It’s time to take a peek at this week’s The Paper Players design team card.  I must say I have had difficulty getting inspired to create this week…as you have probably noticed.  I am suffering from a case of  “no mojo”,  also known as “No-jo”.   I just hate it when that happens!  However, I am on the mend. Sometimes you just have to jump back in with both feet and let your creativity soar! So…I hope you will join me Sunday for the reveal.

 

• Stampin’ Up! will be releasing its Retired Stamp List on April 15th, 2012.  Stamps will be available through May 31, 2012.  
• The Retired Accessories/Decor Elements List will be released on April 25th.  Items on this list will be available only while supplies last!
• The New 2012 – 2013 Catalog will be released June 1st...a month earlier than in previous years!

As always, if you ever have any questions about Stampin’ Up! products, or the cards that I create and the techniques I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time…

• Birthday Blog Candy Blowout

It’s Easter Sunday and time to play with The Paper Players! This week the lovely LeAnne has an awesome color challenge in store for you:  Not Quite Navy, Pool Party and Certainly Celery.  I tried to use these colors to create a vintage masculine card…and I am happy with it except for the Pool Party bow.  I believe that you can put ribbon on masculine cards, but the color just wasn’t right.  In keeping with the spirit of the challenge, I left the Pool Party ribbon in place.  It will be given to my son, Brady, as a congratulations card for being accepted as a trumpet graduate assistant at the University of Missouri School of Music, hence the music notes and trumpet.  And you know what…he is such a strong supporter of his mother’s card making, he will love it…Pool Party bow and all!  Enjoy today’s “Almost Masculine Vintage” card!

This finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2″ long.

• Vintage Vignette! The Designer Oval Frame makes a perfect backdrop for a collection of vintage images! Music Notes from Nature’s Pace, a sentiment from You’re a Gem, and the Trumpet from Rue Des Fleurs form a wonderful cluster! Add a scrunchy ribbon, a Large Basic Pearl, and a Vintage Trinkets Brad, and the vignette is complete!

• Trumpet Fanfare! Toot your own horn by creating a unique designer paper pattern. I inked up the Trumpet image from Rue Des Fleur with Not Quite Navy ink and stamped away onto Naturals Ivory card stock. The result was perfect for a trumpet playing recipient!

 

• The Crowning Touch! Trinket Crowns look a little too flashy?  I “smooched”  mine with Log Cabin Smooch Spritz to add an aged patina! And since this card will be hand-delivered at Easter brunch, I am not one bit concerned at adding the “Big Crown”.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card.  I like it, but it is not quite masculine enough for my tastes.  If I were allowed a do-over, and did not have to stick with the color challenge, I would replace the Pool Party Seam Binding with Crumb Cake and distress the ribbon with Soft Suede for a wee bit more masculine touch…or maybe just forgo the bow altogether.  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 them. Until next time…

Stamp Sets:  Rue Des Fleurs (W 125485, C 125487), You’re a Gem (W 122268, C 122270), Nature’s Pace (W 122660, C 122662); Inks:  Early Espresso (119670), Crumb Cake (121030), Not Quite Navy (103008), Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker (120973);  Designer Series Paper:  Well Worn (122359), Everyday Enchantment (SAB 2012 Retired); Card Stock:  Not Quite Navy (101722), Pool Party (122924), Certainly Celery (105125), Naturals Ivory (101849);  Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (123130), Sponge Dauber (102892), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859),  Paper Snips (103579);  Glitz and Glam: Vintage Trinkets (118764), Trinket Crowns (121891), Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (119921), Large Pearls Basic Jewels (125577), Pool Party Seam Binding (125582)

 

It’s Thursday and time to play at Pals Paper Arts! This week’s Color Challenge is a delightful trio of Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip!  Enjoy today’s paper pieced card using this adorable image from the Everybunny stamp set!

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!

 

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…