Springtime Smiles! {Beate's WSC #41}

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge along with this adorable smiley flower image from Sarah {Loobylou} have brought me out of my stamping ennui. :)

Thankfully, I don't get sick very often because I really don't have the patience for it. It's been over a week now and I'm still coughing and have very little energy, but I want to think I'm on the mend!

This is a 4-3/4" square card and I've layered it with one of my favorite K & Company patterned papers from the Wild Saffron line. The coordinating yellow piece was put through my Cuttlebug with the new Swiss Dot embossing folder. All the layers were stitched down with my Janome Sew Mini machine.

This super cute smiley sunflower image is from my friend Sarah in Australia. She commented that they were "to keep me entertained"! LoL :) I love them and enjoyed coloring the image with my prismacolor pencils. The "Smiles" sentiment is a tiny woodmounted rubber stamp by A Muse.

Thanks so much for blogging by. Wishing you Springtime Smiles! ~ Pam :)

Quote for Today ~
Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

Word for Today ~
ennui \on-WEE\, noun: A feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction arising from lack of interest; boredom.

Supplies ~
Stamps: smiley sunflowers - unknown; Smiles sentiment - A Muse
Cardstock: Stampin' Up - blue bayou & wild wasabi; K & Company - wild saffron
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Tim Holtz tea dye distress ink
Other: red brad, stitching, prismacolor pencils

The Art of Casting ~ a Virtual Swap Card

I'm really changing it up with today's card! There is barely even any green on it! :) The image was sent to me by Stacy {JBgreendawn} for a virtual swap she was hostessing at the Stamp Shack. I thought it looked like a very fun image to color, but with all the fine detail I found it to be quite a challenge. I used prismacolor pencils and blended just a little with a blender pencil.

This image is large and my card is 5-1/2" square. I've used a textured brown cardstock and embellished with the Stampin Up large antique brass eyelets and some misc twine.

Unfortunately, I've caught hubby's nasty cold & cough so we didn't go to Sx Falls like we had planned. We've both been lounging around, reading, watching tv and not doing much of anything. I know so many people who have been sick lately, that it was bound to happen sooner or later. :/ So, needless to say, I'm not feeling too creative. But, I'll keep taking my vitamins and drinking orange juice and hopefully this lackadaisical feeling won't last long! Smiles! Pam :)

Quote for Today ~
The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of that which is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. -Anonymous

Word for Today ~
lackadaisical \lack-uh-DAY-zih-kuhl\, adjective: Lacking spirit or liveliness; showing lack of interest; languid; listless.

Happy Spring! Happy Smiles!

It was a bit of a struggle tonight to create another GREEN card. I simply wasn't feeling the mojo and it took awhile to accomplish this one. I should have taken a photo of my craft table with all the assorted green cardstock and patterned paper fanned out for inspiration. You would have laughed at the mess! :)

The green striped paper I settled on is from My Minds Eye and I've layered it on Stampin Up Old Olive. The card base is a DCWV textured green cardstock. This is the first time I've used my new Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder and I love the look! The "happy smiles" circle stamp is from Hero Arts and the center is from the Stampin Up "In the Spotlight" set.

Since tomorrow is GOOD FRIDAY and a holiday, I have the day off work and hubby and I are planning to go to Sioux Falls, SD shopping. He's caught a humdinger of a cold, so I'm hoping he feels well enough to go! I can hear my favorite rubber stamp store calling my name!!! LoL :)

Wishing you all a very happy and blessed Easter weekend! Enjoy! Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime. ~Martin Luther

Word for Today ~

mellifluous \muh-LIF-loo-us\, adjective: Flowing as with honey; smooth; flowing sweetly or smoothly; as, a mellifluous voice.

Heartfelt Green MOJO!

Well, I told you I would be back with another GREEN card tonight! :) Brace yourself, because this one is WAY out of the box! This is one of those cards that if someone else created it, I would probably like it, but it's definitely not my usual style and I can't say I like it for me. Does that make a bit of sense? :)

I selected the green designer paper with Julee's Mojo Monday sketch in mind. The sketch this week on her blog Poetic Artistry really caught my eye and I knew it would be a challenge. The paper is from the Bohemia line by My Mind's Eye and I've layered it on Stampin Up Chocolate Chip cardstock.


The photo doesn't show it, but it's all stamped in Staz On timber brown and embossed with a detailed clear powder that gives it a shine and added dimension. The flower was stamped and cut out and then layered onto the chocolate ship cardstock and cut out again. I added the large brown brad in the center and attached with dimensionals. I've used two Stampin Up sets for this ~ Heartfelt Thanks and Priceless. The brown twill ribbon is from the new Occasions mini collection.

I hope you're all having a great week so far! I'm glad you stopped by and I hope you'll take a minute to leave a comment and let me know what you think of my farrago of green cards this week! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~
As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world. ~Adabella Radici

Word for Today ~
farrago \fuh-RAH-go; fuh-RAY-go\, noun: A confused mixture; an assortment; a medley.

The QUEEN of GREEN!

I had to laugh out loud at one of the comments I received on yesterday's post. I told you all that I was going to celebrate St Patty's Day by posting a GREEN card each day this week. My stamping friend Sarah (Loobylou) from down under in Australia said she already considered me the "Queen of GREEN"! I guess she's noticed I tend to use the color green quite often.Today's card is definitly GREEN, huh? It's 4" square and I've used the new little smiley turtle stamp my sweet DIL Jami {Crazy Daisy Creations} bought for me in Hawaii. I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and paper-pieced the shell.

Thanks for blogging by. I'll have another green card for you tomorrow! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. ~James Bryant Conant

Word of the Day ~

verdure \VUR-jur\, noun: Green; greenness; freshness of vegetation; as, the verdure of the meadows in June.

Supplies ~

Stamps: Dandelion Designs (made in Hawaii)

Paper: designer paper by the Paper Studio; DCWV green cardstock

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU garden green to distress the edges

Other: large green eyelet, green grosgrain ribbon, scalloped punch, circle punches, prismacolor pencils

Top 'O the Mornin' to Ya!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing GREEN today? I wore my light green sweater with a smiley face St. Patty's pin to work, but now I'm changed into my cozy red plaid flannel comfy pants and sweatshirt. Would you believe we woke up to S*N*O*W this morning?! Ugh! It's supposed to be SPRING!

In celebration of this fun Irish holiday, I'm going GREEN this week and plan to post a green card each day! I've always thought that blue was my favorite color, but I have more GREEN patterned paper and cardstock than any other color in my stash.

This card was created using Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #39, but I added the scalloped circle to it, simply because I wanted to use the *lucky* four leaf clover stamp. It's difficult to see in the photo, but I paper-pieced the clover with some light green patterned paper. The stamps are from a $1 Michaels acrylic set by Studio G and the shamrock paper is by the Paper Studio.

I hope your day is blessed with a bit of Irish luck, brightened by a song in your heart, and warmed by the smiles of those you love. Cheers! Pam :)

Quote for Today ~ An Irish Blessing!
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Word of the Day ~
mellifluous \muh-LIF-loo-us\, adjective: Flowing as with honey; smooth; flowing sweetly or smoothly; as, a mellifluous voice.

Supplies ~
Stamps: Studio G
Ink: Stampin Up garden green
Paper: the Paper Studio - Shamrocks on White; My Mind's Eye light green solid; DCWV green cardstock.
Other: extra large green eyelets (We R Memory Keepers), light green grosgrain ribbon-JoAnn's Craft Essentials.

See the Flowers Smiling! {WSC39}

Happy Weekend Everyone!
Gotta love our weekends, that's for sure! Especially when there is time to do as you please and stamp it up to your hearts content. That's just what I'm doing today! And here is one of the cards I made for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #39. Please be sure to check out Beate's terrific blog ~ "Fresh & Fun" and see all the other cards using this sketch. They're amazing and can give you so many fantastic ideas!

The base of this card is Stampin Up naturals ivory cardstock. The patterned paper is one of my all-time favorites from Basic Grey. I've layered ands stitched it onto wild wasabi.
This sentiment is from a Hero Arts Clear Design set titled "Happiness Messages".

Can you see the smiley face brass brad in the middle of the flower? I've had these for a few years and think I bought them on eBay. It just seemed to work on this card. :) The flower juxtaposed to the sentiment is two layers of barely banana cardstock punched with the Stampin Up flower punch. I've used a light yellow extra large eyelet (We R Memory Keepers) and tied the stitched wild wasabi ribbon through it and around the flowered layer. The sentiment and the flower are mounted on SU dimensionals. The distressing is done with a sponge and Tim Holtz tea dye distress ink.

It's rather cold today, but I've got my heater on and I'm enjoying the thought of SPRING just around the corner! I'm happy you blogged by and I hope this card made you SMILE!

Happy Stamping! ~ Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock. ~Henry Ward Beecher, Star Papers: A Discourse of Flowers

Word of the Day ~

juxtapose (v.) place next to, put side by side, compare, oppose

I asked hubby if he knew what "juxtapose" meant and he said it sounded like a sexual position. :) LoL

Stamp Club Smiley Cake & Cute Creations!

Last night was our Stampin Up Club get together and, as always, we had such a FUN time! I want to say a very special THANKS to our 'hostess with the mostess' ~ VICKI, and to our super creative and very patient SU demo ~ JASON! :) Whoo Hoo!

Vicki really knows how to host a PARTY! After stamping, she served a delicious lunch... complete with margaritas & bloody mary's (oh my!) And just when I thought I was done celebrating my birthday, they suprised me with this adorable little smiley face cake! Isn't it CUTE?! Thankfully, it didn't have 54 candles, but it did have one and I got to blow it out and make my wish! :)

We made three terrific projects last night and I want to show them to you (even though Jason told me not to blog them because she had cased the ideas). :) If the people who thought of these happen to read my blog, they should be thrilled to see we loved their ideas enough to duplicate them! And if they want credit, I'll be happy to recognize them and post a link to their blog or gallery! (Did you really think I would listen to you Jason? ;) LoL


It was especially FUN to play with some of the new Stampin Up designer series papers. The argyle patterned one is from "East Coast Prep" and the gift bag paper is from "Summer Picnic". Isn't this gift bag clever?! We took a small white paper sack, cut the height to 4", stapled ribbon on each side, then decorated with cardstock, ribbon and tag!

I've decided not to show you our third project just yet because mine didn't turn out the best. No, really! We colored the image with watercolor crayons and the aqua painter and I got carried away and didn't know when to quit! I blended my colors so much that it smeared the stamped flower. I thought it would be ok, but when I uploaded the picture, it looked worse than I thought! It's a great layout with the beautiful "Ginger Blossom" paper and Groovy Guava cardstock. I'm going to find another image and "fix" it and maybe I'll post it later.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Enjoy your weekend and Happy Stamping! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~ from the "Smarty Pants" set
"If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything." ~ Bill Lyon

Word of the Day ~ (something NEW!)
smid·gen (n.) A very small quantity or portion; a bit or mite: "a smidgen of genius, a sliver of cutting truth"

Supplies ~
Stamps: Stampin Up - Tart and Tangy, Lots of Thoughts, Smarty Pants
Paper: Stampin Up - real red, more mustard, tempting turquoise, designer series papers (see above)
Ink: Basic Black, Only Orange
Other: Stampin Write Markers, scalloped punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, wild wasabi stitched grograin ribbon, real red & old olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon

Happy Spring!

SPRING doesn't *officially* arrive until next week , but SPRING arrived in Nebraska yesterday! It was a perfectly beautiful day, no wind and temps near 70! Hallelujah!

Not only did Spring arrive, but so did this super cute and cheerful pink "Happy Spring" card from my stamping friend from North Carolina ~Sherri {iloveflipflops}! She enclosed several of these adorable smiley face flower-happy spring images too and noted in her card that it is the Great Impressions March stamp of the month.




Of course I couldn't wait to color one of the images and create a card to wish you all a very HAPPY SPRING!!! I'm not crazy about the layout for this card, but I love the image and think it makes up for it. LoL
Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~
No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. ~Proverb

Supply List ~
Stamps: Great Impressions
Paper: Basic Grey
Ink: n/a
Other: small blue brads, 5/8" blue grosgrain ribbon

Dimples, Giggles, Cuddles, Divine...

...all come together, sweetness combined!

That's the verse on the "Sweet One" baby image from the Stampin Up "So Many Scallops" set. This was one of the *free* sets I chose during Sale-A-Bration and one I'll surely use often.

Most of you have probably already seen this cute baby onesie card idea, but I just saw it for the first time yesterday and fell in love with it! I was viewing the gallery at Splitcoaststampers and saw this adorable card created by 'studfarm'. She commented that her card was a 'case of a case' by Lauren Meader who posted a tutorial on her blog "My Time, My Creations, My Stampendous". Check it out! It's a fabulous tutorial with all the details you'll need to duplicate this sweet little baby card.

My card is made with Stampin Up pretty in pink cardstock, stamped with white craft ink and the new polka dot background stamp. I think this is one of my most favorite cards ever! :)

Happy Monday and thanks for blogging by today! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. ~Carl Sandburg

Supply List ~

Stamps: Stampin Up-polka dot background, So Many Scallops
Paper: Stampin Up-berry bliss designer paper, pretty in pink, regal rose, whisper white cardstock
Ink: SU white craft ink, pretty in pink
Other: white eyelets, pink & white polka dot ribbon, 1-3/8" & 2" circle punches, scalloped punch

Friendship Hugs from Elzybell! {WSC38}

Today's card was created using Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge. I love the card that she made with this sketch and enjoy seeing all the others too. To begin, first I chose the two coordinating sheets of designer paper by Chatterbox and matched them up with blue bayou cardstock by Stampin Up. Then I noticed my new Elzybell stamp "Hugs" would work perfectly with her cute little polka dot dress and the image was just the right size too.

As you can see, I stitched the layers together, colored the image with prismacolor pencils, created the tag, added some coordinating ribbon and wah lah! :)

There are just SO many wonderful blogs and sketches to inspire us these days! And I'm grateful to those that take the time to share their creative talents with the rest of us.

Thanks for blogging by today! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me. ~Author Unknown

Supply List ~

Stamps: Elzybells Art Stamps, Ltd. - Hugs; Stampin Up - Think Happy Thoughts

Paper: Chatterbox Designer Paper - Foyer Dots, Woods Blossoms; Stampin Up - blue bayou, natural

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, clear detail embossing powder, Stampin Up - blue bayou

Other: large antique brass brad, scalloped punch, circle punches, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Oh No! Another Birthday!

Yes, it's my birthday today... 54 years young! :) And would you believe that I woke up with a pounding sinus headache and earache and had to stay home from work?! For me, calling in to work sick is almost worse than being sick! Seriously, I'm rarely sick. But, today I stayed home and I slept the morning away... and feel somewhat better now, thankfully. :) It helped that I received a call from the florist saying they had a delivery for me. Look at these beautiful plants with the smiley balloons. I just had to take a photo and show them off. The guys I work with are awesome and so very thoughtful!

You'll also notice all the fabulous cards I've received, mostly from my sweet friends at the Stamp Shack. Each one is so special and a true work of art and I'm very grateful they took the time to send them to me. It reminds me that I need to do the same, because I haven't been good about this lately. Sometimes, life just gets in the way of us doing the things we know we should do.

A couple days ago, I received an email from a friend who knew my birthday was coming up. I think it's a keeper and want to share it with you. I don't know the original auther or I would give credit. It's one I can relate to and thought you may enjoy it too.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm hoping to feel better and have time to create something blog-worthy for you this weekend.

In the meantime, happy stamping & smiles 2 U all! ~ Pam :)

{the following is from an email I received}

~ OLD AGE IS A GIFT ~
The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. Old Age, I decided, is a gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.

As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day, if I feel like it! :)

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART! :)

Stamp Club Creations { Stampin' Up! }

These are two of the projects from my Stampin Up club last night. It was great to try out some of the new products, such as the rub-ons, felt "flower fusion", twill ribbon, and the styled silver hodgepodge hardware. And I adore this new designer series paper ~ Afternoon Tea!

Let's talk about RUB-ONS! Honestly, I didn't think I would care for them at all, but I'm really impressed with them now. They are very simple to use and appear as if they are a nice detailed stamped image. I guess I was thinking they would look more like a sticker. Have you used rub-ons much and what are your favorite brands? I'm curious.

I'm not going to go into detail on these projects since they aren't my original creations. But, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful week!

Think SPRING!!!

Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

The seasons are what a symphony ought to be: four perfect movements in harmony with each other. ~Arthur Rubenstein

Elzy is driving by to say "Hi"!

Once again I simply couldn't resist participating in Beate's wonderful Weekend Sketch Challenge! Isn't this layout FUN?! Be sure to visit Beate's blog, "Fresh & Fun" or search WSC37 at Splitcoaststampers to see all the other fabulous creations using this sketch.

The patterned paper I've used for this card is from one of my favorite stacks by K & Company ~ Wild Saffron. I've layered it on Stampin Up cardstock ~ wild wasabi and blue bayou. The adorable little "Elzy" image is a small wood mounted rubber stamp by Elzybells Art Stamps, Ltd distributed by A Muse.

I think Elzy's sporty car looks like a VW Beetle ~ and I colored it yellow ~ just like the one I drive! I just showed this card to hubby (aka MW) and he said "where are the dents in the roof?" :) Ok, let me explain... on Monday morning when I was leaving for work, I pushed the garage door opener button and went and got into my car. I started to back out and CRASH!!! Yes, you guessed it... I hit the garage door!!!

In my defense, I had looked in the rearview mirror and saw daylight, but unbeknownst to me, the door had only gone up about 2/3 of the way when it stuck. Grrr! What a way to start the week! It did about $450 damage to my car and although the garage door is still working, MW thinks it will need a new bottom panel. Moral of the story: make sure the garage door is ALL the way up before backing out!! :/ Have any of you ever done anything like this? Please tell me you have so I don't feel so stupid! :) LoL

I hope you're all enjoying the weekend and finding time to be creative. Thanks for stopping by today! Smiles, Pam :)

Quote for Today ~

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour. ~Author Unknown

Supply List ~

Stamps: Elzybells Art Stamps - girl in car; Hero Arts Clear Design Thinking of You Messages - happy wishes; Stampin Up linen background

Paper: K & Company - Wild Saffron; Stampin Up - wild wasabi & blue bayou

Ink: SU wild wasabi & blue bayou, Versafine Onyx black, clear embossing powder

Other: 7/8 & 1" circle punches, prismacolor pencils, green brad, stitching with Janome Sew Mini.