Ann’s Favorite Cards of 2011 and PPA Sneak Peek

Coming Thursday!

 

As 2011 draws to a close, it is almost time for the Pals Paper Arts Annual Best Dressed List!  This is a collection of our 12 favorite paper creations from throughout the year. One was selected for each month from our original weekly picks. Make certain to join in the fun Thursday to see if your favorites made the list! 

Ann’s Favorite Cards of 2011:  January, February and March

Like many of you, my post-holiday time has been very hectic. However, amidst all of the hustle and bustle, I want to make certain that I share with you my favorite cards of 2011 prior to continuing with my Occasions Mini peeks. With that said, here are my faves for the months of January, February and March.  Clicking on the name of the card will take you to the original posts and details.

 
This card was a collection of so many of my favorite techniques and embellishments:  faux burning, scrunchy ribbon, pearls, distressing.  I fell in love with the Nature Walk stamp set when it was released in the 2011 Occasions Mini, and was thrilled to see it appear in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog!

Vintage met Clean and Simple in my favorite card for February.  It featured the Easter Blossoms stamp set and Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper…two of my favorite items from the 2011 Occasions Mini.  The emboss resist technique and distressing added to the vintage appeal of this card.
March’s card may be my favorite of the year! I designed this card to be given to my son after his recital last spring.  It reflects the passage of time and his love of music.  I loved the depth and texture.  I loved the scrunched ribbon and the pearls.  And I loved the fabulous sentiment, which fit the occasion so well!
Be sure to tune in Thursday for the PPA Best Dressed List!  I will be giving you my choices for the months of January and October!  And I will be certain to give you the latest update on Brody the Boxer and his surgery!  Remember, your comments are important to me!  What do you think of my first three favorite cards of the year?  Until next time…
Coming Soon: The PPA Best Dressed List; End of the Year Blog Candy;  The Rest of Ann’s Faves;  2012 Occasions Mini Peeks

Holiday Message and Buried Treasure

As I was walking the Twins in the hours shortly after midnight, I was invigorated by the cold, crisp Iowa air.  My gaze turned upward to a sky in which the stars were shining and brightly visible.  The night sky reminded me of my childhood growing up on the farm, where it seemed that you could always clearly see the stars in their celestial glory.  Although we may have been poor in terms of material goods, we were rich in those things which are truly valuable…family and friends.  

Christmases past were not about the presents or the tree…they were about family.  Grandmas and grandpas… aunts and uncles and cousins…my mother, my father and sister and brothers…would all join together during the holidays, sharing in a fellowship of love.


Although times have changed and many of those who shared these memories with me live on only in my heart, I realize that I am still blessed with a wonderful family…my blogging family.  We share…we care.  We form alliances and relationships.  We inspire…we encourage.  We  “lol” together…we cry together.  And so from my family to your family, we wish you a blessed holiday season and the happiest of New Years! May all your wishes come true!

I did not create a new card for today, but instead I wanted to share one from the archives which reflects the beauty of the season.  Until next time…

Brody Helps Mom Make a Card

This would normally be the day in which I would share a peek at my Paper Players’ card.  But since The Players are taking a break for the holidays, and last week’s challenge is ongoing, I am going to share with you a card which Brody made, with help from me.  Trust me…by the end of the post there really is a “send-able” card! I hope you enjoy!

Brody’s Design Tips: Distressing

Today’s card measures 6 Charlee Bear treats wide and 8 Charlee Bear treats long. (4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″)

Brody:  I have read Mom’s posts before, so I know how to do this.

  • Mark your territory with VersaMark! Have your mom or dad ink your feet with VersaMark ink and step onto Naturals Ivory card stock.  Then have your mom or dad heat emboss using White Stampin’ Emboss Powder!  Keep your nose away from the Heat Tool because it gets really hot!
  • Emboss Resist!  Only alpha dogs can do this, because they are the bosses.  Since Mom is the alpha in our house, she used a Stamping Sponge and applied Crumb Cake in a circular motion.  Muffy ate a stamping sponge once.  She is a bad dog.
  • Distress!  Put the card stock in your mouth and chew.
 

It helps to hold the paper securely in your front paws.

Brody:  Mom, my card doesn’t look like yours.  It needs to be put on other paper.
Me:  Would you like for me to put it on a card base?
Brody:  Yes, please.
Me:  Does this look better?
Brody: Yes, Mom.  But Mom, it still doesn’t look like your cards do.
Me:  Would you like to put something else on it?
Brody: Could we?  Could we put a fire hydrant on it? I LOVE fire hydrants!
Me:  Well, Brody, I don’t think so.  Is there something else you love?
Brody:  Yep…Kids!
Me:  How about the little girl from Greeting Card Kids?
Brody:  Oh, boy!  Could we color her in red so she would look like little Red Riding Hood and then the Big Bad Wolf could try to eat her…
Me:  Brody!!!
Brody:  I was just going to say that he could try to eat her…goodies she was bringing to her granny. But then I would come to her rescue and scare him off!
Me:  Oh, Brody.  I’m so sorry.  Mom didn’t know that you were trying to be a good boy.  Here…how does this look?
Brody:  Just the way I wanted it to look.  Mom, I’m tired of talking about design tips.  Could you finish the post for me?  I need to go play with some toys.
Me:  Sure, Brody! I can finish it. Why don’t you go play Show Dog with your sister.
Well, Brody did a pretty good job with his design tips…but here are a few more!
  •  No Boxer available to distress? Try the Seven Sided Tool from the Cutter Kit! It works well…and doesn’t have to be taken for walks!  Brody distressed the bottom, while I used the Seven Sided Tool on the sides.
  • Snazzy sentiment!  Cherry Cobbler Snowflakes, paired with Whisper White ones, add a “pop” of color and draw the eye to the flagged sentiment from A Christmas Carol!  These Snowflakes are a snap to make when using the Northern Frost Sizzlit Strip Die!
  • Glitz and Glam! Basic Pearls, tinted with a red permanent marker, adorn the tree, while natural pearls accent the Large Scallop Circle and our sweetie pie’s jacket! And look at that new Large Basic Pearl from the Occasions Mini on the sentiment! (If you need an Occasions Mini, please email me!  I will send one right out!)

Of course, one should always stop to admire their handiwork!  While Muffy prefers a closer look…

Brody knows that his masterpiece need to be viewed from afar!

As always, your comments are important to me, so please let me know what you think of today’s Boxer distressed card.  My goal was to have two perfect paw prints that were embossed resist.  But you know what they say about the best laid plans!!! However, I love the look of the white embossing near the sentiment.  It really is much prettier in person…just ask Brody!  Of course, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am an only an email away!  Happy holidays, my friends! Until next time…

Stamp Sets:  Greeting Card Kids (W 119887, C 120633), A Christmas Carol (W 122635, C 122637), Serene Snowflakes (115438), French Foliage (W 120845, C 121166);  Inks:  VersaMark (102283), Cherry Cobbler (119669), Soft Suede (115657), Crumb Cake (121030), Early Espresso (119670), Very Vanilla (104308), Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker (120973);  Card Stock: Crumb Cake (120953), Very Vanilla (101650), Naturals Ivory (101849), Cherry Cobbler (119685);  Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (124096), Northern Frost Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die (120901), Heat Tool (100005), Stamping Sponge (101610), Sponge Dauber (102892), Blender Pen (102845), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Scallop Circle Bigz Die (113468), Perfect Pennants Bigz L Dies (123126), 3″ Circle Die (122125), 2-1/2″ Circle Punch (120906), Cutter Kit (106958);  Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls (119247), Large Pearl Basic Jewels (125577), Mica Flakes (124115)