Snow Day

All papers are from Paper Temptress. "The Juggler" image is from Squigglefly. The card base is Sparkle Blanc cardstock. I printed my background paper on Sparkle Blanc text and also printed "The Juggler" on Sparkle Blanc text. I colored my image with Copics and the sparkles of the paper still show through! The Juggler is layered on the gorgeous Pearl Vellum. Gorgeous I tell ya. I love printing my digi papers on the Sparkle paper because it totally gives the paper that extra something special.

GC30: Spicy Supply - Buttons

It's time for another Spicy Supply Challenge and this month we want to see buttons in your creations. Open up your drawers and see what kinds of buttons you can find - vintage bone or fabric buttons; clear acrylic or chipboard buttons; home made clay or altered buttons. Let your imaginations soar.

Artwork by Debby Boltman

Our November Challenge sponsor, PaperTemptress, has graciously donated some wonderful blog candy!

The randomly drawn winner of the blog candy will recieve their choice of one of the following 4 variety packs of PaperTemptress paper: Spring Premium Package, Valentine's Day Package, HiT Summer Fun Package or the Christmas Paper Package.

Here's a peak at the Spring Premium Package:

For your chance to win this fabulous blog candy, just follow the simple guidelines below:

1) Make a papercrafting or mixed media creation using buttons in some way;

2) Post your creation to your blog or online gallery with a mention and link to this post; and

3) Come back to this post and leave a comment including a link to your creation or use Mister Linky below. Remember to make it a link to the specific post or picture and not just a general link to your blog or gallery. We need to be able to find your art!

For more information on our challenges and directions on linking, please check out our FAQ.

One winner for the variety package of PaperTemptress paper will be chosen at random from the qualifying comments on December 8, 2009. You have until December 5, 2009 to enter!

Here's some inspiration from our Design Team to get you started.

Artwork by Lynn Stevens

Artwork by Erika Taylor

Artwork by Laura Liddell

Artwork by Jo Capper-Sandon

Artwork by Hels Sheridan

Artwork by Ali Manning

Have fun with the challenge!

Wrap-Up: GC26 - Brads

Last month's Spicy Supply Challenge was brads and boy, do you guys like brads! We had a whopping 35 entries and you can enjoy them all in the slide show below.

The randomly drawn winner of the Cornish Heritage Farms stamp set, A Royal Birthday, is....

Katie

from Both Side of the Paper

Congratulations Katie! Please email us at gingersnapstamp@gmail.com with your address and we will send you this gorgeous stamp set to play with.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for another Spicy Supply Challenge - I know you're going to love it!

Guest Designer - Lisa Somerville

Hi Everyone! I'm thrilled to be a Guest Designer here on Gingersnap Creations sharing some creations made with this months sponsor Paper Temptress. One of the things I've fallen in love with using the beautiful papers at Paper Temptress, is how beautiful the embossing looks using embossing folders with the card stock. The embossing is so reach and detailed as seen in some of my samples below.

This card features the Multi Step Hanukkah set, here I stamped ala Warhol Style, in shades of Memento Blue Inks. The beautiful Silver card stock is the Smoothie Silver Lustre from Paper Temptress, embossed with the CuttleBug Snowflake die. The card stock embosses wonderfully and has a beautiful shimmer!

Here I embossed the Tuscan Sun Brawny from Paper Temptress with the CuttleBug Damask Folder, and sponged the edges with Soft Suede, the Brawny Card Stock it another great paper source for embossing folders - the embossing is so deeply etched! The beautiful Gold layers on my card are Paper Temptress Gold Metallic Ultimate Glossy. For some added color I used a piece of Indian Summer paper from Basic Grey and added some Drywall Stitching. The Turkey is from Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Turkey Trot plate - isn't he handsome!

Another sample using the Brawny card stock and embossing folders using Godspeed from Stampin' Up! (retired). The image is stamped in Black on Creamy Caramel card stock, then I applied the Sepia Technique. I layered this panel onto some beautiful Copper Mica from Paper Temptress. I used the Stars Cuttlebug folder and embossed my Citron Green Brawny panel, I also used the Distressed Stripes folder to emboss my other Citron Green Panel, then applied Soft Suede ink to highlight the embossing. My base card uses Canyon Brown Classic Columns card stock from Paper Temptress- it's a lightly textured card stock.

This last card features the following papers from Paper Temptress, Pop Tones, Silver Metallic Ultimate Glossy and Iron Ore Brawny. I used the Faux Marbling Technique in Red and Grey Inks on a piece of Red Hot Pop Tones card stock from the Paper Temptress. Layering on a beautiful piece of Silver Metallic Ultimate Glossy. I used the Silver panels under the Iron Ore Brawny panels. The focal image is from the Vintage Circus plate from Artistic Outpost, stamped in Black Archival on Watercolor paper. I used the Marker Water Coloring Technique to color the image.

Thanks for letting me share some of my creations using the wonders papers from Paper Temptress with you.

November Home Page Art It's a Tie! Again!

What can I say? "LS" won again! Yes, both Lisa Somerville and Lynn Stevens tied for Home Page Artist this month. Both of these talented artists have previously graced our home page and we are happy to have them both back again!!

We will feature Lisa Somerville's stunning card first from November 7th to November 20th and then we will show Lynn Stevens' gorgeous journal from November 22nd to December 4th.

I sat down to talk to both of them about their wonderful creations. Today, I'll share my conversation with Lisa about her fabulous art.

Lisa Somerville

I asked Lisa what had inspired this particular piece. She shared:
"I love the vintage stamps from Artistic Outpost and thought this image was perfect for the Family call. The image of the men and collage images surrounding them just seemed fitting."

All stamps are from Artistic Outpost.

I really loved the quote Lisa used for her card. I asked her what drew her to those words and she told me:
"The quote is from the Artistic Outpost Generations plate, it coordinates well with the Generations Redux plate and is very fitting for the images of the men dressed in their suits."

We are quickly coming into the season for family holidays. I asked Lisa about her favorite family holiday and she said:
"My favorite family holiday is Christmas. Although most of my family is not local anymore, we've set our own Christmas traditions with our family. Christmas Eve is spent at the In-laws. Christmas Day my husband and I make a big breakfast for the kids, then we open presents. Later Christmas Day, we spend with his extended family. "

Eventhough it had only been a month since we had the pleasure of talking with Lisa on the Gingersnap Creations blog, I wanted to know if Lisa had any news to share. She told me:
"I'm excited to have joined the PaperTemptress and InStyle Stamps Design Teams. I have some upcoming work being published in Stampington's Winter Take Ten, and Artella's Art Journal Journey Magazine."

Congratulations to Lisa on her new teams! Lisa is also a valued member of the following design teams: Artistic Outpost, Kitchen Sink Stamps, JustRite, as well as being a designer for Technique Junkies.

To see more of Lisa Somerville's wonderful art, please visit her at Splendiferous Creations.

Come back again on the 22nd for my interview with co-winner Lynn Stevens!

In the meantime, if you want in on the next Home Page Art Contest, become a member of the Gingersnap Creations Yahoo group and submit an entry! If you win, we will feature your art on the Yahoo Group Home Page and on the sidebar of the blog. This month's theme is "Frosty".

Celebrate The Season

In honor of GC29:Chestnut Theme Challenge - Cozy Home and the November Challenge sponsor, PaperTemptress, I have created this card showcasing several papers from Paper Temptress.

The cozy house image is stamped on Silk Silver Lustre with Memento Tuxedo Brown. I used Marvy punches to cut out the scalloped circles. The house image is layered on Classic Columns Canyon Brown. Behind the scallops is the fabulous textured Green Crepe Ruche. The sentiment is stamped on Sandy Stripes Vellum. The card base is Classic Columns Canyon Brown.

Look at the gorgeous texture and movement of this paper.

The image and sentiment are from Hearts In Touch stamp sheet #134 HIT Christmas 2009.

Thanks for stopping by and have a terrific day!

GC29: Chestnut Theme Challenge - Cozy Home

As the holidays sneak up on us, often our thoughts turn to home, family and good times. We want you to try and capture that feeling of warmth, comfort and family found in a

COZY HOME

As always, we love all kinds of papercrafting projects so you can really run wild with this challenge. Make an ATC, Moo, Scrapling, card, postcard art, 3D project, collage art, scrapbook layout or any other papercrafting creation that takes your fancy. See more ideas and get more information on our challenges by checking out our FAQ.

Our November Challenge sponsor, PaperTemptress, has graciously donated some wonderful blog candy!


The randomly drawn winner of the blog candy will recieve their choice of one of the following 4 variety packs of PaperTemptress paper: Spring Premium Package, Valentine's Day Package, HiT Summer Fun Package or the Christmas Paper Package.

Here's a peak at the Christmas Paper Package:


For your chance to win this fabulous blog candy, just follow the simple guidelines below:

1) Make a papercrafting or mixed media creation using cozy home as your theme;

2) Post your creation to your blog or online gallery with a mention and link to this post; and

3) Come back to this post and leave a comment including a link to your creation or use Mister Linky below. Remember to make it a link to the specific post or picture and not just a general link to your blog or gallery. We need to be able to find your art!

For more information on our challenges and directions on linking, please check out our FAQ.

One winner for a variety package of PaperTemptress paper, as described above, will be chosen at random from the qualifying submissions on December 1, 2009. You have until November 29, 2009 to enter!

Some Inspiration from Our Talented
Gingersnap Creations Design Team

Elina Koutsouradi

Joanne Wardle

Paula Whittaker

Lynn Stevens

Laura Liddell

The Visiting Artists from the
PaperTemptress Design Team


Mels Stampz

Anita Autore

We can't wait to see what you create!

Don't forget our challenges last several weeks so there's always lots of fun challenges in which to participate. Check our sidebar for details.

Wrap-Up: GC25 - Harvest

We had a bumper crop of challenge entries for our Harvest Challenge! Thanks to all who participated in this challenge - your work is truly inspiring. Before we see all your work, let's see who won The Pines stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms....

Maria Matter
from The Joyful Stamper

Congratulations, Maria! Please email your address to gingersnapstamp@gmail.com and we will send out your stamp.

Enjoy the show:

If you would like to visit an individual artist's blog, click on the slide show and you will be taken to the photo album, which contains their links.

Come back tomorrow for another Chestnut Theme Challenge.

Manufacturer Mania: PaperTemptress

This month, we are getting totally tempted by some pleasing papers! Gingersnap Creations is honored to welcome the PaperTemptress as our November challenge sponsor!

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a woman really passionate about paper, Patricia the PaperTemptress herself!

Q: You just celebrated your one year anniversary! Congratulations! What has been the best thing that has happened during this first year?

A: This is an easy question, I have met such wonderful, caring, and talented designers and that PaperTemptress has been sucessful and met many of the goals that were set for the first year (the main one was to stay open LOL).

Q: What is it about paper that tempts the Paper Temptress?

A: Paper is the foundation to most everything and is available in beautiful colors, textures, weights, and finishes. What isn't tempting about paper? Paper is my canvas.

Artwork by Patricia the PaperTemptress

Q: You have a lot of different types of paper on offer at your store. Can you tell us about a few of them and for what kinds of projects they are best used?

A: It isn't a secret that the Lustre line is my favorite line, but I like pretty and shiny, which the lustre line is, but I absolutely love all the cardstock that is carried for many reasons. PaperTemptress carries paper that you can't find anywhere else like the new Bright White Digital Gloss and the Jazzy Cream Digital Gloss which is a very lightweight but strong glossy that I am now using to print pictures for my scrapbook pages and cards, but can be used like any glossy paper is. This is the same glossy paper that most magazines use. It prints beautifully without the bulk of a photo paper or even the weight of a thicker cardstock.

Lustre Laser Package

PaperTemptress carries all weights that you could ever desire including a 180# Heavy Heavy Heavenly White that is perfect for designing book covers and projects that require a heavier weight without having to add additional support. It is the highest quality white cardstock on the market with a chipboard weight. Where else are you going to find something like that? All of the Heavenly White that PaperTemptress carries LOVES LOVES LOVES Copic Markers and doesn't bleed at all.

Artwork by Carolina Buchting

PaperTemptress also carries an incredibly wonderful chipboard that cuts like butter with digital cutters, so it isn't just your boring average cardstock here!

There is a huge selection of colored glossy cardstock, including the Ultimate Glossy which is truly spectacular! Soon, the Neenah Classic Crest, that is so popular with copic markers, will be added in a blue and green. You often see a cream or ivory stamping cardstock but not a blue and green. I am interested to see the designs created.

PaperTemptress has the largest selection of speciality cardstock online. 12" x 12" sheets are available in assorted colors in most of the paperlines. Custom cuts larger than 12" x 12" are available also in a few paperlines, so if interested please email me at patricia@papertemptress.com.

A design created with PaperTemptress' speciality cardstock will be looked at over and over again. I hear from my customers all the time about how they drool over the paper when it arrives.

Q: What inspired you to open the PaperTemptress store?

A: I am an internet shopaholic and have spent a great deal of time on most stamp companies sites so when I ordered some paper samples from a paper wholesaler and saw just how beautiful they were I was stunned that I had never seen these cardstocks before.

I instantly knew that had to change and quickly. I truly believe that the two major American cardstock manufacturers have nice papers but they had pretty much taken over the craft paper market which was a real shame since there are so many beautiful cardstocks available.

Also some of the really nice speciality cardstocks were available but you couldn't buy them in less then a quantity of 25 sheets. I know I wouldn't use 25 sheets of most colors.

So hence PaperTemptress [came into existence], with a business plan of selling one sheet if that is what the customer wants. I have had customers order just one sheet, it was one sheet of the luscious Cream Velvet but still one sheet! I was able to send two sheets since PaperTemptress only charges what the actual shipping is and since the shipping rate that was charged when she placed the order was more than the shipping I was able to include 1 more sheet of cardstock.

Artwork by Patricia the PaperTemptress

I take a great deal of pride in offering many, many different colors, textures, and finishes to stimulate your creativity. PaperTemptress' cardstock is a design element and not just something to hold all the design elements.

I am still surprised that little ole me has discovered some of the most amazing cardstock when I know there are buyers out there that are paid a lot of money that haven't discovered these gems like the lustre and leather line. The best of many paper lines available all in one place!

Q: I am sure our readers would love to know more about Patricia the Paper Temptress! Can you share a little about yourself with us?

A: I am a mother of three and a grandmother of four, who truly are my heart walking outside my body! I spend a lot of time with my Grandbabies, but they are the only thing that comes before creating!!

I have always made things and just got into paper and rubber stamps about 5 years ago. Actually, Carol Duvall and Sandy Genevese perked my interest and it has just exploded since. I was in a very serious accident 11 years ago and haven't been able to work since so this is what has really kept me sane and grounded (well as sane and grounded as I can be LOL)!

Q: The Paper Temptress supports some great charities. Can you tell us about them and how you help their cause?

A: I support several [charities] and plan on doing more in the next year.

I currently support Shareacard.org which is an organization that sends cards to very ill people. some terminal. PaperTemptress donates a different paper package every month for one designer who submits cards and then a $25 gift certificate every quarter for the person who submitted the most cards in that quarter.

PaperTemptress also donates money to send two boxes of cards every quarter to Operation Write home which as most of us know is the organization that sends cards to the soldiers so they have an ample supply of cards to send home. PaperTemptress would love to donate cardstock for any gathering of designers that are making cards for either of these organizations, so please keep this in mind next time you are organizing a stamp gathering.

Artwork by Debby Boltman

I am very interested in starting an organization that would make cards to donate to a different Ronald McDonald's house every month, so that is high on my list of things to do in 2010.

PaperTemptress has also been donating cardstock to a designer for Operation Quiet Comfort. This organization supplies things directly to the medics, nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers who take care of our Wounded Warriors wounded on the front lines. Part of what they do, and especially the designer I am dealing with, is making cards [with themes] such as: thinking of you, thank you for your service and thank you cards for the medics, doctors and nurses for their service caring for our wounded warriors.

Q: You keep life fun for your customers who follow your blog. Can you tell us
about your recent Treasure Hunt and what other great stuff we can find on your blog?

The treasure hunt has been a blast! Each of my designers posted a letter that created a word but in a jumbled order so you have to visit each blog to find out what the letter was. Once you figure out what the word is, then you email patricia@papertemptress.com to enter into a giveaway that will be held on Wednesday November 4, 2009 at Midnight PT.

Artwork by Debby Boltman

Even though all the designers have already posted their designs and letters, the contest is still open until November 4th, so if you want to play along start here and then move up the blog to find the links to the designer's blogs that you need to visit to get another letter. The more people that enter the more Variety Paper Packages are going to be given away so be sure to spread the word since everyone's chances to win increase with more entries.

I also try to make the blog interesting for everyone from beginners to experts. All the designers have very different styles and many, many stamp companies are represented. It is also very easy to see designs made with a certain line of PaperTemptress' cardstock! Just select the paperline's tag on the left sidebar that you are interested in and all designs created with that paperline are shown. There are posts almost every day, so it stays very active. There are a lot of fun tips, tutorials and hopefully a lot of inspiration available. I hope to add more video tutorials in the next year.

I am most proud of the program that has been started for young artist under the age of 18 which is called PaperPrincess or PaperPrince. I pick a young artist to be a guest designer for a month and their designs have been amazing! I have had a 9-year-old from London and, currently, my little PaperPrincess is in Canada and should be showcasing her work in November. If you know of any young artist, please let me know so I can see if they would like to be a PaperPrincess or a PaperPrince.

Artwork by The Hamster, PaperPrince - July 2009

Q: What is your favorite part about being part of the stamping community?

A: I have learned so many incredible techniques and styles through the stamping community and I have made many lifetime friends. I love all of the talent and spend hours reading blogs and enjoying everyone's designs. They have truly made me a better artist.

Artwork by Janette Olen

Thank you so much for joining us at Gingersnap Creations today, Patricia! I just loved getting to know more about the your business and spending time getting to know you!

Our readers can look forward to seeing lots of fun creations with this awesome paper all month!

Please note: all the designs shown in the interview are reproduced from the Paper Temptress Community blog or the blogs of its design team with the permission of the PaperTemptress. All designs are the work of the designers credited and retain their original copyrights.

Home for the Holidays in November

This month on Gingersnap Creations we will be focusing on fabulous projects related to the idea of "Home".

With the holidays on their way, we'll be showing off some fun handcrafted gift ideas, some home-themed cards as well as some beautiful home decor items.

During November, we are pleased to have PaperTemptress as our challenge sponsor. We'll be showing off some fabulous creations using their versatile papers.


Some other fun coming up this month:
- We'll announce 4 new challenges in our 4 fun categories: Chestnut Theme, Spicy Supply, Color and Random Redhead.
- Our new home page art winner will be announced. Our theme for this month was "Family".
- We'll feature a fun new project by talented Gingersnap Creations Design Team Member, Laura Liddell.
- We'll also have our regular monthly features: Ali's Clean and Simple Projects, Collage Corner, and the Redhead Review as well as Reasons to Stamp for December.

Make yourself comfortable and join us for our month of home-themed projects!