Manic Monday CAS card

It's manic Monday so I have a CAS card for you. (Clean and Simple). Mondays are so crazy usually there's not time for more.

My silly camera batteries were going dead last night when I took this so I apologize for the lighting. I think you can see what I did here. This used the pre-die cut Fresh Notes (#111882). They come with matching envelopes which is nice, especially for wedding gifts. 

Since June is a wedding month I made a bunch of these to include with presents. The notes coordinate with the Five Petal Flower punch (#109041) so you can do some pretty interesting variations to create different looks.

I used Bride Specialty Paper  (#115669)  (appropriate, don't you think?) for the piece behind the die cut. Before I secured it I put the Rose Red Flower Fusion (#110720) in the center with a Clear Rhinestone Brad to give it some bling. I used the scallop punch (#112091) on the bottom so that the Bride paper would show more but am wondering if I should have used the heart border punch that I got during SAB.

Just before I tied the ribbon I adhered the Bride paper to the back of the die cut portion of the card. You don't want to adhere it to the area you write in or the words will show through the die cut part and the card will look messy. (Ask me how I know this!)

To finish it off I put a tone on tone Organza ribbon (#114319) on it. It was so fast and fun to make.

Happy Stampin'!

Still Scrappin'

Here's the blog candy I tried to give away last week! Remember ... when you see blog candy sign in, make a comment that you're entering for the "candy" leave your first name and last name initial only along with an email addy. That way I can contact you and we can get your prize to you!

Here is the left hand side of a two page 12x12 scrapbook spread. I used the colors in the Mexican flag and The Write Stuff Specialty paper to get a uniform look on these pages. The alphabet is a SU Sissix die called Alphabet Simple (#115960). Notice the top of one of the maracas. I ran it through the Elegant Bouquet (#115964) embossing folder and then sanded it a little to give it a worn and raised look. The maracas are made with the Oval Scallop Frame (#114521) inner oval and the handles are made free hand.

You can see people made from the All in the Family (#113488) except for the sentiment and the boy and suitcase. Those are from the SU! retired set called Travel Time.l The scallop mat on the journaling is an exclusive SU Sissix die Scallop Square (#115950) and the inner 'notebook' type page is from The Write Stuff Specialty paper and die cuts (#115674). The DSP on the page is from that paper too.

This is the facing 12x12 page. I have a photo of my classmates and my visa along with some journaling. The stamps are from Travel Time and the numbers are a SU Sissix die (#113450) Go Go Boots. The rest is from The Write Stuff.

The pages aren't very creative and the photos are dark, but they're old photos from 1978 and I just want to get them scrapped. I figure I can add more 'bellies later, right?

At any rate, thanks for stopping by. We'll see you tomorrow.

Much love and joy,

Gardening and the May Scrapbook Page

Wow. Can you believe how outstanding the weather is? If you're not located in our area yesterday was absolutely gorgeous! The whole weekend is supposed to be fab, soooooo.....we're gardening. We spent yesterday at the greenhouse/s. The farm market we go to has nearly 20 greenhouses and just wandering through them puts you in a good mood. All that color, scent and beauty. Yum!!! Naturally I'm wandering on crutches so I'm a little sore today but it was worth it.

Welcome to Scrappin' Saturday! I have a 12x12 layout for you, only a single page this week.
Here is the May layout.

I used Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette (coming back soon!!!) and Rose Red card stock. The DSP (designer series paper) is actually SU Christmas paper from the mini called Treasures. Wish they would have continued that one, however, any matching floral design will work.

I used the Sissix die cut Bird with Leaves and Flower (#113465) for the ... you guessed it! ... birds, leaves and flowers! I put Pretty in Pink brads in the center of the small flowers to give them dimension.

The large flower has a build a brad in it with matching DSP behind the bubble part of the brad. The flower is from the Sissix die, Flower Layers with Leaf (#113470).

It's hard to see but I stamped flowers with the Pocket Silhouettes (#111672) using Pretty in Pink ink on the sides of the Pink Pirouette card stock picture mats.

The journal portion was actually a jumbo wheel called Dotted (#111256) and the month stamps was from the set Full Calendar (#114966).

I want to make a page for each month of the year but I haven't gotten that far yet. I'm working on my photos from Mexico. When I was 18 I lived in Guadalajara and went to school at La Escuela del Arte (School of the Arts). It was a school thing but because there was such an easy theme I decided to start there. I'm pretty new at scrappin' and didn't want to start with my son's baby pics right away although ... I'm getting the bug to scrap some little boy photos!!

Happy Stampin' & Scrappin'!

It's 3-D Friday!

Aren't these little bags cute? They are so easy it's ridiculous! Remember the little lunch bags you used to take to school? I bought some little white ones and cut them down. Then I glued some DSP (Designer Series Paper) to the front and back. Punched the ovals with my large oval punch and VOILA! Decorate and they were done, just that quickly!

I decorated the blue one with a couple of Pretties flowers that I touched up with matching ink and an aquapainter as well as a crystal brad. The Pretty in Pink one is the five petal punch from SU, I just bent the petals in the middle and added a half pearl from the Pretties kit. These are amazing as small gift bags or even party favors. I'm thinking that they'd be great as treat bags for a child's birthday party if you used Fox and Friends with bright cheerful paper.

At any rate, I'm off to the Farm Market today to get all manner of seeds, plants etc. for our raised beds. Our temps have been coolllllddddd. 48 for a high. Today, however, we're going to be near 70 degrees and that makes me want to garden!

Hope you're all stampin' & scrappin' this weekend!

God bless you,

Decor Elements Rock!

Weird. As I log on today I'm missing my video uplink on my blog toolbar. ERG! I hate that! The toolbar I had was much more sophisticated and I don't understand what happened! Cyber stuff makes me crazy sometimes! I also lost my photo positioning and a whole row of sophisticated icons. I hate that.

At any rate, I WAS going to do an instructional video but since I can't figure out where my video icon went ... DOUBLE ERG! ... I've had to improvise. Be kind!

This is an old mirror I have hanging in the entryway. I put some of the really cool Decor Elements on it and was pleased with the way it turned out. It was sooo easy! I have trouble with regular rub ons for scrapbook pages and this, by comparison, was a piece of cake.

I also have the Manhattan flowers on my wall but I'll show you those another time. (Those are Kraft ... oops ... Crumb Cake ... on a wall that is Candlelit paint color (a warm ecru), the effect was a subtle textured look almost. I have orange peel finish on my walls and they went on B-E-A-U-tifully. I was impressed.

I have some of the new Definitely Decorative/Decor Elements catalogs available if you need one. You can check out my website also at http://stampsandsuchwithkaren.stampinup.net (My link icon is missing too!!!! ... TRIPLE ERG!!) The site name is Stamps & Such with Karen. You can look at cattys and shop there too. Wait the pretty link feature might be back after I exited and did some other funky stuff.

I do have someone on tap to help with the technical stuff on this blog but she's in the design stage and hasn't been here at all yet. We'll go live eventually and then I won't have all these addys for you to follow. You'll be able to click a button and go directly to my website to shop ... in your jammies if you want to!!

Say I still have BLOG CANDY!!! I can't believe no one wants stamping stuff for free!!! Leave a comment with your first name and your last name initial (eg Karen O.) and you're in the hat for a chance to win. Right now ... your odds are AWESOME!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to figure out where my more advanced tool bar went so I can post a video soon. Join me tomorrow for another card and Saturday for a 12x12 scrapbook page, actually, if I can make it fit I will do a 2-page layout.

See you then,
Much love and joy,

I Know I said I wasn't going to post today ...

...but I just HAD to show you this card with the Satin ribbon that is in the share to show you how lovely it is. Isn't it rich and luxurious? I love working with it.

Also, you should be able to leave comments now with your first name and last name initial "Karen O" then on Friday when I draw for the blog candy I'll put all the names in a hat (so to speak) pull out the winner and announce on the blog. I'll give you a contact e-mail address so you can PM (private message) me with your physical address for mailing. Or, if you're local, let me know when you want to pick up your prize.

Remember, all you have to do is leave a comment with your first name and last name initial and you are in the running!

Take care and see you tomorrow!

Much love and joy,

Karen

Wednesday's Accessory Bundle post is early this week!

The "Summer Mini Bundle"
includes:

30 sheets of 6x 6 Designer Series Paper. includes:

• Presto Patterns Specialty,
• Travel Journal
• Island Oasis.

(Includes 1 6 x 6 sheet of all 12 designs of Island Oasis & Travel Journal and 1 6 x 6 sheet of all six designs of Presto Patterns Specialty.)

• 
  8 Bitty Buttons - 2 each of 4 designs.
• 18 Yards of Satin Ribbon - 2 yards each of nine colors. Colors include: Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Celery, Old Olive, Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Real Red & Basic Black

The cost for this Bundle is $25.50 with FREE shipping. The benefits of purchasing a share is you get a sample of the new product and by having a sample it allows you to see what you like and if you'd like to order more.

I have four spots left on this share. At that time you can still order but there may be a 10-14 day delay while I replentish product.

Hope to hear from you soon. I won't post much tomorrow except maybe a pic of my birthday cake!!

Much love and joy,

Karen

Wednesday's Accessory Share Post is early this week!

Since it's my birthday tomorrow I'm taking the day off. Sooooo .... I'm posting the accessory shares today. There are two shares I'm presenting. The first one is Satin ribbon featured in the mini catalog. YOu will get two yards of each of the 9 colors of Satin Ribbon for $11.95 plus $2.50 shipping. They will be sealing in a plastic bag for water resistance and sent in a manilla envelope.

Colors include:
Bashful Blue
Pretty in Pink
Certainly Celery
Very Vanilla
Old Olive
Basic Gray
Basic Black
Real Red

Chocolate Chip

You can save your spool purchases for the colors that you use the most. For me, that's been chocolate chip and real red.

Specify how many shares you want when you order and adjust the price accordingly.

Quick Thinking Stamp Set for Sale

This set is called Quick Thinking and it's one I got in the Demonstrator Kit. It was sold in the catty for a little while but retired some time ago. It does come with the card although was used maybe once or twice only. The price is $8 plus $5 Priority Mail flat rate shipping. There is only one of this set.

Around & About Stamp Set for Sale

This set is called Around & About and is a set of four frames. The set is is gently used so comes with the card you see. It is the only one of its kind and is dated 2003 so you won't find it very easily. It sells for $8 plus $5 Priority Mail flat rate shipping.

So Many Scallops

This set is called So Many Scallops and was a Sale-a-bration set. It is selling for $8 plus $5 Priority Mail flat rate shipping. The card comes with the one set that is gently used. I have another set that is unused. Please specify which one you'd like when you order.

The stamp with the crescent moon that says Sweet One says "Dimples, giggles, cuddles divine, all come together, sweetness combined." All of these stamps fit with the scallop circle punch (#109043 in the 2009-2010 IB&C).

Botanical Blooms Stamp Set for Sale

Botanical Blooms is a 2-Step Stamp set. You can stamp the outline in one color, usually the darker tone, and ink up the filler stamp with a lighter or contrasting tone! It was a Sale-a-bration set a few years back. Price is $8 with $5 Priority Mail flat rate shipping. The card is included with one set that is gently used. I have another set that is unused for the same price but no card.

Alphabet Soup

This set is called Alphabet Soup and is a blast to color with markers to get various colors on the letters. It was a Sale-a-bration set quite a few years ago. It will come with the card sample. The price is $8 plus $5 Priority Mail flat rate shipping. Remember if you order in quantity the shipping gets cheaper. Also, there are no duplicates of this, it is the only one of its kind that I own but I simply must make room for the new.

From the Garden Background Stamp

This is From the Garden (#111043) background stamp and was a hostess selection in the past. It is unused and priced at $13 with $5 Priority Mail flat rate shipping.

Retired Stamp Sets for Sale!

This is the Stitched Background stamp(#110998). It has been used twice. It's especially pretty with Whisper White ink and embossing. The price is $13 with $5 Priority Mail shipping.

Tempting Tuesday - Stamp set for sale!

Hi Everyone!

I hope the day finds you up and at 'em!

I have a number of retired stamp sets that I'd like to sell so I thought I'd start posting them each Tuesday.

This is Birthday Whimsy, a set of 5 stamps. It was a Sale-a-bration set a couple of years ago. I have two sets and one is gently used. Because it is gently used I'm including the card you see displayed in this e-mail with it.

The stamp set is priced at $8 with shipping at $5 (Flat Rate box Priority Mail). I will have others for sale I may post today as well. If you buy 2-7 sets will be $10.95 shipping flat rate. If you order 8 or more sets, I'll pay the shipping! I'll try to post each with a card sample although not all will come with one. If they are gently used I will include something.

Also, don't forget. If SU ran out of your favorite color of cardstock check with me. While I don't hold any overhead here I stocked up on some cardstock during SAB before they announced the color renovation so I might have a color you are madly in love with.

Take care of you and talk to you soon!
Much love and joy,
Karen

Watercolor Trio

Here's a fun card I made using a whole bunch of new product from the Summer Mini catalog, or catty as we demos call it. The cardstock is So Saffron with the scallop punch that was offered for FREE during Sale-a-bration(I think I heard that it will be in the new IB&C for 2010/2011. I punched the trim out in Pumpkin Pie. The mat is Old Olive although it washed out a little here to appear more Sahara Sand colored.

I used the new Specialty Designer Series paper called Presto Patterns Specialty (#117175). I stamped images in So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and Melon Mambo with the Watercolor Trio stamp set (#117050 Wood mount #120084 in Clear mount). The sentiment on this is "Birthday Wishes" from the same set. I even touched up some of the flowers with a Rock n Roll technique look to give the image added dimension.

Finally, I sprayed the cardstock with Smooch Spritz. YUM! I used both Gold Glow (#118770) and Log Cabin (#119921). Remember to put either the Color Catcher or a cardboard box behind your artwork because the spritz has a pretty wide area. Also make sure to shake the spritz up really well before you spray. It goes on better.

Hope you all find some time to stamp this week. I have BLOG CANDY to give away. Make a comment and I'll put all the names in a hat Friday to draw the winner. At that point I'll announce your name and you'll need to contact me with your mailing address so I can send your prize!

What is BLOG CANDY? It's not really candy, it's a prize! I'm not telling what it is but stampers will like it!

Take care, Stampin' & Scrappin' friends. Let me know if you need anything.

God bless,

Karen

Umbrella Friend

I love some of the Whipper Snapper designs. This stamp is one of them. The saying reads, "Friends are the umbrellas in the storms of life." I love that.

I used SU material for the rest because I think it's the best quality. I used Ballet Blue for the card and the brads. The white underneath is Watercolor Paper. I stamped the image with Black StazOn ink and outlined everything with my Stampin' Write markers. Then I blended the colors with my aquapainters to get the shading. Over the top I laid a piece of dotted acetate that came in the Designer Series Paper pack called Night and Day. It sold in the Occasions Mini catalog so is no longer on sale but I have a feeling we'll be seeing something similar with the new catalog.

At any rate, I thought I'd post something a little different today. I am, first and foremost, a stamper. So, while I stick to SU for almost everything I do buy other stamps when the urge hits me!

Take care of you and Happy Mother's Day out there to all the moms and g'mas. I got flowers and love, love, love them. Thank you Ryan!

Much love and joy,

Karen

PS. Check out the blog next week ... we'll be looking at more blog candy!!!

I decided to include a quick and dirty instructional video on making a Quilted Top Note. Forgive the poor filming please. I find that when I'm done shooting I have to turn the camera to switch it off and end up shooting the trees and sky if I'm outside or the ceiling and walls when I'm not. Frustrating but I'm sure I'll get it.

I love these little quilted top notes. They make adorable card fronts!

Happy Saturday!

Much love and joy,

Karen

This is such a fun set. THis card is a CASE (Copy And Selectively Edit). It's all mine except for the Journey stamp fading. I never thought of stamping off but it sure looks great, doesn't it? I'll probably post a couple more cards using this set. I really enjoyed playing with it.