Bought with a Price

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Will Be Glad and Rejoice

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Joy and Gladness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Immanuel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Corgi Cuteness

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meowy Christmas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

World Card Making Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God is My Salvation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Faith is...

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

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

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

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

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

Peace and Encouragement

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

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

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

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

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