Bliss for Pals Paper Arts


It’s Thursday and time to play at Pals Paper Arts! This week it is a Color Challenge, and as I stated in yesterday’s post, boy was it a challenge for me! It forced me to use a color, Riding Hood Red, that I have NEVER used. I had no idea what to do with this color combination of Riding Hood Red, Rich Razzleberry, and Certainly Celery, even though they look so pretty on the PPA “Painted Ladies”. I know when I look at the rest of the Design Team inspiration cards, I will say to myself, “Why didn’t I think of that?” My husband always critiques my cards, and his response to this one was…”Well, it’s not one of your best!” Bless his heart! I knew that, but had no time for a do-over! Don’t you just hate it when that happens?

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Ink and emboss! The Flourish image from the Bliss Sale-A-Bration set was inked with Rich Razzleberry and stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock. It was then zipped through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder to add texture. A few spritzes with the Color Spritzer Tool and Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Markers complete the look.
  • Distress! A Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede Ink are key tools for distressing! I also brayered Soft Suede over the tulip border to add interest.
  • Mea culpa! Yes…that is Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding. But it “scrunchies” so well!
  • Glitz and Glam! Basic Pearls form the center of the Riding Hood Red flowers, while Basic Rhinestones add bling to the butterfly!

Where Did I Go Wrong

When a good card goes bad, it always important to reflect upon why this occurred.

  • Maybe the impending blizzard suppressed my mojo.
  • Maybe the Twins distracted me.
  • Maybe it was the caffeine from all of the home-made diet mochas I drank.
  • Maybe it was because I waited too late to start.
  • Maybe I allowed a negative mindset to sap my creativity. A positive attitude and success go hand in hand. Did I allow the fact that I am not a Riding Hood Red user influence how I felt about the combination?
  • Maybe it was the fact I was stubborn. Instead of allowing the color combination to direct the stamp set which is used, I was determined to use the Bliss set, come what may.
  • Maybe it was a combination of all of the above!
With all of that said, it’s time to say congrats to #8: Wendy…the winner of the Rose Red Ribbon. This is what Wendy had to say about what takes her out of her comfort zone:
Color Challenges using dark colors take me out of my comfort zone. Sometimes light colors if I don’t like the combination.

Wendy, please send me your address, and I will get your ribbon in the mail pronto!

Please let me know what you think about today’s card by leaving a comment. Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them. And don’t forget, 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…

Stamp Set: Bliss (W 121851, C 123217); Inks: Soft Suede (115657), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Riding Hood Red (111836); Stampin’ Write Markers: Certainly Celery (105106), Riding Hood Red (120971), Rich Razzleberry (120970); Card Stock: Naturals Ivory (101849), Riding Hood Red (111348), Certainly Celery (105125), Rich Razzleberry (115316); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (121809), Sponge Daubers (102892), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Brayer (102395), Scalloped Oval Punch (119856), 1-3/4″ x 7/8″ Oval Punch (119855); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Vintage Trinkets (118764), Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding (122330), Rich Razzleberry 5/8″ Satin Ribbon (119752)

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