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Memorial Day Encore

For Memorial Day, today, I'm featuring this "re-post" from last year  (http://wildwestpaperarts.com/let-us-remember).  The sets I used to create this tribute are retiring on Thursday, May 31st.  It's one of those sets I'll keep for a very long time.  It's so full of meaning and can be used for several holidays or personal remembrance.  For more information on the makings of this card, please click on the link above or on any of the pictures in this post.

Whatever the celebration, private or public, quite or lively,  take a moment to celebrate and honor our fallen heroes and their protection of our freedom on this day of remembrance.

"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free,

and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me

and I'll proudly stand next to him to defend her still today,

'cuz there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA".

-Lee Greenwood

Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you for stopping by on this very special day.

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Thyme for Happiness Mojo Monday Sketch #242

Mojo Monday #242 is the perfect sketch to showcase yet another fantastic set, Herb Expressions, retiring May 31st. 

The images are paired perfectly with sentiments for the inside.  With 4 different themes (blessings, devotion, happiness and remembrance) this is a set that you'll grab over and over.

I used my old standby, Blender Pens and Classic Ink to color the flowers and leaves, creating definition with the fine tip on Stampin'Write Markers of the same color.

Rhinestones finish the flowers with just the right amount of bling. 

A little dimension but not overdone. Perfect for these sweet images.

Tips & Tricks:   When creating with simple images, limit color and embellishments to keep your project from feeling "overdone."

Nuts & Bolts:
Approximate 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" (A2 Envelope)

Supplies:

* Card stock – Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Old Olive

* Designer Paper – Twitterpated #125406

* Ink & Coloring –  Classic Inks (Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze,

Pear Pizzaz, Wisteria Wonder);

Stampin' Write Markers (Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzaz)

* Stamps – Herb Expressions #113224 (Retiring May 31st)

* Embellishments – Rhinestones Basic Jewels #119246

* Fibers & Ribbon – Organza Ribbon #114319

Tools:

* Big Shot #113439; Textured Impressions Embossing

Folder #117335 (Perfect Polka Dots)

* Crimper #101618 (Retiring May 31st)

Adhesives:

* Glue Dots #103683

* SNAIL Adhesive #104332

* Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

Don't forget!

Only 6 shopping days left to get your favorite retiring products!

Thank you so much for stopping by today. 

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One in a Million Dad-PPA135

It's that time again.  Time to play with Pals Paper Arts AND get ready for Father's Day.

Does your dad or an important man in your life have a mustache?  Whether he does or not, you have to admit, this is a cute stamp.  The top mustache reminds me of the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz, one of my very favorite movies and this week's sketch is perfect for showing off my Many Mustaches stamp.  They also make me think of vintage circus posters.  Fun, fun!

While I wanted to create a playful card for Dad I wanted to keep it masculine.  I used a geometric piece of Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper  at the top of the card to do just that.  I mentioned in my last post how much I like this new paper pack for it's mix of geometric and floral designs.  On the reverse side of the paper I used, you'll s see a beautiful floral pattern in the new In-Color, Midnight Muse and Very Vanilla.  Watch for it in the new catalog.  Do you have yours yet?

Dad also needs to feel like "One in a Million"  To do this, I stamped another mustache on textured Cajun Craze card stock with VersaMark, and embossed it with clear Stampin' Emboss Powder before cutting it out and popping it up on the card.  I think it worked!

Some finishing touches were added with Natural Hemp Twine, a button, a garland and a pierced corner for balance.  Don't be afraid to use color for a "guy" card. Keep it masculine with strong, vibrant colors and embellishments.

Tips & Tricks:  Clear embossing on textured card stock looks like the image has been distressed.

Nuts & Bolts:
Approximate 4-1/4" x  5-1/2" (A2 Envelope)

Supplies:

* Card stock  -  Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit (both available June 1st),

Cajun Craze, Pool Party & Very Vanilla;

Cajun Craze Textured Card Stock (Retiring May 31st)

* Designer Paper – Comfort Cafe #126898 (available June 1st)

* Ink & Coloring –  Midnight Muse (available June 1st) and VersaMark;

Stampin' Write Marker (Cajun Craze)

* Stamps – Many Mustaches #122917 (Retiring May 31st),

Best Dad Ever #120681, Loved Ones #125467

* Embellishments – Regals Buttons #119744

* Fibers & Ribbon – Hemp Twine #100982 (Retiring May 31st) ,

Linen Thread #104199

Tools:

* Punches –  Small Heart #117193, Jewelry Tag #117190

* Big Shot #113439; Bigz XL Die #120893 (Tasteful Trim)

* Paper Piercing – Mat Pack #105826, Paper-Piercing Tool #116631 

(Both being reconfigured & replaced on June 1st.  See New Catalog, page 181 for more info)

Adhesives:

* Glue Dots #103683

* SNAIL Adhesive #104332

* Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

I'm off to join the circus or see the wizard.  Either way, it will be fun!

Thank you for stopping by!

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Graduation Mojo Sneak Peak!

It's Mojo time and time to celebrate those grads in your life.  Graduation is a time of transition and realization of accomplishment.  A strong card will tell your grad how proud you are of this accomplishment.  This week's Mojo Monday sketch is perfect for doing just that.

When I started putting this card together, I knew I wanted to use this sentiment from the Word Play set, a graduation cap and a rich blue. Normally, I would pair silver with blue, but the new Midnight Muse seems to do better with Brushed Gold, a paper that has a muted metallic feel. Perfect!

I also wanted to carry the movement of the arrow throughout the design.  One solution, a sheet of herringbone paper from the new Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper (available June 1st).  The interesting combination of geometric and floral designs in this paper pack is fantastic.  One paper pack can be used for sweet and strong, male and female.

Finally, I finished off the pomp and circumstance with gold brads to bring out the muted gold and added a cute little "Bakers Twine" tassel. 

Tips & Tricks:  Use the recipient's school colors in your creation.

Nuts & Bolts:
Approximate 4-1/4" x  5-1/2" (A2 Envelope)

Supplies:

* Card stock  -  Midnight Muse (available June 1st), Brushed Gold #102935,

Very Vanilla

* Designer Paper – Comfort Cafe #126898 (available June 1st)

* Ink & Coloring –  Midnight Muse #126860 (available June 1st)

* Stamps – Word Play #120651

* Embellishments – Metallic Brads #119741

* Fibers & Ribbon – Baker's Twine #124262 (white)

Tools:

* Punches –  1" Square #124094

* Big Shot #113439; BigZ Die #122153 (3" Circle)

Adhesives:

* SNAIL Adhesive #104332

* Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

Keep moving toward those dreams and thank you for stopping by!

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Salute to Poppy Parade

Poppy Parade, one of the retiring In-Colors has become one of my favorites.  I didn't appreciate this vibrant color until I opened a pack of "Everyday Enchantment" Designer Series Paper from this year's Sale-A-Bration.  I'm really sad to see this beauty go.

If this card looks familiar, it is.  You'll find it featured on page 18 of the 2012 Occasions Mini catalog in blue.  It's interesting to see how a simple change in color changes the entire feel of the card. 

One of the things I like about this design is the subtle sentiment achieved by using tone on tone.  It's light enough to make the reader pull it close, and dark enough to make them realize there's something more. A little tease to have them really look at the card to appreciate the texture and layering you've done.

Most things on this card are retired or retiring but I hope you'll be inspired to see what you can do with a favorite design and different color choices. 

Tips & Tricks:  Experiment with color and texture using a card you've created in the past as your template.

Nuts & Bolts:
Approximate 4-1/4" x  5-1/2" (A2 Envelope)

Supplies:

* Card stock  -  Poppy Parade (retiring May 31, 2012)

* Designer Paper -  Everyday Enchantment (2012 SAB, retired)

* Ink & Coloring –  Poppy Parade   (retiring May 31, 2012)

* Stamps – Simple sentiment of your choice

* Embellishments – #122940 In-Color Printed Brad Assortment

Tools:

* Punches –  #119880 5-Petal Flower; #122362 Lace Ribbon Border 

(Both punches retiring)

* Big Shot #113439; Embossing Folder #119976 Square Lattice;

Sizzlet L Die #125592 (Paper Doily)

Adhesives:

* SNAIL Adhesive #104332

* Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

* Glue Dots #103683

Have a fantastic Monday and thank you so much for stopping by!

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