Be Content

It's time for another Word Art Wednesday challenge.  This week we are focusing on Hebrews 13:5, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  This verse starts with an admonition and ends with a very precious promise.  It's so easy to look around at what others have that we don't (health, money, possessions, jobs, relationships, opportunities to be with family, you name it) and want what they have (that's coveting). However, the Bible says that we are to be content with what WE have.  Not with what others have but with what the Lord has already given us. Why?  Because we have the promise from the Lord that He will never leave us or forsake us.  Wow!  That is a promise much more valuable than anything else. I really want to remember this the next time I see someone enjoying something I don't have. 

One of our fantastic sponsors this week is Taylored Expressions.  They generously provided some of the Design Team with some stamps to use.  I was able to play with Cherish Every Moment.  I stamped it repeatedly all over a piece of watercolor paper and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  I used my distress inks to water color the design.  The heat embossing helped keep the colors where I wanted them.  When I had the flowers colored, I then watercolored in the rest of the background with a couple shades of blue.  Because I didn't want to cover up this pretty design, I kept the rest of the card pretty simple.  The Scripture was matted and popped up over a strip of lace trim.  Bling was added to the centers of some the larger flowers and faux stitching around the edge of the watercolor panel and Scripture panel finish it off.  I used fun foam behind the watercolor panel to lift it up off the card base.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Strathmore Water Color Paper, Bazzill (red), Recollections (black)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Hebrews 13:5), Taylored Expressions cling stamp (Cherish Every Moment)
Ink: Versamark, Distress Inks (Barn Door, Squeezed Lemonade, Bundled Sage, Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Shaded Lilac, Peacock Feathers)
Tools/Embellishments: ribbon (Offray), rhinestones (Want2Scrap baby bling), Spellbinders dies (Standard Circles Large and Small), Stampendous embossing powder (Opaque white), Darice Fun Foam 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #113 - Flowers and Ribbon or Trim
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #32 - Watercolor
Digi Choosday Week 10 - Lace/Bling
Craft Your Passion Challenge #252 - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps Challenge #131 - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesday Challenge #196 - Anything Goes
Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge - Flowers/Garden

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll have time to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog and see the projects from the rest of the Design Team.

Napkin Fold Card

Hello!  I hope your week is going well.  Since it's Wednesday that means it's time for a new challenge.  Psalm 119:160 is the focus verse for this week at Word Art Wednesday.  This verse states, "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever."  Time as we know it doesn't exist for God.  He has always been and will always be.  As my husband frequently says it in his sermons, "God lives in the eternal present."  So when we read this verse, we have to try to wrap our finite human minds around the fact that there has never been nor will there ever be a time that God didn't exist.  Then to further boggle our minds, try to realize that His Word has been true from the very beginning (John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.") and His righteous judgments will never expire.  I love this aspect of God's character.  He is eternal (both past and future) and His righteousness never changes.  That is great security.

I saw the napkin fold card online a week or two ago so of course I had to give it a try.  It definitely looks harder than it is.  The ones I saw online would lay flat after you took off the belly band.  My card?  Well, no matter how many times I burnished the folds....nope, it didn't get the lay flat memo.  Tutorials for this card can be found on Dawn's YouTube, SplitCoastStampers (I didn't see this tutorial until writing this post), and the one I followed the most is found on Beccy's Place.

I liked the elegance of these papers and chose to embellish the belly band with pearls and lace.  I usually *have* to mat my patterned paper but am glad I skipped it this time.  The card would have had even more problems with closing properly with the extra bulk.

When the belly band is removed you can see the quilt like contrasts of the patterned paper. There is definitely room to play with pattern arrangement with this card.  Before placing my patterned paper and with the card closed, I made a small dot on each of the triangles that were showing when the card was closed.  This helped me plan the design and made sure that when I opened the card out completely, I had the papers just where I wanted them.

If you open the card completely, the base cardstock is an 11" square.  This allows for a large space to write a message.  Closed the card is 5.5" square.  

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (brown), Recollections (cream)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio (Bohemia 12 x 12 pad)
Stamp: Diane's Daydream Designs
Tools/Embellishments:  pearl rope (Recollections - It was a double row rope that I cut into single ropes and individual pearls for the belly band and sentiment panel), Spellbinders dies (Classic Oval Large, Lacey Oval), lace from my stash

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Chocolate Coffee & Cards Challenge #72 - Bingo (Green, Die Cuts, Lace)
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #28 - Anything Goes (I used Challenge #13-Funky, Fancy, Fabulous Fold Cards & Challenge #21 - Digi Stamp)
 Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #51 - Anything Goes
Really Reasonable Ribbon #102 - Autumn Colors + ribbon/trim
CraftyHazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Use Patterned Paper
Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #9 - Make a Card

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.  I hope you will make time to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog for inspiration from the rest of the Design Team and to pick up your free digi.

Dad: The Glory of Children

Hi, Friends!!  I hope your week is off to a good start.  This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is Proverbs 17:6, "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."  This verse reminds us that one of the greatest joys in life is to see our grandchildren (children's children).  We have one precious grandson and what a joy he is.  I also get so much joy watching our son be a daddy.  The love between those two is strong and does our hearts good to see.  It is a glory or privilege to me to have had a wonderful father.  Dad was one of the most self-sacrificing men I know.  He did so much for me just because he loved me.  Dad went Home to be with the Lord 6 years ago.  While I'm thrilled that he and Mom have been reunited and that he's now with the Savior he served for so many years, I still miss him dearly.  I'm also very thankful that our children have a Dad that loves them with a self-sacrificing love.  I don't know of anyone (including myself) that prays for our children more than my husband does.  What a treasure!!

I kept my card pretty CAS this week...and once again NO patterned paper.  That's hard to believe isn't it?  I borrowed a cool embossing folder from a friend that does has dots in graduated sizes as it goes up the panel.  I'd never seen one like that before.  The ties are from Deedee's Digis adorable set, "Not a Tie."  It was last month's set for the Digi of the Month challenge.  You can see a preview of the full set in the pic below.  Love that panda!!

In case you hadn't heard the good news,  Deedee's Digis now has a store of its own!!  I'd encourage you to stop by and read all about the details here.  Deedee is launching the store with a freebie and a great sale.  I know you won't want to miss it.

Back to my card, I printed the pre-colored ties out twice and fussy cut them.  The original image has them hanging from a line.  Since I was cutting them out, I chose to use baker's twine for the line.  The twine is knotted on each end and attached with brads.  One set of ties was adhered to the embossed panel and the twine was adhered on top.  The bottom of the 2nd set of ties was popped up while the knot was glued on top of the string.  There is faux stitching around the ties, embossed panel and sentiment panel.  A few more brads and gems finish off the front.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollection (kraft), Bazzill (green), Georgia Pacific (ties and sentiment)
Stamps:  Papercraft Memories (Proverbs 17:6), Deedee's Digis (Not a Tie)
Tools/Embellishments:  gems (Want2Scrap), brads (Making Memories), Uni-ball signo white gel pen, Staedtler fine tip black marker, The Twinery baker's twine (charcoal), Spellbinders M'Bossabilities embossing folder (Graduated Dots)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Faith, Hope and Love Scripture Challenge #9- Use Scripture
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #21 - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps Challenge #92 - Father's Day
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Going Gray with Scrap-Creations - Father's Day
Inky Chicks Challenge #30 - Use metal embellishment (I used brads)
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #96 - Masculine with ribbon or trim (I used baker's twine)
Cuttlebug Mania - Father's Day
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stand By Your Man (Masculine Card)
Fab 'n Funky Challenge #219 - Father's Day or For the Men in your Life


I hope you'll take the time to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the projects from the rest of the Design Team and to pick up your free digi.  Thanks for stopping by today. 

Love in Deed and in Truth

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is 1 John 3:18, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."  This verse admonishes us to not just say we love others but to put our love into action.  When we get to do what we like to do, showing our love for others is easy to do.  However, when it costs us something, time, money, self-sacrifice, then it gets a bit harder.  However, that is the kind of "love in action" that the Apostle John is talking about.  For the perfect example of this principle, we need only look to what Christ did for us by dying on the cross.  Now THAT was love in action.

For my card this week, I chose to use the sunburst technique for my card design.  The trees were paper pieced.  I think the faux stitching gives it a sort of quilted look.  I masked the trees and inked the image panel with some distress and dye inks.  {Yes, I realize I could have done my inking before paper piecing the trees and then I wouldn't have needed a mask.  However, I didn't think that far ahead when planning out the card.}  I mounted the sunburst panel and verse panel on a square of dark brown cardstock before adhering it all to a white 5.5" square card base.

The verse is printed on patterned paper and a ribbon covers the seam between the sunburst panel and the verse panel. The image panel is popped up off the card and placed over the ribbon.  I also did a bit of interior decorating and included more faux stitching.

The verse panel is finished off with more faux stitching and some pearls.  The tree tops were given some stickles for a bit of shimmer.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill (Bitter Chocolate)
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Out of Print 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (1 John 3:18), Stampabilities (3 Simple Trees)
Inks:  Memento (Desert Sand, Rich Cocoa, New Sprout), Ranger Distress Inks (Broken China, Antique Linen, Peacock Feathers)
Tools/Embellishments:  ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Stickles (Star Dust), pearls (Queen & Co. - Grass Green), Spellbinders Classic Squares Large, Staedtler triplus Fineliner (brown)
Techniques:  Paper Piecing, Sunburst, Inking/Masking, Faux Stitching/Doodling

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #5:  Sunburst Technique
SCS Try a Technique #455 (TLC455) - Let's Revisit Paper Piecing
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Got Ink?
Craft Your Passion #188 - Add some doodling
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash #127 - Use something already out on your desk (I used white cardstock and some inks)
Twist of Faith #63 - Lots of Layers

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll also visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the design team have made this week and to pick up your free digi.  I hope the rest of your week goes well.

Welcome Little Girl

I needed another baby card for a sweet little girl.  I used one of my new favorite teddy bear images, Baby Bear's Butterfly, from StampArt Design.  This is the bonus file that comes with the digi stamp (2 for the price of one!).

I used this week's sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches (#212).  I mirror imaged the sketch to accommodate the direction Teddy is facing.  Teddy is colored with copics, fussy cut and popped up on an embossed piece of cardstock.  I used lots of faux stitching on this card.  I was able to use lots of scraps as well.  The patterned paper, pink cardstock, white square and kraft banner are from scraps.

Paper Saving Tip:  One of my favorite ways to stretch my paper is to die cut smaller mats out of the larger ones.  For instance, the pink cardstock that is matting the banner is cut from the middle of the mat that is on top of the card base.  Since the larger mat has gingham paper (and other layers) on top of it, you can't tell that part of it was cut away.  

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (pink), Stampin' Up (kraft)
Patterned paper:  Frances Meyer
Stamps:   StampArt Design (Baby Bear's Butterfly), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Baby Blessings)
Tools/Embellishments:  Copic Markers, Sharpie fine point pen (brown), Uni-Ball Signo pen (white), ribbon (Offray), twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), buttons from stash, Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss Dot), Spellbinders (Classic Squares Large & Small, Circles Large & Small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Tuesday Morning Sketches (#212) - sketch
Crafty Ribbons #57- Use 3 of something (I have 3 buttons and 3 colors)
2 Sisters Challenge #157 - Use Pink, White & Kraft
Really Reasonable Ribbon #78 - Use pink & brown
Make It Monday #154 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown #161 - Use scraps
Top Tip Tuesday #108 - Use at least 2 things that start with your initial(s) (I used stitching, spellbinders, squares & white)
Cute Card Thursday #282 - Use Buttons
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Use Scraps
Aud Sentiments Challenge #87 - Anything but a birthday card

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to come back tomorrow when I'll have a card to show you for the new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.

Teach Me, O Lord

Hello, Friends!  I hope you're having a good week.  The headache fog of the past month or so has lifted so I feel like a new person.  :)

It's time for another Word Art Wednesday challenge.  This week our focus verse is Psalm 119:33, "Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it unto the end."  As I just read this verse again, it struck me that the Lord doesn't expect us to "just know" what He wants us to do.  He is willing to teach us if we are willing to learn.  As we think of this being "back to school" season, let's not forget that we should be in a constant state of learning spiritually.  The Lord is a willing Teacher; our responsibility is to listen, learn and apply what He teaches us.  That's where the "...I shall keep it unto the end" part of the verse comes into the picture.  We need to not only listen but we need to apply what we've been taught.  This is true "lifelong learning."

For my card this week, I chose to use this week's Sweet Stop Sketch.  It's a simple sketch that is perfect for making a sentiment the focus.

As usual, I did quite a bit of layering.  I would not normally think of this shade of blue/teal and orange going together but with this patterned paper it works.  I used several different die cuts

The button in the center of the triple loop bow is actually two buttons.  The bottom button is a two hole type that I attached with floss.  The top button had a sort of well in the bottom that fit perfectly over the floss.  I used Crystal Effects to glue them together.

I did a bit of interior decorating.  In this picture you can see a peek of it and also see how I popped up the sentiment panel layers.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (orange), Recollections (teal/blue), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  Recollections
Stamp: WordArt by Karen
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders (Classic Squares Large & Small, Lacey Squares, Classic Edges 2), ribbon (Offray), buttons (Making Memories)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sweet Stop Sketch #223 (SSS223) - sketch
SNS August Release Party Challenge #3 - Make the sentiment the focus
2 Sisters Challenge #156 - Favorite Embellishment (ribbon is about my all-time favorite embellishment)
Inky Impressions Challenge #121 - Anything with Wings
Crafty Ribbons #56 - Anything Goes with Ribbon
Make It Monday #153 - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges #140 - Use lace and/or ribbon
Aud Sentiments Challenge #87 - Anything But a Birthday Card


Thanks for stopping by to visit today.  I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have to show you and to pick up your free digi.

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.

Many Thanks - SNSDC100

I'm sorry for my absence.  I have been side-lined by a nasty cold/virus/ear infection.  I'm on the mend but what a way to step into spring!  Ugh!

It's hard to believe that this is the 100th Challenge on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  This week, we get to go back and pick our favorite challenge and use it for our card/project.  There is also a prize to be won for participating, so be sure to stop by the SNS Digi Challenge Blog for all the details.

For my card, I chose to go back to Challenge #62 which was to make a Fun Fold card.  I love fancy/fun folds so this was a fun one to do.  I really like the Cherry Blossom Branch digi, so I combine it with a couple of the sentiments in the Many Thanks sentiment set and made a Z-fold card.

The branch and flowers are colored with Copics and the flower centers are accented with tiny pearls. The rosy-tan mat was embossed and a ribbon was stretched across it.  The image panel was adhered and topped with the matted sentiment panel.  Faux stitching, pearls, rhinestones, and another flower finish it off.

The interior has another sentiment from the set, more faux stitching and just a few rhinestones.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Georgia Pacific, Copic, The Paper Studio
Patterned Paper:  NRN Designs
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Cherry Blossom Branch, Many Thanks)
Copics: E35, 37, R20, 22
Embellishments/Tools:  pearls (Stampin' Up), flower (Prima), ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), rhinestone flourish (Recollections), rhinestones (Best Occasions), Sharpie Fine Point pen (brown), CuttleBug Embossing Folder (Victoria), Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large & Small, Floral Ovals)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #75 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Bingo (I used the bottom row - Bloom, ribbon, gems)
Tuesday Throwdown #142 - Fancy Fold
Scrap Creations  - Flower Power (image and/or papers must have flowers)
Simon Says Stamp! - April Showers and/or Spring Flowers (I chose just the flowers)

I hope you'll stop by the challenge blog and see what the rest of the Design Team has to show you.  And please do participate and help us celebrate the 100th challenge.  Sadly, it is also the last challenge.  The clear stamps and dies side of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is really booming.  So Korin has had to make the difficult decision to devote her time and attention to that and let some other things go.  She will continue to have the digis on the website and may have a digi release from time to time, but will no longer have regular monthly digi releases.  I will truly miss being on the Digi Challenge Design Team but you can be sure you'll still be seeing SNS Digis here for a long time.  I can't go too long without Cocoa & Rhubarb.  :)

Have a good day and I hope you're enjoying spring weather in your corner of the world.  Thanks for stopping by!

Go Green - SNSDC95

Hi!  Happy Friday!!  It has been quite the week at work because our computers are on the fritz so I'm very happy to see Friday get here.  Friday means it's time for another Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge.  This week we're to Go Green!  Our card should either feature the color green or have some recycled item on it.  Obviously, I chose to use the color green.  I used this week's Mojo Monday #283 sketch for the card design.

I colored the Happy Flowers digi with Copics and then gave the flower petals a little sparkle with some stickles.  Want2Scrap bling finishes off the flower centers and adds some accents to the background panel and sentiment panel.  I used my faithful CM fine tip pen for the faux stitching.

My card was inspired by this cupcake on Cupcake Inspirations Challenges -- this cupcake is from Challenge #5.  I stuck with the overall green color and used flowers with black centers for my focal point.  I changed the color of the flower from red to yellow.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill, Copic
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Happy Flowers, Feminine Birthday)
Copics:  YG03, 05, YR07, Y13, 15, 17, BG10
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Standard Circles Large & Small, Classic Squares Large & Small, Eyelet Circles), bling (Want2Scrap), ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), CM Fine Tip Pen, Stickles (Star Dust)


I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mojo Monday #283 - Sketch
WordArt Wednesday #70 - Anything Goes
Cupcake Inspirations #200 - Use past cupcake inspiration to make a card
Eureka Stamps #29 - 2 of Everything {2 patterned papers (background & floral), 2 stamps (sentiment, flowers), 2 embellishments (bling, ribbon & 2 loops on the ribbon)}
Scrap Creations - Go Green
Simon Says Stamp - A Bit 'o Green (use some green on your card)
Really Reasonable Ribbon #67 - Use green on project & ribbon
Spark Your Creativity Challenge #7 - Anything Goes
Pile it On #9- Happy Birthday
4 Crafty Chicks #132 - Use Dies

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us in our Go Green challenge.

Chugging by... -- SNSDC90

This week, the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge is quite easy.  We're to make a Valentine's Day or Love card/project.  Easy Peasy!!  We have a sweet little 3 year old boy in our lives (our grandson) who loves trains.  So I thought this Cocoa's Train digi would be perfect for him.

I used an older Sweet Stop Sketch (SSS160) for the design of the card front.  My husband had the idea to use some type of 3D hearts as smoke billows so when I found these open buttons I thought they would fill the bill.  I adhered them with SU's Crystal Effects.  I also put some Crystal Effects on Cocoa's nose.  I generated the sentiment on my computer and cut it out in a banner shape.  I used a square punch to give me the points on the end.

I paper pieced Cocoa's train using two different patterned papers from a collection I've had in my stash for quite awhile.  I bought this paper pack with Jack, our grandson, in mind.  Actually, except for the cow catcher, it's just both sides of the same sheet of paper.  I used buttons from my stash for the wheels.  Cocoa is colored with Copics and his head and paw are popped up over the train.

If you're a regular reader, you know I *love* fancy folds.  When I saw this pop-up card on Darlene's blog during a recent surfing trip, I couldn't wait to give it a try.  Darlene show's two versions, a simple pop up and this more advanced one.  Her directions are easy to follow and the "advanced" version was still pretty easy to do.

For the 3 hearts on the left side, I printed out a Cocoa's Heart the size I wanted them to be and hand cut a template.  I then printed out 2 sentiments from the Valentine's Day Greeting set and generated my own sentiment for the center heart in Word.  I used the template to trace around the sentiments and hand cut them.  I taped them to red cardstock and then cut the mats.  I used another greeting from the set for the "Happy Valentine's Day" and popped it up on the background. Cocoa's Heart is on the 4th pop-up.  Strips from the patterned paper carry the train theme through to the inside of the card.  I left a small spot to write a short greeting from Papaw & I.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections, Georgia Pacific, Copic
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Little Boy)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Cocoa's Heart, Valentine's Day Greeting, Cocoa's Train)
Copics:  0, 100, C0, E01, N0, N1, N3, N5, N7, N9, R02, R27
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders (Deckled Rectangles Large & Small, Petite Ovals Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large & Small), blue buttons - stash, heart buttons (Dress it Up -Valentine Collection - Love Potion), baker's twine (The Twinery - Maraschino), SU Square Punch, CM Fine Black Pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Shopping Our Stash #87 - Valentine's Day, Hearts, Red, Love
Going Gray with ScrapCreations - Valentine's Day
WordArt Wednesday #65 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC243) - Square Card
Really Reasonable Ribbon #64- Valentine's with Ribbon/Trim
Spark Your Creativity Challenge #5 - Anything Goes
V's Sweet Challenge #8 - Love Theme

I hope you'll play along in this week's challenge.  Thanks for stopping by to visit today.

My Heart Belongs to You -- SNSDC89

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to use all white papers.  They can be inked, embossed, distressed, etc., they just have to start out white.  You image and embellishments may have as many colors as you'd like.

I chose to use this sweet Rhubarb's Heart image and layered one of the sentiments from the All My Heart set in his heart.  Love that about digis!!  I colored Rhubarb and his heart with copics and cut him out and matted with nesties.  I paper pierced the scallops for dimension.  I layered two of the elements from the Decorative Photo Corners Spellbinders set and added stickles to the top heart.  I threaded the ribbon thru the bottom of this embellishment.  I have had this ribbon in my stash since early 2009.  It may just be my oldest ribbon -- if it isn't, it's close to it.

The background panel is embossed with a tiny hearts embossing folder.  I used a Memento Dew Drop to add some color in a direct to paper technique.  I really like the subtle pink color it added.  This panel is matted on a solid white piece of cardstock and then glued to a white card base.  Three pink rhinestones finish off the card.

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Geogia pacific

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi (Rhubarb's Heart, All My Heart)

Ink:  Memento Dew Drops (Angel Pink)

Embellishments/Tools:  The Paper Studio embossing folder (Tiny Hearts), Stickles (Cotton Candy), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large, Decorative Photo Corners), Tim Holtz Craft Pick, ribbon (Offray), rhinestones (The Paper Studio), Copics (R81, 83, 85, E31, 33, 35, 37)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #64 - Anything Goes
Pile It One Challenges #3 - Have a Heart
Spark Your Creativity Now Challenge #5 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown #131 - Furry Creatures
Really Reasonable Ribbon #64 - Valentine's/Love with Ribbon
Shopping Our Stash #86 - Use your oldest ribbon
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #37 - Love, Romance, Anniversary (any or all)
C.R.A.F.T  Challenge # 191 - Valentine's Day/Love


Thanks for stopping by and visiting today.  If it's as cold in your area as it is here, I hope you're able to stay inside and keep warm.

WAW #59 - Christmas Door Sign

It's time for another Word Art Wednesday Challenge.  As always, these challenges are Anything Goes.  As long as your project is positive and uplifting, feel free to link up to 5 projects each week.  This week, our prize is sponsored by Daydream Designs.  Diane graciously provided digis stamps for us to use.  I chose to use the pre-colored Deck the Halls Digi Set.

The focus verse this week is Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."  While we think of this as a "Christmas" verse, and it is, what a great reminder all year 'round that we should be giving God the glory and striving to live in peace with goodwill towards all men/women.  If you really think about it, that's enough to keep you busy 365 days a year!

My husband and I have an apartment on the first floor of the men's dorm on the college campus where he teaches.  Because there are also guest rooms on our floor, we keep a sign on our interior hall door with our names on it to let visitors know who lives here.  At my daughter-in-law's suggestion, I decided to make a special one for the Christmas season.  Our printer ink is running out, so I touched up some of the leaves & petals on the poinsettia with a little copic coloring.  The candle flame, wax "drip" and the poinsettia received some attention from various colors of Stickles.  An organdy bow finishes off the sign.  I kept it pretty simple since it has to hang on the door.  I added four magnets to the back to attach it to the metal door.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Express-it, DCWV
Patterned paper:  DCWV (Heirloom Christmas)
Stamps:  Word Art Wednesday (scripture), Daydream Designs (Deck the Halls Digi Set - Color)
Embellishments/Tools:  Stickles (Star Dust, Yellow, Orange Peel), ribbon (Ribbon Trends), Copic Markers (R27, G07, G17), Spellbinders Grand Labels One

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC70) - Christmas
Really Reasonable Ribbon #62 - Anything Goes + Ribbon
 

As the Lord brings it to your mind, please be in prayer for the family and friends of Word Art Wednesday Design Team member, Paula Pike.  Yesterday, the Lord delivered Paula from her battle with cancer by taking her Home to be with Him.  While Paula is enjoying the glories of Heaven, she will be greatly missed by her husband, four children and many friends.

Thanks for stopping by and hug those you love just a little closer today.

Peace & Joy

It's time for my final project as the December Guest Designer for Mark's Finest Papers Sketch with a Twist Challenge.  My month with them has gone quickly and I've enjoyed using their beautiful stamps.  I'm a bit late posting this today as our internet went out last night.  I am really pleased with our internet company though because they had a service tech out here after work tonight and he fixed the line & replaced the modem.  Most companies don't have "after work hours" techs still working let alone give you same day service.   Anyway....back to the important stuff -- I'll try to keep it short & sweet to get this posted ASAP.

Here is this week's sketch....

This week's twist is to make a Christmas card.

My version includes some die cutting on the background mat and sentiment panel.  I hand cut the music sheet & one spray of pine cones & evergreens.  The spray was accented with some stickles.  There are a few pearls scattered about and two ribbons layered together.  The words on the sentiment panel were traced with a glitter pen for a little added sparkle.

I did a little interior decorating.  I kept it fairly simple and just layered a few die cuts.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Core'dinations (pearls - card base), Recollections (cream), DCWV (Christmas & Winter Cardstock stack)
Patterned Paper:  DCWV (Heirloom Christmas)
Stamps:  Mark's Finest Papers (Greetings of the Season Mini Stamp Set, Christmas Music Stamp Set )
Ink/Markers:  Memento (Rich Cocoa), Bic Mark-it Markers (Woodsy Brown, Honey Brown, Tiki Hut Tan, Forest Green, Key Lime), Sharpie Brown Fine Point Marker
Embellishments/Tools:  pearls (Paper Studio, SU), Stickles (Star Dust), Sakura Gelly Roll pen (Clear Star), ribbon (Ribbon Trends Organdy, American Crafts satin) Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large, Floral Ovals, Classic Squares Large & Small, Lacey Squares, Classic Decorative Inserts 5, Classic Decorative Edges 2)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #194  - Christmas Card 
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC70) - Christmas
Really Reasonable Ribbon #62 - Anything Goes + Ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit today.  I hope you'll play along in this week's challenge and use this versatile sketch to finish up those last minute Christmas cards.

Stars & Stripes - SNSDC60

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to use Stars & Stripes on your project.  Be sure to visit the blog and see how the rest of the Design Team interpreted this challenge -- not everyone went with a patriotic theme.

I chose to use Patriotic Cocoa and went with a simple design since there was so much "busy-ness" with the gingham paper.  I printed the sentiment below Cocoa AFTER I colored him.  That was living dangerously!  I used Spellbinders Labels 7 to cut out the image panel.  Since I was using the largest die and therefore had no larger size to mat the panel, I traced around the outside of the die on my blue cardstock and cut it out with scissors.

I colored Cocoa and his star with my Copic markers.  I used some stickles on the perimeter of the star for some sparkle and also added subtle sparkle to the stars with my Sakura glitter pen.  Some baker's twine from The Twinery finished off my card.

Supplies:
Cardstock: DCWV, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  DCWV
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Stamps (Celebrate America, Patriotic Cocoa)
Embellishments/Tools:  baker's twine (The Twinery - Maraschino, Denim), Spellbinders (Labels 7), Stickles (diamond), Sakura Clear Star glitter pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - 4th of July
Shopping Our Stash #57 (SOS57) - Red, White & Blue or Stars & Stripes (or both)
Really Reasonable Ribbon #50 - Red, White & Blue
Tuesday Throwdown #104 - Gingham
Love to Create #21 - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge #45 (PPMC45) - Independance Day Inspiration
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #212 (PWC212) - Red, White & Blue
Simon Says Stamp - Sporty or Patriotic
Cute Card Thursday #223 - Patriotic
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Stars Stripes & Sparkle
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #16 - Anything Goes


Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us this week.  Don't forget to stop by the blog to see if you are last week's Blog Hop winner.

Exciting News to Share

I have exciting news to share with you today.  I have been asked to be the Guest Designer for Word Art Wednesday for the month of May.  I love to use Scripture on my cards and was so honored when they asked me to help out this month.

Be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and get your free Scripture digi.  This week the Scripture is Nahum 1:7, "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."  My dad loved this verse so it is extra special to me.  This verse is such a great reminder that no matter what, God IS good.  Even when we're in the middle of a trial, He's still there and He hasn't forgotten about us.  I read this quote recently (I'm not sure who wrote it originally) and found it to be a great encouragement:  "Sometimes when you wonder why you can’t hear God’s voice during your trials. Remember the teacher is always quiet during the test."

For my card this week I used an old Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO152).  My card is 5.5" square -- I think that's my new favorite size.  Maybe it strikes a chord from my scrapbooking days.  :)  I was able to use some new Three Bugs in a Rug papers and a new M-bossabilities embossing folder.  I love that they are 2 embossing folders in one.

 

I wanted a button in the middle of my bow but didn't have any the right color of green.  Then I found a clear button and decided to back it with some of the patterned paper I was using.  It was a guaranteed perfect match.  I punched a circle from my patterned paper and then used SU Crystal Effects to glue the paper to the back of the button. After allowing a little drying time, I found some DMC floss that was a great match with the salmon/orange-ish color in my papers and threaded the button with it.

I even did a little interior decorating.  :)


Supplies: 
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Three Bugs in a Rug (Ellie 6 x 6 pad)
Digi Scripture from Word Art Wednesday
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders (Big Scalloped Border Petites, M-bossabilities Splendid Side A, Petite Ovals Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large), Wright's ribbon, button from stash, Marvy circle punch, DMC Floss (#351), Recollections pearls
 
I'm entering this card in the following challenges challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #137 - Something planted or incorporate the color green (I did both)
Paper Sundaes #118 - Ribbon & Pearls
Love to Create #13 - Flowers & buttons
Stamp TV Mix it Up Monday (STV12MON15) - make a square card
Craft Your Passtion #108 - Lots of texture
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes 
Catered Crop - B is for Bodacious (use things with the letter "B" - I used a button, Bible verse, & bow)
Really Reasonable Ribbon #47 (RRR47) - Mother's Day/Feminine card
Scripture Thursday - Use Scripture


Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you come back again soon. 





 

I Thank God for You - SNSDC41

This week we have a photo inspiration challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  Here's the inspiration photo:

Inspiration I used from the photo:
1. The brown and pink colors for my card
2.  The swirls in the icing are represented by the background panel
3.  The 3 cupcakes inspired my 3 layers on the sentiment panel and the three layers on the background panel.

I embossed the background panel and then accented the raised areas with a glitter pen.  I threaded baker's twine thru the Lacey Eyelet Border Die and pulled the twine thru to tie a bow on top of my sentiment panel.  I decided to stop there to keep this card flatter so that it would be easier to mail.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (A True Friend digital stamp set)
Embellishments/Tools:  SNSS Lacey Eyelet Border Die, The Twinery baker's twine (cappuccino), Cuttlebug EF (D'vine Swirls), Spellbinders (Labels Four - Lg and small), Sakura Clear Star pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown #85 - Use Twine
Really Reasonable Ribbon #42 - Use Pink & Brown
Going Gray with Scrap-Creations - 3 Layers (I have 3 layers on the sentiment panel and 3 layers on the background panel)
Paper & Such - Show us the Love (love for a friend)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you have time to play along with us this week.

SNSDC27 - Rhubarb's Candycane Christmas

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a Christmas card.  That wasn't a too hard with all the cute Christmas digis Korin has.  She just released 11 more! last night and they're still 50% off, so playing along with us will be even easier.

To add extra incentive to participating in the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenges this month, Korin has "sweetened the pot."  As you may have heard, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps turns 4 this month.  Korin is celebrating all month long with prizes, sales, and special blog hops.  Sooo....in addition to the regular monthly challenge prize, one participant, chosen randomly, will receive 4 free digis each week!! The participants do not have to use SNS Digi stamps.  If you have a wish list of digis from the Release Party last night, this is a great chance to get some of them for free.

I used the adorable Rubarb's Candycane digi for my card for this challenge.  I used the new Echo Park Season's Greetings papers and a sketch by Paper & Such.  Some pearls, a little doodling, some baker's twine (also available at Sweet 'n Sassy) and  a couple dies later, this is my final result.

Supplies:

Cardbase:  Bazzill

Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific

Patterned paper:  Echo Park (Season's Greetings)

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Rhubarb's Candycane, Do Not Open Till Christmas)

Ink:  SU (Creamy Caramel), Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)

Embellishments/Tools:  Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, Copics, Baker's Twine (The Twinery), Hemp (JoAnn's), Pearls (Oriental Trading), Creative Memories Fine Tip Pen, Spellbinders Nestabilities (Deckled Rectangles small and large)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Paper & Such - Sketch

Really Reasonable Ribbon #35 - Christmas

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us this week and don't forget, in addition to our usual monthly prize, someone will win 4 free digis EACH week in November.  That someone could be YOU!!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Winter Release Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Release Day Blog Hop!  This month we have are doing something really fun - the Design Divas and the Digi Team are hopping together, to celebrate the fabulous clear stamps, digis, and dies being released tonight!! Grab your favorite cuppa and your favorite treat and get ready for some amazing eye candy!  

After you've finished the hop, don't forget to go back to the SNSS blog and leave a comment telling them what is your favorite new release.  There's a major prize to be had -- the entire November Release!!  The winner will be chosen from comments left on the SNSS blog tonight at the Release Party.

Don't forget to join us tonight at 8:00PM EST in our member company forums over on Splitcoaststampers - we have a great release party planned! There will be full reveals of all of the stamp sets, digis and dies, plus challenges AND prizes!!! 

If you have been following along already you should have come from Jessica Fick .  If you are only starting here, please head back to the SNSS blog and go from there.  You won't want to miss any stops along the way!  

For my card, I chose to use one of Sandy Domelle's new stamps.  I just love this snowman pair.  I used lots of stickles on the snow and some on the holly berries in the lady snowman's hat but of course, it just doesn't photograph well. I colored them with copics and then die cut them with Spellbinders nestabilities.

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Misc. blue

Patterned paper:  Basic Grey (Figgy Pudding)

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Snow Much Love and Don't Open Till Christmas)

Embellishments/Tools:  Ribbon (Offray), Stickles (Star Dust, Crystal, Christmas Red), Rhinestones (Best Occasions), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Circle, Lacey Circle), Copics, Bow Easy

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #35 - Christmas theme
Basic Grey Challenge #56 - Anything Goes

Your next stop on the hop is Dina Kowal , but just in case there are any hiccups, here is the whole list of team members sharing new release goodness today:

SNSS Blog 

Kim Schofield 

Sandy Domelle 

Ceal Pritchett 

Mary Faus 

Janette Olen 

Makiko Jones 

Kim Singdahlsen 

Jessica Fick 

Stephanie Wright  -- You are here!!

Dina Kowal 

Holly McMillen 

Carol Longacre 

Taylor Usry 

Cathy McCauley 

Margo Smith 

Bridget Finlay 

Harriet Skelly 

Monika Davis 

Korin Sutherland
SNSS Blog

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope to see you all at the Release Party tonight.  Happy Birthday, Sweet 'n Sassy!!