Twins Cards

Yesterday before I had to leave for work, I made a couple cards for another birthday party my youngest daughter was attending. The party was for twins - so I decided to take their 'favorite colors' and twist them a bit.

They both like blue and purple, so I made sure that I had the right amount of each color to make two cards. I started with the white base and chose Brocade Blue and Rich Razzleberry for my colors.


I have a stack of sketches from Splitcoast stampers and used one of them (SC260) for the card. I love the Cottage Wall DP from SU especially since I really like the Rich Razzleberry - it is such a pretty color. I simply reversed the colors on the cards to make them the same, yet different - just as I suppose twins are - the same, yet different!

Two more cards

Today another sketch was posted on the OWH Stars and Stamps blog - so I have decided to finish posting the previous sketch challenge cards so that I can then move forward. ~smile~ I probably won't get a chance to make the card for today's sketch challenge for a day or so - but we will see - perhaps I will get some time this morning to make the card, or later after I get back from the spa.
Anyway, on to Sketch #2 - I have been making alot of Mother's Day cards lately - the deadline is April 1 to have them to the shippers - but in the midst of making them, I decided to throw in a Father's Day card - the deadline for those is May 15th. So, I found this bright yellow cardstock - I believe it is Marigold Morning from Stampin' Up - a past In Color. I cut a strip of Delicate Dots DP also from SU and tied a piece of green twine around the top, then mounted this on the gold. I used white cardstock and mounted it on Old Olive then used the ticket punch for the corners. I used a variety of stamps for my images. a reed stamp from Stampscapes, the sentiment is from Sweet Impressions and the scroll stamp is a clear stamp from 7 gypsies. I wanted to do something a little different for a Father's Day card and thought this one was just that.

Well, Sketch #1 - Finally!! I made another Mother's Day card for this one as well. I started with the white base and added a piece of rose red that had been punched with the scallop border punch from Fiskars. This had been sitting in my scrap stash for quite some time and it worked perfectly to add that extra touch to this card. The big square was a bit more of a challenge in that I didn't know if I wanted to stamp an image or if I had a word stamp large enough. Looking through my stamps again, I found this sentiment stamp that was perfect. I thought I had pulled all my 'Mother's Day' stamps out - but I missed this one because it was in color. I added the prima rose - LOVE these!!! And the card is done - and I am all caught up on the sketch challenges - Yeah!!
Thanks for sticking with me over the last few days and watching the sketch challenges unfold - I hope you have enjoyed your visit in the spa today and that you will come back often for rest, relaxation and inspiration.
~Paula~

No cards today . . .

. . .At least I didn't MAKE any cards today, but I still have cards to show you - so sit back and enjoy the next few posts.
I was sorting through my incredibly large amount of scraps and found this panel of the three hands 'writing' - well, when I looked at the OWH Stars and Stamps blog Sketch #3 - submitted by Lauri I knew that half my card was done! The set is an old SU set that I have had for awhile and rarely use. The hands are stamped on creamy caramel with close to cocoa (I think). This panel was mounted on a piece of eggplant envy. My background paper is a lavendar velvet paper -another ancient item from my stash that I mounted to white cardstock. I finished off the card with the sentiment panel stamped in eggplant envy on the white cardstock that I rounded off the corners with my corner rounder. Just another simple card that I dressed up a little with the velvet paper.
So, here is a question - do you have items in your stash that have been there 'forever'? I am sure you do if you have been stamping for awhile - so my challenge to you is to get those items out and USE them - make a card, something simple. It doesn't have to be fancy - and then send it to OWH - let me know here about what you do with your 'secret forever stash'

Until then - have a restful time in the spa - and come back soon.
~Paula~

Sketch #4

This sketch was submitted by Kathy and I had a tough time with this one - I actually made two different cards, but the first one that I made didn't quite look like the sketch and it seemed a bit blank to me, until I added the butterfly. I like the colors, but just wasn't sure about how much 'white' space the card had. I looked at some samples of what others had done with this card and got the idea of adding the butterfly. I had gotten the butterfly in a kit and hadn't used it yet - but after putting it together - I want the die-cut from Stampin' Up!!

The next card was the one that closely follows the sketch that Kathy provided. I have had this DP for a VERY long time - and it just HAPPENED to be sitting right in front of me - so I thought - why not just use it. I was going to use ribbon at the top, but didn't know how I was going to wrap it - then remembered that I have the slot punch from SU and it is perfect for punching slots in the folded side of the card so that you can thread ribbon or whatever through. I decided against using ribbon and grabbed the gold cord instead - doubling it. The light blue cardstock was another in my bits and pieces stash and the flowers are from a recent order that I got from England! A few friends went in on an order from this company that has fantastic prices on their flowers and the shipping is barely noticeable. The sentiment is from a clear stamp set that I got locally.

Thanks for taking another look at my creativity - I hope that your visit to the spa today has inspired you to create a little bit of color in your life today.

~Paula~

Counting down to #1

If you have been following my blog the last few days, you know that I have been working on catching up with the sketch challenges from the Stars and Stamps blog. Well, yesterday I finished up the final countdown to #1. But before I show that card, I have to start with #5 (remember, we are counting DOWN) ~smile~ The sketch was submitted by Caryl. I set about making this card, grabbing a piece of DP - it's a Graphic 45 that I have had for awhile and keep snipping away at it, using it for one card or another. One side has dots and the other the flower pots, so I used the dotted side as my 'side bars' and the flower pots for the center of my panel. I was trying to find a Stampin' Up cardstock that matched the colors of the flowers, but didn't have any on hand, but I did have this Old Olive and I thought it coordinated quite well. I used my CB to emboss the background cardstock using the dotted swiss folder. I found the sheer ribbon that matched the olive and tied that around the botom of the card. I cut the sentiment panel using my nestibilities and for the final touch added the coral rose. I love these roses. They are a paper rose on wire from Prima that I found at Michael's. I bought two packages that had three different colors in each, so I have quite a nice selection on hand, but I could go back and buy a bunch more. I guess you could say they are becoming my latest greatest embellishment. ~smile~
Hope you like my rendition of the sketch - I will post the other sketches in separate posts so don't go too far.

~Paula~

One More Post

And then I am REALLY going to start making more cards. ~smile~ This next sketch was for sketch #6 on the OWH blog. Another simple sketch that can use up scraps of DP and other cardstock. I used the DP from SU - again, not real fond of this one - but I think this about uses it up. Since this card is in blues - it is perfect to give a dad for Father's Day. It is interesting how changing the background colors or sentiment, adding a few buttons or ribbon can make the same cardstock/DP take on a different look altogether (see my previous post)
Well, that is about it for the sketch challenges right now - I am going back to the 'drawing board' so to speak and create more cards for challenges 1-5. Come back soon to see what I come up with.

~Paula~

Change of Color ...

And sentiment - well kind of! OWH Sketch challenge #7 is a great one for using up scrap pieces of cardstock and designer paper - and believe me, I have TONS! The big push is to make cards for Mother's Day - due April 1 to the shippers and also Father's Day cards - I believe those are due on April 15th, but you can check the OWH homesite here to be sure. The sketch challenge is from Erika. I decided to make two different cards for this challenge - one a Father's Day card and one a Mother's Day card.
For the Father's Day card, I discovered this DP in my stash - I think I got it in a swap of some sort some time ago and I am not real fond of the colors - but I figured this would work for making a simple card for a dad. I cut the strips about 3/4" wide and layered them on Only Orange cardstock. I trimmed this up a bit added the orange sheer ribbon and then added the panel to a white card. I took a bit more of the orange cardstock, stamped the sentiment (from Sweet Impressions), then mounted this on white and popped it off the card. The original sketch had the sentiment vertical down the center - but that just didn't work for this card. However, it DID work for this next card. With this one, I cut the srips the same width, however I spaced them out a little more. I used the 'Flowers for You' DP from SU mounting the panel on one of SU's purple cardstock - not sure which one it is - Lavendar Lace?? Maybe - I only had one sheet of whatever it is anyway. ~smile~ I used the vertical Happy Mother's Day from Sweet Impressions. While making this card, I ran out of my adhesive and wanted to finish the card before running out to get more adhesive - so I ran it through my xyron machine. When I took the clear plastic film off - it pulled some of the paper away with it - so I ended up with a slight 'distressed' look on the middle piece - I was a bit bummed, but then thought it looked fairly decent, so rather than tossing the card - I just kept it!

Thanks for coming back to the spa - see you again soon.
~Paula~

More Card Sketches from OWH

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I am catching up on the sketches posted on the OWH blog - Stars and Stamps I have a few more still to create, but wanted to share some more of the cards I have made with the sketch challenges. This card is for sketch challenge 8 - I am going backwards, then will work on going forward! ~smile~ I love the Rich Razzleberry In Color from Stampin' Up - it is my favorite of the new colors introduced this year, so I jumped on getting that one as soon as it came out - along with the DP that features it - 'Cottage Wall'. I just may have to get another package of that before the color goes away forever. Anyway, back to the card. The sketch was from a crafter that contributes to OWH but doesn't have a blog yet. It is another simple sketch that can be used in so many different ways. I chose the Cottage Wall DP as my background and then added a strip of the Rich Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon - another must have from this years catalog. I cut the scallop circle out of Rich Razzleberry using my nestibilities and then stamped - again in Rich Razzleberry - the image from the Happy Harmony SU set. The Sentiment is from a clear stamp set that I bought at a local stamp store. I mounted this with pop dots and added a couple rhinestones to finish it off. It is a nice monochromatic color scheme and I am sure you will be seeing alot more of this one as I post other cards I have made.
Thanks for stopping by the spa - I will be posting more later on, but really want to get to the stamping table before the day slips away.

Come back for another relaxing visit soon.
~Paula~

Making Cards Again!!

Finally!! I am making time to create again. It has been quite awhile since I sat down and just absorbed myself in my crafting. Right now my big push is to make as many Mother's Day cards as I can to send to Operation Write Home. The deadline for Mother's Day cards is April 1, so I want to get them sent up to Sandy in Washington (my closest shipper) by the end of the week.
This past weekend, OWH had a bloghop and if that doesn't inspire you!! They also have sketch challenges on their blog every week - and since they only started the sketch challenges 9 weeks ago, I don't have too many to do to catch up. The sketches are quite simple too - so it is easy to make lots!! So, over the next few posts I will be sharing the cards I am making for both the sketch challenges and the Mother's Day push - I will try not to bore you though and may throw in another sentiment now and then. :) Today I worked on sketch challenge #9. Seongsook is the creator of this very simple sketch that can be used in so many ways. I chose to keep mine simple and on this first card, I started out with Taken with Teal and ran it through my CB using the stylized flowers folder. I then cut a strip of DP from the 'Flowers For You' collection. I cut the square out of my white cardstock and backed it with Kiwi Kiss, and stamped my sentiment in tempting turquoise (I don't have the taken with teal stamp pad - yet!)I also used a flourish stamp and stamped that in the background in kiwi kiss. I mounted the square with foam, added the sheer ribbon and prima flowers with a rhinestone and that gave it the finishing touch.
This second card was made in much the same way - using Stampin' Up cardstock once again - this time another piece of the DP - Flowers for You and mounting it on Tempting Turquoise. My square is stamped with some clear stamps from 7 gypsies and Rhinestones added for that bling affect. I added the bow - and then mounted all to a piece of Lavendar Lace Cardstock that had a corner punched using the Martha Stewart Deco Fan punch set. I really enjoyed making these two cards, as well as more that I will be posting here - so don't go too far.
I appreciate you stopping by the spa today and taking a look at my creations. As always, comments are welcome. :) Do come back soon - I offer rest and relaxation in a spa filled with paper and inspiration!

~Paula~

Welcome to the OWH Blog Hop!

And welcome to the Paper Spa - a place where I hope you can relax for a bit with your favorite beverage, ink and stamps!
Today Operation Write Home is hosting a bloghop. If you have been hopping along, then I am glad you have made it this far, however, if you have found yourself here through another 'door' then might I suggest you go back and start at the beginning? I will be here waiting for your return.
Hello again - glad you made it back! :) While you were 'gone' I made a card with the bloghop theme - "Think Spring" - What do you think?
I used a DP from Stampin' Up that has So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss, and some other of SU's wonderful colors. I layered the DP on So Saffron cardstock. I used soft sky stitched ribbon and then layered panels with an image from the 'Simply Spring' set. I used my oval nesties to cut the sentiment shape and layered this on a scallop cut of the DP. This was then mounted with dimensionals over the panels.
When I think of Spring - I always think Yellow - but I didn't want to go too bright this time and I so wanted to use this DP - the So Saffron fit perfectly. I added the turquoise rhinestones for just the right finish.
As you probably know by now, OWH is an organization that sends hand-made cards to our troops over seas so they can send them home to loved ones. I have been involved with OWH for a couple of years now and recently the shipment of cards hit closer to home when my best friend's son-in-law was out to sea with the US Navy. A box of cards from OWH was sent to the ship he was on and he was able to choose a few cards to send home to his new bride and his mother-in-law. He shared the box of cards with the guys on the ship and they were thrilled to have them.
The shipments of cards to the troops happens throughout the year and cards of all sort are appreciated.
April 1 is the deadline for getting Mother's Day cards to OWH - so if you are interested in getting involved visit their website to get all the information. You will find much inspiration on the website, from video's of the troops telling how much they appreciate the cards, to letters that are written to the troops from 1st and 2nd graders thanking them for their sacrifice. There are tutorials on ways to make your cards fun - such as a recent tutorial on how to make leaves using a crimper. Take time at the end of the hop to really scroll around the website - and remember, our troops truly do appreciate these acts of love no matter how simple.
Now, on you go to Donna's blog -
where you will find even more inspiration.

Oh, and if you leave a comment with an email address there just might be some blog candy at the end of this hop, but you have to leave an email to get a chance for the mystery surprise. :)

Enjoy the rest of the hop and thank you for stopping by, I hope you had a relaxing time at the spa today - I know I have enjoyed the visit with you.

~Paula~

A Birthday

Naomi has a birthday party to go to today and she asked me if I would make a card for her friend. So, before heading off to work yesterday, I took the colors that she said her friend liked and created another quick card. I used Pacific Point and Kiwi Kiss from SU for the color combination. I have had this DP from SU for awhile - it is called 'Walk in the Park'. I am not even sure why I bought it as I am not all that thrilled with it - but it certainly did set off this card. I recently got some new flowers and then yesterday I picked up some more smaller ones and they were the perfect touch to this simple card. Naomi liked it and I hope her friend does as well.
Thanks for stopping by to see what I am up to these days - Monday I will be visiting with friends and we are hoping to make cards for Operation Write Home - can't wait!!

~Paula~

I am back into crafting

I made a couple cards this morning!! Are you shocked? I sort of am - I have been planning this for a couple of weeks now - and though I would LOVE to just make cards or scrap all day, alas, I have to go to work soon. Perhaps I will do more this evening.

Oh, do you want to SEE the cards I created? Well, ok - they are nothing special - just simple very quick cards. For both I used Stampin' Up Card Stock - Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry (love this color) and white. On this first one I used the retired Wonderful Words set that I was gifted from someone on the Splitcoast Stampers site - I love the script of the words. I also used Eastern Influences and added a few rhinestones that I received in a recent order from Flowers to Flourishes.
In this next card, I used one of my favorite Stampin' Up sets - Happy Harmony. Also using the Rich Razzleberry/Old Olive blend of colors and the designer paper - Cottage Wall. I added a few rhinestones under the sentiment - from the Simply Sent 'Friendship Shapes' set. The Rich Razzleberry Dots grosgrain ribbon gave it the final touch.

It is good to be creating again and I hope to really get creative in the coming weeks with both cards and digital scrapbook pages.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as I go through the changes on my blog - it is a work in progress.

Thanks for visiting the spa today and I hope you have a relaxing afternoon.
~Paula~

Changes

In the next few days I will be working on changing the look on my blog - I am playing with some different backgrounds from different sources and will be looking at refining - so this is a work in progress. Please excuse the 'mess' while I find my way around.

On another more creative note - I have been 'saving' money into a 'stamping gone wild' account - set up with my long time internet friend and Stampin' Up demo. I have been sending money to her over the last couple of months - and before the month of March is over, I will be placing a large order. I will get some of the Sale-a-bration items that I want, I will probably also get hostess credit (my order will be at least $150) and I will get some new ink, cardstock, tools - whatever I choose to order.
I have also moved my stamping/crafting area downstairs and now have a much larger area to work in - as well as a place to host friends when they want to come and create with me - Lori, I am thinking of you! :)
I will be uploading some pictures of the new area - as soon as I find the card they are on!! :)
In the mean time - have fun and come back for renewed inspiration and relaxation.