Peonies and Paper Chains

Get Ready to Celebrate!

Hello, friends! Today, I'm sharing ideas for celebrating Independence Day here in the USA! Quite frankly, you can adapt the color palette for any holiday or occasion! With just a few paper crafting supplies you can create embellishments to jazz up any celebration!

For those visiting for the first time today from Mary Fish's Stampin Pretty blog where I am her Sunday guest stamper, welcome! And for those who've been to Peonies and Paper Chains before, welcome back!

Let me give you the details about my creations... 

The Lucky Stars Textured Impressions Folder and either the Star Framelits or the new Medium Star Punch to make a little pennant to adorn a serving bowl. So quick and easy! I used Stampin' Dimensionals to apply the star to the pennant as I love the added depth.

Using the brand new Triple Banner Punch, my Lucky Stars embossing folder, and toothpicks allowed me to transform basic Real Red and Night of Navy cardstock into decorative flags!

Placing the bite size brownies in a ceramic egg tray provides an unexpected serving twist AND provides an opportunity to use this tray beyond the Easter holiday.

Using a Circle punch and sewing machine, I was able to make a paper garland and to later snip off a small portion to decorate this "Pint and a Half" Mason Jar.  It is just the right size for holding a several boxes of sparklers!

Having grown up in New Hampshire (where fireworks and sparklers are perfectly legal), sparklers have long been a part of my 4th of July traditions. Living in the Granite State now, I can share this tradition with my girls.

I'm a big fan of garlands and you can easily make this either with or without a sewing machine. And, if you you are going to make one garland, I say make a few and layer them together! If you look closely, you'll notice that I used the Decorative Dots embossing folder on the Real Red pennants and the Lucky Stars folder on the Night of Navy ones.

The zig zag design is from the Work of Art stamp set -- definitely a fun twist on the traditional "stars + stripes" look!

This Take Out Box would be perfect for sending home treats with guests attending a holiday gathering that you are holding OR for bringing a hostess gift if you will spending the day at someone else's home. You could also fill a Take Out Box with all the supplies for s'mores (less the sticks for roasting) and hand out to everyone around a campfire!

The stamps are from Work of Art, the red polka dots were created with  a Sponge Dauber, and the double ended banners had their ends snipped with the Triple Banner Punch. I also used my Word Window punch to help weave my card stock "ribbon" around the box.

A big thank you to Mary for having me as her Stampin' Pretty Sunday guest stamper!

Hope that you are leaving with some ideas for ways to create a festive mood at your home over the holidays! Which idea are most likely to try?

 
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Pals Blog Hop: In with the new!

Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for June.  This month we are excited to show off new Stampin' Up! products from the just released 2015 - 2016 annual catalog.  We hope you find great inspiration from the projects.  Get your wish list ready!

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps, number 3 on the Pals Hop.  If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all the projects.

Today, I'm sharing a mini treat bag that is decorated using the new "I think You're Great" stamp set:

Mint Macaron cardstock was perfect for the treat bag base and the two-tone effect was created by applying Bermuda Bay ink with my brayer. This is one of my "go to" techniques!

I adore the tone-on-tone look of the Blushing Bride ink and cardstock...it provides a soft backdrop for the "way to go" sentiment. And, I think the gold sequin trim provides just the right amount of bling! 

Of course, after I finished and photographed the project, I realized that this seamed ribbon is retired...as in 2 years ago retired! Clearly I missed cleaning it out of my stash awhile ago! The perfect substitute is the 1/4" Cotton Ribbon in Blushing Bride and that is not one that I have on hand...sigh.

Let's take a look at the full stamp set:

Isn't it adorable? I can see getting a whole lot of mileage from this set!

Time to hop along! The next stop is Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations, number 5 on the Pals Blog Hop!  Thanks for visiting! 

Pal June Blog Hop Line-up:

1. Peggy Noe at prettypapercards.com
2. Shawn de Oliveira at ShawnStamps
3. Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps
4. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains - You are here!
5. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
6. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
7. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
8. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
9. Jennifer Michalski at stampingserenity.blogspot.com
10. Becky Volpp at InkBlossomwithBecky
11. Natalie Bradley at Soirée by Natalie Bradley
12. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
13. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
14. Deb Cozzone at Deb Cozzone's Stamping Zone
15. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
16. Maggie Mata at Maggie Mase Cards
17. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
18. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
19. Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
20. Brian King at Stamp with Brian
21. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
22. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
23. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
24. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
25. Amy Whelan at Amy's Inklings
26. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
27. Jessica Wilson at My Prapercraft Universe
28. Tricia Chuba at ButterDish Designs 
29. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
30. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
31. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
32. Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles
33. Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works by Shannon

 
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Bring on Regarding Dahlias for Pals Paper Arts!

 

Hello friends! I'm delighted to share these thank you cards that I whipped up as my latest Pals Paper Arts design team project.  And when I say whipped up, I mean that I made 20 of these note cards in under 30 minutes...not bad! School ends next week and I needed some more thank you cards for teacher gifts.

This week, the Pals Paper Arts challenge is a color challenge and if you have not guessed the palette already, it is:

Because Strawberry Slush just retired as an In Color, I substituted Melon Mambo in its place. And, as you'll note in the image below, my supplies were minimal: 

The only thing you don't see are a set of Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes and some Grid Paper to protect my work surface when using my brayer to create the So Saffron backdrop.

Be sure to take a look at all the design team projects! Then, pull out these colors, give them a whirl, and share your creation with us at Pals Paper Arts!

And before I sign off, I must say that I do love color challenges!  They are my fave...how about you?

Happy creating!

 
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So much to love...the new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog!

The 2015-2016 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog has launched and it is packed with so much to love...

Fabulous new stamps

Beautiful accessories

Gorgeous papers

Adorable kits

And so much more! Truly, so much to love!

 

View the 2015-206 Annual Catalog as a PDF

or

View and shop by category  in my online store.

 

Enjoy!

 
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Stars and Feathers for Pals Paper Arts!

Happy Thursday, friends!

Today I'm sharing my latest Pals Paper Arts design team project. It is based on our latest sketch challenge (PPA252) that just happens to have been design by yours truly:

When I created this sketch I distinctly recall debating between a vertical and horizontal orientation. And, while I used the horizontal orientation of the sketch, I'll be so curious to see if others (maybe even you) choose to flip it.

With this card, I used precisely 1 ink color (Blackberry Bliss), 2 card stock colors (Naturals White and Wisteria Wonder), plus a card base in Crumb Cake. However, as you look closely, you might think that more supplies were used.

The three shades for the feather come from "stamping off" by Blackberry Bliss ink.

The horizontal strip with the sentiment has some ink applied using my brayer.

The card front has several tones on it and to achieve the look I first applied some ink with my brayer and then I embossed the card stock. 

Lots of interest and minimal supplies...makes for easy clean up and I like that!

- - - 

If you'll recall, the title of the post is "Stars and Feathers for Pals Paper Arts" and I initially planned to share a patriotic project that is perfect for Memorial Day, July 4th, or Veterans Day (really, any day you want to celebrate the USA). Just as I was getting ready to apply my star embellishment, someone decided to apply an Old Olive star of their own:

I know just who I will be sending this card to and I am sure that they will love the addition of the green star! Certainly they will appreciate it MUCH more than I did when it was added one night earlier this week!

Be sure to visit Pals Paper Arts for all of the design team inspiration! After that, grab your supplies, get crafting, and share your project with us!

Wishing you a creative day!

 
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Stamp Review Crew: Four Feathers Edition

Welcome to the Stamp Review Crew: Four Feathers Edition blog hop! We are excited to be sharing ideas featuring the Four Feathers stamp set. We've got a great line-up for the hop and you may have just come over from Mike Funke at Stampin' Style or perhaps you are starting here...whichever is the case, I hope you will hop on through all the participant blogs for oodles of ideas!

 

As we approach the end of the school year I am gearing up for teacher thank you gifts. In my book one of the best gives we can give includes a set of hand stamped thank you cards! Using the Stampin' Up! Note Card and Envelope set, these are a breeze and very cost effective... 

As you can see the thank you cards that I have made are very quick and easy to make -- in my book that is essential when making a whole bunch of cards at once!

What I did:

• The backgrounds were applied using my brayer -- just roll on some color
• Stamped on the feathers from the Four Feathers stamp set and whether alone or in repetition, they are pretty.
• Added the "thank you" sentiment comes from the Lots of Thanks stamp set.
• In about 20 minutes I created 5 each of the 4 designs shown above...that's just a minute each!

In addition to the thank you notes, I made a coordinating thank you card for one of the teachers. It is a more intricate in design -- fitting for a teacher who give so much to ensure students have a wonderful year! 

As much as I thought you would enjoy seeing the thank you notes and card altogether, it just wasn't happening...

Apparently I did not actually snap an image of the dog walking in front of the cards. Trust me though he did cruise on by my photo staging zone! Let's face it though, I really can's complain to have such wonderful distractions!

Head over to see what Bronwyn Eastley at AddINKtive Designs has put together for you!

Happy hopping, friends!

                                        

 
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Pals May Blog Hop: Out with the Old!

Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for May where we are preparing for the retirement of some Stampin' Up! products.  Though it may be goodbye to some very loved supplies, it will make room for the much anticipated new catalog products.  We hope you enjoy the Pals' creative projects.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity, number 17 on the Pals Hop.  If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all the projects.

I'll be completely honest and tell you that I had an incredibly hard time deciding what to feature today. There are so many wonderful stamps and accessories that are retiring!  I contemplated sharing...

• some cards made using the #PLxSU Everyday Adventure Project Life Card Collection
• a banner using the Celebration Basics Kit 
• a handcarved stamp made with the Stamp Carving Kit

and a whole lot more. There were so many choices!

Ultimately, I put my Baby, We've Grown and High Five stamps to use, along with the Alphabet Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (what a steal at just $3.98 right now)...

 

I just love the little collection of stars from the High Five stamp set! I provides a sweet little touch.

Here's the full card:

 

The embossing folder is available while supplies last and the stamp set can be ordered until June 3 -- be sure not to miss out on these and other retiring products that you see in today's blog hop! 

The next stop is Amy Hoptay at Inking of You, number 19 on the Pals Blog Hop!  Thanks for visiting; I hope to see you on next month’s Pals Hop!

Blog Hop Line-up:

1. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards

2. Becky Volpp at Inkblossomwithbecky

3. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping

4. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy

5. Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps!

6. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit

7. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat

8. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom

9. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations

10. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose

11. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts By Patti

12. Natalie Bradley at Soirée by Natalie Bradley

13. Karen Hallam at Karen's Stampin' Habit!

14. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'

15. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie

16. Peggy Noe at prettypapercards

17. Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity

18. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains  -- YOU ARE HERE!

19. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You

20. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin

21. Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds 

22. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp

23. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn

24. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo

25. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine

26. Angela Curry at Kindred Stampers

27. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty

28. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie

29. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space

30. Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles

31. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping

32. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery's Owlery

Happy hopping!

 
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Birthday Wishes for PPA 250!

Hi there friends! It's time for the latest Pals Paper Arts color challenge and we have a fabulous combo for you this week! I had so much fun creating with it and I hope you will too! Here it is:

This fabulous palette pairs the retiring In Colors of Coastal Cabana and Baked Brown Sugar with Hello Honey, an In Color that is sticking with us until 2016. I'm sad to see Coastal Cabana and Baked Brown Sugar go...I've loved these colors and was so glad to pull them out for this challenge! 

Here's my project in full color:

We have a few birthdays coming up and this polka-dotted mini muslin bag will be just right for holding a little gift and/or gift card!

In the next image, I love how you can see the color variances in the polka dots that were added to the bag using my sponge dauber:

QUICK TIP:

Use a Mini Brad or a Candy Dots Base to hold together the ribbon and to directly attach it to the Mini Muslin Bag. Mini Glue Dots can then be used to attach the stamped "embellishment". For added stability, you could put the brad through the bottom piece of card stock...I did not do this, but I think it would work well!

Hope you'll grab your Coastal Cabana, Hello Honey, and Baked Brown Sugar and play along with us! Check out all of the design team inspiration over on the Pals Paper Arts blog and join us in using this combo!

Have a creative day!

 
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Purchase Stampin' Up! new catty sneak peeks now!

The 2015-2016 Stampin' Up! catalog goes live to customers on June2 and I can tell you it is packed with a whole slew of new and fabulous products...stamps, tools, accessories and more. So much on my wish list already!

One of the big perks of being a demonstrator (whether as a hobbyist or business builder) is to get to see and order new products before they go live! I'm guessing that some of you reading this would LOVE to see and purchase some of the new products now, and, by now, I mean today! The best thing is that you can!

View sneak peek products here...and then come right back for details on how to order now! And, if you want a look at the new host sets, take a peek at those too!

........

Okay, so, what did you think?

Would you LOVE the opportunity to spend just $99 (plus local tax) to get your hands on up to $125 worth of these products now? You can and here's how: 

• Go to here and select the "join now" button near the top. 
• Complete an Independent Demonstrator Agreement and then select up to $125 in products --- feel free to mix and match the sneak peek items with products from the current annual or occasions catalog, or any other items you can currently order in my online store! Note: The new 2015-2016 host sets are available at the full retail value during the sneak peek pre-order time.

There is NO obligation to purchase anything beyond the starter kit and there is no penalty to drop...it is a no risk purchase! What you'll gain is:

• a minimum 20% discount on any future purchases between now and then end of September 2015 (but remember if you don't want to, you don't have to);
• access to view the entire new annual catalog and other exclusive materials Stampin' Up! shares with demonstrators only;
• and, finally, my favorite -- the opportunity to become a part of a dynamic, supportive, and creative virtual community of paper crafting enthusiasts! When you purchase your kit through me you also become a part of Mary Fish's Stampin' Pretty Pals community. I've made so many connections with fellow crafters across the country from this and you can too!

Please be sure to email me kerry (at) kerrywillardbray (dot) com with any questions you may have!

Time for me to get back to drooling over the new catty and placing my own sneak peek order!

Happy creating, friends!

 
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Quick Gifts with Label Love!

Hello friends! I'm back after a little break and happy to be sharing a gift idea with you today! Ready to see some more of these mason jars?

These are some 6 oz. Ball canning jars that I filled with a few tea bags and some paper curls.

And were embellished using the Label Love stamp set, Deco Label punch, Gold Sequin Trim, and the Pom Pom Trim.

That is Brooklyn's hand in this photo -- she helped me put the jars together and to stage the photos.

Brooklyn really wanted to include our "garden girl" in the pictures.  Thank you again, Miss Sue for this -- we love it. Unfortunately, there is way too much glare on the jars in this shot.

These jars were so quick and easy to make! And when I say quick, I mean 30 minutes from start to finish for the 4 jars I made...yes, 30 minutes! Could you travel to a gift store and purchase 4 gifts in that time? I know it would be a challenge for me to do so! 

Some of my fellow Stampin' Pretty Pals were the recipients of the jars -- Michelle Quinno and Martie Pollard -- and another went to Martie's friend Holly. I got to see them over the weekend and although I only got to see them for a very short time, it was so nice to do so!

Quick Tips:

• Paper curls can be made in minutes -- cut narrow strips of Designer Series Paper (1/4" to 1/2" wide by 6" long) and use a bone folder to curl. If not as curly as you'd like, quickly twist around your pinkie finger.
• When embellishing the jar, double up some Baker's Twine and tie it around the base of the lid (there is a little lip of glass that will hold it in place). Next, grab your sequin and Pom Pom trim and use the excess Baker's Twine to knot on the trim so it will fall loosely.

Again, these are so quick and easy...give them a try!

Enjoy a little creativity today!

 
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P.S. About that little break...Last week was school vacation week in New Hampshire and we took the girls on a trip. We went to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos and we stopped in New York City on the way. It was lots of fun! I did pack a couple Paper Pumpkin kits to work on while we were away but we never sat long enough in our hotel to work on them at all!