Thank You Cards

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Hi Everyone:  I have done a couple of Thank You cards over the past couple of weeks and thought I would share one with you.

I just got home from having brunch with 3 of my close friends.  Sometimes there are months in between us getting together, so before Christmas we decided that we would meet every 1 – 2 months and we would take turns arranging something and it could be anything that would involve the 4 of us.  Next time it’s my turn to think of something for all of us.

With the cold weather we are now having, I thought I would like to do something Springy…I know it’s pushing it a bit with below freezing temperatures (the sun is shining so that is a good thing).  Plus I wanted to show case some of the new products from the Occasions Mini catalogue.

This card uses the Build a Blossom stamp and the matching punch.  This stamp and punch will be versatile as you could use together or separately.

Stamps: Build A Blossom (w-121923 – $31.95, c-121994 – $22.95, p 12 Occasions Mini)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Springtime Vintage DSP
Ink: So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Versa-mark, Blossom Petals Punch (new), 1” Circle punch, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, Neutral Glimmer Brad, Clear Embossing Powder, Champagne Shimmer Paint.

The middle of the flower was stamped with versa-mark and then embossed with the clear embossing powder.  The entire flower was sponged with the Champagne Shimmer paint to give it a bit of a glow.
 
The DSP was cut so that it fit inside the tulip embossing so that it appears to be framed.
 
Now, I am off to create a couple of more cards, so until next time…
 
Karen

The Occasion Mini is Here

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Hi Everyone:  Well the Occasion Mini is finally here for your enjoyment.  Check out all the new products from new stamps, designer series paper, embellishments, toys for the Big Shot.  Contact me HERE if you wish to have the hot new catalogue in your hand or if you can’t wait down load the PDF by clicking on the Occasion Mini picture on the left hand side of my blog. 

I am  booking workshops using products from the Occasion Mini, where as a Hostess you can earn free merchandise from orders of $200 or greater (shipping and taxes not included).  Why not have a “Girls Night Out” with your friends. 

The card I am sharing today is created using products from the Occasions Mini.  I hope it wets your appetite a  wee bit.

Cup cakes are favourites of so many  and simply spectacular for birthdays.  This card uses the new Create a Cupcake stamp and the new Build a Cupcake punch.  Use both together or separately. Have fun – sprinkles or now sprinkles, glitter or no glitter.  Great for use in scrap booking as well.

Stamps: Create a Cupcake (w-121915 $27.95, c-121982 $19.95, Occasions Mini Catalogue p 22 )
Paper: Pacific Point, More Mustard, Shimmer White, Sahara Sand, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White Textured, Real Red, Celebrations DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Accessories: Build a Cupcake punch, Scallop Edge punch, Corner Punch, Oval punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Whisper White Taffeta ribbon.

Check back in a couple of days to see another card made with products from the Occasions Mini.

Until next time…

Karen

Happy New Year and A Sneak Peek

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Hi Everyone:  I am a bit late with the “Happy New Year” …  Yesterday it was putting Christmas away, although a bit late, usually like to get it done before New Year’s Eve.  This year, I had two little ones sleep over so it was Nan’s time to enjoy them and the decorations could wait.


The new Occasions Mini will be available to the general public on Jan 4th.  Have one more item from the Holiday Mini you want to order?  Shop on line with me.


I Have a sneak peek for you today for the new Occasions Mini, and it uses the new the new designer series paper, Springtime Vintage (spring and vintage in the same title, what could be better).  This card also uses the Greeting Card Kids, another favorite of mine.

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids (w-119887 ($25.95), c-120633 ($19.95) p36 IB&C)

Paper: Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Watercolour, Springtime Vintage DSP
Ink: Basic Black Craft ink
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, Rose Red Seam Binding, various Markers, Vintage Flower Adornments


The new seam binding ribbon is fabulous to use and very easy to manipulate for bow tieing, and don’t you just love the Vintage Flower adornments?

Well, that’s it for today and until next time…

Karen

Surprise Award

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Hi Everyone:  Image my surprise when reading my comments that I had been awarded a prize.  I was absolutely thrilled to have received the “Stylish Blog Award” from Diane at Rubber ‘n Rafters.

As part of accepting this award, you need to

  1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award. Thank you Diane
  2. Share 8 things about yourself
  3. Pass it on to 8 bloggers
  4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award

 8 Things About Myself
  1. I am a Certified Accountant working for the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and currently the Project Manager for the Finance area.
  2. I have a 2 married children and  3 wonderful grandchildren.
  3. My entire family lives in Kamloops for which I am grateful and healthy parents who are 86 years young.
  4. I have a wonderful man in my life who is very thoughtful and spoils me like crazy. I am so fortunate.
  5. I have a wonderful and close group of friends who are very supportive.  Three of us have been friends for over 40 years.
  6. I started scrap booking about 10 years ago and card making and stamping became a passion about 2 years ago
  7. I became a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in May 2010 and really enjoy being attached to a wonderful company who believes in its people. My upline, Elaine, shares and inspires her team to great things.
  8.  I am planning to retire in 2011 and to celebrate, a cruise through the Panama Canal.

I would like to pass this award to:
Mickey
Sandi
Mary
Gretchen
Julie
Lynn
Monica
Elaine

Now, I am off to let them know that they are the recipient of the “Stylish Blog” award.

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone and until next time…

Karen

Merry Christmas

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Merry Christmas and I hope everyone had a great day with family and friends.  Our family has Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and this year 14 sat down for dinner.  Dinner this year was at my son’s house and as my DDL comes from Washington State we had her traditional Christmas ham for dinner.  We all contribute to the meal by bringing the additional dishes so that it is not a burden on one family.  So it was traditional ham, with the ham sauce family recipe, scalloped potatoes (now I have to clean my oven as they baked all over it), sweet potatoes, marshmallow salad, shrimp cocktail (both dishes we can’t do without for Christmas dinner) and trifle.  YUMMY!  It was a nice evening filled with laughter and listening to the little ones having a marvelous time. 

One of our traditions is that the little ones get new jammies on Christmas Eve.  My parents started this when my children were little and I have carried on the tradition with my grandchildren.

Here is a picture under the Christmas tree in their new jammies.

Buzz Lightyear, Princesses and Thomas, the Train

The card I am sharing tonight is the last Christmas card that I made this year.  It is a hybrid card, using MDS (My Digital Software), Stampin’ Up!’s photo software.  I really liked the Welcome Christmas stamp, so decided to try this method as I didn’t have the actual stamp but had purchased the download.

A Stampin’ Up! demonstrator that I have discovered this year and truly admire her work is Ann Schach at The Stampin’ Schach.  Her style is vintage and the cards that Ann produces are exquisite.  Ann also has a number of tutorials on her site, one which is to tie a bow and I have found that so useful, although I have to watch the tutorial every time I want to tie a bow because I can’t remember if it over or under the loop.  Oh well, some day I will get it in my head.  Ann is also a designer at the Pals Paper Art and I used the sketch this week as my inspiration for my card

Stamps: Welcome Christmas (MDS), Teeny Tiny Wishes (w-115370 – $45.95 p 157 IB&C), Sleigh Bells Ring (retired)
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Shimmer White, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Sponges, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way Glue

To get the shadow image, the stamp was rotated and reversed and the opacity was set at about 20 and the image printed on Shimmer White card stock.

The hills were masked and the trees from the Sleigh Bells Ring stamped above the hills with Crumb Cake ink and the area sponged using a Sponge dabber and Crumb Cake ink.

2-way Glue was applied to the crest of the hills and Dazzling Diamonds applied.

All layers on the card were sponged using Crumb Cake ink and a sponge.

 
Stampin’ Up! is having a Valentine’s promotion, FILLED WITH LOVE. When you purchase the Filled with Love bundle , you will receive Free, the Itty Bitty Buttons set – value – $6.50 IB&C p 186.

This promotion is available from December 17, 2010 through to January 24, 2011. Click Here to be taken right to my store.

That’s it for my Christmas Day post and until next time…

Karen

Christmas Eve Day

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Hi Everyone and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.  It’s such a magical time of the year and the one magical thing that will be missing this year is SNOW.  Although we have had our share of the snow and the cold, it looks like we will have a “brown” Christmas as the temperature are to warm up considerably.  Oh well, it will be good for those who are travelling.

I have one more Christmas card to share with you.  This is Lloyd’s Christmas card.  Cards for guys are so hard, so I reverted to my old faithful, the Loads of Love Stamp.

Stamps: Loads of Love (w-115022 $29.95, p 73 IB&C)
Paper: Going Grey, Real Red, Celebrations DSP, Watercolour
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black Craft
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Versamark, Glimmer Brads, various Markers, Aqua Painter, Oval XL punch, Oval Large punch, Paper Piercing tool, Mat Pack, Stamp-a-ma-jig

If you wish to purchase any of these supplies, contact me or visit my Stampin’ Up! Store.
 
 
Stampin’ Up! is having a Valentine’s promotion, FILLED WITH LOVE. When you purchase the Filled with Love bundle , you will receive Free, the Itty Bitty Buttons set – value – $6.50 IB&C p 186.

This promotion is available from December 17, 2010 through to January 24, 2011.  Click Here to be taken right to my store.

So wishing you a very Merry Christmas and until next time….

Karen

A Week Today and It’s Over

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Hi Everyone:  How many of us are still rushing around trying to get that last present bought and wrapped, the last minute baking and of course, then there is Christmas Dinner and all the preparation and cooking that goes into that.  But, you know, the best parts are the family and friends that you are in touch with and remembering why we celebrate Christmas.  My best part is all the activities that go on before the big day.  What’s your best part?

The card for today is Sarah’s birthday card and it just had to be done in purple and pink, because, and I quote, “those are my favourite colours, you know”!

Oh to be 4 and flipping around in my Disney Princesses and Fairies dress up. 

Stamps: Beary Best Friends (w-118052 $22.95, p 85 IB&C)
Paper: Concord Grape, Pretty in Pink, Watercolour, Subtle DSP
Ink: Craft Black
Accessories: Various Markers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 13/4” Circle Punch, Treat Cups, Pretty in Pink 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon, Cricut, George’s Letters and Shapes

So that is it for today and until next time…
 
Karen

Birthdays

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Hi Everyone:  Even during the month of December, we have birthdays.  This weekend, it starts with my granddaughter followed by 3 more during next week.  I thought I would share some of the cards that I have made over the past while for those birthdays.  I still have a couple more to finish up, but they are later in the month and I want to make some Christmas tags to put on the parcels.  So much stamping, so little time!!!

First, though, I want to share my second Christmas stocking that I did this year. 

Now, on to the card.  This one is for my niece whose birthday is Dec 23.  I want to give credit to Lisa Young for this inspiration.  I loved the gentleness of this card and it makes an ideal winter birthday card.

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree (w-115026 $33.95, p 114 IB&C), Forest Friends (w-113748 – $17.95 p 93 IB&C), Word Play (w-120308 – $51.95, c-120651 – $35.95 p 147 IB&C)

Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Soft Suede
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 2-way glue

The hills were created using the masking technique and sponged upwards from the mask using a sponge dabber and Crumb Cake ink.

The trees were placed using the Stamp –a-ma-jig. To make the snow appear to glisten, 2-way glue was applied to the top of the hills and Dazzling Diamonds applied over top the glue.

The Crumb Cake and Whisper White CS were sponged along the outside using Soft Suede ink.

That’s my post for today, enjoy your weekend and until next time…
 
Karen

A Christmas Stocking

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Hi Everyone:  One of my passions is cross-stitching and I have been doing it for over 30 years.  I find it very relaxing.  Everyday, I get in at least 30 minutes before I head off to work and even with that small bit of time have created some wonderful pictures.  Over the past several years I have been making Christmas Stockings for my family and this year I did 2, one for Lloyd’s grand daughter and one for his great nephew.  These 2 I have been working on since last December.  It takes a fair bit of time to do and I enjoy watching the scenes unfold.  So here it is. I will share the other one on my next post.


The card I am sharing today is for The Paper Players Challenge.  The challenge was to make and share a Christmas project. 
I was attempting to reproduce a technique that Sandi Maciver posted in Papers and Pixels, an on line crafting magazine.  If you have never checked this e-mag out, do so.  They have great ideas to share and download.
The technique is to use embossing powder to paint your pictures.  Three times I attempted to reproduce this technique and then gave up, put the 3 embossing powder left overs together and embossed using the 3 mixed together.  So this technique turned out to be my own science experiment and it turned out OK.

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree (w-115026 $33.95, p 114 IB&C), Teeny Tiny Wishes (w-115370 – $45.95 p 157 IB&C)

Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso Craft ink
Accessories: Black, Gold, Iridescent and Clear embossing powder, Glimmer Brads (neutral), Word Window punch, Embossing Ink

A mixture of black, gold and iridescent embossing powder was used for the background trees.
I hope you enjoy and until next time…
Karen

Only 23 Days Til Christmas Eve

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Hi Everyone:  It’s December 1st today and only 23 left until Christmas Eve.  It’s hard to believe that a whole year has almost past.  Where does the time go?  I guess I have used some of that time wisely as my Christmas shopping is done, some baking finished, the decorating will happen this weekend and sometime over the next couple of weeks, I will be wrapping up all those parcels.

I have also been working on Christmas cards and I did a collage of some rather than posting each one individually.  Hope you enjoy.

Stamps: French Foliage(C-121166 – $17.95, W-120845 – $24.95 P 14 Holiday Mini), A Cute Christmas (c-121133-$22.95, w-120825-$31.95), Jolly Old Saint Nick (c-121321 -$21.95, w-121711-$30.95) Many Merry Messages (w-116586-$42.95), Teeny Tiny Wishes (w-115370-$45.95)

Paper: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Garden Green, Real Red, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Candy Cane Christmas DSP

Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White craft ink, Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Garden Green

Accessories: Big Shot, Northern Frost Decorative Strip, Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Scallop Circle #2 BigZ Die, Gold Waffle Paper, Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Pearls, Rhinestones, Clear Embossing Powder ,Crop-a-Dial, Various Markers , Dazzling Diamonds, Word Window punch, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Trim, Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Oval XL and Oval L punches, Glimmer Brad, White Gel Pen, Versamark

The list of Stampin’ Up! products that I used is long so likely missed some.
 
A few highlights
 
The scallops on the scallop circle was punched using the Crop-a Dial ( ideal came from Sandy MacIver who is always rich is great ideas), the gold waffle paper was embossed using the Northern Flurry Embossing Folder
 
The poinsettia was stamped using a leaf from the French Foliage set with Rose Red ink on Blushing Bride cs, versamark stamped over all the leaves and finally embossed with clear embossing powder, cut out and attached to a circle of cs.  The leaves were done the same way except they were stamped with Garden Green ink on Garden Green cs (idea from Gretchen Baron).  Actually this card was done for The Paper Players’ challenge and it didn’t quite make it there.
 
The parcels on the parcel card were paper pieced (idea from Mary Fish at Stamping Pretty)

Have a great evening and until next time…

Karen

It has Warmed Up

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Hi Everyone:  We are finally out of the deep freeze, however, with the warming weather, we now have snow.  So, it’s now time to get out the shovel. 

If you had turkey yesterday, I hope that you enjoyed it and are now prepared to face the crowds for the “Black Friday” shopping day.  Good luck if you decide to venture out.

My card today is for The Paper Player challenge #25.  You can see the challenge HERE.  The design team is very talented and the cards displayed are awesome.

This is the first of many birthday cards for the month of December.  I have at least 7 to make, so will likely be sharing some if not all along the way.

The first one is for my Mom who will be a young 86 and still has a zest for life.  She is participating in carpet bowling and the Wii bowling game at the complex in which she lives.  GO MOM!!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral (w-113734 $29.95 IBC p 122, Teeny Tiny Wishes (w-114968 $46.95 IBC P 157)

Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Sunny Garden DSP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Big Shot, Swirls Scribbles Sizzlit Die, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Poppy Parade ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, Word Window punch, Modern Label Punch

The lilies are sponged with Pumpkin Pie ink to provide dimension and dazzling diamonds added to the stamens. The Poppy Parade ribbon was gathered by using a needle and thread and attached to the card with sticky tape.

Enjoy the rest of your day and until next time…

Karen

The Stampin’ Up! on-line Spectacular is HERE!!

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Hi Everyone:  First of all, let me say that is still cold, very cold and getting colder. I so wish I could be wearing shorts like some of my blogging friends.  Thank you to those that feel sorry for me because right now I’m feeling sorry for myself.

But guess what! Stampin’ Up! has an amazing on-line spectacular for you – that should brings smiles to the frozen faces of some of us hee, hee.

Have you ever thought of My Digital Studio for scrap booking and card making and others items, like brochures, business cards, etc?  During this promotion, MDS is 50% off the the regular price.  That’s right, you pay only $ 53.48 (does not include shipping and handling) instead of $ 106.95 (does not include shipping and handling)

Some things that you should know:

Products during this event can be ordered on-line only.  SHOP HERE. 

There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the discounted products promotion.

For product bundles, you must use the bundle item numbers provided. Bundle discounts will not be applied if individual item numbers are used.

Additional products from current catalogues may be purchased on the same order.

Discounts range between 20 and 50 percent.

Free Shipping

In order to receive free shipping, orders must be $200 or more before tax and shipping.

Free shipping is available for  online orders only . Other order types will not qualify for this promotional offer.

All $200 online orders qualify for free shipping; merchandise does not need to be specifically Online Spectacular items.

Information on all discounted products is HERE

Contact me for additional information

We’re in a Deep Freeze

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Hi Everyone:  The temperature keeps dropping and it’s even supposed to get colder tomorrow.  BRR!.  It’s supposed to go to -20 C or 0 F.  I guess the only thing is to bundle up.

The card today is for the Tangled Up In Creativity final challenge of the year.  It is hosted by Jenn and it’s “Gobble til we Wobble” .  Check out her BLOG.

Stamps: French Foliage(C-121166 – $17.95, W-120845 – $24.95 P 14 Holiday Mini),

Paper: Cajun Craze, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso Textured, Sunny Garden DSP
Ink: Cajun Craze, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive. Soft Suede
Accessories: XL Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Corner Rounding Punch, Big Shot, Lattice Embossing Folder,2-Step Owl XL Punch

Very Vanilla CS stamped with French Foliage and run through the Big Shot with the Lattice Embossing folder to provide some texture.


The scallop ovals are clipped using the SU Paper Snips and sponged with Soft Suede ink.


The sentiment is printed on the computer on Very Vanilla CS and punched using the XL Decorative Label punch.

Check back tomorrow – Stampin Up has an awesome on-line promotion that will start.
 
Have a great evening and until next time…
 
Karen

Let It Snow

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Hi All:  Well, we had our first snowfall on the hills and not on the valley floor where I live.  It is pretty to see the fresh fallen snow and I wished it would stay in the hills but that is not likely to happen.  In fact, Sun Peaks, our major ski resort is due to open this weekend.  I know my grandson is excited as he loves to ski.  Even his sister is going to learn this year.  I guess it’s better to learn when you don’t have so far to fall.  I am one of those clutsy athletes and you can visualize me skiing with my face planted firmly in the snow, or falling off the ski lift.

Today, I am posting a card that I have done for the Paper Players.  You can check out their challenge HERE  This weeks it a colour challenge using Cherry Cobbler, Aways Artichoke and a Neutral and I chose Very Vanilla.

PP24

Stamps: Tags til Christmas (C-121169 – $27.95, W-120847 – $37.95 P 24 Holiday Mini),
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: XL Decorative Label Punch, Chantilly Crochet Trim, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Glue Dots


Enjoy your evening and until next time….
 
Karen

Art is in the Eye of the Beholder

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Hi Everyone:  The French Foliage stamp set is so versatile.  You can use the entire stamp set or use parts of the stamp set with other stamp sets.  I want to try combining this set with the Artistic Etchings stamp set.  Maybe it’s the name, or I like to think of it as the emotion that it conjures up, that these two sets somehow go together…maybe I’m out to lunch.  It’s probably whatever appeals to the eye…after all, art is in the eye of the beholder.

Anyway I digress, so back to the card of the day.  This is a card for Lloyd’s BIL who is celebrating his birthday this month.

Stamps: French Foliage (C-121166 – $17.95, W-120845 – $24.95 P 14 Holiday Mini), After Thoughts (Level 1 Hostess Gift)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Crumb Cakes, Always Artichoke, Glossy White
Ink: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Linen Thread
Smooch Technique used on the glossy white CS – dab Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Always Artichoke inks on a heavy plastic (I used the top lid of a wood stamp container)using a dabber and swoosh the ink around to blend. Take the glossy card stock and slide it across the smooched ink. You can cover as much or as little of the glossy card stock that you wish.

I would like to give credit to Rochelle Gould who inspired this card.

So I am off to start getting ready for two of the grandchildren who will be spending the night with Nan and they want to make crafts…just like Mommy or as Sarah calls her Mama. 

Everyone have a great day and until next time…

Karen