Remy's Dinosaur Birthday

 

One of the littles in our family, Remy, turned 5.  He loves dinosaurs and that's what type of card I made him for his birthday.  

I used In The Wild dsp for the mat and blending colors on the main piece of cardstock.  The dinosaurs were stamped, die cut and adhered with dimensionals.  Little dinosaur feet were stamped on the inside.  Greeting from Stippled Roses.

Stamp set:    Dino Days, Stippled Roses

Paper:        Confetti White, In the Wild dsp

Ink:        Balmy Blue, Cajun Craze, Evening Evergreen, Lost Lagoon, Soft                           Succulent

Accessories:    Stamp Cut 'n Emboss machine, Dino dies, blending brush

Peggi's Stippled Rose

 

My friend,Peggi, celebrated her birthday while I was at retreat.  I'm posting her birthday card today.  I wanted her to have a beautiful, feminine card.

Stamp set:    Stippled Roses

Paper:          Basic White, Calypso Coral, Softly Stippled dsp

Ink:              Memento Black, Calypso Coral blends, Old Olive blends

Accessories:   Stamp Cut 'n Emboss machine, Stippled Roses dies

Latte Coffee Card swap

 

Today I'm featuring the last of the swap cards I made for retreat.  I made 16 cards showcasing three versions of the coffee mugs.  The mugs were cut out of the designer series paper, aren't they so cute!  It's hard to pick a favorite mug.  I cut off part of the front cardbase and affixed one of the mugs to the right side of the inside cardbase.  The mug was used to secure the front of the card closed by tucking it under the left side of the cup.  I used the dies to make the coffee carafe with a piece of dsp to look like coffee was being poured into a mug. The dsp has so many cute coffee themed prints.  The stamp set and matching dies are amazing.  It's available now as an Online Exclusive through Stampin' Up!

Stamp set:    Latte Love

Paper:        Basic White, Pecan Pie, Lost Lagoon, Calypso Coral, Lemon Lolly,                         cardstock vellum, A Little Latte dsp

Ink:        Early Espresso

Accessories:    Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine, Latte Love dies, Nested Essentials                     dies, adhesive-back swirl dots, stampin' dimensionals

Zinnia Explosion Card

 

Today I'm featuring my fun fold card from retreat swap #2.  The Simply Zinnia bundle is a beautiful Spring set.  The designer series paper (dsp) is so gorgeous that I decided to showcase it as the star of my swap.  An explosion card provides more spaces to show off this dsp.  Unlike the 30 swaps I made for swap #1 (yesterday's card), I only made 20 cards for this swap.  It was still a lot of work.

I used several pieces of the dsp on inside of the card.  For the cover, I used the Zinnia 3D embossing folder and cut out one of the larger Zinnias from the dsp.

I finished off with gingham ribbon with some shiny sequins.

Stamp set: Simply Zinnia

Paper: Basic White, Lemon Lime Twist, Rich Razzleberry, Flowering Zinnias dsp

Ink: Memento Black, Mossy Meadow

Accessories: Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine, Zinnia 3D Embossing Folder, Simply Zinnias dies, ¼” black & white gingham ribbon, Adhesive-backed shiny sequins

Red Guitar Birthday

 

March was a busy month for me.  I went to a craft retreat in Washington State for several days.  We did three sets of swap cards with our retreat group and another craft group that was there too.

Today I'm sharing my card from Swap #1.  I always challenge myself to make masculine cards so here we are.  I really liked the Rock 'n Rock bundle from the January through April mini catalog, but I don't have.  Enjoy the Rhythm stamp set has a smaller guitar, so I decided to use it.  I used confetti white cardstock and the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder to provide a grunchy look.  I carried the musical theme to the inside of the card as well.

Stamp set:    Enjoy the Rhythm

Ink:            Memento Black, Real Red blends

Paper:        Confetti White, Basic Black, Real Red, Zoo Crew dsp

Accessories:    Stampin' Cut and Emboss machine, Exposed Brick 3D embossing                         folder, Nested Essentials dies, Classic Matte dots, Stampin'                                 dimensionals

 

Softly Sophisticated Sympathy

 

Unfortunately, there have been three people I know who have passed away in the last week.  I had to create the card I hate to make, a sympathy card.

I chose the muted colors of white and Pool Party.  The softly sophisticated 3D embossing folder was paired with the small floral print from the softly stippled dsp.  I used a retired stamp set because I liked the words for the front and inside of the card.

Stamp set:    Thoughts & Prayers

Ink:            Memento Black

Cardstock:    Basic White, Pool Party, Softly Stippled dsp

Accessories:    Stamp Cut N Emboss machine, Softly Sophisticated 3D embossing                     folder, Nested Essentials dies, 5/8" Pool Party Crinkle Ribbon

GDP Sketch Challenge 434

 

Today's card is my take for the GDP #434 sketch challenge.  I needed another masculine birthday card so I used the Let's Go Fishing designer series paper pack to lead the way.  The greeting from Enjoy the Rhythm fit perfectly into the Stylish Shapes banner.

Stamp set:    Enjoy the Rhythm

Ink:            Memento Black

Paper:        Let's Go Fishing DSP, Very Vanilla, Wild Wheat

Accessories:    Stamp Cut N Emboss machine, Stylish Shapes dies, Snips

Measured Awesome

 

I've got another card using free Sale-A-Bration paper today.  Trusty Toolbox dsp is a selection for $50+ orders.  One of the designs are rows of tape measurements which I used on my card to separate the Poppy Parade from the Basic Black cardstock.  I diecut the tape measuring tool from the dsp.  I paired the dsp with the Trusty Tools bundle.  Doesn't this bundle make a great guy card!

Stamp set:    Trusty Tools

Ink:            Memento Black

Paper:        Trusty Tools dsp, Basic Black, Basic White, Poppy Parade

Accessories:    Stamp Cut n Emboss machine, Trusty Tools dies, Stylish Shapes                         dies

I'm sharing another card using free product from Sale-A-Bration.  The designer series paper, Softly Stippled, is a choice for $50+ purchases.  The stamp set, Softly Sophisticated, and the embossing folder, Softly Sophisticated, are a choice for $100+ purchases.  This card has six layers but I kept it very flat for mailing purposes.

Stamp Set:    Softly Sophisticated

Cardstock:    Pool Party, Basic White

Ink:            Pool Party, Old Olive

Accessories:    Stamp Cut n Emboss machine, Softly Sophisticated 3-D embossing folder, Iridescent adhesive backed discs

 

 

Watercolor Melon

 

The Watercolor Melon stamp set is one of the Sale-A-Bration free selections until February 29th.  I used the leaf image to create a layer that looks like designer paper.  The whole watermelon image was punched out from the Modern Label punch and the slices were fussy cut.  The greeting is from the Ice Cream Swirl stamp set (January - April 2024 mini catalog).  I used the black dots as seeds from the Classic Matte Dots.

This card was my winning entry for our team swap.  Also, I gave it to my niece, Tara, as her birthday card this week.

Stamp sets: Watercolor Melon and Ice Cream Swirl

Cardstock:    Garden Green, Melon Mambo, and Basic White    

Ink:            Garden Green, Melon Mambo, Memento Black

Accessories:    Modern Label punch, Classic Matte Dots

Happy Lunar New Year!

 

Happy Lunar New Year! Today is Chinese New Year's Eve. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is a time of celebration and renewal in Chinese culture. It marks the transition from one animal sign to another in the Chinese zodiac. On February 10, 2024, we will enter the Year of the Wood Dragon.

The Dragon is a majestic and lucky creature in Chinese folklore, symbolizing bravery, creativity, and innovation. According to the Chinese horoscope, 2024 is a year full of potential and opportunities for personal growth, professional success, and social impact.

Dragon people are charismatic, ambitious, adventurous, and fearless. They have confidence, independence, and vision. They are not afraid to pursue their dreams and goals.

Chinese New Year Of the Dragon 2024 Traditions

• Wear new red clothes and give red flowers on Chinese New Year’s Day. Avoid white or black clothes and flowers
• Elders give money in red envelopes to the young. No four, it means “death”.
• Cut and wash your hair before, not on Chinese New Year’s Day. Don’t use scissors or knives.
• Clean before, not on Chinese New Year’s Day. Broom is bad luck.
• Open windows to let old energy out, new energy in before Chinese New Year’s Day.
• Eat lucky foods :Dumplings (wealth), noodles (longevity), fish (abundance), citrus fruits.

Since I didn't have a dragon stamp, I used fireworks for my card. I used the Light the Sky stamp set and dies. One of the dies cuts out a peek-a-boo firework pattern on cardstock for the layer underneath to show through. Then I heat embossed more fireworks and the greeting on the main layer. Red and gold are lucky colors.

Stamp set:

162289    20.00   Light the Sky

Ink:

102283    9.50    VersaMark

Cardstock:

102482    10.00   Real Red

132622    5.00     Gold Foil

Accessories:

149653    128.00  Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine

162295    33.00    Light the Sky dies

155555    18.00    Stampin' emboss metallic powders

129053    31.00    heat tool

Happy Houseplants Kit

 

Calling all plant lovers! The Happy Houseplants Kit is an adorable home decor crafting kit! This kit comes with four 6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm) white frames and precut paper pieces for you to curl and assemble inside the frame. You’ll end up with four coordinated houseplant decor pieces. They can stand by themselves, or you can hang them on your wall. 

This kit is designed for a beginning crafter.  No stamping and easy assembly.  Either way, your houseguests will be amazed that you created it yourself!  Order yours today.

Item number 163873

$25.00

Birthday Sparkle Kit

 

Introducing a new Stampin' Up! kit for February 2024.

Create glittering birthday cards and gift tags with the Birthday Sparkle Kit! This kit includes six cards and six gift tags. Create each project with the included stamp set, die-cut paper pieces, and twine. It also includes other elements such as glitter stickers, pressed wood picks, coordinating envelopes, and gold foil paper pieces! It’s easy to create each project for your recipient or get ahead on your crafting for the year by making quick multiples. Either way, you’ve got a special paper craft that your recipients will love!

item number 163865

$23.00

Join during Sale-A-Bration

 

Sale-A-Bration is a great time to join Stampin' Up!   I became an independent demostration during time period 19 years ago.  Click on the video above to check it out.  I'd love to have you join my team!

You have two options to join:

Option 1 - Get the Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (retail value $60) and choose $125 products for $99 (includes shipping).

Option 2 - Not interested in the Stampin' Glass Mat Studio, then select up to $155 in product (includes shipping).

What are you waiting for?  Join my team, Krafty Karen Stampers, today!  Select Karen Christensen as your upline.

New Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration

Stampin' Up! released the new January - April 2024 mini catalog today.  There's lots of fabulous products to check out.  You can click here to view

In addition to the new mini catalog, it's Sale-A-Bration time.  With every $50 purchase, you can select a free SAB product.

If you are interested, check out the Stampin' Up! website for more details or message me.

 

Now on FaceBook

You can find me on FaceBook now as Krafty Karen Stamper.  I don't have content there yet, but will be adding it soon.  You'll be able to see my crafty creations and information about Stampin' Up! 

Happy New Year 2024

It's been a while since I've posted.  I'm pleased to say that I'm retired from corporate life.  I'm getting to enjoy my family and retirement.  I finally learned how to add a watermark to my cards using Canva.

Today's card is a celebration of 2024!  It's a simple and easy to make and mail card.  You know the USPS likes flatter cards for mailing.  I personally love to add bling, but the Post Office hates bulky envelopes.

One of my favorite techniques is heat embossing.  It adds a major WOW factor to any card.  The silver embossing powder pops against the Starry Sky cardstock.  I used the Light The Sky stamp set that is retiring today. See below for the card recipe.  Check back with me soon for more cards and information about Stampin' Up!

Stamp Set:    Light The Sky

Cardstock:  Basic White, Starry Sky, Silver Foil Specialty Pack

Ink:            VersaMark, Starry Sky

Additional: Silver embossing powder, heat tool