Time for Tea with the Paper Players

This week we have a marvelous color challenge with lucious colors of
Baked Brown Sugar and Calypso Coral.  I was so excited to play with these colors!!   I had a tough time deciding which stamp set to use though.  Should I go with a coffee theme again with Perfect Blend?  No, I've been doing a lot with that stamp set lately.  Then I thought, not coffee, but how about a tea?  Woot, woot!!  That's it!!  I pulled out the set called "Tea Party."   These colors would be wonderful in a vintage card with this stamp set.  Here's what I did below.  What do you think?

and a closer look.......

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


being creative
is not a 
HOBBY
 it is a 
way of 
LIFE.

Oh so true!!!  I was in my crafty spot Sunday night working away when I had......let's say a "moment," with my ink pad.  Anyone out there know what I'm talking about?  Well, it turns out this is a pivotal "moment" in a crafters' life.  It was 12:53am and I finally finished my cards for Pals Paper Arts team and our Pals Blog Hop.   Woot, woot!!!  Then it happens.......I had a serious wrestling match with my ink pad called Always Artichoke!!  The darn thing won't close.  I'm struggling, pulling pushing...nothing!  Next thing I know, the ink pad goes flying in two parts across my work table!!  Noooooooooooo!!!!!  I watch in slow painful horror as this thing flies!!!  It's like seeing something in slow motion floating in there air and heading for any number of things you wish you could move, cover up or push out of the way.  Then it lands...... right side up!!  Whew!! Woot, woot!!!  It's party time!!  Not wanting to push my luck any further;  I very carefully picked the thing up....picked up the bottom...pulled out the trash can and dropped the puppy in there!!!  I then got up and proceeded to the bathroom to wash my green hands for 15 minutes.  Well, I'm still green.  Looked at my once white shirt...well it's a goner too!!  I'm not sure who came out the winner in this wrestling match but at least my cards are ok!!!  Ruined shirt fine,  ruined white carpet (yes....white)....well... ok...but ruined cards...Absolutely not!!!!!  So this my friends is evidently the moment when you come to the realization that this is a "way of Life."  Definitely not just a hobby!!

As always I love to see your comments!!
Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Remember to stay tuned for another PPA Challenge next week with Team 1!!
 
Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper:  Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral, Modern Medley 

Stamps: Tea Party

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar

Fabulous Tools:  Dimensionals, Lattice Embossing Folder 

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!!! 

September Stampin' Pretty Pals Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us for the September Pals Blog Hop. This month we are showcasing projects made with the Stampin' Up! tools we love. 

You should have just left stop number 10 on the Pals Hop, Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits From Dawn. 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.

Here in Texas Fall can't come fast enough!!  This week I decided to feature my favorite tool during my favorite time of year in hopes that Fall arrives here sooner!!!  It's starting to cool down to the mid nineties....so maybe?  LOL!!!  Ultimately my favorite tool of all times is the "Big Shot."  I use this tool on every single card I make.  Yes, I love my stamps, but the Big Shot adds that special touch that takes my cards to "WOW!!"  The possibilities are endless between embossing folders, dies, framelits or sizzlits.  What ever your pleasure might be, the possibilities are endless!  Here's my card below:

Here's another view.....

For this card I used a couple of recent favorite stamp sets, Walk in the Wild and Harvest of Thanks.  In addition, I took the Birch Paper Ribbon from the Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit and used this as the background with the fabulous 1 1/4 Burlap Ribbon accenting the lower portion of the card.  Just one small note......I could buy the whole warehouse out of this Birch Paper Ribbon!!!  It looks so real!!!  I love it!!  The tools I used, along with the Big Shot, are the Square Lattice and the Woodgrain Embossing Folder.  Then I used the Apothecary Accents Framelits.  Then last, but not least, I used Delicate Doilies Sizzlits Die.  Imagine this card without these added touches.  This card would not have had the same impact without all the layers and textures if I had not used these tools. 

The next stop is Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons, stop number 12 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month! 

As always I love to see your comments and hear your questions!!  

Have a fabulous week!!!

Amy

1. Kim Czenszak at Live Love Stamp
2. Shirley Sumption at Look at My Cute Stuff
3. Barbara Chatzkel at Take Out Paper Arts
4. Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
5. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
6. Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
7. Kerry Willard Bray at Stampgoodness
8. Maria Flores at Maria's Sandbox
9. Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
10. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits From Dawn
11. Amy L. Lazzell at Just A Thought...Cards by Amy
12. Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
13. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
14. Peggy Noe at Prettypaprecards.com
15. Beth Beard at My Little Craft Blog
16. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
17. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
18. Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb...
19. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
20. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
21. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
22. Barb Furlong at The Love of Stamping
23. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'
24. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts 

Ready for Autumn!!!

Autumn is almost here!!!  In my book, it can't be here fast enough!!! 
It's September 5th and we still have 100 degree temperatures daily here in Texas!!!  Ugh!!  As you saw back in August, I was with my daughter in Bellingham, Washington for orientation.  You could definitely tell the season was beginning to change there.  The days were in the mid 70's and the evenings were in the low 60's.  PERFECT!!!
 

This week I have a card I'm entering in two challenges that inspire the Autumn theme.  The first is the Paper Players and the second is our
fabulous Pals Paper Arts.












The card below was inspired by two people,  Ann Schach and Becky Garcia!!  I saw a similar card that was done by Becky using "Walk in the Wild" while I was at Convention 2013. Gorgeous!!   The leaves were inspired by my up-line Ann on this very challenge with the Paper Players!!  Wow!!!  I mean WOW!!!  Autumn is absolutely my favorite time of year!!  When I saw her card, I was immediately ready for cool evenings, a fire in the fire place and Pumkin Spice Lattes!!!  Heaven!!!  Anyway, here's the card below.

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

"The secret of
change is to focus
all of your energy,
not on fighting the
old, but on building 
the new."
 - Socrates

These words are so profound.  The only thing we are all guaranteed in life is change.  We know it, we expect, sometimes we even want it, but when it happens we question it.  Whether it's your child going off to college, the change in the season or the loss of a friend or family.  We must embrace it, accept it and shape ourselves with it.  Grow and let the change become part of you, rather than resist the process.  I know this is easier said than done, but we should strive to use this opportunity to grow and be better than what we were yesterday.
 

As always I love to see your comments!!

Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Remember to stay tuned for another PPA Challenge next week with Team 2!!
 
Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, SOHO Subway DSP 

Stamps: Walk in the Wild, Petite Pairs (retired)

Ink: Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso

Fabulous Tools:  Dimensionals, SU 1 1/4 Burlap Ribbon, SU Antique Brads, Woodgrain Embossing Folder

 

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!!! 

"From My Heart"

Can you believe it's almost the end of August!!!  Where has the time gone?  Our kids are going off to school and the summer is coming to an end.  In Texas, that's a good thing!!  Many of you saw my wonderful pictures from Washington while I took my daughter Amanda up there for orientation.  What a treat the scenery and weather was for us!  In the middle of September, we go back again.  This time I come back alone.  Whoa.....  I know many of Mom's have done this, but I "feel" like I'm the only one right now.  Here's another picture from our trip with Amanda's new mode of transportation.....peddling!!! LOL!!! 

Anyway, on to this weeks Pals Paper Arts Challenge!!  Nicole has come up with another fabulous sketch for us this week!

 

In making this card I kept wanting to make this sketch more complicated.  Clean and simple cards are so hard!!!  I almost feel the more I fuss the easier it gets for me!!  Ok, I'm just an odd duck!!  LOL!! 

Here's my card below:

I love this stamp set "From My Heart".  Every stamp has a useful heartfelt message.  The colors are Crumb Cake and Pistachio Pudding.  Don't these colors make you feel warm and cozy inside?  How about a pot of tea between two friends?  Sounds like a great idea to me!!   Stop by and say hello to the rest of the Design Team to see what they're sharing.

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

I saw this on Facebook this week and felt it would be the perfect thought for those of us taking our children off to school this year near or far. 

   

As always I love to see your comments!!

Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Remember to stay tuned for another PPA Challenge next week with Team 1!!
 
Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding DSP 

Stamps: From My Heart

Ink: Crumb Cake

Fabulous Tools:  Dimensionals, Basic Pearls

 

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!!! 

Eastern Elegance Gift Set

Wow!!  What a busy, busy week this has been!!  Amanda and I just got home from Bellingham, Washington.  We have had so much fun!!  The weather has been beautiful and the area is just stunning!!  Here are a couple of pictures I thought you might enjoy!!!

This is a view from Chuckanut Drive off of I-5.

 This is a view from a boardwalk in Fairhaven, Wa.

Isn't it just amazing?   I can't wait to go back in September to drop Amanda off at school!!!  Whoa.......pause...maybe I can wait!!! LOL!!
 
Anyway, today's post was created for a friend as a gift set.  I made eight "Z" fold cards with two of each pattern.  It's her birthday, so I thought this would be make a nice gift set.

Here's the set below:

......and a little closer look.

What do you think?  I hope she really likes them!! 

Just a Thought.......

Never define
yourself by your 
relationship status,
your income or 
your looks.  
It's your generosity,
kindness and 
compassion that 
counts.

These words speak volumes.   We must always be humble and grateful for what we have in this life.  Appreciate those around us and give of yourself to those less fortunate.

As always I love to see your comments!!
Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Remember we have another PPA Challenge on Thursday with Team 2!!
  We have lot's in store for you!!!

Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Amy

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper: Eastern Elegance ,Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry

Stamps: N/A

Ink: N/A

Fabulous Tools:  Scallop Circle punches, SU Rhinestones, Dimensionals.

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!!! 

I'm Running in Circles!!!!

It's time for another fabulous challenge with the Pals Paper Arts!!!   This week we are featuring some of my favorite colors!!  Woo hoo!!!   Also this week, my daughter and I are off to Bellingham, Washington to go to orientation at Western Washington University.  Needless to say, we were "Running in Circles" trying to get ready!!!  LOL!!  We wanted to take as much as we could to put into storage since we aren't driving her to school.  So between shopping for school, getting cards and posts ready, packing......we literally kept feeling like we were turning circles!!!   So what a better theme for today's post right?  LOL!!  Now I realize this is my third card using the stamp set the "Perfect Blend" in the past few weeks.  However, I just LOVE this set!! I can't get enough!!

Here's my card below:

Here's a closer look:

This card was so much fun to make with all the circles and different layers of colors!!  The coffee cup is whimsical and evokes thoughts of yumminess inside.  Latte or Cappuccino anyone? Mmmmmm...

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

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,
it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Every day we face struggles and challenges that we ponder whether we are going to get through.  Sometimes that can be truly a loss of some sort from a job change or friends and family.  However, usually it's the little stuff that can really pull you down if you're not careful.  Like me running in circles getting ready for this trip.  It was amazing how you get yourself all worried and twisted up.  For me, I was fretting about our trip and getting ready for my daughter to "visit" the University.  She wasn't even going to stay....she's coming back!!!  I was just running in circles worrying about what if I forget something.  Was it really going to be the end of the world?  No.  In the end I had to just "dance" in the rain and allow the storm to play out.  There was nothing I could do about this anxiety, worry and flood of emotions.  I just had to embrace the changes and understand this is "Life".  So my friends, remind me of these very words when I take her in September and leave her.  Oh my..........

As always I love to see your comments!!    

 Join my blog and be notified of all the fun as soon as I post!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Remember to stay tuned next week for our August blog hop on Tuesday and for another PPA Challenge on Thursday with Team 1!!
  What a fabulous week we have in store!!
Have a great weekend!!!

Amy 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Paper: 2013-2014 In Color Collection DSP, Crumb Cake, Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Calypso Coral 

Stamps: Perfect Blend

Ink: Crumb Cake

Fabulous Tools:  Coastal Cabana 3/8 Stretch Ruffle Trim, 1" Circle Punch, Dimensionals.

 

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!!! 

My Paper Pumpkin!! Half Off Sale!!

Stampin' Up! is promoting Paper Pumpkin by allowing you to sign up for
2 months at half-price.  So for $10/month, which includes shipping, you can get a fun box delivered to your door.  It includes everything you need to create the project except adhesive.  Everything is cut and ready for you to start creating.  Even the ink is included!  Paper Pumpkin makes the perfect gift subscription for those just getting started.  In addition, you have the option to cancel after the first 2 months.  What a deal!  See details below.

PAPER PUMPKIN PROMOTION Offer Dates: July 18, 2013 -August 31, 2013 Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month* for the first two months. *plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included! The Fine Print: For new subscribers only. Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95. You and your customers need to visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join. You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion. You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013.

Please list me, Amy Lazzell as you demonstrator.  If you have any questions, please email me.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!