Kindness Matters Happy Birthday

Kindness Matters SAB Happy Birthday

I'm continuing to work on my almost flat, easily mailable birthday cards for April.  Even though there are only 3 more days left for Sale-A-Bration, I continue to reach for the pretty papers in the Everyday Enchantment DSP.  If you haven't ordered, but like the Designer Papers in this collection - time is slipping by quickly!  The Everyday Enchantment paper pack and the Designer Frames Textured impressions Embossing Folders can be your FREE with each $50 you spend during Sale-A-Bration!  But wait - you can also get the Kindness Matters Stamp Set for free!  

Look that the butterflies - I stamped the trio in Soft Suede ink on Poppy Parade card stock, then fussy cut each butterfly out.  I dressed the center of each butterfly with a line of tiny pearls and drew the antlers on the 2 smaller butterflies using my Soft Suede Stampin' Write marker. The larger butterfly near the top has a small wedge of Dimensional foam behind each wing.

The sentiment stamp is from Happiest Birthday Wishes, a fun Hostess set of stamps - #122615-wood or #122617-clear.  Call me and schedule to host a workshop so you can earn this great set of sentiment stamps today!

The ribbon is Crumb Cake 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, #122332.

CAS Happy Birthday!

Up, Up & Away! Happy Birthday

Clean and Simple (CAS) cards seem to be the hardest cards for me to complete.  I keep wanting to add "just one more thing."  It was a challenge to myself and I limited the extras to embossing the clouds for just a touch of dimension.  I have a long list of birthday cards that need to get in the mail the first week of April, so creating flat or almost flat, mailable cards is a high priority this week.

What I used:

Papers:  Whisper White - card base is 11" x 4-1/4", scored @ 5-1/2"; Clouds:  Whisper White; Mat:  Pool Party; Balloons are stamped on Whisper White and fussy cut

Stamps:  Up, Up & Away:  #122755-wood, #122757-clear ; On Your Birthday:  #111664-wood;

Punches for the clouds are Non-SU (EK Success hand punches from my stash)

Inks:  Pacific Point, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie; Stazon Black

Accessories:  Snail adhesive; Simply Scored; Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Stamp-a-ma-Jig; Dimensionals (between the 2 layers of Pool Party)

Sale-a-Bration is almost over!  I'll submit the last order on Saturday, March 31st ---- so don't miss out!

• The Retired Stamp List will be released on April 15, 2012.
• The Retired Accessories/Décor Elements Lists will be released on April 25, 2012.
• These lists will be available through May 31, 2012. Retiring accessories and Décor Elements will only be available while supplies last

Don't Forget - I have blog candy offered when you follow my blog and leave me a comment, letting me know what you'd like to see more of.  Stop by and Follow Me.

http://karensstampingkreations.blogspot.com/

Happy Stampin!

Perfectly Penned Thank You

My mind starts thinking in terms of flowers about this time of the year .... I'm not sure what climate best suits clematis vines, but I'd love a trellis full of those richly colored blossoms, like this:

So the inspiration for this card came from looking at a gardening magazine.  The design of the card is a Viva la Verve sketch from August, 2011 that caught my eye.  

Rich Razzleberry Thank You

The card base, embossed layer and sentiment mat are all created using Naturals White.  I used a sponge dauber to go around the embossed mat with Rich Razzleberry ink, but the fun really began as I layered the leaves, cut with #114511 Little Leaves Sizzlits Die (I used 3 cuts, but snipped parts off of the middle and bottom sprig).  The blossoms are layered, starting with #119880, 5-Petal Flower Punch.  I worked each petal with my bone folder to give it the shape I wanted.  The centers are punched with the Boho Blossoms Punch - #119858.  I pierced the center of each layer, then threaded them onto a Basic Rhinestone Brad.  The tiny blossoms are punched from the "clover" punch - #118309 Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, with a small Basic Rhinestone tucked in the center.

Accessories:  Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, #120175; Mini glue dots; Scallop Border Punch, #119882

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry

Stamps:  Perfectly Penned, #122892 - clear, #122890 - wood

It's not too late to order before Sale-a-Bration ends.  Click on the Sale-a-Bration link and complete your wish list before it comes to an end!

Summer Smooches Thinking of You

Thinking of You featuring new DSP, Summer Smooches

A little sneak peek of new products that will be available in April - Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper and the bright and cheerful Daffodil Delight seam-binding ribbon.  The colors and patterns in the new Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper are very bright and cheerful.  The Brights Collection is the perfect combination to make the patterned papers pop!  I used Lucky Limeade for the card base and matted the DSP paper on Island Indigo from the 2011-2013 In Colors Collection.  The buttons are threaded with White Bakers Twine - #124262 and the pretty yellow bow is created with the newest color in the seam-binding ribbon collection:  Daffodil Delight.

For just a little texture, I trimmed the scalloped piece of Daffodil Delight with the scallop Edgelits Die & added dimension with the coordinating Adorning Accents embossing folder.  

Remember - Sale-A-Bration ends this Saturday, March 31st.  It isn't too late to order, but don't wait!  Give me a call or e-mail.

He Is Risen - Easter Dove

He Is Risen

Easter is just two Sundays away.  This card features the newest Easter stamp:  Easter Dove, #125455, from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The Triple Treat Flower Single Stamp can be yours FREE with a $50.00 order during Sale-a-Bration, but you don't have much time to get your order turned in.  Sale-A-Bration ends March 31st.

To create this card, I used Soft Suede for the base and added a mat of Very Vanilla cardstock.  The two patterned pieces (2-1/5" x 4") are from Everyday Enchantment DSP, SAB #126154.  The scalloped element is Pool Party CS, trimmed with the Scallop Border Punch.  I stamped the Triple Treat Flower using Soft Suede ink on Very Vanilla, then punched it out with Fancy Flower punch #118073, then I stamped the Triple Treat Flower using Soft Suede ink on Lucky Limeade CS and punched out this shape using the 5-Petal Flower #119880 punch.  I then punched  a plain piece of Lucky Limeade using the scallop flower shape out of the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, #118309 and added a Large Basic Pearl to embellish the center. 

The sentiment stamp is also done using Soft Suede ink.  I stamped the dove on a scrap piece of Pool Party CS, then fussy cut the dove and adhered it with a small piece of Dimensionals, then added the 3 small Basic Pearls to the wing of the dove.  

This would be a very easy card to make multiples of and an easy mailer.  

Here's a close-up of the dove:

and a close-up of the details of the Triple Treat Flower:

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.  If you have any questions or need help with a special project, send me an e-mail and I'll do my best to help you.  Happy Stamping!

BLOG CANDY!

March Blog Candy!

Seems like forever since I had a quiet minute to sit down and make a few cards to share with you.  Too much going on the last 2 weeks - but isn't it nice when we are busy.  I hope you're ready to enjoy Spring ---- seems it has arrived in West Texas.  With the water restrictions we are facing, I won't need as much time to tend to the yard and flower beds unless a miracle happens and the water supplies ease up.

To remind you that it's NOT too late to place an order during Sale-a-Bration, I'm teasing you a bit with this "blog candy".  There's a package of Cheerful Treat DSP, 2 clear sets of stamps - Perfect Words and the newest Hostess set, Up In the Air from the Occasions Mini Catalog + a package of Brights Designer Buttons & a Real Red Stampin' Write Marker.  

To sign up to receive the Blog Candy, all you have to do is sign up to follow my blog AND leave me a comment telling me something you like about my blog and something you want to see more of.

I will put all the follower with comments into a random drawing for the Blog Candy.

Be sure you are following my Blog and have left a comment (what you like & what you want to see more of) between today, March 25 and Saturday, March 31.  I'll announce the winner next Sunday, April 1st, after church.  

Remember - I'll place the final Sale-A-Bration Order on Saturday, March 31st.  

Birthday Butterfly

It seems like most Mondays cause the blues .... today's blues are from the blues I used on this birthday card!  For some reason, I've reached to use Basic Grey card stock as an accent color several times this past week and for one reason or another, it just didn't go.  Well, I wasn't taking no for an answer today.  Even though I used a Very Vanilla base (I always think Very Vanilla is ONLY a neutral and that I HAVE to use Soft Suede or Crumb Cake as my accent mat color), I WANTED to use Basic Grey today and I'm soooo happy I did.  The elegant patterns on the Beau Chateau DSP pack (#122357) were the perfect match.

I recently purchased the Perfect Pennants Bigs L Die (#123126).  The two (2) circular element on this die have matching edges to the Scallop Trim Border Punch (#118402) and Scallop Edge Border Punch (#119882).  So instead of using the Eyelet Border Punch (#119853) that I originally had in mind to use, I made a test cut of the Scallop Trim Border Circle and I immediately knew I was going to use it!  The BIGZ dies are a wonderful investment to your tools collection and make exact and beautiful cuts every time.  The butterfly is cut using Bigz Die #114507 - BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES and the sentiment tag was cut using Sizzlits Die Set #114508 - LOTS OF TAGS.  I sponged the edges of all patterned paper & the sentiment tag with Sahara Sand before I began assembly for an aged effect.

With a little help from bits of Dimensionals, the butterfly wings seem to take flight:

What I used:

Papers:  Very Vanilla, Marina Mist &  Basic Grey cardstocks; First Edition Specialty DSP (#121878) and Beau Chateau DSP (#122357)

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, #115370; Tiny Tags, #118091-W, #118592-C

Classic Stampin Ink Pads:  #109120 - Basic Grey; #105208 - Sahara Sand

Ribbon:  5/8" Satin Ribbon - Basic Grey, #124326

Dies & Punches:  Beautiful Butterflies, #114507; Lots of Tags Sizzlits, #114508; Perfect Pennants Bigz L die, #123126; 1-3/4" Circle Punch, #119850; Scallop Trim Border Punch, #118402;

Accessories:  Snail adhesive, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Basic Pearls, Neutrals Designer Buttons  & Linen Thread to tie the button around the satin bow.

* ~* ~ * ~ *

Smile at Everyone today!

A smile is a one-second chance to extend God's grace and love

to someone who otherwise might never see Him.  

So as you get dressed for today, don't forget to put on your smile!

Reach into someone's day and make it better.

Smile at everyone.

You're the Best!

I like to use the K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, silly!) method on Sundays.  The weekends pass by too quickly and I usually have more laundry to finish up, so here's what I came up with that didn't keep me in the craft room too long.

This cute all-occasion card is inspired by a similar card on Mary Fish's blog - thanks, Mary, for sharing your clean and simple designs.

What I used:

Papers:  Naturals White, Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz DSP Patterns (dots), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Stamps:  Perfect Words (Hostess) #122472-C

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Owl builder Punch, #118074; Decorative Label, #120907; Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, #124142, Snail Adhesive; 2-Way Glue Pen, #100425; Stamp-a-ma-Jig, #101049.

Perfect Words is an awesome stamp set.  Ask me about hosting a workshop with your friends and earn this stamp set for free!  All the sentiments are fun and versatile.  Here is an image of the 8 stamps in the set:

Perfect Words, #122472-C, #122470-W

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Mixed Bunch Get Well - a square card

This is the 4th card in my upcoming Mixed Bunch Card Workshop.  This card is square - measuring 5-1/4 x 5-1/4.  You're going to love the creations you'll learn to make using the new Blossom punch in the Occasions Mini catalog.  This card class will include 5 cards which are inspired by the awesome work of Sandi MacIver.  I've tweaked each card just a bit to fit my own personal color choices, but her cards catch my eye every day.  Thanks for the wonderful inspiration, Sandi!

Workshop details:

Friday Night GNO Cards

Friday, March 9 2012

6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Workshop Fee:  $15.00

We will create five (5) cards using the Mixed Bunch stamps & featuring elements created with the new Blossom Punch;  for sentiments, we will use Perfectly Penned and Teeny Tiny Wishes. If you bring a friend to this workshop who is new to my card classes, your friend's attendance is FREE!

Call me to reserve your space today.   I'll have your card ingredients all cut and ready for you to begin working as soon as you arrive.  We should have some free time to work on Techniques, so plan now to bring your basic supplies, invite a friend and we'll relax and enjoy the evening together.

You're My Type ... a little note

As I sat down this evening to unwind from a very demanding week, I found myself looking at a recent issue of CARDS  by Northridge Publications, feeding my creative spirit and looking for inspiration when I stopped to study a card with a quote:

True Friends are 

RARE &

PRECIOUS

treasures

To Keep

Forever

I was immediately reminded of so many sweet friends that lift my spirits every day and that truly make a difference in my life.  I know I can count on them to bring a smile to my face each time we see each other or exchange a quick e-mail ... I knew I needed to make a stash of little cards to have on hand for tucking in gifts.  

My sweet friend, Joan Robertson, has shared several cards this week featuring a new stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog:  You're My Type. So that's the stamp set I decided to work with first tonight.  I hope you like this little 3x3 Note Card.

I fussy cut the typewriter and lifted the little note coming out of the typewriter by placing 2 dimensionals at the top of the paper;  the itty bitty flowers are lightly distressed on the edges with Crumb Cake ink, put together with mini glue dots and dressed up just a bit with a tiny little pearl.  I repeated the Damask flourish on the back on the envelope in Crumb Cake ink (stamped off first).

What I used:

Card stock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, First Edition DSP

Stamps:  You're My Type, #125564 - wood, #125650 - clear; Friends, 24-7, retired - Spring 2009 Mini Catalog

Inks:  Stazon Black, Crumb Cake

Punches:  Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, #k118309

Accessories:  Basic Pearls #119247; Note Card sized Envelopes, #107311; Snail adhesive & Dimensionals.

Thanks for taking time to visit my blog .... leave a comment and let me know what type of projects you would be interested in seeing.  Enjoy your weekend.

Mixed Bunch Bonus Card - friend to friend

This card has so much dimension.  Love the textured mat of Pool Party on the Pool Party base.  The striped purple flower is created using two (2) punched blossoms.  I made 1 cut, then began folding each blossom petal like a fan, then attached the 2 folded blossoms using mini glue does.  I placed a Pool Party blossom punch behind the purple flower, then added a purple shadow by cutting each of the purple shadow petals and attaching them individually behind the Pool Party base.  The button is dressed with White Baker's Twine and popped in place with a mini glue dot.

The Pear Pizzazz banner was punched using a square punch to get the perfect points.

and a closer look at the folded flower.  My colors got a little distorted zooming in so close.  The picture above is accurate.

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

What I used:

Card stock:  Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz DSP and Concorde Crush DSP

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, #115370

Ink:  Stazon Black, #101406

Accessories:  Textured Impressions Snow Burst embossing folder, #124096

(from the Holiday Mini catalog)

Designer Buttons, Brights - #119747

White Bakers Twine - #124262

Blossom Punch - #125603

Mini Glue Dots - #103683

Mixed Bunch #3 - Thank you

Card #3 is so sweet!   The area behind the blossom is punched out so the Pool Party card stock peeps out from behind the blossom.  The little floral buttons are attached with mini glue dots and topped with a Basic Pearl.  Super quick and easy.

A close-up of the area around the blossom:

What I used:

Card stocks:  Pool Party base, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz DSP (2010 - 2012 In Colors Collection)

Stamps:  Mixed Bunch #125535-W, #125537-C) and Perfectly Penned (sentiment) (#122890-W or #122892-C)

Inks:  Stazon Black - sentiment & blossom

Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Elegant Lines embossing folder (#119277), Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die  (#120893), 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain ribbon, Designer Buttons - Brights #119747, Bone Folder, Mini Glue Dots & Snail adhesive

Mixed Bunch Happy Birthday, Card #2

This is my test post after linking my Blog to Facebook.  This image is last night's creation .... details are shown on my Blog.