Paper Players {13}

Anything goes this week at the Paper Players--come on over and check it out!  Any paper project, any colors, any layout--whatever your crafty fingers feel like making!  For me, I am in full Halloween card making mode.  I love all the new papers and accessories for one of my favorite holidays.  Today's card features many items from the Holiday Mini catalog that are my favorites: Spider Web embossing folder, Nite Owl designer series paper, Raven black lace ribbon and look close at Glimmer Brads!  Shiny sparkly brads in all your favorite color families. 

I adapted the layout from this week's sketch challenge over Pals Paper Arts and used the Two Tags die as my focal piece.  The stamp set From the Crypt is a favorite that made a return appearance this year in the new catalog.  Here, I stamped it on my Tangerine Tango Two Tags die in Versamark and heat embossed with Black embossing powder--gives such a crisp image!  A cute bitty bat punched from vellum cardstock is the final touch on my creepy card.

And on the inside, I just repeated the same color scheme and DSP but stamped the bats from Wicked Cool on a scrap of Tangerine Tango and used the 1 3/4" Circle punch to make a batty moon!


We would love for you to play along with us this week at the Paper Players...remember anything goes!  Head on over to see what the rest of the team has come up with.  Hope to see you there!

supplies:

stamps: from the crypt, wicked cool, sanded background

ink: versamark, tangerine tango, basic gray, jet black stazon

paper: basic black, tangerine tango, basic gray, pear pizzazz & vellum CS; nite owl DSP

xtras: basic gray taffeta ribbon; raven lace ribbon; glimmer brad (neutrals); two tags die; scallop oval, large oval, 1 3/4" circle and bitty bag punches; basic jewel rhinestones; black stampin' emboss powder; spider web embossing folder

Clearance Rack Blow-Out!

Oh my gosh--great deals in the Clearance Rack.  Stampin' Up! has added lots of retired paper and accessories at deep discounts.  But items are only while supplies last and only available online so hurry on over to my store and check out the deals!

• Head over here
• Click the link to Shop Now
• When my online store opens, click the link for Clearance Rack found in the navigation links on the left

Don't you just love a bargain?!  Have a great day!

1st Day of 1st Grade: {SSC165}

Our daughter started first grade this week and this is the card I made to greet her the morning of her first day.  I meant to enter it in the Stampin' Royalty "back to school" challenge but I missed the deadline!  I used the sketch from the Stamping 411 operators and have managed to sneak it in barely under their deadline so at least I met one oops, nope, missed that one too...oh well...it's been a busy week around the Canopy!

I just love the Play Date designer paper featured here and you if you've been reading lately you know I can't stop using the Woodgrain background stamp!  I had some non-SU paper that fit my 'back to school' theme perfectly and is a pretty close match to SU's Real Red so I went with it!  My daughter doesn't mind that it's not "all SU"!

Thanks for stopping by today...Cheers!

Asian Artistry: PPA{56} & SAH{133}

Hi all!  Happy Monday.  I have a quick post for you  tonight as I wanted to get an entry in for the redesigned Pals Paper Arts challenge.  Wowza, it's quite an inspiration photo this week but I focused on the colors that sang to me and the floral images.  My eye was drawn to the poppy red, gold and black on those shoes!  These are not colors I normally use, in fact it's the first appearance of Pure Poppy on my craft table.  Because it was outside my comfort zone, I kept the design pretty simple.  I really liked Lesley's sketch from the Stamp-A-Holics Challenge which I paired up with the flower and branch from Asian Artistry.  Even though the design is simple, I wanted to use rich textures and shine as were found in the inspiration photo.   So, I stamped the flower in Versamark and heat embossed with black stampin' emboss powder.  I actually did this twice so that I could color the flowers and pop them up.  My Stampin Write markers, Pure Poppy, Old Olive & Pear Pizzazz, and a blender pen made quick work of my coloring job.  I cut out flowers and popped them up on dimensionals.  

A strip of Pure Poppy and Old Olive were run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  The real dazzle here is another sneak peek from the Holiday Mini catalog--gold Waffle Paper--trims the edge of the focal image.  A piece of sticky strip on the back of the Very Vanilla panel allowed me to scrunch up a strip of the Waffle Paper like the flounce on a skirt!  Imagine those kicky Poppy heels from the inspiration photo peeking out underneath such a skirt--oh la, la!  And just because it looked a little naked, I gave the main panel a final spritz with my color spritzer and a River Rock Stampin' Write maker.

The Stamp-A-Holics Challenge sketch that I used is also a 10 minute card challenge...so I don't think this one was completed in 10 minutes but it was a lot faster than usual!  And despite the out-of-my-comfort-zone color combination...I'm pretty happy with it.  So, thanks for stopping by the Canopy...I appreciate all your visits and comments.  Cheers!

supplies:
stamps: asian artistry; teeny tiny wishes
ink: versamark; stazon jet black; river rock
paper: basic black, very vanilla, pure poppy, old olive cardstock; gold waffle paper
xtras: stampin' write markers: pure poppy, old olive, pear pizzazz, river rock; color spritzer; square lattice embossing folder; scallop oval, large oval & narrow oval punches; paper piercer

Paper Players {12}

I can finally share some exciting news with you! I've been busting at the seams!! Lesley, of The Paper Players Challenge, asked me if I would like be one of their guest designers for the month of September! How exciting is that?! Of course, I said yes, yes, YES!! I am so honored to be part of this talented team. Even more exciting, I am starting a little early because DT LeAnne is taking a break to spend time with her new granddaughter (yeah, LeAnne!).

This week Jaydee is our hostess with the mostess and she has challenged us with an yummy inspiration photo. Hmmm, I have to say...I was stumped! But, I focused on the colors and the textures and an idea started to form. I knew that a Cumb Cake base was a must then I stamped a Sanded background with Whisper White craft ink to imitate the flour dusted bread.


The circular element of the blackberries stands out when I look at this photo and the Medallion stamp came to mind. I think it would also look good embossed with black embossing powder to really make it shine like the blackberries. This photo also makes me think of old world bakeries and the Medallion stamp has a similar vintage feel.

A strip of (retired) Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon gives a little pop of strawberry red against the Crumb Cake background. And I am in LOVE with the Decorative Label punch from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog. Here, it's used with a Curly Cute sentiment on top of another medallion image, from Charming, in Crumb Cake ink. I love stamping the sentiment over a coordinating image--it really fills in the space!

Lastly, a peek at the inside. Just repeated elements from the front. A Crumb Cake Medallion, a sentiment from Occasional Quotes in Basic Black and a stamped scallop border in Riding Hood Red from the (retired) All Scallops set.

So what do you think? Are you inspired? What do you see when you look at this photo? Hop on over to the Paper Players Challenge and link up your creation! We would love to see what inspires you! Thanks for stopping by.


supplies: stamps: medallion; curly cute; sanded ink: whisper white craft; jet black stazon; crumb cake, riding hood red paper: crumb cake, whisper white CS xtras: decorative label punch; basic rhinestone jewels; riding hood red taffeta ribbon; dotted scallop ribbon border punch

Vellum Bitty Bats

I'm back with another sneak peek Halloween card. The color combination is inspired by the colors from the Wicked Fun Specialty designer paper: Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Basic Gray and Basic Black. It's a sophisticated take on traditional Halloween colors, don't you think? It's going to be very difficult not to use the Spider Web embossing folder on every Halloween card--it's just so dramatic--especially when you rub your stamp pad directly over the embossed parts and it just makes the web POP! I first saw the idea on Patti Chesky's blog and she calls it the direct-to-paper technique. Here, I lightly rubbed a Basic Gray ink pad right over the embossed web--try it, you'll love it! The new Tasteful Trims XL die made another appearance here in Old Olive for the big scalloped border.

The bitty bats were punched from our cardstock Vellum with the Bitty Bat punch. They are attached to the card with glue dots which I covered with a Basic Rhinestone. Those little jewels can cover all kinds of things with bling! Here you see a close-up of this fabulous specialty paper. The pack features 2 designs with velvet flocking! Those basic black polka dots are flocked and oh-so-cool.
Lastly, a peek at the inside. Usually, I use Very Vanilla or Whisper White on the inside but those colors seemed too bright for this card. Needed something a little moodier so a piece of Dusty Durango coordinates nicely with the Cajun Craze paper on the front. (I'm trying to use up my retired Durango paper!) A few more scraps of DSP, some Cajun Craze bats, a sentiment from All Holidays and I call it done!
I really like the layout of this card and I thought you might too, so here are some dimensions to help you recreate your own version. If you do, leave a link in the comments so I can come check it out!

• the basic gray A2 base is cut longways 4.25" x 5.5" with a side fold
• the cajun craze polka-dot DSP is 4" x 2"
• adhere DSP to a coordinating piece of cardstock for stability--here I've used basic black 4" x 2.25"
• cut piece of old olive 4" x 1", use your favorite border punch and attach to DSP
• wrap approx. 14" piece of rich razzleberry 1/4" grosgrain ribbon around dsp and tie knot
• sentiment stamped with sentiment and spider web from Wicked Cool and punched with Large Oval punch
• punch bitty bats from vellum or paper of your choice and adhere with glue dots. cover with rhinestone if necessary.
• inside panel is 4" x 5.25"

Thanks for stopping by today...have a good one!


supplies:
stamps: wicked cool, all holidays
ink: cajun craze, basic black, basic gray
paper: basic gray, basic black, old olive, cajun craze, dusty durango CS; wicked fun specialty paper
xtras: spider web embossing folder; bitty bat, scallop border & large oval punches; tasteful trims XL die; rich razzleberry 1/4" grosgrain ribbon; basic jewel rhinestones.

Paper Players Cafe: {APP11} & {PDCC42}

Oh, this one was so much fun...this designer paper is soooo pretty! When I saw the challenge colors at the Play Date Cafe--dark brown, green & beige--I immediately thought of the unopened pack of Woodland Walk designer paper sitting on my desk! Right, the paper I just had to have but haven't used yet? Yes, that's the one. Lesley's versatile sketch from The Paper Players was the perfect layout for the silhouette image from Just Believe. With an oval as the focal point, I thought the sketch worked better rotated. I think it works! To begin, the Chocolate Chip base was stamped with the Woodgrain background stamp in Chocolate Chip ink. Next, I ran the Oval Scallop die through my Big Shot three times. First with the woodgrain DSP, then with Crumb Cake cardstock and lastly with Garden Green cardstock. The extra oval of Crumb Cake was adhered to the DSP because the DSP is a little thin on its own.
The flower silhouette was stamped directly on the DSP once in Wild Wasabi and again in Garden Green. The Garden Green image was stamped just a little bit over from the Wild Wasabi one. This gives a really cool shadow effect. Before inking my stamp with Garden Green, I inked it Versamark and then directly on the Garden Green stamp pad. After it was stamped, I sprinkled Clear Embossing Powder and heat set the image. The result is a partially embossed and darker image. Of course, I had to add a few adhesive backed Basic Pearls. Love all the sizes available on one sheet!Isn't the taffeta ribbon bow yummy? Here I used Kraft taffeta that has since retired but the taffeta ribbon is available in many colors and is so easy to work with. I almost never tie a successful bow but it's actually easy with the taffeta ribbon. Here's a great video tutorial from Dawn McVey on the bunny ear method of bow tying that I used on today's card.
A couple little images from Tiny Tags punched with the Medium Jewelry Tag were all the sentiment this card needed. I played with a few things but just thought anything else was too much. That's all for today. I hope you will come along and play over at the Paper Players and Play Date Cafe challenges--it's just what you need to get your creative energy in gear! Have a good one...cheers!

edit 8/17/10: here's the inside of the card...I think some folks thought this was a second card!

supplies:
stamps: just believe; teeny tiny wishes; tiny tags; woodgrain BG
ink: wild wasabi, garden green, chocolate chip
paper: chocolate chip, wild wasabi, garden green, very vanilla CS; woodland walk DSP
xtras: frame scallop oval die; dotted ribbon border punch; medium jewelry tag punch; basic pearls; baker's twine; kraft taffeta ribbon

Mojo Aviary Pals: {PPA55} {MOJO151}

I {heart} the colors at this week's PPA challenge: Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight. The funny thing is, I've had these whimsical birdies from the Aviary set stamped in this exact color trio sitting on my desk for awhile now. So, I was delighted to see them featured at my favorite weekly challenge over at Pals Paper Arts.

With the main panel already stamped, I just needed some sketch inspiration to figure out what to do with it. This unique sketch from the Mojo Monday blog provided something to work with. It turned out to be a bit of a challenge for me--couldn't figure out that sentiment panel--but in the end I like the results.
I remembered my promise to show you more sneak peeks...can you find it? Notice that scallop border in Melon Mambo? WOW--it's from a new XL die for the Big Shot called Tasteful Trims. What until you see it--all these trims that are great for cards and sewing projects! Scallops, rick racks, zig zags and a bubble trim--you're going to love it!

Here's a little close-up for you of the cage I cut out and popped up on dimensionals. A sweet little Daffodil Delight 1/8" taffeta bow and some Basic Rhinestones dressed it up just the right amount. The 1/8" taffeta ribbon has quickly become a favorite in my ribbon stash. Couldn't let those scraps go un-loved so they were re-purposed on the inside for a finishing "Canopy" touch.

Thanks so much for stopping by...I truly appreciate your visits and the comments you leave when you're here. I love hearing from you. Cheers!

supplies:
stamps: aviary, just believe (sentiment)
ink: melon mambo, daffodil delight, tempting turquoise, crumb cake
paper: whisper white, daffodil delight, melon mambo CS; island oasis & greenhouse gala DSP
xtras: 1/8" taffeta ribbon daffodil delight; basic rhinestones; tasteful trims XL die; hugs notes (retired)

Halloween Sneak Peeks...wicked

I just love Halloween...in all it's gothic and baroque glory. Which is why I am absolutely agog over the new Halloween goodies in the Holiday Mini Catalog! The whole theme is "1800s London" including Black lace, black rhinestones, Edgar Allen Poe paper, oh my! I think I'm channeling my inner goth child--except when I was an angst-ridden teenager we were "new wave". Oooh, did I just give away my age?! ;-) Anyway, here is tonight's card with all it's sneak peeks for you: Can you spot them? There's so many! The raven is actually one corner of the newest DSP, Nite Owl, featuring skulls, ravens, vintage newsprint and fabulous graphics that have a textile quality to them. It will be so useful for masculine cards, long after Halloween. The Black Flourish Designer Jewels are the newest bling in our inventory and they are FAB! I cut just a small section of the flourish to add a little interest to Mr. Raven's wing.

Here's another one...the Basic Black cardstock is embossed with a new Spider Web Embossing Folder! It doesn't photograph very well, but I've spritzed it with a mix of rubbing alcohol + shimmer paint and it is so shimmery in person--gossamer. This web is big! It will cover a whole card front or can be used in sections as I've done here. I'm so happy SU seems to have boarded the embossing folders train--so easy and great results.

And look at that lace! I had to have it: 1/2" Raven Black Lace Trim. It is so soft and will also be useful long after Halloween. I can think of a holiday in February where black lace trim will come in handy! ;-)

Did you notice the cool shaped tag holding the sentiment and spider web from Wicked Cool? That's the new extra-large Decorative Label punch. It coordinates with images in the Tags til Christmas stamp set that I've used here. That's right, it's a Christmas stamp! Under the wicked sentiment it says "Dec 25" but stamped in coordinating Tangerine Tango and covered with a punched oval it becomes a Halloween tag! Again, lots of uses past the holidays.

And you know I can't let you go without a peek at the inside and just one more new item. I love this Midnight Raven and he is just one of the a la carte (single) stamps in the Holiday Mini. He actually sits on the words "Fright Night" but here I inked just the raven with my Basic Black stampin write marker and landed him on top of the Woodgrain fence.

So, I promised you some sneak peeks...did I deliver? All these sneak peek items will be available beginning September 1st when the Holiday Mini catalog goes live right here under the Canopy. If you're a regular customer or club member, you should receive your copy in the mail by the end of August. If you're not a regular customer, yet!, and would like to receive a Holiday Mini just let me know. I would be happy to send one out to you. Thanks for stopping by!

currently available supplies:
stamps: wicked cool; woodgrain
ink: basic gray, versamark jet black, tangerine tango
paper: tangerine tango, basic black, pear pizzazz & very vanilla CS
xtras: large oval, dotted scallop ribbon punch; champagne mist shimmer paint; basic black stampin' write marker

supplies available 9/1:
stamps: tags til christmas
paper: nite owl DSP
xtras: black flourish designer jewels; raven black lace trim; extra-large decorative label punch; spider web embossing folder.

A Spot of Tea: {APP10}

Oh my goodness, this week's color combo at The Paper Players is GORGEOUS. So rich and luxurious. Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla. Doesn't that just scream dessert? Of course, the inspiration photo Lesley chose sure helps! When I think of dessert I think of either a big glass of cold milk (I'm funny that way!) or...a warm pot of tea! This sweet little teapot is inked up in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla cardstock. I used my Big Shot to emboss the Early Espresso card base with the Elegant Lines Impressions Folder--so pretty! And look how the elegant swirls repeat in the Elegant Soiree designer paper. Crumb Cake is just one of the beautiful colors in this paper that combines masculine stripes with elegant vines and leaves.
And look at this...I could not have planned this if I tried! When I finished everything else, I was all set to put a few bitty pearls on the leaves of the branch when my daughter said "Mama put them in those dots coming out of the teapot so it will look like steam!" Oh.my.gosh. How cute is that?! My little crafting girl made me proud with that idea! Have you purchased some of SU's new adhesive Basic Pearls, yet? You must have some!


OK, on to the inside and a matching teacup filled with a very special blend. How true...I love the ritual of tea and it's better sharing a cup with a friend. My favorite is Irish Breakfast...dark and stormy...what's yours?

Three's the charm: CTD{104} SSC{163} SR{31}

This post title looks like alphabet soup doesn't it? That's because, with tonight's card, I managed to meet the requirements for three challenges all in one project--that's a record for me! This one came together pretty easily in my head probably because the challenges did most of the work including the colors, paper and layout! The talented team at Stampin' Royalty asked us to create our own designer paper with stamps. With the tropical color scheme from Color Throwdown in mind, I reached for one of my all-time favorites (do I say that about every stamp set?!) Paradise to create my patterned paper. To Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive I added a neutral, Sahara Sand, just to ground all that hot, tropical color. I think the grey tones of SS calm an otherwise bright combination. Once I had my paper and colors in hand, the easy-breezy sketch courtesy of the Stamping 411 operators made my layout a cinch! Well, of course I fussed over details like I always do so it wasn't quite as easy-breezy as it should have been! ;-) My daughter was crafting with me during this process and she liked this card so much she asked me to teach her how to make one too! That's a ringing endorsement in my book! Although she said she didn't want to complete the inside like I did. Oh well, everyone is entitled to artistic liberty, right?!

A big thank you to all of you who hopped over to Arden's blog yesterday and left some comment love about her owl bookmarks. It meant so much to her....and to me. Thank you. And if you're wondering what I'm talking about...check it out HERE. Thanks so much and hope to talk with you tomorrow when I'll have a decadent dessert inspired challenge goodie for you to feast your eyes on!

supplies:
stamps: paradise; woodgrain background; curly cute
ink: tangerine tango, old olive, daffodil delight, sahara sand
paper: very vanilla, tangerine tango, old olive, sahara sand
xtras: dotted scallop ribbon border punch; lots of tags sizzlit die;

Happy Bird Day: TSSC {133} & DCBD {188}

Hi all! This is another new catalog item that was a must-have. Aviary. I just love it. I love birds and the birdcages are so much fun and versatile too. They can be elegant or whimsical as is the case here for a couple of new-to-me challenges. I am loving all these challenges. So good for getting the mojo goin'. The colors came from Diva Coffee Break Designs: Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist & Early Espresso. All 4 are among SU's newest core colors and a welcome addition to the color family--so rich and saturated and they look great together too. I love this sketch from Mary Jo, the Techno Stamper, I think I'm going to use it over and over. In fact, I already have some cards with this sketch swimming in my head right now! My sneak peek goodies from the Holiday Mini catalog arrive Monday so I should have some fun stuff to show you!

Some Canopy Tips:

Make your own paper: I didn't have designer paper in any of these colors--can you believe it?! So I made my own with the Newsprint DSP. Ink a brayer with your color of choice, here I used Marina Mist, and roll it right over a neutral piece of patterned paper. Here the sheet music from Newsprint turns into Marina Mist designer paper!

Designer Buttons: These are a steal! Sold in bundles of 72 for each color family. 4 each of 3 different designs in 6 colors...wow! That's a lot of coordinated button happiness for just $8.95. And look, the new 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (here in Early Espresso) threads through the button perfectly.

The Insider: I just love finishing the inside of my cards. I often use dark colors for the card base which means that I need a neutral writing surface inside. But the fun comes in carrying over design elements from the front and playing with the details.

Notice how the insider birds have rocked their cage and hightailed it outta there?! It's just a little extra attention to the details that make it special for the recipient.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to check back for some sneak peeks in the next few days. Before you go...wonder what this little guy is about? Since my owl anniversary card yesterday, we've been cuckoo for owls around the Canopy. My 6YO daughter has posted some darling owl projects to her blog, Arden's Garden of Crafts. Please take a look. She would soooo love a comment from you! I can hear her in the morning..."mama how many comments do I have?"!

Thank you for your visit(s)...enjoy the rest of your weekend!

8/9/10 edit: Thank you Mary Jo! This card made it to the Top 3 at The Techno Stamper. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome sketch with us, Mary Jo! I'm so glad you liked my card!

supplies:
stamps: aviary, picture this (retired)
ink: daffodil delight, cherry cobbler, marina mist, early espresso
paper: newsprint dsp; early espresso, whisper white, cherry cobbler, daffodil delight CS
xtras: elegant lines TIF; scallop edge punch; basic rhinestones; designer buttons (brights); 1/8" taffeta ribbon (early espresso); modern label punch