Tag... You're It!

Hello sweet folks! If you celebrate this beautiful season, are you ready? Have you made your lists and checked them twice? I have to say, I am about 2/3 of the way there. I am trying to "be still" however and realize that the real reason for the season is so much more important than if I bake cookies or get that one last gift. :-)

Having said that, we all need a "time out" to create, don't we? That's why this week over on the Power Poppy Blog, I ushered in a super dooper easy challenge for this week's Creative Confetti! I tried to focus on something small that you could do to 1. get in the spirit and 2. take some coloring time for yourself!

HOW TO PLAY: It's just as simple as the graphic says! Create a gift tag! Now, while my little bit of inspiration below is a Christmas tag, it doesn't have to be! Make one to have on hand for birthdays or any other holiday for that matter. I just knew this was something quick and easy that would still give you some time to create! Once you are done creating, all you need to do is link up your creation HERE! 

On to my creation! 

I decided, for my tag, to pick up a medium that I don't often gravitate toward  -- watercolor! It's soothing and I love the dreamy feel it creates when your project is all wrapped up. To get started, I picked up the Power Poppy set called Let Your Heart Be Light. I love, love, LOVE those poinsettias!

To create, I have to say I followed some of the same principles that Ally used in THIS tutorial. Now, I don't have Brusho but I did use Distress Inks to both stamp (Vintage Photo) and paint (Barn Door, Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Antique Paper).  I started by stamping in Vintage Photo and then added a wash using Tattered Rose Distress Ink using a water brush. From there, I just added droplets of ink from my reinkers to a palette and diluting the color, gradually built up my color to where I wanted it to be. Now, I don't pretend to be an expert on watercolor. I have a lot still to learn about shading and really controlling the color but, each project is a chance to hone in on that. 

Here's a close up for you! I am kind of a "scribbler" when I watercolor and just let the ink flow where it wants to. Again, stuff I need to work on! ;-) 

Now, it's your turn! Do you have a last minute tag you'd like to create for that special gift or special someone? I hope you play along with me this week HERE because "Tag, You're It!" After you get those fingers inky, remember to link up your creation below. If you play along, you'll be in the running for a $25 gift code to the Power Poppy Shop! 

I happen to know that a few of the Bloomies are on standby, hoping you'll hop on over and pay them a visit! Go and see what they have creatively whipped up for all to see! ;-)

Christine Okken
Julie Koerber >>> you are here!
Tosha Leyendekker

I hope you have a beautiful holiday with family and make some amazing memories to cherish for years to come!

Blessings & Peace!

~Julie

Cyber Monday is Here!

Just when you thought the deals couldn't get any sweeter... Power Poppy hits you with Cyber Monday specials! And, on top of that, Marcy is releasing a whole new crop of digital stamps that are sure to be perfect additions for your holiday card making! Check it out sweet peeps! 

That's right, from 12:01 Monday to midnight the next night, you can stock up on stamps, dies, and digis, including a slew of brand new digis! Just use the code 20CYBER for 20% off your entire order. Simply use the code at checkout and you'll be able to cash in on those savings!

Power Poppy is also hosting a Holiday Digital Blitz, offering holiday images that used to only be available in clear stamps! Woo Hoo!

You can check out all the new Holiday Digital Blitz images HERE but I'll give you a sneaky peek at some of the images that will now be ready to snap up, download, print and color!

Snowy Church (from the O Holy Night Stamp Set)

Mittens and Merriment (from the Bough Wow Wow stamp set)

Glass Ornament Bough (from the Bough Wow Wow stamp set)

Handlettered Joy to the World (from the Joyful Arrangements stamp set)

Paperwhites and Juniper (from the Glistening Paperwhites stamp set)

Country Home Christmas (from the Simple Joys stamp set)

Filigree Tree (from the Botanical Tree stamp set)

....plus a handful of other completely adorable images! Like I said, you can check out all the Holiday Digital Blitz images HERE!  

Need a little more inspiration before you hit the Power Poppy Shop? Hop on over to see these amazing ladies! 

Julie Koerber
Stacy Morgan
Nancy Sheads
Barb Walker
Leslie Miller 

Have fun shopping, downloading, printing and coloring and I'll see y'all back here real soon! 

~Julie 

HAPPIEST HOLIDAY 2018 -- RELEASE DAY!

Happy Hello all! And.... welcome to the final day of the Happiest Holiday Release. It's the final day because right this very minute now -- all of the sets that we've been sneaky peeking -- are LIVE in the Power Poppy Shop HERE!

We do have one final set to show off and I tell ya, this one is an absolute show stopper! Take a gander, will you?

Amaryllis Bliss features a blossom that just so happens to be the quintessential winter scene stealer! Placed in pots or nestled into arrangements, showy Amaryllis blooms festoon mantels and holiday tables, sparkle from windowsills and consistently elicit gasps of "ooh" and "ahh". How about a few blissful Amaryllis on your cards, too? A trio of flowers beg to be colored in delicious reds, pinks, and whites — accented by your choice of greenery. Sprigs of fragrant cedar and jasmine would love to be tucked under the petals. A few Amaryllis leaves are included, too! There's also three pretty sentiments sharing holiday peace. Just a note -- Power Poppy will also have dies to match this beauty!

On to my creation!

After stamping not only the main image but a trio of leave sprigs, I have to tell you I had a hard time deciding which blossom to use as my inspiration. There are so many varieties of amaryllis that you can really just have so much fun with a variety of color schemes!

I did a search and stumbled upon THIS variety. I found it just a little more unusual with the light green accents. So, after I stamped, I grabbed my Copic markers and used R14, R24, R27, G20, G21, G24, and G27 to color up the petals and leaves and then G20 and Y35 to color up the stamens.

Here's a closeup! If you look at the photo above, you can see that I used a vellum strip and some gold embossing powder to add a sentiment (also from the set) around my fussy cut image!

The rest is just matting it all up! I chose some simple papers and a simple design since the fussy cut image really was where all the detail rested. Add a little gold button and... ta da! Done!

These fine ladies below have a whole lot more eye candy to add to the mix, sharing a little more beauty and wonder centered around some Amaryllis Bliss! So, stop by, say 'Hi' and leave them a little love! 

Allison Cope

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Julie Koerber >>> you are here!

Kathy Jones

Katie Sims

Stacy Morgan

Tosha Leyendekker

Before we go, it wouldn't be a release without some kind of deal offered by Ms. Marcella herself! Check it out sweet peeps!

We hope you had fun hanging out with all of us! We sure had fun showing off Power Poppy's newest release! Again, all you need to do is click HERE to see all of the sets in their full glory! And then, don't forget to take advantage of FREE SHIPPING when you place your order! Just use code HOLIDAY2018!

Thanks for stopping by! I'll see y'all back here real soon!

~Julie 

Happiest Holiday Day 3!

Hello folks! Boy, do we have a treat for you in day three of Power Poppy's Happiest Holiday 2018 sneaky peeks! Why? Well, we have not one but TWO sets to show off! Are you ready to jump into the fun? Check these babies out!

That's right--- look at all that cozy holiday goodness coming right at you!

Through the Woods is a set full of woodsy sentiments and evergreens as far as the eye can see! A potted tree has several birdie visitors, plus an extra bird in flight as a separate stamp, who is poised to land in the tree to "gather together" with his friends. A ribboned bough of bells, antlers, and berries and a birch-log frame gives an extra air of charm. Lots of sentiment and log slices help bring on an extra dose of woodsy fun!

Snuggle Down  is a set alive with Tartan plaid possibilities! This set has two focal images - one is a stack of wool blankets with a lantern and sleigh bells. The other a grouping of retro Thermoses and the fixings for hot cocoa. Something really fun for this set - hand-drawn strips to make your own plaid backgrounds.

Not only are these sets perfect on their own, they work well together! That make your own plaid set of stamps is just a "must have" if you ask me! 

On to my creation! 

I knew I loved the cozy feel of this image above and so, when I stamped the set, I had to start with this one! And, I had to take the plaid strips for a test drive too! When I colored up the blanket in this image, I knew I wanted to recreate the look in the plaid bits. I originally planned on using plaid for my entire card front but -- if you know me -- you know I like to mix up the patterns a bit! So, that card front got snipped down to a strip. I do think you can "see" the plaid in the colored up image, which is fun. 

Here's a closeup for you! The sentiment is actually from the Through the Woods stamp set. Like I said, these sets work so well together and I could see you mixing and matching all these sentiments and images for eternity! ;-)

Add in some fun paper, a die cut frame, a few accents thanks to my white gel pen and, who could forget a few little jingle bells! Too fun! 

Speaking of fun, the Bloomies are hanging out, hoping you'll pay them a visit and see what they cooked up with these cozy sets! 

Allison Cope
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a charming set that takes us back in time in a way for some cherished heirlooms that somehow find their way to Christmas Trees all over the globe. You'll have to tune back in to see what I'm talking about! 

Thanks for stopping by!

~Julie 

Happiest Holiday Day 2: Let Your Heart Be Light

Hello all and welcome to Day 2 of the Happiest Holiday Sneaky Peek Week! Today's set is one that not only glistens, it offers beautiful holiday blossoms as well. Introducing Let Your Heart Be Light. Poinsettia-and-holly images that can be used as a two-step stamp with coordinating light beams, a single stamp, or as a pair of borders surrounding a sentiment. We've got 6 sentiments that fit nicely between the borders, several with a light or warmth theme -- all designed to fill the front of a card if you like!

With all the possibilities in this set, I decided to create a fun border for a holiday sentiment. On to my creation!

After stamping one of the images on the top and bottom, I left enough room to slide a sentiment in the middle. This set -- I tell you -- has some amazing sentiments. All done so well! 

I ended up coloring up this image with Copic Markers and used R32, R35, R39, YG67, G20, E81, YG00, BV0000, BV00, Y11, and Y35. I also added some E50, E51 and E53 to the inner portion where the sentiment is and I stippled on some of the color for a little extra something-something! The area around the flower was highlighted with BG0000 and BG11. After I was done, I did add a little sparkle thanks to some glitter glue.

Here's a closeup! 

The rest is just matting it all up. I grabbed a few different patterns from my decorative paper scraps and then added some red sparkly washi tape as well. And that, my friends, is it! 

Guess what? The Bloomies are on standby to show you what they whipped up with these beautiful holiday blossoms. So, make sure you click through and pay these amazing women a visit! 

Allison Cope

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Julie Koerber >>> you are here! 

Kathy Jones

Katie Sims

Stacy Morgan

Tosha Leyendekker

Thanks for stopping by today to see what we've got on tap! Tomorrow will be just as fun! If you love an earthy and rustic holiday vibe, you will want to tune in!

Until then! 

~Julie 

It's time for the Happiest of Holidays!

Hello sweet peeps! How are your plans for holiday creations coming? If you need a little push or want a little Power Poppy inspiration, you've come to the right place! Today marks day 1 of Power Poppy's Happiest Holiday 2018 Collection! It's a handful of clear stamps designed to help you deliver a little cheer this season!

Are you ready to see the first set? 

It's a festive little set drawn in honor of the Power Puppy, Mr. Tibbs! We love this furry gent in real life and in cartoon form, he's more than a little cute! In Power Poppy's new sets Christmas Corgis you'll find three Corg-centric images with a holiday border snippet and plenty of cute-as-can-be Corgi sentiments with a holiday theme!

On to my creation! Look at that Mr. Tibbs doppelganger! Isn't this little guy too cute???

I just loved the illustration of Tibbs tugging on the ole holiday gift... ready to unlock the surprise! The sentiment is too perfect as well. I stamped and then colored the little guy up with Copic markers. After I was done, I added a little razzle dazzle thanks to some glitter glue and then used a border die to give me the stitched angle as a decorative edge.

Here's a closeup for you!

And here's that darling sentiment accented with some glittery paws!

There are a couple more main images in this set so you'll have to make the rounds to see what the Bloomies have in store! The gang is all here for Day 1!

Allison Cope

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Julie Koerber >> you are here! 

Kathy Jones

Katie Sims

Stacy Morgan

Tosha Leyendekker

Thanks for stopping by! Tomorrow's set is one that's sure to shine the light on the holiday season in a beautiful way! So, come on back and the Bloomies will have more to share in Day 2 of Power Poppy's Happiest Holiday 2018 Release! 

See you then!

~Julie 

Scribbled Sketches.....

Hello folks and HAPPY WEEKEND! If you missed me earlier this week over on the Power Poppy blog throwing up this week's Creative Confetti challenge, never fear! I have a rewind here in the hopes that you'll join me in all the fun!

Are you a sucker for a great card sketch? Do you doodle future layout ideas in notebooks just for times when you suffer a severe mojo drain? If you answered "yes"... then you and I have a little something in common! It's why I am so excited to throw up this week's Creative Confetti! Check it out sweet peeps! 

HOW TO PLAY: It's just as simple as this. Take a peek at the sketch below, use it to create, have fun and then, when your done with your card, link it up using our linky below! Couldn't get much easier than that!

Before we get to my card, I just had to show you the stack of sketchy doodles I keep in my craft room. Some of these are literally years old. I figure they never really "expire" and sometimes, I get a wild hair to pull them out and see if one fits. It's funny, in today's design world, the card layouts aren't as "fancy" or detailed as they used to be, so, sometimes I take off an element or just make it a little more on the simple side. Kind of like the sketch above! 

On to my card! On the heels of yesterday's Instant Garden Release - Painting Pumpkins, I just had to use this image. I love those little pumpkins -- they just make my heart smile!

Oh my... don't you love that little trio of happy faces? I do! After I printed it all off, I colored this scene using Copic markers and actually used so many that listing them all might take the entire post! I will say that I did add the shading with BV0000 and BV00 and above using G0000. I love the purple glow that the BV markers gave this image. I also added a little white gel pen to add some accents to the pumpkins eyes and give them a little more expression. Not that they needed it -- I just have a love relationship with my white gel pen! ;-)

And, here's a closeup for you!

The sentiment on the little sentiment tag is from Power Poppy's clear stamp set Feeling Fall. I thought it was perfect for this because of its size!  I added some BV00 accents and, of course, some white gel pen there too!

And, here's a peek at the inside. I just added the sentiment from the set and made the "Happy" like my son's favorite candy -- candy corn! This will probably be stuffed into a college card package to him. He doesn't really appreciate my handmade cards fully but I stick a little extra love inside to make up for it! ;-)

So there you have it! Now it's your turn! Let's see you take this super simple sketch for a test drive. Keep in mind, you can add more to it, flip it, and make it your own. All you need are the basic elements that I have above! So, get to it and link up your creation. I can't wait to see what you come up with! Again, just click HERE for all the deets on how to play! Remember, a $25 gift code to the Power Poppy shop is on the line! Woo Hoo!


Happy Creating! 

~Julie

Happy World Card Making Day!

Well hello there! Happy Saturday to you! Granted, this isn't just ANY Saturday... it's a day just for US! Yep, it's for those of us who love to grab our scissors to watch the paper fly, for those of us who love playing around with color and most importantly, those of us who love to create and share our little projects from the heart! It's....

Every first Saturday in October since 2006, Card Makers have been uniting to not only get a head-start on holiday card-making but to celebrate all the ways we love to share this craft. Power Poppy is getting in on the action on this World Card Making Day to help us all celebrate the beautiful community that is at the heart of this super-fun hobby.

So to honor this special day, all of the Bloomies  are sharing their favorite kind of card to make -- be it anniversary, birthday, thinking of you, just because, new baby, wedding -- you name it! Here's the fun part. All you need to do is follow this link list below, hop on over to all the Bloomies' blogs and...

On Monday, Power Poppy will take all the comments from all the blogs, throw them into a hat and we'll draw one lucky winner for a.... POWER POPPY GOODY BAG! 

Why is this so fun you ask? Well, the lucky winner will get some of Marcella Hawley's hand-picked goodies and it will be a beautiful surprise! A winner will be drawn and announced sometime on Monday, October 9th! Just stay tuned! 

So, what's my favorite kind of card to make? 

I have to say that I love the surprise behind an all occasion card -- the kind of card you send to let a friend know that you are thinking about her! I had planned on sharing a new creation but life (actually a migraine) got in the way and so I only have a piece of a card done. So, I decided I would be finishing my card on World Card Making Day!

I had this embossed panel and I wanted to see what it might look like if I water colored some of the raised portions of this panel. I grabbed some Twinkling H20s and a waterbrush... 

And from there, I had a fussy cut image from the Planning for Magnolia set and paired it with one of the sentiments from the Tweet Tidings  stamp set. And sadly, that's as far as I got! ;-) 

I am wondering what color I will make the little magnolia branch and am contemplating making this a monochromatic look. So... we'll see! Stay tuned! 

In the meantime, I did pull together some of my favorite "thinking of you/hello" creations!

 There's this one using Power Poppy's Poppies stamp set! 

This one using Power Poppy's Well Hello Dahlia digital stamp set! 

And this one using the So Grateful stamp set! 

And to help all of you celebrate World Card Making Day, Power Poppy is hosting a one-day only, 24 hour flash sale starting... NOW!

So, what are you waiting for? Let's celebrate World Card Making Day in grand style -- getting ideas from some of the most talented card makers world-wide! And then, grabbing some savings to stock up on things for future crafty endeavors!

Stop by and say "hi" to these lovely ladies -- remember to leave a comment because each comment is an entry into our World Card Making Day Giveaway!

Allison Cope

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Julie Koerber >>> you are here!

Kathy Jones

Stacy Morgan

Happy World Card Making Day Peeps! We hope you find some time to create and enjoy every minute of it on this special day! 

Until Next Time!

~Julie 

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice!

Hello sweet peeps! Okay, raise your hand if you can't wait until fall when Pumpkin Spice Season starts!! Yes, I know I raised my hand before I even finished asking the question. The only thing better than a pumpkin spice latte would be a calorie-free pumpkin spice latte. Can't they please invent that? Pretty please? 

Since the season is here, why not add a little bit of fall flavor to our card making? I say YES! Let's do it! That brings us to this week's Creative Confetti Challenge that I hosted earlier this week over on the Power Poppy blog! Check it out! 

Want to know more on how to play along? Simply click HERE! I also have some suggestions there on some "spicy" sets you can ink up to play along with us! ;-) I'm not sure you won't have visions of pumpkin spice swirling in your heads (or a mug) before this challenge is over!

Want to see my take on this tasty challenge?

When I dreamt up this challenge, I knew I had to use Power Poppy's brand new stamp set, Fortunes of Fall! I just love the vignettes in this set and the pumpkin trio was pretty much perfect for a Pumpkin Spice Challenge! I started by stamping with Memento Rich Cocoa and then grabbed my Copic markers to color this image up. 

Here's a close up look at this colored up image....

To mat it all up, I reached for shades of olive, kraft (to bring out the nutmeg color) and orange (for my pumpkin) and ta da! It's a wrap! I added some twine, a button and some fun die cut accents and that, my friends, is it! Remember to use the link above to hop on over to the Power Poppy blog to read up on all the rules and FUN! Everyone who plays along gets their name thrown into the hat for a $25 gift code to the Power Poppy Shop!   Just capture the Pumpkin Spice "feels" and get those fingers inky! 

Want to see what one of my fellow Bloomies whipped up this week? Check out the fabulous....

Stacy Morgan

And don't forget to pop on over to the Power Poppy Blog for a dose of GOOD VIBES!

Until next time!

~Julie