PPA 185 - Sketch Challenge

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends celebrating the true reason for the season.  The house still smells wonderful from the cooking and baking earlier with my daughter Amanda.  Friends came by with warm hellos and special moments by the fire.  I stayed up as I usually do until 3:00am trying to get those last few presents wrapped.....swearing I won't do this again next year.  LOL!!!  Famous last words........   Here is a picture of my daughter and her BFF Courtney Christmas Eve at an ugly Christmas sweater party!!!  

Too fun!!!

 

Anyway, it's time for another fabulous sketch by Nicole.   When I saw this sketch the only picture I could come up with was a Santa's suit with his belt.  Santa came and went though!!!!  Ugh!!!  LOL!!

 

 

 

 I realized regardless of what I made, it must be a thank you card.  All of us need to be prompt and get those thank you's in the mail right?  

So here is what I came up with below:

A far cry from a Santa suit, but I think it turned out pretty cute anyway!!!  Other than the card base, I completely used scraps to create my card.  Boy do I have scraps to use up after Christmas!!!

Thanks for visiting my blog!  

Remember to stay tuned for another 

PPA Challenge this next week with Team 1!!
 
Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

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The Pals Paper Arts Christmas Stocking

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays my stamping friends!!!  This is one of our favorite times of the year.  I don't like the hustle and bustle of the malls, but I do love the nostalgia and memories of Christmas's past and present.  I love having friends and family over.  I love the Christmas Tree, sitting by the fire, baking and the meaning of Christmas.  I love looking at each ornament on the tree and seeing it sparkle and shine with the love and memory each one offers.  It's a magical time!!!

Today's card is done with one of my favorite dies that has just gone on clearance!!  The Holiday Stocking BigzL Die is retired, but it's one I'll use year after year.    Here's my card below:

A closer look at the poinsettia.......

The versatility of the die is so much fun.  Here is another card I did earlier HERE.  Same die, very different looks!!  You can order this only while supplies last!!  So don't miss out!!



Holiday Stocking BigzL Die  124098 $19.79.


This week's Just a Thought........

Look closely at the letters.  Before my daughter left for school, Amanda wrote a series of these letters like these and wrapped them in a ribbon.  I found them in my craft room when I came home from dropping her off at college.   What an amazing and touching gesture I'll treasure for the rest of my life.   The letters are "Open when you need to know how much I love you", "Open when you don't feel beautiful", "Open when you need a laugh", "Open when you miss me", etc.   Possibly the best gift a daughter could ever give! ❤  Can you think of someone in your life that would appreciate this gesture?

Thanks for visiting my blog!  Remember to stay tuned for another PPA Challenge this next week with Team 1!!
 
Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

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"Wish List" for Santa!!

Welcome to the start of the final Pals Blog Hop of 2013.  This month we are showcasing projects that should be on every crafters wish list.   You may just be starting the Pals Hop, but if you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog.  We don't want you to miss out on any of the amazing creations!

Today I'm starting you off with absolutely one of my favorite stamp sets!  This set should be on everyone's wish list!  It's called Joyful Christmas (Clear 131805/Wood 131802) out of the Holiday Catalog.  Now, I have to admit when I initially saw this set in the catalog it just didn't jump out to me.  However, I was walking through the nursery and saw some beautiful poinsettias wrapped in burlap.  I instantly thought of this stamp set and knew I had to have it.
Here's my creation below!!

The next stop is Peggy Noe at Prettypapercards.com for stop number 2 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next year!  Remember to stay tuned for another PPA Challenge this week with Team 2!!
 
Have a fabulous week!!!

Amy

1.       Amy L. Lazzell at Just A Thought...Cards by Amy
2.       Peggy Noe at Prettypapercards.com
3.       Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
4.       Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
5.       Sue Becker at R n R Stamping
6.       Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
7.       Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
8.       Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
9.       Michelle Gleeson at Stampin Mojo
10.   Kelly DeTommaso at Kellys Creative Corner
11.   Connie Lindsey at Crafting a Joyful Life
12.   Angie Blake at Angie's Musings
13.   Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
14.   Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
15.   Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
16.   Marlene Heringer at So Many Toys Sol Little Time
17.   Elaine Fleming at Studio Elaine
18.   Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
19.   Kerry Willard Bray at stampgoodness

20.   Shirley Sumption at Look at my Cute Stuff  

21.   Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn

22.   Beth Beard at My little craft blog

23.   Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts

Here comes Santa!!

Can you believe it's Thanksgiving... and Christmas is just around the corner?  What happened to our year?  I know you all are enjoying your day with family and friends.  My daughter is with a friend from her dorm this Holiday.  This is my first Thanksgiving without my girl.  I am a little sad but so glad she is taken care of and having fun.  Anyway, I wanted to share this card we made in a recent stamp class I taught.  This sketch from Nicole is perfect!!  I used the sketch to feature the Santa's List stamp set.  In class, we used the Festive Flurry Framelit die instead of just an ordinary circle or oval punch.  What do you think? 

The secret to this Santa stamp is to stamp the image in Early Espresso and then sponge color on the paper after it's stamped.  SUPER quick and easy!!

Class participants had the choice of using die cuts and embossing folders to finish their card.  Make sure and ink up and come join us at the
 Pals Paper Arts!! 

Please leave your comments, I love to read them all. When you need Stampin' Up! products to complete your paper crafting, I hope you will use my Online Store to order.

Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!!
Amy

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Christmas Stocking for the Paper Players!!

Baby it's cold outside!!!  Here in South Texas it's 36 degrees!!!  Brrrrr!!!  I have to admit though....I LOVE it!!!  It's very unusual for us to have weather this cold.  As it is, it'll stick around maybe a couple of days and then it's gone.  So I'll enjoy it why I have it!!  In honor of todays lovely cold snap, I did a stocking for card.  The die has long retired from SU.  However, there are a few favorites out there that I can't let go of and this is one of them.  When I saw the Paper Players sketch challenge, I knew immediately I had to pull this old favorite out of the box.

Here's my card:

The die is from the SU Bigz L Holiday Stocking.  I also took this same pattern and made tree ornaments.  What do you think? 

Please leave your comments, I love to read them all. When you need Stampin' Up! products to complete your paper crafting, I hope you will use my Online Store to order.

Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!!
Amy

Shop 24/7 anytime by clicking on my online store HERE. 

BONUS!  SHOP WITH ME AND GET A

 FREE 2013-2014 ANNUAL CATALOG!

 SEE DETAILS HERE!!! 

 

Save up to 50% The Stampin' Up!

 

The Stampin' Up! Holiday Sale is one of our biggest sales of the year!  Save up to 50% on a large selection of items.  Be sure to use the bundle product numbers when ordering any specially priced bundles. 

  CLICK THIS PRINTABLE FLYER to see ALL Holiday Sale items.

ENJOY MORE SAVINGS WITH THE STAMPIN' UP! WEEKLY DEAL! 

 See what's on sale this week!

SPECIAL NOTE HOLIDAY DELIVERY!!!  Stampin' Up! suggests you place any orders by Dec. 17 for arrival by Dec. 24.  There are no guarantees on delivery date so the earlier the better!

Shop 24/7 anytime by clicking on my online store HERE.

It's a Color Party with the Pals!!!

It's time to challenge yourself with the Pals Paper Arts color challenge!!    I was really thrown for a loop when I saw these colors!!!!  What to do?  
These colors are so absolutely outside my comfort zone!!!  Ack!!!  
Here's what I came up with:

Here's a closer look:

  It turns out I have a dear friend who loves these exact colors, coffee and contemporary art.  You know what?  Her birthday is Saturday too!!!  Perfect!!! 

How will YOU answer the color challenge? A card? I scrapbook page?  When you complete your project, just upload it with a direct link and you may be chosen as a PPA Pick of the Week and featured next week on the Pals Blog!  Now that's sweet !!!!

This week's "Just A Thought"......

Please leave your comments, I love to read them all. When you need Stampin' Up! products to complete your paper crafting, I hope you will use my Online Store to order.

Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Stay tuned for another PPA Challenge next week with Team 1!!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Have a fabulous weekend!!!
Amy

Shop 24/7 anytime by clicking on my online store HERE. 

BONUS!  SHOP WITH ME AND GET A

 FREE 2013-2014 ANNUAL CATALOG!
 
 SEE DETAILS HERE!!! 

Weekly Deals for November 12 - 18, 2013

Weekly Deals for November 12 - 18, 2013

(To join the Pals Blog Hop, please scroll down.)

Weekly Deals

November 12 - 18, 2013

(while supplies last)

Festive Flurry Ornament Kit!

Add a little festive flare to your holiday decorating with Stampin' Up!'s new Festive Flurry Ornament Kit! Top presents, embellish cards, create a wintery garland, or trim the tree. How you use them is up to you!

The kit includes everything you need (minus adhesive) to create 10 snowflakes, including:

• 10 feet of Soft Sky Ribbon
• Printed cardstock - die cut and scored, ready to be assembled (Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Whisper White Cardstock and Silver Glimmer Paper)

• Large Rhinestone Basic Jewells (40)

							Product name: Festive Flurry Ornament  Kit Item #: 135813   Price: $14.95

These are only available while supplies last.  So please, get your orders in early!  The video below will show you how easy these are to complete:

 

When you need Stampin' Up! products to complete your paper crafting, I hope you will use my Online Store to order.

Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Stay tuned for another PPA Challenge this week with Team 2!!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Have a fabulous day!!!
Amy

Shop 24/7 anytime by clicking on my online store HERE. 

BONUS!  SHOP WITH ME AND GET A

 FREE 2013-2014 ANNUAL CATALOG!

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November Stampin' Pretty Pals Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us for the November Pals Blog Hop. We are thankful you are visiting today and hope you enjoy our thank you inspired projects. 

You should have just left stop number 13 on the Pals Hop

Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper. If so, you are in the right spot.  

If you get off track, the full blog lineup below will help you move along from 

blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

To start, this month I decided to go rustic and woodsy.  What do you think?

 Here's a picture of the inside:

 For this card I used a recent favorite set, Truly Grateful.   I love the wheat bundle and the rustic wood paneling on the background stamp.  I used three colors in creating my card, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla.  The 1 1/4 Burlap Ribbon accenting the lower portion of the card gave the rustic feel in addition to the wood grain.     The Small Oval Punch was the perfect size for the sentiment.  The Apothecary Accents Framelits added dimension and interest to the grouping to emphasize the wheat.  Last, I used my favorite tool the Big Shot with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder  and then popped everything up with a plethora of Dimensionals!!   Imagine this card without these added touches.  This card would not have had the same impact without all the layers and textures.

This week's "Just A Thought"......

The next stop is Lisa Davis at Cherry St. Paper Treats, stop number 15 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month!  Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Remember to stay tuned for our Pals Paper Arts Challenge this week with Team 2!!

As always I love to see your comments and hear your questions!!  
Have a fabulous week!!!
Amy

1. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
2. Ann Schach at The Stampin' Schach
3. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
4. Carmen Sublasky at The Creative Stamptuary
5. Shirley Sumption at Look at my Cute Stuff
6. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
7. Connie Lindsey at Crafting a Joyful Life
8. Michelle Gleeson at Stampinmojo
9. Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works
10. Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
11. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery's Owlery
12. Kerry Willard Bray at Stampgoodness.com
13. Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
14. Amy L. Lazzell at Just A Thought...Cards by Amy
15. Lisa Davis at Cherry St. Paper Treats
16. Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards
17. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'
18. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
19. Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker
20. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts
21. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
22. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
23. Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
24. Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
25. Brian King at Stamp with Brian
26. Beth Beard at My little craft blog
27. Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb...
28. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
29. Sue Becker at Sue's R n R Stamping
30. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
31. Peggy Noe at prettypapercards
32. Marlene Heringer at So Many Toys in Schertz

Walk in the Wild with Friends

It's the first week of November and Fall is right on schedule here in South Texas!!!  It's absolutely amazing!!  Today is a windy day with the temperature in the low 60's and last night getting into the mid 50's. 
I know, I know but this is Fall in South Texas!! 
Truthfully anything cooler than 90 degrees is a cold front down here!!!  LOL!!!

This week I decided to make a card not only for our fabulous Pals Paper Arts, but also for the Paper Players!!  I felt the colors for the PPA challenge would be perfect to use with a woodland bird such as a Pheasant. 
Here's my card below:

I hope you like this weeks card!!  Make sure and join in on the fun with these two marvelous challenges!!  The Paper Players challenge ends tomorrow, but the Pals Paper Arts challenge doesn't end until Tuesday at noon!!!  Two great chances to join!!!

This week's "Just A Thought"......

I saw this on Facebook this week and felt it would be the perfect thought for our cool and windy day. 

Grab a friend out got out and play in the Fall leaves!!   It's a beautiful world!!

As always I love to see your comments!!
Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Remember to stay tuned for another PPA Challenge next week with Team 2!!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper:  Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Summer Star Fruit 

Stamps: Walk in the Wild, Non SU Leaves

Ink: Early Espresso

Fabulous Tools:   , Chalk Talk Framelits, Wood grain Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls, 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

 

Shop 24/7 anytime by clicking on my online store HERE. 

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SEE DETAILS HERE!!! 

Mixed Bunch with the Dynamic Duos!!!

This week at Dynamic Duos is a fabulous color challenge with Real Red and Bermuda Bay featuring the new design team.  I'm so excited to see what the new team brings to the blog!!!  Congratulations girls!!!  The colors this week are so exciting!!!  They really do invoke fun with their bold statements!!  As soon as I saw colors, I immediately thought of the stamp set Mixed Bunch and the DSP pack of Polka Dot Parade.  Fun!!!  Here's my card below:

Join my blog and be notified of all the my projects as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Have a fabulous week!!!

Amy

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper:  Real Red, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White 

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Mixed Medley

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Real Red

Fabulous Tools:  1 1/4 Scallop Circle punch, 3/4 Circle punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Dimensionals

Shop 24/7 anytime by clicking on my online store HERE. 

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 FREE 2013-2014 ANNUAL CATALOG!

SEE DETAILS HERE!!! 

MY DIGITAL STUDIO SALE!!!!!!

November is a GREAT time to order select My Digital Studio Downloads at a 30% Discount,

or to get your print orders submitted at a 30% Discount!

In addition, there are also special videos, projects, blog posts, daily deals and challenges on the My Digital Studio website!

Here's the list of daily deal MDS downloads that will be featured at 50% off on these dates: 

• 11/4 Modern Medley Overlays Kit
• 11/5 Be Brave Pocket Cards
• 11/6 Nobody's Business Photobook Template
• 11/7 Autumn Traditions Kit
• 11/8 Afternoon Daydream Kit

Try My Digital Studio FREE for 30 days!

or Purchase My Digital Studio here!

Check out the My Digital Studio website for thousands of samples and hundreds of FREE VIDEOS!

Join my blog and be notified of all the my projects as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Have a fabulous week and stay tuned for Team 1 on Pals Paper Arts for an fabulous color challenge!!!

Amy

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A Ghostly and Creepy Crawly Night!!!

I'm so excited!!!  It's finally the weekend!!  I plan to hole up in my crafty spot and work non-stop on Halloween cards!!!  I guess you can tell by now I love this frightful day!!  LOL!!!  Below are a couple of cards I made using a ghost and a really awesome tarantula.    Now you all will have to bear with me, but I have to tell you a story about this tarantula and my daughter Amanda.  As you most know, Amanda is off to college now at Western Washington University.  However, a few years ago I bought this tarantula punch.  One evening, my teenage daughter was being a typical teenage girl.  She was a sophomore in high school and being particularly difficult.  Well Mom decided to lighten things up.  She had been in her room all evening with the door closed and only coming out for absolute necessities.  Well, I punched out a couple of these tarantulas and put them right outside her door in a dark corner.  One on the floor and a second starting to crawl up the wall.  I thought to myself then they sure looked real.  Well, late that evening she eventually came out.  At that point I had forgotten about the spiders.  I was sitting downstairs in the living room reading when I see her start to go back towards her room.  The next thing I know I hear this blood cuddling scream!! Whatever she had in her hands went flying, my husband runs out of the bedroom yelling what's wrong, the dogs start barking and the cat is running anywhere but where she's at!!  Amanda is up on a chair screaming and my husband is running up the stairs to the rescue.  I then realize what she has seen and lose it.  I'm laughing so hard I'm crying and can't even talk.  Priceless is all I can say!!  Needless to say, was I ever in trouble!!  Between you and me though.....it was worth it!!!  LOL!!!  

Here are the cards below:

Here's a picture of the inside.

I love to see your comments!!  Stay tuned for more fun featuring the spooky, creepy and crawly I have to offer!!  LOL!!!
Join my blog and be notified of all the my projects as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

Shop 24/7 anytime by clicking on my online store HERE. 

BONUS!  SHOP WITH ME AND GET A

 FREE 2013-2014 ANNUAL CATALOG!

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Witches and Ravens Oh My!!!

TGIF everyone!!!!  It's Friday and I'm so excited for the weekend!!  I have all kinds of cards planned for Halloween!!!  I know my husband is going to be wondering what has happened to me!!!  One of my goals starting with Halloween, is to use up some of this fabulous paper that I have been hoarding!!!  Do you know what I mean?  I have both SU and Non-SU paper that has just been sitting in a very special spot begging for me to use.  I'm a devoted and committed to SU, but every once in awhile I'm traveling with a girlfriend or happen to walk by an unusual specialty store and the rest is history!!!  Oy!!  Of course, then I usually "save" the paper for a "special" occasion.  What special occasion you say?  You got me!!  So this is where we are today.  I have decided to pull out the goods and get to work!!!  LOL!! 

I love to see your comments!!  Stay tuned for more fun featuring the spooky, creepy and crawly I have to offer!!  LOL!!!
Join my blog and be notified of all the my projects as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

Shop 24/7 anytime by clicking on my online store HERE. 

BONUS!  SHOP WITH ME AND GET A

 FREE 2013-2014 ANNUAL CATALOG!

SEE DETAILS HERE!!!