Paper, Scissors and Superheroes

Out to Sea Revisited...

Hello May!  I believe spring might finally be here in NW Iowa!  It's about time.  :-)  We've been enjoying some beautiful days, after a long winter and a pretty rough April with lots of ice and storms.  We're still cleaning up the mess around town!  Right now though, I am actually in Utah for our annual Paper Crafts magazine editorial board meeting.  So fun to see everyone and to meet and get to know the new Go-to Gals.  

But here on the blog, the first of the month means Papertrey Ink Sr Team challenge time once again.  This month we are featuring Out to Sea.  The nautical theme is to hot right now, so it seems like a perfect time to bring this set back to life.  

I'm always drawn to nautical things...not sure why, as I live thousands of miles away from the ocean.  I bought this scarf the other day...and it totally reminds me of the card I made for this challenge.  Funny thing is, I made the card first, then found the scarf while I was doing some shopping a few days later!  Nautical + neon.  Totally fun.  And I'm totally wearing it while I'm in Utah for ed board.  :-)

So here's my card using Out to Sea.  I used Enchanted Evening, Aqua Mist, and Berry Sorbet Cardstocks.  I trimmed them into 1" strips and stamped some of the elements from Out to Sea in the coordinating ink colors.  

The anchor was heat embossed with gold, then cut out and wrapped with some baker's twine.  The sentiment is from Out to Sea and was stamped onto a Countdown Details diecut.  I also added some star strips to the sides, which were cut using the Super Stars Border die.  It was a super easy card that came together quickly.  I think it would be a fun way to say "hey, hello" this summer.  

I thought I'd share a few other older cards that use bits and pieces from Out to Sea.  

There was my flip-flop card which uses the life preserver...

Then there was this teen guy birthday card that uses the compass...

And more recently, this card which I made a few months back for the release of Bountiful Banners...

Now be sure to hop around to the other Sr Team girls to "sea" what they've created with Out to Sea...

Melissa Phillips
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols
Nichole Heady
Maile Belles 

Newsy news...

Happy Monday! ..... oh, wait.  Where did Monday go?  I guess it's actually Tuesday...and for those of you that read my blog through email subscription, you're probably reading this on Wednesday.  I meant to have a blog post scheduled for early this morning, but my Monday ended up being a bit of a mess.  Just one of those days.  :-) 

So, anyway!  I'm glad you stopped by, but I'm going to be sending you off all over the web today.  First off, a fun announcement on the Paper Crafts Connection blog.  I finally get to share with you that I'll be continuing on as a Go-to Gal for the 2014-15 term.  I just couldn't imagine not working with the folks over at Paper Crafts magazine and I'm excited that they're allowing me to stay on for another term.  I'm also excited to have two of my best paper crafting friends staying on -- Teri and Kimmers, you know I love you girls!

On the other hand, I am so sad to see Jennifer, Windy, and Julie move on.  We worked so well together the past two years and I just love these girls!  They are so talented -- I know each of them has big things in store!

But every cloud has a silver lining, right?  Mine is that I will get to meet and work with three brand new Go-to Gals.  Making new friends (especially crafty friends) is always a good thing.  Be sure to visit the Paper Crafts Connection blog tomorrow (Wednesday) as the new girls will be having their big reveal.  So excited for these talented ladies!  I can't wait to see what they have up their creative sleeves for the next two years.  

Now, a few more places to send you off to.  First, it was my turn to post over on the Pink Paislee blog yesterday.  I created a birthday ensemble based on this month's sketch.  Click HERE to see the sketch and my projects...here's a peek.  

And last, but not least, I'm hosting this week's Make it Monday challenge for Papertrey Ink.  Click HERE to see the video where I show you the water color + heat embossing technique I've used here on my blog a few times in the last month or so.  Here's the project I'm showing you.  I'd love it if you'd play along and link up your creations.  All of the details are on Nichole's blog HERE.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  My kids are on spring break for the next week, so it's going to be busy around here.  Wish me luck.  :-)  See you back here soon.  

Card Creations...

Happy Wednesday!  Did you know there's a party going on over on the Paper Crafts Connection and Moxie Fab World blogs?  We're celebrating the release of the newest Card Creations special issue.  

The Card Creations issues are always some of my favorites.  And lucky me, it just happens to be my turn to blog on the Paper Crafts Connection blog.  Here's a peek at one of my projects I have posted there today.  Stop on over to check it out and also download the sentiment I used on this card.  You can also comment over there for your chance to win a copy of Card Creations Vol. 11.  And if you're up for a challenge, be sure to hop over to the Moxie Fab World blog where Cath is hosting fun challenges all week, inspired by cards from this issue.  

I hope you're having a great week....I'll be back Friday with a fun Papertrey Ink Design Team Tips post!  

Happy World Card Making Day!

Happy World Card Making Day!  I hope you're able to carve out a little time today to create a few cards.  I'm hoping to snuggle in and create a few myself.  Be sure to check out yesterday's post for some details on a few of this weekend's going-ons.  

I couldn't leave you today without a card, could I?  That just would seem right.  Here's one I created earlier this week.  

I saw these adorable washi flowers on Pinterest the other day and knew I wanted to give them a try and incorporate them into a card.  Definitely more of a hand-delivered type of card, but I'm kind of liking the flowers.  They were fun to make and just look cheery.  The background is from Basic Grey's new Soleil collection, which I'm totally loving...the colors are so fresh.  

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you have an awesome WCMD!

Oh, and if you're looking to do a little WCMD shopping, Ellen Hutson is running a site-wide sale on almost every product in the store!  Enter promo code WCMD2012 at checkout.  Enjoy.  :-)

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World Card Making Day is tomorrow!

Are you ready for the holiday that's just for us card makers?  World Card Making Day is this Saturday!  It's supposed to be coooooold here (yay!!!...sorry...ready for summer to come to an end), so hunkering down to do some creating sounds just perfect to me.  

Did you know that World Card Making Day was created by our very own Paper Crafts magazine?  Yup, it started just a mere 6 years ago, and wow has it grown.  Tons of manufacturers will be featuring challenges and giveaways on their blogs, so be sure to visit your favorites on Saturday!  I know Fancy Pants will have some fun things happening on their blog + a giveaway, so be sure to stop by on Saturday!

And of course, our World Card Making Day founders have tons of fun things going on...here are a few you might want to check out...

• There will be a party on the Paper Crafts Facebook where our lovely host, Susan, will be chatting it up all day.
• There will be posts and giveaways throughout the day on the Paper Crafts Connection blog
• Cath will have a giveaway in the Moxie Fab World
• If you find time to actually create (ha!) amidst all the blog posts and giveaways, you can share your creations HERE on the World Card Making Day gallery 
• If you're feeling the need for some inspiration, peruse the blog tour HERE

Oh, and if you happen to be tweeting about WCMD, let's see if we can get #worldcardmakingday trending on Twitter -- that would be pretty cool, don't ya think?  

Well, that oughta keep you busy for the day.  :-)  What fun.  I hope you have some time on Saturday to spend celebrating this little hobby of ours.  

 

Holiday Cards & More Go-to Gal Blog Hop & Giveaway...

This week, Paper Crafts magazine is celebrating the release of the latest edition of Holiday Cards & More on the Paper Crafts Connection blog and Moxie Fab World!  Be sure to stop by both blogs to see peeks of some of the great projects from its pages as well as play along with some challenges.  You can order your print copy HERE, or get the digital version HERE.  OR read on for a chance to win!

In honor of the new Holiday Cards & More issue, the Go-to Gals are treating you to a blog hop today.  This new issue has a whole section featuring fabulous photo cards.  For our hop today, the Paper Crafts team challenged each Go-to Gal to create another project of some sort that incorporates a photo.  I decided to create a gift card holder.  

While browsing through some of my photos, I came across this one of the gingerbread house my kids made last year and new it would be fun to pair it up with Papertrey's new Gingerbread Lane stamp set.  I printed my photos at home, sized just right so that I could diecut them with the Movers & Shakers Zipper die. 

The recipient can tear away the perforated strip along the top to reveal a gift card tucked inside.  

Such a fun use for a photo and a fun way to present a gift card.  You could definitely get creative with the photo you choose to use...it could be a winter scene, a photo of a pretty ornament, or anything else you could dream up....all you need to do is pull out your camera and snap away...that's the great thing about using photos in your projects!  

So what fun would a blog hop be without a giveaway?  I will choose one comment from this post to win a copy of this latest issue of Holiday Cards & More!  Comments will close at midnight Thursday night, September 20.  Be sure to visit the other Go-to Gals, as well as the Paper Crafts Connection blog to check out their photo projects and leave comments there for even more chances to win your copy!

• Julie Campbell
• Windy Robinson
• Jennifer McGuire
• Kim Kesti
• Teri Anderson

 

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Stamp it! Cards...

I hope you're all enjoying your summer!  I think I might be enjoying it a bit too much from the looks of this blog, huh?  Sorry the posts have been few and far between...I've been keeping up with assignments and such, but letting myself slack a little...guilt free.  Feels good to enjoy the kids and all the activities they have going on.  There will be plenty of quiet time for creating and blogging once school is back in session.  

I just thought I'd drop in and let you know that I'm blogging for Paper Crafts today.  Over on the Paper Crafts Connection blog we're celebrating the release of the latest Stamp it! Cards issue.  

Pop on over to the Paper Crafts Connection blog to see a card I created that was inspired by the cover of this new issue...and be sure to leave a comment to win a copy, along with some Hero Arts stamps!  

Here's a peek at my project I'm blogging there today....

You can purchase the new Stamp it! Cards here.  Don't feel like waiting?  Get the digital version instantly here!

Also, be sure to stop by the Moxie Fab World blog...Cath's got lots of fun challenges and peeks for you, straight from the pages of Stamp It! Cards vol 9!  

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DIY Canvas Embellishments...

Hey!  Just popping in to let you know I'm blogging over at Paper Crafts Connection today.  I have a quick tutorial for creating your own canvas embellishments.  Here's a peek at my project...head over to the blog and leave a comment for the chance to win some Canvas Corp goodies!

Thanks for taking a peek!  :-)  Be back soon...hopefully!  It's kind of crazy-sauce over here lately!

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Blogging on Paper Crafts Connection today + Giveaway...

Happy Wednesday!  I just wanted to give you a heads up about a fun giveaway over on the Paper Crafts Connection blog today.  I'm blogging about cards for Moms and Dads and we're offering up the This & That collections from Echo Park.  

Here's a peek at the project from my post today, which was inspired by a Father's Day card in the brand new May/Jun issue of Paper Crafts.  Click HERE to check it out and while you're over there, don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win those fun goodies! 

 

Go-to Gal Challenge: Bazzill Basics Paper...

Hey friends!  Back again today, this time with a Paper Crafts magazine Go-to Gal designer challenge.  Once a month we challenge eachother to create a project featuring a certain manufacturer.  There's no pressure, it's just for fun, and whoever has the time to play along, plays along!  This month we are featuring Bazzill Basics Paper.  Bazzill has been around for a long time and their cardstocks are one of the staples in this industry.  

My card today is all Bazzill with the exception of the sentiment stamp, which is from a Technique Tuesday set.  Those fun papers are from Bazzill's Avalon collection.  I have a thing for bright colored apple prints...if I find dresses or skirts in apple prints for my girls, I snatch them up!  Same goes for apple paper.  So this bright and fun apple print from the Avalon collection immediately caught my eye.

I hand cut three apple images from the patterned paper, stacked them up, and stitched down the center to create the fun dimensional apple.  The leaves were also cut from the same paper.  The sentiment was stamped onto some of their textured Two Scoops cardstock and embossed with Rouge Zing powder.

I posted a set of projects last week that used papers from the Avalon collection as well.  You can click HERE to check them out.

That's all from me today, but be sure to stop by my Go-to Gal buddies to check out what they've created with Bazzill products today!

• Julie Campbell
• Windy Robinson
• Jennifer McGuire
• Kim Kesti
• Teri Anderson

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