SNSDC13 -- Color Challenge

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a card using the colors green, yellow and orange.  Since these are not the colors I typically use, it was certainly a challenge for me.

I used this cute Cocoa's Beach Ball digi stamp.  I colored him with Prismacolor pencils and then cut him out with my Nestabilities. My sentiment is computer generated. I used this week's Sweet Stop Sketch #118.  While it's hard to see in the picture, I added some stickles to the orange paper and to the yellow paper around the sentiment. 

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Colorbok
Patterned Paper:  Colorbok
Stamp:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Cocoa's Beach Ball)
Tools/Embellishments:  Cuttlebug EF (D'Vine Swirls), Fiskar's Border Punch (Apron Lace), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Deckled Rectangles Large & Small, Standard Circles Large & Small), RicRac - Misc, Stickles (crystal), Prismacolor pencils

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges:
Paper Sundae's #79 - Beachy or Summer
Paper Pretties #164 - No Markers
Meljen's Designs #69 - Frame it


Thanks for stopping by.

James 5:16b - SIWS7

For this week's Say It With Scripture Challenge #7 at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection, our focus verse is James 5:16b, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."  Click the Say It With Scripture link to be taken to the post where you can grab for free digi of this verse.

I decided to look at the dictionary definition of some of the words in James 5:16b.  My husband received an 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary for his recent birthday so I'm using that dictionary as my source today.

effectual - having adequate power or force to produce the effect
fervent - ardent; very warm; earnest; excited; animated; glowing
righteous - denotes one who is holy in heart, and observant of the divine commands in practice
avail - to be of use or advantage; generally it signifies to have strength, force or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object

My first thought when thinking of this verse was to point out that when we pray ardently and earnestly, our prayers have the strength to accomplish quite a bit.  That's true - prayer does change things.  However, as I read and re-read, the definition of righteous, I am humbled and convicted.  How often am I truly holy in heart?  How often am I completely observant to God's commands in my daily life?  For my prayers to have their full power, I need to make sure I'm holy in heart and observant to God's commands in my life.  I don't know about you, but I have some work to do before my prayers are at "full-strength."

Here's the card I made highlighting this verse:

As you can see a little better in the next picture, I popped Rhubarb up on pop-dots before attaching him to the card.  I'm not sure you can tell, but I used black stickles for the eyes on Rhubarb and his birdie friend.

Supplies:

Cardstock - Recollections, Georgia Pacific

Patterned Paper - BG (Out of Print)

Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy (Pray Without Ceasing, Rhubarb and Birdie)

Tools/Embellishments - Corner Rounder (Zutter Round-it-All), Buttons (La Mode), Twine (Twinery in Cappuccino), Prismacolor Pencils, Stickles (Black Diamond)

I used this week's sketch CPS#228 for this card. 

I hope you'll join in this week's Say It With Scripture challenge.  Don't forget, there's a free digi each week!

Owl Happy Birthday

Our daughter asked me to make her a card to give my husband for his birthday this week.  She looked thru my stamps and picked two different owl stamps and a small "Happy Birthday" stamp.  She said she wanted an antique look, distressed edges, the owls stamped in brown ink on opposing corners on kraft cardstock and the sentiment popped up. She then went to bed.  :)  I accepted her challenge *smile* and here's what I came up with.

In real life, the sponging on the kraft cardstock makes it look like leather.  Most importantly, our daughter said it was exactly like she saw it in her head.  Yay!  I won that challenge!!  LOL

Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill
Patterned Paper - K & Company (Life's Journey)
Stamps - Studio G (Owls), Happy Birthday stamp (unknown)
Ink - VersaFine (Vintage Sepia), Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye)
Brads - JoAnn's

I'm entering this in the Birthday Sundaes: #18 - Anything Goes Challenge.

SNSDC12 - Sympathy Card

This week's challenge over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a sympathy card.  I used one of the swans in the Peaceful Swans Digital Stamp set at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  The sentiment is from Praying for You Digital Stamp set.

I used a sketch from Christian Paper Crafts (CPCST111).  The embossed panel under the image is highlighted with star dust stickles.  I used the same stickles to accent the centers of the large blue circles/flowers in the background paper and the water under the swan.  The blues of the water and the paper match much beterr in real life.

Supplies:
Cardstock & Patterned Paper - DCWV (At Home)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy (Peaceful Swans, Praying for You)
Embellishments/Tools - Spellbinders Nestabilities (Lacey Squares, Labels Four), Button & ribbon from stash, Cuttlebug EF (Victoria), Sakura Gelly Roll Star Dust Pen (clear), Prismacolor pencils

Challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown #58 - Something Metallic
Craft Your passion #67 - Text It
Paper Pretties #163 - Embossing

Come play along with us this week at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.

Have a Beary Happy Day

Today I have a birthday card to show you using the Rhubarb digi that was just released today from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  He's called Rhubarb's Balloons. Isn't he adorable?   I chose to put him on this easel birthday card. 

Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill (kraft) and Georgia Pacific (white)
Patterned paper - Echo Park (Little Boy)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy (Rhubarb's Balloons, Bear Sentiments, Masculine Birthday)
Embellishments - Copics (E08, E29, E33, E35, E37), Prismacolor pencils, Twinery Twine (Cappuccino), Brads (American Crafts - Denim), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Circles Large & Small, Labels 3), Uni-ball Signo White Pen)

Challenges:
Stamp TV - Mix It Up Monday - STVMONVD2 - Sketch
Birthday Sundaes #18 - Anything Goes 
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #120 - Animal Antics 
SNSS-J4F6 - Use Twine 
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #98 - Something that moves on the card 
Craft Your Passion #67 - Text It

Thanks for stopping by!!

Say It With Scripture Challenge #6 - Hebrews 4:16

This card is for the Say It With Scripture Challenge #6 at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection.

So many times in life we act boldly when we should be meek and quiet and we ruin things.  There are definitely times that it is appropriate to be bold. This verse tells us about one of those times.  We are to approach the Throne of Grace with boldness.  Is this a demanding type of boldness that says, "You WILL give me my way!"?  No, it's a boldness that shows our right to approach God the Father to ask for His help and mercy.  Just as  children have a right to go to their earthly Father for help and protection, so too we have the right to go to our Heavenly Father for His help.  Instructing us to approach the Throne of Grace boldly, means that we're not "bothering" Him.  Just like loving earthly fathers, He loves to help us.  That is a thought that just boggles my mind. As the song says, "Why should He love me so?"

 You can't really tell but I used a Sakura glitter pen on the floral design in the background paper.  It gives a nice, subtle shimmer to the paper.  I used MOJO200 for the sketch.  The butterflies are paper pieced and only attached in the center so that the wings can be lifted for some dimension.

Supplies:
Card base & CS:  SU
Patterned Paper - BG (Boxer)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy - Pray Without Ceasing (Digi), New Creature (Digi)
Tools & Embellishments - Zutter Round It All, Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch, Nestabilities Circles Large & Eyelet Circles, Oriental Trading Pearls, Recollection Bling, Michael's Ribbon

I'm entering this in the Craft Your Passion #67 - Text It Challenge.

I hope you'll come play along with us this week.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Criss-Cross Cards - Psalm 27:14

I had a request to make some cards in the "criss cross" style.  It's an easy card to make and I think works well for those times you need to make several cards at one time.  It's also a style that works well for when you want a card that has plenty of room to write a message.  Here is a great tutorial from SCS for the Criss Cross Card.


I made two sets of four cards each.What both cards have in common:

Scripture verse: Psalm 27:14 from the Encouragement Scripture set at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps
Overall card design
Stickles -- I was asked to make sure the cards had some "sparkle."
Here's a sample of each one:

Supplies:
Cardstock - SU
Patterned Paper - BG
Stamp - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Encouragement Scripture)
Embellishments/Tools - Stickles (Star Dust), Fiskars Border Punch (Apron Lace), Nestabilities (Petite Oval Large, Petite Scalloped Oval Large, Labels Four), EK Success Corner Rounder

Supplies:
Cardstock - Georgia Pacific, DCWV
Patterned Paper -DCWV
Stamp - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Encouragement Scripture)
Embellishments/Tools - Stickles (Crystal),  Nestabilities (Petite Oval Large, Petite Scalloped Oval Large, Standard Circles Large & Small), Cuttlebug EF (D'vine Swirls), Zutter 1/2" Round It All


Last Monday's Tips & Tricks with Taylor (TTT08) at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection was a challenge to choose a simple design to make cards in bulk.  I would encourage you to give this design a try.  It looks harder than it is and, because of the angle you cut your patterned paper, works well when making in sets of 2's.

I'm entering these cards in the Simon Says Stamp...Anything Goes challenge.

Cheryl's Blog Candy

Cheryl, of the She Stamps blog, is giving away some wonderful blog candy.  She has not one but two prizes packages that she will be sending to two fortunate folks.  Be sure to visit her She Stamps blog for all the details on how you could be one of the winners.

Psalm 118:24 - SNSDC11

This week's challenge at The Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to add bling to your card. I paired the 6 Petal Flower Digi Stamp set with one of the verses in the Rejoice in the Lord Digital Stamp set.  I chose Psalm 118:24 because it is one of my Dad's favorite verses.  My dad was a pastor and I remember hearing him quote this on Sunday mornings as he was getting ready to go to church.  He would always emphasize the word "will."

I colored the flowers and leaves with my Prismacolor pencils.  Then I went over them with Deep Green chalk ink. I only attached the flowers in the center and curled up the edges a bit.

I'm not sure how well you can tell but the leaves and the centers of the flowers have distress stickles and the edges of the flowers and around the Scripture panel have star dust stickles around them.  I added some rhinestones to the Scripture panel and some pearl flourishes to add a little more sparkle.

Supply list:
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  BG (Hello Luscious- Raddish and Yumberry)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Rejoice in the Lord, 6 Petaled Flowers)
Ink:  Color Box Fluid Chalk (Olive Pastel, Deep Green)
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (BG), Pearl Flourishes (Recollections), Stickles (Star Dust), Distress Stickles (Barn Door, Crushed Olive), Prismacolor Pencils, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #119 - Sketch
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #97 - "What Works for You" (stickles, prismacolor pencils, nestabilities, BG paper)
Craft Your Passion #66 -  Just for You (General card)
Simon Says...Anything Goes

I hope you'll join us this week at The SNS Digi Challenge Blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Anniversary Card

This is my second post today.  To see the post on how to win a free Sweet 'n Sassy digi, please see my post below or click here.

I made an anniversary card this week.  I had to take the pics at night so please forgive the lighting.

I used this week's sketch at Mojo Monday (MOJO198).  I used stickles on the hearts and swags for some sparkle. The hearts are attached with foam squares to pop it up off the card.  As usual, the stickles don't show up well in the photo. I went around the edged of the hearts with black ink before I matted them with the kraft cardstock.

Supplies:
Card base: SU
Cardstock:  Bazzill (Kraft)
Patterned Paper: BG (Bittersweet)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (All My Heart, Sentiments for Him digi sets)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Embellishments: Trim (Hobby Lobby), Pearls (Oriental Trading), Stickles (Star Dust), Zig journal pen

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday #118 - Seeing Double (two hearts, two patterned papers, two stamp sets)
Paper Sundaes #76 - Stitching (real or faux)
Simon Says Stamp...a Stitch in Time - Stitching (real or faux)
Craft Your Passion #65 - Anything Goes

Sweet 'n Sassy Facebook Contest & FREE Digi

Yesterday, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps released an adorable new character.  Rhubarb is a cute little teddy bear that will be giving Cocoa a run for his money (in my opinion anyway).   In honor of Rhubarb's release, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is running a contest on Facebook and today and tomorrow you can get a free Rhubarb digi.  You have until July 15th to submit your card.  You can check out all the details here:  Sweet 'n Sassy Facebook Contest.

SNSDC10 -- Use Scripture On Your Card

This week's challenge at the Sweet n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to use one of the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Scriptures on your project.  I chose to use Ecclesiastes 3:1 from the Encouragement Scripture Digital Stamp set.  I also used the Gardening Cookie digital image.

Supplies:
Sketch: MOJO124 
Card base: SU
Cardstock: Bazzill, Georgia Pacific, Recollections
Patterned Paper:  BG (Ambrosia)
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - Gardening Cookie, Encouragement Scripture Digital Stamp Set
Ink:  Colorbox fluid Chalk (chestnut roan)
Embellishments: Cuttlebug EF (Swiss Dots), Prismacolor pencils, Fiskars border punch (threading water), Oriental Trading pearls, Zig journaling pen, Spellbinders nestabilities standard circles

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Paper Sundae's #76 - Stitching (real or faux)
Simply Scrapping Crafts July challenge - Embossing
Simon Says Stamp...A Stitch in Time - Stitching (real or faux)
Design Divas Challenge 5 - Die Cuts & Punches
Craft Your Passion #65 - Anything Goes


Thanks for stopping by!  Come play along with us this week.

Philippians 4:6 - SIWS4

It's my turn to host the Say It With Scripture Challenge (#4) over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Connection.  This month we're looking at various verses on prayer.  Our focus verse this week is Philippians 4:6  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

This verse is a reminder to me that I'm not to worry about anything.  Instead, I'm to take my concerns, circumstances and difficulties to the Lord and ask for His help.  Life can bring us some pretty difficult things so where does the thanksgiving come in?  For starters, we can be thankful that we have a Heavenly Father who has all things under His control.  Nothing takes Him by surprise and He already knows how things will turn out.  While we don't know the end from the beginning, He does!  We can also be thankful that our Heavenly Father wants us to bring our cares and concerns to Him.  He never tires of having us talk to Him and He is available to listen to us anytime - day or night.  A third thing we can be thankful for is that our God actually has the power to do something about our situation.  For those trials that, in His infinite wisdom, He chooses not to remove from our lives, He will give us the grace to endure and will stay right there with us the entire time.

So this week, as you think on this verse, come to the Lord with your concerns with a thankful heart.  Be thankful that we serve a mighty God.  We don't need to worry...He has everything under control.

For my card I used this week's Sweet Stop Sketch #115.  While I sometimes have another image with my Scripture verse, this time I chose to have the verse be the complete focal image.

Supplies:
Card base - SU
Cardstock - Recollections
Patterned Paper - Bo Bunny (Olivia)
Stamp - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Pray Without Ceasing)
Embellishments - Ribbon (Offray), Pearls (Oriental Trading), Fiskars Border Punch (Apron Lace), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Deckled Rectangle Large)

I hope you'll play along with us this week at The Sweet 'n Sassy Connection.

Thanks for stopping by!

SNSDC9 - Patriotic Card

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a Patriotic card.  I chose to use the Cocoa Supports the Cause stamp and color it like a small flag.  I used a ruler & black marker to draw the dividing lines and then colored it with my prismacolor pencils.  The sentiment is computer generated.  I gave the starts in the background paper and on Cocoa's ribbon a little sparkle with a glitter pen.

I used one of the sentiments in the Because of the Brave set for the inside of the card.

I used sketch #224 at CPS for my card design.

I'm also entering it in the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday #117 - Stars & Stripes
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #95 - Red, White & Blue Thank You Card
Tuesday Throwdown #55 - Red White & Blue


Supplies:
Card Base - Strathmore bristol
Cardstock - Georgia Pacific, Recollections
Patterned Paper - Frances Meyer
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Cocoa supports the Cause)
Computer Font - Constantia
Embellishments - American Crafts (Brads), Sakura Gelly Roll Pen (Clear Star), SU Ink (Night of Navy), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Petite Oval, Petite Scalloped Oval)