Mighty Waves of the Sea

Hello! I hope your week is going well. Mine has been a busy but good week. It's time for another Word Art Wednesday Challenge. This week we're focusing on Psalm 93:4, "The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." When you stand on the ocean shore and gaze out over the waves, you can't help but be amazed at the power and majesty of the ocean. Sometimes, the waves roll gently to shore and at other times they crash and roar. The Lord, the Creator of all, is mightier than the powerful waves of the ocean and in fact, controls their movements.  Sometimes in our lives, it seems like the waves of trials roar and crash against our souls and we wonder, "Does God know? Does He care?" He is mightier than those types of waves too. He does care and He is right there beside you to guide you safely to the shore. At least 15 times in the book of Psalms, God is spoken of as our refuge. My two favorites are: Psalm 57:1, "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." and Psalm 91:2, "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." If the trials in your life seem to be threatening to toss you in the billowing waves, turn to the Lord and allow Him to be your refuge.

When I read this week's verse, I knew the papers from the By the Shore collection by Our Daily Bread Designs would be perfect for it. I chose to make a center step card and used two of the papers from the collection on the front.

The sentiment panel was matted and popped up at an angle over a ribbon loop accented with a button and baker's twine. I die cut some birds from a scrap of patterned paper. After adhering them to the card front and sentiment panel, they were coated first with Wink of Stella and then with Nuvo Jewel Drops. I really like the epoxy look they have. A trio of sequins finishes off the card front.

For the interior decorating, a sentiment was stamped on another one of the patterned papers in the collection. This panel was matted and then adhered to the card interior.

The finished card is approx 5.5" square and will stand up for display.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Core'dinations (Black Iris), Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: Our Daily Bread Designs (By the Shore 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Psalm 93:4), Morningstar Stamps (H63 Praying You Will Find wood block stamp)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Gina Marie Designs dies (Stitched Sky Die Set, Little Birds Die Set ), Nuvo Jewel Drops (clear), Wink of Stella Brush glitter pen (clear), Glossy Accents, Big Lots Craft Ribbon, The Paper Studio sequins, Walmart Button, Studio G baker's twine

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge Blog - Y is Your Choice
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Must Use Patterned Paper

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll have time to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog, pick up your free digi and see the projects the rest of the Design Team have made.

Wishing You Comfort

Hello! It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we're focusing on Job 23:10, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job knew what it was to go through trials in life. He lost his children, financial resources and his health. However Job 1:22 says, "In all this Job sinned not..." He completely trusted the Lord and remembered that the Lord knew what he was going through and that at the end of the trials, he would be closer to the Lord than before (come forth as gold). To have that amount of faith in the Lord when faced with the intensity of the trials he endured, is truly inspiring and challenging. Definitely a goal worth striving for as we go through our lives.

I printed this week's verse on cardstock and then covered the banner portion with gold Wink of Stella. It has such a nice shimmer in real life that just doesn't show up well in the picture. This panel is bordered by some tiny scallops before being adhered to the matted background paper. I used the two largest hearts in the Double Stitched In and Out Cut Heart Set to make a frame out of gold patterned paper. I really like the double stitch lines around the edges of the die cuts. The smaller of the two hearts was also used to cut a heart out of the background paper and matting. The "Wishing You Comfort" sentiment was heat embossed directly on the front of the card base. The background panels and heart frame were adhered flat to the card base for easy mailing. Some clear sequins in three different sizes were added to the card front. Nuvo Crystal Drops were added to the sequins and around the "Wishing You Comfort" sentiment. I really like how easy the Nuvo Crystal Drops are to use and how the bottle doesn't clog!

Supplies:
Cardstock: The Paper Studio Heavy Weight (white card base), Georgia Pacific (verse sentiment)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Urban Luxe 6x6 pad - retired)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Stamps: WORDart by Karen, Dare 2B Artzy (Wishing You Comfort)
Tools/Embellishments: Gina Marie Designs (Double Stitched In and Out Cut Heart Set), My Favorite Things Die-Namics (Mini Scallop Edge - retired), Nuvo Crystal Drops (clear), Glossy Accents, Simon Says Stamp (Fine Detail embossing Power - clear, Moonshine Assorted Sequins), Wink of Stella glitter brush pen (gold), Multi-Medium Matte

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Hazelnuts Challenge - must use patterned paper
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Outlawz Monday Greeting Challenge - Anything Goes
Crop Stop Challenge #31 - Use Items/Brands found in Crop Stop Store (I used Cuttlebug, Fiskars, Zig, and Ranger)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes


Thanks for stopping by to visit. I hope you'll be able to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to pick up your free digi and see the other Design Team projects. Please come back later today for another project for Our Daily Bread Designs.

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.

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.

Deedee's Digis: Featured Artist in Through the Craft Room Door

We are really excited that Deedee's Digis is the Featured Artist  in the July/August 2015 edition of Through the Craft Room Door Magazine.  The Design Team was asked to provide some samples for this issue.  We had the choice of using an old favorite or making something brand new. I chose to submit a couple of my favorite Deedee's Digis cards. Please visit the Deedee's Digis blog to see all the details on how to get a copy of the magazine - your paid subscription will be accompanied by FREE digis!!

This card uses Fluttering By and was originally posted on my blog September 16, 2014 - With Sympathy. 

My second card I submitted uses Winter Woods and was originally posted on my blog November 29, 2014 - Winter Woods.

You can see complete supply lists and full details on how I made the cards by clicking the links to the original blog posts. 

With Sympathy

Sympathy cards are always tough cards to make but ones that inevitably are a necessity. A friend had a death in the family and this is the card I made for her. I stamped the sentiment on a strip of light gray cardstock and then cut it to a tag shape. This tag was matted on a piece of dark gray cardstock.  The smaller sentiment was stamped on a piece of patterned paper and then cut with a fish-tail end to make a banner. Faux stitching, a bow, pearls and a ribbon flower finish off the card. I used the final Deconstructed Sketch for the card design.  I'm so sorry to see them go.  I love sketches!

The patterned papers, ribbon, ribbon flower and light gray cardstock are all from an old Simon Says Stamp card kit (October 2012) that I won in one of their giveaways. I'm sort of hoarding the supplies because I really like this kit. The "You are in my thoughts and in my prayers" stamp is one of my oldest and a favorite.  I haven't used it in awhile and decided to ink it up again.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (card base), Creativity (dark gray), Simon Says Stamp (light gray)
Patterned Paper:  Fancy Pants Designs (Country Boutique)
Stamps: Stampendous (Thoughts and Prayers - wood mount), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Peaceful Swans -retired clear stamp)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Simon Says Stamp Oct 2012 (seam binding ribbon, ribbon flower, patterned paper, light gray cardstock), pearls (Michael's), Staedtler fine tip marker (black), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Mini Scallop Edge)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Deconstructed Sketch #204 - Sketch
Mod Squad Challenge - Use a tag
Penny's Challenge #231 -  Use your favorite embellishment (for me that's flat back pearls - love them!!)
Aud Sentiments Challenge #133 - Bingo {I used ribbon, rubber stamp (2 of them) and 3D item (pearls, bow and ribbon flower)}
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #250 - Polka Dots
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #93 - Use Pearls

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll be back Wednesday with a new Word Art Wednesday challenge. There's still time to play along in this week's challenge so why not join us?

With Deepest Sympathy

This is one of those cards we never want to need but inevitably do.  I kept the card design pretty simple but added some dry embossing and pearls for a special touch.

The sentiment panel is popped up with foam tape over the pearl flourishes.

Another sentiment from the same set was used on the inside.  These two images are also from the same set.  I stamped the sentiments in VersaFine Onyx Black ink but felt it was too dark for the flower and butterfly.  I solved this by stamping off once and then stamping on the card interior.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (cream), Bazzill (brown)
Patterned Papers:  MME
Stamps:  Stampin' Up (Thanks for Caring cling mount set)
Ink:  Versafine (Oxyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  pearls (Want 2 Scrap), Cheery Lynn doily die (French Pastry), Spellbinders dies (Classic Oval Large, Floral Ovals), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Victoria)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #214 - Embossing (Heat or Dry - I chose dry)
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge (Feb. 12-18) - Anything Goes with a Twist of using a doily
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #98 - Embossing (Heat or Dry - I chose dry)
Amusing Challenge - Die Cuts

Thanks for visiting today.  I'll have several more projects to share with you this week so I hope you'll come back again soon.

Top Ten Favorites from 2014

Happy New Year!!  I hope you have enjoyed Christmas.  It's hard to believe 2014 is history and 2015 is here.  As a way of saying goodbye to 2014, I thought I'd post some of my favorite projects from the past year.  Clicking the card titles will take you to the original blog post for full card details.

Building Block Valentine - My hubby is so supportive of this addiction hobby and patiently answers my "what does this card need?", "do these colors clash?", etc.  I try to use special folds or techniques when making cards for him.  This was his Valentine and my fist attempt at this fancy fold.

Perfect Peace - This card was made in collaboration with my hubby. He's the one that came up with the idea to make the flower peek thru to the front. I really like the papers and colors on this one.

With Sympathy - On this card, I really like the way the image panel turned out.  The coloring and inked sky actually came together the way I wanted them to on this one.  I also like the colors - restful (which is good for a sympathy card) without being too morbid. 

Prima Shabby Chic - I think the papers, diecuts, seam binding and flower came together well on this one. 

Quote Collection 4 from ODBD - This tri-shutter card showcases some gorgeous paper I found.  I loved it so much I did another project, a notebook, with it in the same post.  The notebook style was my best seller this fall/Christmas season.  The card and notebook use a fantastic set from ODBD.  I've used this set over and over again.
 

Happy Valentine's Day - This card had another cool fold.

I Found a Hug - I love this one because of the sentiment - I think the papers are pretty too.  Deedee's Digis has such cute images and sentiments.

Adoption is Another Word for Love - I really like this shaped card and the heat embossing on the heart.  Rhubarb (the teddy bear) is also a favorite with me. I also think the purpose of the card is fantastic!!

Great Outdoors - While I used a pre-colored image for this one, I did sponge the clouds in the sky.  I really like this adorable cat and the fishing theme is a hit at our house.  It's also my first attempt at a "wiper card."

But Without Faith - I colored this image with Copics and used some of the techniques I learned in the Online Card Class Copic for Card Makers Class I took this fall.  I'm still working on my coloring skills. I really like the colors and papers on this card. 

I've never done this type of post before but it was kind of fun.  I'm linking up with Mynn's Favorite Cards of 2014 linky and with Debby's Favourite Five of 2014.  My "Favourite Five" expanded to my top 10.  :)

Thanks for stopping by and hanging in there thru this long post.  I hope 2015 is full of many blessings for you and your family.

With Sympathy

I realized recently that when I post cards using Deedee's Digis, I've been using the pre-colored versions and not doing any coloring of my own.  I've been extra busy lately and that has been a big time saver.  While pre-colored digis are a great time saver, I've missed coloring.  So for this card, I broke out my Copics and colored away.  As usual, I used artistic license and my butterfly and flowers may or may not be colors you find in nature.  :)  The finished card is 5.5" square and *shock* I didn't use a sketch.

Deedees Digis is a sponsor this week for one of my favorite challenge blogs:  Tuesday Throwdown.  The challenge this week is to have a butterfly and a bow on your card.  This was a fun challenge to do and I hope you'll join us this week.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Creativity Inc. (gray flannel)
Patterned Paper:  Simple Stories (Vintage Bliss 6x6 pad)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Fluttering By, Rose Regards)
Copics: R20, 22, 81, 83, 85; BG000, 01, 05, 15; B23; Y000, 11, 13; YG 03, 05
Tools/Embellishments: Stickles (Star Dust), Spellbinders dies (Petite Ovals Large, Petite Scalloped Oval Large), pearls (Michael's, Want2Scrap), baker's twine (The Twinery), ribbon (Michael's), button from my stash, Fiskar's border punch (Apron Lace), Gelly Roll gel pen (white)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The ABC Challenge: Tic Tac Toe (I have the middle vertical column)
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #29 - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with this week's Tuesday Throwdown challenge.  It's a lot of fun AND you could win some free digis from Deedee's Digis.

With Sympathy

Sympathy cards are those cards that you never want to need but eventually always do.  This week, one of the favorite customers at my husband's bank unexpectedly passed away.  Due to his business, he was in the bank almost daily and my husband waited on him most of the time.  He was an outgoing man and, thankfully, he knew Lord as his Savior so he's now in Heaven.  He'd just been in the bank the day before his Homegoing.  Time like this remind you of the brevity life and the necessity of being ready to meet the Lord at all times. 

This is the card I made for Tim and the other tellers to send to his family.  I was inspired by Mojo Monday sketch #329. Sweet 'n Sassy's Peaceful Swan clear stamp set was used for the image and sentiment. The swan and water were colored with copics.  The water was then colored with a VersaMarker and covered with a couple coats of clear embossing powder.  In real life, it gives the water a more realistic look. The sentiment was also heat embossed.  The swan was masked and a die cut from a Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Oval L was used to sponge the clouds.

The Sweet 'n Sassy Lacey Eyelet border die was cut from cardstock and layered under the strip of green patterned paper.  The image panel was popped up over the ribbon and doily.  Rhinestones finish off the front.

Another sentiment from the same set was used on the inside along with another Eyelet border die cut and a strip of patterned paper.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Neenah Solar White (image and front sentiment panels only), DCWV (blue)
Patterned Paper:  DCWV
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Peaceful Swans)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (image), Versafiine Onyx Black (sentiments), Stampin' Up Bliss Blue (sponging)
Copics: N0, 1; B000, 21, 23; Colorless Blender
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Dies (Standard Circle Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large (for cloud sponging), Sweet 'n Sassy die (Lacey Eyelet Border), Cheery Lynn Doily Die (French Pastry), ribbon (Michael's), rhinestones (The Paper Studio), VersaMarker, Recollections Detail Embossing Powder (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club #23 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #220 - Ribbon
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #202 - Anything Goes
Going Gray with Scrap Creations (GGSC181) - Water
Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #42 - Anything Goes
Delightful Challenges - Favorite Embellishments (bling, ribbon)
Paper Crafting Challenge #13 - Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper July Challenge - Card must be covered with patterned paper


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

With Sympathy

You never want to need a sympathy card but sometimes they are necessary.  I used Sketch #79 from Papertake Weekly for the card design.  As usual I tweaked it a bit - turned it sideways and re-oriented the sentiment.

The background music paper was embossed and then the other layers were added to the top.  The image was colored with copics and matted before being popped up on the card.  The sentiment was also popped up.  Three pink rhinestones finish it off.

The interior was decorated a bit and a sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  One of my husband's co-workers had a death in the family.  This card will be signed by several other co-workers so I needed to leave plenty of room for signatures/short messages.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Gazzill
Patterned Paper:  Prima (Madeline)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Clear stamps: Peaceful Swans, Comforting Swans; Digi Stamp: Hummingbird with Scripture)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  Copic Markers, Spellbinders (Deckled Rectangles Large & Small, Petite Ovals Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Victoria), ribbon (Morex), rhinestones (The Paper Studio)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Sketchie Free for All (I used sketch #79)
Aud Sentiments #88 - Any Sentiment
Pile It On Challenge #34 - Patterned Paper
Cuttlebug Mania - Die Cuts
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday #284 - Things with wings

I hope you are having a good week.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit today.  I hope you'll come back soon.