Because I Care - ColourQ 39

Here's my take on this week's ColourQ challenge.  I had an idea in my head and this is what I came up with.  It took me awhile to pull it all together, but I like the way it turned out.  I hadn't decided what stamp set I was going to use until the very end, but as soon as I looked at the new Because I Care hostess set, I noticed it coordinates perfectly with the design I came up with!

I used the Floral Fusion Sizzlits die for the white and I used the the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack for the smaller floral shapes.  I affixed the colored floral shapes to the white die cuts using a silver brad and each are attached to the card front with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Let me know what you think!

Stamp Sets	Because I Care (Hostess Level 1)
Ink	Night of Navy
Paper	Crumb Cake (Kraft), Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Real Red, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy
Accessories	Floral Fusion Sizzlit Die, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Silver Brads, Bravo Burgundy 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sympathy - Elements of Style "Toile" CASE

Today's post is with a heavy heart... My best friend's beloved grandmother, Lucille, died suddenly this past weekend - she was a very special person to me, like a grandmother - and I will miss her dearly.  Lots of love to her family - I know some pretty special angels she's with now :).

When I saw a version of this card, first on Mary Fish's blog here, which directed me to Tina Dyck's blog here, and also to Lianne Carper's blog here - it reminded me of Lucille.  For some reason, toile reminds me of her - so this was a perfect design for her sympathy card.

Isn't this card beautiful?  I absolutely love the Elements of Style stamp set - there are so many things you can do with it.  For the back layer, I stamped the image 4 times in a random pattern and ran the piece through my Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  The front layer is the image stamped once and popped up on dimensionals.  Of course I added that "stay put bow" that I love to use (see tutorial links along the side of my blog).  And one last tip - I finish the ends of all of my ribbons with a quick zip through either a lit match or a lighter to prevent the ends from fraying - you can thank my wonderful mother Pixie for that helpful tip!

And isn't the sentiment a nice saying for a sympathy card?  Life truly is a matter of moments - and I will never forget the many wonderful moments I had with Lucille.  Love you Grandma Spresser!

Stamp Sets	Elements of Style
Ink	Night of Navy
Paper	Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake (Kraft), Night of Navy
Accessories	Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Stampin' Dimensionals, Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Happy Birthday, Dad! - PPA48

Happy Birthday to my Dad today!  I used this week's Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge for this card.  The color combination is another suggestion from the new Color Coach - a "sweet set" of Sahara Sand, Pacific Point, and Cajun Craze.

A few details about the card - I first started with a card base of Sahara Sand and stamped the Medallion in Sahara Sand ink for a subtle background.  The piece of Pacific Point was zipped through my Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I wrapped some linen thread around the white satin ribbon and through my bitty buttons.  Hard to tell, but the background of the bitty buttons is Sahara Sand DSP!  Once I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment, it was too white, so I lightly sponged it with Sahara Sand.

Thanks for visiting The Paper Pixie and let me know what you think!

Stamp Sets	Medallion, On Your Birthday
Ink	Sahara Sand, Cajun Craze
Paper	Sahara Sand, Sahara Sand DSP, Pacific Point, Cajun Craze, Whisper White
Accessories	Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Bitty Buttons, Paper Piercer, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

ColourQ 38 - Birthday Circles

Here's a fun birthday card for my cousin Rionna using the ColourQ Challenge colors for this week (I substituted Old Olive for Kiwi Kiss).

I created the funky circles by punching the smaller circles out first, and then punching the larger circles around the holes created by the smaller circle punches.  I added a bit of texture to the white background with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

For my scallop ovals, I used my Scallop Oval punch for the Pumpkin Pie layer and my Movers & Shapers die set to create the Riding Hood Red layer.  I used my Paper Snips on the Birthday Bliss stamp to make it fit within the scallop ovals.

Stamp Sets	Birthday Bliss
Ink	Old Olive
Paper	Bordering Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Accessories	1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Scallop Oval Punch, Movers & Shapers Die & Punch Windows, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Crop-A-Dile

Get Well Soon

This card is for my dear Aunt Jinny who hasn't been feeling well lately.  She's currently at the rehab center recovering, but is anxious to get back to her apartment - until then, I hope this brings her a little sunshine!

The idea for this layout came from my upline, Christina Dungca-Lico :) - thanks, Tina!  We created a card just like this with different DSP, colors, and sentiment at her Stamp Club this past Saturday.  I just love the circle punches as the background for the adorable butterfly from the Beautiful Wings embosslits die.

As you can tell, I've had a full week of blog posts - I had 5 cards to make, with more coming.  When I have that many cards to make at once, I often have a hard time coming up with my own layouts.  So, I looked to others for inspiration - imitation is the best form of flattery!

Stamp Sets	Wellness Wishes
Ink	Marina Mist
Paper	Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories	1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-A-Dile

CAS Birthday - Masculine

This card was CASE-ed from the lovely Mary Fish (CASE = copy and share everything).  You can find her original creation here.  I just chose different colors (a suggestion from the new Color Coach!) and a slightly different layout/pattern.

I started with a piece of Bravo Burgundy card stock sized to 5" x 3.5" and then carefully adhered my Curly Label punch-outs in the pattern I wanted.  Any punch pieces hanging off the Bravo Burgundy, I just trimmed with my Paper Snips.  I also added a trusty "stay put bow" (see tutorial link on the left) and stamped a simple sentiment from the new Hostess Level 3 set - Occasional Quotes.

And there you have it - a clean and simple (CAS), masculine card.  This card is for my cousin's birthday today.  Happy Birthday, Brett!!!

Stamp Sets	Occasional Quotes (new Hostess Level 3)
Ink	Bravo Burgundy
Paper	Crumb Cake (Kraft), More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories	Curly Label Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Bravo Burgundy 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon

Sympathy - Sneak Peek

This is a sympathy card for my family members who just had to put down their beloved Golden Retriever, Maizy.  She was a WONDERFUL dog - our dog, Murphy, absolutely loved her.  She will be dearly missed.

This card includes one of the new Sneak Peek Hostess Level 2 sets, Fast & Fabulous.  I also used the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and lightly sponged over the texture with Old Olive ink to make it pop.

Don't you love this color combo?  It came from the new Color Coach.  All of these new items I mentioned will be available for order on July 1 - I can't wait!  I already have my first order planned out of some of the items on my wish list :) - "some" being the operative word here - I could not afford all of the items on my wish list at once!!!

Stamp Sets	Fast & Fabulous (new Hostess Level 2), Kind & Caring Thoughts (Hostess Level 3)
Ink	Basic Gray, Melon Mambo
Paper	Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Old Olive
Accessories	Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Top Note Die, Floral Fusion Sizzlits Die, Melon Mambo 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Movers & Shapers Curly Label Bigs Die, Magnetic Movers & Shapers Punch Windows, Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Stamping Sponges

Happy Birthday - ColourQ 37

Here's a birthday card for my college friend - Happy Birthday, Poe!!  I used a new technique (for me) called faux stitching.  You simply use your paper piercer and mat pack to line up all the piercings and run your white gel pen between each hole to give the appearance of stitching.  Whatcha think - pretty cool, huh?

The color scheme came from last weeks' ColourQ challenge, but I missed submitting my entry by the deadline.  Oh well - next time!

Stamp Sets	Watercolor Trio
Ink	Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Always Artichoke
Paper	Ruby Red, Apricot Appeal, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Accessories	Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die, White Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-A-Dile

Happy Birthday - Masculine

June is the month of birthdays in my family!  Here's a birthday card for my cousin's husband, Lance - Happy Birthday, Lance!!

My inspiration for the design of the card came from the new Idea Book & Catalog - I just changed it up a bit.  Don't you love the linen thread around the corners?  And I can't get enough of the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I lightly sponged over the card stock with Old Olive once I ran it through my Big Shot so the texture would pop even more.  And the final touch is the Curly Label punch peeking out with a little sentiment.

Stamp Sets	Kind & Caring Thoughts (Hostess Level 3), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink	Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Paper	Crumb Cake (Kraft), Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories	Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Curly Label Punch, Linen Thread, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamping Sponges

Happy Father's Day - MOJO 143

Happy Father's Day!!!  Today's card is for my husband from his furry children :).  I used the colors of Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler (new), and Daffodil Delight (new) with a Crumb Cake (aka Kraft) card base.

For the Daffodil Delight layer, I rubbed my Cherry Cobbler ink pad onto my Square Lattice embossing folder and carefully placed my Daffodil Delight card stock in the folder.  Then, I ran it through my Big Shot and voila! - I made my own designer series paper!  This was my first try at it, so it came out a little messy, but I really like the effect.  Clean-up is a breeze - just rinse the embossing folder under water and it will come clean instantly.

I thought I would give the Windsor Knot a try to create a tie for this card.  I got the idea and a link to instructions from Mary Fish here.  This was the first time I've ever tried tying a "tie" - my husband and my dad will be so proud of me ;).

Stamp Sets	Well Scripted (retired), Just Perfect Alphabet
Ink	Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight
Paper	Crumb Cake (Kraft), Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories	Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (new), 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Birthday - Masculine but Sentimental

Today's card is a birthday card for my little brother - who's not so little anymore!  He'll be 29 this Saturday - I can't believe it!  I attempted to make this card look masculine - but I'm not so sure it turned out that way.  Regardless, Greg will understand why.  Our mom LOVED apples - they were everywhere in the house we grew up in, so when we see an apple, we think of her.  I just wanted Greg to know that she'll be with him on his birthday, and what better way than to include the apple stamp from  the Tart & Tangy stamp set and the beautiful red of Cherry Cobbler (one of the new colors)!

I used both sizes of the square punches, but rounded opposite corners with the corner rounder punch.  All four pieces are popped up on dimensionals.  Don't you love the color combo?  I used the new Color Coach which recommended Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, and River Rock (although I substituted Crumb Cake/Kraft).  For the bow, I created a Stay Put bow - check my Tutorials links on the left for a great video of how to make one.

Stamp Sets	Tart & Tangy, With All My Heart, Thankful Thinking, Wow Flowers
Ink	Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist
Paper	Crumb Cake (Kraft), Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Accessories	Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, 1-1/4" Square Punch, 1-3/8" Square Punch, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Silver Brads

Happy Birthday - Masculine

Today's card is a birthday card for my father-in-law and it combines two of my favorite stamps.  With Handsome Hunter retiring, I wanted to use it as my card base - I think it's a great color for masculine cards.  This will be one of the colors I will definitely miss!

This card uses one of the new colors - Crumb Cake - which is the new name for Kraft.  The new Color Coach recommended a dynamic duo of Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip (this is making me hungry...), so I chose to do a variation on the "rock 'n' roll" technique.  Since the Medallion stamp is so big, it's tough to roll the edges onto an ink pad, so I brought the ink pad to the stamp and I love the effect.  I stamped the Medallion again in Handsome Hunter and punched out the center using one of the circle punches and popped it up on dimensionals.  The card needed a little bit more, so I decided to add eyelets and thread the ribbon through the eyelets.  Let me know what you think!

Happy Birthday, Bill!

Stamp Sets	Medallion, On Your Birthday
Ink	Crumb Cake, Handsome Hunter, Chocolate Chip
Paper	Handsome Hunter, Kraft (Crumb Cake), Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories	Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Eyelets, Crop-A-Dile, Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

Mojo Monday 142 - Another Sneak Peek

Here's another sneak peek card to share with you!  This card uses 3 of the new In Colors that will be debuted on July 1 as well as a new stamp set, new designer series paper, and a new larger scallop circle punch.  I used the Mojo Monday sketch this week for my layout.

To color the stamps, I used my new In Color Stampin' Write Markers, and this is the first time I've used markers to color a stamp - I love the technique!  It reminds me of coloring in a coloring book and staying in between the lines - very cathartic.  With the new color renovation, I've been holding out on buying markers until the new set becomes available, but I treated myself during the sneak peak to the In Color markers :).

To add some interest, I used my paper piercer and the mat pack to line up all of the holes I placed along the bottom of the card.  I also pierced the scallops on the scallop circle and the modern label edges on the left side of the card.  I popped up the scallop circle on dimensionals and the card still needed just a little bit more in the lower right corner, so I added some green rhinestones (non-SU!) I had in my stash.

Let me know what you think and thanks for stopping by!

Stamp Sets	Friends Never Fade, Kind & Caring Thoughts (Hostess Level 3)
Ink	Stampin' Write Markers in Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz
Paper	Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories	Scallop Edge Border Punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Glass Mat, Modern Label Punch, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Stampin' Dimensionals, Rhinestones (non-SU!)

Sneak Peek!

I had a chance to play with my new sneak peek items from Stampin' Up!'s new Idea Book & Catalog - I LOVE THE NEW STUFF!!!  I can't wait until the new catalog becomes available on July 1 - you're going to absolutely love it!

This card combines two new stamp sets, a new embossing folder, a new Clearlits die for the Big Shot, and a color combination from the new Color Coach!  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp Sets	Artistic Etchings, Because I Care (Hostess Level 1)
Ink	Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Rose Red
Paper	Perfect Plum, Rose Red, Very Vanilla
Accessories	Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Scallop Rectangle Clearlits Die, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, Stamping Sponges, Sticky Strip, Color Coach

Father's Day

I have to laugh at myself - I stayed up really late last night trying to make 9 of these cards for Father's Day thinking that it was this coming Sunday - OOPS!  Then I had a moment where I thought to double-check - and sure enough - no need to be in a hurry!  Even rushing to come up with a design, I'm still happy with how it turned out.  I really like the Not Quite Navy against the Kraft and the Soft Suede - that's what makes this card masculine, I think.  And the Square Lattice embossing does the trick too - I love this texture!

Since I'm early with the Father's Day post, I want to wish my Dad an early Happy Father's Day (he's a regular visitor at The Paper Pixie)!  Thank you, Dad, for your unconditional love and support!

My Dad with me and my brother Greg - circa 1982 :)

Stamp Sets	Kind & Caring Thoughts (Hostess Level 3), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink	Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy
Paper	Kraft, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede
Accessories	Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Top Note Bigz Die, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Fresh Favorites I Buttons, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Vintage Elements of Style

Here is my card for the June Sassy Stampers & Co card swap.  I was inspired by Beth Prout's creation, which you can find on her blog here.  This is my first attempt at making a vintage style card, and I really like it!  I think the best part of this vintage card is it doesn't have to be perfect - it can be messy and still look great!

I first stamped the flower bouquet image and ran it through my Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder from the Summer Mini.  Then, I sponged the edges and the entire whitespace all with Soft Suede ink.  Next, I frayed the edges of my cardstock using the sharp edge of my scissors.  The ribbon was easy to add to the card using a loop style, Sticky Strip, and some glue dots.  Here's a good tutorial for the ribbon here.

Stamp Sets	Elements of Style
Ink	Soft Suede
Paper	Kraft, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Accessories	Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Modern Label Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Paper Piercer, Brads (non-SU!), Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Glue Dots

Last Chance Lists!

Hundreds of products from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring to make room for all the terrific new products coming in the next catalog!  Now is the last chance for you to get them before they're gone for good!  Click the links below for details...

Last Chance Stamp Set List

Last Chance Accessories List

Last Chance Definitely Decorative List

Please Note: The Last Chance accessories are only while supplies last and the list will be updated daily.