I Trusted in Thee

It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we're focusing on Psalm 31:14, "But I trusted in thee O Lord: I said, Thou art my God."  There are times in our lives that make us evaluate if we truly believe God is trustworthy. In this week's verse, the Psalmist has just made his evaluation and decision. Earlier this week, I was recounting to a friend of a time when I was in a deep valley and that I had to decide if what I said I believed about God and His comfort and strength was really true. I had to face that I could NOT go it alone in my own strength and that there was no earthly person who could fix things. I had to rely on the Lord and fully rest on Him. It was not easy or an overnight fix. I found a verse of comfort in the Bible that really spoke to me and imagined it as a trapeze bar that I was literally hanging onto with both hands. I felt like everything had dropped out from underneath me and that bar was all that was keeping me from falling. I would read, quote and pray that verse to the Lord and beg Him for His help. I acknowledged I couldn’t do it alone and needed His help. He was always faithful and kept me putting one foot in front of the other sometimes minute by minute. I agree with the Psalmist, "...I trusted in thee O Lord: I said, Thou art my God."

I chose to use this week's free WORDart (don't forget to go by the Word Art Wednesday blog and pick it up for yourself) on a book mark. I made the bookmark part of a gift set for a friend.

The verse was double matted before being adhered to the patterned paper layer. Three ribbons were threaded through the hole at the top of the bookmark and some baker's twine was tied in a bow to keep them in place.

A small notebook (3.75" x 5.5" closed) was decorated with a heat embossed quote by Jim Elliot and a few jewels. I tend to keep the covers of my notebooks fairly flat so that the embellishments don't get knocked off if the notebook is put down in a bag or purse.

The interior of the notebook has a small notepad on the right side. The back panel of the notepad slides down into a pocket so that it is replaceable. The left side of the interior has a large pocket and two small sticky-note pads.

One of my standard 5.25" x 8.25" junior legal size notebooks has a favorite quote by Corrie ten Boom heat embossed and then matted with dark brown cardstock. I thought this quote and the Jim Elliot quote went well with the focus verse this week. A few jewels decorate the flower centers.

The interior of the notebook has a pocket to hold the notepad on the right and another pocket on the left for odds and ends.

The thank you card uses MOJO Monday Sketch 524 for the design. The background panel was dry embossed and the sentiment heat embossed. A few clear jewels are the final embellishment.

There is a little interior decorating for the inside of the card.

Supplies: 
Cardstock (all items unless otherwise noted): Core'dinations (Tan Pearl), Bazzill (dark brown), Recollections (cream on card interior and bookmark), Park Lane (Neutrals - card interior)
Patterned Paper (all items): Basic Grey (Dear Heart Collection - Grace)
Stamps (as noted): WORDart by Karen (Psalm 31:14 - bookmark), Simon Says Stamp (Many Thanks clear stamp set - card), Divinity Design (Quote Collection 4 - small notebook, Never Be Afraid - large notebook)
Dies: Divinity Design (Bookmarks-bookmark, Double Stitched Circles- card and small notebook) Spellbinders (Petite Scalloped Circles Large - card and small notebook), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Mini Scallop Edge - retired - card)
Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Multi Jewels Clear (both notebooks, card), The Ribbon Boutique (organza-bookmark), Big Lots Craft Ribbon (bookmark), May Arts Seam Binding (bookmark), Ms. Sparkle baker's twine (bookmark)
Other: Darice embossing folder (Cherry Blossom - card), Versafine Onyx Black Ink (card, both notebooks), Simon Says Stamp fine details embossing powder (Clear - card, both notebooks)

I'm entering items from this set in the following challenges:
Artsystamper  Digitals Challenge #2 - Patterned Paper

A Place to Start - Use at least 1 item from each column (Focusing on my card: Column 1- sentiment, patterned paper, solid paper; Column 2 - sketch, die, embossing -I used both; Column 3 - embossing powder; Column 4 - bling, flowers; Column 5 - stitching-faux)

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

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

Confidence

Happy Wednesday! I hope your week is going well. It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we're focusing on 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, "And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." The Apostle Paul (the author of 2 Corinthians) is talking about the trust he has in Christ. The word trust could also be stated as confidence. "Confidence describes the quality or state of being certain. It describes Paul's assurance of mind and his firm belief in the integrity, stability and veracity of God. Paul expressed a reliance on God, the idea of reliance being an expression of confidence or trust based on experience." {Henry Alford, PreceptAustin.org} Paul gained his boldness to proclaim the Gospel of Christ because of this confidence/trust. He didn't think he was "all that" but knew that anything he did or was able to accomplish was only because it was the work of God.

As the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter (1615-1691) lay on his deathbed, someone encouraged him with a reminder of the good which so many had received from his preaching and writings. Baxter who clearly understood 2 Corinthians 3:5 replied..."I was but a pen in God’s hand, and what praise is due to a pen?" {PreceptAustin.org}

I was at the StampAway convention this past Saturday in Cincinnati, OH. I had a good time getting to see the products of some of my favorite stamp companies in person and talking with several of the owners. Of course, I brought home a few goodies and decided to use some of my new items and some favorite older items on today's card (I've linked them below in my supply list). I also wanted to keep the focus on the verse so I used a frame around the verse panel and put it on an easel card.

I really like easel cards and don't know why I don't make more of them. I like the way they sit up for display and think they are the perfect way to showcase a Scripture verse or encouraging sentiment.

Supplies:
Cardstock; Recollections (#110 white card base, pink), Bazzill (Moody Blue), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: Dare 2B Artzy (Summertime Collection Variety Pack - this sheet is Bright Blooms)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (2 Corinthians 3:4-5), Simon Says Stamp clear stamp set (Always & Forever - retired)
Ink: Versamark
Tools/Embellishments: Divinity Designs dies (Double Stitched Rectangles), Pink & Main dies (Reverse Scallop Rectangles), Lawn Fawn dies (Everyday Sentiment Banners), My Favorite Things die-namics (Mini Scallop Edge - retired), Simon Says Stamp embossing powder (White Fine Detail), Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops (Morning Dew), Fiskars butterfly punch, Eyelet Outlet bling

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Dare 2B Artzy - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope you'll stop by again soon. Please be sure to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog for lots more inspiration and to pick up your free digi.

According to His Abundant Mercy

Happy Friday! I'm a couple days late posting my Word Art Wednesday card. We rolled out the first phases of a 4 month project this week and it's been a bit crazy! I'm so thankful for weekends off work! This week our focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is 1 Peter 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Let's look at one of the phrases of this verse, "according to his abundant mercy." "According to" carries the idea of proportion. The example is given that if a billionaire gives you $10, he's giving you out of his riches. However, if he gives you $1,000,000, he's giving you according to his riches. The first is a portion, the second is a proportion. God is infinite, therefore so are all of His attributes. So using the word "abundant" to describe His mercy toward us is a vast understatement. Mercy is an outward demonstration of pity and assumes need on the part of the one who receives it and sufficient resources on the part of the one that shows it. So if we put all of this together, God gives us mercy, which we most certainly don't deserve, from His vast storehouse. This wonderful treasure of mercy is ready to meet our every need and forgive our every sin.

Our wonderful sponsor this week is Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. They carry MUCH more than ribbon. I really like how their stamps provide such a crisp impression right out of the package. I didn't use any of their dies on today's card, but they are also fantastic. They provided me with the Get Well Tulip stamp set to use. I heat embossed the tulip image with Liquid Platinum embossing powder and matted this panel with a purple cardstock. I heat embossed a scrap of white cardstock with more of the Liquid Platinum embossing powder and used it to punch the 3 circle embellishments. The dry embossed background panel was highlighted with a Wink of Stella clear glitter pen. The verse panel and background panel were also matted with purple cardstock. Some sequins provide the final embellishment.

Supplies:
Cardstock: The Paper Studio heavyweight (white card base), Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (Boysenberry Delight)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (1 Peter 1:3), Stamp Simply Ribbon Store clear stamp (Get Well Tulip)
Ink: VersaMark (embossing ink)
Tools/Embellishments: Ranger embossing powder (Liquid Platinum), Simon Says Stamp Sequins (Assorted Moonshine), Zig Wink of Stella glitter brush marker (Clear), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Victoria), Divinity Designs dies (Double Stitched Rectangles)

This card is being entered in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - No Designer Paper
Addicted to Stamps and More! - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #249 - Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope you have a relaxing weekend. Please visit again soon!!
 

Cast Your Burden

It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we're focusing on a very comforting verse, Psalm 55:22, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." It is such a relief to know that no matter how big our burden, it's not too big for the Lord. We can cast ourselves on Him and say, Lord, I can't handle this on my own. You're going to have to take care of it for me." And He will comfort and care for us. It doesn't mean we won't hurt. It means we won't have to be alone in our pain and He will be right there with us giving us strength for each day. He is truly the God of all comfort.

Our generous sponsor this week, is the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. They provided the Get Well Tulip stamp set for me to play with. I love how their clear stamps give such a clear impression right out of the package. I stamped the tulip image with Memento ink on white cardstock, colored it with Copic markers and added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the flower petals. Then the flower was die cut using a stitched circle die. The background was embossed with an embossing folder before being matted and adhered to the cardbase. The image panel was popped up over the patterned paper layer. After the verse panel was added, some clear sequins finish off the card. I used a Sweet Sunday sketch for my card design.

Supplies:
Sweet Sunday Sketch #220
Cardstock: Park Lane (#110 white cardstock for the card base, #65 dark pink), Bazzill (light pink), Georgia Pacific (white for sentiment and image panels)
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey (Hillside Terrarium 12 x 12 - retired)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Psalm 55:22), Stamp Simply Ribbon Store clear stamp set (Get Well Tulip)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Copic Markers: BG000, 01, 10; YG13 & 17; R81, 83, 85
Tools/Embellishments: Cuttlebug embossing folder (Anna Griffin - Honeysuckle Vines), Simon Says Stamp sequins (Assorted Moonshine), Divinity Designs die (Double Stitched Circle), Spellbinders die (Standard Circle Large), Wink of Stella Glitter pen (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes 
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes, Optional Twist - Layers  
Crop Stop Final Challenge - Use brands/items found in the Crop Stop online store (I used Fiskars, Cuttlebug, Scotch, Zig, Tsukineko, Bazzill, Spellbinders) 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes


I really enjoyed this stamp set so much that I just had to make a 2nd card. I love this sentiment and will being using it quite often. I used the newest Mojo Monday sketch for this card design.

I hand-cut the fishtail banner. Since the card has so many layers, I kept the embellishments pretty simple. I just added 3 enamel dots to the top right of the background panel and finished it off by adding Nuvo glitter drops to the centers of the circles in the background patterned paper.

Supplies:
MOJO Monday Sketch 508
Cardstock: Park Lane (#110 white cardstock for the card base), Coordinations (dark blue), Georgia Pacific (white sentiment panel)
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny (Early Bird 6 x 6)
Stamps: Stamp Simply Ribbon Store clear stamp set (Get Well Tulip)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Gina Marie Designs (Stitched Hearts dies and enamel dots), Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #424 - Anything Goes
Use Your Stuff Challenge #345 - Enamel Dots
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes, Optional Twist - Layers
Crop Stop Final Challenge - Use brands/items found in the Crop Stop online store (I used Fiskars, Cuttlebug, Scotch, Tsukineko)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

I hope you'll have time to not only visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to pick up your free digi and see the other Design Team projects, but also visit our sponsor, Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. You'll be glad you did. Thanks for visiting today, please come back soon.

Sunflower Season

This week at Word Art Wednesday, our sponsor is Stamp Simply. Earlier this year, they were kind enough to send me two stamp sets. I have three cards to share with you today featuring the image from one of the sets and sentiments from both.

This first card uses the image from Sunflower Seasons. I stamped it with Versafine ink on some watercolor paper and then used Distress markers and a water brush to color it. I used Freshly Made Sketches #249 for my card design. Some Wink of Stella glitter marker in the center of the flower adds some sparkle. The sentiment is from the Thinking of You Rose stamp set and was heat embossed on a strip of watercolor paper.

Cardstock: Park Lane (#110 white for cardbase), Bazzill (brown), Strathmore Cold Press Watercolor Paper
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (A Perfect Autumn 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps: Stamp Simply (Sunflower Season, Thinking of You Rose)
Ink: Versafine (Onyx Black)
Distress Markers: Shabby Shutters, frayed Burlap, Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade
Tools/Embellishments: Gina Marie Designs (enamel dots), Zig Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Pen (clear), Simon Says Stamp embossing powder (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenge: 
Crop Stop Challenge #443 - Use item or brand from the Crop Stop online store (I used Fiskars, Tsuineko, Ranger/Distress and Bazzill.

For the next card, the sunflower image was repeatedly stamped on watercolor paper with VersaMark ink and white heat embossed. Distress inks and a water brush were used to color the image. The sentiment, also from the Sunflower Seasons stamp set was heat embossed on a piece of vellum. A kraft frame was die cut and the vellum strip was adhered behind it. Foam tape was used to raise the frame up above the water colored panel. The framed panel was matted with cardstock before being adhered to the card base. Some glossy dots finish off the card. My card design was based off a sketch by My Favorite Things (MFTWSC247).


Cardstock: Park Lane (#110 white for cardbase), Bazzill (yellow), Strathmore Cold Press Watercolor Paper, Recollections (kraft), Taylored Expressions (vellum)
Stamps: Stamp Simply (Sunflower Season)
Ink: VersaMark, Distress Ink (Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed, Salty Ocean, Ground Espresso Gathered Twig, Mowed Lawn, Lucky Clover)
Tools/Embellishments: Pink & Main Glossy Dots (silver), Simon Says Stamp embossing powder (white), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Blueprint 1, Blueprint 29)

For my last card, I kept things very simple and let one of my favorite sentiments from Sunflower Seasons take center stage. Four patterned paper rectangles were mounted on cardstock and then matted before behing adhered to the card base. The sentiment was stamped, die cut and double matted before being popped up over the patterned paper panel. It doesn't get much easier than that.

Cardstock: Park Lane (#110 white for cardbase, #65 burgundy), Bazzill (green), Georgia Pacific (white for sentiment)
Stamps: Stamp Simply (Sunflower Season)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Dies (Standard Circles Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Circles Large)


For those in the path of Hurricane Florence, I do hope you'll stay safe. Be careful!

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those that voted for my card in the Paper Sweeties contest. Thanks to you taking the time to go vote for me, I won the contest. Here is a pic of my prize:

I am truly humbled by how many of you voted. Thank you so much!!

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the projects from the rest of the Design Team. We even have a new DT member being introduced today. Please give my good friend, Tamara, a warm welcome. Also, please be sure to visit our sponsor, Stamp Simply. They have many beautiful stamp sets that are sure to catch your eye.

Daydreaming Bear

It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week, we are focusing on Psalm 92:4, "For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands." In this verse, the Psalmist is remembering all that the Lord has done for him. His heart is glad over the wonderful things he has received and experienced and he is rejoicing in what the Lord has done. When was the last time we spent time just thinking about all the wonderful things the Lord has done for us? The Lord is so good to us and provides so much for us every day. Sometimes the good things He does for us are keeping things from us - not just providing things for us. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it.

I did some Copic coloring on this sweet bear image for my card today. The bottom edge of the panel was die cut and then double matted with a cardstock layer and a eyelet border.The Copic colored panel and the matted verse were layered over patterned paper and then matted with cardstock before being adhered to the card front. The flower in her hair was embellished with Wink of Stella and a tiny gem. Nuvo Crystal drops in clear were added to the bear's nose and used to add drops on the copic panel.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Park Lane #110 (card base), Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (teal)
Patterned Paper: Recollections (Teal Paisley)
Digi Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Psalm 92:4), Beary Wishes (Daydreaming Bear)
Copics: C0; W1, 3, 5; BG000, 10, 11, 13, 15; R22, 24, 35; E11, 13, 15, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37
Tools/Embellishments: Simon Says Stamp Dies (Curved A2 Edge, Eyelet Arch Borders), Nuvo Crystal Drops (clear), Wink of Stella (clear), Gina Marie Designs (bling)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Crop Stop July Link Party #41 - Use brands/items from the Crop Stop online store (I used Cuttlebug, Scotch, Tonic Studio, Fiskars, and Zig)
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenge #371 - Anything Goes

I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have made. I appreciate you taking the time to visit today. I'll hope you'll be back soon.

My Favorite from 2017

Today, I'm back with some of my favorites of 2017. I missed posting my favorites from 2016, but when I posted my 2015 favorites, I kept the number to an even dozen. That's what I did this year too. I'm posting them in date order as they appeared on my blog. I hope you enjoy the look back. You can click the link on the card title to go back to the original post for full details.

Rejoice Evermore (fourth card in this post)

A Turtle and Her Books
 

Be Joyful

Barista Brentwood Owl

Declare the Works of the Lord

 

Tickled Pink Birthday

When You Feel Like Quitting

Land That I Love

Someone Remembers, Someone Cares

How You Bean?

Your Kindness Warms My Heart

Brentwood Birthday

Thanks for taking this trip down Memory Lane with me. Apparently, some of your favorites are mine too. :) I'll be back tomorrow with a card for the first challenge in 2018 for Word Art Wednesday. I hope you'll come back to visit soon.

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!

Clutch Purse Design

Happy Wednesday!! It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we are focusing on Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." We read in 1John 1:9 that, "if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." When we sin, and we all do, God has promised that if we will confess those sins, He will forgive us. Our focus verse this week says that He will blot them out and not remember them. WOW!! What a loving and merciful God we have. Some would say this gives us a license to do whatever we want. Not so. For one thing, while God does forgive us of our sins, we still must bear the consequences of those sins. (If I am arrested for stealing, the Lord will forgive me of the theft but I must still serve my time in jail.) But even more importantly, when I think about all the things the Lord has done for me, why would I want to hurt Him by doing things that I know are displeasing to Him? Our verse this week is a great comfort for those times when I fail.

We have such wonderful sponsors at Word Art Wednesday! This week our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp. Truly one-stop-shopping!! For my card this week I used their A2 Card Curved Edge Die to make the curved panel and mat on my card. There is a sample card in the die's gallery that gave me inspiration for the card design. However, when I turned the card sideways, to better fit the verse, it reminded me of a clutch purse. So, I added the bling as the clasp on my purse. An embossing folder used on the solid purple panel adds texture and interest. The sheer dotted swiss ribbon under the verse adds a subtle touch as does the vellum mat under the matted verse panel.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (yellow), Georgia Pacific (white verse panel), The Paper Studio Heavyweight (card base)
Patterned Paper: Our Daily Bread Designs (Plum Pizzazz and Whimsical Wildflowers Paper Pads)
Stamp: WORDart by Karen
Tools/Embellishments: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Swiss Dot), Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Double Stitched Rectangles, Double Stitched Circles), Simon Says Stamp Die (A2 Card Curved Edge Die), Blue Moon Beads rhinestone, Ribbon FX (Lavender sheer ribbon)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Outlawz Monday Greeting Challenge - Use embossing (I used dry) and at least one patterned paper (I used 2)
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Use patterned paper
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #193 - Lots of Layers
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

I hope you will have the time to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the project from the rest of the design team and to pick up your free digi. Also, please visit our wonderful sponsor, Simon Says Stamp, for all your online crafty shopping needs and to tell them thank you for their generosity in sponsoring Word Art Wednesday every month. Please check back later today for my next Guest Designer post for Our Daily Bread Designs. You can scroll up one post or click here. Thanks for visiting with me today.

Gate-Fold Owl Card

I found the the Sizzix Owl Label Fold-a-Long Thinlets Die set on clearance at a local store but didn't buy it because my craft fund was depleted (I do *try* to be good). My husband insisted I tell him where it was in the store and went back to purchase it for me. I love his support of my obsession hobby. Of course, I figured it was only fair that he get the first card made with the die. I watched a couple YouTube videos to see how others had used it (specifically Jen Long and Christina Thomas) and combined some of their ideas to make this card. However, for the patterned paper owls, I lay the full-size owl on a single layer of patterned paper and then used the fold marks as lines for cutting the owls in half. This way I didn't have to get myself confused on which way the owl needed to be for the two sides.

I've had the sentiment stamp for awhile and had been waiting for the perfect card to use it for my husband. I used distress inks for shading the wings, head pieces, eyelashes and insert. The finished card fits in a normal A2 sized envelope.

Note: The card base die leaves a space in the back that is covered by the owl insert. When I make it again, I may back light colored inserts with a base colored owl to help disguise it this space.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (brown), Recollections (cream)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Oxford 6 x 6 - retired)
Stamp Set: Riley & Company
Ink: Taylored Expressions (Chocolate Truffle), Distressed Inks (Gathered Twigs, frayed Burlap)
Dies: Sizzix Owl Label Fold-a-Long Thinlets Die

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Outlawz Paper A la Mode Challenge - Use a favorite technique (distressing with inks)
CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Use Patterned Paper
Mod Squad Challenge - Special Fold Card (mine is a gate-fold)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I hope you'll come back again soon.

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.

Be Joyful

Happy Wednesday!! Thanks for coming to visit me on my blog today. It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday and this time our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp. Be sure to check out the Word Art Wednesday blog for all the details on how you could win a $25 Gift Certificate to spend in the Simon Says Stamp store. This week our focus verse is Psalm 5:11, "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." Once we trust the Lord as our personal Savior, one of the blessings we receive is that the Lord will defend and protect us. In a world that sometime looks so scary and chaotic, this is invaluable. As a Christian, we are never alone and we always have the Lord protecting and caring for us. This should cause us to shout for joy! Literally and quietly in our hearts. The second part of the verse says that those that love the Lord should be joyful. We should not go around with a "Woe is Me!" expression or a sour "nothing pleases me" look on our face. No! We should remember all the riches we have in Christ and be joyful! Be sure to let that joy show on your face! When we go through tough times, the world is watching us. If we are "Negative Nellies" and "Debbie Downers," then why would they want what we have? However, if we can show the joy and peace of the Lord in the midst of our struggles, then they will notice the difference and may just ask how they too can have this joy and peace.

For my card this week I started with a base of Simon Says Stamp Soft Navy Cardstock. SSS cardstock is such a nice heavy-weight and perfect for card bases. I made a basic gate-fold card by scoring my 8.5 x 5.5 piece of cardstock on the long side 2.75" in from each end. I matted some of the beautiful papers in the Echo Park Just Be You 6x6 pad on white cardstock.  Spellbinders dies were used for the sentiment panel and mats. The flowers were die cut using Designer Flower dies from scraps of the patterned paper and the coordinating stamp Artful Flowers were stamped using my MISTI in VersaFine ink before being embossed with Fine Detail Clear embossing powder. Glue dots were used to attach them to the card front and then Stickles were used on the flower centers.

More patterned paper decorates the inside. One of the sentiments from the Artful Flowers stamp set was stamped as a greeting.

Simon Says Stamp supplies
100# Cardstock (Soft Navy)
Artful Flowers clear stamp set
Designer Flowers die set
Artful Flowers stamp set & Designer Flowers die set bundle 
Embossing Powder - Fine Detail Clear

Supplies available in the Simon Says Stamp store:
Echo Park (Just Be You 6 x 6 Pad)
VersaFine Ink (Onyx Black) 
Ranger Stickles (Star Dust)
Spellbinders Dies (Standard Large, Standard Small)
MISTI Original Size

Other Supplies:
Georgia Pacific cardstock (white)
Ranger Distress Stickles (Spun Sugar, Chipped Sapphire)
Ranger Stickles (Eucalyptus)
Spellbinders Dies (Petite Scalloped Circles Large)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Dare 2B Artzy - Anything Goes
CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - must use patterned paper
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #340 - Use embossing - heat or dry (I heat embossed the flowers)
Come and Get It Challenges - Circle Challenge
Outlawz Paper a la Mode Challenge - Sparkle and Shine

Thanks again for visiting with me today. Please be sure to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog and see what the rest of Design Team has made as well as pick up your free digi. I also hope you visit our wonderful sponsor, Simon Says Stamp. They truly are a "one stop shop."

God Shall Wipe Away All Tears

It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we are focusing on a very comforting verse found in Revelation 21:4, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; an there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things as passed away." What a wonderful day this will be! Can you imagine no sickness, no pain, no sadness, no death? Wow! I can't wait. There is so much sadness and pain in this world. It will be so wonderful when God wipes it all away and we can just spend eternity praising and glorifying Him. We'll have fellowship with our fellow Believers and get to talk with our heroes in the faith. The promise of this future time is such a comfort to those of us who have said an earthly goodbye to a loved one who has preceded us in death. Are you ready? I just heard of a man a couple years older than I am that suddenly passed away last weekend. He wasn't planning to leave this earth so soon but God called him Home unexpectedly. It's a good thing that he had planned ahead and accepted Christ's free gift of salvation. Some people think, well, I'll live how I want to and then right before I die I'll accept Christ. Sometimes, like this man, we don't know death is coming and there is no chance. It's not a matter of good works vs bad works whether we'll be let into Heaven. It's what we've done with Jesus here on this earth. So please don't delay, accept Christ's free gift of salvation today. If you have questions, please us the contact me link in the side bar or leave me a comment below.

For my card today, I kept the focus on the verse and the the beautiful papers do the "talking." Our sponsor for this week is Simon Says Stamp. I used their A2 Curved Edge die to cut the sentiment panel and the black patterned paper panel behind it. A retired border die from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps adds some interest along the top edge. The die cuts out these flower shapes. Since my paper is double sided, I turned over these little flowers and adhered them using the die cut inlay technique. I topped the flowers with a small rhinestone. For the bottom of the card, I embossed a sentiment from a retired Simon Says Stamp set with their Fine Detail White Embossing Powder. I cut it with a banner die and accented it with more bling. I inked the edges of the banner with charcoal ink. One of the flowers in the background paper was also embellished with a little bling.

Supplies (Links are to the SSS online store):
Cardstock: Recollections (white for card base, black), Georgia Pacific (sentiment panel)
Patterned Paper: Authentique (Latest & Greatest 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen, Simon Says Stamp (Always & Forever - retired)
Ink: Versamark, Hero Arts Mini Cubes Set (Field Notes Set)
Tools/Embellishments: Simon Says Stamp (A2 Curved Border Die, Fine Detail White Embossing Powder), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps border die (Lacey Eyelet Border - retired),  The Paper Studio (bling), Lawn Fawn (Everyday Sentiment Banner Dies)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Dare 2B Artzy - Lots of Layers 
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #150 - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenge #151 - Lots of Layers 

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back often. Please be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have made and also be sure to visit Simon Says Stamp. They are truly a one-stop-shop.

Rejoice Evermore

Happy Wednesday!! It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week our theme verse is from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing." Obviously we cannot be praying 24/7. You have to sleep sometime. :) Seriously, I think the writer is talking about the attitudes of our heart. We should have a heart that is consistently rejoicing.We should have a prayerful attitude at all times. Prayer isn't something that you can only do in church. Nor do we have to be on our knees with our eyes closed and hands folded. Prayer, after all, is a conversation with God. We can (and should) slip in and out of that conversation all day long.

This week our sponsor is Taylored Expressions. They were extra generous with the Design Team and gave us some wonderful products to use. I have so many ideas running through my head on how to use the various stamp sets. I can't wait to get back to my craft room! You will definitely being seeing these sets again! I couldn't keep my projects to just one this week so I have four to share with you. Since there are so many, I'm just going to give a supply list after each card rather than linking all the supplies at the end of my post.

For my first card, I printed this week's free Word Art Wednesday WORDart digi directly only my patterned paper. On the background patterned paper, I repeatedly stamped the Graphic Greetings Redeemer stamp with Chocolate Truffle hybrid ink using the second generation stamping technique. I just wanted a subtle look and it turned out just like I hoped it would. I've been needing a good dark brown ink and this Chocolate Truffle ink is just what I needed. Since it's a hybrid ink, I will be able to use it with my Copics as well as watercolor techniques. Love it! I used some die cut borders to set off the sentiment panel. Before adhering this panel to the background, I wrapped light brown baker's twine around it several times and then tied a small bow. Faux stitching, a few pearls and some clear sequins finish off this card. This is a soft "quiet" card, but I really like letting the papers and the subtle stamping carry the design. The card is 5.5" square.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Recollections (cream), Bazzill (kraft)
Patterned paper: WRMK Anthologie 6x6 (this is an old pad of paper and these were my last bits from it)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17), Taylored Expressions (Graphic Greetings Redeemer)
Ink: Taylored Expressions Premium Hybrid mini ink pad (Chocolate Truffle)
Dies: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Lacey Eyelet Border - retired)
Embellishments: The Paper Studio (pearls), Simon Says Stamp (Assorted Moonshine Sequins), Staedtler Fine Tip Marker (Brown), Studio G (brown baker's twine)

For my next card I went bold and bright. I repeatedly stamped the image from the Cherish Every Moment stamp set on my cardstock. After coloring the flowers and background with various Copic markers, I cut it to 4" square. I heat embossed the sentiment from this set on a strip of Premium Vellum and centered the greeting on the floral panel. After attaching the vellum on the back of the floral panel it was mounted on black cardstock and then adhered to a 4.25" square card base. A few turquoise and clear sequins were all the embellishment this bright, cheery card needed.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black), Taylored Expressions (Premium Vellum)
Stamps: Taylored Expressions (Cherish Every Moment)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaMark
Embellishments: Copic Markers, The Paper Studio (turquoise sequins), Simon Says Stamp (White Fine Detail embossing powder, Assorted Moonshine sequins

I just love the Graphic Greetings Redeemer stamp. It has so many wonderful names of our Lord. I just had to do a card that let it really be the focal point. I started with a Z-fold card and then rotated it 90 degrees so that the card opens up vertically (maybe the picture below will help that make sense). Other than a die cut border and matting, there are no other embellishments to take to focus away from this great stamped image.

When you open the card, you can still see the focal image and there is a panel to allow you room to write a message to the recipient.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Hillside 6x6 pad)
Stamp: Graphic Greetings Redeemer
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Die: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Lacey Eyelet Border - retired)

For my last card, I used an Operation Write Home Sketch (#123) for my starting point. Our daughter works with books (Book Reviewer, Book Podcast co-host and Book 'Tuber) and I'd had been looking for a good book stack stamp for a long time. When I saw the In Other Words - Read set, I knew I had to have it. The image and sentiments are perfect for her. I have so many ideas for other projects but we'll have to get to them another time. :) After stamping and coloring the image with Copic markers, I fussy cut it out. This sentiment is such fun and has such a bold look. The stack of books is popped up on foam squares and enamel dots add the final embellishment.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Hillside 6x6 pad)
Stamps: Taylored Expressions (In Other Words - Read)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Embellishments: Copic Markers, MME enamel dots

If you've made it this far, thanks for hanging in there with me. I thoroughly enjoyed using these Taylored Expressions stamps and products. I hope you'll stop by to visit their online store. I'm sure you'll find something there that you will love. They even have a great Loyalty Program. You can set up an account and check out the details here. I know I will be wanting more of their stamps and inks. The stamps stamp so well right out of the package. They are nice cling stamps and work well with the MISTI or an acrylic block. Thanks again to Taylor for her generosity.

Some of their Design Team has joined ours so there is lots of Taylored Expressions inspiration on the Word Art Wednesday blog today. Be sure to grab a cup of coffee/tea/cappuccino, sit back and enjoy all the fantastic projects. Be sure to pick up your free digi. Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll visit again soon.