National Cupcake Day – Support the Animals

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

National Cupcake Day

National Cupcake Day is happening today, February 29, 2015.  This national event was created to support the fundraising efforts of the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

It’s so easy to bake your way in support of the SPCA and  the animals.  There are many ways to get your cupcakes into many mouths ( I mean hands).  Bake up your delicious treats and invite your coworkers, family and friends to enjoy the culinary delights in exchange for a donation to the SPCA.  The funds raised during this event go to support animals in need of care and/or sheltering.  Since National Cupcake Day started in British Columbia, over 2100 animals have been helped.

Rather than make a cup-cake, I made a birthday card.for National Cupcake Day.  I know that it doesn’t taste as good as a homemade one, but it certainly has less calories. It gives me a sense of contributing to the day.

National Cupcake Day

Recipe

Stamps: Sprinkles of Life, Balloon Celebration.

Ink/Markers: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Tuxedo Black, VersaMark..

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Melon Mambo, Mint Macaron, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe, It’s My Party DSP Stack.

Accessories: Balloon Bouquet Punch, Banner Triple Punch, Tree Builder Punch, Heat and Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, It’s My Party Washi Tape, It’s My Party Enamel Dots.

To make the cupcake appear to be floating, it was attached to three balloons stamped from the Balloon Celebration set.  Here are a couple of hints when using this stamp set:

  1. Because the punch has 2 different sized balloons that can be punched, you could waste a lot of paper.  To eliminate this waste, either stamp you balloons vertically on a narrow strip of card stock.  If you do it horizontally, stamp the smaller balloon on the right hand side of the paper and the larger on on the left hand side of the paper.
  2. It is much easier to stamp the balloon outlines and then punch and if you decide to stamp the the dots on the inside of the balloon, do that stamping after punching, You will be able to get right down to the bottom of the balloon and because the stamp is photopolymar, you can see where you are punching.  YEH!!!

Of course, what  cupcake doesn’t need glitter.  After stamping and punching the cupcake with the Tree Builder punch, cover the image with VersaMark, sprinkle with Heat and Stick Powder and melt with Heat  Tool.  Finally, sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds over the cupcake and you will have a very sparkly cupcake.

To view another card using the Balloons Celebration stamp set, check out this POST

I wish National Cupcake Day good luck in their fundraiser to support the animals, that are abused, hurt and/or need a good home.

If you are involved in National Cupcake Day, I would love to hear what you did.  Leave me a comment.

Be The Star Masculine Birthday Card

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Be the Star You Are

Be the star in your everyday life.  What do I mean by that statement?  Today, is anti-bullying day in Canada and wearing the pink shirt or anything pink means that you support the movement to end bullying.

The motto for this year’s Pink Shirt Day is “Kindness is One Size Fits All”.  Too many of our young people are loosing their lives to bullying and it must be stopped.  For the one that is being bullied, it is devastating and demoralizing.  For the one that is the bully, it is a feeling of superiority and control.

Be The StarThere is no acceptable reasons for bullying or being a bully.  It’s about treating people with kindness and respect.  Often you hear people’s reasoning for bullying is because they were bullied or there is something in their life that has made them start bullying others.

We often hear from the victims of bullying and empathize with them.  But what can we do as a collective society to end this type of behaviour?

Visit No Bullies.ca to see tips on how to stop bullying.  There are tips for the one who is being bullied, the bystander, and the Bully.  Click on this link Bullying Basics

Be the star you are by lending your support to the anti-bullying campaign today. #pinkshirtday

Now on to the card and thank you for taking the time to read my post on bullying.

Be The StarHere is a birthday card that is for someone who is a star in their lives. This card was fun to create and I love the Going Global suite of stamp set and papers.

Recipe

Stamps: Going Global, Be the Star.

Ink/Markers: VersaMark.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Gold Glimmer, Going Places DSP Paper Stack.

Accessories: Big Shot, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Star Framelits, Banner Framelits, Gold Emboss Powder.

I wanted this card to be sparkly and what is more sparkly than Gold Glimmer Paper and Gold Emboss Powder. The DSP was framed with the glimmer paper and the Big Dipper was stamped with VersaMark and embossed with Gold Emboss powder.

While I created this card as a Birthday Card, it can be used for Congratulation and Thinking of You cards.

Leave me a comment and let me know what occasions card you would create with this stamp set and paper .

12 Year Old Birthday – What Card to Create

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

12 Year Old Birthday Card

A 12 Year Old Birthday can cause a dilemma when either creating a card or purchasing one. It can’t be too young or to old because he is now going to be a Tween.

So, I decided to go with balloons from the Balloon Celebration stamp set.  This stamp set offers so many possibilities for birthday cards for all ages and/or genders.  Tone it up, tone it down, it will be entirely up to you.

12 Year Old Birthday12 Year Old BirthdayFor the inside of the card, I did a pop-up using the Party Pop Up Thinlit Die.  I chose the “Hip, Hip Hooray” rather than the “Happy Birthday Cake” because to me it’s more masculine.  When you die cut the piece, you end up some whirly cutouts that I used on the front of the card to add some interest.

Recipe

Stamps: Balloon Celebrations, Number of Years.

Ink/Markers: Jet Black Memento, Mint Macaron, Crushed Curry, VersaMark.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Crushed Curry, Basic Black.

Accessories: Big Shot, Party Pop-Up Thinlit Dies, Large Numbers Framelits, Balloon Bouquet Punch, It’s My Party Enamel Dots, White Emboss Powder, Basic Black Baker’s Twine, It’s My Party Washi Tape.

Finally, I added the years to the inside of the card using the Large Numbers Framelits.  You are never too young or too old to not have numbers somewhere on your card.

This 12 year old birthday boy is my grandson and I can’t believe that time has passed so quickly.

February 2016

Nathan 2004

Stanley Cup Party 2004

 

12 Year Old Birthday

His Dad is a friend to a NHL hockey player and when they brought the Stanley Cup to Kamloops, Nathan was part of the party.  He is a hockey fan so having pictures taken with the Stanley Cup is priceless.  Last week, It was Hockey Day in Canada and Kamloops was chosen to be the host city. There were lots of activities and not the least being the ability to have your picture taken with the Stanley Cup.

Happy Birthday.

Do you have a favourite event that happens in your City?  Leave a comment.  I would love to hear about it.

 

Wedding Card for a Young Couple

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Wedding Card For A Special Couple

A wedding card for a young couple starting out in a new life together is so very special. The bride choose purples and whites for her wedding, so why not use those same colours as a jumping off point for the card.  And that is exactly what I did.

I know that Stampin’ Up! Blendabilities are no longer available for purchase, but I do use them from time to time.  I am so sorry that they had to discontinue selling these as they do a perfect job of colouring images.  Boo Hoo!  Maybe some day, SU will bring this beautiful product into our stamping world again.

 

Wedding Card IMG_0921Recipe

Stamps: Birthday Blooms, Petite Pairs, Balloon Celebrations.

Ink/Markers: Wisteria Wonder, Wisteria Wonder Blendabilities, Wild Wasabi Blendabilities, Old Olive Blendabilities, Daffodil Delight Blendabilities, Soft Suede, VersaMark,Tuxedo Black.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Neutral DSP Stack (Silver Diagonal Stripes), Botanical Blooms Vellum (2016 Sale-a-Bration),

Accessories: Blender Pens, White Tea Lace Paper Doily, Metallic Foil Doilies (large Silver), Wisteria Wonder Seam Binding Ribbon, Silver Emboss Powder, Washi Tape, White Gel Pen.

The Botanical Vellum was layered over the Wisteria Wonder panel.  The treatment of coloured card stock behind vellum really brings on the design.  This Botanical Vellum is available in the Sale-a-Bration catalogue as a Free gift with the purchase of $60 CDN.

The silver striped paper comes from the Neutral Designer Paper Stack.  With the addition of the white Tea Lace Paper Doily and the Silver Metallic Foil Doily, the flower just is front and center.

Sometimes I decorate the inside of the card as I did with this one.  I must do this treatment more often as it does really add to the card.  I used the row of hearts and the flower from the stamp set and stamped them in Wisteria Wonder.

I am so pleased how this wedding card turned out and I am sure the bride and groom will be just as pleased.

Don’t forget Sale-a-Bration.  See the beautiful products that are available for FREE just by ordering $60 from any of the catalogues.

 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Spring Fling On Line Class Has Arrived

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Spring Fling On Line Class

The Spring Fling On Line Class has arrived!!! It`s been a bit of a process, and I am so happy to be able to unveil this class for you.

Spring Fling

Click On Image To See The Spring Fling Class

I have been holding traditional classes for many years now and I would like to explain the difference between an online class and a traditional class.

The main difference is the convenience.  You can take this class on your own time – how convenient is that!

The classes are technique based and you can use these techniques on many different projects.  In a traditional class, I teach you a technique and unless you write down how to do it, you may forget the process.  Not so with an on line class.  You have access to this class any time you want- you pick the day and the time.

During a traditional class, I am there is guide you, however, there are likely several people in the class so my attention is divided.  With the online class, you have me right there to guide you through all the steps of the project.  The videos and PDFs are detailed and guide you step by step through the creation of the projects. And, as soon as you purchase the class you have immediate access to the projects.

Now that I have told you a bit about the class, you can check it out HERE.  Click on the link and find out what this class is all about.

If you have any questions, leave it in the comments section and I will respond.

 

Why I Love What I Do! and Do What I Love! You Can Too

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Why I Love What I Do!

Today, I want to share with you why I love what I do and do what I love!

why I love what I doSix years ago, I signed up with Stampin’ Up! to become a Demonstrator and I am so glad I did. When I first signed up, yes, it was to get my products at a discount and just dabble in making greeting cards, creating scrapbook pages and 3-D items such as gift boxes, quilted hangers for photos, etc.  However as I neared retirement from 9-5 job, I started to contemplate what my future would look like, and I envisioned a business.

One of my passions was creating with any type of medium, and when I was introduced to rubber stamping to create beautiful cards and scrapbook pages, I was definitely hooked.  In days past, I had even dreamed about what it would be like to be able to just create.  Now, I had never considered myself to be an artist.

So here I am, loving what I do.

I would like to share 3 reasons why I love what I do:

  1. I am able to share my passion for paper crafting and teach others how they can become a paper crafter.  Sharing my knowledge about rubber stamping, techniques and tips that you can try and carry with you forever  are gifts that I can give to others.
  2. I am able to devote as much time as I want to running my business. While I do have set office hours, I am able to decide when and where those office hours will take place.  Depending upon what I have scheduled on my “TO DO” list, the hours can fluctuate from day to day.  Who is able to do that in a 9-5 job?
  3. This reason is probably my biggest reason. One of my biggest fears about retirement was not to have that day-to-day contact with people. Working on establishing my business has allowed me to develop and maintain relationships that may not have been possible if not for my business.

Do any of these 3 reasons of why I love what I do resonate with you?  If so, than there is a solid business opportunity for you during SALE-A-BRATION.

During Sale-a-Bration, you can become a Stampin’ Up!demonstrator for $125.00.  You choose $155 worth of product and because it’s Sale-a-Bration time, you can choose $40 more in product.  You can get started in your business with $195 in product for $125.00.  Plus there is no tax on the kit and it ships for free.

There is only one caveat.  To become part of my downline, you are required to live in Canada.

If you would like to become a part of the Stampin’ Up! family, then email me and we can have a discussion.  In the meantime, check out the information on my Demonstrator Website. 

Check out the Flexibility for Small Business Owners Post for additional information.

You too, will be able to give reasons as to “Why I Love What I Do”.

 

Lost Without You Valentines or Anniversary Card

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Lost Without You!

The words, “lost without you” will have a special meaning for your Valentine.  While this is a great Valentine card, it would also make a great Anniversary card for someone to give your special partner.

Using the Going Global stamp set is a great compliment to the Sky Is the Limit stamp set. I love the colours in the designer series papers which allow you to draw on so many colour combination.

The Going Global stamp set has so many possibilities in addition to an Anniversary or Valentine card.  What are some of the possibilities?

  • Birthday card for someone who is into astronomy. You could also combine it with the Stars Collection Framelits.
  • Father’s Day card.
  • Bon Voyage card for a traveler.
  • Use the stamps and DSP on a Project Life scrap album to create memories of your travels.

 

Lost Without YouRecipe

Stamps: Going Global, Sky Is The Limit.

Ink/Markers: Mossy Meadow, VersaMark, Pacific Point Marker.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow Going Places DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, World Traveler Embossing Folder, Circle Collection Framelits, 2” Circle Punch, Gold Thread, Silver Brads, Black Embossing Powder.

The World Traveler Embossing Folder makes a great background for the place and compass.  To give the illusion of the plane doing loops through the air, the Gold Thread was looped behind the plane.

To receive the Sky is the Limit stamp set for FREE, by purchasing the entire suite of products and adding the Lost Lagoon and Mossy Meadow ink pads.

Just one word of caution though.  The Sky is the Limit stamp set is only available until February 15th.  This stamp set will then be replace by another stamp set that will be available until the end of March when Sale-a-Bration ends.

Create a Lost Without You card or another type of card using this set, leave me a comment and upload the card and I will display on my blog.

 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

On Line Classes Relaunch and I Am Super Excited

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

On Line Classes Relaunch

On Line Classes

On Line Classes program and I am super excited!!!!  I have been working on this relaunch for sometime now and the date is getting closer.

Here are some of the feature of the new and improved on line classes:

  • You will be able to create stunning greeting cards and gifts.
  • Classes will be delivered by PDFs and/or videos in each class.  All supply details and any templates required will be available in PDFs.
  • These classes will be available to you immediately after purchasing – No waiting for 24 or 48 hours.
  • Classes will be available to you 24/7/365 so you can take the class when and wherever you want.
  • There is no expiry to the class time frame.  It’s yours to use for as long as you like.

The unveiling will be soon so check back often.

Check My Blog, Facebook and Twitter for further updates.

 

Botanical Gardens Stamp Set With Endless Possibilities

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens stamp set offers endless possibilities for creating beautiful cards, scrapbook pages and gifts.

You probably want to know why I said “endless possibilities”?  Here are my reasons:

  • The colours in the DSP is a good jumping off point to get your creative juices flowing.  Even though the suggested colours are Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Hello Honey, Mint Macaron, Mossy Meadow and Whisper White, you can use complimentary colours such as Cherry Cobbler and Delightful Dijon (which I used in this card).  These colours work because the DSP I used was the neutral colours on a Whisper White background.
  • Use of negative space from using the Botanical Builder Framelits.  On this card, I die cut the long leaf on both sides of a piece of Mossy Meadow and layered it in the center of the card .  It reminds me of a vase as the piece really stands out on the DSP.  How about die cutting various leaves from a piece of card stock and then placing the negative space over one of the colourful sheets of DSP.  You could use Cajun Craze card stock and place the negative leaves over the Mossy Meadow geometric design DSP.
  • Create a decor item.  How about a pot or a vase filled with flowers made from card stock and die cut.  Curl up the petals to distress a bit, layer a number of the flowers together and choose the center from the various die cuts that are available.  Use various lengths of floral wire and attach your flowers. If you give this as a gift, you won’t have to worry about the person having allergies to the smells that come from real flowers.

 

 

Botanical GardensRecipe

Stamps: Botanical Blooms, Endless Birthday Wishes.

Ink/Markers: Cherry Cobbler, Delightful Dijon, Chocolate Chip, Old Oliver, Mint Macaron, VersaMark.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Mossy Meadow, Cherry Cobbler, Delightful Dijon, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Botanical Gardens DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, Botanical Builder Framelits, Gold Embossing Powder, Botanical Gardens Washi Tape.

The stamp set, papers and Botanical Builders come as a bundle and can be purchase from my ONLINE store at 15% off the individual item prices.

Floating Heart Just For Your Valentine

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Floating Heart

Creating a floating heart card is much easier that it looks.  It’s an illusion or sometimes called smoke and mirrors.

Why did I call this card an illusion?  It’s because the floating heart appears as though it is floating when really it is anchored on a layer of Window Sheet.

Indulge me for a moment while I talk about Window Sheets.

Window sheets are also called acetate sheets.  Remember the overhead projectors that would project images and words on a screen? The acetate sheets are clear and the light below the sheet would project the image that was on the acetate sheet onto the screen.  I just dated myself!!!

However, as technology evolved these overhead projectors were phased out.  But there was still a need for the acetate sheets in the land of the crafters.

Stampin’ Up! renamed the acetate sheets to Window Sheets and there are many different ways they can be used.  For example:

  • Stamp images on the window sheet using Stazon Inks.
  • Heat emboss images using VersaMark and Embossing Powder.
  • Put a stamped panel behind the Window Sheet and create a scene to appear as though you are looking through a window.
  • Make clear boxes or punch or die cut on the box top and lay a piece of window sheet underneath the cutout to create a see through..
  • Support cut outs so that they appear to be floating.
  • Create shaker cards.

For this floating card, I used the Bloomin’ Love Bundle in the 2016 Occasions Catalogue.  This set is so pretty with the matching Love Blossoms DSP Stack, which by the the way is gorgeous.

The card takes a bit of care as you don’t want any of the adhesive that you use to show through the Window Sheets. It is important to construct the card with the a couple of panels in the inside cover any of the adhesive and seams.

The sentiment “Friend” is attached to the inside back panel along with a few Blushing Bride sequins. You can see them through the window sheets.

Finally, be careful that you don’t get any adhesive or smears on the window sheets.  If you do, you can remove them with a bit of rubbing alcohol.

 

Floating HeartFloating HeartRecipe

Stamps: Bloomin’ Love

Ink/Markers: Rose Red, Blushing Bride.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Rose Red, Garden Green, Love Blossoms DSP Stack, Window Sheets.

Accessories: Big Shot, Bloomin’ Heart Thinlit Dies, Blushing Bride Sequin Trim, Pearl Jewels, Blushing Bride 1/4” Cotton Ribbon.

Create your own floating card for Valentine’s Day, or try this technique using another stamp set along with the Window Sheets.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Blue Valentines Day Card For Blue Monday

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Blue Valentines Day Card

Who says you can’t have a blue Valentines Day card? Not only that but this card doesn’t even have a heart anywhere near it.  Sometimes, it’s good to go outside the box.

This blue Valentines Day card is great for a Blue Monday.  Apparently, the third Monday in January is considered the most depressing day of the whole year.  Why is that?

There are several contributing factors to Blue Monday such as:

  • Coming down from the celebrations of Christmas and New Years
  • In the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter with it short days light and often it’s difficult to get outside because of inclement weather.
  • The Christmas bills are starting to come in.
  • New Year’s resolutions are starting to go by the wayside.

So what do you do to counteract Blue Monday? Here are some ideas:

  • Get outside and go for a walk around the block.
  • Get together with friends and family for a lunch date.
  • Go shopping as the stores are starting to display their spring fashions which are usually colourful and just by looking at them, you will feel your mood improve.
  • If you can, book a holiday to somewhere warm and sunny.

 

Now if we talk about the bluest day of the year, we have to talk about the happiest day of the year.  Usually, most people will feel the happiest around Christmas Day.  It is a day filled with excitement, joy as we spend time with family and friends, and enjoying great food.

So, let get on with the Blue Valentines Day Card.Blue Valentines Day CardRecipe

Stamps: What I Love.

Ink/Markers: Lost Lagoon, Versamark.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Soft Sky.

Accessories: White Emboss Powder, Sponge Dauber, Wink of Stella Glitter Brush.

This card is very simple and easy to recreate.  Actually, I cased the Sale-a-Bration catalogue for this one.

You can earn this stamp set by purchasing $60 of products from any of the catalogues or clearance rack. Sweet deal! That should counteract Blue Monday.

The flower from this stamp set can be stamped 3 times to give shading to the flower, However, I only stamped the outline flower, the leaves and tiny flowers in Versamark, heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder and sponged them using a sponge dauber and Lost Lagoon ink.  I also added a bit of Wink of Stella Glitter to the flowers.This is a great card if you are going to send it in the mail.  No extra postage!!!!.

I hope that you do something to help with Blue Monday.  Perhaps, create a blue Valentines Day card.  Leave a comment and let me know what you did for Blue Monday.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

 

Ice Cream Birthday Card For the Birthday Girl

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Ice Cream Birthday Card

Why not celebrate a birthday with an ice cream Birthday card.  This card I created for my DGD for her 9th birthday and she loved it.

The products are from the 2016 Occasions catalogue and uses the sweet Honey Comb Embellishments. Not only that, but if you purchase the suite of products on page 9 of the catalogue, you have made a purchase that will get you a FREE product for the Sale-a-Bration catalogue.   How sweet is that.

There is also a product in the Sale-a-Bration catalogue that goes so nicely with the Honey Comb embellishments. With these items you can create a few Ice Cream Birthday cards for the young and the young at heart.

Ice Cream Birthday Recipe

Stamps: Crazy About You.

Ink/Markers: Pool Party.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Pool Party, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Birthday Bouquet DSP, Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper.

Accessories: Big Shot, Lots of Labels, Large Numbers Framelits, Hello You Thinlits, Decorative Dots Emboss Folder, Curvy Corner Trio Punch, Tree Punch, Honey Comb Embellishments.

To create this card, I used the Tree punch for the ice cream cone and trimmed off the stump,embossed using the Decorative Dots Emboss Folder and added the white Honey Comb embellishment to the top of the cone. Instant Ice Cream Birthday!

Of course a birthday card for a 9 year old girl wouldn’t be complete without a bit of glitz.  I used the Blushing Bride Glimmer paper (new in the Occasions catalogue) and the Hello You Thinlits to die cut the word “happy”.

Here is a peek at the Sale-a-Bration item that goes fantastic with the Honey Comb embellishments.

Ice Cream BirthdayThe Honey Comb embellishments can also be spritzed with reinker and a spritzer to add more colour.

Click on any of the images below and you can view and order them on my ONLINE STORE

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

 

Join the Simply Said With Karen Email List

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Join My Email List?

Join the Simply Said With Karen Email List and have current information delivered straight to you Email In Box. However, you may ask, “Why would I do that?”.

Join My Email ListWell, I am so glad you asked!  I will give you my top 3 reasons to join my email list.

Reason #1

Inspiration when you need it.  Sometimes we get into a funk with paper crafting and we search for new ideas on the internet, Pinterest or anywhere else we may think we can find ideas.  Each month the Simply Said with Karen newsletter comes straight into your email inbox.  You can grab a coffee or a tea, sit back and relax in your favorite chair and see what inspires you.  Each project in the newsletter comes with a full list of supplies and step-by-step instructions needed to create the project. And of course, if you get stuck, I am as near as your email.

Reason #2

Do you like gifts?  Upon signing up for my email list, you will be taken to a page where you can down load a a free gift.  It is a project created in video that guides you step-by-step to make a luminary.  Even if you don’t have the products that I use in the video, the project can be made with any products that you choose.  Plus, you will get other free gifts during the year to show my appreciation for you.  One of these free gifts is the 12 Weeks of Christmas series which delivers to your inbox, beautiful Christmas cards, gifts and wraps and tags that you can create.  As well, there may be other gifts that you receive throughout the year.

Reason #3

You will be notified of any Stampin’ Up! promotions, Simply Said with Karen classes and events, questions and answers and various techniques. The questions and answers come from real people just like you and I publish these because I believe that if one person has a question that they need answered then there are others that need the answer as well.

What Do I Have To Do?

You can sign up by using the form on the top right hand side of the page.  All you are required to do is enter your name and your email address. Once you have hit “SUBMIT”. you will receive a message asking if you really did sign up for the email list.  This is my way of protecting your privacy and preventing SPAM emails.  Once you have validated that you did actual join the Simply Said with Karen email list, you will be taken to a page where you can down load your FREE GIFT.

As I value the people on my list and I don’t want them to wait a month to get their first newsletter.  The next day you will get an email with the link to the latest Simply Said with Karen Newsletter.

If you wish additional information regarding the Simply Said with Karen email list, use this LINK

Join The Simply Said With Karen email list

 

 

 

Fun Four Year Old Birthday Handmade Card

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Fun Four Year Old Birthday

What is better than a fun four year old celebrating their birthday with a fun card? You can create this fun card using the Sprinkles of Life stamp set, colourful papers from the Cherry On Top DSP stack.  This birthday card is for a four year old who lives in Japan.  This guy usually has a happy smile on his face and is a bit impish.  I think he will give his Dad a run for his money just as he gave his Dad.  You know the saying “What comes around goes around”.

Here is a photo taken of him doing gym at kindergarten.  Yes, they do start kindergarten when the kids turn 3.

Look closely at this picture because one is not the same as the others. That’s the birthday boy.

Fun Four Year Old BirthdayThe Sprinkles of Life stamp set is Stampin’ Up!’s Ronald MacDonald stamp for 2015/16.  A portion of the sale of each stamp set goes to the Ronald MacDonald House Charities.  This is such a worthy cause for families that need to be away from home because of treatments for their children.

Fun Four Year Old BirthdayRecipe

Stamps: Sprinkles of Life.

Ink/Markers: Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Tip Top Taupe.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe, Cucumber Crush, Chocolate Chip, Cherry on Top DSP Stack.

Accessories: Big Shot, Little Letter Thinlits, Little Number Thinlits, Tree Builder Punch, Cherry On Top Washi Tape, Brights Candy Dots, Candy Dots, Brad Bases.

To create the sentiment on this card, I used the negative space from die cuts created using the Little Letter and Litter Number Thinlit dies.  Watch the video at the end of this post.

 

Watch this video to see how to create the negative space using these 2 die sets.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Big Four O Birthday, Is It Still Special?

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

The Big Four O Birthday

Is the Big Four O birthday as special as it once was?  This year, my daughter and 2 nieces celebrated their 40th birthdays. I know that when I celebrated mine, along with a few other baby boomers, it was a big deal.  But I’m not so sure anymore.

Baby Boomers are currently the largest segment of the population and they carry a great deal of influence in the world.  Perhaps, it’s because this part of the population is now celebrating their 60ths, 65ths and 70ths birthdays and redefining the aging process that our parents were embracing.  Do you round-up your age by saying things like”I’m nearly 70, you know”.  I remember my parents saying this as they sought an excuse not to do or try something.

I found an excellent article on Huff Post Living.  Here’s a link to the post Life Begins at 40. 

Big Four O

Recipe

Stamps: Number of Years.

Ink/Markers: Blushing Bride, Watermelon Wonder, Mossy Meadow.

Paper: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Birthday Bouquet DSP.

Accessories: Big Shot, Large Numbers Framelits, Whisper White Thick Baker’s Twine, Gold Sequins.

This stamp set is so great as you can use it for birthdays, anniversaries, passing into a new grade.  As well as making cards, it’s ideal for scrapbooking.

The stamp set is photopolymer which makes it easy to place and stamp the flowers on the end of the stems..

Two of the stems were lined up pointing to the left and right corners of the Whisper White panel.  The petal flower was stamped in Blushing Bride ink and the fuller flowers were stamped in Watermelon Wonder.  Stamp the large numbers in Watermelon Wonder and die cut with the Large Numbers framelits.

Stamp the banner on Whisper White using Mint Macaron ink, stamp “Birthday” using Soft Suede and die cut with the banner in the Large Numbers Framelits.

Finally, mount the numbers and banner over the flower and leaves using Dimensional.  Loops a string of Gold sequins at the right top corner and cover the ends with a bow made from the Thick Whisper White Baker’s Twine, attach to the right.  To complete the card, place single Gold sequins around the card.

You now have a big Four O birthday card.

Leave me a comment and let me know your take on milestone birthdays.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog