Just A Note

Well, the challenge this week at Papercraft Star can't get any easier! All you have to do is create ANY papercraft project you'd like and link it up! That's right - anything you want.

Now I'm sure you have some creations laying around that haven't been posted yet. Why not have them make their debut and play along with us!

I decided to take this opportunity to create another card for my grandma who lives long distance from me. I only get to see her about one time each year. That's not nearly enough when we use to spend everyday together when I was a child. 

Needless to say, I miss her. 

I used a mini envelope from my stash as a template. I didn't want to waste it, so I've been tracing and cutting a new envelope each time. That way, I can re-use again and again. Hey, I'm thrifty like that!

Inside the envelope, I created a small little notecard. Perfect for a small little message! I adhered a button on the top so the note wouldn't get lost inside the envelope. 

Oh! And it took me a few tries, but I was finally able to create the perfect size envelope for thick embellished cards, such as this one. I think it would make a good tutorial to share. Ok, I'm putting that on my to-do list.

Anyway, I hope you'll play along in the Papercraft Star challenge. Just create any papercraft creation and link it up! There are no restrictions. Just as long as it's a new, never-before-seen creation. 

Can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Cardstock: (Rustic Cream) Papertrey Ink; Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants; Ephemera: K&Company; Stamp: (Sing Along) American Crafts; Ribbon: Etsy

Clear and Simple Stamps: Beautiful Spirit

I'm back to share another creation using the July release of Beauty Secrets II from Clear and Simple Stamps. I just adore the combination of text and script style fonts this set offers. They are so beautiful!

I decided to create a soft and feminine card for an "all occasion" style card. It's always good to have a card on hand that is versatile and can work for a number of different occasions - birthdays, just a note, or something to lift the spirit. 

I used the text stamp for my background and combined it with the polka dots from the Dots and Lines set. And oh, how I love those Dots and Lines! It's another one that I have been using over and over. It's one of those classic, must-have stamps.

And there's that lovely font style above. I just love its delicacy. Last, I used the plaid background from the Dots and Lines set to stamp directly onto a paper doily tag and adhered some pretty pearl buttons with twine. 

So there you have it! Even though the Beauty Secrets II stamp is more for the "girls night out" kind of theme, I thought I'd show you how it works for a softer and more general occasion kind of card. 

Want to see more? Check out the Clear and Simple Stamps blog for some more ideas and then, check out DT Amber's super adorable project she created from this release. I love what she created!

Cardstock: (Kraft Like a Rockstar - Ivory) Clear and Simple Stamps; Stamps: (Beauty Secrets II) (Dots and Lines) Clear and Simple Stamps; Doily: Martha Stewart Crafts; Lace Trim: Little Red Cottage; Flower: Petaloo; Buttons: (Designer Mix) Clear and Simple Stamps

Design Team Call at Papercraft Star!

Have you heard? Papercraft Star is looking to add two new members to join its Design Team! And I am so excited about it! The ladies on the Design Team are the sweetest and I have enjoyed their big hearts and words of encouragement during my term. I know from experience that you will feel the same way. The call is open now and I strongly encourage you all apply. You won't regret it! 

Papercraft Star is a weekly challenge blog for paper crafters of all skill levels. Our mission is to inspire crafters to create beautiful projects, teach them new techniques and keep them up-to-date on the latest trends, while motivating them with words of encouragement on their own blogs.

We want being a part of our team to be a fun and rewarding experience. Trust me when I say that the existing Design Team has created such a positive and supportive environment - a pleasure to be a part of, for sure!

There is no previous Design Team experience required and we encourage crafters of all styles to apply! Of course there are a few things we are looking for:

1. Someone who loves crafting, being part of a team, and inspiring and encouraging others.
2. Although we don't expect perfection, we do want to see quality work that will inspire our challenge participants.
3. You must have a blog and be able to post well photographed projects (complete with supplies list) to promote the weekly Papercraft Star challenge.
4. You must be 18 years of age or older and live in the United States/Canada. International applicants will be considered for Guest Designer positions, so we encourage you to apply.
5. You must be able to commit to a six month term on the team beginning September 1, 2011 and ending on February 29, 2012.
6. You must read the Papercraft Star Design Team Guidelines and be prepared to follow them as set forth. 
7. If selected, you will be required to complete one challenge based assignment per week using product supplied by our sponsor, The House Across the Bay (please visit THATB's shop on Etsy). You would also be expected to participate in any scheduled blog hops or special postings. 

So what's in this for you!

1. You'll be part of a wonderfully supportive group of crafting ladies.
2. Exposure for your own personal blog.
3. Free product from our sponsor (Please understand that the product is in digital form and CANNOT be shared. It is for your personal use only. Sharing digital files is illegal.)

If you would like to be part of our growing team of fabulous crafters, please send the following to PapercraftStar@yahoo.com (please use "DESIGN TEAM CALL" as your subject) and include:

1. Full name, address, phone number and email address.
2. A link to your personal blog, a link to your YouTube channel (if applicable), and links to your online galleries (if applicable).
3. Design Teams, if any, that you work on now or have worked on in the past.
4. Photos of three papercraft projects that represent both your style and your best work.
5. Read the Design Team Guidelines and determine if you are willing to comply with these requirements.
6. Write a short paragraph about yourself telling us why you think you'll be a good fit for the Papercraft Star Design Team. Please also let us know that you read the Design Team Guidelines. 
7. Become a follower of Papercraft Star (if you are not already).
8. Complete and email with your application a project created for Challenge 60 on the Challenges Page of the Papercraft Star Challenge Blog (this will be your first Design Team reveal if selected for the team). 

Submission deadline is August 4, 2011. We will announce our Design Team members before the end of the month.

And if you have any questions about the Design Team, the requirements, applying, or Papercraft Star in general - please, leave a comment here on my blog. You may also send me an email (located at the top, left corner) and I will be sure to answer any questions you may have.

Good luck to everyone who applies! I am so excited about the Design Team call. I know whoever is accepted onto the team, will have a blast!

Life is a Bowl of Cerises!

Today at Papercraft Star we are playing along with an inspirational photo and to use a theme of "summer beaches" for our creations. So when I think of relaxing on the beach, I think of packing my favorite snack - bright red and delicious cherries!

I had a some fun in modifying a vintage fruit crate label of cherries and making it my own design. Here is the original label I found...

Source: flickr.com via Kim on Pinterest

Isn't is so pretty? I removed the background and added an aqua colored border, modified the font and re-sized to proportion. Plus, it fits perfectly into a Spellbinder die cut! So fun!

So what reminds you of summer? 

Challenge 54: Photo Inspiration and Theme - Summer Beaches

Use summer time beaches as your theme and this photo as your inspiration.

You have until Monday, July 25 at 6:00 a.m. (eastern) to link up your creations. The Design Team will get to vote on the winning creation. I can't wait to see what you'll create!

Oh...and don't forget that Papercraft Star will be having a Design Team Call tomorrow! Be sure to look out for that announcement on the PCS blog. I truly mean it when I say that the ladies on the team are so sweet to work with - they are the biggest supporters and I have been so honored to have worked with them! I hope you will consider and apply for the Design Team Call! You'll be glad you did!

Cardstock: (Trendsetter Blue) Clear and Simple Stamps

Patterned Paper: (stripes) My Mind's Eye; (pink) Pebbles

Label Stickers: (Emma's Shoppe) Crate Paper

Stamp: (Mega Mixed Messages) Papertrey Ink

Butterflies: (Salt Air) Cosmo Cricket

Label: (Agence Eureka) modified by me!

Sending You Love - Waltzingmouse Sketch

I'm lovin' the weekend! I've had some crafting time today and decided to play along with the newest challenge over at Waltzingmouse Stamps Sketch Challenge.

I just love the colors from the Odds and Ends papers by Cosmo Cricket. They remind me of brightly colored vintage tablecloths.

I used four different stamp sets to create this little card - Say It Loud, Holiday Label No. 14, Sweethearts, and from the latest release - Eat Cake.

I framed my sentiment and added some pretty little flourish details (they're not technically flourishes, but I am not sure what else to call them). 

And I love the swag banner stamp from the Eat Cake set. It's one stamp I will use again and again! Perfect size for little pearls.

And here is the sketch that I played along with. 

That's all for my crafting today. I think it's time to go for a swim! 

Patterned Papers: (Odds and Ends) Cosmo Cricket

Stamps: (Sweethearts, Holiday Labels No. 14, Say It Loud, Eat Cake) Waltzingmouse Stamps

Ribbon: Misty Meadow

Lots of News and a Challenge!

Hello everyone! I have so much to share today. I hope you stay to read it all the way through...

There is so much going on and this week has just been flying by! I wish time would stand still for a bit to allow me to catch up and enjoy these beautiful summer months. But I know better than to ask for such a thing, so I am trying my best to enjoy every minute of what summer brings.

So that brings me to my next card that I created for the latest challenge at Papercraft Star. I wanted to create a card that reminded me of the flowers in full bloom all around me during these summer months.

And since I am trying to not let summer pass me by, I am keeping my focus on being "in the moment" - or to "bloom where you're planted" as the saying goes. 

The flourish of my card reminded me of the summer breeze, so for my sentiment, I curled up the edges of the banner and adhered with foam tape to give it that breezy kind of feel. 

I love the soft pink flowers and the hints of lace peeking through, which explains how I was inspired by this photo to create my card...I just love the dreamy colors. Sigh!

Source: twohappyhearts.blogspot.com viaKim on Pinterest

I hope you have a chance to join us this week for the Papercraft Star challenge. We have an amazing sketch this week and so many fun new things happening at PCS!

If you've been following the PCS blog, you may have seen that we now have a permanent sponsor featuring fun digital collage sheets in all shapes, sizes, and styles. The House Across the Bay (THATB) is an adorable little Etsy shop that is filled with lovely ephemera, vintage labels and images - even background papers, tags, and well....so much more! 

AND...starting in August, The House Across the Bay has decided to generously sponsor all the PSC challenges! Each week the winner will receive their choice of any collage sheet in THATB shop! 

If you've been following the PCS blog, you may have noticed a lot of changes. One being that I've been promoted to a Senior Designer! Kind of a cool title, don't you think? That means I will be sticking around a bit longer with the PSC team. It would take a lot for me to leave this team. I truly enjoy working with the rest of my DT members - Jan, Tracy, and Regan. Behind the scenes, they make me laugh, are so encouraging, and have always been cheerleaders for our team.  

But the really cool part is that beginning in September, I will be taking my part in creating/designing the sketches and color challenges that will be featured over at the Papercraft Star blog! I intend on creating sketches and colors that will provide variety and flexibility since everyone has a different style and comfort level when crafting - we want everyone to enjoy using the challenges at PSC. No matter what your style is!

Also, starting July 24th, Papercraft Star will be having a Design Team Call! Papercraft Star will be on the lookout to add a few more designers to the team. And this is one team you will love to work with! I just can't say that enough - it's true! I hope you all mark your calendars and apply to join the team. 

If you have any questions about the team, please send me an email and I will be happy to answer your questions. 

Phew....I told you this was a long post! Hee hee!

Now I hope you still have time after reading this long winded post to play along with the current challenge at Papercraft Star.

Here are the details....

Challenge 53: Liz Chidester Sketch

Create any project you wish using this sketch as your inspiration.  

You have until Monday, June 18 at 6:00 a.m. to link up your creations and the Design Team will now vote on the winner! Good luck everyone!

Supplies Used for "Bloom" Card:

Cardstock: (Rustic Cream) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Mabel) My Mind's Eye

Flowers: Prima

Stamps: (Fancy Flourishes; Spiral Bouquet) Papertrey Ink

Thanks Sew Much

Hi everyone! I decided to play along with another CR84FN color challenge. This time - it's all about red, pink and white!

Not sure why, but this color theme reminded me of the 1940's and 50's schoolbooks - you know, the kind with Dick and Jane (see Spot run). I immediately thought of my 5 and Dime papers from October Afternoon and found the perfect combination of my colors for this challenge.

I kept this card simple by adhering a buttons to a Jenni Bowlin journal tag, some pretty pink ribbon, and a little chipboard tag that I painted white and distressed. I just love the little sentiment - it's from Clear and Simple Stamp's On The Mend set. Sew cute! (sorry, but I had to be punny there.)

And just look at the mini wooden spool. Way too adorable! I wrapped some pink and white baker's twine around and decided this is my new favorite embellishment!

If you have some time, you should play along with the CR84FN color challenge. Here is the inspiration graphic. Just click the image to take you directly to the challenge. 

Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Papers: (5 and Dime) October Afternoon

Journal Card: Jenni Bowlin

Chipboard Tag: Maya Road

Stamp: (On The Mend) Clear and Simple Stamps

Wooden Spool: Maya Road

Lace Trim: Little Red Cottage on Etsy

Have a Rootin' Tootin' Time!

Hello everyone! Today I am sharing another card I created for the Papercraft Star Design Team. This week's challenge is to create any project using a photo as your inspiration (see bottom of this post).

For my card, I  pulled from the orange and gray colors in the photo to create something a little fun for any occasion worth celebrating!

Isn't this card so fun?! The color combination is something I would have never thought of, but now that I tried it, I just love the results! That's exactly why I love playing along with color challenges - they always push you to try something new. 

I chose papers from My Mind's Eye - Stella and Rose (Mabel) and Cosmo Cricket's Upcycle. To give my paper a little more "umph", I embossed the gray paper and sanded the raised portion with a file. The result is a nice, soft texture!

I folded and pleated my rusty orange satin ribbon with a simple hot glue gun. Nothing fancy, just glue and fold...glue and fold. Then, I added a new crinkle ribbon color. To me, the colors remind me of a sunset. A little yellow, with peeks of orange bursts. So pretty!

Then, I added a pop of purple because in the inspirational photo, there is a small purple flower sitting behind the sofa. You have to look real close to see it!

And what card wouldn't be complete without a fun sentiment from Waltzingmouse? Again, I am loving the rusty orange and gray color combo. It's such a refreshing change. I will have to remember this for making cards in the fall. 

Well, I hope this card leaves you inspired to play along in the challenge at Papercraft Star. I'd love to see what you create with this fun color combo. Here are the details...

Challenge 52: Photo Inspiration

Create any project you wish using this photo as your inspiration.

(Photo credit: Garrendeny Lane)

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used for "Have A Rootin' Tootin' Time" Card:

Cardstock: (Rustic Cream) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Upcycle) Cosmo Cricket; (Mabel) My Mind's Eye

Stamps: (Holiday Labels No. 14; Back in the Saddle) Waltzingmouse Stamps

Die Cut: (Labels Fourteen) Spellbinders

Ribbon: (Mimosa; Mardi Gras)

Celebrate the 4th!

Happy 4th of July! This is by far one of my most favorite holidays. Every year we hit Main Street to visit the Street Fair, have funnel cake, shop with the vendors, and end the day with a good 'ol American BBQ.

I can't wait to enjoy the sun today. But before we head out for our day of fun, I wanted to share a card I created just for today's occasion - celebrating our independence on this 4th of July!

I am playing along with two challenges today - The Shabby Tea Room (red, white, blue) and Stampin' Royalty (Go Patriotic).

I found a fun little alpha stamp set for $1.00 at Michael's. I love this set! The font is too cute! I also had fun using my new papers from Rocket Age that I found while shopping in Idaho. The little shop was so charming and the woman who worked there was just the sweetest. 

For some fun, I twisted my ribbon to replicate a streamer. It seemed appropriate for the 4th of July. 

Well, I'm heading out now to cruise the Street Fair and eat some funnel cake. Hey, on the 4th having funnel cake for breakfast is totally acceptable - especially when there are fresh strawberries piled on top. Yum! 

Got to go get ready for our big day! Be safe...and happy 4th!

Source: amoena.wordpress.com via Kim on Pinterest



Patterned Papers: (Rocket Age) October Afternoon

Star Die Cut: Papertrey Ink

Buttons: (Designer Mix) Clear and Simple Stamps

Ribbon: (Cotton Stripes) May Arts

Stamps: (Banner Builder) Papertrey Ink; (Alphabet) Hampton Art

Hugs and Kisses - Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

I hope everyone is enjoying their long holiday weekend. I've been enjoying some gardening, summer sunshine, and catching up on housework since coming home from our vacation.

I decided to play along in the newest Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge this week. The summer sun was getting hot, so I needed a break in the craft room.

I used two decorative circle stamps from the Rescue Remedies stamp set by Waltzingmouse to create a sort of background paper. 

And I am just loving the sentiments from Sweethearts collection. It's the perfect sentiment for my daughter who I intend on giving this card to. She is going to be babysitting her little brother this summer - so any words of encouragement I can give her for being so "grown up" I am all for doing. I think a little gift card to her favorite, Barnes and Noble bookstore is well deserved and will fit nicely with this card.

Anyway, I've got run - I'm heading out back into the garden to plant more flowers. I need to race to finish up before the sun goes down. There's not much daylight left!

Cardstock: (Trendsetter Blue) Clear and Simple Stamps

Patterned Paper: (Minerva) Melissa Frances

Stamps: (Rescue Remedies; Sweethearts) Melissa Frances

Flowers: Prima

Introducing! Beauty Secrets II

Happy July 1st! Today, is release day at Clear and Simple Stamps! Yeah! That means a brand new stamp set is revealed and the CSS Design Team has come up with some fun creations for you on the CSS blog.

This new set is called Beauty Secrets II. It's a fun set that is perfect for all the girly girls in your life. Think girl's night out, slumber party, beauty, and style!

I used this set to create a "feel better" kind of card. It's always nice to receive some well wishes from someone, especially when it's handmade. "Have a Lovely Day" is such a sweet sentiment - I just love the combination of fonts used for it. 

One of my favorite images in this stamp set is the repeating text strip. It's perfect to use as a background image, which is exactly what I did in a soft, beige brown color. 

And for those of you that may already own the previous released stamp set, Beauty Secrets - this new release is the perfect addition for lots of stamping options!

      

                           Beauty Secrets II (New Release)                Beauty Secrets

Be sure to hop on over to the rest of the CSS Design Team blogs and see what they've created for you!

Amber Daigre, Style Watch Editor

Cristina Kowalczyk

Dana Grothaus

Kim Howard

Laurie Willison

Lori Techler

Viola Mahr

Clear and Simple Stamps blog

Cardstock: (Kraft Like a Rockstar Ivory) Clear and Simple Stamps

Patterned Paper: (Back to Basics) Bo Bunny; (Come Together Ledger) Little Yellow Bicycle

Stamps: (Beauty Secrets II) Clear and Simple Stamps

Markers: (R20; B00; Y21) Copic

Other: (Pinking Shears) Fiskar