DCWV Stack-a-holic Challenge, August 2018

 

Daddy was such a good sport letting me bathe him in my new
baby doll's bathtub I got for Christmas 1962 at Pop and Grannie's.

 

     Today I have a layout for the Stack-a-holic Challenge over at DCWV. I used the Country Floral stack to create my layout. You can vote for your favorite layout here: https://www.facebook.com/DCWVInc/
I wish I had made my blue squares and rectangles bigger. I think it would balance better with the size of my photographs. I'm sharing it anyway.

     I love the memories this page brings to my mind. I had so much fun with Dad in my early years. We came back around to each other a few years before he died.

     Hope you are having a great day! Thanks for stopping in.

     Here's a copy of the sketch we had to work with. I'll use it again. 

DCWV Stack-a-holic Challenge, July 2018

     Today I have a card for the Stack-a-holic Challenge at Die Cuts With a View (DCWV). I used their Country Floral stack to make my card. The thing I like most about working with stacks is that I can be sure all the colors and designs go together beautifully.

Designer Tip: To make my die cuts pop, I ran the edges across an ink pad. I used a chalk ink pad on this card, but I've found that most all die pads work well for this technique. Here I inked the edges of the large oval and the sentiment tag.

     Thanks so much for stopping by today. If you have a minute, check out all the entries on  the DCWV Inc. page on Facebook and vote for your favorite.

     Here's a copy of the sketch we had to work with this month. I'll use it again.

Homesteading in the Alaskan Wilderness

     Looking for something to read? My multi award-winning book, A DELIBERATE LIFE: A JOURNEY INTO THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS is only $3.99 for an e-book copy this week. Click here to order from Amazon. They also have a printed edition you can order if you prefer. And, it's available on Prime so you can have it quickly.

   

     You can also order A DELIBERATE LIFE anywhere you normally buy books - online or in store.

     Thanks so much for stopping in today.

DCWV Stack-a-holic Challenge, May 2018

 

     Are these flowers not gorgeous!?! They are from the Botanical Beauty stack from DCWV, Inc. So many pretty sheets in this stack. Some have gold foil embellishing like the gold bees on my card. I made this card for the Stack-a-holic Challenge for May at DCWV.

     First, I trimmed my card front. Yes, it was hard to cut through these beautiful flowers, but you can do it! Next, I stamped and die cut my sentiment tags and adhered them with foam tape. To finish up, I added a few epoxy dots.

 

         Lately, I have been making 4.25 x 5.5 cards, but I wanted more of the flowers to show on this card, so I made this one 5 x 7.

     We had the sketch below to work with this month. There is still a little time to join in the fun if you have an idea for your own card. Details are on DCWV's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/DCWVInc/.  

 

    Thanks so much for stopping in. Hope you are having a great day, Pamela

 

Materials Used:

 

cardstock- Botanical Beauty (DCWV)

stamp- A Happy Hello (Gina K Designs)

dies- frames (Spellbinders Card Kit)

ink- chalk Wisteria (ColorBox)



 

 

 

 

DCWV Stack-a-holic Challenge, April 2018

     Today, I have a layout for April's Stack-a-holic Challenge at DCWV. This is my favorite picture of Mom and I. It was taken at the Amarillo airport. The horse in the background is one of the famous painted horses you can find around Amarillo. The journaling reads:

     Mom always said, "We have two choices when difficult things come our way. We can choose to be miserable, or we can choose to be happy. I choose happy!"
     Mom now sits at the Master's feet. I miss her.

     I used DCWV's Botanical Beauty stack to create my layout. The stack is all double-sided cardstock with gold foil on many of the sheets.

     To create my title and journaling tags, I printed them from my computer onto vellum.
    
DESIGNER TIP:
     When printing on vellum, you must be careful not to let the ink smear before it dries. Mine dried in about ten seconds. I planned to only use vellum for the title, but I thought I needed a bit more color to this layout so I ran the vellum through my Xyron Sticker Maker and adhered it to a piece of the cardstock.

     The deadline is now passed for entering a project this month, but you can still vote. I would appreciate it if you would vote for my layout, or any of the other entries you might like better. You can find the details on the DCWV, Inc. page on Facebook.

     Thanks so much for stopping in. Check back with DCWV at the first of the month for May's Stack-a-holic Challenge.

Materials used:

cardstock- Botanical Beauty (DCWV)
                  solid gold (Spellbinders)
dies- Fancy Foliage (ODBD)
        filigree (Spellbinders)
    

Happy Birthday, Simon Says Stamps

     Today, I have a card for the "Happy Birthday Challenge" over at Simon Says Stamps. They are celebrating their 9th Anniversary this week. So excited for them!

     I don't usually use ready-made stickers, but I won this flower sticker in a kit from Spellbinders. It's so pretty that I had to use it for this card.

     You have plenty of time to join in the fun before a new challenge goes up next Wednesday. Here's a link to the rules.

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. I appreciate the time you spend here with me.      

Materials Used:
     cardstock, sticker, pearls - Spellbinders
     cardstock, ink - Gina K Designs
     stamp, die - ODBD
     double-stick and foam tape

Anything Goes, Simon Says Stamps

     Today, I have a card for the Anything Goes challenge over at Simon Says Stamps. They are spotlighting Stampendous products this week. The sentiment I used on my card is a Stampendous stamp that I've used many times.

     As you probably know, according to the laws of aerodynamics, the bee should not be able to fly with its large body and small, thin wings. And yet it does! Bees always remind me that all things are possible with God.

     Want to join in on the challenge? Here's a link to the rules: http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-48/
   
     Thanks so much for stopping in today. 
     Pamela

Materials used:
   stamps-  Stampendous!, Stampcraft
   cardstock-  Oh My Lemons (the Paper Studio), Grass Green (Gina K)
   ink-  green (Gina K), black (ColorBox)
 

Floral Frenzy Challenge, Simon Says Stamps

     This is my first time to enter a card in the Simon Wednesday Challenge over at Simon Says Stamps. This week's challenge if Floral Frenzy.

 

     I heat-embossed and die-cut the flowers. I chose not to heat-emboss the foliage and sentiment so that they do not take the focus away from of the flowers.

 

     I see that there is a new challenge every Wednesday highlighting a different company's stamps, dies, etc. You can still join in even if you do not have those particular products. I love the freedom of that! Since I'm busy writing my next book, I'm not sure I'll have time to join in the fun every week, but I should have time to create a card once or twice a month at least.

 

     Come on over and join in the fun with me. Here's a link to the rules: http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

 

Materials used:

 

cardstock- black, white, grass green (Gina K Designs)

 

stamps and dies- Bold and Blooming, Boho Flowers (Gina K Designs), Lattice Background, Double Stitched Pennant Flags (ODBD), Mon Ami (CAS-ual Fridays)

 

inks- grass green dye (Gina K Designs), orchid pigment (ColorBox)

 

embossing powder- clear (JoAnn Essentials)

 

pearls (Michael's)

 

 

 

Sketch Challenge, Paper Smooches, March 2018

     I created this Easter card for the monthly sketch challenge over at Paper Smooches. This is my first time to join in with their challenges.

     I heat-embossed the sentiment onto clear vellum. To create the cross, I barely touched the cross stamp to my StazOn teal ink pad. Then I stamped it lightly onto shiny gold cardstock. I fussy-cut the cross and adhered it with foam tape.

     There is still time if you want to join in the fun. Here's a copy of the sketch and a link to the rules.

https://papersmooches.blogspot.com/2018/03/march-2018-challenge-sketch.html

Materials used:

cardstock- Moonstruck (Pink Paislee)
stamps- Easter Blessings (Paper Smooches)
ink- black (ColorBox), teal (StazOn)
powder- clear embossing powder (JoAnn Essentials)

Black & White with a Twist Challenge MMC32018

 

      Today, I have a card for the monthly challenge at Stamp TV and Gina K Designs. The challenge this time is to use black and white with just a pop of color, and a bow.
     I stamped and die-cut four flourishes in black. I adhered the back two with double-stick tape. For the top two, I used some thin foam tape at the far ends to make them pop up a bit. Then, I stamped and die-cut two sizes of flowers and added a brad center, and a bow.
     There is still time for you to join in the fun and get your own card into the challenge. Check out the rules here: http://stamptv.ning.com/.

     Materials used:cardstock- black, white, grass green (Gina K)
stamps and dies- Boho Flowers (Gina K)
ink- black, grass green (Gina K)
ribbon- black (Offray)
brad- green (the Paper Studio)
adhesive- foam and double-stick

DCWV Stack-a-holic- March 2018

UPDATE: Super excited and very honored to learn that this card was a winner in its challenge. Thanks so much DCWV!



 

     Thanks so much for stopping in! Always so nice to have you here. Today, I have  card for the Stack-a-holic Challenge at DCWV. I used the Beach House stack to create my masculine birthday card.
     The deadline for entry is coming up this weekend, so be quick if you want to join in the fun. You can find all the details on DCWV's Facebook page.

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     DESIGNER TIP: When using such an intricate die, try using wax paper between the die and the front of your cardstock. I find my dies, like the one I used here, come out much easier and with no tearing.

 

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     Here's a copy of the sketch we had to work with this month.

    Materials used:

          Cardstock- Beach House stack (DCWV)

                                gold (Spellbinders)

          Dies-            Tropical Paradise (Spellbinders)

          Stamp-        Birthday (Our Daily Bread Designs)

          Gems-          Liquid Texture Gems (Faber-Castell)    

Writer's Workshop

Come join the fun!

 

DCWV Stack-a-holic Challenge - January 2018

     Today, I have a card for the Stack-a-holic Challenge at DCWV.  I love the way this card turned out. I'm learning to use my Prismacolor pencils, and I must say that the higher price of these pencils are definitely worth it.
     I used the Beach House stack to create my card. I'm especially fond of the

More Kindness Cards - Stamp TV MMC12018

     I have more cards today for the Kindness Challenge over at Stamp TV. I love this theme for this challenge and decided to make several more cards for my stash. My friends and family love digging through my stash for their favorites to take home. Thinking-of-you type cards are the ones I send most.

     To create my patterned cardstock for this card, I stamped the flourish several times on white cardstock. Then, I trimmed it to fit as you see here. I added a strip of matching cardstock to set it off.

     Next, I stamped and die cut the sentiment and adhered the "you" with foam tape. I used Blue Raspberry cardstock and ink from Gina K Designs on this card.

     I used Grass Green cardstock and ink from Gina K Designs on this card. 

    Here are all the cards I made today. Once I had my design created, it was easy then to make more cards. Coming up with the design is the most time consuming part for me. If I really like a card I've made, then I usually make several.



     I'd love to see your "Kindness" cards too. Here's a link to the challenge rules at Stamp TV - http://stamptv.ning.com/

     Thanks so much for stopping in today, Pamela

 

Materials used:

    cardstock-  white, blue raspberry, grass green (Gina K Designs)

    stamps-       Boho Flowers (Gina K Designs)

    dies-             Boho Flowers (Gina K Designs)

    ink-               blue raspberry, grass green (Gina K Designs)

   gems-           pearls, gems

 

Kindness Challenge - Stamp TV MMC12018

 

     Hello everyone! Today, I have a card for the Monthly Mix Challenge over at Stamp TV. The inspiration this month is "Kindness".
     I snuck a pin wheel that a dear friend gave me for my birthday a few months ago into my picture. She gave it to me so that I will always remember to have fun.
     
    There is still plenty of time to join in the fun. You can find the challenge rules here: http://stamptv.ning.com/

      I used the following Gina K Designs products for my card:

     cardstock- white and blue lagoon
     die-            Royal Frame
     stamp-      A Happy Hello
     dye-           blue lagoon

     Thanks so much for stopping in. I always appreciate your visits and comments, Pamela

Bazzill Sketch Challenge

     I was so honored to be asked to provide a sample card for December's sketch challenge on Bazzill's Facebook page.

     I guess it's the rebel in me that makes me pick colors other than red and green for Christmas. I'm seeing lots of blues like I used on this card though. One year I used orange and turquoise. Another year I used black and silver.

     I hope you'll enter your own card in the challenge. Here's a link to Bazzill's page where you can find the rules and a copy of the sketch.   

 



https://www.facebook.com/bazzillbasicspaper/?hc_ref=ART8oRAZ_K9GYESoOa9f9dpcoYj9LenrEv8N7wyYSzCqjcnO6NNtYF9isXYRNvhSMCI


    Products used besides Bazzill cardstock -

     embossing folder - the Paper Studio
     snowflake die cut - ODBD
     snowflake brad -  the Paper Studio
     sentiment stamp -  Sweet 'n Sassy

     Thanks so much for stopping in today. May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, Pamela

DCWV Challenge, November 2017

    I discovered this tiny rabbit next to my back patio. He was so tiny, it's a wonder I even saw him. I hope you can zoom in enough to see him hiding in the first picture. I kept blowing up the picture until I had what you see in the third picture. 

     I created this layout for the November challenge at DCWV. I used the last of the Home Spun Stack to make my page. I do wish DCWV would offer it again. It's my favorite of all time! It comes with the score-line texture and adds so much to my cards and layouts.

   Check out DCWV on Facebook for the details and deadlines if you want to play along. Here's a copy of the sketch we had to work with this month.

     Thanks so much for stopping in. Hope you have time to create a layout or card today.
    May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, Pamela

Red, White and Green Challenge - Stamp TV




      I have a card to share with you today for the Red, White and Green challenge over at Stamp TV (STV17MON42).
     I stamped the flowers in black and colored them with pencils in a variety of reds and greens. Then, I used an oval die to cut a window in the green cardstock. I adhered the green layer with foam tape. Hard to photograph that for some reason today. I stamped the sentiment in grass green.
     ----------------------

     I used the following Gina K Designs products on my card:

          stamps- Bold & Blooming

          ink-         black onyx

                           grass green

     ----------------------

     You still have a few days if you want to submit your own card. Here's a link to all the rules: http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/topics/mix-it-up-monday-stv17mon42-red-white-and-green

     ----------------------

     Thanks so much for your time and comments today. Hope you are having a wonderful day,

          Pamela

Sketch Challenge - DCWV Stack-a-holic Oct 2017

     Today, I have a card for the Stack-a-holic sketch challenge over at DCWV. I used the Beach Front Stack and the Foiled Stack from Die Cuts With a View (DCWV on Facebook - Guidelines for the challenge are on their Facebook page.)

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          Designer Tip

 

              Don't be afraid to use non-traditional colors on your

              Christmas cards like I have here. I chose teal and

              beige with a touch of gold for mine.

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     To create the circles for my tree, I dug around in my punch drawer looking for anything that would make a circle.

      Here are some of the things I came up with. Look at the great circles on the "cherry punch". I punched a cherry stem not worrying about the stems and leaf since I planned to trim them off.

     Below is a copy of the sketch we had to work with. There is still a bit of time left before the deadline so come join the fun. Look up DCWV on Facebook for the details.

    Thanks so much for stopping in.

    May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands,

                Pamela

 

 

 

Off the Page Challenge (Stamp TV)

    Today, I have a card for the Off-the-Page Challenge over at Stamp TV. The point of this challenge is to let your image go off the edge or edges of your card. I did that with one of my flowers as well as my sentiment. I had to use a mask and my Misti to achieve the result with the sentiment so that I didn't have to actually cut the stamp.
     I heat-embossed the flowers and used foam tape between the layers.
     When time allows, I like to bring an element from the front of my cards to the inside like I did here on this card. Just an extra little touch to cheer the recipient.

     Want to make your own card for the challenge? Here's a link to the rules. http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/topics/stv17mon41-creative-crop

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     Thanks so much for stopping by. I really appreciate the time you spend with me on my blog.

     May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands,

            Pamela

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      I used the following Gina K Designs to create my card.

 

cardstock- Blue Lagoon, Turquoise Sea, White

stamps-      Grand Greetings

                     Bold & Blooming

dies-            Bold & Blooming

ink-              Blue Lagoon

 

     Other products used:

pigment-  Orchid and Violet (ColorBox)

powder-    clear embossing powder

pearls -      Michael's

adhesive-  double-stick and foam (3M) 

You're Amazing - Surprise Box

      I made this surprise box for a very dear and special lady. I had so much fun designing and creating this card for her.
     Yes, it's a card! If you have not seen these surprise boxes before, I'll tell you that they fold flat for mailing. Well, they usually do. I got a little carried away with filling it up with flowers and pearls and other things. I plan to give this to her in person so it doesn't really matter. It does fold enough to get it in an envelope but certainly not flat enough to mail without ruining it.
___________________

     I heat embossed and die cut the flowers in three sizes. I adhered the layers with foam tape between each and finished them with a pearl center. I stamped the leaves with a watermark ink to keep them more subtle.
     I made two sizes of medallions by cutting 1" x 11.5" and .75" x 11.5" cardstock strips. I scored them every .25".
     Here's a different look that shows the layers better.

 

 

___________________
    I'm going to post this card on Simon Says Challenge Blog for WORLD CARD MAKING DAY. Want to play along? Here's a link to the challenge. http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/happy-world-card-making-day-from-simon-says-stamp/

    Thanks so much for stopping in today. May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands, and may my friend know how much she is loved,
          Pamela
___________________

Materials List
   cardstock-  wild wisteria, grass green (Gina K Designs)
                        white, pink, purple, yellow (the Paper Studio)
   stamps-      flowers & leaves (Bold & Blooming, Gina K Designs)
                        sentiment (Mon Ami, Cas-ual Fridays)
   dies-            surprise box (Our Daily Bread Designs)
                        flourish (Fantastic Flourish One, Spellbinders)
                     flowers & leaves (Bold & Blooming, Gina K Designs)
   punches-   corner rounder (EK Success)
   inks-           violet, orchid, canary, black (ColorBox)
                      watermark (VersaMark)
   pearls, bird- Recollections
   adhesives-  glitter tape, double-stick tape, foam tape (3M)
                      blue gel school glue (Elmer's)
  

STV17MON39 - Inspirational Photo Challenge

    Today, I'm participating - playing, actually - in the weekly challenge over at Stamp TV for the first time. The team provided the photo below to be our inspiration. My eyes went straight to the apples.
     To create my apples and pears, I first die cut the fruit out of white cardstock. Then, I started daubing several colors until I was happy. 
     I created my "accidental background" when I was coloring my fruit on a piece of scrap piece of cardstock. I thought it looked so pretty with the colors all mixed up, so I decided it would be the best background for my card.
     There's still some time if you want to create your own card. Here's a link to all the rules.
http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/topics/stv17mon39-inspiration-photo
                                  -----------------------
  
  <<< DESIGNER TIP OF THE DAY >>>
    
     Don't be afraid of colors. Most objects have several different, sometimes surprising colors. I used four colors on my apples and three on my pears. I tried several different color combos before I was happy.
     Jump in and give it a try! And remember, it's only paper.                               



    May the Lord be glorified by the work of my hands,
 Pamela

<<< Materials Used >>>
cardstock:  grass green (Gina K Designs)
                     white and black (the Paper Studio)
stamps:      Bold & Blooming (Gina K Designs)
dies:            apple and pear (Spellbinders Paper Arts)
inks:            Black Onyx, Grass Green (Gina K Designs)
                     Citrus Splash, Orchid, Cranberry,
                     Fresh Green, Canary (ColorBox)

Birthday Easel Card & Matching Magnets

  

   I have an easel card with matching magnets for you today. I die cut the lattice background and inlaid a few of the diamond shapes. Then, I heat-embossed and die cut the flowers and sentiment adhering some with double-stick tape and others with foam tape to give dimension. 

     To make my flower magnets I first heat-embossed and die cut the flowers. Next, I die cut the magnets and then glued the flowers to the magnet.

     You can buy magnet sheets at most craft stores, but I used one of the many magnetic business cards I've received from various businesses. I soaked the magnets in water until the original paper front came loose. Then, I glued my flowers to the upcycled magnets.

     Thanks so much for stopping by!

                Pamela 

 

Materials used:

     cardstock- white and yellow

     stamps- Bold & Blooming (Gina K Designs)

     dies-  Bold & Blooming (Gina K Designs)

                Lattice Chain (Our Daily Bread Designs)

     ink-  orchid & fresh green (ColorBox)

     pigment- clear (JoAnn Essentials)

     pearls

     double-stick and foam tape



Ironing Board Pops

    Today, I have a layout to share with you. And, a little bit of my heart.

 

         That's my mom there in the picture taken back in 1968. I now have the ironing board in the picture. It has a warp on the surface. It makes a loud pop every time I press with more than the slightest pressure. Ah, but it makes me happy! It brings back such sweet memories from when I was a little girl playing at her feet while she ironed.

     I wrote about "our" ironing board in a story for Angels on Earth magazine. I worked and worked to get a clear enough picture so that you could read the story here, but I was not successful. If you would like to read the story, you can read it free online here.    https://www.guideposts.org/better-living/positive-living/emotional-and-mental-health/memories-are-a-pressing-matter

 

                                                   *************************

      Materials List

Patterned papers-  the Paper Studio - Entirely Textures

Cardstock - gold, Die Cuts With a View, Beach House

Dies-   Spellbinders

Gems-   Die Cuts With a View, Jeweled Sheet

Color Challenge - ODBDSLC287

     Thanks so much for stopping in! Today, I have a card for the color challenge over at Our Daily Bread Designs. 

     I used the following stamp and dies from ODBD to create my card.

     stamp:     Pennant Flag Verses ICS62

     dies:         Double Stitched Pennant Flags CBD135

                       Double Stitched Rectangles CBD123

     There is still time to join in the fun. Here's a link to the rules.

     I have sort of sad and disappointing news ab0ut this monthly challenge. It's the last one. This is my favorite challenge, and I'll really miss it. If you are a fan of Our Daily Bread Designs and like participating in this monthly challenge, head over to ODBD and let them know.  Maybe they won't end it after all.

     Hope you have a great day, Pamela