PPA 241

I made this for the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge.  I like this nice and easy sketch by Nicole Watt. My youngest son was turning 25 so I decided to make his card with the sketch.  I mentioned this previously.  I made another (PPA240) and decided it wasn't him.  Well, I showed it to him and he said he really liked it!  Oh well...onto his card.  Let me know what you think!

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Even Better Sale-A-Bration!

Stampin' Up! has done something they've never done before.  They've added four new FREE Sale-a-Bration products which are available starting March 1 - March 31.  They're so awesome, I can't decide which to choose!  I may just have to get all of them.  Just click on the photos to shop, but remember, they're not available until March 1st.  Can't wait!

PPA 240

I was trying to come up with a card for my youngest who turned 25 a few days ago.  I made this and decided it wasn't him, but I used it for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge.  I love this sketch by Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains, and will try it again soon.  I will also post the card that was him soon.  I used it for another challenge.  Thanks for looking and commenting!

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Finally Four Feathers with Grunge

I FINALLY inked up my Four Feathers stamp set!!  I bought this before Christmas and just haven't gotten to it.  I ended up making two versions.  One of the sentiments is from my first Paper Pumpkin kit (Hey There, Friend).  I forgot to add the Early Espresso stamp pad which I used for the sentiments.

I just have to share why you should close your ink pad when you are done.  Check out the second card.  I had both Crumb Cake and Lost Lagoon open on my desk.  I finished with the Lost Lagoon and inked up Crumb Cake with Gorgeous Grunge.  When I went back to ink up again, I hit the Lost Lagoon and stamped.  I then realized it was the wrong color.  I went with it anyway!  Let  me know if  you think I should remake it!

Oooops, check out the ink colors on the bottom of this Whisper White panel.  

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PPA 239

Soft Suede says masculine to me.  I decided to make a valentine for my hubby with this color combination from the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge.  

I don't have Soft Suede ink so I used some retired dsp.  I really wanted a splash of ink near the heart but decided the chevron would work.  I bought this punch because I loved the look, and I've only used it once or twice.  I'm happy it seemed to work on this one.  Let me know what you think!

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Another Lotus Blossom

I had so much fun playing with this stamp set during a snow day.  I just couldn't stop.  The color combinations are endless!  I wasn't going to bore you with more postings, but my friend mentioned the others so I thought I'd show one more.  This is a free stamp set, by the way!  Just spend $50 and choose this from the Sale-A-Bration catalog!

I made this with the intention of using the tag as a bookmark, but couldn't figure out a way to tuck it in a pocket.  I decided to just stick it down with dimensionals.

Thank you for looking and commenting!

Some of the Stampin' Up! products used:

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PPA 238

I love this pretty color combination from the Pals Paper Arts challenge.  I decided to use Painted Petals with Butterfly Basics (background and small butterfly), and used a sentiment from Express Yourself (retired).

I thought I would have lots of time to stamp during the two snow days we had, but I ended up spending time cooking, trying to fix a printer, and a few other things. I really can't believe how fast the time went by!  I did make a few cards and it was nice having the extra days. 

Between Monday and Tuesday, we got between 31 and 33 inches of snow!  It was unbelievable.  It was a lot less stressful once I found out that my sons didn't have to work on Tuesday.  I usually sit home worrying about them.  The Massachusetts Governor issued a driving ban from midnight Monday through midnight Tuesday.  The post offices were closed along with grocery stores and Dunkin' Donuts!  There wasn't a driving ban in NH, where I live, but most people stayed home.   We will be getting another storm Friday and then again on Monday!  I guess we shouldn't have said it's been an easy winter so far.

Updated to add that this was written for a January 29 post.  Then I realized the correct date for this color combination is today!

Thanks for looking and commenting! 

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Lotus Blossom

I had so much fun during my snow days.   I don't know why I was so afraid of inking up Lotus Blossom, a freebie from Sale-a-bration!  It's really easy.  I got inspiration on the scalloped edge from Stampin' Dolce, but I couldn't find it on her blog to link up.

Thanks for looking and commenting!  Please let me know if you need a Sale-a-Bration or Occasions catalog.  I'd be happy to send one (if you have your own demonstrator, please contact them).

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Spare parts

We have had sooooo much snow!  I had Monday and Tuesday off from work and it's been so nice having the extra time.  I feel bad for my husband who has to clear all of the snow.   He won't let me do anything because of my shoulder and pulled back.  I do feel bad!

Anyway, I have been trying to clean my stamp room because I will be having company soon, weather permitting!  My desk is a mess!  I don't know if you do this, but I know I do.  When I make a card, I end up with small pieces of paper that I can't bear to toss.  It's not like I don't have enough paper!  What I do is pull out my handy little punches and cut out flowers, stars, hearts or banners and save them for another day. What I get is a big pile of pieces that I never use!

Today when I was putting away some of the pieces in my containers, I saw a cute little balloon and three stars that matched.  I decided to make myself use them on a card and this is what I came up with.  Let me know if you do this with the pieces of paper.  I'd like to think I'm not alone! (cough, can we say hoarder?!)

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PPA 237

This fabulous sketch by Nicole Watt had me a little stumped at first.  I decided to use the beautiful Painted Blooms dsp again because how can you go wrong with that, right?!  As always, I kept it simple.  I used my favorite new toy, Hello You Thinlits.  I cannot tell you how much I love these word dies!! The dots are from the Painted Petals stamp set and the sentiment is from Crazy About You.  They're both in the Occasions Catalog.

I also wanted to show you a card my four year old granddaughter made.  She slept over last weekend and we had a blast.  She just loves her Stickles!  And she always picks my "pupcake" punch.  She squirted out a blob of purple and then decided to add a bow of twine.   This was 100% her idea.  I think she has a career in stamping. What do you think?

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Paper Players Challenge

I decided to participate in the Paper Players Challenge last minute because I love this color combination.  Thanks for posting, Ann!  I kept it simple because I was short on time.  I used the One Tag Fits All stamp set.  I used the Note Tag punch to make the first layer and colored in the edge. Then I stamped again on Crisp Cantaloupe and cut it out by hand.  I colored the image in with aqua painters and ink pads. Thanks for looking and commenting!  Have a nice weekend.  I'm looking forward to a sleep over with my granddaughter!

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PPA236

Good Morning!  I made these thank you cards for the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge.  I love this sketch by Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains!  I loved it so much that I made two!  I kept it very simple by using this beautiful dsp from Painted Petals which is in the Occasions catalog. I also used the matching stamp set to create the sentiments and leaves.

Thanks for looking and leaving me some feedback!  I truly love reading your comments.

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January 2015 Pals Blog Hop

Welcome to the first Pals Blog Hop of 2015. We hope your new year is off to a great creative start. To celebrate the start of a new Stampin' Up! year, we are showcasing products from our newest catalog this month - the Occasions catalog. You may also see new Sale-a-bration products too. If you don't know how to earn free Sale-a-bration products - contact your Stampin' Up! demonstrator to learn more.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper.  Use the full lineup below to move along from blog to blog so you see all of the new projects.

I am in love with the Occasions and Sale-A-Bration catalogs this year!  I decided to play with the Chalkboard Paper from Occasions and the Big Day stamp set which I got FREE from Sale-A-Bration.  I couldn't decide if the chalk ink looked better with Blushing Bride or Strawberry Slush.  What do you think?

The next stop is Susan Lankford at Stamp and Create With Susan  on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I'll see you next month.
 .

                                                                                                       

Final Line-up

1. Amy Whelan at Amy's Inklings
2. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
3. Becky Gifford at The Social Stamper
4. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
5. Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb...
6. Amy Williams at Stamps and Spice
7. Rae Harper at WildWestPaperArts.com
8. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
9. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
10. Becky Volpp at InkBlossomwithBecky
11. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
12. Jane Knudsen at www.seejanestamp.com
13. Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
14. Michelle Quinno at Shell's Life
15. Susan Lankford at Stamp and Create With Susan
16. Karen Hallam at Karen's Blog
17. Kelly DeTommaso at Kelly's Creative Corner
18. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
19. Laurie Chilton at Stampin' Ink
20. Brian King at Stamp with Brian
21. Peggy Noe at prettypapercards.com
22. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
23. Kim Jolley at Stampin' Artfully
24. Beth Beard at My little craft blog
25. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
26. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
27. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
28. Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events
29. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
30. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
31. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits From Dawn
32. Angie Valle-Peters at Paperluxuries
33. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You!
34. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
35. Shannon K Jaramillo at Shannon Kay Paperie
36. Liz Gautreaux at Kind Deeds Stampin
37. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
38. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
39. Pamela Sadller at Stampin Pink Rose
40. Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
41. Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works by Shannon

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PPA 235

   

I made this for the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge.  YUM, I absolutely love these colors!!  I used a cute stamp set from the Occasions catalog called Birthday Bash.  I used Island Indigo for the base, Pool Party for the panel and stamped in Island Indigo on Soft Sky.  I made my own dsp with the balloons using all three colors.  My Soft Sky is in need of a refill so it was a bit light.

Thanks for looking and letting me know how you like this color combo!

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Hello You thinlit dies

I promised to post a card or two using the Stampin' Up! Hello You Thinlits.  I am in love with these words!!

To start, I will show you how to use the negative of your die.  Just be sure to cut in the center of your paper and then you can trim as needed.  And keep those little pieces that go in the loops of the letters because you will need to glue those inside.

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Occasions and Sale-a-Bration

Stampin' Up!'s Occasions and Sale-a-bration catalog orders begin today!  I think you're going to love the products in these catalogs.  For those of you who don't know, for every $50 you spend in product, you get to choose a FREE item in Sale-a-Bration.  There are some gorgeous stamp sets in this one!  I have a couple of cards to post using new products from both catalogs.  I am in love with the new thinlit word dies!

If you've ever thought of signing up as a demonstrator, even if you never order again, now is the time!  You can choose a card kit with your starter set or two Sale-a-Bration items!!  That is an awesome deal!

Check them out here and feel free to ask away if you have any questions!

Occasions

Sale-a-Bration

p.s.  I said I would post the new set that coordinates with the Note Tag punch in the Weekly Deals, so here you go!

click here for details

Weekly Deals - Jan. 6

Click here to shop these amazing weekly deals!  I love the dsp and couldn't live without my envelope punch board!  The chevron and Note Tag punches are hanging on my door too.  Love them!  And the Note Tag punch coordinates with a new Occasions stamp set, One Tag Fits All.  I will post the link later.

Shop now

PPA 234

Happy New Year!   I hope you all had a nice New Year's Eve and Day.  My husband, mom and I went out to a Japanese Steak house to celebrate.  It was delicious!  Today we had my husband's family over.  It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.  I baked for two days straight.  I'm looking forward to relaxing for the rest of the week and weekend.

I made this for the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge.  I have such trouble with Wisteria Wonder, or any purple for that matter.  The addition of silver made it a little easier! I stamped the stars in Versamark and embossed with silver embossing powder, then stamped the image and did the same.  Then I colored in with Daffodil Delight Blendabilities.  I used the color lifter to take a lot of the yellow out so it wasn't so bright.  Let me know what you think!  I hope it doesn't look like beer instead of champagne.

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PPA 233

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  It's been so long since I've posted.  I've been too busy to get to my craft room.  We had a fun Christmas!  I'm looking forward to New Years Day.  We are hosting my husband's family since we weren't able to get together for Christmas.

I have not been able to do any challenges for quite a while!  I went up to my stamp room today and cleaned up quite a bit.  I filled my Stamp n Storage ink pad holder.  I need another one already! Some day I will reorganize my room so that I can fit everything and be able to move.

I was really stumped with this sketch for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge at first.  I had some leftover pieces on my craft desk and I made myself use or put them away.  I had these stars sitting there so I decided to make a birthday card for a future date.  I don't know why, but I tend to go for the masculine cards.  Let me know what you think!

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Click here to shop

I absolutely love the Chalk Talk Framelits above and also the "Be the Star" stamp set.  I may have to cave for the "Oh My Goodies" stamp set!

I have no idea where the time is going lately...oh, besides Christmas shopping, wrapping, baking, babysitting and being sick.  I swear I will catch up soon.  My room is getting dusty!  I have so many new toys to use!  I am on vacation until January 4th.  I WILL make it into my dusty room to play.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year!