Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Announcing the Paper Players Summer Design Team Members and June's Guest Designer

Good morning!  If you are looking for our current "Anything Goes" challenge, please click HERE.

I would like to announce our new Summer DT members and our Guest Designer for June at the Paper Players.  Before I do, I would like to thank Rita Wright of Rita's Creations for her wonderful work as our Guest Designer for May!  She was a wonderful addition to the team and we adored getting to know her!  Thank you Rita!

Thank you to everyone who applied to be on our design team for the summer.  We were blown away by the talent of everyone who applied.  We had over 25 superb applicants! 
As a team, we narrowed it down to two people who will join us for the summer months!  We are pleased to welcome Lauri Ingram of Paperville and Sandra Azzopardi of Sandra's Stamping Spot.

Both ladies are avid participants at the Paper Players challenge blog and both are wonderfully talented!!!  Congratulations ladies!

This week I will be properly introducing these two lovely ladies with a photo and a bio.  I will also like to welcome our Guest Designer for June, Cindy Beach of Stamps, Paper and Ink.  Cindy has also been playing at the Paper Players and has a beautiful style that I know you will love! More about Cindy later this week as well! Congratulations CIndy!

Thank you again to everyone who submitted their work!  We loved visiting your blogs and meeting you!!!  You made our decision a tough one!  We hope you will continue to support the Paper Players and keep joining us in our challenges.  This promises to be a fun-filled summer!!!  We have a new catalogue from Stampin' Up launching soon and of course, the current Summer catalogue is in full swing!!!

Enjoy your day and happy stamping!
Lesley and the Paper Players

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Challenge #49: Anything Goes!

Welcome friends!  This week The Paper Players have a bonus challenge for you...Anything Goes!!  Your favorite technique, your favorite colors, your favorite sketch--whatever your creative mind can dream up!


Although the Design Team uses Stampin' Up! products, we want you to feel free to use any brand you like. At The Paper Players, we are all about having fun!

The Design Team Samples:

May Guest Designer: Rita Wright
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!
To be fair to all participants, submissions that do not follow our rules will be deleted with respect.  Thank you for your understanding.

Be sure to post your project to the linky by Friday, June 3rd at Midnight (PST).
We look forward to visiting your blog!


Friday, May 27, 2011

Challenge #48: Sketch Challenge Winners

Wowza, you gals rock! What a terrific week of sketch challenge entries! We loved peeking into your blogs and seeing how each of you interpreted our sketch. Thank you to all who played along with us! The design team has some fabulous choices for Cut Above and as always, y'all make it a challenge for us to select the winners! Let's see, shall we?

The Cut Above Winners for this week are:

Ann's choice: Kim at Joyful Creations
The bold color scheme immediately drew my eyes to Kim's card. I love the butterfly with its bling, and the bold Kiwi Kiss leaves. The white embossing is complimented by the white matting behind the delicious pattern paper. The result is a birthday card that anyone would love to receive! Great job, Kim, and congrats on being my choice for A Cut Above.

Lesley's choice: Cindy at Stamps, Paper and Ink

Cindy’s bright and cheerful card caught my eye this week; these are some of my favourite colours! I love that this card was inspired by a little girl’s dress that Cindy saw! The crisp white backdrop and the scallop sides of the main panel enhance the gorgeous floral image. I loved the ribbon treatment and the wee tag that is hanging off the ribbon! That new sentiment she used is also super duper cute! Congratulations Cindy!

LeAnne's choice: Denise at Chez Moi Creations

This fun little creation of Denise's caught my eye right away! I think the surprise of the white image on the black background really makes it stand out and those little brads on the wheels are the icing on the cake! "Enjoy the journey" is the perfect sentiment too! Congrats on being my Cut Above, Denise!


Anne Marie's choice: Leena at A La Cards

Leena's "Fun in the Sun" card made me want to immediately head to the beach! Surfs up, dude! I just loved all of the fun color and texture she added while keeping her design clean and simple. I especially liked the sun accent she added by creatively using a scalloped circle punch. Congratulations, Leena on being my pick for A Cut Above this week!

Jaydee's choice: Joanna at Inspired by Stamping

I fell in love with Joanna's card the minute I saw it. There is so much fabulosity on this card and it all comes together in perfect harmony. From the two-toned textured background; the fabulous stitching around the circular focal point; the beautifully snipped butterflies; the stamping under the butterflies; the single rhinestone brad; the textured vertical layer overlaid with organza ribbon. Absolutely gorgeous. Absolute perfection. Congratulations on being my CUT ABOVE this week, Joanna.

Rita's choice: Carrie at Artistic Avenger

I just had to choose Carrie's card this week. She blows my mind with her amazing creations and this one is no exception. There are so many gorgeous details on her card, from the antique brad to the pearls, but her happy hat definitely steals the show. Congratulations for being my Cut Above this week, Carrie!

And our Headliner is......
Nance's choice: Heidi at Stuck on Stampin'

The fresh and modern color combination of Heidi's card drew me in right away--I never would have put these colors together but they look fantastic don't they? I love the striped paper that lends a circus feel to the card that is perfect with the sweet mama and baby elephant. I also love how Heidi repeats circles throughout her card--from the polka dot embossed background, to the white gel pen dots, to the hearts in a circle all wrapped up in fabulous color palette that just says "pick me", "pick me"--well at least that's what I heard! Congratulations, Heidi you're this week's Headliner!

What a great week, congratulations to all the winners! Please check back tomorrow when LeAnne will bring us a fun challenge that you're sure to enjoy!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Challenge Reminder!

There is still time to join us for this week's sketch challenge hosted by Nance!  To find our challenge, please click HERE.



The challenge ends on Friday, May 27th at Midnight (PST).


Sunday, May 22, 2011

Challenge 48: A Sketch Challenge

Hello and welcome to the Paper Players, Nance here! This week it's sketch time and I have designed a simple sketch for you to try. Creative license is perfectly fine when it comes to sketches. Feel free to flip it, rotate it or change the shapes just as long as the orginal design is still visible!
Although the Design Team uses Stampin' Up! products, feel free to use any brand you like. At The Paper Players, we are all about having fun!

The Design Team Samples:


May Guest Designer: Rita Wright

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, May 27th at Midnight (PST).
We look forward to visiting your blog!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Challenge #46 Color Challenge Winners

Despite the rocky start with the infamous Blogger meltdown, everyone rocked Ann's Color Challenge #46--using the challenge colors in a variety of creative ways! Thank you for inspiring us with both masculine AND feminine projects using Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy and Early Espresso. Let's take a look at the Design Team favorites!

A Cut Above:

Lesley's Choice-
Christy Q of Schnauzer Crafts
I chose Christy's card because of the clean lines and the interesting brads she used on the side of the card! The embossed background looks amazing while the simple sentiment, done off center with another small brad, allowed the beautiful main image to stand out! An awesome card for any man!

Nance's Choice - Cindy of Creations by Cindy
I chose Cindy's card because I love the fact that she made a feminine card with this week's colors! I love the wheeled stitches, the faux stitching and those sweet little buttons. Cindy, for thinking outside the box this week, you're my choice for A Cut Above!
LeAnne's Choice - Tui Nathan of Stampin Time
The clean simplicity of this card is already appealing to me, but Tui added just the right embellishments to step it up and make it even more fun and interesting! She employed the "rule of three" with her three little stairstep stems as well as the bow, the brad and the vellum banner. Mounting it on the Early Espresso card base, leaving a broad border, frames the whole creation perfectly! Love it! Congratulations on being my Cut Above, Tui!

Anne Marie's Choice: Tara Bilbao of Tara Bee Ink
I really liked how Tara showcased the color combo with her clean design and beautiful mix of textures. The soft distressing around the edges is the perfect finishing touch on this fantastic Congrats card. Congratulations to YOU Tara, on being my pick this week for A Cut Above!

Jaydee's Choice -
I loved that Sandra's clean and simple layout was so full of texture and the bike image absolutely popped off the page. The twine, distressed edges and fabulous coloring all worked together to produce a card that was simple in layout, but stunning in execution. Absolutely fabulous! Congratulations, Sandra on being my CUT ABOVE this week.

Rita's Choice - Heidi of Stuck on Stampin'

I was drawn to Heidi's beautiful card as soon as I saw it.  I love that she was able to make a gorgeous neutral card with some very masculine colors.  Her details are great from seam binding to the scallop border...it just all goes together so perfectly.  The clip is my favorite part.  It is perfect paired with the "note" part of the sentiment.  Congratulations, Heidi!

The Headliner:
Ann's Choice -
From the texture to the twine, this masculine card by Julie Gearinger is right up my alley! I love how she masked the moon, and then matted the image circle upon both Not Quite Navy and Early Espresso. The stamping behind the sentiment sets it off perfectly, while the paper snipped anchor ties the image and sentiment together. Congratulations, Julie for being this week's Headliner!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this week's challenge. We hope you join us tomorrow for Nance Leedy's fabulous sketch challenge! See you then!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Challenge Extension and Design Team Call

Happy Saturday!!!  If you are looking for the Design Team Call Post please click HERE.  Usually we post our winners for our weekly challenge today but due to the Blogger problems that happened this week, we have decided to extend our colour challenge for one more week!!!  Tomorrow some of the Paper Players DT Members MAY post another card using these colours on their personal blog!  In the meantime, you have until midnight on Friday, May 20 (PST) to play along with us!!!


Hello and welcome to The Paper Players monthly color challenge! This month we have selected a trio of popular colors: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, and Early Espresso. You may also add any Neutral of your choice, such as Whisper White, Very Vanilla or even Crumb Cake. 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:





May Guest Designer: Rita Wright

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, May 20th at Midnight (PST).
We look forward to visiting your blog!


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Design Team Call

Design Team Call

Summer is fast approaching and the Paper Players need two more Design Team Members for our June, July and August challenges.  We would like to invite you to apply for one of these DT positions which will last for 3 months (June, July and August 2011).  Anyone is welcome to apply, even if you have been a past Guest Designer for us.

Design Team Members:
  • Must comment on submissions for each challenge
  • Must create a scrapbook page, card or 3D item for each challenge
  • Must use Stampin' Up Products for their DT creations
If you would like to apply, please email me by Monday, May 30th at 5pm (PST). 

Please include the following in your email:
  1. Your Name:
  2. Website/Blog address:
  3. And please attach 3 projects you have created
Send your email to thepaperplayers@yahoo.ca (Re: Summer DT Member)

Thank you!  We will be announcing our two new DT members on Wednesday, June 1st.

All the best!
Lesley and the Paper Players

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Challenge #45 Theme Challenge Winners

Wow! Everyone really rocked this week's challenge--lots of flowers, but there were some bees, trees and birds as well! Thanks for helping us welcome spring with your fun creations! Now let's see what favs everyone picked!


The Cut Aboves:


Rita's Choice - Joanna M of Inspired by Stamping



Joanna's beautiful card really stood out to me because of the soft color combination. I love the texture, the layers, and the dimension she achieved when she put all the elements together. The beautiful flower at the top topped off with those gorgeous pearls is just divine! Congratulations, Joanna.


Ann's Choice - Debbles Dabbles

In creating this lovely card, Deb used one of my favorite sets, Nature Walk. Texture, lace and flowers all contribute to the soft, vintage feel which I adore. Congratulations, Deb, on being A Cut Above this week!


Anne Marie's Choice: Pam G. of Wacky Whippet Stamper

Everything about Pam's card makes me smile! From the pretty color combo, to the fabulous mix of textures, this is one "tweet" card, indeed. The baker's twine and bling are the perfect accents, too. Congratulations, Pam on being my choice for A Cut Above this week!

Lesley's Choice: Sandra's Stamping Spot

I chose Sandra's card because of the fabulous flowers she created! I love the Colours, the Lace and the bird made from the DSP looks terrific on this card! Congratulations Sandra!

Jaydee's Choice: Rosemary

I loved Rosemary's shabby chic card the minute I saw it. the wrinkled corners, distressed edges, layers of lace and ribbon, bees, glitter brads.... all of these elements were pulled together on this extraordinary card. Rosemary didn't miss a detail - including folding down some of the pieces of the ledger layer. Even the color scheme had that fabulously shabby chic feel. All round gorgeousness! Congratulations on being a Cut Above this week, Rosemary.

And the Headliner for my theme challenge is:


Jen Picard of A New Ink on Life


I must tell you, I shy away from digital scrapbooking, mostly because I don't know how to do it!!! LOL!!! But when I saw Jen's page here, which is a hybrid page, done in these gorgeous soft colors, and the sweet grin of her daughter, I was over the edge! Her CAS style, the unique cork butterfly, the little hidden journaling tag, everything about it said spring!!! Thanks for participating, Jen, and congratulations!


And thanks to everyone who participated! It was so much fun to see all your creations. Be sure to stop back tomorrow when Ann will be our hostess with a color challenge!!


Hugs,
LeAnne

Thursday, May 5, 2011

There's Still Time to Play

There's still time to participate in LeAnne's Theme Challenge this week! 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!
The linky will close on Friday, May 6th at Midnight (PST).

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Challenge #45: LeAnne's Theme Challenge


Hello and welcome to the Paper Players! LeAnne here, and it is my turn to host the challenge! Spring has finally arrived --the keyword being FINALLY! It took its good old sweet time here in Pennsylvania. The trees have budded, the flowers are blooming and the bees are buzzing, so I thought a nature theme to celebrate the emerging season would be appropriate! Create a card or project using birds, bees, flowers and/or trees! It can be realistic or fun & funky--your choice! Can't wait to see what you create! Now let's see what the team has come up with this week!

The Design Team Samples:

Lesley Croghan
LeAnne Pugliese
Anne Marie Hile

Rita Wright

Ann Schach
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, May 6 at Midnight (PST).
We look forward to visiting yor blog!