Easter Egg Template Card with Designer Series Paper Scraps

Easter Egg Template Card

This card came about because I got this Easter Egg template in my junk mail one day! I used the template to trace and cut around it on Whisper White card stock and then used strips of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper to decorate it.  It's a great way to use scraps, of course.  I even used some border punches to decorate a few strips. You could also run it through the Big Shot in an embossing folder for another look.

Easter Egg Template

Here's how the egg started.  I cut out the template, applied Tombow Multipurpose Glue on portions and laid down the strips. This is the backside.

Easter Egg Template Strips

Then when you trim off the strips overhanging the template, this is the pretty thing you end up with!

Have fun making some paper Easter eggs!

If you need any stamping supplies, you can order from my Online Store HERE.

Easter Duckie Punch Art Card Using Scraps

Easter Duckie Punch Art Card

Sometimes it is interesting where inspiration comes from. I got an email from a gourmet caramel apple company, and they had a little stuffed Easter duck perched on top of an apple with a cute printed bow in the back. It was so cute and I thought of the many punch art chicks and ducks I've seen….and the bow made me think of our new Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper.

When I pulled out my pack of paper, there was this scrap from cutting out a Framelits Die Label the other day.  I thought it would make a perfect frame. And that's where I started.

The Easter punch art duckie is made with these punches:

  • 1 3/4" Circle #119850
  • 1 3/8" Circle #119860 
  • Modern Label #119849 
  • Boho Blossoms #119858 
  • Bird Builder #117191 
  • 1/2" Circle #119869 
  • Circle in Itty Bitty Shapes #118309

Try your hand at some Stampin' Up! punch art!  Just have fun!

Send a Card for the Pony Express!

Pony express

Today is the anniversary of the Pony Express!  On this day in 1860 the first official delivery began in St. Joseph, Missouri with a mail pouch holding 49 letters, five telegrams and other papers. A new horse was provided every  10-15 miles and a new rider every 75-100 miles.  It took about ten days for the mail to reach the west coast.  The Pony Express only operated about 18 months until the telegraph was built.

I'm glad we have better mail delivery these days, although really it sounds like the Pony Express was pretty speedy!  I look forward to the mail coming every single day! It used to be you could look forward to a letter from your mother, your grandmother or a friend.  

So why not surprise someone, or brighten someone's day, when they go to the mailbox in a couple of days?  In honor of the Pony Express today, send a card to someone!  Just stamp a simple card and get it in the mail….or stamp a sheet of paper and write a short note or nice long letter!

Here's a simple card I made with the Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes Set in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  It already comes with the laser-cut heart. I added a piece of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper behind the heart and added a piece of Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon and a Vanilla Rosette.

Designer Cuts Card with Twitterpated Paper

If you send a card to someone, please leave me a comment below and tell us about it!

Summer Smooches Bright Blossoms Card

Bright Blossoms Red & Blue Card

It's time for Summer Smooches!!  The ones from Stampin' Up! anyway! Summer Smooches is a whole collection of coordinating products that will be in the new Stampin' Up! catalog in June!  But you can start playing this month!!  No need to wait!

There is a stamp set Bright Blossoms, designer paper, ribbon, digitale elements for My Digital Studio, brads, fabric and a stencil!  Be sure to check it all out on the flyer HERE.

I decided to make a card with colors that probably not everyone would pick at first…Real Red and Island Indigo.  I always love red and Stampin' Up! has the best red in the world!  I just layered some of the new Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper, used the Eyelet Border Punch #119853 on the bottom for some interest, stamped some flowers with the Bright Blossoms Stamp Set (and punched out with the 1" Square Punch #124094 and the Postage Stamp Punch #122344.

To order your Summer Smooches products and get a head start on the new catalog, just place your online order HERE at my Stampin' Up! store.

Summer Smooches Halloween!! What??!

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween Cross-Stitch

April Fool's!!!

Ok, I know it is April Fool's and not Halloween!  But this isn't really even an April Fool's joke because I really got this gift just the other day!!  And I just LOVE it because I LOVE Halloween!! My college friend/roommate/fellow stamper Sally had asked me what my favorite holiday was.  I didn't know why she asked but I said I loved Halloween…..so this is what I got in the mail!  She warned me I had said Halloween! She made me this beautiful cross-stitch, which is something I could have picked out for myself because it is just my style!  In fact, before stamping, I used to do cross-stitch like this…and probably have lots of Halloween cross-stitch kits and projects and materials in the closet that I've never gotten around to doing!

Here are some close-ups of the ghost and Frankenstein!

Ghosts

Frankie

Isn't it the cutest thing??!! And what a nice surprise to get a gift like this in the mail!!  I don't know if I can put it away and wait until October.

And now that it is April 1st, Stampin' Up! is offering a sneak peek of a brand-new suite of products that will be in the new Stampin' Up! 2012-13 Catalog called Summer Smooches!  You can see a flyer of all the products right HERE. These products are only available during the month of April…after that, you will have to wait for the new catalog!

So I wondered if I could make a Halloween card with the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper…..and sure enough, I could!!

Summer Smooches Halloween Card

So order your Summer Smooches products soon and get a head start on Halloween!  And that's no April Fool joke!

Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration! LAST DAY TODAY, MARCH 31st!!!

SAB 2012 Hostess Options

Don't miss out on Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration! Spend $50 and earn one FREE product from the beautiful Sale-A-Bration Catalog! Place your order today before 11:50 pm Mountain Time (Stampin' Up! time)! That's the end of it!  My, how the time flew by from Jan. 24th when Sale-a-Bration began until now! If your order is $150 or more, please contact me (do not put it in online yourself) because I can get you the extra Hostess goodie with an order of that size.

Hostesses were entitled to a free tote bag, but since they were running low, Stampin' Up! added some items to choose from.  See the choices above or click HERE.

Here is a card I copied from Shelli Gardner, Founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!, on her blog.  I love the Elegant Bird Die #125593, but I especially LOVE the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper #126154 in the Sale-A-Bration Catalog.  I'm sure lots of us wish they would carry that over into the new catalog!  But Sale-A-Bration items are only available during Sale-A-Bration.

Elegant Bird Card

Stamps:  Fresh Vintage (SAB), Loving Thoughts (Occasions Mini), Tiny Tags

Ink:  Crumb Cake Classic Ink

Paper:  Pool Party Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (SAB)

Accessories:  Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Elegant Bird Die, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack (SAB), Brights Designer Buttons (SAB), Linen Thread, Sponge, Adhesives, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Crumple the paper for the wings to get the textured effect.

Place your Sale-A-Bration order HERE today!!

(Or email me at Karen@Karenstamps.com)


 



We’re Still Sale-A-Brating! Today & Tomorrow!

SAB 2012 Banner

You have today and tomorrow to earn your free product from Stampin' Up! when you spend $50 or more….for EVERY $50 you spend….no limit!! Grab your catalog and place your $50 order HERE, then add on your choice of free product from the special Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Catalog HERE. There are wonderful products to pick from this year, such a variety!  And if you didn't hear me say it before, we have loved the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper!  If you want something more practical, get the pack of In Color Card Stock! And of course there are great stamp sets to choose from!  Who doesn't want free stamps??!

Today and tomorrow!!!  Sale-A-Bration ends tomorrow, Saturday March 31st!!

SHOP ONLINE HERE!

Little Chick Easter Basket

Little Chick Easter Basket

This little Easter Basket with a punch art chick has been around for a long time and is so easy to make! You can use card stock or designer series paper. You can decorate or embellish however you like, for whatever occasion.

  • To make the basket, just start with a square piece of paper.  I used a piece of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper #125406 for my basket. The double-sided paper makes for a nice lining also!
  • Score your paper into three equal parts.  My paper is 6"x6" so I scored at 2" and 4", turned and scored again also at 2" and 4". It will look like a tic-tac-toe board when you are finished.  You can use the Paper Trimmer to score or the fun new Simply Scored Scoring Tool #122334.
  • After scoring, you need to cut the flaps apart as shown the photo below.  Just cut on the score line down to the next score line. If you want, round the corners on the flaps that will be visible on your basket.

Easter Basket Scoring

  • Cut a strip 1/2" x 8" (for this size basket) for the handle.
  • Adhere the flaps together to form a basket.  I prefer the Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755 just because it allows for a bit of time to get everything placed where you want it. But you could also use SNAIL or Sticky Strip. Also adhere the handle.

Folded Easter Basket

For the punch art chick, you can make him lots of different ways with different punches, so just play and experiment if you like!

  • Use the  3/4" Scallop Circle Punch #119854 for the body.
  • Use it also for the chick's wings….just cut into smaller pie-shaped pieces.
  • For the little tuft on top of his head, use the Boho Blossoms Punch #119858. Use this same punch with Tangerine Tango to punch two feet…just hide part of the punches behind the chick to show a small portion.
  • For the eyes, use the circle punch in the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack #118309.  Punch two white circles and one yellow.  Cut the yellow in half for the eyelids.  Either punch a smaller black circle or just color in the white with a black marker. Highlight with a little white Gel Pen
  • For the beak, just cut a very small square of orange and fold in half. 
  • Sponge most of the pieces if you like a little shading.
  • Assemble your cute little Easter chick and attach to Easter basket!

Easter Punch Art Chick

Make one of these Easter Baskets today and see how fun they are to make!  You could make a punch art bunny.  You could stamp a flower or animal or Easter bunny on cardstock, layer and attach.  To any of these, you could add a tag with a name and use for a place card for your Easter table.  Fill with some Easter grass and treats and you're all set! Have fun!! (Bet you can't make just one!)

Final Four!! It’s Here!

Final Four Card-001

Yes, the Final Four!  It's the Final Four days of Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration! Much like the excitement of basketball's Final FourSale-A-Bration is the biggest promotion of the year for Stampin' Up! and rubber stamping.

Sale-A-Bration actually dates back to the early days of Stampin' Up! Everyone looks forward to it every year.  Why?  Because you can earn "free stuff"!!  And who doesn't want free stamps….or now…. free paper, free brads, free ribbon, free fabric….so many choices this year!!  Just purchase $50 in Stampin' Up! products….check all the catalogs HERE…..and then you earn a free product from the special Sale-A-Bration Catalog!  For every $50 you spend, you get one free product! What a deal!

You can really SCORE in the FINAL FOUR days of Sale-A-Bration!!!  :)    

And if you're into basketball, just page through the Stampin' Up! catalogs while you are watching the game and make out your Wish List.  Then go to my Online Store here and place your order!

But hurry……Sale-A-Bration ENDS on Saturday, March 31st!  Don't wait until the last minute!

The card above was made in My Digital Studio!  I started with a 6×6 card template and just changed the paper to the Sale-A-Bration Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, changed the greeting, and added some embellishments….Basic Rhinestones and also Everyday Enchantment Brads from Sale-A-Bration.  It only took minutes to make this card!  You can do it too!  Try the FREE 30-Day My Digital Studio Express Trial today!

Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration Easter Card

Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Easter Card

Here's an Easter card made with some products from the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Catalog. Easter is April 8th so you still have time for some handmade Easter cards!

With a $50 purchase from any of the Stampin' Up! catalogs, you can earn a free product from the Sale-a-Bration Catalog.  On this card I used my free Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper #126154, the matching ribbon from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack #127279, and even the Pool Party and Lucky Limeade In Color card stock #127713. All three items are free in the Sale-A-Bration catalog with a $50 purchase.

The Everyday Enchantment ribbon is really fun, so thin and sheer…and you can curl the ends with a scissors like you might do with regular gift-wrapping ribbon.

The Easter eggs are punched with the Extra-Large Oval Punch #119859. The Sahara Sand medallion is cut from the Perfect Pennants Die #123126. The little chick is punched from the Bird Builder Punch #117191 (with his tail cut off!).

Why not make a few Easter cards to send to your family and friends?

Sale-A-Bration ends on Saturday, March 31 so don't wait to place your order HERE.

Last Week for Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration: Petite Purse

Petite Purse Sale-A-Bration Paper

Something old and something new! This is the last week for Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion, Sale-A-Bration, and I have used a piece of the Sale-A-Bration "Everyday Enchantment" Designer Series Paper #126154 on this NEW Petite Purse Die for the Big Shot, coming April 1st!

It's a cute little purse, perfect for parties and favors…and just a fun thing to make! Then embellish like crazy or leave it fairly plain….your choice! Besides adding a bit of designer paper on the top of the purse flap, I took some Poppy Parade card stock and punched a strip with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch #119275.  I cut the punched strip in half lengthwise so I could just use the scalloped edge, snipped it a little to get it to bend around the curve and glued under the purse flap.  Then I added a little Twitterpated Designer Button #125579 from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The purse handle comes with the die or you could make your own with some ribbon or another punch or something.

You'll have to wait until April for the Petite Purse Die but DON'T wait for Sale-A-Bration because that ends Saturday, March 31st.  Spend $50 in merchandise from any of the current Stampin' Up! catalogs and earn a free product of your choice from the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Catalog! For every $50 you spend, you earn a free product, so there is no limit!  If nothing else, you might as well stock up on paper or adhesives or whatever basic supplies you use a lot so that you benefit by getting FREE merchandise.  You can add My Digital Studio downloads to your order as well, if you want (as long as you are ordering online).

Don't miss Sale-A-Bration! It is the biggest promotional event of the year for Stampin' Up! Get your order in by March 31st.  Order at my Online Store HERE or contact me with your order!

Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration Everyday Enchantment Hello Card

Everyday Enchantment Hello Card

The Stampin' Up! promotion known as Sale-A-Bration is rapidly coming to an end, but here is a card I made with the Sale-A-Bration Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.

Sale-A-Bration is Stampin' Up!'s biggest event of the year and only lasts until March 31st!  With a $50 purchase, you may earn a free product from the special Sale-a-Bration Catalog. If you order Online, after you put in your $50 worth of items (or more!), then add your Sale-A-Bration items to your order….one for every $50 you spend!

When I see this patterned paper I always think it is Real Red and I LOVE red…..but it is Poppy Parade!  Still love it anyway!!  The card base is Poppy Parade with a layer of Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  The stamped flower and little border-type stamp is from the Sale-A-Bration set Fresh Vintage.  Notice the little piece of scalloped Everyday Enchantment DSP right under the flower layer piece.  The "Hello" is a greeting from the stamp set Elementary Elegance, also in the Sale-A-Bration Catalog.  You could choose either of these stamp sets for FREE with a $50 purchase! But if you're more of a ribbons and brads girl, just choose the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack to coordinate with the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper. I used two on the Hello label, which is punched with the Decorative Label Punch #120907.

Grab your Stampin' Up! catalogs and make out your Wish List today….then go order HERE and get your Sale-A-Bration items for every $50 you spend!  Who doesn't want free stuff?!

10 More Days of Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration!

Today is March 21 and Sale-A-Bration ends March 31…..so after today there are only ten days left to earn your free Sale-a-Bration product with a $50 Stampin' Up! purchase.

SAB 2012 Catalog

Click on the catalog image above to see what is inside!

You can participate as a Customer….. Place an order of $50 or more and choose a free product from the above Sale-A-Bration Catalog.  No limits!  Order $100 (before shipping and tax) and choose two FREE products…and so on! For an order of $150 or more, contact me first so I can place it for you and get your free Hostess tote. Otherwise, you can order online at my Stampin' Up! store HERE!

You can participate as a Hostess…… Time is running out on this one….invite some friends/neighbors/family and we'll have some stamping fun. Orders count toward Hostess Benefits for you!

You can participate by becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator….. Sign up by March 31 for only $125!  We have two Starter Kits to choose from….Standard stamping supplies or Digital with My Digital Studio. And as an extra bonus, new recruits get a free paper pack or digital download every month that they place a demonstrator order for the rest of the year!  You can contact me for more information at Karen@Karenstamps.com. Read more about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator HERE and you can sign up online!

First Day of Spring! Summer Smooches Butterfly Card

Summer Smooches Butterfly Card

Today may be the first day of spring, but it was a dark and stormy morning here in Houston. However, I think this Summer Smooches Butterfly card would brighten up anyone's day!  Summer Smooches is the new set of products coming out from Stampin' Up! in April (which is SOON!), a sneak peek of the new Stampin' Up! Catalog.  I love the bright colors in this Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper and the lovely Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon…..and you will, too, when you can purchase these products and more on April 1st.

The butterflies are punched with the Butterfly Punch #119848 and the paper is the new Summer Smooches.

Summer Smooches Butterfly Card Inside

And here is the inside of the card, stamped with a cute image from the new, upcoming stamp set Bright Blossoms. I used different Stampin' Write Markers to color the stem and various flowers.  So cute!!

Hope you are having a beautiful First Day of Spring Day!

3×3 Everyday Enchantment Thank You Card

Everyday Enchantment 3x3 Thank You Card

If you need just a small little note card or thank you card, this 3"x 3" notecard is just perfect.  They are so fun to make.  And easy enough to put a piece of designer paper for the background and punch a matching flower from the new Blossom Punch #125603 in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The background paper is Everyday Enchantment, which you can earn for free with a $50 purchase during Sale-A-Bration, which ends March 31st. The "Kind Thanks" is from Thank You Kindly #111700.

Be sure you place your Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration order before the deadline!