Beary Happy Day - SNSDC26

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog is to make a card or project with a fruit or vegetable on it.  I chose to use this adorable Rhubarb image called Rhubarb's Autumn Day.

I used this week's sketch at Papertake Weekly.  I recently purchased these Spellbinders Border Petites dies and this sketch was the perfect way to try them out.  I used a tag punch to cut out my sentiment and added an eyelet and baker's twine for some dimension.  

Supplies:
Cardstock: SU (browns), Georgia Pacific (white0
Patterned Paper:  Adorn-It (Fern Collection), Crate Paper (Little Sprout Collection)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Rhubarb's Autumn Day, Bear Sentiments)
Ink:  Creamy Caramel
Tools/Embellishments: Eyelet (OT), Twine (The Twinery - cappuccino), Gamsol, Prismacolor Pencils (PC1034, PC918, PC1002, PC912, PC909), Copics (W1, E00, E07, E08, E09, E29, E33, E37, Y13, Y15, Y17, YG03), Spellbinders (Big Scalloped Border Petites, Circles, Eyelet Circles), SU tag punch

Challenges:
Really Reasonable Ribbon #34 - Fun 4 Fall
Papertake Weekly - Sketch
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.   I hope you have a good day and enjoy your weekend.  We're going to church with my son and his family tonight and then out for dinner to celebrate my birthday.  I'm hoping our grandson is in a cuddly mood -- with a 2 yr old that's doubtful.  :)

Clear Dollar Stamps & Exciting News

About 1 1/2 weeks ago, I was very pleasantly surprised with an invitation to join that Digital DT at Clear Dollar Stamps.  After discussing it with my husband and praying about it, I was VERY excited to accept their invitation.  Clear Dollar Stamps (aka CDS) has clear stamps, digital stamps, paper, embellishments, and stamping tools.  It's one stop shopping at reasonable prices.  I am honored to be one of their DT members.

CDS carries a nice assortment of pre-colored digi images.  When I saw the adorable owl in the Autumn Critters set, I knew I had to use him first. This set also comes in an outline version so that you can do your own coloring.  I used the sketch from CPS241 as the inspiration for my card design.  I added some sponging, doodling and a little tag at the bottom for some extra interest.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Papers - Little Yellow Bicycle (Hello Fall)
Ink:  SU Creamy Caramel
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps (Autumn Critters - Colored)
Tools/Embellishments:  SU Journal Writer (Close to Cocoa), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Circle, Lacey Circle, Petite Oval, Petite Scalloped Oval), The Twinery Baker's Twine (cappuccino)

I'm entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll go check out all the wonderful things Lori has in the store.

SIWS20 - Philippians 4:13

This week's focus verse for the Say It With Scripture Challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is Philippians 4:13.   I remember one of my brothers sharing this verse with me as a young child and it has always meant a lot to me. It's a double reminder:  1.  When times are difficult, and the circumstances look impossible, I can do what needs to be done WITH the Lord's help.  2.  I can only do whatever I do because of the strength the Lord gives me.  In both cases, it's all about the Lord and zero about me.  In a society that tells us to focus on ourselves, we often need this reminder.

For my card, I used this week's Sweet Stop Sketch #131 as my inspiration.  I colored Rhubarb with copic markers and sponged the image & sentiment panels with ink.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned paper:  Crate Paper (Random)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Rhubarb's Sunflower, Encouragement Scripture)
Ink:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk
Tools/Embellishments:  Flourish (Recollections), Pearls (BG), Spellbinders Fair Isle Border Petites, Copics

I'm entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes challenge.

I hope you'll play along with us this week and don't forget to grab your free digi.

Thanks for stopping by.  Please stop back by tomorrow....I have some exciting news to share.

For the Happy Couple - SNSDC25

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog is to make a shaped card.  It can be any shape you want just not a "normal" 4.25" x 5.5" card.

I chose to make a scalloped oval card. I needed a wedding card and remembering how elegant the all-white challenge was a few weeks ago, I decided to try it again by making a cream colored card.  The ribbon  & pearls add the pop of color.  I kept the card simple and just dry embossed the main panel and added one of the sentiments from the Wedding Day Wishes digital stamp set.


Supplies
Cardstock:  Recollections
Stamp:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Wedding Day Wishes)
Embellishments/Tools:  Pearls (Oriental Trading), Ribbon (Offray), Spellbinders Nestabilities (petite ovals, petite scalloped ovals)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #134 - You Choose
Tuesday Throwdown #71 - Shaped Card

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you'll come play along with us this week.  

SIWS19 - O Lord, My Strength

We all know the Lord deserves our love and praise.   This week's focus verse at the Say It With Scripture Challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is Psalm 18:1, "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength,"  is a reminder of how simply that love can be expressed.  When we love someone, we frequently tell them so and then also tell them why.  It shouldn't be any different with the Lord.  In this verse the Psalmist is telling the Lord he loves Him and then says that it's because the Lord is his strength.

The Lord never tires of hearing our praise and admiration.  While we should strive to bring glory & honor to Him in all we do, we should also remember to spend time telling Him of our appreciation of His goodness to us and our love for Him.  When you truly think about all He does for us, expressing our love and appreciation should come naturally and easily.

For my card this week, I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #211.  I colored Rhubarb with my copics and sponged both panels after cutting them out with my nesties.  This week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge #111 is to use items in 2's.  I used two types of trim (brown twill & hemp), two layers on two different shapes of nesties, two stamps, two loops on my bow, two photo corners and two panels on the front.

Supplies:
Cardbase:  Recollections
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Little Yellow Bicycle (Hello Fall)
Ink - Stampin' Up Creamy Caramel
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Rhubarb the Teddy Bear, God Is Love)
Embellishments/Tools:  Twill ribbon & hemp - JoAnn's, Copics, Spellbinders Nestabilities (Circles Large & Small, Deckled Rectangles Large & Small), McGill Deckled Square Punch

I'm entering this card in these additional challenges:
Paper Sundaes #91 - Halloween or Fall (I chose fall)
Stamptacular Sunday #134 - You Choose

Please stop by the Sweet 'n Sassy connection, grab your free digi and play along with us this week.  Thanks for stopping by.

Operation Write Home Fundraiser

Today I'm helping out with the Operation Wright Home Fundraiser.  If you are not familiar with Operation Write Home (aka OWH), it is a not-for-profit organization that collects and sends handmade greeting cards to American soldiers for their use in keeping touch with their families back home.

It is so important that our soldiers know that we here in the USA aren't forgetting what they are doing over there for our freedom and the freedom of others!  It is also important for the soldiers to be able to keep in close contact with their families while they are overseas.  Operation Write Home's boxes of cards are the perfect answer!  Sandy Allnock, Operation Write Home's president, says that the estimated cost for shipping boxes of cards to the soldiers over the next few months is $13,000!

K 'n K Designs will be selling 7 new digi sets designed exclusively for this cause. These include 4 sets by Katelyn Traxler and 3 sets by Deedee Anderson.  These sets are available for just $2 each, or in various value bundles (e.g. get them all for just $10!), with all proceeds (minus Paypal fees) donated to Operation Write Home.  These sets will be available today thru noon on November 1st.  All purchases will be mailed within 24 hours of payment clearance.

For my card today, I chose one of the two images in Deedee Anderson's Thoughtful Teddies set and paired it with one of the five sentiments in this set.  You sure get a lot for your money with this set!!

I made a gatefold card that opens vertically.  When it's opened up, it will give the soldier a lot of room to write a note home to a loved one. I colored the teddy with copics and fussy cut her to layer on my Spellbinders petite ovals. Since this card will be shipped overseas, I wanted to keep it flatter than my usual cards so I left off ribbon & pearls.  I chose to paper pierce the oval and the paper panels for a little extra dimension. 

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific

Patterned Papter:  MME (29th Street Market)

Stamps - Deedee Anderson (Thoughtful Teddies)

Embellishments/Tools: Tonic Paper Piercer, Spellbinders Petite Ovals & Petite Scalloped Ovals, Copics

Those who don't craft (or don't use digi stamps) but would still like to aid the cause can donate directly to OWH. OWH suggests sponsorship of a medium box ($11), a large box ($13), or any multiple - perhaps 4 large boxes at $52. No amount is too small (or too large!) to help and your gift is tax-deductible! The OWH Donation page has full information on how you can help.

Please consider helping our soldiers in this way.  Be sure to go to the K & K Designs blog for these special digis and/or the OWH site to donate.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sweet Birthday Wishes - SNSDC24

We have a recipe challenge this week on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  Here's the recipe:

Use Black

Use 2 kinds of Patterned Papers

Use 3 different kinds of Embellishments

• I used black ribbon, black cardstock to mat my paper panels and black ink on the sentiment panel.  
• I used two pattern papers from the Crate Paper Farmhouse line.
• I used pearls, ribbon and a vellum butterfly for my embellishments.

This card design is a Double Z-fold card.  You can find the tutorial to make this card over on SCS. 

Here is a view of the interior with the card completely unfolded:

I also made a coordinating gift card so the recipient could do a little Stampin' Up shopping. 

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Recollections

Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farmhouse)

Stamp:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Sweet Birthday Wishes)

Ink:  Studio G

Embellishments & Tools:  Spellbinders Nestabilities (Large Circle, Eyelet Circle, Fair Isle Border Petites), Pearls (Oriental Trading), Ribbon (JoAnn), Butterfly (Jenni Bowlin)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Paper Sundaes #90 - Favorite color combo (I really like this teal color with the darker red)

Birthday Sundaes #30 - Fall colors (the dark red, goldish yellow, teal and darker green are some of my favorite fall colors)

Sentimental Sunday #76 - Anything Goes

Stampin' Sisters in Christ #110 - Anything Goes

Anything Goes Challenge #51 -Diecuts, punches or both

Heartsong Inspirations #19 -  Use Diecuts and/or sponged background

Make It Monday #58 - Anything Goes

I hope you'll come play along with us this week.   Thanks for stopping by today.

Soaring With Eagles - SIWS18

This week's focus verse for the Say It With Scripture Challenge over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Are you currently waiting on the Lord  to work? Medical test results? A job? Financial problems? A relationship issue? A challenging stage with your children? So often, when we're in the Lord's waiting room, or some call it being in limbo, it's hard not to run ahead of Him and try to work things out on our own.  The Lord's timetable is not the same as ours. Waiting can drive us to distraction if we don't leave these situations in the Lord's hands. This verse is such an encouragement because it reminds us that when we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength. So, if you finds yourself waiting on the Lord to work something out, meditate on this verse and take comfort in His promises.

For my card this week, I went with a more masculine look and used fall colors.  I colored the eagle with prismacolor pencils and clipped between some of his wing feathers so I could curl them a little for some dimension.  I sponged the edges of the verse panel and the edges of the paper with SU creamy caramel ink. I paper pierced each of the scallops on the panel behind the verse.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (kraft and cream), Bazzill (green)
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farmhouse)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Soaring Eagle, Isaiah 40:31)
Ink:  SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments & Tools:  SU ticket punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities (petite ovals, petite scalloped ovals), Tonic Studio Paper Piercer/Pick, MM brads, JoAnn's jute, prismacolor pencils

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #133 - So Distressing
Sentimental Sunday #76 - Anything Goes
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #110 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion #79 - A Card for all Occasions
PaperPlay Challenges #40 - Autumnal Colors




 Be sure to play along with us this week and don't forget to grab your free digi.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tiny Yawns & Sleepy Sighs -- It's a Boy!! -- SNSDC23

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a baby card. Usually I go the pastel blue or pink route.  However, I chose bright primary colors this time.

I chose the "It's a Boy!" sentiment from the Baby Blessings set and using PSE, made a repeating background design.  Then I layered another one of the sentiments from this fantastic set on an eyelet circle nestie as my focal image.  I used a third sentiment from this set on the inside.  This week's sketch from Mojo Monday (MOJO209) made the design part of the card pretty easy.  Since the colors are bolder than my norm, that part was more of a challenge.  ;)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), DCWV (yellow & blue)
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Little Boy)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Baby Blessings)
Embellishments: Ribbon (Offray), Buttons (from my stash), Floss (DMC), Cuttlebug EF (Spots & Dots), Fiskars Border Punch (Threading Water), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Circles-Small, Eyelet Circle)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papers Sundaes #89 - Lots of Layers
Mojo Monday #209 - Sketch
Craft Your Passion #78 - Anything goes using ribbon
Papertake Weekly - Anyting Goes, Option of Something punched (I used a border punch on the right side of my card)

I hope you'll come play along with us this week.

Thanks for stopping by!

SIWS17 - Psalm 16:11

This week our focus verse at the Say It With Scripture Challenge over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection is Psalm 16:11, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." To me, this verse is a reminder that I need to stick close to the Lord.  It's by staying close to Him that He will be able to show me the path of life.  Only in His presence can I experience the depth of joy and pleasure that He wants me to have.  Does this mean that by staying close to Him everything will be "sunlight & roses"?  No, of course not.  If we think logically, during those more challenging times, how can He show us the path He wants us to take if we're not close to Him?  True and lasting joy is only found in the presence of the Lord.

My card uses one of Sweet 'n Sassy's colored digis.  This is Molly and today she has her Bible with her.  I thought it was a good reminder that the primary way the Lord speaks to us is through His Word, the Bible.  I added a little sparkle to her sash, hem & bow with a glitter pen.

I used a Cuttlebug set of flower dies to make my flowers.  After cutting them out and inking the edges, I put them on my mouse pad and added some dimension by pushing down the middles with the end of a Sharpie marker. For the white polka dot flower, I cut between the petals to allow for more dimension.  I used a couple petals of the largest flower in the set for the leaves.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - SEI (Penelope's Potpourri, Winnie's Walls)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy (Molly Loves Reading pre-colored digi, Hummingbird with Scripture digi set)
Embellishments & Tools - Pearls (Oriental Trading), Sakura Gelly Roll clear star pen, Ribbon (Offray), SU ticket punch, Cuttlebug flower dies, Distress Ink (Antique Linen)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
CPS 238 - sketch
Paper Sundae #89 - Lots of Layers
Craft Your Passion #78 - Anything Goes Using Ribbon

Please come play along with us this week.  Don't forget, each Say It With Scripture challenge gives you a free Scripture digi.  Be sure to pick your's up this week.

Thanks for stopping by today.