Peonies and Paper Chains

Choose[ing] Happiness for Pals Paper Arts!

Hello friends! So glad you are here to see the latest Pals Paper Arts design team project that I created...it is a special one for this challenge! Let's take a look at the sketch:

This sketch (PPA260) was fun to create and I really enjoyed creating with it! Here is the full card that I put together:

It is not often that I create using what I consider to be a vintage style, however that is the feel that the Choose Happiness and this card evoke for me. And while vintage often has even more embellishing, the card felt just right to me. Here are the fine details again:

Now I mentioned earlier that this card is a special one and it is special for many reasons...

• because of all the layers...
• because I cast aside my brayer and picked up my heat embossing tool (I definitely do not pull out this tool often enough)...
• because I used a stamp set that I have been eyeing for a year and only just finally purchased a month ago...
• because it is my last Pals Paper Arts design team project (PPA isn't going anywhere, I am simply stepping away from the team for now).

Of course, I got a little nostalgic when working on this and decided to take a stroll down memory lane...

• The one time that I was a "PPA Pick" prior to joining the design team
• My very first design team project (you'll see my old "branding" in this post)
• The first PPA sketch that I designed
• My favorite PPA challenge, PPA200, where all 20 design team members contributed an inspiration project 

To my fellow design team members - Linda, Michelle, Mary, Katy, Lisa, Patti, Michelle, Dawn, Sandie, Susan, Ann, Maggie, Peggy, Mike, Beth, Ginger, Rae, Amy, Nicole, Brian, and Windy -- it has been such a pleasure and honor to design alongside you! You are all so very talented and I love the mix of beautiful stamping styles that span across the group!

And to everyone else reading today, please be sure to join in and play along with us for PPA260! I can't wait to see what you create!

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 
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The Latest Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge

This week, Pals Paper Arts has a fresh, fun color combo (PPA258) to get your creative juices flowing! It combines two new In Colors (Watermelon Wonder and Cucumber Crush) with the tried and true hue of Night of Navy:

 

As I said, it is fresh and fun. I am confident that so many of you will adore creating with these colors!  The green and pink-ish red are bright and cheerful while the blue brings in a nice balancing tone.  It's actually quite the "preppy" color combo (and I mean that in the best way) and really wonderful for summer.

However, I must admit, I really struggled with this one...

I do not have ink in Cucumber Crush or Watermelon Wonder and that was part of the quandary. When faced with a challenge to use a color combo, a "go to" technique for many crafters is lots of white space with just a few splashes of color. That was not a possibility for this one!

So, using lots of another neutral (Smoky Slate), a couple pops of color from Cucumber Crush and Watermelon Wonder card stock, a little stamping with the Words of Truth and Writing Notes stamp sets and my Night of Navy ink, I have this inspiration for you:

Oh, did I mention I pulled out my brayer too?  The Night of Navy background is courtesy of my brayer and ink! This is truly becoming my fave "fast and fabulous" technique!

Here is the full collection of new In Colors:

Of the new colors, which ones are you "crushing" on? For me, it is Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe...love them! Be sure to leave a comment with your faves!

And, do come play along with us at Pals Paper Arts! The PPA258 Challenge closes on July 7 at 12 noon Eastern!

 

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 
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Up Against a Brick Wall for PPA. Truth.

Hello friends.

Today I'm sharing my latest Pals Paper Arts design team project. Truth is that it is framed by a "brick wall" courtesy of the brand new "Brick Wall" Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. 

It is a 6"x6" folder and I love the large size of the folder!

Do you notice how realistic the brick shapes are?! I think this folder has moved into first position as my favorite folder...it is going to get a LOT of use! I could go on and on, but let's take a look at the actual sketch for this PPA challenge!

This is a week where I kept to the sketch...there is no tweaking at all!

I do adore creating square cards and the one I made is its 3"x3". This size cannot go in the mail unless of course you place in a larger envelope. For those who keep the Stampin' Up! Medium Envelopes on hand, I recommend making 4-1/4" square cards -- easy to drop those square cards in the mail!

Here is my card once again:

One would think that I knew the Triple Banner Punch was coming when I put this sketch together but I assure you that I did not. However, this new punch is just the right tool for this sketch!

And I absolutely adore the new Words of Truth stamp set! I'm confident that it will be in heavy rotation at our house! Here's the full set:

This set is just right for making lunch box or suitcase notes for loved ones, quick cards from friends or colleagues, or even to create framed art.

To my fellow Design Team members, to each of you, I say, you're a rock star and I am excited to see what you've done this week!

To everyone visiting today, Remember you can do it! Play along with us at Pals Paper Arts!

Wishing you a creative day!

 
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