Pumpkin Smiles! { Two pumpkin posts in one day! }

Thanks to my 'no-so-secret sister' Donna {craftingcrazy} for this adorable pumpkin image and the fun striped Halloween paper. I've layered and stitched the striped paper on basic black and then attached to the orange card base.

The pumpkin was colored with prismacolor pencils and blended with gamsol. The Happy Halloween sentiment is from a retired Stampin Up set - "All Year Cheer - III". Believe it or not, this little piece of ribbon was found in my scrap jar and looks like it matches the paper exactly! Isn't that serendipitous?! :)

I think I'm going to take a break from all these pumpkin cards and work on the holiday circle journal that I received in the mail yesterday. This one is Kim's {Hutchink} and she wants us to create two pages in her little album telling about our favorite collection. Hmmm, what will I do??? LoL :)

Pumpkin Patch! { another $1 M's stamp! }

When our children were young, we always looked forward to a trip to the local pumpkin patch in the fall. They would enjoy selecting the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween and then they would run and play amidst the fallen leaves. Good times & great memories!

This darling paper by Adorn-It is appropriately named "Pumpkin Patch". I've layered in onto some bright green paper by DCWV and zig-zagged the edges. The base cardstock is pumpkin pie by Stampin Up.


This image is another $1 Michaels wood-mounted rubber stamp. I've stamped it in basic black and colored the circles with my Stampin Up pumpkin pie marker. The corners and edges were highlighted with green prismacolor pencils and blended in with gamsol. The orange ribbon with yellow dots is from a micro spool by Offray.

I've got another pumpkin card in the works today, so stay tuned for more! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower." ~ Albert Camus

P is for P-P-Pumpkin!

This little paper-pieced pumpkin (say that three times fast!) was created from a template that I downloaded at The Stamp Shack. I actually put the orange base cardstock in my printer and then cut out the pumpkin shape once I had the guidelines. I used the same template pattern to cut out the other decorative paper pieces, lightly glued them on to the base,and zig-zag stitched over the top edges.

Fall is in the air and I'm planning an autumn cardmaking marathon this weekend! Stay tuned!

Smiles, Pam : )

Quote for Today ~

"Autumn . . . the year's last, loveliest smile." ~ Bryant

Trick-Or-Treats! { Lovin' my M's $1 Stamps! }

Last week when I was in Omaha, I really scored on a few terrific wood mounted $1 Halloween stamps at Michaels. This one is by Studio G. I've stamped the image in basic black and colored it with my Stampin' Up markers to match the patterned paper.

Believe it or not, I did not buy this paper at the same time I bought the stamp and they are not a "set". I found it a few days later at a small town scrapbooking shop I had never been to before. Do you believe in papercrafting destiny?! LoL :) This cute and colorful dotted paper is by Doodlebug Design, Inc. and appropriately called "Tricks-Or-Treats". I've layered in black and zig-zagged with my new little sewing machine. (see previous post) The base cardstock is Stampin Up pumpkin pie with layers of summer sun and lovely lilac. The cute little bats in the upper right corner are stamped with the Stampin Up Halloween Backgrounds set.

This was really a FUN card to make and I hope you like it! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." ~ Theodore Roosevelt

It Was A Beautiful Autumn Wedding . . .

Two years ago today, our son, Andrew, and daughter-in-law, Jami, were married in a very beautiful autumn ceremony. This is the anniversary card that I made especially for them...wishing the two of them a lifetime of love and happiness.

This card is a 5-1/2 x 5-1/2" square. For the base, I've used Stampin Up always artichoke cardstock and distressed it using the 'saran wrap technique'. The other colors of cardstock are really rust, marigold morning and cranberry crisp. I had to use 'really rust' because that was the color we used on their wedding invitations, programs and thank yous and I still have plenty of scraps left! :) The patterned paper is by Adornit ~ Carolee's Creations. These two are titled Fall Leaves Aswirl & Spice Vines. Please don't look too closely at my stitching as I'm just learning how to use my new Janome Sew Mini. I can tell that sewing corners will be a challenge for me, but I think I'll be really good at the crazy stitch look! :) The sentiment is a $1 Michaels stamp punched out with my Marvy Uchida mega circle, layered with the giga scalloped circle.

To the right is one of my favorite photos of Andy & Jami and their wedding party. If you would like to see more wedding pix, please visit Jami's blog, Crazy Daisy Creations and be sure to leave a comment to wish them a Happy Anniversary!

Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13

Gather Friends Like Flowers...

This is the first card that I've created with my new Janome Sew Mini sewing machine. I love the look of real stitching on cards but never wanted to lug out my big machine. This little mini machine is SO {sew} easy to operate and very lightweight and portable. {enabler alert!} I purchased mine on SALE at Hancock Fabrics in Omaha. Now I just need to learn how to sew a straight line! :)

The image is from a stamp that a friend loaned me because she knows that I love to color. (Thanks Jason! :) It's by Stamps Happen, Inc. and appropriately named "Gather Friends Like Flowers" #80042. The coloring is done with prismacolor pencils.

It feels GREAT to be spending time in my craft room today. I hope you're having an enjoyable day too! Smiles, Pam :)

Sharing More Quilt Photos ~

These are all quilts that have been handmade by our mother, Jeanne Hopkins. Obviously, the photos don't even begin to do them justice. They are all incredible works of art!

I took photos until my camera battery died and then my sister Judy took several more. Her camera has the photo of us with Mom and I'll post that when I get it.

Yesterday I took Judy back to the airport and she's back home in California now. Our week together went WAY too fast, as always, but we had such a WONDERFUL time together! We are already planning our next get-together...hopefully in Hawaii this winter!











This is the last day of my vacation. Boo Hoo! :( I'm hoping to make a few cards to post and use the new toy that I bought in Omaha on Tuesday... my Janome Sew Mini! I *love* stitching on cards and thought this would make it much easier.


Happy Sunday dear friends. Smiles 2 U, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

" In the crazy quilt of life,
I'm glad you're in my block of friends." ~Author Unknown

Absolutely Incredible Quilt!

I'm having a WONDERFUL time with my sister Judy and haven't had an extra minute this week for any cardmaking, but I do have some of the most incredible quilt photos to show you from our visit with our mother... the amazing quilter!

When I say the photos don't do this quilt justice, it is true! The colors are really much more vibrant in real life.

I don't have much time now to go into detail, but will post more later! Miss you all! Smiles, Pam :)



this is a close-up of one of the blocks...

Jeepers Creepers! ! !

Yesterday, when I was pulling weeds in my flower garden, I saw the BIGGEST, ugliest spider ever! First, I saw the huge web and then it moved and I couldn't help but scream! I *hate* spiders! So, why would I even consider buying a spider stamp?! Good question! :)

But, this little spider is sort of *cute*... and harmless! The wood mounted stamp is from the Stampendous Window Art Collection and appropriately named "Spider Window". I embossed it with Stampin Up detail black embossing powder and colored with prismacolor pencils.

The shimmer glitter background paper is by Heidi Grace Designs - Jeepers Creepers/Candy Corn. The tag is punched from another pattern - Halloween Circles with Glitter. At first I thought the candy corn ribbon might be a bit much, but my sweet DIL, Jami at Crazy Daisy Creations gave it to me and I wanted to use it! I *love* candy corn and I'm really craving it after making this card! It's a good thing I don't have any right now because I would probably eat the entire bag! :)

I'm SO excited that my sister Judy from California is coming tomorrow! Yay! : ) I'll pick her up at the airport in Omaha and then maybe we'll go to lunch somewhere by Village Point Mall so I can make a stop at Archivers. She doesn't stamp or scrapbook, but there are a LOT of other cool shops out there too.

Have a terrific week everyone! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life." ~Isadora James
and here's one especially for my younger sister. . .
"It was nice growing up with someone like you - someone to lean on, someone to count on... someone to tell on! " ~ Unknown :)

Let's Go Golfing!

Our weather is so beautiful today that it would be perfect for a round of golf! Actually, I'm not a golfer myself, but my family is...and I do enjoy the scenery and riding in the golf cart. :)

I made this card awhile back but didn't post it here on my blog because I wasn't so sure that I liked it. I guess, if I was going to color it again, I would choose different colors. The image is one that I received in a swap so I don't have the stamp, nor do I know who makes it.

The background paper is by Scenic Route Paper Co - harvest harlequin chesnut. The corners and the matting under the image is Stampin Up Always Artichoke. For my corners, I use the small 1/4" square and the 1-1/4" square and cut it in half diagonally. I put it through my Cuttlebug first using the mesh embossing folder. The "thinking of you today" sentiment is from the PaperTreyInk Faux Ribbon set. I used the SU tag corner punch to create the tag.

I hope you're all enjoying your Sunday... whether you're golfing, cardmaking, or washing windows like Jim and I were earlier! :) Smiles! ~ Pam

Quote for Today ~

"If I'm on the golf course and lightning strikes, I get inside fast!

If God wants to play through, let him!"

~Bob Hope

Magic Broom Flourish { Hero Arts }

Last week, I received this super cute little witchie stamp from my friend Donna (craftingcrazy) in Oregon. I think this stamp is adorable and I couldn't wait to ink her up and make a card.

This is a wood mounted rubber stamp by Hero Arts and the name of it is "Magic Broom Flourish". The "Happy Halloween" sentiment is from one of my Stampin Up sets. I've used SU Only Orange cardstock for the base, and the polka dot Halloweenie patterned paper came from Donna. :) She said it's from the Martha Stewart Halloween collection. It comes in a package of 18 sheets, 6 different double sided designs.

It is SO chilly today in Nebraska that it feels like it should be the end of October! Thankfully, it's just a fast moving cold front and should warm up again next week. I hope so, because I'll be on VACATION and my sister Judy is coming to visit from California. Can't wait!

I've got another holiday circle journal here for a swap that I'm in and plan to work on that today. I'll post a photo when I get it done.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend everyone! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"This Halloween the most popular mask is the Arnold Schwarzenegger mask. And the best part? With a mouth full of candy you will sound just like him." ~Conan O'Brien

SMILE! { Lawn Boyz by Bugawumps }

Have you heard of Bugawumps Rubber Stamps?

"Somewhere between the oranges and yellows of the setting sun and the misty blue lavenders of dusk the idea for Bugawumps® was born"...original copyrighted artwork and text by Laura A. Jacobs.

Honestly, I had never heard of Bugawumps® myself, but I do own one of their stamps! It is appropriately named "Lawn Boyz" and it's one of my favorites! :) A couple years ago, I attended an Auntie Amy's Rubber Stamp Convention in Lincoln, NE and that's where I found this cute stamp. This is the first time that I've colored it with prismacolor pencils.

The base of this 'tent-topper' card is 4-1/4 x 4" and the cardstock is Stampin' Up! green galore. I cut out the image and matted it with green galore punched out with the Marvy Uchida scalloped giga punch. The sentiment "Your friendship makes me smile" is from a Hero Arts Clear Design set ~ Friendship Messages. It's stamped on green galore and layered with barely banana.

I hope this silly card makes YOU smile...because your friendship makes ME smile! :)

Quote for Today ~

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend." ~John Leonard

{ Mall of America } "Left Behind" Challenges ~

Goodness, has it really been 4 days since I've posted?! Whatzup with that?! Life gets busy sometimes and I simply run out of hours in the day. Dang, I hate it when that happens! Trust me, I would much rather be spending time in my craft room than working! :) But, if we don't work, we can't "play"... or SHOP for more stamping goodies!

Speaking of SHOPPING...several of my STAMP SHACK friends are currently at the Mall of America enjoying the Archiver's sponsored SCRAPFEST 2007. I really wanted to go and would have loved the opportunity to meet them all. They've been posting photos and telling about all the FUN they're having. :)

Well, some of the clever and creative gals that weren't able to attend, decided to post some challenges for those of us that were "Left Behind".

Challenge #1 was posted by Pascale of Quebec, Canada and she wanted us to create a purse shaped card or a card with a purse on it. Afterall, you need a purse to shop the MOA! Honestly, I didn't even think I had a purse rubber stamp, but low and behold, I did!! This cute little stamp is from Stampin' Up! set TAG TIME. I created a little 3 x 3 gift card.



Challenge #2 was posted by Christie from Texas and for her challenge we had to visit the Mall of America store directory website. We had to look at all the stores they have there and find one that would be the inspiration for our card. We could make a card, an atc, bookmark, whatever. My inspiration came from the "Autumn Cottage" store and this is my autumn card...


The tree is a Hero Arts stamp and "Happy Autumn" was part of another stamp by PSX. The background paper is Fall Folliage by Karen Foster. I've used Stampin' Up! cardstock to layer the images...so saffron, more mustard and really rust.

Challenge #3 was posted by Cindi from Maine and she asked us to make a card with a shopping theme. It could have shopping bags, a saying about shopping, or an image of someone shopping. Well, I just happened to have this funny American Art Stamp I hadn't used in a long time. This was a super quick card because I didn't even take the time to color the image! The background is a double sided black/white paper scrap and I don't recall who makes it. The image was punched out with the Marvy Uchida mega circle and layered with the giga scalloped punch.
After I finished this one, I realized it would have worked for Challenge #2 also... the store inspiration was "White House - Black Market". :)

These challenges were so FUN and I was able to use some stamps I hadn't used in a long time! If you have never visited the Stamp Shack, I totally recommend you do. Everyone is so friendly, supportive and very CREATIVE!

Have a wonderful day! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping." ~ Bo Derek

Heartfelt Wishes { Fresh Bloom by Stampendous }

Once again I've been coloring images that were sent to me by my friend Michelle of Stamper's Dream. This lovely flower is "Fresh Bloom" by Stampendous and I've colored it with prismacolor pencils and blended with gamsol.



This card is a 5-1/4" square and I've used Stampin' Up! Lovely Lilac & Orchid Opulance cardstock. For the upper half of the background, I have used the "plastic wrap" technique for a creative challenge at the Stamp Shack. The orchid piece was stamped with the french script background and then put through my Cuttlebug with the Stylized Flowers embossing folder. The flower and the orchid piece are matted in basic black and the flower is attached with dimensionals.



Initally, I had black ribbon tied on the right side, but I didn't care for it. It seemed to me that it took away from the flower as the focal point. What do you think? (see photo 2)



Then, as if that wasn't enough, I decided that the lilac background wasn't dark enough and got out more plastic wrap and the black ink pad! Did I ruin it or do you like it better? You be the judge! :) (see photo 3)



The sentiment "Heartfelt Wishes" is from an Clear Design set by Hero Arts ~ Friendship Messages.

Please let me know what you think of this card and which variation is your favorite. I love hearing from all of you! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"What a great blessing is a friend with a heart so trusty you may safely bury all your secrets in it. ~ Seneca

Trick or Treat! { Witch Shoes by Stampendous }

Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the summer, and the beaches and other popular resort areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-day weekend.

What did you YOU do this weekend? We were busy with some home-improvement projects and fall cleaning. I would much rather have spent it on a beach somewhere, but there is a great feeling of accomplishment in getting the "chores" done. :) It wasn't all work and no play... I got to spend some time in my stamping room too!

And yes, it is a bit early to be thinking of Halloween, but when I received this fantastic image from Michelle at Stamper's Dream, I was so anxious to get out my prismascolor pencils and bring it to life!

The stamped image is "Witch Shoes" by Stampendous. It was stamped on watercolor paper with Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. That seems to be Michelle's favorite way to stamp images and I love the look. The embossing adds a nice dimension to the sharp black color. Also, it really makes it easier when coloring to stay within the lines. :)

Don't you think this striped paper { KI Memories } is perfect for this image? The orange paper is "Halloween Words" by the Paper Studio and the "Trick or Treat" ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. I debated about using the printed ribbon until I thought of creating the loop on top so you could read "trick or treat". My favorite way to attach ribbon is with the red double sided sticky strip tape. I just put a strip across the width of the card, peel off the strip and lay the ribbon on top. Works perfectly! : )

I hope you've all had a pleasure-filled weekend. I've enjoyed every minute of mine and even accomplished more than I'd planned! Gotta love that! :)

Have a splendid week! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow." ~Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You

Flowers in Chintz { Lockhart Stamp & Plastic Wrap Technique! }

Happy Labor Day Weekend to all my special blogging friends!
I hope you're enjoying yourselves and finding a little creative time just for YOU!


The image on today's card is "Flowers in Chintz" by Karen Lockhart. I've had this rubber stamp since I took her class last fall in Sioux Falls, SD and this is the first time I've used it! I'm not sure what I was waiting for because I really enjoyed coloring it. The frame around the bouquet is part of the image and then I trimmed it so you wouldn't see any white cardstock. Then I layered it with Stampin Up cardstock - So Saffron and More Mustard. The blue patterned paper is one from my "stash" and I have no idea where I got it or who makes it. I thought the design went well with the blue "chintz" pitcher.

The "thinking of you" sentiment is from Stampin Up set "Circle of Friendship". I've punched it out with my 1" scalloped Martha Stewart punch and layered with 1-1/4" circle.

I'm not sure that you can tell in this photo, but I've tried a new background technique for a creative team challenge at the Stamp Shack. On the so safron piece of cardstock that has the ribbon tied around it and on the sentiment circle, I used more mustard ink and the "Plastic Wrap Background Technique". All you do is take about a 12-16 inch piece of plastic wrap. Wad it up making a small ball. Use it like a stamp, tapping it onto inkpad and stamping onto paper. Repeat process to get the desired coverage. How *COOL* is that!? And to think of all the $$ I've spent on background stamps! : /

You should see the MESS I've got here! And not because of the plastic wrap! :) I was just looking around my room and there is barely an inch of open desktop...and I have THREE desks in here!! Looks like I better do a little cleaning and organizing before I start my next project. I've got another circle journal here for a swap that's due next week. Once I get started, I really enjoy these, but I tend to stress over it first!

My sweet DIL Jami called early this morning and said our son Andy is officially on his way to CHINA! I asked him Friday if he was excited or nervous and he said "a little of both". He has been traveling quite a bit lately for business, but usually in the United States! We were all asking him to bring us back a souvenir, but he is not a shopper, so we'll see. :) I wonder what they have for rubber stamping and cardmaking shops over there??? Did you know ... he flies from Omaha to Chicago to Shanghai and it's about a 20 hr flight. Also, he flies west over the Pacific Ocean. I didn't even know this! I think I need a globe...or a Geography class! LoL

Ok, I better get busy around here. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!! By the way, I *love* your comments and appreciate them so much! YOU inspire me! Hugs & Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

"Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man will not find peace." - Albert Schweitzer