Thursday, October 21, 2010

Pearls and Swirls for the PPA


It's time for this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge...Clean and Simple "Bring on the Bling"! Let it sparkle - let it shine! Accessorize with rhinestones, beads, pearls or anything sparkly! Although diamonds are a girl's best friend, I myself preferred Stampin' Up!'s Basic Pearls for this quick and easy card featuring the"Tree" image from Snow Swirled. Gold embossing and Brushed Gold card stock add even more shine. So, won't you join the Pals this week, and "Bling it On"?

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:
  • Use the "Buddy System"! When embossing, avoid those "messy flecks" by using the Embossing Buddy! Simply rub the Embossing Buddy across the paper to reduce static. Not only do I use it before heat embossing, I use it before applying glitter, too!
  • Layer the Labels! I actually punched three Decorative Labels...two from Brushed Gold card stock and one from Early Espresso. I cut one Brushed Gold label in half vertically and the other in half horizontally. These were then adhered to the top and bottom borders and to the left and right borders of the Early Espresso label.
  • Tasteful Trim! This border shape was created by zipping the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die through the Big Shot with Early Espresso card stock.
  • Pile on the Pearls! The gold embossed tree has been decorated with Basic Pearls, as is the sentiment. And doesn't the border look fabulous with a heaping helping of pearls, too! The result...elegant and classy!
I hope that you enjoyed today's card! It was refreshing to create something clean and simple. I hope that you are up for this week's challenge. I know that I will be looking forward to what you create. So...Bring on the Bling!


And in case you have wondered where I have been this week...keeping up with the kids is taking it's toll on this Mom of Boxer Twins! And as you can see, the babies are all tuckered out after a wild afternoon of puppy play...Boxer style! And yes, that is Brody's little pink tongue sticking out!

Remember, your comments are important to me, so let me know what you think about today's attempt at clean and simple. Plus, if you have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an EMAIL away! Until next time...


Click Here to Order Stampin' Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Snow Swirled (111690); Ink: VersaMark (102283), Early Espresso (119670); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Brushed Gold (102935), Early Espresso (119686); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (120893---Holiday Mini), Decorative Label Punch (120907---Holiday Mini), Heat Tool (100005), Embossing Buddy (103083), Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247)

33 comments:

Tana said...

I'm inpressed at your clean and simple! You did great! I have a very difficult time with this technique. Love the pearls! Great job as usual! Many Blessings- Tana :) http://tanaconley.blogspot.com

Nancy said...

Love your card, the border, the pearls, the triple matting of the sentiment, great job! The kids are looking adorable too, love the hat!

Julie A. said...

What a beautiful card! The puppies are so sweet. I bet you're loving every minute of it:)I really enjoy seeing photos of them. I check my feeds every morning and they always bring me a smile:) Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Leslie said ... simply awesome! You always have a way of taking simple and giving it that extra-extraordinary look. The kids look happy as can be too! I am going to have to check out that border die. What a simple, yet stunning, look!

Lesley said...

Beautiful card Ann. I love the colour combo and bling. Your pups are stinkin' cute!

Linda Callahan said...

This is so pretty and so elegant with the embossing and pearls! Can't wait to see the "little but growing bigger every day guy" without the bandages!

Karen said...

Love your card Ann. I like your technique to use the embossing buddy even with dazzling diamonds. Like all kids, they are so cute when they are sleeping.

Cards by Gina said...

What an elegant and classy card! I love everything about it, as always! And those puppies tuckered out are to die for!!!

Roberta said...

I love this card! What a great use of non-traditional colors for a Christmas card! The pearls give it a nice elegant touch. Thanks for sharing.

P.S. Your babies are too cute!

Patti MacLeith said...

Cute pups! And your card is fabulous, Ann!

Ruthie said...

the card is beautiful! Love the simpleness of it yet it has an elegance about it! You ROCK!!!
the tinws are sooooo cute - what a great picture of them together!

Carla Bazhenow said...

I love your card, so classy and elegant. The kids look so cute sleeping together, makes me smile that they have each other to snuggle with. Hugs,

Carla Bazhenow said...

I love your card, so classy and elegant. The kids look so cute sleeping together, makes me smile that they have each other to snuggle with. Hugs,

Carla Bazhenow said...

I love your card, so classy and elegant. The kids look so cute sleeping together, makes me smile that they have each other to snuggle with. Hugs,

Anonymous said...

I love the pearls on the border! Beautiful card, Ann. And the puppies look so sweet! ~Bonnie~

Heartwarmers from Vicki said...

Very elegant!!! And proof once again that you CAN do CAS. :)

Diane - Rubber 'n Rafters said...

Love your card and have started double layering the labels... that little extra really makes improves almost any card. Great tip.
Love the pearls no doubt, and your's placed perfectly... what else? FABULOUS!!!!

Tanya said...

GORGEOUS! Love it! Clean and simple and so very elegant!

Mary Fish said...

First class loveliness . . . you have a knack for CAS, too! Hugs, M

Tara Bilbao said...

Ann, your card is so beautiful and elegant. You always seem to know how to edit the details to create a perfect balance. I just love how you have been doubly blessed by those cute little boxers. You are definitely not an empty nester any longer!:) Keep showing us those beautiful babies ( I LOVE the tongue hanging out)

Mike said...

Amazing as always. Not only did we both feature the Embossing Buddy, but we used the same stamp set! Your color choice is such a beautiffy subtle choice for an elegant card!
Mike

LBCrafts said...

Very pretty! I love the tree.

Also your dogs are sooo cute :) Two is better then one for sure ;)

Laurie

jaydee said...

Ann... the card is gorgeous... but for once... something eclipsed your card... the babies.... they are sooooooo adorable. i want to go hang out with them! Thanks so much for sharing.
hugs
jaydee

Patti said...

Very lovely card - love all the bling. The babies are soooooo cute!

Kim said...

Oh those pups are just too darn cute, sorry, hard to focus on your beautiful card. Love that our minds were all about the swirl and pearl ;)

Debbie Henderson said...

Ann, I would have never thought to use Gold and Espresso together. It looks so gorgeous. Great job with the Clean & Simple!

lisa808 said...

The pearls look so pretty on the border and tree.

The Boxer Babies look so content.

Stephanie said...

Beautiful card! That set is so elegant, it was a perfect choice for a bling challenge. Love the photo of the boxer babies; they are indeed very adorable!

Regina Mangum said...

Elegant and lovely, Ann! Hhhhm, your pups don't exactly scream the same, but they are adorable nonetheless, LOL!

Patrice said...

What a gorgeous card Anne. I am not usually a clean and simple kind of gal. but your card was such an inspiration I had to give it a go. I love black and cream together it is so elegant. It is so fun to see your twins growing up. I know they must give you such joy!
PS. Thanks for stopping by my blog it was a fun challenge.

Cindy Beach said...

I think your clean and simple style shines here, Ann! Love the layered tags and tasteful trim.

Keep loving those boxer babies, they are so sweet!

Barb said...

Beautiful card and great tip about layering the label punch!! TFS :D

Jo said...

Ann. they have just bought the biggest smile upon my face!

What little darlings they are.

The card is great too, love it, in fact, all of them, but I've stopped at this piccie to leave you a comment.

I've not caught up with you for a while, not been on my blog, or blogsurfing either. too much work. But Just wanted to say HI and that I've not forgot about you, or the babies. xxx