Happy Thanksgiving To You!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful day full of family & friends. Enjoy your day of making special memories and don't eat too much turkey & pumpkin pie!

This is a little turkey card made using punches that I thought would be perfect to share with you today! I had hoped to do this card in a punch class but just simply ran out of time to do it. Card Recipe:

• Inks - Chocolate Chip for greeting
• Papers - Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Twist, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Real Red, Basic Black and Confetti Cream card stocks
• Embellishments - Earth Elements brads and 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon
• Tools - Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Boho Blossoms, 3/4" Circle, 1/4" Circle, 3/4" Square, Spiral, Wide Oval, Large Oval, 1/8" Hole and Double Circle. Paper cutter with scoring blade and Dimensionals.

The turkeys feathers are made out of a circle scallop folded in a couple of directions. The turkey's waddle is just made out of a little scrap of red card stock. This is a fun little turkey to make. I just love using my punches to create special cards!

I know that it has been a while since I've posted. I hope to do better and at least post a few times before Christmas! It always seems that it is easy to let life get in the way of doing things that you enjoy doing. Be sure to check out my Stampin' Up! web site for the many sale specials that are going on right now. Just click on the "Shop Now" icon on the top right to place your order online and have it shipped directly to you.

Happy Stampin'

Karen

Okay...You Can Believe Me This Time!

Hello again everyone! This time I am back to blogging, I promise! I have my photo program on my computer now so I can add pictures again to my posts. I just don't like posting things without pictures it just doesn't seem right to me! I wanted to take this time again to say "thanks a bunch" for being patient with me and my computer woes. Not only have I had all of the difficulties with my computer but there has been so much going on this month in my personal life. My husband was in the hospital for a few days due to a pain in his arm. The doctors thought he might be having a heart attack due to an abnormal EKG they did. Fortunately, he did not have a heart attack. His blood pressure was very high so they got that under control and of course they did a whole battery of tests and blood work while he was there. We found out that he has Diabetes, although he seems to be in denial about that right now and they found out that the pain in his arm is due to a bulging disc in his back. He will be going to see a a specialist about his back and also will be visiting the Diabetes Center here in Tallahassee for classes to learn about how to control his diabetes. He has been put on medicine for that and he is to monitor his blood for right now. Prayer for him to have total understanding about his situation would be much appreciated!
Okay, now let me tell you about this card I have posted. This is one that we did at a recent club party. My friend Judy was the hostess and she just loves that Sock Monkey stamp set so we had to use it! I got the idea for this card from several places but it mainly came from a card that I saw on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator web site. I just changed it up a little.
Card Recipe:

• Stamp Set - Sock Monkey
• Papers - Kraft, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun and Whisper White card stocks. Bella Rose Designer Series paper
• Inks - Basic Brown ink pad, Summer Sun, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel and Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write markers
• Tools - 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Scallop punch, 5 Petal Flower punch and Scallop Edge punch. Stylus tool, Paper Piercing tool from the Crafter's Tool Kit and dimensionals.

Happy Stampin'

Karen

Finally Bloggin' Again!

Hi, remember me? It has been a long time since I've posted but I am finally able to post here on my blog. My computer woes are not fixed 100% yet but at least I can check email and access this blog and the Stampin' Up! site! I hope to have my photo program back sometime today! Thanks for being patient with me! I can't wait to share with you some of the neat cards that I have been working on.


I would like to share a couple of exciting announcements from Stampin' Up!

First, I now have ONLINE SHOPPING available on my web site! You can purchase all of the Stampin' Up! products that you want in the comfort of your own home 24 hours a day! How cool is that! Prices are the same as in the catalog and you can earn the same Hostess rewards as in the catalog too for orders of $150.00 or more! Just go to my web site HERE and click on the yellow SHOP NOW link then click on the small green CUSTOMER LOGIN ( upper right ) to set up your own personal account to shop with me. Be sure to save your login information ( email address and password ) for your future purchases with me as well! The credit or debit cards that are accepted are Visa, Mastercard and Discover. A neat feature on the online ordering site is a BROWSE PROJECTS link that allows you to see a project of your choice and shows you exactly what you need to purchase to recreate the project. All you have to do is click on it to pull it up.
Please CONTACT ME to ask me any questions you might have!

The other thing that I wanted to announce is that Stampin' Up! is now carrying the Sizzix Big Shot! and dies which some are exclusive to Stampin' Up! Click HERE to learn all about it! We also are carrying raw materials to cut such as chip board and vinyl like our Decor Elements are made from! This product line is so exciting to me! I can't wait to use this die cut machine in my classes! There are so many, many cute things to be made using this! My first "Big Shot" class is going to be held on Saturday, September 27th from 2:00 to 5:00! The cost is $15.00 to attend. I am also starting a "Big Shot" club where you can purchase the "Big Shot Starter Kit" ( at a $10.00 savings than if purchased seperately ) over a period of time and earn Hostess Benefits while doing it too...much like my Card Stock and Marker Clubs. If you decide to join my "Big Shot" club, your class fee will be waived! Contact me for more info!

I have some fun and exciting fall and winter classes ahead! Be sure to check out my calendar on my SU web site for all the details! Many classes are "pre-pay" and most will be offered as classes through the mail!
I hope that you have been stamping in my absence!
Glad to be back posting!
Happy Stampin'
Karen

Thanks So Much!

Hello! I wanted to let you know that I may not be blogging for a little bit. My computer seems to have been taken over by some type of virus. Not Good! It has disabled my updates and my antiviral software.I am going to have to get someone to fix the problem because it seems to be more than I know how to do. I am at my mother's house using her computer to post this. I have been very busy making new samples from the catalog and can't wait to share them with you but I don't have access to the photos I've taken of them. They are on my computer at home!Hopefully I will have my computer up and running again by this weekend but I'm making no promises! I just want to say "Thanks So Much" for being patient with me and my computer!Here is a card that I can share with you that I has saved on my blogger site. It is one of my favorites because all you have to do is change the greeting and it can be for any occasion!

Card Recipe:

• Stamp sets- Baroque Motifs and Sincere Salutations


• Papers - Certainly Celery, Regal Rose and Whisper White card stocks


• Inks - Regal Rose and Certainly Celery Classic Ink Pads and Regal Rose Stampin' Write marker


• Embellishments - Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon


• Tools - Color Spritzer Tool and dimensionals
  

I hope that I am back to posting again very very soon!

Happy Stampin'

Karen

New 2008 Fall & Winter Idea Book & Catalog!

Well here is the much awaited new Fall & Winter Idea Book & Catalog! Isn't the cover just so beautiful? You can click here to download a copy of the catalog or click the catalog icon on the left side of my blog. As of right now Stampin' Up! has decided not to have an on-line link to the catalog as they have in the past. I'm not sure why they have decided to do this but it might have something to do with the fact that they will have FULLY AUTOMATED ON-LINE ORDERING COMING SOON. Whoo Hoo! From what I have heard, Stampin' Up! will be transitioning to a fully automated one-step on-line order (shopping cart style) in the near future which will make your ordering process incredibly easy. How cool will that be? I will have the feature available on my blog as soon as it's released. In the mean time, you can either download your copy and save it to a CD or your computer. If you would prefer a copy of the catalog you can hold in your hands there are several ways to obtain one. You can host a party and earn one FREE or you can join a stamp club and earn one FREE or you can purchase one from me for $9,95. Contact me for more information or to purchase your copy!


Stampin' Up! has several wonderful promotions going on right now that I want to share with you. First of all they have new sets from the catalog priced at a 15% discount!! Can you believe it? Click here
to view the details! Contact me to place your order now through September 30th!


Then Stampin' Up! is offering NEW $99 MINI STARTER KITS!! For a limited time (Aug. 11 through October 11), Stampin' Up! has made becoming a demonstrator even more attractive by introducing three new $99 starter kit options. Click here to see the $99 Starter Kit contents and details. Stampin' Up! is also offering a FREE STAMP SET of your choice with the FULL SIZE STARTER KIT that is $199. Sign up for the full size kit by October 11 and receive a Free Stamp Set of your choice as a bonus (up to a $47.95 value). You can sign up online here but be sure to email me first to get my special password that allows you to sign up online!

What are some of the benefits of becoming a demonstrator? Here are just a few:

• You will receive 30% off your first order that you place!
• Get 20% off all orders (and potentially more based on sales totals)
• Receive Stampin' Up!'s monthly exclusive demonstrator magazine, Stampin' Success!
• Earn free stamp sets through a bonus program called Stampin' Start
• Have exclusive access to the Stampin' Up! demonstrator web site
• Get online training through teleconferences
• Earn products and even VISA gift cards through a rewards program called Great Rewards!
• Be able to pre-order select Stampin' Up!'s stamps, tools and embellishments!
• Be part of my great demonstrator downline team and attend monthly meetings!
• Attend fantastic demonstrator only events through Stampin' Up!
• Be inspired by video tutorials and project ideas on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator web site
• Have your own business web site to list your events and classes for only $12.95 per month
• Best of all, meet new people and make lasting friendships through customers and fellow demonstrators

There is no obligation to hold workshops/parties or even sell Stampin' Up! products at all with the purchase of the starter kit. It's yours to use and enjoy. If you do decide you want to remain an active demonstrator and be a part of my team, just a minimum of $300 in product sales per quarter is all you need to do. Please contact me for more info! I'd love to have you as a part of my team!!

Finally I want to share with you a card that I have made using new colors, papers, stamps and tools! I just love new set of paper! The paper is called Bella Rose and the set is Dreams Du Jour! The scallop edge on this card is made by the new scallop punch pictured below!

Card Recipe:

• Stamp Set: Dreams Du Jour
• Papers: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette and Whisper White card stocks and Bella Rose Designer Series Paper
• Inks: Basic Black ink pad, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette ink refills
• Embellishments: Vintage Brads and Pretty In Pink Taffeta Ribbon
• Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, 1/8" hole punch, Aqua Painters and dimensionals

What do you think of this card? I do just love it! The punch is so very easy to use too! I love it so much! We will be trying it out this weekend at my NEW CATALOG Open House! Can't wait for you to get you hands on it!

Here is all you have to do to use the new punch. Punch the card stock once then move it down and line it up with the scallops that are printed on he punch itself. Continue to punch until you have the desired length of the card stock finished. It also punches off a skinny strip of card stock that can be used as embellishment too.

I have seen so many neat ideas made using the punch. If I can remember where I've seen them, I'll post links to them to share with you!

This post was very long today but I have so much to share with you! I'm so glad that you stopped by! I'll be showing more samples that I have made using other sets this week. I'm going to go get busy stamping some more now!

Happy Stampin'

Karen

My Christmas In July Samples!

I wanted to share these 4 cards that we made at my "Christmas In July" Stamp-a-Stack last month. This will be my last post of retiring stamp sets since you can't purchase them from the catalog anymore.
Each of these cards featured retiring Christmas sets.
The card above with the snowflakes uses a couple of the sets that retired. They are "Snow Flurries" which I love and "Block Party".

This card features "Festive Favorites" which was always a fun set to use.

This card uses "The Snowflake Spot". It is sad to say but this is a set that I had for a while and this was the first time I inked it up. Shame on me because it is a very pretty snowflake set!

This card uses the "Peaceful Wishes" stamp set. This was one of my favorites and I am sad to see this one retire. It was nice because it was simple stamping but gave you an elegant look.

Hopefully these cards will give you some ideas on layouts for other Christmas sets to use if you don't happen to have any of these sets.

Okay, so now it is time to get the new catalog posted on my blog and I hope to get a few samples for you to see later today or tonight. Stampin' Up! is also having some great specials right now that I will post later too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stampin'

Karen

WE HAVE A WINNER!!

It is time to announce the winner of my blog candy which was picked by random.org
....are you ready? The winner will receive all of the items that are pictured here. Okay..so here we go...the winner of my first blog candy is...

Cindy Rutledge! Whoo Hoo!


Congratulations Cindy!


On my nugget tutorial post I asked that everyone tell me what they liked to use their stamps for the best...cards, scrapbooks or 3-D items.


This is what Cindy had to say in her comment:

I like stamping it all! But I think scrapbook pages are my favorite.



Thanks Cindy for leaving a comment and participating in my first blog candy give away! It was Cindy's birthday on August 4th so she has earned a little extra gift! How fun! I will have your items for you to pick up at my "New Catalog Open House" this weekend! See you there if not before! wink wink! : )


Okay, so I didn't get to post this afternoon like I had hoped to because we were out school clothes shopping! What a nightmare it was! We were out ALL afternoon and evening. Some stores were opened later today even though it was Sunday! But the good news is...I think that we are all set for school to start. There might be a few things here and there to get but for the most part WE ARE DONE!



Here is one last card to share with you using another of my favorite sets that is retiring!The set is called "Touch of Nature". I have had it for a few years and used it pretty frequently. I know we used it for a couple of Stamp-a-Stacks that I did and I have used it often myself for cards that I have sent out. It is another one that I am sad to see go!

I had intended to share my cards with you that were from my latest Christmas Stamp-a-Stack that were all retiring Christmas sets. I might do that before I post samples tomorrow from the new catalog! My little one has an early morning dental appointment so we will see how it goes!
Remember that the new catalog goes live tomorrow and demonstrators can begin placing orders from it at 11:00MT which would be 1:00pm here in Tallahassee!
Whoo Hoo! Contact me to place an order or purchase a new copy of the catalog!
Thanks for stopping by today! Congratulations again Cindy!
Happy Stampin'
Karen

My Favorite Stamp Set!

Stampin' Up recently did a demonstrator survey that asked what our favorite stamp set was of all times. So what is mine? This stamp set is my most favorite set from Stampin' Up! It is called "Bud Basics" and the wheel that matches it is called "Basics Outline".
These are my favorites because they are so easy to make a card with it. All you have to do is roll the wheel on a strip of light card stock and then using the stamp set, stamp in the images of the flowers to fill in the outline wheel. I love this set because it doesn't have to be perfect to look great. This set is very forgiving of little imperfections! : )
The "Happy Birthday"stamp comes from the "It's Your Birthday" set. Both the sets and the wheel is going to be retired tomorrow forever! This is your last chance to order any of these. I will be sending in my last order from the current catalog on Sunday evening. Contact me to order.
The colors that I used on the samples above are Groovy Guava and Blue Bayou which are also being discontinued and replaced with new "In Colors" . Stampin' Up has almost run out of their supply of the current "In Color" items.
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stampin'
Karen

Give Thanks!

Just a quick post today. I seem to have a headache that just won't go away! Not even with meds!

I thought I would share a couple of cards made with another of my favorite sets that is retiring forever on Sunday! The set is called "Give Thanks". I like this set because it is super simple to watercolor. On both of these cards I used aqua painters, inks and markers. Aren't the pumpkins below just "gojus"? ( Thanks for the word Jan Tinklenberg! ) The sunflower card also has a couple of other stamp sets used on it that are also retiring. One is the "Thanks You" greeting which can be found in the "Much Appreciated" 4 piece set and the "stitching" around the sunflower image can be made with the "All In A Row" set. ( I learned the "faux" stitching technique from the famous Beate Johns!)

Both of these sets I will also miss using a lot! I like the font of the "Thank You" and I love doing the "faux" stitching too. All three of these sets are only available until Sunday so if you would like to add them to your collection make sure you order them by Sunday! Contact me via email to place your order! It won't be too long and you will be able to place your orders online through me! I can't wait until Stampin' Up! starts making online purchasing available for you!

Speaking of Sunday, not only will that be the last day to get your orders in from the current catalog, but that is the day that I will announce the winner of my blog candy! Be sure to read my previous post and leave a comment there for your chance to win! Thanks for stopping by today!

Have you stamped anything today? Go stamp something for someone special!

Happy Stampin'

Karen

Nugget Box Tutorial and Blog Candy!

So here is the post for the nugget candy box. The items shown to the left are what I used to create the box. I hope that you will be able to understand my tutorial. Refer to the pictures as you read the directions. Hopefully that will help you.

Box Base:

Begin with a piece of card stock cut to 3 3/4" x 5 1/4". Score it at 1/2" on all four sides and then score it again at 1 1/8" on all four sides. Cut in to the score marks on the two longer sides leaving tabs as shown in the picture below. Be sure to trim tabs at an angle because this makes them easier to work with. You will have four tabs, two short ends and two longer ends when you are finished trimming your box base. To assemble it, apply Sticky Strip to the base as shown in the picture below. Fold tabs in and attach to the longer sides of the box base and fold all sides down on scored lines to be stuck on the sticky strip pieces. This will complete your box base.

Slider Cover:

Cut a piece of card stock to 3 1/8" x 5 1/8". I used textured card stock for mine. Score this piece at 2 1/4" and then 4 1/2". Turn card stock piece around 180 degrees and score again at 2 1/4" and then 4 1/2". Adhere the designer paper piece that is cut 1 1/2" by 5 1/8" to the scored card stock piece. Using sticky strip, adhere one side flap to the other to create a rectangle shape open ended slider for your box base.

Cover nugget candy with a piece of designer paper that measures 1" x 3 1/4". This box size will hold 3 nugget candies. Place the candies inside the box and slide the slider cover onto the box. To finish it tie with a piece of grosgrain ribbon. What a nice gift this is to make! It makes even simple chocolates seem so very special!

Now onto more candy! I want to announce my very first blog candy give away! In honor of my site reaching 1000 hits and to thank you for your support, I want to have a very special drawing! To be entered into the drawing, please leave a comment on this post telling me what you like to use stamps for the best. Is it for making cards, scrapbooking or making 3-D items like the nugget box I just showed you. In order to be considered in the drawing you must leave your complete name, where you are from and your email address on your comment. Please leave your comment by the deadline date of this Saturday August 9th. I will pick a lucky winner through random .org on Sunday afternoon, August 10th and will announce the winner in a post so be sure to check back. Below is a picture of the blog candy that you could win! This is over $50.00 worth of Stampin' Up! products! Can you say Whoo Hoo? Don't forget to leave your comment by Saturday night at midnight! Let me know what you thin about my first tutorial too!

Good Luck! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stampin'

Karen

Hostess Appreciation!

My annual hostess appreciation event was so much fun on Saturday! I did a "Fiesta"theme! We had delicious food, played lots of games, there were tons of door prizes, of course stamping but it wouldn't have been complete without a pinata full of treats! Right? Everyone scrambled to fill their bag with goodies when the pinata was opened! It was such a fun day! Everyone enjoyed the projects we made as well! "Thank you ladies for making the day so special for me!" "I love and appreciate you all so much!": )

I have a customer and dear friend named Cherith who is going to be moving away soon and I'm really going to miss seeing her. She is the lady in the very first picture at the top of this post wearing the white blouse! She has been my customer from the very beginning, when I first signed up to be a demonstrator. She was a guest at my very first workshop! Cherith teaches Spanish and since she will be leaving me soon, I presented her with a small gift. Included in the gift, I gave her a new stamp set called "Wow Flowers" but gave her the Spanish version of it! She loved it! It is so neat that Stampin Up is now going to have a whole catalog in Spanish!

These are the projects that we made!

I love the 4 x 4 sized cards now so we made a couple of those and we even made a candy nugget treat box to go with one of the cards. I wanted to use stamp sets that would soon be retiring so I chose the wonderful "Polka Dots & Paisley" set and I chose the "For a Friend" hostess set too. The decorative papers are also going to be retired. I used the "Berry Bliss". It is one of my favorites!
I can't wait to see the new catalog and all of the new papers they have for us! I should have the new catalogs by this weekend...I hope anyway! Remember that you have until August 10th to order any of the things that are retiring from the current catalog! Contact me to get your order in soon!
We also made a card using the stamp set "Friendly Flowers" which was in the last mini catalog we had. I had ordered the set and realized that I never used it! Not even once...how sad is that? So I decided to use it even though no one could order it. Maybe it will show up in the new catalog! I'm not going to post a card recipe for these cards but I am going to post the directions for the nugget box and include pictures on where to cut it and where to glue it. I'll try to post that later today! I also have reached over 1000 hits on my blog so I'll post info about that on my next post as well! I have a great hostess stamp set bundle to give away! How Fun!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope these samples have inspired you to go stamp something!
Don't forget to stop by later today for directions on the nugget box and to find out how to win my blog candy give away!
Happy Stampin'
Karen

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Hi all,
I'm busy this week getting ready for my annual "Hostess Appreciation" event! I have lots of neat surprises in store for my hostesses this year! We always have
a super fun day! I'll share what we make sometime next week!
Today I want to share these four cards with you. All of them use the soon to be retired set "Be Happy"! I also used some On Board pieces as well as some Hodge Podge hardware, buttons and ribbons for embellishments.

We made these cards at the "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Class that I had a couple of weeks ago. I really like this set and I have had it for quite a while and I'm sad to say that I rarely used it. Now it is to be retired! That is a sad thing! It is a fun set to use too. It would be a great set to add to your collection but remember that you only have until August 10th to get it! Email me if you are interested in getting it! I hope these cards inspire you to go stamp something! Enjoy!

Happy Stampin'

Karen

Circle Of Friendship Notes Gift Set

Happy Monday to you!

Today I wanted to share with you these wonderful little 3x3 note cards and a gift box to put them in! Wouldn't these make a neat gift for someone? They are so super easy to make too. I used a combination of papers on mine. Mainly the Cutie Pie paper but also a little bit of the Afternoon Tea paper because it went so well with the Soft Sky card stock and the Blue Bayou that I used too. The Afternoon Tea paper is no longer available because it was in our last mini catalog.



The Cutie Pie paper and the two blue colors of card stocks are all going to be retired as of August 10th. The stamp set that I used will also be retired then too. It is called "Circle of Friendship". If you are interested in purchasing any of these products, send me an email and I would be happy to order them for you!

There are 6 mini 3x3 cards and envelopes and the box is just made out of card stock. The box bottom is made by cutting a 6 3/4 inch square piece of card stock and then scoring it at 1 3/4 inches on all four sides. Then you cut to the score line on the scored lines twice on only two sides. Making sure the two sides you choose are opposite one another. Once that is done, you can fold it and adhere the sides with sticky strip to themselves. You do the same thing to create the box lid only cut your card stock piece smaller. The lid dimensions are 4 3/4 inches square. Then you score it at 3/4 of an inch on all four sides. Follow the instructions for the box bottom for assembly. Does it sound confusing? Once you make one you will see how very easy it is to make.

3 x 3 Card Recipes:

• Stamp Set - Circle of Friendship
• Inks - Blue Bayou and Rose Red
• Papers - Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Rose Red and Very Vanilla card stocks. Cutie Pie and Afternoon Tea Designer Series papers
• Embellishments - Soft Sky and Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Grosgrain ribbons ( Both of these are no longer in stock now. They have completely sold out!)
• Tools - 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch and 1 3/8 inch Circle punches and dimensionals.

These little gift card sets would be a great way to use up those designer paper scraps that I'm sure we all have too! You could substitute any little stamp set with greetings or quotes or just use one with little flowers or something! I think these would be neat little gifts. I might make one for my kids teachers at the beginning of the school year. I can't believe that school is going to start for us in about 3 weeks! My how the summer has flown by!

I plan to share some things I've made using sets that are on the discontinued list with you this week. I've also noticed that I am getting close to 1000 hits on my blog! Yay! When I get to 1000, I will have a drawing online for some blog candy!! Whoo Hoo! Be sure to check back and leave a comment on the post when I announce the drawing! It will probably be sometime this week!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope that you were inspired to go stamp something!

Happy Stampin'

Karen

Discontinued Accessories List - NOT!

Hello,
I have been trying all week to post a list of the discontinued accessories and to no avail I can't make it work!! I have spent hours upon hours and I don't know what I am doing wrong! It is so frustrating to me! All I want to do is cry! I can however, make a copy of it an send it in an email format to you. So if you are interested in receiving a copy of it just let me know. Other demonstrators have a copy of it on their blog site and they saved it as a pdf file. I just can't seem to do so! Others also have copied and pasted it onto their blog but when I try it just becomes a jumbled mess!
(All of the Hodge Podge Hardware kits have sold out as well as some of the "In Color" Double Stitched Ribbons.)

Some of these items on the list are also on sale for 25% off the catalog price. You can view that list over on the left side of my blog. Remember to contact me quickly to place your orders because as in past, certain things can run out VERY quickly and we never know what those items might be.


Items on this discontinued accessories list will be available while supplies last or through August 10, whichever comes first. If an item is unavailable, our supply is exhausted and the item can no longer be ordered. This list will be updated every afternoon through August 10. Keep in mind that the status of any product may change quickly based on demand.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to contact me if you would like to receive an email with the complete listing of discontinued items on it.

Happy Stampin'

Karen

Fresh Cuts For You

Hi! I'm finally back to blogging! I can't believe that the week flew by so fast. I've been busy getting ready for a couple of parties that I had this past weekend and I have also had some pretty bad headaches lately. I did take some pictures of the things we made at the parties so I could share them with you. I will do that later this week.

This card is one that I have wanted to show you since last week. It was made using the Fresh Cuts stamp set on white glossy paper. This card is a 4x4 card. I just love this size card. I found out how to make an envelope for it as well. The card with envelope is pictured above. I really like how this card turned out.


Card Recipe:

• Stamp Set - Fresh Cuts
• Papers - Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Creamy Caramel and Glossy White card stock
• Inks - Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel and More Mustard Classic Ink Pads
• Embellishments - Black grosgrain ribbon and Antique Brass Hodge Podge Hardware piece
• Tools - Large and Small Oval punches, Stampin' Sponges, Dimensionals and a Brayer

Instructions for the envelope:

To create the envelope for this size card you use a regular medium size envelope from Stampin" Up! I'm not sure if that is the standard A-2 size or not. If you know, let me know. Anyway, you seal the envelope closed. Then using your paper trimmer, trim off 1 1/2" from one of the sides of the envelope. You are left with a sort of pocket envelope. Cut a piece of decorative paper to make your envelope flap with. Cut it to 3" x 4 3/8" and then "lightly" score it at 1 inch. The smaller flap you adhere to the front side of your pocket envelope and the longer flap is what you wold use to seal your card in the envelope with. I rounded the two corners on that longer flap too. I thought it gave it a nice touch. Try to make your own envelope for a 4 x 4 card and let me know how it turns out.

Happy Stampin'

Karen

More Fresh Cut Notes

Here are two more samples that I have to share using the Fresh Cut Notes and Fresh Cuts stamp set. These were also made at my "eScape" event. I really do like these note cards and I love this size too. They both are very simple to re-create. Here is what I used on this first card.
Card Recipe:

• Stamp set - Fresh Cuts


• Papers - Fresh Cuts notes, Soft Sky Designer Series paper, Groovy Guava and Blue Bayou card stocks


• Inks - Blue Bayou Classic Ink pad and Brocade Blue Stampin' Write marker


• Embellishments - Groovy Guava Double Stitched Grosgrain ribbon and Soft Subtle Brad


• Tools - Color Spritzer tool and 1/16" hole punch, 5 Petal Flower punch and Boho Blossoms punch and Stampin' Sponges

I think that I like this card better than the first one. Which one do you like best? These note cards will not be available again until the new catalog comes out! I can't wait to see all of the fun new things that will be in the upcoming 2008 Fall & Winter Idea Book & Catalog! If you would like to get a copy of the new catalog please email me. I would be happy to share with you how you can get a copy of your very own.

This is what I used to make this card.

Card Recipe:

• Stamp Set - Fresh Cuts
• Papers - Fresh Cut notes, Blue Bayou Textured card stock, Whisper White, Old Olive and Groovy Guava card stocks
• Inks - Old Olive and Blue Bayou Classic Ink Pads and Brocade Blue Stampin' Write marker
• Embellishments - Groovy Guava Double Stitched Grosgrain ribbon and Rich Regal Brads
• Tools - 5 Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch and 1/16" hole punch, Stampin' Sponges and Color Spritzer Tool

I have another sample to share with you using the Fresh Cuts stamp set but this time I'm not using the Fresh Cut Notes. I'll post that sample tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy Stampin' !

Karen

Fresh Cuts Note Cards

This card was one that we made at my "eScape the Ordinary"event back in June. The cards are the 4x4 Fresh Cut Note cards that will be in the upcoming 2008 Fall & Winter Idea Book! The stamp set is also called Fresh Cuts and will be in the new catalog! I can't wait till it comes out! There are going to be some great things in it! The center of these note cards "pop" put to reveal a negative flower shape while leaving a small flower shape in the center. The designer series papers look really pretty behind it. The stamp set is all one piece other than the greeting of course. To create the scalloped edge I used my corner rounder. All you need to do to create a scallop edge is to remove the plastic guide from around your corner rounder and put your card stock straight in and punch. I usually start in the center of the edge that I'm scalloping. Then punch and move the punch over to the edge where you did your last punch and punch again. Repeat doing that until you reach the end of your card stock. Be sure to do the other side of your first punch too. It is very simple to do but can be a bit tedious. The more you practice this the better you get. However, in the upcoming catalog there is going to be a punch that will give you a scalloped edge by punching all at once! I can't wait to get my hands on that! I hope that it will be easy to use! I hope it will be easy scalloping!
I got the idea from this card on the SU demonstrator web site. The original was designed by a demonstrator named Marie McClellan. I like the color combination of the Celery and the Blue Bayou and the "pop" of Pomegranate. It is sad to see those two colors soon retiring.
Card Recipe:

• Stamp Set - Fresh Cuts
• Papers - Whisper White Fresh Cut Notes, Certainly Celery Designer Series Papers, Blue Bayou and Purely Pomegranate card stocks and Vellum Card Stock
• Inks - Blue Bayou Classic ink pad
• Embellishments - Rhinestone Brad
• Tools - 5 Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch and 1/16" hole punch

This card was really easy to whip together. It saves time having the notes already cut and ready to go and they also come with an envelope. I also love using the decorative papers. They can make any project look well put together because they coordinate with our SU colors. I hope you liked the card today. Thanks for stopping by! Go stamp something!

Happy Stampin' !

Karen

I've Been Tagged!!!

How fun is this! I've been tagged by fellow Tallahassee demonstrator Dena Griffin! Thanks Dena! You should check out her new site over at Dena's Stamping Spot! Leave a comment to wish her well! I can't wait to see all of the neat and creative things she has to share!

Here are 7 random and weird facts that I will share about myself:

1. My favorite snack of all time is chips & salsa! I especially love the ones from Chili's Restaurant. I always ask for extra to bring home when I go there to eat!



2. I am extremely obsessed with the Pirate's of the Caribbean movies and can quote every line from all of the scenes from the second movie..."Dead Man's Chest". I can't watch it without quoting every ones' lines...sometimes even before they do in the movie! It is quite annoying to those that dare watch the movie with me! Weird isn't it?



3. Not only am I "Pirate's" obsessed, I totally love "Captain Jack Sparrow". I think that is who Johnny Depp truly is. He is "Captain Jack Sparrow". I even have a hand signed autograph picture of Johnny Depp as "Captain Jack Sparrow". It is awesome! It sits here above my computer! It was a Christmas gift from my best friend Marcia...(and I must say that it has got to be like the best gift EVER!)



4. I absolutely love Walt Disney World. I really love just about everything "Disney" period. But I do love going to the parks. Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios) and Animal Kingdom all here in Florida. We used to go several times a year. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center are my favorites though. Have you ever been?



5. I love Mariachi music! I grew up in Texas and my father managed several restaurants in Dallas and I can remember when I was little hearing the music that his employees would play in the "kitchen". It was that wonderful "mariachi" music. I guess I have loved it ever since then. I love the costumes that the mariachi bands wear too...complete with those BIG sombreros. My favorite Mariachi band is the "Mariachi Cobre" which happens to perform almost daily at Epcot Center. Go figure, right?



6. I collect Disney Salt & Pepper shakers. I have for years. My first set was Pluto and his Doghouse! Pluto is my favorite Disney character so I bought it because of that, not because I wanted to collect salt & pepper shakers. I got it when my daughter Meagan was 1. She is now 18. My collection has grown quite a lot...most of the ones I have were gifts. The ones that I collect all come from...you guessed it "Walt Disney World"!



7. Way before I collected salt & pepper shakers, I collected "cow" things. I used to love cows. It was another childhood thing. My grandparents had a farm where there were cows and I loved them. In my early twenties, my whole kitchen was nothing but cows. I had cow everything! Cookie Jars, Dishes, Glasses, Pitchers, Figurines, Towels, Mugs, Salt & Peppers, Butter Dishes, Sugar & Creamers, Pictures...it goes on and on and on. I'm happy to say that I have gotten rid of most cow things and only kept a few things that I truly love.

Okay, so that was probably way more than anyone ever cared to know about me! Right?

So here are the 7 very talented ladies that I am tagging. Please be sure to check out their sites. You will find so many great ideas from their sites. Even though I have never met any of these ladies they have all been great inspirations to me.

1. April Carroll at 123 Go Stamp . April is in my upline and I have found wonderful card samples on her site. Thanks for the inspiration April!



2. Sarah Gough at thINKing stamps . Sarah does the most beautiful cards. Her pictures are always so clear and so are her instructions.



3. Diane Noble at Diane's Designs. Diane is so very talented. Not only has she been a wonderful source of creative inspiration for me she has also been a source of faith inspiration for me. Thanks you Diane and God Bless you.



4. Rhonda Beadell at Stamp Tramp Creations. Rhonda does beautiful work. I have found some great ideas on her site. I know that you will too.



5. Becky Roberts at Inking Idaho. Becky's cards and gift set ideas are just gorgeous. She does amazing things. She's so very creative.



6. Lindsey Blackhurst at Stamp with Linz. Lindsey has adorable samples and does great scrapbook pages too. Her presentation of her samples is just awesome. I just love what she does. She is very talented.



7. Julie Edmonds at Inkredible Stamping with Julie. Julie has a wonderful eye for color. I love all of her work. I have found inspiration at her site many times and even for my Mother's Day gift to my Mom!

Thank you ladies for all your inspiration and your commitment to share it with others!

Have fun being tagged!

Happy Stampin' !

Karen

What a Beautiful Day!

My kids and I went over to St. Augustine last week with my Dad and we spent a beautiful day out on the beach. The kids really enjoyed it. Matthew loved getting in the ocean and being knocked down by the huge waves and Manda had her sand bucket and was eagerly searching for seashells. It was a wonderful day.

We also ate dinner at a local restaurant called "The Reef". It was very delicious! The picture below is one that I took from the outside of the restaurant. What a pretty view and so relaxing!

In honor of my beach trip, I thought I would share this card with you today. It's a Flip Flop!We made this one at the Mystery Hostess party a couple of weeks ago. I cased the one that I found from Lorri Heiling over at Confessions of a Stampin Addict. You should check out her site. She has so many great ideas! You can click here to view her version of the flip flop card. She does not have instructions or anything for it so I just tried to copy her picture on how she folded it and cut it out. I think it is really cute because it has "straps"!

Card Recipe:

• Stamp Sets - Its Beautiful Jumbo Wheel and A Beautiful Thing stamp set
• Papers - Pink Passion, Whisper White, Lovely Lilac and Tempting Turquoise card stock
• Inks - Lovely Lilac and Pink Passion Ink pad, More Mustard Jumbo ink cartridge
• Embellishments - Silver Eyelets, Vintage Brads and Tempting Turquoise ribbon
• Tools - Crop-a-dile, 5-Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch and 1/16" hole punch

Hope you're having a great day! Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy Stampin' !

Karen