another FTL41...Happy Birthday!

Hi! I was inspired again by yet another card created by Jill at Jill's Card Creations. You can see her card here. And the layout is one that follows FTL41 on the Clean & Simple Blog. I created 2 cards using this similar layout. For both cards, I forgot to stamp the dotted circle in the background in the corners. After I forgot the first time, I told myself over and over again, not to forget on the next card because it just adds a little touch. But lo and behold, I forgot!! Oh well, just look at Jill's card and use your imagination on my cards! LOL!


Supplies:
Stamps: Think Happy Thoughts
Ink: Sahara Sand, Night of Navy
Paper: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Texturz Plates with Big Shot, Paper Piercing Tools, 1-3/8" & 1-1/4" Circle Punches, Star Punch, Star Brads, Silver Brads, Dimensionals

Supplies:

Stamps: Think Happy Thoughts

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, East Coast Prep DSP (retired), Whisper White

Accessories: 1-3/8" & 1-1/4" Circle Punches, Star Punch, Bold Brights Brads, Star Brads, Corner Rounder, Wild Wasabi Double Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Hope you are having a great week!

Karen

2 Great Scrapbooking Promotions!

Hi! Stampin' Up! has some great scrapbooking promotions going on right now! This promotion will only last until the end of the month!! So act now, if you are interested!

FREE DESIGNER SERIES PAPER OR TEXTURED CARDSTOCK!

So how do you feel about Designer Series Paper? Can't get enough of it??? I love it! Here is an opportunity for you to receive some FREE Designer Series Paper!!!! But any 3 packs of Stampin' Up's 12x12 Designer Series Paper (including our Specialty Series Paper) or 12x12 Textured Cardstock, and receive one pack for FREE!! Place your order on-line here or contact me at stampwithkaren@aol.com to place your order! I might be able to save you on a bit of shipping costs!

DEMONSTRATOR SPECIAL STARTER KIT!

ON SALE NOW FOR $75...You can't beat this! If the thought of the Demonstrator Opportunity has ever crossed your mind, now is the time! Here is what you will receive in your $75 Starter Kit:

Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set* (Retail Value $42.95)
Simply Scrappin' Petal Party (Retail Value $19.95)
Earth Elements Assorted Textured Cardstock (Retail Value $11.95)
Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad (Retail Value $7.50)

*Substitute any stamp set up to $43.95 value

Of course you can substitute any like items in this kit. For example, if you do not prefer the Petal Party Simply Scrappin' Kit, you may substitute for a different Simply Scrappin' Kit. Same goes for the cardstock, stamp pad, and stamp set. You will also receive all the Business Supplies included in the standard Starter Kit.

HURRY! YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL MAY 31ST TO RECEIVE THESE GREAT DEALS!

To sign up, please go to my Stampin' Up! Business Website and click "Join Now". You will need my Recruiter Authorization Password: welcome2SUfun

Have fun! That's what it's all about!

Karen

Adorable Top Note Purse!

Hi! I so wish I could come up with ideas like this!!! Isn't this adorable? But I certainly cannot take credit for turning the Top Note Die into this purse! While I was browsing through my favorite blogs, I found this card, created by Jill. So I too wanted to create one for myself! I changed it up a bit, and I love how it turned out! The DSP that I used is retired. ( I always like to use my retired stuff when I am trying something for the first time!!) :)
Supplies:
Stamps: Fundamental Phrases
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Pink Pirouette, Parisian Summer (retired), Very Vanilla
Accessories: Top Note Die with Big Shot, Word Window Punch, Vintage Brads, Very Vanilla Jumbo Brads, Bravo Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

I ordered those Jumbo Brads by accident. I thought I was getting the smaller ones, but I'm glad I didn't! They work perfect for this card! On Jill's card, she added a rub-on to her Jumbo Brad. So cute!!!

I'm pretty sure I will be making a few more of these for my nieces!!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Karen

Clean & Simple Eastern Blooms

Hi! I hope you all had a safe and great Holiday weekend!! Those long weekends are wonderful, aren't they?

Here is a very clean and simple card inspired by a card that I saw here by Cindy. It's funny...when I looked back to reference her card, I saw that I put my flowers exactly where she had them. When I created my card, I only had a hand sketch of the layout. So the placement of the flowers was not intentional. I didn't have a purple button, so I added a Filigree brad instead. I think it turned out cute!

Supplies:
Stamps: Eastern Blooms, All Holidays
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Basic Black
Paper: Confetti White, Kraft, Whisper White, Print Pack DSP
Accessories: 1" Circle Punch, White Organza Ribbon, Filigree Brads

Enjoy the short week!

Karen

Pixie Pink & Lavender Lace, Oh my!

Hi! I'm not sure if I like this card or not. Is it the bright colors? I don't know, but I'll tell you what I do like...Chit Chat Rub-Ons! There are so many sentiments to choose from! And the white rub-ons just pop off the Pixie Pink cardstock! The colors are Lavender Lace and Pixie Pink. I cut the heart image out and popped it up on Dimensionals.
Supplies:
Stamps: Darling Dots
Ink: Lavender Lace, Pixie Pink
Paper: Pixie Pink, Lavender Lace, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Chit Chat Rub-Ons

Until next time...

Karen

another Stampin' Success inspiration

Hi! Happy Friday to you! And it's a better than usual Friday because of the long holiday weekend!! I hope you all have a great weekend and eat some BBQ!!

I have a quick card to share with you! I saw another card that I liked in my Stampin' Success (monthly publication for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators). Want to sign up? Ask me about the $75 Starter Kit!

I changed the colors & stamp set. The Regal Rose Scallop Circle is popped up on Dimensionals. And though it's not obvious in the picture, I have Crystal Effects on the cherry. I used Stampin' Write Markers to "ink" my image.


Supplies:
Stamps: Darling Dots (Hostess set), Birthday Wish (under $10 section)
Ink: Regal Rose pad, & Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Rose Red Markers
Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery Textured, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Accessories: 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Paper Piercing Tools, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Meet Shelli!

Hi! No card tonight, but hope to stamp a little later (like really late! :)). Anyway, I came across this video on YouTube about Shelli Gardner, CEO and Co-Founder of Stampin' Up!, and thought you might be interested. She is a very classy, successful business woman.

Click here to see the video!

Enjoy!

Karen

Stampin' Success inspiration!

Good Sunday morning to you!! I received my Stampin' Success on Friday, and it is loaded with inspiration! Our Stampin' Success is a monthly publication that is packed with ideas and information for Demonstrators. I look forward to receiving it every month! If you are a Demonstrator, you can find where I got inspiration on page 29. I changed the colors, stamp set, and size of card.
Supplies:
Stamps: Celebrations (under $10 section of catalog)
Ink: Cameo Coral & So Saffron Markers
Paper: Kraft, Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Whisper White, So Saffron Prints DSP
Accessories: Soft Subtles Brads, Dimensionals

Have a fabulous day!
Karen

Another Clean & Simple card!

Hi! I have already created some cards using this same layout here, but then I saw another card on Deb's blog, Artfelt Impressions. I like her card here, so I wanted to make one for myself. For the star brad, I cut off the legs and attached it with a mini glue dot.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fundamental Phrases
Ink: Ruby Red
Paper: Sahara Sand, Western Sky DSP (retired), Brocade Blue
Accessories: Corner Rounder, Large Star Punch, Dimensionals, Star Brads, Mini Glue Dots

Hope you are having a great weekend!
Karen

Fall-to-Layout #41

Hello! I played around with the Fall-to-Layout #41 on the Clean & Simple Blog. I made 3 cards using this layout!...and there are so many more ideas for this layout in my head!

Aren't these little guys cute?!!!
The inside says "have a honey of a day!"

Supplies (above):
Stamps: Just Buzzin' By
Ink: Basic Black,Summer Sun Marker
Paper: Summer Sun, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Supplies (above):

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, A Little Birthday Cheer

Ink: Pacific Blue, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Accessories: Pacific Blue Striped Ribbon, Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercing Tools, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers

Supplies (above):

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Fundamental Phrases

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Blue

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White

Accessories: Corner Rounder, Sponge Daubers, Pacific Blue Striped Ribbon

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Karen

Who needs a Masculine card?

Here is the last of the projects that we stamped at my stamp club last Friday, and my Day-Time Stampin' on Tuesday morning. I love getting together with these ladies on both occasions! I really appreciate the time you all take to visit and stamp with me!

I was inspired to create this card when I saw this card on the ARTFelt Impressions blog. I really like Deb's style of stamping. Check it out when you get a chance. I didn't have the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set (although it is on my list), so I substituted good ole Lovely as a Tree for this masculine card.

You can see the other 2 projects that we stamped at stamp club and at Day-Time in previous posts...Manhattan Flower & Flower Pot Pocket Card.

Supplies:
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Salutation
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, To the Nines Specialty DSP (love it!)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware

This card is a great masculine card for ANY occasion!...graduation, good luck, Father's Day.

Have fun!

Karen

Beautiful Manhattan Flower

Hi! I just love this card! It is so pretty! I'm not sure how I lived without my Big Shot. I use it so much for my projects! I can't imagine planning a class or stamp club without it!... Ooooh, that would be a good challenge! But why?! I love my Big Shot!


I first saw this card on Patty's blog. She is super-talented!! Here is the card that she created. I used Baja Breeze and Basic Gray on my card...

...which reminds me. This card was one of the make & takes at our Gateway Glitter n Ink meeting on May 2nd. I still need to post the make & takes. Stay tuned!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Ink: Basic Gray
Paper: Baja Breeze, Vellum Cardstock
Accessories: Manhattan Flower Textured Impression Die, Paper Snips, White Organza Ribbon

We will also be creating this card at my Day-Time Stampin' Class on Tuesday morning.

Have a great week!
Karen

First Communion and Special Someone!

Hi! I wanted to share a couple of pictures of my niece, who celebrated her First Communion last weekend. Isn't she cute?? Congratulations Sarah!

Sarah also celebrated her 8th birthday on Friday! So it was a big week for her! She also had an opportunity to wear her beautiful dress again for their school mass on Friday, which was also her birthday! I attended that same mass with her older sister, Mary Beth, who is in the 7th grade. It was the 7th grader's month to bring their "special person" to mass with them, and Mary Beth asked me. I was honored to be that special someone! It was a very nice mass, then we were invited to the school cafeteria for donuts and juice. Here is a picture of me and Mary Beth...

Thanks Mary Beth for inviting me to your special mass. You are so very special to me too!

Karen

Happy Mother's Day!

Hi! I hope all you moms out there had a fantastic day! Happy Mother's Day! For Mother's Day, I went to lunch with my mom and my 2 sisters. We had a great time together! Here is a picture of me and my mom...

My mom is holding the Mother's Day card that I created for her. Here it is...well, not exactly. I tried taking a picture of it at my parents house, but I couldn't get the lighting or background to my satisfaction, so I recreated it when I got home. The 2nd picture below has "Birthday Wishes", and the one I gave to my mom has "Happy Mother's Day" on it.

Isn't this just adorable?!!! You can find a great tutorial here by Stephanie. They are so simple to create! You won't believe it! Try it with different flowers!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Real Red, Barely Banana, Brocade Blue, Sage Shadow, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Cherry Blossom Die, Little Leaves Die, Big Shot, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

What do you think? Do you like it? We are creating this card, along with 2 others, on Tuesday morning at my Day-Time Stampin' Class!! Let me know by Monday evening if you would like to join us!

Karen

Rest of the ideas for the Circles Scissors Plus!

Hi! I wanted to show you the rest of the ideas that I created using the Circle Scissors Plus.

For the above card, I used the CSP to make a circular card. It's so easy! The colors are Sahara Sand, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White. The stamp set is Very Versatile from the Occasions Mini Catalog. Great set to have if you like to have word stamps on hand! Oh, and isn't the ribbon beautiful? It's our White Satin Ribbon from the Mini Catalog!

Ok, aren't these Elmos adorable?! I can't take a bit of credit for these, but I thought they were so cute. I just had to create some for myself! I used my Scallops Dies with my Big Shot to create the cards. The mouth is created from a circle that I cut from my CSP, then cut in half. So cute!! Colors are Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, More Mustard, Whisper White, & Going Grey.

For this last card, I cut a circle from my CSP on a quarter sheet of scrap cardstock for my template. I set it on top of my Kraft card, then used my Stencil brush to shade a soft circle on my card in Night of Navy ink. What a simple Christmas card???? This is a great one to reproduce, especially if you send out alot of Christmas cards every year.

Ok, I'm sorry to keep the descriptions of each card so short. But I'm rushing so that I can take a bit of a nap while my little RJ is sleeping this afternoon. So let me know if you have any questions.

Karen

Idea #3 Circle Scissors Plus

Another idea for the Circle Scissors Plus.

Supplies:
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, All Holidays
Ink: Basic Black pad, Sage Shadow & Real Red markers
Paper: Kraft, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Circles #2 with Big Shot, Circle Scissors Plus, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Come back again!

Karen

Things are looking up! THANK YOU!

Hi! Many of you know that my husband lost his job at the end of February. Well after 9 weeks, I am thrilled to say that Joe received a job offer last week, and he started working again today! You can't imagine the relief we are feeling!

I wanted to send out a big thank you to everyone who has kept us in their thoughts and prayers, and for those who offered their support to us. It was a special feeling and words cannot express our thanks to you. There were my parents and several friends who personally touched my heart, and I will never forget them. It's amazing how comforting the little things can be to someone in a challenging situtation. If you personally know someone who has been laid-off or is struggling, think about picking up a bag of groceries, or a bottle of laundry detergent for them. It may not seem like alot to you, but it's the world to someone who is scared of what the future might bring.

Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. And a very special thank you to Mom & Dad, Barb, Kelly H., Linda, Greg & Kelly, & Barbara for the little things that brought alot of comfort.

Karen

Idea #2 Circle Scissors Plus

Hi! Here is another idea that I created using the Circle Scissors Plus. I really like the look of the circles cut off the edge of the cardstock.

Supplies:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Black
Paper: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Circle Scissors Plus

As always, thanks for visiting!

Karen

Idea #1 for Circle Scissors Plus

Hi! Hope you had a great weekend! Mine was super busy!! Didn't get much sleep, but that is not unusual! We had a great Gateway Glitter n Ink (local Demonstrator Group) meeting on Saturday morning, a niece's birthday on Saturday evening and a niece's First Communion on Sunday. It was a wonderfully exhausting weekend!

I have quite a few things to share with you this week, so stay tuned! The first thing that I would like to share with you is an idea that I created using the Circle Scissors Plus. At our meeting on Saturday, I demonstrated some ideas using the Circle Scissors Plus. The other samples will be shown to you later this week. ;)

Check out this card on SCS. You will see where I was inspired to create my card. I just changed it up a bit.
Supplies:
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Bordering Blue
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Bordering Blue, Whisper White, Bella Birds DSP
Accessories: Circle Scissors Plus, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Punch, Texturz Plates with Big Shot, Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Jumbo Grommets, Paper Snips

Hope you have a great week!!

Karen