We are responsible for, and, the guardians of,  living things on our planet.  I witnessed the debris in the ocean a few years ago while on a cruise through the Panama Canal. As we went further south, the volume of floating plastics was getting greater. Hopefully, people  will come to understand  the  important contribution  that the oceans makes in our lives.

Save Our Oceans Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Sea of Textures.

Ink: Night of Navy, Balmy Blue, Berry Burst, Tranquil Tide, Rich Razzleberry.,

Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Tranquil Tide, Berry Burst, Silver Foil, Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Die Cutting Machine, Under the Sea Framelits, Stitched Rectangle Dies,  Night of Navy Medium Baker’s Twine, Sponge Daubers, Heat Tool, Aqua Painter, Stampin’ Spritzers, Night of Navy Stampin’ Write Marker, Tranquil Tide Stampin’ Write Marker, Glitter Enamel Dots, Paper Towel.

Commemorate Oceans Day with a Card

• Create a background for your creatures using the oxidized metal technique. Be prepared to get inky fingers!
• Die cut the weeds from Tranquil Tide cs, coral from Berry Burst,  Stamp coral on Whisper White with Berry Burst ink and die cut.
• Ink the Sponge Dauber with Night of Navy ink and sponge on the Octopus.  Don’t cover the whole stamp.  Now ink up another sponge  dauber in Rich Razzleberry ink and cover the remainder of the Octopus.  Make sure the whole stamp is covered. Stamp on Whisper White cardstock.
• Attach the various elements on the Oxidized Panel.
• Colour the “have a” and “adventure” words with Night of Navy marker and the “wonderful with the Tranquil Tide marker and stamp on Whisper White cardstock.  Wrap a length of Night of Navy Baker’s Twine behind the panel, attach and then attach to card front.
• Attach the Glitter Enamel Dots.

Watch for the technique video for the oxidize metal panel.

Know  someone who is graduating, or going on a travel trip?  Then, this greeting card will be great for them.

You can purchase the Sea of Textures stamp set and Under the Sea 

The post Save Our Oceans for the Creatures that Live There appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

A new suite in the Annual Catalogue is the Floral Essence. When you see the suite, you may think of a certain artist called Monet.  Now, I do not have a lot of artist knowledge  but I am familiar with Monet’s style and  I am drawn to it.  The designer series paper is part of the Perennial Essence Suite and it features watercolor images and backgrounds much like Monet’s painting.  When you touch the paper, you can feel a texture which adds to its beauty.

The whole suite is beautiful and when I saw it, of course, I had to have it.  To create a Mother’s Day card, I used a Double Fold Fancy Fold  the Floral Essence stamp set and the Perennial Essence Designer series paper. The  best part…YOU CAN ORDER THIS SUITE STARTING JUNE 4, 2019.

Reminiscent of a Monet Painting

Perennial Essence Card Recipe

Stamp Set: FLoral Essence, Strong and Beautiful.

Ink: Rococo Rose, Mossy Meadow.

Paper: Rococo Rose, Whisper White, Old Olive, Perennial Essence Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: 3/8″ Metallic Edge Ribbon, Daffodil Stampin’ Blend Dark.

The fancy fold here, is called a Double Fold Card and it is easier to create than it looks. 

See measurements and the details for this type of  card HERE.

Did you notice the yellow ribbon?  I do not have yellow metallic edge satin ribbon, so I set out to create my own.   I cut off the length of ribbon that I needed and colored it with the Dark Daffodil Stampin’ Blend.  Using the blends, you an change an color of ribbon to match your other papers and embellishments.

Everything is Rosy Product Suite

Remember that the Everything is Rosy Product Suite is available until May 31st.. If you love to create cards, scrapbook pages and or 3-D items, then this set is for you!  The suite has everything you need, an I mean everything. 

To purchase this suite before time runs out, Click on the image below.

Everything Is Rosy Product Medley [150059]

The post Beautiful Papers Creates Beautiful Cards- Monet Inspired appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Here is a sneak peek of the new Free as a Bird and Floral Essence new stamps. These stamps, the coordinating Dies, Paper and embellishments are gorgeous.  And now, you can enter 1 item # for the how suite instead of entering each item individually.  However, you can purchase each product separately.

I have included the measurements for the pieces that go into creating this card.  Actually the cards are easy to put together, just a little bit more cutting than usual.

Cardstock and Paper Cutting Instructions

• The base card is 5-1/2″ x 10″, scored at 4-1/4″ and 8-1/2″.  
• The smaller piece of cardstock is 3″ x 7″ and scored in 1/2 at 3-1/2″.
• There are 4 pieces of Whisper White (WW)… 2 are stamped with the greetings, and they are 2-3/4″ x 3-1/4″, and the other 2 are on the inside of the card: 4″ x 5-1/4″. 
• The 3 pieces of designer paper (DSP) are 1-1/4″ x 5-1-/4″, 4″ x 5-1/4″ and 2-3/4″ x 3-1/4″

Recipe To Create this Card

Stamps: Free as a Bird, Strong & Beautiful

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento.

Paper: Terracotta Tile, Whisper White, Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: 3/8″ Scalloped Lace Trim, Stampin’ Blends: Crumb Cake Duo, Calypso Coral Duo, Mossy Meadow Duo, Petal Pink Duo, Flirty Flamingo Duo.

The How Tos

• Stamp the birds and branch on Whisper White cs with the Tuxedo Black ink, let sit for a second or two for the ink to dry and then color with your choice of Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write Markers, Watercolor Pencils or ink and an Aqua Painter Brush.
• Once all the cs and papers are cat as per the measurements above, attach the designer series papers to the cs with adhesives.  See pictures below.
• 
• Stamp the sentiment and 3 flowers on Whisper White cs.  Color the flowers using your choice of coloring tools.
• Before attaching the smaller card, attach a length of the Scalloped Lace Trim to the back of the card with glue dots.  Bring the trim around to the right and place a glue dot on the piece that the smaller card will be attached to.  Now, adhere the back of the small card to the right edge of the main card. Bring the remaining trim around to the left side and tie a bow close to the small card opening.

This image show the smaller  card open with the designer series paper on one side and the sentiment on the other side.  To close the card slide the left-hand side of the smaller card behind the larger panel and the other side over the larger panel.

For more inspiration, click on the Link to a Frosty Morning Christmas Card,

Now it’s your turn to create fancy fold cards to surprise someone.

You will be able to purchase these new products starting June 4, 2019.  Thanks to Patty Bennett for the inspiration. For now, please check out the Last Chance Items and if you still have some retiring items on your wishlist, how is the time to purchase.

The post Fancy Fold Cards For Mother’s Day with Sneak Peeks appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Mother’s Day Card Recipe

Stamps Sets: Good Morning Magnolia, Tea Together.

Ink: VersaMark, Tuxedo Black Memento.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Petal Pink, Basic Black, Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Die Cutting Machine, Magnolia Memory Dies, Stitched Label Dies, Black and Silver 1/4″ Metallic Ribbon, Stampin Blends: Petal Pink Combo, Mossy Meadow Combo, White Stampin. Emboss Powder.

Details:

• A die from the Magnolia Memory Dies allows you to cut a decorative border on paper.  For this card, the Petal Pink panel is cut with the decorative border and a piece of the Magnolia Lane DSP is attached to the cardstock so it peeks out the bottom of the Petal Pink cardstock.
• Cut the label from Basic Black cardstock, and stamp the sentiment with VersaMark and heat emboss with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.
• Stamp 2 Magnolia Blossoms and leaves on Whisper White cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and color with the Stampin’ Blends.
• Attach a piece of the 1/4″ Metallic Ribbon underneath one of the flowers.  Attach to label with Multipurpose Liquid Glue and attach the second flower with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Gift Bag Recipe

Stamps Sets: Good Morning Magnolia, Itty Bitty Greetings.

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento.

Paper: Petal Pink, Basic Black, Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Die Cutting Machine, Magnolia Memory Dies, Nested Stitched Label Dies, Magnolia Lane Combo Ribbon, Hole Punch.

• Create a gift bag for a long skinny gift from the Magnolia Lane DSP.
• Use the Nested Label DIes to create a tag.
• Cut a flower from the DSP with the corresponding die, attach to label, Stamp the sentiment in Tuxedo Black ink.  Tie to the ribbon.

Now, if you don’t have the new Magnolia Lane Suite, you can create this handcrafted floral greeting card and gift bag using any floral stamp set and DSP.

Don’t forget, we are closing in on the end of the Last-Chance Products.  If you still have products on your wishlist, then hurry to my ONLINE STORE to make your purchases.

See this Post for other Gift Packaging Ideas.

The post Handcrafted Floral Greeting Card and Gift Bag for Mother’s Day appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

The Dies are beautiful too.  One of the dies has a screen on the side with petals cut into it so that you can have a decorative edge on your card . The circle die is cut out around the circle so that you cardstock has a decorative edge.  The paper is wonderful as well.  There are 6 sheets of printed Vellum which are beautiful.  In, fact, I layered a piece over Petal Pink cardstock for this card.

This stamp set and its dies are suitable for any type of occasion: birthday, anniversary, wedding, sympathy, thank you…and so many more.

Recipe for  Wonderful Romance Card

Stamp Sets: Wonderful Romance, Well Said, Itty Bitty Birthdays.

Ink: VersaMark, Petal Pink.

Paper:Petal Pink, Whisper White, Floral Romance Specialty Designer Paper, Vellum.

Accessories: Die Cut Machine, Wonderful Floral Framelits Dies,Well Written Framelit Dies, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Pearl Jewels, Petal Pink/ Whisper White 5/8″ Variegated Ribbon.

Details to recreate this card

1. Use the Embossing BUddy and wipe across the vellum before stamping the flower.  This step eliminates static so that the embossing powder doesn’t leave specks when you heat the embossing powder. Stamp the image with VersaMark, sprinkle with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  Heat with Tool Gun to melt the powder.
2. Attach the printed Vellum from the DSP pack on a Petal Pink panel.  I used Stampin’ Mini Glue Dots and attach them to the printed Vellum in places that would not show on the front. After die  cutting the flower and leaves, attach to the printed Vellum with Mini Glue Dots.
3. Wrap a piece of the Variegated Ribbon around the panel, tie a bow and attach to the card base.
4. With Whisper White cardstock, die cut the word “friend” from the Well Written Framelit Dies and attach to the top of the card.
5. For the inside, stamp “Happy Birthday” and “Awesome at any Age” from the Itty Bitty Birthdays stamp on a Whisper White panel using Petal Pink ink.  Attach to the inside of the card.
6. Dress up you envelope.

See the Tea TIme card for another suggestion for using the Petal Pink colours.

As the Floral Romance Suite is retiring and if you could use a stamp set that is great for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, thank you, etc.  I suggest that you get it before June 3rd.  This is the date that the 2019 Occasions Catalogue retires. You will find any of these products on  my ONLINE STORE.

The post The Wonderful Romance Stamp and Dies are Retiring – I Can’t Believe It appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

I know that I am a bit late with this post, but I wanted to share the packaging and especially a sneak peek of some new products that will be in the 2019-20 Stampin Up Annual Catalogue.

First, I will share the packaging with you.

Use premade gable boxes for your gifts.  This product is retiring, so if you want to stock up on these, then you will have to order before June 3, 2019.

Recipe for Packaging

Stamps Set: Fable Friends.

Ink: Memento Black Tuxedo.

Paper:Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper, Whisper White.

Accessories: Mini Gable Boxes, BIg Shot, Layering Ovals, Stitched Shapes, Stampin Blends: Dark Petal Pink, Light Soft Suede, Dark Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate Combo, Balmy Blue Combo,

These are so easy to put together.  

• Construct the box.
• Cut a strip of Designer Series Paper 2″ wide and the length you will need to wrap around the box and attach with adhesive.
• Stamp the bunny image from the Fable and Friends stamp set on Whisper White cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.
• Color the bunny with Stampin Blends and die cut with Oval Stitched Shape die.
• Cut a larger oval from the Layering Oval Thinlits and attach the bunny oval.
• Attach the ovals to the front of the box.  The  ovals make the bunny image appear to be eggs.
• Fill the packaging with Easter Treats.

Now, it time to have a sneak peak at portions of the Bird Ballad Suite.  

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Free as a Bird, Itty Bitty Greetings.

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Pool Party.

Paper: Pool Party, Very Vanilla.

Accessories: Bird Ballad Laser Cut Cards & Tin, Stitched Nested Labels Dies, Frosty and Clear Epoxy Droplets, Die Cutting Machine, Stampin Blends: Crumb Cake Duo, Pool Parry Duo, Color Lifter.

To Create The Easter Card:

• The Bird Ballad Laser Cut cards are beautiful and so elegant.  The cards feature a laser cut on the front. On the inside, a piece of Pool Party cardstock is attached to give a contrast to the Very Vanilla lace.
• Stamp the  bird on Whisper White card stock with Tuxedo Black ink. Color with Stampin’ Blends using the Color Lifter to lighten the ink to create highlights.
• Use Paper Snips to fussy cut the bird . I know, fussy cutting is probably not your favorite technique.
• Stamp the sentiment on Whisper White cardstock with Pool Party ink.
• Die cut with the Stitched Nested Label Dies.
• Die cut a larger label from the Stitched Nested Label Dies.  Attach the smaller label. Attach the sentiment  and the bird to the card front with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.
• To finish off the card attach a Frosty Epoxy Droplet to the sentiment label. 

Here’s a Link to another bird card.  The  Humming Along stamp set and the Hummingbird Framelits Dies is retiring.  So, if you love Hummingbirds you will need to get the set soon.  You will also enjoy 10% off the bundle.

Humming Along Cling Bundle [150621]

Silver Mini Gable Boxes [145568]

The Bird Ballad products will be available starting June 4th. 

The post Easter Cards, Eggs, and Packaging to Celebrate with Family appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Appreciate a Friend Card Recipe

Stamp Sets: Beauty Abounds.

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.

Paper: Basic Black, Lovely Lipstick, Whisper White, Watercolor Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Butterfly Beauty Thinlit Dies, Brusho Crystals, Rhinestone Jewels, 1/2″ Black Satin Ribbon, Clear Wink of Stella, Lovely Lipstick Stampin’ Blends Duo.

How To’s

• Have you ever used the Brusho Crystals?  They are a powder that you sprinkle on cardstock and spray with water.  The best cardstock to use is Watercolor Paper because it absorbs liquid. There are several ways to use brusho crystals. Click on this LINK to read more about Brusho Crystals.  The Brilliant Red and a the Moss Green crystals were used on this card.
• To add some shine to the card, use the Clear Wink of Stella and use the flicking motion to scatter the glitter ink.
• Create the butterflies by running the large butterflies from the Butterfly Beauty Thinlit Dies. Use Lovely Lipstick to cut the solid the butterflies and the Basic Black cardstock to cut the detailed butterflies.
• Trim the butterflies so that you have 3 single butterflies. Attach the Basic Black over the Lovely Lipstick.
• Stamp, color with blends and die cut a small butterfly

The Beauty Abound stamp set and Butterflies Beauty Thinlits Dies die cuts are available as a bundle at 10% discount.  After the 2019 Occasions Catalogue expires June 3rd, and it appears in the new annual catalogue, you will not be able to purchase as a bundle.  So, if you want the deal, order before June 3rd through my ONLINE STORE.

The post Appreciate A Friend with Beauty Abounds Stamp Set appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

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.

Hoppy Together Birthday Card Recipe

Stamp: So Hoppy Together, Around the Corner.

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Coastal Cabana.

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Hop Around Framelit Dies, Rectangle Stitched Framelit Dies, Basic Adhesive Backed Sequins, Stampin” Blends: Bermuda Bay Duo, Old Olive Duo, Smoky Slate Duo, Poppy Parade Dark, Daffodil Delight Dark, Stamparatus.

Details:

• With the Stamparatuls, it is easy to stamp the “it’s your day” image in each of the corners.  Line up the stamp on your paper, ink up the stamp and stamp the image.  Now without taking the paper off the stamparatus, turn your paper 45 degrees, ink the stamp and stamp again.  Do this step 2 more times and you have an image in each corner.  How easy is that!!!!
• Stamp the frog, unicycle, bees and butterfly with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Whisper White cardstock. Color the images with your Stampin’ Blends. Stampin’ Write Markers , ink or Watercolor Pencils.  Stampin’ Up! has a variety of coloring methods and you will find the one you like and are most comfortable with.
• If you have the Hop Around Framelit Dies, use them to die cut the various images.
• Die cut the Bermuda Bay cardstock with the Rectangle Stitched Framelit Dies.  Adhere your colored images to the Bermuda Bay panel.
• To finish off the card, attach the DSP to the card base and the Bermuda Bay panel to the DSP.  Place a few sequins on the front of the card and you’re done.
• Remember to give the card to someone who is celebrating an event.  It’s sure to bring a smile to their face.

Click on this link to see another way to use the So Hoppy Together stamp set.

To purchase supplies to recreate this card, click on any image to go straight to my ONLINE STORE.

Product List

Stamparatus [146276]	So Hoppy Together Cling Stamp Set [149725]	Around The Corner Photopolymer Stamp Set [147464]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Coastal Cabana 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock [131297]	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock [131197]
Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper [146926]	Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock [100730]	Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies [148551]	Basic Adhesive-Backed Sequins [146933]	Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack [144600]	Old Olive Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597]
Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack [145058]	Dark Poppy Parade Stampin’ Blends Marker [146879]	Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin’ Blends Marker [144585]

The post Hoppy Together Birthday Use Your Blends to Color appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Hummingbirds dance around going from flower to flower and how off their incredible colors.

Do you know a bird lover or someone who appreciates the hummingbird?  Well, then this card is for this person. Actually, you will be able to give them hummingbird birthday wishes.

Recipe for Beautiful Hummingbird Birthday Card

Stamps: Humming Along.

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Smoky Slate.

Paper: Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo, Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Hummingbird Framelits Dies, Well Written Framelits, Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Blends: Flirty Flamingo Duo, Calypso Coral Dual, Smoky Slate Light, Pool Party Duo, Old Olive Duo, Mossy Meadow Duo, Daffodil Delight Duo, Color Lifter.

Now that you have the list of supplies needed to create a beautiful hummingbird birthday card, let’s put it together.

 Details:

• Cut Whisper White cardstock at 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ and score at 4-1/4″
• The Black & White diagonal stripe piece from the Botanical Butterfly DSP is cut at 1-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ .
• Cut a second piece of Whisper White cardstock at 3″ x 5-1/2″.  Swipe the Smoky Slate ink across the Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder.  Insert the Whisper White cardstock into the embossing folder and run through the Big Shot. This technique will give you a distressed look to the Whisper White background.
• Attach the diagonal stripe DSP to the left hand side of the cardbase and attach the embossed piece to the right-hand side of the card base overlapping the striped piece..
• Stamp the hummingbird and the flower on Whisper White with the Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  Color with the Stampin’ Blends mentioned above.  Highlight and blend the colors to add interest to the your art pieces.  The Color Lifter is great for adding light to areas of your image.
•  Cut the Hummingbird and the flower with the framelits.  To add dimension to the flower, stamp another stamen, color and fussy cut with the Paper Snips.  Attach to the flower with Mini Dimensionals , and yes, you will likely need to cut them in half.
• Finally, die cut the words “happy” and “birthday” from Flirty Flamingo cardstock using the Well Written Framelits.  Attach all your elements to the card front and stamp some wishes inside the card.

Where Do You Get These Stampin’ Up! Products

Now that you know the supplies and the details, create a hummingbird birthday card for your a family member or friends that is crazy about hummingbirds.

For more inspiration from the 2019 Occasions Catalogue, is available HERE.  

Did you know that if you purchase the Humming Along Bundle and the Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad, you will enough to reward yourself with a product from the Sale-a-Bration Brochure.

The post Create a Beautiful Hummingbird Birthday Card With Bright and Bold Colors appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.