Call Unto Me

Happy Wednesday! It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week our focus verse is Jeremiah 33:3, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." What a neat promise from the Lord that if we will just call on Him (pray), He will answer us. This doesn't mean that the Lord will give us everything we ask for when we pray. I've heard so many people say, "I prayed but the Lord never answered me. I asked Him to do this and He didn't do it." One thing we have to remember is that "no" is still an answer. The Lord is promising to listen when we pray to Him and that alone is wonderful. Don't we all just need someone to listen to us at times? But along with listening, He promises to answer. Sometimes that answer is "Wait for My timing." God isn't confined to our time table. Sometimes the answer is a loving, "No, that's not what is best for you." There have been so many times I've later been SOOO thankful the Lord has told me no when I asked for certain things. And sometimes, the Lord answers,"Yes." But no matter how He answers us, He will show us things and work in ways we could never have imagined. Sometimes, looking back, I see where some of the most painful times in my life are when I saw the Lord working the most. They are the times I felt His comfort most. Other times, when I waited on His timing, the end result was so much better than I had dreamed. So, talk to the Lord, call on Him, and then just wait and see how He works.

For my card today, I brought out one of my current favorite paper pads and a fun sketch by Mojo Monday (MOJO 533). The vertical panel is dry embossed for some added dimension and interest. Because so many of the layers are double matted, I used some Scrapbook Adhesives Thin Foam Squares to help keep things level. 

Our sponsor this week is Art Glitter. I have heard wonderful things about their Designer Glue and their Metal Tip Attachment. So I decided to give both products a try. Instead of using my normal ATG tape runner, I used the Designer Glue with the Metal Tip Attachment on the bottle. Wow! Now I see why it is so well liked. It comes out of the bottle so easily (some bottles are so stiff they require a lot of pressure to release the glue), the metal tip gives very precise placement of the glue and it holds extremely well. Even my patterned paper didn't wrinkle. I won't be getting rid of my ATG gun but I think I've found a new favorite liquid adhesive.


 
Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections #110 (white card base), Pen and Gear (white for sentiment), Bazzill (blue), pink cardstock is a scrap and I don't know the manufacturer, pearlized white cardstock (unknown manufacturer)
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny (Early Bird Collection 6 x 6 pad)
Stamp: WORDart by Karen (Jeremiah 33:3)
Tools/Embellishments: Art Glitter (Designer Glue and Metal tip Attachment). Scrapbook Adhesives Thin 3D Foam Squares, Fiskars punches (large and small butterflies), Park Lane bling, Divinity Designs Dies (Double Stitched Rectangles), CuttleBug embossing folder (Paper Lace 2)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Createful Heart Challenge #20 - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Must use patterned paper
Outlaws Sunday Songs & Rhymes Challenge - Sing a Song of Flowers

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me today. I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday Blog and see the rest of the Design Team's projects. Also be sure to enter our challenge so that you'll have an opportunity to win a prize from our generous sponsor.

He Will Bless Them

I am late to the party but it's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. The challenge started last Wednesday (3/25) but I had "one of those weeks" (haven't we all!) and am running late. I first want to check in with all of you. I hope you are doing well and staying healthy during this time of national emergency. I work for an essential business so I am still going in to work. We are all keeping to our own offices as much as possible and spraying the place down with Lysol (while it lasts) each evening. Hand sanitizer is in frequent use. My husband's weekday job was "paused" so he is home on a lay-off. It does give him more time for studying for his sermons. We are live-streaming our church's services from our living room. Doesn't everyone have a podium in their living room? :) I've added "Media Production" to my pastor's wife task list. LOL

In this time of uncertainty, our focus verse is very apropos, "He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great." Psalm 115:13. These are difficult times in our world to be sure. Knowing that none of this takes the Lord by surprise and that He is still in control brings such peace of mind. He hasn't forgotten us and will bless us. God doesn't care about our social status or age. He will bless all of those that fear Him regardless of their place in life. This is a comfort to me. What does it mean to fear the Lord? This isn't a terror type fear but one of respect and awe. This is the type of fear that motivates us to serve Him and live in a way that would please Him out of our love and thankfulness for what He has done for us.

In an effort to corral and ultimately use up my scraps, I recently went through all the scraps laying on my desk and cut them to 4" x 5.25". I was given a stacking plastic organizer for Christmas. These card front sized pieces were put in the top section. The smaller pieces, that were still of usable size, were separated out and put in the next section down. The bottom section contains some cardstock scraps that I'd used with some of the papers in the upper sections. Today's card uses paper from the top two sections. The downside of this organization method is that I don't know the manufacturer of my patterned paper. However, the scraps were overtaking me and desperate times called for desperate measures!

I used a large banner die to cut out the patterned paper from a two-sided 4" x 5.25" piece. Then I used a scrap of the same paper but used "side 2" to cut out just the top of the banner. A border die was used to cut a pinking edge on this piece and on a cardstock scrap to layer under it. The digi stamp of the cat and the verse were printed on white cardstock, cut to size and matted with cardstock. The design on the cat was colored with Copics. Some twine was threaded thru the banner and tied in a bow. This panel was layered on cardstock and then adhered to the card base. After adding the sentiment panel and some bling, some Nuvo glitter drops were added to the patterned paper for some extra sparkle.

A second card was made just like the first except the verse was traded out for this encouraging sentiment. I love this sentiment because it's also good for those with long-term or chronic illnesses as well as those going through a long-term difficult time. While they may never be "well" some days are better than others. Praying for them to have a good day acknowledges their illness/difficulty but also lets them know you are praying for them to have more "good" days than bad.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections #110 (white for card base), Pen & Gear (white cardstock for sentiment panels), pink cardstock - unknown from stash, Simon Says Stamp (Audrey Blue)
Patterned Paper - unknown (maybe American Crafts but I'm not sure)
Digi Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Psalm 115:13), Bugaboo (Cat Silhouette), Deedee's Digis (Greatest Joys set - store now closed)
Copics:  RV32; R81, 85; BG10, 13
Tools/Embellishments: Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard), Darice bling, Park Lane bling, MFT Die-Namics (Pinking Edge - retired), Lawn Fawn dies (Stitched Party Banners), The Twinery baker's twine

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes
Dare 2B Artzy - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge: Use Patterned Paper

Thanks for stopping by to visit. I hope you will all stay healthy and while you are quarantined at home, that you will have more crafty time as a benefit.

Exceeding Abundantly

Hello! It's time for another challenge a Word Art Wednesday. This week we are focusing on Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." There have been so many times in my life when I've see the Lord do exactly what this verse says. I've asked Him to work in a situation and had an idea in my mind of what He would do. Instead He not only works in the situation, but He does so in a way that far exceeds anything I would have imagined He would do. At times like that, all I've been able to do is stand back and say, "Thank You, Lord! You are truly a wonderful and loving God! Thank You, thank You, thank You!!!" The Lord truly does have our best interests at heart and when we trust Him to work in a situation and don't try to run ahead of Him, we can be sure that we will experience His best for us. It might not look like we thought it would, but it is what is for our best.

This week DRS Designs is our generous sponsor. They generously provided me with this beautiful Medium Daisy Bloom red rubber stamp to play with. I ended up making two cards with it. For my first card, I stamped it randomly on my cardstock panel and colored both the flowers and the background with Copic markers. I then die cut an oval window in this panel, backed it with a piece of kraft cardstock with a smaller oval window and adhered both panels over the verse panel. Foam tape was used to pop up this entire piece over two layers of cardstock before being adhered to the card base. Some jewels in two different sizes finish off the card and add a little sparkle.

For my second card, I colored and fussy cut three of the images. Two of the flowers were adhered to the embossed brown cardstock and the middle one was popped up with foam squares. Baker's twine was wrapped three times around the lower portion of the panel before double matting the panel and adhering it to the card base. A doubled piece of  baker's twine was used to tie the bow. The sentiment popped up over the twine and embellished with some small jewels. Larger jewels finish off the flower centers.

Supplies for both cards unless otherwise indicated: 
Cardstock: Recollections (110# white for card base, kraft, cream {card #2 only}), Bazzill (Gold Coins), Georgia Pacific (white for images), Ms. Sparkle Embossed Paper Pad (Woodgrain - Card #2 only)
Stamps- WORDart by Karen (Ephesian 3:20 - Card #1), DRS Desings (Medium Daisy Bloom), Paper Sweeties (Get Well - Card #2)
Copics: Daisy - Y11, 13, 17, 19; E25, 29, Background for Card #1 - YG03, 95
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Jewels (gray), Card #1-Spellbinders Classic Oval Dies Large and Small Card #2 only: The Twinery baker's twine, Zutter Round-it-All 1/2", Stamp Simply Fishtail Banner Dies

I'm entering the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Add Flowers (card #2)
Use Your Stuff Challenge Blog Challenge #393 - Favorite Embellishment (jewels - I love to add bling to my cards)
Dare 2B Artzy  - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Some Green (card #1)

I hope you have a chance to check out the rest of the Design Team projects on the Word Art Wednesday blog and please be sure to visit our wonderful sponsor, DRS Designs. Thanks for visiting today.

I Shall Not Be Moved

Happy New Year!! We've all said good-bye to 2019 and are now welcoming a new year, 2020. At Word Art Wednesday, we're starting the year with a new challenge. This week we're focusing on Psalm 16:8, "I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." What a great theme verse for 2020! What a difference it would make in each of our lives if we set the Lord always before us. What if we made all our plans and decisions only after determining what He would have us do? We would be vastly different people. Because we would be seeking the Lord first in everything, He would help us remain steadfast and we would be able to say, "I shall not be moved." Last year, instead of choosing a word for the year, I chose a theme. My theme for 2019 came from Haggai 1:5, "...Consider your ways." I faced some definite challenges throughout the year, and having this verse posted on my monitor at work helped remind me to be aware of my actions and words. It was a great encouragement to me. I think this year, I'll post this verse and have this as my theme for 2020.

Our first sponsor for 2020 is Stamp Simply Clear Stamps. This online store carries some of your favorite brands as well as their own line of stamps and dies. They provided the Floral Cluster Summer Roses stamp set and the Floral Cluster and Sprigs die set for me to use on this week's card. I really like when a company keeps their customer's wallet in mind and makes multiple stamp sets to go with a single die set. That's exactly what Stamp Simply has done with their Floral Cluster series. There are four separate 4x6 stamp sets that coordinate with the die set. There is one stamp set for each season and the sentiments that go along with the stamp sets cover a wide variety of card making needs. You are able to purchase the stamp sets and the die set individually, or in the Floral Cluster Bundle with Die. Please check the website for all the details on what themes are included in each stamp set.

While the stamp and die are designed to curve around the perimeter of an oval or circle, I chose to have them anchor a banner that features our WORDart for the week. Be sure to pick up the free WORDart while visiting the Word Art Wednesday blog. You'll find lots of inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.

I colored the image with Copics, and after popping it up on the card front with foam tape, I added Wink of Stella to the flower buds and some clear gems to the flower centers.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (#110 white for card base, red), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Jack and Jill 6 x 6)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Psalm 16:8), Stamp Simply (Floral Cluster - Summer Roses)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Copics: R31, 81, 83, 85; YG21, 23, 25; W5
Tools/Embellishments: Stamp Simply Dies (Floral Cluster and Sprigs), WRMK dies (Party Banner - retired), Dare 2B Artzy (Leaf Background dies), The Paper Studio bling, Zig Wink of Stella (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Something New (this stamp and die set are new to me as is the paper pad)
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Use patterned paper

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will visit again soon.

Book Lover Happy Birthday

When I saw the digi stamp, Bookworm Jess by Sweet Escape Digis, I know it would be perfect for a  birthday card for a major book lover. I dusted off my copic markers and colored the image and then die cut it with some oval dies. I used MojoMonday Sketch 506 as my inspiration. The background panel was dry embossed. The sentiment was die cut with a fishtail die and the mat for the sentiment was hand cut. Some Nuvo Glitter Drops add sparkle to the floral paper, around the sentiment and around one side of the image panel.


Supplies:
Cardstock: Strathmore Bristol (card base), Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (kraft, burgundy)
Patterned Paper: Authentique 6 x 6 pad (Companions)
Stamps:Sweet Escape Digis (Bookworm Jess), My Sentiments Exactly clear stamp set (Inspirational Birthday Innies and Outies)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Tools/Embellishments: Copic Markers (I forgot to write down the exact colors - sorry), Spellbinders dies (Classic Ovals Large & Small), Stamp Simply dies (Fishtail Sentiment), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss Dot), Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard)

 I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Make a birthday card
Crafty Hazelnut's May Patterned Paper Challenge - Must use patterned paper
Outlawz Festive Friday Challenge - Birthday

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back again soon.

Happy Birthday, Audrey

Our precious granddaughter turned one this week. We were able to be with her to celebrate this special day. Oh, what a difference a year makes - especially when you're this young. She's now walking everywhere and starting to talk. So much fun!

Of course, I had to make her a card. I used Mojo Monday Sketch 514 for the card design. Glitter cardstock was used for the matting so that there would be lots of sparkle. The bear's nose received a drop of Nuvo Crystal Drops, the flower center a drop of Nuvo Glitter Drops and the butterfly a coating of a Wink of Stella glitter brush pen.

Supplies:
Cardstock: The Paper Studio Heavyweight (cardbase), Georgia Pacific (white), Ms. Sparkle & Co. Glitter & Foil Paper Pad (Gold & Silver)
Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Design (Take Note 6 x 6 pad)
Stamp: Divinity Designs (Bon Voyage stamp set) Deedee's Digis (bear - retired)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Copics: E33, 335, 37; V000, 01, 04, 06; R02; W1; Y000, 13, 17; YG03, 05
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders dies (Standard Circle Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large), Stamp Simply dies (Fishtail Sentiment Banners) Nuvo Crystal Drops (Morning Dew), Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard), Zig Wink of Stella glitter brush pen (Clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Outlawz Festive Friday Challenge - Birthday
Mojo Monday Sketch 514
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Must use Patterned Paper
Crafty Animals Challenge #25 - Anything Goes using an Animal
Daisy Chain Challenge #29 - Make It Feminine

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back often.

Anna Griffin Cards

I was gifted two sheets of 5" x 7" Anna Griffin patterned paper. I used part of these sheets to make my card for last week's Word Art Wednesday challenge. You can see that card in my blog post here. I decided to challenge myself to see how many more cards I could make out of the rest of the paper. I was able to make two more cards.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (Peanut Fudge, Peanut Cluster), Recollections (Cream), The Paper Studio Heavy Weight (Cream - card base)
Pattern Paper: Anna Griffin
Stamps: Paper Sweeties clear stamps (Everyday Greetings)
Ink: VersaMark
Tools/Embellishments: The Paper Studio punch (Heart), Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Double Stitched Circles), Blue Moon Beads (Jewel), Ranger Embossing Powder (Liquid Platinum), CuttleBug Embossing Folder (Anna Griffin Honeysuckle Vines), Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Cropstop Linky #47 - Use items/brands found in the Cropstop online store (Fiskars, Tsukineko, Cuttlebug, Ranger, Scotch, Bazzill) 
Make My Monday Challenge #87 - Use words or a sentiment
 

Supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill (Peanut Fudge, Peanut Cluster), Recollections (Cream), The Paper Studio Heavy Weight (Cream - card base)
Pattern Paper: Anna Griffin
Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy Digital (Many Thanks)
Tools/Embellishments -  Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard), Sequins (red-unknown, taupe-The Paper Studio), pearls unknown

Thanks for stopping by to visit today. I hope your week is off to a good start.

Voice of Thanksgiving

It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday. As we look at our focus verse for this challenge, we see that it is all about praising the Lord and bringing glory to His name. We are to tell others of all the wonderful things He has done for us and to do so with thanksgiving. It is a privilege to thank the Lord for what He’s done.

Daily gratitude challenges are popular on social media during the month of November. I’ve seen them criticized because “we should be thankful every day, not just during one month of the year.” That is absolutely true. However, being humans, we tend to be forgetful. Do we truly express our gratitude daily? If so, do we do so publicly? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a challenge to remind us to be grateful for everything, big and small, with which the Lord has blessed us. And, just maybe, after expressing our thanksgiving for 30 days, we’ll develop the habit to continue even after November is long gone.

Expressing our thanksgiving to the Lord for the wonderful things He has done in our lives is important in our daily quiet time with Him. It is a type of worship to acknowledge how He’s working in our lives and thanking Him for it. It is also a great testimony to others to openly express our gratitude for the blessings we have and to give the Lord the praise for those things. It’s more than saying, “I’m thankful I have a good job.” Believers and non-believers would express the same. It brings the Lord glory for us to say, “I’m so thankful that the Lord worked out the details for me to have such a good job.” This puts the focus where it belongs. Developing a spirit of thankfulness and expressing it opening and frequently will lift our own spirits and change our attitude. Let’s not only be thankful people, but let us also be open in expressing our thanksgiving to the Lord.

For this week's sketch I used Sweet Sunday Sketch #218 with the measurements given by Kristie Marcotte in this blog post as my inspiration for the card design. One of our sponsors this week is The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. Then generously gave me the Sunflower Season stamp set to use. I stamped the image and colored it with Copic Markers. After die cutting and matting it, the image panel was adhered to the front of the card. I used my own digi stamp of this week's focus verse and cut it into a flag shape, matted it and adhered it to the bottom right side of the card. Some Stickles in the middle of the flower add the final touch of sparkle.

Supplies:
Sketch - Sweet Sunday Sketch #218
Cardstock: Park Lane #110 white for card base, Georgia Pacific white for sentiment, Copic Paper for Markers for image, Bazzill (Gold Coins, Mud Pie) Recollections (kraft), Orange brand unknown
Patterned Paper - Authentique (Pioneer Plaid)
Stamps - Psalm  26:7 (my own digi design), Stamp Simply clear stamps (Sunflower Season)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics - Y15, 17, 19; YG21, 23, 35; W1, 3, 7
Tools/Embellishments - Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Double Stitched Rectangles, Double Stitched Pennant Flags), Stickles (Cinnamon)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Crop Stop Challenge #45 - Use items/brands found in the Crop Stop Store (I used Ranger, Memento, Fiskars, Scotch, Cuttlebug)
Crafty Creations Challenge #377 - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back soon.

Autumn Arrangement

Hello!! I truly haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I messed up my back and have been spending the last few weeks recovering. Anyway, it's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we're focusing on Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." The fear talked about in this verse is a reverential respect for the Lord. This leads to a submission to the Lord in whatever He wants us to do.When we submit ourselves to the Lord, we can learn what it truly means to be wise. When we learn to trust the Lord, and have that level of respect (fear) for Him, we can understand what does and doesn't please Him. I truly believe this reverential respect for the Lord is a very necessary element for living a life that pleases the Lord.

I'm still easing back into crafting so I used Mojo Monday Sketch #453 (with the measurements as figured out by Kristie Marcotte on her blog post here) for my card design. I colored the image with copics quite awhile ago but I lost my notes that listed the colors I used. Some glossy accents in the middle of the flowers adds some dimension and a bit of shine. The image was fussy cut and adhered to an embossed panel that was matted and popped up over the background papers. The sentiment was trimmed into a fishtail banner, matted and also popped up over the background. The little flag at the top left of the card is the final embellishment.

Supplies:
Card base: Park Lane #110 cardstock (white)
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (The Perfect Autumn 6 x 6 pad)
Digi Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Proverbs 9:10), Deedee's Digis (Autumn Blessings - store closed)
Tools/Embellishments - Copic Markers, Cuttle Bug embossing folder (Basket Weave), Glossy Accents

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Use Your Stuff Challenge #335 - Mood Board Challenge
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #167 - Autumnal Colors
Crop Stop Link Party #44 - Use items/brands found in the Crop Stop Online Store (I used Cuttlebug, Fiskars, Scotch, Ranger Glossy Accents)
Dare 2B Artzy October Challenge - Fall

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll come back soon. I also hope you'll check out the projects on the Word Art Wednesday blog that were made by the rest of the DT. 

Teach Me

Hello! Happy Wednesday!! The focus verse for the new challenge at Word Art Wednesday is perfect for this time of year. Psalm 143:10 says, "Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness." As we are in "back to school" mode, we are thinking about teachers and students. The Psalmist is asking the Lord to be his teacher and to teach him how to follow the Lord's will. The Psalmist recognized that the Lord is good and wants to be taught how to live uprightly (righteously, justly, honestly). What a good prayer for each of us to pray. The Lord wants to help us and teach us how to live a righteous life. He is a very patient teacher. All we have to do is ask and obey Him.

As you can tell, I'm ready for fall. I love this autumn leaves paper and was able to make my card with all scraps. Even the cardstock was left over from other projects. The only full sheet was for the sentiment since I had to run that through the computer. I used Mojo Monday Sketch #341 as my inspiration but put my own spin on it. The sentiment panel was die cut with a stitched rectangle die and then double matted. Three flag banners were attached to the right edge in varying lengths. The sentiment panel was popped up with foam squares over the background layer. As a final touch sequins were scattered over the card and each one topped with clear Nuvo Crystal Drops.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Park Lane #110 (card base), Georgia Pacific (white for sentiment panel), Bazzill (green), Recollections (kraft, burgundy)
Patterned Paper: The Paper Studio
Stamp: WORDart by Karen
Tools/Embellishments: Our Daily Bread Designs Dies (Deco Borders, Double Stitched Rectangles), The Paper Studio sequins, Nuvo Crystal Drops (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Crop Stop Challenge #42 - Use items/brands from the Crop Stop store (I used Cuttlebug, Fiskars, Scotch, and Tonic)
Mod Squad Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll be able to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and see the projects made by the rest of the Design Team and pick up the free digi. Please come back soon.

I also wanted to thank those of you who have voted for my card in the Paper Sweeties contest. The contest is still running through 11:59PM EST on Friday, 8/31 and the vote is really close. You can vote daily (per IP adress/device) and I would truly appreciate your vote. My card is #12 and has  6 triangles on it. To vote, click the word "Like" above my name (Stephanie W). Here is the direct link to where you can vote. Thanks again!

Take Care of Others

Hello! I hope your week is going well. It's time for a new challenge over at the Word Art Wednesday blog. Our verse this week is Philippians 2:4, "Look not every man on his own tings, but every man also on the things of other." I hear a lot in social media about "self care" and "self love." The thought being that we need to look out for ourselves and take care of ourselves. While it is true that we need regular times for rest and relaxation, and we are to care for our bodies because they are the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 6:19). However, I think we have to be careful that we don't become selfish. It's very easy to slide into a mentality that puts oneself first. Today's verse tells us that we're to look out for others. This verse isn't giving us a license to be busybodies but instead is encouraging us to look for ways to help others. Find ways to lighten the load or brighten the day of someone else. It doesn't have to be something big. Maybe a few flowers from your yard that you know they like. Maybe send a card, email, or text just to let them know you're thinking of them. Maybe help with a chore or just provide a listening ear.

When I saw this Cat Silhouette stamp on the Bugaboo site, I just had to purchase it, especially since it was on sale! It goes well with my watermark, don't you think? I used two Copic markers to add some color and interest to the kitties. I flipped the image for the cat on the interior because I thought it looked better facing a different direction. I love that with digis you can not only re-size them but also flip them as needed.

Pink & Main is one of our sponsors this week. Some of their Pumpkin Spice patterned paper was layered over cardstock and adhered to a Half Shutter card base. I really like the graphic patterns and beautiful colors in this paper pad. It is the first time I've ever used Pink & Main's paper and I really like the weight and texture of it. It's very easy to work with. The colors in this paper pad are traditional fall colors and yet they are able to be used year round. And with the name of Pumpkin Spice you just can't go wrong. LOL I saw Kristie Marcotte's recent Pink & Main haul video where she talked about the Glossy Dots. When I visited their booth last weekend at a stamp show, I couldn't resist picking up some for myself (along with this paper pad and another one - considering all the fantastic items in her booth I think I showed great restraint. 😊). I used the Glossy Dots to accent both cat panels. The plain white panel was added to allow a space to write a message. Some twine adds interest to the front of the card.

I'm not sure it shows up well in the pictures, but stickles were added to some of the circles in the white background papers. It adds some nice sparkle that goes well with the Glossy Dots. You will be seeing a lot more of Pink & Main papers in the near future and I'm pretty sure this cat will be making multiple appearances as well.

Supplies:
Card Base: Our Daily Bread Designs (Half Shutter Card Base)
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (Tangelo)
Patterned Paper: Pink & Main (Pumpkin Spice 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Philippians 2:4), Bugaboo Stamps (Cat Silhouette), Dare 2B Artzy (Prayers 4 You)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Copics: B02, YR04
Tools/Embellishments: Pink & Main Glossy Dots (Silver), Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Double Stitched Rectangles), Jillibean Soup Bean Stalks (Blue/Green Twine), Stickles (Diamond)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Crop Stop Link Party #42 - Use brands/items found in the Crop Stop Store (I used Fiskars, Scotch, Ranger, Tsukineko, Jillibean Soup, Bazzill, Cuttlebug)
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenge #372 - Anything Goes
Always Fun Challenges #71 - Going in Circles
Cute & Crafty Challenge #7 - Use an Animal

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope you'll be back soon. Please be sure to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog for your free digi and to see the rest of the projects from our Design Team. Also, please be sure to visit our sponsors. Link up your projects at the Word Art Wednesday blog to have an opportunity to win a prize.

Reverse Confetti's Paper Bliss Paper Pad

I am a long-time fan of Kristie Marcotte and her 6 x 6 paper pad tutorials. Kristie takes a 6 x 6 paper pad and usually makes 30-40 cards from it. She doesn't design card sketches but she figures out the measurements to use and then shares those measurements on her blog, The Best Things in Life are Pink. Most of the time, she also provides a video of her process on her YouTube Channel. I've always wanted to give this process a try but have never made it through a whole paper pad. She recently had a give-away sponsored by Reverse Confetti and I won their new Paper Bliss 6 x 6 paper pad. A card group I'm in had a challenge to make 30 cards for a Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte so I thought the time was right to be inspired by Kristie's process, use my new paper pad and make cards to encourage the families of some children with cancer. Kristie uses several card sketches per paper pad. I only used about 4 and I'm very pleased that I was able to make 41 cards: 30 for the Ronald McDonald House and 11 to help build my stash.

The next six pictures are of the cards going to the Ronald McDonald House.  All their cards had to have a "Just for You" or "Welcome" sentiment.

 Here are pics of the 11 cards that went into my stash - some have already been sent out in the mail to friends/family.

This project was so much fun. I definitely want to try it again. If you have questions about specific supplies, leave me a comment below and I'll let you know what I used.

Thanks to Kristie Marcotte for the inspiration and to Reverse Confetti for the paper pad.

Have a good week and thanks for visiting with me today.