PPA Peek, Free Card and the Stampin’ Pantry

With every Wednesday comes a peek at the current week’s Pals Paper Arts Design Team card.  I had a wonderful time creating this card…and it is pretty simple…for me.  It features three products from the Holiday Mini, as well as one of my favorite Designer Series Papers, Mocha Morning!  Please join me for the reveal on Thursday!

This Card Can Be Yours….
…simply by leaving me a comment on today’s and Thursday’s post! It’s that easy! I will randomly select one of you to receive this card.  I love to share my creations!
Where I Stamp and Store…The Stampin’ Pantry
I have been asked so many times to share pictures of my stamping space.  The fact is, I don’t have a studio, or even a dedicated room for stamping.  I actually stamp on the kitchen island or the dining table.  Many of my supplies are stored in my pantry, where they share space with the Crock Pots and bread machine, or in the kitchen.  I would love to have a beautiful room some day, but for now, I will share pictures of how I make my space work for me.

With a room this small, there has to be a place for everything, and everything must be in its place.

The paper rack works better for storing things like cutting mats and pads of designer paper.

My inks, refills, and daubers share space on an old antique desk. 

Ribbons are stored by style in the ribbon keepers that Stampin’ Up! retired.  I would love to have the rods like so many people have, but I don’t have the place to put them.

Paper is stored in two sizes of simple paper holders, and was once organized by color family.

My apron and demonstrator bag hang from the end of an old wardrobe.

 Older stamps are stored on the shelves of the wardrobe which has had the doors removed.

New releases and “mini” stamp sets are stored in a clock case in the dining room.

Stamps from the Holiday Mini are stored on the top shelf, while sets from the 2011 – 2012 Idea Book and Catalog are on the bottom shelf.

Dies are stored in the kitchen next to the refrigerator.  My husband and son have learned to accept this.

I move my paper cutter and Big Shot out from the pantry and onto the kitchen counter when it is time to create.

My one big concession was removing the gorgeous light fixture which actually went with the kitchen decor and replacing it with this modern fixture complete with special bulbs for less color distortion.  The end result is that it makes the kitchen look like an operating room.  Arghhh!

The lights are positioned right above my island, where I do the bulk of my creating.

And so there you have it.  I took what I had, and made it work for me.  Remember, your comments are important to me.  I do read each and every one! Of course, if you have questions, remember I am only an email away! Until next time…

Twin Talk

The Twins have been bugging me to let them talk about their birthday and their latest shows.  Who am I to argue with two puppies on a mission?  Boxers are so determined.  Here they are!

Muffy:  I love birthdays!  We got birthday cookies with frosting.  Mine had pink frosting and Brody’s had blue frosting.   And…
Brody:  Muffy, I want to talk about my own burfday cookie!
Muffy: Oh, all right you whiner!
Brody:  Mine had blue frosting.
Muffy:  Anything else you want to say about your cookie?
Brody:  No.
Muffy:  What a waste of time, Brody!  I already told Mom’s stampin’ friends that your’s had blue frosting. 
Brody:  But I wanted to tell them.  It was my cookie!
Mom: Twins!  Either get on with the post, or I am going to write it myself!  And Muffy, let your brother be the alpha dog for a change.

Muffy:  Yes, Mom.  See what you caused Brody!  Anyway, we got our birthday cookies.  They were made especially for us.  They were shaped like little birthday cakes.  We also get to eat “big dog” food now, because we are…big dogs.
Brody:  Yeah…and you have greenie beanies mixed in with yours ’cause I heard Mom say you were fat!
Muffy:  I am not fat Brody! I am muscular!  At least I don’t have to have yogurt mixed in with mine like you do!
Brody:  The yogurt has stuff that’s good for my digesteratory system.
Muffy:  You mean digestive system.
Brody:  That’s what I said…digesteracation system.  I want to talk about all of the pretty ribbons I won this weekend in Mishy-gan.
Muffy:  Michigan
Brody:  Yep…Mishy-gan.  I won my classes and got blue ribbons.  Lots of people saw me and the Judd said I had a pretty head.
Muffy:  Once again Brody, I don’t think Naomi and Wynonna were there.
Brody:  Who are they, Muffy?  Do they live in Mishy-gan?
Muffy:  Let’s talk about MY ribbon, Brody!  I won the biggest ribbon ever! It is sooo pretty!  It has pink and purple, my two favorite colors, in it.  I know they made it just for me!  Read what it says, Brody.  Let me spell it out for you.  B-E-S-T  I-N  S-H-O-W!  Do you know what that means, Brody?  Hmm???
Brody:  No, I don’t Muffy, but I am sure you are going to tell me.
Muffy:  Of course I am.  What would you do without me?  It means that I won Best of Breed, then I won the Group, and then I was selected the top dog out of all the dogs.  It means I am so much prettier than you.
Mom:  Muffy Lin! Stop it right now.  First of all, yes, you were Best in Show and you got a fabulous ribbon.  But Muffy, this was a small show and it was different from the other shows you have been in.
Muffy:  How was it different, Mom?  There were judges and other dogs and I ran in the ring and I stood still and looked pretty.  I do that part really well.
Mom:  This was a United Kennel Club show, not an American Kennel Club show.  All of your other shows have been AKC shows.  This small show was perfect for your brother since he isn’t quite as mature as other boy Boxers his age.
Muffy:  You can say that again, Mom!

Yes…The Twins are now eating adult dog food.  Like her Mom, Muffy has a slight weight problem, so she does get a few low-cal veggies to help fill her up.  Brody needs to gain a few pounds, so we mix yogurt in with his kibble to encourage him to eat.  As for the show…Brody had a fabulous Saturday and on Sunday Muffy did indeed win the biggest ribbon of them all!  Oops!  I have to go break up a puppy fight!  Until next time…

Tickled Pink for the Players

It’s time to play a color challenge with The Paper Players! This week the talented Anne Marie has selected a trio of colors sure to tickle you pink!  That’s right…Rose Red, Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink.  I hope you enjoy today’s card which features the Established Elegance stamp set and the new Snow Burst embossing folder from the Holiday Mini! 
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  It’s All About the Details
  • Create a collage! The new Oval Frame from the Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders sets the perfect stage for creating a mini-collage. The Dress Form from the Established Elegance stamp set cries out for paper-piecing, while snippets of a doily from the Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper and punched Itty Bitty Rose Red flowers with Basic Pearl centers complete the vignette. 
  • Flourish and texture! A Rose Red Scallop Circle was created with the Scallop Circles #2 Die and the Big Shot.  The Flourish from Established Elegance was then inked with Whisper White ink and stamped around part of the periphery.  Fabulous texture was then added with the Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Let me tell you, this texture is gorgeous!
  • Pennant! Flag! Banner! Whatever you call it, sentiments always look better with a little snip-snip end treatment! A Pretty in Pink Flourish, a few speckles with the Color Spritzer Tool and Pearls complete the look!
  • Bow-wow!  And we are not talking like Brody and Muffy here! This Whisper White Organza bow is the “wow” factor needed to finish this card!
So what do you think?  Is this card “in the pink”?  Let me know what you think in today’s comment! Your comments are so important to me, and I do read each and every one!  And of course, I LOVE answering your questions about the cards that I create and the techniques that I use.  Remember…I am only an email away!  Until next time…

Coming Soon:
*  Twin Talk:  The Twins share their first United Kennel Club experience in Michigan.
*  A couple more retired stamp sets have been discovered.  A very short “For Sale” list will be forthcoming.
*  New Club and Classes information
* The Stampin’ Pantry

Stamp Sets:  Established Elegance (W 122530, C 122532), You’re a Gem (W 122268, C 122270);  Inks: Rose Red (101778), Whisper White (101731), Soft Suede (115657), Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker (120973); Designer Series Paper:  Flirtatious (122360), Subtles Paper Stack (117152);  Card Stock:  Pretty in Pink (100459), Rose Red (102544),  Regal Rose (105130), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Scallop Circles #2 Bigz Die (113469), Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (123130), Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (124114),  Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Sponge Dauber (102892), Paper Snips (103579); Glitz and Glam:  Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319),  Rose Red Seam Binding (121884), Basic Pearls (119247)