2021 Top Favorites!

It's always fun to look back on your work and see how you've progressed.  If you haven't done this, I certainly encourage you to.  Don't be critical or 'get the big head'. Just enjoy your God-given talents and be sure to give Him the glory! 

For me, I post my cards in a folder on my Pinterest page which allows me to quickly glance back and find postings.  So today, I'm sharing my top ten for 2021.  Did your favorite make my list?

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Thank you for stopping by today (and all year long!) to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

Pam's Pearls

 

We Deserve to Twinkle

Last week a very special lady in our family celebrated her 90th birthday!  Twenty plus members of her family surprised her with a visit and lunch. And the best part, they all gathered around and captured the moment with a group photo, something we sometimes forget to do. 

Today I'm sharing the little card I sent for her special day.  

It's Stamping Bella's Oddball Marilyn.

Although she may be turning 90, don't be fooled. She's still a go-getter and a star in our eyes. 

Happy 90 young years Ms. Pat!  Love you so very much!

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges:

Ike's World ~ Challenge #151 ~ Fur/Feathers 

Simon Says ~ Monday Challenge ~ Party 

CD Sunday ~ Challenge 75 

CAS Colors & Sketches ~ Challenge 450 ~ Celebrating Milestones 

Crafty Sentiments ~ December

Stamping Bella Facebook Challenge

 Pam’s Pearls

Products:

Stamping Bella, Oddball Marilyn

 

Bokeh ~ Memories

Last month one of my card swap challenges was a Bokeh technique card.  The YouTube reference is listed at the bottom of this blog.

Here's my finished card ~ 

 Bokeh is a really fun and easy technique once you see how it's done.  

Start by making a template with three circles - use your dies or three sizes of punches. 

For this card, use black or navy paper - start with a piece about 6" x 8" and work in the center.  I used a finger dauber but you can use your  circles and wooden handles that you use for Distressed oxides - just be sure they are new/clean.

Using White Ink, simply move your template around and make different sized overlapping circles.  Make some darker than others by applying more ink.  When you think you have enough add a few more with just the dauber, very lightly (without the stencil).  Set aside and let dry.

The tree die was from my stash - a share from a friend at a previous crop.  Once my Bokeh piece had dried I trimmed it to fit the front of an A2 card, then added the tree overlay.  Any sentiment could also be added - I selected "Memories" to complete the card. 

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges:

Inspiration Station ~ Challenge 20 ~ Winter

Use Your Stuff ~ #438 ~ Snow or Winter 

Dragonfly Dreams ~ December 

We Love Stamping ~ Anything Goes/CAS 

Sunday Stamps ~ Winter Bokeh

 Pam’s Pearls

Ref: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziY8wmEzbHw

Looking For an Answer

Although most of us have enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there are those that haven't.  They are mourning a loss, sad because they are unable to see their family, or just depressed for other personal reasons.   

Today's featured card would be perfect for someone you know who might need a little cheering up.

This image is from Unity Stamps, January Florals by Holly Hoffman.  I've stamped a 'Have Faith' sentiment for my use but any sentiment of encouragement would work with this card layout. 

The stamped image is colored with Copic markers then matted with a small patterned darker pink paper.  The card base is a standard A2 size, covered with a light pink base matting.  

After securing the colored image to the mat and then to the card base, I returned the card to my Misti and stamped the sentiment.

Be sure to check out all 12 of Holly Hoffman's Florals ~ one for each month of the year.  They are a very versatile set of stamps. 

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards. 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges:

We Love Stamping ~ December ~ Anything Goes/CAS 

Bastel Traum ~ Challenge 108 ~ CAS 

Creations in Pink ~ Challenge 41 ~ Anything Goes 

Word Art Wednesday 523-524

Pam’s Pearls 

Products: 

Unity Stamps, January Florals

Fat Angel Sings

I thought I'd end my 2021 Christmas Card series this year with this adorable C. C. Designs, Singing Angel Swissie.  Not that any of us have enjoyed our 'eats' this holiday season - more so that we have all made a joyful noise unto the Lord!  

 I hope you and your family have had a wonderfully safe and healthy Christmas and as we wind down 2021 ~ here's to a great upcoming new year! 

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges: 

Crafty Calendar ~ December ~ Christmas 

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Challenge # 574

 MOD Squad ~ It's a Celebration 

Simon Says ~ Wednesday ~ It's Time to Party 

The Holly and Ivy ~ Christmas #106 

C. C. Designs Monthly Facebook Challenge

Pam’s Pearls 

Products:

C.C. Designs, Singing Angel Swissie

A Savior Has Been Born For You

How humbling those words are to each of us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior today.

Born in a manger...

 Glory to God in the Highest!

 

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges: 

Cardz4galz ~ Challenge 162 ~ Christmas Animals  

Christmas Crat Creations ~ December ~ Make a Scene 

Mod Squad ~ It's a Celebration 

Word Art Wednesday ~ 523-524 

Paperminutes ~ Challenge 723  Christmas Animals 

The Holly and Ivy Challenge ~ Challenge 106 

Pam’s Pearls

Dear Santa ~ I Want It All

Here we are, Christmas Eve 2021!  Most of us are still shaking our heads wondering where the year went while others are so glad it's about to be over and praying for a better 2022.  

For me personally, if you'd told me last Christmas Eve that I would have gotten married again after being single for almost ten years.... I sure would not have believed you for one second.  But when God has a plan, I'm here to tell you, you best be ready.  2021 has been a wonderful year for me in so many ways and I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures are ahead in 2022!

But tonight is the night for all the kiddies and my hubby and I are certainly ready for that too!  

I'm sharing a Christmas card today from All Dressed Up Digital Stamps.  This was the Day 1 Freebie for Kit & Clowder's 2021 Advent Calendar.  Her name is Little Star. 

 I used my Copic markers for coloring and then Gina Marie Designs Label 5 for the long diamond shape.  She's mounted on a hunter green card base (Sorry, it blends in with the tree a little much in my photo.)  I had stamped several sentiment tags ahead of time from various Christmas packages and had them cut and ready to go. I found this to be a huge time saver with as many cards as I assembled this year.  After adding the tag, I tied the twine at the fold and she's ready for mailing.

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges: 

Creative Knockouts ~ Challenge 432 ~ Tis the Season 

Crafty Gals Corner ~ Challenge 226 ~ Merry & Bright 

Crafty Calendar ~ December ~ Christmas 

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge 106 

Pam’s Pearls

 

Copics:  Hair: B41, N4, N5, N7, Deco: G07, Headband: E55, Antlers: E19, Bear: E55, Ribbon R21, Leaves: G07, YG63, R52, Dress: R37, R56, R21, Shoes: R37, G07, Star: Y19

Products:

All Dressed Up, Little Star

Gina Marie Designs, Label 5

 

Sending Joy

There is only one person that sees every card before I post them ~ my sweet friend Linda in FL plays a big role as Editor of my blogs each day.  My days are very full and while I love to blog, I write and type like I talk, improperly most of the time.  Thanks to her attention to detail and keeping me on a short leash, I'm very proud of the results of each of our blogging efforts. 

With that - making a Christmas, birthday or any other card for her, gets harder and harder to pull off without her seeing it.  And forget trying to buy a stamp for her!  She's at least two steps ahead of me on those purchases! 

But I try and she knows my cards are filled with love and I'm so very thankful to have her help me daily and to be my special friend. 

Today I'm sharing her Christmas card ~ This is an Art Impression image, Season's Greetings (4518/discontinued).  Like SC, no snow in FL, so... we must send a snowman! 

 After stamping the image I colored him with my Copic markers and used Gina Marie Designs Pierced Nested Label Dies for the decorative edging.  I used the aqua cardstock to make the card base and die cut the vertical matching 'Merry'.  Once assembled I added the vinyl snowflake shiny stickers to complete the card.

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges: 

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge ~ Challenge #106 

Cupcake Inspirations ~ Challenge #534 ~ Snowman 

Use Your Stuff ~ Challenge #438 ~ Snow or Winter 

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas ~ Challenge #573 

Sweet Stampin' ~ December 

Pam’s Pearls

Copics:

Hat: BG02, BG04, BG72, BG75, Scarf: BG72, BG75, YR27, Shirt: BG72, BG75, YR27, Y26, Gloves: BG75, Stockings~  Bow: R46, Candy Cane: R46, Present: R46, YR27, BG72, BG75, Y26,  Snow: B60

 

Products:

Art Impressions, Seasons Greetings (discontinued)

Gina Marie Designs, Pierced Nested Labels

A Froggy Christmas Greeting!

As a cardmaker, when we find that special people in our lives like certain things we tend to go as far as to ensure their birthday and/or other occasional cards 'feed their addictions'...if you know what I mean.

My hair dresser has been my friend for more than 25 years, a friendship I treasure greatly.  💖  Her love of 'Frogs' has given me many opportunities for silly yard gifts and cards over the years.  This year's Christmas card is no exception!  I hope you'll get a tickle out of it ~ she certainly did!  

 Certainly not a card I could give to just anyone!  But fun for my special friend who loves life so very much. 

The frog image I used was free from a Google search and the sentiment is from Unity Stamps, Freezin' My Snowballs by Joslyn Neilson.  I used Copic markers for coloring, which are referenced below. 

Hope you can add a little humor in a few of your cards too! 

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges: 

Cardz4guyz ~ Challenge 286 ~ Contemporary Christmas  

Crafty Sentiments ~ December 

Paperminutes ~ Challenge 723 ~ Animals at Christmas 

Simon Says ~ Party 

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers ~ Challenge 200 ~ S is for Snarky 

Your Next Stamp ~ Challenge 174 ~ The Fun Continues ~ Pets 

Build Your Holiday Christmas Stash

Pam’s Pearls

Copics:

  Frog:  YG01, YG23, Cheeks: B60, Leaf: G07, Berries: R21, Hat: R37, R46, Shirt & Stockings: R46, Pants: B24, Shoes: N5

Products:

Unity, Freezin' my Snowballs

I Got a Hug From Santa!

We're getting close as Christmas Day is drawing near!

And I got a Hug from Santa on Friday night!

Our annual Christmas party where we dance each week, had a surprise visit by the Jolly Ole St. Nick himself! What a great time we had and my husband even won one of the door prizes!

For today, I'm slipping in an extra Polkadoodles Christmas card.  This one is Winnie Wonderland ~ Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus.

I sized the image to about 4" tall and colored them with my Copic markers.  I used Penny Black's Elegant Stitching Rectangle dies for the edging and then a coordinating green mat.  The 5 1/2" top fold card base is covered in a bright striped paper with the matted image mounted to the right.  I cut out a triangle shaped 'tree' out of printed song paper and matted it in the same green paper.  It's matted as an overlapping piece and has a gold die cut star at the top.   The card is completed with a white organza bow at the top fold and ready for sending out in the 2021 mailing to a special friend.

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

Merry Christmas too! 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges: 

Christmas With The Cuties ~ Challenge 56 

The Cutie Pie Challenge ~ Challenge 166 ~ Cute & Cuddly

 Stamps + Fun = Creativity ~ Challenge 401 ~ Colors of Christmas 

CD Sunday ~ Challenge 75 

Allsorts ~ week 6556 ~ Winter 

52 Christmas Card Throwdown ~ December

Pam’s Pearls

Copics: 

Mrs Claus: Hat: G24, G21, R35, R46, Coat & Ruffle: G21, G94, Dress: R22, Hair: E21, E23, E25, 

Santa: Outfit: R35, R46, Belt: N5, N7, YR28, Boots: N5, N7, Present: R35, R46, E21, E24, E46, E97

Products:  

Polkadoodles, Winnie Wonderderland, Mr & Mrs Claus

Penny Black, Elegant Stitching Rectangle

Warm Wishes for a Special Friend

It's mid month posting for Jan's Digital Stamp Shop's Design Team and I wanted to share a special 'Pink' card I made for Christmas using the single penguin girl from the 'Baby It's Cold Outside' package.

Isn't she sweet all decked out in pink?  This is the perfect time of year to be sure you make those special friends you know and care about their own special cards.  

Check out the Challenge blog to see the other Design Team cards and then hop over to Jan's Digital Stamp Shop.  Right now til the end of the month, the 2021 Ornament is still FREE!  You don't want to miss this one! 

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges: 

Christmas Card Throwdown ~ December

 Allsorts ~ Week 6556 ~ Anything Winter 

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Challenge #573 

My Time To Craft ~ Challenge 472 ~ Christmas Animals 

Cardz4Galz ~ Challenge 162 ~ Christmas Animals 

Pam’s Pearls

Products:

Jan's Digi Stamp Shop, Baby It's Cold Outside

Memory Maker Wrapped Scalloped

pink penguin 

The Simplicity of the Miracle

Even with all the glitter and sparkle or layers of cardstock or fancy coloring and adornments, nothing brings home the true meaning of the Christmas season as much as the simplicity of the manger scene.

 Today's card is a beautiful die set from Simply Defined, Away in a Manger.

I've used a deep red card base and added a midnight blue starry night background mat.  The border is done in white cardstock and the center a medium blue.  The set comes with several die cut words - I've selected NOEL and die cut it to match the card base.

May you enjoy the peaceful thoughts of the season today as we continue to prepare for our Savior's birthday. 

Thank you for stopping by today to view my blog.  I enjoy sharing my work with you and invite you to “Follow” my blog and to visit my site ~ “Not Just Scraps” on Facebook ~ where you can purchase my cards.

 

I’ll be entering this card in the following challenges:  

Creative Fingers ~ Challenge 221 

Winter Wonderland ~ End of Year Challenge 

Love to Craft ~ Challenge 65

Merry Little Christmas Challenge ~ Challenge 41 

Addicted to Stamps ~ Challenge 420 ~ Dies/Stencils 

Word Art Wednesday ~ 521-522

 

Pam’s Pearls

Products: