Karen's Kreations

Ribbon carousel giveaway

2012-01-27T15:21:00.002-07:00

Ribbon Carousel is giving away one of their carousels. Head on over to their blog to get a chance to win.

Stampin' Sisterhood

2012-01-27T10:51:00.002-07:00

I hope you popped over to the Stampin' Sisterhood blog and took a look at my card posted there. I really love it!!!! I used shrink plastic and lots of distressing to create a very vintage and feminine card. If you haven't yet, take a look!

Teenage boy birthday

2012-01-25T07:56:00.002-07:00

This card was made as a masculine birthday card for my grandson turning 13. Once I got it done, I realized it looks a big like Santa's belt. Don't tell him. I hope he won't notice. But it did make me chuckle.

I inked the stamp with markers before stamping onto white, cutting out and mounting onto the lucky limeade card stock. I put the black strip behind which is embossed with the diamond plate folder. The card front is embossed with the distressed frame.

Thanks for stopping by!

Best Wishes

2012-01-22T21:40:00.005-07:00

This technique of inking the negative side of an embossing folder, then embossing your paper is so perfect for an elegant wedding card. Unfortunately I can't find my brayer, so I had to use direct to folder using my ink pad. The result isn't the greatest, but it works well enough, I think.

I inked the Damask Corner folder with Old Paper distress ink and embossed white paper. The sentiment is just part of a sentiment stamp omitting several of the words. That is cut/embossed with Spellbinders' Fleur de Lis Accents and popped up with foam squares. I colored the seam binding with the same ink and tied a multi loop bow, adding a pearl brad to the center. Of course I had to add just a couple of pearls to the sentiment too.

Stamps: Rubbernecker Butterflies are Free Set

Thanks for stopping by!

Kittie Kit Hop

2012-01-21T03:12:00.012-07:00

Hello Sister Friends!! How are you? Thank you for joining in on the KITTIE KIT HOP fun!! We are SO excited to share with you! In case you didn’t know, Rubbernecker Stamps has a line of stamps called KITTIE KITS and they include a variety of images; these images can be used together in MANY different ways to create MANY different things!! Just wait, you will see what I mean!

The Stampin’ Sisterhood has come together to share some of the ways that THEY use them! There is a HOP ROUTE for you to follow below! You will find it along with MY creation! AND? So you won’t get lost, EACH Sister will have this list for you, to help you on your journey!! Make sure to leave some LOVE at every stop, for you will want to be eligible for our PRIZE!! What fun would it be without a PRIZE!!

***You could WIN……………….
Your choice of one AWESOME ……
KITTIE KIT stamp set
Of your CHOICE!

***The winner will be announced
FRIDAY 1/27
So you all have time to HOP!!
How cool is that? OK, better get HOPPIN’, there is LOTS to see!! Be on the look out for our NEXT HOP coming IN FEBRUARY!! We look forward to bringing you MORE sharing and prizes!! Until then, be sure to check out the daily posts on the STAMPIN’ SISTERHOOD blog!! There is LOTS of inspiration to be found! Thanks again for joining us today and ENJOY!!

I used elements from Fall Harvest S009, and Cause a Scene Outdoor Master KKCS M001. The sentiment is part of Fill My Basket 59-07

**HOP ROUTE**

Bev Gerard

Charlene Driggs

Charlene Merrick

Jacquie Peifer - Creative Coordinator

Juliana Swanson

Karen Hunsaker - you are here!

Kecia Waters

Kittie Caracciolo

Rubbernecker Stamps

Click here to see all the Kittie Kits

You are cherished

2012-01-20T00:04:00.003-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

For this card, I stamped the cute little daisy heart image from the set onto vanilla card stock using Wild Honey distress ink and coloring in with Copic markers. I added stickles to the centers of the flowers and cut the image out. The dp is from the Authentique Splendid bundle. It has a hint of the turquoise color in it, so I brought that out with the ribbon and the sentiment. The sentiment is stamped onto the designer paper and curved to fit around the heart shape. I then added the "bow" with a rhinestone brad center.

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Sending Happy Thoughts

2012-01-19T00:04:00.002-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

I stamped the beautiful rosebud stamp image onto white card stock and then colored with Copic markers, cutting out and mounting onto black. The pink panel is embossed with Fancy Corners and the ribbons added. The white panel is embossed with Textile Texture folder and mounted onto the pink card stock. I added one more length of ribbon under the rose image panel and around the entire card front.

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Cowgirls Rule

2012-01-18T00:03:00.001-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Love Remains

2012-01-17T00:03:00.000-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

For my card, I used the rosebud, the leaves and the sentiment. I stamped the leaves on the card front behind the oval rosebud image panel. I really like the dimension it added. The images are colored with Copic markers. The edges are sponged with distress inks: Seedless Preserves and Gathered Twigs. I really like the Gathered Twigs for stamping nature images. It's just softer than black. I added the embellishment cut/embossed using Spellbinders Ironwork Motifs and sponging to distress it a bit. I then added the beautiful ribbon (also from MFP) and heated it a bit to get more texture. I hope you like it.
Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Pink Valentines

2012-01-16T22:24:00.004-07:00

A Valentine! I used designer papers from Authentique Uncommon bundle for the hearts, as well as a Rose Red dp from long ago. They are cut/embossed with Spellbinders scalloped hearts. The sentiment is stamped onto the white panel with Rose Red ink before embossing with the Damask folder. The edges are MS Doily Lace punch. Just a touch of ribbon is added to the one heart. The edge of the pink card front is also stamped with a flourish from Rubbernecker's Love Set.

Stamps: Love Set SKU 545, Petite Happy Valentine's Day SKU 28-04

I want to be a cowgirl!

2012-01-16T13:29:00.002-07:00

And why wouldn't you? After all, you get to look at cowboys! Mmmmm, doggie! hee hee hee

This is a sneak peek of a new set being released tomorrow by MFP called Cowgirls Rule. I stamped the boots image using black memento ink and colored with Copic markers. I then added the sentiment which is inked with markers. The pink panel at the bottom is embossed with Woodgrain folder and then I sponged on a little of the Victorian Velvet ink, then added the twine. I also added a little knot of the twine above the sentiment.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the beginning of the blog hop showcasing four new stamp sets from MFP. It's gonna be fun!

2012-01-15T10:42:00.001-07:00

Design Team Call

2012-01-15T04:25:00.001-07:00

Hey y'all! Wanna be on a design team? A great design team! I'm talking Rubbernecker's Design team! There is a new call out for designers. CLICK HERE for all the information!

It's Thursday - again!

2012-01-11T21:58:00.001-07:00

It is Thursday and that means I have a post on the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog. It's pink and I used the lovely Quilted Heart image. Pop over and take a peek!

Sneak Peek

2012-01-10T06:38:00.003-07:00

Here is a sneak peek of a new stamp set which will be released next week. Be sure to come back for the hop. You might even win a free stamp set!

The heart is stamped onto white using Gathered Twigs distress ink and colored with Copic Markers. I then airbrushed the border around the entire card front. I then added the Baja Breeze panel which was stamped with the sentiment. I love the flexibility of the clear stamps, which enabled me to make it curved like this. I embossed it with white ep. I then stamped the heart again onto white cardstock and embossed with white before cutting it out and coloring it with Copic markers and adding it to the sentiment panel. The leaves are die cut with Spellbinders Foliage die and added to the card front. I colored the seam binding with the Copic markers I had used on the image, spritzed with alcohol, scrunched and tied into the bow. I added the cute little fairy charm which is also from MFP.

I hope you like it. Who doesn't like pansies??? And hearts???? hee hee hee

Stamp: You are Cherished by MFP
Copic Markers: R20, YG63, R39

Butterfly Blossom

2012-01-06T08:15:00.004-07:00

Can you see the butterflies? Oh, they are there.Can you see it? The flower is made by layering a die cut Dahlia and then three of the butterflies cut from designer paper and adding a gem for the center. This card is large - 5-1/2" square. It had to be for this large blossom. There is an embossed panel behind the ribbon. The flourishes are from Rubbernecker's two part flourish.

Rubbernecker Two Part Flourish 546-01, Happy Birthday Square 565-19

Textile Texture embossing folder, Spellbinders Dahlia, Foliage and Fanciful Flight.

Put Christmas away!

2012-01-04T22:06:00.001-07:00

I am ready for Christmas to be put away, so I created a card without Christmas or winter images or colors. Click here to be taken to the Stampin' Sisterhood blog to see what I created!

Wet but not wild!

2012-01-02T07:30:00.002-07:00

How was your New Year? Mine was less than wild - going to bed by 10 PM, nursing a cold. Boooo! I didn't get many Christmas cards sent out this year either, so I think I may need to make more of these Happy New Year cards.

The lower strip is beaded with light blue beads and then I added the dark blue glitter to meet the color challenge and fill in the gaps.

The snowman is stamped onto white card stock using gathered twigs distress ink. I masked him and then airbrushed the background using torn paper to make the clouds. I hand wrote the sentiment. I then stamped the snowflakes over the whole image using Bashful Blue and then adding some embossed white ones too. For the wet, I added glue and dazzling diamonds for the ground. The white embossed snowflakes look wet as well.

Happy New Year everyone.

Jump over to . . .

2011-12-29T07:29:00.001-07:00

I have a new card up on the Stampin' Sisterhood Rubbernecker blog. Why don't you click here and go take a look. I'd love to know what you think.

Happy Birthday squared

2011-12-21T03:47:00.004-07:00

How do you like this color combo? I love it. And such a change from all the Christmas cards going on.

I inked the stamps with markers before stamping onto white cs. I then watercolored the image. The card front is Wisteria Wonder stamped with the flourish stamp inked with the Wisteria Wonder ink and then overstamping with the same flourish inked with Versamark. The green strip is stamped with French Script inked with Lucky Limeade ink. I distressed the edges, just for fun and a bit of dimension. I also added the lace for a little more femininity. The coral piece behind the rose is the double arch corner punch by MS.

Stamps: Single Leaf Rose 531-01, Flourish 546-05. Happy Birthday Square 565-19, French Script 448

New Pines

2011-12-15T00:26:00.002-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's December Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! We will announce all four winners on December 16, 2011 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Thursday December 15, 2011.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers

Pussy Willows and Ice and Snow

2011-12-14T00:24:00.003-07:00

Ice and Snow

Pussy Willows

Pussy Willows

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's December Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers

Pucker Up

2011-12-13T00:23:00.004-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's December Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers

Vintage Christmas card

2011-12-10T05:33:00.002-07:00

I love vintage. Maybe it is because it hails back to what seems a simpler, happier time. I'm not sure that is true, but it is what I think of.

I created this vintage looking card using "Shirley" by stamping her onto vanilla card stock using Vintage Photo ink and then coloring with both water color crayons and Copic markers. I then cut/embossed her using Spellbinders beaded ovals die. I colored the edge with the red Copic marker and then put it back into the die and airbrushed a deeper red using the die as a stencil.The rest is so easy, using the Authentique Wonder bundle paper and a red card base. I added just a little dangle of ribbon which I think adds to the antique feel.

Stamps: Shirley SKU 581-08

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are having fun preparing for Christmas at your house.

Hugs,
Karen

Woo hooo!

2011-12-07T21:13:00.002-07:00

Hey! Where have I been? Busy, busy, busy, as I'm sure you all are, getting ready for Christmas. I'm almost there.

I have a new post on the Stampin' Sisterhood blog. Please pop over and take a look and let me know what you think!

Hugs,
Karen

What a Fox

2011-11-23T00:31:00.002-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's November Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Peaceful Nuthatch

A Trip to Lancaster

What a Fox

For this card, I stamped the image of the fox onto vanilla card stock and colored with Copic markers before cutting and adhering to the card front. The sentiment is stamped using Walnut Ink Distress ink. I added a panel of the beautiful paper from BasicGrey Indian Summer paper pad which is backed with the Deepest Mahogany card stock. After adhering it to the card front, the top of the card is embossed with Divine Swirl folder. I added a strip of the designer paper to the inside of the card too.

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day! We will announce all three winners on Thanksgiving Day. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Wednesday November 23, 2011.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Mark's Finest Papers

A Trip to Lancaster

2011-11-22T00:09:00.002-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's November Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Peaceful Nuthatch

A Trip to Lancaster

What a Fox

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Mark's Finest Papers

The simplicity of the country! Love it. For this card, I stamped the image of the barn onto vanilla card stock using Walnut Stain distress ink. The sentiment is stamped using Barn Door distress ink. I adhered that panel to the brown card front and embossed with Sizzix Woodgrain embossing folder. I scored the vanilla panel on the top and bottom and added the red ink along that line.

This is the inside. I used Copic markers to color the image and again the Barn Door ink for the sentiment.

Peaceful Nuthatch

2011-11-21T00:04:00.001-07:00

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's November Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Peaceful Nuthatch

A Trip to Lancaster

What a Fox

Lois

Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Mark's Finest Papers

I stamped the image of the bird onto vanilla card stock using Rich Cocoa Memento ink and colored with Copic Markers. I used just the pinecone and tree piece of the image in the top two corners. The sentiment is stamped using Faded Jeans Distress ink. I added the button embellishment for balance. The card front is embossed using Damask Corner folder.

Join us!

2011-11-20T04:46:00.003-07:00

Today is the beginning of new challenges over on the Rubbernecker Blog!

Come join the fun. There might be prizes involved. I'm just sayin'!

Have fun!!!!!

What a Fox

2011-11-15T05:16:00.005-07:00

Hugs

2011-11-15T04:44:00.007-07:00

Scroll down to see the Rubbernecker Blog hop details. Enter to win a FREE stamp set!

2011-11-13T00:05:00.002-07:00

Hello Rubbernecker Sisters!! HOP day has arrived!! The Stampin’ Sisterhood has LOTS to share today!! Thank you SO much for joining us!

I have two cards to share with you today.

I started with the sentiment which is stamped using Faded Jeans distress ink. I let it dry just a bit and then stamped the small tree image over it using Versamark ink and clear embossing. I then stamped the snowflakes using Versamark and embossing with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. It was cut/embossed using Spellbinders Deckled Mega Rectangles. That was matted with the dark brown cs. I then cut/embossed the large snowflake using Spellbinders Snowflake pendant. The snowflakes were overstamped on it using Versamark ink and then embossing with Iridescent Ice ep. That is mounted onto the dp from Authentique’s Splendid collection and again matted with the brown. As a finishing touch, I added the rhinestones to the centers of the snowflakes and to the star on top of the tree.

Stamps: May You Have SKU 409-01, Christmas Tree Set SKU 592, Snowflake Set SKY 587

I call this card “Red paper packages tied up with string”. You know that song, right? Anyway, I used an ad with these cute packages on it for the large panel and of course tied it up with some string. The red card front is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder – Holly Ribbons. The image is the large star from Happy Holidays Ornament Star Set with snowflakes from Snowflake Set added to the center. The centers are glammed up with a little bit of stickles. I cut the ornament out and popped it up. btw, the smaller ornament star fits inside the larger image as well. It’s another great look you can get with this set.

Stamps: Snowflake Set SKU 587, Happy Holidays Ornament Star Set SKU 411-0203.

We all thought it would be a GREAT idea to share some of our HOLIDAY images!! SO, sit back and ENJOY!!! Hey, and if you leave some LOVE at EVERY stop along the way? You will be entered into a RANDOM drawing for your choice of ONE Rubbernecker Stamps SET!! Yes, you read right!! A SET, not a single!! Now, how AWESOME is that?! Mr. Rubbernecker wants YOU to be able to choose, so you will LOVE what you get!! BRILLIANT!!

OK, we know that you are busy, so you will have until THURSDAY 11/17 to HOP! Our WINNER will be announced on the RUBBERNECKER BLOG, on FRIDAY 11/18!!

OH, and if you want to join in the sharing, we have a BIT of exciting news to share!! We will be starting some AWESOME Rubbernecker challenges on SUNDAY 11/20!! Hope you will join us for SISTERHOOD SUNDAYS!! We are going to have a BLAST!! Who knows? You could win a prize on SUNDAYS too!!!

Thanks again for stopping by, better get HOPPING!!!

**HOP ROUTE**

Go take a look!

2011-11-11T16:21:00.003-07:00

Oh my, I am having such fun arranging my family photo wall. You must go check out my post on the Rubbernecker Blog. AND today I just did another element for it which I will post next Thursday on that blog.

Here is a little peek, but you really need to go take a look.

I am giddy with how it is turning out.

Click here to go to my post >>>>> Rubbernecker Blog

Telescoping ornament

2011-11-01T04:49:00.002-07:00

This is a telescoping image, created by stamping the image twice and cutting/embossing with four different size circle nestabilities. I popped the layers up in graduating heights for the dimension. The image is stamped using tumbled glass ink on white card stock. I then added pearls and flowers and matted with blue.
Stamps: Garden Shrub Set SKU 560 and 10 Point Ornament SKU 548

What do you think?

2011-10-26T18:16:00.002-07:00

Spotlighting greenery

2011-10-26T10:12:00.002-07:00

This is a great sketch. I chose MFP's Ginger Cookies stamp set and used just the little corner sprig for my image panels and the sentiment. The baker's twine and papers are also found at MFP - Authentique Wonder bundle.

Thanks for stopping by!

Friends Ornament

2011-10-24T23:15:00.001-07:00

I inked the bold ornament stamp with versamark ink and then used the Island Indigo marker to add that color before stamping and embossing with clear embossing powder. I then cut/embossed the center of it using Spellbinders Parisian Accents and popping that up over the Island Indigo layer. I then inked just the word friends from the sentiment stamp and stamping that onto the white card stock. I then used the Rich Razzleberry marker to ink up the small flower in the ornament and adding that to the sentiment and punching with a 1-1/4" circle and adding that to the center of the ornament. I colored the seam binding with the marker and crinkled it adding it to the card front. I then punched small flowers from the Rich Razzleberry card stock, adding Baja Breeze centers with a dot of the Island Indigo.

Stamps: Rubbernecker Bold Ornament SKU 507-01, Bud Set SKU 505

Chocolate snowflakes

2011-10-24T06:13:00.001-07:00

Oh, wouldn’t that be fun if snowflakes were chocolate. They would certainly be worth catching on your tongue!

I created this frame of snowflakes for Joan's challenge on SCS. I love this set! There are loads of snowflakes in three different sizes, so there are plenty to choose from. I stamped mine with rich cocoa ink and clear embossed. I used a marker to outline the inside for the sentiment and also the outside for a faux layer. I added pearls to the centers of all the snowflakes. The sentiment is a great one too, don't you think?

Stamps: Rubbernecker Snowflake Set SKU 587, Wishing you the hope SKU 410-02

Drug problems

2011-10-23T04:22:00.001-07:00

I just have to share this with you.

Happy Holidays–owl

2011-10-21T07:49:00.001-07:00

This is a fun and easy fold suggested by Dawn on SCS today.

I used an old SU dp. The owl is from MFP's new Holly Greetings set. I stamped it into vanilla card stock using walnut stain ink and then colored with copic markers before cutting out and popping up onto the card front. I punched greenery from old olive cs and colored a bit with the copic markers and added those to the owl image. I also colored, cut out and popped up the holly sprig onto the cut out area of the card front.

Thanks for stopping by!

Partial Sentiment

2011-10-18T07:40:00.002-07:00

I love finding ways to make my stamps even more versatile. This is actually a Christmas sentiment, but I left off the “at Christmas and always” portion. I think it is perfect for an encouragement or sympathy card like this.

I stamped the image using versamark and then rose red ink before clear embossing on the linen texture pink card stock. The rose red is used as a mat behind that panel and then I added the green flourishes. The designer papers are from Authentique Splendid collection. Yummy! I added a double bow of organdy ribbon (heated slightly) with streamers behind the sentiment panel.

Thanks for stopping by!

2011-10-17T06:42:00.005-07:00

You won't want to miss this blog hop for great holiday ideas!!!! Starting today!!! 12 days of wonderful ideas, with only just a few blogs to hop each day. Don't miss it!

Start here:

Mark's Finest Papers Blog

Now, here is something I created this morning. This is a door hanger to surprise someone special.

I stamped this cute new image from MFP onto vanilla cs and colored with Copic markers before cutting out. I added the flower and popped it up onto the front of the holder. I only had Tootsie Pops in the house, so I punched three holes for the sticks. I tore a strip of the fabric and tied a bow and added two more flowers and more of the same leaves from the image.

Everything - even the fabric! is from MFP! I hope you like it!

Rubbernecker Stamps!!!! PRIZES

2011-10-15T21:04:00.006-07:00

Hi Rubbernecker friends!! Welcome to our Fall/Halloween hop! Thanks so much for joining us! Rubbernecker Stamps has such a wide variety of images, that we thought we would share some Fall and Halloween ones with you! There is a HOP ROUTE for you to follow below! You will find it right before the creation I have to share today!! AND? So you won’t get lost, EACH Sister will have this list for you, to help you on your journey!! Make sure to leave some LOVE at every stop, for you will want to be eligible for our PRIZE!! What fun would it be without a PRIZE!!

***You could WIN……………….

Your choice of one of these AWESOME stamp sets!!

Cool huh? OK, the Stampin’ Sisterhood has lots of creations to share with you, so grab a cuppa something, sit back, relax and get HOPPIN’!!

For my card, I used the fabulous Flying Witch Panel SKU 588
First I took a panel of white card stock and airbrushed a background with green, orange and purple Copic markers. Next I inked up the panel with Black ink, wiped the ink off the moon and colored it in with markers. I then stamped it onto my prepared background and embossed with clear embossing powder. The moon didn't stamp as well as I wanted, so I went over it with a marker. I mounted that panel onto the green card stock to bring out that color. Talk about a quick card - this is it!

Be on the look out for our NEXT HOP coming NEXT MONTH!! We look forward to seeing you then for MORE sharing and prizes!! Thanks again for joining us today and ENJOY!!

**HOP ROUTE**

MFP Blog Hop Day Four - Ginger Cookies

2011-10-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Ginger Cookies? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Ginger Cookies. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop Day Three - Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter

2011-10-12T21:44:00.002-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop Day Two - Christmas in the Country and Snowball???

2011-10-11T21:42:00.005-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Christmas in the Country and Snowball? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Christmas in the Country and Snowball?. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop Day One - Holly Greetings

2011-10-10T21:37:00.001-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Holly Greetings? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Holly Greetings. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Swimming for Katie!

2011-10-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

"From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer. If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year. This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight. A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer. Her first post about it is here. The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file. 100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family. Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support. In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale. Direct donations are also being accepted. Information central is HERE. This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

Here are all the items available for sale.

Keep Swimming Octopus
Peachy Clear stamp
$5.50 with free shipping

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp
$3.00 with instant download

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp with SVG cut file
$3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Mermaid DIGIstamp
$3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Ribbon Fish DIGIstamp and DIGIpapers
$5.00 with instant download

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation. The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today. I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate. If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Ashley Harris

Clare Buswell

Jessica Diedrich

Lisa Somerville

Charlene Merrick

Eva Dobilas

Judy Rozema

Sharon Doolittle

Tifany DeGough

Windy Robinson

Ashley Cannon Newell

Connie McCotter

Heidi Van Laar

Karen Maldonado

Lori Craig

Melissa Phillips

Tosha Leyendekker

Amy Kolling

Angela Thomas

Angelica Suarez

Angie Blom

Becky Oehlers

Betty Wright

Bev Gerard

Brenda Weaver

Carolyn King

Chari Moss

Charlene Driggs

Cindi Bisson

Claire Brennan

Corinna McGregor

Craft Critique

Karen Hunsaker - You are here!

Keely Yowler

Kelly Schirmer

Keri Lee Sereika

Kim Hughes

Kimber McGray

Kittie Caracciolo

Kristin Eberline

Wendy Price

Thank you!"

Stacked backgrounds

2011-10-10T08:58:00.002-07:00

The SCS challenge today was to stack backgrounds. What fun!

All the stamps I used are from Rubbernecker.

I stamped Plaid Panel using Pumpkin Pie ink, then French Script using Chocolate Chip ink, then Bed of Roses using Ruby Red ink. I then sponged the edges a lot! I then stamped Tommy using Chocolate Chip ink on So Saffron card stock and clear embossed before coloring with Copic Markers and a white watercolor crayon for the collar. I cut him out and mounted him onto the Ruby Red Spellbinders Beaded Circle which was airbrushed and sponged. The sentiment is stamped using Chocolate Chip ink onto a piece of So Saffron dp. I traced the circle part using a Spellbinders die, then cut the straight edges with my paper cutter and then scissors around the circle. I edged it with a dark brown Copic marker, mounted it onto the card front and added brown brads.

Stamps: French Script 448, Bed of Roses 476, Plaid Panel 578, Tommy Turkey 20-08, Happy Thanksgiving Text 20-03

A slice of eeeeerrrrrrie!

2011-10-06T06:13:00.002-07:00

I have a blog post on the Rubbernecker Blog every Thursday.Here is a little tease of what you will see if you pop on over there today!

If you love cats

2011-09-29T07:42:00.002-07:00

you just have to have this new set from Rubbernecker! 12 great images of cats and 5 hilarious sentiments! I used only 3 of the cat images and one of the sentiments.

**Click on the image to enlarge it! **

I created a corner page bookmark using both sides of the dp along with a border punch to create the corner bookmark piece.

Stamps: Cats Set SKU 597

Thanks for looking!

Happy Birthday Rose

2011-09-28T09:09:00.002-07:00

I recently got some new papers by Authentique (oooo, I love them!) and thought they would be perfect for this sketch.

I started with a rose colored card, added a panel of the new paper which was distressed a bit and stitched around the edges with my sewing machine. The next panel is a coordinating print from the pad which was embossed with the Cuttlebug Textile Texture folder with stitching around the edges.

Then I stamped the rose image using Basic Gray ink and coloring with Copic markers. That panel was cut/embossed using Spellbinders deckle rectangles with the leaf outside the die. That was matted with basic gray using the next larger size of the -20die. I stamped the rose again onto another piece of vanilla card stock with the Basic Gray ink. I then inked the circle birthday sentiment with basic gray and some water based markers before stamping and cutting/embossing with Spellbinders circle dies, again leaving the leaf outside the die. That was mounted onto the rose colored card stock and popped up.

Stamps: Rubbernecker Happy Birthday Circle SKU 565-20, Single Leaf Rose 531-01

Authentique Uncommon collection paper

Thanks for stopping by!

Little Lovin’s Indian Girl

2011-09-27T04:44:00.003-07:00

This cute little girl is an image from Rubbernecker I thought would go perfectly with the SCS challenge colors this week.

I don't have the exact colors, so I used the closest I have. I stamped the image using Walnut Stain. and then colored with Copic markers. I colored the photo corners using the same markers to customize them. The cherry cobbler card front is embossed with the Cuttlebug Diamonds in the rough folder and I added a little hemp twine bow.

Thanks for stopping by!

STAMPS: Little Lovin's Indian Girl SKU 395 SO

Halloween giggles!

2011-09-26T08:55:00.007-07:00

***Click on the picture for a larger image. ***

And a little more Halloween fun with a new image from Rubbernecker Stamps!

This is a new stamp by Rubbernecker that is so fun for Halloween. I stamped it onto the white oval with black ink and colored with Copic markers. I colored the embossed edge with one of the Copic markers as well. The panel behind the oval is Papercraft Studio paper and mounted onto the long card front which is an unkown dp. I covered the chipboard star with the glittered bat dp (also unknown). The edges are inked with a silver leaf pen and popped up. I added the ribbon for a bit more fun.

Stamps: Rubbernecker Giggles SKU 596-03

Thanks for stopping by!

MFP Blog Hop Day Four - Get Your Broom On!

2011-09-15T23:02:00.000-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory, Boo To You, Covered Bridges, Get Your Broom On .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Get Your Broom On? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Get Your Broom On. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop Day Three - Covered Bridges

2011-09-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory, Boo To You, Covered Bridges, Get Your Broom On .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Covered Bridges? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Covered Bridges. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop Day Two! -Boo to you!

2011-09-13T22:58:00.002-07:00

MFP Blog Hop Day One! Autumn Glory

2011-09-12T22:46:00.004-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory. Boo To You, Covered Bridges, and Get Your Broom On.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Autumn Glory? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

I love the look I got on this card. First I created my own designer paper by stamping the beautiful leaf image several times onto the card stock using three shades of distress ink: Walnut Stain, Fired Brick and Aged Mahogany. I then stamped the sentiment "Autumn Glory" repeatedly over the leaves. I then used Spellbinders largest leaf from Nested Maple Leaves to cut and emboss the dp I created. I then cut/embossed Spellbinders leaf from Assorted Leaves from that leaf shape. I then used sponging along the edges of the card and the leaves. The leaves are popped up over the negative spaces left when I cut the shapes. The whole thing is backed with a brown shade of card stock. To embellish, I tied a short length of organdy ribbon around the right side of the card and added a stick pin.

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Autumn Glory. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Why hadn’t I thought of this?

2011-09-12T08:13:00.002-07:00

A new to me technique! That’s always fun.

This one is to cut an opening in the front of your card and then fill it. Well, I decided to do a black and white card (always elegant, don’t you think?).

I showed it to my dh and he said, "Looks like it could use a bow tie!" lol I guess that means it looks kind of formal? It made me laugh. I like to laugh on a Monday morning.

I cut the card front using a Spellbinders oval, then lined the inside of the front with the black and cut/embossed the next smaller oval. I cut two of each of the shapes, one black and one white and reversing them so that the inside and outside both look good. I added the flower which has a flower base, then papers punched and added in layers. I also stamped the inside with the daisy image for more interest. The sentiment is stamped with black memento ink omitting the outer circle on the front, but stamping it again in it’s entirety on the inside.

Stamps: Rubbernecker Happy Birthday Circle SKU 565-20, Daisies SKU 506-05

Sneak Peeks

2011-09-09T07:06:00.005-07:00

I want to share some sneak peeks of sets being released next week - Sept. 13 - by Mark's Finest Papers.

This is such a funny sentiment and a darling little count from the set Boo to You.It is a fairly simple layout. The count is colored with Copic markers.

I stamped the image onto vellum with black ink and clear embossed. I then colored the back with Copic markers before cutting and mounting onto the purple panel which is distressed around the edges. I tucked the top two corners behind the design on the dp.

I paper pieced the beautiful leaf image from the set Autumn Glory by stamping it onto dp using Aged Mahogany ink, clear embossing and cutting out. The background square is embossed with Damask Corners folder and mounted onto the parchment card. The sentiment is also stamped with the same ink. A simple CAS card that is easily mailable.

Be sure to join the blog hop next week - beginning Tuesday for a chance to win free stamps every day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blog Candy WINNER!

2011-09-08T11:19:00.001-07:00

I used random number generator.
Here are your random numbers:

1
Timestamp: 2011-09-08 18:19:29 UTC
Congratulations to . . . RUFUS! Get me your contact information and I will get this stamp right out to you. You're gonna love it!

Blog candy!

2011-09-01T08:26:00.003-07:00

Okay, here is the deal - I have a brand new Rubbernecker Stamp for you. To have the opportunity to win, just jump over to the Rubbernecker Blog. List all the names of the people that have posted there since my post August 25th. Come back here leaving the list of names in a comment on this post. One lucky winner (with the correct answer) will receive a free Rubbernecker stamp. If you want to see this stamp, just check out the post over there on August 28th! The first card on that day uses the stamp I am giving away. You have until Wednesday, Sept. 7th to leave your entry. I will post the winner on Sept. 8th and you will have to respond with your contact information within 24 hours. Good luck!

Just a hint

2011-09-01T05:46:00.002-07:00

Here is just a hint of my post over on the
Rubbernecker Blog
today.

Go ahead – pop on over there for a look at the full project. And while you are there, scroll through the projects from the other design team members. They are awesome!

As long as there is a sale going on!

2011-08-26T07:51:00.001-07:00

I thought I would share some loveliness from Rubbernecker. Yeah, I am an enabler. lol Sorry – but not very. hee hee hee

Unusual colors for a butterfly card, but I like the result. I stacked layers of lace, dp and the flourishes.

The card front is chocolate chip. I stamped the two part flourishes with black ink and then with white craft ink. I then layered the dp which has a torn and distressed edge with a bit of lace peeking out from behind. I then stacked a bit of black ribbon onto that. The sentiment is stamped with brown ink onto the white cs, embossed with a Spellbinders oval and then torn and distressed. I mounted that onto the black cs which is also torn and distressed. I added a knot of black ribbon at the top. The butterfly is stamped with black ink onto the brown cs and cut out, lightly distressing the edges and popping up with a foam square.

I hope you like it. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Rubbernecker: butterflies are free set sku 538, 2 part flourish set 1 sku 546-01

Rubbernecker is hosting two back to back sales this week!

2011-08-22T19:28:00.001-07:00

Spellbinder Die Sets up to 20% off

Rubbernecker Stamps 10-20% off

Spellbinder Die Set Sale

This sale will run from Tuesday 8/23 noon until Thursday 8/25 5 PM. The sale will be limited to stock on hand at our distributor. For best selection, place your orders early. No backorders or rainchecks will be offered. We will place the order for the material on Friday and will advise customers of unavailable merchandise and issue refunds on Friday 8/26 if necessary. Materials will be received by and shipped Saturday 9/3. This sale will not be combined with the stamp sale.

Rubbernecker Stamp Sale

This sale will run from Friday 8/26 noon through Sunday 8/28 5 PM. It will include all items in each of our stamp lines and our free stamp program (Shoppers Rewards) WILL be in effect, so remember to incude your free choices with your order. If you have any questions about the program, rules are posted on the home page of the site. This sale will not be combined with the Spellbinders sale.

Scooter kids and friends hop

2011-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our little HOP!! We are SO happy that you could join us in celebrating some NEW stamps! Mr. Rubbernecker released some SUPER cute images, on the down low, a few weeks back and we wanted to share them with you!! They are SO adorable that we just HAD to show them off! We have sweet SCOOTER KIDS, some new ANIMALS, and we even got some cute new FRIENDS!!! You can find them by visiting RUBBERNECKER STAMPS and clicking on the 2011 NEW RELEASES!! Hey, wait, there is MORE!! We also have something else to CELEBRATE!!! Our design team has a NEW name!! We are SO excited!! I bet you were wondering what was up with that!! Weren’t you?! We are NOW the……………………………..

Cool, huh? We are going to have SO much to share with you!! It will TRULY be a SISTERHOOD, for sure!!!

OK now, a HOP would not be a HOP without a little PRIZE!! Right? Of course!! SO, in honor of our news AND our new images, if you visit ALL the participants and leave some LOVE You will have the chance to WIN …………..……….…………a……………….…..…………

$25 RUBBERNECKER STAMPS CERTIFICATE!!

WOW, more coolness!! Our winner will be announced on TUESDAY, so you will have plenty of time to hop! OK, better get HOPPIN’!! Thanks SO much for being a part of our excitement!! You will find the HOP ROUTE below!! Have an AWESOME day!!!

**THANKS FOR STOPPING BY**

Day four! Fun on the Farm

2011-08-11T21:00:00.003-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Fun On The Farm? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Fun On The Farm. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Day three! Forest Gifts

2011-08-10T21:00:00.003-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Forest Gifts? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Forest Gifts. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily

Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie

Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Day two! Butterflies and Wisteria!

2011-08-09T21:00:00.003-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Butterflies and Wisteria? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Butterflies and Wisteria. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers
Here are a few more using this lovely stamp set:

Day one! Black Eyed Susan's for Encouragement

2011-08-08T21:00:00.002-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers

Just a peek

2011-08-04T09:06:00.001-07:00

Here is just a little peek of the post I have on the Rubbernecker blog today.

Why don’t you go take a look?

You are loved

2011-08-02T10:14:00.001-07:00

I kept it CAS by making a one layer card. This is MFP's 140 lb paper which is so heavy and wonderful. Don't try to punch it - it's too heavy, but for the die cuts it is the best! I used Spellbinders Eyelet borderabilities on the bottom edge. The black eyed susan image (new from MFP – being released next week) is stamped with Going Gray ink right onto the card front. I then stamped the sentiment using Tumbled Glass distress ink over the image. I added the turquoise gem to the center and the ribbon at the top. I also added a strip of turquoise paper on the inside which shows through the eyelet when the card is closed.

pink, white and green

2011-07-27T21:33:00.001-07:00

Be sure to hop over to the Rubbernecker blog to see my post today.

Fluttering by

2011-07-27T11:50:00.001-07:00

I punched both sides of 1" strips using the MS swirling lace border punch. The butterflies are stamped with black ink and clear embossed before coloring and punching out. They are popped up on the strips. The sentiment is stamped with Green Galore ink onto the gloss white cardstock and cut/embossed with Spellbinders Blossom die. I used a Yo Yo yellow marker to color the butterflies and the outer edge of the sentiment shape. The gingham ribbon and bow really make it fresh.

Stamps: Rubbernecker Butterfly Inchies 427, Butterflies are Free 538

Thanks for stopping by!

Butterflies

2011-07-26T09:44:00.004-07:00

There is little stamping on this - just the word faith on the tiny tag. That word was inked with a marker from a phrase stamp from Rubbernecker that says:
Keep your faith in all beautiful things
In love before it’s realized
In the flower before the bloom.

The butterflies were punched and mounted onto the three color squares. I then embossed the rectangular panel behind it with the Sizzix Corners Damask folder and then added the border pieces cut/embossed with Spellbinders Fleur de Lis borderabilities and mounted onto the white card front. The ribbon and bow were added as the finishing touch.

Stamps: Rubbernecker Garden Phrase Set 508

Accessories: Sizzix Corners Damask, Spellbinders Fleur de Lis borderabilities, MS butterfly punch, ribbon

This is a case of my friend Wendy’s card. I loved your card Wendy.

Inspired by a box of chocolates

2011-07-23T08:33:00.001-07:00

When I took a look at this photo of a box of chocolates, this card came to mind.

Can you see the resemblance?

I included the tiny mosaic you can see in the photo and the light and dark chocolates, along with the pink heart on the white. I added the sentiment with rhinestones for a little bling. The chocolates are created by stamping chocolate chip pigment ink onto the close to cocoa cardstock using Rubbernecker images and clear embossing. The dark chocolates have punched close to cocoa pieces on them and then they are embossed with the Damask folder. The pink dp is embossed with the tiny mosaic folder then backed with Chocolate Chip cardstock.

Thanks for looking!

Red Roses

2011-07-22T17:36:00.002-07:00

Do you love red roses? Who doesn’t?

I stamped my single leaf rose twice using white pigment ink and embossing with white embossing powder. I wanted them to stand out just a little, so I colored them in just a bit with a Copic marker which is just a bit darker than the paper. Next I cut/embossed the panel using Spellbinders Labels Nineteen and popped that up onto Spellbinders Parisian Motifs cut/embossed from white. The card front is embossed with the Sizzix damask folder. I added the ribbon and - voila. A simple yet elegant card.

I upgraded my bow maker! If you remember I had used a block of styrofoam, but it was a pretty soft one and wasn’t holding up very well. So, I got out the old power drill and a little block of wood and created this one. Easy peasy! I just drilled six holes in my block of wood at intervals of about 1/4” or so. I cut a bamboo skewer into short lengths and I can put them into the holes according to the size of bow I want to make. It works so well and if you have a hard time making bows, this is the answer! Seriously, it’s great!

Not pretty – yet! Hmmm, maybe I need to decorate it and make it gorgeous. Yeah, I can do that!

Hint hint–take a peek!

2011-07-20T22:01:00.001-07:00

I have a little post on the Rubbernecker Blog every Thursday. Here is a little peek at what I shared today:

Don’t you just wonder what this is all about? Well, there is only one way to find out and that is to hop on over to the Rubbernecker Blog and read my post! You will get a little tip that you might find useful.

Corners, borders and dies–oh my!

2011-07-20T06:49:00.002-07:00

Hmmmm, have I gone crazy with this new border punch? Maybe, but it is so fun!

The card front is designer paper in shades of purple and green (some of my favorite colors). The next layer is a coordinating dp with the same colors, but a white background matted with the deep purple cardstock. I then embossed that with the Cuttlebug swiss dots folder. Here comes that wonderful border punched layer with olive colored card stock. The image panel is that dark purple once again with two different sizes of the leaf image. First the larger one is stamped with white pigment ink and dried. I then stamped the smaller image with the same white pigment ink and embossed with white embossing powder. I punched several small flowers from the designer paper, adding green and purple centers and adding them to that leaf image. The top right corner on that panel is a cuttlebug Fancy corner die cut Vintage Square. The buttons are cut/embossed from the dark purple card stock using Spellbinders Timeless Heritage threaded with embroidery floss and popped up to different heights using glue dots and foam squares.

Rubbernecker Garden Shrub Set SKU 560

Thanks for looking. Be sure to come back tomorrow for just a peek of a project being featured on the Rubbernecker blog!

Rubbernecker creations

2011-07-19T08:04:00.001-07:00

Here are two more cards I made with my wonderful Rubbernecker images.

For this one I created a collage background using several images and then adding the sentiment panel and a collage of ribbons with an antique button. I really like these colors together as well.

Rubbernecker: SKU 546-03 2 part flourishes set 3, SKU 528 Clowns and Crowns set, SKU 574 Crackle Panel, SKU 565-10 Thinking of You

I used my new MS punch on the top of this card. For some reason, it makes me think of the Copa Cabana. I used a color blocking technique behind the palm trees, coloring with my Copic markers on an acrylic block and spritzing with a fine mist of alcohol before stamping it three times. I then stamped the palm trees over it. Don’t you wish you were sitting on a beach somewhere having a nice cool drink like this?

Rubbernecker Sentiment from Love Set sku545, Grand and Petite Palm Tree 61-049, drink from Fashion Icon Set SKU sku 455

Color Blocked birthday wishes

2011-07-18T09:02:00.001-07:00

I got some new goodies this weekend and they were all bargains! I used a couple of them on this card.

This card is a 5” square of Core’dinations card stock embossed with the Cuttlebug Frills border folder on all four sides and sanded to bring out the detail. The white layers is the Martha Stewart Double Arches punch (50% off coupon used) around the page (4” square). To put down the color behind the sentiment, I used Copic markers on a square acrylic block and spritzed with alcohol before stamping in the center of the doily. I then stamped the Rubbernecker sentiment with Rusty Hinge distress ink over the top. The spray is created with Spellbinders foliage dies as well as some other MS punches. I added some peach colored organdy ribbon which was heated slightly. I then topped it off with some hydrangea punched flowers and the ribbon rosette which was another of the bargains I got this weekend. Six of them for $.50 in a clearance bin. They were vanilla, but I airbrushed this one to match my card. Nice!

Thanks for stopping by. Please come again soon!

Stamps: Rubbernecker Happy Birthday Square SKU: 565-19

Ink: Rusty Hinge Distress ink, Peeled Paint Distress ink, Copic Markers YR000, YR01, YR02, YR09

MFP July Blog Hop Day 4

2011-07-14T21:53:00.001-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the July 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are: Little Birds With Big Mouths, Planted with Love, Lilacs in the Summer, and Adirondack Summer.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Adirondack Summer? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Adirondack Summer. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Emily

Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Mark’s Finest Papers
Now this card shows you different ways to use the stamps. For this one, I used the hanging branches of the weeping willow tree turned upside down to create the greenery which is stamped right onto the front of the fence and behind the chair. To add the flowers I just dotted different colors of AtYou pens. The chair is stamped with versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. See how versatile these stamps are. Just think outside the box!

For this one, I kept it very simple - another great way to utilize these stamps. The image is stamped onto the card front and embossed it with clear embossing powder. I used a Spellbinders square die to just emboss a square around the image. I then added the baker's twine and the charm - all from MFP.

This card is a little more challenging and time consuming to make. I stamped the image onto watercolor paper and used watercolor crayons to color it before cutting/embossing with a Spellbinders die. It is mounted onto the blue layer which is cut/embossed with the next larger size of the same die set. The white panel is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder called Organic Flourish. I added some ribbon and the stamped sentiment and mounted it onto the green card front.

MFP July Blog Hop Day 3

2011-07-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

This week's new releases are: Little Birds With Big Mouths, Planted with Love, Lilacs in the Summer, and Adirondack Summer.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Lilacs in the Summer? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Lilacs in the Summer. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Emily

Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Hello! Welcome to the July 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

MFP July Blog Hop Day 2

2011-07-12T21:48:00.001-07:00

MFP July Blog Hop Day 1

2011-07-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

Lilacs and lace

2011-07-07T07:40:00.002-07:00

What is more feminine than lilacs and lace? This card uses the lilacs in a very subtle manner. I stamped the lilacs onto white card stock and water colored the image before cutting it out. The card front has a "flap” of the doily peeking over the top. The white card front also has the lower corners covered with a scrap of the doily before embossing the full card front with Textile Textures and matting with lilac card stock. I added a bow of seam binding which was dyed to match the image.

Thanks for stopping by! Come back next week to see all the new stamps from MFP!

2011-07-04T08:36:00.001-07:00

Three cheers for the

red, white and blue!

Happy 4th of July!

First of all – THANK YOU to all those who have so faithfully served and are now serving this great

country – the U S A! Also, thank you

to their families that are sacrificing so much while their loved ones serve.

We started the celebration Saturday night by going to a festival and fireworks display. I have a nephew serving overseas right now and his father wrote this, “The fireworks display, which is usually a wonderful reminder of ‘bombs bursting in air’ reminded us that Jake is working with real bombs.”

Yesterday at church we sang patriotic songs and prayed for the service men and women. Today we are thinking of them as we get together with family and friends to celebrate our freedoms that so many have paid such a huge price to give us. Once again we will be watching fireworks, but with a very different perspective as we think of those serving our country, especially my nephew.

Now – baseball, hot dogs and apple pie!

Here are pictures of the apple pie I just put into the oven which we will enjoy later on today. Mmmmm, I can’t wait to have a piece!

Happy 4th of July to all of you! God bless the

U S A!

If you have never used one of these, you are really missing out! It was so much fun watching the apples being peeled, cored and sliced. I’ll have to do it again when my grands are over. They will love it too!

That’s right, you cook it in a brown paper bag! Ooooo, it smells so good in my house!

YOU could WIN!

2011-06-30T19:47:00.003-07:00

There is a new contest going on at the Rubbernecker blog and YOU could WIN a

$25 gift certificate

from Rubbernecker. Hop on over and get all the details.

RUBBERNECKER BLOG

Good Luck!!!!

No White card stock!

2011-06-23T06:01:00.002-07:00

Nope, no white card stock on this creation. I made this one at my friend Beckie’s house. Simple and cute, don’t you think? Squares of designer paper, a little bow and a gorgeous button. The sentiment is from the Nature’s Postage stamp set by Mark’s Finest Papers.

Round and round we go!

2011-06-22T07:47:00.002-07:00

Rounds seems to be in the spotlight lately. This card incorporates another circle.

I cut the circle from white, then stamped the poppies repeatedly around the circle using Tuxedo Black Memento ink and coloring with Copic markers: R14, R17, YG63, G24, E18. I then stamped the sentiment onto that main panel. I backed that circle with the scalloped circle cut from black. I used just part of the embossing folder to emboss just that bit of flourish on the right side of the card.

Stamps: Poppies, Poppies, Poppies by Mark’s Finest Papers

Thanks for looking.

Dodge ball card

2011-06-21T07:06:00.002-07:00

I created this card for two SCS challenges: The colors are one of them and the shape is the other. Does it look like a dodge ball? hee hee hee Well, a very bejeweled dodge ball maybe and those scallops would make for some crazy bounces.

The card base is kraft card stock, cut/embossed using a Spellbinders Grand Big Scalloped Circles die. I then cut another of the same shape from vanilla and stamped the pansies with navy ink and clear embossed. I colored those with Copic markers. I then stamped the pansies again onto the cherry cobbler cs and clear embossed before cutting out and popping up onto the stamped image. I added jewels to the centers of the flowers and at each scallop. I then added the seam binding bow.

Stamps: Mark’s Finest Papers Happy Pansies

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Aged Yellow Poppies

2011-06-20T07:22:00.001-07:00

I love vintage and antiques – all that sort of thing. I definitely added that to this image of poppies.

The poppies are inked with Vintage Photo distress ink and stamped onto vanilla card stock and clear embossed before coloring with Copic markers Y08, Y11, Y13, G24, G28. I then over-stamped it using the crackle background which was also inked with the vintage photo ink and stamped off once. I then tore the edge of the poppies panel and sponged the edges. The strip of dp was added to the card front, then the poppies panel adhered over the top before embossing with the Cuttlebug Textile Texture folder and sponging all the edges and lightly running the sponge over the whole thing to catch the high spots of the embossing. I scrunched and sponged the seam binding before adding it to the image panel.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Stamps: Mark’s Finest Papers Poppies, Poppies, Poppies, and Background Fun.

Imagine

2011-06-16T06:46:00.003-07:00

This card is a 5-1/2” square, a size I don’t often create, but I wanted to use this gorgeous butterfly die and it is LARGE, so needed a bigger card.

The card front is Old Olive cs. I then added a square of Webster’s Pages. The beautiful new sentiment from Rubbernecker is stamped onto a piece of vellum and the top and bottom edges of that are torn. To attach it to the card I hid the adhesive behind the strip of pink DCWV Mariposa card paper. I used that same paper to cut/emboss the butterfly which is the Spellbinders Fanciful Flight die. I also added the Fleur de Lis Accent border again using the green card stock.

Thanks for stopping by. Please come again soon.

Stamps: Imagine with all 582-23

Rubbernecker Design Team adds new members!

2011-06-15T21:13:00.002-07:00

Our design team is welcoming some new members and they are AWESOME! Congratulations and welcome to our new members:

The rest of the team:

Olive brown and vanilla

2011-06-14T09:39:00.002-07:00

I wanted to try this color combo on another card, so I created this one:

I think I started channeling my friend Kittie. wink wink

First I stamped the chicken wire bg using brown ink, then I inked, off-stamped the leaf vine and stamped several times. Next I inked the stamp again and stamped two more times with full strength ink and then clear embossed. This really gave the vine a lot more dimension.Then came the Kittifying where I added the punched fronds and then the brown flowers. I added stickles to the centers of the flower. I also added the flourish from using Spellbinders Fleur de Lis accents to the lower corner. That panel is matted with brown before adding to the green card. The image is stamped with brown ink onto vanilla card stock, then cut/embossed with Spellbinders Labels ten and I stamped through the die using the same leaf vine stamped off once. I added markers and AtYou spica pens to the edge of the sentiment panel and popped it up onto the card front. A small bow of ribbon and it was finished.

In case you can't read the sentiment, it says: Sorrow looks at yesterday
Worry looks at today
Faith looks at tomorrow

Stamps: Rubbernecker Chicken Wire bg 58-01, Leaf Vine 537-10, Sorrow Looks at Yesterday 582-17

Thanks for stopping by!

Keep on track!

2011-06-14T06:50:00.002-07:00

I really like the new stamp set – All Aboard – released by Mark’s Finest Papers this month. This scene stamp can be colored and looks really wonderful, but I used it today by simply stamping it with the brown ink and cutting into the one inch tiles. I then mounted them just a bit away from each other onto a green square and then embossed that with the Sizzix bricked folder. I then sponged a little more of the brown ink on to distress and bring out the embossed brick pattern.

That square is mounted onto the brown. The card front is vanilla, but I smudged it so had to distress it by sponging. Trust me, it was a good boo boo as it really looks better. I then added the tracks at the bottom of the card and the sentiment. I wanted a little ribbon or something on the bottom, but ribbon just didn’t look right, so I stamped some twill tape with another stamp from the set - the rail road crossing stamp, knotted it, and attached to the tracks.

Thanks for stopping by once again. Please come back soon.

Hugs,

Karen

Stamps: Mark’s Finest Papers All Aboard

Homeward Bound

2011-06-13T06:49:00.002-07:00

I just love this cute little train by Mark’s Finest Paper from the new set called All Aboard. I like using just one color on white for a very simple yet striking look.

I stamped the train using Barn Door Distress ink, then I masked it and stamped the tracks all across the card. The top of the card front is embossed with the Cuttlebug Diamonds in the Rough folder to coordinate with the design on the train. The sentiment was easily curved to create a smoke like look coming from the engine. I added a length of ribbon (also from MFP) and there you have it.

I also stamped the tracks on the inside of the card. It adds such a nice touch.

Stamps: All Aboard from Mark’s Finest Papers

Does this look like Delft Blue China

2011-06-13T06:44:00.002-07:00

to you? It does to me.

This color and the new background stamp from Rubbernecker really remind me of Delft Blue China. I'm lovin' it.

I stamped the bg image using Chipped Sapphire ink onto white card stock then cut into 1" squares and attached to the white card front. The bottom of the card is punched with the MS Arch Lattice punch and I put a strip of the stamped bg on the inside of the card to show through. The sentiment is a new one from Rubbernecker also called Happy Thoughts and is stamped with the same ink onto white cs and cut/embossed with a Spellbinders oval die. Behind that (you have to look closely) is vellum cut with Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two. I added the ribbon bow and ~ ta da!

Stamps: Rubbernecker Toile Panel 572, Happy Thoughts 565-11

Thanks for stopping by!

Organization and tips!

2011-06-11T09:08:00.003-07:00

I'm sure you are wondering, "How does Karen organize ALL her stuff?"

I do have a lot of stuff in my stamp room and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I had to clean up a bit yesterday (had the windows cleaned inside and out, so had to move my table away from the window) plus I got some new stuff to add to my collection, so I took some photos for you and thought I would share. It might help you get your stuff organized. OR, if you have some great organization tips, please feel free to share them in a comment. I would love to know how you organize.

Stamps sets:

I have lots of stamp sets. First of all, here is how I organize my stamps from Rubbernecker:

As soon as I get new stamps, I add them to my own personal catalog. I usually copy the picture of the stamps from the website and add it to a document, along with the SKU number so I can find it again if I need to. See that under each image. I then hand write which container they are in. I have two kinds I use for these stamps.

Notice two types of containers in this photo – the white ones in the back and the clear in the front.

I have a lot of the clear DVD cases. The Rubbernecker stamps are on cling mount, so they stick to the containers. I add a printed sheet of what stamps are in there as well. This is especially helpful for the sentiments, as they are hard to read backwards on the stamps. lol

The other containers (white ones in the photo two up) I have are from Rubbernecker. You can find them here. I can get a lot of stamps in each one. Notice I use my labeler to number each container.

These are my stamps from Mark’s Finest Papers. They are in a photo storage box on their sides and I have them alphabetically by the set names. I have a catalog on my computer with all the stamps I have from them, so I can scroll through to find just the right one and then find it easily.

Now here are my punches. I am in a rental home and didn’t want to put a lot of holes in the wall so I came up with this solution. The bars are from IKEA. They are for wall organization in the kitchen, I think. I bought two 1X2’s (very inexpensive) at Lowe’s. I then screwed the bars onto them. The hardest part is getting them level, but that’s not too bad, even for me. I propped this against the wall and put my punches on. Oooops, it was too far from the wall so I needed something to hold them more upright. Well, I had these metal strips from IKEA (I can’t find them there any more though. sniff sniff) so I screwed them on just above the bars. Perfect! Unfortunately, I needed three more, but since I can’t get them, I went back to the Home Improvement store and bought their very inexpensive yardsticks, cut them to the proper length (21"-1/8”) and used them. Yea! It works! (you can see the yardstick on the top row of the close up) So now I can see my punches in a quick glance and get right to them.

I got some new Spellbinders dies and added them to my collection. I also keep them in the clear DVD cases. I bought them here.

I am again too late smart and just decided to organize my newest dies like this. I cut the packaging they came in with the image on it to a size to fit in the cases, then I backed it with the stick on magnetic sheets (I bought these from Oriental Trading for a good price.) Now I put the dies on the magnetic side. I also catalog all my dies, otherwise they would be forgotten and that would be just too sad.

I got some new Copic colors too, so added them to my collection. The pink, red, yellow and green are in a storage wallet I got from Copic. The blues and grays are in a container from Copic as well. I had too many markers though and so went into my kitchen and got the containers that the Great Value (Wal Mart) drink mix comes in. I put the browns into one and the purples into another. They are all standing in a collapsible container I got at IKEA and are just to my left when I am stamping.

I was throwing something away and had some styrofoam inserts and I said to myself – “Self, you can use that to make bows!” So, I got some bamboo skewers from my kitchen and cut them a little shorter and stuck them into the foam. This is great because you can move them at intervals to create bows of different sizes. All this cost what? Less than a penny? Oh yeah, thriftiness.

Here is how I tie a bow with this little goody.

Loop a length of ribbon around the two skewers and cross the ends.

Now take those ends and wrap them to the back, cross and loop one end through and pull.

Tighten as much or as little as you wish.

Slip the loops off and there you have a perfect bow. Now you can create dozens or even hundreds of bows exactly the same size. So easy!

Okey dokey, I think that is all I have for you today. Thanks so much for stopping by. I would love to know what you think of my tips here and if you have some of your own you think I could use, please leave them for me.

Please come again soon! Hugs ~ Karen

Blog Hop Day Four!

2011-06-09T21:30:00.006-07:00

Hello! Welcome to the June 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are: All Aboard, Poppies Poppies Poppies, Sand Surf Relax, and Floating Along.

For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Floating Along? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Floating Along. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Sharon-Guest Designer for June
Mark’s Finest Papers

Another very simple card. The card is 140 lb cardstock from MFP. It is FABULOUS FOR CARD - such a great weight. I stamped the swan image onto the front of the card using Rich Cocoa Memento ink and then I colored the bill on the swan and the water using Copic markers. The sentiment is stamped using Tumbled Glass distress ink. The inside sentiment continues the thought with "Thinking of You". I added the gorgeous ribbon and stick pin (also from MFP) as a finishing touch.

Thanks for stopping by. Now pop over to MFP and buy some of these fabulous new stamps, ribbon, stick pins and the wonderful 140 lb. card stock. It also comes in Vanilla.