Time for a color challenge ...

Time for another Pals Paper Arts color challenge.  Color and sketch challenges are always my favorite.  I like having something to start with rather than just thinking, "Ok, what do I want to use, how do I want to use it, etc."  I hope this challenge gets your creativity popping and you will play along with us!


The colors this week are ...

These classy ladies are looking so feminine and elegant that I just had to see if I could turn my card into something completely different.  I think I succeeded ...

Stamps:  In Wilderness

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

DSP:  Elegant Soiree

Ink:  Soft Suede

Accessories:   Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon, brads from Hodgepodge Hardware, dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up.

I hope you will find some time this week to participate.  I always enjoy looking at everyone's artistic abilities.  

Have a great day,

Pam~

Let's see some scallops ...

It's Thursday, so that means it is time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge.  This week we have a fun one for you to participate in ... it's all about scallops.  No need to fret ... keep it clean and simple.  Be sure to check-out the rest of DT's gorgeous cards.  Here is the inspiration photo to get the juices flowing ....

I wanted to use my new Build a Blossom stamp set and punch.  It worked wonderfully well for this week's theme of scallops.  My petals actually mimic the oyster shells.  (Those are oysters? Right?)  Here is what the 'ole inky fingers created this week ...

Stamps:  Build a Blossom, Fabulous Phrases

Paper:  Peach Parfait, Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy

Accessories:  Build A Blossom punch, word window punch, scallop trim punch, circle fire brads, daffodil delight button and ribbon, polka dot embossing folder, edge distresser, glue dots, color coach

All products are Stampin' Up!

I looked at this card and thought, should I add leaves or a stem?  After a few moments of looking at it, I decided I liked it plain.  I just love the look of the flower and didn't want to take away from it.  Ahhh, clean and simple is so much fun!

I hope you find some time to join in the fun this week.  As always, thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day,

Pam~!

Pretty Pal's Birthday

Today is special for one of the Stampin' Pretty Pals ... Carla Bazhenow.  Happy Birthday Carla.  She is an amazing Pal in our wonderful group.  She is always visiting blogs and leaves amazing comments.  So if you get a chance, stop by her blog, Carla's Scraps, and wish her a Happy Birthday.

This is the card that I sent Carla for her special day.

Stamps:  Just Believe, On Your Birthday

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Early Expresso, Pear Pizzazz, White,

DSP:  Blushing Bride

Ink:  Blushing Bride, Early Expresso, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  Nestabilities oval/scalloped dies, Early Expresso ribbon, sponge daubers, pearls, word window and label punch, color coach

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

I hope you have a great day!

Pam~

Exciting start to the day

It's Saturday morning and I am awake bright and early.  Not cause I want to be but because there was a mouse in my bedroom.  I was awakened at 3:48 a.m. to a noise of cords moving behind my night stand.  I turned on the light and saw the little sucker run out.  Thank God for husbands who keep calm and will catch the critter.  My kitty, Angel, must have already had enough of mouse chasing cause it didn't interest her much.  My wonderful protective whippets got scared when I screamed and left the room.  Through the drama my husband stood by my side with his gloves on ready to capture our new resident.  After an hour or so of mouse hunting in the bedroom and bathroom, my gloved hero grabbed the mouse and released him back into the woods.  Terry got right back into bed but oh not me.  My mind is thinking where there is one there are two ... I think I hear another one ... what if there are babies ... oh no we might have a house full of mice.  So I decided to blog ...

This card is for my niece.  Unfortunately, her little town of Thomson, GA, is having a rough week.  One of her good friends, 17 years old, was tragically killed in a car accident this week. 

Stamps:  With All My Heart

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery

Ink:  Not Quite Navy

Accessories:  Cuttlebug Victorian embossing folder, mat pack, scalloped border punch, five petal flower punch, word window punch, rhinestones

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

• I stamped the medallion and then used the five flower punch.  The edges were sponged to give it depth.
• This is a CASE from the November 2007 Paper Crafts magazine by M. Robson.
• I changed the colors, embossing, flowers, sentiment and added bling.

Sometimes looking through online sites or magazines and semi-CASEing a card helps return the mojo of stamping.  I have done so many Christmas cards, I needed some inspiration to get the creative bug working again.

Have a great day,
Pam~

Queen of Everything ...

I'm definitely not talking about myself with that title ... I'm talking about my daughter.  I wanted to send her another fun card since she is getting ready for her finals.  She took anatomy this semester and she calls it the class that is like a clingy boyfriend ... you just can't shake it off.  It has really consumed her life, especially the social aspect of it if you ask her.  The good news, I think she will get an A out of the class.  I hope the card will at least put a smile on her face.

I had a great Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed every minute of it.  I did not get any stamping done, other than working on my Christmas cards while watching the Auburn/Alabama game ... War Eagle!  I was busy out shopping and spending time with my family.  I missed getting inky fingers ... usually get withdrawals after a couple of days without a stamp in my hand. 

This is a quick and simple card...

Stamps:  Card Games, Game Night

Paper:  White, Concord Crush, Pink Passion, Tempting Turquoise

DSP:  Tempting Turquoise

Ink:  Pink Passion, Concord Crush

Accessories:  Cuttlebug hearts embossing folder, ribbon (non SU), Stickles, edge distresser (non SU), heart punch, corner rounder

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

I hope you had a safe and fun Thanksgiving weekend.  Are there any other crazy shoppers out there who get up and out really early?  My hubby and daughter were hitting the pavement Friday morning by 3:30 a.m.  I was not quite that crazy ... I did online shopping at 4 a.m. and left the house at 6:30 a.m.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Birthday Wishes

Finished my grocery shopping for Thanksgiving ... check!  The family will be together starting tomorrow afternoon ... check!  Getting my Christmas cards done on time ... check!  Yay, this is looking like a wonderful week for me.  I hope it is for you and your family too!

I have not been stamping as much lately (only Christmas cards) so have not been blogging too much.  There a few challenges I hope to participate in this week.  Today I wanted to show you a birthday card that I made and sent to some special people in my stamping community for their birthday.

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude, On Your Birthday

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze

DSP:  Baja Breeze

Ink:  Baja Breeze Soft Suede

Accessories:  Spellbinders circle and scallop dies, vanilla ribbon (non-SU), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Rhinestones

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

I love the color Baja Breeze so much.  It has become one of my all time favorites!  It coordinates with so many other colors too.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I know we all have so much to be thankful for.  I'm very thankful for the wonderful people that I have met through stamping!

Happy Thanksgiving,
Pam~

Something new ... a recipe challenge

One of my fellow Pals, Ann at The Stampin' Schach, is on the design team at The Paper Players.  Ann came up with a great recipe challenge.  Her three ingredients are  ...

1. One designer series paper
2. Something which has been punched
3. A sentiment

Here is what my recipe card looks like ...

Stamps:  With All My Heart, Three Little Words

Paper:  Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise

DSP:  Melon Mambo

Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery

Accessories:  corner punch, itty bitty punch, word window punch, label punch, fancy flower punch, glimmer brads, rhinestones

I could not get the punched circles in a pattern that I liked.  So, I decided to just drop them on the card and glue them in the dropped spot.  I sponged the edges of the flowers and sentiment to soften them a bit. 

I wanted a bright and cheery card to send to Bethany.  She is having a rough week at college and I wanted to send her an extra dose of love this week.

This was my first time to participate with The Paper Players.  I will definitely be checking them out again!  It feels fabulous to be back to stamping and blogging again.  I missed it all!

Have a great day,

Pam~

I'm the Featured Artist

I'm really excited about being the Featured Artist again over at the Pals Paper Arts.  Be sure to stop by and check out what the Design Team has created too.  The inspiration this week is the poster from the musical Wicked.  I've never seen the Broadway play, but have some friends who have.  They all said it was wonderful!  Here is the poster which sparked my creative juices.

After seeing the picture of the poster, I knew I wanted to use my new Wicked Cool stamp set.  I love this stamp set and my goal was to use as many stamps from it as I could (without getting too tacky).  With those two thoughts in my mind, this is what I ended up with ...

Stamps:  Wicked Cool

Paper:  Black, White, Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum

Ink:  White Pigment (non-SU), Black, Wild Wasabi

Accessories:  brads, circle punch, label punch, edge distresser, sponge, dots embossing folder, pop dots 

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• 
  
  Ms. Witchy's boots didn't fit on my square so I stamped only the left boot on the square.  I stamped the whole image again on scrap paper and cut out the right boot and attached it with pop dots.
• 
  
  I distressed the purple panel and dotted panel with my edge distresser.
• 
  
  The edges on the white squares were sponged to add a "spooky" look.

Come join The Pals and design a wicked card for everyone to be in awe of.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Pam~

Ruff Day?

A sweet Pretty Pal, Carla, recently had to put her dog Yogi down.  Being a huge animal lover and having gone through that myself, I know how hard it is to lose one of your furry four-legged family members.  I made this card for Carla to let her know I was thinking of her.

Stamps:  Ruff Day (retired)

Paper:  Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango, White (non-SU)

DSP:  Soft Suede

Ink:  Black, Soft Suede

Accessories:  brads (non-SU), Octogon Nestabilities, Marina Mist ribbon, eyelet (non-SU), DMC thread, Prisma Markers

All products are SU unless otherwise noted. 

• On the sentiment, after it was run through my Cuttlebug, I left the saying in the octogon Nestie and just lightly sponged around the edges.  I really like this effect.  I saw Gina K. do this and fell in love with the look.
• While looking through my stash of brads, I came across these brads and it was a perfect Marina Mist match.  I was so psyched!
• I have to say that I think Ruff Day was one of the cutest dog stamp sets that Stampin' Up made. This pup is so darn cute!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!

Pam~

It's a Pearl Challenge

Happy Friday everyone!  I've got a quick post today before heading out to get ready for the Labor Day weekend...yea!  Bethany is coming home for a couple of days and Michael is thrilled not to have school on Monday.  It's the little things in life that make for a great day.

Today's card was inspired by the Pals Paper Arts challenge Pretty In Pearls.  I hope you can find some time to play along too.  It's always so much fun to see what everyone has created!  Click here to check out the Pals challenge.

Stamps:  Cottage Garden

Paper:  Melon Mamabo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, White

DSP:  Melon Mambo

Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight ribbon, blender pen, stamp-a-ma-jig, pearls, Cuttlebug emobossing folder

All products are SU unless otherwise noted

I love to color but cutting is not my thing.  I keep thinking I will get better with practice but i think I'm a hopeless cause.  Thanks for stopping by and I love reading your comments.  That is what makes my day!  Have a safe and wonderful weekend.

Pam~

Have a sweet ... day

I actually started this card last week, finished it yesterday and just took the picture of it this afternoon.  Unfortunately, I have not had much time to spend in my craft room.  Though, I did get to spend every lunch hour at a different restaurant. I love my friends!  More good news, tomorrow is Thursday and that means craft day.  I get to spend the majority of my day stamping and chatting. 

I'm not sure who the recipient of this card is yet.  There are two names jumping around in my head.  Hmmm...who will it be?

Stamps:  Sweet Scoops

Paper:  White, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard

DSP:  non-SU

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Black

Accessories:  Deckle scissors (non-SU), Nestabilities oval dies,

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

My hubby just got home from work, so I guess I need to go start dinner.  That is the least I can do for him.  He does so much for me!  I hope you all enjoy your evening! 

Pam~

Another card for PPA 57

I liked the sketch so much over at Pals Paper Arts that I wanted to make another card with it. 

Stamps:  Ladybug Picnic, sentiment by Stampabilities

Paper:  White, Black, Taken with Teal, Cool Caribbean

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Prisma and Stampin' Up markers, eyelets (non-SU), Cuttlebug Houndtooth embossing folder, stamp-a-ma-jig

The inside of the card finishes the sentiment with "to say hi!"  I stamped the kite on Taken with Teal and ran it through the CB Houndtooth embossing folder for some texture. Then I cut it out and glued it to the card for added dimension.  Little details can go a long way.  My crop-a-dile slipped while I was punching holes for the eyelets so that added a crooked eyelet.  That gives this card character and that goes a long way too.

I've been trying to use up some of my old cardstock, hence the colors on this card.  I figured retired cardstock goes great with retired stamps. 

I wanted to show off  my helper today.  Banjee was right there while trying to take some pictures.  How can you resist a face like that looking at you?

I hope you have a great day!

Pam~

Catching a breeze...

I went for something completely different on today's card...I stamped a scene.  Is it my favorite...not really...but it is always fun to experiment.  The layout came from a great sketch by Margaret Moody over at the Pals Paper Arts.  Be sure and check out their challenge this week.

Stamps:  A Kind Word, Sensational Scenery, Hedgehog Happiness

Paper:   White, Blushing Bride, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz

DSP:  Blushing Bride, Concord Crush

Ink:  Black, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Concord Crush, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Summer Sun, Peach Parfait

Accessories:  Prisma markers, SU markers, SU pastels, rhinestones, corner rounder, dimensionals, distressing tool

For the sun and grass, I did the "rock 'n roll" technique.  I used all retired stamps on this card.  Sometimes you just have to dust off the old and use them too. 

Now it is off to stamp...Thursday if craft day!  Have a great day!

Pam~

Happy Hellos ...

With school being back in session, Thursday craft days are back.  I got two cards completed while Monica, my stamping bud, finished six cards.  Can you tell I'm a slow stamper?  I am forever putting a card together and then taking it apart to change a color, layout, etc.

The card below is for my nephew at college.  If all goes as planned, I will hopefully send him a card every week or at least every other week like I do Bethany.  I know how much fun it is to get mail.

Stamps:  Aviary, Lots of Thoughts (retired)

Paper:  Really, Rust, Mellow Moss, Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa

DSP:  Really Rust

Ink:  Really Rust, Mellow Moss

Accessories:  eyelets (non-SU), corner rounder, Nestibilities circle die, oval punch, dimensionals

All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

For me, the best starting point is to have a sketch.  Sometimes I will draw a sketch but usually I look in my folder at some MOJO sketches or click on over to Splitcoast for their card sketches.  Today's card is from a MOJO sketch way back in January 2009, week  70.  I saw this sketch and knew it was perfect for this stamp set. 

When I stamped the bird cage, the stand was showing into the cage bottom piece.  I stamped the cage again and cut out just the bottom section and taped it over the mistake.  Not only did it cover my boo boo, it added dimension to my card and I liked it a lot better...was really pleased with the end result.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Pam~

Just Because...

I made this card a while back for my secret pal.  Now that we are done sending cards, I wanted to share it. Plus, I have not had time to venture upstairs and create something new since coming back from NJ.

I tried something a bit different on this one.  I used my Score-pal and scored the white paper to make the squares.  Next I wiped my Rich Razzleberry ink pad on the paper.  Kinda cool looking since the ink does not go in the score lines and you a have a neat looking background paper.

Stamps: Just Because

Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, White

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive

Accessories:  Scor-pal, Itty Bitty Punches, corner rounder, ribbon

We had a great time on vacation and it is also good to be home.  I think the highlight in NYC was seeing the Naked Cowboy...what a funny sight.  The women were all over him and he was loving every minute of it.  Now I need to start getting back into the school mode as Michael starts his senior year next Monday...ugh!  The following weekend we move Bethany into her dorm at UAB for her sophomore year.  Where has the time gone???   

Have a great day,

Pam~

Baby Bear Hope

I made this card for a dear friend from my childhood.  Meg is a wonderful person inside and out and has always held a special place in my heart, as well as the rest of my family.  Back in January she told me about a Facebook page, Lily the Black Bear.  Since that day, I have been hooked on checking the status of Lily and her cub Hope.  I won't go into all the details but it is a great page and I've learned a lot. 

Stamps:  Button Bear, Everyday Flexible Phrases

Paper:  White, Pink Passion, Black

DSP:  Non-SU

Ink:  Black, Pink Passion, Wild Wasabi

Accessories:  ticket punch, brads, oval punch, CB sticks embossing folder, prisma pencils, OMS, ribbon, eyelets, dimensionals

I'm flying to New Jersey in the morning with my children to visit my brother.  My hubby is staying home to take care of the animals.  We are looking forward to visiting NYC again.  Always a favorite when we head north.  My brother works in NYC so I thank him so much for taking us into the city on his day off...he's a great guy!

I'm not taking any stampin' stuff with me, so I'll see you all when I get back next week.  It's hard to take anything on a plane now, especially scissors.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week.  Until next time...

Pam~

PPA Featured Artist

I'm so excited today...I am the featured artist over at the Pals Paper Arts website.  This week's challenge is a sketch.  Be sure to stop in to see what others have created and be sure to upload your card so we can all enjoy it and comment on it.

Here is the sketch that was designed by the Pals Design Team.

This being my first time to be a featured, I decided to do a simple and clean card.  Here is what I came up with...

You can click on the card and it will make it bigger.

Stamps:  Aviary, Because I Care

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade, Not Quite Navy, White

Designer Series Paper (DSP):  Not Quite Navy

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Poppy Parade

Accessories:  brads, dot emobssing folder, hole punch, dimensionals, stamp-a-ma-jig, Color Coach

All products are Stampin' Up, unless otherwise noted.

I used a new stamp set, Aviary, on page 121 in the new catalog.  There is just something fun about this stamp set that really appeals to me.  I'm looking forward to making some more cute cards with these little birdies.  Stampin' Up also has some great DSP in the new catalog.  Be sure to check it out on pages 172 - 175.  I knew I wanted to use Poppy Parade, the new in-color, for my bird.  I used the Color Coach (page 165) to help decide on the rest of the colors.  A must have for all stamper's!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Pam~

A late PPA challenge

You know that saying...A day late and a dollar short?  Well that is me with this card.  The link to post your card closed Tuesday at noon and I didn't get it finished until 2 p.m. The Pals Paper Arts challenge this past week was a wedding themed card.  Ok, this was a challenge for me.  I've never made a wedding card before.  Since the challenge was wedding themed, I knew I needed to use the new in-color Blushing Bride.  That was my starting point and the rest finally just fell into place.

After all the time I put into it, I decided to go ahead and post it. This is what I came up with...

Stamps:  Baroque Motifs

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Early Expresso

DSP:  Blushing Bride

Ink:  Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  circle punch (non SU), oval punch, tag punch, pearls, dimensionals, color coach

Technique:  sponging

All supplies Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted

Thursday, July 22nd, will be a big day for me.  I am going to be the featured artist at the Pals.  Be sure to come by and see what the challenge is.

Have a great day,

Pam~ 

Funky Four

Have you ever saw a stamp and you think I've got to have it?  You might not need it or have a real purpose for it but it just keeps tugging at you.  Well Funky Four did that to me.  Those four mushrooms just won me over for some wild reason.  Out of the new catalog, this set was at the top of my wish list.

Here is my first card with the Funkies inked up.  I've been in a mode of stamping pretty simple cards lately.  Must be the heat frying my mind and I can't think in details.

Stamps:  Funky Four

Paper:  Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, White

Designer Series Paper (DSP): Wild Wasabi, So Saffron

Ink:  Wild Wasabi, So Saffron

Accessories:  brads, corner rounder, Nestabilities oval dies, blender pen, sponge

All products are Stampin' Up, unless otherwise noted.

Hmmm...the heat must be frying my mind from cooking too.  Don't think my hubby will like that excuse every evening though.  Guess I'll head downstairs and see what jumps out and says "cook me".

Have a great day!

Pam~

50 and counting

Pals Paper Arts is hosting their 50th challenge this week.  Congratulations go out to all the artists that make it happen each and every week!  This week is a color challenge using Basic Gray, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip. 

When I was thinking about these colors, one thing kept jumping into my mind...chocolate!  With that thought one stamp set comes to mind...Things I Love.  So I went to work with those two thoughts and this is what I ended up with ...

Stamps:  Things I Love
Paper:  So Saffron, Going Gray, Chocolate Chip
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl embossing folder, CB scalloped square dies, ribbon, dimensionals

I did not have any Basic Gray cardstock in my stash so I went with Going Gray.  Even with the gray being a different shade, I am pleased with the way this card turned out.

This stamp set also has a shoe that can be used as things that you love.  After looking at the shoe, I thought to myself, I would much rather have some chocolate than shoes.  Hence the chocolate being on this card twice.  Hmmm....don't know if I have my priorities in the right order.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.  I enjoy reading them and appreciate each one!  Have a great weekend!

Pam~