Thursday, March 31, 2011

There's Still Time to Play with The Paper Players

There's still time to play with our Sketch Challenge this week created by Nance!  To add your creation to the current challenge and to see the Design Team samples, please click HERE.


Our Rules for Playing:
  1. Create a NEW project for this challenge.
  2. Be sure to link your blog with a direct link to the post you would like us to visit.
  3. Please put a link on your post to our challenge.
  4. Create a project with only 3 challenges including our challenge.
  5. Feel free to use any stamping products you have!
Be sure to post your project to the linky by Friday, April 1st at Midnight (PST).

We look forward to visiting your blog!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Challenge #40 - It's a Sketch Challenge



Hello and welcome to the Paper Players, Nance here as your hostess for our monthly sketch challenge! I'm excited to bring you a sketch I designed and can't wait to see your interpretation! The design team have some great cards again for you this week. Speaking of our design team we would like to send big thanks out to Marian, our March guest designer, who is spending her last week with us. Thank you Marian! So let's see what the team made for you with this week's sketch.


 
The Design Team Samples:
Jaydee: jaydeestamping
Nance Leedy - Canopy Crafts
LeAnne Pugliese - WeeInklings
Ann Schach - The Stampin' Schach
Lesley Croghan - Always Playing with Paper
Anne Marie Hile - Stampin' Anne
Marian Garcia - Studio M by Marian


Our Rules for Playing:
  1. Create a NEW project for this challenge.
  2. Be sure to link your blog with a direct link to the post you would like us to visit.
  3. Please put a link on your post to our challenge.
  4. Create a project using just 3 challenges including our challenge.
  5. Feel free to use any stamping products you have!

Be sure to post your project to the linky by Friday, April 1st (no foolin'!) at Midnight (PST).


We look forward to visiting your blog!



Saturday, March 26, 2011

Challenge #39-Clean and Simple Winners

Hi Everyone.
Phenomenal cards this week. So many incredible creations really made it difficult for the team to choose. Thank you to all of you who played along in our inaugural CAS challenge. It was such a pleasure visiting with you all.

Without further ado, here are the design team choices for Cut Above. Congratulations to all of our winners.

Nance's choice: Allison Ohran

Oh my gosh--I loved Allison's elegant and sophisticated take on our sketch this week! Love the Crumb Cake base with just a sliver mat of black but the real show stopper for me are those flowers! I love how they look in the trio of neutrals and the hemp twine is the finishing touch on this naturally elegant beauty--congratulations Allison!


Ann's Choice - Julie DiMatteo

"Cute to the max" describes Julie's adorable card! With its trio of cheerful buttons, this clean and simple card would put the "happy" in anyone's birthday! It's a perfect interpretation of the sketch! I loved how crisply Julie stamped the sentiment. Just look how the hemp twine sets off those fabulous buttons. Of course, the Pear Pizzazz bow is just the icing on the cake! Congratulations, Julie for being my selection for A Cut Above!

Lesley's Choice - Jenn Picard


I chose Jenn's crisp and bright card because of the clean lines! The thin piece of Espresso paper outlining the main rectangle made the card pop! The butterflies look so cute, stamped each way and then popped up slightly in the middle. I love that she used the Nursery Sweet DSP...and of course the light and airy bow, made the card all come together perfectly! Congratulations Jenn!

LeAnne's Choice - Teresa Giordano


I love the colors that Teresa chose; the elegant colors of black, red and vanilla paired with the Manhattan Flower embossing folder and satin ribbon made for a stunning clean & simple card. That embossing flower looks totally different when it is trimmed down for the main panel! I thought the sweet little "Mr & Mrs" fit so nicely in the empty space---just a real beauty all the way around! Congratulations, Teresa!

Marian's Choice: Pam


Pam Giudici from Alabama amazing masterpiece brought a huge smile to my face this week. This gal can think outside the box. I love her attention to details and all aspects of the card. Her circles are filled with happiness, clean, crisp and classy. Love the extra PIZZAZ with the rhinestones and especially the polka dot background and how it adds so much strength. Congratulations Pam! Your card is wonderfully accomplished.

Anne Marie's Choice: Linda



Linda is my choice for A Cut Above this week because I just love how she used a clean and simple design, with so many wonderful details. The little rosebuds are so sweet and the soft color just pops off the neutral background. I really liked how she used the border punch to create such a gorgeous accent to her ribbon, too. So creative! Congratulations Linda, your card is gorgeous!

And for our HEADLINER this week.....

Jaydee's Choice: Elaine

This fabulous clean and simple beauty from Elaine really made me smile! I loved the amazing amount of texture and interest that she captured in this card and the little pop of red for the truck was the perfect touch. The vertical lines of the terrain and the black stripe were offset by the punched holes. The black and red matting were perfect for the focal point. Absolutely loved this card. Congratulations, Elaine.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Challenge #39 ~ Clean and Simple

Hello and welcome to the Paper Players! This week we are introducing a new challenge. We have decided to add a Clean and Simple Challenge each month for you to enjoy! This week's CAS Challenge is a sketch created by the lovely Jaydee! Jaydee was unable to post this week, so I have stepped in for her! The new Clean and Simple theme is her wonderful idea and the Design Team is delighted!


Here is the sketch! Feel free to flip it, put the sketch on its side, use a different shape for the centre, create a square card with the sketch, use ribbon, or a punch! The sky's the limit, so come on and join us this week!

Clean and Simple creations:
  • use lots of white space
  • use few or no embellishments
  • use few layers
The Design Team had a great time designing for this challenge! We know you will too!


LeAnne Pugliese - WeeInklings

Lesley Croghan - Always Playing with Paper

Ann Schach - The Stampin' Schach

Nance Leedy - Canopy Crafts

Anne Marie Hile - Stampin' Anne

Marian Garcia - Studio M by Marian

Our Rules for Playing:
  1. Create a NEW project for this challenge.
  2. Be sure to link your blog with a direct link to the post you would like us to visit.
  3. Please put a link on your post to our challenge.
  4. Create a project with only 3 challenges including our challenge.
  5. Feel free to use any stamping products you have!

Be sure to post your project to the linky by Friday, March 25th at Midnight (PST).

We look forward to visiting yor blog!


Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Paper Players Colour Challenge #38 Winners

Happy Saturday to all! What a beautiful collection of cards this week! Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride and Early Espresso never looked more lovely! With so many stunning entries, the Design Team certainly had tough decisions to make. Without further ado, here are the Cut Aboves:

LeAnne's Choice - Sandra

What a gorgeous way to use Ann's colors! This simple yet elegant card uses only a few images, but the small extra touches that Sandra added--stitching, ruffled ribbon and an eyelet border--kicked it up to top-notch! Her coloring of the beautiful butterflies is awesome! Congratulations, Sandra!

Lesley's Choice - Jackie Bowman

I love what Jackie did with Ann's colours this week. First of all, she used my favourite stamp set and I love the way she coloured and sponged the main image. The funky easel card fold looks fabulous and I love that she created something so unique. Very pretty and classy! Congratulations, Jackie!

Jaydee's Choice - Rachel's Floral Frenzy

I loved Rachel's bold, graphic take on Ann's colors. The gradations of pink and blue really appealed to me. I also loved the repetition of the bling on the top left corner and on the tag. The sentiment "thank you for your generosity" seemed to fit this card so well. It really felt like a huge bunch of flowers had been delivered. Absolutely loved it! Congratulations, Rachel.



Marian's Choice - Rita Wright

I have chosen this week Rita Wright's (Rita's Creations aka Cards by Rita) simple yet charming card. I am crazy for polka dots and was drawn to how it sets off the background along with the scallop square layout. And, not to mention the cute little owl with the sweet Blushing Bride heart. Rita's creation is the perfect touch for simplicity! Congratulations Rita!


Nance's choice - Sarah Milbourn

Polka dots, clouds, trees and birds just make me happy and Sarah's card has all of that and more! I love that she used a large piece of the polka dot paper to really show off the large scale dots which also coordinate with the large circle as her focal point. The repetition of color is great too--how the one little blue bird ties in with the blue sky and card base and the espresso bow connects with the brown bird and tree trunk. It all keeps your eye moving and is perfectly balanced. Great job Sarah! Congratulations!


Anne Marie's Pick - Cindy Beach

I have chosen Cindy's beautiful card as A Cut Above this week because I really like how she incorporated Ann's colors with the cherry blossom image and the great shading on the background paper. The double bow and perfectly placed pearls were a great way to dress up the card, too. Even her dog knew those pearls were a sweet accent because she devoured them on Cindy's first attempt at this card. Congratulations Cindy, on both your Cut Above pick and for putting this card together twice for the challenge this week! :)


And our Headliner this week is:

Ann's Choice - Elizabeth Price

From the paper pieced sewing machine to the "scrunchied" tape measure, Elizabeth's card was "Sew Suite"! She used the challenge colors perfectly and added "sew" many "suite" details, including the linen thread and fabric brad. Of course, the pearls on the pin cushion were the perfect touch! Congratulations, Elizabeth on being named this week's Headliner!
Thank you to all who participated in this week's challenge. Please make certain to join us tomorrow when we present our first Clean and Simple Sketch challenge!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Still time to play with the Paper Players!

Hello and welcome to the Paper Players! There is still time to participate in our pretty Colour Challenge this week! 


To view the current challenge and to see the Design Team samples please click HERE.

Our Rules for Playing:

  1. Create a NEW project for this challenge.
  2. Be sure to link your blog with a direct link to the post you would like us to visit.
  3. Please put a link on your post to our challenge.
  4. Create a project using just 3 challenges including our challenge.
  5. Feel free to use any stamping products you have!
Be sure to post your project to the linky by Friday, March 18th at Midnight (PST).

We look forward to visiting yor blog!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Challenge #38: Ann's Color Challenge



Welcome everyone to our monthly color challenge! This month I have selected a trio of soft colors that will be perfect for your Spring creations: Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla. Although the Design Team uses Stampin' Up! products, we want you to feel free to use any brand you like. If you don't have these same colors, don't despair...feel free to substitute with a similar hue! At The Paper Players, we are all about having fun!


The Design Team Samples:




Ann Schach ~ The Stampin' Schach


Nance Leedy ~ Canopy Crafts




LeAnne Pugliese - WeeInklings





Anne Marie Hile~ Stampin' Anne

 Marian Garcia ~ Studio M

Our Rules for Playing:

  1. Create a NEW project for this challenge.
  2. Be sure to link your blog with a direct link to the post you would like us to visit.
  3. Please put a link on your post to our challenge.
  4. Create a project with only 3 challenges including our challenge.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Paper Players Theme Challenge #37 Winners

Happy Saturday to everyone! We really enjoyed ALL of your springtime creations! I know they certainly brightened my little corner of the world! Without further ado, here are the Cut Aboves chosen by our Design Team:

Ann's Choice: Ann Craig

What says "Spring" better than Blossoms 'n Bunnies! These Easter baskets, designed by Ann Craig, are just adorable! With their soft colors and delightful images, they will certainly be a hit with their recipients! Congratulations, Ann, for being my Cut Above this week!


Nance's choice: Liliana Inguanti

I chose Liliana's card because I loved how the clean design really lets the gorgeous flowers and bold colors pop off the page! I admire her mix of Pacific Point--a color I always struggle with!--with green, pink and yellow for a bright and cheerful card. And that big flower is gorgeous as the focal point nestled in the green satin ribbon. Just beautiful! Congratulations Liliana!


Jaydee's Choice: Ruza's Spring

Pink and green just seem so perfect for Spring and Ruza's It's Spring card really made me smile. I loved all the little flowers with the pearl middles. The curved shapes echoed against the scalloped background. The textured feel of the lovely green background paper worked beautifully with the texture of the ribbon. Everything seemed to work together to highlight the "It's Spring" sentiment. Wonderful card, Ruza thanks for making me think Spring is almost here!


Lesley's Choice: Christine's Daisies

Christine's beautiful card caught my eye this week! I love the three daisies, all stamped at different parts of the squares and coloured in different Spring hues! The velum sentiments were a cool touch, and added a "light as spring" airy feeling! The unqiue shape and rounded edges made this card a wow for me! Congratulations Christine!
Marian's Choice: Vicki Burdick

Vicki rocks! She has created another winner! I know Vicki's creations personally and she has the most beautiful, clean, adorable cards. Every detail to perfection. Be sure to visit her blog (It's a Stamp Thing). These color choices of Perfect Plum and Certainly Celery are simply gorgeous along with sweet matching DSP. Her layout, water coloring and cutting skills are superb. Congratulations, Vicki Burdick of MO.

And for my Headliner choice, I have chosen Joanna, with this gorgeous creation:


Joanna's choice of bright colors and the carefully-colored image really make her card pop! I love the texture she achieved by embossing both panels, and her flowers, pearls and lace remind me of a well-dressed lady of a bygone era! Wonderful creation, Joanna, and congratulations on being the Paper Players Headliner this week!

Thanks again for playing with us, and be sure to stop back tomorrow when Ann will have a Color Challenge for you!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Still time to Play with the Paper Players!

There is still time to play with our current Theme Challenge ~ Spring has Sprung!  Click HERE to see the challenge samples and to link your project!



Remember:
  • You are welcome to create a 3D project, a scrapbook page, card or other paper craft
  • All products are welcome
  • You have until Friday, March 12th at midnight (PST) to post your creation
We can't wait to visit your blog to see your Spring Inspired creation!

The Paper Players

Monday, March 7, 2011

Welcome back to Anne-Marie Hile!

If you are looking for this week's Paper Players Theme Challenge ~ Spring Has Sprung ~ please click HERE.


We have an exciting announcement to make!  The Paper Players are excited and happy to welcome back November's Guest Designer Anne-Marie Hile.  Anne-Marie is a wonderful person and a talented paper crafter!  She will be joining the Design Team for the next quarter, from now until the end of June 2011! 

Please join us in welcoming Anne-Marie back to the Paper Player team!!  To visit Anne-Marie's blog please click HERE.

Anne-Marie will be joining us this week as a participant in the Theme Challenge but starting next week, she will be adding her design creations to the blog and helping to choose winners for our challenges!!  Welcome back AM!!!  We can't wait to get crafty with you again!!

Big Hugs!
The Paper Players Design Team

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Paper Players Theme Challenge #37--Spring has Sprung!

Happy Sunday, peeps! LeAnne here! It's time for another Paper Players Challenge, and I am your hostess this week! Are you tired of winter? Is it still cold where you live? Well, let's put some spring in our steps and make some spring projects---Spring has Sprung!



Show us your springy creations---use some pastel colors or a floral theme---anything that brings spring to mind! We use SU products, but feel free to use anything you like. Be sure to load your creation on The Paper Players blog by midnight (PST) on Friday, March 11th to be considered for the design team's selections! And speaking of our design team, let's see what they have created for you:


Nance Leedy - Canopy Crafts


Lesley Croghan - Always Playing with Paper


Ann Schach - The Stampin' Schach


Marian Garcia - Studio M

LeAnne Pugliese - WeeInklings