Beaded Bookmark

Here is another craft that I've started to get into - Beading. It seemed like fun, so why not give it a try. Of course, like many other things I start - I tend to take awhile to finish. I've made 1 pair of earrings and the below bookmark.

I saw this style bookmark in a Bead Magazine and wanted to try it out. One of my nieces (god-daughter) is an avid book reader. So, for Christmas this year - I got her a book (The Christmas Sweater - GREAT book!!) and this bookmark.

It's hard to tell, but the beads are a light pink and light green with silver spacers. This is the 'bottom' end of the bookmark.


This is the whole bookmark. The ribbon is SU! retired. I cut this a bit too long though for this type of ribbon - it is kind of a 'stretchy' ribbon. Overall though I think it turned out pretty nice. My niece also liked it, so that is what really matters!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Karen

Inspired by Nature UDI Swap

I made this card for a UDI Birthday Swap awhile back that I forgot to share. I really like this set and was sad to not see it in the new catalog. I colored the flowers with markers.

Supplies:
Stamps: Inspired by Nature (SU!)
CS: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, WW, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Certainly Celery
Other: Markers - Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip; Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

I had stamp club the other night, so I have more to share - just need to take pictures first. :)

Thanks for stopping by!!
Karen

Happy Valentine's Day - The Rubber Cafe

Here is one of my cards I made for TRC (www.therubbercafe.com) for Valentine's Day. They have tons of wonderful Valentine images to choose from. I paired 2 images here on this card. I'm hoping to get some more made this weekend. It's been a rough couple weeks - my dad was in the hospital (is home now), then my oldest got sick, and my youngest is getting over being sick now. I thought cold weather was supposed to kill of the germs!! Did I mention I'm ready for summer?!!?!! :)

Ok - onto the deets about this card. We received some wonderful paper and accessories from Melissa (TRC) to use on our cards. This particular design is Cosmo Cricket's Chemistry: Wink Wink. It is perfect for Valentine cards! I did some direct to paper with the Cameo Coral ink as well.

Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Valentine's Day F-627; Love Envelope D-468 both are The Rubber Cafe stamps
CS: GP White, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Cosmo Cricket's Chemistry Wink Wink
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Ribbon, Crystal Stickles, Copic Markers (R29 Lipstick Red; RV02 Sugared Almond Pink; YR07 Cadmium Orange; YR20 Yellowish Shade), Stampin Dimensionals

I have some more things to post, so check back again!!
Karen

Thank You

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog! I haven't been quite diligent in keeping up with it of late. I'm hoping to change that soon! One reason - I haven't stamped for some time!! GASP! I know - it's a sad state when one doesn't stamp every day. :) Seriously - I want to create some more things, current things to get posted for everyone to see.

The card below was one I did at my stamp club a bit ago. I had seen a card similar to this on SCS and loved it. It really caught my eye. So, I wanted to make one as well.

The card measures 4.25x4.25. I did a reverse mask in that I cut a hole in the center of scrap paper and placed it on the card. I sponged the ink into the circle then - kind of like the sun/moon glowing. I thought this would make a great guy card even with the flowers because of the colors used.

Supplies:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy (SU)
CS: Confetti White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, Really Rust
Other: Stamping Sponge, Coluzzle (Circle)

Thanks for stopping by! I plan to stamp tomorrow, so my 'plan' is to have new cards to post.
Karen

WOW - Long Time

Ok - so I truly did not realize it has been so long since my last post. I know things have been crazy, but time really just passed me by. I'm hoping that since we are now into the new year that things will slow down a bit, I'll have things more organized (yes - that truly is funny for those that know me!), and will be more focused.

I know Christmas is now over, but I never shared cards I made. This was actually made at my November Stamp Club. I really liked how it turned out. I'm just not sure how many I'd mass produce, since there was heat embossing involved. I love the soft feel to the overall card that the sponging adds.

Supplies:
Stamps: Snow Swirled
CS: Kraft, Bravo Burgundy
Ink: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy
Other: Stamping Sponge, White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a great start to the New Year!!
Karen

SU HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Stampin’ Up! Spreading Holiday Cheer With Thought

With recent economic strains and a possible recession looming in the minds of many, holiday shoppers are transforming from a shop-till-you-drop mentality back to the pace of simpler times. In fact, based on an annual survey, the National Retail Federation recently forecast the lowest increase in holiday spending by consumers in at least six years, and for the first time in the survey’s history, those surveyed said they plan to spend less on family gifts than the previous year. With this in mind, this year’s budget-conscious shoppers need suggestions for spreading holiday cheer with thought—not debt!

Two for One Giving

Charitable gifts are an emerging trend in holiday gift giving. In fact, many corporations are embracing the holiday spirit by teaming up with non-profit organizations to donate proceeds from the sale of exclusive products, allow individuals to make donations to particular charities on behalf of others as presents, and some corporations will even match donations during the holiday season. If you decide to go this route with your holiday shopping, try to choose an organization that is near and dear to the recipient’s heart. For instance, the Ronald McDonald House Charity has a variety of corporate donors who match donations or donate proceeds from the sale of special products back to their charity. Giving a Two-for-One gift this holiday season is a financially smart choice and one that will help according to GuideStar.com, many non-profit organizations that expect a drop in donations this holiday season when most donations are normally made.

Volunteer Your Time

If you can’t afford to give a monetary donation this holiday season, give your gently used unwanted belongings or volunteer your time or professional services. Non-profit organizations are always in need of helping hands and hearts as well as supplies to help supplement their holiday activities. For instance, your entire family could get involved and share a heartwarming experience of cleaning out their closets and delivering clothes to the homeless shelter or delivering meals to the elderly or serving soup at a soup kitchen. The act of service will be a gift you can give to yourself and your family that will last a lot longer than the expensive gifts of years past.

Give Handmade

This season, shoppers will find that making handmade gifts, packaging, holiday décor and baked goods are a great alternative for stretching the holiday budget. The value of a handmade gift is priceless, and for many budget-conscious holiday shoppers, much less expensive.

One company helping shoppers do more with less is Stampin' Up!® The company will host a Holiday Extravaganza sale with up to 50% off select product bundles Nov. 26-Dec. 1, 2008 only online at www.stampinup.com/holiday. “I love to give handcrafted gifts. It is often less expensive, plus the people I give the gift to usually appreciate them more,” says Shelli Gardner, CEO and Co-founder of Stampin’ Up! “Creating and giving handcrafted gifts also provides and opportunity to appreciate the spirit of the holiday season by spending more time at home with the ones we love, sharing our talents and spreading holiday cheer the old-fashioned, handmade way.”

To learn more about exciting offers during the Holiday Extravaganza sale, unique handmade gift ideas or to attend a holiday crafts demonstration, contact Karen Foltz (www.stampinwithkaren.stampinup.com - knk75@aol.com).

SASI Birthday

I love all of Taylor's sets and if you like cupcakes, then SASI is the stamp line for you!! I don't have her newest sets yet, but I'm lucky that Laura from Lu-La's Corner was kind enough to offer to stamp some images for me. We're actually swapping images, but I really wanted SASI new sets, but can't spend money right now.

I made this card for my niece's birthday this weekend. She turned 4, so I thought the 4 candles on the cake were perfect!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Celebration (SASI)
CS: WW, Pink CS and Patterned Paper are from the Key Ingredients Birthday Girl Kit (SASI)
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Copic Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scalloped Rectangle Nestie, Ribbon from the Key Ingredients Birthday Girl Kit (SASI)

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!!

MissyB Designs Blog Candy Giveaway

To start off the holiday shopping (I can't believe I just typed that - how could it possibly be the holidays AGAIN? Wasn't Christmas like a week ago?) I wanted to reward a lucky customer with a HUMONGOUS give away.

The winner will be getting:

"Just a Thought" set
"You're Bugging Me" set
"Country Snowman" set
"Penguins" set
"Happy Cows" set
"Go Girl" set

PLUS
2 sheets of clingmount
AND
a roll of double sided tape

That's a lot, folks. In fact, that is so much stuff that it's worth $82.60.

Do I have your attention now?

Ok, so here's what you have to do to win:

Place an order and leave a comment HERE. (Be sure to click on the link and leave your post on Missy's blog post and not here to be entered.)

Simple right?

And if you want an extra entry, get a friend to order and comment about how you are so great to have referred them here and how wonderful you are in general. Then your friend will be entered, and you will get a double entry. And if you get all of your friends to order and comment - woah, you'd have a ton of entries and win for sure!

On TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25th at 7:00PM I will do the drawing.

I think we'll do it the old fashioned way where I stick everyone's name in a hat, close my eyes and pick out a winner. Or I might put all the names in a cup or a bowl or something, because we don't have too many big hats around here. Then I'll email the winner that night and get the $82.60 worth of FREE stuff headed their way!

Rub-On Promotion

Dates: November 10-30, 2008

Promotion Details: Spend $20 and qualify to purchase any Rub-Ons assortment at 20 percent off ($8.76 per package; regularly $10.95):

Item # Page # Rub-Ons Description
111416 178 Chateau Bella
111417 178 Word Flurries
111414 178 Hidden Garden
111277 178 A Perfect Day
110283 179 Take Note
111806 179 Chills & Thrills
111804 179 Chit Chat
111415 179 Greatest Moments
111805 179 School Days
110282 179 Anchored
112844 11* Old Saint Nick
112843 17* Season of Cheer
112735 39** Hidden Garden Blossoms

*From Holiday 2008 Mini Catalog

Download the flyer

Email me today to place your order or you can order anytime from my website by clicking the Shop Now button there.

Happy Birthday Riley Moose

This was made the other day, but for some reason I haven't been able to get it to post til now to my blog. Anyway - I made this for the Hanna Stamps Release Party sketch challenge over on SCS. This is the first time this cutey has seen ink. I'm super late for my sister's birthday, so I think I'll use this one to send to her.

Supplies:
Stamps: Coffee Riley Moose (Hanna Stamps), Card Greetings I (Green Grass Stamps)
CS: Mellow Moss, WW, PP Glitter Stack
Ink Palette Noir
Other: Copic Markers, Stampin Dimensionals, Coluzzle, Pink Sakura Glaze Pen (for the cupcake top)

Yep - 2 posts in one night!! Hope you are having a wonderful start to your week!!

Witchy Thank You

Yes - I know Halloween is over, but I realized I never showed you this card. I made this as a thank you to my neighbor for the goodies she made for our Halloween party. I used the witch because her daughter was a witch for Halloween and I thought it was appropriate. I popped the witch up on pop dots. The purple card base and the striped paper is from the SASI Halloween Key Ingredient kit.

Supplies:
Stamps: Trick or Sweet and Frightful Night (both by SASI)

CS: Halloween Key Ingredients (no longer available), WW, Basic Black
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Copic Markers, Stampin Dimensionals

Have you heard about Paper Craft Planet? If not - come check us out and join us over there!! There is tons to do and lots going on. Be sure to add me as your friend when you do.

A sleddin' we will go

I'm seriously loving the Snowmen Cuteness set from MissyB. You will too - I'm positive of this!! These images are so fun and whimsical. This particular image reminds me of my 3 kiddies. I hope we get enough snow this year, so that I'll be able to take a picture like this. This would be perfect on the scrapbook page!!

I had fun with the Dew Drops on this card. :) Sorry all of these pictures look 'washed' out. I took them all at night and should have waited til morning.

The copic markers that I used for this image.

Supplies:
Stamps: Snowmen Cuteness (MissyB Designs)
CS: Creamy Caramel, WW, Basic Grey Figgy
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Copic Markers, Dew Drops (Water), Striped Green ribbon, Lt Blue ribbon

Happy Stamping!! I do have more new sets that have yet to see ink, so be sure to stop back by!!

Snow = 70 Degree Weather

Well, not exactly. It is supposed to be near 70 here today, but I played with my new stamps and thus the snowmen. :) Our weather has been crazy in that it was cold and now it is back to being warm again. Makes for dressing hard - considering I've put away the 'summer' clothes and now we could use them again.

Anyway - here is another card done with MissyB Designs Snowmen Cuteness set. I used my Copics again to color the image. I added Crystal Stickles to the 'snow' that is falling. I used an Orange Sakura Gel Pen to the snowmen noses as well. Both the image and the greeting are popped up with pop dots.

Here are the Copics I used for this image. Need specifics - just send me an email.

Supplies:
Stamps: Snowmen Cuteness (MissyB Designs)
CS: Real Red, Soft Sky (retired), WW, Basic Grey Figgy
Ink: Palette Noir, Real Red
Other: Copic Markers, Crystal Stickles, Orange Sakura Gel Pen, Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Lt Blue Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals

Have a wonderful Thursday!!

MissyB Designs - Snowmen Cuteness

Snowmen Cuteness indeed!! I {heart} snowmen and these just melt my heart! Seriously - these are super adorable that you'll want to go get your set today. Where can you get it you ask? Head right on over to MissyB Designs - Snowmen Cuteness.

Now onto my card - I colored this cutie in with Copic markers (picture below showing the colors). With some designer paper and dew drops - you've got an adorable Christmasy card!

Supplies:
Stamps: MissyB Designs (Snowmen Cuteness)
CS: Green Galore, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Designer Paper (Arctic Frog)
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Copic Markers, Stampin Dimensionals, Dew Drops (Poinsettia), Red Stickles

If you want to know exact colors - feel free to send me an email.
Sorry to keep you waiting - I've got some more cards to post, but thought I'd spread them out instead of lumping them into one post. Yep - my method to my madness to keep you coming back!! :)

Happy Stamping!!

Where does the time go?

Seriously - where does the time go? I feel like my days have been passing me by - well more like flying right by! I can't believe we are already into November. Christmas is just around the corner - yes, we haven't even gotten to Thanksgiving yet, but I saw my first Christmas commercial on tv today. Not that I mind - Christmas is my favorite time of the year.

Anyway - I have cards to show you, but I don't have them off my camera yet. They are Christmas related though. I got my new stamps from MissyB Designs the other day and finally got a chance to ink them up this weekend. I made 2 cards and have 2 more in the works. I really like this set.

So, stay tuned - tomorrow I will be posting at least one of the cards for you to see. Til then - have a wonderful evening!!

Birthday Dino

Sorry for the lack of posting! I've been swamped of late and just trying to catch up on so much. Right now I'm at the beach with the family. Dave has a softball tournament here, so we are here for the weekend. Anyway - thought I would show a card I made last week for our neighbor's son's birthday. He turned 6, so I thought this would be a good set to use from MFT (Dino-Mite).


See that bit of sparkle on the striped paper? Nope - it isn't from a glitter stack. I 'made' it myself! :) Very simple to do and you can add glitter to any of your favorite patterned papers. I used a Sakura Glitter Gel Pen to make mine. You can also use glitter, embossing powder (clear or irridescent) - use your imagination and what you have on hand!

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Dino Mite
CS: Yoyo Yellow, Ballet Blue, WW, Patterned Paper
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Blue Ribbon, Copic Markers, Sakura Glitter Gel Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Until next time - hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!

I WANT CANDY!!

Oh my Goodness - this is so perfect for me!! For those that know me - I LOVE candy. All kinds - it doesn't matter, I'll eat almost anything. My family and friends make fun of me because I truly have a sweet tooth. When I saw this stamp set by My Favorite Things called Monster Squad, I knew I had to get it.

I made this card over the WCMD weekend, but forgot to post it. The paper is by Cosmo Cricket - got it from my scrapbooking kit through Go. Be Creative. Lainey (the owner) is a sweetheart and puts all her kits together. They are awesome - you won't be disappointed if you decide to join her kit club!! This card sketch was also posted by Lainey on her blog, so why not use it. Using sketches helps move the whole card process right along!

Supplies:
Stamps: Monster Squad (My Favorite Things)
CS: Chocolate Chip, WW, Cosmo Cricket Haunted - Them Bones
Ink: Palette Noir, Close to Cocoa (for sponging the edges)
Other: Copic Markers, Stampin Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by today!! Hope you had a wonderful day!!

The Rubber Cafe Designs

Here are a couple cards I made with my The Rubber Cafe stamps. I made the Three Wisemen card the other day and the Blossom Branch card on WCMD. I had made it for a challenge actually until I realized that I was missing half of the challenge elements. I'll chalk it up to late night stamping fatigue!! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: The Rubber Cafe - Three Wisemen & Peace, Love, Joy
CS: Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, WW, Basic Grey Figgy
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Other: Stampin Dimensionals

On this card I dotted the centers of some of the flowers with the Sakura Yellow Glaze Pen. That same pen was used to make the dots around half of the outer part of the card. It also adds a bit of texture to the card. The Sakura Green Souffle Pen was used on some of the leaves. This is more of a flat opaque addition to the card. I sponged Pixie Pink around the outer edge of the image, but felt it was a bit too bright. So I muted it by then sponging Creamy Caramel over it.


Supplies:
Stamps: The Rubber Cafe - Blossom Branch
CS: Creamy Caramel, So Saffron, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Georgia Pacific White, Basic Grey Stella Ruby
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, Pixie Pink, Creamy Caramel
Other: RV02 Sugared Almond Pink Copic Marker, Sakura Yellow Glaze Pen, Sakura Green Souffle Pen, Stamping Sponge, Stampin Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by today!! Hope you are having or had a great evening!!

One Sketch - Three Cards

This sketch of Taylor's really lent itself to the images in MissyB Designs Fall and Winter Mini set. So, here are the cards I made last night - I had the images already colored, so it made putting them together a breeze!

Supplies:
Stamps: MissyB Designs - Fall and Winter Minis
CS: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, WW, Basic Grey
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Diamonds in the Rough Cuttlebug Folder, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 Square Punches, 1/2 Circle Punch, Copic Markers, SU Build a Brad

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This next one I think is just too cute! I love this little ghost image - the smiling face is perfect! It's hard to see, but I used the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder on the striped Basic Grey paper.

Supplies:
Stamps: MissyB Designs - Fall and Winter Minis
CS: Going Gray, WW, Basic Grey Scarlet's Letter
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Copic Markers, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 Square Punches, Stampin Dimensionals, Red Ribbon, Cosmo Cricket Halloween Rubons, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder

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Here is the last one I made using this sketch. I used the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder on the Old Olive card stock. I'm really liking this folder, so you'll probably see more of it on other designs. :)

Supplies:
Stamps: MissyB Designs - Fall and Winter Minis
CS: Really Rust, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, WW, Basic Grey Mellow
Ink: Palette Noir, Old Olive
Other: Ribbon (from my stash), 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 Square Punches, Stampin Dimensionals, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder

I have more to post of cards that I made for World Card Making Day yesterday. Hope everyone had fun on WCMD and was able to get things accomplish!!

Olivia - Thinking of You

Sorry for this terrible picture - not sure how I managed to get the lighting off this bad. Yikes! This little cutie is Olivia of Owl Occasions by Sweet N Sassy Stamps. I joined an image swap with the SNSS yahoo group and received her and other great images. The saying comes with this set as well.

Supplies:
Stamps: Owl Occasions by SNSS
CS: Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, White, Basic Grey (not sure which one offhand)
Ink: Black
Other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 Circle Punches, Copic Markers, Stampin Dimensionals, Dew Drops

Thanks for stopping by!!