{ PPC #42 - Circle Card }

Happy Friday Everyone! It is time once again for another Playing In Paradise Challenge. This week our Hostess is Nancy with a Round Card Challenge...

Once again this one was a bit of a challenge for me. I knew what colors and papers I wanted to use, but I just was not sure what to do with them. I am not so sure that I love the inner circle, but it's still cute. Of course I had to add some bling of some sort...Stickles...which I have not used in forever!

I sure hope you can find some time in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Angie

Kasia

Merlie

Nancy

{ PPC #41 - Sketch }

Happy Friday everyone. It is time once again for another Playing In Paradise challenge. This week our hostess is Allison...with a sketch challenge.

I must say...I really like this sketch. Thanks, Allison! I loved it so much I made two cards this week. Okay...they are VERY similar, but I really need to get moving on my Christmas cards. I think I will be using this sketch to produce a swack more of my Christmas cards. Of course I used my Copics to color this cute Snowman image and used some small buttons for bling.

I sure hope you can find some time in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Angie

Kasia

Merlie

Nancy

{ PPC #40 - Easel Card }

Happy Friday All! It is time once again for another Playing In Paradise Challenge. This week's Hostess is Miss. Merlie with an Easel Card Challenge.

I sat down to make this one and I wasn't sure which image I wanted to use. And then? I saw my Disney bucket full of papers and embellishments and knew instantly!

This was an easy one. All I did was cut out an image off of a Disney Scrapbook paper I have had FOREVER. Used my Disney border punch...which has only been used like once. Added some buttons and some Disney bling and regular bling and Voila! Done! I am pretty happy with this one and I was in need of another Bday card. If you are looking for some Disney supplies, be sure to check HERE!

I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Angie

Kasia

Merlie

Nancy

{ PPC #39 - Masculine }

Happy Friday All! It is time once again for another Playing In Paradise Challenge. This week's hostess is...moi! I decided to give you all a Masculine Challenge...

'

And boy was this a challenge. I always struggle with this. I needed a thank you card for a man in my life and of course I wanted to keep adding bling and other girly stuff, but I restrained myself. It's simple and I think fairly masculine...I hope!

I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Kasia

Merlie

Nancy

{ PPC #38 - Halloween }

Happy Friday to you all. It is that time once again for another Playing In Paradise Challenge. This week our hostess is Angie with a Halloween Challenge.

























Now for most this is probably not too much of a challenge. However, for me it is. I am not a huge Halloween lover. And I don't really have any Halloween crafty things. Luckily I found this image that I was RAK'd many moons ago. It came together quite quickly and I am happy with the way it turned out. Once again? Not so happy with the photo. I really need to get some better lighting in my craft room...or a new camera! I will work on it. You can't tell from the photo, but I used my Copics to color the image and add some glitter to the stars and moon. And but of course, I had to add some pearl bling!




















I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Angie

Kasia

Merlie

Nancy

{ PPC #37 - One Layer Card }

Happy Friday to you all! It is time once again for another Playing In Paradise Challenge. This week our hostess is Nancy, with a one layer card challenge.












































































When I first saw this challenge, I thought...no problem. I had an idea or two floating around in my brain. I thought easy-peasy. But then I sat down to create and nothing worked out like I had hoped. This was a real struggle for me. I generally like to layer. A Lot! So this turned out to be a big challenge. When it was all said and done? I was not overly thrilled with my creations. They were okay. Not horrible. Just nothing to make me overly excited about. I asked Nancy which one she liked best and she told me to post both of them. So here they are!




























































This first one, I like the idea of. I have hardly picked up this stamp since buying it and thought this was the perfect opportunity. I colored the image using CHALK. It gives it a nice soft look. And of course I had to add some BLING.

This last one I made another cloud background using a scalloped punch and used an older sentiment I had purchased from a Breast Cancer set a few years ago. It is very simple, but I do like it. I think perhaps my issue is more with my photos. Gotta work harder next week to get some better pics for you all!!

I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Angie

Kasia

Merlie

Nancy

{ PPC # 36 - Sketch Challenge }

Happy Friday Everyone. I am late. I apologize. This week has been crazy at work. I worked a 13hr day on Thursday and well, my intention of creating for this weeks challenge kept getting put off due to the long hours this week and Thursday did me in. But I managed to create something tonight. This week's hostess is Allison with a sketch challenge.
























This one really was a challenge for me. But once I got through some issues with it, I was happy with the result. I am terrible at bows, so when I saw Miss Merlie's creation this week. Well, I started thinkin'. I have these crochet flowers sitting around that I have not really used much at all. Added a button and done! Thanks for gettin' my creative juices flowing this week Allison.



















I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Angie

Kasia

Merlie

Nancy

Thanks for stoppin' by.

{ PPC #35 - Distressing }

Happy Friday to you all! It is that time once again. Time for another Playing In Paradise Challenge. This week's hostess is Miss Merlie with a Distressing Challenge.

























Our Miss Merlie is the Queen of punches and the Queen of Distressing. Quite frankly I was a little intimidated with this challenge. I am not one for distressing. I love it when Merlie does it, but I just have never gone there myself. I had no idea what to do. It was suggested that I use some Core'dinations paper. I have a confession. I have NEVER used it. Never. Why? No idea quite frankly. And now that I have? I will be making sure I get some more of this paper and soon! I love the look and it is so easy to use, especially with Cuttlebug embossing folders. Just emboss and do a little sanding here and there and voila! Easy peasy distressing. Now I know that I used a Snowflake embossing folder and these are not your typical Christmas colors, but I am happy with the way this one turned out.





















I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Angie

Kasia (our new design team member - be sure to stop by and give her a warm welcome and check out all her amazing creations!)

Merlie

Nancy

Thanks for stoppin' by.

{ PPC #34 - Book Quote }

Happy Friday All! It is time for another Playing In Paradise Challenge. This weeks hostess is...Moi! For this challenge I decided to go with my other love. Reading. This week I am challenging everyone to use their favorite book quote as their main image or use your favorite book as your inspiration.

























Growing up I was one of those kids who only read when it was required. I never acquired a love of reading like some of my friends did. However, in my early 20's I finally found myself reading for pleasure. Then came work and then kids and reading took a back seat. A few years ago I was introduced to a little book series called Twilight, which helped to spark my love of reading once again. And it has pretty much been non-stop since. So needless to say I was a little behind on some great books. This is where I come to my favorite book quote and book series. Yes, I had heard about these books and seen a few of the movies, but I had never read the books. I finally decided to dive in and fell in love. Harry Potter has become one of my all-time favorite series and has become a daily reference in our household thanks to my 9yr olds new found love of all things Harry Potter! ;0) Throughout this series there were many great quotes that come to mind, but this one is one that has always stuck with me.




















This is a very simple card, but it screams Harry Potter to me and as soon as I showed it to my daughter she instantly knew it was a HP card! I love using this Nestie template and of course I had to add some bling!

I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison F

Angie

Merlie

Nancy

Thanks for stoppin' by.

{ PPC #33 - Make a Tag }

Happy Friday! It's that time once again. This week's hostess is Angie, with a challenge to Make a Tag.

























When I saw this challenge, I knew instantly that I wanted to use something Disney. THIS was some old paper I had been saving and thought it would be perfect to cut and make my tag. This was a simple project, but it was fun and I think it turned out great! Now. I just need a Birthday present to put this on. Shall I buy one for myself, maybe? ;0)

















I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison C

Allison F

Angie

Merlie

Nancy

Thanks for stoppin' by!

{ PPC #32 - Photo Inspiration }

Happy Friday! It's that time once again. This weeks hostess is Ally, with a photo inspiration challenge.

























I absolutely love this photo that Ally chose. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to use this paper. This one was not all that complicated, but I love it. Thank you Ally for a great challenge!

I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison C

Allison F


Angie


Merlie


Nancy


Thanks for stoppin' by!

{ PPC #31 - Flowers }

Happy Friday All! It is that time again. Time for another Playing In Paradise Challenge. This weeks hostess is Nancy with a challenge of Flowers.

As soon as I saw what this weeks challenge was I knew what I wanted to use. I have had THESE flowers for a few months now and was not too sure what to do with them. I had thought they were much smaller when I purchased them online. Of course I also had to add some BLING! I am happy with the way this one turned out, but this card can not be placed into an envelope, so this one will have to be hand delivered for sure!

I sure hope you can find sometime in your week to play along with us. Be sure to stop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about this weeks challenge, deadline and what's up for grabs for this weeks winner. And for some extra inspiration be sure to stop by the other design team members blogs!

Allison C

Allison F

Angie

Merlie

Nancy

Thanks for stoppin' by!

{ Playing in Paradise #30 }

Well, it's Friday once again. Time for another Playing in Paradise Challenge. This week's hostess is Allison with a sketch challenge.

I am not sure why, but when I saw this sketch I immediately saw snowflakes. I know, I know. It's summer. But I just had to make a Christmas card with this sketch.

I really like this card...other than that grey ribbon. I think I should have maybe used white instead. Oh well. I still like it. I love THESE snowflake buttons too! They actually have a big loop on the back, but you just snap them off and sometimes need a little sanding, but then they glue on your project just perfectly! And of course I just love this snowman image. He is perfect for coloring with my Copics! I added a little chalk to the edges of my Nestie scalloped circle and done.

I sure hope you can find sometime this week to play along. Be sure to drop by the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE for all the details about the deadline and what this weeks prize is!

Need some inspiration? Be sure to check out the rest of the design team!

Allison C

Allison F

Angie

Merlie

Nancy

Thanks for stoppin' by!

{ PPC #29 - Punches }

Welcome everyone to another Friday and another Playing in Paradise Challenge! As you read this I am finishing up another week of camping in the beautiful Kananaskis country. It is sad that this will be the last camping trip of the summer. Summer is definitely NOT long enough. Soon the kids will be heading back to school and I will be heading off to a new job!! I am very, very excited and nervous too. But very excited!! Okay enough about me...onto the challenge! This week our challenge host is Merlie and this is her challenge...

This is not really much of a challenge for Miss Merlie as she is the Punch Queen, but for the rest of us perhaps it is. I did not really go out on a limb with this one. Just used a Martha Stewart punch I had not used in awhile and added a flower and circle punch to my creation. I love this image too! So much fun to color with Copics!

I hope you find sometime to play along this week. Be sure to check out the Scrapbooker's Paradise Blog HERE for all the details about the prizes this week and how to enter. And for some added inspiration be sure to check out the other design team members creations!

Allison C

Allison F

Angie

Merlie

Nancy

Thanks for stoppin' by.

{ PPC #28 - Color Challenge }

Happy Friday All! It's time for another challenge and my turn to host! This week I decided to go with a color challenge and a color combo I go to frequently. I used my Copics and Nesties for this cutie.

I hope you can find sometime in your week to play along. Be sure to check out the Scrapbooker's Paradise Blog for all the details for this weeks challenge HERE!

Be sure to check out the other design team members blogs for more inspiration:

*Allison C
*Allison F
*Angie
*Merlie
*Nancy

{ PPC #27 - Angie's Stencil Challenge }

Happy Friday All! It is that time again. This week's challenge is brought to you by Angie and it is to use a stencil or template. I knew as soon as I saw this what I wanted to do. I have been wanting to try making my own cloudy background forever and this was the perfect opportunity. The photo is not perfect and I may have needed a bit more shading, but I think it turned out pretty good and I am very happy with it myself.

I hope you can find sometime this week to play along. Be sure to check out all the details about this weeks challenge and prize offered up HERE.

And be sure to check out the other design team members creations:

Allison C

Allison F

Angie

Dana

Merlie

Nancy

Thanks for stoppin' by.

{ Ebook Giveaway }

Happy August 1st Everyone! I can not believe it is already August! We still have not really had any nice summer weather yet. I mean a few days here and there is not cutting it!!

Anyway, just a quick pop in to let you know that if you are interested I am hosting my very first giveaway on my book blog. I would love it if you could come by and check it out HERE.

I will be back soon with a new creation. I was busy last week re-arranging and moving all my craft room stuff from one corner of the basement to another. I will take some pics. I am VERY happy with how it all came together.

{ PPC #26 }

Happy Friday All! It is that time again. Time for another Playing in Paradise Challenge. This weeks challenge is...






















I will admit I was a little uncertain as to what I wanted to do with this challenge. And then I was looking at my wall of inspiration...cards I have received from my fellow cardmakers...and saw a card that had various shapes and I got inspired. Although this card may not be one of my fav's and may not be perfect? I still am happy with the way it all came together. It's a happy card anyway. ;0)





















I hope you can find some time to play along with us this week and maybe win something too! Check HERE for all the details.


Be sure to check out the other design team members creations too:


Allison C
Allison F
Angie
Nancy
Dana
Merlie


Thanks for stoppin' by.

{ MojoMonday 200 }

Hey All! Guess what? I actually played this week and did a MojoMonday sketch! It has been ages since I played and I was so happy that the mojo flowed nicely for me. I am very pleased with how this one turned out. The photo is not the best, but I love it! Hope you do too.

I have had this paper sitting around for a long time now - sorry no idea who's it is - and as soon as I layed eyes on it I knew I wanted to use it for this challenge. In making this card, my youngest discovered my chalks! She has been chalking up a storm. So I had to go out and buy the girls their own chalk from the dollar store today so that they don't use up all of mine!!

Thanks for stoppin' by.

{ Playing in Paradise #25 }

Welcome everyone. Here it is. My OFFICIAL first challenge as a Playing in Paradise design team member. This one was a bit of a challenge for me, but I am happy with how it all turned out.

I was not too crazy with using all those colors, so I just used a few of my favorites. I don't have a plus punch, so I went with a square and cut them on the diagonal and switched them up to make it look somewhat quilt like. I really hope you will all play along this week. This weeks prize is from the Imaginisce Happy Camper line: some stamps, die cuts and some sticker stackers. An approximate value of $15.00.

Be sure to check out the other design team members creations this week!

Allison C

Allison F

Angie

Dana

Merlie

Nancy

{ Playing in Paradise Challenge #24 }

Here is my first 'unoffical' Playing in Paradise Challenge. Unoffical? Yes, unoffical. I was not able to get this one up in time to post it on the blog with everyone else's but I still wanted to play along. This weeks challenge is:

And here is mine:

Okay be sure to stop by and see what the other Design Team Members did for this challenge!

Nancy

Allison C

Dana

Angie

Allison F

Merlie

Hope you can play along with this weeks Playing In Paradise Challenge!

{ My Big News? }

Well. It's offical. I am now a member of the Scrapbooker's Paradise Challenge Design Team!! I am very excited! I am really hoping that these challenges will help get the mojo flowing again. Unfortunately, I accepted late on Wednesday and I worked all day yesterday and did not get a chance to create something for this weeks challenge. I am still going to play and get something up tomorrow here on my blog...so stay tuned. In the meantime, head on over to the Playing In Paradise Challenge over at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog and see what the other designers have created this week and then play along with us!!

{ Just Smile }

I want to apologize for not being around lately. The past three weeks have been a bit of a roller coaster ride. Between all the things I have been going through with my Mom and going camping, well I have not had the time or the desire to create. But I REALLY do promise that this will change. I have some news to share with you all in a few days...gotta come back to find out what it is! heehee...

Anyway, I thought I would share a creation with you all tonight. This was a card that I made for a monthly swap I am doing with an online friend of mine. We were to use one of our favorite stamps. I love this penguin set and have not used it in a LONG time, so I pull this one out. Nothing too adventurous, but I liked it.




















Thanks for stoppin' by and hope you all come back to hear my big news!

{ Adventures in masculine }

Sorry for not posting all week. It has been a rough week for me. I have been dealing with a family emergency and it's been a stressful week to say the least. But things are somewhat back to an even playing field...somewhat.

I thought I would share a card I made at the beginning of the month. An online friend of mine and I have decided to do a swap each month to try and get the mojo going. This month I decided since Father's Day was approaching that maybe we should try out a masculine card. I know most of us have a hard time with these. I am okay with a card for a little guy, but an older one sometimes is a little more difficult. I had this die sitting around and had not used it yet. Nancy has this awesome die and I swiped one off her the last calgals night...I think. Anyway, I attached it die to a green background and colored in the negatives with my copics. I loved how this one turned out. Trust me. It looks much better IRL!

Well...I am off to take the girls for haircuts today...we always get them done at the beginning of the summer and then off to get their teacher gifts.

{ Fishy Thank You }

Someone really needs to come up with a list of post titles for me. Mine are really lame!

Yup, me again! Thought I would pop in tonight as I work all day tomorrow and won't make it back online until Sunday or Monday.

I really like how this card turned out. But you know what? This was NOT at all what it originally started as. I was setting out to make a masculine card for a swap I am doing with an online stamping friend of mine. I found this colored image in my big book of images and was planning on making something masculine with it. Well, this is no way near masculine. But, I still like it. Needless to say, I had to make another card. I will be back with that one later and a story to go along with it! Let's just say it involves Evil Rudy(my beagle puppy)!! I also got to use a new nestie set that I bought at our garage sale at Nancy's a few weeks ago.

Thanks for stoppin' by and have a great weekend!

{ Enjoy the Moment }

Hey look! Two posts in the same week...hell...in the same month! I am on a roll!

Yes, another Mandala. Guess I should have taken a closer look at this one before I actually took the photo. Seems my bling has slipped a bit. Oh well. I can't remember, but I think this may have been one that I made at one of the last Calgal gatherings.

Thanks for stoppin' by. I will most likely drop in again on the weekend. I have an interview this week for a new job, so everyone cross your fingers and toes for me!

{ Yes! I am still alive! }

Good evening everyone. Guess what? I actually took some photos of some creations...AND? I actually stamped tonight too! And yes. I really am alive. I have not been feeling like craft blogging for sometime now. I have been blogging, just not here. My book blog has been getting lots of attention! I will try and make an effort to post more...no promises, but I will try!


Here is a creation I made well over a month ago. I had bought this new Fancy Tags set from Nestabilities. I loved it, but when I actually pulled it out to create something? I was at a loss. So I stuck with something fairly simple. I really like how it turned out. I still am not sure whatelse to do with this one. Anyone else made anything with this set? I would love to see your creations and get some ideas.

Well, I am off to read before bed. If you are still with me...thanks! I will try and make it back soon with another creation.