Changing Colors, Get More From Your Stamps

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Changing Colors – Get More From Your Stamps

By changing colors that we use for stamping images, we will get more from our stamps. How often do you see a sample of the card and you are immediately drawn to the stamps that are used?  Now, you know you have to have the stamp set and the papers and embellishments that were used to create the card.  This is why you fell in love with the stamp set.

So,now what happens?  You run out of ideas to create cards with the stamp set.  Let’s look at some ways that by changing the colours, papers and embellishments, you can create cards using the same stamp set.

I knew I had to have the Botanical Gardens Suite when it came out in the 2016 Occasions Catalogue.  What I loved was how the Stampin’ Up! creative department used the stamps, thinlits, papers and embellishments.  So, after making several cards using the Botanical Gardens Suite, I knew I had to branch out if I was going to get the full use of the stamp set and matching thinlits.

While I still love the papers and embellishments that go with the stamp set, I made this sympathy card and changed up the colours.

Changing Colors

Recipe

Stamps: Awesomely Artistic, Thanks For Caring.

Ink/Markers: Rich Razzleberry, Delightful Dijon.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Rich Razzleberry and Botanical Vellum.

Accessories: Big Shot, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Botanical Builder Framelit Dies, Big Shot Die Brush, White Gel Pen, Pearl Jewels, Vintage Lace.

Here are some of the steps I took to create this card:

  1. The Smackdown Technique was used to create the background on Whisper White.  The fern stamp from the Awesomely Artistic was inked in Blackberry Bliss and randomly smacked,  One area was left blank and the Delightful Dijon was used on the fern stamp along with the smackdown technique,
  2. Because I thought the background was too bright for a sympathy card, it was toned down with a piece of the Botanical Vellum (2016 Saleabration).
  3. The large flower was die cut from Delightful Dijon and sponged in the middle.  The center was sponged to add highlights.  One stamen was die cut in Rich Razzleberry and the smaller one in Delightful Dijon.  The stamens were tipped using the White Gel Pen and a pearl jewel added.

If you have a favourite stamp and you tend to use the same colors all the time, stretch yourself and try a new color combination.  By changing colors, you get more ways to use your stamp sets.  Leave me a comment and let me know how you revive a much loved stamp.

Product List

Awesomely Artistic Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
Rich Razzlebberry Classic Stampin' Pad
Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad
Delightful Dijon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
Delightful Dijon Classic Stampin' Pad
Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Botanical Builder Framelits Dies
White Signo Uni-Ball Gel Pen

Retiring Products Make Way For The New

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Retiring Products – 2016

Catalogue retiring products usually signify the start of a new Annual Catalogue.  Yes, and we crafters get very excited.

Retiring Products

If you have a passion for Stampin’ Up! products, the retiring list is usually welcomed with mixed feelings. Whatever you call this time of year, it is exciting.

Here are a few things that you need to know about the retiring list:

  • Some products are reduced as much as 50%.
  • The retiring list promotion will end May 31st, at which time the products will no longer be available for order.
  • Stampin’ Up! will continue to manufacture the stamps until May 22nd, so retiring stamps will be available at least until then.
  • All other products will only be available as inventory lasts.
  • The 2014/16 In Colors are retiring (Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey and Tangelo Twist).  Last year, the cardstock, ink pads, reinkers and markers sold out very fast.  So, if you want these items, I suggest that you order them as soon as possible.

As in every business these days, costs continue to increase.  Price increases will start with the 2016/17 Annual Catalogue.  So if you want to beat the prices increases and there are items that you really want, I suggest that you place your order sooner rather than later.

I can’t tell you what is in the new catalogue, but it’s a safe bet that if the products are not on the retiring list, they are being carried over to the new catalogue.

Here’s a teaser for you…the cover of the new catalogue.

Retiring products

So if you don’t have the Retiring Products lists you can find them at the links below.  Stampin’ Up! will update the list as products sell out.

2016 Retiring List – PDF

2016 Retiring List – EXCEL – this is a sortable file

There are several ways to order:

Online Store

Email Me

 

Beautiful Roses Make Birthdays Lovely

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Beautiful Roses For A Birthday

Beautiful roses will usually make any woman happy. To create this birthday card, I used the Rose Wonder stamp set and the matching framelits.  There are  many different techniques that you can use with this stamp set.

On this card, the techniques that were used are:

  1. Watercoloring
  2. Heat embossing
  3. Dry embossing
  4. Adding a touch of glimmer

This stamp set and the matching framelits are in the 2016 Occasions Catalogue.  The catalogue is active until May 31, 2016.  Will it be in the 2016/17 Annual Catalogue?  We always have to assume that products in the occasions catalogue will not be carried over to the next catalogue.  Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised sometimes there are no surprises. So if you want this set, purchase it before it’s too late.  You can purchase the stamp and Thinlit dies as a bundle at 15%.

beautiful roses

Recipe

Stamps: Rose Wonder.

Ink/Markers: VersaMark, Blushing Bride, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi (combination of ink pads and reinkers).

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Blushing Bride, Whisper White,  Wild Wasabi, Watercolor, and Vellum.

Accessories: Big Shot, Lovely Lace Embossing Folder, Rose Garden Thinlit Dies, Big Shot Die Brush, Aqua Paint Brush, White Tea Lace Paper Doily, Blushing Bride 1/4” Cotton Ribbon, White Jute Ribbon, Blushing Bride Sequin Trim, Metal Rimmed Pearls, Clear Wink of Stella, White Embossing Powder.

So how did I use and where did I use the various techniques?

Watercoloring was done with the Aqua Brush and reinkers mixed with a few drops of water. First, though I stamped the image on the Watercolor paper using VersaMark ink and heat embossed using White Embossing Powder. The image was spritzed with water.  Don’t make the paper too wet.

Squirt a couple of drops of the reinkers on an Acrylic Block (use this as a palette). Mix with a couple of drops of water.  Take your Aqua Brush and pick up a bit of the Blushing Bride ink and drop the ink on the petals of the rose.  The ink will flow to fill in the areas that are not heat embossed.  Do the same with the So Saffron reinker.  Don’t put too much ink on your paper as you will want to see the variations in color and prevent the 2 colors of ink from merging.  This will muddy the inks.  Do the same with leaves using Wild Wasabi.

The Vellum paper was dry embossed using the Lovely Lace Embossing Folder and then placed over the Blushing Bride cardstock.  Vellum will tone down the cardstock and make the colour subtle.

To add the glimmer, I used the Wink of Stella in clear to add some sparkle to the rose.  I did not cover the rose entirely.  I brushed on a bit for highlights.

Finally, I die cut the rose from Whisper White cardstock using the matching thinlit and applied it the watercolored rose.

The Rose Garden thinlits dies are on special this week and are part of the final week of Weekly Deals.  Yes, the Weekly Deals that we have been enjoying over the past year are going away. If you want to create beautiful roses, then make sure that you purchase the Rose Wonder Set and matching thinlits.  You won’t be disappointed.

To purchase any of the products, click on the images below or go to my Online Store
Product List

Rose Wonder Photopolymer Bundle

Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

Blushing Bride 1/4" Cotton Ribbon

Blushing Bride Sequin Trim

So Saffron Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

Wild Wasabi 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad

Watercolor Paper

Lovely Lace Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Metal Rimmed Pearls

White 1-1/4" (3.2 Cm) Jute Ribbon

Weekly Deals and a Thank You

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Weekly Deals Will Be No More

Weekly deals came out every Tuesday for the past year.  However they are ending April 18th.

Weekly Deals

Click on image to purchase Weekly Deals

The Weekly Deals by Stampin Up have provided you with the opportunity to get your hands on current product at reduced prices.  The last week for the deals is  Tuesday, April 12th – Monday, April 18, 2016.  Don’t delay if you are looking at something you really want because the amount of stock on these items are limited.

Today, my share is a Thank You card using the Smackdown Technique.  This technique is so fun that I had to create another card using it.  I decided to do a Thank You card because it is nice to have these on hand.  It seems that art of sending mail is going away as we use Social Media to keep in touch.

Weekly Deals

Recipe

Stamps: Bloom With Hope, Another Thank You.

Ink/Markers: Tuxedo Black, Perfect Plum, Crushed Curry, Old Olive.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Old Olive.

Accessories: Big Shot, Lovely Lace Embossing Folder, 1” Circle Punch, Hello Honey 3/8” Stitched Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Aqua Brush, Sponge Daubers.

I used the Bloom for Hope stamp set which is a retired host set.  I was really sad to see this stamp retire, however, I did hang on to mine.  It has wonderful sayings for birthdays and sympathy cards.  The images are also great for watercoloring.

I followed the same layout and technique as the card in this post and changed up the colours and stamp sets.  In the post I explained how you can do the Smackdown technique.

The flower was watercoloured using the Aqua Paint Brush and Perfect Plum ink. The leaves were punched using the 1″Circle Punch.  Again, you can see a more detailed explanation of how to use the circle punches to create leaves.

Don’t forget to check out the final week of the Weekly Deals.

Weekly Deals

Product List

Bloom With Hope Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Bloom With Hope Clear-Mount Stamp Set
[133952]

Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set

Perfect Plum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

Lovely Lace Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Aqua Painters

White Signo Uni-Ball Gel Pen

1" Circle Punch

Sponge Daubers

 

Add Texture to Handmade Greeting Cards

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Add Texture to Your Greeting Cards

When you add texture to your greeting cards, you add interest.  Texture  can turn any plain piece of cardstock into a thing of beauty and something very special.

Here are 5 ways that you can make your greeting cards special when you add texture:

  1. Embossing: Embossing folders are very simple to use and come in many different designs. You insert the plain cardstock into the folder, run through a die cutting machine such as a Big Shot and remove the card stock.  What you will have is a raised design on one side of your card stock and a recessed design on the other.  You decide what effect you want to achieve. You can use heat embossing to your card.  Heat embossing makes use of your stamps.  Ink a stamp with Versamark and stamp the image on your cardstock.  The image will look like a watermark and can be used on many different types of paper. Sprinkle embossing powder on the image and heat it with a Heat Tool.  The heat melts the embossing powder and raises the images on your paper.
  2. Embellish: Add different embellishments to your card.  There are so many interesting items out there.  How about buttons, rhinestones, enamel dots.  Anything that draws the eye up from the flatness of the card will add texture.
  3. Framelits/Thinlits:  Framelits and thinlits add texture by again raising the element off your card giving it texture.  Framelits and thinlits die cut shapes and stamped images.  To fool the eye even more, add dimensions to attach them your card.
  4. Stamping Ink: You are probably thinking why adding stamping ink will create texture.  Again this fools the eye.  What you are doing is creating a background with ink and a stamp.  Stamp a single stamp over the card until the stamp has no more ink.
  5. Texture Paste:  If you have ever done mixed media art, you are likely familiar with texture paste. By using a spatula and spreading the texture paste on card stock, you will have texture. The trick here is to not smooth out the paste but leave bumps and flat spots.  An easy way to do this is by using a stencil.

Here is a Sympathy card I created for a friend and yes, there is texture.

Add Texture

Recipe

Stamps: Choose Happiness, Sheltering Tree.

Ink/Markers: Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey, Old Olive.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Hello Honey, Old Olive, Going Places DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Hello Honey 3/8” Stitched Ribbon, 1” Circle Punch, Paper Snips, Whisper White Baker’s Twine, Neutrals Designer Buttons.

To create texture on this card, I used:

  • Stamps and ink using the SMACKDOWN Technique.  This is a really fun technique and you will want to use it over and over.  Ink up a stamp in a colour that coordinates with the other colours on your card.  I used Lost Lagoon and Hello Honey and the flower stamp from the Choose Happiness stamp set. Ink the stamp with your chosen colour and start stamping in small movements until there is no ink left on the stamp.  Fill in the card stock to that there is very little of the cardstock showing.  The key is to use a stamp that is not solid and has a design that will show even after stamping multiple times.
  • The Softly Falling embossing folder on Lost Lagoon card stock.
  • The Hello Honey 3/8″ Stitched Ribbon
  • The button with the Baker’s Twine strung through and button, tied in a bow and mounted in the center of the flowers.

I would love to see how you add texture to your cards.  Leave me a comment.

Product List

Choose Happiness Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Sheltering Tree Photopolymer Stamp Set

Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad

Hello Honey 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Hello Honey Classic Stampin' Pad

Hello Honey 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon

Hello Honey 3/8″ Satin Stitched Ribbon
[133671]

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack

Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Neutrals Designer Buttons

Twine Baker's Whisper White

VW Bug Memories – Going Back In Time

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VW Bug Memories –

What are your VW Bug memories?  Today’s post will be going back in time to relive some of the Bug memories.

When I saw the Beautiful Ride stamp set in the 2016 Occasions catalogue, I started to think of the many stories and memories around this vehicle. Here are a few:

  • Herbie, the Love Bug was featured in a number of Disney movies,  The first one to hit the box office was The Love Bug in 1969.
  • During the 60’s and 70’s, the bug was a relatively inexpensive vehicle to purchase and it did not cost a lot for gas and repairs. Other vehicles were gas guzzlers and expensive to run.
  • The bug is often associated with the “love” generation.  If you owned one and were a hippie is was covered in the symbolism of that era, ie, flowers, beads, peace signs.
  • The VW bug passed out of favour in 1977 as domestic car manufacturers came more aggressive in their advertising to purchase vehicles made in Canada and the US.
  • In 1996, the VW bug was resurrected in it’s new design. It came with a permanent flower vase and flower to commemorate the time when it was so popular during the flower child generation.

VW Bug Memories

Recipe

Stamps: Beautiful Ride.

Ink/Markers: Tip Top Taupe, Cucumber Crush, Basic Grey, Pool Party, Marina Mist, Crushed Curry, Basic Black Marker.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Cucumber Crush, Whisper White, Shimmery White, Cherry On Top DSP.

Accessories: Crushed Curry Baker’s Twine, Aqua Painter, Sponges, Sponge Daubers, Party Punch Pack.

I let my imagination run wild with this card and created a surfer scene.  The sky was sponged with Marina Mist, areas in the middle portion of the card were masked with Post-It Notes and sponged with Tip Top Taupe and finally, the water was sponged with Pool Party ink.

The card was watercoloured using Cucumber Crush and the Aqua Painter, and decorate with the symbolism of the 60’s and 70’s.  Finally, the balloons were stamped on the Cherry on Top DSP and punched using the balloon punch from the Party Punch Pack.  I used the sheet with the different coloured dotted circles for the balloons.

Leave me a comment and tell me if you have any VW Bug memories.

Product List

Beautiful Ride Photopolymer Stamp Set

Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Pad

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad

Cucumber Crush Classic Stampin' Pad

Cucumber Crush 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack

Stamping Sponges

Sponge Daubers

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

Aqua Painters

Party Punch Pack

Lovely As A Tree Stamp Set

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Lovely As A Tree Stamp Set – Thinking of You

The Lovely As A Tree stamp set has been current for many, many years in the Stampin’ Up! catalogue.  It is a favourite of many stampers because of the different cards you can create with it.

Today, I am sharing a card that was created using this stamp set.  It was created by Becky Robards, a subscriber to my email list.  Becky’s inspiration for this card came from Michelle Zindorf, who does amazing work.

Lovely As A Tree

Becky used the trees with no leaves and the fir tree to create her scene.  The trees were stamped using full strength ink and then stamped again without reinking.  This gives the card depth as it appears as if there are trees in the background.

To add interest, the sky was sponged in yellows and a light blue and the grass in the foreground was sponged with a darker green.  You can see where Becky created a feeling of light on the grass by sponging very lightly in the center.  Of course a meadow would not be complete without a few flowers and these were created with a white gel pen by putting white dots on the grass. These dots were grouped together so that they look like little groups of flowers.

To finish up the card, Becky stamped and fussy cut three leaves.  These were sponged in multiple colours to give them some dimension.  She also added some Baker’s Twine, stamped the sentiment and created interest by layering panels of different colours.

This is only one way to use the Lovely As A Tree stamp set.  It can be used for masculine cards, Christmas, Thanksgiving and many other occasions.

This is one stamp set that everyone should have in their stamp stash.

Thanks Becky for giving me permission to post your card on my blog.

Subscribe to my Email List and you too may appear on my blog.

Mom and Pop Businesses

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Mom and Pop Businesses

Mom and Pop businesses are found in small and large communities.  These businesses are owned and operated by individuals that live in and contribute to your community and could even be your neighbours.

Mom and Pop Businesses

Yes, the big box retailers and the franchises also contribute to your community, however, the owners and management of these businesses do not know the community on a personal basis. Decisions are made that can affect the communities in a positive and negative way. Many of the operating decisions are made based on finances and not how the decision would impact the community.

Think about a small rural community which may not have a lot of businesses.  However there will usually be a store, a gas station and perhaps a post-office.  It’s a meeting place where many of the locals will visit to chat with their neighbours.

Think about the personal customer service you will receive.  You will be greeted by your first name, they could inquire about your family and /or any events that have impacted you.  These businesses care about their customers and get to know them personally.

When you become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, you are now operating your own small business.

Here are three similarities between the Mom and Pop business and your Stampin’ Up! business:

  • You own your business and you make decisions for your business.  These could be financial or operational decisions.
  • Your customers could be your neighbours.  You know them by name, you usually know about their families and events that happen around them.
  • You can contribute to the community by participating in fundraisers for community causes.  You could even host a fundraiser for an organization that you are passionate about.

Are you interested in becoming a business owner?  Contact me through email or visit Join The Fun. Check out this opportunity to become part of the Mom and Pop business community.

 

 

 

Flowering Fields Stamp for Easter

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Flowering Fields Stamp Set

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

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

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

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

So back to my card.

Flowering Fields Stamp

Recipe

Stamps: Flowering Fields, Crazy About You.

Ink/Markers: Old Olive, Blackberry Bliss.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Product List

Flowering Fields Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Crazy About You Photopolymer Bundle

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad

Wildflower Fields Designer Series Paper

Pear Pizzazz 1/4" Cotton Ribbon

Tags & Labels Framelits Dies

White Perfect Accents

Party Hats – Do You Wear Them

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Party Hats

Do you wear party hats for various occasions?  Perhaps you have worn New Years’ Eve hats, or birthday hats, or baby/wedding shower hats.  People can often take hats or leave hats depending on their moods. So if you know a person would not wear a hat, how about making them a birthday card with a hat on the front.

Party Hats

Recipe

Stamps: Number of Years, Birthday Blooms.

Ink/Markers: Old Olive, Pool Party.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Pool Party, Birthday Bouquet DSP, Dazzling Diamonds  Glimmer, Glassine Sheets.

Accessories: Big Shot, Large Numbers Framelits, Pool Party 3/8” Glitter Ribbon, Honeycomb Embellishment, Fringe Scissors.

I did this card for my daughter’s birthday this month.  Actually, I needed some help as I have been in a creative drought for a while now.  However, it was the 2016 Occasions catalogue that came to my rescue.  Yes, I cased the card on page 8.  CASE is an abbreviation for Copy and Share Everything.   There is no sin in copying, however, it is courtesy to give the person credit for their original artwork.

Did you notice the fringe at the bottom of the hat?  It is done with Glassine Sheets and the Fringe Scissors.  Glassine sheets have a delicate look of tissue paper, however they are quite sturdy.  I cut a couple of strips and then using the Fringe Scissors, cut the fringes and curled them slightly with my bone folder.

Here’s a tip when you are using the Fringe Scissors  Do not use just the tips of the scissors when cutting.  Slide them up the paper until you reach the middle of the strip and then cut.  BE CAREFUL so that you don’t cut all the way to the end of the paper or you will have to start again.

I shredded the Pool Party Glitter ribbon to give the hat some sparkle. It is very easy. Just cut a length of ribbon and start pulling individual strands of the glitter.  After I had a sufficient number of strands, I tied them with a piece of the Silver Metallic Thread.

How would you a person a party had that they didn’t have to wear.  Leave me a comment.  I would love to see your ideas.

Product List

Number Of Years Photopolymer Bundle

Birthday Blooms Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper

Pool Party 3/8" (1 Cm) Glitter Ribbon

Glassine Sheets

Fringe Scissors

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

Tea Pots and Cups for a Birthday

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Tea Pots and Cups

Do you have special tea pots and cups that you like to use for special occasions or just because you like to drink tea when you relax?  Lately, tea parties have been popular for occasions such as weddings and birthdays.

The Nice Cuppa stamp set with the matching framelits are great to have for events like these. You can create decorations, cards, packaging items and scrap pages using the Have a Cuppa Designer Series Paper stack and the Have a Cuppa Embellishments.  These are so cute and add that extra special touch.

This is a birthday card that I created using this set.

Tea Pots

Recipe

Stamps: A Nice Cuppa, Balloon Celebration.

Ink/Markers: Blushing Bride, Smoky Slate, Soft Sky.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Blushing Bride, Pool Party, Birthday Bouquet DSP

Accessories: Big Shot, Cups and Kettle Framelits, Paper Tea Lace Doily, Whisper White Baker’s Twine, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Pearl Jewels.

The tea pot was cut twice with the framelits and then sponged with a sponge dauber and Smoky Slate ink to give it some dimension.  The tea bag hanging out is attached to Whisper White Baker’s twine.

This was a fun card to create as you can make it as dainty and vintage looking as you would like. What could be daintier than have the teapot sitting on a lace doily and drinking from a fine bone china cup.  The cup reminds me of the Royal Albert china that so many of us have in our cupboards and china cabinets.

Leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts on tea pots and cups

Product List

A Nice Cuppa Photopolymer Bundle

Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Stamp Set

Birthday Bouquet Designer Series Paper

Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad

Tea Lace Paper Doilies

Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments

Twine Baker's Whisper White

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

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

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack

Special Birthday With Large Numbers

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Special Birthday

It’s a special birthday when you turn 101 years young.  Why not celebrate it with the Number of Years stamp set and the matching framelits Large Numbers.  Of course, you have to throw in a few colorful balloons from the Balloon Celebration stamp set.

This birthday card is for my uncle that is turning 101 years at the end of March.  Can you imagine the number of changes in the world that he has seen over these past 101 years.  See below for some facts about 1915.

Special Birthday

I wanted the card to be bright and cheerful because there is certainly a lot to celebrate at 101 years.  What better than to choose a combination of Watermelon Wonder and Bermuda Bay. The Bermuda Bay and white combination from the Have a Cuppa DSP paper stack sets of the Watermelon Wonder and Whisper White layers.

Tip for using the Balloon Celebration and matching Balloon Bouquet Punch.

Stamp the balloons first and then punch.  If you are using the little cluster of dots, this is the time to stamp them.  It is much easier to get the dots lined up at the bottom of the balloon.

Recipe

Stamps: Number of Years, Balloon Celebration.

Ink/Markers: Watermelon Wonder, Bermuda Bay, Tuxedo Black.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Watermelon Wonder, Bermuda Bay, Have A Cuppa DSP Stack.

Accessories: Big Shot, Large Numbers Framelits, Balloon Bouquet Punch.

Here’s a list of items that shows how the world has changed since 1915.  This article is from the Business Insider 

Special BirthdayYes, today is certainly different.

Do you have someone celebrating a special birthday and has seen a lot of changes in their life time?  Please leave a comment and tell me about them.

Product List

Number Of Years Photopolymer Bundle
Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Bundle
Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad
Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
Have A Cuppa Designer Series Paper Stack
Watermelon Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad
Watermelon Wonder 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Acknowledge Those Who Are Left Behind

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Acknowledge Those Left Behind

When you acknowledge the person who as lost someone in their lives, you are also paying tribute to the one that has passed away.

You may now be saying “What”. It is very difficult when someone who is close to you passes away. These people are coping with their grief, the emptiness, the hole left in the heart, and their lives.  It is important to the grieving person, that you recognize the loss of their loved one.  We (and I mean the collective “we”), have difficulty talking to family about the one that has passed away.

Simple words, like: I’m sorry, I’m thinking of you will convey your thoughts.

Here is a sympathy card that I am sending out.  I didn’t know the person that passed away, but I do know a family member.

Acknowledge

Recipe

Stamps: Remarkable You, Thoughts and Prayers.

Ink/Markers: Tuxedo Black, Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Basic Black, Wisteria Wonder, Neutrals DSP Stock (Black Floral).

Accessories: Big Shot, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Scallop Oval Punch Large Oval Punch, Wisteria Wonder Seam Binding Ribbon, Aqua Painter.

I wanted this card to be comforting, so I chose soft colours and simplicity.  The Wisteria Wonder layer was embossed using the Softly Falling Embossing Folder which showcases the Calla Lilies. The Calla Lilies were stamped using Tuxedo Black ink, and painted using the Aqua Painter Brush and Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron and Wild Wasabi inks.  The flowers were then fussy cut and attached to the embossed layer.  The sentiment was stamped on Whisper White with Tuxedo Black ink, punched out with the Oval Punch.  The edges were sponged with Wisteria Wonder ink and then layered on Basic Black punched with the Scallop Oval punch.

The inside of the card reads “Please know that I care”.

If you know someone who has lost a loved one, acknowledge their grief by sending a sympathy card.

Product List

Remarkable You Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Thoughts & Prayers Clear-mount Stamp Set

Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack

Wisteria Wonder 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Scallop Oval Punch

Large Oval Punch

Wisteria Wonder 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon

Crafting Techniques And Tips

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Crafting Techniques and TipsCrafting Techniques and Tips to Inspire You

Where do you look for crafting techniques and tips?  Do you spend countless hours search the internet and/or Pinterest?  Well, you don’t have to look any further than your In Box for these techniques and tips.

Signing up for the Simply Said With Karen email list will ensure that each month you will have a new technique or a new ti[ to inspire your card making and/or scrapbooking and even decor items.

Of course there are other benefits to signing up for my email list, such as:

  • Exclusive content from greeting cards to scrapbook pages to 3-D items such as gift boxes, bags, different types of gifts.
  • For instance in my last newsletter, I had a detailed supply list and instructions to make a water colour rose using the Rose Wonder stamp set and a St Paddy’s Day Candy Box.
  • Have you ever tried the Faux Metal Patina technique?  This technique was also featured in my latest newsletter.  Of course, there are always detailed instructions to help you recreate this technique.  The card that was featured using this technique showed you a possibility, however, you can use this technique for so many different cards.
  • How about a tip that helps you easily use your Fringe scissors to get a clean cut?

As well as these benefits, I also provide information on Stampin’ Up! promotions so that you don’t miss out on any great deals or events.

My events are posted 3 months out so that you can decide which class you want to attend and plan your time accordingly.

Do it today! Fill in the form on the right hand side of my blog post and you are on your way to getting those crafting techniques and tips which are exclusive to my newsletter.

 

My Favorite Book for Children

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My Favorite Book for Children

Do you have a favorite book for children?  I have several depending upon where or were in my life.  Of course, there was the ever popular Dick and Jane books that we used in Grade 1 to learn how to read.  There wasn’t a lot of emphasis put on learning to read before you went to school.  I remember the various antics of Dick and Jane along with their trusty pets Spot and Puff.

favorite book for childrenWhile this books were read and popular many years ago, they are still relevant to children who are starting to read.

Fast forward to when my children were growing up.  The favorite books for children were the Dr. Seuss collection. Actually Dr. Seuss’ real name was Ted Geisel.  the fist book was written and illustrated in 1938 and the last book to be written and illustrated by him was published in 1990.  This series of books were treasured by my children.

Favorite Book for ChildrenMy son’s favorite book was “Are You My Mother?”  He would bring that one for us to read to him many times.  His Grandma would sit and read this book to him over and over.  Of course she made it fun for him because her voice would change depending on who the bird was talking to. By the time he was 4 he could read this book by himself.

My daughter’s favorite book was “Green Eggs and Ham”.  Again, we read and reread the book many times to her.

This collection of books is excellent for children.  They are loaded with colourful illustrations and the rhyming words make it easy for the new reader.

There is an official interactive Dr. Seuss website where parents, children and educators can go to experience more of Dr. Seuss.  Seussville

Do you have a favorite book from the Dr. Seuss collection?  Leave me a comment and let me know which one it is.