Sunday, December 31, 2017

Everyday is Full of Blessings

As 2017 comes to an end tonight, I continue to reflect over the many blessings that have come my way during this past year.  
Not every day has been perfect, or filled with complete joy... 
BUT EVERYDAY has been full of blessings!
I serve an awesome God who never leaves me and always knows what is best for me.  
Today I hope that you can take time to also reflect on your 2017 events and blessings with grateful hearts.

For today's card, I selected Unity's stamp, Bird Chirping Weather and added the sentiment from Unity's KOM, 08/08. I also used Gina Marie Design Double Stitched Hexagon  Dies and Whimsy's Mistletoe leaf die.

Today's posting also completes two years of my blog posting with a total of a total of 313 posting over that time. Wow!  Many thanks to my faithful followers and especially to those who share my links to others to help me grow!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for me in 2018!  It's going to be an awesome year for sure as I continue to serve a Risen Savior!

~ Pam ~


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Saturday, December 23, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Merry Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Merry Christmas!

Thank you for joining me today for the FINAL posting 
in my series,
COUNTDOWN  TO CHRISTMAS WITH NOT JUST SCRAPS.
 I have really enjoyed sharing my cards each day with you and appreciate each of your comments and encouraging words.

Today's posting is not a card ~ but is the posting of my traditional Christmas ornament for 2017.  A tradition started many years ago by my mother.  Each year she would make a special ornament for my brother and I so that when we left home and started our adult life, we would have a box of ornaments to start our own Christmas tree.  I continued that tradition for my children and somewhere along the way it expanded to grandchildren and close friends.  My ornament list now is at about 40 each year!  

This year I used one of the ideas from the Whimsy Retreat I attended in October, which was designed by Iris Wiechmann, and modified it slightly to fit my family and friends.  This is the original one I made and submitted for a Unity DIY project with a few directions to follow, then below that you'll see several other photos of the different designs that I also made. 


This window tag/ornament is made using the Whimsy stitched tag die with a small rectangle die taped inside to get the front piece.
Hand cut a rectangle of acetate slightly larger than the window opening and glue to the front.  
Then cut a second die shaped tag out of white craft foam.
The pressure from the die may stretch the foam slightly.  
If it does, when you glue it to the front, line up the inside rectangle and push the excess toward the outside.  You can easily trim off the excess around the outside edge.
Lay this down and put about half a teaspoonful of confetti of your choice in the window.  
Remove the center die and cut one solid tag for the back of the ornament.  
After putting the confetti in the window, apply glue to the foam and then align the back on the tag, putting slight pressure on it for several seconds until the glue can set.
Then you can flip it over and add your ribbon and decoration to the front. Now isn't that the cutest shaker tag/ornament you've seen!

Here are some of the other designs I made for my family and close friends.






And just when I thought I was through... I decided to make 15 more for the ladies in my church Mission group.


What a great project this was!  Thank you for stopping by and following this series.  It has been a pleasure to share 20 days of Christmas cards with you this year. 
Don't forget to comment so you can be in the drawing for the prize after Christmas.  
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

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Friday, December 22, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 19

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 19

Today's Next to the Last Card in the Countdown to Christmas,
 is the Penny Black image,  Mimi, Betsy & Snowy (40-153).



The stamped image was Copic colored and mounted on red cardstock, then on aqua/white polka dotted paper.  The photo doesn't show it very well, but the snow dots have Glossy Accents on them and the pom-poms on the hats have a little bit of glitter stickles.  Also for their cheeks, I used the technique of applying my blender pen to saturate the area, then a small amount of Copic R20.  With the area being 'wet' it absorbs the color from the R20 to give the cheeks a softer application. {Thank you Crissy Armstrong!}

Thank you for stopping by today and I welcome your comments below or on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps.  

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Thursday, December 21, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 18

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 18

Today's posting is actually going to cover THREE card images as I used all the figures in the Stampendous kit #CSD10, Ice Skating Santa and Friends, designed by Fran Seiford. 

I had a layout in mind with the mason jar being made into a shaker card, and these images looked like they would fit perfectly.  Plus I wanted to use the new trick of using craft foam for the center instead of foam tape.  Needless to say, making two of each of these, with all the added things my head kept creating, they took FOREVER to make!  But they were super cute and definitely original!  Here's what the finished products looked like, then I'll share a couple more details.




My Jar Die was a solid die, so I took a fancy shaped Spellbinder rectangle and carefully taped it to the center of the edge of the jar die.  I was thrilled to find the gray striped paper that really made the jar look similar to a mason jar.  
If you look closely you can see the blue foam sticking out slightly.  You have to cut one foam frame die for each jar also.  I discovered that the foam stretches slightly running it through the die cutting machine.  Later I realized, when gluing I could line up the center, and pull the excess to the outer edge, then trim with real sharp scissors.  
At this point you can remove the center die, and cut a solid backing if you like.  However I elected to use the card base for my backing, especially since I wanted it to look like falling snow and be consistent across the card.  
The acetate / transparency will not cut well (at least for me) through the die machine, so I always just hand cut the shape.  
Your gluing order will be, Face down:  1-gray paper mason jar; 2-acetate window; 3-foam die shape.  At this point, add your ribbon or string around the neck of the mason jar so it will end up behind the jar on the finished card.  Lay it back down ~ now you're ready to add the confetti.  Add about 1/2 teaspoon of your confetti, which will stick to everything except where you want it to!  (use your embossing buddy or talc powder to reduce the static cling)   
On your background paper, your image should be glued in the appropriate spot and also glue one or two pieces of the confetti around the image.  
Then add glue to the top of the foam die shape and carefully add the backing of the card.  Rub gently around the shape of the mason jar for for about 30-45 seconds to allow time for the glue to dry before turning it over. 
For this card, I added the red strip to the right and stamped a small tag (by Couture Crafts) with the Christmas greeting, and attached to the strip to finish off the card.
I should also say to those who have not used the craft foam before, if you are using a larger item for you confetti, you may need to double the craft foam.  It is thin, and works fine for small beads and for sequins.  But items like buttons or thicker items, you will need the space to be thicker to allow movement.
I realize this is a very long posting, Lots of steps, but really not hard to do at all.  I wanted to be sure I explained it well for you as I'd really like to see what you come up with when you try using the crafting foam instead of the foam tape.

Thank you for stopping by today and following my blog postings. 
Just a few more days to be eligible for the Christmas prize drawing, so be sure to comment below or on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps to have your name entered.
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 17

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 17

Today card is was part of the work the project work we were given at the Whimsy retreat several months ago.  There was SOOO much in our goodies bags there was no way to complete it all!  How wonderful it was to be able to bring the ideas home and finish them with your own special touch.  


Isn't that a cool SNOW card?  We were given the beautiful (and very large) Snow Flurry Background Whimsy stamp which we heat embossed with white, and then used distressed oxide inks to give each background it's own special effect.  The SNOW letters were already cut out for us.  After I got home, I added the acetate behind the SNOW opening, added the foam tape around the cut out and filled with multi colored blue and white sequins and then put the larger white back mat on securing everything in place.  The banner stamp is from the Whimsy Snow Flurry set and I Copic colored and added a misc polar bear to match the oxide background colors and to complete the card. Not your typical Christmas colors for sure!  

Thank you for stopping by again today and for commenting here or on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps on the card entry page.
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam 

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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 16

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 16

I have another bird card to show you today, but not a cardinal this time.  This little chubby fellow is part of Stampendous' Cling Winter Tweets set, designed by Fran Seiford.


She is all snuggled down in the coordinating holly leaves and berries to wish you a Merry Christmas!  The flap is one of the My Favorite Things Scalloped Edge borders and the die for the sentiment is an unbranded stitched rectangle.  This was a one of a kind card, made especially for my brother and sister in law, so she flew all the way to Texas! I was amazed with all the papers I have, how difficult it was to find a coordinating stripe pattern paper to fit all the other colors.  However, I really liked this layout and plan to use it again for future cards.

Thanks for stopping by to see Card 16 in the Christmas Countdown. Don't forget to comment below or on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps to be entered in for a drawing after Christmas.
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

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Monday, December 18, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 15

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 15

Today's card was probably the hardest to color of all of them ones I did this Christmas because of adding all the shading to the image... but I'm also very proud of how it turned out.  It went to one of my life long friends in celebration of not only Christmas but in honor of the birth of her new grandson Samuel.

This Whimsy stamp is called Little Jack and Bobbin and was designed by Elisabeth Bell.


The sentiment is from another company, the background papers are just scraps and the image is die cut using one of the Gina Marie Design X-Stitched Rectangles.
Another cute Whimsy image that just makes you want to pick him up and squeeze and hug!

Thank you for stopping by today and don't forget to comment below or on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps under this photo to be entered in for the drawing after Christmas. Just a few more days of cards to show you before the Big Christmas day!
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

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Saturday, December 16, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 14

Countdown to Christmas 
with Not Just Scraps
Card 14


Several weeks ago I searched Pinterest and Goggle for a new, unique idea to inspire me in designing the Christmas card for my Postal Carrier.  She is the sweetest lady and I recently found out that she scrapbooks and crafts also.  All the ideas I saw were vintage or 99 postings of the M&M jingle.  I even asked on a couple of the Facebook pages to see if anyone would share what they were doing...nothing.  Finally, as I was filing away some of my non-Christmas stamps I came across the PERFECT stamp for this special one of a kind card.  What do you think?...


I do LOVE my Snail Mail Carrier and Whimsy's stamp, Love You Slow Much by designer Sylvia Zet was just what I was looking for.  I didn't want the traditional Christmas colors, but stayed close using shades of salmon and lighter greens.  The matting pieces are Gina Marie X-Stitched Rectangles and the clouds are from the Gina Marie Designs Stitched Sky die set.  The tree die is an unbranded die with a few matching salmon sequins and the sentiment is from the Whimsy Oh What Fun clear stamp set by Deb Davis.

My lesson learned today - Everyday stamps can be used for Christmas or other holidays too. Don't limit yourself, ever!

Thank you for stopping by today - I hope you are enjoying my Christmas series and will be sure to comment below or on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps on the blog posting for this card.
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

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Friday, December 15, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 13

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 13

For today's card I selected an Elizabeth Crafts Design, Light the Way (RS016) along with the scripture from Psalm 27.


I was very pleased that the glow from the lantern deepens as it gets closer to the flame ~ just like our walk in life with Jesus Christ.  The closer we are to him, the more we feel His love and comfort.
I hope today that you are feeling the true meaning of this season and can take a moment to give thanks for all the many blessings we are given.

Thank you for stopping by today ~ Remember to comment below or on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps, for a chance to win a prize after Christmas.
Serving a Risen Savior,  Pam

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Thursday, December 14, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 12

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 12

Yesterday started the 12 days of Christmas countdown on the Whimsy Blogspot, luckily I still have a few left to show you that are Whimsy stamps and will be entered there too.  If you are a stamper/blogger with Whimsy stamps, I encourage to check out the awesome prize package they are offering. {Link}  
(But of course I'm hoping that prize bundle comes to my house!)

For today's card I used another Crissy Armstrong image; 
this one is called Christmas Bunny Kisses


Aww...now isn't that sweet!  
After stamping and Copic coloring, I used the Gina Marie
Pleated Oval die, then mounted on a gold with white flake mat.  The sentiment is from the Whimsy Snow Flurry clear set and a Spellbinder die set was used for shaping the sentiment. Three deep red sequins were added for balance before mounting to a standard A2 card base.  
While I made several of these, one went to my step daughter and her husband with their 'Date Night' gift included.  I used a smaller miscellaneous stamp of a couple under an umbrella, with a little envelope art added. 


Thank you for stopping by today and don't forget to comment for a chance to win a prize after Christmas!
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 11

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 11

Today I'd like to share with you what I used as my Christmas Cards for the 15 ladies in my Mission Movers group at church.
  
I love Phyllis Harris Designs, I'll Never Leave You package and felt very led to use this beautiful image for these special ladies.  Honestly though, I knew a card would get displayed and then boxed away or tossed out and this scripture from Hebrews is something we probably all need daily.  
So I very carefully set up my stamping platform to capture just the image of JESUS and his hand holding another's hand.... 
and captured 1 3/4" of the image to make Bible book markers for each of them. 
Here's what I came up with:


Each one is then backed with a 2" strip of navy card stock and I used the Stampin Up Scalloped tag punch for the top with a loop/knotted ribbon at the top. 

Thank you Unity and Phyllis Harris for giving us great scripture related images and stamps.  What comfort it does bring to us to know that no matter what life throws at us, our Savior will always be with us. 

Your comments are welcomed both here or on my Facebook site, Not Just Scraps.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card 10

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 10

Good Morning and thank you for joining me today for Card 10!  Today's card is done in Non-Traditional Christmas Colors (No standard red or green) but in pastel pinks and mint green with silver and navy blue.  The image today is from Unity Stamp Company,
 Skating By Just to Say Hi!


The image was stamped on 110 # cardstock and Copic colored, then die cut using Spellbinder nesting dies.  The right side of the base was also covered in washi tape for an extra dimensional effect.  White snowflakes were randomly added for the finishing touch before sending to one of my girlfriends who just loves the mountain and snow.

Thank you for stopping by today and don't forget to comment below or on my facebook page, Not Just Scraps for a chance to win a prize after Christmas.
Serving a Risen Lord ~ Pam

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Monday, December 11, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card Nine

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card Nine

When I started working on my Christmas cards this year, the birds seemed to just want to be in them all.  I have to admit I just a 'few' bird stamps and they are fun to color for sure.  Today's card is a similar layout to the first Cardinal I showed you last week on Card 4, but a bit more whimsical and I made several on a smaller base to compliment the size of the stamp. 


There is just something about this image that makes you feel 'very merry' ~ and I hope the receivers enjoyed opening today's card.

Thank you for stopping by today and don't forget to comment to be entered into a drawing after Christmas. 
You can also visit my Facebook Page, Not Just Scraps under the Blog Album to comment.
Serving a Risen Savior  ~ Pam

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Saturday, December 9, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card Eight

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card Eight

As I have been getting out all my Christmas stamps, I've also been pulling all of my stamps made by Unity in preparation for my week of postings on the Growing In Unity the third week in January, 2018.  When I found the set I used for today's card, it was another surprise to me!  Yet how PERFECT for making a card for my Realtors who have become very good friends of mine through to purchases and now working through a listing!
The stamp kit from Unity is called Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup (JS-990A)... now how many of you have that one in your stash?  I'll show you the card first, then the stamp set so you can see what an awesome set of stamps it contains.


The background is a Darise Snowflake embossing folder, and the front is the Memory Box Golf Landscape (minus the flag) cut out of cream card stock.  The three houses are one stamp, so I masked out appropriately and stamped using Stampin Up inks to get the different color houses.  I drew in the sun/moon and colored with Copic markers, then cut out around and mounted on the blue background.  The snowflake tag and sentiment are also from the same Unity stamp kit. 

Now I want to go back and use those cute stockings!

Thank you for stopping by today - please feel free to comment here or on the facebook entry for this card on Not Just Scraps.  I'll be drawing for a prize from those who comment.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

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Friday, December 8, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card Seven

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card Seven

I'm glad so many of you enjoyed card six yesterday! I've never seen so many barnyard comments!  Thank you so much for your kind and your silly words!

Back to a single card today, made especially for my Virtual Friend who this year became my For Real Friend, when I actually met Linda during my trip to Florida.  Although you would think Linda collects CRAFT SUPPLIES, she actually collects anything with Owls ~ So of course, the Whimsy Stamp image, "Owls on a Wreath", (which happens to be on sale right now) by Lee Holland, is the stamp I selected for her card. 


This is such a sweet image of the little owls, easy to color up quickly.  And believe me, it took a lot longer to hand cut the image out than it did to color it.  The outer solid green wreath is an Ultimate Crafts die and the center behind the owls is a scalloped circle of vellum.    The banner under the sentiment is washi tape,  and the tag is by Spellbinder.  The sentiment is from the Whimsy Christmas Memories clear stamp set.   

Thank you for stopping by today ~ I hope you will comment below or over on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps under this card for a chance to win a crafting prize after Christmas.
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

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Thursday, December 7, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card Six

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card Six

When I opened my box of Christmas stamps this year, I was so surprised to find this stamp set for today's card.  I had purchased it last February at a stamping show and filed it away, forgetting it for sure over the year.  

I elected to make a shaker card also since I had recently purchased a tiny COW punch and also had an additional stash of mini cow confetti in my collection.  Here's what I came up with for today's card called Mooey Christmas!

The image is by Country Bumpkin Stamps, (CB-08 Mooey Christmas) and stamped inside says
Wishing you an UDDERLY Fabulous Holiday!

After stamping and Copic coloring, I die cut the image with Gina Marie's X-stitched oval dies and also made the shaker window using the same die.  I used two sizes of the oval die, taped together, to get the frame for the shaker, and cut with black and also with foam.  Die cutting foam for shaker cards is much easier than trying to place foam tape in small spaces and around curves.  I made EIGHT of these cards so there were a lot of mini cow confetti all over me, my desk and the entire room!  

Thanks for stopping by today ~ and remember to comment below or on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps, to be entered for a drawing after Christmas for a crafting prize.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

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Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Countdown To Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card Five

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card 5

Card five was part of the project work I received during the Annual Whimsy conference this past October.  The OVERSTUFFED bag of goodies not only included projects but also stamps and dies! 

This card was made using Meowy Kitty-Mas from the Clearly Whimsy Stamps Collection designed by Crissy Armstrong.


Before going to this retreat, I avoided coloring with REDS like the plague!  But l learned so very much from the talented design team, it was truly an amazing trip for me.  I'm still a beginner,  however my understanding of the shading techniques and taking your coloring to the next level are things you don't get from just any retreat or conference.  Hats off to Denise Lynn and her wonderful Design Team Members at Whimsy Stamps!

Thank you for stopping by today ~ remember to comment below or on my Facebook page on this card entry at Not Just Scraps to be entered into a drawing for a prize after Christmas.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

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Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps ~ Card Four

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card Four

One of the favorite winter birds here in the south is the cardinal.   Of course the male with his bright red coat stands out no matter where he lands and attracts our eye immediately.  
Add the fact that his lifetime mate, the much muted colored female is never far behind...one can always enjoy watching them frolic through the fallen leaves during this season.

Like my hummingbird logo has a special meaning to me, the cardinal has a special meaning to my neighbor Trisha.
Being one of the 'bonds' between her and her Daddy, I knew several weeks ago that her card must have the red cardinal.  
This is what I came up with in honor of her Daddy.


How special it is to each of us to have earthly things that remind us of our loved ones in heaven....always bringing us back to the blessings that we are given each day and the reason we celebrate this Christmas season.

Thank you for stopping by today ~ Remember to comment here or on my Facebook page (Not Just Scraps) to be entered for a prize drawing after Christmas.  
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

Supplies used: Dies are from Sizzix, My Favorite Things, and Couture Creations.

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Christian Card Makers, Pam's Pearls, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Passionate Paper Creations, A Perfect Time to Craft #12, and Not Just Scraps.



Monday, December 4, 2017

Countdown to Christmas with Not Just Scraps Card Three

Countdown to Christmas
with Not Just Scraps
Card Three

Today's card is a combination of the cuteness of Whimsy's stamped image, Christmas Turtle & Dove (by Crissy Armstrong) and the scripture from the book of Luke, 
For behold,
I bring you tidings of great Joy.


The background of this card was done using distressed inks, then splatters of white Copic ink.  The tree die is actually a Memory Box Golf Landscape die that I simply removed the golf flag from (snip, snip) and then hand cut a couple of rolling hills to set the Copic colored turtle on.  I used several thick pop dots behind the turtle image to keep him standing away from the background.

Thank you for stopping by - Now please don't forget to comment below or comment on Not Just Scraps on Facebook for your chance to win a crafting prize after Christmas.  (Note: Liking the card on Facebook doesn't count, you need to comment please.)

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