Godliness with Contentment

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week's focus verse is 1 Timothy 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."  Part of living a godly lifestyle is being content.  I don't know about you, but contentment in some areas is easier than others.  Contentment isn't just about things; it includes people, churches, jobs, season of life, etc.  It might be easy to be content with our material possessions but we may struggle with our season of life.  It's not easy!  (Understatement right?)  Even the Apostle Paul had to work at it.  He says in Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." [emphasis mine]  He had to learn to be content too.  Somehow, it makes me feel better to know that it didn't come naturally for him either.  :)

For my card, I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO307) as inspiration.  I used Digi Darla's Blowing Dandelions digi stamp.  Digi Darla is one of our sponsors this week (be sure to link up a card this week for your chance to win a prize from her store).  I paper pieced the girl and fussy cut both the girl and the log/grass.  Since I was paper piecing her dress & hat, I took the opportunity to add a hat band and belt with white floss.  Tip:  When fussy cutting an image, I run a black copic along the cut edge to add a more finished look.  This helps it look like you cut right on the line. 

To make the sky background, I used a petite scalloped oval die cut as a mask to sponge clouds on a white piece of cardstock.  I moved the die cut around to vary the shape/size of the clouds.  Then I die cut the cardstock into a circle.  I added the log and trimmed the bottom to fit the circle.  Last I sat the girl on the log and popped her up off the cloud panel.

I used a border punch for some white trim along the edges of the purple paper but it is mostly covered up by the image & sentiment panels.  I moved the circles around from the sketch & traded the banners for a pearl flourish. Definitely took a lot of creative license with this sketch.  :)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up
Stamps:  WordArt by Karen (1 Timothy 6:6), Digi Darla (Blowing Dandelions)
Ink:  Memento (Summer Sky)
Copics:  E000, 00, 01, 25, 31, 33, 35, 37, 50; R20, 81, 85; Y000; YG03, 05
Tools/Embellishments - Uni-ball Signo white pen, Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Pen, DMC floss (white), Spellbinders (Circles Large & Small, Lacey Circles), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments #87 - Anything but a birthday card
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Girls want to have fun
Top Tip Tuesday #108 - Use at least 2 things that start with your initial(s) (I used stitching, spellbinders and white)
Mojo Monday (MOJO307) - sketch
Penny's Paper Crafty #141 - Use Dies or punches
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC272) - Girly Girl

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me.  I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has for you, pick up your free digi and see what wonderful prizes are sponsors are offering this week.

Welcome Little Girl

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teach Me, O Lord

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

Happy {Birth} Day

I wanted to join in the current Basic Grey challenge which is to use a Basic Grey product (I used 3 papers from the Picadilly line) and make a tag.  I also needed a birthday card.  So, I combined the two and came up with this:

I used a Labels 22 die in my Cuttlebug to make the top of the tag. I threaded the end of the tag thru the die so it only cut the top portion. I then made a rectangular card and attached the tag to the front of it.  I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment  and double matted it with spellbinders dies. A white pen was used for some faux stitching on the floral paper.  I used a couple more die cuts in the corners and LOTS of bling for sparkle.  Some twine finishes it off.

I used pop dots between some of the layers for added dimension.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly)
Ink:  Colorbox Pigment (Black)
Stamp:  Impression Obsession
Tools/Embellishments:  twine (The Twinery), rhinestones (Best Occasions), Uni-ball White Pen, Spellbinders (Circles Large & Small, Lacey Circles, Lattice Accents, Labels 22)

I'm entering this in the following challenges:
Basic Grey Challenge #99 - Make a tag
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Scrap Creations - Anything Goes
Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Girlie
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC270) - Use 2 or more patterned papers (I used 3)

Thanks for stopping by again today. 

Strength

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  As usual, our challenge is Anything Goes as long as it includes an encouraging sentiment and is family-friendly.  This week we have two sponsors so be sure to stop by the blog to get your free digi WordArt, see what prizes will be given away and see what the rest of the Design Team has to show you. 

Our focus verse is Isaiah 25:4.  This verse talks about how the Lord has been a strength to the poor and needy, a refuge during times of storm and a shadow from the heat.  Knowing that the Lord cares about ALL people, not just the rich and powerful, is such a comfort to me.  That means that He cares about ME and will comfort ME.  That can sure bring encouragement when you're in the middle of a trial and/or waiting on the Lord to show you the next step.

I'm keeping things a bit short today as I've been battling headaches for the past few days.  They just make stringing coherent sentences together a bit difficult.

I have a card to share using stamps from each of our sponsors.  Both cards are pretty simple and make use of pop dots, my Cuttlebug and layers.  If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I'll answer there. 

This card uses two digi stamps from Robyn's Fetish:  Ornate Frame and Sunflower 1

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farmhouse)
Stamps:  WordArt by Karen, Robyn's Fetish ( Ornate Frame and Sunflower 1)
Copics:  Y13, 15, 17, E25, 29, 37, YG03, 05
Embellishments/Tools:  ribbon (May Arts), Stickles (Cinnamon), Lacey Eyelet Border Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Deconstructed Sketch (DS112) - Sketch
The Kraft Journal - Layers + kraft
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PPWC270) - Use 2 or more patterned papers (my orange die cut is one paper and the background strips are the 2nd)


My second card uses a clear stamp from a set by Mark's Finest Papers:  Amaryllis Definition

Supplies: Recollections, Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Out of Print)
Stamps: WordArt by Karen and Mark's Finest Papers (Amaryllis Definition)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Copics:  R81, 83, 85, Y15, 21, BG10
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Circles Large & Small), CM Fine Tip Pen (black), pearl flourish (Recollections), Stickles (yellow)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Twist of Faith #49 - Sketch and Scripture sentiment
Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Girlie
Scrap Creations - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.

Our Help...is in the Name of the Lord

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is Psalm 124:8, "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."  It is such a comfort to know that the Creator of the universe, is willing to help me.  He is so powerful that just His name is all that is needed.  Hebrews 1:3 says that He is, "...upholding all things by the word of His power..."  He spoke the world into being and is upholding them with His word.  Wow!  As the songs says, "What a mighty God we serve!"

My card this week has very soft & subdued colors.  I used cream to go with the lighter aqua and salmon colors.  My card design came from this week's The Sweet Stop Sketch (SSS221).

I paper pieced the flowers and added pearls in their centers.  I used one of the Black Bold Borders from Milk N Coffee Digital Stamps to accent the row of flowers.  The border was colored with copics.  Milk N Coffee Digital Stamps is one of our sponsors this week.  The salmon colors squares behind the flowers were embossed with an embossing folder.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up 
Stamps:  WordArt by Karen, Inkadinkado (Doodle Flowers), Milk Coffee Stamps (Black Bold Borders)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders (Deckled Rectangles Large & Small), Copics (R22, BG01, 10), Queen & Co. pearls, Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss Dots)

I hope you're having a good week.  It's been unseasonably cool here.  We're truly enjoying it!

Know Therefore....

It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week's focus verse is Deuteronomy 7:9.  I love that first part, "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God..."  The word "know" tells us it is a certainty.  "Thy" is personal.  He's my God, not just my parents', my pastor's, etc. but mine.  "Is" is another certainty.  He IS God - not an imposter, not a good person but God.  "The faithful God" tells me that He will keep His promises and always do what is best for me.  He IS faithful.  We could go on with each phrase in this verse but thinking about those first two lines are enough to keep you busy for a long time.

I used this week's Mojo Monday (MOJO303) sketch for my card design.  As usual I tweaked the sketch a bit.  :)  I used some of my Dilly Dally paper pack (love these papers).  I'll be sad when they're all gone.  I kept it pretty simple this week (for me this is CAS) and just did a little inking, a few pearls, a button, ribbon and faux stitching.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye - Miss Caroline (Dilly Dally)
Ink:  Memento (Desert Sand)
Stamp:  WordArt by Karen
Tools/Embellishments:  ribbon (Sew-ology hem tape), baker's twine (The Twinery), button (Basic Grey), Spellbinders (Labels Four, Labels Four Small), pearls (Recollections), Uni-ball white pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Shopping Our Stash #111 - Use current weakness (I have a weakness for pretty papers, spellbinders and lately, faux stitching.  This card uses all 3.  It seems like almost every card I've made lately has faux stitching and almost every project I make uses dies somewhere on it.)
Papertake Weekly - Die-ing for a Punch (use dies or punches)

Your visit today is greatly appreciated.  I hope you are having a good week.  ;)  Be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to not only get your free digi stamp of this week's Scripture, but also to see what my fellow Design Team members have to share with you today.

For the Man I Love

For my husband's birthday, I wanted to make him a special card.  He's a big supporter of my card-making and even helps give some design advice.  Did I mention he's a patient man?  LOL  This year, I decided to make him a Never Ending Card.  They are definitely easier to make than they look and I will definitely be making more.  There are lots of great tutorials on YouTube.  My card is 6" square.  I tweaked the directions I found a bit to make it work better for me and this is my final result.

This is the card front.  I used two digis from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for the focal points and some die cuts for the accents.  One thing that made decorating the card challenges is that I had to make sure things were pretty flat so that it would fold properly.  I added lots of faux stitching throughout the whole card to help things look a little more finished.

This is the 2nd "page."  I used Echo Park's Times and Seasons collection for the card and used several of their stickers.

For the 3 page, I wrote several memories of his past birthdays.  I've blurred out the writing to spare you mushiness.

For the last page, I included more stickers, a digi stamps (top left & bottom right corners) and two proverbs from a box of proverb cards I've had for years.  I included a note on each to personalize it a bit more.  I also have a block where I wrote my birthday message to him.  Again I removed it for you.  :)  I'm note sure what happened in the picture but the polka dot trim at the top of the journaling block matches what was used on pages 2-3.

Here's a short video of how the card works.  Surprisingly, there was no feline assistance. 




Supplies:
Cardstock, Recollections
Patterned Paper & stickers:  Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Masculine Birthday, Sentiments for Him), StampArt Design by Kathryne (Love to Think of You)
Tools/Embellishments:  SU Journal Writer (Close to Cocoa), Uni-Ball white pen, Spellbinders {Photo Corners (hearts), Classic Squares Large & Small, Proverbs to Go by K & Company

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges- Celebrate (Birthday or other celebration)
Craft Your Passion #172 - Happy Birthday
Paper Pretties Wed. Challenge #267 (PPWC267) - Sentiment as the focal point
4 Crafty Chicks Challenges #151 - Let's Hear It For the Boys (masculine card)

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

Hello Friend

I saw the Scrapping Everyday Miracles July Sketch Challenge and thought it looked so fun.  This weekend there was a challenge at Gina K Designs to use a floral stamp and a sentiment to make a card to encourage a friend.  I decided to do both challenges in one card.  I have a limited supply of GKD stamps but was able to use this fantastic dogwood flower   I love this little flower stamp - it's so fun {and easy} to color  I alternated the dogwood flowers with some of my Basic Grey papers.

Part of the sketch challenge was to use a pop dot on an embellishment. I cut out a trio of flowers from the patterned paper, colored the flowers with copics and popped them up on my tag.  I added black Want2Scrap bling to the centers of all the pink flowers.

The background panel was embossed with an M'bossabilities folder,a ribbon was added and a fancy brad covers the ribbon knot. The background panel is attached to the card base with pop dots. The dogwood flowers, patterned paper squares and their mats are cut out with Nestabilities.  I added a little faux stitching on the tag.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Express-It, Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Out of Print)
Stamps:  Gina K Designs (Vintage Chic, Dogwood and Butterfly)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Copics:  R81, 83, 85; YG03, 05
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (M'bossabilities-Splendid B, Classic Squares Large & Small), brads (The Paper Studio), CM Black pen, Want2Scrap bling, ribbon (The Ribbon Boutique)

I'm entering this card in the following additional challenges:
Basic Grey Challenges #98 - Flowers
Pile it on Challenge #29 - Thinking of You/Just Because
Milk Coffee Challenge - Emboss It
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog #136 - Use black somewhere on your card (I have black bling as my flower centers)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I appreciate you taking time to visit.

You Are My Sunshine

I have had this kitty digi for awhile but have never colored him.  Tonight was the night.  I also got brave and decided to try masking the image to sponge clouds in the background.  It was a lot easier than I thought and I like how it turned out.  I will definitely be trying this technique again.  After I finished coloring and sponging, I die cut the image and a mat with spellbinders.

The sun was colored with copics and then fussy cut.  I added SU Crystal Effects to his shades.  He is popped up over the image panel.  The yellow background layer is embossed with an M'Bossabilities embossing folder.  I used PSE to alter the sentiment to make it fit on one line.  Some faux stitching completes the card.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Xpress-it (image panel), Georgia Pacific (cardbase, sun, sentiment), DCWV (yellow, blue)
Patterned Paper:  Unknown
Digi Stamps: Hambo (Cool Cat), StampArt Designs by Kathryne (Love to Think of You set), Daydream Designs (Sunshine and Rain set)
Ink: Memento (Summer Sky)
Copics: Sun (Y000, 11, 13, 15, 17; YR21; R22, 27; B000, 21, 23)  Cool Cat (B000, 21, 23, 26; BG01, 10; N5, 7; V04, 06, 09; R20, 22, 24, 27, 81, 83, 85; Y000, 11, 13, 15, 17; YR07, 20, 21; G14; YG03, 05)
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders (Classic Squares Large and Small, M'Bossabilities Splendid side B), SU Crystal Effects, Uni-Ball White Opaque Pen, SU Stampin' Write marker (Night of Navy)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
MOJO Monday (MOJO302) - Sketch
SNSS July Release Challenge #1 - Use a sun or the color yellow
Pile It On Challenge #28 - Water
Tuesday Throwdown #156 - Anything Goes
V's Sweet Ideas #13 - Summer Fun
Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #108 - Summer Fun
Cuttlebug Mania - Fun in the Sun
Southern Girls Challenge #73 - No Spoolin' (can't use anything that comes on a spool)
Milk Coffee Challenge - Emboss It (heat or dry)
Scrapper's Delights Challenge #3 - Summer Brights
Inky Impressions Challenge #117 - Summer
LEJ Designs Challenge #62 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.