The Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps BLOG

Audrey

Here is a fabulous card by Cheryl using the Mini Birds Clear Stamps Set and Mini Birds Die.

Don’t forget to leave a comment before you hop to

Prickley Pear Blog – you are here! Lori
Gini
Amy

We will be back tomorrow with more!!!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2012-02-05T22:29:00.001-07:00

Love is in the air! Do you feel it?!? :)

The Design Team sure does! Here is some valentines inspiration with lots of love from Prickley Pear.

Card by Amy using Heart with Daisy’s.

Bookmarks by Ujjwal using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set and Small Vase With Heart.

Card by Audrey using Branch with Hearts.

Card by Melissa using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set and Scalloped Circle Die.

Card by Michelle using All Hearts.

Card by Kristii using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Tesa using Winged Heart.

Card by Angelica using Ruffle Heart and My Cutie.

We promised you some sneak peaks last week, but you will have to wait until Friday! We will have a release party to celebrate the new Clear Stamps Set and coordinated Dies!!! With inspiration and a give away!!!Stay tuned and check back on Friday!!!

The Prickley Pear Team

January Sketch Winner

2012-02-02T08:15:00.001-07:00

Thank you all for participating in the sketch challenge of January. Your cards were all absolutely over the top beautiful! :) But we can only have one winner! And this month it is Michelle! She did this wonderful card using Prickley Pear’s Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set and Heart Key Crown Die - we always loooove seeing your projects using our stamps!!!

Congratulations Michelle!!!!

Please contact Nicole nmk28@yahoo.com to claim your prize!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday and a sneak peak!!!

2012-01-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

Hi!!!

Happy Monday! We have a new fun week ahead of us.

Prickley Pear releases new wonderful clear stamps sets and coordinated dies that will be available in the web shop any day! Stay tuned for some amazing cards later this week!

AND we have a sketch challenge running! Still a couple of days to participate! You find all the info HERE.

Since it's Monday - we have some inspiration from our Design Team:

Card by Tesa using Hearts ATC and My Funny Valentine.

Card by Angelica using Find What You Seek and Vine Flourish.

Card by Audrey using Vine Flourish.

Card by Lori using Clearly Beautiful Hibiscus Clear Stamps Set and Hibiscus Flower and Leaf Die.

Card by Melissa using Small Winter Love Birds.

Card by Ujjwal using Clearly Beautiful Flowers Clear Stamps Set.

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

The Prickley Pear Team

January Sketch Challenge Reminder

2012-01-26T22:20:00.001-07:00

Hiii!!! Happy, happy Friday!!!

We are having a sketch challenge going and we thought we’d give you a little reminder in time for the weekend! You could win a $15 gift certificate to the Prickley Pear Web Shop!

Here is the fun sketch!

And some beautiful cards from the Design Team:

Card by Amy using Forever Yours red rubber stamp.

Card by Melissa using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Audrey using Winged Heart.

All info and linking tool can be found HERE! Hope to see you play! Have a great weekend!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2012-01-22T22:08:00.001-07:00

Hi! Happy Monday and welcome to some Design Team inspiration!

The Design Team has been bitten by the luv bug so be prepared for some beautiful pinks and lovely hearts!!! :)

Enjoy!

Card by Melissa using Gears Clock Face and Journey Awakens.

Card by Ujjwal using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Lori using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set and Scalloped Circle Die.

Heart Hanger by Audrey using Winged Heart.

Card by Angelica using Valentine Palette.

Card by Tesa using Clearly Beautiful Flowers Stamp Set and Scalloped Circle Die.

Card by Amy using Ride with Me and The Mind Determines.

Have a fantastic new week and remember our ongoing sketch challenge! All info HERE!

The Prickley Pear Team

More Valentine Release Cards!

2012-01-20T11:46:00.003-07:00

It's Michelle P here today sharing some more of the new Valentine Release cards. We have had some family responsibilities these days....so I did not make the blog hop with these....but stamping is my therapy and I had fun working with these images this week!

My first card features the Steampunk Drifter image. I colored the image with the following Copic markers: W7, W5, W3, W1, E49, E47, E44, R85, R83, R81, RV93.

I framed my image with a simple pierced border. The designer paper is from BoBunny's Enchanted Collection. I colored some of the flourishes with Copics to coordinate with my image.

My second card features the adorable Duck in Tub image.

I colored the image with the following Copic Markers: W7, W5, W3, E49, E47, E44, YG67, YG17, B00, YR16, Y38, Y35, Y32.

I decided to go with the Cracked Glass Technique on this image for a more vintage feel.
I colored my image, then covered the image with Versamark ink and some Ultrathick Embossing Enamel and heated the image. I repeated this process 5-6 times and then placed my image in the freezer between two bags of tomatoes. This keeps the image from curling up too much when it freezes. After about five minutes I took the image out and carefully cracked it for the cracked glass effect. I did not add additional ink to my cracks...I didn't want too much of a grunge feel since I was making this into a baby card.

The designer paper is from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of The Party Collection. The letters are American Crafts stickers that I colored with my Copics and embellished with coordinating gems.

Michelle Pearson ~ Inspiration Blooms

Soot Stamping Tutorial by Lori

2012-01-18T01:04:00.001-07:00

Hi all! Here is a super cool technique shared by Lori!

Enjoy!

Soot Stamping Tutorial

This is a different technique that really seems to go so well with our new steampunk release. Here are the supplies you’ll need to do soot stamping.

Glossy Paper, Distress Ink, Brayer, Fixative ( I use matte) , a candle and of course a beautiful Prickley Pear Stamp. The one I’ve used here is called Steampunk Locomotive.

Apply color all over your glossy paper with your brayer and allow to dry. You can touch it with a heat tool if you don’t want to wait.

Here’s the fun but a little scary part. Take your candle and hold it underneath your colored paper…be sure to keep the candle moving especially on the edges as they like to catch fire, LOL. You want to move the candle around with the tip of the flame touching the paper and this will create papers of soot.

Once you covered the paper with soot, very carefully without touching the surface lay down on hard area and stamp straight down. Don’t rock or wiggle the stamp and come straight up afterwards.

Spray your finished image with a fixative and you’re ready to incorporate into your projects.

Have a fab day!

Lori and the Prickley Pear Team

P.s. You find our ongoing Sketch Challenge HERE!

A Winner and Monday Inspiration

2012-01-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

Thank you all for participating in our release party!

We have picked a winner by random and the lucky person to receive a $15 gift certificate to Prickley Pear Web Shop is Poornima! Congratulations! Please contact Nicole: nmk28@yahoo.com to get your prize!

And since it’s Monday, the Design Team has some beautiful inspirational cards to share with you!

Card by Melissa using Love.

Card by Audrey using Fox.

Card by Lori using Valentine Balloon and Let’s Go Together.

Card by Kristii using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set and I’ve Fallen in Love.

Card by Amy using Tiger.

Card by Angelica using Steampunk Locomotive.

Have a wonderful new week and remember we launched a new sketch challenge yesterday! We’d love to see you play! All info HERE!

The Prickley Pear Team

January Sketch Challenge

2012-01-15T02:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday! Hope you are enjoying our New Red Rubber Release and have had fun hopping! There is still time to participate, here are all the info from the three days: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.

But now it’s time to present the sketch of the Month. As always, Nicole has made one fab sketch and the Design Team has been busy to give you inspiration! First the sketch. Interpret it as you like!

And some cards from our Design Team:

Card by Kristii using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Angelica using Ruffle Heart and Vine Flourish.

Card by Tesa using Love, Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set and Heart Key Crown Die.

Card by Cheryl using Cupid and Be Mine.

Card by Lori using Look for Beauty.

Now we'd love to see your take on the sketch. Here are the how to:s

Make a card using the sketch above.
Everybody is welcome to participate, no PPRS products needed.
Link your blog post with your card to this post using Mr Linky below by January 31th.
One winner will be drawn randomly and will receive a $15 gift certificate at the Prickley Pear Web Shop!
Winner will be announced February 1.

Easy Peasy.

Thank you for playing with us!

The Prickley Pear Team

Release Party Final Day!

2012-01-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

Welcome back for our final day of our blog hop to celebrate the new release of Valentines and Steampunk red rubber! The Design Team has made some amazing inspirational projects published on their personal blogs for you to enjoy. If you participate in our hop and leave comments on the participating blogs you have the chance of winning a $15 gift certificate to the Prickley Pear Web Shop.

Here is today’s blog hop list

Prickley Pear Blog – you are here!
Kristii
Cheryl
Ujjwal
Audrey

1If you haven’t had a chance to play the first two days you find the blog hop lists and info here: Day 1 and Day 2. You have until Sunday midnight EST to leave your comments for your chance to win.

Here is a card using stamps from the Steampunk release: Steampunk Locomotive and In Dreams.

I used the aluminum tape technique for this one. It doesn’t photograph that well, sorry for that.

***

Next stop on the hop is

KRISTII

Have fun and thanks for participating!

The Prickley Pear Team

P.s. Come back tomorrow for a new sketch challenge!

Release Party Day 2!!

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hi! Hope you enjoyed the hop yesterday! You find the blog hop list and info for yesterday HERE – you have until Sunday to participate!

We continue our celebration of new Red Rubber with Valentines and Steampunk themes with more inspiration on the blogs of our fantastic Design Team. Hop along and leave comments and you have the chance to win a $15 gift certificate to the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Web Shop. You have until Sunday to leave your comment and a winner will be drawn and presented here on Monday!

Here is today’s blog hop list. Have FUN!

Love from the Prickley Pear Team ♥

Next stop on the hop is

LORI

Release Party Day 1

2012-01-12T07:01:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Prickley Pear's new release of Valentines and Steampunk themed Red Rubber Stamps!

To celebrate this new release we are having a three day long Blog Party with loads of inspirations by the Design Team and a give away! One happy participant will win a $ 15 gift certificate to the web shop. All you have to do is leave a comment on each of the participating blogs and tell us what you think about the new release. Last day to enter is Sunday 15th midnight EST. The winner will be drawn randomly at one of the participating blogs, one of the days and will be presented on the Prickley Pear Blog on Monday.

This is today’s blog hop schedule:

Prickley Pear Blog – you are here!
Melissa
Angelica
Tesa

And here is one of our new stamps as a teaser! :)

Duck in Tub.

Go check out the inspiration projects from the amazing Design Team on their blogs. Next stop is

Melissa

Don’t forget to leave a comment and check back tomorrow for a new hop!!!

Thanks for participating!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2012-01-09T00:39:00.001-07:00

Happy new week! Hope the Holiday season has been a good one. We are back to normal Monday schedule after a couple of weeks break and it feels great. :) We have a lot of fun in store for you the coming week! A new set of red rubber with Valentines theme is released and we will have a little release party here and on the Design Team’s blogs starting on Thursday! Be sure to check back then!

Card by Amy using Girl With Basket and Love is in the air.

Card by Angelica using Stella, Clearly Beautiful Butterflies Blobby Flowers Die and Scalloped Circle Die.

Card by Audrey using Build an Owl Clear Stamps Set 2 and Build an Owl Die.

Card by Kristii using Vase with Heart.

Card by Lori using Kids with Plane.

Card by Melissa using Heart Key Crown Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Ujjwal using Spring Scalloped Circles Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Tesa using Hot Air Balloon Clear Stamps Set.

See you on Thursday!

The Prickley Pear Team

December Sketch Winner!!!

2012-01-02T02:38:00.001-07:00

Happy New 2012!

We start this new year with announcing the winner of December Sketch Challenge! That is what I call a good start! :)

But first – thank you all for participating. We love seeing what you create! Hope you will be back on January 15th when our first 2012 sketch challenge is launched.

The winner that Random.org picked for us is….

Libeeti!!!

Congratulations!!!

Please contact Nicole nmk28@yahoo.com for your gift certificate!

The Prickley Pear Team

Sketch Challenge Reminder

2011-12-28T05:27:00.001-07:00

There are still a few days left to play with the December sketch challenge!

It’s a super fun sketch! Check out what the Design Team did!

Card by Angelica using Snowman with Pipe and Victorian Ornament Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Kristii using Snowman Postage stamp.

Card by Tesa using Clearly Beautiful Build a Bird Set, Clearly Beautiful Butterflies Set and Scalloped Circle Die.

Last day to enter is New Years Eve! All info and linking tool can be found in THIS post.

The Prickley Pear Team

Creating a snowflake tutorial by Melissa

2011-12-25T23:47:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful!

Melissa has a tutorial using some of the PPRS dies to share with us today. Love how the dies are such versatile tools. The other day, Lori used the same scalloped die to make flowers… :)

1. Round up your basic supplies:

Prickley Pear's Scalloped Circle and Victorian Ornament 2 dies
two shades of glitter paper (I used silver and white)
adhesive tape
foam squares or dots
1.75-in. circle punch
embellishments (if desired)

2. Start by cutting out six (6) Victorian Ornaments & one (1) Scalloped Circle. Create one (1) 1.75-inch circle using the punch.

3. Punch out one (1) 1.75-inch circle from a piece of cardstock to use as a base. Apply a line of adhesive across the center of the circle.

4. Begin assembling your snowflake by attaching two of the Ornaments to the base on top of the adhesive.

5. Add more adhesive and adhere two more Ornaments, overlapping the first two and spacing evenly on the circle. Repeat with the remaining two Ornaments.

6. Apply a line of adhesive to the back of the Scalloped Circle shape (I used a stronger adhesive, Sticky Strip, for this) and adhere to the center of the snowflake.

7. Apply foam squares or dots to the back of the 1.75-inch circle shape and attach to the center of the Scalloped Circle.

You have a snowflake!

Embellish it as you'd like or leave it as it is and use it to make a card or on a scrapbook page! You could also hang it up using silver or gold colored cord/thread. If doing this, you would want to cut out double the number of die shapes and circles, adhering the Ornament shapes back to back before assembling the snowflake. This will ensure that the back of the snowflake is a mirror image of the front!

Here is a card I made using the snowflake:

Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T23:29:00.001-07:00

We want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Hope you have a wonderful Holiday Weekend!!!

Card by Audrey using Kitty & Bird and With Christmas GoodWill.

Card by Jenny using Victorian Ornament Clear Stamps Set.

And if you get some scrappy time during the holidays – there is a fun sketch challenge going on! It’s due New Years Eve. Is there a better way to finish this crafty year than participating? :):):) All info HERE!

Merry Christmas!

The Prickley Pear Team

Poinsettia Flower using Holly Leaves

2011-12-19T22:27:00.001-07:00

For Prickley Pear Design Team By Ujjwal Goel

Step 1: Die cut 16 leaves using the Prickley Pear Holly Leaves Die

Step 2: Stamp and white heat emboss different leaves on the die cuts using the Holly Leaves and Berries Stamp Set

Step 3: Using Walnut Stain Distress ink and ink blending tool/Sponge, ink the edges of all the embossed leaves to give them more definition and a rustic look.

Step 4: Its now time to arrange the leaves into a flower. Use a 1” circle for the base and start arranging the leaves. We will use 8 leaves for the first layer and the rest 8 leaves for the second layer of flower to build dimension. (the picture doesn’t show a circle for the base, but this is the basic idea of arrangement)

Step 5: Once the first layer is glued to the base circle, using the remaining 8 leaves and dimensional adhesive/foam dots to build the second layer

Step 6: To finish off the flower, add a circle and a big rhinestone to the center. The flower is now ready to be used as an embellishment on your next holiday project.

Here is the card I made using the flower.

Enjoy!

Lori’s Rose Tutorial

2011-12-16T23:26:00.001-07:00

Hi folks! Lori has made the cutest roses out of the Prickley Pear’s Scalloped Circle Die and here is a tutorial how to make these yourself. But first the beautiful card!

Products used: Holly and Berries Die, Circles Clear Stamps Set Winter, With Christmas GoodWill, Ornaments ATC and Scallop Circle Die

Here are the how to:s

Supplies Needed: Scalloped Circle Die, Circles Clear Stamps Set Winter, Quilling Tool, Scissors, Ink, and Paper

Step One: Cut Scalloped Circle Die

Step Two: Stamp both sides of the die with matching stamp set.

Step Three: Cut through the circle and cut center circle out leaving the outer rim only

Step Four: Curl around quilling tool tightly and then remove…let it open up some and bend back some of the filigree edges back around the outside for a finished rose.

Ready to use!

Happy Scrapping!

Pssssst: A new sketch challenge is up and running! All info HERE!

December Sketch Challenge!!!

2011-12-15T08:12:00.001-07:00

Hi all and welcome to the last sketch challenge for this year! Perhaps a perfect challenge for those lazy days between Christmas and New Years Eve?

Nicole has made us a super fun sketch to use:

And here are the cards from the Design Team!

Card by Amy using Ornament Bunch and It Came Without Ribbons.

Card by Melissa using Small Winter Lovebirds, Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set and Great little one.

Card by Audrey using Snowman Postage and With Christmas GoodWill.

Card by Cheryl using Poinsettia Bunch and Merry Christmas 2.

Now we'd love to see your take on the sketch. Here are the how to:s

Everybody is welcome to participate, no PPRS products needed. Simply make your card based on the sketch and link it up using Mr Linky below by December 31th. Easy Peasy.

One winner will be drawn randomly and will receive a $15 gift certificate at the Prickley Pear Web Shop!

Thank you for playing with us!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2011-12-12T03:35:00.001-07:00

Hello! Hope you had a wonderful weekend and is up for a new fresh week! It will be filled with lots of Christmas preparations for many of us… And it’s time to get the Christmas cards out!

Here is some Seasonal inspiration from the Design Team

Card by Michelle using Ornaments 2 Clear Stamps Set and Gift of the Season.

Card by Kristii using Ellie and Gift of the Season.

Card by Melissa using Birdcage Winter 2 Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Jenny using Retro Christmas Cat.

Card by Audrey using Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set, Holly and Berries Die, Gift of the Season and Plump Cardinal on Berry Branch.

Card by Angelica using Birdcage Winter 2 Clear Stamps Set and Birdcage Die.

Snow globe by Tesa using Pumpkin and Snowman Clear Stamps Set, Pumpkin and Snowman Die and Evergreen with Star.

Thank you for stopping by!!!

The Prickley Pear Team

Storage Ideas

2011-12-11T00:13:00.001-07:00

Hi folks! We have two DIY (do it yourself) storage ideas to share today. One Prickley Pear Clear Stamps and Dies storage by Tesa and one Ink blending tool turorial and storage by Cheryl.

Stamp storage by Tesa

The Prickley Pear Clear stamps come with a great sturdy acetate cover to where they cling perfectly (for years and years, no problems with clear stamps on the loose!). A good thing is that the acetate cover is in one piece, and folded over the stamps. I’ve been looking for a way to keep these stamps together with the coordinated dies in a more organized way (than my usual chaos) and decided to go for a home made file filled with plastic pockets.

I started with laminating 10 white cardstock big enough to hold the stamps and fit in the plastic pockets. The plastic pockets are around 5 1/2 x 8 1/4 (European standard A5). The stamps are adhered on the front of the laminated cardstock and I’ve made a pocket to hold the die and diecut template on the back. Then I filled ten pockets with stamps and tied it all together with twine through the plastic pocket holes. I used some spacers made of pizza boxes.

I used the finished plastic pocket book to measure out the size of my file. I cut three pieces of cardboard out of pizza boxes for the cover and laid them out on the table with some spacing between the pieces.

Then you just have to adhere them with some tape. Remember to keep the spacing between the pieces, it’s there so that you will be able to close the file!!! I use electrical tape cause it’s a bit elastic and will stay on forever.

Now it’s just to cover it all with some paper and decorate it the way one wants to.

When done with that, make four holes in spine of the file. Measure it to fit the holes of the plastic pockets. Use twine and a needle to first fasten the twine through the pile of plastic pockets and then go through the holes in the spine and tie a know and they will stay in place.

And here is the inside with the stamps and die holder. This way I always have the die I want at hand and it also keeps my die cut template so that I don’t have to make a new one every time.

(and sorry about the messy tape, but it’s a sign of love and use…)

Inking tool storage by Cheryl

I've seen several tutorials on making ink blending blocks rather than buying those expensive applicators with the handles (here is a good video tutorial). It sounded like a great idea to me, so I enlisted my husband's help and he set about to cut me 36 blocks (one for each Distress Ink color--I don't usually use other inks with sponge applicators). As he was cutting the blocks, I started thinking about how I could label them and also how I could label and store the sponge daubers so I could have one dedicated to each color also. Then it hit me, why not store the daubers inside the blocks! I wasn't sure it would work, but my husband made several test blocks and came up with one that works perfectly. So when I am in need of an ink applicator, whether it's a foam pad or a dauber, they are both conveniently in one place. I can use the block with or without removing the dauber. Without thinking about it, I found that I was placing my finger in the dauber while I was using the block--kind of like a giant dauber. :)

Here's what you need to make your own set:
Two (2) - 2" x 2" x 36" wooden ballisters ($0.89 each at Home Depot)
3/4" Wood Boring Drill Bit (approx. $4.00 at Ace Hardware)
1" wide Hook and Loop Tape--you'll need about 72" (if you use 3/4" wide tape, you'll need about 90")
Return Address Labels (or some other kind of label)
Label maker with clear tape and black letters
Blending foam applicators
Sponge Daubers
To make the blocks, begin by marking 1-7/8" for each block on the wood. You can get 19 blocks per ballister. Do NOT cut the blocks yet!

Clamp the wood strip securely and drill a hole in the center of each 1-7/8" section. You will need to drill almost all the way through so that the dauber will fit in far enough to allow the lid to close on the box.

Don't worry when the starter point on the drill bit protrudes out of the bottom of the wood. It has to in order for the hole to be deep enough. This hole will be covered with hook and loop tape. After all the holes are drilled, use a saw and cut each block on the marked lines. After cutting the blocks, sand them where necessary.

For the hook & loop tape, you only need the hook part (the sticky, rough part). For now, I just have the hook tape adhered to the block with it's adhesive backing. Eventually, I may either glue or staple it down because I noticed that when I pulled the applicators off the tape, it sometimes pulled the tape off, too. But, since I won't have to be constantly switching out the foam applicators now, once I get one attached to each block, they can stay there until they are worn out. I love the convenience!

I found this box at Joann. I think it was called an embellishment box, and it was on sale for $6. The box is the perfect size for all 36 blocks, and even with the daubers inside the blocks, it closes just fine.

For a more detailed tutorial and more photos – go check out this post over at Cheryl’s blog!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Cheryl and Tesa

Retro Christmas - Glitter and Acetate Style!

2011-12-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I've been on a retro kick...and just had to break out my glitter and acetate to go along with it!
Glitter just seems to be the perfect touch on holiday cards...and for these cards I used some suede glitter that is some pretty fun stuff...love the velvety texture look it gives in real life!

My first card features three images...

~It Came Without Ribbons which I stamped in black ink and popped up for some dimension.

~Ornament Bunch which I stamped with Stazon on acetate. I then applied glue and glitters to the back of the acetate. Once dry, I popped my acetate up with foam tape hidden behind the ornaments and snowflake. It is a floating acetate window, and the shadows it casts are fun!

~Ornaments ATC which I embossed with silver detail embossing powder.

My second card features the Retro Holiday Tag, which I stamped in Stazon ink on Acetate. I glittered the back and used it to frame the Retro Christmas Cat. I stamped the cat on the cardstock and then did up his hat in glitter and acetate as well. The sentiment is from the Clearly Beautiful Ornament 2 Set.

Last, but not least I used the same frame with a different color scheme and a different sentiment from the Clearly Beautiful Ornaments 2 set. I stamped Kitty in Balloon on acetate and glittered it up, popping it up on foam tape for a floating effect as well.

Michelle Pearson ~ Inspiration Blooms

Design Team Monday

2011-12-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

Happy, Happy Monday!!! We are having some serious Christmas Feelings around here and a few of us are longing for snow! I am for sure!!! What is better than making seasonal cards and listening to Christmas music in times like this?

Here is what the Design Team has come up with this week:

Card by Lori using Great little One and Small Winter Love Birds.

Card by Angelica using Santa and Reindeer and Circles Clear Stamps Set Winter.

Card by Cheryl using Winter’s Glow Postage Stamp, Christmas Season and Small Snowflake 2.

Card by Audrey using Poinsettia Bunch.

Card by Melissa using It Came Without Ribbons and Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Amy using Poinsettia Postage stamp

Card by Kristii using Snowman Postage.

Hope you feel inspired!

The Prickley Pear Team

Butterflies for wintery cards!

2011-12-01T22:45:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful day of the week, a whole weekend soon to start!!! May there be a lot of card making for all of you! :)

I have a wintery butterfly card to share today. It is using one of the lovely butterflie stamps from the Clearly Beautiful Butterflies Set

It has an intricate and totally beautiful pattern of snowflakes and the text Hope Love Joy on it’s wings. I stamped it with a soft purple ink and then heat embossed it for some extra shine and texture.

The Butterfly coordinates perfectly with the Butterfly Die.

Here is a close up on the sentiment from the same set, also stamped with purple ink and then heat embossed.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Have a beautiful Friday!

Tesa

November sketch challenge WINNER!!!

2011-12-01T06:58:00.001-07:00

Hi you all! We have a fantastic November gallery and we thank all of our participants for playing with us.

Hope to see you back for the December challenge! :) :) :)

This month’s winner is

Rebekah!!!

Congratulations!!!

Rebekah did this fabbie card

Please contact Nicole nmk28@yahoo.com and she will help you with your prize, a $ 15 gift certificate to the web shop!

The December challenge is posted on the 15th.

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2011-11-28T09:48:00.001-07:00

Hi!!! Happy Monday! Hope the weekend was good and that you did some great finds on Black Friday! It’s less than a month left to Christmas and I guess the planner is filled with to do things! But don’t forget to relax and play some!!!

The Design Team has made some wonderful seasonal cards and other projects and we hope you feel inspired!

Card by Melissa using Pinecones ATC and Tis the Season.

Card by Amy using Bird and Snowman and Ornaments 2 Clear Stamps Set.

Ornament by Kristii using Mary and baby Jesus.

Card by Lori using Circles Clear Stamps Set Winter and Scalloped Circle Die.

Card by Audrey using Snowman Postage and With Christmas GoodWill.

Card by Michelle using Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set and First day of Christmas.

Tag by Angelica using Victorian Ornaments Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Cheryl using Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set, Holly and Berries Die, Play & Make Good Cheer and Small Snowflake 2.

And finally something totally off the season…

Card by Tesa using Flourished Bird Cage and Life and Love.

***

Thank you so much for stopping by! We love your comments! :)

Don’t forget the Sketch Challenge – there are still a couple of days left to play. All info can be found here!

The Prickley Pear Team

Friday inspiration and a little sneak peak

2011-11-24T23:20:00.001-07:00

Hi all! Here is some Friday inspiration from Audrey, Melissa and Michelle. Thought we’d get your mojo working! :)

First up is Melissa with a beautiful CAS card. Clean and Simple and absolutely gorgeous.

Both leaf and sentiment are from the Oak and Maple leaf Clear Stamps Set. And the leaf is cut out with the Oak and Maple Leaf Die and popped up with some 3D foam.

Aurdrey’s card is a Thanksgiving beauty using the Turkey red rubber stamp.

The Turkey is mounted on the Scalloped Circle Die and she is using the sentiment from the Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamps set. I love the distressed look on this card with inked edges and a softly inked lace that is simply wonderful! :)

Michelle has made a wonderful wintery card with new Reindeer Pair that will be up in the store shortly! We’ll let you know!!!

The sentiment is from the Victorian Ornament Clear Stamps Set.

Do you recognize the design of this card? Michelle is using the November sketch and this is a perfect time to make a final shout out about the sketch challenge that is up and running until November 30th.

Use the sketch, use any products you want and link your card up in THIS post no later than November 30th, and you will be in the random draw for a winner who will receive a $15 gift certificate to the Web Shop!!! All info HERE!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

The Prickley Pear Team

November Sketch Challenge Reminder

2011-11-22T22:17:00.001-07:00

We have a Sketch Challenge running and we’d love it if you’d participate!!!

The prize is a $15 gift certificate to the web shop and the great honor! :) :) :)

Check out the fun sketch!

You can interpret it anyway you’d like, only we can see the sketch there somewhere! :) and you do not need to use Prickley Pear products, (but we loooove to see what you do with them so it’s fun if you do)!

Here is some fab inspiration from the Design Team

Card by Lori using the Circles Clear Stamps Set Winter, Ornaments 2 Clear Stamps Set, Ornament Die.

Card by Audrey using Cornucopia and a sentiment from the Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Cheryl using the oh so adorable Ornamental Kitty.

Card by Amy using Evergreen with Star and Home for the Holidays.

***

And NOW we’d love to see your take!!!

All info about the challenge and a linky tool can be found HERE!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2011-11-20T20:42:00.001-07:00

Hi all!!!

I have a ton of beautiful cards to share today! I’ll let them speak for themselves!!!

Card by Michelle using Ellie Small, Retro Holiday Tag and Play & Make Good Cheer.

Card by Tesa using JOY and Small winter love birds.

Card by Audrey using Birdcage Winter 2 Clear Stamps Set, Birdcage Die, Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set and Holly and Berries Die.

Card by Jenny using Winter Glow.

Card by Lori using Autumn is a second spring, Pumpkins Clear Stamps Set 2 and Pumpkin Die.

Card by Angelica using Evergreen with Star and Goodness Sends.

Card by Amy using Ornaments 2 Clear Stamps Set, Ornament Die and Tis the Season.

So much Christmas spirit! And some fall beauty! :)

We have a Sketch Challenge running. Still a week left to participate. You find all the details about it HERE!

Have a fab new week!

The Prickley Pear Team

November Sketch Challenge!

2011-11-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Happy mid November! It’s time for a new sketch challenge! Hope you will participate!

Check out the fun sketch Nicole has made for us! Use it as inspiration!

Here is what the Design Team has come up with!

Tag by Kristii using the Victorian Ornaments Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Tesa using With Christmas GoodWill and Winter Love Birds.

Card by Angelica using the Pumpkin and Snowman Clear Stamps Set and Pumpkin and Snowman Die.

Card by Ujjwal using the Victorian Ornaments Clear Stamps set and Victorian Ornament Die.

Card by Melissa using Thank You Would Suffice.

Now we can’t wait to see what you all will come up with! Everybody is welcome to participate, no PPRS products needed. Simply make your card based on the sketch and link it up using Mr Linky below by November 30th. Easy Peasy.

One winner will be drawn randomly and will receive a $15 gift certificate at the Prickley Pear Web Shop!

Thank you for playing with us!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2011-11-13T22:36:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday!!! I’m so happt to be here to share the projects from the Design Team. They have made some truly wonderful things! :)

First up three Fall themed projects!

Card by Lori using Vintage Cornucopia and Goodness Sends.

Tags by Ujjwal using Circles Clear Stamps Set Fall.

Layout by Tesa using Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamps Set, Oak and Maple Leaf Die and Leaf Flourish.

Christmas is just around the corner. Imagine! :)

The girls have been working on the Christmas cards. Have you? :)

Card by Michelle using Poinsettia Postage, Poinsettia Bunch and Spirit of Christmas.

Card by Jenny using Scribble Kitty and sentiment from Ornaments 2 Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Amy using Spirit of Christmas.

Card by Kristii using the Victorian Ornament Clear Stamps Set, Victorian Ornaments Die and Tis the Season.

Gift card holder by Melissa using Birdcage Winter 2 Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Audrey using Plump Cardinal on Berry Branch and Winter Wonderland.

Card by Angelica using Pinecones ATC and Home for the Holidays.

Wow! I feel the Christmas Spirit!

Be back tomorrow for some challenge fun. A new sketch will be launched and we are changing things up a bit so more of you will be able to participate.

Hope to see you then!

The Prickley Pear Team.

Leaf Card and coloring tips

2011-11-10T00:06:00.001-07:00

Hi all! Do you remember this fabbie card from the Monday post?

Jenny made a great tutorial about how to do it and shared some coloring tips on her blog in THIS post and we thought it’d be a good idea to share it here too!

Jenny used the Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamps Set and Oak and Maple Leaf Die for her card and the leafs are colored with copics. Here is what she wrote about how to make this card:

You can see the Copics I used. I put all the dark colors down first and then use my lighter colors to smooth out the color transitions. Remember leaves are all blotchy too -- so the color transitions do not have to be perfect!!!! I added two small layered mats... 1/16" edge to the panel using Perfect Layer Rulers.

After constructing the card, using foam tape to pop up some of the layers. I gently bent the leaves an used Dimensional Silicone to adhere them on top of the leaf panel.

Leaf Copic Coloring Ideas

Tis the season for coloring leaves... so I thought I would show you a few a my favorite combos for fall leaves.... with Copic Markers, of course! Hope you can read my scratchy writing.

Thank you Jenny for your coloring tips!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2011-11-07T01:12:00.002-07:00

Hi folks! Hope you’ve had a great weekend and are up for a new fun week. The Design Team is here to give you a good start! :)

Card by Jenny using the Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamps Set and Oak and Maple Leaf Die.

Card by Audrey using Ornaments 2 Clear Stamps Set, Birdcage Winter Clear Stamp Set and Ornament Die.

Card by Kristii using Winter Birds.

Card by Amy using the Ornaments ATC, Pumpkin and Snowman Clear Stamp Set and Pumpkin and Snowman Die.

Card by Angelica using Snowman Postage and Tis the Season.

Card by Melissa using Victorian Ornament Clear Stamps Set and Victorian Ornaments Die. Holly and Berries Die.

Card by Lori using Snowman with Pipe and Ornaments 2 Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Tesa using Ornamental Kitty and With Christmas Goodwill.

Card by Cheryl using 2 Pinecones stamp.

Card by Michelle using Love Owls and a sentiment stamp from the Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Set.

We wish you a wonderful new week!

The Prickley Pear Team

More Aluminum tape tips

2011-11-05T04:23:00.001-07:00

Hi all! Hope you are having a lovely start of the weekend! I’m here with The Aluminum Tape – the sequel. Two small tips before I let it go! :)

My boy is going to a Halloween party tonight and these are the cards he’ll bring with his presents to the two girls hosting it.

The card base is made by stamping the coffin from the Dancing Skeleton Clear Stamps Set on patterned paper and cut it out. Then I glued it down on an ordinary black cardbase with the top of the lid just below the folded edge. Then I used my scissors and cut.

Last time I showed an aluminum tape project I worked with die cuts. But it works great with heat embossing too. The embossed parts will rise enough to make a silhouette. And this makes this technique even more fun and versatile. I stamped and heat embossed leafs from the Oak and Maple Leafs Clear Stamps Set and then covered it all with the tape and check it out!

It’s a perfect silhouette of the leaf and it’s just to run it through your die cutting machine to get a neat decoration!

And you can color it too! Even though it’s really cool with the aluminum look, sometimes one wants more colors. Easiest way is to use your Alcohol Inks. The metallic effect stays, but in a shimmering different color!

I made one purple and one orange to match the presents for the girls.

I used white satin ribbons as decoration but colored them in with distress stains. Great way to get the colors one want without having to buy loads and loads of ribbon.

Here is a look at the inside too.

Love this cat from the Circles Clear Stamps Set Fall.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch Challenge Winner!!!

2011-11-01T08:17:00.002-07:00

Hi! It’s time to pick a winner for our October Sketch Challenge! Thanks to all who participated. We love to see what you all make with the Prickley Pear stamps!

Random. org picked our winner and our winner this month is Tracie with this beautiful card!!!

Tracie is using the Cardinal Clear Stamps Set and Cardinal Die.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Please contact Nicole nmk28@yahoo.com and tell her which Clear Stamp Set and Coordinated Die you’d like!

We will be back with a new fun sketch November 15th. We’ll be changing things up a bit so be sure to check back!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday

2011-10-30T22:35:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween folks! Hope you are having a fun day filled with Trick and Treat and whatever you do. :)

The Design Team has been on a really Halloweenish kind of mood.

Check this out!

Melissa has made a Triangle Treat Box using the Pumpkin Clear Stamps Set 2 and Pumpkin Die for the pumpkin and the Circles Clear Stamps Set Fall for the sentiment.

Card by Angelica using the Scary Cat and Bats Clear Stamps Set and Scary Cat and Bat Die

Card by Kristii using the Cat and Pumpkin red rubber stamp.

Lori has made this lovely card using the Witches Boot.

Audrey made this cute card using the Witches Post red rubber stamp.

Are you scared yet?

We have one more Halloween card!

Card by Cheryl using Owl and Cat Tree stamp.

Thanks giving is up next so here is a gift box and card for that occasion.

Set by Tesa using Autumn is a second spring red rubber stamp and the Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamps Set and Oak and Maple Leaf Die.

And it’s about time to start all the Christmas cards too!!!

Card by Jenny using Ornaments 2 Clear Stamps Set and Ornament Die.

Michelle has made this glittery card using Winter Birds and the sentiment is from the Birdcage Winter Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Lori using Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set, Holly and Berries Die and Birdcage Winter Clear Stamps Set.

Ujjwal made this beauty with the Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set and Holly and Berries Die.

Card by Amy using Santa and Reindeer and a sentiment from the Ornament 2 Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Lori using Poinsettia Postage, Circles Clear Stamps Set Winter and Scalloped Circle Die.

WOW!

Hope you feel inspired!

Inspired enough maybe to pull out your stamps and make a card for our sketch Challenge! It’s ending today and with few participants the chance of winning some mighty nice stamps and die is big! :) All info can be found HERE!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

The Prickley Pear Team

Boo to You! :)

2011-10-29T00:37:00.001-07:00

Happy Saturday!!!

Halloween is just around the corner so it’s time to whip up those last Halloween cards! :)

I used the adorable Sweet Vintage Witch for my first card.

She is colored with Distress inks and got quite some glitter so that the card sparkles in the sun. (Yep, we’re having some good old SUN around here today, it’s been a couple of weeks since last time…)

With the scraps I made a clean and simple 15 minutes card. It’s 4x4 which is a great card size, quick and easy to make! And perfect size for sweet little Buster.

He isn’t big but he sure is CUTE! The sentiment and the cute little cat I put inside the card are both from Circles Clear Stamps Set Fall.

I had some striped papers left so I dressed up the home made envelope too. The pumpkin lady is sweet Pumpkin with Pail.

***

There are still a few days to participate in October Sketch Challenge! You find all the info HERE!!!

Have a fab weekend!

Design Team Monday

2011-10-23T22:25:00.001-07:00

Hi! Hope you had a fab weekend! Lot’s of cardmaking… :)

I know the Prickley Pear Team has been busy casue they’ve filled the gallery with amazing creations!!! Thought I’d share! :)

First up is a beautiful card with the darling snowgirl Ellie

Card by Kristii using Lg. Ellie and the Scalloped Circle Die.

Here is more Lg. Ellie:

Card by Michelle using Lg. Ellie on a super fun gift card holder with the Triangle Flap Fold.

Melissa has made a lovely CAS card using the JOY sentiment.

Lori is also feeling the Christmas Joy coming up with this amazing card. She is using the Collaged Pinecone Tag and Joys Be Many. Here is a close up:

But before we have Christmas, we have Halloween!

Card by Ujjwal using the Scary Cat and Bats Clear Stamps Set and coordinated Scary Cat and Bat Die.

Card by Audrey using the Witches Post and Whiskers stamps.

Card by Jenny using the Circles Clear Stamps Set Fall and Scalloped Circle Die.

And finally a fab tab:

Tag by Angelica using Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamps Set, Oak and Maple Leaf Die, Pumpkin and Mouse and Scalloped Circle Die.

Wow! Amazing! I hope this will give you a good and creative start of the new week!

The Prickley Pear Team

Sketch Challenge Reminder

2011-10-23T07:25:00.001-07:00

Hi! Do you feel like a sketch challenge? We have one up and running with a super fun sketch with endless possibilities. Due date is October 31th so you have a week to play! :) You find the link up post here, but before you go, here is a little inspiration from our Design Team.

First the sketch

Card by Michelle using the Hibiscus Clear Stamps Set and the Hibiscus Flower and Leaf Die.

Card by Kristii using the Victorian Ornaments Clear Stamps Set and Victorian Ornaments Die.

Card by Tesa using the Vintage Angel, Peace Love Happiness, Small Winter Lovebirds and Ornaments Clear Stamps Set.

Card by Melissa using the Giraffe Clear Tag and Marvelous.

We hope to see you play with us! You can win a clear stamp set of your choice with a coordinated die!

All info can be found HERE!

The Prickley Pear Team

Halloween project tutorial

2011-10-22T02:04:00.001-07:00

Hi folks! Happy Saturday!!! I have a fun Halloween project to share today. Lot’s of photos, so bare with me…

I’ll show you a fun technique using aluminum tape and the Dancing Skeleton Clear Stamps Set and the coordinated Dancing Skeleton Die.

I love this set and my boy loves it even more! :)

The idea of making aluminum tape projects is to make a relief out of paper and other decorations. When covering it all with the tape, only the shapes of what is under it will show and it will get a really neat metallic look.

Here is the basics of what you need to make this project:

Coffin template. I used this one from instructables.com which is perfect in size for the stamps and dies I use.
Cardstock and cardboard. Color doesn’t matter cause you’ll be covering it all up.
Aluminum tape. It’s a super thin tape you find in any Hardware store. It is originally made for some electronic stuff… Perfect to craft with…
Stamps and dies and ink – I use StazOn cause you can stamp on the aluminum with it.
Scissors and glue
Black acrylic paint
Decorations like ribbon, rhinestones, edgepunch, magnets (to lock the card with), piece of patterned paper.

Ok, here we go!

1. Start with making the coffin out of cardstock. Make an extra cardstock piece the size of the top of the lid (this is the piece we will be working on and when done glue it down on the lid)

2. Dress the coffin part with aluminium tape.

3. Stamp the Coffin lid stamp from the Dancing Skeleton set four times on cardboard (I use an old cereal box). The first two you cut out whole and glue down on top of each other centered on the cardstock piece. Cut out the inner parts of the remaining two stamped lids. Glue one of them on top of the first two. Before you glue down the last one, you score along the stamped lines to get a wood relief. When done glue it down. It should look like this:

4. Decorate the lid with diecut skeleton parts. I used cardstock but in double layers to get a real good relief.

5. Cover it all with aluminum tape.

6. Use a bone folder (or the like) and rub the tape down and be sure to follow all the lines of the items you’ve glued down under it.

It’s amazing, even the canvas structure of the cardstock shows through if you rub it gently.

7. When done cover it all with black acrylic paint and rub off with a tissue. Don’t let it dry, work quickly. You don’t have to be very careful – a halloween project can be a little blackish. If you wipe to much paint away, ad some more.

8. Glue down the piece on the coffin lid. Ad some edge punched cardstock to the sides and finish with a ribbon.

Done!

I made a card for the coffin too using the same technique, stamps and die.

On the front I used the swords and RIP from the Dancing Skeleton Set and fuzzy cut it. The dots on the top and bottom are rhinestones. The card closes with a magnet.

On the inside, I put a piece of patterned paper where one can write a sentiment with white pen. The heads are stamped and die cut with the Dancing Skeleton sets. I used StazOn which will stick to the aluminum.

I hope you can follow my instructions. Ask if there is something unclear and forgive me my bad English! :)

Have a great weekend!

Design Team Monday

2011-10-16T20:55:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday! It’s a new fresh week and the Prickley Pear team brings you new inspiration! :)

Let’s start with the cutest little Buster around…

Card by Audrey using Buster and Scalloped Circle Die.

Card by Lori using the Poker Pumpkin stamp.

Angelica used the same stamp for this purple card

Card by Angelica using the Poker Pumpkin, Oak and Maple Leafs Clear Stamps Set and Oak and Maple Leaf Die.

Card by Amy using the Ornament 2 Clear Stamp Set and Ornament Die.

Card by Tesa using the Victorian Ornament Clear Stamps Set, Victorian Ornament Die, Pumpkin Clear Stamps Set 2 and Pumpkin Die.

Card by Melissa using the Cat Tree stamp.

And check out this fun card using several of the small super cute halloween stamps:

Card by Ujjwal using Small Dancing Witch, Two Small JackOLanterns and Small Whiskers.

Thank you for stopping by today! Have a fab week!

The Prickley Pear Team

P.s. Don’t forget our October Sketch Challenge! All info HERE!

October Sketch Challenge!

2011-10-14T22:44:00.002-07:00

Hi folks! Happy Saturday! It’s mid October already (can’t believe it!!!) and that means it’s time for a new sketch challenge here at the Prickley Pear Blog.

We have a super fun sketch for you to work with designed by Nicole:

I hope it will inspire you as much as it inspired the design team! They’ve come up with some amazing cards for you to enjoy!

Card by Angelica using the Turkey, the Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamp Set and the Oak and Maple Leaf Die.

Card by Audrey using the Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamp Set, Oak and Maple Leaf Die, Pumpkin Clear Stamp Set 2 and Pumpkin Die.

Card by Amy using the Dancing Skeleton Clear Stamps Set and the Dancing Skeleton Die.

Card by Nicole using the Dancing Skeleton Clear Stamps Set, Dancing Skeleton Die, Pumpkin and Snowman Clear Stamps Set, Pumpkin and Snowman Die,

Card by Ujjwal using the Evergreen with Star rubber stamp and a sentiment from the Victorian Ornaments Clear Stamp Set.

Card by Cheryl using the Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set and Holly and Berries Die.

Card by Lori using the Clearly Beautiful Hibisucs Clear Stamps Set, Hibisucs Flower and Leaf Die, Blobby Flowers Clear Stamps Set and Blobby Flowers Die.

Wow! And more Design Team inspiration from this sketch will be featured next week!

Now we’d love to see what you will come up with! And there is a prize!!!

One winner will be chosen by random.org and the prize is a Clear Stamps Set and matching die!

The rules are simple:

Make a card based on this month’s sketch.
Use any stamps or products you would like!
Link it up using the linking tool below no later than October 31

Have fun!!!

The Prickley Pear Team

Design Team Monday!

2011-10-09T21:35:00.001-07:00

Hi folks! Our brand new Design Team is up and running. The girls are loading the gallery with cards and projects and we thought we’d share the beauty and creativity with you on Mondays from now on. Enjoy! :)

Cheryl has made an amazing candle using the Poinsettia Bunch stamp:

Instructions:

1. Stamp the Poinsettia image on tissue paper using black ink.
2. Color the image as desired. I used colored pencils & Gamsol.
3. Cut the image out--you can leave a small border.
4. Place the image where desired on the candle, then cover with a layer of plastic wrap. It should be tight, & be sure to get all the wrinkles out--they will show up later if you don't.
5. Heat the image with heat gun. Keep the heat gun moving so the candle will melt evenly. The goal is to melt the wax just enough so that it will absorb into the tissue paper, leaving a thin layer of wax on top of the tissue paper.
6. Once the paper has absorbed the wax, remove the plastic wrap and decorate the candle as desired.
7. For this candle, I added yellow Stickles to the center of the flowers, put a Parisian Accent strip around the bottom and a red gingham ribbon on top of that, then hot-glued a bow to the ribbon. I placed rhinestones on the ribbon all the way around the candle.

Here is a beautiful fall card by Audrey:

Stamps and Dies used: Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamp Set and coordinated Die and the Scalloped Circle Die.

Angelica has made a Ghoulish Tag:

Size: 3 1/8 x 6 1/4
Stamps and Dies used: Clearly Beautiful Pumpkins Set, Owl and Cat Tree, Small Goulish Ghost, Pumpkins Die.

A witching card from Lori:

Stamp used: Witch on Pumpkin.

Tesa dressed up a note book cover:

Stamps and Dies used: Border Flourish, Clearly Beautiful Cardinals Clear Stamp Set, Clearly Beautiful Dragonflies, Scalloped Circle Die.

Kristii made a card with the adorable cat:

Stamps and Dies used: Circles Clear Stamp Set Fall, Scalloped Circle Die.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a beautiful new week and be sure to stop by on Saturday when we launch the October Sketch Challenge!

The Prickley Pear Team

Happy Halloween!!!

2011-10-04T02:12:00.001-07:00

It’s such a fun time of the year with all the holidays coming up and all the home decoration going on and well you know… I’ve been making some quick Halloween cards lately with a super fun and super easy technique that’s new to me. Thought I’d share! :)

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps has loads of fun and spooky and super cute stamps for Halloween and I got a few with almost photo looking details. Simply awesome. And perfect for quick cards cause you don’t have to color much if you don’t want to. Check this one out: Halloween Greeting.

I’ve stamped the Halloween Greeting stamp on photo paper with StazOn and it looks and feels (almost – you need a dust free environment for perfect result, which I don’t have) like a photo. A beautiful shine and a cool effect and done in no time.

You need StazOn, I have Pumpkin and Jet Black, a glossy photo paper and stamp.

You could go with only one color and have a great effect, but I decided on two. Use the colored StazOn direct on the photo paper and ink it up. You could go for a full coverage or an uneven look so the white shines through.

Let it dry. You could use a heat tool to make it go quicker. Then stamp over it with black ink. Let dry and you are done.

I used some of the excess inked up photo paper to punch out some flowers to go with the image. Love the rich orange color of the StazOn Pumpkin pad.

Here is another card with the same technique using the Pumpkin Ghost rubber stamp teamed up with the Circles Clear Stamp Set Fall and the Scalloped Circle Die.

Well, I couldn’t get the cool look of the photo paper to show on the photos. So you’ll have to trust me on that. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

2011-10-01T08:38:00.001-07:00

Thanks for participating in the September Sketch Challenge! We had many beautiful cards entered! One winner has been selected with the help of Random.org and the happy one is Jenn!!!!

Here is her card using the fabbie Clearly Beautiful Butterfly Set and coordinated Die :

Congratulations!!!!

Please contact Nicole nmk28@yahoo.com and tell her which Clear Stamp Set and coordinated die you would like and she will have it out for you ASAP.

Hope to see you all back on October 15th when we launch a new sketch challenge!

The Prickley Pear Team

Announcing our 2011-2012 PPRS Design Team!!!

2011-09-30T10:29:00.003-07:00

First, we want to thank all of you who applied. We had so many talented ladies apply, it was incredibly hard for us to choose our new DT members. So much so, that we ended up with 9 members instead of only 6! And we are so pleased to introduce this talented mix of ladies to you here today. You will see some familiar faces as well as 6 new fabulous ladies.

First, Tesa returns to us as our blog moderator. She has been with us for two full years now and is just fabulous and super talented! She resides in Sweden and we are thrilled to have her back for another year!

Next, returning from last year is Angelica. Her work is super beautiful and well designed to the last detail. We are so lucky to welcome her back for a second year, as she is truly talented!

And then, our last fabulous DT member returning from last year is Michelle Pearson. Her work is stunning. Every detail is well thought out right down to the stitching she is famous for! Love your work Michelle!

And now we are thrilled to announce our new DT members!

First is Kristii, you might be familiar with her as she is an active DT member for CardPatterns. She is one talented lady, and we are thrilled to have her on board!

Next is Lori. Her work is beautiful down to every last detail. She has a fabulous eye for color, combining mixed patterned paper together and really beautiful layouts! Welcome Lori! We are thrilled to have you!

Third is Audrey. She has a beautiful, slightly vintage, with very clean lines - type of design. She really knows how to put patterns and textures together and we are excited to be adding her to the team! Welcome Audrey.

We LOVED how Ujjwal shows creativity through the use of recycled materials. She has the ability to take ordinary items you might toss and turns them into beautiful creative pieces. Her work definitely has a bit of artistic, urban flair. Her use of colors and elements paired with her fabulous design really caught our eye! Welcome Ujjwal!

Amy is another great one for throwing textures, patterns and elements together! You will find her collage work inspiring as she has a great eye for it. We welcome you Amy!

Next up.... Melissa. We LOVED here clean use of lines, simplicity in style and use of colors. She is great at putting patterns together, could it be because she is also a quilter? Welcome Melissa, we look forward to having you with the PPRS design team this year!

And last as a PPRS guest designer, we have Cheryl Lea! She has a fabulous style, great use of colors, texture and copic coloring! We think you will agree she has a fabulous style and we look forward to seeing here beautiful creations!

Paper Piecing Halloween Card

2011-09-26T03:00:00.002-07:00

Hi everyone and welcome to another Monday post here at Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Today I have a fun card I made with lots of paper piecing and some of our fun images and coordinating dies. I started by cutting and tearing my different paper pieces and applying frayed burlap distress ink to the edges, I then stamped the "Rickety Haunted House" image with black ink. For the fence I embossed a piece of black cardstock with the "distressed stripes" embossing folder from Cuttlebug and cut it into strips with scissors.

I used these couple of fun images from the "Scary Cat and Bats" clear stamp set, I stamped the images on purple patterned paper and cut with the coordinating dies. I adhered the cat with some pop dots. I also added some black adhesive rhinestones for a touch of bling.

Well, that's it for me today, thank you for taking the time to stop by and hope you have a wonderful and creative day.

Today is the last day to apply the new Design Team!

Supplies:
Size: 6 1/2" x 5"
Stamps: Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps (Scary Cat and Bats Set, Rickety Haunted House)
Inks: Brilliance Ink (Graphite Black), Distress ink (frayed burlap, spiced marmalade)
Paper: Cardstock, Basic Grey
Accessories: PPRS dies (Scary Cat and Bat Die), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Distressed Stripes), Want2Scrap black adhesive rhinestones, pop dots

DT Call Reminder!

2011-09-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

I thought I'd give you a little reminder...

6 spots are available and it's super easy to apply.

All the details can be found HERE.

YAY!

Here is a card with stamps from the latest release:

Maple and Oak Clear Stamp Set, Pumpkin 2 Clear Stamp Set and the Pumpkin Die.

Clean and Simple.

We are also having a Sketch Challenge running.

Check it out HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!

The Scary Cat and Bat Clear Stamp Set and Die

Halloween Card

2011-09-19T02:00:00.003-07:00

Good morning everyone and welcome to our Monday post. My card today features these fun stamps from their "Scary Cat and Bats" clear stamp set that come with coordinating dies. I started by embossing the black cardstock with the Tim Holtz embossing folder "Halloween Night", I then applied some tea leaves ink from VersaMagic to the embossed areas to make it more visible. I used a Spellbinders border die to cut the green fleur de lis border from green paper.

I diecut the cat and stamped it with black ink, I then adhered it with pop dots. I also used the sentiment from the same set and stamped with black ink on green paper. For my final touches I added some gingham ribbon and bow and some black adhesive rhinestones.

I had lots of fun creating this card, the new images are super cute. Thank you for stopping by.

Don't forget, our DT call is steel open, you can find all the details here.

Angelica

Supplies:
Size: 6" x 6"
Stamps: Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps (Scary Cat and Bats Set)
Inks: Brilliance (Graphite Black), VersaMagic (Tea Leaves)
Paper: Bazzill cardstock, Basic Grey, Making Memories
Accessories: PPRS dies (Scary Cat and Bat Die), ribbon, Spellbinders (Fleur De Lis Accents), Tim Holtz embossing folder (Halloween Night), Recollections brads, Want2Scrap black adhesive rhinestones, pop dots.

September Sketch Challenge

2011-09-15T03:28:00.000-07:00

Hello! It’s September 15th and time to launch a new sketch challenge.

Nicole has made a super fun and inspiring sketch to work with!

Here are the Design Team’s take on it:

Card by Angelica using the Scary Cat and Bat Clear Stamp Set and Die.

Card by Michelle using the Cardinal Clear Stamp Set and Die.

Card by Tesa using the Cardinal Clear Stamp Set and Die (just like Michelle – great minds think alike :) )

We hope you will play with us!!!

One winner will be chosen by random.org and the prize is a Clear Stamp Set with coordinated Die of the winner’s choice!

The rules are simple:

Make a card based on this month’s sketch.
Use your Prickley Pear product/s
Link it up using the linking tool below no later than September 30

Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

The Prickley Pear Team

P.s Prickley Pear is searching for 6 new Designers! You find the DT Call HERE!

We have a WINNER!!!

2011-09-14T03:18:00.000-07:00

Hello!!!

Thank you all for participating in our New Release Party!

We have a winner! And I have a video to prove it! :)

I had this great idea of making a video of the whole process, but my sweet boy backed out and the initial idea crashed and burned. I thought I'd do it anyway (though I'm not as cute :):):)) and ended up with a piece of I don't know what... Anyway it's done and I thought I'd share it.

My English is awful, so please have loads of fun with it! :)

Wohooo!

***

Congratulations!!!

****

StampinCathy!!!

Please contact Nicole

nmk28 at yahoo dot com

And please be back tomorrow when a new sketch challenge will be launched!

Nicole and the Prickley Pear Team

P.s. The DT Call is open another week. You find all the details HERE

Release Party Day 3

2011-09-11T23:05:00.001-07:00

Welcome back for our final day of New Release Celebration. We hope you have enjoyed it so far!

Prickley Pear has 10 new sets of clear stamps with coordinated dies up in the web shop. Today we are showcasing the final three sets: Holly and Berries Clear Stamps Set, Birdcage Winter 2 Clear Stamp Set and Ornaments Set 2.

Here is a card made by our previous DT member Dawn using the Holly and Berries Clear Stamp Set and the Holly and Berries Die.

What a beautiful tree, love the use of the die!!!!

You could win this set and die – and more!

4 of the sets comes with new dies, while six of the sets coordinates with dies from previous releases (yay for extra value of the dies for you who has them already!!!) and we want to give one of you the sets with the new dies!!! They are:

Holly and Berries Clear Stamp Set and Die

Dancing Skeletons Clear Stamp Set and Die

and

Oak and Maple Leaf Clear Stamp Set and Die

A total value of $82!!! All you have to do to have a chance of winning this is leave comments on the blog posts here and on the Design Team’s blogs (see below) no later than Tuesday midnight. The winner will be randomly drawn from one of the blogs, one of the days!

Now hop on over to the DT blogs for more inspiration!

Thanks for visiting and have a fun hop!

Nicole and the Prickley Pear Team

P.s We are looking for 6 new Design Team Members. Check out the DT Call HERE!

Release Party Day 2

2011-09-11T05:59:00.001-07:00

Hi folks! Welcome back for our second day of celebrating the new release of 10 clear stamp sets and 4 dies with loads of inspiration and a big give away!!!!

One happy participant will win four of the new clear stamp sets and four coordinated dies. All you have to do is leave a comment on each of the participating blogs and tell us what you think about the new release. The winner will be drawn randomly at one of the four blogs, one of the days and will be presented here on Wednesday.

The sets we are displaying today are the Circles Winter Set, Dancing Skeletons Set, Oak and Maple Leaf Set and Build an Owl 2 Set.

The Dancing Skeletons and the Oak and Maple Leaf set comes with two brand new dies: Dancing Skeletons and Oak and Maple Leaf Die, while the Build an Owl 2 and Circles Winter coordinates with the Dies from previous releases: The Build an Owl Die and Scalloped Circle Die.

Here is a super fun card with the Dancing Skeleton set and die made by our previous DT member Dawn, also using the Heart Key Crown die.

The Design Team blogs are filled with inspiration using the other sets. Go check them out, and don’t forget to leave comments for your chance to win the prize!!

Have fun hopping and hope to see you back tomorrow for our last day of New Release Celebration!

Nicole and the Prickley Pear Team

PRICKLEY PEAR NEW RELEASE PARTY

2011-09-10T05:58:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Prickley Pear's new release of 10 clear stamp sets and four coordinated dies. The sets have beautiful autumn and winter themed images and sentiments perfect for Autumn, Halloween, Thanks Giving and winter season projects.

To celebrate this new release we are having a three day long Blog Party with loads of inspirations and a big give away! One happy participant will win four of the new clear stamp sets and four coordinated dies. All you have to do is leave a comment on each of the participating blogs and tell us what you think about the new release. The winner will be drawn randomly at one of the four blogs, one of the days and will be presented here on Wednesday.

The sets we are showcasing today are: The Scary Cat & Bat Set, Pumpkin Set 2 and the Circles Set Fall.

They are all super fun to work with! On the first card, Nicole has used The Scary Cat & Bat set with the coordinated Scary Cat and Bat Die.

On the second card, she is using the Circles Set Fall and the Scalloped Circle Die teamed up with the new Oak and Maple Leaf Set and Die. Awesome!

The DT blogs are also filled with inspiration. Be sure to visit and leave a comment here and on the other three blogs for your chance to win four of the new sets with coordinated dies!!!

Thanks for visiting! Hope to see you back tomorrow when we have more new sets and inspiration in store!!!

Nicole and the Prickley Pear Team

P.s. We have a DT Call up HERE!!!

A favorite and a sneak peak

2011-09-08T11:56:00.001-07:00

Hi all! Have you seen the DT Call??? Check it out HERE!!!! I’ve been with the Prickley Pear team for two years now and I’ve loved every minute. Awesome products and wonderful ladies to work with. So give it a shot, I promise you will not regret it!!!!

I have two cards today. First up is a card with one of my favorite Clear stamp set from previous releases - The Birdcage Set. It comes with an awesome birdcage die that is soooo fun to work with.

With the new release from this past weekend there is a Birdcage Winter 2 Clear Stamp Set that coordinates with the same die! YAY!!!! You’ll see samples of that set in the Release Party that starts here and on the DT blogs on Saturday. Be sure to check back then!!!

Second card is a sneak peak of one of the ten (!!!!) new sets just released. The Circles Fall Clear Stamp Set:

It coordinates with the Scalloped Circle Die. Love these cats!!!! I used that same circle stamp from the main image to stamp a scalloped border.

We’ll be back on Saturday with more inspiration done with the new sets and the new dies. We’ll have a give away too!!!! You do not want to miss it!!!

:) :) :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Vintage Card

2011-09-06T02:00:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone, hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. My card today has a very shabby, vintagy feel to it. I used this vintage image called "Pictorial Review" and it's one of our red rubber images.

I stamped the image twice on pink patterned paper with black ink, I cut the lady image from the second stamped image and adhered it to the first image with pop dots, I then covered the whole image with clear glass liquid embossing. The piece of lace behind it was attached with some pink metallic mini brads and I added a bow I made with some cream tulle.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget our new release blog hop this weekend, we'll be showcasing 10 brand new sets of clear stamps and coordinating dies, that's 3 days with lots of projects and great prizes. Hope you can make it.