It's bow time ...

Over at the Pals Paper Arts this week it is all about a bow and keeping it clean and simple (CAS).  This is my kind of challenge! Click on over and upload your CAS card with a bow, maybe two or who knows it could be three bows.  

This is what my inky fingers created ...

Stamps:  Vintage Vogue

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue, White

DSP:  Real Red

Ink:  Bashful Blue

Accessories:  Real Red satin ribbon, pearls, sponge dauber, dimensionals, color coach

All products are Stampin' Up!

Now I'm off to lunch with my best friend.  I hope you find time this week to play with us at the Pals.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Best Fishes

This card was definitely a work in progress.  I started with a great sketch from The Paper Players and knew I wanted to use the Ocean Commotion stamp set.  I have seen some beautiful cards with scenes and that's the direction I wanted to go.  Well let me tell you, I should have turned around about 12 hours ago.  I stamped, taped, matted and ripped apart too many times to count.  Finally this morning I sat down and just went with it.  So here is my fish scene card ...

Stamps:  Ocean Commotion, Very Punny

Paper:  Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, White

DSP:  Baja Breeze

Ink:  More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze

Accessories:  CB embossing folder, Nestabilities circle dies, Prismacolor markers, hole punch, pearls, label punches, sanding block

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I sanded the DSP and the Cajun Craze embossed panel to give it a more rustic look.  I'm thinking this a birthday card for a guy.
• I didn't like the look of the brads on the sentiment so I used a small hole punch and glued on the More Mustard dots.

This is not my favorite card of all time by any means. But after all my struggles with it, I think I like the end result.  I do like this sketch so much, that I will have to make another card with it.

As much as I would like to stamp and blog hop all day, I do have to work on some soccer stuff.  So with that being said ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

A card for Katie

I was on Splitcoast Stampers a couple of weeks ago and came across the story of Katie.  I don't know Katie but her story tugged at my heart.  Katie is a fellow stamper who was stricken with cancer at the young age of 39.  I went to Katie's blog, My Paper Haven, where she does a remarkable job of putting her thoughts and feelings down.  After reading some of her entries, I knew I wanted to make a card for her.  So Katie, this one is for you!

Stamps:  Floral Wreath by Gina K.

Paper:  Cameo Coral, Close to Coca, White

Ink:  Black Cameo Coral

Accessories:  photo corner punch, pearls, ribbon, sponge dauber, Nestabilities circle dies, CB Victoria embossing folder, Prisma markers

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

If you find yourself with a card looking for a home, think about sending it to Katie.  Rather than post her address on my blog, leave me a message and I will send it to you.

There is another talented stamper out there, Vicki at All I Do Is Stamp, that has a wonderful tutorial on how to make and add a watermark to your cards.  Click on her blog name and it will take you right there.  A huge thanks to Vicki for doing that!

I hope you have a great week!

Pam~

Stylish Blogger Award

I'm feeling really good today.  My card for last week's Paper Players challenge was picked as a Cut Above.  The Paper Players are an awesome bunch of talented stampers so be sure to stop by their blog and see what the challenge is.  It changes every Sunday.  It is always fun to participate and you too might be a Cut Above or the Headliner!  Thanks to Ann and the rest of the Design Team for picking my card and the other winners too.  That is a tough decision to make with so many beautiful cards uploaded.


Another reason I'm smiling ... one of my Stampin' Pretty Pals, Nina Dee, awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award.  Thank you Nina!!!

This award comes with some fun stipulations.  They are as follows:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 8 things about yourself.
3. Forward it to bloggers that you have recently discovered.

Here are 8 facts about myself ...

1. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 20 years this month.
2. I am the President of my son's high school soccer booster club.
3. We will be empty nester's this coming fall ... not looking forward to that.
4. I had lasik surgery in 2005 ... great decision.
5. I like doing sudoku's as much as stamping.
6. I'm going to Disney World in May.
7. I get my best work done in the morning/early afternoon.
8. I like to play golf ... for fun.

I really enjoy reading blogs and here are a few that have caught my eye recently.  I would like to pass this award on to ...

• Lesley
• Frenchie
• Trish
• Renee

Be sure to stop by and see their creations, you won't be disappointed!

I'll be back tomorrow with a card (hopefully).  It is finished but I have not taken a picture yet.

Have a great day,

Pam~

It's a sketchy day ...

It is time for another great sketch challenge by Margaret Moody over at the Pals Paper Arts. This is a sketch that you can have layers of gorgeous paper, texture and embellishments or make it more simple as I did.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with this lovely layout.


Here is the sketch ...

Below is what my inky fingers created ...

Stamps:  Funky Four

Paper:  Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Tempting Turquoise

DSP:  Sahara Sand, Tempting Turquoise

Ink:  Old Olive ink pad and marker, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories:  Old Olive ribbon, brad, Itty Bitty punches, Itty Bitty buttons, circle punches, corner rounder, sponge dauber, dimensional, DMC thread

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I have not used my heart tugging mushrooms in a while.  This set had me at first glance and is still one of my favs.  I hope you like my sketchy mushrooms and will grab some stamping supplies and join in the fun with all of us at the Pals!

Have a great day,

Pam~

A little Paper Players and MOJO

Hello Monday ...  Yesterday I saw the color combo over at The Paper Players and knew I wanted to play with that this week.  Today I saw the MOJO sketch and thought that looked like a fun sketch to use.  A no brainer for me this morning ... combine them both.  I did just that and came up with this ... 

Stamps:  For Father, Vintage Labels

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Baja Breeze

DSP:  Sahara Sand

Ink:  Black, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  Nestabilities octagon die, CB houndstooth embossing folder, Rose Red eyelets, Very Vanilla hodgepodge hardware, dimensionals, Prismacolor markers

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• The color challenge actually called for River Rock.  Since I do not have that, I substituted Sahara Sand.
• The sketch shows ribbon on the bottom.  Since this is for my brother, I did not want it too girly.  I used a piece of Rose Red cardstock with no bow.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Pam~

Enjoy the journey ...

I've got a quick post today.  We are still covered up in snow, my son is still sick and I have a little case of cabin fever.  I've enjoyed wearing sweats, not putting on make-up and stamping but I'm ready for warmer weather.   I miss walking my dogs and being outside without having to dress in layers and layers.  This southern gal doesn't do good in freezing temperatures.  The sun is shining again today to help melt some snow.  I must admit it is pretty to look at.

Alright, enough of my chit chat about the cold and snow.  I did have a great afternoon yesterday making this card for my nephew.  He is still out of college on Christmas break and will go back next week.  I wanted him to have a little love when he got back into the grind of classes.

Stamps:  It's the Thought

Paper:  Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Early Expresso, Wild Wasabi

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  CB stars die, Nestabilities label two die, Daffodil Delight ribbon, polka dot embossing folder, Prismacolor markers

All supplies are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I like the way this card turned out and hope that it is not too childish for Stanley.  The cards I always send him seem to be more juvenile.  Guess I struggle making young male adult cards.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Pam~

Love is in the air ...

Happy Thursday to everyone!  With Thursday comes another great challenge over at the Pals Paper Arts.  The theme is Lady in Red and this is the inspiration photo ...

My creative juices from the inspiration photo turned into this ...

Stamps:  Love You Much

Paper:  White, Real Red, Pretty In Pink, Black

DSP:  Real Red, Black

Ink:  Real Red (ink pad & marker), Pretty In Pink (marker), Garden Green (marker)

Accessories:  Real Red brads, rhinestones, Real Red ribbon, Punches -- modern label, word window, Heart to Heart, mat pack, dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up!

I hope you find time to play this week.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Snow much fun...

Since we are still snowed in, I thought it would be nice to have a snowman card to post today.  They have already cancelled school for Wednesday.  This has been a great break for everyone ... hubby couldn't get to work either.  Unfortunately, my son can't enjoy it ... he is sick with the flu.  The good news is that he is not missing school.  He does not see it that way ... LOL

On to the card ...

Stamps:  Snow Much Fun by Gina K.

Paper:  White, Taken with Teal, Bravo Burgundy, Mauve Mist

DSP:  My Mind's Eye

Ink:  Black, Bravo Burgundy 

Accessories:  Nestabilities circle dies, corner rounder, sponge daubers, eyelets (non-SU), Prismacolor makers.

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I was looking through old MOJO sketches and found this one from March 2009 ... simple and a nice layout.
• The Mauve Mist paper is from the late 90's, when I first bought Stampin' Up paper.
• I used Taken with Teal just to add a punch of color.  Plus I really love this color.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Paper Players Valentine's Challenge

Each Sunday The Paper Players have a new challenge.  This week they have a theme challenge ... Valentine's Day.  I wanted to go a different direction with my color choice ... not the traditional red.  I know who I want to receive this card so I adjusted it to their liking.

Stamps:  Have a Heart

Paper:  Regal Rose, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla

DSP:  My Mind's Eye

Ink:  Black, Regal Rose

Accessories:  Marina Mist ribbon, Nestabilities scalloped/square and label die, heart punch (non-SU), Prismacolor markers, sponge dauber, dimensional

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I added a punched heart with a dimensional to the kitty's hand and after looking at the card, it looks like Ms. Kitty is wearing a mitten ... LOL
• For a different look, I made a double bow.

Today we woke to another big snowfall ... we received between 6 and 8 inches.  It looks gorgeous but my pups weren't so sure of this one.  It was difficult for Sadie to um ... do her business.  We had to make paths and pat down the snow so she could find just the right spot.  It was quite funny!  I've included some pictures ...

My paws are cold!

How do we walk in this stuff?

Ok Daddy, you shovel me a place to walk and maybe I'll come out of the garage.

First Design Team card

Welcome to a new year of Pals Paper Arts challenges.  We have a wonderful calendar of projects for you to participate in this year!  To start it off, this week is a color challenge ... Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz and Perfect Plum.  Click on over to the Pals Paper Arts to play and upload your card.  Here is what I came up with ...

Stamps:  Because I Care (Hostess set)

Paper:  White, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Perfect Plum

Ink:  Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  pastels, sponge dauber, Hodgepodge Hardware, ice brads, ribbon, corner rounder, crop-a-dile, stamp-a-ma-jig, scorer

• I didn't have Perfect Plum ribbon, so I took my 1/8" taffeta ribbon and ran it over my Perfect Plum ink pad.  Works great every time!
• Sponge daubers and pastels were used to highlight the flower and leaves.
• The bottom portion was scored to add a touch of detail to the card.

I hope 2011 brings you and your family good health and happiness!

Have a great day,

Pam~

I have some MOJO

With the start of the new year brings the start of another high school soccer season.  I am the President of our soccer booster club and have an incredible group of parents on the board with me.  I just found out that one our board members has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 49.  I am still in disbelief and it brings back so many memories.  My mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and unfortunately lost her battle to this awful disease.  I wanted to send a card to my friend and thought the MOJO sketch would work well for a thinking of you card.

MOJO sketch ...

.  

I wanted something uplifting, bright and cheery.  Here is what my inky fingers came up with ...

Stamps:  Just Believe, Itty Bitty Bits

Paper:  White, Melon Mambo, Early Expresso, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise

DSP:  Daffodil Delight

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo

Accessories:  CB swirls and dots embossing folder, Nestabilities oval and scalloped dies, corner rounder, pearls, dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I stuck with the sketch throughout my card, except for the square layer.  I made mine a bit smaller since I wanted my pretty polka dot paper to show.
• Pearls were added to the three small flowers and two of the flowers on the main image.  They don't show up really well in the picture but do add a nice touch of texture.

As always, if you have any questions, please e-mail me and I will be happy to help you.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Great Start to 2011

Happy New Year!!!  I am so excited today!  I was asked my Mary Fish, my upline and the Pretty Pal fearless leader, to temporarily help out on the Design Team at the Pals Paper Arts.  This is such an honor and a new experience for me.  I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful and talented group of Stampin' Up! designers.  I will be stepping in while Margaret Moody takes a much needed break for a few months.  Margaret will continue to showcase her fabulous sketches for us to use!

Unfortunately, I have not been in my craft room much the last couple of weeks.  I have been spending the days with my family.  My husband took time off from work, an rarity, so we have all been going out doing fun stuff.  After our beautiful snowfall, the temps later went into upper 50's ... perfect frisbee golf weather.

Have a great day and be sure to play with us at the Pals Paper Arts on Thursday.  I'm looking forward to seeing what your inky fingers created!

Pam~