I am super excited to share with you today, my first Christmas card using the upcoming new Christmas collection from Pion Design called THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS! I was practically wiggling in my chair as I sifted through all the beautiful patterns and images, I just know you will love them as much as I do!!
The Night Before Christmas - Christmas in the Air PD7808
The Night Before Christmas - Just a Peek PD7801
The Night Before Christmas - Tree Farm PD7803
The Night Before Christmas - Memory Notes PD7811
The Night Before Christmas - Borders PD7810
Images From the Past - PD1619
The Night Before Christmas - Just a Peek PD7801
The Night Before Christmas - Tree Farm PD7803
The Night Before Christmas - Memory Notes PD7811
The Night Before Christmas - Borders PD7810
Images From the Past - PD1619
The snowflakes are Cheery Lynn, the white flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts and everything else is from my stash.
***
I have started an exciting new journey with my photography, the goal being to photograph squirrels and birds in their own environment. There are a few stages that I will have to go through in order to be able to get those 'up close and personal' shots that I love so much. Today I would like to share with you...
STAGE ONE - location, location, location!
First thing's first, and that's that's to find the perfect location. I spent a week walking for a mile in every direction to find the perfect spot. What was I looking for? - fabulous trees with low hanging branches...
- lots of foliage, but still good lighting...
- stumps, logs and rocks for squirrels to perch on...
- and interesting backdrops.
I had to move a few things around, a log here, a rock there... I need good angles and predictable paths for the squirrels to follow, so I know where to aim the camera.
Now, I just set out some treats on the logs and take my position. All I can do is wait.
I used mostly my zoom lens for Stage One so I could get shots of their faces as they checked me out from the safety of the tall trees, and oh boy, did they ever check me out!!
Some games of Peek-a-Boo from the really unsure ones...
Some curious glances from the ones who were on the fence...
And a couple of downright cut-eye looks! I think I even saw a bat signal go up at one point!
I spent three days in Stage One, and most of that time was spent sitting perfectly still and just watching. Throwing out the occasional treat and allowing them to grab and run. The best part of my location is that I have to walk past Squirrel Alley, so I get to have a quick visit with MISS CHRISSY on the way there!
Back on the home front, we have MR SCRUFF grabbing a quick snack.
KAREN is so gentle with me. I love how she puts her paws right in my hand when she eats.
And JUNIOR is having a little nibble before he heads out for the night. Isn't he handsome!
That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. If you have any questions or interesting tidbits about today's wildlife, please let me know.
Beautiful card, cold and frosty, sounds good to my hot ears. Lovely squirrel photos, have fun! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful!
ReplyDeleteValerija xx
Very beautiful with all those snowy accents Pamellia.
ReplyDeleteHugs Veerle
What a fabulous card Pamellia - love the colours and the composition with all those layers and that 'snow'!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful - as ever. Great work on setting up your site and then spending three days waiting!!
Blessings
Maxine
Stunning card with the layers even better than ever. I adore the Christmas Greeting curved over the top of something beautiful, The papers and images look terrific.
ReplyDeleteGreat that you researched a place where the tree was just what you wanted. I bet you saw lots of wonders along the way. Lovely wild life as always--thank you for taking us along with you
Love Chrissie xx
Such a festive and stunning card for Christmas!! LOVE the texture, layers and embellisments added! Pics around the perfect location are cool, love the squirrels around! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yet another superdooper card from you, with all those Gorgous Christmas colours
ReplyDeleteAnd embellishments. Love it.
Have a great week enjoying your pics.
Best wishes
Jules xx
How beautifully you have showcased the pretty papers in this glorious creation
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dr Sonia
A beautiful festive creation, love the traditional colours and the sweet vintage image and of course all those scrumptious layers and embellishments.
ReplyDeleteSo impressed with your patience Pamellia, finding the right location, setting up the 'scene' and just sitting...sitting and waiting for the squirrels! Paid off in the end though, those squirrel close ups are fabulous!
Chris
x
its amazing!
ReplyDeletelove your little friend!
hugs
Fiki 🐈
Beautiful card and beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteStunning Christmas card Pamellia, so many gorgeous details and layers.
ReplyDeleteLoved the photos and it's nice to see the 'family' doing well. Looking forward to the next stage of the photography process.
Off for a catch up as I have missed so much lately, why does real life have to get in the way of blogging!
Avril xx
As always a lovely creation to feast our eyes on today Pamellia.
ReplyDeleteB x
Love this new Pion collection. Funny I have a lot of their papers and they are so pretty I just can't bear to cut them up, so they sit there...beautiful card, love this.xx{aNNie}
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be a Pion designer! This card and the papers are so beautiful. I love these squirrel photos. I want to go out and make friends with some now!
ReplyDeleteI do love Pion papers .. they always have the most gorgeous images and this one is no exception. Absolutely stunning card as always Pamelia. I just love all the details you manage to get into such a small canvas and yet they never look overloaded .. brilliant!! So impressed with your photography and your patience .. fabulous shots!! Can't wait for the next stage. hugs xx
ReplyDeleteA stunning Christmas card, those papers and images are divine.
ReplyDeleteSuper pictures too.
Lorraine
Such gorgeous papers and a stunner of a card. Wonderful crisp colours. Great wildlife shots...they are very difficult to capture. Happy last day of August my friend xx
ReplyDeleteAn outstanding card Pamellia, beautiful images and frothy layers...gorgeous!! Can't wait to see more of your fantastic photography xx
ReplyDeleteHi Pamellia, amazing Christmas card with these gorgous papers! Your layers look always so well and your fussi-cuts...WOW!..such a breathtaking skill, you are so accurate!! You have choosen a beautiful vintage image, so sweet, and put in your card fabulous details! Love very much the sign near the trees- such a clever idea!- and those berries seem so yummy :D.
ReplyDeleteThe wood near your home is sooo beautiful!! This would be my favourite place to walk :D You has been very patient, but it's the only way to respect the privacy of wild animals, very well done!!! And your waiting has been so productive, you have done fabulous shots!!! I smile looking at those fun and beautiful squirrels!! Love that Peek-a-Boo play!! :D :D So sweet ad cute!! Adorable little squirrels! The first one has a little cut on his (hers?)ear.
And your domestic squirrels are lovely as always. Karen is just adorable while puts her paws in your hand :) Such a sweetness!
Among about ten days here it will begin the school (I'm a teacher of primary school) and I'm thinking about showing the photos of your squirrels to the little children of my class, I'm sure that they will LOVE them how much as I love!!! :D
Hugs, have a lovely day!
Need I say it? Absolutely stunning Christmas card. Just wow!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous critter photos again too. They're just adorable. x
Another fabulous Christmas card, you must be accumalting quite a pile now. These new Pion papers look gorgeous, I am sure you will show us more as time passes. I particularly love the rich red embellishments and your stunning snowflake die.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your outdoor photographic studio and cannot wait to see the shots you get once the wildlife get use to you. Most of our wild life reserves have hides for the public to use, is there anything like that around you?
Have a great day.
Dionne xx
Its a gorgeous card and the lovely new papers, just seem to have your creative name on them.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of your outdoor squirrel studio. I think there will be some photographic treats in store for us in the coming days.
Yvonne xx
Amazing card Pamellia the design is fantastic with loads of detail, aww lovely pics of you fur babie.
ReplyDeleteHugs Julie xxx
Stunning as always Pamellia hope you're well BTW I have caught the diluted paint bug hahahaha
ReplyDeleteJacki
Hi Pamellia,
ReplyDeleteanother superb card and such lovely details and items used.
Those images are so vintage and very lovely, and they remind me of a very old card I have from when I was a child one which I gave my sisters, and had back when my mother passed away as she kept most things from when we were children, and lots more beside.
Super photos as usual, and lovely shots of your furry friends.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.
your card is so amazingly stunning!!! I like the Vintage touch with so many gorgeous embellies! Nicely done! Regina*
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Pamellia, this is absolutely stunning!! The papers are so gorgeous and you've showcased them perfectly!! I love the vintage image of the sweet girls!! The trees and layers are amazing!! Is that sisal layered under the image? I hope so because I just purchased a bag of it and I love how it looks on your card!! The snowflakes are a perfect touch!! Love, love this my friend!! It's so gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to follow along with the new direction of your photography!! You've chosen a beautiful location to shoot wildlife in their natural habitat!! The shots of the squirrels are amazing!! It's so sweet how Karen will put her paws in your hand!! I don't know how you manage to get such great shots while feeding them!! And smooches to Junior!! Have a great day my sweet friend!! Big hugs :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
These papers are gorgeous and you have showcased them beautifully in your stunning card.
ReplyDeleteJulie x
A real stunner Pamellia, those papers are fantastic and I just love the adorable little image. Very vintage looking and very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the woods, they do indeed look perfect for animal spotting and you got some great shots with your zoom lens. Karen looks so adorable with her paws on your hands too. Hugs, Anne xx
what a wonderful winter/Christmas scene you created with all of your beautiful layers - love the red berries and splatters of snow! Your photos are wonderful! Bet you got some cramps in your legs sitting still for so long!! Julia xx
ReplyDeleteStunning Christmas creation Pamellia! those papers are gorgeous, love the layers and beautiful embellishments used.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos yet again, think you found a perfect place to get your amazing shots.
Pam x
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful Christmas card! The collection is beautiful and again, love all the fabulous layers and textures! No one does it quit like you! Your style is so elegant and every piece stunning! I am needing a little mojo these days...maybe next week after these little grandbabies get back to their routines and back to daycare! This Nanny is pooped~I am enjoying every minute but man, they keep me on my toes!
ReplyDeleteI love all the pictures~in fact, my oldest Granddaughter Arya (4 1/2) loves to see your squirrel pics! She loves to feed them here to but her Papa told her no more because they are getting into our boat and making a mess~they keep nesting in it~we feed them anyway, lol! He'll never know...haha!
Have a super day my friend!
Sherrie K
Stunning card Pamellia and I'm loving how your little squirrel family is growing bigger by the day!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Donna xx
I just love this snowflake die and these gorgeous layers. You make the paper feel so so special and luxurious when you layer so heavily! I wish I could master that, but always end up thinking, "I should have layered more..." LOL! Keep on creating and inspiring me! Hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteA delightful cluster of Christmassy elements and beautiful layering on your fabulous card Pamellia, this is a real stunner. Love your location for squirrel watching and you achieved some fabulous shots both home and away. Enjoy the rest of the week and have a great weekend xxx
ReplyDeleteSweet Pamellia, if only you could see the smile on my face and the joy in my heart! Your card is stunning and warms my heart in more ways than you know. The image is so precious I want to hug it and I love the gorgeous sparkly accents and delicate snowflakes. Exquisite work with this lovely collection, my friend. I cannot wait to see what more you have in store for us. :o)
ReplyDeleteAnd ohhh my! Your pictures.. this is one of my favorite sets ever. I love your new photographic adventure and am eager to walk every step with you! I am so in love with their precious little faces and paws... they truly do have their own personalities, which you capture so well. You have filled my heart to overflowing. This is why when you post, I love to end my day with it... even when I grab a quick sneak peek earlier. ;) Have a sparkly day, Pamellia. :o)
Hugs and blessings,
Karen
AMAZING card, I love how you incorporate the image into the card and enhance with all the details, They are absolute treasures.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your squirrel photos, and admire your patience in getting these fabulous photos.
Faith
x
Oh, Boy, Pamellia! This Christmas card melts my heart! Those two sweet girls out for a stroll through a Christmas tree farm brings back memories of searching for the perfect tree at a farm in the North Carolina mountains one year. Your layers are delightful--I love seeing those trees and snowflakes peeking out and the snow drifting so delicately. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteWell, sign you up for National Geographic! Your first step finding the perfect location was super productive and I had a giggle at your rearranging the woodsy landscape. Great shots of the furry sweeties, especially those that came to eat from your hands--gotta love Karen--so sweet! Big hugs to you--you've made my day!
A 'wow' of a card, Pamellia! Truly amazing! xxx
ReplyDeletePamellia, I have missed seeing your fabulous creations and lovely squirrel antics! Im slowly feeling better and glad to be able to visit once again. YOur card is beautiful as usual, love the frosty festive holiday feel! IM excited to see the new level of photographs to come, they are awesome :)
ReplyDeleteA fabulously festive card Pamellia. The traditional colourway and vintage image are wonderful. Your layering and snowy effects look amazing.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your 'environmental' squirrel photographs. It looks like you are well on the way to making some new fluffy friends. They will no doubt be following you home soon xx
This is why I love Christmas so much, beautiful and innocent images! If only the entire world of people would just sit down and make a nice Christmas card (or just a card). Beautiful and angelic design full of my favorite reds and white. Those dies and delicious and those papers are scrumptiously awesome sauce!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE the first phase of capturing these wonderful critters. Perfect environment and perfect position. Keeping still is not an easy task but you did marvelously! Wowzers and Wowzers and amazeballs!!!!!! So gorgeous! Hugz to you muffin! ~Doc
Pamellia, I do believe PION designs is the luckiest ever to have you designing for them!!! Another outstanding beauty!!
ReplyDeleteOh how I love what you are up to!! I love these photos and look forward to more adventures from you and your lil friends!!
huge hugs xoxo
Love your Pion papers..You do wonders with them . Oh and your woodland fun is fun. Have a wonderful weekend
ReplyDeleteI missed this one some how, but it is as stunning as all your work is..love your design and layers, just wonderful..and all your photos of your little friends..wish I lived in an area like that..
ReplyDeleteLuv CHRISSYxx
I am so sorry for being so behind on commenting on your gorgeous cards, life is getting in the way alot lately!
ReplyDeleteOK, this is one of the most beautiful Christmas cards!!! The Tree Farm sign is to die for!!!
Hugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
I know I said this so many times, but this is really one of the most beautiful Christmas cards I've ever seen! Your attention to details is fantastic! Pion is so lucky to have you as a designer and no one can use their papers in such a brilliant way like you do! You are such an inspiration for all of us, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sara, you should sign up for National Geographic! I adore your shots with zoom lens! You are a PRO!
Big hugs to you! Branka xx
Hi Pamellia
ReplyDeleteYou have captured a lovely nostalgic festive feel with your super card. I'm not great using images on cards but yours nestle beautifully amongst your layers.
Great squirrel snaps too. They are so cute.
Best wishes.
Ang x
DARLING and DELIGHTFULLY DELICATE Card. So SWEET and STUNNING. Those ARE gorgeous papers.
ReplyDeleteAnd my my my - you have such a lovely hideaway for your amazing photos. What a wonderful undertaking. And you are off to an incredible start with these new beauties - and they are just so pretty - some of your little friends. VERY VERY special. j.
A glorious card - breathtaking layers and dimension and textures. Always a delight to find time to visit here... and again with the squirrels!
ReplyDeleteAlison x
What a fabulous card! Love the layers and the wonderful image! Great arty shots! Hugs, Chrisx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful card. That paper collection is so wonderful. Love the pictures of the little squirrels. I've never seen a black squirrel. I had a little squirrel friend named Scrappy. He was so smart and he loved to play little games.
ReplyDelete