PPA 245

I made this for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge 245.  This awesome sketch is from Nicole Watt.  I thought it would be a breeze, but I couldn't come up with anything for a while.  I had masculine on the brain but that wasn't working.  

Anyway, I kept it simple.  Ok, not really.  I wasn't thrilled with the first so I made another because that's how I roll.  Put your sunglasses on and let me know which one you like better.

You should play along with us!  Let me know if you do.

I used a couple of retired products (melon mambo polka dot ribbon and daffodil delight polka dot paper).  The Petite Petals punch is on the Weekly deals this week!  Just click to check them out.

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PPA 244

I love this fabulous sketch from Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains!  I don't use my Stars Framelits enough so I stuck with the shape.  I noticed that one particular card of mine gets pinned a lot and it's in red and black so I thought I would do another to see if it gets the same attention. 

I used Real Red with Back to Black dsp.  I think it's a sharp combination.  I recently watched a video and saw someone using the Eclectic Paper Piercing pack.  I suddenly realized I had that in my stash and I thought should use it.  It's been sitting on a shelf getting dusty!  I like how the piercing packs give another detail to your card.  I will be using these more often.

Thanks for looking and commenting!  Your feedback means a lot to me.

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Two more weeks for Sale-a-Bration

Sadly, Sale-a-Bration is quickly coming to an end.  March 31st is the final day to place an order of $50 or more and choose a FREE item from the catalog.  If you order $100, you get two free items, and so on.   Blendabilities are no longer an option as they've been discontinued.  In place of them, Stampin' Up! has added all of these terrific products to choose from.  Just click on the flower to the right to place an order with me!

Irresistibly Fun Technique

I saw this fun technique on Patty Bennett's blog.  You start with Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-bration freebie, Irresistibly Yours dsp.  It is gorgeous!  It's a white on white embossed paper in four patterns. I've used it previously and loved it, but this technique is awesome!  Check out Patty's video here: Patty Stamps.  Hers is gorgeous!

I stamped with the Flower Patch stamp set on top of the Irresistibly Yours paper, then took sponges and rubbed it to take off the ink from the embossed part and push it out past the flower.  I used Blackberry Bliss, Bermuda Bay and Old Olive.  I wish you could see how pretty this paper is!  I kept my card simple because I wanted the paper to show more, and because of what it's being used for.

Sale-a-bration only lasts until March 31, so don't hesitate if you want something for FREE!! Stampin' Up! added more items since Blendabilities are no longer offered.  Everything is "while supplies last" so don't wait!  Click here to view all Sale-a-bration items:  SAB

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PPA 243

Even though I love this soft and pretty combination for the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge, I had a hard time with it.   The first card I made didn't work because I sponged it with what I thought was my Pink Pirouette sponge, when in fact it was a yellow sponge.  My color ended up being a peachy pink. I finally ended up making an Easter card.  I truly love the Irresistibly Yours dsp.  All I did was sponge it with Pistachio Pudding.  I will be ordering another pack before Sale-a-Bration is over on March 31st.  Hope you like my card!

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Weekly Deals - March 10-16

New Photopolymer stamp set!

I'm so excited about this new photopolymer stamp from Stampin' Up!  I love sentiments, especially humorous ones!  If you like this, I wouldn't wait to order.  These sets go fast!  Click here to order:  Just Kidding

First Bokeh card

I've been seeing all of these beautiful bokeh cards on Pinterest and blogs and I decided to give the technique a try.  Bokeh is a photography term.  It is the look achieved when everything is blurred and soft dots appear. Anyway, here is my card.  I used Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo, Calypso Coral and Crushed Curry.  I have one more to make.

The technique is pretty simple but messy.  You sponge the inks in a random pattern on Whisper White cardstock and then sponge Craft Whisper White.  I used a template made from a transparency with cut outs from circle dies in several sizes.  On the top, I used a dauber with the craft white.  Let me know if you have any questions on how this is done!

Thanks for looking and commenting.  Your comments mean the world to me!

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First Easter card

The weekend is almost here!  I'm wishing spring would hurry up as well.  I was thinking spring when I made this.

I used the Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series paper from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  I truly love this paper.  There are so many things you can do with it!  It is a white paper with white embossed patterns.  I used the flowers and sponged inks over them.  Then I wiped with a tissue to clear off the ink from the embossed part.  I intended the peachy colors to be light pink, but I had issues.  I picked up what I thought was a clean sponge, dabbed into Pink Pirouette, and started to rub on the paper.  It came out peachy so I am assuming there was a light yellow on the sponge which I couldn't see.  I usually take a piece of cardstock and glue to the sponge so that I don't mix colors.  Oh well!  I ended up matching it with a retired color, Blush Blossom.  

I decided to do the sentiment with a curved banner.  All you need to do is take a photopolymer stamp and position it in the shape you want on the acrylic block.  I used Basic Gray ink because I thought black was too stark for the pretty colors.

You can get this paper if you hurry!  It's in the Sale-a-Bration catalog and it's free with a $50 purchase.  Click here to view Sale-a-Bration.   Irresistibly Yours is on Page 15.  This catalog ends on March 31st!!

Please let me know what you think.  I love reading your comments!

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PPA 242

This is my first card as a design team member on Pals Paper Arts.  I've played along with the challenges for a long time now and I'm excited to be a part of the team!

When I saw these colors, I automatically thought St. Paddy's Day!  I usually make one or two of those, but didn't really have any stamps that worked.  I decided to do a birthday card and ended up making two.

Am I the only one who stamps & cuts two of everything, just in case?!  I definitely do, and then I end up with a pile of extras.  I'm trying not to do that so I made a second right away to keep in my stash. Let me know if you do this too, and which one you like best!

I may end up using one for my oldest son's birthday in April.  He is definitely the Irish man in our family.  He has red hair and has always told me he doesn't need to wear green on St. Paddy's Day because people know he is Irish.  My youngest says he is 100% Italian.  They both have the same father and mother so it's pretty funny!

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Weekly Deals - March 3-9

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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