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 away and missing it ...

I had to leave unexpectedly this past Tuesday for New Hampshire.  My uncle had emergency bypass surgery and needed someone to help him out, so here I am.  I had just gotten back from Gatlinburg, TN this past Friday, had soccer all weekend and then I got the dreaded call.  I never got my stamping stuff unpacked from Fall Break.  On Monday I was doing laundry and packing again when the present man came by in his brown truck.  I didn't even get to unpack and look at my new goodies ... frown.

I really miss my family, friends, and stamping, but I'm needed here.  Knowing that my uncle wanted me here to help is an honor. 

I haven't really had time to blog hop, which I really miss but I'm hoping that one evening I'll be able to do that.  I know there are some great challenges out there, including the PPA fall picture inspiration.  I even bought a new stamp set for this project.  I hope you have fun playing and I'll click on over to see what everyone has created.

Hope to get back to my craft room around the 25th of October.  Until then ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Blog Award

I received a wonderful e-mail earlier this week from my blogging friend Donna.  I've been following Donna's beautiful blog for a bit and I absolutely love her cards and photos.  Donna chose me for the "Cherry on Top" blog award.  Thank you Donna for sending this awesome award my way.  I am still on cloud nine!  Be sure to stop by Donna's blog, Donna's Designs, to see her stunning work.

The rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank the person that passed it to you.
2. Copy the award to your blog.
3. Share three things about yourself that you enjoy doing.
4. Pass the award to 5 others.

The three things I would like to share with you are:

1. I am passionate about stamping.
2. I like to play and watch sports.
3. I enjoy cross-stitching.

The beautiful blogs with that little extra that I would like to pass this award to are:

1. Carla - Carla's Scraps
2. Ann - The Stampin' Schach
3. Kim - Stamp, Scrap and Get Kreative
4. Trish - Encourage Joy
5. Beth - Crafts by Beth

I had a hard time picking just five blogs to pass this on to.  There are so many wonderful and inspiring blogs out there that I follow and enjoy reading.  Thanks to all the bloggers who showcase their gorgeous creations for all to enjoy!  Keep on crafting!

I've just returned from our Fall Break vacation in Gatlinburg, TN.  I had a fabulous time but I'm so glad to be back home.  I'm also looking forward to catching up on everyone's blog and to hit my craft room.  We have soccer this weekend so hopefully Monday will lend some time to create.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Two for One ...

Today's card incorporates two challenges into one card.  I love when I can do that...really feel like you get a lot accomplished.  The first challenge was to use the MOJO 158 sketch, which I really liked.  I went with the square shape.  The second challenge was the Pals Paper Arts button inspiration...fun, fun!  Be sure to check them both out and play along too!

Stamps:  Vintage Vogue, Itty Bitty Bits, Printed Petals

Paper:  So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum, White

DSP:  Wild Wasabi

Ink:  Perfect Plum, So Saffron

Accessories:  SU ribbon, sponge, bitty buttons, color coach

All products are from SU! unless otherwise noted.

Have a great day,

Pam~

100% Baby Card

Happy Monday!  Can't believe it is the last week of September.  Just think, Christmas is three months away...wow!  Actually, I would rather chit chat about my card and think about the holidays later.  I was planning on showing this card on Saturday but something wonderful happened and I never got the picture taken until Sunday evening.

On Friday afternoon Bethany calls me and we are having a nice conversation about her grades, college, etc. when she says "I think you need to look out the kitchen window."  OMGosh, she was standing in the driveway with a piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.  Since she can't see me on my birthday next week, she wanted to surprise me this weekend.  Surprise me she did and it was great!!!  So we spent the weekend together and the camera only took pictures before she left to go back to college.

I made this card on Thursday during our craft day.  My hairdresser is having her first baby, a boy, and this is my first baby card to make.  What do you think?

Stamps:  Animal Crackers, Tags Etc. (not exactly sure what set the tag comes from)

Paper:  Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Mint Melody (very old color) , Confetti White

Ink:  Staz-On Black, Bashful Blue

Accessories:  tag punches, ticket punch, Bashful Blue ribbon, CB embossing folder, eyelet, DMC thread, Prismacolor markers, Crop-a-dile

All products are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Pam~ 

A Happy Hello ... It's Friday

It's Friday ... I know a lot people are happy today.  My son would be first in line to say he is.  I'm excited because Terry comes home tomorrow after being on a business trip for ten days. 

I was just playing around in my craft room the other day and this is what I ended up with ... 

Stamps:  Baroque Motifs, Punched Posies, All Year Cheer I (retired)

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point

Ink:  Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  brad (non-SU), circle punch, corner rounder, sponges

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Today's card was quick to make and to assemble.  Sometimes simple cards can go a long way. 

I've got another cute card to show this weekend.  I just need to take a picture of it so I can upload it for all to see.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Pam~

Happy Harvest

Happy Thursday to you!  Each Thursday brings another Pals Paper Arts Challenge.  Last week I was lucky enough to be the guest artist ... awesome feeling.  Though today I'm just as excited to play along.  I think participating in the different challenges out there in cyber space, has helped my stamping abilities grow in a positive fashion. 

Here is a quick morale booster I received last Friday that I wanted to share.  I was at our local craft show and a woman was there selling her cards, scrapbooks, etc.  Of course, I had to look to see what she was using and how much she priced her beautiful goodies for.  My two dear friends that I was with, told me that my work was just as good, if not better.  I made the comment that she was selling her cards for $3 a piece and I could never ask that much for mine.  I said I would sell mine for no more than $1 each.  They both said they wouldn't let me do that.  Think they were just trying to make my day?  Well you know what, they did.  :) 

Ok, on to my card for this week's PPA sketch challenge.  Be sure to head on over to the Pals website and play along.  It's always so much fun!

I used the Loads of Love set, mainly because I wanted to color.  I've really been in that mode lately. 

Stamps:  Loads of Love and Loads of Love Accessories

Paper:Confetti White, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Early Expresso

DSP:  Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie

Ink:  Staz-on Black, Pumpkin Pie, Black SU marker

Accessories:  Punches:  photo corner, corner rounder, circle; Nestabilities circle scallop die, Signo white gel pen, Prismacolor Markers, CB sticks embossing folder, brads

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• The ends of the brown layer were curled a bit to give the card a touch of detail.
• The photo corner was also rounded to fit on the cards rounded corner. 
• As I uploaded the card, I noticed my driver's face is quite white.  Oops...guess she has on a mask or lots of sunscreen!  Her face will be colored before being sent to the recipient.

Thanks for stopping by!  If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me an e-mail or leave a post.  Again, many thanks for the wonderful comments.  I love reading them!

Have a great day,

Pam~

Three Little Words ...

If you got this twice, I am so sorry.  I hit publish instead of save and had not uploaded my card yet.

Today's card uses this weeks MOJO Monday sketch.  I need a card for a man who is having surgery and thought this was the perfect layout.

Stamps:  Three Little Words, Itty Bitty Bits

Paper:  Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Not Quite Navy

DSP:  Peach Parfait

Ink:  Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze

Accessories:  sponges, twine, Itty Bitty punch, CB script embossing folder, CB star dies, blender pen, border punch

All products are from SU unless otherwise noted.

• 
  
  Since the main image is "Three little words ...", I wanted to try and play off that.  The DSP is wording and the embossed Pear Pizzazz piece is script embossed. 
• 
  
  The inside of the card says "thinking of you". 
• 
  
  Do you think this will work for a guy?

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate the comments that have been left on my cards.  It makes my day!
 

This is what the Whippets were doing while I was taking pictures of my cards.  It's amazing how they always mimic each other.  We had just come back from our morning walk.  Can you tell it is still HOT here?

Have a great day,

Pam~

Not quite the MOJO sketch ...

When I went into my craft room yesterday morning, I knew I wanted to use this week's MOJO sketch.  I really liked it and knew something good would come out of it.  Here is the sketch ...

Time to start creating.  Hmmm, when I looked at my cute little mouse, I realized this sketch was not for him.  I had colored the mouse on Wednesday night before really taking the MOJO layout into account.  Guess you can tell that I work backwards sometimes.  Oh, the joys (or heartaches) of having no real plan in place.

I may be 45, but I still like to color ... it's relaxing too.  Anyway, rather than babble all my thoughts, this is what I ended up with ...

Stamps:  House Mouse by Stampabilities

Paper:  Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Confetti White

DSP:  Poppy Parade, So Saffron

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Prisma markers, Nestabilities oval dies, brads, Early Expresso ribbon, CB edge embossing folder

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Ok, my card didn't come out like the sketch so it will only be posted here.  I do have say, even though my card is different from the MOJO sketch, it really did make putting this card together much easier.  Guess I'll just have to go stamp some more .... darn.  :)

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~

September PALS Blog Hop

Welcome to the September PALS HOP! This month, we're featuring Fall/Halloween themed projects for your inspiration! If you've hopped over from Carla Bazhenow, http://www.carlas-scraps.com/, I'm stop number 8 on the PALS HOP and I'm glad you hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for papercrafted creations from the Stampin' Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the PALS HOP LINE-UP below and you'll be back on track!

I made two projects for this Hop.  The first one is geared towards Halloween.  It is a little candy box that I filled with chocolates.  I found the pattern, designed by Beate Johns, on the Scor-pal website. 

Stamps: Wicked Cool, Pocket Silhouettes

Paper:  Concord Crush, White

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  oval punch, ribbon, scor-pal, scor-tape, craft stick, black marker

• The craft stick was colored with a black marker and the Spooky label was glued to it.
• To make the ribbon stay in place, scor-tap was added to the back.
• Filled with kisses to give to someone who least expects it ... that's spooky!

My second project, a card, was made with Thanksgiving in mind.  I really like how this turned out.  Was it the sentiment, colors, layout or pumpkins?  I'm not sure but it is one of my favorites. 

Stamps:  Seasonal Sentiments

Paper:  Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, White

Ink:  Early Expresso, Always Artichoke

Accessories:  Nestabilities circle and scallop dies, texture embossing folder, oval punches, bird punch, brads

• The pumpkins were made by punching ovals out of Pumpkin Pie cardstock, sponging the edges and the gluing them together.
• The leaves were punched from the bird punch.  I know pumpkins grow on vines but I liked the look of the leaves.  I was being creative ... {smile}

Hop along for more inspiring ideas from Kris Kilcoyne, http://kweenbee.typepad.com/, stop number 9 on the Fall/Halloween PALS HOP!

Hop Line Up 

1. Ann Schach
2. Diana Caho
3. Joanna Munster
4. Melanie Collins
5. Stephanie Uzee
6. Linda Callahan
7. Carla Bazhenow
8. Pam Giudici - you are here
9. Kris Kilcoyne
10. Mary Fish
11. Barbara Furlong
12. Angela Richwine
13. Gina Shaw
14. LeAnn Slater
15. Jason Casper
16. Tracy Cowee
17. Kylie Nicolosi
18. Margaret Moody

 Thanks for "hopping" by!  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~

It's a MOJO Day...

The sketch below was actually designed by my upline, Mary Fish.  She came up with a wonderful sketch...probably one of my favorites.  I know I will be using this layout again!

Sometimes I change up the sketch just a bit.  For this one I only changed one thing.  On the bottom, I put my brads on the right side of my card.

Click on over to the MOJO website and see what everyone is making and be sure to upload your card too.  It is always so much fun looking at what everyone creates. 

A friend of mine had to have surgery this past Monday.  I made this card with her mind. 

Stamps:  Butterfly Prints, Always in My Thoughts

Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Black, Tempting Turquoise

DSP:  Pear Pizzazz

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Black

Accessories:  butterfly punch, itty bitty punch, brads (non SU), itty bitty button, Rich Razzleberry ribbon, glue dots (non SU)
All supplies are from Stampin" Up! unless otherwise noted.

Now it is off to lunch with my best friend, Leslie, and shopping.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Pam~

Friends Never Fade ...

Today's card is for my daughter who is also my best friend.  I used last week's MOJO sketch to get my creative juices flowing.  I did not use all the elements that the sketch showed but was pleased with the outcome.

Stamps:  Friends Never Fade

Paper:  Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizzazz

DSP:  Greehouse Gala

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Staz-on Timber Brown

Accessories:  Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder, Itty Bitty Punch, Early Expresso ribbon, blender pen

All products from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you 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~

PPA 56

Something new has happened over at the Pals blog.  Head on over and check out their new look.  Today's challenge is the inspiration photo below.
 

When I look at the picture, I see all sorts of colors and objects.  What do you see?  Here is what I took from the picture ...

Stamps:  Printed Petals, Things I Love, Whimsical Words,  Punched Posies

Paper:  Black, White, Poppy Parade, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Tangerine Tango

Ink:  Poppy Parade, Black, White, Rose Red, Regal Rose

Accessories:  Stickles by Ranger, Ribbon (non-SU), Dimensionals, Flower Punch, Itty Bitty Circle Punch, Bitty Button, thread (non-SU)

All products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

I feel I captured lots of color and stamps on this card.  The red shoe is what I started with and went from there.  I used the sentiment from Whimsical words since I thought it brought meaning to the shoe...follow.  The white flowers came from the white flower in front of the red shoe.  I added the pink flowers since they really jumped out at me. 

It's always fun to do challenges and see what happens.  I hope you will click on over to the Pals website and play along.

Have a great day,
Pam~