Trust in the Lord

This is going to be a quick post this week as I'm fighting an eye infection, feeling pretty lousy and am having trouble seeing very clearly.

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is Psalm 37:3, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."  A New Testament parallel of this verse comes from the lips of our Savior Himself when He taught His disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11). 

I used a die cut as the shape for this card and attached a plain card blank (approx 3.5 x 5) to the back.  I used my Score Buddy to emboss a piece of white cardstock for the front of the card.  The red "tablecloth" is a smaller stamp that I stamped twice and covered the join with the doily and sentiment die cuts.  The table cloth was fussy cut.  The strawberries were colored with copics and then fussy cut.  Please forgive the lack of shading and that some of the fussy-cutting on the strawberries isn't very close.  This eye infection makes seeing small details difficult.  Stickles were added to the strawberries and flowers for a little sparkle.  A few rhinestones and faux stitching finish things off.

Tip:  Whenever I get a new set of dies, I cut a sample of each size from scrap cardstock.  I label each sample with the name of the die and the size (I count the smallest die as #1).  If it's a decorative die and I have coordinating dies, I will also sometimes make notes of which one layers best on top of it.  I store these samples in the same CD case as the die.  When I'm designing a card, I can pull out the sample and have a better idea of what it will look like and which size I need to use.  This is also helpful when trying to decide if certain die cuts look well together.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen, Flourishes (Berry Sweet Frame)
Ink:  Versafine - Crimson Red; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Copics:  R20, 27, 29; Y11; YG03, 05, 100, Colorless Blender
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders dies (Timeless Rectangles, Classic Oval Small), My Favorite Things Doiley Die, Score Buddy, Stickles (Star Dust), rhinestones (Small - Recollections, Large - The Paper Studio)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
LEJ Designs Challenge #77- Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge #113 - Seasons (I chose summer as my season)

Thanks for stopping by today.  I do appreciate your visit.  Don't forget to also visit the Word Art Wednesday blog in order to see what the rest of the Design Team have made and to pick up your free digi.

Paper Pieced Rosebud Frame {Galatians 6:14}

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."  Our world is so ME-focused that the first half of this verse is so foreign to us.  To glory (brag) about possessions, accomplishments and status is second-nature to some of us.  However, this verse tells us that we are only to glory (brag) about what Christ did for us on the cross.  Just as the world is spiritually dead to us, we are to be dead to the world.  If we are blessed with possessions, accomplishments and/or status, let's remember Who allowed us to receive them.  To God be the glory, great things HE has done.

I've been wanting to give a twisted easel card a try.  This week was the week.  The card's fold is on the left side and the twist faces to the right.  Due to the way I decorated the interior, the message to the recipient will have to be written on the left side of the interior or the back of the card.  This card is definitely made to display and will either have to be hand-delivered or included in a package.

I have been wanting to use this digi frame by Deedee's Digis. You can find it free here.  I paper pieced the frame and fussy cut both the frame and the verse panel.  {I went around the edges of the frame with a black copic.  However, in real life, the black outline is not quite as prominent as it is in the pictured}  I then layered it with pop dots onto two die cuts. The frame includes rosebuds and leaves.  However, I used some paper roses over them and a glitter pen accents the frame and sentiment panel.

The background panel was embossed and then layered under a border punched strip, more cardstock and a shimmery ribbon.  The sentiment panel & frame were then popped up over it.  Some bling finishes off the front.

The interior cardstock was embossed with the same embossing folder.  Another die cut, some bling and a sentiment finish off the interior.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), The Paper Studio (pink)
Patterned Paper:  Recollections (floral), The Paper Studio (dark pink)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Galatians 6:14), Deedee's Digis (Rosebud Frame), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Jesus Cares clear stamp set)
Ink:  Stazon (Jet Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders dies (Petite Scalloped Ovals Small, Floral Ovals, Fancy Tags 3), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Textile Texture), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), ribbon (Michael's), clear rhinestones (Recollections), pink rhinestones (The Paper Studio), Sakura Clear Star pen, Copic marker (100), paper flowers (The Paper Temptress)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club #4 - Twisted Easel Card
Craft Your Passion #185 - Think Pink
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #115 - Paper Piecing
4 Crafty Chicks #164 - Multiple Layers
Cards Galore October Challenge - Flowers
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #243 - Fussy Cutting

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you will visit the Word Art Wednesday blog and join us this week.  Don't forget to get your free digi, visit our fabulous sponsors' sites and see what the rest of the Design Team has made this week.

{Perspective}

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is Psalm 18:32-33, "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."  What another great reminder!  It is God that is the source of our strength and He is the one that lifts us above the troubles in life.  I was able to visit our daughter and son-in-law this past weekend. I went to chapel with them yesterday and the speaker reminded us that no matter what trial we may be experiencing, the need for a Biblical perspective is the same.  My favorite quote from his message was, "I do not want to waste what God wants to do in me thru this trial."  Wow!  This is from a man that lost his wife to cancer about 7 mos. ago and is now raising their 5 young children alone.    It was obvious from his message that He has learned the truth of this week's focus verse.

I really like the rich fall colors in these papers.  My card design is pretty simple and includes pearls, flowers, die cuts and faux stitching.

Some pop dots behind the sentiment panel pop it up over the pearl flourish.

A little interior decorating completes the card.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Sassafras Lass (Indian Summer)
Digi Stamp:  WORDart by Karen
Tools/Embellishments:  CM Fine Tip pen (black), Portafolia flowers, Prima pearl flourish, large single pearls (Recollections), small single pearls (Want2Scrap), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Large & Small, Fancy Tags 3), Sweet 'n Sassy (Lacey Eyelet Border die)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Chocolate Coffee & Cards Challenges #50 - Autumn NOT Halloween
Cards Galore October Challenge - Flowers
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #280 (PWC280) -  Permission to embellish everything (except the truth)
Inky Impressions Challenge #30 (IIC30) - Fall/Autumn
Penny's Paper-Crafty #149 - Anything Goes
Divas by Design - Autumn Colors

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to pick up your free digi.  While you're there, why not check out our awesome sponsors and the projects from the rest of the design team?

Happy Birthday, Amy!

Today is our beautiful & talented daughter-in-law's birthday. Amy loves bling, glitter, sparkle and beautiful things. She is also a big fan of Audrey Hepburn.  When I saw this A Day for Daisies digi called Hepbern Dress, I knew I needed to use it for her.  OK, I realize the spelling is different but still.... :)  I mailed the card several days ago so hopefully she's received it by now. 

I added LOTS of sparkly elements to this 5 x 7 card.  Stickles were added to the centers of each of the embossed flowers and all over the skirt of the dress.  The edges of the floral oval are covered in crystal glitter.  And then of course, there are the two rhinestone flourishes.  No matter which way you turn the card, something sparkles.

I wanted to carry the extra touches to the interior so I added two more rhinestone flourishes here as well.

Supplies
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Digi Stamp:  A Day for Daisies (Hepbern Dress)
Copics:  Hair (E25, 31, 50), Skin (E001 & 11, R20), Dress (BG000, 01, 05)
Embellishments/Tools:  Stampendous Crystal Glitter, Stickles (Star Dust), rhinestones (Recollections), Spellbinders (M'Bossabilities Splendid (side B), Floral Oval, Petite Oval Small), Zutter Round-it-All (1/2")

Challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Two by Two (2 bling flourishes, 2 die cuts)
Inky Chicks #14 - 2 die cuts
Inky Impressions #129 - Glitter & Sparkle

Amy, I hope your day is as special as you are.  We love you!  Happy Birthday!!

He Shall Feed His Flock.....

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday, is Isaiah 40:11, "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."  I love the verses in the Bible that talk about the Lord being our Shepherd.  A shepherd spends all his time caring for his sheep. He's searching for the best places for them to feed, keeping alert to protect them from danger and harm, guiding the errant back to the flock and comforts the sick and weak.  If you study sheep, you'll learn they aren't the brightest in the animal world.  They can be stubborn, willful, and rebellious.  Sounds just like us -- I guess that's why the Bible compares us to sheep.  But how comforting to know that when I'm stubborn and rebellious, the Lord is willing to guide me back to Himself.  When I am weak, hurting and just can't go another step, He'll carry me.  Now THAT is comforting.

I wanted to play along with this week's sketch at Mojo Monday.  I've also been seeing doilies used on cards fairly often lately and wanted to give it a try.  I also managed to add my usual favorites:  ribbon, bows, pearls and faux stitching.  

There's quite a bit of dimension on the card even though pop dots were only used on the sentiment panel.  The picture above and the one below give sneak peeks of the interior decorating.  It also includes faux stitching.  :)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farm House)
Digi Stamp:  WORDart by Karen
Embellishments/Tools:  ribbon (teal - Offray; white - Michael's), brad (The Paper Studio), pearl flourish (Recollection), individual pearls (The Paper Studio, Queen & Co.), Spellbinders (Decorative Photo Corners), doily (Sunny Side Up Bakery), CM Fine Tip pen (black), Uniball Signo White pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
MOJO Monday (MOJO314) - sketch
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #64 - Anything Goes (must include ribbon)
Papertake Weekly - Two by Two - Use two of something (I have 2 patterned papers, two ribbons, two colors of faux stitching)
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
Divas by Design - 3 or more layers

I hope you will stop by the Word Art Wednesday Challenge blog to pick up your free digi and to see the projects the rest of the design team have made.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Your visits and comments are greatly appreciated.  :)

Just sayin' Hi!

Last week our grandson called me (with his mommy's help).  He asked what I was doing.  I told him I was making a card.  He then asked if I would make him one.  Now, I realize that since he's not quite 4,  he's probably just wanting mail of his own and it's not a great love of my cards that prompted his request.  However, being a typical grandma, I said yes.  Here is the card that will be going in the mail to him tomorrow from his Papaw and Mimi.

Deedee's Digis has started a monthly progressive Digi of the Month Challenge.  Basically, you use this month's free digi in the anything goes challenge.  All those who participate this month will get next month's digi free.  You can see all the details here.  I'm using a pre-colored version of this month's free digi on my card.  I used the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches for the card design.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (burnt orange), Georgia Pacific (white), DCWV (kraft)
Patterned Paper:  Unknown (possibly MME)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digi (Fall Bulldog - Pre-colored), Impression Obsession (Hi!)
Ink:  Stazon (black)
Embellishments/Tools:  Creative Memories 1 1/4" Square punch, Stampin' Up 1 1/2" Scalloped Square Punch, Spellbinders (Classic Squares Large & Small, Lacey Squares), button from stash, The Twinery baker's twine (Cappuccino)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Tuesday Morning Sketches #219 - sketch with a twist (the twist is to use a fancy die - I used Lacey Squares)
The Kraft Journal Challenge #141 - Use a button, bow or bangle (I used a button and a bow)
Papertake Weekly - Two by Two (Use 2 of something - I have two stamps and two dies)
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #227 - Cats, Dogs, Pets, Animals
4 Crafty Chicks #162 - Fall/Autumn Colors
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Fall Inspiration Picture (I used the leaves and colors as my inspiration)
Inky Chicks #14 - Use 2 Die cuts (I have squares & lacey squares)

Thanks for stopping by. 

Think Pink!

Deedee's Digis has some free digis for you on the blog.  These digis are in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.  You can see the free digis here.  If you like Oscar the cat, you'll love them.

I chose to make a card with the pre-colored version of Oscar and the un-colored version of the sentiment.  I printed Oscar and fussy cut him.  I added some stickles to the ribbon on his collar to give it a little sparkle.  I popped him up on a die cut.  I used a cause ribbon die cut to anchor the sentiment.  I colored in the hearts on the sentiment with a Bic Mark-It marker and then added some stickles to them.

The embossed panel is popped up off the card base and Oscar is popped up off the pink die cut.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (pink)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Think Pink)
Embellishments/Tools:  Cuttlebug (Cause Ribbon die, Swiss Dot embossing folder), Spellbinders Floral Oval Die, baker's twine (The Twinery), Stickles (Star Dust), buttons from my stash, Zutter Round-it-all

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Shopping Our Stash #121 - Pink and/or Breast Cancer Awareness
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Inky Chicks #14 - Use two different die cuts
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Going Dotty (I used a Dotted Swiss embossing folder)
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #147 - Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #227 - Cats and Dogs/Pets/Animals
Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #114 - Pink/Breast Cancer Awareness
Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge #39 - Any Digi Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a good weekend!!