Stampin' Seasons

Divine Intervention......PPA129

2012-02-16T04:30:00.000-05:00

These flowers from Up in the Air are sweet for sure but I have a flower story that is sweeter. A bit of background first - my mom is 86 and spends the winter in Florida. My dad died 8 years ago.

I take no credit for the following words - I copied them directly from my daughter's Facebook post:

Erin Callahan Wheeler
called my Gram tonight to make sure that she got the Valentine's flowers that we sent her ... she said that she did, and they made her cry because they are calla lilies (those were her wedding flowers and my grandfather would also get them for her over the years). But here's the thing ... we didn't order calla lillies, we ordered stargazer lilies (below). Now I'm crying ... and that my friends, is divine intervention.

Pals Paper Arts

Starring.......FMS22

2012-02-15T04:30:00.000-05:00

Last Monday I was sorting my stamp sets and watching the new show Smash. Before long there was no sorting going on. I was drawn right into the show. I loved it! Katharine McPhee is wonderful in it. Afterwards I went back to "work". Sitting atop the pile of stamp sets was Workshop Words that was given out at Convention. And there it was........You're A Star!

Be a star at Freshly Made Sketches this week!

Hearts 'n Twine

2012-02-14T00:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Go Giants!.......FMS21

2012-02-08T04:30:00.000-05:00

I know there isn't anything sports related about this card but we were all happy around here when the Giants won the Superbowl! Since I was designing this card on Superbowl Sunday I was thinking happy thoughts for sure! Having the home team in the big game makes it even more exciting. And those commercials are always entertaining! My favorite was "Here Weego" - what a cute pup! But the GE/Bud commercial was extra special. One of my former third graders was featured in it! GE turbines are made in our area and he works there. He's the guy who mentions that even as a kid he liked working with his hands. I love seeing my former students all grown up. He was a cute little redhead - amazing how I can still see those little faces and forget where I put my cell phone! Anyway you can watch it here if you missed it. So what was your favorite commercial?

My card was made using the retired set Apple Blossoms and Berry Blossoms DSP. Join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Be Mine! PPA128

2012-02-02T04:30:00.000-05:00

This image from Take it to Heart is so sweet! The fact that our heart punch cuts just a smidge bigger than the heart framelit is pretty sweet as well! That's how I got that skinny edge of red around the center image. And I confess back in the day I hitched a ride like this on the back of a bicycle.........or even rode on the handlebars or crossbar. In the fourth grade that was a sign of true love!

Join us at Pals Paper Arts this week and use any shade of red you like!

Memories........FMS20

2012-02-01T04:30:00.000-05:00

Not your usual sympathy card I know but it works for a lady who loved her gardens and lived a full life into her 90's. Her family and friends have wonderful memories of her - you can't ask for much more than that!

I stayed true to the Freshly Made Sketch this week and made a longer narrower card - 3 1/4 by 6 1/2 inches.

A Heart Full of Thanks! FMS19

2012-01-25T04:30:00.000-05:00

Jen Mitchell drew up this sweet sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week. She loves square cards and so do I. And I also love this new Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! called Attic Boutique. It has such beautiful designs and colors! But I must take exception to the name..........Attic Boutique? Sounds like an oxymoron to me - especially when I think about my attic. Not much of a Boutique atmosphere on the third floor of my old colonial.............definitely more of a BOO-tique!

All Tied Up.........PPA127

2012-01-19T04:30:00.000-05:00

This card is all tied up with pleated ribbon, ruffled ribbon, sheer organza ribbon and linen thread! Definitely one Valentine that's not going to get away!

Pals Paper Arts has a great sketch challenge this week.
We'd love to have you join us!

Pool Party is the New Black....FMS18

2012-01-18T04:30:00.000-05:00

That Pool Party is the life of the party wherever it goes! It arrived last July and made a big splash looking cool in the summer designs.Then it showed up on fall cards looking gorgeous with rusty browns, yellows and oranges. Next it made a fabulous appearance for the holiday season in wintry scenes and Christmas greetings. It's a new year and look who's still around! Pool Party has gone vintage and is a featured color in two new sets of designer series paper, Attic Boutique and Everyday Enchantment (pictured above). I like a clean, crisp look and somehow that vintage Pool Party adapted beautifully. Pool Party is definitely the new black......

Jump in the pool this week at Freshly Made Sketches and play along!

'Tis A Gift to Be Simple

2012-01-15T10:57:00.000-05:00

There's a sweet sketch and a lot of inspiration from the DT at Connie and Mary's this week so I decided to play along. In case you haven't noticed I am a Plain Jane kind of gal - much to my mother's dismay. You can't imagine the two of us clothes shopping together. Let's just say that at 86 she still rocks the leopard print and bling. Anyway I set out to make a sweet simple card - with no leopard print or blatant bling. I thought I did just that and then I decided to write out everything I used. Here's my list:

dotto, snail, vario dots, glue dot, stampin' dimensional, scotch tape, paper cutter,Simply Scored, bone folder, ribbon scissors, paper snips, color spritzer, Marina Mist marker, Marina Mist ink pad, Marina Mist paper, Real Red paper, Whisper White paper, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, rhinestone, Itty Bitty Heart Punch, Itty Bitty Heart Button, Baker's Twine, Scal loped Edgelit, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Hearts Framelit, snowflake stamp from Dear Santa, sentiment stamp from Merry Winter

Simple isn't as simple as it looks!

Congrats! FMS17

2012-01-11T04:30:00.000-05:00

My neighbor was just appointed City Court Judge. I followed the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and used that wonderful typewriter to send official congrats! Shortly after he and his family moved in across the street, his wife and two little ones came over for a chat. After a while we heard him call "Dinner!" I asked if it was a special night since John was cooking. His wife answered "Oh he cooks every night. He thinks I did all the work having the children so he feels the least he can do is feed them!" He is going to be a fine judge - I like the way that guy thinks!

Less is More...........PPA126

2012-01-05T04:30:00.000-05:00

I added sparkle to my Pals Paper Arts card today because I am still in celebration mode for the New Year! I have celebrated many new years and have finally realized that I make the same resolutions every year. Exercise more, lose more weight, eat more healthy, set more goals! So this year? I am not making any resolutions! And that puts me in a much better mood - which makes me want to get out more, walk more and tackle more projects! Less is more.......

Pals Paper Arts will now host 2 challenges a month - a color challenge the first week, and a sketch challenge the third week. We welcome Cindy Hall, Dawn Tidd and Sandie Conner to the Design Team. So what does this mean? Less challenges but more designers, more inspiration and more time to create and link your designs! Less is more.........

A Fresh New Year - FMS 16

2012-01-04T04:30:00.000-05:00

Tui's sweet sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches was perfect for a baby card made with the Occasions Alphabet, Nursery Suite DSP and a peek of that new delightful quilted ribbon! I thought it fitting to start the New Year with a baby card! New babies and new years are full of hope, promise and a renewal of joy in life. New babies are easy to keep! New Year's Resolutions? Not so easy......more on those tomorrow..............

2011 Best Dressed List!

2011-12-29T04:30:00.000-05:00

Pals Paper Arts is unveiling its best dressed list for 2011 today! We had so many beautiful creations this year it was hard to pick a favorite for each month! I got the honor of choosing April and November!

We had a punch challenge in April that proved to be very popular! We stampers do love our punches! I chose this beauty done by Nance Leedy. Subtle and oh so elegant!

A ribbon challenge in November inspired Sandie Conner to think outside the box! I loved her creative use of ribbons on this adorable little gobbler!

Head on over to Pals Paper Arts to check out the rest of the best for 2011! We hope you join us next week at PPA when we kick off the New Year with a color challenge..........and a few new faces!

Noel......PPA125...Tags

2011-12-22T04:30:00.000-05:00

Looking for some holiday spirit? Break out the cookies, warm up the hot chocolate and..........

1. Watch The GriNch - the cartoon version narrated by Boris Karloff!

2. Recite the pOem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and have the kids (of any age) add sound effects every time you pause.

3. Read the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - it is the best Christmas story ever! Well except maybe for the original one :)

4. Write this out: "ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ"
Tell your family it's a clue to a Christmas carol and promise to sing it for them if they guess it. If they can't figure it out they will have to sing for you. When they finally give up say: "No L" and then sit back and enjoy the show!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

They Say It's My Birthday!

2011-12-20T10:07:00.002-05:00

And it is my birthday! Before I head off to work at the library I thought I would share some of the wonderful hand stamped cards I received so far today! Nothing like being optimistic that there will be more waiting when I get home from work tonight!

My crafty friend Sharon sent me this sweet treat! She knows my #1 food group is cake!

This flower came all the way from California hand made by Patti MacLeith! That wrapped denim ribbon center is fabulous!

This "cherry" delightful creation arrived this morning from my walking partner Barb. And I am happy to report the card was accompanied by a tin of hand dipped chocolate covered cherries! Beyond delicious!

And this perfectly vintage card was sent by the Wee Inkling lady herself - LeAnne Pugliese! And yes I adore it!

Finally this beauty in blue from the Pals' Fearless Leader Mary Fish! Nothing like presents and bling on your birthday!

Holiday Greetings 2011! PPA 124

2011-12-15T04:30:00.000-05:00

The Paper Players recently had a challenge to use a non-Christmas stamp to create a holiday card. With that in mind I created this card for PPA's sketch challenge using the typewriter from a brand new set called You're My Type. Makes me think of someone just sitting down to type out the annual Christmas newsletter. Someday I may just do one myself..........after I get signed releases from family members so I can write the good stuff :)

See You on the Christmas Tree! FMS 15

2011-12-14T04:30:00.000-05:00

See you on the Christmas Tree! I have no idea what that means but my parents said it to me every night during the Christmas season once our tree was up and decorated. So naturally I said it to my kids. I smiled this week when I opened my daughter's Christmas card. It was signed "See you on the Christmas tree!" Putting up the Christmas tree is still one of the all time best activities of the year. There is nothing better than lighting it up for the first time - always magical! Taking the tree down...........another story........

Let's Celebrate - with Blog Candy......PPA123

2011-12-08T04:30:00.000-05:00

Fred is clicking his heels in excitement because Pals Paper Arts is "Puttin' On The Ritz" this week! Go for the glam and enter your card in our challenge. I'd be clicking my heels together if I could because it is also time for our annual Blog Candy Blowout! By entering a card this week at PPA you will be eligible to win blog candy from each and every design team member! How much fun that will be for one lucky crafter to receive all of those packages of goodies! Enter your card by next Tuesday and that lucky crafter could be you!

December Birthdays.......FMS14

2011-12-07T04:30:00.000-05:00

My daughter and I share the same birthday week - the week before Christmas! Between upstate NY winter weather and the holiday rush it hasn't always been easy to pull off two family gatherings before Christmas - but we manage! Now you may be thinking that since my daughter is all grown up and I am oh so old that we really should just combine our birthday parties. Seriously? We only get one birthday a year and we are both determined to celebrate it on the exact day we were born! That has led to some creative ways to celebrate and get people together! So again this year we will gather on the 14th and the 20th and then again for Christmas on the 24th and the 25th. Interesting that our family never celebrates New Year's together..........wonder why.............

Classic Christmas....PPA122

2011-12-01T04:30:00.000-05:00

I used the beautiful color combination at Pals Paper Arts this week and worked the Mojo sketch using a stamp from Easy Events. The result - Classic Christmas!

Merry Merry Merry! FMS13

2011-11-30T04:30:00.000-05:00

I am a live in the moment kind of gal. I rarely take a camera with me - I prefer to go through life not peering through a lens. I was not the mother snapping pictures of my kids at Disney World or rushing the stage to get a good shot of my tap dancer. I never took videos at Little League games. I just enjoyed the events! But perhaps if I had handled a camera more throughout the years I would be better at taking pictures of my cards. What happened to the score lines on my card? They just disappeared right into the picture. And what happened to the warm Crumb Cake color? Just faded away.........sigh.......this card made me smile - until I snapped the picture! I think I will just leave you now and look at the real thing clipped up on my card display rack~!

Pearls For You.....PPA121

2011-11-24T04:30:00.000-05:00

Pearls dress up any occasion! So keeping in the spirit of the holiday season - and the challenge at Pals Paper Arts - I broke out the pearls! Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful - and ended with pie :)

Christmas Bells.....FMS12

2011-11-23T04:30:00.000-05:00

The very talented Jen Mitchell designed the sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches. So in honor of Jen and her new policy of using up designer paper (that seems to abound in so many of our craft rooms) I dug out last year's Deck the Halls. My die cut circle fit perfectly after a bit of fussy cutting around the poinsettias and the holly leaves. The bells are embossed in gold - and ready to ring in the holiday season!

Dear Santa......PPA120

2011-11-17T04:30:00.000-05:00

Dear Santa,
I hope you like this letter I am sending you! I dressed it up with beautiful sparkles - just for you! And I wouldn't mind at all if you left me something sparkly too!
xoxoxo Linda

Pals Paper Arts is hosting a sketch challenge this week. Join us and dress that sketch up any way you'd like!

Truly Thankful.....FMS11

2011-11-16T04:30:00.000-05:00

Doesn't this oval frame look like a turkey platter? It reminds me of Thanksgiving dinner - which reminds me of one more thing that I am thankful for this time of year. My wonderful sister-in-law cooks a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner every year - and all I have to do is show up with dessert! "Freshly Made" of course!

Pals (119) and Players (71)

2011-11-10T04:30:00.000-05:00

There's a lot going on with this card - just like the holiday season! Pals Paper Arts challenged us this week to do a holiday card and I decided to follow the recipe at The Paper Players. Let's check that list of ingredients:

3 Pieces of Designer Paper: Silver Glimmer, Letters to Santa, Marina Mist Stripes

2 Ribbons: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Old Olive Narrow Taffeta

Punch: Look carefully - there's the edge of of a one inch circle peeking out as a tab to open the card.

Glitter: Hmm the silver cord is sparkly and how about the glittery paper? And then there are those random bits of silver embossing powder scattered here and there where they aren't exactly supposed to be! That definitely added extra sparkle!

'Tis the season to make a list and check it twice.....

Simple Joys.....FMS 10

2011-11-09T04:30:00.000-05:00

Snowmen are definitely one of the simple joys of the season - and look how happy this one is to be in the middle of all that joy! My Design Team friend Rita Wright designed a wonderful sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches. Hundreds of Stampin' Up! demonstrators attended convention in Salt Lake City last July. And out of all of those demonstrators I met Rita - and actually ran into her

more than once! We even managed to get in some quality chat time during a Make and Take session. I find it amazing that a few months later we ended up on the same design team........simple joys.........

Guest Stamper - Trina

2011-11-06T13:09:00.000-05:00

My friend Trina is a very creative and talented stamper. She designed these invitations for her son's wedding using Cards and Pockets folders and Stampin' Up stamps. She spent hours overlaying images and embossing. The results were gorgeous! Her description of this amazing project:

"I created these wedding invitations for my son’s wedding. His fiancée, Jessica, and I decided on the invitation pocket fold and colors. Sam and Jessica made all of the decisions regarding the wording of the invitations and the other information. I purchased the precut invitation card stock (cream puff) and precut invitation mats. I cut the cream puff cardstock for the inserts by hand. Sam and I created all of the printing on my home computer. I stamped and heat embossed the flower, leaf, and butterfly designs on the front of the envelopes, envelope liners, and invitation pocket fold fronts and inside. They were my own designs. I also stamped the monograms on the front of the invitation belly band. The dinner menus and favors matched the invitations. Making these invitations was a true labor of love!"

She has entered her design into a contest at Cards and Pockets. If you would like to vote for her - click here. Scroll down to Petrina Zimmerman under the DIY category.

So Elegant - PPA118

2011-11-03T04:30:00.000-04:00

Pals Paper Arts has a beautiful color challenge this week! I love all of these neutrals - they are so classy! But these lovely colors present another challenge - how to photograph them well! I struggle with pictures when using white - or in this case Very Vanilla (with a bit of Soft Suede spritzing on it). The white background takes a blue tinge and the Vanilla just isn't rich and creamy like it is in real life. I do use daylight bulbs and a light tent but if anyone has any other helpful hints I'm listening..................

Flowers For You - FMS9

2011-11-02T04:30:00.000-04:00

My DT friend Tui Nathan designed the sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches. Tui is from Australia and this summery card using Calypso Coral, Berry Blossoms DSP and flowers from Simply Soft is made with thoughts of Tui as she heads into summer. We in the Northeast are well aware of what is coming our way after two October snowstorms - and it is not summer! I also love exchanging e-mails with Tui - she says good morning and when I answer back I end with good night. She greets the day 13 hours before I do! Reminds me of the Beatles song........I don't know why you say good-bye......I say hello.......

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T16:30:00.000-04:00

In keeping with the Halloween spirit I played around and created something fun for Carrie Gaskin's KaPow Challenge this afternoon. We already had Trick or Treat Night in our neighborhood over the weekend - during a snowstorm actually! My dog kept barking at all of our visitors and I had to pick her up to keep her quiet. So I handed out treats with a poodle under one arm and a basket of candy in the other. Doesn't everyone? I opened the door at one point to Dora the Explorer and Snow White. Dora asked me why I didn't put my dog down and I answered: "She barks too much but she stops when I pick her up - and I don't know why that is." To which Snow White replied: "I know........she likes loooooove......" Wishing you lots of treats and loooooooove on Halloween..................

Tying It Together.....PPA117

2011-10-27T03:30:00.000-04:00

Oh it's a sweet challenge at Pals Paper Arts this week - Clean and Simple with a ribbon! I followed the Mojo Monday Sketch using Well Worn DSP along with Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy and River Rock. The Not Quite Navy Ribbon and Linen Thread tie things together quite nicely..... nothing worse than loose ends..........

Just My Type!

2011-10-26T03:00:00.000-04:00

The first typewriter I ever typed on looked very much like this one! It was an amazingly intricate machine that I found totally fascinating. I loved everything about it from the clacking of the keys to the dinging of the bell. I hated to leave it behind when I headed off to college with my brand new Smith Corona Electric! And so I love this fabulously detailed image from Established Elegance! I snipped it out, popped it up and "typed" Boooooooo!

I followed the Freshly Made Sketch below and will also be submitting this to Stampin' Royalty's Halloween challenge.

Freshly Made Sketch 8

PPA Sketch Challenge 116

2011-10-20T04:30:00.000-04:00

My friend Maria takes beautiful photographs. One of those beautiful pictures was the inspiration for this card above made for Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge. Maria and I got together recently to talk about using her pictures as the focal point of cards. I made a quick sample for her which I have posted below. The photo is from her trip to Italy. I love the sepia tone of it! I trimmed her picture and just added some ribbon and a sentiment to create the bottom card. So simple - yet so pretty! Last I heard Maria was making friends with a brand new paper cutter, cardstock and ribbon and was going to introduce them to some gorgeous photos........can't wait to see her results!

Christmas Joys....FMS7.....

2011-10-19T00:18:00.000-04:00

Christmas cards, Christmas trees, jingle bells and sparkle - just a few of the joys Christmas! This past weekend we headed out to a tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. This beautiful Fraser fir will be coming home with us mid-December. There will be snow, hot chocolate, Christmas carols and that delicious smell of pine in the living room. The joyful list keeps growing........

Beautiful Inspiration.....PPA115

2011-10-13T04:00:00.000-04:00

I would love to tell you that my front door looks just like this gorgeous inspiration photo at Pals Paper Arts.............but it doesn't. This entryway is beautifully decorated for fall with just a hint of Halloween. Inspiration for this card came from those fall colors with Pick Your Poison DSP providing just a hint of Halloween. There are plenty of leaves on my front walk so I think I'll head out to catch me a few crows!

Pals Paper Arts Inspiration Photo

Scaredy Cat............FMS6

2011-10-12T03:00:00.000-04:00

True Confession #1: I cut the cat image apart from the words "Scaredy cat" because I knew I didn't want them stamped together. Too late I realized I was going to snip out the cat to stick on the fence in front of the moon. Then I could have just used my black marker to stamp the letters. That would have been much less stressful than trying to make sure I didn't snip away cat toes or part of the letters!

True Confession #2: I did not cut apart the bats before I stamped because I knew I was going to snip them out to stick on the moon and I learned my lesson - see True Confession #1.

True Confession #3: That cat's not the only one afraid of bats!

PPA114.......Just Because.....

2011-10-06T04:30:00.000-04:00

The leaves are changing and Gently Falling in my yard. Every day this week I have heard the geese honking overhead as they fly south. So I just had to create a card for PPA with falling leaves and a big honkin' bow.....just because.......

Freshly Made Sketch #5

2011-10-05T03:00:00.000-04:00

Gold embossed flowers from Faith in Nature add a touch of glam to this Freshly Made Sketch. A doily from the Flirtatious DSP makes a beautiful frame. And I'm amazed how two strong colors like Pumpkin Pie and Night of Navy complement each other. But that's just what good friends do..........

'Tis the Season.....PPA 113...Embossing

2011-09-29T04:30:00.000-04:00

The sentiment is embossed in silver, the stockings in black. Paper: Pick Your Poison DSP.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes the Great Pumpkin soon would be there.........

It's My Day!

2011-09-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Library Brunch last Sunday was a huge success! We raised a lot of money for the library and I am pleased to report that not one person left a thank you card favor behind! So Monday was for me. I combined some Spice Cake and Pool Party to make this card for Freshly Made Sketches and then I spent the whole afternoon reading on the porch. It was probably the last 80 degree day until next summer so a cookout for dinner was in order. Translation: Husband cooked, I did not! Oh we all need such a day now and then..........

PPA112 - Lace

2011-09-22T04:30:00.000-04:00

Meet Thank You Card #120 tied up with some lace for this week 's PPA challenge! Our library brunch is this weekend and I am happy to say that there will be a Thank You card at every place setting! My dining room is full of items for the brunch: 120 place cards, 120 Thank You cards and 30 centerpieces of Baby's Breath and sprigs from the "Money Plant". A friend dropped off several branches of the plant and said that each of those "silver dollars" had to be peeled to reveal the pretty translucent layer inside. Then she left saying "Have fun!" So every time I walked the dog last week I would grab a branch and peel away, scattering the seeds and outer layers as I went along. Only after I finished did my friend mention that she had a hard time finding the plant because it is considered a weed. People work very hard to keep it out of their gardens because it takes over. Uh oh - well perhaps we won't have such a hard time finding some next year! All I need is a pot on my head and I am a regular Johnny Appleseed!

Before the reveal!

And after!

Freshly Made Sketches 3

2011-09-21T03:30:00.000-04:00

These colors are so bright and happy that you can't help but have a happy birthday when you receive a card like this! Big Top Birthday DSP looks fabulous with a Tempting Turquoise background and a pop of Real Red. I used stamps from Happiest Birthday Wishes and snuck in a candle image for the i. The skinny taffeta ribbon that peeks out along the edge of the turquoise panel sort of sneaks up on you - like birthdays!

Head on over to Freshly Made Sketches and join in the fun!

I remember when........PPA111

2011-09-15T04:30:00.000-04:00

I loved using Domestic Goddess DSP when I put this card together for PPA's sketch challenge. It is wonderfully retro and makes me think about life at home way back when. Reminds me of that "I'm so old" game. Some of you must have played that game a time or two! I'll start: I'm so old I remember catching the squished clothes and shaking them out to hang after my mother put them through the wringer of the wash machine! Your turn..........

I Should Have Been a Cowboy........

2011-09-14T06:30:00.000-04:00

I am liking these clean sketch challenges at Freshly Made Sketches just fine! Spice Cake DSP and a combo of stamps from Easy Events made putting this card together a breeze. This card is to say thanks to my Cousin Cindy who managed to get second row seats for my daughter and me this week at the Toby Keith concert! But we never even sat in those seats - we were dancing the whole time! We were so close to the stage that we were even ahead of the big screens on each side of the amphitheater. About half way through the concert Erin received a text from her brother - who was home watching opening night football - that said:

Receiving texts from friends at the concert that say you two keep appearing on the big screen. Don't act like idiots.

That kid sure has a way with words! My apologies to all the guys out there who were hoping for a hot girl in a cowboy hat on the big screen and got me instead................

PPA 110 - Happy Halloween!

2011-09-08T04:30:00.000-04:00

Pals Paper Arts is celebrating the soon-to-arrive fall season with a Halloween challenge. Frightful Sight DSP worked well with the stamps from Scaredy Cat. How convenient that Halloween has its own built in candelabra!

A Fresh Start!

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

After all of those years of teaching school, September always seems like the beginning of the new year for me! The seasons change, school starts and those lazy summer days fade away. It is the perfect time of year to start something new! I am excited to be part of the Freshly Made Sketches Design Team! The challenge is to follow the sketch and keep the design clean - doesn't have to be simple - just clean! Hope you join us!

I used stamps from Button Buddies, Sew Suite and Sweet Shoppe alphabet with Just Add Cake DSP to create this card for a friend of mine who is still teaching. But the message is for all of my fellow teachers - and students - school does rule! Have a great year!

PPA109 - Color Challenge

2011-09-01T01:30:00.000-04:00

If I could send flowers to all of the power company crews I would! They have done an amazing job turning the lights back on in our area! I live in upstate NY - in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Hurricanes? Never! Until Irene........the devastation upstate and in neighboring Vermont is just incredible. We were very fortunate locally and just had power outages and some trees down. Unfortunately a tree did fall on our garage up at the lake. The damage wasn't too bad - the power wires actually kept the tree from going through the garage. My husband is always glad for a reason to power up that chain saw!

I used PPA's challenge colors this week along with stamps from Button Buddies and Friendly Phrases.

Hurricanes..........

2011-08-31T11:47:00.001-04:00

Before Hurricane Irene roared into my life Hurricane Lesley did. Lesley Croghan that is - yep that Always Playing With Paper gal. She is one amazingly energetic, enthusiastic and creative lady! When I received an e-mail asking me to be part of her new Design Team I was so honored! Freshly Made Sketches will officially debut next Wednesday. You can go there to meet the Design Team and get a preview of what is to come. It's all about clean designs :)

Lesley is also responsible for my new look! I love the banner she put together for me using symbols for each season! When I suggested changes to the design she willingly did them - then I had to write her back and say - oh your look was much better! If she does a banner for you - trust her!

Normally I would send her this lovely thank you card and write a sweet note - but Lesley I am in a crunch here. This is your thank you card but it has now officially become #84 and put in the basket for the library.......I found out I have to make 120.......will be singing extra verses to that song!

Happy Anniversary! PPA108

2011-08-25T04:15:00.017-04:00

Pals Paper Arts challenge this week was Clean and Simple with rounded corners. Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette and Beau Chateau Designer Paper worked beautifully together to create this soft and sweet anniversary card. Hard to believe my daughter and her husband are coming up on anniversary number 3!

My parents were wintering in Florida on the date of their 50th anniversary. A family party was planned when they returned to NY but we wanted to do something special on their actual wedding date. My daughter was in high school at the time and we decided to send her down to surprise them for the occasion. Friends would pick her up in Melbourne and take her to my parents' house. On the way to the airport we talked about how surprised Gram and Pop would be when she came strolling in. I told her that they were going to think that she was the best anniversary gift ever! As we headed back to the car after her plane took off, my son (who was about 12 at the time) said: "Mom, do me a favor. Don't ever send me Erin as a present!" Ahhh brotherly love................

Thank U - PPA107

2011-08-18T04:15:00.077-04:00

Once upon a time kids riding school buses on field trips did not have video games or iPods to keep them busy. Kids actually sang loud and long all the way there and back. "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" was the classic song that drove teachers crazy! I just can't get that song out of my head these days. I am making 100 thank you cards for a library event and every time I finish a card I feel like singing another verse. This is #34 so that must mean:

"66 cards are left to make, 66 thank you cards! Another one's done! Isn't this fun? 65 thank you cards to make!"

For the PPA Challenge I used Early Espresso, Soft Suede, River Rock, and the new Well Worn DSP. Thank U is from Pennant Parade. I spritzed Espresso ink around and tied it all together with Baker's Twine and a seam binding bow. Play at PPA this week and you just might win some Blog Candy :)

De-duck-tible.......PPA106

2011-08-11T04:15:00.008-04:00

Just can't get enough of that rubber ducky from Easy Events! This sheet of DSP from Berry Blossoms had the look of bathroom tile to me so it was the perfect background for my trio of ducks. Following PPA's recipe challenge I used 1 DSP, 1 punch (scalloped edge) and 1 sentiment (from Pennant Parade). The bubbles? A flower stamp from Raining Flowers. And I love the Calypso Coral with Wisteria Wonder!

Here's another quacker strutting his stuff:

It's one of the famous ducks that live in the glorious fountain at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. While visiting Tennessee, my daughter and I watched the morning parade of ducks from their Penthouse Suite, down the elevator, across the red carpet and into the fountain. We brought home some great duck themed gifts including a bib for my niece's little guy that says: "I'm de-duck-tible!"

Grow! PPA 105 Color Challenge.......

2011-08-04T04:15:00.001-04:00

Grow was the theme of Convention this year and this stamp was available in Memento Mall. I paired it with flowers from Raining Flowers. It comes with a sweet sentiment that says "Don't go through life, grow through life." That's perfect for a graduation or significant birthday occasion. But sometimes wouldn't you just love to send someone a card that says this:

Convention Swaps - Part 2

2011-07-30T15:57:00.000-04:00

Now that my computer is home and running I can show you another round of swaps from Convention! Kind of scary how much I missed it while it was away even though my computer skills are not exactly stellar. Our librarian at work has such patience with me when I call her downstairs to the front desk when I am in a jam. But I do think she finds my skills amazing. Just the other day I had to call her down to restart everything because I shut down the main computer system at the circulation desk. I flicked my hair back with my hand and knocked off my earring which flew directly to the main power source and killed the power. Yep I have mad computer skills................Enjoy the swaps :)

I love Shelby Fawver's ragged ribbon look!

Lydia Thompson's Scotties are two too cute!

Meg McAlister's swap is definitely sweet!

Notice Sue Bendinsky's fabulous fabric flower!

Rae Harper's rugged look is perfect with this set!

Kathy Hilden rocked the new colors in this baby card!

And I will leave you with Jen Pitta's wonderful glittery Christmas card - won't be long !

CAS Element of Style - Paper Piercing........PPA104....

2011-07-28T04:15:00.001-04:00

After returning from Salt Lake City, I googled SU convention pictures. While I was browsing I was attacked by 4 horrible viruses. Norton kindly told me I was being invaded but there was nothing to be done about it. Those viruses were as elusive as my paper piercing in this picture. Both of the butterflies have little dotted trails, the new ribbon already comes with a delightful pierced edging and the center of the flower from Button Buddies was pierced from the back side resulting in a lovely textured center. I just couldn't capture the piercing in my photograph nor could I capture those viruses. The computer has been fixed but there seems to be no hope for the photograph - it's just been a hole-y terror :)

Worth the Wait..........PPA 103....

2011-07-21T04:15:00.002-04:00

The little duck from Easy Events pairs nicely with the sentiment from Word Play and Nursery Nest DSP to create this sweet baby card. The pear ribbon and button adds just the right amount of pizzazz! I am still recovering from my trip to Convention so I appreciated getting a jump start this week from the sketch at Pals Paper Arts!

Just Call Me Alice........

2011-07-18T23:07:00.000-04:00

Alice in Wonderland that is. That's what it was like in Salt Lake City this past week! I felt like I had fallen into the rabbit hole and was surrounded by amazing creations and amazing people!

It was great hanging out with the Pals in person and cheering Mary on when she won so many awards! The White Rabbit - aka Mike Funke - kept me and my terrific roommates, Dawn, Ginger and Ann on schedule so we didn't miss a thing!

I also got to meet many on-line friends like the Mad Hatter herself Carrie Gaskin who wore a different hand crafted fascinator every day - and she looked fabulous in it! Artisan Award winners Sandra Farrell and Jenn Picard were gracious and charming as well as creative. I spent time with LeAnne Pugliese and created with Cindy Beach - wonderful gals! And I got a big ol' Texas hug from Lydia - she rocks!

The Pals got together for dinner and a swap and all I can say is wow! Enjoy:

An embossed beauty from my fellow Diet Coke fan Martha Stewart!

Beautiful in blue from Nicole!

Absolute cuteness from my roomie Ginger!

Classic and charming from my Southern Belle roomie Dawn!

A fabulous floral from Katy!

A kwik and kool klassic from Kris!

Bright, bold and beautiful from Mary!

And there is more to come................

Summertime...PPA102.....

2011-07-14T04:45:00.001-04:00

In the heat of summer it's wonderful to have cool colors to play with! Baja Breeze, Calypso Coral, River Rock and Lucky Limeaid add to the summer feel of this card which uses the new sets My Friend and Simply Soft. There is no air conditioning in my house. Summer is very short where I live so we try to enjoy those hot summer days. Usually that means sitting/napping/reading on the back porch in the shade while the afternoon just moseys along! And we have a strict rule at our house - if the temperature breaks 90 it's hot fudge sundaes for supper! Gotta love summer!

PPA 102 - Summertime!

Pals New Catalog Hop!

2011-07-12T04:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the Pals New Stampin' Up! Catalog Hop showcasing some of the new items now available! If you arrived from Melissa's blog you are right on track. I am headed to convention in Salt Lake City tomorrow and since you are not all coming with me I thought this would be a great time to show you my swaps!

I stamped the flowers from My Friend onto First Edition DSP and added the sentiment from Perfect Words with a bit of lace. The Melon Mambo flower packs a punch with color and design by using the new triple layer Blossom Bouquet punch. ( I did a bit of paper snipping to the middle layer of the flower.) I made three versions of the card using Basic Black, Concord Crush, and Old Olive.

I hope they like my swaps - and I hope to come back with lots of new ideas! But enough hoping - time to get back to hopping!

Your next stop is Barb's blog. The complete lineup is below in case you missed anyone. Have fun hopping!

1. Linda Fisher at http://www.lindas-stampinloft.blogspot.com/

                                   2. Melissa Ordelheide at http://naturalstampin.com/
                                   3. Linda Callahan at http://www.stampinseasons.blogspot.com/
                                   4. Barb Furlong at http://www.theloveofstamping.com/
                                   5. Barbara Chatzkel at http://www.takeoutpaperarts.com/
                                   6. Mikki Sarkisyan at http://www.mikkiscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
                                   7. Melanie Collins at http://www.oopsadaisy.typepad.com/
                                   8. Mary Fish at   http://www.stampinpretty.com/
                                  9. Patti MacLeith at http://www.papercraftsbypatti.blogspot.com/
                                  10. Nina Dee at http://www.deesignsbyninadee.blogspot.com/
                                 11. Jeanne Norris at http://www.mycreativeimpressions.com/
                                  12. Sandra Conner at http://www.prettyprovisions.blogspot.com/
                                  13. Joan Norris at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/clearlycreative/blog
                                  14. Stephanie Uzee at http://www.stampinwithsuzee.blogspot.com/
                                  15. Joanna Munster at http://www.inspiredbystampin.com/
                                  16. Carmen Sublasky at http://www.creativestamptuary.com/
                                  17. Nicole Watt at http://www.impressionsbynicole.com/
                                  18. Rae Harper at http://www.wildweststampin.com/

PPA101 - Beating the Blues...........

2011-07-07T04:45:00.001-04:00

All of those blues were making me blue so I decided to cheer up with a touch of Rose Red. Red is a definite confidence builder! I am packing my red suitcase and heading to Salt Lake City next week for convention. That's the same red suitcase I took to Leadership in January. When I landed in Nashville, I went to a shuttle desk and said I was an SU! demo who needed a ride to the Gaylord. I took out money for a ticket but the clerk said, "Oh honey don't worry about it. It's all taken care of. Your friends are on the first bus out front. Just hurry and jump right on it!" So I did!

As I sat down to catch my breath, I caught bits of conversation around me - incentive trips, booking workshops and recipes.......recipes? Everyone was smiling, friendly and excited but they were definitely talking about making dip! I was on a bus full of Tastefully Simple demos also headed to the Gaylord for a conference after a Meet and Greet event at the airport! No problem - I had a red suitcase, confidence and plenty of experience consuming dip to see me through!

Celebrate Good Times - Come On!

2011-06-30T04:15:00.009-04:00

Pals Paper Arts is celebrating its 100th Challenge with a technique challenge.....and some fabulous blog candy! Every Design Team member is offering blog candy that will be sent to ONE lucky designer who plays at PPA this week. I used one of my favorite techniques on this card. I colored directly on stamps from Clearly for You and Perfect Words using Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze and Peach Parfait markers. Simple but very effective! So take your amazing, awesome and talented self over to Pals Paper Arts and show off a favorite technique of your own!

If you are the blog candy winner I will send you C is for Cat, 4 yards of gingham ribbon and two dozen 6x6 squares of Stampin Up! designer series paper.

A Star is Born.....PPA99

2011-06-23T04:15:00.002-04:00

PPA's Challenge: Clean, simple and use stars.

Friend's new granddaughter: Born on Flag Day.

Don't you love it when the stars align?

Father's Day Smiles.......

2011-06-19T18:23:00.001-04:00

Golf made my dad smile so he would have appreciated this card made from a retired SU set, a new hostess set called Perfect Words and the new Just Add Cake DSP. Come to think of it cake made him smile too! He was a great storyteller with a quick wit and wonderful laugh. We lost him a few years ago due to a stroke. In the ICU as I tried to explain what was happening, he - a former electrician - whispered "I guess I really blew a fuse this time." To which I replied "Dad, I think you blew out the whole darn transformer!" And he smiled.......

It was our last conversation but I will be forever grateful that it ended with a smile. Hope you shared some smiles with your dad today - or if you are lucky like me you have plenty of memories that still make you smile!

PPA98 Sketch.......Make new friends but.......

2011-06-16T04:15:00.008-04:00

Putting this card together with a mix of old and new products made me think of the Girl Scout song: Make new friends, but keep the old........you know how it goes! Old Concord Crush is a perfect background for New Wisteria Wonder. New Lucky Limeade pops as an accent color yet blends beautifully with an Old Wild Wasabi fabric button. New Flirtacious DSP is a lovely backdrop for Old Concord Crush ribbon. A lightly stamped flower from the New Simply Soft hostess set provides a subtle image behind combined sentiments from Old Perfect Punches. And Old Concord Crush ink says Happy Birthday to my New Lucky Limeade friend!

Pals Retirement Hop

2011-06-14T04:15:00.005-04:00

Welcome to the Pals Retirement Hop! If you arrived from Barb's blog you have made it all the way to the end - Me! If you missed someone along the way, no worries you can start in again at Linda Fisher's site

.

I am such a Designer Paper fan that I can't believe I just discovered this beautiful pad of in color designs. These sheets will be retiring at the end of June along with this sweet little image from A Flower for All Seasons. Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush and Peach Parfait combine to make a perfect summer birthday card. Looks like the frog is taking time to stop and enjoy the flowers. Hope you have been able to spend some time and enjoy the sights along the way as well!

Pals Hop Lineup:
1. Linda Fisher
2. Nicole Watt
3. Joanna Munster
4. Mary Fish
5. Rae Harper
6. Mike Funke
7. Nina Dee
8. Barbara Chatzkel
9. Ann Schach
10. Joan Norris
11. Staphanie Uzee
12. Sandra Conner
13. Barb Furlong
14. Linda Callahan

PPA97...Signature Style....

2011-06-09T04:15:00.001-04:00

Pals Paper Arts challenge this week is to design a card in your signature style. I try to push my comfort zone now and then but my go to style is definitely clean and crisp! I love white space - or in this case Crumb Cake space. The red, black and white look so sharp against it! The daisy from Every Moment was perfect for a game of "Loves Me, Loves Me Not." Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds add a bit of sparkle to the daisy centers. Interesting that my closet is mostly black, white, red and taupe - must be directly related to that signature style! If I start sprinkling myself with Dazzling Diamonds I have gone too far............

Sail Away with PPA........

2011-06-02T04:45:00.021-04:00

Wonderful colors.......beautiful image......just makes you want to sail away on a gorgeous summer's day......unless you are me. They don't make sea bands or Dramamine strong enough to turn me into a sailor! So when I am at the lake and my crew heads "out to sea", I sit on the beach, sip my Diet Coke and open my latest find from the library - it's not all bad!

Sending Thoughts and Prayers.......

2011-05-26T04:45:00.006-04:00

PPA's challenge this week is to use brads on a clean and simple card. As I worked at my desk I kept watching the reports coming out of the midwest on the aftermath of the tornadoes. My heart goes out to the midwesterners - and the southerners - who have recently lost so much. Our town is loading a tractor trailer with building and cleaning supplies to send to one of the affected areas. It doesn't seem like much compared to the scope of the disaster but it is a small step to recovery. My card design is just a simple way to let folks know we care and are thinking about them. (I do hope my husband doesn't think about me when he notices part of Missouri's road map has been snipped out of his Harley touring book :)

Thanks Mary!

2011-05-22T06:00:00.001-04:00

I am delighted to be the featured artist on Mary Fish's blog today! The last thing she said to me before I started my card was "Have fun with it" - so I did! I played with the new triple punch and baker's twine and added in some bright buttons. Early Espresso made the perfect backdrop for Marina Mist and Tangerine Tango. It was fun to put together! Mary's on the Alaskan cruise this week with Stampin' Up! Hmmm she just might be having a bit more fun.......

Fun in the Sun....PPA94......

2011-05-19T04:45:00.001-04:00

These little guys from Fun in the Sun remind me of the time I floated down the lazy river with friends at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. I arrived last that day so I stood on a bridge and watched for them to float by. (Dads and kids headed for the big slides!) Meanwhile out on the river my friend Susan called to my friend Pam : "Don't forget to look for Linda when we get to the bridge." At that moment Liz floated by - Liz from my neighborhood who had never met Susan or Pam, nor did she know I was in Florida - who said: "You mean Linda Callahan? I know her!" Liz was just being flip to two strangers and my two friends could not believe what they were hearing! Thousands of people all over Walt Disney World and those 3 gals were floating in the same stretch of river! I heard them all shrieking and laughing before they got to the bridge! I am actually driving to Massachusetts this weekend to meet Susan at an outlet mall. I wonder if Liz will be there?

I turned PPA's sketch and used Pacific Point, Real Red and Bashful Blue with Celebration DSP.

Wedding Traditions.........PPA93....

2011-05-12T04:45:00.019-04:00

Pals Paper Arts is celebrating weddings this week. The gorgeous inspiration photo set the tone and as for the rest - I stuck with tradition!

Something Old - Retired DSP from last year's Sale A Bration.
Something New - Four Frames stamp set from the upcoming SU! catalog.

Something Borrowed - The Vanilla Rosette snipped off of a Make 'n Take project from Regionals.

Something Blue - Sweet taffeta ribbon!

Blogger has had some problems this week as many of you know and my post kept disappearing - along with comments that were left. So thank you to everyone who stopped by and left me kind words! Thanks to all of the folks at Blogger who got everything back on track!

God Save the Queen.......PPA92.....

2011-05-05T04:45:00.003-04:00

I logged hours of "seat time" watching that fabulous royal wedding. It was glorious in every way! And I laughed when I heard that Prince Harry was serving bacon sandwiches at the survivor breakfast. My British born mother turns 86 this week. Her secret to longevity? A bacon sandwich for breakfast EVERY day - go figure.............

Buttoned Up.......PPA91....

2011-04-28T04:45:00.002-04:00

Clean, simple and use a button - a perfect challenge from Pals Paper Arts this week! Someone there must have heard that I have an early morning planned tomorrow - there's a wedding to "attend." You too have plenty of time to play along and still get a front row seat at Westminster Abbey. I'll put the kettle on..................

You-nique.......PPA90....

2011-04-21T04:45:00.001-04:00

It really is incredible how we are all the same......but oh so very different! My daughter and I entertain ourselves when shopping with a guess who game. (Oh come on you must have some strange made up games in your family!) We hold up a piece of clothing or an accessory and ask "Who's this?" And we always seem to know! As a teacher I always reminded my kids to put their names on the back of their art projects but after a while I didn't need names - their personalities would shine through everything they created. And I love seeing personalities come through paper crafting. So glad you are all you-nique!

It's a sketch challenge this week at Pals Paper Arts! I used Bold Blossom stamps in front of Sunny Garden DSP - along with two sassy Tempting Turquoise butterflies!

A Tale of Two Aunts

2011-04-18T01:52:00.000-04:00

My father's parents and four older siblings came to America from Holland on the S.S. Noordam in 1920. I searched Ellis Island records and found the original ship's manifest that lists his parents, brothers and two sisters, Alida and Alida. The Dutch custom was to name the first girl after the father's mother and the second girl after the mother's mother. Since both grandmothers were named Alida, the sisters had the same name. The family called the eldest one Da (rhymes with Pa) and the younger one Al (rhymes with doll). My grandparents tried to explain this to the customs agent but he was having none of it. He said they needed different names to enter the country and re-christened them Alice and Dorothy - and I grew up calling them Aunt Al and Aunt Dot.

The stamps from The Open Sea perfectly captures the look of the actual ship's manifest. I followed the sketch from Stamping 411 and used a sentiment from Word Play.

Bloom Already! PPA89

2011-04-14T04:45:00.006-04:00

It has been said that the Earth laughs with flowers. Well I would be happy for a quiet chuckle or a silly little giggle around here - those snickering snowflakes that still show up now and then do not count! I made this flower out of the Springtime Vintage fabric with the Fun Flowers die. (Spray the pieces with starch, crumple them and let them dry before assembling.) Then I mixed in some newsprint, ribbon and lace and set it against a beautiful Marina Mist background. That is one big foofy flower - a definite belly laugh! I hope those bulbs in my back yard hear it and WAKE UP! Join in the fun and laughter at Pals Paper Arts this week and let your flowers bloom!

Recycling for The Paper Players

2011-04-08T22:42:00.001-04:00

My kids threaten every year to get me a dumpster for Mother's Day.......oh one can only hope! I love to throw things away! Too much stuff just drives me crazy. As much as I love getting SU! packages, all of that packaging and cardboard puts me over the edge - can't wait for recycle day! Because of my enthusiasm for filling trash cans, my husband has designated areas where I am not allowed to "clean up." But to do the recycle challenge at The Paper Players, I had to sneak into the cellar and approach the sacred work bench. I snared some sandpaper for the flower, some waffle packing paper and a couple of plastic thingys. I remembered to save my grocery receipt this morning - instead of throwing it away as I leave the store - and layered the flowers with it. An interesting thing happened when I used my heat gun to wrinkle my ribbon. Before the ribbon crinkled, the receipt layers of the flower turned dark! Totally forgot that receipt paper is now heat sensitive! I do have a few things left over from my trip to the basement.......it's time they moved on.........

Dot the Hi! PPA88

2011-04-07T04:45:00.001-04:00

Pals Paper Arts color challenge this week is perfect for spring! The temperature is slowly creeping up around here and there has even been some rain. Who knew I would be so happy for rainy days? These colors are just what I see when I look outside.....a bit of mud, a bit of snow, and a few hardy shoots peeking through along the back of the house where the sun is the strongest. So I dotted the hi to welcome Spring!

Definitely Punchy! PPA87

2011-03-31T04:45:00.002-04:00

Thanks to the magic of blogger scheduling I completed today's PPA post on using punches before I left on a road trip with my daughter. I logged in to do a final proofread before the post went live and what did I notice but a missing pearl! So much for my post on the beauty of Paisley Prints and the graceful lines of the Decorative Label punch.........all I see (or don't see) is that missing pearl! My card is about 150 miles away from me as I rewrite but I think I know where that pearl is. I have read about a certain Boxer puppy with a fondness for pearls - yep I am talkin' to you Brody Schach!

Making an Impression...........PPA86

2011-03-24T04:45:00.001-04:00

Pals Paper Arts challenged us to make a good impression this week and emboss. So with the hope of making a really good impression I used two embossing folders!

Regional Swaps...........

2011-03-20T20:07:00.000-04:00

I packed up my Silhouette Swaps and took them to the Stampin' Up! regionals in Hartford yesterday. I received beautiful swaps in return and thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

Rebecca Baker did this CAS classic:

This sweet thing was nameless:

Connie Sue Reitz' beautiful inlaid embossing:

How about Patricia Salhoff's gorgeous stamping on vellum:

Such elegance from Sandra Cussick:

Sheila Carnevale made a bold statement with this wonderful color combo:

I adore Kimberly Taylor's grungy look here:

And finally this little gem from Melanie Meier:

When you flip it over these are the "three little words" you see:

I love a girl with a sense of humor!

Sew Sketchy............PPA85.....

2011-03-17T04:45:00.005-04:00

I don't sew one little bit - not even enough to put on a button! So why do I find this Sew Suite set so adorable? Darned if I know! This card says thanks to all of my friends and family who have done alterations, made costumes, taken up hems and let out waists for me over the years - think I need to make about 50 more of these!

Pals Paper Arts

Spring Forward....PPA84.....

2011-03-10T04:45:00.006-05:00

Drawing inspiration from the beautiful Easter bonnet at Pals Paper Arts today, I picked some of the brightest colors I could find hoping to convince Old Man Winter to let go here in the Northeast! Using Ice Cream Parlor DSP, the sentiment from Easter Blossoms and the flower from Sweet Summer I think I covered all bases. And the colors? Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Melon Mambo - not a winter word anywhere!

Spring Hop

2011-03-08T01:30:00.001-05:00

I am enjoying the sights of spring showcased in the Pals Spring Hop because this is what I see from my back porch. My daughter is standing on the sidewalk behind our hedges and there is a street somewhere behind her!

For my sweet silhouette girl, I combined the sketch at Stamping411 with the Play Date Cafe's Color Challenge to use black, white and a splash of color. I needed a shot of Melon Mambo to escape all the whiteness around me!

And since I am yearning for a bit of green I thought I would send you a Happy St. Patrick's Day wish! I followed the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary and added a bit of gold to my lucky shamrocks.

No worries about snow on your next stop - you are headed south to Martha Stewart's. I know she has a delightful spring design in store for you!

The complete line up:

1. Angela R - http://stampinawaywithangela.blogspot.com/

2. Barbara Chatzkel -- http://www.takeoutpaperarts.com/

3. Carmen Sublasky - http://www.creativestamptuary.com/

4. Linda Callahan – http://www.stampinseasons.blogspot.com/

5. Martha Stewart - http://www.seasonsofstamping.com/

6. Mary Fish -- http://stampinpretty.com/

7. Joanna Munster -- http://www.inspiredbystampin.com/

8. Stephanie Uzee http://stampinwithsuzee.blogspot.com/

9. Dawn Gross http://dawnsthisnthat.blogspot.com/

10. Mike Funke -- http://stampin-style.typepad.com/

11. Sue Bendinsky – http://www.mycolorcreations.com/

12. Nina Dee - http://www.deesignsbyninadee.blogspot.com/

13. Melanie Collins - http://www.oopsadaisy.typepad.com/

Lovin' this Color Challenge....PPA83....

2011-03-03T04:45:00.005-05:00

The colors at Pals Paper Arts this week are so soft and beautiful! They have such a subtle elegance - so try not to notice that I stuck that lovely flower from Thanks for Caring into a birdcage from the Aviary set...........

The Scalloped Edge.........PPA82

2011-02-24T04:45:00.001-05:00

Nursery Suite DSP is beautifully detailed and fits right into PPA's challenge to use scallops! Pink Pirouette plays peek-a-boo with Baja Breeze and the design is softened with scallops and ruffles - perfect to welcome a sweet baby girl! An Apple Blossom stem was stamped behind the scalloped square and Regal Rose buttons were added to match the bunny's precious pink bow.......and those teeny tiny tags are just adorable.........ok enough - I am overdosing on cuteness.........

You're Too Kind.....PPA81.....

2011-02-17T04:45:00.001-05:00

Ahhh Valentine week - I'm happy to report I got a Valentine or two and this sweet treat from Nance Leedy:

I used the sketch at Pals Paper Arts to create a card to tell that Canopy Girl just what I think of her! She is one talented lady and a visit to the Canopy is always delightful!

When I taught third grade we would study the rainforest and its layers which included the fact that some flowers actually grow and bloom high above the ground in the canopy. The canopy blocks sunlight so the forest floor is too dark for many flowers to grow. At the end of a lesson one day I asked, "Who knows why there aren't lots of bright flowers on the forest's floor?" And a little guy answered: "Because the florist would trip over them all of the time!" Think about it........

Vintage Vogue - PPA 80

2011-02-10T04:45:00.005-05:00

There's a vintage theme happening at Pals Paper Arts this week so I got busy embossing, spritzing, smudging and distressing - oh I was definitely distressing! But I calmed down a bit when I took out the Springtime Vintage Fabric and cut out a perfect scalloped square on the Big Shot. I just "amour" that Rose Red flower! Sweet and Sour DSP and Baja Breeze Seam Binding tied things together perfectly.

PPA 79 - Color Challenge

2011-02-03T04:45:00.001-05:00

One of the nicest things about doing this blog is how many friends I have made online. It truly is amazing how much encouragement - and entertainment you all provide! This card made with PPA's challenge colors this week is headed to Kim Lampone, one very talented lady! She left me this sweet award on her blog this week.

But this means I am required to share 3 things about myself. In honor of the red Cherry on Top I will let you in on some of the red things in my life..........

1. I can play the accordion. Yep I have a 120 bass red Scandalli in my attic! (I'll wait while you stop laughing!)

2. I always buy a red winter jacket.

3. Wish I had a dollar for every book I have read! Making cards is not my #1 thing to do in my free time - gasp! I would read all day if I could.......and there are some days that I do!

The Year of the Rabbit!

2011-01-31T01:10:00.000-05:00

My daughter needed a Chinese New Year card for a friend so I combined a Kimono Kid with Fourth of July Fireworks to welcome the Year of the Rabbit. Rabbits are amiable, neat and considered to be the most fortunate of all the animals. It is good to be a bunny! I was born in the Year of the Ox - determined, traditional, easy going and follows a routine. That must be why I liked following Stamping411's sketch so much! Think I will walk on the wild side and post it on The Paper Players Anything Goes Challenge as well!

Bow-dacious! PPA78

2011-01-27T04:45:00.003-05:00

Pals Paper Arts challenge this week is to keep it CAS and tie it up with a bow. Black Satin ribbon, Black Taffeta ribbon and Crumb Cake seam binding work nicely together on this Valentine. A sweet glimmer heart in a windowpane adds an exclamation point to the sentiment! So go ahead, be bow-dacious and send out that special valentine!

(This also works for SUO's challenge #11 to make a Valentine)

Clearly for You!

2011-01-23T22:35:00.000-05:00

I decided it was time to ink up my new stamp set from Leadership - Clearly for You. Some Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Old Olive and I was good to go. And since this layout was sketched by my pal Ann Schach for The Paper Players I had to smudge things up a bit. Yes Ann this is clearly for you!

That Lovin' Feeling.......PPA 77.....

2011-01-20T04:45:00.011-05:00

Filled With Love is an appropriate stamp set to use because I love Margaret's PPA sketch this week! I am enamored with that red glimmer paper. I adore the look of Baja Breeze with Chocolate Chip and Real Red. I happily pop layers up with dimensionals and pop shapes out with punches. I swoon over the perfect scalloped square from the Big Shot! Oh and I get giddy when I snip with the corner rounder. But about the spritzy tool that sprayed red ink on my wonderful clean sheet of Whisper White...........think I'm losin' that lovin' feeling............think I have CAS issues.......

Leadership Style 2011

2011-01-16T23:37:00.008-05:00

I returned from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership conference to find that four of my blogging friends had sent me the Stylish Blogger Award! I am truly honored because these are very talented ladies - Lesley Croghan, Tara Bilbao, Martha Stewart and Colleen Dietrich. Visit their blogs and I know you will agree! Part of the award involves telling 8 things about yourself so I decided to share 8 things about my Leadership experience.

1. The big ice/snow storm on the east coast delayed my flights 24 hours! When I returned I drove the last hour home in a terrible snowstorm. I am rethinking my love of snow.

Swap from Angie Dimenna

2. The Opryland Hotel in Nashville is amazing!

3. I met some fabulous, talented, savvy ladies!

Liz Hughes, Dawn Tidd, Anne Beale, Linda Callahan, Mary Fish and Martha Stewart

4. SU! is a unique corporation. The executives are very approachable, warm and genuine.

5. We were given a beautiful bag to hold our many gifts and prizes! I switched seats in one session with someone who discovered a ribbon tied under her chair which meant she won an adorable apron made from SU! fabric - sigh. But I made out OK later when I won a Sew Suite collection of goodies for wearing a Perfect Plum button!

Swap from Maggie Patterson

6. Love was in the air as many swaps were Valentines!

Swap from Amy Dobbs

7. I am terrible at creating the vintage look but I do love what others create in this style!

Swap from Patti McDermott

8. I enjoy crossword puzzles and word games and won a stamp set of my choice for making the most words out of the word Leadership!

Swap from Allison Okamitsu

So thanks Colleen, Tara, Martha and Lesley for thinking of me! And thanks SU! for a wonderful experience!

Swap from Jacque Craig

It's the Little Things.........PPA76...

2011-01-13T04:45:00.001-05:00

There's a beautiful Lady in Red hanging out over at Pals Paper Arts this week - a wonderful Valentine inspiration! I love the windswept red bits in the picture! They inspired me to use lots of bits in this card. There is a bit from You're A Gem, Button Button, Sew Suite, Inviting, Deck the Halls DSP and a Bitty Button! Isn't it great when all the bits and pieces just fall together perfectly?

You're Never Too Old........PPA76.......

2011-01-06T04:45:00.006-05:00

My refrigerator door has been an "art" gallery as long as I can remember - and I bet yours is too! This card (using Button Button and a sentiment from Curly Cute) was designed for Pals Paper Arts color challenge and will soon be part of a refrigerator display. My mother winters in Florida so some of my cards will head south the next few months. Even though my mother loves her tropical vacation she still enjoys mail from home. And even though I am long past childhood, I still enjoy the fact that my mother hangs my work on her refrigerator!

Just For You - Blog Candy Winner!

2011-01-05T01:07:00.001-05:00

The sentiment from Afterthoughts and the sketch from Stamping 411 worked perfectly together to say thanks to all of you who left comments on my year in review! Carla's sweet comment said, "I can't make keys either." Now that's a pal for ya! And I laughed when some of you politely hinted that the key card wasn't exactly your favorite either! LJ made me feel better when she noted that she too missed her classroom in the fall. But the overall message from everyone was positive and encouraging - it is wonderful how we cheer each other on with our artistic endeavors! My husband picked a number and the blog candy winner is Stacy H. who confessed to loving DSP as I do! Stacy send your address to me at jcallahan1@nycap.rr.com and I will send out your stamp set along with this card - Just for You!

2010 Wrap Up - Eye Candy and Blog Candy!

2010-12-30T23:42:00.009-05:00

Diane at Rubber 'n Rafters sent me this Stylish Blogger Award - what a great way to end the year! Along with this award came the instructions to tell 8 things about yourself. I decided to let my cards do the talking - thought you might enjoy a look back at some of my 2010 creations - the good, the bad and the downright ugly!

Let's start with The Good:

1. Tea and cake are my two favorite food groups.......

2. I love using Designer Paper on my cards........

3. I am a minimalist at heart..........

4. I taught elementary school for over 30 years and when the leaves start to turn I still long to go set up my classroom for the upcoming year.........

5. I am an avid reader and I love an unexpected twist in a plot - and an unexpected twist in a card.........

6. I love serendipity - the good surprises! When I signed up to be a demo, I had no clue where it would all lead - and how many terrific people I would "meet" in cyberspace! So thanks to all of you for your encouragement, support and friendship.........

The Bad:

7. I am not artistic at all and have many areas to improve upon - like balance and proportion. I don't know what is worse that huge out-of-whack bow or that lopsided red flower...........

And now The Downright Ugly!

8. Sometimes I just don't know when to throw in the towel and start again! I use all of my cards and usually make them with a specific person in mind. I was determined to make a key on this "Congrats on your new home" card. It is a disaster on many levels - I never did send it out!

And if you made it this far you deserve a reward! Leave me a comment for a chance to win the clear mount set - Eggcoutrements. Trying to make a key just put me over the edge - I have never used the set since! I'd love to see what you do with it for Easter! Best wishes for a Happy 2011!

I'll announce the blog candy winner on Wednesday, January 5th!

Pals Paper Arts Best Dressed List 2010!

2010-12-30T04:45:00.004-05:00

Pals Paper Arts is proud to announce its Best Dressed List for 2010! This is a collection of our favorite paper creations from the Pals Picks in 2010. I got the honor of starting the list with my favorite pick in January. It wasn't easy to choose just one - but I did!

Marlene Peters started the year out right with this wonderful Valentine treat! Bandit in a Box is a fabulous combination of designer series paper, stamping and embellishing. And then there is that delightful surprise inside!

More surprises are in store at PPA in 2011 - our new challenges start next week! In the meantime head on over to Pals Paper Arts to see the entire Best Dressed List from 2010!