This week it’s been hot & humid, perfect for my first pool time of the year and for making cards using the Timeless Tropical Stamp set and coordinating In the Tropics Dies. I’ve paired these products with the Tropical Oasis Designer Series Paper to make a pocket folder and three cards, including a shutter card.

Below is a list of all the ink colors used:

• Mango Melody
• Daffodil Delight
• Real Red
• Soft Suede
• Pear Pizzazz
• Old Olive
• Pool Party
• Pretty Peacock

Here is the front of my folder using a 10″ x 9″ piece of designer paper along with some Daffodil Delight Ruched Ribbon to tie it together. Don’t forget to add the ribbon before adding the front layers, it’s more secure.

Here is a view of the inside, using my Paper Trimmer I cut a small thin triangle away from the bottom center to make the pockets lay flatter then closed, mini glue dots are on the pocket outside corners only to hold them closed.

For the first card, the designer paper is layering Pretty Peacock on a Real Red card base that flowers where stamped on around the edge. Flowers and leaves are backed with Stampin’ Dimensionals (tips of the leaves for depth).

Here is the front of my gate fold shutter card, held together with a belly band and decorated with a pineapple.

Here is the inside of my shutter card before I added some personalized writing.

The last card is a Pool Party card base with Pool Party stamped palm trees around the edges. The Whisper White die cut is from the To A Wild Rose Bundle.

All the cards have Holiday Rhinestone Jewels to make them sparkle – you can never have enough sparkle!

Don’t forget to decorate the envelopes!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

To celebrate my anniversary and the new 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, all product orders over $30 in May will receive the new Artistry Blooms Sequins from the new catalog as a thank you from me! These are adhesive-backed sequins in Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Mange Melody and Rich Razzleberry, the coordinate with the new Artistry Blooms Suite. Thank you gifts will be purchased in June when the new catalog goes live then mailed out.

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code HZVKHKTY.

Happy Shopping!

Today in the United States is Memorial Day.  Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. The purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

For today’s card I’ve decided to use the retiring In-Colors for a Red-White-Blue theme.

• Lovely Lipstick
• Blueberry Bushel
• Call Me Clover

My first card features the Painted Harvest Photopolymer Stamp set for images and greeting.

For this card I’ve used the Pop of Petals Stamp set and coordinating Four-Petal Flower Punch for the images and the greeting is from the Friend Like You Photopolymer Stamp Set.

I’ve even decorated the envelopes with retired designer paper, unfortunately it’s no longer available.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

To celebrate my anniversary and the new 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, all product orders over $30 in May will receive the new Artistry Blooms Sequins from the new catalog as a thank you from me! These are adhesive-backed sequins in Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Mange Melody and Rich Razzleberry, the coordinate with the new Artistry Blooms Suite. Thank you gifts will be purchased in June when the new catalog goes live then mailed out.

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code HZVKHKTY.

Happy Shopping!

In reviewing all my stamp sets while removing the “retiring” sets to their new home, a box under the bed, I came across Abstract Impressions Photopolymer Stamp Set and the coordinating Springtime Impression Dies.  When this stamp set came out I used it quite a bit, any color combinations works and it’s fun to stamp with, so I decided why not one last blog post for it!

For both cards I used the same ink colors:

• Coastal Cabana
• Daffodil Delight
• Poppy Parade
• Mango Melody
• Granny Apple Green

Images in the stamp set have two layers, better known as 2 step stamping. For the first card, I stamped the images on a piece of Thick Whisper White starting with the largest flowers first, followed by the others and ending with the leaves.  All images started with a second generation stamping then full strength with the overlay image. The Whisper White is matted on Poppy Parade card stock, but any other the colors would work just fine. When I stamped the greeting on the card, it was not clear, so I stamped it again on a scrap and die cut it out (with a new die set), layered it twice and adhered to the card front, it actually gives the front a nice depth to the card.

For the second card I found a watercolor paper die cut from the Springtime Impressions dies that coordinate with the stamp set, used my Aqua Painter filled with water to color the flowers similar to the card above.  For some of the flowers, I first used Mango Melody then added Poppy Parade on top, love how it turned out! Sentiment was stamped with black ink.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

To celebrate my anniversary and the new 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, all product orders over $30 in May will receive the new Artistry Blooms Sequins from the new catalog as a thank you from me! These are adhesive-backed sequins in Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Mange Melody and Rich Razzleberry, the coordinate with the new Artistry Blooms Suite. Thank you gifts will be purchased in June when the new catalog goes live then mailed out.

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code HZVKHKTY.

Happy Shopping!

How many of you have 1″ strips of designer paper laying around? Come on, I know you do and even if you don’t you can always cut some.  Today are two simple card layouts using 1″ strips of designer paper.

I started with 1″ x 6″ strips, adhered them to scraps of card stock and cut the final size down to 3.75″ x 5″.

Both cards are matted on Basic Black card stock, one  has Bermuda Bay card stock base and the other is Daffodil Delight.

For this card I took the 1″ strips and cut them in half. HOT TIP: When cutting a strip like this in half on your paper trimmer, set the paper up, lower the track and sink the blade into the paper, then cut – this helps keep the paper still vs. starting at one of the ends.

If you were lucky enough to get the twine & sequin pack during Sale-a-Bration that is what I used, you can easily switch this out for the ribbon/twine of your choice.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

To celebrate my anniversary and the new 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, all product orders over $30 in May will receive the new Artistry Blooms Sequins from the new catalog as a thank you from me! These are adhesive-backed sequins in Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Mange Melody and Rich Razzleberry, the coordinate with the new Artistry Blooms Suite. Thank you gifts will be purchased in June when the new catalog goes live then mailed out.

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code HZVKHKTY.

Happy Shopping!

Over the weekend I looked through some of my older cards and came across a fun fold card and thought I would use some of the retiring Birthday Bonanza Designer Series Paper to make a few cards using the design. While today’s card may be more kid themed, remember we are all kids at heart!

Here’s a front view of the card:

Here is the details on how to make the card:

• Card stock base 5½” x 12″ scored at 4¼”, 7¾” and 11¼”
  • Turn and score at ½” to the last score line (11¼” score is close to the top) and at 1¼” to the first score
  • Cut away the thin excess paper from the scores
• Fold and burnish all score lines
• Card stock for front 2¾” x 4¼” (adhere to the ¾” section of card stock)
• Designer Series Paper
  • 2 – 2½” x 4″
  • 2 – 3¼” x 4 ¾”
  • 1 or 2 – 4″ x 5¼” (2 if you want one for the back of the card)
• Card stock for signing – 3″ x 4¼” or size of your choice
• For the front I used three punches to adhered animals
• Banners from designer series paper – one adhered direct to card base, one adhered with Mini Dimensionals

I’ve spread out the card so you can see all the panels.  For the signature area I’ve used the tag die from the Bonanza Dies die cut from Whisper White and matted on a piece of the designer paper.  The finishing touch is bow made from the Daffodil Delight Ruched Ribbon.

Here is another view of the card:

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

To celebrate my anniversary and the new 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, all product orders over $30 in May will receive the new Artistry Blooms Sequins from the new catalog as a thank you from me! These are adhesive-backed sequins in Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Mange Melody and Rich Razzleberry, the coordinate with the new Artistry Blooms Suite. Thank you gifts will be purchased in June when the new catalog goes live then mailed out.

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code HZVKHKTY.

Happy Shopping!

One of my favorite stamp sets “Witty-Cisms” from the 2020 Mini Catalog is retiring.  This stamp set helps you celebrate all occasions with a witty quip. This is a one-stop rubber stamp set that includes a range of reasons to celebrate birthday, baby, graduation and retirement. The Witty-Cisms stamp set includes playful greetings and silly puns.  Open line-art images can be colored using a variety of coloring techniques.  The images and greetings where inspired by Stampin’ Up! Million Sales Achiever Lisa Fast. Get your set today!

My cards where all completed with Brights Collections 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper, which unfortunately is no longer available,  and matching card stock along with dies and punches in my collection.  Any designer paper and coordinating card stock, not to mention note cards would make a quick and easy gift set for anyone.

Here are the cards I made with 4″ x 5¼” designer paper as the mat adhered directly to the card base.

Flirty Flamingo and Coastal Cabana for two different versions of the “Welcome Little One” cards:

Gorgeous Grape for “Happy Birthday” card:

Bermuda Bay for “Relax and Chinchilla Out!” card:

Mango Melody for “You Did It!” card:

Granny Apple Green for “Lookin’ Sharp” card:

Pacific Point for “It’s your Retirement!” combine with “WOW! That went by FAST!” card:

Melon Mambo for “Taco ’bout Awesome!”:

Poppy Parade card stock for “Thank you Berry Much”:

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

To celebrate my anniversary and the new 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, all product orders over $30 in May will receive the new Artistry Blooms Sequins from the new catalog as a thank you from me! These are adhesive-backed sequins in Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Mange Melody and Rich Razzleberry, the coordinate with the new Artistry Blooms Suite. Thank you gifts will be purchased in June when the new catalog goes live then mailed out.

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code HZVKHKTY.

Happy Shopping!

This exclusive Sara-inspired Paper Pumpkin kit is here to help you #sharesunshine. It includes supplies for eight handmade cards and is specially designed to help you create a box full of cheer. Once you’ve made all the cards, use any leftover pieces to decorate the box. Fill it with yellow goodies, add the included adhesive label, address it to someone special, and brighten their life with a little sunshine!

June 2020 Paper Pumpkin “Box of Sunshine”

• Kit contains supplies for 8 cards and envelopes (2 cards of 4 designs)
• Card size: 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ (10.8 x 14 cm)
• Envelope size: 4-1/2″ x 5-3/4″ (11.4 x 14.6 cm)

Coordinating Colors: Basic Black, Bumblebee, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade, Shaded Spruce, White, and Gold

This kit includes extra pieces and stickers (including a sticker label) to help you create cards AND a Box of Sunshine filled with treats and goodies to send to a friend. (Treats not included.)

Subscribe for the June 2020 kit from May 11^th – June 10^th at paperpumpkin.com.

Supplies may be limited toward the end of each subscription period.

Two ways to order Paper Pumpkin, either with a prepaid subscription of a direct link – for direct link just click here

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

To celebrate my anniversary and the new 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, all product orders over $30 in May will receive the new Artistry Blooms Sequins from the new catalog as a thank you from me! These are adhesive-backed sequins in Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Mange Melody and Rich Razzleberry, the coordinate with the new Artistry Blooms Suite. Thank you gifts will be purchased in June when the new catalog goes live then mailed out.

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code HZVKHKTY.

Happy Shopping!

Happy Anniversary to Mike & Diane!

Thought I would share with you today the card I sent to my brother & sister-in-law to celebrate their anniversary.  The card features the photopolymer stamp sets Beautiful Friendship for the images and retiring Beautiful Bouquet for the sentiment.

The names of the stamps sets are perfect for an anniversary card.

I’ve kept the card fairly simple using a Flirty Flamingo card stock base and Basic Black card stock mat.  The Whisper White card stock stamping piece is 3.75″ x 5″.   Flowers are stamped with 2nd generation ink (stamp off on scrap paper first – or even another card first) using Flirty Flamingo, Grapefruit Grove and Daffodil Delight ink, the leaf’s are stamped using Granny Apple Green ink.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

To celebrate my anniversary and the new 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, all product orders over $30 in May will receive the new Artistry Blooms Sequins from the new catalog as a thank you from me! These are adhesive-backed sequins in Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Mange Melody and Rich Razzleberry, the coordinate with the new Artistry Blooms Suite. Thank you gifts will be purchased in June when the new catalog goes live then mailed out.

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code HZVKHKTY.

Happy Shopping!

Have you checked the Last Chance list for stamp sets going away ?  One of them is the Beautiful You Stamp Set, so I thought I would feature that on today’s card along with one of the Ornate Border Dies.  these border dies are great, they give you a great impact with little work and on two of them there are little metal tabs that show you the side that cuts.

My card starts with a Gorgeous Grape card stock base and 4.25″ x 5.5″ panel of Thick Whisper White.  Next I used one of the border dies on the right side, if needed trim a little off the other side so that the piece looks good on the card front.  The girl was stamped twice – once on the Whisper White and once on a piece of Birthday Bonanza Designer Series Paper so I could cut out the dress and adhere it to the card front. Hat, skin and water was colored with Stampin’ Blend Markers**.  Finishing touch are Rhinestones in the center of the flowers.

** Stampin’ Blends are on the Last Chance List but will be returning in the new catalog. Currently you can buy them separately going forward they will be sold in pairs (light & dark together)

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, hope this project has inspired you to try paper crafting. Have a great day – Craft On!

Follow me on Instagram @cqueen309 and on Facebook at “Cards and Crafts with Karen”.

Click on any of the images below for more product information and to order directly from my on-line store.

When shopping check demonstrator contact, then I can happily send you a re-useable thank you card. For orders is over $150, please use all of the Host Rewards you’ve earned.  Otherwise, I’d love for you to add your order to the Current Code WUJ9A9NR.

Happy Shopping!