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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Snowflake Card

Sometimes, creating something simple is the best way to go. I often get caught up in trying to make cards and such just like someone else's that I lose sight of who I am and what my style is. Well, with a little help from the Paper Crafters Library Makeover Monday Challenge I am getting inspired to not only create, but to do it in MY style!! Today, the challenge is to make a snowflake card - you can see the inspiration that Andrea found on the internet and how she made it her own. Here is my version of the card. Now, what you cannot see is the very light stamping on the bottom of the card. I looked through my clear stamps - you know the ones you get in the dollar bins at Michael's or other hobby stores. I have had them for quite some time and seldom use them. But I used several snowflakes on the bottom and stamped them very lightly with bashful blue. The snowflake is from Sweet Stamps. I stamped the snowflake three times with bashful blue and then fussy cut around the outer edge, then cut the two inner snowflakes and then used very thin dimensionals in between the layers to give it a 3-D look. (Though it is hard to see this from the picture) I added the sentiment with marina mist. I used bashful blue taffeta ribbon (retired) on the front of the card placing the snowflake on top of that and then adding the rhinestones (a find at Wal-Mart!) I like the way the rhinestones coordinated with the blues that I chose for my project.
Now, hop on over to the Paper Crafters Library and check out the tutorial. Andrea always has a video tutorial each Monday and the prize if you enter is a GORGEOUS Advent calendar kit. I have actually created a similar advent calendar after watching the tutorial that Andrea created. I will be sharing that with you all once it is completed. I will also have a little extra tidbit, so come back often and watch for that.
Now - back to my crafting!
~Paula~

Monday, October 31, 2011

What are the Trick or Treaters Getting at My House Tonight?

Today it is Halloween - a 'holiday' that I don't get much into in! However, living in a HUGE housing development, there are MANY MANY children that are bound to end up on my doorstep tonight. (I have heard the whole town shows up!!) Since this is our FIRST Halloween in our new home, we will see how it goes. I remember last year at this time, we were awaiting my husband and friend to come rescue us from Gallup, New Mexico when my oldest daughters car broke down. Some of my readers will remember that as they followed us along the trip. ~Smile~
So, back to tonight. I went out and bought LOTS of candy - I wasn't sure if the two filled bowls would be enough, so went out again this afternoon and got some more - I will wait to open the big bag until I need it, right? Who knows - if I don't use it, it could end up in Christmas stockings!! Now, I have another treat for the MOMS!! Want to see what the first 50 or so MOMS will get when they come to my door? I made these little treat bags using the 'It's a Wrap' set from the Holiday Mini to wrap the Hershey nuggets. I put them in the cello bag and added the tag. On the back is my business card adverstising my Stampin' Up! Business. There are about 20 of these little bags. Then I made these adorable little bags. I got the idea for the bag from another Stampin' Up! Demo - Monika Davis (monikastamp.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/birmingham-regional-paper-bags) Monika shared this idea at the Regional event I went to earlier this month and I just HAD to make these little bags and what better way to share what I love to do with card making than putting a little candy bar in the bag with my business card. I have about 30 of these - and could have done many more - but just ran out of time with all the things going on these past couple of weeks.
I have made more of the mug covers - except the ones I made are for an event happening next weekend in California. I sent them off to the coordinator of that event. I have watched more crafting videos and have more ideas swarming my head than I have time to think about. I have ONE client tonight at 5:00 - so will have to run out and do that treatment and then get back here to help pass out candy to the little goblins and princesses that show up at the door.
For all of you in the US that will be out on the streets tonight - be safe.
~Paula~

Friday, October 21, 2011

What's in your Purse?

What can you do with a 6" square of Cardstock or DSP? Make a purse!! I was surfing around Splitcoast Stampers this morning - actually looking for a different tutorial and happened up a tutorial that shows you how to make this adorable little purse from a 6" square of cardstock or DSP. There are actually quite a few tutorials out there on this technique, all just slightly different, but the end result is just as sweet. whenever I find some kind of tutorial like this, I like to make one up and just see how it turns out, so I just grabbed a piece of retired DSP from SU, but the 6" square and set about the score and fold. The tutorial mentioned using the large oval punch for the purse clasp, but I don't have that punch yet, so I used my decorative label punch folded in half. Now, every purse has some sort of hardware on it, right? So, I got out my container of brads to see if I had anything that would work. These little silver brads worked perfectly. I needed some sort of embellishment for the clasp - so I just cut the smallest nestibilities scallop oval and plain oval that I have. A button, or designer/vintage brad would also work nicely. Now my sentiment I created using the decorative label punch. I cut the label, then placed the label back in the punch - using a piece of post it note to hold it in position and punched about a 1/4" of the way in. If you turn it around and do that again, you will get two labels like this. The piece that is left over looks kind of like a table leg - so you could actually use every bit of this punched and punched label! :) Now, I started to used my thin magnets to hold the purse shut - however, since they were not hidden behind carstock, they were not cooperating, so I bought very thin clear velcro strips at Wal-mart and they work perfectly. Now, when you open the purse, guess what you will find? Yep - you guessed it - more nuggets. This time, I just took some of the same paper used to create the purse and wrapped them around the nuggets. You could also put a fun size candy bar in the purse, or lip balm, or some other small item of choice. Now, I was thinking of making up a few of these to give to my daughters and their friends - wouldn't that be just such a fun little gift. How about party favors at a little girls birthday party - or a favor on a table for tea. The possibilities with this one are also endless. Now, think of all those 6" x 6" pads of paper you have - I think you better start making a list of all your BFF's that are going to get one of these!!
Thanks for stopping by the spa today - as you can see, I am having alot of fun playing with paper and relaxing - life doesn't have to be filled with stress when you have paper to play with! I hope you will visit again soon - and see what other fun ideas I come up with (or case from others!!)
~Paula~

Another Treat Bag

I have been having alot of fun making various different treat holders and toppers for little bags filled with wonderful chocolate! I recently got the 'It's a Wrap' set from Stampin' Up! and just HAD to create something. I love the Top Note Die and the versatility in using it. It makes a very quick topper for just about any little treat bag and it can be decorated in so many different ways. Since the Fall weather is upon us - and I LOVE the changing of the colors I decided to do a topper with that in mind. I used More Mustard as my base and then stamped the leaf - from the French Foilage set - in more mustard and then took my pool party marker and touched the edges a bit creating a two toned leaf. I cut that out and then added a dimensional to the back - added a strip of the spice cake DSP and my topper is ready for the treat bag. The little nuggets are covered with very vanilla cardstock stamped in more mustard and old olive. I stamped the wraps before I knew what I was actually going to do with them, otherwise I would have coordinated a bit better with my DSP. You all KNOW how much I like things to coordinate. This would be a fun class to do with a few neighbors and friends - and I might just have to plan one of those sometime soon.
I have one other project that I just HAVE to share with you - however, it deserves it's own individual post!
~Paula~

What's in a Coffee cup?

First, I must say - I don't drink coffee - so, my cup won't be holding any coffee - hot chocolate or tea maybe, but not coffee. However, I found this ADORABLE pattern at the Fabric store the other day - and just HAD to create one of these. Now, I am sure you are asking 'okay, what is this?' Well, it is called a MUG COVER. When I saw it I just had to have it - so much so that I just bought the pattern instead of waiting for a sale. I had bought fabric from Stampin' Up! last Fall when they came out with their new fabric and hadn't done anything with it because I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with it. This fabric set is called Deck the Halls and goes along with their Bells and Boughs Stamp set. Anyway, back to this little project. The mug cover has pockets on the inside and on the outside, so you can really fill this up with all kinds of goodies. I am using it for my stamping tools and let me tell you - it is SO easy to find the items I need right there in front of me rather than digging through another less attractive container. This little project went together SO fast too. Of course, I have been sewing long before I ever knew what a stamp was - so it was a quick little project for me. Just think of the possibilities with this little cover! A cup filled with sewing tools for those that sew, perhaps filled with markers and paint brushes for those that like to do watercoloring with markers. How about one filled with colored pencils and tools for the student? The ideas are quite endless really. I am planning on making several of these for holiday gifts.
I hope you appreciate my diversion from paper to show you my cute little tool holder project. I have created a button where you can order your mug cover - you will find it in the right sidebar. The choices of fabric are limitless as I have a huge stash of fabric, so email me and let me know what your favorite colors are. I have a limited supply of the Stampin' Up! fabrics presently.
~Paula~

Thursday, October 20, 2011

What's Been Happening in the Paper Spa?

Wow - I didn't realize just HOW LONG it has been since I lasted posted ANYTHING to my blog! So much has happened since I last posted! I am no longer working in Fast Food - YAY!! I am now working at a spa doing what I love best (besides crafting which I love just as much). I have been a Massage Therapist for nearly 7 years now and when I moved last year, it just took me awhile to find everything I needed to get my license where I live now. So, I finally got it - and am happy to be doing massage again! What a WONDERFUL profession!
Anyway, with the change in jobs, I have been able to find more time to create - and I have been doing a bit of that. My mom came to visit this last week and we had a couple different days where we created together. She is a quilter so doesn't do much in the paper craft area - but she had fun. Would you like to see some of the things we did? I thought so!! But first - I also have to mention that a few days before she got here, I went to a Stampin' Up! Regional event and learned SO much - so some of what we did incorporated what I learned there. One of the WOW sessions that was taught was using shaving cream to create gorgeous backgrounds. I had heard of this technique - for many years now - but had never tried it and when I saw it demonstrated it was just SO cool that I had to try it. Mom and I had fun playing with this - but wow was it ever messy. You don't have to use alot of shaving cream either! I made this card from the scrap pieces and then did an ornament as well - I will show you the ornaments in a bit. Here is a closer look at the design on the card after the shaving cream was applied. I used Pumpkin pie, Cherry cobbler and wild Wasabi (I think) for my colors of re-inkers. I like how the pattern on the paper almost looks like an Iris. What do you think?
We made some ornaments - since I had placed an order and it came a day after mom arrived, so we had fun playing with the new punches. I only have one set that has an ornament stamp in it that coordinates with this punch, however, there are a few more that I intend to get soon. This punch would also make a lovely 3-D image on a card just by punching 4 of the ornaments out, folding three of them and then layering them onto cardstock. I will show a sample of this in the coming days. Another idea that I got from doing swaps at the Regional Event was for a Hershey Nugget holder. I got two different ideas - one for a Santa face and one for a reindeer. I took the idea and jumped off from there creating a fall themed nugget holder. This was SUCH a quick little project to make and you can do these for all the different holidays just by changing up the colors and images that you use. I just used the flower Daisy #2 die and layered the daisies adding a button to the middle. I cut the scallop with my nestibilities since I don't have the scallop punch from Stampin' Up! - YET! To keep the nugget (I know - there wasn't one inside this holder when I took the picture) from sliding around, I just placed a glue dot on the back of the nugget. I can see these little holders being used for a TON of things - Christmas, Valentines, St. Patricks, Birthdays, etc for your friends, family and co-workers.
For several weeks now, I have been participating in the Club 52 over at the Paper Crafters website. Each week there is a new technique that is introduced. A couple of weeks ago, this technique was introduced. It is called Surf and Sand striated background. It was fun to play with this technique while mom was visiting. I couldn't find any stickers or other sun type embellishments in all my tons of stuff - but I found these stickers and thought it would work. I am putting the tags together in a technique 'book' so that later on I can go back and look at them when I am at a loss for something to create.
One of the last things I did with my mom was create a little 'Cake'. I have done this once before - it is a really quick and fun little project. you just take one of those battery operated tea light candles and decorate it to make it look like a cake. I chose to use the new Holly Berry DSP and the quilted Cherry cobbler ribbon for my little cake. I used some diamond stickles for the top adding a bit of sparkle to eash of the scallop edges. I have many more projects that I am in the midst of creating - one is actually a sewing project - I haven't done any SEWING in forever!! Before I fell in love with stamping, I sewed - and still do ocassionally - but usually for my dolls - since they don't change sizes and everything I make them fits when I am done!! :)
Thanks for stopping by the spa - as the holidays approach, I will be sharing more fun projects to get you through the holidays.
~Paula~

Monday, August 22, 2011

Had a Moment to Craft

I haven't had much time or opportunity to craft lately - well at least not in my craft room - I have actually been working on a digital project for the last week - and it is nearly done now. But today, I decided to take a few moments and make a card for the Elizabeth Bell Challenge for July (I know - it is August but this challenge is for the July challenge which ends today). the challenge was to make a Christmas Card - and I love doing Christmas in July projects - not that I have had time to do any - but it IS a nice thought! :) Anyway, I had gotten some whiff of Joy stamps - I think another win from another blog, but I can't remember - I chose Lizzie with Muff because to me it says winter and winter says Christmas! I started with a Cherry Cobbler base and added Always Artichoke as the base of my card front. I decided I wanted to make an easel card and had been thinking about this card for a couple of days. I knew I wanted to use the Deck the Halls DSP (now retired) on my card somehow. I had a piece of the paper - not wanting to cut into anymore of that gorgeous paper before I use up scraps and bits. I colored my image with my prismacolor pencils and then matted with the Cherry Cobbler. I don't use buttons very often, but decided I would use some of these rather large buttons. I also added some faux stutching around my image and also along the edge of the very vanilla cardstock. The card is much simpler than I pictured in my mind - but I think my mojo is waning right now - so this is as good as it gets.
I used the following supplies on my card:

Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, and Always Artichoke Cardstock
Deck The Halls DSP
Bells and Boughs Stamp set
Lace Ribbon Border Punch
Linen thread
Soft Suede marker
Prisma Color Pencils
Lizzie with Muff image from Whiff of Joy
Deck the Halls Buttons
Thanks for stopping by to see my project.
~Paula~

Friday, August 5, 2011

A 'Cased' Design

Next week my middle daughter will be 18!! Where in the world does the time go? We are having a birthday party for her and she wanted a Hawaiian theme. After seeing these adorable notepad holders on fellow demonstrator Patty Bennett's site, I had the idea to make some of these as gifts for my daughters friends who are coming to the party. I used the Beyond the Garden DSP to make her invitations and decided that I would use this same paper to make the adorable notepad holders with matching notepad. I designed the insert using My Digital Studio (118108) and the Digital Downloads Beyond the Garden DSP (124109) and the Digital Download Fabulous Florets Stamp Brush Set (124110). I created the design to measure 10" x 6-1/2" however, I think the next time I make one of these, I will stretch the design to 10-1/2" x 6-7/8" to fit the Clear Mount Stamp Case (119105) a little better. I don't have a color printer, so I took it to Office Max and had them printed for me on just regular paper. They did an AWESOME job, I think! :) Once back home, I trimmed up the design so it would fit into the case and then slipped it inside the protective cover. I set about to finish the notepads - also purchased and trimmed at the office store. they are 5" x 8" and I had them trim an inch or so off the bottom so they would fit inside the case. I used a strip of the Beyond the Garden DSP to cover the store name on the top of the notepad and then added a bit of Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Ribbon (120928) using Sticky Strip.(104294)I like the finished look - it doesn't have alot of embellishments added to the design - but it is my first one and I think it turned out fabulous - more importantly, my daughter LOVES it and is excited for the party. These gifts will be given to her friends, but also a couple of the mom's that may come (or even if they don't, I will send one home with their daughters).
Now, the only thing with these is that I don't have extra cases, so I am having to remove my stamps from several sets and place an order for these cases. These would be awesome as gifts around the holidays. They are also large enough to take many notes and small enough to slip into your purse, so when you are looking for something to write on - you know it happens - you can just pull your fabulously fancy notepad out!! I hope you have enjoyed taking a peek at my 'cased' notepad case and perhaps you will take the time to make one and give it as a gift to one of your dear ones or friends.
Thanks for stopping by the spa today - it has been rather slow and the visit has been nice.

Note added: The total cost to make this project was $2.86. The only thing I didn't include in my cost totals was the strip of Beyond the Garden DSP used on the notepad.
~Paula~

Monday, August 1, 2011

Designer Series Paper

Do You LOVE Designer Series Paper(DSP) as much as I do? You know that I have been working on using up the paper that I have - but then Stampin' Up! entices me to just add to my stash. Well, I must say, it is a deal too good to pass up. You can check on the Sale here. But let me show you a few samples before you head over there - I LOVE the Beau Chateau (122357)this is one that I have on my list of Papers to get this month. Perhaps you like the Paisley Petals (122367) or Beyond The Garden (122342) - you have seen this one on alot of my projects lately. But there are so many more choices and if you order three - you get one for free - so now is the great opportunity to stock up as this sale lasts only until the end of the month.
~Paula~

Digital Creations

It has been awhile since I did anything with my digital stuff - so I decided to play with some new stuff that I got today. Doesn't this just SCREAM country to you? I love this house and would love it more if it was truly mine!! This is a sneak peak at what is coming in the new Stampin' Up! Holiday mini that will be coming out September 1. Let me tell you - there are a TON of fun new things to play with and I want almost all the Christmas stuff. I love to create in digital - and then use the very same stamps and create it in real life - on real paper - this is one I intend on doing when I get my hands on the set.
This is a short post - but I just had to share what I have been doing with digital today - and to give you a sneak peek of what is to come.
~Paula~

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Another Sketch

This is another sketch from Operation Write Home. This is sketch #79 and it was posted LAST Sunday - I know, a little late in getting it posted as there will be a new one tomorrow - but here you go. Now I did mess with the colors just a little in Photoshop so that the green would not be all washed out, but it is a little darker than the Wild Wasabi that I used for the base. I really liked the simplicity of this card and using the reverse side of the DSP was fun too. I took my strips and matted them on whisper white cardstock - it is easier to handle the design when you do this. I decided to double stamp my sentiment - so no - you are not going crazy. You know that yellow colors do not show up well, so I stamped with the yellow and then overstamped, moving my stamp just a tad so you get a shadow affect. I matted this on the daffodil delight and added the ribbon. Nice touch, simple card - elegant look! :)
Thanks for stopping by again - as you can see, I have been busy in the spa lately - I have more cards that I have done, but I will save those to post on a day (or week) that is too crazy for me to craft. Have a beautiful day wherever you are in the world.
~Paula~

Back to the many!!

In my last post, I mentioned using one sketch to produce many cards - well, in reality I did use a few different sketches, but I still did at least 3 cards for each sketch - but I only showed you all one card! What's up with that!! So, I am going to show you a few more of the many cards that I did the other day - then I will need to get back to the spa where I intend on creating a bit more.< Remember the first card I showed you (or scroll down to the previous post) I used a bright cheery color - well these next two cards are a bit more subdued. I used Wild Wasabi - though it is hard to tell the card is GREEN in this photo - I really need to learn how to adjust the settings on my camera better - or take the photos closer to the window so I don't have to use flash - which often distorts the color and washes things out. Anyway, I used the same stamp set - Fabulous Florals in pacific point this time. I used moer of that gorgeous paper from Beyond the Garden and added a bit of whisper white satin ribbon. Very easy - very simple but SO much fun!! This next card really IS washed out and is SO much prettier in real life - honestly. I used one of my favorite cuttlebug folders - the swiss dots - which I have not used in such a long time.<I then added another of that gorgeous beyond the garden DSP and then my image panel. I colored the flowers in with my prisma color pencils and added the sentiment in pacific point. I had these buttons that coordinated, so decided to use them for the final touch to this fun card. If I can get some better pictures taken, I will show you what this gorgeous card really does look like. Perhaps I will scan it - that always seems to work out nicely - so you might want to come back ihere in a little while and see if I have replaced the photo. You will notice that I have a watermark on my photos now - that was SO easy to create.
Thanks for stopping by the spa today - I hope that you have found inspiration for your projects. I will be adding more photos of my work as I get them uploaded.
~Paula~

One Sketch, Many Cards

It has been a few days since I have posted, but I have been busy enjoying the couple days off this week by making cards. Many of you know how much I LOVE sketches, and they are such a jumping off place for creativity. I truly believe that if you are stuck in a rut, grab a sketch and the creativity will begin to flow - honestly. I save sketches in a folder and when I am in a rut, I open it up and just choose one. (Sometimes that can be tough!) So, the other day, I chose a sketch (actually I used several - I get bored easily) and created several cards. My sketch is from Operation Write Home but my card is for the SUO Challenge for this week which was to create a Get Well CardI thought, that should be easy - especially with the sketch in hand - (I used sketch #62 and modified it just a tad) I had just gotten the Textured Impressions Flower Garden folder and hadn't had a chance to use it - it is lovely!! I stamped my image in Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango - I love these block stamps because you can really get a feel of depth to your stamping with them. Anyway, then I went in search of a Stampin' Up! 'Get Well' sentiment. Hmmm - I don't have ANY from Stampin' Up!! I have ALOT of stamp sets too - and I looked through retired as well as the new ones and could not find ANY that said that. So, I thought this stamp from one of the new hostess sets - Perfect Words would convey the message. If it doesn't perhaps the bright cheery colors will!! :)
I hope you like my take on the challenge. Come back to see more of my cards from my crafting this week - and I have today off too - so more crafting to do! Yay!!
~Paula~

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Good Morning Friends - today is MY DAY to post a tutorial on the Top Tip Tuesday challenge blog. I want to encourage you to hop on over there - when you are done here - and see what I am showing you how to do. It is a VERY fun project - but it does take a bit of time, so hopefully you will be able to find the time in the next few days to try this project.
In the meantime - I want to let you know that we have some awesome sponsors (as always) this week.
For our Top Tipper prize - all you have to do is leave a helpful tip and if you are chosen you will win a book of your choice from Stash Books. Stash Books is a new line of how-to books celebrating fabric arts for a handmade lifestyle.
Our Random.org prize - just create a card using the challenge theme and link it to the blog - is a $10 package of goodies from Pizzazz Aplenty.
We have fabulous samples from our creative design team - check out Bettina's Sugar Nellie card - SO beautiful. Of course that is only ONE of the beautiful cards from the design team - they are an awesome team filled with such inspiration.
So, now - head on over to view my tutorial and see how you can join in our challenge this week.
Come back later as I might be adding more to my blog this week - I have time to just play after work this week and plan to do lot's.
~Paula~

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Shaped Invitations

Remember earlier this week I mentioned that Top Tip Tuesday had a shaped card challenge? Well, it is not too late to get your card craeted and get it over there for a chance to win some fabulous prizes. It wasn't my teams week to make samples for the challenge, but I decided I would show you what I have done with this challenge. My middle daughter is going to be 18 next month and we have planned out a Hawaiian themed party to celebrate. I told her that I would make the invitations to send to the few friends she is inviting and she thought that was fabulous. I told her I had JUST the colors and set to make it all coordinate. So, guess what? I got out my new DSP from Stampin' Up! - yeah, this one is still available and will be for at least the next year!! I know, I am getting all current on you - and you may see some more cards made from this DSP in the next week - and then I will revert back to my old ways of trying to use up ancient stuff! ~giggle~ Anyway, here are the samples I made. I started with my nestibilites Classic Scallop Circles and the matching classic circles. I knew that I wanted to do shaped invitations that simulated the flowers in Hawaii. Since this was the closest I could come to the shape - this is what I chose to use. I needed it to be simple, so I started each card with the solid base. I used Tangerine Tango (111349) here, placing the nesties die just outside the fold so that I could create a folded invitation. I used Whisper White (100730) to stamp my sentiment. The sentiment is from Sweet Stamps (#966C). I matted this with Daffodil Delight (119683). I did not take a picture of the inside of the invitation, but it basically is stamp #905H from Sweet Stamps which is an invitation stamp that gives all the details of the party. I created another invitation using Daffodil Delight as the base and matting with Wild Wasabi (108641) I added butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits die (122342) to each of the invitations. Other colors I have used for my invitations are: Pacific Point (111350) and Melon Mambo (115320) and of course, the DSP that I used to create these fun cards is Beyond the Garden DSP (122342) This is such a fun Designer Paper with such vibrant colors. I also indulged in the stamp set (123027) that goes along with this paper. If that wasn't enough, I ordered the Digital sets (124110) and (124109) and will be getting the flower Garden texture plate (123113) that coordinates with this set as well this coming week. Here is a picture of all the invitations that I have made so far with this paper. What do you think? Do they scream Hawaiian? My sweet daughter is not at home right now she is away for another week and a half, so when she returns home, I am sure that she will be thrilled with the invitations.
Well, that is about it for now. I do have some time to create in my paper spa this weekend, and I plan on doing something - I am just not sure what yet.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit and have found inspiration to go and create something vibrant and happy.
~Paula~

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

I Have more cards to show you

I didn't post these from the other day when I was busy in my craft room. Just using up bits and pieces from that gorgeous DSP - Tea Party. All of these are just simple cards - and convey simple messages. This first one I used my Oval deckle nestibilities dies and a bit of pretty in pink taffeta ribbon. I added a couple butterflies from the beautiful wings embosslits die (118138) and used my scallop trim border punch (118402) for the edge of my certainly celery cardstock. I stamped the sentiment (retired) with wisteria wonder. My final touch on this one was a rhinestone (119246). This next card is more of a monochromatic of sorts. I started with my certainly celery base adding the two matted DSP - one on so saffron and the other on pretty in pink. I didn't feel it was quite complete, so I added the bit of so saffron taffeta ribbon (122982) and the rhinestones (119246) in the corner. I stamped the sentiment (hard to read here) in certainly celery - it says 'Birthday Wishes'.
Next up is this sweet Butterfly card. I used pretty in pink for my base adding the new lace ribbon border punch (122362) in certainly celery. I had already cut these nesties circles out intending them for another project and didn't use them, so I added the sentiment - off center - and then added the butterfly layers. I used the Beautiful Butterflies (114507) die and layered it with butterflies from the Beautiful Wings (118138) embosslits. these two dies work so wonderfully together to add dimension to your cards. The card still looked too plain to me, so I added the buttons. These particular buttons are no longer available, but there are similar ones that you can order.
My last card is a design that I did several years ago - casing it from Splitcoast Stampers (I think) - it has been so long that I do not honestly remember. As I was looking at my pieces of DSP I remembered doing this design and thought it perfect for the pieces that I had laying on my table. I would have done it a little different the next time, layering the DSP on one piece of cardstock and then adding the dimensions - instead of doing them each individually. I added the certainly celery satin ribbon (117288) and again the rhinestones - I am about out of those and will need to order more soon - I forgot to add them to my order that I placed earlier this week. So, there you have it - cards that I did last week - has it really been a week since I made those cards?? I have not used all this DSP up yet - but boredom has set in - is that even possible with such gorgeous paper? I am moving on with a new DSP - it is a current one, but you will have to stick around for the next post to see what I have done.
Thanks for stopping by the spa today - I will be spending alot of time here in the next couple of weeks since my sweetie is gone.
Have a fantastic day - as the thunder rumbles outside my window and the lightning flashes all around!
~Paula~

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Shaping Up!

That is what the Top Tip Tuesday challenge is for the week - making a shaped card - not a square one - so let your creativity run wild with this one. I will be adding my shaped card in a little while - but while you are reading this - I am at work making biscuits!! (They are GOOD too!!) We have some awesome sponsors this week and a couple EXTRA ones as well.
Pink Cat Studio - 5 digis of your choice
WS Designs - One of their catalogues and 3 amazing templates
Arty Farty - is offering the Roni Highchair template and everything needed to make it.
The Emerald Faerie Garden - 2 Digi Faeries
Stamp and Create - a $25 gift certificate

So, as you can see - you have several opportunities to win via random.org and what fabulous prizes too. So head on over to Top Tip Tuesday and see what the Blue Team has created and join in for your chance at some fabulous prizes.

Now, back to the biscuits and I will catch up with all of you later this afternoon, or at least by Wednesday - much going on this afternoon - so not sure if I will get back to the Paper Spa.

~Paula~

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Just sketching away!!

That is what I did yesterday afternoon for a little bit and then this morning. I created cards using sketches - and using up some more of that BEAUTIFUL Tea Party DSP. I am just disappointed that I didn't get some of the almost amethyst cardstock before it was retired. this DSP would be SO pretty with that light pale color. The wisteria wonder works okay, but I think the lighter lavendar would have just been brilliant. Anyway, these first two cards - yeah, I had to do two since I couldn't make just one of this sketch) is for the Stamping411 Sketch challenge for this week. I REALLY like this sketch. I am also JUST in time to enter this challenge and I am submitting both cards. For this first one, I started with a base of so saffron and matted my beautiful DSP with pink pirouette (no, this is not a coordinating color - but it does coordinate!), I matted the other piece with certainly celery. I used pretty in pink taffeta ribbon for my bow and matted my sentiment with so saffron. I used 'Elegant Thank You' (114484) stamped in wisteria wonder. These paler colors are harder to see when I stamp the colors to coordinate, so I have used some darker colors so that the sentiment can be seen better. I mounted the sentiment with dimensionals. I liked this one so much that I went on to do another.
On this next one I started with a base of pretty in pink. I used my new lace ribbon border punch (122362) in certainly celery in place of the ribbon. I added pearls (119247) to each end to give just an added dimension. My DSP is matted with wisteria wonder and so saffron. I used whisper white for my sentiment and stamped this with pretty in pink. I sponged the edges with pretty in pink. This sentiment is from a VERY old stamp set called 'I'd Pick You'. The date on it says 1996!! I am not sure what I paid for this set when it was available (it is only a 4 stamp set) - but I do remember buying it as unmounted. I have it mounted on wood that I cut myself and stamped the top of it, however I do have the stickers that came with it to put on top of the mounts. I think this was one of the first Stampin' Up! sets I ever bought. It is a cute little set with flowers in a pot, some in a watering can and some in a basket.

I will post more of the cards I have made today a little later.

~Paula~

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Do You Love Sketches?

If you do, Top Tip Tuesday has not one but TWO sketches that you can use for making a card. There are some great sponsors too - so hop on over and take a look at the sketches and then make a card to fit one - but remember, don't mix and match your sketches - use one or both.
I haven't had much time in the last few days to make anything, but I have tomorrow off from work and I don't plan on going anywhere, so will find some time to play in the paper spa. come back and see what I have done with some sketches.

~Paula~

Friday, July 8, 2011

Card Crafting Day

Oh, I would LOVE to have a few friends come and make cards with me on one of my days off - wouldn't that just be lovely? I am not sure how much card making we would get done though - as I am sure we would spend much time talking. But it sure would be fun to have someone to craft with every chance I had. Well, that is not the case, but I did have fun making a few cards today. I have already posted some of the ones I did this morning - they are not the quick and simple kind today - they are the more elaborate onesusing my prisma color pencils. This next one that I want to show uses the new sketch challenge on the Just Magnolia site. Oh, did I tell you - I won their giveaway from last week. I just posted the card a day or two ago, and I won!! I seldom win anything, but this time it is a wonderful voucher from Simon Says Stamp for $25!! I am going to have fun shopping for the stamps on that one.
Well, I colored this little cutie last night and knew that I would find a sketch that I could use her in within my sketch file, however, the one I was going to use just wasn't working out, so when the new one popped up on the Just Magnolia site, I knew it would be perfect. I used the Tea Party (retired) DSP from Stampin' Up! coordinating the colors in this BEAUTIFUL paper with the cardstock. The flowers and lace are from Wild Orchid Craft. I used a bit of diamond stickles on the flowers to give them a bit of sparkle and even added a bit to her eyes to make them sparkle. the finishing touch are the pearls from Stampin' Up! I have enjoyed using the pearls and rhinestones on my projects however, I am running low on them, so will have to be ordering some more of those soon. Out of the cards Ihave done the past few days, I think I like this one the best. I like the soft colors and the DSP is just one of my all time favorites. I don't think Stampin' Up! has come up with one as beautiful as this one in awhile (my opinion). However, I continue to buy DSP, so they are obviously doing something I like! :) I am also finding out that I don't have NEAR enough colors or style of the flowers from Wild Orchid Craft so I can see an order to them in the very near future. I really like the little tiny closed roses, but I only have them in the one color and I am running low on them.
Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed visiting the spa this afternoon and looking at my latest card. Oh, by the way - inside I have put a couple pieces of the green DSP in a couple corners and then stamped 'Happy Birthday' - this was a very fun design to do - and I am going to enter this into the Just Magnolia challenge #114

~Paula~

It's FRIDAY!!

For me, that means the day off and playing in the Paper Spa for awhile. :) Remember this card front that I did earlier this week? Well, I got my shipment yesterday from Stampin' Up! So, as soon as I got home from work last night, I put away all my goodies - which really wasn't that much, but I did get the cardstock I was waiting for to finish this card. So, this morning, I got up and got right to work playing with the new cardstock and new toys!! I decided to do an easel card - they are really SO fun to do. So, I cut the card base and scored it where I needed and then added my card front to it. I didn't have any more of the buttons in those colors, so I decided to add another piece of the baja breeze seam binding ribbon and then added the DSP punched with the BRAN. D NEW Lace Ribbon Border punch (122362)I think I will be using this border punch - ALOT!! It is SO fun and cuts so nicely - though with cardstock you do have to have a very sturdy surface and stand up when you punch it, but it cuts cleanly.
So, with that card finished, I pulled out my sketch folder and decided to get work on my Elizabeth Bell Challenge. I missed it last month - and it was one of my favorite techniques too - an easel card. I thought about combining the sketch with an easel card for this months challenge, but when I got done with the card decided that I would leave it. I am not real crazy about the card - but I do think the coloring turned out nicely. I am just not an 'orange' kind of person and have a hard time using this color - other than in fall themed cards. I chose to use this Whiff of Joy image created by Elizabeth Bell called 'Willow with Hot Chocolate'. My FAVORITE drink is hot chocolate - I also like hot tea, but since I really like chocolate, I would say I drink hot chocolate more than hot tea. Even on some of our cooler summer mornings I have a cup of hot chocolate. Of course, this image could work for coffee too, if you like coffee, but I don't! Anyway, I got this image from Simon Says Stamps. The thing that makes this such a special stamp is that my friend in the UK (Debs) gifted me a certificate that she won and could not use - so I put it to good use and got myself some more Elzabeth Bell stamps. Now, I will have that opportunity once again as I just found out that I won another gift certificate to this lovely store. So, I will be looking for more of those wonderful Elizabeth Bell Stamps. It seems that since I moved my craft studio upstairs, I get washed out photos of my work - this one really isn't as fair as it looks. I used some bold colors on this one - Pacific Point for my base card and some DSP from the retired pack Blueberry Crisp. I used a bit of bashful Blue to matt my image frame and then added a the new ribbon border punch in pumpkin pie to the matt. I wanted to pull the orange color in her sweater out. I thought the sentiment fit - at least for me because drinking hot chocolate is just pure bliss. :) I added a touch of white satin ribbon and the flower spray to finish off this card.
There you have it - my card for the Elizabeth Bell Challenge for June/July. Next month I might have some new images to play with - and I already have my cling mount ready and waiting for new images to arrive. I love getting new items to play with - so stick around, or come back and see what else I have to show you - maybe some new ribbon?? Or maybe some more creative ideas for that new punch. You just never know what you will find here in the paper spa.

~Paula~

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

I LOVE Sketches

So, today, when I have had some time, I have been playing with a few of the sketches I have seen on some blogs I like to visit. But before I show you my sketches for today, I want to show you something I 'thought' was ingenious! I like ribbon - and I have a fair amount, though I can ALWAYS use more. :) so, I have been trying to figure out an easy way to store my ribbon, where it was also easily accessible. Well, I found this hangar - it is for hanging pants, and I thought, hmmm - I bet the holes in my ribbon spools will fit on those rods. Well, they do - and it is a wonderful way to store the ribbon - I also punched holes in the baggies that hold my flowers and slipped those on there as well. There are only a couple of drawbacks - #1 it hangs in the closet rather than on a wall in my crafting area, so I can't look up and see the beautiful colors. #2 when I want to use a color, I have to take the spool off the rod and it is usually the one furthest from the beginning of the rod. I could just pull a length and cut it and never have to remove it - but I don't like to waste ribbon. As you can see - I am in dire need of MANY more spools of ribbon. these are all Stampin' Up. the ones on the top rod are the current ones and the ones on the bottom have retired. I know what I will be ordering next time! :)
So, now on to the sketches that I have done today. This first one I found on my friend Lori's blog this morning. She calls herself the Frugal Scrapper Extraodinaire. I met Lori when I lived in San Diego. I attended a scrapbook club once a month where she was the leader. We became friends and had a couple chances to scrap and make cards together outside of the monthly meetings. She took some classes in photoshop and In Design and was playing with her In Design program and created this fantastic sketch which can be used for both cards and scrapbook pages. I used the same package of DSP that I have been using this week to make this card. It is not complete - I only did the card front because I am waiting until my Stampin' Up! order comes later this week so that I can make the base of my card not quite navy. I may even make the card an easel card - I think those are SO cool! The two different patterns that you see on the card are the same DSP, just opposite sides. I used the set Always Elegant (120477).
My next sketch is from The Sugar Bowl I have not played in a Sugar Bowl challenge in a very long time. I recently purchased a couple more digital sugar Nellies from Funky Kits This one is called Melissa and she retails for $6.03 USD. When I bought her, I also bought another digital one that you will be seeing on a card sometime this week. (Hopefully). In addition to not having played in the Sugar Bowl, I haven't even played with my prisma color pencils in awhile either. I chose a different DSP (also retired) but lovely with the new Wisteria Wonder card stock from Stampin' Up! This light lavendar is one of the new In Colors - isn't it lovely? I decided to stay monochromatic for this card and I really like the way it turned out. I used the following colors on my little girl: PC942; PC914 (hair colors); PC1080; PC927 (my standard skin colors); PC1007; PC916 (flower); PC996; PC1008; PC1026 (clothes). My flower spray I created with flowers from Wild Orchid Craft - LOVE those flowers. I added a touch of Very Vanilla datin ribbon and added my sentiment from the Sale-a-Bration set Whimsical Words. It was fun to play with some different elements today - a different paper package and some new images and my colored pencils. Oh, and don't forget the flowers either! :) I might just have to switch up and play with this paper pack for awhile. It is called Tea Party and every paper in this pack is beautiful. Unfortunately, it is no longer available from Stampin' Up! I love the pastel shades in the pack though and think that they will pair nicely with the some of the new In Colors as well as the In colors from 2010.
Well, I have more sketches awaiting me - so come back soon and visit the spa and see what else I create this week.
~Paula~

I am still wondering . . .

Although it has been a few days since I have had any time in the paper spa - I have managed to make a few cards using the 'one sheet wonder' technique - Paper Spa style! :) I am still working with the same package of DSP, however, this time I am using the blues and I really like the print. Now, couple that with an AMAZING tutorial over on the Top Tip Tuesday challenge blog - and you end up with a beautiful (well, I think so anyway) anniversary card. The challenge this week is to make an anniversary, or wedding card. So, I started with this DSP - the larger piece is cut off a little and I can't find the other picture that I took, but I promised you all that I would remember to take a picture of the papers BEFORE I cut it all up, so there you go. So, far, I have made 5 cards from these pieces - along with Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, River Rock and Baja Breeze solid cardstock. I created this card for my DT submission. I used River Rock as my base, and layered the always artichoke on top of that finishing up with the layer of baja breeze. I then used my scallop trim border punch (118402) to punch the edges of the very vanilla cardstock, then I layered the DSP on top of this. I had some double stitched River Rock ribbon that I added on top of this. This ribbon was from a few years ago (2008) when River Rock was an In Color - now it is one of the colors in the neutral collection. The ribbon is no longer available though. Anyway, I used the retired set 'congrats' for my sentiment. This was the first time that I had used this sentiment set and it is a very cool set. The main word is Congratulations - and then you have 6 other stamps that you can choose from to complete the sentiment - from weddings, to babies. I stamped the sentiment in Not Quite Navy. I don't have that color of cardstock - YET - it will arrive here sometime on Thursday, while I am at work undoubtedly - however, I will be off on Friday and will have the whole day (at least I hope I do) to play with the new goodies that are coming on Thursday, I have ordered a new border punch, and I continue to order COLOR - I am ALMOST there, with all the colors that Stampin' Up! carries. I am not sure that I ordered any new stamp sets this time, but it will be fun to play with the new punch and some colors I have been out of for awhile. You will just have to stop by later in the week and see what else I have been able to get done in the spa.
I am also entering my card in the SU Only Challenge which is creating an anniversary card.
Thanks for stopping by the spa today to take a peek at ONE of my 'wonder' cards. Be sure to stop by tomorrow or Wednesday, as I am off on those two days and I intend on doing some card making.
~Paula~

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I wonder. . .


. . .how far a piece or two of DSP will go. Well, actually, I thought about the one sheet wonder technique - you have all seen them. You take a sheet of cardstock and stamp all over with a variety of stamps from a set in a variety of colors - or however you want. Then you cut that sheet up into different sizes and create a ton of cards. Well, I didn't quite want to do that - though I have a couple PERFECT stamps sets that would work beautifully - so I decided to take a look at my DSP (and believe me, I have TONS of that!!) and do the same sort of thing. Now, I decided rather than cutting into a fresh piece of the 12 x 12 paper that I would start from the pieces I already had cut. So, yesterday afternoon I grabbed one of my packages of DSP - this one is called Springtime Vintage (retired). The colors that coordinate with this package are: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, River Rock, Very Vanilla and Always Artichoke. I have several cuts of the different patterns, however, for this set, I chose the Rose Red and Always Artichoke with hints of Very Vanilla. I should have taken a picture of the papers BEFORE I started so you could see what I had to work with - it was less than half of a 12 x 12 sheet though. So, I started to cut a bit here and matte it there until I came up with designs that I liked. I just pieced things together last night and did start to adhere a few of the matted pieces - just so I wouldn't lose them or forget what the design was that I was trying to achieve by the time I got back to the spa this morning. When I had all my pieces cut the way I wanted, I cut some labels from the decorative label punch. I used the scallop trim border punch for some of the matted pieces. I also used the Weave and Distressed texture plates and the Framed Tulips textured impressions folder. I used Rose Red and Always Artichoke ink for my sentiments and I used these stamp sets: Afterthoughts (hostess set from the 2010-2011 catalog), Well Scripted, Filled with Love, Because I Care (another hostess set from the 2010-2011 catalog), and Whimsical Words (Sale-a-bration) set. Now, as many of you know, I like clean and simple designs, however, I don't like TOO much 'white' space, so I had to fill in (where I didn't use texture) and add pearls, rhinestones or ribbon. My supply of ribbon colors is fairly limited right now - well, at least for this color scheme, so I had Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Very Vanilla seam binding, Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon (can you see a color pattern here?) and the Victorian crotchet trim - which just happens to be in - you guessed it, Very Vanilla!! I do have Crumb Cake seam binding, but for some reason, it just didn't look to me like it went well with the colors. So, when I was all done cutting, trimming, gluing on rhinestones and pearls, embossing, and tying bows, I ended up with 12 cards!!! Isn't that amazing? and if you could only see the SMALL amount of DSP that I started with, you WOULD be amazed. From this same package, I have several more pieces to cut up and make into lovely cards - and that is only ONE package of my DSP and it doesn't even use up the package - but it does take me down to 8 - 12 x 12 pieces from a package of 12. Now, how many more packages of DSP do I have like this you ask? Well, you will just have to stop by over the next millenium and find out! lol Let's just say that I don't have room in my bins for all the DSP like this, so I have to pare it down in this way so they either lay or stand flat, (or I use it all up, whichever comes first). Of course, while I am in the process of doing this, I am sure to buy MORE because I LOVE color and the different papers are SO pretty. I am thankful that I am not a big fan of Hobby Lobby or Michael's and where I live they lack good quality Scrapbook stores, so I am limited by what is in my Stampin' Up catalog and some of the designs I don't particularly care for - so, in the next year, I MIGHT just get the chance to use up all these lovely scraps.

I hope you have enjoyed my jabber today and my take on the One Sheet Wonder Technique. If there are any cards that you would like to take a closer look at, feel free to let me know and I will post them here.

Next up on my 'Wonder Plan' - Baja Breeze!

Have a wonderful rest of your day and thanks for stopping by the spa today - I hope you have enjoyed your visit.


~Paula~