Monday, May 24, 2010

Watercolor Trio inspired by Dawn

Hi! I was inspired to make this card from Dawn's card shown HERE. I loved the colors! I just changed it up a bit.

Supplies:
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Old Olive
Paper: Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Cottage Wall DSP
Accessories: Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon, Dimensionals

Are you beginning to think that Watercolor Trio is the only stamp set I own that is touching ink? I promise to share other things soon!! I do have many other stamp sets!! :)

Take care and have a great day!!

Karen

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Simple and Sweet Watercolor Trio

Hi! What a beautiful Sunday in St. Louis!! A little humid, but oh it's so good to see the sun shining this weekend!!!

I have another idea for Watercolor Trio to share with you today. I created this card several weeks ago, but I didn't want to bombard you with all Watercolor Trio cards. But it is such an easy set to create with if you like flowers!!
Supplies:
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Bashful Blue, Markers: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Ballet Blue
Paper: Kraft, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals
Hope you had a great weekend!
Karen

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Happy Grad!

Hi! Do you have alot of graduations/graduation parties to attend this year? My family has 4 graduations this year...2 college, 1 high school, and 1 grade school. It's an exciting time!!!

Since it is the time of year for graduations, I thought I would create a Graduation card for my monthly classes and stamp club. When I saw this Happy Grad stamp in the Summer Mini Catalog, I knew it was perfect. I love the little inspirational sayings! It's perfect for a High School or College Graduation!! The background was created from the Backgrounds I Texturz Plates. It adds a mature feeling to the card.

I wanted to share with you how I inked the image on this card. I first inked up the entire image image with Soft Suede ink. Then I took a Blender Pen, and took OFF the color from the words, Make a Difference & Stand Strong. Then I used a Bermuda Bay Marker to "ink up" those words. It's really simple!! Or you can take Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay Markers to "ink up" the entire image. So either way will work!!
Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Grad
Ink: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay Marker
Paper: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay
Accessories: Backgrounds I Texturz Plates, Big Shot, Large Star Punch, Star Punch, Silver Brads, Blender Pens, Dimensionals


Since the theme for this blog post is Graduation, I wanted to share with you some pictures of the special graduates in my life. First is my niece Lori!!! I still remember the day she was born!Can't believe she is graduating from High School! Lori has received a full-ride scholarship to a University, where she will be playing soccer! Congratulations Lor!!



Next up is my niece, Mary Beth!! She graduated from Grade School last night. She has grown into a beautiful young woman. I wish her the best in her High School days!! Congratulations Mary Beth!




One of my favorite quotes/sayings...

Always reach for moon. If you don't make it, you will find yourself amongst the stars!!
Congratulations to all the graduates out there!!!
Karen

on your Birthday...

Hi! Here is a card that I created to swap with my monthly stamp club. And we stamped this card at my Day-Time and P.M. Stampin' Classes this month. The leaf image is not actually a stamp. I used the "negative" part from the Little Leaves Die like a stencil, then sponged Always Artichoke Ink with my Sponge Daubers. You will need to be very careful with the "delicate" little pieces when applying ink to this "stencil". I cut my image from cardboard to make it a bit more sturdy. Doesn't this make a great masculine card??? I used my Cutters Tool Kit to really roughen up the edges, then sponged White Ink around the Kraft Cardstock.

Supplies:
Stamps: On Your Birthday
Ink: Always Artichoke, Basic Brown (Chocolate Chip will work great too!), White Craft
Paper: Kraft, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Little Leaves Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Cutters Tool Kit, Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals

Hope your day is great! See you soon!!

Karen

Sunday, May 16, 2010

another Watercolor Trio!

I told you that I liked this set!!! It's so easy to create with a great stamp set. I still have a few more samples to share with you. Here is one of them...

Supplies:
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Ruby Red, Markers: Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Ruby Red
Paper: Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Perfect Details Texturz Plates, Big Shot, Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon, Earth Elements Buttons, Linen Thread, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Dimensionals

I'm sorry I can't remember where I saw the card that I was inspired from to create this card. I looked through Stampin' Connection, Splitcoaststampers and some of my favorite blogs, but I couldn't find the card. I remember her talking about using her stash of Ruby Red Buttons, but that's all I can remember. So I'm sorry I can't give credit to the stamper who inspired me! If I find it, I will certainly come back and edit this post.

My Day-Time Stampin' and P.M. Stampin' classes are both on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. I have limited space available in the morning and several openings in the evening. Won't you join me in stampin' 3 great cards?? Please RSVP by Monday evening!

Hope your weekend is going great!!

Karen

Friday, May 14, 2010

a Merry Christmas card???

I can't believe I am posting a Christmas card in the middle of May!!! Although Christmas will be here before we know it!!! :) I created this card for the Demonstration I gave on the Wax Paper Resist with a Twist technique (described in my previous post). I used the Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder to create this background! I'm very happy with how it turned out!

Supplies:
Stamps: Season of Joy
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Glossy White
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories/Tools: Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Wax Paper, Iron, Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals

Have a great weekend!

Karen

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wax Paper with a Twist!!

Hi! I have a couple of cards to share with you using the Wax Paper Resist Technique, but this time I added a little bit of a cool twist!!! In my previous post, I shared directions for the "Crumpled" Wax Paper Resist Technique. For the twist, you are NOT going to crumple the wax paper. Instead, use one of your Textured Impressions Embossing Folders. Insert the wax paper into the embossing folder and run it through your Big Shot. Then "sandwich" the wax paper between 2 pieces of GLOSSY cardstock, making sure the glossy side is touching the wax paper. Iron for about 10 seconds. You have created a really nice background on your glossy cardstock. Now add some color using a brayer, sponge daubers, or sponges.

Here are a couple of samples where I created a beautiful background using the Finial Press Embossing Folder.

Both cards use the Watercolor Trio stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog. Aren't they pretty? Let me know if you have any questions on the supplies that I used.

This technique first caught my eye when I saw a sample in our April Stampin' Success. I thought they used some Designer Series Paper, but then I couldn't find it in the catalog. So I read the caption that went along with the picture of the card, and figured it out!

Have a great day!

Karen




Monday, May 10, 2010

Wax Paper Resist

Hi! I demonstrated the Wax Paper Resist Technique at the Share What You Love Demonstrator event, and I wanted to share some samples with you that I created for "show n tell". Today I will show you the original Wax Paper Resist Technique, prior to our Big Shot days. Later this week, I will show you more samples how to do this technique with your Big Shot! It is so cool!!!

Here are some simple instructions on how to do this technique. You have to try it!!
  1. Take a small piece of wax paper and "crumple" it up into a ball.
  2. Flatten it out.
  3. Take a piece of GLOSSY cardstock and "sandwich" the flattened "textured" wax paper in between 2 pieces of GLOSSY cardstock, so that the glossy side is touching the wax paper.
  4. Get ready to iron!! Settings on iron need to be high heat, dry heat. No steam.
  5. Lay a piece of copy paper on your ironing surface to protect your surface. Lay the glossy cardstock/wax paper "sandwich" on the copy paper and top it off with another piece of copy paper to protect your iron.
  6. Iron "sandwich" for 10-15 seconds.
  7. Take the glossy cardstock and you are ready to add some color. I used my Sponge Daubers to add some color with my ink pads. You can also use a rubber brayer or sponge.
  8. The wax resists the ink and you have created a unique background!!

Here are a couple of samples for you using the "crumpled" Wax Paper Resist Technique.

Supplies:
Stamps: Extreme Guitar, Just Jawing
Ink: Basic Black, Brilliant Blue
Paper: Brilliant Blue, Basic Black, Glossy White
Accessories: Wax Paper, Sponge Daubers, Large Star Punch, Star Punch, Dimensionals

Supplies:
Stamps: Scary Skeleton, All Holidays
Ink: Basic Black, Lovely Lilac
Paper: Green Galore, Basic Black, Glossy White
Accessories: Wax Paper, Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals

Have a great day!

Karen

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Tri-Panel Watercolor Trio

Hi! Here are 2 more ideas for the stamp set, Watercolor Trio. I have several more ideas for this stamp set that I want to share, but I may try to space them out a bit so you don't get too tired of this set. I do love it though!!!


I can't remember where I saw the idea where I was inspired to create this card! But it was a little different and they used a different stamp set and different colors. Aren't these pretty???


I am so excited that Stampin' Up! is bringing Pink Pirouette back!! One of favorite past In-Colors!!! I decided to pull out some Pink Pirouette and make another card with this same layout. When Pink Pirouette was current, Stampin' Up! didn't have the marker for the In-Colors. So I used a Sponge Dauber to "ink" up my stamp, along with the Mellow Moss Marker for the middle image.

Supplies:
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Mellow Moss, Barely Banana/So Saffron, (Pink Pirouette/Regal Rose), Chocolate Chip
Paper: Kraft, Mellow Moss, Whisper White, Barely Banana, (Pink Pirouette)
Accessories: Corner Rounder, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Enjoy your weekend!!

Karen

Friday, May 7, 2010

Watercolor Trio Swap

Hi! Here is a card that I created for a swap that I participated in with our local Demonstrator group. I really love this stamp set...Watercolor Trio! It's such a pretty stamp set to create with! Is it on your wish list??

Supplies:
Stamps: Watercolor Trio

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Paper: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Accessories: Perfect Details Texturz Plates, Big Shot, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, 5/16" Silver Jumbo Brad, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Have a great weekend!

Karen

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Share What You Love Make & Take #5

Hi! Aren't these little boxes adorable???? We created these little cuties for one of our Make & Takes at the Share What You Love stampin' event. What a great little box to put a special surprise in for a someone special!!! For the event, these little boxes were prepared by my special friend and sideline, Rita Parker!

These boxes are NEW in the Summer Mini Catalog. You get 12 boxes and bellybands in one package (6 each of 2 designs). And get this...they are only $5.95!!! What a deal!!! And I love the colors!!! Coordinates well with the NEW Island Oasis DSP!

Supplies:
Stamps: none
Ink: none
Paper: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Floral Fusion Sizzlit Die, Big Shot, 5-Petal Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Crystal Effects

Ok, that's it for the Make & Takes that we created at the Share What You Love event. I hope you enjoyed them and are inspired!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Share What You Love Make & Takes #3 & #4

Hi! Here are Make & Takes #3 & #4 from our Share What You Love stampin' event that we held this past Saturday. Both use the NEW Watercolor Trio stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog. I absolutely love this set!! It's my favorite from this Mini Catalog!!

This first make & take was designed by Linda Grames. Check out her blog here. She is so talented!! I love her card! So pretty!

Supplies:
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Soft Suede
Paper: Kraft, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Confetti White
Accessories: NEW Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Cutter Kit Tool, Dimensionals

Next up is my Make & Take that I designed for the event. Again, we used the NEW Watercolor Trio stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog. This card is very similar to some cards in my previous posts using Upsy Daisy stamp set & Of The Earth hostess stamp set.

Supplies:
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Bordering Blue
Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Bordering Blue
Accessories: Scallop Square Die, Big Shot, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals

Are you enjoying the Make & Takes??? I have one more to show you tomorrow, so come on back!!

Thanks for visiting!

Karen



Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Share What You Love Make & Take #2

Hi! Back today to share with you Make & Take #2 from the Share What You Love stampin' event that I attended this past weekend. This Make & Take was designed by my upline, Lynn Luetkemeyer. We used a NEW stamp set, Sweet Scoops, and NEW Designer Series Paper, Island Oasis, both from the Summer Mini Catalog.

Supplies:
Stamp: Sweet Scoops
Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP
Accessories: Scallop Circle #2 Die, Big Shot, Circle Scissors Plus, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Enjoy!

Karen

Monday, May 3, 2010

Share What You Love Make & Take #1

Hi! I attended an awesome stampin' event this past weekend, and I wanted to share my make & takes with you this week. This Share What You Love Demonstrator event was hosted by my downline, Sally. She did a great job and it was a great success!!!

The first make & take that I wanted to share with you was designed by my sideline, Sarah Klasing. We used the NEW Builder Wheels and the NEW Island Oasis Designer Series Paper that are both in the Summer Mini Catalog. Great colors!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Birthday Builder Wheel, Candle Crazy Builder Wheel
Ink: Old Olive
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Rose Red, So Saffron, Island Oasis DSP
Accessories: Large Star Punch, Star Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals

I was part of the Design Team for the Make & Takes, and I did a Demonstration on Wax Paper Resist with a twist. So I have a ton to share with you. Make sure to check back often this week!

Have a great week!

Karen

SUMMER MINI CATALOG!

Hi! The SUMMER MINI CATALOG IS LIVE!!! Click HERE to download the awesome Mini Catalog!!
Have a great day! I'll be back! I have some great ideas to share with you!

Karen