Birthday Pictures – Oh Snap Some, Create Memories

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Birthday Pictures with Oh Snap Stamp Set

Birthday pictures are a great way to preserve the memories of family and friends and pass those memories down from generation to generation.  Do you scrapbook?  That is an easy way to preserve those memories.  I don’t know who coined this phrase but it makes a lot of sense – “You only existed for as long as someone remembers you”.

Scrapping those birthday pictures doesn’t need to be difficult or time consuming.  Consider some of these alternatives to scrapbooking that are moving away from the traditional methods.

  • Project life – documenting and journaling your day to day life.  This type of scrapbooking can be fast and easy if you use pocket protectors and journaling cards.
  • Heritage scrapbooks – what about your parent’s pictures that are sitting in a box in your closet or basement.  It’s important to get those pictures organized and documented before no one can remember the who, what, where or why.  I am certainly guilty of that one.
  • Digital scrapbooking – where are your pictures?  Are they locked safely in your computer where they can’t be shared or worse still, sitting in your camera.  Using digital scrapbooking software is a great to compile these types of scrapbooks.
  • Brag books – grandparents love these as they are small and can be displayed on a bookshelf or coffee table where they can be looked at and shared with others.

The other day I came across a scrapbook that my co-workers put together for me when I retired.  As I looked through it, the memories of great times and maybe not so great times came flooding back.  If I didn’t have this book, those memories would start to fade over time.

So, I don’t have a scrapbook page to share with you but I do have a Birthday card for my nephew.  He is an avid photographer, so the theme of this card is Birthday pictures using the On Film Framelits.  The stamp set, designer series paper and the framelits lend themselves to an easy masculine card.

Birthday Pictures

Recipe

Stamps: Hip Notes (c-133504, w- 133501, p 18 2014 Occasions Catalogue), Banner Greetings (c-129714, w- 129711, p 202 2013/2014 Annual Catalogue – Hostess Reward).

Paper: Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Very Vanilla, Retro Fresh DSP, Gold Foil.

Ink: Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango.

Accessories: Big Shot, On Film Framelits Dies, Arrows Embossing Folder, Neutrals Candy Dots, Ticket Duo Builder, Coastal Cabana markers.

The image in the picture frame comes from 2 stamps from the Hip Notes stamp set.  The sentiment “Oh Snap” was stamped first and then the “This” from another stamp in the set was colored using a marker and stamped underneath the first stamped image.

Birthday Pictures

#133504

So, keep those birthday pictures close and create the memories.

Happy Stamping

 

The Telephone – Do We Love It or Hate It

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The Telephone – Is It a Love – Hate Relationship?

The telephone, could we do without it?

Today, March 10 is the anniversary Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone call in 1876.  Little did he know what was in store for all of us down the road.

Remember when we had operators and had to give them the number, or 3 rings was your number and everyone on the same line knew you had a phone call?  Ok, now I’m dating my self.  The rotary dial telephone made way for the touch phone and now you can even talk to your phone to have it get in touch with someone.

While, the telephone can be a blessing, it also can be a hindrance.

Here are my 3 reasons for considering the telephone a blessing:

  1. Provides a way to keep in touch with family and friends and often provides safety.
  2. Provided the corner stone for the internet…remember dial up modems?
  3. Provides convenience as we have moved to the  mobile and cellular age.

However, I also have 2 very strong reasons why I am not particularly enamored by the telephone.

  1. Have we lost the art of communication on a face to face basis?  See how many people around you are texting to the person next to them.
  2. Invasion of privacy caused by phone solicitations.  These phone calls usually come when it’s inconvenient and sometimes the people even will argue with you have you have politely said “No Thank You”. We now have moved to automated sales calls where you don’t have a chance to say “No Thank You!.

So here is my tribute to Alexander Graham Bell.  I designed a card for him in MDS….I have to start using this more or I will loose the skills that I have gains.

The Telephone

Creating in MDS is so easy.  The card feature the Timeless Talk brush stamp, Modern Medley DSP and Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon.

Thank you Alexander, even with the dislike on some days for the telephone, you have improved lives all over the world.

Interested in MDS?  Download the FREE trial HERE.

Happy Stamping

 

Birthday Cards Elegant or Sweet Whimsical?

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Birthday Cards Can be Elegant or Whimsical

Creating Birthday cards can allow you to enter into different types of emotions depending upon the person who will receive the card.  Do they like elegant?  Do they like fun?  Do they like certain colors?  Do they like certain elements?  These are the types of questions you need to ask yourself when creating birthday cards for a certain person.

With these 2 cards, I want to show you that by keeping the same layout and changing up the colors, treatments, papers and embellishments you can have either a vintage type card or a whimsical sweet card.

The first card I created with the vintage feeling.  It’s been a while since I created something vintage so it was rather refreshing as I really do like this style.

Birthday Cards Elegant or Whimsica

 Recipe

Stamps: Lovely Romance (c-130267, w- 1302465, p63 2013/2014 Annual Catalogue).

Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, Gold Specialty Vellum.

Ink: Soft Suede, Versamark.

Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Baroque Embossing Folder, Spiral Flower Die, Chalk Talk Framelits, Gold Embossing Powder, Watercolor Designer Washi Tape, Sponge Dauber, Hot Glue Gun, Bird Builder Punch.

Birthday Cards Elegant or Whimsical?

Recipe

Stamps: You’re Lovely (c-133578, w- 133575, Sale-a-Bration Catalogue).

Paper: Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit, Daffodil Delight, Pistachio Pudding, Sweet Sorbet DSP.

Ink: Versamark.

Accessories: Big Shot, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Spiral Flower Die, Pool Party Embossing Powder, Daffodil Delight Marker, Bird Builder Punch, Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon.

Did you notice the beautiful rose?  That was created using a new Stampin Up rule die.  What does rule die mean?  This type of die allows you to cut several layers at a time making this tool a time saver when you are making birthday cards or in fact any type of paper crafting.

Birthday Cards Elegant or Whimsical?

Spiral Flower Die Item #129379

Here are a few tips for creating the roses on these birthday cards:

  1. Cut 2 pieces for card stock for 2 different colors.  These colors can be contrasting or monochromatic to achieve different emotions.  You can cut the 2 pieces at once.
  2. Take your bone folder and distress the card stock.  Start from the smaller end as this will also help with forming the rose.
  3. Spray with rubbing alcohol as this dries faster than spraying with water.
  4. Ok, now take the card stock and crumple – oh no!  It will be ok I promise.
  5. Align the 2 pieces of card stock as you will roll them together.
  6. Start rolling from the small end.  You can use a pair of tweezers, or a pencil or just do it by hand.  Because the paper is a tad damp and it has been distressed, the rose will be quite easy to roll.
  7. When you come to the end, fold both larger parts onto the bottom.  At this point you can leave the formed rose or you can relax it a bit by laying on a flat surface and gently pull the petals in a circular motion.  This will help spread out the rose so that it looks like it is full bloom.
  8. Once you are happy with the way your rose looks, hot glue the 2 layers on the bottom to make a platform for your rose to sit on.  Once the glue is dry, use the rose any way you would like.

For any of the supplies to make these Birthday cards, go to my online store.

Happy Stamping

 

 

Loving My Stampin’ Up! Business

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Loving My Stampin’ Up! Business and Why I Do

Loving my Stampin’ Up! business is an ongoing thing.  Why am I so passionate about it? There are many reasons, with the main one being the people that I meet along the way.

Sometimes it’s just happenstance, sometimes it’s planned and sometimes it’s an unexpected pleasure.

For instance, I was introduced to some stampers at my Christmas Card Class, in turn, these stampers introduced me to other stampers at the Birthday Card class.  My circle expanded exponentially and because I love to be around people and share my passion for my Stampin’ Up! business.

Here is a picture of the stampers that I attended my Birthday class.  Everyone is busy creating, sharing and having fun.

Loving Visit My Blog https://simplysaidwithkaren.com

Here are a couple of cards that new found friends created from their gifts.

LovingLoving

You too can have the joy of running your own business and meeting new people that will become more than just acquaintances.

How, you ask?

Currently in conjunction with Sale-a-Bration, Stampin Up has an awesome business opportunity for you.  Join the Stampin’ Up family for $125 and there is more…you get $190 worth of products instead of the normal $155 worth of products.  Plus, you receive 20% discount on product order.

This offer ends the same day as Sale-a-Bration ends, March 31, 2014.

Don’t delay.  Go over to this LINK and watch the videos and read the information and then JOIN my team.  Yeah!!!

If you have questions, you can always contact me by email at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

I will get back to you with the answers.

Happy Stamping

Hooray for Birthdays – Celebrate the Day

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Hooray for Birthdays

Hooray for birthdays,  because that means we are still experiencing life.  In my last post, I talked about some people now wanting to celebrate their birthdays, however, on this day you came to be in the world to leave your mark no matter how big or how small.  You can celebrate it quietly or flamboyantly depending upon your personality and that again makes you unique.

This birthday card uses a lot of the new products in the 2014 Occasions Catalogue.  I am loving this catalogue.  It has offered up some interesting products and not only that it coincides with Sale-a-Bration.  Only 31 more days to make sure that you get in on the FREE products for Sale-a-Bration.

Hooray for Birthdays

Recipe:

Stamps: Geometrical (c-133161, w- 133158, p26 2014 Occasions Catalogue).

Paper: Smokey Slate, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Kaleidoscope DSP.

Ink: Versamark, Crushed Curry, Strawberry Slush, Bermuda Bay.

Accessories: Big Shot,  Arrows Embossing Folder, Triangle Punch, Chevron Border Punch, Angled Tag Punch, Black Embossing Powder, Gold Sequin Trim, Bermuda Bay 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Fringe Scissors.

Some of the new products used in this card are the Fringe Scissors.  Now if you want to make a fringe, you can make several cuts at once rather than one cut many times.  These scissors are good for making those fringe flowers that have become so popular the last little while.

The other new product on this card is the Angle Tag punch.  Love it because you can have a tag any length, tags at both ends and it also punches the hole for you.  You can also get the tag punch with a scallop top.

Hooray For Birthdays

Want these products? Order them HERE.

Remember “Hooray for Birthdays” and go celebrate one

Happy Stamping

Birthday Wishes – Remember family and friends on their birthday

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Birthday Wishes  – Who Doesn’t Like To Be Remembered

Giving someone Birthday wishes is like giving hugs. Ok, maybe some people don’t like to be reminded of their birthdays, however, there isn’t any one in my life that would turn down birthday wishes. Besides, it is a celebration of their special day.

Here is a card for a family friend and I used the beautiful Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper for this card.  The colors in this DSP are so soft and the designs are so pretty.

 Birthday Wishes

Recipe

Stamps: Flower Shop (c-130942, w- 130939, p94 2013/2014 Annual Catalogue), Perfectly Penned (c-122892, w- 128703, p95 2013/2014 Annual Catalogue).

Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Gumball Green, Vellum, Watercolor Wonder DSP.

Ink: Marina Mist, Gumball Green.

Accessories: Big Shot Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die, Pansy Punch, Hexagon Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Marina Mist ribbon Candy Dots, Candy Dots Brads

.

To create the corners on the sentiment panel and the mat, crop the corners with the Hexagon Punch.

Birthday Wishes

Colors: Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Island Indigo, Smoky Slate, Tangerine Tango and Whisper White

Click on the image to take a closer look at the different patterns in this paper.

Would you like to recreate this birthday wishes card?  Shop my ONLINE store.

Happy Stamping

 

Ups and Downs – Being Healthy is So Important

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It’s Been a Week of Ups and Downs

From time to time we all have ups and downs and it’s been that kind of week for me.

It started of great with the Birthday card classes and having wonderful ladies craft their hearts out.  But it went downhill from there.  I did something to my back and spent 3 days in bed, feeling sorry for my self and in a great deal of pain.

On Monday, it was off to see Dr. Rob at the Inspire Chiropractic and Wellness Studio and with his help I am back on track.  Thank goodness.

Check out their website and if you ever need a great place to get healthy and back on track, this is the place to go.  Both Dr. Rob and Dr. Lisa really care about their clients and the staff, Hannah, Marissa and Angela always have a smile for you and warm words.  It’s a wonderful place with a feeling of family.

Inspire Chiropractic and Wellness Studio

So now to the Birthday card class.  This was an up part of my week.  Over several posts, I will show you the cards that the ladies created.

Ups and Downs

This card uses the Starburst Saying from the Occasions catalogue and the You’re Lovely from the Sale-a-Bration catalogue which is FREE with a $60.00 order.

Recipe

Stamps: Another Great Year (c-133041, w- 133038, p34 2014 Occasions Catalogue), You’re Lovely (c-133578, w- 133575, 2014 Sale-a-Bration Catalogue)

Paper: Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding, Sweet Sorbet DSP

Ink: Black Stazon

Accessories: Big Shot, Circles Collection Framelits, Deco Labels Collection, Markers: Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Versamark, Black Embossing Powder, Basic Black Scallop Dots Ribbon, 1-3/8” Circle Punch.

To create this card,

  1. Stamp the large stamp from the Another Great Year stamp set using versamark onto Whisper White card stock.  Heat emboss with Black Embossing Powder.
  2. Color the candle stamp with various markers and stamp on Whisper White card stock.
  3. Stamp the words “Happy” and “To You” onto a piece of the DSP using versamark.  Emboss with Black Embossing Powder and cut out with your Paper Snips.
  4. Stamp the words “wish big” on DSP using Black Stazon ink and cut out.
  5. Attach the words that are cut from the DSP to the over the Black Embossed words and the Black Stazon stamped words.
  6. The frame from the You’re Lovely SAB stamp set is stamped on Whisper White card stock, embossed with Black Emboss Powder, heat set and then cut with the smallest Deco Label.
  7. Cut a piece a circle from Coastal Cabana with 1-3/8″ punch and apply to the banner and cut the candles and wish big using the Circles Collection (2nd smallest)
  8. All that is left is to attach your panels together, attach the ribbon and layer on the label.

VOILA!!!

Looking for the Weekly Deals?

Ups and Downs

So even though I have my ups and downs days, I have my creations and Dr. Rob to get me going again.

What do you do to get through the ups and downs days?  Leave me a comment.

Happy Stamping

 

Random Acts of Kindness Day – What Are You Doing?

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Random Acts of Kindness Day

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day and I have a card to share with you that I created for someone that could use some cheering up.

What is Random Acts of Kindness or the acronym RAK that you may have seen and wondered what is was.  I know I had to ask when I first came across those three letters.

It’s not difficult to do  random acts of kindness and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.  In fact it can cost $0.00

Here are a 5 ideas that you could use today and they are $0 dollars attached.

  1. Smile at someone as you pass them by in the street.  You may be surprised to get a smile back.
  2. Hold the door open for someone to pass through, if you are lucky you may get a Thank You.
  3. Give someone a compliment..everyone has good things about them.
  4. Give a hug to a loved one…they may be surprised.
  5. Send a message to someone that you haven’t talked to in a while.  They may answer you back.

Here is my Random Act of Kindness.  It’s a card I created for someone who is undergoing medical treatments and could use some cheering up.

Random Acts of Kindness Day

I love the sentiment on this card because “HOPE” is something that need to hang on to.

Recipe

Stamps: Stippled Blossoms (c-126747, w- 132076, p69  2013/2014 Annual Catalogue), Blooming with Kindness (c-126422, w- 131961, p65  2013/2014 Annual Catalogue).

Paper: Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, Modern Medley DSP.

Ink: Black Stazon, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight, Summer Starfruit, Wild Wasabi, Pistachio Pudding.

Accessories: Big Shot, Ovals Collection Framelits, In Color Boutique Details, Daffodil Delight 1/2” Seam Binding Ribbon.

This card was created in the same way that the Swallowtail Butterfly was created in this post.

So, I am off to get this card in the mail.

Leave a comment and let me know what your Random Acts of Kindness are for today.

Happy Stamping

Using Your Die Cuts To Create A Wow Handmade Card

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Using Your Dies In Other Ways

Have you ever tried using your die cuts in interesting ways?  Today, I have a card to share that I cased from Dawn Griffiths.  This is one of those wow cards that really lets you express yourself through your handmade card and yes, you can use this technique on a multitude of images.

I also have a picture tutorial to share with you so that you can recreate this card.

Using Your Die CutsRecipe

Stamps: Swallowtail (c-129216, w- 131943, p71 2013/2014 Annual Catalogue).

Paper: Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper.

Ink: Black Stazon, Coastal Cabana.

Accessories: Big Shot, Ovals Collection Framelits, Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder, Dazzling Diamonds, Sponge Daubers.

Instructions:

Using Your Die Cuts

Stamp the Swallowtail image on Whisper White card stock using Black Stazon ink.

Make sure ink is dry and then using a Sponge Daubers, sponge the image with Coastal Cabana ink.

Using Your Die Cuts  Using the 4th largest oval from the Ovals Collection Framelits, determine how much of the Swallowtail image you want to appear on your card.  At this point it may appear that you are eliminating some of the wing…do not fear!

Using a pencil, draw a faint line on the inside of the die.  See arrows on picture showing  you where to draw the pencil lines

Using Your Die Cuts

Pencil markings after die removed.

Using Your Die Cuts

Using your scissors, cut straight up from the edge of card stock to the intersection of the pencil mark and bottom wing.

Continue to cut out the image until you reach the top of the wing and then cut straight up to edge of card stock.

At the side of the wing there is a tiny pencil mark, make sure that you cut outside of the mark.

Using your die cutsThis is how your image should look after cutting out.

Using your die cuts

To die cut the image, slide the oval die under the wing that you cut out .

Make sure the oval fits into the intersection of the 2 pencil lines on the top and bottom wing.

Using your die cut

Using the Big Shot, cut out the oval.  By having the framelit placed under the wing, you will not cut the image.

Remove the pencil marks using a white eraser.

Add Dazzling Details to various areas of the wings.

Add touches of White Gel Pen to the body.

The other two ovals are die cut using the 5th and 6th largest dies.

Complete the rest of the card .

To purchase any of the supplies for this project, order from my ONLINE store or email me with your order  karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

Happy Stamping

Handmade Card Ideas for Someone Peachy

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Handmade Card Ideas

Here are handmade card ideas for someone who is peachy keen.  It could be a birthday, could be an anniversary, or it could simply be a just because card.  The possibilities are endless.

This if a quick and easy card that you can create in under 15 minutes and yet is very effective.

You will notice that the camera is die cut using the camera thinlit die in the set and it is also stamped.  Just a word of caution though, you can not stamp the image and then cut it with the die cut as the image and the die cut will not line up.  I have prepared a video so that you can see how you can accomplish the getting the image on the die cut.

Showing you will be easier than writing the process into words.

 Handmade card ideas Recipe

Stamps: Peachy Keen (c-133113, w- 133110, p18 2014 Occasions Catalogue).

Paper: Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Watercolor Wonder DSP.

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar.

Accessories: Big Shot, On Film Framelit Dies, Linen Thread, Regal Candy Dots.Handmade card ideas

Do you need supplies to complete this project?   Shop my ONLINE STORE.

Watch the video so that you get more from your stamp set and framelits.

Happy Stamping

Sochi 2014 Olympic Athletes Go For Gold

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Sochi 2014 Olympic Athletes Go For Gold

The Sochi 2014 Olympics officially get underway today with many athletes pursuing the ultimate goal – GO FOR GOLD.  All over the world, people are supporting their favourite teams in a multitude of events.  Many new events have opened up for these 22nd Winter Olympics.

Controversy prevails at these Olympics with threats of terrorism, human rights violations, venues not completed, and dangerous conditions on some of the event runs. Despite the controversie, the athletes are there, ready to go, after many years of preparation and sacrifice to get to the ultimate pinnacle in sport – the gold metal.

We, that sit on the sidelines, need to support the endeavors of the athletes and appreciate the time, effort and tenacity that they have shown to “GO FOR GOLD”

In support of the athletes, I have created a card and box using the appropriately named card kit “Good as Gold”.  This card kit is one of the Sale-a-Bration Free items that you can receive when you place a $60.00 Stampin Up order.

Sochi 2014 Olympic Athletes Go For Gold

This “Good as Gold” kit come with everything you need to complete 8 cards or whateveryou choose to make.  I created a gift box from one of the card bases (idea came from Dawn Olchefske) and it will hold a couple of treats.  What a great way to say “thank you” or perhaps a “thinking of you”.Sochi 2014 Olympic Athletes Go For Gold

Order your Stampin’ Up! products from my ONLINE STORE (minimum order $60.00) to receive your FREE Sale-a-Bration products.

Good luck to our Canadian Sochi 2014 Olympic athletes as they go for GOLD.

Happy Stamping

My Paper Pumpkin Free Gift Subscribe Now

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My Paper Pumpkin Free Gift – Subscribe Now

Have you heard about the My Paper Pumpkin Free Gift?  Do you know that if you are a first time subscriber and you subscribe before February 10th, you will receive a FREE set of the 2013-15 In Color Markers?

So, what is My Paper Pumpkin?

My Paper Pumpkin is a monthly subscription with projects that you can complete in a short period of time.

You will receive all the products to complete a project.  There are the papers, stamps, ink spots, and any embellishments.  With the February My Paper Pumpkin, the stamps will be the photo polymer stamps rather than the rubber stamps.  The photo polymer stamps are completely clear. Because of this change, Stampin Up will now offer more products in the kits.

What is the cost?

The kits are $24.95 and that includes shipping.  Taxes will be added when the order is finalized.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you are able to cancel your subscription at any time.

Do I have to order each month?

No, once you have set up subscription you don’t have to worry about ordering every month.

What do I get in my first My Paper Pumpkin?

Along with the products to make 4 cards, you will receive the clear block to mount your stamps ($12.95 value) plus the In Color Markers ($19.95 value).  That is $32.00 in absolutely free product.

Do I have to make the suggested projects?

No, you can use your creativity to create whatever you desire.

When does the In Color promotion end?

You must sign up for your subscription before February 10th.

Where do I go to sign up.

Go to www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click on the “Subscribe” button.

When asked for a demonstrator, please use my name – Karen Gilbert

To see the possibilities, view the video below.

Here are the cards that I created with the January My Paper Pumpkin kit.

I did add a few other items to the cards to make them mine.  You can do the same thing with your projects.

My Paper Pumpkin Free Gift Subscribe Now

Stampin Up Keeps Up With Trends

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Stampin Up Keeps Up With Trends

 

This post continues with a post from last week to determine if Stampin Up keeps up with trends in the paper crafting world.  In the last post, I focused on Project Life (a form of scrapbooking) and the fashionable Ampersand.  If you haven’t read that post, here is a link…

Stampin Up Focus on Trends 2014 – Part 1

This post will focus on the geometric and the watercolor trends.

Geometric

 Have you noticed all the geometrics that appearing on cards or scrapbook pages?  There are all shapes and sizes of arrows, hexagons, triangles circles and squares?  Stampin’ Up! is incorporating those into their stamp sets, designer series papers, punches and embellishments.

Stampin Up Keeps Up With Trends

 You can check out the various products in the Spring Occasions catalogue by using this LINK.

Watercolor

Watercoloring has been around for a long time but this year it has come on like a bang.  There are so many ways that you incorporate watercoloring into your paper crafting.

Have you tried out these?

  • Use  ink and an aqua brush to paint various colours on watercolor paper.  This paper absorbs the ink and water and you can blend the colors into one another.  Once the paper is dry, stamp your image using stazon ink or versa mark.  If you use versa mark, heat emboss using embossing powder. 
  • Use an acrylic block or an acetate sheet and squirt a tiny bit of ink and then mist the block with water and spread using the aqua painter brush.  Take your watercolor paper and lay it on the block.  When you remove the paper, you will have a design that can be used as a background to your art piece.  This technique is fun as you will get a different background each time.  Remember to let your paper dry before you stamp your image.

Here is a sample of a card where I used the watercolor technique.

Stampin Up Keeps Up With Trends

 Recipe

Stamps: Postage Due (c- 126397, w- 132064, p103 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Peachy Keen (c- 133113, w- 133110, p 18 2014 Occasions Catalogue).

Paper: Whisper White, Gumball Green, Crisp Cantaloupe, Crumb Cake, Watercolor, Watercolor Wonder DSP.

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Versamark, Black Stazon.

Accessories: Big Shot, On Film Framelit Dies, Postage Punch, Gumball Green Stitched Ribbon, Black Embossing Powder.

 Crisp Cantaloupe, So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar and Pistachio Pudding ink refills were used on Watercolor Paper to create the background.  Using the stamp as a reference, drops of ink were applied to an acrylic block and then allowed to spread out with the use of water.  Once the inks were in place, the watercolor paper was applied to the acrylic block.  Let the watercolor paper dry before stamping the image.

Stamp the image using Versamark and heat emboss with Black Embossing Powder.  Trim the art piece so that it can be layered behind the picture framelit from the On Film Framelit Dies.  Stamp the sentiment from the Peachy Keen stamp set using Black Stazon ink. 

Stamp the stamp image from the Postage Due stamp set using Crisp Cantaloupe, punch using Postage Stamp punch.  Assemble the layers as per the card on a Crumb Cake card base.

What do you think the trends in the paper crafting world are?  Leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts.

Happy Stamping

Valentines Day Heart Cart

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Valentines Day Heart Cart

The Valentines Day Heart cart is sure to greeted with ooos and awws.  Fill it with Valentine treats and you will be a hit.

Valentines Day is coming soon so get started on your projects now.  This cart started as as a simple project and then I thought why not just keep adding hearts (lots of different hearts) so that the cart gives the illusion of being packed full with hearts.

So here is the reveal and I will give you general instructions as to how I created this.

 

Valentines Day Heart Cart

 

 

Stamps: Hearts a Flutter (c- 129252, w- 131922, p124 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Banner Blast (c- 133554, w- 133551, 2014 Sale-a-Bration).

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Baked Brown Sugar, Basic Black, Naturals White, Primrose Petals Core’dinations.

Ink: Primrose Petals, Real Red.

Accessories: Big Shot, Circle Framelits, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Hearts Collection Framelits, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Watercolor Washi Tape, Neutral Candy Dots, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Banner Punch, Owl Builder Punch.

How I Did It

Create Cart

  1. Using Baked Brown Sugar card stock, cut 5″ x 4″and score at 1″ and 4″, turn card stock and score at 1″ and 3″cart (refer to template below).
  2. To create posts – cut 2 pieces of cardboard 3″ x 1/2″ – I used the white cardboard from the Designer Paper packages.  Cover with the solid gold washi tape and set aside.
  3. Cut large wheel from Basic Black card stock with the 2nds smallest circle and from Naturals White, cut wheel using smallest circle (Circles Collection Framelits). Attach an Early Espresso Candy dot to the center of each wheel.

 

Valentines Day Heart Cart

Create Valentines for cart

  1. Using Real Red ink, stamp hearts from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set on Whisper White card stock.  Die cut using the Hearts a Flutter framelits.
  2. Stamp and die hearts from Primrose Core’dination paper and emboss with Decorative Dots embossing folder.  Using the Stampin’ Sanding System, distress some of the embossed hearts.  This will add some texture.
  3. Cut some hearts using the smaller hearts from the Hearts Collection Framelits using Real Red card stock.
  4. Using the Fashionable Heart embosslit, cut hearts from Real Red card stock and Primrose Core’dination paper.
  5. Attach the hearts to the inside backside of cart, front of cart, back of cart and on each end of cart. Layer the hearts and add as many as you would like.  Start with the inside back of cart placing the hearts.
  6. Attach wheels to each side of cart.
  7. Stamp 3 banners from the Banner Blast stamp set on Whisper White card stock using Real Red ink.  Make one of the banners the “love” banner.  Punch banners using the Banner Punch.  Punch 3 banners from Real Red card stock (these will be used to attach the banners to the Baker’s Twine.
  8. Using the Paper Piercer, pierce one hole in the top of each of the posts.  Cut a 6″ piece of Whisper White Baker’s Twine and string through the holes in the post.  Knot the twine.
  9. Attach the banners to the Baker’s Twine using Multipurpose Glue and place one of the Real Red banners behind the stamped banner.
  10. Using the Owl Builder Punch, punch 2 hearts from Real Red card stock and attach on the outside of posts to cover the knots in the Bakers’ Twine.
  11. Fill a cellophane bag with Valentine goodies, tie the top and place in the cart.  Oh so cute!!
Valentines Day Heart Cart

Side View

Valentines Day Heart Cart

Back View

 

Valentines Heart Cart

Cart Inside

Need any supplies to make your own Valentines Day Heart cart?  Contact me at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com   or shop my ONLINE STORE

Happy Stamping

2014 Trends In Paper Crafting

Simply Said With Karen Posted on by

Over the next several posts, I will blog about the various 2014 trends in paper crafting.  I want to show you how Stampin’ Up! is definitely on trend.

The Craft and Hobby Association held their exposition over this past week.  Vendors that are associated with anything card making or scrapbooking offered displays and booths to show off their newest products. 

First up are 2 trends that continue from 2013.

Project Life

Project Life has been around for a period of several years and has become a popular way to scrapbook.  It’s fast and you can complete pages in short periods of time.  One of the elements used in project life are prepackaged journaling cards that you can display in divided page protectors. 

Stampin’ Up! has brought the “This and That” books and coordinating papers, journaling tags, stickers and washi tape.  The Occasions catalogue has all the products that you need to create your project life and the products are all color coordinated so that you are not having to search various stores for products.  If you are a digital scrapper, My Digital Studio can be used to create your Project Life, complete with easy to do divided pages and pocket card templates

2014 Trends In Paper Crafting

 Ampersands

Ampersands (&) continue to be trendy into the Spring of 2014.  You will find Ampersands on just about anythings from papers, to stamps, to clips, embossing folders. 

The Ampersand became popular during 2013 and is using to represent “and”.  Research is not definitive on why it has become so popular except that it is fun to write (an entirely non-scientific observation).

2014 Trends In Paper Crafting

Ampersands

 

So here are 2  2014 trends in paper crafting that are sure to get your creative juices flowing and think about how you can incorporate these trends into your paper crafting.

 

Happy Stamping