Friday, September 30, 2011

Freshly Made Sketches #4

I have a card to share today that is for Freshly Made Sketches.  I missed their sketch last week and was disappointed.  I love the simplicity of their designs.  


I believe fall is in the air here in Alabama.  We are supposed to get into the 40's tonight ... wow!  With the nice breeze today and cooler temperatures, I went with a fall themed card ...




Stamps:  Harvest Hello, Loads of Love Accessories
Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Vanilla
Ink:  Memento Black, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Lattice square embossing folder, sponge, spritzer, Prismacolor markers, raffia, Crumb Cake seam binding, Nestabilities rectangle dies
All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

As I was just typing the recipe for this card, I think with these challenges you are not supposed to use the spritzer or sponges ... oops.  I just got my spritzer and am having fun learning how to use it.  Right now I'm wanting to sprtiz everything ... hehehe  My fellow pal, Ann, is the master of this tool.  It is because of Ann that I bought one.  Her cards are always stunning in every way.  Be sure to check out The Stampin' Schach and see her gorgeous style.

I hope you have wonderful weekend!

Pam~


Thursday, September 29, 2011

Embossing challenge

This week the Pals Paper Arts is focusing on embossing.  A fun technique to do. I hope you will find some time to play with the rest of the talented Pals this week.  


Since I do not have the pretty embossing powders that Stampin' Up offers, I always use my clear embossing powder.  I stamp my images in the color I want and then using my stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamp over that image in Versamark.  Just sprinkle it with embossing powder and heat it up.  Great results.  This week I thought I would emboss some bright flowers.  


Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, Vintage Vogue
Paper:  Black, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, White
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Versamark
Accessories:  oval punches, pearls, sponge dauber, clear embossing powder, heat gun
All products are Stampin'  Up.

Here is a close-up of the flowers.


I love that shine!  I will have to admit, I am not one to do a lot of cutting out ... I stink at it.  I was a Barbie kind of girl and never did the paper doll thing.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,
Pam~


Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A mixed-up card

It all started with a piece of Wild Wasabi that was die cut sometime ago and was just sitting on my craft table.  No time like the present to use it I thought, so off I went with it.  Hmmm ... 


I debated about posting this card today.  I asked my hubby what he thought of it and he just shrugged his shoulders ... not a good sign.  He never said he didn't like it but he didn't say he liked it either.  In all honesty, this is not one of my favorite cards either.  I'm thinking it is way too busy.  If each element were on a card by itself maybe it would look better.  I wanted to try and use the Just Add Cake designer paper as a fall background.  We won't go there again.  The good thing about stamping, you learn a lot of do's and don'ts.  This card is the perfect example.  With all this being said, I'm going to go ahead and post this fall beauty ... hehehe


Stamps:  Give Thanks (retired)
Paper:  So Saffron, Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi, White
DSP:  Just Add Cake
Ink:  Memento Black, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, Nestabilities Delilah, lacey circles, and circle dies, ribbon, brad, Cuttlebug circle and dots embossing folder, color spritzer, dimensionals
All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ....

Have a great day,
Pam~

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Paper Players and Mojo

Before I get to my card, I have to tell you my exciting news.  My card, the mouse with the strawberries, was picked as a Perfect Princess over at Freshly Made Sketches!  I'm thrilled and smiling from ear to ear!  Thank you, Tui!


Today's card is for The Paper Players, use an animal or plant, and the MOJO sketch.  I really liked how this one turned out, except for the line that I drew.  The sketch showed stitching around the rectangle piece so I thought I would just draw a line ... mistake.  Have to admit I was lazy and didn't want to redo it so left it as is ... added character to the card.  

Stamps:  Button Buddies, Fabulous Phrases
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, White
DSP:  Certainly Celery, Pretty In Pink
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Pretty In Pink, Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Accessories:  polka dot embossing folder, brads, word window and modern label punch, button, embossing powder, sponge daubers, dimensionals, ribbon (non SU)
All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.
  • I used sponge daubers to make the sky and grass.
  • Ms. Piggy was embossed with clear embossing powder
  • Had to be careful on what sentiment I put on the front.  I sure don't want to hurt someone's feelings.  Never know how people will take getting a card with a pig on the front.
Today I am off to Birmingham to attend the Lamp of Learning Ceremony to see Bethany get her Nursing pin.  After the reception we get to tour some of the labs.  I'm really looking forward to seeing those.   I am hoping I get to take her out for dinner before hand to celebrate.  She is working so hard and doing so well.   Can you tell I'm a proud Mom? *smile*

As always, thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,
Pam~



Friday, September 16, 2011

Freshly Made Sketches #2

Wanted to do a quick post of two cards that I made for Bethany and Michael.  I went to Freshly Made Sketches to get started.  Be sure to click on over and check it out.  This was my starting point ...



This was my ending point for Bethany's card ...

Stamps:  Bliss, House Mouse
Paper:  White, Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade
Ink:  Memento Black, Poppy Parade
Accessories:  Early Expresso baker's twine, Nestabilities rectangle and circle dies, circle punch, finial press embossing folder, Bic Markers
All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

This was my ending point for Michael's card ...

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases, House Mouse
Paper:  White, Not Quite Navy, Poppy Parade
Ink:  Memento Black, Poppy Parade
Accessories:  Prismacolor pencils, OMS, CB star embossing folder and star die, Early Expresso baker's twine, Nestabilities rectangle dies
All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

Here is a picture of the two cards together.  Kinda cute, huh?  


I'm heading to the craft show today with two good friends.  It is going to be a great day ... my 22nd anniversary and Michael is coming home for the weekend .. only because he has an orthodontic appointment this afternoon.  Otherwise he would not drive the 3 1/2 hours. 

Thanks for stopping by and as always ....

Have a great day,
Pam~



Thursday, September 15, 2011

It starts with a sketch ....

This week the Pals Paper Arts has another great sketch from Margaret Moody for you to work with.  Let this get your creative side flowing ...


Ppa111

I knew I wanted to make a card for Bethany and this sketch was a good starting point for what I was thinking.  Bethany starts her clinical training today at the VA hospital and I thought this sentiment was perfect for her.  From that sketch I ended up with this ...

Stamps:  Baroque Motifs, Flight of the Butterfly Itty Bitty Bits
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, White
DSP:  Pretty in Pink
Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade
Accessories:  polka dot embossing folder, itty bitty punch, rhinestones, Sharpie marker, sponge, dimensionals, ribbon (non SU) 
All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

Of course, I had to use her favorite colors ... pink and lime green.  She will know this was made specifically for her.  :)

Have a great day,
Pam~

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Something simple..

I needed a card and wanted to make one rather than look through my stash.  Just had to play with some new goodies.  I searched Splitcoast's clean and simple layouts came up this quick and simple card.

Stamps:  Summer Solstice, Friendly Phrases
Paper:  White
Ink:  Concord Crush, Blushing Bride
Accessories:  sponge dauber, itty bitty punch
All products are Stampin' Up.

I used a sponge dauber to had some color to the flowers and edge of the white cardstock.  Can't get much simpler than this one!

Have a great day,
Pam~

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Debut of Freshly Made Sketches

One of my favorite bloggers, Lesley at Always Playing with Paper, is debuting a new blog this week, Freshly Made Sketches.  It is an awesome place, so be sure to click on over and check it out.  


The first sketch looks like this ...





This card is also for the Pals Paper Arts Halloween challenge.  I let my inky fingers, and inky they were, go to work.  The end result is this ...


Stamps:  Wicked Cool
Paper: Black, Elegant Eggplant, White
DSP:  Black
Ink:  Memento Black, Basic Gray, Versamark
Accessories:  Stampin' Pastels, clear embossing powder, circle and oval punches, Elegant Eggplant brads, sponge dauber, houndstooth embossing folder, ribbon (non-SU)
All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

You can't see it in the picture, but the bats are embossed and then sponged with Basic Gray.

I'm off to lunch with two great friends from soccer.

Have a great day,
Pam~


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Friday Mashup

Today I did a challenge that I have never done before ... The Friday Mashup.  Below are the instructions to get you started ... (I copied and pasted them off The Friday Mashup blog.)   


So today's challenge goes like this:
  1. Make a card using the Gate-fold technique  (Actually, there are several varieties of gate folds...show us what you got!)
  2. Or Make a card using Numbers...any numbers, stamped (if you have them!), chipboard, die cut, stickers...
  3. Or Mash it Up!  and make a card with a gate fold AND numbers!
I decided to Mash it Up and make an anniversary card for Terry.  I had a lot of fun making this one.

Stamps:  Ain't Love Grand, Mini-Alpha's (non-SU)
Paper:  Really Rust, White, Black
DSP:  Really Rust
Ink:  Memento Black
Accessories:  heart and itty bitty punches, polka dot embossing folder, Nestabilities rectangle dies, Spellbinders ribbon banner die, gel pens (non-SU)
All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.
  • Really Rust has retired but it worked great for this card.  We are celebrating our 22nd anniversary and copper is the gift.  This was the best color to represent copper.  
  • The image is colored with gel pens (100 came in the container) that I have had for many years.  I love the shine that they leave.  WooHoo, something new to color with!
  • The hearts were added to help keep the card closed and works perfectly.
  • I colored the couple as ourselves and not a bride and groom.  
Here is another view of the card opened ...



If you have time, this is a great challenge to play with!  Thanks for stopping by!  

Have a great day,
Pam~

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Birthday card challenge

Today I have a birthday card to share. Bethany was home this weekend so we stamped together ... so much fun! Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of her cards before she headed back to UAB. She looked through some magazines and found a simple layout that we were both to use. Her goal when stamping is to make simple cards that she can mass produce since she doesn't have a lot of crafting time. We both made birthday cards since I wanted to participate in The Paper Players birthday card challenge. I like to have lots of different kinds of birthday cards in my stash. 


With those two elements in mind, my inky fingers went to playing and created this clean and simple card. Seems to be my style lately. 


Stamps: Pun Fun 
Paper: Vanilla, Pacific Point 
DSP: Ice Cream Parlor 
Ink: Memento Back 
Accessories: photo corner punch, flower brads (non SU), Prismacolor markers, Spellbinders rectangle dies 
All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted. 


I hope everyone had an awesome weekend and the rest of the week is a good one! Mine was wonderful since both children came home. We went golfing on Saturday after watching those Auburn Tigers struggle for a win. It has been raining since Sunday but that's okay since we really need the rain. The temperatures have dropped too. It is actually chilly today at 65 degrees. 


Have a great day,
Pam~

Thursday, September 1, 2011

PPA 109

Oops, I forgot to type up the post for this week's Pals Paper Arts card.  The story of my life lately ... a day late and a dollar short.  


This week we are hosting a color challenge ...


Ppa color
I made a very clean and simple card ...

Stamps:  Just Believe
Paper:  Calypso Coral, Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red, Vanilla
Ink:  (SU markers) Calypso Coral, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive
Accessories:  polka dot and plenty a petal embossing folders, sponge dauber, in-color brad, dimensionals, vanilla ribbon (non-SU)
All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

This is a quick post since I'm late uploading it.  I'm headed out the door for my morning walk with Banjee and Sadie.  I appreciate you stopping by and hope you have a great day!

Pam~