Pamela Haskin

Tiny Pancakes

I have been writing for the Guideposts family of magazines for many years now. Some of my most recent and favorite writings I wrote for their Strength & Grace magazine. It’s a daily devotional magazine to encourage, strengthen and offer peace to caregivers. I was a guilt-ridden, long-distance caregiver when my mother was still alive. Are you a caregiver? If you are, you know that it can be physically, mentally and emotionally draining. Today, I want to share one of my devos published in the Feb / March 2023 issue.

The other writers are amazing. They share their hearts and lives in a way that is so inspiring. I’m honored to be among them. I would subscribe to this magazine even if I wasn’t a caregiver. It’s so encouraging to feel the love of these writers for the ones they care for. Here’s a link to the website if you want to subscribe. I do not make any money if you do subscribe. I just love the magazine.

https://www.shopguideposts.org/strength-and-grace-magazine.html?_gl=1nj1dpj_gaNjc3NzE5NDM3LjE2NDk0NDgwNDQ._ga_GNQ31K0F2R*MTY3Nzc4ODEzOC41LjEuMTY3Nzc4ODE5NC40LjAuMA..&_ga=2.67475409.1350489911.1677788139-677719437.1649448044

Thanks for stopping be today. I hope you are having a great day.

Warmest regareds,

Pamela

Hanging Garlands

Today, I have a couple of glittery, paper and bead garlands for you. There are so many videos on YouTube that share how to make these origami diamonds. I will not be adding another at this time. Here’s a few suggestions to type in the search line to find folding directions. origami diamonds – paper Christmas ornaments – rhombus ornaments – fractal origami. There are so many different shapes that would look beautiful together.

I used Die Cuts With a View glitter paper to create my diamonds. If you are making one of these, keep in mind that different glitter papers will not all fold well without cracking. I strung my diamonds and wooden beads onto satin ribbon. I did not glue the two halves of diamonds together before stringing them because my needle was not long enough to go through the whole thing. I attached the halves after stringing. You could use colored or printed paper as well.

DESIGNER TIP: I suggest using hot glue when adhering glittery papers together because regular glue and paste will not hold up over time.

Lastly, I added various elements like paper flowers and gems I found in my stash.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I appreciate it. You can subscribe below if you would like to be notified when I post new projects.

Warmest regards,

Pamela

Blue & White Wall Hanging

Today, I want to show you my latest paper-art project.

To begin, I used my scoring board to score lines every 1/2″ (long edge of an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock against the top of the board.) Be careful not to score too firmly or you will cut through the cardstock.

I folded back and forth with mountain, valley, mountain folds. (These are just left over scrap pieces from other projects.)

DESIGNER TIP: I use my scoring board on every card or other project I create with paper. The end result is a more professional looking card or piece of art. Mine is a Martha Stewart board, but many companies are making them now.

I used 6 sheets of Blue Denim 8.5″ x 11″ cardstock from Gina K Designs for this project. Her cardstock is a heavier weight than most making it a bit harder to fold. I do think you could use any weight cardstock. The printed cardstock came in a kit I got several years ago from Spellbinders Paper Arts. My overall piece is 18″ x 20″. You could use 12″ x 12″ cardstock as well. To make the lace edges, I used a Fiskars edge punch on regular copy paper, then adhered it to the back of the cardstock fans. The top left fan is two sheets of cardstock.

DESIGNER TIP: Some cardstock will crack when folded. I fold over a piece of same brand scrap to check.

I die cut the flower with Sizzix David Tutera’s Mandala Flower 663131. For the leaves, I used Spellbinders’ Palm Fronds S4-726. I hot glued all the pieces together on a piece of lightweight cardboard. I folded a length of ribbon and hot glued it to the back as a hanger.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. I really appreciate your time and look forward to reading your comments or questions.

Warm regards,

Pamela

Paper Sculpting

I know I’ve been gone a long while, but I’m back now. Above is a quick preview of two upcoming projects I’ll be sharing. I’m working on new posts now about these new projects. I’ll have all the details and a material list just in case you want to create something like these. I enjoyed making them, and I think you will too. I’ve also been doing a lot of writing for a magazine and have a couple of books in the works. Details will be upcoming.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. I’m looking forward to sharing new projects and, of course, reading your comments and connecting with you. Make sure to sign up for this blog so you don’t miss any posts.

Warmest regards,

Pamela

Pop-Up Swing Card

Thanks so much for stopping in. Today I have a pop-up swing card to share with you.

I found directions to create this card on YouTube. There are many kinds of pop-up card videos from simple pop-ups to quite elaborate pop-ups.

To create my card, I used a label die from Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-346). Any shaped label die would work here. I stamped the beautiful hummingbird with stamps from Inkadinkado (Mindscapes 99121). If you look closely, you will see the bird is made up of butterflies. Such a fun set of stamps! They have lots of different stamps using this technique. You could use any stamp from your own stash here.

The sentiment stamp is from TPC Studio (Card Crafting Hello 2011139).

DESIGNER TIP: I love finding new and fun ways to create my cards. I usually find my ideas on YouTube. In this case, I searched “pop up swing cards” and lots of options appear. One of my favorite card and scrapbook YouTubers is Tanu Creative. She has some really cool ideas and she clearly shows each step to recreate what she’s made. I don’t know her and don’t get any benefit from her – exccept tons of great ideas.

Hope you are having a great day!

Pamela

Creating Mirrored Text

I’m always looking for new and different things to make my cards more fun. Check out this idea! Mirrored text in Word. (I provide step-by-step details below.) Here’s my example.

I usually print this on copy paper and trim it to fit inside my card as a liner. Sometimes, I print it out on cardstock and use it as a sentiment tag on the front of a card. My printer will print on cardstock by feeding one sheet at a time by hand. Here are my instructions. I tried to give very specific instructions. If I have not been clear enough, just leave a comment with your question, and I’ll see if I can help.

open a new, blank document in Word
click on ‘insert’
click on ‘text box’
click on ‘simple text box’
edit text to your chosen sentiment
make sure text box is highlighted
click ‘shape format’ on top menu
right-click on text box
click ‘format shape’ at bottom of drop-down menu
click on ‘shape options’ on menu that shows up on right
click on ‘effects’
click on ‘3D Rotations’
under ‘presets,’ change 0 to 180 on ‘X rotation’ line
save and print as desired

Enjoy! I can’t wait to see what you create. Thanks so much for stopping in today.

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

Anniversary Toast

I made this card for my DH (darling husband). We celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary last month. I could not love him more! He is my best friend. We have had a fun, adventurous and unusual life together. Many years on a homestead in the Alaska wilderness. Now on a small ranch in Texas. Another adventure on the horizon that I will tell you about when I can. Happy anniversary again, my love. I’m looking forward to the rest of our lives together.

Now, back to my card. I heat-embossed the gold champagne flutes using a stamp from Cas-ual Fridays Stamps. I adhered shiny, gold cardstock to a white base. Next, I punched the dark blue cardstock (Gina K Designs) using an old punch by Creative Memories that I’ve had for many years to make the bubbly trim. I could have used several sizes of regular hole-punches too.

Thanks so much stopping by my blog today. It means so much to me. I’ll look forward to your comments. Have a wonderful day, Pamela

Published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Believe in Angels

Coming out today. I’m excited to contribute a story to the newest Chicken Soup for the Soul. Do you believe there are angels among us? If you don’t, perhaps I can convince you. I share my personal story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Believe in Angels. Check it out! https://bit.ly/31fDAUE

Welcome to My New Blog

Thanks so much for stopping by my new blog. I’ll be posting my writing and cardmaking here soon. I’m working to get everything moved over from my other blog http://www.cottagebelow.com/. I’ve so much to learn about this new site I’m working through. I ask for patience and welcome any comments for improvements and things you like or don’t like. Here’s a copy of my Christmas card from this year to keep you busy while I continue to learn. Hope you have a wonderful day, Pamela