Appreciate Your Pastor

Happy Wednesday! It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week we're focusing on Romans 10:15, "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" October is Pastor Appreciation month and this verse fits right into the theme. As a pastor's daughter and now a pastor's wife, I have a "behind the scenes" knowledge of the commitment and sacrifice required of a pastor who truly seeks to live a godly life and encourages his flock to do the same. Rejoicing with and encouraging those who are trying to live a godly life is not too difficult. However, it takes self-discipline, courage and fortitude to help those who are hurting, to gently but firmly guide those who are headed in the wrong direction back to the right path, and to continue to preach the truth of God's Word in a culture that encourages compromise. If your pastor is such a man of God, rejoice and thank the Lord for the wonderful blessing He has given you. Then pray daily for your pastor. He needs your prayers more than you realize. Pray also for his family. They make a lot of sacrifices as well as they share the time and attention of the head of their home with the rest of the church congregation. Then do all you can to encourage, support and help your pastor. If you really want to shock him, in a nice way, ask him, "Pastor, what can I do to help?" He will be very thankful and you will encourage his heart.

Our sponsor this week is the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. Due to their generosity, I was able to play with one of their stamp sets and one of their die sets this week. For the background of the card, the Sunflower Season clear stamp set was used to stamp the sunflower image repeatedly with VersaMark ink. The images were embossed with Ranger Liquid Platinum embossing powder. This gave the background a subtle metallic detail without being too feminine. One of the sentiments from the set was used on the front of the card. The two strips across the card front are pieces of card stock that were heat embossed twice with two layers of the same Liquid Platinum embossing powder. The card front design is from MOJO Monday Sketch 524. I stuck pretty close to the original sketch this time.

The left interior panel has this week's verse double matted and adhered over some banners made by using the Fishtail Sentiment Banner dies from Stamp Simply. This die set comes with so many different sizes of sentiment banners. I reach for them again and again.

The right side of the interior has a double matted panel where I'll write a message to my husband. I so appreciate his faithfulness, integrity and the way he lives out when he teaches and preaches -- even at home.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (Peanut Fudge), Recollections (Cream), Cor'dinations (Tan Pearl for card base and Krafty)
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (A Perfect Autumn 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen, Stamp Simply (Sunflower Season clear stamp set)
Ink: VersaMark embossing ink, VersaFine (Black Onyx)
Tools/Embellishments: Stamp Simply dies (Fishtail Sentiment Banners), Divinity Design Dies (Double Stitched Circles, Double Stitched Rectangles), Spellbinders dies (Standard Circles Large), Ranger embossing powder (Liquid Platinum)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
MOJO Monday Sketch 524 - sketch design
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's October Patterned Paper Challenge - Must Use patterned Paper
Let's Craft & Create Challenge #152 - Anything Goes w/option of using the colors of Fall
Artsy Stampers Digital Challenge #1 - Autumn Colors
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Autumn/Fall
A Place To Start Challenge - Create Your Own Challenge (use at least one item from each column. Column 1: Sentiment, Patterned Paper; Column 2: Sketch, Die, Embossing (wet); Column 3: Embossing Powder; Column 4: Flowers (sunflowers embossed on background panel); Column 5: Stitching (faux)

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll be able to play along with us this week. Why not pick up this week's free digi on the Word Art Wednesday blog and make a card of encouragement for your pastor? You just might make his day! You could even win a generous prize from our sponsor, Stamp Simply Ribbon Store!

Captain America Father's Day Card

My husband is my biggest card making supporter. I really like to make him unique cards for holidays, special occasions and just because cards. Last week I saw the Jessica Lynn Original's Captain America Shield video tutorial. I also saw Jennifer McGuire's Triangle Gatefold Card tutorial. Since my husband really likes Captain America, I decided to combine them. I made the Captain America shield as the belly band element on the Triangle Gatefold Card. I made the star on the shield a die cut inlay.

I used a star embossing folder on the inner flap and then used an old Gina K Designs stamp set for the Father's Day sentiment and for the small stars stamped on the belly band and the interior.

I did minimal interior decorating. I just stamped a few more stars and left myself lots of room to write a message. My husband is a fantastic dad to our children and Papaw to our grands. I like to let him know I notice and greatly appreciate his dedication to our family. He really liked the card and has showed it to several people at church. I think this one was a hit.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (#110 white for card base), Darice (red), Bazzill (blue), Georgia Pacific (white)
Stamps: Gina K Designs cling stamp set (Masculine Tags - retired)
Ink: Ranger Archival (Cobalt)
Dies: Divinity Designs (Sparkling Stars and Double Stitched Circles), Stamp Simply (Fishtail Sentiment Banners)
Embossing Folder: We R Memory Keepers

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Cuttlebug Mania - Tic Tac Toe (I chose the far right column: sentiment, more than two layers, and embossing)
Outlawz Festive Friday Challenge - One of five themes including Father's Day

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back again soon.

Happy Birthday, Audrey

Our precious granddaughter turned one this week. We were able to be with her to celebrate this special day. Oh, what a difference a year makes - especially when you're this young. She's now walking everywhere and starting to talk. So much fun!

Of course, I had to make her a card. I used Mojo Monday Sketch 514 for the card design. Glitter cardstock was used for the matting so that there would be lots of sparkle. The bear's nose received a drop of Nuvo Crystal Drops, the flower center a drop of Nuvo Glitter Drops and the butterfly a coating of a Wink of Stella glitter brush pen.

Supplies:
Cardstock: The Paper Studio Heavyweight (cardbase), Georgia Pacific (white), Ms. Sparkle & Co. Glitter & Foil Paper Pad (Gold & Silver)
Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Design (Take Note 6 x 6 pad)
Stamp: Divinity Designs (Bon Voyage stamp set) Deedee's Digis (bear - retired)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Copics: E33, 335, 37; V000, 01, 04, 06; R02; W1; Y000, 13, 17; YG03, 05
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders dies (Standard Circle Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large), Stamp Simply dies (Fishtail Sentiment Banners) Nuvo Crystal Drops (Morning Dew), Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard), Zig Wink of Stella glitter brush pen (Clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Outlawz Festive Friday Challenge - Birthday
Mojo Monday Sketch 514
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Must use Patterned Paper
Crafty Animals Challenge #25 - Anything Goes using an Animal
Daisy Chain Challenge #29 - Make It Feminine

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

Most Viewed Posts in 2018

I enjoy looking back to see which blog posts received the most views for the past year. This year I have to do a top eleven because the #9 spot had a 3-way tie. Thank you to all of you who have visited my blog this past year and an extra thank you to those who have left a comment of encouragement. You are a blessing to me. I hope you'll visit often in 2019. Happy New Year!!

Click each card title link to be taken to the blog post for card details & supply list.


# 9-11 Post for 2018 (3-way tie)

Love You So Much

Mighty Waves of the Sea

God Gives Wisdom

#8 Post for 2018

Following the Shepherd 

#7 Post for 2018

Sunflower Season 

#6 Post for 2018

Be Ye Strong 

#5 Post for 2018

Thanks a Latte! 

#4 Post for 2018

Because of His Lovingkindness 

#3 Post for 2018

Our Guide 

#2 Post for 2018

Paper Sweeties 6th Birthday Challenge 

#1 Post for 2018

Ye Shall Not Fear Them

  

Snowball Kisses

Today I'm sharing the card I made for my husband to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary. For the card design I used Mojo Monday Sketch 504. I stamped a sentiment on a heart die cut and added snowflake and small heart die cuts as embellishments. What doesn't show up well in the photo is all the sparkle that the stickles I used adds to the card. The large heart and the snowflakes in the background paper have stickles scattered all over them.

Since the card is 5.5" square, I made a custom envelope and decorated it as well. I used a heart die cut as a "stamp" on the envelope.

I did some interior decorating as well by using a matted strip of the patterned paper and some snowflake and heart die cuts.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (dark red, kraft, cream)
Patterned Paper: Carta Bella (Let it Snow 6x6 pad)
Stamp: Impression Obsession (I bought it years ago at a warehouse sale out of an unmounted stamp bin)
Tools/Embellishments: Gina Marie Designs dies (Stitched Hearts), Spellbinders dies (Create a Snowflake), Stickles (diamond)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Crop Stop Linky #46 - Used items/brands from Crop Stop Store (I used Ranger, Fiskars, Scotch, Spellbinders, Cuttlebug)
Dare 2B Artzy - Winter
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes

I couldn't resist a little reminiscing so I'll share one of my favorite pictures from our wedding. Like all couples who have been married any length of time, we've had joys and sorrows and I couldn't imagine traveling the road of life with anyone else.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'll be back tomorrow with my Most Viewed Posts in 2018.

Love You So Much

Better late than never right? Here is the card I made for Tim for Valentine's Day. It uses the Turtle Couple stamp set and dies that he picked out for me in 2016 (you can read about how he found this stamp set here). I used the heart die in the set to make the opening in the card front.  The turtles and heart were colored with Copics. I fussy cut the heart on its outline so that it would fit through the opening when attached to the inside with foam squares. The turtles were also popped up on the card front with foam squares. A sentiment from the Thinking of You Rose stamp set by Stamp Simply was added to a banner die cut to finish off the front.

A sentiment from the Turtle Couple stamp set was added below the heart on the interior. This was a fun and fairly quick card to make.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Hillside 6 x 6 - retired)
Clear Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy (Turtle Couple), Stamp Simply (Thinking of You Rose)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versamark, VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Dies: Dare 2B Artzy (Turtle), Lawn Fawn (Everyday Sentiment Banners)
Tools/Embellishments: Copic Markers, Nuvo Jewel Drops (Clear), Simon Says Stamp embossing powder (clear), Gelly Roll gel pen (white), Wink of Stella (clear)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Dare 2B Artzy February Challenge - Love
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Must use patterned paper
Crop Stop February Challenge Linky #37 - Must use items/brands found in the Crop Stop store (I used Ranger, Fiskars, Cuttlebug, Bazzill, and Tsukineko)
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #341 - Any Holiday (I chose Valentine's Day)
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
The Cutie Pie Challenge #120 - Valentine's or Mums
Color Inspiration Monthly Link Up 31 - Must be hand colored

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be back tomorrow with a card for the new Word Art Wednesday Challenge. I hope you'll come back to visit again soon.

Pastor Appreciation Gift Set

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today. It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. When I saw our focus verse, I knew that it would be perfect for a Pastor Appreciation gift for my husband. 1 Timothy 1:12 says, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry." After being in various music ministry positions for 13 years, the Lord called my husband, Tim, to be a pastor. That was over 20 years ago. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Tim would say that it is only because the Lord enables him day by day that he is able to care for the people in our church. Not that our people are difficult, they are not. Our church has a wonderful spirit of unity. It's because Tim feels such a great responsibility to lead them correctly and be a good example to them. He is a bi-vocational pastor so he has to do his studying, visiting, etc. outside of his 40 hour work week at a secular job. He sacrifices a lot of himself to spend time studying, praying, visiting, writing cards and notes and checking up on people via texts, emails and phone calls. I believe the Lord rewards Tim's faithfulness by continuing to give him the strength and wisdom to minister to our church family.

Tim is very supportive of my crafting endeavors so I like to do extra special things for him when making a project for him. He likes my notebooks and uses them to write down prayer requests on Wednesday nights and in keeping track of various items at work (separate notebooks). I noticed that his prayer list notebook was looking a little worse for the wear so I made him a new one. This time I tried putting a coordinating patterned paper as a binding around the spine. Along the edge of this I used jute ribbon and twine for decoration. The sentiment panel was inked before being double matted and adhered to the front.

I decorated the edge of the pocket with a strip of the patterned paper. Tim loves to fish so I wanted to use as much of this paper as possible. The interior was looking a little plain so a matted sentiment was also added above the pocket.

Tim sends out LOTS of cards to our church family when they need encouragement. To use more of the patterned paper, I made him a set of four coordinating cards. Two have a "Thinking of You" sentiment and two have a "Thank You" sentiment. I used Sketch #218 from Operation Write Home for my card design.

Here is a picture of the entire gift set.

Notebook Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper: The Paper Studio
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (1 Timothy 1:12), Rubbernecker Stamps (Smiles & Thinks of You)
Ink: Versafine (Onyx Black), Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
Tools/Embellishments: Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Double Stitched Rectangles), Staedtler Fine Tip Marker (brown), The Ribbon Boutique (Jute Ribbon), Wright's twine

Card Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (kraft, cream, green)
Patterned Paper: The Paper Studio
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp clear stamps (Many Thanks, Banner Sayings 3 x 4 set)
Ink: Versafine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Our Daily Bread Designs dies (Double Stitched Pennant Flags), Staedtler Fine Tip Marker (brown),Gina Marie Designs enamel dots, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Herringbone)

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:
Crop Stop Linky Party #33 - Use items/brands found in the Crop Stop store (I used Fiskars, Cuttlebug, Tsukineko, Tim Holtz Distress Ink)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Must Use Patterned Paper

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll come back often. Please be sure to pick up the free digi WORDart at the Word Art Wednesday blog. While you're there, don't forget to see the rest of the Design Team's projects - you are sure to enjoy! Also, if you haven't already done so, why not send your pastor a note of encouragement and appreciation. He will greatly appreciate it!

My Favorite Place

The Turtle Couple stamp set is one of my favorites from Dare 2B Artzy. In part, because my husband saw it first, liked it and told me that I really should get it. :) Who was I to argue? So, whenever I want to make a special card for him, I frequently turn to this set. I hadn't made him a card in a while, he's been working extra hard, and I figured he could use some encouragement. I colored the turtle with Copics and then fussy cut her out. (I own the coordinating dies but didn't want the white edge this time). I did a little inlay die-cutting at add the heart shape to the card front. The sentiment was heat embossed directly onto the heart die cut. I decided to add something a little special and made a circle card instead of the normal rectangle or square. Nuvo Crystal Drops add some dimension and shine to some of the design on the turtle's shell and to her toenails. A white gel pen adds faux stitching and some accents to the turtle. A small rhinestone accents the flower on the turtle.Sequins topped with rhinestones finish off the card front.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: Playing with Color 2 - Fall Patterned Cardstock
Stamps: Dare 2B Artzy (Turtle Couple)
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Copics: YR04, 07, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24; Y17; YG95, 97; N5; E07, 09, 40, 42, 43; B23
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders Grand Circle dies, Gina Marie Designs (Double Stitched In and Out Cut Heart Die Set, Rainbow Crystal Rhinestones), The Paper Studio Sequins, Simon Says Stamp fine detail embossing powder (clear), Gelly Roll gel pen (white), Nuvo Crystal Drops (clear), Ranger Multi Medium Matte

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Dare 2B Artzy Challenge - Ship Shape (make a shaped card)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Use Patterned Paper
My Creative Scoop Color Inspiration Challenge #26 - Must include something hand colored
Make My Monday Challenge #55 - Autumn Colors
Crop Stop Linky Party #32 - Must use items/brands found in the Crop Stop Store (I used Tsukineko, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders, Fiskars, and Ranger)
Crafting from the Heart Challenge #176 - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope your week is off to a good start.

Gate-Fold Owl Card

I found the the Sizzix Owl Label Fold-a-Long Thinlets Die set on clearance at a local store but didn't buy it because my craft fund was depleted (I do *try* to be good). My husband insisted I tell him where it was in the store and went back to purchase it for me. I love his support of my obsession hobby. Of course, I figured it was only fair that he get the first card made with the die. I watched a couple YouTube videos to see how others had used it (specifically Jen Long and Christina Thomas) and combined some of their ideas to make this card. However, for the patterned paper owls, I lay the full-size owl on a single layer of patterned paper and then used the fold marks as lines for cutting the owls in half. This way I didn't have to get myself confused on which way the owl needed to be for the two sides.

I've had the sentiment stamp for awhile and had been waiting for the perfect card to use it for my husband. I used distress inks for shading the wings, head pieces, eyelashes and insert. The finished card fits in a normal A2 sized envelope.

Note: The card base die leaves a space in the back that is covered by the owl insert. When I make it again, I may back light colored inserts with a base colored owl to help disguise it this space.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (brown), Recollections (cream)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Oxford 6 x 6 - retired)
Stamp Set: Riley & Company
Ink: Taylored Expressions (Chocolate Truffle), Distressed Inks (Gathered Twigs, frayed Burlap)
Dies: Sizzix Owl Label Fold-a-Long Thinlets Die

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Outlawz Paper A la Mode Challenge - Use a favorite technique (distressing with inks)
CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Use Patterned Paper
Mod Squad Challenge - Special Fold Card (mine is a gate-fold)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I hope you'll come back again soon.

A Turtle and Her Books

Last week for my Word Art Wednesday post, I used a Taylored Expressions image of a stack of books. You can see that card in this post. One of the sentiments in the set says, "There's no such thing as too many books." That got me thinking and this card is the result. I thought it would be so cute to have the stack of books on top of the shell of this Dare 2B Artzy turtle image.

I used some post it notes and washi tape to help with the masking. I colored my image with Copics. Using a craft knife, I cut along the edge of the books on the right side so that I could tuck the sentiment panel behind the books. The stamp image for the turtle has a button for her eye. I didn't think that worked well with my card so I filled in the inner portion of the eye with a white gel pen and then used a small black punched circle (the largest hole on the crop-a-dile) to make the eye. Faux stitching complete the image and sentiment panels. The only other embellishments are three small green gems. The card some Dare 2B Artzy patterned paper for the background. I love their paper! It has such a nice feel to it and both sides of the paper are pretty.

This card has already reached our daughter so it's now safe to show it to you. She works with books as a book reviewer, author, editor, Book-Tuber and book podcast co-host. This sentiment could  have had her in mind when the author penned it because it's definitely her mindset. If you love books, especially those by or about women, check out The Reading Women podcast and for all things book-ish check out her YouTube channel. As a bonus, you will probably get to see our adorable Corgi grand-dog, Dylan.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Dare 2B Artzy March Challenge - Lots of Layers
Crop Stop March Link Up - Use something/brand Crop Stop carries (I used Fiskars, Memento, Tsukineko)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - For a Special Girl/Lady (this card is for my daughter)
Deep Ocean Challenge #150 - Use Dots and/or Stripes (dots in my patterned paper and some stripes on the turtle's shell)

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White for image and sentiment), Paper Trey Ink (card base), Recollections (black), Green - unknown
Patterned Paper: Dare 2B Artzy (Fields in Bloom)
Stamps: Taylored Expressions (In Other Words - Read), Dare 2B Artzy (Quilted Turtle)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaFine (Onyx Black), Copic Markers
Tools/Embellishments: Fiskars finger tip craft knife, MISTI, Staedtler fine tip marker (black), The Paper Studio (green gems), Gelly Roll white gel pen, Uni-Ball Signo White gel pen, Crop-a-dile


I hope you'll check out Dare 2B Artzy's stamps, dies and papers. One of the things I love about their dies is that they frequently design several stamp sets to coordinate with them. For instance, this turtle stamp set is one of about 4 that go with the turtle dies. I love it that they keep our wallet in mind when planning these things. I was able to talk with the owners at a convention last summer and they were so nice and helpful.

Thanks for visiting with me today.  I hope you'll come back soon.

Rejoice Evermore

Happy Wednesday!! It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday. This week our theme verse is from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing." Obviously we cannot be praying 24/7. You have to sleep sometime. :) Seriously, I think the writer is talking about the attitudes of our heart. We should have a heart that is consistently rejoicing.We should have a prayerful attitude at all times. Prayer isn't something that you can only do in church. Nor do we have to be on our knees with our eyes closed and hands folded. Prayer, after all, is a conversation with God. We can (and should) slip in and out of that conversation all day long.

This week our sponsor is Taylored Expressions. They were extra generous with the Design Team and gave us some wonderful products to use. I have so many ideas running through my head on how to use the various stamp sets. I can't wait to get back to my craft room! You will definitely being seeing these sets again! I couldn't keep my projects to just one this week so I have four to share with you. Since there are so many, I'm just going to give a supply list after each card rather than linking all the supplies at the end of my post.

For my first card, I printed this week's free Word Art Wednesday WORDart digi directly only my patterned paper. On the background patterned paper, I repeatedly stamped the Graphic Greetings Redeemer stamp with Chocolate Truffle hybrid ink using the second generation stamping technique. I just wanted a subtle look and it turned out just like I hoped it would. I've been needing a good dark brown ink and this Chocolate Truffle ink is just what I needed. Since it's a hybrid ink, I will be able to use it with my Copics as well as watercolor techniques. Love it! I used some die cut borders to set off the sentiment panel. Before adhering this panel to the background, I wrapped light brown baker's twine around it several times and then tied a small bow. Faux stitching, a few pearls and some clear sequins finish off this card. This is a soft "quiet" card, but I really like letting the papers and the subtle stamping carry the design. The card is 5.5" square.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Recollections (cream), Bazzill (kraft)
Patterned paper: WRMK Anthologie 6x6 (this is an old pad of paper and these were my last bits from it)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17), Taylored Expressions (Graphic Greetings Redeemer)
Ink: Taylored Expressions Premium Hybrid mini ink pad (Chocolate Truffle)
Dies: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Lacey Eyelet Border - retired)
Embellishments: The Paper Studio (pearls), Simon Says Stamp (Assorted Moonshine Sequins), Staedtler Fine Tip Marker (Brown), Studio G (brown baker's twine)

For my next card I went bold and bright. I repeatedly stamped the image from the Cherish Every Moment stamp set on my cardstock. After coloring the flowers and background with various Copic markers, I cut it to 4" square. I heat embossed the sentiment from this set on a strip of Premium Vellum and centered the greeting on the floral panel. After attaching the vellum on the back of the floral panel it was mounted on black cardstock and then adhered to a 4.25" square card base. A few turquoise and clear sequins were all the embellishment this bright, cheery card needed.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black), Taylored Expressions (Premium Vellum)
Stamps: Taylored Expressions (Cherish Every Moment)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaMark
Embellishments: Copic Markers, The Paper Studio (turquoise sequins), Simon Says Stamp (White Fine Detail embossing powder, Assorted Moonshine sequins

I just love the Graphic Greetings Redeemer stamp. It has so many wonderful names of our Lord. I just had to do a card that let it really be the focal point. I started with a Z-fold card and then rotated it 90 degrees so that the card opens up vertically (maybe the picture below will help that make sense). Other than a die cut border and matting, there are no other embellishments to take to focus away from this great stamped image.

When you open the card, you can still see the focal image and there is a panel to allow you room to write a message to the recipient.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Hillside 6x6 pad)
Stamp: Graphic Greetings Redeemer
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Die: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Lacey Eyelet Border - retired)

For my last card, I used an Operation Write Home Sketch (#123) for my starting point. Our daughter works with books (Book Reviewer, Book Podcast co-host and Book 'Tuber) and I'd had been looking for a good book stack stamp for a long time. When I saw the In Other Words - Read set, I knew I had to have it. The image and sentiments are perfect for her. I have so many ideas for other projects but we'll have to get to them another time. :) After stamping and coloring the image with Copic markers, I fussy cut it out. This sentiment is such fun and has such a bold look. The stack of books is popped up on foam squares and enamel dots add the final embellishment.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Recollections (black)
Patterned Paper: Basic Gray (Hillside 6x6 pad)
Stamps: Taylored Expressions (In Other Words - Read)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Embellishments: Copic Markers, MME enamel dots

If you've made it this far, thanks for hanging in there with me. I thoroughly enjoyed using these Taylored Expressions stamps and products. I hope you'll stop by to visit their online store. I'm sure you'll find something there that you will love. They even have a great Loyalty Program. You can set up an account and check out the details here. I know I will be wanting more of their stamps and inks. The stamps stamp so well right out of the package. They are nice cling stamps and work well with the MISTI or an acrylic block. Thanks again to Taylor for her generosity.

Some of their Design Team has joined ours so there is lots of Taylored Expressions inspiration on the Word Art Wednesday blog today. Be sure to grab a cup of coffee/tea/cappuccino, sit back and enjoy all the fantastic projects. Be sure to pick up your free digi. Thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you'll visit again soon.

Ah, Lord God!

It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday. I hope you will be able to join us in our challenge...our wonderful sponsor, Simon Says Stamp will gift one participant with a generous prize. You can check out the details on the Word Art Wednesday blog.

Our focus verse this week is Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee." Our sweet daughter-in-law, Amy, had to say goodbye to her beloved Nana recently and the funeral was this week. Both our daughter-in-law and her Nana know the Lord so they have that wonderful assurance that they will see each other again in Heaven. However, because they enjoyed a very close relationship, learning how to live without frequently seeing and talking to her Nana is going to be a very hard adjustment for Amy.

As I was making this week's card, I thought this verse was very appropriate for her. The same Lord that had the power to make the heaven and earth is the same one that can comfort her heart. The same Lord that is "upholding all things by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3) can carry her when she feels like she just can't make in through this valley of grief. This same Lord can help her remember all the good times she had with her Nana, all the lessons Nana taught her and the godly guidance Nana gave her. How do I know He has the power to do this, from my person experience when some of my loved ones have been "promoted to Glory" and much more importantly, because our verse this week reminds us that nothing is too hard for the Lord.

I used several Simon Says Stamp products in some of Amy's favorite colors to make this week's card. I stamped 3 of the flower images and colored them with Copic markers. I could have used the coordinating dies to cute them out but instead fussy cut them and then ran a Memento black marker along the cut edges. On the pull out card, one flower was stamped using some Simon Says Stamp ink and a Hero Arts ink for the center. A white gel pen was used to accent the flower centers and they were all coated generously with a clear Wink of Stella marker.  A few sequins and this simple Criss-Cross card is complete.

I'm entering this card at the following challenges:
Crop Stop Link Party #25 - Any goes using products found in the Crop Stop Store (I'm using products by Martha Stewart, Scotch, Cuttlebug, and Fiskars)
Tuesday Throwdown #330 - Say It With Words (words are the focal point)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Florals (have 2 or more flowers on your project)

I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and see the projects from the rest of the design team. Don't forget to pick up your free WORDart while you're there. Also, please visit our fantastic sponsor, Simon Says Stamp. They are truly a one-stop-shop!

I've listed the products I used below. Affiliate links are used where possible.

WORDart by Karen	Simon Says Clear Stamps ARTFUL FLOWERS sss101488 Hop To It	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad	Tsukineko VersaFine ONYX BLACK Ink Pad VF-82
Simon Says Stamp Hybrid Ink Pad Cube Set ZEN zn04 Plan On It	Hero Arts Mini CUBE INK PADS Set FIELD NOTES af240	Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# AUDREY BLUE AB19	Georgia Pacific White Cardstock
Copic Sketch Marker BG10 COOL SHADOW	Copic Sketch Marker BG13 MINT GREEN	Copic Sketch Marker BG15 AQUA Blue	Copic Sketch Marker R85 ROSE RED Medium Pink
Copic Sketch Marker R83 ROSE MIST Violet Pink	Copic Sketch Marker R81 ROSE PINK Pastel	Latest & Greatest Cardstock Paper Pack - 6" x 6" | Hobby Lobby | 739409	Zutter Corner Rounder
MISTI PRECISION STAMPER Stamping Tool Kit	Turquoise & Pink Round Sequins | Hobby Lobby | 1112234	Lifestyle Crafts QUICKSTIK Precision Pickup and Placement Tool 00745-4	Sakura WHITE GELLY ROLL Medium Point Pens Set 37488
ink of Stella Clear Brush Tip Marker	Memento TUXEDO BLACK MARKER Dual Tip Tsukineko PM-900	Fiskars PREMIUM CUT LINE Paper Trimmer 12 Inches	Fiskars 12 Inch SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
Ranger 1 OZ MULTI MEDIUM MATTE Jar With Brush INK41528	Scotch Advanced Tape Glider (ATG)	*Martha Stewart SCORING BOARD Score Craft Tool 42-05002	*Ranger PAPER CREASER BONE FOLDER Fold Cardstock & Cards Easily BON10029
Dahle Self-Healing Cutting 18x12 Mat 10671

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