chocolate chips 

 

In a small mixing bowl combine the 1st 7 ingredients 

In a large mixing bowl combine the pumpkin, milk, brown sugar, and applesauce

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix. Fold in the chocolate chips. 

grease muffin tins, or use non stick spray. 

Fill wells 2/3 of the way. I use an ice cream scoop for this. 

Bake in pre-heated oven for 16 to 18 minutes. Remove to cooling rack and let them

 

cool just a bit. I like to eat them warm. YUM!!!

 

Stamping trails
Karen

Mailable Monday # 137

It was 6 degrees when I got up this morning. BRRRRRR!!!!!

Winter is really here. I don't think we will be getting anymore warm

days. So today's card is featuring flowers. At least I can dream

of warmer temps and the flowers that come in the Spring. 

I used Know what I love stamp set from this years SAB. 

Its a three step set, but I just used the flower outline for this card. 

I stamped on Soft Sky with VersaMark ink then embossed with white embossing

powder. I added some color using a sponge dauber with Soft Sky, and Bermuda Bay ink. 

The leaves were also stamped with a second generation with Bermuda Bay ink. 

I finished the greeting on the inside, and added another embossed flower. 

 

Hope that my readers are keeping warm today. Think I'll be making

 

a big pot of chili! 

 

Stamping trails
Karen

Photo Collage

Our daughter Sarah gave us this lovely photo frame full

of photos from the wedding. 

I did a photo grouping on the wall by our front door. 

Top right photo is mu my brother Tony. 

The bottom frame art was made by my friend Kat. 

Sorry for the glare, but I was having a hard time with taken this pic. 

Love the grouping. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Recipe Box

I was going back through some of the photos I took during

Christmas and forgot to post these. 

A new recipe box for my kitchen. Love the corks! 

And this recipe box does something cool...

It has a built in easel on the lid, plus it came with matching recipe cards.

Oh it also has a vinyl like coating so it can be wiped cleaned in the event

something gets splattered on it. Totally cool!!! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Covered Valentine Box

I bought a round plastic box at Marc's last week. 

It had a paper band going around the outside, but nothing on the top. 

The box contained heart shaped cookie cutters. 

I wanted to dress up the box so I wrapped it with designer paper,

and added a decorative top. Looks much better now to give as a gift. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Love Bug

Are these just too cute?

I need your feedback. 

Not sure if I like the smaller head on the ladybug, or the larger one. 

Each head uses the same size eyes. I punched those using the owl builder punch. 

Smaller head is 1 3/8 circle, and the larger head is

1 3/4 circle punch. 

Greetings are from different retired SU sets. 

I made a circle stencil and made the bug's spots with black

ink and a sponge dauber. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Market Fresh Apron Box with Coasters

Back with another apron. 

This time I used a apron die box by Sizzix. 

I first cut the base pieces with chipboard.

Then I cut the Market Fresh designer paper and covered the

chipboard parts using Tombo liquid glue. 

I also covered six chipboard coasters with the same designer paper pack. 

Had to find my xyron 510 and dust it off so I could laminate the coasters. 

I was thinking about using blackberry bliss ribbon for the neck ties on the 

apron, but then went with cardstock strips instead. I wanted the ties to stand up

instead of drooping like the ribbon would have. 

Been really cold here and we got more snow. Made

a nice big crock pot full of vegetable soup. That really hits the spot on a cold day. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Apron from from Paper Pumpkin November Kit

Since the January paper pumpkin kit has shipped as of yesterday, 

I thought I should work on some of the kits I still have unfinished. 

This one is from November. I altered the papered base card and made it look like an apron. 

The front pocket is actually the inside of the envelopes in the kit. 

I added 1/4 on the sides and bottom, and scored it so I could create an pocket.

I'll be working on more of the kits today as it is way to cold to venture outside. 

I'm planning to hunker down stay warm and drink some hot tea! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 136

Welcome to Mailable Monday # 136

For today's edition I used one of my new favorite sets Going Global. 

The map was inked with Night of Navy and punched with the 2" circle punch. 

It was popped over a strip of Night of Navy cardstock. I used the 1 inch square punch to 

create the banner on the strip. 

The same process was used on this card done with Crumb Cake, and Early Espresso. 

So where have I been? I have been binge watching Lost on Netflix. 

Thanks to hubby would said last week lets watch this. After one show I was hooked. 

I still have just a few left before I get to the end. From what I've heard a lot of fans where

confused and disappointed with how the show ended, but I'm going to finish it anyway. So

far it has managed to keep me interested. 

I just heard on the radio that David Bowie died from cancer. He was 69. 

May Ziggy Stardust rest in peace. I was just talking to Skip the other day about the Goblin King. 

He turned into an owl, and there was footage on FB with a snowy owl that was caught on camera 

as it was flying over the highway. Made me think of Bowie. 

Stamping trails

Karen

You Send Me Soaring

A few days ago I put together the July paper pumpkin kit. 

I was looking at the remains of the sticker sheet, and decided I 

could use in on a card. So the gray and white border you 

see going around the Soft Sky embossed layer is the frame left from 

the sticker sheet. 

The stamp set is one of this years SAB sets. I thought the set would

pair well with the world embossing folder. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Snow, Fruit Bowl, and Flower Card

First snow of the new year came early yesterday morning during rush

hour traffic. 

We had some nice big fluffy flakes, and brrr it was cold in the lower 20's.

Glad I didn't have to go anywhere. It was nice just to sit and watch it fall. 

I received this beautiful fruit bowl for Christmas. Goes so well

with my wine/grape theme kitchen decor. And I have a flower card to share....

I made these on Sunday using Botanical Blooms and was going 

to post them for Mailable Monday, but I liked the Timeless Texture card that

I posted better, so lets just say these two cards didn't make the cut for Mailable Monday even

though they are stamped on just a base card. 

Need to go out this morning and hit the grocery store. Went through the pantry, fridge, and 

freezer yesterday and I'm out of quite a few things.

I'm also working on cleaning up one thing a day. Yesterday it was the hall closet. I'm thinking

if I clean out and go through something each day I won't be overwhelmed when Spring cleaning

rolls around.

Stamping trails

Karen 

Mailable Monday # 135

Lets start the New Year Mailable Monday with a new stamp set and a 

guy card. 

The set used is called Timeless Texture. Its a new set and is in the Spring Occassions

SU catalog. 

I stamped around the edges with one of the border stamps using Basic Gray ink. 

The layer is 4x5 1/4 and was also stamped around the edges with gray ink. 

The rest of the card was doing collage style with second and third generation of

gray ink. 

The birthday greeting is stamped with black. 

On the inside card I stamped the same border stamp just along one

edge. 

I made pot roast yesterday in my crock pot. 

Hubby went and got my camera when he saw the roast and veggies on the serving dish. 

You think I never fed him before.  LOL. Speaking of serving dish this really isn't one.

Its one of the dinner plates from our new dishes. I still need to get the completer set. 

We got some snow yesterday. I felt bad for Skip as he is working day shift today, and

since school in back after the winter break he had to go in earlier today to run the snow plow. 

Stamping trails

Karen