October Thank you's!

Hi All,
Crazy, busy few days between work, weddings and funerals! Ugh Hopefully it will calm down a little! Anyway I wanted to quickly share the Thank You's I made for October!

I used the "Frightening Feline" stamp and of course my favorite "Howlstooth and Scaringbone" DP!! A few rhinestones and I was done! Hope they like them!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin 

CAS'eing Continued

Hi All,
I continue to struggle without an up to date computer. Once I chose a new one I promise I will be better about posting! On to today! I wanted to share another card that I am going to make at my upcoming "Perfectly Preserved" class. I shameless copied this card from Jane Dexter, a stampin Up demonstrator. I couldn't find her blog instead I found the card on the demonstrator only area that we can post samples. Its a great "perk" in addition to everything else SU does for us. The design is her's but I changed up the colors up the jars. Without further adieu here is the card:
                                         
Sorry the image is not perfect. Am having SO many pc issues! Ugh!! Anyway I used Whisper White as the base and sponged with Marina Mist and sprayed with Vanilla Shimmer and ran the "post" through my wood grain EF. The moon was made with a 1 3/8 circle mask. Love the effect! Have a great day!
Karin

Christmas CASeing

Hi All,
I wanted to share a card that I am going to make at an upcoming stamp a stack. I had seen this cute card on Rhonda Wade's website and wanted to try it and once I did I was hooked!!

So stinking cute and easy!! No better recipe for a stamp a stack!! I used the Apothecary Accents Framelits  to make the beard and stamped the perfect sentiment from the "Just Believe" stamp set. A little glimmer paper and I was done!! Super fun! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin 

Two for one!

Hi All,
I finally got a chance to make a card I needed for a friend of mine who recently lost a relative. As usual I was stumped with where to start so I went on over to Freshly Made Sketches and they had another awesome sketch:

Now that I had my sketch I needed my colors so I went on over to the Pals Paper Arts and they had a great palette. 

                                                       

Here is what I came up with:

I used the Naturals White as my base, used the Mustard hounds tooth DP from the Howling

and Scaringbone DP (love the versatility!) on a later of Early Espresso. I decided to use the flower and jar from the Perfectly Preserved stamp set and colored each flower with More Mustard and edged it slightly with Cajun Craze. A few pearls on the flowers and I was done. The sentiment came from the Thoughts and Prayers set. Great one to have on hand. Hope you have a great day!

Karin 

Still Here...

Hi All,
Sorry so inconsistent with the posts, the loss of the laptop has been a tough and one of my borders horses had a major, life threatening accident this weekend! I will be very happy when everything goes back to normal if there is such a thing!!
I wanted to share a fun email I received from Pam Staples about a card I made for the Paper Craft Crew Challenge. Here is what she wrote:
Hi Karin,

Thanks for playing along with the Paper Craft Crew! Just wanted to let you know we have featured you as one of our Spotlight winners for PCCCS #5! 

I am SO thrilled!! Its great to participate and find inspiration from these awesome challenges but its also nice to have such great feedback about the creation!! Hop on over to the Paper Craft Crew to find your inspiration!! Go here to see the card that caught their attention. Have a great Sunday!
Karin

M.I.A.!!

Hi All,
Bet you thought I was totally missing!! Well kind of was!! I took my nephew to Disney for a few days and wasn't able to access the blog posts that I had made and then, when I came home I turned on my pc and the hard drive is fried! Ick so its at "Geek Squad" so that they can hopefully retrieve my data. Ugh now using my 10 year old pc so not as up to date anymore. Well on to tonight's post! I wanted to share a Christmas tag that I made for my stamp club:

I used the Apothecary Accents Framelits, Lovely as a Tree and Christmas Lodge as my stamp sets. To make the tag I just folded my Naturals White cardstock and placed it slightly under the top portion of the framelit so that it opens like a card. A little piece of the Gumball Green ribbon and I was good to go! Now off to try and work on my computer stuff! Ick!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Merry Sunday!

Morning All, 

Up early this morning so I thought I would share another card I am going to have my stampers make for my upcoming stamp a stack. 

I have been on another vintage kick and knew that I wanted to use more of my Deck the Halls DP. I combined the DP with the sleigh from my Open Sleigh set and heat embossed it in pewter. Absolutely love the effect! Added some sponging and Crumb Cake Seam binding and I am good to go! Email with any questions or if your interested in your own stamp a stack! 

Karin

Go Pats!

PPA143

Morning All,
I wanted to share a card that I made for the Pals Paper Arts challenge:

I loved the clean and simple layout and thought it would be perfect to use for a stamp a stack I have coming up. Here is what I came up with:

I used the Petals a Plenty EF with a nice layer of (retired) Holly Berry DP with the pine cones from the Pines and Poinsettias stamp set. Rich but simple! Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Merry Friday!!

Morning All,.
Well I did it!! I finished my great aunts Christmas cards!!! Yeah!! Late last night I was motivated to finish her last pair and decided to check out Freshly Made Sketches and was not disappointed!!

I decided to use some more of my retired DP, Frostwood Lodge and here is what I came up with:

I mixed some of my retired with some of my "new" toys and used the Wood Grain EF on the Whisper White Base and added the stocking from "Open Sleigh". Love the rustic feel!! Have a great Friday!

Karin

Merry Thursday!!

Evening All!
Are you sensing a theme with my posts?? I am in crunch time to try and finish my great aunts Christmas cards and am just about done thank goodness! I was in a a little slump as to the next design until I went on over to Try Stamping On Tuesday and was inspired by their great sketch:

Here is what I came up with:

I used some of my all time favorite Christmas DP "Deck the Halls" added a tag, a few different sentiments that I had as I couldn't decide which one I liked better! A little Quilted ribbon across a band of Always Artichoke. Very vintage and very me! 

Hope you have a great day!

Karin

Merry Tuesday!

Hi All,
Quick post this morning. I wanted to share another Christmas card that I made for my great aunt.

I continued my combination of old with the new. I used my retired Deck the Halls DP and combined it with my new "Open Sleigh" set and Holiday embossing folder. I cut out both the oval and stocking and spritzed the oval with the Vanilla Shimmer spray. Some lined thread with the "Tiny Tags" sentiment and I was done. Love the vintage feel! Have a great day!!

Karin

Merry Monday

Hi All,
I am fortunate to have today off and am wishing all my Jewish friends a Happy New Year!! So I am trying to be productive and after a trip to the gym I went back to crafting some more Christmas cards for my great aunt! I was very inspired by the sketch at Merry Monday:

 

I took a little liberty and rotated the sketch and am pleased with the results!

I combined some "old" with the "new"! I used some of the retired Frostwood Lodge DP and layered it with Early Espresso and Whisper White. I also used my Christmas Lodge stamp set with the new Early Espresso embossing powder!! I added some Dazzling Details in clear and some retired quilted Cherry Cobbler retired ribbon. Of course I added my sentiment from the Short and Sweet retired set. Love the result!!

Have a great day!

Karin 

"Rustic" Mash-up!

Hi All,
Crazy busy couple of weeks! I guess nothing new there! I was lucky enough to attend my grandmother's 100th birthday celebration yesterday and was thrilled that she loved the Thanksgiving cards I made for her to send out! I just realized that my great aunt's 101st b-day is in two weeks and I haven't finished her Christmas cards!! Eek! So I had gone on over to The Friday Mash Up and they had an awesome challenge!

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project with the "Starburst technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project using the "Sketch and Starburst Technique". 

I chose to mash it up!! Without further adieu here is what I came up with:

This is my first try at the starburst technique and I love it with the rustic look of  the Frostwood Lodge DP (retired) and finally inked up my new Christmas set "Open Sleigh", a little Bakers Twine in Early Espresso and I done!! Hope she likes it! 

Karin

Back to Spool

Hi All,
With getting back to school myself and all the craziness that that brings I am not surprised that I forgot to post this awesome offer from Stampin up!! They are offering a "Back To Spool" offer this September!!

 During September, get a FREE spool of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon with every
$40 purchase. Choose from any of our 2012-2014 In Colors—or earn all five!!

Item	Description	Retail Value
126848	Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95
126847	Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95
126844	Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95
126845	Raspberry Ripple 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95
126846	Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95

Another great offer that Stampin Up is extending is their Spooktacular Howloween Project Kit Promotion! They are extending this offer through September 16th!!

          

For just $99, choose up to $125 worth of brand-new products from the annual or holiday catalogs, for your completely customizable Starter Kit! AND Get a FREE Howl-o-ween project kit valued up to $60!
Email me with any questions!! Have a great night!!
Karin

Freshly Made Inspiration

Evening All,
Me here with yet another late night post! Haven't had as much time as I would like to spend in my craft room lately so I was happy to take advantage of a little time tonight after a trip to the gym. I had gone on over to Freshly Made Sketches and saw that they were celebrating one year of challenges! Yeah them!! Plus thank you to the wonderful design team for keeping me inspired! This was their post:

I decided to use their 13th sketch which looks like:  

                                     

The three squares reminded me a bit of my friend Linda's card that she did with one of my all time favorite Fall sets "French Foliage"! Check it out, so beautiful!! So anyway I couldn't stop thinking about her main elements so I combined the sketch with her basic theme and here is what I came up with:

I used the French Foliage as well for my main images and the sentiment is from Full of Blessings (so perfect for the card!) and of course I added my Howlstooth and Scaringbone DP with a handful of Pearls thrown in for good measure! Course you will have to excuse my rather large shadow! I didn't realize until now that I was that close!! Anyway I love the effect of the warm Fall colors! Have a great night!

Karin

September Thank You's

Evening All, 

I wanted to share a quick post with you this evening. I made my September Thank you's for my wonderful stamp club. I am still enamored by the technique that Mary Fish did with the Blossom Punch and I wanted to use it on my Thank You's. 

I used my Everyday Enchantment DP (so sad that its retired), some Pool Party, Star Brads (also retired and some Vanilla Ribbon. Love the simple yet elegant look. Hope they do to! Have a great night!

Karin

A little "Wow"!

Morning All,
I needed to finish my cards for my back to Basic class this coming Friday and was a little stumped. I knew that I wanted to use a punch for the last card but wanted a little bit of a non-traditional use of one. So I went on over to Mary Fish's Stampin Pretty website and she has a wonderful list of "Wow" videos that she made for quick, cards that pack a punch! So I used her Blossom Punch video and here is my version:

I used the Comfort Cafe DP for my base and added some Cajun Craze and Soft Suede for my center piece topping it off with Victorian Crochet ribbon. Using Mary's Video I took the Blossom punch and trimmed the top and bottom  petals and added the gorgeous antique brads for the center piece and popped it up on dimensionals. I chose not to add a sentiment as I feel like I could use this card for many occasions.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Late Night Stamping ...yet again!

Evening All,
I finally had a chance to finish a card I started the other night for the challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches. They had a great sketch as you can see here:

It was funny as my first thought was "Wow, I can do so much with this sketch!" Then I sat down and for the life of me I couldn't make it "work", then I started something else and came back later and suddenly had a great thought for another card for my "Perfectly Preserved" class! Here is what I (finally) came up with:

I took a slight liberty on the center shape but I am very very happy with how it turned out! I used the Festival of Prints DP from the Holiday mini and combined two of my favorite sets: Perfectly Preserved and Happy Hour!! Not that you can tell from the picture but I covered the jar with the new Peppermint Embossing Powder! Love that smell!! Love how things come together! Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

A little bling!

Hi All,
I am still trying to get back into the "grove" now that school is back in session. So in an effort to keep the "balance" in my life I made a card that my great aunt needed for her niece's (my cousin) anniversary.

I hope you can see all the shine that this card has! I wanted a lot of white space but I did want some shine and I think I got it! I used a base of Whisper White with a layer of vellum cardstock run through the dots embossing folder. I thought the Silver Glimmer Paper nicely broke up all the white. Then I used a piece of retired Presto Paper and sponged some Frost White Shimmer Paint, you can just faintly see the pattern (so pretty!) and then heat embossed the glasses from Happy Hour in gold and used the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I love how they fit in the Bitty Banner Framelits! Well off to get ready for tomorrow! 

Karin 

Perfectly Preseved

Hi All,
I wanted to share a card that I will be making at a "Perfectly Preserved" class I will be offering this Fall. I absolutely LOVE this set and can't wait to show all the different things that can be done with this and the coordinating Cannery Framelits!!

I have seen a few variations of the 3-D jar but I thought I would try it with one of the pears under the vellum peeking through the mason jar. Of course I used my Wood Grain embossing folder for texture and loved this particular piece of the Floral District DP for the mason cover. Top it off with some seam binding and a "Bitty Banner" and its perfect to go with a hand made gift! Love the Fall feel! 

I also wanted to share with you that the "Spooktacular" promotion is extended through September 16th!! Join Stampin Up between now and then and receive $125 worth of product for $99 AND this awesome Halloween project valued up to $60!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Back to Basics

Hi All,
I wanted to share a quick little card I made for my technique's class that I will be holding on the second Friday of every month. This month I am going to offer some basic technique's that have a card completed in under ten minutes. Here is one of my cards:

I used a Very Vanilla base, added a layer of Soft Suede that I ran through the Vintage Wallpaper Folder and used some of the beautiful Comfort Cafe DP for color. The sentiment is from my Full of Blessings set and I topped it off with a piece of Pool Party seam binding and linen thread. The colors and textures makes it a very "rich" but simple card.
Have a great day!
Karin

A little inspiration

Hi All,
I wanted to share a card with you that I made based on a great sketch at Paper Craft Crew:

I needed a sympathy card for a wonderful co-worker this week and had a tough time with a layout until I saw this sketch. Here is what I came up with:

I used the Tulip and the Vintage wallpaper folders to add the depth, as well as some sponging. I used some of my all time favorite paper, Everyday Enchantment DP. The sentiment came from my Thoughts and Prayers set as that always has the right verse. Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Yes I AM here!!

Hi All,
Finally feeling a little bit better! Boy its bad when you don't even have the energy to ink up a few stamps!! Well I decided to play along with Freshly Made Sketches this week as they had ANOTHER great sketch!!

I decided to do a Halloween themed card for a little fun. I hope to present this at a new stamp club of co-workers and really want them to fall in love with my favorite hobby! Here is what I came up with:

I used three different stamp sets. Of course I used my current favorite "Perfectly Preserved". I had seen a few Halloween variation with the jar and knew I wanted to try it out. I added the spider web and sentiment from the Wicked Cool set and Spider from the Spooky Bingo Bits, Added the new stripped ribbon over an embossed panel with a splash of color from a piece of DP and voila I am done! Totally fun! thanks for stopping by!

Karin

3.2.1.

Hi All,
Well I finally felt good enough to drag myself down to my crafting room to grab a few birthday cards I needed to mail and to try my hand at the challenge at Less is More.

it's a
RECIPE

3 - 2 - 1

This week we have a simple idea for you to use as the focus of your cards.

All that you need to do is to incorporate 3 of something, 2 of something and 1 of something else!

I was really intrigued at trying it out. Here is what I came up with:

I stamped three flowers from Betsy's blooms (three layers too!) and used two of the new colors Razz berry Ripple and Midnight Meuse (two words as well in the sentiment) and one Vintage Button with one piece of White Bakers Twine. Clean, simple and just plain fun! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Freshly Made Thanksgiving

Hi All,
As I sit here coughing up a lung (hate getting Bronchitis in the Summer!) I thought I would share a card I made for the challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches:
                                  

I used more of my wreaths that I colored on my plane trip and added the row of leaves and pumpkins at the bottom. Couldn't resist adding the Wood Grain Embossing folder to my Crumb Cake base. I just love Fall crafting!

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin 

Digital Studio Sale Extended!

Morning All,
I am so excited to share with you that Stampin Up is extending their Digital Studio Sale through September 14th!!
        
In case you forgot all the goodies on sale here is a recap:

Item	Digital Content	Retail Price	31% Off Price
127217	Floral District Collection Disc	$  23.95	$ 16.53
118115	Night and Day Designer Series Paper	$    4.95	$   3.42
129929	Candid Frames	$    2.95	$   2.04
129921	Check This Out Page Templates	$    4.95	$   3.42
129609	Blossom Builders Embellishments	$    5.95	$   4.11
128999	It's All Me Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127441	Whimsical Note Journal Template	$    1.95	$   1.35
128342	Pinwheel Daily Calendar Template	$    9.95	$   6.87
127599	Party Animal Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127600	Autumn Traditions Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127620	Grateful Heart Thanksgiving Ensemble	$  14.95	$ 10.32
126027	Playful Polka Dots Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
130066	World Traveler Photobook Template	$  17.95	$ 12.39
131221	Storybook Specialty Designer Series Paper	$    4.95	$   3.42
130850	Joyful Times Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
124463	One Great Year Digital Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127175	Limited Edition Embellishments	$    2.95	$   2.04
129607	Walk in the Park II Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
129934	#HASHTHIS Stamp Brush Set	$    7.95	$   5.49
129923	Book of Birthdays Swatchbook Template	$  12.95	$   8.94
121071	Travel Journal Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
129924	Get it Done Kit	$    5.95	$   4.11
129005	Sweetly Nested Framable	$    4.95	$   3.42
127758	Delight in the Day Photobook Template	$  19.95	$ 13.77
130862	Blast Off Ensemble	$  19.95	$ 13.77
129890	Little Milestone Birthdays Greeting Card	$    7.95	$   5.49
128892	Designer Gift Cards	$    4.95	$   3.42
127580	And a Happy New Year Photocard Template	$    1.95	$   1.35
127435	Thanks Tons Greeting Card Template Set	$    2.95	$   2.04
127587	Sending Glad Tidings Designer Tags Kit	$    7.95	$   5.49
127762	Gratitude Framable Designer Template	$    1.95	$   1.35

The Fine Print

• Print product bulk pricing isn't included as a part of this sale-sorry! 
• Purchase the digital downloads and product through my online store. 
• There's no limit to how many sale items you can order. Go crazy!

And don't forget that you only have until August 31st to sign up for Stampin Up's "Spooktacular" offer!! If you sign up as part of my team you receive the following:

         

•     For just $99, choose up to $125 worth of brand-new products from the annual 

       or holiday catalogs, for your completely customizable Starter Kit!

•     Get a FREE Howl-o-ween project kit valued up to $60!

•     Meet with me and my new Team members at the end of September for a"put it together" and "get together" party!! Woo Hoo! What are you waiting for??!! Join the fun!!

Have a great day!

Karin

PPA 141

Hi All,
I wanted to share a card I made today for the Pals Paper Arts Sketch challenge. Here is their great sketch:

And here is what I came up with:

I used another of the wonderful wreaths that I colored on the plane ride to be my center panel. I just love using the Howlstooth and Scaringbone paper for my Thanksgiving cards! I decided that I wanted to pair the H & S DP with some scraps I had saved from the Frostwood Lodge DP. The tree print works perfectly! The base of my card is Very Vanilla with a piece of Chocolate Chip layered on top that was run through the Big Shot with my Lattice Folder. Love all the warmth this card has! Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Alaskan Mojo!!

Hi All!
I am super excited to be back to my craft room and share my inspiration! You see for the past week I was on an Alaskan Cruise!! I had saved and posted a few cards that I had made prior to the cruise so I hope you enjoyed them all! I had brought a few things to color and cut while I was on the plane and at the hotel, which was fortunate as I was traveling for an almost complete day on either end! Yuck! Before I share my card of the day let me show you one of the wonderful "views" that I had!

That's a shot of the Tracy Arm Fjord. A Fjord is carved out by a glacier. See those pieces of ice floating? 90% of those are under water and I just can't say enough that this picture just doesn't do it justice! So breath taking!
So onto today! I had brought along the wreath from the new stamp set "Full of Blessings"and some markers and my blender pens. Now I needed to use these gorgeous wreaths!! I had gone on over to Mojo Monday and here was their great sketch of the week:

And here is what I came up with:

I rotated the design so that I could get the feel I wanted. I love all the new products from the mini on this card!! The "Full of Blessings" stamp set is so nice when embossed! I used the Early Espresso powder (love that color!) and colored with my Blender pens. I used the Wood Grain folder layering it with a piece of Early Espresso paper and Victorian ribbon. I also used the Howlstooth and Scaringbone DP. So versatile!! This card was so much fun to make! Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

August Thank you's

Hi All,
I wanted to share the August Thank You notes that I am giving my stamp club members this month. It uses one of my favorite stamps from the new catalog, Happy Hour!!

I just love this little drink glasses! They look great with Crystal Effects on them for the "faux glass"! I am really excited as I will be starting another round of my stamp club in September and will be adding an additional club where I work!! If your interested in having your own club or coming to one of mine contact me!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin

Christmas Stamp a Stack

Hi All,
I wanted to share another Christmas card that I am presenting at my next Christmas Stamp a Stack! Stamp a stacks are great as you come, all the paper is precut and ready and you make fifteen cards, five each of three styles! Without further adieu:

I did may favorite thing (at least lately!)!! I mix some retired and well loved Frost Wood Lodge DP, Dasher (also retired but still awesome) with the new Wood Grain textured embossing folder. Very cool "woodsy" feel!! Have a great day!
Karin

Christmas Madness!

Hi All,
Even with Summer still upon us I am still updating my Christmas cards for my upcoming stamp a stacks. Click here for my list upcoming stamp a stack events. Here is one of the cards we will be making:

I just love the patterns on this card! I  carefully cut out the Christmas banner in the center after layering three stripes of Holly Berry DP (retired) on some cardstock and then ran it through my Big Shot on the Top Note Die for this cool effect!! Very easy but has a lot of "Wow" in my humble opinion. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Karin

Framelits Galore!!

Hi all,
I wanted to share a birthday card that I made for my father in law's 75th birthday! I was really excited to make it as I had the perfect new stamp set and TONS of framelits for the occasion!

I used the new set "Perfectly Preserved" and the coordinating Framelits; "Cannery Set". This set is so perfect as my father in law spends a fair amount of time canning vegetables every year. He never canned apples but I loved the look (he is more of a "green bean" guy). I also tried my hand on embossing with the "Sugar and Spice" embossing powder. It is such an amazing accent and not to over powering if your one who doesn't like too strong of a scent. To top it off I added the Itty Bitty Banner stamp set and the coordinating Bitty Banner Framelits. I just can't get enough of these coordinating framelits sets! They make crafting so easy! Finally I want to point out that the designer paper that I used (cutting it out with the Apothecary Art Framelists!) was one of the designs from the Howlstooth & Scaringbone DP. A great choice for Fall crafting!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karin