Consider creating a DIY Succulent Terrarium for Spring.  Succulents are the garden trend this year.  However, creating a succulent display may lead to a considerable cash layout.  With the cash the leaves your pocket, comes the care and feeding of your succulents,  Then, there is always the possibility they may not survive.  I don’t have a green thumb and the lighting in my home is not conducive to live plants.  So, paper flowers and plants work extremely well for me.

Read more about Paper Crafting Trends HERE.

Why not create a succulent terrarium from paper and ink.

And, that is exactly what I set out to do….create my own terrarium.

One of the new stamp set and thinlits in the 2017 Occasions catalogue is the Oh, So Succulent Bundle.  You can create succulents to your hearts content.  What about the terrarium?  Well, you can create that as well.

DIY Succulent Terrarium Recipe

Stamps: Oh, So Succulent, Dragonfly Dreams.

Ink/Markers: Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Tuxedo Black Memento, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Sweet Sugar Plum, Window Sheets, Silver Foil, Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe, Emerald Envy, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, So Saffron.

Accessories: Big Shot, Curvy Keepsake Thinlits Dies, Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies, Succulent Framelits Dies, Large Rhinestone Jewels, 3/8” Metallic Ribbon*, Silver 1/8” Ribbon, Fringe Scissors.

*Sale-a-Bration Item – receive free with a $60 CDN order.  (Shipping and taxes not included)

Details

• Cut 2 sides for the terrarium from the WIndow Sheets using the Curvy Keepsake Thinlits Dies.  Adhere the bottom together with Mini Glue Dots.  Cut a square from Whisper White and Silver foil.  Attache the Silver Foil square to the inside bottom of the Curvy Keepsake and the Whisper White square to the outside boom of the Curry Keepsake with Mini Glue Dots.
• Die cut 2 sets of succulents in Emerald Envy and Sweet Sugarplum cardstock.  Sponge the Sweet  Sugarplum succulent using Rich Razzleberry ink and the Emerald Envy succulent with Tip Top Taupe.  Curl the petals with a Bone Folder.  Attach the layers using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  Attach a large Rhinestone to the center of each succulent.
• Cut 2 flat succulents from Tip Top Taupe and sponge with Tip Top Taupe ink.
• Using the Fringe  Scissors, cut several strips from Sahara Sand cardstock.
• Stamp the bee from the Dragonfly Dreams using Tuxedo Black Memento ink and die cut with the bee from the Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits.  Stamp the underlay from the Dragonfly Dreams stamp set on So Saffron using Daffodil Delight ink. Use Paper Snips to fussy cut. Attach to one of the succulents.
• Build your terrarium inside the Curvy Keepsake Gift Box.  Don’t forget the filler made from the Sahara Sand cardstock.
• Die cut the multiple Dragonflies using the Silver Foil paper.  Attach to the outside of the Curvy Keepsake gift box using Mini Glue Dots.
• Lay the length of the 1/8″ silver Ribbon on a length of the on the 3/8″ Metallic Ribbon and atie a box through the handle of the Curvy Keepsake Gift Box.
• Finally, display your DIY Succulent Terrarium on a shelf or table and enjoy.

Want to create a DIY Succulent Terrarium?  Shop my store for these products. Click on any of the images below to be taken to my ONLINE STORE.

Will you create you Succulent Terrarium.  Leave me a comment to let me know what you would create.

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Create Gift Boxes with the WIndow Box Thinlits Dies.and personalize them for the person that you are gifting. There is a reason behind the name..

If you look closely at the die cuts, there are 3 thinlits that you can use to create peekaboo windows in the sides of the box.  Before putting the box together, select paper that you can slide behind the cutouts.  For this box, I used the silver glimmer paper to give some sparkle. I used the thinlits with the circle cutouts and placed it in every other side.

There are various ways to decorate the top of the box.  Here, I did a flower in Mint Macaron with a Peekaboo Peach center.  Create the flower using the Festive Flower Punch.  Punch out 15 large petals, 12 smaller petals and 4 center flowers  from Mint Macaron.

I spray some rubbing alcohol on the petals to distress them a bit. Before attaching the petals, use a rounded tool to lift the petals.  Attach the petals in layers and overlap each layer. For the flower center, cut a strip of Peekaboo Peach cardstock at 11″ x 3/4″.  Use the Fringe Scissors and fringe along the length of the paper.  .  Attach a strip of Tear and Tape Adhesive and start rolling the strip.

I found it easier to have the adhesive on the outside as you roll and remove the tape backing as you progress.

Last but not least, punch a sentiment from the stamp set, die cut with a framelit.  String a piece of Whisper White Baker’s Twine through the hole and tie around the Metallic ribbon.

Recipe

Stamps: Window Shopping.

Ink/Markers: Sweet Sugarplum.

Paper: Sweet Sugarplum, Mint Macaron, Peekaboo Peach, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Window Box Thinlit Dies, 3/8” Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack (Silver), White Baker’s Twine, Festive Flower Punch, Fringe Scissors.

You can purchase the Window Shopping stamp set and the matching Window Box Thinlit Dies as a bundle and save 10%.  Check it out HERE!

You, too can create gift boxes for your gifts.  Create a few to have on hand.

Product List

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Give the wine love with wine bottle wraps for the hostess.  How many of you have given your hostess a gift of wine?  Did you think about the presentation? Wine is like food, it’s all about the presentation and what is pleasing to the eye.

The Online Extravaganza promotions last until 11:50 PM Mountain Time tonight. Don’t miss out!  If you would like to WOW your hostess over the Christmas and Holiday season, then you really do need the Here’s to Cheer stamp set and matching Cheerful Tags Framelits Dies.  Right now, today, the framelits are part of the Online Extravaganza and they are 30% off the regular price.  The Holly Berry Builder Punch is 40% off and it one of tools used for the tags.

Recipe

Stamps: Here’s To Cheer.

Ink/Markers: Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Real Red, VersaMark.

Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Gold Foil. This is Christmas DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, Cheerful Tags Framelits Dies, Gold Embossing Powder, 3/8” Silky Taffeta Ribbon Combo Pack (Cherry Cobbler), 1/8” Gold Ribbon, Holly Berry Builder Punch.

The wrap on the bottle uses the This is Christmas Specialty DSP.  So often we are left with Designer Series Papers and it seems to multiply.  This is a great way to use up that paper.

I continued to create a few more tags.  Two of the tags can be used for any baking and/or food products that you may give as a gift.  You can also use the 6: x 17″ Gusseted Cellophane bags as part of the wrap.  These bags are food safe, so you don’t have to worry.

When you take a bottle of wine for a host or hostess this season, remember the wine bottle wraps.

Product List

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Do you want to create awesome hand crafted Christmas projects this year?  Yes, Christmas is just a short 3 months away and I know that you know that this time goes very quickly.  But, I’m here to help you out.

The 12 Weeks of Christmas begins October 5th at 1:00 pm (Pacific Time).  But, to receive these beautiful, sparkly and awesome projects, you need to be on the Simply Said with Karen email list.

It’s very easy to get on the email list.  All you have to do is follow the arrow at the bottom of this post and enter your name and email address into the boxes.

How Does The 12 Weeks of Christmas work?

Each week for 12 weeks, you will receive an email from me.  In this email you will find an incredible Christmas project to create. You will have a detailed list of supplies required to make the project, plus you will get step-by-step instructions.

The first 5 weeks will have a Christmas card to create, the next 3 weeks there will be cute gifts, and then the last 3 weeks will be devoted to wraps and tags to create remarkable parcels for under the tree.

In addition to signing up to receive the 12 Weeks of Christmas projects, you will receive the following benefits.

•     Exclusive content
•     Suggested projects with supplies required and the instructions
•     Stuck for Scrapbook layouts? – you will find layouts as well
•     Techniques that will make your projects WOW
•     Notification of limited opportunities
•    …and more

So what are you waiting for?  You have everything to gain and nothing to lose!

Follow the red arrow and you will receive 12, count them, 12 awesome hand crafted Christmas projects.

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Do you give a Valentine’s Day Gift to that special someone?  Or maybe you have more than one special someone.

What types of gifts to you give? Are they chocolates, those cinnamon hearts that leave your mouth tingly, or flowers?  Whatever your Valentine’s Day gift, I am sure that they are appreciated.

I view a Valentine’s Day gift as a “thank you” for being in my life.  A few of my special someones to receive a gift include my grandchildren.

The January Paper Pumpkin made it so easy to do up Valentine gifts.  And, the best part? I only had to fill the bags, stamp the sentiment and put them together.  I didn’t have to supply anything except for my Paper Snips and what I was going to put in the bags.  And, there were 24 packaged gifts when I finished. And, no, I don’t have 24 grandchildren.

During Sale-a-Bration, Stampin’ Up! is offering a 3 month’s subscription for $68.85.  That’s a savings of $6.00 over the 3 months.  Plus, you have spent enough to earn yourself a free Sale-a-Bration item.  That’s a 2 savings deal!

Once you have purchased your subscription, have don’t have to do anything else.  Just wait for that little red box to show up on your doorstep every month.

And the best part of Paper Pumpkin is that the kit gets better and cuter every month.

Sign up for Paper Pumpkin now.  Please remember to choose me as your Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.

You can also give a Paper Pumpkin subscription as a gift – hmmmm, that would make a great Valentine’s Day gift.

Yes, I want to Sign Up For Paper Pumpkin

Got questions? Email me and I will provide an answer.

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Here are some last minute gift wrapping ideas as it seems we all have last minute gifts.

Speaking of last minute gifts.  Do you have someone that loves to craft and you haven’t been able to order Stampin’ Up! products.  Then I have the best solution for you!  A Gift Certificate.

Here is the link to the Gift Certificate where all the details are explained.  If you life locally to me, and you wish to pick up, I will include the Gift Certificate in a Santa Clause Gift Card Holder (see photo below) at no additional charge.

Don’t life local?  Then I can email the Gift Certificate to you!  Easy Peasy!!!!

The cute little curvy Box works as Gift Certificates holder or wrapping for smaller gifts.

Recipe

Curvy Keepsake Box

Stamps: Cheerful Christmas.

Ink/Markers: Real Red.

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red.

Accessories: Big Shot, Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlits Die, Real Red 3/8” Satin Woven Ribbon, Whisper White Baker’s Twine.

Cut 2 pieces of Whisper White cardstock for the box.  When you stamp the image from the Cheerful Christmas stamp set, be sure to stamp on the opposite sides of the cut out so that you have all the images on the outside of the box when you put it together.

Use your Bone Folder to gently curve the sides of the box.

Tie a bow in the ribbon and attach to the surface of the box . This will allow you to open the box to remove the goodies and not destroy it. The tag is stamped, cut out and mounted on Whisper White which has been die cut with one of the tags from the Curvy Keepsake Box die.

Come back tomorrow for more ideas for last minute gift wrapping ideas.

Click on any of the products to purchase from my ONLINE STORE

Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlits Dies – 135853

Price: $40.50

Cheerful Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set – 135149

Price: $21.95

Real Red 3/8″ Satin Woven Ribbon – 135840

Price: $9.50

Real Red 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock – 102482

Price: $8.50

Supply List

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

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A girl friend is so important in the lives of women.  I have several very good girl friends and I consider myself very fortunate.  Some of  girl friends I have had for 50 years and we still get together and have wonderful times.  It’s always so nice to know that I have someone to laugh with, cry with and to spend time with.  Even though we don’t talk or see to each other every day, I know that they are there for me if I need them and vice-versa.

Over the past several years, we have lost some very dear friends to sickness and we still miss them and talk about the good times together.  Hold your girl friends close because you just never know what tomorrow will bring.

One of the things that brings us together is birthday celebrations.  This is the card and gift that I gave to one girl friend.  Our birthdays are four days apart so we feel like twins.

Do you have a special girl friend?  Hold her tight and support each other.

Recipe

Stamps: Perfectly Penned.

Ink/Markers: Garden Green.

Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Garden Green, Gold Soiree DSP, Gold Glimmer.

Accessories: Big Shot, Lovely Lace Embossing Folder, Fun Flower Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Bird Builder Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Pearl Jewels, Gold Baker’s Twine.

I sure do miss the Perfectly Penned stamp and so I use it on items that I don’t teach in my classes.  Why, oh, why did this one get retired.

This card is an example of how to mix patterns.

5 items to consider when mixing patterns are:

1. CONTROL yourself!

Stick to a suppliers paper line as the papers and colours are designed to coordinate with each other.  Following this will eliminate much of the guess work.  In this card, I use the Gold Soiree DSP.

2. DIFFERENCE is good!

When putting patterns together make sure that they are not too similar.  There needs to be enough colour difference so that the papers do not blend into obscurity.  Be bold!

3. ASSORTMENT is the spice of life!

Using an assortment of pattern is pleasing to the eye.  Here on this card, I have missed polka dots, with large floral and geometric prints.  What you don’t want if for the the patterns to blend together.  You want the patterns to stand on their own.

4. MODERATION is the key!

If you use lots of pattern, the area becomes overwhelming and your eye doesn’t know where to look.  You can be bold but hold back on the about of pattern you use.  On this card, I have used 3 strips of different designer papers and they can be seen as a group.

5. Border keeps it contained.!

Contain your patterns with a border of plain paper so that it won’t fight with your mixed patterns.  Usually the best colour to use is one that is in your patterned paper.  For this card, I used Calypso Coral card stock which is used in 2 of the patterned papers.

Experiment with this technique and before you know it, you will become comfortable at mixing patterns.

Recipe

Stamps: Friendship Preserves.

Ink/Markers: Calypso Coral.

Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Gold Glimmer, Gold Soiree DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, Window Frames Framelits, Tea Lace Doilies, Gold Sequin Trim, Gold Baker’s Twine, Tag a Bag Gift Boxes.

So, take time for your girl friend.

Gold Soiree Specialty Designer Series Paper – 133697

Price: $15.95

Lovely Lace Textured Impressions Embossing Folder – 133737

Price: $9.95

Fun Flower Punch – 133785

Price: $22.95

Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack – 133787

Price: $22.95

Gold Baker’s Twine – 132975

Price: $3.95

Supply List

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

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I am loving the Bloom with Hope stamp set in this year’s Annual Catalogue.  There is only one way to get your hands on this stamp set.  How, you ask?  Host a class or a workshop and if you have a minimum sales of $200, this is one stamp set that you can choose as a Hostess Reward.

Contact me to arrange a Workshop or a Class 

Recipe

Stamps: Bloom with Hope (c-133952, w-133949, p 240, 2014/15 Annual Catalogue – Hostess), Feel Goods (c-129684, w-131916, p 36, 2014/15 Annual Catalogue)

Ink: Tangelo Twist, Lost Lagoon, Pistachio Pudding, Stazon Black

Paper: Flowerpot DSP.

Accessories: Calypso Coral Baker’s Twine, 2013-2015 In Color Sequin Assortment, Rhinestone Jewels.

Other: Canvas, Modgepodge, White Acrylic Paint, Tissue Paper

This is my second attempt at Mixed Media and I changed up a few things from the last one I did.  See this post.

So what did I do differently?

• Rather than putting a base of paper on the canvas, I started right in with the design.
• Tangelo Twist, Lost Lagoon and Pistachio Pudding inks were sponged onto the canvas (including the sides).
• A sort of square piece of the Flowerpot DSP was torn around the edges and laid down with modgepodge.  To tone down the colors, a white wash made of white acrylic paint and water was painted over the DSP.
• On one of the edges, I rolled up a bit of the paper for interest and this exposed the other side of the paper.  The roll was sponged lightly with Tangelo Twist ink.
• The flowers and leaves from the Bloom with Hope stamp set were stamped using Stazon Black ink onto the Flowerpot DSP and yes, fussy cut.  They were attached using modgepodge. Calypso Coral Baker’s Twine was attached to the stems.
• The sentiment from the Feel Goods stamp set was stamped on tissue paper and attached using Modgepodge.  This makes it appear as thought the sentiment is stamped straight onto the canvas.
• The Calypso Coral Baker’s Twine was attached using Modgepodge and looped around on the canvas.

Even now there are things that I would like to change up on this mixed media art piece.  I guess I will just have to do another one.

Click on images to go to my Online Store

Bloom With Hope Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Bloom With Hope Wood-Mount Stamp Set

Feel Goods Clear Stamp Set

Feel Goods Wood Stamp Set

2013-2015 In Color Sequin Assortment

Flower Pot Designer Series Paper

Happy Stamping.

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Mixed Media art can expand your boundaries and move you out of your comfort zone.  I have wanted to give this form of art a try for some time and have finally put myself out there.  And the good thing is that I had fun doing it.  No, it’s not perfect and I will learn as I go along..experimenting is fun!

I started with retired papers so that I didn’t ruin my new papers, however, as I went along, I found that it is hard to ruin this type of art.  If there is something you don’t like, cover it up, add more ink, put another embellishment on it…you get the idea.  I used many Stampin’ Up! products to create this Mixed Media art picture.

Ta da!!! Here is my Mixed Media project.

Recipe

Stamps: Swallowtail (c-129216 w-131943, p 96, 2014/15 Annual Catalogue), Feel Goods (c-129684 w-131916, p 36, 2014/15 Annual Catalogue).

Ink: Black Stazon, Mossy Meadow, Island Indigo, Hello Honey.

Paper: Retired Designer Papers.

Accessories: Pearl Jewels, Paint, Stars and Hearts Decorative Mask, Pistachio Pudding Thick Baker’s Twine, In Color Embellishment (retired).

Other: Tissue Paper, Spray Gesso, Art Canvas, , Modgepodge, White Acrylic Craft.

Highlights of the Method Used – remember to let the various layers dry before heading onto the next layer.

• The art canvas was sprayed with Gesso to seal the surface.
• Strips of various DSP were cut in various widths and attached with Modgepodge – both top and bottom – the papers were long enough to wrap around the ends of the canvas.
• The papers were painted with a whitewash made from the White Acrylic Craft paint and water.  The reason for this is because I wanted the papers to be less intense.
• Using the Stars and Hearts Decorative Mask, the hearts were sponged using Hello Honey ink and a sponge dauber.
• Various colors of ink were sponged on the canvas and along the sides, to provide some interest.
• Twist the baker’s twine around the surface and attach using Modgepodge.
• Stamp the Feel Goods sentiment on Tissue paper using Black Stazon ink.  Let ink dry.
  • Tear or cut around the sentiment.
  • Attach to canvas with Modgepodge
• To create the butterfly:
  • Stamp 2 Swallowtail images using Black Stazon ink
  • Apply a layer of Modgepodge to both sides of the butterfly.  This will give it a bit of weight,
  • Lay the first butterfly down on canvas.
  • Lay the second butterfly on top of the first one – do not stick all the wings together. – this will give a 3-D dimension look.
  • Attach the embellishment to the body of the Butterfly.
  • Attach the pearl jewels to the canvas for the antennas.  Use Modgepodge to attach the jewels.

Unless you seal the art with a fixative, don’t put it near water as the inks will run.

Why don’t you give Mixed Media a try and leave a comment as to how yours turned out.

Happy Stamping

Swallowtail Clear Stamp Set

Feel Goods Clear Stamp Set

Hearts & Stars Decorative Masks

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

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Gift Boxes are attractive especially when they contain a surprise.

On a note, I am glad to have my computer back.  It’s been in sick bay for  a few days and it’s really heard to do blog posts on my tablet…or maybe it’s just me that can’t do blog posts on their tablets.

So now back to the project I did for my roomies.

I just love doing these hybrid projects – using MDS, Stamps, Ink, Punches, and the Silhouette e-cutter.  And, these little gift boxes are no exception.

For the gift inside the box, I added a set of Catalogue Labels that were done using MDS and the Silhouette.

 Recipe

The box was cut using the Silhouette e- cutter using images from MDS (My Digital Studio).  I have a video that show how to transfer MDS SVG files to the Silhouette.

This video shows how to create labels for your catalogue.  http://youtu.be/4LNG5_h-Bhk

Stamps: By the Tide (c-129120, w-131910, p 131, 2014/15 Annual Catalogue), Work of Art (c-134114, w-134111, p 165, 2014/15 Annual Catalogue)

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Lost Lagoon, Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Lost Lagoon, Window Sheets

Accessories: MDS – Cool Like That Giftable Templates (136573), Anchors Aweigh (134683), Scallop Tag Topper, Angled Tag Topper, Coastal Cabana and Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker’s Twine, Lost Lagoon 3/8” Stitched Ribbon, Blushing Bride 1/4” Cotton Ribbon, Champagne Glass Glitter.

To create the shaker boxes:

• Cut 2 pieces of Window Sheets – to cover the cut- out portions – measure the cut outs

• Attach 3 sides of the Window Sheets to create a pocket. – Use Sticky Strip
• Fill the pocket with your choice of material – I used Glitter Glass
• Seal the 4th side with Sticky Strip.
• Attach to inside of box.

So, not it’s your turn.  Need MDS? Try the 30 day version and you will receive 10 free lessons to guide you through the joy of creating with MDS.

Download the  Free MDS software –  My Digital Studio Free Trial

Try out these Gift Boxes.

Happy Stamping

Fantabulous You Stamp Brush Set – Digital Download

Work Of Art Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Cool Like That Giftable Templates – Digital Download

Anchors Away June Kit – Digital Download

Mds Download – Digital Download

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

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