PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG #176: Your Favorite Drink

Good Morning from the Paper Girls Challenge!! It's May, and for most of us in the US, there are still a few weeks left of school. As a teacher, I am running on coffee. This challenge is PERFECT to share my love of everything java. For this challenge, create something that celebrates your love of beverages! It could be coffee, tea, orange juice, wine, you name it! Create a card, layout, or like my mini notebook below, something off the page.

Heather

Mini notebook (Heidi Swapp) with a few older stamps (Gossamer Blue - retired).

 Heather

 A simple stamped cup (Concord & 9th), watercolored in two different color combinations.

We want to encourage all of our challenge participants to refer our rules and prize structure here: http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/p/how-to-play.html. 

Also, follow us on our new Instagram account for more chances to win! For this challenge use #PGCBchallenge176 and tag us @papergirlschallengeblog for an extra entry.

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PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG: Challenge #174 - Spring Color Inspiration

Today's Paper Girls Challenge is all about Spring! I chose to use the color palette to create a color block card using a die that I got awhile ago.

I die cut the heart multiple times, then paper pieced the pieces together in a spectrum order.

After that was complete, I used some matching paper for the background, embossing it with a WRMK Next Level Embossing Folder. This one was from a few years ago.

Popped the heart up on some dimensional adhesive, added a sentiment from an old A.muse stamp set, wound up some Hand and Hearth twine, and done. The little banner was just trimmed on the ends for detail.

Come play with all of us at the Paper Girls Challenge Blog!

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PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG: Challenge 171 - Pinspired Challenge

Hello! I love Pinspired challenges. For today's PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG - Challenge #171 we have a Pinspired challenge for you.

I pinned this image quite awhile ago. I just loved the geometric patterns, the color, and the makeup. I knew that once I figured out this challenge, that I would create something like the project I have for you below.

I knew how I would create a card that was similar to the Pinspired image above. I've had this die for quite awhile. For this card, I ended up using the die a total of six times, one for each color. Then, I placed in each piece in a random order.

 The sentiment used black paper and white embossing to mimic the eye makeup on the image.

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Frosty Winter Projects

Sometimes a paper collection is so easy to use, that I can create an entire set of cards or projects easily with it. Frosty Winter for me was this collection. Once I started using the fantastic violets and blues, I was hooked. 

  

I started with a fun layout. I really wanted something simpler than complicated. The patterns were just too gorgeous to add anything else. I wanted each to shine on their own, so used primarily straight cuts and layers, instead of more complicated shapes. A black and white photo kept from competing with the amazing violets and blues.

 To make the patterns stand out from one another, I used vellum between some of the layers, and as the snowflakes around the image.

 

 My favorite part of this collection is easy the tiny sentiment stickers that come on the Details sticker sheet. I just loved adding those throughout the layout.

 The tab stickers are also amazing. I loved adding all of the tiny snowflakes to this fun layout. Once the layout was complete, I could stop myself from creating MANY cards with all of the leftover bits and pieces of Frosty Winter.

I started with this adorable printable from Jessica Feig. I had to color him to match the colors of Frosty Winter. I cannot wait to send him to someone just for a smile.

An embossing folder, some scraps, and a little Glossy Accents made this snowglobe card sparkle.

Mirroring the snowflake sentiment on the Details Sticker with a stitched snowflake and embossing folder elevates this tone-on-tone beauty. 

A really simple trick to tone down the colors or patterns of a patterned paper is to place it under some vellum. The vellum is still translucent. so the snowflakes just peek through.

A deep impression, a little twine, and some beautiful sentiments make this an easy card to share.

Thank you for looking. I hope that you found some inspiration to get your Frosty Winter projects started.

Authentique Supplies: Frosty Winter Collection Kit, 12x12 papers, Details Stickers Sheet

Other Supplies: Jessica Feig "Cuties" printables, steel dies (Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflakes, Avery Elle Sweet Scallops) vellum, Neenah Solar White cardstock, embossing folders (snowflakes, woodgrain, snowfall), wood veneer stars, twine (The Twinery lilac baker's twine), Glossy Accents

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Quick Cards from Gossamer Blue Kits

EEK! Sometimes I seriously just take the last little bits of a kit and toss it with some cardstock and card bases to see how many different cards I can make. This set was made using the Gossamer Blue March Main Kit waaaaaaay back from March 2014. I've been hanging onto these beautiful leftover bits since then.

How do you use your scraps? Leave me a link and I'll come check them out!! Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Valentine's Card and Post Box with "Crush"

Hello! Today on the AUTHENTIQUE BLOG I am sharing a fun set of cards with a cute Valentine's post box that I designed. I used the 9" Creative Station to easily create the mailbox.

Supplies Used:

Authentique Paper: Crush Collection (Darling, Frilly, Herald, Sweet, 6x6 Bundle, Authentic Life Cards, Components 6x12 Cardstock Accents, Card Making Stack)

Other Supplies: paper mailbox, Xyron 9" Creative Station, buttons, flower brad, twine (Twinery-Maraschino), word paperclip (Freckled Fawn), dimensional adhesive, Wink of Stella Clear glitter brush

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Using Up Those Old Kits... (Gossamer Blue August 2013)

It's probably ironic that it took me an entire year to use up this kit (Gossamer Blue August 2013). It was just too darn pretty to use quickly. I even added a little more cardstock to complete these. The first two are baby cards for school. We had (and more are on their way!) quite a few babies on staff this last year. A few were, and are to be born this summer. It's super exciting!

The first is rather unisex. The blues and pink balance out, and the touch of yellow makes it not too gender specific. The second is obviously for a boy. I love the Lawn Fawn dies (Scripty Hello and Stitched Party Banners) and think that both of these shine because of them.

The last card is really not specific. It's a congratulatory card... But for what? I'm not sure yet, but I'm sure that it will be used somehow.

And that finishes the August 2013 Gossamer Blue kit. I think there are just a couple of buttons left, but I'll find uses for those at a later date. Pin It

25 Cards from One Collection

In my day job, I teach art. I also am one half of a kick-ass (yes, we are THAT good!) team that takes care of our staff in times of celebration and condolence. After the many years that I have helped with this, I have realized that if I plan ahead and get some of the many cards that will be used throughout the year completed during the summer, I'm a much happier person. Ultimately, I will spend about the same amount of time no matter what, I can just spend it more wisely using similar sketches or designs and make multiples at once. All of these cards use American Crafts: Garden Café collection. Stamps are from: A-Muse, Lawn Fawn and Neat & Tangled.

Sometimes the cards are almost exactly the same, just flip the papers over and switch the embellishments a little.

Use different ribbons to make different looks...

Similarity here: those tags I can never figure out what to do with. 

When you get down to the small pieces, it always helps to make "scrap" cards. Just take all of the little scrap pieces and glue away!

Or make three of a kind. This one was inspired by this card: CARD by Chari Moss. She's amazing!

In some cases... Just using those great embellishments brings amazing results. 

Or border punches and flags!

A couple more combo scrap/embellishment cards.

And a simple, but effective version... Colorblocking!

All in all, 25 cards using a line of materials that I wasn't scrapping with anymore. One more bag of stuff in my stash down! Pin It

Mason Row PEGz Stamps Projects!! (As Seen on TV!)

Sometimes, you just have to know the right person to learn of some fun new products. In this case, Ms. Beth Kingston had asked me to create a few product samples for a new stamp set by Mason Row that was going to be showcased on HSN. The PEGz Clickable Letterz set was really fun to use, and I had fun using them all in some very different ways.

 (Lawn Fawn-Happy Trails, Silhouette cuts, Echo Park Paper-Happy Camper 6x6 pad)

 (My Mind's Eye-Market Street Papers, Spellbinders-Feathers on the Wind die, button & twine)

 (Crate Paper-Flea Market papers & Resin Flower, American Crafts Thickers & Flair, enamel dots)

 (Crate Paper-Flea Market papers & Resin Flower, American Crafts Thickers & Flair, enamel dots)

 (Authentique Paper-Harmony Collection)

(Authentique Paper-Splendid Collection)

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Colorblock Thanks Card

Sometimes inspiration comes from many places. In the case of today's card, it came from a colorblock tank that I spotted in Target. I'd put a link, but I cannot find it online. Maybe I'll have to snag it soon... Anyway, this card was so easy, that I made four more!!

I started with a kraft base for the card, then layered blue and cream cardstocks. The "Thanks" sentiment is a fun Lawn Fawn die cut (Scripty Thanks) that I picked up at my local Artco Arts and Crafts store. I originally had them in the same kraft as the card base, but it needed something, so I used some of my ColorBox ink in Atlantic Blue to make them stand out from the cream cardstock. Lastly, I threw on some Studio Calico (Atlantic) sequins, because everything looks better with sequins. Pin It

Just a Fun Card

Sometimes I really just need a card. In this case, it was actually to place a long set of stickers that I had purchased for one of my dear scrappy friends. I needed a long card, so measured one that would fit in a long, traditional envelope. I also had snagged a set of the Lawn Fawn Stitched Party Banners Lawn Cuts, and wanted to play with those on the card.

Like many of my cards, I used the leftovers of a Gossamer Blue kit from August of 2013. I don't subscribe to the Main Kits anymore (I do the Life Pages kits now), but when I did, I would toss all of my leftovers in a Ziploc bag and pull them out for cards. That way, I could toss anything together and it would all go.  In this case, I pulled a few other pieces from other items together as well. I think the green patterned paper was from something else, I cannot remember.

Anyway, it's a cute card. I still love that My Mind's Eye floral paper. <3 br="">

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ScrapbookSteals My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack BLOG HOP!!! [Giveaway CLOSED]

Good Morning ScrapbookSteals Hoppers!! Heather here sharing with you my inspiration using the My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack from ScrapbookSteals.com. I hope that you got here from the fabulous Staci Jones, and if not... Make sure that you start at ScrapbookSteals' Blog to hit all of the stops along the way! There is a $20 Gift Card to ScrapbookSteals for one of the lucky hoppers!!

ScrapbookSteals

Kristina MacKeen

Charissa Miller 

Staci Jones 

Heather Conklin  (You're here!!)

Erin Shultz

I was so happy to spend time with my lovely ScrapbookSteals ladies last weekend, and really wanted to create some cards that I could just send to both the women that I was lucky to see, and those that were not able to make it this time. (If you get a card, just pretend you never saw it!)

The My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack was a bit of perfection, as I was able to start making easy cards for everyone by using the die cuts in the pack. If you are not a big layout person, or do not usually reach for your die cuts, you really need to. If it weren't for all those responsibilities, I would have busted out SO many more of these!

Aren't these just too much fun? Super easy too. Grab a 6x6, your My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack, your Mega Runner, and go for it!!

Make sure that you comment, I have a 6x6 pad of Christmas papers waiting upstairs for one lucky person!! 

Supplies Used: 
My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack, Coredinations Gemstones, MyMindsEye Twine, MyMind'sEye Life of the Party 6x6, Echo Park 6x6 Dots and Stripes, Signo white pen, Teresa Collins washi & sequins, Fancy Pants cork pieces, Xyron Mega Runner Pin It