Which Came First - The Colored Egg or the Patterned Paper?

Today's card captures Sylvia Zet's cute image {Whimsy, Easter Bunny} of the bunny painting a beautiful egg mounted on several layers of patterned papers.

As you look at the photo - which came first?

The colored image OR the patterned paper?

Selecting the right papers for matting and the background for your card is usually what makes the card AWESOME or just So-So.

While we all do things differently, I personally pre-color images when I know I'm going to travel to reduce taking stamps, plus it is my relaxation.  Some I'm sure will answer, picking the paper comes first and then you color the image to match. 

However, when you have several scraps left over during the paper matching process, I encourage you to NOT throw them away or even in your scrap box. Go ahead and pre-mount a card base or two then.  It not only helps reduce the wasted papers or the frustration of finding that tiny strip you know you had but you are then ahead of the game with another card base waiting on an image.

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you will give some thought to today's idea.  I would of course love to see your comments on your style or preference.

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Whimsy Stamps and Inspiration, Pam's Pearls, Christian Card Makers, Passionate Paper Creations, Addicted to Card Making, Stamp Junkies, Stampers Swap, Karle's Passion, Moo-Mania Easter, Brown Sugar #276, and Not Just Scraps.

Put On Your Fancy Shoes!

Today's featured card is a special birthday card in celebration of one of my girlfriends who I met through scrapbooking many years ago.  What started out a once a month workshop type friendship, grew to traveling to the Scrapbook Expo in Atlanta GA and spending many weekends together at private retreats.  So many family stories and concerns have been shared, prayed for, and celebrated over the years.  Isn't that what a true friendship is about; knowing you can depend on each other, never a one way road.

In February came the diagnoses of breast cancer, followed in March with her surgery, and treatments are to follow.  Our close knit group have been and will continue to pray her through this valley.  

Today we celebrate her birthday, with Unity's Nia, which was paper pieced for the current challenge.  I also made a matching envelope and used the Happy Birthday Balloon pieced to match the blouse on the card.  I hope today will be a good day for my friend and that she can put on her Fancy Shoes knowing she is BEAUTIFUL  and she can beat this!

Thank you for stopping by today and following my work.

Serving a Risen Lord,

Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites:

Unity {Show & Tell}, Pam's Pearls, Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Stampers Swap, Passionate Paper Creations, Stamp Junkies, Creative Moments #139, Crafting from the Heart #200, and Not Just Scraps.

Poof! ...Happy Birthday!

Today I'd like to share with you another digital image from

LeAnn's World 101 on Etsy.

This cute flying fairy is named Angeline, For my card she is bringing Happy Birthday wishes.  

Angeline was Copic colored, then cut and lifted using foam tape The balloon background in the circle is made into a shaker card using tulle instead of acetate and is filled with multi sized purple and orange sequins.  If you have never tried this technique it is super easy and allows most cards still be mailable at regular postage rates.  Click here to view Jennifer McGuire's video on Tulle Shaker Cards.
The "Poof!" hearts are dotted with white diamond Stickles. The card was finished with a multi orange colored thread with a loopy bow and a double layer fishtail Happy Birthday tag.

Thank you for stopping by today to see the featured card and for checking out LeAnn's digital designs on her Etsy store.

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites:

Pam's Pearls, LeAnn's World 101, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Stampers Swap, Little Patch of Crafty Friends #78, and Not Just Scraps.

Bonnie in Blue

Earlier I shared Bonnie in a Basket in shades of orange and today I'd like to show you she's just as cute done in blue with brown and pearl accents.

This Whimsy image is perfect for a spring greeting without the Happy Easter banner also.    As with most of their adorable images, the possibilities are endless!  

Thanks for stopping by today ~ hope you enjoy sweet Bonnie in Blue!

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam 

This posting will also appear on the following sites:

Whimsy Stamps and Inspiration, Christian Card Makers, Pam's Pearls, Stampers Swap, Karle's Passion, Passionate Paper Creations, Always Fun Challenge #51 Easter, Crafty Cardmakers #208 and Not Just Scraps.

We Love Because He First Loved Us ~ 1 John 4:19

In today's blog, I'm featuring two cards that are using two different Unity images of the dogwood flowers, but almost identical card layout patterns.

The first card I used God Is Love, by Graciellie Designs and the sentiment is also from this package. 

And the second has the same scripture but the Dogwood branch is from the 1/14 KOM, Be Your Own Kind Of Beautiful.

  

Both were done colored with Copic markers and I used the My Favorite Things, Stitched Scalloped Edge Dies along with a matching pink plaid paper and matching light green ribbon.

The dogwood image is great for use at Easter but also is one of my favorite go to stamps for Sympathy cards.

Thanks for stopping by today - I do hope you will follow my work  or at my facebook page, Not Just Scraps.

Serving A Risen Savior,

Pam

This will also be posted on the following sites:

Pam's Pearls, Unity {Show & Tell}, Christian Card Makers, Karle's Passion, Stampers Swap, Stamp Junkies, Sweet Stampers #18 Easter, A Gem of a Challenge #215 Easter, Sweet Stampin- Easter, and Not Just Scraps.

Just "Easter Bunny"

As most bloggers do - I wonder how many people actually read the words of a blog?  Do you just scan the news feed in Facebook, looking at the photos for something interesting?  If you are a crafter and you happen to see a cute card, you hesitate, study it, maybe save the photo, and on a slim chance, may go read about it.

How many of you shop that way too?

Raise your hand... you know who you are.  Okay - my hand is up first.  I'm scanning the craft sites for certain brands of stamps, right? And when I find one, quick check in Evernote, "Nope, don't have it, ORDER IT!",  Especially if it is by one of several of my favorite designers.  
Well all that to say....

I ordered this Whimsy stamp.... Honestly it had a pretty boring name.."Easter Bunny" but I didn't have it and I like Sylvia Zet's designs.  Then it came and I just looked at it ... why was it I needed this stamp?  It's a cute stamp, but do I have a sentiment I wanted to use with it? Well it certainly wasn't just going to go in the file tray of Whimsy images so after being inventoried, I stamped a couple and started coloring. 

And the more I colored the more I liked this stamped image with the boring name.... 

She just turned out to be as cute as she could be sitting there on her stool with her beautifully painted egg!  Can't you just see the emotions between the bunny and the chick? 
Using the Gina Marie Pleated Lace Oval die added an extra feminine touch.  I use a gray 5 x 7 card base with multiple patterned strips for the background. The center yellow chevron pattern is also matted in gray.  The sentiment is a generic Easter greeting stamp cut in a fishtail design and the yellow flat back enamel dots are also from Gina Marie Designs.

You'll see this one again before Easter done in a different layout, so please keep coming back. Thank you Whimsy Stamp Co. for continuing to give us such great images! 

Serving a Risen Savior, 

Pam 

This posting will also be on the following sites:

Whimsy Stamps and Inspiration, Whimsy Blog-Anything Goes, Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Passionate Paper Creations, Stamp Junkies, Pam's Pearls, Cute Card Thursday #522 Easter,  Movin With the Times #67 Easter, Stampers Swap Buy & Sell, and Not Just Scraps. 

LeAnn's World 101 ~ Wedding Image Versatility

In today's blog I'd like to show your one of LeAnn's Digital images  ~ Wedding ~ Which I elected to color in different skin tones.  Many times when a stamp or digital image of a girl has short hair, it can easily have the skin tones changed to suit the skin color needed for the card recipient or occasion. 

Using Copic markers E00, YR00, & E40 (plus 0 and R20) for the checks gave me the light skin tones for the first couple. 

Then I switched to R01, E34, & E57 (plus 0 and R20) for the cheeks for the darker skin tones in the second couple.

Here's what I came up with: 

LeAnn's images are available through her Etsy store ~ at LeAnn's World101.
On the first card I used 'the Folder' with 3mm white pearls and also the Spellbinder Gold 
Labels 28 for the image die.

The second card is die cut using Spellbinder Labels 37.

Be sure to visit LeAnn's World 101 Etsy Shop where you can purchase this image and many others.  I'll be featuring another one of her images on March 28th also. 

Thank you for stopping by today.

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

LeAnn's World 101, Pam's Pearls, Not Just Scraps, Christian Card Maker, Stamp Junkies, Karle's Passion, Passionate Paper Creations, Addicted to Card Making, Word Art Wednesday 326-327,  and Stampers Swap & Shop.

Bonnie in a Basket

Today I want to start sharing the Easter cards that I have been making over the past few weeks. While some will be duplicates in different colors and patterns, each has brought me the usual joy of coloring and matching coordinating papers to create the uniqueness of my crafting designs.  While some card designers use lots of 3D flowers and dimensional items on their cards, I have found that my clients prefer cards that are more practicable for mailing without too much additional postage.

The featured card today is 'Bonnie' a Whimsy stamp by designer Sylvia Zet. 

Details for creating your own ~ 

After stamping on #110 card stock, I didn't want a lot of competing colors with the busy background paper so I selected Copics W1-W7 for the bunny and Y32, YR21 and Y17 for the her hat, flowers and banner.  Then wooden basket is done with E70 & E71 and the grass with G40 and G43.  All the flower centers were dotted with Glossy Accents after die cutting using an Elegant Frames die. Coordinating patterned papers of deep reds, oranges, and browns were matched and tied with an orange thread then mounted on a 5 x 7 white card base.  I then added large foam squares around colored imaged before placing it onto the card base.

Later you will see another card with this same image done in a different shade and die cut. 

Thank you for stopping by today.

  

If you commented earlier on the Unity Blog Hop, unfortunately the winners were not from any of my followers.  

Winners from latest blog hop!

From Annie's Blog-Christina Oesterwind March 12, 2018 at 6:18 PM

Your cards are gorgeous

From Beth's Blog-

Carole P March 11, 2018 at 8:33 PM

I love lady bugs. I think I have this stamp but have yet to ink it up. Cute card!

However I hope you know how very much I appreciate your support and enjoyed each of your comments on my Spring Hop Card.

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites:

Whimsy Blog Challenge,  Whimsy Stamps and Inspiration, Christian Card Maker, Pam's Pearls, Karle's Passion, Passionate Paper Creations, Stamp Junkies, City Crafters #403, Crafty Sentiments Easter, and Not Just Scraps.

Spring Tag Challenge

For the last couple of weeks there has been a Spring Tag Challenge going on over on Unity {Show & Tell} but I haven't had a second to even think about a project for it between the Easter cards and the Unity Spring Blog Hop and a couple more upcoming commitments.  So today in between my daughter's car breaking down and several other daily life issues, I found a few minutes to glue a few left over items from my desk onto a tag to make my Spring Tag entry.  

Several Unity stamps or kits were used to create my tag.  The sun and cloud are from the KOM 3/09 Whereever You Go, the you make me happy is part of the Sun Happy tag by Joslyn Nielson, the singing birds are from the Spring kit, UK-454A buy Heather Rolin, and my favorite, the Sunflower is from the set Turn Toward the Light by Angie Blom.  Other miscellaneous papers and embellishments were items 'found' on my desk. 

It's always fun to stop and see what you can put together with the collections of left overs ~ give it a try soon!

Thanks for stopping by today - be sure to check out all the tag entries over on Unity {Show & Tell}.

Serving a Risen Savior, 

Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites.

Unity {Show & Tell}, Pam's Pearls, Christian Card Makers, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Passionate Paper Creations, and Not Just Scraps. 

May Your Day Be Filled With Happy

Rejoice in the Lord's Day!

I don't normally post on Sunday's, my day for church and rest...

so this was 'pre-recorded' especially for the 

UNITY GIU first 2018 Blog Hop.

Our theme is Spring Time ~ using our favorite spring Unity stamp.

For my project I selected Face The Sunshine, by designer Phyllis Harris.  Here is my completed card and a few details follow. 

The image is stamped on 110# cardstock and Copic colored.  After coloring the center of the sunflowers with E57, I then used the smooshing technique with Copics E23 and E41 to add the depth to the center of the flowers.  It's it amazing how they look fuzzy like the center of a real sunflower!

I used the Gina Marie Pleated Lace Rectangle for both the colored image and the stamped sentiment.  The sentiment is stamped using Stampin Up Pacific Point ink.  Other embellishments include coordinating sheer blue ribbon and pearl flat backs.  

Since I built my card 'from scratch' the size came out 6 1/4" wide and 5" tall but needed some extra room for the large bow and a sheet of padding for mailing.  Using the Stampin Up Envelope maker, I made the coordinating envelope out of yellow card stock and stamped the address lines using this cute stamp from the KOM, March, 2010.

What a fun Spring Time card  ~ Aren't we all ready for Spring and warmer weather?  Share in the comments what you like about the card, what's your favorite Unity Stamp, or some other special Spring time special memory.  You never know when you might win a prize for your comment. 

Now 'HOP" on to the next GIU gal to see their spring entry....

Annie Sterner-https://justascrapdork.blogspot.com/?m=1
Shannon Allred-Sunnarborg-https://snowyowldesign.blogspot.com/

You are here~ Pamela J. Duncan-https://pamspearls4u.blogspot.com/

Kathryn Belmonte-https://kathrynscards.blogspot.com/
Beth Fiscus-https://nursiebethsbeauties.blogspot.com/
Denise Wesley Beard-https://greetingcardgarage.blogspot.com/
Jennie Davis Amaker-https://inspiredbylifecreatedbyhand.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Seelye-https://www.facebook.com/coffeestampschaos1/…


Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:
Unity {Show & Tell}, Unity Stamp Co, Pam's Pearls, Christian Card Makers, Karle's Passion, Passionate Paper Creations, Scrapbook Outlet ~ Gina Marie Designs, Stamp Junkies, Word Art Wednesday 324-325, A Time to Blog #366, Brown Sugar Blog #276 Spring and Not Just Scraps.

You are SLOWLY turning...

Some call him 'Sir', some call him 'Papa', and only two of us call him 'Dad'.  

In his humorous way he would reply - 'Just call me to supper!'

He is our Lighthouse, He is our Rock, and He is going to do his best to tell you a funny story from somewhere since 1936.

Happy 82nd Birthday Dad ~ You ARE a Classic!

Supplies used: Unity Slowly Turning Classic, Gina Marie Oval Burst for background and X-Stitched Oval for truck image, Misc Fishtail banner for sentiment, Copic Markers for coloring and Foam pop dots at the top of the image to add depth.

Thank you for stopping by today ~ your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Unity {Show & Tell}, Karle's Passion, Christian Card Makers, Stamp Junkies, Passionate Paper Creations, Pam's Pearls, Gina Marie Designs - Scrapbook Outlet, Always Happy Birthday - March, and Not Just Scraps. 

Do You Know How Amazing You Are?

Yes, YOU!  

You are amazing!  You are wonderful and beautifully made  and if you don't have someone to tell you that - it's okay to put up a sticky note on your bathroom mirror that you will see every day to remind you!

Several weeks ago the ladies at my church honored our group leader with a Sunshine basket as a thank you for just being an amazing lady!  No matter what is going on in her life, she finds the time or a way to be there for others and do special things for others.  

Today's featured card is the one that I made for the group to sign to go in her basket.  It's a Sylvia Zet Whimsy stamp called, Wee Suzi.

Bearing presents and flowers, she was the perfect image for our surprise basket of goodies.  After Copic coloring, I used the Gina Marie Stained Glass Rectangle die set in shades of peach and added a miscellaneous sentiment stamp with an aqua sheer ribbon.  The layered card front is mounted on a 6 x 6 dark peach card stock card base.  I also cut white liners for the inside to make signing easier rather than using the texture of the back of the card stock.

Thank you for stopping by and I welcome your comments.  

Visit my Facebook page, Not Just Scraps for more cards and other items for sale.

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam

This posting will appear on Whimsy Stamp and Inspiration, Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Passionate Paper Creations, Pam's Pearls, Catch the Bug Blog #605, Use Your Stuff, and Not Just Scraps.

Kiss Me, I'm Irish

Dig out your GREEN-ware, for the upcoming celebrations of St. Patrick's Day are drawing near!

I recently purchased a cute clear stamp set as part of a mini bundle from Gina Marie at the Wholesale Outlet, which included a set of stamps, a clover and horse shoe die and a sparkly bag of sequins.  I got started stamping the little leprechauns and couldn't stop with just one - ended up stamping all of them twice.  

Let the coloring begin....

All of the images were stamped on 110# Recollections card stock and Copic colored.  Here are the six cards I made using just the stamps.  Hopefully I will be able to use the dies to make a few more before St. Patrick's Day gets here!

Lots of combinations and with the exception of one piece of 12 x 12 for some of the base pieces, the rest came from the scrap paper box.  

Thanks for stopping by today ~ hope you will pull out your Lucky Irish stamps and pull together a few cards for the occasion!

These cards are available for purchase at
 The Gallery, Newberry, SC. 

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Addicted to Card Making, Karle's Passion, Pam's Pearls, Stamp Junkies,  Dragonfly Journey #113, Shades of Green, #173, Addicted to CAS #131 LUCKY, Go For the Green #62, and Not Just Scraps.

Let's Welcome LeAnn's World 101 ~ Digital Stamps

I'm happy to announce a new digital stamping Etsy store

LeAnn's World 101

and today we are celebrating the Grand Opening! 

Be sure to join the Facebook Inspiration Group (LeAnn's World 101) to pick up your free image of "Kitty" (today only) and chances to win other images.

I have accepted a position on the Design Team so you will be seeing more of LeAnn's images on my blog postings.

For today's posting of Kitty, I selected shades of green with the upcoming Lucky Month of March. She is stamped on 110# card stock and Copic colored, then fussy cut.  The Kraft card base is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  The bottom plaid green layer was die cut using a Spellbinder Rectangle die.  I then added a horizontal cut strip of hunter green and gray lace at the top and bottom of this strip.  I added several foam dots to the back of the colored image before attaching her to the card base.  I love that she has on her Christian cross necklace!  I added black washi tape that has small gold crosses on it - and die cut them into two sizes of arrows using the Maya Road Arrow Dies. Then just a few light green dots of bling and a special sentiment for the new designer  ~ You Got This Girl!

Wishing you the very best of luck LeAnn on your new adventure! 

Thank you for stopping by today and also visiting my Facebook site, Not Just Scraps.

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites:

Pam's Pearls, Karle's Passion, Christian Card Makers, Stamp Junkies, Addicted to Card Making, Passionate Paper Creations, Wk 9 Digi Chooseday, Always Fun Challenge #47, Crafting from the Heart 196, and Not Just Scraps.