Pam's Pearls

Friday, January 12, 2024

Be Still

Being still for some of us isn't easy to do.

Even after surgery or an event when you've been told 'you've got to slow down' it seems that's when you feel you have so much to do, so many others waiting on you and depending on you.

It doesn’t take long before you find that your situation usually changes, and God puts you down to rest. He has a way of getting our attention when we don’t do what is needed.

Today’s card was for my dear friend Martha – our ‘Energizer Bunny’ of our church ladies group.

This image was one of the 2023 Advent images from Kit and Clowder, Day 16.

I've over-sized it and pulled it off the layout size so that only a little over half of the flower is showing. Next, I added a text layer and typed the sentiment, then printed.

I used just a few Copic markers for coloring and used the Gina Marie Designs ScallopedStitched Rectangle dies for the image and the olive green matting. I also added a burgundy liner mat between the two scalloped layers before securing all to the A2 standard card base. Lastly, I highlighted the center of the flower by randomly dotting with a gold metallic pen.

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:

The Crafty Addicts ~ Challenge 9

Crafting From the Heart ~ Challenge 8

A Perfect Time to Craft ~ January

Beautiful Blooms ~ Challenge 12

Word Art Wednesday ~ Week 629-630

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Flower: YR18, YR68, YR02, E95, E93, YR23, YR24, YR27

Products

Kit & Clowder, Advent 2023, Day 16

Gina Marie Design, Scalloped Stitched Rectangle

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Through Life's Ups and Downs...

I’m here.

In one of my card swap groups we have been working our way through the alphabet each month with making a swap card using something that started with the letter of the month. For January, our Alpha Letter was “Y” and here’s my completed card.

I selected Y is for “Yo-Yo” and if you’ll notice carefully, it’s a DUNCAN yo-yo – my maiden name! (Is there any other brand?) I used a couple of digital images to make this one as I wanted it to be the side view with the string up for the sentiment to go beside, then I wanted room for the butterfly and the DUNCAN logo to fit on the side. Once I merged all three images together, then I layered the text close to the string and printed it on Neenah 110# cardstock.

I used my Copic markers for coloring and used Gina Marie Designs Label Six die set for the decorative edge. I covered the A2 sized card base with the red dotted Swiss paper then secured the completed image to the center of the card. Lastly I added the tiny bling dots randomly around the image to complete the design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Cutie Pie ~ Challenge 190 ~ Feeling Sentimental

Crafts Galore Encore ~ January Challenge

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends ~ Challenge 221

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Yo-Yo: B21, B23, Butterfly: B21, B24, B28, Y19, YR16, YR27, Duncan: R05, R27, String: E74, Rope: E13, E19, Shadow: E30

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Butterflies and Blooms

Today I'm sharing a recent birthday card I made for a customer's order. She didn't select any particular image, just wanted something special for a friend's birthday card.

For requests like that I usually go straight to my racks of Penny Black stamps. I found this new one called 'Botanical Notes' and like many of their floral images can be used for many occasions.

I stamped the image and used my Copic markers for coloring all the different areas of this image. After using the bold colors the white stark background was too much for me, so I lightly shaded in the background also with Copic G12.

If you look closely the top rose is off the background. The way I accomplished this was to die cut from the bottom with the top cutting plate edge stopping at the top of the image in line with where I wanted the pedals to be extended off. I used Sizzix, Stitched Square Framelits. I used a ruler to draw the horizonal lines from the rose to the edge and then hand cut those and around the rose itself.

I selected a deep orange A2 card base that coordinated with the butterfly and secured the mint green background mat on as the first layer. Next I cut and secured the yellow matting behind the completed image, ensuring it didn't extend under the rose. I added several small pieces of fun foam under the rose pedals for support, then secured this section to the center of the card, tilting it to the left slightly.

The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions Sentiment Strips, Background Strips. I also added a thin strip of fun foam behind it before securing it to the card front. ** This completed the card design and my customer and her friend loved the card.

**I actually added a white organza bow to the card before delivering it - and forgot to take another photo. Don't you hate when that happens!

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Beautiful Blossoms ~ Challenge 12

Daisy Chain ~ Challenge 81 ~ No Design Paper

Sheepski Designs ~ Challenge 82

Triple B Challenge ~ January Challenge

Unicorn Challenge ~ Challenge 94 ~ Birthday

Penny Black - January Challenge ~ Something New ~ Winner $20 123 Stitch

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Seal: E53, Butterfly: YR02, E97, YR18, BG57, Roses: R56, R95, R93, Y26, Leaves: G85, G46, G82, YG93, Background: G12

Products

Penny Black, Botanical Notes

Sizzix, Stitched Framelit Square

Monday, January 8, 2024

When All Else Fails

If you're having a 'typical' Monday, this card's for you! Or maybe it's later in the week and you're still having 'A Monday', this card's for you!

I enjoy the sentiments from Beccy's Place almost as much as her images and this one is another great one!

Unfortunately, it's on her retirement list, along with a long list of other amazing packages. I wish I could have ordered all of them!

This cute puppy is from Dog Tales.

After sizing the image to just under 3" and printing, I colored him with my Copic markers. Then I hand cut him our leaving about an 1/8" border and set him aside.

The card base is a standard A2 size. I love the animal print paper I ran across for the background. I ran it through the machine using Darice's Paw Print embossing folder then secured it to the card base.

The die I used is actually a 'frame' die but I wanted the puppy to have the brown behind him also, so I just secured the rectangle back inside the frame. I added fun foam to the back of the puppy's head, tail, and top part of his body and then secured him to the center of the die cut brown frame.

The sentiment is from the same 'Dog Tale' package from Beccy's Place, printed and die cut with Gina Marie Designs Drop Pendant die. It is also raised with fun foam and then secured to the card front to complete the card design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Beccy's Place ~ January Challenge

Can You Handle the Pressure ~ Embossing Folder

C.R.A.F.T. ~ Challenge 703

Craft Rocket ~ Challenge 110 ~ Use Embossing

The Male Room ~ Challenge 182 ~ Funny/Pun

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Puppy: E51, E53, E55, E57, Eyes: G28, Nose: N7, Tongue: R12

Products

Beccy's Place, Dog Tale

Gina Marie Designs, Drop Pendant

Darice, Paw Print Embossing Folder

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Sweet Birthday Wishes...

and a Strawberry on Top!

Sending out Happy Birthday wishes to a very crafty friend I met at Stamp Camp this past summer.

Happy Birthday Bonnie!

For this card I had several cupcakes printed and picked out this one to color for her using my Copic markers. After completing the coloring, I had cut it out and set it to the side. I used the Sizzix, Happy Birthday Embossing folder (665000) and inked it with Memento Bamboo Leaves for the background matting piece.

On the card base, I secured the black liner, then the mauve pink card stock, then added the green Happy Birthday at the top and the Happy Birthday die cut at the bottom. Lastly I secured the yummy cupcake to the background, slightly to the left of center to complete the card design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Can You Handle the Pressure ~ December ~ Optional Winter

Alphabet Challenge ~ December ~ T= Texture

Craft Rocket ~ Challenge 110 ~ Use Embossing

Creative Knockouts ~ Challenge 512 ~ Celebrations

Unicorn Challenge ~ Challenge 94 - Birthdays

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Cupcake Paper: E11,E13, E15, Cake: E53, E55, Icing: R81, R83, R85, Berry: R35, R37, R39, Leaves & Ribbon: G46, G82

Friday, January 5, 2024

It's All About the Hair

At a retreat this past fall, I had all of my completed cards laid out on the huge kitchen table taking photos. Several of the ladies were commenting on different ones and asking questions. The hostess for the week picked up today's card and handed it to me saying 'I want this one for my birthday in December.' I was truly thrilled that she wanted one of my cards as she is so talented. I was also grateful she felt comfortable enough to tell me.

So of course, I kept it aside for the next couple of months and tried not to lose track of it through a construction project in my craft room! Finally the first week in December this pretty lady with her beautiful braided hair made her trip to Virginia to my friend's house for her birthday!

The image is from Mariola Budek, and she's named 'Martha'. If you haven't checked out Mariola Budek Arts, you should. It truly is 'all about the hair'. Her artistic talent is amazing to me and I love coloring her images.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

I Love Promarkers ~ Challenge 549 ~Winner

Crafters Cafe ~ Feminine

Cards Galore Encore ~ January

Creative Crafters ~ Challenge 71

World Wide Crafters and Colourist ~ December ~ DT Favorite Winner

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Hair: E41, E42, E43, Rose: R81, Dress: YG41, Leaves: YG17, YG93, YG97

Products

Mariola Budek Art, Martha

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Double Roses

Today I'm sharing a lovely double rose image from Amanda Jayne Designs. It's a great design to use on multiple occasions and who doesn't love to receive roses!

I selected this design for a friend who lost both of her elderly parents just 10 days apart. I personally can't even begin to imagine but know sometimes things are a blessing too.

After sizing the image for the 5" card, I typed the sentiment near the bottom of the image. Then I printed and colored the flowers with Copic markers.

The decorative edge is done using the Tattered Lace Hemstitch Square die. I covered the card base with the coordinating burgundy patterned paper then secured the completed image in the center. After randomly placing three enamel dots, I added the white organza ribbon and bow to complete the card design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Beautiful Blooms ~ Challenge 12

Crafter's Cafe ~ Feminine ~ Challenge 303

Creations in Pink ~ Challenge 65

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Roses: R81, R83, R85, R56, Leaves: YG61, YG63, YG67

Products

Amanda Jayne Designs, Flower Collection (discontinued)

Tattered Lace, Hemstitch Square Die

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

A Note to Make You Smile!

Today I'm sharing one of the Design Team cards from the Classic Design Challenge. This image is the The Music Practice by The Paper Shelter.

The Paper Shelter's images are wonderfully detailed including background papers and the image in different formats. This gives you a variety of choices in making your cards.

I used the background paper for this image and layered the girl in the center.

After printing, I used Copic markers for the coloring and then the Tattered Lace, Hemstitch Square die set for the decorative edge of the image and the background pink matting.

The card base is a 6" square top fold. After securing the background mat, I added the deep aqua contrasting liner behind the image and secured both to the center of the card base.

I used the same deep aqua to mat the sentiment strip and raised it using a foam strip then secured it to the bottom corner. Lastly I added the flower and butterfly embellishments as shown in the photo to complete the card design.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafter's Cafe ~ Challenge 303 ~ Feminine

Creations in Pink ~ Challenge 65

Crafting from the Heart ~ Challenge 8

The Paper Shelter ~ Christmas Challenge

Pam's Pearls

Copics

Hair: E21, E23, E25, Stool: E15, E17, Pants: BG000, BG01, BG05, Flute: C4, Top & Bow: R14, R20, R22, R24, R43, Shoes: N4, N7, N9, Shadow: W3

Products

The Paper Shelter, The Music Practice

Tattered Lace, Hemstitch Square

Monday, January 1, 2024

You Are Simply Fabulous

This afternoon I'm posting with the Creative Team from Morgan's ArtWorld as we open the January Challenge #72.

For my project card, I've selected Morgan's Fantasy Fae 6 and made this card of encouragement.

Images like this one are lots of fun to relax and color - so many beautiful flowers surrounding the woodland fairy. After sizing the image to just under 5", I printed it on 110# Neenah cardstock and used my Copic markers for coloring. I always save the background to last, to see how the shades turn out. For this image, the lighter green leaves seemed to lead me to wanting the background to be a deep blue for the dark night.

Once completed, I trimmed the edges, and triple matted the image using navy, magenta and mint cardstock and secured each layer on a 5 3/4" card base. On the fairy's wings I applied Wink of Stella - Clear to give them a little sparkle.