Tiddbits from Dawn

PPA 159 Sketch Challenge

We have another Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge for you this week. This sketch features lots of layers. Check out the inspiration provided by the Resident Artists here.

I've used lots of bright colors and the Quatrefancy Designer Series Paper certainly provides great choices. I've kind of become obsessed with using the punch from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack along with the Mosaic Madness stamp set. I layered them up again on this card. A piece of Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon was the final choice of layers for this card!

Look what I found at one of my favorite shopping spots.... I was just walking past the candles and I spied these candles. I stopped and turned the labels around so we could see the pretty quatrefoil colors. Don't they look like the ones in the Quatrefancy Designer Series Paper?

And here's the inside of my card:

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Mosaic Madness & Really Good Greetings
Paper: Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango & Whisper White Card Stock; Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight & Strawberry Slush
Tools: Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
Tiddbits: Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon

We'd love to have your creation, inspired by the PPA Sketch, linked up at the Pals Paper Arts! The challenge is open to all products and everyone is welcome to join in! I can't wait to see what you've created!

 

Spring Butterflies

I had some fun with My Digital Studio and my new e-cutter the other night. I saw this idea on the e-cutter blog. It's nice that they have tutorials on their website too!

The Butterfly #2 image in My Digital Studio was what I chose to export to the e-cutter. Since it's an SVG file it can be done easily. Once the image was imported to the e-cutter the eraser tool was used to erase the middle of the butterfly. I chose the trace option and then sent it to cut which resulted in the butterflies still attached in the center but their wings are free to pull up and reveal some very colorful butterflies underneath. All that was needed was a "congratulations" stamp and a new Very Vintage button to finish it off.

A few butterflies were punched for the inside too. They are the same colors as the butterflies on the exterior card: Perfect Plum, Daffodil Delight and Bermuda Bay.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners & Really Good Greetings
Paper: Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Perfect Plum & Whisper White Card Stock
Ink: Perfect Plum
Tools: Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Bitty Butterfly Punch
Tiddbits: Very Vintage Button, Linen Thread, My Digital Studio
Non-Stampin' Up!: E-cutter

Did you check yesterday's My Digital Studio downloads? There is a Free Download this week. Find them all here! 

I have the members of Tiddbits, Ink, coming tonight for our downline meeting so I am off to get things ready! If you'd like to join Stampin' Up! and become a member of my team now is a great time! A $99.00 Starter Kit in which you can choose $155.00 in Stampin' Up! product of your choice is a great deal. And you can add Sneak Peek product to your Starter Kit. Check out the details here and if you have any questions I'll be happy to help you!

Pals May Blog Hop our Annual Retirement Party

Thank you for joining us for the May Pals Blog Hop and our annual retirement party! It's time to say goodbye to stamps and accessories that will not be available in the new 2013-14 Stampin' Up! catalog. Although it's always sad to see wonderful products retire, it is exciting to think about all of the new products that will soon be available. So enjoy the farewell tour for our favorite retiring products - and remember you have until June 3rd to order from the retiring product lists. 

You should have just left stop number 12 on the Pals Hop - Nicole Picardura at Stamps & Scraps. If so, you are in the right spot.  If you get off track, the full blog lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

Did you notice all the fabric is on the Retiring List? I can't believe the fabric is going! I've wanted to make these for quite some time. Breaking out some of my stash of fabric and giving them a try seemed like just the thing for the Retirement Party Blog Hop!

Any ideas what these are?

   

Padded phone cases!

 

It's great to now be able to slip my phone inside the case and drop it in my purse without worrying about scratches. The open circle clip allows me to attach it to my purse strap or a belt loop and keep up with my phone that way too. I'm so glad I finally broke out my stash of fabric and gave this a try. Now I need to move on to some other projects I have saved for my fabric!

The next stop is Amy Lazzell at Just a Thought...Cards by Amy, stop number 14 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month!

Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine

Kerry Willard Bray at Stampgoodness

Amy Williams at Stampin' on the Range

Kathleen Law at Craft With Kathleen

Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'

Kari Linder at Stampin' Essentials

nicole watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat

Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons

Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds

Lynn Hoyt at Cattail Designs

Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space

Nicole Picadura at Scraps & Stamps

Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn

Amy Lazzell at Just a Thought...Cards by Amy

Leslie Davis at Life's Moments

Kim Czenszak at LiveLoveStamp

Maxine Conrad at Stamp to the MAX!

Debbie Mageed at Scrappin' and Stampin'

Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter

Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards

Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping

Penny Nichols at Sierra Stampin!

Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty

Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts

Peggy Noe at prettypapercards.com

Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works

Julie Trevett-Smith at The Stampin' Affair

Shirley Sumption at look at my cute stuff

Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb...

Barbara Furlong at The Love of Stamping

Elaine Fleming at Studio Elaine

Inspired by the Color Coach

Good Monday morning to you! I can't believe the weekend has ended, but it has and here we are again! Pistachio Pudding is the color I started with today. Lacking inspiration, I turned to the Color Coach. With the Color Refresh comes a new Color Coach. We were able to purchase the new In-Color cards in our pre-order and I am glad because I needed it. I went with the Strawberry Slush, Pitaschio Pudding and Smoky Slate suggestion. I had bit of trouble because I have no markers in those colors so the line work you see is done in Basic Gray and there was no coloring of stamps so I had to make it work.

Also in the new catalog is a card with the above stamped label design. I was on the phone with one of my downline going through the catalog when we came to this design and wondered how it was made. After we hung up I studied it a bit and decided it was the label image from Memorable Moments layered over each other. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the labels was a "no brainer"! I could not have done it without the SAMJ! With no ribbon or embellishments in the new In Colors yet I relied on punches and the Simply Scored Borders Scoring Plate to add some texture and interest to the front panel.

Since the "Happy Day" sentiment can be used for many occasions or just to say "hello" the inside is mainly white space.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Ciao Baby & Hearts a Flutter
Paper: Strawberry Slush, Smoky Slate, Pistachio Pudding and Whisper White Card Stock
Ink: Strawberry Slush & Pistachio Pudding;  Basic Gray Stampin' Write Marker 
Tools: Artisan Label Punch, Mosaic Punch, Small Heart Punch, Petite Curly Label Punch, Big Shot, Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Have you checked my 1/2 price SALE on retired stamps? They're all 1/2 off the listed price. To see the list click the link on the right. I'm an email away if you have questions.

Just three more weeks to purchase retiring items. Have you checked an updated accessories list lately? I just placed an order for a couple of things last night. Don't miss out!

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the May Pals Blog Hop. We'll be featuring Retiring Products. I can't wait to show you my project! Until tomorrow.....

Going Coastal

Coastal Cabana that is! I knew as soon as I saw this catalog cover that I would use the colors for inspiration.

I thought Bermuda Bay would be the color but no, it's Coastal Cabana for sure!

The Square Lattice Embossing Folder worked well to add the texture of the chair don't you think? The butterflies were stamped on Tangerine Tango and heat embossed with White Stampin' Emboss Powder. Too bad I don't have the By the Tide stamp set because the coral would have been perfect for this but I like the butterfiles too! Honestly, when I really looked at this card after it was done it reminds me of one kitchen we had when I was growing up in the 60's. It was turquoise and orange and I can see it vividly! :)

Here's the inside. Wonder if this would bring back the same memories of that 60's kitchen for my mother....we'll see!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Papillion Potpourri, Banner Greetings, Papaya Collage, Word Play & Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Coastal Cabana, Tangerine Tango & Whisper White Card Stock
Ink: White Craft Ink; Coastal Cabana & Tangerine Tango
Tools: Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Heat Tool
Tiddbits: White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Tangerine Tango Scallop Dots Ribbon 

I hope you all, especially you moms, have a wonderful weekend! Happy Mother's Day!

Did you get your Paper Pumpkin yet? Get it for Mother's Day! :)

Tea Time for Freshly Made Sketches

I enjoy participating in challenges and like the starting place they give me. Today I'm joining in the Freshly Made Sketches challenge. Their sketches are always inspiring!

A little old, a little new come together in this card. The teapot in this image is found in From My Heart and reminds of me my own Brown Betty teapot that I use every single morning. It looks perfect in Baked Brown Sugar. The Island Indigo gingham from Gingham Garden looks like it could be a tablecloth in a tea room topped with a sweet table topper. Some ribbons that are retiring made quick flags for this stamped focal piece. Our daughter's Bridesmaid Luncheon was held at a tea room and was so much fun! We no longer have a tea room nearby so I'll just have my tea at home.

The retiring stamp set, Tea Shoppe, was used inside the card.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: From My Heart & Tea Shoppe
Paper: Baked Brown Sugar, Melon Mambo & Whisper White Card Stock; Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper
Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Melon Mambo & Island Indigo
Tools: Scallop Trim Border Punch
Tiddbits: Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Melon Mambo Scallop Dots Ribbon

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for My Paper Pumpkin this month. Click the image below to get the scoop, sign up and don't miss another month! You can cancel at any time or put your Pumpkin on hold for a month if you're going to be busy. I can't wait to see what this month's Pumpkin brings.

 

Hello, Friend!

I am really loving this color combination thanks to the 2012-13 Annual Catalog page 188. It's a really cheerful "hello" to give someone when they open an envelope!

Last year's Sneak Peek included this set, My Friend, and that's when I purchased it. I haven't used it as often as I should have. Since it isn't retiring maybe it will see ink more often! I already have a CASE from the new catalog using this set to try. I love the clean and simple look of this card with its tied together tags and bold stamp. The Chevron Embossing Folder really stands out on the Summer Starfruit card! I'm planning to get this card right in the mail to take a "hello" to a special friend!

Summer Silhouette and Blessings from Heaven helped to complete the inside.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: My Friend, Summer Silhouette & Blessings from Heaven
Paper: Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Pacific Point & Whisper White Card Stock; Brights Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink: Gumball Green, Pacific Point & Summer Starfruit  
Tools: Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Finishing Touches Edgelits, 1/2" Circle Punch 
Tiddbits: Vintage Faceted Buttons & White Baker's Twine 

Be sure to get your retiring products, especially accessories, before it's too late. Click below to see it all!

Mojo Monday 292

It's been FOREVER since I've participated in the Mojo Monday Challenges. When I had my old computer my cards would not link up correctly so I gave up. I've had this computer about a year now and so I decided yesterday to give it another try. I love this week's sketch!

It's funny and I kind of hate to admit this but in almost every package of Designer Series Paper there's usually a piece I'm not as fond of as others. I'm usually willing to "sacrifice" those pages easier than if I'm crazy about both sides! Does anyone else feel like this? In the Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper it's the page with the clouds on it. I'm just not as crazy about the reverse and so it's not a problem for me to cut into it or maybe even to run out of it. Today it's used as part of the background and it pairs really nicely with the Cloudy Day Embossing Folder and the Pinwheel Sizzlit. The arrow paper clip is found in the Hung Up Cute Clips and emphasizes the "blowing wishes your way" sentiment. I love all the layers on this sketch and the opportunity to use several patterns from Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP. We've had the sprinkles and I'm ready for a few days of sunshine now!

More pinwheels from Sweets for the Sweet finish off the interior of this card!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: 

Stamps: Wishes Your Way & Sweets for the Sweet
Paper: Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Lucky Limeade & Whisper White Card Stock; Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Marina Mist, Basic Gray & Pacific Point
Tools: Big Shot, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Pinwheel Sizzlit, Delicate Doilies Sizzlit, Scallop Border Punch
Tiddbits: Hung Up Cute Clips, Subtle Button, Subtle Brads 

It's My Digital Studio Download Day. Check them out here.

May 10th is Friday. You wonder why that's important, don't you? It's the last day to sign up for Paper Pumpkin in order to receive yours this month. Click on the image below to sign up today!

Happy Monday

Our weekend was rather a washout weather-wise. We had 4" of rain overnight Saturday, making me thankful we live on a sloped lot. I hope your weekend wasn't quite that wet though! On the bright side, we had a birthday celebration for this now 6 year old!

He got so serious while we sang "Happy Birthday" at breakfast. He requested chocolate chip muffins, which he got along with 6 candles!

I forgot to take a picture of his card but I did make another birthday card this weekend. 

Although I have new Designer Series Papers calling to me I have to pull out some of those older ones before they are no more. Patio Party is what was used here. Banners are so fun and those on this Designer Series Paper make me want to have a patio party! Of course, it would have been a soggy party this past weekend! Stamping the cake layers from "Make a Cake" on Whisper White and Baja Breeze Card Stock and trimming them out was not nearly as hard as decorating a real cake! A Summer Starfruit banner seemed just the right way the highlight this cake.

Another banner was strung inside the card.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Make a Cake & Sweet Essentials
Paper: Primrose Petals, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit and Whisper White Card Stock; Patio Party Designer Series Paper
Ink: Midnight Muse & Primrose Petals
Tools: 1/2" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

I'm off to pull weeds while the ground is wet. Have a great day! 

Quatre-foiled?

I have been dying to use the new In Colors and just have not had time to pull them out. Finally, last night I determined to "get 'er done". I had not even picked up the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder but it been lying right next to my Big Shot. I started by inking, using my Brayer, up the embossing folder with some Strawberry Slush...which sounds vaguely like a drink I love at Sonic, and embossing a piece of Whisper White Card Stock. Then I just started punching and randomly placing punched images on the embossed piece. Next out came the other ink colors and Mosaic Madness stamps and I went mad with them. I love all these images. A few more punches with a shape from Itty Bitty Punch Pack and some Basic Rhinestones to top those off and viola I was finished! See for yourself!

I do like all the new colors and I'm anxious for them to make some new friends in my stamp room by mixing them with some older colors!

I kept the inside really simple with another image from Mosaic Madness. Since I haven't decided for what occasion I might use this card I left off sentiments for now.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Mosaic Madness
Paper: Cool Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding & Whisper White Card Stock
Ink: Cool Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding
Tools: Mosaic Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Brayer
Tiddbits: Basic Rhinestones 

More Photopolymer stamps are available from Stampin' Up!. One of them can be included in a bundle with an online class! Click the image below to visit my on-line store or click here to view the flyer.

And how about the 25% My Digital Studio Sale? Click below to check it out!