Wednesday, January 31, 2018

She Never Says Never

We all know her, 

We all admire her,

She walks with strength and dignity

no matter what the circumstances are.

Today's card quietly cheers her on

Surrounds her with diamonds and lace

Supports her with flowers

Warms her with close hugs from your heart...


Never forget to tell her how much she means to you ~


Thank you for stopping by today.
Serving a Risen Lord,
Pam 


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Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Your Favorite Things Birthday Wishes

On one of the current challenges that I am participating in,
you have to make a birthday card using a Kraft base.
Using Copics to color on Kraft paper is a totally different ballgame,
so for this card, I elected to use colored pencils.


~ Instructions ~

I started with an A2 Kraft card base and masked the center area where the Unity Stamp, (Start Each Day) was going to go. I then took 3 Distress Oxide Inks, (Picked Raspberry, Cracked Pistachio, and Peacock Feathers) and mixed them around the rest of the card, allowing a little drying time between each color and a few minutes afterwards.  Then using my stamping platform, I stamped the image where the mask had been and colored it using colored pencils.  I find it hard to color with pencils and get a bright image, so afterwards I went back over a good bit of the image with a yellow metallic pen.  I used a wide fishtail die to cute the stitched border and the scrap to stamp the sentiment,
"May Your Birthday be full of your favorite things".
The edge of the sentiment has a coordinating strip of washi tape and then is popped up using foam dots.  After gluing the frame and the sentiment down, I added two additional strips of washi tape and three coordinating buttons  to complete the card.

Thank you for stopping by to view my card today and for following my work.  I invite you to see my other cards that are available for ordering or purchase on Facebook at Not Just Scraps.

Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

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Monday, January 29, 2018

You've Captured My Heart

Another perfect title....
for this Sweet Little Fellow!

For today's featured card I used Whimsy's stamp
You've Captured My Heart, by designer Crissy Armstrong.



~ Instructions ~
The imaged is stamped on 110# card stock and Copic colored.  I added additional shades of green 'flicks' of grass and small heart shaped flowers at the bottom.  The title describes the stamps so well, I decided to make a small tag using the same words.  I used the Spellbinder Curved Rectangle Die S5-006 to cut the tag, the image and the two additional matting pieces.  I used a mixed media die to randomly cut a 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of gray card stock  making it look like netting and then mounted it on the white card base.  
The sentiment tag is tucked behind the image and glued, then wrapped with red thread and knotted with a 'locked heart' charm. 
 The blue and red mats are glued down to the netting & card base, however the colored image is popped up.  The final touch was adding a dark blue loopy bow.

Thank you for stopping by today to see this cute Whimsy stamp and how I used it to create this card.  I invite you to visit my Facebook page where I sell my cards ~ Not Just Scraps.

Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites:
Whimsy Stamps and Inspiration, Whimsy Stamp Challenge #103
Pam's Pearls, Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Passionate Paper Creations, heARTful Stamping, A Gem of a Challenge - Blue, Scrapbooking & Cardmaking #61, Creative Craft Cottage # 103, and Not Just Scraps.




Friday, January 26, 2018

Nancy Girl ~ I Love You

Today I am again bringing you two cards using the same stamp, 
just different papers.
Some days I can color two images at the same time - 
other days I soon realize I'm half way finished with the first 
one and the second on only has the skin tones done.  
And I wonder why my kids are easily distracted?

For the cards today, I'm using one of Unity's Angie Girls ~ 
Nancy Girl's package comes with a cat-lover's sentiment,
"You're Purr-fect"
and two little kitties all snuggled together at her feet.
However, it's too close to Valentine's day...
so I added another Unity stamp from the KOM 08/08,
and drew in a few extra flowers,
making it a lovely Valentine card or just a romantic 
occasion card.



Both cards are stamped on 110# card stock and Copic colored, then triple matted and added to a coordinating card base, with threaded bows added.  The {I "Heart" U} sentiment is added last slightly covering the string.

Thank you for stopping by today and following my blog also.
These cards will be available for purchase along with others

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Thursday, January 25, 2018

I Love Chocolate!

Well anyone who knows me knows 
THAT is a Very True Statement!
And don't mess it up with fruit or some wild flavored cream, LOL!

Then Whimsy released the new stamp set Crazy for Chocolate {CWSD254} by designer Deb Davis, and several other great Valentine themed sets...and soon 
my online cart was hopelessly full again.

Deb also posted an adorable shaker card using stamps from this set (linked here) which I used as my inspiration for the two similar cards I'm showing today.





Although I normally use the Tulle for my shaker cards, I did use acetate for these and foam tape.  I used Diamond Stickles for 'icing' on the chocolates and also used Whimsy Valentine Sequins.  The banner die is by Hero Arts and the wide Picture Frame die is unbranded. 

Both of these cards will be available for purchase in my online album at Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by today and for following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam


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Wednesday, January 24, 2018

National Beer Can Day ~ Cheers!


Another Crazy Holiday!
Eighty -Three years ago the first Beer Can was sold in 
Richmond VA by the Krueger Brewing Company.
Now January 24th is listed as the 
National Beer Can Appreciation Day. 

This past weekend this event was one of our card making challenges.  
I had to do a slight variation for several obvious reasons.
Here is my 'altered' card  done totally with Die cuts and the final embellishments ~ 


I started with the Elizabeth Craft Designs Large Bubble Die #1028 out of vellum.  Then I die cut the Beer Bottles using the My Favorite Things, Die-namics LLD Bottles Die.  Side note here ~ the paper used was the packaging from Gina Marie Design die packages.  LOVE the sparkling effect!  Then I added the Gold Metallic CHEERS die cut (unbranded) and finished the card by adding small glass flat backs over the bubble die intersections.

This was a quick card for the challenge, however this combination I think will be really nice redone using a champagne bottle die and wine glasses for a wedding or anniversary card.

Thank you for stopping by today and following my blog. 
This card is for sale at my facebook site, Not Just Scraps.

Serving A Risen Savior, 
Pam

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Tuesday, January 23, 2018

National Dragon Day Celebration ~ January 16th

Did you miss it?  Surely not!
Today's featured card is my Dragon entry to 
one of the Card Making sites in celebration of 
National Dragon Day!


The image I selected is by Wild Rose Studio, named Dragon Birthday (CL506), and is Copic colored. I wanted the card to be non-gender specific so I cross matted using yellow and purples.  I also wanted the image to remain the focal point, thus I elected not to add a ribbon bow, but just a few sprinkled gold stars to complete the card.

Thank you for stopping by today - I hope you liked my Happy Birthday Dragon card.  He is available for sale on my Facebook site, Not Just Scraps, along with other handmade cards. 

Serving a Risen Savior, 
Pam 


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Monday, January 22, 2018

And The Winners Are....

My heartfelt thanks to each of you for your daily comments 
on the Unity projects and especially to those who are now following my blog.
It was an amazing week with Unity!

Your comments were humbling ~ 
it is obvious we are sisters of the art!

I elected to allow Mr. Random Org to select my 
two winners because in my book you are all winners.


Please contact me through private message 
with your mailing information as soon as possible.

Thanks again to EACH of you for commenting.
Blessings to each of you!

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

"Owl" Always Be There For You

Today's sweet little card is perfect for your 
Valentine sweetheart, or is versatile enough for any time.

It is from the Heartfelt Collection, Sugar Hollow.


I used the pair of owls stamp out of the set, Copic colored them (see the tummy colors) and then cut them out.   


For the card base, I used a standard A2 white card and die cut a solid heart out then cut out a fancier scrolled heart to frame the opening.  The sentiment can be stamped inside at any point.  For the finishing touches, I added several pink and deep red flowers with clear blink centers and a touch of die cut greenery on the top flowers.  

Thank you for stopping by today - This card is available for purchase along with others through message or my Facebook site, Not Just Scraps

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Saturday, January 20, 2018

You're Delightful!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, 
it's time to pull out the sweet little I Love You stamps
and a few new additions since last year...

Today's card was created using Whimsy's Stamp called Gecko Love
by designer Crissy Armstrong.


Since it was a rainy day, I really enjoyed coloring the image, which took quite a while using 26 shades of Copic markers.


Details for making:
The card base is 5 1/2 x 5" with the paper mats cut out of scraps.  A swatch of burlap is added to the left and half of a red heart doily to the right.  The Gecko image was die cut using a Darice heart shaped die, and is glued on the right, with pop dots on the left side.  The sentiment and banner die are by Hero Arts.  Brown heavy thread and a wooden heart were added for the finishing touch.

Thank you for stopping by today ~ I hope you enjoyed the first Valentine's Day card.  It will be for sale along with a few others through Not Just Scraps.

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam 

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Friday, January 19, 2018

Growing in Unity ~ Day 5

Like all the GIU girls have said, it's amazing how fast this week has flown by. What a wonderful honor it has been for me to have been selected.  I am sincerely thankful for this opportunity.  I would also like to invite you to continue to 'Follow Me' through my blog postings. 

My design for today's card is a thank you to the great team at Unity and especially Kelli for the endless hours she puts into GIU.  
The image today is  Angie Blom's design, Love to Go. 



I wish you could feel this card!  As you can see I cut out the heart and made a little shaker card using chocolate brown beads.  

To do this, I used a small strip of tulle (twice the size of the opening).  No foam required.  You simply run your tape runner around the opening, lay down one layer of the tulle, add your beads, then tightly pull the tulle over the beads to form the shape.  The holes in the tulle will adhere to the tape runner and self seal to your card. This technique for shaker cards is so much easier and faster than foam tape and acetate sheets. 



  On this card, with it being so small, it feels like it is quilted and soft.  The heart dies are unbranded  and the background is stamped with a heart stamp from the Unity November, 2011 KOM.  The ribbon and three hot pink flat back pearls were added to complete the card.
I wish I could sit and have a cup of coffee with each of you! 

Today is also the last day to comment below for your chance to win 25 random stamps from Unity.  Two winners will be picked from the comment entries from this week.  

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you have enjoyed this special week of Growing in Unity cards.
Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites, 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Growing in Unity ~ Day 4

Today I'd like to ask you if you've ever had a stamp that was a challenge to use?  You know, like no matter what you did with it, nothing seemed to work.  No ideas on Pinterest, nothing in your sketch book.... 

The stamp from Unity that I selected for today's card was my CHALLENGE stamp, Unity's Itty Bitty Having Fun.  No offense to the designer, Joslyn Nielson, at all, because it is a great stamp and I was super excited to get this jeep stamp!  But being perfectly honest, when I went to stamp it, there is a LOT of under the jeep showing.... and how many of us know how to color the underside of a jeep? On top of that, I had picked ORANGE for a Clemson University fan to be the recipient. 


But I kept working at it adding colors, (thankfully I was using high quality paper).  I sponged on grey and brown at the bottom to give the rock and dirt a grunge look.  Then pulled a Tim Holtz mesh die out and inked it to match, it was getting better... When I reached for a scrap of the snow covered birch trees for the background it was amazing how the 3D affect appeared and the Jeep suddenly looked just like it was coming out of the woods! 
My plan all along, Ha! Ha! 



I finished off the card with additional matting, twine and the sentiment GOOD TIMES from the Feb. 2012 KOM, then attached it to the Burnt orange card base. 
Thanks for hanging in there with me on the making of my challenge card.  

Don't forget to comment below to be entered for the drawing.  Two lucky winners will receive 25 random stamps from Unity Stamp Company.

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Growing in Unity ~ Day 3

How do you pick a favorite Angie Girl?

About a month ago, Whitney posted on the Unity {Show & Tell} Facebook page, "What's Your Favorite Stamp set?"  Immediately, I responded, "Sunset Promise".  But when I pondered over which ONE Angie Girl to use this week, that's a tough call. Maybe you will tell me in the comments today, your favorite Angie Girl and why.

For today, I picked LIZZIE GIRL because of the sentiment on her cover 'Showered with Love'.  To me, that is what Angie Girls images are all about ~ they shower us, the card makers and the recipients, with love and encouragement whether it's in the spring, fall, winter or summer.


Today's card is a modified Z fold card.  The stitched clouds are from Gina Marie Designs,  the rain drops and the inside sentiment are from the Unity February, 2012 KOM.


Here are the details of the project if you'd like to make a similar card:
I stamped the rain drops over a full page of card stock and Copic colored with several shades of blue.  Then I sprayed that sheet with Perfect Pearls Mist and set it aside to dry.  
Lizzie was stamped on 110# card stock and Copic colored, then fussy cut out and matted on a 4 x 6 piece of the  rain drop paper, which was then matted on black and then on yellow 
(increasing 1/4" around with each layer). 



The sentiment stamp for the inside was stamped and cut the  
exact same measurements as the front piece. I added gold metallic ink to the dots and over the sun for sparkles and a touch of light blue to shade the cloud. 

For the base, I cut a piece of yellow card stock, 12 x 6 1/2".  
I folded it in half, then folded the top piece at 3 1/2".  
Next cut a piece of coordinating purple to fit inside the three yellow boxes,  
leaving a little bit of the yellow showing. 



Line up the inside sentiment piece and the top piece with Lizzie on it, then glue down. 
{NOTE: Only glue Lizzie on the left side.}
Add die cut clouds and rain drop embellishments to finish. 

As your supply of Unity stamps continues to grow, I challenge you to look back, especially in your sentiments to mix and match with today's newer images.  That is another huge plus for Unity's products and their quality.  Not only are the stamps of high quality but the sentiments are so encouraging and appropriate to use over and over again.

Another reason to comment below ~ you may be one of the lucky winners at the end of my week, as Unity Stamp Co. will be giving away 25 random stamps to two people who comment on my blog. 

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you will come back tomorrow 
to see another Unity project.
Serving a Risen Savior, 
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:
Unity Stamp Co. GIU, Unity {Show & Tell}, Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Pam's Pearls, Passionate Paper Creations, Stamp Junkies, A Perfect Time to Craft #01, Crafting Circle, Crafting from the Heart #190, and Not Just Scraps

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Growing in Unity ~ Day 2

There is just something neat about an old truck, or is it just me?
Being a professional photographer, I've been known to stop about anywhere alongside the road to get a quick 
shot of a vintage truck.   So when Unity Stamp Co. came out with the stamp set A Guy and His Truck, (UK-874A) by Angie Blom, it was headed to my house fairly quickly.  

Because I have not had any formal Copic training, a lot of attempts are made before I get to a card image worth keeping.  Learning to color rust on a car or truck is a skill I have not quite mastered yet, but this one turned out close enough to share with you today.  



The image is stamped on 110# card stock and Copic colored.  I used a Spellbinder Deckled Edge die on the image and the matting pieces.  
The sentiment is from the Unity set WIB-821-Loved All Over.

Once you get an image colored to your satisfaction, don't be afraid to color the background.  Sometimes that's a hard 'next step'.  It's okay to fussy cut and place your images on a background too, but coloring your own background will add another level of joy to your coloring. Like the background here, the warm yellows coming from behind the truck intensify the feeling of the sentiment of making you feel loved all over! 


If you'd like to color your image in similar colors, the Copic references that I used are:
Truck BG13, G19, G28; Tires, C1-C7 & B000; Rust E07, R17, YR14; Hearts R06, R14, R24, R22, R29, R43, RV34; Background  (ground) G28,G19, BG13; (sky) YR16, YR12, Y19, Y08, Y02. 

Thank you for stopping by today. Don't forget to comment below to be eligible for the  drawing from Unity Stamp Co.  Two winners will receive 25 random stamps from Unity from the comments on my blog during this week.

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

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Monday, January 15, 2018

A Week of Growing in Unity ~ Day 1

A special greeting this morning to my new readers from Unity Stamp followers as I begin my week of sharing.  I am thrilled to be part of the Growing in Unity 2018 project.

When Unity released the Broken Look Beautiful Angel stamp a few months ago, I just knew I wanted her to be my first posting during my GIU week.  Then, the Unity {Show & Tell} Facebook page started filling up with such beautiful card creations using that image.... and I began having second thoughts.  
However everyone sees an image differently and my vision of this lovely lady was firmly drawn in my head, 
she arrived, and there was no turning back.
Here is my card using the beautiful stamp designed by Angie Blom.



I stamped the image on 110# card stock and also on Vellum.  Using washi tape, I masked out the area around the flowers on her gown, and stamped two rows of them side by side on another piece of vellum and set those aside to dry.

The image on card stock will go inside the card.  I colored her using the following copic markers: 
Heart V05, Leaves G40, G43, Flesh E0000, V20, E40, Flowers, RV55, R20, Dress R01, R11, Hair E13, E33, E55, E57, Wings Gold Metallic pen, and set her aside while I put the card base together.



The card base is a 12" x 6" piece of scrapbook paper folded at 6".  After deciding where I wanted the angel to go inside the card, I took a Spellbinder S5-014, Small Deckled Mega Rectangle and cut a window out on the FRONT of the card, so you could see the inside angel.  Then carefully lined up the vellum angel over the image and glued her to the inside front cover of the card base. The 'All The Best' greeting washi tape seemed to fit perfectly with the sentiment on the stamp, so I added it across the top of the card.  For the finishing touches I added the double row of vellum flowers for balance and the loopy string bow with the heart charm.
  


I love the softness the vellum adds to this card, both closed where you can see a hint of the color behind, 


and open where the vellum is still so soft, yet the colored image allows her beauty to shine.

What a wonderful encouraging stamp that can be used on many occasions. 
I hope you enjoyed my project idea using the Broken Look Beautiful Angel stamp.

During this week of Growing In Unity, anyone who comments will be entered into a random drawing for a prize of 25 random stamps from Unity, so please comment below.

Thanks you for stopping by ~ Be sure to come back tomorrow to see another Unity project. 
Serving a Risen Savior ~
Pam 

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Sunday, January 14, 2018

Puppy Thanks ~ by Whimsy

Today's card is featuring one of Whimsy Stamps from the 
Lee Holland Collection, called Puppy in Present.
He actually just arrived yesterday at my house, and somehow he made it to the one open spot on the craft table to become a card today!


The layout idea credit goes partially to Linda Levoir, one of Whimsy designers who had a similar layout on Pinterest with the wavy top and the larger flat back 
sprinkled around the image.  
My flat backs are 'home made' using the pony beads.  
Here is the reference to making those if you haven't tried them.

Thanks for stopping by today and following my work.  The next posting will start my week with Unity Stamp Co ~ Growing In Unity.  

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

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Friday, January 12, 2018

When Words Just Aren't Enough

Before I share my card today ~ a quick reminder that NEXT WEEK I will be posting daily for Unity Stamp Company's Growing In Unity~2018!
I am SO EXCITED!!!  
I hope you will pop over to the blog each day and comment as TWO winners will be selected to win 25 random stamps from Unity from the comments entered. 

We have all been in the situation where we just don't know what to say; when someone has been given a bad medical report, or there has been a death in the family, or any number of other heartbreaking issues.  As a Christian, I know there is comfort in hearing "I will pray for you" and when I personally say "I will pray for you", I say it with meaning and commitment. 

The sentiment used on today's card is from Unity's 2017 January Sentiment Kit, May Strength Surround You, by Lisa Arana and the small flowers are 
from Unity's Spring package by Heather Rolin. 
This sentiment says it all ~ 


How blessed we are to be surrounded by friends and family during difficult times.  Even when it is quiet and we are physically alone, we still have our Savior, 
who has promised to never leave us. 
What a comfort to know we can draw strength to face tomorrow
 through the valleys and the trials of life.

Let someone know today that they are not alone...that you are praying 
for them to find the strength to face tomorrow. 

Thank you for stopping by today.  May your weekend be blessed.
Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

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Monday, January 8, 2018

Meeting the Random Challenge

One of the fun parts about being on several of the crafting and card making Facebook sites is learning from the beautiful cards that are posted by others and building your own self confidence in posting your own work.  Earlier today while scrolling through the news feed, one of my 'virtual' friends had posted a Random Challenge to make a card using an older stamp ~ no prize, no winner ~ just make a card to send to someone special and share your card.  
What a great challenge since we ALL have stamps that we have not used in a while ... 
and probably some that have never been used
(ssshhh...they are waiting for that special occasion).
Since I was in the middle of putting my Heartfelt Creations stamps into Evernote, I grabbed the one on top and decided that would be the one I'd use for my card today.


I used the Dogwood branch from the Heartfelt Creations Dogwood Chapel.  The border die cut is from the My Favorite Things Scalloped Borders and the sentiment is from Unity stamp kit, May Strength Surround You (which happens to be new).

As you look through your stamps to make your cards - always dig to the back of the box or drawer... those oldies are still goodies!

Thank you for stopping by today and for following my work.
Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

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Friday, January 5, 2018

Change can be a Beautiful Thing

I'm bringing today's card to you as an example of a 
change of layout card.
If you are like me... and look back at the last dozen or so cards you have made... 95% of mine are single, straight fold A2 card base.  If it wasn't for the Christmas season, and doing some extra special ones, that percentage would be higher.  How about yours?

While crafting this past weekend, my table partner was trying to use up some of her scraps and came up with the base design for today's card. Although this isn't something new, sometimes it's good to be reminded of different basic folds to use.  As you will remember, you can vary the measurements to make it a vertical card just as easily.

Here's the card I made using the sentiment from Unity's stamp set Spark designed by Graciellie:


The base card measures 9" by 4" and the fold is at 5 1/2", which gives you a different opening and opportunity to embellish with coordinating papers.
(inside view)

Treat the top panel and the side panel separately when cutting your matted papers and remember to only attach your embellishment to lap over on the left side of the top panel. 

This is a great way to use some of your coordinating scraps and a quick card base design.  
I hope you will give it a try ~ 
I'm sure your Change will be Beautiful!

Thanks for stopping by today.  This card an others are available for
purchase on my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps.
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam

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