Walk Worthy

Happy Wednesday! It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week our focus verses are Colossians 1:10, 11, "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." There is a lot we could say about these verses, but let's just concentrate on the first phrase, "that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing." In order to please the Lord, we have to be walking in His will. If we want Him to direct our steps, we have to be moving along the path that He's already shown us. One commentator put it this way, "True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it." (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown).  We should have a desire to please the Lord. No matter what situation comes our way, our desire, first and foremost, should be to please the Lord. We have no control over what others say or do, but we do have control over our response to their words and actions. Let's stay close to the Lord and allow Him to help us please Him.

Our sponsor this week is Lawn Fawn. They have some of the cutest critter stamps and also have dies, papers, inks and more. For my card today, I chose to use two of their stamp sets that I have in my collection. For the card design I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire's video on Interlocking Gatefold Cards. For the folding panels of my card I stamped the Woodgrain Backdrop stamp several times across the front with Walnut Stain distress ink and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.

 I used square dies to make the frame and sentiment panel. After gluing the frame to the left side of the card and the matted sentiment panel to the right, it was time for embellishment. The critters were stamped with Memento ink and colored with Copics and then fussy cut. Some black Nuvo drops were added to their eyes. More Nuvo drops were added on opposite corners. This was a fun card design and I'll definitely be trying it again. This is my 2nd card this week with no patterned paper. That's very unusual for me!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Park Lane (Neutrals), Recollections (kraft)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen, Lawn Fawn clear stamps (Yay, Kites!, Woodgrain Backdrops)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Distress Ink (Walnut Stain)
Copics: E31, 33, 35, 37, 40, 41, 43; R20; W1, 3; BG11, 13; Y15, 19
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Classic Squares dies (Large and Small), Nuvo Crystal Drops (Metallic Caramel Cream, Black)

I'm entering this card in the following challenge:
Cuttlebug Mania - Tic Tac Toe (I chose the left column: Sentiment, More than 2 layers, Embossing dry or wet)

I hope you will take the time to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to pick up your free digi and see the projects from the rest of the Design Team. Also, please be sure to visit our sponsor, Lawn Fawn. They have so many wonderful products. Thank you for visiting with me today. Please come back soon.

Thankful for You

Hi! It's time for another Word Art Wednesday challenge. This week we're focusing on 1 Thessalonians 1:3, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." Paul is writing to the Apostle Paul and letting them know how much he appreciates them and that their efforts are not going unnoticed. So often in life today, there is so much negative talk. Whether it's on social media, in conversation or wherever, people feel like they can say whatever they want no matter how hateful or unkind. Paul demonstrates for us that we need to commend people when they do good things. We need to show appreciation and thank them for their efforts. Let them know we noticed and that we thank the Lord for them.

October is Pastor Appreciation month here in the US. As most of you know, my husband is my pastor. I see first hand the "behind the scenes" work and effort he puts into caring for the congregation, preparing sermons, visiting, sending cards of encouragement, etc. I thought this card would make a great Pastor Appreciation card for him. Since he's so supportive of my crafty habit, I try to make his cards extra special. I decided to try a Pop Up Book Fold card. You can click the link to see a great tutorial video by Dawn Griffith. I thought the book fold was also appropriate since he uses so many books in his sermon preparations. This week's WORDart was printed on white cardstock and then the edges were distress inked before being mounted on a stitched die cut mat. The "thankful for you" sentiment was heat embossed on a stitched oval die cut and layered over a stitched banner die cut.

To make the patterned paper layer, I cut my patterned paper slightly smaller than the navy cardstock and temporarily adhered it to the navy cardstock while making the long cuts shown in the video. Then I removed the patterned paper. I made two vertical cuts to connect the two long cuts in order to remove the middle section. The edges were inked with Distress ink and then the patterned paper was permanently adhered to the navy cardstock. Then I proceeded to score and fold the cardstock as described in the video. I changed the measurements slightly because my navy cardstock is 5.25 x 8.25 and the patterned paper is 5 x 8.

An encouraging quote by Corrie ten Boom was heat embossed on white cardstock. This week our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp. I used two of their embossing powders on today's card. I really like how their embossing powders show off all the fine details when embossing words and images. The edges of the sentiment panel were distress inked before being adhered to the left panel of the "book." Another piece of white cardstock was also distress inked and adhered to the right page of the "book." I'll write a short message on this panel.

In addition to the WORDart by Karen digi Scripture (available for free on the Word Art Wednesday blog, I used the following supplies:

Recollections Spice Market Cardstock, 8.5" X 11"	Core′dinations-Navy Cardstock	Georgia Pacific White Cardstock	JillibeanSoup-CountryPumpkinChowderCollectionPack	Heidi Swapp Magnolia Jane Clear Stamps Special
Quote Collection 4	Versafine Onyx Black Stamp Pad	VersaMark Watermark Ink Stamp Pad	Tim Holtz Distress Mini ink pad Vintage Photo	Tim Holtz, Mini Ink Blending Tool - 1 inch Round
Double Stitched Pennant Flags Dies	Double Stitched Rectangles Dies	Stitched Ovals Dies	Simon Says Stamp EMBOSSING POWDER WHITE Fine Detail	simon says stamp clear embossing powder

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Die Cuttin' Divas Challenge #338 - RAK (must include die cut)
Always Fun Challenges #27 - Lots of Layers
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #197 - Fancy Folds
Crop Stop Linky Party #33 - Use brands/Items available in the Crop Stop Online Store (I used Fiskars, Ranger, Tsukineko, Cuttlebug, and Core'dinations)

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me today. I always appreciate you taking time to stop by my blog. I do hope you'll come back soon.

Play Ball

{If you are looking for my Word Art Wednesday post, please scroll down or click here.}

I have another card to share with you today featuring another set just released by Our Daily Bread Designs. This week I'm sharing a card using the Baseball Stamp/Die Duo. I really like the sentiments they used in these sports themed sets. As you know, I love fancy fold cards and since I haven't made a center step card in awhile, I dusted off my directions and made one. I started off with a piece of navy cardstock that measured 4.25" x 11". With the short side at the top of my paper trimmer, I lined the cardstock up on the 1" mark that is on the right side of the trimmer blade, moved the blade to the 1" mark and cut down to 6.5". I slid the paper over to line it up with the 1" mark to the left of the blade and repeated the cut from 1" to 6.5". Using my Scor-Buddy, with the long side of the paper at the top and the cut 1" from the left edge to the left, score completely across the card at 1". Score just from the card edge to the cut marks at 2" and 6.5" on both sides of the card. At 5.5" score between the cut lines only. Mountain and Valley fold on the score lines as shown in the picture below. OR you could use one of ODBD's Center Step Card bases and make your life much easier!

I stamped the sentiment and then die cut and matted it with the Double Stitched Circle Dies. I left the cardstock in the dies and embossed both of these circles and love the subtle detail it gives them. Baseball is such a great American past time and the papers from the Americana Quilt collection go so well with that theme. The baseballs were stamped and then die cut with the coordinating die. They were highlighted with some Copic coloring and then the seams were added with a Zig journaling pen. This same red pen was used to color in the open letters in the main sentiment and in the "Play Ball!" sentiment. A trio of star sequins highlight the sentiment.

I carried the baseball theme to the inside by stamping a baseball on the message panel. This baseball was also highlighted with Copics and the red pen.

Our Daily Bread Designs Products

Baseball Stamp/Die Duos

Double Stitched Circles Dies

Americana Quilt Paper Collection

Other supplies used:
Cardstock - Recollections (Red), Simon Says Stamp (Soft Navy), Georgia Pacific (white)
Inks - Versafine Ink (Onyx Black), Memento (Tuxedo Black) 
Tools/Embellishments - V's Sweet Ideas (Hologram Stars 5mm), Copic Markers (C0, 1), Zig Ball Pen (5mm Red)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scor-Pal More Than One Fold Challenge #40 - Card must be 3D and have more than one fold
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Must Use Patterned Paper
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #356 - Anything Goes
Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge #176 - Fancy Folds
City Crafter Challenge Blog #375 - No Flowers
Always Fun Challenges #19 - Going in Circles
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Add a Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me today. I do hope you'll stop by and check out the August Release at Our Daily Bread Designs. All the sports lovers in your life will thank you. :)

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.

My Help Cometh from the Lord

It seems like 1/2 of forever since I have posted. I had a large overtime project for work, my husband and I each had our turn with the flu/stomach virus, of course there were the holidays, which thankfully included visits from our children, and then my mother-in-law fell and broke her hip. Basically, in the last 6 weeks, life happened. We all have times like these in our lives and it was our turn. It's times like these that this week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday really come to mean a lot to us. Psalm 121:1-2, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the lord which made heaven and earth." When life happens all at once, it can be a bit overwhelming. But I have found, when you call on the Lord and ask Him for His help and strength, He is always there to provide just what you need exactly when you need it. We have seen Him work in our lives and in the lives of our family to accomplish things that only He could have done. He's given us peace, encouragement, wisdom and strength, just when we needed it. Truly, our help comes from the Lord.

As you know, I love fancy-fold cards. Even though I've been out of my craft room for weeks, I have managed to watch a few YouTube videos. When I saw this Double Z Fold Card video by Dawn Griffith of Dawn's Stamping Thoughts, I couldn't wait to give it a try. Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp (SSS). I used my favorite color SSS cardstock, Audrey Blue. When I was trying to come up with a 2nd patterned paper for the design, I didn't have enough of any of the papers that went with this floral. Then I remembered the SSS Gingham Background stamp and used it with their Audrey Blue ink. Problem solved!

My mother-in-law is still in rehab and will be having her 80th birthday this Thursday. Therapy is TOUGH so I thought this verse might be an encouragement to her. I like that this card design will stand up on it's own.

This bird's eye view shows the double-z aspect of the card.

Since we'll be hand-delivering this card, I didn't have to worry about bulk and used some beautiful paper roses and a scattering of bling. If you decide to make this card, and you really should, it's not hard at all, decorate all your panels (except for adding the paper roses) before putting the two panels together. I didn't do that and had trouble with the Happy Birthday sentiment. I think it's still a little crooked. I am now the happy owner of the original sized MISTI. For the first time, I've been able to stamp the gingham background as straight as I wanted it and without all the uneven spots. Being able to re-ink and stamp multiple times was a lifesaver on the background and on the sentiments. I used Spellbinders Petite Oval Small and Petite Scalloped Oval Large dies for the front sentiment panel. Apparently these dies are now discontinued. I'll link similar dies below.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Inky Chicks Challenge #77 - Anything Goes
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog #146  Anything New (new-to-me card fold, new tool -MISTI)
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting with me. Hopefully, I'm back to a normal posting schedule. Please be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see projects from the rest of the Design Team and to pick up your free digi. Don't forget to visit our sponsor, Simon Says Stamp. They are a fantastic one-stop-shop. If you are on Instagram or Facebook, we'd love to have you post your projects so we can see them there. Use the #WAWchallenge on Instagram.

I've linked the products I've used below. Affiliate links are used where possible. Shopping through these links earns me a small commission at no cost to you.

WORDart by Karen	My Sentiments Exactly Inspirational Birthday	SSS Gingham Background Stamp	Simon Says Stamp Hybrid Ink Pad Cube Set ZEN zn04 Plan On It
Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# AUDREY BLUE AB19	Papertrey Ink White Cardstock	Georgia Pacific White Cardstock	Small Blue Rose Embellishments by Recollections%u2122 Signature%u2122
2mm Clear Round Gemstone Embellishments | Hobby Lobby | 862615	Echo Park I LOVE FAMILY 6 x 6 Paper Pad ILF113023	Fiskars Butterfly Punch	ink of Stella Clear Brush Tip Marker
American Crafts 1/4 INCH Super Sticky Tape Adhesive	325 Glue Dots MICRO Clear Adhesive 34700	DoCrafts 3D FOAM TAPE 9mm x 5m Stick It STI7201	Scotch Advanced Tape Glider (ATG)
MISTI PRECISION STAMPER Stamping Tool Kit	Fiskars 12 Inch SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer	Fiskars PREMIUM CUT LINE Paper Trimmer 12 Inches	*Martha Stewart SCORING BOARD Score Craft Tool 42-05002
*Ranger PAPER CREASER BONE FOLDER Fold Cardstock & Cards Easily BON10029	Dahle Self-Healing Cutting 18x12 Mat 10671	S4-110 Spellbinders CLASSIC OVAL LARGE Dies	S4-314 Spellbinders LACEY OVALS Dies
Cuttlebug Machine

InLinkz.com