Golden Birthday Girl for Paper Players #237

Hello there, stamping friends! It's Sunday and that means it is time for another fun challenge over at The Paper Players. This week, my sweet friend LeAnne is our hostess and she has an awesome sketch for us. Check it out:

I LOVE this sketch! So many possibilities. I decided to flip the sketch on it's side for my card. To get started, I pulled out the SU Birthday Bash Specialty DSP and a stamp set from Close to My Heart called Be Yourself. These stamps were sent to me from a very sweet, AMAZING friend and I had yet to ink them up. I love the flecks of gold in the DSP, so that was what made me decide to emboss the stamped image in gold. It took me 4 tries to get it right, because I was lazy and didn't think I needed to use my Embossing Buddy. I was so wrong. Don't skip this step when you are embossing, you will be really frustrated, trust me. 

The color combo in this paper is not something I would have ever put together and I love that! Let's talk about that patterned paper though! Doesn't it completely look like cake/cupcake sprinkles? The pops of gold make it even more fabulous. I thought my embossed "golden girl" worked well with it. I added a touch of Glimmer Paper and some sequins because this party gal looked like she needed some more sparkle.  All of the supplies I used are listed below. 

Here is a quick shot of the inside of the card. Here's a fun fact: I was on the phone while I was finishing my card and totally stamped WAY off-center because I was distracted. How embarrassing!  What was I thinking? I tried to cover it up with that strategically placed strip of DSP so I wouldn't have to do it over again. If I didn't tell you, you would think I meant to do it that way, right? Ha! Just nod and agree. It will make me feel better about my mistake. :)

Please join us over at The Paper Players! 

The challenge will close Friday March 27th at Noon (PST). 

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile

Claire Broadwater

 Jaydee

Joanne James

Laurie Schmidt

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

Sandy Mathis 

Debbie Mageed

Karren Johnson

Shannon Jaramillo

Before I sign-off, I wanted to share a photo of my little "helper". Not only did she steal my Embossing Buddy off the desk while I was stamping, but I caught her hanging out in my new IKEA cart. Apparently, it is not just for organizing your crafting supplies. You can also sort your spare kittens in it. Oh Sophie....

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Stamps: Petite Pairs (sentiment) and Be Yourself (from Close to My Heart)

Paper: Birthday Bash Specialty DSP, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay and Whisper White card stock

Ink: Versa-Mark and Calypso Coral Classic Ink

Accessories: 1- 1/4" Circle Punch, 1- 3/8" Circle Punch, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Bermuda Bay ribbon (ret.), Bermuda Bay Sequins and Stampin' Dimensionals 

Crazy About You for Paper Players #229

Hello there! Wow, where did the last week go? It's already time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players. The lovely Jaydee is our challenge hostess this week and she has an absolutely fabulous sketch to play along with.

So, I haven't been stamping a whole lot these days but I just keep ordering new stamping supplies...purses...lots of organic produce...and home decor. Did I mention stamping supplies? Oh my, I need a "shopping intervention" this month! It's really bad. LOL! Can anyone else relate to that?

I used the Crazy About You stamp set with coordinating flower punch for the main image on my card. The flower is heat embossed, not sure if you can see that in the photo. The paper, buttons and ribbon are exclusive to the SU! Sale-A-Bration promo which is going on right now. You can get them for free with every $50 you spend. The colors are Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry. The "double bow" took me longer to create than the card itself. Ha!

Please join us over at The Paper Players! The challenge closes on Friday, January 30th, 2015 at Noon (PST). Stop by and say hello to the Design Team.

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile
Claire Broadwater
 Jaydee
Joanne James
Laurie Schmidt

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy
Sandy Mathis 
Debbie Mageed
Karren Johnson
Shannon Jaramillo

Before I say good-bye, I wanted to share one of my favorite photos from last week. I don't know if I have shared this before, but I volunteer to take photos for a local cat rescue. The rescue specializes in taking in cats with special needs and there are some amazing kitties looking for homes. Two of my cats were adopted from this rescue. This wee one is Nugget. Nugget was the runt of the litter and has been at the rescue since he was only a few weeks old. I love this little guy! He's going to find a good home soon, I can feel it . :)

So glad you stopped by today! Please leave a comment to say hello. Happy stamping! 

**CLICK HERE** to order anytime 24/7 from my Stampin' Up! website

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Perfect Blend Thanks for Paper Players #201

Hello and Happy Sunday, stamping friends! This week over at the Paper Players, the always fabulous Nance is our hostess with a fun sketch challenge. I don't know about you but out of all the different creative challenge out there, sketches are my favorite. I like having a little "blueprint" for a card design to get the creative mojo going.

I needed to make a "coffee-themed" thank you card for a good friend who did a big favor for me, so that was my inspiration for this card. I'm absolutely loving the Lullaby Designer Series Paper from the new SU! catty. It's not just for baby cards! Can I tell you a little secret? I made a promise to myself that I would NOT hoard DSP anymore. If you saw my stamp studio, you would know why I said that. There is an insane amount of paper in there! So, I only bought 2 different DSP packs from the new catty and I can't buy anymore until they are at least half gone. So far, I have not caved in, even though there are so many gorgeous papers in that new catty. I will stay strong....I can beat my DSP addiction! Haha! :)

The Perfect Blend stamp set is one of those sets that I use a LOT. It's fairly easy to fussy cut too, which is why every time I use it, I feel like a paper piecing rockstar. (Fussy cutting stresses me out.) I added the glimmer paper because it's not a card from me without a little bit of bling. Then I dug into the embellishment drawer and added a couple little details for fun. I listed the supplies at the end of the post. 

Finally, here is a shot of the inside of the card which I fashioned into a little gift card holder to display a Starbucks card. Hmmm, Starbucks does sound really good right about now. I see an iced soy Hazelnut Macchiato in my future. Yum!

Please join us over at the Paper Players!  The challenge is open through Friday, June 27th, 2014 at Noon (PDT). Stop by and say hello to the rest of the Design Team to see what they are sharing this week.  Don't forget to leave a comment and say hello. :) Have a great day!   

  

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile 
Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

Sandy Mathis

**CLICK HERE** to order anytime 24/7 from my Stampin' Up! website

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Petite Pairs Clear Stamp Set

$20.95

Perfect Blend Clear Stamp Set

$10.95

Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set

$17.95

Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Baked Brown Sugar 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Champagne Glimmer Paper

$4.95

Lullaby Designer Series Paper

$10.95

Baked Brown Sugar Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Wooden Elements Embellishments

$4.95

Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments

$4.95

Big Shot

$99.95

Stampin' Dimensionals

$3.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Celebrating the 200th Challenge at The Paper Players!

Hello there stamping friends! I am so excited to be back after a week off to celebrate our new challenge at the Paper Players! Can you believe this is the 200th challenge? Wow! I started working with these amazing gals in November 2010 as a Guest Designer (Challenge #23). I was asked to become a permanent member of the Design Team in December 2010 and have enjoyed every single minute of working with these fabulous ladies.

This week, in honor of this milestone challenge, we are having some fun. Here are the details:

• The Design Team members are sharing new projects created from past challenges this week. 
• We are asking participants to create a project from ANY past Paper Players challenge. There are a LOT to chose from. Just make sure to add the challenge photo to your blog, so we know which you selected and a link back to the Paper Players blog. 
• In addition to selecting our regular Cut Above and Headliner winners, we will also be randomly drawing one lucky winner to receive ALL of the Design Team cards from this week's challenge. Whoo hoo for happy mail! :) 

For my card for this week's challenge, I decided to go with a fabulous sketch that my friend Jaydee created for Paper Players Challenge #61. Pictured below is my original card for the challenge, which has always been one of my favorite cards.

For the new card using the sketch, I went with a completely different theme and created a fun baby card using the Zoo Babies stamp set. anyone who knows me well knows I have a slight obsession with giraffes. I love, love, LOVE them! I am also smitten with the new SU In Colors of Hello Honey and Blackberry Bliss, as I seem to be using them a LOT lately.

Here is a quick photo of the inside of the card, including a tiny monkey, waving at YOU: 

Please join us over at the Paper Players!  The challenge is open through Friday, June 20th, 2014 at Noon (PDT). Stop by and say hello to the rest of the Design Team to see what they are sharing this week.   

  

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile 
Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

Sandy Mathis

Before I sign off, I wanted to share a photo (or "photoshopped" photo) of little Gidget on the court with her favorite NBA team. Doesn't she look serious? Haha! Game 5 of the NBA Finals is on tonight and we are rooting for our San Antonio Spurs to win it all. GO Spurs GO! 

**CLICK HERE** to order anytime 24/7 from my Stampin' Up! website

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Geometrical Birthday for Paper Players #189

Hello stamping friends! This week at the Paper Players, the always-awesome Nance is our hostess with a tic-tac-toe challenge. I love these challenges...so many options to get your creative mojo working. I went with the top line of the tic-tac-toe board, using a birthday theme with punches and twine.

The Geometrical stamp set was one we received at the Stampin' Up Leadership Conference back in January. I haven't really given this stamp set it's fair share of ink, so I really wanted to use it for this challenge.  It's a "happy" stamp set. I paired it up with the coordinating Kaleidoscope DSP and Triangle punch, which I was ridiculously excited to earn from the Leadership event. I got up in front of the crowd and shared one of my most embarrassing stamping stories. Eek! I'm not proud of that embarrassing story, but I do love this bight and cheery card.  I added some twine and rhinestones, because bling really makes EVERYTHING happier! :)

Please join us over at the Paper Players!  The challenge is open through Friday, April 4th, 2014 at Noon (PDT). Stop by and say hello to the rest of the Design Team to see what they are sharing this week. 

  

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile 
Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

Sandy Mathis

Before I sign off, I just wanted to share one of my favorite photos of two special kitties. Benny (my 24 pound Maine Coon) isn't usually cuddly with the other cats. He prefers to stand alone and take the spotlight for himself. Recently, my little tripod "ginger kitty" Triple has become infatuated with his big brother and is always by his side. I love that Benny has taken to nurturing him. I almost fainted when I saw them cuddled up together.

**CLICK HERE** to order anytime 24/7 from my Stampin' Up! website

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CAS Mixed Bunch for Paper Players #187

Hello there stampers! Hope you are having a great day so far. This week Jaydee is our hostess over at the Paper Players with a Clean and Simple Spring card challenge. Jaydee is truly the Queen of CAS cards. She has a way of doing "more with less". I always over-do CAS cards, it seems. I have really been trying to "clean up my act" and not stress about them when I make them. That was my approach for my card for the challenge. Thank goodness it wasn't a one-layer card challenge or I would have REALLY been in trouble. Haha!

The layout was inspired by one I saw on my stamping pal Lesley's blog: The Challenge. Any layout that has elements repeated in "threes" always catches my eye. I decided to use two stamp sets I rarely ink up and picked out a fun spring trio of colors. It is not a complicated card but I really like how it came out. The colors really pop and I am going to be able to pop it in the mail using only one stamp! Whoot!   

Here are the products I used to create my card: 

• Mixed Bunch Stamp Set
• Sweet Essentials Stamp Set
• Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (Sale-A-Bration item)
• 1" Circle Punch
• Banner Punch (Sale-A-Bration item)
• Basic Rhinestones
• Classic Stamp Pads in Rose Red, Gumball Green and Wisteria Wonder
• Card stock in Whisper White and Rose Red

Please join us over at the Paper Players!  The challenge is open through Friday, March 21st, 2014 at Noon (PDT). Stop by and say hello to the rest of the Design Team to see what they are sharing this week. 

  

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile 
Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

Sandy Mathis

Looks like Benjamin is waiting to use the Macbook, so it's time to sign off for now. 

Have a great day today! :) 

**CLICK HERE** to order anytime 24/7 from my Stampin' Up! website

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