Birthday Wishes ...

It feels wonderful to be back at home.  We had a fantastic time at Disney World and Cocoa Beach last week.  The weather could not have been better and the crowds were not too bad.  Our longest wait for one ride was an hour but other than that, it was no more than 30 minutes.


Michael's graduation went very well and my baby actually starts college today.  He is taking a history class this summer at our community college before heading to Auburn in August.  Our soccer banquet went off without a hitch and I didn't shed any tears.  I did choke up when I was thanking the parents, players and my family.  I have been the President of the Booster Club for the last three years and I will miss being involved.


Now I am hoping that our life will get back to normal.  I am anxious to get back into some kind of stamping routine.  Today's card is for Monica's, my stamping buddy, birthday.  Her birthday was May 20th so I'm late getting this to her ... oops!  Hopefully I will see her today so that she will get the card before the reading the post.

Stamps:  On the Grow, Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases

Paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, More Mustard, Very Vanilla

DSP:  Elegant Eggplant

Ink:  Black, More Mustard

Accessories:  Prismacolor Markers, brads (non-SU), corner rounder, frame punch, Nestabilities oval dies, stamp-a-ma-jig, dimensionals, Signa white gel pen, mat pack, color coach

All products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Have a great day,

Pam~

It's all about ... brads

This week the Pals want you to pull out your brads and make a clean and simple card.  Below is an inspiration photo to help put your mind in brad mode.

After seeing the picture, I decided to put another challenge to myself.  I wanted to use only the In-Colors and had to use the scooter in the new On the Grow stamp set.  So with those thoughts swirling in my head, my inky fingers went to work and created this ...

Stamps:  On the Grow

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, White

DSP:  Blushing Bride (hostess gift)

Ink:  Black and the following SU markers ... Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Cajun Craze, Basic Gray, Bashful Blue

Accessories:  brads, oval and itty bitty punches, ribbon, itty bitty button, thread (non SU) and dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I hope you will find some time to join in the fun this week at the Pals Paper Arts.  I'm off to go find the Buzz Light Year ride and some other fun roller coasters.  Maybe I will see Mickey along the way ... guess where I'm at?

Have a great day,

Pam~

Here Comes the Bride ...

This week at the Pals Paper Arts it is all about the bride and weddings.  Let your romantic side take over and have some fun with this.  Use the inspiration photo below to get the creative juices flowing ...

I knew I wanted to use Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper.  So, that was  my starting point and this was the ending result ...

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, 

Paper:  Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

DSP:  Elegant Soiree

Ink:  Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron

Accessories:  Baja Breeze ribbon (retired), pearls, corner rounder, itty bitty punch, circle cutter, blender pen

All products are Stampin' Up

I used my blender pen and ink refills to color the flower.

I hope you will find some time join the rest of the uber talented Pals in this fun challenge.  As always, I am looking forward to checking out your cards.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Feeling some MOJO

I found some time to stamp yesterday afternoon and wanted to share my card with you.  When looking at the finished card yesterday, I was quite happy with the results.  I love when I have that feeling!


This is for two challenges ... The Paper Players have a theme challenge this week which is to use birds, bees, flowers and trees.  I got my inspiration for the layout from the MOJO Monday sketch this week.


This is my what my inky fingers created ... 

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases

Paper:  Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Early Expresso, Rose Red

DSP:  Regal Rose (retired)

Ink:  Early Expresso, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard

Accessories:  Nestabilites scalloped circle die, border punch (non SU), two-step bird punch, oval punches, polka dots and petals-a-plenty embossing folders, Baker's twine, sponge daubers, pearls, rhinestones, dimensionals, eyelets

• This card had a lot of punches and accessories. The only stamp used was the word heartfelt.
• I used sponge daubers and ink pads to create the yellow background behind my bird.
• Before sending this card out, I will make one change.  I will add a piece of Early Expresso for the the birds beak.  

Now it's off to get ready for the day.  We have a big soccer game tonight that I am hoping and praying that we win.  My dream is to see the seniors on this team go out as State Champs again.  We won it last year. 

Have a great day,

Pam~ 

In the dark ...

Literally I've been in the dark for the last five days. We had numerous tornados hit North and Central Alabama last Wednesday. I am very thankful that we did not receive any damage except losing our electricity for the last five days. At 12:30 am our power came back on.

I hope to try and catchup the next few days by checking out your blogs. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my blog or sent an email to see how I was doing. The community of stampers/crafters are the BEST!

Have a great day,
Pam-

All Buttoned Up ...

I'm thrilled to be back designing with the Pals at the Pals Paper Arts. This week we are challenging everyone to break out their buttons and create with us.  I just started using buttons on my cards this year.  I always admired the cards that had buttons on them, but I could never seem to make it work for me.  After a few trial and errors, I have come to love using buttons on my cards.


Here is a photo for some inspiration ...  

I had a lot fun playing with this one.  My inky fingers grabbed some buttons and created this ...

Stamps:  Elegant Thank You

Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Black, White

DSP:  Tempting Turquoise

Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Versamark

Accessories:  circle cutter, Finial Press embossing folder, scallop border punch, Real Red ribbon, Real Red and Black buttons, clear embossing powder, dimensionals, glue dots, white thread (non SU), stamp-a-ma-jig, embossing buddy, heat emobssing tool (non SU)

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

• I used this week's MOJO sketch to get started ...

• My card measures 4 1/2 by 4 1/2 so that it will still fit in an A2 envelope.
• I stamped my thank you first in Tempting Turquoise ink.  Next I inked up the stamp in Versamark and stamped that right on top of the first image using my stamp-a-ma-jig.
• Clear embossing powder was sprinkled over the sentiment and heat embossed.

I hope you will find some time this week to join in the fun of playing with buttons.  I always enjoy looking at what you have made.

Have a great day,

Pam~

It started with a sketch ...

and ended with a card...a graduation card that is.

Stamps:  The Graduate (Stampabilities)

Paper:  Confetti White, Pumpkin Pie, Early Expresso

DSP:  Pumpkin Pie (retired)

Ink:  Memento Black

Accessories:  circle cutter, corner rounder; Non-SU brads, Prisma Markers

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

The brown and orange that I used for this card are the school colors.  I wanted something that was not bulky to mail and simple to make for mass producing. This sketch was the perfect solution for that!

I tried to make this cute little mouse masculine since I had used the stamp for Bethany's graduation announcement card also.  Sure didn't want Michael to think he was getting a girl mouse on his card. Think it worked???  Below is the card that I made for Bethany's graduation back in 2009.  

I hope you will find some time to play around at the Pals Paper Arts with this great sketch!

Have a great day,

Pam~

Paper Players sketch challenge

I found a few minutes this afternoon to migrate to my craft room.  It felt great to put a stamp and ink in my hands.  Bring on the inky fingers again ... such a great feeling.


Since the stamping desire has not been there for a few weeks, I decided I wanted to do something simple.  The perfect challenge was just waiting to be played with.  This week The Paper Players are hosting a CAS (clean and simple) sketch.  Here it is ...

Below is what I created for my nephew.  I wanted a thank you card to send him for being such a wonderful tour guide at the Master's.  What an awesome experience that was.

Stamps:  Bold & Bright (retired 2000), Happy Moments

Paper:  White, Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Brocade Blue, Night of Navy

Accessories:  CB embossing folder, circle punch (non SU)

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

• I rotated the sketch to work with the border stamp.
• CAS is supposed to show lots of white space, but my card just didn't look very good so I added the Night of Navy and embossed it.  Thought it might pass as bubbles in the water.
• I keep thinking it needs a little something extra, but that would defeat the CAS challenge.  So Stanley will get this as is and I hope he enjoys it.

I apologize for the not so great picture.  I took it late this afternoon and the sun had already gone behind the clouds and was determined not to shine again.  

Have a great day,

Pam~

No card today ...

Just a quick up-date that I wanted to share.  The Design Team over at the Pals Paper  Arts have asked me to continue on as part of their team.  How wonderful is that ... very awesome!  Unfortunately, Gina is so busy that she is having to step down.  Gina, you will be missed and I have very talented shoes to try and fill.  This position is perfect for me ... part-time.  Meaning that I will post a card every other week.  


I am just getting back from our vacation.  It started in Atlanta, GA for some soccer games, then on to my brother's to go to the Master's on Sunday and from there we went to Charleston, SC for the rest of the week.  Charleston is a fun city and I would love to go back there again.  It was a great vacation and I'm glad to be back home.  I missed my pups and kitty and they missed us too. They are sticking to me like glue today.


I'm already looking forward to my next vacation ... Disney World.  Woo-hoo can hardly wait to see Mickey, Minnie and the crew next month.  Best part of this vacation, Bethany will be with us.  She didn't get to make this one due to school.  UAB had their spring break back in March.


I feel refreshed so hopefully my desire to stamp is back too.  Hope to find some time this weekend to venture into my craft room and make a card or two.


Have a great weekend!


Pam~

There is another birthday here ...

Today is my son's 18th birthday.  It is already hitting me that he will be graduating on May 20th and heading off to college in August.  My hubby and I will become empty nester's.  Ok, I am not looking forward to that.  


As for stamping, I've misplaced that desire and haven't found it yet.  How sad is it to say, I'm not even missing my craft room.  I'm in a rut and will hopefully get my mojo back real soon.  The first part of this month is shot ... lots of fun activities planned.  Hopefully I will come back full of creative ideas!


Michael is a very simple kind of guy ... no plaid shorts or bright colors would ever be found in his closet.  Drives me crazy with all the awesome colors out there. Yes, he takes after his Dad ... lol.   With that in mind, here is his birthday card ...

Stamps:  Ruff Day, Happy Moments

Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Night of Navy, Early Expresso, Confetti Cream

Ink:  Black, Night of Navy

Accessories:  sponge dauber, border punch (non-su), CB stars embossing folder, Nestie's label 2 die, Prisma Markers

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

• I had punched out a border to add under my star panel but I couldn't get it to look right.  I thought I would try something different at that point, and sponge over the border and then take it off.  I always like a new experiment.  Not quite sure what I think of this, but will probably try it again.
• This layout actually came from The Paper Players a couple of weeks ago.  That tells you how long it took me to finish this baby. :)

Have a great day,

Pam~

Add some punch to your card

Hello friends!  Today our challenge at the Pals Paper Arts is a technique ... punches.  So go ahead and add a punch or two to your card.  


Here is what my inky fingers and some great punches created ...

Stamps:  Just Believe

Paper:  Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Marina Mist, White

DSP:  Certainly Celery

Ink:  Certainly Celery, Marina Mist (pad & marker), Old Olive (marker)

Accessories:  circle, word window, modern label, ticket and hole punch, Marina Mist ribbon, ice brads, pop dots, edge distresser

All products are Stampin' Up!

My time on the Pals Design Team has come to an end.  It has been wonderful experience and I have enjoyed it so much!   I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Pals for letting me be a part of their awesome team for the last three months.  I would also like to welcome Margaret Moody back.  You were missed and everyone is looking forward to seeing your beautiful creations again.


I hope you can find some time to pull out those versatile punches and play along with us this week.  


Have a great day,
Pam~

Quick and Simple

I wanted to share a card that I made while Bethany was home for Spring Break.  I cherish the times we share together, especially in my craft room.  She is getting a pretty good stash of goodies too.  So fun to watch her create!  I meant to photograph her card too, but she took it with her back to college.  We always use the same layout but different stamps and colors.  It's amazing how different they look.  So this is what my inky fingers created ...

Stamps:  Forest Friends, Fabulous Phrases

Paper:  Cool Caribbean, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Close to Cocoa, Cool Caribbean 

Accessories:  CB embossing folder, rhinestone (non-SU), sponge dauber

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

I hope you enjoy your weekend!  We are hosting a soccer tournament with teams coming from Wyoming, Oklahoma and Tennessee.  Unfortunately we are having bad thunderstorms today and it is not looking like soccer weather.  I'm so disappointed and know the families that have travelled here are really unhappy about this weather.  I'm hoping the rain Gods fall asleep for a while.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Reach for that embossing folder

This week at the Pals Paper Arts we want everyone to break out an embossing folder, or anything that you can emboss with, and have some fun with it.  

Below is a photo to help trigger those creative thoughts ...

I went with flowers for my embossing.  I still have spring on my mind and am still thinking bright happy colors.  The 'ole inky fingers had fun creating and came up this ...

Stamps:  Aviary, Build A Blossom

Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, White

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Build A Blossom punch, Daffodil Delight ribbon, designer button, sponge dauber, pearls, glue dots, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder

All products are Stampin' Up!

• I used a piece of scrap paper and a sponge dauber to make the birdcage look like it was sitting on a table rather than floating in the air. 
• I saw this layout somewhere while reading the blogs I follow and can't find it now to give that person credit.  To the designer of this layout, I loved it and thanks for sharing it and if you are reading this, please give yourself credit.
• I added three little pearls in the top corner since it looked so empty.

Thanks for stopping by and I always enjoy reading your comments!  Hope you can find some time to stamp with me and the rest of the talented Pals Design Team.

Have a great day,

Pam~

Bring on the circles ...

You know that saying, a day late and a dollar short?  Well that is me on this card.  I really wanted to participate in The Paper Players color challenge last week.  I started stamping and punching out circles but that was as far as I got.  Not wanting to waste what I had done, I finished this card using this weeks sketch challenge.  Now I know most stampers submit a card for current challenges, but I thought I would be different. *smile*


Here is the clean and simple sketch ...

This is what my inky fingers created ...

Stamps:  Big Pieces (ret.), Little Pieces (ret.), Fabulous Phrases

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Early Expresso, Very Vanilla

DSP:  Blushing Bride (hostess gift)

Ink:  Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Early Express

Accessories:  circle punches, oval punches, corner punch, sponge dauber, rhinestones, Early Expresso ribbon, pop dots

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Spring has sprung here in Huntsville and I'm loving it!  I'm sitting on my back porch as I type this listening to the birds and watching the trees blow in the wind.  Ok, I can do without the dang wasps and TVA work crew in my backyard.

I hope you have a great day.  I'm headed to a soccer game.  The guys from Florence are coming to town ... hi Benzi!  Let's hope we can stay undefeated!

Pam~

Great sketch challenge

Hello Friends ... It's Pals Paper Arts Thursday and St. Patrick's Day.  This week we have a sketch for you to play with.  Here is our inspiration from the very talented Margaret Moody...

I followed this sketch perfectly and was pleased with the end result.  

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes, Fabulous Phrases

Paper:  Melon Mambo, Old Olive, White

DSP:  Ice Cream Parlor (sale-a-bration)

Ink:  Old Olive, Melon Mambo (marker)

Accessories:  Ice Cream Parlor buttons and ribbon (sale-a-bration), DMC floss, Old Olive ribbon, circle cutter

All products are Stampin' Up!

I hope you find some time this week to join in the fun of creating a beautiful card.

It has been a wonderful week in Alabama!  I think Spring has sprung and Bethany has been home all week on her spring break from UAB.  Michael had a soccer game Monday, Tuesday and has another one tonight.  So far they are undefeated and looking really good as a team.  I love having my children home and all of us being together.


Happy St. Patrick's Day,
Pam~

I feel like a ... spring chicken

It's Thursday ... time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge.  This week we have an inspiration photo to help us get started on creating a Spring, Easter, flower, hat, etc. card.

I decided to pull out my old faithful A Good Egg stamp set for this challenge.  Have to admit after that, I was stumped.  So I stamped, looked, crumpled my paper and threw it away.  This happened a couple of times and then I thought I'm just going with whatever I do next.  So, this is what happened my next time at stamping ...

Stamps:  A Good Egg

Paper:  White, Concord Crush

DSP:  Blushing Bride, Concord Crush

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Blushing Bride, Concord Crush

Accessories:  Stampin' Pastels, circle cutter, word window punch, corner rounder, sponge dauber, ribbon, scor-pal

All supplies are SU unless otherwise noted.

I found the directions for this little treat box on the Scor-Pal website. They had the measurements for three different sizes and this is the middle size.  Easy to make and great to hold some yummy Easter treats.  Here is a picture of the back ...

Along with the cute treat holder, I made a 3 x 3 card to accompany it. After all my fretting, I ended up liking the end result.

I hope you will find some time this week to play with the rest of the talented Design Team Pals.  Other good news ... we have Blog Candy to give away this week too! 

As always, thanks for stopping by and please let me know if I can help you in anyway.

Have a great day,

Pam~  

SUO Challenge ...

One of my Pals, Carla, at Carla's Scraps, told me about this challenge and encouraged  me to participate.  So I clicked on over to SU-Only Challenges to read about it.  This was my first time to check out their site and I really liked what I found.  I will certainly be participating again!  This week the participants are to use their favorite retired SU stamp set.  Let me tell you, I have well over a hundred to choose from.  I know I really should sell some of them.

The first stamp that came to mind was the very first set I purchased ... Button Bear.  A very versatile set which is great for starting out.  I also used a few other retired sets.  My inky, and today chalky, fingers went to creating and ended with this ...

Stamps:  Button Bear (retired), Year Round Fun (retired), Lucky Me! (retired)

Paper:  Garden Green Close to Cocoa (retired), White

DSP:  Garden Green (retired)

Ink:  Black, Garden Green

Accessories:  Stampin' Pastels, rhinestones, sponge dauber, Finial Press EF, dimensionals, corner rounder

All products are Stampin' Up!

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a new PPA challenge card.

Have a great day,

Pam~

All that glitters ...

I finally found some stamp time ... yeah baby!  Yesterday afternoon while doing laundry, I had some free time to play in between loads.


I love to participate with the gals over at The Paper Players.  So today's card came from their theme this week ... spring.  While looking at the Design Team's cards, I noticed that Ann, my fellow Pal, had used some Dazzling Diamonds on her card.  Hmmm...I have some of that and haven't used it in a while.  I'll make a card with some sparkle.  Well ....  I'll let my card speak for itself. 

Stamps:  In Full Bloom (retired), Hello Spring (retired)

Paper:  Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa (retired), White

DSP:  Certainly Celery (retired)

Ink:  Black, Close to Cocoa (retired), Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue

Accessories:  CB Fanciful Labels, brads, sponge dauber, Stickles, Prisma Markers, Nestabilities oval dies, dragonfly punch (non SU)

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Ok, no Dazzling Diamonds but almost a bottle of Stickles...hehehe  I just couldn't stop adding glue glitter or is glitter glue?  This card went from "I like it" to "oh, a bit gaudy".  I still had to post it though.  It just makes me smile and I had so much fun with it.  

The layout came from February's edition of Stampin' Success.  It was on my table so I flipped through it and thought this was a quick and easy layout to use and it was.

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

Pam~

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~

Something simple ...

I was at the beach last weekend for a soccer tournament with my son.  I'm delighted to say they came home with the championship trophy.  We had a wonderful time and the weather was awesome.  Got to start on my tan.  Sad thing is, it will probably disappear before I can work on it again.  Being a proud mom, I've included a photo of the Grissom Varsity soccer team holding their trophy.  Michael is the first player on the back left row ... the tallest one.

Ok, enough of the mom stuff.  Now onto my card that took me over a week to make and it is quite simple.  I would stamp, leave and come back and do a little more.  From now until the end of the soccer season, my stamping takes a back seat ... and I miss it!  This is for Bethany so I had to add a touch of pink.  This child loves lime green and pink.

Stamps:  Apple Blossoms (hostess set)

Paper:  White, Taken w/Teal, Lime Green (non SU)

Ink:  Taken w/Teal, Luscious Lime SU marker

Accessories:  sponge dauber, ribbon (non SU)

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

• The Stampin' Up marker was one that I got when I first ordered all my markers back in 1999.  
• I stamped the blossom with Taken w/Teal and then colored it with the Luscious Lime marker.
• The edges were sponged with Taken w/Teal to tone down the white surface.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come by tomorrow to see what I've created for the Pals Paper Arts challenge.  I know the rest of the Design Team will have amazing cards to share.

Have a great day,

Pam~