Peonies and Paper Chains

Five on Friday: Going Ombre!

So happy to be bringing you a new Five on Friday color combo! Many of you loved last week's combo and I loved reading what the combo made you think of...thank you for sharing!

 This week you get a brand new ombre color combo to use, but before I share it with you I have a favor to ask of you...

The Five on Friday color combos have become a real favorite and I want to share more of what you love! Rather than alternating color combos with five of something else (like my Occasions catalog favorites or tools that make papercrafting easier), you will now receive a new five color combo each week. Cool, right?!

Here's the favor...please share with me a word, a quote, a link to a favorite image, or something along those lines, to help me develop new color combos. It takes just a moment to leave a comment and I am so curious to read what you share! 

Let's get to it...here's my latest five color combo for you:

I'll be 100% honest and say that I have only played with this one digitally, so I am really hoping I love it as much when using paper, stamps, and ink as I do when using MDS! Once I do play with it (fingers crossed for this weekend), I will share the results!

Love ombre combos? See the pink and blue ombre combos I shared in the past.

GET THEM BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! Only a few days left to order items from the Stampin' Up! retired list! All items are while supplies last and select products are up to 50% off -- love that! Place your order today! 

 

Wishing you a creative day!

 

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Something Fishy is Going On!

Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! I know, I know, it was days and days ago! We had a very busy weekend and last night was literally the first time that I picked up any of my papercrafting supplies in solid week! What I created is the project you get a peek at above...it is made from a brand new stamp set from the new annual catalog that goes live  on June 2nd! You'll get to see the full project that day!

In the meantime, a few big things to know:

 

FOR A LIMITED TIME--$50 STARTER KIT OFFER (choose up to $55 in products). Discounts on new catalog products, a friendly, fun private community of passionate paper crafter, and oodles of exclusive papercrafting ideas and resources...all this and more can be yours! This is a perfect way to REJOIN Stampin' Up! or  "test drive" all the perks of being a demonstrator with no obligation to purchase anything further! Offer ends June 30, 2014. 

Learn more and become a Paper Chains Pal today! 

 

 

Select retiring products are on Sale until June 4 or while supplies last! Stock up today! 

 

Amazing weekly deals available now! Check out these hot deals today!

 

I'll be back tomorrow with another fun and fabulous Five on Friday color combo...see you then!

Wishing you a creative day!

 

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Five on Friday: Pull Out Your Paper + Inks!

It's time to pull out your paper and inks for a little creating this weekend and I'm sharing a five color combo to get you started!

If you have not yet put together a project for the latest Pals Paper Arts challenge, why not combine this color combo with the sketch?

If you've already tackled PPA205, join in the new Pixel Maven's DigiChallenge - it starts today!

I'd love to know what you think of this color combo and I challenge you to share just one word as a comment. Please choose the one word that describes the first thing you think of when you see these colors together!

I'll be creating with this combo over the holiday weekend and I will share what I create next week. Hope you'll be able to carve out some time to create too!

Don't want to miss out on any of the projects I am sharing? Sign-up to receive my full blog posts in your email...I like to call it inspiration in your inbox!

Wishing you a creative day!

 

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P.S. I'll be taking the weekend off from posting, however if you want to see what I am up to, be sure to follow along over on Instagram!

Stampin' Up! Retiring Products SALE!

 

Starting today, select Stampin' Up! retiring products are on sale for up to 50% off! Be sure to visit my online store to SAVE BIG! All items are while supplies last!

Today is also the start of a brand new Pals Paper Arts challenge -- PPA205. You'll definitely want to see what the design team members have created using the sketch! The sketch is this:

 And here is a little piece of framed decor that I put together to display over the summer months:

My creation is a true hybrid project -- the printed background comes from the Pride Framable template for MDS and is enhanced with some cuts of silver glimmer paper, a little rosette made from Designer Series Paper, and the star garland from a Paper Pumpkin Kit last fall. And, as I often do, I let the sketch serve as inspiration and did not translate it literally onto the project. So as not to cover up too much of the Pride Framable text, I opted for small horizontal strips of glimmer paper rather than large ones. The beauty of a sketch is the ability to interpret in your unique style!

Do you love creating using paper? Would you love to get your Stampin' Up! products at a discount? Select up to $125 in Stampin' Up! products and purchase it all for just $99 plus local tax when you buy a starter kit. Perfect for the hobby crafter! Get the details here!

Wishing you a creative day!

 

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This Week I...

 

Spent time re-arranging my crafting space...and I'm liking it so much I just may share pics of it with you soon.

 

Found the missing "1" from the Morning Post Numbers set, promptly re-lost it when re-organizing my crafting space, and then found it again...it is now safely stored in the case!

 

Used an ink pad in place of a clear mount stamping block. While I wouldn't do this regularly, it worked when I was crunched for time the other day.

 

Spent time playing with the new Stampin' Blendabilities Markers (customer order date TBA). 

 

 Had my May 2014 Paper Pumpkin Kit arrive...haven't used it yet, but I will soon!

 

Was able to snap some fun photos of the girls and Erik playing in a stream where they found a crayfish...the girls were very excited!

 

One thing I have been thinking about this week is the challenges we all face when it comes to our crafting. For me, getting (and keeping) my space organized is an on-going challenge. And right now I am sorting out how to balance out all that I am doing. Other than more money for supplies or time for your crafting, what is a challenge that you face? Please leave a comment and perhaps we can work out a solution together!

Have you been seeing my Paper Pumpkin Pretties [ April | March ] and thinking you'd like to get in on the Paper Pumpkin fun? Take advantage of the new pre-paid Paper Pumpkin subscription offer and save! Sign-up today to receive your first kit in June!

Wishing you a creative day!

 

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I'm Wrapping It Up!

Are you thinking I've decided to end my blogging and Stampin' Up! career?

Might be easy to think that after my unannounced blog break the last few days.

But, no, that is not the case.

What I'm wrapping up (or I should say wrapped up) is a birthday present...

I used my "go to" wrapping technique of applying ink with a brayer. The paper I used is from the refill roll for the Ikea easel. And, as you'll see, I used some Washi Tape to seal the present.

The card had ink applied with the brayer (enough to cover most of the front an just a bit of the back) and then the Happy Birthday sentiment stamped on it.  Sweet and simple!

My supplies for this wrapping paper?

Sassy Salutations

Brayer

Ink in Blackberry Bliss and Lost Lagoon (available on June 2)

Whisper White Note Cards and Envelopes for the card

As for the little blog break...it was a spontaneous thing and I simply decided to spend more time focussed on family than on creating and sharing my love of paper crafting with you. Hope you'll forgive me for my few days away!

Don't forget that the new weekly deals start today and that there are new digital downloads! For those who love Stampin' Up ribbon, you will definitely love the weekly deals!

The Wild Wasabi Stitched Grosgrain is also on sale!

Don't want to miss out on any of the projects I am sharing? Sign-up to receive my full blog posts in your email...I like to call it inspiration in your inbox!

Wishing you a creative day!

 

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Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies

 

 

Five on Friday: Occasions Favorites

With only a couple weeks left to order from the Stampin' Up! Occasions catalog, thought today was a wonderful time to share five of my favorite projects created using Ocassions catalog items. You can click the title under each projhect to be taken to the original blog post. In no particular order, here they are:

Burlap & Blooms Suspended Wreath

 

Happy Congratulations Birthday Card

 

Perfect Pennants Card for PPA & Pixel Maven's Challenges

 

Fringe Scissors Flower

 

Peachy Keen Faux Watercolor Card

 

How about you...do any of these jump out as a favorite for you? Please be sure to leave a comment to let me know!

 

If you've not yet used a Stampin' Up! project kit, give one a try! Click to view all Occasions catalog kits, and, to see all other kits, click here! 

 Wishing you a creative day!

 

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PPA204: Hip Hip Hooray Meets #PLxSU

 

This month we celebrate Britt's third birthday! She is growing up so quickly. She's sweet, and funny, and fierce...there is nothing stopping her! In preparing for her birthday, I decided to use this week's Pals Paper Arts sketch (PPA 204) as the basis for some framed birthday art! Here's the sketch:

 

And the DIY framed birthday art that I created:

 

I'm absolutely hooked on sewing up paper garland and it was perfect for this nice wide frame! The orange flower in the top left corner adds a pretty finishing touch.

The sketch is front and center on the framed art and here's a close up of it:

The stamp is from the Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit and I paired it with a couple cards from the Everyday Adventure Card Collection and Accessory Pack from the new Project Life by Stampin' Up! (#PLxSU) line. Love the polka dots from the one card, the cevrons from the other, and that little wooden flag is adorable (at least I think so). The Washi tape is also from the accessory pack.

A few other pieces of cardstock in Crushed Curry, Strawberry Slush, Pumpkin Pie, and Bermuda Bay were used for the project and I put markers in those same colors plus Pear Pizzazz and Basic Black to use. The punched out circles add more flair to the project and echo the garland. While I regularly swap out most of the framed art that I create, I'll be keeping this and bringing it out for birthdays for years to come!

I'm loving the #PLxSU products and I promise you will see more memory keeping ideas soon! I need to sift through a whole lot of digital images, get them printed, and then crank out some pages! Until then, I'm having fun making other projects (like the framed art from today and the card above) with my #PLxSU supplies!

Be sure to see visit Pals Paper Arts to see what the other design team members have created with this sketch!

Wishing you a creative day!

 

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Pals May Hop: So Long and Farewell!

Welcome to the May Pals Blog Hop. This is the first hop on our new day - the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Before we celebrate the release of the new Stampin' Up! catalog next month, we want to take time to say goodbye to our favorite retiring products. This month we are showcasing projects that feature stamps or accessories that are retiring along with the 2013-14 Idea Book & Catalog on June 4th.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog.

As you can see from the image above, I'm busy gearing up for summer holidays! This DIY curled paper wreath is perfect for the summer. It is hanging next to our front door and it will stay up for awhile. I'm thrilled to have it up before Memorial Day and it will stay up past the 4th of July.

The wreath is made using the retiring 2012-2014 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack and I used strips of paper that measure 1" x 6". A bone folder is an absolute must for this project.

The Cherry Cobbler Chevron Ribbon is not on the retiring list...I'm very excited to see it stay! As you may have noticed, I knotted a length of ribbon around the wreath and then I tied a bow beneath the knot -- this dresses up the look and helps to hide the nail or hook that you use for hanging the wreath.

You also need a wreath form (mine is a 12" green form one) and some T-pins for this project. I literally pulled pieces off a wintertime curled paper wreath and used the T-pins for this new patriotic wreath!

Did you notice the star garlands? They are from the December 2013 Paper Pumpkin Kit -- with the holidays being busy I never got around to assembling it!

Orginally I draped the garlands across the wreath but as I kept adding the curled paper, I just was not loving it so I pulled out a pennant shape from the Paper Pumpkin kit, backed it with some Midnight Muse cardstock, and decorated it as you'll see below:

The garland is held in place with Stampin' Dimensionals and I did have to cut those in two pieces to fit on the tiny stars.

The flags are ones that I picked up from the dollar spot at Target and they will likely get pulled off the wreath to bring to our local Memorial Day parade. It will be easy enought to tuck them back in when we return...they are simply nestled amongst the paper curls!

Here's one final look at the wreath and a fond farewell to these papers...

In total I think I used 4 sheets from the In Color Designer Series Paper Stack for the wreath. With 40 sheets in the pack, you could make a whole lot of wreaths! Be sure to place an order with your Stampin' Up! demonstrator before this paper is gone for good.

The next stop is Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin' on the Pals Blog Hop! If you need the full line-up, you'll find it below my signatre. Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month!

Wishing you a creative day!

 

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Pals May Blog Hop Line-up:

1. Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
2. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
3. Debbie Pierce at Stampin' Sunshine
4. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
5. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
6. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
7. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
8. Michelle Quinno at Shell's Life
9. Beth Beard at My little craft blog
10. Amy Lazzell at Just A Thought...Cards by Amy
11. Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
12. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts
13. Katie Ferguson at Cottage Paper
14. Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
15. Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events
16. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
17. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains -- YOU ARE HERE
18. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin' 
19. Marlene Heringer at So Many Toys So Little Time
20. Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
21. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery's Owlery
22. Kelly DeTommaso at Kelly's Creative Corner
23. Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works by Shannon
24. Christie Crosby at Stampin' Creativity
25. Kalyn Shubnell at Stamping Chronicles
26. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
27. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
28. Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
29. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
30. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
31. Maxine Conrad at Stamp to the MAX!
32. Donna Kopenski at Crafty Cardmaker
33. Angie Blake at Angie's Musings

Limited Supply of Retiring In Color Cardstock!

When Stampin' Up! announced the retiring products list, the 2012-2014 In Color 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock sold out very quickly. Stampin' Up! has been able to obtain additional product, and there are limited quantities available again. Once this new stock is gone, it will be gone for good.

The following items are available, only while supplies last:

Item	Description
126840	Gumball Green 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock
126843	Midnight Muse 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock
126841	Primrose Petals 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock
126842	Raspberry Ripple 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock
126839	Summer Starfruit 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock

Don't delay...head to my online store to order some now!

And the be sure to read my regularly scheduled Tuesday post!