A Luau Surprise Birthday

Today's card is a REALLY LARGE card that I made for a surprise birthday party for one of the ladies at Shaggin at the Shrine.  Her sweet fellow made arrangements for several ladies to throw a huge Luau for this milestone birthday.  And with 108 in attendance, it was a good thing the card was large as there wasn't a place left open for any more signatures and happy wishes!

The 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" white card base has the front covered with a green monochromatic flower print. I cut the largest oval I could find and printed Happy Birthday in Hawaiian, and arched the text. At the bottom, One More Time, is a term used weekly at our gatherings when we take our group photo.  The image is Copic Colored, fussy cut at the bottom then oval die cut across the top. Yep, that was a bit tricky.  I then glued it at the bottom and mounted the top with foam squares to give it a little dimension.  A red organza ribbon and bow completed the front of the card. Inside I added a Happy Birthday musical die cut and left as much space as possible for everyone to sign. 

The event was perfect with decorations from the door, to tables, to the DJ platform (flamingo farm), to the photo booth.  Boy was Jackie surprised and grateful!

What a great event and reminder to celebrate every day as if it were your last.  God is so good to us, giving each of us way more than we deserve and loving us endlessly.

Thank you for stopping by today and following my blog.  Your comments are always welcome.

Serving a Risen Savior, 

Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites:

Stamps Swap Shop, Karle's Passion, Christian Card Maker, Passionate Paper Creations, Stamp Junkies, Pinterest and Not Just Scraps.

New Frilly Lace Nested Rectangle Die Set

Today I'd like to show you two cards I recently made using the newly released Frilly Lace Nested Rectangle Die Set from Gina Marie Designs.  This is a three piece die set that leaves the center in the rectangle and cuts a very clean and crisp filly lace border.  

Both of my cards ended up being sympathy / thinking of you type cards, however the delicate border is great for just about any type card you may be creating.

The first card I used Unity's Tea Cup Flouret, by Gracielle Designs.

The image is Copic colored then the sentiment is stamped in the coffee cup.  I fussy cut and applied the colored image to the largest die cut, and then to a card base.  A flat back pearl is added to the center of the flower, and off it goes into the mail.

The second card is a digital image that I've had quite a while.

The printed image is also Copic colored and then I added the Unity sentiment 'today is all we need to nurture'.  I rubbed the edge with a coordinating green ink and then matted on the green Frilly Lace die cut and mounted on a contrasting hot pink card base.

Here is the link showing these card on Gina Marie's website (Wholesale Crafting Outlet - Frilly Lace Nesting Rect.).  Be sure to check out all the other great dies while you are there!

Thanks for stopping by today. Your comments are welcome anytime.

Serving a Risen Savior, 

Pam 

This will also appear on the following sites:

Christian Card Makers, Stamp Junkies, Passionate Paper Creations, Stampers Swap Shop, Karle's Passion, Pinterest, Double D Challenge, and Not Just Scraps.

CCM Sketch Challenge

One of prettiest sites here in South Carolina in late July and early August as you are driving through the country roads is the fields full of brightly blooming sunflowers.  Being a photographer, I love to stop along the way an snap a few shots of this stall sun chasing flower.

Whimsy's DoveArt New Sunflower has captured the image of one sunflower beautifully.  I have used as and entry in the Whimsy Blog Challenge and also the Christian Card Maker's Sketch Challenge.  Here is my completed card. 

The stamped image is Copic colored and die cut with the Pink & Main extra Large stitched rectangle as is the sentiment.  Ribbon and five flat back pearls complete the card.   Here is the sketch for the challenge. 

The Sunflower stamp is quite large, making my finished card ~ 6" x 7", but the designer did a great job with proper proportions on the leaves and stems to support the larger flower.  I can see this stamp becoming one of my favorites!

Thanks for stopping by today. Your comments are always welcome and I hope you will come back again. 

Serving a Risen Savior, 

Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Whimsy Blog Challenge #108, Whimsy Stamp & Inspiration, Christian Card Makers, Karle's Passion, Passionate Paper Creations, Stamp Junkies, Stampers Swap Shop, Pinterest, and Not Just Scraps. 

When Simple is Best

As card makers we often answer that making masculine cards are the hardest.  Yet making sympathy cards has to be right up at the top of list of just plain hard to find the right words.  

One of my favorite designers, Phyllis Harris, continues to supply both stamping images and perfect wording for us to convey our heartfelt thoughts.  Today's sympathy card is another example when Simple is Best.  

This is her image, Feeling Sad, Feeling Sorry from Unity Stamp Company and my entry in the current single layer card challenge on Unity {Show & Tell}. 

The image is stamped on a cream card base with Ranger Archival Potting Soil Ink and Copic colored.

Thank you Phyllis Harris Designs for your beautiful and amazing work.

Serving a Risen Savior, 

Pam

This will appear on the following sites:

Unity {Show & Tell}, Christian Card Maker, Passionate Paper Creations, Karle' Passion, Stamp Junkies, Stampers Swap Shop, Pinterest and Not Just Scraps. 

Honoring Our Sparkle and Shine Girl

In my world, and quite a few card makers throughout the US, a woman who accomplished many different types of crafts, quietly went to her eternal home this past week.  At 43, in addition to leaving her husband, two daughters, a son, and twin grandsons, she left her well established card swapping site, Addicted to Card Making, her growing business, Sparkle & Shine Tumblers, and probably as many Virtual Friends as she had ones that she knew personally. 

Today on Addicted to Card Making we elected to wear purple, her favorite color and post selfies that will be sent to her family.  Our weekend card challenge was also a purple card.

For mine, I selected Whimsy, Columbine, but DoveArt.  I also used Pink & Main's X-Large stitched rectangles, yellow organza ribbon and a digital scripture sentiment.

 For my selfie, I shared my lake view since she had talked of making a cross country trip to spend time here.  My purple shirt had the scripture from John 3:16.  It is still sad that she is no longer here with us, but I know she's spreading glitter in heaven where she has gained eternal life.  Till we meet again Jennifer ~ 

Thank you for stopping by today - your comments are always welcomed.

Serving a Risen Savior

Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Addicted to Card Making, Christian Card Makers, Whimsy's Blog #108, Stamp Junkies, Word Art Wednesday #344-345, Karle's Passion, Pinterest, and Not Just Scraps.

A Wagon Full of Happy

Today's card is a bright and cheerful wagon of flowers that I used for a Happy Birthday card for one of my girlfriends.

The image is a Stampendous cling stamp, Garden Wagon CRP299,  I used Distressed Oxide Inks to make the blue and green background. Then used foam dots to raise the Copic colored image.  The stitched clouds and sunshine are Gina Marie Sky Dies.  The grass is just hand cut to go over the wheels. 

Thanks for stopping to see today card ~ your comments are always welcomed.

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

This will also appear on the following sites:

Stampers Swap Shop, Stamp Junkies, Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Pinterest and Not Just Scraps. 

Sending Beautiful Wishes

I'm playing catch up since I've been out of town a couple of days and took a break from my computer.  Don't we all need to do that sometimes!

Today's featured card was made for one of my church friends for her birthday this past weekend.  I love Whimsy's new Let's Be Mermaids designed by Deb Davis. 

I used a precut card front and die cut the center using Gina Marie's double stitched in and out rectangle die set.  A slightly larger sheet of acetate was added,  then 2-sided foam tape to give me the boxed opening for adding the shaker card items.  Part of the shaker mix is also from Whimsy - Sweet Pea and I added the pearls and charms.

The mermaid was Copic Colored and I added a thick coating of Clear Wink of Stella to the wide purple tail. 

The sentiment and a few tiny flowers added to the front after assembly finished up the card.

Thank you for stopping by today - your comments are always welcome.

Serving a Risen Lord, 

Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Whimsy Stamps and Inspiration, Whimsy Blog Challenge #108, Passionate Paper Creations, Stamp Junkies, Stampers Swap Shop, Karle's Passion, Always Happy Birthday,  Pinterest, and Not Just Scraps. 

LOVE Eclipse Card

I have to admit, I've been seeing all the postings of Eclipse cards and thinking, nice but not something I really want to do.

However at the stamping retreat I recently attended, an Eclipse card was one of the projects, so I got a tiny taste of how cool they are and actually how easy they are to make.

For today's card, I used a 'card kit' prize that I received on one of the sites I'm active in.  Here's the finished card, then a few things I learned and a tip or two that might help you, if you haven't tried this style of card. 

The cardstock stamped image was copic colored and the butterfly I cut out after coloring. As you can see below the wings have clear Wink of Stella on them. 

I found my 2" alpha letters to be a little large for the smaller card base, which was what the image was sized for.  I basically only had room for 4 letters, and I selected LOVE. 

Tip ONE: Before cutting, lay you words on the colored image. Then carefully place a piece of card stock, index card etc. right below your words and use washi tape to carefully attach the letters to the paper.  They aren't actually on this paper, just along the edge and taped so that you can carefully pick them up.  This helps you get them straight and also to keep them together when cutting the additional cuts for the layers. 

Tip Two: Remember to save the 'inner' pieces of each letter to go back down on the first layer. Like the center of this "O".

I cut four additional cuts of the word to use as my stack. Then of course the colored letters go on top.  If you image is very light, you can use black paper for your layers and even off set the top layer to give a more shadowed effect.

To finish the card, I added the butterfly that I had previously fussy cut and coated with Clear Wink of Stella.

I'm just tickled it turned out so beautiful.  This is the one I made at the Whimsy Retreat with the help of Alana Moses.

Hope you will give this technique a try if you haven't already. I think it's a bit addictive. 

I really appreciate you stopping by - your comments are welcome as are your friends joining also.

Serving a Risen Savior, 

Pam

This card will also appear on the following sites: 

Christian Card Maker, Not Just Scraps, Stamp Junkies, Stampers Swap Shop, Karle's Passion, Pinterest, Passionate Paper Creations, and Crafting with an Attitude.

To the New Mr. & Mrs.

As many of you know, my oldest granddaughter got married this past weekend. Today I'd like to share with you the Wedding Card that I made for them.

I used the Unity Stamp set Cherished Moments by Angie Blom.

The large stitched oval is a Pink and Main die and the heart dotted doily die is unknown.  Her pearl embellishments were tiny and I had difficulty getting them to stay in place.  This is one of those days when you goof and then you like it better.  Absently I picked up the colored image that had the pearls on, and die cut the oval.  For a split second I wondered why it was so hard to turn the handle.   Wa-La ~ we now have flattened pearls that are sure to stick!  And they really show up better too!  

Inside I used the Lawn Fawn Pop Up Gift card holder.  This is a really neat die that allows you to put money or gift cards or even and extra note in the center fold inside the card.  Love the details of this die also. 

It was a beautiful wedding and of course I'm a bit partial to the beautiful young bride.  My prayers are for them to have the fairy tale life that we all wish for as young adults.  He is proudly serving in the Army and will be going overseas shortly.  How grateful we are for young men willing to serve to keep our land free.

Thank you for stopping by today ~ your comments are always welcome.

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam 

This posting will appear on the following crafting sites.
Unity {Show & Tell}, Christian Card Makers, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Stampers Swap Shop, Passionate Paper Creations, Sweet Sketch Wednesday, Pinterest and Not Just Scraps. 

Sometimes It's Best Not To Look Back

Today's featured card is one I did for a sketch challenge. 

It features the Unity Stamp, Grace of Letting Go by designer Angie Blom. 

 If you are a Copic Coloring gal, this is a great image to practice your shading of hair.  I used the Gina Marie Double Stitched Oval die set, which is a wonderful die that leaves the stitching on both sides of the cut line.  This is the sketch for the challenge.  I have finally learned to relax about sketch cards, it doesn't have to be exactly the same.  

At first I thought this was a really strange name for this beautiful image..."Grace of Letting Go". But it truly is just perfect for her. I know in my life and I suspect yours too, there have been times when I've had to walk away, let it go, and not look back.  To be able to do this with Grace is not easy and I am always thankful to have my God to help me through. This will be a perfect card for other women going through a rough time ~ for they truly are amazing to be able to survive sometimes.

Thank you for stopping by today ~ Your comments are always welcome.

Serving a Risen Savior, ~ Pam

This posting will appear on the following Sites:

Christian Card Maker, Unity {Show & Tell}, Stamp Junkies, Passionate Paper Creations, Scrapbook Outlet, Karle' Passion, Stampers Swap Shop, Pinterest, and Not Just Scraps.

ATCM Bridge Card Swap

I always enjoy the many different opportunities I'm given on the Addicted to Card Making site.  With about a dozen each month I can pick any number of subjects to make the card I want to swap with.  

On today's blog, I'm showing Whimsy's DoveArt Stamp, Covered Bridge ~ which I sent out for my Card with a Bridge.

Like most of the DoveArt images, the details are everywhere!  Just when you think you've colored all of the limps of a tree, you find another one hidden by something else.  It's about like working a jigsaw puzzle. What a lovely challenge. 

I like to fussy cut around these larger images to allow more contrasting background to show.  Adding a dark mat also gives the card  depth and makes the image pop to you.  Then I mounted on brown woodgrain to continue the rustic look and completed the card by matting on a Kraft card base.

What better sentiment to add than Proverbs 3:16, 

Seek God's Will in All that You do and He will Direct Your Paths,

which came from Whimsy's Stained Glass Scripture Sentiments.

Thank you for stopping by today, your comments are welcome.

Serving a Risen Savior,

Pam 

This posting will appear on Whimsy Stamps & Inspiration, Whimsy Blog#107, Addicted to Card Making, Karle's Passion, Christian Card Maker, Stampers Swap Shop, Passionate Paper Creations, Always Fun Challenge #66, Pinterest, and Not Just Scraps.

Unity Clean and Simple

Currently the Unity Stamps challenge is for a Clean and Simple card posting.

For one of my entries I selected Graciellie's Design, Tea Cup Floret. 

After stamping the image, I used Copic markers for the coloring and the Unity stamp by Phyllis Harris, God is Always With You.  It is mounted on a patterned cardstock page with one foam dot under the flower to give it a little dimension.  

This is going to be a great stamp to use for any occasion!  Thank you Gracie!

Thanks to YOU for stopping by today ~ your comments are welcomed. 

Serving A Risen Savior ~ Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites:

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

A Picture Perfect Day

Today featured card was made especially for Dianne, who happens to be the Happy Snapper Photographer each Friday night at the Shrinner's Club where we gather to dance.

Dianne was the first person to welcome me to this weekly event, invited me to sit with her table, and introduced me to tons of new friends.  

Today is Dianne's birthday ~ Happy Birthday my dear friend!

The stamped image is by Art Impressions, Picture Perfect (U4134).  I used Copic markers for coloring, and the Pink & Main Large stitched  rounded rectangles for die cutting.

Thanks for stopping by today - If you see our friend Dianne today, be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday!

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

This posting will also appear on the following sites:

Passionate Paper Creations, Christian Card Makers, Stamp Junkies, Karle's Passion, Pinterest, Stampers Swap Shop,  Crafty Sentiment Designs - Bright, Always Happy Birthday, and Not Just Scraps.