Peonies and Paper Chains

Stampin' Up! Retiring Products - While Supplies Last!

SAVE ON an array of retiring stamp sets, punches, dies, ribbon, paper and more!  

• Stamps will be available for purchase through May 26.
• Accessories (punches, paper, dies, etc.) are available while supplies last and can sell out quickly!
• Select retiring products discounted up to 50% off

Click to shop for retiring stamps and accessories

Check out this video from Stampin’ Up! showcasing their Favorite 2015 Retiring Products.

ALSO STARTING TODAY!  Don’t miss the new Weekly Deals.

 

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies 

Stamp Review Crew: Zoo Babies Edition

 

 

Welcome to the Stamp Review Crew: Zoo Babies blog hop! So excited to be sharing ideas for the Zoo Babies stamp set...it is such a sweet little collection of animals that you can find at many zoos! Whether you've just come over from Dawn Tidd's Tiddbits by Dawn blog or are just starting here, I hope you'll take the time to hop on through to see all of the creations!

Today's hop gave me a fabulous opportunity to put together idea's for Britt's upcoming birthday! It is in May and she'll be celebrating with her preschool friends. I decided to use Zoo Babies to create a set of party pieces -- cupcake toppers, festive napkins, and juice box embellishments -- for a fun, festive celebration! 

Thankfully the girls and I baked some cupcakes one night this past week that I could use for a little staging!

For the cupcake toppers you need card stock circles (1-3/8" and 1-3/4"), toothpicks, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals. The stamped Zoo Babies images make these adorable without a whole lot of fuss!

A little stamping is all you need to for the napkins! I stamped 5 each of 4 different Zoo Babies images -- giraffe, alligator, rhinoceros, and elephant. However, the more I think about it, I definitely should stamp some more for the pre-school set!

The rhino with the bit of white twine is a juice box embellishment. Initially I planned to tie these onto some paper straws, however, I realized that juice boxes were likely a better choice than open cup beverages.

This image gives a better look at the juice box. This is simply a band of card stock in Coastal Cabana that has been attached to the box with Sticky Strip. I did use a bone folder to loosen up to the fibers of the card stock before adhering -- definitely an important step! For the final products I will actually be cutting wider strips of card stock to better cover the full height of the box sides.

Had to include this image of Brooklyn holding the cupcake topper! She has asked that we make some of these for her doll and make sure that we celebrate her doll's birthday on the same day that we celebrate her sister's birthday!

Hope you that you are feeling inspired to pull out this set and to get creating! I had lots of fun creating these party pieces and can't wait to get production underway for Britt's big day! 

Be sure to hop along to visit Betty Traciak and the other Stamp Review Crew members for more Zoo Babies ideas!

                                        

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies

 

Stamp Review Crew Line Up for the Zoo Babies Hop: 

1.  Ann Schach  
2. Shana Gaff  
3. Debra Burgin  
4. Bronwyn Eastley   
5. Yapha Mason  
6. Dawn Tidd   
   
7. Kerry Willard Bray  -- YOU ARE HERE! 
8. Betty Traciak 
9. Tanya Boser    
10. Rochelle Blok  
11. Heidi Baks  
12. Linda Callahan  
13. Martha Inchley  
14. Wendy Weixler

Get Your Challenge On! Kinda Eclectic for PPA248!

 

It's been awhile since I have pulled out my Kinda Eclectic stamp set and I had so much fun using it to create the background for today's card. This little square card (3.5") is based on the brand new Pals Paper Arts Challenge -- PPA248:

 

 

As you likely just noticed, I did not use the design precisely according to sketch...the diagonal sentiment is longer and the stamped sunburst and leaves replace the rectangular element. Sketches are meant to be a starting point and you don't have to stick with them as is though I know it is sometimes a challenge to break out from doing so.

 

 

The close up gives you a chance to see the intricacy of this stamp set...the pattern of the leaves, the text on the dotted pattern (which you can really see in the upper left portion of the card). Kinda Eclectic is truly such a gorgeous stamp set and I love every element of it! You are not seeing the larger butterfly image or the sentiment ("a little kindness goes a long way") from  the set, but I did incorporate all the others. The "a thousand thanks" stamp is from the Thankful Thoughts stamp set which is filled with several options for expressing gratitude!

 

It will soon be Teacher Appreciation Week and I'm pretty sure I will be holding onto this card until then! The girls have been working with some wonderful teachers this year who are more than deserving of a card like this.

 

Be sure to see all of the inspiration projects from this sketch over on the Pals Paper Arts site and, please, join in the fun and play along with us!

 

Wishing you a little creativity today!

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies

 

Pals April Blog Hop - Earth Day is Every Day!

Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for April where every day is Earth Day.  This month we are showcasing projects that use recycled, reused or other earth inspired elements and colors.  We hope you enjoy the creative projects being shared by the Pals!

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp number 16 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 so you see all the projects.

For my project, I decided to use up a bunch of card stock scraps to create some home decor for Britt's bedroom:

This is actually Brooklyn holding up the very colorful "B" that I made for Britt...Britt was not interested in helping me get a picture of this!

There were three simple steps in creating the project:

1. Gather up scraps, a wooden letter, ModPodge, and tools (bone folder, paint brush, Paper Snips)

• The bone folder was used to soften up the scraps since I knew I would be cutting off the long edges.
• The letter is from the Hand Made Modern line at Target and was just $3.99.

2. Adhere scraps to letter using ModPodge

• My process was to paint ModPodge onto portions of the letter, layer on scraps and apply more ModPodge over top.
• Two layers of ModPodge were added to the letter once all scraps were in place.

3. Trim of excess edges

• This probably would have been way easier to do using an Exacto knife...however, my Paper Snips were handy and that is what I used. 

Super easy, super fun, and a great way to use up scraps!

The excess scraps left at the end of this project were promptly placed in the recycling bin that sits in my crafting space!

Before I managed to get the B onto a shelf in Britt's room, she decided to add on the Hello Kitty stickers she received in her Easter basket.

And, yes, that would be Britt, happy with her crafting and not really wanting her photo taken while "reading" about the college admissions process. The lighting is not ideal, however I know you can completely get the drift of her addition to this project!

Hope you are feeling inspired to find a clever way to use up some of the scraps in your stash! 

The next stop is Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo, number 1 on the Pals Blog Hop! 

Thanks for visiting; I hope to see you on next month’s Pals Hop! In case you need it to help you navigate, the full hope line-up is:

1. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
2. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery' s Owlery
3. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You
4. Becky Volpp at inkblossomwithbecky.com
5. Natalie Bradley at Soiree by Natalie Bradley
6. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
7. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
8. Kim Jolley at Stampin' Artfully
9. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
10. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
11. Karen Hallam at Karen's Stampin' Site
12. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
13. Benjaman Turner at He Stamps
14. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
15. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
16. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
17. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies

 

FREE Shipping? Yes, please! And some sweet weekly deals, too!

 

• Get FREE shipping on any orders placed April 6-April 10, no minimum purchase required (excludes expedited orders). 
• Orders placed for Hawaii and Alaska will receive free 2nd Day Air shipping. 
• Paper Pumpkin past kits and kit refills are eligible for free shipping if purchased online. Paper Pumpkin subscriptions are not eligible for free shipping.

And if you really want to maximize your savings this week, go for the current weekly deals! There are some great options!

 

I'll be taking advantage of the free shipping...how about you?

 

Berry Baskets for Pals Paper Arts!

You may have caught a glimpse of my project for the new Pals Paper Arts color challenge on Instagram earlier this week. My Instagram account is the go to spot for peeks at my projects...and a little of everyday life around here.

I loved used this week's color to put together today's design team project. I find the PPA 246  color combo to be quite spring like and dreamy:

I knew instantly that I wanted to make a couple little baskets using the Berry Baskets Bigz L die. They are so quick and easy to make and so very adorable! 

 

The basket bases were made using the 12 x 12 Kraft paper and embossed with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. This combo of paper and embossing creates a very natural looking basket. The edges done in Crisp Cantaloupe and Pistachio Pudding provide for a pretty contrast against the Kraft paper.

 

 

The embellishing of my Berry Baskets was kept clean and simple --

• initials stamped using the Larger Than Life Alphabet & Numbers stamp set and cut out with my 2-1/2" circle punch
• names added using the Alphabet Rotary stamp
• little paper ribbons/flags
• wooden clothespins to hold everything in place

As you may have noticed in the image above, Brooklyn's name was popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals and the edge of piece of card stock colored in Crumb Cake -- these details take just moments to do!

 

 

Hope that you are feeling inspired to pull out your Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, and Kraft! To see the inspiration from all of the design team members, click here!

And, please be sure to play along with us at Pals Paper Arts this week! The challenge closes at noon on Tuesday! 

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies

 

P.S. I was out of Pistachio Pudding card stock to use for this project. However, thanks to my Pistachio Pudding ink pad,  my brayer, and a strip Naturals White card stock, my dilemma was solved! 

 

Last Chance! Don't Miss Out!

This is it...the final day to Sale-a-brate in 2015!

Don't let March 31 pass by without Sale-a-brating!

There are two great ways to earn free products today:

1. Receive ONE exclusive Sale-a-bration product for every $50 in products purchased (before tax and shipping)
2. Become a demonstrator (and know it is completely fine to do so simply to receive discounts on your own purchases) - for $99, you choose up to $125 in products that ship free PLUS you pick a free project kit from the occasions catalog OR any two exclusive Sale-a-bration items

See your Sale-a-bration choices here and here.

Ready to Sale-a-brate?

Click to shop now or join now

And, while I've been away on a little blog break, I assure you that plenty of crafting has been going on...

• we brought these sweet little bracelet kits to give to friends at the movie Cinderella
• and Brooklyn learned to sew

Oh, and I've got a very fun Pals Paper Arts project for you on Thursday -- see you then!

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies

 

Five on Friday Stampin' Up! Color Combo: no. 12 in 2015

 

Happy Friday, friends!

It's time for a brand new color combo to help get your creative juices flowing! Use all five or just a few...whatever you do, have fun with them!

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies

 

Flipped It!

 

The cheery card you see today was designed using the new Pals Paper Arts sketch (PPA244):

I'll freely admit that when I pulled up the sketch to get creating today's project, I thought "ugh, a star"...I just was not feeling it! And then I was happy to look closer and see that the star reads "any shape"...off the hook for making a project with a star when I was just not up for that!  And, just for the record, I feel fine saying all this because I designed this sketch!

With Sale-a-bration about to end, I knew I wanted to create something using one of my favorite Sale-a-bration exclusive items the "A Happy Thing" stamp set. Originally I intended to use the same vertical orientation as the sketch, however as I layer out my pieces on my Daffodil Delight card base, I realized that horizontal worked better so I simply flipped it.

Here are a couple details for this card that I love most:

The bird beak!

After using my Aqua Painter and ink pads to color in the bird, I decided to punch out the image using my 2" circle punch. That meant having to cut off the beak. I stamped and colored another beak and then carefully cut it out and applied it to the base of the original.

The stripes!

After assembling the card and adding the sentiment, I felt like the background was just too stark. I pulled out my Work of Art stamp set and grabbed my Daffodil Delight ink pad and added a few stripes to the card...hopefully you can see the stamped image running behind the "love life" sentiment!

The effect of the stripes is subtle, but I think the stripes are turned an excellent finishing touch!

 

You'll find my supply list -- less the "A Happy Thing" stamp set (139131 - wood | 139134 - clear) and the "Best Year Ever" accessory pack (138634) as both are Sale-a-bration exclusives! As a reminder, Sale-a-bration ends on March 31!

I'm excited to see how everyone else on the design team approach today's project and I can't wait to see what you do with it too! Be sure to play along with us at Pals Paper Arts this week!

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies

 

 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Stamp Review Crew: #PLxSU Point & Click Edition

Welcome to the Stamp Review Crew #PLxSU Point & Click Edition blog hop! These hops are always a fabulous way to get a slew of ideas for a single stamp set!  

You may have just arrived from visiting the talented Bronwyn Eastley at AddINKtive Designs or perhaps you are starting here. Whatever is the case, you'll want to be sure to head on through our hop to get loads of ideas for the #PLxSU Point & Click stamp set!

If you are wondering what #PLxSU means, it is the hashtag for Project Life by Stampin' Up!. #PLxSU is an exclusive line of stamps, papers, and accessories for memory keeping...and other paper crafting, too!

Let's get to my project, shall we?

Getting to create something always makes my day!

For today's project I paired together the #PLxSU Point & Click stamp set with "Best. Day. Ever." stamp set (a Sale-a-bration exclusive), and with my latest Five on Friday color combo:

These colors work so well with the stamps! As do Mini Treat Bag Thinlits (I think I am seriously growing an addiction to these...love, love, love to make these bags).

Here are few tips for rocking this project:

Using my brayer and Night of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, I added a layer of color to the inside of the treat bag...I adore the contrast! After I adhere the two pieces of the bag together, I flip over and apply the ink along to jagged edge. And, only after doing so, I fold over the bag pieces and adhere in place.

I also used my brayer to apply the Pistachio Pudding ink to some Whisper White card stock for the banner --- I did not have so much as a single scrap of Pistachio Pudding card stock to use!

Two layers of ribbon adds double interest (and texture) to any project!

The "you made my day" sentiment looked nice on its own within the 1-3/4" circle, however, I decided to dress it up by using the floral stamp from "Best. Day. Ever." and I stamped it off once on scrap paper to achieve the faded Pistachio Pudding color. 

To get the dark edges on the circle, I carefully rolled the circle on top of my Night of Navy ink pad.

You can never go wrong with Stampin' Dimensionals! They are by far my favorite adhesive. The Pistachio Pudding banner (with the ribbon stapled to it) was popped onto the belly band and then I used a couple more dimensionals to place the sentiment on the banner. 

For those who are curious, I stamped up my Lost Lagoon card stock with the #PLxSU Point & Click stamps before I used the Thinlits to cut out the Mini Treat Bag pieces. 

Head on over Martha Inchley at Inch of Creativity for more paper crafting inspiration!

Happy hopping and hope that you enjoy a little creativity today!

                       

 
Get inspiration in your inbox  |  Shop on-line 24/7 for paper crafting supplies