Pam's Pearls: September 2023

Saturday, September 30, 2023

“Every Good and Perfect Gift Comes From Above.”

When the announcement of a new baby starts off with scripture, and is filled with gratitude for God's grace you know this new baby is going to be loved so much and brought up to know the Lord our God.

My friend Jenifer is a first time Grandma (Lolli) earlier this week and I believe you can see her beautiful smile for miles away! This is the card I made for her for Olivia's baby shower and have been holding until her birth to share.

Jenifer always challenges me with her card orders. Always unique and well thought through. I designed this one based on the invitations and paper products that were to be used at the shower, but customized it more to her daughter's favorite colors for her baby's clothes. I was thrilled to find the background paper in my stash that lined up perfectly at the bottom showing 'Little Princess' and 'She will fill our lives with Sunshine'.

I'm so happy for you, Jenifer and your family with Olivia's healthy arrival. I know your heart is full of a new love you never dreamed possible.

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 will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Creative Fingers ~ Challenge 262

Krafty Chicks ~ Challenge 683

Simon Says Stamps ~ Wednesday Challenge ~ Challenge 110

Word Art Wednesday ~ Week 615-616

Pam's Pearls

Friday, September 29, 2023

Focus on the Positives

There is always a friend in need of our prayers. Today I'm sharing a masculine card I recently made using a free design from a blog that I follow 'Maxam Made', using her Woodcut Deer design.

I sized the image to about 4" tall and honestly couldn't decide then if I should make a bookmarker, a slimline card or a regular card. But I liked the deep blue card base with the design, so I went with a regular card so that I could include a handwritten message.

I used my Copic markers for coloring and the Momenta Notched Nesting Slimline Rectangle dies for the edges. I also printed the Sending Prayers sentiment and used a Fishtail die for it. I secured both pieces to the front of the card base and then wrapped the brown twine at the fold to complete this design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner ~ Challenge 247 ~ Signs of Fall

Word Art Wednesday ~ Week 615-616

Promarker Challenge ~ Week 709 ~ For Man or Boy

Dream Valley ~ Challenge 301 ~ Make it Digital

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Tree: E17, E74, Deer: E35, Clouds: B60, B63, Rock: W2, W4, Grass: G40, YG17,

Sky: Y00

Products

Maxam Made, Woodcut Deer (past blog)

Momenta Notched Nesting Slimline Rectangles

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Life's Ups and Downs

Today's card features Stamping Bella's Mini Oddballs on a SeeSaw, a new stamp I just received. I purchased it mainly for the sentiment as I think it is one that I personally need to have ready to go as the needs of friends arise.

After stamping the image, I stamped the sentiment separately. I used Copic marker for the coloring and have listed the colors I used below for your reference.

I selected a Kraft card base and green gingham check matting and secured it to the card base. The die used is the Gina Marie Designs, Venetian Label Die and it's used for the image and matting and also the sentiment and matting. Each piece was secured as shown in the photo to the card base. Lastly I added the pink organza ribbon at the fold and the heart charm in the knot.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Stamping Bella's ~ September Challenge ~ Autumn /Halloween

I Love Promarkers ~ Challenge 543 ~ Top Pick

Simon Says Stamps ~ Wednesday Challenge #110

Paper Funday ~ September ~ Challenge 57 ~ School Yard Fun

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Girl ~ Hair: E41, E42, E43, E44, Dress: R81, R83, R85, Shoes: R85, R56,

Boy ~ Hat: V12, V15, Hair: E21, E23, E25, Shirt, V12, V15, Shorts & Shoes: B95, Socks:V15, Grass: YG61, YG63, YG67, Seesaw: E71, E74, E77, C2

Products

Stamping Bella, Mini Oddballs on a Seesaw

Gina Marie Designs, Venetian Labels

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Hang In There, Friend!

Today I'm back to sharing digital images - this one from Lee Holland Art, 'Panda on Helium Balloon'.

While I made this for a recent 'balloon' challenge, it was perfect for a friend who is taking care of several ill family members.

I sized the image so the balloon was almost at the top of my 4" block on my template and the string was at the bottom.

After coloring the bear and balloon with my Copic markers I used Gina Marie Designs Label Six Nesting Dies to get the fluffy cloud edge. Next I used a cloud stencil and Distressed Oxides Fossilized Amber to make the background clouds.

I selected the striped background and covered the A2 card front. I pulled the sentiment from my stash and added foam to the back, but it was lost when I put it just across the bottom of the clouds. So I added another horizontal strip of the patterned paper across the bottom of the card, then added the raised sentiment.

Lastly I found the hello image while looking for a button to go in the balloon center. It fit perfectly and matched the background colors too. I secured it with a heavy duty glue dot and added the gold dot to cover the predrilled hole to complete my card.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Cutie Pie ~ Challenge 186 ~ Birthdays and/or Bears

Make Mine Monday ~ Challenge 210 ~ Create Your Background

Allsorts ~ Week 747 ~ 4 Legged Friends

Cardz4Galz ~ September ~ Use Stencil, Image, Sentiment

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Balloon: B00, B04, B06, Bear: E30, E31, E43, B01, N4

Products

Lee Holland Art, Panda on Helium Balloon

Gina Marie Designs, Label Six Nesting Dies

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Make a Happy Wish

Today I'm sharing a birthday card I made using Stampendous, Sketchy Birds and another piece of the Oxide painted background paper that I made.

To make this card I started with stamping the bird and the flower separately from the set. After coloring with Copic markers I fussy cut each piece out and set them aside.

Earlier I had made the background paper, using a 9 x 12 watercolor paper. I started with Oxide spray paints, then added Distressed Oxide with several stencils and finished with Versa Claire and a few background stamps.

For this card, you can see that I selected a part of the page with a doily at the top and used Pink & Main Stitched Rectangle die.

After adding a solid coordinating mat, both pieces were secured to the top fold card base.

Next I stamped the sentiment 'Make a Happy Wish' from Mama Elephant, Sweet Greetings with Versa Claire Warm Breeze at the bottom of the card and heat embossed it. I added several peach an aqua enamel dots randomly on the card front and finished the design with the organza ribbon and bow at the top fold.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

AAA Birthday Challenge ~ Game 53 ~ Animals

Cutie Pie ~ Challenge 186 ~ Birthdays

Make Mine Monday ~ Challenge 210 ~ Create Your Background

Dragonfly Dreams ~ September Challenge ~ Happy Birthday

Pam's Pearls

Copics

R00, R02, R05, R12, R93, R95, Flower: BG70, BG72, BG57

Products

Stampendous, Sketchy Birds

Pink & Main, Stitched Rectangles

Monday, September 25, 2023

Shout His Praise

Last week I finally took the time to try my hand at creating my own background papers using Oxide sprays and inks. Today I'm sharing the first completed card and the paper I made for it's background.

The completed image is from Impression Obsession named Shell Picture. It was Copic colored, cut out by hand, and then raised with foam before adding to the background paper.

I started with a 9" x 12" piece of watercolor paper and randomly sprayed Cracked Pistachio, Kitach Flamingo, and Mermaid Lagoon Oxide Sprays. I lightly sprayed water over this and let it dry for about 10 minutes.

Next I used Distressed Oxides Uncharted Mariner, Blueprint Sketch, Dusty Concord and Seedless Preserves with bits of stencils from Gina Marie Designs' Ocean Waves, Whimsy's School of Fish, and Brutus Monroe's Seashell Swirls. Lastly I randomly stamped using Versa Clair Warm Breeze and Bo Bunny's Wall to Wall and Circular Textures.

My end results looked like this. I'll be the first to admit - A bit out of my comfort zone and my style. But it was fun and once cut into card fronts, the real fun begins.

4 x

I did use the background piece to guide my selection of Copic colors for the Shell Picture stamp. I selected the sentiment from Technique Junkies, Psalms of the Sea and embossed it after stamping using the same Versa Claire Warm Breeze.

I secured the background panel to the card base, then added the Shell Picture and then the sentiment to complete my card design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Ave 613 ~ September

Crafty Catz ~ Challenge 651 ~ ATG Watercolor background

Cardz4galz ~ September ~ Use a Stencil, Sentiment & Image

Addicted to Stamps ~ Challenge 454

Worldwide Crafters and Colourist ~ September Challenge

Pam's Pearls

Products

Impression Obsession, Shell Picture

Technique Junkies, Psalm of the Sea

Saturday, September 23, 2023

A Scary Boo to You!

Our challenge for the Polkadoodles Design Team this week was 'No cards - Make a tag, book or gift bag'.

With Halloween approaching, I decided to make a tag to add to a gift or treat bag. I've used several stamped images from the Scary Boo stamp set. All pieces were Copic colored and hand cut.

I started by covering my 2" x 4" Kraft tag with the spiderweb paper from Polkadoodles Boneshakin' Halloween Craft papers. I Copic colored and cut a full moon for the background and secured it next, then added foam to the back of the bat and added it to the moon.

Next I secured the witch hat at the bottom right corner of the tag. I added foam to the back of the little vampire girl and the top of the candle stick and then secured them to the left of the hat to complete this cute little tag.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Creative Fingers ~ Challenge 262

Creative Inspirational ~ Challenge 6

Addicted to Stamps ~ Challenge 454

Stamp + Fun = Creativity ~ Challenge 438

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Girl: Cape: R46, Dress: V22, V25, Pumpkin: YR06, YR68, Boots, N8, Hair: B21, N3, N4, Bows: C6, Larger Witch Hat V05, V06, Y26, N8, Candlestick, E23, V25, YR06, Y15, R17, Moon: Y04, R12, R14

Products

Polkadoodles Scary Boo PD8161

Boneshakin' Halloween Craft papers, PD8108

Friday, September 22, 2023

It's The Little Things...

....that make life Big!

Today I'm posting with the Design Team from All Dressed Up with one of September's new images. This one is Tractor Boy and I think he is just adorable. To me this little fellow shows our farmers hard at work, yet they are always kind and gentle to their animals and pets. What a great life lesson right there.

I started by sizing the boy to just under 4" tall and printing the image on Neenah 110# cardstock. I used Copic markers for coloring and then used Whimsy Stamps, Notched Square dies for the edge of the image and the red polka-dotted matting.

I backed the sentiment on the same matting paper then raised it on foam and secured at the bottom of the image. I then added the layers as shown on a 5 1/2" square Kraft card base. Lastly I tied the green organza ribbon at the fold and added the butterfly embellishment on top of the knot to complete the card design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Elliebelle's Corner ~ I Spy Something on a Farm

Word Art Wednesday ~ Week 613-614

Paperminutes ~ Challenge 813 ~ Card for a Man

2 Sisters on the Blog ~ Challenge 78

Crafty Animals ~ Challenge 76

Farm Quest ~ Challenge 36 ~ Denim Bib Overalls ~ Top 3

World Wide Crafters & Colourist ~ September

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Sky: Y11, RV00, B00, Tractor: G14, G17, Y15, C2, C3, C7, Dog: E13, E17, E31, N7, Chicken: E37, E35, E30, R29, Shovel: C2, C3, Sepia, R29, Grassy Hills: YG17, G14, G07, G05, Boy's Hair: E11, E55, E57, E23, Shirt: R46, Overalls: B93, B95, B97, Boots: R35, R46

Products

All Dressed Up, Tractor Boy

Whimsy Stamps, Notched Squares

Thursday, September 21, 2023

'Tweet' Bird-day Wishes

Today's card is full of birthday wishes for Ms Helen, one of my Mission Mover ladies who is also one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met. She always embraces each day with a positive attitude, a beautiful smile and kind words. I just love her to pieces!

I made this card using the weekend challenge sketch for one of the card groups I'm in. I used the bird from Stampendous, Sketchy Birds.

Here's the sketch we were given ~

I started by stamping the bird separately and using my Copic markers for coloring, then fussy cutting her out. I added a layer of foam to the back of the body and head of the little bird and set her aside.

Then using the measurements indicated on the sketch and several assorted papers, I assembled my card. The sketch is open for some interpretation thus it's okay to add the other elements like the smaller horizontal strip across the middle, the horizontal strip for the bird to perch on and the white circle for the sentiment.

I stamped the sentiment from the same package and secured it on the patterned circle. Using a standard A2 card base, I secured each layer as shown ending with the bird. Lastly I added the organza ribbon and bow at the card fold to complete my design.

Happy Birthday Ms. Helen!

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

I Love Promarkers ~ September ~ Challenge 543

Everybody Art Challenge ~ Challenge 542

Unicorn Challenge ~ September Challenge 91 ~ Label It Up

AAA Birthday ~ Game 53 ~Animals

Daisy Challenge ~ Challenge 78 ~ Dot and/or Stripes

Christian Card Maker Weekend Challenge

Pam's Pearls

Copics

V000, V12, V15, V17, YR23

Products

Stampendous, Sketchy Birds

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Yikes!

Today I'm sharing an image from The Rabbit Hole Designs. It's one I recently picked up on their discontinued sale, Clarence Sky Diver.

Being one who is not fond of squirrels, I really wanted this one in my collection!

Please note the flames did not come with this stamp package. I've added those in from a goggle search.

To make this card, I sized the flames to fit the card front, leaving enough room for the stamped words and the image, then printed. The image was stamped separately, colored with Copic markers and fussy cut. I stamped the 'CHUTE HAPPENS' under the flames once I had colored them.

I used the Memory Box Matinee Rectangle dies for the decorative stitched edge on the image and the patterned background. Then I secured Clarence to the top of the flames. I secured the mat and image layer to the Kraft base as shown to complete the card design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Paperminutes ~ Challenge 813 ~ Card for a Man

Stamp + Fun = Creativity ~ Challenge 438

Challenge Up Your Life ~ Challenge 162

Colorful Options ~ September ~ Outrageous Orange

Crafty Animals ~ Challenge 76

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Parachute: BV13, BV02, BV000/ B06, BG05, BG02/ YR02, YR04, YR18, YR17, Clarence: E13, E15, E17, Glasses: N5, B000, Nose: N8, Mouth: R20, R21, Flames: YR16, YR12, Y18, Y15, R05, R01

Products

The Rabbit Hole Designs (discontinued)

Memory Box, Matinee Rectangles

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

You Are My Sunshine

Today I'm sharing a card I recently made for an Alphabet challenge using the letter 'U'. From my stash I selected QKR Stampede's 'Dancing Hippo', with her UMBRELLA of course.

This quirky image has been around a long time and I think I've used it probably a dozen times for different occasions. She is just too cute not to and so many different sentiments fit her personality perfectly.

For this card I sized her to just under 4" and layered the sentiment to the left before printing. I went with monochromatic shades of purples with my Copic markers for all of the coloring.

For the die cut edge I used Gina Marie's Tribal Stitch Rectangles which allows the lavender dotted patterned paper to show through for a nice effect also. Both are secured on a standard A2 size card base and then I added the organza ribbon and bow at the fold. Lastly I added Black Diamond Stickles on the hearts and ruffles of her tutu for a little extra sparkle before sending her to my swap partner.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Dream Valley ~ Challenge 301 ~ Make It Digital

Challenge Up Your Life ~ Challenge 162

Crafts Galore Encore ~ September ~ Challenge 115

Crafty Animals ~ Challenge 76

Sheepski Designs ~ Challenge 78 ~ Make It Feminine

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Hippo: BV25, BV20, BV23, Umbrella: BV08, BV04, BV02, TuTu: BV03, B63

Products

QKR Stampede, Dancing Hippo (website currently down)

Gina Marie Designs, Tribal Stitched Rectangles