I am not a huge lace fan, but decided I would meet the challenge. This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge is Get Your Lace In The Place and inspired by the picture below.
I initially had grand plans of using some dollies and getting to the look that way, but unfortunately I couldn't find the stash I had. So, this card really just started very simply and I added just a touch of lace at a border to really pull this off.  Stampin Up's new lace ribbon is perfect for that. It's almost like a retro vintage look all combined into one since I used the retired DSP from a few catalog's back. The sentiment which is stamped in Chocolate Chip on So Saffron is from a Level One hostess set from the current catalog, Afterthoughts. I added some more interest to the bottom with embossing with the dots folder.  I ended up with a really simple yet interesting thank you card, which you can always use.

Have some lace ribbon or better yet, some dollies. This is the perfect challenge to really start using those great embellishments. It's time to Get Your Lace in the Place.  Make a card/layout/3-d object and submit to the Pals Paper Arts Challenge, you could be the pick of the week.

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Labels: Afterthoughts, Challenges, Pals Paper Arts

It's that time again for Pals Paper Arts. This week's challenge is one my favorites. It's the Celebrity Color Challenge and I just fell in love with the colors of this week.
I thought they would go perfectly with a baby shower card I needed to do for a co-worker. Here's what I did:

• A2 card base in Regal Rose
• Used the Dots folder and Big Shot to add embossing texture 
• 3" inch strip of Early Espresso which is punched with the Scallop Trim punch
• Pear Pizazz DSP was cut in a strip to nestle right in the middle
• The image from Baby Bundle is stamped three separate times on Whisper White in Regal Rose and cut with the Scallop Square punch
• The sentiment from a old SAB set is stamped in Early Espresso on Whisper White and cut with the small oval punch
• A large oval in Early Espresso make a nice surround for the sentiment
• A paper clip with a touch of ribbon make for a final accent to the card

In looking at the final card, it does look a bit too girly to be gender neutral, but maybe I am making a prediction for the baby. Who knows??  Either way, I can surely use it for another baby which is surely on the way for someone I know.

Color challenges are always great to get those creative juices flowing. You can finally get to use some of those supplies you haven't touched. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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Labels: Baby, Baby Bundle, Challenges, Pals Paper Arts

If you are like me, then you love a great deal. I can't see anything getting any better than this. The 50% savings on the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit is the best I have seen. From now until November 30th, you can get the starter kit for 50% off. That is just $87.50!!! 

For those of you still contemplating Stampin' Up!'s Never-Before-Seen Starter Kit Deal, here are a few quick facts:

• Choose either Stampin' Up! Starter Kit for $87.50.  They are the full kits (not minis).  Here are the contents of the Standard Starter Kit and the Digital Starter Kit.  One is sure to be right for you!
• You can substitute like items of equal or less value.  This includes choices from the Holiday Mini Catalog.
• When you purchase the Starter Kit, you become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and member of my Stampin' Pretty Pals.  You are NOT required to purchase anything further, hold workshops or sell products.
• You receive Stampin' Up! demonstrator discounts and benefits thru March 31, 2011.
• IF you want to remain active and continue demonstrator discounts and benefits beyond March 31, 2011, you would need $300 in product sales (which includes your own purchases) by March 31.  This extends you for the following quarter (April thru June). $300 in sales per quarter is required to remain continuously active.
• There's never a penalty to drop and you keep all the discounted product you purchase.

STILL NOT CONVINCED?? Well, send me an email and I will answer any and all questions. Look forward to you joining my team!!

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Labels: Deals, Demonstrator Benefits

This week's challenge was all about Element of Style: using ribbon or fabric in a card design.
I used this opportunity to reach back into the archives for a retired stamp set that I just loved. Bella Blossoms. The card designed was cased from one I saw a very long time ago from Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty.  I used my element very differently for this challenge in that it is more of an accent than the star of my card, but I think it works perfectly with this card design, which is for a co-worker who suddenly lost her father. For these cards that will be signed my whole department, I always go bigger with 5x7 design.

• 5x7 Card base in Whisper White
• Two layers in Chocolate Chip and Nursery Suite DSP with corners punched with Scallop Trim corner punch
• Using Big Shot and Scallop Oval die cut to create the base for the image
• Image from Bella Blossoms is stamped two times in Baja Breeze, Marina Mist and Early Espresso
• Using paper snipers, cut elements of the flower out and add to base image with Stampin' dimensionals
• Sentiment from Because I Care, Hostess set is stamped in Baja Breeze on Whisper White
• Using the small and big tag punch to create a layered label
• Paper clip and Bashful blue taffeta ribbon make the final touches.  

GOT RIBBON!!!! If you do, then you can't miss this chance to participate in this week's challenge!! Just got to PALS PAPER ARTS and submit you card. You could be the next Artist Pick.

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Labels: Bella Blossoms, Challenges, Pals Paper Arts, Sympathy

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge is all about color.  Color challenges are always fun, because it forces me to use some papers and inks that I may have never touched.  This week's is one of my new favorites.
The colors, Poppy Parade, Basic Gray, and Daffodil Delight are great for more masculine cards.  This birthday card for my co-worker is a great example.  The layout is cased from a card that I saw.  I can't remember who, but whoever you are ... thank you.  I really do love the layout. Here are the details of the card:

• Basic Grey card base, done the long way
• I used an image from the set, Circle Circus stamped in Versamark create an interesting yet muted background
• The bottom is a section of a Top Note cut in Poppy Parade with my Big Shot
• The cupcake cut with the Big Shot and the Big Cupcakes Sizzix from Daffodil Delight and Greenhouse Gala DSP. 
• The candle is made with Poppy Parade with Dazzling Diamonds for a little flame.
• Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon provide a great border between the Poppy Parade and Basic Grey
• The sentiment from the retired hostess set, Sweet Little Sentiments, is stamped in Basic Grey

It was so simple, yet I think the primary colors make it very masculine. I definitely love how it turned out and will be using this again for more birthday cards. Have a masculine card to make, well this is the perfect challenge for you to play. How do you play?? It's easy:

1. Make a card with the colors: Basic Gray, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight
2. Go to www.palspaperarts.com and add you card to the link at the bottom. 
3. Check back on Tuesday to see if you were the pick of the week. You never know.

Have you noticed something different? I have been trying to work on my photography. I am trying out the bi-color background to see if it helps the cards pop and make my details a bit more crisper. Is it better or worse?  What do you think?

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Labels: Challenges, Circle Circus, Masculine, Pals Paper Arts, Sweet Little Sentiments