Kate's Birthday Card


Yesterday was my daughter Kate’s birthday. She lives in Colorado and I live in Connecticut. We do not have good luck with USPS ~ we just don’t. So when I woke up in the middle of the night Thursday because I realized I had not sent out her card….wait, let me rephrase that…I bolted awake realizing I had not MADE her birthday card!!!

Luckily Thursday is the one-day of the week that I don’t head to boot camp class at 5:00 am. Instead, I put together a quick Birthday card for Kate. Really quick!

I have a bunch of cards that I have admired and pinned from Pinterest, that I would like to CASE (copy and share everything) in the future. This card is from that stash of “someday” cards, but with a twist…I did it with letters NOT numbers…

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Please check out the website of the original card artist Mandy's handiwork here:  http://littlespaceofmyown.blogspot.co.uk/. Her cards are so clean and simple but at the same time they pack a huge punch…love her work. 

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

Color Sketch Challenge #4

Today was a double soccer match and it was freezing cold out. My little guy is the goalie, which means he doesn’t move around as much as the others…sitting in my chair for four hours, I was miserable. After soaking in a hot bath and outfitting myself in my pajamas, there was nothing better for me to do than build a card. I came across a challenge on One Stamp At a Time and decided to play.

Here is the color challenge….



 

 

 

 

Here is my card…

Clean, simple and easy. Feel free to copy and share!

Clean, simple and easy. Feel free to copy and share!

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA224 Sketch Challenge

Soccer season has struck the Pollard household. I have three elementary school age children all in a different soccer league. Every night and weekend day there is a practice or a game. Dinner is typically served between 7:30 pm and 8 pm. I had heard of the saying “We interrupt this marriage to bring you football” but never “We interrupt your life to bring you soccer…” I apologize for my extended and unexpected break from my blog.


Here is my card I am submitting for the PPA224 Sketch challenge.  To see the other submittals for this challenge click here. There is always a page full of inspiration to be enjoyed. 

I have been busier than ever making cards, just too busy to post them!  Feels good to be sharing again. Hope to see you again soon!

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA 215

Today I made a card for the Paper Pals Arts Color Challenge using Basic Black, Strawberry Slush and Pear Pizzazz. The colors work really well together and the pattern I chose to do, highlights the glory of double-sided paper. The glory being less work! I used a 1” square punch and cut them in half for the triangles. A sweet sentiment, an edging punch for extra detail and a smidge of ribbon for extra color ~ voila!

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To see other cards submitted for this challenge click HERE

To see other cards submitted for this challenge click HERE

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Posted on August 17, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

August Blog Hop

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Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for August. This month we are showing off our favorite crafting tools - those Stampin' Up! tools that we just can't live without. We hope you enjoy our projects!

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations - # 27 on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

Favorite tool? If you are like me, you will not be able to pick just one! In order to be a team player I did, but with a twist. I chose Stampin’ Up! punches, but will focus on the compatibility all of their products. This simple Happy Birthday card highlights the greeting cut out with a hexagon punch. i then taped it down on Pool Party and snipped around for a hexagon base popped up with dimensionals. Did you know that there are over 50 punches in the current catalog? Many of them coordinate with stamp(s) which, when used together, create a professional finished product in minutes. 

 

The inks match the paper and or highlight their colors; the embellishments and ribbon coordinate to quickly complete a simple, yet thoughtful birthday card. The neutral colors will allow this card to be used for him or her. 

I am absolutely in awe of the beautiful cards that are being shared on this hop today. As a hobby demo I am sometimes more focused on presenting simple cards. As a mom of three elementary school age with a full time job, it is often that I need to whip a card out rather quickly. Stampin’ Up’ products and tools make this SO EASY to do!

Information + Order Numbers :

Stamps: Honeycomb Hello (W-134075 C-134078)

Paper: Sahara Sand (121043) Pool Party (122924) Whisper White (100730)

Ink: Soft Suede( 126978) Pool Party (126983) Daffodil Delight (126944)

Cool Tools: Hexagon Punch (130919) Paper Snips (103579)

Finishing Touches: Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430) Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon (125583) Bright Candy Dots (130931) Subtles Candy Dots (130933) Neutrals Candy Dots (130934)

Would love to hear your comments ~ just because...

The next stop is Amy Hoptay at Inking of You! - # 29 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month.

1.     Sue Becker at RnR Stamping

2.     Beth Beard at My Little Craft Blog

3.     Susan Lankford at Stamp and Create With Susan 

4.     Brian King at Stamp with Brian 

5.     Rae Harper-Burnet at WildWestPaperArts.com

6.     Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper 

7.     Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter 

8.     Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie

 9.   Kelly DeTommaso at Kelly's Creative Corner 

10.   Amanda Merrill at Inkflair

11.   Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works by Shannon 

12.   Amy Williams at Stamp and Spice

13.   Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains

14.   Michelle Gleeson at Stampin' Mojo

 15.  Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat

16.   Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards

17.   September Gray at SeptemberGray.com 

18.   Shannon Jaramillo at EZPeasy Cards 

19.   Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events

20.   Susan Itell at Simple Stampin 

21.   Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin' 

22.   Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery 

23.   Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space

24.   Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine

25.   Becky Gifford at The Social Stamper

26.   Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles

27.   Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creatons 

28.   Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit

29.   Amy Hoptay at Inking of You!

30.   Kim Jolley at Stampin' Artfully 

31.   Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker.wordpress.com

32.   Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping 

33.   Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards 

34.   Jane Knudsen at www.seejanestamp.com 

35.   Candy Ford at Candy's Blog 

36.   Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn 

37.   Katie Ferguson at Cottage Paper 

38.   Liz Gautreaux at Kind Deeds Stampin 

39.   Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty

 

 

 


Posted on August 13, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA212 Sketch Challenge

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Today’s card is made for the Paper Pals Arts Sketch Challenge PPA212. The last card I made for the PPA challenge I had a boys birthday card for my idea, yet when I sat down to make the card, I ended up with something totally different. So, today I sat down for this challenge and was thinking perhaps a Christmas card for something different. As you can see, I reverted back to a boys card. Hmmm, interesting…

 

I just love the primary colors and how the paper screams BOYS! Vroom Vroom! I can remember all the matchbox cars lined up for a race and stepping on them in the dark once in awhile. OUCH! Love how the bling dresses it up without defeating the masculine look.

 

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To see the other cards submitted for this challenge, click here  PPA Challenge 212. 

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

Newly Found Card Challenge

A recently made stamping friend, Holly Stene (check out her blog) invited me to join a new card making group – One Stamp at a Time. This is a challenge they are having and I decided to give it a try. For such a simple layout the card really packs a lot of WOW. Love it and will be adding it to my craft tables this fall. 

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Posted on July 19, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA 211 Color Challenge

A quick and simple card that can be interchanged with just about any other sentiment. What first came to mind for the color combo was a baby boy birthday card. What happened was, I had a daffodil delight flower sitting on my desk and immediately decided to go in a different direction. That has been happening to me a lot lately, having a vision yet ending up with something totally different than what I had originally envisioned.

To see all the other challenge cards click here http://www.palspaperarts.com/

 

 


I keep a storage container full of miscellaneous items such as the leftover daffodil flower that was on my desk. It comes in handy for quick embellishments when needed and sometimes the item I pull actually sets the tone for the card or scrapbook page that I am working on! I kept trying to draw daffodil faux sewing around the banner edge but gave up after three tries. (My yearly eye exam cannot come fast enough!) I ended up opting for the strip of daffodil polka dot designer paper for contrast instead. I am a fan of the thin lined thread.  It adds just the right touch of texture to catch the eye and add depth. How did I live without Stampin’ Up! candy dots? 

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Posted on July 13, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

July Blog Hop

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Welcome to the July Pals Blog Hop. This month we are featuring a New Hues Review. Let the new Stampin' Up! In Colors for 2014-16 inspire you - Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey, and Tangelo Twist.  We hope you find great inspiration from our creations.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from # 9 Amy Hoptay http://inkingofyou.com/ on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

I am really excited how my card was able to incorporate each of the new In Colors – easier said than done. I had come across a technique recently that I wanted to try and the Lost Lagoon fit the bill perfectly! I used a Chocolate Chip ink pad wiped across the front of the Lost Lagoon 5 ¼” x 4” face card, scored it at ¼” across and wiped my Illuminate ink pad across the front of it again for a weathered board look. When I pictured trying this technique, I envisioned a nautical theme not the New In Colors. Another piece of Lost Lagoon was used as part of the double matting beneath the stamped image along with Chocolate Chip cardstock. Hello Honey ink was used for the Off the Grid stamp (retired) and the Blueberry Bliss marker was used to highlight just a partial saying of the “a thousand thanks”. Blackberry Bliss flowers, Mossy Meadow leaves and a Tangello Twist banner complete the homage. I encourage you to try the above technique as it was simple and quick, the picture does not do the finished product justice.

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

June Blog Hop

Welcome to the June Pals Blog Hop. This month we are excited to show off new Stampin' Up! products from the just released 2014-15 annual catalog and idea book. We hope you find great inspiration from the projects. Get your wish list ready!

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Rae Harper http://wildwestpaperarts.com/ on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

As this is the last spot on the hop, you have seen new colors, new stamps, new embellishments, new designer papers, new punches, framelits, embossing folders and dies shared by all the other talented pals. I am sharing the new project life card(s), but I am using it for making a card instead of using it for scrap booking. Combined with new colors, the new itty bitty accents punch for the middle of the flower and Strawberry Slush thick baker’s twine to provide you with a HAPPY, Happy Birthday card!

 The next stop is Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events, Stop #1 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month. Take a moment and share a comment with me and brighten my day!

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

Skittles

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to pop in and take a peek. Thank you Mary Fish for having me as your guest today.  A BIG shout out to all our service men and women who give so much of themselves!!! Make a service person’s day and drop them a note to tell them how much you appreciate all they do! http://www.operationgratitude.com/get-involved/write-letters/


Have you ever gone shopping and found that one shirt, that one skirt, that one pair of pants, or perhaps a pair of shoes that fits SO GOOD you snap it up in every color?

It is something that I occasionally find happens when I make a card. It looks so good that I have to try it in another color and see if I like it even better.

 

Skittles. That is what a friend of mine calls a rainbow. Today’s post is a rainbow of cards expressing how that one special person has just Rocked your world! What a great sentiment to brighten that certain someone’s day.


Posted on May 25, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

April Blog Hop

Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for April. To celebrate Earth Day, this month we are showcasing projects that feature recycled, re-purposed, or earthy/recycling themed elements.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty, number 10 on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

I had a stamp class this weekend and one of my guests, Paula Teixeira, shared a card she had recently made at a class. There are six women in my stamp club who meet once a month. We all start with the same card materials but end up with distinctly different cards at the end of the class. This is my take on the bunny punch art card. I have seen versions of this bunny punched art on various web sites and decided this would be the perfect card to share in honor of Earth Day. The tree bark stamped background, the bunny, the butterfly, the eggs being hidden by the greenery – Perfect and just in time for Easter. This card put my Stampin’ Up! inventory to the test!

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Information + Order Numbers :

Stamp Set: Woodgrain (128763) (not the one used on this card, but similar)

Paper: Chocolate Chip  (102128) Old Olive (100702) Crumb Cake (120953) Pink Pirouette (111351) Very Vanilla (101650)

Ink: Soft Suede (126978) Pink Pirouette (126956) 

Cool Tools: Big Shot (113439) Magnetic Platform (130658) Circle Collection framelits (130911) 1 ¾ Scallop Circle Punch Scallop Oval Punch (119856) Large Oval Punch (119855) 1 ¼ Scallop Circle Punch (127811) Itty Bitty Butterfly Punch (129406) Bird Builder Punch (for both the leaves and the eggs) (117191) Stamping Sponges (101610)

Finishing Touches: Dimensionals (104430) Dazzling Diamonds (102023) uni-ball Signo gel pen (105121)

The next stop is Shannon Hokanson at PaperWorks by Shannon on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and  I hope to see you next month.

Would love to hear your thoughts on my version of The Bunny card...feel inspired to leave me a comment below.   

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA197


PPA197 Challenge is a Sketch Challenge.

 

 

It has been a challenge finding time to not only makes cards for my classes and local shops, but to make cards just for fun and for my blog. I am hopeful that once back from my 3 weeks of vacation, I will have the energy and time to devote to creativity and to trying a few techniques I am curious about. I have yet to make a flip card and there has been a flurry of cards in a box that look like they would be fun to try.

 

Todays card is one with an encouraging quote ~ a reminder to nurture ourselves and to not to lose sight of our dreams... 

To see &nbsp;other cards submitted for this challenge click here.

To see  other cards submitted for this challenge click here.

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA 195 Color Challenge

 Todays card is a color challenge. Rose Red, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron. All colors of Spring. If we can just hang in for a couple of more weeks it just may start to feel like it! A splash of DSP, al little bling and a cute throwback stamp and “Voila” you have a quick and simple fun card to give to someone you “olive”. 

T o see other cards submitted to the Paper Pals Art Challenge click here

T o see other cards submitted to the Paper Pals Art Challenge click here

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

March Blog Hop

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Welcome to the Pals March Blog Hop. This month we are excited to kick-off Spring with our creative projects. We hope you enjoy these creations and we hope Spring finds you soon!

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds #4 on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

It is hard to write about Spring when there is a foot of snow on the ground and more of the “white stuff” projected in the weather forecast. It certainly has seemed like a particularly long winter on the East Coast this year. Spring to me brings a vision of brightness, lighter, cheerful, fun colors and flowers. It also brings that “Happy – just because” kind of feeling. The Sale-A-Bration Sweet Sorbet designer paper incorporates all of the above for me, and when paired with Summer Starfruit, Tangerine Tango and and Pool Party it feels a whole lot less like winter!

With that said – here is my card:

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Information + Order Numbers :

Stamps: A Dozen Thoughts (W 131056 – C 131059) Perfect Pennants (W 133227 – C 133230)

Paper: Summer Starfruit (126839) Pool Party (122924) Tangerine Tango (111349) Sale-A-Bration DSP Sweet Sorbet

Ink: Crumb Cake (126975) Pool Party Marker (n/a) Jet Black StazOn (101406)

Cool Tools: Big Shot (113439) Magnetic Platform (130658)  Banner frame lits (132173) Boho Blossoms punch (119858) Scallop Trim Border punch (118402)  Stampin Trimmer (126889)

Finishing Touches: Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430) Linen Thread (104199) Bright Candy Dots (130931) Subtles Candy Dots (130933) 

Would love to hear your comments ~ just because...

Next on the blog hop is Goldie Shaul at Punch and Stamp with Goldie # 6 on the hop.

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA194 Color Challenge

Hope you enjoy today's post. It is a PPA194 Color Challenge.

As usual it is a color combo one wouldn't usually think of when creating a card. I wanted something quick and simple but with a different style than I usually lean towards. It has masculine tones with the gray and the blue but the purple lets me mak…

As usual it is a color combo one wouldn't usually think of when creating a card. I wanted something quick and simple but with a different style than I usually lean towards. It has masculine tones with the gray and the blue but the purple lets me make a hello card for one of my sisters. Yeah! 


To see other cards submitted for this challenge click here.

To see other cards submitted for this challenge click here.

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

February Blog Hop

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Welcome to the Pals February Blog Hop. This month we are excited to share with you what we love about Stampin' Up! - our stamps, tools, accessories and techniques.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from #22 Kelly DeTomasso at Kelly's Creative Corner on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

Today’s blog hop theme is what we love about Stampin’ Up! I guess that fits right in with Valentines Day just around the corner. There is no way to cover all the great products and all the little perks here and there, which has made me a very satisfied customer!!!

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So, I will share the things that I love, that pertain to my card. You can see the fun and bright colors I used with the matching DOUBLE sided designer paper… what you can’t see is the quality of the paper. It is high quality, so versatile and the choices of colors are extensive. The variety of embellishments to compliment and “complete” your card is also extensive. From ribbons to brads to buttons, clips, washi tape, candy dots, pearls and jewels, embossing powders and glitter, there is something for everyone’s tastes. The flowers were cut with Blossom Party Originals cutting pad. Between the cutting pads, embossing folders, framelits, sizzlits and punches there is no shortage of options for texturizing and adding shapes to help adorn your card. Last but not least is the stamp itself. I am never at a loss to find the perfect sentiment/image for the card that I am creating. The choices are almost overwhelming but that is a “problem” that I can live with. (smile)

What I love most about my Stampin’ Up! experience as a demonstrator has been the behind the scenes quality customer service that is provided to each and every Stampin’ Up! representative. Stampin’ Up! is dedicated to extending the highest quality of product and service and that makes it so easy to represent this company!

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The next stop is number 24 - Angie Blake at Angies Musings on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and  I hope to see you next month.

Please share your love of what YOU find appealing about Stampin' Up! in the comment section below...

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA190

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Today’s card was made for the PPA190 Color Challenge. Those colors are Rose Red, Basic Gray and Blushing Bride. I realized when reaching for the card stock that I do not have Rose Red. I had the ink and some designer series paper – who knew? I reached for a sentiment that I have not used before yet that I can put to good use.

A reassuring word at just the right moment can make a such positive impact!

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Martie Pollard.