I Will Praise Thy Name

It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  As always, our challenges are Anything Goes (as long as it is family-friendly and has an uplifting sentiment).  Our focus verse comes from Isaiah 25:1 this week: "O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful  things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."  How wonderful to have a God whose counsel is ALWAYS faithful and true.  The Lord deserves our praise and exaltation.  He truly is good....all the time.  This was brought home to me today when I read a CaringBridge entry from my husband's former student.  His student's teenage daughter, Jana, had a doctor's appointment today to find out if the radiation treatment she had completed had been effective.  The mom said, " I said I would give Him the glory no matter what the doctor said today."  This statement really struck home with me.  What a testimony of faith in God's goodness! {Thankfully, they received much encouraging news today.}  If you think of her, please remember Jana as she starts a chemo regimen on August 19th.

Today's 3.75" x 5.25" card has a school theme.  I think this little mouse from Deedee's Digis Chalk Talk set is just adorable.  I used several of the pre-colored images.  

There is a chalkboard that has the mouse in front of it but it wasn't the right shape.  After adding today's verse to the chalkboard and recoloring it to look like chalk, the mouse and eraser were layered on top.  After printing and fussy cutting, some shadowing was added with Copics. An apple button from my stash accents the upper left corner of the chalkboard.The image was popped up over the background papers with pop dots.

  The corner accents were made by cutting a 1" square diagonally and then die cutting the long edge.  After being adhered to opposite corners, they were coated with a glitter pen.  Glossy Accents was added to the corner pieces and the red part of the eraser.  The corner pieces ended up looking sort of coppery.  That was an experiment that turned out well.  :)

I did a small amount of interior decorating with a coordinating print from the collection.  I was using up some scraps and didn't have enough of either of the papers used on the front for the interior.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (image), Recollections (cream, kraft)
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Oxford collection)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Isaiah 25:1), Deedee's Digis (Chalk Talk)
Copics: N0, N1, E29
Tools/Embellishments:  My Favorite Things die (Mini Scallop Edge), button (stash), Glossy Accents, Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen, Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), Staedtler fine tip marker (brown)

I'm entering this in the following challenges:
Sketch 'n Dies Challenge #11 - Sketch + dies (scallop edge die on this card)
Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #46 - Anything Goes 
Digi Choosday Challenge Week 30 - Lots of Layers
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #25 - Anything Goes
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #70 - Polka Dots
Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #134 - Polka Dots
My Time to Craft Challenge #254 - Use Kraft
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Cover card front w/patterned paper
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #188 - Anything Goes 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by for a visit today.  If you haven't already had a chance to check out the rest of the Design Team's projects, I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog soon to do so.  Don't forget to pick up your free WORDart digi while you are there.

Congrats Gift Set

My husband's co-worker just received a nice promotion.  This is the gift set I made to congratulate her.  I forgot to take pics before bagging it.  However, that also gives you a look at my new packaging for the items I sell.  :)

The box holds an altered RSVP pen.  I found the tutorial for the Ink Pen Box on the Chic 'n Scratch blog.  I really like Angie's video tutorials.  She breaks things down and is very easy to follow.  I did have to alter the size of her box to better fit the RSVP pens.  Her pens were a little shorter. 

The square with the flower is a post-it note holder.  It holds a 3x3 post it note pad.  I used quite a bit of inking on all the papers and cardstock for both projects.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections 
Patterend Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Owl Occasions - retired), Inkadinkado (Floral Flourishes)
Ink:  VersaMark (Vintage Sepia)
Tools/Embellishments - flower (Studio G), pearls (Want2Scrap), Spellbinders dies (Labels Four, Labels Four Small), Staedtler fine tip pen (brown), doily (Sunny Side Up Bakery), ribbon (May Arts)

I'm entering this in the following challenges:

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #162 - Triple Threat (from the list I used die cuts, pearls and a doily)
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #206 - Other than a card or tag

Thanks for stopping by today.  I truly appreciate your visit.

God's Song of Comfort

It's Wednesday and that means it is time for another Word Art Wednesday challenge.  This week's focus verse is Psalm 42:8, "Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." When I was a teenager, I remember my dad telling me that when things were difficult getting thru the day was easier because you were busy but that the nights were hard because when you lay down to sleep you had time to think about your difficulties.  At the time, he was encouraging me to make wise decisions so that I didn't have to live with difficult consequences of foolish decisions.  However, I've found his words to be true during health problems and other times of trial (that didn't come because of my foolish decisions).  During the day there can be much to distract you but the nights....well, that is when I am especially glad that the Lord is with me.  Our verse this week says that the Lord's song will be with us.  How often during those nighttime vigils with a sick loved one or wakeful hours for some other trial, the Lord has put a song in my heart.  So often, I've prayed the song back to Him and received such comfort.  The Lord is good to us, Day and Night!

This week's card uses a sketch by The Kraft Journal.  I turned the sketch a 1/4 turn clockwise for this card.  The papers started to feel a bit dark to me so I brightened things up with a dot from a white gel pen in the middles of the figures in the papers.  The flower was colored with Copics and fussy cut.  Black Diamond Stickles accent the center.  It is popped up over the burgundy panel.

The vertical ribbon is bordered on each side by a scallop die cut. 

Interior decorating is pretty simple.  A cream panel is matted on the green paper and has a strip of the burgundy along the left side.  All the edges of my papers are inked and as usual there's plenty of faux stitching in evidence.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  DCWV
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Psalm 42:8); Mark's Finest Papers (Dogwood Blossoms)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
Copics:  R81, 83, 85; YG03, 05, G17, 28; E31, 35
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders dies (Labels Four, Labels Four Small), My Favorite Things die (Mini Scallop Edge), May Arts ribbon, Black Diamond Stickles, Want 2 Scrap pearls, Uni-ball Signo white gel pen, Staedtler fine tip marker (brown)

I'm entering this card in the following challenge:
The Kraft Journal Challenge #181 - sketch
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #25 - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Cover front with Patterned Paper
Just Keep on Creating - Anything Goes
Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #45 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for visiting again today.  There's still a little time to get your free digi set at Deedee's Digis.  It's only available thru the end of the day Thursday, July 24th.  You can find the details here.  Also, please don't forget to see what the rest of the Design Team made this week and pick up your free WORDart digi.  Have a good week!!

Happy Birthday Fisherman

Here is a card I made for my husband's birthday using the current Deconstructed Sketch (#160).  He really likes fishing so this cute little Fisherman Luka {retired} image seemed just right.  If you are a long-time blog follower, you may remember that I try to use new techniques and/or folds whenever I make a card for my hubby.  This time the technique was distress marker/ink water coloring and adding my own background around the image. 

I covered the hearts with Glossy Accents for some shine and popped up the image panel.  I gave the bucket a coat of Sakura Glaze Pen. His buttons were accented with a white gel pen. Of course, I had to finish off the front with faux stitching. 

Tim really likes when a card has interior decorating.  Sentiments from three different stamp sets were heat embossed for the interior sentiment. 

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Strathmore Watercolor Paper, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye - Miss Caroline (Dolled Up 6 x 6 Pad)
Stamps: La-La Land Crafts (Fisherman Luka), Stampendous (Birthday Wish), Mark's Finest Papers (Dogwood Blossoms), Lawn Fawn (Woodgrain Backdrops)
Ink: Stazon (Jet Black), Distress Inks/Markers (various), Versamark, VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  My Mind's Eye enamel dots, Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (Hearts), My Favorite Things die (Pinking Edge), Recollection Fine Detail embossing powder (clear), Stampendous Opaque embossing powder (white), Glossy Accents, Sakura glaze pen, Uni-Ball Signo white gel pen, Staedtler fine tip marker (brown)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Deconstructed Sketch #160 - sketch
MilkCoffee Challenges - Birthday
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #203 - Great Outdoors
Scrapbook Blessing Challenge #25 - Anything Goes
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #45 - Anything Goes
Inky Chicks Challenge #34 - Happy Birthday
Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #133 - Anything Goes
Cards Galore Encore Challenge - Use digi or stamp
Simon Says Stamp - Work It Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by again today.  Please come back tomorrow when I'll have a card for the next Word Art Wednesday challenge.

You're So Cool...

I wanted to show you card I made for this month's Digi of the Month Challenge over at Deedee's Digis.  This set is called, "So Cool."  Isn't this penguin adorable??  The set is so versatile because there are Get Well, Birthday and general sentiments. Here's the full set:

For my card today, I used the current sketch at Sketch 'n Dies.  For this challenge you have to not only use the sketch but also use a die cut on your card.  The background paper is dry embossed and then matted.  The corner pieces are also dry embossed and then I used a Copic marker to accent each of the dots.  The sentiment comes from the Pocket Pal Kitten set.  I cropped the Hello, Friend! sentiment in Word before printing it on white cardstock.

The penguin is the pre-colored version that I shaded slightly with Copics.  I'm not sure how well it shows up in the picture but the ice cubes are coated with Glossy Accents.  In real life, this gives them a more ice-like appearance. I couldn't resist adding a little Wink of Stella to the feat and beak of the penguin.

In my efforts to be more "mail-friendly," only the sentiment is popped up.  This card should still only require one stamp.

I love this sentiment on the inside. In an attempt to give an ice cube look, a Copic was used to accent the words and the sentiment square. This card is going to the coolest 4 year old I know, our grandson, Jack.  :) I think he'll think the sentiment is funny.  And just because I can't resist, here's a pic of Sir Cuteness:

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), DCWV
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (So Cool, Pocket Pal Kitten)
Copics: C0, C-1, BG000, Colorless Blender
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders Dies (Classic Squares Large and Small, Standard Circles Large and Small, Deckled Rectangles Large and Small), Cuttlebug embossing folders (D'Vine Swirl, Swiss Dots), Creative Memories 1-1/4" square punch, Glossy Accents, Wink of Stella brush marker (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sketch 'n Dies Challenge #11 - Sketch + dies
Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #45 - Anything Goes
Chocolate Coffee Cards Challenge #69 - For the Birds
Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #133 - Anything Goes
Cards Galore Encore Challenge - Use a Digi or stamp somewhere on project
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes

There's still time to play along in this month's Digi of the Month Challenge. As Deedee said on the Deedee's Digi blog, "If you haven't discovered our Digi of the Month challenges yet, you are missing out! Each month we offer a featured set that is available in our shop for just $1.25 (or FREE with your purchase of $10 or more). Make a project using this set and link it up to our challenge post, and you'll get the next month's featured set for FREE! This is a great way to build your digi collection at little to no cost, plus it gives you something fun to look forward to each month. What have you got to lose?"

There's also a free gift for you if you stop by Deedee's Digis by the end of the day Thursday, July, 24, 2014.  You can see all the details here.

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

Bookmark This!!

Hi!  It's time for another weekly challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week's focus verse is James 1:12, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."  The main emphasis of this verse centers on the person that faces trials and persecutions for their faith.  In America today, we may not see Christians persecuted as they were in the early days of our country (see This Day in Baptist History Vol. 1, 2 or 3 for more information about this) or that other Christians endure in other countries today.  However, there are more subtle persecutions here that some people do face now and greater testing may come in the future.  For those who endure persecutions and testing, the Lord has promised not only His help but also a reward once we get to Heaven.  The Lord keeps very detailed accounts and He knows exactly what we are going through and will reward us accordingly.  Our God is so good....ALL the time!

I saw this neat bookmark tassel video on YouTube the other night and was inspired to make my own. One of this week's sponsors is Mark's Finest Papers.  I used their Amaryllis Definition stamp set for the bookmark.  The base of the bookmark is craft cardstock. I used the partial die cutting technique with a Labels Four Small die to cut one end and then embossed it with a Cuttlebug Baby's Breath embossing folder.  The edges were inked with distress ink.  The verse was matted with cardstock and then pounced with the same ink for a distressed look.  The potted flower image was stamped, colored with Copics and then fussy-cut.  After being arranged around the verse, they were coated with a Wink of Stella clear glitter marker.  The tassel was made with baker's twine from The Twinery and attached per video instructions.  

The back of the bookmark also has a kraft cardstock base that is completely covered with patterned paper.  More inking and partial die-cutting.  One of the sentiments from the Amaryllis Definition set was used on the back and some heart die cuts were used as accents.  More Wink of Stella adds shimmer to the hearts.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (Green)
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farmhouse 6x6 pad)
Stamps:  PaperCraft Memories (James 1:12), Mark's Finest Papers (Amaryllis Definition clear stamp set)
Ink:  Distress Ink (Vintage Photo), Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Copics:  Y11, 13, 15, 17, 38; YG03, 05
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders dies (Labels Four Small, Petite Ovals Large and Small), Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (hearts), baker's twine (The Twinery), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Baby's Breath), , Zutter Round-it-All (1/2"), eyelet from stash, Crop-a-dile, Zig Wink of Stella glitter pen (clear)

I'm entering this bookmark in the following challenges:
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #44 - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #24 - Anything Goes 
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #160 - Can't put it down or away (Wink of Stella Glitter pen, dies, distress ink)

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

God is thy Refuge

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them."  I'd like to concentrate on the first half of the verse.  Did you notice that it says "eternal God?"  The God that is our refuge is eternal.  Dictionary.com defines eternal as "without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing..."  The God, the only true and living God, that provides our refuge has always existed and will always exist.  He is the One holding us in His everlasting arms.  That means He won't get tired of being our refuge and protecting us.  In a world that seems to have a I'll-stick-with-you-as-long-as-it's-convenient-for-me type mentality, this is amazing and SO comforting.  The second half of the verse is pretty terrific too. He not only provides refuge but He will destroy our enemies.  When it seems like the "bad guys" are winning all the time, remember that 1) It's not over yet; and 2) God has His own perfect timetable and He's NEVER late.

This week's Mojo Monday sketch provided the design for this week's card.  The sketch was rotated 90 degrees for this card.  When you work with a good sketch, it seems like all the work is done for you.  All this card needed was a little embossing (the floral patterned paper was dry embossed - click the picture above for a larger view of the card), some faux stitching, a few brads and a button embellishment.

A little more faux stitching and patterned paper strips decorate the interior.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollection
Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye - Miss Caroline (Dolled Up 6x6 pad)
Stamp: Papercraft Memories (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Tools/Embellishments:  Staedtler fine tip marker (brown), button (Basic Grey), twine (The Twinery), brads (Making Memories Polo Button), My Favorite Things die (Mini Scallop Edge), Spellbinders dies (Deckled Rectangles Large and Small, Eyelet Circle), M'Bossabilities (Whimsy side A)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mojo Monday (MOJO353) - sketch
Aud Sentiments Challenge #110 - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Challenge #13 - Anything Goes
Digi Choosday Week #27 - Use punches and/or dies (I used 4 different dies)
Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #43 - Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper July Challenge - Anything goes as long as card covered with patterned paper

Thanks for stopping by today.  As always, I'd like to encourage you to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to pick up your free digi and see the other Design Team projects.

With Sympathy

Sympathy cards are those cards that you never want to need but eventually always do.  This week, one of the favorite customers at my husband's bank unexpectedly passed away.  Due to his business, he was in the bank almost daily and my husband waited on him most of the time.  He was an outgoing man and, thankfully, he knew Lord as his Savior so he's now in Heaven.  He'd just been in the bank the day before his Homegoing.  Time like this remind you of the brevity life and the necessity of being ready to meet the Lord at all times. 

This is the card I made for Tim and the other tellers to send to his family.  I was inspired by Mojo Monday sketch #329. Sweet 'n Sassy's Peaceful Swan clear stamp set was used for the image and sentiment. The swan and water were colored with copics.  The water was then colored with a VersaMarker and covered with a couple coats of clear embossing powder.  In real life, it gives the water a more realistic look. The sentiment was also heat embossed.  The swan was masked and a die cut from a Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Oval L was used to sponge the clouds.

The Sweet 'n Sassy Lacey Eyelet border die was cut from cardstock and layered under the strip of green patterned paper.  The image panel was popped up over the ribbon and doily.  Rhinestones finish off the front.

Another sentiment from the same set was used on the inside along with another Eyelet border die cut and a strip of patterned paper.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Neenah Solar White (image and front sentiment panels only), DCWV (blue)
Patterned Paper:  DCWV
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Peaceful Swans)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (image), Versafiine Onyx Black (sentiments), Stampin' Up Bliss Blue (sponging)
Copics: N0, 1; B000, 21, 23; Colorless Blender
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Dies (Standard Circle Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large (for cloud sponging), Sweet 'n Sassy die (Lacey Eyelet Border), Cheery Lynn Doily Die (French Pastry), ribbon (Michael's), rhinestones (The Paper Studio), VersaMarker, Recollections Detail Embossing Powder (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club #23 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #220 - Ribbon
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #202 - Anything Goes
Going Gray with Scrap Creations (GGSC181) - Water
Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #42 - Anything Goes
Delightful Challenges - Favorite Embellishments (bling, ribbon)
Paper Crafting Challenge #13 - Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper July Challenge - Card must be covered with patterned paper


Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you'll come back often.

Be Still...

I find this week's Word Art Wednesday focus verse, "Be still and know that I AM God," Psalm 46:10, to be a real challenge at times.  So often when things are busy or we're going through a trial it's so easy to try to do everything on my own.  I want to "fix" things.  However, that's when I most need to "be still" and get out of the way so that God can work. When I do, things happen that ONLY He could do.  He does such wonderful things for me - from small (helping me find the store list I'd dropped on the floor at the store) to eternal (He gave me the free gift of salvation thru His Son).  I wonder how many more He would be able to do if I would just quit trying to do things on my own. 

This week's card does not have any patterned paper.  I revisited the "stamp your own background" technique and went with a floral/garden theme.  The flower deliberately overlap a bit and the panel was sprayed with shimmer spritz.  Some of the flowers were accented with rhinestone centers.  To keep the floral theme going, I also stamped some on the sentiment panel.  I used a small paintbrush and a distress ink pad to color in the words "I AM GOD."  I really like the way it accents what is most important.

Two ribbons were layered across the card and the sentiment panel was popped up over them.  A couple more rhinestones accent the verse panel.

More flowers and a sentiment decorate the interior.  I accidentally got some ink on the back of the card, so I covered it up with stamped flowers.  :)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (green)
Stamps:  Daydream Designs (Dream Team Scripture Set 2), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Comforting Pines -retired clear stamp set), Inkadinkado (Doodle Flowers clear stamp set)
Ink:  Versafine (Onyx Black), Distress Ink Pads (Barn Door, Peacock Feathers, Bundled Sage)
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders dies (Labels Four, Labels Four Small), rhinestones (The Paper Studio), ribbon (Offray - white, Michael's - red), Tsukineko Shimmer Spritz

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #23 - Anything Goes {focus on challenge techniques from April - June - I chose to use a stamped background scene (April) and a digi (June)}
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - White (use white in any of its shades on your project)
Craft Your Passion Challenge #220 - Ribbons (use at least one)
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #202 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge - In the Garden (stash item:  ribbon)
Fan-tastic Tues Challenge #42 - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Two or more Ribbon/twine

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll pick up the free digi at the Word Art Wednesday blog and see how the rest of the design team used it.  Have a good day!

The Couch Scholar

I wanted to introduce you to a new blog you may not have discovered yet. 

The Couch Scholar

According to the author bio, The Couch Scholar is a blog about, "Food, books, writing, and stories from her semi-adventurous life, this is life, how K. sees it."  The author, K. D. Winchester, is a self-proclaimed "book nerd" who reads 2-3 books weekly and is just a couple classes away from her M.A. degree in English Literature. She is already putting her training to good use as a writer and editor.

In K.'s most recent post, Read. Learn. Enrich Yourself: Audio Books, she shares ideas on how to read more while going about the everyday busy-ness of life.  Saturday she posted a French Toast recipe that I really want to try.   If you happen to have dietary restrictions, you will especially appreciate her recipes.  She has some autoimmune issues and food allergies that require her to be on a very restricted diet.  However, while her husband likes healthy food, he doesn't have the same restrictions and she enjoys cooking "regular" food for him too.

I realize this is off my usual topic and not a crafty post.  However, I know that quite a few of my blog followers are also readers and I don't know too many people that don't like to eat.  :)  If you are wondering, yes, the blog author is our daughter.  I've enjoyed reading her writing for years.  {She has a way of expressing herself that makes you feel like you are right there and part of the scene.}  However, since her "day job" is as a writer/editor, I don't think my enjoyment is all motherly bias.  :)  I'd like to encourage you to stop by her blog and see if you don't enjoy her writing too.   

Espressly for You

I was asked to make a birthday card for a female coffee lover.  A coffee cup seemed like a good chance to use one of my favorite techniques....paper piecing.  I used the Cocoa's Coffee digi from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps and via Photoshop elements removed Cocoa. The cup was then paper pieced and the Feminine Birthday Greetings sentiment was printed right on the pink band.  For my tutorial on paper piecing with digi stamps click here.  Some copic markers provided a little shading for the cup. 

Dots from a white gel pen add interest to the scalloped mat.  It is popped up over the cardstock/patterned paper/ribbon strip.  A matted sentiment and some rhinestones finish off the front.

A little interior decorating with a stamped birthday wish and the card is complete.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (kraft)
Patterned Paper: Simple Stories (Vintage Bliss 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps:  Daydream Designs digi set (Coffee with Friends Sentiments), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps digi stamp (Cocoa's Latte), Stampendous (Birthday Wishes clear stamp set)
Ink:  Versafine (Onyx Black)
Copics: C0, C-1, 100
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders dies (Petite Ovals Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Small), ribbon (Michael's), Uniball Signo White gel pen, Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), rhinestones (The Paper Studio)

Challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club Challenge #23 - Anything Goes - focus on a challenge from April - June (I chose to focus on Challenge #21: use digi stamp)

Craft Your Passion Challenge #220 - ribbon (use at least one)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Fan-tastic Tues Challenge #42 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #202 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next Word Art Wednesday challenge.