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

Yummy!

This is an adorable card and so very easy to make! It looks like those yummy orange creamsicles that I always enjoyed eating as a kid. Brings back good memories! You could make this same card in other "ice cream flavors" as well. Imagine a fudge bar or strawberry bar. Oooh yummy!
I've seen a lot of these ice cream bar cards around but I cased my version of this card from Patty Bennett. She has a great tutorial on the card size and how exactly to make it here.

Card Recipe:

• Stamp Sets - Tart & Tangy and Sweet Hello


• Papers - Only Orange, Yo Yo Yellow and Whisper White card stocks


• Inks - Only Orange Ink Pad and Yo Yo Yellow Stampin' Write marker


• Embellishments - Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain ribbon


• Tools - Horizontal Slot punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Scallop punch, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals and a Craft/Popsicle Stick

It is a little hard to tell from my picture, but the top right corner of the card is suppose to look like a bite has been taken out of it.

Also the inside white card stock piece is mounted on the inside with dimensionals.

The yellow strip on the ribbon was colored with the Yo Yo Yellow Stampin' Write marker. A simple but nice touch, don't ya think?

This is another one of the cards that we made at the Mystery Hostess party a couple of weeks ago. I've got one more card to show you that we made at that party...it is a card in the shape of a flip flop. Maybe I''ll post that tomorrow along with some of the beautiful pictures from the beach from my "mini" beach trip!

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend! Did you fit any stamping in?

Happy Stampin'

Karen

Last Chance!

Here are some things that I would like you to be aware of as this current catalog draws to an end! There are many things that will be retiring from the current catalog and as I learn of others, I'll let you know. I don't want you to miss out on anything that you might want!

It’s Your Last Chance! You’ve only got one chance left to purchase (or earn) the following products before they’re gone forever.

In Colors

It is hard to believe that it is time for new "In Colors" to come out from Stampin' Up! You need to be sure to get all of the current products that are available while you still can!
Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive 2007-2008 In Colors come in card stock, inks, ink refills, and ribbons. But after August 10, they’re gone! Place an order today so you can continue using these beautiful colors for months or years to come.

Hodgepodge Hardware
Copper, brass, and pewter Hodgepodge Hardware is retiring! Stock up now while Stampin’ Up! is offering 25% off (no limit!). But don’t wait too long—this offer is only good while supplies last!

Our "Hostess Only" Sets
Our hostess-only sets from the Spring-Summer 2008 catalog will never be offered for sale—and after August 10, they’re gone forever! Earn your favorites by hosting a workshop before August 10.

2008 Spring-Summer Collection Retired List
Where Do Stamps Go When They Retire?
The same places we do! After years of dedicated service, the following stamp sets from the Spring-Summer Collection 2008 are retiring. So, let’s give them a big sendoff and wish them all the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives. But don’t wait too long—they’re only available through August 10, 2008, and then they’re headed to warmer climes!

Retired Stamps List (Alphabetical)

Retired Stamps List (Numerical)

Please contact me with any questions that you might have, to place an order for any of the retiring products or to host your own party before time runs out!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Try to get some stamping in this weekend!

Happy Stampin' !

Karen

Happy Fourth of July!

Hello and Happy Fourth of July!
This card that I want to share with you today we actually made at the Mystery Hostess party that I had a couple of weeks ago. It has quite a hostory. I cased the original card found here.
It was done by Nancy Riley who cased her version from someone else, who also cased another person. Ahh, the evolution of a card! It is amazing. The word "celebrate" on my card is from a set called "Phrases for Friend" which was available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Hopefully it will show up in the upcoming Fall & Winter 2008 Idea Book! It is hard to see from the picture, but the Real Red card stock was "wheeled" with the Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel. Enjoy the card!
Card Recipe:

• Stamp Sets- Phrases for a Friend and Classic Backgrounds. Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel
• Papers - Brilliant Blue, Real Red and Whisper White card stocks
• Inks - Brilliant Blue Classic Ink and Real Red Jumbo Ink Cartridge
• Embellishments - Silver Brads and Real Red Striped Grosgrain ribbon
• Tools - Large Star and Star punches, 1/16" hole punch and Dimensionals

I hope that you all have a safe and very Happy Fourth! Enjoy the time you spend with family and friends as you celebrate today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stampin'!

Karen

All NEW STAMP SETS from Stampin' UP! are DIE CUT

Hello all,
What an exciting announcement is this! All of the new stamp sets in the upcoming Fall & Winter 2008 Idea book & Catalog are going to be die cut for our convenience! What does this mean for you and me? Less stamps to have to trim and quicker stamping! Can you say "Whoo Hoo"! LOL!
This includes hostess sets as well! I know that we all love the flexibility of custom mounting our stamps, and with these die-cut sets, all you'll need to do is pop, peel, and place before you begin stamping. How cool is that? Some of the more recent mini catalogs have featured stamps sets like that!
Remember that:
Only our new stamps will be die cut; sets carried over from the last catalog and those on the dormant list will still require trimming. But, each new set will feature a die cut icon so you will have no problems identifying die-cut sets. Again, I say "Whoo Hoo"! LOL!
Just thought you would like to know this little tid-bit of information!
Email me if you would like a reserved copy of the upcoming catalog, which will be available on August 11th! You can earn your copy FREE too just by hosting your own party or being in one of my fun stamp clubs! Contact me for more info on how to earn your FREE copy today!
Thanks for stopping by and hope to hear from you!

**I would like to say a special "Happy Birthday" to my Best Friend Marcia! Love you Sweetie!**
Happy Stampin'!
Karen

Check These Out!

Hi all!

I have had a very busy schedule lately! Sorry about not posting anything for you! I had a Mystery Hostess party which was a total blast on Saturday a week ago and I also had a bracelet making class the same night! We made three cards which I can't wait to share with you and I will very soon and I'll try to share the bracelets as well. I also had some wonderful classes this past weekend where we made some really nice things and I can't wait to share with you either.

I've been doing a little traveling with my family, we went to Destin this past weekend and we are going to Jacksonville and St. Augustine tomorrow. I hope we get to enjoy the beach some because it rained most of the time when we were in Destin. Maybe I'll share some of our trip photos too. It is nice not to have the kids tied down with school for a little bit.

Speaking of family,
I did want to share my pictures of the "Decor Elements" that I have put up in my home so far. This one is placed over some of my family photos. It seems to make the pictures stand out more and definitely more special, don't you think? I just love the way that this looks on the wall. It is the chocolate brown color. The one below is the one I chose to put on the stone tile on my fireplace. It was very simple to put on. It really think it adds a nice touch. What do you think? It is also the chocolate brown color.












( Closer view of tile fireplace. )

This one below is another medallion that I put in my bathroom above my towel bar. I hope that my camera was crooked when I took the picture because I would hate to think that my towel bar is that crooked! LOL! This one is also the chocolate brown color.
If you don't remember what the "Decor Elements" are here is a little reminder: Stampin' Up! is introducing a new product line called "Décor Elements". What is this new product? It is a line of wall art using Stampin' Up! designs made from vinyl used to decorate your home. They are self-adhesive vinyl wall decorations that can be used on walls, windows, plates, vases, mirrors, picture frames - anything the vinyl will cling to! The possibilities are endless! They coordinate with Stampin' Up! stamps so that you can personalize your home combining these two elements and creating beautiful handcrafted home decor pieces that make a statement and make it uniquely yours. These vinyl wall decorations are easy to apply and to remove. ( However, they are not reusable.)

I just love the way these look on the wall...I could really go crazy with them! They are so very easy to apply.

**If you would like a brochure to see all of the images that Stampin' Up! is carrying right now, contact me and I'll be happy to send one to you.**
Send me a comment and let me know what you think about these "Decor Elements"! Let me know if you would like to order some for yourself! I'm so excited about these!
I'll be posting some cards for you to see soon but it might be Saturday before I can get to it.
Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stampin'
Karen