Stampin' Sunshine-Bringing Sunshine to Every Day

Congratulations Pals Paper Arts!!

 

Pals Paper Arts is celebrating its 100th challenge, and they're offering one of my favorite things--blog candy!!  Be sure to play along this week for your chance to win!!  As part of the blog candy extravaganza, I'm offering this bit of yumminess:

 

 
50+ pieces of 6x6 DSP and Thank You Kindly stamp set

Today's challenge at PPA is a technique challenge.  One of my favorite techniques is embossing, partly because I get to use my favorite tool of all, the Big Shot.  I've also come to love the technique of embossing shapes into the card stock. Simply adhere your shapes to the card stock (or DSP) to be embossed, and run it through your Big Shot.  I think it gives it a quilted look.  And since I've not been gifted with the talent of quilting, this is the closest I'll get!!

I'm excited to see what your favorite technique is.  Don't forget to play along with this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge for your chance to win some tasty blog candy!!

PPA99-When I Look at the Stars

 

Today's Pals Paper Arts CAS Elements of Style challenge is STARS, and it made me think of one of my favorite songs, "Stars" by Switchfoot.  (check it out when you get a chance--my title is a line from the song.)  I'm listening to it right now!!

With July 4th right around the corner, how could I not do something star-spangled?!  I hope you can see the stars on the brads on the left--I colored them with Whisper White Craft Ink, using a sponge dauber to put it on.  Click on the picture, it will open in a separate window, and the picture will be bigger.  (Of course, that also means that you'll get to see the bits of Whisper White that I tried so hard to keep off the Night of Navy paper!!)

I can never express enough my gratitude for all who have given so much to truly make this the land of the free and the home of the brave.  May we never forget their dedication, honor, and sacrifice--past, present and future.  From the Founding Fathers who worked so diligently to lay the foundation, to those who continue to honor and uphold those principles, I simply say "thank you."   

PPA98-A Sketch Challenge

 
 

I have to admit that I've been distracted as I've created this post, I've been watching my beloved Boston Bruins WIN THE STANLEY CUP!!  An amazing night, indeed!! 

 

For today's Pals Paper Arts challenge, we have another fabulous sketch by the fabulous Margaret Moody. 

 

 

 

When you have a great sketch to start with, it's easy to find inspiration.  I knew that I wanted to use ribbon and buttons for this card, and I love Night of Navy with this.  If I hadn't been mostly finished with this card, it would have been Bruins black and gold!!

PPA97-What's YOUR Style?

 

I had to stop and think about this for a minute.  I don't know that I've ever really defined what I feel my style is.  I guess I'd have to say "quick and easy"!!  So to help with that, I enlisted the help of my trusted friend, the Big Shot.  A quick zip of the Top Note die through the Big Shot, some fabulous flowers using Bolds card stock and the Fancy Flower Extra Large Die, and some fun buttons in coordinating colors, and there you have it--a quick and easy card.  It almost took me more time to create this blog post than it did to make my card!!

PPA96-Color Challenge-Masculine-Father's Day

 
 

I love the color combination for today's Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge.  And they're great colors for a special masculine card.

 
Today's challenge is also for Father's Day, and it's a little bittersweet for me.  My dad passed away 3 years ago, 1 day after Father's Day (and 2 days after his 77th birthday.)  But I'm happy to be able to make this card for a friend to give to her dad.  As for me, I'll be running in a 5k on Father's Day to honor my dad.  We didn't always have the best relationship, but I'm thankful that in the end, God allowed us the chance to mend our relationship.  I love and miss you Dad.  Happy Father's Day.