PPA 185

Happy Boxing Day!  Kwanza begins today.  Christmas 2013 is our memory.  Whew!  What a busy time of year!

What do you enjoy more, a Sketch Challenge or a Color Challenge?  I don't think I can answer that question.   Well, this week Pals Paper Arts has a sketch Challenge created byNicole Watt.


And here is my card:

Since February is right around the corner, this card has a Valentine theme.  The card stock colors are Stampin' Up! Real Red and Whisper White.

The red card stock base is 5.5 inches X 8.5 inches, scored at 4.25 inches.   The red strip measures 1 inch X 5.25 inches.  Layered on top of that is a 5/8 " strrip of white.  And then on top of that (because I love to use ribbon) is a layer of Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, embellished with some tiny pearls.

Sneak Peek: The while card stock is cut 5.25 inches X 4 inches and is embossed with the new embossing folder Decorative Dots which will be available as part of Sale-a-Bration, January 29-March 31.  Watch for it...

The Label is stamped in Real Red, using the Label Love stamp set and punched with the Artisan Label Punch.  The Small Heart punch was used for the the center of the label and the other tiny hearts were punched using the Owl Builder Punch.

Please consider joining us this week.  Happy Stamping!

PPA 184

We have a sketch challenge at  Pals Paper Arts  this week and I am taking a few moments away from the Christmas rush to play with Birthday colors.  I have a friend and two brothers  with birthdays this week!

Here is my card for the sketch challenge.  The products are Express Yourself stamp set, Four You stamp set, Birthday Basics DSP, Raspberry Ripple ink and Very Vanilla, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, Bermuda Bay, Crisp Cantaloupe and Summer Starfruit card stock.

Making this birthday card was just what I needed to break away from the madness for a little while during this joyful, but hectic, week.  I hope you consider joining us this week...it might be that little dip into the pool of what refreshes the soul and gets you over the finish line!  Happy Stamping!

PPA 183

We have another color challenge this week at Pals Paper Arts.  These colors are just perfect for a holiday greeting card, a birthday card or perhaps a flag for a new country.

I have not finished making all of my Christmas cards yet.  I am late (as usual) this year and the reason (as usual) is that I cannot make up my mind on a card design. There are so many colors and stamps and techniques and embellishments that I just don't know what I want to do. So I do multiple designs.  I need just 10 more cards.   Using the colors of this challenge, I hope to be able to complete 10 cards tonight after work so they can be in the mail on Friday morning!

Here is my last minute, quick and simple Christmas Card:

I used:
Whisper White, Rose Red and Wild Wasabi card stock.
Rose Red Ink
Stazon Jet Black Ink
Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set
Endless Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set for the sentiment.
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch
Frosted Finishes Embellishments
Wild Wasabi Candy Dot

I hope you give yourself a break from all the hustle and bustle and  join us in the challenge this week.

Happy Stamping!

Pals December Blog Hop - Winter Wishes

Welcome to the start of the final Pals Blog Hop of 2013. This month we are showcasing projects that should be on every crafter's wish list. You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from  Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds, #7  on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full  lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you may view all of the amazing creations.

What I think should be on every crafter's wish list begins with the letter E (no, not "Everything" although, if i won the lottery I would probably buy everything in the catalog!).  Embossing Folders, Embossing Powder and Embellishments should be on the wish list.

Embossing folders give your project the added interest that catches the eye.  Embossing powder gives the project a very professional look, and Embellishments add the finishing touch.

Here is an example of a simple card that demonstrates the use of the three Es.

First, the Embossing Folder, Northern Flurry:  I embossed a piece of Vellum Card Stock.  After embossing I used a sponge dauber to apply a small touch of Marina Mist ink to the center of the snowflakes on the back of the embossed vellum.

Next, the sentiment, from Greetings of the Season,  is stamped with Maria Mist ink and then Heat Embossed with clear embossing powder. I don't have all the embossing powder colors, so I use the clear very often.

Then the Embellishments: I used three different sized pearls from the Pearl Basic Jewels and added White Organza Ribbon.

 The card stock under the vellum is Marina Mist.

So, make that wish list and get it to Santa!  Happy Stamping.

The next stop is Michelle Gleeson at Stampin Mojo, #9 on the Pals Blog Hop!
Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next year!

1. Amy L. Lazzell at Just A Thought...Cards by Amy
2. Peggy Noe at Prettypapercards.com
3. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
4. Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
5. Sue Becker at R n R Stamping
6. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
7. Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
8. Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter   .............YOU ARE HERE
9. Michelle Gleeson at Stampin Mojo
10. Kelly DeTommaso at Kellys Creative Corner
11. Connie Lindsey at Crafting a Joyful Life
12. Angie Blake at Angie's Musings
13. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
14. Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
15. martie pollard at The Crafty Bandit
16. Marlene Heringer at So Many Toys Sol Little Time
17. Elaine Fleming at Studio Elaine
18. Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
19. Kerry Willard Bray at stampgoodness
20. Shirley Sumption at Look at my Cute Stuf
21. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
22. Beth Beard at My little craft blog
23. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts

Pals Paper Arts 182

We have a color challenge at Pals Paper Arts this week.

I heat embossed each Keepsake Ornament with Clear Embossing powder, added various pearls and Natural Linen Thread.

Evergreen

Evergreen makes me think of the Barbra Streisand song.

Here is my entry for The Paper Players

I used Stampin' Up!'s:
Old Olive and Very Vanilla Card stock
Old Olive,Marina Mist and Cherry Cobbler Ink
Lovely As a Tree and November Paper Pumpkin Stamp Sets
Sponge Daubers

Play Date Design

I am very excited to have been invited to a card class with  Martie Pollard on Saturday; here is her blog link:  http://craftybandit.com/

It is December so I am going to bring a Holiday Make-and-Take gift card holder.  I have seen many of these on line and suggest you check out France Martin's YouTube video.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXSf5rWj81I

It can also hold a Ghirardelli Chocolate Square, a tea bag, A package of hot chocolate mix or whatever you might think of.

Here is the Project:

The Santa image is from the Best of Christmas Stamp Set.  The card stock is Whisper White and Gumball Green.  The DSP and Washi Tape is Season of Style is from the Season of Style.

 The inside liner pocket tucks inside the pocket on the card. The sentiments are from Wishing You and More Merry Messages stamp sets.

You can see by this side view how the inside sheet pulls up to reveal the gift.

I can't wait for Saturday to meet Martie and her class.  Happy Stamping!

PPA 181 Sketch Challenge

Pals Paper Arts (click on this link to play along) has a sketch challenge this week.  After the Thanksgiving celebration is over, sneak away to your creative zone and join us for some fun!

My card is all about the paper.  The Afternoon Picnic DSP collection along with Wisteria Wonder card stock worked so well  for this week's sketch challenge.  Very simple, I literally just cute and paste the paper shapes.  The sentiment is from the stamp set Six Sided Sampler.

Last Minute Thanksgiving Treats

Here is a quickie last minute treat bag for Thanksgiving.  I used Mary Jane candy because the wrapper colors reminded me of Autumn.

I tied the cellophane bag with some natural twine.  I used Stampin' Up!'s Wonderfall  die and my Big Shot to die cut the leaves and then embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder.

The Happy Thanksgiving tag from Tags 4 You is stamped in Soft Suede and cut out with the matching Label Bracket Punch.

The leaves and tag are stapled together with the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher and then attached to the bag top with Sticky Strip.

Happy Thanksgiving!

PPA 180

OK, 50 photographs later I think this is the best I can do.  I have a problem with my pictures ALL the time,  but photographing the foil paper at night is a real challenge!  Next morning update:  I didn't do any better in the daylight!

Sentiment from this month's Paper Pumpkin

Winter Frost DSP

Silver Foil Sheet

Warmth and Wonder Hostess Set

Bermuda Bay and Island Indigo Ink

Here is the inside of the card:

PPA 179

We have another color challenge this week at Pals Paper Arts

Here is my card:

Here is my product list:

Card Stock:
     Crumb Cake, Card Stock Vellum
Stamp Sets:
     Gently Falling, Gorgeous Grunge, Another Thank You and Endless Wishes
Ink
     Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry
Embellishments:
     Rich Razzleberry Candy Dot, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon
Tools:
     Stampin" Trimmer, Scallop Edge Border Punch

Please try your hand at the challenge this week.  We'd love to see your creation!  Happy Stamping!

November Pals Blog Hop

  

Thank you for joining us for the November Pals Blog Hop. We are thankful you are visiting today and hope you enjoy our thank you inspired projects.  

You should have just left stop number 23 on the Pals Hop - Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons

If so, you are in the right spot.  If you get off track, the full blog lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

I got my Best of Autumn stamp set today and used it to create my  Thank you inspired card.  Both images and the sentiment are from this set.

The pumpkin image is stamped on Watercolor Paper.  The cardstock is Soft Suede and Pumpkin Pie, which is embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I stamped the leaf in Soft Suede, fussy cut and sponged the edges.  I used ink pads and the aqua painter  to color the image.  The colors used are Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Starfruit, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Smokey Slate.  Two sizes of the Oval Framelits cut out the image and the Pumpkin Pie layer.  Three Very Vanilla Candy Dots finish off the top.

The next stop is  Brian King at Stamp with Brian stop number 25 on the Pals Blog Hop! 

Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month!

    

1. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
2. Ann Schach at The Stampin' Schach
3. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
4. Carmen Sublasky at The Creative Stamptuary
5. Shirley Sumption at Look at my Cute Stuff
6. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
7. Connie Lindsey at Crafting a Joyful Life
8. Michelle Gleeson at Stampinmojo
9. Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works
10. Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
11. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery's Owlery
12. Kerry Willard Bray at Stampgoodness.com
13. Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
14. Amy L. Lazzell at Just A Thought...Cards by Amy
15. Lisa Davis at Cherry St. Paper Treats
16. Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards
17. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'
18. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
19. Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker
20. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts
21. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
22. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
23. Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
24. Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter.........YOU ARE HERE
25. Brian King at Stamp with Brian
26. Beth Beard at My little craft blog
27. Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb...
28. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
29. Sue Becker at Sue's R n R Stamping
30. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
31. Peggy Noe at prettypapercards
32. Marlene Heringer at So Many Toys in Schertz

PPA 178 Color Challenge

Are you all set for a color challenge this week?

Pals Paper Arts is challenging you to use Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe and Early Espresso in a project this week.  Hint:  If you happen to have Stampin' Up!'s DSP "Soho Subway" the possibilities are endless.  Here is my card:

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s Best of greetings Stamp Set.  The strip of Crisp Cantaloupe is embossed with the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder and embellished with two Early Espresso Candy Dots. The lower right corner is embellished with an In Color Boutique Detail in Crisp Cantaloupe.

Happy Stamping!

Pals Paper Arts 177

This week we have another sketch challenge at Pals Paper Arts.  If you are new to card making or if you have never participated in a sketch challenge before but would like to, I will explain what I do to create a card from the sketch.

First I make a model from scrap paper to figure out the measurements of the design.  These are not necessarily the exact measurements, just what I think they might be, or what might work for me.  That's the fun of a sketch challenge, the sketch serves to get you going.


When I am happy with the model measurements, I start to think about color.  I just love all the Stampin' Up! green shades. This time I chose Pistachio Pudding, which made me think of Figgy Pudding in the Christmas Carole "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", so I was off on a Holiday themed card.

So, using the Pistachio Pudding card stock and coordinating InColor Patterened Paper I put this together.

 The sentiment is from the stamp set called Christmas Messages and it is found in the Holiday catalog.   I also used an image from Mosaic Madness. I stamped first with VersaMark and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I punched out the images with the matching Mosaic Punch.     I hope you will join us this week!  Happy Stamping.

PPA 176

Pals Paper Arts has a sketch challenge this week.

I used Very Vanilla and Midnight Muse card stock.

The image is stamped with the Stampin' Wheel  Shop Around in Midnight Muse.

Crochet Trim

Ticket Duo Builder Punch

Photopolymer Another Thank you

Hostess Postage Collection

PPA 175

We have another color challenge this week at Pals Paper Arts!

I think these are beautiful Autumn colors, but as I sat down to stamp, I was not inspired in an Autumn direction!  I started embossing the card stock and then began cutting the card stock at different angles and then I wanted to put a large word on one of the angled lines.  The words in the Thinlits Dies set were the perfect size to use so I decided on the word "Merry".  A Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas to You!

                         

             

The stamped sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.   I just love the contrast between the large Merry and the teeny tiny Merry!  I hope you decide to play along with us this week.  

Here is the link: PPA 175 Color Challenge.  Happy Stamping!

PPA 174

Pals Paper Arts has  a color challenge this week and these colors are just PERFECT for fall!

Using the three Stampin' Up! colors shown above and the SU Stamp Set Gently Falling I created this card:

I also used the Thinlits Dies to cut out "thankful" multiple times and then put it back in place popped up in it's original spot.  I saw this technique demonstrated by Jennifer McGuire at popped up die cuts

PPA 173

This week's challenge at PPA is a sketch challenge-please join us for some fun.
 http://www.palspaperarts.com/
The oh so talented Nicole Watt has a fun sketch to challenge us this week.  Here it is:

I used Modern Medley  designer series paper and the stamp is from Perfectly Penned.

Hope you consider joining us this week!  Happy Stamping!

PPA 172

My favorites cards are the ones that are all about the paper.  In this case, it is Venetian Romance.

PPA 171

Welcome to this week's Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge http://www.palspaperarts.com/

I just loved this color combo and this is the card I created:

I stamped the sentiment from the "From My Heart" set in Baked Brown Sugar on Very Vanilla card stock.  I then stamped it again in Calypso Coral and  cut out the "ENJOYING" to pop up with Dimensionals on the original sentiment.

I die cut the sentiment with the Labels Collection Framelits and then cut the next two sizes, one in Calypso Coral and one in Baked Brown Sugar.  I then embossed the two larger die cuts and the Very Vanilla layer of the card. 

I gave this card to my Dad who had his 80th birthday on Monday!  Happy Birthday Papa!

Please consider joining us this week in our color challenge.  I'm sure you'll have fun.  Happy Stamping!

Pals September Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us for the September Pals Blog Hop. And thanks to the talented Nicole Watt for creating the blog hop badge and buttons!   This month we are showcasing projects made with the Stampin' Up! tools we love. 

You should have just left stop number 8 on the Pals Hop - Maria Flores at Maria's Sandbox.  If so, you are in the right spot.  If you get off track, the full blog lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

One of my favorite Stampin'  Up! tools is The Big Shot. The Big Shot allows you to die cut several different shapes, many of which correspond to our stamps.

In addition to die cutting, what I really like about The Big Shot are the many embossing folders that are available to emboss cardstock. I made this card in ten minutes using only one color of cardstock and the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  The embossing turns the simple Crumb Cake cardstock into a Wow card.  The sentiment is from Perfectly Penned, stamped in Cherry Cobbler and the ribbon in the 1/2 inch seam binding also in Crumb Cake.  Two Cherry Cobbler candy dots embellish the sentiment.  

The next stop is Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits From Dawn, stop number 10 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month!

1. Kim Czenszak at Live Love Stamp
2. Shirley Sumption at Look at My Cute Stuff
3. Barbara Chatzkel at Take Out Paper Arts
4. Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
5. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
6. Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
7. Kerry Willard Bray at Stampgoodness
8. Maria Flores at Maria's Sandbox
9. Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter  you are here
10. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits From Dawn
11. Amy L. Lazzell at Just A Thought...Cards by Amy
12. Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
13. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
14. Peggy Noe at Prettypaprecards.com
15. Beth Beard at My Little Craft Blog
16. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
17. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
18. Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb...
19. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
20. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
21. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
22. Barb Furlong at The Love of Stamping
23. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'
24. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts

Last Flight of the Swallowtail

Pals Paper Arts has a color challenge this week.  http://www.palspaperarts.com/

This card uses  the Swallowtail stamp from Stampin' Up!   I wanted to use this butterfly stamp before the season changes and our butterfly friends are on hiatus.

The butterfly is stamped on Naturals Ivory card stock in Early Espresso, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then colored the butterfly with Midnight Muse and Crushed Curry using the Aqua Painter.  I drew in a border line with my Midnight Muse Stampin' Write Marker using the fine tip end.  I stamped some water spots in Crushed Curry using a stamp from Gorgeous Grunge.  The sentiment is from Really Good Greetings.

I hope you have time to play along at Pals Paper Arts this week and have some fun with this great color challenge.

PPA 169 A Sketch Challenge

The challenge at Pals Paper Arts this week is a sketch challenge.  Won't you try your hand at a creation this week?  Here is mine:

I really, really want to get my Christmas cards done early this year.  So, here is one of my ideas, inspired by Nicole Watt's sketch (above).  I used Smokey Slate card stock and Winter Frost Specialty DSP from the holiday catalog.  The images are from the Warmth  and Wonder Hostess Set and the sentiment is from Christmas Messages, both in the holiday catalog.  The ink is Bermuda Bay.  The "ornaments" on the tree are little drops of Dazzling Details Silver Sparkle. I finished up the design with 3 Bermuda Bay Candy Dots.

I hope you join us this week.  Happy Stamping!