Paper Players #119 - Nance's Sketch

Hello there, stamping friends! It's Sunday and time for another fun challenge at the Paper Players! This week, Nance is our hostess, with a fun sketch to try out.

For my card, I decided to get creative with the Bandstand Simply Scrappin' Kit. I'm kind of hooked on chevrons right now, so this paper really inspired me. I used two of the patterns from the kit, along with the Chevron Embossing Folder for some added texture. The Pinking Heart Border Punch added to the theme. 

One of my favorite stamp sets is the Button Buddies set. It has been a little while since I used this set and was happy to ink it up again. I dressed up the "cherries" with some Cherry Cobbler buttons. I do not like "naked " buttons, so these were dressed up with Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine. This card really has a lot of dimension with the popped-up elements and the accents. The sentiment is from a retired set called "Goody Goody Gumdrops". I never get rid of my sentiment sets...they ALWAYS come in handy. 

I hope you will join us this week at the Paper Players to play along with Nance's awesome sketch. The challenge closes Friday, November 2nd at Noon (PDT). Please stop by and check out what the rest of the Design Team have created this week for inspiration: 

The Paper Players Design Team

Jen Arkfeld
Dawn Easton
Helen Heil  

Anne Marie Hile

Jaydee

Nance Leedy

LeAnne Pugliese

Ann Schach

Amy White

A few of you have asked about how things have been going with the shelter dogs. This past Thursday, I was incredibly honored to have the opportunity to snap some photos of the amazing dogs at a shelter here in San Antonio. One of my favorite photos is the shot below. I am happy to report that this super-sweet guy was actually ADOPTED yesterday. "Chester" is headed to Austin, TX with his new fur-ever family! Whoo Hoo!!! Unfortunately, not all of the pups were saved this week...but I am optimistic that these babies will have a chance, with continued efforts. Thank you for letting me share them with you on my blog. :) 

Lovely as a Tree for Dynamic Duos #26

Hello there and Happy Saturday to you! It finally feels like Fall here in South Texas. We had a cold front come in Thursday night and I loved that I was able to bust out my sweaters. This week at Dynamic Duos, we are featuring a fab yellow monochromatic color combo to try out.

I decided to use the Lovely as a Tree stamp set for my card. I needed a thank you card for a friend and that was my plan with the challenge colors. I stamped the main image on Glossy White card stock in VersaMark ink. Then, I heat embossed the tree with Early Espresso Embossing Powder. I ran my Brayer through the So Saffron Classic Ink Pad and then over the image...then I did the same with the More Mustard Classic Ink Pad to deepen the colors. I was thinking the end resut would look a little different but I kind of like the little pops of white around the trees.

I stamped the background with the Woodgrain stamp and sponged all the edges of the card with More Mustard Classic Ink. The sentiment (from the Curly Cute stamp set) was also heat embossed as well. It'

Here is a quick shot of the inside of the card using a sentiment from the Occasional Quotes (ret.) set:

I hope you will join us over at Dynamic Duos this week and play along. This is also the last week that current Design Team and Guest Designers will be with us. Please stop by and say hello to these amazing gals and see what they have created with the color combo. 

The Dynamic Duos Design Team

Allisa Chilton

Allyson Anderson (GD)

Anne Marie Hile

Anika Lerche

Karen Aicken (GD)

Kim Singdahlsen

Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Michelle Bala (GD)

Melissa Chipperfield

Paige Grabau

Sue Joyce

Snow Swirled Frames for Paper Players #118

Hello stamping friends! Wow...I'm so sorry for my unexpected blogging break. I did not intend to be on "hiatus" for the past two weeks. I have just had a lot going on and have not been able to spend ANY time in my stamp studio. I apologize for the lack of creative posts and blog visits. I hope to be back on track this week, for sure. :) 

It's Sunday so it is time for another challenge at the Paper Players! I am hosting this week with a CAS (clean and simple) themed challenge. What is the theme? Glad you asked. It's all about FRAMES. There are a lot of ways to be creative with frames, so I hope you will join us with your creation. 

My card was super-easy to create. I focused on the Labels Collection Framelits dies and used the Snow Swirled stamp set. I LOVE this stamp set. I have inked it up too many times to count This card is just a wee bit bigger then a standard 4- 1/4" x 5- 1/2" card. It's just between 4- 1/4" and 4- 1/2" to accommodate the die cut frame. (I'm sorry, I'm not an "exact" measurement kind of gal, I just eyeball it a lot of the time.) It still fits in a standard envelope though...I tested it out.

I popped up the layers for some added dimension. The base of the card (in Early Espresso) was embossed with the Stripes Embossing Folder. I heat embossed the stamped image and sentiment in Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder. I tied a simple knot of Cherry Cobbler 3- 1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon on the top for an added pop. That stuff is awesome! Then there is the sparklie goodness with the Glimmer Paper and bling. Hopefully, it doesn't seem like a lot of detail...it really came together rather quickly.

A quick shot of the inside of the card: 

Please join us over at the Paper Players and get "FRAMED" this week! 

The challenge is open through Friday, October 26th at midnight (PDT). 

Stop by and visit the rest of the Design Team to say hello: 

The Paper Players Design Team

Jen Arkfeld
Dawn Easton
Helen Heil  

Anne Marie Hile

Jaydee

Nance Leedy

LeAnne Pugliese

Ann Schach

Amy White

Because I have had a few people ask, I wanted to share a recent photo of Ms. Abby, our kitten. I am happy to report that she has finally reached her 2 pound milestone and that is exciting because that means she can be spayed...and we can then "officially" adopt her. Yes, you read that right...Abby has stolen our hearts and is staying. Hooray! 

Stampin' Up! Supply List

Stamps: Snow Swirled and Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Be of Good Cheer DSP, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla card stock

Ink: Versamark and Cherry Cobbler Classic ink

Punches: Word Window and Modern Label punches

Accessories: Stripes Embossing Folder, Labels Collection Framelits, Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Cherry Cobbler 3- 1/2" Cherry Cobbler Tulle Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones and Stampin' Dimensionals

Christmas Coffee for {PP #116}

Hey, hey, it's Sunday! We got a cool front last night here in South Texas and it FINALLY feels like fall around here. Temperatures are slated to be in the mid-60's today and that is awesome. Gotta enjoy it while it lasts because we are predicted to be back in the 90's by this Friday. *sigh* Ok, enough about the weather...you came to see a card, right? This week at the Paper Players, the lovely LeAnne has a fun theme challenge for us: Cups! Lots of cups! Please join us!

For my card, I decided to feature some Christmas coffee. I love the Scentsational Season stamp set and the fact that it has coordinating die cuts. I used the layout from Freshly Made Sketches for inspiration.

I used an embossing pen to shade in the "coffee" portion of the stamp. I then heat embossed it with Early Espresso Embossing Powder. Holiday cards are such a great excuse to use Glimmer Paper, so I added a little sparkly silver trim to one of the layers. All of the supplies I used are listed at the end of the post.

Here's a quick shot of the inside of the card, with a sentiment from the Cheers to You stamp set, because it was on my desk from yesterday's card. 

Please join us this week at the Paper Players! Our challenge closes on Friday October 12th at Noon (PDT). The rest of the gals on the Design Team has created some fun projects, too. Stop by and share some bloggin' love! 

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile (you are here)

Amy White

Dawn Easton

Helen Heil

Jaydee

Jen Arkfield

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

Stampin' Up! Supply List

Stamps: Scentsational Season, Short and Sweet (ret.) and Cheers to You (inside sentiment)

Paper: Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack, Silver Glimmer Paper, Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade and Very Vanilla card stock

Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink

Punches: 1- 1/4" Square Punch, Small Oval Punch (ret.) and Med. Oval Punch

Accessories: VersaMark Pen, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Snowburst Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Finishing Touches Edgelits Die, Holiday Collection Framelits Die, Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Heat Tool, Basic Rhinestones and Stampin' Dimensionals

Non-SU! Accessories: circle and scalloped circle dies

Three Cheers for Dynamic Duos #23

Howdy stampers! Time for another fun color challenge over at Dynamic Duos. Since it is the first week of the month, we are going "Bold and Sassy" with some Tangerine Tango and Old Olive. I'm also really excited to announce that we have three new Guest Designers making their debut with this challenge, so I hope you will check it out!

When I was trying to decide on a tamp set for this challenge, I stopped on the Cheers to You set. Hmmm, how about some mango margaritas? I stamped the image in black then stamped another embossed with Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder. I cut out the "drink" portion and glued it on. The little limes were dressed up with some Dazzling Details glitter glue and popped up for dimension. The sentiment is also heat embossed and I added some bling...because I just felt like it needed it. There are very few things that do NOT benefit from bling, in my opinion. :)  

Here is the inside of the card, continuing the theme from the front of the card. That lime is not cut out very well, sorry...try not to look at that.

I hope you will come check out this weeks challenge at Dynamic Duos. The challenge is open through Noon on October 11th. Also, please stop by and say hello to the lovely ladies on the Design Team. 

Aimee Cretsinger (GD) 

Allisa Chilton

Allison Barclay (GD)

Anne Marie Hile

Anika Lerche

Kim Singdahlsen

Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Melissa Chipperfield

Paige Grabau

Paula Sievers (GD)

Sue Joyce

Before I go, I wanted to share a photo of someone special. This is Oscar. He is currently shacking up with us until he is able to find his forever home. We saved this guy from euthanasia at the city shelter (where he was brought in as a stray) and are fostering him to give him a shot at a happy life. Unfortunately, black dogs are not usually the first to be adopted at ANY shelter and I'm pretty sure this guy has never spent much time in a loving home in his year of life. He deserves better and he is getting a lot of love with us, that is for sure. Look at that sweet face...even with his "cone hat", which comes off in a couple of days! 

Stampin' Up! Supply List

Stamps: Cheers to You

Paper: Brights DSP paper pad, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Crumb Cake and Whisper White card stock

Ink: VersaMark and Basic Black Craft ink

Punches: 1- 1/4" Square punch, Scalloped Square punch

Accessories: Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine (shhhh, it looks like Old Olive), Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder, Chevron Embossing Folder, Dazzling Details, Basic Rhinestones and Stampin Dimensionals

Design Team Call Reminder at Dynamic Duos

Design Team Call

Deadline to apply: Friday, October 12th at midnight (PST)

Would you like to apply for the Dynamic Duos Design team? 

The term will be 6 months from November 2012 until April 2013. 

No experience is necessary.

To apply, please send an email to Lesley at dynamicduosdesignteam@gmail.com with the following information by Friday, October 12th at Midnight (PST). 

1. Tell us "Why you would like to be on the team?"
2. Create TWO NEW PROJECTS-scrapbook pages, cards, digital designs or any crafts, using two of our past colour Duos. To see all of our past "Dynamic Duos Colour Combos" please CLICK HERE.
3. Any other information you would like to share.

The design team responsibilities include:

• Commenting on weekly submissions.
• Design team members will also help with posting winners, posting reminders and other small housekeeping stuff.
• Making one card each week using the Dynamic Duos Colours.
• Posting the Dynamic Duos colour swatch on your blog with a card every Saturday.
• The ability to take clear photos of your work.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Lesley Croghan and Anne Marie Hile

Kick Up Yer Heels for {PP #115}

Howdy! I feel like it has been forever since I have posted. Please trust me when I say that my creative time has been really limited lately. This week at the Paper Players, I am the challenge hostess. Hooray! We are playing along with a fun Tic-Tac-Toe theme this week. Just pick a row, across, down or diagonally and add those elements to your card. Easy Peasy! :)

For my card, I went with:

• Colors: Blue/Red,
• An Element Repeated in 3's (bling)
• Birthday-theme"

I also was inspired the sketch over at I {Heart} To Stamp for my card layout. 

I wanted to create a Texas-themed birthday card. I really wish I had some "bandana" print patterned paper. Actually, I'm 100% certain that I do, but I can't seem to find it in the mountain of craft supplies in my stamp studio. Time to do a little cleaning, I suppose. So, I found the plaid print from the Frostwood Lodge DSP (retired) and added more patterns from there. Since nothing is better then a trio of bling, I added two of them, on the boot and as an accent. The boot and the sentiment are heat embossed for some extra shine.

Here is a quick shot of the inside of the card, with the "Boot"-day sentiment, which I think is too cute:

Want to join us and play along with this week's Tic-Tac-Toe challenge over at the Paper Players? That would be awesome! The challenge is open through Friday October 5th at Noon (PDT). Please stop by and visit the rest of the gals on the Design Team to see what they have created.  

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile (you are here)

Amy White

Dawn Easton

Helen Heil

Jen Arkfield

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

Stampin' Up! Supply List

Stamps: Bootiful Occasions

Paper: Frostwood Lodge DSP (retired), Regals DSP paper pad, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Basic Black and Whisper White card stock

Ink: Basic Black Craft Ink

Accessories: Argyle Embossing Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, Basic Black 1/2" Scalloped Dots Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones and Stampin' Dimensionals

Non-SU! Accessories: oval and scalloped oval die

Christmas Lodge for Paper Players #114

Hello there! I hope this post actually shows up, as I am having MAJOR woes with Blogger right now. I keep getting a nasty "error" message and I am trying to sneak in this post while Blogger lets me. Eeek! So, it's Sunday and time for another fun challenge over at the Paper Players. This week, the super-fabulous Ann Schach is our hostess with an awesome sketch challenge.  

I decided to create a Christmas card with this sketch, partially because the stamp sets (Christmas Cottage and Joyous Celebrations) were sitting on my desk already. I saw them...and the sketch...and thought "yes, this could work".  Also sitting on my desk was the Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack from the SU! Holiday catalog. I picked a pattern from the stack and let that be my guide for the color combo on this one: Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue and Very Vanilla. 

The cottage and sentiment were heat embossed using black craft ink and clear embossing powder. I added some snowy detail to the lodge with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, I also sponged the edges with Bashful Blue ink. As a tribute to our challenge hostess, I decided to dress up my card with some pearls...because they are an "Ann-approved" supply! 

Finally, a quick shot of the inside of the card, using a sentiment from the Occasional Quotes (ret.) set: 

I hope you will join us this week at the Paper Players and give this awesome sketch a go. The challenge closes on Friday September, 28th at Noon (PDT). Have a look at what the rest of the gals on the Design Team have created for inspiration this week: 

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile (you are here)

Amy White

Dawn Easton

Helen Heil

Jaydee

Jen Arkfield

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

But before I go...I "have" to post a shot of Abby, by demand. 

This kitten has her own fan club, I tell you! 

Although, from this shot, she is simply TOO exhausted to think about it! 

Stampin' Up! Supply List

COMING SOON! As soon as Blogger releases me from "time-out" I will add the supply list. This post took 3x as long as it normally does to post with the glitch and I am kind of sleepy. Stay tuned!! :) 

You're Amazing for {DD#21} and {FMS#53}

Hello there stamping friends! It's Saturday and that means it is time for another fab color combo over at Dynamic Duos. This week we are keeping it "monochromatic" and GREEN with Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke. 

I used the sketch design from Tui at Freshly Made Sketches for my inspiration for this one. It was a fun layout to showcase some scraps of DSP (Designer Series Paper) that perfectly matched the color combo I was working with. 

I paired the You're Amazing stamp set with the coordinating Apothecary Accents Framelits for the main image. I stamped the image in Always Artichoke and colored in the "amazing" with Certainly Celery ink and a Blender Pen. I added some bling and some Crystal Effects to make it pop a little more. The Essentials Paper Piercing Pack helped add a little flair around the edges of the sentiment. I personally think that is a "must-have" if you have the coordinating dies. It's super-easy and adds a lot of extra detail. 

I hope you will join us this week at Dynamic Duos and play along. The challenge closes Thursday, September 27th at 12 Noon (PDT). Check out what the rest of the gals on the Design Team have created for inspiration: 

The Dynamic Duos Designers:

Allisa Chilton

Allyson Anderson (GD)

Anne Marie Hile

Anika Lerche

Karen Aicken (GD)

Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Michelle Bala (GD)

Melissa Chipperfield

Paige Grabau

Sue Joyce 

Before I head out, I wanted to share a photo of Abby, our "foster kitty". I have had a LOT of emails asking about her and thought I would share a recent photo of her doing what she does best...being CUTE!

Have a HAPPY day! :) 

Stampin' Up! Supply List

Stamps: You're Amazing

Paper: Subtles and Regals DSP Paper Stacks, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla card stock

Ink: Always Artichoke and Certainly Celery Classic ink

Accessories: Blender Pens, Certainly Celery Buttons, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine (it looks like Certainly Celery), Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Crystal Effects, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestones, Mini Glue Dots and Stampin' Dimensionals