Project Life

I Love my Job!  

Look what Stampin' Up! 

has gone and done now!!

Why wait for May 1st!  Join my team today and be ready for the Demonstrator Only preorder on April 21st!  

www.kariebeglau.stampinup.net

click the Join The Fun tab!  Or just give me a call, text, or email!

Hugs, Karie 

Stamp Station Article

Undefined

From my article in the Michigan Scrapbooker Magazine spring issue:

I cannot begin to tell you the number of times I have been asked about the availability of some type of specific stamp design. Usually it is a simple thing that, yes, we do have available.  But sometimes it is not quite what was they had in mind, or it is a less popular-with-the-masses image.  The answer to this dilemma is simple. Carve it yourself.  Do you remember carving apples as a child and stamping the design using paint?  It is similar, only stamps carved in rubber will last considerably longer.

If you have never tried to carve your own stamp you are in for a treat.  Much like the art of rubber stamping itself, you will find the process fun and addictive.  You do not need to be a master artist to create beautiful and whimsical designs.  As you can see from my samples, I am not Rembrandt.  My designs are simple, and a bit rustic, but once I carved my first stamp (a self portrait) I was hooked.  It is still my favorite stamp today.

 The first step is to sketch your design.  If your kit comes with wood blocks for mounting your creation, I suggest tracing them onto grid paper so you can ensure your images will fit once they are carved.  (see below) Once you have your images ready cut a piece of tracing paper the size of the rubber piece.  Use this paper to re-trace your sketches so that they will all fit. Use a pencil for your traced images creating dark lines.

Next place your traced images, penciled side down, onto the block of rubber.  Rub back and forth using your finger nail or a bone folder to transfer the images. I find that if I then trace over the transferred images using a marker they are less likely to rub away during the carving process. (see above photo)  You may find you have extra space to create other images that you can mount on clear blocks (Clear Mount Foam is available).

Using carving tools begin to carve your images by staying on the outside of the lines. V-shaped carving tools (in the Undefined kit from Stampin' Up!) seem to work the best to make my initial carving around the lines and for intricate items. Then use a larger U-shaped tool for cutting away larger pieces of rubber. You will find that, similar to cutting paper with scissors, turning the rubber, rather than your carving tool, makes for smoother lines. Carving rubber may be softer than you expect, so do not press too hard when carving. Once you have the basic shapes cut you can use Craft & Rubber Scissors to cut away the image and adhere to mounting foam.  Stamp the image onto one side of the block before adhering image to the rubber to the other side. I recommend a permanent ink, like Stazon.

Carving your own stamps is quickly becoming a hot new trend in the craft industry.  Get your own Undefined^® kit and get started creating one-of-a-kind projects stamp design today!  Your projects will become even more personalized than ever before!  

Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Happy Cards

Cards that

make me Happy!

I thought I would share a few cards that just make me happy.  I hope they will bring a smile to your face too!

  

Until Next Time . . .

Hugs,

Karie Beglau

Butterfly Cards

Butterflies

& Scraps

I love our butterfly punch!  I love it even more when it's pared with a matching stamp set or topped with a smaller butterfly punch.  

This card is so cute!  It was created by Sharon M. from NC.  I love how she found a way to use scraps of card stock.  Pieces I might have tossed in the recycling bin...but look how wonderful they look!

Simple and elegant.  I love, love, love this embossing folder.  It's so soft and gentle and suggests words of love and caring.  Because it doesn't really say any particular words the receive can read your meaning in every line.  This card was created by a dear friend of mine, Brenda Witt.

Until Next Time . . .

Hugs,

Karie Beglau

Easter cards

Easter Greetings

Some fun ideas for sharing the most important holiday ever!  I know, I know, everyone thinks it's Christmas...and that is very important!  However, Easter is the reason for the Savior's Birth...and so my favorite holiday of all.

Created by: L. Schulz

Notice the card below is almost identical.  But the embossed Silver Foil paper changes it a great deal.  The soft watercolor look of the coloring.

Happy Easter (a little early).

Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, 

Karie Beglau 

Banner & Tag cards

Banners & Tags

It seems everywhere we look Banners & Tags are there.  They are in our fashion, hanging in the stores, and in our homes.  Now they can be on a card and mailed to a friend.   

Sale-a-bration tags 

 Created by: C. LeFore

Created by: R. Stephens

Until Next Time . . .

Hugs,

Karie Beglau

Pet Card

Puppy Love

This card is so cute I just had to share it with you.  It’s cute paw print is made with the Heart Punch and the small Oval punch.  It is also a sympathy card for someone who may have lost a dear friend.

Until Next Time . . .

Hugs,

Karie Beglau

Guy Cards

Guy Cards!

I know I am always looking for card ideas for the men in my life.  I enjoy making them, but it seems like I always pull out the flowers and froo-froo.  

This card is so cute. I love the way the Silver Foil Sheets look when embossed.  The Chevron folder makes a design reminiscent of  the metal plate in many garages.

Simple but elegant!  I love the new Hardwood background stamp on this card it has the look of aged wood in these colors. The little peak of the Naturals Chevron ribbon and the beautiful tree from Look Up To Father (the sentiment is left off).  It's Perfect.

OK, this one may be a little froo-froo, but because it uses the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set it just feels more manly to me.  Even with the swirly sentiment and shinny chevrons...I love it.  My husband loved it too!

Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau 

Card Samples

More Swaps

I received some Awesome Swaps last month and wanted to share them with you.  There will be more so I hope you enjoy seeing them.

Created by M Stitels

Created by K Kortonick

 Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Post It Notes

Post-it Note Holder

How Cute Is This?  It was a gift from one of my Stampin' Up! Uplines.  Although it does use a few retired products (like the small envelope die) but I know many of you have this die and don't mind seeing new ideas for it.

Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Birthday Cards

Cute Cards

More ideas from some of my fellow demonstrators.  I love that so many of wonderful ideas are shared between us.  Each one is always unique and a work of art.  

Above by: S. Brown

Below by: S. Kempter-Miller

Until Next time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day Cards

Here are some card ideas to share my Love for all of you!  

Created by: C. Sanderson

 Created by: C. Hunt

 Created by: S. Scheets

Until Next Time . . .

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Leadership

My Swaps

eI just realized that I had not shared with you the swaps I made and traded at the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference...so here they are:

This one was created with the Big Shot Typeset Alphabet dies, the Simply Scored tool, 1/2" circle punch, and Candy Dots.

You saw this one last week as a sneak peak to the March Stamp Of The Month Club.

I had a third design but I seem to have swapped them all and don't have another sample!  

Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau 

Table Setting

Friends for Dinner?

This fun display was set up at the Stampin' Up! Leadership event.  I love that they have stations where our catalogs come alive.  It's amazing how much detail is in each of these place settings, and yet with the Celebrations Basics Kit (#133007 $14.95) it's oh so simple. 

You can be the 'Hostess with the Mostess' at your next dinner party.  Be sure to invite your in-laws!!

Until Next Time . . .

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Simple Tote Bags

Cute Tote Bags

I saw these cute tote bags at Leadership this year.  The material is retired, but I know many of you out there like to sew.  I thought these looked like something you'd enjoy recreating using a simple muslin bag and a package of 'fat quarters'.  

Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Blendability Markers from Stampin' Up!

Blend-abilities!

Coming Soon!

While at leadership we learned about an Awesome new Product line, Blendabilities Markers.  They are similar to the copic brand.  They will be sold in 12 basic colors (3 of each –lite, medium, dark).  Each set of 3 will sell for only $11.95 WOWZA!  What a Bargain!!  There will also be an eraser marker, I don’t remember the official name, but it’s AWESOME! It will remove unwanted marker strokes!  So Cool!  There will also be a set of 5 markers in flesh tones.  Here’s a picture of the twelve colors blended. 

 I cannot wait to get my hands on a set of my own.  I played with them a little while at Leadership and boy are they fun and easy to use!

Here are a few pictures of the products, and samples and the new Memento black ink pad that is made specifically for the Blendability markers. These are not the best photos, but you get the idea, right?

I will let you know as soon as they are available for purchase.

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Card Kit

Happenings

Simply Created Card Kit

#133329 $14.95 

This is a fun kit with many possibilities for different designs.  The kit includes pieces for making 15 cards.  15 bases, envelopes, single-sided sheets, die-cuts, Silver Glitter banners, & white banners, as well as silver buttons.  

I think you will see more ideas made with this kit in upcoming posts. I plan to mix and match the kit pieces with standard Stampin' Up! products for even more fun ideas.  Got some of your own?  I'd love to hear about them!

Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau

Giggle Greetings, Stamp Of The Month

Giggle Greetings

I have to admit it, I did not want to use this stamp set.  Yes, it is very, very cute.  But I was sure I couldn't do a lot of different things with, not enough to keep up the standards the club members would expect from me.  But they said they believed in me....LOL...so I gave it my best shot.  Now, I am thrilled that I did it.  I love these cards and hope you will too!

This card has Whisper White card stock inside.  

The cherries were colored with markers &

blender pens and then covered with Crystal Effects.

The bowl was stamped onto Summer Starfruit &

cut out (the stripe was done with the Cherry

Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker.

The inside of this card has the 'hair ball' and the rest

of the sentiment on the inside on Whisper

White card stock.  I know the cat looks a little

ill...that was my intention! LOL

This card uses the Decorative Dots Textured

Embossing folder from Sale-a-bration for the front

of the card, and the spotted paper is cut from the

Watercolor Wonder cards in the Celebrate The

Everyday catalog.  The dog is cut out and lifted

up using Stampin' Dimensionals on the body & Head.

See layer sample below

This card is made with 3 pieces of card stock to

create the flaps.  The block of cheese is cut from 

Crushed Curry card stock, the candle from 

Coastal Cabana.  I think this is my favorite!

We have a lot of fun at club.  It would be awesome to have you join us any time.  Please let me know if you want to participate by the 15th of the month, I will place your order on, or around, the 18th and charge your credit card at that time.  If you want to send a check it will need to be to be by the 15th. 

Here's a sneak peak of next month...

 Petite Petals Bundle

Coming Next Month! 

A subscription club you can join that will add a new stamp set to your collection every month.  Plus a minimum of 4 different projects made with each month selected products!  Club membership includes FULL COLOR directions and the card stock and accessories* you need to complete each project!  You get all for just $30 a month (add $5 for shipping if you cannot come to class or pick up your project in a timely manner). * does not include inks, embossing powders, misc. stamps that might be used but are not in the monthly selected stamp set (usually a sentiment).

Until Next Time . . . 

Hugs, Karie Beglau