Monday, August 24, 2009

Swaps - Part 3

Hi! Ok, here is the last of the swaps from our Demonstrator meeting. I hope you have enjoyed them! Did you get inspired?

Below: by Rita P....isn't this the sweetest thing?!
Below: unknown

Below: unknown

Below: by Lynn L.

Below: by Darcy T.

Have a great week! See you soon!
Karen

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Swaps - Part 2

Hi! Happy Sunday to you! I'm back with a few more swaps that I received at our Demonstrator meeting last weekend.

Below: by Susan K.


Below: by Sarah K.


Below: unknown

Below: by Cathy R.

Below: by me! (details in a previous post)

If you are a demonstrator and participate in swaps, I encourage you to put your name on the back of your swaps. I hate when I can't give credit to great swaps! Please be proud of your creations!!
I have one more batch of swaps to share with you on Monday!
Hope you are having a great weekend and enjoying some time with your loved ones!

Thanks for visiting!
Karen

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Swaps - Part 1

Hi! Here are a few of the swaps that I received at our Demonstrator meeting last weekend.

Below: by Charity A.
Below: unknown


Below: by Karen K.


Below: by Earleen M.

Below: by Linda G. (MamaDog Memories)

I am at the Lake of the Ozarks for a fun girls weekend! But I have some more swaps scheduled to post on Sunday! So come back and visit!
Thanks for visiting today!
Karen


Friday, August 21, 2009

Sanding DSP!

Hi! For our demonstrator meeting this past Saturday, I demo'd a technique where you lightly sand an embossed image on our Designer Series Paper. Here are a few samples I created:

Below: I used the Manhattan Flower embossing folder on Bella Rose DSP (retired), then sanded the image with a sanding block, then cut around the rose. Cardstock is Whisper White and Close to Cocoa. Best Wishes is heat embossed with White Embossing Powder.

Below: I used the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder on Rose Red Patterns Designer Series Paper. Image is lightly sanded with a sanding block. For this card, I punched an oval out of the DSP for the image, then created a scallop oval frame. The sentiment is stamped on the front of the Whisper White card.

Below: This was the make & take that I created for the meeting. Same details as the card above, except that I used the Thoroughly Modern DSP.

This technique works best on our DSP because it has a white core. Stampin' Up's regular cardstock is color all the way through, which is great! But...you could swipe some ink across the cardstock on the embossed image. Hmmm...gives me a few ideas!
Hope you liked these samples! We will be creating this same technique at my Stamp Club and Day-Time Stampin' class in September!
Have a great Friday! I received some great swaps at our meeting last Saturday. I will be sharing those in the next 3 days!
Karen

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Stamp Club Project #3

Hi! Here is our final Stamp Club project for August. We created a faux tile look using scored lines (used a Scor-Pal), then sponging color all over. I started sponging with So Saffron, then added Close to Cocoa. I finished it off by sponging Perfect Plum around the edges. I also used my Color Spritzer Tool to spritz Perfect Plum over the stamped image. It softens it up!

Supplies:
Stamps: Flower Fancy, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Perfect Plum pad, Markers: Perfect Plum, More Mustard, Mellow Moss
Paper: Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum
Accessories: Scor-Pal, Color Spritzer Tool, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Have a great day!
Karen

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Stamp Club Project #2

Hi! Here is my August Stamp Club Project #2. We used the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder and ran it through the Big Shot. I actually added a tab on the Multipurpose Platform to get a deeper impression on the embossed image. I then inked my rubber brayer in Pretty in Pink ink and ran over the "debossed" side of the image. Then cut the excess cardstock around the image. This was then attached to another piece of white cardstock. Easy Peasy!!! So pretty!!!!
Supplies:
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Paper: Kraft, Mellow Moss, Whisper White
Accessories: Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, Paper Snips

Thanks for stopping by!! Happy Hump Day!

Karen

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Stamp Club Project #1

Hi! Here is one of the three projects that we stamped at my stamp club on Friday evening. These are fun little boxes! I found the tutorial here on Splitcoaststampers. It's really simple! Piece of cake after the first one or two! These are perfect for some chocolate or other little treat!



Don't you love the little pumpkin made out of punched ovals?!!! So cute!

Here are the little boxes opened. I attached a window sheet behind the punched circles.



Here is another little box that I created that same night. I wanted to create a little something for my 3 downline who were going to be at the meeting on Saturday morning. I used my new Butterfly punch! Love it! (Sorry about the picture quality!)
Please let me know if you have any questions about these adorable little boxes! I would love to see your creations!
I'll be back tomorrow for Stamp Club Project #2.
Have a great day!
Karen

Monday, August 17, 2009

Gateway Glitter n Ink Make & Take projects

Hi! I wanted to thank everyone who stopped by this past week. I'm so sorry that I didn't share with you. This past week was a little crazy! Thanks for your patience! I have lots of new stuff to share, so let's get started!!!!

We had our local Demonstrator meeting on Saturday for our group, Gateway Glitter n Ink. I am one of five planners for this quarterly meeting and we all had so much fun! It's so great to get together with other stampers who loves the same thing that you do! Here are our 5 make & take projects that we prepared:

Below: 6x6 scrapbook pages featuring the new Build-A-Bear products (available on Sept. 1st)
Below: Card using the new Medallion stamp
Below: Card using Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder with a Sanding Block on Thoroughly Modern DSP

Below: Treat Box using a new ornament stamp set and new punch (both available on Sept. 1st)!! Ornament stamped in Real Red Craft ink, then embossed with Iridescent Ice Emboss Powder
Below: In-Color Sampler using the Two Tags Bigz Die

Again, thanks for continuing to stop by and not giving up on me!! I'll be back tomorrow with more!!!
Karen

Saturday, August 15, 2009

I hope you have been patient!

Hi! Just checking in to let you know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth! I am very much here and have been working on getting stamp club projects together and other stampin' stuff for a local demonstrator meeting on Saturday morning. I have tons of new stuff to share with you, and I will try my best to start posting them in the next day or two, and through all of next week. I'm excited!!!! Do be sure to check back after Saturday. I have the meeting in the morning, then a stampin' class that I am taking by a demonstrator friend of mine, then dinner with some great friends in the evening. So Saturday is pretty much booked. If I don't collapsed Saturday evening, I will try to get pictures of everything and start to post! Thanks for your patience.

Karen

Monday, August 10, 2009

Sally's swap card for Convention

Hi! Hope you all had a great weekend! Today I have a card to show you that was created by my stampin' friend and downline, Sally. It's a great card, don't you think? Sally visited me last week right before she left for Stampin' Up's annual convention in Salt Lake City. I was soooo excited that she was going to convention. But still so bummed that I was not going to be able to share that excitement with her. I can't wait to hear all about convention! She's giving me a call tonight!! :)

Sally was nice enough to take some of my swap cards and swap them at convention for me. I created 25 card swaps. I'm looking forward to seeing them! Sally, thanks so much for bringing a taste of convention back for me. I appreciate it so much!

I'm very busy this week getting ready for my stamp club on Friday and a local demonstrator meeting on Saturday morning! I need to get some projects together and some swaps for both events!! I've got a head start on my swaps, so I feel a little better. Good news...I will have lots to share with you. Bad news...you may not see too much until later this week. Although, I might be able to squeeze in a little fun stampin' to share with you!! ;)

Have a great week!

Karen

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Kind & Caring Thoughts with a Vase!

Hi! Before I get to the card that I have to share with you today, I wanted to give a big shout-out to all the Stampin' Up! Demonstrators that are at convention today! I sooooooo want to be there, but it just wasn't practical for me to be there this year. I have been a demonstrator for 9 years, and I think I have only missed 3 times. So it's very difficult to be here at home, knowing what a great time everyone is having in Salt Lake City on the first day of convention!! There is just something about being at convention with thousands of crazy demonstators loving the same thing that you do. It's an exhausting 3 days, but you can't imagine the feeling you go home with. Hi Sally, Mary & Sue!!!

Ok, onto the card...here is another card that I created using the Kind & Caring Thoughts stamp set. I created a vase using the Large Oval Punch, snipping off each end.

Supplies:
Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts, Heard From the Heart
Ink: Elegant Eggplant (ink pad & marker), Old Olive Marker
Paper: Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots

Have a great day!!

Karen

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Simple Thoughts

Hi! Here is another card created from the Kind & Caring Thoughts stamp set, which is a Level 3 Hostess set. It's such a pretty set! My inspiration for my card came from this card on Sara's blog. And she case'd her card from another blog...and the trail lives on!! But they are all just slightly different. I changed the colors and added a layer. I stamped the flower 3 times without reinking my stamp.

Supplies:
Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts

Ink: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Carmel, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Stampin' Sponges, Color Spritzing Tool

I know...I used the Color Spritzing Tool again! Love that tool! I'm not sure why I put it away for so long!

I'll be back tomorrow!! Have a great day!

Karen

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Inspired by Nature & Color Spritzer Tool

Hi! I played in my stamp area last night and created a few cards. So be sure to visit this week for some more inspiration.

For this card, I used my In Color Markers to ink my the flower petals and stem. Then I used a sponge dauber/ink pad for the center of the flower. I probably could have used a marker for the center, but I wanted more of a sponged look, instead of a swiped look from a marker. Also, I wanted a softer look where the petals meet the center of the flower. I can't believe I came up with this one all on my own...well almost. I had a few sketches in my sketch book that inspired me.
Supplies:
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Soft Suede (ink pad & marker), Crushed Curry and Old Olive Markers
Paper: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Color Spritzer Tool

I haven't used the Color Spritzer Tool since before Stampin' Up retired it a few years ago. Then they brought it back a while ago and I decided to dust it off and put it to work. I really like the effect on the card! The tool mists the ink from a marker to give a spattered look. Hopefully you can click on the picture for a closer look!

Hope you are having a great week!
Karen

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Last card of Stamp-A-Stack

Hi! Happy Sunday! I hope your weekend was a perfect one for you! I hosted my Stamp-A-Stack on Friday evening and Saturday morning. I wanted to thank my stampin' friends for joining me! I had a great exhausting time, and I hope you enjoyed making the cards! Your stampin' friendship means so much to me! I enjoyed chatting with all of you!

Here is the final card that we stamped at my SAS. I used the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper. The colors listed in the catalog for this DSP are Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, & Rich Razzleberry. But I thought Pale Plum went much better for the sheets of DSP that I was using on this card. By the way, I'm looking at the catalog right now, and I don't even see the striped DSP (in the first sample) shown in the catalog under the Cottage Wall DSP on page 160...weird!! So I'm not sure what is going on. Am I missing something?? Anyway, back to the card...I used Pale Plum and Old Olive markers to ink the solid flower image in the background. But I did "stamp off" first before stamping on cardstock. I wanted a more muted look in the background to make the big flower pop out.

Inspired by this card created by anamarie on SCS. She has a great gallery.

Supplies:
Stamps: Flower Fancy, On Your Birthday
Ink: Pale Plum (marker and pad), Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive (marker and pad)
Paper: Confetti White, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Old Olive, Cottage Wall DSP
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Little Leaves Die, Big Shot, Dimensionals

Have a great day!
Karen


Saturday, August 1, 2009

Need a little pickup?

Happy Saturday to you!!! Here is Card #4 that we stamped at my Stamp-A-Stack this weekend. I haven't used my Loads of Love stamp set in quite some time. Then I saw this card on Splitcoaststampers and thought, "Brilliant! I could stamp the truck in Chocolate Chip on Kraft cardstock and I wouldn't have to color it!!" And I love how she "popped" the hearts on pick cardstock! So...I thought I could "pop" the flowers up and I love how it turned out!

Supplies:
Stamps: Loads of Love
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Markers: Old Olive, Regal Rose
Paper: Kraft, Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Trio Flower Punch, Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Paper Snips

Following is a card that I first created for a possible card for my Stamp-A-Stack, but I didn't have enough of the Kraft Tafetta Ribbon or Chocolate Buttons for everyone. But I did have to ask myself...why have I waited so long to order the Kraft Taffeta Ribbon? It's beautiful!!!! I ordered it for the first time a few weeks ago and I can't figure out why it took so long to order it!

Hope you have a great weekend! I'll be back soon with another Stamp-A-Stack card.

Karen