Power Poppy & PageMaps Unite!

Hey everyone!  I hope you’ve had a great week and a fun New Years.  Our New Years was extremely low key and uneventful…. but I’m good with that!

Today we’re pairing up with PageMaps and Power Poppy and showcasing some fun card sketches and cool Power Poppy products!

I received this gorgeous, simple card map from Becky Fleck, the creator of PageMaps.

To view the rest of this month's quarterly CardMaps, click here.

I just knew I had to feature the “Loving Tulips” stamp set and it’s coordinating dies!

Copics: Y08, E08, YR18, R17, Y21, BG72, BG78, YG63

I also used the “Celebrate” sentiment from the “Pure Prairie Spirit” stamp set stamped on my dimensional banner.

For this month's Power & Spark Challenge, we're asking you to "Grab A Map," and get in on some Power Poppy Fun! We've teamed up with Pagemaps.com's CardMaps to showcase 10 new sketches featuring some of Power Poppy's fabulous stamp sets. You can find all ten sketches along with design team samples HERE! So grab a map, use it to spark a little cardmaking creativity and then, link your creation up HERE.  If you play along, you'll be in the running to WIN a $50 Shopping Spree to the Power Poppy Shop!

But wait, there's more! Becky Fleck, the fabulous Pagemaps guru, is also offering a $25 Power Poppy gift card and all you need to do is leave a comment on THIS post!  The Pagemaps contest closes January 22nd, so hop on over soon! We can't wait to see what you create.

Make sure you check out what my fellow talented Bloom Brigaders and Instant Gardeners have created to share today…

Allison Cope

Christine Okken -- go here next!
Cindy Lawrence
Julie Koerber 

Katie Sims

Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Cheryl Scrivens 

Barb Walker 

Nancy Sheads

Power Poppy Blog 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you create soon!

~ Ally ~
 

Stamps: Power Poppy (Loving Tulips, Party Time)
Cardstock: Recollections (#110 White)
Patterned Papers: Photo Play Paper (Memory Lane) 
Dies: Power Poppy (Loving Tulips Coordinating Dies), My Favorite Things (Stitched Rectangles STAX 2, Dimensional Banners), Spellbinders (A2 Bracket Borders 1)
Inks: Memento (Espresso Truffle), Copic Markers
Ribbon: Offray (Thin Yellow)
Sequins: Studio Katia (Crystal Rainbow Fusion).

Happy 2nd Birthday Power Poppy!

Power Poppy is turning 2.... I know!?!?!  TWO!?!? Congrats Marcella!!!  Marcy and the Power Poppy design teams want to THANK YOU, our sweet and encouraging peeps around the world, for helping us spread the botanical abundance and zest for life. Your creativity, love, and generosity of spirit is SO STRONG! We are thrilled to kick off another year of flowering and empowering together.

From Friday through Monday, we're offering 20% OFF all Stamps, Digital and Clear. Use discount code: MARCELLA at checkout to receive the special savings. PLUS, for four days only we have a special birthday digi for only TWO BUCKS... our little Layer Cake Digital Stamp & Sentiment set. Visit Power Poppy to learn more.   Happy shopping!!!

Plus with this being the first Friday of the month, the Bloom Brigade is ushering in a new Power & Spark Challenge for the month of April and it’s a doozey!!!

Power & Spark - 3 Marker Challenge - only use 3 markers to colour! 

1.  Pick three markers from the same colour family to create a monochromatic design… OR…

2.  Pick three markers from complementary colour families  - easier to blend…OR… 

3.  For the courageous or expert....pick three random markers and colour away!

For all the challenge rules and specifics, please visit this post.

So join me in my creative space today, to see how I picked and coloured up the sweet birdie wreath from the fun “Folk Heart” stamp collection…

To see it in HD, visit YouTube here.

And here’s another quick look at my final birthday card celebrating Power Poppy’s 2nd Birthday today featuring a sentiment from the “Short Stacks” stamp set…

And as you can see, I added some bling to make it sparkle…

Along with a new challenge, some of the Bloom Brigade will also be sharing some sketchy creations today.  A few of the designers have joined Becky Fleck over on the PageMaps site to flaunt some new cards using Becky’s latest card sketches… me included!  Today I’m only going to sneak peek my card but you can see it in it’s full “Glory” over in the April CardMaps right here.

I used the super fun-tastic “Play Ball!” stamp set to create a whimsical masculine birthday card.

Wishing Marcy and Power Poppy another fabulous year ahead!  Check out what the Bloom Brigade has in store for you…

Allison Cope – you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Julie Koerber
Katie Sims
Kathy Jones
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker
Cheryl Scrivens
Marcy on the Power Poppy Blog

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoy the creative journey today!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Power Poppy
 
Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Folk Heart, Short Stacks)
cardstock:  Neenah (Solar White)
patterned papers: Penny Black (Painted Blooms 6x6), Lili of the Valley (Promises – Solids 8x8)
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Ranger Distress (Barn Door), Copic Markers (R17, YG17, V93)
die: Spellbinders (A2 Bracket Borders)
sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh (Sparkling Clear).

An Early Valentine for You!

Howdy all!  I have an early Valentine’s Day treat for you!  Over at Becky Fleck’s PageMaps site she has a FREE Valentine’s Card Class available for all!  And right there in the third row is my card. 

Here’s a sneak peek for you…

Things to know…
1. This class is FREE!
2. This class has some super cute samples!
3. This class has FREE downloadable instruction sheets for each card example!
4. PLUS… it even includes some FREE cut files for your electronic cutting machines!  How cool is that?!?

Come and check it out HERE!

PLUS… Becky has all of her on-line classes ON SALE right now!  Make sure you check it out!

~ Ally ~

Mass Production of Cards Using the MISTI

Howdy all!  Happy Sunday everyone!  Yesterday I was busy making a series of fun Easter cards using a challenge put up by MFT Card Challenges blog…

Click above for a direct link!

Becky Fleck, owner of PageMaps, has supplied this cute little sketch for everyone to use.  And if you know me... I’m all about sketches!!!

Here is the video I created showing my card making process and some tips and tricks about using the MISTI tool.

Watch at YouTube here!

And here at a second peek at all four cards I created today!

 
Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great weekend!

~ Ally ~


Supplies:
stamps: My Favorite Things (Somebunny)  #mftstamps
cardstock: Recollections 110lb White Cardstock, Neenah Solar White
patterned papers:  Lawn Fawn (Let’s Polka, Mon Amie)
inks:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), Stampin’ Up! (Strawberry Slush)
dies:  MFT (Fluttering Hearts, Stitched Oval STAX), Simon Says Stamp! (Stitched Rectangles), Avery Elle (Dotted Dies)
Copic Markers: E70, E71, BG01, BG05, G02, R02, R32
tools: Copic Airbrush System

We have a Winner!!!

We have a winner for my PageMaps U Cardmaking Class 2015 giveaway...

Congrats Iris!  I will contacting you by email today!

Thanks to all of those who entered.

~ Ally ~

Giveaways, Challenges & Coupons for Fun Classes!

Technique Toolbox: “Creative Ways to Use Dye Ink Pads” class has been a smashing success.  Lots of class members have truly been inspired.  This class is an amazing resource for stampers of all levels.... newbie stampers to the senior stamper too! 

COUPON CODE EXPIRES SOON -  March 18th. 

Find the registration link and StampNation coupon code here:
 
Technique Toolbox Class Coupon Code for StampNation Members

There is also some very cool prizes for people who comment and/or share they’re work based on the lessons in the class.  Participants could win:

• 12 pack of Dewdrop Memento Ink Pads from Imagine Crafts
• $20 Gift Certificate to Whimsy Stamps
• FIVE $20 Gift Certificates to CAS-ual Fridays
• At the Office Stamp Set and Office Supplies Die set from My Favorite Things Stamps

Save the Date:  Our next event will be the week of April 19th.  More details to follow!

My GIVEAWAY for the PageMaps U “Cardmaker Class 2015” is still open for comments for your chance to win.  Someone that leaves a comment is going to WIN a free spot in the class and this class is amazing!!!  If you love PageMaps and you love sketches then this class is for you!  Click here for more details on how to win!

Power Poppy has a brand new monthly challenge!  It’s called “Power & Spark” and this month’s challenge is golden!  Yup… it’s as EASY as using gold on a project and sharing it on the Power Poppy Blog!

No Power Poppy images are required!!!  Anything will do… and if you WIN, you get to choose a clear OR digital stamp set of your choice to add to your collection!  So get on over there and play along…. CLICK RIGHT HERE for more details!

Hope you have an amazing (and creative!) weekend!

~ Ally ~

PageMaps: Calling all Cardmakers! And a GIVEAWAY!

Calling all cardmakers and PageMaps fans!

PageMaps U’s first cardmaking class of 2015 is here! This class is brimming with 32 exclusively designed cards and sketches, techniques and how-to's, full-color instructions, complete supply lists (including paper names!) and free die cutting files, all created by some of your favorite cardmakers, including me!

This four-week, self-paced, online class begins Monday, March 16^th. Stop by PageMaps to see all of the sneak peeks, try out a freebie class, and then register for this one. It’s going to be so much fun!

GIVEAWAY!

Here’s a chance for you to win a free spot into this fantastic cardmaking class!

Just leave a comment below and tell me… 

What is your favorite embellishment?

It's that easy!
 
I’ll draw a random winner on Wednesday, March 11th. Good luck!

~ Ally ~

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED.  

A WINNER HAS BEEN POSTED HERE.

Celebrate Good Times – 2015!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  It’s the first Friday of 2015 and some of the Bloom Brigade from Power Poppy have teamed up with Becky Fleck from PageMaps this month to showcase some fun Power Poppy images using Becky’s beautiful sketches.

Being the New Year, I thought a New Year’s card was in order for my sketch so here’s what I created…

I used one of the very first stamp sets that Power Poppy released called “Marcella’s Mixtape".  It has some fun sentiments and some cool party hats – perfect for a New Year’s Eve bash!  If you notice the card above and the actual card on the PageMaps site, they are slightly different!  I added the "2015" stickers to the card after I sent my image to Becky.  It was original plan to use them but never found them until after the photo had been sent. :)

Here’s the sketch I used for my card creation:

For all of the January 2015 card sketches, click here!

Now… check out what the other fellow Bloomies made using their sketches…

Allison Cope – you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Dawn Burnworth
Leslie Miller
Julie Koerber
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Don't forget to check out the Poppy Peep of the Week challenge too!   All of the information on how you can participate is right here!  Good luck and I hope to see one of your card creation included in the InLinkz!

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Power Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Marcella’s Mixtape)
cardstock:  X-Press It Cardstock, Bazzill
patterned paper:  unknown
die cut shapes: Spellbinders (Ribbon Banners)
sequins: Pretty Pink Posh, Verve
ink: Copic Markers, Memento (Lady Bug), Sakura Sparkling Silver Pen
misc:  letter stickers.

You're Superfly!

Howdy everyone!  It's Friday and I'm making a quick stop over at the PageMaps site today to share my card creation for April 2014!

Here is the fun sketch that Becky gave to me to create with...

And here is my completed card...

I began my card by stamping the gorgeous array of feathers from the new Power Poppy stamp collection, "Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1".  Then I created this feathery featured circle grid of friends using my Silhouette machine and added some fun pearls and glittery buttons!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope my card inspires you to grab some stamps and make a card today!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Power Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1)
cardstock:  Bazzill, Flourishes Classic White
die cut shapes:  Silhouette
ink: Memento
buttons: Queen & Co.
tools:  Silhouette
gems:  Doodlebug
other: thread.

A PageMap Class U Winner!

Congrats to the winner of the free PageMaps U Card Sketch Class...

And the winner is...

Congrats MaryAnn...

I'll be contacting you by email MaryAnn!  Congrats!  Thanks to all of you who left me some sweet messages!

~ Ally ~

WIN a Spot in the PageMaps U Card Class!

 

Win a free spot in PageMaps U's card class!

Wouldn't you love to win a free spot into the class? For your chance to win, SEE THIS POST! 

ONLY ONE DAY LEFT TO ENTER!

I'll draw a random winner on January 30th. Good luck!

~ Ally ~

Win a FREE Spot in PageMaps U's Card Class!

 

Win a free spot in PageMaps U's card class!

Save the date -- February 1, 2014 -- to register for PageMaps U's first online card class! In this class, you will be creating 32 fresh, trend-setting cards created by some of your favourite cardmakers in the industry. Just like the PMU layout class, this one will be filled with techniques, exclusive card sketches, slide shows, cutting files and so much more. I really enjoyed creating several cards for this class!

For more class information, click here.

Wouldn't you love to win a free spot into the class? For your chance to win, post here your favourite type of card to make and send. I'll draw a random winner on January 30th. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

~ Ally ~

PageMaps & an Up-Lifting Birthday!

Happy first Friday in 2014!! We want to extend our best wishes to each of you for the New Year!

Since this is the Friday before Flourishes new release, you are probably wondering where our Pre-Release Challenge is? Well, we decided to let the Friends of Flourishes gals run this month's challenge! Be sure to tune in next Tuesday and play along with the Release Week Timeless Tuesday Challenge! We'll have three winners that week for the FULL release! Play along as many times as you want for multiple chances to win!

Now for some fun today, the Flourishes Senior Design Team has a bit of beautiful variety to show off. Some of the team got to play with Becky Fleck’s new round of January Sketches at PageMaps and others on the team are going to surprise you with some of their own creativity.

I was one of the lucky ladies to receive a fabulous sketch from Becky and here is the amazing sketch I was given...

Click the image above to proceed to the PageMaps™ site 
for more fabulous sketches to be revealed on Saturday!

I just loved the sketch that Becky sent me!  I decided to create a simple boy birthday card.  I think I'll end up using it as a birthday card for my husband and send it to him at work so he has something on his desk from Spencer and I this year.

I started my 5x7 card by creating a card base using Classic White Cardstock.  I also cut 4 identical rectangles from the same cardstock and stamped my sweet images from the new "Lots of Thought" stamp collection in navy ink.  I coloured each image using Copic Markers and matted them with red cardstock.

For my sky back ground, I stamped the sun/cloud image from the now retired "April Showers" stamp set. I used my Copic airbrush and colouring in between the clouds.  My large "Happy Birthday" sentiment is is from the "Sentimental Favorites" stamp set.

Such a simple card but super cute!

Join these lovely ladies for some fabulous inspiration to kick-off your New Year! 

• Allison Cope - you are here!
  
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Heather Jensen
• Julie Koerber
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker

I'm also entering this card for the CASology challenge for this past 2 weeks... #76: Party:

Happy stamping everyone!


~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes  (Lots of Thought, Sentimental Favorites, retired ~ April Showers)
cardstock: Flourishes
patterned papers: Echo Park
ink:  Stampin' Up!, Copic
other: thread.

May Your Holidays Sparkle... with PageMaps!

It's the first of the month so its time for another fabulous issue of PageMaps™!  For this month, Becky Fleck is sharing some new and fabulous card sketches, just in time for starting your holiday cards!  Here is the sketch I was given:

 

I chose to use Becky's newest stamp set, Winter's Blossoms, made by Penny Black:

I just love all her wonderful holiday inspired stamps!

 

For my decorative edge, I used Becky's Spellbinder's set, On The Edge.  It's jam packed full of cool edges for your cards!

To create the snowflakes, I die cut them out of the kraft cardstock and then pieced all the little details back on to the sparkly silver glitter paper!  I added a few pearls too. I just love how it turned out.  In real life, it's so sparkly!

I hope you'll take a moment and check out all the fabulous new PageMaps today!

~ Ally ~


Supplies:
stamps: Penny Black
cardstock: Bazzill
glitter cardstock: American Crafts
die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ink: Versamark, Memento, Copic
pearls: Micheals
other: mica, Glossy Accents.