Faith and Freedom ~ 250 Years

How many of you would raise your hand if asked 'Do you purchase the 6" wooden trays of laser cut wooden designs?'  They are always at Hobby Lobby, nine designs and three of each, not only for the holidays but for many events.

I seem to always find a set or two in the clearance section after a holiday or seasonal event.  They are a great buy ~ but only if you use them.  Last week I ran across a box of Patriotic  symbols.  I stopped then and painted a handful of them, determined to make something!

 With time running short, I finally got a few cards made.  One  I'd like to share with you today as we celebrate our Faith and Freedom for 250 years!

Pinterest inspired with the basic design, I added several items to make it my own.  I have plenty of wooden pieces left over for next year! 

Happy Birthday America!  

Count your blessings every day!

Pam's Pearls

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:  

Crafty Catz Weekly ~ Challenge 717   

Crafty Fingers ~ Challenge 326  

Creative Inspiration ~ Challenge 40  

Fab 'n Funky ~ Challenge 640 ~ Begins with 'B' (Bouquet)  

Simon Says ~ Monday Challenge ~ Stars and/or Stripes

 

A Season of Well Deserved Rest

A sweet couple in our Sunday School class accomplished something that is very rare as a married couple.  They BOTH retired on the same day just a few weeks ago.  What a dream come true! 

I wanted to make a card for them of course, but what...I wasn't sure.  A new digital site I had started following recently had caught my attention with several beautiful bird prints.  As I shopped through her Etsy site I found a few folio kits, something that I'd been wanting to try after seeing one that my friend Trish had made. 

From Fabi Art Studio, I selected 'Bird Junk Journal Kit'.  This is my first time making a folio. What a joy it was to make it for Linda and Mickey's retirement celebration.  

Front ~ tied with peach organza ribbon ~

Front with ribbon removed ~

Inside ~ Four pockets with tags ~ tied with peach 

twine and a charm that represents something 

in their life ~ 

Musical Staff ~ choir

American Flag ~ both sons currently serving our country ~

More musical notes ~ Be Still and Know ~ 

JESUS fish ~ Angel watching over me ~ 

and a Cross

Each tag has a printed scripture verse on the back that is relevant to God's plan for their future, retirement, trusting God with the next chapter of life.

The back has our greeting to them and a die cut cross.  

The charms are love and a double heart.

Lastly the scriptures in the back pockets of the folio.

What a fun project this was to do!  I believe I'll be making a few more along the way. 

Pam's Pearls

I'll be entering this folio in the following challenges:  

A Place to Start ~ June Challenge ~ Anything but a Card  

Cupcake Inspiration ~ Challenge #638 ~ June   

Allsorts ~ Challenge #852 ~ Bees, Blooms & Birds  

Avenew 613 Create ~ June Challenge

Products:

Fabi Art Studio, Bird Junk Journal

 

Peeps

Today the new Word Art Wednesday challenge opens (weeks 758-759) and I'm here to share my latest Design Team card with you.  I do hope that you had time over the last two weeks to enter one of your card creations for the past challenge ~ you might be a winner today! 

Our featured scripture today is from Hebrews 6:10

Our scripture is always offered to you free to download and save for use on your cards and future projects. 

The sponsor for this edition is Pretty Little Studio which you will really enjoy checking out! I didn't have any of their products in my personal inventory so I purchased several digital images to choose from. The one I selected to make today's card is called 'Digital / Peeps Ephemera'.

I selected two of the sweet children and printed them separately then die cut them using Penny Black Elegant Stitching Dies.  I also printed the featured scripture and mounted it on yellow cardstock that had been die cut with the same set.  

I used a small patterned green paper to cover the card front, then secured the three main pieces as shown.  I had several fence pieces cut in my bits and pieces box, so I secured the white one and then added a few colorful flowers with tiny beads for the centers.  

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been working on.  I hope you'll visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the other Design Team cards and to enter your cards too! 

Pam's Pearls

I will be entering this card in the following challenges: 

A Cut Above ~ June & July News  

Cupcake Inspiration ~ June ~ Challenge 638  

Neglected Stuff ~ June

Products

Pretty Little Studio, Digital/Peeps Ephemera  

Penny Black Elegant Stitching

Love Forever

Today the All Dressed Up Design Team members are sharing another round of this month's new images.  For June we have The Big Day and Flower Girl.  

For my DT project card, I selected 'The Big Day' and made this Wedding or Anniversary card. 

 

You know the saying 'I used my good paper for this card'?  Well this is that paper and that card!  My friend that learned Copic coloring with me YEARS ago commented, 'Girl do you know how long you have had that paper?'  I really don't but I loved it and guess this must have been the time I was saving it for!

I started by cutting the embossed gold cardstock slightly smaller than the 5" x 7" card base and securing it to the front.  I sized the loving couple to fit the card base, printed and used Copic markers for coloring. Slowly and carefully fussy cut the completed image out. 

The large mint green heart sticker was another oldie but goodie that I ran across and surprisingly it matched the mint green coloring on her dress perfectly. I secured it first, then added the couple.  I didn't use any foam to lift since the image is finely detailed around the edges.  Those edges would get damaged easily.  Next I added the two words 'Love 'and 'Forever' at the bottom right corner.   Lastly I added the light gold organza ribbon at the fold and finished it with a bow to complete the design.

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been working on.  Hope to see your cards on the blog challenge.  

Pam's Pearls

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:

Pearly Sparkles ~ Challenge 120 ~ Makes Me Smile  

Polkadoodles ~ Challenge 6 week 4  

CD Sunday Plus Challenge  ~ $186  

Products

All Dressed Up Digital Stamps, The Big Day

Happy Father's Day!

For this posting I'm going to share three Father's Day cards and one Congratulations card all in one post ~ something I don't normally do.   Our day will be full with our church activities, the drive to the town I grew up in, a visit with my Dad and my children and of course the drive home that will seem twice as long as the drive there.  I'd much rather do that than blog each of these cards separately.  

First up would of course be for my Dad, the man of the day in my book.

I've used a Goggle image of a wooden crate of tools, colored with Copics, and mounted on the Diamondback Tool Box patterned embossing folder with silver metallic cardstock.  I added a light green mat and then secured all layers to the brown card base.

Next, for my son ~ I used a tractor from Unity Stamps, 'Older but Wider', and computer generated the sentiment.   The treeline background die  is from Whimsy Stamps, 'Tree Assortment Dies'.  The wheat patterned paper was perfect for this card.

My third card was for my son-in-law, who loves to fish!  For his I used Inky Antics, "Boys Adventures".  Love the sentiment with the empty hook which if you look closely there is an empty hook charm tied in the bow.

While those are the last Father's Day cards, I did have one other masculine card.  This one was for my grand daughter's husband who just completed his electrical journeyman's training.  We are super proud of his accomplishment!  For his I wanted something bright and FUN!

Check out the close up of those sunglasses with glossy accents!  

I am one that will agree with those that say Masculine cards are hard to come up with and execute.  I sure didn't whip these up in a day ~ however I'm really proud of how the turned out.

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been working. Hope to see you again soon.

Pam's Pearls

I'll be entering a few of these in the following challenges:  

Crafty Catz ~ Challenge 716  

Digi Chooseday ~ Challenge 6 ~ Week 3  

Everybody Art Challenge #601 ~ June  

Creative Crafters ~ Challenge 101

Love You Berry Much

I'm back this afternoon to share one of the All Dressed Up Digital Stamps, 'Strawberry Season' that I just used to make this cute all occasions card.

I will have to ask ~ Do you love to eat strawberries? Or are you with me, in the 5-8% of US citizens who totally dislike the texture and seediness of this little red, juicy fruit?

Either way the digital image of this cute little girl was fun to color and the card will bring a smile to anyone's face.

I used Copic markers for my coloring, and simply rounded the corners afterwards.  The mat is tilted so that more of this beautiful paper from 'Mo-Card' (Amazon), would show.  With a bit of peach crochet thread looped for the bow and a cute cork strawberry sticker added on top, they made the perfect combination with the multi colored background paper for this card.

 

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been coloring.  I hope you will visit the All Dressed Up Challenge blog to see the other Design Team cards and enter yours there also. 

Pam's Pearls

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:  

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends ~ Challenge 279 ~ June 7 ADU  

Allsorts ~ Challenge 851 ~ From the Garden  

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 782 ~ Anything Cute  

Creative Inspiration ~ Challenge 39

Copics:

Hair: E43, E42, E41, Dress: R01, R02, Strawberries: R46, R35, R14, Leaves: G84, G46, Flowers: Y11, Basket: R17, R18     

Products:

All Dressed Up Digital Stamps, Strawberry Season

 

Oceans of Love

This morning I'm starting off with posting for the Classic Design Challenge for June/July.  Our optional twist this time is 'Summer Fun'!  

Our sponsor for this challenge is LeAnn's World 101.  I've selected one of her mermaids, Aerwyne  to use for my Design Team project card.

 

After sizing Aerwyne for an A2 card and printing the image, I used my Copic markers for coloring.  When completed, I carefully cut the image out.  

I was thrilled to find the background paper with the colors to match my scheme of the sky, water, sand perfectly.  Next I made the computer generated sentiment strip , that would fit across the card base.  After securing it at the edge of the sand, re-colored in the sand at the bottom of the card front.  I trimmed all the pieces to be the same width, secured together and then used the CM scalloped corner punch to add the decorative edge.

I secured this to the burgundy card base, then added the two gold starfish using heavy weight glue dots.  Lastly I added the mint green threaded webbing at the top of the card to complete the design.

Thank you for stopping by to see what I've been working on.  Be sure to hop over to the Classic Design Challenge to see the other design team projects and to add your cards. 

Pam's Pearls

   I'll be entering this card into the following challenges:   

CD Sunday Plus ~ Challenge 185  

Creative Fingers ~ Challenge 324  

Cardz4Galz ~ Challenge 278 ~ Seaside/ Coast  

Copics:  

Hair: R56, R85, RV34, R83, R81, Bra Top: BG49, Netting: Y26, Y28, R83, Fin: BG57, BG49, BG53, BG45, BG23, B66, Eyes: BG49, BG10, Mouth R21

Products:  

LeAnn's World: Aerwyne

You're My Cup of Tea

Today I'm entering this card in the Progressive Challenge on Moondrea Designs Monthly Challenge.  I received this new image, 'Alice in Wonderland' free as part of participating in last month's challenge.  How cool is that?  

So if you like getting a free image each month, then you should follow Moondrea Designs, join the Progressive Challenge each month and you too will receive her new free image! 

I printed Alice in Wonderland and used Copic markers to color her.  I stayed with the shades of blue and shades of yellow for her dress and then added a few additional colors for the flowers at the bottom.  

I used Gina Marie Designs Petite Looped Lace Rectangle die for the edges of the completed image. Then I added a solid blue mat behind this piece so the lace edge would show up nicely.

 For the sentiment, I used one of the tea cups from the  Close to my Heart's 'Tea-riffic' stamp set.  I wish it had been a bit smaller but increasing the card base to give it room in the corner helped to balance it with the image. 

The vertical striped cardstock has sparkle in the blue stripes which is an additional plus for this card ~ although hard to see in the photo.  Once secured, I mounted the layers on a 5 1/2 x 6" white card base.

Thanks for stopping in to see what I've been coloring.  This is the first piece I've colored with 'adaptive hand equipment' after injuring my right wrist.  I now am trying to adjust to foam sleeves that fit around my Copics, enlarging the gripping space and making it easier for me to hold.  

Sounds strange I know, but when you love to color, you do whatever is needed to continue both to heal and to color. 

Pam's Pearls

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:   

Love to Craft ~ Challenge 92  

Let's Craft & Create ~ Challenge 232  

C.R.A.F.T ~ Challenge 782 

I love Promarkers ~ Challenge 609

Copics: 

Hair: E43, E42, E41, Dress: B06, B04, B02, B01, Y13, Y11, Eyes: B06, B04, B02, Headband: B04, B02, B01, Flowers: Y11, Y13, R81, R83, R85, YR24, Y35, Leaves: G43, G46, Background: RV00

CTMH Tea sentiment: 

Cup: B04, B02, Background RV00, Remainder Watercolor ink pens 

Products:

Moondrea Designs, Alice in Wonderland

Gina Marie Designs, Petite Looped Lace Rectangles

CTMH, Tea-riffic

A Mighty Man

Today I'm joining the rest of the Word Art Wednesday design team for the Week 756-757 publication.  Our sponsor for this edition is Waffle House Crafts and our featured scripture is from Psalm 147:45.

For my project card today I have used the  Waffle Flower , Postage Collage die and The Greeting Farm, My Holiday Gift stamp set for the characters.

I die cut the Postage Collage using the bold striped cardstock and then used a solid green for the four basic shapes.  

After turning the die cut piece to a landscape position with the longer vertical block on the left end, I printed the featured scripture to fit in the center of those two boxes, allowing space both at the top and bottom.  

From the  Greeting Farm stamp set (discontinued), I selected four of the little children and Copic colored them, then cut them out and mounted on the basic green shapes, adding a layer of fun foam behind each one.

After securing the Postal Collage to the white card base, I secured each of the four characters in the separate boxes on the right, then inked the sentiment and secured it in the vertical box on the left.  I added the tiny wooden arrows above and below the featured scripture.

I felt like the card needed something at the top, but a ribbon or bow would be too distracting.  So I added a strip of gold washi tape across the top edge and secured a miniature wooden cross at the top right edge to complete my card design.

Thanks for stopping by today to see what I've been working on.  Don't forget to hop over to the Word Art Wednesday blog to download the featured scripture from Psalm 147:45.  While there you can enter your Anything Goes card for a chance to win the WAW Blog challenge.

Pam's Pearls

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:  

Creative Fingers ~ June ~ Challenge 324  

Creative Inspiration ~ June ~ Challenge 39  

Word Power ~ June  

A Cut Above ~ June ~ July Anniversary News

Products:

Waffle Flower, Postage Collage

The Greeting Farm, My Holiday Gift (discontinued)

By Their Names

Today I'm sharing my latest Design Team card with Word Art Wednesday as she opens the new biweekly challenge.  For this challenge, our sponsor will be Newton's Nook who is offering $20 gift certificate as the prize for the random drawing.  Be sure to join us with your anything goes card over on 'the 'Word Art Wednesday' Blog site.

Our featured scripture is Psalm 147:4  You can also download this beautifully written in calligraphy scripture from the Word Art Wednesday Blog site for free to use on your cards and future projects.

 

For my Design Team card I used an embossing folder that has 3D vertical lines and stars for the background on blue glitter cardstock.    I used Gina Marie Designs Hearts and Stars Confetti Cutter die with gold glitter cardstock to cut the different sized stars.

After printing the featured scripture from Psalm 147 verse 4, I  used the Scalloped Stitched Rectangle die set also from Gina Marie Designs to die cut the edge of the scripture and to make a black mat for this piece. I love how well it all came together, simple but elegant.

Thanks for stopping by today to see what I've been working on.  I hope you will check out all the design team projects on Word Art Wednesday and join us with your Anything Goes card.

Pam's Pearls

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:  

Dragonfly Dreams ~ May Challenge ~ Use Die Cut 

Allsorts ~ May Challenge ~ Challenge 850  

Can You Handle the Pressure ~ May Challenge  

Word Power ~ May Challenge