New Business Venture

Looking at my last blog post - wow - it has been nearly a MONTH since I have posted! Well, I must say - alot has been going on - but the latest bit of news is that I have decided to join up with a new home-based business! Oh, I am still doing massage - and making cards - and scrapbooking - even applied for a guest design team position - creating this LO of my step-son and his girlfriend, but wasn't chosen :( - at least not THIS time around! So, still working my hands (and fingers) to the bone - but heard about this NEW company - checked out the product and decided it was a GOOD thing.
So, what is this company you ask? It is called REVVNRG. So WHAT is the product? It is an energy drink - Now wait - before you close your browser - let me tell you a little about what I know - it is NOT like Monster or Red Bull or any of the other energy drinks on the market! This product is made from ingredients found in the Brazilian Rainforest - so it is GOOD for you - honestly. Such ingredients as Acai berry, Yerba Mate, Cupuacu, Fucoxanthin, green tea, cha de bugre and B vitamins - check them out on your own - then visit my new retail store to order your box of RevvNRG, or better yet - consider joining my team.

Thanks for visitig the spa today - where I hope you have found renewed NRG!!
~*~Paula*~*

I have been Chosen - Twice!!

On Tuesday I posted a new LO that I had done for the YMBD 92 days of summer contest. It is the last LO for the contest and I used a quick album page from the Scrappers Guide. The Quick album pages were created by one of the design team members (jwhite) and the kit was created by Gina Miller. I love designing pages, but sometimes I use the quick album templates as they are fun and give me ideas for creating pages of my own as well.
Anyway, Heather over on the YMBD forum chose this LO (scroll down to the previous post) as her gallery find for this month. What an honor - and if that isn't enough - I also won the early bird prize for completing and posting weeks 9-12 by the deadline date. Here is a picture of the goodies that are coming my way!


How cool is that? Here is a description of what is in the package:

Five glossy page inspiration and how-to books
•"Out of the Album" (scrapbook and paper projects)
•"Big Bad Brads" (scrapbooks, cards & papercrafts)
•"Ribbon & Trim" (projects for home and scrapbooking)
•"Clear Albums for Scrapping"
•"Classy & Clear" (cards, invitations, thank you notes)

Plus you get 3 CD's for digital scrapbooking:
•Digital Delights (180+ images)
•Digi Templates (240+ images)
•Digi-Elegance (9 Digital Kits includes 357+ images)

I am really looking forward to receiving this entire package - I love how-to books and anything that gives inspiration. I also am very curious about the digital stuff! Wow -

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in my excitement!
*~*Paula*~*

A New Contest

The last couple of weeks have been busy - catching up on the Layouts for the 92 days of summer - AND completing ALL 13 layouts!! That was certainly a contest that challenged me every week. The last layout is one of my favorites. I used the newest Scrappers Guide Premier kit for my layout - utlizing one of the quick album layouts. Annie and Sam (along with his girlfriend) came down for a visit. It was a wonderful BUSY time spent with them going all over San Diego and revisiting places I had been too many times during my college years at SDSU. I had to work a couple of the days they were here, but Larry was off, so he took them up to Hollywood one of those days.
Now I am on to the next challenge from the YMBD girls - and it is something that I LOVE to do - MAKE CARDS!! Not only that - it is a Christmas Card challenge too - so the whole month of September there is a challenge everyday - yeah I know - I am 8 days late on this one - and haven't even begun any of the challenges - but those Christmas cards that you always say you are going to make to send - and then never do - well, now is your chance to make a go of it. AND, if you don't need/use that many - why not send them to CFH - as our troops will certainly use them!!
I am going to catch up on the challenges - they are simple ones - and then post them later on -
Thanks for stopping by just to check on me and see if I am still alive and kicking - I am!!
Enjoy your day and come back soon to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the spa.
*~*Paula*~*

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*~*

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*~*

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*~*

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*~*

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*~*

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*~*

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*~*

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*~*

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*~*

Tags! What a CHALLENGE!!!

Tags - this is another one of those crafting items that I am not quite sure what to do with. So, when the challenge for Day 153 popped up on the 365 card blog I KNEW what I would use, I just didn't know HOW I would use it. I have had these tags for, oh a couple of months now!! I bought them at Michael's because they were on sale and I thought they were pretty and I knew then I didn't have a CLUE how I would use them - so, they have been stashed away. Of course, while I was looking for something to put in the center of the flowers, I came across some little plastic tags that I could have used as well, and STILL do not have a clue how I would have used them either!! Let's just say that TAGS are a big challenge to me! Oh, I love looking at what others have done with them - but I just can never figure out how to make them look so elegant.
Anyway, instead of using a stamp for my sentiment, I hand-wrote the sentiment from one of my stamps. I wished I had the Night of Navy marker, as I think that would have made it so much nicer, but I didn't so I just used one of my Martha Steward writers. I bought these flowers - again at Michael's - ON SALE - and I KNOW how to use primas - especially these ones - they are just the right color, just the right size and they are so pretty with the glitter and such on them - I could buy a TON of these!! I punched the scallop from white cs, and then realized that it didn't really match - if the cs was off white, it would have been better, so I decided to grunge it up a bit with my distress inks. I chose old paper - now, I am not sure about you, but my old paper looks GREEN to me - anyway, it worked here ok. I stamped my scroll stamp with white on the blue bg for added texture.
In all, I am pleased with the way it turned out - and may have to look into making something with the REST of the tags I have - they are in books of 24 and I bought TWO of them (the other one is pinks!!)
Thanks for stopping by today - and enjoy the rest of your visit in the spa.
*~*Paula*~*

Three-In-One!!

I know, it is usually a Hole in one - but today on the 365 card challenge (Day 152) the challenge was to use a flap somewhere on your card. So, I decided to use the Splitcoast stampers Sketch (SC238) for my sketch. I have had these sheets of 1-1/4" squares (SU) from YEARS ago and really don't know what to do with them - so when I saw this sketch, I thought that these would be perfect for my matting. THEN, I received an email from Cards For Heroes to sign up for their e-newsletter, so in checking out their site (which I haven't been to for awhile) I noticed that they have a challenge going on over there to submit Christmas Cards by August 15th in order to be entered into a drawing for a big box of stamping goodies. Click on the link to find out more information. So, anyway - back to my card - with these three challenges in mind, I got to work right away creating my card. For some reason, I am NOT liking white space today and just HAVE to cover it up. I REALLY need to stock up on colored cardstock - then it won't be so bad!! Anyway, I pulled my scroll stamp out and stamped with Real Red, then layered the DP from SU. I layered the little red squares (oh, I didn't mention, I have a bunch of OTHER colors as well!!) on the white and then stamped these cute little ornaments (a clear stamp set purchased at WM) on the front. I decided I needed to stamp something inside the flaps. I looked through my winter stamps and came up with these three. I really should have stamped the mittens in red, as the black just doesn't fit - oh well.
Thanks for stopping by the spa today - I will be working on some other projects that I have in the works around here - so do stop by again soon.
*~*Paula*~*

You CAN Do It!!!

Many of us have heard those words since we were a child. Our parents (or other significant adult) encouraging us to follow our dreams. Well, on Day 151 on the 365 card blog - that was the challenge - to use those words as our sentiment on our card. Of course, I didn't have a CLUE what else I was going to do with those words, so taking inspiration from the Splitcoast stampers sketch challenge for the week SC239, I broke into my new (just received) package of razzleberry designer paper from SU. LOVE that color!!! And just set about layering. The image is another SU - from the Eastern Influences set. It is one of FOUR current sets that I own. Don't get me wrong - I have TONS of stamps and MANY of them are SU, they are all just retired ones now!!! :( I didn't like all that white space, so I added the crystals for a nice finishing touch.
Thanks for taking a peek - see you in the spa again real soon I hope.
*~*Paula*~*

Homophones - What's that??

Homophones? Have you ever heard this term? Well, even if you don't recall the word, you have used homophones - an 'I' for an 'eye, 'bearly' there (for barely) - they are often a fun way to use words in extraordinary ways. Well, with that said, the challenge on Day 150 of the 365 card blog was to use a homophone in our sentiment on our card. Well, I didn't want to go with the usual 'I love Ewe' - as I knew that would be used by some, so I thought about this - for a couple of days and finally came up with my version. I do think it is somewhat corny - however, in looking through my stamps - yes, I used my STAMP collection for inspiration this time, I came across this pear that I have loved for a very long time - and just knew what I wanted to do. Once it was settled, the card came together rather quickly. I used a mixture of green galore and summer sun for the pears layering on pumpkin pie and summer sun CS (all from SU) I added the grosgrain ribbon (from my stash) and the buttons are from Basic Grey's marrakech line. I also thought I was somewhat clever to underline the sentiment using a scrap cut off from the pumpkin pie. The font is one I got from Dafont.com and I printed it off on the printer.
Thanks for stopping in - I should have more for you to take a peek at shortly.
*~*Paula*~*

Try a Technique: Sponging

Sponging is such a fun technique. If you haven't tried this technique, or haven't for awhile - you really ought to! Today is Day 149 on the 365 card blog and that is the challenge for the day - to use sponging. Well, I first chose my image - a nice beach-y kind of scene and then I decided I wanted to give the impression of an approaching storm - so I made my own cloud template and then sponged around it. I haven't done this for quite some time, but I wanted to do something different for a change. I sponged the 'clouds' with baja breeze and a bit of going grey ink - and then threw in a bit of summer sun. After layering my image onto my card base, I decided to carry the clouds a little further. I still felt like it needed a bit of bling, so I added the rhinestones.
Thanks for taking a peek at my creation - now I am off to work on my digital scrapbook pages for the 92 days of summer contest - if you haven't checked it out - click on the icon and come join us.
Have a wonderfully relaxing day and thanks for visiting the spa today.
*~*Paula*~*

No Mojo for the Sketch Challenge

I usually like sketches, as they help me get over the challenge of just sitting down to make a card - but Day 148's challenge was a bit more difficult for me. I had NO MOJO - and even when I did try to muster some up today, I either was disrupted by someone in the family - or I had to go into work. So, I am NOT pleased with my card, but I did the challenge anyway. I even looked at others who had completed the challenge, trying for some inspiration and nothing!! (Not to say those other cards weren't great - they were, it just didn't hit the magic mojo number!!)Some days you have it and some days you don't - today was one of the 'don't' days!
Thanks for stopping by - come back each day as there will be some great inspiration this week from the 365 card blog as they feature a different reader of the blog each day.
*~*Paula*~*

Scraplifting Saturday

It is Day 147on the 365 card blog and the challenge for today is to scraplift one of the DT members cards. Vicky is the one giving the challenge, so I decided to take a look at her blog and choose a card from there. For my challenge, I chose this simple card that she made during the 'Shortcuts' week. She used a stamp set that I didn't have, but I DID have the Tart and Tangy set from SU, so used that set for my card. (I think this is the first time I have used this set!!) She bound two pieces of plastic together for her card base, but since I didn't have that, and didn't really want to bind anything together, I just used the image idea for my card. I did choose to use flower eyelets at the top instead of ribbon and I punched all the way through the cardstock. I overlayed a piece of vellum to create the softer look. The vellum I used has some texture on the front of it too. I found the sentiment stamp in my collection and thought it fitting for this card.
Thanks for taking a look and thank you to Vicky for the inspiration for this card.
*~*Paula*~*

Mirroring

Yesterday, I didn't get a chance to make my card for Day 146 on the 365 card blog as I spent the morning with my husband walking along the beach, checking out the HUGE waves and then having breakfast together out on the pier (there is a Ruby's diner at the end of the Oceanside Pier). I had to go into work at 2:00, but when I got there, I found out that my client had rescheduled for later in the day, so that gave me time to run up to Michael's and take a look around. I was specifically looking for these little flowers that my friend Gloria told me about - of course, I was not quite sure what I was looking for - so I just wandered through the store. In my wanderings, I took a peek at the clear stamps and came across these adorable sayings. As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to have them.
One in particular really jumped out at me and I just KNEW what I was going to do for my card challenge for the day. I didn't get the opportunity to create the card until this morning though. The challenge was to make a symmetrical card. Well, I decided to make a card 'playing' on the words in the sentiment. I used scrap pieces of SU cardstock that I have in an overflowing ziploc bag. I popped the flowers (from the set I got this week) and added a bit of stickles to the center.
Thanks for taking a peek and I hope you have a colorful day today!!
~*~Paula*~*

Another Ad Insired Card

Today (Day 145) on the 365 card blog there is an ad inpired challenge. Ad inspired challenges are always difficult for me - but this one came together fairly quickly. I had the CB background already done from my 'playtime' yesterday, so I completed it with inspiration from the ad. The butterflies in the ad caught my eye and then I noticed the letter down in the right hand corner. I have had these monogram stamps for quite some time - bought them from the Michael's dollar bins - and have wanted to do some monogram cards for awhile. I had bought monograms for each of my kids, hoping to make some cards for them to send out notes of thanks, or whatever to friends and family. Notice the color scheme - it is the same as my card kit that I mentioned in an earlier post - however, I had some cameo coral cs, so I used that from my stash and then used the ink spots that came with the kit. I didn't have any ribbon to match, and didn't want to use the ribbon from the kit, so I grabbed some white grosgrain and ran it across the certainly celery ink spot creating the green ribbon. The brads are from basic grey.
Thanks for taking a peek.
*~*Paula*~*

Double Dimension

I am so glad that life isn't all flat! I know, that is a curious statement - however, think about it - if everything was flat, we wouldn't have mountains, there would be no ups and downs in our life - everything would be the same ALL the time. BORING!! So, tying this into the challenge for yesterday (Day 144) on the 365 card blog we were to incorporate at least TWO ways to add dimension to our card. Hmmm, I can think of alot of different ways to add dimension, but since we only HAD to do two - I set about to make my card. The planning of the card was SO super simple since I had just received an SU Simply Sent card kit from my secret sister (now revealed) from the Splitcoast stampers Ultimate Unos secret sister round 2. (wow, that was a mouthful!!) Anyway, she sent me this kit - I think it is a retired one - but it had EVERYTHING I needed to make 10 cards. Of course, I had to mix it up a bit and not do the cards exactly like the directions say - I CB the base card - adding a bit of dimension there, then I added the ribbon - so that adds some dimension and I popped the green square and the flower on top, adding just a bit more dimension with the crystal flower center. I am SO thrilled with this kit that I am considering ordering a couple of the ones in the new catalog - but I am also thinking of making up kits so that when I have to be away from home I can still create some cards. So, my thoughts are to run through the new catalog (or past catalogs) and choose a few cards I really like and prepare the elements to make the cards.
So, what are YOU going to do today to inspire your creative side?
Thanks for stopping by
*~*Paula*~*

Silent Sorrow

Tuesday on the 365 card blog (Day 143) the challenge was to make a sympathy card without using any sentiment on the outside of the card. Thankfully I have not had to make too many sympathy cards, and I am not sure what image I would think of immediately if I had too. Oh, perhaps flowers, or butterflies - but I also think about how much I would miss the person that is gone. So, I actually made a card yesterday for this challenge, with a flower and I used my cb folder - but as I thought about the card, it didn't really convey the message - so I thought through the stamp sets I had, and this one of the lady in the boat really expresses sorrow to me. I know that if there was a death in my family, I would wandered down to the shore (I live only a few miles from the ocean) and walk or sit and just look out to the sea and let the ocean waves soothe my heart and let the seabreeze blow away the tears.
I hope your visit to the spa today brings happy remembrances of your loved ones that have gone before you.
*~*Paula*~*

Twilight!!

Have you seen the movie 'Twilight'? Or perhaps you have read the books, or both!! I have seen the movie - my older daughters have read the books, so we bought the movie and watched it together one evening quite some time ago. Today is Day 142 on the 365 card blog and the inspiration is the movie 'Twilight' - with a twist! Our card base is to be black, and we are to use a patterned paper with the dominant color being red - rhinestones or glitter and the rest is up to the imagination! If you know anything about the movie, it is about Vampires - and one of them falls for a human - the portrayal is of good vampires and bad vampires - well, I don't know about you, but ANYONE that wants to suck my blood is bad - but it is good for imagination!! So, as I understand it - the vampires live forever - so I used this new sentiment that I got recently. I wanted to use the flower border too because the movie has a bit of romance in it! I used my alcohol inks to color the primas and then sprayed with red velvet glimmer mist for a shiny, glittery feel. I have had the rhinestone swirl for some time and decided to use it here.
Thanks for visiting in the spa - where I learned yesterday that it can lower your cholesterol!! :)

note:the color doesn't look real bright red - it is a muted red and the flower was actually colored with cranberry alcohol ink and then sprayed with red velvet, it just didn't turn out bright red

Have a wonderful day - *~*Paula*~*

It's time for another Sketch!

I like using sketches. It helps cut down on the brain power needed to create! If I don't have to think up a sketch, then sometimes that is half the 'battle' in creating. Sunday's are always sketch days on the 365 card blog so for today (Day 141) the sketch was a simple one. I thought I was going to create the card while at work - I had taken the 'ingredients' to make the card, but worked on a digital LO instead, (it was a slow day). So this evening after supper I decided to finish up the card. I am all caught up for the month as well. I used an old set from SU that I have had for quite some time but seldom use. Since I stamped the ink pen on the strip, I decided I needed to stamp the hand using the pen so that it would be easy to understand what the card was trying to convey. I then stamped the sentiment in black over the image. I used archival brown for my images.
Thanks for stopping by this evening and as you go into a new work week - remember to stop by the spa for a little relaxation.
*~*Paula*~*

I finally Stitched it!!

Before I started stamping and scrapbooking, I sewed. I still do from time to time, but seem to be more interested in making cards and saving my memories rather than making clothes that end up not fitting. I have done a few quilt tops - they are still waiting to be quilted and I do LOVE making American Girl doll clothes.
So, what does this have to do with cards? Well on Day 129 the 365 card blog issued a challenge to stitch an image on your card - not just use stitching. Well, this one had me as I just didn't know what I wanted to do. I contemplated trying to embroider an image using my embroidery machine - but thought that it wouldn't work through paper - but I did consider using velvet paper. In the end, I chose to stitch an image by hand using a hand embroidered stitch. I first stamped my image - one from SU - on velvet paper. I then stitched and then put the card altogether. I had this scallop window cut from another project and decided to use it on my card, so I added the sentiment and then attached the window card on top. I felt it still needed something, so I added the stickles glitter to the button and stem and stickles pearls to the scallop and the flower.

Thanks for visiting my spa. Have a great day!!
*~*Paula*~*

Digital sketch for TNT

TNT (Tips n Techniques) is a local scrapbook club that meets once a month. We usually work through some kind of book (as it is typically a book club), we share the projects we have been doing over the past month as it relates to the challenges given during our club meeting. In June, our fearless leader - Lori aka the Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire created a sketch of her own and gave it to us to use for our sketch challenge to bring to our July meeting. Well, I was so busy with many other crafts during the month that I didn't get to the sketch challenge until the day of the meeting and then because it was digital, I wasn't able to get it printed in time to take it to class - so I am posting it so that my friends in the club can see how I used the sketch challenge. Every year on the
4th of July my sister has a big BBQ where friends and family come together for games, good food and much chatter. My sketch is about that event from this year. I used elements and paper from my July Premier Scrappers kit from Scrappers Guide - a WONDERFUL digital scrapbook group that I discovered last summer. I used clipping masks to create my photo sections - and then added the photos in. I didn't have just one photo that really stood out for the bigger block, so I just added several photos to the block with some digital paper behind to set it off. I wanted to get all my family members in the photos - but there are a few that didn't make it - like my mom!! I guess I will just have to make another LO to go along with this one. Rather than using just one or two journal blocks, the idea for the LO was to use journaling strips - so I created the journaling with this in mind.
If you haven't tried digital - I HIGHLY recommend it. It is SO much fun - SO portable (if you have a laptop) and nearly instant!!
I am off to work - where I only have one client this morning (at the moment) so I am taking my laptop so I can create digitally until another client calls, or it is time for the day to be over.
Have a WONDERFUL Sunday - *~*Paula*~*

More Old Products!

On the 365 card blog today (Day 140) the challenge was to use paint on your card. Well, I just KNEW what I was going to use - RADIANT PEARLS!! I haven't used my radiant pearls in quite some time. I remember when they were so IN and I used them ALL the time. I experimented with them, I mixed colors and was amazed at the results. Well, today was no different. I really LOVE using the radiant pearls, they are just not in my sight as I have to keep them put away since they would take up precious space on my stamping area - which is already occupied with my Laptop computer, my Cricut, my cutting board - which leaves me very little space in which to actually put everything together.
Anyway, back to my card - I used the new SU In Color Melon Mambo for my background card - I think this color is SO similar to Purely Pomegranate that SU had out a couple years ago and was one of my favorite colors. Then I chose my radiant pearl colors - hmmm, do I REALLY have to tell what colors I used? I stamped the Sweet Impressions image and proceeded to mix and paint my colors. When I was done - I was a little impatient and cut out the image - and in so doing got a couple little smears of paint - what to do? I decided to get out this fancy little tool that I bought back when I was really into this art and used it to 'splatter' the radiant pearls around - so it no longer looks like paint smears! :) Since I had taken alot of time to paint my image, I didn't want to ruin it by stamping the sentiment crooked or in the wrong place, so I cut out the oval shape with my nesties and stamped on that adding a bit of the 'splatters'. It was fun to do this card.
Thanks for visiting in the spa today. Have a wonderful day
*~*Paula*~*

Techniques and Old Products

How long has it been since you have tried a new technique? Or perhaps an old technique? The challenge for today - Day 139 on the 365 card blog is to use Paper PIERCING on your card. I don't often use this technique, but when I saw the challenge, I decided to pull out my Pergamano kit and one of my stamps that lends itself to this technique. Pergamano is the name of the company that has elevated the 15th century art of Parchment craft to endless options for design. Sweet Impressions has many stamps that lend itself to using this technique. I stamped my image using Staz-on cotton white onto vellum. I then used my stylus tool and traced around the image on the backside causing it to 'pop' and turn whiter on the front side. I did use a bit of the paint that came in my kit to brighten the white. I pierced the little dots and all the way around the heart thereby 'cutting' it away from the vellum. I used one of my CB folders to emboss the heart images on the card and then used the die cut from this set to cut out the words and double hearts. I added the silk flowers (a find at Michael's) and added the bling in the center to finish off the card.
It was fun to do the paper piercing, but more so because I pulled out something old and used it!! When was the last time you did THAT? Whether you try paper piercing for the first time, or use it after a long absence - try something NEW today - even if it is something you haven't done for a long time!
Thanks for stopping by.
*~*Paula*~*

Quotes!

Quotes - we all use them - and sometimes we find opportunity to use them on our cards or other items we create. For Day 138 on the 365 card blog the challenge was to use a quote on our card. WELL, yesterday I was looking for quotes to use on a card for yesterday's challenge - so when I printed them out, I did a few and just happened to have this quote sitting on my table when I was done with the card for yesterday (which I completed today!!) When I was at Wal-Mart earlier this morning - I came across a few new finds, and one of them was this ribbon. I thought the color combination was interesting and probably one I wouldn't have thought to use, but it really is pretty put together with similar colors. I chose the new Dusty Durang0 In Color and Blue Bayou (a past In Color) from SU. I had the quote already printed on the transparency so just added that with a couple zots hidden by the prima flowers. I added the bling to the center of the flowers to bring it altogether. My sketch is the sketch challenge (SC237) from the splitcoast site - just turned sideways.
Thanks for taking a peek. Later I will upload some digital stuff I have been working on. But now I must scurry off to work - the spa - where I will bring relaxation to some deserving soul. ~smile~
*~*Paula*~*

Time Binds

Well, not sure if it really does - but time is something we deal with EVERYDAY! Well, when I saw the challenge on Day 137 which was to bind two pieces of something together on your card, I thought about how I wanted to make my card - so while at work - I thought and came up with this idea. Of course, it took me until this afternoon to put it altogether - somehow the 'time' got away from me!! I used a piece of graphic 45 and 'bound' a piece of transparency on which I had printed a quote about time that I found online while I was being productive with my time!! I knew I wanted to use my new 'Sense of Time' set from SU, so that is why I was hung up on the 'time'!!
I hope you have enjoyed your 'time' here today - come back soon.
*~*Paula*~*

Black and White and RED . . .

. . .and texture and brads, and eyelets, OH MY!! Yes, I am playing with new toys and old ones today. The challenge for Day 136 on the 365 card blog was to use Black, white and red on your card - no other colors - which is fine. It is always the image that often presents the problem - however, when I looked through my NEW - as in delivered TODAY - CB folders, I decided to use this image to create texture. Then I used a piece of bazzill basics swiss dots for the matting on my sentiment. I picked out the ribbon from my drawer of ribbon and got out some silk flowers and added the flower eyelets (red) and the black (heart) brad to the centers. Of course it was AFTERWARDS that I decided I wanted to add the stamping with my red and black staz-on pads - but it worked. So much going on and I LOVE the results. Not sure if I will keep this one and give it to my sweet dh, or pass it on to those soldiers in the field that need to tell someone at home they are loved.
Thanks for visiting the spa today - it has been a productive one - and I am not even finished - working on a BIG project that I am hoping to have done for my Scrapbook club meeting tonight!!
*~*Paula*~*

A Wonderful Sketch!

On Day 134 it was another sketch challenge from the DT at 365 card blog. They always come up with great sketches for your cards - and this one was quick to put together. The exciting thing about this card is that I had JUST - I literally mean JUST received my new CB folders from UPS - my daughter brought the box up while I was catching up on some other card challenges. When I started work on this card, I KNEW I had to try out my new folders! I am not sure which folder this one is - I will label them when I get a chance - but it went well with the ribbon I chose for my card. The sentiment I haven't used for quite some time. The card still needed just a little more something, so I added the prima flowers with a button center from SU to match the pink cs.
Thanks for taking a peek - just a couple more to go and I will be ALL caught up.
*~*Paula*~*

Imagine - BUBBLES??

I seldom take bubble baths - in my opinion, the bubbles never last as long as they do in the commercials - I mean - you would have to use a COMPLETE bottle of bubble bath for that! Anyway, when I saw the Day 133 challenge over on the 365 card blog, I thought - hmmm - I don't have any little ladies bathing in bubbles, I am not sure WHAT I have that will work. When I started looking through my stamp collection, I found these tiny little bubbles and knew it would work. I got out my kaleidacolor (blue breeze) stamp pad and stamped these cute little fish along with the bubbles. This is a FLAT card - meaning there is NOTHING on it that is three dimensional!! So, I added a couple layers and am happy with the results.
Thanks for taking a peek.
*~*Paula*~*