{Count Your} Blessings Journal

For my project this week for Word Art Wednesday, I chose to make a Blessings Journal.  Our verse this week is Proverbs 14:26 which says, "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence:  and his children shall have a place of refuge." To me, the Lord giving me a place of refuge, a place of safety, is an awesome blessing.

This little journal (approx. 4" x 6" - purse sized) is a place to record the special things the Lord does in our lives.  Sometimes that's an answered prayer, sometimes it's something He does before we even pray about it, and sometimes, it those things we realized His hand of protection kept from us.  Another way to use this journal is to write down 10 things every day for which we are thankful (no repeating from day to day is allowed).  Why write these things down?  Because, just like the children of Israel in the Old Testament, we are too quick to forget all that the Lord has done for us.  During times of discouragement, we can re-read our entries and see all the ways the Lord has helped us and blessed us in the past.  Because we KNOW that He is faithful, we know He will continue to care for us in the future.

I covered the journal covers (inside and out) with patterned paper.  I added some ribbon and a flower to the front.  In case it is carried in a purse, I tried to keep it flat so that it will remain pretty while being used.  a few brads were added for accents on the flower and title die cut.  I used white and pink gel pens for accenting both die cuts and the patterned paper.  This is a simple project that makes a great gift.  It's going to end up in the hands of one of the young mothers at our church -- she has 3 little girls so I think the flip flops and girlie colors will be perfect for her.

Supplies:
Journal - Mead
Cardstock - Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper - The Paper Studio
Tools/Embellishments - flowers (Bazzill), brads (Making Memories), ribbon (The Paper Studio, Really Reasonable Ribbon), Sakura Gelly Roll pen (pink), Uniball Signo Broad pen (white), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), Spellbinders (Petite Oval Small, Petite Scalloped Oval Large, Floral Oval, Classic Oval Large)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Shopping Our Stash #103 - Graduation/Anniversary OR Use something at least 2 years old (the flowers and brads have been in my stash approx 3-4 years)
Tuesday Throwdown #149 - Inspired by your favorite book (The Bible is my all-time favorite book.)
Craft Room Challenge - Use Your Scraps (all the papers used on this journal were scraps left over from other projects)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday (Shelly's Images) - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Anything Goes (must use ribbon)
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to not only see what the rest of the Design Team made but also to get your free WordArt of this week's focus verse.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a fantastic week and, even if you don't write them down,  remember to Count Your Blessings.

Edited to add:  I just found out this qualifies for the Gift Challenge on Moxie Fab World.  You can check out all the details on this blog post.

Once in a While.....

I wanted to do a quick post today to share a wedding card.  It's a 6" square gate-fold card and pretty CAS (at least it's my version of CAS).  I think it turned out simple but elegant.  The pearlized cardstock doesn't show up well in the picture but has a nice, subtle sheen IRL.

This is a rare card for me because I didn't use any patterned papers -- just 3 different cardstocks.  Navy for the card base, embossed panels and matting, pearlized cardstock for matting and the floral oval and cream colored cardstock for the sentiment.

The sentiment was stamped, die-cut and them accented with small pearls before being matted on a larger oval and then a floral oval.  the floral oval was also accented with pearls.  The embossed panels have ribbon and pearl embellishments.  The sentiment panel is popped up on the left "gate" with pop dots. 

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (navy), Core'dinations (pearlized), The Paper Studio (cream)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Stamp: Stampabilities
Embellishments/Tools:  pearls (Stampin' Up), Spellbinders (Petite ovals Large & Small, Floral Ovals), ribbon (Offray), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Textile Textures)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday (Shelly's Images) - Anything Goes
LEJ Designs #54 - Diecuts or Punches
Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Challenge #59 - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #46 - Anything Goes with ribbon
2 Sister Challenge #144 - 1-2-3 (1 sentiment, 2 colors, 3 ovals)
Sentimental Sunday #155 - CAS
Scrap Creations - Wedding/Anniversary/Graduation
Twist of Faith Challenge #38 - On the Square (use squares/square card)

Thanks for stopping by today. 

The Lord is Faithful... {WAW #81}

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is 2 Thessalonians 3:3 which says, "But the Lord is faithful who shall stablish you and keep you from evil."  I don't know about you but I could camp out on the first 5 words of that verse forever.  "But the Lord is faithful...."  In our world today, it seems like integrity and faithfulness are forgotten character qualities. Dictionary.com defines faithfulness as: true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.; reliable, trusted, or believed.  Our God is One who always keeps His promises and is always reliable and able to be trusted.  I hope that comforts you and gives you the sense of security that it does me.

For my card this week, I used Mojo Monday's sketch (MOJO294) for the card design. I let the papers do most of the work and {for me} kept things fairly simple.  I added some stickles to the flowers in the bottom panel and as accents across the top.  Stickles make everything better, right?  :)  Some faux stitching also adds some definition to the edges of the papers.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly 6 x 6 pad)
WordArt by Karen Murray for Word Art Wednesday
Embellishments/Tools:  crochet lace (Hobby Lobby), baker's twine (Jillibean), rhinestones (Queen & Co. - Baby Blue), CM Fine tip pen (black), Stickles (Star Dust), Spellbinders (Labels Four, Labels Four Small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday (Shelly's Images) - Anything Goes
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - 1-2-3 {I used 1 image, 2 trims -baker's twine & crocheted lace, 3 patterned papers - solid blue, blue figured, floral}
LEJ Designs #54 - Diecuts or Punches (I used Spellbinders for my diecuts)
Delightful Challenge - Bingo (I used stitching (faux), ribbon/lace & patterned paper)


Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a wonderful week.

WordArt Wednesday -- Exciting News!!!

I have exciting news to share.  I have been asked to be a design team member for Word Art Wednesday.  I am so excited to be joining these ladies that, like me, enjoy sharing God's Word on their craft projects.  If you are a regular blog reader, you'll recognize that name as I enter their weekly challenge almost every week.   I also had the privilege of being a guest designer for them in May & December of last year.

The challenge at Word Art Wednesday is always anything goes combined with an encouraging Scripture or sentiment.  Each week, a free WordArt is available for you to download.  You don't have to use that freebie in the challenge but are certainly free to do so if you wish.

For my first project as an official Design Team member, I chose to make this card for a young military wife.  Her husband is stationed in Japan and she and their daughter recently returned to the states for medical treatment for their daughter.  The separation is hard on this young couple especially since they don't know exactly how long they'll be apart. 

This young wife loves bright colors (think tie-dye) and when I saw these ink pads they made me think of her.  I made my own patterned paper by using several different sized flower stamps from the same set and stamping them randomly on my cardstock.  Every girl needs some sparkle, so I added a bling flourish and bling flower centers. The purple panel was embossed with a Swiss Dots Cuttlebug flolder.  A ribbon with sparkly edges (it came as a sample with my order from Really Reasonable Ribbon) adds little more sparkle.  Some faux stitching sets off this week's Scripture WordArt and a small oval tag completes the card.

Supplies:
Sketch:  Mojo290
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Stamps:  Karen Murray for WordArt Wednesday (Isaiah 40:29), Indadinkado (Doodle Flowers), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Comforting Pines)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud, Pear Tart, Lulu Lavender)
Embellishments/Tools:  bling flourish (Recollections), rhinestones (Best Occasions), ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), CM Fine Tip Pen, Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large & Small), embossing folder (Cuttlebug Swiss Dot)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #147 - Smell the Roses (use flowers on your project)
Shopping our Stash #101 - Use only scraps (except for the card base) -- my cardstock was scraps left over from other projects
Craft Room Challenge - Stamp your own background/background paper
Crafty Ribbons #45 - No Designer Paper

Be sure to stop by the WordArt Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the design team has done and to pick up your WordArt freebie.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Date Night Thank You Card

I have a thank you card to share with you today that also includes the essentials for a date night.  Our daughter & son-in-law had a couple they wanted to give a special gift to as a thank you for all the time they invested in helping them get ready for the wedding.  I was asked to make a card that would hold a gift card to a restaurant and some type of "coupon" for free baby-sitting. The husband was the one that gave the most assistance (he did their pre-marital counseling) so I wanted the card to have a more masculine feel.  This is what I ended up making....

For the front, I thought the paisley paper and brown and blue color scheme gave it a masculine feel.  And while it does have ribbon, since it's sheer, I thought it was subtle enough to keep the masculine theme. A decorative brad helps anchor the ribbon.  I really like this digi stamp.  I got it from Daydream Designs {sadly they are no longer in business}.  Simple matting and photo corners complete the front.

When you open up the card, I made a double pocket card for the left side. It hold the restaurant gift card and a tag/coupon for free babysitting.  To make the double pocket panel, I started with a piece of cardstock that was 4" x 12".  I scored it at 4" & 8".  I lined up the score line at 8" with a spot on the left edge about 2" up from the bottom and cut a diagonal line.  Then when I folded mountain & valley style on the score lines, I ended up with 2 pockets (I hope I didn't make that sound as clear as mud -- here's a rough diagram to show what I mean.

I added patterned paper to each panel and then used Scor-Tape to secure the edges.  I used Scor-tape to adhere the entire panel to the left inside of the card.  Yes, this does make this a heavier/bulkier card.  It would definitely cost extra postage.  However, since I knew it was being hand delivered I didn't have to worry about that. :) I generated the message in the circle on the computer and die cut it with nesties.  I layered some patterned paper and cream cardstock to give a decorative space to write their thank you note.

For the tag/coupon, I generated the message on the computer and inked the edges of the paper.  I layered it on patterned paper and then mounted that on the tag. A Spellbinders Labels 22 die was used to add the edge on the top of the tag.  To do this, I cut the tag narrow enough to fit through the  biggest die and brought the end of the paper through the middle of the die so that only the top edge was being cut.  An eyelet and bakers twine finished off the tag.


Supplies
Cardstock: The Paper Studio (cream), Recollections (kraft), Bazzill (navy)
Patterned Paper - The Paper Studio
Ink:  Memento (Paris Dusk)
Digi Stamp - Daydream Designs
Embellishments/Tools:  ribbon (Offray), twine (The Twinery), brad (The Paper Studio), Spellbinders (Classic Squares Large & Small, Classic Circles Large & Small, Labels 22), eyelet (American Crafts)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Inky Chicks #4 - Blue & Brown
LEJ Designs Challenge #53 - Borders and/or Corners (I chose corners)
My Time to Craft #221 - Show us the inside (decorate the inside to coordinate with the outside)
Clear it Out Challenge - Anything Goes with at least two patterned papers
Cupcake Craft Challenge #242 - Lots of Layers

Thanks for visiting this evening.  Be sure to stop back tomorrow morning.  I have exciting news to share.

Wedding Projects

I wanted to share a couple of the non-card projects I did for our daughter's wedding.  I have a few cards I'll share in future blog posts.

Favors

Several times during Kendra's college years, I made sour cream containers and filled them with candy as gifts for some of her friends (you can see some of my past ones here, here, and here.  When we were thinking of what to do for favors, she requested I make them again.  When our daughter flew out to meet the rest of Sam's family on Christmas break 2011, they toured the Jelly Belly factory.  Remembering the fun she had on that visit, we decided to fill the containers with Jelly Bellies.  She picked two sets of papers and two stamps so that we could have two versions.

Grandparents Memorial

As I mentioned in my post about the album I made for her, Kendra had a display in memory of the grandparents who have already passed away.  I made signs to go in front of the picture frames to let the guests know what Sam & Kendra called their grandparents and what their names were.

I used the technique I learned on the tent cards to make sure the signs wouldn't flop over.

Kendra wanted me to make her some simple thank you cards that they could use for send in appreciate for wedding gifts they received.  I still have quite a few to make but here is a sampling of what I have done so far.  Kendra found a 6 x 6 paper pad that she liked and I'm using it as my starting point.

As promised here are a couple wedding day pics:

Kendra had my husband face the back of the auditorium and walked up behind him.  She then said, "OK, Dad, you can turn around now."  This is his first look at her in her wedding finery.  Yes, he did cry.  :)

The weather was unseasonably cool so we got Kendra a wrap to wear at the reception. 

The new Mr. & Mrs.

On their one week anniversary, a second reception was held for them in CA at Sam's home church.  Here's a pic of the newlyweds.  By the smiles, I'd say marriage agrees with them.

Thanks for stopping by.  

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a day we honor our moms and their influence in our lives.  I was blessed with a godly mom who not only taught me what it meant to love my husband and children but lived her life as an example of what she was teaching me.   She truly exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman.  Mom passed away in 1992.  Mother's Day is probably the day I miss her more than any other day of the year.

My mother-in-law is also a godly woman who models the Proverbs 31 woman.  The card I'm sharing with you today is one I made for her.  My mother-in-law likes my cards and that makes it even more enjoyable to make them for her.  We were able to go visit her today  -- she was able to be with both of her sons on Mother's Day.  That's a treat I no longer take for granted.

Details on the card:


I tried the starburst technique I found in the tutorial section on the Operation Write Home website.  It was an easy to follow tutorial and I think I'll be using this technique again.  I just layered some cardstock and patterned paper on the inside so that my husband would have plenty of room to write his message.

Supplies:
WordArt - Karen Murray for WordArt Wednesday
Cardstock - Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
DSP - Stampin' Up
Ink - Memento (Angel Pink)
Tools/Embellishments - Crocheted trim (Hobby Lobby), Sakura Micron .01 Black Pen, Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large, Floral Ovals)

I'm entering this card in these challenges:
WordArt Wednesday  - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays #154 - For a Special Woman
Shopping Our Stash #100 - Mother's Day or Pink (the paper has been in my stash for a long time and used mostly scraps)
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - Mother's Day
Chocolate Coffee & Cards Challenge #38 - Mother's Day
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes & Use 2 or more patterned papers
V's Sweet Ideas Blog VSC #11 - Mother's Day Challenge


Today, I'm also thankful for the privilege of being "Mom" to our son and daughter.  They are our two greatest blessings.  We are so thankful that they, along with their spouses, love the Lord and seek to follow Him.  And of course, I love being "Mimi" to our precious Sir Cuteness.

Since I'm feeling nostalgic today (aka missing our children), I'm closing with one of my favorite (and rare) pics of me with our children when they were 3 and 7. {Moms, don't forget to have someone else be the photographer sometimes.  When you're at my stage of life, you'll be glad you did.}

Preserving Family Memories

When Spellbinders Paper Arts reaches a new 1000 "likes" on their Facebook page, they sometimes pick one of their followers to do a guest blog post on their Spellbinders Paper Arts Blog.  I was thrilled (what an understatement!!) to be asked to be a guest blogger for today.  What an honor!!   

When I was told that this week’s theme is Preserving Family Memories, I was pretty excited.  Our daughter, Kendra, is getting married this Saturday and this sentimental mama has lots of memories on her mind. To make getting to share on the blog even more special, my project is for our daughter and today is her birthday.  Our sweet baby girl is now a beautiful young woman and on Saturday, will become "her Samuel's" wife.  Truly....

At the wedding, Kendra is having a memorial table displaying pictures of the grandparents of the bridal couple that have already passed away.  After the wedding, I’m guessing she’ll want to use the frames from the display table to showcase wedding pictures.  I decided to make her an album to hold the pictures from the memorial table as well as pictures of those grandparents that are still living.

Here are a couple pictures of the album.  You can find more pictures and full how-to details on the Spellbinders Blog.

Supplies:

Cardstock:  The Paper Studio (black, cream), Wassau (green marbled), Recollections (cream)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio (Gold Vintage Damask, Old Postcards)
Stamp:  Momenta
Ink: Memento (Rich Cocoa, Toffee Crunch)
Embellishments/Tools: ribbon (KaiserKraft), trim (Hobby Lobby), rub-on (Stemma), Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Small, Classic Circles Large & Small, Classic Squares Small, Lacey Squares, Lacey Circles, Decorative Photo Corners, Fancy Tags 3, Classic Edges 2, Classic Decorative Edges 5, Labels Four, Labels Four Small), pearls (Want2Scrap)

I'm linking this project up at WordArt Wednesday  and at the Spark Your Creativity Challenge #9 this week.

Thanks for stopping by today.  If you think of us, please pray that we have nice weather Saturday (the reception is outdoors) and that everyone stays well for the wedding (if you know our family, you know that is not something taken for granted).