It’s Thursday and you know what that means…It’s time to play along with the PALS Paper Challenge and this is a special week for us as it is our 200th challenge! That in itself deserves a big WOOT-WOOT!!!!
This is a fabulous challenge that everyone can do…look at it and go to town as in honor of this 200th milestone for PPA…one lucky winner that participates will win all 20 of the cards!!! You can see that both Design Teams came together today for this challenge!
You can see that we are all doing monochromatic cards and my color is Soft Suede! I have learned to love this neutral as it blends so well with many colors! (Sorry Crumb Cake…I still adore you)
Let’s get to the card…but please POP by the Pals Paper Art Website and see all of the amazing cards…and then make sure that you enter your project because I know that it will be equally amazing! Remember, you can email me if you need help uploading your project!
A regular A-2 card in Soft Suede with some fun and then the inside is Very Vanilla!
The “polka dot” piece is fun and I bet you are wondering where that “dot” came from…it is from the Eye-Catching IKAT Photopolymer Stamp Set! While I was in Arizona, I swapped a card with someone that used this set….and I thought – I have never used it…but I know that it would be a perfect and fun addition to the card!
The side vertical Very Vanilla piece is 5 ¼” X 2 ¼” and then ran it through the Big Shot using the Dots Embossing Folder from Sale-a-bration! Whenever I emboss a piece of paper like this…I like to adhere it down flat rather than using stampin dimensionals – personal preference but I think it always looks “cleaner this way”!
The sentiment is from the Friendship Preserves Stamp Set and it was a cinch to pop out using the Window Frames Framelits! We are sooooo darn tootin' lucky that Stampin' Up! has so many framelits for us and I hope that there are more to come!
Using the next size up I popped another one in soft suede and then paper-pierced it using the Festive Paper Piercing Pack…a fun element to a card and truthfully something I forget about but when I remember…I am all smiles as I love the effect!
Adding some dimensionals to the "dot" piece and the sentiment….and we are done – well with the card….but we have my favorite to do – the good old envelope!!!! Today I put a piece of "post-it"notes on the edge of the envelope and then carried the "polka dot" theme across the back – a super fast and cute finale!
I think we all can agree that this sketch is a super clean and simple one…so how about trying it out! I always get so excited when I have downline or customers give it a spin…and remember – if you "play withus" this week – you could win all 20 cards!!!! Now wouldn't that be THE BEST!!!
I know yesterday, I shared with you 2 posts….I had soooo many emails about the card and I was so pleased that so many of you are giving it a try! It really is not hard but it looks hard….it's just the best when things like this happen!
The other post that I shared about the Project Life by Stampin' Up!! Ever since I learned about this…my head has been spinning with ideas! I truly think that it is an answer to many of "time constrains"in life! Remembering special moments and more importantly documenting them are soooooo important!
Please click here to read that post in case you missed it!
In closing, I wanted to let you know that there are many people for some reason not getting their daily subscription to my blog in their in box! I am sorry and there are other demonstrators that are experiencing the same problem….hopefully the server will be fixed and the problem solved!
You know that I blog everyday so for some reason if your Simple Stampin' inspiration was not there with your cup of coffee…simply type in my blog address…. www.simplestampin.com and I'll be there to inspire you!
I shared with you this morning that I was going to do another post today…I am sure by now if you follow other Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators Blogs, than you have probably heard the exciting news of Project Life by Stampin’ Up!
I did not want to blog about it right away as I was so excited but I also knew that I wanted it to “sink in” as I wanted to share a story with you that is from my heart!
I have shared through my blogging that I was with a direct selling company for many, many years and developed a very strong and fun team and had wonderful customers!
What I did was scrapbooking…
I made the very hard decision to leave direct sales at that time as we were buying our farm and also I could see the direction that the company was going towards was not my style. I was very clean and simple back then…and still hold true to keeping it duplicatable for others to experience the fun!
It was a hard decision but I looked at it as a “life decision” at that time…my team members were very surprised that I made this decision as I had built up over many years a great business. My heart was telling me it was time to make “the break” but I knew deep down – I would be back to direct sales one day as I adore the relationships you build and the lives that you touch!
Over this past weekend being in Arizona…I did not know anything about Project Life (Stampin’ Up! is great about keeping things hush-hush) but as I flew home I was thinking of the fun and memories I had in my “prior direct sales life” and how happy and blessed I am to have made the decision to be a part of Stampin’ Up!
The weekend spent with such a great group of people "filled my tank" and I realized how important the friends you meet…the lives you touch…and looking ahead for the future…to me, being in direct sales is the best as you can make it what YOU want it to be…and I knew I had a void in my life that needed fulfilled!
I am coming up on my 2nd Anniversary with Stampin' Up! and I can honestly say that the day I decided to become a demonstrator, I did not tell anyone…not even John – I had reflected on it for months and then ultimately…I did it for me! I knew I found the right company and I knew I found the right team!
I am super excited for what is ahead…I am eager to learn…to embrace the concept and to once again, help people realize the importance of leaving a legacy behind.
Life is complicated enough…so to me this new venture is giving "us" – (you and me) the permission to leave memories alive…to document the milestones and to leave a legacy for generations to come!
I have not been able to "dive into" it yet but believe me, I will research this concept before it becomes available! As a SUD, I will be able to order on Monday the 21st – woot-woot!
This is called "Project Life"…but to me it is "Project YES"
I have fallen WAY behind in my pictures and I adore taking pictures and I know my children love seeing them! This program will allow me to pick up where I left off…and that is so exciting to me!
Click below to watch a quick video! Thanks for reading my story and until tomorrow!
Good morning to all! Well…I think that this is it…unless when I get home and I had more cards come in while I have been gone! I am just so over the top excited with all of your cards! The comments have been so inspiring and I know…yesterday there were many comments on a picture of the adorable egg…..and guess what!!!
I have egg all over my face as in looking back at the pictures
I do not see that I clicked a shot with the egg opened!
I remember playing with it and it was super cute…so the person that gets it – will you please take a picture of it and email me!!!! Thanks!
I will admit…this was super fun to do and I am soooo glad that I offered it to you but I have learned a lesson…next time I will have this down to a science!!! If there is interest…I would love to do another card swap – this was fun!
Yesterday Rose Roscoe came to me rescue and emailed me her name as I somehow missed taking the picture of her name/address!
Ready….set…..let's DO IT!!!! There are 18 today!!!!
Sonia Peterson from North Carolina
Kay Powell from California
Kay Powell from California
Laura Banks from Maine
Teresa Doyle from Canada
I am sorry…please email me!!!
Carole Bergman from PA
Nancy Easler from South Carolina (swings open)
Carole Bergman from PA
Cheryl Hamilton from Hawaii
Jan Rodrian from Wisconsin
Jan Rodrian from Wisconsin
Seletta Henry from Florida
Seletta Henry from Florida
Pat Pionke from Montana
Mary Ann Hutchinson from New Jersey
Chris Robinson from Iowa
Karen Schmoll from Germany!!!
Whew…..that was a bunch of cards the past several days!!!! I will say that it did take some time to edit the pictures but I hope that everyone was happy seeing the parade of Spring Cards!
Now are you ready for the TRUMP CARD of this whole thing…you have heard me say that Jeanie, my dear friend that helped me….I do not have a picture of her card and I can just here here laughing right now!!!
The good news is…I will share it with you but it will not be until Wednesday's post! It's a keeper and it is a card that we made together one day and a card I was going to post about!!! You are going to LOVE IT!
Again, many thanks for your talent and I am excited to get home and get back to creating cards for you!!!
WOWZERS….long training day but a wonderful day yesterday! It is energizing to be with such a great group of Stampin' Up! totally fun Demonstrators! There is one person that has been a Demonstrator for just 2 months and there is one person that has been with SU for 16 years!
The moral of this story is…everyone is at all different levels with a variety of experience but we all have the common inner desire…to continue to learn, grow, inspire and reach goals!
Let's touch on goals…we all have different ones and that what is GREAT….yours might be to make Easter Cards….yours might be to help a charitable organization….yours might be "to have an outlet" for yourself…what ever it is –
It's o.k. because it is what YOU choose to go after!
Below you will see wave #2 of the Spring Card Swap that so many of you participated in!
Today I am showing you 16 cards – I say a big…
WOOT-WOOT….I am just smiling with the talent out there!
Sandy Fielder from IA
Margaret Spencer from VA
(This card swings out!)
Bridget Trefethen from Lillie, France
Nancy Farrell from New York
(the front of this card is short when you open it up…right under the row of pink flowers)
Eileen Curry from Maryland (woot-woot…go MARYLAND)
Mary Jane Elue from Ohio
Sharon Haster from Oregon
Julie Hulka from Wisconsin
Judy Hoffman from New York
Stephanie Sherry from Florida
Stephanie Sherry from Florida
Karen Hellam from California
Maria Rodriguez from Indiana
Sharon Gibbons from New Jersey
Rose Roscoe from Ohio
Rose Roscoe from Ohio
Well….what do you think – I think inspiration to the MAX!!! I am glad that you are starting to receive your cards….I know that it is sooooo exciting to get a goodie in the mail!
At the training today we had a wonderful surprise….remember there are only 30 of us here….and surprise! From the home office came 3 Stampin' Up! employees that were wonderful, informative and as always….very genuine!
Remember when I said how fun it is to get a goodie in the mail? Well the home office gave us the reports on the Paper Pumpkin program and it is H O T and on fire! We had the opportunity to preview the April one….and for those of you that are Paper Pumpkin subscribers with me…woot-woot!!!! This is the week we should be receiving them!
Thanks for popping by and I will have another W A V E of fun for you tomorrow…
Hello from Arizonia! It is beautiful here and I adore the warm weather! I am just amazed at how large Tucson is…I was able to spend time with my cousin and her family on Thursday evening – it was wonderful! Yesterday morning I was up and off to the airport to pick up Brian King….and let the fun times begin!
What a great guy…we had lunch together and a fun afternoon before going to our first function for the weekend! We attended a "Sip and Swap" with the 30 people that are here….so I will have even more swap cards to share with you!
Here comes the 1st wave of cards from the Swap…
Today I am showing you 10 cards that I received from the people that participated in the Spring Card Swap I offered…I will be show casing every-ones cards….so please do not worry if you do not see your today! WOW – they are all fabulous!
I am super proud of all of you and I hope that they fill your hearts with inspiration! It was fun for me to see all of the different styles and I adored how brave many of you are with trying unique color combinations!
I learned a lesson…it was tricky keeping track of all of your beautiful cards…I think I "got them all right"so please don't be mad at me if I made a boo-boo…..I will share with you 10 more tomorrow!!!
Enjoy…and I will keep sharing the cards….Until tomorrow!
I have no idea why the "timer" did not work this morning at 5 a.m.
Computers are great but can be frustraing…go put a fresh fresh pot of coffee on!
Fingers crossed…we are actually going to have a weekend with no rain! That in itself is enough to do a "happydance"…but I hope that this card today….brings a s m i l e to your face! You have heard me post before that I think it is fun to try to find "your style" in paper crafting but at the same time…"be a turtle andstick your head out"…
I have found that participating in challenges helps that "turtle" side for me…so today's card is my take on the sketch from the Freshly Made Sketches…this is one on my favorite challenges out there because it encourages "clean & simple" and that's me…."simple susan"!!!
Ready for fun…let's go! There are many steps that you could skip and I will point them out to you at the end of the post…I always like to share with you "options" that you can do…
An A-2 Whisper White but scored at 5 1/2" to make a vertical card…the Island indigo is just a "smidgebigger" to make the POP factor happen!
Today I have used many stamp sets but I think that they are "classic and keeper" ones that you most likely have! The Happy Watercolor Stamp Set is the bold focal and I used 3 colors…Midnight Muse, Island Indigo and Marina mist! I did stamp the center one 1st and then worked to the sides!
Can you see that I took a "part" of the sentiment from the above set and then added the s m i l e from the Happy Days Stamp Set? This was easy as I just used the brush end of my marker to highlight the sentiment "you make me"….and then with the Stamp-a-ma-Jig…perfect alignment every time!
I knew I wanted to add some ribbon…but you know that ribbon challenges me sometimes….so I knew I would be safe with the 5/8" Organza Ribbon! I simply placed glue dots behind it to secure it in place!
FLOWER POWER TIME!!!! 1st I used the Pansy punch and a handy glue dot held it in place! I was going to stop there but then I thought a simple flower from the Flower Shop Stamp Set would be the perfect touch. As you can see in the photo below…you can see that I "rolled" the flower with the bone folder or you could easily use a pencil….this just gives it "movement". A simple pearl in the middle was all that was needed!!!
Fun card…practical card…and now let me touch on some things you could have skipped and still have a great card!
You could have shorten up the the card….totally eliminated the ribbon and actually you could have made it into a square card!
You could eliminate the flower part…the water color patches and the sentiment is bold enough to stand in its own!
One thing I would never do is….not line the envelope – that is the finale that simply makes me smile! I hope that you go to the Freshly Made Sketches and see all of the amazing interpretations of this great sketch!
The cards keep coming in and WOWZERS – there are some beauties!!! I am excited to share with you the "Breath of Spring" that I have been seeing in your cards! Again, I am so happy that there are so many participating…(especially since this is the 1st on I have done) but I am so proud of you in your beautiful work!
YOU are an inspiration to me!
Trust me, there are many times that I come home from work and feel like I do not want to do a post, but then I always get this "inner spirit" that makes me blog as YOU have become an extension to me! I dearly love my Stampin' Up! business and I continue to have fun and continue to smile….
Have a great day, please email me if you need me….and remember to go to my facebook page and "like" Simple Stampin' …..having coffee together in the mornings is fun….and it's even more fun to be able to shop away in your jammies….
I hope that you are able to sneak some "paper therapy time" into your day!
