Birthday

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

I hope that everyone is enjoying their long weekend.  Next week, it’s back to school and routine.  Even though the weather can still be beautiful in September, with the shorter days and cooler weather Fall is coming.

I did this Birthday card a while back and as it had to journey to Japan, I didn’t put it on my blog so as not to spoil the surprise.

I wanted to make this a mailable card, so that there wouldn’t be extra postage required.

I just love the framelits that Stampin’ Up! has come out with.  They are so versatile and give that extra added appeal to a card.


Stamps: Beautiful Birthday (w – 125562, p. 44, 2012-2013 AC), Language of Friendship ( c-122752, w-122750, p74, 2012-2013 AC)
Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Basic Grey DSP Neutrals Stack
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive
Accessories: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Emboss Folder, Labels Collections Framelit Stamp-Ma-Jig, Whisper White Organza Ribbon

 

I stamped and punched out an extra wing for the bird and so it makes him (or maybe it’s a her) look like he is flying across the card.

Speaking of birds, it seems that they are getting ready for fall as well.  There certainly a few hanging around in the bushes eating the berries.  It’s a great site to see except when they leave there welcoming sign on my deck.

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


Christmas Heart

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

One of the colour combos that I love at Christmas is red and white. 

When I spotted the Heart of Christmas stamp set in the Holiday Catalogue, this colour combo was top of my mind.

Then to add a bit of texture, I used the Delicate Design Folders below the stamped image.  Finally, I layered the ribbons and basically that is it…CLEAN AND SIMPLE

Stamps: Heart of Christmas (w – 128129, p. 15 2012 Holiday Catalogue
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Delicate Design Folders, Real Red 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon, Organza Ribbon

How easy would this be to recreate and it would even be a mailable card.

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


The Simply Smile Rewards Are Here

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

It’s September 1st and I would like to introduce the Simply Smile Rewards program.

This program rewards my customers for supporting my Stampin’ Up! Business.

Here’s how it works.

  • Effective September 1, 2012
  • All types of order apply – online through my WEBSITE, private parties, workshops, Simply Said Online Stamping Club, Monthly Hostess Club.
  • To qualify, all orders must be placed through Karen Gilbert 
  • Every $35.00 purchase (before shipping and handling) will earn you 1 Simply Smile.  Separate orders may not be combined to reach a Smile.
  • Example: a $34.99 would not qualify for a Smile, however, a $75.01 order would qualify for 2 Smiles.
  • Product orders of $200 qualify for Hostess Rewards from Stampin’ Up!
  • I will maintain your tracking your orders and your Smiles
  • When you earn 10 Smiles, I will contact you to let you know and you will receive a stamp set valued at $35.00
  • All SMILES expire one year from the initial purchase.

Remember when you earn 10 Smiles, I will thank you for your support with a gift of a stamp set to the value of $35.00

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?

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A Christmas Soiree

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

It’s just never too late to start on your Christmas and or Holiday Cards.  Stampin’ Up!’s Holiday Catalogue is just packed full of great products to get you started.  Along with the great products, there are fabulous ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

This card is easy to do and uses the new Snowflake Soiree stamp set along with the Early Espresso Embossing Powder.  There are a number of wheel stamps that coordinate with this set that would add to dimension and interest to your cards.

Stamps: Snowflake Soiree (c – 127925 w – 127922, p. 5 2012 Holiday Catalogue
Paper: Natural White, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Versa Mark, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearl Jewel


Coming September 1, 2012 – Simply Smiles Rewards Program

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Last Couple of Days to Get Your Spooktacular Project Kit

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

 You can now find me easier with less typing.

My New Blog Address is www.simplysaidwithkaren.com

Even if you use the .blogspot.com address, you will be redirected to the new site.

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Yesterday was the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s speech “I had a Dream”. 

 I am sure that most people have heard the speech over the years and it is very compelling.  It helped to shape the future of not only the United States but of the world.

Do you have a dream?  

Maybe it’s to earn some money to help with the upcoming holiday season, maybe it’s to build your crafting supplies, or maybe it’s to meet people and establish relationships.  

If any of these suggestions hit home with you, Stampin’ Up! has an offer for you which ends August 31st at 11:50 pm MT.

The offer is the Spooktacular Project Kit which you can receive FREE when you join the fun and become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  It’s value?   $75.00

Best of all, you get to customize your kit to a maximum of $155 and you only pay $125 and there are no shipping or taxes applied to the kit.

And, conduct your demonstratorship...   MY WAY.  What does that mean?

Well, you determine what is the best way to conduct your business…maybe it is to be a hobbyist, maybe you would like to conduct your business online, maybe it’s classes, clubs, private parties and/or workshops.  It’s up to you.

JOIN THE FUN

Coming September 1 – Simply Happy Rewards Program

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Tuesday Tips and Techniques

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Did you know that tomorrow, August 29th is the anniversary of the release date of the movie Mary Poppins?

Mary was a magical person and and in 1964 entered the Bank’s family by floating down on an umbrella.  Mary was always handing out tips, for example, in the song, “A Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Medicine go Down”.  And remember the “Supercalifrailisicexpidalidocious”?  You just got to love Julie Andrews.

Today’s tip is one for your Big Shot and dies.  The tip makes your life easier and provides less interruption to your crafting time.  Having to measure your die to see what size paper you need so as not to have too much waste can be a pain.

So, hopefully, this week’s tip will free up some of your time. 

As always, EMAIL me if you have any questions.

Coming September 1 – Simply Happy Rewards Program

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Thank you for a Customer

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

One of the things that I like to give to my customers is a Thank You card when they order product.  This is my way of giving back to them for their support in my Stampin’ Up! business.

Besides, it gives me an excuse to be in my craft space.

Here is one of the cards that I have done.

Stamps: Lacy and Lovely (c – 122887 w – 122885, p. 99 2012-2013 AC
Paper: Natural White, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight Subtles DSP
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Emboss Folder, Paper Doily Sizzlits L, Versa Mark, Mixture of White and Iridescent Embossing Powder, Lucky Limeade Scallop Ribbon, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Pearl Jewel

I would love to make one for you.

On a side note, my blog seems to be loading quite slow and I am not sure why.  I am trying various things to speed it up a bit.  Hang in their with me.  Thanks for your patience.

Coming Soon – Simply Smile Rewards Program

SHOP MY STAMPIN’ UP! STORE

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Anniversary Card Series

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

This card is the last in the Anniversary series that I did this week for anniversaries happening over the next couple of weeks.

Stamps: Summer Silhouettes (c – 126447 w – 126445, p. 82, 2012-2013 AC), Affection Collection ( c-127949,  w-127946 p35, 2012-Holiday Catalogue), Netting (w-122655 p127, 2012-2013 AC)
Paper: Natural White, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Baja Breeze
Ink: Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse
Accessories: Big Shot, Delicate Design Folders, Large Scallop Edgelits, Midnight Muse Satin Ribbon

This card is a clean and simple card, and it still makes a statement.  I don’t usually do this style of card but I thought I would give it a try.  For a bit of texture, I used the Netting background stamp and used the Baja Breeze ink on the Baja Breeze card stock.

I have spent a lot of time in the craft space this week, and I am loving it.  Now tomorrow, it’s clean up time. Oh, yeah…fun and games.  Well, at the end of it, I will be able to find things that just seem to disappear in front of me.

Coming Soon – Simply Smiles Rewards Program

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Christmas Decoration

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

If you have the 2012 Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalogue, you have probably noticed the hanging Christmas decoration on the cover.  There are lots of versions of this out there in cyber world.

I thought that I would do my own version and see what happened.  Actually, it turned out very pretty and and I am very pleased.  Rather than the traditional green and red, I decided to use blue, white and silver.

Front

Back

Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes (c – 128051 w – 128048, p. 3, 2012 Holiday Catalogue), Snowflake Soiree (c – 127925, w- 127922, p.5, 2012 Holiday Catalogue)
Paper: Whisper White, Marina Mist DSP Stack
Ink: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelit Dies, Snow Flurry BZ Die, Designer Rosette BZDL Die, Labels Collection Framelits, White Bakers Twine, Crumb Cake Scallop Tulle Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewel, Versa Mark, Silver Emboss Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Silver Glimmer Paper, Tom Bow Glue, 2-way Glue, Hot Glue Gun
Lots of glue and sparkles later, this is how it turned out. I used 2 of the ornaments from the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and it makes the decoration a little different.  
I had to improvise a bit as I didn’t have any white tulle ribbon and I liked the effect of the Scallop Tulle Ribbon in the Holiday Catalogue but it only comes in Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake or Early Espresso.  So, I grabbed a piece of the Crumb Cake and my Marina Mist reinker and went to work dying the ribbon
Let me tell you, I could have been part of the blue man group by the time I was finished.  The ribbon is a bit darker than the ink used to stamp the ornament, and I really like the contrast.
I added the medium snowflake from the Snow Flurry die cut on top of the rosette to give it a little bit more of that chilly jewel look.  
On the back, I cut a piece using the Labels Collection Framelits, so I could stamp a Christmas greeting on the back and sign my name.
You gotta love the new Silicone Craft Sheet  that you can use for gluing projects.  The glue just lifts off the mat and makes putting a rosette together easy peasy.  
Just get the rosette all folded, plop a circle of glue from a hot glue gun, stand the folded rosette in the glue and hold for a few seconds while the glue sets.  Spread the rosette open and attach the two ends.  Perfect every time.  No more having to wish you had a third hand and the rosette popping over or under.

This is just one of the ideas that you can get from Stampin’ Up! catalogues.  It would keep you busy from one year to the next just trying them all out.  While there may not be detailed instructions, Stamping’ Up! does put out a resource list, so you can see what supplies were used in the projects.

You can see them on MY WEBSITE

A catalogue will help with your creativity.  EMAIL me to get yours.

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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My Digital Studio 31% Sale Continues

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Stampin’ Up! is extending the My Digital Studio 31% Sale until September 14th.

This gives you time to get to work on your digital scrapbooking for a couple of more weeks….YEH!

The My Digital Studio software continues to evolve and the new features that they released August 1st are awesome!

Some of the new features include:

6. SUGGESTED COLOR COMBOS: See expertly coordinated color combo ideas in the Color Palette
7. DESIGN IN SPREADS: Design on two pages, side-by-side
9. CUSTOM CANVAS SIZE: Create a project in any size up to 24″ x 24″
10. CROP STAMPS: Show off part of the stamp image and hide the rest
11. CROP EMBELLISHMENTS: Show off part of the embellishment and hide the rest
12. BRUSH TOOL: Create freehand art with different brush sizes and shapes—perfect for line art
13. LINE TOOL: Insert and manipulate lines with curves and custom paths
14. ERASER TOOL: Easily erase freehand brushes
16. GLOBAL SEARCH: Simultaneously search for all content types
17. FILL PUNCH WITH PHOTO: Easily add a photo to any punch shape
18. FILL PUNCH WITH CARD STOCK: Add card stock (and textured card stock) to punches
22. CHANGE PUNCH SHAPE: Change punch to another punch shape and maintain filled pattern
28. PROJECT SIZE CONVERSION: Easily change any project to a different size
29. RECOLOR EMBELLISHMENTS: Monochromatically change the color of an embellishment
30. RECOLOR DESIGNER SERIES PAPER: Monochromatically change the color of layered Designer Series Paper

For more features (there are 75), go to My Digital Studio website. 
You will be required to log into the site and there is tons of information and ideas for you to look at

Also,  the 30 day FREE trial is on-going.   Stampin’ Up! website

I, for one, am very happy that this sale is continuing.  It’s called procrastinating!  I have been working on my Photo book of the Japan trip and not spending a whole lot of time on it.  Now that I have 2 extra weeks, I am making a concerted effort to get it finished.  

I will receive the 31% savings on the printing of the Photo book.

Here are a couple of pages that I have completed…using some of the new features-  

Give MDS a try, you won’t be disappointed.
 

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Anniversary Card for You

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

How is it that summer can be so short…Here we are with only a little more than a week left in August .  I know that summer extends into September, but I always find that once school goes back in, the summer activities along with the lazy days are gone.

So I will be spending some time with my grandchildren today so that Mom can go into the school and start getting her room ready to welcome all those excited children on the 1st day of school.

I remember how excited I used to be on the first day…it’s about getting to see who your new teacher will be, playing with your friends on the playground and oh yes, the new clothes.

I am starting to reminisce and that was not the point of my post today…it was about an Anniversary card. 

Here is the 2nd card in a series of 3 and like I said in my previous post, the jury is still out on which couple will get which card.

For this card, I stamped the image 4 times in different coloured ink and then fussy cut certain segments of the card.  This cutting takes some time but it’s worthwhile as the card now has dimension and depth.

Stamps: World Treasures (c – 126767 w – 126765, p. 98, 2012-2013 AC), Teeny Tiny Wishes ( c-127802,  w-115370 p133, 2012-2013 AC)
Paper: Natural White, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, International Bazaar DSP
Ink: Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Fan Folder Emboss Folder, Rhinestone Jewels, Pacific Point1/4” Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

And what peacock would not be complete without the jewels attached to her feathers.

Leave me a comment  and let me know what you would do with this peacock. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Tuesday Tips and Techniques – Stamp Organization

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Craft room organization is just about the hardest thing to do.  Just when we think we get a system that will work, we find that sometimes what we thought was the best system in the world doesn’t quite work.

I don’t know how many times I have tried different systems but I am sure that I will need to do another one somewhere down the road.

Well, it’s time for Tuesday Tips and Techniques and I have Part 1 for you this week.  I hope that it helps you with your stamp organization.

In this video, I take you through the steps of condensing 2 parts of a stamp set into 1 and having storage for your matching die cuts.

I also have a tip for you that will help those stamps stay on your clear mount blocks.

Give these ideas a try and I hope that you have success.  Next week, I have Part 2 which will be a “How To” for your Big Shot Die Cuts.

See you then.

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live Canada and don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Anniversary and a Fashionista

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

What does an Anniversary have to do with a Fashionista.  Well, actually nothing. 

I just had to share this picture of my granddaughter, who at the age of 5 is rapidly becoming the fashion guru of the family.  This is a hoot!

She showed up yesterday with this scarf wrapped around her neck even though it was 30 degrees C.  I asked her about the scarf and where did she get the idea to wear a scarf wrapped and tied around her neck.  The answer….Rachel Rae…what a hoot…

Ok now the Anniversary.

There are 3 Anniversaries within the next month and I did 3 cards and I am not sure who is getting which one so its 1, 2 and 3.

However, I am only posting 1 today and the next 2 will come later.

Stamps: Papillion Potpourri (c – 123759, w – 123757, p. 115, 2012-2013 AC), Memorable Moments ( c-126682, w-126680 p139, 2012-2013 AC)
Paper: Natural White, Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Floral District DSP
Ink: Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry, Raspberry Ripple, Island Indigo, Primrose Petals
Accessories: Elegant Butterfly Punch, 1” Square Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, Midnight Muse Satin Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Daffodil Marker, Island Indigo Marker, Stamp-a-Majig, Versamark, Black Embossing Powder

The butterflies were first stamped with Versamark and then embossed using the Black Embossing Powder.  I then sponged on the main colours and used the Daffodil Delight Marker to colour around the center and the Island Indigo marker to colour the body.
I got this idea from from a card swap at Convention.  Right now, I cannot find the card…so, when I do, I will update you on who this idea came from.  I believe her name was Sue.
 

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live in an area of Canada where you don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Angry Bird Birthday Card

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

One of the type of cards I love to create are punch cards.  To me they are like a jig saw puzzle and you have to figure what punch will give you the image or scene you are trying to create.  Sometimes you could be so lucky as to find someone on line that has done all the work for you. Thanks Niki and Michelle.

Right now, Angry Birds seems to be a phenomena with both the younger crowd and the not so young crowd.  One of my grandsons loves Angry Birds and he can sure make them fly through the air and end up where he wants them to go.  His Nan, on the other hand, has difficulty making them go anywhere.  Do you think maybe it’s the hand/eye coordination that’s a little off?

Here’s the Birthday card I created for Cody and I had so much fun doing it.

Stamps: On Your Birthday (retired)
Paper: Natural White, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, More Mustard, Calypso Coral
Ink: Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue,
Accessories: Punches: Full Heart, Boho Blossom, Owl Builder, Heart to Heart (retired), 1-3/4” Circle, 5-Petal Flower (retired), Butterfly (retired), Word Window, White Gel Pen, Brad, Big Shot, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Dies (retired), Wordgrain Emboss Folder, Early Espresso Bakers Twine
I just love the expressions on their faces and this is accomplished simply by where you place the punched images.  
The hardest part of this card was getting the Bakers Twine to wrap around the sling shot.  
Check out the Stampin’ Up! punches as I am sure that you will find one that appeals to you.  A Punch has so many different lives.

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live in an area of Canada where you don’t have access to a stamping club?


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Happy Birthday

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Today I have a different style of Birthday card for you.

This one uses the Simply Score Tool with the diagonal plate.  I made an envelope first and then decorated the inside.  You probably can’t put this one in the mail though unless you used an larger envelope.

I got the idea from Melva Peters from a card she did for a swap at convention.  I just thought it was really neat and want to share it with you.

Inside
Front

Back
Stamps: Bright Blossoms (c – 125497, w – 125495, p. 82, 2012-2013 AC), World Treasures ( c-126767, w-126765, p98, 2012-2013 AC)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Summer Smooches DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Designer Frames Emboss Folder,  Clear Faceted Button, Rhinestone,(coloured with permanent marker), Daffodil Delight and Lucky Limeade markers, Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Daffodil Delight1/4” Grosgrain Ribbon, White Bakers Twine, 1/2” Circle punch, Itty Bitty Punch set, Lucky Limeade 1/8” Ribbon (discontinued), Simply Score Tool, Simply Score Diagonal Tool

I added a scrunched flower to the front of the card using the Blossom Punch, Daffodil Delight and Lucky Limeade.  These flowers are so easy to make and they make a nice addition to a card or a package.  I made the leaves using the Lucky Limeade ribbon from Sale-a-Bration and made two loops and then adhered them to the back of the flower.
The closure is attached at the back and looped with Baker’s Twine.
The size of the card is 4-3/8 x 5-3/4 the same size as an envelope to fit a 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ A2 card
I hope that you will try this fun fold card.
 

Is your paper crafting wish list bigger than your bank account?
Do you live in an area of Canada where you don’t have access to a stamping club?


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