Where Is Your Treasure?

Hello! Can you believe it's already December? I can't say the year has flown by but it sure has been eventful (and no, not all events are fun. lol) Our verse for the Word Art Wednesday Challenge this week can really help us finish out the year strong by helping us maintain our focus on things that truly matter. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:34. One of our most valuable things is our time (treasure). As we spend our time and energies on things that are most important, our heart will follow. So do the right things, the important things, the things that have eternal value and your heart will follow and you'll find yourself doing them not just because it's what is right but because it's what you truly want to do.

I believe the sketch I used is from Operation Write Home but I forgot to write that info down and now can't find it again. I double matted most of the layers with black and then rose gold foil cardstock. Some rose gold jewels are the final embellishment.

Supplies:

Cardstock: The Paper Studio (Extra Heavyweight cardstock -card base), Recollections (black, rose gold foil)

Patterned Paper: Carta Bella (Home Again 6 x 6 pad)

Stamp: WORDart by Karen (Luke 12:34)

Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Dies (Classic Rectangles Large & Small), Divinty Design die( Double Stitched Pennant Flags), My Favorite Things dienamics (Blueprints 1), The Paper Studio jewels 

 

Thanks for stopping by to visit today. I do hope you'll come back soon. Please visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to find lots of inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.

Pastor Appreciation Gift Set

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today. It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. When I saw our focus verse, I knew that it would be perfect for a Pastor Appreciation gift for my husband. 1 Timothy 1:12 says, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry." After being in various music ministry positions for 13 years, the Lord called my husband, Tim, to be a pastor. That was over 20 years ago. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Tim would say that it is only because the Lord enables him day by day that he is able to care for the people in our church. Not that our people are difficult, they are not. Our church has a wonderful spirit of unity. It's because Tim feels such a great responsibility to lead them correctly and be a good example to them. He is a bi-vocational pastor so he has to do his studying, visiting, etc. outside of his 40 hour work week at a secular job. He sacrifices a lot of himself to spend time studying, praying, visiting, writing cards and notes and checking up on people via texts, emails and phone calls. I believe the Lord rewards Tim's faithfulness by continuing to give him the strength and wisdom to minister to our church family.

Tim is very supportive of my crafting endeavors so I like to do extra special things for him when making a project for him. He likes my notebooks and uses them to write down prayer requests on Wednesday nights and in keeping track of various items at work (separate notebooks). I noticed that his prayer list notebook was looking a little worse for the wear so I made him a new one. This time I tried putting a coordinating patterned paper as a binding around the spine. Along the edge of this I used jute ribbon and twine for decoration. The sentiment panel was inked before being double matted and adhered to the front.

I decorated the edge of the pocket with a strip of the patterned paper. Tim loves to fish so I wanted to use as much of this paper as possible. The interior was looking a little plain so a matted sentiment was also added above the pocket.

Tim sends out LOTS of cards to our church family when they need encouragement. To use more of the patterned paper, I made him a set of four coordinating cards. Two have a "Thinking of You" sentiment and two have a "Thank You" sentiment. I used Sketch #218 from Operation Write Home for my card design.

Here is a picture of the entire gift set.

Notebook Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: The Paper Studio
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (1 Timothy 1:12), Rubbernecker Stamps (Smiles & Thinks of You)
Ink: Versafine (Onyx Black), Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
Tools/Embellishments: Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Double Stitched Rectangles), Staedtler Fine Tip Marker (brown), The Ribbon Boutique (Jute Ribbon), Wright's twine

Card Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (kraft, cream, green)
Patterned Paper: The Paper Studio
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp clear stamps (Many Thanks, Banner Sayings 3 x 4 set)
Ink: Versafine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Double Stitched Pennant Flags), Staedtler Fine Tip Marker (brown),Gina Marie Designs enamel dots, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Herringbone)

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:
Crop Stop Linky Party #33 - Use items/brands found in the Crop Stop store (I used Fiskars, Cuttlebug, Tsukineko, Tim Holtz Distress Ink)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Must Use Patterned Paper

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back often. Please be sure to pick up the free digi WORDart at the Word Art Wednesday blog. While you're there, don't forget to see the rest of the Design Team's projects - you are sure to enjoy! Also, if you haven't already done so, why not send your pastor a note of encouragement and appreciation. He will greatly appreciate it!

Thanks A Latte

This card design was inspired by Operation Write Home Sketch #236. The image and sentiment are from the Verve Three Cheers Digi set. The image was colored with copics and a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino was the inspiration for the color choices. The image was fussy cut and popped up over the background panels. The heart on the cup is coated with Nuvo Crystal Drops and a few random drops are scattered across the card. White gel pen dots add some interest to the solid cardstock fishtail banner.

Supplies:
Cardstock: The Paper Studio Heavy Weight (card panel), Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black)
Patterned Paper: Play with Color 2 (Fall Patterned Cardstock)
Stamps: Verve (Three Cheers Digi Set)
Copics: Y21, 32; E07, 09; YR16, 18, 20, 21, 24; Colorless Blender
Other: Nuvo Crystal Drops (clear), Gelly Roll Gel Pen (white), Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Ovals, Layered Lacey Ovals)

This card is entered in the 2017 Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I'll be back shortly with another card for the Bloghop.
 

Cats Leave Pawprints

Sadly, I needed a pet sympathy card when my co-worker's cat passed away unexpectedly. I was glad I had this Simon Says Stamp Pawprints on Our Hearts stamp set in my collection. It has both dog and cat sympathy sentiments and several sizes of pawprint and heart images. I used the Operation Write Home Sketch #219 for the card design.

I carried the pawprint theme to the interior as well. I am so glad I picked up this stamp set to have on hand for occasions like this.

Simon Says Stamp is this sponsor for this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge. Why not check out the details on the WAW blog and join us for an opportunity to win a SSS shopping spree?


Supplies:
Sketch: Operation Write Home Sketch 219
Cardstock: The Paper Studio Heavy Weight (white card base), Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (Bitter Chocolate)
Patterned Paper: 3 Bugs in a Rug (Frisky)
Stamp Set: Simon Says Stamp (Pawprints on Our Hearts)
Ink: VersaMark, Taylored Expressions (Chocolate Truffle)
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Dies (Standard Circles Large & Small), Simon Says Stamp Fine Detail Embossing Powder (white)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Furry Friends
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Use patterned paper
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #344 - Anything Goes
Creative Craft Cottage #88 - Include an Animal
Come and Get It Challenge - Emboss It (a sentiment is embossed on the black cardstock strip and the pawprint on the interior is also heat embossed)
Deep Ocean Challenge #155 - Our Furry or Feathered Friends

Thanks for stopping by to visit today. I hope you have a great weekend.

A YouTube Channel Recommendation

I enjoy watching crafting videos on YouTube and like when other crafters share a favorite.  Today I thought I'd return the favor and pop in to share one of my YouTube channels with you: Sandy Allnock. 

Many of you may have heard of Sandy Allnock but I wanted to pass along her channel in case you haven't.  Sandy has some amazing skills with Copic markers.  She was one of the teachers in the Copic Markers for Cardmarkers class I took from Online Card Classes last fall.  Each Monday, she posts a video and just lets us watch her color.  Watching an image "come alive"  as she colors always amazes me.  I mean, I have the same type of markers she does and mine sure don't give me those results!  LOL    She posts other videos and tells us how she's doing what she's doing and makes it look easy.  However, as I mentioned I own Copics and I KNOW it's not as easy as she makes it look.   She is also fantastic with watercolors and other mediums as well.  She's taking her watercolors to Europe soon and I can't wait to see the pictures she paints.  I thought this watercolor pic was very special.

Sandy is the Founder and Executive Director of Operation Write Home.  This is a non-profit organization that send handmade cards to our service personnel overseas for them to send back home to their families.  It's a fantastic and much needed organization.  I've been able to participate some in the past and hope to do more in the future.

But most importantly, Sandy is a Christian.  She's  recently posted a non-crafting video on her channel of a speech she made entitled, "Is God Really Crazy?".  I was greatly challenged by her speech and reminded once again of the benefits of being willing to step out in faith when the Lord asks us to do something.  Apparently she's taken some criticism for posting her speech but I'm so thankful she did.  It was just the reminder I needed to hear today.

I would encourage you to check out her YouTube Channel and her blog for lots of inspiration and how-to tips.  While you're there, why not subscribe both places so that you don't miss out on any of her projects.

Do you have a favorite crafting channel?  If so, leave me a link in the comments.  Thanks!  Periodically I'll pass along info on another of my favorites.

Once In Every Life...

I have a quick anniversary card to share with you today.  A friend asked for me to make a card for her husband for their anniversary and here is the result.  I used on old sketch from Operation Write Home (sketch #16) as my inspiration.  My pictures don't do the card justice in its simple elegance.

The black patterned paper has romantic words/phrases.  I really like this Bo Bunny pad for weddings/anniversary/romantic cards.  It just has an elegance about it!

The sentiments, inside and out, were stamped with VersaFine ink and then heat embossed with a clear glitter embossing powder.  You can see it a little better in this picture.  I really like the sparkle it adds.

The interior decorating of the card mimics the front but still allows plenty of room for her message.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (red)
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny (Enchanted 6x6 pad)
Stamps: Stampabilities wood mount (Once in A While), Mark's Finest Paper (Celebrate Big clear stamp set)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Darice Whispers embossing powder (Clear Glitter), silver rhinestone flourishes (Want2Scrap Inspire Swirls by Nina Brackett), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Blueprints 1)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sunday Challenge #237 - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes
Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #66 - Anniversary card
Penny Paper-Crafty Challenge #208 - Anything Goes
Divas by Design - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #352 - Sparkles (gems and glitter embossing)

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.  I hope you'll come back soon and often.  :)

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.}

Operation Write Home Fundraiser

Today I'm helping out with the Operation Wright Home Fundraiser.  If you are not familiar with Operation Write Home (aka OWH), it is a not-for-profit organization that collects and sends handmade greeting cards to American soldiers for their use in keeping touch with their families back home.

It is so important that our soldiers know that we here in the USA aren't forgetting what they are doing over there for our freedom and the freedom of others!  It is also important for the soldiers to be able to keep in close contact with their families while they are overseas.  Operation Write Home's boxes of cards are the perfect answer!  Sandy Allnock, Operation Write Home's president, says that the estimated cost for shipping boxes of cards to the soldiers over the next few months is $13,000!

K 'n K Designs will be selling 7 new digi sets designed exclusively for this cause. These include 4 sets by Katelyn Traxler and 3 sets by Deedee Anderson.  These sets are available for just $2 each, or in various value bundles (e.g. get them all for just $10!), with all proceeds (minus Paypal fees) donated to Operation Write Home.  These sets will be available today thru noon on November 1st.  All purchases will be mailed within 24 hours of payment clearance.

For my card today, I chose one of the two images in Deedee Anderson's Thoughtful Teddies set and paired it with one of the five sentiments in this set.  You sure get a lot for your money with this set!!

I made a gatefold card that opens vertically.  When it's opened up, it will give the soldier a lot of room to write a note home to a loved one. I colored the teddy with copics and fussy cut her to layer on my Spellbinders petite ovals. Since this card will be shipped overseas, I wanted to keep it flatter than my usual cards so I left off ribbon & pearls.  I chose to paper pierce the oval and the paper panels for a little extra dimension. 

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific

Patterned Papter:  MME (29th Street Market)

Stamps - Deedee Anderson (Thoughtful Teddies)

Embellishments/Tools: Tonic Paper Piercer, Spellbinders Petite Ovals & Petite Scalloped Ovals, Copics

Those who don't craft (or don't use digi stamps) but would still like to aid the cause can donate directly to OWH. OWH suggests sponsorship of a medium box ($11), a large box ($13), or any multiple - perhaps 4 large boxes at $52. No amount is too small (or too large!) to help and your gift is tax-deductible! The OWH Donation page has full information on how you can help.

Please consider helping our soldiers in this way.  Be sure to go to the K & K Designs blog for these special digis and/or the OWH site to donate.

Thanks for stopping by.