Nature Walk for The Paper Players and Video Tutorial


It’s Sunday and time to play at The Paper Players! This week we have a fabulous sketch challenge designed by Nance Leedy. I flipped mine, which is perfectly “legal” in the challenge world. Enjoy a Nature Walk with The Paper Players and the video tutorial on how to make today’s bow!

The Stampin’ Schach Stampin’ Tips:

  • Design your own Designer Paper! Looking for that certain look? Make it yourself! I stamped Cherry Cobbler Butterflies and Early Espresso Bees onto Naturals Ivory card stock. Then I overstamped using the Sanded stamp inked with Cherry Cobbler. A little spritzing using the Color Spritzer Tool and a Soft Suede Stampin’ Write marker adds a nice vintage touch!

  • Tag…You’re it! “Friends” and “Thanks” from the Tiny Tags set were stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock and punched out with the Jewelry Tag Punch. Of course, what better way to attach them to the card than with a Vintage Trinkets Safety Pin!

  • Free bird! The Bird, freed from its cage, is lightly tinted, vintage style! Cherry Cobbler ink and a Blender Pen complements the designer paper. More Mustard colors the beak and legs. A double dose of dimensionals places the bird into the foreground.

  • It’s bow time! Although the “No-Tail Bow” has a more formal look, it is the perfect choice when “No Tails Are Required”!

  • Here’s another look at the formal bow on last week’s Paper Players’ card:

  • And here is the tutorial on how to make your own!


    I hope you enjoyed today’s card and that I have inspired you in some little way. Won’t you please leave me a comment and let me know what you think? And as always, I am available to answer any questions about the cards that I create and the techniques that I use. I am only an email away. Until next time…

    Stamp Set: Nature Walk (W 121925, C 121997–Occasions Mini), Tiny Tags (W 118091, C 118592), Sanded (109294), French Foliage (retired); Inks: Cherry Cobbler (119669), Early Espresso (119670); Stampin’ Write Markers: Soft Suede (120973), More Mustard (100076); Designer Series Paper: Paisley Petals (122367); Card Stock: Naturals Ivory (101849), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Early Espresso (119686); Tools: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Jewelry Tag Punch (117190), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Sponge Dauber (102892), Blender Pen (102845); Glitz and Glam: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (120992), Vintage Trinkets (118764), Linen Thread (104199), Basic Pearls (119247)

A Peek and a Pup and a Pearl


Saturday always brings the promise of a peek at my Paper Players Design Team card. Several of you noticed that my last two cards were not distressed or sponged or spritzed. Well, I could not restrain myself any longer. Tomorrow’s card definitely has a vintage flair! I hope you will join me for the reveal!

A Pup and a Pearl

I know I get a lot of teasing for my copious use of Stampin’ Up!’s Basic Pearls. I admit…I LOVE them, and perhaps I am just a wee bit addicted. But even I had to chuckle this afternoon. When Brody the Boxer isn’t busy playing or watching out the window, he loves to lay at my feet just like Missy the Boxer used to do. Well imagine my surprise when he got up and was sporting a Stampin’ Up! Basic Pearl on his hip!

One must have fell to the floor and landed on him while I was embellishing my card. Obviously this is a testament to the high-quality adhesive that is used. What wonderful advertising copy this would make!
“Stampin’ Up! Basic Pearls…So sticky, they even stick to a Boxer!” Of course, poor Brody, soon discovered the source of my amusement. So I retrieved the errant pearl and tucked it away for use another day. And just to answer the question before it’s asked…No! Even I don’t put pearls on the pups! Cards…yes! Pups…no!
Thanks for stopping by for a quick visit today. I really do appreciate the time that you spend with me. Of course, I would love for you to drop in tomorrow for the full reveal. And did I mention that there will be a short video tutorial? Plus if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create, or the techniques that I use, such as “Creative Canine Pearl Placement” just email me! Until next time…
***There is still time to take advantage of the Starter Kit Special and join me as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrater. Email me for details.***

The Quilt and the Cyclone, Sale-A-Brate and More!

My quilt card from yesterday’s post stirred up memories for many of you. It also brought back loving memories of my grandmother and her quilting bees for me. It also inspired me to re-visit one of my family heirlooms. It isn’t pretty. It’s tattered and torn, and bears the soil of over 150 years. Yet the fact that it even exists, is in itself a small miracle. This is all that is left of a quilt which belonged to my great grandparents. While there are examples of older quilts, and much prettier quilts, and definitely cleaner quilts, this quilt survived a cyclone on the Iowa prairie. It was found in a tree top far from what had been the family homestead. Over time, it was passed on to my grandmother, then to my mother, and finally to me.

As I photographed it today, I found myself wondering more about its history. From where did the fabrics come? Were they from the shirts and dresses of my great grandparents, or even great-great relatives? Was it lovingly stitched in the evening by candlelight, or in the light of day after chores were completed. I would have loved to know more, but unfortunately its secrets will lie forever hidden. As the newest keeper of the quilt, I will pass it on to my son. I will share what I know about its story…that on a stormy Iowa day this confection of calico left its home for loftier heights.

There’s Still Time

There is still time to take advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s biggest sale of the year! Earn free product with your $50 order! To see what is available in the Sale-A-Bration brochure click Here.


Microbead Winner

Congratulations to Linda Fisher! Linda, #36, was randomly selected. Her comment:

The perfect quilt! The Box In Star pattern is one of my favorites. Another incredible job.

I would like to thank Linda and everyone who left comments! There will be more opportunities for Blog Candy in the future, as I continue to re-organize my stamping supplies! Linda, just send me your address, and I will send out your microbeads pronto! Until next time…

Coming Up:

The Paper Players card AND Simple Bow Video Tutorial!