You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Today's card celebrates the birthday of my 

Flamingo Loving Friend!

 

The center strip of flamingo's was Pinterest inspired, and once I got started stamping all the different colored inks, it was hard to stop!

As I flipped through my sentiment pages, 

I knew the DANCING was perfect for the silly row of birds.  

I tried several solid backgrounds for card bases but with all the multi inks, it seemed they each would distract rather than add to the card.  When I came across this 12 x 12 FRIENDS card stock, I knew it would be perfect both to add to the card and to describe her and some of our friendship times.   

I added a few sparkly sequins, to give some of the flamingos the look of classy ladies, and it finished off the card just perfectly for her.

So if you have those single flamingo stamps in your collection, consider using multiples in borders ~ adding even more possibilities. 

Thank you for stopping by today ~ and Happy Birthday Chari!

Serving a Risen Lord ~ Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Glitter & Sparkle #250, Crafting with Friends #48, and Not Just Scraps where this and other cards can be purchased. 

Die Storage and Organization

Just like our paper, our stamps, and our markers,.... comes the 'growth' of our metal dies.  I personally find that certain storage and organization methods work great for a while, but then a different way will come along.... and I find myself changing what I thought was the best way to a new way.  

So if you are a crafter that feels 'oh I have this system, I can't change now.'.... 

YES, you can.  And it's okay.  

Reorganizing and recycling our storage units, cases, boxes, etc is just part of our crafting and our creativity.

Today I wanted to share my Metal Die storage and organization, which is still in progress.  This was a bit on the expensive side, if you have shopped for the magnetic sheets, you know they aren't cheap.  While the vent covers from the Home Depot or Lowes are the cheapest, for my selection I wanted the magnetic sheets with adhesive backs, so I was willing to purchase several orders from Oriental Trading.

I have two wire based baskets as all dies get heavy.  Keep this in mind when you pick our your storage container.  I found that the frame dies and nesting dies needed to be on larger sheets, while most of the other dies fit well on smaller sheets.

 

 

To start with I cut the magnetic sheets into two groups ~ one group, the sheets were cut equally into fourth's (4 1/4" x 5 1/2"   ) and the other group into halves (8 1/2" x 5 1/2" ).  

2.  Cut heavy weight cardboard the same WIDTH, but add 1/2" to the Height measurement to give you a spot to add a label.

3. Mount the magnetic sheets onto the cardboard, add your label across the top....either by single small set

 single large set

Double set of nesting on the larger sheet

and examples of the smaller sheets with dies sorted by theme

And even if you don't blog... 

someone is always going to want to know where did you get that die from.  

You can always write on the back of the cards.... 

I elected to add the package labels where I could.

My baskets are open and sit on each side of my Big Kick.  I have definitely used them 100% now that they are out and I can see what I have.  When I travel, I pull out the sheets I think I might need and they travel in a cardboard recipe box!

Is this a perfect system?  No way.... but it works great today and so much better than before.  

Thanks for stopping by today - Here's to your re-organizing efforts, always look for ways to make it easy to use, easy to see.  If it's in the closet, that's where it will stay.  Happy Crafting!!!

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Christian Card Maker, Stamp Junkies, Karle's Passion, and Not Just Scraps. 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative Use for Pop Up Die ~ Sea Siren

Have you ever purchased a beautiful die, only to find you really couldn't figure out exactly how it was meant to be used?  We're all creative enough to make it work, but it's pretty frustrating sometimes when you search and come up with zero uses.  

That was my experience with this beautiful Couture Sea Siren Die that I purchased from Create & Craft.  It's suppose to be a pop up die, but it just wasn't POPPING for me no matter what....

so off to my box of shaker fillers to get the small sea shells that are almost an identical match, and let's make a shaker card!

 This is another example using the Jennifer McQuire Tulle window shaker card.  The die shape was cut through the mat and top layer of the card.  Double sided tape around the edges, then Tulle added on top of the top of the card, followed by shaker ingredients and the second or folded piece of tulle.  Press down firmly all he way around. Add the top matting and finish with the actual Sea Siren die cut out of a metallic pearl card stock.  

If you have this die in your collection, how did you use it?

Thank you for stopping by today ~ may your day be blessed!

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites

Christian Card Makers, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies,  City Crafters -Begins with S,  Die Cutting Diva's ~ Under the Sea, and Not Just Scraps where this and other cards can be purchased.

Faith Looks Up

Today's blog card was created using the Phyllis Harris's Faith Looks Up stamps from Unity Stamp Co. 

This beautiful image by the sea was colored with light pastel copic colors to give an early morning affect while the darker clouds reflected sorry and worry are behind us when we are with FAITH looking up to our Lord.

And a special little thanks to my friend Janet who uses the raised banner strip on her cards ~ love the affect and depth it adds. 

Thank you for stopping by today ~ may your day be blessed by this card as you remember to always look up to our Lord and Savior.

Serving a Risen Lord ~ Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Christian Card Maker, Cute as a Button #36, Electric Ellapu,

Delicious Doodles Beside the Sea,  Creatalicious Challenge By the Sea, 2 Sisters on the Blog ~ Beach, Unity {Show & Tell},

Stamp Junkies,  Karle's Passion, and Not Just Scraps. This card is available for purchase through Not Just Scraps as well as others listed in my blog.

Stampin Up Birthday Banter

I don't think I'm the only one...but maybe... 

as I went through some drawers of stamps several weeks ago to pack up for the Scrapbooking Expo, I came across many stamps that I would smile at and fuss at myself for not having used them yet...pulling out a couple of them to take this trip... determined to work through this issue.  

The 2004 Stampin Up BIRTHDAY BANTER set is one of those.  What a cute and funny set ~ Why have I not used it before?

Several days ago, I posted the card for the National Cow Appreciation Day which is also from this set.  Today's card is from the Addicted to Card Making Technical Challenge, Floating Tulle Window Card.

 

To make the card base, cut your mat to size for your base and select your die shape (the oval in this case) that you want for your window.  You can lightly tack the mat down or hold it if you are sure it won't move.  Cut the die shape through the top of the card base and the mat at the same time.  Take a small piece of tulle, cut large enough to cover the opening.  Put double sided tape (not foam tape) around the opening on the top of the card base, then lay the tulle down ~ stretching it smoothly and press it down firmly to the tape.  Then line up the matted piece and glue or tape it down, pushing down firmly around the tulle opening.  Use any stamped image that you'd like, and stamp TWO.  In this case, the frog was so detailed I elected to use the oval shape.  Color the 'front' image and leave the second image white. The colored image goes on TOP of the tulle and the white image is lined up on the back of the tulle and they are glued together, making the tulle sandwiched in the middle.  For the frame I took the same oval and the next size larger and cut at the same time, giving me the oval frame to cover the open edge on the front and add contrast also.  The tag was punched with a Creative Memories tag punch, then threaded through a fish tail die to get the bottom edge.  Little felt flowers were added for the finishing touch.  

This Stampin Up Set is a great one to add to your collection if you don't already have it. 

 

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope this silly frog brought a smile to your face and your day will be blessed. 

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

This posting will appear on :

Addicted to Card Making, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, 2 Crafty Critters #4, Paru's Birthday Challenge 17,  and Not Just Scraps where you can order this card also.

 

What a Glorious Feelin'

Today's card features Whimsy's Puddle Jumpin Mouse designed by Kristen Heij-Barber placed on one of the cutest SPLASH background dies from Moe's Dies & More.  

You will definitely see this background die on several more of my cards as it goes well with my collection of  both with animals and people holding umbrellas. 

The Puddle Jumpin Mouse was copic colored except for the purple polka dots, which I used a purple glitter pen to fill in the dots.  This image was also cut out with the Brother Scan and Cut while I was at the Scrapbook Expo.  The image was a bit too detailed and the blade really needed to be changed, so although I still had to do a good bit of trimming, I was impressed with the amount of cutting the machine was able to neatly accomplish.   The song sentiment was added from my miscellaneous word stamps.  Doesn't it just make you want to Sing in the Rain?

I think this will be a great card of encouragement for any age or gender.  Thank you for stopping by and following my blog. 

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

This will appear on Christian Card Maker, Whimsy Stamps, Moe's Dies and More, Stamp Junkies, Karle's Passion, Glitter and Sparkle #249, International Art #13 Dies, and Not Just Scraps where you can visit and purchase this and other similar cards.  

Life Should be Full Of Small Pleasures

Bringing you another birthday card this morning, it seems my birthday calendar was overflowing for July!

Today's card is a Unity stamp done in black and hot pink to continue the sexy side of the design.

 

The black doily is folded behind the matted hot pink paper and is before the image that was cut with one of the Gina Marie templates.  Copic markers were used for coloring except for the solid black area, where I used black Wink of Stella to give additional sparkle. As with most of my work, it is lightly outlined using B0000 for depth. 

And today I wish a very Happy Birthday to my friend Cheryl, who use to be the quiet red head that no one ever noticed in school,  .... but Oh, La La.... she found herself after that .... and like a butterfly turned into a beautiful woman who loves life, adventure, and her family dearly. A true and faithful friend to me for sure ~ love you girl!

Thank you for stopping by to read my blog today ~

Serving a Risen Lord, Pam

This Posting will appear on the following sites,

Unity {Show & Tell}, Scrapbook Outlet|, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Crafting with Friends #48, and Not Just Scraps where you can order this card.

Welcome to the Snapdragon Part of Life

This year my best friend from childhood, Cindy, and I celebrate FIFTY-SIX years of friendship as last week she turned the big

6 0!

With two other special girlfriends also celebrating this milestone, I wanted make several detailed cards that would be appropriate for their special days.   I just love this Whimsy stamp, Dreamy Dragon designed by favorite designer Sylvia Zet. So here's the card front for Cindy's card ... and wait until you see the sentiment that makes it perfect!

  Inside the sentiment says ~

Welcome to the 

Snapdragon 

part of Life ~

the parts that

haven't snapped

are Draggin'!

This sentiment stamp is a DRS Designs Rubber Stamp. How funny is that.. and appropriate!

Here are the other two cards that I sent to my special girlfriends ~ 

DeeDee, brought together through church youth and high school cheer leading and we raised our first baby's closely together for a good while ~ 

 

And Judy who I knew mostly through sports during the school years... but later in life became my sister-in-law!  What a blessing!

 

 All images are Copic colored on Neenah card stock and cut with the Gina Marie stitched circle dies.

Thank you for stopping by today to enjoy these special birthday cards.  

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Whimsy Stamps LLC, Stamping Outlet, Stamp Junkies, Christian Card Makers, Karle's Passion, Card Making Tips, Crazy 4 Challenges and on my personal site Not Just Scraps where you can contact me to place an order to purchase this card.

 

Today is All We Need To Nurture

For most of my working career, I held various jobs that required lots of planning and scheduling. That came natural to me, and probably you to ~ as Mom's and Wives ~ raising our family or simply taking care of our fur babies, we plan and schedule our lives.  So when does it become excessive? At what point can you not relax and just go with the flow of the day's activities? 

Where is the balance?

Today's card ~ from Unity Stamps ~ reminds us in many circumstances, 

Today is All We Need to Nurture.

This past week, right in the middle of buying a new home, just when the time has finally arrived to start packing, the Lord has opened a door of opportunity for me.  An opportunity for travel, for meeting new people, learning new skills, and who knows what else.  It wasn't planned or scheduled and yes, it's a bit overwhelming.  But I know it is the path that He has laid out for me for Today and that is what makes it amazing.

May your  TODAY be blessed as you give thanks to the Lord for His abundant Grace.

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

This Posting will appear on :  Christian Card Makers, Unity {Show & Tell}, Stamp Junkies, Karle's Passion, Crafting with an Attitude #29, Addicted to Card Making and Not Just Scraps.

ATCM Weekend Challenge ~ National COW Appreciation Day

Now I 'm sure that most of you reading this stopped last Saturday, July 15th and told a COW how much you appreciated them!

But it's another fun, silly challenge to use for card makers 

and was the weekend challenge for us on 

Addicted to Card Making.  

Just a cute little quick card with an older Stampin Up set and copic coloring.  I used the Creative Memories tag punch for the sentiment, but then threaded it through a fish tail die to add the pointed bottom before mounting with the the hot pink metal flower on top. 

I bet you can think of several friends that this card would be perfect for!  This and other handmade cards can be ordered at Not Just Scraps.  

Thank you for stopping by and following my blog.

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

This posting will appear on : Addicted to Card Making,  Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Christian Card Makers,The Crafty Addicts Challenge #38, and Not Just Scraps.

With Sympathy and Prayers

Today's card is a Sympathy card using masking and a distressed inked background.

 

After choosing my card base, I selected a Stampin Up ink as close to that color as possible from my collection, then a shade of orange that was much darker and a medium shade of yellow. I punched out a 1" circle and temporarily stuck it down with removable tape. Starting with the lightest color, I inked and changed the white paper to completely yellow then added the card colored ink in the center, followed by the darkest shade  at the top.   Be sure to hold the mask down as you carefully ink around the circle.  Then I removed the mask and stamped  a dandelion as shown. Many vertical images would work on this layout .

The sentiment "With Sympathy and prayers" was stamped separately and lightly inked before mounting on a scrap or black card stock.  I tied a double wrapped piece of lightweight twine around the colored image, then mounted the sentiment, then mounted the entire section to the card base.  I think this card, like any sympathy card should be soft and soothing during the recipients time of sorrow.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today  ~ I hope your day will be filled with many blessings. 

Serving a Risen Lord ~ Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Christian Card Maker, Stamp Junkies, Karle's Passion, Sparkles Forum #94,  Word Art Wednesday #292-293 and on my personal facebook page where you can order this card, Not Just Scraps. 

CCM Sketch Challenge ~ Let Everything that has Breath Praise the Lord

Bringing you our Monday Sketch challenge from

Christian Card Makers ~

 

Several of the papers of this card were part of a gifted card package from Ginny for one of the past challenges.  The flowers are Stampin Up images lightly copic colored and inked with a mossy green.  The Scripture used is from Graciellie Design & Unity package Praise The Lord.

This is the sketch we were given to work from:

Thank you for stopping by and I hope my card brightened your day. Visit Not Just Scraps to purchase this card or order other handmade cards.

Serving a Risen Lord, Pam

This posting will appear on Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, 

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper Background, 

Scrap From Your Heart ~ Flowers ,

Stamping Sensations ~ Flowers 

Be Your Own Kind Of Beautiful

Although it isn't new, as parents we seem to always worry about 

peer pressure with our children and grand children.  Our world is full of  advertising which encourages unhealthy life styles. 

Today's card sentiment is one of many from Unity Stamp Co. which encourages us to be true to ourselves and not to conform to the ways of the world.  

 

I matched the sentiment up with one of the Love frilly dress stamps, also from Unity and mounted it on heavy glitter card stock, with two additional contrasting mats before the white card base.  With some double frilly hot pink ribbon through the center lifting the dress for dimension, the finishing touch was three sparkling clear droplets  that I found at Kat's Scrappiness.com. via Stamping Enablers on Facebook.

This card was sent in a swap on Addicted to Card Making but can be ordered through Not Just Scraps.  

Thank you for stopping by to read my posting and for following my work ~ Serving a Risen Savior, Pam 

This posting will appear on Unity {Show and Tell}, Addicted to Card Making, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies , Christian Card Makers and Not Just Scraps.  

 

Stay True to Yourself

I recently made this card for the Unity {Show & Tell} challenge 

and wanted to share it with you today.

This has been a crazy week in my life, a little more drama 

that was really necessary and I had to stop and 

remind myself of just this type sentiment.

How quickly we fall into the back and forth of drama, 

which just feeds it more.  Yet we know through our faith 

we are stronger and do not need to do this. 

Today, be reminded that YOU are beautiful and wonderfully made!

Stay true to YOU and always be grateful for your blessings.

Thank you for stopping by today ~ 

Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

This posting will appear on Christian Card Maker, Stamp Junkies, Karle's Passion and Not Just Scraps.

 

 

Time for Some Berries

This past weekend on Addicted to Card Making one of the challenges was a Blueberry card for the July 8th National Blueberry Day celebration.  While doing that card, I did a second one for the House Mouse Challenge #245 ~ Sharing Berries that starts today.  This is my entry for the House Mouse site ~

 

I'm always thrilled when I can match up a scripture to an image. 

And this is the same stamped image but a different layout and sentiment that I entered in for the ATCM weekend challenge. 

 

Do you stamp and color more than one image at the same time?  I seem to always stamp two, but not always color or put together two.  Having done that today though I am reminded what a time saver it can truly be.

I also want to reuse this stamp and cut the top branch off, using just the babies at the bottom with the scriptures from Psalm 96:1

Sing to the Lord a new Song...  

Just endless possibilities with this House Mouse Stamp! 

Thank you for stopping by my blog today ~ may your day be blessed.

Serving a Risen Lord, Pam  

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Addicted to Card Making, House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge #245, Christian Card Makers, Stamp Junkies, Karle's Passion, and Not Just Scraps.  

 

Hooray for your Birthday

Recently I purchased my first Dreamland stamp from Bargain Outlet and made this cute Derby card for my nephew's  birthday. 

 

 After copic coloring with shades of greens, oranges and grays,  I used the Gina Marie Fish Tail Die which is also one of my favorites.  The Hooray die is by Quickutz, which also had a tiny banner die included.  That banner turned out to be too small but I used the negative space to stamp Tyler's name in the banner pennants.  Adding a few Spellbinder widgets and a Happy Birthday die ... off he went to Arizona to find the birthday boy!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today ~ may your week be blessed!

Serving a Risen Savior, Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:  

 Crafty Friends #61, Stamp Junkies, Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Scrapbook Outlet and Not Just Scraps.  

 

His Face Shine On You

Tonight I wanted to try out a new stamp and stencil 

set by Tim Holtz and also wanted to add a scripture 

for my entry on Word Art Wednesday.  

Here's the card I came up with ~ 

For the stencil I used Stampin Up inks Baked Brown Sugar and Tempting Turquoise, then stamped the Tim Holtz flower and stem,  images with Tuxedo Black Memonto ink. 

The scripture is from Numbers 6:24-25.  I love matching a scripture and image together.  When I read this beautiful passage it's like the flower is glowing from God's grace.  How wonderful it is that the Lord blesses us each and every day.

Copic shades of grey were used for the flower and shades of orange to yellow for the flower.  I then used a Spellbinder Small Deckled Mega Rectangle die to cut the top and bottom edges before adding Chocolate brown twine as the finishing touch.  

Thank you for stopping by to read my blog posting - I hope that the Lord Will Bless You today and every day!

Serving a Risen Savior, Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Christian Card Maker, Word Art Wednesday # 290-291

Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, and Not Just Scraps.