[Paperplay Challenges] Week No. 13 - Easter

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Hello there! I went to go see my doctor for allergies and was getting ready to report that I am doing much better, now that the Fall season is over. But lo and behold, with the aggressive spring season and funky weather, all the trees are in full bloom. I am experiencing congestion and runny nose, headaches and such. Mother Nature is telling me Spring is here - ready or not! Time to whip out the Nasonex and Claritin...Anyone else out there who suffers when the trees and flowers bloom?

At PaperPlay Challenge we have the most appropriate Spring challenge, since this next holiday is just around the corner: Easter. I decided to bust out my new Waltzingmouse Stamps for this challenge...


Stamps: (Chicken Wire, Offbeat Backgrounds, Nordic Spring, Compact Sentiments) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Sweet Blush) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko; (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar, No. 4 - Lemon Drop, No. 4 - Chicken Feed; Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Vintage Photo) Ranger
Embellishments:  (Adhesive Gems - Pearls) Studio 112; (Crystal Stickers - Pearls) Mark Richards; (Rosy Best of Friends - Pearls) My Mind's Eye

For this card, I used a little inspiration help from this weeks' Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. A rather lose interpretation on my part, since I couldn't get those two panels in the middle layer to work out at all... More room for embellishments tho :) 

Easter means all the flowers and critters are starting to appear and I have been itching to ink up this little butterfly from Waltzingmouse. I stamped the image first in Lemon Drop and then edged (rocked) the stamp in Chicken Feed.



The chevron was stamped first on two panels of card stock, but I had no creative ideas how to fit it in and then gave up. They will be used on some other project :) Instead I stamped the chevron right onto the card stock and gave the butterfly something to anchor on...



The pearl are a fun addition to give the butterfly more "flight action" and the Chevron stamps (which I tried stamping onto two panel cards first) give it an anchor to sit on the card.

Hop on over to the other PPC girls and see what they have created for this week's challenge.

Our sponsors this week:

• In2Stamps

[DYSU] Challenge #65 - Sew It

Good morning, dear readers! I have two posts today, so I am delighted you have stopped by! I can't resist, but I have to ask you all "Sew, what's new with you?" before we get started.

Ok, now that you have indulged me with my punny side, I can also tell you that we're bringing Sewing theme this week. I was so determined to get my sewing machine out for this challenge, but didn't find a need for it half way through the card...

My card features one of our sponsors today, and since I have a friend in mind to give this card to, the color scheme came together quite easily...


Stamps: (Mousey Seamstress) Dearie Dolls; (Sewing Box - Hugs) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Material Girl) Cosmo Circket
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 2 - Cough Syrup; Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Antique Linen) Ranger
Embellishments: (Mister Huey - Cameo) Studio Calico; (Nestabilities - Label No. 18) Spellbinders; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Point 88) Stabilo

This image is adorable, isn't it? I decided to focus on the faux stitching and the sewing elements in the pattern paper. Since I really liked the vintage cream & red color combo, I decided to let the seamstress mouse speak on its own. I only colored in small elements of red. The rest really just pops on its own, don't you think?



So that's all I have for you today; go check out the amazing creations by the talented DT. And I look forward to seeing your creations!

Our sponsors this week:

$10 Gift Voucher

$15 Gift Certificate

Winner's Choice of 4 Images

[Scrap Our Stash] March Challenge - Green

Good morning, folks! This is going to be a wonderful Saturday, because today is my friend's baby shower. I have been busy as a bee prepping a bunch of things for her and her husband, and am loving this complete Baby Zoo Animals theme that this party has going!

At Scrap Our Stash's March Challenge we are creating things around the theme Green.

Let's switch gears for a second and talk baby shower...My friend loves all things cute, but is not a pink fan. So even though she and her husband are expecting a lil baby girl, I decided to go with classic colors, such as green and yellow.

Here is a sneak peek of the baby shower cards:



I alternated yellow with green and green with yellow on the invitations, varied up the little zoo animals stamped onto them, and kept the text the same. Here is a little collage pic of my supplies (and supply list)


Stamps: (Join Us) Waltzingmouse Stamps; (Sarah Phelps Collection - Noah's Ark) Impression Obession
Paper: (Perfect Basics Card Stock - Lemon Zest, Spring Moss; Stamper's Select Vellum) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Bubbles Edger Punch) EKSucces; (5/8" Saddle Stitch Ribbon - Ripe Avocado) Papertrey Ink

I always prototype a card first, before I go into mass production mode. And since I want to go with a graphic look, I decided to stamp off most the animals in grey and put one of the zoo animals in front center. 



The trim were cut out first, then the edge punched, lastly stamped on with the invitation from the Join Us Waltzingmouse Stamp set with again London Fog and Tuxedo Black to mimic the graphic effect of the animals. The ribbon is just a fun little touch to put a little bit of accent into the whole design. Here an up close look...



The inside has a little cute invitation poem that I came up with on one of my drives down to Maryland. It is printed with a laser printer on Vellum for a little bit of fanciness and glued carefully into the inside...



Details on the invitation poem and party favors will have to be posted up later on my blog...

In the meantime, check out the Scrap Our Stash's March Challenge. You have until the end of the month to get your inspirations in. What green things is tickling your creative mojo?

[DYSU] Challenge #64 - Plaid

Hello everyone! I'm two days away from Saturday's baby shower for my crafty friend Elke & her husband. I am so looking forward to this event...it's based on zoo animal theme and I will post a lot of the projects that I have been creating. Yes - lots of creation, but little time to blog...I will have to catch up here once things simmer down!

While I do that, I have a new challenge for you with us at DYSU. Whip up projects using Plaid. Bring on your Scottish heritage - I bet you have some pattern paper or maybe stamps to put a plaid pattern together!

My card features one of our sponsors today and I decided to make my own Plaid pattern paper...


Stamps: (Love Heart Owl) Pink Gem Designs; (Pic-nic Patterns) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Fresh Linen, Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - Cream) Recollections
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar, No.1 - Chewing Gum; Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Sugar Spun) Ranger;
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Point 88) Stabilo

If anyone would like to see a step-by-step tutorial I can recommend this little writeup that Claire made. Here is a picture of all the tools required to making this cute little brown/pink plaid. (Feeling Burberry, anyone?)



Here is a picture of the finished plaid pattern paper. Making plaid is great, because I end up with some excess which I can use later on another project...



After this I decided to sponge the vintage cream card stock with Sugar Spun. It needed a little bit of pink; it still look a little bright, so I waited for it to dry and then sponged on a Antique Linen. A third layer of Vintage Photo for the edges. I think next time I won't sponge up so much Vintage Photo and keep it only on the tiniest of edges.

I also took a few liberties to spruce up this little owl. I know I wanted more textures on the digi, so I added some feathers onto his wings and hearts onto the heart paper.



So that's all I have for you today; go check out the amazing creations by the talented DT. And I look forward to seeing your creations!

Our sponsors this week:

Winner's Choice of 3 Digital Images

Winner's Choice of 4 Digital Images

A "Toodle Club Membership" and a Toodle Birthday Calendar

Happy Easter

Hello everyone! Here is a quick post for a challenge that I have missed so much. I'm glad the Embellish Gang is back and have put down a color trend challenge. Here is the beautiful challenge poster:

When I saw this poster I immediately thought of the Nantucket collection paper color scheme. I guess it's pretty much a done deal when I have something in my head...I decided to ink up a few of my new Waltzingmouse Stamps for this fun challenge.


Stamps: (Roses in Bloom, Compact Sentiments, Chicken Wire) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Nantucket) Pink Paislee
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar, No. 14 Speckled Egg, Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Vintage Photo) Ranger; (Ingvild Bolme Chalk Fluid Edger - Rose) Prima
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Mister Huey - Cameo) Studio Calico; (Point 88) Stabilo

I decided to give the stamped rose a little more dimension by coloring in some pink and distressing the edge. It also helps dampen the bright yellow that it is. The speckled sentiment draws inspiration from speckled eggs and the name of the Jenni Bowlin ink ("Speckled Egg"). Kinda a fun twist...



I suppose the chicken wire comes from the inspiration of eggs and chicken... and I secretly just really wanted to ink up that new set :)

Hope this tickles... the DT from Embellish has some amazing inspirations for this challenge. And I am so happy that the team is back!

[Mami Doodles] Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Hello there - I just wanted to drop in here really quickly and announce the winner on the Mami Doodles Farewell Bloghop from my blog. Random.org picked

minerva said...

millie is just so cute. Love paper piecing and her dress is really funky.

Congrats, Minerva! Go ahead and email mamidoodles@gmail.com and claim your prize! 

If you didn't win over here, check over at the Mami Doodles blog - you never know, you might be a lucky winner!

[Paperplay Challenges] No. 11 - Bingo Challenge

Note: If you are looking for DYSU challenge - please keep scrolling :)

Hello there! It's time for another PaperPlay Challenge and we have a Bingo challenge.

Metal charm	Flowers	Chipboard
Stamping	Faux or real stitching	Inks/ink pads
Gems	Buttons	Paint

Choose any three in a row, a column or along the diagonal. After that, you're ready to go paint the town red...or in this case, your card ;)


Stamps: (Teeny Trees) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft, White) Papertrey Ink; (Waltzingmouse Stamps Packaging) Recycled
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko; (Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Walnut Stain) Ranger
Embellishments:  (Double-ended Art Markers) Prismacolor; (Point 88 - Black) Stabilo; (Mat Stack) Stamping Up!

This is a birthday card for one of the many guy friends who had a birthday last week. This card is sporting faux stitching, a bunch of ink distressing with my favorite Walnut Stain, and a recycled element: Waltzingmouse Stamps packaging. I thought the plaid in the packaging looks so great, that it would be a waste to throw it out. Don't they make cute lil trees? :D The tree trunks are hand-drawn... a bit of eye-balling and I call it done :)



Hop on over to the other PPC girls and see what they have created for this week's challenge.

Our sponsors this week:

• Destination Art

[DYSU] Challenge #63 - Favorite Color

Hello everyone! I've been two days in training and am so glad that I am home now. It's been quite a long week and I am looking forward to this weekend, where I will be helping my friend throw her "Bubbles & Brunch" party.

In the meantime, this week at DYSU we have a great spring challenge. With all the colors coming out of hibernation and this year's fashion trends, it's color galore. So it's perfectly appropriate to celebrate your Favorite Color. Bring on your colors...We want to see them!

Here is a card using some amazing products from The Craft's Meow...


Stamps: (Claire Brennan Images - Friend of Mine) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Grab Box - pattern paper) The Craft's Meow; (Stack Pack - Red) Recollections
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar) Ranger;
Embellishments: (Grab Box - brown buttons) The Craft's Meow; (Nestabilities - Big Scalloped Circles Large) Spellbinders; (Border Punch - Arch Lattice) Martha Stewart; (Sewing Thread - White) Gütermann

I am really in love with this little butterfly. For this card I used the sketch challenge that is currently running on The Craft's Meow. 

I am always one to interpret the sketches and "fudge" until I can fit it into what I want to create. In this case I wanted the sentiment to be the focal point and, and I moved the buttons down a bit. Here an unclosed picture of the little butterfly saying "hello" to my friend :)




So that's all I have for you today; go check out the amazing creations by the talented DT. And I look forward to seeing your color creations!

Our sponsors this week:

Winner's Choice of 3 Digis

$10 gift certificate

Petal Point Options Pad

[Mami Doodles] Farewell Blog Hop

Hello everyone! You may have already heard of the sad news that our fun with all things Mami Doodles is coming to an end. In honor of our fun time with Elisa and her amazing designs, many of the current and past DT members have accepted my request put together a surprise blog hop to celebrate the accomplishments Elisa has undergone and the joy that Mami Doodles have brought to us.

So without further ado, I hope you are hopping over from my DT mate Pam's blog. If not, I want to encourage you to start back at the Mami Doodles blog and not miss out on this event.


Stamps: (Millie) Mami Doodles; (Say It Loud) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - White) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollections; (Salt Air) Cosmo Cricket; (envelope liner) Recycled
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 2 Cough Syrup) Ranger
Embellishments: (Mister Huey - Lunchtray) Studio Calico; (Border Punch - Poststage Stamp) Fiskars

My letter along this blog hop is D in Mami Doodles blog hop. Millie is one of my favorite digis. She is so fun, sweet, and delightful. I thought since she's our little mascot at Mami Doodles, it would be a nice tribute to dear Elisa to use this sweet Millie digi. I even tried to stay true to the colors that Millie sports on the Mami Doodles blog page. After that, the card came pretty easily together, since I knew that I want this card to be a message of Celebration!



On a personal note, I would like to thank Elisa for this wonderful opportunity. Mami Doodles was my first "break" into being on a DT that showcases an actual product. I accepted for the experience, but also with the joy of working with such great designs. Elisa has a very keen eye for drawing and her illustrations are fabulous. What I treasured most about working with Elisa is her laid-back and caring nature. She is very sweet and whenever a DT member is out sick or out of commission, she follows up with nice and caring email or card. I really enjoyed how we have grown over time to become friends, and I hope to one day meet her in real life :)

Even if the chapter to the Mami Doodles store comes to an end, I would like to wish Elisa many other successful endeavors. I hope she will continue to share her talent and art with the rest of the world. Elisa, here is to many more and our friendship!

Before I send you off to the next stop, I just wanted to remind everyone that the store closes on March 16, 2012. There is currently a big retirement sale going on. Use THANKYOU as the promo code when checking out, and everything will discounted 50% off.

In addition, leave a comment and I will draw a lucky winner off this post to select a digi of your choice! Winners are posted on Wednesday on the Mami Doodles Blog and here. So please check back :)

Your next stop is a very talented gal Sarah... and in case you need the full list, here it is:
Deirdre
Frances
Jackie
Jenn
Lisa
Manuela
Pam
Ren-Yi <-- you are here
Sarah
Stephanie
Trinh

Thank you for join in us today in celebrating Elisa and Mami Doodles!

[DYSU] Challenge #62 - Go Green

Hello everyone! It's been a crazy week in this household. Maybe this weekend when I have time to breathe and laugh about I can brief you on this :)

In the meantime, this week at DYSU we have a great spring challenge: Go Green. Bring on your St. Patty's Day pride, your creative recycling/up-cycling ideas, or just your love for the color green...

Here is a card using some fun Meljen's Designs...


Stamps: (Artist Mug) Meljen's Designs
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft) Papertrey Ink; (Stella & Rose Hazel) My Minds Eye
Ink: -
Embellishments: (Soft-core color pencils) Prismacolor; (Reverse Black Stickers) Jenni Bowlin Studio; (Border Punch - Notebook Border) Fiskars; (Decorative Washi Tape Set #2: Floral) Hambly Screen Prints

I'm totally on an alpha-high. My crafty friend Elke has totally gotten me addicted to all kinds of alpha. (Oh she even openly admits it that she is responsible ;) I'm starting to find them super interesting because I am starting to like book binding, mini albums, and I am thinking ahead for my Project 30 Album...



Anyways, I am to catching up, so I'm leaving you in the hands of the very create DT. And I look forward to seeing your Green creations!

Our sponsors this week:

Winner's Choice of 4 Images

Winner's Choice of 10 Digis

Winner's Choice of 5 Digis

[Music Saves My Soul] Yellow Ostrich - Bread

I fell in love with this song and have to share this one this week. If anyone watched "Parenthood" it played in the opening scene. Any other "Parenthood" followers out there? I really like this show and have watched it since its pilot. It manages to address family issues that any social tier could relate to: financial issues and the demands of college education, Aspergers Syndrome, adoption, pregnancy in their early 40s, dating across social norms (be it age, race or current social context), parenting... the list goes on, but it's quite a charming show and the characters are all quite lovable.

I'm clearly divulging my TV life here, but I tend to have a lot of shows running in the background when I craft. I guess that's why I have been paying a lot more attention to the music. ;)

So for Music Saves My Soul I leave you with this song that I really like. The lyrics are really sweet too...

To go away for quite a while
If that is what make you smile
That's something I will gladly do
Because I am in love with you

To go without a piece of bread
Because of something that I said
That is what's going to take,
Then that is what's going to take"



Today I'm making one of my Project 30 Recipes...Check back for a full report! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

[Paperplay Challenge] No. 9 - Something Old, Something New

Note: If you are looking for DYSU challenge - please keep scrolling :)

Hello there! It's time for another PaperPlay Challenge and we have a Something old, Something New theme.

One of our interns last day was this week, so I decided a good luck card was in order. He's heading back to school to finish his degree and then will become one of us working people ;)


Stamps: (Teeny Trees, Fancy Phrases) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft, White) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar, No. 6 Stick Candy; Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Walnut Stain) Ranger
Embellishments:  (Rustic Button Twine - Jute) Papertrey Ink

I ordered a few stamps back, but didn't have a chance to unpack them. I thought now would be a good time to use the "something new" Teeny Trees stamp set with the rest of my "something old" supplies. In addition, the distressed look is giving it some extra "something old" flair. Hope you like this creation... 



Hop on over to the other PPC girls and see what they have created for this week's challenge.

Our sponsors this week:

• Simon Says Stamps

[DYSU] Challenge #61 - Things with Wings

Hello everyone...it's Thursday, which means one day closer to the weekend! And on Friday Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is getting released. Who doesn't like a good animated movie, and Taylor Swift voices one of the characters...This will be grand...

Well in my attempt to curb my enthusiasm let's try some distraction. At DYSU we have a Things with Wings challenge. Time to raid the stash to find stamps, pattern paper, any butterfly or winged-like punches or dies ...

I actually have an airplane punch that I pulled out for this challenge, but then thought I wanted to give my Unities a chance to see some daylight and kiss an ink pad again.


Stamps: (Cosmo Cricket - Garden Variety) Unity
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Fine Linen, Aqua Mist) Papertrey Ink; (Curtain Call) Graphic 45
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (5/8" Saddle Stitch Ribbon - True Black) Papertrey Ink; (Stella & Rose - Hattie Boy Trims) My Mind's Eye; (Nestabilities - Standard Circle - Small) Spellbinders

So these bees came out to play... I bought the perfect pattern paper compliment the black stamping onto Fresh Linen paper, since it was exactly the reversed.



The stitching on the saddle stick ribbon is a perfect mimic of the faux stitching lines on the circle stamp as well as the flight paths of the bees. I layered ribbons. This gives me two things I like: it lessens the amount of black on the card, because the pattern paper is already very "heavy"; and I get to create a new ribbon design with a matching accent color.

Hope you like this little creation. Hop over to the DTs samples and see what kind of inspirations they have cooked up for you. And come join in on our "Things with Wings" challenge.

Our sponsors this week:

Paper Pretties Winner’s choice of 7 digital images

Copic Marker Scrapbooking 6 copic ciao marker (North/South America) Martha Stewart punch (rest of the world)