Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop

Welcome to the April Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop. If you have arrived here from Emilia's blog, you are on the right track. Please carry on to Sarah's blog to finish off the hop. Leave comments all along the way to be entered for chances to win a $25 Heartfelt Creations gift certificate. Winners will be announced here Saturday, April 30th at noon (EST) with instructions to claim the prize.

I wanted to create a masculine card since I have so few in my card stash. I was loosely inspired to use the general layout of a postcard because the students in my grade 8 English class are making postcards from a novel character, writing brief summaries of a critical scene to another character - so a vintage postcard came to my mind quite naturally.

I used a lighthouse image from High Seas as my main focal point and coloured it with warm grey copic markers. I have highlighted areas using an opaque white gel pen. The sentiment is from Moments with You which is a go to round sentiment stamp. I made this Moments with You card using this set, and it remains one of my favourite projects.

I trust you have been truly inspired by the wonderful art work featured on the hop, and many thinks for your kind comments.

stamps; moments with you, high seas (heartfelt creations)
paper; black, khaki cardstock (worldwin), pattern paper (heartfelt creations)
ink; tuxedo black memento, espresso truffle mementoluxe  (tsukineko)
accessories; copic markers (copic), white gel pen (sakura), black brads, hemp twine (unknown)

Seasons Givings Blog Hop

Happy New Year!! I am so excited to be participating in the Seasons Givings Blog Hop! If you are here from Dina's amazing blog, you are in the right place. If you would like to start the hop from the very beginning, I invite you to go to the Lawn Fawn blog, and make your way back here, via the creativity inspiring slow boat. The purpose of this hop is to thank you, our readers for your support to our creative endeavours.

To enter the draw for the prize shown above, please leave a comment on my blog with your contact information using the following format: yourname_at_youremailprovider_dot_com (or however it ends com/ca/net etc). My draw will take place at 7:00am (MST) on Friday, January 8th, and all comments to that point will be entered. The prize will be awarded as shown, with no substitutions. The winner will be responsible for any customs/duty charges incurred during shipping.

I created this card to celebrate all the resolutions that will be made and discarded over the next while. I tend to not make resolutions to ring in the new year, but I know it is a common practice among many. I don't really drink alcohol or coffee much, so while I think the last few stamped sentiments I've used are funny, it's through second hand information, believe me!

I really love the Tim Holtz blueprint stamps very much and this stamp is from his Fresh Brewed set. I applied glossy accents over LATTE in the corner before I sponged ink on so it would remain clean looking.

These print papers are from an old and discontinued Basic Grey collection, Origins.

I cut apart the original sentiment stamp (Depresso by Riley & Co.) so I could create a punny tag line on the front of my card. While I have many pun sentiment stamps in my collection, I chose to cut this one apart because I doubt I would use it as it was manufactured. I created this tag using Spellbinders Petite Pennants.

Lg Classic Rectangles and Sm Classic Rectangles were used to cut and emboss the coffee cup and sentiment. To colour the to-go coffee cup I used copic markers - C0, 1, 3, 5, W00, 1, 3, 5, E41, 43, YG91, 95, 99, colorless blender.

I sponged most of the papers used for this card with pumice stone, frayed burlap and black soot distress inks.

There have been a lot of changes in my house this year, and I can't even imagine what next year holds in store. I am both holding my breath with my eyes closed tightly and looking forward with eager anticipation. I wish you all the best in the coming year and wish you luck in this draw.

Lawn Fawn

Scrapbook Cards & Today Magazine

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Reverse Confetti

Technique Tuesday

CAS-ual Friday Stamps

Verve Stamps

Donna Salazar

Richard Garay

AdTech

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Inchie Arts

Avocado Arts

OHscrap (Bossy Joscie)

Rubermoon Stamps

Latina Crafter

A Jillian Vance Design

JustNick

Your Everyday Stamps

Latisha Yoast

AJ Otto

Kimberly Crawford

Julia Stainton

Laurie Willison

Teri Anderson

Jennifer Gallacher

Vera Yates

Wanda Guess

Nichol Magouirk

Kelly Klapstein

Anabelle O’Malley

Kim Watson

Chari Moss

Laura Bassen

Lydia Fiedler

Lisa Adametz

Alice Wertz

Daniela Dobson

Jenn Shurkus

Lori Craig

Amy Tsuruta

Lisa Henke

Margie Higuchi

Lee Murphy

Lori Tecler

Dina Kowal

(**you are here) Loretta Lock (here are you**)

Darsie Bruno

Marcie Sharp

Veronica Zalis

Barbara Anders

Maria Levine

Dana Joy

Melody Rupple

Keri Sereika

Asia King

Jennifer Ingle

Yvonne Van de Grijp

Beth Pingry

Erica Houghton

Mary-Ann Maldonado

Piali Biswas

Ashley Newell

Nicole Maki

Julee Tilman

Leigh Penner

Christina Griffiths

Lindsay Amrhein

Laura Williams

Debbie Seyer

Christine Emberson

Kerry Urbatch

Linda Lucas

Tosha Leyendekker

Giovana Smith

Bunny Vance

Stacey Schafer

Lee Ann Barrett

Ruby Naz

Julie Dinn

Jill Hawkins

Christiana Reulling

Jodi Collins

Gracie Chavez

Michelle Woerner

Tania Willis

Karisse Schilling

Lori McAree

Ashley Harris

Emily Leiphart

Heidi Blankenship

Coralynn Murray

Tenia Nelson

Pretty Philosophie

Jillian Vance

Misti Oblander

ODBD June Release

Happy June, friends! The June release from Our Daily Bread Designs is perfectly focused on the themes of the month - Father's Day and Sunshne!

I am really enjoying the muted tones of the Vintage Ephemera Collection paper and it co-ordinates so perfectly with the gorgeous masculine stamps and dies released this month.

This verse is one of my husband's favourites, so I was thrilled to see it in this release. I have plans for the rest of the sentiments in the Good Man set of stamps.

These darling Workshop Tool dies are simply divine!! I have cut them out of neutral cardstock, which I coloured using a silver paint pen. I ran the hammer and screwdriver dies through using blue for the handles, cut the handle portion off and aged it using copic markers to colour. I tied the little tool bundle together with hemp twine.

This Sunshine themed collection is a very fun release from ODBD. While this background has the appearance of an embossing folder, it is a metal die template and it does beautiful work cutting, piercing and embossing all at the same time.

I used red, orange and yellow glitter spray on a paintbrush to create the splatter pattern on the background. Once I loaded the paintbrush with glitter spray, I tapped the brush on my finger so the spray pattern would have a larger drip pattern.

I sponged the sentiment while in a basic rectangle die template to  really draw attention to this lovely sentiment. I've used an adhesive rhinestone to embellish this wee sun. So fun!!

Three randomly selected winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate to the ODBD Store, to be used toward the purchase of ODBD Stamps found in the "stamps column" of the website just for commenting on the Design Team cards!  You have until June 2, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. EDT to leave your comments on the Designers Blogs for a chance to win!  The Winners will be posted on the ODBD Blog on June 3rd, so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

Julie * Cathy * Lori * Sandee * Dawn * America * Amy * Chris * Grace * Sabrina * Angie * Lisa * Silke * Audrey * Wanda * Loretta

Father's Day Card:
stamps: good man (odbd)
paper: vintage ephemera collention (odbd), brown, jacaranda (bazzill), grey, beach (world win paper)
ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
accessories: workshop tools (odbd), silver paint pen (zig), screw hea dbrads (unknown), jute rope (canvas home), hemp twine (unknown), classic rectangles lg, classic squares lg, classic squares sm (spellbinders), copic markers

Sunshine Card:
stamps: sunshine blessings (odbd)
paper: white, pumpkin (bazzill)
ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko), tumbled glass distress ink, lemonade adirondack ink (ranger)
accessories: sunburst background (odbd), classic rectangles lg (spellbinders), red stitched grosgrain ribbon (may arts), rhinestone (mambi), glitter spray (tattered angels)

Courage, My Friend!

There has been so much going on behind the scenes. Teaching. Grad studies. Friends. Family. Paper Crafting. Foster dogs. Forgive me when I get behind in blogging.

 I have a close friend who is having such immense health struggles that it shakes me to the core. I want her to fight for life. I want a miraculous healing for her so she can leave the hospital for the first time since before Easter. I want my friend to be healthy and whole. I want to hear her magical voice ringing pure and true beside me during worship services and we sing praise to The Only One worthy of our praise. I want to have her whole and complete family over for our coveted family nights, laughing and playing games and talking until late.

I miss my friend. I had the incredible privilege to visit with her in ICU 2 weeks ago. She's tired of fighting. I want to fight for her - physically give her my strength and will to fight on, but it's not possible. I'm fighting for her the only way I can, and I believe the only way that will have the most effect - by lifting her constantly to the Throne of Grace. To the Father who loves her so much more than I ever could.

And as I write this, I know my motives are flawed. Selfishly motivated. I want things to be the way they were. I list my wants, but am completely ignorant of the larger, more loving will of Our Heavenly Father. And through all of this, I am uncomfortably growing way beyond my comfort zone. Again, I selfishly list my minimal discomforts in contrast to the significant pain my friend cannot escape from. God, give me the grace to grow!

Jody is never far from my thoughts. I am in constant prayer for her and her wonderful family. I am thankful for all the people globally God is bringing together to lift Jody to the throne of grace. I am thankful for her husband's willingness to share his journey - it's been incredibly difficult, but he has learned lessons he might not have learned otherwise and he is being purified in the fire of adversity. Oh! that I would come through as well as he has.

I humbly thank-you for dropping by today and I apologize for the weight of this blog post. It's just where I'm at.

sentiment: digital image (tlc creations)
ink: antique linen, tea dye, vintage photo, walnut stain, fired brick distress inks (ranger)
paper: timepiece (bo bunny), amsterdam, canvas white, cinder (bazzill), black (world win)
accessories: Celebra'tions Silk Luster Black, Feathers, Sm deckle Mega Rectangles (spellbinders), black twine (may arts) 

Stripped Gears

Today I've used a delightful sentiment from Heartfelt Creations Tarnished Gears stamp set. Sometimes I think there are just not enough masculine oriented paper craft products. But then I know in my head that it is just how I use my supplies that determine the audience/recipient of my card.

I thought there was a perfect theme match between this sentiment and the Spellbinders M-Bossabilities folder, Creative Cogs. I do love happy coincidences and partnerships like this one! I am thrilled that this folder creates such incredibly deep texture. The tiny screw embossing looks identical in depth to the tiny screw brads I used around the sentiment. Love it!

stamps: tarnished gears (heartfelt creations)
ink: Tuxedo Black Memento ink (tsukineko)
paper: White, Kraft, Cinder (bazzill)
accessories: Woven burlap ribbon (really reasonable ribbon), Creative Cogs Embossing Folder, Classic Rectangles Small (spellbinders), screw head brads (unknown).

Cute Little Arrows

For a splurge of under $20, this card made me feel like a million bucks! I saw this pad of paper called 'The Story of Us' in a local craft store and thought I'd died and gone to heaven!! 

The backstory; My youngest turned 13 this year. All she wanted for her birthday was a real bow and arrows. She had done some archery at school in Phys Ed, and when we went to Mexico on holidays last year, there was an archery range at the resort. She is really very good at it. And so my awareness of all things bow and arrow related has been heightened.

And I saw this paper. *squeal*. And then I saw the tiny arrow dies from Spellbinders. I nearly fainted from pure, unadulterated joy! This card came together then and there. The trip home took absolutely forever.

This was an incredibly simple card to put together. I used an old verve stamp set, From the Heart. The knot I've used on this card is the Alpine Butterfly Knot because I know someone is going to ask and if I don't write it down now, I will never remember what it is.

I layered the Thankful Hearts die from Verve and stuck the arrow through the middle. I don't even know if Verve makes this die any more, it is that old. But it is absolutely divine here, and I'm so glad I thought of it!

Thank you for popping in on my random creativity. I have news to share next week, so stay tuned. It's a biggun. Really, really big! Have a great weekend.

stamps; from the heart (verve)
ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
paper; the story of us (simple stories), kraft, raven, white, amsterdam (bazzill)
accessories; thankful hearts (verve), shoot!, petite labels one (spellbinders), linen cord (canvas home basics), gingham ribbon (may arts)

March Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop

Welcome to the March Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop. The beginning of the Hop is on Amarylis's Blog if you want to start from the beginning. If you have arrived here from Caroline's Blog, you are on the right track. Be sure to leave comments all along the way for an opportunity to win a $25 Heartfelt Creations gift certificate. The contest closes on Friday, March 28th, and the winner will be announced by noon on Saturday, March 29th.

Today, I've used Scenic Combo, Uplifting Scriptures and Vintage Word Background. Because I'm working full time as a teacher and my graduate studies continue, I am trying to figure out how to create cards I am happy with that take less time. I don't feel I'm there quite yet for the time it takes me, but it's getting better. I'm pleased that I am able to find the supplies I want to use, although finding this cord took forever!!!

I coloured this image by sponging ink and then using markers to add a little definition. It isn't quite what I had in mind initially, but I'm happy with the outcome. I used to colour with sponges and get some amazing colour and drama to images, and I'll need to polish that technique again since it's a favourite of mine!

I started by making this knot out of hemp twine, and it was really tiny. Then I found my burlap twine and tied it again, and it didn't seem to be much thicker. I kept thinking I must have something thicker, but I couldn't remember what or where it was. It took me 2 days to remember, but I'm so glad I did because this is the look I was after the whole time. A big knot with lots of definition. *sigh of contentment*

To carry on with the hop, I invite you to go to Glenda's blog for some more amazing inspiration. Ta for now peeps!

stamps; scenic combo, uplifting scriptures, vintage work background (heartfelt reations)
ink; tuxedo black memento (tsukineko), pumice stone, black soot, worn lipstick, shabby shutters, peeled paint, stormy sky, tumbled glass, gathered twigs distress ink (ranger)
paper; fiddlesticks (mme), flintstone, lagoon, white canvas, kraft (bazzill)
accessories; distress ink markers (ranger), screw head brads (unknown), linen cord (canvas home basics)

Dare to Get Dirty - Man Card Challenge

I am squeezing this card in between readings and research papers. Forgive the short post!

And, this card is quick and easy to make!! It took me less than 45 minutes to pull these gorgeous Documented papers from simple stories and find this pre-printed sentiment out of my little pile.

This sentiment from tlc creations makes me smile every time I read it. I cut it out using large deckle mega rectangles nestabilities and left it in the die while I sponged the edges with pumice stone distress ink. I popped it out of the die and sponged the edges with gathered twigs distress ink.

As with many of my man cards, I've used natural linen cord and for this guy card I've tied a simple granny knot.

stamps; digital sentiment (tlc creations)
paper; documented (simple stories from ihp), kraft, java (bazzill)
ink; pumice stone, gathered twigs distress ink (ranger from ihp)
accessories; large deckle mega rectangle nestabilities (spellbinders from ihp), natural linen cord (canvas home basics from ihp)
 

The Man Card

Good day, peeps! I sat down to get a card made last week, and it took until today to get it done.

It's a man card! I know I personally lack in this section of my card filing drawers. In fact, it's empty and has been empty for Quite some time!! The denim print paper is from the Genuine paper pad by Authentique. 2 of my favourite things about this pad: the papers and now double sided AND there is a stunning butterfly print paper in there. Gives me goosebumps, people!!!

This is a Carrick Bend knot that I tied using rope burlap. I love it! Doesn't it look a little like a love knot?!!

This sentiment is from a newly released stamp set from Technique Tuesday called, 'Thinking of You'. It is a divine set!! Since it's an acrylic stamp, I used Tuxedo Black Memento ink, which shows up really well against the pattern paper.

Very old: do you see I turned these screw head brads on the side to make them look like x's & o's?!!! Okay, it wasn't deliberate. I had to turn them so the brad leg didn't show on the front since these brads have incredibly long posts. Some days I have a very brief accidental brilliant moment and this was mine for today!

Thanks so much for popping by today! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your kind words as I work really hard on my schooling and can't post as much as I normally do. The pressure is starting to let up, so I'm feeling much better about things and I'll try to get in here more. Ta for now!

stamps; thinking of you (technique tuesday from ihp)
paper; geniune (authentique from ihp), white canvas, oxford (bazzill)
ink; tuxedo black memento ink (tsukineko from ihp)
accessories; rope burlap (may arts from ihp), screw brads (unknown)