Got the blues........

Pals Paper Arts is singing the blues and Stampin' Royalty is feeling punchy this week. So I grabbed a couple of punches and spread blue paper samples out across my desk to see which one was singing my song. Tempting Turquoise lived up to its name.............I couldn't resist.............

Birds On A Wire......

Once upon a time long ago, my dad was a lineman for the power company. He would strap on his spikes, clip on his belts and climb power poles There he would be way up in the air repairing wires supported only by two spikes and a leather strap. It was an amazing display of strength and acrobatics - especially to a 6 year old! And let's not forget the zillion volts of electricity humming through the wires. I would ask him the same question over and over: "How come the birds can touch the wires and you can't?" I thought of that question again today as I was putting together this card using Sweet Pea designer paper. Oh I finally have the answer figured out - being grounded is usually a good thing.......unless you are a bird on a wire.........

Crumb Cake.....

SU's color renovation has introduced new colors , regrouped familiar colors and has actually renamed one. Pals Paper Arts challenge this week was to keep it simple and kraft is one of my favorite colors for simple cards. I paired it here with a Bashful Blue ribbon. Whether it labels a person, a town or a color, a name is a stamp of identity- it's important! My town was once named Stump City. Thank Heaven that was revised! The new SU palette has some lovely names so Kraft has been re-christened............I always did love Crumb Cake.....

New Colors Make Me Happy........

Just like early spring flowers hint of the summer ahead, these flowers give you a sneak peek of SU's new colors available this summer. The Early Espresso fence provides a backdrop for flowers made of Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist and Cajun Craze. And the green?? Welcome back Wild Wasabi! Even their names make me happy.............

(Thank you Stamping411 for the sketch and Mike Funke for the fence idea.)

Tools: Martha Stewart flower punch; Stampin' Up - 1/2in circle punch, Two Step Bird punch, Pinking Hearts Border, Little Leaves Die; paper crimper.

Go With All of Your Heart.......PPA38...

Pals Paper Arts challenge this week featured a sketch by Margaret Moody. Real Red and Basic Black worked nicely with the Asian Artistry Stamp Set. And yes you do see a bit of Storybook DSP. As for the sentiment - well once again it just proves Confucius was a very wise man!

Good Morning World!

The Saturday Sketch Challenge at Stamping411 was sweet and simple this week - perfect for a new baby card. The baby chick stamp from Country Morning is a sweet and simple image - perfect for a new baby card!

Stop and Smell the Roses.........PPA37....

Well ok they are more like wildflowers on my card than roses but you get the idea! Pals Paper Arts challenge this week is a theme one - flowers! I inked the flower stamp from Asian Artistry with Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry and Old Olive to complement the Cottage Wall DSP. If you notice there is no sentiment on the card but there is room for one. I like to keep a few cards blank so I can quickly add get well, sympathy or birthday wishes as I need to. Once in a while I do plan ahead - that gives me time to stop and smell the roses :)

Birthday Card......check....

The color challenge at Pals Papers Arts this week combined with the sketch challenge at Stamping411 led to this birthday card for my mother. I double stamped the flower from Of the Earth and used a sentiment from Well Scripted. That's one more item checked off my to-do list as we count down to her 85th birthday celebration - just four weeks away!