Bazzill Sketch Challenge

     I was so honored to be asked to provide a sample card for December's sketch challenge on Bazzill's Facebook page.

     I guess it's the rebel in me that makes me pick colors other than red and green for Christmas. I'm seeing lots of blues like I used on this card though. One year I used orange and turquoise. Another year I used black and silver.

     I hope you'll enter your own card in the challenge. Here's a link to Bazzill's page where you can find the rules and a copy of the sketch.   

 



https://www.facebook.com/bazzillbasicspaper/?hc_ref=ART8oRAZ_K9GYESoOa9f9dpcoYj9LenrEv8N7wyYSzCqjcnO6NNtYF9isXYRNvhSMCI


    Products used besides Bazzill cardstock -

     embossing folder - the Paper Studio
     snowflake die cut - ODBD
     snowflake brad -  the Paper Studio
     sentiment stamp -  Sweet 'n Sassy

     Thanks so much for stopping in today. May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, Pamela

DCWV Challenge, November 2017

    I discovered this tiny rabbit next to my back patio. He was so tiny, it's a wonder I even saw him. I hope you can zoom in enough to see him hiding in the first picture. I kept blowing up the picture until I had what you see in the third picture. 

     I created this layout for the November challenge at DCWV. I used the last of the Home Spun Stack to make my page. I do wish DCWV would offer it again. It's my favorite of all time! It comes with the score-line texture and adds so much to my cards and layouts.

   Check out DCWV on Facebook for the details and deadlines if you want to play along. Here's a copy of the sketch we had to work with this month.

     Thanks so much for stopping in. Hope you have time to create a layout or card today.
    May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, Pamela

Red, White and Green Challenge - Stamp TV




      I have a card to share with you today for the Red, White and Green challenge over at Stamp TV (STV17MON42).
     I stamped the flowers in black and colored them with pencils in a variety of reds and greens. Then, I used an oval die to cut a window in the green cardstock. I adhered the green layer with foam tape. Hard to photograph that for some reason today. I stamped the sentiment in grass green.
     ----------------------

     I used the following Gina K Designs products on my card:

          stamps- Bold & Blooming

          ink-         black onyx

                           grass green

     ----------------------

     You still have a few days if you want to submit your own card. Here's a link to all the rules: http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/topics/mix-it-up-monday-stv17mon42-red-white-and-green

     ----------------------

     Thanks so much for your time and comments today. Hope you are having a wonderful day,

          Pamela

Sketch Challenge - DCWV Stack-a-holic Oct 2017

     Today, I have a card for the Stack-a-holic sketch challenge over at DCWV. I used the Beach Front Stack and the Foiled Stack from Die Cuts With a View (DCWV on Facebook - Guidelines for the challenge are on their Facebook page.)

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          Designer Tip

 

              Don't be afraid to use non-traditional colors on your

              Christmas cards like I have here. I chose teal and

              beige with a touch of gold for mine.

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     To create the circles for my tree, I dug around in my punch drawer looking for anything that would make a circle.

      Here are some of the things I came up with. Look at the great circles on the "cherry punch". I punched a cherry stem not worrying about the stems and leaf since I planned to trim them off.

     Below is a copy of the sketch we had to work with. There is still a bit of time left before the deadline so come join the fun. Look up DCWV on Facebook for the details.

    Thanks so much for stopping in.

    May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands,

                Pamela

 

 

 

Off the Page Challenge (Stamp TV)

    Today, I have a card for the Off-the-Page Challenge over at Stamp TV. The point of this challenge is to let your image go off the edge or edges of your card. I did that with one of my flowers as well as my sentiment. I had to use a mask and my Misti to achieve the result with the sentiment so that I didn't have to actually cut the stamp.
     I heat-embossed the flowers and used foam tape between the layers.
     When time allows, I like to bring an element from the front of my cards to the inside like I did here on this card. Just an extra little touch to cheer the recipient.

     Want to make your own card for the challenge? Here's a link to the rules. http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/topics/stv17mon41-creative-crop

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     Thanks so much for stopping by. I really appreciate the time you spend with me on my blog.

     May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands,

            Pamela

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      I used the following Gina K Designs to create my card.

 

cardstock- Blue Lagoon, Turquoise Sea, White

stamps-      Grand Greetings

                     Bold & Blooming

dies-            Bold & Blooming

ink-              Blue Lagoon

 

     Other products used:

pigment-  Orchid and Violet (ColorBox)

powder-    clear embossing powder

pearls -      Michael's

adhesive-  double-stick and foam (3M) 

You're Amazing - Surprise Box

      I made this surprise box for a very dear and special lady. I had so much fun designing and creating this card for her.
     Yes, it's a card! If you have not seen these surprise boxes before, I'll tell you that they fold flat for mailing. Well, they usually do. I got a little carried away with filling it up with flowers and pearls and other things. I plan to give this to her in person so it doesn't really matter. It does fold enough to get it in an envelope but certainly not flat enough to mail without ruining it.
___________________

     I heat embossed and die cut the flowers in three sizes. I adhered the layers with foam tape between each and finished them with a pearl center. I stamped the leaves with a watermark ink to keep them more subtle.
     I made two sizes of medallions by cutting 1" x 11.5" and .75" x 11.5" cardstock strips. I scored them every .25".
     Here's a different look that shows the layers better.

 

 

___________________
    I'm going to post this card on Simon Says Challenge Blog for WORLD CARD MAKING DAY. Want to play along? Here's a link to the challenge. http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/happy-world-card-making-day-from-simon-says-stamp/

    Thanks so much for stopping in today. May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, and may my friend know how much she is loved,
          Pamela
___________________

Materials List
   cardstock-  wild wisteria, grass green (Gina K Designs)
                        white, pink, purple, yellow (the Paper Studio)
   stamps-      flowers & leaves (Bold & Blooming, Gina K Designs)
                        sentiment (Mon Ami, Cas-ual Fridays)
   dies-            surprise box (Our Daily Bread Designs)
                        flourish (Fantastic Flourish One, Spellbinders)
                     flowers & leaves (Bold & Blooming, Gina K Designs)
   punches-   corner rounder (EK Success)
   inks-           violet, orchid, canary, black (ColorBox)
                      watermark (VersaMark)
   pearls, bird- Recollections
   adhesives-  glitter tape, double-stick tape, foam tape (3M)
                      blue gel school glue (Elmer's)
  

STV17MON39 - Inspirational Photo Challenge

    Today, I'm participating - playing, actually - in the weekly challenge over at Stamp TV for the first time. The team provided the photo below to be our inspiration. My eyes went straight to the apples.
     To create my apples and pears, I first die cut the fruit out of white cardstock. Then, I started daubing several colors until I was happy. 
     I created my "accidental background" when I was coloring my fruit on a piece of scrap piece of cardstock. I thought it looked so pretty with the colors all mixed up, so I decided it would be the best background for my card.
     There's still some time if you want to create your own card. Here's a link to all the rules.
http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/topics/stv17mon39-inspiration-photo
                                  -----------------------
  
  <<< DESIGNER TIP OF THE DAY >>>
    
     Don't be afraid of colors. Most objects have several different, sometimes surprising colors. I used four colors on my apples and three on my pears. I tried several different color combos before I was happy.
     Jump in and give it a try! And remember, it's only paper.                               



    May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands,
 Pamela

<<< Materials Used >>>
cardstock:  grass green (Gina K Designs)
                     white and black (the Paper Studio)
stamps:      Bold & Blooming (Gina K Designs)
dies:            apple and pear (Spellbinders Paper Arts)
inks:            Black Onyx, Grass Green (Gina K Designs)
                     Citrus Splash, Orchid, Cranberry,
                     Fresh Green, Canary (ColorBox)

Birthday Easel Card & Matching Magnets

  

   I have an easel card with matching magnets for you today. I die cut the lattice background and inlaid a few of the diamond shapes. Then, I heat-embossed and die cut the flowers and sentiment adhering some with double-stick tape and others with foam tape to give dimension. 

     To make my flower magnets I first heat-embossed and die cut the flowers. Next, I die cut the magnets and then glued the flowers to the magnet.

     You can buy magnet sheets at most craft stores, but I used one of the many magnetic business cards I've received from various businesses. I soaked the magnets in water until the original paper front came loose. Then, I glued my flowers to the upcycled magnets.

     Thanks so much for stopping by!

                Pamela 

 

Materials used:

     cardstock- white and yellow

     stamps- Bold & Blooming (Gina K Designs)

     dies-  Bold & Blooming (Gina K Designs)

                Lattice Chain (Our Daily Bread Designs)

     ink-  orchid & fresh green (ColorBox)

     pigment- clear (JoAnn Essentials)

     pearls

     double-stick and foam tape



Ironing Board Pops

    Today, I have a layout to share with you. And, a little bit of my heart.

 

         That's my mom there in the picture taken back in 1968. I now have the ironing board in the picture. It has a warp on the surface. It makes a loud pop every time I press with more than the slightest pressure. Ah, but it makes me happy! It brings back such sweet memories from when I was a little girl playing at her feet while she ironed.

     I wrote about "our" ironing board in a story for Angels on Earth magazine. I worked and worked to get a clear enough picture so that you could read the story here, but I was not successful. If you would like to read the story, you can read it free online here.    https://www.guideposts.org/better-living/positive-living/emotional-and-mental-health/memories-are-a-pressing-matter

 

                                                   *************************

      Materials List

Patterned papers-  the Paper Studio - Entirely Textures

Cardstock - gold, Die Cuts With a View, Beach House

Dies-   Spellbinders

Gems-   Die Cuts With a View, Jeweled Sheet

Color Challenge - ODBDSLC287

     Thanks so much for stopping in! Today, I have a card for the color challenge over at Our Daily Bread Designs. 

     I used the following stamp and dies from ODBD to create my card.

     stamp:     Pennant Flag Verses ICS62

     dies:         Double Stitched Pennant Flags CBD135

                       Double Stitched Rectangles CBD123

     There is still time to join in the fun. Here's a link to the rules.

     I have sort of sad and disappointing news ab0ut this monthly challenge. It's the last one. This is my favorite challenge, and I'll really miss it. If you are a fan of Our Daily Bread Designs and like participating in this monthly challenge, head over to ODBD and let them know.  Maybe they won't end it after all.

     Hope you have a great day, Pamela

Just Say Thanks Challenge ODBDSLC286

     Today, I have a card for the "Just Say Thanks" challenge over at Our Daily Bread Designs.  I send more thank-you cards than any other kind, so I'm loving this month's challenge.

     I used these stamps, dies and papers from Our Daily Bread Designs:

       cardstock-   Rustic Beauty Collection

       stamp-         Pennant Flag Verses (ICS62)

       dies-             Lattice Background (CBD237)

                              Double Stitched Rectangles (CBD123)

                              Double Stitched Pennant Flags (CBD135)

     I fussy-cut my flowers from a sheet of cardstock that comes in the Rustic Beauty paper collection.

     I used chalk ink in Olive Pastel from ColorBox to stamp my flag, and finished off my card with a few scattered epoxy dots.

                                     ***************

     There is still plenty of time to get your own card in. Check out the rules and other details here.

                                     ****************

     I hope you enjoy this long weekend as we celebrate Memorial Day.

    

     May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, Pamela

Blooming with Die-Cut Flowers Challenge - ODBDSLC284

UPDATE:  Super excited to have my card featured as CUSTOMER CARD OF THE DAY! 

Thanks so much to Our Daily Bread Designs!

     Today, I have a card for the monthly challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs. The challenge this time calls for die-cut flowers. 
     I began by heat-embossing and die-cutting the basket. I adhered it with foam tape. Then, I started making flowers.  I wanted a big ole basket full of them because the lady getting this card is very special to me. Each flower is two flowers that I glued together to make a fuller flower. I used epoxy dots for the centers and confetti dies to make my vines. 

     Here's the stamps and dies I used. And, all from ODBD!
          Stamps:
               Basket of Blessings H618
               Sentiment - free-with-purchase stamp (free stuff for
                    shopping with ODBD - can't beat that)
          Dies:
               Double Stitched Rectangles CBD123
               Easter Basket CBD152
               Asters and Leaves CSBD57
               Grunge Cross (confetti) CSBD152
   _____________________________________

     There is still oodles of time left to get a card in for the challenge. Here's a link to the rules:

http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2017/04/odbdslc285-spring-has-sprung-blooming.html
   _____________________________________

     Thanks so much for stopping in today! I'll look forward to seeing your cards on the challenge post.
     May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, Pamela    

Anything Goes Challenge - ODBDSLC284

     Today, I have a card for the Anything Goes Challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs. I love working with their stamps and dies. It's such a nice way to share my faith.
     I used these ODBD stamps and dies
     
          Pennant Flag Verses, ICS62
          Double Stitched Rectangles, CBD123
          Double Stitched Pennant Flags, CBD135
          Fancy Foliage, CSBD33

     The beautiful watercolor paper is from Momenta (26643). The paper is so beautiful that I had it for a couple of weeks before I could bring myself to actually cut it.
                         
                                   ********************

     There is still oodles of time to get your card into the ODBD challenge. Why don't you come play with us!?! I say as if I owned the company! I don't. I'm just a big fan!!!
     Here's a link to the rules. 
     Thanks so much for stopping in. I'll look forward to seeing what you create,

Pamela

Thank You Card - Stack-a-holic Challenge, March 2017

     Today, I have a card for the Stack-a-holic Card Challenge at DCWV. I love how this card turned out. Working tone-on-tone is one of my faves although I did use cream and dark turquoise with my lighter turquoise. I used pre-folded, textured card blanks from a Winter Collection of DCWV Box of Cards. The collection is marked Winter, but I think most of the colors in the collection work equally well for spring.
     I mostly give thank-you cards. People just love it when you recognize even the smallest things they do for you.

                            ************************

     I started with a light turquoise card blank. I used another card to die cut my top panel, sentiment tag and swirly embellishment. I grabbed the butterflies from a $1 bin at a craft store. I used chalk ink to stamp my sentiment because I wanted a softer feel for this card. I know the person to whom I'm sending it will love these soft colors.

                            **************************

     There is still plenty of time to get a card in for this month's challenge. Visit DCWV's Facebook page for the details on how to play along. Here's a copy of this month's card sketch to get you started.

     Thanks so much for stopping in, Pamela

Great Grandparents, DCWV Stack-a-holic Challenge, March 2017

     Today, I have a scrapbook page for the Stack-a-holic Challenge at DCWV. I used the Beach House stack to create my page.

     I am excited to share that my page in last month's challenge was among the winners! Yay, for me!!! I was pretty excited because I have just begun to dip my toes into scrapbooking (you remember - scrapbooking without children).

                                          ******************

     These two lovelies are my great grandparents, Robert E. and Johnnie Ethel Kelcy Purves on their wedding day. Aren't they a beautiful couple!?! And, all that hair on Grannie's hair is really hers. I remember once when she was a very old lady, I saw her let down her silver braid and it brushed the floor. I don't think she ever cut her hair. I got my other grannie's hair - thin and baby fine. My braid is the size of a #2 pencil. Hahaha - sort of. Uhg!

                                        ******************

     There is still plenty of time to get a scrapbook page, with or without children, into the challenge. Check out DCWV's Facebook page for this month's info on joining in on the fun. Here's a sketch for the scrapbook challenge.

     Thanks so much for stopping in today. I'm off now to create a card for the card challenge,

Pamela

Wedding Inspiration Challenge ODBDSLC283

     UPDATE: So excited and honored to learn that Our Daily Bread Designs chose my card as a Customer-Card-of-the-Day from all those submitted this past year as they celebrate their 9th Anniversary.

     Today, I have a card for the Wedding Inspiration Challenge on the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. I love black and white cards for occasions such as a wedding or wedding shower.

     I used four die sets from Our Daily Bread Designs to create my wedding inspired card.

          Ornate Hearts CSBD53

          Asters and Leaves CSBD57

          Fancy Foliage CSBD33
          Double Stitched Rectangles CBD123

     I used clear gems accents to finish the front.

     I try to always finish off the inside of my cards by bringing some element from the front to the inside. Here's what I did with this card.

     Now, I normally tell you about all the time you have left to join in the fun, but I'm barely getting mine in on time because of computer problems. There will be a new challenge up soon. You can check out the rules and new inspiration here: http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/

    

     Thanks so much for stopping in today. I always love your visits.

     May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands. Pamela

Hello Darling - DCWV Stack-a-holic Challenge, Feb 2017

     Today, I have a card for the Stack-a-holic Challenge on the DCWV Blog . I used my new favorite Country Floral stack to create my card. The colors are gorgeous! And, most of the prints are small so they work much better for card making which is my favorite paper craft.
     The wooden flower is beautiful in person. I got that at Michael's. They have a bunch of different ones at really great prices.

* * * * *

     There is still time to get a card into the challenge if you want to join in the fun. Here's the link to the rules and a copy of this month's sketch. I'll be looking forward to seeing your creations.

    

 * * * * *

      Thanks so much for stopping in today! I do enjoy your visits.

     May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands,

Pamela

     ETA: So happy to share that my card made the winner's list. Thanks DCWV for choosing my card!

40 Years of Flying - DCWV Stack-a-holic Challenge, Feb 2017

     I don't scrapbook much, but I'm changing my mind about how I feel about it. Since we were never able to have children, I didn't think I really had much to scrapbook about. But then I thought Jeff and I have had lots of fun times over the years. Why not scrapbook those? So, here you have one of my  favorite pictures.

     Jeff took this picture 2 years ago on his 40th anniversary of earning his private pilots license. It was an important day for him, and so it makes the perfect page for me to step more boldly into scrapbooking without kids.

* * * * *

     I used the Beach House Stack from DCWV to create my page. I clipped pictures of different gauges from the plane's instrument panel to embellish the page.
     There is still time for you to join in the fun if you have a card and/or a scrapbook page you want to share.

* * * * *

     Here's a link to the rules and a copy of the page-sketch we had to work with this month. 
 http://www.dcwv.com/blog/post/february-stack-a-holic-challenge-starts-now             
     Thanks so much for stopping in today! I love your visits and comments. 
     May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, Pamela  

     ETA: Super excited to learn my page was among the winner's of this challenge. Thanks DCWV for choosing my page! It was a real boost of confidence to find one of my very first pages among those of some very talented scrappers.
    

Children's Book Academy

     I just finished a five-week online writing course from the Children's Book Academy. I had tons of fun and learned so much. If you have ever entertained the idea of writing and/or illustrating for kids, you should check them out. I highly recommend the Academy. I'll be taking more courses in the future. If you decide to take a class, you should pay the extra for a private critique. It's worth its weight in gold. Here's the link: http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/
     Thanks so much for stopping in today. Hope you are having a great day, Pamela

Happy Easter Card

     Thought I would continue with a head start on my Easter Cards. To create this card, I  printed the free Easter basket digi stamp from Paper Smooches. I colored and fussy cut the basket and eggs. I added brass brads and a few hand-cut blades of grass. Then, I used Paper Smooches Easter Blessings (#FBS235) stamp set for my sentiment.

     Paper Smooches is looking for a guest designer for March, so I'm sending this over to their blog. There is still plenty of time to send in your own card. Here's a link to the rules: http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/2017/02/guest-designer-search-march.html

    Free digi stamps are here: http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/p/free-digi-stamps.html

Color Challenge ODBDSLC282

     Update:  Excited to learn that my card won it's challenge! Thanks so much to Our Daily Bread Designs.

     Thanks for stopping in. Today, I have a card for the monthly challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs. This month ODBD gave us a color scheme to work with.

     I decided this would be a great time to start on my Easter cards. I heat-embossed the eggs in a very light purple. Then, I die cut and adhered some with foam tape to give some dimension and interest. I also heat-embossed and die cut the basket. I attached foam tape in the middle of the basket and adhered the center of the handle and the bottom of the basket directly to the front panel with blue gel glue.

     There is still plenty of time to play along with us. Here's a link to the rules.

http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2017/01/odbdslc282-color-challenge-reminder.html

     May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, Pamela

 ODBD PRODUCTS USED:
     Basket of Blessings #H618
     Blessed Easter #H622
     Easter Basket #CBD152
     Egg Dies CSBD86
    
OTHER PRODUCTS USED:
     cardstock- Momenta 26643, the Paper Studio 449769
     embossing powders - clear and pastel lilac
     pigments- black and watermark
     foam and double-stick tape

Paper Dress Card - DCWV Stack-a-holic, Jan 2017

Update:  Excited to find my card among the winning cards! Thanks so much to DCWV!  

    Ever wonder what happens if you cut an angel in half?!?

     It feels so so good to be back to my card making! I spent a lot of time browsing Pinterest and other web sites while my broken leg was healing these past five months. I saw a lot of paper dresses and wanted to try making one. I think the sketch from DCWV's challenge this month is the perfect forum for me to create my own paper dress.

     I used DCWV's The Painted Petals Stack, pre-embossed A2 cards and the clear Adhesive Jeweled Sheet to create my card. I began by die cutting two angels. Then, I cut the dark top-half off. I used the chad from the lighter purple to create an inlaid skirt. I used a heart for the bodice and diamonds for the waistband. Then, in a nod to my grannie who always made sure I had a nice and noisy cancan when I was growing up, I used a yellow flower die to create a cancan of sorts for my dress.

     There is still plenty of time to join in on the fun this month. Here's a link to the rules and a copy of the sketch we had to work with.

    And, so far, nothing bad has happened from my cutting an angel in half, so grab your scissors or paper trimmer and cut away.

http://www.dcwv.com/blog/post/january-2017-is-here

     Other products used:

     Spellbinders Holiday and So Sweet dies

     Stampabilities Wire Dress Form stamp

     Fiskars That's Amore medium punch

     Our Daily Bread Designs Asters & Leaves die

     Thanks so much for stopping in. May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands,

Pamela