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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Busy couple of weeks

My Step-kids are here and it has been a busy couple of weeks - getting the kids back in school and visiting and wandering all over the place - will be back with some new cards from the 365 card blog next week - and some more digital scrapbook pages for the last of the 92 days of summer.
Thanks for stopping in -

*~*Paula*~*

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Just 'Toile-ing' Away!!

When I opened up the 365 card blog window yesterday (Day 168) and saw that the challenge was to create a card with Toile - I thought OH NO!! I don't have any stamps that are like that - I remember SU used to have a bg stamp several years ago that was either called Toile - or something like that - anyway - I went online - along with many of the other card makers doing this challenge and found ideas for toile - but just didn't have time to run with it. So, like most others, I chose a 'fabric' pattern that I saw and printed it out. I went back through some of the old sketches that we have had on the blog and chose to modify the sketch from Day 15 - the bg is busy enough - so it really didn't need much more - I added the rhinestones and the ribbon along with the sentiment and there you have it - my 'toile-d' card!!
WHAT will they come up with next? Oh, yes - Sunday is ALWAYS sketch challenge day - so that should be an 'easy' one!!
Thanks for coming into the spa and resting awhile.
*~*Paula*~*

'Gift' Card - Catching up

I am once again catching up on the 365 card blog - with just a couple hours to go to the extended deadline!! Thank You PAM!! On Day 167 we were to create a card that looks like a gift. Well, since my middle daughter just had her birthday - while she was gone to an encampment - I decided to make a card for her - now whether I give it to her or not is a different story! :) Sometimes when I wrap gifts, I like to make the ribbon go around opposite corners. So I did this on my card. I usually then place the flower (bows) on top of one end, but here I decided to do the flowers separate. I actually CUT one of my primas (the green ones) to make leaves - an idea I got from my friend Gloria. I even cut the petal that is layered underneath the top flower - could use that somewhere I am sure! I then used one of my cb die cuts for the tag which has a little flower cut out in one corner - I used that to tie the tag onto my 'gift' card. I tore the one edge to give the idea of tearing open a gift! :) Oh, and the button must have fallen off another card, so I decided to use it - however, I wanted to use the backside, and that side still had a glue dot on it - so I sprinkled on some glitter! Hope you like it!!
Thanks for stopping by the spa today - have a wonderful day!
*~*Paula*~*

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A Card Recipe

Are you participating in the Cards For Hero Blog Hop? If so, WELCOME - if you have come here some 'other' way - then why not hop along with the rest of us. You will be inspired to get your holiday cards started and you will also be inspired to share your talents with those who are fighting for our freedoms.
Now, onto my card - this was posted a couple of days ago for the 365 card blog challenges, but since I made a holiday card - I figured it was fitting for the blog hop. Here we go:
You have 'heard' me talk about how much I like sketch challenges, and color challenges - but the NEXT best thing is a RECIPE!! When you put all those together - well - it would be an easy project, right?
On Day Day 166 on the 365 card blog the challenge was to use this recipe. I decided I was a bit tired of using white as my base, so I pulled out a sheet of black and got busy. I looked through my stash of patterned papers first - and decided it has been awhile since I have done a Christmas Card and it IS getting closer to that time of year. The deadline is coming up fast for holiday cards to be sent to our troops overseas. I send my cards to Cards For Heroes and November 1st is the deadline to get holiday cards to them so they can get them to the troops.
Now on my card, I used glimmer mist and since the recipe called for using glitter, I used a glue dot in the center of my flowers and sprinkled the glitter there. Now this card may not make it into the hands of our troops because glitter is NOT a good thing. It can get on their uniforms and make them visible to the opposing forces with the night vision goggles, so I seldom use glitter anymore for that reason. As you begin to create for the holidays, I want to encourage you to get involved with CFH. My best friend has a son-in-law that is deployed. He recieved a big box of cards from CFH that he shared with his buddies. However, the really cool thing was hearing back from my friend that she received a card from him that was a CFH card and it meant A LOT to her - and it does to the troops as well!!
Thanks for stopping by today - I hope that you have been inspired to begin your holiday cards and to share them not only with family near and far - but with those you may never know - but who fight for the freedoms we so enjoy everyday.
Now I am going to offer you all a challenge of my own - I am going to challenge you to make at least FIVE cards to send to CFH - now the catch is that they have to be HOLIDAY cards - so go make your cards and come back here and let me know by sending me a link to your five cards. I will choose one of you to receive a CFH stamp that can be used on the back of your cards when you send them off to CFH. Oh, and I may throw in a couple other little goodies too - you just never know! :)
Now, off you go - but before you go get creative - continue to hop along (you might want to bookmark me so you can find your way back) and I am sure you will find LOTS of inspiration as you visit the blogs along the way. - Cyndi has an incredible computer generated card that will just take your breath away, and maybe even bring a little tear to your eye - I know it did for me!
*~*Paula*~*

STARS!!!

On Day 165 the challenge on the 365 card blog was to use stars as the dominate shape on our card. Well, I didn't get a chance to make my card yesterday as we had a wonderful event to attend - but it involved STARS!! (Of a different sort) - but first my card! I was going to cut out star shapes on my cricut, but then remembered this long-standing set from SU called stars and swirls. It was perfect for my card. I stamped the images in brilliant blue and real red. Then I went looking for patterned paper and came across my Bazzill Basics Dotted Swiss paper and my never used before Vintage Collection 'Flower Power' Core'dinations cardstock. I also pulled out another 'never used before' cb folder - the one with the stars - it is new - and embossed on the core'dinations cs. It was quite a simple card, but I decided it needed just a bit more embellishment - so I went in search of these flowers - I took my glimmer mist and sprayed the bottom flower - which was gold to start - with Glacier - WOW, I was impressed with the color - it comes out a very pretty shimmery gold. Then I added the star in the middle of the flowers - and my card is complete.
Now, back to the OTHER stars!! We got tickets (they are free online) to go watch America's Got Talent - LIVE in Los Angeles. It was WAY Cool!!! We were in the balcony - but honestly, it is REALLY not that far from the stage. The Cameras make the studio seem MUCH larger than what it really is - you 'think' all those people are in the 'nose-bleed' section - but honestly we were not! They passed out autographed photos of David Hasselhoff and we ended up with THREE of them - each of them are individually signed (not photocopy signed) - we compared the signatures!! ~giggle~ My girls are at a week long event, so they were unable to go with us and they don't even KNOW we went, so when we see them on Saturday they are going to be so - hmmmmm - jealous??
Anyway, I know I divert from the normal relaxing atmosphere of the paper spa - but just HAD to share!!
*~*Paula*~*

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Colorful Colors

The next best thing to a Sketch challenge is a Color challenge!! Put those two together, and your card is nearly complete!! Today on Day 164 of the 365 card blog - the challenge was to use these five colors: red, yellow, purple, orange-ish, and blue. Well, I have been holding onto SC220 for quite some time, waiting for the right moment to use it - and today was perfect!! I didn't think that the orange-ish color was really a bright orange or even a muted one, so I used more of a gold-ish orange color for my card. Now the theme this week is all about glitter - well, I don't mind using glitter, but because the majority of my cards go to Cards For Heroes, I don't put glitter on the cards. The reason is this - the glitter can flake off and get on the troops uniforms and then they can be spotted by the opposing forces with the night vision goggles - so I choose not to use glitter.
Anyway, I decided to use these UGLY flowers - I mean, come on - have you seen flowers that look like these in nature? I figured this challenge was perfect for trying to use them up. I added the brads to the center and then popped them off the card. The sentiment is another one from the kid sayings that I got on sale at Michael's.
Thanks for stopping by and taking a rest - have a wonderful day.
*~*Paula*~*

Monday, August 10, 2009

It's a MASK!!

How long has it been since you played with masks? Not the kind you used as a kid, that covered your eyes and you were sure that no adult would be able to guess who you were - how silly!! No, I am talking about masks that help you to create dimension on your cards? Where you can layer 'flat'! Well, when the challenge for Day 163 popped up on the 365 card blog I was thrilled. JUST a few days earlier I had been thinking about masking and using these stamps. I saw them when I was looking for another stamp for another project and thought, hmmm I don't think we have had a masking challenge on the blog - well, Pam must have read my mind as that is what the challenge was - to use a mask. These stamps are from Art Impression and I got them SEVERAL years ago when the front/back stamps were popular. Of course, I got in on that at the tail end, so could only find this cute little rabbit. I really wanted the boy and girl sets as they were just plain adorable. Anyway, I stamped the rabbit front and then masked him and stamped the fence. I then fussy cut him out and then stamped his back, masked and stamped the fence again. I missed a little on the back - that is where my stamp positioner might have been handy, but I don't like using it. I added the soft sky cs to give the impression that he was outside looking over the fence and then stamped my sentiment. Now this little rabbit could be saying alot of different things - but I chose this sentiment. I decided to add a bit of glitter to the letters and my rabbit since it IS Art Glitter week on the 365 card blog.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing my little rabbit today - and hope your visit in the spa was a relaxing one. Come again soon.
*~*Paula*~*

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Sketch Challenge and Art Glitter Week

Today is Sketch Sunday on the 365 card blog - it is Day 162 and the beginning of Art Glitter week. The sketch was quite a simple one - which I LOVE!! I had one idea in mind (NO, not the razzleberry DP - I will spare you all on this one!!) However, I was going to use the Parisian Breeze DP which I got just before it went away - and have YET to open - I think that is another hoarded one!! Then I was going to use some DP from a small SU paper pack, but I am sorely lacking in the colored cardstock - especially the specific color I wanted to use - Apricot Appeal - so, I looked in my scrap bag and pulled out this Bella Rose DP. I layered it on the pink pirouette and added a bit of the pink ribbon using one of the brads I had gotten from a secret sister swap. I also pulled out my OLD OLD eyelets and used the old olive for my sentiment. Now the sentiment is only part of the sentiment - the rest of which is stamped inside - this is what it says: "'Happy Birthday! How many fingers are you?' - Shane O'Donnell, age 4". I LOVE this sentiment set - I got it at Michael's for a discount and it is full of sayings that kids have said. Remember Art Linkletter? (Am I dating myself?) I used to love watching that show and wished that I had recorded more of the cute little things my kids said when they were younger. They would make great sentiments for cards today!!
Hope you have enjoyed your visit in the spa today - looking forward to your return!
*~*Paula*~*

Saturday, August 8, 2009

End of the day and Card 161 is posted!!

It is the end of the day - literally for those on the East Coast - it is nearly 9:00 pm on the west coast - however, I am getting my Day 161 card posted just now. Let me tell you - this was THE FASTEST card I have put together. Sorry for the Razzleberry DP AGAIN!! We have been gone all day and JUST got back and I ran upstairs to crank out this card so I could get it posted before the 12 midnight deadline.
Thanks for taking a peek
*~*Paula*~*

Catching up on a few 365 Blog Challenges

Let's start with LAST Sunday before tomorrow arrives. This sketch was for Day 155. Sunday's are always sketch challenge days and this one was a nice one. I used the new Razzleberry DP from SU and my Happy Harmony stamp set, also from SU.
Then on Day 158 (see former posts for Days 156 and 157) we were to use a sign somewhere on our card. Well, I toiled over this one as I didn't know WHAT I was going to do for my sign. Then, just yesterday I remembered having these cute little clear stamps and this one worked perfectly. Again I used the razzleberry DP from SU - I just LOVE that paper!!
On Day 159 we had another 'scene' challenge, only this one was for an INSIDE scene. Well, this one ALSO gave me quite a challenge. I don't have many stamps that are for indoors, but I decided to take a peek and came across a few stamps that would have worked - however - THIS one says it all!! I have had this stamp set from SU for many years now and I honestly don't believe it has ever been used, and I bought it from someone else!! Well, today it saw ink!! And tells the true story of what I would RATHER be doing today - but won't be.
And for the last one for now - yesterday's challenge - Day 160 we were to use lace on our card. Well, I climbed my ladder in my closet to get down my boxes of lace - and found this nice one that I thought went well with the apricot card base. Of course, finding the lace did not help me in deciding what to do on the card - but I had this stamp sitting on my desk from a card made earlier in the week and decided, why not! I knew what sentiment I wanted to use as this cut lends itself to a vertical sentiment - but the card still seemed plain to me, so I added the buttons, which I am not quite sure I really like, but they are there, and I am out the door with my dh to enjoy the sunshine!!
Thanks for stopping by today - enjoy your day
*~*Paula*~*

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Sunflowers - Fill your life with them!!

Sunflowers - don't you just love them? They are SUCH a sign of summer - and also a sign of summer's end (I think anyway). When I saw the challenge for Day 157 late last night as I waited for my daughter to call me to come get her from work - I thought about what I would do. I started out with one plan, scrapped it and came up with what I think is a better card. I used a Sweet Impression stamp for the sunflower and leaves and then found this sentiment that just absolutely fit. I am thinking it is a HM sentiment, but the side of the block doesn't indicate that, so not sure. I used white for my card base and then layered close to cocoa for my bg. I then stamped (AND CUT OUT) each of the flowers and leaves. I used my summer sun for the yellow and the close to cocoa for the center of the flower. I popped the flowers for the added dimension.
Thanks for taking a peek and I hope your DAY is filled with sunflowers and all things beautiful.
*~*Paula*~*

Another Ad Inspired Card

My Dear friend Gloria challenged us on Day 156 to use this ad for inspiration in making our card for the day. I pulled out the salmon color and the basket - although I didn't use a basket on my card (I have some, just didn't want to climb the ladder at the moment to find them) - so, I used True Thyme CS (retired SU) and ran it through my CB distressed folder. I also grabbed a sheet of Groovy Guava (also SU retired) and used it for the base and the ink on my tulip. I had some of the ribbon in both True Thyme and Grovvy Guava so used that as well. The sentiment is an SU set that I got in a Wish RAK recently.

Thanks for stopping by the spa today - come back when you can spend more time 'soaking' up the inspiration.
*~*Paula*~*

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Wouldn't YOU rather be flying?

I KNOW I would!! So when the challenge for Day 154 popped up on the 365 card blog, I knew what stamp I was going to use - Up In The Air (an OLD SU set). So, before I show you my card, I want to tell you a little known thing about me! I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol - we are in every state, so if you want to know more you can check them out here. Anyway, When I lived in Washington I flew as part of an aircrew. I am not a pilot (I do NOT have a desire to be a pilot) but I flew right seat in a small Cessna aircraft. I am what they call a Mission Observer and my job was to assist with radio calls, and also to search for downed aircraft. It is an ALL volunteer organization and many of the big disasters we have had in the past few years, CAP has been there to lend assistance.
So, when I saw the challenge to use either a plane, train or automobile on my card, I decided to use this old set as this particular stamp in the set reminds me of the planes that I flew in when I was doing search and rescue and photo reconnaissance (my LOVE!!) I am still in CAP in California, but have yet to hook up with a pilot that I can go fly with - but I am working on it!!
So, now you know another side of me that you might not have known.
Have a wonderful evening - and a beautiful Sunday - see you soon in the spa!
*~*Paula*~*

Catching up on some OLD Challenges

This morning before I had to leave for work, I was able to get one more card done. This one was for Day 86 - yeah, I know that was a LONG time ago - the month of May to be exact - so not that long ago, but still quite a few cards ago. The challenge on that day was to use either an image of grapes or purple and 5 circles. Well, at the time of the challenge, I didn't think I had any grape images - so I was going to do the five circles with purple. Well, that never came together either. Then, last week while cleaning up my stamp area, I was looking at my Etruscan set from SU (yeah, it's an old one too) and it had this tiny image of a bunch of grapes!! I recently got the new razzleberry from SU and it was PERFECT for this card. So, I put together this card - and added the rhinestones to cover a little smudge.
Thanks for stopping in today - I am going to be working on some of these past challenges and perhaps by the time the last card challenge is posted, I will be ALL caught up!!
*~*Paula*~*