Back to School

It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week's focus verse is Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  I think it's an appropriate "Back to School" verse, especially for college students.  With a grad student in the family, we have college on the brain.  :)  School, college or otherwise, sometimes is an endurance contest.  Those students {and teachers :) } who are able to wait on the Lord and let Him work things out, are able to endure to the end because the Lord will renew their strength.

This week's card has a lot of distressing and inking on it. I actually pulled out my distressing tool.  I used to use it all the time but lately it's not been out of its pocket. If I had it to do over, I would have used a lighter ink  - I think it's a bit dark but I'll have to live with it on this one.  I colored the student with Copics and fussy cut him. He is actually part of a digi set that was generously provided to the Word Art Wednesday Design Team by Jellypark.  They are one of our sponsors this week.  Be sure to check them out - they have so many adorable digis. I used a Basic Grey layered sticker on my focus panel. But where's this week's focus verse you ask?  Glad you asked.  :)

I did quite a bit of interior decorating on this card and used the verse on the interior.  Again, I did some sponging (and again I'm wishing it was a lighter ink).  In keeping with the school theme and because it's a Bible verse, I die cut the verse with a book shaped die.  I traced around the outside of the die and hand cut the mat.

I really like this ruler paper.  I think it's perfect for back to school type projects and/or masculine cards.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farmhouse 6x6 pad)
Ink:  Memento (Espresso Truffle)
Stamps:  WordArt by Karen, Jellypark (Let's Fly Away)
Copics:  E00, 07, 11, 25, 29, 31, 35, 37, 50; B000, 26, 39; R20, 27, 29; 100
Tools/Embellishments:  Creative Memories fine point black pen, Uni-Ball Signo white pen, Offray ribbon, Basic Grey Oxford Pop-Up, DMC Floss (ecru), buttons from my stash, Spellbinders (Deckeled Rectangle Small, Labels 7), Heidi Swapp Edge Distresser

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Really Reasonable Ribbon #79 - Back to School + ribbon
Wags 'n Whiskers #111 - Back to School
Crafty Ribbons #59 - Back to School
Crazy 4 Challenges #201 (C4C201) - Buttons and bows
2 Sisters Challenge #159 - Sketch
Milk Coffee Challenge - Back to School
Shopping Our Stash #117 - School or Office/Workplace
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - Back to School
Inky Chicks Challenge #12 - Stitching (Real or Faux)
Just Us Girls #204 - Distressing

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope your week is going well and that you'll have time to share your newest project(s) with us at Word Art Wednesday.

Once in a While...

I like the celebrate the "little" things in my relationship with my husband.  This summer marked the 30th anniversary of the day we met.  I decided a card was in order.  :)

Short version of our meeting:  My dad was a pastor.  The Christian college I was attending had a summer traveling ensemble and Dad scheduled them to have a concert at our church on a Saturday night.  When the group arrived, I quickly noticed the handsome baritone.  My best friend arranged for us to sit across from each other at dinner (Thanks, Carol!!) and we chatted throughout the evening.  That night, before going to sleep, I prayed, "Lord, he knows who I am now.  If it's Your will that we date, please have him ask me out when we get back to school."  A few weeks after arriving back on campus, Tim did just that.  :)  We were married about 15 mos. later.

I used Sketch #80 from Papertake Weekly for the card design.  This sketch has something I love...lots of layers.  I embossed the solid white panel for some added interest.  I stayed pretty true to the sketch (unusual, I know!) and it's a pretty simple construction. My card is 5.5" square.  I accented the flourishes above & below the sentiment with stickles.

Since I know Tim likes interior decorating on my cards, I made sure to add some.  I used some washi tape as part of the decorations.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Bo Bunny
Stamp: Stampabilities
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Victoria), Stickles (Star Dust), ribbon (Offray), washi tape (Freckled Fawn)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Sketchie Free for All (I used #80)
Catered Crop - Sentimental focus
4 Crafty Chicks (4CCC #157) - Squares
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PPWC273) - Black & White + 1 additional color
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments - Any Sentiment

Thanks for visiting with me today and bearing with me while I did a bit of reminiscing.  :)

Birthday Bluebird

I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch as the design inspiration for my card.  I kept things pretty simple as I was under a short deadline when making the card.  A little matting, a few pearls and a bow and the card is complete.  One thing that made assembling this card go even quicker is that I try to keep on hand a few images I've colored ahead of time.  This was one of those images.  Yes, paper selection can be a bit tricky but this time it worked out OK.  :)  And in case you haven't noticed, just like my flowers, my birds may not be colored "true to life."  I call it "artistic license."  LOL

I did a little bit of simple interior decorating but left a lot of room for a personal message.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill (pink), Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned Paper:  MME (Lost & Found Two)
Ink:  Memento (Paris Dusk)
Stamps:  Impression Obsession (Happy Birth Day), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Bluebird digital stamp)
Embellishments/Tools:  ribbon (Morex Corp.), baker's twine (The Twinery), brads (The Paper Studio), pearls (Stampin' Up), Stampin' Up tag punch, Spellbinders (Circles Small & Large)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments #88 - Any Sentiment
Pile It On Challenge #34 - Patterned Paper
Cuttlebug Mania - Die Cuts
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday #284 - Things with wings
Mojo Monday #308 (MOJO308) - Sketch

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

With Sympathy

You never want to need a sympathy card but sometimes they are necessary.  I used Sketch #79 from Papertake Weekly for the card design.  As usual I tweaked it a bit - turned it sideways and re-oriented the sentiment.

The background music paper was embossed and then the other layers were added to the top.  The image was colored with copics and matted before being popped up on the card.  The sentiment was also popped up.  Three pink rhinestones finish it off.

The interior was decorated a bit and a sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  One of my husband's co-workers had a death in the family.  This card will be signed by several other co-workers so I needed to leave plenty of room for signatures/short messages.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Gazzill
Patterned Paper:  Prima (Madeline)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Clear stamps: Peaceful Swans, Comforting Swans; Digi Stamp: Hummingbird with Scripture)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  Copic Markers, Spellbinders (Deckled Rectangles Large & Small, Petite Ovals Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large), Cuttlebug embossing folder (Victoria), ribbon (Morex), rhinestones (The Paper Studio)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Sketchie Free for All (I used sketch #79)
Aud Sentiments #88 - Any Sentiment
Pile It On Challenge #34 - Patterned Paper
Cuttlebug Mania - Die Cuts
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday #284 - Things with wings

I hope you are having a good week.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit today.  I hope you'll come back soon.

One Cup of Daisies

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week our focus verse is John 1:12, "But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."  This verse is such an encouragement because the first part says, "as many as received him."  This means God is no respecter of persons.  He doesn't just save the rich, famous, beautiful and powerful.  He saves the poor, lowly, and common people too.  What a relief to know He loves me even though I'm not rich & famous.  He allows me to be His child.  Wow!  What a mind-boggling honor!  Who am I, that the Creator of the Universe would love me and call me His child? And He loves you the same way. All you have to do to become His child is admit you are a sinner, believe He paid your sin debt on the cross and ask Him to save you.  If you need more information or have questions, please email me by clicking the "View My Complete Profile" in the sidebar and then click the email link. 

For today's card I took my inspiration from The Sweet Stop Sketch for this week. I switched out the bow for a cup of daisies and moved the daisies to the opposite side.  I colored the image with Copics and fussy cut them.  Some Crystal Effects were added to the flower centers.  The Scripture is matted on a scalloped oval and each scallop was pierced with my Tim Holtz craft pick.  Some faux stitching, pearls, brads and 2 ribbons finish it off. The sentiment panel and image are popped up over the ribbons.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Picadilly 6 x 6 pad)
Stamps:  WordArt by Karen, Digi Darla (One Cup a Daisies)
Copic Markers: B000, 21, 23; Y000, 11, 13, 21; E29, 35
Tools/Embellishments:  Sharpie fine tip marker (brown), ribbon (May Arts - cream, American Crafts - blue), brads and pearls (The Paper Studio), Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Large, Petite Scalloped Ovals Small, Big Border Scalloped Petites), SU Crystal Effects, Zutter Round-it-All (1/2")

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Pile It On Challenge #34 - Use Designer Paper
Sweet Stop Sketch #225 - sketch
Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Goes with Die Cuts (I used 3 different dies)
Crafty Ribbon Challenge #58 - Anything Goes with ribbon

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.  I hope your week is going well.  don't forget to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the design team has to show you and to pick up your free WordArt digi.

He Delivered Me

Deedee has this adorable bear frame as a FREEBIE on the Deedee's Digis blog.  I'm not sure if there's a time limit on it or not so you might want to hop over there and snag it soon.    I couldn't want to color this cutie.  Then when I saw Deedee had The Lord is Our Refuge available, I knew I wanted to combine the two of them. The Lord is Our Refuge is a set that holds special meaning for me.  It has several of my "go to" verses when times are tough and/or I need comfort.

Psalm 34:4 is an extra special verse because it's one I "discovered" when I was facing a difficult health crisis.  I had many worries & fears about what was ahead.  When I discovered this verse, I clung to it just like you would a trapeze bar and held on for dear life.  The Lord was faithful (as always).  He took away my fears and gave me peace.

The card is a 5" square.  In Word, I cropped the verse to separate out the Scripture reference so that I could move it down a bit.  That's one of the wonders of digis!  The bear & frame are colored with Copics and then fussy cut.  I matted the image panel on kraft cardstock.

A border punch helps set off a strip of patterned paper across the middle and a bow with a button middle accents the image panel.  A little faux stitching, some pearls in the corners and some pop dots later and the card is done.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (green), Recollections (kraft)
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Kioshi)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Bear Frame, The Lord is Our Refuge)
Copics:  E11, 31, 33, 35, 37, YG03, BG000
Embellishments/Tools:  Sharpie Fine Point pen (brown), ribbon (Michael's), baker's twine (The Twinery), pearls (Queen & Company), button (La Mode), SU ticket punch, Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Penny's Paper-Crafty #141 - Use Dies/Punches (I used two different punches)
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #58 - Anything Goes with Ribbon
Crazy 4 Challenges #200 (C4C200)  - Animal
2 Sisters Challenge #158 - Square Cards
V's Sweet Challenge #14 - Use Twine
Pile It On Challenge #34 - Use Designer Paper

I'm glad you stopped by for a visit today, be sure to come back again tomorrow for a new Word Art Wednesday challenge.

Let Your Dreams Soar

I have my first project to share with you today as a design team member for the new re-opened Deedee's Digis.  I am using the Lifted Up set.  The set comes with 4 images (in 3 formats including colored and outline) and 4 sentiments.  I chose to use the outline and layering formats ad 2 of the sentiments.

It's funny how we get into crafting ruts. For a long time, 90% of my cards were 5.5" squares. Lately, I've been making mostly A2 or 5x7 cards. Today, I revisited an old friend and went back to a 5.5" square.

I paper pieced the kite and the bows on the kite tail using 4 different coordinating patterned papers.  I fussy cut and layered the kite and clouds.  I added a baker's twine tail before attaching the pieced bows.  I used a bit of copic markers around the edges of the clouds for a little dimension.

The sky background was made by using Memento Summer Sky (appropriate color name isn't it?) in a direct-to-paper technique and then embossing it with a Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder.  The swirls reminded me of wind currents.

On the bottom sentiment panel, I layered the sentiment on red patterned paper and added two eyelets to run the twine thru. This panel was popped up on another piece of patterned paper.  I inked the edges of the papers with the same Memento ink used for the sky.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (blue)
Pattern Paper:  Unknown - it was a gift
Digi Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Lifted Up set)
Ink:  Memento (Summer Sky)
Copics:  B000, N0, Colorless Blender
Tools/Embellishments:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (D'vine Swirl), baker's twine (The Twinery), Zutter Round-it-all (used inside)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Shopping Our Stash #115 - oldest hardware (my eyelets are from my early paper crafting years)
Craft Room Challenge - Something New (this stamp is from a new store, it's a new release, and it's a new sky technique for me)
4 Crafty Chicks #156 - Photo Inspiration (I used the colors as inspiration)
2 Sisters #158 - Square Card
V's Sweet Ideas #14 - Use Twine
Pile It On Challenge #34 - Use Designer Paper (I used 4)

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll stop by Deedee's Digis soon.  Deedee is adding more sets all the time.

Exciting Announcement

I've been sitting on some news for a little while that I can now share with you.

Deedee's Digis just re-opened her store and I am privileged to be on her design team again.  The store just opened this morning.  Deedee will be adding many more items in the near future but already has a great selection.  Be sure to click the link above as Deedee is celebrating the store opening with a digi freebie.

I'll have some projects to show you soon.  I just couldn't wait to share my good news with you.

Godliness with Contentment

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week's focus verse is 1 Timothy 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."  Part of living a godly lifestyle is being content.  I don't know about you, but contentment in some areas is easier than others.  Contentment isn't just about things; it includes people, churches, jobs, season of life, etc.  It might be easy to be content with our material possessions but we may struggle with our season of life.  It's not easy!  (Understatement right?)  Even the Apostle Paul had to work at it.  He says in Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." [emphasis mine]  He had to learn to be content too.  Somehow, it makes me feel better to know that it didn't come naturally for him either.  :)

For my card, I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO307) as inspiration.  I used Digi Darla's Blowing Dandelions digi stamp.  Digi Darla is one of our sponsors this week (be sure to link up a card this week for your chance to win a prize from her store).  I paper pieced the girl and fussy cut both the girl and the log/grass.  Since I was paper piecing her dress & hat, I took the opportunity to add a hat band and belt with white floss.  Tip:  When fussy cutting an image, I run a black copic along the cut edge to add a more finished look.  This helps it look like you cut right on the line. 

To make the sky background, I used a petite scalloped oval die cut as a mask to sponge clouds on a white piece of cardstock.  I moved the die cut around to vary the shape/size of the clouds.  Then I die cut the cardstock into a circle.  I added the log and trimmed the bottom to fit the circle.  Last I sat the girl on the log and popped her up off the cloud panel.

I used a border punch for some white trim along the edges of the purple paper but it is mostly covered up by the image & sentiment panels.  I moved the circles around from the sketch & traded the banners for a pearl flourish. Definitely took a lot of creative license with this sketch.  :)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up
Stamps:  WordArt by Karen (1 Timothy 6:6), Digi Darla (Blowing Dandelions)
Ink:  Memento (Summer Sky)
Copics:  E000, 00, 01, 25, 31, 33, 35, 37, 50; R20, 81, 85; Y000; YG03, 05
Tools/Embellishments - Uni-ball Signo white pen, Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Pen, DMC floss (white), Spellbinders (Circles Large & Small, Lacey Circles), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments #87 - Anything but a birthday card
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Girls want to have fun
Top Tip Tuesday #108 - Use at least 2 things that start with your initial(s) (I used stitching, spellbinders and white)
Mojo Monday (MOJO307) - sketch
Penny's Paper Crafty #141 - Use Dies or punches
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC272) - Girly Girl

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me.  I hope you'll stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has for you, pick up your free digi and see what wonderful prizes are sponsors are offering this week.

Welcome Little Girl

I needed another baby card for a sweet little girl.  I used one of my new favorite teddy bear images, Baby Bear's Butterfly, from StampArt Design.  This is the bonus file that comes with the digi stamp (2 for the price of one!).

I used this week's sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches (#212).  I mirror imaged the sketch to accommodate the direction Teddy is facing.  Teddy is colored with copics, fussy cut and popped up on an embossed piece of cardstock.  I used lots of faux stitching on this card.  I was able to use lots of scraps as well.  The patterned paper, pink cardstock, white square and kraft banner are from scraps.

Paper Saving Tip:  One of my favorite ways to stretch my paper is to die cut smaller mats out of the larger ones.  For instance, the pink cardstock that is matting the banner is cut from the middle of the mat that is on top of the card base.  Since the larger mat has gingham paper (and other layers) on top of it, you can't tell that part of it was cut away.  

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (pink), Stampin' Up (kraft)
Patterned paper:  Frances Meyer
Stamps:   StampArt Design (Baby Bear's Butterfly), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Baby Blessings)
Tools/Embellishments:  Copic Markers, Sharpie fine point pen (brown), Uni-Ball Signo pen (white), ribbon (Offray), twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), buttons from stash, Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss Dot), Spellbinders (Classic Squares Large & Small, Circles Large & Small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Tuesday Morning Sketches (#212) - sketch
Crafty Ribbons #57- Use 3 of something (I have 3 buttons and 3 colors)
2 Sisters Challenge #157 - Use Pink, White & Kraft
Really Reasonable Ribbon #78 - Use pink & brown
Make It Monday #154 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown #161 - Use scraps
Top Tip Tuesday #108 - Use at least 2 things that start with your initial(s) (I used stitching, spellbinders, squares & white)
Cute Card Thursday #282 - Use Buttons
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Use Scraps
Aud Sentiments Challenge #87 - Anything but a birthday card

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to come back tomorrow when I'll have a card to show you for the new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.