Paperville

Freshly Made Sketch 19 RED!...and a question for you!

2012-01-27T08:22:00.000-05:00

Lots of red!! As usual, I took great liberty with the Freshly Made Sketch! This is actually a pretty simple card, full of embossing. The dotted background (and I rushed it, so I am sorry it is not the cleanest embossing work!) is the Dot, Dot, Dot background stamp, and I partnered it with Festive & Fun. I also used one of the new edgelit dies for the scallop trim, along with one of the new border embossing folders, with little hearts!

I simply colored the image with a Real Red marker, and refrained from adding any additional anything....what do you think?

I have a question for you guys...I use Picasa to manage my photos, and have been using Picnik (embedded within Picasa) to edit my photos (changing the size, adding the watermark, etc). But Picnik is closing! (boo!!) and I am looking for some suggestions on a free and easy alternative....I am trying to keep my life simple! So if anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear!

Thanks!

stamps: Festive and Fun, Dot,Dot,Dot

cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White

inks: Basic Gray, Versamark, Real Red marker

tools: Edgelit Die Adorning Accents, Embossing Folder Adorning Accents

Lauri

Paper Players Clean and SImple with a tag

2012-01-26T15:03:00.002-05:00

Would you believe I made three cards for this challenge before I had one I would even consider posting? Between that and being really photo challenged....I will be glad when the weather is nicer and I can go back to taking photos outside!

This is a very simple card, using the set Hand Knit. I stamped the images in Marina Mist on Whisper white, and mounted on a Marina Mist cardbase. The outline was done by hand with a white gel pen....added a few pearls and a punched flower from the Itty Bitty punch set and done! Sorry the pic is not better!

~ Lauri

Our Creative Corner Inspiration Challenge

2012-01-25T16:59:00.003-05:00

Our Creative Corner has an inspiration challenge this week, and I rarely do those kinds of challenges but thought I would give it a try. But I really did not feel like making a card, so I decided to decorate a box!

The challenge was to be inspired by two elements in the picture, and to also incorporate a baby theme. I was going through some boxes and found this box that would make a great baby gift container. I do apologize the picture is not the greatest!

I was inspired by the colors and flowers in the picture, so I used Pool Party and Calypso Coral, paired with the Everyday Enchantment DSP from Sale a Bration.

Here is a close up! I also used the ala carte stamp, Bringing Baby, stamped on watercolor paper and colored with my ink pads and aquapainter, I made a few of those little rosebud thingys, and added some ribbon and a brad. I was somewhat inspired in the design by the Christmas Keepsake Box that Stampin Up offered back in December.

Love the colors!

stamps: Bringing Baby, Petite Pairs
cardstock: Calypso Coral, Everyday Enchantment
accessories: Incolor brads, Pool Party ruffled ribbon, Scallop edge punch

~ Lauri

pffffft

2012-01-22T12:57:00.002-05:00

My post title? That is the sound of my creative energy fizzling away....it was fun while it lasted! I think some stress at work has sucked it all up; I need to suck it back from work anxiety into creative energy!

I made this card this morning, using the Pals Paper Arts Sketch 127.

I tried using a different color combo than normal, in this case Perfect Plum and Blushing Bride with Whisper White. The flower is a few layers from Mixed Bunch; perfect plum cardstock on the bottom with layers of stamped images on vellum above. I used some of the retired In color dsp paper pack, and finished it off with a sentiment from Curly Cute. I crimped the end of the sentiment just for some additional texture.

Enjoy your day!

stamps: Mixed Bunch, Curly Cute

ink: Perfect Plum

cardstock: Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Vellum, retired incolor dsp

accessories: Labels framelit die, Blossom punch, pearl

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 18

2012-01-18T20:36:00.001-05:00

I always love the sketches over at Freshly Made and Linda has a fun one!

In my ongoing quest to use what I have, I took out the set, Plant Hope, and embossed this image in white on Baja Breeze. My go-to set Thank You Kindly is also embossed in white on vellum. I added pearls to the vellum strip as well and yes, I know they are crooked! lol

The DSP is from the new Twitterpatted paper; I just opened it tonight and there are some fun designs in there!!

Stamps: Thank you Kindly, Plant Hope

ink: Versamark

cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Vellum, Twitterpatted DSP

accessories: White WEmbossing powder, pearls

~ Lauri

Paper Piecing with a Twist

2012-01-17T08:34:00.002-05:00

This weeks Our Creative Corner is paper piecing with a twist....no ribbon and only one embellishment...yikes! After my less than simple Tea Shoppe cardy yesterday, I decided to go with today's Clean and SImple online class lesson....white space. It really helped this card come together.

I went with a 4 1/4" square card, and Concord Crush as my color. I used one of the stamps from the set I Heart Hearts, and embossed it in white before I cut it out. Some texture to the card base adds a little excitement! lol

I treated myself with a day off today to add to an already long weekend! Our first snow of the winter today too (not counting Snowtober, that is...)

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!

stamps: I Heart Hearts, teeny tiny wishes

cardstock: Whisper White, Concord Crush

ink: Concord Crush, Versamark

tools: White Embossing Powder, Dots embossing folder

accessories: rhinestone

~ Lauri

The Paper Players Color Challenge 78

2012-01-16T10:19:00.002-05:00

Beautiful colors from LeAnne this week! I actually made two cards; did not intend to, but I loved the colors so much I kept going last night.

I have had the new Tea Shoppe set on my desk waiting for inspiration, and these colors did it!

Here are a few highlights from the card:

I stamped the teacup on Whisper White and cut it out by hand; the tag is not just tucked in, but taped down...lol
I wanted to soften the DSP from Everyday Enchantment so I stamped the Netting background stamp in BLushing Bride on Vellum and adhered.
Since I am never sure how to hide the adhesive for vellum, I covered two edges with ribbon, and two other edges with buttons from the Twitterpatted button set.

Love the sentiment from this set; I embellished the inside with one of the new edge dies.

I also wanted to try a technique I saw on the Clean and SImple online class last week. These colors seemed to work well with it too so...

It is a fun tone on tone dimension technique. For each of the flowers, I punched several layers. Each flower is actually four layers; the top one is Calyso Coral, and the bottom three layers are Blushing Bride. This is so fun! Here is a close-up....

I love dimension; instead of seeing the dimensionals you see whatever color of cardstock you have chosen for the layers! LOTS of possibililties with this technique!

Holiday from work today! yay! I am thinkinh about my service goals for this year; I am organizing a Linus Make a Blanket event at work, and also going to pursue some work at the Ronald McDonald house in New Haven (Stampin Up is a huge supporter!)

Card One

stamps: Tea Shoppe

cardstock: Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz, Everyday Enchantment, Vellum

inks: Calypso Coral

accessories: Pear Pizazz ribbon, Twitterpated Blushing Bride buttons, white thread

Card two

stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes

cardstock: Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz

accessories: pearls, white embossing powder

ink: versamark

tools: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Itty Bitty Punches

~ Lauri

Friday Mashup Thanks!

2012-01-15T09:12:00.002-05:00

I am loving my burst of energy these days....hope it keeps up! lol Here is what I came up with for the Friday Mashup Challenge; a Thank you Card with or without DSP.

It is a little tough to see in this picture, but I curled the left end of the thanks (cased that idea from the upcoming SAB catalog!) Here is another picture I took inside. Another one of my goals....learn how to take better pictures! Look how different that Poppy Parade is between the two pics....

I curled the end around my paper piercing tool, and tied some bakers twine around it. The image, Outlined Occasions, is colored with markers and embellished a bit with glitter. Another Clean and Simple card! Hope you have a great Sunday! I wil be working on projects for my February class (held on January 31 if you will be in the area!)

stamps: Outlined Occasions
Cardstock: Poppy Parade, Just Add Cake DSP, Whisper White
inks/markers: Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, So Saffron
accessories: Early Espresso Bakers Twine, Glitter Pen

Lauri

Clean and Simple Week One

2012-01-14T15:06:00.001-05:00

I am taking the Clean and Simple Class over the next few weeks, hoping to learn some new angles to those clean and simple cards! While there is a weekly lesson, there are new posts and inspirations and tips every day! Tough for me to keep up, so I thought I would share one of my cards from the first week .

This went out in the mail for someone who's birthday is today...and I don't think she reads my blog, so it should still be a surprise!

On a fun note, I finally bought myself a new computer...so happy to be able to go back to Pinterest, comment on blogs, and do a bunch of stuff I just couldn't do anymore on my old laptop! In fact, my new monitor is larger than my television (as my daughter quickly pointed out)... ha!

stamps: Perfectly Penned, Mixed Bunch
cardstock: Concord Crush, Whisper White
inks: Concord Crush, Versamark
tools: White Embossing powder, blossom punch
accessories: Concord Crush ribbon

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 17

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Love the sketches at Freshly Made! Rita's is no exception!

I took some liberties with your sketch, Rita!

For the edge of the card, I used one of the new Edgelit; the newsprint edge is actually on the inside flap of the card
For the focal image, I stamped in Melon Mambo and Tangerine Tango an element from the SAB Set Fresh Vintage. I layered the Tangerine image in matching cardstock, and added a brad and sentiment from Tiny Tags.
The vertical images are also from the Fresh Vintage set, stamped on Very Vanilla.
The color is a bit off, but the cardstock base is Basic Gray.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

stamps: Fresh Vintage, Tiny Tags

inks: Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango

cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Newsprint

tools: Framelits Edgelits, brads, punches

~Lauri

An Essential Challenge Easel Card

2012-01-13T09:16:00.002-05:00

The lovely ladies over at the Essential Sketches challenge blog have an easel card challenge going on through Sunday, so while I am on a card-making tear thought I would create one!

Love the bird image from the Take it to Heart set. I stamped it in Stazon Black on watercolor paper, and colored with various aqua painters. I used the new Framelits heart die to cut it out, and paired it with Beau Chateau DSP. For colors, I chose Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Soft Suede. I also threaded taffeta ribbon through the punch and used pearls for accents.

Fun and a pretty card, if I do say so myself!

stamps: Take it to heart, Perfectly Penned

inks: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink

cardstock: Beau Chateau, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette

~ Lauri

The Paper Players are in Love

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Paper Players challenge this week is all about Love. Unfortunately, these cards are never at the top of my list! Guess that goes from being single...oh poor me... lol

I am taking the Clean and Simple online class and getting lots of ideas! This layout and design is from Day one of the class. I stamped the background with the I (love) love wheel stamp (that I un-mounted and use as a flat stamp). For the main panel, I use the new Fashionable Hearts embosslits die. The sentiment is from my stand-by set...Teeny Tiny Wishes.

The tag on the mug is from the I (heart) hearts set and the heart punch. That's all there is to this one!

stamps: I heart hearts, I love love, teeny tiny wishes

inks: rose red

cardstock: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Rose Red

accessories: Fashionable Hearts Sizzlits die

~Lauri

Show us your shape

2012-01-12T09:23:00.002-05:00

Great challenge over at Our Creative Corner! The challenge is to make a shaped card, and I decided to try a shaped card with the new Framelits Labels.

After I cut the card template using the largest die, I embossed it with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. On Whisper White, I stamped the image from Apothecary Art in Not Quite Navy and colored with blender pens and various colors (see below). I added some of the really small pearls, and curled the organza ribbon using my heat gun.

Card this shape doesn't stand up, though! Some bright colors for a rainy day!

stamps: Apothecary Art

cardstock: Poppy Parade, Whisper White

inks: Not Quite Navy, Poppy Parade, Tangerine Tango, Pear Pizazz, Garden Green

accessories: Framelits Labels Die, pearls, organza ribbon

~ Lauri

Friday Mashup Challenge 40

2012-01-11T08:56:00.001-05:00

I am spending a lot of my time on challenges these days and I hope I inspire you at a a little in my endeavors! This week's Friday Mashup challenge is Birthday theme, or pastels...or both! I love the options the Friday Mashup ladies give us!

I ended up making two cards, both using the Beau Chateau DSP, Paper Doily Die and the Elementary Elegance set from the upcoming SAB catalog.

When I am looking for a sketch as inspiration, I usually turn to Mojo Mondays. This is a take on a sketch from a few weeks ago; I rarely enter those challenges though...I am just too intimidated by the talent!

For the first card, I chose the color scheme Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette to pair with the Beau Chateau DSP. The second card focuses on Marina Mist and Soft Suede. Not really too pastel-ly....but definitely birthday cards! I also used vellum as one of the layers, stamping the frame image from Elementary Elegance on vellum in Soft Suede.

So I am about the bite the bullet and invest in a new PC. My laptop is going on four years old and is really not cooperating as of late. I used to use Pinterest but cannot even pin stuff anymore! My printer died as well. While I am excited about new technology...not so excited about getting everything there and reinstalling stuff!

I am also taking the Clean and Simple Card class (ha! already behind!) so I will be posting some of those cards soon!

stamps: Elementary Elegance

cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Vellum, Beau Chateau DSP

inks: Marina Mist, Soft Suede

accessories: Pearls, Paper Doily Die, Chantilly Crochet Trim, LInen Thread

~ Lauri

Not sure about this one!

2012-01-08T09:08:00.000-05:00

Ever make a card and think....not sure i like this! Well, I wanted to make a card for this week's Freshly Made Sketch challenge, and I also wanted to use one of the new Sale-A-Bration sets, Sprinkled Expressions. So I challenged myself to make it work!

I did take some liberties with the sketch; I was determined to create a card with this set...although i will admit I found it challenging and not sure I really like how it ended up!

Anyway....I am on the hunt for samples using this set! I think it may be better suited towards gift tags...maybe I will try that!

stamps: Sprinkled Expressions
cardstock: Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Vellulm
inks: Versamark, Poppy Parade
tools/accessories: White Embossing Powder, pearls, Square Lattice embossing folder

~ lauri

SBEBC Challenge 4

2012-01-07T08:54:00.003-05:00

Time to keep adding to my birthday card pile with a sketch from Scrapbook Essentials BC!

This is a gatefold card which is about as crazy as I get lately! lol I watercolored the image from Uncharted Territory, and paired it with the Well Worn DSP.

Here is a picture of it opening; I used two of these large rivets that I found in my drawer; I have two containers and I don't know why! Guess I had some project in mind ! I also used Early Espresso Bakers Twine.

Inside I stamped the other image from the set as a watermark along with the Happy Birthday sentiment from Loved Ones. That's it! Off to enjoy the 50 degree weather! Cannot believe it is January in Connecticut....this was last January...one of many HUGE storms...hoping we continue this pattern of lovely weather!

stamps: Uncharted Territory, Loved Ones
inks: Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Versamark, cherry cobbler, baja breeze, crump cake, early espresso
cardstock: Early Espresso, Naturals White, Watercolor, Well Worn DSP
tools: Aqua Painters, Cropadile, black embossing powder
accessories; large rivets, bakers twine, dimensionals

~ Lauri

January class cards

2012-01-03T18:00:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone...back to a regular schedule!! As much as I enjoy the holidays, it is nice to get back to a schedule ! I thought I would share my January class cards with you today; here is what we are doing tonight! Birthday cards are the topic!

(above technique cased from Jan Tink)

If you have any questions or want any more info on any of them, let me know!

~ Lauri

Our Creative Corner Celebration Color Challenge

2012-01-01T11:54:00.002-05:00

Starting the new year off with a colorful challenge from our Creative Corner! I pulled out one of the more popular sets of the past year, Delicate Doilies, for this bright color combo.

I used Melon Mambo for the bright pink, Wild Wasabi for the bright Green, Daffodil Delight for the Bright Yellow and Concord Crush for the Bright Purple.

Another card for my birthday pile....here are the details...

The Birthday Image is stamped on Daffodil Delight using Concord Crush. The Image is from the hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes.
The Melon Mambo doily is cut from the Flirtations Specialty Paper suite.
For the embossed layer below the doily, I stamped various images from the Delicate Doilies set in Versamark on Concord Crush and embossed in melon mambo, wild wasabi or white. I colored the white embossing with a yellow marker. I then cut it our using the Scallop circles 2 die.
I used another sheet from the Flirtatious Specialty paper as the layer under the focal piece, layering it on Wild Wasabi and Concord Crush.
Inside I stamped one of the Delicate Doily images in Wild Wasabi.

2012 is off to a bright start!

~ 2012

Happy 2012!

2011-12-31T19:35:00.002-05:00

Happy 2012 to everyone out there! I wanted to share a few thank you notes I made in the new year theme, thanking my daughter (and my sister for her help) for my big Christmas gift this year, a Silhouette Cameo.

Hope you and yours have a wonderful, healthy and successful new year!

~ Lauri

Getting back in the groove

2011-12-28T09:17:00.003-05:00

Hoping everyone had a wonderful holiday! I know we did! I didn't realize I had not posted since the 16th...but that last week of elf-work was crazy! and my computer is not cooperating these days. It is four years old and probably time to be retired.

I am so ready to move into the new year with new products. Saleabration time and the new mini catalog have tons...yesterday was the first time I had the opportunity to open up my pre-order and I cased the SAB catalog to get out of holiday mode.

I really love this SAB paper, it has two of my favorite colors! Pool Party and Poppy Parade. Here are the details...

I chose one of the patterns from the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper for the card background, mounting the Poppy Parade pattern on Pool Party.
From the Occasions Mini, I used the new Paper Doily Sizzlits Die in Pool Party.

Trick! Removing the pieces from the cut piece can be a bit tricky, but if you roll the paper first it helps pop some out! Also, I found that adding a shim helps a bit. It is a beautiful die and worth the effort!

The Butterfly is cut using the Beautiful Butterflies Die in another pattern from Everyday Enchantment. I sponged the edges in Poppy Parade as well.
For the center of the buttefly, I chose an image from the coordinating Fresh Vintage set, and stamped it in Poppy Parade. The brad is from the coordinating Everyday Enchantment Brad pack.
Last but not least, the sentiment is stamped in Poppy Parade. This set, Occasions Alphabet, was on Clearance and I grabbed it when it was! I just don't have enough sentiment stamps! (can you ever???) lol

Hope you are inspired as I was with all the new items!

~ Lauri

My card got run over by a reindeer.....

2011-12-16T15:31:00.001-05:00

I knew that title would get your attention! One thing I like about this time of year is how quickly my work day goes from absolutely crazy busy to....no one around and lots of cancelled meetings. I took a half hour at lunch today to make a card and it was a nice break!

I was inspired by The Friday Mashup Challenge, Chip off the old block. and a Mojo Monday sketch for additional inspiration.

Chipboard and/or distressing....two things that are definitely WAY outside my comfort zone! and the distressing made me think of my card being run over by a reindeer! So I struck while the inspiration was hot, so to speak...

The butterflies are cut out of chipboard and the Well Worn DSP. I attached the DSP to the chipboard with adhesive sheets before I put it through the Big Shot. After that, I distressed a bit with Not Quite Navy ink and sanded the edges. The other DSP is all from the Well Worn DSP set, distressed along the edges with the edging tool and inked a bit. I made the flower by threading and gathering the crochet lace.

I also used my crimper on one piece of DSP to add a little more texture. No Christmas in this card at all!!

stamp: Perfectly Penned

cardstock: Well Worn, Not Quite Navy, Naturals Ivory

ink: Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze

accessories: Chipboard, Adhesive Sheets, pearls, Crochet Lace and thread, Beautiful Butterflies Die

~Lauri

PPCCCMCSBEBC...three challenges!

2011-12-15T16:25:00.000-05:00

I don't usually combine a lot of challenges, but I really wanted to do the Paper Players color challenge...and then I needed a sketch so I saw the Create with Connie and Mary sketch...then Lesley told me about a new challenge blog and saw they have an embossing challenge going on so....this card was born!

I am tired of Christmas cards too! I love this set from the Holiday Mini, You Are Loved. The heart image is embossed in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla. The DSP strip is from the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP, also in the Holiday Mini. I used the Lovely Lines embossing folder on the gold layer, and stamped another image from You Are loved in Vanilla Craft in on the Very Vanilla layer. The sentiment, also from that set, is embossed in Cherry Cobbler and adhered with a Cherry Cobbler brad.

I just realized the Paper Players Challenge was a CAS one...oops! I hope the PP ladies forgive me!! lol

Here are the challenges and links in case you want to join in!

stamps: You Are Loved

inks: Versamark, Very Vanilla Craft
cardstock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Gold, Holly Berry Bouquet
accessories: Lovely Lines embossing folder, Cherry Cobbler embossing powder, Cherry Cobbler brad, powder pal

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 15

2011-12-14T07:44:00.000-05:00

My oh-so-fun run as a guest designer at Freshly Made Sketches is coming to a close, sniff sniff...I have been so honored to be able to join these uber-talented ladies!

Cindy challenged us with a sketch that made me go ...hmmm....tricky one! and all this pressure to go out with a bang with my last card!! lol

I was going to try to not do a Christmas card, but the first image that came to my head was the tree from Christmas Lodge. I paired it with DSP from the Frostwood lodge DSP package, and selected a color theme of Whisper White, Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler.

Channeling Ann Schach, I added pearls to the tree and as a border on the bottom. The sentiment is stamped in Cherry Cobbler on vellum, and wrapped around the layer. Not the "out with a bang" I hoped for, but a pretty card none the less!

Check out the Design Team inspiration and join us for the last Freshly Made Sketch for 2011! The team will be back in January with more fun and I can't wait to play along!

stamps: Christmas Lodge

cardstock: Frostwood lodge, whisper white, cherry cobbler, garden green, vellum

ink: garden gree, cherry cobbler

accessories: pearls

~ Lauri

Mashed Up Snowman

2011-12-10T09:07:00.001-05:00

I was so excited to see I was chosen over at the Friday Mashup as part of last weeks Glam Squad for my shaker card! Such pressure!!! lol...so I thought I would do another card for their snowman/color challenge.

Feature a snowman...or use the colors Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze and Basic Gray....or both. After searching through my sets, I found one snowman in last years Jolly Old Saint Nick set. Can you believe this is the only snowman stamp I have???

I also had the bright idea to use window sheets with the card. It is difficult to tell in this picture but here is what I did!

I made the card as usual, using Baja Breeze as my card base, and layered with some retired Blushing Bride patterns paper. I colored the snowman with blender pens and added the sentiment.
I cut and scored a medium window sheet to the same size as the card (8 1/2 by 5 1/2).
On the front of the window sheet card, I stamped the snowflakes from the set with Versamark, then added heat and stick powder and dazzling diamonds. This is the first time I have used that powder! What took me so long?? lol
To attach the window sheet card to the card base, I punched two holes in the fold of the card and threaded silver twine and some clear tinsel twine (also from last year), tied a bow and added a few bells.

With this bow, won't fit very well in an envelope!
Hope you are well and not fighting the cold that I am ! cough cough cough!

stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick
inks: Stazon Black, Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray
cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Window Sheet (medium), Blushing Bride Patterns Pack (hostess, retired)
accessories: silver twine, clear tinsel (retired), bells

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 14

2011-12-06T21:02:00.001-05:00

oh boy! I really love how my card came out this week...normally I don't feel so excited but this one really came together, and all thanks for a great sketch from Jen!

I finally broke open the shaker frames from the Holiday Mini Catalog; they make shaker cards so easy!! I used this image from Gift Givers, that coordinates with punches perfectly. The frame is filled with just a little bit of Mica Flakes. You don't need much at all! I also added some Dazzling Diamonds to the little girls hat and the snow for some extra sparkle.

The image is stamped on Very Vanilla and colored with blender pens and reinkers. The card uses different patters from the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP paired with Wild Wasabi and Cherry Cobbler. The background with the four squares is embossed using the Snow Burst embossing folder for an inlaid embossed look. I added a little sentiment with the Tiny Tags set and punch.

I even made it in a second color scheme, using Letters the Santa DSP.

These cards are 4 1/2" square so they fit in a regular A2 envelope. Hope you can join us this week! Check out the other Design Team inspiration at Freshly Made Sketches!

ETA: I just entered this in the weekly Friday Mashup Challenge..Shaker cards!

stamps: Gift Givers, Tiny Tags
cardstock: card 1: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Holly Berry Bouquet; card 2: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Letters to Santa
inks: card 1: Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Blushing Bride; card 2: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Blushing Bride
accessories: Shaker Frame, punches, mica flakes, dazzling diamonds, Snow Burst Embossing Folder

~ Lauri

Holiday Hoopla!

2011-12-04T11:23:00.001-05:00

Love the name of this weeks challenge at the Paper Players!

So I put together a very quick card this morning; it is pretty simple but I am sure it will go to someone who is a dog lover!

stamps: Friends Fur-Ever, Petite Pairs

inks: Early Espresso, Marina Mist

cardstock: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Letters to Santa DSP

Accessories: Early Espresso Bakers Twine, bells

~ Lauri

The Paper Players Sketch 74

2011-12-01T14:42:00.001-05:00

I need another birthday card this week!! I turned to The Paper Players sketch for inspiration!

Since I had Just Add Cake DSP out already, I used the Up in the Air set for a quick card!

stamps: Up in the Air

inks: So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze

cardstock: Baja Breeze, Just Add Cake DSP

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 13

2011-11-30T07:33:00.001-05:00

Another week! Another great sketch, this time from lesley! I am so lucky to be able to join these ladies for November! How fun is this sketch????

I have a few birthdays coming up, so I interpreted the sketch a bit differently and used the Party this Way set along with the Just Add Cake DSP for a bright birthday card. I also used the Festive Finishes Letterpress Plate, inking it with Versamark for a tone on tone effect.

Hope you play along with us this week!!

stamps: Party This Way

ink: Versamark, Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait

cardstock: Just Add Cake DSP, Whisper White, Peach Parfait

accessories: Word Window punch, White Bakers Twine, Festive Finishes Letterpress plate, sprinkles

~ Lauri

One more card for class!

2011-11-28T19:09:00.001-05:00

Here is what I came up with for my last card for class tomorrow night; not a Christmas card, but Christmas colors!

This set is so pretty but gets lost in the Holiday Mini! This is a case of a card I saw by Cherie on Stampcrave. She has made several beautiful cards with this set. i used the designer frame embossing folder and stamped the flowers around it. I added a few on dimensionals as well as the pearls. Some of the flowers are stamped off as well. A very pretty set!

~ Lauri

Class cards!

2011-11-27T12:22:00.001-05:00

Today I am getting ready for my last class of the year, and thought I would share a few of the cards and project we are making!

First...this card is a take-off of a tag I saw in the Holiday Mini Catalog, using the Festive Finishes Letterpress Plate. A bit more rustic than usual for me.

Next, my take on a card I saw on Jan Tink's blog and Darlene's Designs. A very simple, quick card that is perfect to mail. I just could not find the perfect sentiment for the outside, though. Heavens...could I possibly need MORE sentiments? lol

and Santa....totally cased from Mary! Filled with chocolate, of course!

I am debating on the third card to make; I will come up with something and I don't think it will be a Christmas card!

~ Lauri

Happy Thanksgiving with the Paper Players!

2011-11-24T03:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends!!! Here is a snow inspired card for you going with the Paper Players Challenge CAS colors for this week, thanks to Jaydee!

How pretty to look at all the samples on their page in these colors! A beautiful combination! I used the alacarte stamp Simple Snowflake and the punch, along with the sentiment from the Beautiful Season set for my card. I love the combination of Night of Navy and the Brushed Silver cardstock. I embossed the snowflake in Silver on Night of Navy and punched out, mounting on a circle. The background is the image stamped in Night of Navy on silver (one of my favorite techniques when I want to mimic DSP!)

If you are celebrating the holiday today, hope you have a fun time filled with family, friends and good food!

stamps: Simple Snowflake, Beautiful Season

cardstock: Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Night of Navy

ink: Versamark, Night of Navy

accessories: silver embossing powder, rhinestones, snowflurry embossing folder

~Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch #12 by Jen!

2011-11-23T06:11:00.000-05:00

Here we are! Thanksgiving already!! I am thankful for many things. but one thing in particular is all my crafty friends out there! Jen has a great sketch for us this week!

Although I was tempted to do another Thanksgiving or Christmas card, I decided to go with a all occasion card using the stamp set, Creative Elements.

The background is actually one of the stamps from the set, stamped randomly in three different colors (Pretty in Pink, Riding Hood Red and Pool Party). The other images are stamped in Riding Hood Red or Pretty in Pink. I stamped the focal flower three times and cut out layers to add some dimension. I also outlined the flower using a glitter pen.

I made this card at 4AM...after a couple of days recovering from the two day craft show. I don't bounce back like I used to! LOL

Another fun sketch from the ladies at FMS! Be sure to stop by and check out the samples, and be sure to enter yours!

stamps: Creative Elements

cardstock: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red

inks: Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink, Pool Party

~ Lauri

Calendar Gift

2011-11-17T04:29:00.001-05:00

I am making a few of these to sell this weekend at the craft fair; not sure how they will sell so I only made three different ones. This style matches this week's Paper Players color challenge!

I used a free calendar template from Cats Creative Place. She has SO many freebies!! So generous of her to offer these! The case is from Calendar Case. I had bought a bunch last year but never made any! I simply stamped randomly using the Homegrown Stamp set in the challenge colors. This would make a great gift for the cook in your life! For my calendars I stamped each month the same since I am running out of time, but how fun would it be to stamp each month differently! Maybe next year.... lol

Stamps: Homegrown

Cardstock: Whisper White

inks: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, River Rock

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 11 from Linda

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Another week and another Freshly Made Sketch! This one is brought to us by Linda!

I decided to pair the Autumn Spice DSP with the Day of Gratitude set, highlighting the inlaid embossing technique.

For the base layer, I used two pieces of DSP embossed together through the Square Lattice folder. I stamped the Day of Gratitude in Soft Suede then cut it out and adhered it to a piece of pool party. Before I ran it through the Square Lattice folder, I stamped the image again in Pool party and cut out the center part of the image.

Hope you get a chance to play along! These sketches are so fun and the inspiration is limitless!

stamps: Day of Gratitude

cardstock: Naturals White, Pool Party, Autumn Spice DSP

ink: Soft Suede, Pool Party

~ Lauri

Scrapbookers Paradise Sketch Challenge 41

2011-11-15T12:24:00.001-05:00

I have taken a few days off to prepare for the one and only Holiday Craft fair I am doing this weekend, and took a break to join in the Scrapbookers Paradise Sketch Challenge. A challenging sketch indeed!

I love using vellum, but inevitably always smudge something! Here is my interpretation on the sketch, using the Christmas Lodge stamp set and Frostwood Lodge DSP. I stamped the tree in Garden Green on vellum, and the sentiment in Cherry Cobbler on vellum. Both on mounted on DSP from the set. I took a picture before the glue had dried (since the rain is coming!) so sorry you can still see my adhesive beneath the vellum!

Back to the craft fair mines for me!

Stamps: Christmas Lodge

Cardstock, DSP: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Frostwood Lodge DSP, Vellum

inks: Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler

~Lauri

Paper Players 71: Ann Marie's Recipe Challenge

2011-11-10T17:34:00.001-05:00

okay...the Paper Players ladies came up with a doozy of a challenge this week! A doozy for me, at least!

Actually it was a lot of fun to do! After finding two ribbons I could use, the hardest thing for me was adding the glitter! I am not a big glitter-er! lol

I used the Frostwood Lodge DSP as my "palatte", so to speak, accenting with Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green and Whisper White cardstock. The Design is completed using the 1" punch, with opposite corners of each square rounded. The Circle behind the design was created with the 2 1/2" punch embossed with the Snow Burst embossing folder.

Silver Glass glitter was adhered around the circle and in the center, along with around the sentiment which is from the Jolly Old Saint Nick set. Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White ribbon complete the recipe! I think I did it!! lol

stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick

ink: Cherry Cobbler

Cardstock: Whisper White, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Frostwood Lodge DSP

Accessories: 1" square punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, silver glass glitter, cherry cobbler seam binding, white 1/4 grosgrain

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 10 by Rita

2011-11-09T07:11:00.000-05:00

Rita has a fun sketch for us all this week on Freshly made Sketches!

Since I have been in simple mode lately, thinking about cards easy to make a lot of, here is what i came up with!

This is such a fun a'la carte stamp in the current catalog! I chose a color scheme that goes along with this plaid from the Letters from Santa DSP. After stamping the image on whisper white in early espresson, i re-stamped the ornaments in Ridinghood Red and Marina mist, then cut them out...adhered and covered in crystal effects. Picture is a bit off on the sharpness, making them look more blurry than they are!

I used white bakers twine to break up the background into thirds. All in all, a card that takes a few minutes to finish the ornaments, but pretty quick!

I love seeing everyone's samples every week! I always learn new techniques and get lots of inspiration! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Check out the design team for more inspiration!

stamp: Something for Christmas

cardstock, DSP: Ridinghood red, whisper White, letters to santa

ink; early espresso, marina mist, riding hood red

accessories; crystal effects, white bakers twine

~ lauri

Keeping it simple

2011-11-06T11:11:00.003-05:00

That is the theme for my November class! Here is another card we will be making, cased from Deb's at ArtFelt Impressions.

The wreath is stamped from the Delicate Doilies set in Old Olive on Whisper White; the inside is punched with a 1: circle and the entire image punched with 2 1/2". I mounted the image using dimensionals on white..then on Cherry Cobbler then on a white card base. The ribbon is the Cherry Cobbler quilted satin ribbon from the current Holiday Mini, and the sentiment is from Curly Cute...stamped in Cherry Cobbler.

Lastly, I added some rhinestones to the wreath, colored with a cherry cobbler marker. I really like the way this card looks!

stamps: Delicate Doilies, Curly Cute

inks: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

accessories: rhinestones, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin Ribbon

tools: 1" and 2 1/2" punches, dimensionals, stampamajig

~ Lauri

I think I need to get my eyes checked

2011-11-04T08:43:00.003-04:00

Off center sentiments, crooked sentiments, blah blah blah...maybe I need to get my eyes checked? Any why don't I ever see these things until I look at the picture?? Anyhoo, I made a quick card before work this morning. Inspired by this weeks Paper Players Fall theme, I will be teaching this card on Tuesday at my November technique class.

I used the faux tile technique, by scoring the lines first, then stamping lightly over the grid. Not the best representation of the technique, but you get the idea, I hope. I am going with more simple cards for my November class, so I hope they like this one. I know they will be surprised there are only two layers (instead of the usual 12! LOL).

Hope all is well where-ever you are!

stamps: French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes

cardstock: Naturals White, Rich Razzleberry

inks: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 9

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I am so honored that Lesley has asked me to be a guest designer for the month of November on Freshly Made Sketches! I had such a great time (and still do!) playing along with the Paper Players and Freshly Made..a wonderful, fun, creative group of stamp artists!

Here is my first creation for this month, Sketch 9 by Tui!

Even with our early snowstorm this weekend, I am still not quite in the holiday mood so I went with an Autumn card. I have done this technique before and love it! A great way of using one of the A La Carte stamps from the current catalog.

I paired the stamp with Autumn Spice paper, focusing on the colors of More Mustard, Soft Suede and Pool Party.I realized after I made it the sentiment is a little off center...sorry about that! Don't you hate how you immediately see the flaws in whatever you make??

Check out the other Design Team members cards, and play along with us this week!

stamps: Triple Treat Flower, Teeny Tiny Wishes

cardstock/DSP: More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Autumn Spice DSP

inks: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Pear Pizazz

tools: Crystal Effects, Square Lattice Embossing Folders, punches

~ Lauri

Snowtober and a Hogwarts Halloween

2011-10-30T19:20:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone..this is a non-crafting post (unusual for me but wanted to fill you in on my sporadic posting as of late!) The Hogwarts Halloween is over and here are a few pictures of the banners my daughter made for the Great Hall! The shirts they sold are great...they say "I solemnly swear I am up to no good" on the front, which people tell me is from the book. But since I have not read the books...I really don't know!

She really did a great job! We worked registration for the 100 kids at the Saturday event and they all had a great time. Then...the snow came....Snowtober...totally unexpected for our part of Connecticut since we expected mostly rain and only an little snow.

Here is what we woke up to this morning after a very scary night...

That is our front yard.

and under that pile of branches...my car. Very scary last night hearing all the branches cracking and falling....and thunder and lightning on top of it! But...we have power!! yay!! So I have recovered from a few weeks of less than optimum sleep and back to crafting! and a craft show in November too!! So stop by on Wednesday for a Freshly Made Sketch card!

~ Lauri

Escape from Hogwarts

2011-10-20T13:44:00.000-04:00

I took a few minutes early this morning to stamp some very quick Christmas Tags as I am coming up with ideas for the Holiday fair I am doing next month. Inspiration? This week's Paper Players Challenge....Christmas in Red and Green!

Thank goodness it is a Clean and SImple Challenge! I don't have time for much more these days...more on that below....

These were created using the Two Tags die, real red and garden green DSP, Stiched Stocking and the Stocking punch. Very fun and bright...and very quick!

So, ever wonder what 150 handmade Hogwarts Wands look like??

A local library is having a Hogwarts Halloween experience next weekend for kids (and adults!) and I am on the wand committee. Actually, my name in the event brochure is head Witch of Wands, while my daughter is the Conjurer or Crafts and Chaos. So, 300 wands are made...another 150 to go this weekend! We ordered a custom made stamp of Ollivander's Wand Shoppe and we will be stamping tags for each wand. I am thinking the tags need to be distressed...but then I remember there are 450 tags...so I think...maybe not!

Vicky is painting banners of each of the four schools for the grand hall. Here are pics of two in progress.

I will definitely post pics when they are done! If you are interested in more on the event, especially if you live in Connecticut and would like to go, here is a link to a video our CoChair did for a local news program!

A Hogwarts Halloween: wtnh.com

Fair season starts!

2011-10-16T11:07:00.002-04:00

I only do a handful of fairs each year, and yesterday was the first! I had a small table at my nephew's elementary school fall festival. Not a big shopping venue for parents chasing their kids, but a lot of fun to see all the costumes!

Here is a look at my table before the wind blew it away! lol

The bowls of candy corn are actually decorations; I had three rosettes on sticks to spell out BOO to stand up in them...but they kept blowing over! The little bags in the front right were made with the Fancy Favor die to look like witches broom, and filled with candy! I also had some small wood blocks I covered with DSP and mod podge and embellished with Spooky Bingo Bits from MDS.

A few other items...

I used the 5x8 cello bags from the Holiday Mini for sets of pencils! They are perfect size! I topped them with the Halloween image from Gift Givers and a little ribbon tag.

My favorite item, a medallion wreath using the Frightful Sight DSP and build a brad. I also added a few embellished centers using Spooky Bingo Bits and MDS! The bingo bits sets are great to use in MDS, because you can so quickly resize and recolor them. I used them quite a bit on this and the little candy boxes I made!

Lastly...a nice blurry photo! Sorry, but I wanted to show you one other thing I had for sale. I used Decor Elements on a glass block and put battery operated lights inside. I took the picture at 4AM on my deck to see what it look like! Sorry it is blurry!

So all in all, a windy day that came to an early end with rain, but thanks to my generous sister....and a few folks who stopped by my table, I made out okay!

Now off to finish up wands and banners for A Hogwarts Halloween at the Blackstone Library. I will have to share those pics when everything is done!

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch #6

2011-10-11T21:29:00.000-04:00

What a nice surprise I had when Lesley, from The Paper Players and Freshly made Sketches asked me to create a card for this week's sketch challenge and be featured!! I have been playing along (although I missed last week...bah!) and hope you do too!

In the midst of Halloween, autumn and Christmas fair preparation, I decided to use a set from the current catalog that is so much fun....Take a Spin! I added a birthday hat using Pennant Parade, and the sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

For the color combo, I used this combination from the Color Coach: Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler and Pumpkin Pie. Hope you like this card, more of a masculine card than I typically make! Check out the Design Team Samples this week! They are always wonderful!! Looking forward to seeing you all play along!

stamps: Take A Spin, Pennant Parade, Teeny Tiny Wishes

inks: Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie

cardstock: Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, retired hostess paper pack

accessories: Cherry Cobbler Twine, punches and Game Spinner

Paper Players Theme Challenge 66

2011-10-02T19:14:00.002-04:00

This weeks Paper Players challenge is to create a project inspired by a favorite song. One my favorite holiday songs is Celebrate Me Home, by Kenny Loggins. We happen to be making this card at my October card class too! So I present my version of the popular front door card seen and created by many in blogland!

Many versions of this card use Very Vanilla and sponge the edges, but I like the clean look of an all white card. I did make the card in other versions to show my class, so they can see the variety of looks...this is my favorite though!

For those wondering, the panels of the front door at 1 1/2" square for the top two, then 1 1/2" by 2 1/2" for the bottom two. I used dimensionals for all the panels.

Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Welcome Christmas, Tiny Tags

cardstock: Whisper White

inks: Garden Green, Real Red

accessories: red rhinestones, silver sprinkle, jump ring, Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Freshly Made Sketch 4

2011-09-30T17:05:00.000-04:00

Another Freshly Made Sketch! A bold, bright card for me this time!

I used two sets and coordinating punches on this card, Pennant Parade (and the pennant punch) and Create a Cupcake (and the cuild a cupcake punch). I love putting little flags on cupcakes, and thought the two sets together would be fun! You could also take the little flag (which is on a toothpick) and put it right into a cupcake!

Just Add Cake DSP made this card really easy to come together, with the colors of Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi. My sister's birthday is next week and I think this will go to her!

Hope all is well where-ever you are!~

stamps: Create a Cupcake, Pennant Parade

inks: Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi, Versamark

cardstock/DSP: Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Just Add Cake DSP

accessories: punches (Pennant, Cupcake), Wild Wasabi embossing powder, large label punch, 1/2" inch punch

~Lauri

Simple Beautiful Season

2011-09-27T14:15:00.005-04:00

We will be making a few holiday cards in my October technique class, and this one is pretty simple but is pretty! I colored the image from Beautiful Season using markers then mounted on a few layers of whisper white. A layer of Cherry Cobbler embossed with Snow Burst finishes it off! Hope they like it!

stamps: Beautiful Season

cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler

inks: Cherry cobbler plus assorted markers

tools: Snow Burst Embossing folder

accessories: rhinestones

~Lauri

Paper Players Sketch Challenge 65

2011-09-25T13:18:00.000-04:00

Lots of leaves on this one! I think I may have gone overboard.....lol. I had started this card yesterday and decided to use it for today's Paper Players Sketch challenge.

I paired the Gently Falling set with the Spice Cake DSP, in the colors of Pear Pizazz, Soft Suede and River Rock. Not really crazy about my ribbon knot...or this card...! But I wanted to try to get a quick card in today! Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Gently Falling, Petite Pairs

cardstock: Pear Pizazz, River Rock, Soft Suede, Spice Cake DSP, Naturals White

ink: Pear Pizazz, River Rock, Soft Suede

Accessories: Retired River Rock ribbon, Pear Pizazz ribbon

~Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch 3

2011-09-24T13:03:00.003-04:00

Another fun Freshly Made Sketch! Doing a "clean" card can be a bit of a challenge if you (like me) think too much about it!

I interpret clean to have lots of open/white space, while not free of embellishments and layers it has a more open feel to it...not distressed either, but straight lines.

I also decided to use the Summer Soltice set with autumn colors. Early morning today, lots of activity outside my window with squirrels and chipmunks so I guess they are getting ready for fall. The trees are changing as well!

Hope all is well whereever you are!

stamps: Summer Soltice, Thank you Kindly

ink: Cajun Craze, Versamark

cardstock: Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, More Mustard

tools: crimper, white embossing powder, stampamajig

~Lauri

Paper Players CAS Challenge

2011-09-23T15:42:00.005-04:00

Another fun Paper Players Challenge! It has been such a busy week, this one card took me all week to make!! A few minutes here...a few minutes there....

I used the new ala carte stamp, Bringing Baby, stamped in Stazon and watercolored using markers and aquapainters. I need more stamping time!

~ Lauri

Freshly Made Sketch Challenge 2

2011-09-18T08:52:00.002-04:00

I am loving the sketches and inspiration over at Lesley's Freshly Made Sketches! Here is the sketch!

I finally decided to use some of the Spice Cake DSP available in the current mini catalog and LOVE it! It is so pretty! I paired it with the Day Of Gratitude set, stamped in Soft Suede, More Mustard and Pool Party.

Paper this pretty makes a card easy to pull together. Once I decided on the colors, it came together very quickly! Thanks for stopping by and hope all is well in your part of the world!

stamps: Day of Gratitude

cardstock/DSP: Spice Cake DSP, Soft Suede, Pool Party, More Mustard

inks: Soft Suede, Pool Party, More Mustard

accessories: Pool Party ruffled ribbon, pearls, label punch

~ Lauri

Paper Players Color Challenge 63

2011-09-15T12:29:00.004-04:00

Oh color challenges!

Always tough for me! You know when you have a vision...but just cannot quite execute it?? Well, here is my card...I bit boring but I just could not find that WOW factor....

Here are the highlights!

I used the "kiss" method for the image stamping first in Rich Razzleberry then stamping off. Then, after inking up the Netting background stamp in Basic Grey, I "kiss"ed the two stamps together. I did the same for the stem using Old Olive first, then stamped off before kissing with the Basic Grey inked Netting background.
I followed this week's Stamping411 sketch, but am too late to enter it over there. I like the addition of my olive sprinkles in the corner to offset the knot in the ribbon.
Knot...bow....knot is what I ended up with!
The DSP is from the Pocketful of Posies DSP pack.

So that is it! Now that I look at it, pretty simple...anyway, hope all is well wherever you are!

stamps: Fabulous Florets, Netting

cardstock: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Pocketful of Posies DSP

accessories: Basic Grey satin ribbon, olive sprinkles, dimensionals

ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Basic Grey

~Lauri

The First Freshly Made Sketch Challenge!

2011-09-08T15:27:00.000-04:00

Lovely Lesley, from The Paper Players and Always Playing with Paper has started a fun new challenge blog...Freshly Made Sketches! This challenge blog invites us all to make Clean ( not necessarily simple) cards based on a weekly sketch! Clean lines....layers and embellishments are fine, just keep plenty of white space to highlight your focal image (at least that is how I interpret clean! lol) Lesley...where do you find the time!

Here is their inaugural sketch!

Lesley has a wonderful design team and they offered up some great sample cards! I decided to go with a fall theme, given the days of cold rain we have had...and a few trees are actually changing already!

I used an image from the set, Always Thankful, stamping it with Stazon on watercolor paper and coloring with inkpads and my aquapainter. The layer of DSP is from the set Paisley Petals, as well as the DSP in the Build A Brad. Some texture on Natural Vanilla Paper...mats of Bravo Burgundy and Tangering Tango and a strip of Always Artichoke finish off the card.

It is so fun to be in on the first sketch of a new challenge! I urge you to play along, the challenge ends Monday night!

stamps: Always Thankful
cardstock/DSP: Natural Vanilla, Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Tangerine Tango, watercolor, Paisley Petals
ink: More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, Stazon Black
tools: BuildaBrad, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Aquapainter, oval punch, dimensionals

~ Lauri

Irene blew my mojo away....

2011-09-04T11:56:00.002-04:00

Hope you are all well! In my part of Connecticut we lost our power for almost six days; who would think it would be so disruptive? Well..we are getting back to normal, bbut still thinking about those in our state and others still in the dark and thankful all is well here!

But my mojo has taken a holiday! The Paper Players has a wonderful new Fall design team and a Birthday Challenge for today so I thought I would get back in the stamping mode!

Ignore my wonky margins! Hoping I just need to get back in practice!

I made a square card, using two of the laser cut doilies from the Flirtatious DSP to create a rosette. Other dsp from the set is one background; the other is Hello Doily stamped in Melon Mambo on Melon Mambo. The Birthday sentiment is from Happiest Birthday Wishes, a current hostess set, stamped and embossed in melon mambo on vellum! I placed a small circle of whisper white behind the image to help adhere it to the rosette.

So that is it! Hope you enjoy your labor day weekend!

stamps: Happiests Birthday Wishes, Hello Doily

inks: melon Mambo, versamark

cardstock, DSP: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Flirtatious

tools: Melon Mambo embossing powder, Scoring Tool

Paper Players Challenge 61 Jaydee's Sketch and a New Look!

2011-08-27T20:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday everyone! Here we are with Paper Players Challenge 61, a sketch from Jaydee! I posted early for two reasons....

one the Hurricane coming towards Connecticut and....

my new look, courtesy of Lesley! Our fearless Paper Players leader has started a new venture and I was overdue for a new look! I love it!!

Here is this week's sketch!

I received a few pre-order sets from the upcoming Holiday Mini, and used the set The Sounding Joy for my card.

I paired the image with the Mocha Morning DSP, love the non-traditional colors! I stamped the star image in Crumb Cake on Very Vanilla, then added the Joy embossed in the new Cranberry Cobbler embossing powder. I kept the card pretty simple, opting for an elegant look. This new quilted satin ribbon is gorgeous! I accented it with a simple pearl as well.

Here is a bonus card! At first I was going for a traditional A2 size but it didn't quite work, so I didn't want to waste the cardbase and layers. I stamped another image from the set on vellum and embossed in Cherry Cobbler. I added simple pearls to accent the corners where the adhesive was (had not dried yet in the pic, sorry!)

Be sure to check out the entire team for another week of gorgeous samples!

On a personal note, this is my last week on the Summer Design Team and I had a great time! I have never been around such a group of fun, supporting ladies! They really made me feel at home! I will be doing their challenges for a long time to come and i encourage you to join in!

The Paper Players Design Team

Carrie Gaskin (GD)

Stamps: The Sounding Joy

Inks: Crumb Cake, Versamark

DSP, Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Mocha Morning DSP

tools: Cranberry Cobbler Embossing Powder

accessories: pearls

Post Earthquake Pre Hurricane Studio Sketches

2011-08-25T09:54:00.001-04:00

Well last winter it was all the snow..this week, earthquakes and hurricanes. But here is a card! I had colored this image from Studio Sketches a few weeks ago and it has been sitting here on my desk. I paired it with some Well Worn DSP, naturals white cardstock, Cajun Craze and Early espresso.

Texture can take a blah card to the next level! I used the new stripes folder and the square lattice folder to do just that!

So my last week on the Summer Design Team for the Paper Players is this coming week, and I am sad to see my stint come to an end! Be sure to stop by on Sunday for a fun sketch challenge!

stamps: Studio Sketches, Thank You Kindly
inks/markers: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Elegant Eggplant
cardstock/DSP: Watercolor Paper, Naturals White, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Well Worn DSP
tools: Square Lattice embossing folder, stripes embossing folder

Paper Players Challenge 60 Clean and Simple Sketch

2011-08-20T20:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome to another great Paper Players Challenge! Leanne has a Clean and Simple sketch for us today, and I love these challenges! Although I have to admit I always feel like I should do more!

For this sketch, I combined the colors Island Indigo , Crumb Cake and Whisper White. I stamped the small image from Circle Circus on to chipboard! yes....I am a chipboard fobe...but always try to get myself out of those ruts! These are three circles from a set of SU Chipboard images from a few years ago, but you could easily use the Circles Die and chipboard to make your own.

Also.,..if you changed out the pearls for a metal brad you could have a great masculine card!

Please be sure to stop by all the Design Team members for inspiration...and play along with us this week!

The Paper Players Design Team

Carrie Gaskin (GD)

Simple

2011-08-17T13:04:00.002-04:00

Simple cards are always the most difficult for me...maybe for a lot of us! I wanted to do something using colors out of my comfort zone and came up with this card.

I used the colors, Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum and Cajun Craze. The image is from the set Just Believe, embossed in white. A pretty quick card, just change the color combo and the sentiment for all sorts of different occasions!

Happy mid-week!

Paper Players Challenge 59 Pink, Pink and More Pink!

2011-08-14T06:07:00.011-04:00

What a challenge we have for you today!!! I didn't realize how tough this would be until I tried to design a card...but I really love these colors together! Regal Rose in particular is one of my all time favorites!

I really wanted to do something with the new set, Nature's Pace. I chose the grapes as the focus image, and colored it with markers in the challenge colors and old olive. You cannot really see in the picture, but I also use my versamarker to add some iridescent ice to the grapes.

The top layer is clear embossed with another image from the same set, and embossed with one of the new Designer frame folders (I cut out around the border). Then, on the Regal Rose layer I stamped off a few of the other images from the set, and embossed with the finial press folder. Last but not least, I used the Framed Tulip border folder for the bottom layer.

Pretty in Pink Satin ribbon and a few Tiny Tags finish it off! An explosion of pink and texture for sure!!

As usual, you will find tons of inspiration from this awesome design team! We look forward to your creations every week! Can't wait to see what folks design! Check out the Design Team for their inspiring work!

The Paper Players Design Team

Carrie Gaskin (GD)

stamps: Natures Pace
inks/Markers: Versamark, Old Olive, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink
Cardstock: Naturals White, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink
Embossing Folders: Finial Press, Framed Tulip, Designer Frames

PPA106 Dress For Success Challenge

2011-08-13T14:06:00.001-04:00

This weeks challenge at Pal Paper Arts intrigued me...and not just because of the cute kitty!

The challenge is to use one punch, one sentiment, and one DSP. Not that easy! But here is what I came up with!

I used last years Hostess Set, Punch Potpourri, with Wordplay. The Real Red DSP is from an old Paper Pack Stack. I married it with Early Espresso. A pretty simple and quick card once it came together! Try this challenge for yourself!

and yes...that is my dog, Chansey, sneaking in the corner of the picture!

stamps: Punch Potpourri, Wordplay
DSP: Real red paper stack
Cardstock: Whisper White, Early Espresso
ink: Real Red, Early Espresso

Create with Connie and Mary sketch challenge

2011-08-12T14:52:00.000-04:00

So glad it is Friday....it has been a long week!

I actually dreamt this card! I wanted to do something a little different for this week's sketch challenge at Create with Connie and Mary. I think I spent an hour last night pouring over my stamps and just couldn't come up with one...and you would think with all I own.....so I dreamt about using this set and doing a bit of a spotlight technique! To soften the background image, I covered it in vellum (and used pearls to hide the adhesive!)

Hope you are having beautiful weather, wherever you may be!

stamps: Elements of Style

cardstock: Naturals White, Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso, vellum, Spring DSP (retired)

inks: Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink

accessories: Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Pearls, various punches

A Surprise Birthday Bloghop for Lesley!

2011-08-08T03:37:00.051-04:00

Surprise Lesley! and a Happy Birthday! This is a surprise Birthday Blog Hop for Lesley of the Paper Players! Lesley is such a wonderful crafter and inspiration to us all! I have been on other design teams in the past, but the Paper Players team is by far the friendliest, most supportive and fun bunch! Lesley is the best and I am so happy they have given me the opportunity to join them this summer...and help celebrate Lesley's birthday!

I decided to go with an elegant card so such a thoughtful lady! I used the new DSP, Mocha Morning as the background, and layered one of the flowers from Posy Punch on top. Pearls make the perfect accent for this color combination!

Inside is simple! Hope you like it, Lesley!

Please stop by Lesley's blog at Always Playing with Paper and leave her some birthday wishes!

Thanks for stopping by our Birthday Blog Hop For Lesley! All your stops are listed below! Check out all the wonderful Birthday Cards!

Anne Marie Hile - Stampin’ Anne

Carrie Gaskin - Artistic Avenger

Cindy Beach - Stamps, Paper and Ink

Jaydee - Stampin’ with Jaydee

Jen Mitchell - I Create

Joan Jeffery - JJ Creations

Lauri Ingram - Paperville (you are here!)

Laurie - Hiding in My Craft Room

LeAnne Pugliese - wee Inklings

Nance Leedy - Canopy Crafts

Rita Wright - Cards by Rita

Sandra Azzopardi - Sandra’s Stamping Spot

Tui Nathan - Stampin’ Time

School Days Paper Players Challenge 58

2011-08-07T01:00:00.000-04:00

Ann gave us a doozy of a challenge this week! My nephews' birthday is next week, and he is starting kindergarten in a few weeks so I made a little First Day of School package for him!

For the backpack, composition book and pencil holder, I used the Just Add Cake DSP. Love how the alphabet letters are perfect for a school project.

For the composition book, I covered the front and back in the Just Add Cake DSP with a few additional layers. I used the Billboard SIzzlets Strip Die for his name. As a fun accent, I also cut out a circle using the Circles #2 die from chipboard, and a B using Serif Essentials die. I hung it on the cover using a cell phone lanyard; he can leave it on, or take it off and hang it off something else!

The backpack is made from Baja Breeze and Just Add Cake DSP and the top and front are held shut by velcro. You can find the instructions on SCS under resources...here!

Last, but not least, the pencil case is made from Baja Breeze and Just Add Cake DSP. The stamp set I used is retired, from last years Summer Mini, called First Day of School. You can find the instructions for the pencil case Jill here! (Yikes! The post shows up in my google reader from August 4th but doesn't appear to be on her blog?? If you need the dimensions, let me know and I will send them!)

Wonderful Design Team samples as always!!! Please take a minute and check them all out...then join us! I love seeing everyone's creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

Carrie Gaskin (GD)

stamps: First Day of School (retired)

cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Just Add Cake DSP, Chipboard

inks: Wild Wasabi, tangerine Tango

dies: Circles 2, San Serif, alphabet

Pal Paper Arts Celebrity Color Challenge

2011-08-06T04:34:00.000-04:00

Told you all I was on a roll!

I love bright colors! After seeing all the wonderful cards with this set, I was a bit intimidated to try one! But here goes....I used the challenge colors and the textured background plate Perfect Details. Sort of like wispy clouds, I guess!

Love these balloons!! Thanks for stopping by today!

stamps: Up, Up and Away
ink: Lucky Limeaid, Daffodil Delight Island Indigo
cardstock: Lucky Limeaid, Daffodil Delight Island Indigo, Whisper White
accessories: rhinestones, Pefect Details textured background plate

Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge 161

2011-08-05T05:04:00.000-04:00

So I don't have the most creative post titles! I seem to be on a Mojo tear these days so I am taking advantage of it! Here is a card for this week's color challenge with Connie and Mary.

Sometimes it just takes pulling out a stamp set I haven't used in awhile to get the wheels turning. Awash with Flowers is one of those sets!

There two two happy accidents on this card. First, the punched border I had made for yesterday's card but it just didn't work so I fished it out of my scrap bowl. I always go to my scrap envelopes before I cut into cardstock and had this piece of Old Olive...almost the exact size! I knew I had to use it!

The flowers were all stamped on watercolor paper and colored with Daffodil Delight marker and blended with an aquapainter. Since I stamped the background leaves on whisper white, I cut out the flowers and mounted them on the white. You cannot really tell, but I also added some glitter pen to the outlines.

The sentiment is from the current hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes.

Thanks for looking!! Hope this inspires you to take out a neglected set!

Birds and Flowers

2011-08-04T07:15:00.000-04:00

These two cards couldn't be more different than the card I posted last weekend! I realized I never posted this fun card I made with the Triple Treat Flower a'la carte stamp.

This card uses the image stamped in Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeaid, then punched out using the Fancy Flower and 5Petal Punches. Layer...offset a bit...and you have a fun effect!

I had this new set, Language of Friendship, sitting on my desk for at least a week, trying to figure out what to do with it. I went with a cleaner and simpler card in the end, after many many other tries! I think this would also look good in a vintage setting, so I will have to try that out as well. I was inspired by a BlueJay who has been hanging around outside my window the past week.

That's if for mid-week! Hope yours has been a good one!

Paper Players Sketch Challenge 57

2011-07-30T20:36:00.001-04:00

My summer stint on the Design Team at the Paper Players is going by so quickly! I have to say, the ladies on the team have really motivated me to step up my game! They are so so talented and nice!! So here is Sketch Challenge 57, by Nance.

I did not go to Convention this year but have seen lots of beautiful sample cards that were shown there. One of my favorites was my inspiration for this weeks card, using the new HUGE stamp called Sweet Floral.

I stamped the En Francais background stamp in Soft Suede on Whisper White. Then, I clear embossed Sweet Floral over it. Then...sponged Rose Red, Melon Mambo, River Rock, Soft Suede and Old Olive over the image. I rubbed the ink off the clear embossed with a paper towel and..there you go! These also happen to be this week's Color Throwdown Colors (152).

The bottom of the image is punched with the Decorative Label punch, side by side. I finished it off with Rose Red seam binding, an Antique brad and a few stamps from the Tiny Tags set. Last, but not least, I embossed the background with the Vintage Wallpaper folder.

Let me tell you, the samples from the Design Team this week are beautiful (as always!) Can't wait to see what you all come up with! Stop by the other Design Team members blogs for their samples!

The Paper Players Design Team

stamps: En Francais, Sweet Floral, Tiny Tags

cardstsock: Whisper White, River Rock, Rose Red

Inks: Rose Red, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, River Rock, Old Olive, Versamark

punches: Decorative Label, Tag

tools: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Clear Embossing Powder

accessories: Rose Red Seam Binding, Vintage Brad, Linen Thread, sponges

Always Elegant Birthday

2011-07-29T13:00:00.001-04:00

I am on a clean and simple streak...Sunday is my sister's birthday and I wanted to make her a small notecard to go with her gift....that I still have to get!

This is a 3 1/4" square card, using the Always Elegant and Happiest Birthday Wishes sets. The Always Elegant image is embossed in White on Island Indigo, while the circle image is stamped in Island Indigo on Whisper White. I stamped the birthday image twice and punched out the small 1" circle in the middle for dimension.

Still have to make my nephew's card (13!)..that will be tougher!

stamps: Always Elegant, Happiest Birthday Wishes

ink: Versamark, Island Indigo

cardstock: Island Indigo, Whisper White

tools: white embossing powder

Its a Pool Party!

2011-07-28T18:07:00.001-04:00

I am loving this new in-color! Pool Party! Today I have two cards for you; one Pool Party and Whisper White, and the other Pool Party and Basic Black.

My first card pairs the new background stamp Hello, Doily with the new set Delicate Doilies.

A pretty quick and easy card! The background is the Hello Doily stamp in Pool Party stamped on Whisper White. The layers are two of the Delicate Doilies stamped embossed in white on Pool Party, then layered with dimensionals and topped with a pearl.

The next card pairs Pool Party with Basic Black. The doilies are embossed in black on Pool Party and put on a layer of basic black embossed with the new striped folder. The sentiment is from the current hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes, also embossed in black. I love that the colors on these two colors could easily be switched up and create an entirely different effect!

Hope all is well in your part of the world!

Posy Punch

2011-07-26T05:48:00.000-04:00

Doesn't get much easier than this card! I was in the mood to make a quick and bright card, using the Pal Paper Arts sketch 103. The Posy Punch hostess set sure makes it easy! I search around a bit online and found this fun color combo, Rich Razzleberry, Peach Parfait and Cajun Craze.

Fun and bright! The background DSP is from last years Hostess Paper pack. I simply stamped the flower in Rich Razzleberry, layered the center flower on top and added a rhinestone. The Hello and dotted scallop ribbon are in Cajun Craze. Lots of fun stamps in this set; I see many quick cards in my future!

stamps: Posy Punch

cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Hostess Design Pack 2010-2011 Peach Parfair

tools: 1" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, Fancy Flower punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

A Summer Workshop

2011-07-25T06:16:00.005-04:00

This weekend I did a fun summer workshop! I did case these both from this card...and this project....

For my workshop wow and hostess gift, I made this fun little ring of note paper!

Our make n take was this very cute card using the 3 step punch. Love how easy it is!

If you are in Connecticut and interested in a workshop, let me know! We will have lots of fun!!

There is also a great joining package going on for the rest of this month! You can become a demo for only $99 and have fun too! Contact me if you are interested and if you join by July 31, you will get this Christmas Keepsake Kit! This will not be available in the upcoming Holiday Mini and is a $40 value. I would love to have you join me!

Paper Players Challenge 56: CAS Sketch!

2011-07-24T06:30:00.027-04:00

Here we are again! Another fun Paper Players Sketch Challenge!! Check out the Clean and Simple sketch Ann Marie has for us this week!

What is Clean and Simple? Well for me, it is all about keeping the design and layers simple! Focus on the image! So....here is my take on the sketch....

When we received the preview of the Paisley Petals DSP, I fell in love with the colors and design. Then....a matching stamp set appeared in the catalog! yay! I stamped one of the images from the set on Whisper White, and colored it in the colors of the DSP using my Blender Pens and ink pads. My first version did not have a sentiment and the card seemed weird....missing something....so I added a sentiment. Not sure I like it so let me know what you think!

Please take a look at the wonderful Paper Players Design team samples, and join us this week with your sketch creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

Stamps: Paisley Petals, Hodgepodge Happiness
Inks: Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Braze, Brave Burgundy, Old Olive, Always Artichoke
Cardstock/DSP: Baja Breeze, Paisley Petals DSP, Whisper White

Mustaches and something different

2011-07-20T14:35:00.001-04:00

When I saw the Many Mustaches ala carte stamp in the new catalog...knew I had to get it! Nothing is quite as much fun as a mustache on a stick! Friends of a friend recently lost their home to a devastating fire, and I wanted to send the family (mom/dad and three sons) a card of encouragement. Then I thought...maybe they could use a little fun and silliness??? So I cased the card in the new catalog and voila!

Sorry for the poor pictures! I kept the card pretty simple and will write a note inside explaining just what these are! Hopefully they will have a little fun with them! I tried to persuade my dog to model one but he would not go for it.

And if that is not different enough, I attended a retreat last Saturday held by a friend of my sister's and wanted to bring something a little different as a crafty gift. She has been the recipient of many of my paper crafts so I thought a little something for her and her guests would be fun. I painted river rocks with acrylic paint and used a paint pen to write different inspirational words on them. I had the paint and the pens, and the rocks were only $1 a bag at Michaels! This bowl has two bags of rocks.

Hope all is well in your part of the world!

Paper Players Color Challenge

2011-07-10T08:05:00.001-04:00

Color Challenges are always fun! Lesley has a great one for you this week! Here is my sample, using the new hostess set, Precious Butterflies.

The crumb cake cardstock background has the flourish stamped in Basic Gray, along with stamped off butterflies in Baja Breeze. The floating butterflies were stamped in versamark on Baja Breeze then embossed with Iridescent Ice powder. The sentiment is two layers; the bottom layer is the circle of butterflies stamped in Baja Breeze on whisper white, and the top sentiment is stamped in Poppy Parade on vellum. Both are punched out with the 1 3/4" circle punch. Add some seam binding and pearls...and done!

Be sure to check out the other Design Team samples, and play along! Can't wait to see what you create!

stamps: Precious Butterflies

inks: Basic Gray, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Versamark

cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Baja Breeze

tools: 1 3/4" circle punch, iridescent ice embossing powder

accessories: pearls, Baja Breeze seam binding

Strength and Hope

2011-07-06T16:07:00.000-04:00

I love this set, and am surprised I am just now using it! It is unusual for me to use all the images in one set in one card, but I challenged myself to step it up a bit! Here is what I came up with!

I used this weeks Color (330) and Sketch (340) challenges from SCS as well. Here are a few details...

The butterfly is colored with markers on vellum, then cut out and posted on dimentionals
The H (hope) is embossed on a Window Sheet using Melon Mambo embossing powder that has been mixed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.. I punched it out using a circle punch.
The flourish is also embossed in Melon mambo mixed with iridescent ice embossing powder.
and.....I realized when I had the whole card done...I embossed the layer with finial press...upside down...oh well, I consider it a creative moment, not a mistake!

Inside....

there you go! Have a great week!

stamps: Stength and Hope

inks/markers: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Versamark

Cardstock/other: Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Vellum, Window Sheet

technique: Embossing powder (melon mambo mixed with iridescent ice)

accessories/tools: rich Razzleberry ribbon, retired; scallop edge punch, finial press embossing folder

Paper Players Challenge 54: Christmas in July

2011-07-02T21:14:00.001-04:00

Another week, and another fun challenge from The Paper Players! With the new SU catalog debuting July 1, I knew I wanted to use a new set for my Christmas card this week. I am also starting to think about the holidays since those craft fairs will be here soon! Every year I want to start early.....so I made both a card and a rosette table decoration using the new set, Pennant Parade.

I used the set to make these trees. How fun that the set comes with the tree base (and a lot of other images too!) For the background, I embossed whisper white using the Northern Flurry embossing folder. I used some retired DSP, and combined with Old Olive and Cranberry Cobbler for a traditional color set.

I love making these rosettes! It is a quick and very easy display!

Enjoy your holiday weekend, and while is may be hot out, think about the holidays and join our challenge!

Stamps: Pennant Parade
Ink: Old Olive, Cranberry Cobbler
Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, retired DSP
Accessories: Cranberry Cobbler Seam Binding, rhinestones, NOrthern Flurry embossing folder