Bought with a Price

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and were able to celebrate Christ's birth with friends and family. Both of our children, their spouses, our grandson and new grand-puppy were here for Christmas. What a rare treat (both of our children live 8 hours away from us and from each other)!! This mama soaked in lots of good memories to treasure now that they've all returned to their homes.

It's time for the last Word Art Wednesday challenge for 2015. Starting in 2016, the Word Art Wednesday challenges will each last 2 weeks. This will give you more time to play along. As always, we have some wonderful sponsors so you'll want to be sure to keep joining us and linking up your projects. This week we're looking at 1 Corinthians 6:20, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." The baby in the manger that we celebrated last week, grew up to become the Savior that died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Glorifying God, obeying His commands and living for Him, should therefore just come naturally to us. After all, we belong to Him.

One of our fantastic sponsors this week is Fresh Brewed Designs. I've been wanting to color this image they designed for a long time. I've never really colored eyeshadow on an image before so this was something new for me. I used a little glaze pen on the lipstick to give it some shine. The image is double matted.

After coloring the image, I decided to put her on a notebook cover instead of a card. I thought this week's verse was so appropriate for a Bible Journal or Prayer Journal. This particular notebook will hold a Jr. Legal size paper pad and you can replace the pad when you need more pages. The pad measures 5" x 8".  I cut a piece of teal cardstock 10 3/4" x 8 1/4".  It is scored on the long side at 5 1/4" and 5 1/2". The patterned paper panels on the front and the interior are 5" x 8". The finished closed size of the notebook is 5 1/4" x 8 1/4".

The interior of the notebook has a pocket for small keepsakes or a book mark. The finished pocket measures 5-1/8" wide x 5" tall. This is also the size of the pocket that holds the paper pad. The cardboard backing slips down into the pocket. For more detailed directions on how I made the notebook, please leave me a comment below or email me using the Contact Me link in my profile.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Coredinations Ranger/Tim Holtz line
Patterned Paper: DCWV (The Blossom Song 12 x 12 Stack)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen, Fresh Brewed Designs
Copics: BG10, 11, 13, 15, 70; R20, 22, 24; C5; 100; E00, 11,13, 25, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 50
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders dies (Labels 4, Labels 4 Small), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), Sakura Glaze pen

I'm entering this notebook in the following challenges:
Sweet Stamps December Challenge - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #231 - Freestyle
Mod Squad Challenge - Use at least one die cut

Thanks for visiting with me today. I do hope you'll play along with the challenge at Word Art Wednesday. Be sure to stop by the blog for your free digi and to see what the rest of the Design Team have made. Happy New Year!!

I Will Be Glad and Rejoice

Hello! I hope your week is going well. It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday and this week we're focusing on a verse in Psalms. Psalm 9:2 says, I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most high. When you think of all the blessings in your life, how can you help but rejoice in the Lord and sing His praises? A friend and I were just emailing tonight about how grateful we are for our friendship, even though we've never met in real life. The Lord definitely gave me a great blessing when He allowed our online paths to cross. It's easy to rejoice in the good times but it's more challenging to rejoice when we're going through deep waters. My nephew's wife is experiencing some major health issues and yet she continues to praise the Lord and express her trust in Him. She is praising the Lord even though she's suffering. Her posts may be to encourage herself but she's also an encouragement to me. Today's card will be going to her.

I've wanted to try two-step stamps for a long time. I was gifted a set of floral images from The Ton Stamps and couldn't wait to get them inky. I've been impatiently waiting to get settled from the move in order to do so. I used 10 different colors of ink on this card. That has to be a record for me. I started by making my own patterned paper with several of the flowers and leaves. After printing this week's WORDart and cutting it to a tag shape, I accented the tag with some of the images. The tag was double mounted with cardstock and popped up over the stamped background. The front was finished off the a burlap ribbon knot and a scattering of small rhinestones. The rhinestones trail across the card on the diagonal to help keep the eye moving.

I was having so much fun that I didn't stop with the card front...I decorated the inside of the card too.

And then, I decided that the envelope should get some attention as well. I'll be reaching for this set again and again.


Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), The Paper Studio (green), The Kraft Outlet (Lunch Bag Kraft) 
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Psalm 9:2), The Ton Stamps (Mini Wild Florals)  
Inks: Memento (Bamboo Leaves, Pear Tart, Rose Bud, Lulu Lavender, Lilac Posies, Angel Pink, New Sprout, Summer Sky, Grape Jelly, Paris Dusk)
Tools/Embellishments: Burlap Ribbon (The Kraft Outlet), Rhinestones (Queen & Co, Rhinestone Trios - Crystal)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mojo Monday 428 - Sketch
The Kraft Journal Challenge #254- Take Your Pick (I chose to use ribbon, green, tag, envelope)
Sweet Stamps December Challenge - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Crop Stop Linky Party #11 - Use something from the Crop Stop Store (I used lots of Memento Ink)
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
Mod Squad Challenge - Anything But....

Thanks so much for visiting with me today. In this busy season of the year, your time is extra valuable so I truly appreciate you stopping by. Please visit the Word Art Wednesday blog for your free WORDart and to see more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.

Joy and Gladness

It's already time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we are looking at Luke 1:14, And thou shalt have joy and gladness: and many shall rejoice at his birth. In the passage surrounding this week's verse, we learn that an angel is speaking to Zacharias and telling him that he and his wife would have a son and that they were to name him John (later to be known as John the Baptist). What was extra special about this child's birth was that Zacharias and his wife, Elisabeth were an elderly couple and had never been able to have children. Can you imagine the joy and excitement they felt? They had been praying for years and years for a baby. Now, when they probably felt all hope was gone, they were told they would have a son! Zacharias and Elisabeth had been faithful to the Lord and the angel was telling him he would have joy and gladness in the birth of his son and that many would rejoice with them. What exciting news! Be sure to read the remainder of the chapter for the "rest of the story." Another aspect of the story is that Elisabeth and Mary (Jesus' mother) were cousins. This chapter also tells how Elisabeth recognizes that Mary is carrying the Messiah and encourages her. I tell you, this chapter is full of miraculous ways the Lord worked in the lives of people who were faithful to Him. And He is still working in absolutely amazing ways in the lives of His faithful people today.

I have a circle card to share with you today. I really liked this pre-colored image from the Beauty of the Season digi set by Deedee's Digis. It had a circle shape to it so I layered this week's WORDart on it and then used the partial die-cutting technique to cut it out. After using the die on part of the circle and fussy cutting the rest, I ran a black Copic marker around the edges to get a solid black outline. The rest of the card came together quite easily. The image/sentiment panel is popped up over the card base which is topped by a layer of patterned paper.

Here is a peek at the interior decorating. You can also see where I accented the flowers and the sentiment panel with 3 colors of Stickles. Copic markers were used to add some shading to the flowers.

Deedee's Digis is currently have a 75% off sale on the entire shop. The shop is permanently closing it's doors on Dec. 31st. The sale will last until the store closes so this is your last chance to stock up on all her fantastic sets.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (green)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Figgy Pudding)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Luke 1:14), Deedee's Digis (Beauty of the Season)
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Dies (Standard Circles Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Grand Circles), Copic Markers (C1, 3; 100), Stickles (Goldenrod, Christmas Red, Star Dust)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Pile It On Challenge #98 - Anything Christmas/Winter
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Christmas
Craft Your Passion Challenge #291 - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamp Challenge #170 - Christmas is Coming
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps December Challenge - Anything Goes
Get Creative Challenge #29 - Holidays
Scrapbook Blessings Club 3rd Annual Christmas Party - Anything Christmas
ODBD Shining the Light Challenge #265 - Color Challenge (I used green, red and black)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. A couple reminders: this is the last month for weekly challenges at Word Art Wednesday. Starting with the first challenge in 2016, each challenge will run two weeks. Also, don't forget to stop by Deedee's Digis to stock up before the shop closes Dec. 31st.

Immanuel

I am finally emerging from the piles of boxes! We survived the move and are gradually getting things unpacked and put away. We've spent the majority of our time getting my mother-in-law's part of the house unpacked and organized so that she'll be comfortable as soon as possible. I have a card to share with you this week, for the newest Word Art Wednesday challenge. It felt like it had been forever since I'd made a card! As we head into the Christmas season, our theme verse this week very appropriately focuses on the true meaning of Christmas...Christ's birth. This week we turn to the Old Testament for a verse that prophesied the Lord's birth, Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. God the Father gave the sign so that there would be no question that this was His Son. As we all make our preparations for Christmas, let's not forget why we are celebrating. Jesus was born in a manger so that he could provide salvation for us. Christmas is the day we celebrate Jesus' birth. What will you give Him for His birthday this year? What will I?

I wanted to keep the focus on this beautiful verse so I chose an old Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO217) that let the verse panel be the focal point. I wanted to play along with this week's The Kraft Journal challenge, so I used some green paper and the button and star sequins bring in some gold.

I added some stickles and sequins to accent the pattern in the papers. The card base, ribbon, twine and cream cardstock are all from The Kraft Outlet. The button is one that has been in my stash for a long time. I used pop dots on the back to attach it to the card and to keep the shank from making it wobbly. The edges of all the papers were inked with Distress Ink.

Supplies:
Cardstock: The Kraft Outlet (Buff Ivory, Brown Kraft)
Patterned Paper: DCWV (The Heirloom Christmas Stack - 12 x 12)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Isaiah 7:14)
Ink: Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
Tools/Embellishments: The Kraft Outlet (Natural Burlap Ribbon, Red Baker's Twine), Stickles (Star Dust), Spellbinders dies (Classic Squares Large & Small), Pretty Pink Posh (4mm Marshmallow sequins), V's Sweet Ideas (Star Mini Sequins), button from my stash

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Kraft Journal Challenge #262 - Color Challenge (use at least one: Orange, Green, Gold)
Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting with me today. I'll be back to a regular schedule now. I hope! ;) Please play along in the challenge at Word Art Wednesday this week. We love to see your projects!

Corgi Cuteness

Our daughter and son-in-law adopted a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy, Dylan, earlier this month.

 When Deedee's Digis came out with this new Corgi Cuteness set, I knew it was perfect to use to make a Congratulations card for them.

I kept it pretty CAS so that the adorable little Corgi could take center stage. I chose to use the image with the ball and colored it blue just like one of Dylan's favorite toys. I colored the puppy and his ball with Copics and then fussy cut the image. After matting the sentiment, it was adhered to the layered background papers. The fussy cut puppy was then popped up over the background.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (kraft), DCWV (red)
Patterned Paper: DCWV (The Pet Stack)
Digi Stamps: Deedee's Digis (Corgi Cuteness)
Copics: B21, 23, 25; R22, 24, 27, N3, 5, 7; W1; 100; E04, 11, 31, 33, 35, 37

Deedee's Digis is sponsoring this week's Crafting From the Heart challenge. This challenge is always Anything Goes, so why not play along? Please be sure to visit Deedee's Digis for LOTS of adorable digi stamps.

I know I've been MIA lately.  Moving day is Saturday!! So much to do but we're really looking forward to getting settled in our new (to us) house. Hopefully by mid to late November I can be back to a normal blogging schedule.

Meowy Christmas

A couple weeks ago I received a surprise package in the mail. It was the adorable Christmas Cats Stamp and Die sets that are part of this week's Simon Says Stamp Create Joy winter release. You can buy the Christmas Cats stamp set and dies separately or in a bundle. To see the entire amazing collection of stamps and dies click here.

I'm still sort of new to creating scenes with my stamped and colored images but this set really makes it pretty easy.  The kitties were colored with Copics to represent two cats we had when the kids were younger and still at home. I used the coordinating dies to cut out all the colored images. I ended up fussy cutting the scarf and tree just because I didn't want white borders on them. I'm really wanting to put some polka dots or stripes on that scarf and some small snow dots in the sky but, for some reason I already packed my white gel pen. Why I didn't leave it out with my other essentials I don't know. ugh!

I used the My Favorite Things Snow Drifts Dies (also available at Simon Says Stamp) to create the snow drifts for the cats to sit on and to anchor the Christmas tree. I popped up the top snow drift for some dimension. Small rhinestones accent the snowflakes in the background paper and are scattered in the night sky. A Wink of Stella brush glitter marker in clear was used on the tree ornaments, the star at the top of the tree and on the items the cats are holding. This just adds a little subtle shimmer.

These stamps would be fantastic on Christmas gift tags as well. The cats and several of the other small accent images would be good all year round. Being able to use this set for occasions all year helps stretch those crafting dollars. If you are looking for a great place to purchase your crafting supplies that has good prices, quick shipping and great customer service, then I would highly recommend Simon Says Stamp!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (blue)
Patterned Paper: American Crafts
Stamp set & Coordinating Dies: Simon Says Stamp (Christmas Cats)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versafine (Onyx Black)
Copics: Black Cat (N0, 3, 5, 7; C1; R20), Yellow Cat (E11, 31; YR20, 21; Y21, 32; N5; C0; R20), Scarf and Mittens (R22, 24, 27, 29), Star (Y13, 15, 17); Yarn Ball (B000, 21, 23); Antlers (R20; E33, 35, 37); Gift (Y13, 15, 17; B21, 23, 26); Tree (E25, 29; G03, 07, 09; Star-Y13, 17; Fish - YR07, Y38; Yarn - B000, 21, 23; Fancy Ball - Y11, 13, 15; Solid Balls - R24, 27, 29; Striped Ball - Y13, 15, 17, B23, 26; Small Star - B000, 21, 23)
Tools/Embellishments: Queen & Co rhinestones, My Favorite Things Die-namics (Snow Drifts), Zig Wink of Stella glitter brush marker (Clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mod Squad Challenge - Winter theme using a die
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Tic-Tac-Toe {Glitter or Sparkles (Wink of Stella), Stamped Image, Patterned Paper}
Sweet Stamps Challenge - October Anything Goes
Scrapbook Blessings Club - Anything Goes
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #221 - Favorite Cutting Tool (my all time favorite is my Cuttlebug available here on Amazon.)

Thanks for visiting. Moving Day is 2 weeks from today. We'll be so happy to be moved and settled!!

Disclaimer: Simon Says Stamp provided me the stamps and dies free of charge. However, they did not require me to write a positive review. I truly love this set and will reach for it often.

World Card Making Day

Happy World Card Making Day ("WCMD")!!! Today is a day set aside worldwide to celebrate our craft. Naturally, Deedee's Digis couldn't let it pass us by without a special event to celebrate! So here's what we've got for you today: "Pick Your Pal" Tic-Tac-Toe!

As you can see, Deedee created a fun game board for you. (Click on it to enlarge it if you need to!) How do you play? Easy-peasy!

1. Choose a row on the Tic-Tac-Toe board, make a card using one of Deedee's Digis  that matches that row, share it on your blog or public gallery, and then link it up to our WCMD challenge post in this post here using the linky tool. No back-linking please. You must create a new card for this challenge.

2. Each numbered row on the Tic-Tac-Toe card coordinates to a "Pal" digi that you will receive as a prize for completing that row. There are a total of eight "Pal" digis that you can win, including four from our "Pumpkin Pals" set...

...and four from our brand new, not-yet-in-the-shop "Stocking Pals" set!

3. When you link up your card, please state which row number you followed to create it, and verify that your email address is 100% correct in the link-up so that Deedee can email you your prize!
 

4. You may participate multiple times to get multiple digis. Each entry must be linked separately, even if you include them in a single blog or gallery post.

5. If you complete the whole Tic-Tac-Toe card ("Blackout") via one card OR by completing three cards representing either all three vertical rows or all three horizontal rows, you will receive both full sets including the additional elements shown in the photos above!

6. In addition to the "Pal" digi prizes shown above, we will also have TWO additional prize drawings at the end of the challenge:

• One entrant will win a spot as our Guest Designer on the Deedee's Digis blog for the month of November! Now, we know that some of you would not be interested in this, so to make sure that we're only drawing from those who are, please, if you are interested in entering this drawing, remember to put "GDT" next to your name in your link-up(s).

• We will draw for a number between "1" and "9" (eight numbered Tic-Tac-Toe rows plus the number "9" for "Blackout"). Everyone who entered a card for that number of row on the Tic-Tac-Toe card will win a $10 gift code to the shop! Yay!!! Lots of winners!!!

7. DEADLINE: You have until Friday, 16 October, 2015 to complete this challenge. Drawing winners will be announced on the Deedee's Digis Blog on Saturday, 17 October, 2015.

There is a lot of inspiration on the Deedee's Digi Blog so please be sure to visit there and to link up your card(s).

For my card, I chose to use Row 8: Keep it clean and simple, Mail your card right away, Use a non-freebie Deedee's Digi image. This would mean that if I were linking up my card in the challenge I would win Puppy Pumpkin Pal for free.

These images are from the Dad's Day Off set were Copic colored and then fussy cut. To make the dog an American Pemroke Welsh Corgi, I "docked" his tail. I then designed the background to resemble a wallpaper wall (the stripes are crooked on the paper), a baseboard and carpet. To make the baseboard, I coated a strip of white cardstock with Versamark and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I repeated the Versamark and embossing powder layers for a thicker end result. The carpet was dry embossed and then distress ink was used to bring out the embossed pattern. The images were popped over with foam squares over the background layer. The sentiment was computer generated and the fishtail banner was hand cut.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (images, sentiment banner), The Kraft Outlet (kraft), Georgia Pacific (cardbase, baseboard, interior writing panel)
Patterned Papers: My Mind's Eye (All Boy)
Stamps: Deedee's Digis (Dad's Day Off)
Ink: Distress Ink (Antique Linen), Versamark
Copics: Skin (E00, 11; R20), Hair (E25, 31, 35), Pants (B21, 23, 26), Shirt (Y35, 38; YR07), Socks (N0, 3, 5), Chair (E25, 29, 33, 35, 37; C0, 1), Slippers (B26, 32, 34, 39), Dog (R20; N3, 5; E09, 11, 31, 33, 35, 40, 50
Tools/Embellishments: Cuttlebug embossing folder (Basket weave), Stampin' Up embossing powder (Crystal Clear)

I'm entering this card in the following additional challenges:
Going Grey with Scrap-Creations - Birthday
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Inky Impressions Challenge #274 - Dots & Stripes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #393 - Masculine
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards #101 - Animals (Deedee's Digis is the sponsor - I'm just linking up for fun!)

I do hope you'll play along with us in this fun 2-week challenge! We'll have lots of winners and when you link up your card, you'll receive one of the 8 free digis! Isn't that cool?!

God is My Salvation

Another week has gone by and it's already time for another Word Art Wednesday challenge. This week we're looking at Isaiah 12:2 which says, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." It only takes a small look around our society to see many things that could cause us to be fearful. However, when we remember that the Lord is our salvation, we don't need to be afraid. My husband (a pastor) often remarks that we're quick to trust the Lord for our salvation and eternal Home in Heaven and yet we don't trust Him to help us in the day-to-day struggles of life. When he puts it that way, our lack of trust sounds so silly. God is our Source of salvation. It's through Him that we can have eternal life. Therefore, we can trust Him and not be afraid. This will lead to our resting in Him for strength and being able to have a song in our hearts even when life is difficult. In this way, not only does He provide salvation to our souls for eternity but He also provides salvation (protection from harm) in our daily lives.

One of our fantastic sponsors this week is Lawn Fawn. After using Distress Inks for some ink blending on white cardstock, I used their Woodgrain Backdrops stamp with some brown dye ink to make the background panel of today's card. I then turned this background into a shaker card to showcase today's focus verse. An adorable little bird was colored with Copics and fussy cut before being popped up on the background panel. A few sequins finish it off.

This view shows a little peek at the interior decorating. I really like the way this woodgrain background turned out and wanted to carry the theme to the inside.

The shaker was filled with some great metallic sequins with a few white ones thrown into the mix for added interest.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Creativity Inc. (Mink)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Isaiah 12:2), Lawn Fawn (Woodgrain Backdrops clear stamp set), Deedee's Digis (Little Birdie digi set)
Inks: Distress Inks (Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Walnut Stain), Memento Dye Ink (Rich Cocoa)
Copics: E25, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37; YR07; YG03, 05; Y11, 13, 15, 17, 38; B21, 23, 26; N3; 100; Colorless Blender
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders dies (Circles Large), Sequins (The Paper Studio, Darice Iridescent, V's Sweet Ideas Hologram Star, Pretty Pink Posh Marshmallow)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Eureka Stamps Challenge #160 - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes
Crop Stop Linky #8 - Use something found in the Crop Stop store (Memento ink, Distress Inks)
Papertake Weekly - Take Your Pick (I used the Product Theme of Distress Inks - I used 3)
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #38 - Favorite Technique (making my own backgrounds with inks and stamps)
Scrapbook Blessings Club - Anything Goes w/Optional Twist of Your Favorite Technique (making my own backgrounds with stamps and inks)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

My husband and I are closing on a house today (our first in over 30 years of marriage - can you say excited?!). So, the next few weeks are going to be filled with packing, moving and getting settled. I'll be taking a few weeks off but my good friend, Tamara Dixon, is going to be filling in for me at Word Art Wednesday. On Splitcoaststampers she is lovesheltercats and you can find her gallery here. Please be sure to stop by and leave her some love.

I also wanted to let you know that Deedee's Digis will be celebrating World Card Making Day this Saturday, Oct. 3rd with a challenge (you'll have 2 weeks to participate). There are free digis to be won so why not play along?  See the blog on Saturday for full details.

Thanks for visiting with me today. I have a few cards I haven't shared with you yet that I'm hoping to post during my Moving Break. Thanks for visiting with me and I hope you'll come back soon.

Faith is...

It's hard to believe that Simon Says Stamp's STAMPtember celebration is coming to a close! My card today features a new die, Quadrangle Frames, that they generously sent me to play with. It was so fun to use the inlaid die cut technique for these frames. Those small pieces in the corners did present a bit of a challenge. They liked to wander around my craft desk. This set is also a great paper saver because the small die will fit inside the larger one when you are running them through your die cutting machine. You not only save paper but effort since you are able to cut both sizes at once.

I used foam squares to pop the frame panel over the sentiment and sunflowers. The sunflowers were colored with Copics and a couple coats from a Wink of Stella Glitter marker add some shimmer. Some black pearls finish off the card front.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), The Kraft Outlet (kraft)
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Remarkable 6x6 pad)
Stamps: Robyn's Fetish (Sunflower 2 digi image), Our Daily Bread Designs (Quote Collection 4 cling stamps)
Ink: Versafine (Onyx Black)
Copics: E25, 31, 35; YG03, 05; Y13, 15, 17
Tools/Embellishments: Simon Says Stamp die (Quadrangle Frames), Zig Wink of Stella brush glitter marker (clear), Queen & Co. pearls 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Outlawz Monday Greeting Challenge - Anything Goes (as long as it has a sentiment on the front)
Digi Chooseday Week #39 - Use Something New (these dies are new to me)
Scrapbook Blessings Club - Anything Goes (Optional Twist - Use your favorite technique - one of my favorites is the inlaid die cutting technique)
Eureka Stamps Challenge #160 - Anything Goes
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #38 - Favorite Technique (I really like the inlaid die cutting technique and I like copic coloring)

Thanks again to Simon Says Stamp for their generosity in sending me this die set and allowing me to participate in their STAMPtember celebration!

Peace and Encouragement

It's Wednesday and time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we're focusing on Romans 14:10, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another." Have you noticed that some people seem to really enjoy "stirring the pot" or being antagonistic? They seem to derive pleasure from stirring up trouble and tearing others down. According to the Bible this is NOT the kind of person we are supposed to be. We are to seek those things which bring peace and build up (edify) each other. I once read of a man who made it a practice to verbally encourage each person with whom he interacted even if he was only with them for a short time. How long does it take or how much effort does it require to remark to a clerk, "the colors in your shirt are really pretty"? I'm not saying be dishonest. However, it's rare that you can't find something positive to say. Wouldn't you rather people left your presence with a smile in their heart instead of dreading to see you walk into the room? Let's try to encourage those we meet this week and leave them with a smile.

Deedee's Digis is one of our wonderful sponsors this week. I used one of the pre-colored images in the Little Readers set on my card today. I had to use the little blond boy in honor of our grandson. I had the privilege of having him read to me for the first time a couple weeks ago. I added some shadows below the boy and on his book with various gray Copic markers. Two ribbons were layered along the left side and anchored with brads. I used Multi Medium Matte to attach the burlap ribbon. It worked great! Since it goes over the ribbon, the verse is popped up over the card base so that it would stay level. The entire matted patterned paper panel is popped up over the white card base.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Christy Lyle
Stamps: WORDart by Karen, Deedee's Digis (Little Readers)
Tools/Embellishments: burlap ribbon (The Paper Studio), blue ribbon (Offray), brads (American Crafts), Ranger Multi-Medium Matte, Spellbinders dies (Classic Rectangles Large, Deckled Rectangles Small), Copic Markers (W1, N3, 5)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion Challenge #280 - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #220 - Show us your smile (image with a smile or the word "smile")
ABC Challenge - R is for Recipe (I used the middle horizontal row:  ribbon, dies and/or punches, blue)
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for spending a little time with me today. I hope you'll have time to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to pick up your free digi and see the other Design Team projects.

Seek the Lord

Wow! There were over 300 entries in last week's Word Art Wednesday challenge!! That is fantastic. I would love it if one of my blog readers was one of the winners. That would be great!! This week's focus verse is 1 Chronicles 16:11, "Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually." I don't know what the last few weeks have been like for you, but ours have been a whirlwind. At my mother-in-law's suggestion, we're going to buy a house with her and have been going through the house-buying process (a first ever for us), we've had family illness, a work promotion and transition for my husband, and various other normal life odds and ends. Whew! We have definitely needed the Lord's strength and have been asking for His wisdom. I am so thankful that we can go to Him, the source of all wisdom, when we don't know what we should do. When we're tired and discouraged, He is there with His strength to uphold us and encourage us. As I look back over the last 5 weeks, I am so thankful again for the Lord and all He does for us.

I tried making a truly CAS card this week. I just couldn't bring myself to make it only one layer...I just had to add a mat (one of my friends teasingly refers to me as the "Mat Queen" because I feel the need to mat almost everything). However, I did settle for just one mat, a few sequins and some stickles for the interior of the sequins. This beautiful Autumn Jar image is from one of our awesome sponsors, Bugaboo Stamps. It was so fun to color with my Copics. I tried a new (to me) paper for my coloring this time. It's Neenah Bright White (bought at Walmart). Definitely not the same as Neenah Solar White. It's OK but I think it bleeds a little more than Georgia Pacific (also bought at Walmart) and definitely more than Neenah Solar White or Papertry Ink White Cardstock. I'll still use it as a basic white cardstock and will probably try it again with more Copic coloring for further testing, but so far it's not in my Top 3 Favorite Papers for Copics.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (card base), Neenah Bright White (image panel), Bazzill (yellow)
Image: WORDart by Karen, Bugaboo Stamps (Autumn Jar)
Copics: G03, 07, 09 14, 17; YG03, 05; Y000, 11, 13, 15, 17, 35, 38; BG10, 15; B000, E07, 08, 09, 31, 33, 35, 37; N0, 1; Colorless Blender
Tools/Embellishments: sequins (The Paper Studio), Stickles (Cinnamon), Zutter Round-it-All

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #109 - Autumn image or Autumn Colors
Craft Your Passion Challenge #279 - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps September Challenge - Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs - Must use Digital Stamp (no rubber stamps - I used two digis)
Scrapbook Blessings Club - Anything Goes
Crop Stop Linky #8 - Use something from the Crop Stop Store (I used Cinnamon Stickles)
Mod Squad Challenge - Flower as Focal Image


I so appreciate you stopping by for a visit today! Please don't forget to pic up your free digi and see if you were one of the winners from last week's challenge over on the Word Art Wednesday blog.

Warm Christmas Wishes

This month Simon Says Stamp is celebrating STAMPtember. I was privileged to receive a couple products from their new release to showcase. I received the Warm Christmas Wishes stamp set and the coordinating dies. When I saw the set, I knew I wanted to use the penguin and a pink and green color scheme. I started with a blue patterned paper that has a subtle ombre pattern. White pigment ink was sponged over a cloud stencil on the background paper and then embossed with sparkle embossing powder. The die cut sand dunes are actually from the same blue patterned paper. They are a light blue instead of white. The back sand dune is popped up over the background so that the various images could be on different layers. The image panel is matted with a pink patterned paper and then adhered directly to the card base. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the top sand dune.

After coloring the images with Copic markers and die cutting them, some were attached flat the background or sand dunes and others were popped up. The lights on the trees were given some sparkle with yellow and pink stickles. The surf board and beach ball have two coats of Wink of Stella clear glitter. The lens of the penguins glasses were coated with Glossy Accents and her hat was given polka dots with a white gel pen. Some iridescent sequins topped with stickles finish off the card. The picture above also gives a glimpse of the interior decorating that includes another surf board and two more beach balls.

Supplies (Items available in the SSS store are linked):
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (card base and interior writing panel), Neenah Bright White (images)
Patterned Paper: Glitz Design (Felicity 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp (Warm Christmas Wishes)
Copic Markers: Ball and Surfboards (YG03, 05; R81, 83, 85); Penguin (R81, 83, 85; N0, 3, 5; Y35, 38); Glasses (YG03, 05; BG10); Trees (G03, 07, 09, 14, 17; E31, 33, 35)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaFine (Onyx Black), ColorBox (Frost White)
Tools/Embellishments: Simon Says Stamp dies (Warm Christmas Wishes), My Favorite Things die-namics (Snow Drift, Blueprints 1), Stickles (Yellow, Cotton Candy, Star Dust), Hampton Arts (Sparkle embossing powder), Darice Iridescent Sequins, Want2Scrap stencil (Clouds), Glossy Accents, Zig Wink of Stella glitter brush marker (clear), Uniball Signo gel pen (white)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion Challenge #279 - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps September Challenge - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Blessings Club - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Animal Magic (include a critter of some type)


Thanks so much to Simon Says Stamp for their generosity in providing me with these stamps and dies. I had so much fun playing with them and know I'll reach for them again and again.

200th Challenge Celebration = LOTS of Prizes!!!!

I've been sick all week so I was not able to get a project made for Word Art Wednesday. However, I didn't want to miss telling you about the celebration going on at Word Art Wednesday in honor of our 200th Challenge!! This week there will be 15 winners!! You are allowed to link up 5 projects and each project will earn you an opportunity to win one of our fantastic prizes.

Our Sponsors this week are:

Prairie Point Junction/Wool Felt Central

The Cutting Cafe

Simon Says Stamp

Top Dog Dies

V's Sweet Ideas

The Kraft Outlet

Crop Stop

Loves Rubber Stamps

Iralamija Shop

DL. Art

Bossy Joscie

Really Reasonable Ribbon

Scrappy Moms Stamp Store

Ginny Maxam

Please be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday for all the challenge and prize details and to pick up your free WORDart digi.

Blessed Be the Lord God

Happy Wednesday!! A new challenged started today at Word Art Wednesday. This week's verse is Psalm 72:18, "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel who only doeth wondrous things." The psalmist is making sure that his audience knows exactly which god he's talking about. The God of Israel had done many wondrous things for the nation of Israel and all the countries around them had heard about Him. The psalmist spends this entire psalm reminding his readers of all the wondrous things the Lord had done for them. This verse is near the end of the psalm where he's summing up his previous statements and goes on in the next verse to say, "...blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen." As I know I've said on multiple occasions, we serve the same Lord that the people living in Bible times worshiped. He has also done many, many wondrous things for us and He deserves to be praised and honored by the whole earth. We can, and should, bring praise and honor to Him just by the way we live our lives. I know I fall short many times but it is a goal we should all be striving to reach.

My card today was made using a stamp set that I won in a giveaway held by one of our sponsors. Gloria Shirr is a Close to My Heart representative and she's giving away a beautiful stamp set this week. Please link up your family-friendly Anything Goes projects at Word Art Wednesday for an opportunity to win. Gloria is also having a celebration on her blog with LOTS of prizes. Be sure to visit her at Purpleglo Creations for info on how to win.

I have not made a gate-fold card in awhile so I adapted a sketch by Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 (sketch from last week to make it work for a 5.5" square gate-fold card.

I stamped the cherries from the set onto 1.5" squares turning the stamp a little each time. The cherries were colored with Copics, highlighted with a white gel pen, coated with a Wink of Stella glitter marker and then matted with kraft cardstock. I didn't want to cover up the stamped cherries too much so I used baker's twine instead of ribbon. A few scattered red and silver rhinestones and some faux stitching finish it off.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (kraft)
Patterned Paper: unknown piece from scrap basket
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Psalm 72:18), Close to My Heart clear set (Sweet Life)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Copics: R22, 24, 27; G03, 07, 09; E25, 29; B000
Tools/Embellishments: Studio G baker's twine, Wink of Stella glitter brush marker (clear), Want2Scrap baby bling (red, silver), Spellbinders dies (Classic Ovals Large and Small), Creative Memories 1.5" square punch, Uniball Signo white gel pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Make It Colorful
Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Anything Goes
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #214 - Freestyle

I am so thankful you stopped by for a visit today. Thanks for spending some time with me.

Watermelon Hello

For my final project as a Guest Designer for The Kraft Journal Challenges, I let this week's Watermelon Challenge theme influence my choice of colors for this card and for the image I used. The card base for this Flip Card is a piece of Lunch Bag Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock. I first saw this fun fold on YouTube in this Flip Fold video by France Martin. The digi image was colored with Copic markers and die cut before being double matted on red and green cardstock.  Instead of using patterned paper, I stamped the red cardstock in a random pattern with red ink and then randomly  made lots of white dots all over this panel. The sentiment was stamped on a tag and tied with pieces of Red Baker's Twine and Dark Green Baker's Twine.

The black scalloped circle frame was accents with Enamel accents. As you open the card, the image panel rotates to flip through the front opening and be visible on the inside.

There is room inside for a message. This finished card is standard A2 size.

Supplies:
Cardstock: The Kraft Journal (Lunch Bag Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock), Bazzil (red, green), Georgia Pacific (white)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps digi (Kiwi Koala's Watermelon), Mark's Finest Papers clear stamps (Dogwood Blossoms), Flourishes clear stamps (Berry Sweet Frame)
Ink: Versafine (Onyx Black, Crimson Red)
Copics:
Tools/Embellishments: The Kraft Outlet ( Red Baker's Twine and Dark Green Baker's Twine), Stickles (Star Dust), Spellbinders dies (Standard Circles Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Oval Large), Stampin' Up tag punch, Uniball Signo white gel pen, Ranger Enamel Accents (white), Gelly Roll black gel pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #214 - Freestyle
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Pile it On Challenge #84 - Friends/Friendly Hello
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #108 - Use at least one die cut
Clear it Out Challenge - Fancy Fold + A Die Cut
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #98 - Use a Sentiment
Crazy 4 Challenges - Use a tag
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
Get Creative Challenge #22 - No Printed Paper
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - Anything Goes
One Sweet Challenge - Use a New to You Technique (I've never made this card fold before nor have I made my own background my combining stamps and gel pens)

Thanks for visiting with me today.  I have really enjoyed my time as a Guest Designer at The Kraft Journal and am sorry to see it end. I would like to thank Babette for the opportunity and the rest of the team for making her feel so welcome.

Grace in the Middle

Today I'm taking off my crafter's hat to put on my book lover/reviewer's cap. I'm part of a blog tour promoting Wendy Duke's first book, Grace in the Middle. This book is about Scott and Wendy Duke and some incredible challenges they faced. Like many young couples, they met at college, fell in love and married. When the time came to start their family, things didn't go as smoothly as planned. After several miscarriages, the Dukes were cautiously optimistic when they discovered Wendy was once again carrying a child. Just when they thought the Lord had given them the green light and that all would be well, they learned at an early doctor's appointment that "baby has only one leg." Wendy is honest about the struggle she faced in her spiritual life when she learned this news. However a still small voice kept reassuring her that this was all part of His plan.

After their daughter was born, while they were breathing sighs of relief, they learned even more devasting news: their newborn daughter had cancer. Wendy is so transparent in her physical, emotional and spiritual struggles. I had to chuckle when she admitted that she "wasn't on speaking terms" with God for awhile. So often, even when writing about difficult times in their lives, Christians are afraid to admit that they "aren't on speaking terms" with God or that they are angry with Him. Wendy's honesty about her thoughts, feelings and struggles was quite refreshing.

Wendy reminds us that even when she didn't feel His presence, God was always there for her. He showed His love for her through the love and support of their family, friends and church family. The first few years of Savannah's life were very difficult and yet Wendy and Scott learned so many spiritual lessons and experienced the growth that only deep trials can bring. Their story hit much closer to home when I read that Savannah had surgery and treatment at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. Since we had also spent a lot of time there with our own children, I could see those halls, the cafeteria, etc. We even were there during the same time period. I wonder if we passed each other in the halls.

She shared how one evening in that hospital hall way, on her knees, she surrendered her will to the Lord. Just as she was transparent about her spiritual struggles, she is also so honest about the joy that comes with surrender.

The book includes a chapter written by Savannah. At almost 15, she is living a normal, active teenage life. She has a great outlook on the events of her life. As a parent, I had to rejoice when she said she didn't remember some of the worst episodes in her early years.

This book had me in tears and also literally laughing out loud. The story moves along at a good pace and Wendy doesn't get too "preach-y." We all struggle in our spiritual walk and it was such an encouragement to not only have the author admit she struggled but also take us through the process to eventual victory.This was one of those books I just couldn't put down and it occupied my thoughts for days after I finished it.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

God's Faithfulness

Hello!! I hope your week is going well. It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we're back in Psalms and looking at Psalm 119:90, "Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth and it abideth." Don't you just love that first part? Thy faithfulness is unto all generations. God and His promises are not limited to just those living in Bible times or in "the olden days." He is faithful to ALL generations and that means us too....and our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.....and so on. One of my greatest joys as a parent is to have one of our children tell us how the Lord is working in their lives or to have them give Him credit for blessings in their lives. God is so faithful and so good!!

Today's card keeps the focus all on the verse. The verse panel is die cut and mounted over ribbons on an embossed panel of the same color. The lattice die cut is accented with small rhinestones and Stickles add sparkle to the background paper.

A ribbon slide and bow complete the front. The inside has a small amount of interior decorating as well.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (Teal), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: Recollections (Aqua Paisley)
Stamp: WORDart by Karen
Tools/Embellishments: ribbons (Offray), Spellbinders dies (Petite Ovals Large and Small, Lattice Motifs), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss Dots), Stickles (Star Dust), rhinestones (Queen & Co.), ribbon slide - unknown-RAK

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Blessings Club - Anything Goes with Glitter
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #37 - Anything Goes
CropStop Linky Party #7 - Use something that can be purchased in the Crop Stop Shop (I used Star Dust Stickles)
Craft Your Passion Challenge #276 - Anything Goes
Our Daily Bread Designs Shining Light Challenge #252 - Anything Goes with Scripture

I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday Blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has done and to pick up your free digi. Thanks for visiting with me today.