PPA53: Sketch

This sketch was not my friend.  I knew going in that it was going to be a tough one for me, but I thought I'd try anyway.   Ummm....no.  I tried and tried and tried again, but I never could get it to turn out right.  The top card is my end product, but I should have left it like it was below, maybe just adding the pumpkin pie mat to the flag.   I do love these colors together, so I'll try another project with them soon.    Now I'm taking my grumpy self to the couch to enjoy some time with my Nook.  :)

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Delicate Doilies
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Brights Designer Paper stack, Whisper White
Accessories:  Bright Glimmer Brads
Tools:  scallop circle punch, paper piercer, mat pack, circle punches, heat tool, white embossing powder

Happy New Year for Stampin' Up!

Today is one of the most exciting days of the year for Stampin' Up!    The new Idea Book & Catalog went live about an hour ago!   Now you can order all the fun new stuff that just became available.    There are some awesome new stamps sets and accessories that will knock your socks off!    If you need a catalog, please let me know.   They are $10 or free with an order of $50 or more.  

If you want to join in the excitement of getting to order early, this is a great time to sign up as a demonstrator! For only $99, you can get started today!    You can contact me or go straight to my website and sign up.   It is so fun being a demonstrator and I'd encourage anyone with a love of paper crafts to try it out.  You get over $180 worth of products for that $99, plus a one-time 30% discount on your first qualifying order.      To make it an even better deal, you also get a Free Christmas keepsake project kit valued at $40.  

July Creative Crew!

It's a new month and a whole new set of challenges for the Creative Crew on Splitcoast!    Here is a list of the challenges and the keywords to use if you want to play along and upload.   :)


CCREW0711DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- DSP/Color Focus: Show us what you can do with the In Colors! You can use other colors, but In Colors should be the main focus of your project.

CCREW0711CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Catalog focus: Show off your favorite new catalog or mini catalog item. Any stamp set or accessory will work here! Have more than one? Use them all! Just use whatever you have that's new to you and enjoy creative license to do whatever your muse wants 

CCREW0711HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Holiday focus: Show your national spirit! What does your country mean to you?

CCREW0711SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Scrapbook focus: It's Family Reunion month, focus on your family!


Now here is my first card for the In Colors challenge, along with the Pals Paper Arts challenge to use our favorite technique (Emboss Resist rocks!):

I have to admit, I am in love with Island Indigo. I have a thing for blues and it has swept in and stolen my heart away from all the other others. This is one of my favorite cards EVER!    

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets

Ink: Baja Breeze, Island Indigo

Paper: Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Accessories: Whisper White 3/8 taffeta ribbon, clear embossing powder

Tools: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, heat tool, sponges, paper snips

Layered Background Technique

I finally gave up and finished this card today.    It was totally not what I was going for, but that happens sometimes.   I was trying out this cool technique that I saw over on Carrie's blog; isn't it awesome?   I didn't have Sahara Sand, so I tried using the closest thing I had, a Crumb Cake marker.   Well...it separated out red instead of brown!  I was totally thrown for a loop, but tried to salvage it using the closest color I had, Riding Hood Red.   I am not good at distressing, nor do I like putting things on crooked and/or off-center, so this card is most definitely NOT one of my favorites.  I am putting the right colors on my next order and trying it again because I love Carrie's card and am determined to get that look.  :)

Stamps:  The Open Sea, French Foliage
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, Nautical Expedition designer paper, watercolor paper
Accessories:  Baker's Twine, clear embossing powder
Tools:  cutter kit, sponges, sanding blocks, clear blocks

Introducing...Pool Party!

It is almost time for the new catalog!   Only one more week to go and let me tell you, I can't wait!   There are so fun new stamps and accessories that I can't wait to get my hands on.    This card uses one of the new in colors along with a set we'll soon be saying goodbye to.    I love how bright it is!   It is always great to make a card that makes YOU smile.  

Stamps:  Apple Blossoms
Ink:  Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, Pool Party
Paper:   Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, Pool Party, Whisper White
Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, stamp-a-ma-jig

June Creative Crew Challenges Pt. 2

I just realized that I never did post my other two design team cards for the Creative Crew!    If you haven't had a chance to play along yet, you still have the rest of the month to catch up.  .  

Challenge Description:  Stampin' Up! has flowers! Ribbon Flowers, Rub-on Flowers, Button Flowers, Brad Flowers, Crocheted Flowers, Paper Flowers, Die Cut Flowers, Stenciled Flowers! The challenge is to use any flower except stamped flowers!   Tags if you upload to Splitcoast:  CCREW0611CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM 


If you follow my blog, I'm sure you've noticed that I love scallop circle flowers.   I couldn't resist making one from the awesome First Edition designer paper.   This color combination is just so elegant and the flower works perfectly with it.

Stamps: Word Play
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, First Edition designer paper, Neutrals designer paper stack
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note die, scallop circle punches, circle punches, little leaves die, framed tulips embossing folder
Accessories: Basic Black satin ribbon, antique brads

Challenge Info:  June is a time for iced tea, gardens bursting, and riots of color. This month we're going bright with Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, and Peach Parfait.  Tags if you upload to Splitcoast:  CCREW0611DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM


The colors were those used in the Sunny Garden Designer Paper.  I didn't own any of it, so I improvised and came up with this.   I love my owl punch and he is adorable on this little note.

Stamps: Apple Blossoms, All Holidays
Ink: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait
Paper: In Color Hostess stack, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Clip-retired
Tools: Spiral border punch, Owl punch, Big Shot, Little Leaves die

I {heart} bird houses!

I love bird feeders and bird houses.  I spend a lot of time looking out my window watching the birds at my bird feeder.   I have some beautiful cardinals that love to visit throughout the day and it brings a smile to my face each and every time I look out and see them.    Our recent Stampin' Success (the magazine we get as demonstrators) had the most adorable article featuring bird houses and I had to make one!   This was my first attempt, so don't be too critical.   The first one is always the one where you learn what NOT to do when you make the next one.  :)

Stamps:  None
Ink: None
Paper:  Blushing Bride, In Color Hostess designer paper pack
Accessories:  Basic Pearls

Another Double Challenge

I had planned on making a card for the Inkspirations Color Challenge last night but time got away from me and I didn't get to make it.   As I was waking up this morning, I had an idea for a card and woke up ready to create.    As luck would have, my idea was a perfect match for the Paper Players Clean & Simple Sketch this week, so I have another double challenge card!

You can't really see it in the picture, but I colored in an h and an i with Melon Mambo to add a little hidden sentiment in the A to Z background stamp.  

Stamps:  Apple Blossoms, A to Z

Ink:  Basic Gray, Melon Mambo

Paper:  Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Old Olive 5/8 grosgrain ribbon

Tools:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit