Stampin' Up! Retired List

The newest retired list is out from Stampin' Up! If you want to place an order - email me today! Remember, you can now pay for your stampin' fix via credit card :-).

Happy stamping,
Karan

Martin Fire

Whew. It's been a long couple of days here in Bonny Doon. I don't even know how much I want to blog about. This picture is what the sky looked like off of my deck about 1 hour into the Martin Fire that started Wednesday, June 11th. Over the next 2 hours the sky darkened intensely with smoke- a picture that will be forever in my head.

The fire started just after 3 p.m. By 5 p.m. most of my neighbors had voluntarily evacuated. A few of us stayed around until 6:30 a.m. Thursday morning when the sheriff came knocking on doors telling us we had to go.

Fast forward a few days- Joe is home from NC to help, we are back home with the kitties, and are working our way through putting things back in order. Since I didn't pack much- there's not much of that to do. This is one emotional rollercoaster

This is one of those events that I'll chalk up to life experience. Thanks to Bonny Doon Fire Department, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the numerous volunteers. You did an amazing job!!!! My heart goes out to the folks that were not as fortunate as me.

Thanks to everyone for the positive thoughts and love sent our way. I can't tell you how much it meant to me. Although Joe (DH) was not here at first, I certainly was not alone.

:-).
Karan

You want MY picture, right?

Abbey decided it was much more important for me to take her picture today instead of the newly created card. I obliged, since she is missing her papa and really needs a little more tlc. Or does she think I'm the one who desires more attention?

Being true to her feline self, Abbey bored of me rather quickly and I took the opportunity to capture what I set out to photograph.

Today's card was inspired by the Designer Series Paper currently offered through Stampin' Up! Pretty in Pink is not a color I grab for often, however this does use up one more piece of the paper that multiplies in the stamp room when I'm not looking.

Recipe:

Stamps: Polka Dots and Paisleys, So Many Scallops
Paper: Pretty in Pink DSP, Basic Black, Whisper White
Inks: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Whsiper White
Misc: Ribbons, Buttons, Crop-A-Dile, Paper Piercer

You can't see details here, I realize that. The button on the center of the scallop fits perfectly inside the "sweet of you" sentiment that is inked in black here. Since the large black circle seemed so bare I decided to set the depth of my Crop-A-Dile and punched holes between each of the scallops. The scallops are also cut between each other and folded up for more dimension. I used the paper piercer to poke holes in each scallop as well. Really, it looks much nicer IRL. Really!

Now, to pass 11 more days 'til I see DH again. Ugh. It's worse than waiting for Christmas as a kid. *Big sigh* All is well, and life IS good. Of course, it'll be that much better when DH is home ;-). Enough sap.

Happy stampin'!

Simply Said BRAK

This is the most recent BRAK (Birthday Random Act of Kindness) card I'm about to send out.

Recipe
Stamps: Stampin' Up! Simply Said, For a Friend. Posh Impressions Wild Grass, JudiKins Sky
Paper: Misc. Costco- close to Orchid Opulence, Yoyo Yellow, Whisper White
Inks: Yoyo Yellow, Orchid Opulence, Brilliant Blue, Glorious Green, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, StazOn Black
Misc.: Sponging, Ribbons, Slit Punch, Post-Its for layering, Sakuro Gelly Glaze and Glitter Pen


*****
I'd rather be stampin' than doing chores. So I present today's creation. This card is much different than any I've done in recent years. For starters the dimensions are 3" x 6" when folded. Also I've stepped way out of my color comfort zone, in many ways! Pink (to me) and yellow together? And blue? My trusted color wheel told me it was ok.

Now, once upon a time (in a far off stamp room...) I use to create scenic cards. *All* of my cards contained scenes. Since meeting up with SU! I have changed my focus. Of course, it all still revolves around some form of cuteness. As much as I use to think my style is not cute, I'm no longer in denial. It's a fact. Cute stamps draw me to them. Especially if those cute stamps have anything to do with cats, flowers, or martini's. My (stamp) drawers are filled with cat stamps (and flowers, .... and martini's.) Lol.... Do you ever see me post cards with cats in them? Martini's? The flowers call to me in a way I can't explain. Cats and Martini's draw me to them as well, just in another form ;-). Maybe I need to make one more card today ... cats or martini's- that's the question. Reality is ringing in my ear in the form of the dryer signal loudly proclaiming it's finished. The next card will have to wait for another day.


Enjoy, and as always- Happy Stamping,