Matthew 5:16 -- WAW #30

It's hard to believe that this is my last week as a Guest Designer for Word Art Wednesday.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this month and want to thank Karen for the honor of designing for WAW.

This week's verse is Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." If you notice in this verse, the fact that your light is shining is accepted as an obvious fact.  The question is whether our works will glorify the Lord or not.  We are a witness for the Lord whether we want to be or not.  Even when we don't realize it, people are watching us.  Our challenge is to consistently be a good witness for the Lord; a witness that will bring honor and glory to Him.  Consistently. I don't know about you but for me,...that's a big challenge!

Word Art Wednesday's sister challenge blog is Stampin' Sisters in Christ.  The challenge over there this week is to "do something on your card that you are afraid of."  For me, CAS is a challenge and the idea of a one layer card gave me the willies.  Since I think just about everything needs a mat (I know at least one of my friends is laughing at that comment), this was a real stretch!  However, I accepted the challenge and made a one layer card {for me embellishments don't count as a layer. *grin*}.

After printing my Scripture on the card, I scored the borders 1/2" from all four edges using my Scor-buddy.  Then I stamped the flowers using fluid chalk ink and heat embossed them with clear embossing powder.  A ribbon at the top and silver rhinestones for the flower centers and it was done!

In the spirit of the Shopping Our Stash challenge mentioned below: I was able to use several supplies that have been in my stash for a long time.  I've probably had the flower stamp for well over a year (maybe 2-3?), the rhinestones have lived in my stash for quite awhile too.  Well, come to think of it...except for the Scripture digi, everything on this card, including the ink & embossing powder, has been in my stash for at least 6 mos.  :)  So, shop your stash....you'll not only save money but if nothing else, you'll make room for more goodies.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill
Stamps:  Word Art Wednesday Scripture Digi, Studio G (flowers)
Ink:  ColorBox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools:  embossing powder (Stampendous - Detail Clear), silver rhinestones (Michael's), ribbon (Michael's), Scor-Buddy

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #141 - do something on your card you are afraid of
Sentimental Sunday #104 - Pocket full of posies
Love to Create #17 - Add a Sentiment
Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C138) - One layer (embellishments OK)
Scripture Thursday - use Scripture on your card
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
My Time to Craft #180 - Use two of anything {I used my flower stamp twice}
Shopping our Stash #53 - Use anything flower or floral related
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Each Card Tells a Story - Scripture Sunday #3

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and see what the rest of the design team have done and to pick up your free digi Scripture.

Thankful for You - SNSDC55

This week we have an easy challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog...make a "Thank You" card.  We all have people we need to thank, whether it's for a gift or kindness we've received or for just what they mean to you.

If you have visited my blog for very long, you know I love fancy fold cards.  I recently came upon this Double Gate Fold Card tutorial on Dawn O's blog.  I wanted to give it a try but also wanted more patterned paper.  So, this is my version.

I cut apart a Say it with Crystal bling flourish and used part on the upper left side and part on the lower right.  I then cut the reminder into individual rhinestones to use on the sentiment panel on the front and on a corner accent on the interior.

 When you open the card, the bling flourish on the bottom right side becomes a butterfly's flight trail.

Here is a pic of the card opened up.  I did lots of interior decorating on this one.  Both the sentiment for the front and the sentiment on the inside are from the same Many Thanks digi stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Prima (Madeline)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Many Thanks)
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (tea dye)
Embellishments/Tools:  Flowers, rub-ons, Say It with Crystals bling flourish (Prima), Spellbinders (Circles small, Lacey Circles, Classic Edges 2, Classic Decorative Inserts 5, Decorative Photo Corners), SU Journal Writer (close to cocoa)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stampin Sisters in Christ #140 - Build up your card 
Tuesday Throwdown #99 - 3D 
Scrap Creations Bingo - I used the middle column - flowers, die cuts, digi image
Divas by Design #36 - Fabulous Flourishes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us in this week's challenge.  I also hope you'll give one of these Double Gate Fold Cards a try.  They are truly easy to make but can have such a nice "Wow!" factor.

All Things Grow with Love

I decided to make a card just for fun -- not for a DT assignment but just because.  I used NO digi products on the entire card!  It was fun -- I've missed my rubber stamps!  I really like how it turned out and the elegant look. 

I used this week's Mojo Monday {MOJO 242} sketch and turned it sideways.  I embossed the solid pink panel with a CB embossing folder and then inked it to bring out the embossing.  I also inked the edges of all my papers for a distressed look.  My sentiment was stamped in brown ink and then cut out and matted with Labels Four dies.  My new Edgeabilities provide a lacey look and the Say It with Crystal bling flourish adds some sparkle.  I finished off the sentiment panel with a Prima rose that has some glitter.

Supplies:
Card Base (5 x 7) - Recollections
Cardstock - Bazzill, Recollections (used inside)
Patterned Paper - Basic Grey (Bittersweet)
Stamps - Inkadinkado (Expressions), Studio G (double hearts - used inside card)
Ink - Memento (Rich Cocoa), Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools - crystal flourish (Say it in Crystals by Prima), flower (Prima), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Victoria), Spellbinders (Labels Four, Labels Four Small, Classic Edges 2, Classic Decorative Inserts 5), SU Journal Writer (Close to Cocoa)

Challenges:
MOJO242 - Sketch
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - build up your card
Paper Sundaes Final Challenge - Pretty in Pink

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge.

Psalm 62:8 - WAW #29

I chose to doing something other than a card to highlight the focus verse for this week's challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  The verse is Psalm 62:8, "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is refuge for us. Selah."

I think this verse is such a good reminder that we should trust the Lord no matter what is going on in our lives {ALL times} and also that He wants us to pour our hearts out to Him.  In my mind, the phrase, "God is a refuge for us," means that He is a place of safety.  Not only will He protect us but also, when we pour out our hearts to Him, our secrets are safe with Him.  What a wonderful, loving Lord we have!

Since this verse is one of those verses that it's good to keep in front of you, I decided to make a wall hanging out of it.  I bought a small, unfinished sign at Michael's and altered it.  It came with the cord hanger so I didn't have to attach one.

 

After painting the sign with acrylic paint and letting it dry, I swiped a distress ink pad across the service to add a little distressed look to it.  I distressed the edges of my papers and inked them as well. After adhering the papers to the sign with Mod Podge, I gave it a couple more thin coats and let it dry overnight.  

Then, I embellished the sign with some flowers and a pearl flourish (it was cut into 2 parts).  This was really a simple project.  It's a great way to keep Scripture before us and having it hanging on our walls is another way to witness to others.

Supplies:

Unfinished sign - Michael's

Cardstock - Recollections

Patterned paper - Prima

Embellishments/Tools -  acrylic paint (Anita's - latte), Mod Podge (matte), flowers and butterfly rub-on (Prima), pearl flourish (Recollections), Tim Holtz Distress Ink (tea dye)

I'm entering my sign in the following challenges:

Scripture Thursday - Use Scripture

Crafty Friends Challenge #4 - Anything but a card

Tuesday Throwdown #99 - 3D

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll play along with us this week -- don't forget to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog for your free digi of this week's Scripture.

Sweet N Sassy Stamps May Digi Release

This week's challenge at the Sweet `n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog has some extra excitement.   The Digi Challenge DT has put together a blog hop to show you the new May Digi Release!!

 

While you're hopping, be sure to leave some love on each of the blog hop posts…One of the ladies below is a mystery blogger and she will be picking a random winner from the comments on her blog post!!

The winning prize will be the whole May Digi Release!! (The winner will be announced at SNS Digi Challenge Blog on Friday, May 25th.)

Today's challenge is a Recipe Challenge.  We are to use One ribbon, Two gems and Three different colors (plus neutrals)

Just a few things to keep in mind as you play.... 

~Please remember to use digital images ONLY for the challenge.

~You don't have to use SNS digi images to play along but we sure do love when you do!

~Please share a link to your creation using the Linky feature at the end of this post. If the link feature is down, please add a link with your comment.

~When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword SNSDC54.

I got to play with the new Cherry Blossom Branch digi.  I love cherry blossoms so I was pretty excited to see this new release.

For my card, I chose to interpret the two gems as two different colors & size gems.  I have light pink and dark pink rhinestones in two different sizes on my card.  The three colors I'm using are pink, brown & teal with white are my neutral.

I'm using and old Sweet Stop Sketch (SSS111) for the design.  After coloring the branch of blossoms with my copics, I die cut the image. I then outlined each blossom with a glitter pen and added the bling to the flower centers.

I cut out the border with some Spellbinder border dies.  Some bling was added for interest on the border and at the top right corner. It's hard to tell in the pics but each of the embossed flower centers in the bottom pink panel has a bit of glitter pen. There is lots of sparkle on this card!

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill

Patterned paper:  SU

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy digis (Cherry Blossom Branch, Many Thanks)
Embellishments/Tools: Sakura Clear Star glitter pen, Ribbon (morex Corp), Copics, rhinestones (Recollections), Spellbinders (Labels 4, M-Bossabilities (Splendid - B), Classic Decorative Insert 5, Classic Edges 2)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Cute Card Thursday #217 - Touch of Sparkle
Shelly's Images - Show Us What You Got (aka Anything Goes)

Please stop by the rest of the design team members. Don't forget to leave a comment on each blog for your chance to win the entire digi release. Here is the blog hop list for to see May Digi Release-Recipe Challenge creations...

• Cathy Wallington
• Ceal Pritchett
• Cyndi Bundy
• Makiko Jones
• Melinda Gleissner
• Meredith "Crafty Math Chick"
• Patricia Hays
• Stephanie Serrano
• Stephanie Wright - That's Me!
• Wendy Jordan

For every card you enter into our challenges throughout May, you will get one entry to be eligible for winning 3 digis of your choice from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store. Plus, if your card uses SNSS digi stamps, it will earn two entries!! Be sure to play along every week... The more you play and/or use SNS digis, the more chances you get to win!!

Thanks for stopping by today.   

Graduation Cards

This is college graduation month here at our house.  I can't believe I forgot to get pictures of the card I made for her.  *grrr*  However, I did get pics of the cards I made for her boyfriend and a couple more of her friends.

I found this great card and this great card on SCS and totally cased them to make these cards.  You can find a tutorial on You Tube by searching for "Graduation Fun Fold Card."  I made my tassels from DMC floss to match the tassels the recipients would have on their grad caps. {I'm not sure if all colleges do this but our daughter's college has different colored tassels for different degrees/majors.}

On the inside, I designed a panel using the school logo and "Class of 2012."  For the bottom part of the card, I heat embossed the sentiment in the point and the "Congratulations" at the bottom.  These cards will fit inside an A2 envelope. 

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Shining Light), Inkadinkado (Congratulations)
Embellishments:  DMC Floss, Stampendous Embossing Powder (Midnight Black), Brads (Making Memories)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks #90 - Graduation
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #206 (PWC206) - Graduation

Can you believe it's my third post this week?!  Amazing huh?  Stop by tomorrow for one more! 

I'll close with a pic of my favorite member of the Class of 2012 and her big brother.  :)

2 Timothy 1:7 - WAW #28

I am truly enjoying my month as a Guest Designer for Word Art Wednesday.  I'm so glad this month has 5 Wednesdays so that I get to play a little longer.  :)

This week our Scripture verse is 2 Timothy 1:7 which states, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  This verse encourages me that the Lord doesn't want me to be fearful.  Instead He wants me to be strong in Him, to be loving and to be thinking clearly.  So when I find myself fretting and fearful about a certain situation, I know it's Satan trying to get my eyes off the Lord and to discourage me.

After coloring my bird with copics (I make no pretense to be color accurate in my coloring of birds and flowers), I colored a 2nd set of the flowers and fussy cut them.  I then popped up the flowers in front of the bird on pop dots for some added dimension.  You can see this a little better in the picture below.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Prima (madeline)
Stamps:  WAW 5-15-12, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Bluebird digi)
Inks:  ColorBox Fluid Chalk
Embellishments/Tools:  Ribbon (Offray), rhinestones (Best Occasions), Stickles (yellow), Copics, Spellbinders Nestabilities (Circles large and small; Labels 4 and Labels 4 small), Sakura Clear Star pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scripture Thursday - Use Scripture
Mojo Monday 241 - Sketch
Stampin Sisters in Christ #139 - Use a bird, bug or animals
Paper Sundaes #120 - Things with wings
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge #39 (PPMC39) - Glitter (I used a glitter pen on the flowers and stickles for the flower centers. I also used a dot of glitter pen on the bird's eye)
Papertake Weekly - In the garden

I hope you'll come along and play with us this week at Word Art Wednesday.  Don't forget to stop by and pick up your free Scripture digi.  To play along, you may use the freebie or another other Scripture you're using on your project.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hello, Beautiful!! & Happy News

Today, I'm excited to share the news that I'm a Guest Designer for the Love to Create Challenge Blog.  I was so happy to be asked to design for their 15th challenge.  This week, it's a fun bingo challenge, so I hope you'll play along with us.  I chose to use the far right column which is:  Die Cuts, Embossing, Flowers.

I chose to make a "head shot" type view of the digi to make it like she's speaking the sentiment "Hello, Beautiful!"  I colored her with my copies and gave her hair bow and the center of her eyes a little sparkle with a glitter pen.  After cutting out the image panel with a standard circle nestabilities, I layered it on a lacey circle nestabilities.  Since this girl seemed like one that would be a fan of bling, I used lots of rhinestones on the image panel and scattered some on the embossed flowers on the tie dye print patterned paper and the white cardstock background.  A bling flower on the image panel and a ribbon complete the decoration.

Supplies:
Sketch MOJO96 (July 6, 2009)
Cardstock:  Georgia pacific (white), DCWV (blue)
Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio (Tie Dye)
Stamps:  Sassy Studio Design (Kutie Kim Roller Girl), Sweet 'n Sassy (Hello Beautiful digi set)
Embellishments/Tools:  Sakura Glitter Pen (clear star), Copic markers, Rhinestones (Best Occasions), Bling Flower (Recollections), Ribbon (Offray), Spellbinders {M-bossabilities (Whimsey B), Standard Circles, Lacey Circles, Petite Ovals (large & small)}

I do hope you'll stop by the blog to see the full bingo board and then play along with us this week.  Thanks for stopping by today.

Birthday Praise - SNSDC53

This week's Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge is to make a feminine card/project.  I used the Sweet 'n Sassy Proverbs 31:30 digi stamp as the focal image on my card this week.  This verse states, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Now, usually you think of this as a Mother's Day verse.  But when you read it, it doesn't say a mother that feareth the Lord, it says a woman that feareth the Lord.  So, I used it on a birthday card for a special young woman that we've watched growing in the Lord and truly striving to put Him first.  We felt she deserved praise for putting the Lord first even when it was difficult to do so.

I wanted the card to be special so I used one of my favorite "fancy fold" cards, a Tri-Shutter Card. This Tri-Shutter Card tutorial on SCS explains how to make one for yourself.  I used some favorite Basic Gray papers, lots of pearls and bling and a bow to finish it off.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Scarlet Letter)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Proverbs 31:30, Feminine Birthday)
Ink:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Standard Circles Small, Lacey Circles, M-Bossabilities - Whimsy B), Offray ribbon, Recollections Pearls, Best Occasions rhinestones, Fiskars Border Punch (Apron Lace)


I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Really Reasonable Ribbon #47 - Feminine card
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge #38 (PPMC38) - Use Ribbon
Sentimental Sunday's #101 - For a special woman 
Free For All Friday (STV12FRI12) - A Birthday card in your style (use of dies, fancy folds, pearls) 
Craft Your Passion Challenges #109 - Torn or Distressed Edges 
Scripture Thursday - Use Scripture
Crafty Friends Challenge #3 - Inspiration Challenge - My colors were inspired by those in the photo 
The Squirrel & the Fox #17 - One for the Girls
 

Please join us this week.  We'd love to see your feminine cards.  Don't forget to only use digi stamps and that each project you enter gets you a chance to win some free digis.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Come back soon.

Isaiah 41:13 - WAW #27

This week's free Scripture digi from Word Art Wednesday is Isaiah 41:13, "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not; I will help thee."   What a wonderful promise from the Lord! When I'm facing a difficult thing, holding my husband's hand can give me not only comfort but courage.  In a MUCH greater way, no matter what I'm facing, the Lord not only knows about it but is there with me holding my hand.  That means He's right there beside me, caring for me, comforting me, giving me courage, and helping me. He will do the same for you...just ask Him. 

Sometimes it's fun to try a new technique.  This time I tried the wax paper technique shown in these Wax Paper Background  and Wax Paper Focal Image tutorials on StampTV.  It was so easy and yet has a great a nice impact.  The possibilities are endless when you consider all the different embossing folders and ink colors you can use.

I tied my bow with the Bow Easy and then added a flower to the middle.  A few pearls, some matting and a dot of a glitter pen on each of the scallops finished off the card front.  Since the card base is black, I'll mat a cream colored piece of cardstock on a piece of the gold cardstock for the interior.

Supply list:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, Recollections, DCWV
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Broken China, Antique Linen, Tea Dye)
Embellishments/Tools:  Pearls (Queen & Co), Ribbon (Offray), Flower (Prima), Sakura Clear Star Pen, Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Large & Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Small), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Victoria), wax paper, iron, SU ticket punch, Bow Easy

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scripture Thursday - Use Scripture
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge - Use Ribbon

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

Happy Birthday to SNSDC Blog - SNSDC52

In honor of the first birthday of the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog, our challenge this week is to make a card for our favorite holiday.  I didn't have to think twice....Christmas is my favorite holiday.  This cute little Rhubarb digi and these papers are some of my favorites too.

I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch and decided to choose the round option.  I used some of my Spellbinders Grand Circles for the card base and the patterned paper.  I colored Rhubarb and his candy cane with my copics, added some texture to his fur with my colorless blender, and accented the bow with a Sakura clear star glitter pen.  Hopefully you can see the glitter on the bow a little better in the picture below.

I even did a small amount of interior decorating.  Now that I have the grand nestabilities these circle cards are SO much easier.  {Thanks to my wonderful hubby for wonderful Christmas and Anniversary gifts of the Grand Calibur and a couple of the Grand Dies}

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Stamps (Beary Christmas Sentiments, Rhubarb's Candy Cane)
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders (Standard Circles Large, Grand Circles, Labels Four, Labels Four Small), Fiskars Threading Water border punch, Offray ribbon, Copic markers, Sakura Clear Star pen, Studio 18 rhinestones, ColorBox Fluid Chalk (chestnut roan)

Before I leave, I have to say "Congratulations" to our daughter who is graduating from college today.  Despite many health challenges, she made the Dean's List all 8 semesters.  She'll be starting a Graduate Assistant position this summer and begin work on her Master's degree this fall.  Yep, this mom is just a wee bit proud of her.

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

Exciting News to Share

I have exciting news to share with you today.  I have been asked to be the Guest Designer for Word Art Wednesday for the month of May.  I love to use Scripture on my cards and was so honored when they asked me to help out this month.

Be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and get your free Scripture digi.  This week the Scripture is Nahum 1:7, "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."  My dad loved this verse so it is extra special to me.  This verse is such a great reminder that no matter what, God IS good.  Even when we're in the middle of a trial, He's still there and He hasn't forgotten about us.  I read this quote recently (I'm not sure who wrote it originally) and found it to be a great encouragement:  "Sometimes when you wonder why you can’t hear God’s voice during your trials. Remember the teacher is always quiet during the test."

For my card this week I used an old Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO152).  My card is 5.5" square -- I think that's my new favorite size.  Maybe it strikes a chord from my scrapbooking days.  :)  I was able to use some new Three Bugs in a Rug papers and a new M-bossabilities embossing folder.  I love that they are 2 embossing folders in one.

 

I wanted a button in the middle of my bow but didn't have any the right color of green.  Then I found a clear button and decided to back it with some of the patterned paper I was using.  It was a guaranteed perfect match.  I punched a circle from my patterned paper and then used SU Crystal Effects to glue the paper to the back of the button. After allowing a little drying time, I found some DMC floss that was a great match with the salmon/orange-ish color in my papers and threaded the button with it.

I even did a little interior decorating.  :)


Supplies: 
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Three Bugs in a Rug (Ellie 6 x 6 pad)
Digi Scripture from Word Art Wednesday
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders (Big Scalloped Border Petites, M-bossabilities Splendid Side A, Petite Ovals Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large), Wright's ribbon, button from stash, Marvy circle punch, DMC Floss (#351), Recollections pearls
 
I'm entering this card in the following challenges challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #137 - Something planted or incorporate the color green (I did both)
Paper Sundaes #118 - Ribbon & Pearls
Love to Create #13 - Flowers & buttons
Stamp TV Mix it Up Monday (STV12MON15) - make a square card
Craft Your Passtion #108 - Lots of texture
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes 
Catered Crop - B is for Bodacious (use things with the letter "B" - I used a button, Bible verse, & bow)
Really Reasonable Ribbon #47 (RRR47) - Mother's Day/Feminine card
Scripture Thursday - Use Scripture


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