Category Archives: Thanksgiving

A Turkey Tag — It’s All in the Presentation (Almost!)!

Turkey Tag Pecan Pie Presentation

They say "It's all in the presentation" or "Presentation is everything!" but I do have to say "almost" because the pie inside this presentation is beautiful! Notice all the individual leaves on the crust around the edge (and the crust is my favorite part of any pie!). 

This year we are doing Thanksgiving a little differently. My friend Dixie and her friend Sherrie have a cooking/catering company so I ordered a Cajun fried turkey from them as well as some chicken and sausage gumbo, a pecan pie and some chocolate Whoopie Pies! No cooking a turkey for me!!!  Oh my gosh, when I saw how they had decorated the pecan pie package and whoopie pies with this cute turkey tag and ribbon I just went crazy!  See how such a simple thing can make such a great impression?!!  Paper, ink, and stamps!  Aren't we part of such an impressive craft?!

Turkey Tag Whoopie Pies Presentation

And a peek inside the foil covering the cajun fried turkey! I don't know how I restrained myself from taking just a little taste from this turkey!

Peek at Turkey

Are you hungry now? If you live in the southwest Houston/Richmond area, email me and I'll give you Dixie's contact information.

If you're taking a pie or some plate of food to someone's house for Thanksgiving, consider taking a few minutes to make some kind of cute little tag or card just for a little something special! I know it will be appreciated!  And make the food look even more inviting!

Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza going on now until November 28th! Select products discounted 20% – 50%!  More Doorbusters the last day! Check the list right now!

Decorate Your Thanksgiving Table with My Digital Studio!

Unknown Blessings

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

Special holidays call for special table settings and decorating your Thanksgiving table is probably one of the biggest ones!  Sara Brook, of the Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio Team, put together this lovely place setting made with the Unknown Blessings Ensemble. It comes with everything you need to make these table decorations and really sounds easy!  Just use the digital feathers, filling in with whatever color paper you want, print, cut out and snip to look like feathers.  We all made Indian headbands in school I'm sure…just print out the headband, size correctly and add some feathers. The napkin rings are made the same way, just smaller! There's even a pie box to print and make, frameable art, menu cards, place cards….and whatever else you can think up using this digital set!

Unknown Blessings Ensemble My Digital Studio

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

Read more of Sara's post on the Stampin' Up! website for My Digital Studio HERE. She also has more photos how you can use all the elements of the Unknown Blessings Ensemble.

Even if you don't own My Digital Studio (you don't??!) I'm sure you can get some Thanksgiving table decorating ideas from this photo above!

Interested in My Digital Studio?  Well, there is the free 30-Day Trial….AND coming up, starting Monday, Nov. 19th during the Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza, My Digital Studio is one of the discounted items!!!!!!

Check the Online Extravaganza list HERE….and find the My Digital Studio discounts at the very bottom of the last page!!  That's the 50% off list!!  You will be able to purchase the full MDS 2+ download, the MDS 2 version (less content), or the MDS 2 upgrade all for 50% off the regular price! I would absolutely recommend the MDS 2+ version even at full price but ESPECIALLY for half-price!  You will be amazed at all the downloads that are included in that version.  Treat yourself to an early Christmas gift!

Find all the My Digital Studio options HERE in my Online Store.

Day of Gratitude Thanksgiving Turkey Favor

Day of Gratitude Thanksgiving Favor Turkeys

The Day of Gratitude stamp set by Stampin' Up! can also make a great turkey favor for Thanksgiving! If you need a little something for your Thanksgiving table, class favors for the kids, or just some fun little decorations for Thanksgiving these will fill the bill. Of course there are many variations you could do after you get started.  I often think I am going to copy something exactly and end up with my own version.

Instead of the "Happy Thanksgiving" from the must-have stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes (and I do recommend for these small stamps that you spend the extra money and get the wood-mount) you could write a person's name for a place card at the table. The body is punched with the 1 3/4" circle and the head with the 1/4" circle punch. You could stamp a little texture on the circles or run one or both through the Big Shot with an embossing folder like I did on the body.  I used the Lacy Brocade folder in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog. The gobble-thing is half of the Modern Label Punch. The beak is just cut by hand. The thing on top of the head is from the Boho Blossom Punch. The tail feathers are the medallion in the Day of Gratitude stamp set. I tried to get them each multi-colored but I don't think the colors contrasted enough. You could also color each section with a different color of Stampin' Write Markers. The feathers are adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of the turkey.

I would probably use some candy like Hershey Nuggets for the back, but I don't have any (amazingly!) so I used some Hershey Kisses.  It worked just as well.  If I used a Nugget, I would cover it with a strip of designer paper first.

Day of Gratitude Thanksgiving Favor Turkeys Back

For the eyes, you can just punch out black and white circles, or since I had some Googly Eyes left over from Halloween, I used those.  You probably have some in your craft stash, too!

Just a fun little Thanksgiving treat!  Hope you enjoy!

Day of Gratitude Thanksgiving Autumn Card

Day of Gratitude Thanksgiving Autumn Card

It's November now so our thoughts turn to autumn and Thanksgiving.  The stamp set Day of Gratitude is a beautiful one for any season, but it seems to really stand out at this time of year. On this card, I took the idea from the Stampin' Up! Catalog, where only a portion of the card is shown on page 26. I don't know how Stampin' Up! made their card, but this is how I made mine! The colors used work beautifully together…Crumb Cake for the card base, Soft Suede for the medallion and Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade, and Midnight Muse. The Antique Brad really adds some elegance to this card.

To make this card, I tore off the front of the card base, leaving just that small margin you see. Then I took increasingly wider pieces of the colored card stock and tore those, adhering them to the back side of the front cover piece. Finally I took a new 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Crumb Cake card stock and glued it to the underside of that front flap with all the colors (stamp it first!). The leaves are hand cut, but that was pretty easy with my Stampin' Up! Paper Snips.

There are lots of beautiful cards, scrapbook pages and projects you can make with this Day of Gratitude Stamp Set. If you are putting in an order, I would also add the Antique Brads, Paper Snips….and DON'T FORGET:  we have a new paper trimmer…the Stampin' Trimmer!  It's been in the new catalog, but just became available this month. I think Stampin' Up! improved any and every feature anyone might have complained about on the old trimmer.  Click on the link for the trimmer and you will also see a video about the features of the new trimmer.

Start stamping your Thanksgiving cards and projects now so you won't be rushed!

A Scrapbook Page for Thanksgiving

After all the turkey is eaten and the last of the leftovers are put away and the kitchen cleaned up, why not make some scrapbook pages of your Thanksgiving Day?  It only takes minutes if you do it in My Digital Studio.  If you prefer, make them the traditional way with card stock and embellishments.  It will be something to treasure for years to come. Maybe your guests will want to help or make their own little album!

Thanksgiving SB Page-001

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Thankgiving!

What To Do With Old Family Recipes

Framed Vintage Recipe

As you are looking through lots of old family recipes as you prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, you might consider doing something creative with those real special ones. A friend asked me to do something with this favorite recipe of her mother's. I love how it turned out and I think she did, too.

She had already made copies of the recipe, so I scanned it again and printed on Very Vanilla card stock.  I did a little stamping in the corners using markers on the stamp, which, as it turned out, gave it that lighter, more vintage look.  The edges are sponged with Soft Suede very lightly.

For the paper flower and the bottom border I used the retired Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper.  It looked perfect for this project.

As I have said before, if you ever think your handwriting is not good enough for journaling or scrapbooking or writing notes in cards, just take a look at this handwritten recipe and realize how it brings the person to life for the people who knew her.  Get off the computer and pick up a pen once in awhile!  Your handwriting will be a real treasure to someone in later years, I guarantee it.

With an assortment of stamping supplies you can make more than cards or scrapbook pages.  Explore your creativity and see what wonderful projects you can come up with!

For Stampin' Up! supplies, just visit my Online Store! Be sure to check out the Online Extravaganza from now until November 30.

Warmest of Wishes Thanksgiving Wreath Card

Warmest of Wishes Thanksgiving Wreath Card

Warmest of Wishes is a hostess stamp set in the Holiday Mini Catalog, and the wreath can be used on a Thanksgiving card or many other kinds of cards. It's a versatile stamp set. Check it out in my Stampin' Up! store. If you hold a Stampin' Up! workshop, you can purchase this stamp set with your Hostess dollars if you achieve $150 in workshop sales (OR if your own personal order reaches that total).

Stampin' Up! has made it very enticing right now to hold a workshop with your friends!  Yesterday they announced the "It's Good To Be The Hostess" promotion!!  If your workshop (or personal order) reaches $350 in total sales, you will get an EXTRA $35 in Hostess dollars to spend! That's $35 extra in Stampin' Up! products you will receive!

It's Good To Be The Hostess

Contact me at Karen@Karenstamps.com to schedule your workshop between now and December 15 or to place your own order. Another way to "have a workshop" is to show the catalog to some friends and collect their orders.  No muss, no fuss….if you would like to do it that way.  Of course it is always fun to get together to stamp. Contact me if you'd like to participate in this great promotion but would like workshop alternatives.

Stampin’ Up! Online Spectacular Starts Today!

Stampin' Up! Online Spectacular

Don't miss it!  Stampin' Up! is having a Thanksgiving Online Spectacular Sale!  It starts today, Nov. 22 and lasts until Nov. 30!!! Just click HERE to see items 20%, 30%, 40%…and even 50% off!!!!!

AND….If you place an Online Order of $150 or more you will get FREE SHIPPING!!!  Of course with an order of $150, you will also get Hostess Rewards!  Just be sure you are at my online store in order to get the best prices and benefits!

Here are some of the best deals!!

50% off….MY DIGITAL STUDIO SOFTWARE (digital papercrafting program)

50% off…Stampin' Up! DESIGNER FABRIC (perfect for the holidays but not JUST for the holidays!)

40% off…Four different BIGZ XL DIES for your Big Shot! (Be sure to check all the pages!)

30% off…Selected STAMP SETS, ACCESSORIES, MORE DIES

20-40% off….DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

Things to Know

  • Discounted digital downloads are only available on online order types.
  • There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the discounted products promotion.
  • For product bundles, you must use the bundle item numbers provided. Bundle discounts will not be applied if individual item numbers are used.
  • Additional products from current catalogs may be purchased on the same order.

Free Shipping

  • In order to receive free shipping, orders must be $150 or more before tax and shipping and must be ONLINE.

Let me know if you need any help or have any questions about your order!

Deadline for this Spectacular is Tuesday, Nov. 30th at 11:50 pm MT.

 

 

 

A “Sweet” Candy Turkey for Thanksgiving!

This is one of my all-time favorite things for Thanksgiving, even though it is not made out of paper!  I'm not sure where I learned to make these, but probably in a magazine, could be about twenty years ago.  I know I have made LOTS of these turkeys for class parties for my children in preschool and probably elementary school and they were always a hit! There are lots of similar turkeys out there made with Oreos or more pieces of candy corn involving frosting and all kinds of stuff.  I always thought these were the easiest and still darn cute!

Candy Turkey

Supplies: Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies, Hershey Kisses, candy corn, Kraft Caramels

Directions: Take a Kraft caramel and microwave it just a few seconds until it is slightly soft.  Not melting or anything!  Just a little soft.  Have a Hershey's Kiss unwrapped and sitting on the plate or napkin and a cookie and candy corn ready.  When the caramel comes out of the microwave, plop it on top of the Hershey's Kiss.  Immediately "smoosh" the cookie against the backside of the caramel until it sticks.  Take the candy corn on edge and stick it into the caramel.  Voila!  You have a turkey!

Caramel Turkey

 
These turkeys are so fun to make for Thanksgiving!  To make multiples, just have your ingredients ready to go.  You can soften several caramels at a time on a paper plate in the microwave, maybe about six.  You want to be able to work quickly when the caramels come out of the microwave so you can stick everything together.  Have extras on hand because there will be some broken cookies!

November Gratitude Bag

I so enjoyed decorating these Mini Lunch Sacks #121031 for Halloween in the Holiday Mini that I decided to do one more for the first day of November. Is it really November already?!  I guess so, and that means Thanksgiving isn't far behind! Wouldn't this make a nice little gift to take to someone at Thanksgiving?  You could fill it with some special treat or gift or perhaps some little 3"x 3" notecards like the one I made.  Once you start working with this beautiful Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper #120808 (also in the Holiday Mini) you won't be able to stop!  This is textured, heavyweight paper so it really is rich and special.  You can see another sheet of it in the background of my photo.  Pair it with the stamp set "Day of Gratitude" in either wood-mount or clear-mount and you will have a wonderful way to stamp lots of beautiful fall projects!

Gratitude Bag

If you need to place an order for any of these supplies, you can shop 24/7 at my Online Store.  Just click on the "Shop Now" button!

Thanksgiving Nugget Turkeys

Aren't these the cutest guys for Thanksgiving?!  The idea was in our Stampin' Up! demonstrator magazine (I've mentioned before how we all can't WAIT to get it in the mail every month!), Stampin' Success, last October.  I added the Hershey's Nugget candy wrapped in our Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper.  First I thought I would put the turkey feathers at the back of the nugget but I like them right behind the turkey.  Then the nugget makes a good stand for the turkey and would great at each place setting of your Thanksgiving table!  See directions below.

Turkeys1

Turkeys2 

Here are the easy directions for the turkey feathers.  You can use either Designer Series Paper (DSP) or card stock.  The DSP is easier to fold since it is thinner.

  • Punch three scallop circles with the Scallop Circle Punch.
  • On each scallop circle, count five scallops and fold that area down. (Count 5 scallops, draw a real or imaginary line from the edge of scallop 1 to the edge of scallop 5 and fold down on that line.)
  • Now fold the scallop in half to form a crease in the middle for reference, then unfold.
  • Fold the flat edge of the scallop circle down from each side so the folded edges line up with the middle crease on the scallop circle. (You're bringing the flat ends up to the center fold line to get the shape you see on the turkey below.)

To complete the turkey, you'll need some punches.

  • 1 3/8" circle for the body
  • 3/4" circle for the head
  • Two 1/4" circles for the buttons (punch is retired)
  • Boho Blossoms Punch for the feet, cutting off one petal from one of the flowers for his little beak!

Color in two black dots for the eyes.

Cut a 3/4" square for the hat.  Trim off a little strip for the hat brim.  Perhaps trim a bit more to make the hat the right size.

Turkeys3 

It's really very easy and you can put your own custom touch to the project.  Or just make the turkey without the nugget and adhere him to the front of a Thanksgiving card or bag!

Happy Thanksgiving!!


Turkey Thanksgiving Card

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, I fear we almost forget to think about Thanksgiving.  So today I got my creative mind back on Thanksgiving and wanted to use this cute little turkey, "Gobble Gobble" available now in the Holiday Mini (page 31) #116535.  You'll be pleased to know it is one of the "Under $10" stamps!  Here is the card I made!

GobbleGobble 

My card base is Soft Suede, 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".

Autumn Traditions DSP layered on Ruby Red card stock.

Gobble Gobble Turkey stamped on Very Vanilla and layered on More Mustard and Always Artichoke.

Ribbon Very Vanilla Taffeta.

 

Autumn Splendor

I had purchased this stamp set, Autumn Splendor, in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini, thinking about our upcoming (at the time) New England fall foliage trip.  I knew it would make beautiful cards and scrapbook pages with fall colored leaves.  Here is a card I made.  I stamped the leaf with Basic Brown ink so I could watercolor the leaf with my Aquapainter and Watercolor Crayons to give it the fall colors.  Then I painted over the leaf with the new Shimmer Paint in the Holiday Mini (Champagne Mist).  The shimmer kind of covered the colors of the leaf but I think it still turned out well and I hope you can see the shimmer in the photos.  You'll love the new Shimmer Paint!  If you need any suggestions or tips on using it, please email me.

LeafShimmerCard 

LeafShimmerPaint

The card base is made with Dusty Durango card stock and the Designer Paper layer is Autumn Meadows from the Holiday Mini.  Those are actually the two sides of the paper you see in the photo!  The ribbon is Dusty Durango polka dot turned around so you just see the solid side.  And for a greeting I used Teeny Tiny Wishes punched out with the Oval Punch and layered on the Scallop Oval Punch.  You'll notice the leaf layer is sponged on the side, which I do think adds a lot….but just so you know, I decided to do the sponging after somehow getting extra ink from my fingers on the edges of the card.  See!  There are no mistakes in stamping!  You can probably click on the photos to see them enlarged.

Here are some more photos from our trip!

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Wouldn't you love to stamp some colored leaves??!