Tuesday, January 31, 2017

You Make My Heart Jump

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, today's featured card is show casing my new heart die from Memory Box, called Cream Puff Heart (#98452).   This is a retired die, mine came from Dies-R-Us.  The Die gives you two options with each cut, using the outline or the negative space as shown here.


Once I applied the red cut heart to the card base, I drew a glue line for the heart beat and laid the matching twine onto the glue.  I did find that a stiff twine worked better to maintain the straight lines ans sharp peaks and valleys.  Sentiment was added using my Misti and the production line continued.

Just a Cute and Simple Valentine, with the ability to get two cards out of one cut of this die.  Love it! 


I'll be posting this on the following sites
where I hope you will stop over to see other great cards:
and my Personal Site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog postings.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 


Saturday, January 28, 2017

Where Do You Fit? ~ National Puzzle Day

Another somewhat new 'Day of Celebration', January 29th is National Puzzle Day, which also directed the weekend challenge on the Facebook site, Addicted to Card Making....
Make a card with a Puzzle on it (crossword, jigsaw, word search, etc.).

Finally, a perfect time to use another little tiny stamp hiding in my stash, never used.  Using my PSE skills I was able to take a digi cross and layer in jigsaw pieces, then stamp/mat the stamped image before adding just a touch of color to several puzzle pieces. 


When I laid it all together, the depth of the meaning in this simple image huge!  
There are so many great Bible scriptures that support God knowing just where you fit....  
His plan is perfect, You are inscribed in the palm of His hand, the Word of the Lord stands forever...
I pray that as you read this today, you are filled with God's peace and comfort in a this world of turmoil.  Seek His will daily and acknowledge his blessings, for He is an awesome God!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will follow my postings.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam

This posting will also appear on the following sites
where I invite you to visit and see other card creations:
and on my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Friday, January 27, 2017

If You Want to Succeed

For our Short Challenge on the Facebook site, Christian Card Makers
we are asked to make a card using
His banner over me is Love and send it to a fellow site member.

For my submission I selected Unity Stamps Angie Girl,  "Bernadette". 

  The coordinating stamp that comes with Bernadette says, 
"If you want to SUCCEED you should strike out on new paths
rather than travel the worn PATHS of accepted SUCCESS".

This sentiment describes the recipient of my card perfectly! A special friend, who I've never actually met, but have grown to love and admire through our faith and sharing.  Gail is an amazing woman of God, who remains strong and faithful no matter what life circumstances are.   Her talents to teach young children God's word fill her heart to overflowing.  
What a blessing she is to many as she always carries God's banner and is spreading his love each and every day.
You inspire me Gail, and I am honored that our Lord has allowed our paths to cross. 

This posting will appear on the following sites
where I invite you to visit to see other card creations:
and on my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by ~ I hope you will follow my blog postings. 
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 





Results of What's on my Work Desk

Over the holidays, I was blessed with an extended vacation with my family in Texas.  My brother works from home and set up a 5' table for me in his large office so that I could craft and visit while he worked.  It proved to be quite interesting hearing all the different accents from around the world during his virtual meetings. 

As my time was nearing the end, my 'bits and pieces' pile was begging me not to be trashed, knowing I had to pack tightly for the flight home.  So today's' featured card is my Fiber Card entry for Addicted to Card Making, made with the results of what was on my work desk.  

The beautiful shades of pinks, mauve's, aquas, and ivory mixed with inked tags, a piece of paper doily, aqua ribbon and heart pearls of light pink and deep turquoise all layered for a perfect generic card.  Although there is not a sentiment as I mailed it to my swap partner I was then drawn to the soft pink heart in the center ~ on the FREE spot.  How appropriate! Both for my trip to my brother and sister-in-law's,  who I love dearly, but also another symbol of God's Love for YOU!

May your day be blessed by Jesus Christ today and every day!

This posting will appear on the following sites 
where I invite you to visit to see other great cards:

and my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 


Thursday, January 26, 2017

Where is your Life Balance?

I am sure each of you have done a random act of kindness or a purposeful blessing and quickly realized afterwards that YOU received more of the blessing that you gave.

Over the last several months, this continues to happen with my card making, and my blog postings, especially when I allow the word of My Savior to speak through my work.  For each of my card creations are to His glory, I accept none.

This was the case last month for one of my card swaps on Addicted to Card Making where the challenge was a Sports Card.  As I gathered my supplies for a soccer card, nothing was coming together and I kept just pushing it to the side.  

Then I randomly came across a HOT PINK, Sparkly, Gymnastic sticker pack and the vision started to form as the Balance Beam drew me to my own life's events.
  

The confetti background paper was added to represent all the many situations and decisions we face each day.  How do we know when to hold on and to let go?  Only by faith and prayer can we have wisdom and guidance to stay in God's will. 
What a comfort we gain from God's Holy word in Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Some days we wobble and some days we fall. But don't ever give up ~ for our Savior is always there helping us stay in balance.

This posting will appear on the following sites 
where I invite you to visit to see other cards of inspiration.
Addicted to Card Makers and on my personal site

Thank you for stopping by and following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Heartfelt Greetings

Today's card showcases a generic card using this beautiful Heartfelt  Creations stamp 
along with their Eyelet Oval die set.  
This die set comes with three large ovals, one solid, one with eyelets in the oval and one with the scalloped edging.  
For my stamped image I used copic markers for coloring and shading.  I used each of the die in the set to get the layers shown before mounting on a muted green mat and kraft card base.  The small key charm was purchased from Lori's Lovely Paper Crafts.



Like so many of the Heartfelt stamps, this card can be used for many occasions.  Their images always stamp so clear and crisp ~ perfect for coloring.

This posting will also be on the following sites, where I invite you to visit to see other card makers creations. 

Colouring in Scrapland ~ Anything Goes
Color Inspiration ~ Monday Link Up 9
and my personal site where it is available for purchase, 

Thank you for stopping by and following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 


Monday, January 23, 2017

Product Review ~ Stamp Positioning Tool

One of the hottest stampers tools last year was the continued interest in the Misti Stamp Positioning Tool.  It seems that over the last several months many other manufacturers are coming out with their versions along with many DIY version 
from CD Cases to Hinged Picture Frames.

Let me also say that I was definitely one stamper that thought...
 "That is a waste of my money, I don't need that."  
"I don't make multiple cards, I don't need that."   
"I can stamp just fine, I don't need that."  
Well guess what my crafty friends???
I WAS SO WRONG!

While this posting is a review of two manufactures brands, I can't say enough good things about the usefulness of this tool.  
GO GET ONE NOW!

So just a quick look and my thoughts about  the Mini Misti and the Hampton Arts Stamp Positioning Tool.
I started using the Mini Misti immediately after receiving it for Christmas. All of my stamps have already been removed from the wooden blocks that take up so much storage space.  Some still have the foam, some are just red rubber and a few are clear.  The black foam pad that comes with the tool is easy to remove when using stamps with foam or slide under your paper when using just rubber or clear stamps.  Any stamps that didn't cling, I used a removable glue dot, then stuck it near the hinges for the next use.  It did take one good goof up to realize how important it is to put your paper into the corner (or bottom edge) before adding the magnets.  Just like pushing your paper to the top of your cutter, you have to start with it straight if you want to end with it straight.  Having the ability to re-ink perfectly is amazing!  I also found that using several different ink colors at once on different images was easy to keep clear and separated. 

You will notice the washi tape 'tabs' on my magnets.  This was a youtube tip shared on Karle's Passion.  There is a good bit of discussion about these powerful magnets breaking as they slam together. The instructions on the box highly recommend keeping them apart.   The taped tab is a great tip which allows you to pick up and place the magnet easily on your work and also grab it to flip it around to the back of the board for storage before removing the stamped image.
About two days into using the Mini Misti, I'm realizing how great it is and how much I'm going to use it.  One happy stamper!...  Then one of the facebook sites (Bargain Outletpops up with a special on the Hampton Arts version for only $18 + shipping, and it is larger than mine.  My doubts of it's quality and durability for $30 less that the Mini Misti (5" x 6") was of course overcome by the size would allow me to use it for larger papers (6" x 8").
The Hampton Arts tool arrived Thursday and over the weekend I've used it continuously, instead of the Mini Misti, putting it through the paces to evaluate the differences.
This version did come with the same sized two very strong magnets and the same thickness black foam pad.  The ruler is easy to read, grid lines are clear, same three spaced hinges.  The only physical difference that I could see is the thickness of the top plate.  
The Hampton Arts is only 1/16" thick where the Misti is 1/8".
I would have to say this could be an issue if you aren't careful in your use, but it may fine also.  
I've used various stamps all weekend, tried all combinations of paper thickness, stamp thickness, ink combo, etc. with perfect results, no different than with the Mini Misti.
Prolonged usage could change my opinion of both of these products, however today if given a choice, I would not hesitate to purchase another Hampton Arts stamp positioning tool.  
And I can't encourage you enough to make the ~$20 investment for yourself.  My mini will go in my travel bag as I do a lot of travel for crafting and the Hampton Arts will stay on my craft desk for everyday use.  I'd love to hear your opinion on the stamping tool too!
Thank you for stopping by to read my thoughts today!

This will be posted on the following sites:

Serving a Risen Savior, Pam  


Saturday, January 21, 2017

Honoring National Pie Day ~ January 23rd

A few days early... but Addicted to Card Making's weekend challenge
is a "PIE" card for this special day so my crafty fingers had to get busy. 
I searched through a couple of my Unity coloring books and was happy to find this image, September Girl, to use for my entry card.  The grateful words in the scripture from Psalm 23: 5-6 allows this card to used as a perfect thank you card for someone's kindness.  


The image was colored using Copic markers and the background is a combination of Stampin Up Daffodil Delight and Crushed Curry inks applied with a flat q-tip.  

This card will also be entered into the following challenges and site postings.  Be sure to stop over to see other delightful card creations there too.
Unity {Show & Tell}-Challenge Any Unity Girl
and is available for sale on my personal site, Not Just Scraps.


Thank you for following stopping by and following my blog. Your comments are welcomed.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 


Thursday, January 19, 2017

What's Up?

Today's card was prepared for the short challenge 
currently running on the Christian Card Maker facebook page, 
to make an aqua and red card and mail to a fellow page member.


 I had just watched Unity's Quick Tip - One Tone Coloring with Copic Markers  and decided that this Stamps of Life cute little peacock stamp that came today would be a great image to use for this technique.  For my card I used Copics BG32 and BG15.


As for which CCM member will be receiving my card... that was easy!  As one of my readers posted it would make her happy to receive one of my card, Ms Zella, I hope the delivery of this card will brighten your day.  It's sent with lots of love and blessings just for you!

This will also be posted on the following sites where I invite you to visit also:
Unicorn Challenge 17 ~ January Blues 
and on my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior, Pam 




Wednesday, January 18, 2017

A Winter Butterfly

Today's featured card is from a weekend challenge 
on Addicted to Card Making
which was to create a snowflake card in non traditional Christmas Colors.
Perfect timing for the new Gina Marie snowflake die I had just received.  As usual, her dies cut perfectly every time and are so easy to remove from the die after cutting.
I printed a beautiful winter butterfly verse on very pale pink card stock,
 then cut it to 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".  
I then randomly glued the center only of the silver metallic, pink and blue snowflakes
 around the saying to make a wreath design.
Coordinating flat back pearls, from Lori's Lovely Paper Crafts were glued to the center of the flakes.  Once dried, I mounted this piece on a blue 6 x 4 3/4"  piece before adding to the card base and adding the hand made soft pink ribbon.

This posting will also be submitted to the following sites ~ Please stop by and visit them also.
and is available for purchase on my site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog. Your comments are welcomed. 
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 




Monday, January 16, 2017

Laughter and Tears Friend

We stampers all love our Happy Mail and a package from 
Unity Stamps for me is just about the best!
Today's card is using two stamps and a tag from my recent purchase,
combined for a birthday card for one of my girlfriends.
I think I need to make quite a few of these ~ I am so very blessed with such very special girlfriends that continue to be with me through the laughter and the tears.  


This is Unity's Whitney Girl, colored with copic markers and the manila tag is the Unity's Besties for Life, stamped with Stampin Up Really Rust.  A blue button was added with cotton twine before securing it to the coordinating blue card base. 

Today's posting will also appear on the following sites,
 where I invite you to view other creative cards.
and is also available for ordering on my personal site, Not Just Scraps. 

Thank you for stopping by and following my blog postings. I welcome your comments.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

Sunday, January 15, 2017

National Dragon Day ~ January 16th

Another great weekend challenge on the facebook group
Addicted to Card Making
honoring Monday's National Dragon Day, which amazingly has only
 been celebrated since 2004.
While I'm not a big fan of mythical characters, I do remember the cute childhood stories of Puff the Magic Dragon that was always a favorite of for my children.  
So for my challenge card I used the Whimpsy Stamp, Bart's BBQ and a miscellaneous grill stamp from my collection. 
Copic markers were used for coloring and a relaxing 
Enjoy Life with red matting tag added to the green matted frame. 


This posting will appear on the following sites where I invite you to visit to see other great cards:
Karle's Passion and my personal Site, Not Just Scraps

Thank you for stopping by and following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

Monday, January 9, 2017

The Gift of Music ~ Part 6 ~ The Lord is my Strength and my Song

Another blessing that my brother is extremely strong in, is his ability to sing....
 (yes, he got all those genes!)

I love this little stamp from Exodus 15:2.  I added the music note die out of silver metallic paper at the bottom, to complete the card. 


Several months ago, my pastor made a statement on singing that has stuck with me (the NON-singer).  He said...when you are singing a hymn, you are singing to the LORD.  Raise your chin up, raise your eyes to the heavens and sing to HIM.  Do not worry about anyone else hearing what is coming out...you are singing to GOD!  I challenge you to try this,  especially if you are uncomfortable with singing out loud.  
What a warm, peaceful feeling I received that day, and each day since then.   
The Lord is MY Strength
 and I am so grateful that He gives us the Freedom and ability to worship Him with music. 

This posting will appear on the following sites
 where I invite you to visit to see other cards of inspiration.
Happy Little Stampers~ January with Dies Challenge
and my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog posting.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

Sunday, January 8, 2017

The Gift of Music ~ Part 5 ~ I Will Sing the Lord's Praise

Psalms 13:6 .... I will sing the Lord's Praise,
for He has been GOOD to me.
AMEN.  
God is good, today and every day!


Today is the Lord's Day ~ I pray that you will be blessed by His grace today and that you will be grateful and humbled my his mercies every day. 

This card posting will also appear on the following sites where I invite you to visit for inspiration from other cards and ideas.
and my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

Saturday, January 7, 2017

The Gift of Music ~ Part 4 ~ Take Time to Enjoy Life's Little Pleasures

The sound of music is just good for our souls!
Today's card is just a simple reminder to sit back
and listen....to the music
whether it's you playing an instrument, 
listening to the radio,
or the sounds of nature...
Take time today for YOU to
Enjoy!


This will also be posted on the following sites where I invite you to visit to see other cards and ideas:
and on my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam  
  

Friday, January 6, 2017

The Gift of Music ~ Part 3 ~ Saxophone Tunes

Today's cards (third in this series for my brother) focused on his first musical instrument, the saxophone.  Sixth grade band memories....

I used several scraps of metallic gold and silver embossed with the Darice music folder, Spellbinder nesting frame dies, and a cute digital saxophone image to make a couple of 
Celebrate the Everyday Things cards. 



With some of the left overs I made a few more with the prior sentiment.


The metallic paper really embossed well and makes these cards shine ~ just like the smile on the receivers face. 

This posting will appear on the following sites where I invite you to view other cards and ideas:
and my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 


Thursday, January 5, 2017

Thy Word is A Lamp unto my Feet

During the month of January, our monthly Long Challenge on 
Christian Card Maker was to select three digital images for cards,
add our own embellishments and of course to MAIL THEM.  
Note to crafting friends.... Don't keep your beautiful cards... mail them! 

Being a South Carolina beach girl, the light house digi was of course my first choice.  
The muted copic colors blended with the turquoise matting and yellow threaded bow gave this card such a peaceful, relaxed feeling. 

The same feeling I get when I walk on the beach or near the water and think of God leading my path and being my guiding light.  What a blessing!

This posting will appear on the following sites where I invite you to
 visit to see other beautiful card:
and will be available for sale on my personal site, 

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam  


The Gift of Music ~ Part 2~ Make Every Moment Count


Both in the music and in our everyday lives this is an important statement.  
In Ephesians 5:11, we are told, "Do not waste your time on useless work".  
As we begin the new year, I hope to look at my daily activities and priorities to be sure they are in alignment with my desire to serve the Lord. We aren't promised tomorrow ~ I want to make every moment count!



This posting will appear on the following sites where I invite you to visit 
to see other cards and ideas.
and my personal selling site, Not Just Scraps. 

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

The Gift of Music

This New Year's Eve, I enjoyed a small group of very talented choir members gathered around their gifted choir director as they sang various songs of the season.  While they were small in number, their love for our Lord was great 
and the praises to Him were beautiful as the year ended.

Praising God through music and using the talents he continues to give us, both strength our faith and allow us to impact others who are craving to know about our Savior. 

I'm very proud of my brother, who is musically talented both in singing and with the ability of playing several instruments.  
For his Christmas gift, I found a heavy letter desk box that was decorated with music on the lid, perfect!  

Off to the craft table to make a few cards to fill the box.  
Here is the first one ~ I'll be sharing the contents over the next few days and hope you will enjoy each one, made with love for him. 

The first one has a split front with the Deep Red Music Flourish stamp in the background and a digital image guitar partially cut out, and  added to the top.  A small 'Praise His Name' stamp and red crochet thread were added along with  gold cross embellishment as a finishing touch to the 5' x 5" blue card base. 


This posting will be on the following sites where I invite you to visit to see other cards and inspirational ideas. 

Thank you for stopping by and following my blog postings.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam 

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Tomorrow is Today's Dream

Today's featured card is done using the Unity stamp  
 Tomorrow is today's Dream (WIB-597),  and is definitely a multi use
set.  I selected it specifically this time for the Addicted to Card Making Weekend Challenge  ~ New Year Card with a Clock.  
How perfect is the sentiment for ending 2016 and bringing in 2017!



Yet the vintage clock is a great addition to other stamp sets and both add well to masculine card also.  As usual, Unity providing crafters with great products!

In addition to the ATCM Challenge posting, this will be on 
and my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my blog.
Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam  

Monday, January 2, 2017

For My Dear Deer Friend

Before you pack away all your Christmas crafting supplies
check out today's little generic card using  a Christmas Reindeer.


While it was done specifically to meet a reindeer challenge for the month of December on Addicted to Card Making, it's a good sample card for your idea file to use for Christmas packages, tags and cards, but could also be switched to an 'ordinary' deer and then be used for any masculine card throughout the year.
Also remember layering - this stamp was only 1" square, but with the added tag, ribbon and layering became the perfect focal point for the card base.

This card will be posted on the following sites where I encourage you to stop over and visit:
and on my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Thank you for stopping by and for following my postings.

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam  

Sunday, January 1, 2017

But Seek Ye First

It's hard to believe it's January 1, 2017!
The pages of our lives which are filled with happiness and sadness
are being turned faster and faster, right before our eyes.  
We blink and our children are grown, we have grand children, 
we are retiring, ... and we may wonder... 
What is next?
The scripture for today's card especially speaks to me today,
as I begin a new year, with many changes ahead, many unknowns, 
many anxious moments and much excitement of the possibilities
 that My God has planned for me. 
I am a woman of God, I love my Lord, Jesus Christ and He is my Savior!  
I Shall Seek Him First and Serve Him Daily.  
And in All Things Give Him the Glory!

My prayer for you today is that you also be blessed 
and filled with God's love and abundant grace.

This posting will also appear on the following sites 
where I encourage you to visit for other card ideas:
and my personal site, Not Just Scraps.

Serving a Risen Savior ~ Pam