Stamping with Karen

Stampin' Up! Leadership 2012 Display

Here are just a few of the beautiful displays Stampin' Up! had up at Leadership! Each one is creative, beautiful and exquisite!!  You can probably click on the photos to enlarge them.

All images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

 

Card for a Male Birthday

Lots of birthdays in our family recently and mostly male!  I think I mailed my other son's card before photographing it, but my other little boy's birthday is today!  Okay, he's not so little any more, but you know how it is...when you are a mother, our children really never grow up in our hearts!  

I wasn't feeling so creative when I made this card, and of course was in a hurry to get it in the mail at the last minute.

It often seems to be a challenge to come up with a "male" card, but look how easy this one is!  I just used the Postage Stamp Punch #122344 and scraps of Halloween paper, Frightful Sight #122351 on a card base of Cajun Craze. So don't put your Halloween paper away just because it is close to Thanksgiving!  Turn it over, look at the parts without a Halloween image, just see what you can use!  The squares are each popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.

Here is the inside:

This stamp is from the stamp set "Bring On the Cake", available in wood- or clear-mount.

If you need any stamping supplies, please order from my Stampin' Up! Online Store or email me!

Star Wars Punch Art Birthday Card

Here is a Star Wars punch art birthday card with Darth Vader and Yoda I made for my favorite son-in-law.  Yes, he's my favorite....well, he's my only son-in-law, but he's still my favorite!  :) Apparently I hit a home run with it because my daughter says he really liked it!  He's a big Star Wars and all-kinds-of-other-stuff fan so I thought this idea would be perfect.  

Of course, it is not my original idea because I can't come up with creative things like this!  Fortunately, other demonstrators can and they share and it is okay to copy ideas!  I found this idea in our Stampin' Up! demonstrator website called "Stampin' Connection". (So if you want to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator but feel you are not creative, this is one of many resources provided by Stampin' Up!)  A demonstrator from Canada, Rose Marie Coleman, had made these Star Wars punch art figures and I was able to figure out what she did! I'll add her blog link at the end.  

I have to tell you about my greeting on the front!  I didn't have much space left for one and I got the idea to have it be something Yoda would say. Would you believe there is a website that will translate anything you write into "Yoda-speak"?!  http://www.yodaspeak.co.uk/  Just type in what you want to say, and it will translate it for you!  Try several versions until you get something interesting!

Then I used several different stamps from On Your Birthday #111664, cut the words apart after I stamped them on scrap paper, and pasted them in order to make my own greeting!

My card is made with a Basic Black card base with a Brushed Silver card stock layer on the front (which doesn't photograph very well!). Here is the inside:

 

If you need to add to your collection of punches so you can make interesting characters like this at a moment's notice, just Shop Online at my Stampin' Up! website.

Here is a link to Rose's blog post about how she made these characters...because I already don't remember how I did it and someone is sure to ask!  http://www.stampingwithrose.com/2010/05/star-wars-card-instructions-and-winner.html

This Day in History: The Debut of Sesame Street!

In 1969 on this date, a television show called "Sesame Street" made its broadcast debut.  It was created by Joan Ganz Cooney to provide an educational and entertaining show for preschoolers, particularly to help underprivileged 3- to 5-year olds prepare for kindergarten. A puppeteer named Jim Henson was hired to create the characters for Sesame Street who, of course, became institutions.  

The Sesame Street characters are so fun to make with "punch art". Get out your punches and your card stock scraps and go to town!  This is a great way to make party invitations, favors, cards, etc. for little children!

Stamping and papercrafting, I think, is the perfect hobby for moms of young children.  So many birthday parties, school parties, school events, sports...you name it....and with stamping you can make all the things you need with little cost and little time....or ON little time, as you discover it's time for the birthday party and you haven't bought a card yet.  You can make one in minutes, right before you go out the door!

If you are interested in learning this easy, easy craft, just contact me at Karen@Karenstamps.com!

Tea Light Birthday Cake and Gift Box

The first time I saw these tea lights turned into little cakes I thought they were the CUTEST things! So when I wanted just a little something for a friend to celebrate her belated birthday, I thought this would be perfect!

These little tea light birthday cakes are so easy to make and so much fun!  You can pick the LED tea lights almost anywhere these days for pretty cheap.  Then just decorate with a 5" x 3/4" strip of paper around the side.  Punch a 1 3/4" Scallop Circle for the top.  To get it over the light bulb, you have to punch a hole in the center and cut little slits. You can make a template first if you want by folding a scallop circle in half, half again and half again and then snipping the point which is the center....or draw lines across the scallop to see where they intersect in the center.  Then use Paper Snips or a hobby knife to cut the little slits.

For the flowers and leaves, I used the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, the Boho Blossom Punch and the Bird Builder Punch.  Then I added some rhinestones and pearls to the flowers.  Put a little Scallop Border on the side of the cake if you want.  I added some Dazzling Details, the new irridescent glitter glue in the Holiday Mini to the scallop border.  

If you need some birthday cake ideas, get some tea lights and try this! Really cute! It's an easy birthday cake to make and you can make cakes for all occasions!  Have fun!

Elegant Soiree Birthday Card

Using up some of the Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper that is on the Stampin' Up! Last Chance List!  I got pretty vintage-y with this card, ripping and tearing and spritzing and sponging!  Just this week and next to get what you want from the retirement list of stamps and accessories!

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations

Ink:  Soft Suede

Paper:  Baja Breeze card stock, Soft Suede card stock, Very Vanilla card stock, Elegant Soiree, Newsprint Designer Series Paper #117166

Accessories:  Top Note Die #113463, Scallop Oval Punch #119856, 2" x 1 3/8" Oval Large Punch #119859, Antique Brads #117273, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175, Fun Flowers Die #121812, Victoria Crochet Trim #118481, Smooch Spritz Gold Glow #118770, Stamping Sponge #101610

Look through the catalog and see what you can't live without!  Then just go to my Online Store to place your order!

Paisley Petals Birthday Card

Birthday card, anniversary card, sympathy card, thinking of you card.....I think you could use this little card for any occasion just by changing the sentiment.  The Baja Breeze card base is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" and layered with Cherry Cobbler and Tangerine Tango.  I was a little concerned how those colors would look together, but I like them with this paper!  The paper, of course, is the new sneak peek Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper available now during the Spring Is Blossoming Promotion.  The Four Frames stamp set and the Paisley Petals DSP will be available in the new Stampin' Up! catalog in July, but you can purchase it now, only during April....or you'll have to wait until July!  This paper is too pretty to wait THAT long!

The Baja Breeze card is actually photographed on top of another sheet of the Paisley Petals paper so you can see more.

Shop my Online Store today to take advantage of this offer!  And be sure to check out the Clearance Rack for some great deals!

Robots on a Birthday Card

Robots make a great birthday card....at least these robots do in the stamp set Lots of Bots #115293!  There they are, ready with their gifts, balloons and party hats!  Although I no longer had little boys in the house when this stamp set came out, my big boy was working on a robotics project at college so I had to purchase this set!  I'm glad I did because it has always been fun to make a card with it!  I also added some "metal" pieces, punched with the Cog Punch #118873 out of Brushed Silver and Basic Black card stock.  I'm sure some of those pieces were used to make the robots!!  The metal Hodgepodge Hardware adds a nice metallic touch to the card as well.  And the fun Spiral Border Punch #119872 adds some interest.  Perhaps it was laziness or lack of time, but after I stamped the robots, I decided to leave them blank with the thought that whatever child received this might like to color them in himself!

I got the idea for this card from another demonstrator named Taunya on our Stampin' Up! website called "Stampin' Connection".  It's a place for demonstrators to share samples and have discussions in forums and exchange ideas.  So if you would like to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, don't think you have to have natural-born creativity! Stampin' Up! provides plenty of ideas and resources for projects and running your business!  If you are interested in finding out about the business opportunity with Stampin' Up!, please click HERE to get some information.  And then email me if you want additional information or have questions.  You can sign up online in minutes to start your business and all the fun you will have as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

Cupcake Card

Since I had so much fun making a 4 1/4" square card last week with strips of designer series paper in THIS post, I thought I would make something similar today. This is the Sale-a-Bration designer paper, Ice Cream Parlor #122242 on page 7.  You can get this paper free with a $50 purchase from Stampin' Up! until March 31st....and with another $50 purchase, you can also get the Ribbon & Button Pack #123529 for added embellishment!

The cupcake is of course punched with the Build a Cupcake Punch #121807 in the Occasions 2011 Mini Catalog.  Really a fun card to make!

Let me know if you need any supplies!  Sale-a-Bration only lasts one more month!!!  Go to my website to place an order anytime!

Scallop Square Die Birthday Card

I got the idea for this card in a magazine, but made my card a little less formal.  I guess you might say it is actually a small card (about 3 7/8" square) adhered to the background cut with the Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die #115950.  I used some Pretty in Pink designer series paper from the Subtles Patterns Paper Stack #117152 on the front and stamped a birthday greeting from the stamp set Bring On the Cake in the Occasions Mini on page 13.

You can use this same format for a card for any occasion!

For an extra embellisment, I embossed a scrap of paper with one of the embossing folders and then punched it with the Butterfly Punch #119848.  With my Two-Way Glue Pen I added some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  For the antennae just tie a little Linen thread around the center. Add two Basic Pearls #119247 for some bling!

A Movie-Lover Birthday Card

Our new son-in-law's birthday came upon us pretty quickly, along with the realization that he is now a member of the family and should get a card and gift!  Since he is a big movie-lover, I came up with this card, even though I had to dig around in some retired sets to find "Treat Yourself".  

For the "filmstrip technique" I just took a strip of black card stock and punched along the edges with the Spiral Border Punch #119872.  Then you stamp on some squares that fit on the strip to make it look like a movie!  I have always loved that idea!

Sometimes it is harder to come up with a "male birthday card" but with a little thought it's really not that difficult.  Stampin' Up! provides so many kinds of stamp sets that you can find something appropriate for everyone!

My Matryoshka

I realize I am one mini catalog behind in showing you these cards, but it was time to play with my own matryoshka dolls.

 

 

The Designer Series paper is the beautiful glittered Sending Love Specialty paper from the previous Occasions Mini  Catalog....but you can see it is not just for Valentine's Day! So if you still have some, get it out and use it!  The stamp set is also from the Occasions Mini, My Matryoshka. We can hope it makes it into the next new Idea Book & Catalog in July!

Find a stamp set in your stash you haven't used in awhile and stamp something for fun today!

  

 

Another Build-a-Bear Birthday Paint Can!

Here is the other Build-A-Bear can I decorated for someone.  These are so fun to make.  I think it makes a great gift container for whatever you want to put in it....and then the recipient can still use it afterwards!  I got lots of use out of my Big Shot with these Paint Can projects!

 

I used some retired Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper and ribbons on this project, but I was looking for paper I thought the recipient would enjoy.

Once you start on a project like this, you'll find that it is so much fun just to play with it and your creativity will come!

    

Lots of Bots Birthday

Sometimes it is hard to think of what to stamp for boys, but Lots of Bots stamp set (#115293) is a great set to use.  Certainly it can be used for girls too, but it seems there are always more choices for girls in crafting.

 

I started with Bordering Blue card stock for the base and embossed the little screws and such from Lots of Bots  with Silver Embossing Powder (109131) and my Heat Tool (#100005).  That makes a great background and it is always fun to emboss!  After stamping on Whisper White with Black Stazon ink, I layered that on Brushed Silver and Brilliant Blue and then Real Red.  I made the Real Red layer longer and used the Scallop Edge Punch (#112091) for the design at the bottom.  

For a last touch I used my Paper-Piercing Tool (#116631) and foam mat in the Mat Pack (#105826) to poke holes in the scallops and inserted Silver Brads (#104336).  Just leave the card stock on the mat after poking the hole and poke your brads into the holes...then pick up your paper and unfold the little brad legs on the back.  Very easy!

 Shop my Online Store for these supplies and many more!

3 DAYS LEFT! Easy Sale-A-Bration Birthday Card!

Only 3 days left in Stampin' Up!'s greatest annual promotion.....Sale-A-Bration!

• Spend just $50 and choose free product from the SAB Mini Catalog!
  
• Host a workshop of $300 or more and earn one free Sale-A-Bration product plus the usual hostess benefits!
• Join Stampin' Up! and choose a FREE stamp set from the Idea Book & Catalog (valued up to $47.95)

Contact me (email:  KSFontinelle@gmail.com) with your order by Wed. March 31 or Shop Online any time at my online store. Click the Shop Now button!

Here's an easy birthday card made with the Sale-A-Bration set "Happy Moments" (page 5).  You can get "Happy Moments" FREE with your $50 purchase!

 

Stamps:  SAB Happy Moments (#118664 wood) (#119125 clear mount)

Paper:  Melon Mambo Card Stock (#115320), Pumpkin Pie Card Stock (#105117), Bermuda Bay Card Stock (#115317), Whisper White Card Stock (#100730), SAB Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad (#118401) 

Ink:  Stazon Jet Black (#101406)

Accessories:  Gold Brads (#104337), Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (#109054), Aqua Painter for coloring (#103954), ink refills or marker or pads for colors of your choice.

Place a Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration order with me and receive a stamped thank you card in the mail! Wouldn't you love to get "real" mail in your box?!

 

Jackpot Designer Series Paper

I've owned this Jackpot Designer Series Paper (#113995) for awhile but used it very little. However, as I making come cards for a friend's birthday gift the other day I came across this paper and thought it was perfect for her and this was what I should use!  While I started off looking online for ideas, once I got stamping I started to come up with my own ideas.  And you will, too!

Here are a couple of the cards I made.

 

 

This Jackpot Designer Series would be good for a lot of your masculine cards....you know, the ones we usually have a little bit of trouble coming up with ideas for!

You can order this paper and other products any time, either directly through me or on your own at your own computer through my online store.  Click HERE for online shopping!  Remember, with a purchase of $50 in product, you get to choose a Sale-A-Bration product FREE.

 

Robot Gift Card

It's been awhile since I have used this template...usually I think people put a tea bag or a chocolate candy in the little pocket.  But since I needed a quick birthday gift for a young teenage boy, I thought it would be fine to hold cash!  I thought of my Lots of Bots stamp set, a good one for boys, and stamped that image for the front.  After I had it all colored in and mounted on Brushed Silver card stock, I thought it needed a little more silver.....and since I am apparently into silver glitter these days, why not a little silver glitter, Chunky Essentials, for the robot!  I just applied a thin line of Tombow Multi Glue around the edge and sprinkled on the glitter.  I think it looks kind of jazzy now!  The Designer Paper I used is the retired Jersey Shore, a good set of colors for a boy.  You could also use any color of card stock and perhaps embellish it with some designer paper.  Lots of opportunity for creativity in this easy project!  Email me if you want more information or ideas!

 

Fun & Fast Notes

I felt like I needed to get back to some simple, versatile stamping today and decided to pull out my Fun & Fast Notes stamp set.  This set covers about every occasion and is easy and fun to use.  Here is a birthday card I made, adding some brads on the side and a little Dazzling Diamonds on the cake (flames and middle layer of frosting!).  After that I decided to add a little something to the background so I used the Retro Remix wheel and Versamark ink.  I used our Stampin' Up! Watercolor Paper for the cake and colored in with In Color Markers and my Aquapainter.  If you don't own this set, you can go to my Online Store and order it!

Lots of Bots Birthday Card

Now that my son's birthday is over I will post the card I made for him.  Not that I really think he would be reading his mother's stamping blog, but it seemed better to wait!  When this stamp set first came out and Stampin' Up! demonstrators had a chance to preorder it at a discount, I was going to pass on it.  But then I remembered my son was going to be working on some robot project at college, so gee, it might come in handy!  I've seen lots of cute cards made with it so it is a great set to own!

Here is the card for his 21st birthday.....and he LIKED the card!  What more could a stamping mother want??!

 

I used the In Colors Crushed Curry and Soft Suede, plus some Basic Gray under the 021, only because I couldn't find my Brushed Silver at the moment.  That is one of the Sweet Treat Cups holding the screws, etc. from the Holiday Mini.....so the Sweet Treat Cups aren't just for candy!  The Sweet Treat Cup is actually mounted to the inside of the card so that the front opens and you can still see the robot in the cup.  You use the 1 3/4" Circle Punch to make the holes.  After I made the first one, I traced with a pencil where the next one would go so I would get the placement right with the punch and everything would line up.  The punches work best with one layer of card stock at a time.

 

 

 

 

Use some Mini Glue Dots to attach the front of the Treat Cup to the layer you see here, then when you attach the stamped robot layer you will peel away the adhesive strip on the actual Treat Cup to adhere that so it looks like the robot is inside the cup.

I left the right hand corner unstamped so we could sign the card there!  Be sure to stamp the images before adhering over the Treat Cup......otherwise it is difficult to stamp near the cup!  Duh!

And the finished card again...........

 

I hope these photos make the assembly process somewhat clear, but if not, email me with any questions!

PS:  Since I don't own any number stamps, I used My Digital Studio to print out the numbers I wanted and then adhered them to this card!

Last of the "Deals of the Week" for October!

Here are the final Deals of the Week for October!  Have a little princess or pirate in your house?  You'll need these party kits for sure!  If you don't have a party coming up soon, I think they would be fun for just a craft project for the children!  See pages 174-5 in the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog for more information!

Week 4 Deals of the Week

Item	Description	Special Price
116214	Princess Party Kit	$9.99
116213	Pirate Party Kit	$9.99

Be sure to contact me before October 31, 11:50 PM (MT)