Friday, July 31, 2009

A promise kept!

Whew! I finally got this tutorial done for you. We have had a record breaking HOT July here and my Vinca have been feeling it. I don't have many blooms, so I had one shot at this. Without further ado, here is how to do flower pounding with your Wizard.

Be sure to experiment with different flowers to see what kind of results you get. Some don't work well at all and others surprise you with the results. In this case, I used pink flowers, but they actually come out rather purple when pounded. Arrange the flowers face down on your card stock.

Sandwich your flowers and cardstock between sheets of wax paper.

Now make your sandwich with white plate, cardstock with flowers between layers of wax paper, tan rubber embossing mat, white plate.

It is time to run your sandwich through your Wizard! Oh just wait til you see what comes out!
This is sooooo fun!

You've pounded some flowers now! You will need to kind of roll the petals off your cardstock to reveal the images left.



Now, what to do with this lovely creation? I decided to stamp a sentiment on it with dark purple craft ink and clear emboss it.

Next I attached it to the bottom of my card front and did a little piercing along both edges. I cut/embossed two Fleur de Lis centers from light pink card stock and attached them to the top of the card. Now they did overlap a tiny bit, so I tied a blow from pink taffeta ribbon and attached it where they met. Here is the final result.


So there you have it. Give it a try with some of the blooms from your yard. I would love to see your creations, so post a link here so I can take a peek!

Thanks for stopping by! Now I'm going to do some stamping with my sweet niece Charlotte! Oh yeah, we are going for pedicures too! Bye bye!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Vinca is blooming again!

So, what does that mean? It means I can do the tutorial for the flower pounding! So, keep coming back if you want to learn the hows of this fun technique. I hope to get to it today or tomorrow.

Hugs,
Karen

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

My Playlist

So, I think that music on blogs can be annoying, but of course mine isn't. lol It is to some, and so I have moved my playlist to the right side of the page, but you have to hit the play button if you wish to hear my terrific selection of music. I enjoy listening to it, I hope you do too.

Hugs,
Karen

Music or not?


Good morning. I want to do just a little poll of those of you visiting my blog. Do you like the music or would it be better without? Please leave your comments here.

Friday, July 24, 2009

More laptop decor!


I found my white vinyl, so I tried decorating my laptop a bit more. Ooooo, I'm lovin' the butterflies. And you know what? I found a way to emboss the tiny butterflies. They were just plain, but that wasn't good enough for me, so I cut them from the white vinyl using the small butterfly from Spellbinders Flying Beauties and before removing it from the die, I nested it into the larger butterfly which has embossed detail. You see, I'm at my daughter's home and didn't bring ALL my goodies, so I didn't have my impressabilities. And it worked!!!!! Yippee!!! I love it. The center is the Spellbinders Lattice Pendant. Unfortunately you can't see the embossing detail on them in this photo. Hmmmm, I'll try to get another photo where you can see it better. Anyway, now the sky is the limit on decorating my laptop. I can change it whenever I want to.

I just had to share! I hope you like it!

Hugs,
Karen

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Spruce up your laptop!

Hi friends!
I recently got a new laptop and wanted one of the cute designers ones, but I was not about to pay an extra $80 for a few polka dots! No way. So instead, I got out my adhesive backed vinyl and the Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Pendant die and voila! Oh look at my cute laptop now. This was just an experiment to see if it would work, and it does, so now I am going to get really creative and come up with a way fun design. Stay tuned and you may see something marvelous. Now, you give it a try. Leave me a link to a picture of your darling laptop. I really want to see them!
Hugs,
Karen

Monday, July 20, 2009

Think Pink


I love pink. I certainly used it on this card, don't you think? I inked up the new SU! Medallion stamp with three different shades of pink before stamping it. I then used my Spellbinders scalloped circle dies and popped them up with dimensionals, with the center one popped up higher by layering the dimensionals. I sponged the edges of the card and then added the layered ribbons and the bow.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sorry

I didn't get a tutorial done for the flower pounding card I did earlier. Want to know why? It's been soooooooo HOT here in Phoenix and my vinca has not been producing like it should so I haven't had the blossoms to play with. I did instructions a several weeks ago which can be seen herehttp://karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com/2009/05/flower-pounding.html
if you really want to try it. I'll do a tutorial once my flowers are producing again.

Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Two winners!

My grandson Connor chose the winning names and they are:

For the Santa card featuring the new Spellbinders Labels 5 dies and the Stampers Anonymous Just Believe stamp set, the winner is Jill!

HELLO my name is Jill said...
i want to win this card!! and of course im a follower. i love santa, wish i could say the same for christmas. im working on my christmas attitude :)

For the Lacey Edge card created with the Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 2 dies as well as the Spellbinders Lattice borderabilities, the winner is Rufus:

Rufus said...

I love the lattice! For that alone I'm just gonna have to get a die cut machine. Then, of course, I'll need ALL those lovely spellbinders dies. Well, my birthday is coming up~~!

Congratulations! You have 24 hours to comment on this post and let me know your snail mail addresses so I can get them in the mail to you!

Thanks for stopping by! Come back real soon!

Hugs,
Karen

Friday, July 17, 2009

We have a winner!

Good morning, and thanks for stopping by! I have chosen a winner for my Christmas Tree card. And the winner is:

Melanie!!!!! Melanie said... oh you are a meaney - can't wait to see them! hehehe.


Thanks for visiting my blog Melanie. You have 24 hours to leave a comment here and your snail mail address. If I don't hear from Melanie by 9:00 tomorrow morning, I will choose another name.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Another lacy edge


I really like the card I created which is similar to this (which will be given away very soon! Scroll down to find the card giveaways!) and so I made this one which is very similar but showcases another of the dies from the new Ribbon Tag Trio 2 set just released! Aren't they beautious?


For this one, the card is Blush Blossom. I cut/embossed the edge with the Lattice borderabilities, added the strip of designer paper, then embossed it with cuttlebugs Textile Texture folder. The two ribbon tags are cut/embossed with the new Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 2 and the ribbon is threaded through both and popped up with dimensionals. I cut/embossed the flowers from Spellbinders Flower Bouquet using the dp once again and popped them up as well. I added a bow and heated the ribbon just a bit.


How do you like this one?


Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, July 13, 2009

A reminder

Just a reminder that the Spellbinders New Die Reveal is still going on. You won't want to miss a day of it. There are so many beautiful, inspirational projects showing off the fabulous new dies!To see previous reveals, or to go to any of the blogs of future reveals, feel free to visit the following:
7/9 Debbie Olson
7/10 Michelle Wooderson
7/11 Karen Hunsaker
7//12 Kazan Clark
7/13 Linda Duke
7/14 Heidi Blankenship
7/15 Kimberly Crawford
7/16 Julie Overby
7/17 Sherry Cheever
7/18 Debbie Seyer
7/19 Lesa Rapp
7/20 Becca Feeken
7/21 Jennifer Davis
7/22 Keri Lee Sereika

For all the details and how to WIN free dies, scroll down to the official posting I did on the 10th/11th!

And another . . .

I am having such a great time creating with the new Spellbinders dies, and this card uses the Ribbon Tag Trio 2 that was debuted yesterday by Kazan as well as the Lattice borderabilities that came out with the pendants. Fabulous. I love love love how this card turned out and this one will be hard to part with.




If you would like to win this card, leave a comment telling me what you love about it. lol I will choose a winner for this one on July 18th.
If you have suggestions for another creation, let me know.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love hearing from you!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Labels 5 card giveaway!



I told you I had more cards created with the new dies. This one uses the same die I premiered, Labels 5. I love this vintage Santa stamp, so I aged it - a lot - with inks, added some embossing and a bit of trim to create this special Christmas card.

Leave me a comment on this post saying you would like to win it, and you will be entered into a drawing for it! If you are a follower of my blog, you get your name put in twice, but only if you tell me you are a follower! I will leave this contest open until Saturday, July 18 at 9 AM PST. The winner will have 24 hours to respond with their information so I can get it to them. If I don't hear from that winner within 24 hours, I will choose another name.

There is another card giveaway a little further down my blog. There is still time to enter that one too.

Thanks for stopping by and GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Hugs,
Karen


New card giveaway

Jillian said...
You are such a tease...but it looks like the end result will be well worth all the teasing we endure. lol Lovely card! Can we see more?

Yes Jillian, I will be posting another card made with these dies within the next 12 hours or so. Check back on the details of how to win it.

But remember you still have several hours to enter to win this whole set of dies. See the official rules in the following post.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Spellbinders Release

Spellbinders Introduces:
Sneak Peeks on CHA Summer Trade Show Release Dies!
July 9 – July 22, 2009

Commenting on this post is welcome but does not enter you into the contest. This contest is sponsored directly by Spellbinders Paper Arts. Please read the post to find directions for entering. If you have any questions, please e-mail ContestQuestions@Spellbinders.us.

Welcome to the 3rd day of Spellbinders CHA Sneak Peek Blog Frenzy!

Spellbinders is revealing 17 new die templates to be released at the Craft and Hobby Trade Show on July 28, 2009, with some of their greatest fans…YOU! From July 9 – 22, 2009, you will have the opportunity to be a part of these world wide sneak peeks through visiting the Spellbinders designer blogs listed below and trying your luck at winning spectacular die templates! You will have a chance to win the die I’m introducing AND the dies previously revealed in this CHA Blog Frenzy by entering the contest at the end of this post. This is a progressive prize, each day the daily prize grows! Be sure to read all the rules before entering! You still have until July 11th, 11:59 pm EST to enter Michelle Wooderson’s blog at: http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/ and until July 12th, 11:59 pm EST to enter mine.

To see previous reveals, or to go to any of the blogs of future reveals, feel free to visit the following:
7/16 Julie Overby
7/17 Sherry Cheever
7/18 Debbie Seyer
7/19 Lesa Rapp
7/20 Becca Feeken
7/21 Jennifer Davis
7/22 Keri Lee Sereika

After the entry deadline is reached, Spellbinders will randomly pick one entry from each Blog Frenzy reveal as stated in the “Rules”. Winner will be contacted by e-mail within 24 hours of the contest deadline. Winner will have 72 hours to reply to that e-mail to claim the prize. If Winner fails to respond within 72 hours, a new name will be drawn for said prize. Winner will receive the new die templates being revealed on the specific daily blog post they are entering.

Entrants visiting all 14 Spellbinders CHA Blog Frenzy Reveals and correctly entering their information into the separate drawings, as described below, will automatically be entered into a GRAND PRIZE give away of a full set of the CHA Summer 2009 die templates and Impressabilities releases, 29 products, with a retail value of $561.71.

My reveal today is the beautiful new S4-229 Labels 5 die template. What a beautiful and versatile new shape! The beauty of the Spellbinders Nestabilities is that you get not one, not two, not three, not four, not even five, but SIX sizes of the shape. I absolutely love that! And they take up virtually no space at all in your storage! Now that is my cup of tea!

The project I am sharing with you today is a home décor item.


Here are the supplies I used:


S4-229 Labels Five
S4-127 Classic Scalloped Squares Large
S4-128 Petite Ovals Large
I2-1001 Impressabilities Paisley
7gypsies paper and chipboard letter alphabet
Robin’s Nest Dew Drops
2X4” wood piece, approx. 16” long
Mod Podge
Glue Dots
Black cardstock
Apple Barrel Acrylic Paints – Caramel Candy and Brown Oxide
Hot glue gun and glue
Approximately 4” sheer dot ribbon

I want to have distressed looking blocks, spell out “HOME” on them and have a few of my favorite home quotes included. Using a 2X4 (which by the way, is neither 2 nor 4! lol) cut it into 3-3/4” lengths. Sand the blocks, be careful to really soften the edges and corners.

Paint the blocks with the caramel, let dry and then paint another coat with the brown oxide. Let dry thoroughly. Sand to distress again.
.

You will do this next step four times.

From black card stock, cut a Scalloped Square. Leave the card stock in the die template, then build a sandwich to emboss the cardstock with the die template and the Impressabilities Paisley:

White Master Mat
Impressabilities Paisley
Classic Scalloped Square die template, cut side facing up, with black cardstock inside die template
Tan Embossing Mat
White Master Mat


Feed sandwich into Spellbinders Wizard. Use Mod Podge to glue embossed paper to the blocks. Allow to dry thoroughly. Apply another coat of Mod Podge over the entire surface and allow it to dry.

With the S4-229 Labels Five die template, cut/emboss 4 labels from the decorative paper. Use Mod Podge to adhere these over black scalloped squares. Let dry thoroughly. Apply another layer of Mod Podge over the front of each block and allow to dry. Use hot glue to attach chipboard letters to the blocks. Use glue dots to attach Dew Drops.
Print home sayings onto designer paper.

The sayings I used are:

Home is a starting place of love and dreams.

My home is not a place, it is people.

Home is peaceful moments, precious memories, and time with family and friends.

Bless our home with love and laughter.


Center the S4-128 Petite Ovals Large die template over the saying, with the cut side facing down. Secure die template to paper with low tack tape, as pictured. Cut/emboss as usual, with sandwich listed above and die template facing up in the sandwich. Cut 4 more ovals from black card stock. With Mod Podge, attach printed ovals to black ovals and allow them to dry, repeat with another layer of Mod Podge. Tie a ribbon in a knot and attach it to the top of one oval with a Glue Dot. Glue that oval to top left corner of h block. Attach the other ovals to the the tops of the remaining wood blocks.






This project combines the fantastic S4-229 Labels Five die templates and flower pounding on a card.


The supplies used on this project are:

S4-229 Labels Five
S4-123 Flying Beauties
The Paper Company papers: purple shimmer and buttercup
Core’dinations colored core cardstock
3D Foam Squares – Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L
Creative Impressions – Bits of Bling
Watercolor paper
Sanding Block
Ribbon
Black cardstock


The flowers shown in the photo are the same kind of flowers I “pounded” for this card. Pink cards = purple impressions. Who knew? The flower pigments are transferred onto watercolor paper. Cut/emboss with the Wizard and S4-229 Labels Five die templates and mat onto the purple and yellow cardstock. If you would like to learn how to do the flower pounding technique, come back next week for step by step instructions.

The die template I introduced today is:

S4-229 Labels 5 Die Template Here are the measurements for these die templates, largest to smallest:
3 3/4 x 4 1/8”
3 x 3 3/8”
2 3/8 x 2 5/8”
1 3/4 x 2”
1 1/8 x 1 1/4”
5/8 x 5/8”

Be sure to read all the rules (shown below) to qualify for this contest.


Rules
Any participant wishing to be included in the daily drawing for the Spellbinders CHA Blog Frenzy give-away must adhere to all of the following rules. We are happy to welcome US and international blog guests for this Frenzy.

To enter each drawing on sneak peeks between July 9 and July 22, visit the reveal blog and click on the contest link to reveal an e-mail window. In the subject line of the e-mail, enter the die template name being revealed. Each blog reveal will remain open for 48 hours. Only 1 entry per blog is allowed and participant must use the same email address daily to be considered for grand prize entry, no exceptions. Please consider whether you will have access to the same e-mail address from July 9th through July 22nd and plan accordingly.

Spellbinders Design Team members and employees are not eligible for drawings.

Any participant wishing to be automatically entered into the drawing for the CHA Blog Frenzy Grand Prize must enter all 14 blog reveals and follow all the above rules.

Please note:

*Spellbinders will only use email information to contact the winner.

*Spellbinders will not share this email address with any other parties.

*Spellbinders will not use this email information for advertisements or communications
other than to contact the winner.

*If you wish to be included in further communications from Spellbinders, please go to their homepage SpellbindersPaperArts.com and sign up for their newsletter.

Spellbinders CHA Blog Frenzy drawing

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

(If you use an e-mail client that does not work with this pop-up box, you may copy and paste this address to send your entry to: ContestDay3@spellbinders.us

For more Spellbinders new product release information go to: http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/new

If you have any questions regarding the contest, send an e-mail to: ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us

Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing! I hope you win!

Hugs,
Karen

I am such a tease!





So, here is the first card I will be giving away here on my blog. I used S4-220 Nesting Pine Tree that Michelle introduced on her blog - Day 2 of the frenzy.
If you are interested in winning this card, please leave a comment here and I will choose a winner on July 17th! If you are a follower of my blog, you will get an extra entry. If you post a link to this giveaway on your blog, you will get another entry! Come on, give me some lovin' on your blog and post a link to it here so I will know you did it. Hmmmm, what am I getting myself into? lol Who cares? It will be fun!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Karen

Thursday, July 9, 2009

And two more!

I have made two more cards for my giveaway! I am going to have a very hard time giving one of them away. I love it!!!! Well, I like them all, but I LOVE the one. Is that wrong? lol

Day Two of the blog frenzy is posted. Be sure to visit Michelle's blog featuring the newest release.

In about 24 hours, I will post the first giveaway card and give you a chance to win! Check back! The excitement is mounting!

Hugs,
Karen

Two new cards

I have finished two new cards for my giveaway. Are you excited? You'd better keep checking back.

Hugs,
Karen

Let the blog frenzy begin!

Today is the day and it has already started! Be sure to check the Spellbinders blog and the designer of the day blog to see the new reveals and have a chance to win!!! Did you see that the grand prize is worth over $500! Wowzers.

So here are the blogs you will need to visit. The links are on the Spellbinders blog:

7/9 Debbie Olson – http://debbiedesigns.typepad.com/
7/10 Michelle Wooderson – http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/
7/11 Karen Hunsaker - http://www.karenskreativekreations.blogspot.com/
7//12 Kazan Clark – http://nunutoolies.blogspot.com/
7/13 Linda Duke – http://www.lindaduke.typepad.com/
7/14 Heidi Blankenship – http://embellished-dreams.blogspot.com/
7/15 Kimberly Crawford – http://www.kimberly-crawford.blogspot.com/
7/16 Julie Overby – http://joverby.blogspot.com/
7/17 Sherry Cheever - http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
7/18 Debbie Seyer – http://www.debbieseyer.com/
7/19 Lesa Rapp – http://paperpossibilities.blogspot.com/
7/20 Becca Feeken – http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/
7/21 Jennifer Davis – http://www.preservationarts.com/
7/22 Keri Lee Sereika - http://pinklemonade.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Did you see me? Yep, my name is on there too. How exciting is that? And to add to the excitement, I will have some cards using some of these new dies to give away to you, my followers over the same time period. I'm also going to offer some fun tutorials in the future, so be sure to become a follower and check back often. If you are a winner, you will need to respond within a short period of time.

Now go blog hopping and enter to win!

Hugs,
Karen

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Exciting news!

I told you to keep an eye out here. Well here it is!!!!!! I get to introduce one of Spellbinders new dies! But the best news is, you can win win WIN!!!!! You will want to see the gorgeous new dies coming your way, and the designers presenting them do such awesome work! Mark your calendars!!! For complete information check out the Spellbinders blog each and every day. You won't want to miss a thing.


CHA Summer 2009 Blog Frenzy
July 7th, 2009 Yes, that’s right! Spellbinders is doing it again, and it’s bigger and its better than before! You didn’t think we could stop with the new Pendant Collection did you? Oh no! We’ve got 17 more new Spellbinders products to reveal from July 9 – 22, 2009. And we want to share them with you!

Each day we will direct you to one of our talented Designer’s blogs where you will be introduced to our latest and greatest Spellbinders Die Templates. Enter to win by sending an email to the address listed in the blog. Daily winners will be chosen randomly from eligible entries. But wait, there’s more!

This time the prize is progressive! On Day 1, we give away the Day 1 release. On Day 2 we give away the Day 1 and Day 2 releases! The prizes grow each and every day for 14 days!! By entering each day from each blog, you become eligible to win the Grand Prize… COMPLETE set of CHA Summer 2009 Die Templates and Impressabilities releases, a total of 29 products with a retail value of more than $560.00!!

Check out this line up of talented Designers on the dates noted and then enter for your chance to win:

7/9 Debbie Olson

7/10 Michelle Wooderson

7/11 Karen Hunsaker

7//12 Kazan Clark

7/13 Linda Duke

7/14 Heidi Blankenship

7/15 Kimberly Crawford

7/16 Julie Overby

7/17 Sherry Cheever

7/18 Debbie Seyer

7/19 Lesa Rapp

7/20 Becca Feeken

7/21 Jennifer Davis

7/22 Keri Lee Sereika

See the entire line of Spellbinders products on the Spellbinders’ website.

Status report

Just a little status report. I got a lot accomplished today, after working on getting an internet connection for about 2-1/2 hours! Grrrrrrrr! I hate technology when it isn't simple. It is 2 AM and I just finished a layout, a 3D item and a card. There is something else too, but I can't say. lol Wahoo! I feel good - even though I'm tired. Let me just say once again - stay tuned to this blog for some great stuff coming up this week! You won't want to miss it! Am I mean, or what? Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

Monday, July 6, 2009

I'm sorry

I haven't posted anything new. I'm busy working on some deadlines and being with family for the holiday, so I haven't had anything to share here. How sad. It will get better, I promise. This week is gonna be good, so be sure to keep checking back!!!!

Hugs,
Karen

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Let's try that again -

I'm sorry to say I never heard from Cre8tive Granny, so I had to choose another name to win the card.

Drumrollllllllllll

The winner is Yvette! Yea Yvette! I need your snail mail address so I can send this card off to you!

If I don't hear from Yvette by July 5th, I will try again! Or maybe I will just keep it. lol

Hugs,
Karen

UPDATE: Yvette has already sent me her snail mail address. Congratulations Yvette.