Good Morning Fellow Stampers!
Happy Thursday! We seem to be having a late Indian Summer here in Colorado. The temperatures have been well above average, with even some previous records being threatened by the warm days we are having. I have flowers that are still blooming like mad. It's pretty crazy -- LOL! In the meantime, I'm trying to have "Christmas" here in the studio -- so it's all a little strange ;-)
Most of you know that I changed my blogging schedule and line-up early this year, and one of the challenges that I stopped participating in was the Pals Paper Arts challenge. This challenge is actually associated with our Stampin' Pretty Pals group, and was one I had participated in from the very beginning of my demonstratorship under Mary Fish and Ann Schach, and as part of Mary's wonderful "Pals" group. Unfortunately, Mary announced to us this past week, that after some discussion, the leadership has decided to end that challenge as of this week's final challenge. So in celebration of the Pals Paper Arts, and to give one last hoorah, we are celebrating today with a submission to this weeks final PPA challenge [PPA324].
Today's design was created as "sister" cards - I wanted to show how you can create this card design with similar elements, but with simple change-outs, make it look very different from each other. This card is cut from Very Vanilla cardstock, with a background piece chosen from the This Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper. Both card designs use paper from this collection of beautiful papers, but with each one using a different design, you get a totally different effect. I then alternated the "pop" color for the overlay cardstock, allowing the pretty paper to peak through on the sides and the diagonal cut.
My favorite element, next to my pine branches of course, is the change-up of the textured impressions embossing folder on each card. On the one I used the new Holly TIEF from the Annual Catalog; on the other I used the brand new Cable Knit Dynamic TIEF. They give such different looks and feel to the card, along with the choice of color coordination.
Here we see the Holly TIEF nice and close up.
You also get a nice look now at the center piece of this card - the feature of the new Pretty Pines Thinlits - my top #1 pick from the Holiday Occasions catalog.
I cut these branches from Garden Green and Mint Macaron cardstock, with a nice berry pop in Cherry Cobbler.
The sentiment is from the new Christmas Pines coordinated stamp set, stamped in Emerald Envy Ombre ink.
Each card is finished off with a coordinated bow from the 3/8" Silky Taffeta Ribbon Combo, and a beautiful Mini Pine Cone embellishment.
Dimensionals help pop this layered element off the front of the card and give the whole card some nice dimension.
Don't you love that Cable Knit embossing folder?
I really love how these turned out; and hope my stampers who will be making these in the Annual Stamp-a-Stack in a week will love them too. There's a little bit of work involved in cutting your branches, but well worth the trouble!! Do not pass this beautiful bundle of products up. Snap up your set at my Online Store today - and don't forget the savings if you by the stamp set and dies in their bundled price!!
I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR
If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, you can order your supplies in my online store here. Thanks for looking!
Until Next Time . . .
