Can you believe that it is time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge?  What a challenge it was for me! Yikes…it took me three tries to get ‘er done.  Here is a peek at what I finally ended up creating.   Please join me for the reveal on Thursday!

Muffy’s New Collar

When Lexi got her new show lead four weeks ago, I ordered a special collar to be made for Muffy.  When I saw the materials, it reminded me of a fabulous shabby chic card…and I knew Muffy would just love it.  She is still as much of a diva today as she was when she was a puppy…so we went with Swarovski crystals for a touch of bling.

Muffy did a fabulous job at the show this past weekend, winning her very competitive class.  When it was time for winners, she was pulled out in the top three girls.  Unfortunately she did not get the nod this time, but we think it will just be a matter of time until she gets her AKC Champion title to go along with her UKC Grand Champion title.

What a difference two years makes!  Here is a picture of Muffy at 7 months old, winning her class:

And at the same show location, two years later:

Thanks for stopping by today for a peek at my card, and a peek at my pup! See you tomorrow! Until then…

It’s Easter Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players.  This week, the talented Jaydee has a Tic-Tac-Toe challenge for us.  I had a hard time deciding on which options to use.  As you read through the tips, see if you can guess which ones I selected. Enjoy…and have fun!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ wide by 4-1/4″ long.

• In the pink! The larger Stippled Blossoms, from the Stippled Blossoms stamp set, were stamped in Pink Pirouette and Pretty in Pink, and overstamped in Regal Rose.  The smaller blossoms were stamped in Pink Pirouette, and overstamped in Baja Breeze.  Pearls are a quick and easy way to add interest to the centers of any flowers.  Coupled with Certainly Celery leaves, the look is as fresh as springtime!

• Feelin’ blue! Baja Breeze Seam Binding adds a touch of texture!

• Wonderful you! Need a versatile sentiment?  Wonderful You, from Loving Thoughts, is a perfect choice.  It could be used for a birthday card, thank-you card, or a thinking of you card!  As for me, I will be using this card for a birthday!

I have been in a bit of a rut lately with my floral cards, using a lot of texture and paper-snipping.  But in this case, I needed to create a card quickly, so I looked for something well within my comfort zone.  Even though it takes a bit of time overstamping and snipping, very little time was spent in the actual design process…and the design process is usually what takes me the longest.

Why did I need a quick card?  It’s another dog show weekend!  The kids and I are staying in a small, 13 unit, older motel.  There is no internet access, and I am hoping that there is TV.  But I was told that it was clean.  One of my dog show friends has stayed there for years, and will be right next door.  Since I am on my own this time, it was important for me to stay close to the show grounds, and for the price to be reasonable.  I will definitely let you know how things went!  If you email me, remember that I have been without internet starting Friday, and will be until late Sunday.

Did you guess which parts of the Tic-Tac-Toe grid I used?  I actually completed two rows:  Spring, Blue/Pink, Ribbon and Pearls, Birthday, Pink/Green.  How did you do with your guessing? Won’t you let me know in your comment today? Until next time…

Stamp Set:  Stippled Blossoms, Loving Thoughts; Inks:  Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso; Tools:  Paper Snips, Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Oval Framelits; Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls, Baja Breeze Seam Binding.

Today’s finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2″ long.

• Piece! First, the “Bunny in Balloon” image was stamped directly onto Whisper White card stock with Jet Black StazOn. Then the balloon portion of the image was inked and stamped onto Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery papers from the Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack.  The Pretty in Pink balloon and Certainly Celery bands and zigzag were snipped out and positioned as illustrated.  The same process was followed with the Basket portion of the image and Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink pattern papers.  

• Free-Stylin’! Certainly Celery hills were free-hand cut and the edges were distressed with Always Artichoke ink. 

• Vellum Clouds! The Clouds from Up, Up and Away were inked with Jet Black StazOn and stamped onto White Vellum paper.  These were snipped out and added to the sky!

• Bow Down to the Bow! A fabulous Pretty in Pink satin bow adds a sweet finishing touch!  Sadly this gorgeous ribbon is now retired.

 

Paper Piecing may take a little bit longer, but what dimension it adds to the image!  What do you think? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment? Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one.  Of course, I love answering any questions that you may have about the techniques I use and the cards I create! Remember, I am only an email away! Until next time…

 

 

Stamp Sets:  Everybunny (W 122705, C 122707), Up, Up and Away (W 122755,  C 122757); Inks:  Jet Black StazOn (101406), Always Artichoke (105219), Chocolate Chip (100908), Bashful Blue (105209); Designer Series Paper:  Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (117152), Neutrals Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (117157), White Vellum Paper (101839); Card Stock:  Chocolate Chip (102128), Pretty in Pink (100459), Certainly Celery (105125), Whisper White (100730); Tools:  Paper Snips (103579), Sponge Dauber (102892), Bird Builder Punch (117191), Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Blender Pen (102845);  Glitz and Glam:  Pretty in Pink 5/8″ Satin Ribbon (117289), Basic Pearls (119247)