spring flowers One Stamp At A Time blog hop

Welcome to the very FIRST One Stamp At A Time blog hop. Today's theme is Spring Flowers. I was surprised when I went to choose a stamp that I had so few choices. I have made cards with flowers before but I guess I will just have to go shopping to broaden my selections. Spoken like a true stamper! The stamp set I chose has 6 different patterns inside the flower which worked for me! Stampin' Up's Petite Petals - It even has a matching punch to easily "cut" them. The sentiment was from Stampin' Up's Fabulous Four.  I used Blackberry Bliss cardstock and ink, Designer Series Paper Park Lane and Lost Lagoon cardstock for the leaves punched with the Bird Builder punch. 

Normally I would use a variety of colors for the flowers and a "truer" green for the leaves - sometimes you start with a vision and end up with something totally different - here is my plan B - a friend commented that it was a lot of pieces but it a…

Normally I would use a variety of colors for the flowers and a "truer" green for the leaves - sometimes you start with a vision and end up with something totally different - here is my plan B - a friend commented that it was a lot of pieces but it actually was a fairly quick card to make, once i finally made up my mind! I enjoy reading your comments!!!

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

March Blog Hop

Welcome to the March Pals Blog Hop where we are celebrating spring. This month we are featuring spring related projects for Mother’s Day, Easter or any other occasion that celebrates winter coming to an end.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Kim Jolly at Stampin' Artfully  #24 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.

Here is a picture taken in my neighborhood not too long ago...can you tell that I am anxious for Spring by this picture? {insert emphatic nod here}

Here is a picture taken in my neighborhood not too long ago...can you tell that I am anxious for Spring by this picture? {insert emphatic nod here}

My card color choices reminded me a lot of not just Spring, but Easter too. I love cards that can be stamped with a variety of sentiments. It is so easy to do a few at a time and then just stamp an appropriate sentiment when you need a quick card. This would work well with Birthday, Thinking of You, Mother's Day, Easter, and a variety of other cards. This one is HELLO SPRING!!!

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The card base is Daffodil Delight and the ribbon is Wisteria Wonder. After stamping the flower on the face I cut a template from a flower in The Secret Garden set and sponged my flowers using my Daffodil Delight and Wisteria Wonder ink pads for the blended effect. A splash of highlighting on the petals with coordinating markers and rhinestone in the middle for the WOW effect. I do not use ribbon too often but am in love with how pretty this seam binding looks and feels.

The next stop is Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin' #26 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month. Put a SPRING in my step with a comment for me!

  1. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
  2. Angela Curry at Kindred Stampers
  3. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
  4. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
  5. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
  6. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
  7. Amy Whelan at Amy's Inklings
  8. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts By Patti
  9. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
  10. Beth Beard at My little craft blog
  11. Natalie Bradley at Soiree by Natalie Bradley
  12. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
  13. Debbie Crowley at expressively deb...
  14. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
  15. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
  16. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
  17. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
  18. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
  19. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
  20. Karen Hallam at Karen's Blog
  21. Susan Lankford at Stamp and Create With Susan
  22. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
  23. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
  24. Kim Jolley at Stampin' Artfully
  25. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
  26. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
  27. Benjaman Turner at He Stamps
  28. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
  29. Liz Gautreaux at Kind Deeds Stampin
  30. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You!
  31. September Gray at septembergray.com
  32. Katie Ferguson at Cottage Paper
  33. Becky Volpp at inkblossomwithbecky.com
  34. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
  35. Brian King at Stamp with Brian

 

 

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

PPA240

The sketch challenge was a fun one for me to do. I had seen a flower technique a few months back that intrigued me and which immediately came to mind when I saw this sketch. For those that now me well the best part is that they are EASY to assemble. I used (2) 1 3/4 scalloped punch, a 1 1/2" and 1" circle with all but the bottom scalloped circle folded/scrunched up. 

Hope this card reminded you that spring is around the corner... to see other cards submitted for this challenge click here

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

PPA239

This week's Paper Pals Arts is a color challenge. I was in awe of all the intricate cards being presented for this challenge and decided to go ultra simple. I love how the color challenges send me in search of specific color items. Do I use embossing powder, ribbon, embellishments, ink, paper or cardstock? Or all of the above? I went with one cardstock (crumb cake), two inks (soft suede and apop of real red for foxy's nose) and two embellishments (real red button and crumb cake ribbon). Clean and simple - quick and cute!

To see other cards submitted for this challenge click here

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

Pals February Blog Hop

Welcome to the February Pals Blog Hop. This month we are sharing what we love - our favorite Stampin' Up! products and our favorite crafting techniques.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from #16 - Brian King at Stamp With Brian. Use the full lineup below to move along from blog to blog so you see all of the new projects.

I cannot believe that I waited until last night after dinner and doing kids homework to put together this blog. What's even more unbelievable is that I did not make the card until Monday night after the kids went to bed!!! Where did this first part of the month go so quickly? I think it got buried under all the snow New England has gotten in the last two weeks. 

Favorite Stampin' Up! products and techniques. Hmmmmm....ok, embossing folders, embossing powders, LOVE the linen thread, I am partial to brads and PUNCHES - I heart my PUNCHES.

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There are so many techniques available on-line to inspire our creative sides just never enough time to try them all out! I tried something new for this card and that was incorporating vellum into a card. I am in love with the softness it created to let the main sentiment "Sending Love and Sympathy" stand out. It is hard to tell due the angle and lighting but the sentiment is embossed gold. The linen thread was earthy like the simple flower stamped upon the words in the background and of course the embossed polka dots on the purple base adds a ton of dimension. One popular technique is punching a second label and cutting it in half and placing it under the sentiment label. I did mine in purple to pop the white and gold and maintain the color theme that I had going. I chose Wisteria for the flower and Wild Wasabi for the stem and carried that over to my paper colors. Hoping that I have inspired you to take some element of this card and use it in a future project. 

Please leave a comment below and make my day! 

The next stop is #18 Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I'll see you next month.

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

January 29-Heartful

I do my best pictures outside - the foot of snow that fell outside today had something to say about that...i find that photographing cards are like looking in a magnifying mirror. Every little detail is enlarged and all the "flaws" jump out at you, unlike when you look in a normal mirror and everything appears just fine. To see other cards in this challenge click here

There is no doubt that I was inspired by the sketch. 

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

FUSION: Two Hearts

1. Play with just the sketch challenge.
2. Play with just the inspiration photo challenge.
3. Or you can create FUSION by combining BOTH challenges into one card.

I chose to use the sketch. I am scrambling to post this on the way out to work. I enjoyed this challenge immensely and look forwards to the next challenge!

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

Challenge #27 {LOVE}

I am participating in a 30 day challenge where I have to share a card/project daily. I decided to take it up a notch and mail out a card to someone each day. Then...why not do a challenge card if I am making a card each day...no better way to "CHALLENGE" myself outside my comfort zone! So, I googled Card Challenges and this is the first one to pop up!  Thank you Lisa Pretto for the inspiration to aim high and to keep the mojo in motion...

To see other cards from the Card Concept Challenge #27 click here

I would label this card under the Clean and Layered style. 

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

PPA237

I recently have signed up to a 30 day challenge to post a card for the next 30 days. Today is day 3 of the challenge. I decided on the second day to up the ante and also mail out a card every day too. I do not know anyone who could use this card so I will pull a card from my stash and put a surprised smile on someone I knows face. It makes me feel great to get the creative juices flowing daily and to make someone's day too!

To see other cards submitted for this challenge click here

 

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

January Blog Hop

Welcome to the first Pals Blog Hop of 2015. We hope your new year is off to a great creative start. To celebrate the start of a new Stampin' Up! year, we are showcasing products from our newest catalog this month - the Occasions catalog. You may also see new Sale-a-bration products too. If you don't know how to earn free Sale-a-bration products - contact your Stampin' Up! demonstrator to learn more.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Peggy Noe at http://prettypapercards.com/. Use the full lineup below to move along from blog to blog so you see all of the new projects.

There are so many beautiful cards being shared on Pinterest and other sites that make my jaw drop with their individuality. Very intimidating! I have not seen the Love Is Kindness stamp (137131 pg 32 in the Occasions Catalog) used in this layered fashion yet and love the 3D effect of a full bouquet it creates. I stamped the image twice and fussy cut one of them to place atop the original stamped image. i have not mastered the blendablilities pens as of yet but am having fun trying. What I am in love with is how you can color your pearls and bling to match your project. I lightly sponged the "newspaper" to soften all the white and create the illusion of texture. I rounded it out by adding a sentiment from the Lots of Thanks stamp set on the bottom. i cannot wait to recreate this card but will do multi-colored flowers next time, for a more dramatic effect. 

 

The next stop is Kim Jolly at http://stampinartfully.blogspot.com/ # 23 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I'll see you next month. Love to hear your feedback - leave a comment and make my day!

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Martie Pollard.

PPA233 - A Sketch Challenge

It seems weird to not be making a Christmas card...this card has me thinking about spring - Yippee!

This sketch was not an easy one for me. A couple of ideas that I had rolling around in my heard were created by others before I could fit time in my schedule to put the ideas to paper. Great minds think alike!

I hope that everyone had a blessed Christmas and had lots of time to spend with loved ones...and to all an early HAPPY NEW YEAR

To see other cards submitted for this challenge click here


Posted on December 28, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

Home Sweet Home

I remember when I first started making cards a couple of years ago. I would sit down to make a card and stare at the paper wondering "okay, what's next?" Then I would troll the internet for inspiration and attempt to make something that didn't look like my daughter brought it home from kindergarten. 

Then I got to the point where I was proud of what I made...until I took a picture and posted it and then every little imperfection seemed to jump off the page at me! Now I make the card and accept that I have come a long way and still have a ton to learn. I make a card, make the same card again with some minor tweaks, a color change or two and get a "YES" feeling ~ every once in awhile I get a card that says "YES" on the first attempt.

I had someone purchase cards at a craft fair I participated in a couple of weeks ago. She asked if I could make a card for her son who had recently purchased a home.  I agreed, knowing that in all the stamps I own I was pretty sure I didn't own anything with which to make the card. Not that I need a reason to add to my stamp collection! 

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The fun part about the card is that the starburst die I used to frame the house looks very wreathlike...how perfect for a December card. A Happy Coincidence that made me happy too! A "YES" on the first try...

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

No Peeking

What a busy couple of weeks it has been. The best part of it all is that I somehow managed to fit it all in! Phew! Last week was the first annual Indoor Sidewalk Sale at the Town of Groton Senior Center

Friday night was the second Friday of the month. It is the scheduled night for my local group of crafters, The Scrappy Ladies to get together. Eight of us met up for an evening of music, food (we each brought a dish to share and there was enough to serve a small army) scrap booking and Yankee Swapping. That was fun to watch as it was to play! We missed all of those that were unable to attend....

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Saturday was a 10am - 10pm scrap that was held at our local paper crafting store The Scrapbook Cove

This was a cute No Peeking bag topper that we got to embellish as a little extra thank you project. 

This was a cute No Peeking bag topper that we got to embellish as a little extra thank you project. 

I have been a customer since The Scrapbook Cove opened two years ago but last month was the first class I attended. I loved it and enjoyed the all day scrap yesterday too. The owners are the sweetest and most attentive craft store owners one could hope for! For all my local friends that have not stopped by - please do and tell them that I sent you!

Last, but certainly least I would like to give a shout out to my daughter Kate Swasey and her gorgeous jewelry designs on Etsy. If anyone is looking for a great Christmas gift for the lovely lady in their life please check out Kates site Golden Prism

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Posted on December 14, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

My Top Ten Wish List Stampin' Up!

Welcome to the last Pals Blog Hop of 2014. This month we want to help you start your holiday wish list by sharing projects featuring our favorite Stampin’ Up! papers, stamps, tools and accessories. Get your wish list ready as you move along through the blog hop.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from  Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping #35 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 project.

As a hobbyist, my Stampin' Up! budget may be a bit more constrained versus a demonstrator's, whose business relies on having the newest products to share with their clients. I am sharing today's cards in hopes of highlighting, how, just by having a few stamping tools, some colored and neutral cardstock, stamp, ink and a splash of embellishment you can create a polished and professional looking card. For those of us who craft just to make and send cards or share on a small scale basis, every scrap of paper and stamp gets used - even if it is months later! In case you have not witnessed how the blendabilities pens color the basic pearls and jewels...so much fun and that much more coordination. "Matchy Matchy" my 7 year old calls it!

Besides the quality of their paper and products, I am also in love with the versatility and durability. Which means anything I buy from Stampin' Up! is an investment that I will use and enjoy for years to come. 

My can't live without "Top Ten Wish List"

1) Paper Trimmer 2) Cardstock 3) Big Shot 4) Embossing folders 5) Die Cuts 6) Stamp Set 7) Ink 8) Embellishments 9) Envelope Liner Die Cuts 10) Adhesive Remover

The next stop is Natalie Bradley http://nataliebradley.com/blog/ number 38 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you in 2015.

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Posted on December 10, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

PPA230

Here is a clean and simple card for the PPA230 Color Challenge. I am going mad crazy preparing for a craft show this coming Tuesday. I thought I would take a break from making cards to make a card…Spoken like a true crafter! Will keep my narrative clean and simple too ~ love how the embossed larger dots looks just like snow and adds the little bit of texture that every cards deserves. Love my classic Stampin’ Up! stamps ~ they will never collect dust on my shelves.

 

To enjoy other cards made for this challenge click here. 

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

Nomber Blog Hop

Welcome to the November Pals Blog Hop, we are thankful you stopped by.  This month we are showcasing projects that show our thanks, including both thank you and Thanksgiving themed projects. You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards 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 projects.

Today’s card was a fun card to make. I don't have any of the current designer series paper, as I am trying to use up some of the mountains of papers on my shelves. This helps me to think outside the box...

I saw a tutorial recently that demonstrated a simple way to create a sky background with sponging. One large and two small scalloped punched papers are taped together to create a template for clouds. Gently sponging around it and rotating with Soft Sky blue, for a very light background.

I then laid a piece of burlap ribbon across the front for texture and a base.  Next, I wrapped linen thread around the burlap (next time I will sponge it with some matching ink for contrast). The flower (crisp cantaloupe) and the bird (night of navy) were stamped from the Polka Dot Pieces stamp set and punched out with coordinating punches (1 ¼” scallop punch and the bird builder punch). I placed a night of navy candy dot in the center of the flower and covered with crystal effects for more texture. The pearl in the bird’s eye and those on the banner were colored with a blendability marker, to also tie the colors together. The “thankful for you” stamp is part of the Hostess Good Greetings set.

I used some retired Pistachio Pudding ribbon to soften the edge and sponged the leaves from the bird builder punch with Pistachio as well. The banner is held on with a basic hodgepodge clip and a dimensional and is sponged with Chocolate Chip and Pistachio Pudding for a vintage feel.

Today’s card was inspired by a card in the catalog on page 177…it is a tad similar but you would never have guessed that my card was created using the card below as a vision. I love to be inspired by other’s creation and am even happier to add my own twists to them, so that they truly are MY works of art.

 There are so many awesome cards and projects being shared today in hopes of inspiring YOU to sit and create!

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The next stop is Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month.

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Posted on November 12, 2014 by Martie Pollard.

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.