Make it Monday with the Paper Players

Prize Patrol Color Challenge

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for stopping by. Today is one of my favorite types of stamping. It's a challenge and a prize patrol. Today I have created a card for The Paper Players Color Challenge #490. You will also have your chance to create a project and enter it with me to win a prize, but more about that later. 

This week, The Paper Players posted a color challenge with a great color combination. The bright colors are perfect for springing into the upcoming summer. For my project today, I decided what better stamp set to use than Timeless Tulips. So many tulips have been on display in my area and are so pretty. It gets me excited for all the gardening I spend my time doing in these next few months.

For the base of my card, I used Melon Mambo cardstock. I used another layer of the Melon Mambo and I embossed using the Scripty 3-D Embossing folder. This gives some great dimension and texture to the project. Another thing I did to tie the Pool Party in more is that I used an Aqua Painter with Pool Party ink to give a soft wash around the tulips. 

I hope you have enjoyed my project today. You can see other entries for this color challenge at The Paper Player's blog. You can design your own project and submit it to the challenge. Now didn't I start off by saying something about a prize patrol and your chance to win? Well I guess I better get to it. 

Here are the details: (A chance to win a FREE package of Melon Mambo Cardstock)

• Create your own project inspired by the colors for this challenge.
• Upload, mail, or hand deliver your project to me for your chance to win.
• Deadline to enter is Monday, May 25th 
• Winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 27th on my blog. Winner will receive 1 FREE package of Melon Mambo cardstock. 

Thanks again for stopping in. I really love my time stamping with sketch and color challenges. Be sure to get your project created for my prize patrol. You can win if you don't enter. 

Be sure to follow my blog so you don't miss out on posts and fun giveaways! If you are interested in placing an order for any products, It would be wonderful if you chose to order through me. The 2020 January-June Mini Catalog and Annual Catalog are in their last couple of weeks of availability. With a minimum $50 order, I will send you a FREE gift as my thank you. Be sure to use the Hostess Code #HCE67GGG at check out. This lets me know to send you your FREE Gift. This will be a package of the Glitter Enamel Dots. Deadline to order is May 15th for this promotion.

If you place a $150 order, don't use any hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. 

 Just ask me how

Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. Local in my area? Check out my classes and events. I love to get to make new friends.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Simple yet Stunning Sunday #5

My Favorite Stamp set

Beautiful Friendship

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my Simple yet Stunning Sunday post. It is such a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest! Happy Mother's Day to you. I'm glad you decided to stop in and say hello. I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters and cherish all the time I have spent with them over the years. They have grown to become wonderful young ladies. 

Today I am sharing a Simple yet Stunning card using my favorite stamp set, Beautiful Friendship. This set is beyond great! The stamps have been designed to give you all the fantastic shading and layers, by you only have to stamp an image once to get those beautiful features. You can create beautiful and stunning cards by simply choosing well coordinating colors. In this case, I used Blackberry Bliss, a very rich color. This pairs so well with the soft Petal Pink and creates a striking combination. Adding the Petal Pink ribbons helps to create a bit more stunning.

Another way to bring sparkle to your projects in a quick and easy way is the use Wink of Stella. I applied it to the darker parts of the flowers and a bit on the background to add sparkle without adding too much texture. I like to use Wink of Stella when I plan to mail my card off. When I use rhinestones or bows and things, I have to be sure to use padded envelopes to mail the card safely. I do this often, but I wanted to share a way to create that sparkle, but not worry about how to mail it without it getting damaged through the machines. 

I stamped this flower on the inside of the card. This image really shows the shading and dimension that it gives so easily. I just can't get enough of this stamp set. You can check out so many other awesome projects using the Beautiful Friendship Stamp set on Pinterest. Here are the details for my project today.

• Blackberry Bliss base cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• Petal Pink layer cut at 5" x 4"
• Whisper White inside cut at 5" x 3 3/4"
• Whisper White front cut at 2 1/2" x 4"

I hope you have enjoyed my project today. I'd love to hear from you, so let me know what you think and what is your favorite stamp set. You still have until the 15th to comment on a Mary's Card Rehab video to have a chance to win the discontinued Leaf Punch. 

Thanks again for stopping in. Be sure to follow my blog so you don't miss out on posts and fun giveaways! If you are interested in placing an order for any products, It would be wonderful if you chose to order through me. The 2020 January-June Mini Catalog and Annual Catalog are in their last couple of weeks of availability. With a minimum $50 order, I will send you a FREE gift as my thank you. Be sure to use the Hostess Code #HCE67GGG at check out. This lets me know to send you your FREE Gift. This will be a package of the Glitter Enamel Dots. Deadline to order is May 15th for this promotion.

If you place a $150 order, don't use any hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. 

 Just ask me how

Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. Local in my area? Check out my classes and events. I love to get to make new friends.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Mary's Card Rehab #1

Mary's Card Rehab #1

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my very first "Card Rehab". This is something I've been wanting to do for awhile now. When I host my weekly stamping classes, I try and help my stamping friends learn about some basic art perspective techniques to help their projects be eye catching. Today, I'm taking a card that I made years ago that has just a couple of things that could make it just perfect. 

When I look at this card, I see a couple of things I want to change to help our eyes have a focal point. If you look at the tag and then the flower, our eyes have a hard time where to focus. Is it the flower or the tag? Because the flower and tag are a bit away from each other, we can't focus. One other thing that could lift up this card is the tag. Actually you can see it well in this photo, but when you see the card, the greeting is difficult to read on the dark tag. 

For my rehab, I decided to use the Daisy Lane Bundle. I also tried to keep to the color scheme of the original card. One thing I decided was to use a Whisper White Thick Cardstock base. That way, when I used the Story Label Punch with Whisper White, it tied in. As you can see by putting the daisies close with the label, our eyes can focus right to the greeting.

I hope you liked my "card rehab" today. Let me know what you think. I'd like to know if this was helpful. 

I hope you will follow my blog so you don't miss out on posts and fun giveaways! If you are interested in placing an order for any products, It would be wonderful if you chose to order through me. The 2020 January-June Mini Catalog and Annual Catalog are in their last month of availability. With a minimum $50 order, I will send you a FREE gift as my thank you. Be sure to use the Hostess Code #HCE67GGG at check out. This lets me know to send you your FREE Gift. This will be a package of the Glitter Enamel Dots. This special ends on May 15th, so don't delay.

If you place a $150 order, don't use any hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. 

 Just ask me how

Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. Local in my area? Check out my classes and events. I love to get to make new friends. Remember to tell me what your favorite stamp set is in the catalog for a chance to win the Leaf Punch. Be sure to follow and share too.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Make it Monday, The Battle of the Pets

Make it Monday

Battle of the Cat and Dog, who wins?

Hi Everyone,

It's the start of another week with some light in it as restrictions over closures are slowly being lifted. I hope everyone continues to take care when going out. 

I know one thing, I have been spending more time with my dog and cat. Today's post is all about our favorite furry pets. My question is though, who stands taller, the dog or the cat? 

The Happy Tails Stamp set is great! I love the paw prints (as you can see). The dog can be punched out with the Dog Builder Punch that includes the heart too. Soft Suede and Crumb Cake were the base and layers for this card. I also added the 3/16" Braided Linen Trim. This trim is really nice. It's the perfect thickness and the ends can fray to add more texture. 

My next project celebrates cats. These cats are from the Nine Lives Stamp set. I think that these kitties are in their element with the the box. The Cat Punch was used to punch out the cats. Don't you love the spots of color on the one cat? This is a 2-step stamp set. 

This Friends Forever card is all about the fun of dogs. Look at the collar of bling! Melon Mambo is such a bright and fun color for this card. You also get to see a couple more stamps from the stamp set with the bones and hearts. 

I had to save my favorite for the last card share. I think this kitty is the "Cats Meow". One of the things I love best about this project is the crispness that it has. The soft blues and gray are perfect for this. I also love the Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins. They color match perfectly. Don't you love that little mouse? There is also a ball of yarn in the stamp set! So Cute!

Both of these stamp sets are on the retiring list of products. They are available through June 2nd. Can you guess if I'm a cat person or a dog person? Here is a clue. I told my husband that if we got a dog, it needed to be about the size of a cat. Growing up in a family of seven kids, we didn't have any dogs, just cats. My older brother did get a large dog once he was back from a few years in the military and other siblings did too once they were out of the house. So, I'm truly a cat person. We have a dog and a cat now. Kit and Rosie. Rosie is a Shih Tzu. I think having both is great because you can let everyone have their favorite.

I hope you have enjoyed my cards today. Pets are so wonderful and so are these two stamp sets. Follow my blog so you don't miss out on posts and fun giveaways! If you are interested in placing an order for any products, It would be wonderful if you chose to order through me. The 2020 January-June Mini Catalog and Annual Catalog are in their last month of availability. With a minimum $50 order, I will send you a FREE gift as my thank you. Be sure to use the Hostess Code #HCE67GGG at check out. This lets me know to send you your FREE Gift. This will be a package of the Glitter Enamel Dots.

If you place a $150 order, don't use any hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. 

 Just ask me how

Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. Local in my area? Check out my classes and events. I love to get to make new friends.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Simple yet Stunning Sundays #4

Simple yet Stunning Sundays #4

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my Simple yet Stunning Sundays Series. Today it's all about simple and quick but stunning! This project uses just a few things for a super finish.

I used the Peaceful Poppies Elements which are all pre-cut for you. I really like the vellum leaves! The Elements come in a package with 2 sheets each of 4 different pieces like the poppy die cut flowers, the black accent pieces, the vellum poppies and leaves as well as the embossed water color poppies and leaves. It's all just great and makes your project super quick.

I also used the Artisan Textures Stamp set for the splash of color across the card. This stamp set is on the retiring list and is available through June 2nd. I love the textures. They can add so much to a project like this one. The stamped greeting is from the Peaceful Moments Cling Stamp set.

The inside of the card got a little dressed up too! I cut one of the banner pieces in half and then added one of the die-cut flower pieces. This is the perfect touch. 

Here are the measurements for my project:

1. Whisper White Thick Cardstock cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
2. Basic Black Cardstock cut at 5 1/4" x 4"
3. Whisper White Cardstock cut at 5" x 3 3/4"

I hope you have enjoyed my simple yet stunning project for today. It is a lot of fun to create. 

Be sure to check out all the products retiring from Stampin' Up! Remember, the Peaceful Poppies Elements are available until supplies last.

I hope you would follow my blog so you don't miss out on posts and fun giveaways! If you are interested in placing an order for any products, It would be wonderful if you chose to order through me. The 2020 January-June Mini Catalog and Annual Catalog are in their last month of availability. With a minimum $50 order, I will send you a FREE gift as my thank you. Be sure to use the Hostess Code #HCE67GGG at check out. This lets me know to send you your FREE Gift. This will be a package of the Glitter Enamel Dots. This special runs through May 15th. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use any hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. 

 Just ask me how

Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. Local in my area? Check out my classes and events. I love to get to make new friends.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Finding Inspiration Friday
Paper Players #448 Sketch Challenge

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for stopping in today for my Finding Inspiration Friday post. Today it's all about the Paper Players Sketch Challenge: PP488.

I always find inspiration with sketch challenges. It allows me to get right to the creativity with stamping since the layout is already done for you. Sometimes I think the layout is the hardest part!

I decided that using the Tropical Oasis Suite of products for my project today. With all the stay at home orders and the weather getting nicer, I'm sure we all wished we could escape to a beautiful island.

I loved creating this card! I used the 2" Circle Punch to cut a circle our of the white cardstock. Then I used that as a mask and sponged the setting sun with Terracotta Tile, Grapefruit Grove, and Daffodil Delight inks. To get a really smooth surface, you just have to keep rubbing the sponge over and over. I also used the Daffodil Stampin' Blend to give a little color to the palms of the trees. 

Some of the products in the Tropical Oasis Suite are now on the Stampin' Up! Retiring List and going quickly. The Tropical Oasis Trinkets and the Tropical Oasis Designer Series Paper are both on the list to retire and are available while supplies last. Other items I didn't use, but are also retiring from the Suite include the Tropical Oasis Memories & More Card Pack and the 5/16" Braided Burlap Ribbon. You can see all the retiring and still available products by clicking below. 

I hope you have enjoyed my inspiration today. You can see many other entries at the Paper Players Blog Post. You still have time to create your own project for this challenge too. 

I hope you have enjoyed my project today. Follow my blog so you don't miss out on posts and fun giveaways! If you are interested in placing an order for any products, It would be wonderful if you chose to order through me. The 2020 January-June Mini Catalog and Annual Catalog are in their last month of availability. With a minimum $50 order, I will send you a FREE gift as my thank you. Be sure to use the Hostess Code #HCE67GGG at check out. This lets me know to send you your FREE Gift. This will be a package of the Glitter Enamel Dots.

If you place a $150 order, don't use any hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. 

 Just ask me how

Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. Local in my area? Check out my classes and events. I love to get to make new friends.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper