I'm Back

So sorry that I have not updated my blog since Monday. 

My neck and shoulder were still giving me grief, so

I haven't been crafting all week. I know! The horror!!!!!

Spent yesterday afternoon with Betty doing some much

needed stamping therapy. Was able to make three cards. 

Here is the first one. Stamp set by Debbi Moore Designs. 

Done on cream cardstock. The circles are thinlits from Tim Holtz. 

Patterned paper from SU. 

Here is the inside view. Stamps and numbers by SU. 

Sarah needed a card for her mom-in-law's sister who is turning

70. Just couldn't bring myself to put 70 on the card so I'm hoping

she will be happy with this one. 

This on is also by Debbi Moore Designs. The flowers were overstamped

on the profile image. I then stamped the flowers again on scrap cardstock, colored, 

cut and popped. 

And here is the last card. Coloring done with Prisma pencils.

Celebrate, and in style are two separate stamps. You can see that

I didn't quite line them up right, and the greeting is slanting down. Oops! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Mailable Monday # 228

Here is another card I made using a hampton arts clear coloring stamp.

The background was done on cream cardstock using two different stencils from 

Tim Holtz.

Since I'm trying very hard to give my neck and shoulder a rest (too much crafting

has caused some pain)

I didn't want to spend a lot of time coloring the full image of the stamp.

So I stamped it on chalkboard cardstock using white pigment ink. 

Before the inked dried I swiped my finger over it to give

it a smudged look like you would see on a chalkboard after erasing.

Had fun yesterday afternoon stamping with Betty. She is recovering well

from her knee replacement surgery. YAY! Keep up with the daily therapy you

are doing great! 

Suppose to get into the 50's today. Looking forward to a little warmth. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Playing with Clear Coloring Stamps

I played around with some clear coloring stamps 

yesterday. The stamps I used were made by Hampton Arts. 

Simple to color using an aqua painter and dye based inks. The stamp was  inked

with Ranger Jet Black archival ink on watercolor paper. 

If you are going to get your paper wet you really need to use a good 

watercolor paper.

Wanted to give the card some texture so I layered the completed

panel on a piece of woven paper from DCWV.

That was popped over the base card. I chose the brick patterned

 

paper because it picked up on the bricks that are one the houses. 

Today I'll be heading over to Betty's to do some crafting. Suppose to 

be in the 50's today. I'll believe that when I feel it! At least

we have been having some nice sunny days, but not the warmth to

go with it. Brrr....sick of Winter!!!!!

Stamping trails

Karen

Flower Jar Card

I got some new toys. 

Stamps are by Tim Holtz; set called Flower Jar. 

Of course I had to get the matching framelits too. 

Didn't use them for this card. This is all done with

stamps, ink, Prisma pencils, and simple masking. 

Here is what not to do.....

First I stamped the jar on the left. Covered it with 

a mask then stamped the center jar. Last I inked up 

the small jar and stamped it. Okay so far, but

then I wanted to mask the lid so I could stamp the

flowers, and they would look like they were in the jar. I should

have cut off the back part of the lid. I tried adding the stems with

marker, but it didn't look right.

 

 

You can see from this photo that after I trimmed the lid, and

stamped it looked right. 

The rest was done with coloring.

When I did the table I was remembering the art teacher I had in 4th grade. 

I did a still life fruit basket, and while the basket of fruit looked okay the

line I had made on the table was really crooked. She told me there was no

call for that. Just turn up the edge of the paper and draw the line. Well I didn't

do that on the card, but I did use a piece of scrape paper to add the table line. 

The things you remember, and take to heart that you learn in school. You just

never know when one of those memories will find it's way back in your mind.

Straight trails

Karen

Bunny Frame Art, and Other Things

A bunny frame art I made for the holiday a few years ago.

 

I have it displayed on a wall in the kitchen. 

 

 

We got a foot of snow the other night. Winter isn't finished yet. 

This was after hubby ran the snow blower on the deck. 

My Christmas cactus is ready for Easter. This plant blooms

for every holiday except Christmas! But since the plant is 23 years old

I'm going to give it a break, at least it hasn't died on me. 

 

 

This mum Sarah gave to me on my birthday last September. I'm

 

trying to winter it over so I can plant it outside. I did a close up shot

 

you can see it has a flower bud on it. 

 

 

and Julie sent me an Julie Nutting Easter Memorydex card. Now doesn't 

that just say Spring! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Friendship Umbrella, and Other Cool Stuff

I wanted to post the friendship umbrella I made

for my crafty swapper pal Kathleen. 

I had to laugh when I saw that we both used the same pattered paper

to make the umbrellas.

side view.

after it was filled. I didn't put a stand on the bottom of the one I made.

This is standing up with the help of a plate stand. 

one of the rosettes I made. We used the same paper pack from Michael's called

Ooh La La to make the swap. 

embellishment box. This is a plastic box from Dollar Tree.

I made a belly band to go around it. 

inside view. 

shaker card. 

and another shaker. 

I received this cute barn door piggy card from my friend Lisa. 

So cute!!!! The barn door sides back and forth. 

greeting is on the other side of the door. 

Thanks Lisa! Love it! 

Yesterday was the first day of Spring, and me and hubby went for a walk. 

The sun was really shining! Of course we got some snow last night. So much for Spring! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Hampton Art Coloring Stamp Sets

So my friend Kathleen sent me these wonderful

Hampton Art coloring clear stamps in my swap box. 

She said she found them at Dollar Tree, and with that

little bit of enabling I drove fast as I could to 

my nearest Dollar Tree to see if I could find more....

and I did! Was able to snag up 4 more sets. Can't

believe they were only a dollar each. I remember when Michael's was

selling them for 12 bucks! 

Love all the little stamps in the packages along

with the words. Thanks Kathy for the tip! 

 

So what are you waiting for? Get to Dollar Tree fast! 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Ooo La La Swap from Kathleen

I received an awesome swap box from my crafty

friend Kathleen last week. Oh my did she make some great things! 

This little book opens up and has lots of pockets for goodies. 

Inside view. 

This awesome tag book has a letter in my name on each page and also has pockets. 

Where does she come up with this stuff? So cool! 

She filled the pockets with die cuts. 

Cute little bunny basket that holds....

a set of napkin rings. She attached the bubble stickers, and made the rosettes to mount them on. 

Another beautiful item is this homemade potholder. 

Wish I had a machine like hers!

just look at the quilted bunnies! 

Friendship umbrella. It even has a stand at the bottom! 

side view

shabby chic flowers. 

Little plastic box from Dollar Tree that she decorated. 

just look at all the goodies inside! 

little blue bunny and lots of tags, and cards. 

Hampton Art clear coloring stamps

and a set of thimbles. These she picked up for me while on the cruise she

took in February. 

All I can say is wow, wow, wow!!!! Thanks so much for spoiling me Kathleen. 

Hope you enjoyed your swap as much as I enjoyed yours. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Bunny Found a Carrot Punch Art

Well I thought I was done with bunny favors, but 

I had one more idea, and had to make it. 

Just love the little bunny with the carrot!!!! 

Found Little Debbie limited edition carrot cake rolls in the store last week, 

 

and I just knew I could decorate them. 

 

The punch art bunny was completed first using different punches.

 

After it was finished I attached it to the top of the package using glue dots. 

 

Cute right? 

 

I think that bunny better be getting out of Mr McGregor's garden! 

 

Stamping trails

Karen