Peonies and Paper Chains

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!

 
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Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Best. Day. Ever. when...

 

...I have a chance to make something beautiful with my hands. Recently I had one of those days and I'm delighted to have a chance to share it with you.

For those who are stopping over from Mary Fish's Stampin' Pretty blog -- welcome! So glad you came by today! 

For the returning Peonies and Paper Chains readers -- welcome back! Always happy to have you here!

Let's start from the beginning...

This project relies on a small supply list and a chunk of time...a few hours and, trust me, worth every minute!

 

The basics to constructing this DIY looped paper wreath are this:

• Cut Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper into 1" by 4" strips
• Curl strips using your bone folder
• Staple loops with your handheld stapler
• Attach loops to your wreath form with hot glue
• Embellish if you wish (I did not...it is beautiful enough on its own)
• Enjoy

 

 

Does this wreath remind you of ribbon candy? That is precisely how my husband described it when he saw it. 

 

 

While I gave you the basics, I suspect that some of you may want more details on how to create this wreath. I've got you covered with this free printable tutorial (PDF) -- it does include the full supply list and step by step instructions. 

  

UPDATE: One question a couple people have asked is whether the loops go all the way around the wreath and the answer is yes. Hopefully the photo I just added above helps to capture this for you. Because the wreath is equally as beautiful from the front and back, it would work beautifully on an interior glass door.

Also, the wreath form I used is 10" ... you could go larger and will simply need a few more loops!

 

 

When making the looped paper wreath, I wanted to be sure to save some of the Best Year Ever DSP for use on some other projects. If you follow the cutting instructions that I provide in the tutorial, you'll have 24 pieces of DSP that measure 4" x 6"...plenty for several cards, custom Project Life by Stampin' Up! filler cards, or even other home decor items!

 

Hope the wreath and the cards inspire you to get creating! 

 

 

The Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper is perfect for spring projects! With all the snow we've been getting here in New England, I'm thrilled to have a decor item that evokes the fresh new beginnings of spring. This paper is a Sale-a-bration exclusive item that you have the option to select for FREE with a minimum $50 product purchase or when you order a starter kit.  Contact your demonstrator for details; if you don't have a demonstrator, know that I'm happy to assist you.

 

 

To Mary, thanks so much for having me as your guest today on Stampin' Pretty!

 

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 

 
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Wondering where I got my inspiration? Instagram! It is my favorite social media location and one day I saw Shannon Lane's Colour Me Autumn wreath -- Shannon is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator based in Canada. If you visit Shannon's blog post about the wreath, you'll notice hers is a little fuller and uses an entire pack of DSP. By modifying the wreath to have a looser "ribbon candy" look, I was able to save some of the Best Year Ever Paper for other projects!

Time to Celebrate...and Sale-a-Brate!

Hello friends. Today I'm sharing a messy, yet very fun project with you! It incorporates a few of my favorite things...

• Birthday Bash Designer Series Paper
• Celebrate Today stamp set
• Calypso Coral Pompom Trim
• Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim
• Whisper White Baker's Twine
• and all three shades the Best Year Ever ribbon (free with the purchase of the items above during Sale-a-bration)
• PLUS a canning jar 

It's the perfect little something for someone special...

 

It's a festive celebration jar!

 

When we made this a couple weeks back at one of my "Sunday Crafternoon" gatherings, I called it a birthday jar -- a very apt name given the supplies I used. Change things up a little and you could use this for a baby shower, retirement, wedding, first day of xxx...really just about any celebration!

 

 

Depending on the size jar you pick, you can fill it with so many things ranging from gift cards to sweet little baby socks, from luxurious lotions to candy treats, from a collection of handwritten well wishes to packets of tea or hot cocoa. The possibilities are endless!

 

 

In addition to little gifts, add some fun (and mess) with DIY confetti and paper curls! The confetti is a breeze to make using a pair of Fringe Scissors and/or some small circle punches -- up to a 3/4" in diameter. If using Fringe Scissors, use you Stampin' Trimmer to cut some strips (thin or thick) of Designer Series Paper and after doing so, snip away with the Fringe Scissors to make the confetti pieces. You can tell from the image above that I used strips in varying widths.

For the paper curls, cut several thin strips (no more than 1/2" wide) using your Stampin' Trimmer. Next, loosen the paper fibers by running your bone folder over each paper strip just as you would with curling sheet. Once the fibers are loose, take a strip of paper and twist it around a pen or pencil and then slide off. Repeat until you have all the paper curls you want! A special thanks to Lisa Harlow at Dwell Delightfully for this idea! Lisa and I have followed each other on Instagram for at least a year now...she's a fabulous paper crafter and is currenty a Stampin' Artisan Design Team member.

 

 

While there are so many details that go into this project, it is easy to make! Hope this project has inspired you and you'll put it to use for an upcoming celebration!

Don't forget that Stampin' Up! annual Sale-a-bration is going on now! It is a wonderful time to stock up on supplies since you are entitled to a FREE Sale-a-bration exclusive with every $50 in products purchased. I love free stuff...how about you?

For those with a lengthy wish list, your best bet is to purchase a starter kit with up to $125 in products for just $99 (includes free shipping) and you'll be eligible to save 20% or more on future purchases through at least June 2015! When you buy a starter kit there's no obligation to purchase anything else and no penalty to drop. Hobbyists are welcome! Oh, and one more thing, you'll also get to choose a free project kit from the occasions catalog OR two exclusive Sale-a-bration items. Check out the Sale-a-bration catalog for complete details!

Again, hope you are inspired by the celebration jar! 

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 
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A Happy Thing for PPA!

Today I'm sharing the card that I created using the latest Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge (PPA 237) as my inspiration. What a fun sketch by Nicole Watt! The card features the stamp set "A Happy Thing" that Stampin' Up! is offering as an exclusive Sale-a-bration stamp set. It is definitely one of my absolute favorites at the moment!

Take a closer look at the bird's tail:

It was originally under the strip of Pool Party and it looked ridiculous! As a result I decided it should be resting on top, yet I also did not want to snip out the entire bird. Here is a behind the scenes look at my solution...

It is not pretty, but it gets the job done!

Since I simply cannot end the post with that photo, here's the full card again:

Wishing you a happy day! And a little creativity today, too!

 
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New Stampin' Up! A Happy Thing Stamp Set

It's Thursday and that is a happy thing! Perfect for sharing the new Stampin' Up! A Happy Thing stamp set -- this one is a Sale-a-bration exclusive!

Isn't that lemon beautiful?

And the love life sentiment just fabulous?

I'm really loving this set and had so much fun putting together this card -- here it is in full:

A little stamping

A little color with Blendabilities

A little creating a paper ribbon

And a little bit of stitching

Put it all together and it makes for one __________________ card!

You tell me...how would you describe this one? I've got my adjective in mind and would love for you to leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

This is has been a big Stampin' Up! week!

See the new Occassions Catalog items.

Browse the Sale-a-bration exclusives.

Checkout the latest weekly deals.

Have a fabulous day and see you tomorrow with a new Five on Friday color combo!

 
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They're Here! They're Here!

What would they be? 

Why the Occassions Catalog and Sale-a-bration, of course! How fabulous for the the two of these to launch together today!

In honor of this, I've got a special blingy card for you, but first things first...

Take a look at the Occassions Catalog -- it is stunning inside and out!

click here or the image above to open the Occassions Catalog

And, now that you've started your wish list, take a look at the Sale-a-bration items you could receive:

click here or the image above to open the Sale-a-bration brochure

Here's the scoop with Sale-a-bration:

SHOP: Receive one free Sale-a-bration prodict for every $50 you spend (before tax and shipping)

JOIN: Purchase a Starter Kit for $99 filled with up to $125 in products PLUS choose from either a free project from the Occassion Catalog OR any 2 Sale-a-bration items. This is an incredible value and there's no obligation to purchse anything else and no risk to drop. The value is up to $149.95 in products and the kit ships free saving you $$$$....a definite win!

HOST: Receive $25 more in host dollars when the party sales are $250 or more!

And, now, the card!

You saw a peek at the front on Friday -- as a reminder, here it is:

With a little ribbon, sequins, and stitching, that card front morphed into this:

Which do you prefer? I always love to hear what you think!

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 

 
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