PPA Peek and Rose Red Ribbon


Yikes! It’s a blizzard out there as I am writing this Tuesday evening! And the poor Twins! At first Brody thought all the snow was tons of fun…until the wind really started to pick up. We have had gusts of up to 50+ miles per hour. The drifts are deeper than a Boxer’s head! And some are waist high to a short Iowa gal! I would no more than get a space shoveled out for them, and it would drift back in immediately. I felt so badly for poor Muffy and Brody. They were such little troopers and insisted on ringing their potty bells to go outside.

On a happier note, I have a peek at this week’s Pals Paper Arts card for you to peruse. And I think that I can certainly say that this week’s challenge was a challenge for me! But as I have said before, it is good to step outside your comfort zone. The full reveal will take place Thursday. In the meantime, please check out this week’s Pals Artist Picks.

Remember, your comments are important to me. Since this isn’t a very big peek, how about a comment about something that takes you outside of your stamping/card making comfort zone. One thing which sends me right out of my comfort zone are color challenges that include colors that I seldom use. I simply become fixated on that color and the creative juices cease to flow! Has that ever happened to you? One lucky person who leaves a comment sharing what takes them out of their comfort zone will receive a brand-new roll of retired Rose Red Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon. Obviously this ribbon took me out of my comfort zone because I bought it in every color it came in…and never used a snippet! Arghhh! Why did I do that??? It really needs to go live with someone else! I will announce the new owner at the end of Thursday’s post. Until next time…

The Paper Players Blog Hop

What a Sunday The Paper Players have planned for you! First of all, this week’s challenge is the ever-popular Anything Goes! In addition, we have our first Paper Players Blog Hop in order to showcase the new products from the Occasion Mini. And if that isn’t enough…several members of the Design Team are offering yummy Blog Candy. If you hopped here from Anne Marie’s blog, I am Stop #2 on the Hop. Stop #3 will be Jaydee. And if you happen to get lost along the way, just return to The Paper Players’ blog, where the entire line-up is posted. Since you have several stops to make today, let’s get straight to my card.

Nature Walk


When I first saw this set in the Occasions Mini, I knew I had to have it! This is the third card I have created with this set. (See the other two Here and Here.) This time I selected a different color scheme and opted to use the blue “Birdcage” pattern from the Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper collection. Enjoy today’s Nature “Blog” Walk card!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Frame it! The Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder is perfect for adding just a touch of texture. Don’t be afraid to emboss Designer Series Paper, such as I did for today’s card. It works just fine! And don’t forget those to make those tulips “pop” by lightly brayering with Soft Suede ink.

  • Emboss it! The “Bird” stamp was inked with Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and then heat embossed with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder to enhance the image.

  • Color it! Rosettes from the Occasions Mini can be easily transformed into any hue you wish. Simply use a Stampin’ Write Marker and color away!

  • Scrunch it! Seam Binding is so easy to scrunch. Simply pull a thread and schirr along its length. The result…instant scrunchy! I then used Mini Glue Dots to adhere it to the card.

  • Oh, bee-have! The adorable Bees are “bee-decked” in their finest glittery Dazzling Diamond Glitter. A Basic Pearl accents the head. Aren’t they just “bee-utiful?

  • End with a smooch! Everything was liberally kissed with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz for a fabulous sheen!

Blog Candy

For my Blog Candy, I am offering the Punch Potpourri Hostess Level 1 stamp set and Basic Pearls. All you need to do is simply leave a comment on today’s post. A winner will be randomly selected from comments left on this post and announced on next Sunday’s post.

So…leave me a comment and let me know what you think of today’s card. And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

Next stop on the Hop, the always fabulous Jaydee!

Stamp Set: Nature Walk; Inks: Soft Suede Classic, Early Espresso Classic, Soft Suede Classic, Chocolate Chip Craft; Stampin’ Write Markers: Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist; Designer Series Paper: Botanical Gazette; Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist; Tools: Big Shot, Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Paper Snips, Heat Tool, Color Spritzer Tool, Sponge Dauber, Two-Step Bird Punch, Brayer; Glitz and Glam: Chantilly Crochet Trim, Hemp Twine, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet, Iridiscent Ice Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Basic Pearls, Rosettes, Crumb Cake Seam Binding

Cinco de Mayo from Celebrando Creatividad


Yesterday I mentioned that I would showcase another set from Celebrando Creatividad. Cinco de Mayo includes this fabulous dancer, as well as an exceptional trio of troubadors that I love! This particular card was part of a Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen gallery featuring invitations. The Cinco de Mayo stamp set can certainly be used to invite your friends to any fiesta!
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:
  • Unlikely Duo! Pumpkin Pie and Real Red? What a fabulous festive combination that just screams…”Come party with me!”
  • Paper Pizzazz! Make the most of this pattern from the Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper collection. Simply snip along the zigs and zags for a look that says “Pass the salsa, please!” And don’t forget to lightly distress the edges (I used Soft Suede and a Sponge Dauber) for a more polished look.
  • Wow factor! A scalloped circle flower perched atop a larger scalloped circle packs a punch…and it is so easy to make. I simply punched ten Scallop Circles from Greenhouse Gala DSP. I sponged the edges with Soft Suede and punched a small hole in the center of each. Next I sprayed each one with spray starch and wadded it into a small ball. After they were nearly dry, I carefully opened them up, stacked them, and added a Pumpkin Circle Fire Brad to the center. Then I scrunched and shaped it.
  • Ribbon! Snippets of Real Red and Pumpkin Pie 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon were layered on top of an Old Olive stay-put bow! Fun and easy!

If you have not taken the time to check out Celebrando Creatividad…why are you waiting? There are several sets, like the ones featured today and yesterday that have applications in everyone’s stamping. Just CLICK HERE to access my Stampin’ Up! catalog page.

Parties and Classes

Are you and your friends ready to have fun while learning a new technique or creating a special card? Sale-A-Bration is the perfect time to host a party or a private class. If you live in eastern Iowa, western Illinois or northern Missouri, please email me today to reserve your date. I am so looking forward to meeting you!

Don’t forget…your comments are important to me. So please, leave me a comment and let me know that you visited me today! And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

Coming Sunday…The First Paper Players Occasions Mini Blog Hop!!!

Stamp Set: Cinco de Mayo (Celebrando Creatividad)
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Tempting Turquoise, Soft Suede, Early Espresso; Soft Suede, Sahara Sand and Tempting Turquoise Stampin’ Write Markers
Accessories: Color Spritzer Tool, Old Olive 5/8″ Grograin Ribbon, Real Red and Pumpkin Pie 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbons, Circle Fire Brads, Scallop Circle Punch, Extra Large Scallop Circle Punch, Sponge Daubers