Margaret Moody

PPA128 Color Challenge

Red is my favorite color, so this week's Color Challenge (PPA128) at Pals Paper Arts makes me very happy!  The challenge is to use ANY color of red to create a card!  I chose Riding Hood Red and Cherry Cobbler for my shades of red and used them to feature one of my favorite stamps, Sweet Floral!  I believe in making design work for you and this gorgeous image is so striking, it can easily stand alone!  It doesn't need a lot of added embellishment, hence the clean and simple look of my design.  This quick and easy card could work for so many different occasions!  Just change the sentiment to fit the occasion!

If you like my card, please leave me a comment!  I love hearing from you and receiving your feedback!

Use your favorite papercrafting brands and supplies and "play along" with us at PPA!  Our challenge is not exclusive to Stampin' Up! products only, so gather your supplies and join the fun!  For more inspiration, see what my fellow PPA Design Team members did with the color red by clicking here!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Sweet Floral, Thank You Kindly
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake card stock
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Tools:  Pinking Hearts Border Punch, 3/16" Corner Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Extras:  Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Cherry Cobbler Large button/Designer Buttons - Regals Collection, Crumb Cake Small Flower button/Designer Buttons - Neutrals Collection, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

PPA117 - CAS Elements of Style Challenge

We're all wrapped up this week at Pals Paper Arts as we host a CAS Elements of Style Challenge (PPA117) using ribbon!  So get out your rolls, spools, scraps, hanks, and snippets of the glorious stuff and create a Clean and Simple card for the challenge!

This Halloween card was a quick and easy creation that starts with a clean base of white!  It features just the right amount of ribbon to complement the black die-cut letters!  Punched circles were stamped with background stamps to add to the bold and graphic design!  Contemporary, fun, and oh so simple!

Now it's your turn!  See what my fellow PPA Design Team members and this week's featured artist, Nina Dee, have done with their ribbon by clicking here!  I'm sure you'll be inspired!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  A to Z, Dot, Dot, Dot, Solid Stripes
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Versamark Watermark
Tools:  1-3/8" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Sizzix Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlits dies, 1/2" corner rounder (We R Memory Keepers)
Extras:  5/8" Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

PPA115 - Fall/Thanksgiving Theme Challenge

It's still fairly warm in Texas, but the change of season has brought us some more manageable temperatures!  We're truly thankful for days with temps in the 80s, instead of our usual 100s (seriously)!  As the weather turns cooler (I'm thinking positively), our thoughts turn to the Fall season (or Autumn, if you will) and the upcoming observances of Halloween and/or Thanksgiving!  With that in mind, Pals Paper Arts is hosting a Fall/Thanksgiving Theme Challenge (PPA115) this week and we're asking you to join us with your season-inspired creations!

I obviously didn't use the colors featured in the beautiful inspiration photo at left, but the theme certainly inspired the use of the Autumn Splendor stamp set (one of my favorites)!  If you're one of my regular followers, you know I like to blend classic and clean with bold and unexpected!  This quick and easy card in this untraditional color combo does just that!  I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to pair Pool Party and Soft Suede on a card (love the two together)!  The results?  Clean, simple and elegant!

Need a little nudge?  Check out the contributions of my fellow PPA Design Team members and this week's featured artist, Nicole Watt.  Get all the details here for how to "play at PPA" and take a peek at the nice Blog Candy package we're offering a chance to win!  I can't wait to see what you create!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Autumn Splendor, Grateful Greetings
Paper:  Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla card stock
Ink:  Soft Suede
Tools:  3/16" Corner Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, scoring board
Extras:  Linen Thread, Early Espresso button - Designer Buttons/Neutrals Collection, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots

PPA108 - Soften the Edges

Pals Paper Arts is hosting a CAS Elements of Style challenge (PPA108) this week and we're asking you to "Soften the Edges"!  My card for this week's challenge was fast, easy, and fun to make!  I used punches to soften the edges of this simple yet contemporary Halloween card!  A few strips of patterned paper, a trio of buttons, and a simple greeting and you're done!  This design could easily be adapted for so many different occasions!  It literally took less than 10 minutes to put together! 

If you like this week's card, please leave me a comment!  I love hearing from you and appreciate all the wonderful feedback you share with me each week!

Now it's your turn!  See what my fellow PPA Design Team members and this week's featured artist, Nicole Watt, have done with this week's challenge!  Then, get out your supplies and get busy!  I can't wait to see what you make!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Grateful Greetings
Paper:  Basic Black, Basic Gray card stock; Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper
Ink:  Basic Black
Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch, Curly Label Punch
Extras:  Black buttons (my button collection), Mini Glue Dots

Pals Paper Arts 100th Challenge

Pals Paper Arts is celebrating its 100th challenge in the papercrafting world and we'd like to invite you to help us celebrate this important milestone!  In celebration of our 100th challenge, we're asking you to "play along at PPA" and create a card showing us your favorite technique!  Distressing, watercoloring, dry embossing, heat embossing, masking, paper-piecing, just to name a few! 

I couldn't pick just one favorite technique, so I picked one of my favorites...embossing!  The embossing shown on my set of thank you cards was quick work with a Big Shot and the Elegant Impressions Textured Embossing Folder!  Add a little faux ribbon made from DSP and a simple sentiment stamped and punched from white card stock and you have a simple yet elegant set of cards to give away as a gift or keep for yourself!

Speaking of give aways, if you play along with us this week, you not only have the chance to be chosen as a Pals Paper Arts Artist Pick, but the chance to win our huge BLOG CANDY BLOWOUT package!  Each member of the PPA Design Team will be contributing to that Blog Candy Blowout package and a picture of my contribution is shown at the right.  Be sure to visit the blogs of each PPA Design Team member to see what else you could win if you play along with us this week!  What are you waiting for!  Get out those supplies and get busy!  I can't wait to see what you create!

My BLOG CANDY contribution includes:  A bundle of 75 sheets (6"x6") of Patterns Designer Series Paper (retired) in assorted colors; 1 package of Vintage Type Rub-Ons; 1 roll (15 yds) of 1/4" wide Apricot Appeal Grosgrain Ribbon (retired); 1+ yard of 1/2" wide Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Whisper White card stock; Patterns Stack Designer Series Paper (Brights Collection & Subtles Collection)
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Certainly Celery Stampin' Write Markers
Tools:  Big Shot Machine, Elegant Impression Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Decorative Label Punch, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch
Extras:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive

Clean & Simple - PPA95 Challenge

It's time for another challenge at Pals Paper Arts and this week, we're hosting a CAS (Clean & Simple) Elements of Style Challenge featuring Brads (PPA95)!  Brads come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes!  They can be added as a simple embellishment to enhance your creation or used as a featured focal point!  The decision is yours and the possibilities are endless!

My card showcases flower-shaped brads from Stampin' Up! used as a focal point on my Clean & Simple card.  This card was so easy to put together, but packs a lot of punch with the clean lines and bright colors against the contrasting black and white!  Best of all, it's quick and easy to make and can be adapted for any occasion by changing out the sentiment and/or the color scheme!  Simple, fast, and fun! 

Click here to see how the PPA Design Team  used brads on their creations and get details for how you can "play along at PPA"!  I can't wait to see what you create!

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Curly Cute
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White card stock; Tempting Turquoise Patterns Stack - Designer Series Paper Brights Collection
Ink:  Jet Black (StazOn)
Tools:  Crop-A-Dile, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Extras:  Flower Brads - Brights Collection, Stampin' Dimensionals

PPA93 Inspiration Challenge

Less is definitely more on this quick and simple card created for this week's Pals Paper Arts Inspiration Challenge (PPA93) entitled "Here Comes the Bride."  I've told you before how much I love the silhouette images of the Just Believe set! The simple floral images are so versatile and appropriate for almost any occasion!  The clean layout for this card features the floral image stamped in Crumb Cake and matted in the same color.  The sentiment is courtesy of Teeny Tiny Wishes and stamped in Early Espresso using a Stampin' Write Marker.  A matching Crumb Cake button tied with Linen Thread adds the perfect finishing touch!

Need more ideas for an upcoming wedding?  See what my fellow PPA Design Team members created for this challenge and get the details here for how you can "play along at PPA"!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Just Believe, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake card stock
Ink:  Crumb Cake Classic ink, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker
Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-mig
Extras:  Linen Thread, Crumb Cake Designer Buttons - Neutrals Collection, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip

Believe!

 

It's time for another Sketch Challenge (PPA90) at Pals Paper Arts using this Simple Sketch I designed for you!  Today's card  is simple, yet elegant, and best of all, quick and easy! 

I love the trendy color combo of yellow and gray!  I used the circle in the sketch to show off one of my current favorites, the Just Believe set from Stampin' Up!  I love the silhouette images of the flowers!  Paper piercing the reverse side of the circle mat creates an instant frame for the stamped image, adding instant texture and emphasis!  The final touch?  A bit of bling on a single flower to draws your eye in towards the featured sentiment!  Clean, simple, and beautiful! 

See what my fellow PPA Design Team did with this sketch and get details for joining the challenge here!  I always love seeing what everyone does with one of my sketches!

Today's card was made in honor of my sister, Donna!  I'm more than thrilled to let you all know she is doing so well as she continues her recovery from ARDS!  BELIEVE has always been one of her favorite words, so you can see why I love this set and the sentiment so much!  She fought a heart-wrenching battle to survive during her 5-plus months of hospitalization.  "Believe" is the word that always came to mind when I stood by her bed, day after day and night after night.  I chose to believe she would pull through and get well, even though it was so very difficult at times because she was so very sick. 

I am happy to report she's been at home for 2 months now and continues to work on rehabilitation at home!   I am thankful for all of you out there who I've met through stamping and my blog that sent your thoughts and prayers for her and our family.  It's amazing to know there were so many people across the US and even the world who were praying for her, even though we've never met face-to-face! 

She truly is a miracle and I'm so thankful for her survival and continued recovery!  If you'd like to send her a card of encouragement, please e-mail me!  I'd love for her to see how many people cared and were a part of her miracle! Love you, Donna!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Just Believe
Paper:  So Saffron, Basic Gray, Whisper White card stock; Nursery Suite Specialty Designer Series Paper, Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack - Neutrals Collection
Ink:  So Saffron, Basic Gray
Tools:  Big Shot Die Cut machine, 3 Inch Circle Originals die, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, 3/16" Corner Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack
Extras:  So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, So Saffron button - Designer Buttons Subtles Collection, adhesive rhinestone (my embellishment stash), Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip

 

Pals Fall/Halloween Hop

Welcome to the September PALS HOP!  This month, we're featuring Fall/Halloween-themed projects for your inspiration!  If you've hopped over from Kylie Nicolosi's blog, Kylie's Crafty Corner, I'm stop number 18 on the PALS HOP and I'm glad you've hopped in! 

I absolutely LOVE Halloween, and believe it or not, it will be here before you know it!  I'm excited to share my Halloween-themed creations with you and I hope they'll inspire you to create some fun Halloween projects of your own to share with family and friends!

JEEPERS CREEPERS!  Be careful!  Those "peepers" are watching you!  My quick and easy Halloween card sports a contemporary layout, but has a definite vintage feel!  It features a mix of patterned papers in traditional Halloween colors and a sentiment from the Grateful Greetings set.  You'll notice that none of my patterned papers are Halloween-themed, but when grouped together and embellishments are added, the overall look is truly spOOky! 

TREATS FOR YOUR FAVORITE GOBLINS!  Present your favorite trick-or-treaters with a gift card and let them buy their own treats!   Deliver those treats in style with Halloween gift card holders, made using an assortment of Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper and assorted punches.  Create your own simple but spooky embellishments and add a few custom details such as reverse paper piercing or pleated paper ribbon and your gift cards will be "costumed" appropriately for a night of trick-or-treating!

LAST HOP ON THE STOP!  I'm technically the last stop on the PALS FALL/HALLOWEEN HOP, but we've still got lots of ideas we're just hoppin' to share with you!  HOP ON to stop number 1 in the line-up and see what the very talented Ann Schach has in store for you at her Stampin' Schach blog!  Thanks for "hopping in"!

MISSED A HOP STOP???  CLICK HERE for the entire PALS FALL/HALLOWEEN HOP LINE-UP!

NOTE:  The example of the reverse paper piercing technique on black card stock (on the BOO gift card holder) was difficult to photograph.  For another example of this technique, click here.

 

 All supplies used are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Card Sketch:  Sketch #101 from Got Sketch? blog
Stamps:  Grateful Greetings
Paper: Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, More Mustard, Basic Black card stock; Love Letter Designer Series Paper, Newsprint Designer Series Paper, Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper, Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper, Pumpkin Pie Patterns Designer Series Paper
Ink:  Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker
Tools:  2-3/8" Square Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Flying Witch punch (Martha Stewart), Sitting Owl punch (Martha Stewart), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack
Extras:  Orange adhesive rhinestone (my embellishment stash), orange/black striped grosgrain ribbon (my ribbon collection), Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

PPA58 - Pretty in Pearls

There's nothing more simple yet so elegant than a gorgeous strand of pearls!  This week at Pals Paper Arts, we're hosting a Clean and Simple "Elements of Style" challenge (PPA58) and pearls are our featured fashion element!  My creation for this week's challenge is definitely "clean and simple" (CAS) with a touch of vintage elegance!  Minimal supplies were used to make this card and, best of all, it was quick and easy to make!  I adhered three strips of vintage-style papers to my base that, when grouped together, create a contemporary feel.  Tiny pearls were added to the pink strip on the right to highlight the designs of the patterned paper.  The clean lines of the modern-style sentiment really "pop out" against the added pearls and stamped images both above and below the sentiment, resulting in a contrasting yet cohesive focal point.  The results?  An unusual mix that works!  Fresh, fun, simple, and elegant!

What a you waiting for?  Now it's your turn to play at PPA!  Get out your supplies and get busy!  Need more inspiration?  Check out submissions from the rest of the Pals Paper Arts Design Team and this week's Featured Artist, Joanna Munster.  Make your card and post it via Inlinkz before 12:00 Noon CST on Tuesday, September 7th.  Maybe you'll be one of three Pals Paper Arts Artist Picks!  You'll never know until you try!  I can't wait to see what you create!

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Style Beautiful
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray card stock; Lap of Luxury Designer Series Paper
Ink:  Basic Gray
Tools:  Paper Snips, Modern Label punch
Extras:  Adhesive half-round pearls (my embellishment stash), Stampin' Dimensionals