Use some ribbon ...

This week the Design Team at Pals Paper Arts are asking you to break out some ribbon and adorn your card or project with it.  There are so many different kinds of ribbon and the colors are endless. Here is an inspiration photo to get you started ...

I always love a little embellishment on my cards.  Here is this week's PPA card ...

  Stamps:  Always Thankful

Paper:  White, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait

DSP:  Peach Parfait

Ink:  Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon, ticket punch, pearl, Bic Marker, hole punch, sponge dauber, scallop border punch

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I stamped the main image twice.  Once in Crumb Cake on the card and then again in Pear Pizzazz on scrap paper.  I cut out just the container and attached it to the first image.  
• The pearl was colored first in Peach Parfait with my SU marker.  I then went over it with a similar color Bic Marker to make the ink permanent.
• The edges were sponged to create a "softer" scene and take away from all the white space.

I hope you will find some time to join in the fun with the rest of the talented Pals.

Thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Freshly Made Sketches #8 ...

I am so excited ... I am finally playing with Freshly Made Sketches and getting my card posted on time!  


Here is the fresh sketch to go by.  I decided to turn mine the other direction since it worked better with my image.

I used another free digi image for this card.  This cute fellow, Harold Duck, is from Doodle Pantry.  

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases, digi from Doodle Pantry

Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, White, Early Expresso

DSP:  Pumpkin Pie

Ink:  Early Expresso

Accessories:  Prismacolor Markers, Early Expresso ribbon, corner rounder, rhinestones, circle punches, Spellbinder ribbon banner

My only problem that I noticed with this digital stamp is that my markers bleed outside the lines a little bit.  Most noticeable on his head and body.  I don't know if it is the markers, printer ink or paper.  

I have always admired the cards that I see colored with Copic Markers.  I bought the Prismacolor Markers because they were cheaper and I liked the way they colored.  Well, I guess I wanted to be like everyone else ... trying to keep up with the GREAT stampers ... and I bought, off of Ebay, a set of 72 Copic Markers.  I'm so darn excited and can't wait for them to arrive.  Not looking forward to the credit card bill to arrive though ... LOL.

Thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Welcome Baby

One of the Pals, Kim L., recently had a baby boy.  I made this card to send her way.

Stamps:  Ain't Love Grand, Petite Pairs

Paper:  Ballet Blue, Vanilla, So Saffron

DSP:  Positively Paws 

Ink:  Black, Ballet Blue, Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Nestabilities Label six and lacey circle die, circle punch, dimensional, ribbon, silver brad (non SU), spritzer

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

This is another card that was made using the Freshly Made Sketches but I was late posting it.  I love this layout and will definitely use it again.  Maybe one day I will get my cards posted to the challenges on time. :)

Thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

A spooky sketch

I tried something new on this card that I've never done before.  I used a digital stamp that I downloaded from Bird's Cards blog.  I do not have a lot of Halloween stamps so went browsing through blogs that offered digi stamps.  This card is for my nephew so I decided to use this spooky looking pumpkin.  I'm more of a cute pumpkin face lover.  

This layout is from the Pals Paper Arts designed by Pal Margaret Moody.  So I started with this sketch ...

and ended with this card ...

Stamps:  Wicked Cool, digi by Bird's Cards

Paper:  Black, Cajun Craze, White

DSP:  paper pack from Hobby Lobby

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, Nestabilities oval dies, Halloween ribbon from H.L., glitter pen, square lattice embossing folder, mini brads.

• After printing the pumpkin on white cardstock, I colored it with my Prismacolor Markers and cut it out.
• I added glitter to the eyes trying to make it more friendly looking ... didn't work.  Think he actually looks more evil.  

Thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

From me to you ...

Today I have a special card to share for two reasons.  First, this was for my best friend, Leslie, for her 50th birthday and second, one of my favorite Pals, Ann at The Stampin Schach, is doing something new on her blog that I wanted to participate in.  She is showcasing a card once a week that can be made in 45 minutes or less.  The best part of Ann's post are that she gives you all the measurements for that perfect look.   


This is my take on it and it took me no more than 30 minutes to make ...

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets

Paper:  White, Sahara Sand, Black

Ink:  Black, Versamark

Accessories:  clear embossing powder, pearls, ribbon (non-SU), stickers (non- SU), pretty petals embossing folder, stamp-a-ma-jig

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I purchased Over the Hill stickers and used those on the outside and inside of the card.
• The flower was stamped in black and then reinked with Versamark, stamped and covered with clear embossing folder.

As always, thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Falling Leaves

This card was for a color challenge that I did, but once again it never got posted.  Like the others before and after this card, I am still going to upload them to my blog.

Stamps:  Give Thanks

Paper:  Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Vanilla

Ink: Memento Black, Bravo Burgundy

Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, leaf punch (non SU), Nestabilities labels four, vanilla ribbon, spritzer

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I hope when Brenda received this card, the leaves were still attached to it.  A few of them had fallen off ... just the like the leaves on the trees in my backyard. 

As always, thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

In Full Bloom

I've been stamping a bit but have not posted any of my cards.  Bethany was home last week for her fall break so I let the blogging take a rest.  We stamped together and I actually got a picture of one card this time.  I'll post that one later.


Today's card was actually for two challenges, PPA and Freshly Made Sketches.  I didn't get either one posted to the challenge but I'm still going to upload it on my blog.  

Stamps:  In Full Bloom

Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, White

DSP:  Rich Razzleberry

Ink:  Memento Black, SU markers -- Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Nestabilities lacy square, pearls, Rich Razzleberry button, white baker's twine, glitter pen (non SU), Bic marker

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I colored some pearls with my Bic marker and added them to the center of the flower.
• A glitter pen was used over all the stamped images to give it some sparkle.

As always, thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

PPA Fall Challenge

It's Thursday ... time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge.  This week we are featuring fall/Thanksgiving cards.  I hope you will join us in this colorful themed challenge.


I pulled out my Day of Gratitude set and went to playing ...

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude, Fabulous Phrases

Paper:  Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie, Early Expresso, White

Ink:  Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie, Early Expresso, Versamark

Accessories:  Pumpkin Pie button, twine, edge distresser tool, rhinestones, Bic marker, clear embossing powder, circle cutter, stamp-a-ma-jig

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I have really enjoyed embossing lately.  Here is a close up of the medallion ...

I got some new goodies yesterday ... whoo hoo!  I'm looking forward to using some new rubbah and paper soon!

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

C'mon get happy ...

This week the talented gals at The Paper Players are hosting a musical challenge. I had to play along with this one and knew exactly which stamp set I was going to use.  Today's card is about having fun.  Not pretty, just a colorful and get happy card.  You have to able to appreciate the Partridge Family to enjoy this card.

Stamps:  Happy Together

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Real Red, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, White

Ink:  Black, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Pacific Point, Concord Crush, Old Olive, Peach Parfait, Regal Rose

Accessories:  CB diamond plate embossing folder, Spellbinders ribbon banner, sponge daubers, rhinestones, dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

The sentiment was computer generated.  I tried to make a "scene" for the Partridges.  I sponged different colors of ink onto the white cardstock and then stamped the birds.  I then restamped the image with color on scrap paper and cut out just the bodies and glued those on top of the black images.  Like I've said before, I am NOT a good snipper.  Hoping some practice will make me better.

The whole time I was putting this card together, I was singing C'mon get happy ... had it playing on my iPad while looking at pictures of that colorful bus.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

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~

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~

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~

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~

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~

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 ...

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~

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~

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~

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~

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~

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 ...

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~