Cards made with just Scraps on my Desk

As I was shoveling off my desk yesterday I decided to have

a go at making cards with just what was on it. 

Here is the first design. 

and the second one. Not bad for just using what I had. 

The backgrounds are the same for both cards. Was made with a retired 

SU background stamp. 

Lots of sunshine today. Makes it hard to thingk about all the virus stuff going on. 

Trying very hard not to panic myself. Finding that I don't want to watch

the news. Pretty much staying at home. Doing some spring cleaning, and crafting. 

Since it has been warm we have been taking walks twice a day now. 

Trying to stay positive. Stay safe everyone. 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Lace Meets Industrial

My friend sent me a bunch of different embossed panels by Tim Holtz. 

This one is called gridlock. 

First I cut a vanilla panel to the same width as the embossed piece. 

Next I inked up the lace background stamp with Smokey Slate and stamped. 

For contrast I added a thin strip of black cardstock. 

The fun part for me was going through my what knot drawer. This 

is where I keep odds and ends. You know stamping elements you think you may

use some day, and lets face it they they just to good to end up in the "round file"

Well I pulled out a flat washer that I had covered with designer paper and sealed with 

crystal effects. 

You can see from the side view how thick the washer is. 

 

After attaching it to the card I glue on a decorative silver lacy button.

I also found some black cardstock buttons that were die cut. Now all of these

embellishments came from the what knot drawer. I just added them to the card. 

I think this will make a great birthday card.  Love the greeting forever young. 

Kat sent me a fun St. Paddy's day card. I have it displayed on the fridge with

a magnetic clip. Thanks Kat! 

I'm going to get out this afternoon and do some running around. Need to make a pit stop to 

Catan's for more magnetic sheets so I can finish up the framelit cases. 

Happy St. Paddy's day to all! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Very Victorian Card

Yesterday morning I made this very vintage Victorian card. Started with base cardstock Wisteria Wonder, then added layer of Pink Pirouette, and Basic Black. Stamp sets used: Forever Young, Ting Tags, Doily Background, and Delicate Doilies. Vintage ribbon completed the card. Large oval punch for the black layer, and the smallest oval from the ovals die also used. Hubby and I have an anniversary coming up so I'm thinking about giving him this one, but maybe not. Still thinking about it.


 Cold and rainy yesterday. I cleaned some more. Finished up day 6 of my meds. Still have 9 more days to go, but today my dose will be one pill less. They are doing wonders for me! Have had no knee pain, and my energy level is through the roof! Haven't been sleeping well only getting about 5 hours a night. I told my friend that when the pill are ended that I'm going to crash and burn. Her words of wisdom? Make sure I have a soft place to land. Thanks Marianne!

 Stamping trails
 Karen

Lunchtime Sketch

Just playing along with another one of Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketches. You can visit Mary' site and see more cards here



I used Fever Young stamp set. Colors: White, Basic Gray, and Regal Rose. Word stamp is from an retired hostess set Cute Converse. Hello Doily background stamp also used. I used an aqua painter with basic gray ink to "ground" the tree. Triple Trio heart punch used for the girl on the swing and word bar. I really like the boy and girl profiles at the top of the Regal Rose layer.

Really late with posting today. Wasn't feeling well yesterday, and it took me most of today to get around to perking up.

I think its the weather. Cold and wet. Big difference from last week 80 + temps. I knew as soon as I packed the winter clothes this would happen. RATS!

Stamping trails
Karen

Hand Penned and Established Elegance

I like how the word set Hand Penned goes with Established Elegance stamp set. I thought I would combine these two great sets and make cards for the card box I posted yesterday. Color Pallet for the cards: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, and vanilla.

Did you see Lisa? I used one of the vintage buttons she gave me on this card.

This is one of my favorite cards from the ones I'm creating. Love, love, love the dressmaker dummy stamp. I didn't have narrow ribbon so I just used a 1/4 strip of Cherry Cobbler cardstock and tied a piece of vintage lace around it. Doily background stamp also used. For both cards I used the vintage wallpaper embossing folder.

We had snow yesterday morning. Not a lot but enough to coat the trees and grass. Didn't even snow enough to run the snow thrower. So far it has been a mild winter. Kids haven't even had a snow day yet. Having said that......I'm sure we will be hit with 4 feet of snow!

Stamping trails
Karen

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone is looking forward to some Tricks and Treats tonight. I'll be giving out some treats. Hope I don't run out of candy.

I made the witch hat using the Petal Cone die. After cutting the cardstock I inked the Doily background stamp with VersaMark and stamped the hat. Then I embossed with clear powder. Band of the hat is Frightful designer paper.

I wish I still had some black Velcro dots, but I only had white. At any rate I used the Velcro to hold the hat closed, as I didn't want the hat to be ripped while getting the candy out. I'm so clever. LOL

We had frost last night. See my car's windows had ice on them. GOOD GRIEF...not ready for this!!!!!

Stamping Trails.....be careful out there tonight....and don't let any goblins get you!
Karen

Fall Leaves

So me and hubby went for a drive yesterday to take in the Fall colors. Of course did either one of us remember to bring the camera? Nope no camera. I came home with all those colors still fresh in my mind and put together this card.

Colors used: Rich Razzleberry, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz, and Sahara Sand. Other things used, Day of Gratitude, Medallion background, doily punch, designer paper, and embossing folder.

Skip is working day shift today as the kids have the day off. I don't remember having all these days off when I was going to school. Heck I remember trudging through snow that was over my knees. No bus for me I walked over a mile to get to my high school. OMG it has happened! I've turned into an old person regaling "I remember when I was in school" stories. Shoot me now. "SIGH"

Stamping Trails
Karen

Simply Scored Witch

I used my new Simply Scored tool from SU to make the witch skirt. All you need is a piece of designer paper cut 3 1/2 x 1 1/2, then score every 1/8 inch. I did use the eyelet border punch along one long edge before I scored. After that I pleated the skirt using the score lines and held the pleats together at the top using a strip of sticky strip. Stamp set used Wicked Cool. Other things used: Doily background, VersaMark, white embossing powder, two tags die, tab rounder punch, brads, ribbon, Peach Parfait, Black, Daffodil Delight cardstock.

Still fighting off this cold. My son John got back from his vacation. Sounds like he had a good time. I'm just happy he is home. I must say I don't sleep very well when he is gone. I know I sound like a mother hen. Guess that won't change till he is moved out and on his own. I just have this thing about people living in a home should be there at night to sleep, and if they are not I worry.

Stamping Trails
Karen

WET

What I really needed yesterday was a row boat. It poured all day, and of course I had to be out driving in it. My nephew Corbet needed a ride to work so that was 30 minutes to his house then another 20 minutes to get him to work. Not that I mind doing that for him, but I think a row boat would have been better. I hit a pool of standing water while I was in the curb lane and water just shot up and over the hood and roof of the car. Guess I should have been watching for that. Then I went to the grocery store, and Pat Catan's, and Hollo's, oh and the bank. Thankfully its suppose to be dry for the rest of the week, and warmer. Here is hoping!

Christmas Collage background stamp used on the base card inked with Early Espresso and stamped on Crumb Cake. Word from Grateful Greetings, large scallop punch, and 2 1/2 circle punch.

Sarah and John got me a rice cooker for my birthday. I tried it out. Works great. It even has a setting for brown rice. Since that is the only kind of rice I eat Sarah said she had to find me a cooker with that setting option. It also is a steamer. Lots of things it can be used for. She also got me a Barbie for my collection.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Blog Hop Fall Happenings

Welcome to my little part in the SU Blog Hop. This Hop theme is Fall Happenings. I love the Fall! It is my favorite season. I only wish it wasn't followed by old man Winter!

Base card 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 More Mustard
Sunflower background stamp was colored with More Mustard watercolor wonder crayon, then misted with water. I stamped it on watercolor paper. Next I spritzed it with vanilla and gold Smooch Spritz then threw on some clear embossing powder and heat set. Then I used the color spritzer tool with Early Espresso marker to add some more spots. Wreath from Warmest of Wishes was stamped on Old Olive. I love how this stamp goes with the large scallop and circle punch. So easy!!!! I popped the center of the sunflower. On the side I used Tasteful Trim die and layered the two different scallops and finished with More Mustard flowers with linen thread. Word from Perfectly Penned Holiday. I am very please how this turned out.

Next on the hop is Nichole you can view her blog here

If you'd like to start at the beginning of the hop visit here

From now on this group will be Blog Hopping the first Saturday of each month. Hope you will check back with us as we have a lot of gifted stampers!!!!

Stamping Trails

Sunflower

I used emerging color technique on today's card. First I stamped Musical Score (retired background stamp) in More Mustard on vanilla cardstock. Next I inked the Sunflower background stamp VersaMark, stamped on top of the music notes then embossed with clear embossing powder. For the next step I used a brayer with Espresso ink and brayered over the entire piece of vanilla cardstock. I took a tissue and wiped off the ink from the embossed image, and Ta-Da, the More Mustard ink showed through the sunflower. I wanted the center to pop so I inked the stamp again with Espresso and embossed with clear EP. Used 1 3/8 circle punch, and 1 3/4 circle punch for the Mustard layer. Word stamp from Grateful Greetings.

Since the inside of the card was dark I used a piece of vanilla and stamped just a bit of the sunflower on it with Mustard ink. Used a sponge to add the Espresso to center. I also used the Build a Blossom punch to make the leaves.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Birthday....Again!

My new Doily background stamp has really been getting a workout, and the wood block has the stains to prove it!

For this birthday card I also used Delicate Doilies, and Hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes. Colors: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, and Crumb Cake.

I used the ribbon lace punch with Pink Pirouette cardstock. After punching I cut the ribbon lace down the center and attached it to either side of the main image. Added a few pearls and had a quick and easy card.

I got another Birthday RAK from Kat. While we were chatting this week she let me know that all my RAKS this month will be birthday ones. Kat is really good about sending RAKS each week. How "FUN" to receive birthday ones all month! Thanks Kat!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Doily Little Darling Witch

I must say that I truly love my doily background stamp! Just so awesome, that you can use it for so many different cards. I inked the stamp in black and stamped on Crumb Cake cardstock. Little girl in the center was stamped on vanilla cardstock and colored with Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, and Pumpkin Pie. Stamp set Greeting Card Kids, and Hand-Penned Holidays. Image was punched using 2 1/2 circle punch.



There is a lot of info in the media now about 9/11. It is a time to remember. I don't think any American will ever forget that day. I will be taking some time today to pause and reflect in silence...and remember.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Doily Scraps

This card sort of evolved from scraps. I had this scallop circle Daffodil Delight flower on my desk for over a week now, and a scrap of brown ribbon that I thought wasn't long enough for anything. I decided I needed to clear the desk so it was now or never to put a card together.

I stamped the doily background with Pear Pizzazz on Very Vanilla cardstock. I stamped another doily using Cherry Cobbler. Cut half of that doily out and glued it on top of the pear one. I wanted to make the card more vintage so I spritzed it with Chocolate Chip marker using the spritzer tool. The flower was also spritzed with vanilla smooch spritz and the chocolate chip marker. Doily layer, and word was adhered with pop dots. Not entirely sure I'm happy with it, but the flower and ribbon is off my desk now:)

Stamping Trails
Karen

Hello Doily Birthday Card

Very simple card share for you today. I got a burst of energy yesterday so I cleaned the house, rode my bike, and weeded the garden. After that I was pretty tuckered out.

However....I did manage to make this very simple card. Base is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 vanilla. Stamped Hello Doily background using Crumb Cake. Over the doily I stamped the flower from Inspired by Nature. The stamp was colored using More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, and Always Artichoke markers. Also used Four Frames stamp set. Bird colored with More Mustard and Chocolate Chip. Added some Chocolate Chip dotted ribbon, and some pearls.

Stamping Trails
Karen

I Got My Stuff!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy my stuff came!!! I have so many new "toys" to play with. I'll be busy for months!!! 19 new stamp sets

Background stamps, and free Pines and Poinsettias stamp set. This goes with the Christmas Keepsake box that was given if you became a new demo.

Box with all the goodies. Not shown was the 8 packs of designer paper. I forgot to put it back in for the picture. Lots of new punches and fun Big Shot dies!

Kit stuff for the Christmas Keepsake box

And the word on this card says it all......WONDERFUL!!!! Doing happy dance over new products!!! Love the doily background. I stamped it on Night of Navy using VersaMark and embossed with white powder. Layered images from Delicate Doilies using Wasabi, and More Mustard. Designer label punch, and Four Frames set also used.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Snowflake Die Card, Step it Up

I have an Open House coming up soon, so I was thinking up some easy Christmas cards to make, but I also wanted to show how simple it is to step the cards up a notch.

The first card is very easy. Medallion background stamp inked with Night of Navy and stamped on Marina Mist. Layered on Whisper White. Snow flake cut from Snowflake die #2 using Whisper White. Word stamp "Merry" is from Pennant Parade stamp set.

For the second card. I started with a piece of window sheet. On that I added a few random drops of Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, and Bashful Blue reinker. I also add a little bit of Frost White shimmer paint. Using a wadded up plastic lunch bag I pounced around on the window sheet to mix it a bit. Next I put a piece of Glossy White cardstock glossy side down on the window sheet and just pressed. Peeled it off and let dry. After cardstock was dry cut with the Snowflake die.

This time Medallion background was stamped on Night of Navy, layered on Whisper White then layered on base card Marina Mist. I added a filigree to the center of the flake to attach it. Also used the word window punch to add the word "Merry".
To make the Night of Navy layer pop I sponged around the edge with Whisper White ink.

Great thing about using the reinkers on the window sheet after pulling off the glossy cardstock you can put down another sheet and get another imprint. I actually got 4 sheets of glossy done with one window sheet. The color will fade a bit with each piece of glossy, but you'll have some great background paper to use. Would be great to use the finished glossy with punches as well.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Funning with Fabric

So what to do on a hot Sunday afternoon? Stay buried in my stamping studio and make something fun!!!! At least that's what I do on these hot days.

I'm in a fabric swap so I needed to get busy and come up with some ideas. Seeing how I only have one fabric stash from StampinUp! Sweet Stitches I needed to use that. I started off with a little muslin tote. Used Flower Fold die and cut several flowers with the different fabric. I also cut two layers of natural batting. Alternated the sizes, batting and petals to come up with the flower. Used a button to attach the layers together and to the bag. I also sponged around the bag edges and stamped flowers from Vintage Vogue. Word stamp is from a long since retired set Pattern of Friendship. I finished off the top of the bag by hand sewing a strip of Tangerine Tango pompom trim.




Of course the bag was not enough for me. I thought it needed something to go inside the bag. So I stamped the Medallion background stamp in Soft Suede on the front of a small notebook. Then highlighted the circles with a white gel pen. The center has a Tempting Turquoise Embosslits Button attached with linen thread.



When that still wasn't enough for me...did I tell you it was really hot and I hid out in the studio most of the day?........I had to make a fabric bookmark to use with the notebook. For that I used the Big Shot again with the Two Tags die. First I fused Pellon Wonder Under to the fabric then ironed that down to very light cardboard. I used the cardboard that comes in the back of designer paper packs. Next that was run through the Big Shot with the die. Finished it off with cardstock. Early Espresso scallop circle punch, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 circle punches.

Hope you enjoyed today's post. I had fun.....funning around with Fabric!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Christmas Journal

I found these natural journals at a local craft store. They were .50 each. Couldn't pass that up. Since I've been doing Christmas crafts at the end of the very hot July I decided I needed a book to jot down all my holiday details. Might actually keep on track this season! Book is 4" x 5 1/2" Pages inside are blank. Wish they had lines, but I'll cope without them!

Inked Christmas Collage with Soft Suede for the cover. Inked "25" with Cherry Cobbler and stamped on Vanilla cardstock, and punched with 1 3/4 circle punch. Inked the wreath around the 25 with Always Artichoke stamped on the same color cardstock and punched with large scallop circle punch. Santa Post was also used for the upper right corner. Added Cherry Cobbler seam binding and a scrap of Victoria trim. Round tab punch used for dividers.

And guess what????????? I stamped two of these yesterday so I have one to offer up for Blog CANDY. Just leave me a comment and tell me what is your favorite Christmas song. I'll drawn a winner on Tuesday. Good Luck!!



Here you can see the inside of the book with the different colored tabs.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Medallion Christmas Card

For those who asked for a peek....Here is my card for Christmas 2012. I used Medallion, and Christmas Collage background stamps.

Stamped Christmas Collage with Crumb Cake ink. Then inked Medallion with Crumb Cake and used sponges to add Cherry Cobbler, and Early Espresso to the stamp. Added a little pearl bead in the center of the Medallion and Cherry Cobbler seam binding. Very simple card, but I think its pretty stunning.

July is coming to a close. Don't know where the summer is going to but it is going. We should have the next 3 months of warm weather before November comes and the cold starts. Not looking forward to that. For now just planning to enjoy the warmth. It was 90 yesterday. Hot and humid..and you know what? I'm not complaining.

Stamping Trails
Karen