Add Extensions to Big Shot Thinlit Dies

One of the questions I am is asked is”how do you add extensions to Big Shot Thinlit Dies.  I have the answer for you and, it is not as difficult as you may think.

Here is a card that I created for my son’s birthday using the Circle Thinlit Die and I also added an extension to the card so that it is now a full card.

There is also a video at the end of this post that will show you how to add extensions to Big Shot Thinlit Dies.  The video takes you from using a 5-1/2″ x 6 piece of cards stock to using a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ card stock.  In both cases you will end up with a 5-1/2″ X 4-1/4″ card that will fit into a regular sized envelope.

 Recipe

Stamps: Starburst Sayings (c- 133185, w- 133182, p34 2014 Occasions Catalogue), Loving Thoughts (retired), Birthday Sayings (retired)

Paper: Whisper White, Summer Starfruit, Bermuda Bay, Birthday Basics DSP

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Black Stazon, Summer Starfruit

Accessories: Big Shot, Circle Framelits, Starburst Framelits

T The Starburst Sayings stamp from the 2014 Occasions catalogue would make great masculine cards for a birthday and the other images can be used for cards such as an anniversary card, thank you card, or a thinking of you card.  You are sure to get great mileage from this stamp set and the matching framelits.

 Cool Tool Video Tip – Add Extensions to the Big Shot Thinlit Dies

So, give the video a watch and try adding an extension to your Thinlit Dies.

Happy Stamping

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Envelope Punch Board – Much More Than Envelopes

Have you got your envelope punch board yet?  This latest toy, oh I mean tool, can do so much more than make 66 different sized envelopes. Try a box to fit a set of cards and present as a gift.

I did 3 different boxes, using slightly different measurements and they are so cute.  I also used the new Gift Bow Bigz Die that is in the 2013 Holiday Catalogue. 

While these boxes use the same principle to create (using the Envelope Punch Board), they all look different because of the different colour card stock, designer series papers and embellishment.

As for the bows, you can colour coordinate the bow with your box, go off the grid and really mix it up, or design your box and bow to reflect a feeling, like sophisticated, whimsy, or contemporary.

Here is a video which demonstrates how to create the boxes and also incorporates the use of the Gift Bow Die.

For additional details visit MY ONLINE STORE

That’s it for today.  Check my blog out next week as I bring you posts from New Orleans.

Happy Stamping

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Children Halloween Craft Ideas

There are a lot of children Halloween craft ideas out there, and I have one that is fun and is suitable for children 6 and up.

A couple of weeks ago, I had my grandchildren over for a visit and decided to do a craft with them.  I did learn a few lessons, ie, don’t do anything that takes too long.  However, we did survive and they and myself had a lot of fun.

It was interesting to watch them, fan fold papers, stamping what ever they liked and deciding which papers to use and which colours to stamp with.

In the end, I had to to do a bit of finishing for them, however the results were great.

Sarah with her Boo Banner

Nathan with his Boo Banner

By the time we finished, there was a lot of sticky glue around and a few fingers and hands that had black ink on them – it was a fun time.

One of the tools they enjoyed was the Big Shot – who doesn’t love using the Big Shot!!

Another craft that children would enjoy is making their own tags for gifts.  One that would suit the little ones to the big ones is the Pop & Place Holiday Gift Tag and Stamp Set. 

You can purchase this kit in various configurations and it would be a great Christmas craft to do with your little ones.  No real experience is needed.

Available October 4, 2013 – December 31, 2013

There are 3 configurations that you can purchase,

Gift Tag Book (134975) $11.95

Gift Tag Bundle (135921) $22.95

Gift Tag Starter Bundle (135290) $27. 95

For more details and to purchase, visit my ONLINE STORE

Happy Stamping

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Big Shot Thinlits Are Here

The Big Shot Thinlits are now available for purchase.  WOO YOO!!.  These became available from Stampin’ Up! on August 1st and having ordered both sets, I finally got to play with them. 

Now what are the Big Shot Thinlits?  These are die cutting tools to make flip/flop cards.  It was a real pain to make and cut using the traditional methods, however, the new Thinlits, cut, and score your paper and make life a whole lot easier.

What is really neat with these Big Shot Thinlits is that you can made either the standard card or you can create an extension so that you can have a place to write inside the card.

There are a number of other dies that come with the Thinlits, that you can cut out and use on your cards, scrapbook pages or other paper crafts.

I used the Labels Big Shot Thinlits die to create a retirement card.  Yes, I had to experiment as with any new tool, however with not much pain, I was able to get it to work.

Front

 This is the front of the card and is how it would look if you did not add the extension.

Inside

Here is the inside of the card so that you can see the difference with the added extension.

Recipe

Stamps: Oh Hello (c – 130733, w- 131931 p34 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Label Love (c – 130622, w- 130619, p33 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Teeny Tiny Wishes (c – 127802, w- 128748 p44 2013/14 Annual Catalogue)

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana, Afternoon Picnic DSP

Ink: Coastal Cabana, Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz,

Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Thinlits, Markers: Coastal Cabana, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vintage Designer Button, Linen Thread

How to Get the Extension

Normally, you would use a piece of card stock that measured 5-1/2″ x 6″ and line up the Thinlit to fit the card stock and run through the Big Shot.

To get the extension, cut your card stock at 5-1/2″ by 8-1/4″ and line up the card stock so that the one end is under either the label or circle cut out and then take the other end of the card stock and put it on top of the thinlit.  Using your sandwich ( and the Magnetic Platform is great for this), run it through the Big Shot. 

By having the card stock on the top of the thinlit, it does not get cut and the bonus is you have a score line to fold the end in. 

With either method you will have a 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ card.

Labels Thinlits
Click on the image to Shop My Store

Check out the Video and the Product on my online store
Click on the picture

These are so much fun!

Happy Stamping

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Fabulous stamp sets

Fabulous stamp sets are everywhere and to find one is relatively easy.  For, me the Secret Garden along with it’s matching framelit is one of those sets.

Why do I find this stamp set to be so fabulous?  Here are a couple of reasons:

First, its versatility.  It can be used for a variety of cards for example, birthday, anniversary, sympathy, etc.  It can also be used on a scrapbook page.

This stamp set comes with 5 different styles of flowers, set of leaves and a stem.  Some of the ideas to use the flowers are as a bouquet, all tied up with a bow; how about using the pop-up die to create a flower shop style card.

The flowers come in line stamps, or full image stamps and lend themselves to embossing with embossing powder, or maybe adding some Dazzling Diamond glitter in the center, pearls or rhinestones.

On this particular card, I used the whitewash coloring technique.  You can see the video for this technique HERE.

For added interest, the Smokey Slate card stock is embossed with the Woodgrain embossing folder and then sponged with Whisper White craft ink.

So, this is one of those fabulous stamp sets that will take you in many directions.

 Stamps: Secret Garden (c – 129144, w- 131940, p94 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Round Array (c – 129090 w- 129087, p126 2013/14 Annual Catalogue)

Paper: Sahara Sand, Island Indigo, Smokey Slate, Pistachio Pudding, Quatrefancy DSP

Ink: Whisper White Craft, Primrose Petals, Pistachio Pudding

Accessories: Big Shot, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Secret Garden Framelits, Markers: Marina Mist, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit,   Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Wild Wasabi Embossing Powder, 7/8” Scallop Punch, 1-14/” Scallop Punch, Blender Pens, Aqua Painter, Primrose Petals 3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon, Pearls

Do you have fabulous stamp sets that you love to use over and over again? 

Leave me a comment and let me know what it is.

Happy Stampin

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Mosaic Madness Set – Great Make and Take

The Mosaic Madness is a great stamp set and punch but before I go there, I want to give you a reminder about joining our email list.

Reminder:  The Simply Said with Karen July Newsletter will be released next week.  As well as having beautiful projects for you to recreate, I am also launching the Simply Said with Karen Referral Program.

So what you say, well, there is something in it for those that take part in the program.

So to find out more, make sure that are on the Simply Said with Karen email list. 

You can check out all the benefits of being on the email list by clicking HERE.  It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1  Enter your name and email address in the sign up form

2. Submit the form

3. Confirm your acceptance when you have received the email

Now, it’s Mosaic Madness Time

Mosaic Madness when paired with the 2013-2015 In Colors makes for a great make and take card at a workshop, open house, class or club.  I did this card for a workshop that was held a couple of weeks ago. 

Because you may have all different levels of stampers and/or card makers at a workshop, the make and take needs to be not too easy or not too hard.  It was this view that I took when designing the card.  I also wanted to feature as many of the 2013-2015 In Colors as I could without overwhelming the card.

Stamps: Mosaic Madness (c – 130249, w- 130246, p123 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Chalk Talk (c – 130634 w- 130634, p12 2013/14 Annual Catalogue)

Paper: Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, Costal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar Reinker

Accessories: Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Mosaic Punch, 1-1/4” Circle Punch, Vintage Faceted Designer Button, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Baked Brown Sugar 3/8” Ruffled Stretch Trim, Tea Lace Paper Doily.

So how did I get the Baked Brown Sugar Bakers Twine?  Easy as can be.  Just put a piece of the Bakers Twiner into a few drops of Baked Brown Sugar reinker and you’ve got yourself a piece of Bakers Twine in the 2013-15 In Colors.

Mosaic Madness Stamp and Punch Bundle Clear – 132733, Wood – 132734

Purchase this stamp set and punch as a bundle receive a discount of  15%.

For the full details, visit the Simply Said with Karen online store HERE

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Gift Packages Can be as Unique as the Gift

Gift packages can be as fun to create as it is to give the gift.  There are so many unique ways to package up a gift these days.  Although we can still use the traditional wrapping paper, stuck on bow, the trend is towards more unique and individual gift packages.

Over the past month, I have created two gift boxes using the Kraft Gift Boxes and just had a blast.  There are also some new gift packaging ideas in the new catalogue – the Tag a Bag Gift Bags and the Tag a Gift Boxes.

Here is the gift package and tag that I created for a friends birthday

Birthday Gift Packaging

Stamps: Round Array (c-129090, w-129087 p 126 2013/14 Annual Catalogue, Whimsy Wheel Stamp (retired)

Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Epic This and That DSP

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Smokey Slate, Whisper White Craft

Accessories: Kraft Gift Box, Versa Mark, Clear Embossing Powder, Silver Embossing Powder,  Big Shot, Secret Garden Framelits, Tasteful Trim Die, Tea Lace Doilies, Whisper White 1é8`ribbon, Simply Pressed Clay, Simply Pressed Clay Molds, Creped Filter Paper,  Epic Day This and That Washi Tape, 1-3/4″Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4″ Scallop Circle Punch

Other: Bubble Wrap

The flower is die cut using the Secret Garden Framelits and then using the Paper Snips, each petal is cut to the center and sponged with Crisp Cantaloupe ink.  Two flowers were cut to add fulness.

The Tea Lace Paper Doily was embossed with Silver embossing powder.  Just swipe Versa Mark all over the doily and then heat set the embossing powder.  Only 1/2 the doily was used.  A piece of the Creped Filter Paper was torn and added to the doily.

The box was stamped using the Whimsy wheel stamp and Whisper White Craft ink.  The tag uses the bubble wrap technique.  The video for this technique is part of the Cool Tool Videos HERE

How about trying out some unique gift packaging yourself.

Tag a Bag Bundle /131371

Tag a Box Bundle /131372

Give the gift of packages

Happy Stamping

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Happy Birthday to the Dude

Happy Birthday Brody!.  Sometimes it hard to make a masculine card and the Photopolymer stamp set, the Designer Typeset is a great stamp set to use for a Dude.

I find myself gravitating to this set for sentiments that I don’t have in my possession.  With the alphabet letters and the numbers, you can create so many of your own sayings.  You don’t even have to use the Stamp-a-ma Jig because these stamps are clear and you can see where you are positioning the individual letters and numbers.

To go along with the letters and numbers are quite a few graphical designs that are very useful, for example, arrows, banners and you add your sentiments to these as well because you can see where you are stamping.

So, here is the Happy Birthday card.

This card turned out be be kind of funky, or at least in my eyes it did.

 Stamps: Designer Typeset (132956, available online only), Chalk Talk (c-130634, w-130631 p.12 2013/14 Annual Catalogue

Paper: Gumball Green, Smokey Slate, Naturals White, Epic Day This and That DSP

Ink: Gumball Green, Smokey Slate

Accessories: Big Shot, Windows Frame Collection Framelits, Stripes Embossing Folder,  Epic Day This and That Washi Tape, Sponges, Sponge Daubers

The pennant banner was stamped in Gumball Green ink and then the words” Hey Dude” were stamped using the alphabet stamps from the same stamp set.  It was so easy because I could see where I was stamping and did not need to use the Stamp-a-ma-Jig.

The Chalk Talk stamp set has matching framelits which can be purchased together in a bundle and save you 15% off the individual prices.

w- 132731, c-132730 – Order now – Click on the picture to go to my ONLINE Store

There is also a new Photopolymar stamp set available.

#133452 Only available on line. Click on the picture for more details

This stamp set would be great for scarp-booking a vacation or a bon voyage card for someone that is off in search of adventure.

Next time you are looking for a stamp where you can create masculine cards, this may be the one for you.

Happy Stamping

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Creativity Can Be For Everyone

Creativity for some means create fear.  Why is that?  Some people think they do not have a creative bone in their body, some try and compare their work to others, some don’t know where to start, and still others think their creations need to be perfect.

Well, guess what.  These fears are myths and with a little bit of time and belief in yourself, creativity will open up a whole new world.

Creativity is an expression of who and what we are and comes in all sorts of packages. I still would like to speak to my Grade 8 instructor who would fail my art projects.  I couldn’t draw or paint to his liking and there is more to creativity than drawing or painting.  So enough with me and we will get back to you.

Sometimes the first thing that people think or say is “I am not creative”.  Well, yes you can be and it only takes a bit of your time and ingenuity to create something beautiful.

When I hold my classes and clubs, I also hear ” Sure doesn’t look like yours”.    My response is “it doesn’t matter that your card doesn’t look like mine, yours is unique to you and the person that you are giving it to will not know what mine looked like”. 

Another comment is “I made a mistake”.  Remember, there are  2 sides to every piece of paper, embellishments can help to cover up those mistakes and sometimes you can just add something to make it look like the mistake is supposed to be there. 

Perfection is a real myth.  I am not sure who invented that word, but trying to be perfect will not get us anywhere.  Life is all about imperfections.

So now, on to my card, which by the way is not perfect.  It has a mistake on it and it has been camouflaged and the recipient will never know.

Stamps: Mosaic Madness (c-130249, w-130246, p.123 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Delightful Dozen (c-122652, w-128547 p.27 2013-14 Annual Catalogue)

Papers: Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, So Saffron, Quatrefancy DSP

Ink: Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, So Saffron

Accessories: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Large Scallop Edgelits,Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder,  Versa Mark, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Mosaic Punch, Stamp-a-ma Jig, Calypso Coral Bakers Twine, Sponges, Sponge Daubers

Can you spot the mistake?  It’s hidden below the banner and the person receiving this card, will never know it there.

So, get creative, book a workshop and just go for it.  You are unique.

To book a workshop, contact me by EMAIL.

Happy Stamping

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Fathers Day – A Tribute to Dads Everywhere

Fathers Day is a great day to pay tribute to our Dads, because after all, they are a big a reason why we are here.

So why not honour Dad with a special card.  Here is one that I have done to give to my Dad.  I am so fortunate to still have him kicking and screaming..”I’m not dead yet”!

So I thought this stamp set would be very appropriate for a Fathers Day card.

Stamps: Bootiful Occasions (c-126597, w-131967, p 24 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Splatter Stamp (April My Paper Pumpkin), It’s Your Day (retired)

Paper: Ivory Naturals, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Howlstooth DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Vintage Brads, Linen Thread, Versa Mark, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Sponges/Sponge Daubers, 1-1/4″ Square Punch (retired), Big Shot, Stars #2 Die (retired), Woodgrain Embossing Folder

I had so much fun creating this card…my imagination just flew.  The lasso is made using Linen Thread and wrapped about 3 xs to form a circle and tied together with a small piece of Linen Thread.  I wanted the ends of the lasso to show. 

The lasso was attached to the star using a vintage brad.  All the stars are sponged using Soft Suede and Crumb Cake.

The boots are stamped 2xs using Versa Mark and embossed with Early Espresso Embossing powder and sponged using Soft Suede and Crumb Cake.  The boots were fussy cut using Paper Snips.  These scissors are so great for getting into tight spots when you are cutting out stamped images.

Item #103579 If you are looking for a pair of scissors these are the ones to have.

The sentiment comes attached to the stamp.  However to make the stamp more versatile, I will trim the sentiment from the main stamp and attached separately.  This gives you more “bang for your buck”

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