The Flowering Fields stamp set will be disappearing on March 31st.  Yes, Sale-a-Bration 2016 is coming to an end.  I hope you have been able to get in on this sale.

Because this sale is ending, the products in the Sale-a-bration catalogue is also be disappearing. One of my favorite stamp sets in this catalogue has been the Flowering Fields stamp set and the matching Wildflower Fields Designer Series Paper.

The design and the colours of this paper are so pretty.  I know for sure that two of the colours, Blackberry Bliss and Lost Lagoon will be retiring this year as they are from the 2014-2016 In Color selection.  Along with these two colours  Hello Honey, Mossy Meadow and Tangelo Twist will also be disappearing.  As for what else will be retiring, your guess is as good as mine. Like you, I will be looking for the retirement list for stamps, paper, embellishments, punches and Big Shot items sometime in April.

Visit my blog often as I will be posting that list when it becomes available.

So back to my card.

Recipe

Stamps: Flowering Fields, Crazy About You.

Ink/Markers: Old Olive, Blackberry Bliss.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Wildflower Fields DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, Tags and Labels Framelits, Pear Pizzazz 1/4” Cotton Ribbon, White Perfect Accents.

I made this card quite simple by using only one stamp from the set and stamping multiple times. However, there are 5 other stamps in this set that you can use for various projects.  The stamps are called line stamps as they are outlines you can use different coloured markers to colour on the images, or you can stamp the image in a single colour and choose to watercolor them with the Aqua Brush and or markers and the Blender Pens.

The background panel is Blackberry Bliss although it looks black in the photo. I mixed a piece of the striped DSP with the flowered pattern and it just gives the card that pop of color.

You can still order and earn your Sale-a-bration products.  Shop my online store.

Leave me a comment and tell me how you would use this stamp set.

Product List

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Today, I want to share with you why I love what I do and do what I love!

Six years ago, I signed up with Stampin’ Up! to become a Demonstrator and I am so glad I did. When I first signed up, yes, it was to get my products at a discount and just dabble in making greeting cards, creating scrapbook pages and 3-D items such as gift boxes, quilted hangers for photos, etc.  However as I neared retirement from 9-5 job, I started to contemplate what my future would look like, and I envisioned a business.

One of my passions was creating with any type of medium, and when I was introduced to rubber stamping to create beautiful cards and scrapbook pages, I was definitely hooked.  In days past, I had even dreamed about what it would be like to be able to just create.  Now, I had never considered myself to be an artist.

So here I am, loving what I do.

I would like to share 3 reasons why I love what I do:

1. I am able to share my passion for paper crafting and teach others how they can become a paper crafter.  Sharing my knowledge about rubber stamping, techniques and tips that you can try and carry with you forever  are gifts that I can give to others.
2. I am able to devote as much time as I want to running my business. While I do have set office hours, I am able to decide when and where those office hours will take place.  Depending upon what I have scheduled on my “TO DO” list, the hours can fluctuate from day to day.  Who is able to do that in a 9-5 job?
3. This reason is probably my biggest reason. One of my biggest fears about retirement was not to have that day-to-day contact with people. Working on establishing my business has allowed me to develop and maintain relationships that may not have been possible if not for my business.

Do any of these 3 reasons of why I love what I do resonate with you?  If so, than there is a solid business opportunity for you during SALE-A-BRATION.

During Sale-a-Bration, you can become a Stampin’ Up!demonstrator for $125.00.  You choose $155 worth of product and because it’s Sale-a-Bration time, you can choose $40 more in product.  You can get started in your business with $195 in product for $125.00.  Plus there is no tax on the kit and it ships for free.

There is only one caveat.  To become part of my downline, you are required to live in Canada.

If you would like to become a part of the Stampin’ Up! family, then email me and we can have a discussion.  In the meantime, check out the information on my Demonstrator Website. 

Check out the Flexibility for Small Business Owners Post for additional information.

You too, will be able to give reasons as to “Why I Love What I Do”.

The post Why I Love What I Do! and Do What I Love! You Can Too appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

The words, “lost without you” will have a special meaning for your Valentine.  While this is a great Valentine card, it would also make a great Anniversary card for someone to give your special partner.

Using the Going Global stamp set is a great compliment to the Sky Is the Limit stamp set. I love the colours in the designer series papers which allow you to draw on so many colour combination.

The Going Global stamp set has so many possibilities in addition to an Anniversary or Valentine card.  What are some of the possibilities?

• Birthday card for someone who is into astronomy. You could also combine it with the Stars Collection Framelits.
• Father’s Day card.
• Bon Voyage card for a traveler.
• Use the stamps and DSP on a Project Life scrap album to create memories of your travels.

Recipe

Stamps: Going Global, Sky Is The Limit.

Ink/Markers: Mossy Meadow, VersaMark, Pacific Point Marker.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow Going Places DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, World Traveler Embossing Folder, Circle Collection Framelits, 2” Circle Punch, Gold Thread, Silver Brads, Black Embossing Powder.

The World Traveler Embossing Folder makes a great background for the place and compass.  To give the illusion of the plane doing loops through the air, the Gold Thread was looped behind the plane.

To receive the Sky is the Limit stamp set for FREE, by purchasing the entire suite of products and adding the Lost Lagoon and Mossy Meadow ink pads.

Just one word of caution though.  The Sky is the Limit stamp set is only available until February 15th.  This stamp set will then be replace by another stamp set that will be available until the end of March when Sale-a-Bration ends.

Create a Lost Without You card or another type of card using this set, leave me a comment and upload the card and I will display on my blog.

The post Lost Without You Valentines or Anniversary Card appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Who says you can’t have a blue Valentines Day card? Not only that but this card doesn’t even have a heart anywhere near it.  Sometimes, it’s good to go outside the box.

This blue Valentines Day card is great for a Blue Monday.  Apparently, the third Monday in January is considered the most depressing day of the whole year.  Why is that?

There are several contributing factors to Blue Monday such as:

• Coming down from the celebrations of Christmas and New Years
• In the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter with it short days light and often it’s difficult to get outside because of inclement weather.
• The Christmas bills are starting to come in.
• New Year’s resolutions are starting to go by the wayside.

So what do you do to counteract Blue Monday? Here are some ideas:

• Get outside and go for a walk around the block.
• Get together with friends and family for a lunch date.
• Go shopping as the stores are starting to display their spring fashions which are usually colourful and just by looking at them, you will feel your mood improve.
• If you can, book a holiday to somewhere warm and sunny.

Now if we talk about the bluest day of the year, we have to talk about the happiest day of the year.  Usually, most people will feel the happiest around Christmas Day.  It is a day filled with excitement, joy as we spend time with family and friends, and enjoying great food.

So, let get on with the Blue Valentines Day Card.Recipe

Stamps: What I Love.

Ink/Markers: Lost Lagoon, Versamark.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Soft Sky.

Accessories: White Emboss Powder, Sponge Dauber, Wink of Stella Glitter Brush.

This card is very simple and easy to recreate.  Actually, I cased the Sale-a-Bration catalogue for this one.

You can earn this stamp set by purchasing $60 of products from any of the catalogues or clearance rack. Sweet deal! That should counteract Blue Monday.

The flower from this stamp set can be stamped 3 times to give shading to the flower, However, I only stamped the outline flower, the leaves and tiny flowers in Versamark, heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder and sponged them using a sponge dauber and Lost Lagoon ink.  I also added a bit of Wink of Stella Glitter to the flowers.This is a great card if you are going to send it in the mail.  No extra postage!!!!.

I hope that you do something to help with Blue Monday.  Perhaps, create a blue Valentines Day card.  Leave a comment and let me know what you did for Blue Monday.

The post Blue Valentines Day Card For Blue Monday appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Milestone birthdays are something to look forward too and to celebrate. It doesn’t matter which milestone birthday it is. If it’s a 1 year old’s birthday or a 100th birthday, we get excited.

The birthday card today is one of those milestone birthdays that fall in between 1 and 100.  It’s a 60th birthday! At every stage of life, we all have something to look forward to and look back up on.  It’s life’s ups and downs that define who we are, and it’s the dreams that we have that keep us going.

I was one of BFF who celebrated her birthday last week and the celebrations carried on for a week.  Friends, family, co-workers all contributed to her week of celebration.

She loves summer and the beach, so we decided to dress up in a somewhat of beach attire.  Because it is still cold here, there were no shorts, bathing suits, or bare arms.  However, we did come up with ways to signify the beach.

For example, I wore a bright blue T-shirt, which signified the water and the sky, another friend brought her gift in a sand pail, and still another wore a flower in her hair. We even had BBQ hamburgers and potato salad.  So even if it wasn’t summer or beach weather we made it work.

Recipe:

Stamps: Balloon Bash.

Ink/Markers: Soft Sky, Blackberry Blush, VersaMark.

Paper: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Silver Foil, Irresistibly Yours DSP (SAB 2015).

Accessories: Big Shot, Circle Framelit Dies, Tea Lace Doily, Silver Embossing Powder, Rhinestone Jewels.

This card is pretty straight forward.  However, the Irresistibly Yours DSP was brayered using the Soft Sky ink.  My friend owns a flower shop so this DSP was the right one to use.

The Silver Foil paper is reflecting the Blackberry Bliss paper, so it looks a little pinky.  However, in real life there is not the reflection.

Remember to celebrate those milestone birthdays.

Balloon Bash Photopolymer Stamp Set – 137144

Price: $31.95

Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper – 138635

Price: $0.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments – 119246

Price: $6.50

Circles Collection Framelits Die – 130911

Price: $32.95

Brayer – 102395

Price: $15.50

Supply List

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

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What does “You Made My Day” mean? When someone responds to you with that phrase, it usually means you have done something to make them happy or brightened their day.  It could be a compliment you received if you were having a bad day, it could be something funny said.  It’s like a verbal hug or fuzzy.

Recipe

Stamps: Big Day, I Love Lace, Petite Petals.

Ink/Markers: Tuxedo Black, Island Indigo, Crisp Cantaloupe, Chocolate Chip, Strawberry Slush.

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Island Indigo, Wisher White, Pear Pizzazz, Gold Foil, Irresistibly You DSP (2015 Sale-a-Bration).

Accessories: Big Shot, Circles Collection Framelits, Brayer, Bird Builder Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Subtle Candy Dots (Blushing Bride), Island Indigo 3/4” Chevron Ribbon.

This card uses the Irresistbly Yours DSP from the 2015 Sale-a-Bration collection.  This is such a neat paper as it is already embossed for you and you can use a variety of techniques to bring out the embossing.

The attached video will show you 3 ways to create a colored background on your paper using 3 different methods.  However, you are not limited to 3 methods.  It’s only your imagination that limited you.

Not only that, but the paper is FREE with a minimum $60.00 order (excludes shipping and taxes).

SHOP MY ONLINE STORE  or contact me by EMAIL to place an order.

So give someone a reason to feel awesome or happy by creating and giving them a “You Made My Day” card.

The post You Made My Day Card – Stamped and Embossed appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Here’s a Fancy Birthday card to say Happy Birthday to a special person. For the amount of time and math I had to do for this card, there is likely going to be only 1 card made by me so it will have to go to a special person.

My first thought was that I could do this for a class but then I had a better thought – NOT! Not only was there a certain amount of math involved in lining up the square cuts, the card took some time to complete.

That’s why this card is for a special birthday, because a special person will receive it.

Recipe

Stamps: Big Day.

Ink/Markers: Tuxedo Black, VersaMark, Calypso Coral Blendabilities, Coastal Cabana Blendabilities, Daffodil Delight Blendabilities.

Paper: Whisper White Sahara Sand, Crushed Curry, Best Day Ever DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, Squares Collection Framelits, Crushed Curry Emboss Powder, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon, Crushed Curry Baker’s Twine.

View From Top

Instructions:

1. Cut 4 pieces of 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ Sahara card stock
2. Cut 4 pieces of 4″ x 5-1/4″ Best Ever Day DSP – use a different pattern for each piece
3. Attach the DSP to the card stock.
4. Using the Big Shot and the 3rd largest Squares Collection framelit, cut a square in the center of each panel.  Make sure you do the math so that they holes line up.  The Square Framelit was lined up at each side – 3/4″ from inside edge of square For top and bottom alignment – 1-1/4″ from the inside edge of Square Framelit to top edge.  Do the same measurement for the bottom edge.
5. With the short edge against the score board, score each panel at the 2-1/8″ mark.  Fold and burnish with Bone Folder.
6. Attach each panel together with adhesive. Line up edges and score lines. Before attaching the last panel, cut a 2″piece of Crushed Curry Baker’s Twine and fold in half.  Lie the Baker’s Twine on the score line and attach.  Leave about 1/2″ hanging below for the sentiment panel.
7. Cut 2 pieces of Crushed Curry card stock – 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″
8. Cut 2 pieces of Whisper White Card stock – 2″ x 2″
9. Stamp the sentiment from the Big Day stamp on to the Whisper White card stock with Tuxedo Black ink.
10. Color the big letters using Blendabilities.
11. Stamp the word “Celebrate” on Whisper White using VersaMark.  Heat emboss with Crushed Curry embossing powder and cut out.  Attach to the sentiment using dimensionals.
12. Attach the Whisper White sentiment to the Crushed Curry card stock.  Remember to attach the Crushed Curry Baker’s Twine in the top center between the 2 layers.
13. Finally, tie a 5″ piece of Daffodil Delight Seam Binding ribbon around each outside panel..
14. Stamp the remaining sentiment on one of the panels.

This is a fun card to create and will definitely wow that special birthday person.

This stamp set and paper are from the 2015 Sale-a-Bration catalogue and can be earned with a $60.00 (does not include shipping and taxes) product purchase from any of the current catalogues. Once Sale-a-Bration is over, these free products will be gone.

Shop Now on my On-Line Store

The post Fancy Birthday Card for a Special Person appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Gift Tag punches are just not for gifts. You can add interest to a card when you use them as your focal art piece.

This card came together very easily, once I decided which stamps from the Painted Petals stamp set to use on the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch.

Recipe

Stamps: Pained Petals, Butterfly Basics.

Ink/Markers: Wisteria Wonder, Wild Wasabi, Red Rose, Pink Pirouette.

Paper: Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Irresistibly Yours DSP, Silver Glimmer.

Accessories: Big Shot, Spring Flowers Embossing Folder, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Wisteria Wonder Seam Binding Ribbon, Silver 1/8” Ribbon, Subtle Candy Dots – Wisteria Wonder, Handheld Stapler.

Once I had settled on the set of flowers that were not roses, I got to work.  The 3 lines were stamped 2 times on the bottom of the tag, one set of flowers were stamped in the Wisteria Wonder and the other set in Rose Red ink.

Because this is a Photopolymar stamp, the stems and leaves were simple to stamp.  I didn’t worry that the leaves overlapped some of the flowers.

The gift tag was off-set on a tag punch from the Sliver Glimmer paper. Isn’t it great that the glimmer papers can be used any time of the year?  The Wisteria Wonder and the Silver Ribbons were added to the tag and stapled with the Handheld Stapler.

Of course, what could be better than some butterflies hovering over the side of the gift tag.

Last but not least is the Irresistibly Yours DSP that can be yours for free when you order $60.00 (not including tax or shipping) worth of product.

I am in love with this paper.  Check my blog frequently as I am going to show you a technique with this paper that will blow you away.

So in the meantime, keep on stamping and creating and try the Gift Tag punch for your art piece.

Painted Petals Wood Stamp Set – 138819

Price: $40.95

Painted Petals Clear Stamp Set – 138822

Price: $30.95

Painted Petals Photopolymer Stamp Set – 137146

Price: $29.95

Spring Flowers Textured Impressions Embossing Folder – 137365

Price: $9.95

Bitty Butterfly Punch – 129406

Price: $21.95

Tag Topper Scalloped Punch – 133324

Price: $31.95

Silver Glimmer Paper – 135314

Price: $5.95

Silver 1/8″ Ribbon – 132137

Price: $6.95

Wild Wasabi 1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon – 134570

Price: $9.50

Handheld Stapler – 139083

Price: $12.50

Silver Mini Staples – 135847

Price: $4.95

Subtles Candy Dots – 130933

Price: $7.95

Supply List

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

The post Gift Tag? Card? – It’s a Gift Tag Card with Painted Petals. appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

This year, Blue Monday is January 19th.  Blue Monday is said to be the most bluest of days  for many people. It occurs on the first Monday of the last full week in January. There is even a mathematical equation that helps decide the day.

So why is their a Blue Monday

• The Christmas and New Year festivities are over and the bills start flowing in.
• We have started to loose focus on our New Year Resolutions and we get upset with ourselves.
• In the northern Hemisphere, we are waiting for more daylight – that in itself can lead to depression.

So what can you do to combat this feeling?

• Get out and enjoy some winter activities…skiing, ice skating
• Surround yourself with positive friends…maybe there a some who aren’t affected by Blue Monday.
• If you suffer from SAD, get yourself a light which can help combat that sad feeling.
• Look forward and stay positive…the days are indeed getting longer with more daylight…just maybe not as fast as we want.
• Go stamp some cards and get into the Sale-A-Bration feeling

So what goes better with Blue Monday than a Blue Lotus Flower from the SAB catalogue.  This flower will make you smile.

Because what is better than 2-step stamping?  Why, it’s 3-step stamping.

Recipe:

Stamps: Lotus Blossom, Butterfly Basics.

Ink/Markers: Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Pistachio Pudding.

Paper: Whisper White, Marina Mist, Painted Blooms DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Whisper White Seam Binding, Bitty Butterfly Punch.

If you are using the wood mount or clear mount stamps, use the Stamp-a-ma-Jig to line up your flowers.  If you use the photopolymer stamps, then you can see right through the stamps to line them up.

THe stamps are number 1, 2 and 3 so you know which order to use the stamps.

For these blue lotuses, I stamped #1 with Pacific Point (the darkest colour), #2 stamp – Marina Mist and #3 – Marina Mist stamped off 2xs.

This style of stamping gives beautiful definition to the images.

The butterflies are from the Basic Butterfly stamp set.  They are stamped 3 times and punched out with the Bitty Butterfly punch.

You can earn this stamp set for free by purchasing $60.00 in products – it’s Sale-a-Bration time.

Butterfly Basics Photopolymer Stamp Set – 137154

Price: $29.95

Butterfly Basics Clear Stamp Set – 138816

Price: $43.95

Butterfly Basics Wood Stamp Set – 138813

Price: $58.95

Bitty Butterfly Punch – 129406

Price: $21.95

Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder – 133520

Price: $9.50

Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper – 137784

Price: $13.50

Whisper White 1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon – 134573

Price: $9.50

Supply List

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

The post Blue Monday – Don’t Let It Get You Down appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

It’s that time of year again when you can earn FREE product with your purchase of $60.00. Along with the new 2015 Occasions Catalogue, Sale-A-Bration (SAB) is here.

Check below for a card I created using a SAB stamp set.

Let me tell you how this sale of the year works:

• Order $60.00 (not including shipping and taxes) worth of product from any of the current catalogues (Annual Catalogue and 2015 Occasions Catalogue) and you will receive 1 Free product from the SAB brochure.  Easy.
• These orders can come from classes, workshops, individual orders, clearance rack, downloads from MDS.
• You can in touch with me and I will put your order through to Stampin’ up! or shop and order through my ONLINE STORE. 
• For each $60.00 (not including shipping and taxes) you spend, you can select 1 FREE product. Example – spend $120.00 get 2 FREE products.

 Recipe

Stamps: Big Day (SAB).

Ink/Markers: Tuxedo Black, Daffodil Delight Reinker,  Blendabilities: Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Coastal Cabana.

Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar, Irresistibly Yours DSP (SAB), Silver Glimmer.

Accessories: Big Shot, Banner Framelits, Large Scallop Edgelit, Coastal Cabana Thick  Baker’s Twine, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, All Is Calm Washi Tape, Itty Bitty Festive Punch Pack, Stampin’ Spritzer.

A couple of items about this card:

• The Irresistibly Yours paper has a white background and pattern, however, the pattern is glossy and when you color it using an array of techniques, the pattern comes to the surface.  For this card, the paper was spritzed using one of the Stampin’ Up!Spritzers and a mixture of Rubbing Alcohol and Daffodil Delight reinker.
• The stars are recoloured Silver Glimmer Paper.  Before punching out the stars, I coloured bits of the Silver Glimmer paper with Coastal Cabana, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight Blendabilities.

Not only can your designer paper be any colour you want, so can the Silver Glimmer paper.

• The All is Calm Washi tape was coloured with the Coastal Cabana Blendabilities and trimmed at an angle for the candle.

So now you have the scoop about SAB and how you can benefit.

The post Free Product When You Party with the 2015 Occasions Catalogue appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.