Seasoned with Salt

Happy Wednesday!! It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we are focusing on a verse that I personally find quite challenging. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." That first part alone gets me. Our speech is to be filled with grace. I am not always gracious and kind in the way I verbally respond to and talk with people. All too often I let fatigue and stress color my tone with irritation. This verse has been running through my mind for several weeks and then I found out it was this week's verse for our cards. Hmmm! I think the Lord is trying to tell me something. I'm doing my best to listen. How about you, is your speech gracious?

I am definitely ready for fall. So for my card this week, I chose to use this pumpkin image that I colored with Copic markers and then coated with clear Wink of Stella. This image panel was die cut, embossed and then matted with square dies. Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. At the stamp show I attended last month, they had a vendor's booth. How fun to shop in person! I picked up the Eyelet Arch Borders while there. This is a set of large and small eyelets borders that coordinate so well with the Curved Edge A2 Card Die. I used the smaller eyelet die and the Curved Edge die on the patterned paper and mat portion of my card. I went with an old favorite and inked all the papers with distress ink. I embellished the flower centers with stickles and added clear Nuvo Crystal drops to the "berries" and around the pumpkin. The finished card is 5.5" square.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: Playing with Color 2 (Fall Patterned Paper)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Colossians 4:6), Clear Dollar Stamps (Autumn Blessings digi - Clear Dollar Stamps has closed their doors but I love this pumpkin image)
Ink: Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
Copics: E11, 31, 33, 35, 37; Y35, 38; YR07; G03, 07, 09, 14, 17; W1; N0, 1, 3
Tools/Embellishments: Simon Says Stamp dies (Curved Edge A2 Card, Eyelet Arch Borders), Spellbinders dies (Classic Squares Large & Small), Wink of Stella (clear), Nuvo Crystal Drops (clear), Stickles (Orange Peel, Yellow)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Must Use Patterned Paper
Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Goes but Must use die and/or embossing folder (I used 4 different dies)
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Use Dies and/or Punches
Dream Valley Challenge #163 - Autumn Colors

Thanks for visiting today. Please come back later for my next Our Daily Bread Designs project. I also hope you'll take time to visit our wonderful sponsor, Simon Says Stamp. As always, the Word Art Wednesday blog has lots of great inspiration from the rest of the Design Team and a free digi for you.

Wisdom from Above

It's time for the last challenge of the year at Word Art Wednesday.  As we head into a new year, and think about new beginnings, new goals, etc., it's good to remember how God defines wisdom.  As our focus verse, James 1:17, says, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."  What a list!  I think most of us would like to be considered wise.  In order to do so, we need to develop these characteristics of wisdom in ourselves.  We are used to seeing pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy (merciful), etc.  But one of the items in this list that isn't as common is "easy to be intreated."  According to Dictionary.com "intreated" is the old spelling of our current word entreated.  The same source says the definition of entreated is to ask earnestly for something.  So "easy to be entreated" would mean that it's easy for people to ask us for things.  This means we're approachable, welcoming, and easy to get along with.  Yep, quite the list!  There are eight separate things on this list.  It would be overwhelming to try to work on all eight at one time.  Why not join me in a year long challenge to take each one and work on it for six weeks?  At the end of the first six weeks, add the next trait and so on.  By the end of 2015, we'll be a lot closer to having godly wisdom in our lives.  Please let me know in the comments or via email if you're going to join me.

I went with a masculine gate-fold card this week.  I did some shading on the WORDart banner with a W1 Copic marker.  Some twine, a button and gems complete the front.

For the interior decorating, I fussy cut the Morning Devotions (Gold) digi stamp and and added it to a kraft die cut. Some Glossy Accents were added to the coffee in the cup.  I stamped the sentiment above it.  The kraft image panel is mounted on an embossed die cut panel.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (kraft, blue)
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (James 1:17), Sweet 'n Sassy (Comforting Pines clear stamp set), Clear Dollar Stamps - store now closed (Morning Devotions Gold digi set)
Ink:  Memento (Rich Cocoa)
Tools/Embellishments: Copic Marker (W1, Colorless Blender), twine (Jillibean Soup - Bean Stalks), rhinestones (The Paper Studio), button from stash, Spellbinders dies (Classic Rectangle Large, Deckled Rectangle Large and Small), Glossy Accents, Cuttlebug embossing folder (Basket Weave)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope 2014 ends well for you and that 2015 gets off to a great start.  Please be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and see the rest of the Design Team projects and pick up your free digi.

Butterfly Mother's Day Card

This is the result when I was asked to make a Mother's Day card for a mom of six that likes butterflies.  Her husband knows I make cards and contacted my husband to ask if I would make one for her.  I was happy to say yes.  I really enjoy helping a husband surprise his wife.  :)

The background butterflies and the large butterfly are accented with stickles.  The sentiments on the front were computer generated.  The husband didn't author the poem but from reading his FB posts about and to his wife, he could have.  I found the poem on the internet - I'm not sure of the author so I can't give proper credit.  :(

The interior sentiment is from a Sweet 'n Sassy digi stamp set.  A few more butterflies complete the interior decorating.

For this special card, I decided the envelope needed a little decoration.  More stickles accent these butterflies too.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio
Stamps:  Studio G (large butterfly wood mounted stamp), Clear Dollar Stamps (Blooming with Blessings clear stamp set), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Mother's Day Sentiments digi set)
Ink:  Memento (Rosebud)
Tools/Embellishments: Uniball Signo White gel pen, pearls (Recollection), ribbon (Offray), Simon Says Stamp die (Folded Banner), Round it All (1/2"), Ribbon Punch (The Paper Studio), Stickles (Star Dust)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - "M" (Mother, mounted stamp)
Inky Impressions Challenge #158 (IIC158) - Mother's Day
Going Gray with Scrap-Creations - Mother's Day/Special Girl
Milk Coffee Challenge - Mother's Day/Special Lady
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes
Just Be Creative Crazy - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday - Use Patterned Paper

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope your week is off to a good start.

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!!

Last Friday, Dec. 28th, my husband and I celebrated our 28th anniversary.  The Lord graciously gave me a husband that is my best friend and is a godly leader for our home.  I have been blessed FAR beyond what I deserve. 

I wanted to make him an anniversary card, and when I saw this digi sentiment from Clear Dollar Stamps in their Unity Candle digi set, I knew I was on the right track. In PSE, I layered the sentiment over a picture of our actual unity candle (I lowered the opacity to 50%) and let that be the focal point of the card.  Some Spellbinders dies helped with the accents, and textured/embossed Bazzill cardstock and brads added  masculine touches.

Supplies:
Card base:  The Paper Company
Cardstock:  Recollections, Copic, Core'dinations, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Unity Candle)
Ink:  Stampin' Up (Creamy Caramel)
Tools/Embellishments: brads (Paper Studio), Spellbinders (Deckled Rectangles Large & Small, Fancy Tags 3, Decorative Photo Corners), PSE7

And just because I'm feeling a bit nostalgic, here are a couple pics from our wedding day.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you've enjoyed the Christmas season.

God Shall Supply... - WAW #58

It's Wednesday, so that means that it's time for another Word Art Wednesday Challenge.  WAW challenges are always "Anything Goes." Any type of art project is welcome as long as it has an encouraging or uplifting sentiment on it.  This week we have two generous sponsors:  Detailed 4 You will be providing a prize for one winner and Cynthia Millan of Stampin' Up has offered one winner TWO stamp sets (Come to Bethlehem AND Crosses of Hope). 

I really like this week's Word Art Wednesday focus verse.  It is Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  The phrase "My God" reminds me that He's someone I know personally and can enjoy a close relationship with Him. "Shall supply" reminds me that He WILL be faithful. "All your need" means He won't skip any of my needs, He'll meet all of them.  "According to His riches" means He's using His own resources to supply my needs.  Since He owns everything, no need is ever too great/expensive for Him to provide.  "In glory by Christ Jesus" means I can claim Him as my God because of Jesus' work at Calvary and to Him be the glory.

Be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to pick up your beautiful FREE digi of this verse.  Even if you never use it on a project, print it out and put it where you can see it frequently.  It will be a great reminder that God is always faithful.

A couple week's ago, I saw a "new to me" card fold on Karin's blog.  I love different card folds and so this week I gave it a try.  She didn't give a name or dimensions to her card fold so I'm not sure what it's called nor what size she made her card.  ETA:  I've discovered it's called a "Z-fold" card.  Beate has a great tutorial on her blog here.  Completely folded, my card is 4.5" high by 6" wide.  The base cardstock is 4.5" x 12".  I scored it on the 12" side at 3" & 6".  I folded it as a normal card on the 6" score line and then folded the front backwards at the 3" score line.  This gives you a "hidden" panel on the inside that measures 3" wide by 4.5" high to decorate.

I combined this week's Scripture digi with an outline digi from the Morning Devotions digi set by Clear Dollar Stamps.  I colored the Bible & coffee cup with my copics.  After die-cutting the panel, I sponged it before removing it from the die.  I hand-cut the mat.  I layered this panel on the largest floral oval Spellbinders die.  I only attached the left side to the front panel and embellished it with 3 Prima flowers.  I used some Crystal Effects on the coffee in the cup.  A trio of pearls accent the front panel and another trio accent the inside panel.

Here is an over-head view of the card:

The inside panel was also sponged with the same pink ink and a coordinating rub-on was added to the bottom left corner.

I'm using the "hidden panel" as the spot to write a short message to the recipient.  It is a piece of the base cardstock die-cut & sponged and then layered over the next to largest floral oval Spellbinders.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Wassau, Express-it, Making Memories (aqua), Bazzill (pink)
Patterned Papers:  Prima (Madeline)
Stamps:  Word Art Wednesday (Philippians 4:19 digi), Clear Dollar Stamps (Morning Devotions Digi Set), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Praying for You Digi Set)
Inks:  Memento (Angel Pink), Copics (N0, 1, 3, 5, 9, E24, 50, R81, 83, 85)
Embellishments/Tools:  flowers (Prima), rub-on (Prima), pearls (Stampin' Up), SU Crystal Effects, Spellbinders (Labels 7, Classic Ovals Large, Floral Ovals)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #58 - Use Scripture/positive sentiment
Love to Create #45 - Anything Goes
Great Impressions - Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin' - Dies & Punches
Pile it On #49 - Embellishments
Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #4 - Anything Goes

I hope you'll join us this week and link up your current project(s).  Feel free to link up to 5 projects per week.

I appreciate you taking time out of your day to spend a few minutes with me.  I hope you'll come back soon.

I Miss You

It's hard to believe that this is my final week as a guest designer for the 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge Blog.  What a quick month this has been.  I've had so much fun working with these ladies.  They are fantastic!!

This week's challenge is a Halloween theme.  Since I don't celebrate Halloween, they graciously allowed me to use a pumpkin/fall theme.  I love this cute little image of the kitty peeking out from behind the pumpkins.  I had to color her gray in honor of my Sasha. {In case you've noticed, most cats I color are either gray or yellow/orange.  That's just the current cat population here. *smile*}  The image is from Clear Dollar Stamps.  My version is the outline image that you color.  However, when I looked on the website, I could only find it in the pre-colored version.

I used the October sketch from The Craft's Meow for my card design.  After coloring my image with copics, I cut it out and popped it up on the embossed panel.  I matted the image panel with a SB Lacey Circle and backed that with a SB Labels 3 die cut.  I used my trusty brown Sharpie marker for the faux stitching and added my sentiment on a little tag suspended from the ribbon.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (cat with pumpkins), Misc (I miss you)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), ColorBox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Circles Small, Lacey Circles, Labels 3), CuttleBug Embossing Folder (Swiss Dots), Marvey 1" Circle Punch, ribbon (Morex), eyelet (Oriental Trading), baker's twine (The Twinery - cappuccino), Sharpie Fine Marker (brown), Fiskar's Border Punch (Apron Lace), Copics (C0, N1, N3, N5, N7, G17, YG03, YG05, R81, YR07, Y35, Y38)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Craft's Meow October Sketch Challenge
Love to Create #38 - Pumpkins
Stamptacular Sunday #186 - No Rules
The Crafty Pad #193 - Any animal
Friends of Speedy TV #43 - Harvest
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC62) - Fall Inspiration
Clearly Inspired Challenge #62 (CIC62) - All Tied Up (use ribbon or twine)
Word Art Wednesday #51 - positive sentiment
Divas by Design #58 - Use some orange
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #24 - Use Stitching (real or faux)


Thanks for stopping by today. 

Because There's You

I have a quick card to share with you today.

I have had this image by Clear Dollar Stamps colored for awhile now.  I have been waiting on just the right card for him.  When I saw this week's Sketch with a Twist over at Mark's Finest Paper's Speedy TV, I knew he'd found a home.  The twist this week is to make a non-traditional (no squares or rectangles) shaped card.  I used by Grand Nestabilities for this cloud-like shape.  I had to trace outside the smaller size and hand-cut it to get a mat.


Supplies
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio (Textured Cream Sheet Music)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi (True Friend Digital Sentiments), Clear Dollar Stamps (dog image)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders Grand Big Scalloped Ovals, SU Corner Rounder, Copic markers, The Twinery baker's twine (cappuccino), brads (Hot Off the Press - Music Notes)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
MFP SpeedyTV Sketch with a Twist #14 - use sketch and make a non-square/rectangle card
Word Art Wednesday #48 - Use encouraging sentiment
52 Card Pick-up #39 - make a card
Sentimental Sunday #122 - 3-2-1 (3 brads, 2 colors of cardstock, 1 adorable dog image)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #159 - Use music elements (paper & brads)
Tuesday Throwdown #118 - Cute & cuddly image
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #29 - Any shape but square

Have a good day!

Psalm 84:11

I'm using another of the new Clear Dollar Stamps February digi stamp releases today. The Light of His Love digi stamp set (by Deedee Anderson) has two images, five Scripture verses and one additional sentiment.

Here is a closer view of the sentiment panel.  I wanted to layer the panel on some spellbinders and these Fancy Tags 3 seemed to work fairly well.  I added inking, flowers and a bow to finish off the panel.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  BG (Oxford)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Light of His Love)
Ink:  SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools:  Flowers (Prima), Pearls (Recollections), Ribbon (Hobby Lobby), Spellbinders (Fancy Tags 3, Big Scalloped Border Petites), Bow Easy

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mojo Monday 230 - Sketch
Tuesday Throwdown #87 - Paper Tearing
Word Art Wednesday #17 - Use Scripture
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Scripture Thursday - Use Scripture

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

Be Still

I have a card with one of the new February digi stamp releases from Clear Dollar Stamps to share with you today, Psalm 46:11.  I used this week's CPS sketch #253 for the card design.

When you are in a time of great uncertainty, this verse is a great reminder to just be still and remember that the Lord has it all under control. 

One thing I really like about the Label 7 Spellbinder's die is that it can be bent to make it look more like a book, or in this case, Bible.  I inked the sentiment panel before removing it from the die.  The edges of all my papers were inked and I also emphasized the embossing on the circle with ink.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  DCWV (tan), Recollections (brown, cream)
Patterned Paper:  SU
Stamp:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Psalm 46:11)
Embellishments/Tools: Stampin Write pen (SU - Close to Cocoa), Flowers (Prima), Ribbon (Michael's), Pearls (Recollections), Cuttlebug EF (Victoris, D'Vine Swirls), Spellbinders (Labels 7, Eyelet Circles)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
CPS253 - Sketch
Word Art Wednesday #16 - use Scripture (their focus Scripture is Psalm 46:11 this week)
Scripture Thursday #17 - use Scripture
Catered Crop - Use red (the circle and flowers in the paper may look orange but they truly are red)
Simon Says Stamp - 3 papers (brown cardstock & 2 patterned papers)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - use 3 of something (3 papers, 3 flowers, 3 pearls in each corner)
Paper Pretties Wed. Challenge (PWC194) - use dies or punches
Sentimental Sunday #90 - sentiment is the focus

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you're having a great weekend.

Tou-Can Pray Better Than One

Today I have a quick card to share with you using one of Clear Dollar Stamps' pre-colored digis.  Using a pre-colored digi makes putting the card together soooo much faster.  I used this week's sketch from MOJO Monday #229.  It's an easy sketch to follow so this card came together pretty quickly for me.  That's a rare thing!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific and a piece of misc patterned white from my scrap bin (used behind the image panel)
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farmhouse)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Toucans of Love digital image set)
Embellishments/Tools:  Baker's twine (The Twinery - honeydew), Spellbinders (Petite Oval, Petite Scalloped Oval)

I'm entering this in Shelley's Terrifically Thrilling Thursday challenge - Anything Goes.

Be sure not to miss the Extreme Inventory Makover Specials going on now at Clear Dollar Stamps.  There are some great deals to be had!!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Clear Dollar Stamps February Digi Release

It's Time for another Digi Stamp release at Clear Dollar Stamps.  As usual, there are so many fantastic sets this month that you'll have a hard time choosing which ones to purchase first. I was able to play with two of the new sets.

The first one is called, Pray Without Ceasing and was designed by Deedee Anderson. 

Aren't these children adorable?  There are so many great sentiments and a Scripture verse to let people know you're thinking of them and praying for them.  This is a fantastic set that you will want to have to make encouragement cards of all types. 

I chose to use the girl image and colored her hair and skin with copic markers.  I paper pieced her dress and shoes.  I used my paper piercer and a white pen to make my faux stitching.  A stacked flower and white satin bow finished off the front of the card. 

I like fancy-fold cards, so I chose to make a Double Z-fold Card this time.  You can find a great tutorial for this type of card on SCS.  Here's a view of the interior with the "Praying specifically for you today" sentiment.

Supplies:
Stamps: Pray Without Ceasing
Cardstock:Georgia Pacific (white), DCWV (yellow, card base)
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey (Picadilly)
Copics: E00, E31, E33, E35, E37, R20
Accents/Tools: Uniball Signo White Pen, Tim Holtz Craft Pick, Brad (Making Memories), Ribbon (Wright's), Flowers (Prima), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals)
Technique: Double Z-fold card, paper piecing, paper piercing, faux stitching

I'm entering this card in the Paper Pretties Wed Challenge (PWC193) - Unique Folds.

The next set I was able to use was the Jesus Paid It All set designed by Laurie Wilson.  As you can see, it has so many wonderful images and sentiments to use for the upcoming Resurrection Sunday/Easter season.  I really like this set because the emphasis is placed on Christ's sacrifice for us when He died on Calvary.  Truly He paid all our sin debt.  We just need to accept His free gift of salvation.

I chose to keep the colors to a minimum to keep the focus on the cross image. I embossed the white layer and mounted it on a lavender panel.  The image of the three crosses is mounted on a petite scalloped oval Nestabilities cut from dark purple.  The same dark purple is behind the sentiment panel. I highlighted the center cross with black diamond stickles.  Purple ribbon and pearls complete the front of the card.

Supplies:
Stamps: Jesus Paid It All
Cardstock:Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black), DCWV (lavender, purple)
Accents/Tools: Cuttle Bug Embossing Folder (Victoria), Oriental Trading Pearls, Offray Ribbon, Bow Easy, SU Punch, Stickles (Black Diamond), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals)
 
I hope you'll stop by the Clearly iStamp blog to see the rest of the digi sets being released today and to see the beautiful projects made by my fellow design team members.

Thanks for stopping by.

Be of Good Courage

I have a card using one of the Clear Dollar Stamps Scripture sets to show you today.  Scriptures of Hope has six Scripture verses in this beautiful set.

I used my petite oval spellbinders to make a shadowbox type effect.  To give it some additional depth all the layers above the sentiment panel are popped up above the sentiment on pop-dots.  You may be able to see it a little better in the photo below.

I used pearls on every other scallop, a pearl flourish, some green bling (in the pics they almost look clear but they are a deep green) and a green bow to finish off the front of the card.  I really like this patterned paper and didn't want to cover it up too much.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  SU
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Scriptures of Hope)
Embellishments/Tools:  Ribbon (KaiserCraft), Pearls and Pearl Flourish (Recollections), Bling (Studio 18), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals small & large, Petite Scalloped Ovals)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #149 - Diamond or Pearls (I most definitely prefer pearls on my cards)
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #124 - a project true to my style (I like these colors and tend to use pearls, ribbon, & lots of layers)
Stamp TV Mix-It-Up Monday (STV12mon2) - Pins or Pearls (Pearls for me!)
Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C121) - Lots of Layers
Word Art Wednesday #13 - Use Scripture
Scripture Thursday #14 - Use Scripture on your project
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - All Tied Up (use ribbon, twine or something that can be tied)
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC191) - Use ribbon or twine


Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a great day.

Happy Birthday to You

I used two different digi sets from Clear Dollar Stamps to make this birthday card.  The week's CPS sketch (CPS252) was the inspiration for the design.

I used the birthday sentiment from the Totally Tags set and popped up the present from the Birthday Fall Critters set.  I colored the present with Copics and accented the bow and polka dots with a glitter pen.

The colors are definitely stretching my comfort zone because brights are not the colors that usually "call my name."  But, in the interest of challenging myself, I reached for this colorful Colorbok paper pack.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Colorbok
Patterned Paper:  Colorbok
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Totally Tags, Birthday Fall Critters)
Embellishments/Tools:  Cuttlebug embossing folder (Spots and Dots), Sakura Clear Star pen, Copic markers, Zutter Round-it-All (1/2"), Spellbinders (Circles - Large & Small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
CPS #252 - sketch
Sentimental Sundays #86 - Die Cuts (spellbinders circles)
Birthday Sundaes #40 - Birthday sentiment on the front of the card
Stamptacular Sunday #148 - Seeing spots - use polka dots somewhere on your card
Papertake Weekly - Happy Highlights (highlight something on the card with something glittery or glossy - I highlighted the bow & polka dots with a glitter pen)

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

Snowy Birthday

I have a winter birthday card to share with you today.  I used one of the new pre-colored releases from Clear Dollar Stamps (CDS) and paired it with the sentiment from an older CDS digi stamp set.

I am really enjoying using my new Grand Spellbinders dies.  Making shaped cards is a breeze now!  The recipient of this card really likes cardinals and the color green so I thought this particular snowman was perfect.  I also chose to pick up the green from the inspiration photo in the Birthday Sundae's #39 challenge.  I used some bling on the snowflake and stickles on the snow and pompoms on the snowman's hat & scarf for sparkle.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Times and Seasons)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Turtle Greetings and Snow Tweet Colored Green Digital Stamps)
Embellishments/Tools:  Brads (Paper Studio), Zig Millennium pen, pearl flourish & rhinestones (Recollections), Spellbinders (Grand Label One, Petite Oval Small & Large), Snowflake - Misc from stash, Stickles glitter glue (diamond)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Birthday Sundae's #39 - Photo Inspiration + must use snowman
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #122 - Something New (both stamp sets)
Paper Pretties Challenge #189 - Use glitter (on pompoms and snow)
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Use die cuts (Labels One for card base, Petite Ovals large & small for image & sentiment panels)
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a great day!!

January Digi Release at Clear Dollar Stamps

There is such a great variety of stamps being released today in the Clear Dollar Stamps January Digi Release.  Everything from Noah's Ark, to Snowmen, to flowers, to a Bible and Scripture verses.  You're sure to find lots of stamps you just can't live without.  :)

One of the sets I got to play with is called Morning Devotions.  I though this sentiment was perfect for a prayer journal so I decided to use it on an altered notebook.

Supplies:
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Morning Devotions Digital Stamps)
Embellishments/Tools:  Zva Creative pearl flourish, Ribbon (Wright's), Spellbinders (Lacey Squares), SU Crystal Effects, Zutter 1/2" Round-it-All

I'm entering this journal in the following challenge:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #122 - Something New (the stamp set)



This adorable set is called Snow Tweet Colored Blue.  This set is also available in a line art set or a green colored set.  Come back later this week and I'll have something in the green version to show you.

I sponged the edges of my snowman & the sentiment panel to add to the snowy look.  I used some stickles on the white parts of the snowman's hat & scarf and on the snow.  Some Crystal Effects on the snowman's buttons added some extra dimension..

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (red)
Patterned Paper:  SU
Stamps:  Snow Tweet Colored Blue
Ink:  SU (Bliss Blue)
Tools/Embellishments:  SU Crystal Effects, Stickles (diamond), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals), Zutter Round-it-All 1/2"


I hope you'll stop by the Clearly iStamp blog to see the rest of the digi sets being released today and to see the beautiful projects made by my fellow design team members.

Thanks for visiting today. 

You're Tea-rrific

I'm always on the look-out for cards that have unusual folds.  Last Wed., there was a tutorial for a Double Dutch Fold Card on SCS.  I thought it looked fun and decided to give it a try with some pre-colored digi stamps from the Tea-rrific Colored Digital Images set from Clear Dollar Stamps.

I accented the scallops on the petite scalloped oval with some bling and a small white bow (not gray like the picture would have you believe).

I also did a little interior decorating.  The picture below also shows how the sentiment on the right "door" is popped up on some foam tape.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Random)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Tea-rrific Colored Digital Image)
Embellishments/Tools:  Rhinestones and pearl flourish (Recollections), Ribbon from stash, Fiskars border punch (Threading Water), Spellbinders (petite Ovals, petite scalloped ovals), Bow Easy

I'm entering this card in the Stampendous "Bling It On" challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll come back soon.

One Last Christmas Card

I have one last Christmas card to show you for this year.  I think this pre-colored mistletoe image from Clear Dollar Stamps is beautiful.  The set also comes with an image with a gold bow.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections
Patterned paper:  Bo Bunny (Noel)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Mistletoe Digital Image)
Embellishments/Tools:  Jute (Joann's), Fiskars border punch (Threading Water), Spellbinders (Circles large & small), MM Mini Metallic Brads

I'm keeping this short today as I'm dealing with a cold that's had me on resting all day.  Thanks for stopping by.

Merry Christmas!!

I hope each of you are enjoying spending Christmas with those you love.  Let's not forget Who this day is for, after all to Christmas, Christ is everything.  If you have not yet accepted God's free gift of salvation, I can think of no better day than Christmas to accept the greatest of gifts.

I really like the wow-factor of a tri-shutter card.  These papers from Echo Park really help it to pop.  Splitcoast Stampers has a great Tri-Shutter tutorial,


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (kraft), DCWV (green)
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Season's greetings)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Candy Cane Poem Colored Digital Image, Candy Cane Poem Digital Image)
Embellishments/Tools:  Kaiser Craft Ribbon, Spellbinders (Circle, Lacey Circle), Sakura green star pen, Fiskars Threading Water border punch

Another wow factor card is the star-fold card.  Bo Bunny papers do the trick this time.  Here's a tutorial for the Star Card.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  SU
Patterned Papers:  Bo Bunny (Noel)
Stamps:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Candy Cane Poem Digital Image)
Ink:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan)
Embellishments/Tools:  Chipboard elements (Bo Bunny Noel), Pearl Flourish (Recollections), Spellbinders Label 4 (regular and small)

Merry Christmas!!

Clear Dollar Stamps December Digi Release

If you are looking for the Crazy for Cocoa Blog Hop, please scroll down one post or click here.  This is my second post for the day.

Today is the day of the Clear Dollar Stamps December Digital Stamp release.  There are so many great sets this month (do I say that every month?  *grin* ). I was able to play with three of them. 

Little Bethlehem

I really like the line art look of this stamp. I'd seen monochromatic Bethlehem scene cards done with regular stamps and wanted to see if I could recreate the look with a digi. Here's how I did it:

1. I opened the jpg version of the digi in PSE.  

2. After creating another layer, I unlocked the image (background) layer and moved the new layer under the image.

3.  Using the Magic Wand tool, I removed all the white from the image.

4.  I created another layer on top of the image and colored it brown.  With the brown layer highlighted, I clicked CTRL+G and I ended up with a brown line art Bethlehem image.  I followed the same process for the sentiment.

I accented the trees and buildings and colored in some of the roof lines and domes with a Sakura clear star pen. This shows up as silver in the picture. The star was colored with a gold metallic pen and then has clear star pen on top.  I used lots of inking and distressing on this card and used the rail of my paper trimmer to guide my paper tearing. The cream colored cardstock came pre-embossed.  What a time saver!

Supplies:
Cardstock: SU (brown), ANW Crestwood (corduroy white)
Paper:  Royal Langnickel Watercolor Paper, BG (Oxford)
Stamp set:  Clear Dollar Stamps (Little Bethlehem)
Ink:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Chestnut Roan), Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Walnut Stain)
Embellishments/Tools:  PSE (used to recolor image & sentiment brown), Brads (MM metallic basics mini circle), Recollections gold pen, Sakura Clear Star pen, Heidi Swapp Edge Distresser, Ribbon (Michael's), Bow Easy

I'm entering this card in the following challenge: Paper Sundaes #99 - Anything Goes Christmas.

Totally Tags

This set is sooo versatile.  There are so many ways to use them beyond the obvious tags...cards, bookmarks, medallions on altered crafts, and the list goes on. For today, I chose to make a card.  

Back in October I saw this card on Patter Cross'  blog.  I loved the design.  I chose to CASE it for my card today.  Instead of using a ticket for my sentiment, I used The Merry Christmas sentiment and punched a flower from my patterned paper for the center.  I accented this flower with Sakura glaze and clear star pens.  I used a copic marker to tone down the white in the baker's twine. 

Supplies:
Cardstock - Recollections
Patterned Paper - Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamp - Clear Dollar Stamps (Totally Tags)
Ink - SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools - Paper Studio 1 7/16" circle punch, Spellbinders (Circles large & small, Lacey Circles), Sakura pens (glaze and clear star), The Twinery Baker's Twine (maraschino), Copic Marker (E33), SU Stampin' Write pen (Close to Cocoa)

I'm entering this card in the Craft Your Passion #88 - Tag You're It and Paptertake Weekly - I'm dreaming of a (red, green, and cream) Christmas challenges.

Hoppily Ever After

For a total change of pace, and holiday, we have this cute set.  Aren't these frogs adorable?!

 After coloring the image with Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol, I used a glaze pen all over the frog.  This gives her a wet look.  I used glitter pens on her hat, flowers and eyelashes {even a frog princess likes her makeup} for a little shimmer.


Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill (kraft), Georgia pacific (white)
Patterned Paper - SEI (Winnie's Walls)Stamps - Clear Dollar Stamps (Hoppily Ever After)
Embellishments/Tools - The Twinery Baker's Twine (Cappuccino, Honeydew), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals), SU Stampin' Write pen (Close to Cocoa), Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, Sakura pens (glaze, pink star, clear star, green star)

I hope you'll stop by the Clearly iStamp blog to see the rest of the digi sets being released today and to see the beautiful projects made by my fellow design team members.

Thanks for visiting today.