How Sweet Of You...

I was in need of a thank you card and had some new stamps in hand that where just waiting to be inked.  I went to The Paper Players for a little inspiration.  The fabulous LeAnne of Wee Inklings designed a sketch this...

The new stamps would work perfectly with this layout so off to creating I went.  Here is my final card ...

Stamps:  Sweet Strawberries (Gina K)

Paper:  So Saffron, Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi, Glossy White, Real Red

DSP:  Wild Wasabi

Ink:  Memento Black, So Saffron, More Mustard, Real Red

Accessories:  Cuttlebug fancy floral embossing folder, Nestabilities Big Scallop Circle, Copics, sponge dauber, modern label and designer label punches, clear embossing powder, pop dots, pearls

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I embossed the the strawberries first and then colored with the Copics.
• While still in the die, I sponged So Saffron around the image.  I tried to add some depth by then adding More Mustard.
• The sentiment is also embossed.  Since I was stamping on glossy paper, the ink stayed wet enough that I could still emboss it.
• I finished it off with a few pearls.

This card turned out to have a lot of texture on it.  Thanks for stopping by and as always...

Have a great day,

Pam~

ATC swap

Imagine my surprise when I got a private message from starpassion6 at SplitcoastStampers asking me to join her ATC (Artist Trading Cards) swap.  I personally didn't think I was good enough but she encouraged me and I decided to participate.  I have never made ATC's before, but have to say, this was fun.  


This is my entry ...

Stamps:  It's The Thought

Paper:  Whisper White, Pacific Point

Ink:  Memento Black, Pacific Point

Accessories:  Cuttlebug swirls embossing folder, Nestabilities rectangle dies, ticket punch, gem, Real Red ribbon, Copics, Sakura glitter pen, pop dots

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• I was thinking summer when making these with Memorial Day and the Fourth of July in mind, hence my color combination.  
• I rubbed my ink pad directly on the embossing folder to get my background.  
• These are 3.5 x 2.5 ... you get 9 ATC's out of 1 sheet of cardstock.  Below is the recipe to cut your paper ...

Thanks for stopping by and as always...

Have a great day,

Pam~

PPA135 ... Grad card

I wanted to do a quick post before heading out for my morning walk with the whippets.  This card is for the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge.  I needed another graduation card and this layout worked perfectly!


Here is my inspiration ...

This is the final card ...

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions, The Graduate by House Mouse

Paper:  River Rock, Early Espresso, White

DSP:  Well Worn

Ink:  Early Espresso, Memento Black, Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Early Espresso twine, spritzer, Copics, pop dots

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

As always, thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day!

Pam~

Graduation card

This is definitely one card that looks so much better in person.  Wisteria Wonder is not one of my favorite colors but after photographing it, it is really on the bottom of my list.  No matter what I did, it still looks gray to me.  Oh well...


This is for my niece who is graduating this Friday and purple is her favorite color.  I have also come to the conclusion that I have a difficult time working with purples.  

Stamps:  Sprinkled Expressions

Paper:  Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, White

Ink:  Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories:   Wisteria Wonder Baker's twine, sponge dauber, Cricut George Cartridge (star)

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

This card is a CASE from stampinshauna of Splitcoast Stampers.  I kept the same layout but changed colors and some details.  I struggled all day yesterday trying to make a card.  Finally I just gave up and went blog surfing.  The longer I stay away from my craft room, the harder it is to get creative again.  I'm so thankful for all the wonderful stamper's out there who share their gorgeous cards and help lost souls like me!

I stamped another card today...woohoo...and have already taken a picture of it.  I'm on a roll ... LOL

As always, thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Thank You 3 of 3 ...

Bet you never thought you would see this card.  The funny thing is, I've completed all the cards my niece requested and have sent them to her and this was not one of them.  I have let my blog and stamping go by the wayside this past month.  It has been a month full of adventure for sure.  I went to the Master's, had knee surgery, took a road trip with my husband to Branson, MO, and a family vacation to San Francisco.  I'm headed out this Friday to my niece's graduation and then it is home sweet home for the rest of the summer ... I hope!

So without further chit chat, here is card number three ...

Stamps:  Dogwood and Butterfly by Gina K.

Paper:  Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Rose Red, Black

Inks:  Memento Black, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue

Accessories:  Nestabilities circle and lacy dies, Copics, sponge dauber, polka dot and circle (CB) embossing folders, pearls, Rose Red ribbon

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I actually stamped today so have another card ready to post...once I take the picture.  I have another one churning in my mind so hope to get it made tomorrow after my hair appointment.

As always, thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Thank You ... 2 of 3

This is card two of three for Molly.  I've been surfing Splitcoast Stampers to get some ideas.  I saw a few cards with the big U on them that caught my attention and I really liked the look.  So from the talented stamper's out there who sparked my interest, here is what I created ...

Stamps:  With All My Heart

Paper:  Black, Summer Sun, White, Dark Red (scrap - unknown)

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Finial Press and Polka Dot embossing folders, Boho and oval punches, Cricut Printing 101 cartridge, pearl

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I'm off to pack for the weekend.  I'm so excited about the Master's and seeing my family but only wish my hubby was going too.  He is staying home due to work and taking care of the animals.  Maybe he will get to see me on TV at the Master's.  :)  Unfortunately, the weather for Friday is saying rain right now.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will change.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Thank You ... 1 of 3

This is the first of three cards that I've made for my niece for her graduation thank you notes.  If she likes it, I will make ten of this design for her.  I have to keep reminding myself that this will be coming from an 18-year-old.  I hope I have captured that in my layouts, colors and stamped images.

Stamps:  Funky Four

Paper:  Pale Plum, Bashful Blue, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Early Espresso, White

DSP:  Provo Craft

Ink:  Bashful Blue, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, Old Olive, Early Espresso

Accessories:  corner punch, Old Olive ribbon, pearls, rhinestone, sponge dauber

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Over the next two days I will post the other cards that I have made.  Once I get back from the Master's, it will be time to start mass producing her cards.  

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

I'm in need of some thank you cards to give as a gift to my niece and I need to send some out from myself.  This card uses last week's MOJO sketch.  I actually had the card done in time, but didn't take pictures until yesterday.  My excuse ... Bethany was home on Spring Break last week and I wanted to do stuff with her.  I am really good at putting stuff on the back burner ... especially when it comes to my children.

This card will be given to my brother's mother-in-law.  She is being very generous and sharing her Master's tickets with us.  I am so excited about attending again this year.

Stamps:  Elegant Thank You, Language of Friendship

Paper:  Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, White

DSP:  The Classics by Paper Studio

Ink:  Certainly Celery, Memento Black

Accessories:  White Baker's Twine, Boho and scallop border punch, pearls, dimensionals, Spellbinders rectangle dies, Copics

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I like the way this card turned out but if I were to make it again, there would be a few changes.  First, I would reverse the DSP so the trio of flowers would be against the polka dots.  I would also dry emboss the rectangle panel and emboss the sentiment.  Who knows, there just might be a take two on this card.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day!

Pam~

The lovely whippet ...

Today's card has a story with it. About a week ago Terry was at Lowe's and saw a woman walking in the store with her whippet. He had to take a second glance at the dog as he looked just like our Banjee. Terry went over to her and started a conversation. To make a long story short, they exchanged names and numbers to set up a play date for the dogs. How funny is that? This past Saturday she had us over to her house to visit and let all three whippets play. Her whippet, Scout, is much older and is pretty much in the just chillin' stage of life. He is such a sweetie! Banjee and Sadie just wanted to wander through her house and get treats. It was a fun morning and I could tell it meant a lot to Charlotte. She too is a sweet person ... I've always had a soft spot in my heart for older people.

This card is for Charlotte and her best friend, Scout.  I used this week's MOJO sketch as my beginning point.

I am more of a square person when it comes to cards but I love circles on my squares.  Here is my ending point ...

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases, Whippet (source unknown)

Paper:  River Rock, Chocolate Chip, White

DSP:  Slab III (Paper Studio)

Ink:  Memento Black, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Prismacolor pencils, OMS, ribbon and brads (H.L.), Spellbinders rectangle, square and scallop dies, spritzer, dimensionals

All supplies are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

This is a 4 1/4 by 4 1/4 card.  

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Man's best friend ...

 

Today's card is for my brother who just had to put down his yellow lab, Bailey, last week.  My heart just aches for him and his family.  Our dogs are truly the best friend we will have.  They are always happy when they see you ... no matter if you're gone 5 minutes, 5 hours or 5 days.  


I used the Pals Paper Arts sketch this week for my starting point.  

I stayed pretty true to the sketch, except for the banner at the bottom.  I could not get it to look right on my card.  I fell back on 'ole faithful ... punches!  Here is my finished product ...

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases, Will & Way (from H.L.)

Paper:  More Mustard, Black, Vanilla, Cajun Craze

DSP:  Cajun Craze

Ink:  Memento Black, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue

Accessories:  Copics, Bic marker, Spellbinders rectangle dies, word window and modern label punch, sponge daubers, dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• The vanilla panel was sponged with Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue to make a sky and grass.
• I added rhinestones, which I colored black, on the modern label before I sent it off.  Added a nice touch.

I spent last week having a great time with Michael while he was home for his Spring Break.  No stamping for me and I didn't even miss it.  Though, I totally enjoyed my craft room today! :)

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Another Fresh Sketch

It is time for another great sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches.  This week it is one of my favorite Pals, Linda at Stampin' Seasons, who designed the layout. This is what gets your creative juices flowing ...

This is what my inky fingers created ...

Stamps:  Summer Solstice

Paper:  Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Regal Rose, White

DSP:  Night of Navy

Ink:  Regal Rose, Night of Navy

Accessories:  Cuttlebug script embossing folder, Paper Studio brads, Nestabilities square and scallop die, ribbon (non SU), sponge dauber, corner rounder, dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

I knew I wanted to use this flower so that was my starting point ... after knowing I was going to use this sketch.  This is one card that I really struggled on to get it to "work".  It turned out to be an all afternoon project.  I hit the craft room at 1 p.m.  By the time I was trying to cut out the butterfly (I don't like fussy cutting at all and it shows), my husband was home from work.  He works until 6 p.m. and then has a 25 minute drive.  Phew, I got it done and am satisfied with the end result.

The tails on my ribbon ended up a bit on the short side.  I kept whacking them off for one reason or another.  Thankfully, I put the scissors down and didn't have to make a new bow. I added the yellow panel to brighten up the Night of Navy.  I'm still feeling the spring colors ... love 'em!

Thanks for stopping by and as always,

Have a great day,

Pam~

Some Spring for The Paper Players

This week at The Paper Players, Jaydee is hosting and she has a theme challenge ... Spring has Sprung ... to play along with.  I dusted off an old SU set, flipped through some layouts, pulled out some markers and got inky.  There are a lot of little squares in my trash that just didn't work.  So here is the final card ...

Stamps:  Hello Spring 

Paper:  White, Blushing Bride

DSP:  Blushing Bride

Ink:  Memento Black

Accessories:  Prismacolor Markers, CB square die, So Saffron ribbon, rhinestone ice brads, Boho and itty bitty punch, pearl, stripes embossing folder, dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• This layout is from a previous MOJO sketch by Mary Fish.
• This square die cuts out the square and a border.  I colored each border with a Prismacolor Marker.
• This stamp set is from 1997 and I've loved it since I first saw it.
• I thought the card looked a little "empty" in the middle of the squares so I punched some flowers out, glued them together and added a pearl.  It's amazing what effect a little flower can have.  

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Freshly Made Sketch with the Pals color

It has been a day full of tornado warnings here in North Alabama.  Thankfully, nothing happened right around me.  Unfortunately, there was a lot of destruction just north of where I live.  The worst part about this damage, it is the same area that got hit badly last April with tornado's.

To break up the day and to take my mind off the weather, I headed upstairs to my craft room.  I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and the color challenge over at the Pals Paper Arts for my inspiration. 

From the above challenges, I created this ...

Stamps:  Need for Speed

Paper:  White, Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Lucky Limeade

DSP:  Always Artichoke

Ink:  Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake

Accessories:   Non SU - crop-a-dile, eyelets, CB sticks embossing folder, Nestabilities rectangle dies, edge distresser; SU - sponge dauber

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

• The edges were distressed and then sponged with Crumb Cake and Always Artichoke.
• Two corners were rolled upwards and the DSP was sponged with Always Artichoke.  Wanted to give a worn and rough look to the card. 

This will go to Michael for his birthday next month. 

Thanks for stopping by and as always,

Have a great day,

Pam~

 

It's a Paper Players Sketch

Today's card is for The Paper Players sketch challenge which was designed by the very talented LeAnne.  She came up with this layout ...

I came up with this card ...

Stamps:  Bunny Buddies, A Good Egg

Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, White

DSP:  Pawsitively Paws

Ink:  Memento Black, Certainly Celery

Accessories:  SU - word window, label and corner rounder punches, sponge dauber, NON SU - Prisma Markers, Nestabilities oval and circle dies, Cuttle Bug diamond embossing folder, gems, ribbon, glitter glue

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

• Bunny Buddies is long retired from the SU family.  Believe it came out in 2000.  I had to pull it out of a bag of stamps that I want to sell.  
• I added glitter glue to the petals on the flower to give it a little glam.
• It is a rainy afternoon here, hence the dark background of my picture.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Birthday card ... FMS23

I'm trying to squeeze this card in the Freshly Made Sketches challenge this week before it closes.  This was my inspiration ...

This is my finished card ...

Stamps:  Zoo Review, It's Your Birthday (SU)

Paper:  White, Black

DSP:  The Classics by The Paper Studio

Ink:  Memento Black, Versa Mark

Accessories:  clear embossing powder, Copic Marker, brads

I went with a simple masculine card and wanted to let the zebra prints do the work for me.  This card will be postal for my nephew's birthday.  

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Paper Crafts magazine CASE

I was looking through some older issues of my Paper Crafts magazine and found a card by Michelle Woerner I had to CASE.  I used the layout and colors but changed everything else.  Love these colors together!

Stamps:  Avairy, Petite Pairs,

Paper:  White, Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow

Inks:  Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow, tea dye distress ink by T. Holtz

Accessories:  finial embossing folder, hodgepodge hardware, corner rounder, sponge dauber, pop dots, Nestabilities oval dies, Sakura glitter pen, ribbon (from Hobby Lobby)

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Sketchy with pinks ...

Today's card is for the sketch challenge at the Pals Paper Arts and color challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers.  I have not participated in either one of these great challenges in a while and it felt great to play along again.  Terry has been out-of-town this week so I've been stamping in the evenings.  I spent my days with my wonderful friends going out to lunch and shopping.  Can't beat that!


Here is the sketch that I started out with ...

The color challenge was to use ... 

Basic Gray

Pretty In Pink 

Pink Pirouette

So I put these elements together and came up with this ...

Stamps:  Posy Punch

Paper:  Basic Gray, Pretty In Pink, Pink Pirouette

DSP:   Pretty In Pink, Pink Pirouette

Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Versa Mark

Accessories:  Pewter embossing powder, Pretty In Pink ribbon, polka dot and houndstooth embossing folder, Spellbinders border die, CuttleBug flower die, brads, corner rounder, itty bitty button and punch, flower punch, baker's twine, dimensionals

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

The card size is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 so that it will still fit into an A2 envelope.


These colors just screamed Bethany to me.  So you know where this card will be heading to.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Tom's birthday card ...

Here is another quick card to post. When I made this, I was not feeling well so fast and easy was all I was thinking about.  Sorry, Tom!  I will have to send him another card to make up for my lack of creativity.

Stamps:  In Wilderness, Petite Pairs

Paper:  White, Soft Suede

Ink:  Soft Suede, Memento Black

Accessories:  twine, Nestabilities label ten dies, oval punch, Sizzix embossing folder, sponge dauber, Copic markers

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

As always, thanks for stopping by and ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Bethany's Valentine ...

I didn't want to post Bethany's Valentine's card until she saw it.  Don't know if she has time right now to check out my blog but just wanted to make sure.  Everyone loves a surprise!

Another awesome sketch to go by.  Thanks to the gals at Freshly Made Sketches for this fun layout.

This is what I did with it ...

Stamps:  Love You Much, I {heart} Hearts

Paper:  White, Rose Red, Baja Breeze, pink Pirouette

DSP:  Rose Red

Ink:  Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Memento Black

Accessories:  Nestabilities rectangle dies, heart punch, scallop border punch, sponge dauber, Copic markers

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~

Hoppin' you'll be mine ...

I'm feeling human again and have a little time so thought I would upload my hubby's Valentine's card.  I got the layout from Freshly Made Sketches.  The card was actually done before the cutoff date but I'm just very slow to post these days.  Lesley and her crew always have great sketches to use!  This was the starting point ...

And this is the finished card ...

Stamps:  Have a Heart, I {heart} Hearts

Paper:  White, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy

Ink:  Memento Black, Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy

Accessories:  Polka dot and heart CB embossing folders, Copic markers, Nestabilities rectangle dies, Old Olive ribbon, Baker's twine, heart punch

All products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Have a great day,

Pam~