Wednesday, April 25, 2012

card making night - April

Last Thursday I held my monthly card making night! I really enjoy the opportunities each month for me to host these events, so that I am always using my products by creating cards. Some months the attendance is higher than others, but I love a big group and I love a small group, so I'll take either!

As many of you know already, the retiring list came out on April 15th. (Visit HERE to take a peek of what stamp sets will be retiring on May 31st and click HERE to take a peek of what accessories will be retiring). Not only will there be many, many stamp sets retiring, but we are saying goodbye to the 2010-2012 In-Colors, as well. Because of this, I wanted to get some extra play time in with some of the retiring products. So, with my first card I did just that by using the retiring colors Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, and Peach Parfait. I also used the retiring stamp set Pocket Silhouettes. This is a simple design, but a classic!



Stamp Set: Pocket Silhouettes (retiring)
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Whisper White
Ink: markers - Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush
Accessories: Dimensionals, Pearl Accents, 1/2" Pear Pizzazz Poly-Stitched ribbon (retiring)
Tools: Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

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The second card we made was a CASE by the wonderfully talented Jen Sannes of Simple & Sincere. This is not the first time I have cased one of Jen's cards. I love, love, love her clean and simple style so much! I changed a couple of things in an attempt to add my own personal flair by snipping some banners at the bottom of each of the strips of paper. I also added a brad in the middle of the flower instead of a button. Thanks, Jen, for the inspiration! This card uses the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper that Stampin' Up! is offering right now (through April 30th) as a promotion for upcoming products in the new catalog.


Stamp Set: Bold Blossom
Paper: Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Dimensionals, Island Indigo polka-dotted brad
Tools: Triple Layer Bouquet punch, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat, Paper Snips

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The final card was something I saw on Pinterest created by Lorraine. I pinned it 9 weeks ago, but it wasn't until I saw Karen Graff-Povis's take on the same card that I remembered I had pinned it. I felt like this month was the right month to go for it and so I did, adding my own choice of colors and DSP. The candle flames are made using the Two-Step bird punch. How clever is that?!


{a little Dazzling Details for some sparkle on the flames}

Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes 
Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Just Add Cake DSP 
Ink: markers - Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait 
Accessories: Dimensionals, red brads, Wild Wasabi striped ribbon (retired)
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat, Two-Step Bird punch




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Stampin' Up! just announced the Retired Accessories list TODAY!!
Some accessories are discounted up to 60% off, but don't wait too long to order since all accessories and Decor Elements are available only while supplies last! Click on the picture below to order straight from my website.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

the paper players - sketch challenge #92

Has a week really already flown by since I last posted?! I had a wonderful crafting weekend last weekend with some friends and busted out lots of fun cards that I am excited to share with you and I also held my monthly card making night this past Thursday, so I have those cards to show you, too! 
But first...it's Sunday!! Not only is my sweet little girl turning SIX today, but it's Paper Players time - woo hoo!! Are you ready for a new sketch with the super duper talented Nance? She has created a great sketch for us and I hope that you are able to join along!

I decided to pull out a soon-to-be retiring set to work with for this week's sketch. Season of Friendship has always been a favorite of mine and I have used it for a variety of cards and home decor (check out some inspiration HERE). I think it's been in the catalog for quite some time, so I can see why it's time to say goodbye, but sometimes the goodbyes really hurt (*wink*).

I really wanted to add dimension to the card, so I decided to not only stamp leaves onto the tree, but I also used Paper Snips to cut some leaves out and then popped them up with Dimensionals. (I was inspired by Mary Brown's tree...I just loved the Concord Crush and Melon Mambo color combo!)
Stamp Set: Season of Friendship, Petite Pairs
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Dimensionals, Pearl Accents, White Baker's Twine
Tools: 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch
, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Itty Bitty punch (flowers), Scallop Edge punch

Come join the fun with The Paper Players this week...I'd love to see your sketch challenge creations! Head on over to get inspired by the rest of the design and link up your cards by Friday, April 27 at NOON. 

Off to spend the day celebrating my sweet, sweet girl! I just can't believe that I now have a six year old!
And, don't forget...
 {click below to view the items on the retiring list - last day is May 31st!}

Sunday, April 15, 2012

the paper players - clean & simple with watercoloring (pp91)

What a fun Clean and Simple Challenge Jaydee has for us this week at The Paper Players! The twist is to add a little watercoloring to your CAS card. I will be the first to admit that I have a lot yet to learn about watercoloring, but I still have fun giving it a try every now and then. Thanks, Jaydee, for the challenge!


I kind of did the "cheater method" of watercoloring (I didn't even use watercolor paper, shhhh...don't tell!) and used the blender pen with my ink pads. It gives such a soft look to the coloring versus just using the markers themselves.


Stamp Set: Morning Cup, Friendly Phrases
Paper:
Lucky Limeade, Basic Black, Whisper White, Poppy Parade polka dots (retired hostess pack)
Ink: Black Stazon, Blender Pen...used with Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Dimensionals, Rhinestone Accents
, 1/2" Poppy Parade Poly-Stitched ribbon
Tools: 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch

For inspiration...

I hope that you are able to join in the fun at The Paper Players with your watercoloring creations. The challenge closes on Friday, April 20th at 12:00 Noon PST. Come on by to get inspired by the rest of the design team.


The Paper Players Design Team
Shirley Pumpkin - GD for April

Thursday, April 12, 2012

just a little random assortment of craftiness

This is going to be quite the random hodge-podge of projects kind of post, but I wanted to share, so here goes...short and sweet.

Valentine's Day treats for my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group
{heart shaped marshmallows with a packet of hot cocoa}

I get the pleasure of being my daughter's classroom coordinator.
This is the craft I planned for the kids to make for their Valentine's Day party.
{disclaimer: when I took the picture, I didn't realize the kitty's ear was bent back - oops!}

A little "happy baby" treat for a sweet friend of mine who had her THIRD girl in February.

I was asked to make 40th birthday party invites in Masters (golf) colors. I designed the invitation through Paint Shop Pro, printed them off, and then backed them onto coordinating colors of card stock (non-SU!). You can't tell in any of the pictures I took, but the white ball in the bottom right hand corner is textured with polka dots to represent a golf ball. I used the Junior Alphabet Sizzix dies to create the "40".

My daughter's teacher had her birthday at the end of March and I wanted to put together a little frame of a class picture as a little keepsake.

Just this past weekend, the kids had a birthday party for two little friends of ours that are sisters. I decided to make the same card in two different girly colors. The card base is made using the Top Note Die.

I am getting ready to go out of town for the weekend, so my descriptions are a little shorter than usual. If you have any questions about anything that you see, just leave me a comment and I'm happy to help!

Have a great weekend!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

the paper players - color challenge time!

Happy Easter everyone! I hope each of you have a blessed day with your family and friends!

I am having such a fun time as guest designer for The Paper Players. I love knowing that I will be in my craft room at least once a week working on a little something fun for each weekly challenge. This week it's a color challenge by the super talented LeAnne Pugliese.


At first I thought I was going to make a boy card with these colors, but then I really wanted to pull out my new Mixed Bunch stamp set (which I swore I didn't need, but after seeing all of the great ideas others have created with this stamp set... it pushed me over the edge and I broke down and bought it!)

I went with clean lines with this card, but I just love how striking those big flowers are...especially in this color. So bold and bright!


Stamp Set: Mixed Bunch, Friendly Phrases
Paper:
Whisper White, Pool Party, Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery DSP (polka dots)
Ink: Not Quite Navy, markers - Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 Way Glue, In-Color Brads (Pool Party)

Tools: Blossom Flower punch

Join the rest of the Paper Players design team and grab Pool Party, Certainly Celery, and Not Quite Navy (or any colors similar) and head on over to link up your creation and join in the fun! The designers have some great inspiration awaiting you!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

summer smooches sneak peek and swap!

Last Friday we had our downline meeting. At each of our meetings, we are encouraged to bring a swap card. We try to make each of the swap cards with products that are current so that we are able to use them as ideas for future events. I decided I would play a little more with my new "Summer Smooches" products since the "sneak peek" promotion started April 1st!


Stamp Set: Bright Blossoms (sneak peek form the upcoming new catalog!)
Paper:
Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Summer Smooches DSP (sneak peek form the upcoming new catalog!)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, markers - Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Dimensionals, Rhinestone Accents
, 3/8" Tangerine Tango Scallop Dotted ribbon
Tools: Labels Framelit Dies, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Itty Bitty Flower punch, Paper Snips

During the month of April, Stampin' Up! is offering some products that will be in the upcoming new Idea Book & Catalog. Take a peek at some of these super cute products!

{Click each picture below for more information.}

Bright Blossoms Stamp Set
(available in wood mount and clear)

Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper

Summer Smooches Fabric Brads
(only available through April 30th)

Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding

Summer Smooches Designer Fabric
Petite Purse Bigz L Die


Summer Smooches Decor Stencil
(only available through April 30th)

Summer Smooches Kit - Digital Download

Summer Smooches Photobook Template - Digital Download

Sunday, April 1, 2012

the paper players - it's very "punny"


OK...I'm not gonna lie. Anne Marie stumped me this week with the Paper Players sketch...it was a tough one for me! The challenge is to "tickle your funny bone" and I really don't have that many stamp sets that do this. I knew I had the retired Pun Fun set I could pull out, but I wanted something just a little different to work with. My mom happened to have a retired set called Very Punny and I thought I would do something with that, so here is what I came up with...

I ended up printing from the computer the sentiment "you are like no udder" because I wanted it a little bit bigger than what it was on the stamp itself.

To help me with the color scheme, I used the colors from this week's Color Throwdown.


To match the sentiment "you are like no udder", I made one of the cows stand out a bit and gave her pink spots...with a little Dazzling Diamonds of course!


Stamp Set: Very Punny (retired)
Paper:
Basic Gray, Regal Rose, Basic Black, Lucky Limeade (striped DSP)
Ink: Basic Black, markers - Regal Rose
Accessories: Dimensionals, Pearl Accents
, 3/8" Basic Black Scallop Dotted ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (with 2-way glue pen)
Tools: Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, 1-1/3" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, Itty Bitty Circle punch

I hope you'll come join in the fun and laughter at the Paper Players this week as we celebrate April being Humor Month! The rest of the design team has some fun cards for you to giggle at and get inspired to create something funny of your own!

// ADDED BY RYAN ON 1-3-14 // END ADDED BY RYAN 1-4-14