I Will Look Unto the Lord

It's Wednesday again, so that means it's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week's focus verse is found in Micah 7:7, "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation:  my God will hear me."  I don't know about you, but I find it easier to look to the Lord for answers that it is to WAIT for Him to answer.  However, I know the Lord hears me, and He will answer me when the time is right.  God always answers us.  Sometimes it's "yes," sometimes "no" and sometimes "wait."  Most of the time, what helps me wait for the Lord's time table is wanting HIS best for me.  I know His way is best and if I wait on Him to work things out, I'll be much happier than if I work it out on my own.  While waiting is never easy, knowing you have the Lord's best is well worth it.

I thought this hot air balloon image was perfect for this week's verse.  It's a great reminder to keep looking up to the Lord.  I used the Love Lifts You Outline digi set by Daydream Designs.  This great set also comes in a color version which you can find here.  I used the balloon with the blank banner section and added this week's verse there.  I also removed the hearts on the top sections and made them solid panels.  Since I ended up fussy cutting the balloon, I made life easier for myself, and added a little texture, by using baker's twine for the ropes.  After coloring the balloon with Copics, I used a VersaMarker on the pink and purple parts of the balloon to add two coats of clear embossing powder.  I really like the shine and texture and gives the balloon and basket.  The balloon is popped up over the sky panel.

I made the sky background by sponging the edges of a petite scalloped oval.  I started with a 4.25" x 5.5" piece of white cardstock.  I started the sponging in the top left corner and worked my way across and down the page.  I just sponged along the edges of my scalloped oval and then moved it to a new area turning it so that all the "clouds" weren't going in the same direction (I see now I should have done a little more turning).  Then I die cut the panel and inked around the edge.  The card base is made from two scalloped ovals.  In the picture above, you can see where I cut a small piece off the bottom three scallops on the back panel so that the card will stand up on a flat surface.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (card base), Neenah Solar White (image)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Micah 7:7), Daydream Designs (Love Lifts You Outline Digi set)
Ink:  Memento (Paris Dusk)
Markers:  VersaMarker, Copics (V01, 04, 06, R81, 83, 85, 100)
Tools/Embellishments:  baker's twine (The Twinery - charcoal), SU embossing powder (Crystal Clear), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Large, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sunday #195 - Make Your Own Background Paper
Tuesday Throwdown #184 - Anything Goes
Just B Creative Crazy - Just Because (anything goes)
Our Daily Bread Designs Shining Light Challenge #192 (ODBDSLC192) - Shaped Card

Thanks for stopping by today.  As usual, I would encourage you to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has made and to pick up your free digi.

Building Block Valentine

I like to use special folds or techniques when making cards for my husband.  When  I saw the Building Block card on SCS, I knew that was the one to use for his Valentine.  I embossed the letters and heart on the blocks with opaque white embossing powder and added faux stitching with a white gel pen.  I used stamps from four different companies on this one.  In a rare card for me, this one has NO digi stamps.  :)  I kept the left inside panel blank for my message.

The front is an old Unity Stamps image.  I embellished it with black rhinestones, a marker and some Wink of Stella.  I also used faux stitching and more black rhinestones to finish off the front panel.

The sentiment on the inside panel was actually a 2 line stamp.  I used "selective inking" to turn it into a 4 line stamp.   I layered several heart die cuts and gave them several coats of Wink of Stella.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (red, black)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio (Love Me Tender)
Stamps: SU {Brushstroke Alphabet Upper (LOVE YOU)}, Inkadinkado {Expressions (heart)}, Mark's Finest Papers {Dogwood Blossoms (inside sentiment)}, Unity Stamp Company {My Heart Sings (front image)}
Inks:  Versamark, Versafine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  Staedtler Triplus Fine Tip pens (red, black), Wink of Stella brush glitter pen (clear), Uniball Signo white opaque pen, rhinestones (Want 2 Scrap - black), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Large & Small), Lawn Fawn dies (Hearts), Stampendous embossing powder (Opaque White)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #13 - Funky, Fancy, Fabulous Card Folds
Papertake Weekly - Lovely Layers
Divas By Design - Rubber Stamps Only
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Two Hearts with Red and/or Pink
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #20 - Red, White and Pink
Going Gray With Scrap Creations - Valentine's Day
Clear it Out Challenge - Theme:  Reds, Stash:  Your Choice (I used old stamps - Unity & SU and rhinestones)
Just B Creative Crazy - Just Because (anything goes)

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please come back soon.

Things We Follow

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is so appropriate for today's world.  So often in conversations, "jokes," and on social media we see things that do not promote encouragement and peace.  It seems some people thrive on discord and tearing someone else down makes them feel better about themselves.  However, this week's verse, Romans 14:19 says, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."  What a contrast!!  To edify someone means to encourage or build them up.  According to this verse, we're to look for ways to encourage and build up others.  We're to follow after things that promote peace.  On social media we "follow" a lot of different things and people.  I will ask you what I'm asking myself: Are the things/people you are following things that make for peace and that encourage others.  If not, maybe we need to do some early "spring cleaning" and clean out our list of those things and replace them with things that will help us fulfill the guidelines in this verse.

One of our sponsors this week is DigiDarla Designs.  I really enjoy using their images and this time was no exception.  I used One Cup a Daisies for my focal image.  I took some creative liberties and made my daisies pink.  I colored the image with Copics and then die cut it and matted it with some Spellbinders dies (circle and scalloped circle).  An embossed strip of cardstock edged with a border die cuts, some faux stitching,  and some pearl flourishes complete the front of the card.

I made an 6" square easel card this week and used the Scripture verse on the inside.  I cut it and double-matted it with more Spellbinders dies (Labels Four, Gold Labels Four), embellished it with some pearls and popped it up so that it would act as the stopper for the card front.  A message to the recipient can be written above the Scripture panel and will be hidden by the front of the card when it is propped open.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (card base, Scripture panel), Neenah Solar White (image panel), Bazzill (pink, black)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Romans 14:19), Digi Darla (One Cup a Daisies)
Copics: R81, 83, 85; YG03, 05; C0, 1; Colorless Blender
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders Dies (Circles Small, Scalloped Circles Small, Gold Labels Four, Labels Four Large and Small), Sweet 'n Sassy Border Die (Lacey Eyelet), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss Dot), Staedtler triplus fine point pen (black), pearl flourishes (Recollections), pearls (The Paper Studio)


I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #13 - Funky, Fancy & Fabulous Card Folds
Papertake Weekly - Lovely Layers
Fan-tastic Tuesday #24 - Happy & Bright (must be square)
Sweet Stamps Monthly Technique Challenge - Fun Folds
Just B Creative Crazy - Just Because (anything goes) 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Please, don't forget to go by the Word Art Wednesday blog to pick up your free digi and to see what the rest of the Design Team have made.

They That Seek The Lord

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is Psalm 34:10, "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing."  I love the Psalms and find them to be a great comfort.  This verse is one of those comfort verses that let us know that even when times are tough, the Lord is still with us and will provide what we need.  It doesn't mean that we won't suffer but that if it's good for us, the Lord will provide it for us.

For my card today I chose to use a color that is unusual for me....orange.  I layered several patterned papers in strips and then used a border die cut to help define the layers.  The best part is that the two borders you see are actually from one die.  I used the Lacey Eyelet Border die from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  If you look at the bottom die you can see how I cut the strip down the middle to make two totally different designs.  I love being able to stretch my supplies/tools that way.

I used the Framed Comfort set from Deedee's Digis to frame this week's focus verse.  This set has 8 color images and 10 outline images.  It is so versatile!  It comes with 4 Scriptures in frames and also has just the frame outlines so that you can use your own verses/sentiments. After using one of the outline images to frame this week's verse, I fussy cut it and then also fussy cut a mat behind it.  I popped it up over the patterned paper strips with pop dots so that I didn't have to worry about the layers making it lumpy. 

I also added some of the butterflies from the set.  You can see in the picture below how I layered two butterflies on top of each other for the bottom right butterfly and just adhered the other two butterflies in the center so their wings could be free.  All the butterflies were colored with copics, fussy cut and given pearl bodies and flight paths.  I used my Wink of Stella glitter pen on their wings.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Unknown (I received a large box of patterned paper as a RAK - these papers are from that box)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Psalm 34:10), Deedee's Digis (Framed Comfort)
Copics: Y11, 13, 15, 17, 35, 38; YR07, 20
Tools/Embellishments:  Wink of Stella brush glitter pen (clear), pearls (Recollections, The Paper Studio), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps border die (Lacey Eyelet)

I'm entering this card in the Just B Creative Crazy - Just Because challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Please don't forget to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and see the other Design Team projects and to pick up your free digi.

Happy Valentine's Day

I made an A2 sized card with the same braided edge as the card in my last post.  It is such a fun technique and truly is easier than it looks.  As a reminder, you can find the tutorial for this braided edge here. 

I used two adorable sets from Deedee's Digis on this card.  The heart basket and inside sentiment are from My Heart is Yours and the "Happy Valentine's Day!" sentiment is from Sending My Love.  In case you haven't heard, there's a sale in the Deedee's Digis store!  Valentine's Day/Love/Heart digis will be offered at 50% their regular prices throughout the month of February. All discounted sets are appropriately marked in the shop, and the reduced prices will automatically be calculated in your cart, so there's no need to do anything special to get the discount. If you've had your eye on any of these sets, now is a great time to stock up!

For the card base, I stamped a heart image randomly over the cardstock with Versamark and then used clear embossing powder over it.  I used the precolored basket image and fussy cut it. I ran a black copic marker around the cut edges.  I used a Versamarker pen over the hearts in the basket and embossed them with Sparkle embossing powder. The basket is popped up over the banner.  Lawn Fawn heart die cuts add some interest to the ends of the sentiment panel.  Red Stickles covers the hearts and the red dots in the patterned paper.

This card has some interior decorating as well.  I used the triangle end left from cutting the banner to decorate the panel and then added some die cut hearts for interest.  I used more Stickles for sparkle.

I hope you'll stop by Deedee's Digis, see the new sets and stock up on the Valentine's/Love sets.  After all, those we love need to hear "I love you" from us 365 days a year not just on Valentine's Day.  :)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (red), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Blush), The Paper Studio (brown)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Sending My Love, My Heart is Yours), Oriental Trading (open heart)
Ink:  Versamark
Tools/Embellishments:  Versamarker, Copic (100), Lawn Fawn die (Hearts), Stickles (Christmas Red, Star Dust), embossing powder (Hampton Arts Sparkle, SU Crystal Clear), Staedtler black pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - With a Heart
Cuttlebug Mania - A Touch of Red
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #12 - Love is in the Air
V's Sweet Challenge #20 - Red, White and Pink
Inky Impressions Challenge #145 - For Someone Special
Catered Crop - Heart of the Matter
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - Valentine's Day
Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #122 - Bingo (Diagonal from top left to bottom right - Pink, Heart, Red)
Just B Creative Crazy - Just Because (anything goes)

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please come back tomorrow when I'll have another set by Deedee's Digis to show you for my Word Art Wednesday card.

Fruit of the Spirit

It's hard to believe that we're into February now!  I feel like I lost the whole month of January.  As I mentioned before, I started the month with the flu and then spent the rest of the month recovering.  Ugh!  I took a leave of absence from Word Art Wednesday to recover.  I sure have missed my craft room and making projects for the challenges at Word Art Wednesday.

This week our focus verse is Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."  A life lived pleasing to the Lord will show these fruit.  A tough challenge to be sure but as we grow in our relationship with Him, these things should be more and more evident in our lives.  As I looked at the list, I realized that if we are loving others as God would have us love them, the rest of the list will start to fall in place a littler easier.  If we love someone it's easier to be longsuffering (patient), gentle, good, etc., towards them.  So with this in mind, I focused my card this week on the "love" aspect of the fruit of the Spirit.

One of our sponsors, Robyn's Fetish, generously gave the DT some images to play with.  I was able to play with the image called "i heart u".  This image comes with the sentiment on the heart and by itself.  I can see myself using it again and again.  Once again, I used one of my favorite techniques and paper pieced the hearts.  After I fussy cut both hearts, I went around the edges with a black Copic marker. For the red, ruffled heart, I used 2 layers of clear embossing powder (apply versamark, cover with embossing powder, heat, cool, repeat) to give it a shiny look.  On the white heart, I covered the sentiment that comes on it with this week's focus verse.  A few heart die cuts were added to the bottom of this panel for a little more "heart" interest.  Each heart was given several coats of a clear Wink of Stella glitter pen and then a coat of glaze.  The white heart is popped up over the red heart.

You may be wondering about the edge detail on the card.  Well, one of the side effects of feeling lousy for several weeks was that I watched LOTS of crafty videos on YouTube.  I learned several new things I want to try in upcoming projects.  This braided card was one at the top of my list.  I saw this technique demonstrated in a video by Brandy Cox.  Here is the blog post featuring not only the video but also a free download for the template she designed to make the necessary cuts.  It's a lot of fun, and I have plans to use this on another card that I hope to share with you in the next few days.

I did a little interior decorating on this card.  It shows off the braid too.  :)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  American Crafts (Hip Hip Hooray 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Galatians 5:22-23), Robyn's Fetish (i heart u)
Ink:  Versamark
Tools/Embellishments: Copic Marker (100), SU embossing powder (Crystal Clear), Staedtler Triplus Fineliner (black), Zig Wink of Stella brush glitter pen (clear), Sakura Glaze pen, Lawn Fawn Hearts Lawn Cuts, The Paper Studio embossing folder (Tiny Hearts)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #257 (incorporate red and love in your card)
Cuttlebug Mania (A Touch of Red - I used the Cuttlebug for the Tiny Hearts embossing folder and for the Lawn Fawn Heart dies)
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #12 (Love is in the Air)
Just B Creative Crazy - Just Because (anything goes)

I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the rest of the projects made by the DT and to pick up your free WORDart digi.  Also, be sure to stop by Robyn's Fetish for LOTS of great digital stamps.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Deedee's Digis One-Stop Hop

 

 

Winter blues got you down? What would lift your spirits? How about some crafty inspiration? A free digi? A chance to win more digis? You can find all of this today at the Deedee's Digis One-Stop Hop -- just the thing to chase those winter blues away! Need a bigger pick-me-up? Visit each of our designers' blogs (you'll find them listed on the Deedee's Digi blog) and leave them some love on their "hop" creations, and you'll be entered to win a digi set at each stop. Still feeling blue? Join our sister team at the DaydreamDesigns blog for MORE inspiration, MORE prize drawings, and MORE freebies. The fun starts today at the Deedee's Digis blog, and you have until 7pm EST Sunday (January 19th) to participate. Those winter blues don't stand a chance!

Here is my creation for the Deedee's Digis hop. I used the Pocket Pal Kitten set for my card.  This set includes: 2 color images, 1 outline image, 6 sentiments, 3 digi papers.

 

 

 

I paper pieced the pocket with some papers from my scrap pile (old SU papers I think?).  I could have used papers from the set but my printer needed ink. {For a tutorial on how to paper piece using digi stamps, please see my tutorial post here.}  The kitty was colored with copics.  The kitty's eyes were given some attention from my new Wink of Stella clear brush pen (LOVE this pen!!). The kitten's paws were cut out separately and added over the pocket for dimension.  I used some fairly new (to me) heart die cuts for the hearts on the pocket and sentiment panel.  I added faux stitching and then some SU! Crystal Effects to the hearts and the kitten's nose.  I learned a very important lesson by adding the Crystal Effects.  This product bleached the pattern paper (I used the same at the top edge of the pocket) and smeared my faux stitching.  *sigh*  Live and learn I suppose. Due to last week's illness and my work schedule I couldn't redo this, so, use it as an example of "what not to do."

The image panel was cut with a square die.  The image and sentiment panels were matted with dark gray cardstock and also given some faux stitching.  Some baker's twine was added to make the sentiment panel "hang" from the image.  They were popped up on top of the heart embossed panel and this was also popped up from the card base. 

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink (for image), Georgia Pacific, DCWV
Patterned Paper:  Scraps (SU I think)
Stamp Set:  Deedee's Digis (Pocket Pal Kitten set)
Copics: N3, 5, 7, YG03
Tools/Embellishments:  Uni-ball Signo White pen, The Paper Studio embossing folder (Tiny Hearts), Dies (Lawn Fawn Hearts, Spellbinders Classic Squares Large & Small), Staedtler pen (black), The Twinery baker's twine (stone), Zig Wink of Stella brush glitter pen (clear), SU! Crystal Effects

Do you like the digi that I used on my project today? You could win it or any other set of your choice from Deedee's Digis just by leaving me a comment on this post. One winner will be selected by random draw when our hop closes Sunday evening. Thanks for joining our hop, and be sure to check the Deedee's Digis blog after 7pm EST Sunday evening (January 19th) to see if you've won!

Thanks for visiting today.  I'll be back soon on a more regular schedule.  :)

 

 

Panda Pride

Happy New Year!!  I truly didn't fall off the face of the earth.  Our daughter and son-in-law were visiting with us over New Year's and for the first few days of 2014.  Then the day they left, I came down with the flu.  Ugh!   I'm feeling lots better now and just have the residual cough and fatigue.  I'll soon be back to a regular posting schedule.  In fact, be sure to come back tomorrow as I'll be participating in:

What better way to start off the New Year than with some great creative inspiration and free digis??  The fun starts tomorrow morning at 7AM EST and ends Sunday evening at 7PM EST.  Be sure to stop by Deedee's Digis for the full details. 

Today, I have a simple card to share with you.  One of Deedee's new sets is called Panda Pride.  Our daughter loves pandas so this set was one I just *had* to have.  :) Of course, the first card I made with it had to go to her.  She has a 4' stuffed panda she adores, so for fun, while she was away on a trip, I had her panda, Ajax, send her the card.  It was a hit!  :)

I used the pre-colored panda from the set and printed him out twice.  I fussy cut both and popped one on top of the other for dimension.  I layered the sentiment behind the main panel in a window type effect more pop dots.  The main panel was embossed and inked before being matted and attached to the card base.  This picture shows some of the dimension of the card.  In an unusual event, the Wink of Stella glitter I used on the panda and the black sentiment frame is quite visible in the picture.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Panda Pride)
Ink:  Memento (Bamboo Shoots)
Tools/Embellishments: Zig Wink of Stella glitter pen (clear), Spellbinders Ovals Dies Large, Darice embossing folder (Birch Tree)

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope your New Year has gotten off to a healthy start!  Please come back tomorrow and join in the fun of Deedee's Digis One-Stop Hop.

For Unto Us a Child is Born

Hi!  I'm just popping in for a quick post to show you my project for this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge.

I made another notepad cover and pen set.  You can see my first set in this post. These have been quite popular as gift items and they've been selling quite well. My husband and I gave each of our co-workers a pad and matching pen for Christmas. 

Here's a peek at the interior.  I didn't make the post-it note cover for this set.

I'm working feverishly to get gifts ready to put in the mail {nothing like the last minute! ugh!!} but I'll try to come back later to edit this post with a supply list.

I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and see what the rest of the design team has made this week.  Thanks for stopping by!

{Rest} in the Lord

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is Psalm 37:7a, "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. Fret not thyself..."  Now the word "rest" is near and dear to my heart these days.  For the first time I'm working a seasonal retail job in addition to my regular job.  I really enjoy what I do, but usually come home ready to REST.  Just as we like to sink into our easy chair/sofa and just relax, we are to have the same attitude when waiting on the Lord.  Just be patient, wait on Him to act/answer and don't fret.  Patiently waiting and not fretting can be quite difficult.  But just think of yourself relaxing in your favorite spot and remember that should be our heart attitude.  Ouch!  I need to practice this more.

My project this week is a gift set.  It includes a standard A2 sized (4.25" x 5.5") birthday card, a corner bookmark and a post-it note pad.  All three use the same papers and techniques. The green floral paper was dry embossed and then inked to help bring out the embossing. I used faux stitching, a border punch and various sizes and styles of ovals to tie each item in the project together. 

The card holds the bookmark is a side fold so that the corner bookmark can be showcased inside.  I kept the bookmark embellishment free so that it can be used in a favorite book or Bible. 

The post-it note pad has the focus verse on the front.  I'm imagining this pad sitting on a desk or tucked into a purse.  The Scripture can be a frequent reminder to rest, be patient and don't fret.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (green), Recollections (cream)
Patterned Paper:  K & Company (Hannah 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps:  Card (exterior: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - Feminine Birthday Greetings Digital Stamp; interior: Hero Arts - Special Birthday), Bookmark (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - Across the Miles clear stamp set); Post-it Note Pad (WORDart by Karen - Psalms 37:7a)
Ink:  Versafine (Onyx Black), Memento (Toffee Crunch)
Tools/Embellishments:  Staedtler Fineliner pen (brown), Want2Scrap bling (Mother of Pearl), Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large and Small, Lacey Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large and Small, Petite Ovals Small), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Victoria), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Pile It On Challenge #48 - P is for... (patterned paper, present (it's a gift set)
Timeless Tuesday #149 - Stitch it Up (use real or faux stitching)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes

I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog, pick up your free digi and see what the rest of the Design Team have come up with to inspire you.  And in this season of hectic hustle and bustle, don't forget to REST!