Tea party anyone?

This card has been created by Debbie Lamb for a recent demo swap using designer series paper - here Tea Party. I just love the softness of this card & layout & it all works wonderfully with Upsy Daisy - definitely a stamp set on my wish list. Don't forget in May buy 3 packs of DSP get the 4th one FREE - see this post for the full details of the promotion.

Stamp set: Upsy Daisy
Paper: So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Tea Party DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Other: PIP grosgrain ribbon

Well I'm just about to hit the sack as an early flight to Sydney & onwards to Canberra for our Stampin' Up! convention. So I'll be back with lots of great ideas early next week, until then happy stampin' Guess who's baby wants to come too & he's lying on my black skirt for the convention dinner!

Scrapbooking in May

This is the latest promotion from SU! for May to celebrate scrap booking - well I like using DSP on cards too - so whatever your fancy I'm sure this will appeal to all.


For many people, scrapbooking has played an important role in your life. It may have started with something simple: the first time you placed a sticker on a piece of paper or picked up a camera. For me personally being able to chronicle my life is an important piece of heritage to pass onto future generations. So even though I'm no longer the greatest scrapbooker in the world since I discovered card making it's still something I take great pride in.

During the month of May, Stampin' Up! wants to celebrate with you the art of scrapbooking and creating. How it works buy 3 packs of DSP (as listed below) get the 4th one free.

• Urban Garden
• Haiku
• Pink Flamingo
• Sweet Always
• Tea Party
• Raspberry Tart
• Good Morning Sunshine
• Holiday Treasures
• Bella Rose
• Bella Blue
• Urban Oasis
• Washington Apple
• Windsor Knot
• Candy Lane
  

SHARES: Try before you buy!
The last share club was so successful I will re-run again, with the promotion this makes the 6x6" designer series paper shares even better value. I need at least 4-8 people to do this for each share to work.

SHARE A: 6x6" designer series paper shares so for only $28.80 you could have a 6x6" square of each piece of the 14 designer series patterns (listed above). This is a total of 84 sheets.
SHARE B: 6x6" of each piece of the eight patterns series paper for $21.00 found on page 135.
SHARE C: Stylised Silver Hodgepodge Hardware (page 149) 1/5th of a tin for $14.50
SHARE D: 2 metres of 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon in each of the NEW in-colours $22.00
SHARE E: for an extra $3.70 get a 6x6" share of Sweet Slumber Speciality page 133 (textured, cover weight card stock).

A share is a great way to try without spending a fortune to see what you really love. If the share needs to be posted to you this would be be another $2 for postage.

Contact me if you want to take part or need more information, e-mail karen@karenstampz.co.nz or click HERE if you can include your phone no. in the e-mail that would also be appreciated.
Special Offer for my DSP Share Club members: to anyone that participated in the FIRST DSP share club and now knows what paper they really do want - you can take an extra 10% off the offer. This means that for $54 (plus shipping costs) you will receive 4 packs of DSP worth ~$80.

My first international swap

wow that sounds important but my SBS sisters had an Easter swap & I was very fortunate to receive this gorgeous card from Debby AKA Debby's stuff - now anyone who has ever visited her blog will know she's one very talented stamper! Isn't this the cutest easter chick ever & my 2 favourite colours - green and blue as well.

I'm doubly blessed one of my other SBS sister's has awarded me a Renee award. i've never seen this one before but the sentiments that go with the award make me feel very special - thank you Anne AKA Stargroves.


The Renee Award was created by Bella (bellasinclair.blogspot.com) and Ces (cesandherdishes.blogspot.com) who wanted to show appreciation of the impact their friend Renee made on their lives. This award is meant, according to Bella, to be given to those that, like Renee, are like "the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns…".

Well I'm over half way through my demo swaps for convention (aiming for 80, 40 completed & lots of bits & bobs awaiting construction) - only a few days to go plus have quite a few things drying for the latest Kristina challenge - so hopefully will have something to show you tomorrow that is chocolate, red, yellow and white - so far so good but she's thrown in turquoise as well! Hating this one but it's special as no. 50 - so have a go if you haven't before they great (says me with clenched teeth).

Gift set revealed

This is the the stationary gift set of Diane Barnes opened to reveal the lovely cards inside (four) designed by Andrea Walford with a few modifications by me.

I am able to offer this class by e-mail FREE to anyone that buys the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set from me also. Cost: $53.95 plus shipping costs. Contact me to find out more.


Stamp set: Fifth Avenue Floral, Fresh Cuts (for you), Thank You Kindly
Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Basic Gray, Urban Oasis DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss
Other: Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon, wide oval punch, vintage brads, kraft & gray tafetta, dimensionals, Flower Fusion Too, blender pen, Snail adhesive

Blogging sisters

One of my SBS sister's Leslie has sent me the most delicious card imaginable, cards in real life are so much better than a blog photo & Leslie's colouring of the adorable girl is just amazing plus she has embossed some stunning hearts (I think) on the designer paper. I just love my card & have it displayed on my card stand.

I can really recommend belonging to a sisterhood of blogging sisters - but I may be extremely fortunate my sisters are so sweet & so talented - lucky ME!

A gift for mum or anyone?

Well it's just a few weeks to Mother's day. I fell in love with the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set & it's matching designer series paper Urban Oasis when I saw the new catalogue and after stamping with the set I'm even more in love with it.

One of my clever blogging friends in cyberland Diane Barnes AKA Colour Me Happy has being making gorgeous stationary holders - I hope I've done her proud with my effort but the cards inside are sensational as I cheated and signed up for one of Andrea Walford's virtual card classes. She certainly makes it easy for us poor demos with all the cutting measurements for everything, the only downside is we have different sizes card stock than the States and Canada which takes a wee bit of time to adjust everything and unfortunately as yet we don't have the delicious corduray buttons that they have but I used equally gorgeous felt flowers.

Stamp set: Fifth Avenue Floral, Fresh Cuts (for you)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Basic Gray, Urban Oasis DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray
Other: Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon, wide oval punch, vintage brads, gray tafetta, dimensionals, Flower Fusion Too

This is a snapshot of Andrea's class project which I'll be using in my class this Friday for creating the 4 cards to go in the box with just a few changes. (The gorgeous acetate box I'll use another time).

Photograph © Andrea Walford Artwork © Stampin' Up!

So I hope my mum enjoys her set but she's requested tonight that I make her 4 Mothers Days cards for the nurses in her ward so will make her another set that uses Happy Mother's Day instead of all the "thank yous".

Quick update

Life gets in the way of crafting! Sad but true.

My mum as some of you may know has been very sick lately has been taking up what little free time I have. It's hard to know how she's going for every step forward it seems we/she takes 2 backwards, saying that she looked great tonight. Sitting up by herself & eating & she has been moved from a medical bed to a "rehab bed" so touch wood life may return to normal soon.

I'm also in the middle of prepping 80 demo swaps for SU! convention next weekend , my card class on Friday & something has to go i.e. blogging. So just a quick post & will share some more of the talented work of my team mates from our last swap. As I've already mentioned this may have possibly been the best swap our team has ever done so maybe we're all getting better or the new catalogue is so fabulous we can't be anything other than it too!

Isn't this funky from Julia Leece.

From Debbie Lamb - love the crimping & she's used one of my favourite wee new stamp sets Cheers to You too!
From Denise Ibbett - just love this card - the colours are so soothing. And yes it makes me HAPPY!
From Hannah Ryan - just one word OHHH
From Heather Stewart - one of my favourite colour combos Pale Plum & perfect Plum - yummy.
Another delightful box from Louisa Ting Chong - our Queen of Boxes - a wee matchbox with a few eggs.
From Rachael Knight - great colours & yes I enjoyed the treat ;-)
And two from Yvonne Robertson - the last was my birthday card - both adorable.
And a wee blogging award from my lovely blogging sister Vanya who is really the nicest person imaginable.


And the winner of my wee giveaway to celebrate my new look blog is none other than my SBS sister Janet who probably gives Vanya a run for niceness - I'm sure the goodies will come in handy as she's always giving away stuff with her weekly Corrosive Challenge. Thanks everyone for your kind supportive words I really appreciated them.

Something to chirp about

My SBS sister Deby kindly sent me some stamped images from Under the Stars stamp set plus this wee card, as she's a SU! demo in the States I'm assuming it's a die cut to match Good Friend & Cheep Talk as I know they have stuff we don't have or can only dream about.

It was a really pleasant surprise & I look foward to creating something with my cute bear images too, so many thanks Deby AKA The Sofa Lady

Wheely good fun

This card is a really easy card as it uses a wheel, ink, co-ordinating ribbon & a "saying". I was rapt to see the jumbo wheel It's Beautiful return to the new catalogue (last here in last year's Spring mini). Its a great wheel for a scrapbook layout too.


Stamp set/s: Sincere Salutations, It's Beautiful (jumbo wheel)
Paper: Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Basic Black
Other: 1" Rose Red DS ribbon, Dazzling diamonds glitter

New stampin' year - new look

I've been wanting to change my blog look for months & had saved this template on one of "my play blogs" so when I saw the new catalogue & Trendy Trees stamp set - I said yes I've got to do it.

One of my fellow team mates Debbie has started up her blog this weekend so do pop in & say hi she'll be thrilled as a newbie blogger and she has inspired me to be brave & finally do it! And I only lost one blog link list this time so I must be learning!

So to celebrate the new catalogue & the new look for kareN stampZ I'll be giving away some goodies so leave a comment & we'll have a draw next Monday 2000 hours NZT.

To all that do visit & leave such lovely comments many, many thanks.

UPDATE: here's the goodies

• hand decorated by me notebook
• wee bag of clear buttons & brads
• Color Cutter - Sky Blue
• 3 sheets of metallic stickers
• bag of paper flowers
• 1 sheet of SU dimensionals
• 9 crimson heart chipboard shapes
• small pack of clear stamps - birthday themed
• 1 pack of paper flowers
  

Good luck

Stampin' Up!'s sneak peek sample of Fresh Cuts

Here's the sneak peek sample that SU! provided for us demos back in March - I love the colour combo they chose. Here's my step by step instructions/photos on how to complete the project as this was one of the wee cards I planned to do at my launch for the new stampin' year but mum's health had other plans. Thanks for everyone's well wishes at such a stressful time. I think my mum is out of danger now but a long way to go with getting some quality back into her life again.

• Stamp background image in Chocolate Chip ink on a Fresh-Cut notes card

• Remove the middle petals from the Fresh-Cut notes card
  

• Adhere Baja Breeze strip - I used a 3/8" x 3-1/2" strip
• Attach a rhinestone brad (Pretties Kit)
• Adhere behind a square of Kiwi Kiss Card stock - I used 3-7/8" square - the note card is 4" square.
• Using a Chocolate Chip marker stamp the for on a scrap of Red Riding Hood CS clean the stamp & mark up the word you. Stamp just under the word for - don't forget to HUFF on your stamps when using markers for colouring.
• Punch out the word for you with a 3/4" circle punch & attach with a dimensional - so easy. This card took me less than 5 minutes to create!

Kristina's 49th Colour Inspiration

Wow everyone of these inspirations pushes me outside my comfort zone but this one may have been harder than normal as the new in-colours are "so new" for us in NZ & I only have the ink pads & the card stock so far. Saying that per usual I love how bright & cheery my card is even though it's got a bit of black on it.


Stamp set: Good Friend
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pacific Point, Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Ink: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black (marker)
Other: Regal Rose DS ribbon, rhinestone brad (pretties), 1/2" circle punch, dimensionals

The link to the other great cards can be viewed HERE

Fall meets Spring down under!

Hi all my SBS sister Janet from Niagara Falls runs the Corrosive Challenge with goodies to win. I've been wanting to do one for ages but life seems to be getting in the way of crafting. Being a long weekend I was determined to do this week's one, only to find it's a Spring/Easter card. Me being the kind person I am have lent out all my Easter sets & it's not exactly spring like here down under!

Lots of bloggers have been making flower pot cards lately & I wanted to have a go - they're very easy but smaller than I imagined. To see how to create one for yourself just click HERE and follow the step by step instructions by Stephanie Luman. I must admit I just used up scraps in my off-cut drawer so even though I've made flowers when I look at my wee card it has autumnal tones to it but still a bouquet of spring!



Stamp set/s: Time Well Spent (retired), Background Sampler(retired), Stem Sayings
Paper: Kraft, Old Olive, Real Rust, So Saffron, Ruby Red & Vintage Violet (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Rust
Other: Scallop edge punch, Kraft tafetta, 5-petal punch, sponge, dimensionals


So happy spring to my Northern Hemisphere readers, for those of us down under Happy Easter!

Fresh Cuts: so many cards to share

Well it's been nearly a week since my team met & swapped cards created from the new catalogue. I think there was general consensus that maybe this was our best lot of swaps ever but maybe it's because the new IB+C is so fantastic? The active bloggers in the team have posted there's so I'll share the rest with you starting off with the Fresh Cuts Cards. I was so happy to see we were getting this stamp set when I saw my sneak peek of the catalogue. As you will see this is one very VERSATILE stamp set.

From Tracy Marshall - a very classy card in Basic Gray & red & glitter!

From Anabel Welch - a Pacific Point one - yes this stamp set co-ordinates with the 5-petal punch.

From Debbie Airey - yum Chocolate Chip & Kiwi Kiss - love how Debbie has created a collage type card by cutting it all up.

Sue Morton has used another stamp from the set & everyone's favourite DSP Good Morning Sunshine

Jacque Pedersen's emboss resist card - using the note cards that co-ordinate with the stamp set but using En Francais & Eastern blooms to create the same but different! More details can be seen at Jacque's BLOG.



This set is phenomenal value at $45.95 for 5 stamps, the matching fresh cut notes are $20.95 for 15 cards & matching envelopes and the 5-petal punch $35.95. Do contact ME if you'd like to know more.

Happy stampin' to you all.