PPA18: Keep it Simple, Sweetie!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Since it is Thursday, you should head on over to Pals Paper Arts to participate in today's challenge: KISS. KISS stands for "Keep it Simple, Sweetie". The guidelines for this challenge are:

• Clean with lots of 'white' space
• Simple Designs
• Minimum time to create
• Limited layers and embellishments

My card is definitely clean and simple. But hopefully there is a WOW factor in there, too.

Some tips:

• To create the wreath, I ran Old Olive through my Big Shot using the Little Leaves Sizzlit several times. I snipped off one set of leaves from each die cut.
• The berries were created using the dots from the Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit set. These were attached using mini glue dots and were coated with Dazzling Diamonds glitter with the help of a 2-way glue pen.
• 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon was tied in a bow and added with a glue dot.
• The sentiment, from Berry Christmas, was inked in Black StazOn, stamped onto a window sheet, and popped out using the Modern Label punch. I secured it with more glue dots on either side of the label. This piece is not flush with the card- it is slightly curved.

Be sure to upload your creation at Pals Paper Arts! You could be an Artist Pick!



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Recipe: Stamps: Berry Christmas (116509) Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406) Paper: Old Olive (100702), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Little Leaves Sizzlit (114511), Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits (114509), Mini Glue Dots (103683), 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (109034), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023), 2-way glue pen (100425), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Modern Label Punch (116630), Window Sheet (114323)

Holiday Banner

This past Saturday, I hosted a Home Decor and Gift class in my home. The attendees were given several projects to choose from for the class, and all of them chose to do the Ho Ho Ho banner from the Holiday Mini. I can see why. It is so darn cute!

What I loved so much about this product was that it was so easy and quick to create. My banner is almost identical to the one in the catalog- I thought it was so pretty as is, and thought "why mess with a good thing?".

Some tips:

• The banner was created using the Ho Ho Ho On Board (117613). I popped out just the large letters, and used my Crop-a-dile to make holes in the tops of each of them.
• Elastic Silver cording was used to string the letters onto some Old Olive Grosgrain.
• The shape elements were created using the Merry Details Sizzlit, the Jumbo Snowflake punch, and the Little Leaves Sizzlet.
• I dotted the center of each snowflake with a Clear Rhinestone Brad. To eliminate a little bulk, I snipped off the "prongs" on the brad and simply attached it using a mini glue dot.

The glitter on this banner is a must-see. The photos do not do it justice!!




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Recipe: Stamps: None Ink: None Paper: Old Olive (100702), Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Chocolate Chip (102128) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Merry Details Sizzlet (116823), Little Leaves Sizzlet (114511), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Silver Elastic Cord (109866), 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon (109054), Crop-a-dile (108362), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Ho Ho Ho On Board (117613)

Holiday Extravanganza Sale!

Wow, wow, wow!!! From now until November 30th (Monday), select Stampin' Up! products and product bundles are up to 50% off!!

Some of the items included:

Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle* only $76.62!!!!

• Best Wishes & More stamp set
• Eight Great Greetings stamp set
• On a Pedestal stamp set
• Earth Elements Stampin' Spots
• Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• Flower Designer brads

Corduroy Button Bundle only $24.88!!!

• Kraft Corduroy buttons
• Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons
• Summer Sun Corduroy buttons
• Basic Gray Corduroy buttons
• Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons

Four Square Bundle only $15.45!!!

• Four Square stamp set
• Scallop Square punch
  

To see all of the great deals go to my online store! You wont want to miss out!



If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.


*This bundle is available while supplies last.

PPA17: A Merry Sketch

Today we are featuring my favorite challenge at Pals Paper Arts: A Sketch Challenge! Sketches provide such a great jumping-off point for me.

This particular sketch provided me with an opportunity to use the new Merry Details Sizzlit from the Holiday Mini. This sizzlit coordinates beautifully with the Berry Christmas stamp set (also used on this card).

Some tips:

• For the scallop squares, I used the "Sweet Little Baby" image from Cute & Cuddly. I simply used an Old Olive SU marker on just the outer scallop, stamped it and snipped it out.
• Both the Very Vanilla squares and bird were popped up using dimensionals.
• Squares of Chocolate Chip give a very narrow mat to the vanilla for some added interest.

Please be sure to head over to Pals Paper Arts to upload your creation! You could be one of our next Pals Paper Arts Artist Picks!


Announcement: I'm already starting to book Stampin' Up! workshops for Sale-a-bration (Stampin' Up!'s biggest event of the year starting January). If you have ever wanted to do a workshop this would be the time. The sales and products are amazing!!! They are always a ton of fun- full of stamping/crafting, and hanging out with friends! Email me to book the date you want to do your workshop/catalog party!



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Recipe:
Stamps: Cute & Cuddly (113682), Berry Christmas (116509)
Ink: Real Red (103133)
Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Old Olive (100702), Real Red (102482), Chocolate Chip (102128)
Accessories: Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit (115696), Merry Details Sizzlit (116823), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Sleigh Bells Ribbon (116795)

Starbucks Sentiments

I just can't help myself- I have to share this project before we leave for Seattle in the morning!

When I went to Starbucks to get my Peppermint Mocha this morning, I kept admiring how festive everything was starting to look for the holiday season. Even the cups and sleeves were decked out! When I noticed the sleeve, I thought to myself, hmm... "this would make a great sentiment on a card!"

I am sure this could be done up a little nicer, but I was in a bit of a hurry making it since I am in the midst of packing for our trip. I had to try it right away!

• I started with an A2 size Kraft card base.
• The swirl, from Season of Joy, was inked up in Close to Cocoa and stamped in a repeating pattern.
• The bottom edge was given a pierced border using the paper piercing tool and mat pack.
• I trimmed down the coffee sleeve to about 1 1/2"x 3". It was matted using Chocolate Chip and Real Red.
  
• The bottom of the Real Red was given a scallop border.
• Real Red polka dot stitched grosgrain was added to the top.
• A Chocolate Chip corduroy button was the finishing touch. TIP: I used Real Red card stock for thread.

Okay, now I am really done blogging for a few days!




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Recipe:
Stamps: Season of Joy (110384)
Ink: Close to Cocoa (103139)
Paper: Kraft (102125), Chocolate Chip (102128), Real Red (102482)
Accessories: Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115608), Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons (114339), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

PPA16: Christmas Cheer!

I'm super excited for this weeks Pals Paper Arts challenge: Christmas Cheer! You will definitely want to participate this week by making your own Christmas (or other winter holiday) themed card. We are offering some great blog candy!!!

I have been wanting to use the new shimmer paints, and the texture on this card provided the perfect opportunity. The card is pretty simple in design, but I wanted the texture/shimmer to take center stage.

• I started with an A2-sized card base of Old Olive.
• A slightly smaller piece of Whisper White was dry embossed using the Petals-a-plenty Textured Impressions folder and my Big Shot.
• A sponge dauber was used to add some Frost White shimmer paint.
• The ornaments, from Tree Trimmings, were gold heat embossed on Whisper White and snipped out. They were attached to the card using dimensionals.
• Gold elastic cording was added to look as though the ornaments were dangling over the edge of the card.
• The sentiment, from Four the Holidays, was inked up in Old Olive, stamped onto Whisper White and matted in more Old Olive.
• An Old Olive felt flower was added with a gold brad for a small finishing touch.

Be sure to upload your creation to be included in the Blog Candy drawing as well as have a chance to be a Pals Paper Arts Artist Pick!

I will be out of town for the next several days, but I hope to have much more to share next week!


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Recipe: Stamps: Tree Trimmings (116722), Four the Holidays (116921) Ink: Old Olive (102277), Versamark (102283) Paper: Whisper White (100730), Old Olive (100702) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Petals-a-plenty Textured Impressions Folder (116824), Flower Fusion (110720), Elastic Gold Cord (109867), Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854), Gold Brads (104337), Gold Embossing Powder (109129), Heat Tool (100005), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin Dimensionals (104430)

Floating Bunny

Bear with me because I know this card is a little unconventional- the main image is "floating" off the edge of the card! I thought I would try something new, and new it is.

• I started with the basket image first. It was inked up using Melon Mambo and stamped onto whisper white.
  
• I used a sticky note to cover the basket portion so that I could place the bunny "inside".
• The bunny and shadowing was created using Sahara Sand and a blender pen.
• To create the balloon portion, I took a piece of Melon Mambo Patterns DSP and covered it using Sticky Pages. Then, with the red film still attached, I used my 1 3/4" Circle punch to pop out the "balloon". TIP: This was not easy... The punch didn't cut through the sticky page and I did end up doing a tiny bit of hand-cutting using my paper snips.
• Next, I covered the circle using clear micro beads (a little hard to see, click the photo to enlarge), and attached it to the basket using glue dots.
• The Whisper White was popped up using dimensionals onto a mat of Going Gray.
• Another Melon Mambo print was given a scallop edge and added to the right side and the entire piece was matted again in Pretty in Pink.
• Pretties Kit half-pearls were added in each corner using mini-glue dots.
• The Going Gray card base is not a standard card size (in keeping with my unconventional theme!). I used the scallop edge punch on both the front and back.
• The sentiment, from Cute & Cuddly, was isolated from the scallop square using a Melon Mambo and a Basic Black marker. It was cropped using a 1 1/4" circle punch and layered onto a Melon Mambo circle and Pretty in Pink scallop circle.
• Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon was wrapped around the card and a white Latte Designer button was sewn to the middle using gray thread.

Can you tell the shower is for a baby girl? :)



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Recipe:
Stamps: Cute & Cuddly (113682), Sweet Centers (116521)
Ink: Melon Mambo (115656), Basic Black (101179), Sahara Sand (105208)
Paper: Going Gray (108588), Melon Mambo (115320), Melon Mambo Patterns Pack DSP (115687), Whisper White (100730), Pretty in Pink (100459)
Accessories: Sticky Pages (114300), Clear Micro Beads (104266), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Pretties Kit (109114), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Glue Dots (104183), Dimensionals (104430), Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain (115611), Latte Designer Buttons (114333), Scallop Circle Punch (109043)

PPA15: A Color Challenge!

Today's card features the colors Ruby Red, Taken with Teal, and Basic Gray for the Pals Paper Arts color challenge. And boy was it a challenge for me!!! I sat for quite awhile trying to figure out what I should make when I remembered a good rule of thumb: when in doubt, add lots of white!!!

• This card has a Basic Gray base. This is actually the only Basic Gray there is on the card, but I didn't intend for it to work out that way. I think the silver accents are a good compromise :).
• Whisper White came next. I stamped the snowflake image, from Patterned Pines, in Taken with Teal and Ruby Red just on the right side.
• Using a paper piercing tool, I was able to punch tiny holes in a few of the snowflakes for some silver brads.
• The sentiment was isolated from a larger Season of Joy stamp using a Taken with Teal SU marker. TIP: I also used a stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement.
• A scalloped edge piece of Ruby Red and some silver elastic cording were used to dress up the left side of the card.
• The Patterned Pines trees were inked using a Versamark pad and stamped onto both Ruby Red and Taken with Teal before being silver heat embossed. I snipped out a tree in each color and layered them onto the card using dimensionals.
• Filigree Designer Brads make cute tree toppers using mini glue dots.
  

Be sure to head over to Pals Paper Arts to upload your creation!!!

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Recipe:
Stamps: Patterned Pines (116525), Season of Joy (110384)
Ink: Ruby Red (102259), Taken with Teal (103257), Versamark (102283)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Basic Gray (108692), Ruby Red (102030), Taken with Teal (101584)
Accessories: Silver embossing powder (109131), Heat Tool (100005), Filigree Designer Brads (112577), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Silver Elastic Cord (109866), Silver Brads (104336), Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Paper Piercing Tool (116631)

Craft Fair Results

Hi Everyone!
Well I think that my crazy event schedule might finally be winding down. I have one more baby shower this coming Saturday to prepare for and then I will hopefully have much more time to do what I love- stamping!!! And before we know it the holidays will be upon us which means more creating!

As many of you know, this past Saturday I took part in my very first craft fair. I admit, I had no idea what to expect. I had never been to the school that was hosting it and I wasn't sure what the set-up would be. Needless to say, next year I plan to set-up my booth a little differently. For some reason, I thought their would be a wall or something that I could hang my signs on, so I ended up having to lean them up against things. Oh well!

The large table in my booth was filled with all the cards I had for sale. Another small table featured cards that I had made for examples- for custom cards and invitations and for ideas. The last table had all of my business supplies: Newsletter and Events sign-up, door prize drawing, catalogs, & business cards. I also set up my Big-Shot on this table. I cut up a whole bunch of card stock so customers could try it and demonstrated the versatility of the steel rule dies and the different materials it can cut through. There was a lot of interest in it!

Well since I mentioned the possibility of 'next year', then you can probably tell that the craft fair was a success! I sold about 1/2 of my card inventory, got a couple SU! orders and some new clients for workshops and classes!! Woohoo!!

On a personal note, I recently found out that the little girl that I babysit will be moving in the next month to North Dakota with her family. This is such sad news for us as we have really loved having her spend time with our family this last year. In order to fill the void financially, I am looking into a few at-home options (since I am a stay-at-home mom), but ideally I would love to step-up my Stampin' Up! career. If you or anyone you know would be willing to host a workshop (Spokane area) or a catalog party (anywhere!), please let me know. There are some great promotions for hostesses available through Stampin' Up!, plus you will receive a free Idea Book and Catalog, and a special gift from me!

Thanks!

PS. Had to include a picture from Halloween of my handsome hubby and little man. Our 2 year old was either an Alligator, Dinosaur, or Dragon. We really aren't sure!