PPA 100 Celebration and Huge Blog Candy Giveaway!!

Pals Paper Arts is celebrating our 100th Challenge with a Technique Challenge AND a huge Blog Candy Give Away! Read this post to see how you can become eligible to be showered with Blog Candy by the PPA Design Team!!

Today's Pals Paper Arts Challenge is Technique. The technique I chose was Embossing. I embossed the usual way, and then I used the Emboss Resist technique as well. Let me show you:

Here I stamped my image onto Elegant Eggplant card stock using White Craft Ink. Then I added Crystal Clear Embossing Powder and heat set it with my heat gun. I couldn't get a good photo of the 3-D look that embossing brings to your project.

On this Large punched Oval, I used the same image, but stamped it onto Whisper White using Versa Mark 'Ink' which is a clear 'ink.' Then I took a sponge and rubbed it onto my Elegant Eggplant stamp pad and rubbed it over the image. This makes the "invisible" image appear by providing a dark background. I decorated the flower withe a basic rhinestone and added my sentiment punched out in the Modern Label shape.

Above is my contribution to the Pals Paper Arts HUGE BLOG CANDY Giveaway!! You can be eligible to win (U.S. ONLY) the above items AND more items from each member of the Design Team! Here is how you can be eligible:

1. Make a project sharing a "technique." Ideas: Paper-piercing, Embossing, Faux Stitching, Pop-up card, etc.

2. Upload your project onto the PPA site with a DIRECT LINK to your blog or gallery.

(Please don't link any projects that have already been blogged or shared on a gallery--they are not eligible for the Blog Candy).

Best wishes for your win!

Today is the LAST day to order from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog from Stampin' Up! Tomorrow our *new* catalog debuts!

Here are the LAST CHANCE ITEMS. These items may sell out quickly and are updated often. For best results, order early using my website!

Last Chance Accessories

Last Chance Stamps

Last Chance Definitely Decorative

Please let me know if you have questions about Stampin' Up! products or any of the projects you see on my blog. I'd love to help you create your own cards and paper crafts!

PPA Preview and Last Chance!!

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see the full reveal of this week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge! And, we have a special celebration for our 100th challenge! You won't want to miss participating this week!

THIS FRIDAY, July 1st the NEW 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog from Stampin' Up! goes live!

Here are the LAST CHANCE ITEMS. These items may sell out quickly and are updated often. For best results, order early using my website!

Last Chance Accessories

Last Chance Stamps

Last Chance Definitely Decorative

PPA99--Punching Stars!

This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge is to use *STARS* in your project!

I learned how to make this spinning *star* design from Dawn Olchefske. Here is how to make one:

Using your Large Star punch, punch the base star from Whisper White.

Using your Small Star punch, punch the Night of Navy star.

Using your Small Star punch, punch a Cherry Cobbler star. Then use your Large Star punch again, to outline/punch the large star.

Pop the Night of Navy Small star up with a Stampin' Dimensional onto the center of the Whisper White star.

Center the Cherry Cobbler outline star over the Night of Navy Small star. Press down gently.

Spin the Cherry Cobbler star!

I added a sentiment "4 (like 4th of July!) You" punched from Whisper White using a 1/2" Circle punch.

I hope you learned something you can use on a project! Please leave your comments below. And don't forget to stay tuned all week for some exciting PPA announcements! We are getting ready to celebrate our 100th challenge next week!

Happy Birthday Card and Gift Card Holder

Here is a birthday card I made for my son's girlfriend. She is sweet and she is also my trainer, so I am fortunate to get to spend a few hours each week with her!

I stamped each of the images from Things I Love stamp set onto Very Vanilla card stock, punched them with my 1" square punch, then punched a Cherry Cobbler border for them. I set them under the sentiment that was stamped onto Crumb Cake using Chocolate Chip ink. The card itself is Naturals Ivory card stock.

Inside, I included a gift card and made a holder to match the card. It fit nicely in the 5-1/4 x 5-1/4" card. I used Stampin' Up's *new* Hostess stamp set Posy Punch (available July 1). This particular posy was stamped onto Crumb Cake card stock using Soft Suede ink, then punched out with the Fancy Flower punch. Then I added the "4 U" from Tiny Tags in Real Red ink and punched it out with my 1/2" circle punch. I used Real Red 3/8" grosgrain ribbon to close the card holder.

Here is what it looks like when it is open.

The gift card holder is made from a 4-1/2" x 11" piece of card stock that is scored on the 3", 5-1/2" and 8" lines. I used Sticky Strip on the back side of where you see here (on either side of the gift card, but on the BACK) and then used the Word Window punch (twice) and the 3/4" circle punch to make it easy to slip the card in. I used a corner rounder on the corners.

I hope you like this matched set. I love to read comments, so please leave yours below.

July 1st the NEW 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog from Stampin' Up! goes live!

Here are the LAST CHANCE ITEMS. These items may sell out quickly and are updated often. For best results, order early using my website!

Last Chance Accessories

Last Chance Stamps

Last Chance Definitely Decorative

In Colors Greetings

The last set of the commissioned cards is above. I'm not going to share all of the card sets, as there are just too many! This was easy. Once I found this favorite layout (a former Mojo Monday sketch) I knew I could cut out four sets easily! So, I chose four phrases from a retired stamp set, and four colors. I used my Designer Series Paper Pack - In Colors (8 x 8", Hostess) and I was done in a flash!

The quickest way to earn your own hostess items is to host a workshop of your own. Contact me if you are in the Orange County, CA area, or you can have your own catalog order and place your order using my Website. I'd be happy to assist you in any way. Thanks for looking--don't forget I love comments!

Butterflies and Dads

Another installment in the sets of cards I made in the gift set I was commissioned to make.

These were quick and easy! My card base is Whisper White. I punched three different fun colors from the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack: Concord Crush, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz, using my Butterfly Punch.

Each butterfly was adorned with one clear Basic Rhinestone for a little sparkle. I popped them up on Stampin' Dimensionals and gave them a shelf to rest on in a matching card stock color that was punched using my Eyelet Border Punch.

The sentiment was stamped in matching ink and punched and framed using Oval punches. I hope you like these and please do leave me a comment! I will post one more of the sets I made on Monday.

It's Father's Day, so I hope you remind all of the dads you know how important they are to their kids and families. My husband's brothers are joining our family for a backyard lunch and swimming. I made each "dad" a package of home made fudge. Of course I had to make a tag for each, so I quickly designed one yesterday afternoon.

Have a great day!

Sweet Sunflower Gift Cards

This is another set I made for the box of cards I was commissioned to do. These are little gift cards. I used the Definitely Decorative stencils and my sponge daubers with Chocolate Chip and Daffodil Delight inks. For the envelope flaps, I used scraps from Greenhouse Gala designer series paper. For the tag, I used Tiny Tags with Chocolate Chip ink and sponge-daubed the edges. I used the new Chocolate Chip twine to tie them on and popped them up in place with Stampin' Dimensionals.

You can make a set of four gift cards by cutting the length of your 8-1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock at 2-3/4". You will have four pieces. Then cut each piece at 6". The pieces you have left (2-1/2" x 2-3/4") will be the fronts that you pop up with dimensionals! Easy!

I hope you enjoy and please leave me your comments--I read each one!

Sweet Set

A couple of weeks ago, I was commissioned to make a box full of cards that would be given as a gift. I had so much fun. I have photos of most of the cards I made and I will be sharing the sets over the next few days. I hope you enjoy looking.

This was a set that was quickly made up using the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder and the Big Shot. I love how easy it is to create a beautiful card with a few twirls of the handle! I used four bright colors and matching 5/8" satin ribbon. I used various small sentiments (stamped onto the newer small oval punch) from different stamp sets and I popped them up on double Modern Label Punched matching colors with a neutral backing.

Colors: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Marina Mist

More tomorrow! Thanks for your comments, I really enjoy reading them and I learn a lot about my followers. Have a great weekend!

PPA98-Sketch

I hope you will play along with us this week! We have another fabulous sketch by our Design Team member, Margaret Moody.

I began with a Whisper White square card, measuring 5-1/4 x 5-1/4". I double-matted the background using the Pretty in Pink and *previewing* the Wisteria Wonder card stock. Wisteria Wonder will be available on July 1st.

Next, I used a strip of the Wisteria Wonder colored Flirtatious Designer Specialty Series paper from the new Idea Book & Catalog. It's so much fun playing with all of these new products! I matted the square with Peach Parfait card stock.

On top of those layers, I added a square of another print from Flirtatious, then a stamped (Peach Parfait) element from the *new* Delicate Doilies stamp set, which is matted with Pretty in Pink card stock.

Last, I added my sentiment from Because I Care (hostess) stamp set from the current Idea Book & Catalog. It's popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals for that 3-D look. Last, I added 5 pearls to the top, right corner because it looked empty up there!

I hope you liked seeing some of the new items you will soon be able to purchase! Don't forget to take advantage of the Last Chance items by June 30th (see this post) as they are disappearing fast!

I would love to see your submissions to Pals Paper Arts and I'd love to hear your comments about this card and the new products. More previews coming soon~

Preview and Preview!

Hello! Today I have TWO previews. One is the above card, which previews more of me playing with the new Lace Ribbon Border punch, which will be available on July 1st. I cut little pieces off of the strip after punching it out of Baja Breeze. Then I took the little "flowers", cut them in half and trimmed them a bit more. I put them all around a 2-5/8" circle cut from Crumb Cake. My entire card is spritzed with Smooch Spritz, but you can't easily see it on this photo. I hope you like how I used the punch in a different way. Maybe one of these days I'll use the punch as intended--for a border!

Card Supplies:

Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze

Designer Series Paper: Patterns Paper Stack, Neutrals

Stamps: Great Friend

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Boho Blossoms Punch, Smooch Spritz Vanilla Shimmer

Above is the sneak preview of my card for tomorrrow's Pals Paper Arts. I hope you will come and play with us this week.

Idea Book & Catalog Preview

Hi Everyone! I finally had time to play with some of the preview items for the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog, which goes live on July 1st. My preview supplies arrive early last week, but I've been so busy that I haven't had time to try them out until now. My favorite thing so far is the Lace Ribbon Border Punch.

Here I took the liberty of playing with the punched out borders. I cutthem into pieces! There are so many designs inside the border design there is no end to the possiblities!

Card Base: Crumb Cake

Lace Ribbon Border Punch: Baja Breeze and Whisper White

1" Square punch: Basic Gray

Designer Series Paper: Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack Subtles

Accessories: Glimmer Brads Basics, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tomorrow I will show you another way that I used the designs inside the border punched lace ribbon. Imagine how you could layer those cute little flowers and add brads or buttons! They are just too cute!

I haven't even delved into our 5 new In Colors of card stock yet! But on Thursday, you will see some of those and a new Designer Series Specialty paper, so come back for another visit.

Please let me know what you think of these creations! Thank you for all of your feedback always!

PPA97 What's My Style?

I have a hard time defining my style. I'm asking YOUR help! Can you define it? I think I'm all over the place. Sometimes I'm vintage, sometimes clean and simple, once in awhile classy? I'd love to hear what you think.

I hope you will play along this week, because when you do, you will be eligible to win Blog Candy!

This card was designed by me for a workshop just last week. I wanted to highlight this Summer Mini stamp set "Bold Blossoms" and the Designer Series Paper "Beyond the Garden" (also Summer Mini). My group really liked playing with these designs. Some of them turned and used the second side instead of the one shown above. I love when anyone uses their own creativity instead of just always following another's design. I used Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack to bring out the colors Wild Wasabi and Pacific Point.

I'd love to read what you think, so please leave me a comment at the end of this post!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT:

Here are the LAST CHANCE ITEMS from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. These items may sell out quickly and are updated daily. For best results, order early using my website! Take advantage of some of the sale prices today!

Last Chance Accessories

Last Chance Stamps

Last Chance Definitely Decorative

PPA Sneak Peek

Want to add some FUN to your creating? Try our Pals Paper Arts Challenge! Simply go to our website on Thursday mornings, see what our challenge is and create your project. Then upload it using a direct link to your blog or gallery and you are playing!

Plus, you will be inspired by our Design Team of fantastic stampers who know how to "go for it" when challenged! Above is my sneak peek for this week's challenge. Will YOU play along?

Thank you for a hostess

Thank you for my hostess today!

I used the Sweet & Sour Specialty designer series paper. I LOVE this paper! Those colors together just cannot be beat. I used Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie to make the pizza box (from my upline, Mary Fish) and the belly band. The belly band got a run through my Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder first. Then I added the sentiment and little bird to the label stamp, punched it out and added some bling. A bow finished the look and keeps the box closed.

This is my favorite little 3 x 3. Those pom poms are just darling across the bottom!

Here I made some good use of scraps. Even the card base is cut from a Pretty in Pink leftover.

I loved coloring in the flowers on this stamp. I used my blender pen and classic ink pads.

Just a fun set. I hope my hostess likes it! I did include envelopes with matching DSP on the flaps!

I love to read your comments, so please leave yours below. If you need any supplies to complete your projects, please use my website to order.

Supplies:

Card Stock: Whisper White, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty In Pink

Designer Series Paper: Sweet & Sour Specialty

Stamps: Four Frames (debuts July 1), Three Little Words, Silhouette Sentiments (hostess)

Accesories: Decorative Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Melon Mambo Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot

DON'T FORGET:

Here are the LAST CHANCE ITEMS from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. These items may sell out quickly and are updated daily. For best results, order early using my website! Take advantage of some of the sale prices today!

Last Chance Accessories

Last Chance Stamps

Last Chance Definitely Decorative