Merry Christmas

Hi All,

Happy Holidays! I hope that each of you are enjoying the day with your family and friends. We got together with my family yesterday, so it's a nice quiet relaxing day at home for us.

I made sure to squeeze in a few minutes to upload my last card of the holiday season. It is a paper pieced tree. I saw this tree on a tag that Jennifer Timko had designed and just had to recreate it.


I loved the papers she chose to use, so I kept those the same. They are 1 3/4", 1 1/2", 1 1/4", and 1" squares cut in half on the diagonal and stacked. How clever is that? I paired them up with some Crumb Cake card stock, kept the design simple and added some seam binding. What a cute card that you could replicate with so many different Designer Series Papers.

Hope you like it and will file it away for your 2012 holiday card designs. Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

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Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Crumb Cake Card stock; Frostwood Lodge DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic Pad
Accessories: Corner Rounder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Crumb Cake Button and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Sweet Little Snowman

Hi All,

What's winter without a few snowmen? They are just so cute, I can't resist! I've seen quite a few cards where this guy has been added to a tag. I did just that.


I decided to keep my snowman simple--no color. The little shading I did was with my Versamarker (which I bought for another project that I've never done.) At least I finally put it to use ;)

These tags are so easy to make. Just cut a rectangle to the size you want and use your Corner Rounder to round out the corners. Then punch out some cardstock with the Round Tab punch, add it to the top and you have a tag. I punched two holes in the tab and tied in some Linen Thread. Don't want to attach your tag to a card? Add it to a gift bag to spruce it up a bit.

Are you inspired by snowmen? If so, I'd love to see your project...just leave me a link! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick & Four the Holidays
Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red & Very Vanilla Cardstock; Letters to Santa DSP
Ink: Early Espresso & Crumb Cake Classic Pads
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Corner Rounder, Round Tab Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch, Versamarker, Petal Cone Die (Banner), Brown Rik-Rak Ribbon, Linen Thread, Sponges and Pop Dots/Dimensionals

One Shimmery Snowflake

Hi All,

I have another fabulous CASE to share with you. I had just bought the Red Shimmer paper and ran across this little gem by Angela McKay over at North Shore Stamper. I kept the same general design, but switched up the sentiment, opted for Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding and added a couple extra rhinestones.

Is it not full of shimmery goodness...with a bit of bling thrown in??? I'm not sure about you ladies, but I think Crumb Cake just seems to work so perfectly with winter themed cards. I just love it! Hope you do too ;) Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Stamps: Bright Christmas
Paper: Crumb Cake Cardstock & Red Glimmer Paper
Ink: Real Red Classic Pad and Whisper White Craft Pad
Accessories: Snowflake Punch, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Clear Rhinestones, Sponges and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Peace Love Joy

Hi All,

As you know, I've been designing for The Paper Players the last couple of months. It's been a focus of creating lots of original designs....but, I've also had my eye on a couple of great cards that I've been wanting to CASE.

My card today was inspired by Jen Sannes over at Simple & Sincere. Her cards are all Simply Fabulous. This one has a non-traditional color theme that is right up my alley: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake and Basic Black.

The colors and simple design are perfect for such an elegant card. And, who doesn't love snowflakes. There is truly something so serene about them. Jen, thanks so much for such a beautiful inspiration!

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Stamps: Serene Snowflakes & All Holidays
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black and Very Vanilla Cardstock; First Edition DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake & Basic Black Classic Ink
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Black Satin Ribbon, Clear Rhinestones and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

PP76: Very Merry Snowflakes

Hi All! As I'm typing this, I'm realizing that this will be my last card design for the Paper Players. It has been a great ride and I've truly enjoyed working with this wonderful group of ladies. Thanks so much for having me!

For our Clean & Simple challenge this week, Ann has come up with a beautiful color theme: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla and Gold.
What a gorgeous color combination this makes--it's just perfect for the holidays. I looked through all of my DSP and couldn't find anything that would work, so I stuck with good 'ol cardstock and some gold paper.

Of course, I missed the Clean & Simple part till I went in to upload my card to the Paper Players blog, but luckily I kept it pretty simple. My favorite part...that Baker's Twine. I've had that in my stash for quite some time and was finally able to use it. These simple little snowflakes are one of my favorites. They can be found in the Season of Friendship stamp set.

Are you inspired with this color combo? If so, hop on over to the Paper Players blog and upload your card or project. While you're there, check out all of the other fabulous design that the ladies have created just for you. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps: Season of Friendship and Short & Sweet
Paper: Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Gold Paper
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink
Accessories: 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Scallop Border Punch, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Ivory and Red Buttons, Mat Pack & Paper Piercer and Gold Brads

PP75: Darling Dasher

Hi All! I have had a delightfully chilly, rainy day here in AZ to create my project for this week. Nance has given us quite the challenge: Create a Holiday card using non-holiday stamps or colors.
I looked over all my stamp sets and nothing was really grabbing me...so, I went with Non-Traditional Colors. Was that the easy way out???? No judging girls!!

I tried to find a color challenge to work with online, but ended up using a paper pack that was still out on my table: Letters to Santa. This pink and green pattern is actually a sheet in the pack. I think that's about as non-traditional as you can get.

Once I got all my layers settled, I knew just want stamp would be perfect with this paper...Mr Dasher. There was just something about the plaid that called his name. I cut my image to size, added some more layers and a cute button with this fabulous pink ribbon to finish it off.

What do ya think? Would you like to get a super cute pink card for the holidays? I totally think it works. Are you inspired to create your own non-traditional holiday card? If so, hop on over to the Paper Players blog and get it uploaded. We'd LOVE to see it! While you're there, check out what the other talented ladies have created just for you. Thanks for stopping by!

Paper Players Design Team
Ann Schach
Ann Marie Hile
Jaydee
LeAnne Pugliese
Lesley Croghan
Nance Leedy
Rita Wright (December Guest Designer)
Tara Bilbao

Stamps: Dasher & All Holidays
Paper: Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Old Olive and Whisper White Cardstock; Letters to Santa DSP
Ink: Early Espresso Classic Pad
Accessories: Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Brown Button, Brown Brads, Scallop Edge Punch, Lots of Tags Die, Cinnamon Stickles and Pop Dots/Dimensionals

PP74: A Vintage Snowman

Hi All! It's so good to be back. I took off last week to prepare for a workshop and I sure missed hangin' out with y'all. But, you were in good hands. Rita filled in for me and did a fabulous job. Thanks so much Rita!! The break must have done me some good, because my card this week came together pretty easily. It sure helps that Lesley put together a sweet little sketch for us to play with.

When I saw the oval shape, I immediately thought snowman. There are some really pretty prints in the Deck the Halls DSP that I thought would work perfectly on this sketch as well. I settled on a really pretty blue design and that was the inspiration for my card.

I went with a vintage-y look for my design...which is something I don't often do. I love the softened look that the sponging does for the edges and it works so well with this stamp set. I added a bit of snowflake embossing on the background and some Jingle Bells to my sentiment. Isn't he just adorable?

What do you think? Are you inspired by the sketch? If so, be sure to hop on over to the Paper Players Blog and upload your project. While you're there, check out all the other fabulous cards the Players have put together for you. I see that the Tiny Tags were popular this week ;) Thanks so much for stopping by!

Paper Players Design Team
Ann Schach
Ann Marie Hile
Jaydee
LeAnne Pugliese
Lesley Croghan
Nance Leedy
Susan Joyce (November Guest Designer)
Tara Bilbao

Stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick, Tiny Tags & Season of Friendship
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake and Whisper White; Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake & Basic Black Classic Pads
Accessories: Jingle Bells, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Snowflakes Embossing Folder, Blue Brads, Linen Thread, Sponges and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

PP72:Naughty or Nice?

Hi All, Happy Sunday! The weekend is almost over, but the new Paper Players challenge is just beginning. LeAnne has a nice, cozy holiday palette for us to play with this week: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke and River Rock.

I love River Rock, so I couldn't wait to pull it out and play. I actually didn't have Riding Hood Red, so, surely, I had to add it to my collection. It's funny how some colors have been around forever...but you just never get around to buying them ;)

Along with my new order of Riding Hood Red, I ordered up the Letters to Santa DSP. There happens to be a print in there that has all of these colors. I used it as my background and drew from it as my inspiration.

If you can believe it, there are no stamps on this card. These are all prints in the paper pack that I cut out and used to make a bit of a collage. I did cheat and add a bit of Early Espresso to my color combo. I think it adds a nice balance to the card. And...since we're talking Naughty and Nice...I finished it off with a little bling. It just seems fitting!

Are these colors talking to you? If so, be sure to hop on over to the Paper Players Blog and upload your project. While you're there, be sure to check out all of the other fabulous cards the Players have put together for you. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Paper Players Design Team
Ann Schach
Anne Marie Hile
Jaydee
LeAnne Pugliese
Lesley Croghan
Nance Leedy
Susan Joyce (November Guest Designer)
Tara Bilbao

Stamps: None (Can you believe it?)
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, River Rock and Whisper White Cardstock; Letters to Santa DSP
Ink: None
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Clear Rhinestones, Jumbo Brown Brads and Pop Dots/Dimensionals

PP71: Let's Get Cooking

Hi All! I sure hope you're having a great weekend. We are actually getting some cooler weather here in AZ, so we headed out to a Salsa Festival in Chandler. I had never been to one before, so we thought we'd try it out. We got our own little bag of tortilla chips and a ballot. I'm a 'foodie' so it was fun to try all of the different salsas and vote on my favorites. Just yummy!

Anne Marie has a fun challenge for us this week at the Paper Players: Let's Get Cooking. You'd think this would include food, but it doesn't. It just calls for a whole 'recipe' of goodness to play with.
For a clean and simple girl like myself, I thought I'd have trouble with this one, but I didn't. As usual, I just played with a lot of color.

First on the recipe was to use (3) different patterned papers. I kinda cheated on this one...as I couldn't keep it at 3. I couldn't get a balance going with the design I wanted to use, so I actually used (5) different designs. Shhhhh....we'll try to keep that our secret from Anne Marie ;)

Next up, two different ribbons. When I was organizing my panels, I added a pop of More Mustard. I chose a More Mustard Grosgrain for my first ribbon to coordinate with this paper. My second ribbon is a shear brown. I wanted to offset all the color and go a bit more neutral.

My punches were incorporated into the flower. I used the Scallop Circle punch and the 1" Circle punch. I layered four different scallops and scrunched up the edges. The Antique Brad just finishes it off.

Where is the glitter you might say? Well, it's hard to tell in this photo, but I used a bit of Copper Stickles in the center of the flowers on the bottom panel. This color is actually pretty close to More Mustard and adds just the perfect amount of sparkle.

What do you think...can you work all of these elements in to a design of your own? If so, be sure to hop on over to the Paper Players and get it uploaded. While you're there, be sure to check out all of the beautiful projects the other Players have put together for you. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach
Ann Marie Hile
Jaydee
LeAnne Pugliese
Lesley Croghan
Nance Leedy
Susan Joyce (November Guest Designer)
Tara Bilbao

Stamps: Kindness Matters

Paper: More Mustard, Pool Party & Early Espresso Cardstock; Spice Cake DSP
Ink: Early Espresso Classic Pad
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Petal Cone Die, Paper Piercer, Antique Brads, More Mustard Grosgrain Ribbon, Shear Brown Ribbon and a Glue Dot

PP #70 & Fall Blog Hop 2011

Hi Everybody! What an exciting weekend it has been. The Paper Players hosted a Blog Hop and I got to be a part of it. Thanks to all of you that stopped by and left so many sweet comments. I truly do appreciate it! We will be leaving the links up, so feel free to start hopping if you haven't seen all of the design team's great projects. There's still some fun Blog Candy out there to be won.

We also have a challenge this week at the Paper Players. It's 'Anything Goes'! Just add a Fall element.

My card comes to you straight out of the Holiday Mini Catalog. It is the main reason I just invested in the Island Indigo suite: paper, pad and marker. It's just gorgeous!


If you follow my blog, you know that I LOVE to make this card size. I just think it so stylish and sassy! It is 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" scored at 3 1/4". This card has so many fun details, it's hard to know where to start. There's stitching, fabulous color, trimming, a great design and so much dimension that the focal image almost jumps right off the card. My favorite part...the stitching around the edge. I don't have a sewing machine, so I paper pierced the border and used some embroidery floss and a needle to stitch them all together. What a great look!

**Some of you asked where to get envelopes to fit this size card. I'm not sure who else carries them, but Stampin' Up definitely does. They are Item# 107286. Their dimensions are 6 3/4" x 3 1/2" and, yes, you can mail them. They are available through your SU! Demo or you can order them through my SU! Website by clicking the link in the top right hand corner.

The other Players have many more projects to share. LeAnne Pugliese is next, so be sure to hop on over. Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Marshall (You are Here)

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Rita Wright

Tara Bilbao

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile
Cindy Hall

Jaydee

Stamps: Always Thankful
Paper: Soft Suede, Island Indigo, More Mustard and Very Vanilla Cardstock
Ink: Soft Suede, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry and Pear Pizzazz Classic Pads
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, Linen Thread, Scissors, Needle & Embroidery Floss and Dimensionals

PP69: Give Thanks

Hi All! Are you ready for a sketch challenge this week? Nance has put together a great flagged banner sketch for us.
I was so excited when I saw this as I've been wanting to try a design like this for some time. For me, this design is all about color and paper. So, in preparation, I placed a little order and got some new goodies. Among my goodies was the new Spice Cake DSP. When I say this pack is gorgeous, it is no understatement. Every single print is worthy of being on a card.

With the new DSP came some new colors to add to the collection. Pool Party is the first one I used as it was in these prints I picked out. As you can see, it pairs up beautifully with Soft Suede. The flowers are new too. They are the Floral Fusion Sizzlets Die. Some of the other Paper Player girls have been using them and I was sold. I figured they'd be perfect for this sketch. At their centers are the new Polka Dot Brads. A-dor-a-ble!

The papers and design came together so easily, but I could not pull together a focal image on the banner. That's always my problem...finishing it off. Maybe something will hit me and I'll get it added. Until then, we'll let the papers be the stars of the show.

Is this sketch calling your name? If so, we'd love to see your design. Be sure to stop by the Paper Players and check out the other fabulous cards and upload your own. Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Ann Marie Hile

Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilbao

Cindy Hall (October Guest Designer)

Stamps: Holiday Best
Paper: Pool Party, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Spice Cake DSP
Ink: Soft Suede Classic Pad
Accessories: Floral Fusion Die, Patterned Brads-Pool Party, Mat Pack & Paper Piercer and 1/16" Hole Punch

PP68: Elegant Bells

Hi All! I sure hope you're having a great weekend so far. I started mine off by packing up what seems like half of my craft room to head to my sweet friend Nicole's house for an afternoon of card making with our friend Mary Beth. We all had the same theme as we sat down to create: Christmas cards. It just so happens to be our challenge this week at the Paper Players.


Create a Clean and Simple card with a Christmas theme using Red & Green. I took all of my Christmas sets, but ended up using one of my friend's sets that I don't yet have...although I think it will soon become part of my collection.

This gorgeous stamp set is called Bells & Boughs. My friend Mary Beth made a beautiful card with this set using Old Olive. Since I needed a red, I paired it up with Cherry Cobbler. Together, this trio makes a beautifully elegant card.

I have to tell you...I am truly inspired by these two ladies every time we get together. They find new ideas in the catalogs or online and they make it their own. They get excited about tearing paper or trying a new card style and that is what makes our hobby so fun to share.

I sure hope you'll share with us this week. I know many of you have a Christmas card goal that you're trying to reach. Add to that collection by joining us over at the Paper Players. We would love to see what you create. Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Ann Marie Hile

Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilboa

Cindy Hall (October Guest Designer)

Stamp Sets: Bells & Boughs and Four the Holidays
Paper: Cherry Cobbler & Very Vanilla Cardstock
Ink: Old Olive & Cherry Cobbler Classic Pads
Accessories: Top Note Die, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Rhinestones and Pop Dots/Dimensionals

PP67: Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Fall

Hi Everyone! This week at the Paper Players, Jaydee has a wonderful Color Challenge for us: Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla.


They scream fall to me, so that's the direction I took. I immediately thought of the leaves from the French Foliage set. I originally tried the Rock 'N Roll technique, but the leaves didn't have enough color for me, so I decided just to stamp the leaves in these three colors.


I guess I went CAS again this week, as I have lots of white space. Bravo Burgundy is the color that really popped out for me, so I used that as my pop of color in the added layer and the sentiment. The leaves are cut out, so they add a nice dimension to the card. Lots of white space = paper piercing to me, so I added a bit of that to finish it all off.

Have you started your Thanksgiving cards yet? Maybe this color combo will inspire you to do so. If so, be sure to pop on over to the Paper Players to see what the other talented designers have created for you...or better yet, to upload your own project. We'd love to see it! Thanks so much for stopping by.

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Ann Marie Hile

Tara Bilbao

Nance Leedy

Cindy Hall (October Guest Designer)

Stamps: French Foliage & Falling Leaves
Paper: Bravo Burgundy & Very Vanilla
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Cajun Craze & More Mustard
Accessories: Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, Yellow Button, Embroidery Floss and a Glue Dot

PP66: A Note of Appreciation

Hi Everyone! This week at the Paper Players, LeAnne has a fabulous theme challenge for us: Music. It can be literal with music notes, it can be interpretive of a song...or just a tune that gets stuck in your head.

I was inspired by literal music notes. The Music Notes wheel was added to my collection not too long ago, so I was very excited to finally ink it up.

It has been a crazy, busy week and weekend for me, so I went CAS with this design. I was inspired by a card in the catalog where they used the same color scallops layered over the music note wheel...no ribbon, no colored layers, no piercing! I tried to just really focus on colors. I wish I would have had a Cherry Cobbler print to layer on the butterfly, but I was surprised to find that I don't...hmmmmm. So, I added some bling.

Are you inspired by a favorite song or have this same wheel that you haven't inked up yet? If so, be sure to stop by the Paper Players blog and see what the other ladies have cooked up for you...or better yet, upload your very own project. We'd love to see it! Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Jaydee

Leanne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Tara Bilbao

Nance Leedy

Cindy Hall (October Guest Designer)

Rita Wright (Ms. Sassy Substitute)

Stamps: Music Notes Wheel & Picture This
Paper: River Rock & Cherry Cobbler Cardstock
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink
Accessories: Beautiful Butteflies Die, Scallop Border Punch, Standard Wheel Handle and Rhinestones

PP65: Happy Hoot-y Halloween!

Hi Everybody! This week at the Paper Players, we have a fun sketch to play with: three panels and a focal image. The sky's the limit. You can use any DSP, mix DSP, add in some layers, you pick.


So simple right? Not so much for me this week. I couldn't find inspiration in anything...especially all of my packs of DSP as I sat and went through them. I then thought about all of the owls you guys have been using over the past couple of weeks and I decided to go with a Halloween theme.



For this card, I started with my owl and worked backwards. Once he was built, I knew I wanted to perch him right on top of a medallion. I hadn't made one in some time and I was surprised how easily it went together. I remember times when I had to wrestle with the medallions to get them to stay put. Have any of those moments????

I saved the panels till last. It actually took some time to decide which colors/prints should go where. I think having the grid design on the base really ties everything together.

Are you lovin' this sketch? If so, hop on over to the Paper Players and see what the other girls have cooked up for you...or better yet, to upload your very own project. We'd love to see it! Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Ann Marie Hile

Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Tara Bilbao

Sandie Conner (September GD)

Rita Wright (Sassy Substitute this Week)

Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Old Olive & Perfect Plum Cardstock; Love Letter & Cast-A-Spell DSP
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink
Accessories: Owl Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Modern Label Punch, Circle Nestabilities, Lots of Tags Die, Green Brads, Black Rik-Rak, Sponge, Pop Dots/Dimensionals and Large Glue Dots

PP64: thanks {so much}

The challenge this week at The Paper Players is to use a Plant or an Animal in a Clean & Simple Design. Plant...easy, Animal...not so much. Yes, I took the easy way out--no judging! (And, shhhhh, I think I missed the 'Clean & Simple' part when I checked out our next challenge ;)


Living here in Arizona, we still have quite a bit of heat, so I haven't quite made the switch to fall and darker colors yet. As you can tell by this card...I'm still using plenty of color.


The first new In Color I bought was Calypso Coral. Quite a few of my girls were heart broken when SU! retired Cameo Coral, so I wanted to show them that we have a fabulous new alternative. Calypso Coral is just a tad bit darker than Cameo Coral...and can you believe that it pairs so well with Baja Breeze. Would have never guessed it! I found this combo in no other place than my Color Coach.

I also got to pair up two fun accessories new to my collection: Crochet Trim & the Tiny Safety Pins. The Crochet Trim adds just the perfect touch of femininity and the Tiny Pins are great for attaching these Tiny Tags. I love how it all came together.

Need some more inspiration? Be sure to hop on over to The Paper Players blog to see what the other girls have cooked up for you...or better yet, to upload your very own project. We'd love to see it! Thanks for stopping by.

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Ann Marie Hile

Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilbao

Sandie Conner (September GD)

Stamps: Field Flowers & Tiny Tags
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze & Very Vanilla Cardstock; First Edition & Walk in the Park DSP
Ink: Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz & Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories: Crochet Trim, Vintage Trinkets, Jewelry Tag Medium Punch, Curly Label Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch, Brown Brads and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Queen for a Day

Well, who doesn't want to be a Queen for a Day??? Admit it, there's a bit of princess in each of us. I thought that sentiment was perfect for the card I have for you today. As soon as I saw this on the cover of the 2011-2012 Catalog, I knew I had to make it. My favorite part....that fabulous frame that is the focal image of the card.


It is one of the new Designer Frames embossing folders that SU has introduced. This oval also comes with a rectangular frame. I have seen them used so many different ways and I will definitely be sharing them with you.

I must admit that this DSP also steals a bit of the show. Yep, I pulled out the Mocha Morning again for this card. Between all the fussy tearing, ribbon and feminine details, I do believe this card is fit for a Queen! Hope you like it.

Stamps: You're a Gem, Tiny Tags & Elements of Style
Paper: Soft Suede, Early Espresso & Very Vanilla Cardstock; Mocha Morning DSP
Ink: Early Espresso & Regal Rose Classic Pads
Accessories: Designer Frames Embossing Folders, Antique Brads, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch and Crumb Cake Seam Binding

PP63: My Dear Kind & Wonderful Friend

This week at the Paper Players, Nance has challenged us with a stunning color combination. These are not colors that I would naturally throw together, but they work together so perfectly. We actually made this card at my workshop on Thursday. My girls didn't know it...but, they got a sneak peek ;) I must say...this was one of their favorites of the night:


I think my favorite part of the card is the layering of these colors. The gray on the focal image and the postage stamps brings it all together with the gray card base. Those cute postage stamps were some of my new goodies that I pulled out: the Pretty Postage stamp set and the Postage Stamp punch. Can you see a theme here? This card originally started out as a postcard design....but, you can see that it transformed itself.

Have these colors inspired you to hit the craft room and create a project? Be sure to pop on over to the Paper Players blog to see what the other talented ladies have created...and better yet, upload your creation. We'd love to see it!

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Ann Marie Hile

Rita (for Jaydee)

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilbao

Sandra Conner (September GD)

Stamps: Pretty Postage, Because I Care & All Holidays
Paper: Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink: Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry & Old Olive Classic Pads
Accessories: Postage Stamp Punch, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Green Rhinestone Brad and Pop Dots/Dimensionals

Paper Players Challenge #62 Just for You

I'm just so excited! This is my first week as Guest Designer at The Paper Players and boy have the girls come up with some fabulous cards. It's a Theme Challenge this week: Birthdays. Who doesn't need Birthday cards?

I had just gotten a new SU! order and in it was the gorgeous Mocha Morning Specialty DSP. I knew I wanted to cut this up and get it on a card. All I needed was a sketch. I came across this one at The Sweet Stop.


I had envisioned lots of layers, so this was perfect. The DSP has Soft Suede, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. I wanted a pop of color, so I threw in some Melon Mambo. Melon Mambo and Soft Suede were In Colors together, so I thought they would pair together beautifully . Here's the card I came up with:

The colors and layers came together so easily...but, the hardest part for me is finding that perfect finishing touch. After much deliberation, I punched out the banner from the Petal Cone Die, cut it apart and trimmed it down to size. I added a button to each end and I think it adds the perfect balance to the card without being too much.

What do you think? Are you inspired to create a card for that special girlfriend, husband, sister, brother or maybe even a coworker? Well, if you need some inspiration or want to upload your design, be sure to pop on over to The Paper Players and check us out. We'd love to see your creation!

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Ann Marie Hile

Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilbao

Sandra Connor (September GD)

Stamps: Simply Soft (Hostess) & Hodgepodge Happiness

Paper: Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla Cardstock; Mocha Morning DSP
Ink: Melon Mambo Classic Pad & Timber Brown StazOn
Accessories: Petal Cone Die, Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, Embroidery Floss, Blender Pens, Seam Binding-Crumb Cake, Pink Buttons, Stickles

Hot Off the Press!

Have you heard the news??? There's a new Guest Designer in town...and it's me! I applied to be one of the Fall Guest Designers over at The Paper Players and what do you know-I got picked. I am just so excited to be chosen and can't wait to share my designs and hopefully spark some inspiration.

For those of you that may not know, The Paper Players is a Challenge Blog to get you inspired in making your own creations. There is a new challenge every Sunday. It could be a Theme, Color or Sketch Challenge. I hope you'll pop in and see what the Design Team has come up with. I feel very lucky to be working beside so many talented ladies.

My first guest appearance is this Sunday, Sept 4th and I'll be there weekly through December. Be sure to stop on by!

http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/

Lavender Lace Butterflies

This is another version of the card in my previous post. I designed that one with pink, this one in purple. Which do you like better? I must say, I usually prefer the more subtle colors, but I love the brighter Lavender Lace and So Saffron combination here. It's just pretty.

I don't have much more to add about this card, but I will share that one of my other cards was featured over at My Crafty Picks this week. Stop over and check out all the work by the other lovely ladies.

I have also been keeping a very exciting secret that I can't wait to share with you guys. Check back in next week to see what it is! Enjoy your weekend.

Stamp: Kindness Matters, Short & Sweet
Paper: Lavender Lace, So Saffron & Very Vanilla Cardstock; Shades of Spring DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories: Postage Stamp Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Petal Cone Die, Pearls, and Yellow Tulle

Pretty Pink Butterflies

Is this not the sweetest little card ever? I got a request for a personalized Baby Girl card and immediately thought of this stamp set. It's called Kindness Matters and is one of my new favorites. The butterfly images are just precious.

I got the design inspiration right out of the catalog on pg 121. I thought it would be perfect for highlighting the baby's name. The name was printed on vellum and cut out with the Petal Cone Die. After I took the picture, I decided to add baby pearls before and after the name. It gave it the perfect finishing touch.

I love all the layers that this card creates. I hope you like it too! Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps: Kindness Matters
Paper: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron and Very Vanilla; Shades of Spring DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories: Postage Stamp Punch, Petal Cone Die, Scallop Border Punch and Yellow Tulle

{thanks}

Happy Weekend Everyone! It is finally here. If you would have asked me an hour ago if I'd be updating my blog tonight...the answer would have been a resounding no. I was ready to lay down, pull out my Nook and retire for the evening.

But, I got my second wind on the way home from dinner. We were rockin' out to the new Chili Peppers song: The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie. It's amazing how music can have that affect on you. Just this week, I was driving to work, listening to the 80s, and landed right back in 1984. Apache Junction, AZ....7th Grade...Billy Ocean singing Loverboy. I don't think I've heard that song since then, but I caught myself singing it all day with a smile on my face. You gotta love those moments & memories!

This stamp set brings back lots of memories for me too. I think that's why I love it so much. I grew up in the country with lots of wild flowers. This image reminds me of all the flowers that grew in the fields around our house. I think it inspires a feeling of peace.

My new 'Color I Wish I Had' is Tangerine Tango. I think this set would be beautiful with it. For this card I settled for my vintage Only Orange stamp pad. I had it tucked away and forgot I even had it till I went looking for a brighter orange. I love the look of it stamped on the First Edition DSP. Got the idea from Ilina Crouse's card here. I may redo it and sponge the edges a bit, but for now, it works. Hope you like it!

Stamps: Field Flowers & Pretty Postage
Paper: Early Espresson, Only Orange and Very Vanilla Cardstock; First Edition DSP
Ink: Garden Green, Only Orange and Early Espresso Classic Pads
Accessories: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Large Oval Punch, XL Oval Punch and Linen Thread

Rustic Field Flowers

Well, this is truly a record. I haven't even had my new SU! goodies for 24 hours and I have a card made. I've been excited for orders in the past, but I think this was one of my favorite boxes to receive. It has all my favorites from the new catalog.

The focus of this card is the stamp set: Field Flowers. For this card, I was inspired by a card on the front of the new catalog. The orange and brown pair so nicely together...and that pop of green is just perfect.

I distressed just about every layer on this card using my distressing tool. Just run it around the edges, rough them up a bit and you're done. I then finished it off by sponging on a bit of Chocolate Chip. Hope you like it!

Stamps: Field Flowers, French Script & Short & Sweet
Paper: Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip Textured and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Woodland Walk DSP
Ink: Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, and Chocolate Chip Classic Pads
Accessories: Modern Label Punch, Distressing Tool, Rik-Rak, Green Brads, 1/16" Hole Punch, Paper Piercer and the Mat Pack

Pretty Pink Bouquet

My card today is a CASE of this beautiful card by Vicki Burdick. There was something so very feminine about her card.

I don't have the Fabulous Florets stamp set yet, so I substituted the Fifth Avenue Floral set. I think it works just as nicely.

The flowers were colored using a Pretty in Pink stamp pad and my Blender Pens. They are colored lighter toward the center and darker at the tips. Before adding pearls to the center, I colored in some brown accents using my Chocolate Chip marker.

One of my favorite parts of her card, is the stitching she did randomly around the border. I pierced the holes with my mat pack, then stitched them with a needle and some pink embroidery floss I had on hand. It adds the perfect touch.

I had such fun recreating this card and love how it turned out. I hope you do too. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Nature Walk, Short & Sweet
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Shades of Spring DSP
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip Classic Pads
Accessories: Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, Pink Embroidery Floss, Designer Buttons-Subtles, Linen Thread, a Needle, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals/Pop Dots and Glue Dots

Fabulous Flower

Hi All! It's good to be back. I took a little hiatus for my brother's wedding in California and then just took the rest of the week off from crafting altogether. I feel so refreshed and ready to go.

This card was inspired by Vicki Burdick's seen here. She used a bit of embossing on the Flower Fest stamp set. I don't have this stamp set, but felt pretty confident I could create something similar. The first thing that came to mind was my Nestabilities. I cut three different sizes and stacked them. I recreated her embossed edge by sponging the edges with some Whisper White Craft Ink.

I needed a Mom Birthday card and a Petal Cone to match, so it was fun to try out a different style on the cone. I did the same flower and added the Little Leaves Die Cut. So feminine...so pretty. Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps: Bring on the Cake & Non-SU Alphabet Set
Paper: Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and Whisper White Cardstock; Sweet Always DSP
Ink: Regal Rose & Basic Black Stamp Pads; Whisper White Craft Pad
Accessories: Petal Cone Die, Little Leave Die, Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Half Back Pearls, Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, Light Green Rik-Rak, Corner Rounder Punch and a sponge

A Bit of Beach

Yes, this is really me...I'm not incognito, nor have I stolen this picture from someone else. This picture was snapped in my craft room one night, so it doesn't have the normal background image you're used to seeing.

I needed a birthday card for someone who loves the beach. I soon realized that I do not have one stamp set that is beach themed. I think I have everything but.

So, I started brainstorming. What reminds me of the beach? I immediately thought of color --- blues! I chose three different shades to represent the different colors of water: Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist and Bashful Blue. They are gorgeous together.

I then began to peruse all of my mom's die cuts (which happen to be on vacation in my craft room.) I came across a sand dollar. This just happens to be one of my favorite things about the ocean. I thought it would be a perfect addition to the card.

I think there is something very peaceful about this card...and reminiscent of the beach. It makes me want to be there right now ;)

Stamps: Happy Harmony
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla Cardstock
Ink: Chocolate Chip & Crumb Cake Classic Ink
Accessories: Petal Cone Die, Fun Flowers Die, Sand Dollar Die, Scalloped Edge Border Punch, Brown Buttons, Linen Thread, Brown Sheer Ribbon, Sponge and Glue Dots