Monday, April 29, 2019

Whimsy's Summertime Blooms

Today's card showcases one of Whimsy's stamps older stamps, Summertime Blooms.  I selected it for a sympathy card I was asked to make for someone's best friend who's mother is terminally ill.  Sympathy cards aren't our favorites, but when we know our best girlfriends are hurting, we really want a special card.  

The poppies illustrated in this package are just lovely!


Although I didn't use the sentiment* from the package, they are very appropriate for many occasions also. After Copic coloring I used the Pink & Main Stitched square die for the image and the Lacey Tattered Lace Square for the matting die.  

Thank you for stopping by today.  Your comments are always welcome. 
Serving a Risen Savior, 
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Copics Used: Flowers: Y15, Y18, Y17, YR12, YR15, R29, R35, R37, Pod tips E99,Leaves, G40, G82, G94, YG93, YG95, YG63,.

*Unity, Here Today, Here Tomorrow, IB-495


Sunday, April 28, 2019

Get MOWtivated...

Here it is Arbor Day, 2019, ... time for the card makers to pull out our TREE stamps, add a swing or a couple taking a stroll past the tree.  Maybe you added the sweet sentiment that was perfect for your husband, or your mom - since those special days are just around the corner.

Guess I'm the odd ball today ~ as I pulled out one of the older Unity packages called Watermelon Gazpacho Soup (Jillibean).  This package just has some of the cutest little stamps in it  ~ one being a PUSH LAWN MOWER.  That was my inspiration this morning and here's my finished card with my flowering tree added. 


For my tree I used the Tree of Seasons by Simply Defined, Bountiful Harvest.  The leaves are stamped with Stamping Up Wild Wasabi and the flowers are stamped with Wisteria Wonder.   The Unity mower stamp actually has the grass attached to the mower,...
 so I decided to do a little operation...


 and now I have grass separate from the mower stamp!  When I purchased the package I honestly couldn't read the words above the mower - so I truly got tickled  at the silly little sentiment "Get MOWtivated".  How cute is that?  

Hope your Arbor Day has been as beautiful as the day was here in South Carolina, with temperatures in the upper 70's.  Thank you for taking the time to come to read by blog.  I sincerely appreciate it.

Serving a Risen Savior, 
Pam

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Products used:



Friday, April 26, 2019

Purr, Purr, Purr

When Whimsy Stamps held the Adopt Don't Shop Campaign several months ago (donating $1 for each stamp set sold) the response was huge!  These cute sets are great for all our fur baby loving friends and family ~ you should grab them up while you still can! 

For Dogs
For Cats

My card today is for my FAVORITE cat loving gal who's birthday is today! It's always fun too to name the family members or office members when you prepare a group card such as this one.  They are just fun, easy to color stamp with cute sentiments.


Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you'll have a great day preparing for the weekend. 

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Products Used:





Thursday, April 25, 2019

I'm Not a Senior Citizen

I AM JUST A RECYCLED TEENAGER...


Well that is about the last thing any of us would raise our hands and say, "Me, Me, Me!"  

When I made this card, using Whimsy's digital image, "Dotty" for one of my special girlfriends upcoming birthday, I wanted her to make a bold statement that age is merely a number.  Tho wise in her many years, her active live style would never give away her senior years.  Happy Birthday Lovely Lady! 

Another reason for displaying today's card it to talk about making cards with darker skin tones.  Have you as a card maker tried this? If not, I encourage you to as it opens another door for your Copic learning. For me personally, the darker the skin the harder it is to blend to get the smooth effects and keep your shading.  The rich caramel colored skin is simply beautiful with E35 as your main Copic.  

Thanks for stopping by today and I always welcome your comments.

Serving a Risen Savior, 
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Copics Used:
Skin: E0000, R30/0, YR000, RV0000, E42, E50, E35, Hair, R81, R83; Dress YG01, BG23, BG13, BG18  Hat: YR14, YG01,Star BG23  Shoes E34, N4; Birthday R81

Products Used:

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Good Morning Spring

Today starts another page in my crafting 'Book of Life' as I've been selected as a part time designer for Jessica Burnham's Polka Dot Orchard Design Team!  These images are all digital and sold through her Etsy store, PolkaDotOrchard

Today's single flower image is from the Good Morning Spring package, as is the sentiment.
  

After printing the image on Neenah 110# Card stock, I used the following Copic markers for coloring.  The petals are done with E93, E95, E97 and E99.  The flower center is shaded very deeply at the bottom away from the leaf, YR27, YR24, YR23, Y26, YR21.  The leaf is colored using G24, G43, G94 and YG61.

I used Pink & Main's Stitched Ovals for cutting both the floral mat and the sentiment.  I added three small soft pink pearls from Gina Marie Designs to the sentiment.


To add a little balance and more elegance to the card, I added a dark green flourish to the left of the flower with a few more pearls.  


I used a  light peach shimmer organza ribbon 
to make the bow and complete my card for mailing.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you will check out the Polka Dot Orchard store and all the cute images.  
Your comments are always welcome here on my blog.

Serving a Risen Savior, 
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Celebrating in the UK

With the time difference in the UK and the USA, my friend Janine is well into her Special Day of celebrating her birthday today.   As we chatted yesterday I told her she could switch to our time tonight when she is wanting the day's events to last longer.  
Thankfully my card made it to her in time.


Although many ladies 'in our prime years' like Janine and me... we somehow find our conversations focused sharing our aches and pains, or our doctors appointments and needs of prayer,... you know ~ the things we said earlier in life, "I'll never be one of those old ladies that calls you and tells you all my ails and doctor visits!"  Now that we are here, isn't is a wonderful blessing that those same girlfriends are here to listen, share, and understand.  Those are the relationships that matter and should be nurtured and treasured. 

Hope you will join me in wishing my special friend a Happy Birthday today!  When the occasion arises, remember too - those orthodics  might feel really good... BUT,  Kick them to the side and Put On Your Dancing Shoes!

Happy Birthday Janine!
Pam

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Monday, April 22, 2019

Always Better Together

When I pick out a stamp or a digital image for a card, I rarely look at the title of the stamp or the stamp set's name.  But when I sit down, usually late at night, to blog the completed card, the name of the stamp usually becomes the focus of the blog title and a lot of times it follows right in line with the details of the card or where it will be mailed to.

Today's card was created for a young couple's first anniversary, which was celebrated yesterday,  Easter Sunday.   Since he has quickly become an established farmer throughout the area where they live this beautifully arranged vase of cotton boughs seems to be just perfect for their celebration!



So many times though, I wish I could just call up the designer of a stamp set and ask why did you pick this name?  This Unity set by Graciellie Designs, is named Difficult Roads.  Yet as a farmer and also as a young married couple, there are many 'difficult roads' ahead.  This couple are very God centered and also have wonderful parents that surround them with love and support.
What a special blessing! 

To make this card, I used my Copic Sepia multi-liner to carefully fill in the stems and blossom bases and then lightly added B0000 and B00 to partially fill in the water.  The image is cut with a die from the Gina Marie Stained Glass Rectangle set.  The brown accent threads are tied behind the background matting papers then pulled up through the stamped image and tied in the front of the vase.   Then I added one of the sentiments from the stamp set that I had stamped on Kraft paper and cut it with a fishtail banner die.

This Unity stamp set has several good sentiments that would work for sympathy, get well, and encouragement.  Be sure to click on the name of the set to check out the Unity samples. 

Thanks for stopping here today to read about the making of this card.  Your comments are always welcomed.

Serving a Risen Savior ~
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:


Copics Used: 
Sepia multiliner, B00, B000 

Products Used:

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Very Early In The Morning...

...the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, they entered but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.




May you reflect today on the ultimate sacrifice made by our Heavenly Father in giving his only Son, Jesus Christ to be crucified for our sins, so that WE may have eternal life.

Serving a Risen Savior, 
Pam 
5/9/19 When I wrote this I had heard a song and could not go back and find it for the reference. Today, I finally heard this wonderfully inspiring Christian song again, Resurrecting, by Elevation Worship.

Copics: Stones: W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, Vault N12, Robe BV0000,  Sky: SKy: B00, B000, Walk B00.


Thursday, April 18, 2019

Let Your Dreams Bloom


When our new images came out for April I couldn't hardly wait sign up for today's image, 'Elfie'.  When I saw that she was dressed up as a flower and holding a ladybug, I could just see her standing in a flower garden.

And that 's exactly what I did for today's card.  
Inside the card (top), I have the scripture reference:

“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation
 the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them” (1 Corinthians 7:17).


With Elfie being a digital image stamp, I sized her proportionally with the picket fence from the Stamps of Life Shadow Box Card Set.  I die cut the four flowers that are in that set along with the waves of grass.  I used the Spellbinder Framed Tags One  along with the wording from Unity's Succulent Salutations for the sentiment and a miscellaneous deep scalloped stitched die for the very top boarder.  Elfie is Copic colored (listed for your enjoyment at the end of the blog).  Don't you just love all those little ladybugs in her garden?

Whimsy has another SURPRISE for all our faithful fans ~ with Easter coming up this weekend, 
Be sure to check the link (here),  which will take you to the Whimsy Facebook page where Sylvia Zet has given the Whimsy fans a free lamb image for the Easter season.
We'd love to see you color this sweet image and post your card on the Whimsy Stamps and Inspiration Facebook page.

Thanks for stopping by today - your comments are always welcomed.

Serving a Risen Savior, 
Copics Used: Hair: E50, E33, E13, E57; Eyes B23, Hat &G00, YG23, YG21, R09, R17
Top of Dress: R22, R17, skirt: At Waist YG23, Then Petals, YG21, then R24-R17-R8 from waist out- and from tip of petal back toward waist. Shoes R08 top R17 rest of shoe,  Wings YG21, 
R01 lightly on rest of wings.   N2 on ladybugs.  

Products Used:




Sunday, April 14, 2019

For a Book Worm or a Graduate

I started today's card for a challenge honoring National Library Week which started last Sunday, April 7th and ended Saturday, April 13th.   A little personal tidbit about myself that only TWO people (my Dad & Cindy) know and it would be a stretch to see if  either remember.  You see, the library is the very first place that I had a REAL JOB.  My first summer job was spent in the library putting the returned books back in the proper place on the shelves.  My part time job paid a whopping TWENTY-FIVE CENTS per hour!  So now you know a USELESS personal tidbit about  ME!

I have plenty of 'book' stamps, but decided to search for 'free coloring sheets bookworm'  ; finding over 7 pages of several cute images that would work for this challenge.  Here's what I selected in my completed project challenge card. 


The image is printed on Neenah 110# Card stock and colored with Copic Markers (referenced below*).  The dies that I used for the different layers are listed at the end. 

As my card progressed, I began searching for just the right sentiment to go with this bright eyed girl peeping over her glasses.  This sentiment,  "Live your Life to be a story worth telling." struck me as a great quote to use for a graduate.  

As layering together, I started from the top, doing the first three so I could add the natural twine and button before adding to the card base which already had the blue mat on the base. The last step was to add the sentiment, a few sequins, and of course take those photos before entering in the challenge. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Your comments are always welcome. 

Serving a Risen Savior ~
Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:


Copics Used:
Hair: E50, E33, E55, E57, Eyes, B00, B23, B28, Skin: E0000, 0/R30, v20, YR30, RV0000, E40, E41 under glasses. Brows, Sepia pen 0.3.  Book E70 E71. Bookworm, blue pen 0.3, ink SU Pacific Point. 

Dies used: from the bottom up, these are the dies I used: Dark blue: Pink&Main,  Scallop Squares ,  Patterned paper: Pink&Main, Stitched Rounded Squares, Medium blue and sentiment,  Darice Nesting Book Pages, 2014-10.

Friday, April 12, 2019

Roses for My Lady!

Did you know that I take special orders for custom designed cards?  You have to remember I'm not the artist, but within limitations, I can use the images, stamps and dies that I have available and make a card to meet the occasion you are wanting to celebrate.

This was the case several weeks ago as a friend at church quietly asked me to make 'a very special birthday card' for his lovely wife. That was the extent of the directions.  Honestly, I'd like a little more guidance; but I knew where another good source was to help... her sister!  Immediately - she loves horses!  Oh boy!  Another horse card!  Didn't I just mention I'm not an artist? 

I also knew the birthday girl loved deep pink to burgundy flowers; so finding an image of a horse with a bouquet of  flowers was just perfect.  Her birthday was yesterday, so now I can finally show you the finished card ~ 


The image was printed on Neenah 110# card stock and Copic colored (listed below). This was another one that took me a long time to color, but I'm really pleased with the way the horse turned out.  I trimmed a black mat to fit just inside a die cut burgundy mat that was die cut using Gina Marie Design's die, Pleated Lace Rectangle Die.  For the  6 x 6 card base, I used two coordinating patterned papers and  covered the seam with the burgundy ribbon.  The bow was added after I attached the colored image.  To make this card uniquely special just for her - I typed the name of their horse farm and included it in a very small banner die, printed in the arched text, and glued it just to the right of the sunshine background.  

Thanks for stopping in today to see the details of this special order Birthday card.  Your comments are always welcomed.

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Copics Used:
Horse; E15, E25, E33, E37, E51, E53, E23  Mane: cover with E0000 & E40, then E41, E21, E13, E42, YR00, YR20, E59.  Flower, R81, R83, R85, R89, Sun YR5, E95, R11, R81, YR21, YR15, YR32, R15








Thursday, April 11, 2019

Party Kitty is Ready to Celebrate!

Back to my turn for another new April Digital Release from Whimsy Stamps!  Today's card is from the Rustic Sugar Collection, "Party Kitty" which has a huge handful of brightly colored balloons and balancing a cupcake on his tail!  I believe he's ready to have a birthday party for sure. 


I printed the digital image on 110# Neenah card stock paper and used Copic markers for all of the coloring.  I have listed the colors at the end of the blog for your reference.  

I selected a 6" square card  base and covered the front with  a light blue Happy Birthday printed paper.  Then I took a 5" blue solid square and glued it to the birthday paper diagonally (clipping the overhanging peaks).  I took the NEXT TO THE LARGEST Creatopia, Frame 7 die set, centered it on the card and cut that shape out.  Note, with the three thickness, you need to run through several times. Then the front of the card was ready to decorate with several little presents, confetti and a "It's Your Day" framed sentiment. 

Inside, On the top I cut an additional piece of paper with the same die  and covered that area also.  I used the LARGEST of the Frame 7 set to cut out the Party Kitty so that he filled the image from the front. 


 I put a Happy Birthday banner piece across the top and then centered the kitty image so that he was aligned to show through the window.  


This cute little kitty is ready to hit the mail box and scoop up some fun at the party.

Thanks for stopping by today - I welcome your comments.

Serving a Risen Savior
Pam 

This posting will appear on the following sites:
WhimsyStamps & Inspiration, Christian Card Maker, Karle's Passion, Stamp Junkies, Stampers Shop Swap, Passionate Paper Creations, Pinterest and Not Just Scraps.

Copics Used:  Balloons: B01, BG11, BG23, BG34, B00, B04, Y17, Y32, Y21, Y31,  YG91, YG95,  R81, R83, R85, RV34, Kitty: E40, E41, E42, E43, E50, E51, E52, E53, E81  RV000, E000.

Products Used: 

Monday, April 8, 2019

Sweet Dreams

Today I'd like to share with you a project card that uses an older technique and my slightly different way of doing this to achieve the results that are appealing to me.  

Here is my finished project; however if you are a crafter I hope you will continue reading as my technique is different than most. 


When the current Unity challenge was posted, I dug through the box of crafting napkins, to see what might work with one of my Unity stamps.   Having done many napkin cards in the past, and having just demo'd this technique in March at my Spring Retreat, I was excited to put one together to enter the challenge. 

Everyone's way of doing things is a bit different, and isn't it wonderful to see the different end results.  The technique I was taught many years ago, teaches to apply the single layer of napkin to your card stock using a GLUE STICK.    


You cover the card stock area really thick and slightly larger than what you need for your card.  Take your SINGLE ply napkin and start at one side, holding the rest of the napkin up, use your finger to push the air out and you end up with smooth, napkin covered card stock.


Trim off the excess that goes beyond your paper with scissors, then it's off to your die machine. 


Laying that aside - I had selected Tierra Jackson's Patience and Love for this Easter themed card. For the bunnies, I used the 'Smooshing' technique with my  Copic Markers (referenced below) to get the fur look. I also stamped another book to raise on the card.  I searched to find another Unity stamp with the words small enough for the title on the front of the book.  I used Washi tape to isolate just the words "Happy Lives Here" from the KOM July 2001 Kit, but it was also too big.




But I had to resort to writing a title, which worked out okay too! I trimmed and scored, then glued near each hand to secure the raised book on the card.

With everything glued into place, then I applied two coats of Modge Podge, letting it dry about 20 minutes between coats.  I used a yellow crochet thread for the string loopy bow and punched two holes in the tag I stamped from Phyllis Harris' A Sky With No Limits, for the sentiment.  The tag has a foam square on the back to raise it above the bow, then the charm is added to the top.


It always feels good to use one of the stamps that has just been sitting in the rack waiting it's turn.  Another good challenge from Unity and another card available in my store. 



Thanks for stopping by and reading all the way through!  Your comments are welcomed.

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

This posting will appear on the following sites:

Copics Used: Bunnies left to right: 1st: W1,W2,W4,RV00, R30, 2nd: N3, C1, RV00, 3rd: E41, E42, E31, E33, RV00, R30:  4th: C1, C2, RV00, R30, PJ's on bunnies: Y06, BG11, R32, BV11. Bed headboard, E15, E17, Pillows and Covers: R81, R83, R85, R89, Hearts R37 and Copic multiliner Wine
Products: 
 





Friday, April 5, 2019

You're Gonna Need These!

Several months ago when I saw the posting that Little Miss Muffett stamps were going out of business, I honestly had never heard of that line of stamps.  But I clicked the 'Enabler Button' provided in the link and found three or four cute stamps of course.  With my son and son-in-law both very active volunteer firemen, I had to pick up today's card image, Sunbonnet Fireman Fire Hose.


It's such a great image for lots of different occasions, but adding the Art Impressions (G4992) "HAPPY BIRTHDAY you're gonna need these" with the little sunglasses, add the aging factor to the fireman image to make it one humorous card also.

Thanks for stopping by today - Your comments are always welcome.

Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites:
Copics:
Hat, R27, R29, R37,R39 Boots: Y13, Y15, Y18, BV29 Pants & Water: B000, B24, B93, Jacket E15, E18, E53, Y15, Y18, Shadow: N1

Product:


Monday, April 1, 2019

All You Need

Welcome to April 2019!

I'm starting off the month with Whimsy Stamps' digital image,
'Best of Friends Girl' by designer Crissy Armstrong.

I'll be completely honest with you - after selecting it from our Design Team line up of April images, I really had second thoughts! The Whimsy DT has so many talented true artist of which I am not.  I am a card maker, not an artist.  But I tackled it willing to give it my best shot and she turned out pretty good. 


I printed the digital image on Neenah 110# card stock and used Copic markers for my coloring.*  The edge is chalked with an old Creative Memories Red Barn chalking ink and then the image is matted using Tattered Lace Lacey Pearl Square Dies.  The rope pieces are die cut from Elizabeth Craft 1125 Rope Dies

I modified the sentiment to capture what I felt when I look at this little girl gazing down and holding onto her horse.  She looks somewhat sad or full of thoughts or decisions.  The bond that our pets bring to our lives can not be compared to anything else.  Each person reading this understands that point in their own daily life when they just wanted to be alone to think and only their pet could be there for them.  That is what I think when I look at this stamp - and at the card I've created.  A perfect card of encouragement or one for just letting a friend know you are there - when they are ready to open up to you.

Thank you for stopping by today - I hope you enjoyed my project card and the reason behind why I selected this image.  Your comments are always welcomed.
Serving a Risen Savior,
Pam 

This posting will also appear on the following sites:  
Copics: 
Shirt & flower: BG72, BG18, BG11, BG78, Hair: Y11, Y21, E31, Horse, E15, E25, E33, E34, E37, E51, fill with E53 & E23 mostly.  Mane: cover with E000&E40 first, then E41, E21, E13, E43, YR00, YR20, E59.  

Products: