Just so you know

I just thought that I would let you all know. If my blog doesn't get any better (the pictures take FOREVER to upload...and then something almost always goes wrong and I have to re-do it), I will only be posting to my website. karenegeland.stampinup.net feel free to visit me there anytime. I will tyr a few more times on my blog, but it's not looking good. Just thought I'd let you all know. Or I may just do the text version here and if you'd like to see the pictures you can visit my blog. Also, there were some people asking if they could use my images from this blog and post it to their website or blog. And, anyone that would like to use images from my blog are more then welcome to do so as long as they make sure not to take the credit themselves for the work. Feel free to link them to the blog or back to my website. Thanks.

Happy Halloween Cake

Is this the cutest cake or what? It was so simple. Cover the cake with fondant, and then stamp your image (I used food coloring, I've heard others that use non-toxic ink. Click the title for more details. Happy Halloween.

Happy Halloween

This is my newest creation. It's the most fun I've had in a long time. This uses the shaving cream technique. Basically you use Classic Ink Refills to color your shaving cream, put your card front in the shaving cream and end up with this fabulous card front to use as a simple "Happy Halloween" or a "Halloween Party Invite" or anything else you can imagine.

Click the title for a more detailed "How To" on this card

Check out the new poll

I just created a new poll. (Check it out just to the right, it's on the top) If you select "other" feel free to leave a comment on the comment form to say what the "other" hobby would be. You can choose multiple answers.

Inexpensive Solution

Sorry I've been slacking on posting things lately, summer hit and my head is still spinning. I will be able to post more after my kids' school starts. This post is using an inexpensive solution to the problem.

The problem: I left my music out where my 1 year old could reach it. I HAVE to have a pocket in this particular music book.

The Solution: One of those 5-cent folders for "Back to School"

Open it, and cut it in half right across the fold line (length-wise). Trim the folder to fit the area you are going to put the folder. Stamp as desired (I also embossed, I don't know how well you can see it in these photos). Use sticky strip to make sure the pocket stays closed (if needed). And then use sticky strip to adhere to the book. Finished!

It literally took me about 5 minutes for the entire project. And it cost under 10-cents. What's better than that? I'm sure something is...but I can't think of anything right now.

Sorry about the pictures not showing up, click on the link if you want to see all the photos.

Changing your Wood Mount Stamps To Clear Mount!!

Are you running out of room to store all your stamps? I know I am. I am being overrun by my stamps. My first thought was "Well, I guess I need to sell some." So I started to go through all my stamps to get rid of the ones I haven't used, or the ones that I think I could do without. The problem with that was out of about 100 stamp sets, I chose 2 that I could do without. That doesn't really help my storage problem. So I found a way (with the help of a few other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators) to change my wood mount into clear mount stamp sets.


1. Choose your stamp set. For this tutorial, I am using "Ribbon of Hope"



2. Take your clear label off your stamp. (The image on the top of the stamp that let's you see which stamp you are using). Put your stamp in the microwave...yes, I said put it in the microwave, this is the only time you will hear me telling you to put a stamp in the microwave (5-10 seconds will be fine, depending on the size of the stamp) this will loosen the adhesive on the rubber backing of your stamp...and if you have small children, I would suggest doing this when they aren't looking. I had a hard time explaining to my children why it was alright for me to put my stamps in the microwave, but why they'd get in HUGE trouble if I ever saw them doing the same thing.




3. IMMEDIATELY peel rubber stamp from the wood block. BE CAREFUL!!! It's really hot and really sticky. If it doesn't come off real easily, you can put it back in the microwave for a few seconds.



4. Center the image directly on top of rubber stamp (thanks to Stampin' Up! all of their stamps are now the "punch out" design. Which means you don't have to guess where the center of the image is, and it fits PERFECTLY on the rubber backing. Then trim the excess of of the clear image.

5. Place a piece of clear vinyl on top of the clear image (not the rubber stamp, just the clear image that you just placed on the rubber). Trim the excess of the clear vinyl. Now you are finished! You have your clear mount stamp sets.





Now, before you ask how that clears up any room, since you just have to put them right back in the "wood-mount containers" that you just took them out of. Let me tell you about the Clear Mount Stamp cases. Item #119105 You get 4 cases in each package ($4.95 per package...that's only $1.24 per case). Another plus to changing to clear mount instead of wood mount stamps. If you start ordering all your stamps in clear mount instead of wood, you can save $3-$12 per stamp set. Buying just a few of those will pay for your clear mount blocks, and you will continue saving money. Also, (with a tip of the hat to Tami Brown), you can make your own inserts using the Stampin' Up! "My Digital Scrapbooking". If you have any questions contact me using the "Contact Me" icon on my website karenegeland.stampinup.net or e-mail me at karen.egeland@yahoo.com

TIP: You can reuse your wood blocks as well. I found the easiest way to clean the glue off of the blocks is as soon as you take your wood block out of the microwave and take the rubber off, take a smaller wood block or something flat and sturdy and scrape the glue off. Since the glue is still hot from the microwave it comes of easily. You can use them as building blocks for your children, or you can paint and decorate them to add some "home decor" in your home. Simple and free!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I know, it's an odd title to see at the beginning of July.

It's the start of a new Stampin' Up! year, and I am so excited about this new catalog! There are so many new things and some of the same things that we loved in the old catalog as well. Call me odd, but I am really excited about all the new storage that Stampin' Up! has to offer. They've redone their punches in a slimmer (not to mention easier to handle) new way. It takes up far less storage space. And now they have a storage case for these new punches (Page 200 in the new catalog). They have 4 different options to choose from depending on what types of punches (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, Borders or Corner) you have. They also have new Storage for your Big Shot Dies(Page 204 in the new catalog), which is great for me because up until now I have been storing my larger ones in Stampin' Up! Boxes and the smaller ones in decorated Velveeta boxes. :)

If you love your Big Shot as much as I do, they also have 15 new colors of Decor Elements Sheets that you can use with your Big Shot to create more images than you could before. Now your decoration is only limited by your imagination. Stampin' Up! has a TON of new items in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog, if I were to name them all we'd be here for DAYS! Get your Idea Book today and see for yourself.

You have a few options if you want an Idea Book. You can go to my website (karenegeland.stampinup.net) and order one. You can order one from me directly (save yourself some shipping charges), or...and this one is my favorite...you can get one for FREE! Just host a workshop for me. There is no minimum amount of guests and there is no minimum amount of sales for this offer to be effective. Hold a workshop for me...it doesn't matter if 2 people show up or 20 people show up...it doesn't matter if they order a combined total of $20 or $2,000...you get a free Idea Book just for hosting a workshop for me.

Once you've ordered your 2010-2011 Idea Book you are automatically part of my "Catalog Club" you get special coupons and offers that other customers won't receive. There will be one special each month and only members of my Catalog Club will be able to take advantage of them. However, be aware that if you choose to order a catalog from my website, the coupons will not come WITH that order. You will still receive them, but they will be shipped separately.

Contact me if you have any questions or comments. Just go to my website karenegeland.stampinup.net and hit the "contact me" button.