Flakes....PPA26......

The theme of Pals Paper Arts Challenge this week is snowflakes. Have to be honest - I love snow! I thought there was something a bit flaky about this piece of Night and Day Designer Paper so I picked it for the background. Have to be honest - I tend to like my friends a bit flaky too!

Learning Curve.....Mojo123.....

The Mojo Monday challenge had a cute twist this week - work the design in a square or round frame. My upline Mary Fish, a member of Mojo's talented design team, did a lovely card in the square mode. I left her a rather sassy comment that said something like - fine if you picked square, I'll pick round. A bold statement from a girl who likes all her ducks in a nice neat row. Two days later this is all I've got after living in a world of optical illusions, rolling edges and cuts that you swear were straight until you put them on the card. I did learn a lot of new things about "theater in the round" for next time but tomorrow's card for the PPA challenge will have square corners for sure! No more sass from me Mary!

It's About Time.....SSC135.....

Sending Love Designer Paper is gorgeous! It has built in glitz and sparkle that definitely saves time in the creative process - fellow pal Anne Beale Yancy would approve. She led the Pals' conference call this month and provided wonderful strategies on time management. I think she would like The Saturday Sketch Challenge this week at Stamping411 as well. It included measurements with the sketch - more time savers! The new fancy flower punch popped that big flower out in a jiffy and I added just a bit more bling. Whew I wish the rest of my schedule would fall into place as fast as that - I'm working on it Anne Beale!

Enjoy...........

Enjoy - that's exactly what I did today. My son and his friends arrived for a late lunch of chili and sandwiches after skiing. Gotta love the energy of 20 somethings! Lots of football trash talk about the playoffs tomorrow and lots of laughs. Not much to clean up since they took all the leftovers to get themselves through the games tomorrow - so I had time to stamp. The clean and simple challenge at SCS this week was to use teal, white and another color. I love clean and simple cards - they are my favorite. Ahhh you are thinking, "Here is where she starts the 'enjoy the simple things in life' speech!" Nope - all I have to say is there isn't a better way to end your day than with a spot of pumpkin pie................

The Golden Globes.....

I love to go to the movies and I am a sucker for awards shows - I love the glam and the glitz and the unexpected moments. Last night did not disappoint. How about that Sandra Bullock? and Jeff Bridges? and Robert Downey, Jr.? Even Cher showed up - high fashion was everywhere! (Ok and a few low fashion moments...) I followed the Saturday Sketch Challenge at Stamping411 to create a stylish engagement card using Night and Day Designer Paper. I used the large stamp from Wedding Sweet and dotted it with Golden Globes. A pop of Melon Mambo ribbon was added for that unexpected moment. I await Oscar night..........

Parlez-vous francais?........PPA25........

Chocolate chip paper, white embossing powder and a punch or two was all that I needed after seeing PPA's inspiration picture this week! I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch as a guide for my layout. The heart was stamped with swirls from Wedding Sweet and then embossed. A scallopy white ruffle was added around the heart. The secret to the ruffle is the paper crimper - thank you to Jan Tink! Chocolate and saying I love you in French sounds like a perfect combination for Valentine's Day.............

Just one more.............

Ok I am having such a good time making these thank you cards from Jackpot DSP I just had to show you one more - I'll stop now - honest!

Jackpot!.........PPA24.....

Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge this week was designed by Margaret Moody . PPA is lucky to have such a talented artist on their team! I used Jackpot Designer Paper this week along with a bit of punching and a bit of stamping to create some thank you cards to send to my friends who helped me celebrate my recent birthday. I am very lucky to have such terrific friends so I've slipped some lottery tickets inside their cards - hope they hit the jackpot!

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 51..........

Flurries..........

There is a flurry of activity these days in my craft room. I have been working on thank you cards for Christmas and birthday gifts. This wonderful chocolate chip felt ribbon takes the chill off those flurries on the Merry Moments Designer Paper. And working on cards takes my mind off of all those flurries outside..........well except maybe for those flurries they sell at Wendy's.........