Merry Patterns Stamp Set – You Could Have It Free

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Merry Patterns Stamp Set – ‘Tis The Season

Want  the Merry Patterns stamp set absolutely FREE?  You only have 2 more days to order the stamp set.

During the month of October, Stampin’ Up! is making this stamp set available to anyone who places a $375 order (either through a personal order or a class order.)  This stamp set is only available as a Host Set and will not be available after October 31, 2017.

Because this is a 2-step stamp,  you the flexibility to mix various colors together. As an example, on this card, ink the candle outline stamp in Basic Black Archival and stamp on Whisper White cardstock.  Now, ink the candle pattern stamp with Fresh Fig and stamp starting with the  second candle. The candle stamp to use is the one which has the full patterns.  Ink the other candle pattern stamp with Fresh Fig and stamp off once.  Stamping the ink off once, gives another dimension to the look of the candles.

Ink the candle flame stamp with Daffodil Delight and stamp to fill in the candle flames. Brush Clear Wink of Stella over the flames.

Ink the greenery stamp with Emerald Envy ink and stamp around the bottoms of the candles.  The candles now appear as if they are sitting on boughs.

Die cut a piece of Fresh Fig cardstock with the Ovals Collection Framelits.  Die cut  the Whisper White with the Stitched Shapes Framelits. The Fresh Fig cardstock forms a frame around the Whisper White. Layer a strip of Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper behind the ovals.  I chose to use a strip of the multicoloured arrows.

 

Merry Patterns Stamp Set

Recipe

Stamps: Merry Patterns.

Ink/Marker: Fresh Fig, Emerald Envy, Basic Black Archival, Daffodil Delight.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Emerald Envy, Fresh Fig, Whisper White, Gold Foil, Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Sparkle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Oval Collection Framelits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Classic Label Punch, 1/4” Gold Natural Trim, Wink of Stella Clear.

Merry Patterns Stamp Set

 Recipe

Stamps: Merry Patterns.

Ink/Marker: Cherry Cobbler, VersaMark, Basic Black Archival.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Kraft, Gold Foil, Be Merry Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Cable Knit Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Swirly Snowflakes Thinlits Dies, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Cherry Cobbler 1/4” Double Stitched Ribbon.

Stamp the sentiment outline on Whisper White cardstock using Basic Black Archival ink.  Ink the large “SEASON” with Cherry Cobbler ink and stamp to fill in the “season” word outline.  Ink the patterned deer with VersaMark and stamp on Kraft cardstock.  Sprinkle with Gold Emboss Powder and heat with Heat Tool. Cut one gold foil snowflake suing the strip of snowflakes from the Swirly Snowflakes Thinlits.  Trim the foil around the snowflake.

What type of cards would you create using the Merry Pattern stamp set?  Use the stamp set to create a male birthday card  with the dear stamp.  Whatever you do have fun!

The Merry Pattern stamp set is in addition to any other stampin’ rewards that you earn.  BONUS

Don’t forget to place your order before 11:50PM (MT) on October 31st so you don’t miss out on the Merry Patterns stamp set.  Use my ONLINE STORE or email me your order at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

A Christmas Welcome Home and Throw Out the Welcome Mat

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

A Christmas Welcome Home

Do you have a Christmas welcome home for your loved ones and friends? What says “Merry Christmas” better than a decorated house with lights burning in the window.  Or is this feeling a fantasy that we cling to from out childhood?

Well, call it anyway your want, but I simply enjoy the Christmas lights and the decorated houses.  Yes, often people go above and beyond and really turn their homes and yards into the spectacular. Do you go for a tour of the lights in your city?

Christmas Welcome Home

Recipe

Stamps: At Home With You.

Ink/Marker: Smoky Slate, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Basic Black Archival, Markers: Cherry Cobbler, Smoky Slate, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Smokey Slate, Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack.

Accessories: Big Shot, Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, At Home Framelits, Classic Label Punch, Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine, Sponge Brayers.

This stamp set is so versatile with its Christmas, Fall, Spring/Summer themes.  You can also give it to someone who is moving into a new home. Yes, you can have the door open and close. Stamp your sentiment on the inside of the door and give an interactive card.

Christmas Welcome Home

A Few Details

  • Ink up the brayer with Smoky Slate ink. Run the brayer over the embossing folder on the side that has Stampin’ Up! imprinted on it..  Place the Smoky Slate cardstock inside the embossing folder and run through the BigShot.
  • Stamp the outline of the door on a piece of Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack. Cut out the window with the thinlit, place a piece of Whisper White behind the cutout and colour with a Daffodil Delight marker.
  • Stamp 2 flower pots on Whisper White cardstock using Basic Black Archival ink.  Stamp 2 bushes on Whisper White cardstock using Old Olive. Die cut the flower pots and color with the Smoky Slate marker.  Die cut the bushes and colour the berries with a Cherry Cobbler marker. Layer the bushes on top of the flower pots and attach to each side of the door.
  • Stamp and die cut the door mat.
  • Stamp the sentiment on Cherry Cobbler  cardstock using Basic Black archival ink.
  • Tie a piece of Basic Black Thick Bakers Twine around the card.

Now have a Christmas welcome home card that you can send out to family and friends.

Christmas Welcome Home

Do you need supplies to recreate this card? Click on any image below and you will be taken to my ONLINE STORE.

Product List

At Home With You Photopolymer Bundle

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

Regals Stampin' Write Markers

Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers

Brights Stampin' Write Markers

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack

Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Classic Label Punch

Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine

Sponge Brayers

What To Do When Your Christmas Card Ideas End!

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Do Your Christmas Card Ideas End?

When your Christmas card ideas end, what to you do? It’s no fun when that happens!.  The best remedy “Take a Break from creating Christmas Cards”.  Stop looking at Pinterest, Facebook and Blogs for Christmas ideas.

As the Christmas and Holiday Season roll along, we tend to get into a frenzy and live my the mantra “have to make the cards, have to make the cards”.  Stop, take a breath and think to yourself why am I doing this?

Do I have a deadline, or do I have a number of card to make in my mind?

What you need to do is take a break from creating Christmas cards. And that is exactly what I did so that I could take a break.  Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves.  The holiday period is a time to enjoy with family and friends.

Christmas Card Ideas End

Recipe

Stamps: Eastern Beauty.

Ink/Marker: Lemon Lime Twist, Fresh Fig.

Paper: Fresh Fig, Lemon Lime Twist, Whisper White, Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Eastern Medallions Thinlits Dies, Circle Collection Framelits, Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers, Gold 1/8” Ribbon, Embossing Paste, Pattern Party Decorative Masks, Palette Knives.

Create a general type of card as I did.  Use the Eastern Beauty stamp set and the matching Eastern Medallions Thinlit dies. You can create so many different cards with this set by incorporating the dies and stamp sets in different ways.  As well the Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers add more possibilities.

Finally, create the background using the Pattern Party Decorative Mask (the one that matches the Eastern Beauty Suite). Spread the Embossing Paste mixed with Lemon Lime Twist ink on a quarter of the mask and remove.

With this break from Christmas cards, you will feel refreshed to create Holiday and C.Christmas cards.

So if your Christmas card ideas end, take a break.  If you wish to recreate this card, click on any of the product pictures below and you will be taken to my ONLINE STORE.

Product List

Eastern Beauty Photopolymer Bundle

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

Fresh Fig Classic Stampin' Pad

Fresh Fig 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper

Circles Collection Framelits Die

Circles Collection Framelits Die
[130911]

Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers

Gold 1/8" Ribbon

Embossing Paste

Pattern Party Decorative Masks

Palette Knives

Can I Create Cards With Non-Traditional Christmas Colors?

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

How To Use Non-Traditional Christmas Colors for Christmas Cards

This year, create your Christmas Cards using non-traditional Christmas Colors. So often, we turn to the good old red and green colors for our cards.  Change your focus from the traditional colors.

The 2017/18 Annual Catalogue introduced 5 new In Colors in June.  Try to incorporate a couple of these into your Christmas and Holiday cards.  Come on….you can do it.

Just to refresh your memory, here are the 5 colors.

2017 2019 In Colors

For example, combine Tranquil Tide with Cherry Cobbler.

non-traditional Christmas colors

Or combine Fresh Fig, Real Red and Old Olive.

non-traditional Christmas colors

Yes, I stepped outside my usual Christmas colors and use Tranquil Tide with Real Red, Whisper White, and Gold embossing. There is not a lot of the various colors but enough to add interest.

non-traditional Christmas colors

Recipe

Stamps: Carols of Christmas*.

Ink/Marker: Real Red, Tranquil Tide, VersaMark.

Paper: Thick Whisper White, Whisper White, Tranquil Tide.

Accessories: Big Shot, Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies*, Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Gold 1/4” Natural Trim.

*Purchase the Carols of Christmas and the Card Front Builder Thinlit Dies Bundle for 10% off.

A Few Details

The card base is Whisper White Thick cardstock and a panel of Tranquil Tide serves as the background to the Card Front Builder Die Cuts. Use the corner dies on the four corners of Whisper White which allows the Tranquil Tide card stock to peek through and offer the contrast.

Stamp the poinsettia with Real Red ink on Whisper white cardstock and die cut with the larger flowers in one of the corners.  Stamp the leaves with Tranquil Tide ink and die cut with the leaves framelits.  Wow! I did it!

Finally, stamp the “Peace on Earth”  with VersaMark and emboss with Gold Stampin’ Emboss powder.

Experiment with different colors and you may find non-traditional Christmas  colors that will go together.

Product List

Carols Of Christmas Clear-Mount Bundle

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad

Versamark Pad

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Tranquil Tide 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder

Gold 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Natural Trim

Peace Love Joy Musical Christmas Card With Embossing Technique

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Peace Love Joy With Embossing Technique

Throughout the Christmas and Holiday season, you will often hear the phrase, “peace love joy”.  What does the phrase mean to you?

Here are my thoughts on this phrase:

  1. Peace- We hope for peace and tranquility in our lives.  Given today’s world events, it can be easy to drive negative thoughts.  We need to drive positive thoughts because when you see the good in people and the world, you will find peace.
  2. Love – One of the most part of love is to love yourself first.  When you do that you can find love in many places.  Show others that you are grateful for them.  Love is a gift that you can bestow on others.
  3. Joy – Finally, joy conveys great pleasure and happiness.  We need to have pleasure and happiness in our lives.

Living a positive life will give you peace, love and joy.

While this Christmas card uses the phrase, “peace, love, joy” it can convey meaning throughout the year.

peace love joy

 

Recipe

Stamps: Musical Season.

Ink/Marker: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black Archival, VersaMark.

Paper: Thick Whisper White, Whisper White, Merry Music Specialty Designer Series Paper, Silver Foil, Vellum.

Accessories: Big Shot, Merry Musical Framelits Dies, Clear Stampin Emboss Powder, Clear Faceted Gems.

Embossing Technique

Even though Stampin’ Up! does not carry Cherry Cobbler Emboss Powder any more, you can still have an embossed image.  Here are the steps for this embossing technique:

  1. Stamp the image you want to emboss with VersaMark ink. (Do not stamp image).
  2. Now, load up your image with Cherry Cobbler ink.
  3. Stamp the image on your paper.
  4. Sprinkle image with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder.
  5. Melt the emboss powder with the Heat Tool.  Voila! you have an embossed image.

Use this technique for any stamped image.

Finally, the Merry Musica Specialty Designer Series Paper coordinates with this stamp set.  The paper consists of musical notes and some sheets have actual words to Christmas songs.  This card uses the black and white sheet with the words to Silent Night.

So to achieve “peace love joy” in your life, use positive thoughts every day.

To purchase any of the products used in this card, shop my ONLINE STORE.

Product List

Musical Season Clear-Mount Bundle

Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

Versamark Pad

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Merry Music Specialty Designer Series Paper

Silver Foil Sheets

Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Big Shot

Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder

Clear Faceted Gems

3 Tips to Create Your Christmas Cards Early.

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Create Your Christmas Card Early This Year.

Create your Christmas cards early this year and don’t say “I ran out of time and didn’t sent Christmas cards”. Let me share 3 tips so that won’t happen.

Tip #1

Starting October 4th, I will sent out 12 weekly email titled 12 Weeks of Christmas to email subscribers.  These emails will consist of 1 project (cards, gifts, tags and wraps).  There will be a supply list for each project and instructions so that you can create these projects.  But you need to be on my email list by October r4 at 1;00pm.

To subscribe to  my email list, use this LINK.  You will also receive welcome gifts for subscribing.

Tip #2

Each year, I run a Christmas card class.  We make 8 cards – 2 cards of 4 different designs.  This class happens November 16th – 18th.  There are 4 classes to choose from so there should be 1 that you could attend.

Schedule – Thursday, November 16th,  Friday November 17th and Saturday November 18 starting at 12:30 pm. On Friday November 17th, there is an evening class starting at 6:30pm.

Don’t miss these classes. Check out the details on this class and you can sign up by going to this LINK.

Tip #3

Finally, visit my BLOG on a regular basis for Christmas cards.  There are pictures and information on how to recreate the card.  There will be at least 2 Christmas cards per week starting November 1st.

To get your creative juices flowing, here is a Christmas card that you can recreate.

Create Your Christmas Cards Early

Recipe

Stamps: Snowflake Sentiments.

Ink/Marker: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake.

Paper: Thick Whisper White, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Be Merry Designer Series Paper, Adhesive Sheets.

Accessories: Big Shot, Swirly Snowflakes Thinlit Dies, Everyday Label Punch, Metallic Enamel Shapes, Whisper White 3/8” Classic Weave Ribbon.

A Few Details

  1. Ink the one of the sentiment stamps with Crumb Cake and stamp a number of times on the Crumb Cake card base.
  2. Die cut 2 of the snowflake background from Cherry Cobbler cardstock.
  3. Die cut 2 snowflakes from Whisper White card stock.  There is a border on both of these thinlits so you can determine how much you want below the snowflakes. Adhere the snowflakes to the snowflake backgrounds.
  4. Adhere the mounted snowflakes to the Crumb Cake base.
  5. Attach a strip of designer series paper in the middle of your card.  Attach a piece of ribbon to the center of the paper.
  6. Lastly, ink up a sentiment stamp with CHerry Cobbler and stamp on Whisper White cardstock. Punch out with the Everyday Label Punch. Attach to the card with dimensionals.

 

Wahoo! One card done!

Use these tips and create your Christmas cards early this year.

If you have any questions, I am as near as your email.   karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

 

12 Weeks Christmas Craft Countdown – Subscribe to My Email List Today

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

12 Weeks Christmas Craft Countdown

12 Weeks Christmas Craft Countdown is about to start and you do not want to miss it. Christmas projects are fun to create and so many people appreciate that you give your time to create something for them.  Usually, people create Christmas Cards to family, friends, co-workers, neighbours,etc.  The Christmas card list be never-ending. However, you can extend your crafting beyond Christmas cards to gifts, bags, tags and wrap.

In fact, as I am writing this post, it is 3 months to Christmas today!  Is it wahoo or oh no!

Christmas Craft Countdown

The 12 Weeks of Christmas newsletters will be coming to an email address near you!  It could be yours. Yes, you will receive 12 different projects – 1 per week for 12 weeks.  But, there are a few things you need to do to receive all the 12 Christmas Projects.

Receive the first project on Wednesday, October 4/2017 at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.  You must be on the Simply Said with Karen email list by that time and day.

How do I know when it is 1:00 PM Pacific Time if I live in another time zone.  Here is LINK that will help you convert your local time to Pacific TIme?

Fill out the form below with your Name and email address and click on the SIGN UP button – so easy!!


This Christmas card is a sample of the types of card projects you will see in my 12 Weeks of Christmas campaign.

Recipe

Stamps: Musical Season.

Ink/Marker: Archival Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, VersaMark, Cherry Cobbler Marker.

Paper: Thick Whisper White, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Silver Foil, Year of Cheer Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Musical Instruments Framelits Dies, Softly Falling Textured Embossing Folder, Banner Triple Punch, Silver 3/8” Metallic Edge Ribbon, Aqua Painter, Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder.

A Few Details To Recreate Card

Every holiday season I watch for a musical instrument stamp set and this year, Stampin’ Up! delivered! Waahoo!  The Musical Season stamp set fit the bill with a harp, mandolin, and the french horn framelit.  I did a little happy dance and put it on my first order.

Wash The Year of Cheer Specialty Designer Series Paper with Bermuda Bay ink and the Aqua Painter Brush which created a fabulous background.

Emboss the harp by: stamp the harp image with VersaMark and stamp again with Bermuda Bay.  The VersaMark dries a little slower than ink so you have time to grab the emboss powder, sprinkle on the image and heat set with Heating Tool.

Ink the mistletoe stamp set with the Bermuda Bay and Cherry Cobble markers.  Don’t forget to huff  on the stamp to remoisten the ink.

Stamp the “JOY” in the sentiment using the VersaMark ink.  You will have to mask off everything before and after Joy.

Finally, purchase the stamp set and framelits as a bundle and receive 10% off the price.

Before, I leave you, don’t forget to fill in the form to take part in the 12 Weeks Christmas Craft Countdown.

Fill out the form below with your Name and email address and click on the SIGN UP button – so easy!!

It’s World Gratitude Day. Here’s How To Show Someone You’re Grateful For Them

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

World Gratitude Day – Show Someone You’re Grateful For Them

World Gratitude Day was September 21st.  Why not celebrate gratitude everyday?  In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October.  As Thanksgiving approaches, we start to think about the things we are grateful for such as friends and family.  There are also others that are not within our close circle, but they deserves gratitude as well.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” –William Arthur Ward

World GratitudeDay

5 Ways to Show Gratitude

There are many ways to show gratitude to others, however, don’t forget yourself as well.  Here are 5 ways to express your gratitude.

  1. Show gratitude to people who love you.  Invite them to do something you know they’ve always wanted to do and just haven’t been able to do it.  It could be card making or completing a scrapbook page.
  2. Show gratitude to people who challenge you.  Listen carefully to what they are saying and thank them for pushing you beyond your boundaries.
  3. Show gratitude to people who serve you.  There are people who serve you on a daily basis.  For example, the cashier in a grocery store or a server in a restaurant. If these people provide you with great service, thank them and point out what you liked about their service.
  4. Show gratitude to people you work with. Often the workplace can become very stressful.  Especially when deadlines loom.  Why not bring coffee back to show you co-worker that you appreciate how hard they are working to meet a deadline.
  5. Show gratitude to yourself. WHile we show gratitude to those around us, it is important to show gratitude to yourself.  Do you ever feel like you are being pulled in 10 different directions? And even though these are stressful times, you pull off all the things you have to accomplish.  Give yourself a pat on the back.  Showing gratitude to yourself does not have to be expensive or time consuming. Put a “Do Not DIsturb”sign on the bathroom door and take a nice relaxing bath, perhaps curl up in a chair with your favourite book and listen to music. If you want to spend some money on yourself, you could do a pedicure or a massage.  It’s important that you don’t forget yourself.

World Gratitude Day.

Recipe

Stamps: At Home With You.

Ink/Marker: Archival Basic Black, Early Espresso, Markers: Basic Grey, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso.

Paper: Thick Whisper White, Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack.

Accessories: Big Shot, At Home Framelit Dies, Brick Wall Textured Embossing Folder, Jute Twine, Sponge Brayer.

Create and send a card to someone to express your gratitude. The “At Home Stamp” set is a fabulous stamp set and is can be used all year round.  The matching framelit dies help you to create a welcoming front door.  To start off, brayer the Brick Wall Embossing folder with an ink that contrasts with the cardstock you are using as your cardbase.  Brayer the ink on the side with the “Stampin’ Up!” logo.  Place your cardstock into the embossing folder and run through the Big Shot.  Instant life-like bricks.

World Gratitude Day

Even though World Gratitude Day has passed us by, you can still show someone that you are grateful for them.

If you need supplies to complete this card, shop my ONLINE STORE.

Need Extra Holiday Season Money? Here’s How To Get It

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Need Extra Holiday Season Money?

Sometimes we all need extra holiday season money.  Here is how you can get it! Build a business as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.

Of course, like any business opportunity, there are always questions.  And, I will answer some of the questions .

Need Extra Holiday Season Money

Why would I start my business today?

There are a number of questions that you need to ask yourself before becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  Would today be a good day to make that commitment?  Maybe not!

Here’s why: ask yourself the question why do I want to become a demonstrator?  It’s it simply for the discount? Or, do I want to build a profitable business.  I say profitable because so often people sign on the dotted line without consideration about the work that needs to go into a business. Yes, it does take work to build a business.  It just not about the sales, it’s about how much money you have left at the end of the month.  So consider the expenses that you will incur during the month.

Sales – Expenses = Profit

Identify Your Reasons

Do you need extra money to purchase your holiday gifts, have gatherings, a family vacation, new kitchen.  Not everyone has the same needs.

Once you have identified your needs, ask yourself this question: Do I have the time and the wherewithal to run a business?  Yes, you will have to find customers.  There a lots of places to find your customers: friends, neighbours, and/or relatives.  However, to build a sustainable business, you must expand beyond those places, How about work, the library, groups that you belong to. This step is about brainstorming.

How Do I Run My Business

Once you have answered these few questions, you may decide that running your own business is not for you and that is okay.  You can run your business anyway that feel is right for you.  Sharing your knowledge of paper crafting is very gratifying.  You can hold in person or online classes or clubs, workshops, and/or stamp camps. Stampin’ Up! does not tell you how to run your business.  You run your business based on what is right for you.

Will You Help Me?

Yes, I am here to help you by providing you with answers, sharing good business practices so that you get off on the right foot.

Right now, we have a new catalogue packed with products and ideas to share during the holiday season. More cards are sent out at this time of year than at any other time of year, and many people like to make their own tags and gifts.

If you are interested in becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and live in Canada, then I would love to chat with you.  You can email me at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com 

For additional information to become a Stampin’ Up! demo check out this LINK.

No longer say “I need extra holiday season money”!

Send a Beautiful Handmade Sympathy Card To Convey Your Thoughts

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Beautiful Handmade Sympathy Card

A beautiful handmade Sympathy card will send a message to console the person receiving the card.  It’s often difficult to create a sympathy card because it generates sad feelings.  However, it can bring solace to the person left behind.

beautiful handmade sympathy card

Recipe

Stamps: Painted Harvest, Rose Wonder.

Ink/Marker: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Lemon Lime Twist, Early Espresso.

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Vellum.

Accessories: Banner Triple Punch, Early Espresso Baker’s Twine.

Sometimes less is more and this concept is what I went for with this card.  For this card,I attempted to keep a lot of white space on the card front. I achieved this by only stamping 3 flowers and their leaves on the card front.

beautiful handmade sympathy card.

Details

Stamp the sentiment on Vellum Paper so you can still see your beautiful images on the card front.  This paper is not porous so the ink does not soak into the paper and dry quickly.  Therefore, I had to be careful not to smudge the ink before I could dry the ink with the Heat Tool.  If you don’t want to use the Heat Tool, stamp your image and then set aside to dry.

The flowers and leaves are 2-step stamps.  That is, to completely stamp the image, there are 2 different stamps that you can ink.  I chose Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip inks for the flowers. When you look closely at the flower and leaves stamp, you will notice that one stamp is more solid than the other.  Ink the more  solid stamp with the lighter colour (Soft Sky) and ink the less solid stamp with the darker color (Chocolate Chip).  Layer this stamp over the  Soft Sky image.  Obtain a different look by stamping the dark color ink first and then the light color ink.

You can decide whether or not to stamp the leaves on the card front or stamp on a piece of cardstock and punch using  the leaves punch. Purchase the leaves punch and the Painted Harvest stamp set and receive 10% off the price when you purchase separately.

What would your ink color choices be if you create a beautiful handmade sympathy card.  Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Product List

Painted Harvest Photopolymer Bundle

Rose Wonder Photopolymer Stamp Set

Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad

Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Chocolate Chip 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Soft Sky 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Banner Triple Punch

Twine Baker's Early Espresso

Twine Baker’s Early Espresso
[123124]

 

Keep Your Smitten Mittens Together And They Won’t Be Lost

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Tie Your Smitten Mittens Together

Keep your smitten mittens together on a card front.  When you were younger do you remember your Mom tieing your mitts together and stringing them through your jacket and coat sleeves? The mitts were always there to keep your hands and fingers warm and you always knew where they were hiding.

Well, now you can bring back those memories with the Smitten Mittens stamp set and matching Merry Mittens Framelits Dies. What were your favorite colors growing up?  Where your mitts red or blue or white?

Smitten Mittens Together

Recipe

Stamps: Smitten Mittens, Christmas Pines.

Ink/Marker: Cherry Cobbler.

Paper: Whisper White, Thick Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Be Merry Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Many Mittens Framelit Dies, Cherry Cobbler 1/4” Double Stitched Ribbon, Banner Triple Punch, Silver 1/4” Natural Trim, Metallic Enamel Shapes.

This stamp set and it’s matching framelit dies will set your creative mind to work. Some ideas are: gift tags, baking gifts, decor items, toppers for goody bags, and of course greeting cards. You could also create a card for a winter wedding using this stamp set and a sentiment from another stamp set such as the Wonderful Life (page 46 of the 2017 Holiday Catalogue)

Smitten mittens together

Here is a closeup of the card and you can really see the details that the framelits will provide for you.  What is easier then die cutting the mittens with the detailed frameit and cutting another mitten from solid cardstock and layering together.  Instant wow!  You can also stamp the details on the mitten and perhaps emboss with gold, silver and/or copper embossing powder.

Get started on your holiday cards and keep those smitten mittens together.  Write a comment and let me know what you remember about your mittens.

Product List

Smitten Mittens Photopolymer Bundle

Christmas Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set

Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Be Merry Designer Series Paper

Cherry Cobbler 1/4" Double-Stitched Ribbon

Banner Triple Punch

Silver 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Natural Trim

Metallic Enamel Shapes

 

Stampin Up 2017 Holiday Catalogue Is Live and So Many New Products

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Stampin Up 2017 Holiday Catalogue is live.

Now is the time to order products from the Stampin Up 2017 Holiday Catalogue. Did you receive your catalogue? I can provide you with one if you live in Canada. All you have to do is email me at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com and I will get one in the mail for you!2017 Holiday Catalogue

Click on Image to View Catalogue

Here is a sample of a card that you can create with the fresh, new products.

2017 Holiday Catalogue

Recipe

Stamps: Carols of Christmas.

Ink/Marker: Old Olive, Basic Black, Tranquil Tide.

Paper: Whisper White, Thick Whisper White, Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper, Silver Glimmer.

Accessories: Big Shot, Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies, Banner Triple Punch,  Basic Black Baker’s Twine, Old Olive Glitter Enamel Shapes.

A Few Details

  • Use the Card Front Builder Thinlits to die cut the stars and moon and the trees from Whisper White cardstock.
  • Layer Silver Glimmer Paper behind the cut outs.
  • Use Old Olive and Basic Black markers to color the word “Peace on Earth” letters. Stamp on Whisper White cardstock
  • Cut 2 banners from Silver Glimmer Paper with the Banner Triple Punch.  Cutting the 2 banners will use less glimmer paper than one long banner.  Adhere one banner to each side of the sentiment.
  • Tie a bow using Basic Black Baker’s Twine and attach to side of sentiment.  Place an Old Olive Glitter Enamel shape on the knot.

 

Finally attach a piece of Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper (Old Olive diagonal stripes) to the card base and attach your art piece to the Designer Series Paper.  For an added touch, why now add a piece of the DSP to your envelope.

Have fun with the 2017 Holiday Catalogue.  Click on the images below and order from my ONLINE STORE. 

Product List

Carols Of Christmas Clear-Mount Bundle

Brights Stampin' Write Markers

Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper

Silver Glimmer Paper

Banner Triple Punch

Basic Black Baker's Twine

Glitter Enamel Dots

Create Christmas Gift Tags – Decorate a Pizza Box – Give a Gift

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Create Christmas Gift Tags, Decorate a Pizza  Box and Give a Gift

Create cute Christmas gift tags, pop in a decorated pizza box and present as a gift.  Someone would love it and they don’t have to go out and purchase gift tags.

You will be able to purchase the Merry Little Labels stamp set and the matching Everyday Label Punch starting September 1, 2017.  When purchasing as a bundle, you will receive 10% off the combined price of the 2 items.

Christmas Gift Tags

Around the holiday season, number of opportunities and get togethers present themselves where gifts are exchanged. Perhaps you are a secret Santa, or you have a secret sister.  Who would love to receive a gift like this one.  When you have used the tags, you can use the decorated Pizza Box for a gift.  It’s kind of like the “gift that gives on giving”.

Add a bit of pizzazz by doing a washed technique on  the designer series paper with the Aqua Painter Brush and Old Olive ink.  Just be careful, not to mix so much water with the ink that there are puddles.

Create a belly band from the designer series paper. Slip the belly bank on and off to open and close the box.

Christmas Gift Tags

Recipe

Stamps: Merry Little Labels.

Ink/Marker: Old Olive, Tranquil Tide, Basic Black Archival, VersaMark.

Paper: Whisper White, Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper, Old Olive, Basic Black, Silver Glimmer

Accessories: Big Shot, Circles Collection Framelits, 2-1/4” Circle Punch, 1/8” Handheld Circle Punch, Every Day Label Punch, 7/8” Striped Ribbon, Green Sprigs, Jute Twine, Silver Emboss Powder, Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine, 1/8” Silver Ribbon, Aqua Painter Brush.

Christmas Gift Tags

 

Use the Merry Little Labels to create a sampling of gift tags.  Punch out the gift tags, layer on glimmer paper, designer series paper and/or card stock with the Everyday Label Punch. Create interesting shapes for the tags using the various die cut collections, ie the Circles Collection Framelits, the Stitched Shaped Framelits to create interesting shapes for the tags. This is one place that your creativity can go wild.

Now is the time to think about Christmas Gift Tags, decorated pizza boxes and gifts.

Remember the products in the Holiday Catalogue are available to order starting September 1st.   Order other holiday products from the 2017/18 Annual Catalogue if you can’t wait?  Order from my ONLINE STORE.

Dazzling Jean Pockets Make a Dazzling Handmade Card

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Dazzling Jean Pockets

Do you like dazzling jean pockets?  Sometimes we need a little dazzle in our lives.  However, if you prefer not to dazzle your jeans, create a greeting card with a dazzling pocket.

Dazzling Jean Pockets

Recipe

Stamps: Pocket Full of Sunshine.

Ink/Marker: VersaMark, Basic Black Archival.

Paper: Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Dapper Denim, Lemon Lime Twist, Color Theory Designer Paper Stack.

Accessories: Big Shot, Pocket Framelit Dies, Silver Emboss Powder, Rhinestone Jewels.

Create this fun card for many different reasons.  Do you give gift cards, cheques or money in your cards.  Well, this stamp set and matching framelits is great to have on hand.  Also, you can create a box to go behind the pocket to insert the money or the gift card..  I tend to give a lot of gift cards as it is getting harder to purchase gifts for my kids and grandkids.  They all have particular tastes, wants and needs, so now they get to choose their own gifts.

Dazzling Jean Pockets

Stamp the sunglasses on cardstock with the Basic Black Archival ink.  You can use various cardstock colors. How about real red, crushed curry, tangerine twist for bright and funky sunglasses.

Dazzling Jean Pockets

Now a days, you see glittery embellishments on jean pockets.  You can dazzle up the pocket by using VersaMark to stamp the sentiment and then heat embossing with silver, gold or copper emboss powder.

Actually, the color combinations for this stamp set are endless. I am sure that you will find the right colors and fun embellishments to create you own dazzling jean pockets.  Click on any of the products below and you go directly to my ONLINE STORE where you can purchase what you need to recreate the card.

Product List

Pocketful Of Sunshine Photopolymer Bundle

Versamark Pad

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

Dapper Denim 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Color Theory Designer Series Paper Stack

Big Shot

Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Make Old Products New When Mixed With New Products

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Make Old Products New When Mixed With New Products

We can make old products new again.  So often when a new catalogue becomes available, we sit down and make a list of the new products we would like. What about the products that you purchased from the last catalogue?  Do you forget about them and they sit on a shelf?

You can make the old new when you combine with the newer products.

Make old products new

I used the Basket of Wishes stamp set that appeared in the 2016 Holiday Catalogue and mixed it with the new Painted Autumn Designer Series Paper in the 2017 Holiday Catalogue.

The Basket of Wishes stamp set appears in the 2017/18 Annual Catalogue and is available to purchase.  Of course, the Cajun Craze and Whisper White cardstocks and inks are part of the colour families so they are available to purchase as well.  .

Recipe

Stamps: Basket of Wishes.

Ink/Marker: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Basic Black Archival, Markers: Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry.

Paper: Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Painted Autumn Designer Series Paper.

This designer series paper will be ready to view in my online store on September 1st.

Accessories: Big Shot, Layering Circles Collection Framelits, Stitched Shapes Framelits,  1/4” Copper Trim.

A Few Details

Make Old Products New

  • Create the bow using the Copper 1/4″ trim.  This trim is a loose-weave trim and there is a zigzag stitch through it.  The interesting part is that you can gently pull the trim to widen it giving the trim fullness.  I tied the bow and then widened the trim.
  • Stamp the sentiment on Whisper White cardstock using Cajun Craze ink.  Mount on a panel of Cajun Craze. Attach the bow with Mini Glue Dots.

 

Make old products new

  • Die cut a circle from Whisper White cardstock with a circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits.  Stamp the basket with Crumb Cake ink.  Use Basic Black Archival ink and stamp the flower on top of the basket opening. Color the flowers and leaves using markers as noted above. Use a sponge dauber and Crumb Cake ink and sponged around the circle.  Mount the art piece on scallop circle cut with the Circles Framelits Collection.

 

Take the time to look at the various stamping products that you have and design a card using an older stamp set with newer papers and embellished.  See what you can do to make the old products new again.

Product List

Basket Of Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

Regals Stampin' Write Markers

Brights Stampin' Write Markers

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Circles Collection Framelits Die

Circles Collection Framelits Die
[130911]

Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

1/4" Copper Trim