Paper Pretties hop and May Release

And it's challenge day too!  We do like to multi task. 

So the first task of the day is to let you know that the May stamp sets are now available (well if it's at least 7AM EST and if it isn't why aren't you sleeping).  There are five new sets this month.  There are three graduation sets, an inspiration sentiments set and the handy man set (if you buy noting else you must buy this one!).  The design team has been previewing the stamps since Friday and today we're having our release hop. 

If you just happened upon my post you can click here to start from where we began at the Paper Pretties challenge blog. If you get lost at any time during the hop you can just go back to the Paper Pretties blog where there's a list of all the design team in hopping order. So go get your coffee or some yummy beverage and get hopping.  When you finish here the next stop on the hop will be Deb Vandersteeg this month's Guest Designer.  I'll put another link to her blog at the end of the post so you won't have to look all over for it.


don't forget the inside

Have you started fretting over what you're going to stamp for Father's Day?  I have very few masculine stamp sets.  When I saw this set I flipped out and you should too.  Here's why:
1.)  the images are totally adorable (I know, I know,  I say this about every stamp set, well, they are all adorable).  You get a lawn mower, a tool box and a bar-b-que.
2,)  there are tons of sentiments making the set very versatile (birthday, father's day, brother, gift tag...)
3.)  speaking of versatile, besides being masculine you can make bar-b-que invites (tis the season)
4.)  I need masculine stamp sets, I bet you do too
5.)  (now this one may be just me) I have a set of bar-b-que charms that are perfect for this set (do you have this problem too?)

If I didn't have this stamp set already I'd be in the Paper Pretties store right now buying it.    Of course you could be polite and wait till you finish reading this post and the blog hop before you shop. 

Being polite, good for you, your mother would be proud. 

The next order of business is to tell you about today's challenge.  PWC153 is "Texture", add some texture to your card.  Texture adds interest and often dimension to your card.  There's a few ways that I know to do it and they're all fun.  Embossing will add texture.   I love the look of metallic embossing powders for sentiments.  It's very rich.  Think of white wedding cards with silver raised ink, very elegant.  There's also dry embossing, now picture that wedding card with a layer of raised dots or florals.  Adding fibers and ribbons, bling and brads or chipboard will add texture too.  Basically everything you add to your stamped image can add texture.  So what will you add?  I can't wait to see what you create so after you post it to your blog or gallery don't forget to link it up on the Paper Pretties blog so I can come see it.  You can find the linky thingy and all the challenge details by clicking here.

Here's the deets:

stamp - Paper Pretties "Handy Man"

ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black"; Close to My Heart "Desert Sand"  on inside

paper - Neenah Classic Crest Natural White cs; Cosmo Cricket "Joy Ride"; Stampin' Up Black" and "Tangerine Tango" cs

miscellaneous - copics; twine; Karen Foster charm; brads;Nesties Curved Rectangles

Here's the challenges:

Paper Pretties PWC153 - Texture

Tuesday Throw Down #48 - use die cuts
Sentimental Sunday #54 - Anything goes

 Crazy CCH#66 - Anything Goes
Stamps R Us - For the Men in Our Lives

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back.  Now it's time for you to continue the blog hop.  The next stop is Deb.