Five Years Later…

Hello, sweet friends!

It’s been two years since I’ve done a personal blog post and I definitely come on here a bit apprehensive. I feel like my writing skills are rusty. In the last two years, my business has grown and the blog has definitely become more business based and there’s always a vulnerability when you open yourself up in a personal blog post. However, I’ve done it in the past and it brought wonderful people across my path and I was able to talk to others who could relate to me, people I could encourage and at a point where I could barely leave my house because of the pain I was in, having a connection to the outside world and a sense of purpose was so powerful and writing (even when I didn’t know if anyone would read) was so therapeutic.

In the five years since the car accident happened, so much has changed, I have changed. I’m no longer the same person I was pre-accident and to be honest, I think that’s a good thing. I’m more empathetic to people, more sensitive and caring, I don’t take things for granted (I no longer take going down the stairs, taking showers, going to the store, walking, being able to sleep, brush my teeth, drive, eating normal food and so much for granted), I have a heart for those who battle chronic health issues or have been in any sort of accidents and the list goes on and on. I can’t say I understood any of these things before.

Back in November 2016, I took two months off of work which was beyond scary for me. I had fears that people would forget about my business and when I opened back up it wouldn’t be as busy, but I knew in my heart that I HAD to do this for myself, for my health. Around that time, I was not doing well and knew that I had been overworking and stressing my body. That in itself isn’t good for someone who is doing well physically, but someone who is battling health issues, stress and working crazy weird, long hours is just not healthy. I had to train myself to go to bed at a reasonable hour, be okay with resting and not constantly checking emails, re-learn how to spend time with family and friends and be fully engaged, and to start taking care of myself mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. This was a scary time, but it was also a sweet time. I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was. There were many nights when all I wanted to do was work (hello, workaholic over here) but I instead spent time with family or friends and developed even more precious bonds with them, I learned that it’s a wonderful thing to not be attached to your phone at all times, and there is so much more to life than just work. Now don’t get me wrong, I love working, but it was my whole life for three years every moment I felt well and I never really took moments to enjoy what I had built.

BALANCE. Since I re-opened the shop after my hiatus, I’ve been trying to have a healthy work/ life balance. The hiatus did wonders for my body and I had felt better than I had in YEARS. I was able to drive again, go to events and activities, I had energy…. it was like the old Paulina was back (the one up for adventures, able to do things and go places) and that was beyond exciting. I forgot what it was like to actually live life outside of my house or 10 mile radius. I can’t even begin to count how many times I cried after an event because I was so grateful I was able to be able to go. I felt like I had missed out on so much but I hadn’t realized how much I had missed out on until I got to experience some of it again.

SETBACKS. Within the last five weeks, I’ve had a few setbacks and we’re trying to figure out what happened. I was doing so well and making so much progress and then just last week, I was back in bed over 18+ hours a day unable to do anything. I feel like this whole journey has been a rollercoaster ride filled with ups and downs and unexpected turns and while I’m ready to get off the ride, I’m not sure it’s my time just yet. I’m hopeful that I’ll continue to make strides forward and this is just a tiny setback and I’ll get my energy back. Now that I’ve experienced what life could be like again, I definitely don’t want to miss out on anymore and want to continue to have fun, new experiences.

THANKFUL. As I think back on the last five years, I get teary eyed. I wouldn’t be here without the support of my family. They have been so faithful and supportive. They’ve driven me to countless doctor appointments and tests, made sure I had my own meals, took me to various stores and would hold me up when I couldn’t walk on my own, they would never cease to encourage me and tell me that I’ll get through this and remind me that I’m not alone in this journey, help me with my business and so much more. Then I have some amazing friends that have been with me through thick and thin. I can’t even begin to say all that they’ve done from notes and cards, gifts, texts, meals, taking me out on little outings… I have no idea how I got so blessed with such amazing people in my life but I am so thankful for them. This journey can be so lonely and tiresome at times, especially when there doesn’t seem to be any answers, but then I’m reminded I am NOT alone.

CHALLENGING YOU. I’m not sure where you are in your stage of life. Maybe you’re at a good stage and have the ability to encourage someone. There are so many that are going through a hard time- reach out, send a card or give a meal- you have no idea how much that could bless them. Maybe you’re at a stage in life where you’re on your own rollercoaster. Hang in there. I’d actually encourage you to write down what you’re going through, your thoughts and emotions (it can be on paper or in a private blog). There is something about looking back and seeing where you’ve come from, especially since we can forget details. It’s been so rewarding to look back at my old posts and read where I’ve come as a person, the lessons I’ve learned and what things I used to write about- some of it is humorous now!

I had no idea the direction this post would take, but as always, I wanted to write from my heart. For those going through your own journey, I’m sending you big, big hugs….♥

*you can view all my previous personal post HERE

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Tutorial: Ink Smooshing

Hello, Jeanne here. Today I’m sharing a card made with the Summer Friends Stamp Set! This is my all time favorite summer set EVER!!  I love the fun images and sentiments!

Summer is a laid back time for me and the background I made couldn’t be easier.

I inked up an acrylic stamp block (mine is 3” square) with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink, spritzed it with water and then stamped it on watercolor paper. Yep! Smooshing! Ink up as much or as little of the stamp as you like.  I didn’t want the surf and sand to meet so I only inked up part of the block. The sand was inked with Antique Linen.

Next cut the watercolor panel with the Stitched Notes Die, and a second time from white card stock.  I layered the watercolor panel inside the white frame so there’s stitching on both pieces.

I used a stamping tool to stamp the sentiment.  Watercolor paper can have lots of rough texture. The stamping tool allowed me to multiple stamp the sentiment for a clean impression.

Now for the fun part! Creating a scene!!  I colored the images with Copic Markers and adhered them to the watercolor panel with adhesive foam tape. Notice that I left the sand castle flat (adhered to the base) so the sand bucket ball and drink have more dimension. A sprinkle of Sparkling Clear Sequins are like shells glistening on the beach!

I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Thanks for stopping by the Pretty Pink Posh blog!

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New Distress Oxide Inks + Giveaway!

Hi there! Laura here and today I’m excited to share a couple of project using several of the new Pretty Pink Posh stamps and dies as well as several of the new Distress Oxide Inks.

Watch the video above   I   Watch the video in HD on YouTube  
It’s no secret why the Distress Oxide inks are such a hit! First of all, they blend like buttah! The 12 new colors are bright, happy and right up my alley! I created two colorful backgrounds with the Distress Oxide inks using two of my favorite techniques: ink smooshing & ink blending.

For the first card I wanted to create a deep sea type of feel so I smooshed Twisted Citron, Lucky Clover, Peacock Feathers & Salty ocean onto my craft mat and smooshed my Watercolor cardstock into the wet, spritzed inks. I added images from the adorable Sea Friends and an embossed sentiment from Birdie Friends. I turned the card into a full size shaker by making a window using the Stitched Notes die and filling the shaker with Iridescent Star Confetti & Sparkling Clear Sequins.

For my next card I used the Stitched Duo 3 die to make the arch shape panel. Then using scrap paper, I masked off “rays” and blended in a rainbow of Distress Oxide inks.

For the images I added the cute little girl from Summer Friends. I used the Fly a Kite set for the sentiment as well as a few kites. Such sweet images that pair perfectly with the cheerful colors of the new Distress Oxide inks.

GIVEAWAY: Want to win your own set of 12 Distress Oxide Inks? Paulina is giving one away to one lucky person! Leave a comment on this post sharing your top 3 current favorite products from the Pretty Pink Posh product line. Comments must be left by August 27th at 11:59pm, PDT. Winner will be announced later that week.

Thank you so much to Pretty Pink Posh for having me. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Cheery Summer Friends Card

Hello friends, Shannon here today!

I have simple summery card to share with you today featuring the adorable new Summer Friends stamp set and coordinating dies.

I’m in love with these summery images! I can’t wait to use them in a scrapbook layout as well with all my summer pictures I’ll be sure to take of my daughter.

I stamped my images onto watercolor paper and colored in using Zig real brush markers and a water brush, once all colored and dried I cut them all out using the coordinating die cuts.

I used a white card panel and masked off a section on the bottom with some masking tape and ink blended some antique linen Distress ink for my sand, I then moved my masking tape to cover the sand so I could ink blend my blue sky with tumbled glass Distress ink.

I decided to add some speckles into the sand with Copic markers.

I adhered my panel onto an A2 size white card base and went onto adhering my adorable images onto the card to create the scene I wanted.

To finish off I simply stamped my sentiment!

That’s it! I kept it fairly simple, as I wanted my focus to be on my cute little summery characters.

Thank you SO very much for joining me today! Have a great weekend!

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Tutorial: Maximizing Tiny Stamps

Hello Everyone, Joni here sharing another tutorial on maximizing your tiny stamps.

To begin I used the small stamp star cluster and an individual small star image from the Fly Away Friends for the background. I also stamped the plane and hedgehog colored them with watercolor, let it dry. Then used the Fly Away Friends Coordinating Dies to die-cut the images.

Then die-cut the background panel with Stitched Notes Dies. I also used the Scallop Diamond Tags Dies to create a tag for the card.

After cutting the background panel I then die-cut the center with Stitched Border Die 1, this will help show the distressed white cardstock panel I created.

I then die-cut the bow from the Fly a Kite coordinating dies using gold cardstock.

I put everything on a foam tape for dimension.

I hope I have inspired you to use your tiny stamps in new, creative ways. Thank you so much for stopping by.

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One Stamp Set // Three Cards + Video

Hello everyone, Eloise here and today I have another 3 cards 1 stamp set video for you all using the Sea Friends stamp set along with several other dies from Pretty Pink Posh also. This stamp set is absolutely perfect, with the large variety of sea animals, I just love it!

To first begin my cards I stamped a ton of images from the Sea Friends stamp set and coloured them with Copic markers then die cut them all out using the coordinating dies.

To begin my first card, I used the Scallop Diamond Tags Dies along with the Stitched Diamonds Dies, I first cut the largest tag die from some white cardstock, flipped the die around on top of the previously die cut tag (180 degree turn) and ran it through again. This way I altered the die so I didn’t have that tag piece at the top anymore. I then took the 2nd largest diamond die from the Stitched Diamonds die set and placed that on the middle and ran it through again to create a frame. Once my frame was created I took some watercolour cardstock and used the Stitched Border 1 Dies and cut out the scallop from the paper. I then used the negative piece as it looked like waves and ink blended some colour onto that piece using Distress Oxide inks in Broken China, Cracked Pistachio and Faded Jeans to colour in the piece. Once that piece was coloured I used some of the scrap paper to ink blend on a little Tumbled Glass ink to use as a sky. Once I had coloured all my pieces, it was time to assemble.

I used some of the images I had previously coloured and cut out and arranged them over my scene to make sure they fit well. I then adhered my sky and ocean to the back of the frame with foam tape. Added in my images using flat adhesive and foam tape and then adhered the panel to a yellow piece of watercolour cardstock from Lawn Fawn and then adhered that piece onto a white card base. For my sentiment I white heat embossed the ‘Hello Friend’ sentiment onto a strip of black cardstock and adhered that also.

For my second card I first pulled the Sea Friends stamp set and stamped a lot of the images onto another piece of watercolour cardstock with Versamark Ink and then clear heat embossed over the images. I took some Pumice Stone Distress Ink and ink blended over the top of the images and then I used some water to fade it out and make the piece light and more blended. I dried it off and moved on to my focus piece. I die cut the Smile Shaker die from some white cardstock and added two layers of foam tape around it. I used the Mermaid Mix as well as Cornflower sequins to fill my shaker and then I added a piece of blue cardstock behind it. I then adhered to the centre of my card with some tape adhesive.

I pulled some images I had previously coloured in and adhered them around the shaker panel. Lastly I added my panel onto some fun foam and then onto a white card base and that finished up card number two.

For my final card I went ahead and used a piece of watercolour cardstock as well as the Stitched Borders 1 dies once again. I used the scalloped border on the top of the cardstock and the curved die in the set at the bottom of the cardstock. I used Distress Inks to colour both pieces in. Using Mustard Seed and Fossilized Amber for the sand and Tumbled Glass and Salty Ocean for the ocean piece. Once both pieces were coloured I went ahead and used the cloud dies included in the Fly A Kite coordinating dies set and partially die cut some of the bottoms of the clouds as waves into my ocean piece so I could slip some critters inside.

I then used the images I previously coloured and cut before hand and adhered them to my panel. I added some fun foam onto the back and adhered my panel on angle onto a white card base. I then white heat embossed the ‘Thanks Friend’ sentiment from Sea Friends and added it onto my card with foam tape also and that finished up my last card.

 

Watch the video above   I  Watch the video in HD on YouTube
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I hope you enjoyed all three cards today and were inspired. I love doing these types of videos because I get to push myself even more and show you so many more ways of using one stamp set.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I’ll catch you all next time!

Eloise

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Distress Blending on Cards

Good morning! Heather here to share a tutorial for these two summery cards with some distress ink blending, combining of stamp sets and scallop dies – and the most fun part, some sparkle and shine on the dolphin and crab created with embossing powder!

The crab and dolphin are almost like puffy sparkly stickers on these cards – such a simple and fun way to add texture and some fun sparkle to your cards! Here is a closer look at the crab:

And the sparkle on the dolphin, which is a bit harder to see in the photos:

I started off by die cutting the new Scallop Diamond Tags Dies from white cardstock and doing some distress ink blending on them – on the crab I used Antique Linen and Gathered Twigs to create some sand.

On the dolphin card I used Tumbled Glass and Mermaid Lagoon to create a bit of ocean. I also splashed them with a bit of water and added some white ink splatters with thinned down white paint and let that dry.

I stamped the crab and dolphin from the new Sea Friends Stamp Set, colored them with Copics, then die cut with the coordinating Sea Friends Dies. Next, I smooshed them directly on a clear embossing ink pad, held them with tweezers, sprinkled with Tonic Studios Shimmering Pearl Embossing Powder – basically a clear sparkly embossing powder. I heat set it, then QUICKLY sprinkled on another layer of embossing powder and heat set again. I actually did it a third time on the dolphin card as well.

I stamped the sentiments on the now dry Scallop Diamond Tags – combining sentiments from Summer Friends Stamp set as well as Sea Friends. I also added some bubbles from Sea friends to the dolphin, and a couple hearts above the crab from Fly Away Friends Stamp Set. I just love how all the Pretty Pink Posh stamp sets work SOOO well together!

Finished off with a die cut Scallop Frames around both, a kraft cardbase for the crab and a soft gray cardbase for the dolphin. I added some jute twine tied to the tops of the Scallop Diamond Tags, and a sprinkling of sequins from Mermaid Sequin Mix for the dolphin card and Sunny Day Sequin mix for the crab.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day!
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Sending Love Smile Shaker

Today I’m going to share with you a card using a couple of the brand new products by Pretty Pink Posh. One of my most favorite PPP dies is the new Smile Shaker Die.

I started by die-cutting the Smile Shaker Die with white cardstock twice. I then cut the word smile out of one of them and used the leftover scalloped circle as a template over the full one. I then rubbed Distress Ink over the word smile so it was lightly colored, but the circle border stayed white. I used this piece to create my shaker on the card.

I used the new Tutti Fruitti Sequin Mixes in 4mm and 6mm inside the shaker. I used the negative space from the die for the front of the card and rubbed pink ink along the outside of the scalloped circle.

Next, I stamped the Bear Hugs stamp set images with a light color ink and colored them in with Copic markers. I die cut them out with the Bear Hugs Coordinating Dies. I attached them to the bottom of the card below the Smile Shaker. I used twine on the flag post and tied it in a bow so the bear was holding it. I stamped “sending love” with black ink on the flag as a sub-title for the card.

I hope you enjoyed this shaker card today. I can’t wait to send it to someone special to brighten their day and make them smile. Wouldn’t it be great to receive a card for no specific holiday just to cheer you up? Let me know if you want to be the recipient! Haha

Suzy

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Creating Sentiment Backgrounds + Video

Hello, Pretty Pink Posh fans! This is Yana and today I am sharing a video tutorial showing how to stamp a background using sentiment stamps.

Colored inks used:  Sunshine // Doll Pink // Green Apple // Twirling Tutu

The Thoughtful Greetings stamp set I am using for my card today contains messages for a variety of different occasions. I picked just one of them, Sending Happy Thoughts Your Way, to stamp a background pattern for my card.

Watch my video tutorial below to learn how I made this card.

Watch the video above  I  Watch the video in HD on YouTube
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I used a light pink ink color for my stamping, but you can go with any color you like. I was going for a soft and feminine card. I started stamping in the center of my panel, first stamped the middle row and later added rows on the left and right hand side to make sure my stamping was centered.

You can combine multiple messages to create a background like this, but I always like to use just one. If you feel your pattern is lacking you can always add additional elements such as hearts or stars. I used a large and small heart images and stamped them in between my messages. You can also take your background even further – use several colors of ink for stamping and/or incorporate heat embossing. After stamping large hearts I heat embossed them in Antique Gold embossing powder.

To highlight one of the messages and create the main sentiment for this card I stamped same message over the already stamped area in black ink. Here’s a close up of that – I love the pop of pink behind black.

Finally I embellished my card with a number of Sparkling Clear sequins and later used a black pigment pen and added tiny black dots here and there to ground the black stamped sentiment

Happy cardmaking!

 

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Hot Air Balloon Peekaboo Cards

Good morning Pretty Pink Posh friends! Heather here this morning with a fun tutorial showing you how to make these fun peekaboo window cards!!!

The unique twist to these cards is that the front is a window that you can peek through!

First off, I grabbed the adorable tiny hot air balloon from Fly Away Friends, and stamped them in some fun color combinations (all inspired from Pinterest!) all in a row, and added some of the cute sentiments underneath. I then die cut across the top and bottom using one of the border dies from Scallop Borders 1 Dies.

Next up I grabbed some bright pretty cardstock, folded into a horizontal top folding A2 card, then die cut a window using Stitched Notes Dies.

Finally, I adhered the scallop strips behind the window, and added a few sparkly 1/4″ Iridescent Star Confetti to finish off.

I love playing with color combos – and these were a fun way to use some of my (many!) dye inks and find fun color combos. And…the fun peekaboo window is a super fun touch to these!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you are having a wonderful day!!!