Add wooden embellishments to your greeting cards to create interest and texture.  The wood elements , part of the Sale-a-Bration rewards, adds the touch of surprise to this card.  Unfortunately, the Butterfly Elements proved to be a popular item and they have sold out.  Don’t be discouraged though, Stampin’ Up! has a selection of wood elements on pages 199 of the 2018/19 Annual Catalogue. These are the Frames Elements (146906) and the Tropical Elements (146919). Click on the item numbers to view the items in my ONLINE STORE.

Recipe for Greeting Card

Stamp Sets: Beauty Abounds.

Ink: Poppy Parade.

Paper: Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Crushed Curry.

Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Layering Oval Framelits, Butterfly Wooden Elements, Old Olive Linen Thread, Blends: Poppy Parade Dark, Daffodil Delight Dark, Old Olive Dark, Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins.

A Few Details To Recreate This Greeting Card

• With Poppy Parade Ink, randomly stamp the flourish stamp from the Beauty Abounds stamp set.  This technique creates a subtle but noticeable background.
• With the scallop oval die from the Layering Ovals Framelits, cut an oval from Crushed Curry cardstock.  Stamp the sentiment on Whisper White cardstock with Poppy Parade ink.  Die cut an oval from the Layering Ovals Framelits.  Use a size that is smaller than the oval cut from the Crushed Curry cardstock. By doing this step, you will create a frame for the sentiment.
• Before attaching the oval to the Poppy Parade card stock, wrap a piece of the Old Olive Linen Thread around the layer 2x’s and tie a bow. Attach the two ovals and add to Poppy Parade layer with Dimensionals.
• Now it’s time to add the card candy. Color 3 largest flowers with Poppy Parade Blends, color the smaller flowers with Daffodil Delight Blends and the leaves with Old Olive Blends.  A word of caution though.  Because the tips of the Blends are fragile and you don’t want to damage the tips, so, color the wood elements using a light touch.
• Position the flowers and the leaves on the oval and attach with Glue Dots.  Once the flowers are attached, add the Adhesive-backed Sequins to decorate your card.

Experiment and add wooden embellishments to your cards .  For more inspiration, check out THIS POST.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you use your embellishments.

The post Do You Add Wooden Embellishments to Your Greeting Cards? appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Stampin Convention 2018 is over.  And, what a great convention it was!

It was a blast with all the stamping and laughs along with lots of stamping.  Yes, the Stampin’ Up! staff stamped and showed various techniques, regular demonstrators also showed off their talents for stamping and techniques.

Stamper Types

Stampin’ Up! has identified 3 types of stampers.  Which one are you?

• Beginner Stamper 

  • has no or very little stamping knowledge, no supplies and don’t want to put a lot of money into the supplies.  So, we start with the basics.  Perhaps, just some cardstock, stamp and ink and maybe some embellishments.
  • Here is an example of a simple card. The card uses Note Cards & Envelopes.  2 butterflies and a sentiment are stamped.  The 3rd butterfly comes from a Sale-A-Bration item which will be available starting January 3, 2019.  This card is an example of #simplystamping, and is just right for beginners.

• Casual Stamper

  • stamps periodically, for example for a specific event, ie birthday, has little time to stamp, has some supplies.  So for this type of stamper, we can put a few more elements on a card.
  • This card sample uses  same stamp set above.  As a casual stamper, you know the basics.  The butterflies are colored with Watercolor Pencils and have some background elements such as ink to paper.  for this technique you drag the ink pad across your cardstock.  Still easy but elegant.

  • The Avid Stamper

    The Avid Stamper stamp 2-3 times per week if not everyday. They love techniques and yes, they have to have it all.

  • Avid stampers like to create more detailed and intricate projects. This  3-D project and sample will get their crafting juices flowing.  The project uses the Mini Pizza Boxes, with a featured covering on the lit.  Did you notice, the new Gingham Galla 6″ x 6″ designer series paper stack?  Along with the designer paper on the lid, as small tag is created using the Butterfly Gala Stamp set.  THe demonstrator stamped the butterfly, added one of the Butterfly Elements, tied some ribbon around the box and tied the tag to the ribbon with Baker’s Twine.

So which stamper are you?  Beginner, Casual or Avid. Leave me a comment to let me know which one you are.  I offer classes for all types of crafters and I would love to teach you to love and to continue to love stamping.

So that wraps up the Stampin 2018 Convention.

If you would like to learn, grow your paper crafting techniques or need it all, contact me at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

The post Stampin Convention 2018 Is In The Bag—Well Over appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

There is a summer treat new release coming to you starting August 1st and as a Stampin’ Up! demo, I get to order early.  It’s so that I can play with the stamp set and the matching framelits. The Color Your Seasons stamp is all about coloring.

And, there is another new product that accompanies the debut of this suite…the new Watercolor Pencils – which may be available as a future catalogue product.  The colours included are: Balmy Blue, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Night of Navy.

Purchase the stamp set and the framelits separately or as a bundle.  Remember you save 10% when you purchase the bundle.  The Watercolor Pencils are a separate item, so you can purchase them without purchasing the stamp set or the bundle.

Recipe

Stamps: Blended Seasons…

Inks: Poppy Parade, Granite Gray, Memento Tuxedo Black.

Paper: Poppy Parade, Granite Gray, Whisper White, Pineapple Punch, Soft Seafoam.

Accessories: Big Shot DIe Cutting Machine, Stitched Season Framelits, Rhinestone Jewel, Poppy Parade 1/4″ Mini Striped Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends: Poppy Parade Combo, Soft Seafoam Combo, Pumpkin Combo, Old Olive Combo. .

Ok, I forgot to order the Watercolor Pencils when I placed the order.  Oh well!  Actually, my favorite coloring medium at this point in my life, are the Stampin’ Blends, so I was content to use them.

The stamp set comes in Clear Mount or Wood Mount.

Along with good news, sometimes not so good news comes with it.  The stamp set and matching framelits are only available while supplies last or August 31st.  Whichever comes first.

Details

• Randomly stamp the leaves in Gray Granite ink on the Gray Granite panel.
• Stamp the flowers on Whisper White cardstock and color with your choice of coloring medium: Markers, Inks and Aqua Brush, Watercolor Pencils or the Blends.
• Die cut the panel with the middle label die cut.  Notice the decorative stitched edge.  In addition to the decorative edge on your image, you will also get a decorative edge on your negative cardstock piece.  You can use it on another card if you choose.
• Use the Pineapple Punch cardstock to die cut the flowers and the Soft Seafoam cardstock to die cut the leaves.
• Finally, place a piece of Poppy Parade 1/4″ Mini Striped Ribbon around the Gray Granite panel and tie a faux bow, and stamp sentiment on the Gray Granite.

Have fun with this summer treat new release coming August 1st, 2018.

Click on the link to download the info for this special stamp set, die cut and watercolor pencils.

Link

The post Summer Treat New Release Color Your Seasons appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Create cards. scrapbook pages easier with detailed project instructions.  Find the detailed instructions in the Simply Said with Karen Monthly Newsletter.

How often do you find yourself without Mojo, or would like to try a new technique, or create a scrap page with a different layout?  You will find this and much more in the newsletter.

• If it’s a technique you want to try, there are step-by-step instructions to follow. To make the instructions easier, there are pictures outlining each process. You know the saying “A picture speaks a thousand words”.  Create projects using the technique over and over.  Try the techniques using different stamp sets, paper, and inks. Just add the technique to a notebook or  file.
• How often have you purchased a new stamp set and then couldn’t decide what to create, what papers, colours, embellishments, etc. to use on the card. Find suggestions to get your MOJO going.   Included in the instructions are:
  • a picture of the finished project.
  • all the supplies (cardstock, ink, embellishments and/or tools) you will require to complete the projects.
  • cutting measurements for all papers and embellishments such as ribbon, twine.
  • and any other materials  required to complete the project.
• Detailed instructions include:
  • which cardstock, stamp and colored to stamp with.
  • how to put the layers together
  • which framelits and/or thinlits to use to die cut various images.
  • where to position the embellishments and/or ribbons.

How to Sign Up

Scroll to the top of this post and look on the right hand side for the sign up form.  Type in your “Name” and “Email Address” and click the “Submit” button.  It’s that easy.

The next step will take you to a Thank You page where you will find a link to a Video Tutorial that shows you how to create a card using a variety of techniques.

Later, you will receive a survey asking you to provide information on any issues that you have with creating projects.  I ask this question so that I can include information  in the Monthly Newsletters to help you out..

THe next day, you will receive the latest monthly newsletter.

Over the next several weeks, you will receive a series of emails that provides information on “Greeting Card Design Elements”.

Rather than scrolling up to the Sign Up Form, you can use the form right below this sentence.

Don’t Forget!!! Sale-a-Bration is still going strong.  New Sale-a-Bration items will be available starting February 15th as well as all previous items. Spend $60.00 CDN get 1 $60 item SAB item.  Spend $120.00 get 1 $120.00 item or 2 $60.00 items.

LINK TO OCCASIONS ADN SALE-A-BRATION CATALOGUES.

The post Detailed Project Instructions Make Life Easier When Crafting. appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

You can now texturize greeting cards using the Stampin’ Up! Embossing Paste. Embossing Paste is a new product in the 2017/18 Annual Catalogue.  In addition to the Embossing Paste, there are the Pattern Party Decorative Masks and the set of Palette Knives.

The Embossing Paste comes in a white jar with a lid.  The most important thing to remember is to ensure that the lid is on the jar when you are not using the paste. When exposed to air the Embossing Paste will dry, become hard and unusable.

You can mix the Embossing Paste with any reinker color to make your texture interesting.

Here are 2 cards that I created using the Embossing Paste.  View the video below with detailed steps to use the Embossing Paste.

Recipe

Stamps: Oh So Eclectic.

Ink/Marker: Peekaboo Peach, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso.

Paper: Whisper White, Peekaboo Peach, Crumb Cake, Lemon Lime Twist, Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Layering Squares Framelits, Eclectic Layers Thinlits, Embossing Paste, Palette Knives, Pattern Perfect Decorative Masks, Lemon Lime Twist 1/2” Finely Woven Ribbon.

A Few Details

• Mix the Embossing Paste with Peekaboo Peach reinker.
• Create the texture using the brick pattern
• Stamp 2 flowers in Peekaboo Peach and then Pumpkin Pie.
• Stamp 1 flower with So Saffron and Daffodil Delight.
• Sponge the Peekaboo Peach layer.
• Stamp the solid leaves in Wild Wasabi.  Stamp the patterned leaves in Lemon Lime Twist over the solid leaves.

Product List

Click on any item and land in my ONLINE STORE

Recipe

Stamps: Oh So Eclectic.

Ink/Marker: Emerald Envy, Peekaboo Peach, Sweet Sugarplum, Fresh Fig.

Paper: Fresh Fig, Whisper White, Peekaboo Peach, Emerald Envy, Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Layering Squares Framelits, Eclectic Layers Thinlits, Stitched Shapes Thinlits, Sparkle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Embossing Paste, Palette Knives, Pattern Perfect Decorative Masks, Fresh Fig 1/2” Finely Woven Ribbon, Emerald Envy Enamel Dot.

A Few Details

• Mix the Embossing Paste with Emerald Envy reinker.
• Stamp the fan shaped flower in Sweet Sugar (stamp off once) and outline in full-strength Sweet Sugarplum.
• Stamp the circular flower in Peekaboo Peach.
• Die cut the circular flower thinlit in Fresh Fig and layer on top of the Peekaboo Peach flower.
• Die cut 2 leaves from the watercolored Emerald Envy sheet from Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper.

Product List

Click on any item and land in my ONLINE STORE

Watch the video to see how to texturize greeting cards.

The post Texturize Greeting Cards Using Embossing Paste appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Dory thanks friends with a card…ok, if she could create one.  But you can create a thank you card.  How often has a friend, or a family member gone above and beyond to do something for you.  Do you create a thank you card for them?  Most often we just say “Thanks” and leave it at that.

But, to give a friend a card, has a tangible meaning. They can hold it in their hands, they can read what you wrote and then get to keep the card to remember that thanks.

Recipe

Stamps: Seaside Shore, Rose Wonder.

Ink/Markers: VersaMark, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Dapper Denim, Memento Tuxedo Black.

Paper: Dapper Denim, Whisper White.

Accessories: Clear Emboss Powder, White Emboss Powder, Copper Emboss Powder, Paper Snips, Heat Tool, Watercolor Pencils.

This card was fun to create.  Using the emboss resist creates a stunning card and it is relatively easy.  And yes, it has cutouts that you need to fussy cut.  Oh well, it went really fast.

I use Stampin’ Up! products to create my cards and SU does not have coloured emboss powder. So, how did it do it?

To achieve the coloured embossing, these are the steps:

• On Whisper White, stamp the angle fish in Tuxedo Black. Color in the white spaces with the Melon Mambo Watercolor Pencil.
• On Whisper White, stamp the smaller fish in Daffodil Delight.  Color the white spaces with the Bermuda Bay Watercolor Pencil.
• Use the Paper Snips to fussy cut the fish.
• Place the fish on your VersaMark pad and press so that the VersaMark ink is transferred to the fish.
• Sprinkle with Clear Emboss Powder and heat set with Heat Tool.

Create the Background

• Stamp the wavy image at the bottom of the Whisper White panel with VersaMark.  Stamp the bubble image going towards the top of the panel. Sprinkle all the images with White Emboss Powder and heat set with Heat Tool.
• Using a sponge or sponge dauber, sponge Dapper Denim ink on the bottom of the panel , sponge Daffodil Delight ink on the left top corner and fill out the rest of the panel with Bermuda Bay ink.
• Take a clean cloth and wipe the excess ink off the embossed images.
• Stamp the anchor image with VersaMark ink and heat emboss with Copper Emboss Powder.
• Finally, stamp the sentiment of your choice in Dapper Denim.

Mount the colored panel on the Dapper Denim card base.

Have fun creating your own Dory thanks friends card.

Product List

The post Finding Dory Thanks Friends – Use Inks to Color Emboss and Emboss Resist appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Create a generic card or many of these types of cards to keep in your card box.  Stampers create time to stamp, so why not make cards to use in the future..  Often we don’t know what type of card we may need and so delay creating cards we may need.

Stampin’ Up!’s annual catalogue is filled with stamps that can be used for many different events and/or occasions.

The Botanical Blooms is one of these stamp sets.

Notice that the card does not have a sentiment.  However, there is room to put a sentiment on the front of the card.

What are the types of events or occasions would suit this type of card?  What are the emotions that you generate when you see this card?  Can you use this card for men, women or children? Let me answer those questions for you.

Because of the design and colours, do you think that this card is a feminine card and you can use it only women?  Well, you can use it as a sympathy card to a man who has lost his partner, spouse, mother, etc.  Some of the other occasions are female birthdays, couple’s anniversaries, get well, thinking of you.  Wouldn’t it be so much easier to design and create various generic card?  No more running to the store at the last minute, or speedily creating a card as you run out the door?

Recipe

Stamps: Botanical Blooms.

Ink/Markers: Sweet Sugarplum.

Paper: Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Sweet Sugar Plum.

Accessories: Big Shot, Botanical Builder Framelits, White Gel Pen, Pearl Jewels, Mint Macaron 3/8” Sheer Linen Ribbon.

Get started creating a generic card.  You can purchase your supplies on my ONLINE Store.

Product List

The post Use Botanical Blooms To Create a Generic Card appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

It’s a hello from the tropics as we transition from the old to the new.  Yes, the 2016/17 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue goes live tomorrow.  That means you can finally get your fingers inky with new inks and stamps, touch and feel the beautiful designer series papers and embellishments. This catalogue is a WOW!

One of the whimsical stamps is the Pop of Paradise which introduces the mighty pink flamingo, or maybe I should say reintroduces the pink flamingo.  Whatever is old becomes new again and that is something we can depend on.  A new generation of stampers and crafts may have never seen front yards filled with pink flamingos for someone’s birthday, anniversary, or the birth of a new baby.  Yes, it’s retro tropics from the 70’s and 80’s.  Woohoo!

Recipe

Stamps: Pop of Paradise.

Ink/Markers: Emerald Envy, Mambo Melon, Archival Black, Delightful Dijon, VersaMark.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Pop of Pink DSP, Gold Metallic.

Accessories: Big Shot, Circles Collection Thinlits, Banners Framelits Gold Sequin Trim, Black/Melon Mambo Thick Twine, Clear Embossing Powder.

Some of the highlights from this car is the Black embossed “Hello”.  But, you may think, “Stampin’ Up! discontinued the Black Embossing Powder, so how can you get black embossing”?  It’s very easy.  You can either stamp your image with Black StaZon ink, which is a pigment ink, and emboss with clear embossing powder, or you can stamp your image with VersaMark and then stamp with Black Archival or Tuxedo Black Memento ink and emboss with the clear embossing powder.

All the you need to emboss is an ink where you can extend the drying time.  So therefore, you can use any colour ink with the VersaMark and emboss with Clear Embossing powder.  Now, you can say, “that was easy”!

Product List

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