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!

A Quilt for the Pals

It’s time to play at PPA! Pals Paper Arts challenge #86 is Element of Style…Embossing. To emboss simply means to adorn or decorate with a raised design. Whether you use an embossing folder, embossing powder, letterpress plates, or even lines created with a stylus, the Pals are challenging you to make a “good impression” and add texture to your design! As for me, I indulged in a little “Inlaid Embossing” and created this quilt for you. My mother, aunts, and grandmother were all fabulous quilters. As for me…I will have to be content with the papercrafted version! I hope you enjoy my “Quilt for the Pals”!


The Stampin’ Schach Stampin’ Tips:

  • It’s hip to be square! This traditional “Box in Star” pattern is quick and easy! I simply cut four 1″ x 1″ squares from Very Vanilla card stock and four 1″ x 1″ squares from the new Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper. The DSP squares were arranged as pictured in the center of a 4″ x 4″ square of Cherry Cobbler card stock. The Very Vanilla squares were cut into triangles and adhered as illustrated.

  • Be the boss…the embossing boss! The “quilt top” was then embossed using the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. Hint: With “Inlaid Embossing”, you may find yourself being more successful with folders that have closely compacted patterns, such as with the Square Lattice folder.
  • Decisions! Decisions! Although this card could have been made into a standard sized card, I felt that adhering the Cherry Cobbler “quilt” directly to the Not Quite Navy textured card base failed to complement the beautiful Baja Breeze DSP squares. Therefore I made the decision to mat the quilt onto Baja Breeze card stock. A 4-3/4″ wide x 5-1/4″ tall card was born, which still fits into the Stampin’ Up! square envelope.
  • Finishing touches! Two lines were then embossed at the bottom of the card, just perfect for nestling three large Basic Pearls!

Quick and easy? YES! Does it look quick and easy? NO! To the non-stamper, it probably looks like you spent hours on it! But that will be your little secret. For fabulous FREE quilt patterns, check out this link: Free Quilt Patterns. I am so anxious to read what you think of my very first quilt card, so please, will you leave me a comment? And as always, I am more than happy to answer any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use! I am only an email away! Until next time…

Stamp Set: None; Inks: None; Designer Series Paper: Paisley Patterns—available April 1, 2022; Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Baja Breeze (111352), Not Quite Navy (119932); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247)