Strength and Honor

Last week my printer and computer were having a disagreement so I wasn't able to get a card ready for the Word Art Wednesday challenge.  I so enjoy this challenge and hated to miss posting.  Thankfully, my husband has my devices back on speaking terms so we're good to go for this week's challenge.  We're focusing on Proverbs 31:25 this week.  We traditionally think of Proverbs 31 as a Mother's Day type passage and it is good for that.  However, I got a new perspective on it tonight when I showed my card to my mother-in-law.  She said, "Oh, is that a card for {a female we both know}?"  I said, "I'm not sure."  She said, "It would make a good graduation card for her."  As I've looked at the card and thought about the verse, it truly would.  This particular graduate has persevered through great difficulties in order to reach this milestone.  She has also done it with grace, a dependance on the Lord and without advertising just how difficult things have been for her. We've seen such spiritual growth in her the last few years and I'm confident it's because she's exercised her faith in the Lord so much. She once told me the Lord has taught her things through all this that He couldn't have taught her any other way.  Trust me, there will be GREAT rejoicing on graduation day!!  She may be younger than I am but she is a true example and role model to me. 

I wanted this week's card to be feminine and sparkly.  Once of our wonderful sponsors, Fresh Brewed Designs, furnished the DT with some images to use.  I was able to play with the April image.  She was so fun to color with Copic markers.  I added some white gel pen details to her dress and umbrella and couldn't resist adding some Wink of Stella to her dress, shoes and lips.  The die cut image and sentiment panels were double matted and popped up over the background layers.  The patterned paper was also double matted.  A border punch, ribbon and pearls were used along the top of the card.  Some holographic clear sequins and some Peony Floral sequins were scattered over the card.  I used Multi-Medium Matte to adhere my sequins. The holographic sequins were topped with some Star Dust Stickles.

The card ending up having lots of shimmer and shine without too much of a glittery look.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (blue), Papertrey Ink (Stamper's Select White - image and sentiment), Georgia Pacific (card base and white mats)
Patterned Paper:  Recollections
Digi Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Proverbs 31:25), Fresh Brewed Designs (April)
Copics: N0,1; W1; BG000, 01, 05, 10, 15; E00, 11, 25, 31, 50; R20, 22, 24
Tools/Embellishments: ribbon (Offray), pearls (The Paper Studio), Zig Wink of Stella Brush marker (clear), Uni-Ball Signo (white gel pen), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), Spellbinders dies (Petite Ovals Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large and Small), Darice sequins (Holographic), V's Sweet Ideas sequins (Peony Floral 5mm), Stickles (Star Dust)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #33 - Anything Goes
Path of Positivity Challenge #25 - Growth
Crop Stop Linky Party #3 - Use items found in the Crop Stop Store (Cuttlebug machine, Star Dust Stickles, Multi-Medium Matte, and Fiskars replacement blades for my trimmer)
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps Challenge #138 - Add some bling
Party Time Tuesday Challenge #197 - Anything Goes
Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge - Anything Goes (must have sentiment on the front)

I hope you'll be able to play along with us this week.  Also, please be sure to pick up your free digi over on the Word Art Wednesday blog and see the projects by the rest of the DT.  Thank you so much for spending some time with me today.  I hope you'll come back often.

He's Not Far Away

Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another great challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week we're looking at a verse in the New Testament.  Acts 17:27 states, "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us:"  This verse is talking about the omnipresence of God (the fact that He is everywhere at once).  He is near to each of us and has His eye upon us at all times.  It doesn't matter where we are, city, country, on land, in the air, on the water, or even out in space, God is never far from us.  Romans 8:38-39 states, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." WOW!!  That's something to carry you through life and encourage you during the tough times.

For my card today, I wanted something bright and spring-y.  All around outside, we're seeing signs of new growth.  The trees are budding, lawns need mowed and flowers are starting to bloom.  Our neighbors have put up a few bird feeders and some beautiful birds are coming to feed there.  I chose to use this beautiful image of a wildflower bouquet and colored it with copics.  It was matted with black and put on a white embossed panel.  This really helps the colors in the wildflowers pop.  You can't tell in the pics but the flowers and butterfly were coated with a Wink of Stella clear glitter marker.

This week's verse was printed on vellum and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  It was then wrapped around the image panel.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Paper Trey Ink (my new favorite for Copic coloring), Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black), The Paper Studio (vellum)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Acts 17:27), Flourishes clear stamp set (Picking Wildflowers)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Copics: R81, 83, 85; V01, 04, 06, 09; Y000, 11, 13, 15, 17; BG000, 01, 05, 15; E25, 31, 33; G03, 07, 09, 14, 17; YG03, 05; B000
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders dies (Petite Ovals Large, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large); Cuttlebug embossing folder (Basket Weave), The Paper Studio rhinestones, Stampin' Up embossing powder (Crystal Clear), Zig Wink of Stella brush glitter marker (Clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Spring Flowers
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes
2 Crafty Girls Challenge #1 - Spring Time
Path of Positivity Challenge #25 - Growth (spring flowers are a great symbol of growth to me)
Party Time Tuesday - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll visit the Word Art Wednesday blog for more inspiration and your free digi.

Owl-ish Happy Birthday

Just a quick post to share this funny little owl and flower themed birthday card with you.  The owl is colored with Copics, die cut, matted and popped up on the card front. I followed the Sweet Sunday Sketch #264 for the card design.  As you can see, I stayed pretty true to the sketch.  My biggest addition is the fishtail banner for the heat embossed sentiment.

The interior of  the card received another sentiment and a little decorating.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (white for image), Georgia Pacific (all other white), Recollections (kraft), Bazzill (blue embossed)
Patterned Paper: Pebbles (Family Ties 6x6 pad)
Clear Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp (Owls), Mark's Finest Papers (Celebrate Big), Stampendous (Birthday Wish)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versafine (Onyx Black)
Copics: E25, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37; Y11, 15, 17; W1
Tools/Embellishments: Studio G baker's twine, Spellbinders dies (Standard Circles Small, Petite Scalloped Circles Large), My Favorite Things dies (Fishtail Stax, Mini Scalloped Edge), Stampin' Up embossing powder (Crystal Clear), Sakura Glaze Pen, Wink of Stella glitter brush marker (Clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #264 - sketch
The Kraft Journal Challenge #219  -Take Your Pick (I used blue, baker's twine, a bow, a funny owl, and embossing)
Aud Sentiments Challenge #129 - Birthday Sentiment
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #368 - Bonny Blues (blue as main color or only color)


Thanks for stopping by today.

Smart Owl

Hello, I hope your week is going well.  I'm sorry my post is so late.  I've had some computer/internet problems and wasn't able to get my post It’s time for another challenge at Word ArtWednesday.This week’s focus verse is one of my all-time favorite Scriptures. Psalms 126:3, “The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad.”My brother sent me this verse after our son was in a car accident and only had minor injuries.Since that time, I’ve found that it is applicable in so many situations…good and bad. A wreck isn’t generally considered good news, but when the only un-crushed space in the car is the exact rectangle where your son is, yes, you can say, “The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad.” When someone shares good news, it’s a great way to rejoice in how the Lord has worked in their life.When someone has reached a milestone or major accomplishment, that’s also a good time to rejoice in the great things the Lord has done.  

Robyn’s Fetish is one of our fantastic sponsors this week and I was able to play with Smart Owl.I thought it was perfect for this verse. When someone reaches the point of graduating from a course of study, that is cause for great rejoicing!! 

Smart Owl was colored with Copic markers. His eyeglass lenses were coated with Glossy Accents for some shine. He takes center stage on this 5.5" square gate-fold card.  The left-over pieces from a corner bracket punch frame the four corners. 

On the back of the image panel, this week's focus verse has it's own showcase.  Some background stamping adds some interest to the solid kraft cardstock.  A bracket punch sets off the interior sentiment. 

 When sandwiching the image and sentiment panels for the gatefold, there was a gap because of all the layers.  A piece of fun foam helped keep things level.  I didn't want the white of the foam to show, so I used Copic marker E29 to color the edges.  

Supplies: 
Cardstock:  Paper Trey Ink (white for image), Georgia Pacific (all other white cardstock and card base), Bazzill (brown), Recollections (kraft) 
Patterned Paper:  Kaisercraft (Secret Bird Society Collection - Undercover) 
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Psalm 126:3), Robyn's Fetish digi (Smart Owl), Autumn Leaves clear stamps (Swirls), Inkadinkado wood mount (Congratulations) 
Ink:  VersaFine (Vintage Sepia, Onyx Black) 
Copics: (Y11, 13, 15, 17, 35, 38; E02, 04, 07, 08, 09, 11, 25, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37; N1, 3, 5, 7, 9; W1; B21, 23, 26; R24, BG000, 01; Colorless Blender) 
Tools/Embellishments: Staedtler fine tip marker (brown), Fiskars Decorative Corner Lever Punch (Bracket), Darice Fun Foam, Glossy Accents, Spellbinders dies (Class Squares Large) 

 I'm entering this card in the following challenges:  
Pile it On Challenge #64 - Die Cuts or Punches - I have both 
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #33 - Anything Goes  
ABC  Challenge - G is for Go Digital (must use something digital - the owl image and Scripture are digis) 
Crafty Creations Challenges #286 - Anything Goes 
CropStop Linky Party 3 - Anything Goes (I used my Cuttlebug, and some Glossy Accents,  which are available in the Crop Stop store) 
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #80 - Use a die or punch (I used both)  
Inky Chicks Challenge #49 - Stitching (Real or Faux - I used faux)  
DigiChoosday Week 14 - Use a die (I used a square Spellbinders die)
Fab 'n Funky Challenge #254  - Bingo (diagonal bottom left to top right - punches, digi image, faux stitching)  
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Use a punch 

I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday this week for more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team and to pick up your free digi.  Thanks for visiting today.

Blessed Be My Rock

This week's focus verse at Word Art Wednesday is very similar to last week's.  2 Samuel 22:47 says, "The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation."  This verse also encourages us to exalted the Lord and emphasizes that He is our rock.  This past week has been one of change for our family as it became evident that my mother-in-law needs a bit more care.  We are researching assisted living facilities and giving her options so that she can make the best choice for her needs.  These are big changes and important decisions for her (and for the rest of us).  In times of uncertainty and change, it such a comfort to know that the Lord is our rock and that our foundation is sure.

Deedee's Digis is sponsoring our challenge this week.  I hope you'll play along with us for an opportunity to win a voucher for some free digis from her store.  My card today uses the current Digi of the Month set, Blooming Blessings.  You can find out how to play along in the Digi of the Month Challenge here.  I used the pre-colored frame for this card and layered the verse on top.  After fussy cutting the frame, the edges were trimmed with a black Copic marker to hide the white edges.  I was *finally* able to use my Classic Diamond Spellbinders dies and some Nestabling.   I added some lace trim and scattered some pearls in each corner.  The base panel and the inner diamond panel are highlighted with faux stitching.

I printed a 2nd frame and fussy cut the flowers. They were popped up over the verse panel and this entire panel was popped up over the diamonds.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Papers:  We R Memory Keepers (Anthologie 6x6 pad)
Digi Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (2 Samuel 22:47); Deedee's Digis (Blooming Blessings)
Copic:  100 (for fussy cut image edges)
Tools/Embellishments:  Staedtler fine tip marker (brown), Offray lace, Stickles (Star Dust), individual pearls (The Paper Studio), Want2 Scrap Nestabling (Diamonds), Spellbinders dies (Classic Diamonds), My Favorite Things (Mini Scallop Edge)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #105 - Use a Faux technique (I used faux stitching)
Craft Your Passion Challenge #255 - Anything Goes
Digi Choosday Week 13 Challenge - Use an Oval
Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Challenge - Anything Goes (must have sentiment on the front)

Thanks for coming to visit today.  I hope you'll have time to play along with us this week.  You're sure to find more inspiration, and a free digi WORDart, on the Word Art Wednesday blog.