3 Tips to Make Your Photos Stand Out Follow These Tips for Great Photos

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3 Tips to make your photos stand out are: proper lighting, good editing software and quality not quantity. 

3 tips to make your photos stand out

Since the introduction of smart phones, the number of photos we take has astronomically grown. We take the photos put do we do anything with them.  So often they just remain on your phone until we get a new phone.

Today, we need to take the photos as they preserve our memories for future generations. While we preserve them, we also need to share them.

So let’s get right to it.

3 Photo Tips to Make Your Photos Stand Out

Tip #1 Ensure Great Lighting

  • The key to a great photo is great lighting. No amount of editing will make a photo stand out if the lighting isn’t right.
  • The best light is natural light.  That is, take your pictures outside if possible. THe best time of the day is late morning or late afternoon.
  • If you can’t take your photos outside, then place your subject near a light source like a window. Your light needs to come across the subject and not straight on.  That is why a lighting system and a light box will help.
  • The set up needs to be, light on either side of the subject, with a 3rd light which will be straight on to the subject. 

Your camera needs to sit behind the lights and not in front of them.  Your set up should look like a triangle.3 Tips To take Better Photos Tip #2 Editing Software

  • There are a variety of editing software apps that you can get for free or a small monthly payment.  However before committing to a paid app try the free version to see if it meets your needs.
  •  The key features of a software editing for me are:
    • the ability to change the image size.  So often we want to have a large number of pixels other times not so much.
    • the ability to crop the photo, select whether to maintain the aspect ratio ( when lessening one pixel measurement, then the other measurement follows based on the original size),
    • use different effects such as blurs, distortion, and adjustment to colour, colour balance.  
    • So have a play with the software before making a commitment.  

I use a software called paint.net.  You can download for free, there is no adds, and all they request is that you make a donation.  I have used this software for about 7 or 8 years. The software is updated on a regular basis.

https://www.getpaint.net/

Tip #3 Quality not Quantity

How often do you just take pictures instead of getting the best possible shot you can?  I know I do it often. 

  • Take your time when selecting your images whether it is images of family, landscape or anything. Taking that time will save time in the end when you are doing the editing process.
  • Don’t use a flash when shooting pictures, instead rely on the the lighting.

Above all share your photos. Make them into a photo book.  There are several places to go to upload your pictures and then automatically fill your book or select the images and perhaps add some wording about who what and when.

I hope you enjoyed the 3 tips for making your photos stand out .

 

 

Paper Crafting Helps to Calm and Stay Connected

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Paper crafting helps to calm you and and lessen the anxieties that we may have during this period of time.  Doing something creative and something that you enjoy can take your mind off the current situations that have engulfed us over the past several months.

Because we have been #staying at home, we also miss the interaction with people.  Humans are social beings and without the interaction, there is loneliness that can take us down.

So, let’s start paper crafting together.  Virtual classes are the way to go right now.  Using the Zoom virtual platform or Facebook Live videos helps with the interaction between people. 

If you are looking for that peace of mind and interaction, there is a class for you on June 25th.  Check out the Kits in the Mail Class information. I can only send kits in the mail to those who live in Canada.


paper crafting helps

Paper Crafting Helps Card Recipe

Stamp Sets: Forever Fern*, Tasteful Touches**, Well Said.

Ink: Pretty Peacock, Basic Grey, Old Olive, VersaMark, Stampin’ Blends: Petal Pink, Daffodil Delight.

Paper: Whisper White, Just Jade, Basic Grey, Vellum, Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Embossing & Die Cutting Machine, Greenery Embossing Folder, , Forever Flourishing  Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Forever Gold Specialty Paper, Just Jade 2020-2022 1/4″ Ribbon.

*Forever Fern Bundle

**Tasteful Touches Bundle

Paper crafting helps calm

A Few Details

  • Emboss the Just Jade layer with the Greenery Embossing Folder ( the folder with the leaves on bottom and top was used) and attach to Grey layer.
  • Stamp the Flower in Basic Grey ink, color with Stamping’ Blends and fussy cut.
  • Stamp and die cut a variety of leaves with the Forever Flourishing Dies.
  • Adhere the DSP to the embossed panel and attach a length of the Just Jade ribbon to the panel.
  • Attach the leaves and slide a couple of the gold foil leaves into the mix. 
  • With VersaMark, stamp the “Happy Birthday ” from the Well Said stamp set. Heat emboss with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Panel. Die Cut with Stitched Rectangle Dies.  Die cut another piece from Just Jade cs.  Attach stamped sentiment to Just Jade panel..

Decorate the envelope if you want and send in the mail.

Remember paper craft helps at this time in our lives.

For more inspiration, see this BLOG POST

Forever Greenery Suite and Sneak Peek -New 2020-2021 Catalogue

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The Forever Greenery Suite is new to the 2020/21 Catalogue and it’s a beauty. While the catalogue is available to everyone on June 3rd, 2020, I was able to order early.  It’s a good perk for being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.

However, because my life seems hectic (don’t know why), I was only able to make a few cards this past weekend.  So, hence, the late sneak peek.

forever greenery bundle

If you have trouble finding coordinating products, then the suites are the way to go.  This one have the bundle (stamps and dies), embossing folders, Forever Gold Laser-cut Specialty paper, gold hoop embellishments, designer series paper and the trim combo pack.  No more hunting for the right accessories for your projects.

This is a Fancy Fold card and it’s called the center-step card.

forever greenery suite

Forever Greenery Bundle Recipe

Stamps: Forever Fern.

Ink:Pretty Peacock, Soft Seafoam, Garden Green.

Paper:Just Jade, Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper, Forever Fold Laser-Cut Specialty Paper, Pretty Peacock, Whisper White

Accessories:Embossing & Die Cutting Machine, Forever Flourishing Dies, Gold Twine from the Forever Greenery trim combo pack, Triple Banner Punch.

Cutting the cardstock to create the front of the card is tricky. 

Cutting Template 

Save & Print the Template for your use

Forever Greenery Bundles

Once you have cut and scored the score line, Gently fold and train the card in mountain or valley folds as indicated on the template. 

Cut the Designer Series Paper so that it fits the front of the card and each side panel.

Have fun with the new Forever Greenery Suite.  You can order the products starting June 3rd. 

Forever Greenery Suite

Fancy Fold and Good Bye to 2019-2020 Designer Series Papers

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Fancy Folds and a Good Bye are 2 different feelings that crafters may get when creating cards.  Fancy Folds are probably one of my most favorite type of card to create.  All of the Designer Series Papers in the current catalogues are retiring.  One of the ones that I am sorry to see go is the Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper. I absolutely loved this paper! If you would like to pick up on the retiring Designer Series Papers, shop the “LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS”.

Sometimes they frustrate me as I frequently challenge myself and then I run into difficulties.  I worked on one like that today. But , you just keep going and overcome the challenges and then you have a feeling of accomplishment,

Does this ever happen to you?  You find a fancy fold that you like and you set about creating it.  First I had the measurements not correct, so there goes some cardstock.  Then it was the designer series paper, so there went the designer series paper.  A card that may have a taken an hour consumed my whole afternoon.  It’s a good thing we love to create. 

 

fancy fold and Good bye

Fancy Fold Recipe

Stamp Sets: Strong and Beautiful, Free as a Bird.

Ink: Calypso Coral, Memento Tuxedo Black.

Paper:Smoky Slate, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper.

Accessories :Embossing & Die Cutting Machine, Stitched Shapes Dies, Pearlized Doilies, Iridescent Sequin Assortment, Metallic Pearls, 2″ Punch, Story Label Punch, Ribbon.

 

Fancy Fold and Good Bye

This card fits a regular size envelope.  

  • Use a piece of cardstock 4-1/2″ x 11″. 
  • With the long side at the top of the score board, score at 2-3/4″, 5″, 6″, 8-1/4″
  • Decorate the 2 outside panels and the middle 1″ panel with cardstock and Designer Series Paper.  The 2 other panels are decorated with cardstock and Whisper White cardstock.  Before attaching to your cardstock, stamp images or cut out images from the designer series paper.
  • Attach the doily to the center panel.  Do not get adhesive on the 2 Whisper White panels. Layer with a circle. Stamp a sentiment on the Whisper White circle.  Layer on the Doily.
  • Layer cardstock and designer series paper on the 2 outside front panels.
  • Close the card and using a strip of cardstock, build a belly band.  You will need to add a strip of card stock to the first strip so that it goes completely around the card.  Do not make it too tight.
  • Stamp a sentiment on a piece of cards stock and punch with Story Book punch.  Lay a strip of ribbon across the belly band and attach.
  • Attach the sentiment to the belly bank and add a sequin and a metallic pearl.

 

Fancy Fold and Good Bye

For more inspiration see this POST

So, try your hand at a fancy fold and don’t worry about the good bye,

2020 Stampin Up Retirement List – Are you Missing Out?

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See the 2020 Stampin Up retirement list before the products that you still have on your wish list are gone!! Yes, it’s that time again when we must say good-bye to the products that we have come to know and often even drool over. But, alas, we need to make room for the new products in the 2020-2021 Annual Catalogue. 

So having written that statement, I try to use stamp sets and papers that I have come to love. How about you? Are you using those products that you have come to love?

This card uses retiring Pressed Petals Specialty Designer Series Paper and the Beautiful Promenade Stamp Set.

2020 Stampin' Up! retirement list

Stamp with Products from the 2020 Stampin Up Retirement List

Stamp Set: Beautiful Promenade.

Ink:Soft Suede, Night of Navy.

Paper: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Pressed Petals Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Die Cutting & Embossing Machine, Petal Labels Dies, Subtle 3D Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Frosted and Clear Epoxy Droplets, Stamparatus.

A Few Details

  • Card base- Soft Suede.
  • Crumb Cake Layer
  • Piece of designer series paper (Night of Navy large flowers)
  • Stamp the 2 smaller flowers on Whisper White cardstock with Night of Navy ink and fussy cut with your Paper Snips.
  • Stamp a second set of the flowers on Whisper White with Night of Navy ink.  Fussy cut only the flowers.  Place these flowers on the first set of flowers and attach with Mini Stampin Dimensionals. This step adds dimension to the flowers.
  • Use the Stamparatus to stamp the group of 3 images on the Soft Suede panel.
  • Emboss the Crumb Cake panel with the Subtle 3D Embossing Folder.And attach to the Soft Suede card base.
  • Attach the piece of designer series paper to the Crumb Cake panel.
  • Stamp the sentiment on Whisper White cardstock and die cut with small stitched oval.
  • Die cut the filigree oval edge from Whisper White cardstock and attach the sentiment piece.
  • Attach the flowers to the bottom of the die cut.
  • Adhere the die cut to the front panels.
  • Tie a bow with the Linen Thread and attach.  Place a Clear Epoxy Droplet to the middle of the thread.
  • You can decorate the envelope by stamping and/or placing a piece of the designer paper on the envelope flap.

This card is suitable for several occasions, such as Thinking of You, Sympathy, or Just Because.

Links to the 2020 Stampin Up Retirement Products:

You can order through my Online Store or you can email me with your order and I would be happy to place it for for you.

 

 

 

Share Sunshine and Make a Difference Support Our Global Community

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Share Sunshine through Stampin’ Up!’s Making a Difference Program.  We are part of the global community and COVID19 as struck every continent on the globe.

Stampin’ Up!’s commitment is to make a difference in our global communities  As part of our Making a Difference program we’re offering a product giveback opportunity to support organizations that are helping COVID-19 frontline responders and communities vulnerable to the pandemic.

You can purchase the Share Sunshine PDF Download and Stampin’ Up! will donate 100% of the proceeds to COVID-19 efforts. 

The digital stamp is easy to use and the imagery is relevant to the unique COVID-19 and social distancing situation.

Use the download in your card making and paper crafting projects. Print the imagery on cardstock and cut it out using our Paper Trimmer, punches, or dies. Since we are physically distanced from each other, now is a perfect time to share sunshine with our friends and family by sending cards!

The share sunshine imagery can be purchased HERE.

See the samples below. You can purchase the for $12.00 US. All funds will go to The World Health Organization’s COVID-Solidarity Response Fund and the United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

Click on the names of the organizations to see how they use the funds. 

 

Share Sunshine

The technique used on these 2 cards is called Scrappy Stripes.  As the name indicates, it’s a great way to use up all those scraps that plague every paper crafter.

Share Sunshine Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Share Sunshine PDF Printable.

Paper: Blueberry Bushel, Lovely Lipstick, Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clove, Basic Black, Whisper White. 

Accessories: Die Cutting and Embossing Machine,  Layering Circle Dies, Lovely Lipstick 1.4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Enamel Dots.

 

share sunshine

I’m Smiling Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Share Sunshine PDF Printable.

Paper: Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Purple Posy, Perennial Essence Designer Series Paper, Basic Black, Whisper White.

Accessories: Die Cutting and Embossing Machine, Sweetly Stitched Dies, Purple Posy Scalloped Linen Ribbon.

The Scrappy Stripes technique is so easy to do.  All you need is your scraps and paper cutter.  You can cut pieces any width and length you want,  In this card, I chose to cut wedges and then adhere them to Basic Black cardstock  The panels appear to be stained glass. 

The #Share Sunshine PDF is available HERE .

Stampin’ Up! requests that you do not share this file as sharing will defeat the purpose of raising funds to fit COVID19.

Stamping Virtually, Sign of The Times – Want to Join Me?

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Stamping virtually is  something we thought we would not  be doing on a regular basis.   But, here we are!  It’s been 6 weeks since in went into #stayhome tag.  I hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe.  My heart goes out to the first line responders who are doing their best to keep use safe.

2 weeks ago, I held my first virtual class using Zoom and yes, there were a few glitches.  But it was a learning process for me and the people who attended.  We made it through and managed to create a card. It was fun with everyone interpreting my step by step instructions.  

It was a Mystery Stamping Class.  Those who wanted to attend, let me know through email, and in turn, I send them some instructions and an invitation to the class.

The Mystery Stamping Class Explained

Everyone used their own supplies and chose their papers, stamps, ink, and any embellishments that they would use.

  • The day before, participants received an email with a list of the supplies they would need. Included were the the cutting measurements. Participants also received an invitation to attend the Zoom meeting.
  • On the day and time, we all came together to do some stamping.  The first thing to go wrong and it had to do with me.  I was in the wrong meeting. So once I got that figured out it was on to stamping.
  • Clues were revealed one by one and the atendeescompleted each clue.  The clues were really instructions on how to complete the card.  We worked through each class with some help from me.
  • We all finished and revealed our cards.  They were all unique.

The Reveal

Virtual Stamping

Stamps:Timeless Tropical.

Ink:Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede, Mint Macaron, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party.

Paper: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Tropical Oasis Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Linen Thread, Tropical Oasis Trinkets, Sponge Daubers.

A Soft Suede marker is used to color the palm tree trunk.

Mint Macaron, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party are sponged on the leaves using sponge daubers.

This is a fancy fold card and I can’t remember what it is called.  You can see the sentiment that is stamped on the inside of the card between the 2 flaps. 

The focal image is layered on designer series paper and Soft Suede and attached to the upper flap and the strip at the bottom of the card. 

Virtual StampingHere are the cards that the stampers created.

Virtual Stamping

June’s Card

Virtual StampingLynda’s Card

I will be holding another Mystery Class on Friday, May 8th at 3:00 pm.PT.  If you wish to join us, send an email to karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

You can purchase the supplies used for this card HERE.

Virtual Stamping is likely to be around for sometime.  So keep stamping and say in touch.

 

 

 

Make a 96 Year Old Happy – Make a Birthday Card, Have a Visit

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Make a 96 year old happy with a birthday card and a visit.  Yes, my Dad has reached another mile stone.  He lives in a seniors complex and right now, it’s on shutdown because of COVID 19.  His family, kids, grand kids and great-grand kids have celebrated his birthday over the years, but not this year.  So what do you do when you can’t have the usual cake and sing “Happy Birthday”.

To add insult to injury, his wife has been in the hospital (not COVID-19, thank goodness) for the past couple of weeks so even the two of them couldn’t be together.  They will celebrate their 75th anniversary later this year.

Make a 96 year old happy

Dad’s grandchildren and great grandchildren paid him a visit.  He came out on his balcony where he could see them and could hear them sing “Happy Birthday”.  So he could hear them, he brought his phone out on the balcony.. He appreciated this act of kindness. 

Dad served in the Navy, and we also lived on the Pacific coast, so I thought this card would bring back memories for him.

Make a 96 year old happy

Ocean Birthday Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Sailing Home, Artisan Textures, Paper Pumpkin Kit – So Shelli, May 2019.

Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Balmy Blue, Early Espresso, Smoky Slate.

Paper: Card Bases from So Shelli Paper Pumpkin Kit, Pretty Peacock, Soft Suede.

Accessories: From So Shelli Paper Pumpkin Kit, Linen Tread, Die Cutting & Embossing Machine, Aqua Painters.

Using the Paper Pumpkin Kit and doing an alternative card, made this greeting card quite easy to create.

Details:

  • Cut one of the card bases in half and stamp the birds from the kit using Early Espresso ink.
  • Attach to the Pretty Peacock panel. 
  • Stamp the lighthouse with Soft Suede ink, and die cut. Stamp the sailboat with Smoky Slate ink and colour with Balmy Blue ink and Aqua Painters, die cut.
  • Use Soft Suede ink and stamp sentiment on one of the labels from the kit.
  • Ink the blotchy stamp from the Artisan Textures stamp set with Early Espresso and stamp below the Pretty Peacock panel.
  • Attach the Pretty Peacock ribbon and tie the Linen Thread around the panels.
  • Stamp sentiment in Soft Suede and attach a bird ballad trinket .  Finally, attach the panel to card.

So make a 96 year old happy with a birthday card and a visit.  

Want to get in on the next Paper Pumpkin? Make a 96 year old happy

May’s Paper Pumpkin will be introducing the new 2020-2022 In Colors.  So, don’t miss out on this kit.  

Sign up for a subscription by going to my ONLINE STORE, or purchase month-to-month by clicking on this LINK.  Sign up by May 10th, 2020.

Getting Your Crafting Time – There are Solutions if No is the Answer

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Are you getting your crafting time?  You may have kids at home doing school work and wanting your attention.  Or, maybe it’s work from home that is limiting your time, or maybe your mojo has disappeared.

Yes, we are in #stayathome mode. Therefore, we need to find time for ourselves and what we like to do.  

Here are 2 solutions that you may find interesting:

Online Classes:

A new online class, Embossing Techniques will be released on Monday, April 20th.  Embossing adds so much to a greeting card and/or scrapbook pages.  There are 4 separate components to this class that I am sure you will find interesting.  Videos will show you the “how tos” of doing each of the 4 types of embossing.  The videos show each step along the way and is full of tips and tricks to take your cards from ordinary to WOW!.  Whomever you give these cards to will be impressed.   The classes are “evergreen’ so you get to use them for a life time. 

Embossing Techniques Class

ZOOM Virtual Classes

The first thing you are thinking is likely “What is Zoom”.  Zoom is software that works virtually and can be used for meetings, or in this case stamping.  You need to download the software HERE.  Currently, this software is used around the world to connect with others and its FREE.   

How does it work? 

  • I send you an email with the time and the password to the meeting.
  • At the meeting time, click on the link and you are taken to a “waiting room”.  This is a  virtual room where you will wait until I get on the meeting and give the ok”.
  • At this time, you should be able to see other people who are on the meeting on your screen.  What happens is that I “share”the screen. 
  • I will have my phone camera set up so that you will be see what I am doing and hear what I am saying.
  • You also will be able to have conversations, ask questions and see what is happening.

I will schedule a meeting the week of April 20, 2020.  But, here is the thing!  You will need to be on my Mailing List to get the notification..

So, if you are not on the mailing list, then it’s time to subscribe.  Here is the LINK.  You will receive  a free tutorial and a series on adding interest to your handmade greeting cards.

Therefore, if you not getting crafting time, then make sure you check out the 2 solutions in this post.

 

 

Make a Card, Send a Card -Family and Friends Appreciate the Gesture

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Make a Card, and send a card.  At this time, it’s important to remember out family and friends.  As we self-isolate, some of our loved ones don’t have the ability to see each other in person or virtually. We need to find other ways of doing it.  We all need a human connection.  For older family members it’s not good to be cut off from people they love.

Your creation does not have to be fancy or difficult to create.  A simple one made with cardstock, a stamp and ink can be as effective as one made with embellishments, ribbon, and multiple layers. However, some people love to make complicated cards so if that is your passion, do it!

Here’s my creation that I will be sending out this week.

make a cardMake A Card Recipe

Stamp Set: So Sentimental

Ink: VersaMark, Rococo Rose, Pear Pizzazz.

Paper: Whisper White, Rococo Rose, Blushing Bride, Vellum, Flowering Foils Designer Series Paper (discontinued)

Accessories: Embossing & Die Cutting Machine, Layering Circle Dies, Poppy Moments Dies, 1″ Circle Punch, Rose Metallic Threads, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Sponge Daubers.

Details:

Rococo Rose cardstock form the card base, with a layer of Whisper White cardstock and finally a layer of Blushing Bride cardstock.  Before attaching the Blushing Bride, use the die cut from the Poppy Moments die to cut out the rose design.  The cutout will add interest to your card.

Choose a flower from the Flowering Foils Designer Series Paper and die cut with a large circle die from the Layering Circle Dies.  Now, color the flowers using inks and a sponge dauber.  This is the easiest  way to color and get an elaborate effect. Cut out a scalloped circle from Rococo Rose and attach the colored foil paper. 

Attach a length of Rose Metallic Threads to the back of the circle.  I use my fingers to wrap the treads the then attach with Tear & Tape Adhesive or SNAIL. Make sure that some thread peek out from behind.

Finally, stamp the sentiment “For You” on Vellum paper with VersaMark and heat emboss with White emboss powder. Punch using the 1″ Circle Punch. Attach using a glue dot behind the embossed words.

make a card

If you don’t have the Flowering Foils Designer Series Paper, make your own from Whisper White cardstock or Vellum. Use VersaMark to stamp your images and then heat emboss with any one of Stamping’ Up’s Embossing Powder.  Take your sponge daubers and inks and sponge the images. This technique is called Emboss Resist.  Have fund!

Now it’s time to send out the card to cheer and remember someone.

So, make a card and send a card.  #makeacardsendacard

Need supplies at this time?  If you don’t have a demonstrator and you live in Canada, please shop my ONLINE STORE.

For more inspiration, visit this POST for more emboss resist techniques.

#Stay At Home Time Thank You – What You Can Do To Pass The Time

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It’s #stay at home orders for the next little while.  If you are a member of the medical community, you can’t stay home and I would like to give you a big shout out and a big THANK YOU!

#stay home

Here is a a Thank You card made with the Ornate Garden Suite which is available for purchase now.  This suite is in the new 2020/21 Catalogue, but you can get it now.  WOW!

Recipe for Thank You Card

Stamp Set: Ornate Thanks. 

Ink: VersaMark.

Paper: Terracotta Tile, Blushing Bride, Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper, Gold Foil.

Accessories: Embossing & Die Cutting Machine, Ornate Border Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder, 2019-2021 In Color Faceted Dots, Gold Embossing Powder.

A Few Details

  • Emboss the Blushing Bride panel with the Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder.
  • Cut a square piece of the gold daisies designer series paper on the diagonal and attach to the lower right corner.
  • Die cut a border from the Gold Foil and attach above the diagonal cut.
  • Die cut the floral border from Terracotta Tile and attach over the Gold Foil Border.
  • Cut flowers from Blushing Bride and lay on the floral border.  Attach a few 2019-2021 In Color Faceted Dots (Terracotta Tile) to the flower centers.
  • Stamp “Thanks” on the BLushing Bride. Die cut with the Stitched Rectangle Dies and attach to card.

Send or give to a person on the front line tending to Covid patients.

How to Cope with Stay at Home order

These certainly are trying  times with the Covid Virus continuing to bombard us and and causing untold devastation to our lives.

Yes, we in a trying times right now and it’s necessary to keep up our spirits for our sake as well as those around us. There is much togetherness it you have a family and they live in the same house, or perhaps, you are the only one in your home…that’s not much fun.

It is necessary to keep reaching out to others, whether it’s through a virtual get together, or a phone call, or having a conversation with a neighbor outside (remember to social distance), or going for a walk.

Passing the time, can be hard for some people.  Especially if they are used to an active life…going here, going there and if you have children, being involved in their many activities.I

I would like to suggest a couple of things that you could do to pass the time. Do you have a hobby or craft that you like to do, or maybe you would like to learn a new one.

 3 Cheers for You Kit

#stay home

If you have visited my Blog previously, you know that I am a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. 

If you are just starting out paper crafting, they you likely do not have many supplies or none at all. I would like to introduce you to a number of kits that Stampin’ Up! has which would allow you to try making cards to send to others during this time.

Here’s a short description of one of the kits that Stampin! Up’ offers. The only things you need extra are scissors and adhesive.

All Inclusive Kits

  • Includes all the supplies you need to create 12 cards:
    • card bases and envelopes.
    • stamps and a clear block.
    • twine,
    • die cuts
    • twine and gems
    • a box to keep your cards.
    • glue dots.
    • designer papers.

To order this kits, visit my Online Store.  You can have it shipped directly to your home.

Canadian addresses only.

Learn a new hobby or just create something with the 3 Cheers for You Kit

Crafting Supply Needs? Time Running Out for Sale-a-Bration 2020

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Crafting Supply needs (or wants)? Yes, we are open to meet those needs!

Sale-a-Bration is ending soon, like real soon – Tuesday, March 31.  You can send in an order up to 11:59 MT.  After that, SAB goes away for another year.

During this time of self-isolation and Stay at Home orders, we need to keep ourselves and others in your home busy.  Creating cards, scrap book pages and/or home decor are ways to satisfy that need.  I know sometimes it’s hard to get motivated to craft with home schooling children, working from home and a multitude of worries.

Do you find crafting a way to relax and get your mind off the things that are draining you? For myself, I find that when I go to my happy space, all the cares and woes seem to disappear for a while. 

Crafting Supplies Needed for the Bird Ballad Card

Stamps: Free as a Bird.

Ink:Pool Party, Memento Tuxedo Black .

Papers:Whisper White, Pool Party, Flowering Foils Specialty Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Embossing & Die Cutting Machine, Nested Stitched Label Dies, Whisper White Baker’s Twine, Stampin’ Blends: Calypso Coral Combo, Old Olive Combo, Crumb Cake Duo, Bird Ballad Trinkets, Sponge Daubers. 

 

 

A Few Details:

  • Cut Flowering Foils DSP by 4″ x 5-1/4″ . Use a Sponge Dauber and Pool Party ink and color the paper.  The Flowering Foil Papers are still available until March 31st and are part of Sale-a-Bration.  The prints use Rose Gold and Silver which are stunning.  Now you can leave the background white or use any color ink depending on the mood you want to convey. The best part, is that you don’t have to colour between the lines. I used Pool Party ink and went to work with the Sponge Dauber.
  • To order these papers, you need to have a minimum $60 order (not including the taxes and shipping) and you will be able to receive this product Free (no taxes and no shipping).  .
  • Check out the Papers
  • On the Nested Stitched Labels die, stamp the row of birds on the tree limb with Tuxedo Black ink and color using the Stampin’ Blends.
  • Stamp a few extra flowers and leaves and color them as well. You will have to fussy cut them, as there are no dies for these .  Some people find fussy cutting relaxing and maybe you will too.
  • Add a sentiment, Whisper White Baker’s Twine and a Bird Ballad Trinket and you have a beautiful card.

Crafting Supplies Need?

Shop my ONLINE STORE for your crafting supply needs.

Social Distancing – How Are You Coping? 3 Ways to Cope

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Social distancing, home bound, work from home, these are the words that we all are hearing or seeing this days.

Social Distancing

These are just not words, but are life-saving words.  So, as we self-isolate, how do we cope? Coping during these stressful times, may be stressful in itself.  People are out of work, businesses are closed, kids are home from school.  First of all it’s important to be kind to yourself and others around you.

Communication –

It’s important to stay in touch with our family, friends, co-workers.  So, how do you do this?  In this age of electronics and internet, it’s much easier than it would have been a few decades ago.  

  • Get on the phone and promise yourself to stay in contact with others….this also helps with mental health.  Talk to those who are vulnerable like aging parents.  They are also shut ins and need that human virtual touch. Make a committment to reach out to someone everyday. 

Learn Something New –

we have time on our hands and remember that time when you said, ” I would like to learn ______________ (fill in the blank).  Here are some suggestions:

  • A second language.
  • Computer program, word, excel, etc.
  • New craft, card making, scrap booking, knitting, needlework. There are so many.
  • Here is a link to a LIST OF HOBBIES

Be Kind to Yourself and Others –

at this time, keeping mentally healthy is so important.  What are things we can do to keep ourselves mentally healthy.

  • Get proper sleep…sleep is so important to our moods. 
  • Get outside – fresh air and sunshine is so important at this time.  Go for a walk – remember to practice social distancing.  
  • Meditate – sit and listen to yourself breathe.  This has a calming effect on our whole being.
  • Read book  – too much Netflix and electronic gaming is not the way to go. Practice moderation.

So practice social distancing, hand washing, stay at home unless it is really necessary to leave your home, Most of all stay safe.

 

National Flower Day Sneak Peek From the Ornate Garden Suite

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

national flower dayNational Flower Day is today and it’s a great way to introduce the Ornate Garden Suite. Yes, it’s the first Sneak Peek from the 20/21 Annual Catalogue.  

We get excited when we get  closer to the introduction to a new catalogue.  So thanks, Stampin’ Up for giving us the introduction to this suite.

A Look-See into the Suite?

Download the PDF view the different products in this suite.

national flower day

Recipe

Stamps Sets:Ornate Style, Ornate Thanks.

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Old Olive, Whisper White, Terracotta Tile,  Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper, Vellum.

Accessories:Embossing & Die Cutting Machine, Ornate Layers Dies, Gilded Gems, Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Gold Satin Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends: Old Olive Combo, Balmy Blue Combo, Calypso Coral Combo, Color Lifter, 

How To:

  • Die cut the Terracotta Tile using the large filigree die and attach to the Old Olive panel.
  • Cut a triangle from the Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper.
  • Die cut a strip of Old Olive with the filigree border die. Attach to the underside of the dsp (see photo) and attach the panel to the bottom left hand corner.
  • Cut a strip of ribbon and attach over the join between the border cut and the dsp cut. 
  • Stamp the flowers on Whisper White and color using the Stampin’ Blends. Fussy cut…sorry and attach to panel with dimensionals.
  • Stamp the “Thank You” sentiment on Vellum and emboss with Emboss Powder.  Attach over the flower Glue Dots.  Usually any adhesive used on Vellum will show on through.  So decide where the gems will be placed and place the Glue Dots .  
  • Place the gems over the glue dots to hide them.

On the inside of card, stamp a sentiment that goes with the Thank You in Terracotta Tile.  Made a mistake?  Cut a strip from Terracotta Tile paper and place across the bottom of the sentiment.

I hope that you have enjoyed this sneak peek to celebrate National Flower Day.

Sale-a-Bration 2020

Don’t forget, that Sale-a-Bration 2020 is coming to an end in another week and a half.  If there is an SAB item that you really want, place a minimum $60 CDN order (does not include tax or shipping and chose your SAB item.  It’s just that easy.

You can order on my ONLINE STORE, or you can email me and I will place the order for you.

Stay safe during these trying times.

 

Stay Calm and Craft – Anxiety? Do What Makes You Happy!

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Stay calm, is probably a phrase that you will hear plenty of times in the near future.  With the COVID-19 virus, hitting the globe, we must care for ourselves and our families.  We take so many things for granted and now its about our movements restricted, business slowing down, events and activities being cancelled, etc, etc.  It’s a lot to take in at this time.

So, what to do for ourselves and family? If you live in North America, our spring is right around the corner and with extra daylight, we can get outside. We don’t have to be housebound.  As long as you take precautions, like staying 2 meters away from others, and washing your hands with soap and water, you can enjoy the great outdoors.  Go for a hike, take the dog for a walk, just do some physical activity.  Doing things that you like will help the anxiety that you may be feeling. 

For me, it’s paper crafting.  While I like creating greeting cards, I also like to make scrapbooks.  So, I can get caught up on crafting those scrap pages. What are some of things that you never seem to get to ? Now is the time to get going on them. 

Right now, we are off to Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

Stay Calm

Stay Calm and Craft Recipe

Stamp Sets:Forever Blossoms.

Inks:Tuxedo Black Memento.

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Petal Pink, Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper, Champagne Foil.

Accessories: Embossing & Die Cutting Machine, Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder, Cherry Blossom Dies, Parisian Dies, Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Petal Pink 1/4″ Metallic Edge Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends: Petal Pink Duo, Mint Macaron Duo, Color Lifter.

Stay Calm

Love, love this set..not just the stamp and dies but the whole suite. 

A Few  Details 

  • Emboss the Pool Party cs with the Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder. 
  • Die cut the Eiffel Tower from Champagne Foil and adhere to the Petal Pink Script Paper.   
  • Stamp the 2 flowers, bud and leaves with Tuxedo Black ink and color with Stampin’ Blends. 
  • Tie a length of the Petal Pink Ribbon around the embossed panel. 
  • Adhere the papers, Eiffel Tower and the Flowers.
  • Die cut “Amour: from Petal Pink cs.

Sit back and imagine yourself in the City of Lights!

Whatever else you do, just stay calm.

Need products to create this card? Shop my ONLINE STORE.

Have questions? Contact me at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

Leave me a comment and tell me how you are staying calm during these trying times.